She arched an eyebrow, looking doubtful. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

He took her hand, led her to the couch, then asked her to sit down. As she settled in, he pressed the fabric over her eyes and tied it behind her head. He grabbed her phone and popped her ear buds into her ears. Then he called up her newest playlist, and turned up music so she couldn’t hear.

When he returned to Khashi’s apartment, the man handed over the gift and Nate thanked him. He grabbed a hammer from inside his gym bag, along with some nails, and set to work.

Casey blasted an upbeat song from her friend Jane Black, the music distracting her from whatever Nate was up to. She didn’t know if she’d find him naked doing a striptease when he took off this blindfold. She considered that image for a moment. She liked that image a lot. But a striptease wasn’t his style. For now, she’d simply have to wait patiently.

Soon, she felt his fingers on her cheek, his soft touch that melted her. He removed the ear buds, unfastened the blindfold and let it fall to her neck. She drew a sharp intake of air, then blinked several times. She was sure she was seeing things. There was no way that could be on her wall. She pointed, repeatedly, opening her mouth, but no words came out. She was like a fish trying to breathe above water.

Her collection had grown, and her wall of kisses now featured a man and a woman, caught in a rainstorm, gazing at the sky as big, buoyant raindrops fell. She stood and whispered, as if she were in church, “Is that it?”

He nodded, a huge grin in his face. “It’s the Miller Valentina you wanted.”

With quiet, careful steps she walked to the wall, raising her hand when she reached the painting, but not touching it, merely coming close. Her fingers tingled, and she held her breath. Astonishment unfurled inside her as she gazed at the work of art she had longed for that evening in London. The piece that she’d craved, but had lost out on because she couldn’t resist stealing away for a private moment of bliss with this man.

“How?” she asked, and her voice was comprised purely of wonder.

The corner of his lips quirked up. “Jack’s been working with some European companies investing in high-end items, like art. He made some calls to Sotheby’s and found out who’d bought the painting. I called the guy, and made him an offer.”

Her eyes widened and excitement took off inside her like a rocket. He had done this. He’d really done this. “I want to kiss it,” she said, staring at the painting in awe. “But I want to kiss you more. This is the most amazing thing anyone has done for me.” She cupped his cheeks in her hands, and locked eyes with him. His stunning amber eyes were full of love. “You gave me a painting.”