Consumed

by Leslie Sansom

  “Do you think he’ll be at that wedding?” I shrugged my shoulders again. I knew he was invited, but I didn’t know if he would be there or not. I feared he would be there…..with someone else. He knew Rebecca and I were friends, but he didn’t know we had stayed in touch for this long. I was sure he had no idea I was one of her bridesmaids.

  “Well I say you go to that wedding, and if he is there you let him see just what he is missing. Let him know what he left behind. Make him want you back so bad he can’t control himself.” We both laughed, but then her face became serious again. “But then you have to decide something, Norah. If he does want you back, do you want him?”

  Chapter Two

  Liam

  I walked in the reception tent and saw her pacing back and forth near one of the bars. The tent was huge and hustling with servers running around trying to get everything ready. Most of the guests were over in the garden waiting for the ceremony to start. She looked more beautiful than I remembered, although she did look like she had lost some weight. Her hair was cascading down her back and when the sunlight hit it I could see the red highlights that made her dark curly hair look burgundy. Her dress was nude in color, probably meant to match her olive skin but slightly lighter. It was form fitting and knee length, without straps and hugged her waist to show off her curves. It had layers that kinda looked like bandages wrapping around her, which helped with the illusion of her being naked. She turned and talked to a young man in a bow tie and I saw a long sash going down her back all the way to the floor. She rubbed her temples and turned to me. Our eyes locked as I walked closer to her.

  “Beautiful doesn’t even begin to describe how you look this evening, Norah,” I said as I walked closer, stopping about a foot away from her. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” she huffed. “I’m actually surprised to see you here.”

  “As one of my many jobs, I work on the board of Stackhouse Industries now, thanks to you. Mr. Stackhouse invited all the board members.”

  “I haven’t forgotten.” She sounded very cold.

  “I guess I’m a little surprised to see you here as well,” I stepped closer trying to close the distance between us. She stepped back and I knew she was trying to protect herself with the distance.

  “Rebecca and I are friends. We’ve kept in touch since the banquet. I’m one of her bridesmaids.”

  “Oh, so you do know how to keep in touch. I thought since my 20 or so emails have all gone unanswered that you didn’t know how to reply.”

  “17,” she said.

  “17 what?” I asked.

  “You sent 17 emails, not 20, and I did reply to one of them.” She was counting.

  “Yes, you replied to tell me to stop emailing you. That isn’t the reply I wanted.”

  “What did you want, Liam? For me to drop everything and jump on a plane for you? Because I think you made it clear back in October that you didn’t want me to do that.”

  “I’ve changed my mind about a lot of things,” I snapped.

  “I imagine that you know I don’t give a rat’s ass about what you have changed your mind about, but I’ll put that right on top of my ‘who gives a shit’ list.”

  “Norah, don’t be rude. It isn’t nice.”

  “You don’t understand, I’m not being rude. I’m telling you that you, and changing your mind, are number one on the list of things I don’t care about.” She stepped closer to me and put her hands on her hips. “Of all the things I don’t care about in this world, you’re first in line. You should feel good about that!”

  I couldn’t take it anymore. Her and that smart mouth ignited the fire, passion and anger in me. I had to tell her that I wanted her back, that I needed her back. My life wasn’t the same without her and I would do anything to have her again. Seeing how much anger she still had for me told me she still cared for me too. Watching her snap at me, stick her hip out and have so much attitude made me hard. I wanted to take her over my knee and let her know who was the boss right there, and I didn’t care who was around. I stepped closer. But before I could say anything Mr. Stackhouse rounded the corner.

  “Liam Hastings! It is so good to see you! I’m glad you made it!” We shook hands and he patted me on the back. “Norah, sweetheart! You look lovely!” He kissed her cheek, which pulled us closer together. “I’m so happy to see you two kids still together.”

  “Ah, Mr. Stackhouse, Norah and I are,” but before I could finish she stepped closer to me and grabbed my hand.

  “We are so happy we could be here for you and your family,” she said. I looked over at her, but she wouldn’t look at me.

  “Well I know Rebecca is happy you’re here for her. She’s very fond of you, Norah. I’m glad you girls get along so well.” He touched my shoulder. “Look at you two, you look so happy.” I hadn’t noticed but with Norah’s hand in mine, I was smiling. I looked at her face, and she was smiling too. “Who knows, Norah, maybe this summer I can cross the pond and attend a ceremony like this for you two?” He laughed. I looked at Norah again and she was laughing too.

  “What do you think, Liam? Don’t you think you should take this girl off the market before she realizes what a bastard you really are?” He laughed again. “I had to sweep Mrs. Stackhouse off her feet by the third date so she wouldn’t realize she could do a lot better!” We all laughed.

  “Well Mr. Stackhouse, I’m afraid Norah knows all my dark secrets already,” I tried to gauge her reaction to my comment. Her smile had dropped, but she was looking at me. “But I do think you’re right about taking her off the market.”

  “That’s the spirit, son!” He patted my back again. “I’ll see you after the ceremony,” he shook my shoulder and then walked away. Norah instantly dropped my hand and stepped away turning her back to me.

  “What was that?” I asked. She turned back to look at me.

  “Mr. Stackhouse is a sweet man. He liked that you and I were together. I wouldn’t want to disappoint him, not on his daughter’s wedding day.” I nodded.

  “Was that all?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Do you still love me, Norah?” I had to know.

  “Don’t do this,” she held up her hand. “I can’t do this here.” I stepped a little closer and she stepped back right into the bar.

  “It’s a simple question, little one. Either you do or you don’t?”

  “Stop! Don’t call me that! You can’t do this here!”

  “I can do this wherever I want! I want to know how you feel, dammit!” I was harsh but used a quiet voice so only she heard me.

  “Liam and the lovely Norah, what are you two hiding in here for? Don’t you know it’s rude to only talk to your date at a social function?” I turned around and saw Mr. and Mrs. Redman standing behind me. I had forgotten that I introduced the Redman’s to Mr. Stackhouse last fall and they were now doing some business together.

  “Oh you know me, trying to keep Norah all to myself,” I said as I reached out my hand and shook with Mr. Redman. “How are you doing this evening?” I asked.

  “Oh, we’re fine. I think I got some bad directions though. This doesn’t seem to be where the wedding is taking place.” Norah stepped up behind me and hooked her arm in mine.

  “No sir, the wedding is just over there in the garden,” she said with a huge smile on her face.

  “Well thank you my dear,” he nodded at her and walked toward the garden. I turned to her and grabbed her arm.

  “Answer the question Norah!” She snatched her arm away from me.

  “Get off me!” She stepped around me and walked out toward the main house. I walked right behind her. Her stubbornness and defiance were turning me on so much I welcomed a fight from her. I grabbed her arm and made her look at me.

  “Don’t you know you can’t run from me? We are going to talk about this if I have to hold you down, Norah!”

  “Leave me alone!” she snatched her arm away again and walked faster up some stairs and opened a glass door. Another gi
rl in a dress similar to hers was on the other side.

  “Norah, there you are! Rebecca asked me to find you. She wanted me to tell you that your ex-boyfriend is here somewhere, just to give you a heads up.” I took Norah’s hand in mine.

  “Thanks, Mellissa. Do you know how much longer until things get started?” she asked.

  “About 30 minutes, if we’re on time,” she laughed. “But you know Rebecca has never been on time for anything.”

  As Mellissa walked away, Norah snatched her hand away from mine and started walking down the hallway. I followed right behind her.

  “Your ex-boyfriend? Well I hope she is referring to your friend Mike, because I know she is not referring to me.” I walked next to her with my hands in my pockets. She stopped and looked right at me.

  “Mike was never my boyfriend. And you made it very clear in October that we are over, so yes she was referring to you.”

  “Stop playing these stupid games with me!” Hell flew through me. I looked and saw an open door to the right.

  “Oh come on, Norah, you love my games!” I grabbed her arm and pulled her in the room. It was a small changing room with a couch, two chairs and a dressing table with a mirror. I pushed her on the couch and slammed the door behind me. I turned and locked it to make sure we would not be interrupted, then turned back to face her.

  “Is that what you think? You think we are over? You think you can talk to me anyway you want and get away with it?” I crawled on top of her and pressed my body against hers.

  “Get off me!” she yelled as I grabbed her arms and held them over her head.

  “Go ahead and fight me, Norah. You won’t win, you know that,” I breathed in her neck. “Now open your legs like a good girl,” I kissed her neck and traveled up her jaw line.

  “Fuck you!” she snapped back. “Well I’m trying to fuck you at the moment. Please be a good girl and do as I ask, little one. Don’t make me get ugly.” My voice was calm.

  I kissed her hard and slowly her legs opened. I released one of her arms and ran my hand down her body. She didn’t move the newly freed arm, but moved her neck so it was more exposed to me. I licked her neck as I pushed her dress up to her waist. I quickly unzipped my pants and pressed my shaft against her panties.

  “You can take them off, or I can rip them off, which do you prefer?” I tried to kiss her mouth again, but she snatched her face away and turned her head to the cushion.

  “Do what you want! This is your game!” she shouted. I released her other arm, leaned up and grabbed both sides of her panties with my hands. “If you want it rough, Norah, I will make it rough!” I ripped them off her body and threw them next to us on the floor. Despite the fact both her arms were now released, and I was no longer completely covering her body, she did nothing to fight me off. She was laying there, legs open, arms over her head, panting. I knew she wanted this as much as I did, she just didn’t want to admit it. I ran my hand over her sex and she was wet. Yes, she wanted this. I rammed myself in her and she gasped. I covered her body and I pumped myself in her.

  I tried to kiss her but she kept turning her head away from me. I grabbed her breasts through her dress and kissed her neck.

  “Is this how you want it, Norah? You want it rough? You like it hard and fast?” I panted in her neck and I felt her arms lower and her hands were on my butt. She pulled me closer to her and I pumped faster. “That’s it you naughty girl, make me work for it, baby.” I rammed myself in and out faster and faster. I saw her eyes close and she started biting her bottom lip. “Are you gonna come, Norah?” She gripped my hips and arched her back. “That’s my girl.” I slammed in her a few more times until I came hard. “Damn you feel so fucking good, baby.” I stood up and walked to the dressing table. I grabbed some tissues and cleaned myself up then tucked myself back in my pants.

  “Fuck that was good, Norah. I needed that, and I think you did too. I hope you’ve been keeping up with your shots.” I turned to the mirror and ran my hands through my hair. “But don’t think this conversation is over. We can talk some more after the ceremony.” I handed her the box of tissues and walked out of the room.

  Norah

  I stood up and straightened my dress out. Thankfully this was wrinkle free material. I picked up my ripped underwear and put them in the trashcan in the corner, then sat down at the dressing table. I fluffed my hair and wiped the corners of my eyes with the tissues. I looked at myself in the mirror. I couldn’t believe what had just happened. I told myself to keep a wall up between us, and he had me on my back in 20 minutes. I had no defense when it came to Liam. As much as I hated him right now, as much as I wanted to slap his smug face, I just wanted him more. I couldn’t help the things he did to me. I tried to fight it, but my body betrayed me every time. He knew where to touch me, how to touch me, and what my body wanted. I couldn’t hide my feelings from him no matter how hard I tried. He didn’t scare me when he grabbed my arms and forced me in the room, it turned me on. I couldn’t explain it. There was a point when I stayed scared of him or what he could do to me. But deep down, I liked his dominance over me. It was something I craved. If I had learned anything in the last four months, I had learned that submitting to Liam was something I wanted to do.

  The ceremony was long and my feet were killing me. I stayed focused on the minister and my bridesmaid duties and never once looked over at Liam, even though I could feel him looking at me.

  I deliberately held my groomsmen’s arm tight, and pushed my body against his as we walked back up the aisle. Instead of finding Liam in the crowd, I thought if he wanted me so bad, he could find me. I went with the rest of the wedding party down to the pier to take pictures. I posed with the rest of the bridesmaids and Rebecca, then stood to the side while the photographer took some pictures of the groomsmen. As I walked back to the pier to take pictures of the group I saw Liam walk up and stand behind the little crowd watching us. We took some serious pictures and then some funny ones as well. Liam’s face never cracked a smile. He didn’t like that Chad, my groomsmen touched my leg in one picture, threw me over his shoulder in another, and stood way to close to me in all of them. I just kept smiling.

  When the pictures were done, I walked back to the tent but I didn’t see Liam. I sat at the bridal party table through the first dance, through the Father/daughter dance, and the Mother/son dance.

  I looked around to see if I could find him before we did our ridiculous bridal party dance. Rebecca had made us take dance lessons for a formal waltz, but also to learn a special dance she choreographed to “If I can’t have you” a remake from a 90’s boy band. The crowd clapped their hands and laughed. Even though I thought it was a stupid idea, it was really fun. When it was over I saw Liam standing near the bar talking to a beautiful blonde woman. He wasn’t even paying attention to me. He came here, yelled at me for not responding to his stupid emails, fucked me, and now he was moving on to someone else. I went to another bar grabbed a shot of something dark out of a man’s hand, drank it down, then walked with purpose to him. His eyes locked on mine as I approached. I grabbed his arm and pulled him behind me. We walked to the back hallway between the service entrance, restrooms, and the rest of the reception. Once we were alone, I pushed him up against the wall.

  “You think you can dump me, and then show up four months later barking orders? It doesn’t work that way! You can’t tell me what to do anymore. You think you own me? Well you don’t! You made it damn clear in that hotel room, that you didn’t want to own me! So I suggest you back the fuck off!” I didn’t know where this aggressiveness had come from. Seeing him, talking to another woman, oblivious to me, did things to me I couldn’t explain. Part of me really wanted to show him I was thinking for myself now, but another part knew this would provoke him again. And that was what I really wanted, to piss him off, provoke him, just to see what he would do to me. It worked. He grabbed my arms, slammed me against the wall and laughed right in my face.

  “Are you done?” he asked with a
smirk on his lips.

  “Yes, I’m done!” I snapped back.

  “Don’t think for one second that I don’t own you, Norah! You’re a smart girl. It doesn’t matter if you are here in the states or back home in our bed, you belong to me!” He kissed me hard and fast then pulled away. “I saw you with the boy, Norah. I know what you were trying to do, and it worked, because now I am pissed off! You wanted me to be jealous and here I am green as can be, I hope you like it!”

  “Take your hands off me!” I said, not really wanting him to move. He pressed himself against me.

  “Is that what you want, what you really want? Because I don’t think it is. I think you like it when I am angry.” He licked my cheek. “Understand this, I will fuck you whenever and wherever I want! This ass is mine!” He ran his hands down my body and grabbed my ass. I let out a low moan.

  “I didn’t think you wanted to own me, Liam. I thought you said you didn’t want to look at me the rest of your life knowing you had bought me, thinking of me as your slave.” My breathing was hard and I could see my chest moving up and down faster and faster.

  “Well I changed my mind, little one. Turns out, I don’t give a fuck about anything but owning you. I don’t care if I bought you or not, you belong to me either way. I want to possess you, dominate you, and have you serve me.” He leaned in and kissed me again. He shoved his tongue in my mouth and became very forceful. I met his mouth movement for movement, but then snatched away just to show him I could. “You don’t fool me, Norah. This is exactly what you want.” He kissed me again. “I’ll admit it. I’m a cold hearted bastard, who wants that sweet little ass to submit to me. I’ll admit that I lied!”

  “You lied! That’s your answer….you lied!”

  “Yes, I admit that I lied! I felt guilty about taking you away from your family and bringing you in this dark world of mine. But I simply don’t care about that anymore.” He paused. “Now you admit it, you want this too! Admit that nothing in your life has been as fulfilling as serving me. Admit that you have hated the mayhem and unpredictability of your life the last four months. Admit that you want me to control you. And even right now, when you’re looking at me like you could slit my throat just to watch me bleed, you love hearing the words ‘I own you!’.” He ran his hands down my body and under my dress. He pushed his hands against my sex. “I tell you that you belong to me, and you get all hot and wet.” I pushed myself against his hand wanting to feel his touch. “Admit that you have this overwhelming, uncontrollable need to completely submit yourself to me.” He rubbed my clit and shoved two fingers inside me. I closed my eyes and let out a deep moan.