salvia. [h.s. AU]

Chapter Twenty Nine

Harry Styles

I spent the whole day in the studio today, but it was worth it.

I've finally finished the natural pool painting.

Well, I use the term "finally" very loosely here - usually, realistic painting takes more than a month to get ready, but I was so inspired by Maria, it took me less time than expected.

Besides, I'm starting to feel really excited about exposing my artwork again. Looking at the final result of this one painting, it's clear to me how much I've matured as a painter, even without realizing it. It's crazy, to think that until three months ago I wasn't being able to finish anything that I'd start, not even a fucking flower for fucks sake, and now I'm here painting 6 feet tall canvases in less than a month.

And it's all because of her.

Maria.

Always, Maria.

I wasn't expecting to have the whole afternoon to myself today, but she called after the cooking class to let me know her brother showed up and she was going to have some bonding time with him. I tried not to sound too whiny on the phone and not show how disappointed I was to know we wouldn't have the last alone time I was planning for today.

I mean, of course we're going to be alone on lots of other occasions, but the thing is, my granny arrives from the UK tonight. Her flight is expected to land around 9 p.m, and I'm going to pick her up at the airport. Hence, today is the last day where Maria and I can be alone in my house, at least for a while.

Not that I was planning anything special, I just wanted to spend some time with her. I don't want to sound creepy, but being alone with her has been the best part of my days lately. I'm not even talking about the slow, sexual advances we're making together, although they're really good, but the domestic little routine we've fallen onto ever since my granny travelled and Maria moved in.

When it's cooking class day, I try to paint as much as I can during the day, so when Maria arrives around 6 p.m, I can give her all my attention. We usually watch a movie or just hang out by the pool, sharing a beer while I smoke a cigarette, talking about our day, our thoughts, our hopes and dreams. I feel really close to her when we're bonding like this, even closer than when I have my face shoved between her legs.

On the other days, when she's supposed to cook, we hang out in the studio almost the whole day. She only leaves the studio to cook something quick for us to eat, but for most part of the day, she's laying on the couch in the studio, reading a book, scribbling something or studying some cooking handout she took from the public library, while I paint, the both of us in silence, just humming along the music that's now always present in my studio.

It's peaceful, quiet and so, so heartwarming.

But today her brother stole that from me, so I got stuck the whole day in the studio painting and thinking of her. I started a new piece this afternoon, the one where she posed for me completely nude a couple of weeks ago. Just thinking about that day gives me half a boner, but I'm deliberately ignoring it - it's not professional.

The sun is still shining outside, but it's already 7pm, which means I'll have to leave soon to go get my granny - her flight is supposed to land at 9, and the airport is around 40 minutes from here. I wonder if I'll get to see Maria and enjoy a little alone time with her before I leave.

As if hearing my thoughts, suddenly, there's a knock on the studio door, and even though Maria doesn't usually knock, my heart jolts in my chest with the possibility of being her.