Painted Passion (boyxboy)

Chapter 12

Danny hadn't expected the impact of this experience. When Magnum had first made the job offer, Danny's focus had been on the money—and the hot artist asking him to be his model. The intense sexual need for Magnum had hazed his senses next, blocking out all else. Yet as he posed there on the leather chaise lounge, his eyes on Magnum as the man took on a whole new aura...something else began to press through. With each glance from Magnum, Danny became transfixed by the artist within—and not just the gorgeous man without.

The light radiating from Magnum's eyes, glowing on his face—Danny had never seen anything more beautiful or awe inspiring in all his life. This was truly Magnum's passion. And now Danny was a part of that passion. It startled him how special that made him feel, that he—Danny Trent, a "nobody" from the Midwest—could be an inspiration to anyone, much less a passionate artist.

The way Magnum looked at him now—like he was gazing upon the Holy Grail—filled Danny with a different warmth and desire. What would it be like to share a life with a man like Magnum? To be a part of his passion and creativity every day?

Oh Danny, don't go there. Don't play that dangerous game. Magnum is special. Too special for you. Take what he's willing to give—and be satisfied.

Danny blinked quickly when his eyes began to sting. What was wrong with him?

As the minutes ticked by—he didn't know how many had passed—a quiet ache began to infiltrate Danny's body, but he didn't move. The intensity and "light" in Magnum as he applied brush stroke after brush stroke to the canvas let Danny know how important this was to him. He wondered—had it been this way with the other models? Had they felt as special as Danny did right now?

I like to work alone, so I rarely hire a model for live sessions.

Magnum's earlier words were exhilarating. He liked to work alone—yet he wanted Danny here, in the flesh. It surprised him how much he liked that he was even that special to Magnum. Even more startling was the sense of jealousy at the thought of another model being offered this privilege...lying here beneath Magnum's adoring, admiring gaze. Danny couldn't deny that he wanted it all for himself. Maybe that was selfish, but he couldn't make it stop.

What would it feel like to be loved by this man? Magnum radiated passion. When a man like that fell in love...was it powerful enough to rock the world on its axis? At least the world of the one he loved?

Danny knew he needed to change the course of his thoughts. Yet this sudden pull at his heart was irresistible, a concoction of "terrifying" and "exciting". The power of it was stealing his breath and he didn't know how to handle it. He wanted to leap off the lounge and throw himself into Magnum's arms, become smothered in the man's embrace. No one had ever held him like they never wanted to let go, yet somehow he knew—if Magnum held him, it would be like that.

As he gazed at the handsome artist—catching his eye every few moments—Danny gave his fantasies free rein as he imagined spending time with Magnum beyond today. Making sweet, wild, exhausting love to him every day.

A small knot formed in Danny's throat as he stared longingly at Magnum.

Could you ever want me?

Magnum's statement of "staking claim" to him filled Danny with tentative hope. But Magnum had been speaking as an artist who simply didn't want to share his inspiration—hadn't he?