Page 136 of The Prize

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.