It was me who felt I had to do things to please him, not him who expected me to do so.
The next day came and it was time for my life drawing class at the Institute. Drake was up early, as usual, showering and dressing while I lay in bed, snuggled under the covers. I peered at the clock – it was barely six thirty and Drake was standing at the side of the bed, dressed in a pair of black jeans, a white button down shirt open at the neck. His hair was still wet and wild, his eyes a bit bleary because he was home late.
He bent down and kissed my cheek, his arms on either side of me, and then he nuzzled my neck.
"Ms. Bennet, I look forward to the weekend when I can stay in bed with you and wake you up with a slow fuck."
I hid my face from him, and smiled. He kissed my cheek, my chin, and then my forehead before stroking my jaw.
Then he was gone.
I dressed and prepared for my class, gathering up my supplies in my art kit, and called Jomo for my ride to the Institute. As usual, Jomo was exuberant and made pleasant conversation about the weather, asking me how we were liking the new house.
I went to the classroom and took my place at a bench, attaching the pad of newsprint to the easel, sharpening my drawing pencils. When Talia arrived, I went to her to ask about renting studio space.
"I heard that the Institute has some studio space available."
"It does. Do you need any? We rent out space here on this floor to students for a small fee. You have to share a space and share a schedule, but there's great light and lots of room for you to work."
"I'd like that."
"Good," she said. "I'll send you the prices in an email and you can sign up online, pay with a credit card or in person."
"Thanks."
She smiled at me and then turned to the blackboard and started to write something.
I went back to my bench and sat, waiting for the class to begin. A few of the other students arrived and a couple smiled at me, but that was it for interaction. We were all anticipating who our model would be for the day.
A few minutes after 10:00, Talia went to the center where the model would pose and spoke to us.
"Today, I am pleased to welcome Janus, our model for the day. We have few male models, so consider yourselves lucky to have Janus today. We'll follow the usual procedure – quick sketches followed by two longer poses with a five-minute break between sessions. Enjoy and welcome Janus."
We turned to the side door and watched as a young man with very fair hair and pale skin entered the room, a robe around his shoulders. He nodded to us, and shook hands with Talia as she left the inner circle of easels. He dropped the robe and was naked except for a thong-like privacy garment that barely kept his genitals covered. He had a nice body, with well-developed musculature and the light played nicely over his skin so that we could see his muscles clearly.
He did a series of athletic poses, mimicking various sports, like tennis and golf, then he continued with other positions of movement and action that highlighted his muscular build. We sketched away madly, trying to capture the motion and weight of his poses in a few broad strokes. He took a break in between the quick sketches and the first longer pose and I took one as well, leaving for the washroom and drinking fountain in the hallway. I smiled at a female classmate who was quite accomplished, a young African woman with short hair and artistic earrings, wearing a pair of painter overalls and a white t-shirt.
As I stood at the fountain, taking a drink, I saw a pair of Doc Martens standing a few feet away from me. When I stood up, I was face-to-face with a smiling Sefton deVilliers.
Damn… I had almost forgotten him. Of course, he had to show up when I was unawares. I wondered what he'd have to say to me, and if he'd make any double entendres.
"Hello, Ms. McDermott. Are you enjoying having a male model? You seem to like drawing them."
I forced a smile. "We're lucky to have a male model, according to Talia, so yes. I appreciate the opportunity."
I started to walk past Sefton, but he caught my arm. "I suppose your Doctor is too busy to do much posing now that he's working at the hospital. And teaching, so I hear."
"How did you hear about him?"
"I have my sources."
"Why do you care?" I said and pulled my arm out of his hand.
"I take an interest in all the artists in Nairobi. As the Artist in Residence, I like to get to know each one. Their quirks and unique interests. You, for example. You seem to be especially attached to that…" he said and touched my collar. "Choker." He accentuated the word and raised his eyebrows suggestively. "You were wearing something else around your neck the other night, if I recall…"
I frowned and my hands fisted as I fought to maintain control over my emotions.
"Cut the crap," I said, finally fed up with all the innuendo. "If you have something to say, say it."