Already she was feeling better about the whole art business. The blending of colors was somehow soothing and the wet paste really did glide much easier than a pencil. She let her wrist do most of the work, skating and bending over the paper.
She was actually enjoying herself and the picture coming to life in front of her eyes.
Pride wove off her in tendrils of heat as she stared at her creation with absolute elation. It was the most creative thing she’d made in her entire life.
It was beautiful!
“I’m done!” She waved him over, her grin hurting her face. “What do you think?”
Kaleb stood behind her, one arm crossed around his mid-section, the other raised, the hand balled in a loose fist under his chin. He tipped his head right. He tipped it left. He squinted his eyes and furrowed his brows. He finally looked at her with her round eyes and rosy cheeks.
“It’s a really nice tree.”
Katie’s shoulders dropped. “It’s a person!”
With surprise taking his eyebrows up his forehead, Kaleb turned back to the picture. “Oh!” His eyes narrowed again as he really surveyed the picture. “I see it now, a bit racy for high school, but … bold.”
“Racy?” She eyed her masterpiece. “She doesn’t even have boobs.”
Kaleb’s arms dropped down to his sides. “It’s a girl?”
“Yeah, look.” She pointed to the wet panting. “That’s her face, her hair, her body, and her legs.”
“Why does she have three legs?” He glanced at her.
Katie huffed. “She doesn’t have three legs. That’s the train on her skirt.”
His head tipped all the way to the right as if by changing the angle, the picture would change. “I see.”
“It sucks.”
“No! No, no, it’s … unique.”
Her shoulders slumped. “A kindergartner could draw a better stick figure.” She sighed. “I suck at art.”
“Yeah, but at least you tried.”
She dropped her head down on the table. “I told you it was useless. It’s a disgrace to stick figures everywhere.”
He made a sound, like a cough that had her glancing up at him. He quickly looked away, but not before she caught his grin.
“Are you laughing at me?”
“Nooo!” His hands shot up in a gesture of peace. Then he spoiled it by rolling his tongue over his teeth, his lips bowed into a wide grin. “I’m laughing at your gender confused stick person.”
Katie leapt to her feet. “You’re laughing at me!”
His shoulders shook as he rocked his head from side to side. “No! I’m really not.”
“Some teacher you are!”
He was doubled over now, clutching his middle as he sagged against the nearest table for support. “I swear…!”
She acted without pausing to think. Her arm shot out as though a separate entity from her body and her paint-sticky fingers streaked across his face. It wasn’t until the smears of yellow and blue were marring his cheek and he’d frozen in place that she realized what she’d done.
Her hands flew up to cover her mouth. “Oh, my God!”
He reached ever so slowly and touched the spot. He drew his fingers away and peered down at the wet paint on the tips with a look of someone not quiet believing what they were seeing.
“I am so sorry,” she started, fumbling to reach for the napkins on the desk. “Let me help—”
He dove at her, shoving her back against the table and pinning her there with a knee between her legs. She grabbed for his shoulders to keep from tumbling backwards across the surface. Her squeak of surprise was ignored as he soaked a finger in the red paint and brought it to her cheek.
“Kaleb!” Katie grabbed at his wrist, halting the attack inches from her face.
“Hold still or this will get very messy,” he warned.
“I’m sorry!” she panted around a bout of infectious laughter. “I’m sorry! No! Don’t … Kaleb!”
Trying to spare her face and caught up in the moment, Katie did the only thing that came to mind; she threw herself into his chest and mashed her face into the soft material of his top. Her giggles and the labored state of her breathing pounded loudly in her ear as she waited for something to happen.
Only nothing did.
It took several frantic heartbeats to realize he wasn’t moving. She was almost certain he wasn’t even breathing. Aside from his heart beating in chaotic thumps beneath her cheek, he had become a statue in her arms.
Her blood warmed under her skin and her heart beat a little harder, a little faster. She hadn’t been that close to him since the party and every inch of her wanted him like cold water on a burn. She missed his mouth on her, his hands. She missed the feel of his body moving against hers.
It was stupid, to want someone so desperately knowing it was so wrong.
Then he lowered his face and touched his nose to the top of her head and Katie dissolved. Her eyes closed. Her fingers tightened in the soft material of his sweater. Goose bumps broke out over her skin.
“Kaleb.”
As though her voice had the power to thaw him, his hands lifted and settled lightly on her waist. She was lifted onto the desk. Her knees were coaxed apart and her thighs were filled with his hips.
He fit just like she remembered.
He fit so perfectly.
His nose grazed the side of her face and inched forward until they were sharing every breath and his mouth was so close she couldn’t think of anything else.
“Katie…”
Her stomach muscles jittered. There was something sweet and almost wicked in the way he always said her name. She loved how it reverberated through his chest first before pouring out in a low, almost prayer-like breath. It always sounded so anguished and filled with so much longing she ached with it.
“Katie,” he said again, whispering her name lightly against her mouth. “Damn it, I want you.”
Wild tangles of desire formed a thick knot in the pit of her stomach. It exploded through her veins with a rush of heat so intense she almost cried out. The place between her legs pulsed white hot and she cursed herself for wearing tights.
Body thrumming, she reached for him. Her fingers closed in his hair and she dragged him to her as her legs locked around him.
He groaned, a beautiful sound of submission before her lips found his.
She kissed him.
She kissed him like they were the only two in the whole world and they’d both die if they didn’t. She consumed him, allowing him no chance to think of anything but how he belonged inside her.
When his fingers lifted their bruising grip off her waist and traveled up to cup her breasts, Katie moaned loudly. Her back arched into his hands, demanding more. She made no protest when he shoved apart the collar of her dress and forced the lacy material down her shoulders.
The cool air of the room teased her nipples to stiff, hard points that were quickly soothed by the heat of his mouth closing around them. His free hand rolled the other in time to the motions of his tongue.
Katie sobbed and threw back her head. His name lodged in her throat as another whimper tore from her when he bit on the sensitive bud.
Her knees tightened around his waist. “Please…”
Panting as hard as she was, he raised his head and twin pools of liquid honey bore into hers. His fingers continued to strum her thoroughly loved nipples in slow, teasing circles. Every reckless flick sent another pressure point of sweet agony to her core and she squirmed a little more.
He forced her backward, his golden eyes never leaving her face. One hand dropped away from her breast to tear up her skirt. It bunched around her waist and she cursed herself again for wearing the tights.
They didn’t seem to bother him any. He grabbed her hips and jerked her further down the desk and pulled himself over her, resting one forearm just above her head as he loomed down over her. The proof of his arousal pressed rock hard against her thigh.
“Ope
n,” he commanded as he thrust one hand past the elastic band of her tights.
He gave Katie no chance to catch her breath before he cupped her. His fingers made fast work pulling apart the folds to the hot, moist center. His nostrils flared and his pupils expanded. His chest rose and fell rapidly against hers. His cock twitched.
“I missed her,” he said, filling her with two fingers and tearing a groan of pleasure from her. “I missed you.”
Katie couldn’t think. Waves of pleasure rose and crashed over her with every plunge of his fingers inside her. Her body coiled like a spring. Her bottom lip caught between her teeth as every muscle braced for that brilliant moment of release. Inside her boots, her toes flexed and she held her breath.
“God, Kaleb!” she gasped, hips pushing back against his clever fingers. “Don’t stop!”
Only he did.
He jerked away so fast, Katie almost howled her frustration.
“Someone’s coming,” he hissed in a low whisper as he dragged her off the table and set her down on her unsteady legs.
Raised voices from the hallway tore the moment into a million fragmented pieces that muffled the sizzle in her blood. She was doused in frigid ice water, as all thoughts of release vanished from her mind in the blink of an eye and she hurriedly smoothed together her clothes.
Mr. Nauling marched into the room followed very closely by Mr. Crouch, the principle. Both had their heads down as they pored over the pages in their hands, so they never saw how quickly the two across the room jumped apart.
Katie caught her breath and turned away under the pretense of organizing the paint bottles to mask her shaky hands, her swollen lips and the flush still very bright across her face. She was only vaguely aware of Kaleb moving casually away from her, but she didn’t trust herself to look up. Instead, her every heartbeat was painfully aware of the pair stepping into the room.
“Ms. Claremont?”
Like a punch between the shoulder blades, the single word slammed into her. She felt every inch of her stiffen, even as she willed it to relax. Her heart wedged in her throat as Katie turned slowly to face her teacher.
“What are you doing here?” Mr. Nauling asked.
Katie cleared her throat. “I was just…”
“Katie was just finishing her assignment,” Kaleb said evenly, drawing their eyes away from Katie.
Mr. Nauling frowned. “The assignment that was to be submitted at the beginning of class this morning?”
Katie found her voice. “Yes, sir.”
Mr. Nauling moved deeper into the room towards his desk, with Mr. Crouch close at his heels. While their backs were turned, Katie quickly checked to make sure her clothes were properly in place and her hair was smooth around her shoulders.
“You had almost three weeks to work on that, Ms. Claremont,” Mr. Nauling reminded her. “Can you tell me why you were unable to complete it in that time?”
There were a million excuses she knew she could give. Instead, honesty won out.
“I can’t, sir.”
Mr. Nauling nodded and turned back to the papers in his hand. “Then I’m afraid I can’t indulge in its untimely submission. You’ll have to work hard to make up the grade some other way.”
“Yes, sir.”
Satisfied that he’d done his job, Mr. Nauling flipped through the pages. Mr. Crouch shifted over a notch to peer over his arm and point at something.
Katie exhaled and turned her head. She caught Kaleb’s eyes and felt the skin along her neck and cheeks warm. His eyes were still dark and hot as they roamed over her face.
She bit her lip and dropped her gaze. Her hands shook as she gathered up her brushes and palette and took them to the sink to rinse.
Kaleb was standing with Mr. Nauling and Mr. Crouch when she finished cleaning up. They were talking in low murmurs that always made Katie feel self-conscious even if the topic of conversation had nothing to do with her. Part of her wondered if she should interrupt and let them know she was leaving. But whatever they were talking about seemed important so she decided against it.
Grabbing her bag and books, she hugged them to her chest and hurried through the door without looking back.
Aunt Hannah looked up from the morning paper and smiled when Katie got home. Aside from her aunt, the shop was empty.
“Hey, how was school?”
“Fine.” She glanced around the store again. “How are things going?”
Her aunt shrugged. “Things are okay.”
“Any customers?” she asked.
Aunt Hannah nodded. “This morning, but it slowed down around lunch time. I had a few throughout the afternoon. Everyone loves the new look.”
Katie dropped her bag down to the floor and set her books down on the glass. “Great! I was thinking we could put out an ad, and maybe do weekday specials or something.”
“Well, I’m glad you say that.” Reaching under the counter, Aunt Hannah drew out a flyer. She slid it across the counter to Katie. “This came in with the mail today. I thought it sounded like a good idea.”
Katie took the flyer and read the bold script.
“Small shop owner convention. Are you a small shop owner? Need to get your business name to customers? Book your table now and meet others in your community in one of the largest conventions of the year.” Katie looked at her aunt. “This could work.”
Aunt Hannah beamed. “Oh, I’m so glad you think so, because, uh…” She grimaced. “I already booked our table.”
Katie chuckled. “I have homework, but afterwards, I’ll see about getting some swag made up. Maybe a banner for the table and some business cards.”
Some of Aunt Hannah’s smile slipped. “You know, you don’t have to do everything. I can help.”
“I know,” Katie said. “I’m just better with the computer.”
Aunt Hannah shrugged and rolled her eyes. “Be that as it may be, I can … I don’t know! Make the cards or something.”
Katie grinned. “Fine. You do the cards and the banner. I’ll make up the swag.”
Aunt Hannah narrowed her eyes. “That was disturbingly too easy. What happened? Who are you and what have you done with my overly controlling niece?”
Katie snorted. “I’m not controlling. I’m cautious and … obsessive compulsive. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have homework.”
Grinning broadly when her aunt laughed, Katie gathered her books and was about to turn away when something in the paper caught her eye. She halted and turned to the snapshot taking up most of the front page.
Gruesome car crash claims the life of Lewis Crowe, said the caption. But it was the picture that had Katie grabbing it up and turning it around for a better look.
The man was handsome with dark hair that was fashionably cut around a square face. His eyes were wrinkled at the corners and he was smiling in that way only very important people knew how, like it was beneath them, but they would be generous if not a tad bit arrogant. In the picture, he wore a dark blue suit that matched his eyes and brought out the gold tan of his complexion. The last time Katie had seen him, his suit had been black and he hadn’t been smiling then.
“Katie?” Aunt Hannah nudged her gently. “You okay?”
Coming out of her trance, Katie nodded. “Yeah, I was just…” She blinked at the picture again. “Are you finished with this?”
At her aunt’s reluctant nod, she scooped up the paper and stalked off in the direction of the back.
In her room, she shut the door and dumped everything on the bed. She left them there as she hurriedly changed into a pair of flannel bottoms, fuzzy socks, and a t-shirt. She washed her face and swept her long, dark hair into a ponytail at the base of her skull.
Comfortable, she returned to her room and took her favorite spot at the head of the bed, back propped against the headboard. She folded her legs and reached for her books when her phone buzzed.
Without looking at the caller ID, she hit talk and mashed it between her ear and shoulder.
“Hello?” she said, dragging the newspaper into her lap.
“Hey.” The low murmur of his husky voice sent a wave of electricity rippling down her spine.
“Kaleb?”
“Hi.” There was a smile in his voice. “You left so quickly earlier. I didn’t get a chance to talk to you.”
Katie unfolded the newspaper and half listened as she read the blurb at the bottom of the picture.
Driving drunk after a party, it read.
“I didn’t think it was a good idea to stick around after … you know,” she mumbled, quietly, contemplating the odds of seeing the same person twice in a matter of days.
She checked the date on the newspaper, just in case. The accident had happened the night before. So he had clearly left the gala unharmed, only to die almost two weeks later.
“Yeah.” She heard him sigh, heard something wooden creak. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I should have been more careful. That was very careless of me.”
“It wasn’t entirely your fault,” she whispered, dragging her thoughts back to the phone conversation and not the newspaper article. “I was there, too. Remember?”
He gave a small chuckle. “Oh, I remember.” He expelled a rugged breath. “We clearly can’t be trusted alone together.”
She flipped open her text book and unearthed the pen she’d tucked in the folds.
“Clearly,” she agreed, tracing the image of an equilateral triangle with her pen cap. “I guess I’m just going to fail art class.”
“No,” he said almost instantly, as if he was expecting her to say that. “We just need to find another way to get you that grade.”
Katie bit her lip to smother her grin. “Good plan. Any ideas?”
Something orange caught the corner of her eye and she raised her head to peek at the envelope tucked just inside her binder. Her brows furrowed even as she reached for it.
“Maybe an independent piece?” he suggested. “Something that shows how far you’ve come in the last year.”
“Maybe,” she murmured as she peeled the top open and turned the contents upside down. “But Mr. N made it clear he wasn’t going to accept anything from me.”
My Soul For You Page 12