The Art of Love [Hedon Falls 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read online

  David leaned forward and kissed her. His lips pressed firmly against hers and he stroked her tongue gently with his. She wrapped her arms around him, too, and held him close. She didn’t want to let him go and she felt the tears beginning to roll down her cheeks. She had missed him so much more than she realized. With a gasp, she pulled away from his mouth. Her tears fell faster, and she buried her head against his neck.

  “Melanie, what’s wrong?” David asked. He stroked her hair gently.

  Melanie didn’t trust herself to speak and just shook her head.

  “Let me put you down, sweetheart,” he said as he pulled out of her.

  Melanie loosened her legs and slid them down to the floor. David sat down against the wall and pulled her onto his lap. When he wrapped his arms around her again, she leaned into him and put her head on his shoulder. She didn’t understand why she was so emotional, except that she was terrified he would leave her again. Part of her was appalled at how needy she was acting, but most of her just couldn’t help it.

  “David,” she said once her sobs had slowed a bit. “I’m confused.”

  He caressed her arms and back. “What are you confused about?”

  Melanie took a deep, shuddering breath. “I’m confused because I have very strong feelings for you, even after being away from you. But I care so much about Justin and Garrett as well.”

  “Who’s Justin?” David asked.

  Fuck. Melanie thought back to the scene the night he left. She had only mentioned Garrett. Perfect. He thought I was a slut when it was just one other guy. The tears began falling more quickly again and she felt like she couldn’t breathe. She didn’t want to have full-blown hysterics, but she couldn’t seem to calm herself down.

  David’s arms tightened around her. “Don’t be upset, Melanie,” he said. “I’m not going anywhere.” How he guessed the direction of her thoughts, she didn’t know, but before she could think any more about it, he spoke again. “I was an asshole the last time I saw you,” he said. “I didn’t stop to hear you out. I only thought about myself. I’ve been miserable the last few weeks. I’ve missed you so much. Please, let’s talk more rationally.” He tucked his hand under her chin and tilted her face up so she stared into his deep-brown eyes. “But you need to calm down before we can talk.” He kissed her tenderly.

  Melanie took a couple of deep breaths. It’s okay, you can do this. “Justin is the other artist, besides you and Garrett, who is going to have work for the exhibit.”

  “Did you meet with him after Garrett?” David asked.

  “Before you,” she told him. She took another deep breath and slowly exhaled. “He’s young, and French, and very passionate. He had me down on the floor within five minutes. It was kind of crazy and I was really upset after. Especially because we didn’t use condoms and I was panicked about getting pregnant or getting a disease.”

  “He didn’t force you, did he?” David asked sharply.

  Melanie shook her head. “He didn’t force me. I wanted it, badly. It just happened so fast that it took me by surprise. I’m not normally like that.”

  “It was different with me,” he stated.

  “Yes,” she said. “With you, I felt more in control of the decision. It was more like I was seducing you, even though it was mutual.”

  He laughed quietly. “You’re so beautiful,” he said. “You didn’t have to work too hard.” He kissed her again.

  “There’s more,” Melanie whispered as he pulled away.

  David took a deep breath. She worried he would get upset again, but he said, “It’s okay. Please, tell me.”

  “The night Garrett took me out, after you left, we went to a dance club and Justin was there.” Melanie paused for a moment. She had to tell him. If she had any hope of keeping him around, she had to be honest, even if the truth drove him away. “I was on the dance floor with both of them, and they had me squeezed between them while they moved. It felt so good, David. They had me so turned on and I wanted them both.”

  “Did you fuck them both at the same time?” David guessed.

  Melanie nodded. She searched his eyes, looking for a hint of disappointment or even disgust. His expression was carefully guarded though.

  “Did you have one in your pussy and one in your ass?” he asked.

  She nodded. “And we’ve sort of been together since then. The three of us.”

  “Wow,” David said. “I don’t know what to say to that.”

  “Say you don’t think I’m a whore,” she whispered.

  His brow crinkled in a frown. “I was such an ass,” he said softly. “I don’t think you’re a whore, and I’m sorry I said that in the first place. I just…it’s been so long since I’ve been with anyone, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt so intensely about anyone else. I was insecure and jealous.”

  Melanie hugged him. He was so endearing right now, and almost vulnerable. “This is why I’m so confused,” she said. “I have very strong feelings for all three of you and I just don’t know what to do about it.”

  “Well, I’m planning to stick around for as long as you’ll have me,” David said.

  Happiness filled Melanie as she kissed him again. “Thank you.”

  “Thank you,” he said. “I feel so great when I’m with you, so much happier than I ever was before. I just want you to be happy, too. And if that means letting you date other guys…” He took a deep breath. “I guess I’ll just have to deal with it.”

  They kissed again before Melanie said, “As much as I enjoy sitting naked with you, I am getting a little cold.”

  “I guess I can let you get dressed then,” he teased, giving each of her nipples a light squeeze before she got up.

  They pulled on their clothes and Melanie hugged him. He was so big and warm. She loved to cuddle with him. As they stood there, she talked a little more about where to place his sculptures. Then she reluctantly let him go so she could make the notes she needed. When she finished, she gave David a tour of the rest of the space.

  “Who’s running the café?” he asked.

  “I found a great woman,” Melanie said. “Her name is Alexis Kelly, and she’s worked as a chef at a couple restaurants in Toronto. She moved here a few months ago to look after her mother.”

  “Will it be a full-service restaurant?” David asked.

  “Not at first, I don’t think,” Melanie said. “But I’m really leaving it up to Alexis to decide. She’s the one with the restaurant experience, and I have so much to do to get the gallery ready.”

  “If you need any help, just let me know,” David said. “I’ll work for sexual favours.” He reached down and squeezed her ass.

  Melanie giggled and rubbed his crotch, which quickly became hard again. “I think I can arrange that.”

  “Minx,” he said as he kissed her again.

  Just then, Melanie’s cell phone rang. She sighed and pulled out of David’s arms. She took the phone from her pocked and saw Justin’s number on the screen. She answered. “Hi, Justin.”

  “Ma chérie,” he replied. “I have a small problem and I was hoping you might help me.”

  “What’s wrong?” Melanie asked with concern.

  “The last piece I had planned for the exhibit, I was to work on it today.”

  “I remember you telling me,” Melanie said.

  “The model, she did not show up,” he said. “When I called, she had gone to Montreal for a weekend photo shoot. I do not have a model.”

  “What can I do?”

  “Would you model for me?” he asked.

  “Me?” Melanie squeaked. “I can’t model for you.”

  “But ma chérie, I need to get the painting done and I have nowhere else to go,” Justin pleaded. “It will be fine, I promise.”

  Melanie chewed her lip. She wasn’t sure about this. It would mean there was a photo of her, naked, in the exhibit. Of course, the important parts would be painted over, but she’d know the truth. David touched her shoulder and she turned to l
ook at him. “Hold on Justin,” she said and took the phone away from her mouth.

  “What’s wrong?” David asked.

  “Justin’s model disappeared to Montreal for the weekend and he wants me to substitute.”

  “He’s the one that paints right on the people, isn’t he?” Melanie nodded. “You should do it,” he said. “Help the guy out.”

  “But I’m not a model!” she exclaimed. “I’m too short, I’m not thin enough, I—”

  “You are beautiful,” David said. “I see it, Justin and Garrett see it, and the rest of the world will agree when they see the picture. You are absolutely perfect.” He kissed her forehead. “And I want to come and watch,” he added.

  Melanie looked into his brown eyes. If he was going to be there, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. She lifted the phone back to her ear. “Okay, Justin. I’ll do it.”

  “Magnifique!” he said. “You will come right away?”

  “Is it all right if David comes to watch?” she asked.

  “David? Absolument,” Justin replied. “I will see you soon.”

  Melanie hung up and stuck the phone back in her pocket. She looked at David and took his hand.

  “Let’s go,” she said.

  Chapter 13

  David followed Melanie’s car as she made her way to Justin’s apartment. He was very curious to meet the young man. He must be extremely good-looking and charming if he managed to seduce Melanie so quickly. But maybe she had exaggerated the time frame. After all, he’d been very quick as well. He smiled at the memory.

  He tried to keep his jealousy in check. He had been utterly miserable in the few weeks he hadn’t seen Melanie. He didn’t know exactly what it was about the petite blonde that had him so entranced. He only knew that he wouldn’t be able to stay away. And to avoid hurting her again, he would have to keep quiet about her relationship with the other two men. He was amazed at that development, and he hoped his envy didn’t get the best of him.

  They pulled into the parking lot and he parked beside her. After they got out of the cars, he took her hand and they went into the building. When Justin opened the apartment door, David watched his eyes light up when he looked at Melanie. It was like he didn’t even see the big black man standing beside her.

  Justin pulled Melanie to him and kissed her. She melted into his arms and returned the kiss with enthusiasm. David expected to feel the jealousy flare up, but was surprised to find himself a little aroused as he watched them kissing. His cock twitched and hardened, and he shifted his position a bit to ease the discomfort.

  The movement must have caught Justin’s attention because he looked up at David and smiled. “You must be the sculptor that has captivated our Melanie.” Justin held out his hand and David shook it.

  “David Hannah,” he said. “It’s good to meet you, Justin.”

  “I am Justin Gauthier,” the other man said. “It is a pleasure. Please, come in.”

  David and Melanie took off their coats and hung them on the hall tree, then removed their shoes before moving further into the apartment. David liked the setup. The large windows let in lots of natural light and there was a great deal of space to work. It was perfect for the combination of painting and photography that Justin did. At the moment, there was a large canvas backdrop spread out on the floor. It had a balcony painted on it. Behind the balcony railing was a set of open French doors and beyond that, a bedroom. Near the railing, a man stood. He was naked but had no arms and the middle of his body wasn’t there.

  “What are you planning to do?” David asked. He was curious about how the painter’s ideas played out.

  Justin picked up a sketch and brought it to him. “The model lies on the canvas on top of the man. I paint his arms around her and the railing on her body.”

  David looked at the sketch. It was a unique idea and quite ingenious. He looked up at the pictures hung around the apartment. The kid is good.

  Justin turned to Melanie. “Ma chérie, I need you to take off your clothes and put this on.” He held out a pair of nude-colored panties to her.

  She gave a small laugh. “I hope no one has worn those before.”

  “No one,” Justin assured her.

  “Aren’t your models usually completely nude?” Melanie asked. “Not that I’m complaining.”

  Justin grinned at David and then turned back to Melanie. “Those models are usually shaved,” he said in a low voice.

  David watched the colour rise in Melanie’s neck and face as she looked at the floor. It made her very attractive.

  Justin put an arm around her shoulders. “Do not be embarrassed, ma chérie. We are both your lovers. There is no shame in being natural. I quite enjoy the way your hair tickles my nose.”

  “Oh, my God!” Melanie whispered as she covered her face with her hands. “I can’t do this!”

  David watched as Justin pulled her close and whispered in her ear. She put her head on his shoulder and hugged him. He whispered some more and then kissed her gently. She took the briefs from him and strode off to the bathroom.

  “She is funny, no? She does not realize how beautiful she is,” Justin said.

  “I had the same conversation with her earlier,” David said.

  “I am glad you are here,” Justin said to him and it caught David by surprise. He was glad to have another of her lovers there? David wasn’t even the one Justin shared her with. “Melanie was upset after you ended things. She has not been as happy as she could have been.”

  David swallowed. He felt guilty and he supposed he deserved it. He had acted stupidly. “I was miserable without her,” he told Justin. “I finally realized how stupid I was being. And if she wants to keep seeing you and Garrett, I’ll have to be okay with that.”

  Justin smiled. “That is good. She has cast a strange spell over all of us.”

  Just then, David heard a noise and turned to see Melanie emerging from the bathroom with a large robe around her. He went over to her, touched her cheek and kissed her.

  “Parfait!” Justin cried and David and Melanie both turned to look at him. “You are so dark and she is so pale. The contrast is wonderful. I will make you the man in my painting!” Justin said to David. He began rushing around, mixing paints and working on the canvas.

  When David went to look, he saw that Justin was painting the man darker. In fact, the resemblance to David was impressive. “Nice work,” David said.

  “Merci,” Justin replied. “You have inspired me.”

  David smiled. Melanie came to stand next to him, and he put his arm around her shoulders. They watched as Justin put the finishing touches on the man. Then he took a small space heater and plugged it in beside the canvas.

  “It will dry the paint faster and keep Melanie from being too cold when she is there,” he explained to David. “Would either of you like a glass of wine while we wait for the paint to dry?”

  “Yes, please,” Melanie said quickly.

  “Would you like the Ménage à Trois?” he asked her with a wink and she blushed again.

  “You know I would,” she replied and he laughed.

  Was he still talking about wine?

  “And you, David?”

  “I’ll have some, too.”

  “Please, take a seat while I bring the wine,” said Justin, gesturing toward the sofa.

  David took Melanie’s hand and pulled her to the sofa. They sat down and she cuddled into him. He loved the way her soft body felt next to his. She was small but had curves in all the right places. He slid his hand past her hip and tugged the hem of the robe up so he could caress her bare thigh.

  “Stop that,” she whispered. “You’ll get me all wet and I’ll have to put on another pair of panties.”

  David chuckled and hugged her. Justin returned and handed them each a glass of wine.

  “I think you will enjoy the Ménage à Trois, David,” Justin said.

  “Excuse me?” David said.

  “The wine,” Justin said.

  �
��The brand name is Ménage à Trois,” Melanie explained.

  “Oh.”

  “To our beautiful gallery owner,” Justin said, raising his glass.

  “I’ll drink to that,” David replied. They all clinked their glasses together and drank. The wine was delicious. They sat in silence for a few minutes while they drank.

  Justin finished his quickly and set the glass down. “If I may,” he said. “I would like to take a couple photographs of you both so I have something to work from.”

  “Okay,” David said. “What do you want us to do?”

  Justin pulled Melanie to her feet and kissed her. As he did, he untied the robe and pushed it from her shoulders. He ran his hands down her back, over her ass, and brought them around to cup her breasts. David’s cock hardened again as he watched. Then Justin turned to him and said, “Come and stand behind her please.” David followed the directions. Justin stood back and looked at the two of them. “Please, take off your shirt, David.”

  David was surprised but did as Justin asked, tossing the T-shirt to the sofa. Justin pulled out his cell phone and held it up to them.

  “David, please put your left arm across her chest, with your hand on her right breast. Put your other hand over her pussy.”

  David could feel the heat rising in his own face. At least it wasn’t as obvious because of his dark skin. He moved against Melanie, reached around and cupped her breast with one hand and her pussy with the other. She gasped slightly as he squeezed with both hands. Justin snapped a couple pictures.

  “Ma chérie, do you want a full breast exposed in the photo?” he asked. “Or would you prefer it be painted?”

  “Painted, please,” she whispered to him.

  “David, please move your arm so it is covering her left breast as you hold the right,” Justin instructed.

  David shifted his arm so that it crossed her chest in front of her breast. His cock was rock hard and he pressed it against her back. He was becoming more aroused by the minute.