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Warmth and pride blossom in my chest. “Good. Will you let us finish what we started, Beauty?”
I wonder if she realizes I mean both the tattoo and the relationship that was just starting to form between all of us.
“Yes,” she whispers.
“Good,” I reply, leaning in to kiss her.
She tries to deepen the kiss, but I pull away.
“Tut-tut, Miss Maurice. We are in a public place, show a little decorum,” I tease.
She laughs and shakes her head at me, looping her arm around mine and allowing me to guide her further into the gallery. It’s a shame that I’d already decided I was going to be a perfect gentleman on this date; there are actually some pretty awesome makeout spots in this gallery.
Belle is worth the wait though, and I’m not going to push her too far, now. Not when we’re so close to getting everything we want.
* * *
“Bro!” rings out across the quiet gallery. Belle and I have been wandering around for about an hour.
“Hey,” I wheeze, as my brother hugs me in a bear-like grip. I chuckle and turn to Belle. “Drake, this is my girl, Belle. Belle, this is my brother, Drake.”
Drake whistles long and loud as he checks out Belle.
“Wow, Kells. Where did you get a girl like this, and how the hell did you convince her to go out with your ugly mug?” my brother teases, as he holds his hand out for Belle to shake.
“Actually, he walked in on me dancing in a towel, accused me of incest, and then kicked me out of his apartment,” Belle says in a dead serious tone, with a bored look in her eyes. Drake pauses, looking confused, before Belle throws her head back and laughs hysterically, causing both myself and my brother to laugh along with her.
“Oh, she’s feisty. I like her!” Drake exclaims, and I let out a silent sigh of relief. Drake is the most important person in my life, and if he had hated Belle, I would have been devastated.
“Why don’t we all go get some lunch?” Belle suggests, and smiles at me mischievously. “Drake can tell me all of your dirtiest secrets.” She winks, and I shake my head. I don’t know how I was ever worried Drake wouldn’t like her. Belle is amazing.
Half an hour later, we are settling into a booth at one of Drake’s favorite seafood joints, and laughing as Belle does a terrible impression of a pirate.
“Okay, so tell me about Kelly when he was younger, I want to know everything,” Belle insists after we all finally catch our breaths.
“Well, he’s always been driven, stubborn, and kind of annoying,” Drake teases, and I punch his shoulder. “No, but in all seriousness, after our mom passed, Kelly got me through it. Kept me motivated and on course. He reminded me how much it meant to Mom that we found our happiness in life. She didn’t want us to work to live, but wanted us to live and work in tandem in a way that brought our lives the most joy. She would always say how important it was to do something you’re passionate about, because there’s nothing worse than waking up in the morning and dreading work.”
“Your mom sounds like she was a brilliant woman,” Belle says softly.
“She was. She was kind, smart, and beautiful. She made sure we knew how much she loved us.”
After that, we order our food, and spend the next hour talking and laughing until my sides hurt. Belle and Drake vibe so well, and it makes me happy to see them so vibrant and happy, lost talking about their passions in life.
Belle seems a little reluctant when it’s time to go, but Drake has work in the morning. I’m not too sad, I’ve had a great time with them both, but I really want some alone time with Belle too.
“Let me take you home,” I tell Belle after we say good evening to my brother.
“Okay.”
When we get to her place, I explain that Linc has already handled having her locks changed, and even installed a security system that connects to her phone. He went a little overboard, but none of us were willing to gamble with her safety. Not that I expect that slimy bastard to come looking for Belle after his chat with Linc.
He wouldn’t dare.
“Want to come up for a drink?” Belle asks, blinking up at me through her long lashes, and I nod.
“I would love that.”
After a few shots of tequila each, we settle on the couch to watch Footloose, and we end up staying up way too late talking about our plans, our desires for the future…everything.
As I curl up in bed beside her and pull her into my arms, I’m more sure than ever that I want a future with this girl, long term; I just hope she wants the same.
