Painted On My Heart

He went back to the text and decided to embellish. He had to try and keep John away, at least for the next four days.

“Yeah, they’re looking for you. I told you that. You seriously need to stay away. I can’t be any clearer than that. They’re out there all the time.”

Not a minute later, another text came through. “Fuck you, Kelly. Don’t pretend like you care. You hurt me last night. I thought you said you’d love me forever.”

Kellus barked out a laugh as the driver’s side door opened. Arik slid in his seat. “What’s so funny?”

“John texted me. Apparently the police were in front of the house when he drove by,” Kellus said, filling him in.

“Tell that motherfucker to fucking go do a bump and leave you the hell alone,” Arik said with vengeance.

Kellus started to type something smartass then thought better of it. He exited out of his messages and turned off the phone. He closed his eyes, centered himself, and looked over to see Arik’s questioning stare glaring at him. He didn’t like the uncertainty lurking in those amber depths.

“She was adorable,” he said, trying to change the subject.

“She was. They all were. Are you okay?” Arik asked, still staring at him.

“I’m great. I lied and told him they were in front of the house all the time. I checked the app your guys gave me; it’s locked up tight. I’m happy. Let’s get out of town. I’m ready.”

That uncertainty faded as Arik put the car in gear and zoomed down the frontage road.

Chapter 20

The last night in Dubai, Arik lay awkwardly across a white chaise lounge, his hands and body positioned the way Kellus wanted with his flaccid dick on full display. He could see the gentle sway of the curtains, and hear the ocean rolling against the sand just beyond the sheer drape separating them from the outside. Kellus stood at his easel, painting. Every so often when he would glance up, Arik caught concentration knitting his brow while a gleam danced in his expressive eyes. But the favorite thing he’d found after days of watching Kellus work would have to be the way the handsome artist sucked his bottom lip between his teeth while studying the subject of his piece. Then, in that deep thought, Kellus committed the pose to both his memory and the canvas where he’d meticulously add the detail over the weeks to come.

“What are you doing with this when you’re done?”

“I don’t know. Probably a show,” Kellus answered distractedly, but kept right on working.

“I don’t know how I feel about people seeing me naked.”

Kellus busted out laughing at his words, meeting his gaze over the top of the canvas.

“You don’t give a shit who sees you naked. You proved that this week. Now stop making me laugh. You’re the worst model ever. Sit there and be quiet,” his guy scolded.

“Why are you still dressed? I like to watch you painting nude.” Arik amended that sentence before Kellus could respond. “Okay, I like to watch you work naked, and I like watching you paint me when I’m naked. Your eyes turn a vibrant, sexy blue when you’re turned on.”

“A, stop. Now you’re purposefully being distracting. We’re almost done. Just a few minutes and I’ll have everything I need to finish this.”

Arik cocked his head. He knew Kellus meant business when he called him A. But he couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed that he wouldn’t be seeing as much flesh as he’d hoped for, even though he’d caught the wicked gleam in Kel’s eyes when he’d suggested that. With a resigned sigh, he resolved to behave himself because he knew how much this meant to his lover. So, instead of arguing, he gave his handsome but protesting artist his best pout. They’d spent the majority of the last four days in each other’s company. Factor in the weekend before they’d left and they were on six days of virtually twenty-four seven togetherness. He couldn’t ever remember spending so much undiluted time with anyone, and without a doubt, he could easily spend another double or triple that amount of time with Kellus. Forever actually, if he had his way.

Arik had become so lost in Kellus he had a hard time thinking of anything else, hence all the canceled meetings, even though he was on-site. The get-togethers he hadn’t broken, he had changed to lunch or breakfast engagements in order to allow Kellus to easily accompany him. With a sigh, he laid his head on his hand and took in the man in front of him, losing himself completely in everything Kellus Hardin.

He wasn’t certain when he’d fallen irrevocably in love with this man. It could have been when they’d parasailed or when they’d danced at the street fair. Maybe it was how easily Kellus adapted to the culture. Or perhaps that night at the tequila bar when his guy got drunk trying to keep pace with the locals while learning the language. Probably what ensnared Arik’s heart more was how every time they went out, Kellus would come back to the room and spend hours and hours getting their memories down on canvas.