The Gallery

by Fredrica Alleyn

  ‘What’s the matter?’ asked Cressida.

  ‘I’m not sure what you want. You seem in a funny mood.’

  ‘I want you, Tom,’ she whispered, and then she began to push him towards the bed until he was lying on his back, his head supported by three pillows.

  Cressida was feeling more excited than she had for a long time, and images of the woman in chains and the watching man’s taut muscles kept flashing through her brain as she joined Tom on the bed. Slowly she knelt over his body, facing his feet so that she could press her breasts and belly against his stomach and chest as she lowered herself on to him, and then she gently lifted his slowly stirring penis into her mouth.

  With her legs spread wide across his chest, Cressida knew that she was totally exposed to Tom’s view, and her entire vulva felt as though it was already swollen with desire. She wriggled her hips slightly to encourage Tom to touch her there, but he didn’t respond so instead she concentrated on him.

  She held the base of his penis in her left hand and then licked up each of the sides of the shaft in turn, running the blade of her tongue up from base to tip in firm leisurely strokes that soon had his penis fully erect while the glans darkened in colour.

  Now she began to flick her tongue softly across the ridge on the underside of his erection, and when he finally uttered a tiny moan of pleasure she moved the tip of her tongue and ran it round the ridge instead until he groaned once more. She kept repeating this pattern, alternately crossing and circling the incredibly sensitive ridge, and at the same time she tightened her grip on the base of his penis and moved her hand rapidly up and down until the moment she felt his hips lift and his belly harden beneath her breasts. Then she stopped and lifted her head.

  ‘Don’t stop!’ gasped Tom. ‘I was just about to come.’

  Cressida turned her head and looked at him over her shoulder. ‘What about me?’ she asked softly.

  ‘I’ll see to you later,’ he promised. ‘Just do what you were doing before.’

  ‘I want you to make me come first,’ said Cressida, and Tom’s eyes widened in shock. ‘Touch my bottom,’ she urged him. ‘Use your imagination for once! I want us to come at the same time.’

  Tom didn’t reply, and Cressida pressed her breasts down more firmly against his lower stomach, rubbing the hard peaks of her tiny nipples to and fro against his flesh, which at least stimulated her breasts for her, but she still refused to move her mouth back to where Tom wanted it and finally she felt his hands cupping the cheeks of her bottom.

  He stroked her tentatively at first, but then his fingers wandered beneath her and she pushed her bottom higher so that he could easily massage the whole of her vulva. The moment she felt his fingers caressing her there she began to writhe desperately against him as the simmering excitement that had started back at the gallery began to build towards an orgasm.

  When she felt his fingers part her outer sex lips and slide along the damp inner channel until he reached her swollen clitoris, she finally took his penis back into her mouth and this time she not only licked the ridge beneath the glans but also sucked on the glans itself.

  Tom’s hips lifted off the bed as he felt his heart rate increasing, and the sexual tension at the base of his penis increased to the point where he always lost control. He’d never known Cressida behave like this before, but at this moment he didn’t want to think about that – he simply wanted to come and he knew that in order for that to happen she had to come too. Swiftly his fingers located the small hard bud of pleasure and he ran them along each side of the mass of nerve endings before gently brushing the side of the stem itself.

  Cressida’s breathing was shallow and every muscle tight as he at last touched her where she most wanted to be touched. Now the almost unbearable tension made her hips jerk instinctively and for a moment Tom lost contact with her clitoris and the build-up towards her release faltered. Luckily he quickly pulled her back down to him and then he was softly massaging all around the clitoris once more and she felt a sharp flash of pleasure, so intense it was almost pain, dart through her lower belly.

  This always happened just before she came, and knowing that her own release was near Cressida moved her hand up and down the full length of Tom’s shaft while her tongue whirled around the glans, dipping into the slit on the top so that she tasted the tangy salt of the clear fluid that had gathered there earlier. When the tiny point of her tongue dipped into the slit and her mouth continued to suck on him, Tom lost all control and with a shout he thrust up off the bed, his chest rubbing hard against Cressida’s softly rounded belly.

  This added pleasure on Cressida’s already engorged pelvic area, and meant that her climax rushed through her with unexpected speed. She heard herself cry out only seconds after Tom and then the wonderful hot pleasure spread through her body until at last she slumped, limp and sated, on top of him.

  For several minutes they lay together in silence, and Cressida was just about to say how wonderful it had been when Tom rolled out from under her. ‘What on earth got into you tonight?’ he asked, sounding less than pleased.

  Cressida reversed herself until she was lying with her head next to Tom’s. ‘I felt like doing something different. Didn’t you enjoy it?’

  ‘I wasn’t given much choice,’ he muttered.

  Cressida couldn’t have been more shocked if he’d slapped her. ‘What are you saying? That you didn’t like it? You seemed keen enough; I had to remind you that I needed attention too, you were so lost in the pleasure of it all.’

  ‘I’m not saying I didn’t have a great orgasm, I did. It just wasn’t … Well, it isn’t the way you usually behave and it made me feel strange.’

  Cressida remembered Guy’s words about the woman in the picture. ‘You mean, you don’t like women being in control, is that it?’ she demanded.

  Tom sighed. ‘Let’s not argue. It made a nice change, but I always like making love to you and you aren’t naturally an aggressive sort of person so I think that in future I’d rather we stuck to the kind of thing we normally do.’

  ‘Perhaps I should just lie back and think of England,’ snapped Cressida. ‘God, Tom, you can be incredibly boring sometimes.’

  ‘If you ask me, it isn’t doing you any good mixing with this arty set,’ muttered Tom. ‘The sooner your undercover job’s over the better as far as I’m concerned. ‘You’ve already changed. Heaven knows what you’ll be like in a few weeks’ time.’

  ‘I’m sorry you don’t like it, but since you disapprove you’ll probably be relieved to hear that Detective Chief Inspector Williams says we have to stop seeing each other for a while,’ said Cressida. ‘I wasn’t going to take any notice, but after this I think he’s definitely right.’

  ‘Why?’ demanded Tom.

  ‘He wants me to seem unattached, and if we were seen out anywhere together that would show I wasn’t. We can’t afford the risk.’

  ‘But we could still meet like this,’ Tom pointed out.

  ‘I think that’s a very bad idea,’ said Cressida, climbing off the bed and pulling on her robe. ‘You make it very clear that you don’t like what I’m doing, but I’m under orders and I’ve got no choice. I don’t want to be pulled in two directions at once and it will make things easier for me as well if we stop seeing each other until this job’s over.’

  Tom held out a hand to her. ‘I didn’t mean to spoil it tonight, Cress. I admit I’m not happy about what you’re having to do and that makes me feel threatened. When you took over in bed as well it was the last straw, but I did enjoy what we did and –’

  ‘I’ll order the takeaway,’ said Cressida, walking out of the bedroom.

  At the same time as Cressida was picking up the phone, Guy and Marcia were drawing up outside the late Lord Summers’ house on the outskirts of London. Guy spoke his name into the security phone at the gates, and as they swung open he eased the car between the tall brick pillars.

  The house, set in half an acre of land, was magnificent. It was
split level, and the mixture of light and dark bricks together with imitation wooden beams on the top third of the outer front wall made a very striking impression.

  ‘Rather large for our Alice to live in on her own, isn’t it?’ asked Marcia.

  ‘I doubt if she’ll stay here,’ responded Guy. ‘No doubt she’ll sell everything she’s allowed to sell and buy herself a nice place in sunny Spain where she can meet another wealthy older man. Once the problems over the estate have been sorted out, of course!’ He smiled to himself.

  ‘Here she comes,’ murmured Marcia as the slim figure of Lady Alice appeared at the top of the steps. ‘Not a twin-set and pearls day it seems!’

  Guy surveyed Alice with interest. She had a capacity to surprise him that he found highly stimulating, and although he was annoyed with her over the visit from her solicitor, he was still fascinated by her sexuality, a sexuality that was totally at odds with her appearance.

  Alice was 30, but didn’t look a day over 22. Her naturally blonde hair was enhanced with ash-blonde streaks. She had recently grown out the layers from her urchin cut in an effort to cultivate a more sophisticated look, and while it was at the difficult in-between stage she’d taken to gelling it back off her fine-boned face, which if anything made her appear even younger. Only the heavy lidded dark grey eyes hinted at her real nature.

  Marcia was right; it wasn’t a twin-set and pearls day. Alice was wearing a deep red ankle-length silk wrap skirt, split to mid-thigh, and a startling red silk bustier that clung tightly just above her breasts and was heavily embroidered in gold and silver. On her feet were high-heeled silver sandals with slim ankle straps.

  ‘I didn’t expect to see Marcia,’ remarked Alice as Guy kissed her on the cheek.

  ‘I didn’t expect to see your solicitor earlier,’ responded Guy. ‘However, I didn’t let it spoil my day, and I’m sure Marcia won’t spoil tonight for us. After all, we’ve spent many an enjoyable evening together in the past, haven’t we!’ He laughed, but Alice looked doubtful.

  ‘That was when Michael was alive. I’m not sure it will be the same with three of us rather than four.’

  ‘We’ll just have to find out then, won’t we?’ said Guy briskly, putting a hand between Alice’s shoulder blades and propelling her back up the steps and into the house.

  Behind him, Marcia smiled to herself. She could imagine how Alice must be feeling. She’d anticipated a night with Guy, visualised Guy pleasuring her to the point of ecstasy for hour upon intimate hour. Now it was spoilt. There would be pleasure – exquisite pleasure – but of a different kind. It was a clever move by Guy, and one that should ensure they didn’t have any more visits from Lady Alice’s solicitor.

  The room into which Alice led them was one that always made Marcia shudder. She understood the powerful impact clear lines and austere furnishings could make, but this looked like something out of a science fiction movie. It had been dreamt up by a very new and popular designer, and although the late Lord Summers had voiced his displeasure, Alice had told him it was perfect and he was behaving like an old fogey. That had been enough to silence him, at least in public.

  The floors were bare pine, light coloured and so polished that you could see your reflection in them. Large glass tables of varying heights were dotted around the vast room, and ergonomically correct chairs in varying shades of greens and pinks were placed around them. Large green palms and what Guy always described as jungle vegetation stood in pots round the walls, and the large windows were protected by continental-style blinds.

  ‘I’ve often wondered if Mark thought your late husband was a dentist,’ commented Guy, sitting down in one of the few comfortable chairs at the far end of the oblong room.

  ‘His name’s Marco, and I’m surprised you don’t like the design more,’ retorted Alice. ‘You’re meant to have an eye for new talent.’

  ‘If he came to me with a painting like this I’d suggest he tried another job,’ said Guy shortly. ‘Come along, Alice, you’re neglecting us. How about some champagne?’

  ‘I’ll ask Mrs Rogers to fetch some,’ said Alice quickly. ‘Then shall I tell her she won’t be needed any more tonight?’ She looked hesitantly at Guy, clearly uncertain as to how the evening was going to proceed now that Marcia was here.

  ‘I shan’t be needing her!’ laughed Guy. ‘How about you, Marcia?’

  Marcia, who was examining an abstract painting hanging behind some of the potted vegetation, shook her head. ‘She’s not my type either!’

  As Alice left to organise the drinks, Guy glanced around him thoughtfully. ‘I think that table by the wall might be useful,’ he murmured. ‘Let’s move it nearer this chair, and pull the other comfortable chair over here. Alice will be spending quite a lot of time on the table top, and I want us to be able to see her, and her us.’

  A few minutes later Mrs Rogers brought in the champagne, together with an ice bucket and three glasses. ‘It’s nice to see you again, Mr Cronje,’ she said with a smile. ‘I know how much poor Lord Summers valued your company, and Lady Alice is rather lonely now he’s no longer with us. It’s very kind of you to take the time to call. So many friends seem to disappear once a husband dies, isn’t that right, Lady Alice?’

  A frown creased Alice’s normally smooth brow. ‘I hardly think Guy’s interested in my social life, Mrs Rogers. That will be all for tonight, thank you.’

  ‘How to keep the servants happy!’ remarked Guy sarcastically. ‘Really, Alice, you still haven’t grasped the way to deal with the domestic help, have you? I’m afraid your background shows when you’re rude to Mrs Rogers.’

  ‘I’ve no idea what you mean,’ said Alice, looking annoyed.

  ‘I was remembering your mother and what a sociable young lady she’s reputed to have been. Still, no doubt that’s all long forgotten. Or is it? Why does Mrs Rogers think you’re being neglected by your friends?’

  ‘Because she isn’t blind,’ snapped Alice, losing her composure. ‘No one calls any more, not since they heard whispers about problems with the estate. I can’t imagine why they think it’s got anything to do with me. I don’t know the first thing about art.’

  ‘Or interior designers,’ murmured Marcia to herself.

  ‘I suppose that’s why you asked your solicitor to call on me,’ said Guy slowly. ‘Knowing that I’m something of an expert in that field you presumably thought I might be able to help him track down the missing paintings, is that right?’

  Alice chewed on her bottom lip. ‘In a way,’ she muttered.

  Guy smiled. ‘I thought I must be right. After what we’ve been to each other I didn’t imagine you’d suggest I was in any way involved in the disappearance of these paintings. It’s just unfortunate that your solicitor had got hold of the wrong end of the stick. Well, since that’s sorted out, let’s start the champagne, shall we?’

  Looking immensely relieved, Alice handed him the bottle. ‘Would you open it, Guy?’

  ‘Of course. While I’m doing that, perhaps you’d be kind enough to lie face down on that glass-topped table there, the one I had Marcia move while you were out of the room.’

  Alice stared at him. ‘Do what?’

  ‘Lie face down on the table,’ he repeated softly. ‘Come along, Alice. I thought you wanted some fun in your life again. It’s a little late in our relationship to start going coy, don’t you think?’

  Slowly Alice obeyed him, sliding herself across the width of the table so that her upper torso was hanging over one side and her legs dangled down the other.

  ‘Keep your head down,’ said Guy softly. ‘In a moment, Marcia and I will bring you your champagne. I know you like it well chilled.’

  Marcia half-filled two glasses and strolled to where the prone girl was lying across the table top. Guy crouched down and slowly peeled back the top of the elaborate basque until both of Lady Alice’s firm white breasts were totally exposed. Then he took one of the glasses from Marcia and they each took hold of one of the dangling breasts a
nd dipped them into the chilled champagne.

  Alice drew in her breath sharply as the cold liquid touched her warm skin. Both Marcia and Guy squeezed her breasts firmly at the top and then rotated them so that her rapidly hardening nipples and the surrounding area were thoroughly immersed in the sparkling drink.

  As Alice began to tremble with rising excitement, the glasses were removed and Guy pressed his right hand softly against the exposed nape of her neck. ‘Sit up, Alice. We’d like to taste the drink now.’

  Without a word, Alice obeyed. She’d been in a state of heightened sexual tension all day waiting for Guy’s visit, and now that he was here and her arousal had begun she could feel an orgasm starting to build, even at this moment.

  ‘It might be better if she lay back,’ suggested Marcia. Guy nodded, and pressed against Alice’s bare shoulders. She felt him pressing her backward and as soon as her spine was against the table the pair of them leant over her and started to lick the champagne from her dripping breasts.

  Guy only licked for a few seconds and then began to suck, drawing her large brown nipple into his mouth and twirling the tip of his tongue around its peak while he kept up the powerful suction. Marcia sipped at the liquid in a far more delicate way. Her tongue swirled around the underside of Alice’s left breast and then moved slowly upward until she could sweep it across the top of the nipple.

  The contrast in the way they were using their mouths was incredibly arousing, and Alice heard herself moan softly with delight. Guy looked across her body and nodded at Marcia who nodded back at him. Lady Alice was relaxed, sexually aroused and anticipating her first orgasm. It was all going very well.

  ‘Sit up now,’ said Guy sharply. ‘While Marcia and I have a proper drink we want you to keep us entertained. You are, after all, our hostess!’

  ‘But …’ Alice’s voice trailed off as she realised that for the first time she didn’t have her husband with her. She was totally alone with Guy and Marcia, and if she wanted sexual satisfaction, as she certainly did, then she was going to have to play the game their way. She could protest, but then they’d go. That was the last thing Alice wanted now, because her well-trained and demanding body was tingling with excitement and longed for sexual release.