The night slipped away, and soon, their party guests were saying good night and congratulations. As people filed back out of the house, Andrea and Clay each hugged and shook hands with them.

Gigi squeezed him extra tight and said into his ear, “That wasn’t half bad. I’m really glad you’re happy.”

“Thanks, Gi.” He released her. “So…how about you and Chris?”

“And, suddenly, I hate you again.”

He laughed. “So, there’s hope.”

“I’m not going to talk about this with you. He and I are just friends, all right?”

“‘Just friends,’” Clay repeated, using air quotes. “I bet.”

She punched him roughly on the arm. “Stay out of it, Maxwell.”

“Can’t do that, De Rosa.”

“Good night,” she said firmly before following the other guests out.

Andrea finally closed the door and leaned back against it with a sigh. She closed her eyes. “That was great.”

“A lot of fun,” he agreed.

“No…”

“No?” he asked, confused.

She opened her eyes and looked at him, fiercely, possessively. “The way you spoke to Ethan and Cash.”

“What? You heard that?”

“Yeah. I kind of accidentally stumbled into you telling them off.”

“Well, I just…” He scratched the back of his head. He hadn’t known he’d had an audience. “I wanted them to know that you were the most important thing in my life. They couldn’t talk shit about you anymore. That you were it for me.”

She smiled, like the sun filling the room. “You have no idea how much that means to me. I’ve dreaded their presence all week.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He closed the distance between them and ran his hands up and down her arms.

“They’re your friends,” she said simply.

“They are, but they won’t be if they can’t respect you.”

“I was just worried. That’s all. I know how they influence you. I know what’s happened with them in the past.” She dragged her lip between her teeth. “I was just…worried.”

“Well, no more worries any longer,” he told her simply.

“None at all,” she agreed. “Things are different now.”

She ran her hands up his shirt and brought his lips down to meet hers. The kiss was sweet and filled with promises of a bright future, hope-filled days ahead, and all of her dreams come true.

Chapter 28

ALL ABOUT YOU

 

 

Clay stepped out of the enormous waterfall shower. Steam filled the bathroom so densely that he could barely see the mirror across the room. He reached for a plush white towel and wrapped it around his waist. After a long day at the office, he’d been dying to come home and wash the day off. Plus, Andrea had her art gallery opening this evening, and he wanted to be presentable by the time she got home.

Just then the door to the bathroom burst open, releasing the steam.

“Oh!” Andrea squeaked. “Shit.”

“Hey, I didn’t think you’d be home already.”

“I didn’t think you’d be…” She trailed off as the steam cleared, and she got a good look at him.

“Yes?”

“Whoa,” she breathed. “You look sexy as fuck.”

He laughed and ran a hand back through his wet hair. “Thanks, babe.”

“No, seriously.” She entered the bathroom and then ran her nails down his chest and over the washboard abs. “You’re fucking delectable.”

He reached for her hips and dragged her closer. “In that case, if you’re hungry…”

She wet her lips. “Always, around you.”

“Well, I can arrange for you to be well fed.”

She groaned. “As much as I want you to fuck me right here and now,” she said, taking a tender step backward, “this steam is killing my hair for the opening.”

Clay laughed and smacked her ass as she hurried out of the bathroom. He changed into the requisite tuxedo for the evening, and Andrea reappeared from their closet in a red dress with tiny straps and a narrow slit down the middle to her navel. She paired it with shimmery gold heels.

Andrea had arranged a driver for the evening so that they could enjoy themselves without having to worry about getting home. Especially if they wanted to stay after and celebrate what he knew would be an incredible success for her.

She threaded her fingers together and then apart, back and forth.

He reached out and took her hand. “You’re going to be wonderful tonight. You don’t have a thing to worry about.”

“You’re right.” She sounded hollow.

“Look at me,” he told her.

She turned her face back toward him.

He tilted her chin so that she looked up into his eyes, and he smiled. “We’re together, and nothing can stand between us when we’re together. This is just another gallery opening. You blew the other ones out of the water. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

He leaned down and kissed her lips. “Nothing,” he repeated.

“I’ll just be better when it’s over.”

“I know. You worry too much. I’m just ready to finally get to see this gallery of yours.”

A real smile cracked her lips. “I hope it meets your expectations.”

He smirked. “I have faith that it will exceed them.”

The driver pulled up in front of her gallery, and Andrea once again let them in through her back office door.

She took a deep breath with her hand on the door to the studio and looked up at him with eyes full of hope. “Ready?”

“Very.” He could hardly control his excitement as he waited for her to show him around.

She pulled the door open, reached inside, and flicked on the lights. Then, she gasped. Standing in the center of the large gallery room was a painting on an easel, covered with a white cloth.

“What the hell is this?” she asked. “Sorry, Clay. This isn’t…this isn’t how I wanted you to see it. I don’t know who put that there.” She blew out a frustrated breath. “I cannot believe I left people here when I went home to change. When I find out who did this, it’s going to be their head.”