“Maggie had a baby with Cathy’s ex?”
“Yep. They were on a break. Cathy and Justin got back together after, but even Justin has seen what she’s like. Since we left college, Cathy seems to have lost her stranglehold over a lot of people. It’s only because Maggie’s so forgiving, and I just feel sorry for her, that we still see each other occasionally.”
“Yeah, well, I get a bad feeling about that girl,” I tell her. “Maybe it’s time to sever the digits.”
She shrugs, but I won’t push it. Cathy’s her friend, and she has to make her own decision about whether to keep her close or push her out of her life. I just know people like that don’t think anything about stabbing people in the back if it suits their agenda, or just for sheer malicious enjoyment. Jealousy can be a powerful driver, and Cora’s on the up. Cathy definitely won’t like that.
“Cora, you’ve sold five pieces already,” Dustin, the exhibition coordinator, says as he passes.
“What?” Cora’s hand flies to her mouth, and Dustin grins.
“I’m just putting the ‘sold’ cards on everything that’s been purchased. I’m sure you’ll get a lot of future orders too.”
“I can’t repeat anything exactly,” she says nervously. “You know what this technique is like. Each piece is unique. The chance of even getting close to something vaguely similar is really low.”
“I know,” Dustin says. “Don’t worry about that. You’ll have all the details for the clients. You’ll be able to liaise with them over specifics.”
Cora’s shoulders drop, and she lets out a breath through pursed lips. “I’m not very good at this,” she whispers to me, clutching my sleeve. “I’m happy when I’m in my studio, making my ceramics, but actually doing something with my creations fills my stomach with frightened bats.”
“That’s normal.” I pull her close and wrap my arms around her so that she’s resting her cheek against my heart. I know that hearing its steady rhythm will calm her. Pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, I glance across the room, noticing Cathy watching us with a knowing half-smile dancing on her lips.
By the end of the evening, Cora has sold over eighty percent of her display stock and has thirty orders too. Mason is grinning, having secured buyers for most of his paintings, and Molly, in addition to selling all her work, has a commission to create an installation for a new building opening in the city next year. I’ve also been lucky to sell most of my sculptures, and I’m exceptionally happy that my idea to bring together four artists who use different mediums has been met with so much enthusiasm.
Most of the attendees have already left, but Maggie and the rest of Cora’s friends are still chatting with Charli and Naomi, laughing raucously in a way that reflects their alcohol intake.
River has his arms wrapped around Cora and is murmuring something in her ear. Tobias moves closer, trapping her between them and pressing a kiss to her lips. It’s as though my brothers have forgotten where we are. We’re not keeping our relationship a total secret, but I don’t think any of us want it to be totally public yet.
Clearing my throat, I shake Dustin’s hand. “Thanks for everything, man. I really appreciate everything you’ve done to make tonight such a success.”
“It’s easy to sell beautiful things,” Dustin smiles. “Especially when they’re made by beautiful people.”
His eyes travel over Cora and Molly and land firmly on Mason’s ass. A snort almost leaves my nose, but I bury it in a cough.
“Well, we’ll be in touch to arrange transportation for everything that’s sold and collection for the pieces we need to take back with us.”
“Sure. We’ll chat tomorrow. Time to go home and get some well-deserved sleep.”
The way my brothers are pawing at Cora, I’m doubtful that sleep will be top of the priority list tonight, but I’m okay with that. She did so well tonight, and I want her to know just how proud of her I am.
Later, when my tongue touches the tip of her sweet clit, I’ll show her just what a good girl she’s been and just how much of a bad boy that makes me feel.
21
CORA
The morning after the exhibition, I wake in Mark’s bed, settled into the cradle of his thighs and a very hard cock pressing between the cheeks of my ass.
I’m deliciously sore from all our sexual exploits last night, and desperate to pee, but I snuggle against Mark’s chest, smiling as he groans and tightens his grip.
“Baby, you’re rubbing yourself on my dick, and I won’t be responsible for what happens if you continue.”
“I love waking up to dick threats in the morning,” I chuckle.
He snorts, burying his nose into my neck. “You smell of roses and sex.” Breathing in deep; he hums like that odd combination is flipping a switch in his head.