Page 71

“I didn’t think you could get any hotter.” Anthony walks in through the door, holding two heavy-looking vases filled with lilies in his arms. The muscles in his forearms pop against the strain, but he’s too busy smiling at me to seem bothered.

I turn to face him. “You’ve seen me in activewear. This is most of my wardrobe.”

Anthony swaggers towards me and leans his face through the flowers to kiss my lips. My eyes flutter close, and a contented sigh escapes my lips.

Nope. Thatstill hasn’t gotten old.

“Yeah, but I’ve never seen you in activewear about to be a boss bitch and put people through workouts in your own business.” Anthony kisses me again before heading to the front counter to lower the flowers.

“I’d check with Meg before you leave those there,” I warn him.

“I don’t answer to Meg.” He places the vases down and turns back to me, curling his arms around my back, burying his face into my neck. “I answer to you. And Emma, of course.”

I laugh.

Emma Parker, the Gold Coast’s current ‘it’ influencer, purchased one of Anthony’s pieces a few weeks ago after coming to check out the studio for a private “behind-the-scenes” sneak peek (again, thanks to Meg who arranged it all). Emma posted it on her social media and was flooded with questions about where she got it. As a result, Anthony has a full calendar of commissioned, one-off pieces scheduled for the next six months.

“You’re going to kill it,” Anthony assures me, his lips grazing underneath my ear. “I can already see how this is going to go. You’ll end up taking over this entire block of warehouses because demand will be so high. There’s already one available to get you started.”

I lean back and frown at the mention of Nathan’s now empty shop. Anthony told me everything that happened with the teenagers (who’ve left me alone) and Nathan, who up and vanished a matter of days after Anthony and I made up. He also told me that Patrick handed over all the information he had on Nathan to some of his former colleagues, who have since opened a police investigation into him. I’m not exactly happy with how he and Patrick handled it, but I can’t deny I was turned on with how brazen he was. How he was willing to tear the world apart to protect me. He may or may not have got a thank you blowjob that day.

Patrick ended up telling Hazel (because if he didn’t, I would’ve). She was furious with the two of them for being so reckless and told Patrick she wouldn’t move in with him if he ever pulled a stunt like that again. Living by myself in our townhouse for the past week has been better than I thought it’d be. I miss having Hazel there all the time, but it means Anthony and I can have sex whenever and wherever we want without consequences. I’m secretly glad he’s already started leaving personal items at my place.

“I just want it to start already,” I sigh. “This build-up is killing me.”

“We’ve got some time. Want me to settle some of those nerves for you?” Anthony leans in and bites my earlobe, and I can’t help the dreamy sigh that escapes my lips.

“I can’t. Mimi’s going to be here any minute.”

“Not a problem. I can work quickly.”

“Your cockiness is out of control,” I murmur.

Anthony leans back to catch my gaze. “It’s warranted. Didn’t I tell you? I’ve very good with my hands. And my mouth.”

I squeal with delight as he pulls me towards the storage cupboard, my heart roaring with love.

Crazy love, but that suits us perfectly.