Arianna
The next few days I still felt the soreness in my ass when I started working again and meeting my clients to sell my art. I felt exhausted from Vincent being so overprotective and too obsessive over my whereabouts. Like I couldn't even exist without him.
Don't get me wrong. I love that crazy stalker but I wanted a little time alone for myself, just me and my art.
Sometimes I feel like he is being paranoid too much about my safety and I had a fight with him yesterday, telling my feelings and concerns about it which, of course, ended with him fucking me to obliviation so I can forget all about it. I dropped the topic but still I couldn't shake the feeling that I'm being smothered by his presence, the longer he keeps this up.
God, I was so exhausted.
I looked like a zombie, with full eye bags underneath my eyes, my sleep sunken face looked really tired.
My hand held the brush near my painting of rose field with the lion and lamb under its mouth as I traced the strokes on the canvas. My client requested it a week ago and I wanted to deliver it as soon as possible so the payment would be paid in full.
I was already almost finished when I heard footsteps from behind, almost not hearing them since I was in my zone when I paint.
Stopping the movement of the brush, I turned slightly around to see Vincent coming inside the studio room, wearing beautiful dark green suit which complimented his dark hair, this time ruffled and wet as the strands wildly fell on his forehead, giving him a mysterious look when those golden eyes settled on me.
"Are you done? You were going at it all day," Vincent's lips curled into a smile when he saw me and I returned a small one which made him come closer and place his hand on my nape to lean down to give me a kiss on the lips before I can push him away.
Lips drifting apart, I elbow him in the stomach playfully," Don't touch me right now. Your suit will get ruined by the paint," I warned to which he chuckled.
"Don't worry. I can afford another one. So…" taking a stool to sit beside me, he gently covers my back with his hand and looks at the painting before us," You painted another piece for your client? This one looks brighter than the others. Did the client wanted it for personal preferences or this was your idea?"
I can't help but smile when I look at the canvas myself," My client wanted a landscape view with biblical imagery in it so I advised him to display it as the power and death with the predator dominating the prey as in lion and the lamb. It symbolizes the vulnerability of having the power and powerlessness of life in our hands, the absolute control we have over fate."
Vincent looked at me intently before nodding slowly, " This will definitely win over the client over. It's interesting way to see how life and death are important. The image of the lion and the lamb is very symbolic," Vincent hummed.
"Yes. It is," I agreed," What about you? When did you came back? I didn't even hear the door open."
"A while ago. You were painting intensely that you didn't even notice me standing by the door, like ten minutes straight. It's becoming dangerous if you aren't aware of your surroundings. If someone catches a glimpse of what you are doing and starts thinking what you are thinking, then the damage could happen, Arianna," Vincent warns in a serious tone, making me roll my eyes.
"I'm in your home. What could possibly happen in here if you so easily can see what I'm up to or if someone else comes in here. Aren't you confident about security in here?" I rised an eyebrow.
"That's not the point. You get lost when you create art and if you do it any time you paint and someone is observing you, there will be no time to go back to reality. It will fucking kill me if you're in danger," Vincent growls and I sigh tiredly, my eyes closing shut from exhaustion.
Like I said, I was painting nonstop and my boyfriend couldn't let me sleep at night so it was hard concentrating on my work. That's why I needed some space from him and people in general.
Noticing my quiet behavior, Vincent turned my jaw to the side with his fingers so I can look at him. His golden eyes observed my face before he stopped at my eyes again.
"You look tired. Do you need rest?" There was concern in his voice and I had a sudden urge to laugh at his audacious question, knowing he is the whole reason for my exhaustion.
"And whose fault is that?"
Vincent pressed his lips together in a displeasuring way," All right. No fucking you for a week. I will try to restrain myself," casually speaking about sex like he would do with the weather, I almost choked on my spit when I heard that.
"Excuse me?"
The man sighed like he was in pain," I will let you rest. It seems your body can't handle me and working like this, it even more gets you tired. I will try not to touch you more than necessary but it will be hard."
I blinked at him, not sure if I heard those words coming out of his mouth.
"More than necessary? What is considered normal touching then?"
He smirked and pulled away from me, like he held some secret up on his sleeve," Nothing serious. I don't even need to touch you for you to beg me for it."
Now I was more confused than ever.
"Beg you? What do you mean?"
Vincent chuckled and shook his head," Are you done with the painting? I wanted you to take you out on a date. Let you relax from all the work," changing the subject, I furrowed my eyebrows in annoyance but I didn't want to argue about it further. I will ask him later what he meant.
Putting the paint brush on the side table, I pulled my gloves off and sighed," I guess I'm done. I could get some fresh air. What do you have in mind?"
Helping me pull off the dirty apron I was wearing which was full of paints, Vincent kissed my neck from behind," It's a nice rooftop restaurant with a beautiful view from the top. You will love it," whispering in my ear the promise of a good time, I couldn't help but smile happily.
"That sounds really nice. I will go get ready then."
"There's a gift on our bed for you when you're done showering. I will wait for you in the living room while you get ready. We leave in an hour. It's enough time for you?"
I nod my head," Of course."
➖
After the shower, I step into the bedroom and see a big black box on the bed. It is shiny and wrapped in a white soft ribbon.
Curiously, I wonder what's inside and went closer to it, inspecting it.
Unwrapping it like a gift on a Christmas Day, I carefully opened the lid to reveal the contents inside. Not even a second glance at it, my gasp was loud in the room when I realized what he meant by the gift.
It was a beautiful emerald green satin dress with dazzling gems on the waist corset which was made of lace. Taking it out of the box, I found out that it is an A-line dress with an open strapped lace-up back, completing the look and a skirt to flourish with two side slits for a sultry appeal. A long with it, there were skin tone colored strapless heels, also shiny. To complement the outfit, there was also gold jewelry to match.
The whole set was so beautiful that I had no words to describe how much I love it.
Imagining the cost of the dress and the whole thing together was too much for me, thinking how expensive it is. I even had the urge to just not touch anything by the fear of ruining it but since Vincent really wanted me to give this as a present, I couldn't just refuse to wear it. I needed to be grateful.
When my hair and makeup was done, I slipped into the dress, careful to not tear it with my matching emerald nails and with the heels on, I only had one problem left.
I couldn't reach my back to tie the straps of my dress. Groaning internally, I wanted to surprise Vincent with the perfect look already done but I guess, I needed to ask him for help.
Looking into the mirror, I couldn't even recognize myself but I was happy with the results regardless.
My heels clicked on the floor loudly when I walked out of the bedroom and into the living room.
Vincent was standing by the large window, looking out at the sky and the buildings, full of bright lights in the evening. Wearing the same dark green suit which matched my dress and the hands in his pockets, his golden gaze turned towards the sound of my steps when I approached him.
His eyes slightly widened but soon he masked his expression with something darker when his gaze dropped down to my legs and back up to my waist and then face.
My flushed cheeks and downcast eyes tried to look at him directly but soon I stared at the floor in front of me, shy from his attention.
"Uh…could you help me with the back? I can't reach it," stammering with my words, I turned around to show him my bare back, the straps hanging loosely at the sides of my waist, indicating that I'm not wearing a bra underneath.
Hearing a harsh exhale, my heart speed up when he walked over to me. His touch was electrifying when those big hands settled on my waist. Gently gathering my wavy hair, he moved them to the side so they don't bother him with the task. That alone gave me goosebumps.
Without words, he took the straps and started tying them with excellent ease. When he was done, I wanted to turn around but those hands wrapped around my waist and pulled me to his chest before I could react.
"Fuck, Arianna. You are so beautiful that it hurts." He murmured against my ear, kissing it gently, making heat rise to my face and all parts of my body. I shivered with delight as my head tilted and my lips parted. "You're going to kill me one day." His voice came out hoarse and husky and made me whimper.
"Vince…"
"Do you like my gift?" His nose brushed my neck and I closed my eyes, afraid to even move to lose this connection.
"It's gorgeous. Thank you," I breathed softly.
Kissing my neck again, I felt his smile when he pulled away," Then lets go. I don't want to keep you waiting."
Turning towards him, I grab his jacket before he can step back and pull him closer," You missed something."
Since he met me, he always have been giving me a kiss when he leaves or even when we go somewhere together so I was expecting a kiss before leaving the penthouse.
Knowing exactly what I want, Vincent this time smirked in a teasing smile," Baby, if I kiss you right now, I'm afraid I won't be able to stop."
I blushed furiously, not sure how he was able to make me feel so shy about being so needy with him.
As always, he takes pity on me and kisses me deeply, making me forget everything else around us. His strong arms wrapped securely around my waist while his other hand cupped the back of my head, pulling me even closer.
When we pull apart, Vincent chuckles while wiping my lips with his thumb," You look like you've been roughly fucked so redo your lipstick. Any man who look at you in this ravished state will go crazy and I have no plans of killing anyone tonight so behave," he says with his gruff voice, kissing me once more to shut me up.
I pout at him," You're mean." I said before stepping back to get ready.
My back feels warm and tingly because of his kiss, his touch was still lingering on me even though I know he wants to leave right now before he breaks his promise of not touching me which will leave me beneath him like always.
I blamed him for making me feel tired and exhausted, for not giving me space to be myself but I think I was the one who needed therapy.