it. It’ll keep us going while I build up my portfolio again.”
“So, you’re going to…”
“Start painting again?” He pressed his lips together and nodded. “He’d be so pissed if I didn’t, you know?”
It had been eight weeks since Rex had died. Eight weeks since Dare had set foot in his own studio, let alone touched a brush.
Art was his lifeblood—it flowed through his veins, beat in his heart. I couldn’t imagine Dare without his art—it was such an integral part of him, he couldn’t be whole without it. Actually he hadn’t been. Not fully. Not since Rex.
But today was different. I could see it in his face. He was back.
“I need to paint,” he said, and I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him, my heart filling at his words.
“What can I do to help?” I started for the kitchen. “You need coffee? I’ll put some water on. I’ll be—”
“What I really need right now is a model.” He trapped my wrist to stop me from moving. Lifting one eyebrow at me, he grinned. “How about it, Muse?”
I shook my head. “Dare…I don’t think…” There was a horrible red scar in the middle of my phoenix. I hated every time I saw it in the mirror—it was too much of a reminder. And so I always kept it covered up. What he was asking for was—
“Ree. All I want to do is paint. Finally. And all I want to paint is you.” He pinned me with his gaze and closed the distance between us. “Only you.” His fingers slid under my long-sleeve tee and pulled it over my head.
I grabbed the camisole I had on underneath and tugged it down, covering my scar.
“I would,” I said as I took a few steps back and bumped against the wall, “but I’ve got to…”
“You’ve got to what?” His hands reached for the waistband of my jeans and he popped the button open. “Make coffee? I can do that myself. But I’m not thirsty for coffee right now.” He knelt in front of me, his gaze locked on mine as he slowly slid the zipper down.
I swallowed hard as his fingers brushed against my panties, starting a fire in my core that was quickly spreading throughout my entire body. Ever so slowly, he slid my pants down, his hands setting my skin ablaze as they trailed down my legs.
A throbbing ache was growing between my thighs and I moaned as he slid one hand up to cup my calf and lifted my foot out of the pant leg, and then again on the other side. He leaned forward and kissed one inner thigh, up, up, up until he was almost at my center, then he kissed his way down the other.
Panting, aching, alive with his touch, his name slid between my lips as my nails dug into his shoulders. His hot breath skated over me while his fingers curled around the top of my panties.
“Was there anything else that you needed to do?” He bathed my core in warmth, his words caressing the spot where I wanted him most.
“The shelter…I have to…”
“You will. Tomorrow. Today, you’re home.” He started inching the lace down over my hips. “Lucky for me.” As the fabric slid down my thighs and fell to the floor, he added, “Because I’m in desperate need of a model. And only you will do.” Dark eyes holding me captive, he leaned forward until he was a whisper away from my ache. “Say you’ll pose for me, Ree.”
Oh, god. His breath against my swollen clit sent shivers up my spine.
“I’ll pose for you.” My voice was breathless. “I’ll do anything.”
“All I’m asking is for you to let me paint you.” His tongue flicked against me as he laughed. “But I’ll keep that in mind.” Warmth spread from his mouth to the rest of my body as my hips began to rock. When he stopped licking me, I whimpered in protest. “You’re still wearing too many clothes,” he said. “I paint nudes, remember?”
His hands gripped the camisole I was wearing and started lifting it as he rose to his feet, his hard body sliding up mine.
“Wait…” I clamped my arms down on my sides, and he paused, quirked an eyebrow in
Heidi Cullinan
Chloe Neill
Cole Pain
Aurora Rose Lynn
Suzanne Ferrell
Kathryne Kennedy
Anthony Burgess
Mark A. Simmons
Merry Farmer
Tara Fuller