Altar Ego (5 page)

“Come.” He held out his hand. “You must be hungry?”

It was a question, but not one that required an answer and I knew this. He was telling me that I needed to eat. He had a way about him which commanded my every move. I got to my feet slowly and took his hand, letting him lead me across the polished wood floor.

He pulled out a stool at an island in the centre of a huge kitchen. There was stainless steel and glass everywhere, and I was conscious of touching anything for fear of leaving fingerprints. I perched on the edge of the stool, and tugged at the hem of my dress.

“Stop fidgeting Elise.” I heard him say.

I looked up to see only the back of his head.

How did he do that?

I placed my hands in my lap and watched his broad shoulders as he chopped and mixed and moved expertly around the massive expanse of kitchen. There was sizzle as he dropped the mixture into a hot pan, and within minutes he presented himself in front of me holding two plates filled with salad and the fluffiest looking omelettes I had ever seen.

He put one down in front of me and took a seat himself.  As he lifted the fork to his mouth, he looked at me...

“Don’t stare Elise, it’s rude.” He gave a little smirk. “Now...Eat!”

We sat in silence as we ate, and it was a little uncomfortable. I felt so at ease around him when he was close, when he was being physical, when he touched me. But now, like this...doing something we would deem to be perfectly ‘normal’ he set me completely on edge.

He finished eating and placed his cutlery neatly on his plate. He looked up at me and linked his hands together resting his elbows on the table.

I too put my cutlery down and looked into his eyes.

“You haven’t finished.” He said.

“I’m not very hungry.” I told him, lowering my eyes a little.

“Do you need to stay?” He asked. It was matter of fact and to the point. Did I need a bed for the night?

“I can go home.” I replied without looking up.

“Its 3am Elise.” I heard him move his stool back but I still didn’t look up. “Stay.” His voice was nearer to me, but still I didn’t attempt to look at him. “You can go home in the morning. You need to rest.”

He was behind me in an instant. He gently lifted my hair with his finger and swept it over my shoulder. He leaned in and whispered into my ear.

“Stay. I want you to stay.”

That was all I needed. I let my head fall back as he trailed his mouth across the soft skin of my neck and gently trailed his tongue behind my ear. I tried to take a breath but it caught in my throat and instead I made a gasping noise.  He wrapped his hand in my hair and tugged my head to one side until my neck was bent at an odd angle and our lips were almost touching.

“That’s a yes then?” He asked.

He crushed his mouth against mine so fiercely I couldn’t breathe and I was powerless to do anything other than succumb to him. I tried to relax against him as he pushed his tongue inside of my mouth, probing and searching. My breathing quickened and I could feel the heat rising within. I wanted more of him. I wanted all of him. Whatever he was giving; I would take and to hell with the consequences.

He slipped his other hand down over my dress and rested it on my chest, cupping his hand around the fullness of my breast. He waited a moment before deftly gripping my nipple between his fingers and squeezing.

Hard.

The tears bit at the back of my eyes, and I wanted to tell him to stop. That it was hurting me, but I was unable to speak.

He released me from his kiss and spoke firmly against my mouth, the sound of his voice vibrated on my lips as he told me...

“If you want me to stop, just tell me. But I think you like the pain.”

He kissed my top lip gently and released his grip on my nipple.

I felt bereft.

Like he had taken something important away from me.

“I don’t want you to stop” I told him, my voice catching in my throat as he gripped once more and twisted the firm nub viciously. I gasped loudly and moved my mouth to capture his once more, but he held back from my kiss. He looked deep into my eyes, still maintaining his assault on my now tender breast.

“I want to hurt you just to hear you screaming my name.” He teased me with his kiss, moving closer so that our lips brushed and then holding my hair just tight enough to prevent me from following through the kiss.

“You are enjoying this aren’t you?” I asked him quietly.

“More than you will ever know.” He told me as he moved both of his hands to the sides of my face, releasing the pressure to my flesh and crushed my lips with his own.

“Stand!”

It was an order not a request and I did exactly that. As I stood in front of him, he looked me up and down. There was a hunger in his eyes, a look that said I would not get out of there alive. I really did feel like a lamb to the slaughter, but at the same time, I felt safer than I had ever felt in my entire life.

He moved around me like a lion stalking his prey, slowly and deliberately.  I could feel myself shaking as he moved to my back and rested his hand just below the nape of my neck. The silence was broken by the sound of my zip being pulled open. The cool air hit my back in a rush as he slid the dress off of my shoulders and down over my hips. It landed on the floor around my feet, like a fabric puddle.

“Step forward.”He said. I was aware of a slight crack in his voice, and I hoped that this unfolding scene was affecting him as much as it was me.

I stepped out of the dress and moved forward slightly. I felt exposed but not in the least bit vulnerable. I stood quite still in all my glory, as he trailed his finger slowly down my spine, hooking it over the waist band of my briefs.

“I don’t like these.” He snapped the elastic against my skin and I flinched at the shock. He gripped the flimsy fabric at my hip and tugged until they fell apart in his hand. They too fell to the floor and without being told I stepped out of them and kicked them to the side giving no thought at all to the amount of money I had wasted on them.

I stood perfectly still again as I felt his hand on the clasp of my bra. He unclipped it expertly with one hand and it slipped forwards. I shrugged my arms and let it fall like everything else.

I was now stood naked except for my suspender belt and stockings. I held my breath as my nipples stood proud with the cold. I shivered slightly as I felt his hand at the back of my neck; he lifted my hair and twisted it in his hand, knotting it so it stayed piled on top of my head. His hand came to rest at the back of my neck and he tightened his fingers slightly.

“Walk.” He commanded me.

I started to walk slowly across the room letting his hand guide me in the direction he wanted me to head. We crossed a hallway and came to an open door. I could see it was the bedroom, probably one of the most sumptuous I had seen, all reds and muted greys, with a large wrought iron bedstead taking pride of place in the middle of the room. I hadn’t paid much attention to my surroundings when I woke earlier, but I noticed now that my shoes were at the side of the bed and the bedcovers slightly rumpled where I had lain earlier that night.

As I entered the room he released me and stood by the door as I continued to the bed. As I reached it I turned slowly to face him. He was leaning against the door jamb, not a single hair out of place and those fucking eyes boring into me. I was wet at just the sight of him, and I ached for his touch.

“Stand still.” He said.

I lowered my eyes to the floor as he approached me.

“Good girl Elise, but tonight I want you to look at me. Just keep looking right into my eyes.” He took my hand in his and leaned in. I tried to stay as upright as I could but I couldn’t help but arch my back as he closed in.

I was panting now, in anticipation of his kiss. My thighs were backed right up against the edge of the bed and my lips were parted in readiness for him. I closed my eyes as he reached his hand around me and dragged the pillows down the bed and gently pushed me down onto them.

As I sank down and the softness enveloped me, I watched him move closer, pushing his leg in between my knees and parting my thighs so that I was open to him and completely exposed. He sucked his breath in through his teeth as he ran his eyes hungrily over my body.

“You have no idea how much I have wanted to see you like this.” He placed his hands on my knees and splayed his fingers outwards, he pushed both palms firmly up my thighs applying pressure and tracing my inner thighs with his thumbs. As he neared my stocking tops he slipped his index fingers underneath the straps of my suspenders and scraped his nails against the tender skin there. I took a deep breath in to alleviate the unexpected pain, and sighed as I exhaled.

“Since the first time I saw you in the park.” He continued to move his hands, his thumbs now grazing my bikini line. I gulped and swallowed, allowing my eyes to close for a split second.  “OPEN THEM!” He barked, though he wasn’t able to hide the tenderness behind the gruff of his voice.

I opened them and stared straight at him...I let my eyes wander over his face, from his strong angular jaw line where the stubble was just starting to show, to his full lips, and then back to those eyes again. He had a way of looking at me that made my insides melt.

As I watched him he dipped his head slightly and licked his top lip...then with one rapid movement he moved both hands underneath me and lifted me by my hips until I was right in front of his face.

I bit my lip in anticipation as he blew gently on me, creating goose bumps all over my entire body; I struggled with what to do with my hands. I wanted to touch him, to run my fingers through his hair, to pull him nearer to me and end this torment.

He watched me as he snaked the tip of his tongue up between my folds, hovering for a moment on my clitoris and increasing pressure. I lifted my hands to touch him, to encourage him and he lifted one eyebrow at me. His look said it all.

‘Don’t touch.’

‘I’m in control’

I let my hands fall to my sides again, feeling frustration at not being able to join in, and only watch as he unleashed his tongue on me. He trailed it up and down time and time again, first lightly and then faster, more frantic...as my breathing quickened, so did his movements. I threw my head back, taking my eyes away from him and then he would stop.

Instantly.

Frustratingly.

Only when I slowed my breathing down and looked at him again did he continue.  I watched him as he smirked. Yes, he smirked against my flesh, and just when I thought I could take no more, he moved his hand ever so slightly and forced his thumb roughly inside of me and lapped at my clitoris slowly and deliberately. His movements slowed to a complete stop. I felt full to bursting and the pressure was just too much. I was aware of a whimper escaping from my throat and then I moaned. A long slow guttural moan that seemed to go on forever as I locked my eyes with his and every muscle inside of me contracted against him.

I felt myself relax into the softness of the pillows around me, as he slipped his thumb out of me, released his grip on my hips and slowly slid up my body until our faces were almost touching.

He smoother my hair away from my forehead and left his hand there, almost in a protective manner. He kissed me gently, peppering little butterfly kisses all over my mouth, I could taste myself on his lips and I responded eagerly lapping at his mouth.

“You are amazing Elise.” He told me as he stroked my hair. “Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.”

I smiled at him and lifted my head slightly to kiss him again.

“You are pretty amazing yourself.” I told him with a smile.

He lifted me with little effort all the way up the length of the bed and rearranged the pillows. He lay me down gently and then stood and undressed in front of me.

He had the most incredible physique, not too big but every single muscle was defined perfectly and my mouth watered at the sight of him. He climbed into the bed beside me and pulled the duvet up over us. He turned towards me and laid his hand over my stomach. I flinched a little, I was neither the slimmest, nor the firmest around my middle and even after what we had just experienced I felt a little self conscious.

He totally ignored my slight discomfort and pulled me towards him so that we were curled around each other, our bodies entwined so tightly it was as if we were one.

“Amazing.” He kissed my shoulder gently. “But you seem to be forgetting what I told you already.”

I smiled to myself and let the tiredness take over. It had been a long day and I was exhausted, totally satiated, and very sleepy. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, feeling as safe as houses, here, in this stranger’s arms.

I woke to the sun streaming through the windows and a soft warm breeze causing the voiles to billow gently. There was the heady aroma of fresh roasted coffee lingering in the air.

I sat up, stretched and slipped out of bed. I grabbed the first thing I could find, which happened to be the sheet and wrapped myself in it toga style. Clutching the sheet to my chest and with a new found spring in my step, I left the bedroom and followed the scent of the coffee.

I entered the huge kitchen once more and saw him there, sitting at the island, coffee cup in hand. He was bare-chested; wearing only a pair of faded 501s and was reading the Sunday papers. He looked up as I entered and immediately rose from his seated position.

“Good Morning Elise.” He moved towards me.

“Nice outfit.” He pulled at the sheet where I was clutching it and pulled me against his chest. He planted a soft and sensual kiss on my lips before releasing me and moving to the counter.

“Coffee?” He asked.

His back was to me, and I swear I could see him smirking to himself as he poured the glossy liquid into a cup.

I didn’t respond. I just stood there not really knowing what to do with myself. He handed the cup to me and sat back down with his paper. Without looking up he spoke.

“Sit.”

I sat.

I watched him as he turned the pages of the newspaper. His arms were tanned and muscular. I gulped and shuddered as I pored over about what those hands of his had put me through over the last 24 hours. I sipped at my coffee slowly, still watching him, waiting for him to say something.

He was also watching me intently, as if he too were waiting. Was he waiting for me to speak first? I had no idea what I was supposed to say in these circumstances. Did I thank him for rescuing me and politely leave? I had no clue as to what was expected of me.

“You look confused Elise.” He stated before looking back to his newspaper.

“I am a little.” I said. “I suppose I should think about making a move.”

I wanted him to put the newspaper down. I wanted him to tell me that I didn’t have to leave. Damn it! I wanted him to ask me to stay. He did none of those things. He barely even glanced at me as he shrugged his shoulders and carried on reading.

“Let me know when you are ready and I will have my driver take you home.”

My cheeks burned with embarrassment. I was just a one night stand, no more. I should have listened to him. He did try to warn me. I stood up abruptly almost knocking the stool over in the process, and forgetting that I was dressed in a loosely draped sheet. He peered over the top of his paper and smiled at me, his eyes lowering briefly to my now naked chest.

I pulled the fabric up around myself and bunched it tightly in my fingers.

“You look very beautiful when you are angry.” He said with a laugh.

“I’m not angry.” I barked, turning away from him.

“Elise, please. You are furious with me.” He folded the paper neatly and placed it on the counter. “If you are going to have a temper tantrum, then at least have the courage of your conviction to follow it through with some kind of reasoning.” He stood slowly, and my shoulders tensed with anticipation. I didn’t know what to expect from him next. I took a breath in and held it as he approached me, waiting for him to reach out to me, to touch me...

“Shower!” He said and snapped his fingers at me.

I felt my feet start to move in accordance with his order and I was infuriated by my own self betrayal. I stopped walking and stood perfectly still.

“NO!” I shouted.

He stopped and turned on his heel.

“Elise. Darling.” He stepped closer to me, our bodies were almost touching and I could feel the heat emanating from my skin against him. “You are new to me, and so I will be lenient.” He reached up and smoothed his hand through my hair. I relaxed instantly, an immediate reaction to his touch. His hand rounded the back of my head and settled at the back of my neck. He squeezed, putting just the right amount of pressure to make me gasp. “For future reference, if I give you an order then I expect you to follow it.” He released his grasp and took my face in his heads, moving in till our foreheads touched. “Do you understand?” he asked me before kissing the tip of my nose.

“I...” I looked into his steely blue eyes. “Yes...” My voice was barely a whisper.

“Good.” He walked away from me toward the en suite bathroom, and like a lost puppy...I followed him.

I hovered in the doorway, unsure of what I should do now as he reached into the shower and turned the dial. The steam started to build and the only sound was the running water...and my heartbeat. He unbuttoned his jeans slowly as I watched him, his biceps rippling with his every move. As he pushed his jeans down off his hips he looked at me and gestured with a downward nod to the floor. I knew instantly what he wanted and I released my grasp on the cool cotton of the sheet. It fell in a pool of crisp whiteness around my feet and he smiled in appreciation.

He held out his hand and I moved forward taking his hand in mine. He stepped backwards into the shower and I followed him under the hot jets. He turned me around so that my back was facing him, and pressed himself against me. I could feel him growing inch by inch against my back as he filled his hands with shower gel and began to gently wash my shoulders, my back and my neck. He rubbed the foam into my skin, smoothing his hands over me tenderly. I let my head fall back against his shoulder as he moved his hands to the front and massaged the lather over my breasts. He stopped occasionally to nip at my shoulder with his teeth and tug on my nipples till I groaned. The water mingled with the lather and ran in creamy rivers between my cleavage. It continued its journey down over my stomach and then met with my own wetness between my legs, mingling together in creamy rivulets. I was panting now and desperately yearning for some kind of release.

He clearly sensed this as he gripped one breast firmly and moved his other hand down towards the apex of my thighs, pushing his way between them roughly; he grasped my pubic mound in his hand and rubbed me firmly with his palm. As he moved he slipped a finger between my folds holding them open and letting the water trickle down over my exposed flesh.

“Do you want more Elise?” He asked with a growl.

I nodded, unable to find my voice.

“I need to hear you Elise.” He said gruffly.  His hand stilled and I tried to grind myself against him in an effort to force him to move, to finish off what he started.

“Ah ah ah...”  He squeezed my breast and moved his mouth so his breath was on my ear. “Tell me...” It was an order...not a request. I was becoming used to his manner and I knew that if I didn’t respond in exactly the way he wanted me to then he would leave me hanging.

I cleared my throat and found my voice.

“Yes. Yes I want more.”

He didn’t need any more from me; he pushed his way in and opened me up with his fingers. I sagged against him feeling totally powerless as he continued to probe inside of me. My breath caught in my throat as he pushed his fingers forwards, putting a heavy pressure on that most sensitive spot. I groaned and my knees buckled underneath me as my orgasm ripped through me. I screamed his name as I was overcome with ecstasy.

“Dominic!” I was held up now only by his hands, the skin of my breast taut and stretched in his grip and the pressure building in my core threatening to knock me off my feet altogether.

“I have you...” He whispered. “Just let it go”

He plunged inwards again and I lost all of my senses for a split second. The sound of the running water seemed to fade away and my eyes closed, everything around us disappearing until there was just us, and my rip roaring climax taking over.

It controlled me. 

It took over my entire body.

Just like he did.

I felt his mouth on my neck, covering me in soft kisses which were gentle like feathers brushing against my skin. My breathing was laboured and I whimpered.

“Oh fuck!”

It took me a moment to realise that we were sitting on the tiles, my legs were splayed out across the watery floor and his arms were around me, holding me close.

“Sssshhhh.” His kisses and the soothing sound of his voice were the only things keeping me on this plane. He had taken every tiny piece of resolve I had to stay away from him, and turned it into a need. A desire. He owned me...every part of me... and he knew it. I couldn’t fight it any longer.

“Dominic...I...” I tried to speak. 

“Elise.” He said calmly. “Don’t try to rationalise this.”

He smoothed my wet hair with his hand and held my forehead, pushing my head back uncomfortably against his shoulder. I looked up into his eyes, cold, unfeeling and lacking emotion. I was searching for any sign of intimacy within them. I couldn’t understand how he could give so much to me physically, and still remain so aloof. He was like a closed book. Though I didn’t want to be drawn in...I was falling in love with the cover even though I had no idea what lay within.

“We both know that this is how it has to be.” 

He released his hold on my forehead.

“Can you stand?” He asked. There he was again with the concern, like a loving partner.  I nodded.

“I think so.” I replied quietly.

“Good.” He smiled and for a second there was a flash of something. A sparkle, only brief, but it was there, and right at that moment in time, that was enough for me. I would take what I could from him.

He pulled himself up and took my hand, gently tugging it till I too was stood under the jets once more. He hooked his finger under my chin and tilted my face to his. His lips touched mine, briefly, tenderly. But seconds later, the moment vanished abruptly.

“I have an appointment.” He said.

The brusque mysterious man was back in the room and he stepped out of the shower, wrapped a towel round his waist, and left the bathroom.

I stood for a moment, trying to make sense of what had just happened. I didn’t feel like me anymore. I was no longer Elise, wife of Adam, mother of 2 children. I was Elise, property of Dominic. There to be subservient but worshipped and adored like never before.

I turned the dial to halt the flow of water before I stepped out of the shower and dried myself with the huge fluffy towel left on the rail.

I would NOT over think this. Just for once, I was going to go with the flow and to Hell with the consequences.

I wanted him.

I trusted him.

I needed him.

But first...first I needed to go home and sort out the mess I had left behind.