He smiles over his glass. “Maybe she got them here, but they’re buying because they like what they see.” He dips his gaze down me, and it feels like he can see right through my coat and the dress beneath. “I like what I see, too.”
I swallow. “What do you see?”
“A strong woman who’s talented and brave.” He pauses a beat. “Someone who can do just fine without me.”
I drag my bottom lip between my teeth. “You’re right about that.”
He winces. “Yeah. Why don’t you rub it in?”
I laugh. “That doesn’t mean I want to be, just that I know I can.”
“I didn’t doubt it.” He lifts a hand and drops it before he touches me. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too.” Kiss me. Don’t make me wait.
“Have I given you the time and space you needed?” he asks.
I nod, and he takes the glass from me and sets it with his on the patio’s bistro table. I take his hand, pausing a beat to appreciate the feel of his strong, calloused hand against mine.
“And can I kiss you now?” he asks, stepping closer. “No regrets?”
I smile, thinking of the painting inside by that title—a face silhouetted by moonlight, eyes that seem to search the room beyond the painting. “No regrets.”
“Thank God,” he says. Then he lowers his mouth to mine and kisses me so long that I can feel the eyes inside shifting from my paintings to us. And I don’t even care.
Levi
Friday, December 21st
I prefer my parties quiet. A few friends, a few drinks, and some easy conversation. The kind where I can cut out early to take my girl home, pour her a glass of wine, and make her slow-dance with me in the middle of my living room before I take her to bed and remind us both how good it is to be alive.
This party is a little too crowded for my newly refined tastes, but since it’s my brother Ethan’s wedding rehearsal dinner, I won’t complain.
“Hey, good looking.”
I grin at the gorgeous brunette. She’s found me tucked away in the back corner of the bar, watching everyone else celebrate. She looks so damn hot in a red dress that cradles all her curves and a sultry smile that says she’d rather be somewhere else too.
She leans against the wall beside me. “Anyone ever tell you you’re prettier when you smile?”
“This hot chick mentioned it once.” I turn to her and step closer. “She had a thing for guys who were bad for her. An addiction, actually.”
She bites her lip. “That sounds awful. I heard she outgrew that nonsense.”
> I cup her face in my hand and rub my thumb across her bottom lip. “Hell, I hope not.”
“True story.” She bites my thumb playfully and grins. “She fell for this guy she thought was bad for her, but it turned out he was the very best thing in her life.”
I step closer and lower my mouth to hers, sliding my hands down her back as we kiss. She tastes like wine and temptation and I want to kiss her forever. Except someone’s tugging on my shirtsleeve.
“Uncle Levi!”
I break the kiss and see Lilly making a face at us. “Hey, Lil. What’s up?”
“Aunt Shay says you two need to get a room.”
Ellie snorts then smacks her hand over her mouth to cover her giggle.
I scan the room for my sister and see her sitting in a booth with Molly, they’re both nearly sideways with laughter—though the empty glasses in front of them might also have something to do with their inability to get vertical. “Thanks for delivering the message, kiddo.”