Read The Masterpiece (Work of Art #3) for Free Online Page B

call him asshole.”
    “See, what’d I tell you!”

    To say that Max doesn’t take the news well would be an understatement.
    “No fucking way.”
    “But Max—”
    “No fucking way, Ava.”
    He jumps out of bed and pulls on his jeans. “I’m going to the studio.”
    I listen to his stomping all the way downstairs.
    I fall back against the pillows and run my hand through my hair. His strong reaction surprises me, considering I just completed what, in my opinion, was a spectacular late afternoon blowjob. Just a moment ago, he was moaning how I was
the best
as he ran his fingers through my hair and watched my every move, and now he’s being his hotheaded temperamental artist self. Again.
    I probably shouldn’t care so much if he mends fences with his dad, but I can’t shake the feeling of what I wouldn’t give to be able to have either of my parents back in my life. I roll onto my stomach and prop myself up on my elbows as I look at the view. My curiosity is piqued to meet the man who fathered Max.
    I’m not giving up this easily. I take my time getting dressed and strategize what I’ll say to him. At least, by the time I amble down to his sanctuary, he’ll have had time to calm down. I make a pit stop in the kitchen for two bottles of beer before I slowly cross the front garden.
    The energy of the studio reminds me of my first dramatic visit there, and the memory makes me nervous. The music is pounding against the walls. As I step to the open doorway, I can see him furiously working. When he violently drags the brush across the white surface, the muscles flex angrily across his naked back. I’m not sure if he’s painting the canvas or trying to cover up his demons with the dark streaks. Perhaps both.
    The light skims over the fine film of sweat across his back. Despite his obvious tension, he moves with a grace edged with fury. Even when he’s living up to his father’s nickname for him,
asshole,
he’s so damn hot.
    I experiment. I take several steps inside, so I’m within his peripheral vision. I wait silently, knowing he can see me, and his next stroke across the canvas is slower, less brutal. He pauses, and, with a sigh, puts the brush in the water jar and picks up the remote to turn the music down until it’s a whisper in the background.
    I walk over and hand him the beer. We both take a swig, and he looks at me carefully with narrowed eyes.
    “The last girl I took to lunch with my dad, he ended up marrying.”
    My mouth falls open. None of my strategies anticipated
that
scenario.
    “Are you serious?”
    “Yeah, it happened so fast my head’s still spinning. I would’ve never taken her along, but he insisted I bring a girl. She was one of the better-looking art groupies. It’s not that I was heartbroken or anything…It was the damn principal of the matter, Ava.”
    “That’s so horrible.”
    “Yeah, their marriage lasted less than a year. She ran off with her personal trainer and still ended up with a million-dollar settlement. And I haven’t talked to the fucker since.”
    “Where is she now?”
    “I couldn’t give a flying fuck, but if you think I’m taking you to meet him, you have another thing coming.”
    I feel a flush of rage move up my neck. “What? Do I get no credit here? I’m suddenly in the same league as one of your vapid art sluts?”
    “Did he try to charm you on the phone? Did he call you beautiful and ask if you had a boyfriend?”
    “Yes, so?”
    “It’s like throwing a sweet lamb into the hungry lion’s den. The lamb doesn’t stand a chance once she’s under his spell.”
    Did the blowjob suck out his brains as well?
I’m so mad, everything has a fiery red glow.
    “So, now I’m a stupid lamb? I’m so weak-willed that any good-looking man with money can win me over, no matter that I’m in love with you?”
    “Why can’t you just understand my side of this? Why are you being so damn difficult?”
    “So, now I’m difficult because I don’t want to be