Page 33 of Barrett

Dark eyes met mine, and a slow smile formed on his delicious lips. I could say that now because I’d kissed him. It was only once, but it would forever be ingrained in me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, more accusatory than curious.

“Hello to you too.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“I’m not allowed to attend events like this?”

“Are you into art?”

Reghan leaned close so his lips brushed the shell of my ear, eliciting a shiver that ran through me. “I’m into you. This has to do with your brother, so I want to support both of you. I looked up the event, and here I am.”

I should move away, but my body said fuck that and pressed closer. I still had enough sense to say, “We don’t want your pity.”

He moved so he could look into my eyes. “When have I ever pitied you, Bear?”

“In the café.” I’d never forget that moment.

“No, in there, I wanted to comfort you and ease your pain. That’s not pity. The more you get to know me, the more you’ll understand me. I’m here to look at local art and maybe purchase some. I have a new apartment that needs a little something to brighten it.”

“Well, don’t let me stop you.”

Could I be fucking normal for once in front of him? He already knew more than any other person besides my family about me, and yet I kept pushing him away and putting that mask I wore so well on. I wanted to be real with him, but this came more naturally. It was a defense mechanism honed after years of not letting anyone in.

Before he could reply, the hotel's owner clapped him on the shoulder. “Reghan, I didn’t know you were coming by tonight.”

“Emeric, it’s nice to see you again.” They shook.

Over six feet with light-auburn hair and a clean-shaven jaw, Emeric Saylor turned heads wherever he went, except mine. I didn’t have eyes for anyone except Reghan. I was still alert to my surroundings though. “Are you here to purchase? I’m matching the price of every piece sold and donating it to the city.”

“In that case, I’ll have to buy more than one item.”

Emeric grinned. “The city and the artists will appreciate it.” Then he focused on me. His blue eyes were not as warm as they were with Reghan. Emeric knew who I was and had a ballpark idea of the sides I played. I didn’t trust him, but I didn’t hate him either. He was kind to my brother and the other artists tonight, plus he did a good thing by building an upscale hotel here. East Dremest needed more development to attract people to visit our side of the city. “Detective North, I saw on my list that your brother is one of the artists tonight. How’s he doing?”

“Good. No sales yet, but it’s only a matter of time.” I was confident enough for both Marshall and me.

“Everything is going well between you and Reghan? I don’t want any problems.” He smiled in greeting at a woman in a navy dress who walked past us.

“You won’t have trouble from us. We were only talking. I should get back to my brother.” If others saw me with Reghan and knew who he worked for, it could get back to my superiors, and I really didn’t want to deal with that shit.

“I’ll come with you,” Reghan said. “We’re good, Em. No worries here.”

He nodded. “Have a nice evening.” Emeric left to make his rounds, encouraging others to purchase by saying he was donating money.

As we walked, before I could open my mouth and tell Reghan to leave me alone, he whispered, “I didn’t say that because you can’t handle yourself. I know you can. Emeric was just doing his job and making sure everything was all right. Now, if you don’t want to introduce me to your brother, I can walk the other way—your call. I would like to meet him though. Not for Jordan or anything else. For me, because I care.”

How could I turn him away after saying that? I held back a groan. Opening myself more to Reghan didn’t make me want to run toward my brother and shield him. It felt natural to bring Reghan over, even if I shouldn't have him near Marshall or me in public.

Marshall smiled as we approached. A dark-green sweater spanned his slender frame. He paired it with gray slacks that were cut slim. His usually messy hair was tamed. I preferred him the other way, but tonight wasn’t about me. Marshall said he had to impress. I’d said fuck what others thought. He’d laughed.

“Mars, this is Reghan. Reghan, my brother, Marshall.”

My brother's eyes bounced back and forth between us as his smile grew. “So, you’re the man my brother’s been brooding over for what feels like an eternity.”

“Brooding?” Reghan asked. “I couldn’t possibly picture him doing that.” He rolled his eyes. My god, it was so fucking playful I had to resist kissing him. I never expected this side to come out of Reghan. It showed how little I knew about him.

Marshall laughed and extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.” They shook. Reghan was far gentler than I imagined he’d be.

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