Page 54 of Partnering with the Artist

He clasps my hand to his cheek. “But I have a truly egregious number of tattoos. There’s a difference between havingatattoo, and…whatever I am.”

“You don’t normally show off your tattoos. Why start with my parents?”

Incredulity. His dark lashes flutter, confusion rioting. “Maelin,” he says, “I don’t want to lie to your parents concerning the sort of man their daughter intends to marry.”

I have a strong, strong feeling they’ll more than approve. Assuming, of course, we get that far. “You won’t have to meet them for at least a little while, so it’s nothing you have to worry about right now.”

“Ah.” He blinks. “Yes. That makes sense. I’m getting ahead of myself.” Bringing my fingers to his lips, he closes his eyes. “Thank you for taking a chance on me, lowly mortal that I am. I shall seek to serve you with my every breath, that I might be pleasant companionship for you as long as you deem it so.”

Lifting my face, I stand on my toes and touch a kiss to his cheek. “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

His fingers graze down my arm, to my waist, and pull me in. Cold silver eyes intent, he murmurs, “It keeps me humble.” His eyes flick to my mouth. “May…I?”

“May you, what?”

“It’s late.” He releases my hand to run his thumb along my bottom lip. “May I try to kiss you goodnight?”

My heart reacts before my mind has the chance. When my thoughts catch up, I say, “For three seconds, yes.”

He mouthsthree seconds, nods, and connects his mouth to mine.

It is the shortest three seconds of my entire life.

Chapter 19

?

Lover.

Maelin

Zakery swears, and my skin buzzes. Something about the fact we’re in a technical relationship—including romantic entanglements—paired with the way he’s looking at me leaves me breathless, flushed, shy.

Probably it has everything to do with how I’m in a silk night set wearing a sheer robe sitting on my black bed and intentionally posing.

No doom scrolling or napping here.

Nope.

I’mmodeling.

For my, all intents and purposes,boyfriend.

Who keeps cussing, swallowing hard, and giving slight instructions.

Look down a little more.Swear.Yes. Lift your arms a little higher.Swear, swear.Good. Excellent.Swear.You’re so beautiful. And you made this. And you’re my lover. Andswearing swears.

He is…blindinglyhappy.

He’s even laughing when he insults himself.

So.

You know.

This isfine.

What’s a little embarrassment?

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