Free Picture Me Naked (Stoddard Art School Series) by Lisa A. Olech Page B

sniffed.
    “Of course it matters. You’re lovely and talented. Don’t let the ravings of a lunatic convince you otherwise.”
    “Don’t worry about it, Nana. I can handle it.”
    Zee retrieved the sketch of Jagger from outside. The fixative spray allowed her to touch the drawing now without smudging it. She ran a tender finger along the bow of Jagger’s lip. He’d never speak to her like Ed did. Her throat tightened again. She couldn’t help but reach out to stroke the flow of his drawn hair. Was it as soft as it appeared?
    A shiver ran through her. She set the sketch aside and rubbed at her goosebumped arms. She was being foolish. Just as stupid as Ed believed her to be. This drawing was only a fantasy. It wasn’t real. Daydreams and flights of the imagination weren’t going to help her get control of her life. They wouldn’t help her win that fellowship. They sure as hell weren’t going to heal her bruised heart. The only things to do that were time, distance, and hard work.

Chapter Ten
    Wednesday morning, Jagger was determined to arrive on time for a change and strolled into the classroom. Zee was already there talking to Leah. She was busy securing her hair with a fat clip. Several shiny spirals refused to be tamed and spilled out to frame her face.
    “G’day, ladies.” He smiled at Zee. “How’s George this morning?”
    She zipped her sweatshirt up tight. “George is fine. I had to tighten that ignition wire connector screw thingie again this morning. Thanks for showing me where it was.”
    Leah looked at her in disbelief. “ You fixed George?”
    “Don’t look so shocked. I can turn a screw. ’Course, I ruined my new palette knife in the process.”
    Leah patted her shoulder. “I’m impressed. You’re dabbling in auto maintenance. Ed should really be worried now.”
    Zee held out her hand to stop her. “Please, don’t say that name.”
    “Uh-oh. What happened?”
    She shot Jagger a look before answering. “Later.”
    Had something else happened between her and Ed since Monday? He couldn’t help but wonder if there was any connection between him and that ignition wire coming loose again. One way to find out. “I thought I fixed that screw tighter than a fish’s arsehole.”
    Leah laughed. Zee just shrugged. “I can’t explain it. I’m just thankful you showed me how to fix it.”
    “Glad to be of help.” Jagger ran a hand through his hair and frowned. “After class, I’ll take another look and make sure the threads aren’t stripped.”
    “You don’t have to do that.”
    “I do a lot of things I don’t have to do. But speaking of stripped…” Jagger gave her a wink. “Best be getting to it.”
    Class ended. Jagger dressed and pulled up a chair next to Zee’s space and ate his lunch while he waited for her to finish her clean up.
    “You don’t need to hang around. I’m sure the car’s fine. You certainly have better things to do than to wait for me.”
    “I don’t mind. Take your time.” He put the top back on his water bottle and pointed to her canvas. “You’re so good. Very talented.”
    Zee raised her eyebrows. “Um...thanks.”
    “I’ve noticed how you work. It’s different from the rest of them. The building could collapse and you wouldn’t flinch.”
    Her cheeks flushed. “Wow, thank you.” She went back to wiping out the last of her brushes. “You make it easy.” She flashed him a look. “I mean, you’re one of the best models I’ve worked with. You really know how to show your body.”
    He shrugged. “I’ve done some studying.” Right now he was studying how the fine hair on the nape of her neck curled into two perfect corkscrews. He was noticing the curve of her ear with the small gold hoop piercing its lobe, and he was wondering how it tasted.
    “Well, you’re good at it. You seem very comfortable. That in itself is a talent.” She stopped what she was doing, glanced back at him and shook her head. “I couldn’t do it.”
    “Always