Draw me

“Do you trust me?”
It wasn't something she had to even think about, with him.
She took a deep breath and nodded, “with everything I have in me”, she whispered.
“Okay, I have a free period now. I will get into the robe, I'll sit like Mr Rogers did and you can have a go at drawing me. Think structure, texture, lights, shadows.”
She nodded and took a deep breath.
Mr Barnes went out of the room.
She sat quietly with her pad and waited patiently trying to breath deeply.
He came padding out in his gown and sat quietly in the chair.
He took off the robe and she giggled quietly to herself as she noticed the Simpsons boxers.
He raised an eyebrow and she bit her lip.
The giggle was infectious and he laughed, “I'm sorry these were a Christmas present from my brother.”
She smiled,” no don't apologise, they are… I was just surprised that's all.”
He smiled and sat back, closing his eyes.
She took a deep breath and set to work.
After a while she spoke,” Okay Mr Barnes I'm done.”
He stood up and she fought to take her eyes off his muscular legs and chest.
Damn.
He put on his robe but not before she noticed the smile and the blush on his face.
Oh god, had he noticed her checking him out?! How unprofessional was she?! He had done this to help her and she was checking him out brazenly.
She blushed and looked down.
He came and stood and looked at the work
He didn't say anything and she thought he must hate it
Eventually she tore her eyes away from the floor and looked at him …
To find he was wearing a big smile on his face.
“You like it Mr Barnes?”, She whispered surprised.
He looked at her, his eyebrows going up, “you…you really see me”, he smiled, nodding,”I've ….I've never had a student see their subject…portray their subject in such a way…”
“Is that…is that a bad thing?!”, She said wincing slightly.
He looked at her and let out a big smile, and he gently squeezed her arm, “I think you are a gifted artist and I would love to help you nurture your talent, if you'll let me.”
She felt herself go light headed and grab his arm.
“Hey hey doll”, he said and caught her in his arms, as she felt herself pressed against the muscular chest she was just drawing.
“I'm… I'm sorry…” she whispered,” I didn't get chance to have breakfast this morning and….”
He frowned and stroked hair out of her face, “doll it's 3 in the afternoon!”
“I …I'm sorry”, she blushed looking down.
“Sit back down”, he said softly, sitting her down on the artists couch,” let me get dressed then I'm taking you out for a late lunch, then I will drive you home.”
“But you…your next lesson…”
He shook his head, and grabbed her hand, “something is telling me you are more important doll. I… just give me two minutes, do… not…move”, he reiterated calmly but firmly.
She nodded quietly and he quickly dashed off.
She leant forward, swearing, she was such an idiot. He clearly felt sorry for her, he just wanted to make sure she was safe.
He came back in his shirt and jeans, and gently helped her up.
“You like burgers? Theres a mean burger bar I know not far from here.”
She smiled,” sure Mr Barnes“.

She frowned, as he grabbed the bill before she could, after they ate two burgers and fries.
He was right of course, the burger was out of this world.
He told her a bit about how he became a college lecturer and specialised in art.
He also opened up about his family, he had an older brother and a nephew.
She talked about her Mom and how she had been recovering from cancer treatment. She had been working several jobs as well as her studies at college to cover her mom's treatment.
She saw his eyes soften and she looked away not wanting to see pity.
“Hows your Mom doing now?”
“Good”, she smiled, “good, she's on her way to finishing the chemo treatment, another scan then hopefully… she will be done for a while.”
He smiled, “and you've been doing the two jobs and your studies. How did you manage to fit it all in?!”
She swallowed and shook her head, “I'm…I'm not sure to be honest, but now I… I can hopefully get back to some form of normality.”
He smiled softly, “you're amazing you know that, so strong.”
She shook her head, “strong is what you're left with when you have no other choice Mr Barnes”, she whispered bitterly.
“Would you call me Bucky,” he whispered, “and you're not alone doll, I can help. I want to help “.
She smiled, feeling a tear run down her cheek, “you have done so much already, I feel alive in your classes, I.. if it wasn't for you… I might have given up school a long time ago…”
She felt his hands squeeze hers, and his thumb rest on top of her hand,” that would have been a mistake”, he whispered.
She looked up into his big blue eyes and felt her breath leave her body.
There was no disguising the look in his eyes.
Desire, affection, his eyes dropped to her lips and she froze momentarily as his lips gently touched hers
He pulled away and looked at her.
“I meant what I said, I … I want to be there for you in whatever way you will take me…as a friend, or something more… if you would let me….”
His hand gently cupped her face.
“Would you… I mean can we… I'm a student…” she started.
“You are 20, a mature student and I am a college lecturer,” he whispered, "I'm single, I'm not married. We wouldn't be doing anything wrong… that's if… have I read it wrong?! Shit doll, do you not like me like that?! I'm…”,he looked down and ran a hand shakily through his hair “I'm sorry….”
He pulled his hand away but she quickly felt the coldness of where his hand had been .
She gently touched his face with her fingers.
He looked back to her and she smiled gently at him, her eyes searching his, “I like you, I more than like you. How could I not?! When I was at my most vulnerable, when I wanted to turn and run from college today, you saw me, the real me, and you helped me, you and your kindness and your… your Simpsons boxers!”, she giggled as he smiled at her.
"I like you Bucky, and if you can take me as I am, with my … my past and my Mom, and my limited time between jobs, I would love to have you in my life in whatever form you will give me. I've never felt so …so complete as when I'm with you”, she whispered.
She felt his hands cup her face and his lips envelope hers and she felt his hand cup the back of her neck, as he deepened the kiss, pouring all his affection and adoration into the embrace, leaving her in no doubt of his answer