30. Touching Noses

The sensation from her right hand was warm and dry.

Looking closely at that well-defined large hand, the nails were trimmed clean and flat, and the finger bones were long like stalks of jade bamboo, with distinct veins visible beneath the fair skin.

One could imagine how those surface veins would bulge and strain in certain situations, revealing top-tier explosive power.

In a daze, the image overlapped with the sultry dream from last night.

They were indeed excessively long and beautiful; even a top-tier hand model wouldn't match a tenth of him.

Tara's face flushed instantly, and she jerked her hand back as if she had been electrocuted.

"I... I see."

She didn't dare look at him again. Almost in a panic, she picked up her brush and began re-mixing colors and making edits.

Killian took in her reaction, a nearly imperceptible smile touching his thin lips.

"It’s fine. Take your time, I'll wait."

He sat with his long legs slightly bent, one hand resting casually on his knee and the other propped up, supporting his chin.

He didn't play with his phone; he just leaned his head lazily to the side and watched her, silently observing her every move like a lion in a state of light slumber.

It was fine at first, but after about two minutes, Tara couldn't take it anymore. She stopped and turned to look at him.

"Killian, can you please not keep staring at me like that?"

Killian’s eyelids lifted lazily, looking somewhat innocent. "Why?"

Tara told the truth: "When you keep watching me, I don't have any 'feel' for the painting."

"I see..."

"Fine, then I won't watch. Continue."

His posture didn't change, but his narrowed phoenix eyes looked down as if he had completely tuned out into a state of daydreaming.

He looked like a cold marble statue, yet somehow inexplicably obedient.

Tara’s original intention was for him to play on his phone, but he preferred to space out instead.

Waiting like this was inevitably too boring.

Feeling guilty, she put down her brush and stood up.

"Killian, let's go now."

The moment she stood up, Killian's vacant gaze refocused on her.

"Now?"

He glanced briefly at the painting that only needed a little finishing touch. "Aren't you going to finish it?"

Tara shook her head. "I'll continue tomorrow. Aren't you hungry? I'll go to dinner with you first."

"No rush."

After speaking, he suddenly reached out, caught her fair, slender wrist, and pulled her back down onto the chair.

"Finish it before we go. It’ll save you from losing your inspiration when you try to edit it tomorrow."

What that so-called "inspiration" was went without saying.

The tips of Tara's ears turned slightly hot.

"Alright, I'll try to be quick."

She suddenly thought of something, turned to the cabinet, took out another set of art supplies, and set it up in front of him.

Looking at the brush thrust into his hand, Killian raised an eyebrow at her.

"Painting is very interesting."

Tara looked back at him and offered a small, encouraging smile. "You can paint something you like to pass the time."

Killian flipped the brush between his fingers in a beautiful, practiced circle, looking interested.

"Alright..."

His deep dark eyes lifted. "But I don't know how to paint. What should I do?"

Tara looked a bit surprised.

As a game planner who had produced a hit like

New Era of the Universe

, he was actually bad at drawing?

But she clearly remembered Cassie saying that the art style for that game was designed and controlled by Killian from the start.

Had she remembered incorrectly?

"What is it?"

Seeing her dazed, Killian suddenly asked.

Tara snapped out of it immediately.

"Nothing."

She must have misheard.

Without overthinking, she smiled at him. "Then let me teach you something simple and easy to start with, okay?"

Hearing this, the corners of Killian's lips curled into a nearly imperceptible arc. "Sure."

He moved aside slightly, and Tara pulled her stool closer to sit down. She held a brush to show him how to use the paints first.

"I'll teach you how to draw a strawberry. The steps are very simple..."

She explained patiently while demonstrating.

Killian propped up his chin and watched silently.

She taught very seriously. Her amber eyes were round and bright, and her long lashes were like two small brushes, casting flickering shadows beneath her beautiful, full lower lids.

Her sweet, soft voice, because she was intentionally slowing down her pace, sounded like she was telling a bedtime story—soothing and healing.

"Do you understand?"

After a moment, she finished her explanation and turned her inquisitive gaze toward him.

His slightly frozen gaze rippled like light on water again. His clear, magnetic voice sounded as if he had just realized something. "Oh, I see..."

"Mhm, give it a try. You can draw one like mine."

Tara handed him the brush, moved her chair back to her own position, and continued perfecting her own painting.

Killian stared silently at the brush in his hand for a few seconds, his gaze unreadable. After a moment, he began stabbing at the paper with broad strokes.

Tara's editing speed was very fast, and the final finished product was of exceptionally high quality.

"I'm done," she said in a relaxed tone. She put down her palette and brush and leaned toward Killian.

"Killian, how is your draw—"

Before she could finish, her gaze fell on the several unidentified blobs Killian had painted, and she choked.

"How is it?"

Killian casually twirled the brush in his hand and looked at her. "Does it look like it?"

Tara: "..."

"Well..."

She held it in for a few seconds but finally couldn't resist. She said tactfully, "It has... a bit of spirit. How about I teach you one more time?"

Killian ignored the suppressed laughter in her eyes and at the corners of her mouth. He put on a studious look and curled his lips. "Sure."

With that, he lifted the brush again, dipped it heavily into the paint, and then, while Tara's eyelid twitched, he brought it down onto the paper with extreme confidence.

Tara's lips twisted uncontrollably.

After a moment, she couldn't take it anymore and reached out to gently grasp his arm.

"Wait a second."

Killian's movements paused, and a look of confusion crossed his handsome features. "Hmm?"

"Your strokes are too heavy."

Tara explained gently. After hesitating for two seconds, she moved a bit closer to him, opened her hand, and barely wrapped her fingers over the hand he was holding the brush with.

"Like this..."

She spoke softly, her fingers and wrist exerting a slight force to guide his hand across the paper.

This was a distance where their breaths could be heard.

Due to the height difference, her petite frame seemed almost entirely leaning against one side of his chest. Her long, soft, seaweed-like hair brushed lightly against his collarbone and spilled over his lap.

Within her breath, she couldn't stop the sweet, light scent of Begonia from her body from swirling around.

It was a scent more intoxicating and addictive than the most expensive perfume.

"There."

After a moment, Tara let go of his hand, turned slightly, and looked up at him.

"Do you get it... now?"

Before the words were out, her nose suddenly felt a tickle, accompanied by a warm sensation.

Her eyelashes fluttered. As her vision focused, she unexpectedly crashed into a pair of eyes that were as dark and deep as an abyss.