Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2020 14:40:27 +0000 From: Karl M. Subject: Painter's Protege Chapter 2: Give In... This is a work of fiction that takes place in a world of my imagination only. The ages of the characters involved are up to my readers. Any comments, feedback and suggestions are welcome! Please send them to moonlitrain@protonmail.com. Chapter 2: Give In... Suffice to say, the next painting lesson for my young protege was a source of trepidation for me. Given the intensely erotic kiss we had shared, totally to my shock and surprise, it was probably understandable that I worried about our next meeting. Along with that worry was, of course, the undeniable and powerful desire that Tim sent rushing through my body every time I thought about him. The memory of his strong, lean young body pressing into mine and his delicate, roseate lips and soft pink tongue running over mine was like some kind of addictive substance. I could push those desires away, but it was a battle that was difficult to fight. I also wondered how he might react to me on our next meeting. I pulled into the elegant circular area in front of the towering portico that stood at the entrance to the grand mansion that my youthful student called home. As usual, I made my way in via the side entrance for which I had a key. After winding down long, marble floored corridors I found myself in the specially constructed art studio where Tim painted. It was flooded with natural light from large windows placed all around and was ideal for painting throughout the day. The sun pouring into the window caught the spun gold fire of Tim's hair as he concentrated on blocking in an area of the painting on which he was working. Hearing my footsteps on the marble, he looked up. Instead of hurt or discomfort, all I saw was a bright smile and the eager light in his eyes. Odd, I thought, but decided it was best not to question it at the moment. He motioned me over to the easel. "Well? What d'you think? I think it looks pretty good." The painting was a dream-like landscape and it had a wistful, haunted quality to the imagery that I was drawn to. I could see where Tim needed some pointers on blending. "Overall I think you're on track, but there are always a few areas to go over. Remember, paintings are never truly done, just as done as they'll ever get." Smiling his stunning smile, Tim nodded his understanding. I had decided not to push my luck, so we got down to discussing the painting and I began showing him some more advanced techniques for understanding how to lay down the initial blocks of colour. Again I wondered why he wasn't acting at all tense or nervous, seeming to be as relaxed as he'd been before our fateful kiss. We worked for about an hour before laying our brushes down and standing back to examine our handiwork. I patted him on the back. "Looks tremendous! I think we made progress." Glancing across at me, there was a shift in the expression on the fine, delicate features of his angular face. "Will...can we talk? I mean...about what happened the last time?" Here it is, I thought, but simply said that he knew he could talk to me about anything. Composing himself, he took a deep breath. "I am still sorry that happened how it did but I'm not sorry that it did. I don't care if its wrong or bad or I don't know what I'm doing because it felt so good and I want it." I considered my words carefully. "I believe that you have strong feelings about me, Tim. I believe that you enjoyed the kiss but...even if you consent to it, it doesn't matter. I'd still be in trouble." A gleam came into his eyes, a gleam that spoke of determination and confidence. "Sure if anyone were to question our relationship. Who's gonna do that? Me? My parents trust you and if I don't say a word, who's gonna know?" I let out a deep shivering sigh. "I'll know. I will know that I am doing something that is seen as a terrible thing." There was a set to Tim's elfin features and he arched an eyebrow at me. "A) If you were forcing me into something, it would be terrible but you wouldn't be. B)how other people see it is their problem, not yours." Without wanting to cause hurt, I tried to phrase a reply that was mature and responsible. "Do you understand the implications of what you'd be asking of me, Tim? Even if I were to agree, if anyone did somehow find out, you would likely never see me again and the consequences would be serious." The one thing I had learned about this beautiful, whip smart lad was that he didn't easily give up and this situation was no exception. "Of course I understand! I spent hours worrying about it, Will but I want you so bad it aches. Please. Just please, even once. We'd never have to do anything again, not ever if you just let me...let me be with you once!" There was such a painful catch in his voice, such an aching yearning in his crystalline blue-grey eyes that I felt my heart momentarily seize in my chest. My resolve which had been tenuous at best was rapidly crumbling into a dusty pile on the floor. "Tim...I...shit. Yes. Once, just once. I will. We have to pick the time and the place carefully, but yes." He fairly leaped across the room and wrapped his strong, lean body around mine. I felt his warmth and the smoothness of his skin on mine, the slide of clever fingers down my arms and then our lips met. This time the kiss was deep, full and utterly satisfying as our mouths melted into one another's. Our tongues slid and danced, flickering and licking before I broke it off with a gentle stroke of his long neck with my hand. "Steady on there! Like I said, we need to think carefully about when this can happen. Remember - only once!" He took his hand in mine and gave it a hard squeeze. "Okay, okay just once. How about we both think about what will work and talk about in the next time we have a tutorial?" I agreed and with the tension (somewhat) dissolved in the room, we were able to return to working on the painting. My heart was hammering in my chest and my mind kept racing, but truly I would not have been able to maintain my resistance for long. I was equal parts terrified and full of a wild flame of intense want that threatened to completely consume me. The possibility of finally fulfilling one of my deepest and longest held fantasies was almost too huge for me to fully contemplate. As I would discover, it was to be an experience that would shape me in ways that were profound and powerful.