“Babe, we’ve been going around in circles for years.”
“We’ve not seen each other for years.”
“So? I bet you’ve thought about me.” He saw the way her cheeks went a glorious shade of red, and knew she’d thought about him. “I’m free, I’m single, and I’m hot stuff.”
For the first time in his life, Kim laughed along with him. She covered her mouth, but he saw the humor. “You’re bad.”
“I’m only just getting started.”
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
“You’re the first chick I know to carry light. You’ve not even got a case for shoes.”
“I have two bags of art equipment.” She patted the ones lying on the ratty old sofa.
Kurt sighed. “This is everything you want?”
“It is, yes.”
He shook his head. “It has amazed me how you’ve survived out in this world all alone.”
“Shut up. I’ve been doing just fine.”
“Please, your loyalty has been a problem. You’re way better than what that fucker was going to do for you. He didn’t really care about the business anyway. He’s been looking for a buyout for years,” Kurt said, talking about Mr. Coal. The only reason he organized any meeting was to finally get to talk to Kim. He knew unless he organized it in secret, she wouldn’t have taken the time to talk with him.
“Why did you come then?”
“You. Like always, you.”
They headed toward the door, and he waited for Kim to lock it. They made their way downstairs. The elevator was broken. Kurt didn’t say anything as she posted the key through the landlord’s letterbox, along with a letter.
Outside at the car, he opened up the trunk and placed her bags inside. He’d expected her to have more stuff.
Still, there were plenty of things for him to buy her. Kurt wanted to treat her, to show her that she could be herself around him. Opening the passenger door, he waited for her to climb inside, and then got behind the wheel. Turning over the ignition, he pulled away from her shitty apartment, and her shitty life, determined to help her create a new one.
“Are you seeing anyone?” Kim asked.
“No.”
They were silent for several seconds. “Are you going to ask me if I am?”
Kurt glanced over at her. “You better not be.”
She chuckled. “You only want me to paint for you.”
“Are you seeing someone?” he asked. Kurt knew that she wasn’t. He’d kept an eye on her, knowing she hadn’t given any guy a chance in the last ten years. Sure, she went on dates, which went nowhere. Even Elsa and Noah had tried to set her up, but all of them had failed. Kim was a unique beauty, and he intended to have her all to himself.
“No.”
“You ever had a long term boyfriend?” he asked.
“Don’t need one.”
“Doesn’t it ever get lonely?”
“I have my art if I need companionship.”
Kurt hummed. He thought about the art he’d seen, the changes in each piece. “Where do you keep all of your artwork?” he asked.
“Mr. Coal is sending you every single piece. I’ve also got multiple sketchbooks if you’d like to see them.”
“Yes, I would. You’re willing to show them to me now?”
“You’re paying me to. I don’t see why I can’t share them.”
Kurt nodded. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. She wasn’t keeping him out. It was a small victory.
Chapter Two
“You really did well for yourself,” Kim said, looking up at the high ceiling in the country house. The place was huge. Too big for a single guy, yet this was Kurt’s home. She couldn’t believe it, not really.
“Thank you. I like to think so.”
“And now you’re taking some time out?”
“Consider it a much needed break for the future.”
“You’ve got future plans?” she asked.
“Always. Life is about living, and I intend to live it to the fullest, don’t you?”
She turned toward him to find him leaning against one of the doorways leading to other parts of the house. “I don’t know. I’ve always been more focused on the now, rather than the then, or whatever they say for the future, if that makes sense.”
“It does. You’re not really living. You worked for Mr. Coal, and you took a job as a waitress. Why?”
“I had to make ends meet.”
“Again, you’re all about independence and stubbornness. It’s a good quality most of the time.”
Kim smiled. “You don’t sound like you believe that.”
“I don’t know. The world is made up of favors, friends, help. You wouldn’t ask anyone for any help. I find that a little sad.”
“I wanted to make it on my own.”
“You will. The problem is, sometimes you just need one person to put you in touch with the other. It’s how it all starts. Think about it; movie stars, billionaires: it’s not just about what you know, it’s who you know. Also, you never used your last name, James, why?”
“How did you know about that?” she asked. Kurt was confusing her at every point. She didn’t know which way was up or down.