Reclining Nude in Chicago (Encounters) Read online

Seeing that Emerson and the redhead bitch had made their way to the dance floor, I tensed in Pierce’s arms and he asked, “Julia, what’s wrong?”

  Smiling up at him, I relaxed and lied, “Nothing is wrong. This event is lovely. You did an amazing job. Truly remarkable. Everyone looks to be having a great time.”

  “Thank you, Julia. But to be brutally honest, I will be thrilled for tomorrow to arrive. Less pressure.”

  I laughed as he let out a big sigh. “I bet. Thank you for inviting me. I’m glad I came.”

  Pulling back, Pierce looked into my eyes. “Really? Then why do you look so unhappy?”

  “I’m not,” I answered quickly painting a faux smile across my face.

  Before Pierce could retort, an uniformed employee tapped him on the shoulder, “Excuse me, Mr. Marten, but there is a matter you need to attend to immediately.

  “Go Mr. Marten,” I said moving out of his strong arms.

  “Sorry,” he said placing a kiss on my cheek. “Enjoy the rest of your evening. If I don’t make it back… please meet me for breakfast tomorrow before your flight. Be sure to check your phone. I will text you the address to a French cafe.” Nudging him gently, I agreed to meet him.

  On my way back to the table, I spied Emerson and the redhead and when she noticed me looking in their direction she moved in closer to his side. That was enough for me. Walking to the table, I grabbed my black onyx jeweled clutch, said “goodnight” and made my way to the exit. About to walk out, a firm hand grasped my arm. “Where are you going, baby?”

  Glaring into Emerson’s dark eyes, I laughed. “Really? Baby?” Then shaking my head, I added, “Baby is leaving.” Then I jerked my arm from his grip. “Enjoy your evening, Emerson… and your redheaded fuck. Perhaps you could get Pierce to join in. I’m sure that little cunt would like it.” And with that last remark, I walked as fast as I could out of the art museum. Once safely ensconced in the backseat of the taxi, the tears never stopped.

  Puffy eyed the next morning I dragged myself out of bed, took a quick shower, got dressed and sans any trace of makeup; I met Pierce for a light breakfast. I wished I felt and looked better as I sat in a delightful cafe across from a handsome, lying man. “Julia, you are beautiful as always, but it looks like you didn’t get much sleep.”

  “You are truly a gentleman… or a good liar.” I laughed. “I know I look like something the cat dragged in. Now please supply me with an IV drip of coffee and lots of cream… I didn’t sleep well.”

  “Hmmm. Just as I suspected.” With his elbows on the table, Pierce steepled his fingers in front of his mouth and I cocked my head sideways at him. “You’re in love with Emerson. Ha! Your very own Matisse. Imagine that.”

  Replacing my cup of hot coffee on its saucer, I looked him straight in the face. “Where did you dig up that ridiculous conclusion?”

  “Julia, it’s written all over your face as it was last night every time you looked at him.” He stared at me suspiciously, waiting for my rebuttal.

  “Well… even if I was. He has another. He made that perfectly clear last night with that fucking redhead. Although I really thought she was more into you the day I was in your office. I felt daggers spewed from her eyes as I talked to her.” This last comment spurred Pierce to burst out with laughter and once composed he calmly began to speak.

  “First let me get something straight. That ‘fucking redhead’ as you lovingly refer to her was not Emerson’s date. Jillian is my assistant… and my sometime lover…” his voice trailed off waiting for my reaction.

  “She wasn’t Emerson’s date… but…” Biting my lip, I thought back to last night. Were there signs that they were not together. He did call me “baby.”

  After a couple of sips of coffee and few bites of his omelette, Pierce set me straight. “No, Julia. Jillian is jealous of you. She knew Emerson had been out to visit you in LA. She was trying to get to you. She wanted to be my date and I told her it wasn’t a good idea and besides you were my special guest for the evening.”

  “So Emerson didn’t go home with her?” I questioned.

  “No. I went home with her… and I stayed the night.”

  Confused. “But you’re here now?”

  “Wellll… okay you got me there… I spent most of the night with her. I snuck out at the crack of dawn,” he laughed. “Longest I’ve ever stayed with anyone. Maybe some day I will find a woman like you that makes me want more. To give more. Baby steps.”

  Lowering my eyes, thinking about Emerson and wishing I had gone home with him, I muttered, “Good for you. I hope you find the right one. She will have to tame you!”

  Laughing at me and then slipping on a more serious expression, he addressed me, “Julia, look at me.” Raising my head in his direction, I wiped a couple tears from my cheeks. “Go home, Julia. Sometimes the answers are right in front of our faces.”

  “But…” Pierce silenced me with a finger to my lips. With that, we finished out breakfast, chatted about nonsense and then Pierce stuck me in a taxi that lead the way… to my path home.

  After being home for three days, Herm contacted me with a new lead. Perfect! Distraction! Loved the timing! Plied with coffee and a flaky cheese danish the next day, I pulled on a pair of worn jeans over red sexy lingerie and slipped my feet into my ever-faithful leopard ballet flats. Grabbing for a white blouse, I found Emerson’s too-big-for-me white shirt. What the hell! I put it on, rolled up the sleeves and tied the shirt at my waist. Ready to go, I made my way to downtown LA; excited to see this artist loft. Herm had informed me about the great things this artist was doing for this redevelopment area. Not only had he refurbished the semi-abandoned building with new rental loft spaces and an art studio complete with classes, but also sectioned off a part for the community. Allowing underprivileged kids to come in after school and participate in a variety of art classes. The artist/owner of the building occupied the top floor of the massive warehouse situated close to the LA River.

  Looking around as I got out of my car, I saw that the loft was not located in the greatest part of the downtown area, but new development projects were evident. Scaffolding was everywhere on the surrounding buildings. I could see in no time new restaurants, shops and other loft buildings would soon match the one I was about to enter. At the door I punched in the code I was given and strode in to find a huge elevator. It was large enough to fit my car in… and my living room furniture as well. Punching in another code for the elevator, it ascended to the top floor of the building, stopped smoothly and opened unto an enormous, mostly empty open space with exposed beams and ducting amid industrial lighting fixtures. All that was visible in the loft was a kitchen, a sitting area, a wall with a couple sliding wooden doors, a few artist worktables spewed with supplies, and various wood panels on wheels. “Great Potential!” I thought as my eyes danced around the vast space. Wow! I would love to see this place completed.

  Hearing movement, I remembered why I came. “Hello,” I said in a questioning voice.

  “You’re late.” Roared a voice from the other side of a moveable partition.

  Looking down at my cell phone time, I was quick to correct the artist, “No… I’m actually early.”

  “Get undressed!” Shocked at those words, I stumbled back clutching my chest and dropped my bag. “Hurry up! What are you waiting for?”

  I don’t know how my feet managed to move, but heading forward, I rounded the wooden panel placed behind the sitting area. There stood my Emerson; barefoot and shirtless with his big, broad shoulder, muscular arms, defined pecs, washboard abs with v-cut muscles disappearing into a tattered pair of blue jeans. His chin-length, dark hair was perfectly tousled and framing his gorgeously stubbled face. With his penetrating eyes burning into me he spoke in his commanding voice, giving me chills all over my body. “Did you not hear me? Undress!”

  Staring back into his intense eyes, I kicked off my slippers, unzipped my pants and slid them down my quivering thighs. Slowly unknotting Emerson’s shirt, I smil
ed and unbuttoned it. “You stole my shirt.” Once opened, my red lace lingerie was revealed and I noticed his deep intake of breath. Reaching up, I pushed the shirt off of my shoulder and let it fall to the ground. “Everything!” Unhooking my bra, adding it to the pile, I stepped out of my panties. “On the bed!” Keeping eye contact, I walked to the bed, kneeling slowly and then crawled to the middle. “Lie down on your back!” Doing as he instructed, I waited, wondering if he was going to paint me. I hoped that was not his plan.

  When Emerson came into my view, he was no longer sporting clothing. His beautiful hard cock twitched in my direction and I swallowed hard. “Open your legs wide. Hands over your head.”

  Exposing myself to him, my nipples hardened and my juices flowed freely on to the bed. “Please tell me you’re not going to paint me.”

  “No baby… I’m going to fuck you,” he said in a softer voice situating his hard body between my legs. Covering my body, I felt his firmness slide against my aching nub and I moaned. Grasping the sides of my face gently, Emerson softly touched his lips to mine and tears spilled from my eyes. Not caring what he thought or commanded, my arms flew around his neck, my fingers into his thick hair and my legs wrapped around his. I needed him as close as I could get him as he sank deep inside of me.

  Slow and steady we moved together never breaking our intense eye contact. I felt our hearts beating wildly in the same rhythm. And within the deafening silence that filled the room I could hear our breathing matched evenly until spasms rolled within my walls and I could no longer keep silent, and moaned breathlessly, “Oh Emerson… I’ve missed you so much… I… I… oh fuck it… I love you…”

  Panting, he replied in a whispered voice, “I love you too, Julia…” before he captured my mouth and exploded deep inside of me.

  Epilogue

  Six months later…

  My re-development was in full swing now. Several shops and restaurants in the area had opened and were celebrating their successes. Julia and I were living in the loft during the week. I painted and she scouted the city for her column; running monthly in print and weekly online. She had gotten quite a following, known to many as the “dtla art girlee” and was asked to make a few appearances; happily, I escorted her. My paintings were in hot demand thanks to Pierce and Julia’s editor Herm. Julia had suggested an interview/article about me but said she could not write it and be objective. So Pierce took it upon himself to contribute my story to the art magazine. He was completely biased; pointing out some of my minor flaws. My baby said I had no flaws and of course that was why she did not write the article.

  On the weekends, Julia and I spent time at our new home. Yes, we bought a three bedroom, two bath bungalow just north of the downtown entertainment area of Santa Monica and just two short blocks off of Ocean Boulevard. We were just far enough from the chaos and close enough to emerge ourselves in it if we desired. Most days we enjoyed the quiet solitude of our private courtyard situated in the center of our home. While on others, we liked to frolic on the beach, and patronize the restaurants, galleries and shops in the area. I’d say life with Julia was pretty perfect.

  Looking at her sitting across from me right now, I remembered the first time that I saw her. I had had a really shitty day. Nothing seemed to be going right and then my model didn’t show up on top of it. Pissed I jumped in the shower, hoping to cool down. Then as I stepped out of my bathroom, my heart started pounding and my blood began to boil; I was pissed that my model was so late but I was floored at how beautiful she was… I mean absolutely drop dead gorgeous.

  She had beautiful long, brown hair sparked with golden highlights. Her skin was smooth and flawless. Her emerald green eyes were framed by long dark eyelashes. Oh, her mouth… those lips were full and lush and I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to lick them or have them wrapped around my throbbing erection.

  When she finally complied with my commands and stripped down; my cock was instantly hard. She had long legs, curvy hips with a heart shaped ass. Her stomach was flat and soft and attached to two ample breasts with rosy pink hard nipples. I wanted to do so many naughty things to that body, how I managed to paint her, I’ll never know. All I could think about was driving into her; deep and hard. And then Pierce arrived and I instantly wanted to cover her; hide her away from him and then reality struck; she was there to see him.

  Seeing Pierce touch her drove me wild, there was no way I was going to stand by and watch him fuck her. I had shared a couple other women with him in the past and I saw all the signs that he was setting the stage in motion. The wine, the feeding, and the gentle graze of her sex. I knew when he watched her react as I caressed her breast and heard her moan; there was no stopping him. And knowing that he wouldn’t stick around for the tender moments and the morning after; I was happy I had participated.

  In the morning when I had her all to myself; I delighted in every second and cursed the minute Pierce took her away from me. Not wanting to share her with him again, I told him I couldn’t make it to dinner, but when the time rolled around I texted him; I was in. She was like a bad drug and I was addicted; I would take her however she wanted it. And by the end of the night, she wanted both of us. Again, I knew I would have her alone after Pierce escaped. Ever the coward where women were involved; I always had clean up. With Julia; I especially relished it. But that night after I bathed her and loved her; I couldn’t stay with her. For the first time ever, I was scared and at the same time inspired and I ran for the security of my loft.

  The weeks that followed, I was miserable. I wanted to message her. I wanted to talk to her. I wanted to hold her. But knowing that Pierce was in contact with her daily, I decided to move on and finished my packing and shipping. Settled in my downtown loft, I continued to paint Julia. It was all that I could paint; I was obsessed with her. Pleased with my paintings, I contacted my friend Richard who owned an interior design gallery and he asked me if I had anything new. I shot him a few photos and he said bring me all of them. While standing in his shop window, I saw Julia stroll by and my heart stopped for a brief second. My friend agreed that Julia was definitely something to behold. He told me, that though he preferred a more masculine figure, he quite enjoyed seeing her on her morning walks.

  It was that very moment that I started hashing my plan to “visit California” and Julia. Home in my loft, I tipped back a few tumblers of scotch and then texted the beautiful brunette asking for recommended accommodations. I made sure she knew I had my own mode of transportation since obviously she could not pick me up when, in fact, I was only traveling from downtown LA.

  When the day arrived that I would see her again, I almost cancelled. I spent the whole day going back and forth in my mind wondering if this was such a good idea. But biting the bullet, at nine o’clock I called for a taxi and turned up on her doorstep. It was the best decision I ever made. Those four days with her were amazing and on the last day as I was about to come clean, I saw the invitation from Pierce and I shut down. That was the dumbest thing I ever did. And of course I followed it up with another bad move at the museum gala. Fortunately, Pierce saw the way I felt about Julia and helped me cultivate a plan.

  The day she turned up at my new loft and followed my every command as she did the first night, I knew she felt the same way about me. But hearing Julia say “I love you” and saying it back to her for the first time, I realized that she was mine. I would never let her go. I would never get tired of looking at my beautiful girl.

  “Emerson… Emerson?”

  “Yes, baby?”

  “What are you thinking about? I love that smile on your face.”

  “Come here, baby,” I said. Climbing onto my lap, I wrapped my arms tightly around her and kissed the top of her head. “I’m thinking about how much I love you.”

  With Julia tucked in and nuzzling against my neck, I heard my five favourite words reciprocated, “I love you too, Emerson.”

  And in that moment, I knew everything was just right in our world and that
someday I would make her mine forever.

  The End

  Don’t Forget to the Bonus Reading Ahead

  “Taming the Curator” by Fifi Flowers

  Other Books by Fifi Flowers

  A Window to Love, (Book 1, Windows Series)

  Melissa Bennette, a young beautiful woman who has tragically lost her parents in a devastating plane crash, is set to spend another Christmas holiday alone until one night as she gazes into the dressed up holiday windows of New York City and her path crosses with the gorgeous man of her dreams.

  Evan Duke is the world’s top male model, dreamed about and wanted by women everywhere, but he only has eyes for her.

  This erotic tale of twists, turns and surprises stretches from twinkling lights of New York to the sun drenched beaches of Santa Monica to the art world of Paris. With each destination, the layers of their lives and closely held secrets fall away as a beautiful love grows out of the weeds of self doubt and heartbreak.

  This book contains sexually explicit material and is intended for adult readers only.

  A Window to Love, (Book 1, Windows Series) available…

  Click here: Amazon US

  Click here: Amazon UK

  “Taming the Curator” (Bonus Reading, Encounters Series)

  available on the next page

  “Taming the Curator”

  (Bonus Reading, Encounters Series)

  by Fifi Flowers

  Chloe…

  “Damn it!” I said under my breath perhaps a little too loudly while making clicking sounds with my high heels along the hard marble floors of the Chicago Art Museum. I hated this part of my job, I thought, as I stocked passed each remarkable masterpiece adorning the brilliant white walls of the galleries. I truly adored being surrounded by art and it made the job almost bearable. Actually, if I was honest… I hated every part of my position!