Unwanted Attention

An interesting new way to promote art....

Cooper adjusted his tux jacket as he stepped out of the Audi. He looked up at the abandoned warehouse that had been converted into its own art installation for the night as part of this grandiose unveiling of the snotty brat’s artwork.

He groaned and rolled his eyes at Baz who was holding the car door open for him.

“This is going to be torture.”

Baz chuckled and closed the door, stepping in behind Cooper as he made his was inside.

He had to admit, what had been done to the place was impressive. The mood lighting effects really helped accentuate the paintings that were scattered around the large interior, hanging from long wires from the steel structure beams on the roof, down to eye level. They were attached to the concrete floor the same way to stop them from swinging. Cooper was surprised at their large size and wondered where the hell one of these monstrosities was going to go in his building. ‘No way is it going in the foyer!’ They all looked like weird graffiti art to him and made absolutely no sense.

There was a DJ playing modern cover remixes of some quite good old music down the back and several people were already milling around, sipping champagne and chatting. Dotted around were extravagantly expensive looking couches that Cooper thought really didn’t go with the urban look of the paintings or the industrial look of the warehouse at all. ‘No accounting for taste…’

Don Luici had already arrived and spotted Cooper as he wandered in and grabbed a champagne flute from the waiter at the door while Baz showed his invite to the security.

“Ah…Cooper!” Luici called out, indicating for Cooper to go over.

Cooper saw who Luici was standing with and cringed inwardly but made his way over with a smile plastered on his face.

They shook hands firmly. “How’s business?” Luici asked pleasantly.

“Same as it was last week…” Cooper muttered as he glanced at the women, it was clear Don Luici didn’t want their meeting on Thursday known. Wives were kept out of business dealings.

Luici smiled at Cooper’s personality, or lack thereof, he was well used to it. He turned to the pretty middle aged brunette woman standing beside him. “You remember my wife…”

“Indeed I do…” Cooper took her hand and leaned over and politely kissed the air on both sides of her face. “You are looking beautiful as always, Belladonna.”

“Thank you, Cooper…” She answered politely. “And I must say you just get better and better with age…” She smirked and her eyes sparkled as she teased him. He coughed and adjusted his bow tie awkwardly causing her to laugh. Damn this woman, she always loved to put him on the spot in front of her husband. How he would love the opportunity to take her over his knee and s***k the living shi…

“And you will remember my niece of course…Lucinda.” Luici continued.

Cooper tried hard to keep the scowl off his face.

“Of course, how could I ever forget…” He did the same kisses in the air with her, except she actually touched his cheeks and left little pecks. He really did scowl this time, his eyes dark as he looked at her when they pulled away. She blushed and looked at the ground under his intense scrutiny.

Don Luici had been trying to get him to date his niece for a couple of years now, and although she was young, pretty and begging for him, he did not want to involve himself with anyone associated by blood to Don Luici.

The DJ stopped playing.

The lights suddenly went out and the only illumination was spotlights on the paintings and a large spotlight in the center of the floor where a young flamboyant gentleman dressed in a rather gaudy purple pin striped suit, with a frilly shirt underneath and a steam punk looking top hat and cane, was standing proudly.

Cooper groaned. The snotty brat himself. ‘What does he think he looks like, a vampire?’

He snorted to himself and looked away with disinterest as Antonio Luici gave his little speech of welcome. Cooper wondered where Baz had managed to hide himself. ‘Probably out the back the lucky bastard.’

Cooper wandered away from Don Luici while they were all distracted by Antonio as he was introducing his muse and current boyfriend Ferdi to everyone. He felt a couple of tiny arms circle his bicep and rolled his eyes before looking down at the annoying dark haired girl.

“Cooper, where do you think you’re sneaking off to?” Lucinda whined at him.

“I’m not sneaking.” He said matter-of-factly.

“Really…” She sneered, brushing her bosoms against his arm as she clung to him.

Cooper tsked and unwrapped her hands from his arm and evaded her touch. She pouted at him. “Why don’t you like me?”

Cooper sighed. “It’s not that, Lucinda…I’m not interested in getting involved with you.”

“Why? Uncle says we’re perfect for each other.”

Cooper grit his teeth. “Your uncle only wants to sell you off to me to get me into the family proper.”

Lucinda scowled. “There’s no reason to be like that!”

“Isn’t there?” Cooper said exasperated.

“Cooper!” Another voice called out exuberantly. Cooper flinched and had to resist the urge to run away as the flamboyant and over the top Antonio came bouncing up to him and flung his arms around his neck, kissing him soundly on the mouth.

Cooper shoved him off but Antonio just laughed. “That’s how you do it, sis…if you want something just take it!”

“Do that again and I’ll kill you!” Cooper said through gritted teeth.

Antonio grinned as he put his arm around his little twink boyfriend, Ferdi. “As if you would dare! Besides I was only teasing…you’re not my type…far too aggressive.”

Cooper looked over Ferdi with an intense gaze as he caught him staring, making him blush.

Antonio saw it and frowned. “Well, you seem to be someone’s type…do I need to punish you, Ferdi?”

Ferdi looked at Antonio startled and muttered a quick no as Cooper snorted and looked away trying to figure out a way to walk off.

A waiter approached Antonio’s shoulder. “Excuse me, sir, there is a young woman and man from some café delivering the cupcakes?”

Coopers hairs on the back of his arms rose, as Antonio smacked his lips. “Ah, yes…excellent.”

“She wants to know if you would like her to set up the display or if you have someone to do it? Only…Chef Yuan says we don’t have time.”

Antonio shook his head. “No, no…I need her to do it…” He went to turn away.

“I’ll deal with it for you.” Cooper said eagerly. He wasn’t sure but he hoped he was in for a very pleasant surprise.

“Really? Well, thanks, Cooper, you’re a real gem!” Antonio beamed at him.

Cooper grinned. “No problem, you need to stay out here…I can sort this for you.”

As he wandered out to the back area where a small kitchen had been set up and the chef there was making the canapes and other finger foods that were being constantly walked around the guests, he stopped and stared in absolute delight.

There she was.

Dove.

She was talking to the chef that had been in the photo with her, Leon Castille, and they were unpacking what looked like a special upright suitcase, when opened it revealed shelves that the cupcakes were all stacked and stored in tupperware containers in.

“Dove.” He said quietly behind her.

She turned and looked at him with a pleasant smile. Cooper watched with fascination as that smile slid off her face and was replaced by awe at the sight of his hotness, then confusion that she recognised him and then by a dark scowl as she realised who he was.

“You!?”

“Me.” Cooper said with a smirk, putting his hands in the pockets of his pants, exuding a calm charisma.

Leon looked at him with an eyebrow raised. Cooper couldn’t help but noticed Leon looked him up and down several times, very carefully.

Dove put a hand on her hip. “Can I help you?”

Cooper chuckled. ‘God! This woman is savage!’ “I’m here to give you a message from Antonio…”

Dove’s eyes widened. “Oh…you know him?”

“Yes? Do you?” Cooper was suddenly concerned, he didn’t need Dove to have any ties to the Luici family.

Dove smiled. “What’s it to you?”

Cooper’s jaw clenched and he swiftly grabbed her by the arm, pulling her in towards himself. She startled and gasped as she found herself face to face with Cooper Henersley’s intense ice blue glare as she braced her hands against his extremely hard muscular chest.

“Do you know him or is he just a customer?” Cooper growled in a deep husky voice that sent little shivers through Dove.

“Hey!” Leon said beside him. “Hands off!”

Cooper dropped his hand, but his stare remained on Dove as she stared back with those beautiful sky blue doe like eyes as she stepped back flustered and blushing. “N…no…he’s just a customer…well, his boyfriend is actually, has quite a sweet tooth.”

“Hmm.” Cooper snorted. “Well, he wants you to display them for him, if you could be so kind.” Cooper’s smug smile returned as he was relieved with her answer.

“Oh, okay…yes that’s fine…we have a few minutes.”

“A few minutes? Does Cinderella have to get home before midnight?” Cooper teased.

Dove scowled at him, but said nothing.

Cooper let them do their work while he watched. He smirked at Dove’s obvious discomfort to his presence. He wandered off out the back door and saw their little delivery van. He leaned on the wall and lit a cigarette, closing his eyes as he crossed his ankles and enjoyed the peacefulness of the darkness.

“Boss?”

Cooper opened his eyes and looked over further into the darkness to see the bulky figure of a man approaching. “Baz? What the hell are you doing out here?” Cooper then noticed a little figure behind him and the guilty look on Baz’s face. Cooper scowled as the waitress scampered past them and back inside, her cheeks flaming red from embarrassment.

“Oh great…so while you’re out back getting blown who’s watching my back?” Cooper growled vehemently.

Baz coughed awkwardly. “Sorry Boss…Don Luici has men everywhere watching this event…but you’re right…” He hung his head.

Cooper’s jaw clenched. “No one has my back though, Baz…except you! Do you know that girl?”

“Ah, yeah…kind of…” Baz looked away and his gaze settled on the van. “So she’s here, huh?” He asked quickly trying to change the subject.

Cooper chuckled. “Yeah…amazing coincidence.”

“Is that why you’re out here?”

“Hmm.” Cooper sucked on his cigarette then dropped it to the ground and stomped on it just as Dove walked out the doors. She froze when she saw them.

Leon appeared behind her and put his hands on her shoulders protectively. “Get in the van.”

“Wait!” Cooper said, his voice holding a dominant tone. “Dove, I need to talk to you.”

Dove shivered at the tone in his voice.

“I don’t think you do…” She said as she walked to the van door as Leon walked to the back and put the suitcase in.

Cooper indicated to Baz and Baz walked behind the van, pushed Leon in and slammed the doors shut, holding him in there as he banged on the back and yelled to be let out.

Cooper gently but strongly pushed Dove up against the side of the van and lifted her chin with his curled fingers. “Don’t ignore me, Dove. I’m not going away.”

Cooper leaned in as he clamped his hands around Dove’s wrists, locking them to her sides and kissed her, crushing his lips against hers. He watched as her eyes almost bulged out of her head in shock and she struggled against him.

He pulled back and as Dove gasped in a deep breath, opening her mouth wide, he dived back in, lashing his tongue through her mouth, one hand coming up to the back of her head holding her as he angled his mouth to completely consume her, his tongue fighting with hers. He saw her eyes shut tightly and she feebly struggled for a moment but then relaxed and her head tilted to accommodate him better, her tongue submitting to his ministrations. He grinned and pulled back, looking at her as she opened her eyes slowly, then he kissed her again, passionately, sucking on her tongue, gliding his along hers expertly leaving her completely breathless. He sucked on her bottom lip and pulled on it as he drew away.

As he stepped away from her Dove whimpered slightly and she blushed with embarrassment at the noise she made, but she suddenly felt so bereft of him after that kiss. She had never been kissed like that before…she had been kissed dominantly before, controlled before but that last kiss was something else…it made her heady and unsteady on her feet and now she was left panting for more.

“Damn you!” She cursed at him as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

Cooper chuckled. “Don’t ignore me, Dove.” He reiterated his last statement.

He turned and walked back inside with a satisfied swagger that set Dove’s teeth on edge. His minder followed with a strange smirk on his face. The back doors of the van burst open and Leon jumped out.

“Bastards!” He yelled before going to Dove as she slumped against the side of the van, touching her lips that now looked swollen and red. “Are you okay? Did that bastard hurt you? Who is he?”

“No one…let’s just go…” Dove pushed Leon away and stood up, grabbing the handle of the van passenger door and opening it.

“Are you sure…we should report it or something…”

“No…it’s fine…just…let’s leave quickly.”

Leon looked back at the doors to the warehouse, gritting his teeth, then turned and walked round the van and got in.

.

Cooper was feeling quite clear headed as he walked back inside, it was like kissing Dove had given him an epiphany.

He saw the cupcakes displayed on a table in several little tiered groups, a tiny label of each flavour in front. He grabbed a red velvet one and stuck it in his mouth. They were tiny bite sized little morsels of heaven. Cooper didn’t normally have a sweet tooth but these were divine. He had to admit that chef knew his cupcakes.

“Cooper, where have you been?” Lucinda’s squeaky voice came to him.

He inwardly groaned. “Finding my minder…” He flicked a look at Baz who had the decency to look away and cough awkwardly while adjusting his suit jacket.

Lucinda grabbed his hand. “Well come on…uncle wants a word.”

“About?” Cooper asked, but he had a feeling and knew now was the time to chop it off at the head. He flicked his hand out of Lucinda’s grasp and smacked her hand away. “Don’t touch me ever again!” He growled. “I’ve already told you I’m not going there.”

Lucinda pouted, but her eyes were hard agates. “Tell that to uncle then!” She dared him.

“I intend to…” Cooper muttered darkly and stalked off.

Lucinda stared at him in shock, tears pricking her eyes as she saw him approach Don Luici.

“Don...” Cooper said respectfully inclining his head.

“Ah...Cooper…just the man, I’ve been meaning to have a talk with you outside of business…”

“Can I interrupt, Sir?” Cooper said quietly.

“Hmm?” Luici inquired, an eyebrow raising.

“If it’s concerning Lucinda, then I must respectfully decline…I am interested in someone else.”

“Someone else?” Don Luici puffed. “What someone else all of a sudden?”

“A small business owner, that has her own wealth…I met her last week and have begun dating her.” This caused Baz’s eyebrows to shoot up.

“So where is she?”

“I have not secured a connection with her enough to broadcast an attachment to me as yet and for that same reason I will not reveal her name…you understand the scrutiny on her would be unfair at this stage and potentially dangerous.”

Don Luici pondered his words, understanding their very public and dangerous secretive personas. “So this woman is not in the fold yet?”

“No, Sir.”

“But you are serious about her?”

“Yes, Sir.” This caused another astonished glance from Baz, Cooper’s eyes flashed at him.

“Very well…however I expect to be formally introduced to such an extraordinary woman to get the interest of the infamous bachelor Cooper Henersley, just as soon as you have secured her protection.”

“Of course, Sir…it would be my privilege…”

They shook hands and chatted about other things, Cooper mingled and spoke to a few other important guests before calling it a night and heading home.

.

In the car Baz felt inclined to ask. “What you said to Don Luici about the woman…?”

Cooper growled. “Was just to get him off my neck regarding Lucinda…as soon as he finds the next smuck to wed her to I’ll say it didn’t work out.”

Baz looked sideways at him.

Cooper caught the look. “Don’t give me that look! My interest in Dove is purely a need…that needs fulfilling…just like the rest.”

“If you say so, Boss…but you’ve never said that about any of them before…”

“I do say so, so shut up and drive.”

After a couple of minutes Cooper sighed. “I want 24/7 eyes on her.”

Baz grinned. “I know, it’s already in play.”

Cooper smiled on one side of his mouth. “There I go telling you how to do your job again…”

.

Dove was curled up in bed hugging her pillow, staring into the darkness as thoughts of Cooper and that kiss drove sleep completely from her mind. She played with her lower lip.

“Damn you, you sexy thug beast!” She muttered and fell onto her back, staring at the ceiling. ‘How am I going to stay away from you when every fiber of my being is literally humming to feel your touch again?’

Dove closed her eyes, her hand going down under the covers and running down her stomach then under the waist band of her PJ shorts and into her cleft. She groaned softly and arched into her own hand.

‘What you make me do, Cooper Henersley!’

.