L'Arte dell'Amore (Not Edited)

XXXIII

Vincent smiled as he brushed the tendrils of hair away from her face. His rough thumb rubbing her cheeks, feeling them warm under his touch. As if Vincent had burned her.

They had just woken up. The days of the trip coming to an end.

Lavender blushed again as his thumb lowered to her chin. Pushing her face upwards, Vincent watched as unknown desire pooled in her eyes.

His gaze fell upon her lips, as did hers to his. Lavender's breath hitched and her full lips fell open as a soft sound escaped. Vincent's thumb rubbed gently along the bottom of her plump lips.

Lavender's heart was clawing inside of her chest. The feelings consuming her body with a rapid fire that seared any doubt that this was wrong. There was no way it could be wrong. Vincent had to use all his strength to control himself and leaned down.

Lavender leaned in, ready. She had never kissed anyone, but Lavender was ready. So painfully ready.

Vincent leaned forward, his warm lips kissed the flesh of her forehead. Lavender blushed in embarrassment, she pouted as well.

"Not yet. I want you to be ready." Vincent spoke in a deep voice. The sound slightly rasping with the heated passion of that moment. Lavender nodded and buried her face into his chest.

"I am-" Lavender mumbled against his warm body, his hand rubbing the length of her back in a comforting manner.

"Shhh.. let's get ready, my sweet girl." Vincent said as he reached for her suitcase.

Lavender blushed again when she realized how close they were to kissing. Sitting down on the bed, Lavender pulled out the dress she wore to the Christmas party. She liked the purple color, and the way the small white flowers almost appeared as dots. If one was not close enough.

Not long after getting ready, Lavender found herself walking beside Victoria. Making her way through the museum's entrance and up the grand marble staircase.

"We are getting lunch after this, and we can go to some of the shops, if you want." Victoria said as Lavender glanced back over to her friend. 

Nodding quickly, Lavender was already becoming nervous about the seminar that Vincent was delivering that night. But she was anxious all night. Her head pounding thinking about the phone call with her mother.

When the trip was over, Lavender would go home. Not home with Vincent. To her mother, she had to.

Vincent watched the way Lavender stuck to herself and nodded at Victoria occasionally. He understood that she was probably anxious about the upcoming event. With that being concluded, he headed over to his angel. His goddess.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" His voice was sultry and smooth, everything about it screamed dominance, but it only seemed to calm Lavender.

Nodding, Lavender picked at her fingers and gazed back up towards the painting.

Venus of Urbino

"Take a breath, baby. Titian's perfected perception of Venus through this piece is astounding." Vincent continued talking, hoping the conversation would lighten her nerves.

His hand finding its way to her back, the small reassuring pats warmed Lavender's anxious heart.

"I think people misjudge artwork like this as e-erotic because of n-nudity, but it's not like that. I don't know if this makes sense, but to me it's portraying a sense of serene calmness and relaxation."

Lavender realized that she probably made no sense and began to shake her head.

"That makes no sense-" Her voice cracked a bit and she looked down at the ground.