Page 19 of Lessons in Desire

He scoffs. “Why?”

“Like I said all those weeks ago, I want stability. I’m not entirely fond of the starving artist aesthetic.”

He bends down then, coming so close that a flash of the other day pierces through my thoughts, his breath mingled with mine. “Evelyn, I know you don’t like listening, but you must listen when I say this. These,” he points to the sketches, the paintings, the messy scribbles, “are worthy of galleries. You do not waste a gift like this.”

I warm at the praise, and the passion with it, Asher’s love for art shining through like a mirror of my own but … it just isn’t viable. “Lots of artists are worthy of galleries, doesn’t mean they have any stability from it.”

“That may be true, but not every artist will take the art world by storm. These would.”

“It’s a hobby.”

“It’s your life blood.” He corrects, seeing through to my soul.

I reach and grab my bundle of papers from him. “It’s a private hobby. Now can we actually get back to the reason for this meeting.”

He sighs. “I’ll leave it … for now.”

“Good.”

He sits beside me at the couch, his warmth seeping, his smell intoxicating, but for the first time since we fucked, the tension has gone, like something deep inside the both of us has shifted and for now, I can pretend like I’m not absolutely aching to be in his arms.

Chapter Eleven

Asher

I shoot my younger brother a look as the waitress writes down her number on a slip of paper. When she’s gone, I point my finger at him. “Kaden, it’s guys night.”

He rolls his eyes, the perpetual smirk he has on his face brightening. “Yea, you’re just saying that because you’re in a mood.” His smirk turns feral. “Now I wonder why that is, brother. Who’s shit in your bed?”

I narrow my eyes at him, at the knowing glint in his eyes. He knows something. I send Cameron an accusing glare.

“You’ve said something.”

Cameron sips his whisky. “Brothers don’t keep secrets.”

“I beg to fucking differ.” I growl.

Kaden leans back in his seat. “He didn’t say much, just that some TA of yours has got you in a twist which …” He looks me over, his eyes searching, “Yep, I can see it.”

“Fuck off.” I wave over the waitress, ordering a whisky. If I’m going to get through the night, I need a drink to do It.

Though I see Cameron fairly often, Kaden has been off in New York and he’s only here for thanksgiving, which is being held at my house this year. And I should be up for this, for seeing my brothers, but today all I can think about is Evelyn.

I’m drowning in her. Her smile, her eyes, her passions, her wants and dreams. I want to give her everything. She just won’t fucking let me.

I frown into my drink, thinking of her.

I’m still fucking reeling from seeing her art. She’s a new talent. The likes of which I haven’t seen in all my years of art acquisition. But she wants to waste it and I understand her ambitions, her need for stability, but I can give her that. I’d give her the world if she asked for it.

I just need to be patient. Wait for her to come round to the idea that I can help her, that I love her.

Kaden rolls his eyes. “My god man, are you going to be this pissy through all of thanksgiving?”

“Yes.” I glower darkly.

He rolls his eyes once again. “So, why exactly don’t you just make this girl yours if you feel this strongly?”

“Don’t encourage him.” Cameron warns. Between the three of us, Cameron is the oldest, the wisest, and one with the biggest stick up his ass.

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