Painted On My Heart

“Me too. I’m glad you talked me into coming,” Kellus replied. They stood there facing one another, people moving all around them. Even a knock in the shoulder by a passerby couldn’t tear his gaze away from Arik.

“I’ve got to go out of town again. I keep pushing it back, because I can’t stand the idea of leaving you. Have you thought about going with me next week?”

“Arik, I can’t. I’m so far behind.” He tried to turn away, but Arik held him in place.

“Bring your work with you,” Arik said, holding him firmly by the waist.

“The big pieces are too bulky and hard to travel with. I need access to wide-open spaces. I also need a welder for the series I’m working on now.” He tried to explain why the idea wasn’t feasible.

“We’ll figure it out. I want you with me. I like you there. I could spend hours watching you work.” The corners of Arik’s lips curled into a beautiful smile, then he quickly added, proving he’d prepared for this conversation, “If you’ll get me a list of supplies you need, I can have them waiting for our arrival. That way it’s not this same battle between us every time I need to travel.”

This time, Kellus broke free and turned away. He linked his arm through Arik’s, moving them a few steps forward. Arik was hard to resist, especially when he turned on the sweet charm and said things like that. Kellus had been lonely, his life so solitary he hadn’t realized how truly secluded he’d become. Arik had changed all that. In all these weeks since, Arik had completely become his world. His very best friend, his lover, and his confidante. The sudden realization that this man could easily shred his heart with a single word, devastate him with a glance, brought forth an insecurity that he had tried hard to cast aside. The vulnerability scared him. After such a short time, he’d fallen head over heels in love, even though he was completely certain he didn’t give Arik half of what Arik gave him in return.

“You’re dodging,” Arik said, moving his arm until he threaded their fingers together. They walked a few steps, giving Kellus time to think of a response.

“It’s too much to take my studio with me. I can’t.” Kellus risked a quick glance in Arik’s direction, seeing the argument forming. He glanced away, studying the ground at his feet as he continued. “And I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I can’t give it up or let it fall apart. I have to focus and complete my consignments. My bills are outrageous. I need repeat business.”

“I could help with that—” Arik started, but Kellus cut him off.

“No,” Kellus repeated firmly, watching as the Ferris wheel made its circle. The conversation made his gut churn, and he nervously gnawed on the side of his mouth, waiting a second before he confessed the truth. “We’re already so off balance where money’s concerned. I don’t think I could handle taking anything else from you.” As he spoke, he eased them to the back of the line. “Do you want to ride this?”

Arik started to speak but followed the line of his arm as he pointed toward the Ferris wheel. Arik smiled; his eyes seemed to light up. Surprisingly, he had managed to divert Arik’s notoriously single-minded attention.

“Sure. How many tickets do I need?” Arik’s grin was contagious.

“Ten a rider.” He couldn’t help but smile at the look of excitement on Arik’s face.

Arik counted the tickets in his hand—exactly twenty. Instead of handing Kellus his batch, Arik’s next words proved he wasn’t quite as skilled at distraction as he’d hoped. Arik lifted his head, holding him with a penetrating stare. “Just so we’re completely clear, I want you to move in with me. Before you say anything, and I can already see the negative response forming, I had plans drawn up. I have about seven thousand square feet below my penthouse that I just closed off. I don’t need all the space I have now. We could open that stairwell and build your studio downstairs. I want you there. You’re there every single night already. You’re wasting at least an hour and a half a day driving back and forth to your place.”

Luckily, the line forced them to move forward several steps, keeping him from responding. Arik was already his lifeline. What would happen if he became completely dependent and then Arik grew bored? Where would that leave him? In exactly the same place he’d been with John. Long term, Kellus didn’t have what it took to keep Arik happy; he knew that. Arik was tall, blond, gorgeous, and wealthy. Not just rich, but downright wealthy. Things were already off balance between them. Even more importantly, Kellus needed to pick up the pace. He should be working twenty-four seven to keep on schedule and keep his clients happy.