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“That means fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.” He opened the cabinet and pulled out a container. When he opened the lid, the smell of chocolate wafted through the kitchen, and her stomach growled. “Someone is hungry.”

The coffee pot gave its last gurgle as Anthony put the cookies on a platter. He poured two cups of coffee. After carrying them to the table, he grabbed the platter of cookies and the milk out of the fridge.

“Sorry, no cream just milk.” How did he know she liked cream with her coffee? He must have seen her with coffee at the club. The man was too observant. He set the items on the table before taking his seat.

“It’s fine.” Kaley poured some milk in her coffee and then grabbed a cookie. She ate it in two bites. It was so soft and delicious. “These are fantastic.”

“Gran likes to bake. I did oven duty yesterday. If I hadn’t, she would have done it herself.”

“How much longer before she can get around on her own?”

“We see the doctor next week.”

Kaley nodded. “How long have you worked with the kids?”

“For a year now. Most of them are underprivileged kids or with bad home situations or from a single parent family. This gets the kids out of the house and in a place where they can express themselves.”

“Has it been the same kids for the year?”

“Most of them. Some disappear, and it takes some detective work to find out they’ve moved, or they simply have parents who won’t allow them to go anymore.”

“That’s sad.”

“It is, but I do what I can.”

“I think you do a lot.” Kaley had to wonder if, when she was growing up, she’d had something like that, would things have been different.

“Have you given any more thought to sitting for me?”

Kaley’s eyes widened.

“Thought I forgot about that, didn’t you?” He grinned.

“I don’t know. I’m not model material.”

“You said that before. You’re model material for me.”

She shook her head and looked down at the platter of cookies. Goodness, over half of them were gone. Had she really eaten that many?

“Look at me, please.”

His voice was soft and compelling. Kaley lifted her head to find kindness and confusion in his eyes.

“Please explain to me why you believe modeling for me would be such a bad thing.”

Kaley almost snorted. “You have eyes.”

“I do.” He stood and held out his hand. “Come with me, please.”

She didn’t hesitate and placed her hand in his. He guided her from the kitchen to the sunroom. He was still using it as a studio. There were several drop cloths on the floor, and canvases in various states littered the room.

Anthony led her over to a full-length mirror leaning against the wall. He stopped and pulled her in front of him, his arms loosely around her waist. She squirmed.

“Be still.” The words were spoken firmly yet softly in her ear.

She instantly complied.

“Better. Now, eyes on us in the mirror.”

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