Page 27 of Addicted

Hugh leaned down and grabbed my neck, running his thumb over my pulse.

“Do that again and it’ll be a whole different kind of day, Little Menace.”

Before I could reply to his threat or the sensations his touch was causing, he took a step back.

“Be ready in thirty,” he said as he walked down the hall, taking my list with him.

Jerk.

CHAPTER 14

DENISE

Hugh’s idea of distracting me was art. And, let me tell you, it was an amazing time.

We started our day at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Every corner we turned led to something enchanting. Each piece of art held some nuance that I picked up the longer I looked at it. Every room was stark white and pristine, drawing my focus to the piece on display in front of me.

I fell into a pattern of reading each card, staring at the piece, and reading the card again after I’d taken it all in. Each piece was different and exciting, but the ones that really grabbed me were those that used deep colors that pulled me in.

After a few hours, we found ourselves next door at the Museum of the African Diaspora. I thought I was enjoying SF MOMA, but MOAD took my breath away.Everything was welcoming and warm—the art surrounding us felt like home.

The walls were bold and vibrant. Most importantly, the vibes and energy matched the awe-inspiring art that hung there.I was overwhelmed and head over heels in love. I even found myself doubling back in some rooms because I felt like I didn’t get enough of a photo collection or a series of portraits.

I spotted a few mannequins covered in gorgeous prints in the next room and I made a beeline for them. The ceremonial skirts were called Kuba cloths, worn for hundreds of years in what was now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The card said each square took hours to complete, with the entire skirt taking months.

Designs of all kinds were woven into the fabric, checkered in blue and then black, there were stripes and pieces of material embroidered over some areas. Each small section looked like chaos, but when looked at together, the entire skirt sang.

I spent a long time walking around the skirt in circles to fully appreciate the attention to detail that went into every stitch. It was a struggle not to touch it and feel the fabric beneath my fingers. I went back to the plaque beside it and shook my head. I couldn’t believe that it wasn’t cotton or polyester.

Hugh continued to let me take the lead as we wandered, when I lingered, so did he. A few times Ilooked over and saw him studying me and not the art. And, he was smiling, always smiling. It was different, it made his face look younger and less burdened. It was amazing to see. I couldn’t help but return it.

By the time Hugh dragged me out, the sun was setting, and my stomach was making hilariously loud gurgles.

“I told you we should’ve stopped for a real lunch.” Hugh had obviously heard my embarrassing stomach.

I shook my head.“The extra time was worth it. The photos of those women in Harlem sixty years ago looked like they could’ve been taken yesterday. And that Rothko was huge and bright. I could’ve just dived right into it. But the Kuba cloth! Can you believe that was grass? Insane.”

Hugh was standing still and watching me. His hands were in his jeans and his biceps peaked from beneath the short sleeves of his tangerine polo shirt. I turned and walked forward, we weren’t very far from his condo and there were a few places near there.

“So, what should we do for dinner? I would make a joke, but I’m star—”

Hugh’s fingers grabbed mine and pulled me backward. I squeaked before being cocooned in his warmth and feeling his lips meet mine.

The sounds of the street disappeared and the happy invigoration I’d built all day was met with a feeling of serenity. I leaned into it, loving every second. His tonguefound mine as his hand dived into my hair, bringing me closer, as he held me tight.

All the other times he’d held me there was always some urgency, like he couldn’t stand not touching me for another moment, but this? This wasn’t about seduction. It didn’t tell me all the things he wanted to do to my body. It was a culmination of the joy we’d built as we wandered, soaking in history and being near each other.

It was almost too much—too perfect. I pulled back so I could take a breath and I saw emotions at war on his face. His eyes searched mine, and I raised my hand to his cheek.

“I’ve been wanting to do that all day,” Hugh said, his arms still tight around me.

“This was... Thank you.”

Leaning up, I placed a kiss on his lips, then his cheek, and his nose. Then I went back to his lips as he laughed.

“Let me get you something to eat before distraction sets in,” he let his arms fall, but his hand stayed around my waist and pulled me to his side as we continued down the street.

“Me? I think you’re the one confusing me for dinner.” I said, nudging his shoulder with my head.

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