Exotika 03 - On the Loose

by Tesni Morgan

  What would happen to her now? The shoot was in the can. Laurette would be off on other assignments. Taking Carenza with her? The idea of losing touch with her disturbed him more than he liked to admit. After all, she was just a girl and he could take his pick. His frank approach, fearless reputation and feats of derring-do made him an attractive proposition. But, for some strange reason, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. Was it love? He brushed this aside as nonsense. He wasn’t the type to go all soppy over a girl or so he firmly asserted.

  He had had too much time on his hands in which to brood and, on the party night, had come to a decision. He must see her. Find out what was going on. He expected to be shocked by what he found. David Farlan’s parties were notorious, but he was determined to see Carenza, talk to her, gauge his own feelings—and hers. Come hell or high water, he was going to the bash.

  * * * * *

  It was a bombshell. The last person Carenza had expected to see was Matt. But it was him, right enough, supported on hospital-issue crutches, his injured foot resting on tiptoe, unable to take his weight. And he was wearing the blackest scowl she had ever seen.

  David, in no way fazed, disentangled himself from Carenza and the chariot. “I didn’t think you could make it, old boy.”

  “You underestimated me,” Matt growled.

  “What’s your problem?” David’s silky tones deceived no one, least of all Matt.

  “That’s just what I was going to ask you,” he retaliated, and David’s heavy brigade gathered from all directions, evening-suited bruisers with broken noses and cauliflower ears. David didn’t go far without them. Matt eyed them scornfully. “Come on, can’t you meet me man-to-man or do you have to have your apes do the job for you?”

  “I wouldn’t hit an injured adversary.”

  “No? I would have thought that just your style.” Matt’s sarcasm coiled snakelike around the now silent vault. Everyone was watching and waiting and Carenza’s heart was in her mouth.

  “I’ll slug it out with you any time you want. Or we can use swords if you want.” David was in no way alarmed. “If you’re familiar with such a thing. I’m a champion with a blade—épée, foil, what you will. Choose your weapon.”

  “You think I couldn’t beat you, cobber? I’ve been a stunt man and learned to fence.”

  David gave a flick of his cuffs and looked down his nose. “I wouldn’t waste my time. She isn’t worth it.”

  “Couldn’t be that you’re afraid of losing?”

  “Oh, forget it!”

  Carenza had never felt so humiliated. She was mortified that Matt should find her being fucked while dressed as a pony! And now they were huffing and puffing and threatening one another. Telling herself that she didn’t care what Matt thought of her, she put on a bold front. “Would one of you jerks get these chains off my wrists and me out of the shafts?”

  “Oh, listen to her, Miss High and Mighty. Just because she’s had David’s prick up her.” Laurette was annoyed. Carenza was getting much more attention than she was. “Jump to it, Bobby. You’ll be her slave before you know it, darling, and I’ve always wanted you to be mine.” And she untangled herself from Kieran and lunged for Bobby’s balls.

  “Where’s the key?” Matt shouted and Bobby, fielding Laurette’s attack, threw it over to him.

  What a relief to be free, to step away from the cart and turn into a woman again. Carenza stood there rubbing her bruised wrists, wanting to get dressed or at least hide in the fur coat, which was somewhere upstairs. What madness had possessed her to allow herself to be used and abused by David? It was true that the man had influence and she was determined on a career. But surely Matt couldn’t believe her to be so ambitious that she would forego every principle?

  Matt ignored David and hobbled closer, looking down at her. “Let’s get out of here.”

  He wasn’t condemning her! Carenza was relieved yet at the same time disappointed because he didn’t seem to be jealous. His feelings toward her were still undefined, whereas she had never been more thankful to see anyone in her life. She wanted to sink into his arms and bury her face in his chest and be hugged as never before.

  “Wait a minute. You weren’t expected and have no right to interfere.” David was lordly in his hunting outfit.

  “Don’t come the aristocrat with me.” Matt was no way intimidated. “You’re nothing but a barrow boy who made good by cheating and using other people. There’s not a drop of blue blood in your veins. You’re a con artist, pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes. Oh, you’re cunning okay…got your foot nicely in the door of TV, but I think you’re a sham. Wouldn’t touch you with a barge pole.”

  “Get out of my house and out of Wales!” David fumed. “You won’t work for me again.”

  “Too right I won’t! My agent will bill you and that will be that!”

  “I’ll make sure that no other TV company employs you.”

  “Oh, boohoo! Can you see me crying? Go fly a kite! I’ve plenty of offers and wouldn’t work for you if yours was the only show on earth. I’d rather play wet-nurse to a camel!”

  “And you, Carenza? Are you going to listen to this loud-mouthed, muscle-bound oaf?” David stared her hard in the face.

  She passed her hand over her forehead, the scene shifting and changing. “I want to go home.”

  “With him?” David was enraged.

  “Alone. I’m tired and need space.”

  “And what if I forbid it?”

  “Then I’ll say goodbye, Mr. Farlan. Knowing you has been an eye-opener.” Carenza couldn’t believe she was saying this. Matt gave her the courage.

  David colored up, scowling angrily. “I won’t tolerate insubordination.”

  Laurette wound her arms around his neck, her luscious body undulating and snakelike. “Oh, darling, let her go. She doesn’t deserve you.”

  “That’s right” For once Ruth agreed with her, delighted to see her rival in trouble.

  His guests had drifted off, seeking further diversions and this quarter of the vault was deserted apart from the leading protagonists. Someone had freed the girl on the crosspiece and the human fillies were being groomed by admirers. Carenza longed to leave this place where anything was possible and no one’s feelings were regarded as important.

  Clem had spotted Matt as soon as he came in and now put his trousers back on and hauled a naked Vicky over. “Trouble, chum?” There was a belligerent expression on his craggy face as he glared at David.

  “Nothing I can’t handle.” Matt flexed his fists suggestively.

  “Are you all right?” Vicky eyed Carenza anxiously, and she threw herself into her friend’s arms, so thankful to see her and Joanna who now joined in with Eddie in tow.

  “I want to go home.” This was the only clear thought in Carenza’s head.

  “Sorry, babe. We thought you were enjoying being a pony. That’s why we didn’t interfere,” Vicky explained.

  “That’s okay,” Carenza said. “I guess I was enjoying it, to begin with, but now all I want is to leave.”

  “We’ll come with you.” Joanna gathered her troops. “Come on, lads. Upstairs and fetch our bags.”

  David twitched his crop and glared. “How rude to leave my party!”

  “Chill. We’ve had a ball.” Vicky had her eye on the future and her designs. He was too important to offend. “Thanks, David. We must do it again some time soon. But now the clock has struck midnight and Cinderella must go before she loses her glass slipper.”

  “I’ll catch you later, David.” Eddie was mindful of his director’s duties. “The footage needs careful editing. Will you be in the office next week?”

  “Of course.” David regained his composure, though this slipped a little as he drew Carenza to one side. “Do you really want to leave with Matt? I thought we had a good thing going.”

  “You did. I’m not so sure about me. It was all to do with power.”

  He smiled wryly. “When did I have the power? You stripped me of i
t.”

  This surprised her. “Oh, come off it, David! That’s crap!”

  “I don’t want to lose you.”

  It was impossible to tell whether or not he was serious. It could be that he didn’t know himself, but she no longer cared. Matt filled her whole horizon. He seized her arm and propelled her to the entrance. She looked back at David, but he was already consoling himself with Laurette. She and Ruth had pulled him onto a divan and he was sandwiched between them. They were unfastening his breeches and diving inside.

  Kieran stood looking down at the trio, massaging his appendage as he watched. Laurette spied him and held out an arm. He sank down and joined them, soon lost in a sea of flesh—male, female, it didn’t much matter.

  * * * * *

  The FWD was parked on the gravel. Bags were heaved into the trunk, Matt’s already there for he had come prepared. He struggled into the driver’s seat. “Don’t be a bloody fool!” said Clem. “I’ll take the wheel.”

  “You won’t.” Matt switched on the ignition.

  “You can’t drive, man!”

  “That’s what the doctor said.” Matt smiled grimly. “But I got here okay. This is an automatic, don’t forget. My own bus.”

  Clem gave in, sitting on the far side of the bench with Carenza between them. “Let me know when you get tired. I don’t want to end up a roadside statistic.”

  It was a long journey, far into the night. Carenza dozed, her head on Clem’s shoulder. She had changed into jeans and a sweater, leaving the fur coat in the wardrobe. David could get some other sucker to wear it. She was afraid she’d never be able to pass a public car lot again without recalling the experience of dogging.

  Vicky and Joanna slumped in the back, using Eddie as a pillow. The roads were clear and they made good time. Clem took over when, at halfway point, they had a break at a motorway stop-off. Dawn was sending pink and orange fans of light streaking up from the horizon when they arrived in London and, finally, Kensington.

  Carenza woke with a jolt, finding Matt’s arm around her and her head buried in his chest. There was her house! In a row of others, steps leading up to the front door with its panels of stained glass. A villa, once owned by her great-grandparents, it was a solid place where they had reared six children and there had still been room for live-in staff. I’m so lucky, she thought sleepily, well aware of Matt’s warm body close to hers.

  “Home, sweet home!” Vicky sang out, and they piled from the vehicle and tumbled in at the door, luggage and all. Matt followed slowly and he looked tired and strained.

  “Letters!” Joanna, swooped them up from the hall table where the cleaner had left them. Then her face dropped. “Oh Lord, looks like a load of bills.”

  “Leave them. I want a cup of tea.” Vicky headed for the kitchen. “David owes us a fistful of money anyway.”

  “This is kind of nice.” Matt was soon seated on one of the high stools, his injured leg resting on another.

  “It is, isn’t it?” Carenza was thinking, I never want to leave it again and this is totally wimpy. I can’t stay cooped up here forever. What am I afraid of? Experience? I enjoyed it with David in a perverse sort of way, but I don’t want to dip a toe in those turbulent waters again.

  “Oh God, I need my bed.” Vicky picked up her cup and headed for the door. “Coming, Clem?”

  “Try and stop me, babe.”

  They sauntered off together, carrying their cups, reminding Carenza of a long-married couple and this was weird. Surely Vicky wasn’t calming down, was she? And it was the same with Joanna, going upstairs with Eddie. It seemed as if they had both found their mates in the wild, wild woods. And as for me? she pondered. Am I ready to settle down? The answer was a firm yes.

  There was something sweet about Matt hauling himself up by the banister rail and her following with a tray of snacks and tea. They could have been together for years and yet he was excitingly unknown. It suddenly struck her that this was what she really, truly wanted. A future with him, stretching into eternity. She realized that she had been a fool to deny it, kidding herself that she was falling in love with David, when it was Matt she wanted all along. Thank God, it wasn’t too late!

  Her bedroom was beautiful and so familiar. “Would you like a shower?” she asked, but his face was serious as he turned to her.

  “We need to talk.”

  She sat with him on the side of the bed, teacup in her hand, feeling that sudden warm, happy feeling evaporating. “What is it you want to say?”

  “I must have answers from you before we take this any further.” He looked her straight in the eyes. “What is it with you and David? Why did you let him treat you like a pony? Do you love him?”

  “No.” Now she could truthfully say it.

  He spread his hands wide in an exasperated gesture. “Then why?”

  “It’s hard to explain. I was curious, I suppose and yes, at first I did imagine I was in love with him. He was exciting and what he did was kind of forbidden, at least to a girl like me, and I wanted to find out about it.”

  “He’s into kinky.”

  “I know that now.”

  “And you?” His eyes were bright and intent.

  “I’ve always wanted true love and I still do. I hoped that he might feel the same, but he’s obviously not about to be serious with me. I think he may end up with Laurette.”

  “And if he was serious?” His grip on her hand was so tight that it hurt.

  “It’s different now. I’ve met you, Matt, and, God help me, it’s you I want to be with.”

  “If you’re lying, I’ll probably kill you.” His words were harsh, but there was hurt in his expression.

  “No lie.” She dared reach out and smooth the side of his face. It was stubbly, but she didn’t mind.

  “I’m not promising anything, but we can give it a go if you like.” He was ungracious and she sympathized with his reluctance to drop his guard.

  “That’s a pity, for I’d really like a promise, Matt. I’m tired of being let down.”

  “You ask a lot from a guy.” He clasped his hands between his knees, as awkward as a schoolboy.

  “I’m worth it.” She said this firmly, and knew that it was true. No man was going to take away her self-assurance ever again.

  A smile warmed his face and he took her into his arms. “What was it you said about a shower?”

  She helped him to undress and found him a towel, then assisted him into the bathroom. So powerful a body. So lovely a man. Her heart was beating like a drum as she left him and slipped on a kimono, sitting on the side of the bed and sipping tea.

  She heard the shower stop and then him brushing his teeth. After that he limped in, the white towel knotted ‘round his waist, in sharp contrast to his sun-browned skin. She feasted her eyes on him, remembering oh-so much—his courage and knowledge of the wilds, his patience with those who were slow to understand, the fact that he was totally reliable in a crisis situation. Her heart seemed to swell with emotion and she knew this to be true love. What had gone before in her life had merely been a rehearsal for the real thing.

  His long hair was wet and straggled around his neck and he shrugged his shoulders into the toweling robe she had provided, fastening it ‘round the waist with a girdle. I like this, she thought. I like a man in my room. It would be like this if Matt was my husband. A comforting feeling of familiarity spiced with sexual desire.

  She left him then, showering herself, washing away the taint of David and soothing her body that ached in many places. Being a pony hadn’t been painless. The gel was perfumed and the water hot and there was a most personable man waiting for her in the bedroom. What more could a girl need? Be careful, she warned herself, you don’t want to get hurt again. Remember how Kelyn had almost destroyed you.

  No, not Kelyn. She had allowed herself to be destroyed. She saw now that she couldn’t really blame him for letting herself wallow in the false dream of an obsessional love.

  I’m growing up at last, s
he concluded and dried her dripping hair, anointed her body with scented moisturizer and went back to Matt.

  Their lovemaking was a revelation. Not the first time. There had been the episode in the pool and in the hut, but that had been shagging. When he’d been injured? Friendly and affectionate. But this was romantic and meaningful. He lay on the bed and she disrobed him, careful not to knock his leg.

  He laughed. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to treat me like china. The rest of me is working all right. Here, cop a feel of this.” He took her hand and wrapped the palm around his cock.

  She knelt over him and he paddled his hands over her nipples and reached down to palpate her clitoris until she was on the point of coming, but she wanted to savor every moment and make it last. With an agile twist she stretched beside him and lipped his chest and down, down to where the line of hair circled his navel and thickened over his lower belly. His cock stood up like a flagpole and she used all her skill to pleasure him, stretching back the foreskin so that his helm was bare, shiny red with need. She licked up his shaft, all the way to the top then lightly used the tip of her tongue to enter the tiny slit that oozed pre-cum.

  Matt drew her face to his by her hair, his lips feeding on hers greedily, tasting his own salty emission. He was so thorough at kissing, exploring her mouth and teeth and the insides of her cheeks. She couldn’t get enough, willing to lie there forever locked in his embrace while he fed on her. Now it was her turn to be nibbled and he pushed her over onto her back and slid down the length of her. He parted her thighs, and buried his face in her perfumed mound, one hand reaching up to roll her nipples in his fingers. The other opened her wide and his tongue found her clit, settling into a steady rhythm.