"So, I met this new girl." Danny's husky voice breaks through Charlie's reverie, and she looks across the table at her brother. They've been meeting here at this diner, every Tuesday night since she'd moved into her own apartment six months ago. The siblings have always been close, and this weekly date is something they both look forward to.
"Do tell." She says with a smile.
"Her name is Gina. She's a waitress right now, but she really wants to be an actress…" Danny continues to tell his sister about the new girl in his life, but Charlie can't focus. Her mind is wandering again. She can't stop thinking about Bass Monroe.
Finally Danny notices she's not paying attention and snaps his fingers in front of her nose, "Earth to Charlie. You're acting weird. What's going on with you?'
Charlie sighs, "It's nothing." But she still remembers Bass' closeness as he leaned in to kiss her. She still remembers the way her stomach fluttered with anticipation. She still remembers the disappointment when Nora interrupted. Afterward, the spell had been broken and he hadn't made another move. She and Bass had worked in companionable silence for the rest of the day.
Danny leans back, and crosses his arms, "Seriously? You're going to lie to me? To ME?" he laughs, "You know I can read you like a book. What's going on?"
She sighs, "It really is nothing. I think I'm developing a bit of a crush on this guy at my new job. That's all." She looks down, not wanting to meet his gaze.
Now Danny leans forward, a grin on his face. "A new guy? There's a guy? Finally!"
Charlie glowers at him, "I said it's a crush Danny. Nothing is going to happen. Nothing ever happens."
"Then why are you blushing?"
Danny knows her too well. "I am not blushing. I don't blush."
He raises an eyebrow, and then shrugs. "Fine you aren't blushing. Tell me about this guy who nothing will ever happen with but who has you so distracted, you haven't yet noticed the waitress forgot to bring you a drink."
Charlie looks down again. Sure enough, the Coke she ordered is nowhere to be seen. She closes her eyes, and then spills. "He's this artist. He's older. Very good looking. A total flirt – or at least he was at first - and basically he's going to be my boss for the rest of the summer… so like I said, nothing is going to happen."
"How much older?" Danny asks, taking a big bite from his bacon cheeseburger.
"Twenty years or so." She mumbles, hoping he won't freak.
Danny chokes on his food and stares at her, wide eyed. "Twenty years older than you? Shit Charlie, you're falling for a damn senior citizen!"
Charlie shoots daggers at her brother. "He's older. He's not OLD, and I didn't say I'm falling for him." Her voice trails off as she remembers the way his tee shirt had clung to muscle and the way his jeans had hugged his perfect ass. "And I wouldn't call him a senior citizen. He's the same age as Uncle Miles." Her voice trails off. She's thinking about Bass Monroe and how being near him makes her feel more aware – more alive than she's felt in a long time, maybe ever. She sighs a little.
Danny is laughing again, "Wow Charlie, you've got it bad. So what do you call an old dude who's chasing young girls? Is he a cougar or is that just for old chicks?"
"I never said he is chasing me." She frowns, "and again, he's NOT an old dude Danny. Geesh."
"You are young and smoking hot. Clearly he's going to be chasing you, unless he's gay. You're not crushing on an old gay dude are you; because I don't think even you are cute enough to make that work." Danny's eyes sparkle with mischief. He loves giving his sister a hard time.
"I don't know why I talk to you about this stuff." She grumbles, throwing a French fry at his head.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bass wakes up earlier than usual and finds that he has slept surprisingly well in spite of the varied and vivid dreams he'd had of his new assistant. After getting dressed, he decides to do his own coffee run instead of waiting for Charlie to do it for him. With that goal in mind, he walks to a nearby Starbucks. The air is fresh and there is a warm breeze. He knows it won't be long till the sun begins to pound, so he thinks this will be a perfect time to take a walk and enjoy his coffee while taking in some of the sights. His walk takes him down Michigan Avenue, and that is why he just happens to be approaching the Art Institute when the bus pulls up. If he'd been looking in the other direction, he would have missed her completely but as luck would have it he sees Charlie as she gets off the bus.
She's wearing white pants today with an orange top and strappy sandals. She looks well rested and happy as she jogs up the steps to the museum entrance. On a whim, Bass gulps down the last bit of his coffee, chucks the empty cup in a nearby trash can and follows her inside without alerting her to his presence. He notes that she is clearly a regular visitor. She calls out to two different guards by name, and although she flashes a pass, the gal working the desk doesn't even glance at it. Instead she asks Charlie how she's been. Charlie is nice to the girl, but doesn't waste a lot of time on small talk. Instead she walks purposefully into the museum's main hall. Bass has to take a few minutes to pay admission since he is not a season pass holder. By the time he gets past the front desk, Charlie is nowhere to be seen.
An elderly guard wanders over. "May I help you?"
Bass shakes his head, frustrated. This was stupid. Why did he follow her? Clearly she's not going to be easy to catch. "No. I think I made a mistake." Bass turns back toward the door.
"She's with Mariée." The old man says quietly.
"What?" Bass asks as some of the frustration falls away – replaced by curiosity. He turns to the old guard and notes the friendly smile and twinkling eyes.
"Charlie. That's who you're looking for, right?" the old man nods, as if he doesn't actually need an answer to his question. "I saw you following her in here."
"Yeah, I was hoping to catch her. You said she's with Mariée?"
"Chagall's piece is here on loan from a private collector. It will be heading back to Japan at the end of the month, so she comes in here just about every day to see it. She's an interesting girl, our Charlie." The old man eyes Bass. "You aren't a pervert or stalker are you, because I'm old but I'd still whoop your ass if you mess with her." He's frowning now, as if second guessing his earlier willingness to talk about Charlie to a stranger.
Bass chuckles, "I assure you I am neither a pervert nor a stalker. Charlie just started working for me and I saw her come in. I thought maybe I'd catch up with her and talk for a minute."
The old man nods, "Well, I'm Joe. I've known Charlie since she was knee high to a grasshopper. She used to come in here with her Mom every weekend. Never saw a kid who loved art as much as she did." He starts walking. "Come with me. I'll take you to her."
Bass hesitates but falls into step next to Joe. "I'm Bass, by the way." He says to the older man. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise Bass." Joe looks him up and down as if sizing him up. "What branch of the military were you in?" he asks suddenly.
Bass is surprised by the change in subject but smiles, "Marines." He says. "You?"
"Air force. Was shot down in Viet Nam. Spent two years as a Prisoner of War." Joe's eyes go distant, but then he shakes his head. "You ever see battle?"
Bass nods. "Two tours in Iraq. Two in Afghanistan. Saw my fair share." They walk in silence for a few minutes, and then they round a corner and there she is. Joe holds out a hand and stops Bass. "Maybe don't bother her just now. Sometimes she doesn't mind company. Sometimes she just wants to be left alone with the art."
Bass follows Joe's gaze and sees for himself what the older man means. The carefree Charlie from moments before now looks very sad as she stares up at the colorful painting. God she is beautiful. Watching her, he can't help but admire the long lines of her body. He wants to study her, to paint her, to mold her in clay.
Her expression is haunted, and Bass wonders why this piece speaks to her more than the others do. The two men just stand there and watch her for a minute in silence. Bass suddenly feels like an intruder. He doesn't want her to see him here and decides he should leave since he needs to get back to the studio anyway. "Thanks Joe for helping me find her, but I think I'll leave," he speaks softly to the older man, "Don't tell her I was here. Okay?"
Joe nods at Bass and then thoughtfully watches him go.
As Bass walks the blocks that separate the museum and the gallery, he thinks again about the almost kiss from the day before. He can't deny he's attracted to Charlie, and now after seeing her in the museum he finds he's more intrigued by her than before.
Yesterday, after the kiss that almost was – Bass had decided to take a step back. Charlie is beautiful and interesting and he is very attracted to her, but he fears he's let his attraction to her get out of hand already. Clearly things were moving faster than they should, which was the big reason he'd decided to tap the brakes. Charlie seems like a nice girl. Bass doesn't want to hurt her. He doesn't know her well, but he can tell she deserves more than a meaningless fuck. The problem is that Bass isn't sure he wants more than that right now, so that's another reason he's pulling back. He has to remember she is Miles' niece. She can't be treated like some random girl he meets in a bar. Bass frowns. Why does everything have to be so damn complicated?
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
He gets to the studio and the model is already there. He's never used this one before, but she's tall and slender. He thinks she'll be a good subject. She sits on the couch with a magazine while he prepares his supplies. Charlie comes in not long after, her face showing none of the sadness he'd witnessed at the museum.
"Why don't you pose her for me?" Bass says to Charlie once she gets settled.
"Really?" She looks both nervous and excited.
He shrugs as if this is no big deal. "Sure. Show me what you got."
Charlie meets his gaze and nods once. Challenge accepted. She walks to the model and asks the girl to stand. Charlie looks her up and down before instructing her to lose the robe and lie back on the red couch. Charlie guides the girl into the pose she has in mind: the arm closest to Bass is folded up so that her head rests on that hand. The other hand is placed on the thigh farthest from Bass. The leg closest to him is bent slightly at the knee. The girl has shoulder length hair and Charlie splays it out before tilting her face in Bass' direction. The resulting pose is very sexy, very evocative – somehow a little sad.
Bass nods to Charlie, pleased. "I like it." He says with a little smile, getting to work.
He is quickly immersed in the canvas, and doesn't say much till it's time to break for lunch. The model leaves. Charlie appears with a bottle of water and a bag of food. He's surprised to see she's gone to his favorite deli and brought him lunch. "You brought me food." he says with a smile.
"Nora told me where you like to eat. Hope you don't mind. I wasn't sure what you liked, so I just picked my favorites. Figured if you hate it, I'll eat it myself."
He grins around a mouthful of turkey on rye. "This is good. You might just go hungry."
She shrugs. "I'll find some lunch later once you are painting again." Walking up behind him to admire his work, she says, "This really is going to be good."
He nods, taking another bite of his sandwich. "Yeah, it was a great pose Charlie. You have an eye for this." He studies her while he eats. "You said you don't paint though?" He doesn't know why exactly, but he still wonders if she's being honest about her own abilities.
Charlie shakes her head, "I tried but I wasn't very good."
Bass takes a drink of his water, watching her closely. Suddenly he wants more than anything to kiss her long neck… to suck on her ear lobe… to taste her lips…. His voice goes a little deeper at the thought when he says, "I meant it when I said I could give you lessons." He notes the suspicious look she gives him. "Painting lessons." He clarifies with a chuckle, but of course the things he wants to show her have nothing to do with art.
She shakes her head. "I don't think so, but thanks."
"Just let me know if you change your mind."
Charlie looks over and their eyes meet. A girl could get lost in those blue eyes. She's not sure what is happening here. She is very interested, but not in painting lessons. It seems one sided now though. At first he had been a complete flirt, but now she's getting mixed signals. Oh well. It's not the first time she read a guy wrong.
"I'll think about it." She says quietly. The model has returned, and is getting back into the pose Charlie had first put her in.
Bass can't focus on the painting now. He wants to get back to work, but his eyes keep wandering to Charlie. She's reorganizing his supply shelves and he can't seem to tear his gaze from her form. Every time she reaches for the top shelf, her shirt hitches up, showing off a swatch of tight tan skin. His mind is full of thoughts he's been trying to set aside. He wants to touch every inch of her. He wants to know her taste. He wants to cup her ass and pull her close and he wants to kiss her until she can't think straight. He wants Charlie. He wants her even though he knows it's probably a terrible idea.
Damnit, he wants her, but he needs to paint.
Recognizing that he's not going to make more progress today; he decides to quit early and asks the model to return in the morning. She agrees. Charlie starts cleaning up the work space, while Bass washes brushes out in the big industrial sink. Much like the day before, they each work in silence, but it's a strangely comfortable silence – right up until Charlie stomps her foot loudly. Bass turns to see what's happened.
"Shit!" Charlie says, clearly irritated.
"What's wrong?" Bass walks over to where she's putting things away and when she turns around; he sees what has her aggravated. Blue paint has spilled from a tube and a big glob of it is now smeared all over Charlie's white pants.
"Shit." She says again – softer this time, looking hopelessly down at the stain.
Bass reaches behind her and grabs some shop towels, his muscled bicep brushing against her back. "Let me help you," he says softly. He's standing very close to her now. Kneeling, he carefully begins dabbing at the blue smudge on her pants. His fingers are so close to the apex of her thighs; he finds himself fighting brutal temptation. The images that flash through his head come uninvited but are unstoppable. Charlie naked and open waiting for him to lick and suck at her clit…. Charlie crying out as he pushes into her over and over….. Charlie squirming under his fingers as he strokes her to completion
She watches him as he tries to remove most of the paint. He is focused, but she can feel tension rolling off of him. His eyes rise to hers and they are so blue and so deep and she thinks she'll die if he looks away. Desire builds in her belly and suddenly she is wet.
He stands facing her. They are so close that the air between them crackles.
Charlie's breath catches as his gaze drops to her lips. She wants him to kiss her, but instead he steps back, watching her for a moment – breaking the spell. His expression is hard to read. "They're probably ruined. Sorry."
Frustrated, she starts to leave but he stops her, "Hey Charlie?"
"Yeah." She glances back.
"As long as we aren't working downstairs in the gallery, you don't have to dress up. I mean, you always look great but you don't have to dress like you would if you were the receptionist." His eyes sweep her up and down and her pulse jumps. He's staring at her and she suddenly realizes maybe he is still interested – at least a little. He frowns as if realizing he's being too obvious. "It's going to be messy up here, so you should wear less. I mean less formal clothes." He pauses awkwardly. This isn't how he'd meant for this to go. "I mean, I don't want you to ruin your good clothes – or any more of them anyway. That's all."
She can't help but grin at him a little – enjoying his discomfort and the realization that she's the one causing it. "Well, I am usually more of a jeans and tee shirt kind of girl, so thanks."
"I'll tell you if we have any events that require dressing up. There will be some shows later. Nothing for a while though." He trails off, not looking at her anymore.
She nods, "Allright then. Casual days start tomorrow."
His mind flashes to Charlie wearing less or maybe nothing at all, but he doesn't say anything - just nods and waves as she goes.
She has no sooner left the space, than Bass has grabbed a large sketch pad and several sticks of charcoal. He sets the pad up on his easel and begins to draw purposefully. He's wanted to do this all afternoon, but couldn't for obvious reasons. As he starts to fill out the sketch from memory, he finds that each movement of the charcoal is surer than the last. When he finishes, the beautiful face of Charlie Matheson is staring at him from the page. Her eyes sparkle, and her lips are turned up in a sexy little smile. "Damn." He mutters. Even this rough sketch is turning him on.
He tears off the first drawing and starts in on a second - his concentration is complete.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
That night Miles is sitting in a dark blues bar, and nursing a glass of whiskey when Bass walks in. Miles waves to get his attention and then his old friend comes to the table and sits. A waitress appears instantly. Bass orders and the two old friends watch the band for a while without speaking.
"So," Miles finally asks, "How are things?"
Bass raises an eyebrow in question.
"The job?" Miles prods.
"Kind of feels like I'm starring in a reality show called 'The Women in Miles' Life' but otherwise it's all good." Bass smirks at his friend and then takes a deep drink. "Thanks though, for helping me get the job. I'm enjoying it. Nora's really good at what she does."
"You show her any of your work?"
"A bunch of it is hanging in her gallery. You know that."
"No asshole, I mean the other stuff, you know - that morbid shit. Show her any of that?"
Bass stares at his drink for a moment, watching the amber liquid thoughtfully. "Nope." His tone says to drop it, so Miles shrugs. "The naked girls then?"
Bass chuckles, "Yeah Miles, the nudes. That's what I'm known for. It's what people are willing to pay me money for." He takes another drink, and then leans back surveying the crowd. The place is picking up.
Miles sees his friend looking around and grins, "Red head at three o'clock checking you out."
Bass glances over. Sure enough a curvy woman with short auburn hair is indeed eyeing him. Bass shakes his head. "Not in the mood Miles."
Miles leans forward, eyes wide in exaggerated incredulity, "Bass Monroe not interested in a hot piece of ass? When did this happen?" He's laughing as Bass glowers at him.
"Just not looking for anyone right now. My head is somewhere else." He thinks of Charlie, because she is –without a doubt – where his head is at right now. Bass sighs.
"You seem a little distracted Bass. Let me guess: you have a new muse?"
There is something about the way Miles says this that puts Bass on high alert. "What do you mean?"
"Well, we've been sitting here for a half hour. The only time you looked at any of the women here was when I pointed out one. You didn't even notice that our waitress was pretty much rubbing her tits on your arm when she brought your drink."
"I noticed." Bass says shortly, "Just not interested."
"Because you are interested in someone else… someone that isn't here?" Miles is smirking.
"What the hell are you talking about Miles?"
Miles shrugs, "No big deal. Let's talk about something else."
"Okay." Bass agrees, relieved.
"What do you think of my niece Charlie?" Bass' eyes meet Miles and he sees this is where the conversation has been headed all along.
"She's nice." Bass says, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"No reason." Miles is grinning now, and as if struck by lightning – Bass gets it.
"You son of a bitch. You planned this." Bass is stunned.
Miles smirks, "I didn't plan anything exactly. I just saw an opportunity for two of my favorite people to meet each other. Two of my favorite people who both just happen to be single and lonely. Two of my favorite people who always seem to be looking for something without ever finding it. All I did was get you to meet. What happens after that is beyond my control."
"But she's really, really young."
"She's more mature than a lot of women our age."
"She's your family."
"So are you."
"You know how I am with women. I screw relationships up all the time."
Miles pauses then, looks at his oldest friend carefully, "Maybe it's time you stop doing that."
Bass isn't sure what to think. He feels manipulated on one hand, but strangely excited on the other. He has essentially been given Miles' blessing to pursue Charlie. Now he just has to decide what he's going to do about it.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bass doesn't sleep well. He tosses and turns, still digesting the knowledge that Miles has been playing match-maker. He finally drifts off and when he wakes up, he knows exactly what he's going to do.
Quickly Bass dresses and heads out onto the street. He makes his way to the Art Institute and goes inside. Once again he pays admission, but this time the whole experience goes more smoothly because he knows where he's going next. He's disappointed though, when he rounds the final corner. He sees the Chagall, but no Charlie. "Damnit." He mutters.
"You just missed her Bass." It's the old guard from yesterday.
"Hi Joe. How long ago did she leave?"
"Maybe five minutes? She didn't stay long today."
"Thanks." Bass nods at the older man and then starts to walk away, but Joe stops him.
"You're a little bit sweet on her, aren't ya?" Joe's eyes sparkle. "She's such a special girl. She deserves a nice guy. Are you a nice guy Bass?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Bass lies. "She works for me, and she's young enough to be my daughter…"
Joe interrupts, "But she's not, right?" Joe chuckles. "People worry too much about age. It's just a number. My Stella is nineteen years younger than me. Never was a problem for us, especially not now that they invented Viagra. That's some good stuff. You may want to remember that in twenty years or so."
"Okay," Bass laughs. He likes this old guy.
Joe shrugs, "The bottom line is happiness. Either she makes you happy or she doesn't. That's the important thing." He looks over at Bass, "Does she make you happy?"
"I guess I'm not sure yet."
"Well, you're gonna want to figure that out, Son." Then Joe says goodbye and wanders off.
Thoughtfully, Bass approaches the painting that Charlie visits every day. Mariée is beautiful, full of the color and whimsy that is typical of Marc Chagall. Never having been a huge fan of Chagall's work though, he isn't sure what it is about this piece that speaks to her. All he knows is that he wants to find out.
Bass glances at his watch and decides he's got to get back to the studio. Charlie is probably already there.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The first thing he notices when he gets to the studio is the music. Billie Holiday is singing softly, setting the mood. Charlie has brought out the canvas he'd started the day before and it is now sitting on his easel. She has his paints spread out on the table next to the easel and the model is in place – or close to it anyway.
Charlie looks different today, and Bass decides he really enjoys the casual look on her. She's wearing faded jeans that hang low on her hips and hug her curves like a second skin. She's got on a plain white tank top and she's wearing black flip flops. Her hair is up again, but overall she looks comfortable. "Hi Charlie." He smiles at her. "You've been busy."
Bass is watching her and sees the blush crawl up her cheeks as she returns his smile. She's pleased that he's pleased. The music is perfect for painting and the song is perfect for his mood.
You go to my head
You go to my head,
And you linger like a haunting refrain
And I find you spinning round in my brain
Like the bubbles in a glass of champagne.
Bass feels a tightening in his gut. Charlie is a beautiful woman, but that smile transforms her into something more. He settles behind his easel and is ready to paint. Looking up, he notices the model is not posed right. "Charlie can you remind her how the pose went?"
"Sure." Charlie walks over to the girl and moves her into position. The model starts to laugh and loses the pose again. Charlie looks at Bass and shrugs, unsure what to do. Bass' face is irritated.
"Are you high?" he asks the girl.
"So what if I am?" she replies with a chuckle.
"Get out." He frowns. She gapes at him for a moment, but when she realizes he's serious; she stomps around collecting her things like a spoiled child.
When she's gone, Bass rubs his temples – a headache coming on. "I get what I pay for, I guess."
"What will you do?" Charlie asks, concerned.
"I guess I'll just finish this from memory."
"You could get a new model."
"Not today. I use a temp agency. I have to put in a request at least forty-eight hours in advance."
"Maybe I could help?" her voice is quiet, but determined.
"How can you help?" he looks at her blankly.
She just looks at him, and realization begins to dawn for Bass. Surely she's not suggesting that she model for him? The mere thought is making him hard. He waits for her to say something, anything.
The thrill of the thought
That you might give a thought
To my plea casts a spell over me
Still I say to myself: get a hold of yourself
Can't you see that it can never be?
"Um," she looks nervous, but forges on, "I did some modeling for the life drawing classes at school. I'm not quite as tall as that girl was, but I'm close. We're about the same build…." She trails off, not meeting his gaze.
"Well," he isn't even sure what to say.
Mistaking his reaction for disinterest, Charlie frowns. "Never mind. It was a dumb idea." She turns to walk away.
"Okay." He says simply. Bass watches as her back stiffens. She looks over her shoulder at him.
"Okay?"
"No pressure of course, but if you want to pose," he swallows hard, "that would be…" His thoughts are scattered and he can't remember words, "nice." He finishes lamely.
Like a summer with a thousand Julys
You intoxicate my soul with your eyes
Though I'm certain that this heart of mine
Hasn't a ghost of a chance in this crazy romance,
You go to my head.
She nods once and then simply walks behind the privacy screen like she's been doing it every day. Bass closes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths. This is no big deal. He looks at naked women all day long. It's his goddamned job. She's just another model. It's not a big deal at all. Except that it is a big deal because he is pretty sure it's been decades since he was nervous about seeing a naked woman.
Another of Billie's songs has come on and he tries to concentrate on the lyrics instead of the fact that he's going to see Charlie naked in moments…
I'm gonna love you like nobody's loved you
Come rain or come shine
High as a mountain and deep as a river
Come rain or come shine
I guess when you met me it was just one of those things
But don't ever bet me cause I'm gonna be true if you let me
He hears her emerge from behind the privacy screen and his eyes pop open.
Charlie moves slowly to the couch, wearing the robe he always leaves for the models. She meets his gaze. His blue eyes are piercing, and hot. She feels like her nerve endings are on fire with anticipation as she lets the robe fall.
He sees determination in place of the nervousness from before. She doesn't look away as she lets the fabric pool at her feet. Bass tries to hold her eyes, but he's a man and she is most definitely a woman and he can't help himself.
You're gonna love me like nobody's loved me
Come rain or come shine
Happy together unhappy together and won't it be fine?
Days may be cloudy or sunny
We're in or we're out of the money
But I'm with you always, I'm with you rain or shine
He lets his eyes roam. Charlie is spectacular naked. She is toned and tan and lean and somehow also curvy. Damn. He wants more than anything to walk over to her and take one of her nipples between his teeth. He wants to suck at her neck and run his hands down that flat belly till he finds the heat waiting between her legs. Bass sharply inhales before speaking. His voice comes out sounding choppy, "Your hair. Let it down."
She nods, reaching up to release the knot at the back of her head. As her arms rise, her breasts shift and rise as well. They are perfect, full and round and waiting to be tasted. Bass realizes that agreeing to this was the stupidest thing he's ever done. He's not going to be able to focus, let alone paint. "Fuck." He mutters quietly as he watches her long wavy hair tumble down.
"What did you say?" she asks.
"Oh, uh can you take off the glasses too?"
"Sure." Charlie removes them and walks the few feet to a nearby table where she sits the glasses down. Her hair is longer than Bass had guessed; caressing her lower back and the upper curve of her ass with every step she takes. She returns to the couch and easily resumes the pose that the model had held the day before.
"That's good." Bass is struck by the brilliant blue of her eyes, now that he's seeing them without the glasses. He could look into those eyes forever, but he has to focus. Taking in the pose he feels something is not right.
"You probably need to arrange my hair. That's not going to be something I can really do myself since I can't see how it looks."
Bass nods slowly and then stands. He takes a few steps in her direction and his resolve to go slow with Charlie fades a little more with every step he takes. She watches him approach and he feels her gaze like electricity going down his spine. When he reaches the couch, Bass stops. He kneels next to Charlie and picks up some of her hair, arranging it around her head. He tries not to stare at her body, all naked and so very close. Instead, he keeps his eyes on her face, and notices when her lips part just a little.
Once her hair looks right, Bass stands and walks back to his easel. He sits again and just watches her for a few moments. At first he scans her curves, mentally comparing her to the girl from yesterday. Charlie is better in every conceivable way. His gaze travels up from her feet and along incredibly long legs… across her flat belly… over the beautiful curves of her breasts, and the hollow near her collar bone. He follows the line of her throat and the slope of her cheek. His eyes meet hers and the spark feels so real, he swears he can see it in the air.
Taking a deep breath, he stares at the canvas. He'd expected to get right into it, but he can't concentrate because he keeps finding his gaze locking with hers. There is promise in her blue eyes, and there is heat. He needs a distraction. Finally he speaks, "What first got you interested in art?"
Charlie is surprised. During the days she's been working with Bass, he's never spoken to his models while he works. She pauses before finally answering, her voice soft. "My Mom."
He looks at her, watching her expressions change as she thinks about her mother. He begins to paint.
"She used to take me to the Institute every Saturday. We'd walk down the halls and she'd tell me stories about the paintings."
"Stories?"
"Yeah, she'd make stuff up about the people or things in the paintings. Sometimes the stories were funny. Sometimes they were serious. It didn't matter. She showed me that art is what you make of it."
He smiles softly, "Did your Mom paint or draw? Anything like that?"
Charlie laughs a little. "No, Mom couldn't even draw a stick figure. She was a scientist who just happened to love art. I'm a lot like her that way I guess. I enjoy it more than I make it." She can see that he's concentrating on the canvas now, but he still seems open to conversation, so she asks the next question. "How about you? What got you started?"
Bass grins, "You're gonna laugh."
"No I won't. Just tell me." Charlie is curious.
"Houses of the Holy." He says simply, and then looks at her to see if she knows what he's talking about.
She looks at him blankly for a minute, and then her face lights up, "Zeppelin?" she asks, amused.
"You know Zeppelin?"
"I'm young. I'm not an idiot." She smiles. "My Dad's best friend Aaron introduced me to Zeppelin when I was just a kid."
"Sorry I assumed you wouldn't know them." Bass smirks. "Wasn't sure if Justin Bieber or One Direction weren't more your speed?"
"You think you're insulting me, but instead you are showing me that you're aware of One Direction. You just lost a lot of manly-man credits with that comment." Charlie returns his smirk.
Bass leans back and laughs heartily. "Ouch Charlie. That hurt."
"You didn't say what Zeppelin has to do with your interest in art?" she gets back to the topic at hand, a curious little smile on her face.
He shrugs. "My Dad was really into classic rock. Stones, Zeppelin, Eagles, Floyd, the Who – like that. He had a huge vinyl collection. I became obsessed with the cover art. I'd sit around for hours just staring at them. I know it's not like viewing works of the masters in a big museum, but that's where it started for me. I learned about composition and color and contrast from those covers before I ever picked up a brush." Bass glances at Charlie's face to gauge her reaction. Instead of the judgment he'd half expected; he sees interest.
"I think that's nice." She says quietly. "What happened to that vinyl collection? You said that your folks died when you were fairly young?"
He nods, "I was sixteen. Drunk driver wiped out my parents and little sisters. I made sure Dad was buried with Sticky Fingers by the Stones. That was his favorite. The rest I kept. Still have them all."
"Sticky Fingers, huh? The one with the zipper?" She grins. "Your Dad sounds like he was an interesting guy."
He nods with a small smile. She knows her music. How is it possible that he's suddenly more interested in her than before? "Yeah, Dad was pretty great." Bass' voice is huskier than usual.
"Not terribly surprising." She says, her eyes drilling into his.
"How so?" he looks up and can't pull away from her gaze.
"Well, seems to me that you are pretty great too. Had to come from somewhere." She smiles at him and it's one of those smiles that lights up the whole room. He feels something hot and thick move through his gut. She seems to get him… She knows the right things to say…. He finds that he wants more, not just her body (though he certainly wants that). He wants to know her better too. Damn.
Bass is afraid this new feeling is going to overwhelm him so he changes the subject, still painting while he talks, "Why do you go to the Art Institute every morning to see the same painting?"
Charlie gapes at him, "How do you.. Have you been following me?" she starts to sit up.
"Don't move Charlie. I'm painting your hair." He watches as she settles back into the pose.
She watches him expectantly, "Well?"
"I was out for a walk a couple days ago. It was early. I just happened to be there in front of the museum when you got off the bus and ran in."
"And you followed me?" She isn't sure if she should be flattered, annoyed or worried.
He shrugs, "Yeah I guess I did."
"So, why didn't you say anything?"
"Joe told me you weren't in the mood to talk."
"You met Joe?" she's surprised and now maybe a little amused.
"Yeah. He's a nice guy. Told me he'd kick my ass if I was mean to you. Then he told me how wonderful Viagra is and that I should make a note of that for future reference."
Charlie laughs. "Joe is a character. I love that guy."
"I can see why." He smiles.
"Wait, why were you guys talking about Viagra?"
"Joe seemed to think that I was chasing you down for a date and because of our age difference…" he trails off, a little flustered.
"Oh." For some reason Charlie doesn't believe for a minute that Bass Monroe needs help in that area. She licks her lips at the thought.
The movement doesn't go unnoticed. "Yeah, oh." He says quietly. "You never answered my question though. Why the Chagall?"
"It was the last painting my Mom and I saw together before she died." She pauses for a moment to collect her thoughts. "Mariée was on loan to the Art Institute then too, and Mom was a huge Chagall fan and she couldn't wait to take me to see it. I was eight. We sat and stared at it for so long. That night she went out of town to give a lecture at MIT. Two days later her plane crashed on the way home." Charlie takes an unsteady breath. "I know it's dumb but when I'm there with that painting; I feel like she's with me again."
"That's not dumb." Bass has stopped painting. He's just watching her now. He fights the urge to go to her and hug her tight and comfort her. He stays put. This isn't the right time or place.
"Why are you talking to me anyway?" she asks, changing the subject. "You didn't talk to those other girls who posed for you."
"I didn't know them and didn't want to know them. Most of the time when I'm using a model, I don't really think about them as people." He frowns. "That sounds mean, but it's easier to focus on shape and color if I pretend they are just a thing, like a plant or a chair."
"But sometimes you must talk to your models. I saw your portrait of Duncan Page downstairs. You guys dated right?"
He arches an eyebrow at her, amused, "Look who's been reading People Magazine." Bass shrugs. "Yeah we dated. We're still friends. I guess I probably did talk to her when she posed for me. It's been a while. I don't really remember."
Charlie doubts this is true. Duncan Page is the lead singer of the rock band War Clan and she was on last years' 50 Most Beautiful list. Charlie doubts that Bass has forgotten her at all. She's not going to push it though. "Well, thanks I guess."
"For what?"
"For thinking of me as people, and not you know – a chair." She says with a mischievous smile.
They fall into a silence. Bass begins to paint again in earnest. The music changes in the background. Nina Simone is now offering a backdrop to his thoughts as the brush flies. He knows in his heart that this may just be the best portrait he's ever brought to life.
I want more, more and then some
Daddy you know what I wanna hear
I want some more and then some
That, I love you only, dear
The time flies and it is Charlie who eventually suggests they should stop. He looks at the clock and sees that he's worked through lunch and it's almost time for her to leave for the day.
"I'm sorry Charlie, about the time." He frowns at the painting. It is not finished, but he can already tell this is going to be one of his best.
"It's okay. I could tell you were in the zone." She smiles and stands stiffly. He moves to her side and picks up the robe. Holding it out for her to step into; he inhales the scent of her hair as she weaves her arms into the sleeves. He's close enough that she can probably feel his beard against her neck. He hears her intake of breath, and when he looks over her shoulder, he sees her nipples harden. Bass closes the robe around her waist slowly, his arms wrapped around her for just a moment – neither daring to move.
I want more, some more, some more and then some
You know how I love that stuff
Whisper from now on till doomsday
But I never, no, no, no, no, I never know, I never will get enough
Finally, he ties the sash and moves his hands up to her shoulders. Leaning close he whispers in her ear, "Thank you Charlie."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Charlie leaves the studio in a daze. Her whole body feels awakened. Why does he affect her like that? The way he'd looked at her… the way he'd touched her hair… the way he'd whispered in her ear… it all drove her crazy. Her knees actually feel weak as she reaches the foot of the stairs and starts to walk through the gallery. Suddenly she giggles at the thought that she's fallen head first into a cheesy Harlequin romance novel.
"What's so funny?" She hadn't noticed him before, but her uncle Miles is leaning against one of the showroom walls, a big grin on his face.
"Hi!" Charlie says, giving him a warm hug. "I thought you were working double shifts this week."
"Nah, that's next week. Came by to see if Nora wanted to do anything before we go to your Dad's for dinner. Glad I caught you. How are things?"
"Um," Charlie's mind flashes to Bass putting the robe over her shoulders and how her body had clenched when he whispered in her ear, "Um, things are fine" she stammers.
Miles just chuckles. "Nora said you're working pretty closely with Bass these days."
Charlie nods, "Yeah, I'm his assistant now, I guess." She doesn't tell her uncle she's also now Bass' model. Charlie is not sure how Miles will react to that news.
"He's a good guy." Miles says.
Charlie looks at him oddly, "Yeah, I've enjoyed working with him so far."
"You seem" he pauses, "distracted or something. Everything okay?"
She looks at Miles. Something is going on with him. "I'm fine. What's with you? You're the one acting weird."
Miles laughs and ruffles her hair like she's still a little kid. "Nah, nothing's wrong with me. Just glad to see you."
Just then Bass comes down the stairs. "Miles." He says.
"Bass." Miles smirks at his old friend.
Bass and Charlie both look at Miles and then at each other. Their gaze locks and she feels like things are being said without words. It is unsettling, but also hot.
"I'll just leave you two alone." Miles says with another chuckle.
"What's going on with him?" Charlie asks, baffled, as her uncle walks away.
"He's trying to set us up."
"Set us up? What do you mean?" She looks up at Bass blankly.
"Like he thinks he's cupid. He helped us both get jobs here so that you know…" Bass trails off, waiting for her to understand. "I just found out myself last night."
"Oh." She says, her eyes go a little wide.
"Yeah, oh." He watches her expression as it changes from surprise to awareness. "That's crazy." She says, but her voice is kind of breathless and her pupils dilate while he watches.
He feels his erection returning as she licks her lips. "Yeah," he replies – his voice low – his eyes on hers, "Crazy."
Author's Note: Songs featured: "You Go to My Head" and "Come Rain or Come Shine" by Billie Holiday as well as "Tell Me More and More and Then Some" by Nina Simone. This wasn't meant to be a song fic, and I still don't consider it one really…. But art and music are so closely intertwined – it's difficult to do one without the other. The only new artwork featured in this chapter specifically are the covers for Led Zeppelin's Houses of the Holy and The Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers.
My continued thanks to Priya for her amazing feedback and collaboration on this story. She single handedly saved this chapter when I let real life get in the way of my muse this week. Hope you all enjoyed it. Please leave a comment. Chapter three may take a little longer (real life again), but you'll see it within a couple weeks.