Page 120 of Twisted Beauty

But really? Did he think the work she displayed would be so dull they’d need to get people drunk to buy? If there was one thing she knew, it was art. Photography, paintings, sculpture. She’d curated the student gallery during grad school, and she knew just what it took to pique the interest of people wandering through.

“If you think I’ll need that kind of help, you don’t know me very well.”

Matt slid his hands down to her hips and pulled her even closer. She couldn’t help but wiggle her butt against him, wanting more. “Mmmm. I think I know you pretty damn well, sweetheart.” His breath tickled her ear and sent shivers down her spine.

But that wasn’t the only thing getting her all worked up. Her head was spinning with all the things she could do here. She wanted to curate and display photos and paintings from local artists. Hopefully participate in the Wednesday night ArtWalk and maybe even the occasional private gallery showing. With any luck, she’d be helping some talented starving-artist types gain recognition and earn a decent living.

That would require some juggling though, because she was also getting busy with her own budding business, Picture of Paradise. Her blog and photo tours were finally starting to catch on with tourists and expats. It wasn’t even close to a full-time income yet, but she’d somehow gotten the attention of the Vallarta Times. They’d published an article on her business, complete with a couple of pictures from her blog and the mini interview she’d had with one of their reporters last week. Granted, it was a short article, sandwiched between an ad for a drag queen quartet and a story about the sewer problems in Emiliano Zapata. But hey, it was still pretty great. And it would probably bring in more business.

It felt like a huge step forward.

Even her mother would have to be proud about this, wouldn’t she? Maybe?

Okay, probably not. But, whatever. Liv couldn’t dwell on that, because tonight was hers.

Being the awesome boyfriend he was, Matt had arranged this whole evening in her honor to celebrate that article. And, if she had to guess, partly as an excuse to show off the progress he’d made on his restaurant. All of their friends would be here, and for a moment it all seemed surreal. Living this charmed life in Mexico, with a group of wonderful friends, standing in the arms of a man who treated her like she was the most important person in the world.

And, of course, there was Dexter with his one white paw too. Probably shredding another of Matt’s couch cushions at that very moment. But Liv didn’t care. They’d picked him up from Mexipup the day after she arrived back in Mexico and never regretted it for a moment. Having him around made Liv feel like she had her own perfect little family. Just the three of them.

She leaned back into Matt’s embrace, recognizing all of this for what it was. A sweet spot in her life where everything that had gone so wrong in the past had managed to twist itself around and converge into the life of her dreams. And she was going to revel in it for as long as it lasted.

A hint of guilt niggled at her. Because the one person who’d lured her to Mexico in the first place wasn’t having nearly as much luck. Not that Katie seemed all that affected by her breakup with Zach. She was her usual bubbly, exuberant self. But Liv wasn’t convinced. It had been over a month, and Katie hadn’t gone on a single date. That wasn’t like her at all.

The fact that both Zach and Katie would be here tonight made Liv edgy. It seemed like a bad idea, but she wasn’t the one who’d planned this little soirée. They’d have to take it up with Matt if it all went to hell.

Matt unwrapped his arms from her waist and took her hand. “I have one more thing to show you.”

He led her out through the back door and she felt her jaw drop. Last time she’d seen the expansive patio, weeds sprouted up around the edges of every tile, the paint along the perimeter walls was chipped and peeling, and rogue pieces of furniture were scattered about, looking like they’d been rotting there for decades.

She knew the party would be out here, but she wasn’t expecting this.

It was gorgeous. Pristine. The weeds were gone, the patio tiles spotless, and the outer walls newly painted in a relaxing aqua blue. A handful of round tables dotted the space, all set up with cloth napkins and multicolored dishes and thick wineglasses with matching blue rims. But the lanterns strung overhead were by far the best part. They glowed against the night sky, and made the space look more like a fairy grotto than a cement patio in the middle of a bustling city.

In the center of it all was a small round table with a white tablecloth, a bottle of champagne and two crystal flutes.

She turned to face Matt, unable to keep the crazy huge grin off her face at the whole setup. “You’re not getting all gushy and sentimental on me, are you?”

“Not a chance. It’s a means to an end. I’m hoping to impress you enough to get you naked later tonight.”

“Why wait?” She slipped a strap of her yellow dress over her shoulder and batted her eyelashes at him.

Matt laughed but led her straight to the table of honor and pulled out a chair. “Later, you little horndog. Have a seat. We have company coming, and I want a moment alone with you first.”

Matt scooted her chair in as she sat, and leaned down to plant a soft kiss on her shoulder before sliding her strap back up with a finger that traced up and over her shoulder. Of course, that was all it took to send heat pulsing through her body. She’d been waking up next to him for months now and still couldn’t get enough. She knew Katie wasn’t exactly thrilled that she’d moved into Matt’s home so quickly, but it was the best decision she’d ever made.

“Mmmm,” she moaned as he nibbled at the side of her neck. “You’re a big tease.”

He picked up the champagne and popped the cork, sending it flying across the patio where it knocked over a small Talavera vase. Liv suppressed a giggle. “Klutz.”

Matt shook his head but didn’t bother to go pick it up. Instead, he filled both their glasses before sitting down across from her. He raised his glass in a toast, and so did Liv. “To reaching for your dreams. I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished. Here’s to you.”

“To us. Look at this place. I’m proud of you too.”

They both took a sip, and Liv had barely set her glass down when Matt swore under his breath and gestured at something behind her. “What the hell is that?”

Liv swung around and scanned the space behind her. “What? I don’t see anything.” She glanced around at the walls, the tables, the ground. Not so much as a single napkin was out of place. “Have you been dipping into the peyote again?” When she turned back to face him, her heart stopped. And her hands fled to her mouth of their own accord.

He was down on one knee in front of her, holding a small silver box and looking up at her with those mesmerizing brown eyes. And for one moment, she forgot how to breathe.