He took three photos, then set the camera down. “You can relax while I mix some paints. Then I need you to get into the pose and hold it.”
“This sure isn’t what I figured to be doing tonight.”
He didn’t want to talk to her—she was only an image—but he needed her to stay. Needed her relaxed.
“Do you like sex work?”
“It’s a living. I’m going to work my way up to top level. Do you really think I could maybe make a living doing this?”
He smiled at her, and the hunger he heard in her voice. “I bet you could. Let’s get you back in pose.”
He helped her find it, then walked to the canvas. “Eyes on me, just your eyes.”
Her eyes weren’t as compelling as the original, and her nose not as elegant. But this would be his.
He worked an hour and a half, then let her break the pose, let her walk around the studio before he set her again.
“This is kind of interesting and boring at the same time. You’ve got some of the naked women paintings. I could do that. I look good naked.”
“No doubt about it.”
He worked on the blue now, the light and the shadows, the subtle folds, and found himself pleased with the contrast to her skin.
He worked another hour, a little more, and had to stop himself from snapping at her when she shifted.
So he stepped back. “It’s tiring just to sit, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. I’m getting kind of stiff.”
“I’ve got a really good start. More than. You’ve been terrific. We’ll take a break. You can have another glass of wine.”
“I could use it.”
“Get up, walk around a little. Loosen up.”
He poured the wine, added the powder he’d made to hers.
“You sure got a view here. It must be nice, being rich and all.”
“Here you go. Have some wine, then maybe we can do another half hour. After that, I’ll take you wherever you need to go.”
“You’ll take me?”
“Sure.”
“You’re really nice.” Holding the wine in one hand, she skimmed the index finger of her other down his shirt. “I could do this for you again tomorrow. And maybe a little extra.”
She pressed her body to his, ran her hand down, stroked him.
Though he felt nothing, he brushed his lips to hers.
“The extra’s tempting. But art first. It has to be for me. Maybe you want to see what I’ve done.”
“Okay, sure.”
Sipping her wine, she walked around the easel. Then she smiled, let out a quick, surprised laugh.
“I look good. Mysterious. Kind of plain, but pretty, too, and mysterious.”
