The Artist's Wolf Ch. 09

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Chapter Nine: Nothing is Perfect

Aislinn dropped her head into her hands and groaned. Two days, she thought, chewing anxiously on her lower lip. I have two days left until my painting is due, and I've got nothing! She flipped through a pile of sketches of Gabriel; they were all good, but nothing jumped out at her. Gabriel was working now, so she had to wait until after work, when he'd be tired and surly, to ask him to model. Aislinn glanced over at the clock; it read seven-thirty, which meant she still had more than an hour to wait.

I can't just show up, she thought, although maybe I should, so he doesn't have the chance to say no. She glanced over at the duffle bag sitting in a heap at the end of her bed. A moment later she'd made up her mind. Aislinn found a pair of jeans, a white cotton t-shirt, and a warm, tan turtle neck; she folded them up and put them into the bag. Warm socks, underwear, that sort of thing. Finally, she stuff her sketchpad and pencils into the duffle bag and trotted downstairs.

"Where're you going, honey?" Her mother asked as Aislinn tugged on her coat.

"Cassie's," Aislinn answered.

It wasn't entirely a lie. Cassie's place was very close to Gabriel's, and she was going to stop there for a quick visit, anyway. Aislinn quickly pulled on her hat and mittens, and wrapped her scarf around her snugly. It was still very cold outside.

"Have fun," Her mother called.

"I will!" Aislinn called back.

The drive certainly wasn't long enough; it only killed fifteen minutes. She found herself getting more and more excited about seeing Gabriel. He's been working a lot lately, Aislinn thought as she parked her car in the lot outside his apartment. I miss him. She stopped long enough to drop her duffle bag off in the apartment, then headed over to Cassie's for a short chat.

*****

Gabriel shoved his door open and staggered inside. He was exhausted from a long day of work; all he wanted was a shower, a warm meal, and bed. He'd have to do without the warm meal, though. Even with the stuff Aislinn kept stocked in his fridge, he wasn't much of a cook.

It took him a long moment to realize that the lights were on. I must be hallucinating, Gabriel thought. Aislinn was in the kitchen, working diligently, and something smelled really good. He walked over to her, settling his arms around her waist, and dropping his head to her shoulder. Roasted chicken, steamed potatoes, and slices of homemade garlic bread filled two plates on the counter.

"I don't know what you're doing here," Gabriel said. "But you're an absolute godsend."

"You've been so busy lately," Aislinn told him. "And I've been so art dead. I wanted to spend some time with you...maybe things will click together again."

Gabriel sighed. "I'm too tired to model tonight, sweetheart."

Aislinn nodded, but disappointment showed in her pale eyes. For a moment he was annoyed. I've been working so damn hard, Gabriel thought, can't I have just one night of peace? Watching her face, he noticed the sheen of tears over her eyes and the reddening of her nose that meant she was trying not to cry. I'm so not in the mood to deal with this, he though, grabbing a plate from the counter. He grabbed a plastic fork from the container on the counter and stomped to the couch, which seconded as a dinner table.

The food tasted good, especially after a hard day of work. Gabriel waited for Aislinn to join him, but she didn't. She'll come around, he thought, I just need to give her some...ow! He rubbed the spot on the back of his head where an empty soda can had struck him. Turning, Gabriel saw Aislinn standing with her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowed.

"You ungrateful ass!" She exclaimed. "I've barely seen you in three weeks! I come here because I've miss you! I even made dinner for you!"

Gabriel stared at her, surprised. A smile slowly crept onto his face, and soon he was laughing. Aislinn flushed, looking more and more angry by the moment. He stood, placing the plate out of the way of harm, as she came stomping over to him. Gabriel caught her wrists before she do much more than sputter, using his firm grip to draw her close to him. He dropped his mouth to hers, kissing her until she was breathless and limp.

"I've got work tomorrow," Gabriel told her when he pulled his mouth away from hers. "But not until the afternoon. I can pick you up in the morning and we can go to the studio or something. Maybe that will help you focus."

"Okay," Aislinn murmured, still a little breathless. "But um...you don't need to pick me up...I mean...I brought stuff with me...I could stay so you don't have to get up too early..."

Gabriel suddenly found it hard to breathe. This is not good, he thought, if she stays here tonight, I don't know if I can... Her blue eyes were watching him, filled with anxiety and hope. How could he possibly say no to those eyes? He knew she wasn't asking for sex; she just wanted to stay with him. Gabriel sighed heavily.

"All right," He relented. "I can make you a spot on the couch. It's not the most comfortable but...what?" Aislinn was shaking her head.

"I don't want to leave your side," She said softly.

"Then you won't," Gabriel murmured.

She's going to be the death of me, he thought, as he settled with her on the couch to finished dinner. Her pale blue eyes were sparkling with contentment. Gabriel was going to have a very long, restless night with her in the bed next to him. At least I managed to get myself a queen sized bed, Gabriel thought. It isn't huge, but it will be enough so that we're both comfortable. Well, Aislinn would definitely be comfortable. He, on the other hand, would probably spend most of the night with a hard on.

"Why don't you get ready for bed," Aislinn suggested not long after they had finished eating. "You look so tired. I'll give you a massage."

"Are you trying to kill me?" Gabriel asked blandly.

"Oh, stop that," She said, prodding him gently in the ribs. "I'm gonna get changed for bed. You should too."

As she closed herself in the bathroom, he dropped his head into his hands. So should I wait to tell her that I don't sleep in clothes until she climbs into bed with me? he wondered, or should I warn her before hand? Gabriel waited until Aislinn yielded his bathroom; he was not going to sleep without a shower. She came out wearing pale blue pj bottoms with a teddy bear print and a plain, clingy white camisole. She should not be allowed to look sexy in that, he thought, it should be illegal.

"I'm going to take a shower," Gabriel told her. "Go make yourself comfortable."

Aislinn nodded, leaving him to take his shower. I don't know if I'm relieved or disappointed that she didn't over to join me, Gabriel thought as he turned on the hot water. He showered quickly, toweled himself dry, then wrapped the towel around his waist and padded into the bedroom. Aislinn was curled up beneath the covers, and by the sound of her breathing, she was already asleep. Huh, Gabriel thought, so much for a massage.

He left his towel in a heap on the floor and, despite his misgivings, crawled under the covers with her. Almost immediately Aislinn shifted closer to him, pressing her back against his chest. Gabriel groaned inwardly; her position left her rear pressed firmly against him. Speaking of firm, he thought, rolling his eyes as he felt his body tighten in response. She is so going to be the death of me.

*****

Aislinn awoke early, feeling well rested. She stretched languidly, and paused, blinking. Something was poking her. She turned over to find Gabriel grinning at her sheepishly. Aislinn's eyes widened as she realized exactly what it was that was poking her. Her cheeks flushed and she sat up, taking most of the covers with her. Gabriel yelped in surprise and tugged the blankets back over himself.

"You could have warned me!" Aislinn said, glaring at him accusing me.

Gabriel chuckled. "I never got the chance. Does it bother you?"

"Um...well...I um...I don't know," Aislinn stammered, her cheeks blazing.

Gabriel caught her wrist in a gentle grip and pulled her hand beneath the covers, laying it gently against his hard member. She started, tugging against his grip, but he held her firmly in place. Aislinn could feel the throb of pulsing blood and a slight twitch caused by her hand dragging slightly when she tried to pull it away.

"It's all right, sweetheart," Gabriel murmured, letting go of her wrist. "Just keep this in mind...this is what you do to me when you insist on doing things like sleeping in my bed."

Aislinn blinked, surprised when he let go. She closed her fingers and slid her hand up curiously. Gabriel's eyes widened and he groaned, biting his lip. When she slid her hand down again, her caught her wrist again, this time pulling her hand away.

"I've had a long night," Gabriel panted. "Do me a favor and go take a shower while I uh...take care of something."

"But...I..." Aislinn stammered.

"Please, Aislinn," Gabriel pleaded desperately.

His dark eyes begged for understanding. It's not like I'm not ready for some fooling around, she thought grumpily as she left the room. Certainly back on New Year's Eve, he'd had no problem fooling around with her. Aislinn settled herself beneath the hot water in the shower and sighed. I guess I should know better, she thought, I knew what I was doing when I asked to stay. And I knew what would happen if I slept in his bed with him. She just didn't understand why he didn't think she was capable of taking care of what she'd caused.

*****

Gabriel twitched slightly. My butt is going numb, he thought, trying to get comfortable on the table. It wasn't easy. The whole time he modeled, he had to watch the intent look on concentration on Aislinn's face. He had to sit and watch as her pale blue eyes little with fire and passion, and her full mouth parted slightly, her tongue slipping out to wet her lips. The glistening trail of wetness left on her lower lip was painfully tempting. All morning Gabriel had had to deal with the torment of watching her.

"I think we're done for the day," Aislinn said finally. "I've got what I needed."

She looked up and his breath was taken away by the delight in her pale blue eyes. As he watched, she stood up from behind her easel and padded over to him. Gabriel watched the slight sway of her hips, unintentional though it might be, and the hard on he thought himself rid of came back in an instant. She settled in his lap, her thighs straddling his hips. Gabriel tilted his head up to meet her as she pressed an eager kiss to his mouth. His hands settled on her narrow ribcage, holding her tightly against himself.

She didn't protest when he drew her shirt up over her head and tossed it aside. Gabriel inhaled deeply; she smelled so good. His teeth nibbled at her lower lip, drawing a soft, mewling moan from her. He helped her pull off his own shirt and sighed at the press of her small hands against his bare chest. Finding the clasp of her bra, he quickly tugged it loose, allowing the soft cotton to fall from her. Gabriel dropped his head to her breasts, and she cooed softly as he suckled gently at one of her nipples.

He shifted beneath her, tumbling them so that she was on the one on the table. His hands shook as he unfastened her jeans and tugged them down, taking her soft cotton panties with them. Aislinn shivered, her cheeks flushing darkly beneath his hungry gaze. Gabriel slipped a hand between her thighs, touching soft, swollen flesh. She was wet and more than ready; he couldn't wait anymore. He unfastened his pants and tugged them down, not even bothering to pull them all the way off.

Gabriel pressed his mouth to hers, his tongue sweeping her mouth hungrily. Aislinn parted her thighs at the gentle pressure of his legs. He needed no guiding to find her wet entrance and he pressed inside her, groaning as he slid deeply into her tight, warm body. Her gasp of pain penetrated the haze of desire around his mind and Gabriel paused, holding himself still inside her as she adjusted to the feeling of his invasion. Aislinn trembled beneath him, clinging to him tightly.

"Shh, sweetheart," Gabriel murmured, gently kissing away the tears that slipped silently down her cheeks.

The sound of his voice seemed to soothe her. She twisted beneath him. Gabriel gasped as her body tightened around him. He drew himself slowly out, then pushed back in, feeling Aislinn lift her hips to meet his. She cooed softly, delighting in the new sensation the friction of their bodies caused. Gabriel cradled her head in his hands and kissed her deeply, teasing her mouth as he continued to move inside her. It took all his self control not to just sate himself quickly and ease the need that had been plaguing him for month.

The little sounds Aislinn made were good encouragement. He focused his gaze on her face, watching the pleasure fill her heavy lidded eyes as he built his rhythm to a faster pace. When Gabriel felt her tense around him, felt the tightening of her body the signified her orgasm, he stopped holding himself back. He had to stifle his loud moan against her neck as he came inside her.

For a long time he couldn't move; he merely lay, holding her, trying to catch his breath. The sweat on his skin and hers was cooling, and he could feel her start to tremble. Gabriel sat back, reluctantly pulling himself from the wonderful warmth of her body. The sight of blood on her thighs brought reality crashing down on him and he groaned, dropping his head into his hands.

"Shit!" Gabriel swore.

What have I done? he thought frantically. The gentle touch of a hand on his shoulder made him jump. Aislinn was up, kneeling on the table next to him, her blue eyes full of concern. Gabriel pulled her close, resting his head atop of hers, and gently stroking her hair.

"I'm so sorry," He whispered hoarsely.

"For what?" Aislinn asked. She pulled back to look at him, puzzled.

"This...this was your first time and I...I..." Gabriel stammered.

"Is that all?" Aislinn rolled her eyes. "Come on, Gabriel, I'm not some sixteen year old who thinks her first time is supposed to be fireworks and rose petals and silk sheets. That's not realistic."

"But..." Gabriel protested weakly.

"Nothing is perfect," Aislinn said, closing her arms around him. "I didn't want fireworks. Only you...I love you..."

Gabriel stilled, resting his head against her chest, uncertain what to say. Did he love her back? He wasn't sure. He wanted her, yes, that was obvious, and he most certainly needed her. But love? Gabriel wasn't even sure he was capable of love. After what had happened to his sister, he'd never even considered the notion. But looking up into Aislinn's pale blue eyes, so filled with warmth and love, the concept suddenly didn't seem so farfetched.