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“Not really. But I’ve watched enough Bob Ross to know it’s all about the happy accidents.”
That got a smile out of her. “I love Bob Ross.”
“Well, don’t expect anything nearly as artsy coming from me. I’m basically going to be standing at the front trying not to look like a fool.”
She pinched her lips together, like she was trying not to laugh. “Do you have an idea of what you want to show them?”
“Not really. I was just going to wing it.” He leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his neck, trying to look cool. To finish off the look, he propped his feet up on the desk. He was never the cool kid, but dressed as Shadow, he had found it was much easier to pretend to be.
“I could never do that. I wouldn’t know what to say. I’d have to get it all planned out.”
He shrugged. “They’re not really there to paint, anyway. They just want to spend time with a famous pop star.”
Riley made a face, her nose wrinkling. It looked cute on her. “Are you being egotistical right now?”
He chuckled, enjoying their banter. He liked that she was challenging him. “I’m not being egotistical. Just realistic. I’m famous, and people pay to be around me.” He wasn’t normally cocky, but he was in a strange mood, so he added on a wink. Unfortunately, he must have leaned back a bit too much because his chair chose that moment to tip backwards. He lost his balance and careened to the floor, the chair shooting out from under him and crashing against the desk.
Riley let out a laugh as Sir Barks jumped on him and raised a ruckus, licking his face and happily barking, thinking he was on the floor to play with him. Heat rushed to his face, and he was glad he was wearing a mask to hide most of his embarrassment. Instead of getting up, he stayed on the floor, letting Sir Barks assault him with kisses.
“Are you okay?” Riley asked, obviously trying to get her giggles under control but failing.
“I think I bruised my butt…”
“And your pride?”
“Most definitely my pride.” He shifted and groaned. “And maybe my back.”
Riley stopped laughing and crouched down next to him. “Does it hurt? Did you throw your back out?”
Throw his back out? He winced, and sat up. “No. How old do you think I am?”
“I don’t know.” She stilled, and something about her changed, but he couldn’t quite figure out what it was. “How old are you?” she asked, quietly.
Jalen studied her, trying to unlock what was behind her fascinating green eyes. He hadn’t noticed them before, but now that he was this close, he could see the flecks of gold embedded in them. Stunning. He blinked and tried to remember what she’d said. His age. Yes. Was she asking because she wanted to know if there was a possibility they could be compatible? The thought made his breath hitch. “Twenty-seven.”
A strange mix of feelings filled him as he watched Riley’s face. She must have thought he was a lot older, because a look of surprise flitted across her features before she carefully masked her reaction.
He shouldn’t have told her his age, and regret sunk into the pit of his stomach as he realized the more he divulged, the closer she would come to knowing his real identity. And yet, he wanted her to know his age, for some reason. He wanted to be the kind of man she could see herself getting involved with.
Her eyebrows knit together, and she squinted at him. “Oh, no. Did you get a sunburn?”
Leave it to Riley to notice and care about something so minor. He smiled. “Just a small one.”
“Does it hurt?”
“No.”
She could have said, “I told you so,” but instead, she gingerly reached out and touched his jawline. The touch of her skin on his sent a sensation through him he’d never felt before. Like warmth and softness mixed with an electric current that raced over him. It took all his willpower to not gasp at her.
“Are you sure? I have some aloe vera in my room. I could go get it.”
She removed her hand before he was ready which sent a wave of disappointment through him. His face didn’t hurt, but he found himself wanting the aloe vera anyway. “If it wouldn’t be too much of a bother.”
“No.” She jumped up. “It’s just next door. I’ll be right back.”
Jalen debated whether to move to the couch while she was gone or to stay on the floor. Sir Barks had curled up into his lap, which ultimately made the decision. He waited for her to return.
It didn’t take long. Riley sat on the floor next to him and handed him a small, green bottle. Sir Barks, the traitor, jumped from his lap to hers. He squeezed some gel onto the palm of his hand and dipped his fingers into it. Her gaze followed his movements as he spread it over his skin.
