The Art Collector and His Billionaire Lover

WADE'S POV"Pa!" I yelled from the garage. "We are leaving." It was my first day at work. The Malta museum and art gallery location offices were located an hour away in the capital city of Valletta. My cousin, Auden Malkiel, rushed and got into the beat-up truck, reversing from the garage as I impatiently waited for my father.Pa rushed down the stairs with a food container in his hand and handed it over. "Here is your breakfast. I want to make sure you have something to eat. Being a curator can be intense. Especially the long hours of training. I am thankful you got this job." "Yes, Pa." I had heard this speech for the past few days. But Pa was right. I was thankful for the job and hoped to make enough money to start my own art business. "Wade. You need this job. Reign your temper in from now on and be obedient. I know your feelings and stance toward the elite society, but a man must provide for the family and have his own money," he pressed. "Yes, Pa. I promise to be on my

VAUGHN'S POVThe ride back to the manor was too short. I was lost in thought as the driver drove down the driveway and Elaine alighted. "Vaughn, come on, we are home," she stated. I dragged my feet and headed straight to the manor's east wing extension. Mother had allocated the whole area to me since she knew I valued my privacy. I rushed to the bedside table and took out my laptop. Accessing the hidden file, I stared at Wade's face. I had snapped the picture after the first time we met at the gallery. He stood staring at a painting on the vast gallery walls. The picture was taken from a side angle but did not hide how muscular and tall he was. His broad shoulders, long legs, and physicality stood out. One would mistake him for a rugby player. I wanted him that instant.When our eyes clashed, my body vibrate with need. He was truly the object of my desires. Fear gnawed my stomach when he took a step toward me this evening. Yet I remained standing in his presence basking in the lu

WADE'S POVMy mood had not improved after the encounter with the b*stard outside the Havana club. Such arrogant fools always made me want to punch them in the face and break their noses. To make it worse, from the corner of my eye, I had seen my angel accompanied by Elaine. Did he witness the whole incident? What did he think of me? The questions ran through my mind as I cleaned the house. I must have sighed for too long when I heard Pa's voice ring loudly, "If you don't stop sighing, I will smack your head."I turned around and found him standing by the door. I knew he was jesting as he walked over and sat down by the kitchen table. "So, I heard what happened outside the Havana," he stated."Pa, don't listen to Auden's gossip." I shook my head. "He always exaggerates stuff.""It wasn't from Auden," he informed me. "You know very well I have friends all over town. You promised no more getting into fights.""The guy started it. I restrained myself. Don't worry, Pa," I responded

I was left wallowing in desperation and anger. I wanted to have him, but he had created a barrier between us again.The door opened and Auden rushed into the storage room and then loudly stated, "Wade, I told you not to lock yourself up in the storage while finishing the work assigned. Mr. Winston has been looking for you."His loud voice was an indication that the gallery manager was nearby. "Sorry Auden, I wanted to be a good employee and impress Mr. Winston. All the data has been recorded. We can go back to the department."I readjusted my clothes and hair making Auden's eyes widened further and he whispered, "Are you f*cking crazy?" When we stepped out of the storage Mr. Winston was standing by the entrance looking annoyed. "Where the hell have you been, Wade? You have been missing for more than an hour. You know the gallery rules very well." "In the storage room, sir," I responded innocently. "I was busy doing the audit trail as you had requested." "Come with me. Elaine E

Auden and I left the house at dusk the following day after an early dinner. He had a plan for how I was going to see Vaughn and it came sooner than I anticipated. He must have ears on the ground or else how would he have known that Vaughn was going to be at the Havana tonight?We arrived two hours early as I paced up and down between the Havana and a side beach bar that was hidden by the road. I was restless and impatient as I waited for Vaughn. My patience paid off when a white escalade was parked by the Havana parking lot. Standing opposite the far side of the Havana, I watched as Vaughn, Elaine, and the same guy who had accompanied them walked into the club.The guard that Auden had bribed whispered something to Vaughn and he immediately turned in the direction we were standing at the opposite end of the Havana. His eyes widened and I beckoned him to follow me without a care in the world if he did. Walking over to a beach bar that was deserted, I spotted Auden sipping his drin