by Jojo Brown
For some unknown reason, Lexie felt a strong sense of excitement and anticipation build in her with each step she took. Something big was going on and somehow it all involved her. In fact, she got the feeling that she was the centre of it all. That mixed up feeling of fear and giddiness had to be the way a bride felt as her feet carried her down the aisle to her waiting groom.
The double doors were thrown open by two hooded sentries and Lexie was able to glimpse a magnificent hall, between the heads of her escorts. Columns rose to the vaulted ceiling, painted to appear as if they simply disappeared into the infinity of the sky above them. It was a breathtaking visual effect. It was so realistic; Lexie was sure she saw a lone dove fly across the expanse of periwinkle studded with cotton balls.
Seated on a raised dais at the other end of the hall, was a figure. His seat was a throne, magnificent in its simplicity — nothing like the ornate sprawling of deep carvings the Wish King held in the dining room. This throne was more like a large chair, something that one might see in a Victorian-age home.
Without question, Lexie knew that this cloaked and hidden man was older than any she had ever met. She knew he was the founder and overseer of The Retreat — she also knew that he knew everything there was to know about her.
He was swathed in layer upon layer of the same flimsy material of the attendants. His face, hidden from view — not that she would have been able to see him clearly from the great distance between them — but she knew that she was looking directly into his eyes. She felt a great sense of warmth and comfort coming to her across the void.
Soft lilting music filled the air. It sounded as though a whole orchestra was hidden somewhere within the hall. The attendants surrounding Lexie began to swirl and dance all around her. The long swaths of material floated around them creating a sort of traveling cloud around her. Their movements slowly led her to the foot of the hidden man. Dante came to her side and gently pressed her to her knees.
“You need not fear me, child,” the voice floated out to her from deep within the soft hood.
“I don’t. Fear is something that has found no home in my heart since I walked through the doors of this Retreat.”
“Have you enjoyed your time among us, so far?”
“Greatly.”
“Have all of your wishes been met and fulfilled?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“We want only to please you. I feel that there is more that you have not revealed. A greater wish. A dream so beyond your concept of the realm of possibilities that you may not even realize it yet, but it is there in your heart of hearts. I will give you a gift that is only held for a few special travellers. I give you the gift of choice. You may change your list of wishes at anytime. You may add or delete whenever you wish. In this way, when you do eventually come to realize what it is that you truly desire, all you need do is ask for it and it shall be granted you.”
Gauging by the surprised expressions in the crowd gathered around, Lexie understood this was an unusual and greatly sought after gift indeed.
“Thank you,” her whispered gratitude hardly seemed enough, but it was all she had to give.
The old man slid carefully from his seat and came to kneel on the edge of the dais, reaching down he cupped her face. “Listen to your heart and you will know the truth. Listen with your heart and follow where it leads you.”
With that, he stood and walked through a small door at the rear of the dais.
Lexie got to her feet as the door closed in the hermit’s wake. She stood staring at it for quite a long time. She didn’t notice as the rest of the crowd dispersed quietly through numerous doors.
What could he have meant by that? What more could there be for me to wish for? I am sure I have realized all that I could possibly dream of while I’ve been here. I have Amante now; doesn’t the rest of it follow now that I have found my perfect mate? Doesn’t it make sense that the house, the white picket fence, the children and the lazy old dog are just a part of that package? What more could there be?
Dante startled her out of her musing with a light touch on the arm.
“If you are ready, we can go to breakfast now.”
Lexie had to blink a few times, before her eyes would focus — once again, her brain had to play catch-up with what she was seeing. Rather than the beautiful great hall, with the raised dais and multiple doors, she was standing in the hallway between her room and the dining room. Instead of the amazing, intricately embroidered toga, she was in her simple swath of material that she had worn every day.
One look at Dante and she knew that the questions she so desperately wanted to ask would not be answered — so why waste the time or energy? She followed the back of Dante’s head to the deserted dining room and took her place at her table. In stunned silence, Lexie sat and ate her poached eggs, pea meal bacon and toast. She was once again ravenous. It seemed she always was lately. Every meal at The Retreat, devoured with complete abandon.
Dante seemed to know instinctively that she wanted to be alone, so she simply backed out of the room silently as soon as Lexie was seated.
* * * *
Lexie sat with her head supported on her fist as she leaned on the table and chased the toast crumbs through the drying egg yolk around her plate. Through the fog in her brain, she felt someone watching her, just as strongly as she would have felt a steel blade thrust into her back.
She straightened her spine and turned to look toward the doorway. Amante stood there, leaning on the frame, nonchalantly watching her.
“How long have you been there, watching me eat?”
“Not long. I could watch you for years and it would not be long enough.”
He slowly walked between the scattered tables over to hers. “You looked to be in deep contemplation. Surely there is nothing here that could warrant that kind of intent thought process.”
“I was just wondering what this place is really all about.”
“From all I have seen and heard, it seems to be about making the guests happy. Simply that.”
Lexie felt her frustration build again. “Yes, but how? How precisely do they make all these wishes come true? They know what I am going to wish for before I do. It is all rather discomfiting.”
Amante’s deep, warm chuckle eased some of her tension as it rumbled over her. “Perhaps they have some sort of master computer somewhere and they inserted probes into your brain while you slept so they can read your brainwaves as soon as a thought enters your mind.”
Her laughter joined his as she stood to wrap her arms around his neck. “Yeah, or maybe they’re aliens.”
The instant stiffening of every muscle in him and the strangled gasp was so quick, Lexie didn’t consciously notice it; she just lifted her face to have his mouth claim hers again.
“I missed you this morning. My bed felt very big and very cold, when I opened my eyes.”
“I do apologize, but I didn’t think it would do for your attendant to find me there, all warm and pliable in the early morning light. I only left so you would be able to face her without any tingle of embarrassment.”
“Well, I suppose I should thank you then, shouldn’t I?”
“You can thank me by sitting for me, again. I would really like to finish that portrait.”
“Of course.”
Chapter Thirteen
In very short order, they were ensconced in his personal studio again. It was exactly as they had left it the day before. Amante confessed that he had come here after leaving her bed and worked on the piece. He had filled a lot of it in working from the sketch and his memory. All he needed to do was to put in the delicate details that he could only truly see with her there in the flesh.
He set her up in the same pose and started to work, with the tunnel vision of a true artist. So focussed was he on the work at hand that Lexie started to worry she would be expected to sit stock-still all day. Just as her muscles really started to protest, she felt him behind her. Amante bent over right behind her again, just as h
e had the night before. His mouth and tongue traced a hot path along her shoulders, up her neck and around to claim her mouth. He turned and lowered her onto the narrow bed beside her, his mouth still covered hers as his tongue danced with hers, teasing and promising so much.
His big hands pushed the scrap of material away and they clung to each other, happy and comfortable in the mutual nakedness. As his hands traced along her curves, Lexie squirmed and sighed deeply. He moved down her body, his mouth close enough that she felt his breath, but not touching until he reached her feet. His tongue stroked over, around and between her toes. She almost lost all control right then. No man had ever sucked on or kissed her feet before. Now she found herself thinking that this was something she would want every day.
Amante’s hands massaged her calves as his mouth worked its way up her legs. Not one inch of leg was left un-kissed, un-licked or untouched. When his tongue moved between her trembling legs and he licked the smooth flesh of her inner thighs, Lexie let out a long shaky moan. She arched her hips up and pressed on the back of his head — desperate to feel his mouth on her heated pussy.
Amante clearly had other plans though. He avoided making actual contact with her pussy and started a slow, torturous path up her body. He circled the tip of his tongue around her navel before delving into it. His tongue left a wet trail on her fevered flesh as he moved to her breasts. First one then the other mound was licked, sucked and massaged. He had to know how wet she was — how ready she was to have him buried in her as deep as possible — he was driving her insane with his slow, patient attention. In reality though, Lexie wouldn’t have had it any other way. Sometimes it’s a good thing when someone else takes control.
Just as she thought, she could not stand another second he slid his left hand between her already damp thighs. His strong middle finger slid easily in and began to stroke her slowly. At the same time, he pressed the pad of his thumb onto her hard clit and started performing a slow dance around it. Lexie’s cry filled the small room and she bucked onto his hand. There was no holding the climax back any more than you could hold the tide back with a child’s bucket. Amante continued suckling her nipple and manipulating her pussy as she began to relax through the end of the orgasm.
He moved to cover her mouth with his again. He whispered against her lips, “You feel so good. So wet. So hot and always ready for me. I am so glad I have this time with you.”
Lexie moaned in disappointment as he moved off the bed and went to the wall. As he struck a match to kiss it to the wick of a white taper, the lights dimmed and she relaxed. In fact she thoroughly enjoyed the sight of him walking around, lighting until then unnoticed candles. He was magnificent. His eyes held her transfixed every time she looked at them — they seemed to change with the light and his mood. He was exactly the height she’d always dreamed of her lover being and he was so fit — not big and bulgy like a football player or weight lifter — firmed, toned and sculpted. His massive, hard cock stood out in front of him as though it was leading him around the room and he was helpless to do anything but follow. With each soft step he took, it bounced slightly. Lexie licked her lips at the sight of the drop of moisture on its tip.
Apparently content with the mood he had set in the room, Amante stood at the end of the chaise and motioned to her with one finger. “Come here, Alexandria.”
The need to be submissive to Amante overwhelmed her and Lexie swivelled to crawl to him. With gentle hands, he stroked down her shoulders and over her back. His hands tightened on her as he pulled her up against his chest.
“You’re so beautiful, Lexie, so much more than just beautiful. Now, I want you to touch me. Touch my body; show me again how good you can make me feel.”
Lexie’s slight nod might have gone unnoticed by some, but she saw the smile fill Amante’s face and knew that he had seen the small show of submission. She pulled back enough that she could see him and traced her fingers down his chest. As her fingernails scratched him lightly, he jerked and moaned. Her fingertips found his erect nipples, followed closely with her tongue.
As her hand slid down his abdomen, Lexie heard his moan deepen. Her hand wrapped around his solid shaft and began slowly stroking along the length. The feel of his moist, thick head on her thumb was too much for her and she lowered her mouth to his cock.
In one quick motion, she had the head captured against her wriggling tongue. Amante’s gasp filled her ears and fed her need to taste him even more than the feel of his hands tangling in her hair did. She slid her mouth along him deeper and deeper — her tongue in constant motion — she wanted to force all of his unknown inches in and taste his sweet cum as it hit the back of her throat.
“Oh Lexie, that feels so damn good, your mouth feels so fucking incredible. Your tongue is like a snake wrapping around me. I am so glad you like sucking my cock, baby.”
Lexie purred deep in her throat, around his cock and picked up speed. Amante grasped her hair harder and started guiding her mouth along his length. His hips thrust forward. He filled her as deeply as possible.
Just as her throat muscles relaxed enough to gain him access, he pulled out of her mouth. Lexie almost lost her balance in the sudden loss. She wanted to suck him until he came and tried to pull him back to her mouth.
With a hand on either side of her face, he lifted her to press against him again. “Not yet, baby. I don’t want to cum yet. I have much too much pleasure to give you first.”
In one fluid motion, he had her on her back on the chaise again and was between her thighs. Without any warning, he lowered his face to her wet pussy. Her cry filled the air again as he began licking over her clit. Lexie’s moans grew louder and faster as she was unable to lay still under him. His mouth and tongue did things to her pussy that she’d never felt, or expected, before. His fingers slid into her pussy as he sucked on the rigid clit. Her orgasm was building again. She knew he had to be able to feel it on his mouth and fingers. Amante held her legs and pushed them upward, holding them behind her knees with his free hand. She was spread wide open for him.
“Oh, God, Amante! I'm going to cum again, I’m going — oooh, God, mmmmmm, baby, I’m going to, I’m going — aaahhh.”
The climax washed over her in massive shaking waves. Her pussy soaked his face and hand as she came harder than before.
“That’s it baby, that’s it Lexie, come in my mouth, let me taste you baby, mmmm, you taste sweet, Lexie, so sweet.”
His murmured words sounded wet, as he stayed pressed to her pussy, his tongue still moving over her clitoris and his two fingers still sliding in and out.
Her thighs relaxed and fell open, as he continued to kiss and lick. As she stopped shivering, he slipped up her body. He immediately slid his thick cock into her. Lexie gasped as he filled her completely. She was becoming addicted to the way it felt to have him buried in her.
Amante grasped behind her knees and pressed her thighs against her chest. With slow purposeful strokes he slid in and out. Soon he started to pound into her faster and faster. Her full breasts bounced as their matched thrusts increased in speed and power.
Lexie slid her hand between their slick bodies and began stroking her clit as he fucked her roughly.
“Lexie, your pussy is so good and tight. It fits me perfectly. I want it to be mine — tell me how you want my cock, and how good it feels.”
Lexie’s teeth dug into her bottom lip as he continued pumping harder and harder into her. Her need to cum with his cock deep inside her was all she could think about. When she failed to answer him, he stopped and held himself very stiff at her entrance.
She writhed and squirmed under him, desperate to feel him moving inside of her.
“Say it, now, Lexie. Tell me you want my cock or I’ll leave. I will leave right now, and you’ll never feel this cock you enjoy so much, ever again.”
“I want your cock, dammit, Amante. I love how it feels, deep in me. Please, don’t stop, let me cum again, I want your dick inside of me, you can have me
when you want, just fuck me, please, please, Amante — fuck me hard.”
He started driving into her again, his balls slapping against her ass as his cock filled her over and over again. She played with her clit, and lifted her hips to meet his cock as he pushed its full length into her. She could feel his cock throbbing inside of her, and the telltale tremors started again.
“Oh shit, yes Amante, you’re going to make me cum again. Oooh baby, oh, God, shit, mmmmmm!”
As the climax raged through her, a red haze glossed her vision. Her pussy pulsated around his cock, as she came. Through the haze, she could have sworn she saw Dante’s face where Amante’s should have been, just before her eyes closed.
“Oh Lexie, I can feel you cum. It feels like heaven on my shaft. That’s going to make me cum too. No holding back now — I’m gonna cum girl, I’m — oooh shit!”
Amante’s cock spasmed and jumped in her as he filled her with one hot spurt after the other. He moaned deeply and bit her shoulder as he filled her still throbbing pussy with his juices.
The quiet moments in his arms afterwards were blissful until a hard rap on the door cut them short. Amante jumped to his feet and flung his toga around him as he strode to the door.
She didn’t hear the conversation, but Lexie could tell from the tone of his voice that Amante was not pleased with the interruption. When he came back to her, she rose from her seat on the edge of the chaise — her toga neatly back in place. “Is everything okay?”
He pulled her to him, almost crushing her in his embrace. “I’m afraid I have to go and see to something. I hate that I have to leave you like this, but unfortunately, it cannot be avoided. I’ll take you to your room.”
She convinced him that she would be fine on her own and pressed her mouth to his once more, before stepping toward the door.
“Remember your promise.”
He’d said it so quietly; she’d almost missed it. “My promise?”
“You’re mine.”