| The brilliant yellow blended with the underlying color to make a bright orange. Michael lightened the pressure on the brush, not mixing the yellow into the red. He'd been working for over three hours straight and now his stomach was growling. This morning’s cereal was more of a snack than breakfast, so he needed food soon. The clock on the wall said 1:23, he’d been so inspired that he worked past lunch. Michael stood up and took a few steps back to see his painting. Usually, he would have an idea of what he wanted his painting to look like, but today, there was no image, there was no subject, there was just a need to paint. Tilting his head to the side, he tried to make out what he was looking at. Blue, red and green made the ominous background. Streaks of canary yellow and titanium white brought life to color of the background, saturating them. He wasn't sure what the panting was of, but it made him feel. Michael looked at the other canvas that he had finished earlier. It was of different color scheme, but like the one he was working on, it was not lacking in emotions. Thoroughly dipping the brushes in turpentine, Michael started to clean up. His head turned to the side when he heard whimpering noises. Cookie was sleeping in the pile of dropped clothes in the corner of the room. She had to be dreaming since her paws were moving in jerking motions. It must be nice being a dog, sleeping all the time. Michael shook his head at the thought of getting stuck with Cookie for a second day. Granted that he was the one who offered, but he only did that so he could see Maria again. It was the fastest excuse he had and it worked out well for both of them. Letting out a loud sigh, Michael thoughts wondered about last night. He had actually wanted to kiss her, actually devour her pouty lips. The fire and passion in her eyes really turned him on. It took him by surprise that she was the one who initiated it. Michael unconsciously licked his lips, still tasting her on them. A low groan vibrated from his throat, he’d never been so turned on by the thought of a girl before. Not many girls occupied his thoughts as Maria had, and it’d only been a day. Sick, he was sick, he had to be, and he felt feverish last night when he was around her. Lust. It was just plain lust. Finally getting up Michael headed towards the stairs. He needed to shower; he needed to wash off all signs of her on him. Michael descended the stairs with Cookie following closely behind him. * Michael held Cookie in his arms when he entered the gallery. Various people nodded as he passed by, some raised their eyebrows when they noticed the pouch in his arm. “Michael!” Michael turned around to be greeted by a stylishly dressed man in his 30’s. “Sean-” Michael extended his hand to the art director of the gallery. “I knew the rain was a sign from the Gods.” Sean winked and turned the handshake into a hug. “Now let me take a look at you. You’ve been so reclusive in your apartment lately.” Sean started to circle Michael, as he looked him up and down. Usually this would cause Michael some form of discomfort, but after so many years of the same thing, Michael found it humorous. It was in Michael’s second year in art school that Sean had discovered him. It was during one of the shows sponsored by Sean's family that began their mentor/protégé relationship. Sean had become one of Michael’s most generous benefactors and friend. “I like this dirty, stubble, look. Lovely, lovely indeed-” Sean said casually as he twirled his fingers around. “And this pouch, will he be joining us at the opening?” Sean reached out, but quickly retracted his hand when Cookie showed teeth. “Feisty little fella isn’t he?” “Well this he is actually a she,” Michael told Sean. He started to scratch behind her ears as a reward for fending off Sean. “Cookie is not well trained yet, so I doubt she will be at the opening.” “Pity, she would have been so lovely to have. So what brings you down here today? The show isn’t for another two weeks. I know you didn’t come to see me.” “That’s where you are wrong; I did come here just to see you.” “Flattery- flattery. How wonderful.” They both started walking towards the back at the gallery, where Sean’s office was located. “Oh, I have something exciting I want to show you.” Michael followed Sean into his office, which looked messier than the last time he was in there. Sean’s office was at the corner of the building, giving the area great natural lighting, but since it was raining outside, it just made his office dreary. He was rummaging through a couple of things on his desk until he found what he was looking for. Sean slid it across his desk waiting for Michael’s reaction. “What am I looking at?” Michael dropped Cookie on the chair in front of the desk before he picked up the poster that he’d never seen before, but which seemed vaguely familiar. "It's you silly!" Sean started to clap is hands in excitement. Michael studied the poster with furrowed brows. It was him. It was a self-portrait he did a long time ago in high school. He hasn't seen that picture in such a long time because it was sold at one of the art shows that his school sponsored. How did it ended up in Sean's hands? "Do you like it?" Sean asked enthusiastically. "Yeah, it's nice but how-" “Isn’t it wonderful,” Sean interrupted. He took the poster back and walked around his desk to join Michael. “We already took care of all the PR stuff with the newspaper and art critics about a month ago, but Isabel thought-” “Wait- what?! Isabel? What does she have to do with this?” “Nothing- Nothing. I didn’t say anything.” “Sean- Sean.” Michael called out after Sean, as he was moving towards the door for a quick escape. Michael moved swiftly to block the doorway with this larger frame. “Sean-” “Well she is a professional. She has all these exciting ideas. I mean she's been helping from the beginning. Damnit-” “What-” Michael stared at him menacingly. With every step forward, Sean took a few steps back, but then found himself caught between his desk and Michael, unable to move any further. “Michael, I’m sorry. I really am. But I was thinking of you baby.” Sean slid sideways to escape Michael's dangerous looks. Using his desk as a buffer Sean tried to explain in a rambling mess, “Michael I know you have issues with her, but she is really good. She practically planned all of your openings. Without her help, I don’t think they would have been that successful. She has an eye for these things, well, not as good as me, but she was doing all your opening pro bono, so I didn’t see the damage.” “Damage? You just don’t know it yet. Why didn’t you tell me?” There was a hint of whining in Michael’s voice. Michael stared to rub his temple as he felt the beginnings of a headache. “Because she made me promise not to.” Sean gave Michael a look of a lost child of 35. “Sean-” “I know. I know, what I did was wrong. But seriously, I was thinking of you.” Sean smiled meekly. “Is that right? Is there anything else I need to know?” Sarcasm was dripping with every word. Michael started to walk around, looking everywhere except at Sean. Cookie had disappeared from where he placed her; he needed to find her now. “Amm, nothing that I can think of. Well- there is the- nothing. ” “What-” Michael shouted as he spun around suddenly to face Sean. “Nothing-” Sean quickly sputtered. He’d never seen Michael so worked up before. “Sean-” “I kind of gave her your number.” Sean cringed, ready for the wrath of Michael. All Michael could do was roll his eyes. “Sean, I really believe this is the worst thing you've done. Yes- it is worse than setting me up with one of your gay friends. You know how I feel about Isabel." Sean pouted. All he was trying to do was to help Michael out, but all he ever got was misunderstandings. “I know and I swear, cross my heart, this will be the last time,” promised Sean with his hand over his heart. “Anyways, she can be a little overbearing, if you know what I mean.” Sean gently nudged Michael out of his office, which seemed too small all of the sudden. “You owe me.” “Anything you want… anything, just ask Sean and you shall receive. Because Sean is you Daddy!” Sean said with a wink, being a little suggestive with his hands. “Not that. You said you were going to do something about getting rid of the sun in my apartment.” “The blinds are being specially made. It takes time Michael. Just be happy I let you stay there for dirt cheep.” “I want my blinds,” demanded Michael. “Fine-” Sean said in resignation. “-Oh, forgot to mention.” “What now?” “Nothing horrible, I swear. Anyways, remember your art instructors Morgan and Lora Fields.” “You mean Horny and Hornier-” Sean chuckled at the nicknames of two of his friends. “Yeah they’re coming.” “And this is not horrible?” “They are very excited about seeing you again.” “I’m sure.” “Who told you to be so good at what you put your head to?” Sean hid a chuckle as the saw the look on Michael face. “I was drunk that night,” Michael said defensively. “How would I have known I’d be waking up in bed with both of my art teachers?” “I heard you were pretty good.” “I wouldn’t know, don’t remember shit.” “So when are you gonna give Sean some lov’n?” Sean laughed when Michael waved his middle finger in front of his face. “If I recall right, you got really great grades that year.” “That was because I was talented.” “Yes you are.” Michael rolled his eyes at Sean’s tease. “Anyways, I wanted you to look at these two paintings I finished today.” Michael became serious as he talked to Sean. “They are a little different from the ones I’ve done, but I really want them in the show. I would show them to you, but I have to do some errands. So if you would take a look at them and see if we can fit it into the show.” “I’ll just have a look at them later. They are up in your studio right?” “Yeah.” “So, have you been using the garden?” “What garden?” Michael looked at Sean curiously as he scratched his eyebrow. “Ever wondered where the door under the stairs went to?” “No- not really.” “That apartment is a total waste on you. I knew I should have kept it for myself or one of my boys.” “Yeah- sure… I need to go, just take a look at the paintings ok.” Michael put his index finger and thumb together and placed it between his lips and whistled loudly. A tiny black mop bolted straight towards him from the back of the gallery. * “Wow, nice flowers Sylvia,” complimented Maria as she looked at the display of yellow roses on the nurses’ station. “Not mine,” answered the nurse behind the counter without looking up. She was busy clicking away at the keyboard. “Who are they for then?” “Yours-” “Mine?” “That’s what the card says.” Sylvia continued to look at the computer monitor, trying to not be interested at the beautiful bouquet of roses in front of her. “Really? Hmmm- lets see who’s it from.” Maria found the card and read it out loud, “’I hope you will have a better day’. Hmm- I wonder…? Sylvia, did you see who brought it?” “Nope. They were delivered. You don’t know?” “Nada. Oh well. They are beautiful though. But, between you and me, I hate roses.” Sylvia looked up in surprise. “What’s wrong with you Maria, roses are so pretty and romantic. You're weird!” “Well they are yellow so they aren’t romantic, but rather a friendly jester. If you find out whom they are from, tell me so I can thank them.” “Yeah, sure-” * Sean looked up from his work when he heard the loud bang on the door. He smiled broadly as he signaled his guest to come in. “You called?” Michael asked as he showed the Post-It note Sean left at his apartment “Sorry to make it seem so urgent, but I had to talk to you about your painting. Oh this is so exciting!” Sean’s voice rose high in excitement. He motioned for Michael to take a seat as he walked around and sat on the corner of his desk. “-They are marvelous. You are correct. They are very different from your pervious ones. Dark and full of emotions. So who's the bitch?” “What-” “I’ve been following your career for a long time. And I’ve never saw you work like this. Not only the tone is different, but the emotions and the colors. What gives? ” “Nothing.” “You're hiding something from Sean,” he said in a singsong voice. “Well whatever it is, keep it up, because this is going to be big, huge, monstrous.” Sean’s eyes became wider with each description. “If you can do any more like this, we might not be able to show some of your other paintings." “Yeah, sure- whatever, I need to go-” Michael nervously got up from the chair and started to walk towards the door. “Okie dokie. Oh one more thing. Keep that mutt away from my gallery.” Sean pointed to Cookie who was now wearing a collar that was connected to leash. “You were just saying earlier that you wanted her to join us at the opening.” “Yeah, that was before she left a little present under my desk!” * Maria stepped out of the elevator into Michael’s loft to be greeted by him holding a bunch of bags in his hands. “What’s all this stuff?” Maria asked as she waved her hand up and down. “Cookie’s things.” She took a few steps closer and peered in the bags he was holding. Something caught her eyes. Maria reached into the biggest bag and pulled out a stuffed animal, almost as big as Cookie herself. She looked in the bag again and saw that the bag was filled with different types of toys of various sizes. “You bought her toys?” “Yeah- so she won’t chew up any more of my stuff.” Michael looked away; he wished he had a free hand to scratch his eyebrow. “And what’s this?” Maria pulled out a bag of dog food. “What does it look like?” “Dog food.” “So there you have it.” “Yeah, but that is not her dog food.” “Yeah, but the people in the store said this is a good brand for growing puppies.” “So where is the rest of the bag?” “Oh, I left some here just in case-” Maria couldn’t believe her ears. She just stared at him as if she never saw him before. She looked at him with questioning eyes, but was at a lost of words, since he caught her off guard. “Well- thanks. I guess I’d better be getting home.” “I’ll just help you with the bags-” “Yeah, thanks-” Maria turned around and punched the down call button. The elevator door slid open in mere seconds. She turned around to help Michael with some of the bags he was holding, but collided with Michael. They both landed on the floor with a loud crash as bags, arms and legs were thrown all over the place. Maria was trying to push Michael off but his arms were stuck with the bags in such a way that he couldn’t get them free. Maria’s laughing caused him to stop struggling with the bags. He looked at her to see if she was mental or not, but that just made her laugh even harder. Michael had no idea why she was laughing, but it was getting him extremely annoyed, so he did the only thing he could to shut her up, he kissed her hard. Maria broke away from the kiss and was breathing extremely ragged. She looked into his eyes and only saw rare animal passion, something she understood. She slowly licked her dry lips that seemed to be pulsating with heat. “We ok?” Maria whispered breathlessly. “We ok-” Michael attacked her lips again. He was trying to detangle his hands from the bag. He needed to touch her. “Strings?” Maria asked in-between kisses as she tried to help Michael untangle from the retched bags. “None-” “Ok with that?” Maria wrapped her legs around his back and pulled Michael closer. “Definitely-” He said in her mouth. Thankful that finally his hands were free Michaels quickly searched for the helm of her shirt. They stayed on the floor, with him pinning her with his weight. They attacked each other’s mouths vigorously, not letting up; making sure the other knew whom they were dealing with. Michael was not a guy that let go of his control easy, but as he looked into her green eyes, he was mesmerized at the power and passion they held. Maria tugged at his shirt, Michael agreed, they had too much clothes on, so he rolled onto his back to give her better access. She quickly straddled him. Looking down she gave Michael a naughty grin. He reached up to pull her down, it felt bare without her lips against his, but she pushed his hands away. Maria slowly licked her lips and started to strip her shirt, giving Michael full view of her. He reached up and slid down her bra strap with one hand as the other one unclasped the back. Maria slid off her bra and threw it behind her. Her hand went up and pulled the hair tie off as her blond hair cascaded down hiding her nakedness. Michael kept his gaze on her as he sat up and raised his arms to assist Maria in striping off his t-shirt. She ran her hand across his chest then lowering it until it reached what she was looking for. Michael's breathing turned ragged in anticipation. He gently brushed Maria's hands off; he needed to get his jeans off as soon as possible. A naughty glint flickered in her eyes as her hands found the way back down his jeans. Maria bit her lower lip when Michael let out a low moan that vibrated throughout the loft. They stayed there on the floor, unable to make it to the bedroom. TBC |
| Part 6 |
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