“When I first met Sienna Roberts”—he cast those in the gallery a relaxed smile—“I knew straight away she would become the most important person in my life.”
People looked at her. Everywhere, curious gazes turned to her.
She swallowed, looking at no one but James.
Only him.
“And then,” he said, the corners of his eyes crinkling, the slight dent in his cheek flashing as he grinned, “she found out who I was and wanted nothing more to do with me.”
People gasped. An uncomfortable chuckle hiccupped around the attendees.
James laughed, holding up his hand. “Actually, that’s a lie. I wanted nothing more to do with her. She was beyond my reach, you see. Those of you that know me know I don’t like things beyond my reach. The second time I met Sienna, it really was her not wanting anything to do with me. In that brief second moment, she met the James Dyson I thought I was meant to be, the James Dyson I had always planned to be. That man is, to quote someone very wise currently in our present company, a fuckwit.”
The crowd laughed with nervous uncertainty. Behind Sienna, Zach chuckled a low, “Yes.”
Even then, she couldn’t tear her stare from James. She tingled. All over. Like she was on fire.
“The third time I met Sienna,” he went on, holding her gaze, “was in her studio. I went there intent on destroying her. Instead, she destroyed me. In the time since I entered her home determined to bring the full force of the Dyson might down on her like the arrogant bastard I was, she has managed to do the impossible. She showed me who I thought I had to be is not the reality I want to live. The James Dyson I showed the world, as it turns out, isn’t the real James Dyson, after all. What we perceived to be our truth isn’t always the truth. Sometimes, the truth is much more simple and much more profound. I was a ruthless bastard once upon a time. Now, not so much.”
The gallery was silent. No one coughed, or murmured, or even moved.
“Sienna Roberts changed everything in my life.” He watched her. “And my life is now so much better because she is in it. I am a better person because of her. And I hope she will be around for a very long time to come.”
He smiled, at her and then at everyone else.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you my private collection of the works of Sienna Roberts. Not just one of Australia’s most talented artists, but the most important person in my life. Enjoy.”
The room burst into applause.
Sienna stood motionless, aware people looked at her, spoke to her.
And yet she couldn’t move.
Couldn’t speak.
Not when James walked toward her. Not when he drew closer to her.
Closer.
She didn’t move. Didn’t blink.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice low and just for her. “I know you hate me. I know you never want to see me again, but I can’t go another day without telling you I love you. I’m in love with you. I miss you. I’m unable to work, to focus… Christ, to even function since I drove away from—”
Uncaring of the mass of people, of the cameras and smartphones, of the journalists who were no doubt there, she closed the minute distance between them, tangled her hands in his hair, and silenced him with a kiss.
A groan rumbled in his chest, and he snaked his arms around her waist and hauled her to his body, his tongue meeting hers, his hands finding her arse.
She whimpered, pleasure and happiness detonating inside her.
“All right, all right,” Zach grumbled from behind her. “That’s enough public displays of affection.”
Laughter bubbled up in her throat, and she pulled away from the kiss, smiling up at James. “I love you, James. Even if you are a fuckwit.”
He laughed. “Not anymore. Not as long as I’m with you.”
She drew a deep breath. “Fair enough. On one condition.”
His nostrils flared. “Name it.”
“I get to paint you naked.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Done. I’m ready to start right now, if you are?”
She kissed him. It was that or strip him naked right there and then.