AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Then we’ll stop at the next art shop and pick up whatever supplies you need to make that happen.”
There’s no way he would do that.
“Wow, that’s very generous of you,” I offered.
“I’m a generous man,” he said with a challenging smile.
Okay, so now he and I were in a stand-off. We both knew we were bullshitting each other, but neither of us was going to give it up.
“That you are. But what are you going to do while I draw?”
“Depends,” he said, taking my hand and calling for the valet. “What do you want to draw?” He pulled out his phone and started to Google places to purchase art supplies.
Dammit. Should I let this play out or just let him win? I couldn’t draw a fucking stick figure, much less know what to buy from an art supply place.
“I’m not sure,” I answered.
“Well, it’s rather simple. You want to draw either objects, scenery, or people, right?”
I met his challenging gaze with one of my own. “And if I wanted to draw people?”
He chuckled, turning to the valet who had just pulled up in the luxury car John had rented when we arrived at the helicopter pad. “This night promises to exceed your expectations.”
I sat in the car as he held the door open for me, “Something tells me that it will be more enjoyable for you than me.”
He bent to kiss my forehead, and my heart nearly flipped in my chest as energy jolted through me over the simple gesture. “Trust me,” his lips went to my ear while I inhaled his rich cologne, immediately intoxicated by it, “you’ll be extremely happy with the person you’ll be drawing.”
I knew John was playing along, and he was stepping it up to the next level. I felt suddenly lightheaded, almost like I had a buzz.
“I’m only kidding,” I finally said after we drove away from the theater, turning onto a one-way street.
He glanced at me, shifting gears, “Nah, you’re not. Now you’re just being polite.”
“Well, I’m not going to make you take me to an art supply store to let me paint in a hotel room all night. Besides, you’re probably as hungry as I am.”
“Not a problem. I’ll order in food while you draw,” he taunted.
My lips twisted in thought, trying to figure out why he was hanging onto this. “You don’t need to do that,” I said with a laugh. “My drawing desires have faded since walking out of the theater. The moment is gone.”
“Bullshit,” he pressed, turning onto another one-way street as I became distracted by staring up at the old buildings that were all around. “Moments of inspiration don’t just come and go for artists.”
“Well, they do if you’re not an artist,” I laughed.
“Nope,” he said. “You’re being modest.” He reached for my hand and kissed the back of it. “And if you’re not really an artist, and you’re just fucking with me, like I know you are,” he paused, glanced over at me, and smiled, “then you’re about to find out why you will want to be.”
I grinned in response to all this nonsense. It was so silly that I’d drag this on for as long as I did, but it also gave me a feeling that I loved, not caring about the seriousness of anything, just playing things on the goofy side to see where it all went. I quickly discovered that this is what I truly enjoyed about this man. He could take anything and make it fun.
Everything in my life had been so serious since starting medical school, and it was a breath of fresh air to be light-hearted for a change. Stepping out of my comfort zone and letting loose in a funny way now and then would prevent me from going gray by the time I turned forty.
We walked into the most extravagant and beautiful suite, overlooking the entire San Francisco Bay. Without exchanging glances, I silently ended our banter, which started at the art supply store and continued until my eyes became fixed on the floor-to-ceiling windows that spanned the entire length of the room before me.
I walked through the stunning entry, stepped down three steps into a living area, and walked directly to the walls that became the focal point of this hotel suite. If John hadn’t told me about his family fortune, I’d wonder how he could afford this opulent room in one of the most expensive cities in California.
“Gorgeous views,” I heard John say from behind me in a tone that made me feel being in a room like this was standard for him. “But screw that bridge, I’d rather take in the views of you enjoying it.”
I smiled and folded my arms together. “The Golden Gate Bridge has always been quite a site to see, but from this vantage point? God, it’s breathtaking.”
John’s arms reached around my waist, and I eased into the feeling that this was completely normal…except I knew it wasn’t. We acted like a couple that’d been together for years, enjoying these fun little getaways. I knew I could easily attach myself to this feeling and swim in the comfort of it all night long. That’s why I knew I needed to be careful and avoid getting swept away.
