Read Online Covered In Paint: Book Five of the Art Of Love Series by Donna McDonald - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Donna McDonald
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receiving end of your directness, so I know you’re not an emotional coward.”
“No, I’m not—not usually. But I’m practically having an anxiety attack over this. Why the hell am I lusting after some guy almost my mother’s age anyway?”
Brooke sighed as she headed out of the kitchen and to the door.
“Thanks for answering my questions, Michael. I know I seem a bit irrational right now, but I just wanted to see if I could get a different mental handle on the situation. Apparently, I can’t. The more I learn, the worse it becomes. I guess this is just something I’m not going to be able to deal with well.”
Huffing out a frustrated breath, Michael got up and followed Brooke. It truly was like hearing all the arguments between his mother and father over art. Brooke’s reaction did seem irrational. Just like his mother’s reactions always did. He’d never really been able to see the other side—hell, he didn’t really in Brooke’s case either. The man was teaching his students how to draw.
“You really need to talk to Drake. Ask him what you asked me. His life has been a hell of a lot different than mine. For a long time, I had the luxury of being a selfish jerk, but Drake didn’t. He watched his wife wither and die from a horrible disease. Cut the man a break and talk to him about your feelings. The art thing—my mother felt like you do. Look how badly it turned out for her and Dad because of her negativity about what she didn’t understand.”
Brooke stopped at the door and turned back. “Right. But isn’t your mother happily married now to a man better suited to her? Isn’t your Dad happier with Jessica? We can both agree on those situations as well, but that still didn’t stop your parents from screwing up you and Shane on their way to what was best for them. Sometimes it’s better to cut your losses and move on before you torture your entire family with trying to love the wrong person.”
Giving up trying to soothe a hurt he would never be able to understand, Michael sighed softly. “Are you going to be okay to drive back? You really do seem more upset than when you showed up.”
“Of course. I’ll be fine,” Brooke said flatly. “I just…I just thought maybe you might make feel…oh never mind, it was a stupid idea. Sorry to interrupt your day. Tell Carrie I said hi and that I hope she’s feeling better.”
“She is. The morning sickness is almost completely gone now. Her skirts aren’t fitting anymore, so she’s been shopping for sexy preggie clothes. I’d tell you about how wonderful things are between us, but I’m not sure how you’d take good news at the moment.”
Hanging her head, Brooke groaned. “God, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dump my pisser of a mood out on you at your kitchen table. I’ve had a hellish week and just wasn’t prepared for the uncomfortable reality about the man I was planning to seduce. I promise you, I will survive this. There are a ton of other men in the world. I’ve just been silly about my infatuation with Drake.”
She let go of the door and turned to hug Michael. When he froze in her arms, his surprise made her laugh.
“I am truly sorry, Michael. I’m not like this usually. I’m rational and sane and…well level-headed about most things. It was the naked woman. I just…Drake and I hadn’t gotten to the point of seeing each other naked yet. And now I can’t even imagine ever getting naked with him. It was a bit much to take in when I wasn’t expecting it.”
“You might just be in denial. I really think you should give the jealousy thing some thought,” Michael choked out, wincing at her glare. “Seriously. It’s perfectly understandable. You want him and…okay, forget it…never mind. Call Shane and ask him to explain it. He’s owes you after you rescued Chelsea.”
“Brandon rescued Chelsea. I was the sidekick that drove the hero’s getaway car,” Brooke said, smiling as she remembered. “I guess Drake
“No, I’m not—not usually. But I’m practically having an anxiety attack over this. Why the hell am I lusting after some guy almost my mother’s age anyway?”
Brooke sighed as she headed out of the kitchen and to the door.
“Thanks for answering my questions, Michael. I know I seem a bit irrational right now, but I just wanted to see if I could get a different mental handle on the situation. Apparently, I can’t. The more I learn, the worse it becomes. I guess this is just something I’m not going to be able to deal with well.”
Huffing out a frustrated breath, Michael got up and followed Brooke. It truly was like hearing all the arguments between his mother and father over art. Brooke’s reaction did seem irrational. Just like his mother’s reactions always did. He’d never really been able to see the other side—hell, he didn’t really in Brooke’s case either. The man was teaching his students how to draw.
“You really need to talk to Drake. Ask him what you asked me. His life has been a hell of a lot different than mine. For a long time, I had the luxury of being a selfish jerk, but Drake didn’t. He watched his wife wither and die from a horrible disease. Cut the man a break and talk to him about your feelings. The art thing—my mother felt like you do. Look how badly it turned out for her and Dad because of her negativity about what she didn’t understand.”
Brooke stopped at the door and turned back. “Right. But isn’t your mother happily married now to a man better suited to her? Isn’t your Dad happier with Jessica? We can both agree on those situations as well, but that still didn’t stop your parents from screwing up you and Shane on their way to what was best for them. Sometimes it’s better to cut your losses and move on before you torture your entire family with trying to love the wrong person.”
Giving up trying to soothe a hurt he would never be able to understand, Michael sighed softly. “Are you going to be okay to drive back? You really do seem more upset than when you showed up.”
“Of course. I’ll be fine,” Brooke said flatly. “I just…I just thought maybe you might make feel…oh never mind, it was a stupid idea. Sorry to interrupt your day. Tell Carrie I said hi and that I hope she’s feeling better.”
“She is. The morning sickness is almost completely gone now. Her skirts aren’t fitting anymore, so she’s been shopping for sexy preggie clothes. I’d tell you about how wonderful things are between us, but I’m not sure how you’d take good news at the moment.”
Hanging her head, Brooke groaned. “God, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dump my pisser of a mood out on you at your kitchen table. I’ve had a hellish week and just wasn’t prepared for the uncomfortable reality about the man I was planning to seduce. I promise you, I will survive this. There are a ton of other men in the world. I’ve just been silly about my infatuation with Drake.”
She let go of the door and turned to hug Michael. When he froze in her arms, his surprise made her laugh.
“I am truly sorry, Michael. I’m not like this usually. I’m rational and sane and…well level-headed about most things. It was the naked woman. I just…Drake and I hadn’t gotten to the point of seeing each other naked yet. And now I can’t even imagine ever getting naked with him. It was a bit much to take in when I wasn’t expecting it.”
“You might just be in denial. I really think you should give the jealousy thing some thought,” Michael choked out, wincing at her glare. “Seriously. It’s perfectly understandable. You want him and…okay, forget it…never mind. Call Shane and ask him to explain it. He’s owes you after you rescued Chelsea.”
“Brandon rescued Chelsea. I was the sidekick that drove the hero’s getaway car,” Brooke said, smiling as she remembered. “I guess Drake
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