Page 81 of Reveal Me
‘Did you tell him who I was?’
‘Of course not.’
My heart thumps double time in my chest. Sean’s offering me something I’ve never had before—true freedom. A way to support myself—away from the rest of my family—other than starring in a questionable Netflix series that would surely give my parents a heart attack.
But would people really buy my work?
‘Please, Princess.’ Sean pulls me against him, supporting my weight, like he senses the weakness in my knees. ‘I want to build a life with you. I know what I’m asking you to give up for me, but I will spend the rest of my life making it worth your while.’
‘Oh, Sean.’ I melt into his embrace. He has no idea what he’s asking. ‘You’re asking me to give up nothing compared to what I’d gain from being with you, but what about you? I know how much you value your privacy. When the tabloids get wind of our relationship, every paper in the world will want to dig up dirt on you. It’s only a matter of time before Reveal is exposed.’
‘I’ll deal with it. My family has powerful connections. And yours won’t want that splashed all over the headlines. I love you; I want to be with you, whatever the consequences. Let Jaxon see your work, please.’
‘What if he hates it?’
‘He won’t.’
‘But what if he does?’
‘Then you’ll just have to pad around my kitchen barefoot and pregnant, waiting for me to come home from work.’
I suck in a breath. ‘Sean!’
Being married and pregnant used to feel like a fate worse than death, but that was when I thought I was going to be forced into an arranged married. Given half the chance, I’d arrange this one myself—for tomorrow morning. I can’t imagine a life without Sean, and I don’t want to have to.
‘Do you want kids?’ I ask.
‘I didn’t.’ His eyes hold mine. ‘Until I met you. I love my nieces and nephews like they’re my own. I’d kill and die for those little terrorists. I can only imagine how I’ll feel about our child.’
My ovaries combust. ‘Okay.’
‘Okay, as in you’ll let Jaxon see your work? Or okay, you’ll tell the world that you’re mine and I’m yours and pad around my kitchen barefoot and pregnant?’
‘All of the above,’ I nod, feeling more certain with every passing second. ‘It’s frankly terrifying. All of it. And it’s probably going to cause a war. But if it means I get to be with you, it’s worth the casualties.’
‘We’ll fight it together.’ He crushes me against his chest, and I’ve never felt more loved, more secure, more sure that I’m doing the right thing.
We hold each other for a long time until finally, Sean releases me. ‘Come on, let’s explore. See where your pieces could be displayed.’
He takes my hand, and we wander through the building, examining each piece with wonder. It’s an evocative collection. Each piece demands attention, conversation, thought. Even I have to admit, the red and black pieces I painted the past few weeks would fit alongside these perfectly.
‘I still want to buy that painting, the first one you showed me,’ Sean brushes a kiss over my temple.
‘You may have to speak to Jaxon about that.’
His throaty laugh is music to my ears.
Finally, we reach the back of the building. Candlelight flickers between the shadows. A single table, elegantly set for two, sits before floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city lights in the distance. White linens, crystal glasses, silver that catches the light. A single red rose sits in a slim glass vase. A bottle of wine is uncorked on the table.
‘You arranged this?’ The logistics must have been extraordinary.
‘Jaxon owed me a favour. He’s going to owe me another one when he sees your work.’ He pulls out my chair and gestures for me to sit. ‘There’s food keeping warm in the back kitchen. Pasta.’
‘My favourite!’ I shrug off my jacket, hang it on the back of the chair and sit, overwhelmed by the attention to detail. ‘This is the most thoughtful thing anyone’s ever done for me.’ I’m not talking about the food and the wine; I’m referring to the way he’s fighting for us, for a way for us to be together, when in all honesty I was certain there wasn’t one.
‘Even more thoughtful than tying you to my kitchen table and eating you like dessert?’ His eyes glitter with mischief.
‘Now you mention it, it’s a close one.’ I smirk. ‘Both experiences left quite an impression.’
