“I did like it. I love everything we do together.” She felt the blush creeping into her cheeks. Cautiously, she asked. “Have you ever seriously injured anyone during sex?”
“Do you really want to know?”
“Yes. I do.”
“But you know I wouldn’t hurt you for anything in the world. Why does it matter now?” It was obvious that he didn’t want to answer her.
“It matters to me. Not because I think you’ll harm me. I trust you. I want you to feel you can tell me the truth, no matter how bad it may be. I want you to trust me.”
“Yes, I have. But . . . I took care of them.”
“You took care of them? What does that mean?”
He hesitated. His face looked pained but he answered her. “It’s called aftercare. When you engage in heavy BDSM it can get downright dangerous. Afterwards, I gave them medication, salves for their wounds or drove them to the emergency room if needed. I never went in and the women never told the medical professionals what happened. I’m sure they’ve seen such injuries before.”
She didn’t know what to say. He had secrets she couldn’t even begin to fathom. She literally stared at him; sure he could see the shock and disgust on her face.
And yet, there was one question she had to ask; dreaded asking, because if the answer was what she feared it might be, she’d never be able to look him in the eye ever again.
“Have you ever killed anyone Dorian?” she asked in a breath of a whisper.
His eyes never wavered from hers. “No.”
She exhaled, not realizing she’d been holding her breath, awaiting his answer.
“I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear that and I’m glad you thought enough of the others to take care of them. I hate men that abuse women, even though I’m a little jealous that you’ve been with so many others before me.”
“There’s no need for you to feel that way. I felt nothing for any of them. And just because the sex was consensual, doesn’t mean I wouldn’t make sure they were taken care of. That would be dishonorable. Jennifer, no woman has ever affected me the way you do. But, I do understand how you feel. Just the thought of another man touching you, or you looking at him the way you look at me, is enough to drive me mad.”
“Can I ask you another question?” She asked cautiously.
“I’m starting to feel like I’m getting the third degree.” He groaned. “I’ll subject myself to one more question.”
“What is your deepest darkest fear?”
He grew very quiet and serious and she detected the sadness in his voice. “I’m afraid of loneliness. And I don’t mean being alone. I’m surrounded by people all the time. I mean living a life not shared, without any one who really knows me, or without me knowing anyone else to the very depths of their soul. And now you know.” He sighed and took a deep breath. “Tell me, what are you most afraid of?”
“Death.”
“Most people are,” he said as if measuring his words. He had a curious, unreadable look on his face.
“I think I’m even more afraid of getting ill and suffering like my mother did than death itself. It’s like being trapped and death is the only way out. I’m petrified of it. Aren’t you afraid to die?”
“I warned you I’d only answer one more question and I did.” He ran his fingers through his hair, kissed her, got out of bed and threw his shirt on.
She looked at him longingly. Was he leaving now? God, I don’t want to be alone tonight.
“No. I wouldn’t leave you tonight, not until just before dawn. I’ve a number of overseas calls to make. I make those calls around dawn due to the time difference.
How in the world had he known what I was thinking? It was then that she realized how hard he was trying to have a deep, meaningful relationship with her. He was becoming attuned to her needs and feelings.
“I have something more to show you. Put some clothes on and let’s go.”
He held her hand. They walked through the maze of boxes, all neatly packed and marked. Each box displayed the name Pack and Go movers. He must’ve hired professionals to do all this, which meant he hadn’t gone through her personal things. She found that endearing. He’d allowed her to maintain her privacy by letting strangers do it.
They went down the elevator to the bottom floor. He stopped in front of the Mercedes she’d noticed earlier.
“Close your eyes and open your hand.” He said in his usual “I’m in charge” way.
She did as she was told.
“Now, open them.”
There was a set of car keys with a Mercedes emblem on the key chain. She was dumbstruck. Her eyes drifted over to the silver-metallic car sitting in slot number 7.
“Isn’t that your car?” she asked, feeling uneasy.
“It was. Now it’s yours.”
She peered down at those keys and couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes, but she sure as hell felt them drilling into her. This was too much. And after all he’d told her about himself, she felt a little apprehensive.
He didn’t hurt you, he protected you. He’s awakened your sexuality and given you pleasure like no other man ever has. And he respected your feelings tonight. You asked for the truth and he told you, disclosing the sordid details about the women he’d hurt. He bared himself to you, which couldn’t have been easy for him.
She shook her head. “I can’t take this car. It’s too much. I already feel guilty about the apartment. I didn’t earn these things.” She appeared on the verge of tears again.
“Look at me Jennifer.”
She struggled to do as he asked and couldn’t. He held her face gently in his hands. She was instantly drawn into those eyes. The light caught them just right and they glittered like blue diamonds. How could she resist him? She couldn’t.
“Listen to me. Miami is not Maine. The apartment building has high tech security, the best money can buy and the car is very well built. I need you to have these things. Tell me you’ll take it if only for me.”
She nodded. They got in the car and he showed her how everything worked.
Finally, after he’d gotten her to agree to read the vehicle manual before driving it, they went back upstairs. She was bone weary by then, overwhelmed by all that had happened in one night.
She lay down in bed. He slid in beside her, slipped an arm under her and wrapped the other around her, holding her loosely. She listened to his heartbeat, felt his chest move up and down with each breath, lulling her to sleep.
As she tumbled over into the world of sleep, she heard Ms. Prudinsky’s voice sounding solemn and sad. “He truly owns you now. Doesn’t he?”
Chapter 24
The following day, he was gone. He’d left a handwritten note on the pillow.
Text you tonight. Enjoy the day setting up your new home. Love, Dorian.
She smiled and carried the note with her out to the kitchen. Again, she marveled at how beautiful his handwriting was.
The hell with Ms. Prudinsky, she thought. She wanted to belong to him. And he belonged to her. He’d said those very words. They we’re good for each other. And they had a lot more in common than she’d thought. Even with all his secrets and controlling ways she loved him. She was pretty sure he felt the same way, although neither of them had ever said those three words: “I love you.”
She was in awe of the kitchen with its stainless steel state of the art appliances. The dark brown, granite counters gleamed. She found what she was looking for. A Cuisinart grind and brew coffee machine. Next to it was an unopened bag of Green Mountain coffee beans, her favorite. Where had he found it in Miami? She never could. As for the Cuisinart, it wasn’t too difficult to run. Thank God he hadn’t bought her one of those high tech machines, which would take her hours to figure out. Apparently, he’d taken her at her word when she’d told him she was technologically impaired.
She savored the smell of coffee brewing while she explored the rest of the kitchen. The cabinets were laden with all kinds of food, the fridge fully stocke
d. Below the sink were cleansers and other household items. Everything was perfect.
After pouring a cup of the steaming brew she went into the living room and sat on the couch. Directly in front of her, a huge flat screen TV hung on the wall. On the end table was the remote as well as the manual. A note sat on top of it. Your TV is ready to use. Everything has been hooked up. Just hit the power button. Your resident computer geek, Dorian.
She smiled. She made up her mind not to feel one bit guilty about accepting these gifts from him. He was her Prince Charming (even if he was a somewhat kinky version) and she his princess.
While she was unpacking, her cell rang. It was Julie. She sounded totally unhinged.
“Why didn’t you come in today? Are you alright? We’re you here last night when it happened?” Julie bombarded her with frenzied questions.
“I’m fine. I turned in my resignation last night. I quit. Why, what happened last night?” Jennifer kept her tone calm and detached. She wasn’t going to tell anyone about what her boss had tried to do. Dorian had taken care of it.
“Jesus Christ, Jennifer. There’s glass everywhere. Someone broke in and assaulted Mr. Marshall. Broke the son of a bitch’s arm. He called in earlier. He sounded really scared. Told us one of his associate’s would be handling this office from now on. The guy’s here now. And so are the police.”
“I left earlier. I wasn’t there.”
“You sound funny, Jen.”
“Do I? I’m sorry. I just woke up a little while ago. Dorian gave me an apartment and a car last night.”
“Are you serious? And you accepted it? I find that hard to believe.”
“You and me both.”
“Tell me the truth, Jen. Did Mr. Marshall try to do anything to you?”
“No.”
“Then why did you quit all of a sudden?”
Jennifer heard the suspicion in Julie’s voice.
“Because I’ve had enough of the guy’s bullshit, that’s why. And I’m having serious doubts about my career choices. I don’t think I’m cut out for the legal profession.”
Silence at the other end. Julie must be thinking about what she’d said.
“I hear you. The new lawyer seems pretty nice. How about we meet for drinks next week? I’ll pick you up and you can show me the new place.”
“Sounds good. I miss you ladies already. I’ll drive though. He gave me a Mercedes. I’m going to drive it a little, just around here to see what it’s like. I’d be thrilled to have you and the girls with me. Maybe you can help me get around the rest of Miami.”
“That was very generous of him. I’m really happy for you Jen. Ian’s always going on about what a great man Dorian is. I guess he really is a good guy. Enjoy all of it and don’t you dare feel guilty for a single minute. You deserve it more than anyone I know.”
When she hung up she finished unpacking. Her phone hummed at noon.
It was a text from Dorian. Hope you’re staying out of trouble over there. Don’t forget to read the vehicle’s manual. I might give you a pop quiz when I get there tonight.
Control freak. She texted back.
He responded immediately. And then some. Text you at 8:00 pm. Unless you’re in dire straits, be sure to answer me.
The next few nights went by in a whirlwind. He took her shopping virtually everywhere in Miami buying her things for the apartment. He sat in the passenger seat of the Mercedes, patiently showing her how to navigate around the streets, making sure she drove safely. At the end of the evening, she cuddled up to him on the couch, his arm around her as they watched movies or just talked.
He made the funniest observations during certain scenes and whispered suggestive comments in her ear. She found herself literally giggling at some of his remarks.
“Do you want to watch some vampire movies?” she asked. “I love them, especially Interview with the Vampire.”
He made a face. “I’m not really into vampire movies, but I’ll watch them with you if you want.”
“No that’s okay.”
“How about if I read to you? Would you like that?” He asked.
“You’d do that? I’d love it.”
“Of course. What shall I read? How about Shakespeare?”
“That would be really nice. I’ve never had anyone read to me before. Well, except my Mom when I was little.”
He read and she listened, her head on his shoulder, loving the sound of his smooth voice. God, he makes me happy! She thought.
When they weren’t shopping, listening to music, reading or watching movies, they spent many nights walking along the beach, talking about anything and everything.
He surprised her with his questions. She guessed it was her turn for the third degree.
“Why is someone like you in the legal field, Jennifer? It doesn’t seem like the right fit for you. What are you truly passionate about? Other than me of course.” He chastely kissed the top of her head.
She’d never tire of that. It made her feel special.
“I love animals. I wanted to be a veterinarian, but my parents thought I’d make more money in the legal field. To be honest, I hate it.”
“You should follow your passion, no matter what. Money isn’t everything.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re filthy rich.”
He didn’t say anything right away. Have I insulted him? She thought.
“I know what it’s like to have nothing. I really do work hard Jennifer and I don’t take any of it for granted. Other than Malachi’s startup capital, I’ve earned everything I have. Besides, you mean more to me than all the money in the world.”
And yet, he hadn’t touched her sexually in almost a week.
He was taking her to a Latin dinner and dance club tonight. She’d spent hours getting ready, putting on a bright emerald green dress, with thin spaghetti straps and tiny shimmering diamond chips imbedded in them. Dorian had bought it especially for this evening. “It brings out the spectacular flecks of green in your eyes,” he’d said.
She made up her face as perfectly as she could, put her hair up and popped in diamond stud earrings. When she was done, she looked simple, yet elegant. Dorian would surely approve. She knew he detested the over use of bling and flash which many women chose to wear in Miami. She kind of liked the bling. It was such a far cry from the way people dressed up north.
He sauntered through the front door, dressed in a pale green linen shirt, casually unbuttoned at the collar, the cuffs tucked under, instead of rolled up, showing off his muscled forearms, a pair of low waist black dress pants and boots. Coupled with his shiny black hair and stunning blue eyes he looked oh so scrumptious.
“You look amazing, Jennifer,” he said when he came in. She saw his eyes drinking her in, smoldering with undisguised desire. Turning her around, he ran his fingers over the crisscrossed straps at the back of the dress. She felt his lips on the back of her neck, on her bare shoulders. She closed her eyes, feeling as if a bolt of electricity had hit her head on.
“We better go soon,” he murmured against her skin, his hands running lightly down her arms. “I can’t be held responsible for my actions if we don’t.”
“Yeah . . . we should go.” Her body was literally screaming for him. She felt the familiar throb in her sex. “Or we could just stay here,” she said.
“Not a chance. I want you out on that dance floor with me so I can watch all the guys drool over you, knowing you’re mine. Besides, if you remember correctly, I owe you a dance, one in which I escort you on and off the dance floor.”
She recalled the night they met when he’d left her on the dance floor. How furious she’d been with him. “You’re right. You do owe me a dance.”
After a wonderful dinner of filet mignon, baby grilled asparagus and new potatoes; Dorian excused himself and went to the restroom. After which, he escorted her onto the dance floor. Watching the fluid, energetic movement of the dancers, she was apprehensive.
“I can’t dance like that, Dorian.
”
“But I can. Just follow my lead.”
“Don’t I always?”
The music was fast-paced and electrifying. It swept her right up into its rhythm.
Holding her close, he clasped her hands and gracefully pushed her away, twirled her around and pulled her back to him. Her back was up against him, his arms tight around her waist. She put her arms over his and he pulled her even tighter to him.
“Listen to the music, feel my hips sway and move with me,” he whispered in her ear.
She started to sway her hips, feeling his entire body up against her back. Finally, she picked up his rhythm and they moved in perfect unison. He turned her around again, moved his hands to the small of her back and unexpectedly kissed her. A very deep and passionate kiss right there on the dance floor.
“I love watching men gawk at you, knowing I’m the one who will be going home with you. You’re so beautiful. Do you know what I want to do with you right now?” he murmured seductively against her mouth.
She glanced around. Some men were looking at her. She blushed. Some of the women were staring at him as well. He focused on her, and only her. He’s mine, she thought.
When they got back to her apartment, she was seething with desire for him.
He went into the bedroom, sprawled out on the bed with his hands behind his head and crossed his ankles. He didn’t attempt to pull her down onto the bed with him. In fact, he lay there looking at her with an amused look on his face. She didn’t get it at all.
“You look confused Jennifer.” He cocked his head to one side.
“I am. Why haven’t you . . . been with me in a while?”
“Two reasons. One, because of what you just went through, and two I’ve been waiting for you, sweet girl. You wanted to be the dominant for a change, remember? If you want me, you’ll have to come get me. Do you want to fuck me, Jennifer? Is that what you want?”
He wanted her to seduce him.
“I thought I already seduced you in that room at e.Vampire.”
“No, you didn’t. You merely undressed me because I told you to.”
Suddenly, something clicked in her head. Her mind was being overridden by her body. She looked him up and down the way he did her, drinking him in with her eyes. His manhood strained against the tight fitting pants.
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