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“Maybe when you’re done with Nugget we can talk?” Anthony asked.

She worked the shampoo into the dog’s coat. “Talk?” Now she sounded like a parrot. “I’m not sure we have anything to talk about.”

“I think we might.” His voice was strong, and the words warmed her like hot chocolate on a cold day.

Kaley didn’t answer, but damn if her insides didn’t melt at the sound of his voice. Instead, she rinsed off Nugget, wrapped him in a towel, and placed him on the grooming table.

Anthony sighed, then left, and she blew out a breath. While she might have seen Anthony at the club, she doubted very much he knew who she was, and it was better that way. His kink was not her kink.

Besides, she wasn’t looking for a Dom, just someplace she could relax, be herself, and make some friends. She was still exploring the lifestyle.

Nugget licked her hand, and Kaley laughed. “Thank you for the kiss.” Leave it to the dog to get her attention where it needed to be.

* * * *

Anthony Payne watched the pretty dog groomer give Nugget a bath. Fluff and Puff. He grinned as he as he walked away. Kaley seemed familiar to him. He didn’t recognize her business name. Could he have met her around town?

Maybe at his gallery opening a few weeks ago. The opening had been filled with people, and as much as he didn’t like crowds, Dane had convinced him that he had to keep up appearances. “How long will the grooming take?” he asked his grandmother.

“About an hour.” Clara picked up her book.

“Okay, I’m going to go back and paint for a bit.”

“Go.”

He made his way to the sunroom that had become his temporary workspace after Gran sprained her ankle. The doctor said she needed to stay off it until it healed, which could be two weeks.

Anthony had immediately moved in. Not that he lived far away. There was a cottage on Gran’s property he’d lived in since he was eighteen, when his parents threw him out. He shook his head.

He didn’t want to think about his parents or that time in his life. He’d been a confused young adult they’d set adrift. Luckily, Gran took him in. He stepped into the sunroom and put a new canvas on the stand.

Then he remembered where he’d seen Kaley. Wicked Sanctuary. She worked behind the bar, and he’d tried sketching her a few times after he left the club, but he never could seem to get her essence. Seeing her today he knew why.

Up close and personal was what he needed. She’d stirred up his muse. He wanted to bring his vision of Kaley to life. Hell, he wanted to paint her. That would be the only way to appease his muse.

Once she was done with Nugget, he’d talk with her about allowing him to paint her. It was more than his muse being intrigued with her. His dick had leaped to attention when he saw her. Thankfully, his clothing hid his unusual reaction to her.

Had that happened at the club? He would have remembered if it had, wouldn’t he? Picking up a piece of charcoal, he began to sketch. First a chaise lounge, then Kaley lying upon it. She was going to be his new inspiration.

* * * *

“Excuse me.” A female voice close to his ear and her soft touch on his shoulder caused him to jump. “Sorry I startled you; I’ve been saying your name for what feels like five minutes.”

Anthony blinked at Kaley. Sometimes he got so caught up in his work he’d lose track of time. “It’s okay.” He checked where she was standing. Thank goodness his body blocked most of his sketch. He wasn’t ready to share it with anyone yet.

“Your grandmother wanted you, and I’m getting ready to leave.”

“Already?” He rubbed the back of his neck.

Kaley smiled. “It’s been over an hour. Nugget is all clean and groomed, and I had a nice visit with your grandmother for a few minutes.”

“Anthony,” his grandmother called.

“Be right there.” He turned and shifted the easel, then glanced over at Kaley. “I’d like to paint you.” How unlike him to blurt that out.

Her light green eyes grew wide. “Paint me?” She started to shake her head, then glanced around. “Oh my goodness. This is a beautiful room.”

Anthony smiled. “I could paint you in here where you could look out the skylight and let your mind float.”

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