Picture Me Naked (Stoddard Art School Series) (18 page)

“And not too hard on the eyes, if I should say so. Not like that other one. Never a kind word. Always barking at me to open the door, like I’ve got nothing better to do with my time.”

“Ah, yes, that would be Ed Zeigler. I wish you wouldn’t let him in. I’m having problems with him and he keeps showing up at my door. Tell him you can’t let him in. If he gives you any trouble, tell me and I’ll take care of it.”

“I can let the hunky one in, right?”

Any time he wants.
“Um, yes. That’s fine.”

“You’re looking a bit flushed, Cee Cee.” Mrs. Ogalthorpe bumped her with her elbow again. “And kinda like you got a bit of that cream yourself.”

“I gotta go, Mrs. O. Can’t be late for class.”

“You go, honey. Me and Mr. Cassie here got a date to watch the Price is Right.”

Zee scratched the decrepit dog behind his raggedy ears. “Bid high.”

“No. Bid low plus a buck. That’s the ticket.”

****

Zee made it to school in record time. She smiled as she gathered her things to go into the building. Jagger’s shirt sat on top of her brush roll. She lifted it and breathed in the scent of him. She couldn’t believe he forgot it again. But then he was too busy giving her a good-bye kiss that should have gone down in history as the most amazing good-bye kisses on record. She zipped up her sweatshirt and headed up to class.

Zee looked at the painting she’d been working on Friday. It was good, but it was missing something now. Yes, she’d captured Jagger’s body well enough, but it had no emotion. So much had changed in the last few days. She felt alive now. Excited. Passionate.

One by one her fellow artists arrived in their usual Monday morning grumps. Zee was anxious to see Leah and ask her if she had fun on her romantic weekend. She wouldn’t tell her about Jagger quite yet. Was it wrong to want to keep him to herself for just a little longer?

Leah entered like a storm cloud. “Effin’ rain. I just ruined my shoes. You know that huge puddle by the west ramp? Stepped up to my ankle in frigid, curb-crap water.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Leah scowled at her. “You don’t look sorry.”

Zee laughed, sobered, and attempted to stick out her lower lip and give Leah her best pouty face.

“Save it.”

“You are not my happy Leah this morning. Get up on the wrong side of the bed? Or maybe...” Zee moved conspiringly close and lowered her voice. “Maybe you spent this weekend having mind-blowing, earth-shattering sex and are so exhausted it’s making you cranky.”

Leah kicked at a stubborn easel. “The last thing I want to talk about is this weekend.”

“I thought you and Ted were going away to Maine for a romantic escape?”

“We did.”

“Didn’t you have a good time?”

Leah turned and glared at her. She pointed to her face and circled it with her index finger. “Does this look like I had a good time?”

“Frankly no, but…?”

“Do you want to know what Ted’s idea of a romantic weekend was?”

“I’m almost afraid to ask.”

“We went ice fishing.”

“Isn’t it a little warm for ice fishing?”

“Not when you drive twelve hours to some godforsaken speck on the map just this side of the arctic circle.” Leah threw her hands in the air.

“Oh.”

“Right.
Oh.
You know how excited I was about this weekend. He told me how wonderful it was going to be just the two of us in a little, secluded cabin. Nothing but him and me and peace and quiet. Well, the secluded cabin turned out to be a two-man bob house! And we
were
alone. You better believe we were alone. There wasn’t another human being for miles. The bridal suite was a musty pair of World War II army cots crammed into a shack with a tin can wood stove and a giant screw to keep the hole in the ice from freezing over. We had one lantern, a camp stove and a rubber bass on a fake wooden plaque that came to life and sang, ‘Take Me To The River’ when you pushed a button. Ted thought it was hysterical. He wants one for our bedroom.

“I expected a romantic weekend so I packed next to nothing. I froze my ass off! I’ve never been so cold. Don’t you think it would have been nice of Mr. Great Outdoors to tell me to pack something more than a negligee? No. He wanted everything to be a
surprise
. He’d take care of everything, he said. I didn’t have to worry about anything, he said. He had it all figured out. Every detail.”

“Well, if you’re sure you don’t want to talk about it.” That earned Zee another glare.

“I was expecting a lovely candlelight dinner at some rustic lodge nestled in the woods with one of those dead moose heads hanging over a roaring fireplace, with wine and steak and lobster dripping with butter.” Leah slammed down her paint box. “But NO! What do I get?” She turned and planted her fists on her hips. “Do you have any idea what we had for dinner our first night in ‘Camp Craptastic’? SpaghettiOs! Cold! In the can!”

Zee bit her lip to keep from laughing.

“That’s it, go ahead and laugh.”

Zee did. “I’m sorry. SpaghettiOs?”

“SpaghettiOs!”

More laughter. “I’m really sorry.”

“What could he have been thinking? Romantic weekend, my lily white ass.”

Just then, Jagger arrived. He came straight over to Zee and gently pulled her to one side. “Good morning, again,” he whispered.

“Good morning, again.”

“I saw George in the parking lot. I thought you were going to park on the street.”

She put a hand over her mouth. “I forgot.” She tipped her head toward him and lowered her voice. “You see, I was terribly distracted this morning.”

Jagger smiled. “What do you think they would all do if I started kissing you right here?”

“I couldn’t care less,” Zee whispered.

He chuckled. “Did you remember the remote?”

“Yes, I did remember that. It’s in my pocket, and I set the alarm.”

“Good. You don’t have any plans to stretch canvas, re-bristle your brushes, or color code your paint tubes after class, do you?”

“No.” She smirked. “I am fairly happy with my paint tubes right at the moment. Why? Did you have something in mind?”

“You have no idea, cupcake.” He smiled that famous smile of his.

A rush of heat shot into her face.

“We’ll talk about it later.” He squeezed her arm and looked passed her. “Morning, Leah.”

“Morning, Jagger.”

Zee turned and found Leah’s all-seeing eyes darting back and forth between them. Her eyebrows pushed toward her hairline.

“Oh, Jagger.” Zee reached past Leah and grabbed his shirt. “Your shirt.”

“You’re not the only one to forget something this morning, eh?” He winked. God, she loved it when he winked.

When Zee dared look back at Leah, her friend stood there with her mouth agape.

“Close your mouth, Leah.”

“Oh. My. God.”

Zee’s ears got hot. “Not now.”

“Cupcake?”

“Later.”

“Oh, you can count on it.”

Madeline’s arrival saved Zee from any further intimate conversation with Leah. She greeted Jagger and the others. “Good morning, everyone. Before we get started this morning, I have some great news.” Everyone paused with what they were doing and gave Madeline their attention.

“I had the most wonderful weekend,” she announced.

“Perfect,” Leah grumbled under her breath. “Am I the only one around here that had a suck-ass weekend?”

Zee shot her a sympathetic look.

Madeline continued. “I received a phone call on Saturday from Daniel Bruce.” A small murmur ringed the room. “If any of you don’t know who Daniel happens to be, he is the owner of the Bruce Gallery at Copley Place in Boston. He’s just opened his sixth gallery in Chicago, and represents many fine artists.

“One of you has caught the eye of the infamous Mr. Bruce, and he is very anxious to have your work in his gallery. He’s interested in showcasing one of our very own with a private showcase.”

“Wow.” “How exciting.” “Who, Madeline?” “Private show?” “Who?” “One of us?” “At the gallery?” “Who is it?”

Madeline held up her hand to quiet everyone. “Zee, how quickly can you frame up twenty to thirty pieces?”

Gasps, applause, and congratulations surrounded Zee as her stunned brain took in what was happening. Leah hugged her and gave a happy squeal. “It had to be you.”

Over Leah’s shoulder she asked Madeline, “Are you sure he wanted
me
?”

“Absolutely. He’s very excited. He loves your work. I told him I had some exceptional artists this year, and he asked to sneak a peek before the end of semester exhibition. See me after class and I’ll give you his card. Daniel would like to meet with you as soon as tomorrow at the gallery to discuss space requirements. He’s had a cancelation and may want you next month. He spoke about hosting a champagne reception to open the show.

Zee shot Jagger a look. He stood nodding his head with his arms folded casually over his chest with the biggest smile on his beautiful face. Nervous excitement raced through her.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Bloody perfect!”

“To Zee! Congratulations!” “You deserve it, honey.” “You make us proud.” Water bottles, travel mugs and all manner of drink holders lifted in a toast. “Better tell Bruce to get lots of champagne. “The good stuff.” “He does know we’re professional drinkers, doesn’t he?” “Oh, you have to get a new outfit.” “No baggy jeans, please.” “You can borrow my red shoes.”

“Ladies and gentlemen…we can discuss the finer details with Zee another time. We have Mr. Jones waiting here, and I think it’s time we proceed with the class. All right?”

Heads nodded and easels pushed back into place. Madeline looked in Jagger’s direction and he slipped off his shirt. He smiled at Zee before kicking off his jeans. He was so damn proud of her. This was fantastic news. A gallery showing was a big deal. And no one deserved it more than Zee.

As he moved to the dais, he hoped no one would notice the marks on his shoulder. He caught sight of them as he finished his shower this morning. Small, red crescent marks made by Zee’s fingernails last night…or was that this morning?

He caught her looking at him and smiled. Oh, it was this morning. Now he remembered. The kitchen. On his knees.

Jagger stowed his things and positioned himself on the dais so he could face her. He loved watching her work. He was finding a lot to love about Zee. Buttoned up and reserved one minute, neon condoms the next.
I’m not very good at this, Jagger,
then knocking his bloody socks off. Hiding in the dark, then wrapping her legs around him and crying out his name. Last night had been incredible; she had been incredible. And it was only the beginning. As he settled into his pose, Zee’s gaze met his. Pink flooded her cheeks. She gave him a shy grin.

Minutes ticked by in Jagger’s head. He tried to concentrate on the tension in the muscles of his thigh to keep his leg positioned for the time allotted. Zee’s eyes glanced in his direction every few minutes while she worked at her painting.

She put her brush down to pull that wild hair of hers up off her neck, using a large clip to secure it. The sun poured through windows behind her making the room warm and haloing her hair. Zee pushed up the sleeves of her sweatshirt and pulled a bottle of water from her bag. Uncapping it she put it to her lips to drink and proceeded to spill it down the front of her. Jagger suppressed a chuckle. He watched as she wiped her chin, shook her head and stripped off her wet sweatshirt.

Good God, she wore that tiny black tank that fit her like the shine on a cherry. He remembered the smell of a cherry red condom. Zee took another drink of water and gave a little tug on the hem of her top before picking up her brush. Jagger watched as her chest rose and fell in the gentle rhythm of her breath. His breathing matched hers.

Zee caught him staring and gave him another small grin, but this one wasn’t shy. She put her brush down again and placed her hands on the small of her back, kneading the area above the curve of her behind. Her cupcakes were on full display. His eyes devoured her. Then she arched her back…

A flash of pure lust surged through him. All the muscles in his abdomen and his arse tightened as blood rushed into his groin like a heavy fist trying to push into his…
No!!
Panicked, his gaze collided with hers.
Bugger!!

Jagger whipped on his pants and grabbed his shirt to cover his erection. “Madeline! I need a break. Now!” Grumbles from around the room followed him as he raced out.

He was pacing next to his van in his bare feet when Zee caught up to him.

“Hey, what just happened up there? Are you all right?”

“Come here and I’ll show you.” Jagger moved behind the van and pulled her to him for a crushing kiss. He took her hand and placed it boldly on his crotch. “Do you suppose Genevieve would paint this in miniature?”

“Oh, no.”

“This is your fault.”

“I didn’t know you could move so fast. You left like your pants were on fire.”

Jagger ground his hips into hers. “My pants
are
on fire.”

“Do you want me to say I’m sorry?”

“You cheeky sheila. You’re not sorry. Wearing that top. Arching your back like that. You’re trying to drive me bloody mad.”

Zee’s hand gave a slow squeeze. “How long do you think we have until Madeline sends someone to look for us?”

Jagger groaned and took her hand off his cock. “I hope it’s enough time for me to figure out how I can be in the same room with you and not have my body act like I’m back in pre-academy.”

“I promise not to tease you anymore. I’ll keep my clothes on.”

“It’s no good, darlin’. I’ve seen you.” He pressed into her again, his mouth on hers. “I’ve tasted you.” His kiss left them both aroused.

“I could move to get another view,” Zee suggested. “Somewhere behind you so you can’t see me. Would that work?”

“Football, ice cold showers, my grandfather’s hairy legs, chicken shit, liver…”

“What are you doing?”

“Making a list of things that couldn’t possibly turn me on.”

Zee snickered, then bit her lip. “Will that help?”

“Couldn’t hurt.”

“I am sorry.”

Jagger shook his head. “Don’t ever apologize for making me feel like this.” He slipped his hand around the back of her neck and kissed her again.