The Endgame

by James, Cleary

Unable to sit still as she waited for Grayson to return, she stood and took the opportunity to get a proper look at the artwork in the room. There were some amazing pieces, and most of the artists she recognised and admired. She was studying a large abstract by one of her favourite painters when Grayson came into the room carrying a tray. He placed two large white bowls of steaming pasta on the table, then came to stand beside her.

  ‘You like this?’ he asked, nodding at the canvas.

  ‘Yes, very much.’

  ‘You have excellent taste.’ He smiled. ‘It’s my favourite.’

  ‘You’re very lucky to own it.’ She knew the artist’s work fetched very high prices. ‘I love his stuff, but it’s way beyond my means.’

  ‘I’m sure Mark could afford it.’

  ‘He’s not such a fan as I am, unfortunately,’ she said with a sigh. ‘And it’s his house, so ...’ She shrugged. Mark wasn’t about to buy art that wasn’t to his taste just to please her. She would have been happy with a print of something she loved, but Mark didn’t approve of prints. ‘Maybe one day ...’ She trailed off wistfully.

  ‘Well, let’s eat before it gets cold,’ Grayson said. He took her hand and led her back to the table. He pulled out a chair for her, and as she sat, his fingers brushed lightly against her arm.

  ‘Bon appétit,’ he said, dropping a kiss on her bare shoulder. He was being very tactile, but not in an aggressive, brutish way like she had expected. He was gentle and lover-like, as if he was trying to seduce her – which didn’t make any sense in the circumstances. It was a little unnerving.

  ‘Are you warm enough?’ he asked as he took his seat opposite.

  ‘Yes. Thank you.’ She lifted her fork and spoon. ‘This looks wonderful.’

  It tasted every bit as good as it looked. The silky linguini was coated in a delicate sauce of lobster and cream, and Lisa ate hungrily. It had been too long since she’d had pasta, she thought, closing her eyes to savour the texture of it in her mouth. It was heaven. When she was on her own again she would eat pasta all the time. She could have it every day – twice a day if she wanted. And pizza! She should start making a list of foods she could indulge in when she was no longer with Mark, she decided, and add it to her mental picture of what her future would look like. She couldn’t have a physical inspiration board, but she kept one in her head, and it helped her to stay motivated and focused on her goals. When she was having a bad day and slipping into despair, visualising her future life buoyed her up.

  She suddenly became aware of Grayson watching her, smiling indulgently, and realised she had zoned out. ‘This is really good,’ she said to cover her embarrassment.

  ‘I’m glad you like it.’

  ‘You’re a good cook.’

  ‘I enjoy it. I don’t get to do it often enough.’

  ‘So, where’s Isabel tonight? Doesn’t she mind you having another woman here?’

  ‘No.’ He smiled. ‘I told you, Isabel and I aren’t like that. We’re just friends.’

  She nodded. ‘Friends with benefits. I remember.’ Once again she felt hopelessly naive. She didn’t understand these casual sexual relationships – and she didn’t think she ever would.

  ‘You don’t approve,’ he said.

  Damn! She must have let some of what she was thinking show in her face. Fix it, Lisa! ‘No,’ she said hastily, ‘it’s not that. It’s like Mark said – I’m very parochial.’ She gave a self-deprecating laugh. ‘I’m just not very sophisticated, I’m afraid.’

  ‘Yet here you are,’ he said softly. The implication was clear – here she was, ready and willing to have sex for money. She could hardly claim to be a wide-eyed innocent.

  She shrugged. ‘Well, I’m learning.’

  ‘What about you and Mark? You seem to have a pretty open relationship.’

  ‘Not as much as you’d think. Mark is ... quite possessive. If he knew I was here–‘ She stopped abruptly. She had been going to say If he knew I was here, he’d kill me. Still, even if she had said it, Grayson wouldn’t take it literally. People said that all the time. It was just an expression.

  ‘Don’t worry, I won’t say anything.’ He covered her hand with his in a reassuring gesture.

  ‘Thank you,’ she smiled. As they ate, Lisa felt herself relax. The heat of the fire, Grayson’s easygoing manner and the comfort of the food all combined to soothe her and put her at ease.

  ‘Dessert?’ Grayson asked as he got up and started clearing their plates.

  ‘No, thank you,’ Lisa said automatically. She never ate dessert. Mark didn’t allow it. Then she remembered the first night they had met, and blushed. Maybe he didn’t mean dessert literally ...

  ‘There’s chocolate mousse,’ Grayson said temptingly, a teasing smile playing about his lips. ‘I made it specially.’

  ‘Oh. Well, in that case ...’ Lisa relented with a smile, feeling very reckless.

  Grayson grinned and left the room, and Lisa’s smile faded as it struck her how ridiculous it was that she should feel so daring simply for saying yes to dessert. God, she was pathetic!

  She shook off her gloomy thoughts as Grayson returned with two little individual pots of mousse topped with whipped cream.

  ‘Oh my God, this is amazing!’ Lisa said as she swallowed the first mouthful. It was rich and indulgent, and tasted so good, she almost wanted to cry. Chocolate was another food that was going on her list, she decided.

  Grayson smiled at her. ‘Well, it’s nice to have such an appreciative guest.’

  A loaded silence fell between them as they finished eating. Grayson pushed back from the table and sipped his wine, and Lisa felt his heavy, hooded gaze on her.

  ‘Come here,’ he said finally, holding out a hand to her, his dark eyes glittering with intent.

  She took his hand and stood. Time to pay the piper, she thought, about to sink to her knees in front of him. She was startled when instead he pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her.

  ‘I can’t believe you’re finally here, like this,’ he said, one hand stroking her cheek softly, while he gazed at her. He dropped a kiss to her bare shoulder. ‘I’ve thought about having you here so often,’ he said, nuzzling her neck. ‘What I’d like to do to you.’ He kissed her ear, tugging lightly on the lobe, his hot breath tickling her skin and fizzing along her nerve endings. ‘All the places I want to kiss you,’ he whispered, his hand sliding up her thigh under her dress. He kissed her mouth, parting her lips with his. He cupped her bottom, pulling her closer as his tongue slid into her mouth. She felt the hardness of his erection as he pulled her tighter, thrusting his hips against hers, and she rocked into him, wanting more. His breathing deepened, and his hands became more urgent, stroking her thighs and brushing over her breasts until her nipples were taut and hard. She gasped as he bent and sucked one through the thin material of her dress, cradling his head to her, her fingers digging into his hair. He groaned deep in his throat as he slipped a finger inside her knickers and stroked along her folds. ‘You’re so wet,’ he gasped, lifting his head, his eyes dark with desire as they met hers. He watched her face as he continued to stroke, and Lisa clutched him tighter as her excitement mounted.

  He withdrew abruptly, placing both hands firmly on her waist as he pulled back a little.

  ‘Come upstairs,’ he said.

  Lisa nodded, and he stood, gripping her hand tightly in his as he led her from the room and up the stairs almost at a run.

  The bedroom he took her to was large and airy, moonlight streaming in from two floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the imposing king-size bed of rich, dark wood that dominated the room, its intricately carved headboard adding a touch of drama. Grayson pulled the curtains and flicked on a lamp that bathed the room in a warm yellow light. Then he pulled her into his arms, holding her tight into his body, so she could feel how much he wanted her, his erection pressing into her stomach as he kissed her, his mouth hot and demanding on hers. His fingers shook as he fumbled with the tie of her dress
at her neck. She shivered as he opened it and the material slid against her skin as it fell to her waist. Grayson pulled back slightly, his eyes dark and hungry as they dropped to her naked breasts. Then he undid the zip and pushed the dress off so it landed in a pool at her feet and she was naked except for her thong and high heels.

  ‘You’re so beautiful,’ he breathed, his eyes following his hand as it stroked across her shoulder and down over her breast, lingering there, caressing, his fingers lightly pinching her nipple as he bent to kiss her.

  Lisa started fumbling with the buttons of his shirt, surprised by the intensity of her desire. She wasn’t just playing a part. She wanted Grayson. Seemingly just as impatient as she was to feel his bare skin against hers, he helped her with the buttons and shrugged out of his shirt. Lisa ran her hands over the planes and hollows of his chest, loving the warm, solid feel of him. He pulled her into his body as he deepened the kiss, the touch of skin against skin setting her nerves tingling. He made a guttural sound in his throat as her fingers brushed across his taut stomach and she reached for his zipper.

  She felt the tension in his body as he broke the kiss, his movements urgent as he quickly removed the rest of his clothes. Then he stood before her naked, and for a long moment she just gazed at him. He was beautiful – lean and muscular, his golden skin lightly dusted with dark hair. His cock was already hard and thick, standing proud against his taut stomach. Waves of heat washed over her as she drank in the perfection of his naked body, while his eyes devoured her in turn.

  He bent and scooped her up into his arms, and Lisa kicked off her shoes as he carried her to the bed. He pushed her down onto it and crawled over her, and she stifled a gasp as he hovered above her, feeling momentarily overwhelmed by him and what was about to happen.

  Then he lowered his mouth to her, kissing his way down her neck, along her collarbone to her breasts. She whimpered as he flicked his tongue lightly across one nipple before sucking it into his mouth, while his fingers teased the other until she writhed beneath him. His mouth moved lower, kissing and nuzzling along her sides and across her stomach, his tongue dipping into her belly button while he continued to caress her breasts. She dug her hands into his hair as his mouth travelled down her body, the softness of it in her fingers contrasting with the rasp of his stubble on the soft skin of her thighs. His groans of pleasure were interspersed with whispered praise, telling her how beautiful she was and how much he wanted her. He tugged down her panties, and she lifted her hips to help him. He slid them off and dropped them on the floor.

  ‘You’re so wet.’ His voice was husky as he buried his head between her legs, his words exciting her as much as his touch. She got even wetter as he licked along her folds, simultaneously stroking her with two fingers before sliding them inside her. Her body arched towards him reflexively and she curled her hands around his head, clamping him to her. The heat that was building inside her became almost too intense as his mouth latched onto her clit, sucking and licking mercilessly while he pumped his fingers inside her. She clutched at the sheets, whimpering helplessly as she came, her body bowing off the bed as the waves of pleasure consumed her. Still he didn’t stop, keeping up the relentless onslaught until he brought her to another juddering climax and she cried out with a raw, primitive sound.

  He knelt up and grabbed a condom from the nightstand, his eyes burning into hers as he slid it on. She knew the fire in her eyes matched his, silently communicating to him that she wanted this as much as he did. He bent to kiss her as he hovered over her again. Then in one swift movement he grabbed her hands and held them over her head as he drove into her. Lisa felt suffocated, and tried to stifle her panic at the feeling of helplessness as the weight of his body pinned her to the bed, his hand holding hers immobile. But she couldn’t help the instinctive jolt of fear, the hitching of her breath or the panicked widening of her eyes.

  ‘Sorry,’ Grayson whispered, instantly releasing her hands, frowning in concern as he withdrew, his body stilling over hers.

  ‘No, it’s okay,’ Lisa reassured him, clasping her hands together over her head where he had placed them. She had said she would let him do whatever he wanted. If he wanted to hold her down, she would just have to tough it out. She waited for him to grab her wrists again. But instead he put his arms around her and flipped them over so that she was on top.

  ‘Okay?’ he asked, bringing her down onto his cock and settling her so she was sitting astride him.

  She nodded hesitantly, worried that she had displeased him. But he didn’t look remotely unhappy, his eyes appreciative as they raked over her body.

  ‘This is better, actually,’ he said with a smile, his hands stroking along her thighs and over her bottom, pulling her tighter into him. ‘I can see you better when I’m inside you. I can touch more of you.’ His hands came up to cup her breasts, teasing the nipples as he pushed up into her.

  Lisa felt powerful as she began to move up and down on him, the naked desire in his eyes emboldening her as he held her waist and thrust up to meet her. He groaned as Lisa wiggled her ass, grinding her hips into his, and his thrusts became faster and more urgent. His breathing was heavy and ragged as he put his hands on her shoulders, bearing down so he could push deeper inside her, his face contorted with tension as his cock began to twitch. Then, with a ragged moan, his whole body shuddered as he came inside her.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  When his body went limp, Lisa collapsed on top of him, and he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her softly as his breathing returned to normal. Then he pulled out of her, easing her onto the bed beside him. They lay side by side, their bodies slick with sweat, just gazing into each other’s eyes. Lisa wondered what Grayson was thinking. Did he regret spending so much money on her? Was he disappointed that she’d shown fear when he held her down? Would he want to do it again? He’d paid to have sex with her as many times as he wanted until she had to leave at midnight. But maybe he’d had enough of her already.

  ‘Grayson?’ she began in a small voice.

  ‘Hmm?’ He traced a finger lightly along her cheek.

  ‘I didn’t mean to stop you – when you were holding me down. I’m sorry.’

  ‘No, I’m sorry.’ He frowned. ‘It scared you.’

  ‘You took me by surprise, that’s all. But you shouldn’t have stopped. It’s okay if you want to restrain me–‘

  His eyes narrowed. ‘Why would I want to do that? You clearly don’t like it.’

  ‘I said you could do whatever you wanted. If that’s what turns you on–‘

  ‘You think dominating you and overpowering you excites me? That doing something that scares you is a turn-on for me?’ He seemed almost angry, his jaw tense.

  She shrugged. ‘I don’t know ...’

  ‘Well, it’s not. I don’t want to do anything you’re uncomfortable with. I want to please you.’

  ‘But ... why?’

  ‘Why?’ he asked, aghast, his eyes widening. ‘Isn’t that what sex is about – mutual pleasure and satisfaction?’

  ‘Well ... yes.’ She did know that in theory at least that was what sex was meant to be about. She wasn’t so naive as to think the way Mark treated her was how it should be. ‘But this is different.’

  He tilted his head to the side, regarding her curiously through narrowed eyes. ‘Why?’

  ‘Because ... you’re paying me.’

  ‘Ah, the money.’ He gave a wry smile. ‘I wish we could just forget about that. It’s not part of the equation for me – and frankly, I’d rather not be reminded of it.’

  ‘Why not?’ Did he regret paying so much money to have sex with her? It was hardly surprising. He was almost bound to be disappointed.

  ‘Because I’d rather not be reminded of the fact that I had to pay you to sleep with me. It’s not very good for my ego.’

  ‘That’s not personal,’ she said, keen to reassure him. ‘When I said I wasn’t interested in having sex with you for its own sake, I meant it. But that’s not
just with you. The same goes for anyone.’

  ‘Still, I’d rather indulge in the fantasy that you like me for myself,’ he said with a crooked smile.

  ‘I do like you, Grayson. But you don’t have to seduce me or try to please me. I’m not your girlfriend or your wife. I’m just a– a paid whore in this situation.’

  He frowned. ‘Don’t say that,’ he snapped.

  ‘It’s what I agreed to. You’ve kept up your end of the bargain, and I’ll keep up mine. I said you could do whatever you wanted. So if you want to be rough with me or hold me down, that’s fine. You took me by surprise, that’s all. I wasn’t prepared.’

  ‘I don’t want to be rough with you. I don’t want to do anything you don’t like. I just want to make you feel good.’

  ‘I don’t understand why.’

  He shrugged. ‘Call me old-fashioned. It’s how I was raised.’

  ‘Your mother taught you how to treat women in bed?’ she asked, eyebrows raised.

  He chuckled. ‘No, of course not! Thank God.’ He mimed a shudder. ‘But she taught me to be considerate and sensitive to other people’s feelings. And she taught me how to treat a guest in my home – to make them comfortable and put them at ease.’

  She looked at him curiously. ‘Is that how you see me? As a guest in your home?’

  ‘You’re here in my home, aren’t you? What else would you be?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ she shrugged. ‘A paid worker?’

  He huffed in exasperation. ‘Even if that were true, do you think the fact that I’m paying you gives me the right to intimidate you and push you around? To make you do things that obviously freak you out?’

  ‘Yes, if it’s in my job description,’ she said hesitantly, not wanting to anger him. ‘I mean, if it’s what I signed up for ...’

  ‘Well, I don’t agree. I wasn’t brought up to abuse my power over people, where I do have power over them. Have I ever done anything to make you think I would?’

  ‘No,’ she said quickly. ‘You’re a credit to your parents.’ She saw that he found the idea that he would treat someone badly insulting and she risked offending him. He had treated her with nothing but kindness and consideration, even though she was here as a paid whore. ‘You’ve been very sweet to me. Your mum would be proud.’