Through my veil of unconsciousness, I can hear him murmur, “This has been the best week of my life. I am sorry that it can’t last any longer than the two months I am here. I wish we had met sooner, my love.” Pausing he continues, “You will make someone very happy one day and I will be jealous of that man for all eternity.” Brushing a strand of hair from my face, he kisses my forehead and finishes, “Sleep well, darling.”
Waking in the morning light, I find an empty bed and hear laughter out in the living room. I don’t remember much from last night, but I am very sore, everywhere. Glancing over to the side of the bed Alex usually lays, I find a single purple rose on the pillow. I don’t know what different colored roses mean, other than red means love, but perhaps Alex chose this rose because purple is my favorite color. Taking the delicate flower in my hand, I move to the bathroom placing the rose on the counter and stepping into the hot shower.
“Good morning, beautiful. Can I get you anything for breakfast? Abi has made some pancakes,” Alex announces.
“Abi cooks?” I ask.
“Only breakfast food, like her brother,” he chuckles.
“Well, I would love some pancakes. Thank you.”
As I bend down to kiss him, he affectionately pulls me onto his lap.
“You looked so serene this morning, I couldn’t bear to wake you,” he says as he loosens the sash on the robe and slides his hands inside to rub my back.
“Alex, Abi may see,” I exclaim.
“No, she just went to her room for a shower so we have a few minutes. I told you I don’t share,” he says as he nips at my neck
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“No harm. How do you feel this morning?”
“I am pleasantly sore, sir. I think you wore me out yesterday.”
“I suppose that I can let you rest today.”
“That is kind of you, Mr. Stone. Maybe I will feel better this evening.”
Wrapping my arms around him, I rest against his sitting frame as he continues to stroke my back beneath my robe.
Minutes pass and Alex breaks our silence by asking, “Mallory, how do you feel about baseball?”
“I love baseball. The Orioles are my favorite. I’ve never been to a game though."
As he ties the sash back onto my robe he continues, “Well, how would you like to go today? There is an afternoon game at Camden Yards and I have tickets.”
“Oh my gosh, seriously?” I exclaim as I jump off Alex’s lap and hop up and down in excitement.
He snickers “I will take that as a yes.”
As I continue to dance in my exhilaration, Abi comes back into the room and inquires, “Mal, you ok? My pancakes are not that great.”
I stop dead in my tracks realizing that she has witnessed my ridiculous dancing.
With bright red cheeks, I turn to her and say, “Damn Abi you sure are a buzz kill. Alex is taking us to the Orioles game today. I love the Orioles and I have never been to a game.”
“Oh, we go every time we’re in town."
Walking back over towards Alex I plant a very loud and very wet kiss on his lips.
“I am so excited! What time is the game?” I call out.
“It begins at two so we have plenty of time. Help yourself to some breakfast.”
CHAPTER 12
Camden Yards is packed and as we are directed to our seats, I can’t help but wonder how Alex got a hold of these. They are three rows back from home plate and usually reserved for season ticket holders. My two companions are amused by my excitement; I must look like a little kid at an amusement park. Blushing in embarrassment, I continue to gaze at the baseball stadium.
“I’m sorry, Mallory. I forget what it is like to be some place you dream about. Please take it all in. You look quite adorable when you’re in awe,” Alex says as he leans over to me and kisses my forehead.
On a mission, Abi scampers off to go get us some lunch and beer.
Enjoying our few moments alone together, I wrap my hand in Alex's and I lean into him whispering, “Thank you so much for this, Alex. You have no idea what this means to me.”
“You’re most welcome, Mallory. It is a pleasure.”
“Oh, and thank you for the rose this morning; purple is my favorite color.”
He hesitates momentarily, as if wanting to say something more, but decides against it.
Instead, he replies, “I know, darling. Though, it isn’t nearly as striking as the woman I left it for.”
“Are you sure you have only had two girlfriends? You’re quite a romantic you know.”
“Only for you, sweetheart. I told you I’d do anything to keep you near me for the next two months.”
Abi comes bounding up the stairs moments later, trailed by two young stadium ushers carrying all of her purchased food and beer.
“This wonderful country has men always wanting to help out a lady,” she says as she turns to face the boys carrying her goods. “Thank you, gentlemen. I can take it from here.”
They both blush and scamper off.
“You are horrible, Abi,” I say with a chuckle.
Watching the game, I am riveted to my seat. Alex and Abi keep talking about cricket or some English game that I don’t understand, but they don’t distract me from my love of the Orioles. During the seventh inning stretch, we all stand with the rest of the stadium and move into stretching positions. Abi even tries to complete yoga poses where she stands, causing her neighbors to laugh. The Orioles are ahead by three runs so I am relaxing into my seat when I notice the camera for the large screen making its way over to our section. I see the couple four rows behind us show up on the screen and kiss. The cameraman must have noticed Alex’s and my hand tangled together because he quickly closes in on us. At first Alex doesn’t notice, so I pretend I don’t either, though I know my cheeks speak differently. Abi points out the screen to Alex and he grins widely, leans towards me, and pulls my face into a very heated, barely PG-13 kiss. I am so lost in the sensation of Alex's lips gliding across my own that I barely register the crowd hollering beside us. When he finally lets me up, we grin at each other for a small moment. He kisses my forehead and after placing his arm over my shoulder, we finish watching the game. Most of the crowd is still in awe from our throws of passion that they are more content watching us than the game.
The Orioles win the game and before leaving Alex even manages to get me a signed baseball from the pitcher. Of course, while I receive the baseball from the pitcher, Abi collects his phone number.
We walk back to Alex’s home and decide that we would stay in for dinner. Since neither Alex nor Abi cook, I will be the one grilling steaks and steaming vegetables. Thirty minutes later, we sit down in companionable silence to enjoy our meals.
“Well, I’m beat, that sun wore me out and my flight leaves early in the morning,” Abi says as she tosses her long hair behind her back nonchalantly.
“Thanks for stopping in, Abi. It was great to see you. Let me know when you return to England," he announces as he stands to give her a hug.
Walking over to me, she pulls me into a tight hug.
She squeezes all of the air from my lungs and whispers, “Mal, I want us to keep in touch. I programmed my number into your phone, so you call me anytime. Perhaps when I travel back this way we can meet up.”
“Sure Abi, I would like that. Are you sure you need to leave so soon? I am glad that we had the chance to meet.”
She hugs me again and moves towards her room. Alex’s phone rings moments later and he hesitates to pick it up after glancing at the screen.
“I need to take this, Mallory. Please go prepare yourself in the bedroom,” he declares before moving towards his office.
I move quickly to the bedroom and disrobe from my clothes, folding them onto the floor beside my designated spot. The black nightie is folded in my nightstand and I remove it. Sliding it on, it glides over my skin.
Making my way back to my designated spot, I stand in position and I can vaguely he
ar some shouting coming from Alex’s office. Twenty minutes have passed and my legs are beginning to stiffen from being locked in the same position for this amount of time. After an additional twenty minutes, Alex strolls back to the bedroom.
“Lovely. You may look up, Ms. Winston. Follow me.”
He has changed into a pair of gray gym shorts with no shirt. I have to refrain myself from wiping my mouth to catch any drool that may have slipped out from staring at him, as he is quite a sight to behold.
Following him into the media room Alex commands, “Please stand beside the medallion, facing towards the room.” Stepping towards the other side of the room, he unlocks his armoire and pulls out a pair of gloves and a riding crop. Alex then walks back over to where I stand and first shows me the gloves. He explains, “These are called vampire gloves. Please, feel them.” Reaching out I caress the softness of the leather and he turns them over, palm up, so that I see the small spikes across the fingers and palm. I glare back up at him with an appalled expression. Quickly, Alex speaks in a calming tone, “Ms. Winston, these gloves are typically used in punishment, but I have learned that when used in soft light strokes they can be quite pleasurable. Do not worry; you have not displeased me today, quite the opposite really. I took gratification in your enthusiasm today.” He then shows me the riding crop. It is of dark brown leather and at the end, in the same leather, looks to be a woven rose.
“May I touch it, sir?” I ask quietly.
“Yes, Ms. Winston.”
Stroking the fine leather, I find it is tougher than the glove, but equally as soft. The rose is so intricately woven it looks like a work of art.
“It is beautiful, sir.”
“Yes, I purchased her with you in mind.” Reaching up he caresses my shoulder than removes the straps from the gown and the material pools at my feet. “Please stand against the medallion, facing the wall,” Alex says as he positions my legs much farther apart than last time. My arms aren’t placed above me this time; Alex pulls them straight out from my shoulders. “Before I begin, Ms. Winston. I want to apologize to you again for my roughness these past few days. I would have done many things differently. I would have eased you into this, but I find myself lost in my need for control when you are submitting to me. I do not want to hurt you like last time. I know you are strong, but you must safe word if it becomes too much. Do you understand?” he explains.
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
“Splendid.”
Alex begins to move across my arms with the vampire gloves. The movement is so soft that it feels like a fur instead of spikes. His hands move down my sides and farther down my legs as he moves in tiny circles around my calves. When he moves back up and reaches behind my knees I can feel electricity shoot to my core. Little spikes travel up my inner thigh and then come around to stroke my behind. He alternates slapping each cheek lightly. After eight slaps my body is beyond hot, my breathing is faster, and my heart is pulsating. I can hear Alex remove his gloves and he slides a finger through my folds. A whimper buries in my throat from his touch and I pull on my restraints.
Removing his finger far too quickly he murmurs huskily, “Mmm. Ms. Winston, you are a delectable treat. Would you like a taste?”
Transfixed in this moment I reply, “Yes, sir.”
Skating his hand back through my folds, he causes another moan to escape from my mouth.
Slapping my behind again quickly, he admonishes, “Quiet.”
Then he places his hand in front of my face so that I may lick his finger and I maneuver my head so that I can suck it into my mouth. Tasting myself on him, the flavor spreads more heat through my body.
“Enough,” Alex shouts as he pulls his finger from my mouth and takes the crop into his hand.
My ribcage receives three sharp blows and though they are not painful, they continue to increase the pressure in my body. Using the crop to stroke along my arms and down my spine, Alex slaps each leg a few times and moves towards my inner thighs. The hits are so pleasurable that I find myself reaching my orgasm far too quickly.
As the crop slides through my center, Alex announces, “You may come, Ms. Winston.”
He moves the crop down my body and then swats my core twice. The third hit pushes me over the edge and I come gloriously while chained to the medallion; my restrained position is barely keeping me standing.
“That was wonderful to witness, Ms. Winston,” Alex praises as he quickly removes the cuffs on my wrists and ankles and lifts me into his arms.
Walking back to his bedroom, he places me onto his couch and steps away from the room, towards the bathroom, to return with my robe.
Smiling at his kind gesture I say, “Thank you.”
“You’re most welcome, Mallory. Did you enjoy our scene this evening?”
“Yes, sir. You were right; those gloves didn’t hurt at all. They almost tickled.”
“You can always trust me, Ms. Winston.”
We sit on the couch together for a short amount of time as Alex reaches over and pulls my feet into his lap and starts massaging one of them.
“Oh goodness, that feels good,” I moan.
He continues for a few minutes massaging each foot thoroughly; I hadn’t realized he was using this as a distraction.
Soon Alex speaks up, “Mallory, I have to leave for a few days. My brother needs assistance with his campaign and there is an issue with one of my race teams.”
“Oh,” I pause, but continue, “I understand. When will you leave and return?”
“I will leave tomorrow morning and I plan on returning as soon as possible, but it seems like it may take a week or two to sort out.”
My good mood vanishes. I have enjoyed sharing in his company for the past week; it will only feel worse when he leaves after two months.
Taking a few breaths to steady my voice I reveal, “Alex, I’ll be here when you return.”
“I know, darling. My hope is that this trouble back home won’t mean I need to leave the states earlier.”
“What will happen to our arrangement if that happens?”
“I’m sorry, Mallory, but if I have to leave earlier, then our arrangement will end as well.”
The need to cry racks my body. How can he be so impervious to this situation? Abi mentioned that he is closed off and that he doesn’t let people in, but I want so desperately to be loved by this man and I am determined to breakthrough to him. Hardening my resolve, I square my shoulders. If he is going to act so unaffected by leaving then so will I. Letting my emotions rule our conversation, I try to rile some conflict from Alex.
I say curtly, “That seems like a logical solution since what I want doesn’t seem to be a priority.”
“I know what you’re doing, Mallory. I know you’re upset.”
I remove myself from the couch and stand before him annoyed that he would blatantly state my emotion.
“You know nothing. You don’t know a damn thing about me!”
I storm over to the bed, remove the robe, and tuck myself into the sheets. Alex leaves the room and heads towards his office without saying a word more. There was no reason to act the way I did, but I can’t seem to control myself when he is near. I don’t want to see him leave; I only get him for such a short time. I don’t understand why he isn’t more upset about this.
Sleep doesn’t find me during the night and I am awake as I hear both Alex and Abi get ready to leave for their flights. Before Alex heads out, he comes to crouch beside me while I lie in bed. My eyes are shut, but I am sure he knows I am awake.
“Mallory?” His voice carries a bit of hoarseness in it. “Mallory, please.” I say nothing, but I open my eyes wide in acknowledgement. Skimming the back of his knuckles along my cheek he says, “I am sorry for how things ended last night. I know you are angry with me. Please, forgive me.” He pauses, hoping for a response and then continues, “I have to leave now, but I hope you are waiting for me when I return. I’m not ready to lose you yet.” He bends forward and kisse
s me softly on the lips before saying, “Goodbye, Mallory.” A lone tear escapes from my eye and he wipes it away before standing and walking away from the bedroom.
CHAPTER 13
Gregory is waiting for me in the lobby as I exit the elevator on Monday morning. I feel disconnected from the world after watching Alex leave for a few days. He deserved to hear me forgive him and say goodbye, but my stupid pride got in the way. Now I dread that something is going to happen to him while he is gone or that he decides not to return.
“Good morning, Ms. Winston,” Gregory sends as a greeting.
“Mornin’ Gregory. Why didn’t you leave with Alex?”
“Mr. Stone asked that I stay here to keep you safe and to assist you until he returns.”
“That isn’t necessary.”
“He insisted, Ms. Winston.”
“Well, am I allowed to stay at my house?”
“Mr. Stone suggested that you continue to reside at his home. He also recommended that I stay in the guest room if you felt unsafe.”
“He is exasperating. I am going to work now.”
“May I drive you miss?”
“Sure, I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night. Oh, but only if we stop by Starbucks on the way in.” My smile widens at the thought of caffeine.
I stroll into my office, with my coffee in hand, and it feels as if I haven’t been here in ages, when in reality it has only been a weekend. Stopping at Annie’s office, I plop into a chair in front of her desk. Looking up at me wide eyed, I hand off her coffee.
“Mmm. I love you. You’re the best boss,” she moans through sips of coffee.
“Bribes to make you work hard, Annie. How was your weekend?”
“Boring, we picked out flowers for the wedding. My mother-in-law loved it. Me? Not so much.”
“You should have brought me, I love flowers.”
“I know you do. I’ll remember that if we can’t make a decision. What did you do this weekend?”
“Well, will the summarized version of my weekend do?” With the nod of her head I proceed.“I went out with Madison and Mika on Friday. Mika lied. They ditched me. I wound up at Alex’s. He had two beautiful women staying with him. One was his sister. The other is his now married, ex lover. But they were both sweet as pie. Saturday we went to Cross St. Market. We went out for seafood that night. Ran into Mika and Madison. Alex told them off. Seriously, I think Madison was going to cry. Sunday they took me to Camden yards. All in all, best weekend of my life so far, until Alex left this morning. Some issue at home,” I finish and gasp for breath.
Stone Shattered (The Stone Book 1) Page 12