Drawn to you (12 page)

I open up telling him about James being my first love, that we shared a love of music and were in an amazing band with real potential, and how we’re still friends but have lost the connection that made us more than that. His face sets in a firm grimace while I speak of James but softens when I go on to speak of my art. I tell him that it’s my main passion and always has been. Drawing and painting is a therapy for me; it’s how I express myself.

I mention how some of my paintings have already sold for good money and that I nearly have enough pieces to hold my own showing but I want to focus all my efforts on school before I do anything else. He asks me about my music and if it’s something I’ve thought about pursuing. His words ring through my mind.

“Your voice is a gift. A part of you that you’re obligated to share. It’s too damn special to not share.”

Seeing the look in his eyes when he speaks makes my heart skip. The way his eyes bore into mine, seeing right down to my soul; I’m falling and I know it but I can’t stop myself. He’s becoming air for me. I’m finally letting go of the past and embracing my future.

Finlay eventually has to go back to work and is flying to Japan for business meetings; he’s going to be gone for three weeks. He asked me to go with him but school is starting, and even though I really don’t want to be apart from him, school needs to be my priority.

I’M SO LOST NOW
Finlay’s left. I feel hollow, like my very being got up and left with him. I can’t believe how strong my feelings are for him in such a small amount of time, but there’s no denying our intense connection. I busy myself, preparing for the first day of school, which has come around so fast I can feel my head spinning.

Gaby eventually came home but she seems low and sleeps a lot. I’ve tried getting her to talk but she assures me she’s fine and nothing is bothering her.

Slinging my bag on my shoulder, I wave to Gaby, who barely looks up from the book I know she’s only pretending to read because it’s upside down.

“I’m off Gabs””

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she replies without looking up.

“I said I’m leaving for my first day.” She finally lifts her gaze from the page and shakes her head to clear it from whatever is troubling her.

“Oh. Have a good day.” She makes her way over to me, offering me a half-hearted hug before disappearing into her bedroom.

My feet sink into the grass and I have to pinch my arm to convince myself I’m really here. Nerves nearly made me sick before I left the house, but now I’m standing in front of Robinson Hall and I know it’s very real and I’m really doing this . . .
for me.
The octagon building is stunning, reminding me of the entrance to Westminster Cathedral.

The campus is compact, everything in walking distance. The main campus is pretty standard but with each new building I discover, I’m in awe of the architecture.

I’m standing outside the John Carter library, watching the relaxed atmosphere of the passing students when a girl walks over to ask if I’m lost.

“Oh, no. I’m just looking around before going to the list art centre.” I tell her.

“It’s located on the crest of college hill.” She beams and I thank her for the information that I already knew, but didn’t want to appear rude when she offered it.

This is it! The building is huge, and knowing the artwork it contains is a little intimidating but exhilarating too. I look up at the tall structure and smile. The triangle jags on the roof have skylights installed to light the art studios, and are known for their dramatic flare to the Providence skyline.

“First day?”

I jump, even though the voice is small. I was lost in my own world.

“How could you tell?” I laugh, looking at the brunette standing next to me.

“I remember my first day; I had the same amazed look in my eyes. I’m Libby by the way.”

She holds her petite hand out and I grasp it firmly. “Antonia.”

She nudges me playfully with her shoulder. “Come on, I’ll show you the ropes.”

Gaby’s not home when I return so I busy myself making some food while I wait for my nightly call from Finlay.

I’m consumed by him and thankful for the distraction that I know school will bring. My year is going to be intense but I’m confident I can cope with the workload.

When my cell lights up with a call, I rush to answer it, knowing it will be Finlay.

“Hello,” I say, and huddle into a ball on the couch.

“Argh, baby, it’s so good hearing your voice. Tell me everything.”

“I met a new friend, a girl named Libby.”

His warm chuckle crackles down the line and I have to bite my lip to stop from sighing. “Does she share your passion for art?”

“She does and we’ve made arrangements to meet for coffee every morning before class. She’s sweet, and she’s offered to show me around campus.”

“I’m glad you have a new friend.”

“Talking of friends. Gaby has been really distant. I think she’s depressed or . . .”

“I’ve talked things through with Mike. He says he loves her and that she isn’t just any girl to him.”

“And what did you say?”

“I gave him the big brother speech.”

“As in, ‘you can date her if you don’t value your life if you break her heart’?”

“Exactly. Maybe with a few cuss words thrown in.”

“Of course.” We both laugh and things quickly take a sexual undertone when he asks me what I wore today.

My call to Finlay lasted over three hours, and after a busy day, I’m exhausted. I’m just about to give up on Gaby coming home when the front door opens and she walks in with Mike. I give them both a goodnight salute, and inside I’m dancing, hoping him being here means they’ll sort things out and I’ll have my friend back.

The next morning I bump into Mike grabbing a glass of water in his underwear which is a good sign they have.

THREE WEEKS—THREE LONG,
sexless
weeks passed, and Finlay is due home today.

Funny thing about sex; before you have it, you don’t know what you’re missing but once you jump in the saddle, you crave to ride and, damn, I’m craving.

Finlay will be at his place by the time my last class finishes. I’m dying to see him; I’ve been working on a gift for him in class. I found a picture of him and his dad in a drawer in his room one night while looking for a pen; he must have been eight or nine in the picture. He had a baseball glove on and his dad had him wrapped in a hold, ruffling his hair. They looked so happy. The picture had been folded so it has some wear and tear damage, so I painted the images onto a canvas for him, capturing every detail without the damage.

I’ve already packed my things so we can move them into my place tonight. Having Gaby out in the open with Mike, combined with what I have planned for her brother later, I think it’s best that we all have some privacy, so I packed him a few bits too, so he can stay with me for my first night in my new place.

Telling Gaby about him and me was difficult but after her rant about him being a hypocrite, seeing her friend but she wasn’t allowed to see his, she came around, especially after she sorted things out with Mike. She warned me to protect my heart but she was too late with that warning. He already owns it.

I grab a bottle of champagne on my way back to the apartment. With excited energy charging through my body, I drop my things on the couch and check the bedroom, and that’s where I find a wet, naked Finlay taking a shower.

I strip my clothes off and make him jump as I open the shower door and join him.

“We may as well live in here we spend so much time in here.” I tease.

“Well, hello stranger.” He grins, wrapping me in his arms. His lips find mine, covering them in deep kisses. “God, I missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

His kisses became hungrier, sucking my bottom lip into his mouth, his tongue lapping against mine. Strong hands grasp my hips, pushing me up against the shower wall. Desperate lips kiss down my neck to my chest, across my breasts, continuing down my stomach, touching every inch of flesh. He passes down my hip to my thighs and across my mound, causing me to pant with anticipation. Continuing to tease me, he moves to the other thigh and back up my body. I groan at the loss of him between my thighs, making him chuckle. “Did I leave you wanting, baby?”

I don’t answer him with words, instead I grab at him, turning our bodies so he’s against the wall. I mimic his movements, trailing kisses down his body, over his hard, toned chest and down his sculpted abs.

His cock is full and smooth. “Do you want me to leave you wanting?”

“Fuck, no. Take me in your mouth. Suck me hard and deep, baby.” I slip my mouth over the glistening tip. “Antonia, God, I missed you.”

I clasp my hand around the base and gently stroke him, adding a little pressure as I take him deeper into my mouth, moving him in and out, sucking him at a pace that makes his breath hitch every time I flick my tongue over the head.

I use my tongue to lick, flick, and tease the tip, blowing to heighten his pleasure. His hands are in my hair, guiding my pace.

He’s building, his legs are shaking slightly, so I up the speed and suction, making him growl, “Holy fuck,” before he pulses and releases his hot cum into my mouth, I lap every drop, drinking him in.

I have never felt this turned on.

Giving him pleasure this way has me moaning with pleasure of my own.

It’s sexy as hell and I’m ready to combust with pent up lust.

Pulling me to my feet, he pins me against the wall, lifting me on to him, wrapping my legs around his waist for support.

He lowers me onto him, pushing inside me. God, he’s hard again already, growing bigger with every thrust.

His mouth is on my neck, nuzzling the sensitive area below my ear.

He feels amazing, filling me with pleasure. I’ve missed him so much; I can’t get close enough to him.

He’s inside me and yet I still need to be closer.

Wrapping my arms around his shoulders, pushing us as close as two people can be, I look him in the eye as his cock plunges into me.

His mouth opens against mine as we pant and moan. My pussy tightens around him, my chest rubbing against his wet skin. He raises me up higher before pulling me back down on to him with hard measured strokes.