Perfectly Too Far Read Online Free PDF Page B

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