The Arrogant Artist : A Billionaire Boss Romance (International Bad Boys Set Book 2), стр. 69

Oh no. Does he mean this is the end of us?

That he got closure from being a couple?

“And the rest… well, that’s to be determined,” he says as we reach the end of his section.

“You must feel so proud finishing your exhibition and having so many wonderful pieces on display.”

“I am. I never thought I’d be here again, not after everything I’ve done this year.” He has come such a long way since I first met him. “But I couldn’t have done it without a no-nonsense calls-me-out-on-my-bullshit, assistant.”

My head turns up to look at him. There’s a wide smile across his face as he looks down at me. It makes my heart skip a beat and my stomach flutter with so many butterflies.

Maybe I’m not too late?

Maybe there’s a chance for us?

“Come… I want to be the first person to see your reaction at your first exhibition.” Louis pulls me further into the gallery, and I pause when I see my paintings, pulling Louis back to me. Tears form in my eyes again as my hand rises to my mouth in awe.

There, in all their glory, are my innermost thoughts and feelings, my own vulnerabilities staring right back at me.

“They are amazing, Emily.” Louis walks forward, and I follow. “Even though they are about a horrific time, they are still brilliant.” The painting of hands ripping at the invisible girl catches his attention.

“I had to paint it out of me,” I whisper.

“I know. I understand. That’s what I did.” Louis turns to look back at me. “But I don’t ever want to go back to the darkness, Emily.”

“I don’t either,” I confess.

Silence hangs between us again.

“I also don’t want to be alone.”

I look up at him, but he’s staring at my paintings. I reach out and touch his arm pulling his attention back to me. “I’m sorry, Louis.”

He nods. “I understand. I wouldn’t want to be with me either after everything that has happened to you.”

“You don’t think I want to be with you?” My stomach somersaults, twists, then does a cartwheel. “You think I haven’t missed you?” His confused look is all I need to continue, “It killed me to leave you.” I thump my chest, hard. “It killed me that a monster could take me back to a place I never thought I’d return to. I hate that he fucked us up. But what I hate more is…” I suck in a deep breath, “… that I let you go. That I pushed you away.”

Louis’ eyes search my face as if he doesn’t quite believe what I’m saying.

“I thought…” He takes a step toward me. “I thought you despised me?”

I shake my head. “Oh, God, no, but I did hate myself. I retreated inside, it was all I knew how to do. My guard came up. I shut you out trying to protect myself.”

Louis steps closer, his hands coming out and grabbing my face. “You were in shock. I understand.”

Tears flow freely down my cheeks when I say, “I needed you, Louis, but in the same breath, I couldn’t be near you. I was broken. I needed to repair myself. I wanted to make sure I was whole again before…” I let the unfinished words hang between us.

“Before?” He moves closer, our bodies almost touching, hope touching his eyes.

“Before…” Those blue eyes intensify as they train in on me. “Before I gave myself to someone.”

“And would that someone be… I don’t know… someone like a sexy, French artist? Perhaps?”

Breaking the tension between us, I laugh at his words. “Maybe.” Heat races over my body when his hands grip my face.

“Someone who has a big dick and knows how to use it.”

My eyes widen, and a smile crosses my face. “It’s been a while, I’m not sure if I remember the size exactly.”

“I can easily remind you. Just say the word.” He winks.

“Maybe you could just kiss me first and see how that goes.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Louis bends down taking my lips against his in a soft, slow kiss. The instant our lips touch, my body relaxes, and I know I’m home. This is where I’m supposed to be with this man who’s right in front of me. My hands move and wrap around his waist pulling him against me intensifying our kiss.

“I’ve missed you so fucking much, Emily,” Louis says against my lips.

“Me, too,” I add.

Eventually, the kiss ends, and we reluctantly pull apart.

Louis’ forehead rests against mine. “I love you, Emily Chapman.”

“I love you, too, Louis.”

“Never push me away again,” he tells me. “I want a future with you, Emily. You and me creating art together. Maybe creating more later down the road.”

“I want that, Louis. I want it all with you.” I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him again.

“Can we go back to my hotel room now? I need to show you just how big my dick is.”

“Lead the way.”