Page 31 of The Maverick (WaterFyre Rising #7)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

VANESSA

I woke up at five the next morning without an alarm.

I was a morning person, but based on my fatigue yesterday, I should have slept until six or seven in the morning.

Feeling motivated to complete my For Your Heart Only mission, I walked into the bathroom—which was bigger than my entire apartment—to wash up.

I brushed my hair, but it wasn’t doing what I wanted, so I sprayed on some leave-in conditioner and added curlers. This usually tamed the frizz.

Usually, I wouldn’t care what I looked like, but I wanted Attikus to see the best version of me today. A first impression was important, especially to my fake fiancé, who owned a museum filled with extraordinary art. He knew what it took to impress.

I glanced at my planner. Unlike most people these days who used online planners, I preferred my physical planner.

I liked the tangible touch. An artist knew the difference between using a Photoshop paintbrush versus a real one.

The organic touch of the real thing connected me to nature—back to the basics.

There was nothing wrong with digital art.

I’d created amazing art with it many times, and it helped with my social media graphics.

But I preferred to walk in the woods rather than on a treadmill.

I flipped through my planner, crossing off the things I had completed, and reviewed what needed to be worked on.

I’d finished Three Roads Diverged in a Dark Wood and sent it off.

That custom piece had earned me two hundred thousand dollars.

I still had the painting to do for the First Lady.

I didn’t like any of the rough sketches I’d drawn of her.

Why wasn’t I inspired? This wasn’t good.

I had to deliver a unique portrait of her.

Maybe some time off to clear my head would help me start fresh.

It was only five forty-five when I opened my bedroom door and peered out as though I didn’t belong in the house.

Attikus was probably still asleep. I walked down the hallway to the room he’d turned into an art studio for me.

I only brought what I needed to work and some blank canvases.

The studio was spacious, with a lot of natural lighting.

One side was all glass, allowing me to look out at a blooming garden.

I walked over to the sliding door and opened it, allowing the fresh air to enter.

I remembered I’d brought some flip-flops with me.

Rushing back to my room, I dug out a pair of green flip-flops and wore them out into the garden.

I had no idea why I’d brought them with me.

Apparently, my subconscious mind knew I’d need them.

Sometimes, I loved walking barefoot on the grass, but I didn’t want dirt in my new art studio.

But as soon as I stepped onto the stone path, I realized there wasn’t dirt anywhere.

It was stone, mulch, and grass. The private yard was fenced off with a locked gate.

This was my private oasis, where I could paint or do whatever I wanted.

I twirled as if I wore a dress, but I was still in my cotton T-shirt and knit pants.

Mid-May weather meant the sun rose early. I glanced up at the warm pink sky and smiled. It was going to be a wonderful day. I walked around admiring the daffodils and tulips.

“Thank you for your beautiful colors.” I blew kisses at them, imagining them giggling at me.

Skipping along the stone path to the gate, I unlocked it and walked into a larger yard.

Someone had tended to the grass and plants by adding brown mulch to the area.

I spotted the greenhouse I’d seen yesterday.

It had solar-like panels on the roof. I approached and saw a metal box attached to the side of the wall.

Opening it, I saw a keyboard. Closing the box, I surveyed the textured glass wall that wrapped around the space.

Something about the design and textured glass made it appear more advanced.

I yanked the door, and it opened. Stepping inside, I browsed the tables, racks, and displays. There were no seedlings. Just empty trays with a variety of seeds and gardening tools spread out on a table. What was he planting? Why hadn’t he started?

I walked out of the greenhouse and explored. Attikus had an abundance of flowering trees and shrubbery. The fresh air invigorated me. With joy radiating in my heart, I skipped around the yard in my flip-flops as though the space was mine.

No one was here but me, so I could sing if I wanted to.

It had been a long time since I felt this carefree.

I didn’t know how long this would last, so I had to take advantage of this rare moment.

A rabbit raced out from behind a budding Azalea bush and darted across the lawn. It paused and looked at me.

“Hey, there,” I said, stepping forward.

The bunny hopped into a bush by the kitchen sliding door.

When I looked up, my heart galloped at the gorgeous man wearing only cotton pants.

Attikus’s bare shoulders and chest showcased a spectacular form with taut muscles.

Saliva pooled in my mouth. Who knew he had such an incredible abdomen?

I could use it as my painting palette. I wanted to run my hands over those fantastic ridges.

My throat grew dry, staring at him. My dream about him resurfaced. Then I saw my reflection in the sliding glass panel and gasped. My curlers dangled from my hair—one clinging haphazardly to one side—and my thin T-shirt revealed my breasts and pebbled nipples. I could die from embarrassment.

Why was he up at this hour?

Attikus opened the sliding door. “Would you like some coffee?”