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It made her want to have that, too.
Harper grabbed two more glasses of champagne from a passing waiter, handing one to Meghan and holding the other in her hand. “Come on, let’s go find a corner where nobody is listening,” she said, blowing a kiss at James before sliding her arm through Meghan’s. “Because I know just from looking at him that he’s an animal in bed.”
Rich was finding it impossible to keep his eyes off Meghan. Every time Belle was distracted by a question or a guest, he’d look around, his body relaxing when he saw her standing next to one of Belle’s paintings with Harper, the two of them laughing like loons.
This time she caught his eye, her lips curling as their stares collided. His body felt heated at the sight of her smooth shoulders covered by the ruched green fabric, and the way it draped over her firm breasts. She had the perfect silhouette, her softness complimenting the hard lines of his muscles perfectly. He loved how she fit against him like they were made for each other.
Just a few hours before he could make that happen.
“Is everything okay?” Carlyn asked Belle. She turned to give him a tight smile. She hadn’t made one wrong move tonight, and he was appreciative. Sure, she was a little uptight, constantly checking her watch and the guests who were arriving, but it was her gallery, after all. She was the one in charge of the show and she’d somehow brought it all together.
“Everything’s great. I can’t believe you managed to get Danny Lawson here.” Belle looked over at the Hollywood star, deep in conversation with a journalist.
“And his girlfriend,” Carlyn reminded her. “Ellie Pritchard is going to be big once they release her next movie.” There was a smugness to her smile. “We’ve already sold more than half your paintings. I’ll be writing you a very nice check over the next couple of weeks.” She glanced over Rich’s shoulder at the entrance again, her brows pulling together, before bringing her attention back to them. “I was planning on making a speech in a few minutes. Once the final guests arrive. Maybe you could say a few words after?” she aske
d Belle.
Belle blanched. Rich squeezed her shoulder. “You’ve got this,” he murmured.
“I can try.” Belle nodded. “I can at least thank everybody who has helped me.” Her classmates and tutors were here, as well as other guests and dealers. A few of them had introduced themselves to Rich, telling him how much Belle always raved about her big brother.
He’d smiled tightly and shook their hands. Even though his sister had nothing to rave about. He was only doing what he owed her.
Less than that, even.
Belle saw one of her friends walk in and waved, wheeling herself over to give her a big hug. Rich looked around for Meghan, then saw James standing alone.
“Thanks for coming,” he said, shaking his best friend’s hand.
“Harper wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” James smiled wryly. “She seems to have a girl crush on your lady friend.” He took a sip of orange juice, his brows knitting together. “Do you know what out out means?”
“Um, does it mean you’re really out?”
James shrugged. “I’ve no idea. Sometimes it’s like she talks a different language to me.”
“Yeah, but that’s why you like her, right?”
James’s expression softened. “I guess it is.” He shrugged and looked at Rich. “Anyway, how are you? It feels like it’s been forever since we caught up. I had to come here just so I could make sure you were still alive.”
“I saw you last week when I called for a consult.” He’d had a patient with a suspected spinal injury.
“For about three seconds before we wheeled him away. So what’s up? Where have you been?”
“Working a lot.”
“Mmm.”
Rich bit down a smile. “And seeing Meghan and her daughter.”
James’ brow lifted. “Is that what together together means?”
Rich blinked. “I’ve no idea. Who said we’re together together?”
“Harper did. And Meghan.” James shrugged. “Whatever that means.”
It was weird how much that warmed him. He looked over at the two of them. They were looking at one of Belle’s paintings, their faces animated as they discussed it.
“I don’t know what we are.” Rich shrugged. “But I like her.”
