Chapter 18 #2
“I feel you. Well, I really don’t want you working unless you want to.
If you can find something you’d love to do, cool.
Otherwise, I’ll just put you on payroll at one of my pharmacies and still take care of you.
And after you talk to her about school, just let me know.
If you want a house and she’s okay going to a different district, I’ll build y’all something close to me. ”
Dru wrapped her arms around him and closed the distance between them. “You make it seem so easy, making things easy for me.”
“It is. Plus, I’m being a little selfish.
Even if you move, I still want you close to me.
I’ll put y’all house right next to mine if I have to.
” Dru giggled, even though his tone and facial expression proved he was serious.
“I also want to let you know, if the both of you were comfortable with it, she could move in with us. No pressure. Just laying out all your options. More than anything, I know you’re going to do what’s best for her, and I will do what’s best for you. ”
Her eyes blinked as she fought to dry them and swallow back her tears. “It feels crazy that I’m thirty years old and this is the first time I’ve felt like I’ve been with a real man. A real partner. Sometimes you say and do stuff that leaves me in awe of you.”
“Regardless of your past relationships, you’re with me now. I got you, and I don’t plan to let you go. You can rest assured I’m going to do everything I can to make your life as pleasurable and stress free as possible.”
“Yeah, but what do you get out of that?”
“You. And the better I treat you, the better I feel as a man. I ain’t on that what you bring to the table shit. I am the table. You just need to sit down and feast.”
There was no doubt in Dru’s mind that she was going to fall in love with that man.
There was no point in trying to fight it or hide it.
“C’mere,” she requested, pulling him down to her lips.
“Hmm?” He hummed through his smile before connecting his lips to hers.
“I’m falling in love with you,” she confessed, then kissed him again.
“I’ll catch you. I’ll be right there with you too.”
“Ugh, stop. You’re going to make me cry before we even go inside.”
Caden laughed as he lifted himself upright. “You just told me you’re falling in love with me. I couldn’t care less about this damn gallery,” he confessed, squeezing her ass and letting his fingers brush between her legs and her pussy.
“At this rate, I’m gonna need to go ahead and get on birth control before you get my ass pregnant.”
“That might be for the best. I ain’t running from being a father, but I wouldn’t mind us waiting a little longer too. When we have our baby, I want it to be intentional, not accidental.”
Their conversation shifted into talking about how many children they wanted to have as they finally entered the gallery, but Dru’s attention shifted the moment her eyes fell on one piece of art after another.
“Wow,” she muttered under her breath, unsure which exhibit she wanted to see first. There was one on the left and right, one directly in front of them, and then two signs pointing to additional exhibits in the back.
The walls, ceilings, and floors were white, and bright lights made it easy to admire every painting.
Her hand delicately slipped from Caden’s, and he let her roam. Each piece motivated her in a different way, on a different level, than the one before. By the time they made it to the last exhibit, Dru felt inspired to paint, and she hadn’t picked up a paintbrush in years.
“This was awesome, bae,” she said, snaking her arm around his.
“It’s not over yet. There’s an auction in the private room that starts in five minutes. We can buy whatever you’d like. Plus, there’s someone I want you to meet.”
“Who?”
“Let me see if she’s near,” Caden said, turning and looking around. “Yeah, there she go.”
Taking her by the hand, Caden led Dru toward a beautiful woman engaged in conversation. Her smile was bright before she took a sip of champagne. As if she saw them moving in her direction out of the corner of her eye, she turned. Quickly excusing herself, she met them halfway.
“Caden, so glad you could make it,” she said before they shook hands.
“Wouldn’t miss the chance to support you and show my love some beautiful art.”
“Dru, right? It’s nice to meet you. I’m Saveth.”
Dru shook the woman’s hand, allowing her mind to register her name, and the fact that it was the same name listed on the door as the owner.
“Saveth . . . This is your gallery, right?”
“It is,” she confirmed with a proud smile.
“I love it. Your mix of art is eclectic yet somehow singular. I can’t wait to see what pieces you’ll have up for auction.”
“Thank you so much. I can’t wait to see what you’ll have to offer me as well. Depending on your turnround time, I might be able to include you in our next new artist showcase.”
“Uh, I’m sorry?” Dru chuckled nervously, looking from Saveth to Caden.
“Did I spill the beans?” Saveth asked Caden, who shook his head with a smile.
“Kind of, but I wanted it to be a surprise, so this still works,” he answered, wrapping his arm around Dru’s waist.
“You wanted what to be a surprise? Tell me something, because I’m about to burst.”
Saveth chuckled. “I’ll let you two talk, and we can discuss things a bit more after the auction.”
“Sounds good, Sav,” Caden agreed before she walked away.
“Well?” Dru questioned, rocking from her heels to her toes in anticipation of what he was about to say.
“I went to school with Sav’s brother, so we know each other from around the way.
I mentioned my girl being an artist and how much I’d appreciate it if she took a look at some of her work, and she agreed.
If she likes it, she’s willing to buy it and add it to her collection, include you in her next artist spotlight, and if your art is received well, set up an auction for you.
“That’s also why I said I didn’t want you to work unless you wanted to. You said if you could, you’d go back to school and get your degree and pursue your art. You have the time and opportunity to do that now, sweetheart. The world is literally yours.”
This time, Dru was unable to hold her tears in.
A hug turned into Caden picking her up so he could hold her close.
He sat down on the nearest bench and held her while she composed herself.
She was literally speechless yet overwhelmed with love and gratitude.
Getting used to being treated so well was still an adjustment for her, but if that was the biggest battle of her day, Dru was more than okay with that.