Maxence the Living Painting: Part Two (complete)

(Another OG continues. Read Part One Here.)

I wake up in a cold sweat, shooting up from the bed like a bat out of hell. I sit there in the darkness, breathing hard while my hair clings to my skin. Everything is cold and clammy, no matter where I touch, especially along my scalp and the nape of my neck. I hold my head in my hands and as I make myself breathe. 

The nightmare was so real, so powerful, I still feel like I am in the middle of it. I look around my room and tell myself to focus. What are five things I see?

One: I see the window. Two: I see the old oak tree just outside. Three: I see my feet at the end of the bed. Four: I see the chipped polish on my fingernails. Five: I see the outline of Maxence’s body as he sleeps beside me.

My heart is still pounding violently, and my mind is racing with the horrible images from the nightmare.

List four things you can feel.

One: I can feel the sweat dripping down my neck. Two: I can feel clean sheets against my legs. Three: I can feel the warmth from Maxence’s side of the bed. Four: I can feel Maxence’s hand touching mine.

“What’s the matter?” Maxence rolls over towards me. “Did you have a bad dream?”

List three things you can hear.

One: Maxence’s breathing. Two: Maxence’s body as he rises from the bed. Three: Maxence’s voice.

“Hey,” Maxence touches my cheek. “Look at me.”

As I turn my eyes towards him he rubs his thumb under my eye. 

“I’m here,” he whispers. “I’m here.”

List two things you smell.

One: Maxence’s skin. Two: Maxence’s hair.

His long curls flow down his shoulders as he leans in close. I close the gap between us, taking a kiss I so desperately need.

List one thing you can taste.

One: Maxence.

As I pull away from him, my heartbeat is normal and the images from the nightmare have begun to fade away. 

“I’m sorry I woke you.” I run my fingers through his hair. 

“Don’t be.” Maxence puts his hand on my cheek. “What’s wrong? Tell me.”

I shake my head. “You’re tired.”

Maxence presses his forehead against mine. “Tell me,” he growls playfully.

I giggle and kiss him again as I wrap my arms around him. “It was a bad dream, that’s all,” I murmur between kisses. “It’s over.”

“No,” Maxence pushes me down onto the bed. “Not good enough.”

“It was scary. I really don’t feel like talking about it right now.” I bury my face in his hair as he nuzzles and kisses my throat. A soft gasp leaves my lips as his tongue traces my collarbone.

Maxence lifts his head and pushes his thick mop of hair from his face. “If that is how you feel, I cannot change that at all. Just know I will listen if you ever wish to talk about it.”

I open my arms for him. “Lie back down.”

His grin makes my stomach flutter, and as he nestles on top of me and I start to feel drowsy again. Having Maxence in my arms makes me feel safe. If it weren’t for him, I doubt I would have fallen asleep again.

Maxence came into my life in the strangest way. He was not a normal man, although at one point he had been. He was a painting that was stored away in my parent’s Art Locker. Both of my parents were avid art collectors, and kept a wide array of rare and old paintings. One such painting was of Maxence, a noble of high standing who had been an artist himself. He had been cursed to live in the painting by a vengeful demon and his daughter, who was jealous that Maxence had a lover.

Apparently, that lover was me.

In the morning, I find the evidence of Maxence’s kisses and touches on my skin - the stain of pastel powder and charcoal, a bit of red paint from his lips on my neck and cheek. The pink of his fingertips on my waist and in my hair. It isn’t a bothersome thing to wake up to - I’m used to it from my own paintings - so washing it away in the shower is nothing new.

It takes a while for the shower to heat up. While the faucet runs, I wash my face at the sink. As I splash cold water onto my face, I remember my dream, and the water becomes a hand slapping across my face. I lose my breath and grab the sink as a woman stands over me. In the dream, she was tall and beautiful, but so terrifying, completely naked and with something black smeared all over her skin. She held me down, striking me and laughing. As I lay pinned beneath her, I looked up to see a man standing behind me - not a man exactly, more like a beast. He was covered in white, velvety fur. He had massive red horns growing from where his eyes should be. He pushed the woman away and lifted me by my throat. 

I lean further over the sink, breathing hard as I remember the beast’s open mouth.

List five things you can see.

One: the sink. Two: the tube of toothpaste. Three: two tongues as red as blood. Four: teeth the size of fingers and sharp like knives: Five: a hand emerging from a black throat.

I gaze at my face in the mirror, which has begun fogging over from the steam of the shower. I turn away from the sink as I feel my nerves roil in my stomach. I rush to the toilet, emptying anything that was inside me into the porcelain bowl.

“Haydee,” Maxence gasps in alarm. “What’s wrong?”

I dry heave and sputter, clinging to the toilet. I gag before I can get any words out, throwing up again, this time only bile.

Maxence holds my hair away from my face and rubs my back. Once the horrible convulsions are done, Maxence fetches me some cold water, and I drink it slowly. I rinse out my mouth and spit it back into the toilet.

List four things you can feel.

One: the cold tile. Two: the cold cup of water. Three: Maxence’s warm hand. Four: my hair sticking to the nape of my neck.

“What’s wrong?” Maxence croons. “Are you sick?”

I shake my head. “No. No, I don’t think so.” I press my head against my knees while he continues to rub my back. “I think...” I hiccup. “I think it was that nightmare again.”

“What on earth was it?” Maxence insists. “If it’s bad enough to make you vomit, I think you need to tell me so I can help you.”

I sniffle and wipe at my face. “It was awful, Maxence. This woman and then this… this monster of a thing…” I stop and shudder.

List three things you can hear.

One: the toilet tank gurgling. Two: my own chattering teeth. Three: Maxence’s breathing.

“A woman and a…” Maxence trails off and shakes his head. “No. No. No. It can’t be. It wouldn’t.” He puts his arm tight around me. “What did they look like?”

“Well…” I click my tongue a few times. I still taste bile on the back of it. “The woman was… Red hair, really long. And her eyes were…” I wave my hands over my face. “They were just black.”

Maxence’s arm tightens around me. “No,” he whispers. “That can’t be right.”

“The other one… the monster,” I duck my head down again and tuck my legs closer to my chest. 

List two things you can smell.

One: the toilet bowl cleaner. Two: Maxence’s hair.

“If I try to picture it, it just gets to be too much,” I whimper into my knees as Maxence moves to hold me.

“How often have you had this nightmare, Haydee?” His tone is worried and frightened. “Why haven’t you told me?”

“I thought if I talked about it, it would be real! I didn’t want to remember it at all if I didn’t have to.” I cling to him, holding my face against his strong bicep. “It’s been about a month now since I last remember having it. A little while longer since I started waking up scared.”

Maxence tightens his hold on me. “I’m so sorry, Haydee. I wish I had known.”

I lift my head and kiss him, just to feel something soft and assuring. 

List one thing you can taste.

One: Maxence.

“Oh crap, I’m sorry!” I gasp. “That must have tasted horrible.” I cup my hand over my mouth. “I should… I should brush my teeth.”

“It’s okay,” he chuckles softly. “Whatever makes you feel better.” He helps me stand up, although my legs feel a bit weak. I brush my teeth then see Maxence stripping naked. In a certain light, I can still see brush strokes on his skin. In the movement of his dark body hair, I can see the tiny flicks of precise lines. The shadows of his body seem to shift with a different light to show the texture of canvas. 

Maxence turns and catches me staring. A smile spreads across his face and he winks at me. “Come on. I’ll protect you.” He steps into the shower and combs his fingers through his hair as the hot water runs over him.

I take off my clothes and follow him inside, pulling the shower curtain closed behind us. Maxence pulls me against his chest. His lips press into the nape of my neck, and his stubble tickles my skin. His palm rests against my hip, while the other covers my small chest.

“Are you all right?” he whispers.

“I will be.” I bring all my hair over my shoulder so he can kiss my neck more. “It’s just a dream.”

Maxence’s lips still and he makes a small sound in his throat. “It had better be.” He takes a small step aside and then I feel the cold bar of soap at my back. He rubs the soap in, making my skin slippery and soft. His strong hands wrap around my chest and down my stomach. 

“Your hands help,” I laugh softly. “They feel so good.”

“I’m glad.” He brings my back against his chest again. “What else can I do to comfort you, my Haydee?”

As the water rinses away the foam and my skin begins to tingle with his touch, I lean closer against him. “This is fine, as we are.”

“Is it?” Maxence breathes against my ear. “Is there nothing more I can add?”

I close my eyes as my lashes flutter. His hands rest on my wide hips and he keeps me pressed close to him. My skin prickles even as the hot water rushes down me. I turn my head back, meeting his loving kiss. 

“Here.” I turn around and pick the soap back up. “Let me.”

Maxence smirks, moving his hair out of the way. “As you wish.”

I rub the bar of soap against his hairy chest and along his sides. I keep my eyes focused on his body, knowing that if I look into his eyes, I’ll be done for. I look down, my eyes descending towards his thighs, where I see him rising.

“Here.” I tug him under the water so he rinses off, rubbing my hands through his chest hair so all the suds fall away. I stroke my hand down his body, slipping into the dense curls before finding him.

“Oh,” he smirks. “That’s not the soap.”

I stroke him slowly, feeling him warm and heavy against my palm. I still can’t meet his eyes, because if I do, I'll give in completely. I kiss his chest, teasing his nipple with my tongue. His low, hungry moan vibrates in my ear and trickles down my spine.

Maxence grabs my wrist and moves my hand away from his shaft. I look up at him, and just as I thought, there is nothing I can do to resist. He kisses me, pressing my back against the tile. He pins my hands above me, kissing me harder until his mouth moves down my neck. He sinks down, lowering himself to the floor and placing my legs on either side of him. His sharp eyes gaze up at me while his kisses make their way between my thighs.

I lean back against the wall, gasping for breath as his tongue pushes between my plump folds. His teeth are dangerous, but arouse in me something that causes my legs to tremble. Maxence’s moans vibrate through me, causing my core to quake and more warmth to spill from me. His hands cradle the curve of my lower back.

“Maxence,” I swoon. “Oh, holy crap!” I tangle my fingers in his wet hair, moving the long dark locks away from his beautiful face. His eyes flick up towards me, heated and desperate. His lips move away, and he takes one last lick before he stands up. He turns off the shower and kisses me.  My legs are weak as is, so he picks me up and carries me, tossing me down on the foot of the bed. 

He reaches for the side table, taking out a condom. I catch my breath while he puts one on, touching myself in slow circles as I wait. Maxence’s hand joins mine, his fingers slipping inside me while I rub my clit.

“You ready?” He tosses his wet hair back and combs his fingers through it.

I nod and moan, reaching out for him. He lays on top of me, pressing kisses all over my face as he places his cock inside me. He moans into my ear and I drag my fingers down his back. 

“I love you,” he whispers, looking into my eyes as he starts to thrust. “Look at me.”

I meet his eyes again, but he makes me feel shy and nervous. His words, his body, they all work against me to make me his. “I see you,” I moan. “Max.”

He kisses me and his fingers slip between us. My mouth opens against his lips as his fingertips rub against my clit.

Maxence sighs, twitching deep inside me. “That’s it, yes. I want you to feel everything.” He sits up, looking down at me. His long, thick lashes rest against his cheeks as his gaze darkens. 

I gulp down a breath, watching him tower over me. I close my eyes and toss my head to the side as his movements become harder. I cry out, losing my breath. I can feel myself climbing towards the peak. Maxence’s voice becomes a low rasp as he descends. His body presses against mine and his hips move in waves. I hook my legs around him and wrap my hands around his arms.

“Hold on to me,” Maxence breathes. “Don’t let go.”

I grunt and keen, throwing my head back as he pushes me from the peak and over the edge. Everything contracts at once, squeezing the air out of me like a sponge. I gasp loudly and dig my fingers hard into his arms. Maxence growls into my ear, thrusting fast until he climaxes, going still and melting. 

We lay together in peace for a moment, snuggled up and tangled together as the afterglow sinks into our bodies. After a moment, Maxence stands and removes the condom, tossing it away before he returns to bed. 

“That was nice, wasn’t it?” He lies down beside me and kisses my shoulder.

“It was.” I place my arm over him. “You’re very good at it.”

Maxence laughs and kisses the top of my head. “I just wanted to make you feel good for a moment.” His fingers trail down my spine. “Did it work?”

“Mm,” I sigh. “It did.”

“Good.” His lips brush against my temple. “Stay here.” He sits up then lays the blanket over top of me. “I’ll go make your coffee.”

“Thank you.” I melt back into the bed. “You’re so sweet.”

As Maxence slips on a pair of pajama bottoms, I lounge in the bed naked. I try to memorize everything about this moment. How the sheets feel cool and soft against my skin, the way my legs feel numb and restless all at the same time. I want to lock away this memory forever, and the memory of how Maxence’s love feels on every inch of my skin. That way, should the nightmare ever return, I can use this memory as a weapon to protect myself. 

I sit up as Maxence comes back, holding my cup of coffee. I give him a kiss as he sets it into my palms.

“Everything still in one piece?” he teases. “Or am I going to have to go find new nuts and bolts?”

“I think everything is where it should be.” I run my hand over my hair. “But my hair is an absolute mess!”

“Mine too,” he sighs. “I always forget that I shouldn’t make love to you while it’s wet.”

I set my cup aside. “I prefer it when it’s dry anyway.” I reach up and start trying to comb out his hair with my fingers. “Sure, you’re sexy when it’s wet, but when it’s dry and it falls around your face while you’re on top of me, it’s so beautiful.” I kiss him as he snuggles up close. “I can see the brush strokes when the sun comes through the window. Each individual curl is handpainted and shining.”

Maxence kisses me hard, moaning as his hands squeeze around my waist. “Dammit, you’re good at that.”

I chuckle. “Good at what?”

“Making me happy.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “That’s why, next time you have that nightmare, I don’t care how sound asleep I am, or how peaceful I look. I want you to wake me up and cry in my arms. You got that?”

I nod shyly. “I will, from now on.”

Maxence hugs me tight. “If I could take it from you, I would. I would make it mine and suffer it a thousand times each night so you’d be safe.”

I hide my face against his shoulder. “You know who they are, don’t you?”

Maxence’s sigh is heavy and weighted by guilt. “I’m sorry.” He sits back and cups his hands around my face. He has a gloss over his eyes as tears start to rise up. “I thought I would be rid of them forever. But it seems it isn’t so easy. I fear that you’re seeing the demons that cursed me into the painting.” His voice cracks as he talks. “The woman is the one who…”

I press my finger over his lips. “She hurt you. I know.”

Maxence puts his forehead against mine. “They are in my nightmares too. What they did to me...what she…” His voice is weak and low. He raises his head again. “I will not let them touch you too, Haydee. I promise.”

“But what about you?” I grab his hands. “I don’t want them touching you either. Not after what they did!”

Maxence smiles sadly at me. “I have you in my life again, Haydee.” He shakes his head. “They’ve already lost in my eyes. They tried to keep you from me, but you found me again and loved me. So I know they are powerless against you.”

I kiss him again, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Is that why they’re trying to frighten me?”

“I don’t know.” he shakes his head. “I have been praying they were long gone, but perhaps that was too much to hope for.”

I brush my fingertips over his lips. “Hey, look at me.”

His lashes lift and his bright eyes look into mine.

“I love you.”

He beams once again. “I love you too.”