by Megan Fields
“Ouch” I joke, rubbing the spot she hit. Ella stands up and walks toward what I assume is her bedroom.
“I’m just going to get dressed.” She shouts back over her shoulder. All I want to do is follow her. Slide her robe off her shoulders and watch it pool at her feet, leaving her naked and vulnerable. I’d start by kissing her fiercely, making her lips swell from my roughness, let my hands glide down her back and cup her ass, pulling her against my hard cock. I would push her down onto her bed and then...
“Jack… hello?” I blink and look down to find Lottie, who’s watching me, her eyebrow cocked, hands resting on her hips and a knowing look on her face.
“Sorry, what did you say?” Taking a seat in one of the arm chairs, I begin to drum my fingers on the arm rest impatiently.
“I was asking you what you’ve been up to, but now I want to know what your intentions are regarding my sister.” She’s looking at me with a deadly serious expression.
“You playing the role of protector? I think your sister can take care of herself.” I say jokingly.
“Oh I know she can. I just don’t want her heart to be ripped out again. Are you staying in the UK permanently?” How could she see through me in just five minutes? If she knew I still had feelings for her, then surely Ella would see that as well.
“Yes I’m back for good. Mum still lives across the pond, so I’ll obviously visit her, but England is and always will be my home.” She eyes me suspiciously.
“Okay, but I’ll be watching you.” She points at her chest, then her eyes and finally points at me, before heading off to her room. It makes me chuckle and I’m glad she’s as protective as she is. Maybe she’s managed to warn off idiots in the past. Ella returns and I gulp at the sight of her. She’s wearing the tightest pair of jeans I’ve ever seen and an off the shoulder top that although baggy doesn’t hide her figure. I can tell she’s not wearing a bra and I inwardly groan. I make my way to the kitchen where she’s making a pot of tea.
“Want a cup?” She asks.
“No thank you.” I sit down at the breakfast bar and watch as she moves about her kitchen. God, even watching her complete a simple chore is arousing. She sits down next to me and my eyes drift to her bare shoulder. Her skin’s tanned and I can imagine how smooth it would feel. I close my eyes and take a deep breath; I came here for a reason.
“Listen, I'm sorry I didn’t stay in touch.” I stare at her for a long moment, hoping she can see that I regret it every single day, but she quickly averts her eyes.
“Look, Jack let’s not do this. The past is exactly that and we should just concentrate on the fact that we’re here now.” She looks up at me as she continues. “We should start over and be friends.”
I’m a little taken back by her decision. I would rather talk it out, but if she doesn’t want to, I won’t force her. “Okay, as long as you're okay?” I ask giving her one more chance to be honest with me.
“I'm fine. Honestly.” She tries to say it with conviction, but I can see right through her; always could, but now isn’t the time to pressure her. I will be the friend she needs me to be and maybe one day she’ll let me in on her real feelings.
“Okay then. What’re you up to tonight? Want to grab a bite to eat?” I ask. Standing up and running my hand through my hair, I see her looking at me and grin. I watch her for a few seconds, until she realises I’ve seen her ogling me. Caught you I think to myself. Seems I’m not the only one who’s feeling the heat between us. She looks away and takes her cup to the sink.
“I'm sorry I have to work tonight.” She looks at her watch and I take the hint that she wants me to leave. I pause on the threshold and as she stands close to me I can’t help myself. My hand reaches out to touch her bare shoulder. Her skin is so smooth and her chest is rising and falling faster, like my touch has ignited something. Her nipples betray her, as they harden and I find myself licking my lips with the thought of sucking them into my mouth.
“I’m here if you ever want to talk.” My hand slides up to the nape of her neck and I feel her shiver. Her breath catches, as I lean in to place a lingering kiss on her cheek. As I pull back she places a friendly smile on her face and I head down the stairs and silently wave before disappearing.
Chapter 4
Ella
I sigh loudly as I close the door; turning to find Lottie standing directly in front of me. My hand flies to my chest, “Christ, Lottie!”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” I walk past her and head to my room. “So what’s going on with you two?” Her question is muffled as I close my door in her face. “Ella, talk to me.” She shouts.
“I've not got time now Lottie. I have to get ready for work.” I sit at my dresser and stare at my reflection.
“Okay but you’re not getting away that easily. Are you coming home tonight?” She asks.
“Not sure. I will text you to let you know.” I hear her go back to her room and let out a sigh of relief. I can’t face my own thoughts about Jack at the moment, let alone someone else asking me about it all.
I’ve just slipped on my shoes when my phone alerts me to a text from Alex.
Outside
I grab my coat and head down. He’s driving a different car tonight, a Mercedes SLK 500. I open the door and slide into the leather seat. It moulds to my form and is exquisite to touch. “Nice car.”
“Only the best.” He replies cockily. We get to the club before I have chance to fully appreciate the vehicle and I leave Alex to socialise, while I head to my office to change. He will be fine on his own for a few hours and I needed a break to settle myself.
Later on in the evening, I search him out. It didn’t take me long to find him watching a scene unfold between a Domme and a sub. Deciding to join him, I silently watch Amber tie her sub to a large cross; as she tightens the restraints she whispers something in his ear and I see him mouth, “Yes Mistress.” She runs her hands slowly down the length of his body spanking his ass gently, before she heads to the toy chest and pulls out a flogger. She trails the handle of the flogger down his spine and talks to her sub.
“Beg me.” She commands.
“Please Mistress.” She raises her right arm and hits him; he groans throwing his head back. She continues to wield the instrument with the precision and confidence you’d expect from a master of her trade.
I’m so fixated on the scene playing out in front of me that when a hand encircles my arm I jump a mile and shout, “Get off me!” Alex lets go immediately and holds his hands up in surrender.
“Ella it's me.” I stare at him as my brain catches up and take a few deep breaths.
I take a step back. “Alex?”
“Yes, it’s me. You okay?” Looking around everyone’s eyes are on us. I run to my office as fast as I can, swinging the door shut behind me, but it hits Alex's foot as he barges in after me. I pour myself a stiff drink and shoot it down. “Ella?” He approaches me as if I'm a caged lion about to attack. “What the hell happened back there?”
“Nothing, I'm fine.” I reply coldly, but he doesn’t buy it. My chest is heaving and my hand shakes as I set the glass down.
“What the hell? That was not nothing, you lost it when I grabbed you. Why?” I move to look out my office window, closing my eyes as memories take me back to seven years ago. I’m tied to a bed, our bed. The one I’d shared with the man I loved. The man who I thought loved me. Eric. The man who spent three days raping me. The memories are still so vivid and I can smell his cologne; feel the tight rope around my wrists.
“Ella?” Alex's voice breaks me from my thoughts. I slowly open my eyes and face him.
He looks down and my eyes follow as they land on my hand rubbing my wrist. I drop my hands to my sides immediately and look away. “I... I had an abusive ex.”
“How abusive?” His voice is strained from trying to remain calm.
“Alex, don't.”
“How abusive damn it?” He demands.
I take a deep breath and lo
ok anywhere but at him. “He used to hit me toward the end.” I wrap my arms around myself. “When I threatened to leave, he tied me up and... raped me.”
I watch as he paces the office before slamming his fist into the door, making me jump.
He walks back toward me, “Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.”
I reach for him and hold his hand. “It's okay. I'm fine, it’s just sometimes things trigger certain memories and I panic.”
“Is this why you're a Mistress?”
“Yes. When I met Izzy I was struggling. I’d had no one in my life for three years and was pretty much a hermit. She took me under her wing and showed me a way to take back control.”
“Where’s your ex now?”
“He’s in jail.” I reply.
He lets out an angry growl. “I'm so sorry Ella.”
“It’s okay. I really am fine. Therapy got me through the worst of it and when the memories do take over, my friends and family are there for me.” He looks in my eyes and can see I’m telling the truth. “Look, let’s get back out there and soak up the atmosphere.” I try to walk past him, but he doesn’t let go of my hand.
“Ella I’m here if you ever need to talk okay?” He sounds serious, but I chuckle at his comment. “What’s so amusing?” He asks sounding hurt.
“It’s just your brother said the same thing to me earlier.” He let’s go of my hand and I look into eyes that remind me so much of Jack. “I know you’re here for me and I appreciate it, but I’m okay. Please don’t say anything to Jack though okay? Promise me?”
He shakes his head and I think he’s not going to agree. “Okay, but only because I think it should come from you.”
I nod, but I don’t have any plans to tell him if I can help it. I don’t ever want Jack to know how broken I am. I don’t want to see pity in his eyes. I head out to the scenes taking place on the first floor, to make sure everything is going smoothly. As I wander through the club monitoring play and talking with patrons, I feel my panic attack subside. It’s been a long time since I’ve had one and I hope I don’t have another one anytime soon.
By the time I get home its 4:30am. Opening my door, I notice something flutter to the ground. Curious I bend down and retrieve a note from the floor.
Ella
I hope work was okay and not too stressful. I would like to take you out to dinner one night. Just as friends of course. Please say yes? God I feel like I'm 17 again. I promise it will be better than McDonalds this time.
Here’s my number so you can text me
Jack x
His note makes me smile like I’m a teenager again. Leaving it on the counter, I stifle a yawn and head to bed.
Jack
I feel a pillow hit my head, “Rise and shine sleepy head.” Alex says. I stretch out under my duvet, wanting the world to go away for a few more minutes. “Come on, up. We’ve got to get to the studio.” I open my eyes and look at my phone, 7am on a Sunday; he’s got to be kidding. I throw on my sweats and find him sitting out on the roof terrace, a fresh cup of coffee waiting for me.
I sit down and put my shades on, tugging my baseball cap down as far as I can to help block out the early morning sunshine. “You got a hangover?”
I look over at him. “I went out with my old buddy Nate last night and we may’ve had a few. What’d you do last night?” I wonder if he’ll be honest with me.
“I went to Velvet. I’m sure you don’t want to know the details.” He winks, but I don’t find it amusing. I saw him pick Ella up from her apartment last night, but I can’t understand why he’d lie about it. I stand up from the table, “I’ll grab a shower and then I’ll be ready.”
We work at the studio till well into the afternoon, barely speaking to each other. It angers me that he doesn’t notice that I’m giving him the silent treatment. What was going on with him and Ella? Why would she lie and say she had to leave for work, basically kicking me out? And what the fuck was wrong with Alex, that he was keeping it all from me? Frustrated, I blew out a breath. “I’ve had enough.” Alex looks up at me and pushes his glasses up onto his head.
He looks around at the progress we’ve made. “Okay. I’m going to stay for a bit longer; just want to get this last box unpacked.” I nod and leave, heading to the coffee shop for a well-earned break. Walking past the window I noticed a familiar face.
“Déjà vu,” She slowly lifts her gaze to meet mine and smiles at me. ”May I join you?” She gestures for me to sit, putting a book she’d been reading away. As I order a drink, I feel Ella’s eyes on me and I turn to face her, bumping her knee with mine. We’re so close I could slide my hand up her skirt and along her inner thigh. Press my fingertips against her panties. My hands are itching to know if I can still make her wet with a simple touch. “So what’ve you been up to today?” I ask, adjusting myself under the table. If she catches me, she doesn’t mention it. I should be asking her about last night and being as pissed at her as I am Alex, but my traitorous cock wants what it wants and right now it wants to sink balls deep inside her.
She leans back in her chair creating a little distance from me, but it pushes her leg closer, so that it’s between mine. “Not much, you?”
“I’ve been at the studio; Alex is a slave driver. We’ve got the opening planned for next Friday and there’s a lot to get done.” I brush my leg against hers a couple of times and as I continue to talk she gets this heated look in her eyes, as her focus drifts to my lips and down my chest to my hands. She bites on her bottom lip and it’s all I can do to not reach out and free it with my thumb. “Ella?” I look at her expectantly.
Her cheeks flush and she looks away, “I'm sorry what did you say?”
“I asked if you wanted to come to the opening on Friday.”
She fidgets in her seat a little and I’m certain if I checked now her panties would bear the mark of her arousal. “Yeah, sure, that’d be nice. Can I bring Lottie?”
“The more the merrier.” I glance down at her lips and smirk.
“What?”
“You’ve got hot chocolate on the corner of your mouth.” I reach up to wipe it away with the pad of my thumb and suck it into my mouth. My eyes meet hers and she’s looking at me like she’s about to combust.
“Well I can’t sit around here all day.” She stands to leave.
I follow suit and help her with her coat. “Let me walk you home?”
“Yeah, okay. What about your drink though?” Nice try, I think to myself. I head to the counter and smile at the pretty blonde barista.
“Can I get this to go please?” I wink at her and within seconds I’m ready to go.
Halfway to her apartment the heavens open, drenching us! We rush into the foyer of her building looking like drowned rats. “Bloody rain.” She curses shaking out her wet hair. She looks at the puddle I’ve started to make. “Come upstairs. I can dry your clothes while you wait out the storm.”
I look outside. “It doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon.” I mutter. She looks a little confused by my distance, but doesn’t say anything. She just turns and walks upstairs, leaving me to follow.
As we enter her apartment, it’s quiet. A clear indicator that Lottie isn’t in. “The main bathroom’s just down the hall, second door on the left. There are towels on the shelf and a robe on the back of the door you can use.” Without a word I head down the hall. Once inside, I lock the door and lean against it with a sigh. I hear another door close and I assume she’s also having a shower, which makes my dick hard just thinking about her being so close and completely naked. I reach for the shower and put it on cold. “Jesus Christ.” I mutter, as the freezing cold water hits my body, deflating my swollen member.
I throw on the robe and find her standing near the stereo with her back to me and I sneak up behind her.
She turns and bumps straight into me. “Jack! Christ, you scared me.”
I chuckle, “I did always like making you jump.” Suddenly she realises her hands are on my chest
and drops them to her sides. “Adele?”
“Yes. I love listening to her live performances.” I reach to push a lock of her hair behind her ear, but she moves away to the kitchen.
“Do you want a cup of tea?” She asks, bending over to place my clothes in the dryer. I have a perfect view of her ass and have to sit down on the couch to hide my arousal. Not an easy thing to do in a robe when you’re only wearing boxers.
“Got anything stronger?”
“Brandy or whiskey?”
“Whiskey please.” She pours us each a drink and sits down next to me. “Mm that’s good. When did you get so good at picking spirits?” I watch as she tilts her head back and takes a sip. “And drinking them?” Resting my arm along the back of the sofa, I stretch out toward her. Damn if I were a little closer I could caress her shoulder.
“Oh I see, because I'm a woman I should be drinking what? White wine? Fruity mixers?”
“No I just... That’s not it… I...” I stutter. “You’re twisting my words.”
“Come on then. What is it?” She asks her face blank.
“It’s just a new side to you I didn’t know about. It intrigues me. I want to get to know you better Ella. Discover what I’ve missed out on all these years; find out what makes you tick.” The corner of her mouth lifts and soon she’s laughing at me. “You little sod.” I throw a cushion at her.
“I'm sorry, I couldn’t help myself. You’re just so easy to wind up.” She’s still laughing and I can’t help it. I place our drinks on the table and start to tickle her. “Jack, no.” She shouts, “Stop it, please.” I release my grip on her ribs and she wipes her hair out of her eyes. I could lean forward and kiss her so easily. Clearing my throat, I move away from her, collecting my drink and devouring the rest of it. “Izzy’s the one who got me into brandy. I just tried other drinks, finding my way through a mine field of good ones and some god awful ones.” I look back at her as she finishes her drink and then hugs her knees to her chest.
I reach out and grab her feet, placing them in my lap. “What’re you doing?” I start to rub her feet, but she tries to pull them away. “Jack you don't...” Holding her foot tightly, I run my thumb roughly up her instep halting any further protests. She closes her eyes and leans back against the arm rest.