• Home
  • /
  • Stories Hub
  • /
  • Mature
  • /
  • Painting Pictures

Painting Pictures

12

Mia flicked her long, dark braid over her shoulder and took in her work with a critical eye. Her compressed lips softened into a slow smile as her gaze swept from one side of the wall to the other. She planted her hands on her hips and let out a relieved breath, pleased with her efforts. Even with the scaffolding still in the way it didn't detract from the overall effect.

Gareth Robertson of Robertson Klein Architects had commissioned her to create a cityscape mural for the conference room wall in their new suite of offices. She'd worked off an actual photo of Melbourne that featured one of the company's previous projects, with an ominous twilight sky added for a more dramatic feel. Now all she needed to do was put the finishing touches on her work, which she hoped to get done by tonight.

Her ringtone startled her from her thoughts. She frowned and patted her back pocket then remembered she'd left her phone on the table. Mia padded across the wood floor in her bare feet, wondering who'd be calling her at this hour. When she grabbed her phone and checked the screen, the private number on display only deepened her curiosity.

"Hello?" Checking her fingers first for wet paint, she rested her hand on the back of one of the chairs hugging the oversized table.

"Mia, this is Gareth Robertson. Are you still working?"

Her stomach dipped and she tightened her grip around the phone. "Mr Robertson. Hi." Mia winced at the breathy, rushed sound of her voice. No matter how many times she'd spoken to him over the past week he'd kept her constantly on edge and unable to relax. She glanced at her watch, noting it was already after midnight. "Yes, I'll most likely be here for a few more hours."

"I thought you might be there for a while. I need to drop by the office to pick up some paperwork. I'm just calling ahead to let you know."

His secretary had set up the first meeting between them to discuss the artwork he wanted done, so she hadn't spoken to him on the phone before now. At twenty-six she generally found herself attracted to men closer to her own age, but despite being somewhere around fifty Gareth had captured her attention and pushed his way into her thoughts.

During their initial encounter he'd worn a charcoal suit and crisp white shirt that set off his tanned skin. He'd stood to greet her, flashing a smile as he reached for her hand. With his sharp, appraising blue eyes and dark hair that displayed a scattering of silver, his appearance unsettled and aroused her. While her heart thumped madly and she struggled to hold his gaze, he'd taken her hand between both of his in a clasp so warm and firm that she'd wanted to melt against him and do anything he asked of her.

"Thanks for letting me know," she said, shaking off the thoughts before she could get too carried away. "I'll see you soon, Mr Robertson."

"Ten minutes—and Mia?"

"Yes?" She held her breath at the teasing note in his voice.

"It's Gareth."

Mia ended the call with a smile. She glanced down at her paint-splattered jeans and baggy purple tank top, knowing without needing to look into a mirror that smudges of colour decorated her face as well. She contemplated running to the bathroom to repair the worst of the damage but decided there wasn't much point going to the effort. This was just a business relationship, and a short-term one at that. He more than likely wouldn't even notice.

She slid her phone onto the table and went about gathering the supplies needed for the next stage. Mia climbed onto the scaffolding platform with her palette and brush in hand, chewing her lower lip as she considered where to begin. Just as she was about to dip bristles into paint, the click of the main door sounded down the corridor. She stared at the wall and let out a slow breath, focusing on a storm cloud in an effort to keep her excitement at bay.

It wasn't long before she sensed Gareth behind her, and it surprised her how aware she'd become of his presence over the past few days. She glanced over her shoulder, her heart rate speeding just at the sight of him. He stood in the doorway wearing black pants with a rumpled white shirt and loosened tie. Combined with his messy dark hair he looked almost as dishevelled as her. "Hello... Gareth."

"Hello... Mia."

Hearing his teasing tone again brought a quick smile to her face. She turned around fully to see him better. "Up late again?"

"Mmm... it's unavoidable at the moment."

"You must be tired. You've been here late all week." She considered continuing on with her work while they spoke, but having him standing right here watching her made it impossible to focus on anything else.

"I'm sure you know what that's like." He gave her a brief smile. "Feel like taking a coffee break with me? Looks like you've earned one."

Right at that moment she couldn't imagine anything she'd rather do than spend some one on one time with him, but there was still work to be done and a limited amount of time to get it finished. She'd been painting throughout the night to avoid disturbing the staff during the day, and her original estimate of five days to complete the project had already blown out to six. "I want to... but I can't. I have a new job starting on Monday so I need to get this done by tomorrow."

"Surely ten minutes won't hurt. I'll even make the coffee."

He looked up at her in such a calm, steady manner that it left her unable to tear her gaze away. Mia opened her mouth to speak then shut it again, wondering why he'd want to waste precious time talking to her when he could be finishing his work and getting some much needed sleep.

He splayed his hands low on his hips and tilted his head to survey her work, continuing on as if he hadn't noticed her lack of reply. "I'm so used to seeing you around here," he said. "I'm going to miss you when you're gone."

Her cheeks warmed at his comment; he'd unknowingly just voiced her exact thoughts about him. She smiled and followed his line of sight, trying to imagine what her artwork would look like through his eyes. She'd started with the background and gradually added layer by layer, becoming more intricate with the detail as she went on. This particular project inspired more of a sense of pride in her than anything she'd done in the past, but since he'd never commented on her progress before she still braced herself for his reaction.

When his eyes met hers again, he considered her for a long, quiet moment before he spoke. "You're a talented woman, Mia."

Her breath caught and a jolt of happiness zipped through her. She wasn't sure what pleased her more, his compliment or that fact that he'd called her a woman instead of making their age difference obvious by referring to her as a girl. Whatever it was helped make up her mind. Mia laid her brush and palette on the platform then backed down the ladder, sensing his gaze on her as she jumped from the final step. When she turned to face him she gave him a breathless smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He reached out to touch a tendril of hair that had found its way free of her braid. A faint smile appeared on his face, making her glance down to discover what had inspired his reaction. He flicked his thumb over the paint coating the ends and let out a huff of laugher. Mia looked up again to find his eyes filled with amusement.

She hadn't stood this close to him since their first encounter, so she'd been missing the feeling of warmth radiating from his body. The nerves she could never quite get rid of stirred to life in her stomach and she glanced off to the side, wishing they'd disappear somehow so she could just enjoy these few short moments with him.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

She returned her gaze to him and found a puzzled expression on his face. "I don't know how to describe it exactly. You just—you make me nervous."

"In what way?"

He didn't appear surprised by her admission, which gave her the impression he already knew the answer and just wanted her to admit it out loud. "I think I'm better off keeping that to myself," she said, managing to smile again.

His eyes sparkled with humour as he took in her features. "Are you attracted to me, Mia?"

Just like that it felt like someone had knocked the breath out of her. He gave her just the hint of a smile and maintained steady eye contact, his boldness encouraging a feeling of recklessness inside her. Mia suddenly wanted to say it out loud, to find out how he'd react if she did. She'd be gone from here in another day so at least her humiliation would be short-lived if her feelings weren't reciprocated.

"Yes," she finally said, fighting the need to close her eyes and let out a relieved laugh. "But I'll be finished here tomorrow. I promise I'll keep things professional while I'm still around." Her heart thudded but she made herself keep looking at him. She held back a smile while her cheeks burned and she willed him to say something encouraging.

"Now, why would you want to do that?"

Mia tucked her hair behind her ear and opened her mouth to speak but there were no words to express her surprise and pleasure in that moment. Despite being caught up in her project over the past week she'd noticed him spending time in his office after hours, even stopping in the conference room doorway to watch her work. She'd assumed he'd merely been interested in her art and the whole creative process. The idea that he might be interested in much more than that made her heart race.

"You've been a distraction since the moment you walked in the door," he said. "It's safe to say the attraction's mutual."

Mia stared at him in surprise while she held back the urge to cheer. The smile she saw on his face encouraged the same reaction from her, the innocent exchange leaving her feeling like a giddy teenager all over again. His gaze dropped to her lips, hovering there as if he was considering whether or not to kiss her. When his eyes lifted to meet hers again he stepped closer, crowding her in a way that both intimidated and aroused her.

She stared up at him, dampening her lower lip while she waited for his next move. The scent of his masculine cologne, the crinkles beside his eyes and the heat emanating from him teased her senses. She wanted to reach out and trail her fingers over the stubble lining his jaw, to touch her mouth to his throat and feel the warmth of his skin. She just needed to know one more thing before this went any further.

"When you go home tonight," she said, "will there be anyone waiting there for you?" He wasn't wearing a wedding ring but since the topic hadn't come up in any of their previous conversations she didn't know for sure.

He kept his attention on her while he answered. "No. I've been single for around six months. You?"

Mia flashed him a quick smile, barely able to believe they were actually having this conversation. "No, it's just me."

"Good." His knuckles skimmed her bare shoulder, his eyes following the movement as he spoke. "Now that everything's out in the open," he said, looking at her again, "what do you think we should do about this situation?"

His voice had turned all husky and seductive, the humour in his eyes making it impossible for her to hold back from touching him. Mia slid her forefinger and thumb along the edge of his tie, revelling in the feel of his hard chest against the back of her hand. "I don't know, but I'm sure two creative people could come up with some pretty interesting ideas."

Gareth hummed his agreement. He swept his palm along the length of her throat, moving his thumb up and over her jaw. The sensation made her shiver, and she couldn't decide if she wanted him to kiss her now or keep teasing her until she begged for more.

He caressed the space beneath her ear, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he gazed down at her. "It's been torture watching you this past week," he said. "Every time I saw you I kept wondering if the passion you showed for your work would flow on through to other areas. I've lost sleep wondering if I'd ever get to find that out in person."

Mia heard the reluctant amusement in his voice. She smiled even though the meaning behind his words caused a rush of heat inside her. "Would it make me a bad person if I said I liked knowing that?"

He let out a husky laugh and used his free hand to pull her closer. "I think so."

He clasped her hips, the warmth of his fingers penetrating her jeans as he pulled her against him. When their bodies aligned she lifted her gaze to meet his, feeling breathless and light-headed now that they were standing this close. Not long ago she'd been worried about running out of time to get her work finished; now that idea had slipped far down her list of priorities. "I want you," she said, before she could stop herself.

Gareth's hands clenched her hips. "I want you too, but I'm having a hard time with that."

"Why?"

He slid his hand around to her lower back, his palm rubbing slow circles against the base of her spine. "Because I can't decide if I want you bent over the boardroom table right now or at home sprawled under me on my bed."

The idea that he wanted to take her home with him filled her with longing. "Would it be greedy if I said I want both?"

Her answer drew a smile from him. "Probably," he said. He shoved a chair aside and turned so he could rest on the edge of the table. She watched as he pulled her in between his widespread thighs, her higher position putting her on eye level with him.

When he sank his fingers into her hair all she could do was stare at him captivated. He took his time looking her over, drinking in her features as if he was memorising every detail. The affection in his eyes and the way he looked at her in those few short moments left her with no doubt about his attraction to her.

She clasped his shoulders and leaned in to try to steal a kiss from him, but his hands kept her at bay, his thumbs sweeping across her cheeks while he smiled. "In a hurry are we?"

Mia nodded, laughing despite the neediness inside her. "I can't help it."

He held her still, his fingertips resting against her scalp. As soon as she'd stopped moving he tugged the tie holding the end of her braid together then slipped it free. He tossed it aside and began working her hair loose, massaging the back of her head then sifting his fingers through the long strands. The thoroughness of his touch made her feel like moaning and leaning against him.

When he had her hair flowing freely down her back, his mouth moved to her jaw where he left a soft kiss, then another. The first touch of his lips made her relax against him. The scratch of his stubble as he nibbled a path to her neck made her moan. He pressed his lips to the beating pulse in her throat then placed a light, sucking kiss on the underside of her jaw. "I like the way you react to me," he said quietly.

She tipped her head into his cradling palms. "It's impossible not to react. I've wanted this—you—all week." The touch of his mouth, the feel of his hands... she doubted she'd ever get enough of him.

His thumbs stroked the curve of her jaw while he ran just the tip of his tongue along her throat. Mia gave a soft sigh and let him explore, adoring the care he took with her. He moved one hand to her hip, pulling her even closer so she could feel the hard heat of him pressed against her. Her body filled with anticipation and relaxation all at once, her limbs lax while her heart raced at the thought of what lay ahead.

"Do I still make you nervous?"

It took some effort for her to focus on his words with him standing this close to her. "No."

"I'm glad." Gareth raised her head and brushed his lips over hers, just once, but it was enough to leave her covered in goose bumps. "Don't hold back with me okay?"

Her breaths came quickly as she considered him, taking in his watchful blue eyes and his strong, masculine features. The idea of letting go and losing herself in him was just too tempting to resist. The thought of doing all of that right here and now thrilled her even more. "Okay."

He let out a laughing breath and kissed the corner of her mouth, the simple touch creating a deep craving inside her. Before she could consider whether it was too much too soon, she took a step back and gripped the hem of her t-shirt, peeling it over her torso and yanking it free from her hair. Mia dropped it beside her and sent him a hopeful look. "Is this all right for a start?"

His gaze travelled over her slowly, lingering on the white-lace that barely covered her breasts. She watched his jaw tighten as he took in the view. "Yeah, that'll do." He hooked his finger in the bridge of her bra then tugged her against him to claim her mouth.

Mia shoved her hands into his hair and let out a relieved breath through her nose. Her eyes closed and she dived into the kiss, loving the feel of his warm lips and his arms wrapped around her. One of his hands tightened at her hips while the other moved over her spine to clasp the nape of her neck. The solid muscles of his thighs framed her body, making her feel soft and feminine.

She thrust her tongue into his waiting mouth, and he held her so close that she felt the groan that vibrated through him. He'd told her not to hold back, so when the desire came over her to take the next step she went with it rather than questioning herself.

Mia slipped her hands between their bodies and fumbled open a couple of buttons on his shirt. Her hand slid inside to seek out warm skin. She caressed his chest, grazing his hardened nipple with the tip of her finger. He growled and released her to pull at his tie, breaking the kiss to drag the length of silk over his head.

She curved her fingers around his neck and drew his mouth back to hers. Her tongue searched out his, sweeping through his mouth while her fingers went back to work on his buttons. She pulled the two sides of his shirt apart, tugging them free from his pants. The thought of pressing bare skin to bare skin had her heart pounding.

Gareth shifted his body, easing one of his legs between hers. He lifted his knee and rubbed her with the top of his thigh, the movement so deliberate and sensual that she couldn't help but moan. She pressed down harder just to increase the sensation, overcome with the feelings he roused in her.

He reached behind her to unclasp her bra. The lace loosened across her breasts and she gasped as their mouths parted. Gareth eased her away from him, his eyes remaining on hers until he began to slide the straps down her arms. As he revealed more and more of her body he seemed to savour each new discovery, his attention leaving her feeling cherished and wanted.

He let her bra fall to the floor then swept his palms over her bared breasts, his thumbs brushing her nipples. "You're breathtaking," he said with a roughened edge to his voice.

She shivered and let out a shaky sigh, unable to speak. His hands smoothed around to her lower back, applying the pressure necessary to bring her into contact with his mouth. She revelled in the feel of his rasping stubble, the warmth of his lips and tongue. In her mind she'd waited so much longer than just a week to be with him. Now that she had him, she wanted to make the most of every moment.

Gareth gave her nipple a firm suck then flicked his tongue over the moistened bud. Pleasure rushed through her and her mouth fell open, her deep breaths filling the silence. He moved to her other breast, teasing her with painstaking attention to detail.

Mia floated in a sensual haze, her fingers stroking through his hair while she listened to his contented hum. He pulled away slightly and kept her nipple imprisoned between his lips, tugging until her back bowed and she cried out with pleasure. She clutched him to her, her mind clouded with sensations. The encounter still felt surreal, like the most fantastic of dreams.

12
  • Index
  • /
  • Home
  • /
  • Stories Hub
  • /
  • Mature
  • /
  • Painting Pictures

All contents © Copyright 1996-2023. Literotica is a registered trademark.

Desktop versionT.O.S.PrivacyReport a ProblemSupport

Version ⁨1.0.2+795cd7d.adb84bd⁩

We are testing a new version of this page. It was made in 19 milliseconds