Kaley was barely breathing when she entered the sunroom with Anthony. Her stomach flittered with a thousand butterflies. She’d gone home and completed her work, shaved, and showered to be fresh for this.
“Is what I’m wearing okay?” She’d dressed in a pair of her favorite yoga pants and a soft t-shirt.
“Perfect.” Anthony pulled a chair over close to the sofa, then placed a small table with his sketch pad and pencils. “Come here.”
His voice was soft, but it didn’t calm her anxiety. Why was she so nervous? It was just Anthony.
“I want you to lie down on the sofa, please.”
Kaley blew out a breath and did as he asked.
“Oh, Kaley.” Anthony walked over to her. “Does this bother you that much?”
“I don’t know. Why?”
“You’re stiff as a board.” He walked away and music filled the room. A soft instrumental of some sort. Anthony returned to her side. “Close your eyes.”
She did as he asked, and immediately, her heart raced.
“Deep breath in and let it out.” Kaley did this several times at his direction. Her heart slowed to normal, and her muscles relaxed. “That’s it. Now, turn slightly on your side to face me.” Keeping her eyes closed, she did what he said. “Good girl. Now one arm under your head on the pillows.”
Once she was in position, she opened her eyes. Anthony was sitting in the chair with the sketch pad resting in his lap, his forehead wrinkled in concentration.
“If your arm falls asleep or you feel like you need to move, let me know.”
“All right.” She let the soft music flow over her as she stared at this complex man sketching her.
* * * *
Anthony’s fingers flew over his sketch pad. It didn’t matter that Kaley was fully dressed; his mind supplied what he’d seen this morning. Her pert breasts, flat belly, and curvy ass. She was perfect.
He filled one sheet after another. Maybe one day she’d allow him to sketch her nude, but for right now, he was happy. His muse was happy. He couldn’t wait to turn his sketches into paintings.
A twinge of unease went through him. In any public pictures, she would be fully clothed, but for him, she would be gloriously naked. He ran his pencil over the paper, catching the unique curve of her jaw, the sensual look on her face.
Oh yes, it was sensual. Her gaze was unfocused and her body relaxed. That’s what he wanted. That piece of her she kept under wraps. The real Kaley who hid herself for reasons he had yet to find out.
“Anthony.” Her soft voice had him lifting his head.
“Yes, sweetheart.”
“Sorry, but I need to move.”
“Of course.” He closed his sketch book and set it aside before moving to the sofa to help her into a seated position.
Kaley shook out her arm and flexed her fingers. He frowned. “You should have said something earlier.” He took her arm and rubbed it gently.
“It was fine until a few minutes ago when I realized my arm was falling asleep. I hated to disturb you. You had a look of fierce concentration.”
“I get that way.” He glanced down at his watch. His eyes widened. “You sat that way for two hours without moving.”
“It was nice.” She smiled. “I don’t think I’ve ever relaxed like that in my life except maybe when I’m sleeping.”
“You are a treasure.” He cupped her chin and kissed her. Anthony deepened the kiss as she turned toward him.
“Ah, excuse me.”
Anthony lifted his head to see is grandmother standing in the doorway. “Hey, Gran, what do you need?”