“Afterwe complete my pieces. Do we have a deal?”
She was silent again. I didn’t want to push, but my heart was damn near ready to beat out of my chest. I wasn’t sure whether I was more excited or nervous—I had a feeling she could be the key to getting me unstuck. But what if I was wrong? What if, despite feeling inspired, I still couldn’t bring myself to create anything?
“When do we start?” she asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“Is tonight too soon?” I asked, forcing myself to move forward before I could lose my nerve.
She laughed, though there was an edge to it. “No.”
“Great. I’ll text you my address. See you at eight.”
“Great. Eight. It’s a date. I mean, not a date.” I smiled to myself as she continued to ramble. I imagined the gorgeous flush that was likely spreading across her skin. “This is not a date. It’s an…arrangement.”
“See you at eight,” I said before disconnecting the call.
“Who was that?” Theo asked when I returned to the kitchen.
I grinned and stirred the vegetables on the stove, feeling lighter already. “Kate.”
He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning his hip against the counter. “Please tell me she’s your new model.”
“She is, and I’m seeing her tonight.”
“Thank god,” Theo huffed, grabbing the plates of food I’d dished out and carrying them outside.
I wished I shared his relief, but all I could picture was me standing at the easel, paintbrush in hand…completely frozen. I could only hope that wouldn’t happen in front of Kate.
* * *
I’d just finished settingup my supplies when the doorbell buzzed. I navigated to the security app on my phone, and the video feed confirmed it was Kate. She glanced around, wringing her hands, and I had a flashback to the day I’d subbed for Professor Tate’s class. I wondered now—like then—if she was going to bolt.
I opened my music app, selecting a relaxed playlist with a sensual beat. I wanted her to feel comfortable, and I knew that, to some people, concrete floors and an industrial loft didn’t necessarily scream comfort.
I straightened my shirt, running a hand through my hair before swinging open the heavy metal door. “Hey.”
“Hey.” She shifted, and I scanned her body, the leggings, the sweater that hung off one shoulder—a shoulder I wanted to sink my teeth into.
I squeezed my eyes shut briefly in an attempt to erase the image. What the hell was wrong with me?
“Come in.” I opened the door wider, gesturing for her to come inside.
She shuffled forward, and I caught a whiff of her perfume—vanilla and orange? She smelled delicious, and she looked just as delectable. Her blond waves were wrapped in a loose knot on top of her head, a few tendrils hanging down by her face. Suddenly—despite my fears—I couldn’t wait to get started. Unfortunately, she didn’t seem to share my excitement.
“So, um, about earlier,” she said, and I enjoyed the way her cheeks flushed with color. It was the perfect rosy blush, almost the same color as her lips and her… I swallowed. Hard. Nipples.
This woman.I didn’t think she had any idea how beautiful she was, which made her even more attractive. And her innocence was just as appealing.
She cleared her throat, her eyes pinging around the space, looking everywhere but at me. “I’m flattered, but I think this was a bad idea.” She hooked her thumb in the direction of the door. “I’m just… I think I’m just going to go.”
She turned and headed for the door, but I didn’t intend to let her go so easily. I crossed my arms over my chest, leaning my hip against the table in the entryway.
“So, you came all the way over here just to tell me it was a bad idea?” The corner of my mouth twitched, itching to smile.
She nodded. “Yeah.”
“You could’ve just called.”
“I could’ve,” she agreed.
