Kim Pritekel - Crossing Lines

"Yeah. Sure did." The brunette plastered a smile to her face.

"Excuse me for a moment, Nina, while I talk with my colleague for a moment." Michael pushed up from his chair and walked over to Kansas, grabbing her by the arm before forcefully shoving her toward the door to the back offices.

Nina got up from her chair, not sure what to think or feel. She had no idea what had happened between Kansas and the brunette on the street, but she knew a hurt woman when she saw one- and the brunette had been hurt. Who was she to judge, though? She'd done her own fair share of hurting people. Such as Abby the night before.

With a heavy sigh, the brunette walked around the gallery, deciding what she'd buy.

Michael didn't let go of Kansas' arm until they were back by the espresso maker. "Let go, asshole," she growled, yanking herself free. The blonde didn't want to hear it, but knew she would anyway.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Kansas?" he hissed. "Have your fucked up 'relationships' if you wish, but not in the middle of the goddamn street!"

"Michael-"

"No, shut up and listen this time," the man said, holding up a manicured finger. "Your friend in there and I- and half the town, might I add- saw your little show. I don't care who you bang, and I don't care who you drop, but the don't bring it to work, or within walking distance of work. Got it?"

Kansas hung her head, nodding like a good little girl. She looked up at him with adoring green eyes. "I'm sorry, Mikey."

Michael opened his mouth to continue the barrage, but lost it, the puppy dog look aimed at him making him forget what he was about to say. "I hate it when you do that," he whined. "I can never remember why I was pissed at you in the first place."

Kansas grinned big, giving the man a monster hug. "Tell Nina I'm sorry for what she had to see."

Michael pulled back from the hug. "Why don't you go tell her yourself?"

"Nah," Kansas said, waving off the idea. "I got too much to do."

"Okay. But next time, Gadget. . . " Michael leaned down and placed a quick peck on Kansas' lips, then turned to head back to the gallery. Kansas watched him go, taking several deep breaths.

"I'm such an ass," she whispered, then headed toward her office.

Nina was minding her own business, perusing the artwork when Michael joined her again. "I'm really sorry," he muttered, walking along side her. "I really wish she'd get herself straightened out. She's so talented, and sometimes I really worry she'll just piss it all away."

"What do you think will change that?" the brunette asked, stopping in front of a gorgeous black and white of a snow landscape. It would go perfectly in Nina's second bedroom.

"I don't know. For her to grow up, maybe. And what'll do that, hell if I know. Been trying for years." He sighed, giving his attention to the work before them. "Oh, this one is gorgeous. I always loved this shot."

"It's perfect for one of my bedrooms." They both stood in silent wonder. "How much do you want for it?"

Michael quoted Nina a price, which made her suck in a silent breath. Mentally she calculated her bills compared to her savings, and it she should spend the money or not. Finally she came to a decision. "I'll take it."

"Wonderful!" Michael clapped his hands. "And, I'll tell you what- I know the photographer personally, so leave it here with us, and I'll have him come in and sign it, then I'll deliver it personally to your front door."

Nina glanced at the good-looking guy. "Is that going to raise the price?"

"Nah," Michael waved the question away. "I'll do it for you."

With a smile and a handshake, the deal was made, and Nina was sent home, lighter in the checkbook, and gasping at the fact that she'd bought another expensive piece of art. Perhaps she was becoming quite the collector.

***

A week went by and Nina heard nothing from Michael about the photograph, and was beginning to get antsy. She hadn't wanted to bug him, as maybe he hasn't been able to get hold of his friend to sign it. It was Saturday, and she decided that if she heard nothing by that night, she'd head into the gallery the following afternoon.

Moments after the decision was made, there was a knock on her front door. Nina had been cleaning house, so hurried to put the vacuum away and scrub her hands on the thighs of her jeans as she pounded down the stairs of her townhouse. Whipping the front door open, she was shocked to see Kansas standing on the doorstep.

"Hi," the blonde said with a bright smile. She held up a large, flat square box and a cardboard tube. "Special delivery."

Nina took a step back, inviting the artist in. "Wonderful, thank you. I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to get my picture or not."

"Yeah, sorry 'bout that. Mikey had trouble getting George to come out of hermit mode to sign it for you." Kansas stepped inside, looking around. "So? Where do you want it?" Seeing Nina's confusion, the blonde explained. "I'm going to use my professional skills to hang it for you, too. I even have a special tool-" Kansas reaches inside her heavy jacket and brought out a standard hammer. Nina chuckled, leading the blonde up the stairs.

"I was thinking here, above the bed." Nina stood at the foot, looking at the empty wall space. She felt Kansas step up beside her.

"You know, I think it would be off balance there with the light sconce close to the corner. Personally," the blonde turned to take in the room, examining all the wall space carefully. "I'd put it between those two windows."

Nina studied the area critically, cocking her head to the side. "You know, I thought about that, but I don't know, I worried that since the one window is a bit smaller than the other, it might seem off somehow."

"Nah. This picture is a perfect size for that space." Kansas quickly set about laying the boxed picture on the bed, removing it from is packaging and holding it up for inspection. Nina walked over to her, looking the frame over, as well as seeing the signature now in the bottom left-hand corner, under the glass.

"It's so beautiful," she breathed, loving the picture even more in her house than she had in the gallery.

"You should feel proud that you have a signed copy, Nina," Kansas said, brow quirked. "George doesn't do that for anyone."

"Well, then tell Michael I'm very touched."

The brunette stood back, watching as Kansas went to work to get the picture hung just perfectly. The blonde worked quickly, yet very carefully. Blue eyes couldn't help but roam over Kansas' strong back, wrapped in a tight cap-sleeved t-shirt, as well as the way her ass was hugged by snug jeans. Her gaze rose back up, though now she realized she was taking in firm breasts rather than a strong back.

Kansas' smirk was amused as Nina quickly looked away, angry at herself for being busted looking. She cleared her throat, deciding to move on and say something she'd been meaning to say since she had first found out Kansas was sculpting. "I'm really proud of you, Kansas," she said, stuffing her hands in her back pockets to keep them from fidgeting. She couldn't believe how nervous the blonde made her. Definitely a new development. "You really followed your heart in your passion to create." She chewed on her lower lip for a moment, then indicated Kansas should follow with the tip of her head.

"Thanks, Nina," Kansas said, following the brunette down the stairs. She couldn't help but take in the tight ass in blue jeans before her. "So, do you work for the DA's office here, or. . . ?"

"No." Nina smiled over her shoulder at the younger woman. "I'm doctor Glassman now. Went back to school, now I teach law up at CU."

"No shit?" They arrived in front of the fireplace. "Guess you followed your passions, too." The blonde's grin fell off her face when she spotted what Nina had wanted to show her. Looking up at her sculpture, she was stunned into silence.