Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 156808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 784(@200wpm)___ 627(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 784(@200wpm)___ 627(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
“Pretty much. I don’t usually stick with any one particular medium. I started experimenting with new things when I decided to try and support myself with my art,” he said, standing several feet away from the canvas Arik intently studied.
“It’s not sorrow really, is it?” Arik asked, looking back at him. This time Arik didn’t turn away, instead he waited for an answer.
“What do you mean?”
“This picture seems sad. So does the sculpture, but the emotion in this painting isn’t sorrow, is it?” Arik focused his full attention on Kellus, and he was experiencing that heady mix again. The man needed to turn away from him. He’d just gotten back on solid ground after Arik’s shocking insights into the sculpture.
“It’s the look I remember from the last time I saw him. Maybe he was lost in thought or possibly regretful,” Kellus answered and started moving closer to the door, in a subtle hint they should wrap up for the night.
“Regretful? Of what?” Arik probed, not letting it go.
“I said possibly regretful. Maybe it’s merely frustrations of life at that particular moment,” he offered, leaning back against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest. Arik turned back to the picture.
“There’s an imploring in his eyes. Makes me want to know why.”
“It’s just a look I saw that stuck with me. I don’t know what was going on with him.” Okay, that was a total lie, but hell, no one ever got this personal. The fact that Arik saw everything in that acrylic, all the emotion flowing through Kellus as he’d painted it, put him in a class of his own.
“You’re good at making even the simplest art enthusiast see the emotion you’re trying to portray. How much for the first sculpture?”
His gaze collided with Arik’s who now had his shirtsleeves rolled up, his muscular arms crossed over his chest. He turned fully toward Kellus, waiting for him to answer.
“It’s pricey,” Kellus finally said when Arik didn’t move, just stood there staring at him. “Fifty-eight hundred.”
“That’s fine. I’ll get you a check before you leave tonight,” he said with a nod.
“I think the gallery wants to display it at the opening.” Kellus remained outwardly calm while freaking the fuck out on the inside. Did Arik not just hear him say fifty-eight hundred dollars? As in five thousand eight hundred dollars?
“No problem. I’ll bring the sculpture back for the show.” Arik lifted a hand as if dismissing that problem.
“Okay. Well, thank you,” Kellus said, truly wondering if he should make it clear that he said hundred in there. Fifty-eight hundred.
“I’ll go get your money.” The grin on Arik’s face was heartwarming. He seemed truly pleased he’d gotten the piece, like the sculpture was some great prize. He even turned back to stare at it, before he moved to leave the gallery.
“We can process through the gallery. They deserve their cut,” Kellus said.
“No. It’ll give me pleasure to explain to my cousin about missing this sale. I’ll be back.” Arik was gone before he could say anything to stop him. No question the man was incredibly decisive, a go-getter, but that would make sense with all his success in business. The gallery door banged shut, but Kellus continued to watch Arik through the glass until he completely disappeared out of sight.
~♥~
Arik came off the elevator in time to see Kellus walking across the lobby in the direction of the security stand. Arik looked toward the gallery; the lights were out, the door closed. Had he finished setting up? As he got closer, he overheard Kellus’s conversation with the guard behind the counter as he took his keys back.
“I’m done. I didn’t lock the door to the gallery. Mr. Layne should be back soon. Can you ask him to lock the place up?”
“I’m here.” Arik spoke up from several steps away. The casual attitude Kellus had when speaking to the guard changed. His back stiffened before he turned Arik’s way. What did that mean? When he was within a step or two of Kellus, he extended a plain envelope to the handsome artist who didn’t immediately reach out to take his payment.
“I still think we should go through the gallery. Gage has done so much for me…” Kellus hesitated.
“I promise to take care of that. Here, take it,” Arik urged, holding the check out for Kellus. “Please.”
Kellus finally accepted the envelope from him and put it in his back pocket.
“After seeing this piece, I’d hoped for a few minutes to talk to you about commissioning more for the hotel.”
There was a pause where Kellus opened his mouth, shut it, then reopened it as if he had something to say. Arik waited, watching Kellus’s face change with several different expressions. Clearly, Kellus was dealing with a massive case of indecision; about what, Arik wasn’t sure.
“I’m interested in whatever you need,” Kellus stated then physically took a step backward, creating space between them.