Red String [h.s] (Completed)

Chapter 34

"It's like I'm powerful with a little bit of tender
An emotional, sexual bender
Mess me up, yeah, but no one does it better
There's nothing better
That's just the way you make me feel
That's just the way you make me feel
So good, so good, so fucking real
That's just the way you make me feel
That's just the way you make me feel"

The next morning Amy is awake first. After making a cup of tea, she goes straight into her studio feeling inspired and not wanting to wait. She sits at the easel in the same black satin slip from last night and she paints. For the first time in a long time she doesn't paint from a photo, but paints from her memory. She's not sure how long she spends sitting there but soon she feels eyes on her and looks up to find a shirtless Harry leaning against the door frame watching her.

"Good morning," she says to him.

"You look incredibly sexy right now," Harry says, and he means every word. She has her hair tied up messily, pieces softly falling out framing her face. She has developed a tan over the weekend and Harry can just make out the tan lines from her bikini top, which automatically makes him think of her in her tiny swimsuit. The sun is coming in the room behind her giving her a warm aura.

"What are you painting?" he asks as he walks towards her.

"No way," she says standing up and putting her hand on his chest to stop him from walking further. "I never show my work until it's finished."

Harry gives her a pouty face and she leans in and kisses him.

"You're cute, baby, but still no," she says smiling at him.

She drags him into the kitchen and she makes them both coffee before making them scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. As she places his plate in front of him, he grins at her while looking her up and down.

"Can you wear this all day?" he says cheekily.

She smiles back at him, as he squeezes her leg under the table.

"I wish but I have some things I need to do today," she says trying not to look at him and his flirty grin.

"I hope I'm on your little to-do list," he responds winking at her.

"Harry!" she scolds him playfully but laughs along with him. He loves when she says his name like that.

"What do you have to do today?" he asks her seriously.

"I have to go to the gallery and pick up a cheque they have for me and then I'm going to hand it right back over to you."

"What do you mean?" he asks confused.

"I can't take your money, Harry."

"Why? I paid you for a product. It's not like I just handed you money."

"It just feels weird now that we're—" she hesitates "—whatever we are."

"You know someone bought four of them before I got there. That's why I paid more than what you were asking. The gallery contacted the different people and convinced them to let me buy the whole collection."

"What? Why would you do that?"

"I collect art, Amy. It's something I have done for a few years now. And when your work blows up and you get famous, I'll be the smart one who got a great deal on some early pieces."

Amy stares at him incredulously. She can't believe he thinks her art is good. She thought he just bought them because he liked her.

"Do you really think it's good?"