I was on another plane of pleasure now, and the orgasm was coming soon. I couldn’t believe how well he seemed to know my body. I felt that if he hadn’t been holding my legs up, I would have just melted into the couch. “Keep going,” I begged him. “Oh, God, please keep going.” Thankfully, he obliged me, concentrating solely on my clit with his lips and tongue. The steady movements made my orgasm build up slowly, like a roller coaster inching towards the top of a peak. I tried to hover there, at the apex of pleasure, for as long as I could, but it was impossible to hold back any longer. I cried out as the orgasm tore through me, shooting ecstatic pleasure through my body all at once. My voice echoed off the stone corners of the cavernous room as the waves of pleasure gradually subsided. I was left gasping and panting on the couch as he lowered my legs back onto the cushion. He got up and stood over my heaving body, and I looked back up at him in utter bliss.
“That was perfect,” I said, when I regained the ability to speak.
Chapter 5: Lover’s Complaint
I stayed there prone on the couch, gazing up at the man who had just taken me to such heights of ecstasy. He smiled at me, allowing his guard to stay down just a moment longer as he admired my naked form. But he didn’t let me stay in my post-coital blissful state for very long. The next moment, all his alpha male sternness was back in full force. I normally loved it, but right now I wasn’t in the mood to be bossed around. I wanted to be cuddled, not scolded. But he would have none of that.
“Get up,” he said gruffly, his impatient tone not allowing for any backtalk. I obeyed the best I could, despite my jelly-legs impeding my movement a bit. He quickly untied the ropes around my wrists, and I rubbed them gently in relief. “Come on,” he said, picking up my bustier and dress and handing them to me. I looked at him questioningly; why the rush all of a sudden? I wondered, though I didn’t dare speak my mind. The sight of his riding crop, still on the ground where he’d dropped it before taking me, made me think twice about doing anything that might incite another flare of his temper.
I pulled on my clothes as fast as I could, a growing sense of annoyance replacing the blissful state I’d just emerged from. Why couldn’t he just tell me what was going on? I watched him pace impatiently back and forth while I struggled with the clasps on my stockings. Finally, he broke the silence, his words coming out in clipped tones. “We’ve no time to waste,” he said. “Hurry up.”
I couldn’t stay silent any longer. I had to say something. “What’s going on? Where are we going?” I asked, but he didn’t answer, choosing instead to continue his pacing around the room. I kept watching him, shaking my head in astonishment, but he didn’t break his stride. I was really annoyed now, and for whatever reason, his damn pacing was the last straw.
That’s it, I thought. I put my hands on my hips. “You know, I may have signed a contract, but I still think I deserve to know what’s going on.”
He whirled to face me, his furious eyes ablaze. I held my ground, staring back into his eyes.
“No,” he said, “you don’t. You don’t deserve to know anything I don’t want to tell you. The contract doesn’t say a thing about that.”
“Well, screw the damn contract,” I shot back. “Now, I don’t know whether you realize this, but like it or not, this is a relationship – and not just one of your business relationships, either. I deserve to be treated with some respect. You can’t just keep me in the dark forever, and expect me to come running at your every beck and call. I’m free to leave at any time, you said it yourself.” Even as I finished speaking, I regretted letting my anger get the better of me. Great, I thought. Now I’m the one with the flaring temper. I hoped I hadn’t gone too far.
He walked directly towards me, picking up the riding crop as he did so. “Don’t make me use this on you, Candace. You know I will.” But even though he appeared to be threatening me, the tone of his voice made it clear to me he wouldn’t do it. His anger seemed misplaced, or forced somehow. Something was just… off. I got the feeling he was worried about something.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, approaching him and looking up into his eyes. I grabbed his arm tenderly, feeling the unyielding muscle underneath his shirt. “You’re so tense,” I said with surprise. Suddenly, I felt very protective over this man, this complicated man whose mind was still a mystery to me. I didn’t want to press him any more; I didn’t want to fight. “It’s all right,” I said. “You don’t have to tell me.”
He grimaced, seeming to understand that I only wanted to help him. “Candace…” he began, but trailed off. He put his hand on my cheek and looked into my eyes, wearing that same quizzical smile he’d had when I’d gotten out of the car that morning.
He took a long, deep breath, sighing deeply. “…Some stones are better left unturned,” he said finally. “We’ll leave it at that, for now.”
I nodded thoughtfully. “I can accept that.”
He smiled. “Good. But if you must know, we are in fact in a rush. We’ve got a dinner party to attend tonight – in Manhattan. And it starts in half an hour.”
“Half an hour!?” I cried, suddenly panicked. “Are you crazy? We’ll never make it in time. It took longer than that just to drive here this morning.”
He chuckled. “Oh, we’re not driving.”
He walked over to the nearest window and pulled away the drapes. Outside, I saw a helicopter in the distance, sitting on the tarmac across the lawn. I let out a low whistle. “Well, color me impressed,” I said with a grin. “All right, let me just grab my coat, then, and I’ll be ready to go.”
I started to walk towards the door, but he grabbed my arm as I turned away. “Wait.” He pulled me back towards him, and planted a tender kiss on my lips before I had time to speak. He drew me into his arms for an embrace as we kissed; he’d never done that before, I realized. He must really be worried about something, I thought to myself.
But whatever was on his mind, it would remain with him for now, until the time – if and when – he wanted to share the details of his problems. He was right, I knew: some stones are better left unturned. And after what I’d learned that morning about his childhood, I knew Mr. Stevens had a few dark corners lurking in his past. There was a lot I didn’t know about him. Hell, I didn’t even know where we were going to dinner – but as I walked back to my bedroom, I realized it didn’t really matter. As crazy as this whole situation was, beneath it all I was falling for this man. And though he probably wouldn’t admit it, I knew he had strong feelings for me too. And if we had that going for us, how much did anything else really matter?
As I entered my bedroom, I caught another glance of myself in the mirror. I looked… glamorous. Excited. And more than anything, happy. I smiled at my reflection, allowing myself to pause for just a second before moving on. I grabbed a dark gray pea coat out of the closet and ran back out to the hallway, flicking off the light before closing the door. Mr. Stevens was waiting for me, and I couldn’t wait for the night to begin.
But as I got closer to his room, I heard his voice booming from within it – and he sounded angry. Was he talking to someone in the room, or was he on the phone? I slowed my steps to try and hear him better, even though I knew I probably shouldn’t.
“…Absolutely not!” he shouted. His voice had all the rage he’d kept in check with me just a moment ago. Whoever was on the receiving end of this tirade couldn’t have been enjoying this chewing-out.
“She stays with me,” he continued. “That’s non-negotiable.”
I stopped in my tracks, staring in utter disbelief. Was he talking about me? I crept closer to the door, almost scared to hear more, but knowing that I now needed to find out what was going on.
But that was all I’d get to hear for the moment. “We are done talking about this for now,” he said. “She’ll be here any minute. My time is up. I’ll see you at the party, we’ll discuss it there.” So he was on the phone. My nerves were on fire, and all the hairs on my neck were standing up. I crouched outside the
door like that, my chest heaving, trying to collect my thoughts.
Just then, I heard a noise at the end of the hallway. I looked up with a start. There, about ten yards from me, was the butler, staring after me with a blank expression on his face. How long had he been there? I thought, in a panic. Had he seen me eavesdropping? …Would he rat me out to Mr. Stevens if he knew?
I decided I needed to get out of this situation right away. Gathering up my courage, I rapped sharply on Mr. Stevens’ door. He opened it a moment later, without the smallest trace of the rage I’d been hearing.
He flashed me a dazzling smile. “There you are,” he said. “Ready for our helicopter ride?”
Of all the thoughts racing through my head that moment, chief among them was the thought that no matter what, Mr. Stevens could not find out I’d been listening in on him. I desperately needed to find out what he was discussing – it didn’t sound nice, that was for sure. And if he really had been talking about me, then maybe I wasn’t as safe here as I imagined. But there was no time for that now. Whoever he’d been talking to, it sounded as though that person would be at this dinner party. I’d just have to wait and see what happened, and keep my eyes and ears open as best I could.
So for now, there was really only one thing I could say in response to his question.
“Yes, sir,” I replied, with an outward confidence that was in total contrast to the fear I felt inside. I smiled warmly back at him and took him by the arm. “Let’s go.”
--- TO BE CONTINUED ---
Look for Part 3 of Serving Mr. Stevens,
“Masquerade,” in March of 2013!
Author’s Note:
This is Part 2 of Serving Mr. Stevens, an erotic romance novel in five parts. I’ve always been intrigued by the concept of a serial novel, especially within the romance genre. The format naturally lends itself, I feel, to keeping the suspense and sexual tension turned up to the max.
I’m hard at work on the remainder of this book, and hope to have Part 3 ready to go by the end of March, 2013. I hope you’ll enjoy taking the journey with me.
Lastly, if you have a moment, please consider leaving a review on this book’s Amazon.com page, here. More than anything else, it helps other readers find out about this book, as well as other books they might enjoy.
Thanks very much for reading.
Best wishes,
Nathan
===
If you’d like to volunteer as an early reviewer of “The Price of Pleasure,” please e-mail me for a FREE copy.
[email protected]
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Make sure to pick up Part 1 of Serving Mr. Stevens, “The Contract,” if you haven’t already!
Want more? Check out the ALL SHE WANTS trilogy!
ALL SHE WANTS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY:
A Valentine's Day romance that’s hot, hot, hot!
Tanya's been unlucky in love, and she has no interest in hearts, Cupids, flowers or any of that romantic mumbo-jumbo. That is, until Ryan steps into her life... Can she move on from her heartbreak and learn to trust again? Or will it be a lonely Valentine’s Day after all? Warning: Extra Spicy!
ALL SHE WANTS FOR NEW YEARS:
A sexy, flirtatious holiday romance!
Jessica thinks New Years' Eve is nothing to celebrate. But when she meets her sexy co-worker Brandon, her world gets turned upside-down. Brandon's got it all: the looks, the charm... but does he feel the same way about Jessica? Or is this just some stupid office crush? A steamy office romance -- you'll feel the butterflies in your stomach just like Jessica!
ALL SHE WANTS FOR XXX-MAS:
The bestselling Christmas romance for Kindle!
Christie's fresh off a breakup, and seems to be in for a lonely Christmas. But her new boss, Michael, is handsome, charming -- and a total flirt. Is Michael for real? Or is he just looking for a holiday fling? Either way, Christie might be getting more than just a kiss under the mistletoe... Sexy romance, witty dialogue, and a juicy plot – what more could you ask for this holiday season?
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Copyright 2013 Nathan Stratton. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of this work prohibited unless the author grants express permission.
Serving Mr. Stevens, Part Two: Lover's Complaint -- An Erotic Romance (Part 2 of 5) Page 4
