Illicit Canvas: political romance and stand alone romance (21 page)

Chapter Twenty-Five

“Hey, what’s wrong, sweetie? What happened?” I ask. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her crying. On the outside she is so strong and confident. I wonder if that fucker Christian has done something to hurt her.

“It was a disaster,” she howls.

“Come on, tell me. What happened?”

She wipes the tears away from her face.

“The date was great. I was funny and chatty. Then when he was dropping me off, we kissed and oh my God. It was terrible. I wanted to kill myself after that,” she moans, hiding her face in her hands.
 

I laugh involuntarily, not able to help myself. “Oh come on, you must have kissed before, right? Maybe it wasn’t that bad.”

“I can’t believe you find it so amusing, Arwen. Our kiss wasn’t steamy or hot, but forced and cringey. I was so embarrassed after that.”

I place my arms around her, somehow trying to cheer her up. There are so many expectations around the first kiss. Mine wasn’t worth remembering.
 

“What did he do, you know, after–”

“Nothing. He tried to turn this whole thing into a joke, but I felt humiliated. I don’t think I’ll ever see him again. Not after that.”

I shake my head.

“Don’t be ridiculous. It was only a first kiss. Nothing is ever perfect. You’re going to see him tomorrow and talk about it like two mature people would. Now go to the bathroom, clean up, and let me cook you a nice dinner.”
 

Okay, so it’s a big deal for her. She wanted it to be perfect, but things don’t always work out as we want. They are smitten with each other, so they will pass this awkward moment. I try to cheer her up for the rest of the evening, preparing mussels in a white wine sauce. It’s my signature dish. It’s something that I cook when I’m very, very happy. I don’t want to rub it in her face tonight, so I don’t mention that I’m going away with Ethan to Bruges.

I think it’s a big deal for Maja and I hate seeing her feeling like that. She hasn’t had a boyfriend before and I can only hope that Christian is a decent guy and won’t just dump her. Later that night, when she announces that she is having an early night, I start working on another painting. Thoughts about my father are still vivid. Even now, after so many years, I can’t come to terms with the fact that I didn’t mean anything to him.
 

I came a long way to be where I am now. In a couple weeks' time, people will view my art in a gallery. I might be lucky enough to sell some. Ethan is truly convinced that my work will be an asset to the business, but my demons from the past keep whispering, saying that I’m fooling myself thinking that I could ever be truly successful. My style is unique and it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
 

The next day is Friday and I’m excited. Maja appears in the kitchen with a big smile on her face. Apparently Christian texted her early in the morning and it looks like she’s going on another date.

Ethan is going to pick me up at four, so I pack some clothes for a day or two. I’m nervous. This time tomorrow I might be knocking on my father’s door. My mind is filled with anxiety, but also with excitement, because this is the first time that I’m going to spend some proper alone time with Ethan.

My small travel bag is packed and after a quick shower I leave for the library to catch up with my University work. Ethan texts me later, stating that he booked the contractors to work in his future gallery as of next week. I can barely sit through classes, knowing that in a couple of hours I’ll be traveling to Bruges.
 

I see Colin with Valerie and some of his mates in the corridor when I head to the library. Even after our conversation in my room, Colin insists on talking to me.

“Hey, Arwen, how are you?” he asks, stopping. Valerie gives me a faint smile. I’m in a good mood today and I don’t want to spoil it because of Colin.

“Good. What about you?” I ask, smiling.

“I’m all right. There is this party on campus and I wondered if you wanted to come.”

Crap, another party. Of course he wants me to go with him.

“No, I have some stuff that I need to do tomorrow. Besides, I’m helping your Dad with his business, so I’ll be finishing a painting.”

“Yeah, he mentioned it.”

“I have to go. Maybe next time,” I add, and it looks like he wants to ask me about something else, but I leave before we can get engrossed in another pointless conversation. When I finally get home later on, I text Maja, letting her know that I will be away most of the weekend.

Ethan is outside exactly at four o’clock, looking sexier than ever. I have butterflies in my stomach and my mind starts to wander off to our steamy sex session in his gallery. He is mine for at least twenty-four hours and I’m planning to take advantage of that, when I’m not tracking my bastard father that is.

“You seem very happy. Any reason why?” he asks, amused.
 

“Bruges. I have never been and I heard that it’s romantic.”

“Surprisingly, I never had a chance either. It’s embarrassing actually, because I have lived in Belgium for years.”

“What about when you were married?”

“My ex-wife didn’t like Belgium much and she insisted on going abroad every time we had a vacation. I just can’t believe I didn’t think about this business earlier.”

“Maybe it’s better that you didn’t, because then we would have never met,” I remind him and kiss him deeply when he stops at the traffic light. When his tongue starts dancing around mine, the heat from his body moves through me, and I’m instantly turned on.

We hear the horn behind us and Ethan drives, keeping his hand on my thigh.

“You’re such a bad influence. What am I going to do with you, my elf princess?”

“I can think of something, but I won’t say a word because you’re my driver and I want to get to Bruges in one piece.”

“Tease, that’s what you are.”

His hand creeps up towards the centre of my thigh and I smile, looking straight ahead. Ethan hates breaking the rules, but he’s loosened up a little since that day at the gallery.

The drive to Bruges doesn’t take long. It’s Friday, the beginning of the weekend, so there are a lot more cars, but we get there an hour and a half later. The drive is beautiful and I know that I should be thinking about the dealer on the list, but it’s our evening. I want to relax today, recharge my batteries and be ready for tomorrow.

“Where are we going to stay?” I ask, burning with curiosity.

“In Prinsenhof. It’s one of the best hotels in Bruges. That’s what I’ve heard.”

“Promise me something, Ethan,” I say, switching the subject to a more serious one.

“That depends…”

“Well, I don’t want this weekend to be all about me, but also you. You should concentrate on finding paintings for your exhibition, especially if this whole search doesn’t go to plan.”

He parks his car outside the hotel and looks at me with the same intensity as usual.

“Stop worrying; everything will be fine. I want you to forget about my business this weekend.”

“But Ethan–”

He silences me, placing his thumb on my lips.

“There are no buts, elf princess. We are checking in and then I’m taking you upstairs, so I can fuck you.”

My heart accelerates. He doesn’t usually talk like that, but adding that domineering tone to his voice makes me horny.

He winks at me and then we’re out of the car. The hotel is located in a side street just off the main road. It’s a small, unique mix of modern and Gothic style. After ten minutes of paperwork, a very nice Belgian lady takes us upstairs. Our room is lovely; modern with a massive bed. It’s nothing extravagant, but I love the atmosphere that surrounds this place.

Ethan locks the door.

“Before I start undressing you, I want to know if you want to go to town or do anything else rather than stay in the room?”

I laugh and shake my head, dropping my bag on the floor.

“No, I’d rather stay here in bed.”

“Would you now?” he asks, moving towards me. The air around us thickens and the hair on the back of my neck stands up. Ethan begins his seduction game; he runs his finger down my cleavage. It’s just a simple touch, but my heart is going wild, pounding uncontrollably.

“Now you’re being a tease, Ethan,” I murmur, but he doesn’t let me wait long and starts kissing my neck. I close my eyes, enjoying the sensations on my skin. His kisses are attentive and it’s like he wants to touch every part of my body, arousing me in the process.

“I want you, Arwen. I want to feel your naked body pressed against mine.”

His husky alluring voice is back and I feel the same cold shiver crawling down the base of my spine. I try to touch him, but he pushes my hands away, still kissing me. His lips trace the lines of my cleavage, and he uses his teeth to undo the small zipper in between my breasts. I want to run my hand along his jaw, do something, but it seems that he wants to be in control of this and take it really slow.

His hand moves underneath my shirt and he unhooks my bra, removing my blouse completely. My face heats up and desire starts burning me up and down. My whole body reacts, zinging with electricity, nipples reacting when his mouth starts sucking on my breasts greedily.

I lean my head backwards as he continues playing with me, kneading my breast with his hand. This is a delicious torture, especially when he doesn’t want me to touch him. I don’t know what is wrong with me, but ever since that afternoon in his gallery, it feels like we’re locked in a violent storm of lust.

I’m afraid to tell him what I want him to do to me. I’m a little self-conscious and afraid to be judged by him.

“Oh, Ethan,” I moan when he pulls my jeans down all of a sudden. I’m trapped as he places his hands around my bum cheeks, pressing his mouth to my sex. He starts kissing me there, slipping his tongue between my folds, glancing his tongue against my clitoris, teasing my growing need until I’m out of breath and my knickers are drenched.

Before I have a chance to tell him that this is exactly what I need from him, he throws me across his shoulder and carries me to the bed.

“Now, let’s make you come multiple times. What do you say?”

“Bring it on,” I giggle.

The bed is very soft and Ethan stands in front of me still fully clothed with those whiskey amber eyes penetrating my naked flesh. I bite my lip when he sheds his clothes quicker than I ever saw him do it. When he is all naked and beautiful right in front of me I start to appreciate the fact that we are away together. The strokes of his fingers on my skin leave behind marks of love and anticipation, heating up my blood.
 

Ethan likes surprises and just when I begin to think that today he wants to go slow and smooth, he lifts me up and takes me, pushing himself fully into me. I’m pressed against the cold wall and he is inside me, thrusting fast and deep. I moan, closing my eyes, trying to memorise every moment. My body is drenched with his scent. I start panting with my legs all over his waist as he picks up the pace, breathing hard.

With her I’m someone else: a man of needs. My breathing deepens and then she explodes around me, moaning and coming for me. I love seeing her so engrossed in the intensity of the moment, pushing the limits, forgetting about everything we left behind.

A moment later I fill her up, my heart pounds faster, pulse racing, and I’m on the edge. I come inside her fast and hard. I keep moving my hands over her body, enjoying the feel of her soft skin. We stay like that for a moment, entwined in our postcoital haze, catching up with our ragged breaths.

“Ethan, you always surprise me.” She laughs when I let go of her, after a long and passionate kiss.

“Surprise you, how?”

“I don’t know, you just do,” she mutters and in that moment I wish that I could read her mind. She starts putting her bra on and I get back into bed, admiring what’s mine. I’m falling for her hard. It’s like nothing I ever felt before. My emotions are wildly transparent. It makes me question myself, doubt if this is ever going to go anywhere.

“What would you like to do tonight?” I ask, pushing away negative thoughts. She climbs on top of me in her underwear, her panties all that separate our natural alignment.

“Maybe we can just stay here, order room service and make each other come all night long.”

“That sounds very appealing, but trust me, we have a busy day tomorrow. We should go out and have some food.”

“All right, let’s go. I’m starving anyway.”

Sometimes I think that Arwen is simply too good for me, that I won’t keep up, but she injects new, intoxicating energy into me. We leave the room and head to the town centre, which is not far from the hotel.

 
Bruges is filled with rich history, beautiful monuments and canals. It’s dark as we walk holding hands, admiring Brug Square and Grote Market. For tonight, I don’t want to worry about Colin or Bethany, and what they would think about this relationship. I take her to De Halve Maan Brewery, so she can try the famous beer.

It’s very busy, but we manage to order drinks after a few minutes. I notice that other men are eyeing Arwen. She is still so young, naive and in need of protection.

“I can’t believe this,” she says.

“You don’t believe what?”

“This.” She points to herself. “If anyone had told me that I would be in Bruges in one of the oldest breweries with a man twice my age, I would have never believed it.”

“So you’re worried? About the age difference?”

She frowns.

“No, that’s not what I said, but it’s surreal to feel love again. I don’t want to think about the future, Ethan, but you make me happy. Actually, I have never been happier in my entire life.”

Her blue eyes only confirm it and I stare, mesmerised by her beauty. Love—she said that she feels love. I’ve changed since I’ve been around her, but I don’t dare to label anything yet. It’s too soon.

“I never thought that I could change my life. I had this odd routine, but then I saw you in the gallery and I had to talk to you.”
 

When she presses her lips against mine, my erection is back, waking me up from the memory. She is so eager and I’m finding it challenging to keep up. I search on my phone for a romantic restaurant around the square. Ten minutes later, we are walking through the stunning streets.

I never wondered if I was romantic, but with Arwen I’m exploring, wanting to make her happy. I want to treat her, cherish her until I can’t breathe. We enjoy a delicious meal with wine and we talk for hours, finding out more about each other. She tells me about her life in Saint-Malo, about her mother and her past boyfriends. Her life has been so different from mine. Arwen likes vivid colours, old furniture and vintage clothes. I can daydream with her, so I allow myself to do that. Even if this doesn’t last, it’s better to have it now than never to have it at all.