Bound Together (33 page)
Authors: Marie Coulson
“
No, of
course not. Come on, I’ll walk back with you.” With his hands in
his pockets he walked beside me, chatting about the most inane of
subjects and I knew he was trying hard to put what happened behind
us. I prayed for both our sakes that if we tried hard enough that
maybe we could and that things could go back to the way they were
because the way I was feeling was anything but comfortable. I was
tense, confused and very uneasy. His hands never left his pockets
the entire walk back and it made me feel strangely forlorn. We’d
always been so comfortable together, draping his arm around my
shoulder even holding hands at times. Now we acted like two
embarrassed teenagers who got caught making out under the
bleachers. I wished I had powers like superman so I could fly
around the world, turning back time, or maybe even climb into a
Tardis like Dr. Who, go back to the bar, not flirt and go back to
the room and stop him from kissing me. But all that would probably
never have stopped Ollie’s feelings for me or the way I found
myself feeling whenever I was near him. They say you can’t help who
you fall in love with but I sure wished Ollie hadn’t picked me. And
I certainly wished my libido hadn’t selected him as an object of
sexual desire. It was becoming a very large problem and
either
it
would have to be fixed, or I would have to be.
breathed a sigh of relief.
Sweet
sanctuary
. Amy was already at class and I
would have at least three hours till my next one. Collapsing on my
bed, I spotted the pile of envelopes Jared had sent me on the
floor. Rolling over I picked them up and found the one marked
Tuesday. Biting my lip in anticipation I opened it.
Layla
It’s already day one and
that means that in less than 96 hours I will be back home with you.
I can categorically say that I am missing you incredibly and that
you are invading my thoughts even as you read this.
Now don’t get mad but I
rearranged your work schedule to coincide with my plans for you.
Yes that’s right, plans. Lorraine has ensured everything is in
place and I will let you know in each letter when it is you have to
work. Today you have the day off. But that doesn’t mean I’ll allow
you to sit around moping over me being in New York.
At 3pm a very nice young
lady called Rose will be arriving at your dorm to do your hair and
makeup. She will then be followed by a young man called Christophe.
Christophe is my personal stylist and will be presenting you with a
variety of elegant dresses. I have already checked them all and
have given him an idea of those I find acceptable for you to wear
in public. I don’t want anyone else ogling your goodies while I’m
away Miss Jennings.
A car will arrive at six
sharp and take you to your destination. I know you will love this
evening and you must promise me that you will keep an open
mind.
I wish I could be there
to share your night but I am certain you will have an incredible
time without me. Try to relax and don’t miss me too much. Also, no
asking questions. Everyone is under strict instructions to tell you
nothing about this evening’s event. So don’t try.
I know you hate surprises
but I simply couldn’t help myself.
I am without words to end
this letter and goodbye feels too final so I have borrowed some
from a man very deeply in love.
Ever thine, ever mine,
ever ours.
Ludwig Van
Beethoven
Jared xx
I hugged the letter to my
chest tightly. Could he be more perfect? After reading the words he
had written with his own hand, my heart was truly aching to be near
him. I felt so far away and yet with the piece of paper currently
clutched to my chest so connected also. I sat up swiftly and
grabbed the laptop from the edge of the bed, firing it up. The
moment it was ready, I opened my emails. There was nothing and a
glance at my cell also revealed nothing. I knew he must have still
been in the air at that very moment but I was desperate to hear his
voice, read more of his words and feel generally closer to him.
Everything seemed so plain and I felt melancholy. I needed to snap
out of my mood. Considering I had missed my class, all I had left
to do all day was visit Dr. Harman later and explain my absence but
that was over four hours away. Jumping to my feet I headed for the
shower.
The long hot soak did me
the world of good and as I ran my hands over my smooth wet skin I
thought about the hot, sheet clenching, pillow biting sex I’d had
the night before. I was instantly aroused as thoughts of Jared’s
fingers, hands and lips caressing my body filled my mind. My hand
slid down over my pert firm breasts. Gently massaging them I rolled
my nipples with my thumb, making them peak and stiffen at my touch.
I gasped as the sensation sent a direct message shooting through my
body, making my clit throb and causing an aching between my legs.
I’d never really touched myself before but being with Jared seemed
to keep me in a constant state of arousal. Even the mere thought of
him had worked me into a sexy, hot mess and my body was writhing
beneath the streaming water. A very naughty thought entered my mind
and I stood there pondering it for a few seconds. Biting my lip I
reached for the shower head turning the dial to massage. Pressing
my back against the cold tiled wall I spread my legs wide across
the shower floor. I hesitated for a moment before slowly moving the
nozzle between my legs. The pressure of the water hit my clit and I
inhaled sharply. It felt like nothing I’d ever experienced before.
The warm gentle stream of water caressed and kissed my skin as it
pulsed against my beautifully sensitive clit.
I slid my hand south and
massaged it gently as the water continued its torrent against my
skin. I could feel my orgasm building inside me rapidly and just as
I reached my peak, images of Jared’s hot naked body played like a
movie in front of my eyes and I called out his name. My knees grew
weak as I panted heavily through my orgasm. The intense pleasure
coursing through me left me longing for his touch once more.
Struggling to regain my equilibrium, I reached for my towel and
wrapped myself tightly in it. The warmth reminded me of Jared and
our post-coital embrace. He’d spooned me all night, never loosening
his grip on my waist and I’d felt completely safe, loved and
cherished just lying in his arms.
I glanced back at the
shower and smiled mischievously. Picking up the nozzle I gave it a
quick wipe over and placed it back in the holder, smiling to myself
as I did so. It was certainly no Jared but as far as artificially
intelligent boyfriends went, it definitely served its purpose. A
wicked idea was beginning to form in my filthy mind and I hurriedly
dried myself off and slipped into the sexy underwear he’d bought me
that was sitting in a tempting Victoria secret bag in my closet.
The delicate lace hugged my curves perfectly and was flattering
against my skin. The shower had left my skin glowing and glistening
with droplets of water sliding over every crease and curve.
Grabbing my camera, I snapped a picture of myself in a provocative
pose and uploaded it the laptop. This was going to blow his mind. I
opened the email application and began frantically typing, feeling
like an erotic fiction writer as I filled him in on my naughty
escapades in the shower. Leaving no minor detail un-described, I
painted a vivid picture for his enjoyment before attaching the
photo. The opening line read, “Courtesy of your giving and generous
nature I am sure to have a spectacular evening. It seems only right
I send you a gift also. Thinking of you. Layla.” Hitting send I
grinned to myself with satisfaction. Oh to be a fly on the wall
when he gets that later.
Harman’s office, I imagined I’d bump into Ollie but he was nowhere
to be seen. Surely he couldn’t still be hauled up in his room
brooding? I soon got my answer. Opening the door to his office Dr.
Harman eyed me questionably. “Ah, Miss Jennings. Mr. Green here was
just explaining the reason for your absence. You’ll be pleased to
know he told me all about his feeling unwell and your care for him
in his hour of need. Commendable as that is Miss Jennings, please
remember to also be as attentive to your study. I will let this one
slide but don’t let it happen again.” Ollie exited the room just as
Dr. Harman was handing me the assignment I needed to complete to
catch up. I gave Ollie a cautious smile still unsure of our current
relationship footing. “Thanks Ollie. Really. I mean it. You really
are a true friend.”
He stood there staring at
the ground and shrugged. “That’s what they tell me. Always a
friend. Never a boyfriend.”
He walked me back to the
dorms and we made idle chit-chat but everything continued to feel
so forced, so fake and unnatural. I longed for the closeness we had
and felt genuinely bereft without the feel of his arm round my
shoulders or his hand in mine as we walked. I missed him and I
wondered if we would ever get back to the way things
were.
was at my door as promised. She must have been in her early
twenties and her long wavy auburn hair was flowing over her
shoulders. She flushed when I shook her hand as I asked her in.
Sweet and yet shy she got to work on my mass of unruly blonde
locks. “So how do you know Jared?” I asked, watching her in the
mirror as she teased a comb through my hair. A small smile grazed
her lips. “We met at high school. I was a couple of years older
than him and on the debate team. He joined when I was in my senior
year and we became good friends. He’s a really sweet guy, when I
had my son he helped me get one of his dad’s apartments for almost
nothing. I was only nineteen and working part time as a hair
dresser didn’t pay much. Now I’m a personal makeup artist and most
of my clients are recommendations I got through him.” I pasted a
smile across my face but her words stuck in my mind like thorns. I
could only imagine the clients Jared was sending to her.
Probably my fifty nine
predecessors
. The thought made me feel
sick so I tried to push it away and focus on enjoying my
evening.
Two grueling hours later,
Rose had completed what she was calling her greatest masterpiece. I
stared at myself in the mirror. I hardly recognized my own face. My
blonde hair was pulled back into an elegant and stunningly shiny
beehive. My makeup was so well done that it looked completely
natural even though she must have used an entire pot of cover up to
hide my freckles and blemished skin. I raised my hand and gently
ran my fingers over a spectacularly beautiful band that finished
off the beehive perfectly. Bending down to my ear Rose smiled. “A
gift from Jared. White gold and diamond. He said I had to put it on
you whether you liked it or not and that I wasn’t to allow you to
argue with me. But you do love it right? I’d hate to have to pluck
out this hive.”
Of course he’d provided
something sparkly, it was his go to move these days. “It’s
gorgeous. I look amazing, thank you so much I really don’t know
what to say. I don’t think I have ever looked this good. You’re a
real genius.”
She gathered all her
things and packed them into a large case she had lying on the bed
before giving me a friendly hug. “Christophe should be here any
minute so I better run, he hates having any distractions when he’s
working. He’s a lot to handle, but he’s great at what he does.
You’re in good hands.” Giving me a wink, she walked down the long
hallway and out of sight. I glanced over at the clock on my wall.
It was five in the evening and Amy still hadn’t come home. I began
to worry that she was still mad at me after our fight but it was
more likely that she was with Nick. I didn’t have much time to
dwell on it as moments later, there was a frantic knocking at my
door.
I opened it to find a
tall rail with several long black covers hanging from hooks. I
assumed that they were dresses. A very flamboyant and vibrant young
man was suddenly spinning the thing around and backing his way into
my room. Leaving the free standing rail in the middle of the room
he turned and scanned me from head to toe. His suit was striped
pink, green and white and his hair was bright blonde, clearly out
of a bottle. He wore sunglasses and a pink tie to match his suit.
He was very thin and when he smiled at me his teeth were almost
blinding, like looking directly into the sun. “Well now darling,
you must be Jared’s little lady. He’s told me all about you. Now
based on a photo he showed me of you and what he’s told me we have
selected these eight dresses for you to try and pick from. They
have all been pre-approved by the man himself and I’m sure we will
have something you’ll love. So shall we get started? Come on
sweetie, slip out of your clothes and let’s get you dressed to the
nines.”
I tried on each dress and
performed like a cat walk model around my room for Christophe as he
sat on my bed and gave me endless direction and criticism on how I
wore the dresses. As if there was some trick or knack to wearing a
piece of fabric. The elegant evening gowns were truly gorgeous but
the one that I loved the most was the final dress. A lovely floor
length scarlet dress. The bodice was a sweetheart neckline with a
band around the waist to separate it from the skirt. Tiny diamantés
were lined around the bust and they sparkled and glistened in the
light as I walked. The skirt was made up of several layers of
ruffled fabric which felt as soft as silk. Twirling in front of
Christophe, I bit my lip and grinned. “I take it darling that you
like this one? I have to say it looks absolutely incredible on you.
Here slip these on too.” Grabbing a pair of heels from the bottom
of the rail he placed them in front of my feet and held out his
hand for support as I climbed into them. They matched the dress
perfectly. Deep crimson with diamanté detail on the heel, they were
hardly visible beneath the dress but they made me feel like a
Hollywood starlet.
No, of
course not. Come on, I’ll walk back with you.” With his hands in
his pockets he walked beside me, chatting about the most inane of
subjects and I knew he was trying hard to put what happened behind
us. I prayed for both our sakes that if we tried hard enough that
maybe we could and that things could go back to the way they were
because the way I was feeling was anything but comfortable. I was
tense, confused and very uneasy. His hands never left his pockets
the entire walk back and it made me feel strangely forlorn. We’d
always been so comfortable together, draping his arm around my
shoulder even holding hands at times. Now we acted like two
embarrassed teenagers who got caught making out under the
bleachers. I wished I had powers like superman so I could fly
around the world, turning back time, or maybe even climb into a
Tardis like Dr. Who, go back to the bar, not flirt and go back to
the room and stop him from kissing me. But all that would probably
never have stopped Ollie’s feelings for me or the way I found
myself feeling whenever I was near him. They say you can’t help who
you fall in love with but I sure wished Ollie hadn’t picked me. And
I certainly wished my libido hadn’t selected him as an object of
sexual desire. It was becoming a very large problem and
either
it
would have to be fixed, or I would have to be.
* * *
breathed a sigh of relief.
Sweet
sanctuary
. Amy was already at class and I
would have at least three hours till my next one. Collapsing on my
bed, I spotted the pile of envelopes Jared had sent me on the
floor. Rolling over I picked them up and found the one marked
Tuesday. Biting my lip in anticipation I opened it.
Layla
It’s already day one and
that means that in less than 96 hours I will be back home with you.
I can categorically say that I am missing you incredibly and that
you are invading my thoughts even as you read this.
Now don’t get mad but I
rearranged your work schedule to coincide with my plans for you.
Yes that’s right, plans. Lorraine has ensured everything is in
place and I will let you know in each letter when it is you have to
work. Today you have the day off. But that doesn’t mean I’ll allow
you to sit around moping over me being in New York.
At 3pm a very nice young
lady called Rose will be arriving at your dorm to do your hair and
makeup. She will then be followed by a young man called Christophe.
Christophe is my personal stylist and will be presenting you with a
variety of elegant dresses. I have already checked them all and
have given him an idea of those I find acceptable for you to wear
in public. I don’t want anyone else ogling your goodies while I’m
away Miss Jennings.
A car will arrive at six
sharp and take you to your destination. I know you will love this
evening and you must promise me that you will keep an open
mind.
I wish I could be there
to share your night but I am certain you will have an incredible
time without me. Try to relax and don’t miss me too much. Also, no
asking questions. Everyone is under strict instructions to tell you
nothing about this evening’s event. So don’t try.
I know you hate surprises
but I simply couldn’t help myself.
I am without words to end
this letter and goodbye feels too final so I have borrowed some
from a man very deeply in love.
Ever thine, ever mine,
ever ours.
Ludwig Van
Beethoven
Jared xx
I hugged the letter to my
chest tightly. Could he be more perfect? After reading the words he
had written with his own hand, my heart was truly aching to be near
him. I felt so far away and yet with the piece of paper currently
clutched to my chest so connected also. I sat up swiftly and
grabbed the laptop from the edge of the bed, firing it up. The
moment it was ready, I opened my emails. There was nothing and a
glance at my cell also revealed nothing. I knew he must have still
been in the air at that very moment but I was desperate to hear his
voice, read more of his words and feel generally closer to him.
Everything seemed so plain and I felt melancholy. I needed to snap
out of my mood. Considering I had missed my class, all I had left
to do all day was visit Dr. Harman later and explain my absence but
that was over four hours away. Jumping to my feet I headed for the
shower.
The long hot soak did me
the world of good and as I ran my hands over my smooth wet skin I
thought about the hot, sheet clenching, pillow biting sex I’d had
the night before. I was instantly aroused as thoughts of Jared’s
fingers, hands and lips caressing my body filled my mind. My hand
slid down over my pert firm breasts. Gently massaging them I rolled
my nipples with my thumb, making them peak and stiffen at my touch.
I gasped as the sensation sent a direct message shooting through my
body, making my clit throb and causing an aching between my legs.
I’d never really touched myself before but being with Jared seemed
to keep me in a constant state of arousal. Even the mere thought of
him had worked me into a sexy, hot mess and my body was writhing
beneath the streaming water. A very naughty thought entered my mind
and I stood there pondering it for a few seconds. Biting my lip I
reached for the shower head turning the dial to massage. Pressing
my back against the cold tiled wall I spread my legs wide across
the shower floor. I hesitated for a moment before slowly moving the
nozzle between my legs. The pressure of the water hit my clit and I
inhaled sharply. It felt like nothing I’d ever experienced before.
The warm gentle stream of water caressed and kissed my skin as it
pulsed against my beautifully sensitive clit.
I slid my hand south and
massaged it gently as the water continued its torrent against my
skin. I could feel my orgasm building inside me rapidly and just as
I reached my peak, images of Jared’s hot naked body played like a
movie in front of my eyes and I called out his name. My knees grew
weak as I panted heavily through my orgasm. The intense pleasure
coursing through me left me longing for his touch once more.
Struggling to regain my equilibrium, I reached for my towel and
wrapped myself tightly in it. The warmth reminded me of Jared and
our post-coital embrace. He’d spooned me all night, never loosening
his grip on my waist and I’d felt completely safe, loved and
cherished just lying in his arms.
I glanced back at the
shower and smiled mischievously. Picking up the nozzle I gave it a
quick wipe over and placed it back in the holder, smiling to myself
as I did so. It was certainly no Jared but as far as artificially
intelligent boyfriends went, it definitely served its purpose. A
wicked idea was beginning to form in my filthy mind and I hurriedly
dried myself off and slipped into the sexy underwear he’d bought me
that was sitting in a tempting Victoria secret bag in my closet.
The delicate lace hugged my curves perfectly and was flattering
against my skin. The shower had left my skin glowing and glistening
with droplets of water sliding over every crease and curve.
Grabbing my camera, I snapped a picture of myself in a provocative
pose and uploaded it the laptop. This was going to blow his mind. I
opened the email application and began frantically typing, feeling
like an erotic fiction writer as I filled him in on my naughty
escapades in the shower. Leaving no minor detail un-described, I
painted a vivid picture for his enjoyment before attaching the
photo. The opening line read, “Courtesy of your giving and generous
nature I am sure to have a spectacular evening. It seems only right
I send you a gift also. Thinking of you. Layla.” Hitting send I
grinned to myself with satisfaction. Oh to be a fly on the wall
when he gets that later.
* * *
Harman’s office, I imagined I’d bump into Ollie but he was nowhere
to be seen. Surely he couldn’t still be hauled up in his room
brooding? I soon got my answer. Opening the door to his office Dr.
Harman eyed me questionably. “Ah, Miss Jennings. Mr. Green here was
just explaining the reason for your absence. You’ll be pleased to
know he told me all about his feeling unwell and your care for him
in his hour of need. Commendable as that is Miss Jennings, please
remember to also be as attentive to your study. I will let this one
slide but don’t let it happen again.” Ollie exited the room just as
Dr. Harman was handing me the assignment I needed to complete to
catch up. I gave Ollie a cautious smile still unsure of our current
relationship footing. “Thanks Ollie. Really. I mean it. You really
are a true friend.”
He stood there staring at
the ground and shrugged. “That’s what they tell me. Always a
friend. Never a boyfriend.”
He walked me back to the
dorms and we made idle chit-chat but everything continued to feel
so forced, so fake and unnatural. I longed for the closeness we had
and felt genuinely bereft without the feel of his arm round my
shoulders or his hand in mine as we walked. I missed him and I
wondered if we would ever get back to the way things
were.
* * *
was at my door as promised. She must have been in her early
twenties and her long wavy auburn hair was flowing over her
shoulders. She flushed when I shook her hand as I asked her in.
Sweet and yet shy she got to work on my mass of unruly blonde
locks. “So how do you know Jared?” I asked, watching her in the
mirror as she teased a comb through my hair. A small smile grazed
her lips. “We met at high school. I was a couple of years older
than him and on the debate team. He joined when I was in my senior
year and we became good friends. He’s a really sweet guy, when I
had my son he helped me get one of his dad’s apartments for almost
nothing. I was only nineteen and working part time as a hair
dresser didn’t pay much. Now I’m a personal makeup artist and most
of my clients are recommendations I got through him.” I pasted a
smile across my face but her words stuck in my mind like thorns. I
could only imagine the clients Jared was sending to her.
Probably my fifty nine
predecessors
. The thought made me feel
sick so I tried to push it away and focus on enjoying my
evening.
Two grueling hours later,
Rose had completed what she was calling her greatest masterpiece. I
stared at myself in the mirror. I hardly recognized my own face. My
blonde hair was pulled back into an elegant and stunningly shiny
beehive. My makeup was so well done that it looked completely
natural even though she must have used an entire pot of cover up to
hide my freckles and blemished skin. I raised my hand and gently
ran my fingers over a spectacularly beautiful band that finished
off the beehive perfectly. Bending down to my ear Rose smiled. “A
gift from Jared. White gold and diamond. He said I had to put it on
you whether you liked it or not and that I wasn’t to allow you to
argue with me. But you do love it right? I’d hate to have to pluck
out this hive.”
Of course he’d provided
something sparkly, it was his go to move these days. “It’s
gorgeous. I look amazing, thank you so much I really don’t know
what to say. I don’t think I have ever looked this good. You’re a
real genius.”
She gathered all her
things and packed them into a large case she had lying on the bed
before giving me a friendly hug. “Christophe should be here any
minute so I better run, he hates having any distractions when he’s
working. He’s a lot to handle, but he’s great at what he does.
You’re in good hands.” Giving me a wink, she walked down the long
hallway and out of sight. I glanced over at the clock on my wall.
It was five in the evening and Amy still hadn’t come home. I began
to worry that she was still mad at me after our fight but it was
more likely that she was with Nick. I didn’t have much time to
dwell on it as moments later, there was a frantic knocking at my
door.
I opened it to find a
tall rail with several long black covers hanging from hooks. I
assumed that they were dresses. A very flamboyant and vibrant young
man was suddenly spinning the thing around and backing his way into
my room. Leaving the free standing rail in the middle of the room
he turned and scanned me from head to toe. His suit was striped
pink, green and white and his hair was bright blonde, clearly out
of a bottle. He wore sunglasses and a pink tie to match his suit.
He was very thin and when he smiled at me his teeth were almost
blinding, like looking directly into the sun. “Well now darling,
you must be Jared’s little lady. He’s told me all about you. Now
based on a photo he showed me of you and what he’s told me we have
selected these eight dresses for you to try and pick from. They
have all been pre-approved by the man himself and I’m sure we will
have something you’ll love. So shall we get started? Come on
sweetie, slip out of your clothes and let’s get you dressed to the
nines.”
I tried on each dress and
performed like a cat walk model around my room for Christophe as he
sat on my bed and gave me endless direction and criticism on how I
wore the dresses. As if there was some trick or knack to wearing a
piece of fabric. The elegant evening gowns were truly gorgeous but
the one that I loved the most was the final dress. A lovely floor
length scarlet dress. The bodice was a sweetheart neckline with a
band around the waist to separate it from the skirt. Tiny diamantés
were lined around the bust and they sparkled and glistened in the
light as I walked. The skirt was made up of several layers of
ruffled fabric which felt as soft as silk. Twirling in front of
Christophe, I bit my lip and grinned. “I take it darling that you
like this one? I have to say it looks absolutely incredible on you.
Here slip these on too.” Grabbing a pair of heels from the bottom
of the rail he placed them in front of my feet and held out his
hand for support as I climbed into them. They matched the dress
perfectly. Deep crimson with diamanté detail on the heel, they were
hardly visible beneath the dress but they made me feel like a
Hollywood starlet.
Other books
Hot Zone by Sandy Holden
Desired Affliction by C.A. Harms
French for Beginners by Getaway Guides
Madelyn's Nephew by Ike Hamill
Love Burns by Georgette St. Clair
The Seduction of a Duke by Donna MacMeans
Remains of the Dead by Iain McKinnon
Scattered Seeds by Julie Doherty
Mirror of Shadows by T. Lynne Tolles
The Mirror Thief by Martin Seay