Page 79 of Painting Celia

She nodded, grateful. He ran a hand through his tousled hair, then looked down ruefully. He was obviously hard still.

“I’m going to carry a box out.”

They laughed together. Yes, there was no way this wouldn’t be obvious to everyone.

He matched action to words, picked up a large box of paints, and held them near his hip, looking nearly natural.

“Ready, mi cielo?”

“I…not really.”

He eyed her with wicked satisfaction. “Come out when you’re ready. I’ll give excuses.” He left, closing the door behind him. She could hear Andrew greeting him.

She just needed a minute or two to compose herself. Smoothing her hair and dress, she felt her cheeks. They were still hot. She walked to the purple painting, a distraction while she calmed down.

It was her, but not her. It wasn’t even a form, just shapes that assembled into a woman when you first looked, then came apart, then back together. He was heartbreakingly talented. She touched the mark on her neck, looking at the spot in the painting he’d have to add it. Would he really?

Why did he want her to say she belonged to him? The thrill when he growled it at her…was possession a turn-on for him, too, or was he teasing? She didn’t know him well enough yet.

She finally felt a little calmer and slipped out the door.

Kelsey came over immediately to hand her a drink. She’d clearly been hovering where she could watch the room León had exited.

“I made this for you,” she said, “and set out the food. Well, most of it was out already. I wasn’t sure what you were going to do with the pork, so I just turned it down.” Her eyes were avid, after details.

She wasn’t going to get them, not yet. “Thanks,” was all Celia said.

Kelsey’s eyebrows couldn’t get any higher. Just yesterday, she’d been listening to her cry about León, and today they were closeted up, supposedly painting, and coming out all flushed. It was obvious that they’d made up and then some.

Andrew came over and threw an arm around Celia’s shoulders. “León’s got you sitting for him, huh?” She nodded. “About time. Is he working on that blue one?”

“No, I think that one’s done. He’s onto purple now.”

Trevor joined as well, giving her a hug as Andrew moved back. Everyone had half-smiles on their faces. She hoped they wouldn’t say outright what they all seemed to be thinking. Celia looked around for León surreptitiously, but he wasn’t in the room.

Kelsey watched knowingly, never subtle. “He left right as you came out,” she whispered.

Celia moved resolutely to the kitchen, the group trailing after to gather around the kitchen island. She let them chatter while she quickly shredded a small chunk of the pork and finished her chili sauce. Cooking soothed her, and her friends gave her the space she obviously wanted right now.

Andrew moved to Celia’s side of the island. “Trevor says León was pretty snotty the other day. I’ll feel bad if I saddled you with an obnoxious tenant.”

Celia looked across the island. Trevor and Kelsey were heads down, talking. “He’s fine. He’s being nice.”

Andrew smirked, but kindly. “Putting more moves on you?”

“He’s painting me.”

He leaned his elbows onto the counter and looked into the drink he held in both hands. “That’s quite the mark on your neck.”

She reached up to touch it, cheeks suddenly burning. Both Trevor and Kelsey looked up to watch. Okay, so everyone had been waiting for it to be mentioned.

“Yeah, it’s….” She had nothing. They’d all guessed anyway. “Okay, yes, it’s not a secret or anything.”

“It couldn’t be,” Trevor said with a smile.

Kelsey leaned in. “Did León explain what happened yesterday?”

The two men looked at Kelsey, who obviously had more details than they did.

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