to put my art first. My deadlines were approaching, and I still had a lot of work to do on my show. Like, uh, deciding on what I was going to do for it…
“Brax.” Ian’s voice was sharp, and I snapped my gaze back from where I’d been looking at my covered easel.
“Sorry. Yeah, tonight?”
“I don’t care how late it is. Come right over, okay?” His voice wasn’t wispy and airy anymore. It was hard and sharp, the way I’d liked it when we’d first met. But what used to turn me on and give me comfort now made my skin crawl.
“Of course, babe. I’ll see you tonight.”
He nodded, but then glanced over my shoulder and frowned. I turned to follow his gaze, and the door slammed shut when I had my back turned. I jumped and my heart tore in two directions when I saw what he’d been frowning at—the chai latte.
I rubbed my face and groaned. Things were getting complicated and I hated complicated. I wanted simple, clear, straightforward motion. No twisting plots or surprises. Absolutely hated mystery novels and unexpected endings. They made me feel anxious and like I was an idiot for not seeing it coming. Maybe I hadn’t when it came to Ian.
I drank the last of the latte and pressed the heel of my hand against my breastbone where ambiguity bit at my heart. The last sip was the sweetest, and I felt awful for how excited I was Ryland had actually come inside today, for the first time ever. And I was equal parts pleased and annoyed Ian insisted I come to his house after work. It was nice to be wanted, and awful to feel obligated to go when I would have rather stayed home.
I sighed, dumped the take-out cup, and tried not to think how sweet Ry was for bringing me my favorite drink every single morning. Ian never bought me… Shit, he’d never bought me anything, even on my birthday.
With a groan, I vowed to stop thinking about it and to certainly stop comparing the two. Not only was it unfair to Ian for me to compare him to the perfect man, but I didn’t have time for this shit! I had to get painting!
“Domino? Time for a shower, stinky!” I made kissy noises and the little rascal bolted out of the bedroom as fast as lightning, shot through the middle of my studio space, sent a stack of drafting paper flying, and leaped onto the kitchen counter.
I was too busy gaping at him in shock to even be mad he was on the counter. He strutted with his tail high and let out a demanding mewt!
While Domino sat on the edge of the tub and purred, I stood under the hot shower and soaped myself up. The kitten was as weird as me. He liked water and loved it whenever I took a shower or bath. He squinted at me as spray sprinkled his tuxedo fur.
I pushed my face under the water and rubbed at the mascara. The water was hot, which was lucky because Ian’s visit had left me colder than before I’d turned on the heat. I did my best to keep my mind off Ryland. Damn, he was sexy. He wore those suits everywhere he went, but I could tell he had enough muscle to fill them out well. And his voice… It was so deep, even just thinking about it made my insides quiver.
Fuck, I had to stop it. Ian, Ian, Ian. I needed to be thinking about Ian. Ry was just the fantasy man I’d projected all my idealist daydreams onto. And he was leading me toward the inevitable.
I needed to break up with Ian.
But I didn’t have the slightest clue how to go about it. It seemed easy in theory. We’re over. Simple. But as idealistic as I was, it would be a long, drawn-out conversation. I’d tried broaching the idea of taking a break before, and it had ended with me agreeing to spend three full days at Ian’s to strengthen our relationship… which had meant sex, and more sex, and not much else. Definitely no painting.
I didn’t want to end up trapped in his house again.
I dried off and sat beside Domino on the edge of the bath. The kitten headbutted and rubbed happily against my warm, clean skin, and I laughed as I watched him. I smoothed moisturizer over my body, a blissfully calming lavender product Seb had given me.
I’d