Always, Lily

▫️ Eighteen

LILITH

His hands moved skillfully around the clay as he moulded yet another round bowl.

I had been staring at him work for the past ten minutes, not daring to join him in the activity.

"You can try it now," Lorenzo beckoned me to where he was working at and I shook my head in protest.

"I'll spoil the pattern again," I pointed at the damage I had made, still shaking my head.

We were at a small workroom where Lorenzo was trying to teach me some of his pottery skills.

He had mentioned about his interest in ceramics so I'd suggested we do this during our free time.

It was regarding the promise I'd made him a few days back about doing something he loved, to take his mind off work.

We had started out well, though I hadn't learned a single thing for the one hour we'd been here and I could only blame my hands.

While Lorenzo was excellently curving out the shapes, I had spoiled three of his almost finished works thus my reluctance to join him.

He was so professional at this and I was in awe of his great skills. His designs were so perfect, even though he insisted this was just another hobby of his.

"I'll direct you this time," Lorenzo softly called with pleading eyes and I eventually gave in, taking small steps towards him.

I stood beside him and before we began, I whispered, "I'm sorry for ruining the previous vases." They had been so perfect.

"We can always make new ones," Lorenzo moved to stand behind me and his hands curved over my own as he directed me on what to do.

He did most of the work since I was very busy paying attention to the movement of his fingers around mine.

I had counted two scar marks on his hands and a small birth mark on his left lower arm.

His fairly hairy arms appeared as hard as stone and I watched how his arm muscles flexed.

"Paying attention is key, Venesse." My eyes widened when he suddenly whispered into my right ear.

I shivered at the huskiness of his voice and when he didn't make a move to pull away, I turned my head to face him.

He was leaning into me, too close that I could feel his warm breath on the side of my neck.

My eyes lifted to his, knots tying in my stomach when I looked into his light green eyes.

His masculine chest lightly pressed my back and my cheeks warmed when his shirtless form popped up in my thoughts.

Lorenzo's gaze flickered all over my face at my changing expressions and I quickly looked away, blushing further.

I tried to distract myself but my eyes settled on his open upper chest, where a bit of skin was visible.

I bit my lower lip and stared for a few seconds longer but quickly looked away when I felt him shift on his feet.

I stared past his shoulders but like a magnet, his eyes pulled mine to his.

"Let's continue," I whispered after some seconds of staring and this time I paid attention till our first vase was complete.

"I think I can make the next one on my own," I passed Lorenzo a playful glance and he held back a smile.

"So confident?" I nodded and walked around to start working on the other end, Lorenzo watching me in every step.