Cara woke up early and quickly started wrapping up her work before 7 o’clock. Marcus was still fast asleep and she rolled her eyes at him. So much for doing the housework together! She had two hours to complete everything. The cleaning was already done the day before, so she quickly made breakfast and completed the preparations needed for lunch. That didn’t take long and she stepped into Marcus’s bedroom to take a quick shower before doing the laundry.
By 6:15, she was ready and sipping her coffee when Marcus walked into the dining room, freshly showered and ready. Wearing a pair of figure-hugging jeans and a black tee-shirt, he looked less like a painter and more like some se* God. Cara blinked the thoughts away and turned on a dazzling smile at him, taking him aback.
“Good morning! You’re late Mr. Painter.” Marcus grinned and threw her a bored look.
“I’ll be ready before you are.”
“Yeah, with no help whatsoever! Promises and promises!” she sang, going into the kitchen to get their breakfast. Marcus couldn’t help the boyish grin from spreading across his face. He could sense the excitement in the air and it made his heartbeats accelerate thinking about the art piece he was about to create today. It had been on his mind for a long time and now he would get to realize his dream. He wanted to start his series on a happy, positive note, and seeing the infectious mood Cara was in, he felt his whole body tingle with anticipation.
Cara brought a plate of delicious blueberry topped pancakes that immediately made his mouth water. “Wow! When did you make them?”
“When the whole world was fast asleep!” His grin widened knowing that the whole world meant only him!
“I’ll help from tomorrow. Happy?” Cara laughed. It was a sweet sound of a gurgling brook and it made him gaze at her with amazement. She really looked like a breath of fresh air and his heart chanted the mantra again like it did last night.
I’ll make her mine! Make her mine!
Cara sat down with her food and they ate while discussing her studies and dreams. “I want to be a musician. Some day I’ll make it big and have a string of albums to my name.” Marcus saw the sparkle in her eyes with awe. He had no doubt that she would do well in future since she had the potential.
“I’m sure you will. So will you give me your first autograph?” Cara blushed and laughed, all red and flustered.
“Why would you need my autograph? You’re more famous than I ever will be.” Marcus shook his head, disagreeing with her totally.
“Don’t underestimate yourself, Cara. Reach for the stars.” Cara found a lot of inspiration in his words.
“Thanks for believing in me and giving me a chance to study, Marcus.”
“You deserve it.” They finished breakfast and as Marcus was about to walk away towards his studio, he stopped right in his tracks. “You can pay me back with a kiss if you’re that grateful.”
“I’ll pass!” He chuckled and walked away, making her blush at his demand. Why did he always have to demand things that set her heart in overdrive? It was easier to make his favorite food to return the favor!
“Cara, quick. I’m waiting!” he yelled from the studio and Cara quickly wrapped up her work and rushed towards the studio. She wondered now what was in store for her till 12 o’clock! She stood like a statue in the middle of the studio, unsure of what to do with herself. With Marcus busy setting up, she glanced all around the place. The old paintings of her had all been nicely packed away in the corner. There was a sleek lounger that wasn’t there before, placed right in the middle of the studio. What was its purpose?
“These clothes won’t do!” barked Marcus impatiently, making her eyes pop out. “Do you have something off-shoulder? I want to capture a positive portrait in its natural form.” Cara gaped at him and shook her head slowly.
“In that case, you need to take off your top to leave the shoulders bare. You can cover yourself with that stole.” Cara gaped at him with wide eyes. She hadn’t thought of this before! How could she strip right in front of him? Indecisive and blushing furiously, she stood frozen like a statue, fidgeting with her fingers. She noted the clinical look on his face as if he hadn’t just asked her to strip!
“What? We don’t have all day, Cara. Use the washroom there.” Cara picked up the satin stole and rushed towards the washroom to take off her top and bra. She wondered if she was paying a huge price for her education! Will he touch her? Will he make love to her? A strange anxiousness filled her head as she opened the door and walked out. To her surprise, Marcus didn’t even turn to look in her direction as he was occupied setting up his stationery.
“Sit there.” Cara wondered how he sensed her presence with his back to her. She glanced at the lounger he was pointing at and shyly walked over to it and sat down, ensuring that her brea*ts were properly covered with the white satin stole. She had tied it behind her so that it didn’t slip off. After waiting for ages, finally, Marcus looked in her direction. His pointed stare made her flinch and blush.
“No, it’s not working at all. Why are you so conscious? Where’s the smile I saw this morning? Chest out, be confident in your skin. Everything shows in the portrait. Relax, calm down and be natural.” Cara tried her best to do as she was told but it wasn’t working at all. She felt more and more conscious and the satin material kept on slipping off her brea*ts.
Marcus sighed and walked towards her, making her heart thump with apprehension at every step he took. She wondered why he was coming towards her! He stopped right in front of her and looked down at her thoughtfully, wondering what could get rid of her shyness. Cara looked up at him anxiously, wondering what was going on in his head. “I think I need to get rid of your shyness first!” Her eyes widened further as she wondered what it was that he was planning to do with her.
“I’m good. I’m smiling now, see?” she flashed him a fake and nervous smile. Marcus frowned and shook his head.
“That’s worse! I want the free-spirited and vivacious Cara, the one I caught a glimpse of earlier.”
“Maybe she doesn’t exist, Marcus. I don’t think I’m fit for this job. I can’t do justice to your portrait.” Marcus seemed unperturbed by her words as he kept on staring at her, deep in thought. His arms flexed across his chest and he absent-mindedly stroked his chin, contemplating his next move.
“You are perfect. I think a little adjustment here and there will bring out a masterpiece.” He sat down on the lounger right beside her, his unfaltering gaze pinned upon her, making her squirm. The familiar addictive scent of his cologne and his sheer muscular form made her head reel with need. What was he up to now? Marcus’s gaze flicked all over her, taking in her slightly parted cherry red lips and her doe-shaped scared eyes to her chocolate brown hair, still damp from the shower. Her bare shoulders and chest had a rosy hue that attracted him like a magnet. There was nothing wrong with her! It was him. He was too aroused to get any sketching done. With his rational head and obsessed heart battling for a taste of her sweetness, he was lost and his mission to start the series took a backseat.
Giving in to his heart, he raised a finger and trailed it along her soft creamy cheek. Cara’s breath hitched and she closed her eyes. “Marcus we should start working,” she whispered hoarsely, as a throbbing need started pulsating deep within her. Encouraged by her response to him, Marcus trailed the finger to her lips, parting them roughly.
“We are working it out,” he whispered, leaning closer. Before Cara could figure out what was happening, his arms scooped her up and placed her on his lap. She gasped with shock and her eyes flew open to find his dark stormy ones inches from hers. He pulled her flush against him while dipping his head and grazing his lips against her bare shoulder. Goosebumps erupted all over her skin and she trembled like a leaf.
“Marcus, what are you doing?” she murmured while his mouth took liberties on her shoulder and neck. Her traitorous body refused to listen to any logic and battled with her brain, arching her neck to give him more access. Marcus was lost in her and all thoughts of painting flew out of the window. Somehow her sweet scent short-circuited his brain and all he could think of was kissing her, touching her, and f*cking her.
The stole slipped out of her leaving her perky, rounded brea*ts exposed to his sinful eyes. Marcus raised his head, his dark stormy eyes drinking her in. He wanted her badly!