Aleks releases me, and his hungry gaze rakes over my figure.
“You look stunning. Just as much a piece of art as the rest of the room.”
“Says the man who walked in here looking like a complete snack.”
Seriously. I don’t know how he keeps getting hotter and hotter every time I see him. Aleksander in an all-black suit is delicious.
Deanna not so subtly coughs.
“Aleks, this is my best friend, Deanna.”
He holds out his hand to her. “Pleasure to meet you.”
She shakes it, her eyes slowly assessing him. It feels like minutes pass even though it’s only mere seconds. Finally, her award-winning smile flashes out.
“I approve,” she declares. “And you do get an extra five points. But for the flowers.”
Aleks laughs at her, and the tightness in my shoulders eases. It was one thing to go on a date with him to the coffee shop and ride around on his bike. It’s another to bring him into my world. Seeing him not only with Deanna but also surrounded by art…it’s special. I’m still worried about letting him see such a vulnerable part of myself so early on. But if I learned anything from my mistakes with Chase, it’s that it is important that I invest my time in someone who accepts every part of me no matter what. If he didn’t get along with Dee or hated being at the exhibition, it would show me now that I should back off before my heart gets any more invested.
“So, where’s your piece? I’m dying to see it.” Aleks loops his arm around my waist and pulls me into him.
“It’s over there.” I point to the growing crowd of people. I’m still shocked by how much attention it is getting. I’ve done exhibitions and shows before where people have fawned over my art but never to this level. I can’t tell whether it’s me or the fact that this is Caleb’s gallery.
“Do you want me to go see it myself, or do you want to join me?”
It’s a kind question. Depending on the piece, I don’t always want to be there. I feel like my presence can hinder a person’s experience. But I need to see Aleks’ reaction even though the butterflies in my stomach are getting restless.
“I’ll take you over.”
“And I’ll put your flowers somewhere safe.” Deanna nods at us before dipping into the crowd and disappearing.
I lead Aleks over to the centerpiece, weaving us through the group of people until we are in the front. “It’s called The Game.” I watch him from the corner of my eye. Analyzing every twitch as he looks up at the darkness before him.
Aleks’ arm drops from my waist and his mouth parts. I see his brows furrow before he takes a step forward, standing as close as he can get to the piece. He says nothing. The butterflies are beginning to wage an all-out war inside me. I think they might be eating each other. I yearn to stand next to him, but I let him be. Whatever the painting is telling him, it’s his to feel. I don’t want to interrupt.
When several minutes pass, I begin to worry. The butterflies are basically exploding inside me now. Screw it. I reach forward and tug on his elbow before taking a step to meet him.
He jerks at the contact with a sharp breath. When he looks down at me, all I see is a barrage of emotions swimming across his emerald eyes. There are too many to pinpoint exactly what he is feeling.
“Everything alright?”
“Yeah, sorry. I just got into my head. It’s an amazing piece, Stevie. It just…” he trails off. “It just took me by surprise.”
“I understand that. Painting it took me by surprise. The piece practically yelled at me to be painted. I stood in my room for eleven hours straight from start to finish.”
“Seriously?”
“Mhm,” I hum.
“What does it mean?”
“That depends. What does it mean to you?” I never tell anyone what a piece means to me first. Everyone has their own interpretation. What a painting means today could mean something entirely different a year from now. It all depends on where you are in life as to what message it will give you. Sure, there are literal ways to interpret a piece. But at the heart of it, it’s everchanging.
“Breaking point.” Aleks’ voice is soft.
“What?”
“The piece, it represents a person’s breaking point.”
Interesting. To me, it represented inner turmoil. Someone who is stuck between two doors and has to make a decision.
His hand reaches forward toward the piece, but he stops himself. Which is good because the security guard is giving him some weird looks. “It’s a phenomenal piece, Stevie. Truly.” This time, when he turns to me, I see relief in his expression. It’s almost like the painting sucked away whatever demons had floated to the surface. He holds my hand and brings it to his lips, placing a delicate kiss in the center. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”
A flood bursts in my chest. I don’t know why, but my heart feels like it’s cracking apart and mending together at the same time.
“I’m glad you could see it.”
He matches my smile, his dimples on full display. I’m hit with the urge to kiss him. To let him feel all my emotions without a word. Aleks’ gaze heats in response and the yearning amps up. I move my hand to his cheek, running my thumb across his jaw.
“Hi, sorry to interrupt.” My bubble shatters as Caleb steps up to us. “Do you mind if I steal her away for a few minutes? We have quite the bidding war going on for her piece.”
Aleks looks like he certainly does mind, but he just gives Hayes a lazy smile.
“Of course not. Everyone deserves the chance to meet my girl, see how amazing she and her art are.” He gestures around the room. “I’m just going to look around the exhibit myself.”
“Wonderful.”
Hayes rests his hand on my elbow and steers me away. Disappointment ripples through me, but I plaster a smile on my face.
It takes another hour before I’m able to escape the barrage of people Caleb insists on introducing me to. My mind is spinning with all the new names, and I’m exhausted. Grateful. But exhausted. At this point, all I want to do is just hang out with Aleks. Deanna already texted me letting me know she had to head home but that she left my flowers with coat check.
I finally spot Aleks out of the corner of my eye and wave him over. I drink him in, appreciating the way he commands the attention of those around him without even trying.
Damn. This man is my date.
Aleks hands me a flute of champagne when he reaches me, and I all but snatch it from his grasp. “Thank you, I needed this.” I take a quick sip and let the bubbles wash away some of the tension.
He leans in and places a kiss on my cheek. But he doesn’t move away. Instead, he inches farther forward, his lips grazing my ear.
“I just spent the last hour watching you being paraded around on the arm of another man. He was acting like you’re some shiny trophy when you’re a queen. My queen.”
I choke on the bubbles.
“I’m a patient man, Stevie. But I’m no gentlemen.” His breath is hot on my ear. “For the rest of tonight, you’re mine.”
My core clenches, and I squeeze my thighs together to alleviate the growing want. He leans back and smiles at me. At first glance, it looks sweet. But I see it for what it really is. It’s the smile of a predator playing with its prey.