“I told you, it’s a surprise.” Rose grinned. “We have appointments to get our nails done. It’s like putting makeup on,” she waggled her fingers at me, “and I want to look my best.” She winked at me. “But trust me, you’re going to love the art. It’s right up your alley.”
Rose was being shifty and secretive, and I couldn’t figure out why. I was trying to just go with the flow. I wanted to be more free and enjoy life and the turns it brought, but it left me feeling a little like I was spinning out of control too.
“So, manicures. What else do you have up your sleeve for us before this mystery gallery opening?”
Rose laughed. “You’re just going to have to wait and see.”
We caught a cab to the nail salon, and after that it was a whirlwind of getting ready, drinks and dinner, and then another cab ride to the gallery.
The first thing I saw as we approached the building was a bright blue butterfly and very familiar paint strokes.
I grabbed Rose’s shoulder and signed at her with very jerky strokes. “Rose, tell me this isn’t Gio’s show. Tell me that right now.”
She had the decency to at least look a sheepish. “I would, but I try not to lie to you.”
She twisted away from me and made a beeline for the door, leaving me to follow. Or run away.
Staring at the stylized writing on the banner announcing the show, my heart sped up. My palms started to sweat. And my throat dried leaving my tongue feeling too big in my mouth until I could hardly breathe.
I didn’t need to go inside to know that signature on the bottom of the banner. And even though I didn’t speak much Italian, I knew enough to know that farfalle meant butterfly.
27
Giovanni
I hated gallery openings, but this one felt particularly torturous. As an artist, I preferred to be in a studio creating it, not hanging around listening to people schmooze and critique and gush about my work.
The work hanging all around me was raw, emotional, and, if Carissa was to be believed, my best series yet. To me, it was my heart hanging on several canvases getting ready to be battered by a baseball bat.
And each piece hanging on the wall felt like a combination of a love letter and an explosion. Every single brush stroke was a moment, a breath of time I’d spent with Helena, or spent thinking of her. Every drop of paint meant more than tears shed, or glasses of scotch consumed.
Carissa had dressed the gallery the way she always did, making sense and order out of the chaos of my art, until they looked like they belonged in the same series, in this order. I didn’t know how she managed it. They still felt like visceral pain on canvas, spewing out in bursts of color.
But there was one piece I insisted got a prime spot in the lineup.
One single sketch, drawn in haste on a beach.
Left behind at a restaurant table in L.A.
Helena probably had no idea that I had it.
I didn’t know if she’d left it behind on purpose, or if it was accidental, but when the concierge called and asked if I’d forgotten it, I claimed it. I needed it. And even with all the pain I felt with Helena walking away so easily, I had to have it in the series tonight.
Not for sale. I could never part with it, even if someone offered me millions. It was a piece of her, a raw moment. The first moment I started falling for her.
“Your art is a hit. We’ve already had several offers, and we’ve only really just started.” Carissa walked up, a grin on her face, and a cocktail in her hand. “Come out, make a pass around the room. Let your public adore you.”
I sighed and stepped away from my sketchbook in her office. “One pass, every half hour. That’s our agreement.”
Carissa chuckled. “All you artists are so moody. People are buying up your work. They’re loving it. They’re loving you. Can you just take some time and enjoy what you’ve created? Share in the experience with those that have come to celebrate what you’ve done and possibly purchase these things. There are plenty of artists who would give up their left ear to be where you are.”
I glanced up at her. “That’s the joke you’re going with. To the deaf guy.”
“It was supposed to be a Van Gogh reference.”
I chuckled. “I know. I’m just giving you shit.”
Carissa’s horrified expression melted into one of relief and then a big grin.
“Would you excuse me and my brother for a moment?”
I looked up and saw Isabis leaning in the doorway. She was decked out in black leather and a black sequined top. She was always in black. It suited her. Her hair was loose for once, her curls reaching maximum height. She looked like a deadly assassin who needed to also fit in at an art gallery.
Carissa excused herself giving Isabis a wide berth. Most people reacted to Isabis in a similar manner. She came off a little scary and unapproachable, just how she liked it.
“What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing, Is. I’m just tired.”
“You’re avoiding the family.”
“I went and visited Neil and our niece. I talk to Mom.”
“To keep her from showing up,” Isabis replied. She signed with her elegant hands, “Something is going on with you. Even for you, you’re more distanced than usual. Does it have to do with the love story out there?”
I flinched at her words. “There was a woman and now there’s not. What else do you need to know?”
“When are you going to fix it?”
I glared at her. “Is, please, not tonight. I just need to get through this thing tonight and then try and move on.”
Her fingers cut sharply through the air. “You’re making a mistake, Gio.”
I stood. “Maybe, but it’s my mistake to make.” I pushed past her.
I walked out into the main room and was immediately handed a glass of scotch. It was the same crowd who always gathered for these things.
Except for one face I hadn’t seen in weeks.
Quickly, I sidled up and signed, “Hey. Do you need a drink or anything?”
Rose leaned up and kissed my cheek. “Gio, these paintings are beautiful. Really exquisite. Thank you so much for bringing me out for this.”
I smiled and waved over one of the servers circling before I signed, “I figured you’d like it. And it’s so nice to see you again. We should hang out before you leave. Catch up. I would’ve insisted on picking you up and showing you around town, but I had to finish, or Carissa was going to kill me.”
A server took Rose’s order before disappearing into the crowd again.
“Any time you want to bring me out, all you have to do is ask. I could get used to hanging out in New York.” She grinned at me. “Is your show going well?”
“Carissa tells me it is. I don’t really count anything until it’s all said and done.” I scanned the room. “I have to go schmooze, but if you need anything, just come find me. If you can’t find me…” I pointed at Carissa. “Tell her to get me. I might disappear into the office from time to time.”
Rose chuckled. “Hiding out?”
“Maybe.” I winked at her. “Crowds. You get it.” I scanned the group of New York society elites. Any of whom might’ve been willing to pay thousands for my work. “Did you come alone?”
“Not exactly.” She pointed, and I followed her finger. To the back of a curvy brunette in a blue dress that would knock any guy to his knees.
A blue dress I’d had the pleasure of stripping that particular brunette out of.
“Helena.”
Rose nodded. “If you were going to make a grand gesture, now would be the time.” She smirked. “And if you’re going to drag her back to whatever fancy New York apartment you have, give me a heads up so I can get my own ride to the hotel.”
I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tight, kissing her cheek before I pulled back and signed, “I love you, and if this works out, I’m making you my best man.”
She grinned and shoved me toward Helena. “I’ll hold you to
that, but I might get an offer for maid of honor.”
I laughed and nodded.
With a deep breath, I serpentine through the crowd, stopping for a quick hello here or there. But my eyes never lost the vision in blue.
Just before I got to her, someone else stepped up and perused the painting in front of her. It took me a minute to realize who she was, since my focus was all on Helena. But her voice brought me back down to earth. Almost. Isabis. “His work is exquisite, don’t you think? You can really feel the pain, the anguish in this piece.”
I paused, waiting for Helena’s answer. There was no way she could know that it was the first painting I finished after I got back. Or what emotions I’d poured into it.
“No, this isn’t pain. Pain isn’t the right word.” She reached up, almost touching the canvas, but not quite. “Passion. Need. An ache that he can’t fulfill. But it’s not pain.”
“You speak as if you know him.” My sister smiled softly. “Have you met the artist?”
Helena let out an almost wistful sigh. “We were close for a little while. He’s a hell of a guy.”
“That he is. Enjoy the show. I’m going to go get another glass of champagne.” Isabis stepped back, and when she met my eye, I brought my finger to my lips, signaling her to not say anything.
Isabis smirked as she walked past, signing, “Go get her, tiger.”
Moving closer, I barely skimmed my fingers over Helena’s lower back. “Tell me more about the artist’s passion.”
I could feel the shiver tingling down her spine as she moved closer.
“Gio. You’re here.”
“It is my show.” I smiled and pulled her into my side. “Are you enjoying the paintings?”
She leaned into me, her arm sliding around my waist as her head rested on my shoulder. “The butterflies? Every single painting has one.” Helena’s eyes met mine, tears pricking the corners. “It’s all about me, isn’t it?”
“Not just you. It’s us.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “It’s me. I told you, you’re my muse.”
She looked around, her mouth partially open, her eyes wide. “Why didn’t you say something? Why did you let me go?”
I shook my head. “Why did you walk away?” I took her hand and pulled her to the middle of the gallery. The place her portrait hung. “I didn’t think you wanted anything more than just the week. And if that was all I could have, I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted it to be something worth remembering.” I swallowed hard, afraid to look at her. Afraid to see rejection in her eyes.
“Oh my God, that’s… It’s the drawing from the beach. I thought it was gone.” She looked up at me, the tears staining her cheeks now. “How did you…?”
I pulled her in close and pressed a kiss to each cheek. “Tell me you didn’t leave it on the table in purpose, and I’ll let you have it back after the show.”
Helena shook her head as more watery tears made their way down her cheeks. “I was devastated when it wasn’t there when I tried to find it again. I can’t believe you have it.”
“Don’t cry, Helena. My butterfly. My muse.” I ran my fingers down her spine, stopping just shy of her ass before trailing back up again. “I don’t want to fake it anymore, Helena. I want something real. And I want it with you.”
She swallowed hard enough that I could see her throat moving. “You do?”
I nodded. “Please tell me you want me too. Tell me that you’ve felt even a fraction of the need that has been tearing me up every minute since I put you on the plane back to Austin.”
Helena looked around before signing, “Can we talk somewhere private? I don’t want to say this here.”
Tugging her toward the back room, I paused for just a moment at Isabis’s side. “Hey, there’s a woman here, in a red dress. She’s Helena’s cousin, and she’s deaf. Can you find her, keep her company, and if it gets too late, make sure she gets back to her hotel room okay?”
“You got it, bro.” Isabis smirked. “Welcome to the family, Helena.”
As I pulled Helena into the back room, her eyes got wide. “What did she mean by that?”
I chuckled. “Isabis doesn’t know what she’s talking about.” I kissed her cheek. “Now, answer the question.”
Helena perched on the edge of Carissa’s desk and looked down at her shoes. “Why do you want a woman like me?”
“Helena, did you see that exhibit out there? Did you really look?”
Her voice was so small, my implant barely picked it up. “Yes.”
I knelt in front of her, taking her hands in mine as I looked up at her. “Do you really still doubt that I could love you? That I do love you?”
“You… you love me?” Her tears started again, her lip quivering as she squeezed my hands.
“Helena Stratton, I am completely, utterly, head over heels in love with you, and I have been at least since that night in Pisa. And if you don’t feel the same way, or you don’t think you ever can, then I’ll let you go right now. But if there’s even a chance that you might want what we had in Italy, for real…”
She practically fell off the desk, toppling us both so that she was sprawled on top of me as her lips found mine.
Her fingers tangled in my hair as her tongue slicked over my lower lip.
I groaned, slipping my tongue out to meet with hers as my hands groped her ass.
Before I could get hard at my own art opening, I broke the kiss and smirked. “Does that mean there’s a chance?”
“Gio, I am so fucking in love with you.” She laughed and sat up, straddling me. “I know you probably have to finish this party, but once it’s over, will you please take me back to your place and fuck me like you mean it?”
I grinned and grabbed her ass again as I sat up, pressing against her. “If there’s one thing you should never doubt, know that I have always fucked you like I meant it.” I kissed her again, pouring everything I felt into it, everything I hadn’t been able to show her in the past weeks apart.
Helena stayed just within my eye line for the rest of the show, walking around with Rose and Isabis. She looked more relaxed than I’d seen her through most of her sister’s wedding, and if it was possible, I was sure she was even more beautiful than she was the last time I saw her.
Having her here, knowing that she was supporting me, looking at all the art she’d inspired, made the whole evening more bearable.
As the evening came to a close, Carissa walked up, smiling as she turned to look at one of my pieces. “You did well tonight, Gio. The show might be one of your best sellers already.”
I shrugged. The money was nice, and it let me do what I wanted, but it was nothing compared to having Helena here.
“I’m surprised I only had to pull you out of the back room once. Whatever’s changed tonight, I’d love to see it come out every night we have an opening.”
I chuckled. “I’d better go see to the source then.” I hugged her and kissed her cheek. “But I think we’re going to have to talk soon about how much I can work away from New York.”
Her eyes narrowed at me. “Why?”
“Love, Carissa. I’m in love.” I grinned and pointed at Helena. “And wherever she wants to live, I’m going to follow her.”
“We’ll work with it. Go celebrate, and we’ll talk next week.”
I didn’t need to be told twice. I practically ran over to where Helena, Isabis, and Rose were all chatting in sign. “Ladies, if you’ll excuse me, I need to steal this vision in blue away for the night.”
Rose smirked as she signed, “Just remember what you promised. I get to be best man.”
Helena glared at me as I wrapped my arms around her waist and pressed a kiss to her cheek and said, “Isabis, you’ll make sure Rose gets back to the hotel okay?”
“Of course.” Isabis grinned. “I’m sure you and Helena have lots to catch up on.” She winked at me. “Make sure you update the family. Otherwise they’re all going to be blowing up my phone.”
Rolling
my eyes, I stuck my tongue out at her. “This is why I haven’t brought any women home.”
Helena looked at me. “You took me home to meet your family when no one else has met them? Gio!”
“I only wanted to ever introduce the woman I wanted to marry.” I kissed her before she could react or say anything more, knowing I’d hear it from her later, even if she didn’t say anything now.
Dragging Helena toward the door, I whispered, “We can talk about it in the car. Right now, I just want to get out of here.”
She squeezed my hand. “I couldn’t agree more.”
My usual town car and driver were waiting outside the back door of the gallery when we stepped outside, and I smiled at Max as we slid into the back seat. Carissa always made sure that I could just walk right out of the gallery and into a waiting car, and tonight, I was more than grateful for her looking out for me.
“Taking a woman home tonight, Mr. Wright?” He winked at me, his smile less than subtle. “Should I take the scenic route?”
“Just get us back to my studio, Max.” I rolled my eyes and reached for Helena’s hand. “I’ve waited long enough to get her back in my arms.”
As soon as the door closed behind me, Helena curled into my side, her head resting on my shoulder as she pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I shouldn’t have let you go.”
I kissed her forehead and sighed. “I was stupid to think I could just let you walk away. I was stupid to not just get on a plane and follow you to Austin.”
“I think we both get to share some of the stupid on that. I just didn’t believe you could ...”
Gio’s fingers lightly pressed against my mouth. “Please never say that phrase again. I don’t know what you mean by a woman like you, because to me you’re perfect.”
“You’re so much more than I ever thought I would get in my life. You’re everything I never let myself dream I could have.” She pressed her palm to my cheek, smiling softly. “But I think I stopped pretending a long time ago. I need you, Gio. I love you.”
“I’m never letting you just walk away again.” I kissed her, slowly at first, just a soft brush of my lips over hers. I wanted this kiss seared into my memory, I wanted it to burn away all the frustration, all the pain and frustration I’d tried to leave on the canvas. I wanted this kiss to wash away everything but Helena.
The Fiancé Agreement Page 22
