Chapter 10: Chapter 10

I was downstairs, mindlessly making breakfast when heavy footsteps broke me from my trance. I glanced over to see Mr. Wolfe walking down, shirtless. I turned my attention back to the food as he made his way over to me.

 

“You better be making enough for Lydia too.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “And I’m mightly hungry. Enough so I could eat for two people.”

 

“I’m sure I’m making plenty, but I can always make more.” I set the mixing bowl down on the counter.

 

“I could smell the split cologne. The room smelled like it last night.”

 

“I’m sorry, Mr.-Marco.” I cleared my throat, turning to face him. “He got into it when I was cleaning the shower. I don’t know if I can pay for a replacement, but…” I trailed off.

 

“It's alright.” He smiled. I was surprised to see him taking it so well. “Why don’t we do something tonight?”

 

My eyes widened slightly at the question. Despite my rejection, he was still trying to pursue me, it seemed. “I--I have the art show tonight.” I shook my head weakly. “So I can't.

 

“That’s fine. I’ll go with you instead. We’ll leave Lark with Kendall.

---

“Thanks for agreeing to come with me.” I glanced over at Mr. Wolfe. “I suppose I did want some company, so worse case, I can just sit in the corner and talk, rather than mingle with strangers.”

 

“Do you not like talking to strangers?”

 

“I usually don’t mind, but when my art is the subject…I prefer not to.” I shifted the painting to under my other arm. I took a deep breath. “You’re probably going to have to meet my ex tonight.”

 

“Are you excited?” He raised an eyebrow at me.

 

“Excited about having my art featured and possibly selling it for more than I could any other place, sure. Seeing Alder again...not in the slightest.”

 

“Then don’t talk to him.” He stated simply.

 

“Unfortunately, I don’t have a choice. He’s the only reason I even got a chance to do this.”

 

“I think you would’ve gotten a chance without him. You just need to show your art more often.”

 

“I can’t even make new art at your place.” I swallowed roughly. I felt so uncreative, only doing school projects since moving in. 

 

We finally arrived at the art gallery. I told the doorman who we were and was let in. I glanced over at Mr. Wolfe for a moment, before walking up the stairs where Alder was standing, talking to a few people. I cleared my throat slightly, trying to get his attention. 

 

Alder looked over at me, a smirk forming on his face. “Ah, nice to see you made it, Lili. Let me see what you’ve brought.” I pulled the protector off of the painting before holding it up for him. I looked over as Mr. Wolfe stepped next to me, eyeing Alder. “Awww.” He smiled as his eyes lingered on certain parts of the painting. “I see you still use yourself as the model for your art.”

 

I chewed my lip, nodding slowly. “Yeah…So, is it good enough for the show?”

 

“I mean, I shouldn’t turn you away now. Not after it was set up.” Alder took a deep breath.

 

“I’d hope not. You just told me to bring something I like. This is one of my more recent ones. I thought it’d be fine?” I shrugged weekly, lowering the painting.

 

“It is fine.” Alder nodded.

 

“Should I, uh, give it to you or someone else?”

 

“I’ll take it.” He held his hands out.

 

I slowly handed it to him, before looking around the gallery. “So...how’s teaching?”

 

“Great. Too bad you left.”

 

I wrapped my arms around my waist. “I didn’t really have a choice.”

 

“Sure. You made your choice, though.”

 

“You helped in that decision.” I looked back over at him.

 

“I never told you to leave.”

 

I shook my head. “It doesn't matter now.”

 

“Correct. It doesn’t. I just figured you’d be over that by now.”

 

“It’s been-what? A month?”

 

“So you should be over it.” He raised an eyebrow at me.

 

“Yeah.” I looked away. “I’ll see you later, Alder. I wanna look around before other people show up.”

---

I glanced over as Alder walked up to me. “What happened to your friend?”

 

“Bathroom…? I think…?” I raised an eyebrow. “I can, like, text him and ask.”

 

“You and him aren’t together. I can tell. But you also don’t seem like you’ve known him long.”

 

“He’s my new boss.”

 

“Are you close to him?” He crossed his arms.

 

“I don’t know.” I shrugged weakly. “Sometimes?”

 

“I’m not surprised. By his age he seems perfect for you.”

 

I crossed my arms. “If you just came to antagonize me, Alder, just leave.”

“You don’t want to talk?”

 

“To you? Not really, no. I appreciate the opportunity you’ve given me tonight, but I don’t really want to talk.”

 

“I mean, you’re here because of me. I do think I deserve a ‘thank you’ for being as generous as I was.”

 

I took a deep breath. “Thanks, Alder.”

 

“That was a little less than expected.” He raised an eyebrow.

 

“Thank you, Alder.” I turned to face him fully. “Really. I’ve been losing my passion for art, and this has helped. So thank you.”

 

“Seeing me was probably help enough.” He shrugged.

 

“Get off your high horse, Alder.”

 

“I really feel the appreciation.”

 

“You’ve pushed your luck too far. I know you came over to see how many buttons of mine you can press, but I’m not in the mood for it today. So try your luck somewhere else.”

 

“I hope your art gets better.” He turned away from me. “I mean, I could've helped with that. But you left.”

 

“Didn’t really want to stay in a school when my professor was my ex.”

 

“I could’ve been a big help for you.”

 

“I’m sure you think so. I’m also sure me think fucking you again would help me in some way.”

 

“Probably.” He smiled.

 

“Get lost, Alder.” I crossed my arms, looking away.

 

“Aren’t you wondering what people are thinking about your piece?”

 

“No. I’m not.” I looked back over at him.

 

“Fine.” He shrugged. “Not even if it’s all positive?”

 

“I just want someone to buy it, really.” 

 

“Then I’ll let you know if that happens.” He turned to walk away.

 

“Thanks.” I spoke quietly. 

 

I waited a while longer, upset that Mr. Wolfe was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps he stepped out to take a call. Or he found another pretty girl to take home instead of me.

 

“Wade.” I looked over at a woman pulling on an older man’s arm. He looked like he couldn’t be any less interested in being here. I smiled slightly, it quickly fading as she pulled him over to my painting. I stepped slightly closer so I could overhear them.

 

“What is this?” The girl looked it up and down. The man, ‘Wade’, seemed to inspect it as well. “By some girl, I guess.” She scoffed.

 

“It looks pretty nice.” Wade stated.

 

“Really?” The girl raised an eyebrow slightly. “I mean, yeah.” She laughed, sounding fake as fuck. 

 

“She must be here.” He looked around, his gaze scanned over me as well as the other people. I rubbed my arm and waved weakly as his eyes stopped on me.

 

“You made this?” He motioned to the painting. The girl eyed me angrily, clinging to his arm tighter.

 

I nodded slightly. “Uh, yeah. That’s my work.” I took a couple of steps forward.

 

“It looks good. You’re selling it?”

 

“Yeah.” I nodded, trying to make sure he didn’t think of me as being too desperate to sell it. “I’m willing to, at least.”

 

“It’s something I’d expect an artist to keep.” He looked at it again. “How much would you take?”

 

“Uh…” I trailed off. “Can I ask my…friend real quick?”

 

“Sure.” He raised an eyebrow slightly.

 

“Thanks.” I flashed him a smile before power walking over to where Alder was standing. “Alder. Can I borrow you a sec?”

 

“What is it?” He tilted his chin up.

 

“How much should I sell my painting for? How much should I ask for it?”

 

“You didn’t have a price in mind? Really?” He raised an eyebrow.

 

“No…” I rubbed my arm. “I honestly didn’t think anyone would want it. Who wants a painting of a naked chick to put in their living room?”

 

“Just ask for two fifty then.” He shrugged.

 

“Alright. Thanks.” I smiled slight, trying around. As I did, I could see him smile in the side of my eye. I turned back around to face him. “Something funny?”

 

“That’s all your art’s worth.” He smirked at me, tilting his chin up.

 

I looked down. “Thanks for being an asshole, Alder. Just when I thought we could be civil.”

 

“You asked.” He shrugged. “I gave you my honest answer.”

 

I shook my head and walked away, back over to the man. “I’m taking three hundred. But I am...needed elsewhere. If you want to buy it, you can talk to the man over there about it.” I motioned toward Alder.

 

“Three hundred?” He stared at me in slight amazement. “That’s it? Or do you mean that’s the lowest you’ll go?”

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“Three’s enough. My name’s not worth more.”

 

“I was willing to pay much more.” He raised an eyebrow.

 

“It’s fine. Three’s enough.” I looked over at the exit door, just wanting to leave the conversation.

 

“Then I suppose that’s all I’ll pay.” The man shrugged.

 

“I need to go. I’m sure I’ll see you off with it, if you do end up buying it.”

 

He watched me for a moment, before shaking his head and turning back to the painting.

 

I took a deep breath, before pushing the door open and walking into the alleyway of the art gallery. I wanted to just go home, to rip my painting off of the wall and go to bed. I wrapped my arms around my waist. 

 

“You want one?” I jumped as someone talked to me. I looked over to see a man, probably a few years older, leaning against the wall. He was smoking casually. Probably one of the artists.

 

“I…” I trailed off. “No. I just quit last month. Don’t need to start up again.”

 

“Too bad.” He shrugged. “You’re missing out then.”

 

“I could really use one right now. But I know if I give myself that, next thing I know I’ll be passed out in some stranger’s bed all drugged up.”

 

“What’s so bad about that?”

 

“Don’t want to lose my job. I’ve got one too many strikes with my boss already.” I shrugged slightly.

 

“Jobs aren’t too important.” He looked away. “I thought you were one of the artists.”

 

“I am.” I nodded weakly. “I'm just not really an artist. I just knew someone who got me into the show.”

 

“Then what are you doing out here?”

 

“Aren't you an artist too? What are you doing out here? Don't give me the talk if you're doing the same thing.” I raised an eyebrow. 

 

“Hey, I wasn’t about to give you any talk. I hate people, especially the pompous asses in there. I can understand needing to get away from them. I just thought someone like you would like the attention.”

 

“Not exactly.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “I'd much rather be out here smoking with Mr. Edgy.”

 

“That sounded sarcastic.”

 

“No, no. If a guy like you had walked into my life a year ago, I would’ve done anything to end up in your bed that night.”

 

“Not now?”

 

“I mean, if my life was less complicated, sure. But you’re bad news and I need only good news right now.”

 

“I won’t disagree.” He shrugged. “You’re Lili, I assume.”

 

I nodded. “Yep. That's me.”

 

“Your painting is good.”

 

“Thanks.” I shrugged.

 

“Tired of hearing that?”

 

“Not at all.” I smiled slightly. “I just…” I took a deep breath, shaking my head. “Never mind.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“My ex's being a cunt.” I looked over at him. “Tall skinny guy? Thinks he's better than everyone?”

 

“Alder. Got it.” He smiled. “Why would you ever date that guy?”

 

“Because I was stupid? And had too many daddy issues to ever get a good boyfriend?”

 

“I mean, I can see it.” He nodded.

 

I shrugged. “He's a shit bag. But I even knew it back then. Guess I'm just a sucker for pain.”

 

“Aren’t we all?” He walked over to sit beside me. “You sure you don’t want one?” He offered the pack to me again.

 

I took a deep breath before reaching out and taking one. I put it in my mouth before leaning forward to let him light it. “Thanks.” I looked over at him. 

 

“I’m Johnny, by the way.” 

 

“Lili.” I laughed. “Virgil. So that at least I'm saying something we didn't already say.”

 

“It’s nice to meet you, Lili Virgil. Especially now that I’ve already seen your bare body.”

 

I laughed. “I mean, sort of. I think the painting might be a bit better than the real thing.”

 

“I could critique both for you.” He smiled.

 

I cracked a smile. “You want to be the owner of the stranger’s bed I wake up in?”

 

“I mean, I’m not really a stranger anymore. Do I still qualify?”

 

I shrugged, leaning against the wall so I could face him fully. “So, what’s your art? What’d you bring?”

 

“Just some edgy painting. You know, black and red splatters.” He laughed. “No, there are some chains in there too.”

 

“Maybe some whips and gags and hair pulling too?”

 

“Could always be added.” He smiled.

 

“Need some reference photos?”

 

“Could be helpful. I hope you’re willing.”

 

“And who said I was volunteering?” I leaned forward slightly, smirking.

 

“It was your suggestion.”

 

“That’s what google’s for, right?”

 

“Not as good as the real thing. Art is about knowing the feeling.”

 

“I don’t know. I did a lot of fucking for a month and it didn’t seem to bring any of my passion back.” I looked away. “Maybe it wasn’t with the right person though.” I looked back over at him.

 

“You always need the right help. Or else it’s a waste of time.”

 

“Need the right challenge.”

 

“That’s a better way of putting it.” He laughed.

 

I took a deep breath. “I have no idea why I’m saying this, but...do you want to blow this pop stand?”

 

“I have been waiting for that question for hours now. Please. Let’s get out of here.”

 

“Wait. Hold up. Now I’m not sure I’m willing to go anywhere now. Waiting for some chick to pick you up. I’m just another one to you.”

 

“Hey, I only said I was waiting for someone to say that. You were a lucky catch, much more than I could hope for.”

 

I laughed. “I don’t think I’d care either way. Kinda at a low at this point. I mean, you’re a catch too. Better than going back with Alder.”

 

“Okay, I’m a lot better than going back with Alder.” He smiled.

---

Johnny didn’t even wait for the door to fully close as he wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed me. His foot kicked the door closed as he pushed me further into the apartment, not once breaking away from the kiss. He grabbed the bottom of my shirt and pulled it up before discarding it.

 

“Already liking the real thing better than the painting. But like I said, the feeling is what really matters.” He smiled before kissing me again.

 

“I think,” I spoke between the breaths he allowed me, “you’re just trying to,” I spoke again, “distract me from your mess,” I inhaled, “of an apartment.”

 

“What mess?” He laughed as he pushed me onto the bed. Well, more like a mattress on the ground. “Don’t worry about the rest of this place.” He pulled his shirt off before moving on top of me.

 

“Got any roommates I’ve got to be quiet for?” I began to unbutton his pants.

 

“No. I live alone.” 

 

“Amazing.” I smiled up at him in contentment.

 

“I plan to take full advantage of it.” Johnny smirked, pulling his shirt over his own head. I couldn’t help but admire his lean body covered in tattoos. His looks were literally to die for. Totally my type. 

 

Johnny crawled onto the bed, one knee between my legs, almost as if keeping that access for himself. He leaned forward, running his fingers up my neck before tangling them into my hair as he took hold, pulling my head back slightly as he crept over me, leaving me in anticipation.  He leaned down and pressed his lips against mine, dipping his tongue into my mouth as our tongues danced against each other. His other hand moved to my back, between my shoulder blades, and propped me up to press me against his chest. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears.

 

His hand that propped me up moved, dropping me back down into the pillow as his hand snaked around my body and into my bra, his fingers playing gently with my nipple. His other hand untangled itself from my hair and began to undo my bra, never moving away from the kiss. 

 

He moved back as he removed the bra, looking down at me with a smile. “Def better than the painting.” Johnny chuckled.

 

I could feel the fan air against my hot skin, not realizing until now how flush I was. Johnny moved his knee from between my legs to on either side of them, now straddling me. We repositioned, so he was under my legs, his jeans pressing against the fabric of my skirt, against my crotch. I could feel that he was already hard.

 

I reached forward to pop open the button of his pants and unzip them as he watched me intently. Johnny moved so he could remove them completely. He pressed himself against me, moving my skirt out of the way so the only thing keeping up apart with our underwear.

 

“Should I take the skirt off?” I asked, ready to remove it if requested.

 

“Leave it on. It’s hot.” He reassured me, his free hand stroking himself a couple times. “You ready?”

 

I nodded, prompting him to remove my underwear in one swift motion, leaving my inner warmth open to the cool air. My stomach did a somersault during the assault. Johnny removed his boxers, leaving him bare for me to survey. He was incredibly hot, and I made sure to let him know it.

 

I grabbed right below the head of his dick. He was warm to the touch. I lined him up, before releasing, allowing him to thrust inside of me, filling me up nicely. I let out a moan as he pushed in fully. My eyes roamed up his chest to his face to see a goofy smile, causing me to laugh.

 

“What?” The smile never left his face.

 

“Nothing, nothing.” I shook my head, still smiling.

 

He began to pick up the pace of the thrusts, causing my breasts to move to the rhythm, something Johnny seemed to enjoy as he watched. Eventually get grabbed one, kneading it in his hand gently, before bending down to take my nipple in my mouth. 

 

He shifted once more, putting his arms under my legs and lifting, pulling me farther down onto the bed and pushing my legs apart more. He pushed himself against me fully, taking advantage of the space. He began to pick up speed, making my breath quicken and catch. 

 

Johnny’s hand slid down my breast and down to my crotch, where I could feel his fingers glide, alerting me of how wet I was. He began to rub my clit while continuing to thrust. I could feel my muscles tense up as he threw my head back onto the pillow behind me.

 

I couldn’t help but arch my back, pressing against him harder than before. I wrapped my arms around his lower back, holding onto him tightly. Johnny lowered himself against me, his eyes gazing into mine before he moved in for another kiss while he thrust slower and deeper than before. He bit my lower lip as he pulled back, drawing a bit of blood. I threw my head back once more, squeezing my eyes shut as I grinded against him, feeling a wave of pleasure washed over me. My muscles seemed to all relax at the same moment as he pulled out, leaving a pool of warmth on my stomach.

 

After a while, I finally opened my eyes, looking over to see him laying next to me with a crooked smile on his face. Eventually, our breathing returned to normal and after we cleaned up, we both crashed into the bed, ready for a good sleep.

 

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