The Fidelity World_Shattered

by Somer Grey

  As I strolled, I thought about all of my dreams and all of the things that had gone wrong. I remembered the hurt I’d felt from the girls at the restaurant and from the rejection letter. I thought of my parents and what they would think if I signed an agreement to be owned. My mother and father had always supported and loved me. Their expectations were high, but they’d always been there for me. The loss of finances hadn’t been their fault.

  Would I have their support if they didn’t think my choice was right?

  I always considered my parents in every decision I made. I’d never wanted to hurt or disappoint them—I still didn’t.

  Then I thought about something they’d taught me. Entering the competition wouldn’t win me the race. You wouldn't get anywhere if you only showed up to the track. The only way to win and succeed was to take the first step, the second, and then the third. Each step along the road empowered the next until you reached accomplishments along the way. I’m sure they weren’t referring to being a paid prostitute—or was companion the right word? But nevertheless, I applied the same principle to this situation. If I didn’t take the next step, my dream could be gone forever.

  The more I thought about my goals and dreams, the more I realized what I wanted in life. To some, it may be the walk of shame, but for me, it was liberating. And for the first time in my life, I didn’t care what people thought. It was my fucking life, and it was about damn time I lived it for me. I hadn’t planned it, but now the first step to my future and my dreams was Infidelity.

  I’d managed hurdles. Now I had a possibility.

  I was going to take it.

  The world needed to fuck itself and let me finally be who I wanted to be—me.

  The next morning, James picked me up at precisely eight thirty and drove me to Infidelity. Karen met me at the elevator and took me straight to her office.

  “Melissa, have you made a decision?”

  My voice was sure. “I want to sign.”

  “Good, do you have all the paperwork completed? Once everything is processed, you’ll go downstairs for pictures.”

  Karen accepted all the paperwork I’d filled out the night before; glancing at it, she slid it into a file folder. My hand shook, and I felt nauseous as I looked at the contract in front of me. I blinked a few times and decided it was now or never.

  I picked up the black pen off Karen’s desk and scrolled my name across the places where she instructed me to. Every curve and stroke of my name on the dotted lines took me closer to my dream but also closer to the nightmare that possibly awaited me. Figuratively speaking, every i dotted and t crossed locked me into a new world. What I didn’t know was if I was prepared to live in that new place.

  Time would tell, and I could only hope for the best.

  The next day, I flew home and waited for Karen to call. From that moment on, my life changed, and so did the way I viewed the world. My signing with Infidelity wasn’t a sure thing to become a companion. It was just an opportunity to be chosen. Weeks after I returned from New York, I still hadn't heard from Karen. I started to think that maybe I wouldn’t. Doubt crept back in.

  I knew Karen had mentioned that placements usually took many months. However, if I wanted to register for spring classes, I didn't have months. Courses were limited, and I needed to sign up soon. It was as I struggled with the doubts of the spring semester that my phone rang, and the call had a New York area code.

  “Hello,” I said, answering my phone just as I reached my parked car.

  “Miss Summers, your agreement has been picked up.” I recognized Karen’s voice. “Please remember that you signed an NDA. We will be in touch.” That was all that was said before the line went dead.

  I looked around; it felt like déjà vu. Had someone waited to call me, watching me until I opened my car door? My gut told me that if I was being watched it was by Infidelity, but that reasoning didn’t stop the fear that ran up my spine. I jumped in the car and locked the doors.

  I spent the next week walking on eggshells. Food and sleep weren't in my thoughts, only questions.

  Who bought the agreement? Was he handsome? How would he treat me?

  So many questions...all with no answers.

  I had to wait until they decided it was the right time. I just hoped I wouldn’t lose my mind until that time came.

  I finally calmed down enough to eat and sleep again, and an envelope magically appeared in the front seat of my car, again while my doors were locked. Sweat poured down my back as I reached for the thick paper. Panic set in.

  This was real; I’d sold myself.

  I would have sex with a complete stranger.

  I prayed he wasn’t old. Then I reconsidered. Maybe old was better. He wouldn't want sex because he wouldn’t be able to get it up. Fuck, he probably takes that damn blue pill to stay hard for hours. Thoughts kept firing through my head. What if someone bought me to give to someone else?

  What if…OMG, what the hell did I agree to?

  I needed answers, and the only way to get them was to open the envelope. I pulled on the top, not even bothering with the red wax seal. I scanned the documents. It was just copies of what I signed and my letter of acceptance to Northwestern. I cried and laughed; between that, I screamed and yelled my excitement. Anyone who walked by my car would think I was insane. Hell, I might have been to take this risk, but I needed to follow the path I chose.

  A white box was on the bottom of the envelope with a heart-shaped tag attached to the top.

  Melissa,

  May this next year open more than doors—

  I flipped the top open. Inside was a gold necklace with a small diamond pendant in the shape of a key. I fingered the charm—it was beautiful. I pulled it out and fastened it around my neck. I wasn’t sure how I could explain the necklace to my parents, so I tucked it under my shirt. They knew I saved every dime and would never splurge on jewelry. I had fed them enough lies already, so I chose avoidance instead.

  Chapter 9

  The Beginning of the End

  Melissa

  Two weeks after my agreement was bought, I loaded my car and headed to Evanston, Illinois, not far from Chicago. Karen said I wouldn’t need to bring anything at all. All of my accommodations were prepared for my arrival. Closets and dressers overflowed with clothes in my size and my favorite toiletries. I had no idea who bought my agreement or what the person who bought it looked like, but he seemed to know an awful lot about me.

  A handwritten note was placed on the counter for me to find, scripted by, I assumed, a man. It said he would arrive on Friday night, and next to the note was a cell phone. According to the letter, the iPhone was programmed with one number and no name. This phone was part of our agreement, according to the note; therefore, it wasn’t to be used for anything but our communication. He didn’t sign his name, just the salutation and a few lines about how he has waited a long time to find a match, but he knew I was the one the moment he saw me.

  The apartment was fully furnished, yet bare of pictures and personal items. As empty as it was, it felt homey, or maybe I was just comforting myself. The apartment balcony overlooked a nature preserve with private access for the residents of the building. Tables and gazebos were situated to one side of a lake with paver sidewalks swirled on the grass. A wrought-iron fence enclosed the elaborate sanctuary and kept any nonresidents out.

  I carried two phones now, the phone from my previous life and the one to my new. My old one rarely rang, and the iPhone had yet to. The first time the new phone went off, my pulse thumped, and my heart about stopped when the text message came through. I startled, and the phone almost fell to the ground when I tried to pick it up with shaky hands.

  Private caller: I will be there promptly at 8 p.m. I expect you have already explored the apartment and found the closet filled with clothes and the bathroom filled with all your toiletries. Pick out a pretty dress—get all dolled up for me. Be ready when I arrive.

  Me: Okay.

  I knew I sh
ould have said more, but I couldn’t think of anything else.

  Private caller: In the top drawer in the closet dresser, there are ties. Cover your eyes with one of my ties that matches the dress you plan to wear. No peeking.

  Five hours from now, I would meet the man with whom I’d spend the next year of my life. I showered, shaved, and fixed my hair and makeup. I slipped on a short black dress that barely covered my ass. At 7:45, I tied a solid black tie around my eyes and not so patiently waited. It was an eternity before he walked through that door.

  With my eyes covered, I only had my other senses to depend upon. A strong scent of woodsy cologne with a hint of citrus filled the air. His shoes echoed through the apartment on the wood floors. One, two, three—then nothing. One, two, three and once again nothing. I didn’t know how many steps it was from the door to the spot where I sat, but he intentionally drew it out. I didn’t know where he was, but he was close—I sensed the heat from him.

  I heard the hitch of his breath as his finger caressed my face. “Melissa, my beautiful Melissa. Do you know how long I’ve waited for you—how many times I imagined you on top of me?”

  I tensed with his touch, but that didn’t stop his fingers from tracing my face. His deep, masculine voice commanded my attention, and it was hard to focus on anything with him touching me. I also craved to see his face, the man who had waited for me to come along. If his voice was any indication of his looks, I won the fucking lottery. I needed to see him; slowly I reached up to remove the tie from around my eyes but was stopped.

  “No, not yet. I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”

  This time when he talked there was something about his voice… it seemed familiar. Even with my eyes covered, I felt his stare. “I can’t believe you are finally mine.”

  “For—” The rest of my words went unsaid as he laid his finger on my lips.

  “Melissa, I can stay only one night, then I have to get back home for an important meeting. I’ll be back next week for a longer period. I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed when you see me for the first time.” He bent down and placed a soft kiss on my lips. “For tonight, I need you to keep your eyes covered.” His fingers leisurely wandered from my lips, chin, and neck until they rested on the top of my breast. One finger caressed my nipple until each of his hands cupped my breasts and kneaded them through my clothes.

  “Tonight, I want to get to know and touch every inch of your skin. Learn every one of your desires.” His palm brushed my leg as one of his fingers slowly lifted the black flowered sundress higher until it bunched around my waist. He leaned in and pinned me to the back of the sofa.

  “Fuck, you smell so good.” His nose stroked my panties. He laid another soft kiss between my legs, and then he was gone.

  “My sweet girl, come with me.” His hand clasped around mine and led me toward the bedroom and then we came to a stop. “Don’t move.” Another kiss on my nose.

  Something soft covered my head and rested against the tie. “Keep your eyes closed. This will cover your eyes better.” He turned me around as he secured the mask and removed the tie from my eyes. “I have a better use of the tie." He let out a little laugh. I swear, I felt his lip curl up into a smirk on my shoulder.

  He twirled me around like a ballerina. “Tonight, I’ll explore your body and mind. I’ll allow you two questions, but it doesn’t mean I’ll answer. Things will be revealed soon enough.”

  He leaned his hips into me. He just revealed something to me without questions: his dick was massive, and he didn’t have any issues getting hard.

  The soft whispers that echoed in my ears made me crazy. “Melissa, I won’t be fucking you tonight, but I will touch, caress, and taste you. Nothing more.”

  What the fuck? We hadn’t even started anything, and I was already in need—something I didn’t know I even had until this moment. My dress was lifted over my head, and his large hands cupped my breasts, massaging them. I was pulled closer into him as he reached around to unfasten my bra, letting it fall to the floor. Soft breath tickled me as he kissed my stomach and continued all the way the down to my pussy. He sucked and nipped at me through my panties before sliding his long fingers in the waistband and lowering them. I stood before him completely naked and wanting more of his touch.

  “God, you are fucking gorgeous!”

  His breath hitched as he placed his arms around me and positioned me in the center of the bed. He padded through the room before the bed dipped. He crawled up my body slowly, leaving the heat of his breath in his path. “Give me your hands.”

  His words were sexual and full of longing; the instinct to resist never had a chance. My body pleaded. I needed him to keep his promise to explore every inch of my body. “That’s my girl. I’m not going to hurt you. I will be the only one touching tonight. You will get to explore my body soon enough.”

  One minute my hands lay on my stomach, and the next they were raised and secured to the headboard.

  “Now that I have you, where should I start to taste you? I’ve been a fucking starved man for way too long. Damn, you’re fucking gorgeous and worth every penny I paid to get you.” He kissed me up and down my body as he spoke of his desires. My nipples pebbled, and chills ran up my spine. “Your pale milky-white skin against the dark sheets, your red hair fanned out across my pillows… I want to fuck you so badly. I made a promise: I wouldn’t fuck you until you know who I am.”

  My body was on fire. His fingers and his tongue licked, touched, and embraced every inch of my body as he assured me he would. I needed more. My pussy pulsated with want.

  “Do it—please, just fuck me.” My mouth overtook and talked for my body, not my mind. I didn’t even know his name. I knew eventually we would have sex but not within the first hour. I knew I should protest, beg for time to get to know him, but those words never left my mouth.

  “My dirty girl, not tonight, but I promise soon.”

  “Please, I need—”

  A finger was placed over my lips. “I know exactly what you need, but I make the rules. Do I need to remind you who works for whom? I’ve read your hard limits very carefully. Punishment wasn’t one of them.” His voice dropped to just above a murmur as he nipped at my ear, his breath sweet like peppermint. “My sweet girl, remember punishment can be more than my hand turning your ass red. I have the option of turning your ass red and leaving you unsatisfied. Or maybe, I might just prefer to use my belt on your perky little ass until it is a nice crimson color. Then I’ll stick my cock into your ass and fuck you while feeling the heat of your punished skin against me, my dick deep inside you and my balls slapping that sore ass of yours.”

  I should’ve been scared or appalled by the way he spoke. I should have screamed the yellow or maybe even red safe word from the agreement. He needed to be slapped for all the vile and disgusting words coming from his mouth. The thought that someone would fuck my ass scared the shit out of me. But more than that, it excited me. I didn’t care what he did as long as I had a sexual release.

  He tortured my body for hours, and at the end of the night, my body exploded with an orgasm that rocked my world. I was nothing more than a pile of flesh with no bones to support me.

  “Sleep, my sweet Melissa.”

  I woke untied and naked with the blindfold still around my eyes. The apartment was silent but the smell of food and coffee filtered into the room. I slipped the blindfold away. Even before I had my sight, I felt his absence. I wandered out of the bedroom after I pulled one of his white undershirts over my head. A serving tray with a coffee urn and domed plate was set on the counter. A little note was atop the dome of what I assumed covered my breakfast. This man was going to be my death. After last night I needed more. He teased and satisfied more without actual sex than I thought it possible.

  My sweet Melissa,

  I have fantasized about your body for a very long time. My fantasies of you paled in comparison to touching and tasting your delicious body. I wanted to eat you all over again this morni
ng, but I had an unavoidable appointment.

  My dick hasn’t stopped begging for you, just as your pussy begged and pleaded with me last night. I wish last night didn’t have to end. The memories will keep my hand very busy. Fuck, the thought of you on my tongue makes me hard all over.

  I will be gone for a few days, but arranged to work from here next week. We will discuss all my wants and expectations that I require you to fulfill. I had anticipated we would resolve everything last night, but once I saw you, my determination not to touch you was overruled by my desire to sample you.

  I ordered your breakfast. Rest until Monday; you will need your energy.

  I will text your instructions.

  Chapter 10

  Revelations

  Melissa

  Saturday and Sunday were slow and uneventful. I walked along the lake in the nature reserve and went into town to wander and explore. I was bored. I had already registered, and classes hadn’t started yet at Northwestern, so I had nothing to do but wait for his arrival. I still hadn’t heard from him when I woke up on Monday morning. I knew he said he would be back today, but I had no idea what time.

  I laid the iPhone on the coffee table and waited. Nothing happened. Then I decided I needed to do something that inevitably would cause the phone to ring. I watched fifteen minutes of a movie before I decided to take a nap. When that didn’t work, I went to take a bath. I grabbed the iPhone and set it on the counter. Filled the tub, shaved, and even soaked in the warm water until it turned cold. The phone still wouldn’t ring. I gave up on trying to make it ring and threw it on the coffee table and went to the kitchen to fix a drink.

  That was when it happened.

  The phone pinged, and I ran toward the living room. Fuck, I should have tried that first. I tripped and slid across the hardwood floors into the couch arm.