Altar Ego (8 page)

As I slowly drifted back to consciousness I could feel a feather light touch on my cheek. I was aware of a presence near me and I hummed softly. I turned my head slightly and felt the gentleness stroke my cheek.

“Hmmm Dominic...” as soon as I spoke I knew that the scent was all wrong and my eyes snapped open in shock. To my relief Max was sitting on the floor next to the sofa.

“Jesus Max, you scared the shit out of me.” I proclaimed as I sat up a little.

“Erm...I would say I disappointed you more like.” He replied with a wink. “I made coffee. It’s time to wake up Sleeping Beauty.” He gestured towards the steaming mug on the coffee table, and I sat up and reached for it. I wrapped my fingers round the mug and sipped at it, burning my tongue immediately.

“It’s hot.” Max laughed.

“No shit Sherlock.” Despite the blister forming on my tongue I laughed too. Max clambered up onto the sofa and curled his legs underneath his bum, picking up his own coffee and nursing it. We sat in silence for quite some time, just being us and it was bliss.

“So... you were dreaming about him too?” He asked.

“Who?” I smiled as I drank more of the dark smoky liquid.

“Oh come on Elise.” He nudged me with his elbow, my mug jolting and drops of the hot coffee spilling onto the throw. “How do you know him?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” I laughed as I mopped up the spill. “It’s all a bit strange.”

“I will tell you what is strange.” Max interrupted. “You refer to him as Dominic. THAT’S what is strange!” He was watching me intently, waiting for me to respond. When I didn’t, he went on... “Nobody calls him Dominic. He is just Dom.”

“But that’s his name.” I said.

“It may well be, but he is Dom. Dom by name...”

“Yes I know...and Dom by nature. I have been filled in on that little gem already.” I rolled my eyes.

“Elise...the man is dangerous. He has every submissive falling at his feet and you should NOT be getting involved with him.” Max was on a roll now and I could feel his voice getting fainter as I switched off to his rant about Dominic. “...Are you listening to me?” He was pissed off.

“Yes, yes I’m listening. He is no good for me blah blah...I’m a big girl Max. I can look after myself.” I told him, and drained my coffee before putting the mug down on the table with a bang.

I waited for him to say something else. He didn’t. He wouldn’t dare. He knew how I could be when I wanted something, and he knew full well that nothing he could say to me would put me off.

“Why were we there last night Max?” I asked. “Who is that man?”

He looked a little vacant for a second, then squeezed my knee and said dismissively “I thought it would be fun.” He stood up. “I have to get ready to open the restaurant.”

“You didn’t answer the question Max.” I called after him as he headed for the door.

“Neither did you princess.” He called back as he bounded up the stairs.

I laughed. He had a point. Clearly neither of us was in a position to question the other over our secrets right now. He would come clean though. Max couldn’t keep secrets very well, and before so long he would be bursting to tell me everything. I, on the other hand, had gotten used to keeping my feelings in check over the years and so wouldn’t struggle to keep things to myself.

I lounged around for a bit before deciding to take a shower and then go and pick up my mail from home. I needed a few things too that I had left behind, and I knew Adam would be at the office.

I stepped into the shower and turned on the water. Max had one of those amazing waterfall showers, and the warmth of the water on my skin was so relaxing. I stood under it for an age, just letting it wash over me and cleanse me of my hangover. I washed my hair and as I lathered the shampoo I heard my phone beep. It was a text and it could wait. It wouldn’t be important. I rinsed and then smoothed conditioner through my hair with my fingers... there was that beep again. Whoever it was, they were being persistent.

I finished washing and stepped out of the shower cloaking myself in a huge towel and wrapping a smaller one around my head in a kind of turban effect. I brushed my teeth, and tutted in frustration as my phone started to ring. It was incessant; it kept ringing and ringing, cutting off, then starting again. I finished up in the bathroom and grabbed my phone from the side as I moved into the bedroom to dress.

I checked the number on the screen as it rang again. I didn’t recognise it so I threw it on the bed, without bothering to check the texts. I put on my underwear, sprayed perfume and stood in front of the full length mirror to blow dry my hair. Whilst doing so, I thought I heard something downstairs... turning the hairdryer off I listened carefully. I didn’t hear anything else so I switched it back on and tipped my head upside down to dry it roughly. I wasn’t going anywhere important so it didn’t matter if it was a little wild.

I stood, threw my head back and gave my face a quick blast of cold air before switching the hair dryer off. As I placed it on the dresser, I caught sight of something out of the corner of my eye. I turned and jumped out of my skin when I saw Dominic standing there, just leaning against the door frame.

“What the fuck?” I glared at him, suddenly self conscious standing there in just my underwear.

“Language Elise.” He said. He unfolded his arms and looked me up and down slowly. “You really need to learn to answer your phone when I call.” His eyes settled on my mouth and I bit my lip nervously. How could he turn me to jelly just with a look?

“Maybe I would have answered it, had I known it was you.” I told him as I moved across the room to the wardrobe. “And anyway; how the fuck did you get in?” I opened the doors fully, obscuring his view of my body and flicked through the hangers to find something suitable. I grabbed a pair of dark indigo jeans and a cream sweater and turned, only to collide with his chest.

“I told you to watch your language.” He said and reached up, placing his hand at the back on my neck. He squeezed and pulled me towards him, locking me in place against him. I could feel his arousal pressing against me and I gasped. “Don’t act all surprised Elise. You should know by now that defying me makes me want to do things to you that you couldn’t possibly understand.” His mouth was close to my ear and his voice sounded almost menacing. It didn’t worry me though, I was relaxed in his arms and I pushed my pelvis against him, feeling him throb through his trousers.

“You don’t know how fucked up that sounds.” I said as I trailed my eyes over his mouth, just willing him to kiss me.

“And you don’t know how fucked up I am.” He said. He blew onto my neck, before placing his mouth over my skin and biting...hard. I cried out as he slipped his hand between us and unfastened his belt, sliding it through the loops till it was loose in his hands. He stepped backwards, turning me around so that my back was against him and I too was walking blind. All too suddenly I was spun round and bent over the edge of the bed. His hand firmly on the small of my back, he used the other one to trail the cool leather of the belt down my back. He started between my shoulder blades and moved towards my behind, trailing the buckle across my cheeks, and down into the valley between them. I gripped the eiderdown with my hands, twisting the fabric in my closed fists, and pushed myself backwards against him. He released himself and groaned as the head nudged at my opening.

“Please...Dominic...Please.” I moaned.

He backed off a little and massaged my flesh with one hand, in a flash the leather of the belt came down on my cheek and I jumped in shock. I gasped as in one swift movement he thrust himself into me and rubbed my cheek to alleviate the sting.  My senses were all over the place. My arse was stinging but the ache inside of me was more severe. I ground myself against him taking him in as deeply as I possibly could, and encouraging him further.

He pulled out slowly, though not all the way. With the tip of his cock gently nudging my swollen folds he brought back his hand again. The looped leather slapped against my other cheek this time and again; he instantaneously thrust inside of me, taking me to heights I never imagined could exist.

My breathing ragged, and my insides assaulted by the sheer size of him, I bit back my tears and lifted my head.

“Again...” I pleaded.

Spurred on by my request he struck me again. This was by far the hardest of the three strikes. I couldn’t stop the tears this time and I cried out loud before I bucked against him. The belt dropped to the floor and he grabbed me with both hands on my hips. I felt his skin on my back, the heat between us was incredible. He kissed the nape of my neck as he drove into me, and I threw my head back over his shoulder in appreciation.

“You feel so fucking perfect.” He growled against my skin. I felt his throbbing length inside of me, filling every space as I contracted around him, squeezing him tightly. “I love the feel of you coming all over me.” He snaked one hand under my stomach and lifted me against him. It simply was not possible for us to be any closer to each other. His movements slowed as my I reached my peak and clenched him tight, moaning his name over and over.  He responded by letting his own climax take hold and grunting as he spilled inside of me.

We stayed there for several minutes just coming down from the high. I was exhilarated. I had never felt anything like this before. He held me tightly and whispered into my ear.

“Are you okay?”

I nodded, unable to speak, and not sure that I could find my voice if I tried.

“Good.”He said and kissed the skin on my jaw line softly. He pulled out of me slowly and said “Wait there.” The cool air hit my rear end now that he was no longer covering it and the sting started. It was not painful, nor uncomfortable. It was just there. Like a reminder of him. I rested my face into the bedding and relaxed my grip on the fabric as I felt him behind me once more.

“This was all I could find.” He said as he smoothed a cold cream over my cheeks, rubbing the thick cream into my cheeks softly and taking away the sting. “I will get you some arnica.” He gently caressed my rear until all of the cream had been absorbed and he turned me over gently, lifting my legs up and climbing onto the bed next to me. He wrapped his arms around me and held me to his chest. I fiddled with his tie, which was still perfect incidentally and snuggled in to him.

“Elise. We need to talk.” He said.

“Hmmm?” I mumbled, I was drifting in and out of a sleepy relaxed state and I didn’t want to talk.

“Elise.” He gave me a gentle shake.

I pulled myself up the bed, and looked at him.

“Okay...but not here...and definitely not naked.” I laughed. “Let me get dressed.” I unfolded myself from his hold, not really wanting to and missing his touch immediately. I cleaned myself up in the bathroom before quickly dressing in the jeans and sweater I had picked up. All the time he was watching me intently, his eyes flitting from my face to my feet and back again. It was as if he was taking in every inch of me lest he should forget what I looked like.

“Oh.” I said out loud as the realisation sank in. That was what he was doing. He was making sure he didn’t forget how I looked. This was clearly the ‘talk’ about how it was not me it was him etc etc. I silently scolded myself for letting him in, for letting myself grow fond of him. I picked up a simple pair of black court shoes and stood by the door.

“I’m ready.” I said.

He stood up slowly and looked at me with curiosity. He had been seated on the edge of the bed having tidied himself up. I glanced at the belt, now buckled round his waist and felt the heat rising in my cheeks. I looked to the floor as he moved across the room toward me.

“Are you okay?” He asked. He almost sounded concerned, but I wasn’t convinced. I needed to get this over with so I could move on.

“I’m fine.” I replied with a half smile. “Shall we go and get some coffee?” I moved to the staircase before giving him an opportunity to respond, and he followed behind. We left the house and I locked the door behind us. Dominic took the path and went for his car pressing the button on the key fob to open the doors.

“Dominic.” I called. “Let’s take a walk.” I stood by the gate and waited for him.

“I...err...okay.” He locked the doors again and fell into step beside me.

“You don’t normally walk anywhere?” It was a statement rather than a question really, seeing as the answer was obvious.

“Not anymore.” He said, before falling silent again. We walked for a few minutes before arriving at a small coffee shop near the park gates. He opened the door for me and I entered ahead of him, ordering a caramel latte and a flat black. He stood beside me in the queue looking uncomfortable, and I relished the fact that he was walking in my shoes for a short while.

The guy behind the counter slid the takeaway cups across the marble top with a wink and I smiled at him, totally unaware of the grimace on Dominic’s face. I handed him his cup before striding out into the summer sun.  I was aware of him behind me, as we entered the park and I led him to the old bandstand.

I perched my bottom on the step against the railings and stretched my legs out in front of me. He looked down at the dusty floor, shrugged his shoulders and lowered himself down to join me.

“I love it here.” I said. “I used to bring the children when they were little and sit here for hours.” I was volunteering information that he probably didn’t want. So he surprised me when he took a sip of his coffee and said...