In an instant, the realization hit her that she was not just another player in his game, but his muse – someone he was trying to manipulate into seeing things his way. In his own twisted reality, he really did believe that he was trying to help her. But she didn’t need his help or to be fixed. Most certainly not by a man with the kind of demons he was fighting.
Her thoughts were interrupted when he seductively moved closer, inching his way to her as his mouth descended on her palms. His closeness was so bracing, she felt drugged and her chest heaved as her breathing became uneven.
“Would you feel better if we stepped out and got a bite to eat? Would you like that?” he asked, as he nibbled the tip of her index finger playfully.
Elsa was too surprised by Mr. Black’s sudden mood change to do more than nod her head in agreement.
“Go and make yourself pretty for me,” he smiled as he flipped her hands over and kissed the tops of them.
She managed a small tentative smile. “I have nothing to wear.”
“You’ll find everything you need in the closet. And wear the same shoes you came with, the ones that say there’s a bad girl beneath your good girl exterior that likes to be fucked in bad ways,” he licked his upper lip.
What was it about this man that made her forget everything – time, place, purpose, logic… even the torment he had caused her and the upsetting words he had written about her? In that moment it was all forgotten. The world only consisted of the two of them, both exposed and heart-broken. But what was it that lured her to him? It was how he looked at her as if no other person in the world existed or mattered to him. His insatiable hunger was present not only in his compelling gaze, but his devastating touch.
If only he was this man all the time. The one giving into his carnal desires and unable to resist putting his mouth on her…This perfectly fucked up man in front of her who had claimed her with merely a touch and a glance, and a piece of paper with four words on it.
11: Respite
Victor knew he was playing with fire by ignoring the rules of the game he had set forth by taking Eight out in public. It was a rule he had strictly adhered to with his other Chapters and for good reason. Richmond was too close of a community and if was seen with her, people would start asking questions. More than that, his environment wouldn’t be controlled like it was within the walls of their designated meeting place and he couldn’t replay the images of their encounter on video to study later.
As he buttoned his shirt he shook off his hesitation and reminded himself that it was only dinner. Anyway, it would be the perfect opportunity to watch how Eight interacted with him and others in her natural habitat. He chuckled under his breath. Even though she could be ferocious at times, she wasn’t some confined animal that was being reintroduced back into the wild.
Just then, she came out of the closet wearing the lacy white dress he had bought for her the day he had purchased the brownstone. The fabric was just sheer enough that he could make out her pink areola and hardened nipples under the bright bedroom lights. She spun around showing herself off, and at the right angle, he could even make out the shape of her uniquely puffy labia, stirring his arousal. When she noticed where his eyes had settled, she tugged her skirt down nervously and looked up at him as if pleading her case. Yes, this little outing will be quite interesting.
She seated herself on the edge of the bed and slipped on her fuck-me pumps and her look was complete. He grabbed her hand and pulled so hard he yanked her upright. Guiding her by the shoulders, he led her to a full-length mirror and stood behind her. He was almost a full head taller than her 5’ 6” frame and his hulking physique shadowed hers. He watched her reflection in the mirror as she looked them both over.
He held her by the waist and pulled her snug against him. “We look amazing together, wouldn’t you agree?” he breathed into her ear.
Her eyes roamed endlessly over his face and their bodies as if trying to formulate a coherent thought, but she remained silent. Victor studied her expression, unable to read her thoughts. He liked that she was no longer an open book and that he had to work for her trust now. She had given it too freely in the beginning, but she was learning under his tutelage the dangers of trusting a handsome stranger.
“I’ll take your stunned awe of silence as a yes,” he lifted one side of his mouth in a crooked smile. He glanced at his own reflection and the look on his face suddenly delivered a mental kick to his balls. The smile that had been meant to be playful toward Elsa looked sinister. He stepped back, suddenly feeling disgusted at the familiarity of it.
Staggering to the bed, he sank onto it as his heart began beating rapidly out of control and his breathing becoming more labored with each passing second. Not this again. He closed his eyes and began counting down from one hundred. He got to eighty-eight when a soft voice brought him out of his self-loathing.
“Mr. Black…” Elsa’s voice sounded a million miles away.
Prying his eyes open, she was kneeling between his legs with her hands resting on his thighs. Her look of utter concern crushed him and he recoiled. He didn’t need her concern nor did he want it.
“Mr. Black…” her voice was louder and more insistent. “I didn’t mean to upset you with my silence.”
Regaining his composure, he swept her hair from her forehead and tipped her head back so he could study her face more closely. He stared into her mahogany eyes and what he saw gazing back was true sorrow. This charming creature hadn’t even done anything wrong and she was remorseful for the pain she thought she had caused him. Even after everything he had put her through, she was repentant.
He dipped his head down and dusted his lips against hers. What a truly sweet and easily pliable peach she was.
***
The look of panic on Mr. Black’s face troubled Elsa. No matter what he had done to her, she never wanted to be the reason for that look on his face again. His tongue slipped past her lips and his kiss sang through her veins. She liked this version of Mr. Black – the one who was relaxed, playful and flirty.
“We do look amazing together,” was all she could get out before his mouth smothered hers again.
With his hands gently holding her head in place and his demanding lips caressing hers, dinner out suddenly sounded like an unnecessary interruption. A night in would be much more entertaining so long as he stayed in this mood. Her eyes remained closed when she felt him rise to his feet and pull her up. His slow drugging kiss had left her feeling high and wobbly on her feet, but his firm grip steadied her as he led her down the stairs.
“We can walk to the restaurant from here,” he stated. “It’s only three blocks away and the night is perfect.”
Once on the street, the warm, sultry May wind dampened her skin. The sun was almost out of view and the sky was muted with dark blue, orange and violet hues. Elsa inhaled deeply the gritty metropolitan scent of Richmond. It was beginning to feel like home.
Mr. Black took a hold of her hand as they walked unhurriedly in the direction of the main activities on Grace Street. His hold on her was unyielding, his fingers unabashedly interlaced with hers. Surprised by the unassumingly endearing gesture, she stared at her hand in his. Was this the same man who had tormented her only hours before? She watched him closely as they walked the distance to the restaurant. He was always two steps ahead of her, his head turning in every direction as he scanned their surroundings. When she would dawdle to look at something, his eyes would dart back to her and he would tug her hand to keep her close to him and moving along.
As they rounded a corner, a couple on a park bench engaged in light petting immediately caught her attention. It was that voyeuristic side of her rearing its naughty head again. She couldn’t help it. It was in her nature. She paused as she watched them curiously when Mr. Black yanked on her hand again. She tugged back, halting his movements. As she watched with adoration the couple whose kissing was becoming increasingly more intense, she heard Mr. Black’s breathy chuckle next to her. He moved behind her and kissed her neck.