Read Online Primary Colors by Kathryn Shay - Free Book Online Page B

I’m so sorry. I lost track of the time…I know, I know, you told me to take the day…Yes, I’ve had fun. What? Oh, wow. That never happens. Okay, I won’t hurry.” She clicked off.

    “What?”
    “The boys are taking a nap.”
    “Aren’t they a little old for that?”
    “I think they aren’t sleeping well. Being suspended from school for two days really bothered them. And keeping them separate when they were home made them feel worse. I think the whole ordeal disrupted their sleep patterns.” She gestured to their surroundings. “So, we should leave the O’Neils to themselves.”

    “Yeah. Did your mother tell you to take your time in the city?”
    “How’d you know?”
    He winked at her. “I’m psychic.”
    “Yes, she did.”
    “Then let’s go for a walk. It’s a little chilly but sunny out. I’m not ready to let go of you, yet.”
    She shivered. Was the way he phrased the sentence intentional? “A walk sounds good.”
    oOo
    As they traversed the streets of theVillage, speaking some, companionably silent at points, Nia felt young and carefree for the first time in ages. She walked close enough to Rafe to see his jaw was scruffy, and he had a little scar below his chin. At one point, he stopped. She peered up at him to see why. His eyes were filled with an expression she hadn’t seen in a man’s eyes in years. “So, my loft is up this way.”
    “I remember.”When he didn’t say more, she batted her eyes like Elizabeita did when she flirted. “Mr. Castle, are you asking me to come up and see your etchings?” The old line for seduction.
    “Well, Ms. Pettrone, my intention was more honorable until you said that, but I’m up for anything.”
    Was she? Right now, Nia felt like she was.
    He watched her. When she didn’t move, he took her hand. “Come upto my place. I do want to show you something.”
    They walked faster down the two blocks, still holding hands. Once inside his building, they took the elevator in silence and Rafe unlocked the door to his loft.
    Nia entered first. “I’m still stunned by how big this place is.”
    “I don’t need all this space, but Jonas loved the openness.”
    “It suits you, Rafe.”
    He turned to her. “Whyis that?”
    “You’re larger than life and not because you’re famous. It’s your personality. You’re joie de vivre. You live in primary colors.” And her tones ran from cream to beige and often times gray.
    “What a nice way to put it. Jonas said I take pleasure in everything.”
    “After a difficult childhood, that’s amazing.”
He
was amazing.
    “Now I’m embarrassed.”
    Taking her hand, hetugged her to the studio. Several easels stood guard around the room. Two canvases were started. Another was covered with a cloth, and he crossed to it. “Stand about five feet away. Face the other side of the room.”
    “Why?”
    “I’m going to show you something I did the night you were at my loft. But I want to see your face when you first get a look at it.”
    Nia turned to the collectionon the opposite wall. The easels there sported scarlets and yellows, peacock blue and pinks.
    Rustling, scraping. Then, “Okay, turn around.”
    Pivoting back, Nia gasped.
Oh, my God.
She almost couldn’t take it in. Slowly, she walked closer to the canvas. Studied the way the sky gave way to her image—which was…unbelievable. Every feature was right. And every feature was wrong. He’d drawn heras a sensual siren, floating out of the clouds. The glint in her eyes was unfamiliar.
    “I don’t understand. This isn’t me, in so many ways.”
    “It’s how I see you, I guess.”
    “Rafe, this woman is so…sensual. Sexy. So not me.”
    “I think it is. Or had been. Or might be.” He stepped closer, cupped her jaw. “Let me prove that to you, Nia.”
    Nia’s first instinct was to run. Fast and faraway. Her heart raced, and her palms began to sweat. But she glanced at the painting again, and suddenly, she knew she wasn’t going to leave. So she