AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Me sleeping in my bed.
Me eating a sandwich at Central Park.
Me desperately holding onto the safety bar on the bus.
Despite the backdrop, I always look stunning, much more beautiful than I have any right to look at seven o’clock in the morning on a crowded bus ride across town. Is that really how Nico sees me?
Warmth floods my chest, and I finally turn to face this beautifully tortured, artistic soul. Blazing azure irises sear to mine, and an expression I’m too frightened to name lingers on his handsome face. “Your paintings are incredible,” I whisper.
“Or maybe it’s the subject.”
An embarrassing giggle sputters out because there’s something about his gaze that’s much too raw and intense. “I don’t think so,” I blubber.
“You never give yourself enough credit, little fox.”
I shrug and lean against the hard planes of his stomach. Despite the unrelenting rigidity, I never feel as comfortable anywhere than in Nico’s embrace. His hands settle on my thighs, fingers playing distractedly with the lace hem of my nightie. The mere touch sends heat racing between my legs. “Are you coming to bed soon?” The breathy plea comes out so pathetically.
He chuckles behind me, the rumble of his broad chest vibrating through my entire body. “I have a better idea.”
I cant my head over my shoulder to catch a mischievous smirk. “Oh, yeah, what’s that?”
“Let me paint you.” A sinful smile smolders across his perfect lips, sending waves of desire coursing through every inch of me.
I know exactly what he means, but I ask for further clarification only to buy myself some time. “You’ve already painted me many times before. Most of them clearly without my approval.” I arch a teasing brow.
“This sort of painting would warrant your express approval, little fox. Unless I snuck a quick sketch in the darkness of my bedroom one of these evenings after fucking you from here to kingdom come.”
A chill races up my spine at the rough edge to his tone.
His fingers tangle within the lacy hem, drawing it further up my thighs until my matching panties are exposed. “If you allow me this, I promise to make it worth your while.”
“Oh, yeah?” I waggle my brows. “What will I get in return?”
“Whatever you want.”
I pause and nibble on my lower lip. I’ve really been blessed in this life, despite all the more recent drama. Besides Jasper gone for good, I’m already so close to having everything I could ever desire. “Jasper,” I murmur.
His expression turns savage, bright blue eyes darkening. “His head in a box wrapped in a pretty red bow?”
I swallow hard. “I just want him out of my life.”
“Out of our lives.”
I nod slowly.
“You’ll have it by the end of the week, I swear.” He cups my cheek, drawing my mouth to his and sealing the promise with a scorching kiss. As he kisses me senseless, his hands move beneath my nightie, drawing my panties down my legs. Then he releases my lips only long enough to tug the negligée over my head.
A hiss escapes through his bowed lips as his heated gaze rakes over my bare breasts then glides down my tummy and settles at the dash of auburn curls between my thighs. “You’re absolutely perfect, little fox. I cannot wait to paint every curve of that exquisite form.”
Hot tears prick at the back of my eyes, and I have no idea why. Maybe it’s because no one has ever told me how beautiful I was. More than that, no one ever made me feel it.
I blink back the tears as I feel him stir beneath me.
“As much as I would love to paint you while sitting on my lap,” he whispers at the shell of my ear, “I’m afraid it would prove rather impossible even for me.”
“Oh, right.” I scoot off his lap and follow his line of sight to a small chaise lounge by the window. I hadn’t even noticed it when I first came in.
Nico ushers me toward it, his hand pressed to the soft dimples at my lower back. “Normally I’d prefer to do this in the daylight, but I’d never miss this incredible opportunity and risk you changing your mind by morning.”
