Tiger's Den

by Leslie Chase

  She found herself giggling as he pulled her against him, his mouth finding her neck, kissing, nipping, making her shudder with need. His tongue traced across her skin, and she fumbled with his pants.

  Maxwell growled into her shoulder as she stroked his hard cock. Lenore gasped at the firm feel of him, the intensity of his touch and the heat of his body against hers. His teeth closed gently on the skin of her neck, sending an electric tingle flooding through her. Her fingers tightened on him, and Lenore wished he was inside her. At that moment there was nothing she wanted more.

  His hands reached around to unclasp her bra as she undid his belt. His fingers were precise, hers fumbling, nerves and excitement robbing her of any control. She managed to undo his pants and guide them down.

  His erection stood proud and strong, and Lenore swallowed, looking at it wide-eyed again. She could scarcely believe that he was so hard for her, that he wanted her as much as she wanted him.

  Maxwell pulled his shirt off over his head, casting it carelessly aside, and stood before her, magnificently naked. His muscular body seemed to glow with an inner fire in the sunlight, so perfectly built, so sculpted, that she had trouble believing this was real. That he was real, and really interested in a woman like her.

  He didn't look as though he had any doubts, though. His eyes, his enigmatic amber eyes, were glued to her with a fiery lust, and his body certainly looked aroused. Lenore could scarcely doubt the evidence of her own eyes, and she could feel her own body responding, her desperation rising.

  "Please," she gasped. "Please, Maxwell, I need you."

  He moved before she finished her plea, striding forwards to gather her in his arms, pulling her to him. His chest felt like carved oak against her breasts as he held her close, fiercely kissing her. Lenore felt as though her body was on fire.

  He lifted her easily, her weight nothing to him, and Lenore held on tight, her arms and legs wrapped around his powerful torso. Her heart pounded, and she could feel his too, both racing with a desperate need. But Maxwell didn't let that override his control, even as Lenore's body ached to be filled by him.

  Holding her to him with one hand, he slid the other into her panties, slipping his fingers along the slick folds of her pussy. Lenore cried out at his touch, clutching him tightly and throwing back her head.

  His chuckle was low, throaty, scary and so very sexy. "You really do need this, don't you?"

  "Yes, oh god, yes!" Lenore couldn't control herself, writhing in his grip. His cock was so frustratingly close, she could feel his hardness, and his fingers made her shudder. He slid one into her, and she cried out, rocking against it. Another slid in beside the first, and Maxwell's thumb caressed her clit, driving her wild.

  She grabbed at him, her fingers in his hair, grabbing and pulling at him, her legs gripping him tight. Losing control of herself, she pressed to him desperately, needing him so badly that she couldn't even speak her needs.

  "You'll get what you need, I promise," he growled, his voice raw and hungry. There was an edge in it which spoke directly to her lust, and she threw back her head, howling, not caring if someone heard her.

  Maxwell's glorious body shuddered in her grip, as though he too was on the verge of losing his composure. Growling, he bent his neck, lifting her up so that he could kiss and lick at her breasts. His mouth closed on each of her nipples, licking and sucking, moving between them as she shuddered in delight and desperate need. The pleas she tried to make came out in inarticulate whimpers.

  He seemed to understand her well enough, though. With one swift movement he tore off her panties, the fabric giving under his urgent touch. Lowering her, he pressed the head of his cock to Lenore's aching pussy, winning another cry from her as she felt what she desired so much, so close. She craned her neck to look in his eyes, seeing steely self-control warring with an animal lust in them. There was a question, too, and for a moment, they clung together. Frozen, apart from their heaving breaths, her wrapped around him as he held her up.

  Then she nodded once, quickly. It was all he needed. Lowering her as he thrust, he buried himself deep in her, one hard stroke driving his cock fully inside her. Lenore cried out again, writhing, as he fucked her intensely, each thrust making her shudder and shake.

  He held her up easily, putting his full attention into controlling himself as he drove himself in and out of her, his body a rock she clung to as he sent pulses of pleasure shooting through her. Each thrust made her gasp. Made her squirm. Each thrust sent flames of ecstasy burning higher and higher inside her.

  She felt her orgasm building. She was so close.

  Maxwell didn't pause as he lowered them carefully to the ground, pushing her onto the sun-warmed grass, kissing her firmly and thrusting deeper. Lenore's fingers grabbed at the grass beside her, digging in, gripping hard as he held her down. He drew her against him, and she shouted for joy as pleasure tore through her, a primal explosion of blinding light.

  She shuddered as the aftershocks washed through her, looking up at him. His eyes were on her, his lips stretched in a half-grin, half-snarl. She felt him, still strong and hard inside her.

  "Please," she whispered, holding him, pulling him tight, but he'd stopped moving, and she whimpered with frustration. "Please, what can I do for you?"

  With that infuriating, sexy chuckle of his, he leaned in to kiss her. Electricity sparked in that kiss, and by the time their lips parted, Lenore was panting with renewed need.

  In a careful, measured movement, he rolled over onto his back, pulling her with him, never leaving her. She ended up sitting astride his hips, his cock still buried in her, his hands on her hips holding her steady. She balanced with her hands on his shoulders giving an experimental wiggle.

  "Your turn," he said, voice raw, a wide grin on his face. "Let me see your beautiful curves as you do some of the work for a change!"

  She tried to glare at that, but couldn't keep the smile off her face as she did as she was told. The idea of not obeying didn't even occur to her - the note of command in that deep, sexy voice was irresistible. Rocking back and forwards on him, she felt his approval, saw him watching her breasts sway with each slow movement.

  Slowly, she slid up off of him, looking deep into his eyes. Then she sank back down onto his hard rod, filling her again, both of them gasping in unison. His hands gripped her hips tight, and his body bucked under her as she rose up again, and dropped down fast onto his rising cock.

  Increasing her tempo, she rode him, sliding up and down on his shaft, her pussy squeezing around him as they moved together. He brought his hands up, caressing her body, fingers brushing firmly over her nipples, and she moaned, struggling to keep control of herself. She felt the pressure of a second orgasm rising inside her, and her fingers dug into his shoulders.

  Their panting breaths sped up along with the rhythm of her movements, until they were both gasping. She could see that he was getting close as his hands returned to her hips, gripping her tight, taking control of their motion. He pumped her up and down fast, her breasts bouncing, and Lenore found herself right on the edge. The position, and his force, put so much stimulation on her clit, she couldn't hold back.

  Screaming, the orgasm took her in a series of fireworks. Maxwell's roar joined her scream as he arched under her. With a final deep thrust, he exploded in her while her pussy gripped him hard. He held her tightly as he filled her with a hot jet of fluid, the two of them shaking and shouting together in ecstasy.

  Eventually, he relaxed, lowering them to the warm grass and holding her tight. She collapsed onto the broad firm expanse of his chest, whimpering happily, their sweat-slicked bodies pressed together as they panted for breath.

  She wasn't sure how long they lay like that, recovering their strength. Slowly, their breathing returned to normal, and the dappled shade of the trees shifted over them before they moved again.

  A little later, Maxwell stirred under her, slowly and carefully lifting her as he sat up. They were still linked together, an
d Lenore moaned dreamily as he moved her. He brushed the hair from her face, smiling down into her eyes, and then kissed her firmly but tenderly.

  "I'm sorry that I've dragged you into my troubles," he said. "It's not fair to you."

  She hugged him tight, not wanting to let go, and not wanting to think about any problems or issues which might get in the way.

  "I don't care," she said simply. "It's where I want to be."

  His sigh sounded odd; a mix of happiness and worry. "You can't say that, not when you don't even know what you're in the middle of."

  "Then you'll have to tell me. But not here, not now." She squeezed him tighter, trying to hold onto the moment for a little longer. After a second, he relaxed again, hugging back and letting go of the conversation. For a little longer they held each other, pretending they didn’t have a care in the world.

  3

  Looking Homeward

  In the shade of the trees, the sea breeze grew chilly, and Lenore shivered. Maxwell gave her a final squeeze and lifted her off his lap, putting her down gently beside him on the grass.

  "You'll catch a cold if we stay out here much longer, and I won't have that," he told her firmly when she started to object. She nodded and picked herself up, looking at the shrine to his ancestor. Devi's serene face offered a gentle smile, almost like she approved of the two of them.

  "She'd have liked you," Maxwell said, standing and stretching. He rested one hand on the stone base of the statue, putting his other arm around her, letting her share his warmth. Lenore snuggled into him, feeling safer there. But he seemed distant again, withdrawn, and after a moment, she pulled away, picking up her dress and pulling it on.

  "I hope so," she answered, as they turned their backs on the shrine and made their way back to the house, Maxwell grabbing up his clothes and the rest of hers as they went.

  By the time they got out of the trees, Lenore realized that Maxwell had no intention of getting dressed. He prowled through the forest like a great cat after a successful hunt, smugly satisfied with himself, and his nakedness was as natural as any animal's. A lot more distracting, though, she thought, trying and failing to keep from staring at his naked ass. Just before they left the woods, he glanced back and caught her watching him, and grinned broadly.

  "Is there a problem?" His tone was playful, amused.

  "Are you really going to walk back naked?" She felt her cheeks heating and forced her eyes away from him. Damn, he's good to look at.

  "Why not? It's my home, and the staff are used to it. And it doesn't look like you're objecting…"

  "Well, I…" she found herself trailing off uncertainly, and shook her head, smiling. She couldn't argue that point.

  "Don't worry, I'll dress after I have a shower. And then we can get something to eat."

  With that, he strode out of the trees and across the lawn towards the house, without a care for who might see him. Lenore had to admit that if she looked as good as he did, she might not mind who saw her naked either.

  As soon as they entered the house, they were met by a member of the staff, the same man who'd shown Lenore where to find Maxwell when she'd gotten up. He was holding a dressing gown and wearing a perfectly polite blank expression as he offered it to his employer. Maxwell laughed as he shrugged it on, putting down the small pile of clothing he still carried.

  "Thank you, Steven," he said as he tied the belt. "Please see Lenore to her room."

  Turning back to Lenore, he smiled to her. "I'll see you in a bit, Lenore. Steven here will take good care of you, and if there's anything you need, the phone in your room will connect you to housekeeping or whoever you need."

  Then he was gone, walking swiftly into his building, leaving Lenore standing awkwardly in front of the servant. She reached for the abandoned pile of clothing, but the servant shook his head.

  "Please don't bother yourself with that, miss. We'll take care of that."

  "Oh." She didn't know what to say to that. "Um, thank you."

  His professionally blank face didn't falter, but she thought she could see a twinkle in his eye. "Don't worry miss, we're used to much worse than a few clothes abandoned here and there. Allow me to show you back to your room - the place is a thorough maze to the uninitiated, isn't it?"

  Gratefully, she let him lead the way back upstairs, unsettled. The idea of having staff to pick up after her was so strange, but clearly Maxwell thought nothing of it. She wasn't sure that she liked how much he seemed to take the people who worked for him for granted, but on the other hand the staff seemed not to mind. At least, the one man she'd spoken with didn't, but then, that would be part of his job, wouldn't it?

  She made an effort to memorize the route they took, not wanting to have to bother the staff for directions every time she stuck her head out of her room. The huge house didn't seem as bad as all that, now she paid attention; she thought that she'd probably be able to find her way back down on her own if she had to.

  Reaching her room, the servant opened the door for her, and seemed to hesitate for a moment before speaking.

  "Miss, it may be a little improper, but might I offer a word of advice?"

  "Of course," she said awkwardly, standing on the threshold.

  "I don't believe you are used to being waited on by servants, miss. My advice is, don't worry about it. We are all well compensated for our service here, and you're not likely to make a request that will sound outlandish or unreasonable to us. Mr. Walters has had some… eccentric guests over the years."

  Lenore relaxed slightly; tension she hadn't realized she'd been carrying loosening its hold on her. Knowing how to deal with servants had never been a thing she'd had to learn, and the whole idea was intimidating. Knowing that the staff were aware of that was at least a little better.

  "Thank you," she said with a grateful smile. "Um, it was Steven, wasn't it?"

  "Yes, miss. Is there anything else you need?"

  Lenore thought for a moment, then nodded. "Do you know what happened to my phone? I really need to call in to work. Or should I call from the room phone?"

  "I'm afraid I don't know, miss. I shall find out for you, if you like?" Steven hesitated, and then continued. "Mr. Walters has asked that there be no phone calls from the manor without his approval, miss. He is concerned that they might be traced."

  "Oh." Lenore's face fell, and she caught herself chewing her lip. "I suppose I'll have to ask him about calling, then?"

  "That would be best, yes. I shall see if I can locate your phone, in any case."

  "Thank you, Steven," Lenore said, and forced herself to smile. He inclined his head in a small bow, and left her to her room.

  An hour later, she was ready to face the world again. She'd taken more time in the bathroom this time, luxuriating in the wonderful shower and making an effort with the makeup which had been provided. She wanted to look good for Maxwell, after all, and beyond that, the brands were far more expensive than anything she could afford herself. Lenore knew she'd kick herself if she didn't take the opportunity to try them.

  Someone on the staff had laid out fresh clothes for her while she washed up. As she tried on the formal dinner dress, Lenore couldn’t help but admire how it fit her perfectly and looked better on her than she thought it had any right to. Or maybe, she thought, I'm just learning see myself as Maxwell does?

  Whatever the case was, she still felt a little ridiculous and overdressed in it, but that couldn't be helped.

  The dining room was just as intimidating as every other room in the house, and Lenore felt distinctly under-prepared for it as Steven led her inside. The room was mostly full of a table, a vast thing of black wood polished to a mirror finish. It looked a little ridiculous set for just three people.

  "Come on in, Lenore," Penelope said, looking up from her conversation with Maxwell. Lenore saw the somber expression on her face for a second before she covered it with an impish smile and waved Lenore to the table.

  The thunderous look on Maxwell's face couldn't b
e hidden though, and it sent a shiver through Lenore. Whatever argument the two of them had been having earlier was clearly still in full swing.

  Timidly, she took a seat. Maxwell was at the head of the table, with Penelope on his left and a place set for Lenore on his right. She slid into the chair, feeling intimidated by the stormy atmosphere filling the room.

  It didn't help that Penelope was dressed much less formally than she was. Penelope had on a t-shirt and jeans, with a leather jacket casually slung over the back the chair, and should have looked out of place in the room. But Maxwell’s sister had the same air of self-assured presence that the man himself wore, and somehow she looked entirely at home no matter what clothes she decided to wear.

  Lenore knew that if she tried that, she'd stand out like a sore thumb, and she couldn't help resenting it a little.

  "Sorry if I'm interrupting something," she said.

  "Not at all -" Maxwell started, only to be interrupted by Penelope.

  "Just my brother being an idiot, that's all. If you let that stop you, you'll never get anything done."

  Maxwell fixed her with a black glare that singularly failed to impress his sister.

  "Don't bring Lenore into this, Penny. It's not the time."

  "It's exactly the time! If you're not going to tell her now, then when will you?"

  "When it's dealt with! When it's over! When there's nothing more to worry about! Why would you want to tell her when it'll just make her anxious?"

  Penelope sighed theatrically, and held her head in her hands. "Because, darling brother, she has a right to make an informed choice! And because we have no idea how long this will go on for."

  "Sis, this is my -"

  "STOP IT!" Both of them snapped around to look at Lenore, shocked at her outburst. She was shocked too, but she couldn't stop now that the words were flowing. "Stop talking about me as though I'm not here, and just talk to me! If you don't want me to worry, it's a bit late after I've been shot at!"

  She realized that her knuckles were white on the table, her body leaned forward and her voice far too loud and forceful for the elegant surroundings. She also realized that both the Walters were staring at her as though she'd grown a second head. Fear and stress she'd been ignoring, that the idyllic surroundings had helped her suppress, boiled up to the surface of her mind. For a second, no one moved or spoke. Then Penelope nodded and sat back, folding her arms across her chest.