I stepped closer and touched his face. “Okay, but I need to let my grandfather know I’m not coming home tonight.”
“I already told him.” He threaded his fingers through mine.
“When?”
“When I went to get my car at the hotel. You were waiting for me in the lobby.”
“What did you tell him?” I imagined Grandpa asking a million questions.
“That we were staying out late, and I was taking you around town afterward.” He traced my chin with his thumb, sending shivers through me. “I also told him we were officially dating, so tonight you get to see where your boyfriend lives.”
My jaw dropped open. “How did he reply?”
“Have fun.”
“He did?” I didn’t understand my grandfather’s affection for Kain. It was as though he trusted him before I even got to know him. But then again, Grandpa had excellent intuition.
A smirk lifted the corner of his lips, softening the hard expression from earlier.
“He told me to tell you not to worry about him. His bingo friends fed him dinner, and he was going to be staying late at their place. He’s up fifty dollars with the title King of Brookline Bingo.”
“As long as he’s having fun, I’m happy.” I gestured to his space. “Did you hire an interior designer? Your home is eclectic and posh but also welcoming.”
“Yes. I couldn’t come up with all this by myself. I’m only good at drawing and painting. You saw my office. That needs a designer’s touch.”
“Wait, what? You draw and paint too?”
“Yes.” He led me over to the artwork on the mantel. “I did this. It took me a while.”
Up close, I studied the fantastic winged creature sitting on a modern balcony of a high-rise and a forest of flowers behind an intricate iron gate. A foggy blend of colors obscured the path. More fantastic beings flew in the gray clouds, blocking out the sunlight. Beneath the ground was another interesting world of vines, flowers, and doorways. On their own, these images didn’t go together, but the way he drew and the colors he chose for them created a cohesive artwork that worked beautifully.
“You’re an amazing artist. I love how this shows darkness and light working well together.”
“Want to see more?”
“Yes!”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Eva
Kain led me down a wide hallway and into a room.
“Oh my gosh, Kain.” I stared at the walls filled with his art. This room was a doorway into Kain’s world.
“Where did you learn to draw like that?” I studied the fantasy blue being battling a creature with massive claws.
“Self-taught.” He shrugged. “Drawing was my escape. A way for me to let loose, release my emotions onto something.”
“You’re so gifted.” I met his eyes. “Was this a childhood dream?”
“You can say that.” He rocked back on his heels. “I wanted to be a comic book or video games illustrator. I love fantasy stuff, but circumstances forced me to switch goals.”
“At least you can apply your artistic skills to your tattoo business.” I walked around the room, making sure I captured every piece of artwork. “This room is like your private museum. Thank you for showing me.”
“You’re the first woman to see this room.”
My heart raced as I stared at him. He looked stunning in the tailored white shirt hugging his defined muscles. My imagination went wild, picturing what kind of artwork covered his body.
