Either Jessica had gotten her information mixed up or her friend had. Or she had just made it up.
I didn’t waste a second. I threw the next question at him. “Why were you with Jessica tonight?” I pierced my gaze into his, my toes tapping on the hardwood floor in a steady beat.
“Jessica Conner?” His eyebrows pinched to the center as he said her name like he couldn’t believe I’d even mentioned it. “Unfortunately, I had to ask her to help me arrange your art exhibition. She’s well known in our community and, believe it or not, some people respect her. Jessica has no idea you’re the painter. She called people she knew and I did too. The people I contacted were business associates. Property owners purchase paintings or poster-size photos to display in their sample rooms.”
I gave him a sidelong glance and parted my mouth. “You did this for me? Why?”
He inched closer. “I think you’re an amazing person, and you’re very talented. I didn’t realize I had already bought one of your paintings. It’s hanging in my bedroom, which you knew. I think you wanted to tell me when we had dinner that one day but you stopped. Why?”
I shrugged and glanced at the door again. “I don’t know,” I murmured.
“Maybe because you’re afraid to succeed. You think you don’t deserve everything, but you do. I did this for you because I believe in you. I’m a businessman, and I know how hard it is to get ahead. But I don’t want to take all the credit—your sister helped me. She believes in you too. Don’t go back to Los Angeles, Kate. You can make a living by doing what you love. Look at all the paintings you’ve already sold. You don’t know this yet, but the clients already requested more from you and Abby. Your life is going to change.”
I frowned, but my emotions fluttered like a trapped butterfly in my belly.
“When did this happen?” I lowered my purse.
“While you were eating dinner.”
“Do my parents know anything about this?”
“Yes. Abby told them.”
I was grateful for everything Lee and Abby had done. Arranging this art exhibit had taken a lot of effort and work in such a short amount of time. The reason she’d been texting a lot more frequently and recently. But a little part of me felt a little betrayed they had done this behind my back.
I released a long sigh and said, “Lee, thank you, but ...”
“No but. And you’re wrong, Kate.” Lee grabbed my hand and pulled me closer with his other arm.
“Wrong about what?” I said breathlessly, staring into his eyes.
I was drowning in his voice, his smell, his warmth. This was what I’d tried to avoid. This was the reason I couldn’t talk to him, let alone be face-to-face with him.
Lee pressed his forehead to mine. “You said I’m a man who has everything, but you’re wrong. I don’t have you. You complete my everything. Please don’t leave. I want you. I want us. You painted the blank canvas of my heart with colors I’ve never seen or felt. Joy, laughter, and love. I want it all with you. And you deserve everything. Let me be the one that gives it to you.”
I blinked in surprise and my heart combusted with happiness. I couldn’t believe all that he was telling me. This man was too good to be true.
In the two years I’d been with Jayden, he had never expressed what he had felt for me. But Lee, he was an open book. He had poured out his heart and I knew without a doubt he meant every word. He made me feel important and that I was enough.
It was then when I realized that what I felt for Lee was much deeper and real than anything I’d felt with Jayden. What I’d had with Jayden wasn’t love. With Jayden, it was all about him. But with Lee, it was all about us.
Relationships were complicated. And the love thing ... What did I know about it? But with the right person, your heart explodes with pure bliss, and you feel like you can fly. Abby was right. Love was easy when it was right.
I loved his heart.
I loved the way he loved Bridget, and the way he paid it forward.
I loved how much he wanted me and the promise of tomorrow with him.
Pulling back enough to see his face, I said with conviction, “I want us, too. I want you to be the one to give me everything I deserve, and I want to do the same for you.”
Lee gave me his gorgeous smile, but his eyes gleamed darker. As he wrapped one arm around my lower back and cupped the back of my head with his other hand, he pressed his lips to mine.
Thump went my purse. My arms went to his firm biceps.
The kiss was soft and sweet at first, until I moaned and my hands traced across his hard pecs.
He sucked in a breath and yanked me closer, my softness pressed against his hard chest. As his fingers laced through my hair, I parted my mouth and kissed him madly, tongues tangling.
We kissed with desperation, with all the pent-up momentum of longing we’d had ever since that time in the painting room. Perhaps even earlier, since the cab when I tossed my wet hair at him. He thirsted for me as I did for him, and I wasn’t sure if we would ever be quenched.
When he kissed me even deeper, my body ignited with the sparks and this time they didn’t fizz out. They burst with tiny fireworks, spreading to every inch of me until they exploded in a grand finale. I melted, evaporated, and drifted off into oblivion. And I’d swear I heard wind chimes tinkling.
I knew kissing Lee would be amazing, but I had underestimated him. I had floated off the stars and I’d thought I would never come down. Then Lee embraced me tightly like he never wanted to let me go, and finally released me. Breathless, his forehead pressed to mine, he lowered his hands to my hips.
“I’ve been wanting to kiss you for a long time.” He caressed my cheek, his eyes tender and gleaming. “I’m disappointed that I have to cut it short, but I think we should let your family back in now. Bridget is with them, too. They’re waiting for us. And just in case you’re wondering, Bridget loves the idea of us together.” He took my flower off my hair and placed it on the left. “There. Now you’re taken.” He winked. “Should we tell everyone the good news?”
I frowned at him playfully, still catching my breath, and the feel of his memorable kiss lingering on my lips. “Only if you answer two questions.”
He scrunched up his nose. “Okay.”
“What did I say to you that night when you found me sleeping in Bridget’s bed?”
A smug grin bloomed on his face as he shifted his weight from side to side. “You said ... goodnight, husband.”
“Oh, my goodness. I did?” I gnawed on my bottom lip, mortified.
“Don’t be shy.” He caressed my cheek. “I liked it. You didn’t hear me but I said, ‘goodnight, wife,’ back to you. Your next question?” He seemed eager to move on.
“Why did you buy the painting in your room?”
He rubbed the back of his neck and hunched his shoulder as if embarrassed. “You might think it sounds silly, but I like to think that the star on the right is me and the one on the left is my soulmate. We’re two stars drifting in the vast universe until we find our perfect match. After I found you, I knew you were mine.”
I think I stopped breathing. Overcome with a rush of giddiness, I embraced him with all of me. I had stopped believing in soulmates, but my faith had been renewed.