The Sanctuary (9 page)

Jenni giggled in my ear. “Sibling rivalry at its finest.”

Mikko interjected, quieting his two boys. Val abruptly got up from the table. “Please excuse me. I am going for a smoke.”

I had never felt more uncomfortable. I glanced at Jenni and Maaria for advice. Maaria motioned I should follow. I gladly accepted her cue and headed after him.

“Is everything all right?”

“He can never be happy for me. He always has
something
to say.” Val lit a cigarette. “And he comes storming in here just to be the center of attention, as always. We’ll be leaving shortly.”

Jenni joined us on the porch. “Don’t let him get to you, Val. He’s doing this to bug you.” She lit a cigarette. “Fuck him. We’re here to celebrate you two.”

“Celebrate?” I questioned.

She draped her arm across my shoulder. “We read you are engaged.”

My jaw dropped opened. “Engaged?” I shook my head. “No, we’re not engaged.”

“Mummmm…” Jenni yelled through the door. “Where is the paper?” She headed inside, returning with a newspaper.

I grabbed it and read:

Valo was spotted wearing a blue sapphire ring on his wedding finger, along with a solid band. Sources close to the two say the couple has been living together and is happily engaged. When we spoke to Eve this morning, she neither confirmed nor denied their relationship.

So that’s where my words to Mr. Press ended, as a fictitious engagement announcement.

Jenni glared at her brother. “So, why the rings?”

“Because I like them? This is rubbish. Why do you and Mum believe these things? Why didn’t you call me?”

“Umm…Hello? You never answer your phone.” Jenni stomped out her cigarette with her shoe and headed inside, announcing the breakup of our non-existent union.

“We better get going.” Val extinguished his cigarette. I followed him, saying our thank yous and goodbyes as quickly as I’d said hello.

Once in the car, Val’s mood immediately changed. “Now back to the festivities.” He turned and caught my mouth with his, sliding his hand up my thigh.

I pulled away. “You can’t turn me on and off like a light.”

“Oh yes I can, and I did.” His eyes hungered for me. “Come here.”

He pulled me on top to straddle him. My naked flesh was touching his jeans, and I felt his cock slowly rising, pushing against the tightness of its confines.

Val wrapped his arms around my hips, grinding me into his crotch. His hand made its way under my dress, squeezing my ass.

“Maybe we shouldn’t be doing this in here.” I motioned to the driver. “You never know where this will end up.”

“Stop being so anal. Maybe you need a nice stiff one in the ass to relax you, eh?” he said with a playful slap.

I could see how this night was going to end. It wasn’t the first time he’d mentioned my ass in conversation.

“I’m not into anal sex.”

“That’s because everyone who ever tried didn’t know what they were doing. Now, shhh…I thought you were a team player.” His hands were firmly planted on my ass, pressing my cheeks apart, making me feel exposed and on the edge. “I planned to take you out dancing, but the thought of you bending over in the bathroom is stuck in my head. It’s consumed me all night. I think we’ll do something else.”

He rattled off something in Finnish to the driver, who changed direction at his command. Val released his grasp of me, grabbed his jeans, unzipped them, and shifted down. His hands slipped to my hips, lifting me up before he penetrated me.

“Oh my God!” I whispered in his ear. I couldn’t believe he was fucking me with another person in such close proximity. I bit my lip, trying to hold my moans. It was the perfect position to hit my G-spot. The whole situation was arousing, and the possibility of getting caught was an adrenaline rush. We fucked for a few minutes before the car pulled up to a building with no front windows, only a steel door with a bouncer.

“Do you like being watched?” Val asked as he slid out of me. “Or do you prefer watching?”

I didn’t know how to respond. I looked again at the building. Where was he taking me? “I think I prefer to watch.” From the gist of the evening, I assumed watching was the safer of the two answers.

As we walked up to the unremarkable door, the bouncer gave us the once-over. He nodded to Val before allowing us access inside.

I could tell as soon as we walked in we were in a sex club. We were greeted by a beautiful dominatrix. Val whispered in her ear, and she pointed up a flight of stairs before shooting me an “I could eat you for breakfast” stare.

Val turned to me, “My friend Andrei owns this club.” He interlaced his fingers into mine, holding my hand as we walked up the stairs. It was the typical vibe: loud music, intoxicated patrons, and smoke-filled air. Val led me through the crowd, weaving in and out.

We navigated our way to the upper level to the VIP area. Val spoke to one of the waitresses, who nodded and headed off.

“Let’s sit and relax.” He pulled me onto a couch. “I ordered champagne.” He had a mischievous look in his eyes.

“What are we doing here?” I wondered what he’d planned. The last time we’d had champagne I’d wound up too drunk for my own good. I didn’t want to do anything stupid in public.

“You agreed to relinquish control, no?”

“Yes, but…”

“Then trust me.” He scanned the room. “Instead of questioning it, enjoy the experience.” He pulled out a joint from his pack of cigarettes, lit it, and passed it to me. “Besides, if I was going to fuck you, we’d be downstairs.”

I inhaled deeply, holding my breath, hoping the pot would loosen me up. I glanced at the dance floor below us, and from up here, all appeared normal. Many were dancing, some were socializing, some looked ordinary, and a few were in fetish costumes.

The waitress stopped by with a bottle of bubbly, and Val handed me a glass.

“I don’t think I should drink.” I didn’t want to overdo our partying. I was afraid of the consequences. The marijuana was enough.

“One drink won’t hurt.” He tapped the glass in my hand. “Cheers!”

A few drinks and one joint later, Val had me on the dance floor, moving me in ways I hadn’t experienced in years. It felt good to be free and uninhibited in a place with such immense sexual energy. It was as if everyone’s libido was feeding off of each other’s. I felt alive.

Val drew me into him and kissed me on the mouth, forcing his tongue into mine. He grasped the nape of my neck, tugging on my damp hair. He pulled away and grabbed my hand. “I want another drink.”

We headed down a ramp to a room below us. It was as crowded as the dance floor, only the crowd here was more into socializing than grinding. Val led me through the room and into another, curtained off in the far corner. The mood of the room immediately changed. The lights were bluish purple, the music was sensual, and there were less people.

We made our way to the bar. As we waited for our drinks, I heard moaning. Val led me into the area in which sex between consenting adults was allowed. I glanced at him uneasily.

He noticed my worry. “Some people come here to watch. Some like to be watched.”

“I didn’t know you were into swinging.”

“I’m not.” He took a swig of his beer. “But I like to watch,” he said with a wink.

We lingered in the club, working our way between the floors, dancing and observing the couples. I had to admit he was right. Watching created an entirely new level of desire in my body. It was overwhelming and titillating at the same time. I wanted to pounce on him, but my fear of getting caught kept my inhibitions in check. The last thing I needed was to be spotted having sex in public.

“Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked as we left the building, arm in arm.

“I would have enjoyed it more if I had you.”

“We can go back,” he teased, pulling me toward the door.

“No. Let’s go home.”

We sat hand in hand in the car, and the sights and sounds of our experience stewed in my mind. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would have been like to have fucked in public. The idea of being watched was arousing.

We arrived home. I was thankful for the comforts of the familiar. He eyed me from the kitchen.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing in particular. This evening was eye-opening to say the least.”

“Why?”

I shrugged. “I knew it existed, but I’ve never been exposed to that scene.” I eyed him hungrily. He was gorgeous clad in his rock-god gear. I was horny. “I’d rather experience you.”

“Good, come downstairs.” He opened the door to his sanctuary and trotted down the steps.

I followed him. I could hardly see him in the shadows, even as my eyes adjusted to the darkness. He struck a match and tossed it toward the fireplace. The flame caught, and I smelled wood beginning to burn. But even with the warmth of the fire, the room had an eerily dark atmosphere.

“Come here, my love.”

I stood silently on the bottom stair. A chill ran up my spine, causing my body to shake and my nipples to get hard.

He walked over and took my hand, guiding me into the room. “Come, Eve.”

Like a slave following her master, I stepped onto the stone floor, my heels clicking on the hard surface.

He began to undress, removing his scarves and coat, shedding them onto the floor before slowly undoing the buttons of his shirt. I observed him in demure silence. His body was beautiful, and the golden cast of the fire radiated deep shadows and bright highlights across his flesh.

“Why don’t we go upstairs?” I asked.

“Is this making you uneasy?” He approached me, placing his hands on my arms and gently caressing them.

“A bit.” I exhaled lightly, and my body vibrated with nervous anticipation.

“It’s exciting, isn’t it?” His fingers traced their way to the straps on my dress, wrapping his fingers under them and slowly sliding them off my shoulders. A second chill ran up my spine. His touch cascaded across my skin and brought goose bumps to my flesh.

His eyes danced. “I want you to submit to me. Live in the moment and experience all I will do to you.” He ran his fingers delicately over my shoulders and collarbone before trailing to the center of my chest. Using the tips of his fingers, he touched my dress ever so slightly, causing it to drop from my body.

He wrapped his arms around my waist, drawing me into him. His arms clenched me, lifting me up onto him. I draped my legs around his waist; my petite frame was easy for him to hold against his chiseled body.

Holding on to me, he carried me to the bed and laid me down. He towered over me, observing me as he undid his jeans, pulling them off before joining me in bed.

He pressed his body into mine and spread my legs as he lowered himself onto me. He grabbed my hair and drew my head back, exposing my neck. I felt his lips brush against my flesh, and they sent tingles across my body. Without warning, he bit into my neck, pressing his teeth into it before releasing me.

“The pain pleasure continuum,” Val murmured, studying my body. “First pleasure.” He circled my nipples with his hands. “Then pain.” He pinched my nipples between his fingers and thumbs, pulling them upward before freeing them with one final hard squeeze.

“Ouch!” I shrieked. The pulling pinch hurt.

“Shh…none of that. Close your eyes. Indulge your senses.”

I closed my eyes, following his instructions. He took the palm of his hand and lightly brushed my erect nipples, sending a completely different sensation ripping through my body. As he repeated the process of soft touches followed by intervals of pain, I began to understand what he was trying to teach me. Each touch of pleasure or pain blended while each also caused a different type of arousing sensation. I eagerly anticipated the pain, for I knew, in the release, there was pleasure.

Val shifted me upward on the bed closer to the wall. He raised my arms over my head. “Drop your hands down.”

I obeyed and felt a cold metal bar about two inches below the top of the mattress. No sooner had I felt it than I realized he was tying a cloth around my wrists, securing me to the bed. My heart started to pound.

“Please don’t do this,” I pleaded. I feared being tied down. I opened my eyes, tears cascaded down my cheeks.

His demeanor softened. “Eve, you look fearful. What’s wrong?”

“Please,” I begged again.

“Tell me why.”

“I don’t know.” I swallowed hard, fighting the lump forming in my throat.

“I promise I won’t hurt you. Do you trust me?”

“Somewhat.” I wanted to be truthful. I could see he was concerned, but I couldn’t tell him the reasons why. I didn’t understand them myself.

He brushed my hair away from my face. “I promise you have nothing to fear. I would never hurt you. I would love to push you to your limits, let you dance on the razor’s edge. I will never push you past what you don’t want.”

I eyed him. I didn’t know if I was ready to give up control. Could I trust him to place me in a position that left me powerless?

He could sense my hesitation. “I’ll tell you what. Red will be our safe word. Anything you don’t want me to do, say red, and I will stop. I promise.” He paused and stared intently at me. “Tell me what’s off limits.”

I answered without hesitation. “This.” I tried to lift my hands off the rail.

Val chuckled. “I’ll tell you what I like. I like it when I make you come.” He lifted my legs a bit. “I also like your ass,” he said, trying to lighten the mood and giving my butt a smack.

I squirmed under him. My cheek burned from his touch. The pain-pleasure continuum had vanished. Now it was just pain.

“I’m afraid I may have ruined our mood.”

“Nonsense. I’m just going to have to ease you back into it. I’m sure removing this”—he began to untie me—“will help. Now, I
trust
you to keep your hands on the bar. If you remove them, I
will
put this back on you,” he warned in a stern but humorous voice.

Val kneeled between my legs, lightly running his fingers over my thighs. “I know you; you react. I kiss you; you wrap your arms around me. I thrust into you; you jolt into me. Tonight, I want you to lie there and accept what I am going to do.”