I move to the gallery assistant. “They sold?”
“Yes,” she says. “The offer was five million.”
“What?” I ask, confused. “Are you serious?”
“Yes,” she says, moving to help another guest.
I go back to Patterson with my mouth parted. “Someone bought my paintings for that ridiculous price.”
He smiles widely.
“Patterson.”
“Hmm?”
“Was it you?” I recently learned he was the one who purchased my auction paintings.
He crosses his arms over his chest. “Do you really think I was letting those go? I’d have paid double for all of it. Sorry, Ken Doll. I’m your biggest fan, and I will be yourbiggestcollector. Get used to it. If someone wants your artwork, they’d better have billions. I want to own it all.”
I shake my head at him and kiss him hard.
“There are hundreds of paintings in Europe, Patterson.”
“I’m aware. Do you know how hard it’s been to track them down?” he asks. “I might have to retire from hockey at this rate.”
“Wait, you’re searching for my artwork?”
“Hell, yes, I am. I’mgreedy,” he tells me, and I’m too giddy for my own good.
He pulls me into his arms and dances with me in the middle of the gallery. People walk around us as we sway to the classical music overhead.
“You’re ridiculous,” I tell him with a laugh.
“You fucking love it,” he says, spinning me.
“I do. So, so much.”
He leans in and whispers in my ear, “Anywhere we can christen?”
“You are so bad.” I bite my lip. “But I thought you’d never ask.”
“Lead the damn way,” he says.
We take the long hallway that leads to a small office. We step inside, and I lock the door. He’s staring at me with a sparkle in his eyes.
“What?” I ask, smiling up at him.
“Nothing.” He’s admiring me like I’m something precious. “I want to remember this. Right now. This exact moment.”
I step closer. “Yeah?”
“This is where it all starts.” He slides his mouth against mine. It’s hot, passionate, and needy. “Everything before got us here. But this, right now, you and me? This is our real beginning.”
I look up at him and grin.
“I love this life with you,” I whisper against his mouth, yanking at his belt. “Now, pretty please fuck your fiancée.”
“Mmm,” he says, growling against my throat. “Soon-to-beKendall Cross. Love the sound of that.”
