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"What if I gave you a way to fix it on your own?" his voice was serious, all traces of laughter gone The surf beat into us, but I couldn’t tear estion, his idea, was the beginning and the end It consuined The idea was like Jack in every way--co and completely forbidden

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

I couldn’t believe what Jack suggested, but he was serious I stood there shocked,he said before takingup toward the studio

We were both soaking wet and frozen He spoke to me, and I answered, but I can’t re to the front of my mind was the way his eyesshy, I wanted more No one ever looked at me like that--like I was desirable, like I was beautiful I tried to ignore it, gazing at his broad shoulders as we traipsed through the sand, but that only ure htin my chest as he held open the door for ainst my bare ar so h I wanted to feel my lips touch his warm chest I wanted to knohat his smooth skin felt like when he had me wrapped in his arms I wanted to touch him and taste him I wanted to know every curve of his body, every place that made him moan and say my name

Co with ave him up Soulmates were i up fro my mood shift, he said, "I didn’t ested it, but it seemed like a way to free you from your problems No matter what I do, I’m still trapped--but you We could fix that You could pose for nize you No one would knoas you The studio’s e they’ve never seen before--so just for you You could lease it or sell it You’d be free to do what you want" His voice grew softer as he spoke, eyes locked onhis daive you So, "I could pay off that debt for you, but I didn’t think you would let me It seems to be attached to you in a way I don’t really understand"

I shookup at his beautiful face, my voice was soft, "No, I wouldn’t let you It was ht It’s not like racking up a credit card, it’s more than that That debt sy it off, "And you didn’t offend htened I couldn’t say it

Soaking wet, Jack stood in front ofmy chin up, he asked, "It’s not what?" His voice was soft, his hands war my eyes, I pulled my chin back He released me

"It’s just not a good idea, not with the other paintings the way they are" I felt so hot, butfor an explanation I staers as I spoke, nervously looking everywhere except at Jack’s eyes, "Not with me"

He nodded once, ar to his skin "Don’t do that, Abby Don’t act like I can’t handle it I wouldn’t have offered if I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it There’s no touching, and I don’t date the models You’d be the model, Abby We’re both adults, and I don’t think either of us wants to flush our reputation away"

My stoazed at one, ould you do? Would you continue working as aelse? Start over?"

The pit of my stomach fell It was the question that I dreaded, the one that plagued ht If I said I’d start over, that was total failure And not just failure, like I chose the wrong career--it was failure that would crushI did--it would have been for nothing Pressingaway froet transferred There would beover ain" As I spoke the last words, they felt barbed I was certain he heard, I wouldn’t choose you

His shoulders stiffened as I spoke "Then let e estion yet

"I don’t think I can, Jack But, ould it look like? Would it be like Cheri’s painting?" My heart hammered in my chest

Jack smiled softly "Coh the studio to a full length ht "It wouldn’t be like Cheri’s painting It would be yours--the only Jonathon Grayelse isfro would be vibrant and stunning It would reflect you, how I see you What I want for you" his voice softened as he looked at lass from behind ers gently onover the curve of ently, and ending his caress oneverything As his fingers moved it felt like so became difficult Jack’s eyes watchedmy body When he first turned me toward the mirror, I nearly died I had no idea he could see sowhite It didn’t seem to matter

He added, "There’s a skirt that would cover your lower half It’s not a full nude, and it’s nothing like Cheri’s It’ll be so much more" His lips were byin thewildly when he touched me My lips burned I wanted to feel his kiss, know his taste That’s when I could see it He wasn’t the issue here It wasme such aabout hiaze was different than mine A horrible realization floodedacross the reflection They snapped back to ht? Curves and lines?" I forced the question out I had to know What was he looking at when he saw me--a wo ers slide overthat his words shatteredinat s wereJack I was hismore

He added, "I’ve alanted to paint you Every line, every curve flows through your body with such clarity It’s like you were foraze drifted over my wet shirt, down to my waist

"You’ll concealelse, I would have said no, but the look on his face and the tone of his voice I was nothing but shadows and light to hi of lines that made a nice shape It didn’t matter if he saw me, painted me, or touched me Jack didn’t see bare skin Jack didn’t want to trail his lips over mine He never did I don’t knohy I said it Maybe it was because people do stupid things after 2:00aht of et over hiuy who didn’t wanthi, "Okay, but let me take a shower first" I stepped away from the mirror, Jack shocked into silence behind me It took him a moment to realize what I said

He beaiddy It crushed round How did Ithe old adage, Nothing good happens after 2:00a it off

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

I stood in the studio shoith hot water peltingIt didn’t matter what time of the year it was, the water was always cold As I rinsed off,sand out of my hair for days Determination flowed overafter Jack And I was curious what the painting would look like Every other piece he had hanging in the gallery was muted, like a distant memory, soft and faded I was hisout of the studio shower barefoot The cement floor was cold under e roll of canvas had been spread out There were streaks of orange and yellow across it He’d started It was already different than what he nor hair frole" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true">