Page 6 of Making Out With Mermaids (Haven Ever After #6)
CHAPTER SIX
AMATHEIA
F or the next half hour, Betmal shares his vision for the coffee table book, going so far as to bring out sketches and a notebook. His vision is clear. The book should be beautiful but functional, full of stunning art with a high-end feel. Having seen his house, it doesn’t surprise me. The entire home feels like a designer spent a very large amount of money making every nook and cranny perfect.
Somehow, his home is luxurious but cozy. It’s not so fancy that it doesn’t look lived in. But it’s not casual, either. That’s how he seems to me as well. The few times I’ve seen him, he always seems so comfortable, but he’s always dressed impeccably.
After dinner, he produces a crème br?lée that I splurge and eat two of. When he insists so kindly, I can’t help myself. Dessert isn’t common in the merkingdom, but I love it. Just another way I’m not like everyone else. Not that I care terribly much about that as I stuff my face with sugary deliciousness.
Dessert finished, Betmal offers to show me what he’s working on in the backyard. I debate how far I can walk with my leg throbbing from the earlier trek, but the truth is, if he’s doing a project…I want to see it. He’s so creative and expressive, whatever it is will probably be beautiful.
He offers me his arm, and I take it despite warning bells blaring in my mind. I’m attracted to him. I think any female alive would probably be attracted to him. And that is a conflict of interest I should consider before I agree to do this project. Although, the project itself is intriguing. I love the idea of making something beautiful that’s also highly practical. Plus, I’m certain I can be professional if this project—and the money I earn from it—get me closer to my goal of leaving the lake.
Betmal opens an arched glass-paned door that leads into his backyard, pointing at a shed-like structure that rises two stories high. A gabled roof rises nearly to the branches of the giant trees surrounding it. It’s gorgeous.
He smirks as he joins me in staring at the building. “My new workshop. The interior’s not finished yet, but the second story will be an open loft that serves as my office. It takes up just half of the second story so I can look down below.” His smirk grows into a full on grin. “That way it’ll be easy to spy as you paint.”
Chuckling, I turn to look up at him. “ This giant home doesn’t have an office space for you?”
He returns the soft laugh. “Ma siréne, I prefer to keep work and play a bit separate. It’s a favorite custom of mine to take my morning espresso, walk across the yard and do my work in my office. At dinnertime, I return to this quiet space, and I do not bring work with me.” He waves at the house behind us. “My home is all about pleasure, sweet girl. Good food, good time spent with people I care for. I don’t bring work there if I can help it.”
“Sounds amazing,” I admit. While my workspace isn’t in the castle, just being home in the suite shared by all my cousins is chaotic at the best of times.
He gestures toward the backyard cottage again. “That first floor is one giant sitting area, windows on all four walls. It would be a perfect place to paint, sketch, or draw. If you agree to do this project with me, I’d like you to work here so we can stay in touch as we progress.”
“Oh.” I move to let go of his arm, but he grabs my hand gently and curls my fingers around his firm biceps.
“Say yes to me,” he says. “Say yes to this project. I have seen your work, and you’re the only one I want for it.”
I shouldn’t. I really shouldn’t.
“It’s hard for me to get away,” I finally admit. “It’s embarrassing, but merfolk don’t often mix with the rest of Ever. You’ve probably seen that in your short time here. I’m one of the only mer who comes out of the lake, well, at all.” I glance up, frowning. “It might take me a while to do this. I’d like to, but you’d be better off having me paint one or two things and finding another artist for the rest.”
If he has to wait on me to do all of the art, it’ll take ages.
“Has to be you,” he says with a smile that lights up his elegant features. “So, we will work on whatever timeframe you’re able to manage. And the gig pays a million dollars per haven.”
That silly offer makes me smile. “Sounds like I’ve got carte blanche, and I’m overcharging you by an arm and a fin.”
His nostrils flare as he leans closer. “Whatever it takes to get a yes. Two million? Three?”
“Yes,” I say as I stare at the adorable cottage in his beautifully designed backyard oasis. “Three million seems excessive, Betmal. A million dollars is quite sufficient.” It’s a joke, it must be. That number is ludicrous.
A spark of hope flares bright in my chest. I should squash it down, I really should, but the way he levels me with a devious smile serves as oxygen to that flame.
Crimson eyes flash. “If that’s what you want, Amatheia, that is what you shall have.”
I snort out a laugh. A million dollars for a few paintings is absolutely ridiculous. Even so, I’m certain we can figure out a number that makes sense. I’ll bring it up again later.