Leonardo
“You ask really good questions, but I’ve found that butts are generally about size and shape giving the impression of gender without other context clues.” Pointing to the sketch on the far wall, I squeezed his hand. “That is a man and the other one on that wall…is a woman.”
“Oh, I’d have guessed backward.” Cocking his head, he studied both images. “I need to look at more people’s butts.”
Not when we were out in public.
“Let’s figure out the best way to do research on that. What do you think of looking at art models online or comparing the Leashes & Lace models to traditionally female lingerie models?” That sounded much safer and less likely to get him in trouble in public.
“That’s a great idea.” He was pleased but it took me a few seconds to figure out why he was staring at me expectantly.
“Oh. Who are they…mostly strangers, although I met a few at a fundraiser that the artist who drew them was involved in.” I couldn’t tell if he was jealous but my pretty boy hadn’t gotten much exposure to something that would lead to that kind of emotion. “I have never dated any of them but I liked the mood they gave the room.”
His gaze shifted to something more thoughtful and less just general curiosity. “How was it to meet them?”
“Weird.” Not that I’d told that to anyone else. “That ass was an ass. Everyone else was generally polite.”
Some were so shy I wasn’t sure why they’d accepted the invitation but the event had raised a lot of money.
“Okay.” As he turned back to me, he looked ready to go but I wasn’t sure what he was thinking.
“What are you thinking about the art?” Subtle was not going to work with my boy, so straightforward was the plan.
“They’re interesting and good art…I think? I’ve never studied that.” His head cocked as he looked at the sketches again. “I think I would like a warning if you knew the person the body part is attached to and if you dated them because I don’t think I should be looking at them if they were important to you. I don’t have an issue with them in general, though. Is that what you wanted to know?”
“Yes. That answers my question. You did a good job.” Giving him a quick peck on the forehead, I tried to answer completely. “People have very interesting thoughts on art and bodies, so I didn’t want to assume what you were thinking. I’ve done a lot of art involving bodies but I’ve never dated anyone who’s modeled for me. Most of the time they’re annoying or dramatic in all the wrong ways.”
For some reason that had Cece wanting to giggle, but he nodded seriously. “Thank you for being clear about that.”
“You’re welcome.” Leading him out of the room since he seemed to be done for the moment, I took us downstairs giving him time to look around at the different art on the walls andin the different guestrooms. “Let me know if you want us to go slower.”
“I’m going to have questions later and I’m going to want to look around again, but you want to take care of me and I want cookies more than I want to be nosy.” His honest answer made me chuckle, which seemed to have been his goal based on his grin.
“Cute and smart enough to be able to rank your needs accurately. I’m impressed.” And glad he didn’t have any ridiculously bad habits when it came to relationships.
“We’re both impressive.” Bouncing through my living room, his gaze was jumping along the shelves and taking in as much as he could. “Some of those little statues are yours.”
It wasn’t a question but I treated it like it was. “Yes. About half of them.”
He nodded sagely. “I knew it.”
“Because you’re smart or because you’re starting to know your Owner?” What would he say?
“No.” His cheerful response immediately made me skeptical. “You’ve put yours in the best spots.”
I just laughed.
He was right.
He was also pleased with himself as I took him into the kitchen. “You’re so cute, Master.”
No, if either of us were cute, it was him.
“Those are how I explore new ideas. Most of the time I’ll make a small version first and it’s the most personal version of any project for me.” Every artist I knew did it differently, butthat was how I’d always done it. “I usually keep those because they’re what I’m connected to and the larger versions I sell are copies of what I love.”
“Because you don’t want to sell what you love.” Cece nodded like that made perfect sense. “What kind of cookies do you have?”
I should’ve made sure he’d eaten more and cuddled less at dinner.
