Fingerpainting Ch. 02

Cat couldn't get Evan out of her head. She had been trying since the moment he walked away from the café table the previous night. "Damn" she muttered as she stood up from the kitchen table in her apartment. She walked to the refrigerator to get chilled water.

She leaned against the cabinet and stared at the drawing pad on the table. The beginnings of a cityscape were apparent. The foreground was entirely erased. She often used either herself or Ande for the model of any woman in her art and her dad, because his features were the masculine manifestation of her own, or her friend Jake as the model for men. Because she both had the images of these people ingrained in her mind and pictures of them were scattered about the apartment, sketching them did not require their actual presence, except in the case of herself, which was convenient because it allowed her to work whenever inspiration struck. What was disturbing her was that when she sketched the male figure into the cityscape she, without being aware of it until after the fact, placed Evan hand in hand with herself.

She futilely tried to convince herself that it was Jake with longer hair, but it was obviously Evan.

She shook her head and glanced at the clock. It was nearly seven and since she planned to take him up on the "downtown art gallery, nine p.m." she needed to get dressed.

* * *

She pulled into the parking garage near the gallery a few minutes before nine. She usually ran a bit late, and a few minutes at these gallery shows never mattered in the least.

She had dressed in a simple black cocktail dress. It was strapless, form fitting, and mid-calf length with a slit over halfway up one thigh. She also had on her favorite strappy stilettos, which happened to be silver. She fluffed her hair one last time in the rearview mirror and touched up her lipstick, which really didn't add any color to her lips but provided a nice shimmer and the illusion of even greater fullness. She got out of her car and walked out to the sidewalk.

It was chilly out, but still not cold, as she strolled toward the gallery. It was a nice night for this late into the fall. The sky was clear and if she hadn't been in the middle of downtown, she was sure the stars would be breathtaking. She was hopeful that she and Evan could go for a walk later.

* * *

Evan stood in the entryway of the gallery. He was fidgety. And nervous. It annoyed and disconcerted him that she was doing this to him, already making him crazy. He had only met her less than twenty-four hours ago, after all. He knew nothing about her. In fact, he had no idea whether or not she would even show up. She hadn't explicitly said she would. Something in her eyes and smile was confirmation enough for him though. Something about her manner had also told him that she would actually know where the downtown art gallery was and would be comfortable in this setting. He was the one who wasn't exactly comfortable. Maybe she would want to take a walk. Or anything else. He had to put in an appearance, but he was already anxious to leave. At least the paintings were interesting tonight. And the punch was decent.

He had dressed to impress, not that it took much for him to look good. A black Armani suit never diminished his appearance though. His hair was loose and hung somewhat in his face. He didn't wear a tie. Only a black button down dress shirt with the top two buttons left open. He paced back and forth in the entryway. He glanced at someone else's watch. Almost nine. He hoped, more than he had hoped for anything in a long time, that Cat would walk through the door soon.

When he saw the angel in the black dress saunter or float or strut or however it was that she seemed to magically move to the door, his breath caught in his chest. He was sure he saw her eyes light up when she saw him as she walked into the gallery. He didn't want to get his hopes up too much.

"You look amazing," he said when she was close enough to hear him.

When she reached him, she cupped his face in her hands and placed the most amazingly light, sexy kiss he had ever experienced on his lips. Then she hooked her arm around his waist and said "Well, while we're in here, we might as well look at the paintings."

He laughed and put his arm around her. She seemed so small, physically, especially standing with him, but her personality and attitude made her presence stand out.

As they walked from piece to piece around the gallery, Cat's discussions of the various techniques and styles, along with the appearance that she was completely at home in the gallery, convinced Evan that she must be seriously into art. He was curious of what kind.

"What do you do?" he finally blurted out, while she was admiring the way the artist had blended some paints. She seemed a bit startled, but laughed and told him.

"I'm a senior in college. I'm going to the law school here in the city next fall. I paint. I draw. I am an artist, but law is how I will pay to live. I've been a freelance writer, a bank teller, a waitress, and a few other things. Now, how about you?"

"I'm an architect. An architect who has been really lucky."

He was sure she wondered what he meant by that, but she didn't ask. Perhaps she already knew him better than he knew himself. He sensed that she could read him like a book.

He looked down into her eyes, gave her a crooked grin and kissed her hard enough he had to pull her to him. When he stopped, she licked her lip a bit and gave him that smile that made him feel like he was melting.

"Let's get out of here," he whispered in her ear. His voice was husky and low. She shivered, grinned at him again, batted her eyelashes, and he pulled her closer to his side. I'm not going to be able to hold up against this for very long, he thought warily. It wasn't like he wanted to though. He already knew that the minute she made a move, he was all hers. He wanted to put more work into it than that. He hoped she would at least wait and let him romance her a little.

* * *

Cat loved the way Evan looked at her. It was like she was beautiful and intelligent and like he already knew everything about her. Maybe he did. They seemed to have some bizarre connection. She looked up at him as they stopped along the railing of a little bridge in the park. He was smiling. Well, not smiling exactly, but a little grin was tugging at the corners of his mouth and his eyes were twinkling. He looked so kissable.

He glanced down at her and caught her eye. He slid his arm around her back and turned her to face him between himself and the bridge railing. He wrapped his arms completely around her and held her tightly for a moment, then lowered his head and breathed deeply on her neck just below her ear, his lips nearly grazing her neck. She breathed in sharply and pulled Evan more tightly against herself.

She had never felt this way about a man before. He literally took her breath away. Pressed so closely against him, the bulge in his pants left no doubt how badly he wanted her. She wasn't going to keep him waiting long, but they had barely talked on the stroll from the gallery. She wanted to get to know him a bit better before she slept with him. The way she felt around him made her think that it wouldn't matter what order she did things; he would be in her life from now on.

"So, Evan, do you have more to your name than that?"

His laugh was disarming. She had noticed that sometimes he could look a bit withdrawn and somber, but every time he looked at her or smiled or laughed, every trace of cold was gone from his face. She didn't mind if he could be withdrawn or that he might have some problems being friendly. Not that he had, thus far. She sensed that he could be that way though. She could be an ice queen herself. She was sure her emotions and such would cause him much more trouble than his would incur on her.

"Yes, I have a whole name. It's Evan Quentin Grey. I'm guessing your question was really asking me who I am. Perhaps not, but I think I'll tell you some things anyway. I'm an architect, but I've mentioned that. I design eco-friendly buildings that are both functional and, of course, eye-catching. Like that art gallery."

Cat nodded and tightened her hold on his waist.

He continued. "People tell me I act like a quarrelsome old man. Maybe I do, but you make me feel like I'm floating on a cloud. I don't think that sounds like a quarrelsome old man talking. I dislike football and pop music. I also dislike people who are fake, hypocritical, or liars. I do like sunsets and snowboarding, though I think I would prefer dancing with you to anything in the snow. Oh, and I like dogs. Now, about yourself?"

Cat laughed. "Catherine Bay Williams. Yes, it's a rather unusual middle name. I'm apparently an ice queen, but you seem to have warmed me up just fine. I also dislike football and pop music. I hate musicals but love operas. I like books. I draw, paint, and whatever else I feel inspired to do. You would enjoy dancing with me. Oh, and I like dogs."

He laughed and mussed her hair. "You're quite the crack up, little one," he said teasingly.

* * *

Evan couldn't pass up an opportunity to touch Cat, or look at her, or especially kiss her. Her lips were so full and soft. Her kisses were always spontaneous and he never knew what kind to expect. They ranged from a feather-light brushing of the lips that felt like kissing a cloud, to an oh-so-hot French that nearly knocked him off his feet every time.

"So, Catherine Bay, where would you like to go now? It's only eleven, that's an early night for me."

Much to his delight, Cat ran her hand lightly down his back and in a voice that was somehow simultaneously soft, playful, and amazingly sexy said "Well, Mr. Lucky Architect, where do you live?"

Evan laughed happily and spun Cat quickly around, dipped her backward over his arm and gave her a kiss. She stood up looking dizzy and giddy. He loved her smile. He was powerless against her every move and he had a feeling she wasn't even trying to seduce him. He wondered what that would be like. He hoped he was correct in his assumption that he would find out much sooner rather than later.

"Well, little one, I'm parked about five blocks down the street. I'll take you there. I'll bring you back to your car when you decide you want it again. It will be safe in the parking garage." He hadn't been this happy in a long time. It wasn't just that he wanted to sleep with her, which he did, very much so, she just felt right. He could actually feel himself falling for her. He knew it was way too soon to call it love, but that was what he felt when he saw the twinkle in her eyes as they walked, arms wrapped around one another, down the street.

They chatted idly about music, family, hobbies, and their pasts. She learned that he hadn't had a relationship, or even a date, in over two years, and that he had quite a past prior to that. He learned that she had a bad reputation, but really hadn't had sex since her sophomore year; she just fooled around a lot. He also learned, rather by accident, that kissing her neck made her melt. When he paused to do so on a street corner, the way she leaned into him made him think he may have to carry her.

He nearly fell over laughing as he caught her expression when she realized that he owned a motorcycle, not a car. She didn't look frightened, rather, she looked more or less amused.

"You're going to have to put me on it, Evan. I don't think this dress is going to cooperate. And I'm going to freeze; which means you'll have to work extra hard to warm me up when we get to your place," she said teasingly. She wasn't kidding about him having to put her on the bike. She was light as a feather though, so lifting her on was not a problem.

"Here," he said, taking off his suit jacket. "I'll still warm you up, but I think you'll want this." He winked and gave her that amazing little crooked grin. He also handed her his helmet.

She mumbled something about having helmet hair, but put it on anyway. He couldn't help but think how adorable she looked.

* * *

He rides a motorcycle! How hot is that, Cat thought to herself. She was so excited. She knew her eyes were twinkling. He climbed on in front of her and managed not to kick her. That must have been a bit tricky. His legs were long, after all. The slit in her dress did facilitate actually sitting on the bike, but was not adequate to help her get on or off. She didn't mind letting him pick her up, though it made her feel like a rag doll. When he was seated, she slid forward and wrapped her arms around his waist and held on as tightly as she could. He ran a hand slowly down her thigh, the one bare because of the slit, and sighed. She wasn't worried about getting too cold on the ride. Being this close to him had her quite hot. And wet, but he didn't need to know that just yet.

His apartment wasn't far, but it was enough west across town from hers that he had the amazing mountain view. She laid his suit jacket over the back of his sofa and he handed her a small throw blanket as they stepped out onto the balcony. She couldn't quit thinking about how badly she wanted to draw the view. Her fingers burned for a pencil. Then he kissed her. So much for drawing... and not sleeping with him tonight, Cat thought.

She was still holding the blanket and he slowly took it and wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him with the edges. He slid his arms around her and pressed her between himself and the balcony railing. He was staring into her eyes with the tip of his nose and his forehead touching hers. His eyes really were like the ocean; they looked so black but blue at the same time. She was amazed.

She managed to get one hand out of the confines of the blanket and slid it around the back of his neck, pulling his lips down to hers. She pressed her lips to his, lightly at first. Then she parted her lips and alternated nipping and sucking his lower lip until he was almost panting. She took the hand that was still caught between him and herself and ran a finger under the waistband of his suit pants all the way across his front. With that, his breath caught and he scooped her up and carried her back into the apartment. She could see the flush on his cheeks even in the dark.

* * *

The bedroom was entirely dark. Evan shifted Cat's body and switched on a small lamp that was on a table near the door. It provided that dim light that doesn't let anyone see too much but is incredibly romantic. The room was, like the rest of the apartment, carpeted in a dark cream color and Evan had placed darker colored area rugs around. The decorating reminded Cat of her own. The furniture was all dark cherry stained or black iron. The curtains were light, but plantation blinds kept all unwanted light at bay. Black and white photographs and art prints hung in glass or black frames. The bedding looked lush and welcoming. It was primarily dark red, with layers of black and cream.

Evan carried Cat to the side of the bed and lowered her onto it. Rather than lie back, or wait for him to sit next to her, she stood. He lowered his mouth to her neck and began laying delicate kisses from her ear down to her shoulder. She ran her fingers down his chest from his shoulders to his belt. Then she began to tug his shirt loose of his pants.

He found the zipper on the back of her dress and undid it. She stepped out of the small pile of black satin and was left in a black lace strapless bra, matching thong, and the silver stilettos. He saw a flush run across her chest as he ran his hands over her shoulders, down her sides and around her waist.

She began working on the buttons of his shirt and when she finished, slid it back over his shoulders. He shrugged it off and continued to stand relatively still with his hands on her waist as she unfastened his belt and pants. Fortunately, he had taken off his shoes and socks when they first arrived, because she disliked the sight of dress socks and boxers. Nothing could have made him unattractive, in her opinion, but she grinned at the thought that he was as vain as she was.

She licked her index finger and slid it slowly down the center of his chest, stopping at the waistband of his boxers as she bent down to slip off her shoes. She could see the bulge of his erection and grinned up at him. As she stood up again, she ran a hand up the inside of his leg, from his ankle up to mere inches from his package.

"You're toying with me," he said with a grin.

"Of course. But you love it. Don't worry; you'll get your turn."

She backed toward the bed and climbed onto it backwards, gesturing for him to follow. It wouldn't have mattered what she had done, he felt like a puppy on a leash and she was right, he loved it.

She reached for his shoulders and gently pulled him down on top of her. He put one knee between her legs and the other on the outside and braced his upper body above her. He lowered his mouth to hers and nipped at her bottom lip, then slid his tongue along the side of hers. He lowered his mouth further and laid kisses along her neck and chest.

He sat back on his heels and slid his hands behind her back to unfasten her bra. She arched her back to accommodate him, which only made her look more delicious. He tossed the bra into the floor, gave her an adorably wicked grin and slipped her thong off her hips. She worked it the rest of the way down and kicked it off. That only left his boxers. She was having the time of her life.

As he braced himself above her again, she ran her hands along his back and shoulders pulling him closer into reach of her lips. She wanted him so badly and she wanted him as close to her as he could get without smashing her. She ran kisses and little nips along his shoulders and neck. She swirled and circled her fingertips lightly, tracing little designs all over his back, chest, and arms. She slipped her hands down his sides, feeling the heat of his body. His breathing was so ragged she almost laughed. Someone's having a hard time controlling himself, she thought. She quickly hooked her thumbs in the waistband of his boxers and slid them down. He eagerly helped get them off, his excitement causing a bit of difficulty.

She gently rolled him over on his back because she wanted more access to his body. He's going to remember this night for the rest of his life, she thought when she saw the look in his eyes. He was smiling. Not a little grin, but a broad, boyish smile that made her want him to take her right then. Not yet. With the way he makes me feel, he deserves anything I can give him. I'm never going to forget this either. She grinned back at him and knelt, one knee between his legs and one to the outside. She lowered her lips, first to his, laying feather-light kisses and then playfully nipping at his lower lip. She moved down to his neck and chest, her hair brushing his skin, running her fingers over his nipples and then down along the lean lines of his stomach.

She sat back on her heels and slid a hand around his hard member. His body was visibly shaking as she lowered her mouth to him. She licked the length of him, then took all of him into her mouth, sucking briefly. She noticed the white knuckled way he was gripping the sheets and decided she better not mess around too long because he might not be able to last. She continued to hold the base of his member and swirled her tongue around the head. She ran her hands up his chest again as she lay down next to him, kissing him hard on the mouth.

Evan could hardly breathe as he climbed on top of Cat. Sweat was beginning to glisten on his chest. She smiled. She ran her fingers through his hair. He kissed and licked his way down her neck and chest, taking each hard nipple into his mouth. Her soft moans urged him on. Her skin was as soft as silk and so creamy he couldn't believe it. He continued licking and kissing down her stomach to inches above her slit. He ran a slightly rough hand over a breast then down her side, tickling her stomach. He looked into her amazing blue-green eyes with those dreamy lashes while he slipped a hand between her thighs and dipped a finger into her. He thrust it in and out a few times, rubbing her clit with his thumb. He loved the way she squirmed beneath his touch and pressed into him like she couldn't get enough. Her mouth was open and her breathing had gotten heavy.