Worth Saving(34)

“Maybe.”

“Well, I’m impressed. This is gorgeous.”

“Well, there’s only so much I can do with a brush, it’s the muse that makes it beautiful.”

“Austin,” I reply, but I can’t come up with anything after that. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. I just like seeing that smile on your face. That says enough for me. I’m good.”

“That, I have to admit, is true. You’re definitely good,” I answer, as Austin and I stare at each other, neither of us wanting to be the one to break the connection.

“Umm,” I begin, as my heart starts to pick up speed and I feel hot, but Austin cuts me off.

“I know you’ve got some trust issues, and from what I heard tonight, they’re totally and completely justified. But, I’ve got to be honest with you, Layla. I could’ve painted this portrait from memory. Since we met, I’ve thought about your face a lot, and that’s weird to me, but I kind of like it, too. I know we’re just getting to know each other and becoming BFFs, but I really look forward to getting to know you more. And, the more I sit here and look at you, the more I feel the need to apologize, because I kind of feel like I need to do this.”

“What? Apologize? For what?”

“For this.”

Austin takes three steps towards me and slowly puts his hand on my face. His palm is rugged and strong, yet he rubs my cheek so gently. I close my eyes and lean into his hand, enjoying his touch and embracing his affection. It feels out of place for me. This is something I don’t do, and up until tonight, I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it with Austin either. Everything in my life involving men has been a disaster, and I don’t want to leave myself open for any more pain. But, I feel like he wants me. Not in the way other men want me, though. Other men lust after me, but Austin wants me. There’s a huge difference between the two. The only problem is that I’m terrified of what will happen if I give myself to him.

“Austin, I don’t know if it’s a good idea,” I start, but he shuts me up by gently touching his lips to mine.

The world disappears. The room, the people, the teacher—they’re all gone. There’s nothing left but the softness of his lips and the masculine scent of his cologne—the touch of his skin and the rapid rhythm of my heartbeat. I close my eyes and let my body go into cruise control. I instinctively reach up and grab ahold of his shirt, pulling his body closer to mine. Our chests come together and I could swear our hearts start to beat in unison as we passionately kiss right in front of everyone. Neither of us could care less about the eyes on us, because right now we’re all that exists in the world. I’m flying as high as a kite, but my feet are still planted on the tile floor. Austin’s tongue glides over mine and makes me yearn for him, and I want nothing more than to get out of here.

Suddenly, I hear the sound of Danielle clearing her throat, and that breaks us from the trance.

“Okay. Well, I’d like to thank you all for coming,” Danielle says, her cheeks red, probably from the embarrassment of having people make out in her class. “Feel free to come back tomorrow night for the advanced class if you’re feeling up for a tougher challenge, and a little more hands-on teaching. Just come see me for sign-up. Thanks very much.”

Everyone in the class starts packing up their paintings and heading for the doors. As they leave, I look up at Austin. He’s still staring at me, paying attention to nothing but me.

“You want me to take you home?” he asks, but I know he already knows I don’t.

“No.”

“Where do you want to go now?”

“Can you just take me somewhere quiet? Do you live close by?”

“I do.”

“Okay. Do you mind if we go to your place? Would that be okay with you?”

Austin doesn’t answer, he just grabs me by the hand and leads me out the building. We speed walk down the sidewalk until we reach a small parking lot where his car is parked. The next thing I know, we’re driving down the highway in silence.

I don’t know what’s going through his head right now, but there are too many thoughts in my head to hold on to just one. But, no matter what I’m thinking, I can’t ignore the thought that keeps holding me back. I’m a twenty-one year old, high-dollar prostitute who’s forced to sleep with men I don’t want to by my violent and abusive boss, Damien Baxter. Damien is like a shadowy figure standing in the background of all of my pictures, making them all look dark and terrifying. Which brings me back to the question I was asking myself before I even left the house; what the f*ck am I doing? I know I’m not ready for this, but I’m starting to think I want it, which is probably the thing that scares me most of all.

I knew we were getting close when Austin turned his car into the residential area. I ignored the gorgeous houses and stayed in my head, thinking about what it is I’m doing, but I can’t ignore anything now, because we’ve pulled into the garage of a beautiful home. Austin puts the car in park and we both get out. I follow him inside as he flips switches to turn on lights that guide us into the living room. Once he turns on a lamp, I see that he isn’t your typical guy. Part of me was expecting there to be clothes and used condoms all over the floor, and stacks of Hustler magazine strewn across the couch. The guys I’ve encountered in my life have obviously lowered my expectations for the male sex.