The Cowboy's Prize

Chapter 10

So our next date was an art gallery. Scott made a real effort and had worn a black long sleeve button down, black skinny jeans and boots and a black cowboy hat. The all-black look would have been austere but for his brilliant blue eyes and that shock of white blonde hair. It looked artificially coloured like it was expertly highlighted. But Scott assured me it was completely natural. A result of working out in the sun, as was his tan. Not too dark though, he was such a Scandinavian baby, he actually had to wear long sleeves and sunblock when he was spending all day outdoors.

Remembering his lack of tan lines from our last date however, I knew he took his shirt off regularly so that his T-Shirt line wasn't obvious. My eyes were drawn back to him as he walked around examining the collection. To be honest, I hadn't yet seen a single piece in the whole gallery that was as beautiful as that man.

A cougar had spotted him looking over a feminine nude painting. He seemed genuinely interested in the piece, but I thought he'd much rather a male nude on his wall. I knew I would. Anyone else looking at the man might have assumed he was on the prowl, and that he was there for the opposite sex. Or sex in general really, he looked good enough to eat, completely delectable. Literally.

It had amused me momentarily to see the women eyeing him off, wondering if he was up for 'whatever'. But this particular one could pose a problem. Scott was the most polite man I'd ever met, and I'd had too much experience with the type to believe she'd take 'no' for an answer. As she touched his arm, I thought it prudent to rescue him. He didn't know about this kind of dating pool, but I was familiar. Stepping up them, I heard him try to explain how he felt about the painting to the woman old enough to be his mother.

"Subtle highlights in the skin tones and over the curve of the..."

"Breasts." She interjected.

Scott swallowed and agreed, "Right, breasts. The use of colour is imaginative." He added turning bright red, and chivalry beckoning I went to his rescue.

"This artist's use of black to create the mood is fantastic right?" I asked as I stepped between them.

She looked askance at me for a moment but because I knew she'd wanted to make an impression on my date, I allowed to her dribble on with whatever she was saying for a moment. Scott mouthed 'Thank you!' at me in my peripheral vision as I nodded and pretended to agree with whatever drivel she was saying to convey her 'thorough' knowledge of the subject. You know the type.

I could see her trying to work out the dynamic as I nodded, and made some other appropriate remark, pretending interest. But then she got it when Scott grabbed a passing waiter and handed me a glass saying, "Mitchy." Then asking her if she wanted one.

My smirk went full blown when she swallowed and realized all that tall, blonde goodness was denied her pleasure and her face dropped for a second. "Enjoy the rest of the show, Gentlemen." She said with a tight smile and went to find more appropriate prey.

Scott and I grinned at each other for a second, before I asked, "And just what message did you think you were sending standing in front of this particular piece?"

"Well, I did like the way the light fell over her form and the way the artist captured the subtle shades of sunrise." He said attempting a snooty expression. It was completely adorable.

"You like it to the tune of $10,000?" I asked checking out the catalogue.

He swallowed, "What? That much?" He asked, swallowing.

"Mmm Hmm." I murmured. "This one's sold though so you'll have to find another to hang on your wall." I said pointing out the subtle sticker next to the title card.

His expression was priceless. With a laugh I grabbed his hand and led him to another painting I'd glanced at as I went to rescue him, it was better than the nude up close. It was a still life featuring a cheese selection. I wanted it, well, I wanted cheese right now. Good thing there were people passing around nibbles, another bonus on opening night! Scott and I took a sample and then when he was finished, he continued to examine more of the artwork on the walls. It was very enlightening watching him, seeing the things that caught his attention and what held little or no interest.

I wasn't surprised when a landscape featuring horses spoke to him. But I was intrigued when a lightning storm pulled him in. I was about to go and ask what had caught his attention when someone spoke behind me.

"Mitch?" I heard him say.

I swallowed as that voice brought back memories, then I turned and saw Alastair. My breath left my chest as I froze up momentarily. "What are you doing here Kitten?" He asked with a predatory smile.