Chambers of Desire: Opus 1

by Sophie Moreau

  Calvin stepped back down the stairs, taking my hand in his. “Aunt Donna, this is Sabrina Clarke. Sabrina, this is my aunt. And Bitsy, her beloved guard dog.”

  “Bitsy’s more like a mental patient,” she said smiling. “But it’s a pleasure, Sabrina. Come in, please.” Donna took my hand and shook it firmly, guiding me into the house.

  “Thank you for having us,” I said, offering her a warm smile.

  “I’m always thrilled when Calvin decides to stop by and especially thrilled when he brings a guest. Please, sit down.”

  I took a seat on the beige sofa, leaning against a brightly colored throw pillow. She’d decorated beautifully, with bright colors and interesting photographs on the wall. An antique birdcage hung from the ceiling, bursting with pink, purple and white petunias and a baby grand piano sat in the corner, a music book open on the ledge as if someone had paused in the middle of a song.

  Donna sat next to me and filled a glass from a pitcher of lemonade. “Scone?” she said, holding up a plate.

  “Thanks,” I said, moving a pastry to my plate as Calvin took a seat in the armchair across from me.

  “Calvin’s never brought a woman here,” Donna said, squeezing my arm. “He’s so private. I was beginning to wonder about his sexuality. I’m glad to see he’s at least dating someone.”

  I raised an eyebrow at Calvin. She laughed, and Calvin looked uncomfortable. I was starting to like Donna. I got the feeling she and I would be the only women Calvin would let talk about him like this. I was also happy to know I wasn’t one of many girlfriends Calvin had brought here. “So you’ve really never brought a girl here?” I asked him.

  He smiled innocently, shrugging his shoulders. “I told you, I’m not much of a relationship guy.”

  “I stopped trying to set him up a long time ago,” Donna said, rolling her eyes fondly. “Calvin is something of a late bloomer, so I figured it would just happen sooner or later. And now it has.”

  Calvin was blushing now. It was fun to see such a different side of him.

  I suppressed a smile. “The lemonade’s delicious, Donna.”

  “I’m glad you like it. So tell me, how long have you two known each other?” Donna asked, voice full of genuine curiosity.

  I cleared my throat awkwardly, looking to Calvin. He settled against the back of the chair, eyes amused, indicating that I was on my own with this one.

  “Honestly?” I said. “Not very long, maybe a few weeks. But it feels like forever.” I knew my cheeks were pink, giving away my discomfort.

  She smiled, and I saw that there was something mischievous about her. I began to understand the relationship between aunt and son a little better--they were very alike, in some ways. “I understand completely. He’s a bit exhausting, isn’t he?” She didn’t wait for a reply. “And where did you meet?”

  Even though I’d been wishing she wouldn’t ask, I was relieved that she didn’t already know, hadn’t seen the tabloids publicly announcing my virginity auction.

  Calvin remained quiet, enjoying watching me squirm. I’d had a giggle at his expense, so I was getting no help from that quarter. “Well, umm. I – we, ahh, we were introduced during a business transaction and it became, well, personal.”

  Donna accepted that with a wink and a knowing glance, not pressing any further. Instead, she changed the subject, choosing to ask where I grew up, what I liked to do, what my family was like. She was a delightful conversation partner. She kept surprising me with her sharp insight and humor.

  “What are you studying at SMU?” she asked, when I told her I was nearing the end of my second year.

  “Dance. I’ve been a dancer since I was little. I’d cry every time my mom came to pick me up from class.”

  “That’s how Calvin was in high school about economics. Can you imagine? I’d have to bribe him to take a break from studying to join me for dinner. As soon as the dishes were washed, he’d disappear back into his room. His light would still be on when I woke up in the middle of the night to let Bitsy out.”

  “Who says I was studying?” Calvin said. His eyes sparkled. “Maybe I was smoking pot and looking at Playboy.”

  Donna laughed. “Don’t think I didn’t go snooping. But who are you kidding?“ She laughed. “It—almost—would have been a relief, but I couldn’t have paid you to look twice at a girl.”

  “I told Calvin my parents would have killed for me to have spent that much time studying,” I said smiling. “I bet you were really proud.”

  Donna looked at Calvin. The mischievousness in her smile was replaced with tenderness now. “I was. I am.” She turned toward me and rested her hand on my arm. “I was just glad he found something he loved. If dance was what you loved – what you love – then I think that’s all a parent can hope for.”

  I was touched by her kindness and somehow knew that despite what had happened in his past, in this house, Calvin was loved and adored.

  A loud ringing caught all of our attention. Calvin pulled his phone from his front pocket. “Sorry,” he apologized, looking at the screen. “But I have to take this. Half-hour at most, I promise.”

  “Calvin Chambers,” he answered, shooting a contrite look our way before disappearing into the back room.

  “He’s so busy,” Donna commented. “I worry he works too hard. But now we get to talk behind his back,” she said clinking her lemonade glass to mine.

  “Sounds good to me,” I said. “And I get to hear the really embarrassing stories about Calvin as a teenager.”

  “Yes,” she laughed. “I’ll give you the inside scoop. How about we go for a walk?” Donna asked, scooping Bitsy into her arms. “If this little brat doesn’t get out soon, she’ll be bouncing off the walls.” Bitsy yipped in agreement, wriggling her way back to the floor, bounding toward the front door.

  “Sure,” I said. “A walk sounds really nice.”

  Donna clipped the frenzied Bitsy into a leash and slipped into a down jacket. “Need a coat, Sabrina? It gets a little chilly here late in the afternoon.”

  “Actually, yeah, thank you,” I said, taking the warm flannel coat she held out for me. “That would be great.” The large coat swallowed me, its soft lining rubbing against my skin. It smelled homey, like chamomile and lavender.

  “What brought you to New York?” she asked as we set off on our walk. “The business transaction you mentioned earlier?”

  “Yes and no,” I answered. “The short answer is yes, the long answer is I was running away. Toward what, I’m not really sure.”

  “What do you mean?” Donna said gently.

  I breathed in the brisk afternoon air, turning my face toward the sun. “Everything? I don’t know, Donna. Before, I was...I was engaged. A few weeks before the wedding, I found out my fiancé had cheated on me.” I set my jaw in a tight line. “And then all of a sudden, I wasn’t engaged anymore!” I laughed uncomfortably. The wounds were still fresh enough to sting when I talked about it.

  “Easy!” Donna scolded Bitsy, who was pulling crazily on the leash. “Sabrina, I’m sorry. On the bright side, it sounds like you dodged a bullet with that one.”

  Looking up, I met Donna’s sympathetic eyes. “You’re right. I did. The worst part, though, was that my parents expected me to go through with the wedding. Can you believe that? You’ll get over it, they said.”

  “No!” Donna looked horrified. “They wanted you to marry that cheating bastard?” I smiled inwardly. Donna wasn’t one to mince words, it seemed.

  “Yep. They said if I didn’t, they’d empty my college fund.” The anger bubbled up again, thinking about it. “Although, that’s our relationship in a nutshell. They tell me what to do or else.”

  She shook her head in disapproval. “Some people are just tasteless. If you were my kid, and some loser cheated on you, I’d have his balls in a bag before the words the wedding is off left your mouth.” She looked like she meant it, too. We shared a smile.

  “Hah. I wish. Although I tell you what, Brandon’s
balls are already in his own mother’s vise grip.”

  “A sissy mama’s boy and a cheater? Calvin may seem domesticated around me, but nobody tells him what to do. You got yourself an upgrade, girl.” She winked at me again.

  I nodded in agreement. “I’m so glad I did. Even though I had to do it, it was still hard to leave my parents. They haven’t spoken to me since.”

  “Good for you. They sound like pompous assholes.” She gave me a sideways smile. It was nice to know that someone thought I’d made the right choice.

  “Thanks. Most people back home have made it clear that they think I’m a rebellious brat.”

  “Like Bitsy here? Nah, anyone who says that’s jealous. So, now you’re here.”

  “Now I’m here. I hope I’m not saying too much. I know it’s fast, that I’m with Calvin already, but I can’t explain it. Something about it feels so right. And we’re taking it slow,” I added, gnawing on my lip.

  “That sounds about right. One step at a time. It may be soon, but if it’s right, it’s right.” Donna tugged on Bitsy’s leash again. “Leave that squirrel alone, devil dog!” Bitsy wagged her tail as if she’d been praised instead of reprimanded and trotted along happily. Donna rolled her eyes. “It’s my own fault,” she said. “I love her too much.”

  “No such thing,” I replied. Donna looked at me thoughtfully. She took her time, before her next words.

  “Listen, Sabrina. Calvin is a hard man to get to know. He has... a lot of defenses up all the time.”

  “You can say that again. I can be staring right at him and have no clue what he’s thinking.”

  “He’s always been like that, ever since he came to live with me. Stoic. Though, who’d expect him to be any other way? It was horrible, what that boy went through. Things no person should have to experience.”

  “He told me about his dad,” I said quietly. “And his mom. How she died.”

  Donna nodded, eyes ahead, brow furrowed.

  “Calvin only told me a little, how awful it was. When he came to live with you, did he talk about what had happened?” I asked, hoping to hear some more about his childhood.

  “Cal should tell you himself. That’s his story.” She didn’t say it unkindly, but I knew she didn’t want to spill his secrets. Which was right, I thought. She clearly loved him too much to break his trust. I could learn a thing or two from this woman.

  She shook her head again, as if to convince herself. “I can’t say anything about the rest of it. It’s not my place. But be patient with him and he’ll open up in his own time. Those things, they aren’t easy to talk about, not for anyone, but especially a man like Cal. He’s guarded. Always has been.”

  “I know,” I said softly. “I just want him to know I care.”

  “He knows, love. I can see that. He’s very sensitive, he wouldn’t have brought you here if he didn’t know. He’s always had an uncanny ability to read people.”

  “I wish I was good at reading him,” I laughed.

  Donna laughed, too. “You will be. Like I said, be patient. He’s worth getting to know, Sabrina. Sweet and incredibly kind, underneath the tough exterior. Those defenses are there because he’s actually very tenderhearted. I won’t say he isn’t damaged, but you know what? Nobody makes it out of here without a few scars. Calvin’s are just a little deeper.”

  “Isn’t that the truth?” I agreed, thinking of all my own scars, my baggage.

  Suddenly, Donna looked at me strangely, her voice getting more serious.

  “He’s worth fighting for, Sabrina. I hope you know that.”

  “Sure,” I said, puzzled about why she’d suddenly become so grave. Then her face lightened again.

  “Ok, honey. Enough about scars for today.” She gave my hand a little squeeze, and I squeezed back. It was a sweet, motherly gesture, the kind of thing that’s totally spontaneous--unlike the studied affection of my own mother.

  “I’m so glad we came to meet you today, Donna.”

  “Me too, Sabrina. You are welcome in my house anytime. I mean that. Also, let me get your number, just in case.”

  We walked in a comfortable silence down the rest of the street, her small house coming into view as we rounded the block.

  As we turned up the walkway to the house, Calvin stood in the door, one shoulder leaning against the frame, arms crossed over his broad chest. A sexy half-smile played on his lips as he watched us walk up to the front steps. “I almost called Search and Rescue. Where did you two run off to? ”

  “I bet you hardly noticed we were gone,” Donna said. “Found that stash of Playboys and marijuana, did you?”

  Calvin clutched his heart, features darkening in mock agony. “How could you think that?”

  I laughed, enjoying their routine. It was nice to see Calvin relaxed, at home; his adoration for his aunt was obvious. I hadn’t seen him banter like this with anyone else.

  “I made some tea while you were out,” Calvin said. “I thought you might need some warming up after your walk.”

  “Thank you, love.” Donna touched Calvin on the cheek. “Hot tea sounds wonderful.”

  *

  “I loved her,” I said to Calvin, shutting my car door, rubbing my hands together, chilly from the short walk to the car. “She’s awesome.”

  “She is,” he agreed. He started the car and looked back at the house once more before pulling away from the curb. “She was all I had after I lost my mom. I’m grateful for her every day.”

  “I think it’s amazing how close you are. That’s hard to come by,” I said quietly, thinking of my own strained relationship with my parents and how I’d give anything for them to treat me the way Donna treated Calvin.

  “I’m lucky,” Calvin agreed. “But right now, the only person I want to be close to is you.” He glanced toward me, full lips hungry and kissable. My breath quickened as his hand brushed against my thigh.

  “Maybe that can be arranged,” I said, smiling coyly, batting my lashes at him.

  “You’re so fucking hot,” he said, voice low. “Every time you leaned forward on that couch, I could see right down your shirt. It was torture, you know that? All I could think of was sucking on that perfect pink nipple.”

  “Naughty boy!” I said blushing, the thought of his lips on my breast causing a slow heat build in my stomach.

  “Admit it, you were thinking about me naked in there, too,” Calvin said. His hand settled lightly on my upper thigh.

  “I was not!” I protested. “I was enjoying your aunt’s company, thank you very much!”

  “What about now, then?” He lowered his voice a few octaves, tightening his grip on my leg.

  “Now?” The answer was yes. I felt myself getting wet, knowing that he had been fantasizing about us. The feel of his hand through my skirt brought a tingle up my thighs. “Well, you’re right, now I’m thinking about it,” I admitted.

  “Are you turned on?” he asked softly. Grabbing my hand, he moved it to the front of his pants, letting me feel the swell of his cock. “Because I am.”

  “Yes,” I breathed, rubbing my hand over his hardness. “I can’t help it when you talk like that.”

  “Let me feel how wet you are,” he instructed.

  “Right now?”

  “Now.”

  With my heart beating rapidly, I pulled my skirt over my hips, exposing the lace on my thong, separating my legs slightly. The sun was setting and darkness settled in the sky.

  Keeping his eyes on the road, Calvin dropped his hands between my legs, stroking the outside of the thin lace. I breathed out heavily, closing my eyes. He worked his way to the edge of the thong, pulling on the elastic, moving his fingers inside. A small moan filled the car as he discovered the silky wetness, circling his fingers around my opening.

  “I love how ready for me you are,” he growled. “I want to feel it on my cock.” Slowly, he dipped his finger inside me before raising it to his mouth, tasting my arousal.

  “Let’s go somewhere,” I said.


  “Anywhere you want, Sabrina.” His eyes met mine and I could see the hunger I felt.

  “But, I want you to come this time,” I said, rubbing harder against his pants. “Tell me what I have to do.”

  “We’d have to do it my way,” he said. “And I’m not sure if you’re ready yet.” His hand was back on my thigh, stroking gently.

  “Ready for what?” I asked.

  “Ready for what we’re going to do. Things you’ve never experienced before.”

  “I’m a little nervous. Sex is not something I’m all that comfortable with,” I said. “But I trust you. I’d do anything with you.”

  He smiled, dark eyes flashing, all sinister and sexy at the same time. “Alright, then.”

  My body pressed against the side of the door as Calvin stepped on the gas, spinning the wheel. However, once we entered his mansion, he motioned towards the back, away from the front entrance.

  “Where are we going?” I asked.

  His grin widened and he winked. “You’ll see, Sabrina. You’ll see.”

  A jolt of anticipation shot through me and I slipped my hand through his, buzzing with the thrill of the unknown.

  Chapter 13

  I was ready. The sex had been great. The touching, the teasing, the dominance. I was in a fairy tale; I knew that. I was courting a magical man, a man who could make my skin light up at his will, who could make my senses dance to his low, gravelly voice.

  I’d read myths, though. Magic has a price, and so did Calvin. For all his wiles, for all his perfect one-word answers and his finely honed muscles, he was only indulging a shadow of his real lust, only the part of him the world would understand. There was so much more to learn. I stepped out of the car and stared up again at the towering roof and the plummeting columns crashing down into the high stairs that led to the door. I felt good. Calvin’s price was one I was excited to pay.

  “Sabrina,” he said, waiting for me on the far side of the car. I walked around, and he raised his hands to my neck. His fingers were strong, but not gruesome or grossly thick. They clasped something around me, but when I looked down, I saw nothing. I felt around for what he’d done and wrapped my fingers around a choker of some sort. It felt like leather.