Stepping from the carriage, Melissa looked at the tumbled down cottage that was the home of the most renowned artist in the district, probably in the entire country. How a man with such ability could live in these conditions was beyond her understanding, something about staying in touch with the real world. Still, who was she to question how another man chose to live his life. It had taken her almost a year to get him to agree upon painting her portrait, and she wasn't going to loose this opportunity by being judgmental. Lifting her skirts to step over a small puddle left from last night's rains, she made her way to the door and knocked lightly.
Dale Stevens was a very private man, and guarded his personal life very closely, only allowing others into his home on such occasions of business. He was already irritated by the fact the Melissa Christian, a high born brat and social butterfly, was fifteen minutes late for her sitting. He was a busy man and much in demand, not one to be kept waiting idly by while upper class ladies took their leisure. He opened the door and glared at her, startling her slightly. At 27 he still look like a youth. Strong and well built, handsome in every sense of the word, his dark eyes deep and penetrating hidden only by the long strands of sandy blond hair that hung lose over his face. He looked nothing like she would have expected an artist of his stature to look, nothing at all. He gave her an arrogant look.
"You're late." With that he turned his back on her, walking back into the cabin, leaving her to follow. She was still in a state of shock from this man's mannerisms when he pointed to a stool against the wall and grunted, motioning for her to sit. She plopped to the stool, her eyes welling up with tears and her bottom lip trembling. Never had she been so disappointed, or so offended.
Dale took one look at her pouting features and threw his arms in the air despairingly.
"Madam. When I paint, I paint perfection. Now unless you intend for me to paint the perfect sulking child, I suggest you smile."
Melissa's tears spilled forth in a fountain, jumping up and running for the door, his strong arms capturing her before she was able to flee. Pressing her face against his chest, he stroked her hair, hushing her like a child.
"I am sorry little one. I did not mean to be so harsh. I am tired and wrought with frustration and I am afraid it has given me leave of my senses. I beg your forgiveness." He kissed her forehead softly; lifting her chin with his finger to gaze into her pale blue eyes. She was a beauty. Soft and pale, perfect in structure, a work of art in her making. There was hurt in the watery depths of her eyes, hurt and something unexpected, desire. No doubt her husband had no idea what beauty was his to hold each and every night. Marrying for money and social standing, never giving thought to love and passion, and what was life without love and passion? It was empty. Empty like this young woman's heart.
Her eye's looked into his, locking onto his soul and pleading with him for the passion she so desperately lacked in her life. How could he deny such an impassioned plea? He could not. His mouth met hers in a hungry kiss. His tongue pushing through her soft pouting lips, reaching forth to explore the inner reaches of her exquisite mouth. Her lips closed around him, sucking him deeper into her mouth, moaning softly with her desire. His hand found her supple breast as his mouth found her throat, kissing and squeezing her tender scented flesh. His hands reached for the laces on the back of her bodice, loosening them to allow him the privilege of setting her ripe, rounded breasts free from their silken prison. How perfect and full they were. Wasted on a man who no doubt knew nothing of the true pleasures of a woman. He pressed them together, burying his face between her soft and tender mounds of perfection. Pushing them together and sucking both of her pink, hard pebbles into his mouth. Flickering his tongue back and forward between them. Worshiping them as they should be worshiped, teasing and tantalizing them in just such a way as it should be done.