The Prize

by Vanessa Fewings

  “Always.” He held out his hand for me.

  After saying an emotional goodbye to everyone, we headed out of the office area of the gallery and made our way toward the exhibit room that would become the final home to my paintings.

  Four of my collection would remain in England a while longer. The National Gallery would continue to show the Vermeer, the Cannon Gun sketch by da Vinci and that breathtaking Michelangelo. My Madame Rose was still safely housed at The Otillie, and I silently promised to visit her every time I went back. When the time was right, I’d bring them over to join the others to complete the collection. My father would be filled with joy if he knew.

  When we were out of earshot Tobias pulled me aside. “What did Eli do to you?”

  “Nothing compared to what he did to you.”

  He scowled. “Tell me.”

  “He shoved me. That’s all, really.” Saying any more was unwise, I didn’t want Tobias running off to find Eli.

  The thought he was going to jail provided some comfort. Justice had been served and maybe it would prevent him from following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a warlord.

  “Just say the word, Zara—”

  I pressed a fingertip to his lips. “This is our time. Don’t let them invade our happiness. Let’s put this behind us.”

  His jaw tensed in contradiction. “If I find out he hurt you...”

  The memory made me nauseous and I was done letting that family steal one more thought from me. This was a new start where happiness would be ours.

  “Come on.” Tobias pulled me down the hallway. “Show me how you want your paintings displayed.”

  The security guard gave us a respectful nod as we approached and granted access to the exhibit room. My paintings were resting on temporary tables set up in the center and my gaze roamed over them. My heart soared that I was in their presence again. Each painting carried a memory of a conversation I’d had with my father about each one of them, and his words stayed with me.

  Maria approached cheerfully. “Let’s discuss what you want written on the plaques beside each painting, Ms. Leighton.”

  “Call me Zara, please.” I gave Tobias’s senior curator a big hug.

  “I hope your answer is yes.” She watched my reaction and added playfully, “Mr. Wilder won’t let me retire.”

  “Maria, that’s because your skills are hard to replicate.” He flung an arm around her shoulder. “Do you approve of our new candidate?”

  She leaned into him. “I think you’d be lucky to have Ms. Leighton as your new curator. The Wilder would be in good hands.”

  “You’re so kind.” I exhaled a shaky breath at the responsibility and my attention fell once more on the collection.

  I’d never believed this day would come. That wasn’t exactly true. On that day in Wilder’s penthouse I’d been full of hope that we might pull this off and here we were.

  I steadied my emotions, looking upon my beloved works of art and ready to spend quality time with them. Back in New York, we’d packed them up carefully into crates and transported them with us to the private airport where Tobias’s jet was waiting to return us to LA. We’d flown back with our precious cargo. I’d slept soundly on that flight, knowing they were with me.

  Memories of my father flooded back as I strolled along the line of paintings and I sighed in wonder at the Vermeer, the Renoir, the Sandro Botticelli, all of them wonderful to my eyes, all thirty of them ready to be enjoyed by so many.

  Tobias kissed my cheek. “I have to make a call.”

  “See you soon.” I watched him walk away.

  “So cute.” Maria gave an endearing smile.

  I didn’t want to pull my gaze away and let that image fade. Wilder was the most gorgeous man I’d ever met and even after all this time I was enamored by him and in awe he was mine. Every moment had threatened to pull us apart and yet a greater purpose had fused the bond between us and strengthened us.

  I love him.

  This man had overturned a decade of travesties and righted the wrongs of a family who until now had run rampant on the world stage. His safety had always been more important than these paintings, and I knew what he’d risked for me to make this a reality.

  “Zara?” Maria pulled my attention back on her.

  “Yes.”

  “I like seeing him smile,” she said warmly. “He deserves you.”

  “Thank you, Maria. I’ve never been happier.”

  “You studied at The Courtauld?”

  “Yes, I loved it there. I worked for Huntly Pierre for a while and now hopefully here. I’ve applied for a work permit.”

  She gave my arm a squeeze. “We want you here.”

  “That means the world to me.”

  “Come on,” she said. “Let’s decide where to hang these.”

  Oh, my God, I was staying in America. A rush of blood to my head brought a wave of dizziness and the last few days caught up. I leaned against the table to steady myself.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “A little overwhelmed.” I gave a confident nod. “Let’s dive in—” I pointed to the Degas. “Let’s start with this one. My father loved it.”

  It was a silly thing to say because he’d loved all of them.

  When I checked my watch again I could hardly believe two hours had passed. I headed off to Tobias’s office. When he wasn’t in there I pulled out my phone and texted him.

  I’m taking a break. Would you like some tea?

  When there was no answer, I tucked my phone into my jacket pocket and wandered off to find him. Knowing I was going to be spending my working days here was fantastic and I sent out a prayer of thanks.

  Tobias’s voice rose from a hallway around the corner. I paused before the double doorway to the Terra-Cotta exhibition. His voice came from down there. Tobias had told me he wanted to give me a personal tour of this very exhibit, so with him already in there this felt like perfect timing. The security guard gave me a nod of permission that I could head on down.

  “Hey.” I took the steps toward him.

  Tobias was standing to the left of the stairwell and he turned and looked up at me with surprise. “Hey, sweetheart.” He gestured to the guard. “Close the doors, please.”

  The doors banged shut behind me as I descended and we were cast into dimness within the vast chamber. The Chinese Terra-Cotta Army with its long line of soldiers, horses and carriages looked spectacular in its life-size design. Being in their presence felt surreal.

  I squinted until my eyes adjusted. “Everything okay?”

  “Yes. How did it go?”

  “Great. The exhibit is going to be spectacular.”

  “We’ll call it the Leighton exhibit for now.”

  He made me smile.

  His expression turned conflicted. “I was making some final travel arrangements.”

  “Oh?”

  “I’m going away for a few days. I’ll be back for the unveiling of your collection. Everything is set. Invites have gone out—”

  “Where are you going?”

  “Europe.”

  My throat tightened at his vagueness. “What for?”

  “I want it to be a surprise.”

  “What kind?”

  He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a hug. “I’m working on something very special for you and want it to be a surprise. You’re just going to have to wait.”

  “You told me Icon was done.”

  “Zara.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “So am I.” His frown deepened.

  I gave a tight smile. “Your eyelid twitched.”

  “You know me by now, surely?” He nudged me until my back met the wall. “Don’t be irrational.”

  I shoved at his chest but he didn’t budge. “Let me go with
you.”

  “I agree we need to take care of your flat. We can do that next week.”

  “Why can’t I fly back with you now?”

  “First, you need to complete your exhibit and second I want this to be a surprise.” He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine and possessed my mouth, kissing furiously. “We’ll honor your legacy.” He reached low and his hand slid beneath my skirt toward my panties and he caressed me through the material.

  Arousal sparked every cell in my body and my sex felt a rush of pleasure. “Don’t go.” I couldn’t stand to be away from him.

  “Time for some make-up sex.” Tobias spun me round, and I reached out and rested my palms against the wall for balance.

  My jaw slackened at his cheeky resistance and, no, I wasn’t going to let him manipulate me with that bad-boy seduction. I stood straight in rebellion, though when his fingers slipped into me I was walking a tightrope of need. Damn my body for giving me away. As he drove his fingers deeper I yearned for all of him.

  “How long have you been wet, baby?” He crooned in my ear.

  “Awhile.”

  “You were thinking of me?”

  “Yes.” I turned my head slightly. “Why now?”

  “Last-minute opportunity.”

  I pushed back, and he grabbed a lock of hair and tugged it in a show of erotic possession and there came a sting at my scalp. His right hand was delivering masterful strokes inside me as the tip of his thumb stroked my clit with precision causing me to rock against his strumming. My orgasm was so close I was riding its first wave.

  “Come hard for me.” His husky voice exuded danger. “Understand?”

  My sighs echoed as I squeezed my eyes shut, shielded by darkness, here in the quiet corner of the museum Tobias wielded his control over me with the mastery I’d become addicted to. I became one with his hand, quivering in this seemingly endless bliss as I gave myself over to his control. Lost to the world, gone from time and space, I became his willingly and shattered into a million pieces with his name on my tongue.

  I gasped for air as his fingers slowed, bringing me down and bringing me back to now. When I finally managed to stand straight, he readjusted my skirt and gave a nod of approval as though he’d not just sent me hurtling into outer space, my thighs still shaky, my panting giving away I’d was wrecked from his dominance.

  “God, you’re beautiful, Zara,” he soothed. “I’ll miss you.”

  This discussion wasn’t over. I just needed to gather my thoughts after coming off this climatic pinnacle that still had my clit panging with pleasure.

  He gave the kind of nod that would win in the boardroom. “Marshall will drive you home.”

  “Excuse me?”

  He gave a heart-stopping grin. “Don’t try that attitude with me, Leighton. You work for me now.”

  My hand slapped to his chest and my glare matched my annoyance.

  His smirk revealed his mischievous side as he nudged me up against the wall. “My Zara, my curator.”

  I was too far gone to defy him, too turned on to deny my body what it had been craving from the moment I’d met him. How would I endure being this close to him every day and not bending to his will?

  I lifted the hem of my skirt in contradiction to my outburst, as though daring him to do me right here was perfectly acceptable and proving this was what I’d wanted all along. My fingertip ran along my cleft in a daring enticement.

  His jaw tightened when he looked down at how wet he’d made me. “I can’t deny you anything. You know that.”

  “I want you inside me.”

  “Say it.”

  “Your cock,” I said breathlessly. “I need it. Fuck me, please.” I moaned the last word.

  Mesmerized, I watched him unzip his pants and offer his length, sculptured exquisitely and so hard, and when he pressed against me and slid between my thighs in a tease I moaned wantonly.

  “Anything for you,” he whispered and lowered to slide his full length inside me.

  I gasped when his sheer size filled me entirely, stretching me, owning me. He lifted my left leg to hook around himself and held it there. His mouth met mine and he smiled against my lips. “Zara, you will love your surprise, I promise.” He leisurely fucked me against the wall. “Doing this is important to me.” He grinned. “This too.”

  I wrapped my hands around his neck and, as he lifted me up, both thighs wrapped around him and I clung with my heels crossed behind him. He banged me against the wall and each thrust felt like home and my body trembled from this blinding pleasure, feeling wild and safe and captured by him willingly, caught in the slipstream of this breathtaking orgasm.

  He whispered into my ear, “You are my way forward.”

  I inhaled sharply as his words settled into my heart.

  Tobias lowered me and my heels hit the stone with a scrape and my ankles wobbled from this giddiness. He held me until I’d gotten my balance again. Breathless, I tried to get my hair under some control before having to face the staff again.

  Tobias stepped closer and pressed his body against mine. “I will call you every hour until we’re together again.” He kissed my forehead. “I love you, Zara Leighton.”

  “I love you.” I pressed my lips to his.

  “Don’t forget you’re mine.”

  I raised my chin, still dismayed he was leaving me so quickly.

  “Come on,” he said. “I’ll walk you back.”

  “I’ll stay here for a while if that’s okay. I want to look around some more.” This place had a serenity to it and I liked the idea of being able to think things over on my own time.

  “Okay, enjoy.” He pulled me into the biggest hug.

  When he broke away I felt the loss of his arms.

  “Zara, say you’re mine.”

  “I’m yours.”

  He flashed a smile. “Right answer. I’ll reward you as soon as I get back.” The vision of him in that finely cut dark suit taking two steps at a time toward the door made him look like a king on an unstoppable mission.

  The door closed behind him.

  He’d left me reeling and with an uncertainty for his need for secrecy. My head crashed against the wall and I stared out at the terra-cotta horses. They were striking and it was a remarkable accomplishment to get them here and display them so magnificently.

  I let out a sigh of frustration. I’d needed to see Icon was behind us.

  Tobias had just brought doubt.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  THE SCENT OF roses filled the house.

  Before Tobias had left for Europe four days ago he’d filled his Malibu home with flowers. I’d walked from room to room, breathing them in and wishing him back with me again. Now he was here and planting kisses to my forehead every five minutes, proving he’d missed me too. Upon his return this morning, he’d swept me up into his arms and carried me to the bedroom. We’d rolled around the sheets, making love and laughing with joy at being reunited.

  He’d promised he’d make it back in time for the unveiling of my exhibit, and here he was looking tall and dashing in his black tuxedo as he finished dressing in the bedroom. I was relieved to have him home.

  Still, there were secrets between us, and I couldn’t wait to hear him share why he’d had to go away so briskly.

  I watched him from across the room fiddle with his cuff links, and I was enthralled by the way his fingers twisted them into place. Those hands had been on me not half an hour ago and I could still feel the tingle of his touch. After a quick tug of each shirtsleeve he threw me a big smile.

  His green gaze caught me in its steely sights. “You look gorgeous, Zara.”

  I neared him and straightened his bow tie even though it didn’t need it. “Very handsome, Mr. Wilder.”

  “I love that color on you.” He dragged his teeth over his bottom lip
seductively.

  I’d chosen the Stella McCartney gown especially for tonight with its soft pink, a plunging V-neck and elegant skirt that felt soft against my skin. I liked the way it flowed around my ankles with an ethereal splendor. It was fitting for such an important night—the unveiling of the Romanov collection at The Wilder.

  There’d been tension when Tobias had left, but during those long days he was away I had time to think. If we were going to have a future, then trust between us was key and I owed my man this. He’d always come through for me. Always.

  I’d spent my time sunbathing by the pool, reading my Kindle, taking dips in the heated pool, and pausing now and again to admire the striking view with gratitude. All this beauty was captivating and it felt like our long-awaited reward.

  I’d explored Tobias’s home and had one-way conversations with Jade. I’d sat her beside me on the living room couch and we’d watched a couple of movies together. I told her what I liked about the film and she sat there with her little green light on in what felt like quiet contemplation.

  I was glad my Tobias was home.

  We headed out to the waiting black limousine and set off for The Wilder, and it felt like normality had returned, with me snuggling up to Tobias and him holding my hand and staring out at the passing scenery.

  “You pulled this event together so quickly,” I mused.

  “That’s Maria’s influence. You have big shoes to fill, Zara. She’s a beloved curator. And loyal to a fault.”

  I hoped I’d be as liked by the staff as her.

  He pulled me into a tight hug. “You’ll do great.”

  “I have to sort out my flat.” I turned to face him. “I need to pack up everything.”

  “I’ll help you.” Tobias’s stare lingered on me. “Marshall,” Tobias called out to him and the black glass divider rose to provide privacy.

  Tobias eased my head to rest on his shoulder. “Words aren’t enough.”

  Breathing him in, I allowed myself to finally exhale his essence. “I missed you.”

  “Missed you more.” He looked into my eyes and tipped up my chin. “I want to enjoy this before I have to share you with everyone.” He leaned in for a kiss and his tongue darted into my mouth and he moaned. “Zara, you really are made of all things nice.”