Page 119

“Yes.” I turn her in my arms and lift her, allowing me to stand eye to eye with her. “Please, tell me all the things.”

“You’re… intense.” She places her hands delicately on my shoulders, her eyes wide.

“You exist with some of the scariest men that I’ve ever met. I’m afraid I’m a kitty cat in comparison,” I drawl. “You look really pretty, and you smell amazing.”

“Even kitties have claws. You smell like me,” she says, amused. By this point, I wonder if Draven or Alastair has clued her in as to why. If not, oh well.

Noor’s wearing a mock-high necked mauve dress that plunges down. Her tits are on full display to me at this angle, and the dress goes down to her ankles. I bet she’s wearing combat boots with this too. I fucking love the way she dresses.

“Thanks for the compliment,” I reply, moving toward the next painting with her still in my arms. “I’m hoping these aren’t all sold yet. They go so damn fast.”

“Why this painter?” she asks.

“He makes me feel,” I say, shrugging. “I needed something to connect to when I felt like I was spiraling. Every stroke feels like he’s telling a story. I heard the painter is local to California. The painting we were just in front of makes me feel as if I can feel the wind in my hair.”

Her smile is secretive but she nods as she twists her head to look at the next painting. We discuss it, and I forget to be nervous around her, while she forgets to tell me to put her down. It’s not until we’re halfway around the room that her eyes widen.

“What?” I tease, forgetting myself and brushing my lips with hers. I barely restrain myself from using my teeth on the plump fresh of her pouty bottom lip, winking at her.

“I can walk,” she hisses.

“True, but why would you want to?” I ask, attempting to look innocent. “Isn’t the view from up here better?”

“You’re just really tall,” she groans. “Aren’t you worried people will stare?”

“Not in the least.” I look around and see that everyone is minding their own business. A couple of people smile in our direction, but that’s it. “Alastair and Draven are more in the spotlight than I am. I can still go grocery shopping like a normal person. I’m a newbie on the team. I will happily be your carriage, baby.

“Give me just a second, okay?”

I press my luck and kiss her again before gently putting her feet on the ground. I keep my hands on her waist to help stabilize her, recalcitrant to release her.

“I need to see someone about buying a painting,” I murmur, stepping away to find the woman who is in charge. I keep my eye on her as Noor continues to walk around, her lips twitching in amusement when she touches them gently.

Thankfully, the painting hasn’t been scooped up yet and I’m able to buy it.

“I’m actually not from here, is it possible to ship the painting?” I ask worriedly. “I’m going to be traveling and can’t take it with me.”

Carlie nods, unfazed as she processes the payment and puts ownership of the painting into my name.

“That’s not a problem at all, sir. We’ll take really good care of your purchase for you. It’ll be in perfect condition when it arrives. Is there someone who can accept it if you’re not home?”

“My brother can,” I say with a nod, texting him to explain I’m going to have a parcel delivered. He’s currently house sitting because he says he likes our place better. None of us actually care, and Alastair, Draven, and I would offer him the extra room if we didn’t think he’d complain that we kept him awake when we fuck. “Thank you so much.”

I turn to find Noor, my eyes narrowing when I don’t immediately see her.

“There’s a man blocking your view of the woman you’re looking for,” Carlie says helpfully, watching as my shoulders drop in relief as I begin to walk in the direction Carlie sends me. Sure enough, there’s Noor, swaying gently as she looks around, facing away from me.

The surprising thing is that she’s not looking at the paintings at all, but rather the people gazing at them. She’s watching their reactions, and it makes me wonder why. I forget myself, the restaurant reservations, and time itself.

Her dress swishes around her ankles as she moves, and she finally sighs. I watch as her feet lift slowly one by one, and I hate that I’m going to need to step in. My feet carry me to her and hug her to my chest.

“Lean or sit?” I ask, my lips pressed to her ear. Her lips curve, and I notice she didn’t once flinch. She couldn’t see me when I hugged her, but then, she had to have known it was me.

Her purse is hanging against her hip, and I know she has her chair inside.

“I think I’m ready to keep going if you are,” she says easily. “Did we miss our reservation yet?”

Pulling my jacket and sleeve up, I shake my head as I check the time.