Outer Core by Sigal Ehrlich Page A

it’s about time you did something about it instead of wasting your time on a job you don’t really need.”
    I fold my arms across my chest in defense. “I like my job.”
    â€œMore than illustrating?” Scarred eyebrow arches at me.
    I shake my head.
    â€œWouldn’t you like to do this for a living instead?”
    I bob my head.
    â€œThen you should pitch your work with some agents.”
    â€œI’ll think about it.”
    â€œWe both know you won’t. You’ll just keep hiding your work in a drawer. You’re good, Hales. Start believing in yourself.” He watches me closely. “Tell you what, anything you want if you start looking for an agent.”
    â€œAnything?” I ask, holding his gaze firmly.
    He folds his own arms across his wide chest. “Anything.”
    I rise to my feet, set the sketchpad aside, and bend to sit on his lap. With tender kisses and gentle strokes of bristled cheeks, I soothe him for the blow. “Talk to someone about what you went through in Thailand and I’ll pitch to every possible agent on the planet.”
    He watches me with hard eyes for some strained beats. His jaw ticking. “Deal.”
    I let out a relieved breath, looking at him in wonder. Really ?
    A little wrinkle sets above his nose. “Why do you look so surprised?”
    I lick my lip, trying to find the right words. “It’s that important to you, that you’d be willing to actually . . .” I don’t get to finish my sentence.
    He shakes his head, his lips in a grim smile. “I’m actually surprised that by now you still can’t comprehend just how important you are to me. You always come first. Just as I’m doing what I want to do, and enjoy it, I want the same for you. It’s very simple, Hales. I want you happy.” Mischief infiltrates his serious expression. “Happy and naked.” He squeezes my butt.
    . . .
    Brushing my teeth, I shift my eyes to look at Daniel through the vanity mirror. He pulls his shirt up over his head and throws it into the hamper. He rinses his toothbrush. Reaching for the toothpaste, his eyes meet mine in the mirror. I return his smile with a mouth full of suds and toothbrush. Aimlessly, my mind wanders to the night Daniel told me he wanted me for the first time, at the Stark Software fundraiser. It feels like a lifetime ago. The smile on my face is not something I’m controlling anymore.
    Daniel halts his brushing. “Hey, what are you smiling like that for?”
    My smile expands. Holding my stare over the mirror, his own crooked smile broadens as he moves to stand behind me. One of his hands goes back to brushing while the other settles on my hip. I tilt forward to rinse my mouth, deliberately brushing my butt against his groin. As I straighten up, his hand on my hip pulls me back, closer to his chest.
    â€œI was just remembering that morning when you came all the way to YOU just ‘cause you had to kiss me.”
    His lips stretch into a grin around the toothbrush. He lowers down from behind me to reach the sink. He rinses his mouth, and I take the chance to press a kiss on his muscled shoulder. Returning to stand behind me, he sends his hand to my waist and turns me to face him. His hands move to my hip and lift me to perch on the vanity. He pushes my legs apart, settling between them.
    He leans in to kiss my lips lightly. “Nothing has changed. I still feel exactly the same.” He kisses me again, this time with greater intensity.
    â€œSame here,” I say as we draw back. Reaching for the night lotion, I open the little jar. “You ruined me for anyone else that morning. No, wait; it was actually the night before, at that fundraiser.”
    Daniel takes the lotion from my hand, sinks the tip of his finger in the pinkish cream, and sets it aside. He gives me a soft smile, dabbing four little spots on my face. Forehead, cheeks, and ends with my