Chapter 17

Matt

"So this yoga thing... it's not the one where I have to wear skin tight clothes and bend in half a million times, right?" I glanced over at Erica as we walked toward the harbor. The sound of people laughing and having a good time filled the air and helped to loosen some of the tension building in my chest.

Keep it light and playful. Just be yourself.

She laughed and glanced over at me. "You can wear anything you want to wear. It's hot yoga, which means it's super humid in there, but just drink tons of water and try hard not to piss yourself."

"Very funny." I turned my attention back to the water ahead, though pulling my eyes away from the beautiful woman beside me was difficult. Her long blue dress was feminine and made her look like a princess. I was starting to enjoy all the various parts of her personality, though the aggressive, needy girl in bed last night was certainly my favorite.

"What kind of fish are we looking for today? You like Salmon or Tuna?"

"Both are great. Let's see what looks the best and we'll get a pound to share." She moved in front of me as we entered the fish market. The scent of the sea filled my senses.

"I wanna cook it for you though. Having the last few years to find myself, I've taken a liking to cooking. I'm quite the chef." I wagged my eyebrows as she glanced back.

"I'll take you up on that." She stopped by a large counter of ice and pointed to a slab of salmon. "That looks great. Let's do that?"

"Yeah." I glanced up at the fishmonger and gave him a smile. "We'll take a pound of that salmon right there, please, Sir."

"You bet!" He pulled it off and started to prepare it for us as I turned to face her.

"I saw you went through my portfolio again. Find anything in particular that you liked?"

"I like all of it." She put her hand in the middle of my chest and took a step closer to me. "I want you to know that last night doesn't have to change anything. I'm good with you taking your time to figure out what you want. You have a lot of possible changes in your life. Don't rush anything."

I trapped her hand against my chest, not quite sure of what the message under her words was. Was she trying to tell me that she wasn't interested in moving into a relationship together, or was she just sincere in her wanting to give me space to really think through all the various paths that I could take going forward?

"I appreciate that." I wasn't sure what else to say, and she backed away and turned to walk farther down the fish market. I watched her go and let my eyes linger on how beautiful she looked from behind. Lust burned through me, but that had always been there. It was the warmth of love I was looking for that I knew was there, but was almost too afraid to uncover it.

I'd get my shit together and figure out where I wanted to live and what career path I wanted to be on. Once I locked all of that down, I could come back and really offer her something. Diving into a relationship before then would just have me feeling like shit at all the things I couldn't give her.

Like what? Your bank account is bigger than most people's lifetime savings.

But it wasn't mine. It was my dad's money, and I was hoping to be off his payroll as soon as possible.

I took the fish and waded through the people until I found her standing at the edge of the water. Her long blond hair blew in the breeze, as did her dress. I should have wrapped my arms around her and kissed the side of her neck a few times, but I couldn't force myself to be too casual with her. It felt too raw, too right.

"Did you get it?" She smiled as she looked over toward me.

"I did. You ready to head back? We can get some work done on the new painting and then we'll go meet your friend and I'll make you guys laugh all night as I try to survive the torture I'm sure to endure."

She chuckled. "You're so dramatic. You're not an artist, are you?"

"I am, my dear." I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, unable to help myself from touching her. "That I am."

"What time are you leaving tomorrow?" She wrapped her arm around the back of my waist, and I couldn't deny how well she fit against my side.

"Probably after breakfast. I need to get back to my place and read through the agreement that Jonathan brought with him on Friday night. I know I signed it already, but I need to make sure I understand what all is going to be expected of me."

She squeezed my side. "Don't you think that would have been a good thing to do before you signed the paperwork?"

"Maybe." I gave her a cheeky grin and released her as we approached the condo. "Do you like living over here?"

"I love it, but if you're looking for a place, I would say a little more toward the art district would be a better fit for you. I live here because it's near the harbor and I can get downtown to work quickly if I need to."

"I might go look a little bit tomorrow, or maybe not. I'm not sure yet."

"See how you feel in the morning." She opened the door to her place and I followed her in, trying not to let my mind slip back to the night before. I wanted another night in her bed, but it was probably best to sleep on the couch and make sure we were headed somewhere before giving her the false pretense that we were.

I'd been protecting myself for so damn long that I wasn't sure how to stop. Even when it was to my detriment to do so.

"All right. Lunch and then I get to sketch you?" I wagged my eyebrows at her. "That almost sounds naughty."

"I like it." She set her purse down and reached for the fish. "I think we should do the sketch first and then we'll have lunch later, unless you're hungry? I'm still full from breakfast."

"Yeah, that sounds better." I walked to the living room and tucked away the rest of my paintings before pulling out my sketch pad and my pencils.

"Where do you want me?"

"Such a loaded question." I moved to the couch and sat down as I smiled up at her. "I'd love to have you stand with your back to me, your hand on your hip and a look on your face that says you're far more than a man could handle."

She laughed. "Right, cause that's me."

"It's the ‘you’ I see." I licked at my lips and pulled one of my favorite sketching pencils from the pack. "We can take breaks for sure. I just need a couple of hours to get the raw sketch down."

"And do you want me in the sports bra or nude?"

"You can actually wear what you have on for now because I'll be working on your face first." I grumbled softly to myself. "I should take my man card for not saying nude."

She laughed again and the sound of it caused my heart to flutter. "All right. Take your pictures before you forget. I'll stay in the dress and change when you want me to."

"Awesome." I set the pencil and pad down and got up. "Pose for me and let me put you in the perfect position."

"Kinky." She put her back to me and turned a little, giving me a smoldering look. "This good?"

"Fucking hot for sure." I moved up behind her and repositioned her shoulders a little. "You look like a goddess."

"You're just being sweet."

"Nope. Just telling it like I see it." I ran my hands over her arms and positioned them like I envisioned before moving back. "Let me take a few shots and then we'll take the dress off if you're comfortable."

"We spent the night together last night, Matt. Of course I'm comfortable with you." She lifted her eyebrow and I growled softly and pulled out my phone.

"Keep that eyebrow up. That's even more drawing." I moved back as my cock stirred to life in my shorts. The woman was nothing less than perfection. Why she wanted anything to do with me was a complete mystery, but I'd take it.

"Like this?" She turned a little more, giving me a glimpse of the side curve of her heavy breast.

"Mmmmhmmm... jeez. I couldn't do this for a living if you were my model. I'd turn into a complete cave man."

"You can't keep making me laugh if you want this to turn out right." Her shoulder shook with giggles as I smiled.

"I can't help it. The sound of your laugh is something I'm quickly coming to enjoy." I took a few shots of her on my camera phone and walked around to various angles, taking a few more. "All right. Strip for me, woman."

She relaxed and rolled her eyes. "You're so seductive."

"Thanks. I try." I reached out and brushed her hair back down as she pulled her dress over her head. The tiny white bra she wore barely covered her nipples, and the tiny triangle covering her mound was made of lace, leaving her exposed to me. "Wow. Damn."

I moved back and let my eyes run across her as I tucked the camera into my pocket.

"You're supposed to be taking pictures." She turned and put her back to me again, glancing over and giving me a sexy look.

"I'm memorizing you, Erica." I moved toward her and slipped one of my fingers under the top of her g-string panties before sliding my finger down to the bottom curve of her ass. "This is beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it." Her voice had grown soft, needy.

"I love it." I leaned down and brushed my lips over the top of her shoulder. "Stop seducing me, you wanton thing."

She chuckled. "Yeah right, because I'm the one that suggested that you get half naked and let me take your picture."

"I think that was your suggestion, but it was you who would be undressing. Not me." I kissed her neck and cupped her breast, not able to help myself. "I'm going to take a few shots and then I'll sit down and put your beauty to paper."

"Good. I'm getting turned on. Back up."

"I like the thought of that more than I care to admit." I pressed my teeth into her upper back and slid my hand down to cup her ass before pressing my erection against her. "God, you do something to me, woman."

She bumped me with her butt and took a step forward. "Go sit down and let’s get this over with. I'm having trouble breathing."

"Me too." I moved away from her and adjusted myself. Why was I thinking about staying on the couch again? All of a sudden that seemed like the worst idea I could come up with. A beautiful woman that had effectively stolen my heart wanted my body again and I was going to deny her? Most likely not.

"Tell me if you want me to change anything." She glanced over her shoulder and put her hand on her hip. The subtle movement caused her ass to tense, and an arrow of lust bore deep into my lower half.

"Not. Don't change a thing. Just stay still for me." I took a few more pictures and dropped down to the couch to start working on the sketch. "Actually, turn just a little. I want more of your breast in the piece."

She reached back and undid her bra, tossing it toward the front door and turned a little, giving me the perfect view.

"I'd rather you draw me just as I am than have to imagine it." She glanced back at me, and the look in her eyes said she needed me to affirm her beauty, that she yearned for someone to remind her what a unique and stunning creature she was.

"I've been studying you for two years, Erica. After last night, I could paint every intimate detail of your beautiful body and you would weep at the depths you'd find in the picture." I glanced up from my sketch pad and winked at her. "Relax and let me capture all that you see, and all that you don't."