Art of Love, page 11
And me... I writhed against him, moaning so load I was sure the neighbors would hear.
I could feel my release building. It rose, and it was there.
“Hunter.” I winced.
“Not yet, love. Not yet.”
I couldn’t take it. I couldn’t. It was too much. I could barely breathe.
He moved from my breasts and tugged on my shorts, pulling them down my legs.
God, was he going to do what I thought he was...?
He parted my legs and nuzzled his face between my thighs before I could finish thinking.
His face pressed right up into my entrance, through the lace fabric of my panties. Then, the devil he was, he knew I couldn’t stand the pleasure anymore, but he moved the fabric away and pressed his tongue up inside me.
More licking and sucking, but now against the hard, sensitive nub of my clit.
“Ahhhh....mmmmm...”
I arched my back into the pleasure he gave me. Then his hands reached up to rub over my nipples, taking me to the next level.
“Hunter,” I cried, grasping into the wood of the table, reaching but coming away with nothing.
“Come for me, love. Don’t hold back.”
On his word, I allowed myself to let go. I screamed into the wave of heat that swept through me. It radiated from deep within my soul and took me to a higher plane. Somewhere I didn’t know.
He drank as I continued to come right there on his face. I wanted to be embarrassed, but I knew it was a feeling I shouldn’t feel.
He licked, stroking his tongue all the way across my inner thigh.
I managed to straighten and run my hands through his hair.
“Ready for more?” he taunted.
“Yes, please. Give me more.” It sounded like a plea, or more like I was begging.
He’d just moved to suck my breasts again when I heard the knock on the door.
Shit, maybe it was one of the neighbors.
“Jia, are you okay?” Came a voice from the other side.
Stephan.
Oh Jesus, no.
What the hell was he doing here again?
I sighed with exasperation and frustration.
Hunter lifted his head and looked toward the door. His shoulders slumped, and he looked well and truly pissed off.
“Wanker,” Hunter cursed.
I jumped off the table and grabbed a long T-shirt.
“Jia, he can still see your tits in that. It’s barely covering you. I don’t want that guy looking at you.” There was a wild, possessive look in his eyes that grabbed my attention.
He was right. I didn’t have a bra on, and I wasn’t the kind of woman who could get away without wearing one and not draw a massive amount of attention to myself.
“Ughh.” I didn’t know what to say.
This was the second time now that this happened, and every time it was the same person who interrupted us.
I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror in the passageway. My skin was glowing. Like glowing beyond belief. Probably from getting the best orgasm I’d ever had in my life.
Stephan rang the doorbell again.
I opened it, and he smiled when he saw me.
“Hey, you left your purse at my place.”
Shit, I didn’t realize that. Good of him, but God, couldn’t he have given it to me tomorrow? Or messaged to say I’d left it, and then I could decide on whether I needed it tonight.
Stephan’s gaze shifted to over my shoulder, and suspicion dawned in his eyes. He was looking for something.
“Thank you.” He handed the purse to me, then his eyes dropped to my breasts as I moved to take it.
“I guess now that I’m here, we could do something.” He mused, walking straight past me.
I followed him. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Hunter in the living room. Hunter had the don’t-mess-with-me look on his face again, and his eyes were narrowed.
“Oh, didn’t realize you had company.” Stephan looked back to me and looked me over. Me in this long T-shirt that looked like I’d just thrown it on.
“I was just leaving,” Hunter filled in.
“No, you weren’t.” Like hell. I didn’t want him to leave.
He frowned at me. “Yes, I was.”
Hunter looked from me to Stephan and walked out. Leaving me again.
Chapter 14
Jia
***
Stephan stared at the window for a good few seconds after the door closed.
Then he looked at me, and I watched something that looked like hurt form in the depths of his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt you two, but then I kind of guessed he was here.”
I clenched my jaw, not really knowing what I should say to that.
“If you thought he was here, why did you come?”
He sighed and pressed his lips together. “I guess I was trying to...”
It was the same thing as this morning. Since I’d been in L.A., there wasn’t a day that went by that he hadn’t come to see me, and then it was like he didn’t want to leave my side.
It made me uncomfortable because the time for us had passed. I appreciated all he’d done for me, but that didn’t mean I wanted to feel obligated. Plus, there was the whole thing about him cheating on me when we were together.
It was all just shit.
Fuck, like I was the type of woman who you could cheat on. Like I meant nothing. And here he was, doing whatever he thought he could do because someone else was interested in me.
“Don’t. Don’t say it.” I held my hand up. “Don’t tell me you came here with the purpose to stop anything from happening between Hunter and me. Don’t tell me that. And I’m not mad at you. Thanks for bringing my purse.”
I didn’t want to be mad at him. The relationship we had was very sensitive, for lack of a better word to describe it.
“Jia, I’m sorry. Can’t blame a guy for trying.” He lifted his shoulders slightly.
“Yes, actually, you can. I can, and I am. I love that we’re friends, but that’s all I want from you.”
“Why not more? We were good together.”
“Yes, we were, but you made me feel like nothing when you cheated on me. I was always made to feel like nothing, and you added to the list of people responsible for making me feel that way.”
“I was stupid. It was a stupid move on my part.”
“I would never have done that to you.” I shook my head.
“I know. I know. It’s fine... I’m gonna stop trying to be with you, but be careful with this guy. Remember, you both want the same job, and it’s not any old job either. You can’t fully trust someone like that.”
He stepped toward me and leaned in to kiss my forehead. Then I watched him go, the second man to walk through that door tonight, angry with me.
His words though played on my mind, or rather they played on what was already in my mind.
The worries that were there, bouncing around weakening me.
I thought about Hunter as I climbed into bed later that night.
I really hadn’t wanted him to leave, and it wasn’t just because of the fact that we’d been on the precipice of having wild, hot sex.
It was more.
That painting I’d nearly finished today sparked in my mind because of him. It came to me because he sparked my creativity, and I knew exactly what to paint and how to do it.
I’d said to him that I would love to see his stuff in a gallery, but that was the dream I had for myself. To do something like that for me with all the visions I had in my head.
My phone buzzed on my nightstand.
I picked it up quickly. Last night, Lana had messaged to tell me a boy had asked her out. He was a sophomore, and she wanted my advice on whether or not she should say yes. I told her to go with how she felt.
We were like that with guys. Always checking with each other to get advice and insight. Sam had messaged me too, in the day. She’d been messaging every other day, but I ignored her. I wasn’t ready to talk to her yet.
I looked at my phone and sat up quickly when I saw the message was from Hunter.
Quickly, I tapped my pin in and went straight to the message.
Hunter: Doing the jealous-guy-who’s-interested-in-you thing.
I typed back instantly.
Jia: What thing is that? And you’re jealous?
The blue dots started jumping, and my heart squeezed.
Hunter: Jealous as hell that I left that bloody wanker at your place and checking to see if he’s still there.
I smiled.
Jia: Hunter, what exactly is a wanker? And no, he’s not here.
I was going to look it up, but I thought it would be funnier coming from him.
The blue dots jumped, and I smiled.
Hunter: It means a fucking asshole, but the connotation is stronger. So, he’s gone?
Jia: Yes. Left after you.
Hunter: How much after?
I giggled and typed back.
Jia: Practically behind you. Nothing to be jealous of.
Hunter: Jia
Jia: Yes?
There was a long pause that made my pulse quicken. The dots jumped, and the seconds ticked by. They jumped again, and I thought he must be writing a long message.
What would he say to me?
What did he want to say to me?
Suddenly, he was all I wanted, and like every time I was with him, my mind went blank of everything that wasn’t him.
As the time dragged on, I became more anxious, and then finally the message popped up.
Hunter: I want you...
I released a pent-up breath, one that clutched at my insides.
I didn’t have to think about what I was going to say next. My fingers flew across the keyboard.
Jia: I want you too.
Another long pause, then the dots started jumping.
Hunter: Tomorrow.
Jia: Yes.
***
Anxiety filled my stomach for the whole day.
I got to the studio early. Way too early. Stephan was there, and Juliana. They were in deep conversation, but he stopped talking when he saw me and raised a hand to say hello.
I waved back and noted gratefully that he didn’t come over and try to talk to me.
I found John in the wardrobe area, where I went to pick up my costume. He smiled from ear to ear when he saw me and rushed up to give me a hug.
“Jia, my girl. Did you see the reviews in Time Out?” Excitement rippled off him.
“Not yet. Been busy with your clues.” I giggled.
“People are talking about you more than the show. The woman in the water. I loved it from day one, but damn, girl, I didn’t know it would become a main attraction.”
“Thank you. I guess Hunter and I make a good team.” I laughed.
“You two are the definition of team.” He nodded, then he reached out and touched my shoulder, giving me an appreciative look. “Thank you for being on board with this whole arrangement. It was hard for me to do this to you since I know what you’re capable of.”
A few weeks ago, I would have thought that the situation and the arrangement were unfair to me. Another thing to add to my list of misfortunes. I didn’t think that today.
Sure, if Hunter got the job and I was basically left with nothing, I might return to those thoughts, but not now. Not today. Not tonight.
The arrangement made me meet Hunter, and I couldn’t wait to see him.
“I understand completely. I do, and it’s cool. I get it. You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t show fairness.”
He gave me a pat on my shoulder and looked behind me as someone approached us. His eyes brightened.
I turned to see Hunter coming through the door.
I couldn’t resist the smile that inched across my lips, and I knew I must have been smiling like an idiot.
“Hunter,” John boomed and gave Hunter a firm handshake when he approached us. “You seen the reviews in Time Out?”
“I saw them.” Hunter smiled, glancing at me.
He’d smoothed his beard so I could see the sharp angles and planes in his perfectly chiseled face. He was still all Brad Pitt from Legends of the Fall, but there was a strength in him that weakened my knees. Today, he looked more like a Viking, and his hair looked a little longer.
“Keep up the good work.” John nodded. “I’m loving the ideas.”
“We definitely will.” Hunter beamed.
John looked from Hunter to me, and something I couldn’t put my finger on sparked in his eyes.
It was something though that I would have to think about some other time because Hunter was here and he was like a trigger for my mind going numb.
The minute John left, Hunter took my hand and pulled me along to the changing room, which thankfully was empty. It wouldn’t be in a few minutes when the actors started coming in. We had about five minutes.
The basement would have been a better option for us, but the paint and everything we needed was here.
He took hold of me and backed me up against the concreate walls, then captured my mouth with his for a hungry kiss.
I ran my fingers through the silky strands of his hair as he pressed me to the hard walls of his chest, crushing my breasts.
We kissed and kissed, going from warm, to hot, to scorching as his tongue explored the recesses of my mouth and he ran his large hands over my ass and squeezed it.
I could feel his erection pressing into my abdomen, and he made sure I could feel it by rubbing against me.
Thank God, we were alone because the moan that fell from my lips spoke of the desire I felt and the need I had for him. He moved from my lips to plant kisses down my earlobe.
“You’re killing me in that dress,” he whispered, his hot breath against my skin.
I couldn’t remember what I was wearing. I had to look down. The dress was a simple summer green dress with little straps holding it up. I’d jazzed it up with a simple necklace, and left my hair down in loose waves.
“This old thing.” I giggled as he kissed my throat.
“Don’t you dare ‘this old thing’ me. The dress screams Fuck me, but then everything about you screams Fuck me.” He squeezed my breasts and nibbled on my neck.
“As long as you think so, that works fine.”
“I do, and I can’t wait to eat you tonight.”
“Eat me?” I gasped as he sneakily reached into my bra and moved the left cup aside so that my nipple poked out. With mischief and desire in his eyes he flicked his fingers backwards and forwards over the already hard nipple and smiled.
“I’ll start here.” He lowered his mouth and took my nipple in, sucking like he did last night. “And here.” He pressed me harder into the wall and reached up under my dress to cup my crotch, running his fingers now over my entrance, where I was soaked. “Your pretty pussy will be all mine tonight. You will be all mine tonight.”
I froze, shocked and too turned on to move. I wanted what he promised. I wanted him, but most of all, I wanted to be his.
“I can’t wait,” I breathed.
Voices sounded. He lowered his head to kiss the tip of my nipple, then covered me up.
“Come on. I’m getting you dressed. Not too much paint tonight. There will be less to take off.” The wildness in his eyes excited me, and I really couldn’t wait.
Chapter 15
Jia
***
He took his position on the second level as the show started, and I did my usual walk and display.
With the reviews and buzz from Time Out, there seemed to be more people here tonight. This was the last week that we’d be doing this display, and Hunter and I hadn’t really talked about what we’d do next. There must have been a good two hundred people here, so many more than last week, but all I saw was him.
All I wanted was him. The heat of his gaze reached me like it always did when I looked at him, and that chemistry bounced between us, going insane.
The hour finished quick. It seemed like the first time that it went so fast.
As I made my way down to the basement, I knew he would follow me.
When I got down there, I wiped the paint off my face and neck first and shook the silver out of my hair. He’d used a spray paint tonight, so it made it easier to come out. It just looked like I’d sprayed glitter in my hair after.
Footsteps sounded on the wooden steps, then the door closed, and I heard the distinct sound of it being locked with the bolt at the top.
No one would come in and interrupt us.
I didn’t have to ask what the plan was, or what we were doing. It started now. Right now.
I turned to look at him and rested against the edge of the little table behind me.
He looked so handsome and delicious as he took his time to come closer. His hair flicked up at the ends, curling about his shoulders, brushing the crease of where the fabric to his long-sleeved T-shirt rolled up.
He came closer and ran his finger across my jaw, tracing the outline and smiling like he’d just discovered something amazing.
It was me. He made me feel like that was me, and I truly felt it.
“Take your clothes off for me, Jia.” His voice was low and sexy. Deep and masculine, strong, just like him.
I smiled and started with the zip to the dress. Pulling it down, I allowed it to drift down my body. I wasn’t wearing a bra because the dress came with a built-in one, so he got a good show of my breasts, which bounced invitingly toward him. His eyes scanned the length of me, and his gaze drank me in. When he stopped at the black lace thong I wore just for him, he smiled.
“Fuck, yes,” he breathed.
I kicked the dress aside and stood before him in my heels and panties, parts of me still covered in silver. Mainly my back and shoulders.
He came closer and ran his fingers over my breasts firsts, then over the flat of my stomach. He pushed me against the table and smiled.
“You’re beautiful, the best work of art I’ve ever seen in my life.”
That stunned me, for the meaning it held.
