Romance: In Love With A Beast (Paranormal BBW Panther Shifter Romance) (Shapeshifter Mystery Alpha Werebear Romance Short Stories) (20 page)

“Eudora, I’m glad you came,” he said as he descended the stairs.

“Thank you for having me,” I replied. I tried to keep my eyes on his face instead of letting them go up and down on his long lean body. I had to remember I was here for business and not pleasure. If I kept repeating that in my mind maybe I would believe it. He was the perfect specimen of a human being. He walked towards me and I would have felt nervous if I could control my own mind. I felt out of control of myself. My blood felt like it was boiling in my veins as I became hot, flushed, and turned on by his presence. I wanted nothing more than to surrender myself to him.

“Follow me,” he said as he swept pass me.

I followed him through the large house entering and exiting one cavernous room after another. We exited through the back of the house and onto a large portico. There was a table set with an elegant lunch. I tried to keep my mouth closed, as I wanted to gape at the vast gardens and enormous fountain that was so beautifully landscaped.

We sat at the beautiful table and I tried not to stumble over my words. He started to tell me about the painting, but I was having a hard time focusing. None of this made sense to me. It all sounded grand. However, I couldn’t gage the vibes he was sending me. The awkward pauses, and the way he looked at me made me feel like I was here for something else. It was a feeling.

“Your gardens are just lovely,” I said after the business side of things came to an end.

Leonardo smiled at me with a knowing grin. “Would you like to take a walk with me then?”

“Yes, that would be nice,” I fumbled the words out.

He stood up and put his hand out. I placed mine in his and he helped me to my feet. His skin touching mine sent fire through me. It went from my hand, up my arm, and into my body and spirit. I had to remind myself to breathe.

We walk the steps down the portico and onto the path that lead deep into the gardens. We didn’t talk. The garden was dense and lush. I was astonished by the abundance of life. I was deep in this moment of beauty when Leonardo grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. I was caught off guard and stumbled my way into his chest. He looked down at me and I breathed in his scent. It was intoxicating. Within seconds his lips were on mine. My breath caught in my throat.

I felt myself becoming wet with just the proximity of his body. My lips parted and his tongue gently brushed against mine. I moaned and he pressed firmer against my mouth. He pushed more and I stumbled backwards with his arm around my waist gently guiding me. Soon I was pressed against a brick lined garden wall that was about waist high. Leonardo put both of his hands on my waist, picked me up sat me down on top of the wall. His hand slid over my dress and traced delicately over my belly. He went further up until his hand was covering my breasts. My mind was swirling. This was wrong but I couldn’t stop him because I didn’t want too. I wanted him. I wanted him to take my maiden hood. I wanted my first time to be with a passionate artist like him. I couldn’t wait any longer. His fingers rapidly untied the laces of my dress down the front and he pulled my breasts free. It was a wild scene, I had never been naked in front of a man before and now I was half naked in a garden. His fingers pinched my nipple and it became instantly hard in his hand. I was breathing heavily yet felt breathless at the same time. He moved his lips down my body and covered my breast with his mouth. He lightly sucked on the tip of my nipple and swirled his tongue around it. I arched my back reacting to his licking and kissing. I felt I was on the verge of an orgasm and he had not yet touched my already wet center. It was exciting and the thought that we could get caught any second was thrilling. I knew that this was wrong. We shouldn’t be doing this. I shouldn’t be doing this. I was not his wife and I was breaking all the rules of society. But I couldn’t stop. I didn’t want to stop. I had thought about this moment for so long that the desire in me was now over powering all rational thought. I pressed my hand against his hard chest. He was solid and I could feel the ripple of his toned chest under my hand. I unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off. His six-pack abs and strong shoulders were lightly sun-kissed and I let my hands roam over them. I couldn’t stand it anymore; I needed him inside of me. He must have read my thoughts because he placed soft kisses on my belly and went lower. I tensed up. Leonardo’s hand grabbed my thigh and squeezed it aggressively. He felt as though he had pent up desire inside of him. It had been waiting to burst out of him, and that made me feel good. His hand moved up my thigh passed my black thigh high stockings. My long dress pushed up along with the movement. His long fingers reached my under garments. His hands worked fast as he untied my pantalets and pulled them down to my knees. With one swift movement his head was between my thighs and his tongue licked my crevice. I yelled out. It was obvious that he was skilled. His tongue flicked against my clitoris. I could barely stand the feeling. It was too perfect and just right all at the same time. I whispered his name, “Leonardo. Oh Leonardo. Yes.”

That must have been a trigger because he stopped. By the abruptness I could tell that he didn’t stop because he was going to move to another section of my body, but because something was wrong. I opened my eyes. I was still propped on the wall with dress hiked up. He was standing a foot or two away from me on the path. He stared at me.

“What is it?” I asked my voice shaking with vulnerability.

Leonardo said nothing. He walked back to me, pulled my dress back into place and laced up the front. He picked me up off the wall and set me gently on my feet then said, “I’m sorry Eudora. This is wrong. I just couldn’t help myself. I’ve wanted you since the first time we talked, but I thought it would pass. You should go.”

He walked away from me. I stood there with my mouth agape. Was this really happening? He was leaving me here alone in his garden after we just shared an intimate moment together? It was absurd! It was wrong! It was, embarrassing. I fought back tears of rejection. I needed to keep it together. I could cry later. He stopped and turned his head over his shoulder slightly and said, “My carriage will take you wherever you need to go. Come back tomorrow and I will paint you. Just paint.” Then he continued walking away. He turned down another path and was out of sight. I quickly pulled my dress back into place and brushed my hair into place. I felt mortified. To top it off he still expected me to model for him. I guess I didn’t really have a choice at this point. I walked quickly toward the main house. I needed to get out of there.

I walked up the stairs to the larger portico veranda where the maid was waiting for me. She quietly said, “There’s a carriage outside for you Ms. I will get your coat for you. Follow me.”

I glued my eyes to the floor and followed her to the front door. In minutes I was in a carriage fighting back tears on my way back to my sister’s house. So many thoughts flooded my head. I didn’t know why he stopped. He said it was wrong, which I agreed with. However, I really doubted it was his first time doing that. He was obviously a playboy artist, and they usually did what they pleased. Including people.

The truth now however, was that I now had to model for this man. The carriage ride back into the city was excruciating. As soon as I got home I let the floodgates open and cried for hours.

CHAPTER THREE

The next day I once again made the excuse of calling on a friend and found myself at the grand estate of Leonardo’s patron. The maid took my coat and I was led into the conservatory.

Leonardo was already in there. My heart stopped when I saw him. He was just as gorgeous as ever. His long unruly hair strayed over his face like a wild man. He wore a cotton painter’s coat over clothes splattered with paint. He was setting up the area and intricately moving a chaise lounge into the right light. The conservatory room was a romantic one. There were spindly trees and English ivy all around. The furniture was of white iron that made leafy patterns and scrolls. The large candelabras were tall with white candles in place with wax that hung off them like tattered cloth. The rugs on the ground were a rich maroon color and a table was set up in the corner with fruit, cheese, bread, and wine in the most decadent fashion.

“Mr. Drivatti,” I said in a weak voice.

“Oh Ms. Sterling. Please help yourself to food and drink. I need to get this in the right light,” he said with out making eye contact with me.

I felt stung by his lack of attention to me. I had half expected him to run into my arms and apologize. I wanted him to beg my forgiveness and of course to declare his undying love for me. Instead, I was getting the cold shoulder, second to the art arrangements. I walked over to the table and nibbled on some bread but mostly I needed the wine to calm my nerves. I was grateful in a sense that he was ignoring me because it gave me a chance to stare at him. His strong jaw line and shadowy beard made him look menacing and dark. As if he was going to eat me at any second. His tight trousers hugged his thighs tightly and I tried to imagine what was between them. I was deep in thought staring at his figure when I heard.

“Ms. Sterling? Ms. Sterling!” he yelled.

I had not realized he was trying to get my attention because I was so lost in thought.

“Yes,” I said blushing as I realized I had been caught staring. He smiled at me as he made it a point to look down at his trousers where I had been staring. I looked away pretending to be interested in the room.

“There is a screen there. Your dress is behind it if you will change, please.”

“Change?” I said suddenly frightened that I needed to be naked near him. I didn’t know if I could control myself.

“Yes, certainly I can not paint you in your dress. It would not fit the scene.”

“Yes, of course,” I said feeling silly.

I walked around to the white screen and moved behind it. There was a rich maroon velvet dress with white pearls sewn into the fabric. It was very elegant and rich. It was beautiful.

“Do you need help?” he yelled.

“No! No, I am quite alright,” I yelled back frantically. I heard him chuckle at my nervousness. I quickly fumbled with the laces and buttons of my dress and then slipped on the maroon one. However, it buttoned up the back and not the front. I had no choice but to ask for help. I pulled the dress up my body as tight as I could and held it against me. I stepped out from behind the screen.

“I do need help after all. The buttons on the back, I can not reach them.”

He smiled and walked over to me. I looked up at him from under my dark lashes and pleaded with my eyes for him to touch me. He moved behind me slowly and then grabbed the dress. He slowly buttoned with his fingers trailing up my skin as he did. They were warm and I gasped at his first touch. He slid them purposefully touching the bare skin of my back with much liberty. I sighed and let out a moan. He stopped and then buttoned the rest of the buttons quickly. I felt offended.

“Done,” he said as he walked away. I turned to him with a flushed face, which he must have noticed. He smirked that arrogant grin that I had so become fond of, “Please will you sit on the chaise,” he motioned.

I put down my glass of wine and followed him to chair. I sat down. He moved over me, hovering just above me, staring down at me. My breathing drew faster and faster. He was staring at me so intently. Being a model was not going to be easy work, I realized, as I would have him intensely looking at me. How would I hide my lust for him? He reached down and grabbed the hair clip in my hair. I had goose bumps all over my body as he touched me. He was studying me. He shook my long dark hair out and placed it over my shoulders in just the way he wanted it.

“Good, this is good,” he said. “Now lean on your arm this way and bring your legs up here.”

I did as he asked and moved in the way he placed me. He took a few steps back and took it all in. I was trying not to breath fast and remain calm, but it was so hard. I had flashbacks of him licking me and sucking on my breasts. I wanted it again and again.

“Perfect, now just stay like that,” he said as he moved to his easel and canvas and began to sketch me in pencil on the canvas.

Now I relaxed a little. He was occupied and I was just the model. He was far away from me. However he was still staring at me like he was going to eat me. It was very unnerving.

Two weeks passed and this is how we spent our time. Little was said and I was a good obedient model. I never brought up what happened in the garden though I ached too. I wanted him to explain himself but I never said anything about it. Finally, I was sick of being silent and made light small talk.

“Your patron that lives in this estate, where is he again?” I asked as if I had forgotten.

“He is taking a tour of the continent for a few months as he does every year,” he said.

“When is he to return?” I asked.

“In a few days time.”

“How is the painting coming along? Can I finally see it today?” I asked him, as he had never permitted me to look at it.

Leonardo stepped back and looked at me. He sighed and said, “Very well,” as he put his brush and palette down and placed his hands on his hips.

“Now?” I asked.

“Yes, of course.”

I stood up and hesitantly walked over to him. He watched me closely as the maroon velvet dress rustled with every step. I came around to the front side of the canvas. I stopped and tears filled my eyes at the beauty before me. The unfinished painting was a masterpiece. He had captured my likeness exactly as I was, but more than that. I was glowing and beautiful in it. This was how he saw me.

“It’s beautiful. I am breathless,” I said in a whisper.

“You truly like it?” he asked moving closer to me.

“It is a masterpiece,” I said moving closer to it.

He came up behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders. He kissed my neck and whispered in my ear, “I want to fuck you Eudora. I can not take it anymore.”

His words caressed over me like honey. I moaned and moved my head to the side to allow him to kiss my neck more. Then he attacked the buttons on the dress down my back with fervor. In minutes he slipped it down my shoulders and down to the floor. I stood topless with my petticoat at my waist. He turned me to him and kissed me. His full lips pressed hard and aggressive against me. I kissed him back. I finally allowed myself to touch him. I ran my fingers through his thick curly hair and pulled on it. I had longed for this. I fumbled with the buttons on his shirt and tore it off of him and ran my hands down his strong bare chest with the soft black curls that covered it.