Unbreak My Heart (18+, ManxMan)

Chapter 21 Opening at Juntado, part 2

To the right is a representation of one of the Finn's paintings inspired by Nico's fabulous body.

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Chapter 21

Nico

Finn led me into the large room where his newest paintings were hanging.  I had no idea what to expect and I certainly did not expect what I saw.

"Um...I hope you like them...they're...well, they're you," he said as we walked in.

I was speechless.  I stood in the middle of the room and just kept turning around.  I felt like Finn that day when he discovered his paintings aboard Serenity.

"Are they okay? Do you mind?"  Finn asked nervously after several minutes.  I quickly looked over at his face.  He looked uncertain, scared, even a little sick.  I realized I had been so taken aback that I'd gone quiet and he was probably thinking the worst.

"They are absolutely brilliant...or...does that sound conceited," I laughed.  "I mean, your technique, the way you've portrayed them, the lines and color, the brush strokes...are masterful, astounding!  I'm sorry, you just made me speechless for a few minutes." 

Relief was visible on his face.  "So you don't mind...that I used you as my model."

"I don't mind at all, I'm flattered.  You made me look much better than I actually am anyway."

"Pffft, that's hardly true," he said with a grin.

The rest of the group soon joined us and were equally in awe of Finn's seemingly limitless talent.  He just gets better and better.  Chris and Finn went to one of the paintings and began to talk about his brush technique and I just stood back admiring his talent. It was a little embarrassing to see myself the focus of a whole series of works, but to have the love of your life look at you that way, was thrilling beyond belief.

"They're striking aren't they," Garrett said coming to stand next to me.  "I can't wait to see what the local art critics have to say, I think our boy is going to make a big splash in the L.A. art scene after tonight."

I quirked my eyebrow at, 'our boy'? But Garrett didn't seem to notice.

"I've pre-purchased one for my personal collection," Garrett continued.  "Perhaps you'd like to come see it, my collection that is, see where it will be hung after the show."

Garrett turned to me with a half grin and his eyebrows perked up with a questioning look.

Before I could answer, I felt slim arms snake around my sides and wrap around my middle.  "The doors are about to open Nic, will you come greet the guests with me?"  I turned around in his arms and draped my own over Finn's shoulders.  "I would be honoured to baby."  I gave him a quick peck on the lips since Garrett was standing right there, but it was enough to get the message across.  I guess in the few interactions I've had with him in the last few weeks, it may have appeared that Finn and I were only friends, but it was my intention to rectify that quickly.

We both turned to look at Garrett and looked slightly shocked and embarrassed, but quickly regained his composure.  "I'll go make sure the staff is ready."  He gave us both a brief smile and walked out to the front of the gallery.

The place was packed almost from the minute the doors were opened.  There was a mass of not only art critics and collectors, but many very prominent people from L.A. and the surrounding region.  Business people, a few highbrow celebrities, some local politicians, journalists.  I mingled with many of the businessman while Garrett introduced Finn to his many Art contacts.  Although we had no plans on hiding our relationship, we did play it cool just to avoid a lot of annoying attention. I let the public assume I was there as a fellow art connoisseur and acquaintance of the artist.  It would come out soon enough, but not tonight.  This was Finn's big night and I wanted the focus to be on him as an artist and his amazing paintings.