Page 117 of Kept

“Do you think you could stay still?” I ask hopefully.

He lasts a whole minute this time, before raising his hand to scratch at an itch on the end of his nose. Groaning, I throw my hands up in exasperation. “Ryder!”

“Take it from the best,” Enzo drawls behind me. He’s lounging on a long chair, his legs dangling over the end as he watches my attempts to bring Ryder to life on a canvas. “The more you stay still, the less time it’ll take.”

Ryder holds his hand up, proudly displaying his middle finger to Enzo and completely breaking the careful pose I placed him in to paint. “You see this? Swivel on it.”

My head makes a thump as I bang it into my hands. “This was a terrible idea,” I mutter, and yelp as warm hands snake around my waist.

“I’m definitely more of an action person,” Ryder murmurs into my ear, making me squirm. “Why don’t I lay you down on that comfortable looking blanket and bury my tongue inside you instead?”

I swat his hands away grumpily. “No.”

“Princess,” he murmurs, and I turn, digging my finger into his chest and making him wince.

“You promised,” I say firmly, backing up and crossing my arms when he reaches for me again. “Nope. No sex until your painting is done.”

His eyes widen. “I can’t last that long.”

Throwing my hand out, I wave it at the empty space he just stepped down from. “Your podium awaits,” I say sweetly, and he groans.

“Besides,” I say loftily, picking my brush back up as he slumps back into his position. “I know exactly what you’re trying to do.”

“Oh?” Enzo purrs. “And what would that be?”

I turn, leveling him with an even look before dipping my brush into the bronze paint. “You’re trying to distract me.”

Enzo’s smile spreads across his face as he leans forward. “I can think offarbetter ways to distract you than this,” he breathes, and I nearly tip the whole palette over as I turn back to Ryder, resisting the urge to fan my face.

Swallowing, I force away the flare of heat between my legs. “I’m very aware that the results will be here today.”

Ryder twitches, but he stays where he is when I brandish the brush at him threateningly. His throat bobs as he shares a look with Enzo.

“Stop that.” My voice is almost absent-minded as I lean in, trying to get the sleekly curved muscle on Ryder’s arm just right. “I’m right here.”

“We’re worried about you,” Ryder says quietly. All mirth has disappeared from his voice, and I flick my eyes up to him and away again. My teeth sink into my lip as I shrug.

“What will be will be,” I mutter. My hand twitches, and there’s a gleaming line of bronze right across Ryder’s left shoulder. “Oh,shit.”

“Oooh,” Ryder says gleefully. “Profanity. We’re corrupting her, Enzo.”

I turn my head, biting the inside of my cheek to try and hide my smile. “I think it’s more Enzo, to be honest.”

Enzo’s low laugh sounds behind me as Ryder looks at me with wounded eyes. I can’t stop the laugh from slipping free, and his gaze narrows.

“I’m very,verygood at corruption, I’ll have you know,” he says slowly. I look up from cleaning my brush. He’s advancing on me with a very intent look in his eyes, and I dance backwards with a giggle that cuts off as I hit a hard body.

“You can never be too corrupted,” Enzo murmurs in agreement. His hands hold my shoulders, and I swallow as Ryder presses into me, enclosing me between them.

“I agree,” Ryder says. His eyes drop to my lips. “So much to teach you, little thief.”

His lips have barely brushed mine when Maverick’s voice rings out. “Zella.”

His tone makes me freeze. Ryder brushes his hand over my cheek as he steps away, and Maverick comes into view. He’s leaning against the doorframe, his gaze heavy, and my eyes drop to the envelope in his hands. “It’s here?” I ask, my mouth drying.

Maverick nods, holding out the envelope. Enzo squeezes my shoulders again.

“Never alone,” he reminds me in a whisper. It’s enough to jolt me into reaching forward and taking the heavy cream envelope, turning it over in my hands. It’s blank.

---