The Emperor: Secrets Bared
Page 2
"It fascinates me. Men and women making love in passionate ways is a joy to create.” His voice dropped an octave. “Women are interesting creatures in and of themselves. You have the joy of procreation. To bring another life into the world. I don't see it X-rated to sculpt such an extraordinary thing. Without love, without passion, where would we be? We need it, as badly as we need water. Passion is what makes us good at our job. It makes us good at what's important. To me the nude form, be it male or female, is beauty. Pure and simple. Thankfully Marie, my agent, feels the same way.” Then he angled his head slightly and asked, “Do you find making love vulgar, Lori? Does the nude form put you off or is it a thing to cherish?"
She was speechless. He was so fervent about his work, so deep. She had no idea. Lori sat up a little straighter. “I find making love an intimate thing, to be shared between two people deeply in love. That love should be handled with care. Otherwise, someone invariably gets hurt."
He was quiet for a moment as if absorbing her words; then he asked, “Has someone hurt you, Lori?"
His question put her on the defensive. “Hasn't everyone been hurt a time or two? It happens. You move on."
"Yes, it happens, but that doesn't make it any less harmful.” Gideon's face hardened. “You don't deserve to be hurt. You deserve to be cherished. Like my statues, you have beauty in you.” He paused and then, “I'd like to sculpt you.” Lori's eyes widened, but Gideon only smiled. “Would you let me? I want to see your passion, Lori."
She was stunned. “You want me to pose? Nude?"
"I would be honored."
"Wow. I don't know what to say."
"Say yes."
She should have been appalled by the idea. She wasn't. Famous artist and sculptor Gideon Adrian wanted her to pose for his next incredible work of art. Well, she had wanted to do something to liven up her life, hadn't she? This was her chance.
"Yes,” Lori rushed out. He smiled, and it made her think of a panther who'd just caught dinner. Her insides quivered.
"We'll start tonight,” he announced, then rose from the booth. After placing some bills on the table, he took her hand, led her out of the bar. Then his words sank in, and she tugged him to a stop.
He turned, a frown creasing his brow. “What?"
"Tonight?"
Gideon winked. “I don't want to wait.” Then he started walking again. She pulled on him once more, and he turned a questioning look her way.
"Gideon, I can't just go home with you and pose. We've only just met!"
Gideon's gaze darkened. “We may have only just met, Lori, but I felt a connection to you the minute I saw you. If you fear me, don't. I promise not to do anything to make you uncomfortable. We can go as slow as you like,” he assured.
She was beginning to feel a little silly. “I'm not afraid,” she avowed. “It's just that ... will you want me nude? I don't think I could do that."
He reached up and stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers, then whispered, “We won't do anything that feels wrong to you, okay?"
She should tell him they could meet sometime during the day, make an appointment for the sittings, or something along those lines. That would be the smart thing to do. The responsible thing.
"Okay."
It was out of her mouth before she could stop it. Butterflies played in her stomach. If only her mother and sister were there to see. They'd both have heart failure! Neither of them was used to their spinsterish Lori being spontaneous, or doing anything risky for that matter.
Gideon Adrian placed her once again inside his sexy Jag, and Lori squirmed with a rush of joy. This was bound to be one for the record books.
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Chapter Three
The bronze statue stood three feet tall on a shiny black pedestal. It depicted a man and woman making love. It was reminiscent of Gideon's other works. With this one, the man was standing, and he was holding the woman in his lap. She had her legs wrapped around his waist. It was titled: Tortured Heart. Curious name for a pair of lovers.
"They're obviously in love, why the name?"
"Are they?” Gideon's brow quirked up. “Look again, Lori, and tell me what you see."
He stared at her, waiting for her answer. She looked back at the statue again.
"The woman's very tall, very thin. Painfully so. The way her hipbones protrude, it looks agonizing. And her face...” She stopped and stared at the woman's expression.
"Go on,” he gently urged. “What about her face?"
"She's ... sad, which seems strange to me."
"Why?"
"Shouldn't she be excited? Swept away by the sheer joy of it? And her hands.” She narrowed her eyes. “They're clutching onto him, digging into his flesh. It looks like it would hurt. It's as if she's afraid he'll drop her, but he's so powerful and strong. She must be as light as air. She's making love, but..."
"But?"
"It looks like she doesn't trust him not to drop her.” She looked over at Gideon. “He's giving her himself completely, but she won't even give him her trust. He's the tortured heart."
Gideon was silent. He stared at her for so long, she was afraid she had offended him. How was she to know what artists were like? Then he grinned, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
"I knew it the moment I laid eyes on you."
"What did you know?” He was making her very uncomfortable under his scrutinizing gaze.
"That you had passion,” he replied simply. “You are the first person to see this sculpture for what it truly is."
Then he took her into another room.
Gideon's house was not what she would have expected of such a wealthy man. He seemed to be living below his means while everyone else struggled to live far above theirs. His home, situated well outside of Cleveland, Ohio, was set far off the road on a long, winding gravel driveway. He had total privacy. All anyone would be able to see of it at the road was several hundred feet of trees. They hid his home like a fortress. When the car had inched closer, she was able to see his home wasn't the mansion she'd envisioned.
It was a sturdy stone and wood two-story with a three-car garage. The wood appeared to be barn siding. It was probably an expensive, treated wood. The house was enchanting with its wraparound porch and privacy. The porch swing stole her heart though. She pictured dozing there on a lazy afternoon, or even cozying up to a good book on a warm summer day.
Lori snatched herself back to the present and concentrated on not smacking into Gideon's back. His strides were much longer than hers, and she was having a hard time keeping up. He walked down a narrow hallway then turned into a room to their right. He flicked a light switch and Lori gasped.
With great cathedral ceilings and a huge wall of windows, the room was breathtaking. At least three times the size of the living room in her apartment. She fell in love with it on sight.
The only light came from a soft muted lamp on an end table. It was difficult to see details. Still, she could make out the gigantic couch situated along the far wall. How could anyone miss that?
She had no idea they even made couches so big. The soft, black suede cushions would swallow her up. The matching chair was nothing to sneeze at either. Then again, Lori figured a man as big as Gideon would need giant-sized furniture.
As her gaze roamed around the room, she spotted a tall wooden stool set directly in front of an artist's easel. That's where she would pose. The floor to ceiling windows behind the easel probably gave him wonderful light during the day. Then a thought struck. He'd brought her to his studio. Relief swamped her as she realized he did indeed intend to keep things professional.
Then her eyes caught sight of something that seemed out of place. An octagon-shaped ottoman softly padded. The purple was like a splash of red on a black and white photo it stood out so much. What would he need that for? Different positions maybe?
Before she could ponder the stools uses, the room was flooded in light and a gentle, sexy music filled the air. Lo
ri quickly forgot about the stool. When she turned, Gideon slowly shut the door. A wicked smile played at the corners of his mouth. A wild need to escape his overwhelming presence engulfed her whole being.
* * * *
Gideon watched Lori attempt to figure out the ottoman. Since he'd had the thing designed specifically for his own needs, there was no way for her to know its real use. As he pictured Lori spread out on the soft, purple fabric, naked, waiting submissively for him to pleasure her, a fire started up in his loins. He needed to get his body under control or he'd only succeed in scaring her away. That was the last thing he wanted. If he played his cards right, he'd have her open and eager very soon. Ready for anything. He ached for her total surrender. Gideon vowed to unlock her hidden passion. Breach all her barriers. One major hurdle was her asshole ex-fiancé.
What kind of man could look at Lori Fontaine and call her frigid? She had more passion in her pinky finger than any woman he'd ever known. When they'd been in the bar, Gideon had gotten angry as he read her thoughts. While she'd replayed her last encounter with Rick-the-dick, he'd had a crazy need to find the man and tear his heart out for hurting Lori. The volatile reaction confused him.
He wasn't a particularly possessive man nor was he overly protective with the women he dated. Lori was different. She awakened an archaic and barbaric need in him to seize and conquer. Immediately, he pictured himself donning a sword and knight's armor. He'd bury the sword to the hilt in Rick's chest, snatch her up, and carry her off on his black Arabian horse. As the victor, he'd ride off to make love to his willing conquest. On the heels of that thought came another. Lori spread out on a bed, ready and waiting for him to claim her.
Gideon wondered where he could get his hands on an array of soft silky scarves. Multicolored as she'd imagined in her mind. He'd wrap them around her delicate wrists and ankles. No cherry wood four-poster, but he'd improvise. He grinned at the delicious thought.
Now all he had to do was wipe the deer caught in the headlights look off her face and get her to feel a tad more comfortable. He wanted to begin the sketches he'd use for the sculpture as soon as possible. He frowned. No way was Lori going nude for the pose. It was too soon. He'd have to start with something different.
Gideon moved away from the door. “Would you care for a drink?"
"Yes, please. A glass of water would be nice."
Her whispery voice slid over his body like a caress. She had no idea the affect she had on him. Between the shy glances and the inviting tone in her voice, he wanted to strip her naked and fuck her right there. Just slam her against the door and drive deeply inside her hot cunt.
To take his mind off sex, Gideon picked up the small black remote which controlled the various components in the room and pushed a button. A corner of the wall opened up to reveal his fully stocked wet bar—sturdy black and steel and his own design. Out of nowhere, another of Lori's thoughts flitted through his mind. I wonder what else that trusty little remote can do. Gideon stifled a grin. She had no idea the many uses for the remote control.
As he poured water for her and a jack and coke for himself, he surreptitiously watched Lori move over to the couch and sit. It swallowed her tiny figure. She looked like a child sitting on his enormous couch.
"Are you comfortable?"
She nodded. “I could drift right off in this thing."
Of course, no woman in her right mind could fall asleep while you're around. The man is so bad for a girl's peace of mind.
Gideon nearly choked. He really shouldn't read her mind, but he was no saint. As she straightened her dress and crossed her legs, he picked up their glasses and went to her. As his shadow fell across her, she looked up.
"You walk very quietly. I didn't even hear you."
"Thank you ... I think,” he said, then handed her the glass of water and sat next to her. They were close, but not touching. It was enough to make him want to yank her off the cushion and plop her on his lap.
As Lori peeked at him from under her lashes, he smiled. Her mind was a jumble of things. She kept wondering why she'd allowed herself to come to his hideaway. She saw herself as logical and realistic. He wanted to prove to her she could be so much more.
"So, tell me what you have in mind, Gideon. I'm not sure what you want me to do. How would you like me?” she blurted out.
Gideon sputtered on his drink. He quirked up an eyebrow. “I'd like you any way I can get you.” As she started to blush and stammer, he took pity on her and explained, “But for now why don't we start slow. You can change over there."
He pointed to another corner of the room.
She frowned. “Nothing's there, just empty space."
He pushed his little black remote, and the corner itself popped away from the wall.
"That's so cool."
He grinned. “It is pretty cool. I have a friend who knows a lot about electronics. He designed it."
"What else does the remote do?"
"Lots of things,” he answered mysteriously; then before she could ask further, he pointed to the room. “There's a dressing room and several outfits to choose from. Pick whatever makes you feel most at ease."
"Uh, I really am out of my element, Gideon,” she said shyly. “I have no idea what I'm doing."
He took her drink out of her hand and laid it on the end table, along with his own. Gideon took her chin in his palm and drew her gaze to his. “You don't have to do a thing. Just sit and look pretty, the rest is up to me.” He looked her over, and murmured, “I would like to see more skin, but you don't have to get naked.” He saw her fear and was quick to reassure her. “I know you aren't comfortable enough with me yet, but I'd like you to go into the dressing room and pick whatever catches your eye. Don't think too hard. Just put it on and come out here. You'll sit on that stool there—” He indicated the tall wooden stool in front of the easel. “—and I'll begin sketching you."
Her relief was tangible. Unbidden came an image of her posed decadently across the purple octagon. Gideon's eyes widened as he realized the image had come from her mind.
Gideon showed her to the small one room dressing area. There was a rack full of silky, shiny outfits, he'd acquired over the years.
She quirked a brow at him. “Past girlfriends?"
He chuckled. “No. These are used for models only. And they're always sent out to be cleaned after each use."
"Pick what feels right to you, Lori. Take your time. I'll be ready whenever you are."
As she nodded and turned to the rack to survey the clothing, his mind saw her stripping out of the dress. Gideon had to force himself to leave her alone. Knowing she'd soon be bare, a mere few feet away wasn't helping his situation any either. As his pants became uncomfortably tight again, he wondered how he was supposed to get through the sketch.
He picked up his drink and swallowed the last of the liquid in one gulp. No doubt about it, he had a very long and uncomfortable evening to look forward to if he didn't get her past her reservations. The thought of driving her home without sampling her body first wasn't the way he wanted it to be. If he had anything to say about it, he'd spend the entire night showing her just how hot she could get. By the time morning came around, she'd know exactly what her body was capable of, and her ex-fiancé's nasty “frigid” remark would be a distant memory.
First, he had to follow through on the sketch. Then the seduction would begin.
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Chapter Four
Drawn immediately to the purple gown, Lori took it off the rack and held it up. It stood out from all the blacks, reds, and whites. It was extremely revealing. Certainly nothing like her old flannels she had at home.
It had full billowy sleeves of see-through lace with a matching lace bodice. There was no back to speak of, leaving her bare to the waist. The translucent bit of purple silk was floor length, and it was beautiful. She thought of the stool. “He apparently loves the color purple."
"Well, Lori, here goes nothing."
She turned back around and slipped into the nightgown. Lastly, she took out her hair clip and let her hair simply cascade down her back. She ran her hands through it once, and she was done.
Before she could talk herself out of it, she left the safety of the dressing room and walked into Gideon's studio. Only this time, she was displaying every detail of her body, without the concealing help of the color black or the fantastic gravity-fighting bra.
Gideon saw her from across the room and began striding toward her. Lori kept her eyes to the floor in an unconsciously shy gesture, but when she felt his strong callused fingers tipping her chin upward, she took a deep breath and looked directly into his intense blue eyes.
* * * *
"You are more beautiful than I'd ever imagined, Lori,” Gideon growled as he looked her over from head to toe. Lori became more nervous than ever, but he couldn't seem to help himself; he had to get his fill.
Her breasts were full and heavy. They lay against her body, rising and falling with her quick breaths, tempting him beyond measure. They would fit perfectly in his large palms. His eyes trailed lower to her nipped in waist, then the flare of her full womanly hips and thighs. Her legs were strong and lean, not too skinny, just right for a man his size.
The purple nightgown fit as if made for her. It was nearly transparent and he could barely make out her dark brown nipples and the soft dark thatch of curls at the juncture of her thighs. He loved the way the purple seemed to caress her skin.