Page 179 of I Dreamt That You Loved Me

When I began this piece, our relationship was still in chaos. As I’d progressed, our status had fluctuated. Hurt. Anger. Fear. Sadness. Joy. Love. It was all reflected in my art.

Otis appeared at my side, wagging his tail. I gave him one of the treats I kept in my pocket for whenever he paid me a visit.

“Good boy.” I crouched in front of him and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Who’s a good boy?” I loved this dog so damn much. “Otis!” His ears perked up like he was really listening.

Sudden inspiration struck. I ripped off a piece of paper from my sketchpad and wrote a note in Sharpie then folded it into a paper airplane and tucked it under Otis’ collar.

“Where’s Gabriel?” Otis cocked his head. “Go get Gabriel,” I said, clapping my hands and using the excited tone you used with small children or dogs when you wanted them to do something for you.

I gave him a little nudge out the door. “Go get Gabriel. You can do it, boy. I have faith in you.”

Otis looked over his shoulder then ran through the garden.

Hopefully, my furry friend understood the mission.

A little while later, I saw Gabriel walking toward the studio.

I threw a sheet over my art and shimmied out of my shorts then pulled my T-shirt over my head and tossed it on the floor.

I had the sudden thought that maybe I was making it too easy for him, but the thought vanished as soon as he walked through the door.

His heated gaze roamed over my body, and my skin flushed with heat as I plastered myself against the wall, one arm flung over my head in a dramatic display as I beckoned him to come closer with my other hand.

Nina Simone was singing “I Put a Spell on You” as he stalked toward me.

I put my hand on his chest to stop him from getting any closer.

“You better stop your fooling around,” I said, shaking my index finger at him. “This girl won’t stand for any of that lyin’ or cheatin’ or puttin’ me down.” My tongue glided over my lips. I removed my hand from his chest and ran it down my body.

“Oh baby, I will give itallup for you,” Gabriel said, caging me in his arms and leaning in. “You know why?”

I gave him a coy smile and fluttered my lashes. “Because you’re mine.”

“Because I’m yours.” He trailed a finger down my chest and traced the demi-cup of my bra. “Come and see the art,” he said, repeating the message I’d sent. “Youare the art.”

“You’re pretty easy on the eyes yourself,” I said. “Have you been workinghard?” My gaze dipped to his fly.

“Toohard.” He pressed his body flush against mine, confirming his answer.

“What do you think we should do about that?”

“I don’t know.” He pinned my wrists to the wall with one hand and cupped my breast in the other, tugging my nipple between his teeth through the fabric of my bra. My breathing got shallow. I was already so wet. “Maybe you can kiss it better.”

“Or maybe you could just fuck me like a rock star. I like it rough,” I said, freeing my hands and unbuttoning his shorts. I wrapped my hand around him and squeezed, rubbing my thumb over the slit. “Quick and dirty.”

Gabriel didn’t need much more incentive than that. He grabbed my wrist, twisting me around, and with his palm firmly on my back, he bent me over the drafting table.

I pressed my cheek against the wood, my pulse quickening.

He took his time. His fingers hooking into the sides of my panties and sliding them down my legs. His hands gliding up my thighs.

I heard him taking off his shorts, casting them aside. He gripped the small of my waist and slid inside, filling me.

Then he pulled out, waiting a moment, teasing me before gliding in again. Smoother. Deeper.

When he pulled out again, I lifted my head to glare at him. He laughed, and then without warning, he drove his dick into me so hard and so fast that I couldn’t breathe for a few seconds.

“Too much?” he said, gripping my hips and withdrawing only to slam into me again.