Taka

by Miranda Bailey

  I grinned and kissed him on the forehead, “Call me.”

  4

  “Hi, cutie,” Dominic said standing up to kiss me on my cheek. He looked so sexy wearing cargo pants and a blue shirt that matched the color of his eyes. Several of the women in the restaurant had stopped to look. He really was that handsome now that I could see him in the light of day.

  “Hi,” I said feeling suddenly shy around him now that we were seeing each other again after our impromptu sexual romp.

  He noticed it and said, “Is there any way to make this anymore awkward for you?”

  I had to laugh, “Let’s just get this out of the way. I really enjoyed your party, especially the after party...next to the pool.”

  “And I enjoyed getting to know your body, thoroughly and I would like to get to know you and your body better.”

  “I think that could be arranged,” We enjoyed banter that is more playful and then we started to discuss what I considered quintessential first date topics: career, family, likes and dislikes.

  It turns out that Dominic was previously in the military and had started his own security company that catered to executives overseas and apparently, he enjoyed his work as his face lit up as he talked about it. It turned out that some of the people I had met the other night were not only his friends, but also his coworkers, as most of Dominic’s operations took place in the digital world.

  He seemed very interested in my job and asked a lot of questions about my favorite collections and rarest finds.

  I had no problem answering and felt myself opening up to him. He was a great listener and a natural conversationalist.

  I was so engrossed in our conversation that I didn’t notice we had company until Dominic looked up and said, “Can I help you?”

  I looked up as well and was surprised to see Maximus standing at our table. He was dressed impeccably in another three-piece suit. He looked slightly annoyed by Dominic’s presence, but showed no signs of jealousy. In fact, he outright ignored Dominic and instead spoke to me.

  “I didn’t expect to see you here. Having a little lunch date with your friend?”

  “She sure is. Is that a problem?” Dominic said, stopping me from answering.

  “I was talking to Liza, not to you.” He said to Dominic coldly and then turned back to me.

  “Are you not allowed to answer questions on your own anymore?”

  Dominic started to stand up and I grabbed his hand to prevent him from exacerbating the already tense situation. Were two guys really about to fight over me?

  “Dominic this is Maximus. Maximus this is Dominic.”

  Maximus didn’t say another word to Dominic. “I have additions to the collection that I would like to discuss with you. Contact me when you’re done playing with your boy toy here.” He then left without another word.

  Dominic’s jaw began to twitch; he was gritting his teeth so hard.

  “Who’s that? An ex-boyfriend?”

  “Not even. He’s my newest client’s son.”

  “Seems like a real ass-----.”

  I stopped him before he could continue, “Yes, he can be, but then again, I just met him last week. So who really knows? Anyway, I’m sorry for that. Want to talk about something else?”

  He visibly relaxed and we chatted a little more before I had to get back. He kissed my cheek and I promised to call him later.

  As I headed to my office, I saw a limo outside the university’s library. I figured that Mr. Cornwell or Maximus was there.

  When I walked into the building, Maximus was sitting there chatting with the department secretary at her desk outside my office. She seemed flattered by his attention and was giggling like a schoolgirl as she spoke to him. I rolled my eyes and Maximus winked at me.

  “Oh! Ms. Matthews, Mr. Cornwell is here to see you.”

  “Thanks, Kim, I noticed.” I said with a smile in my voice. “Come in, Maximus.”

  I was more amused by him that anything else.

  “So what is it about Dominic that you like?” Maximus said as he closed my office door behind him without bothering to ask my permission first. I’m not sure why I expected anything less.

  “I thought you wanted to see me about the collection.”

  “The collection can wait. So what is it about him that you like? You didn’t answer the question.”

  He sat down in the chair across from me and I couldn’t help but notice how he had an air of royalty about him.

  “We only just met. I like that he’s funny and easy-going and sexy.”

  “I’m sexy.” Maximus said matter-of-factly with a small smile forming on his face.

  “I noticed that you left out funny and easy-going.”

  “I’m a man, not a puppy. If you want fun and easy-going, maybe you should get a Labrador.”

  “You’re being obnoxious.”

  “I’m being honest.” He then suddenly got up and came around the desk where I was sitting and sat down on it.

  “Get off my desk.” I said poking at him.

  He grabbed my hand and said, “If you give me ten minutes, I’ll make you forget all about Danny Boy.”

  “Dominic. His name is Dominic.”

  I tried to pull my hand away and instead with barely any effort, he pulled me from my chair and I was in his arms.

  “Ten minutes,” he said against my lips. He kissed me hard on the mouth and said, “Time starts now.” He punctuated each word with a kiss and then he led me to the small couch situated near a window in my office.

  “Five minutes, and maybe we should do this somewhere else. My secretary’s right outside,”

  “I know. Maybe she’ll walk in and join us.”

  “Maximus!”

  “I love it when you’re outraged.” He then didn’t waste time as he pushed me backwards, kneeled next to me, raised my skirt, and trailed his mouth across the edge of my panties. I spread my legs and raised my hips as he pushed my panties to the side and started licking my clit. I bit my lip to keep from moaning and he slowly rolled my panties down my legs. I didn’t know where my reckless behavior was coming from, but I liked it.

  He pushed my thighs apart and my dress was around my waist as he buried his head in between my legs, sliding his tongue back and forth across my folds. His name came out of my mouth, half moan, half whisper and I said for the record, “Four minutes.”

  He laughed roughly and pushed a finger inside of me.

  “Maximus!” I breathed harshly and started moving my hips forward so that his finger slid deeper into me. He slowly removed his finger and stuck it in his mouth, licking my juices that were there.

  “Three minutes.” I gasped as he buried his head between my legs and started sucking and licking at my clit. He showed no mercy as he pressed down on my inner thighs. As I started to climax, I didn’t think about minutes, seconds, or time at all.

  “That a girl,” Maximus said with a self-satisfied look on his face as he pulled back briefly and then with his eyes meeting mine, he sucked on my clit one last time and my whole body tensed up as I felt him now rubbing his light beard across my sex, as I came hoarsely shouting his name.

  “You taste so good. I could do this all day,” he said as he lowered my skirt and gently closed my legs.

  He stood up and didn’t say anything more. I let my gaze drift down his body and noticed that he was hard; his member pressing against his slim fitting pants.

  He followed the direction of my gaze and smiled, “Maybe later.” Then he left my office, leaving the door open, calling good-bye to my secretary.

  5

  Maximus didn’t mention anything about seeing me outside of work and I figured he got what he wanted that day in my office. Hence, I was surprised a week later when around midnight my phone rang and I blindly reached over and answered it.

  “Hello?” I said sleepily.

  “Are you with him?” said the dark voice on the phone that I instantly recognized as Maximus’.

  “With whom?�
� I was still groggy and my mind couldn’t keep up.

  “With Dominic.” I looked over at Dominic’s sleeping form and drew the sheet back as I climbed out of bed and went off in search of a place far enough from Dominic that I could yell at Maximus for calling me so late. I walked into my guest bedroom and closed the door.

  “What does it matter, Maximus? You and I aren’t an item. You don’t get to tell me whom I can or cannot see. It’s twelve o’clock in the morning.”

  There was silence. “I’m coming over.”

  “Maximus, no! Don’t be silly.” I also added feeling guilty for no real reason, “Dominic’s here.”

  Again, Maximus grew quiet and then he said words that served to both shock and arouse me.

  “I’m coming over, and when I get there, I’m not going to be as gentle as your precious Dominic. I’m going to take you hard and fast. I’m going to fuck you so hard that you’re going to scream my name and beg me over and over again to bury my cock inside you and to not stop. Then when you’re screaming my name and can’t take anymore, I’m going to pull out and you’re going to wrap those precious full lips of yours around my dick until I come.”

  I felt my knees go weak and I had to sit down. I shook not from fear, but from desire. My sex practically hummed in anticipation of everything he said and my mouth couldn’t wait to taste him. I could feel myself growing wet at his words and my breathing quickened. Without thinking, I found my own hand making its way between my legs and I moaned a little as I began to trace soft circles around my clit, pretending that my hand was Maximus’. I must have made a sound because I could hear Maximus breathing softly in my ear and if I wasn’t mistaken; his voice was a little breathless as well when he spoke again.

  “Are you touching yourself?”

  “Yes,” I said breathlessly.

  “What are you touching?”

  “My clit.”

  “Push a finger in your pussy for me, Liza. Slowly. Pretend it’s my tongue pushing into you instead.”

  I leaned back on the bed, opened my legs very wide, and did as he told me. I moaned into the phone and said, “What do you want me to do now?”

  “Keep doing it. And then take two fingers and push it deep into your pussy and pull them slowly out.”

  I did again as he said and I had to know, “Are you touching yourself too?”

  “Yes. I’m so hard right now; it’s painful. I want you so bad, I don’t think I’ll make it through the night without you, but alas, I must. I hate that Dominic’s there instead of me. I hate it with a passion.”

  “Shhh,” I said, “I’m taking off my bra and stepping out of my panties. What do you want me to do next?”

  “Are your nipples hard?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can you touch them for me?”

  I brought my now shaking fingers up and began to squeeze my nipples. I liked my breasts handled roughly and imagined that instead of my soft hands; a man who I wanted buried between my legs, Maximus, was gripping my breasts.

  “I love your nipples. Are they really pink, my love?”

  “Yes.”

  “God. Do you know what I want to do to you? I want to flip you over and first, spank you for even entertaining another man and then when I’m done punishing you, I’m going to push you against the wall, spread your legs and slide my dick into you. When you’re writhing against my cock, I’m going to pull it out slowly and slam it back into you. And I’m going to fuck you until you can barely walk anymore, but you’re going to enjoy it, aren’t you?”

  I couldn’t answer. I was too busy coming and as my breathing went back to normal; I closed my legs and sighed into the phone sleepily, but became immediately wide awake as Maximus said, “I’ll be there in ten minutes.” The line disconnected.

  I knew he was serious so I rolled out of the guest bed and looked for my clothes. Dominic didn’t wake up and I crept back out of my room and then through the door. It was after two o’clock in the morning. Our neighborhood was safe, but crazy things could happen anywhere, but there was no way, I was going to let Maximus in. We would just have to face off on the front porch and I just hoped Dominic wouldn’t hear us.

  6

  As I stood there waiting for Maximus, I heard a sound in the shrubs to my left. It almost sounded as if someone were breathing. I quickly took a step back, startled enough to try to get away from the noise, but clumsily I forgot that the stairs to my porch dropped off abruptly and so I went down hard and felt pain reverberate across my body as my back hit the hard ground. My heart rate raced and I opened my mouth to scream when a hand gripped me around the ankle and pulled me towards the shrubs.

  I kicked and fought, screaming the whole time and I heard my would be assailant scream suddenly and saw Lady Belle clawing at his face. He slapped her away and she landed with a sickening thud on the bottom step.

  “I hate cats,” the man growled stepping out of the shadows. He was short and heavily muscular like a boxer and he radiated a stench from the sweat that pooled under his arms and across his wide chest. I backed up, still on all fours, attempting to shake his grip on my leg as Lady Belle again went in for the attack. He kicked at her and ignored her clawing at his leg as he easily disregarded her and reached down towards my shaking form.

  “Your brother owes us a debt and we intend to collect,” was all he said as he attempted to grab me by my shirt to keep me from struggling. I knew my brother had been in some trouble from his gambling, but I would have never expected this.

  As he leaned down, I kicked out with all my might and caught him on the chin. I attempted to run up my steps but he grabbed me and threw me down to the ground. I jumped up and ran, winded but not giving up. I caught a glimpse of Lady Belle launching herself at his face and they tussled on the ground. I wasn’t looking where I was going, too busy looking back at the damage Lady Belle was fortunately causing, and I ran into a rock hard chest. Maximus.

  “What’s---” he didn’t get any additional words out as he saw the man now coming towards us with a gun in his hand.

  “I’ll kill you both, but I just want the girl.”

  “That’s not going to happen.” Maximus said quietly and I screamed and stepped back as his face began to blur, to shift, and to change. It was a horrific sight to see as his features distorted and his skin seemed to peel back. I stood there frozen in place with horror and I caught sight of Dominic now on the front porch looking in our direction. He saw what was going on and leapt gracefully off the porch. Then to my horror, his face began to blur too. I figured I was going crazy as I backed up and then I heard a growl as Maximus was now gone, but in his place was a large tiger with eyes the color of dark molasses.

  I screamed and stumbled back, but the tiger wasn’t interested in me as it jumped into the air and I heard the thug sputter and then fire two shots at the creature. I was so frightened that I didn’t see where Dominic had gone. I screamed when the tiger flying in the air didn’t get his prey, instead the thug was tackled from behind by another tiger and I knew then that I was going insane. Where were these tigers coming from besides my imagination? This other tiger was pure white, an albino tiger it seemed and he mercilessly went for the screaming man’s jugular, tearing it out.

  I screamed and attempted to jump up, afraid for my life, but fear froze my limbs as the tigers simultaneously looked back at me and then sized up each other. The albino tiger titled its head and growled and the other tiger just stared back, its eyes steady, dangerous.

  I motioned to stand up, afraid they would hear me and come after me when the albino tiger again looked in my direction and the other tiger used that moment to spring on him. I got up and backed away slowly as they fought, growling and roaring.

  It was then that I saw the gun had landed close to me and I raised my hand, reached for it unsure which one to shoot.

  On shaky legs, I stood up and pointed, but promptly my hand lowered. I couldn’t shoot them; something was stopping me. The tigers seemed to sense my earlie
r intentions and turned their attention back to me, but instead of coming towards me, they began to morph, changing shape in front of me. The tigers’ skin began to stretch and instead of fur, there was sinewy muscle, human muscle and as their snouts began to form into human features, the white tiger became Dominic and the other tiger with the dark molasses eyes became Maximus.

  They approached me slowly, naked and impassive expressions on both their faces.

  “Drop the gun, Liza, or at the very least, point it towards Dominic.” Maximus said.

  “I’m just glad you’re alright,” Dominic said stepping closer to me. “Stop scaring her Maximus.”

  “I wasn’t the one who ripped out a jugular in front of her. By the way, you need to get rid of the body one way or another and I’m not particularly hungry.” Maximus said matter-of-factly.

  With those words, I decided then to run.

  Dominic caught me easily and I started to scream as his arms came around me. He covered my mouth and said, “I’m sorry, Liza, but we can’t wake the neighbors.”

  I could hear sirens as he dragged me back towards my house and Maximus sighed heavily and picked up the thug’s body.

  Dominic carried me kicking and screaming towards my bedroom. Maximus disappeared into my kitchen with the thug’s body in tow.

  Dominic dropped me down on my bed and didn’t bother to close the door behind us. I was breathing heavily, afraid to move, looking at the open door.

  “What are you?”

  “A shifter.”

  “What?”

  “A shifter. You collect books. You must have read about my kind.”

  “This is crazy.”

  “I would guess so, for you.”

  I just stared at him, wondering when I would wake up. This had to be a dream or nightmare.

  “My kind can shift between animal form and human form. Is that really so hard to believe given what you just saw?”