Page 41 of His to Possess
Her insight surprised me. I'd known Luka for years, seen countless iterations of his work, but Laurel managed to cut right to the heart of it in moments.
Luka's smile widened, a mix of pleasure and something darker. "You just answered your own question. Why these remain with me, forever. They're not just art—they're pieces of my soul, a unique moment in time."
I felt a surge of possessiveness as I watched Laurel and Luka connect over the canvas. It was irrational, I knew, but seeing her arm linked with his, watching her brilliant mind work in tandem with his… it stirred something primal in me.
"You have quite an eye, Laurel," I interjected, unable to stay silent any longer. "Perhaps we should continue our tour. There's much more to see."
Luka shot me a knowing look, amusement dancing in his eyes. He knew exactly what he was doing, pushing my buttons like this. It was a game we'd played for years, but tonight, with Laurel here, the stakes felt higher.
"Of course," Luka said smoothly, releasing Laurel's arm. "Although I must say, Rex, you found quite a gem here. It's rare to meet someone who truly understands the work."
"Yes," I agreed, my voice low. "She is quite exceptional."
Laurel's presence shifted the dynamic, adding a new layer to my relationship with Luka. It was exciting, but also dangerous. I would need to tread carefully to maintain control. I seized the opportunity when Luka was intercepted by a fawning couple, pulling Laurel closer to me. Her arm twined with mine, and I relished the warmth of her body against my side. It was where she belonged.
A server approached with a tray of champagne flutes. Before I could offer her one, she snatched a glass and downed it in one swift motion. I frowned, noticing the slight tremor in her hand.
"What's wrong?" I asked, keeping my voice low.
Laurel offered a weak smile. "Meeting Luka, seeing his work… It's overwhelming. He's truly a genius."
Her words irritated me. I was about to turn and lead her out of this godforsaken vernissage when I spotted a familiar face approaching.
Tristan. His presence here wasn't surprising, he always enjoyed these sorts of events. I felt myself relax slightly as he drew near, his charming smile already in place.
"Rex," Tristan greeted warmly, before turning his attention to Laurel. "And this must be the lovely Laurel Bowers."
I cleared my throat. "Laurel, allow me to introduce Dr. Tristan Bowman. He's a renowned psychiatrist and an old friend."
Tristan took Laurel's hand, his charm on full display. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Laurel. I've heard so much about you."
Laurel's brow furrowed slightly. "That's curious. Luka said the same thing earlier. Why is that?"
I tensed, my mind racing. Damn my friends with their loose tongues. I should have known better than to bring Laurel here, to expose her to my world. But before I could intervene, Tristan smoothly stepped in.
"Ah, well, Rex here has been quite taken with you," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "He mentioned your expertise in art restoration more than once. It's always refreshing to see him so enthusiastic about someone."
I forced a smile, grateful for his quick thinking but irritated by the implications. "Tristan exaggerates," I said, my voice tight. "I merely mentioned your professional capabilities."
Laurel looked between us, her green eyes sharp and assessing. I could almost see the gears turning in her brilliant mind, and it both thrilled and unnerved me. She was too perceptive for her own good.
"I see," she said finally, her tone neutral. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Bowman. Are you an art enthusiast as well?"
As Tristan launched into a discussion about the psychological aspects of art appreciation, I found my thoughts drifting. This night wasn't going as planned. Laurel was too curious, asking too many questions, and being too open. I had brought her into my life with the sheer desire to possess every aspect of her, but I didn't expect her to get so entangled in so many areas of my world. There were certain parts of it that she would have been better off not knowing about. I needed to regain control of the situation before things spiraled further.
I tightened my grip on Laurel's arm, a subtle reminder of her place. She glanced at me, a flicker of… something in her eyes. Defiance? Curiosity? I couldn't quite tell, and it unsettled me.
I watched as Luka returned, his eyes locked on Laurel. Before I could react, he was at her side, wrapping her arm around his and pulling her away. My jaw clenched, a surge of anger rising in my chest. It took every ounce of self-control not to lash out at my friend.
"Come," Luka said, his voice smooth as silk. "There's another piece I simply must show you."
I followed a few steps behind, my eyes boring into his back. This wasn't like him. He knew better than to interfere with my interests. The fact that he was doing so now set my teeth on edge. There would most certainly be a price to be paid later.
Tristan fell into step beside me, his voice low. "Are you alright? It's unlike you to bring one of your collectibles to events like this."
I remained silent, my eyes fixed on Laurel and Luka as they stopped in front of another canvas. I could see Laurel's lips moving, no doubt sharing another insightful observation.
Tristan chuckled softly. "Your silence speaks volumes, old friend."
