Why Not Tonight (Happily Inc. #3)(34)

That surprised him. “You don’t want anyone to know?”

“I’m fine with people knowing. You’re the one who keeps your personal life private.”

Before he could react to that particular truth, she stood, pulled off her T-shirt and her bra, walked over to his chair and straddled him, then put his hands on her breasts.

“We can keep talking,” she said as she pressed her lips to his jaw. “Or not. You pick.”

“I pick not.”

“Oh, good.”

*

NATALIE DROVE TO work because floating there would cause people to ask too many questions. But she could have floated, or danced, or simply willed herself there due to all the happiness bubbling up inside of her. She was happy, she was content, she was quenched.

Ronan had spent the night. They’d made love twice more and he’d left shortly after dawn. They’d laughed, they’d talked, they’d hung on to each other until their breathing settled and their bodies stopped shaking. Their time together had been magically amazing.

She had always enjoyed sex. She thought it was a natural and fun progression in a relationship. But she’d never experienced such a meeting of two bodies, where everything he did to her was more intense, more satisfying. She was glad he wanted them to continue to see each other—she wanted that, too. And if she had a thought or two that it would be nice if she could pretend it was going to last more than a few weeks, she knew she was only fooling herself.

She wanted family and belonging. Ronan had turned his back on all he had. She couldn’t begin to understand how that was possible. To give up the world. They were too different in spirit for this to last, but for now...it was pure magic.

Once she was at work, she quickly cleared her gallery chores, then signed up for the refurbished-bridge art project. The sections were granted in five-foot segments, and artists were encouraged to work in teams. One side of the bridge would feature the artwork and the other would be a mesh material where people could put locks, like people did on Cologne’s Love Lock bridge. The Happily Inc bridge had been reinforced to handle the heavy load of the locks and the artwork.

She filled out the paperwork and emailed it back and then sent an email to Mathias. Yes, she could have walked over to the studio and told him, but an email seemed more fun. Let him wonder what she was up to.

Around ten, she texted Ronan and asked if he could help her with something. As she waited for his response, she felt a little quiver in her tummy. Anticipation, she thought happily. Excitement. However temporary, she had a man in her life and she planned to enjoy every second of it.

A few minutes later, Ronan walked into her office. She gave herself a couple of heartbeats to enjoy his sexy smile, the slightly mussed hair, the clean-shaven jaw that had been delightfully bristly the previous night.

“You texted?”

His voice was low and teasing, and slightly secretive. She did her best not to sigh.

“Can I steal you away for about twenty minutes?” she asked. “I want to show you something.”

His eyebrows rose and she giggled. “Not that. Something outside. In public.”

“Damn.”

They left the gallery and walked over to the bridge only a short half block away. The city had already put in the markings that would differentiate the various sections. Natalie counted out the spaces until she found the two she’d signed up for.

“The bridge has been reinforced and widened,” she began.

“I can see that.” He kept his gaze on her rather than the bridge.

“The city wants to make it into something beautiful that will attract tourists. We can’t always depend on weddings. What if people stop getting married?”

“Unlikely but I see your point. Go on.”

She pointed to the opposite side. “They’re going to allow people to put up locks. They do it a lot in Europe. Everyone talks about the bridge in Paris but I like the one in Cologne better. Not that I’ve seen either, but still. Given your affection for East German hot chocolate, I thought you’d agree with me.”

“I’ve already ordered more.”

Her mouth watered. “That’s nice.”

“I’ll let you know when it arrives.”

“I appreciate that.” Maybe they could drink it while naked. Or in bed. Or both. She cleared her throat. “On the other side, the city is asking for artists to create something fun or interesting or whatever, in five-foot sections.” She touched the railing. “I signed us up for this one.”

Before Ronan could react, she spotted Mathias walking toward them.

“Strange place for a meeting,” he said as he approached. “What’s up?”

Ronan looked between the two of them. He didn’t look mad, which was great, but he didn’t look happy, either.

“Let me guess,” he said. “You want us to do one of these sections and Mathias to do the one next to it?”

“Something like that.” She turned to Mathias. “You know about the bridge project, right?”

“Sure. Ten feet is a lot. I’m not sure what we’d do.”

“I have some ideas,” she said quickly. “I want to use the glass you guys throw away. Work it in somehow. But I thought the centerpiece would be my car.”

They both stared at her.

“How would we do that?” Ronan asked.