Belle reached her arms out to either side of her body as she walked slowly through the meadow. The grass was tall enough for the tips of her fingers to brush against the blades. Belle tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. The smells of nature filled her nostrils and in that moment she felt the embrace of Mother Earth, nestled in her bosom.
Belle was a city girl through-and-through. She’d grown up surrounded by blaring horns, sirens, and glass skyscrapers. She knew you had to keep an eye on the ground at all times lest you step in a puddle of an unknown substance and carry it around with you all day. Yet, here she was, in a meadow, three hours outside the concrete jungle, and loving every bit of it.
Belle opened her eyes and returned to the present. She’d almost forgotten the reason she was even there. She spun around, her white floral sundress fanning out around her. Belle’s eyes rested on her muse. His deep, hazel eyes took her in, his disarming smile set her heart aflutter. Rami wore an open white linen shirt and light blue jeans. His caramel skin glistened with sweat and the lightly ruffled mop of black hair on his head blew gently in the wind. Belle’s heart beat faster as she made her way back to him and recalled the first time she’d met Rami.
—
Though Belle was an accountant by trade, she was an artist at heart. She had reams of notebooks filled with sketches and drawings, even taking on commissions from time-to-time from friends and family. To feed her passion and improve her skills, Belle began attending group art classes at a studio in the city. For three years Belle attended classes held every two weeks. The studio became a sanctuary for her, a place where she could get lost in her craft and forget the world.
One day, Belle’s instructor informed them that their next session would be with the group’s first nude model. Belle heard giggles from some of the other men and women in her class, but she remained unfazed. She’d drawn nude models in college and had even done nude portraits of partners in past relationships. She wasn’t quite a nudist per say, but she was very comfortable in her skin and being around nudity did not make her awkward or uncomfortable.
Two weeks later, Belle was sitting at the coffee shop across the street from the studio thirty minutes before her class was set to begin. It was one of those situations where she didn’t have enough time to go home after work, but also too early for the studio to be open. As she sat sipping her green tea and scrolling through her news feed, she caught a glimpse of a handsome man next to her sipping the same tea and reading a book.
Before Belle realized she was staring at him, the man looked over at her. Belle froze as the man’s deep set eyes held her gaze.
“Can I help you?” He said.
Belle’s mouth hung open for a moment before she could respond, taken aback by the man’s deep, sultry voice.
“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just trying to take a peek at the cover of your book.”
The man smiled and said, “Oh, this is just some run-of-the-mill YA novel I was recommended incessantly by a friend of mine.”
Belle nodded and started asking him more about the book and himself. The two of them continued chatting for some time, and almost in unison checked the time on their phones.
“Oh crap, I have to go, my art class is starting in one minute,” Belle said as she packed her bag and made her way to stand and leave.
The man, who Belle learned was named Rami, muttered a quiet, “Oh no,” as he stood to leave as well.
Belle looked puzzled as he walked out with her. She felt an awkwardness in the air as Rami walked with her into the studio without uttering a single word. It suddenly hit her like a truck: Rami was the nude model for her class.
Belle’s cheeks were bright red and her head was down as she quickly took her seat. A few minutes later, Rami, whose cheeks were as blush as Belle’s, walked into the studio wearing only a robe and stood on the small platform in the centre of the room.
Rami took a deep breath, and Belle watched as his robe slid off his shoulders to the floor. He moved gracefully into the pose he would be holding for the entirety of the session. Belle couldn’t help but absorb every inch of his physique. Rami’s broad shoulders and equally broad chest were covered in a soft layer of black hair that continued down over his rippling abs. His prominent ‘V’ was captivating and brought all Belle’s attention to his member hanging between his thick, muscular thighs. Belle could see Rami’s muscles twitch and flex as she furiously sketched. She hardly noticed the teacher lingering over her shoulder, watching her bring Rami’s figure to life on her canvas.
Belle barely noticed when the class was over. Rami donned his robe and stretched out his tense muscles before making his way back to the dressing room. Belle stared at her work, taking it in. She marvelled at her execution, the fine details in every stroke. Her shading and line work was inspired. Belle could feel the energy and soul she’d poured into the canvas radiating out from the two-dimensional figure sitting on her easel.
She had found her muse.
Belle caught Rami outside the studio after the rest of the class was long gone.
“Hi,” she said. “Let’s grab a drink sometime.”
Belle knew she had to have him and was thus direct. Rami looked at Belle for an extended moment before responding, “How about right now?”
Belle beamed as they made their way down the street to a small pub around the block. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, picking up where they’d left off at the coffee shop earlier that night, though they noticeably ignored the elephant in the room.
After her third drink, Belle decided it was time to rip off the band-aid.
“You were an incredible model, by the way. I want to draw you again. Alone, this time,” she said, unable to tear her eyes away from her drink for fear she might catch a disdainful look from Rami.
As she sat there, she felt a gentle touch below her chin as Rami lifted her face up to look at him. His kind eyes warmed Belle’s soul, his smile touched her heart.
“I would like that very much,” Rami said.
Tears began to well up in Belle’s eyes. She squeezed his hands and thanked him profusely, promising to pay him for his time.
Rami laughed, “There’s no need to pay me, Belle. Though I do have a request of my own.”
Belle’s face dropped. She became suddenly suspicious of Rami’s motives. Why would he refuse money? Was he going to try and extort me for sex? Belle could feel herself unravelling when she felt Rami gently squeeze her hands.
“Darling, it’s not what you think,” He said. “I was only hoping you could pose for me.”
Belle’s eyes went wide. “You’re an artist too?”
“Not quite,” Rami said. “I write poetry.”
Belle nodded and Rami continued, “I find you captivating, Belle. I would love to sit and watch you paint. The way you wrinkle your nose when you focus, when you smile after a big flourish. What I’m trying to say is, I’d like you to be my muse.”
Belle looked deep into Rami’s eyes. “It would be my honour.”
—
Belle’s brush strokes were free and loose, slashing bright reds and yellows across the canvas, matching the wildflowers all around her. She looked past her easel to take in Rami’s naked body, slowly spinning, his arms out and his head back. She wanted to capture him in the place he felt most at peace. While Belle was a child of the city, Rami’s heart belonged to the wild. With the final flourishes of her paintbrush, Belle set aside her palette and brush and joined Rami.
Rami stopped twirling, rested his hands on Belle’s hips, and kissed her deeply. Her heart raced as Rami swept her off her feet and spun her around. Belle opened her eyes as he set her back down on the ground and smoothly slipped the straps of her dress off her shoulders. The dress fell gently to the ground and Rami cupped her petite, naked breasts.
His lips found purchase on Belle’s soft neck as his hands began gently massaging and rubbing Belle’s erect nipples. Her breathing grew ragged as she tried to maintain her composure and keep from collapsing to the ground in a euphoric heap. Belle became so lost in the sensations ravaging her mind she didn’t notice the moment Rami had slipped out of his pants and had his warm, pulsing member pressed firmly against her lower stomach. Her moans grew louder as Rami kissed up and down her neck and across her collarbone, taking moments to suck her earlobe and squeeze her firm ass.
Just as Belle’s legs were about to give out, Rami eased her to the ground and in an instant slid his cock inside her warmth. Without a moment to collect herself Belle wrapped her arms tightly around Rami as he thrust deeply, her nails digging into his back. Belle cursed and screamed as Rami pumped, their sex pulsing in unison to the heat and passion of the moment. Every inch of his manhood sent a wave of ecstasy coursing through Belle’s body. She wrapped her ankles around his waist trying desperately to pull him further inside. She couldn’t stand to have him separated from her for even a moment. She craved his flesh pressed firmly against her own, begging the universe to allow this moment to last an eternity. Their wave of passion finally crested, and with uninhibited screams, both lovers crashed in bliss.
They lay naked on the ground, entwined among the wildflowers. After catching his breath Rami pulled out a notebook and pencil he had hidden in the grass. Leaning on his elbow, Rami looked down at Belle and began moving his pencil in furious swirls and flourishes. A few moments later Rami placed the notebook to the side, lines and stanzas scratched manically across the page.
“You are my greatest inspiration,” Rami whispered as he leaned over and kissed Belle’s forehead.
“I live to be your muse as you live to be mine,” Belle whispered back, picking up Rami’s notebook and reading the poem he’d written about her.
They found inspiration in each other’s bodies and a life of art in each other’s arms. They found their peace and longed nevermore.
Foryourheartonly 