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The hours flew by, and before we knew it, the bottle of wine was nearly empty. My fingers were stained with charcoal, and the canvas bore the likeness of the Adonis in front of me.
Stepping back, I took in the whole picture, feeling a swell of pride. "There. Done."
Austin set the now empty wine glass down and came over, wrapping his arms around me from behind. "Let's see."
We both stared at the canvas, the raw intensity of the image mirrored in the real-life model standing beside me.
“It’s... incredible,” he breathed, his voice husky in my ear.
I leaned back into him, soaking in the warmth of his body. “You were an excellent model. But next time,” I teased, turning around in his embrace, “I get to be the muse.”
His lips captured mine, the taste of wine lingering as he deepened the kiss. Breaking apart, he whispered, “Deal.”
24
AUSTIN
“God, Paisley...” The words slipped past my lips as the warm water cascaded down on us. Her mouth, doing wonders on me, left me feeling both weightless and incredibly grounded at the same time. The mix of steam and her intoxicating essence swirled around, making the bathroom feel more like a sensual chamber of forbidden delights than a simple shower.
My hands slid into her wet hair, gripping onto the strands, but I was careful not to dictate her pace. The way she was using her lips, her tongue—it was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. The sensations were so overwhelming that every groan, every suppressed curse that tumbled out of my mouth was beyond my control.
Her fingers dug into my hips, her nails scratching lightly as they traced patterns on my skin. The blend of pain and pleasure only heightened the overwhelming sensation. Her eyes flitted up, meeting mine, the look in them dark and predatory. It was a gaze that said she was in control, and damn it, I was entirely at her mercy.
I could feel myself nearing the edge, but I tried to hold back, wanting to savor every moment of this. The way the water flowed down her face, the absolute focus she had on me—it was tantalizing. My thoughts were a chaotic mess, but the one thing that stood clear was the overwhelming sensation building inside me.
“Shit, Pais... I’m not going to last...” I panted, the warmth and pressure building to a breaking point.
A muffled, teasing hum was her only response, but the vibrations sent shockwaves through me. And then, as her pace quickened and her touch grew even more insistent, I could hold back no longer. With a final groan, I lost myself entirely, the world narrowing down to just the two of us and the steam-filled cocoon we were in.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. My breathing was ragged, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. Slowly, she stood up, the water washing over her face, erasing any remnants of our escapade. Our eyes locked, and I could see a smug satisfaction in her gaze. I pulled her close, our wet bodies pressing together, and captured her lips in a passionate, grateful kiss.
“That was...” I began, struggling to find the right words, my voice hoarse.
She smirked, trailing a finger down my chest. “Yeah, it was.”
I laughed, the sound echoing in the enclosed space. “You’re going to be the death of me, Paisley.”
“Hmm,” she murmured, leaning in and biting my earlobe playfully. “What a way to go, though.”
After that steamy session in the shower, it took every ounce of self-control to focus on getting ready for the day. Paisley was a whirlwind, always in motion. Her hair was quickly dried and pulled into a messy bun, which somehow looked even more alluring than when it was styled to perfection. She waltzed around the room, picking up scattered clothing items, laughing as she recalled the passionate night we'd just shared.
“I can’t believe I have to go to work now,” she said, rolling her eyes as she slipped into a simple sundress. She looked so good in it that I momentarily entertained the idea of calling in sick for the both of us.
“Duties call, love.” I smiled, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her close.
“Mmm,” she hummed, nuzzling my neck. “Your aftershave is doing things to me, Austin.” Her voice was low, filled with mischief.
“Is that so?” I murmured, grazing her ear with my lips. “You should head out before I decide to pin you to the bed again.”
She laughed heartily, “Tempting, but I have to get to the vineyard. Plus, if the wine tastes even half as good as the rumors, I'm in for a treat.”
I bit my lip to suppress the grin, knowing full well that the vineyard she was so excited about was mine. And while the thought of her being on my land, among my vines, was thrilling, it also filled me with an unsettling dread. Every day, the secret grew heavier, but now didn’t seem like the right time to spill the beans.
She planted a quick kiss on my lips and sauntered out of the room, leaving a trail of her intoxicating scent behind. “Have a good day,” she winked.
Watching her go, I was filled with a mix of admiration, lust, and that ever-present guilt. Once I was sure she was gone, I drove back to my place. The manor, as most people referred to it, was a sprawling estate that had been in my family for generations. It was a symbol of power and prestige, something I had grown up with but never truly coveted.
Walking into my closet, I was met with rows upon rows of suits, each more immaculate than the last. Selecting a sharp navy one, I quickly got dressed. The weight of the mayoral chain settled heavily around my neck, both physically and metaphorically. Every decision, every secret, bore down on me, but the facade never wavered. To the world, I was Austin Thorne, the charming and accomplished mayor of the town, but behind closed doors, the weight of my dual life was suffocating.
