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He’d drawn Simon, back when he was still only Silver Fox to Ben, standing like a classically Greek statue. Ben had made him every bit as beautiful, but he’d also indulged his baser self and drawn him nude, as he had been that day in Ben’s imagination. “I am so, so sorry,” he said again, burying his face in his hands. “I—”
“You flatter me, Ben,” Simon said, his voice laced with amusement. “I’d have to go to the gym quite a bit more to have this physique. And focus less on cardio and more on my abs.”
“Just kill me now,” Ben moaned.
“No. I would never rob the world of a talent like yours.”
Ben snorted in derision.
“I mean it,” Simon said. “Your art is amazing. It should be in galleries. Museums.”
Ben shook his head. “I never even finished art school. I just scribble because the itch is there. But it’s not really art. Not like you’re talking about. I don’t even have the materials, let alone the talent.
“I think you sell yourself short.” Simon put the book down on the bed and then put a tentative arm around Ben. “And I’m not angry. Like I said. I’m flattered. You never told me what your name for me was, by the way.”
“I don’t—” Ben wanted, in the very worst way, to melt into Simon’s side so he held himself as still as he could.
“You know. Auburn Ponytail and the rest. What wasmyname?”
Ben hadn’t told it on purpose because it was embarrassing, but he supposed it was hard to top a naked drawing in the embarrassment department. “Silver Fox,” he admitted.
Simon chuckled. “Oh, really?”
“Could I just die now?”
“No. No dying. I absolutely forbid anyone dying in my house.”
Ben huffed out a laugh. “You seem like a really nice guy, but you sure are bossy.”
“It’s an old habit. Hard to break. Are you ready for breakfast?”
Ben didn’t feel ready for much of anything. “Maybe some tea,” he said, “if you have it.”
“Tea I can do. Will you come downstairs with me? We can take the elevator. Or I can bring you up something if you want to stay in bed.”
Bendidwant to stay in bed. He wanted to bury himself under the covers and potentially die of embarrassment, even if Simon had told him he couldn’t. He also didn’t want Simon putting himself out for Ben’s benefit. If he was going to accept Simon’s charity, the least he could do was be a good houseguest. “I’ll go down with you.” His blush came back. That came out sounding totally inappropriate. “To breakfast, I mean.”
“I know, Benny.” He rubbed his knuckle against Ben’s flaming cheek. “If I ask, will you do something for me?”
“Anything,” Ben said, meaning it.
“If I sit for you, will you sketch me?”
Ben’s eyes widened. “Yes. Of course.”
“Would you do another nude? One that is based on reality this time?”
He hadn’t been expecting that. “Nude? As in you posing for me with nothing on?”
“That is what being nude generally entails, yes. If the idea makes you uncomfortable, we can—”
“No,” Ben rushed to say. “No. If it’s what you want, I’ll do it. I’d be happy to.” Ben wanted to take those last words back. He shouldn’t sound so damn eager to draw another man wearing nothing at all. Especially if that man was Simon. “Um. When?”
“No rush. When you’re feeling better,” Simon said. “But first, I think we should get you some tea. And maybe something edible to go with it. Okay?”
Ben nodded. He thought he might do anything Simon asked him to do. Anything at all.
14
