Art Class

Rana stood in front of her mailbox in the post office box center on campus. She was doing her best to control her emotions. She felt as if all she knew to do was cry lately. She had good reason to, but still, things had to change. Inserting her key into the mailbox, she turned it and opened the door to find a package and a few letters. She pulled them out, not looking at the names and twisted the key in the lock then glanced down. She drew in a sharp breath, let out a sound of surprise and dropped to her knees.

The package she now held in her hands had come from her father. Her eyes strayed to the postmark and that’s when the sobs came unchecked. Thoughts ran through her mind that this package had been mailed the day he was killed in the crash.

“Are you alright?”

The sound came from behind and above her and she shook her head without looking up, holding the package against her chest. She felt strong but gentle hands touch her shoulders.

“Here, let me help you. Where are you heading? Is there anyone I can call for you?”

Rana tilted her head up, tears streaming down her cheeks and saw him for the first time. His eyes were a wonderful hazel color and his hair was dark brown almost black color. She saw his anxious expression and wondered for a fleeting second what it would be like to see a smile touch those eyes.

“There’s no one,” she choked out. “I just want to go home.” She started to rise and he helped her up, bending to pick the letters up that she dropped.

“Where is it? I’ll help you there.”

Rana shook her head, her instinct for protection kicking in. “Thank you.” She took the letters and hurried away.

James watched her go with a sigh then turned to get his own mail. Whatever news she’d gotten was awful to make her react so badly. He understood she might not want to be bothered so hadn’t followed her. He shrugged inwardly, got his mail and went on with his day.

Rana set the mail down at her kitchen table and sat down in front of it. She looked at the letters and found one had come from the school itself. She sighed and opened it, careful not to get a paper cut. That’s all she would need on top of what she was already going through. Tears blurred her vision as she read and slowly absorbed what it was telling her. Her scholarship was still in effect, but it wasn’t enough to cover her remaining time and she would need to supplement her income in order to stay.

She could understand why the school was saying that and normally it wasn’t a problem, but now that she was alone what was she going to do? She crumpled the letter out of frustration and tossed it to the side then pulled the package close and hugged it as if it were her father. They’d been so close since her mother’s death when Rana was ten. It was hard growing up with a single parent, but even worse because she was a girl. Her father had to learn all things girly in order to help her.

Slowly, Rana forced herself to let go of the package and then to open it. Inside she found a note from her father and some of her favorite snacks. There was also a bright yellow scarf and a bottle of lily of the valley perfume for her to wear. Rana looked down at her all white sari and draped the yellow scarf around her neck. Why did the two colors have to go so well together? She sighed and pulled the scarf away. White was the color of mourning and she was still in mourning for her only parent.

“Buchku, what are you doing? You knew this would happen someday.” His voice whispered in her mind and she smiled at the tender endearment he’d used since she was little. A shudder ran through her as the statement sunk in. She had to do something; she couldn’t just sit around and wait for her prince charming to come rescue her. Rising from the table, she wiped the tears from her face and moved outside her housing. An idea had hit her and she wanted to see if there was a chance.

Only a few moments after she’d left her housing, Rana stood in front of the school bulletin board. Her eyes took in and rejected the job offerings that she couldn’t take due to her school schedule. The timing couldn’t have been more horrible. It was too late to drop the classes without losing the money paid for them and she had to finish the semester and pass in order to keep her scholarship going. She sighed then spotted a pale cream flyer from an art professor. Hope filled her as she saw that the class was looking for students to be models for students to sketch, paint and sculpt. The class paid cash per session and took place when she had a free period. She reached out and ripped off one of the tabs then hurried to the art building.

Rana knocked on the office door and waited a few seconds then heard a voice call for her to enter. She opened the door and went inside, swallowing hard against nervousness. What if he told her she didn’t qualify?

Her eyes widened as she saw a man who looked more at home at a peace rally then behind a desk looking toward her. He had long hair tied back in a ponytail and his clothes were paint spattered tie-dyed t-shirt and blue jean shorts. Flip flops completed his ensemble.

“Yes?” His tone was curious and he looked amused. “May I help you?” His eyes went to the slip in her hand and a smile broke across his face. “Are you volunteering?”

“Please. Things have gotten…hard and I need the money.” Rana found her hand shaking and tucked it behind her back.

“I’m Professor Tyler, but everyone just calls me professor. Please do the same.” He pointed at her sari. “I’m sorry for your loss. If this can help a little then I’m glad to help you.” His eyes silently questioned her, but he was too polite to ask out loud.

“My father was killed in a car wreck,” Rana found herself saying. She sat down as he gestured to a chair across from him. As if he’d burst a dam holding her back she suddenly let loose and told him the whole story all the way up to receiving the package a little bit earlier. She was surprised that she managed to tell him without crying during the story.

He listened as she spoke then was quiet as he thought of what to do. “Well, I’m sure we can find ways of helping you. We have the modeling during class and the students may also request a private modeling session. They are more expensive as you would expect, however they usually last longer and would have to be arranged between the two of you. If you feel more comfortable, you may use the classroom during periods when it isn’t being used.”

“I can’t thank you enough. Um, what exactly am I going to be doing?” Rana finally asked, steeling her shaking nerves by will alone.

“For tonight just sitting still and letting them use you as a model. In other sittings you may be asked to pose in different stances, hold items and even move through a series of movements. Our goal is to capture the essence of the human body with all its perfection and flaws. “He looked at his watch and smiled. “Don’t worry, we don’t bite.” He rose and motioned for her to follow him. They moved together from his office into the classroom across the way. “Class, this is Rana. She has agreed to be our model for tonight. Please welcome her.”

Rana stood a little behind him trying to shelter any way she could as her heart raced in her chest. Slowly she began looking around the students as a chorus of welcomes floated her way. She saw most of them sitting in front of easels and looking her way. She looked from one older woman to the next student and suddenly locked eyes with a pair of familiar hazel eyes. She jumped as she felt the professor touch her on the arm.

“Just sit right here however makes you comfortable. Tonight we are working on profiles so all you have to do is relax and not move once you pick a pose.” He smiled gently at her and showed her a stool to sit on.

Rana tore her eyes away from James and swallowed as she sat on the stool then let out a near inaudible nervous giggle which she was want to do when she didn’t know how to react. “Like this?” she finally asked and kept the pose when he nodded his approval. Rana moved her head as she heard the scrape of stools and easels being moved to give the students a better view of her.

“Hold still though, our artists need something still for tonight’s assignment.”

Rana blushed, nodded, remembered she was supposed to be still and laughed slightly before forcing herself to remain still.

James couldn’t believe his luck as he watched her enter the room and at first thought she was joining the class late. When he heard she was to be a model, it was all he could do not to grin like a fool. Now he had a perfect excuse to draw her likeness. Maybe it would even give him a chance to talk to her. And on top of that he knew her name now. Rana was a beautiful name and fit her perfectly in his eyes. He moved his easel closer to his neighbor to get a better view and looked over to see how much more he needed to and found her studying him. He froze in place, his hand on the easel and smiled at her.

“Namaste, Rana,” he murmured softly.

Rana’s eyes widened and her mouth formed a tiny cupid’s bow before breaking into a smile. “Namaste.” She held her hands vertically in front of her chest and bowed a little to him. She straightened back up as a boy across from her cleared his throat. “Sorry,” she said hastily and went back to her position.

James wanted more of that smile directed at him.

“You speak her language?” his neighbor whispered. She was an older woman who was only taking the class because she wanted to and she took no guff off of anyone. Her name was Tricia and she had been in the military for the full twenty year time before retiring.

“Just a couple of words,” James said getting his easel into position. He settled down and with a simple drawing pencil began sketching her.

Rana found that the class passed quickly. In point of fact, she realized she had expected to hate it. She distracted herself by thinking of other things. She started innocently enough with things like her other classes, homework due dates and then moved onto songs she liked. Without realizing it, she began humming quietly.

“I love that song.”

Rana looked for who had said the words, her attention coming back to the present. There was a boy sitting next to the one she had seen earlier in the day and both were looking at her so she couldn’t tell which boy had said it.

“It’s great to dance to.” James stood up and focused on her, drawing her face. He grinned at her.

Rana’s eyes softened as she bit back a smile, knowing she wasn’t supposed to move once she posed. Thoughts of dancing with him made her heart race a little. Her cheeks took on a faint rose color.

James forced himself to focus on drawing her and not on the changes he could see happening. He wondered for a moment what it would be like to have her as a nude model and was suddenly grateful for the easel that stood in between them and hid the changes that were happening to him. He drew close to finishing her face as the bell rang. He sighed and began packing up his things.

Rana rose from the stool and stretched, able to move after almost an hour of sitting in the same position. She watched as James packed his things for a moment then turned as the professor handed her some money.

“Thank you for being a great model. If you are interested we can use you once a week. Also, you are welcome to take private sessions as well.”

“Thank you, professor.” Rana gave him a beaming smile and took the money then turned but James was hurrying out to make it to his next class. She sighed watching him go then turned back to the professor. “I enjoyed it tonight.”

“As did I, Rana, will we see you next week?”

“Yes, professor, you will.” Rana moved from the room and went to head to her own class.

The week passed quickly for Rana and she found herself really looking forward to the modeling that night. Maybe she would be able to learn his name this time. Would the professor think it too forward of her to ask? She moved from her housing after brushing her hair until it shone and smoothing any wrinkles in her sari. It was up to her when she wanted to stop the mourning period since she’d already observed the appropriate time. Some people never came out of mourning but she also missed the bright colors of her favorite saris and salwar khameez outfits. “Soon,” she whispered as she moved into the crowd of students moving in the general direction she needed to go.

“Rana!”

Rana turned her head and saw him hurrying to catch up with her and trying to squeeze through the crowd of students. She waited for him to catch up.

“Rana, I’ve been trying to figure out how to get in contact with you.” His voice was breathless as he fell into step with her. “I couldn’t stay after last week because my next class is all the way across campus. “

“Why did you want to contact me?” Rana looked at him innocently, in the back of her mind picturing his remarks from the week before and wondering again what it would be like dancing with him.

“I…er, wanted to ask for a personal sitting if I could. Has someone asked already?” James stammered in the beginning then quickly finished the sentence as if she would be frightened and run off.

“Not yet. I’m sorry; I don’t know your name.”

“I’m James. James Davis. Pleased to meet you, Rana.” James flashed a crooked smile and held his hand out to her to shake.

“Rana Rai,” Rana said softly. She shook his hand, feeling a tiny surge of elation as they touched. She let go and they moved inside the art class together.

The professor smiled as he saw them come into the room together. “Ah, Rana, it’s wonderful to see you again. I was hoping you would come back.”

“I looked forward to tonight all week,” Rana admitted. “Surprisingly, it was relaxing.”

“Could I talk to you over here?”

Rana followed after him, fear surging through her. Was something wrong? He’d just said he was hoping she would come back. Subconsciously she held her breath as she moved and wrung her hands. She stopped a distance away from James who was studiously ignoring them as he set up his easel and unpacked his pencil set. “Yes, professor?”

“I wanted to offer you something. I know that you’ve been through a lot and if you don’t want to make this decision I understand completely.”

Rana opened her mouth to say something but couldn’t think of what to say.

He watched her open then close her mouth and nodded. “Let me tell you before you decide. What I wanted to let you know is that there is a significant increase in the pay if you are willing to be a nude model.” He saw her about to react and held up his hand signaling for her to wait. “Wait, wait, listen to me first. There is nothing to be ashamed with about the human body and the students will view you only as a model. I understand there may be religious beliefs that may sway you and that is totally understandable. If you don’t want to do this, please don’t. It’s just; I need to know so I know whether or not to consider another student.”

Rana shuddered. “Totally nude?” she finally asked.

“At first we may do just above the waistline or even with a sheer gauzy type of covering until you get used to them.” He paused and let her think about it. “You don’t have to decide right now. If I could know by the end of class that would be wonderful.”

Rana steeled herself. “I’ll do it, professor.”

“Would you like to wait until next week or start tonight?”

Rana stared down at the floor. “Tonight, please.” She looked up at him, her eyes full of pain. “It sounds horrible, but I need the money.”

He smiled at her gently. “How about tonight you are a goddess? We can bare one breast only. We’ll take it slow and just remember…we don’t bite.”

Rana giggled softly and nodded her agreement then followed him to a different room to find the outfit he wanted to use to cover the rest of her body.

James finished setting up by the time the other students began streaming in and ignored rude remarks from a boy across the classroom about him being whipped by the model.

“Ah, leave him be, Mike. This isn’t whipped, this is called love,” Tricia argued.

James swiveled his head around and looked at her in surprise. “Love? Are you kidding? I just found out her name.”

Tricia grinned and leaned close so only he could hear even as Mike scoffed from his place. “Ah, but you were thinking about her all week weren’t you? Don’t think I didn’t notice even if she didn’t because of your easel.”

James turned bright red and busied himself with his book bag so he wasn’t looking when Rana came back out.

Rana was draped in a toga leaving her right breast and shoulder bare. It tied over her left shoulder with a gold clip and she had gold sandals on her feet. Her cheeks were as red as his as she slowly approached the stool.

“Oh, James,” Mike crooned from across the room.

James stood up from working with his bag to look over and his jaw fell open in surprise.

Tricia giggled from beside him. “I wish I had a camera.”

Rana kept her eyes downcast as she walked so she didn’t realize the camera comment was aimed at James and not at her. As she sat down, she forced herself to look toward him. His look of surprise was still there and Tricia was still grinning at him instead of looking at her.

“I think we have the perfect goddess. Don’t you agree, class?” The professor draped her hair across her left shoulder letting her right remain without cover.

James shook himself mentally before saying, “Yes, professor.” He forced himself to think outside the bedroom and as an art student and began sketching her.

Rana again focused inward to keep her embarrassment from coming out. Her cheeks had returned to their normal color thanks to thoughts of homework and what groceries she would need to get. That brought about thoughts of money and her face darkened as angry thoughts about her plight filled her. Other than that small darkening of expression, she held herself in place as she was.

James saw the difference in her expressions and began focusing on those instead of her naked breast that he very much wanted to cup in his hand and suckle. Wanting a happier expression from her he decided to try to soothe her as she seemed angry. “This throws off everything I’ve learned about mythology, professor. There is no record of this goddess that I know of.”

Rana’s eyes focused on him. He’d just called her a goddess. Her heart pounded in her chest. He wasn’t Indian, but if he was she would introduce him to her father. He seemed the perfect candidate for her. She gulped as she remembered she couldn’t introduce him to her father anymore. She forced herself to smile for him, even though it didn’t reach her eyes.

James quickly began drawing, capturing the smile and the pain in her eyes.

“I thought we’d enjoy some music this week.” Professor Tyler moved to a radio and turned it on to a soft rock station. “Ah yes, much better. Now we have something to keep us occupied in hearing as well as sight.”

“You have any cookies, professor? I think my taste sense could use an uplift,” Mike asked with a smirk. “Or maybe a milkshake? Yes, a milkshake would be great around now.”

“That’s enough, young man. You will hold your manners in this class or you will leave.”

“Sorry, sir,” Mike said and went back to his drawing.

Rana needed to distance herself from the talking because it was making her nervous. She took in calming breaths through her nose, each filling her chest, and exhaling through her partially opened mouth. With each breath in and out her chest rose and fell causing her breast to move. She focused back on the classroom for a moment and found James staring at her, his hand frozen in place. Again they locked eyes and it was as if something unspoken passed between them. She knew he would never hurt her or allow her to be hurt. A shy smile passed her lips and a tingly sensation filled her stomach as she pictured herself alone with him. What would he do first if she allowed him to do what he wished? She pictured herself dressed as she was now and him with his hand cupping her breast, fondling it, sucking on it as she’d seen in movies.

“James,” Tricia whispered, nudging him. “Times a wastin.”

James jumped a little, thanked her and went back to his drawing.

Rana’s curiosity overtook her wondering what her breast looked like drawn by him. Her cheeks flamed a little as she pictured herself laying naked for him to draw her. Maybe just with a necklace on like Kate Winslet did in the movie Titanic. She lost herself in fantasies of him drawing her in different poses and those hands touching her to guide her where he wanted her next. Goosebumps appeared on her bare skin as the tingling grew worse and she shivered slightly.

“Class is almost over, Rana, just a little longer.” The professor smiled encouragingly at her. “You’re doing great.”

“Just perfect,” James added. He’d noticed the goose bumps then did his best to hide a smile as her nipple rose in reaction to the cold he thought she was feeling but in all actuality was to his voice alone.

Rana’s eyes widened as she felt herself growing moist and her nipple peaked. She lifted a hand to cover it in embarrassment.

“Hey, don’t move.” Mike looked at her and rolled his eyes.

“Sorry,” she muttered.

“Leave her be, Mike.”

Rana looked gratefully at James and he winked at her. She lowered her hand back to where it was. She would focus only on him and let Mike be like an annoying insect she wished she could hit with a flyswatter. The thought of doing that to him made her grin and she heard a chuckle. Glancing at James she saw him smiling in approval. The bell rang and she jumped off the stool to go change. When she came back out the room was empty except for the professor.

“Here you are. It’s a little more to make up for Mike’s comments tonight. I’ll be having a talk with him. He thinks he can get away with things because his father is on the board, but there’s no excuse for being rude to a model.”

“Thank you, professor,” Rana said. She quickly hugged him then hurried from the room to go to her own class.

The week passed quickly and each night Rana slept soundly dreaming of James drawing her, holding her as they danced together, him speaking in her defense to Mike and one night of a whole story where she was a maiden in distress, he was a knight and Mike the evil villain. The morning of the next art class was following the night she’d dreamed the story up. She rose and decided to do something for James for sticking up for her. She moved to the kitchen and turned the oven on to preheat then gathered her materials together. It wasn’t long before she had made a batch of homemade cookies up. Letting them cool, she showered then went to her closet. Today, she wasn’t going to wear all white. She took out a bright yellow sari and began winding it around her body then added the scarf her father had sent her.

Adding the scarf reminded her to check the mail. She grabbed her keys and hurried out and to the mailbox. Inside, she found a letter from India waiting along with a week’s worth of junk mail.

“No white today?”

Rana spun around to find James there ready to check his mail.

He was smiling at her. “I thought maybe it was a favorite color or something. Yellow looks great on you.”

“I’m no longer in mourning,” she whispered. “Do you have a few minutes?” she asked then subconsciously covered her breast with her hand even though she was fully clothed. “I have something for you.”

“Sure, my next class is at one.” He saw her move her hand but instead of focusing on that he looked into her eyes. “What do you have?”

Against everything she had been taught, Rana gestured toward her housing. “It’s at my place. Please come with me. I’ll pack it up for you.” She led him there in a matter of moments and unlocked the door. He followed her inside looking around curiously.

“Great place. It’s really close to almost everything.” He sniffed the air. “What’s that smell, it’s wonderful.”

“Your surprise,” Rana moved into the kitchen knowing he would follow and showed him the cookies cooling on the rack. “I hope you like mango.”

“I’ve never had mango. But, they look great, Rana.”

“Oh! You have to try mango itself first then. Hold on, I have one that’s cold.” She went to her refrigerator and opened it. Inside was a half gallon of milk and a single mango on one shelf. She grasped the mango and brought it out. Deftly slicing it open she put a few slices on a plate for him and offered him a fork to eat it with. “Mango is my favorite.”

James looked at the fruit on his plate, shrugged and cut a piece with the fork then put it in his mouth. It was wonderful and he smiled. “It’s great. I can see why you like it so much.”

Rana was excited that she’d gotten him to try something new and bounced to where the cookies were picking one up and bringing it back to him just with her hand. “Now try this,” she said and held it up to his mouth.

James bit the cookie making sure not to bite her fingers as well, his hand going up and touching her wrist. “Mmmm,” he moaned softly as the taste filled his mouth.

Rana seemed to realize how he would be seeing things and backed up a few steps taking the rest of the cookie with her. “I’ll-I’ll pack these up for you. I was going to bring them tonight, but it’s probably better this way. Mike would be jealous.” She grabbed a Ziploc and began putting cookies inside, her hands shaking.

“Do you have some time?” James asked softly from right behind her. His hands slid around her and steadied hers as she put the cookies into the bag.

It was the closest thing to a hug that she’d been given since her father’s funeral and that had been by one of his female coworkers. She tensed at first then gave into the emotions filling her. She nodded and leaned back against him at the same time letting him support her.

James folded her arms across her chest without letting go of her wrists so that he was holding her protectively. She felt so right in his arms and he detected that scent of flowers again. He didn’t want to spoil this by talking again so he just held her until she tilted her head up and looked at him. He leaned his head down and kissed her very lightly on the lips then pulled back to see her eyes had closed and she had the tiniest ghost of a smile on her face. He watched her eyes open slowly. “Everything’s going to be alright,” he murmured softly.

“I hope so.” Rana cleared her throat. “Did you have something you wanted to show me?” She moved out of his arms and faced him.

“Yes, it’s at my place though.”

“Well, you’ve seen mine; I may as well see yours.” Rana giggled nervously.

James looked confused for a moment then laughed. “If you want,” he said and reached for the buttons on his shirt.

“My house!” Rana said laughing gaily. She shook her head and put her hand over his. “You know what I meant.”

“I knew, but I wanted to see your smile.” He took the bag of cookies she offered and they headed for his house after making sure hers was locked up. It didn’t take them long to cross to his house and she looked around as he had once they were inside. His housing was among the more expensive housing on campus but inside was all artwork and a single bed. He did have a kitchen area but it looked as if it hadn’t been cleaned since the start of semester and a stack of books filled most of one countertop.

Rana forgot about the kitchen area looking at his drawings. “You did all of these?” She walked slowly along one wall looking at drawings of birds, flowers, people, and then stopped in front of one that was a fantasy scene. It was so full of detail that she had trouble taking it all in at first. There were dragons and scantily clad women, big burly men with swords, wizards, and dolphins leaping from a pool that was fed by a waterfall.

James appeared beside her holding a canvas against his chest. “I love reading fantasy,” he admitted. “I add to that as I see fit.” He turned the canvas around. “Here is your gift.”

Rana tore her eyes away from the fantasy picture and found the canvas was different drawings of her head. He’d caught her smiling, blushing and looking a little angry as well as sad. She looked up into his eyes. “You did this of me?”

James smiled. “I love how you being a model in class inspires me, Rana. Have you thought about sitting for a private session?”

“Naked?” Rana squeaked out. She looked embarrassed, giggled and tried again. “Do I have to be naked?”

“Do you want to be naked? It’s more money if you do, of course.”

Rana swallowed hard. “I could do that if it’s what you want.”

“It’s what you want. I would love to have you as a nude model, but if it’s not something you are comfortable with-“ He stopped as she put a finger over his lips.

“I’ll do it, James.”

James stared into her eyes. He slowly moved away from her finger. “I can frame this and sign it for you.”

“I’d like that.” Rana looked around his apartment. “You are dedicated to your artwork that is for sure.”

James nodded his agreement. “That I am. My father doesn’t approve, but mother does. She feels I have a talent that shouldn’t be hidden by working in an office somewhere. Father says I have my head in the clouds and I’ll never support myself with just artwork.”

“Your mother is right.” Rana turned to face him. “I should take this home.”

“Please stay. I have to frame it anyway but I’d like it if you would stay for a while, Rana. You don’t have to do anything, just stay.”

Rana glanced at her watch. “I can’t. I have to be to class in about fifteen minutes. I’ll see you tonight though, I promise.”

She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for the gift, it’s wonderful.” She smiled as she faced him then hurried away so she would stop embarrassing herself and not be late for class.

James watched her go, thoughts of her posing naked for him dancing in his head. He wondered how to bridge the gap between posing and possibly asking her out. Those thoughts filled most of his day and he wondered where she was as he set up his easel in art class.

“You’ve got it hard,” Mike said from where he sat.

“Stuff it.” James glared across at him. “And no rude comments tonight. I can’t believe you were that way last week.”

“It’s not your place to tell me what to say and what not to say. That is unless you are going out with her. Are you? Maybe she’s still open game.” Mike raised his eyebrows suggestively then let his face go back to normal as Rana came out of the room.

Rana looked self conscious as she moved silently across the room. The wrap of lace that she had been given was nothing to cover herself with. It was a cream color and looked really old, but was purposely made to reveal anything it was on top of. Right now it was gathered in folds in front of her curls and it left her breasts both bared. Tonight the professor had draped her hair across one shoulder, partially blocking one nipple from view. She was again covered with goose bumps and not from cold as she looked toward James.

He looked back and could see how nervous she was. He gave her a reassuring smile. “Namaste, Rana.”

Rana smiled back then sat down on the stool feeling its leather against her bare bottom and got herself into a position that showed almost everything.

James dug into his bag and came up with a cookie, biting into it and saluting her with it.

Rana let out a tiny laugh and relaxed a little. She heard the radio start up and went into pre meditation state ready to lose herself somewhere else when she heard the professor’s voice.

“Rana, please remove the wrap now.”

Suddenly she was all nervous again but did as he asked. She rose and let the wrap hang from her right hand, baring herself for them all to see. She kept her eyes either on the back wall or on James as her heart pounded and color filled her cheeks. Her nipples peaked and she tried to squeeze her legs together more to avoid herself from revealing anything else. A faint musky scent began permeating around her as she imagined James walking to her and kneeling in front of her, his tongue darting across where so far only she’d touched. His fingers would cup her bottom bringing her closer to him and support her as he lavished his attentions on her.

James dropped the other half of the cookie he was holding, the sound of it hitting the floor and rolling the only sound beside the music and the scratching of various pencils on canvas.

She shuddered inwardly. How was she going to keep doing this? She wanted to run to him and hide in his embrace. The door opened without anyone knocking and a group of people came inside. Rana squeaked and tried to cover herself then dashed for the back room. Behind her there was a commotion as things happened at once.

James turned his head toward the door as it opened then heard her squeak and saw her rushing off. He dropped his pencil and hurried after her.

Professor Tyler moved toward the door and began talking to the group of people. “What is the meaning of this?”

James never heard anything the professor said to the group of people as he moved into the room behind Rana. He heard her sobbing and it nearly broke his heart. “Rana?” he said gently.

Rana spun around, tears flowing down her cheeks. She tried to cover herself up so he wouldn’t see her but only had both arms available from where she stood. She shook her head and looked for somewhere to hide.

James stripped his shirt off over his head. “Here,” he said quickly. He held it out to her and purposely looked away knowing how upset she was. He felt the shirt being pulled from his hand and heard sniffling then a softly spoken word.

“Thanks,” she murmured. She looked at him, grateful he was larger than her and his shirt covered her nakedness. “James, did you really mean it?”

“Mean what?”

“That song was a good one to dance to?” She wiped at her tears with his sleeves.

He turned to look at her concerned that she had snapped, asking such a random question right now. “Yes, it’s a great song to dance to.” He saw that she had edged toward him and as if someone was controlling his arms suddenly they were enfolding her and holding her close. “Would you like to dance with me?”

Rana nodded and snuggled against him lost in his scent and his warm body holding her close. She was glad that she’d gone through the embarrassment of being nude if this was the reward. “I’ll model for you anytime,” she whispered against him.

“Rana, are you-“ The professor asked and saw him holding her. He smiled and backed out of the room with a quick: “They’ve gone. They had the wrong room.”

James stroked his hand along her hair and kissed the top of her head softly and so began their relationship.





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