by Nicole Marsh
During our slow drive through town, I thought I spotted an art supply store and plan to head there before it’s too late. Trying to remember the turns we took to get to the motel; I walk down the sidewalk in the setting sun.
A smile graces my lips as I watch a family with young kids enjoying shakes in a diner that looks a bit like the one in Florence. After making three wrong turns, I finally reach a store literally labeled The Art Shop. I check the hours posted near the door and see that the shop is open for about another hour. Pulling open the door, a small bell jingles, announcing my presence.
19
The Room
Mirabella
I return to the motel laden down with three bags of art supplies. Surprisingly, the store was very well stocked. Despite being a small town, the store even had a few things that I bought to bring home with me for my studio.
Entering the lobby to the motel, I smile towards the receptionist, but she isn’t paying any attention to me. Her gaze is fixated on a magazine opened on the countertop before her. I heave my bags of new supplies onto a floral arm chair and drag my phone out of my back pocket, intent on messaging Vlad to figure out our room situation. When the screen lights up, I see texts from both him and Marc already waiting.
Vlad’s just has a number: 203.
I’m assuming this is our room, but click on Marc’s text to confirm: Vlad said you two were okay to share a room. You’re in 203 and I’m in 204. Let me know when you’re back safe.
I type up a quick message to Marc: Back, see you in the morning. Then grab the handles to my bags of art supplies to trek upstairs.
The motel is one of those two story buildings with the lobby off to one side. The stairs are on the other side, leading up to one long balcony, with the entries to each room attached to the exterior of the building. I exit the lobby and head to the set of stairs and climb the steps to the second floor. Following the signs, I direct myself to room 203.
I reach the door and fumble with my bags, trying to free one of my hands to knock. Before I’m able to transfer my bags to one side, the door opens and a slightly rumpled, shirtless Vlad leans against the doorframe.
“Hey,” he rumbles in a deep voice. Leaning forwards, he slides his fingers near mine, into the handles of my bags of art supplies. I smile at him as I slip my fingers out, letting him relieve me of the bags. He turns sideways and I enter the room in the small space between him and the door.
Looking around, I take in the room. One large bed sits in the center with the white bedding already hosting a Vlad shaped imprint. Across from the bed sits a dark, wooden dresser with a large TV settled on top. Next to the TV is a small circular table with four chairs. Visible further down the room are two closed doors, which I assume are the bathroom and closet. The room is modest, but clean and I’m grateful for the break from the car.
When the door closes, I see a luggage rack behind it holding both our duffle bags. “Thanks for bringing that up,” I tell Vlad with a soft smile.
He nods, then places my bags filled with art supplies on the table, he returns my smile and says, “You’re welcome.” Vlad ambles back to the bed, settling himself into the spot that was already rumpled.
I tear my gaze from of his chiseled upper body to unzip my duffel bag and get my pajamas out. Grabbing what I need, I walk towards the doors at the back of the room, looking for the restroom. “Door on the right,” Vlad’s voice rumbles out sounding half-asleep already.
Following his instructions, I open the door to the right to reveal a simple bathroom. I quickly change into my pajamas, brush my teeth, and splash some water on my face. By the time I re-enter the main room, Vlad has already fallen into a deep sleep. His eyes are closed and his chest rises and falls with each deep breath.
I lean against one of the walls, taking a second to observe Vlad as he sleeps peacefully. His normally intense face is relaxed, his plush lips slightly parted and his strong brow flattened with a chunk of his inky black hair hanging over it. My eyes skim his body, taking in his broad shoulders, toned abs, and lean waist, I feel heated all over. Like I suddenly have a fever.
Despite my earlier exhaustion in the car, I’m now wired. I contemplate climbing into bed next to Vlad and hoping for sleep. After a few more minutes of watching him rest, I decide to break in some of my new art supplies before I join Vlad in bed.
Padding quietly to the table, I silently slip my new notepad and pencil set out of one of the bags. Careful not to crinkle the thick plastic, I carry them around to the far side of the table and settle into the chair. My hand grabs a color at random and begins to fly across the page. Soon I’m totally engrossed in my art, blending and coloring until an image starts to take shape on the page.
A small movement catches the corner of my eye and I see Vlad rolling to his side. His hand seems to search across the bed for a moment and I think he’s woken up until he lets out a small snore and stills again. My heart melts a little at the thought that Vlad was searching for me in the bed while asleep. Vlad is so forceful when he’s awake and so handsome. Sometimes I feel inferior and awkward compared to his calm, cool, and collected self, but the more time I spend with him, the more I realize Vlad has his own small ways of treating me like I’m special.
I drag my eyes back down to my notepad and continue dragging pencils across the paper. My eyes begin to droop when the image finally feels complete. I take a second to prop the notepad up the table before me, then scoot my chair back to assess what I’ve created.
The vivid blues and greens of the new pencils immediately draw my eyes in, forcing me to take in the small details before I’m able to view the whole picture. My gaze finally focuses on the drawing and I let out a gasp.
Snatching the notepad back, I rip the page off and rush into the bathroom. I shred the paper into pieces, then those pieces into smaller pieces. Over and over, I repeat the process until I’m left with only the tiniest scraps of paper. Standing over the toilet, I let each piece drift into the basin until I push down the handle and watch them all swirl away.
I take a step back and sag against the countertop. The heat I felt staring at Vlad has left my body completely, and I feel cold and drained. Sickly. I take a few deep breaths, attempting to calm my racing heart and collect myself before I return to the main room. It takes a few minutes, but when I stand from the counter my heart has slowed and I feel less on the verge of a panic attack than before.
Opening the door as quietly as I can, I tiptoe into the room. I’m no longer tired, with fear still flowing through my veins. I hope climbing into bed with Vlad will provide the comfort I need to fall asleep.
When the bed comes into view, I discover Vlad sitting upright, his face etched with concern. “Mira, is everything okay?” He asks, his voice groggy with sleep.
“I’m not sure,” I respond back.
Vlad pats the bed next to him twice and that’s the only invitation I need. I slip under the covers next to him. As soon as I’m on the bed, Vlad clicks off the lamp bathing the room in a soft glow.
He gathers me in his arms and pulls me back against his hard, warm body. The second his skin touches mine; I feel a small shock. As his warmth and strength envelope me, my previous tension drains away.
A soft kiss hits the hair above my ear the second before Vlad whispers, “Goodnight little Mir.”
I think Vlad instantly falls asleep, but I whisper into the silent room anyways. “Thank you, Vladimir Mort.”
I wake up early the next morning feeling well rested and warm. Slowly, I force my sleep crusted eyes to open. They immediately focus on a set of amber eyes hovering inches above my face.
The second our gazes connect, Vlad swoops down and seals his lips to mine in a claiming kiss. I moan as he glides his tongue through my mouth and gives a quick nip to my lower lip before retreating.
Before I’m able to protest, he runs his nose across the side of my neck. I can feel his deep inhale, then he’s retracing the same path with his mouth. He peppers light, sucti
oning kisses down the side of my neck until he reaches the collar of my shirt.
A questioning gaze meets mine as Vlad plays with the lower hem of my sleep shirt. Without giving it too much thought, I whisper my consent to his unspoken question, “Yes.”
The word has barely passed through my lips before he’s tugging the shirt up and over my head and arms. Vlad throws my top behind him, into the room, then sits back on his haunches. His gaze rakes over my naked upper half, stopping to fixate on my naked breasts. My nipples harden under his hungry gaze.
I fight the urge to cover myself up, forcing my hands to flatten on the bed. This is the first time I’ve ever been half-naked in bed with someone.
Vlad leans forward and suctions his mouth to my left nipple and any thoughts I had of covering myself up immediately flee. He laves his tongue over the sensitive bud, while using his left hand to knead the delicate skin of my right breast. I let out a deep moan, enjoying the sensations Vlad evokes with just a few touches.
He switches his mouth and hand, alternating his attention to each of my nipples. When he finally lifts his head, I’m panting with desire, arched off the bed for his easy access. The look Vlad gives me can only be described as a smolder.
Our mouths connect once more and he devours mine with his kisses. My hardened nipples brushing his bare chest heightening my desire. Vlad’s fingers slowly drift down my stomach, pausing to play with the top of my shorts. My butt lifts of its own accord and his hardness brushes against my hip. He slides the shorts down my body slowly, waiting until the last second to break our kiss.
With my shorts off, he sits up again. He hungrily looks at my body, peppering a few light kisses across my belly and upper thighs. He returns to the top of the bed, laying a hand across my lower abdomen, his amber gaze meeting mine. Heat sizzles where our skin meets. “I want to touch you, is that okay?” He asks.
I don’t have to think hard on my reply. My center is soaked and throbbing, my nipples hard and achy. “Yes, don’t stop.”
Vlad immediately resumes kissing me greedily while he shoves my panties down. His thick fingers slide down, delving into my folds. Vlad pushes his fingers slightly inside of me, whispering “So tight” against my lips as he does.
He uses my own wetness to slick his fingers through my folds and across my nub. Striking the same spot over and over until I’m clinging to his neck with a whimper.
His mouth leaves mine to suck on my nipple once more. The first tug on the sensitive bud has my entire body tensing. I feel like I’m on the precipice of a cliff and the next stroke of Vlad’s fingers has me falling off the edge into intense pleasure. I moan out “Vlad” as he extends the pulses with a few well-timed strokes of his fingers.
Vlad removes his hand and moves his body to hover above me. He fits his lower half against mine and I can feel his erection straining against the gym shorts he wore to sleep.
With our gazes locked, I give him a sly look then run my hands down his chest and abs until my fingers meet the waist band of his shorts. Keeping our gazes connected, I begin to play with the hem oh his shorts, mimicking his motions from earlier.
Vlad’s voice is raspy and desperate sounding when he utters, “Please.”
Feeling powerful, I slip my hands under the band of his shorts. My hands slide over the deep V created by his muscles until they grasp around his erection. A wave of nerves tries to wash over me, telling me that I’m too inexperienced for Vlad, but I shove them away. I grip onto the hardened length, with one hand, sliding up and down the silken skin firmly.
Vlad groans, then connects his mouth with mine. He thrusts his hips in time with my strokes, matching the movements with his tongue in my mouth. I use my free hand to slide down the band of his shorts, freeing his cock still firmly gripped in my hand.
Still exploring, I tentatively grip one of his tight balls in my hand. I give it a light squeeze and Vlad groans against my lips. His reactions are making me feel bold and I push on him to roll to his side.
We lie facing each other and I look down his body, watching my hand as it strokes up and down. His penis is much larger than I thought it would be, thick and long. My small hand is only capable of covering a portion of it.
A knock sounds at our door. I stop moving my hand, loosening my grip and turning my head as if I can see who’s there through the wood. Vlad quickly recaptures my attention, firmly gripping my cheek and meeting my lips with a hard kiss. He nips and licks while his erection resumes thrusting into my hand. I tighten my grip and return his kisses eagerly.
Whoever is at the door becomes persistent, banging with a fist and creating a louder noise than before. I tear my lips away from Vlad’s just as a muffled voice calls through the door, “It’s Marc. We need to get going soon, if we want to make it there before dark.”
Vlad lets out a groan. He kisses my lips gently, then carefully removes my fingers and rolls up his shorts. He strides to the door and opens it just a sliver, partially hiding behind it as he addresses Marc. “We’ll get ready now. I need to take a shower first and Mira isn’t awake yet,” he lies.
I hear Marc’s voice, but his words are quieter than before.
Shortly after, Vlad shuts the door firmly and strides back over to the bed. He lifts me bridal style and carries me towards the bathroom.
“Where are we going?” I ask, my voice sounding unrecognizably breathy.
“To get cleaned up,” Vlad replies with a wolffish grin.
20
The Spring
Mirabella
Marc pulls the SUV into a large dirt circle, angling the vehicle to park. He doesn’t make it into the imaginary lines he’s drawn in the “lot”, so he backs up and straightens out before shutting the vehicle off.
“Is it near here?” I ask, surveying our surroundings.
After about sixteen hours in the car over a span of two days, the place we’ve parked doesn’t look like anything special. To the left is the dirt road that we drove in on. Winding its way down the mountain through the trees and tall grass to a small town and a larger highway. To the right is a steep mountain side, peppered with more trees. I can see a smaller dirt path near a weathered wooden sign that I’m guessing is the trailhead for our hike.
“This is it,” Marc confirms.
I see Vlad, also surveying the area from the passenger seat and wonder if he’s feeling equally unimpressed. He finally finishes looking about, joining the conversation in the SUV. “It’s pretty late, we’re going to need to set up a camp for the night.” He turns to look at Marc, “Do you think we should hike in a bit on the trail and set up, or just make a camp here in the parking lot next to the car for tonight.”
Marc scans the area in the same manner Vlad had before glancing back at me in the rearview mirror. I quirk a brow and his lips tug up on one corner. After the exchange, his gaze shifts to Vlad. “How far out is the spring?”
Vlad’s reply comes quickly, “Just over three miles.”
“I think we should set up camp here for the night. If we leave early enough, we’d be able to hike out three miles, check out the spring and hike back in one, full day. Especially since it stays light out later here. We can still bring gear, but it will lighten our packs quite a bit not to bring everything for camp with us. Does that work for both of you?” Marc asks, making eye contact with both Vlad and I.
Vlad nods and I shrug. With our plans decided, we all hop out of the SUV. Marc directs us to get the necessary items from the trunk, to a cleared area off to the front right, just on the edge of the trees.
The three of us make quick work of moving the camping supplies. Once everything is situated, Marc closes the trunk. I sit on a cooler watching Vlad and Marc wrangle a giant tent into existence. When they finish, a beige and green monstrosity large enough for at least twelve people, if the exterior is any indication, sits in front of our supplies.
I unzip the canvas and step inside to check it out, half expecting it to be some magical tent already filled with separate r
ooms and beds. Unfortunately, it’s just a regular tent and all that’s inside is more canvas.
With a sigh, I step back out onto the dirt outside. The guys are pumping up a couple of air mattresses, so at least we aren’t super roughing it. I sit back down on my cooler, watching the two guys move around efficiently. Inflating the air mattresses then dragging them into the tent. There’s only two, so I’m guessing the sleeping arrangements are the same as yesterday.
Once the air mattresses are situated inside, Marc ushers me forward, “Can you set up the sleeping bags?” He asks, pointing to a couple of rolls outside the tent.
“Of course,” I reply. I jump off the cooler and place the sleeping bags inside the tent, glad to have something to do, no matter how small a task. Stepping back inside the tent, I unroll the sleeping bags—one for Marc on one mattress and two for Vlad and I on the other. I throw the covers in the corner then exit the tent once more.
It’s starting to get dark outside, but thankfully Marc has moved on to building a fire. He has a small blaze going and is adding sticks to build it higher. Searching nearby, I pick up a few twigs, gathering some extra fuel for our fire that I’m sure we’ll need later.
I step just outside the dirt of the parking lot, but Vlad’s voice intercepts me before I’m able to continue. “Don’t go into the woods. We don’t know what’s out there... it might not be safe.”
Nodding, I return to the fire with my measly pile of twigs and add them to the stack Marc has already created. I sit in one of the folding chairs that was found amongst our camping supplies and Marc and Vlad soon join me, offering a freeze-dried meal.
We eat in companionable silence as the sun sets and the fire creates long shadows in the dark. “Are the wolves going to join us here?” I direct the question to Vlad.