Illicit Canvas: political romance and stand alone romance Read Online Free PDF Page A

thoughts that are crowding my brain.
      I walk away and dial Antoine’s number. I explain briefly what I want. I don’t want to say too much over the phone, because I know how grumpy the old man can be sometimes. We agree to arrange a meeting.
    By the time I finish the phone call, I feel like myself again, not like some horny man preying on young attractive girls.
    “Antoine would love to meet you; that is, of course, if you trust me enough to take you to him,” I explain.
    “Sure. I’m free in the evening. The term only just began, so my coursework can wait.”
    Great. I have another valid excuse to see her.  
    “It’s easier if I take you to him. He doesn’t like strangers, but he’s curious enough to talk to you about the painting. You should talk to him first, before you show him anything.”
      “Yes, that’s a good idea. Thank you. I mean I’m sorry. I normally don’t talk about my life to people that I just meet.”
    “You’re fascinating, Arwen, and I could listen to you all day, so please don’t apologise.”
     

 
    Chapter Four
     

Arwen
     
    My conversation with Ethan seems surreal. I’m nervous around him, but at the same time this undeniable attraction to him feels sweet and heavy. I stare back at him, surprised by how sexy he sounds. My heart flutters with excitement. His eyes drift over to my face, then drop to the cup that I’m holding. Ethan wants to help me, but I don’t know why.
    “I don’t drive, so I’m not sure how–”
    “Don’t worry, I’ll pick you up tonight. Is it all right if I take your number?” he asks, cutting me off.
    I nod shyly, reminding myself that he is helping me and not asking me out on a date. Ethan is doing me a favour and besides, I have Colin.
    “Yes, of course. I live on campus. Just call when you’re downstairs, but are you sure about this? I mean, I don’t want to trouble you.”
    “It will be my pleasure, so don’t worry,” he says. I smile and hand him my phone, so he can type my number. Our fingers brush and a surge of energy rushes through me. Ethan glances at me for a split second and I wonder if he felt it too. My pulse speeds up, but I keep reminding myself that I should be concentrating on finding a painting, not on this guy I’m so attracted to.
    “I need to go. I have another class, but I want to thank you again,” I say, getting up probably too abruptly. Ethan gets up too and once I put my phone back, he’s in front of me.
    “This was the most liberating and relaxing hour that I’ve had in a really long time. Thank you, Arwen,” he says and lifts his hand. I suck in another breath and our hands shake. His skin is warm and soft, his grip firm yet caring; not what I was expecting at all.
    “Thank you. I’ll see you later,” I mumble and break the connection, starting to walk towards the door.
    He doesn’t follow me and that’s all right because I don’t think that I could handle it. My head is screwed and when I finally get outside I’m out of breath. After a few moments I start walking towards the Metro. I have butterflies in my stomach and probably the stupidest grin on my face. Ethan is so out of my league. A hot politician, but he has the connections that I need. I hurry to the bus, and once I’m in my seat my thoughts trail back to our conversation from earlier. He seems genuine and acts like a complete gentleman. I can’t be sure, but everything indicates that he might be single. I exhale loudly as the bus starts moving.
    After forty-five minutes on the bus, I head back to the campus for my final class of the day. There, I check my phone and discover that I have another text message from an unknown number.

    I’m looking forward to seeing you tonight, Arwen. I’ll pick you up at seven.
    Ethan.

    My heart flutters in my chest and I smile to myself. Maybe I wasn’t imagining things after all. Maybe Ethan felt it too.
    The rest of the afternoon drags and my sculpture project takes longer than it should; I’m