Page 75 of Tainted Truth

I fake giving his demand actual thought. “Mmm. No thanks. You can see them for the first time tomorrow like everyone else.”

Asher’s glare holds little heat. “You’re being a brat.”

“And I’m not ashamed.”

He sets his laptop aside and stands to his full height. He swaggers up to me, his body almost touching mine but not quite. His heat seeps into my bones, but I hold myself back.

“Hey guys! I forgot my sketchbook.” Hayes’s interruption triggers Asher to spring back from me. Hayes ignores the fact that he found us in a slightly precarious position and snags his sketchbook. He exits, leaving Asher and me in an awkward silence.

He’s still holding back, and I don’t know why. I have my suspicions, but I have a feeling that with a man like Asher, I won’t be able to dig the truth out of him.

Asher rubs the back of his neck. “You ready for tomorrow?”

“Um, as ready as I’ll ever be, I guess. Iris has been hard at work getting the word out about the exhibit. And I think opening it up to Paul, Alma, and Hayes has helped generate more interest.”

“Cool. We should go upstairs. You’ll need your rest for tomorrow.” Asher shuts the studio down for me then guides me out the door. He doesn’t let me clean up or anything.

The hurt on my face is impossible to hide, but Asher doesn’t give any indication that he notices.

He said he’s in it for as long as I’m here, and I plan on being here for the long haul.

But he doesn’t believe me . . .

It’sten minutes until the doors open, and just like I predicted, I’m standing in the corner. The only thing I don’t have is the paper bag, which I asked Rio to get me, but he told me he has a better option than a paper bag. His eyes turned lustful, and I had to walk away.

Sleep last night was unattainable. Now lightheadedness and dizziness are two consorts that I can’t shake. If I bite at my lips anymore, I’m sure they’ll bleed.

“Breathe, Angel. It’s going to be fine. Everything looks amazing.” Zane strokes my hair as his other hand wanders down to my ass.

“Not helping,” I snap as I jump out of his reach, even though heat begins to build low in my belly.

“I can’t help it when you look this delicious.” His eyes wander up and down my frame.

Each of my men dressed up tonight. Asher is wearing what looks to be a work suit. Zane is in black slacks and a white button-up. Rio is in all black with the top few buttons of his shirt undone, giving me an enticing peek at his tattoos. Both Zane and Rio rolled up their sleeves.

I never thought I’d be an arm girl, but here we are.

Maybe you’re more of an Asher, Rio, and Zane girl.

When I was shopping online for tonight, I chose a simple dress that I hope screams sexy but not in a distracting way. It’s a strapless, knee-length, satin, black dress with an A-line skirt and sweetheart neckline. I found deep green heels and curled my hair into waves to complete the look.

Okay, Alma curled my hair. Iris was unable to help with my makeup, so I was left to my own devices and had a little help from YouTube.

Iris is now running around the gallery, spouting off instructions to the waitstaff and making sure everything is in its place. She seems a bit more stressed than normal, possibly because this is the first exhibit she’s in charge of. But she’s done a wonderful job. I keep reassuring her of her amazing work, but each time she walks away more distraught than before. Even Hayes’s attempts and comfort have been for naught.

Alma and Paul are cool as fucking cucumbers. Alma said her kids are coming with her husband, and Paul said his neighbors were excited to see his work.

“T-minus two minutes!” Iris calls out, then scurries off to the breakroom where the caterers have set up shop.

Zane grabs me by the shoulders and turns me to face him. “Spencer, you got this. You’re talented and badass. Everyone isgoing to love your work.” His eyes bore into mine, making me soak up the truth in his words.

Deep breaths bring my heart rate back to a normal pace. “Thank you,” I say with a smile.

He kisses my forehead and adds, “I’m so proud of you, Angel.”

His assertion hits me straight in the chest, causing spontaneous tears to form in my eyes. I hold them back because I did not spend an hour on this makeup to fuck it up now. That and I don’t think I can answer the “have you been crying” question all night long with the “it’s just allergies” practiced response.

The doors open, and I pat lightly under my eyes. Rio makes his way to my side and grasps my hand in his. His excitement is indisputable. Asher stands by the door, subtly inspecting every patron who walks through the door.

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