Sallinger, Elene - Reflection (The Chrysalis Series)

Knowing where this was coming from with Mona, Bridget relaxed and took her friend in a hug. She whispered, ‘I’m sorry, darlin’. Was he in here today again?’

Mona looked unhappy as she stepped back and nodded. ‘Yes, I wish he’d go somewhere else.’

Bridget’s reply was interrupted as Connor rejoined the women. Taking in the sad look on Mona’s face, he said, ‘Hey, is everything OK?’

Mona pulled a smile and said, ‘Yeah, just dumb stuff. Nothing to worry about.’

‘You want come with us?’ he asked. ‘I think Bridget might even appreciate the company.’

Bridget flushed at his words. She was clearly coming off a bit paranoid and he was being a very good sport.

Mona waved them off. ‘Thanks, but no. I’ve got a lot of work to do today. It’s bill paying day, yum!’ She pulled a sarcastic face before squeezing Connor’s arm and saying, ‘Thanks, though.’

She gave Bridget another hug and whispered, ‘See. Don’t be stupid. Go out with him.’

To Connor she said, ‘I know where you drink coffee, ya hear? Take care of my friend.’

He laughed and promised her he’d take very good care of her as he gave Bridget a long, considering look with those ash-grey eyes. Bridget felt her body go languid at the undercurrent of those words.

To her, he said, ‘Ready?’

No, not in the least. Nevertheless, she nodded and led the way out of the shop.

This spot was lovely. Connor had brought them to an old manor house that was currently vacant. Seemingly abandoned, the grounds had gone wild with flowers, trees, and shrubbery. The house itself rose up like a faded treasure from the foliage surrounding it.

It was done in the Art Deco style from the turn of the 20th century and it also used a lot of the inherent topography in its design. The stream that ran through the grounds had been incorporated into the gardens. Stone outcroppings were used as visual elements in the back garden where they were currently resting on a blanket under a gorgeous willow tree eating the sumptuous spread Connor had brought.

It was light fare, perfect for the warm late spring weather. A simple pasta salad, French bread rolls, seasonal fruit, and light sparkling wine. She couldn’t complain about his taste, that was for sure. She sipped her wine as she listened to Connor talk about his passion for this place in particular.

‘I love how the colours are so wild and varied. It’s almost like walking through a Van Gogh or a Seurat painting. Pointillism in the flesh, so to speak,’ he said as he munched on a roll and washed it down with sips of wine. ‘It’s like being in a place out of time, you know?’

She chuckled. ‘I bet you read fantasy books growing up too, didn’t you?’

‘Absolutely.’ He grinned at her. ‘I read the whole Prydain series; all the Deryni books too. I love anything to do with wizards and elves. I mean, the world can be so hard to live in. Why not lose yourself for a little bit in quests for good to vanquish evil? Or in worlds where things are simple and make sense?’

‘I agree.’ Bridget smiled. She’d done the same thing herself growing up. ‘My favourite book of all time is Dragondoom by Dennis McKiernan. It has everything: a love story, dragons, dwarves, a strong female character, and a quest.’

‘I haven’t read that one, but I will now.’

His grey eyes bored into hers as he spoke and she had to catch her breath. He’d been catching her like that the whole time they’d been here. He hadn’t made a single move on her, but every time he looked directly at her it was as if he was stroking her body, and not like sleazy Dean Whittier. This was like a touch of silk whispering over her skin and giving her goosebumps while making her want to luxuriate in it.

‘You should. I recommend it.’ Looking away from him, Bridget picked at the blanket while trying to collect herself. Not an easy task when her nipples were hard and her core wet just from him looking at her. Searching for a new topic since clearly books were too sexy – she almost snorted – she asked, ‘Did your love of fantasy influence your artwork?’

‘Yup. Definitely.’ He dug into his backpack as he continued, ‘My favourite artist is Maxfield Parrish. He creates these amazing idealised, almost fantastical landscapes that are so full of colour and feeling, but so many are really an homage to the love of his life.’

Bridget smiled. ‘So, you’re a romantic, are you?’

He blushed a little and shrugged. ‘I don’t know about that, but I think two people who love each other is a beautiful thing. I remember my parents were always touching and kissing. I knew they loved each other as much as they loved me. My grandparents were the same way.’

Her heart clenched a little, knowing he was alone in the world now. Her own parents were still together and, despite not being the most demonstrative people in the world, it had been a loving home. She’d never doubted her worth or her place in their world.

‘I agree. Love is a beautiful thing when –’ Her words trailed off at the sight of the device Connor had pulled out of his pack. ‘What’s that?’

‘This –’ he held up the small, electronic device, which was about the same size as an iPad but clearly not one ‘– is my CleanSlate.’

He fiddled with it a bit and then handed her the device. On the screen was a beautiful landscape with mountains rising up to break through clouds drenched in hues of silver, purple, and rose, with fantastical birds flying around the summit. The realism of those mountains juxtaposed against clouds and birds that would never exist on this planet created an image both surreal and startling in its beauty.

Connor was silent and still as she gazed upon the piece.

‘Did you do this?’ she asked, looking up at him.

He didn’t answer. He just nodded.

‘It’s lovely. The clouds are gorgeous and those birds are so lifelike even though they clearly exist in some other dimension.’

The grin that broke out across his face was infectious. She found herself grinning back at him.

‘I love to mix realistic and fantasy elements in my art. The CleanSlate is awesome because I can work in any medium on it. It’s designed to allow me to do oil, watercolour, pencil, whatever I want. I have unlimited canvases with it.’

‘Do you do any actual painting?’ Her curiosity was growing.

‘Yeah, but art supplies can cost you an arm and a leg. Beside, this is so much easier to carry around and I like the digital medium best. It gives me a lot of flexibility and creative licence.’

The passion he had for his art was apparent in his face and voice.

‘Do you have others I can see?’ she asked, nodding down at the CleanSlate.

‘Sure, just hit that button and it’ll scroll through.’ He pointed to a small button near her right thumb.

She did as instructed and was amazed at the breadth of his work. He had landscapes, still lifes, and portraits. Each was intricate and lovingly detailed. Many of the portraits featured people doing some mundane activity, but with some fantastical twist that changed everything. She scrolled through his work, her admiration growing for his talent with each one. The last picture, however, caused her to almost drop the device.

‘Oh shit!’ Connor snatched it from her hands and flushed a deep shade of red. ‘I’m sorry, Bridget. I forgot that was on there.’

Her own face was red and she was sure she looked shocked. Raising her eyes to look at him, she said, ‘Can I please have that back?’ She held out her hand.

His flush deepened, but he handed it back to her. She gazed at the screen in frank appreciation mixed with wonder. He’d drawn her. The painting was exquisite. She reclined on a couch that could have graced the parlour of Queen Victoria, but it rested on a cloud. Deep blue sky was her backdrop. She was clothed in what could have been some sort of toga. Layers of silky ivory fabric draped her body. She was fully covered in the painting, but the hints of cleavage where one shoulder strap fell down, leaving an expanse of creamy skin exposed, and the slit up the leg showing an expanse of thigh created an eroticism that was unmistakable. Her face was in profile, but her expression was one of hunger and desire. She looked like a woman waiting for her lover.