An Artist's Kiss [Dark Desires 4] (Siren Publishing Sensations)

by Suzy Shearer

  Late in the afternoon when everyone but Gabriel, Isabella and the newly engaged couple had gone, they sat quietly enjoying one last drink. Isabella, Jennifer, and Erica went off to the kitchen together.

  “I’m so happy for you, Erica.”

  “Oh, Issie. I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d marry. I’d always hoped but as I got older I realised my chances were slowly fading and then I met Ian.”

  “You were hooked that first night, remember? Jake’s birthday party.”

  “I was, I admit it. As soon as we started to talk I felt like this was the man I’d been waiting years for. I just kept my fingers crossed that he felt the same.”

  Jennifer was grinning at her.

  “I’ve known Ian since I met Raphael. In fact, I thought he was the oldest Milford brother. Anyway, he’s always said he was never going to get married but as soon as he met you, Erica, he changed. He’s so much happier, more relaxed. I’m so happy for you both.”

  “Thanks, Jenny.”

  “You’ll be an unofficial Milford.” Jennifer laughed. “We should get Ian to change his last name from Holland to Milford.”

  “He really loves your family, Jen. He told me he considered Michael senior and Dottie his parents since his died when he was twenty.”

  “And they love him, too.”

  Isabella hugged her friend again. “Don’t forget now you have a wedding to plan.”

  “Argh, don’t remind me. Hopefully we can do something soon and preferably laid back and relaxed.”

  “Well, you’re the bride, it’s your decision.”

  “Hey, it is, isn’t it? Mm, wonder if we can get married tomorrow?”

  Isabella laughed at her friend. They wandered back to the men, still giggling. When she and Gabriel drove back to her house that evening he had a big smile on his face.

  “So the confirmed bachelor has changed his tune.”

  “Ian?”

  “Yep. He always said that he had no intention of ever marrying, said it was a stupid idea.”

  “Well, he certainly changed his mind today.”

  “That he did. I’m damn happy for him. He’s my best friend and to see him like this, happy and carefree, makes me very happy, too.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Gabriel stood back and looked at the work in front of him.

  There comes a time in every painting where the artist must put the brushes away and Gabriel felt he’d finally achieved that point. He stood staring at the vast canvas. Isabella was in every stroke, in every coat of paint. This was a testament to his love for her.

  The painting had evolved over the months of working with Isabella and falling in love. She had changed from the woman who held a secret to one who was now open and confident in their sex life. There were still times when he couldn’t believe his good fortune—to have found a woman who was beautiful, talented and who intrigued him. A woman who, with him, explored the dark desires they both held. A woman who responded with such ardour and passion.

  Yes, he was a very lucky man.

  He just hoped she would like this painting as much as he did. Gabriel was glad he’d chosen to go with this one. Although the other two canvases were good, they just didn’t have the raw emotion this painting did. Going back into the house, he made a coffee then took it back to stare at the canvas once more.

  Over the next few weeks he watched as it dried and, as much as any artist can be, was satisfied with it. He’d stopped Isabella looking at it a few months back when he’d got the feeling that it was going to be one of his best pieces. She’d accepted the restriction easily, understanding that he only wanted to share the completed work with her. Tomorrow they would go to the gallery to see it hung and he was as nervous as all hell.

  What if she didn’t like it?

  He looked at the studio clock, almost five. Isabella was coming over for dinner—well, she was cooking and he was watching. Time to go inside and get cleaned up. Now that the work was finished he was hoping to talk her into moving in with him.

  He barely gave Isabella enough time to get her foot in the house before he grabbed her. She excited him so much. Now looking down at her face he saw her eyes dilate, the quick a rush of blood to her cheeks. He grabbed the long plait and pulled down, bending her head back, exposing her long beautiful neck. He ran his other hand down it then cupped her breasts through her clothing. Already he could feel his cock pressed hard against the inside of his jeans. This woman aroused him like no other.

  He captured her mouth. Her lips parted, allowing his tongue entry—he loved fucking her mouth with it. She gave a little moan deep in her throat and it was enough to send him crazy. He fumbled at her clothing—a T-shirt under her jacket, tearing at them till he had her naked from the waist up. Now he could see those full heavy breasts.

  He bent down so he could take one nipple in his mouth while he squeezed and rubbed at the other gorgeous boob.

  God, I love these!

  He sank his teeth into her soft flesh and bit around the swelling mound till he had a circle of bites then he did the same to the other. Isabella was hanging on to him for dear life. He undid her jeans, shoes and pulled them off then knelt in front of her.

  “This body is mine. Are we clear?”

  “Yes,” she gasped. “It’s only yours, forever.”

  He took a deep breath, taking in the heady scent of her arousal then buried his head in the wet bush between her legs. He loved the taste of her, the thickness of the cream that poured from her body. He could feel the hands on his shoulders shaking as she tried to keep upright, her legs apart for him. He licked the length of her hot slit then stood and threw her over his shoulder. Striding across the room to the stairs, he climbed them to his bedroom then threw her onto the bed. He quickly stripped off then took her across his knees.

  In rapid succession he struck hard on each cheek until her arse was bright red, his hand prints standing out boldly. Setting her on the floor, he went into the walk-in wardrobe and took down a paddle, a flogger, and a crop. Pushing her until she was lying with her stomach on the bed and feet on the floor, he took a deep breath.

  “Tell me what you want.”

  “I want you to hit me. I want to feel the pain,” she pleaded.

  Using the flogger, he worked it up and down her body until she was writhing with pleasure then he switched to the paddle. When he had her screaming he used the crop on her arse then rolled her over to hit those spectacular tits.

  The more he hit the more she screamed and twisted in pleasure. When he stopped he looked at her, her eyes were open but glassy. Isabella was kilometres away, sunk deep inside the pain-pleasure of her body. He pulled her legs wider apart, hitting the inside of her thighs then her clit. She writhed as the first orgasm rode across her body. It was more than Gabriel could stand and he roughly slammed his cock into her. Pinching her clit between two fingers, he squeezed hard as he fucked her. Isabella could do nothing but moan as another climax shook her. Gabriel bent his head until he could bite across the tender flesh of her belly.

  He could feel his own orgasm building. Thrusting hard and deep, he held his cock in her cunt. Grunting, he jerked as he filled her with his cum. Satisfied, he half lay with his shrinking cock still inside her. Gathering his breath, he pulled out then settled them both on the bed. Isabella was far into sub-space as he rocked and murmured to her.

  “Baby, I love you.”

  He kissed her eyes, her mouth, her cheeks.

  “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”

  He kissed every part of her face, her hair, lifted a hand so he could kiss each finger. Looking down her body, he was delighted to see the marks of his passion. He knew she wore them with pride. He dozed until he felt her move. Opening his eyes, he watched as she stretched then looked up at him.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi. That was a different greeting.”

  “Can’t help it. I see you and all I want to do is fuck you but now I can say hello.”

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nbsp; That funny laugh of hers made him smile as she wriggled till she was half-sitting.

  He kissed her lightly and said, “What’s for dinner?”

  Isabella smacked his chest and looked at him indignantly.

  “Just as well I love you because unless you’ve suddenly learnt to cook then nothing yet.”

  “Maybe we should just ring for pizza.”

  “Good idea.”

  Gabriel stretched out a hand and grabbed the phone on the bedside chest. He quickly hit the number for the local pizza delivery service and ordered them two pizzas. Isabella’s hand had started playing with his cock and he was hard again.

  “Naughty girl. Do we have time before the pizza comes?”

  Before she could answer he twisted her around so he could eat her out while she gave him head. He couldn’t hold back his own groan as her lips slid over the head of his cock. He sucked at her clit while pushing two fingers into her hot cunt. Isabella had cupped his balls and was now deep-throating him.

  Gabriel had no defence against her. Her tongue wrapped around his cock, pressing in its eye then she’d almost swallow it. He could do nothing else but fill her throat with his cum. Realising he’d forgotten what he was doing because of his own pleasure, he went back to nibbling, sucking and licking until he felt her muscles tighten on his fingers. He moved them until he found that rough spot and began drumming on it while she climaxed around his fingers. He kept sucking until she jumped and he knew her clit was just too sensitive to continue.

  He helped her stand and they both used the bathroom. Gabriel pulled on his pants and T-shirt.

  “Mine are still at the back door, Gabe.”

  “Yes, but then I like seeing you naked.”

  “I doubt the pizza guy will be impressed.”

  “Oh, I don’t know, it would probably make his night.”

  She shook her head and went into the walk-in where she kept a few changes of clothes. Gabriel, meanwhile, went downstairs and gathered up the clothes he’d scattered in the hallway. He met her coming down the stairs and dumped them on a chair alongside the foot of them. Five minutes later the pizzas arrived and they sat in the living room watching a movie and eating.

  “I’ll pick you up at nine, sweetheart. Told the gallery we’d be there around eleven-thirty.”

  “Okay.”

  Gabriel walked her out to her car. He pressed her against the side of it, reluctant to let her leave. He nuzzled her neck then sighed.

  “Better let you get home.”

  “Yep, it’s late.”

  “I love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  He opened the door and watched her settle then start the car. One last kiss then he shut the door for her and watched as she drove away.

  * * * *

  Isabella felt such nervous excitement. She hadn’t seen the actual work before the hanging of the painting. Gabriel had prevented her from seeing the final piece. Even though she’d seen some of the stages, he’d begun covering it over the past few months, telling her he wanted to see her reaction when it was finally unveiled. Today Gabriel had forced her to wander through some of the nearby rooms as the painting was hung, telling her he would find her when it was ready.

  Now at last he was leading her back into the rooms where the upcoming exhibition would be held. Already some of the other works were on the walls. He made her close her eyes as they reached the main entryway. Carefully he moved her until he whispered that she could open her eyes.

  Slowly she raised her eyelids. There in front of her was the painting.

  The woman on the canvas seemed almost alive. She was much larger than life yet somehow Gabriel had captured movement and sensuality. She was half-reclining, one wrist bound with rope that dragged the arm off to her right. In counter-balance her left leg was pulled by the rope at the ankle. She should have shown some negative expression at her obvious captivity but instead her face was filled with desires and need. The flushed cheeks, the dilated eyes, the slightly parted lips.

  It took Isabella’s breath away. She knew that look. That look she felt positive was on her face every time Gabriel tied her, every time he struck her body, every time he bit down on her tender flesh. It was a look of excitement and arousal. A look of seduction and passion.

  The harsh brush strokes and bright splashes of colour only added to the passion. This was Isabella with her soul bared. It shocked her when she realised it was the face of a woman very deeply in love.

  She turned to Gabriel.

  “It’s…I…shit, it’s wonderful!”

  “Do you really like it, Issie?” His voice was uncertain, worried even.

  “Like it? I love it.”

  She could feel tears in her eyes, she felt so emotional. She saw his whole body relax and realised he’d been frightened she wouldn’t like it. Quickly she wrapped her arms around him.

  “Honestly, Gabe, it’s magnificent.”

  She felt him kiss the top of her head. A man approached them and began talking about the opening night. Isabella stepped away. There was a padded bench close to the painting so she sat down and stared up at it. Over the years she’d seen herself portrayed in hundreds of paintings, maybe even thousands, but this felt so different. Maybe it was because she was so in love with Gabriel but whatever it was this piece felt so intimate. She almost felt stripped before it but surprisingly she found the feeling exhilarating. It was as if she were being made love to in front of the whole world.

  Gabriel came back and stood alongside her looking up at the picture. A few minutes later he knelt down in front of her.

  “Issie. I love you. You know that. Hell, I can’t stop telling you.” He took her hands in his. “Marry me, Issie, marry me and stay with me forever.”

  Stunned, Isabella could only stare at him. She never expected this.

  “I don’t know what to say, Gabe. I do love you.”

  “Well, it’s easy, say yes.”

  She shook her head. She was suddenly terrified.

  “I can’t. I’ll live with you but I can’t marry you.”

  “Why not, Issie?” She could hear the terrible pain in his voice and see the deep hurt on his face.

  “None of my previous relationships have worked out. Anyway, do we really need a formal piece of paper?” She tried to make light of her refusal.

  “I guess not.”

  She knew he sounded regretful but she was helpless to help him. She honestly couldn’t say yes. The mood of the day had gone from excitement to disappointment in a split second and it was her fault. She tried to make him see things her way.

  “Gabe, I really love you. I adore you.”

  “But not enough to marry me,” he said, disheartened.

  “That’s not fair. I do love you enough but I just can’t marry again.”

  He stood up and paced around the room. Isabella felt like crying, she’d almost broken his heart. She just hoped he could accept her decision. What if he told her unless she married him he would leave? Her heart plummeted.

  “Mister Milford? The director would like to speak with you.”

  Gabriel nodded and followed the man from the room without looking at Isabella. A solitary tear ran down her cheek. She looked back at the painting. Did she love him enough? Yes, most assuredly. He was her whole world. Then why on earth did she say no?

  Isabella grabbed her phone and rang Erica. She didn’t give her a chance to say anything before she gasped, “Gabe proposed.”

  “Woo. Hi there, Issie. I hope you said yes.”

  “No. I said no.”

  “What the fuck? Why on earth would you say no, Issie?” She could hear the anger in Erica’s voice. “You’re crazy for the man.”

  That did it. She burst into tears.

  “I love him so much, Erica, but I’m terrified. What happens if it doesn’t work out? I told him I’d live with him.”

  “For goodness’ sake, Isabella. You are crazy! What’s the difference between living together and being married?�
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  She shrugged.

  “Nothing, I guess, but Erica…damn, look what happened last time.”

  “Sweetheart, last time you married the biggest moron on the planet.”

  “I don’t know what to do. I’ve made him so unhappy.”

  “Well, he’ll forgive you because that’s what you do when you love someone but Issie, you need to do some serious thinking. Don’t screw up the rest of your life because of what happened in the past.”

  “I know you’re right but I can’t explain it. It frightens me so much. The ghosts of the past haunt me and I can’t get past them.”

  “I suppose I sort of understand, Issie. I just don’t want you to lose this wonderful thing you and Gabe have. Please re-think your decision.”

  Isabella could see Gabriel walking back into the hallway.

  “I have to go. Gabe’s coming.”

  She quickly hung up the phone and tried to wipe the tears from her face. Gabriel got close and looked at her face. He pulled her to her feet.

  “Issie dearest, don’t cry. If you don’t want to get married, it doesn’t matter.”

  She clung to him, unable to answer. She felt so choked up, so emotional. It took her a minute or two to get herself centred.

  “Are you sure?” she whispered desperately.

  He lifted her chin.

  “Issie, I love you and you love me. That’s all that matters. Let’s just forget this. We can live together for the rest of our lives.”

  She felt his arms hold her tighter and slowly she relaxed.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  “Well, if it isn’t the great Issie.”

  Isabella turned around and groaned in dismay. This was the one person she’d hoped never to see again. She’d driven into the city to drop off photographs for Señor Vargas and have lunch with him and Antonia.

  “Peter.”

  “You look delightful, as usual.” Peter leered at her, taking his gaze the length of her body.

  “Thank you,” she answered through gritted teeth, hoping she could walk away from him very quickly.