She moved around him and looked at the painting he’d been studying. “So, what do you think of this one?”
Finn turned and stared at the watercolor again. “It’s evocative. Powerful yet peaceful.”
“Peaceful?”
He nodded. “The subject matter is so majestic, it makes you feel small, you know? And if you’re small, your troubles are no big deal, either.” He caught the wondering look she gave him and lifted one shoulder in a shrug. She acted like he’d said something profound. The heat of embarrassment crept up his neck. “You asked,” he said with a pinch of defensiveness in his tone.
“I did, and I’m amazed.” She stared at her work again. “I don’t know why, but I never pictured you having such an appreciation for art.” She shot him a sidelong glance. “And here I thought you were just another pretty face.”
“Ha.” He shook his head. “What you really mean is you thought me a mindless killer following my master’s orders, right?” He caught the flicker of regret that crossed her face. For once he was able to read her reactions, and he wondered why. Was she letting him, or was she feeling particularly vulnerable around him? “I am more than my job.” He couldn’t keep the growl from his throat. He was, wasn’t he?
Keira’s slender hand rested on his upper arm. “I know and I’m sorry. Again.” She shifted her position so that she faced him and slid her hand down until she clasped his. The smoothness of her skin made his callused palm seem even rougher. With a slight squeeze of his fingers, she said, “Not sure why I’m surprised that there’s more to you than meets the eye. I know you’re a complicated man.”
“Complicated? Me?” Finn gave her the best innocent expression he could manage. “Nah. I’m the simplest of creatures.”
From the look she shot him, she wasn’t buying it. She let go of his hand, and he immediately missed the feel of her soft flesh against his. She walked a few feet over to another painting and crossed her arms. He shoved his hands into his pockets and sauntered after her.
“What about this one?” she asked. “How does it make you feel?”
He took a few moments to study the painting, another watercolor sunset, this one with Camelback Mountain as the subject. The sky was painted with vibrant purples, pinks, and reds. It gave him the same overall sense of peace. “Same as the other.”
“Hmm.” She stared at it a moment or two longer. “I remember when I painted this. I wasn’t feeling particularly peaceful.”
He looked closer at the painting. “It doesn’t show,” he said. “You don’t have wide, sweeping brushstrokes I’d expect of someone in a temper, or uneven tones in the paint itself.”
Keira’s expression showed a growing respect for his art acumen. She moved on to the next canvas.
“How long have you been painting?” Finn asked.
“Off and on, for about fifty years.” She glanced at him. “It’s only been in the last ten years or so that I decided to do something with my artwork other than stack it up in a storage facility.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You had stuff like this sitting in storage? Seriously?” He looked at the closest painting and gave a little whistle. “I should have known you sooner.”
She grinned. “You point to any painting here, and it’s yours.”
Finn took a look at the price tag on the painting to his right and shook his head. He wouldn’t let her give him something that she could get thousands of dollars for. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m happy to support a friend.” When Keira started to object, he waved one hand. “Let me buy the one I like, okay?”
A slow bloom of pink flushed her cheeks. She looked pleased to hear he considered her a friend. Why wouldn’t he? They got along well and enjoyed each other’s company before and after they’d had sex. Why would things suddenly be different now? Her eyes met his. “I’d rather give it to you—”
“Nope. And that’s final.” He stared around the display. “It must be nerve-racking, though, to put your art out there like this. You know, open yourself for Joe Public to criticize.”
“I suppose so but I don’t mind. Especially when I see how much pleasure my work gives to others.”
“If that’s the case, why not paint them for friends instead of selling them?” Finn turned so he could look at her straight on.
She shifted her feet, her gaze on the painting on the wall