Authors note: Thanks so much to sernayaurora for all her encouragement and help in getting me to write again. Also her insight into the characters and her own beautiful passionate writing style.
Chapter 1 – A proposal
Lying on the couch with her legs falling over Henry's lap Vicki breathed a sigh as strong fingers worked their magic around her tired feet.
"Tell me what your thinking?" she asked without opening her eyes.
"What Im usally thinking when I have you reclined on my furniture and Im touching your skin" Henry replied placing a gentle kiss on top of her feet.
Vicki stiffened slightly opening her eyes to find Henry looking down her legs to the place where her thighs met.
Moving to sit up she found she was unable to by the gentle but firm pressure on her ankles.
"I'm sorry, that probably wasn't the answer you wanted to hear" he said in a wistful voice. "I have a question for you Vicki" he said pausing. "I need a model to pose for me nude" Henry stopped there as Vicki jerked her feet from from his grasp.
"Do you always have to pull away?" he asked rubbing between his eyebrows. Vicki softened at his hurt expression, all thoughts of leaving quickly vanishing as she brought her instinctive responsive to withdraw from his passion under control.
"Im sorry Henry, no please go ahead Im listening" she said hoping do undo the damage.
Henry surprised at this sudden change in attitude decided to risk making the request as he desperately wanted to capture this woman in her glory under his own hand before she left his life.
"As I was saying I need a model, no let me start over." he said wanting to be as truthful as possible without scaring her off.
"I want only you to be the model. To capture your essense on canvas during our time together whatever that will be. Friendship or lover that has always been your choice to make but please give this small part of yourself so I have something to remember from our time together" Henry finished and walked over to the portrait of his father, running a finger down the frame not wanting to face her rejection of him. Again.
Walking softly on bare feet Vicki placed her head gentle on his shoulder wrapping her arms around her vunerable vampire in need of reassurance.
"I would be honored Henry and Im sorry that you have been feeling rejected" Vicki felt Henry stiffen in her arms in surprise.
"Its just that Im not ready to move our relationship from where it is right now. It almost feels like a catalyst is needed in my life to move onto the next stage, whatever that might be" she said before continuing.
"Yes I'd like to do this for you. For everything you've done for me over this last year". Vicki felt Henry's head lean back against her, his arm giving hers a gentle squeeze as his muscles relaxed against her back.
"I would love to start tonight if that's ok" he asked.
"Your afraid that if I have time to think about this I'll change my mind" she laughed pulling away.
Henry's face clouded slightly but his reply was light and flirty just as she would expect. "Something like that he replied" turning to her.
"You can get changed in my bathroom, I have a piece of gold silk cloth to drape around yourself" he said sounding professional and matter of fact.
Vicki paused at the bedroom door watching as Henry moved the furniture around and brought an easel out. Was this such a good idea?