She tipped her head back to better see him. "So you weren't bored today?"
"With you? Never."
Sweet words from a man who knew how to wield them. "Careful there or you'll make me think you're smitten."
The words emerged and she waited for Everett's response, but he merely smiled and turned his head to stare out the window.
Okay, then.
Forcing her thoughts away from the man beside her, she focused on the purchases she'd made today. The bigger items would be delivered to the gallery for the showcase, but the smaller ones like jewelry and clothing were packed into the car with them. Margo had said to keep the numbers low, so that the items would be thought of as more exclusive and more likely to be chosen before they disappeared. "I can't thank you enough," she said, breaking the silence. "Those boutiques you took me to were the cherry on top."
"You can thank Jacob when you see him next. He put out a few inquiries and came up with them."
"I will." Those were her favorite stores, the smaller ones a little out of the way but so worth the effort of finding them. Poor Tomas had to handle the traffic getting them there, but she was thrilled with how successful the day had turned out. "Thank you. For letting them use the painting I gave you."
"Of course."
"And for getting another watch to display. I have a feeling it will sell fast, seeing as how it's on that sexy arm I painted."
She felt his lips brush against her hair and her spine tingled.
"Sexy arm," he repeated, "wrapped around a sexy woman."
His statement reminded her of her conversation with Amelia. Izzy leaned her head back once more, staring up at his angled, five-o'clock-shadowed jawline while he looked out the window.
Was that all she was to him? A pretty face? Oh, she was sure he could find more attractive women for arm candy, but convenience had to play a part. With Everett not wanting his mistake made public for the gossip rags, he was kind of stuck with her.
She inhaled and straightened at the unattractive thought, shifting away from his body and the temptation it posed. It was all too easy to lean against him, breathe in his scent, and pretend everything was okay. And it was—on the surface.
But beneath the chummed water, the sharks circled.
How long did he intend to pretend? It wasn't like their appearances together all over town hadn't caused a bit of a stir. She'd seen the photos on the internet and in the tabloids as they walked the streets of the city. She was a nobody but Everett…Everett wasn't. That meant they were on a lot of people's radar. How long until they started digging into their relationship and how it had begun? How long before their secret went public?
Tomas pulled into the parking garage, and Everett asked him to take the many bags and boxes to the gallery next since they’d be staying in for the evening.
Everett stepped from the car, stretching out a hand to help her before accepting several bags Tomas pulled from the front seat.
“Thank you for driving us, Tomas."
"My pleasure, Ms. Shipley."
The elevator arrived promptly, and Izzy eyed the packages Everett held with narrow-eyed suspicion. "Christmas gifts for your staff?"
Amusement made his eyes twinkle.
"No."
"I hope those aren't for me." Unease filled her. She didn't have the money to be buying expensive gifts.
"And if they are?"
"Everett, you've already done more than enough. I can't possibly accept anything else."
The elevator doors opened and he tilted his head, indicating she should go first. "Good thing I didn't ask you then. And you did give me something for Christmas—the painting."
"Created from the studio you gifted me."
"Isabel," he said softly, lowering the bags to the floor and moving to stand in front of her. He took hold of her coat, clenching her lapels in his big hands. "This isn't a competition."