by Azure Boone
“Yeah.” He lowered his head, and I glanced at him, trying to read his mind. He looked troubled, but about what and why, lord I wanted to know.
“Do you have a middle name, Jewel?”
He spot-lighted me with liquid sapphire and my mouth opened without speech. “Uh, well, yeah, everybody has a middle name.” I stroked my ponytail several times and tried to smile. “Pearl is mine. Jewel Pearl Harbor.” I gave a light laugh. “Momma and daddy never lacked a sense of humor.” I realized I cared way too much about what he thought about my stupid name. Of course his face would grow so darn serious again. And mysterious. “It’s uh, a family joke.” I took a deep breath, feeling the need to level this playing field. “What about you? What’s your middle name?”
He turned from the island and answered me with his delicious backside. “No middle name. Just Johnny Blue.”
I averted my gaze as he turned with the coffee pot, barely managing to not get caught lusting. I watched the coppery liquid pour into the red ceramic. “Johnny Blue? Well I think that’s a very nice name. Is that why your favorite color is blue?”
He only gave a soft smile, keeping his attention on the cups. “How do you know that?”
I tossed a glance at the art studio. “Well it’s pretty obvious in those pictures over there, I think. I love them—the colors I mean. And the pictures too, of course.”
He assaulted me with one of those electrical smiles while I’d bumbled out the words, turning up the voltage as each word passed my lips. Whether he liked what I said, or thought I was hilarious, I wasn’t sure, but more inclined to believe the worst.
He slowly slid my cup of coffee to me then went to the counter behind him and returned with a tray. I smiled at the two white glass canisters with tiny green dragons painted on them. Adorable. He set them on the island between us. “Cream and sugar?”
“I uh- yeah, why not.” I pulled the tray carefully toward me.
“Are you trying to quit?” His soft tone held humor.
I glanced from him to the canisters, picking up the tiny silver spoon that went with it. “Nah, I just…” I removed the lid to the sugar and scooped two in my cup, trying to think. “I normally drink it black, but, with dishes like this, I can’t resist.” I cleared my throat and picked up the creamer then promptly over-flowed my cup with it. “Oh lordy,” I whispered.
I looked around for a cloth and Johnny tossed me a napkin. I wiped it up, feeling like this whole thing was a long and painful audition that I was ruining. I gave a light laugh, bringing the mug of coffee to my lips. “I’ve always been a goofball.” And to prove my point, I dribbled coffee down my chin.
Johnny was just a watchin’ the whole damn show and tossed me another napkin.
I forced out more light laughter. “Might as well give me the whole stack, I’m likely to need it.”
He slid the wrought iron napkin holder closer and I shot a glance at him. “Just as you’re likely to not get many visitors like me, I’m likely to burn the place down.” Likely, likely, don’t you know any other words? I dabbed coffee off my chin and white t-shirt, then wiped the counter for extra measure all the while feeling the burn of those blue orbs on me.
“It ain’t nice to stare at the company, Johnny B.” I took another sip of coffee, being extra careful while avoiding his gaze.
“You’re nice to stare at.”
The compliment undid the little composure I pretended to have and coffee sloshed out of my cup when I set it down too fast. “Might as well dump the whole cup on the counter and get it over with,” I mumbled, grabbing another napkin and shaking my head.
“Can I paint you?”
“Ohhhh my lord,” I breathed, fanning my face a little. “Paint me? Like with paint?” For some reason I thought he meant on my body, then it dawned on me he meant paint a picture of me. “Oh, I—I’ve never done anything like that.”
“Me either.”
I looked at him, surprised.
“Well, I mean…” he looked down. “I haven’t’ in a very long time.”
That pressed my puzzle button. “Well why start now?”
His brows drew together briefly. “Yeah, you’re probably right, stupid idea.”
I immediately regretted my words. “Well, I mean, I wouldn’t call it stupid, I just ain’t never had nobody want to paint me, it’s kinda… I don’t know, embarrassing, I guess.” I stirred the little spoon in my cup loudly.
“Embarrassing?” Like he’d thought it was something else and had never considered that.
“Well yeah, I’m not used to people…you know…” I tapped the spoon rapidly on the edge of my cup then returned it to the tray, “staring at me.”
I lifted my cup and took a sip in the fat silence.
“Of course.”
I was pretty sure that was relief I heard in that velvety voice of his. The idea that he might have his own inhibitions made me want to encourage him. “I ain’t never had nobody ask to paint me. But… if I was to be painted, I think you’d be a… I mean, you’re very nice and… it’s just a picture for crying out loud.” I laughed a little. “I’d love it if you painted me, why not. Only if you still want to, though.”
I worked up the nerve to look at him after several seconds of silence. Made no sense that I suddenly wanted to beg him to. But I did. Cause it felt like he’d offered me a ride and I’d turned it down, not realizing he was offering a ride to the moon.
He suddenly walked toward me and as the distance closed between us, my heart sped up. He stood at my left shoulder and all I could do was keep my palms firmly on the counter, waiting, holding my breath, wondering what on earth he might say or do.
My body tingled when he slid a finger along my face. Then spoke words that went further into my bones than words had a right to go. “I do want to paint you. You’re different.”
There was a raw need in his voice that lit a flame in me. A flame I had no idea how to control, didn’t want to. I couldn’t turn to him cause I could feel it. The insane urge to consume his lips right where he stood. Lord. How did this happen?
“Can I start tomorrow?” His voice was so damn calm! It was unfair.
My heart hammered my chest. Start? How long did it take? I nodded, only able to glance toward him, surely not at him. What must he be thinking? What a prude to be so undone over something so silly. It’s not like I was stripping naked.
My stomach jolted as naked bodies flashed in my mind, making lava leak from that volcano in my center. “I’d… I’d really like that.” And there it was, years of unmet need right there in my quiet answer. But all regret was erased when he whispered that thank you, next to my ear. I’d never heard such emotions mixed in a tone. Joy—mystery—passion—it was enough to make me swoon.
I suddenly knew right then and there. I would let that man paint me however he wanted or needed. Clothed, nude, standing on my head, it didn’t matter, the only thing that mattered was answering that need I’d heard in “I do want to paint you.” Because really, to my ears, it sounded like, I do need to paint you.
I followed his beautiful form as he went to the sink, turned, and placed both palms on the counter behind him. “What time would you like to come?”
I tucked hair behind my ear wondering why the word come suddenly took on an erotic meaning. “I get off work after supper time—eight o-clock. If you don’t mind workin’ evenin’s then…that works for me.”
He stirred his coffee then put his spoon in the sink next to him. “I love painting in the evening.”
I swallowed as every letter in his soft words slid through me and tickled places that had never been touched. Not like that.
“So it’s a date.” He gave me a sexy half smile before sipping his coffee, all while masturbating my soul with those clear blue eyes.
I focused on sipping my own coffee, wanting to vomit with excitement. “Yes, it sure is.”
Chapter Three
“Okay,” Sarah huffed, blocking my path and leveling her determined haz
el eyes at me. “Fess up. Why you runnin’ around here like you got some place to go?”
I couldn’t keep my grin down and the heat out of my cheeks while looking around before finally stopping a foot before my life-long pudgy friend. “I have a date.”
Her eyes widened with her sharp intake of breath. “With who?”
It was a valid question in a small town like this. All the women knew there wasn’t a datable man around worth a dime. I bit my lower lip. “Remember I told you I was going out to that painter’s place?”
Her brows furrowed with a please don’t tell me you’ve stooped to dating artistic beggars.
“I know what you’re thinking that he’s some bum but…” I leaned my hip on the ice machine and leveled my secretive gaze and smile on her. “Well, he aint.” I got closer to her and grabbed her arm with both hands and whispered. “While I was at his place, I got a little nosy.”
“You don’t say.”
I dismissed the sarcasm. “Yes, and here I am snapping pictures of this house I find at the top of that old building, seems he’s renovated it to something spectacular. And I’m thinking he’s downtown painting right and I’m wondering why is he portraying himself as a bum when it’s clear he’s nothing of the sort? So I’m a-snappin’ away when I hear “hello there.”
Sarah gasped and I agreed with quick nods and wide eyes.
“So I spin around and what do I find?” I paused a second and my eyes fluttered shut at the divine image in my memory. “My lord, Sarah, the man was standing there in only jeans, his body glowing like the moon, muscles lining every inch of him.” I looked at her dreamily then. “And he’d shaved! Heaven help me the man under that beard!” I slapped the counter. “Not to mention those eyes, those amazing, make me cum on the spot eyes!”
Her hand went to her chest. “Oh my.”
I let a slow smile out, reading her what did he say, what did he do look. “So he asks me to stay for coffee, said he didn’t get much visitors.”
“And you did?”
I giggled and nodded. “Like I could say no to him? Here I was breaking and entering and he was nice enough to ignore that part. Of course I said yes. Sides. “ I batted my lashes. “Southern hospitality.”
She cackled at my connivery, loving it. “Of course, of course,” she lustily agreed, waiting for more juicy details.
“I was so darn nervous, I thought sure he’d regret his offer. But instead, he ends up asking to paint me!” I smacked her arm in elation.
Her mouth opened with her eyes. “Oh my. Paint you?”
I could only giggle and nod in my elation. “When I get off,” I said, all casual, like this happened to me every tired day.
“Holy moley.” She put the back of her pudgy hand on her forehead, looking faint. “I’m swooning for you. I just wished we could see the transformation in this man.
The bell over the door rang, startling us both and we spun around. No words were needed. There he was. Blue jeans and white t-shirt, intense eyes zeroed in on me, locked and loaded with that sexy smile, mmm-mm. We both just stared, speechless at the man as he approached the counter and took a seat. “Thought I’d give you a lift. Make it more proper.”
I bit my lower lip, my brain stuttering with random functions. “Oh. Yes, alright.” I looked at Sarah who seemed stuck in gawk. I smacked her upper arm, hoping to dislodge the rudeness. “This is Johnny Blue. Johnny, this is my lifelong friend, Sarah.”
Johnny smiled the most beautiful sweet smile and reached a hand out. “Nice to meet you, Sarah.”
Sarah shook it dreamily, no doubt swooning over his sexy northern sounding accent. “Nice to meet you too.” I smiled at the frail baby bird voice that came out of her normally boisterous mouth.
“Would you like a cup of coffee before we go?” I untied my apron.
He looked at me, and not just my eyes. “I was thinking I’d feed you. After I paint you.”
My heart flipped in my chest five times. “Alright then.” I handed my apron to a still immobile shocked Sarah. “You mind?”
She shook herself out of la la land and looked at it. “Oh yes, I got it, you get out of here. Go have fun for crying out loud.” She giggled ecstatically. “She never has any fun, I’m glad you’re dragging her out of this place.”
I hurried around the counter before Sarah told the man all the pathetic details of my life.
Johnny’s smile followed me. “I’d think every man in town would be trying to take her out.”
Shit. How sweet. Not another word Sarah, please, I begged silently, hurrying toward the door.
“Oh, she hasn’t had a man since that lousy ex-husband of hers put her in the hospital—”
“God dammit Sarah!” I screeched. “Please. Spare the man!” I glared at her, furious with her stupidity then walked out.
I managed to laugh it off as we walked out the door, praying he didn’t think I was a home grown loser now. Good lord.
“I’ll cook supper for you first, I’m sure you’re hungry.” This as he opened my door.
“Actually, I ate a little. Don’t want to look like a pig for my picture.”
He seemed to strain on a groan then gave a light laugh. “Never. How about I cook after?”
It was either a need to pay or a reason to keep me longer. “I’ll clean,” I said, cancelling the idea of a payment while ensuring a longer stay.
He flashed me one of those heart stopping smiles, apparently liking that, and I could only squirm in my seat as the tingle between my legs grew.
He insisted on holding my hand up the dark flight of stairs. Downright intoxicating and ridiculous how much I loved that. “I hate this stairway, why on earth didn’t you get rid of all these webs?”
His deep chuckle echoed in the darkness, sexy and naughty. “I like it that way. But I’m glad it didn’t keep you away.”
And I’m glad he couldn’t see the burn in my cheeks.
“Well, I was on a good Samaritan duty that day, and I could see then.”
“Ah yes, you thought maybe I was in trouble?”
I tried to figure out his words and realized I’d never told him. “I was actually here to tell you about a prank I’d heard the younger boys planning, and wow, completely forgot all about it. Some Samaritan.”
“A prank, huh?” He chuckled, like he thought it was kinda cute. Surely not intimidated.
“Yeah, they’re pretty harmless boys though.”
“Well thank you. That was really sweet of you.”
More blushing. More gratefulness for the dark. “Aw as if. Anybody would’ve done the same thing.”
This got me a snort. “Not where I come from sweetheart.” We arrived at his door and he unlocked it and flipped on the light. He glanced at me, still holding my hand. Then he lifted it and kissed it softly. I swallowed my moan at feeling his warm full lips on me. “Thank you. For caring. You’re…different from other women.”
I nodded barely. “Yeah, um. You’re welcome.” God! Sounded like a gagging frog!
“Would you like to shower first?”
I couldn’t hide my surprise and sudden anxiety. Why on earth would I need to shower? “Do I need to?”
“Only if you want to.” Like it was strictly for my benefit.
“Ah, okay.” I licked my lips, wondering, “Where you gonna paint me?” My heart raced as I waited, watching him lock the door.
“I was hoping…” He turned to me, seeming hesitant. “…to paint you in white silk sheets.” He ran a hand through his hair and lowered his head. “While you laid… in my bed. It would be easier on you that way, too.”
I gasped a nervous laugh when desire pulsed between my legs. And was I to be nude? I was dying to ask, but no way. “Okay.” I fought for a no big deal, tone.
His smile stole my fears. “Thank you.”
I gave a light gasp. There was something mysterious and eager hiding in his thank you. Sweet Jesus.
Chapter Four
I washed my hair then my body very c
arefully, thanking God I’d shaved that morning. My entire frame trembled as I got out of the shower and put on the black terrycloth robe hanging behind the door. I hugged myself. Don’t start thinking now, you know that’ll turn out bad and you’ll end up not doing what you know good and well you need to do. And you very much need to do this. You need this gorgeous man to paint you. No whys, not this time.
I towel dried my hair and examined the result in the mirror. I put some of it behind my left ear then quickly took it out at seeing my ear looked bigger than ever. I pinched my cheeks several times and chewed on my lips then hurried out the door before I chickened out.
I stood in the center of the arched bedroom opening, and Johnny looked up from the easel he was bent over. I watched his face and soon began to squirm when his eyes slowly and painfully crawled over me. By the time his gaze met mine, his features were intensely serious and my heart hammered my chest. “Wasn’t sure what you… wanted me to wear, I could put my other clothes back on if—“
“No.” His voice was firm, but soft. “Sorry, it’s just… I wasn’t ready for how amazing you look in black.”
I looked down as my big toe drew circles on the wood floor. “Thank you.” What else was there to say to that? “You’re gonna have to tell me what to do, cause I have no clue.”
He moved from behind the canvas and I let out a scream and turned around. “What—why are you naked?” My voice was shrilly and gaspy if that were possible.
“Oh.” Clear disappointment. “I uh, always paint like this in my studio.”
I gave a light laugh. “Yeah, cause I sure never saw you around town like that, that’s for sure.”
Another pregnant pause. “Is it a problem?”
I clenched my eyes as visions of his engorged penis danced in my head. Either he had a big one, or he really liked painting. Problem? Nahhh. “I suppose it’s just an art thing? Is that it?” I prayed for a yes.