Epilogue
Three months later…
Kat shifted as she tried to keep her anxiety in check. What had she been thinking? After years of spending her time in her nice safe little corner of the world, she justhadto venture out?
She let out a sigh before running her fingers through her hair to move it out of her face.
“Is this where you’re hiding?” Olin’s voice made her smile, somehow easing her nerves just by speaking. His strong arms wrapped around her from behind, tugging her back against his solid chest. He pressed his lips to her shoulder. “I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to be out there.”
“Why? Other artists get to never show their face. Can’t I be one ofthoseartists?”
“Sorry, no. There are people to see you.”
She turned in his arms so she could see his face, and immediately, Kat fell even more for Olin. He smiled down at her, his honey-colored eyes so familiar. How many times has she stared into those eyes? How many times had she enjoyed the touch of his soft lips and his whispered demands?
“Your cheeks are red,” Olin said, leaning down so he whispered into her ear. “Are you thinking something filthy? You are a handful, aren’t you?” His breath warmed her, made a shiver run through her body.
“Why don’t Ishowyou?”
“The door doesn’t lock.”
“So? If you hold me up against the door, I’m pretty sure no one will come in.”
His smile widened, and for a moment, Kat thought she’d won. However, when she turned toward the door, he smacked her asshard.
Kat yelped in surprise, then rubbed the sore spot.
“Sorry, Brat, but you can’t trick me. I’ll enjoy you later when we’re alone. For now, no more hiding.”
“What if no one likes them?” she finally asked, admitting her true fears. “What if I went through all this and no one wants my real work? What if no one buys any? If they laugh at me because I was an idiot who thought I could do this?”
Olin cupped her cheeks and brought his forehead to hers. “You worry too much. Come on.”
Kat sighed but nodded. It was true—she couldn’t just not go out. This was her first art exhibit, the first time she’d ever put herself out there and showed off her paintings. Dean had helped her get in touch with an agent who had worked out all the details, but even with that, Kat felt like the new kid at school.
She was terrified she’d show up only to find no one actually wanted to sit with her.
Olin released her, then interlocked his fingers with hers and squeezed softly. It gave her the courage to do what she knew she needed to do and leave the safety of her little hidey-hole.
“You find her?” Bradley asked when they exited, his eyebrow lifted.
“What can I say? Cops are trained to be amazing at hide and seek.”
Bradley let out a soft chuckle, the sound melting Kat. Bradley could seem so closed off, so serious, which was why the way he’d softened only for Kat drew her in. “So what’s my job, then? Taming?”
“Well, you’re used to dealing with unruly and dangerous animals.” Dean walked up, and his comment said he’d been listening. Then again, Dean wasalwaysone step ahead, too smart for his own good—and often for Kat’s good.
Kat gave him a playful glare. “Then what’s your job?”
He caught her chin and tipped her head up before stealing a kiss that soothed all her worries. Something about the way he never seemed to worry, about how damned confident he was, it made Kat feel as if they could handle anything. And there was also the fact she knew he’d do anything to keep her safe…
When he broke the kiss, he gave her the sort of smile that made her wish they were back in that room alone. “ObviouslyI deal with punishment. Nothing better than turning your pretty ass red.”
The words made her cheeks flush and her heart race, but she didn’t have time to try to talk them into anything. Instead, her agent walked over and broke into the private moment. “Kat! I was looking for you!”
“Sorry,” Kat said despite not feeling sorry at all. She braced herself for bad news when she lifted her chin. “So, what did you want?”
“Well…” The pause after that took forever, but finally, the agent went on. “You’ve sold out.”