Chapter 10: Natural

"Annie, you're killing me," I complained as I sat still, watching her sketch me. She frowned at me.

"Maybe I will," she murmured, smiling. I smirked at her.

"You'd kill me?" I asked, pretending to be shocked. She glanced at me.

"I will if you don't be still. Look natural," she said.

I grinned and crossed my arms over my chest, rolling my eyes and sticking my tongue out at her. I chuckled slightly when her hands went to her hips.

"Bart! I'm being serious," she stated. I laughed.

"I'm being natural," I insisted. She frowned at me and then shrugged as she began to pack up her supplies.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Well, if you won't be serious about this, I'll go find some other cute guy out on the beach and paint him," she said with a shrug. I sat up.

"You wouldn't."

"I wonder if any of them would be interested in doing a nude portrait?" she wondered aloud. My jaw dropped and then I smirked.

"Wait a minute. I know what you're trying to do. You're trying to make me jealous!" I exclaimed.

"No, I'm not. I was trying to make you insanely jealous," she said. I made myself comfortable in the chair I was sitting in.

"It worked. If you ever do a nude portrait, it better damn well be me," I said with a devilish smile. Annie laughed even as her cheeks filled with blood.

"If I ever need a nude portrait, I'll put you first on the list," she teased. I smiled.

"Go on, woman. I don't want to sit here all day. This is me, natural," I said, screwing my face up so I looked cold and indifferent.

"Is it really?" she asked. My eyes met with hers.

"Usually."

"I don't believe you. You haven't been like that here," she said.

"I don't have the pleasure of having you in my presence when I'm at home. You make me like this, Annie. You make me want to open up. You make me want to be …. A kid again."

She smiled and walked over to me. She sat down on my lap without taking her eyes off me. She then leaned towards me and sweetly claimed my lips with hers. Kissing her was so wonderful. One kiss could send my heart pounding and my head spinning. She pulled away and smiled.

"Hold that look, Bart. Pretend I'm kissing you," she murmured, leaning forward to kiss me again before she stood up and went back to her easel. I kept my eyes open and tried to do as she suggested.

I kept the expression up as long as I could.

"Okay, I'm finished with the sketch. That's enough for today," she announced.

"Good. I'm tried of keeping this stupid expression on my face," I stated as I stood, stretching.

"It isn't stupid," Annie said. I looked at her and smiled.

"I'm glad you think so," I said as she walked over to me.

"Please, come have lunch with me, Mr. Foxworth," she said. My smile widened.

"Only on one condition, Miss Tatterton."

"And that would be?" she asked, looking up into my eyes anxiously as I smiled.

"Kiss me."