Page 24 of Tempted

Jason nodded. “Yes. My painting style is cubist, but occasionally I’m inspired to paint portraits. I was thinking of a concept I’d like to try, but I needed the perfect model. I think you’re her.”

Jasmine raised a brow. This had to be a pick up. She knew she wasn’t an antidote, but she didn’t think she was so great as to inspire art. “Umm, I think I’ll pass.”

“You’d be paid for your time of course. Name your price.”

“Yeah, sure. What if I named an outrageous amount?”

“Try me.”

“Five thousand dollars,” she challenged, coming up with the first number that popped into her head.

“It’s yours.”

“Okay, now I know you’re crazy. This is the point in the conversation where I leave and you take your loony pills.”

Jason chuckled. “I’m serious.”

Jasmineshook her head as she stood up. “So am I.”

He raked his fingers through dark curly locks, frustration entering his topaz eyes. “I don’t mean to come off as a weirdo, but I’d really like to paint you. When I see something I want, I go after it. My mother always said I was a bit spoiled, but I guess that comes from being the only son in a houseful of women.” Jason gave her another dazzling smile.

Jasmine sighed. He seemed sincere and but she’d been wrong about someone before. Besides, she had the children to think about.

Against her better judgment, however,Jasmine remained seated. “I’m not really sure that I’m interested in being painted, for pay or otherwise. And how is it you’re able to pay such an exorbitant fee just for me to sit for you? Isn’t it hard to make a living as an artist?”

“I do well. Let’s just say what I’d pay you is only a fraction of what one of my works would go for.”

Jasmine raised a brow. “My, you’re modest.”

“Just truthful.”

“You must be famous.”

“Only in the art circles. Otherwise, I’m just a regular guy. So what do you say? Would you sit for me?”

“For…five thousand dollars? That’s a lot of money to just sit for a painting.”

“Trust me; you’ll feel every penny was earned afterwards. The hours are long and your muscles tighten. Yes, it’s a lot more than what I would usually pay my models but if this works out the way I want it to, it will pay off for me in a big way.”

Jasmine’s mind raced. There was so much she could do with that money, and she’d be able to find a place of her own sooner rather than later. Still unsure, Jasmine hesitantly asked, “Would this painting be put on display in some art gallery?”

“Does the idea bother you?”

“I’m not sure I want to be gawked at by a bunch of strangers.”

“These strangers as you put it will think you’re lovely.”

Heat rose to her cheeks. It had been a long time since anyone had told her she was pretty. “Flattery will get you nowhere, buddy. Anyway, I can’t do it. I’m a full time nanny. I’d have no time to pose for you.”

“Don’t you get days off?”

“I’m off one day a week.” Not that it mattered because she didn’t know this man.

He jerked his thumb in Chelsea and Tyler’s direction. “Are those the children in question?”

“Yes.”

“How about at night? You have to be allowed some private time. The kids have to sleep sometimes.”

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