Read Online Carved in Stone by Donna McDonald - Free Book Online Page B

chicken salad, she didn’t talk much until it was half done.
    “Research?” she asked, using her chin to indicate the book open at his elbow.
    “Studying a new technique,” Will said, swinging the book to where she could see.
    “Can’t really read without my glasses,” Jessica said. “I’ll have to take your word for it.”
    “It’s basically just a new way to use the same tools. It keeps it fresh for me to see what new sculptors are doing,” Will said, turning the book back toward him.
    “Where did you study?” Jessica asked, going back to her food.
    “Completely self-taught. I didn’t study art in college. I studied social sciences,” Will said easily.
    That had her dropping her fork to the plate. “Your talent is all natural? You never took a lesson?”
    “No, but I had an art teacher inspect the first carving I did,” Will said, remembering. “It was my senior year in college. I carved my first statue, which was the size of a twelve-year-old boy, and it took me all semester. I wasn’t an art student but had talked the art chair at UK into letting me work on it at the campus art studio. Then I let them critique it. They were harsh but advised me to skip the lessons and just pursue it on my own. Latent talent or something, I think they said.”
    “How old were you?” Jessica asked. “And I agree with University of Kentucky art department.”
    “Twenty-one,” Will said. “I’m fifty-three now. How old are you?”
    “Old enough not to have to admit my age,” Jessica answered on a laugh. “Okay. That’s not fair, is it? Not quite as old as you but in the same ball park—how’s that?”
    Will smiled. “Do you ever date men your age or older? Or are they all as young as the math teacher?”
    Jessica narrowed her gaze. “Adam is thirty-nine and a little too old to be considered a boy-toy. I dated a man who was sixty-eight not too long ago. He was very nice but still mourning his wife who had just died. I date when I’m interested in someone.”
    “Are you interested in the math teacher?” Will asked, wanting and needing to hear her say no.
    “Adam is an interesting man,” Jessica said, hedging.
    “Yes, I’m sure he is, but are you still dating him?” Will asked, hoping to get a direct answer to at least one of his questions.
    “How did we move from talking about your art to discussing my social life?” Jessica asked, ignoring Will’s question.
    “It needed to be discussed. I’m a firm believer in monogamy and I don’t share well,” Will told her, taking the final bite of his sandwich.
    Jessica shrugged. “And this concerns me how?”
    “Are you interested in me? And don’t lie,” Will ordered, his voice carrying the same authority that had worked with teachers and students for years. “I’d rather just hear the truth than your flirtatious redirects.”
    “All right, here’s the truth. I think you’re also an interesting man, but I’m not interested in dating you,” Jessica said, choosing her words carefully. But then she had to look away because saying it as Will held her gaze had been a lot harder than she thought it would be and had felt more wrong than she’d anticipated.
    Will studied her downcast eyes and the way she now couldn’t look at him. Why in the hell was Jessica lying, he wondered? Maybe she was still mad at him, he thought.
    “Okay,” Will said finally, letting his tone indicate he was sad but resigned. “No dating. I get it. How about a ride instead?”
    Obviously surprised by his answer and the question, Will was happy to see Jessica’s head snap up.
    “Your bike was very nice, but once was enough. Thanks,” Jessica said, raising her gaze to Will’s, hoping he took the hint.
    Will just grinned at her, wicked male intention in his gaze. “I wasn’t talking about my bike, Jessica,” he said, his tone quiet, serious, and firm. “The bike helmet wasn’t all I bought that first day because of you.”
    When Jessica tried to escape from the