“I agree,” the other man said. “With training and hard work, this artist could continue their art as a hobby, perhaps selling to the occasional painting to family and friends, maybe a doctor’s office, that sort of thing.”
I put my arm around Keli’s waist. “Let’s go, lass. You dinnae need to hear this.”
For a moment, I was worried that she’d resist, confront the men, make a scene, but her entire body seemed to fold in on itself as she nodded. I kept her close at my side as I maneuvered us through the crowd to the exit. Her head was down, hair concealing most of her face, and I hoped people were too busy looking at paintings and making pretentious conversation to notice that one of the artists was leaving before the evening was over.
I was glad I’d driven tonight because it meant we had only a short distance to cover rather than having to stand outside, waiting for a car to arrive. I started the car to turn the heat on, but we didn’t go anywhere just yet. Getting her away from the showcase was one thing. Whether or not we left completely or went back inside after a few minutes was entirely up to her.
We sat in silence, but I didn’t push her to talk. I’d never been good at these sorts of conversations, ones where I was supposed to offer comfort or advice on something personal. Business advice, I could give, but how to make someone feel better after being insulted? I was completely out of my element.
“I don’t want to be here anymore,” Keli finally said. She stared straight ahead as she spoke, her voice quiet and flat.
“Back to your dorm room?”
She shook her head. “Ester’s working, and I don’t want to have to explain things to her when she gets back. She’ll want to hear all about it, and…I can’t.”
I’d intended to maintain distance between us, but I couldn’t very well drop her off at a hotel, not after what had just happened. I didn’t see any other option available that wouldn’t be rude. I needed to know one thing first.
“Do you want to be alone?”
She looked at me, eyes bright with unshed tears, bottom lip trembling. “No.”
“All right. You’re coming with me then.” Before I could list all the ways this was a bad idea, I pulled the car out of my parking space and drove out of the lot.
Keli stared out the window as I drove, but she didn’t seem to actually see anything until I pulled up to my house. Only after I turned off the car did she turn to me, a confused expression on her face.
“I thought we were going to a hotel. Where are we?”
“My house, but I can take you somewhere else if you’d prefer.”
She shrugged, and that told me just how upset she really was. All the questions and irritations I’d had in my mind for the past few weeks weren’t important right now. Keli was a sweet young woman, maybe a wee bit immature, but she was a good person.
The worst part was, the men at the gallery hadn’t been trashing her work. If they had, she probably would have been able to completely dismiss their opinions. Extremes were easy to brush aside. Hearing that she was good but wouldn’t ever be great…that was the sort of middle-line opinion that could tear into a person’s confidence.
A great scotch was my favorite way to unwind after a bad day, but I doubted she’d want one of those. I didn’t have anything else in the house I could offer her alcohol-wise. What I could do, however, was take her mind off things and make her feel good without contributing to underage drinking.
“Would you like some coffee or tea?” I asked as I took her coat. I put it on the hook next to mine, and she put her shoes on the rug beside mine.
“No, that’s okay. Thanks anyway.” Her voice was fairly flat, but she at least was looking around, showing interest in her surroundings. “You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you, lass.” I followed her as she made her way into my living room. When she plopped down on the couch, I took a seat next to her. “Do you want to…talk?”
“Not really.”
“Is there anything at all I can do?” What I did next would be determined by how she answered that question.
“Not unless you can make my brain stop thinking.” She sighed.
I cupped her chin, turning her face toward mine. “I think I might be able to do that, at least for a while, if you’re interested.”
I covered her mouth with my own, coaxing her lips apart. My hands moved to her hair, my fingers taking apart her updo as I buried my fingers in her soft curls. She leaned into me, her hands fisting my shirt. Tension radiated from her, and I knew a kiss, no matter how passionate, would be able to wipe away the words she’d already taken to heart.
She needed more.
I stretched her out underneath me, my hands moving over her curves, caressing and squeezing. I pushed up her dress, her skin soft beneath my palms, and kissed my way down her neck. When I went up on my knees, she scowled at me.
“I’ll take care of you,” I promised, reaching for her panties.
As I slid them down her long legs, I let my fingers brush her skin, and she shivered. Once I dropped her underwear on the floor, I leaned down and hooked her legs over my shoulders. The position was awkward, but my own comfort wasn’t at the forefront of my mind. With her pleasure as my main focus, I palmed her ass and lifted her high enough for me to reach her with my mouth.
