He lowered me to my shoes gently, still wavering between shock and laughter.

If I hadn’t had a bar full of people behind me, I’d have made him take care of my situation immediately. As it was, he could figure out what he wanted to do with me over the course of the next several hours. Trent would have my ass if I left before closing.

And the thought of teasing Gavin until he squirmed wasn’t an awful idea.

His fingers remained at my hips, then he stroked my jaw, tilting my face upward. “Ready when you are.”

I grabbed his hand and dragged him inside, lingering for a moment in the hallway to steal another kiss from him. He wasn’t going anywhere, not without me.

And going to my place wasn’t an option, which was why I’d invited myself to his.

I knew he wouldn’t say no; no one said no to me.

The stress of getting ready for the show was evident on every surface of my house; I’d left clothes and makeup and hair ties from one end to the other and that wasn’t the foot I wanted us getting off on. Not that I hadn’t brought guys home to a messy house before, but I had a feeling Gavin would mind and I didn’t want anything screwing up the fuck-fest we were going to have as soon as I got us out of here.

I pulled away, taking his lower lip between my teeth. “I’m ready. So ready.” My nails scratched down the front of his shirt. “As soon as we close down this party.”

He grinned. “You tell me when and I’ll whisk you,” he leaned over, making an exaggerated glance at my feet, “and your fuck-me shoes to my place.”

I turned and walked back through the door, down the hall, and into the crowded room. Trent was watching and his shoulders relaxed as he saw me pop out of the hallway. Ever the brother, that one.

Gavin must have walked out of the hallway just behind me because Trent’s shoulders returned to their tensed, protective posture I knew well. I’d already introduced him to Gavin back at the gallery.

I knew that would have thrown Gavin for a loop—no one ever stuck around long enough to get introduced, but I figured since I’d made out with Gavin in front of Trent that I might as well tell him the guy’s name. I wasn’t planning on keeping Gavin any longer than the others; it wasn’t worth the heartache or headache, no matter how good the lay.

Gavin’s hand rested against the small of my back and I slowed, letting him pull me alongside him. I walked us to the far end of the bar and Trent gave me a nod.

Trent kept his posturing to a minimum and shook Gavin’s hand again. “What can I get you to drink?”

Ian MacIlrood touched my arm and I beamed at him. “Wonderful show, my dear. You should be proud.” He kissed my cheek. “I wanted to talk to you about my upcoming show.”

“Of course.” I let him draw me away from the men as they easily fell into a conversation, peripherally aware that Gavin’s fingers lingered until the last second before he dropped them. I liked the possessiveness and reached behind me, brushing my palm against his arm before giving Ian my full attention. “I can’t wait to put your pieces together for this show. Do you have new ones for me?”

Ian laughed, humoring me. We both knew that a single piece could take him as long as three years and there was no way that he’d have one done in time. “For you, darling, I would. Alas.”

I touched his shoulder and gave him my best smile. I liked doing his shows and liked his art. Not everyone at CopperStone took as much enjoyment from putting together other artists’ shows, feeling some kind of jealousy that it wasn’t their own, but I took pride in what I did.

And Ian drove me to do better work. He was hard to please, but always loved what I came up with. He had a fantastic way of pulling so much emotion from the patrons, and people clamored for his next one. I’d be able to double the attendance that I’d had at mine simply by putting his name on the invites.

“What I really want is that lovely woman who brought those delectable treats. I want people to experience my art on that level. I adored that addition tonight.”

“Absolutely. What if I call you next week and we’ll figure out all the details?” I couldn’t concentrate to the point I wanted to with Ian and I couldn’t even blame it on the alcohol tonight.

Gavin’s presence had knocked me askew and with him so close by, I was having trouble concentrating, which was new for me. Men didn’t affect me and I was still going to blame it on how oversexed he’d left me.

“Of course, dear, of course. I’ll leave you to your young man.” He grinned and gave a slight bow, then walked away with a wave at Trent before I could tell him that I didn’t have a young man, and certainly not one who was impeding my work.

But that wasn’t entirely true. Gavin was having quite the effect on me, and my body hummed with the vibration of his nearness. I watched Ian’s full departure, using the excuse to determine my next step.

Gavin turned, drinks in hand. I smiled and took the martini from him, giving him a nod of thanks. Trent took a step back and watched us. I didn’t bother giving him my attention. This wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for me. I’d picked up my fair share of guys in his bar.

None quite like Gavin, though.

There was something about him that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. If I were into relationships, he might be worth devoting time to.

Too bad he hadn’t met me earlier.

He winked and took a sip of his drink. “Let’s mingle.”