Page 25 of Chasing Me

“Don’t you believe in happily ever after?”I teased.“I saw you sneaking a peek at my Kindle last week.You like romance.”

“I like the sex parts,” he corrected.

I tickled him under the ribs, his one sensitive spot, and he growled and wrestled me to the couch.I kicked and screamed helplessly as he tortured all my sensitive body parts, until my cries for mercy were finally heeded.

“James?”

“Yeah?”

I gazed up into his beautiful aquamarine eyes, cupping his cheeks, and knew we were meant to be together, no matter how many obstacles got in our way.“You’re my happily ever after.”

His face softened, and he kissed me long and sweet for endless moments.I fell into bliss and that wonderful bubble of emotion and need that lit me up and satisfied the hole in my soul.

“You’re gonna get a few orgasms for that remark.”

I laughed as he picked me up and carried me into the bedroom.

I pushed all thoughts of Brian and Ava out of my mind and concentrated on the man I loved, and our happily ever after.

Chapter Twelve

JAMES

I ARRIVED EARLY AT THEBrush Institute.It had been over a week since Ava’s porno show, and she seemed to have backed off.I’d planned to confront her after seeing her with Jason, but she hadn’t been in for a few days, and then readily ignored me.By that time, I tried to convince myself shit like that wouldn’t happen again.

I hoped to God I was right.

I set up my canvas and charcoals, chatted with one of the other students, and tried to get my head back in the game.Today was the day we showed our final sketches, and Ava would make a decision on who to pick for the expo.Only five were chosen from the whole school, and with over one hundred students taking various classes, slots were tight.

The exhibition was advertised by the art museum and local shops in the area and brought out a huge crowd, along with interested patrons, buyers, and art dealers.Basically, it was exposure that was pretty much priceless.

If I had wanted to use my parents’ connections, I could probably make a few calls and get someone to take a look, but I wanted this on my own.Wanted it so badly I woke up in the middle of the night, craving the opportunity like I’d used to crave getting off with a girl as a teen.Was this what it was like to be part of the everyday crowd?No special deals to be made, or palms to be greased, or bargains to be made?Just you and your talent up against everyone else’s?

I wasn’t stupid.I still knew politics were important.But this was the first time I was fighting for something on my own, and it felt good, like I was coming into myself.I wanted to prove to myself and Quinn I was worth the risk.

Ava walked in.She was back to her usual black and wore silk pants, a low-cut blouse, and jacket.Her red hair was twisted in a severe chignon, emphasizing her pale skin and ruby lips.She looked...cold.Formidable.Ready to tear down whoever was blocking the empty road in front of her.

She began speaking immediately, going over the rules of the exhibit and asking everyone to turn in their final projects.

I worked nonstop for the next few hours, skipped lunch break, and finished up.I had a late night shift at Joe’s, and hoped to swing by the center to see Quinn before her extra class started.

One by one, the students went to see Ava in her office with their project.We were all nervous as shit, but trying to pretend we didn’t care.She called me last, which was fitting, because I didn’t want an audience when I came back out.

I brought in my portrait of the woman, along with the sketch of naked Jason from my portfolio, which I actually really liked.Ava was sitting behind the desk, clicking away at her computer, ignoring me.I gritted my teeth, took a seat across from her, and waited.

“Give me your final project, please.”

I handed it over.She didn’t even glance at it, just put it in a toppling pile behind her with canvases, drawings, and one sculpture.Finally, she faced me, crossing her legs and leaning back slightly in her chair.Her face was devoid of emotion.

“You think you’re hot shit, don’t you, Mr.Hunt?”

Oh, yeah, that was it.I’d officially had enough and was gonna tell it like it was.She was going to do whatever the hell she wanted anyway, regardless of my mouth.“Not really.But you do.”

A smile touched her red lips.“The moment you walked into my class, you thought you were better than anyone else.Fought me on structure, basic ground rules, and techniques, saying you were ahead of the rest, though you had no formal training.Am I correct?”

I refused to squirm in my seat.Yeah, I’d been pissed to start off at an introductory class, but now admitted I had needed it.I shrugged.“You proved your point.”

“I know who you are.Who your parents are.That you’re a trust-fund baby.Why not make it easy on yourself?Make a phone call and get your own showing.You don’t need ours.”

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