Claimed by the Devils

Chapter 34

Elliot POV

When school life f*****g dragged, my weekends were spent here. Aria was the first person I’d shared it with.

The guys knew about it, but I never invited them. We all had our own vices. Mine, I liked the quiet. This allowed me to think and to get my s**t together. The guys wanted me to play my best game, not floundering.

I took Aria’s jacket, throwing it over the banister before taking her hand and leading her upstairs to my main pad.

The space was empty apart from a few sofas and one table. The walls that didn’t have windows were lined with artwork. Many different pieces took up the wall from landscapes, to fantasy, to just some drawings. I also did some portraits. I’d drawn the guys at different times. The only person missing was myself.

Aria was already up there.

“You did these?” she asked, stepping closer to the wall.

“Yes, I did.”

“They’re so beautiful,” she said.

“I knew you had a talent for it.”

She nodded toward my pocket.

I laughed.

“I like doing it. Doesn’t mean I’m any good.”

She rolled her eyes.

“I don’t imagine for a second you don’t do something you’re not good at. They’re all incredible.”

I watched as she took them in. When she touched them, I tensed up, but she moved on.

“You’re so talented. Did you bring me here to show me this?” she asked.

“Yes, and I also wanted to draw you.”

“What?”

I went to the sofa and pulled it into the center of the room. Wanting the added privacy, I closed the curtains in case anyone came by, then I turned on the lamps, illuminating the space.

“You’re my inspiration, Aria. I would like the opportunity to draw you, if that is okay with you.”

“No one has ever wanted to draw me.”

Her hand went to her chest, and I was drawn to her t**s. They were nice and large, and I wanted to draw her naked.

“Naked,” I said.

“What?”

“I know it’s a lot. No one ever comes here, but I would really like to draw you naked.”

She shook her head.

“No.”

“I … please.”

“No. I’m not ready for that. I don’t mind you drawing me like this, but naked that’s a little too far, don’t you think?”

“I hoped you’d trust me.”

“I do. I mean, Elliot, my first kiss was with my best friend, and I’ve since been told she’s in love with me.”

She pressed her lips together.

“Maybe one day, but can’t I just sit while you draw or paint me now? Would that be okay?” she asked.

I took a step toward her. She didn’t back up as I put my hand on the base of her back. I pressed my lips against her head.

“Of course it’s okay. Please get comfortable.”

I was disappointed she didn’t trust me to draw her naked, but there would come a time and a place for that.

Aria moved toward the sofa. She sat down, and I saw the tension in her shoulders. The way she held herself stiff.

“I’m not going to bite.”

“I’ve never done anything like this.”

I laughed. Opening the top few buttons of my shirt, I went to my easel, bringing it closer. Paints were lined up on the floor.

“Relax, Aria. I want you to enjoy this.”

While I mixed the colors, Aria wriggled on the sofa, getting to the right space, until she looked a little more at ease.

I smiled at her.

“Do you need me to tell you some jokes?”

“Do you know any?”

I laughed.

“You’ve got me there.”

I winked at her.

“How are you feeling?”

“Fine.”

I put the paintbrush into the paint, swirling the colors together, making them work before dabbing them onto the new piece of paper.

“You’re just fine.”

“What else would you like me to say?” she asked.

“The truth.”

“I’m telling you the truth.”

“I don’t think you are but we can pretend if you want.”

I glanced over my easel at her.

“You’ve had a lot of changes lately.”

She sighed.

“Yeah, but I guess I’m learning to live with them. I can’t change what’s happening. I may as well enjoy it, right?”

I nodded in agreement.

We fell into silence. The only sound was that of my brush stroking across the canvas.

“It would have been nice for you guys to have picked me for me,” she said.

This made me stop with the brush poised on the canvas. Her gaze was on me when I looked over the easel. For some reason, I immediately wanted to hide as if she couldn’t see me.

She chuckled.

“You don’t have to feel guilty. I get it. You had to do what you had to do.”

“Aria, that doesn’t mean we didn’t want you.”

“Yeah, it does. Let’s face it, Elliot, you guys didn’t know I existed until this. I don’t even want to say it. What girl wouldn’t want four hot guys vying for her attention, or being claimed by them?”

“You think we’re hot?”

“You all know you are. It’s why you rule the school.”

She leaned back, and I loved the delicate angle of her neck.

I felt an overwhelming need to kiss her. To lick the path from the base up to her ear where I could bite down. Would she be sensitive?

“Elliot, you’re staring,” she said.

“I’m supposed to. I’m learning my subject.”

She chuckled.

“Do you like it when they move around?”

She put her hands above her head and arched up.

Damn, now her t**s would look amazing. It was a shame she hadn’t opted to do this naked. My mouth watered, and all I wanted to do was explore her. Such a f*****g pity.

“I don’t mind, but I would have loved for you to be naked. Your t**s would look so nice on our dorm room wall.”

This made her smile even as her cheeks heated.

Aria was the first woman I’d brought here, and I knew she would be the only one.