“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.
“Eudora I’ve wanted you for so long. It’s wrong what we’re doing is wrong,” he said.
“I don’t care anymore. Take me Leonardo. I want you inside of me.”
With that he picked me up. I wrapped my legs around him as he carried me to the chaise lounge and laid me down upon it. He stripped me of my petticoat skirt and then he pulled off his trousers. I gasped at the sight of him naked. I had never seen a man naked before. His cock was thick and long and perfectly pink. His thighs were strong and muscular and his stomach was rippled with muscles. He hovered over me and placed his cock inside of me and then with one thrust pushed it in. I felt my maidenhood give way and I clawed at his back.
“Are you alright Eudora?” he whispered.
“Yes, please don’t stop.”
He covered my mouth with his and pushed again inside of me. Back and forth he moved his cock in and out of me. I didn’t know the sensations could feel this way. I felt something inside of me building up but I did not know what it was. Leonardo moved his mouth down my neck and onto my breast. He licked at sucked at my rosy nipples until they were erect and taught. He moaned as his hands moved down the sides of my body. Each movement he pushed himself in me with his hips between my thighs. My back arched up in reaction to it and his arm encircled it, holding me up. I was on the brink. I could feel it welling up inside of me. Then my body tensed and relaxed as I released into pleasure that I was not expecting. I didn’t know it existed. Tiny pulsations ran through me and I felt on the verge of fainting. Leonardo looked down at me from his hovering height above me. His dark tendrils of hair hung over his face and moved back and forth with his thrusting movement. It was a sight I wanted to burn into my memory. He was the sexiest man I had ever seen in my life. His grunting grew louder as he tensed and he held onto me tighter. The chaise lounge moved an inch with each thrust as he moved more aggressively and harder. Then he let out a loud moan and I felt the warm fluid fill me as he released himself. He kissed me and then rested his head in my neck. I wrapped my arms around him. I never wanted to let go of this genius. He was the most romantic artist I had ever met. He had a hold over me. He looked at me and asked, “Are you alright sweet?”
“Yes, I think so,” I laughed.
“Why did you not tell me you were a virgin?” he asked.
My eyes grew wide as I felt confused, “I thought that you knew already.”
“No, I did not know. I assumed since you agreed to model for me that you were not. Then in the ga
rden, you let me take advantage of you.”
I was in shock. Yes I knew all the things I had done were unlady-like behaviors, but this was an exception. It thought there was a connection between us and I could not stop myself if I wanted to. I let lust take over me. I couldn’t say anything to him except, “I understand.”
Leonardo looked upset. He pulled himself out of me and then began to pick up his clothes. He handed me the maroon dress and said, “Perhaps you should put your own clothes on. The carriage will be arriving soon.”
“Yes, thank you,” I said fighting back tears.
I wrapped the maroon dress around me and walked behind the screen to put my clothes on. I needed to get out of there and quick before I burst into tears and made a fool of myself. I quickly pulled on my dress and laced up the laces. I was dressed and pulled together. I pulled my hair back into a bun and came around the corner of the screen. Leonardo was gone from the room. I inhaled and took a deep breath and steadied my step. Then I heard loud voices. Just then Leonardo’s patron and owner of this grand estate Sir Conwith Holdsworth walked in with Leonardo trailing behind. He stopped in his tracks when he saw me. I felt like it was obvious what had just happened.
Leonardo remained cool and simply said, “And this is the model for the painting.”
“Yes, Ms. Eudora Sterling is it not?” Mr. Holdsworth said.
My eyes widened at him recognizing me and knowing who I was. I had never met this man before and I was astonished he knew who I was.
“I do business with your sister’s husband quiet frequently. I did not know he was a fan of the arts. I would think permitting you to model while under his roof something he would forbid.”
I panicked and started fumbling over my words. “Well, you see sir. It’s not that…”
Then I saw the look on his face change. Mr. Holdsworth looked at the chaise lounge. More rightly he looked at the spots of red blood on it. I had not noticed this before, but it made sense. I had lost my maidenhood and there was the evidence. Mr. Holdsworth looked at me then Leonardo in shock and disapproval.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Ms. Sterling, I think it’s time you left,” he said.
That was it. I could not hold back my tears. I burst out crying and ran out of the room into the foyer.
Minutes later I was in the carriage as he clinked and swerved in the raining day outside. I felt ashamed. I felt upset and anguish. Most of all, I felt scared that I would never see Leonardo again. I didn’t care if I was cast out of society as long as I got to be with him.
I arrived home and was fortunate enough to not see any of the household on the way to my room. I cried myself to sleep. The next morning I wanted to stay in bed and not leave my room for days. However, that was not to happen. There was a knock at my door.
“Ms. Eudora, your sister wants to see you in the parlor miss,” the maid said.
“Thank you, I’ll be down straight away,” I said.
I got dressed and tried to disguise my red eyes as much as possible and then descended the stairs to the parlor. I opened the door and was shocked at what I saw. My sister stood there with her husband William, Leonardo, and Mr. Holdsworth. I gasped at the sight.
“It’s alright Eudora, come in,” William said.
My sister Annabelle rushed to my side and escorted me to a bench to sit with her.
“Mr. Holdsworth here has brought to light that you have been modelling for Mr. Drivatti is that true?” William asked.
“Yes,” I whispered.
William and Annabelle exchanged looks of shock. Then William continued.
“Is it also true that Mr. Drivatti seduced you during this time and has taken your maidenhood.”
I gasped at the subject. I could not believe I had to discuss this in front of everyone. I began to cry. “No, I mean yes.”
“Well which is it?” William said sternly. He was angry. No doubt I had brought shame and scandal into his house and into Mr. Holdsworth’s house as well.
“No, he did not seduce me. I allowed it to happen,” I said.
Then Leonardo spoke up. “No need to protect me Ms. Sterling. You were innocent in this matter. I seduced you and I mean to make it right,” he said sternly.
Make it right? I thought.
Mr. Holdsworth spoke next and said, “Since this happened under my household I hope that everyone present will keep this quiet so as not to cause scandal at my home and to my good name. After the marriage takes place it will seem like an innocent marriage and nothing more.”
“Of course sir,” William said.
“Marriage?!” I yelled out.
“Don’t worry Eudora we will take care of everything and it can happen first thing in the morning. William has arranged everything and your reputation will remain intact,” Annabelle said comforting me and holding my hand.
I was so confused. I looked to Leonardo for answers but he seldom looked at me. He stood stiff and dutiful to his patron. The men continued talking about me as though I was a business proposition. I sat there in shock trying to process everything. I was being married off to Leonardo, which was a dream come true for me, but not in this way. It was out of scandal and Leonardo had not professed his love for me. It was all so very wrong.
Finally, everyone left and Annabelle told me to get some sleep so that I would be well rested. I went to my room and cried some more. I didn’t know what to make of all of this. It was very overwhelming. I finally fell asleep.
I awoke to Annabelle in my room rushing around with a maid.
“Oh good, you’re awake. We haven’t much time for tea. I have your dress brought in and the maid will do your hair. We are to be at church in two hours,” she said.
It took me a moment to shake off the sleep and it all came rushing back to me. I was getting married today to Leonardo Drivatti the famous painter. He was being forced to marry me, or so it seemed, for seducing me. I was tormented, but I was powerless to stop it. I went through the motions of getting dressed. William and Annabelle were good enough to purchase a white lace wedding gown. It was simple but elegant and I loved it. The maid arranged my hair in a bun with small white flowers and ribbons. I slipped on my small white slippers and then was ready. I sat in the carriage with Annabelle and William silent on the way to the church clutching my small bouquet of flowers. I hoped that Leonardo would be happy to see me. I was so frightened.
We arrived at the church. Walking inside Leonardo stood at the altar with the priest and Mr. Holdsworth at his side. Leonardo did not smile when he saw me. He still had a stern look on his face. I took a deep breath and the ceremony began. I was in a daze the whole time. Then it was over. Annabelle and William kissed me on the cheek.
“The house is in the process of packing your trunks, but you will always have a place to stay with us Eudora,” Annabelle said tearfully. William hugged me and then we all walked outside the church. I had come in the carriage with Annabelle and William, but I was to leave in another carriage with Leonardo and Mr. Holdsworth.
I stared at Leonardo sitting across from me. He only looked out the carriage window. Mr. Holdsworth was rattling on about staying at his estate and how then we would be off to Venice. I only half heard what he said.
We pulled up to the estate and went inside. The maid led me up to my new rooms. I sat there and waited for my new husband for hours. I needed to talk to him. We had not spoken since I was here modelling for him and we had sex. Now I was his wife and confused and scared. I fell asleep on the bed in my wedding gown.
The next morning I awoke to the sunrise. Leonardo was in my bed. He was fully clothed and stunk of brandy. He obviously drank himself into a stupor and deep sleep.
“Leonardo,” I whispered as I nudged him trying to wake him. “Leonardo.”
He stirred and finally awoke. He looked at me and touched my face and said, “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” I asked.
“I have brought you into a forced marriage. I am a scoundrel, how can you ever live w
ith me?”
“It is not forced on my part. I want this. I want you,” I whispered.
“But I took your innocence and made it so that you didn’t have a choice of your own. You could have married a noble man.”
“I don’t want a stuffy noble man. I want a passionate artist, like you.”
His face finally lightened and he smiled for the first time in a long time. “Do you really mean it?” he asked.
“I do. I have thought of no one else since I first met you,” I said. “I am grateful, excited, I’m in love, and I am happy to be your wife. I don’t care if it were forced. I am just glad it happened.”
He pulled me close to him and kissed me. I felt relief rush over me. This was why he had been so distant. He had thought that I was angry for everything that happened and being forced into marriage. He thought he had robbed me of having a good life with another, but that was not the case. This is what I wanted.
That morning we finally had our wedding night. Leonardo took me once more like he had on the chaise lounge only now we had the entire day and night. We never left that room and took all our meals in there. He made love to me passionately and as my true husband. It was all I could dream for.
Over the next week, I continued to model for him. It was strange to sit there. I first sat there as a model with my innocence in tact, when he began the painting. Now I sat as his wife as he finished the painting. It was very unusual. When it was done it was well received and considered a masterpiece. It hung in the gallery at the Royal Academy where we had first met. He titled the painting ‘Innocence Undone.’ I loved that our passionate love affair had been captured in that painting. There was so much story in it, and I almost felt like you could see it on my face in the painting. I cried every time I looked at it.
After the painting exhibition Leonardo took me to his home in Venice. This was to be our permanent home and it was a grand palazzo on the canal. It was the most romantic setting in the world. This is where I, Eudora Drivatti, lived out my days and dreams with my husband, the passionate, sexy, and romantic painter Leonardo Drivatti.
VAMPIRE: PARANORMAL: Out For Blood (Vampire Alpha Shapeshifter Romance) (New Adult Paranormal Fantasy Short Stories) Page 14
