Page 100 of All's Fair In Love & War

His beautiful face was made up of angular cheekbones, a sculpted jawline, and full lips that curved into the sexiest smile. His goatee was sharp and well-kept, the line-up clean enough to show he didn’t let just anyone touch his face. His nose wasstraight and perfect, but his eyes were his sexiest feature. They were dark, intense, slightly arrogant, and always watching me.

I knew I shouldn’t have been looking that hard, but I couldn’t stop myself. Watching him from behind was its own kind of problem, and for reasons I didn’t want to name, I wasn’t in a rush to solve it.

We entered the next room, and the floor changed from tile to polished wood. The scent of varnish mixed with dust. The lighting here was dimmer and warmer. Gold-framed oil paintings lined the walls, each one staring back with hollow eyes and solemn expressions.

“This is where I wanted to bring you,” he said, his pace finally slowing.

I stepped up beside him and followed his gaze. We stood in the center of the museum’s African American arts and culture exhibit. The walls were lined with rich, textured pieces that pulsed with history. The portraits were painted in deep, earthy tones. Abstract panels were layered in reds and golds, and the striking black-and-white photographs captured the stories of entire generations.

There were no velvet ropes here, just space to breathe and take it all in.

“You wanted to bring me here,” I repeated, my tone skeptical. “Not to steal anything. Just to… look?”

Dallas nodded. “Not everything of value has to be taken.”

I turned toward him, trying to read his expression. “Then why the theatrics? Why the back entrance, the keypad, the hacker routine?”

He shrugged again. “Because I wanted to make this fun.”

My arms folded instinctively. “I bet you did.”

He shrugged. “I have to give you a reason to stop running,” he said, meeting my eyes. “Even if just for a few hours.”

The words tugged at my conscience. I only ran because what we were doing wasn’t right, because if my family found out, they’d disown me, and because I’d bring shame to our name for secretly falling in love with the enemy.

Dallas grabbed my hand and led me to a statue, breaking my thoughts. “This is part of the city’s permanent collection,” he said, keeping his voice low. “But most people walk right past it to get to the European wing. They never stop long enough to see any of this.”

He didn’t sound angry, only tired, as if he’d seen it happen millions of times.

I kept my eyes on the statue. “Is that why you brought me here?”

He nodded. “That, and because I knew you’d get it.”

“I do.” I nodded, squeezing his hand tighter.

My phone was sitting silent in my clutch, probably full of missed calls and unread messages about an engagement dinner I wouldn’t be attending. Not while Dallas had my full attention.

“Let me show you something,” he said.

Dallas walked to the far end of the room, stopping in front of a small sculpture tucked between two larger pieces. It was a marble bust, not of anyone famous, but the face was hauntingly beautiful.

“This piece doesn’t get much attention,” he said. “People overlook it because it’s not loud, or grand, or tied to some well-known name, but I like it.”

I stepped closer, studying the smooth curves and the statue’s perfect stillness. “Why?”

He looked at me then, not the sculpture. “Because it looks like it’s hiding something.”

I didn’t know what to say to that. So I didn’t. Instead, I kissed the back of his hand, and this time, he didn’t smirk. Hedidn’t say anything clever. He just took my hand close to him in the middle of a museum we had no business being in.

And for a brief, quiet moment, I didn’t feel like anyone’s sister, pawn, or obligation.

I just felt seen.

When I turned to look at Dallas, he was watching me. His expression was unreadable and serious in a way that made my stomach tighten.

“What?” I asked, my voice soft.

He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “Just wondering if you’re tired of pretending this thing between me and you don’t mean nothing?”

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