Page 10 of Leashed

“I’m hoping to become a curator. For a museum.”

He racked his memory for the time period, hoping he hit on it. “So Rembrandt kind of thing?”

Sage bit her lip, apparently pleased. “Exactly that kind of thing,” she replied, looking up at him as she slowed to a stop in front of a car that had seen better days. “I’m focusing my paper on a Flemish artist. Rubens.” She took her bag from him and lifted the book she’d borrowed from the library, flipping it open. “This weekend I’m hoping to find my focal piece so I can get to work on the research.”

Recognizing the paintings, he nodded as she closed it up and walked to the driver side, unlocking the door. “Rubens did some cool shit.” The peculiar euphoria worming through his head since he’d entered the library began to fade as she tossed her bags in. “Take a look through his mythology works if you’re into that.”

She smiled at him. “So you like art?”

“Some. Can’t stand that medieval crap. Or surrealism.” Ignoring the brightening of her dark eyes, and, more importantly, the strange rush it gave him, he placed his hands on the roof of her car. “The darkness and intensity of the Baroque and Romantic eras are pretty fucking cool, though.” He grinned at her. “And the gratuitous T n’ A.”

Her delicate brows knotted. “T n’ A?”

“Tits and ass. The Baroque era was filled with it.”

*

Sage could feelher eyes harden. She gave him a tight smile and tightened her hold on her keys. “Yes, well, nudity was definitely a prominent theme during those periods. Thank you for walking me. I hope you have a good time tonight.”

“You too,” he replied, pushing away from her car and yanking the elastic from his hair. “Safe drive.”

She got into her car and started it, grateful when it revved to life with the first try.

Gratuitous T n’ A.

Although Bo’s appearance at the library had caught her off guard, a small part of her had expected him, as though her body knew he was close before her mind did.

Or he was just too hot to not subconsciously track.

He was probably the best-looking guy she’d ever seen in her thirty-one years. Disarmingly gorgeous, with one deep blue eye and one an almost emerald green. His square jaw and sharp cheekbones were softened slightly by week-old scruff, and his nose was straight without the smallest imperfection. Add in the long blond hair and Adonis build, and it was no wonder every man and woman in the library had hesitated when he passed them.

Gratuitous T n’ A.

She hadn’t intended to stay and study after work, but the thought of going home to her quiet apartment alone to pore over research hadn’t been as appealing as usual. At the library, she could be on her own without the loneliness often accompanying the solitude of home. Startled as she’d been to hear Bo’s voice while she was deep in thought, she’d been excited when he’d showed a polite interest in her studies. More so when he was able to identify the period she was focused on. For a brief moment, she was tempted to ask him to show her his favorite works. Maybe even why he liked them.

But that was tampered fast.

Pulling into her parking stall, she gathered her things and walked up to her apartment, plugging her phone in and stretching across her bed as she dialed Nixon.

The call went to voice mail almost immediately, but she received a text hot on its heels.

In a meeting. Can’t make it over tonight.

Setting her cell aside, she lay back on her bed and lifted her research book onto her knees, scanning through the multitudes of religious pieces for inspiration.

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