Painting for Keeps by Landra Graf

Author:Landra Graf
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Second Chance at Love, Manic and Depression, Artist and Painter, Emotional Abuse, Eating Disorder, Small Town Romance
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Published: 2019-09-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

It had been three weeks since Aggie moved in. Two since they’d kissed and only a couple days ago since he’d first made her scream his name. Murph still rode the manic. Sure, the sex made it less intense, but he couldn’t get enough of her. He’d even shaved so he wouldn’t rough up her skin whenever he went down on her, which for the time being, happened every day. She never stayed the night. Nope, it’d be sex, maybe a little talking, and then away she’d run.

Over the course of the days, in between amazing bouts of intercourse, he almost laughed at the word, she’d mentioned a food schedule, a healthy meal list, and even volunteered to pick up the groceries, if he promised to eat.

So, he ate what she bought, prepared the recipes she suggested, and worked harder to remember to lock up, a problem she pointed out after their first time together.

Now, he stood in the kitchen making some healthy chicken and a brown rice dish with lima beans and cauliflower. Everything baked or simmered like clockwork, and he tried not to get excited. Not about the release Aggie promised she’d sign today. Not about the painting he’d just finished of Aggie, passionate and desirable as she sat on his couch, beckoning to him.

A knock at the front door broke him from his emerging hard-on and wayward thoughts. He turned the saucepan down to a low setting before leaving the kitchen, determined to make this dinner perfect.

He opened to see Trix standing in the foyer, Seth playing with a small bouncing ball behind her. “Howdy, neighbor. Where have you been hiding?”

Murph shrugged his shoulders. “Nowhere, I’ve been here and busy.”

“Well, I made a pretty awesome pot roast for dinner and thought you could use a good, hearty meal. I know when you’re painting it’s hard to do any cooking.”

Normally, guilt would flood his stomach for turning her down, but this time...no remorse at all since he’d started embodying healthy behaviors. “Sorry, Trix. I’ve got dinner already cooking and someone coming over.”

For a moment, she appeared surprised, even a bit angry. Her downturned eyebrows and pursed lips disappeared behind a smile just as fast. “All right, I’ll bring you some leftovers tomorrow. Seth wanted to know if you’d join us for the farmer’s market this weekend? They are having a parade or something.”

Before he could answer, Aggie walked in the front door, smiling, black hair shimmering against a sliver of sunset peeking in behind her. Trix followed his eye path and beat him to a greeting. “Hi, Agatha. I’m trying to convince Murph to join us for dinner, but he has plans. Can I offer you a bite? Too much pot roast.”

It was weird to hear Trix call Aggie by her full name. His original dinner companion smiled wider, if anything, the smile looked more painfully polite than genuine. “Afraid I also have plans already for the evening, but thank you for offering.”

He would’ve thought Aggie would

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