Overlooked(2)(29)
As I’m smudging the pencil to create the sheen of his lips, he speaks, breaking the silence for the first time. “How long have you been doing this?”
“Since before I could walk.”
“And you never get bored of it?”
“Never. If anything, the more I do, the more I need to do.”
“So you’re an addict.”
“I hadn’t thought about that before, but maybe. I think it’s more a driving need to create and get all my ideas out there.”
“And to change the world.”
I smile. “That too, if I can get my ideas out, then maybe I can influence someone.”
“What is it you’re creating now that’ll change the world?”
“I’m exposing some rich fucker for what he is.”
Lawson’s eyebrow raises. “What is he?”
I chew my bottom lip a moment before saying, “Someone I really want to kiss.”
Rejected
(Lawson)
I can’t believe she’s sitting on my desk naked like that. Most women wouldn’t have the confidence to hang out in the nude. Skye’s got confidence in everything, except her talent.
Normally, I’d have been out of my chair, bent her over the desk and be balls deep in any woman who sat like that. But I’m completely content just to watch her, although it helps that we’ve been at it all night and morning.
I love the way her brow moves and knits as she concentrates on her drawing.
From my angle, I can’t see what she’s drawing and I’m curious to know what it looks like. Somehow I find the patience to wait. Right now, I’m happy to make her happy.
“Ta-da,” she says, flipping the paper around for me to see.
“Wow, you did that in twenty minutes?”
“Obviously, you just watched me do it.”
“It’s amazing.” It really is, it looks eerily like me and seems like something that should’ve taken hours to do.
Skye purses her lips, fighting back a smile. She should allow herself to be proud of herself.
“Thanks.”
“Do I get to keep it?”
She hesitates, “Sure, if you want it.”
I stand, take the paper from her and tack it to my white board. It might be strange to have a picture of myself on display, but it reminds me of her.
“Do you ever do self portraits?”
“Ew, God no.”
“Can you do one for me?”
“Seriously?”
“I’ll hold the mirror.”
“If you really want one, I’ll do you one.”
“Can it be below the waist?”
She rolls her eyes and says, “Don’t push your luck.”
“Come with me, I think I know a good place.”
I hook my arm around her shoulders and lead Skye to yet another room in my house. This is one of the smallest rooms in the house, so one whole wall is mirrored to make it seem bigger. Which, to me, defeats the whole purpose of having a small room. I have a shitload of big and even bigger rooms, I wanted a small one.
“There are certainly enough mirrors in here.”
A black lacquered chest blocks most of the floor space in front of the mirrored wall. I shift it out of the way, exposing the complete height of the floor-to-ceiling mirror.
“How’s that? Do you want a chair?”
“I’m good,” she says, sitting cross legged on the floor.
My eyes are drawn to the pink spot between her legs. It’s like she’s completely forgotten that she’s naked. My dick twitches, seeing her exposed like that. I clear my throat and move to the window, staring out it intently until it’s passed.
When I turn back, I’m relieved to see she’s laid the paper across her lap, blocking my view.
I flop onto the armchair and watch her. This was intended to be a quiet room, where I could go to think or reflect or read or whatever the fuck the designer had in mind.
Skye moves with the same level of focus that she had when she drew me. Her body leans to the mirror while she studies herself, then straightens again while she transfers her findings to the paper.
From my vantage point, this time I’m able to watch the creation as it takes place. The way it develops from a blank page to a virtual photograph is mind-blowing. She has more talent in the tip of her finger than most people have in their entire bodies.
Though I suspect a lot of that talent was honed with years and years of hard work and dedication. I have nothing but admiration for Skye.
“Okay, here you go,” she says, passing me the finished paper.
I trace the pencil line of her cheek.
“It’s good, but missing something.”
“Huh?” Skye grabs the paper out of my hands.
“It’s missing your spark. Can’t you see it in yourself?”