Breaking the silence I speak up, “Hey Abi, I am a bit tired so I am going to head back. I’ll come get you tomorrow if you want to stay.”
“No, No. I’ll come back with you.”
Thanking Kyle and Lily I say, “Thanks guys for having us over. I’ll call you soon.”
“Alright. Thanks, Mallory, for hanging out. Let us know if you need anything with this whole stalker business.”
“Sure thing. Have a good night.
As we ride the elevator up to Alex’s apartment, I stare at Abi, waiting for her to crack.
“You like him,” I begin but she doesn’t say anything so I continue, “He likes you too, you know.”
“I know.”
“Then what’s the matter?”
She huffs then turns to face me saying, “I’m not my brother. I have no intentions to ruin someone’s life and make them miserable when I have to leave. I see what Alex is doing to you; I’m not going to do that to Kyle.”
Considering her words, I articulate, “I see. Don’t you think that it is a decision he should get to make?”
“What do you mean?”
“Shouldn’t he get to decide if spending however much time you can give, is worth the pain? If Kyle is like me, he will jump at the chance to be with you while you’re here. I’d rather feel passion and pleasure at some point in my life, than regret the decision to not feel it at all.”
Seeming to ponder this for a while, Abi stays silent until we enter Alex’s home.
“You’re right,” she exclaims. “He asked me to go out with him on a date tomorrow. I’ve never been on an actual date.”
“Don’t worry you’ll be fine. You’re brother took me on my first actual date as well.”
“I’m glad we’re here like this, Mal. I’ve always wanted a sister.”
With a saddened voice I say, “Me too. Good night, Abi.”
After sending both Alex and Gregory a text to let them know we’re home, I remove my clothing and slide into the bed. The sheets feel unbearably cold without Alex lying next to me. Staring at the alarm clock for an hour before grabbing my phone, I see that I haven’t received any messages from Alex. Contemplating that he must still be annoyed with me, I toss and turn throughout the night, not ever falling into a restful slumber.
As the weekend creeps by, I still find a rose on the vestibule table daily. Each rose containing a note discussing my family, loyalty, and my intelligence. Yet I haven’t received any messages or calls from Alex and he won’t return my attempts.
* * *
As each day passes without Alex, I seem to slip farther into a robotic mode. I come into work my shift from 9:00am-5:00pm, collect my rose, make dinner at home, take a bath, and go straight to bed. It is the same routine I had before I met Alex, but now it seems extremely mundane. His presence brought color into my life.
How will I ever survive this without him? I ask myself.
CHAPTER 16
Friday morning, a week later, Gregory allows me to drive myself since I need to meet my clients at their office at 9:00am. During the presentation, I muster up just enough enthusiasm for the campaign to highlight my skills. I must have done a significantly good job because they were very pleased with the production. After finalizing the paperwork, I drive back to my office smiling at myself. It feels good to have an approved campaign the first go round since it doesn’t happen very often. With the high from the presentation, I am tempted to give Annie and myself a half day from work. She worked tremendously hard to pull the figures and specs that I needed this week.
I wave to Stephanie as I walk in, ignoring her glare, and burst into Annie’s office. Startling her I announce, “Annie, if your schedule allows, please take the afternoon off.”
“What? Really?”
“Yes, really. The vodka clients approved the campaign the first go round so we don’t need to make any revisions.”
“Holy shit, Mal. That’s freaking amazing. That never happens. You are so good at this.”
“Thanks, it feels pretty amazing. I will probably take the afternoon off too.”
“You never take days off, except last week. I bet you’ve maxed out your vacation build up and everything. Good for you.”
I laugh and embarrassingly shrug my shoulders, “You’re right. I think I have accumulated three months of paid time off. I may need to start taking vacations before the company starts to deduct days. And now I won’t feel so worried to leave since it will all be in your capable hands.”
“You’re too sweet.”
I sigh dramatically, “I know. Anyway, take the afternoon off and finish up those wedding plans.”
Laughing heartily she adds, “Yes, Ms. Winston.”
I finish my morning by sorting through some e-mails that need a response and revising my calendar for next week. The following week is Fourth of July and I consider taking few days to visit with my family at the beach. I glance back and forth between my computerized calendar, my personal calendar, and the timeline for my campaigns so that I can mesh the calendar dates. Spending ten minutes shifting notes back and forth I place my request for a week off to visit my family and move a few more notes on my personal calendar.
“Beautiful girl,” a dark silky voice says, “I have missed you."
Gazing up from my calendar, my heart stops when I see Alex standing in my doorway, looking more handsome than I remember. He is here, in my office, with another single purple rose. Jumping out of my chair, I rush into his waiting arms and he wraps them around me tightly as I pull his head down into a smoldering kiss. His mouth tastes of mint and coffee and his masculine scent engulfs my senses.
Halting our reunion Alex whispers, “I believe we have an audience, Ms. Winston. Care to take this inside?”
Peeking around him, I laugh at the faces of all my female co-workers, including Annie and Stephanie, gawking at Alex. I can’t blame them he is quite a sight.
As I take a few steps back into my office, I stand against the front of my desk. Closing and locking the door, Alex turns and struts toward me. I am so thrilled to see him here that I hadn’t realized that tears were pooling in my eyes and a few had spilled over. Placing the rose on my desk, he reaches up to wipe away the tears.
“Why are you crying, beautiful girl?” he asks.
“I hadn’t realized I was. I missed you is all.”
“Oh, love. I missed you as well. These past two weeks have been unbearable,” he says as he bends forward to clasp my lips in another heated kiss.
My arms wrap around his hips and I pull him against me. It has been too long since I have felt him against my body. Alex must feel the same desire as I do because his hands snake down my arms and grab my waist. Swiftly, he lifts me onto the desk and tugs me towards him, aligning my center with his growing erection. His hands trail up my skirt, sliding it up as he goes and when he reaches the top of my silk stockings and garter clasps, he halts the kiss.
“Fuck. When did you get these?” he says after taking a sharp intake of breath.
Breathing so heavy I can barely speak I whisper, “I bought them with your money.” Staring at the mesmerized look on his face I proclaim, “Alex, kiss me, please.”
He peeks up from his lashes and dives back into our kiss, pushing up my skirt up to my waist. His finger moves to the waistband of my panties and tears them on both sides.
“I’m sorry, baby. I’ll buy you more.”
Shoving the panties into his pockets, he continues to kiss me, nipping at my bottom lip. One of his hands slides across my mound and he delves a finger into my core.
“Damn, you’re so wet already. I need you now, baby. It’s been too long”
As he inserts another finger, I moan and move my hands to the buttons on his jeans, undoing them as best I can.
“Yes. Please, Alex. I can’t wait,” I whimper.
With the absence of underwear, I tug out his cock and begin to stroke him using my thumb to spread the drop of moisture across the head. Groaning into m
y mouth, Alex tilts me back onto the desk as I remove my hands and rest them behind me, wrapping my legs around his waist. As he glides into me, I whimper at the sensation of feeling full.
“I won’t last long baby,” he divulges, “you feel too good, so tight.”
“Me either.”
At that declaration, Alex begins to pound into me. I am so close to my orgasm that I have to bite my lip to hold it in; I want to come with him. Feeling him starting to get close, I raise my hips and he begins moving in circles with his pelvis between thrusts, rubbing against my clit. Each circle causes me to gasp at the feeling.
“Come now,” he commands.
Instigating my body to explode and he follows behind me.
Lying against my desk with Alex pressed against me we both work at filling our lungs with air.
Alex breaths deep, his chest heaving, “Holy shit.”
“Yea.”
“I would apologize for taking you like this at your place of work, Ms. Winston, but that was too incredible to feel remorseful.”
“Yea.”
Leaning up from me slightly Alex asks, “Can you say anything else, Ms. Winston?”
I laugh and respond, “Yea.”
He chuckles along with me causing him to slip out of me and I instantly feel hollow from his exit. Standing from the desk, Alex bends down with a tissue in hand and helps to clean me up. I should be embarrassed by this gesture, but I find it incredibly sweet.
“I’m sorry to barge into your office like this, Mallory,” Alex discloses. “Once the plane landed I had Gregory bring me straight here. I couldn’t wait any longer to see you.” His words melt the walls I had only begun to build around my heart in the hopes to preserve any part of me that I have left once he leaves for good. With a sweet smile plastered onto my face, I wrap my arms around his neck.
“I’m glad you came here first, Alex. You caught me just in time. I was planning to take the afternoon off. My meeting this morning went so well that I felt like enjoying my weekend.”
“That sounds marvelous. What would you like to do?”
“Honestly? I just want to be where you are.”
Bending down to kiss the tip of my nose he says, “Music to my ears. Let’s grab your things and head back to my place.”
“Yes sir.”
Once in the car, I remember my vacation plans with my family and broach the topic. “Alex, I was thinking of visiting my parents when they travel to the beach in a week. Would you like to join me?”
Excitedly Alex answers, “I would love nothing more, darling. Right now a vacation sounds splendid.”
“Fantastic! I will call and let them know we are coming along.”
“I don’t want to be an intrusion, so if it’s a bother I will understand.”
“Alex, you will not be a bother. And if you can’t go, then I won’t go.”
I dial my mom’s number while we walk through the lobby of The Braxton and she answers on the first ring.
“Mallory, how are you dear?”
“I’m great mom. I just had a quick question.”
“Shoot, baby girl.”
“Can I join you at the beach and bring a guest?”
“We would love to have you, sweetie. Are you bringing Madison?”
“No, she isn’t speaking to me right now. I will tell you about all of that another time, but I will be bringing my boyfriend Alex.”
At the term boyfriend, Alex squeezes my hand while we stand in the elevator.
“It must be serious if you want to bring a boyfriend, Mal. Your dad, brothers, and I would love to meet him.”
“Great. We’re excited! I love you, mom.”
“Love you too, sweet cheeks.”
I end the call and smile at Alex as he ushers me through the door. Glancing over the vestibule table, where I have been finding the single rose daily, I am greeted with a large vase holding two dozen purple roses with a mixture of lavender calla lilies.
Shocked by seeing the exquisite array of flowers in the hall I cry out, “Alex, these are beautiful.”
He intertwines our fingers and pulls me with him towards his bedroom while saying, “Not as beautiful as you, Ms. Winston.”
“Isn’t Abi home?” I ask.
“She has gone to spend the weekend with a Kyle Johnson. Apparently, I have you to thank for that.”
“They really like each other. I think she is considering moving here for him," I say imploringly.
“Do you really like me, Ms. Winston?” Alex asks.
Is he generally asking or is he referring to my comment about Abi?
Pondering I announce, “I do, Mr. Stone.”
“Good.” Swooping in, he places a fiery kiss on my lips, hands gripping my hips, but pulls away quickly.
“Please get into position; I believe we have a punishment to take care of. Though, my anger has dissipated immensely, I still feel you should be taught a lesson about safety.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Alex leaves the bedroom, I get myself into position for the scene. I don’t have to wait long for Alex to return. Wearing only his gray gym shorts, I find myself trying not to be caught glancing at him.
“Lovely, Ms. Winston. You may look up.” Following his command, I do as he says. “Did you wear my collar everyday in my absence?” he inquires.
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Do you understand why you are being punished today, Ms. Winston?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Your punishment runs a very fine line between pleasure and pain. You may feel only a little pain once we begin. Please remember your safe word. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good, come with me.”
I follow Alex to the media room and he guides me to the ottoman, which has been lowered to a sitting height. Behind the ottoman is a long table full of different colored candles and a bottle of oil.
“Do not be nervous, my dear,” Alex comforts.
Noticing that I am ringing my hands I glance up at him and apologize with my eyes. I know not to speak in this room unless he asks me a question.
“Ms. Winston, please lay across the entire ottoman,” Alex indicates, “You may face your head to the right, towards the table.”
Doing as he says, I begin by pressing the front of my body against the smooth leather. The table is longer than I thought and I place my stretched arms above my head. Alex then pulls two leather straps from his armoire, securing them around the ottoman and across my ankles and wrists. Fastened to the furniture, I feel cool droplets of oil splatter onto my skin, gently rubbed by Alex over my exposed limbs and back. My body glistens from the oil in the dim light of the room. Departing the room for a few minutes, he leaves my body to sizzle in its restraints. I’m not sure what to expect as my punishment, but the writhing of my body against the leather is quickly burning a fire in my core. Strolling back into the room, Alex stands over me examining my body.
With an authoritative voice Alex directs, “Do not move or make any noise unless it is your safe word. Understand?”
I nod in response.
“Good.”
As he reaches across me, only then do I realize his intentions. Searing pain, like the kiss of a flame, splashes across my flesh. The burning wax pours onto my body and he switches back and forth between different candles, spilling the wax in erratic spurts. The hot wax covers my skin and as it cools, it creates a hard shell over my body. Fifteen minutes have passed and reaching for one last candle that burns bright red, Alex trails the wax from the nape of my neck down to each instep. On his final way back up my left leg, Alex watches the wax pour over the crack of my behind into the crevice of my center. My entire body wants to curl into itself from the heat on my folds. After a minute or two, the wax has hardened into a stiff casing.
“How does that feel, Ms. Winston? Do you feel trapped?” he asks and then continues, “That’s how you made me feel when I was away in England. When you felt it necessary to take your secur
ity into your own hands. You didn’t trust me enough to protect you from a distance. You made me feel mentally and emotionally confined as you are now physically. Do you understand now, Ms. Winston.?”
I nod my head in response.
“Good. The wax is still slightly warmed from your body and the oil will help it come off, but as part of your punishment I will be taking off to my liking.”
The curiosity thrills me as I wonder how he will remove the wax since it covers the entire back of my body. The dripping of the wax was very erotic and the fire that had been building inside me continues to smolder.
Snapped from my revelries, I cringe when a loud crack lands on my thigh and I clinch my hands in pain. It’s quick, but is followed up by another smack on the opposite leg. The nips continue across my body and the pain has me digging my nails into the palms of my hands, certain that I am drawing blood. As he works his way up my arms, I see that he has been using a plastic cane to inflict his punishment. He snaps the rod at each of my hands when he sees they are clinched.
“I told you not to move, Ms. Winston,” he exclaims. Trailing the tip of the cane over some of the broken wax, he chips pieces away. Alex asks, “Do you think you have learned your lesson?” Closing my eyes, I hold back my moan as he trails the cane around my inner thighs. He orders, “You are not allowed to come.”
Sending little nips at my center with the cane the fire ignites in my belly again. To hold back my orgasm I grind my teeth together as the cane Alex commands bites at my folds ten times before he tosses it aside and slides his finger inside me.
“I think you have learned your lesson, Ms. Winston,” Alex says in a husky voice, removing his finger. “Stay still and I will peel the remaining wax away.” Pouring some oil into his hands, he slides pieces of the hardened wax away from my skin and places it into a large bowl. A few minutes later, he has removed every sliver of wax. Reaching down, Alex unlatches both straps and rubs the area the leather had rested against my skin.
Concerned he asks, “How are you feeling, Ms. Winston? You may answer.”
My muscles are stiff and I am a bit numb as I struggle to answer, “I, uh, don’t want to do that again.”
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