The Sanctuary

by Arika Stone

  “Do you mind if I crash here tonight?” Jenni asked.

  “No, I don’t.” I rose from the couch and headed to the steps. “I see what you mean about his stories. It’s interesting to see how his personality changes when he’s in that role.”

  “It’s the poet in him. It was cute how he compared you to a cat,” Jenni said as she followed me into the master bedroom.

  “Umm…where are you sleeping?”

  “With you. You didn’t think I was going to crash on the couch when we can both fit on this bed?”

  I placed my hands on my hips. “He put you up to this, didn’t he?” I tossed back the sheets and glared at her with my best “you better tell me the truth” look.

  She sighed. “He wanted to make sure you were okay. He said he was worried about you.” She grabbed the pillow and fluffed it. “This pillow smells like Val. Do you want it?”

  I took the pillow. It smelled like a mixture of his shampoo and cologne.

  “Take it. You need him more than I do.”

  Chapter 14

  Our time apart flew by. I enjoyed it; it reminded me of why I’d come to Finland in the first place—for freedom. But even in my independence, I ached for his return.

  I spent my days visiting the museums, going to the gym, and enjoying quality time with myself. I had plenty of time to think, do laundry, grocery shop, and live without any expectations. I loved feeling free of responsibilities. It wasn’t until the night before his return I realized how lonely the house was without his presence.

  I sat on the couch, drinking my now nightly glass of Merlot, watching TV snuggled with a blanket and the fire on. It was exceptionally cold, and I had no idea how to turn on the heat. TV was boring, and I didn’t know what to do with myself. Somewhere in the interim of sipping wine and flipping channels, I dozed off.

  “I missed you.” The faint whisper of Val’s voice echoed in my ear. I felt kisses along the side of my face and his facial hair rubbing on my skin. It was a wonderful, life-like dream. I felt lips on mine, gently touching them. His hair tickled my face as he leaned down to kiss me again. I shifted, awaking from my dream.

  I screamed, startled by his presence above me. “Oh my God, you scared me! I thought I was dreaming. What time is it? Weren’t you flying in tomorrow?”

  “Is that how you greet me? What about hello, I’ve missed you?” He gazed down at me sweetly. “I caught the first plane I could. I didn’t want to have to spend another night without you.” He kissed me again. “Why is it so fucking cold in here?”

  “I missed you.” I rose from the couch and hugged him. “I don’t know how to turn on the heat.”

  “I’ll put the furnace on.” He walked downstairs, returning shortly. “It should warm up soon. You had me worried. I couldn’t get a hold of you or Jenni.”

  “You didn’t call, and I didn’t want to seem like a clingy girlfriend.”

  “I did call both the house and your cell. Didn’t you check the messages?”

  “No, my phone didn’t alert me that I had a message. But I did do your laundry, I cleaned the house, went grocery shopping, and sorted your mail. Your bills are on the counter.”

  “You mean you didn’t write out checks for them?” he teased.

  “That’s what assistants are for.”

  “Or wives.” Val wrapped his arms around me. “You’ve become quite domesticated since I left. Did the girls rub off on you?”

  “No. I don’t think I could live like them.”

  “I’d rather you live like you. And thank you for doing my laundry. You didn’t have to.”

  “I know, but I needed to do mine. I didn’t mind.”

  “Tell me about your days.” He sat down next to me on the couch. “Start with why there is a scooter parked in front of my house.” He smiled; he seemed amused at my purchase.

  “Because I hate public transportation?” I laughed. It was good to have him home. “No more questions about me. How was your trip?”

  “Boring, the same questions over and over. It was exhausting and quite dull.”

  “Congratulations on the award.”

  “Thank you. Did you watch?”

  “I did.”

  “And?” He wanted to see if he impressed me.

  “I enjoyed what I heard, but it’s harder than what I expected. I’d like to hear more.”

  “Tomorrow I’ll take you downstairs to the studio, and I’ll let you hear whatever you want.” He lit a cigarette. “What else did you do while I was gone?”

  “Oh, not much. But Jenni thought we needed more excitement in our life.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Oh?”

  “She passed by to say hello yesterday, handed me a bag full of toys, and told me to have fun.”

  “What exactly did she give you?” Val inquired.

  “You know, adult toys.”

  He picked me up and flung me over his shoulder. “And where are these alleged toys?”

  “Put me down!”

  “No, not until you tell me where they are!”

  “Downstairs!”

  “Oh, you like it downstairs?” he joked, pulling my pants down, exposing my butt, and playfully biting it.

  “Ouch!” I shrieked. I smacked his ass in retaliation.

  He carried me downstairs, pulling my pants farther down.

  He mischievously tossed me on the bed. “Stay there and don’t move.” He walked to the fireplace and lit a fire, returning only to stumble over the bag of toys I’d left on the floor. “Ah ha!” He pulled the bag onto the bed, dumping out the contents. There were dildos, vibrators, anal beads, condoms, all different types of lube.

  Val eyed everything. “Anything catch your fancy?”

  “Uh…huh.” I looked straight at him. “You.”

  He leaned in with a kiss. He smelled musty, like day-old sweat and cigarettes. It was a masculine odor, and it made my body go wild.

  “Take your clothes off,” I commanded him. I was in a playful mood. He wasn’t the only one to have all the fun.

  He smiled. “Why don’t you take them off if you want me so badly?”

  His eyes told me he wanted to play, but he wanted me to seize control. I reached up and unbuttoned his shirt, working my way down to his belt, which I quickly undid before unbuttoning and sliding his pants down.

  I placed my arms on his chest, pushing him toward the mattress until he fell onto it. I followed him, my tongue sliding down his body, kissing and licking him until I reached his erect cock.

  I paused, removing my shirt before sliding off my pants, giving him a striptease. I kneeled down, drawing my hands up his legs and sliding my hand over his cock. He was fully aroused, drops of pre-cum dripping out of his head and trickling down his shaft. I wrapped my lips around his cock, burying it deep inside my mouth, tasting his delicious juice. The taste of him on my tongue aroused my senses. I lapped at it as if I was a hungry cat wanting more. He moaned in ecstasy as I slid my tongue past his balls and down to his taint. I licked and rubbed his taint. I had always loved that area on a man because I knew it was exactly the spot to drive them wild. I withdrew and watched him writhe on the edge of agony. I knew that look of pain-pleasure torment. He had put me there many times.

  My lips rose to meet his as I pressed my body to him. “I missed you.” His cock throbbed next to my pussy. Straddling him, I grabbed his cock and rubbed it against my wetness. He was as solid as steel, and as I grinded down, he popped his load before I had a chance to fuck him.

  I couldn’t sit there and enjoy his pleasure. I was in a frenzy, and I craved release as much as he did. “I’m not done with you,” I warned as I dismounted him, getting on all fours to sort through the toys that were scattered across our bed.

  “Good, ’cause I’m not done with you either.” He chuckled and smacked my ass before seizing my hips with his strong hands. I glanced over my shoulder. His skin was covered in sweat, and his hair clung to his head in wet, wavy curls.

  He thrust his coc
k deep inside my pussy and groaned. His cock was once again as stiff as a board, grinding into me. His hands made their descent to my ass, and I knew I couldn’t stall fate much longer.

  He grunted and leaned over me, grabbing lube from the bed. The lube dripped down my ass, slowly trickling down to his cock. He plunged into me again. “Is this what you wanted?”

  “Yes!” I moaned as I pushed harder against him.

  He pulled me up, rolling onto his back so I could ride him reverse cowgirl. I placed my hands on his legs to give myself leverage.

  “I love watching your ass.”

  He smacked it again, this time with a heavier hand. I felt the sting of his fingers upon my flesh. I was sure I had palm imprints on my cheek, but I didn’t care. It made me grind on him harder.

  I was dripping in sweat. The heat in the house was on too high, and it felt as though we were fucking in a sauna. I slowed my pace and looked over my shoulder. “Do you like what you see?”

  He lifted me up and pried my cheeks apart with his thumbs so he could get a better view. “I do.” Without warning, he thrust me down on his cock and slid a finger into my ass.

  Surprised by his actions, I gasped as my eyes shot open. He held me tightly and wiggled his finger inside of me. “Do you like what you feel?”

  “Umm…it’s different.”

  “Does it hurt?”

  “No, but…”

  “Just relax.” He tried to resume fucking, sliding his finger in and out.

  “Ohhh…” I moaned as it started to feel uncomfortable.

  “You’re tensing up. If you relax, it will feel good. I promise.”

  “It’s going to hurt.”

  He sighed and slid his finger out. As it made its exit, I nearly jumped out of my skin. It felt good, almost orgasmic.

  “Hmm…” he murmured as we slowly resumed our lovemaking.

  I felt his hand on my back, softly caressing my skin before resting on my hips. He halted with his cock deep inside, moving me forward on all fours again.

  He fucked me again, taking his time to enjoy each stroke, each quiver, each moan.

  The thought of his finger in my ass enticed me. It hadn’t hurt as much as I expected it to. I was intrigued. What was I missing out on?

  “Do that thing again,” I panted between strokes.

  “What thing?”

  I knew I was vague, but I was hesitant to say the words. “Your fingers…” I breathed as he began to pick up the pace.

  “Go on…” His voice was deep and sultry. He knew what I desired but wanted me to say it. He pulled out and rolled me onto my back. Our sweat interlaced as he leaned over me. “Tell me what you want.”

  His face was over mine. His eyes burned into my soul. His hand made its way between my legs and began to rub my clit. “Tell me.”

  I gulped and closed my eyes.

  “Open your eyes, Eve. Look at me and tell me.”

  I looked at him, but no words escaped my mouth. He leaned across the bed and grabbed the lube again, drizzling it over my clit. It oozed down my pussy onto my ass, dripping onto the sheets beneath me. His hand again found its way to my ass, rubbing my puckering asshole.

  “I want you to…” Having his finger so close to my ass made me tremble in anticipation. It was all very naughty, very taboo, and very not me. With a smooth motion, his finger was back inside of me.

  “Ohh!” I moaned. His face was full of delight. He proceeded slowly at first, watching me go through the cycles of pleasure.

  He withdrew his finger after a few minutes, keeping it at the edge. His voice was calming. “Bear down.”

  I questioned his intentions. What did he want me to do?

  He shook his head. “Don’t ask. Just do it. Do you trust me?”

  I nodded and took a deep breath, following his instructions. As soon as I bore down, a second finger slid effortlessly into me.

  “Oh my God!” I exclaimed. I felt pressure inside. His fingers seemed huge. Subconsciously, my hand traveled to my clit. He took his other hand and held mine, stopping me from masturbating.

  “Not yet, I want to come with you.”

  My ass clenched around his fingers. Val coached me. “Relax. The more you fight it, the more it will hurt.”

  I inhaled deeply, and he withdrew his fingers from me. I felt empty inside. As much as it was uncomfortable, it was also highly pleasurable.

  “I don’t think this is the best position for you, not for your first time anyway.”

  “How did you know?”

  He smiled and kissed me, embracing my hot skin against his. “I would love to watch you as I penetrate you, but I’m afraid I will hurt you. Roll over.”

  “Say it again.” My eyes scanned his face. “Say ‘as I penetrate you.’”

  His lips curled into a smile. “As I pen-a-trate you.”

  His voice sent shivers up my spine. Our lips locked into a kiss. Our salvia was as sticky as our bodies were.

  He pulled away from our embrace and tried to roll me over.

  But I stayed firmly on my back. “I want you to watch me. I want to watch you.” I was beginning to understand why he liked to watch.

  “No. It will be easier if you’re on your knees.”

  “I want to be with you for this.”

  He was taken aback by my words, but he agreed, reluctantly. “If you need me to stop, I will.”

  He leaned into me and began to kiss me softly on my mouth, moving my legs apart with his body. I wrapped my legs around his torso, shifting myself upward for a better angle. My heart beat rapidly. It felt as though he was taking my virginity.

  He rubbed his cock and my ass with lube, making sure we were both dripping. He directed his cock to my ass, pressing against it gently. But I wouldn’t open up. My ass puckered in protest, shutting him out.

  Val backed off. “Just relax.”

  I inhaled deeply as he descended into me again, his head pushing into me with force. But again, he couldn’t penetrate me. My ass wouldn’t open up.

  “Eve, if I force it, I’m going to hurt you.”

  Our eyes deadlocked. “Then hurt me,” I said bluntly.

  I could tell from his face he didn’t want to. Instead, he brought his finger back to my ass, to open me up again.

  I shook my head on the damp pillow. “No. I want your cock inside of me.” I was about to lose my nerve.

  He laughed. “You need to relax.” He slid a finger inside then two, preparing me to accept him. He pulled out and grabbed his cock, bringing it to the opening. He pressed into me, pushing with such a force I thought I was going to break in two.

  “Ahhhh…” I screamed out in pain, my teeth clenched in agony. I twisted my head, digging my nails into his arms.

  “I can’t do this…” He began to withdraw.

  “No!” I arched my back, tightening my legs around him, holding him inside. “I want this. I want you.”

  He remained on top, kissing and nuzzling me. “Let me know when you’re ready, love.”

  I held on to him. It was a completely different feeling than when he fucked my cunt. Every nerve ending was electrified, every minute movement felt. My ass clung to him, cradling his cock. I nodded for him to continue.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.” I grabbed his shoulders, pulling his weight onto me.

  He sank into me, causing me to tense up again. He whispered in my ear, “If you bear down, it won’t hurt so much because you prevent the muscles from contracting.”

  I followed his instructions, and with each stroke, I needed to push less and less. After a few minutes, it became effortless as my body opened up and accepted him.

  I began to rock with him, holding on to his shoulder with one hand while my other rubbed my clit.

  “Tell me when you’re ready to come.” He breathed into my ear. “I’m holding out for you.”

  With those few little words, it dawned on me. He was going to come inside of me, inside of my ass. And with that dirty little
realization, my body began to shake in pleasure under him.

  His cock pulsated inside of me, squirting several warm streams of semen into my ass. It was an odd sensation, and it made the area that surrounded his cock extremely slippery. He pulled out, satiated, and lay next to me.

  “Eve,” he gasped. “I love you.”

  I rested for a brief second. “I think I need to use the bathroom.” I darted over him and ran upstairs, unable to tell him how I felt. Perhaps it was for the best.

  Chapter 15

  I sorted through my clothing, flinging piles of clothes on the floor. “I have nothing to wear.”

  “You went shopping last week. What do you mean you have nothing to wear?” Val stared at the mess I had made. “I can’t even walk in here. You have too much stuff.”

  “Oh, you should talk with your multiple wardrobes.”

  “Go out and buy something then.” He sighed.

  “I don’t want to go to this interview.”

  “Then I’ll go. Stay home.”

  “Why? So you can tell the reporter some ridiculous story?”

  “Eve…”

  “Don’t Eve me!” I whined.

  “What do you propose we do?” he asked, crouching down to my eye level.

  I twisted my mouth, pondering the situation. “I want my stylist.”

  “There isn’t time. We need to be on set in three hours.”

  I pouted; I hated doing interviews, period. I hated them even more when I had nothing to wear. This was why I had a stylist. I could have a huge selection of designer clothes no one had ever seen me in, and I didn’t have to think how it would look on camera.

  “What’s in here?” Val held up a bag of items with the tags still attached.

  “I guess I could wear these.” I pulled out a pair of jeans and slipped them on.

  Val grabbed the tag and ripped it off, trying to help. He furrowed his brows. “You spent 350 euros on jeans?”

  “Sure, why not? They look good on, don’t they?” I spun around and looked at my ass in the mirror.

  He rolled his eyes and threw the tags in the garbage.

  “Okay.” He backed off, sorting through his wardrobe. “I’m not arguing with you.”