“And any sex work’s extra—standard rates.”
“That’s fine.”
“Half now.”
As they were nearly to the lot, he took out his wallet, made the payment.
“This is great. I’m right over here. I was just going to walk around, do some people watching, maybe hit a coffee shop or club, and there you were.”
“This is your car?”
“Yes.” He opened the door for her, and felt the next step click into place when she slid in.
“Some ride,” she said when he got in the driver’s side.
“Thanks.” He used the jammer again, and drove out of the lot. Glancing at her, he tried for mildly embarrassed. “It’s family money. I’m trying to prove myself outside the businesses. Art is, well, it’s everything for me.”
“Uh-huh. I’m going to need the rest of the money when we get to your studio.”
“No problem. I just can’t believe my luck.”
“So is this a naked deal?”
“Oh, no. It’s a portrait. Your face, some shoulder. It’s a classic-style portrait. I have what you’ll wear for it. It’s all about your face, and especially your eyes.”
Which wore far too much makeup. But he’d take care of that.
She gaped when he turned toward the building and the attached garage.
“You’ve got a studio in here?”
“Yeah.” He pulled into the garage and felt that click again. “Actually, it’s my place. The building. It used to be a warehouse.”
“The whole fucking building?”
He hunched his shoulders as if embarrassed again. “Family money.”
She got out, looked at the all-terrain. “I should’ve asked for more of that family money.”
“Well, if this works out, I’d love to use you again. And I could recommend you as a model.”
As she got in the elevator, she studied him. “This is no bullshit?”
“It’s not. We’ll go straight up to my studio. You know, sorry, I never asked your name.”
“Leesa, noi, twoe’s.”
“Leesa. I’m Jonathan.”
The elevator opened at his studio with its wide windows, its domed skylight. And the paintings.
“Wow, guess you’re not starving in a garret—whatever that is. All of these are yours?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know anything about art, but these are really nice. I figured you might be stringing me along, and they’d probably suck, but they’re really nice.”
Considering the source, he deemed that high praise.
