by S. E. Lund
“You can go to sleep if you want,” I said and poked him in the shoulder. “I won’t be insulted. I’ll get up and read my Facebook feed until I’m tired enough to sleep. It’s funny but I was tired back at O’Riley’s and thought I’d want to go to sleep right away, but now…”
“Yes, you were yawning when we were at O’Riley’s, but I told you. Sex wakes women up and puts men to sleep. It is known.”
I laughed at the reference to Game of Thrones. “It is known,” I said, “but sometimes, it is forgotten. Sex always wakes me up. I won’t be long. You go ahead and go to sleep. I’ll be back once I’ve checked my email.”
He nodded and sat up, unbuttoning his shirt while I pulled on my little lace nightgown.
“Oh, by the way, there’s something I wanted to tell you,” I said, and frowned, remembering the strange woman at the bar.
“What?” Drake asked, as he stood and undressed.
“It’s probably nothing, but I noticed this woman tonight, watching the band, but she never came in and sat down. She stayed in the alcove by the washrooms. I wondered if it might be your resident. Lisa.”
Drake sat on the bed beside me, his expression dark. “What did she look like?”
I thought about her. “Tall with long really dark hair. I couldn’t see her face very clearly, but she was definitely pretty and had a nice figure.”
“What did she do?”
I shrugged, thinking I was being paranoid. “Nothing, really. She stood there and listened to the music. I thought she was waiting to use the washroom, but there was no one in it. Then she left and came back twice. Once, I thought she was looking at me but maybe I was imagining things…”
Drake said nothing for a moment, frowning. “I don’t like it,” he said. “It might be nothing, but Lisa knows I play in a band. It might have been her.” He sighed audibly beside me. “I really don’t like the idea she was there or that she saw you.”
“She’d have no idea who I am though,” I said and shook my head. “It’s not like there are a lot of pictures of me anywhere. My father is really serious about privacy and so we never made our Facebook pages public and never posted pictures of ourselves online.”
Drake shook his head. “If she wanted to find out who you were, she could do it easily enough. Maybe I better look into personal security.”
I gasped at that. “Really?” I said. “Are you that worried about her?”
“I don’t know, Kate,” he said, his voice quiet. “I don’t want to take any chances.” He turned to me, his blue eyes intense. “Maybe I’ll contact Kyle Burke, an old friend from college who’s in the security business, about arranging private security. He’s in the lifestyle, so I can tell him the truth.”
“If you think so,” I said. “I really don’t think it’s necessary…”
“Better safe than sorry.” Then he leaned closer and stroked my cheek. “You and the baby are everything to me. If anything happened to you…”
I smiled. “We’ve watched too many thrillers,” I said with a light laugh. “Things like that only happen in the movies.”
We kissed and then I went to the bathroom and cleaned up. When I was finished, I left the bedroom and went to my office where my laptop sat on a desk. I sat down and woke it up, checking my mail for anything that came in while I was out and then clicked on the Facebook icon on my desktop. I heard Drake in the bathroom running water, and knew he was having a quick shower before bed.
I read through my newsfeed and then looked over my plans for the week for my research project, and when I yawned once more, I decided to go to bed. By the time I finished brushing my teeth and washing my face, Drake was asleep.
I crept in beside him and snuggled up against his naked body, his warmth soothing. It was then the image of the dark haired woman came back into mind, and I thought about Drake arranging private security for us both. I didn’t like the idea of having bodyguards or security types following me around, but if it made Drake happier with me being alone all day, I’d humor him. I sighed and snuggled closer, the sound of his breathing finally lulling me to sleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Drake
I met Kyle Burke, one of the founders of Brimstone Security and Threat Assessment Inc., to speak with him about security for Kate when I wasn’t with her. A huge man over six five and rippling with muscles on top of his muscles, Kyle was exactly what you thought of when imagining a Rambo-type of veteran going into security after several tours of duty. We met through Lara, when I was back in college, and he was a veteran of Gulf War One going to college through the VA. Since he knew Lara, he was pretty knowledgeable about the lifestyle. I felt I could tell him everything without fear.
I relayed my concerns about Lisa and the fact that she threatened me.
“So the police are clearly out of the question,” he said. “They’d have to do background checks into your past and her past. It would be impossible to assure privacy if that happened.”
I shook my head. “Can’t go there,” I said. “I’ve been trying to keep her at a distance without upsetting her too much, but if she goes too far, I may have to take more drastic measures and withdraw from my fellowship at NYU.”
“That’s rough,” he said and scrolled through a document on his computer. “I can arrange a detail to watch your wife when she’s out, and watch your house during the day. We can probably start tomorrow, in fact. I have a few new guys coming online who were in security in Iraq with one of my competitors.”
“Sounds good,” I said and relaxed. “It’s probably nothing but the woman is clearly irrational if she thinks she can threaten me and then have me as her friend.”
“I doubt she wants to be your friend,” Kyle said with a laugh, then his expression turned dark. “It’s really sad that you can’t talk to her superiors,” he said and frowned, his black eyes intense. “Someone like that shouldn’t be getting so much power over patients.”
I shrugged, although I knew he was right. I had thought of that many times, but part of me felt bad about ruining her career, and she’d probably know it was me and could retaliate. Still, Kyle was right. Lisa was unreasonable, despite being very skilled in surgery. I planned on finishing my fellowship and then speaking with the administration about her suitability for the program. If she didn’t back off, I promised myself that I would.
I felt bad but I had to protect Kate.
Kyle and I shook hands and I left his office feeling somewhat better about Kate being all alone during the day when I was at the hospital.
I had no other disagreements with Lisa during the following week, and we didn’t end up going to lunch since we both were busy, so I felt slightly sheepish about the security detail that was watching Kate and our apartment building on a daily basis.
One day as I walked down the hallways to meet with the residents for grand rounds, Lisa caught up with me. I was used to her shadowing me, but she’d been as busy as me and so hadn’t been following me as much.
“You look happy,” she said, glancing at me through narrowed eyes.
“I am,” I said and smiled. “Very happy.”
“What’s up?”
“Just life,” I said, determined not to talk about my personal life with her.
“Is Kate feeling better?” Lisa asked. “Up and about yet?”
“Things are fine with mother and baby,” I said, not wanting to say anything more.
“How wonderful about them both being fine,” she added. “She’s pretty tiny. If she was to get too sick, she doesn’t have much weight to lose, especially at this stage of her pregnancy.”
I turned to her and frowned. “You’ve seen her?” Alarm filled me.
“Sure, silly,” she said. “She came to the hospital one day. I saw you walking with her.”
I took in a deep breath and tried to remember when Lisa would have seen me with Kate. Kate had met me a couple of times for lunch the previous semester. Had Lisa seen her then?
“Oh, I didn’t k
now you saw her before.”
She smiled but it looked fake, her eyes narrow. “Domestic life—who would have thought it would be your choice? Doctor Dom? I mean, Doctor D…”
“Why not?” I asked, frowning that she slipped – on purpose – and referred to the fact I was a Dominant. “I want a life like everyone else.”
“Sunita said you were the playboy type who only had fuckbuddies, if I recall.”
“That was then,” I said and held the door open for her. “This is now.”
“What’s so special about Kate?” she asked, as we stood waiting for rounds to begin.
“Shh,” I said when the department head arrived and cleared his throat. Lisa frowned and turned away, but I knew she wanted to continue talking. I was glad I had a reason to stop. I didn’t like Lisa concerning herself with my life and especially with Kate’s life. Still, I smiled as I thought about my beautiful wife. When I left her that morning, she was snuggled down into the thick duvet, her hair across her face, her luscious curves and belly making me wish I could wake her up with a nice slow fuck, but she needed her sleep.
Lisa stood off to the side of the group of residents as we did rounds. Then, when rounds were finished, she left without saying another word. Perhaps hearing how happy I was would put her off. If so, I was relieved because I had Kate back and I didn’t want to give up my fellowship.
On Thursday night, the group from NYU went out for dinner and game of darts and pool at the local pub so I texted Kate to see how she was feeling, and then left with the rest of the group, taking my car since I’d be a designated driver. I didn’t want to drink more than a pint, for the few hours after eight that I had to spend with Kate were precious and I wanted to be fresh and wide awake when she was feeling her best.
We drove to Shane’s Public House and Grill and piled into the bar, pushing tables together and ordering several pitchers of draft and appetizers, as was usual. Lisa made a point of sitting beside me. I’d grown used to it, although I got the occasional raised eyebrow and two heads bending together to exchange whispers, but that was the price I had to pay to keep her on my side and off my case.
The time passed quickly, much draft beer was imbibed, ribs and other finger food consumed and I checked my watch. The time was getting close to eight and I wanted to get home.
“I’m driving home now, so if you want a ride, now’s your chance,” I said to the group when I stood and pulled on my jacket.
A couple of the residents stood and accepted my offer and Lisa did as well. We said goodbye to the group and walked to my car, which was parked about a block and a half down the street. I asked everyone their addresses, and of course Lisa was the last to be dropped off. After we dropped the other two residents off, Lisa and I were alone in the car.
I drove through the streets in silence, letting her do the talking.
“That was fun,” she said, turning in her seat to face me.
“It was,” I said, hoping to get her to her place as quickly as possible so I could get home to Kate.
“Hey, Drake, I need your help up in my apartment. I have this flat screen television and need to put it up on the wall.”
I sighed, frustrated that she was trying to get me into her apartment.
“Don’t you have a roommate who can help you? Someone in the dorm?”
“No, actually,” she said coolly. “I don’t have anyone.”
“You’re an attractive woman. Why haven’t you got one of the residents at your beck and call? I noticed a couple of them seemed interested.”
She grinned but shook her head. “Not interested. They’re boys, not men. I want someone with some seasoning. So, you’ll come up and help me,” she said, and it wasn’t a request. It was a demand.
I took in a deep breath and tried not to let my anger get the better of me. Kate would be waiting for me, eager to talk after being alone all day with her fatigue. She wasn’t enrolled in her class anymore, although she occasionally did some research when she could and she was doing her art, but being alone all day made her crave someone to talk to.
“I don’t have a lot of time. Kate’s been alone all day so I want to get home as soon as possible.”
“Sure, rub my nose in it,” she said, her voice petulant.
“What do you mean?” I glanced at her, angry that she couldn’t – or wouldn’t understand.
“Talking about your nice little life while I’m all alone.”
“That’s my life,” I said. “I thought you wanted to be friends. Friends talk about their lives.”
“Anyway,” she said, as if she wasn’t listening. “I need you to help me get the television mounted on the wall. It’s too awkward to do it by myself. It won’t take long, Drake. I wish you wouldn’t be so unreasonable.”
I turned the corner too fast, my foot heavy on the gas from anger. “I’m not being unreasonable.”
But I knew arguing with her was futile – and potentially dangerous. She had me by the short and curlies. If I wasn’t nice to her, she threatened to reveal my involvement in the BDSM lifestyle. If I was nice to her, she wanted more. Always more.
“Slow down, for God’s sake,” she said as my tires squealed around a corner. I regained control and drove down the street to her apartment, glad when I was able to find a spot that was only half a block away.
“Let’s go. I want to make this fast.”
“I know, I know. Gotta get home to the little missus,” she muttered under her breath.
“That’s right,” I said and followed her up to her apartment. She unlocked the door and we entered the darkened apartment. When she turned on the lights, I saw it was a small flat with a tidy interior, everything nice and neat. In a huge box against the wall stood the flat screen television – plasma. It was huge. I could understand that she needed help with it. At least she’d attached the mount on the wall so all we’d have to do was lift it up and fasten it. It would be a quick job and then I’d be on my way.
I went over to the box after shucking off my boots and took a look. Lisa was off doing something and so I opened the box and pulled it out of the foam housing, waiting for her to return so we could lift it. I studied the directions and then she entered the room with two shot glasses and a bottle of vodka.
“Let’s have a toast,” she said, holding the bottle up. “To our year together.”
“Thanks, but no thanks,” I said, trying to stop my frown. What was she trying to do–ply me with liquor? Get me drunk and hope my defenses fell and I wanted to ravish her?
“Oh, come on, Drake. Be a sport. What happened to the fun guy I met at Derek’s place? I think you said you were always up for a challenge… Look,” she said and held it up. “Anisovaya. I special ordered it from Mother Russia herself. Sunita told me you drank it. Plus, I read those letters…” She raised her eyebrows.
“No, thanks,” I said and focused on the television, deliberately not responding to her.
Those goddamn letters…
I focused instead on the directions in my hand, determined to get the job done with no distractions.
“Have a drink, Drake,” she said and held out a glass.
“I said no thanks,” I said and turned to her, determined not to give in.
“And I said, drink,” she said.
“Let’s get this done. I have to go.”
“You’ll have a drink and then you’ll help me mount it. Then you can go to your precious Kate.”
I relented and took the glass, letting her fill it with Anisovaya. We shot them back and she tried to pour me more, of course, but I was too fast and she spilled it on the floor and over my hand.
“Drake,” she said, frustrated. “You’re going to toast your new baby,” she said and stepped closer to fill my glass.
“No.” I turned it upside down on the coffee table. “Let’s do this.”
She filled her own glass and downed a shot and then we went to the television and I gave directions based on reading the owner’s manual. We managed to
get it mounted and all the connections made in a very short time, so I was glad when we finally turned it on and I was able to leave.
“I’m gone,” I said and went to the door. I bent down to tie my boots, and when I stood up, she was there and bent closer, trying to kiss me on the cheek, but I was able to duck to the side, and she missed, ending up kissing empty space. She was persistent, pressing herself against me before sliding down onto her knees, her hands on my hips, her face above my crotch.
“Don’t go so fast,” she said, her voice thick. “I remember those times with you, even if you don’t remember me. You used to whisper in my ear while you tied me up, so deliberate, in control. You said things that made me feel desirable, and so safe. I read your letters online. It was like you wrote those letters for me. I’ll do anything you want, Drake. Anything.”
I backed away and took her hands, trying to pull her up but she resisted, remaining on her knees. “Lisa, this is not going to happen.”
“No one will know,” she said and slipped her arms around my legs again, her face pressed into my groin, almost frantic. “Besides, you’re the Dominant. You’re the Master. You can do what you want. Have what you want.”
“I already have what I want, Lisa. It’s Kate. As to no one knowing, I’ll know,” I said and pushed her away more firmly. “Now, I’m sorry that you hoped we could get together, but it can’t happen. Do you understand that?”
“You don’t have to have sex with me, but at least tie me up,” she said, her hands gripping my legs. “I like rope bondage. You do it really well. You used to demonstrate at parties.”
I shook my head. “I can’t,” I said and finally managed to lift her up. “I have to go.” She wouldn’t cooperate and took hold of my arms, leaning her body close.
“I have everything you need for a scene,” she said, her voice desperate now. “Blindfold, rope, and there are hooks in my bedroom if you want to do suspension. Please…”
“No,” I said firmly, pulling her hands away and turning to grab the door handle. I managed to get the door opened and slipped out as fast as I could, relief flooding over me that she was on one side of the doorway and I on the other.
