Figure Eight (Celtic Knot Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

sparkled with delight momentarily when he saw me, only they switched to concern when he took in my appearance. No doubt, I was looking a little worse for wear with my already depressive and disheveled state as well as looking like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer from my nasty cold.
    I looked away, embarrassed by how disgusting I looked and even more so by how beautiful he was. We had only met once and spoke briefly while I was on break working at The Celtic Knot. He had told me a friend owned a studio and gave art lessons, but I had no idea that it would be the class that the art school would put me in.
    “This week we are going to work on painting an abstract with acrylics using Rownan here as our subject. He has so graciously agreed to model for us. Now I must say if you are at all uncomfortable with painting a nude portrait, then please see me and we can make other arrangements for a different assignment.”
    What? Did she just say nude?
    My hacking cough barked out with so much force, I feared that I would drop a lung right there in the studio. My hands flew up to cover my mouth and the force of the cough had me squeezing my abdominals so tight, I nearly fell out of the stool I was sitting on. Rownan was at my side in an instant helping pat me on the back to see me through my coughing fit.
    “Are you ill, love?” he asked with concern. My eyes were watering as my hacking fit finally started to subside. Rownan produced a white handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to me. I tentatively accepted the white cloth and thanked him for the gesture before using it to wipe away the tears from my eyes and cheeks. I stared at the monogrammed RMK on the handkerchief and laughed inwardly.
    Seriously, who carried these anymore?
    “I’m ok, thank you. Just a little cold, nothing to worry about,” I replied as confidently as I could. Yes, I felt like seven miles of beat up dickhead, but I didn’t want to be home right now, alone in my thoughts about Dominic and the devastation I caused.
    “Well, ok, but promise me if it gets worse you will go to the doctor, yeah?” he said with genuine concern in his eyes. He was still as gorgeous as the night that Knox had introduced us at The Celtic Knot. His dark wash jeans hung nicely on his shapely hips that lead up to his torso and broad chest. I could visibly see his muscles peak through his soft grey t-shirt and I couldn’t help but stare. My mouth went dry and I had forgotten the question that he had even asked me. Shaking my head to regain my composure I finally replied to him.
    “Y--yes, I promise,” I said as I sniffled. My head felt like a pressure cooker with the lid on it ready to explode at any moment, and I felt embarrassed that Rownan had to see me in the horrible condition I was in. Lifting my hand, I started to hand him back the handkerchief that he let me borrow, but he refused as his hands covered mine in a caring gesture.
    “Keep it, love. You may need it again.” He paused briefly before a concerned look marred his face once more.
    “I heard about the club and what happened with Knox and Dominic. I must say I am disappointed that the club is closed.”
    I bowed my head in embarrassment and horror as I once again was reminded of my actions. Even though I knew that I destroyed Dominic in the process, I would do it all again, if it meant that he and my friends were safe.
    “Hey,” Rownan said and his fingertip found my chin and tilted it up to where I was once again looking at him, “I am sure you had your reasons. I saw the look in your eyes right now and I can tell you are devastated, love. I will help you in any way I can. Remember that,” he offered before his finger left my chin and he walked back over to Ginny to start the class.
    The man was certainly a walking contradiction to his dominant alter ego that he supposedly had. I had only seen kindness and generosity from that man ever since I met him at the club when he offered to get me into his friend’s