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Nell tilted her head back. “I’m listening.”

“You agree to sit for me. Ever since that night we met, you’ve been on my mind. You’d make a wonderful subject for my paintings.” He held his breath as he waited for Nell’s response.

She chewed on her bottom lip. “What would this sitting involve?”

“Spending a few hours together one evening a week. I need to see you, so I can capture your likeness. You would make a beautiful subject. I could make the best art I’ve ever created if you’d do this for me.”

“It would help you be taken more seriously as an artist?”

Rane doubted that, even if he recreated that incredible art he’d seen photos of in the Sistine Chapel, he’d be taken seriously. “It should do. If I can capture what I see in front of me on canvas, everyone will take notice.”

“Others will see these pictures?”

“Absolutely.”

Nell’s nose wrinkled. “I’m not sure about that. I’m not sure how comfortable I feel being the subject of scrutiny.”

“If you agree, we’ll start slowly. I’ll do initial sketches and get a feel for you and see if it works.” Rane was convinced it would. He could already see the finished paintings in his mind’s eye. Nell would be his perfect subject.

“One step at a time,” Nell said. “I can handle that. But I have my own condition.”

He smiled at her. “I’m listening.”

“You help to keep me calm when I’m about to spin out of control.”

Rane nodded and held his hand out for Nell to take hold of.

After a moment of hesitation, she placed her hand on top of his. “Do we have a deal?”

His fingers lightly brushed the palm of her hand. “We do.” He could handle groveling for his job back if it meant he got to draw Nell.

And he could absolutely help her stay calm and rediscover herself. They would fix each other.

Chapter 11

Nell tried to relax in her seat on the shuttle that was taking her back to Prodigy.

She still felt shell-shocked about what she’d agreed to do. She would be the subject of Rane’s paintings. Why would anybody want to paint her? She’d never considered herself a great beauty but also never had any complaints. Ivy was right. She had a decent rack and plenty of curves. Still, to be the subject of somebody’s painting, it was way too weird.

Rane nudged her with his elbow as the shuttle moved away from Starland. “I’ve got so many ideas. In our first session, we can discuss them and agree what you’re comfortable with.”

“No naked pictures,” Nell said quickly.

Rane chuckled. “Nothing naked, especially not in our first session.”

“And you can’t be nude either.” Nell’s cheeks grew warm. “When I walked in on you that first time, you had nothing on.”

Rane frowned. “Clothes stifle me. I like to feel free when I paint.”

She shot him a sideways glance. “You wear clothes, or the deal is off.”

Rane gave an overly dramatic sigh. “Very well. You must do the same. I can’t afford any distractions when I’m working.”

“That won’t be a problem.”

He smiled. “Take your time to consider this. I used my ability on you in that cafe but only for a short time. You shouldn’t have felt any sway to agree to this.”

“I don’t feel swayed.” Nell looked over at Rane and saw how intensely he studied her.