A Grave Exchange

by Jane White Pillatzke

  Of course he did. He was perfect in every way; stupid of me not to have guessed he’d also be wealthy. But what could he mean when he said he’d lived many, many lifetimes? I shook my head. Nothing about this night made much sense.

  Lucius opened the passenger door, but I hesitated, pausing a moment to gaze into his eyes.

  “Trust me, Ivy; just trust me.”

  Again, my body reacted before my mind could reach a rational decision based on all the facts. A second later, I found myself pulling my seatbelt around me and snapping it into place.

  Lucius drove us through town and onto the country roads. Once again, I questioned my sanity. No one knew where I was or who I was with, and yet, I felt at peace. At least, for the moment. I sat there silently staring out the window, taking in the beautiful October night. The full moon now shone brightly in the clear sky, and fall leaves floated on a soft breeze, performing their traditional autumnal dance. I found myself being lulled into a sense of relaxation watching this seasonal display of beauty. Lucius took my hand and gently kissed the inside of my wrist. A burning sensation flared where his lips met my skin, and I gasped. I pulled from his grasp and tried to see what had caused my flesh to become so overly tender. I could not see very well in the car, but I could feel a change in the scar. In addition to feeling hot beneath my fingertips, the once smooth, flat, tiny mark now rose a bit.

  “Ivy, I can explain to you why that is happening.”

  “What, Lucius? How could you possibly know why my scar is so sensitive tonight?”

  “I can explain many things to you tonight, all of which you will find very hard to accept, but in time, everything will make sense. All you must do right now is trust me completely and believe me; can you do that for me?”

  I sat there staring out the window. Could I? Could I trust a person—a man, no less . . . a stranger to me—and do as he requested? I’d gone off with him, alone, so obviously, some small part of me already did believe he wouldn’t harm me. Oh, what fun the psychologists would have right now, if they knew I’d actually come to trust someone. A man I’d only just met, no less.

  All too soon, we pulled onto a long, winding, dirt road. We drove along endlessly, as the country lane ran up and down and meandered for what seemed like miles. Eventually, a house came into view, an old colonial, no less. I gasped and sat forward to take it all in. A welcoming candle lit each window of the beautiful home.

  “Lucius, it’s gorgeous, truly; I’ve never seen a house so exquisite.”

  Lucius gave me a heartwarming smile. He parked the car in the driveway and rushed around and opened my door. He reached out, and I took his hand.

  “You didn’t think I lived in a coffin, did you, little one?”

  I felt my cheeks flame and looked down at my feet. Of course, Lucius knew what I was thinking. His loud chuckle made me look up, and the sight that met my gaze stole my breath. Lucius had the most beautiful, smiling eyes. His grin created dimples in his cheeks that took years off his normally somber face. There truly was so much more to the man than what I could have imagined.

  “Come, Ivy, let us go inside and talk. Time is passing all too quickly.”

  Chapter Three

  We ascended the porch steps together, and I walked into a house where time stood still. Even though I had little experience in home décor, I knew that each piece of furniture, each painting on the wall, had to be priceless or very close to being classified as a rare and costly antique. I didn’t know where to stand; I was so nervous I’d break or damage something and ruin it forever. Lucius took my hand and pulled me into the living room. I felt my jaw drop. The room was huge, bigger than my entire apartment, which wasn’t saying much considering I lived in one of the tiniest flats available in a part of town where the poor could find affordable housing.

  “Sit down, please. Relax. This furniture has stood the test of time. It truly is a lot more durable than you think it is.”

  I relaxed slightly and sat down on the edge of a fancy, high-backed chair with a fleur de lis print. The design was one of the few things I recognized, and suddenly, I felt out of my league. Swiftly, Lucius knelt in front of me. He lifted my chin and gazed into my eyes.

  “Ivy, never again think so little of yourself. You are worth far more to me than any piece of furniture or painting in this house or any other house I own around the world.”

  I smiled weakly in return, but his kind words did little to ease my insecurities. If anything, his mention of owning other homes around the world only made matters worse. I squirmed in my seat and avoided his intense gaze.

  Lucius rose, “I will be back in a few moments. Please make yourself at home.”

  As soon as Lucius left, I stood and began pacing and wringing my hands. The circumstances were so extraordinary; what was I to do, to think, to feel? In the space of just a few hours, a man had turned my world upside down. My beliefs—what few I had—were suddenly conflicted, my emotions in turmoil. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths, only then noticing the throbbing coming from the scar on my wrist. I looked down and gasped. The living room light showed clearly how angry and red the mark had become. Why was it inflamed now, so many years after the attack? I stood there troubled, and to distract myself, I took to wandering around the room. Never in all my years had I seen such beauty in a house, such care for each chosen treasure, for surely there was love in this house.

  I stood near a low table, admiring a Tiffany lamp, when Lucius came back into the room. He stopped and smiled at me.

  “I procured that while on a shopping expedition in Paris.”

  I returned his smile and shook my head. A shopping expedition in Paris, hmm? We obviously lived in two different worlds. What I wouldn’t give to experience such things.

  Lucius sat down on a loveseat, and I chose the chair nearby, realizing the time had come for us to talk. He’d said he had much to tell me—had brought me here so we could speak alone, in comfort—and so I settled in, praying I had the nerve to listen to what he had to say. I took a deep, slow breath and looked into Lucius’ eyes.

  “Ivy, what I’m about to tell you may be difficult for you to accept. It concerns me and my religion, and as with any religion, it will require much faith on your part to believe. I’m asking you to have that faith—faith in me, if nothing else. Do you think you can do that?”

  I did not know what to say, so I simply shrugged. Religion was a very sore subject with me. In my darkest hours, I had cried and screamed, asking whatever God that might be passing by to hear my pleas, to save me from certain downfall. But, alas, my cries went unheeded. No, I did not believe in any religion; I only depended on myself. I felt a hand on my arm, the pressure pulling me back to the reality of my situation. Again, I found myself looking into Lucius’ warm eyes. I tentatively smiled and found myself holding my breath.

  “Many, many years ago, a man struggled with his soul. He had a job to do, one which required him to have complete faith in his king. In order to do his job he had to harden his heart, for if he did not, he would never have done the cruel things required of him. Back then, it was not all that unusual for a man to act out of loyalty to his king and do everything that was required of him. Those were very dark times, Ivy. And so, this man became a hardened man, a man who ruthlessly killed when asked, all for the love of his king. He left his family and friends; he responded to no one, unless a summons came from court. He travelled under darkness and carried out acts so heinous that even the devil himself would have bowed down in reverence to this dark knight. My dear, it pains me to admit to you . . . that man was me.”

  The breath I had been holding left my body on a sharp exhale. I didn’t know what I expected to hear from Lucius, but I found my heart opening as I’d listened to his tale. Finally, I found someone who may well understand darkness and depravity. I reached up and touched his face. Tenderly, I stroked his cheek, and he gave me a heartbreakingly sad smile. So much pent-up pain flowed from Lucius to me, unspoken pain emanating from both
of us. Truly, we were connected, somehow.

  “I killed many people, people who were not necessarily bad, because I believed in my king and his court. I sold my soul to the king, never once questioning his power and leadership. I was so wrong, Ivy. I soon discovered what the devil’s face looks like . . . I saw him every time I looked in the mirror.”

  I shivered, whether from the cold evening or from the emotions brought on by Lucius’ tale, I was not sure. He moved off the loveseat, knelt between my legs, and gazed up into my eyes, his stare hypnotic. I reached out and stroked his cheek. Leaning into my hand, he kissed my wrist. Only then did I notice the scar had taken shape, and now looked like a blood red teardrop. I gasped, and Lucius straightened.

  “What is going on? What is wrong with me? How and why has my scar changed into the form of a teardrop?”

  Lucius took both of my hands in his and held my gaze. “You will understand everything very soon. Allow me to finish my story, to tell you more about where I came from and what your marking truly means.”

  I held Lucius’ gaze, but I could not stop shivering. His touch felt like a bolt of lightning striking my skin. Goose bumps pebbled all over my flesh, and my sensitive nipples hardened. Lucius’ eyes widened, and he leaned into me. Brief seconds passed with our lips barely touching, our breaths caressing each other’s mouths. I moaned, and Lucius closed the distance and kissed me. He pulled my upper lip between his and suckled. Have mercy, the man could kiss! I pressed against him, and in one smooth motion, he stood and lifted me. He moved back, sank onto the loveseat, taking me with him.

  I straddled his knees and wrapped my hands around his head, caressing his thick, dark, curly hair. Oh, how could a man give so much pleasure with so little effort? My body’s heat made me feel uncomfortable in my clothing. Itching to feel Lucius naked against me, I pulled at his shirt. Buttons popped and flew through the air, hit the wooden floor, and bounced away. All the while, Lucius played havoc with my lips, sucking them, biting them, licking them. I ground against his hardness, so obvious between my spread legs. Dear Gods, the man is huge. I could suddenly imagine myself staying with this man—a man I’d only just met—for the rest of my life. I felt totally out of control.

  Lucius slid my loosened top down off my shoulders. “Oh, Ivy, you have the sweetest complexion of peaches and cream.”

  I couldn’t respond; my mind focused on one thing and one thing, only—getting Lucius naked. I ripped his shirt off his shoulders and gasped at his physique. True, masculine perfection met my heated gaze. I ran my hands over his smooth, defined, muscular chest. Leaning in, I followed the path my hands had made with my lips, kissing my way down his chest. His nipples grew as erect as mine, and I wrapped my lips around one while pinching the other between my fingers. Lucius grabbed my hair, lifted my head, and cupped my chin with his other hand.

  “Ivy, please, stop, I have little control left.”

  I barely registered his words, so desperate was I for a fast relief. Feverishly, I wrapped my legs around his hips, while I tugged his hair and pulled him in for a long, passionate kiss. I don’t know whose moans filled my ears; all I knew was the more I tasted of Lucius, the more I wanted him. Faster and faster, I slid up and down on his lap, pressing against him harder and harder, riding him until my panties grew so wet they stuck to my skin.

  “Lucius, please help me.” I begged for release, speaking against his lips as we continued our tongue duel.

  Lucius grabbed the hem of my shirt and lifted, pulling my blouse up and over my head. He then made quick work of my bra, baring me completely to his teasing touch. Lazily, as if we had all night, he stroked my breasts, tweaked my nipples, drove me mad with desire. My nipples were hard as stone, and when I dared to look up at Lucius, I gasped at the need reflected in his eyes, which had grown dark with emotion. His breathing raspy, slowly he lowered his head and ravished one nipple. I let out a scream and pulled him tightly against my breast. I rode the edge of release, and when Lucius slid his fingers beneath my long skirt and up between my thighs, he found my panties soaked.

  With a low growl, he ripped them off, and then both of us moaned, and I arched into his fingers. Slowly . . . ever so slowly . . . he caressed my bare skin.

  “Ivy, my God, you are exquisite.”

  He drowned out my moans by claiming my mouth again, and my body shuddered at his expert touch. I ground my crotch against his, and my movement caused his fingers to effortlessly slide inside my sheath. I slammed my eyes shut, and my body convulsed around his fingers, over and over again.

  “Ivy, sweet, you feel so good, so tight and wet.”

  I barely made out his words, but I didn’t care—the world could have ended right there, and I would never have noticed, such was the power Lucius had over me.

  I started to rip open Lucius’ buttoned fly, but he pushed my hand away.

  “No. I cannot afford to lose control now. We need to finish our talk.”

  I ignored him and returned to my task, undoing Lucius’ fly, button by painful button. Finally, his erect cock broke free and stood at attention. I couldn’t help but stare, so beautiful was his smooth but rigid shaft. Velvet to the touch, his cock jerked when I ran my fingertips up the length. The tip glistened with pre-cum caught in the Tiffany lamp’s glow. I grew hungry, mesmerized, and I slid off Lucius’ lap, onto my knees. Slowly, I dragged my fingernails up his thighs, watching his face for reaction. He looked like a fallen angel, tormented but beautiful, and I smiled and kissed the tip of his cock. A low rumble came from deep in his chest, and he rested his hands on top of my head. With pleasure, I started to suck his cock, breathing deeply through my nose, adjusting to his enormous size. Slowly and deeply I sucked him in, enjoying every sensation and taste. I had never taken such pleasure from any man before. I felt like I had awakened, my body blossoming this autumn night. With wild abandon, I sucked faster and deeper, and he dug his nails into my scalp.

  “Yes, Ivy, harder.”

  I smiled around his cock and did as he’d requested, and soon I felt him tightening in my mouth. I cupped his balls, massaged them, until I heard him cry out and his seed burst against the back of my throat. I swallowed every drop of the salty treat. Lucius grabbed me by the hair and pulled me up onto his lap again. Holding me closely, he gave me a bruising kiss, our tongues tasting and dueling, our breathing furious and hearts beating hard. Any reservations I had left disintegrated; there would be no control tonight.

  Suddenly, Lucius picked me up, stood, and then gently deposited me on the loveseat so that I lay down.

  “Ivy, I have never wanted a woman the way I want you right now. The little control I had is completely gone. Please, tell me now if you want me to stop, and I will, but if you don’t, I am going to make love to you over and over again until the dawn awakens the earth.”

  My heartbeat hiccupped in my chest, and I felt as if a thousand fluttering butterflies swarmed around my stomach. This man truly wanted me. But why? Why would a man who looks like an angel sent from heaven want plain old, boring me? I forced my mind back to what he had just asked of me.

  “Lucius, please make love to me now. I want you as I have never wanted another man.”

  No sooner had the words passed my lips, than Lucius knelt before me and gently kissed me. He stroked his way down my body to my skirt zipper, and within moments, he’d removed the last of my clothing, sliding the material down past my hips over my quivering thighs and off over my feet.

  The dawning realization I lay naked in front of Lucius made me conscious of my scars. Not since the assault had I allowed a man near me, to see me without clothing to cover my ravaged flesh. And as much as I wanted Lucius, shame overwhelmed me.

  “Ivy, look at me, look at me now.”

  I found myself starring up at him, obeying his command.

  “I love you, all of you. Every inch of your body is a beautiful miracle for me to savor and cherish, for me to explore and devour. You are beautiful. I waited lifetimes for you; you are mine.”
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  His words shattered the wall behind which I had hid my pain, and the tears I’d held back for way too long fell openly in front of a man I barely knew, but with whom I was falling madly in love. Lucius stroked each and every tear off my face, then replaced his finger with his mouth and kissed away my pain. My eyes slid shut, and I savored the sensation of his tender administrations. He continued raining kisses on my face, while gently stroking my neck, and I arched into his touch.

  “Relax, my sweet, and let me show you real love.”

  I lay back and opened my eyes. His beautiful gaze, warm and molten grey, shone down on me like a light welcoming me back home. His mouth found my neck and he suckled me, his hand having traveled down to my swollen, erect nipples. Ever so gently, he teased the hardened nubs. Again, I arched against him, gasped as he replaced his teasing fingers with his hot mouth, drawing a tender nipple between his lips. Back and forth between them, he moved his head from side to side, lathing my breasts with his hot tongue. Desperate moans sounded from somewhere deep within me, and I writhed beneath him, longing for release.

  “Please, Lucius, I need you now.”

  He smiled against my breast, slid his hand down over my quivering stomach. He caressed me ever so gently, circling my stomach with his fingertips. His light touch caused goose bumps to form all over me. His hand drifted farther, until he found my scarred pelvis, and tenderly he slid his face down and started to kiss me there. He placed tiny, gentle kisses over my scars, and never had I felt so loved. He ran his hand down between my thighs and found my wet core. Gasping, I arched up to meet his seeking fingers.

  “Ivy, you are my everything. You have no idea how much I have longed for you, for this moment.”

  I tried to pull his face up to mine, to kiss him, but he continued lavishing his love upon my body. Suddenly, he slid a finger inside my aching vagina, and I cried out. I reached down to grasp his cock, which lay hard against my thigh, but Lucius gently pushed my hand away.