Lover's Muse (The Art Models Club) Read Online Free

she one of those people who simply were not comfortable in just their skin? And did she have a choice if she couldn't find some other way to make ends meet? The student loan would pay her basic costs but food, books, and art supplies were already more than she had anticipated when she transferred from the community college. And this was simply one more student loan piled onto the others. She didn't even want to contemplate how she would ever begin to pay them off once she had her degree. She knew most artists made little money.
    The smell of cooking eggs brought her back to the present and made her mouth water. She crawled over to the crate of books that had led to her stumped toe. Usually she ate standing or sitting on the mattress. But the crate, flipped on its side, would make a decent table. She put a large flat art history book on top to for a makeshift tabletop and then ripped out a clean sheet of drawing paper for a temporary tablecloth.
    “My, my! She brings out the luxury furniture for breakfast!” Hunter teased, armed with a heaping plate of scrambled eggs and several slices of bread heaped with jam. “I would have toasted the bread but couldn't find the potholders for the oven.”
    Amber grabbed a fork and was already filling her mouth before Hunter sat down.
    “I'm sorry,” she said, blushing, after seeing how he was staring at her. She shoved the plate closer to him on the makeshift table. “I know this is for both of us.”
    Hunter looked as though he was about to say something but then his phone beeped. “We need to talk later, but let's just eat and get to class right now.” He lowered his fork and quickly ate several bites.
    Amber noticed he was purposely eating less than she was but she couldn't stop herself. She had skipped so many meals the last few weeks to stretch her money that she couldn't seem to control herself anymore. She ate three out of the four slices of bread and jam, shoving the last few bites in even as they left the building and started the walk toward campus.

Chapter 4
     
    Only as they hurried to class did Amber realize that she still hadn't asked Hunter about the modeling job. She would have to wait until after class and hope that Kayla didn't show up again.
    They got to class early. Hunter explained on the way that a new model would be arriving and he wanted to be there to show her where to get changed into a robe. This would have been a great time to bring up her own interest but Hunter was clearly rushing. So Amber said nothing.
    In the classroom, she noticed a platform had been placed at the front of the room with a lone chair. She supposed that was where the model would sit or stand. Amber found her own seat and pulled out her new sketch pad and charcoal pencils. Her fingers itched to start drawing. Ever since she was a small child, she had loved to disappear into herself as she drew. It was one of the few things that brought her complete peace from her chaotic childhood.
    An older woman with some gray in her hair walked hesitantly into the room. Hunter greeted her with a warm smile and led her down the hall to the restrooms. As he returned, other students began spilling in to the large open room. Hunter greeted them and then conferred with Professor Collins, who walked in at the last minute. Motioning for a few students to assist them, they pulled a large screen in front of the huge open windows.
    The room instantly grew noticeably darker and a few of the students complained. Professor Collins held up a hand. “I know that this interferes with some of the natural light but today we have a new model and we want her to be as comfortable as possible. Having outsiders gawking into our classroom is not appropriate for anybody.”
    At the mention of the model, several of the students began whispering softly.
    Professor Collins began speaking again and the room instantly quietened. “Remember the words of John Sloan as you work. He wrote: 'The important thing to bear in mind