The next day was Saturday and Gary had a lot to do before Kate came for her interview. He still was not sure he wanted to be a mentor to her, but he could surely use an assistant. He made up his mind to decide after their talk. He went to the store and purchased coffee, wine and beer and some good snacking cheese.
Back at the studio, he was busy with a large canvas laying in the underpainting before placing the erotic figure in the design. He used one of the sketches from Sally's poses and was pleased where it was going. Time flew by and then he heard a knock on his studio door. It was Kate. He let her in and mentally admired her good looks and choice of clothing.
She was a painting just by herself. So beautiful. As she took off her jacket, the tight sweater hugged her breasts—she almost looked nude. He brought out the wine and cheese and invited her to have some with him.
"This will give us a chance to relax and discuss the mentorship," he noted. As they sat at his table, she told him about her job and her school schedule. The only days she would be available would be Tuesday and Thursday, all day, depending on his schedule.
"Kate, sometimes I am not an easy person to be around, and I may seem a bit distracted and/or demanding, but I have my methods. I may ask you to make coffee, run errands and be a general go-for in exchange for some teaching, critiques, and advice."
She said, "Oh, Mr. Stone..."
He interrupted her, "Kate, please, this is not a formal environment."
"Ok, Gary, you won't be sorry, I promise you."
How could I turn her down? "You can start next Tuesday, ok? Be here at 9:00 am."
"Oh, thank you, I won't let you down," Kate said. "You will see; I'll be the best assistant you ever had."
Gary never had an assistant before but did share a secretary at the university. This, among other things will be interesting, he thought.
"Have you had dinner? I know a Mexican restaurant a few blocks from here and the food is good. Care to join me—my treat?" He smiled at her.
"That would be wonderful." She became chipper and was in a really good mood. My world is getting right she thought.
They put on their coats and headed out. As they walked, they chatted about everyday things. She was somewhat of an enigma to him because she had never talked about her family or boyfriends, just light conversation at the coffee shop.
"Where did you grow up Kate? Your accent is very southern," Gary asked.
"You won't believe me... but I grew up in Waycross, Georgia, and later I moved to Orlando. My parents were very religious, and I had a strict childhood. As teenagers, we would drive to Jekyll Island to the beach and drink beer. I love the beach."
"How do you like the Orlando area, Kate?" he asked as they could see the restaurant down the block.
"I love the art community; the people here are so liberal. I could never go back to Waycross and live."
As they stepped into the restaurant, they were seated quickly. He ordered two margaritas and nachos.
"Tell me about you and your wonderful adventures Gary. As I remember, you once said you were a world traveler"
"Not anymore! My world traveling days are over unless my art takes me overseas. I have seen so many sights and have learned so many things. Not many men have enjoyed the life I have had. Before becoming an artist, I was psychologist. I worked at the university wrote papers and later published books. I am now retired, and art has been my career for the last decade. I spent a lot of my time in South Asia—mainly Thailand and Myanmar."
He took a deep drink of the margarita and said, "Yes, I have had a good life except when my wife died in a car accident. It was a tragedy that I have not recovered from yet. Perhaps I never will. She left to go to the grocery store and never came back. So, that is my story. Now, tell me more about you. Do you currently have a boyfriend?"
Kate took a big drink, and a second one, "No boyfriend for more than a year. I have been too busy with work and college. After I graduated from high school, I moved to Orlando on my own. Rented an apartment and found a roommate. She goes to college and works, our schedules are strange, and we hardly see each other. It is good to have someone you get along with to share expenses with these days."
They ordered a second round of drinks and their food. Kate started to blush just as a mariachi band came up and sang to them. Kate was feeling the first drink.
"Gary, I don't know why, but I trust you. I have ever since we first started chatting in the coffee shop. As a matter of fact, I have had a crush on you."
Gary was still trying to absorb everything when she said, "Gary are you OK?"
"No, yes, I don't know, you have really caught me off guard. The highlight of going to the coffee shop was talking to you."
Gary's mind was racing and there was a stiffness forming in his pants.
They finished eating and Gary asked, "Kate, are you ready to go to the studio?" He settled up and they headed out into the cool autumn night, bundled up. Kate grabbed his arm and put her hand in his. An interesting gesture, he thought.
Silence again, maybe it is just nice to enjoy the night and her warm hand. So curious, and she is the real mystery!
"Gary, do you think I'm attractive?" Kate asked. Gary knew she could not go more than a minute without saying something.
"Kate, you are more than attractive, you are beautiful. And, you have a wonderful life ahead if you make good decisions to guide you."
"That comment is one of the many reasons I like you, Gary. Somehow you guide and inspire me. Thank you." Yes, she thought, I will seduce him tonight. The years of anticipation come down to tonight! Her legs seem to squish as she walked. The thong she was wearing was not absorbing the liquid seeping from her vagina. It will be ok she thought, as the liquid cooled and dried on the inside of her thigh.
They climbed the stairs to the studio. The first thing Gary did was to turn the heat up in the room. "Coffee, Kate?" he asked as he headed toward the kitchenette.
She saw the erotic painting on the easel and asked Gary, "Who is she? This is absolutely beautiful. I can almost feel her emotion."
She took a seat on the studio couch. "Gary, may I have some more of your wine? I'm feeling too good to kill this buzz with coffee."
"Kate are you sure you want to be here with an old man like me when you are young. I'm sure there are a lot of young men who want to be with you." As a sex psychologist, he knew well the signs of seduction from a female. Choosing wine over coffee, sitting on the couch versus a chair at the table.
"As I said, I have had this crush on you for a very long time. Now, here you are, no fantasy, just you and me. I don't plan on leaving anytime soon. Please be gentle with me, I'm so nervous," and she kicked off her high heels. As she pulled the sweater over her head, it tugged at both breasts and she felt a tingle down her whole spine.