Perfectly Too Far (6 page)

“
I
need you to read it all. But, if you want the basics, fine.” He
lifted a hand, ticking off on his fingers as he spoke. “You can
come and go as you please, but you're not allowed to bring anyone
here without my permission. Eat any of the food in the fridge, but do
not order takeout. If you need anything, just tell Corbin, he can get
it for you. Don't go in my bedroom, it's the master room on the first
floor. Don't take any photos, none of that social networking with
images of my place or anything.”

Lifting
an eyebrow, she heard the sarcasm in her voice. “Is that
all?
”

“
No,”
he returned her tone, “but you know the rest.”

“
That
red door, yeah. But you have to give me some leeway. I just want to
know where it goes, why can't I see?”

“
Because
it's a rule,” he said slowly, deliberately. His eyes met her
own; hard as sapphires, her own soft as a sparrow's feathers. “Can
you follow rules, Ms. Flight?”

“
Of
course,” she sighed, trying to ease the mood with a gentle
smile. “You can call me Judith, you know.”

“
I
prefer Ms. Flight. Now, please, sign.”

She
pouted as he slid the contract closer to her. The restrictions
weren't terrible, she had to admit. She ran her eyes over the page
that explained what she
did
get; the food, the lavish bedroom, the letter. He even had given her
access to a wardrobe of women's clothing, if she so chose to utilize
it.

Why
he
had
that collection of clothing, she had no clue.

It
seems like an amazing deal. So why do I get this strange feeling
there's something insidious going on here.

She
scrawled her name and slid it back to him, feeling a strange knot in
her belly as she officially agreed to the situation. “Well
done,” he nodded, signing it as well. “I'll get you a
copy later. For now, let me show you what you have to work with.”

Benedict
brought her to a closet in the hallway, revealing contents that made
her gasp. It was full of every sort of paint brush, every color she
could ever need. Every supply was high quality, she knew it all cost
a fortune. It was a painter's dream, and her grin was childlike in
her excitement.

“
But,”
she asked, walking to the long stretch of white wall, brushing her
fingers over it lightly. “What do you want me to paint here,
exactly?”

“
Whatever
you'd like,” he shrugged. “I've loved everything you've
painted that I've seen, I trust you to make the right choice
yourself. It's
you
that I want,” he smirked, making Judith swallow through her
suddenly dry throat.

She
noticed, then, how close he was. The hall was tight, the railing
inclining people to naturally stand near the wall. Benedict stood
over her, his face sharp as a knife with the hard shadows. In her
ears, her heart was deafening, her voice far away.

“
Ah,
um, what do you...”

“
Your
skill,” he whispered, eyes far deeper than she recalled them
being. “What you can do, how you do it, that's what I'm after.
Nothing you create could be wrong, because
you
made it, Ms. Flight.”

Judith
wondered if he could hear her rapid breathing, or smell her fear.
What
is this, what does he mean?
Benedict
leaned back, softer and more relaxed. “Now, I have some things
to take care of. If you need anything, just come find me. Barring
that, call Corbin, he's the one who texted you this morning.”

On
perfectly shined shoes, Benedict turned, silently trudging down the
stairs as he headed down a hall below. She watched him go, only
starting to control her pulse when she was sure he was out of
earshot.

Slumping
against the cool wall, she slid to the floor and gave a weak laugh.

What
have I gotten myself into?

****

It
was evening before she finally decided to take a break.

She
had spent most of her time plotting out the general layout for the
painting, then it was down to the slow process of prepping the wall.
The section was long, it took her several steps to go from one end to
the next. The left part ended at the staircase, the right connected
with an archway that opened into other rooms, including her closet of
paints, and the guest area she had been offered.

Wiping
her forehead, she felt incredibly warm and sore, wondering if she was
allowed to use the facilities for taking a shower.
Benedict
has the contract still, I don't have a copy, hmn.
Frowning,
she decided it would be safer to find him and just ask.

Wandering
down the stairs, she passed by the red door, finding herself staring
at it absently. Judith paused, turning her head to survey the
entrance room.
There's
no one here, is there? Would he know if I peeked?

The
idea was tempting, she chewed her lip in anticipation. Finally, she
slumped her shoulders and forced herself to walk into the kitchen.
No,
I can't, I'm not ready to risk losing my chance at Sun Arts for
something so dumb.

Unsure
where to find anything, she peered into the fridge, looking for
water. She spotted a tray of delicious looking cupcakes. They made
her stomach tight, reminding her she hadn't eaten all day.
Ugh,
can I eat those? I can't recall any of the rules, where is he?

She
had no clue where Benedict might be. After strolling blankly down
some halls, she returned to the kitchen and peered out the large
glass doors. The yard was dim, night starting to creep in. The lights
in the trees, on tall posts, gave everything a pretty glow. The pool,
especially, was beautiful.

Pulling
out her cellphone, she dialed Corbin.

“
Hello?”
The voice was polite, precise.

“
Hey,
this is Judith. Listen, I can't find Benedict. I have a question, is
it alright if I use the pool here?”

“
Of
course, Mr. Vance instructed me to inform you, in this potential
scenario, that there are bathing suites in the closet in the first
guest room upstairs. Anything else?”

“
...Can
I eat the cupcakes in the fridge?”

****

Sometime
later, the young woman was soaking in the delightfully warm water of
the pool. The air was crisp, fresh, and she could hear insects
chirping. Her elbows were propped up on the smooth stone around the
edge, her lower body, clad in a teal bikini she had discovered, was
submerged.

Gleefully,
Judith reached over for her mostly empty tray, plucking up another
pink cupcake. Chewing it thoughtfully, she giggled like a schoolgirl.
Alright,
this is pretty nice.

“
Enjoying
yourself?”

The
voice made her jump, causing her to painfully swallow the chunk of
food she had come close to choking on. There, standing in the open
doorway of the kitchen, was Benedict. He was dressed in a tight tank
top, a long pair of navy shorts. After seeing him in fancy outfits
every time, Judith couldn't help but stare.

The
fact she could see his arms, his defined shoulders where they almost
shone in the outdoor lighting, wasn't helping. He smiled, his eyes
hidden thanks to the effect of the back lighting from the kitchen.

“
Uh,
hey,” she said nervously, setting the cupcake back down. “I
asked Corbin if it was...”

“
Oh,
it's fine. I know. I can't blame you, the pool is very relaxing. Mind
if I join?”

She
wasn't sure if she did, or didn't, want him in the pool with her.
Sinking lower, letting her arms fall into the water, she tried to
calm her voice. “It's your pool.”

His
grin was a bit toothy, his movements graceful as he shut the doors
and approached. Watching him move, she was reminded of how he had
called her own motions 'beautiful' before. Once again, she wondered
how he could ever think such a thing.

I'm
a clutz, he's the one with the perfect balance and grace.

She
wanted to say something, anything, to break the silence.

And
then he took his shirt off.

It
was a quick process, his fingers hooking at the hem, tugging it over
his head. Still, Judith felt like she was watching it in slow motion.
She had know he was in shape, she could tell from his slim figure in
his well fit clothing, but this... His torso was solid, the body of a
runner.

A
line led the way down his sternum, like a path taking the eye on a
journey of perfection. He was pale all over, but not unhealthy
looking. Creamy white, certainly not something she could judge.

He's
way too sexy, lord. This is like some ridiculous cologne ad or
something.

Benedict
slid into the water, hardly making a sound. The pool wasn't gigantic,
but it seemed even smaller suddenly as he made his way down to her.
In the shallows, his eyes glinted. She was acutely aware of the fact
she was wearing only a bikini.

I
wonder if he thinks I look anywhere near as good as he does. My
goodness, he must work out twenty-four hours a day!

“
Nice,
right?” she blurted, looking for a topic.

“
Yes,”
he agreed, leaning on the edge beside her. Judith thought, if he
leaned over, their shoulders might touch. “So, how is the mural
coming?”

“
Oh,
uh, good. I mean,” she corrected herself, trying not to ogle
his chest, “slow. Sort of. I did the base setting, can't really
do much actual painting till tomorrow.”

“
I
see,” he mused, looking upwards at the sky. It was cloudy,
making Judith wish for twinkling stars to complete this hilariously
picturesque scenario. “Hmn. How early can you start tomorrow?”

Blinking,
she peeked at his face, studying his strong profile. “How early
can Corbin pick me up?”

“
As
early as you need, really. But, like I said, you
can
stay the night.” His eyes shifted back to her, serious,
unblinking. They held her like a mouse about to be attacked by a
snake, and the comparison of being prey made her shiver.