Just Ask (21 page)
“They still micro-manage you?”
“Yeah.” His mom had micro-managed full-throttle since Angela died. Gavin didn’t want to think about the truth that was his shitty life. Not today of all days.
Erik finished his slice and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Okay. So enough about your mind-suck parents. Movie? I got two action things.”
“I want to paint you.”
Where those words came from, Gavin had no clue, but they surfaced and the need to paint became a driving force, stronger than any lust or desire he’d ever felt. It was as if the only way he could purge this desolate feeling from his body was to get his hands dirty. Or maybe a part of him wanted Erik naked. He didn’t know. The desire for both blended, and he shoved his chair from the table with more force than necessary. “Now.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. I need this. Need that sort of release, you know?”
“I get it.” Erik glanced at the fading light outside. “You like mid-afternoon light, though.”
“Candles,” he said, even more excited. The light would be beautiful on Erik’s golden skin, complementing the color of his eyes, and bring out the green from the bronze. He sucked in a breath, hoping to calm the skip in his heart. He’d always loved painting Erik, but this would be incredible.
And if it worked…Erik would have to return each night until it was finished. He wouldn’t push for more, though. “I want to paint you surrounded by candles. Nude, so the light flickers on your skin.”
“Okay.” Erik swallowed, and then his lips parted, sensual in their firmness. Gavin noted that, wanting that look on his canvas, too. “You have that many?”
“Yeah, my mom had that candle fetish thing, remember? When she sold them to everyone? Your mom had a party.”
Erik laughed, and the sound went straight to Gavin’s gut, making it clench in a good way. “I think I have a box from that fetish, too.”
“So? You game?”
Erik brushed off his hands and closed the pizza box lid. He gave Gavin a long guarded look, not at all like Erik, usually open and carefree. Gavin knew he’d hurt Erik. But Gavin was trapped in that dark place, and Erik was gentle and kind. Erik deserved better. So much more.
Erik finally sighed. “You really want to paint me.”
“No. I need to paint you.”
Erik rose and gestured down the hall, looking like he was certain this was a bad idea. “Then let’s go.”
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