"There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable." – Mark Twain

"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm Julian, Julian Hartwell."

The gorgeous man introduced himself casually. His name was all I know now while everything else was pure mystery to me, even the tempting charm he had in himself was such an enigmatic attraction. His every glance to me from the corner of his eyes as he talked with my companions was enough to make me nervous and restless in my own body. The way he would press his lips into a smile was all that needed to make me feel hot despite the cold atmosphere of the night and just by watching his chest that would rise from his deep breathing was all that needed too to steal my own breath away.

How he could make me feel this way was pure wonder to me.

"You're such a very talented pianist, young man. How come I never heard of your name? Is this your first time performing in front of people?" Sir Marcus started the conversation with him without formalities and politeness like they were already acquainted to each other for years.

"No, Sir. I had been playing the piano since I can remember but I only play when I would go around the town and visit orphanages. It's been my customary and I take passion in it. I certainly love it when the children like listening to my music," Julian chuckled at his words.

Truthfully, I was charmed from the words he said because he had the same passion as I when it came to our talents. Being proud of your talent was truly admirable but loving that talent of yours with your whole heart was the most impressive thing, and I admired him for it. He also seemed to be the type of person who didn't care if people judge him for having a less significant talent so again I was starting to think highly of this man.

"That's wonderful and I agree with you, young man, music do soothes the soul, children or not," Sir Marcus gave him a friendly pat in the shoulder and I couldn't understand the ember of bitterness building in my heart.

"It is truly wonderful, isn't it, Dante?" my fiancée called and they all turned to me. I then found myself imprisoned from the gorgeous man's profound stare that I gulped silently at it.

"Indeed," I answered as I instantly looked away.

I tried to search my head for an enlightenment as my free hand wandered my waistcoat where I grabbed a hold of my pocket watch.

Turning to my fiancée, I asked with eyes narrowing on the ticking hand of the watch, "Would you like me to escort you and Sir Marcus back to your house, it is quite late already and I have my carriage prepared outside?"

Amelia made a small sound of reluctance at first but she knew she couldn't go against therefore she agreed, "I'll take that offer." She didn't like the idea of ending the evening without an intimate moment alone with me but, unfortunately, that was the farthest thing I had in mind. All I wanted tonight was to escape the gorgeous man's alluring presence.

Not too long we were outside the museum with my horse carriage already in wait. The Coach was large enough to fit a small family. The horseman was taking a close check on the rig in case there was a fault as we ambled towards the carriage. The two black horses were not in their best behavior as they would endlessly stomp their hooves on the ground, they were no doubt impatient as I was.

I opened the door and took Amelia's hand as she climbed the Coach very carefully so she wouldn't tear her dress apart carelessly. She occupied the seat on the one near the quarter window like usual since she always had fondness in watching the sceneries through the glass. Sir Marcus was about to follow his daughter inside when he stopped to face the gorgeous man.

"Would you like to come with us, young man? I am absolute that you have no company to walk with you home. It's very dangerous for an attractive man like you to be alone in the night," the blonde man asked.

I wanted to tell Sir Marcus that there was no need for the man to ride with us but I was unable to, since there was this pull again. Julian appeared taken aback a little at our offer but he later smiled at it pleasantly. The dim lit of a candle light from the enclosed lantern hanging on the side illuminated his smiling face and again I feel captivated for unknown reason.

"I'm grateful," he replied and soon he stepped into the quarter and I followed after him.

***

The rest of the ride somehow didn't seem boring since all I had been doing was trying not to have a physical contact with the gorgeous man. It took a lot of effort to prevent myself from looking at his direction without being too discernible at it. Who would have thought that I would kind of regret agreeing to give him a ride knowing I would be sitting next to him inside the quarter, have I lost some common sense?

Sir Marcus and the gorgeous man were conversing in a topic I literally didn't relate to and I simply let them be in their own world, also I would prefer it remained that way so I could avoid talking with Julian too. Amelia would look at me once in a while with love in her eyes but I would look away in return. No reason, it just that something in me no longer find it interesting to look at.

Soon, one of the carriage's wheels came into a little road bump, shaking us inside and breaking the firm posture I had. I was then accidentally scooted close to Julian, so close that I could feel his body heat underneath his garment and I grimaced at the effect it had in my own body before scooting back to my seat, the little distance occurring again between us.

"Sorry," I apologized and he only raised an eyebrow at me. He was confused for a reason I had no idea but I turned away.

The gods probably decided to grant my silent prayer because the horse carriage eventually stopped at the beautiful scenery of a mansion and I breathed in relief at sight of it. The maids and butlers were already in wait to greet the arrival of their master and mistress, eventually the horseman left his perch to open the door of the quarters for them. Sir Marcus was the first one to step outside with Amelia following her father right after I gave her hand a goodnight kiss.

"Thank you for the escort, Dante. I'll be looking forward to our next meeting. Have a safe journey," Sir Marcus bid us farewell and as soon as the door closed, I took the opportunity to move on the now empty seat in front without being strange from doing so.

***

Uncomfortable was a perfect word to describe the silence between me and the gorgeous man. Have I been referring to him as gorgeous? I didn't notice. Other than the unpleasant silence, there was this strange tension inside the quarters and this tension was making the room so tight and suffocating, I could feel my hands going numb.

"You have been quiet for a while. Is something the matter, Sir Dante, right if I remember?" Julian was the first one to break the reticence but not enough to break the restlessness I had.

"Fret not. I am doing fine," I tried to sound as formal as possible while convincing myself to be calm.

I can't understand why I was feeling like this and I thought it might be because we were strangers in such a small room but I guess not. I was partially thankful when he seemed to notice the discomfort in the air since he didn't press any more questions, although part of me felt pathetic for making him uncomfortable just as I was.

He turned his head opposite from mine, making us both looking away from one another and I would prefer this silent treatment until we reach the destination which he pointed out was near his home.

I tried not to sneak a glance at him from the corner of my eyes but only to fail to do so because there was this unfathomable pull again and it was strong, so strong that I can feel the obvious allure his body had towards me. Is this what they call temptation? I pondered. I had no awareness about it because never in my life did I feel like this from someone else especially from my fiancée and to make matter worse, I found pleasure in this temptation.

I wanted to resist it yet I also wanted to yield into it at the same time. I had never been attracted to men for as long as I can remember but something in him made me doubt my attraction. Such thing was not frowned upon in our country and that was for sure, but that didn't mean it applies same to everyone else.

To be more clearly, it didn't bother people from lower society class but it did to people who belonged to higher class like mine. Because people from higher social class usually consist of little members of the family and it was most likely very common to have an only child, and being an only child was a great humiliation if you were different.

I groaned inwardly to force out the thoughts. It was not like I had doubts about my attraction and I believed this was not a temptation. Oh such incredulity, if only my body could believe on them.

How could it be when my mind was still lingering on the alluring image of this gorgeous man drawn in my neat canvas with me painting him. I wanted myself to be disturbed on such notions but strangely I could feel the desire to draw him mounting in great proportion. This desire was making it difficult for me more than it should.

"Would you like an occupation, Mr. Hartwell?" I asked all of a sudden and he turned to me with a blank face, rendering me unable to read his emotion.

"What occupation is it?" he asked.

"I am in need of a idea for my next painting. Would you like to model for me? Do not worry, I will pay you enough."

"To model? Heh, I would like to turn it down if I'll be posing nude," he laughed, somewhat amused.

"To make it clear, I don't include nudity in my art. Such image is not of my preference," I shook my head before bringing a finger on my chin, contemplating if I should go and listen to my desires.

"Forgive me for my insolence. Of course, I don't mind since I am also in need of an occupation. Mind if I know what you'll be painting next because I know all of your arts, Sir, and they all depicted females in them. It just that I am surprise you are doing a male one this time," he reasoned with all honesty.

I felt like punching myself silly since he hit right on the mark. What was I thinking? It was like I forgot the factual idea that he was a male, I groaned to myself. I wanted to make an excuse from what I said but the burning desire was already getting into me, throwing all my reasons to the window. I couldn't think no more but only immersing on the need to paint him more than anything else.

"No reason, do you want to model for me or not?" I asked him with a change of tone, a very urging tone.

He raised an eyebrow again but not in confusion, instead it was uncertainty as if there was something bad coming about, if he were to model for me however he agreed anyway in the end.

"Alright, so the end of the week?"

"Indeed, this coming end of the week. I will send my footman to fetch you in the morning since it'll be faster that way," and just like a cue, the carriage stopped and I can see an outdoor light post situated nearby.

"Well, I'll be looking forward to see you soon, Sir Dante," he bid me his farewell before opening the door himself and stepping outside right after. I closed the door securely, without even bidding my own farewell to him. The carriage soon left the place and I took a deep breath before letting out an exhausted one. Just being near him was a great ordeal for me, I face-palmed myself for being so pathetically uptight.

***

The past days were all normal but little did I know that it will change drastically on this weekend, the promise day that I will finally be able to fulfil my desire to paint him.

It was morning dew outside but the appealing sunlight was all I need to prepare this personal art room of mine just next to my bedroom. I specially built this on my own after I decided to be a painter. The room was tidy and simple, the walls were covered in black Paisley patterned wallpaper, where there was not a single picture hanged on its solid surface, and the floor was made of white marble. There wasn't much furniture in here other than the painting equipment and all.

This room was my sanctuary.

There was a single red couch prepared with two nightstands on both sides. I arranged my wooden tripod painting easel in a firm stand and made its back face the couch in a slant position with a distance not too close and not too far. Then I placed a neat and blank painting canvas on its frame carefully as to not scrape the edge. The remainder of the time I had before noon, I used it to prepare the rest. Of course I had already prepared myself for the day with a good bath and everything.

I had sent my footman to fetch him as promise and after waiting for an hour and a half, the horse carriage came entering through the entrance gate of my mansion. I watched it as it made its way towards the porch and it soon stopped where my maid and butler were waiting for him. I could see the gorgeous man stepping out of the Coach as my servants welcomed him with courteousness.

This was one of the reason why I chose to built this room as my sanctuary because from here I could see the front garden of my family mansion and also because this was where the sun always shine upon sunrise and where the moon always rise from its slumber. It brought peace and calmness I needed.

It was a perfect room for every artist.

I escaped my trance when a series of knock came onto the door. "Sir, your guest has arrived," my maid greeted. "Let him in, Emily." I commanded her.

The door soon opened and Emily took a bow before closing the door after the gorgeous man entered, hence leaving the two of us alone. Julian didn't waste the chance to wander around my room like an enthusiastic little child. He wore an expression in him like this was the first time he had ever entered a large mansion while I used the opportunity to admire at his innocent but handsome face. His beautiful manliness was truly extraordinary and this was why I desire to paint him.

"Your art room is bigger than the living room of my house, I'm astonished." He praised my art room and it was kind of weird that I was somewhat flattered of his compliment since I never take such remark so seriously from my previous visitors before.

This gorgeous man really did bring the weirdness out of me.

"You sit there and I'll draw you," I beckoned and he followed my pointing finger onto the red couch before gesturing him to start modelling for me.

He walked towards it and sat casually on top of the comfortable fabric. I, on the other hand, took a seat on a wooden chair next to my tripod easel and mentally took note of the scene in front of me. Then my mind registered on the clothes he had.

"Take your clothes off," I bluntly said.

He stared at me in surprise like he heard something unusual, well in fact it was. "My clothes? I reckoned you don't do nudity in your art, Sir Scarfone?" he asked a little edgy, well we hardly knew each other so why would not he be?

"No. Forgive me for choosing such bold words. What I meant is that you take all your clothes off but not your pants though if you're uncomfortable with the idea even then feel free to tell me so," I reasoned, trying to make an impression of myself and I actually didn't know why I bothered doing it.

He thought for moment before deciding to do just as I first said. Standing from his seat, he proceeded to take off his leather coat and put the garment on the floor before turning to remove his dress shirt. He started undoing the buttons on both his sleeves before turning to unfasten the ones on the front.

My blue eyes intensely watched every move his fingers did as he gently unfastened his shirt buttons one after another. I caught a glimpse of his cream skin as it was slowly baring in front of me. I waited for all the buttons to be undone before watching him take the garment off his collarbone and slipping it off his broad but perfect shoulders. Soon the shirt dropped on the cold floor, finally where it should be.

I grew rigid when I saw his bare torso. He was unbelievably lean and sexy for a man. His built was not muscular as mine and his waist was more slender than most men, but in spite of that his body was the epitome of perfection I had ever saw.

Even the most stunning person in the world was nothing compared to him.

"I suppose a little nude is fine?" Julian asked with a little smirk in him. He looked handsome and erotic at the same time.

"Indeed. Take your shoes off too and lay on the couch," I smirked back.

***

The gorgeous man like what I was describing him since then, he settled down on the couch with his head resting on an armrest with one of his arms propping above him, making him look like he was in lounging instead of modelling. He had his legs in a spoon-like position with his knees facing my direction and he had a hand just resting beside his face.

The room was already a little dim and dark when I closed all my window curtains, our only source of light in the room was the candle lights on top of the antique nightstands with an arrangement of red roses next to them. I intended to make the scene as romantic as possible but somehow just having him there, the atmosphere somewhat turned sensual and seductive or it might be only my imagination.

"May I ask why chose red rose this time?" he asked with a steady and calm breathing.

"The velvet shade of red rose signifies passion and desire. It's both seducing and tempting that's why people find it hard to resist," I told him as I folded my sleeves up to my elbow so it won't be stained by my color paints.

"Is there a particular reason why you chose me? I believe red is not suited for me," he replied in a humble tone like he was not aware of how irresistible he was.

"I beg to differ, red do suited you perfectly." I replied as I picked a pencil from my equipment before starting to draw the necessary outline on my blank canvas.

After I was done drawing his figure using a pencil, I turned to my wooden palette and picked up a brush before dipping it one an oil paint. Soon I started coloring the background around him. I sat in front of him side-way which gave myself a better view of him while I painted him on the canvas. When I finished painting colors on the background and the couch, I grabbed a change of brush before dipping it on a cream one and bringing it on his drawn picture.

I would take an intense look on him now and then as I smeared color on the right places. I wandered my eyes on his now colored torso as I began to paint his nipples in rosy color though somehow the oil paint couldn't illustrate the eroticness those little buds had and it was such a shame. I looked back and roamed my eyes on his naked chest again as I turned to paint the rest of him.

How does it feel if I touch him here and there, I wondered, as I traced my fingers on parts of him I wanted to touch.

I licked my lips, sensing the increasing anticipation in me. The intense desire was slowly consuming me again and I could feel my body starting to get hot. Lust was beginning to burn me from within that I found the garments already a burden so I paused for a short moment to undress myself of my own dress shirt.