AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So?”
“So? So Craig Stewart is insistent that he wants to buy one.”
His brows lifted and his smile stretched wider. “Really? That’s great!”
“Not only that, it appears there are a few others who want it, and there’s a bidding war.”
Mike let out a surprised laugh. “I don’t believe it. You must be thrilled.”
“Well, actually?—”
He glanced around the room then took her hand. “Follow me.”
Mike pulled her through the kitchen and out into the backyard. He didn’t stop until he was a good several yards from the door.
“Mike! What are we doing out here?”
“This is it, right?” Mike murmured with excitement. “You can see that people like your work, and you can get back into the art world.”
“What? No.”
“No?” Mike deflated. “No, what?”
“Well… it’s sorta bittersweet.” Rose laughed nervously. “I’ve given up on being an artist. That dream backfired terribly. Seeing people enjoying my art, it’s just…” She sighed. “It doesn’t change anything.”
“Why not? You’re really good at it, and you can see that now. Maybe you weren’t meant to own a gallery, but that shouldn’t stop you from working on your craft. People will buy it.”
The stunned look on Rose’s face wasn’t nearly as disappointing as what she said next. “I don’t think I can do it,” she whispered.
“Paint?”
She swallowed hard and her eyes darted away. Shaking her head, Rose whispered once more. “Fail.”
Mike took her hands in his and his voice lowered. “You don’t have to do this alone. I get that you’re scared, but the best things in life are just that. They’re terrifying. They wouldn’t be worth the risk if they weren’t.” He reached up and grazed his thumb along her jawline. “You don’t have any idea just how incredible you are, do you?”
Rose shivered and leaned into his touch. The electricity of their locked gazes was so heightened he wouldn’t have been surprised if his hair stood on end. Mike released the hand he still held and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her against him. He tilted her chin upward so he could gain better access before his mouth claimed hers.
She grasped his neck, clinging to him as if he were oxygen itself. Kissing her meant he could forget. He could forget about his past, the mistakes he’d made, and every bad memory that dragged him down. When he was with Rose, he could pretend this was the new start he’d always needed.
He had a new purpose, new goals, new dreams. And all of it included Rose.
His hold on her tightened as their kiss deepened. The desire that had started as a small flicker burst into a rolling fire. He didn’t know what would come next in his life, he only knew he wanted Rose to share in it with him.
“Rose?”
The two of them broke apart at Becca’s voice. They turned toward the house to find Becca and Ethan standing beneath the porch light. While Becca smiled broadly, Ethan’s glare shot daggers toward them.
Becca thumbed toward the house. “Someone has a question about the triptych in the hallway.”
Rose glanced toward Mike, ducking her head with a soft smile but not saying anything as she hurried toward the house. Mike shuffled forward, passing Ethan on his way inside. If looks could kill, Mike would be six feet under.
Lucky for him, this budding relationship wasn’t up to Ethan. Rose was an adult. She could make her own choices. Besides, his friendship with Ethan was already strained. It wasn’t like they would be losing out on anything.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Rose couldn’t focus on what the man in front of her was saying. Her thoughts had been left behind, outside, where she’d kissed Mike.
The second kiss had been even better than the first. There was no denying his intentions now, and all she wanted to do was go back out there and kiss him again.
