Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
“It was in a more, ah, private place. Only he and I ever saw it.”
I winked back. “Scandalous.”
“It was. And I saw it—a lot.” She indicated the table I was anxious to visit. “Go get ’em.”
Smoothly, I moved through the crowd, accepting some handshakes and explaining to a few people that, no, I didn’t do private photo sessions for portraits. I managed to keep my temper until I got to the table and saw Ally. She was still stuck between her mother and Bradley, and they were talking. I wasn’t sure if it was at her or to her, but she was now uncomfortable, her hands twisting together on the table. I straightened my shoulders and stepped forward.
“Ally.”
Three sets of eyes met my gaze. Two displeased, and one startled, soft, and so blue I wanted to drown in them.
“Adam,” she breathed out.
Bradley stood, his hand on her shoulder. It took all my inner strength not to knock it off and tell him to keep his fucking hands off my girl.
Ally reached up, brushing away his grip.
“Can we help you?” Sarah demanded, her cold eyes widening as they took in my longer hair and the artwork now displayed on my arms. Disapproval colored her tone.
“Mother, this is Adam Kincaid. He contributed the piece that fetched such a large donation. He’s very well-known.”
“Ah. Yes. We met earlier. It was an interesting piece.”
I tilted my head in acknowledgment of her “praise.”
“I had an exceptional muse.”
Ally’s cheeks colored and her eyes glowed.
“I was wondering if I might borrow Ally for a moment.”
“Her name is Alexandra,” Bradley interrupted, frowning.
“And how do you know my daughter, Mr. Kincaid?”
“I was fortunate enough to meet her after a small work-related mishap. She took very good care of me.” I gave Ally a huge grin before turning back to her mother. “When I heard about the benefit for the children’s ward, I remembered her kindness and wanted to give back. You must be so proud of your daughter, Mrs. Givens. Such a caring, gifted nurse and a truly remarkable woman.”
She cleared her throat, her disdain for my opinion evident. “Yes, of course.”
Ronald appeared, a drink in hand, and I reintroduced myself, shaking his hand firmly and meeting his eyes. I wasn’t going to back down in front of these people. Ally needed to know I was there for her.
“I’ve seen your work,” he acknowledged grudgingly. “You’re very good, I hear. Several of the men at the bar were discussing your last shoot in the Amazon.”
“I hold my own.”
He eyed my hair and arms distastefully. “Dangerous work. Almost reckless.”
His tone said the word he didn’t speak—unacceptable.
“I’m careful.” I glanced in Ally’s direction. “I get into far more trouble close to home. Thank God for nurses with a healing touch. It’ll come in handy if I have an accident with my bike.”
Sarah’s voice became more displeased. “You drive a motorcycle?”
“When weather permits.”
She eyed me in silence, and I watched as I was effectively dismissed. Without the cover of the suit and the safe veneer of respectability surrounding me, she saw me for what I was—at least in her eyes.
I was everything they wouldn’t tolerate: free, reckless, blunt, open, strong, covered in ink—with a motorcycle waiting to whisk Ally away—making me dangerous as well, and rich or not, I was not acceptable.
Nor was I afraid of them.
Bradley made a displeased noise, then turned and stomped over to the nearest bar. Ally tensed as her mother spoke again. “How long have you been acquaintances?”
“Oh, that’s not the word I’d use, Mrs. Givens,” I assured her. “But I still plan on getting to know her much better.”
Her voice was like ice. “I see.”
I held out my hand. “Will you walk with me, Ally?”
She gazed at me as my eyes beseeched her to accept. She could refuse and convince her parents I was some crazy artist she had no interest in. She could be polite and turn me away in a gentle manner.
Or she could be brave and let me claim her. Leave this table and the judgment they had laid on her so many years ago, and come with me, knowing she’d never be subjected to that again in her life.
She stood, clutching her small bag. “Good evening, Mother.”
Sarah didn’t move, but her lips thinned out in warning.
Ally slipped her hand into mine, allowing me to pull her closer. I dipped my head in victory. “Have a pleasant night.”
Elena smirked as we went by.
I stopped and dropped a kiss on her downy cheek as I grabbed my jacket. “If I hadn’t met Ally first, I’d so go for you.”
Her laughter followed us out of the room.
I pulled Ally into the closest alcove and wrapped my arms around her.
“I can’t believe you did that,” she whispered into my neck.
“If you’re furious, I’ll drive you home,” I murmured.