Lover's Muse (The Art Models Club) (6 page)

Amber flew through the living room and then ducked into the guest room. She was laughing when she entered, intent on hiding in the closet. But when she opened the closet door, she simply stood there stunned.

Hunter followed, still laughing, until he saw her face. “I didn't know where you wanted everything so I'd be happy to move . . .”

Amber turned and punched his gut. His eyes widened but he stopped talking.

“Did you skip class to do this?” she asked, daring him to lie to her.

“No,” he said, shaking his head adamantly. “I don't skip class.”

“I didn't think so.” She stared at him. “So, when exactly did I become a foregone conclusion?”

“What?” He had the nerve to look confused.

“I don't remember agreeing to stay here until this morning after art class. So I'm kind of confused as to when you had time to bring my stuff over.” Amber watched Hunter squirm. “So I just want to know, for the record, when exactly you did your good deed.”

“Good deed?” A look of guilt had been replaced with anger. “Yes, I moved your stuff out last night while you were asleep because I didn't see how in the world you could stay there without any money to pay your rent. And, further, yes, I did talk to your landlord who told me that you were already late with this month's rent and that he was already planning to evict you since you had given him nothing but promises since the rent was due.”

By this time Hunter was seething. His hands were clenched and the veins in his neck were bulging. “Excuse the hell out of me for being a decent human being and helping out someone who I thought was a friend.”

“I'm not a charity case!” Amber screamed at him. “I would have paid the rent. I had enough to make it through this month.” She knew she was being crazy but all she could think about was his help being like welfare.

“But what about the month after that? Dammit, can't you see how much trouble you're in? You passed out from sheer hunger twice! What the hell would you have done if I hadn't shown up in your apartment yesterday?” He gestured at her things in he room with a shaking hand. “So I guess I'm a total jerk for trying to give you something positive in your life for a change.” Chest heaving, he turned and stormed from the room. “I can't even deal with you right now.”

Moments later, she heard the door slam and feet pounding down the stairs. She ran to the living room and peeked out. He was running down the driveway. She was still so angry herself that she wanted to punish him for simply leaving in the middle of a fight. She struggled with the window and finally heaved it open. Pressing her head against the screen, she shouted at his retreating figure.

“Damn you, Hunter Webb!”

If he heard her he didn't show it.

Once she couldn't see him, all the anger drained out of her. She felt exhausted and numb. She frankly didn't know what to think anymore.

“Is it safe for me to come out?”

Turning, Amber saw Caleb peering out of his room.

She nodded numbly. “I'm sorry. You shouldn't have had to hear all of that.”

Caleb entered the kitchen, tossed his soda can in the recycling container, and pulled another drink from the fridge. “One for you?” he asked and she nodded.

Caleb sat down and tapped his hands nervously on the table. “So, I wasn't trying to eavesdrop but it was hard not to hear what you guys were screaming to each other.”

“I just don't get how he did everything without asking me first,” she said. “Who does something like that? I mean, I know he has the money but he just met me.”

Caleb sat silent for a few moments. Then he looked up earnestly. “Look, maybe it isn't my place to tell you stuff but you should understand something about Hunter.”

“I hope you aren't going to make excuses for him.” Amber sat down across from him and popped her soda open.

Caleb shook his head. “He should have told you about bringing your stuff over. I get that. But you have to understand that, with the exception of our moms and the cleaning lady, you are the first girl to ever come into this apartment.” He paused and waited for that to sink in.

“You have a cleaning lady?” Amber asked, incredulous. “What college student has a cleaning lady?”

Caleb slapped his forehead. “Focus, here, Amber. We're talking about you being the first female Hunter Webb has ever brought to this apartment.”

Amber's mouth gaped open. “But he's a junior, right? You mean he's never had a girlfriend here?”

Caleb laughed harshly. “Girlfriend? Are you kidding me? I'm talking about any girl.”

Amber bit her lip. “Are you sure he isn't, um . . .” She couldn't finish the thought.

“Gay?” Caleb grinned. “No, I can assure you that he is not gay. In high school he dated quite a bit but sooner or later the girls always seemed to be more interested in his money than him.” He sighed.  “So when we came to college he vowed he wouldn't date anyone. He fills his time with his art and with the TA job. The job has been great for him. He works hard and genuinely likes helping people.”

Amber cringed, remembering her comment about his “stupid little student job.” No wonder he had been so hurt. She had attacked his one source of pride.

“But I have nothing!” she moaned, putting her head on the table. “I don't want him to ever think that I'm after his money.”

Caleb put a hand on her shoulder. “Look, Amber, I grew up knowing Hunter since Kindergarten. I was the little kid from the wrong side of the tracks and he was the rich kid. But he never thought of himself that way. He has always been there for me and even beat up a few kids in middle school who tried to trash my name.”

Amber looked up with shame. “Caleb, I'm so sorry. I just assumed that you were rich like him.”

Caleb laughed suddenly. “I'm rich with good looks and intelligence. Or at least that's what I try to tell the ladies.”

Amber grinned and then bit her lip. “So, it's none of my business but . . .”

Caleb smiled. “It's okay. It was hard for me to accept living here for free and having his parents pay for my tuition. But what helped was when his mom told me how much Hunter needed to have real friends who supported him.”

Amber swallowed hard at that. Hunter had said that he thought that she was a real friend. She had no idea just how much that meant to him. She realized with a pang that she had judged him just as much as some people had judged her in the past. While he had kindly ignored her past, she had shoved his face in his.

Caleb took a drink and then played with the can. “His mom helped me see that even with all his money, Hunter has gaps in his life. He has always had to wonder if people he meets see him as anything but dollar signs.”

“I've royally screwed up,” Amber moaned. “He must think I'm a total bitch.”

“Hey, don't let him totally off the hook,” Caleb warned. “You have a right to be mad at him. I just don't want you to leave.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I think he really likes you. Even with all his ranting and raving, this is the first time in such a long time that I've seen him genuinely excited about a girl. He laughed suddenly. “Hell, I nearly had a heart attack when I saw him carrying you in here for the first time.”

Suddenly Amber heard footsteps coming up the steps and Caleb bolted from the table. “I was never here!” he whispered dramatically and disappeared into his room.

Amber tossed his empty soda can in the recycling bin and grabbed her backpack. She was lifting out her sketchbook when Hunter entered, breathing heavily and dripping sweat.

“I'm sorry I lost my temper like that,” he said softly, standing still by the door.

“Me too,” Amber said. “Maybe we should talk after you get a shower.” She smiled. “I can smell you from over here.”

“What? You don't like a hot, steamy man?” he asked, smiling cautiously in return as he removed his sneakers and padded into his room in his sock feet.

Amber placed her sketchbook on the table. With all the commotion, she needed to calm her nerves. She remembered that she was way behind with her homework sketches. Grabbing a charcoal pencil she started sketching her hand, remembering that was just one of the assigned sketches.

A few minutes later she heard the water going through the pipes as Hunter took his shower.

Caleb must have heard the pipes as well because he peeked out of his room. “Everything okay?”

“I think so,” Amber said. “We're going to talk when he finishes showering.

“Well, I'm getting hungry so I'm ordering dinner now.” He grinned. “Just in case you two start another war, I'll at least have food rations while I'm hiding out in my room.”

Amber laughed. “I'm not planning on anymore yelling today. I think you'll survive.”

“Safety first,” Caleb said with a chuckle, picking up his cell phone to place the order. He handed her the takeout menu. “Let me know what you want. Hunter gets the same dish every time.”

When Hunter came out, freshly showered and dressed in simple jeans and tee shirt, Amber didn't know how to act. She sniffed the air theatrically. “Ah, now that's an improvement!”

Hunter came over and put his head on her shoulder. “I was so scared that you would be gone when I got back,” he said, his voice trembling.

Amber gently lifted his head. Those beautiful green eyes were teary. “Close your eyes,” she whispered. When he did, she gently kissed each eyelid. “I'm sorry I reacted like a lunatic.”

Hunter smiled. “You might be a lunatic, but your my gorgeous lunatic,” he said.

Suddenly, Hunter's cell phone beeped.

“What now?” Amber asked, exasperated as Hunter quickly turned off the alarm.

Hunter laughed. “Just a reminder to order dinner.”

Amber smiled. “Caleb ordered a little while ago while you were showering. He said you always eat the same thing.”

“One day I might surprise him,” Hunter said, nuzzling her shoulder.

“Doubtful,” Caleb said, causing both Amber and Hunter to jump. “Also, per your rules, Hunter, there shall be no making out in common areas of the house.” He grinned. “And that's a direct quote from lover boy there.”

Amber blushed but Hunter simply laughed. “We weren't making out.”

“Yet,” countered Caleb. “But I'm going to be nice at this momentous occasion and take your Range Rover and go see a movie. Right after we eat, that is. If you two can keep your hands to yourself that long.”

“A date?” Hunter asked. “The girl from the other night or is there a new girl in your life?”

Caleb clutched his chest. “Careful, Hunter, I don't want Amber to get the wrong image of me. I can't help it if the ladies find me irresistible.”

Hunter simply laughed and tossed Caleb the keys. “Just remember to make it home in time for class tomorrow.”

“As though I could forget with that damn alarm you set on my phone,” Caleb muttered, but he was smiling.

True to his word, Caleb left as soon as the Chinese takeout had arrived and all three had eaten. As soon as he was gone, Hunter was suddenly all business. 

“How much homework have you done for Art Class?” he asked.

“Homework? Now?” Amber was incredulous.

“I'm serious, Amber. Ben checks homework on Thursdays. He's fanatic about it being completed on time.”

“Then I'm in trouble,” Amber sighed. “Because all I've managed so far are some sketches of my hand.”

“Then let's get going,” Hunter announced cheerfully. “I'll be your model.”

Amber followed Hunter into his room with a pounding heart. Surely he was just going to be posing with his clothes on. So why was she sweating and blushing?

Hunter's bare feet padded across the dark wooden floor. For the first time, Amber noticed paint flecks spattered across the broad wood planks. Well, that explained the lack of carpet in his room.

Hunter stopped in front of an easel and clipped on a blank sheet of drawing paper. From a nearby workbench she hadn't noticed before, he opened a drawer and pulled out a box of charcoal pencils. He walked over to a closet and pulled out a large skeleton that hung from a pole.

“Mr. Bones?” Amber said, with a giggle.

“What? Oh, no. This is his cousin, Bob,” Hunter said, trying to frown but not quite succeeding. “I can't believe you would mix them up. You've probably hurt his feelings.”

“My apologies, Bob,” Amber said, trying to keep a straight face. “You're much more handsome than Mr. Bones.”

Hunter unhooked Bob from the pole and placed him on the floor.

Amber watched, amused, as Hunter pulled over some cushions and small boxes  and began to drape Bob over them. When he finished, Bob was posing like any other model with two knees sticking up, his skull tilted to the side and arms flung behind his head.

Hunter stepped back, eyed his work, and then approached Bob to make some minor adjustments. When he was finished, he looked back at Amber and winked. “Bob and I have a special relationship,” he said, grinning.

“I see that,” Amber said. “I certainly hope Bob isn't jealous of me,” she added cheekily.

Hunter paused and she watched his eyes light up. “You know, Bob's been wanting to get out into the world and see more things,” he said carefully. “If the right opportunity came up, I think he'd love to take up residence at college. Pal around with his cousin, you know?”

“Sometimes moving out of your comfort zone is a good thing,” Amber said, aware that she was suddenly referring to herself.

Hunter grinned and then turned to the easel, suddenly all business. “Okay, so I want to have a little lesson on proportions with the assistance of Bob. Watch as I use simple shapes to get started. As he spoke he quickly sketched a series of triangles, circles, and rectangles on the page.”

Amber stood close as he held up his pencil at several intervals and then made small markers on the page. Once he was done, he drew thicker lines to make the shapes flow together into the human form. He wasn't drawing the skeleton, but rather an imagined human form.

When Hunter was done, he removed his own drawing. He helped Amber clip her own sketchbook into place and then went back to the workbench to get a timer. “Sketch for ten minutes. I'll let you know when time is up.”

Mimicking his instruction, Amber concentrated on getting shapes drawn in appropriate proportion. A couple of times, Hunter stepped up with a comment or suggestion, but for the most part he allowed her to work in silence. When he called time, he had her switch easels so that she could work from another angle. Finally, he called time again.

“Much better,” he said with approval. “You learn quickly.”

“Thanks,” Amber said shyly. “You are really a good teacher. You know I've been meaning to apologize for what I said about your job,” she added hesitantly. “I was just angry and I didn't mean it.”

“Apology accepted,” Hunter said. He had a wicked look in his eyes. “Now, keep your mind on your art. Bob's a good model, but let's face it, he can be a little stiff.”

“Oh,” Amber said, feeling herself flush.

She watched as Hunter quickly removed his shirt, revealing his lean chest and taut stomach. He threw the shirt carelessly over his head. Then he casually unbuttoned his jeans, unzipped them and pulled them down with one fluid motion. He stepped out of them and kicked them to the side. His white briefs molded to his body and she realized she was staring. She struggled to pull her gaze back to his face. He paused for a moment and Amber realized that he was muttering something beneath his breath. It took her a few moments to discover he was reciting the multiplication tables. She started for a minute and then swallowed hard. Oh, he was probably trying not to get an erection.

Hmm . . .She hadn't considered that before. Obviously, a male model would have to try to keep sex out of his thoughts in order to pose in front of a large group of people. As Hunter finally yanked down his briefs she saw he was successful, for the moment at least. For his first pose, he simply held both hands out to the side.

Biting her lip, Amber started to draw before her thoughts got away from her. She started with an inverted triangle to capture his wide shoulders and narrow hips. After a few seconds she felt herself relax as she focused on his body simply as a form. He called time and then switched his pose. Finally, he called time and stooped to grab his briefs.

Amber stepped back to look at her work. She thought she had done a good job but she was anxious to see what Hunter thought. When she glanced back at him, he was wearing jeans again and  approaching her with a small grin.

But when he looked at the drawing he was professional once more, making suggestions in his serious instructor's voice.

“It would be a lot easier to pay attention if you had your shirt on,” Amber said at last, unable to concentrate with his bare chest inches away.

Hunter reached up and cupped her face. “Was I really the first nude model you've ever seen?” he asked, his eyes intense.

Amber flushed. “I knew you were eavesdropping!”

“Don't get mad, Baby,” Hunter implored. He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the forehead. “You know, you're the first girl I've ever had in this room. And Bob is a reliable model, but I would love to have a real model to work with for a change.”

Amber swallowed. “I've never . . .um . . .modeled before,” she blurted.

“You don't have to do it,” Hunter said immediately. “Seriously, I don't want you to ever think that I . . .”

Amber cut him off by putting her finger on his lips. “It's okay,” she whispered. “I want to model for you.”

Now Hunter was the one suddenly flushing. “Hold on a second,” he said, “let's do this the right way.” He began pushing her towards his bedroom door. “Go and change into the robe from your bathroom and meet me by my bedroom door.”

In just a few short moment, she heard Hunter firmly shutting the door behind her, leaving her standing there, heart racing.

Amber stood still, amazed that she wanted to do this. She was nervous but excited at the same time. Then, taking a deep breath she walked slowly to her room, glad that Caleb was gone for the evening. In the bathroom, she slowly peeled off her shirt, staring at herself standing there in her jeans and bra. Then she slid out of her jeans and critiqued herself. She had always been slender but now she was surprised to see she was showing way too much bone. No wonder Hunter had been so adamant about feeding her. For the first time she allowed herself to think about how dangerous she had let things get.

But now wasn't the time to dwell on that. She eased off first her panties and then her bra, making herself stand up straight. Swallowing hard, she practiced a few poses. With all the weight she had loss, she seemed like a bunch of hard edges. Reaching up, she unfastened her hair and let it fall onto her shoulders. There, that was a bit better. At the very least, her soft waves provided a nice contrast. Okay, I can do this, she told herself firmly. With one last glance in the mirror, she pulled on the bathrobe, yanked the belt tightly and headed for Hunter's room.