Through the Lens

by Laura Sutton

  “Are you going to spank me?”

  “Yes.” He put his hand back.

  “Didn't you say it would be over your knee?” Claire asked.

  “Are you trying to put off the punishment?”

  “Maybe.” Aidan sat down on the bed, grabbing her arm and slid her over his lap. He grabbed her and slid her even farther onto his knee so she wouldn't have any leverage and smacked her hard. Once. Claire almost moaned as the smack made her think about him inside her. Twice. His pant leg rubbed her pubic hair where she was already sensitive. Three. Four. Her cheek was reddening up. Five. He pulled her up off his lap into a standing position. Aidan looked at Claire, breathing a little hard, completely aroused. A fire was in her eyes as he pushed her backward onto the bed. He undid his pants, as she watched him. Yanked off his pants, sliding on the condom, he climbed onto the bed with Claire's belt. “Hands.” Claire handed him the belt as he pulled her to the footboard fastening her hands, stretching them tight. He opened her legs wider as he positioned himself over her opening and looked down to her. As he pushed himself into her, he bit her lip. She gave out a small squeal of surprise. He changed the rocking of their bodies frequently. Soon they both found their releases within each other.

  Aidan rolled off her. “This is a nice way to christen the new apartment.” Claire smiled as she leaned down pulling on her pants and buttoning them.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Claire was standing in her studio. Her new gray slacks were crisp on her legs, her lilac button-down shirt and the gray vest was a perfect fit around her slim frame, her hair up in a ponytail because of the heat of the summer. It had been two weeks since the renovations started on her gallery and the hundredth time she had been called away from a photoshoot or her drawing to handle a situation with the contractor. Every time he had asked her to go out to grab a drink. She had a non-disclosure agreement with Aidan and didn't think that he would want anyone to know that they were together.

  “Good afternoon, Claire.”

  “Mr. Engberg. You called and had something I needed to see?” Claire asked as she stood there. She was annoyed, she hated all the interruptions and Aidan was going away for a business meeting that afternoon and she wouldn't see him for three days. She had spent every day with him since she had signed the contract. It was the first time that they would be away from one another.

  “Yes. We have the extra apartment rooms almost finished. I wanted to make sure you like them before we drywall the rest of it.”

  Claire nodded and followed him up the stairs. Her eyes widened as she saw a small table set up with candles and wine. “Where are the other men?”

  “Out for lunch. It's just us.”

  “Us?”

  “Yes, I've seen how you watch me around here when you come over.”

  “You call me to come over. I'm paying you to renovate my gallery.” Claire was at a loss of words.

  He smirked at her. A smirk that made her blood run cold. It suddenly occurred to Claire just how close he always stood next to her when she came over. She had thought a few times that he was smelling her hair but told herself that she was just being paranoid. She had felt uneasy with him, but he was male, and she normally felt uneasy around males. “I'm dating someone. I'm not interested in you.”

  “I like when women play hard to get.”

  “I'm not playing. I've never been interested in you.” Peter grabbed her neck and kissed her. Claire fought him. He smacked her across the face. She punched him as hard as she could. She heard popping, but she didn't feel the pain. She'd never felt pain like most people seemed to. She was used to pain.

  Claire kneed him in the groin as hard as she could. “Get out. You're fired. Get out. Now!” Claire yelled. Peter glared at her as she practically pushed him down the stairs as his hand gripped on his groin. “You can send one of your people to collect the rest of the tools. I'll pay for the work put in but you are no longer welcome. Do not come near me or my business again.”

  Peter left the gallery. Anger, fury, rage, rolled through Claire as she stood there. She just wanted her gallery. To finally move into her own place and start selling her paintings. What am I going to do now? She wanted to open her gallery in six weeks. That wasn't going to happen with no contractors. Claire made a few calls and finally stopped, there were no available gay men working construction or women. Claire knew what she had to do; she pressed a number in her phone.

  “Ashby Enterprises, this is Jessica. How may I help you?”

  “Hello, Jessica. It's Claire. I was wondering if I could get Aidan's contractor’s name and number?”

  “Hi Claire, sure. May I put you on hold for a moment?”

  “Of course. Thank you.”

  Jessica came back on the phone and gave Claire the name and address. “Mr. Ashby could easily call them and have them over there within an hour.”

  “No, he's in a meeting I don't want to bother him,” Claire said.

  “He's coming out of it right now.”

  “No, I don't want him to know.” Claire's fear was in her voice and she knew it.

  “Ok,” Jessica said quietly.

  “Thanks,” Claire said as she hung up the phone, looking at the name and number she had written down.

  Claire walked around the gallery and got rid of the food and table that Peter had set up for them. She was starting to shake from the memories and the fading adrenaline that had been coursing through her veins. She moved all the tools down out of the apartment, putting them in one location so the other team member from Engberg Construction could pick them up. She grabbed the paint can and started painting the finished walls of the apartment. Tears pricked her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. She wished that Aidan was there so she could flip out. To yell, kick, scream; instead, she grabbed a paintbrush and put her anger behind it. She heard a banging on the gallery door below. Claire grabbed a hammer and walked down the stairs. She saw Aidan's guard, Sam, and several men with him. She walked to the door and let them in.

  “Are you going to hit us with that hammer?”

  “Right now, I wouldn't put it past me. What's up?”

  “Contract team. Aidan overheard part of Jessica's conversation and made a call.”

  “Let's get this gallery finished.” Claire smiled as she opened the door wider.

  “I'll be upstairs painting. Figured I get something done.” Claire smiled as she went back upstairs. She heard the men below hammering and making noises. She didn't know how long she was upstairs, but she had finished painting the kitchen, living room and the two finished rooms. She heard a noise and turned. She smiled as she saw Sam.

  “Hi, Sam.”

  “I think I should get you home. Mr. Ashby won't like you out this late.”

  “Mr. Ashby is in California,” Claire retorted and rolled her eyes.

  “Ma'am he's called ten times. If you don't answer one more call, he may just end up coming back to New York and definitely not be in a good mood.”

  Claire moved quickly to her cell and saw she did have several missed calls. Claire picked it up and pressed redial.

  “You were supposed to turn on your ringer.”

  “I did. I'm so sorry. I didn't hear it over the construction.”

  “How's the new team?”

  “Good, I guess. I've been upstairs painting. I haven't seen anything downstairs yet.”

  “Claire it's almost two in the morning where you are. You should be in the bed, sleeping.”

  Claire stayed quiet. She was too nervous to go home after firing Peter, but she didn't want to tell Aidan. “Claire. I can hear you breathing. Sam is taking you home. Why don't you get in the bath, turn on the jets? It will help you relax.”

  “Your place? But you aren't there? I thought it would be weird to stay there when you aren't there.”

  “Claire, it's your place as well. There is a reason why you have a room there as well. Like I'd let you go home after you fired your construction worker. That was careless of you and d
angerous.” Claire bit her lip as tears threatened to fall. She stayed silent. “You promised no crazy, reckless, dangerous stuff. Now let Sam take you home.”

  “Yes, sir.” Her voice cracked.

  “Claire are you ok?”

  “Fine.”

  “Why did you fire your construction company? I promised that I was not going to pry but I feel that I should,” Aidan asked, knowing that something was happening.

  “I'll tell you later when you're home. It's nothing. I just didn't trust him.” Claire shrugged even though he couldn't see and tried to keep her voice light.

  “I'll see you on Saturday.”

  Claire cleaned up quickly and left the apartment with Sam and went down to the gallery. The contractor was looking over the plans that she had drawn and ordering the men around. The place was coming together even in the short amount of time that these guys had been there. “Aren't they leaving soon?”

  “No, these men are the night shift. They are going to get your gallery done quickly and professionally.”

  “What about the apartment rooms?”

  The contractor came over to Claire and Sam. “We are going to finish down here and then move up there since it's mostly just drywalling and cosmetics from the notes that I've seen.”

  “Thank you so much.”

  “It's our pleasure, Ms. Henderson.”

  “Your drawings are very detailed. Nice and easy to follow. This place will be beautiful. If you ever think of making a career change, please give me a call. We could use a skilled, and brilliant artist, like yourself.”

  Claire smiled, “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

  Claire got in the SUV and rode the mile in silence to Ashby Enterprises. Walking up the stairs she walked into Aidan's room and got into the bath. After a little while, she pressed 'facetime' and send. Soon Ashby's picture was connecting. “Claire you should be asleep.”

  “You said bath, Mr. Ashby, you should make up your mind.” Claire smiled as she lied in the water.

  “You're falling asleep in the water.”

  “I just wanted to see your face.” Claire moved out of the water as she got out of the tub. Aidan watch as she moved out of the tub.

  “Are you going to bed now?”

  “Yes, after I get dressed.”

  “Sleeping in clothes?”

  “Your t-shirt, yes. It will be like you're here and holding me.”

  Aidan smiled as she lied down on his side of the bed and put the camera up on the nightstand.

  “Maybe I'll come back early.”

  “Don't you dare. Work first, mister. Then you can play hooky for a day or two with me.”

  “Orders, Ms. Henderson?”

  “No incentive and negotiating, Mr. Ashby.”

  “Ok Baby Bear... I'll stay but I want you to stay at the penthouse and keep Sam with you until I return, ok?”

  “Yes.” Claire was not about to argue. She was scared from the guy and she honestly didn't want to be alone.

  “Goodnight Claire.”

  “Goodnight Aidan.”

  He ended the call as her cell phone went dark. She smiled as she fell deep asleep.

  Claire busied herself in work so she couldn't miss Aidan. He was due back tomorrow and she wanted to do something special for him for helping her get the construction crew. She stood in her finished gallery with a huge smile. The huge crew had worked through the night and the day shift was upstairs finishing the last touches on her apartment. She knew the other guy must have been taking his time so he could spend more time with her. The crew had even finished painting the walls for her. She flipped on all the lights and smiled as they illuminated the place just as she had pictured. Now she could focus on picking the paintings and get them up on the walls, but first, she had to get them out of the old apartment and bring them here. Claire loaded up carload after carload of her art that had been in the spare room for months. When she returned to the gallery, the construction crew had completely cleaned out their stuff. She was already writing a list in her mind of the next thing to get, furniture to fill the upstairs apartment. She let her mind wander as she unloaded the last two paintings out of her car. Her phone rang as she grabbed it.

  “Hi, Aidan.”

  “Sorry, just Ella.”

  “Hey, Ella.”

  “Was wondering if you'd like to grab dinner?”

  “Sure when?”

  “Now?”

  “What time is it?” Claire asked as Ella laughed.

  “It's 8 o'clock, Claire. You really do lose track of time, don't you?”

  “Guilty. I was getting all the paintings into the gallery.”

  “Ooh need help?”

  “Just finished my last load actually.”

  “You still at the gallery.”

  “Always.”

  “See you in a few.”

  Ella's SUV pulled up in front of the gallery as Claire had finished lining up many of the paintings against the walls and floor. She unlocked the door and pushed it open. “Mind if we take your car and talk?”

  “Not at all. Let me just turn off the lights and lock up.” Claire smiled. Aidan had his men put up security cameras and alarms. She punched in the numbers of Alyssa's wedding date and her first time with Aidan. He would have picked that number for her. She still smiled every time that she punched them into the keypad and exited through the doors.

  “Where to?”

  “Italian. I already called and the table’s waiting. Aidan's buying and we're celebrating.” Ella smiled as they both got into Alyssa's car.

  “What are we celebrating?”

  “I passed all my exams with A's,” Ella said proudly.

  “I never doubted it,” Claire said with a smile. Aidan had talked about Ella so highly. “So, what do you want to do?”

  “I wanted to do social work, but Aidan thinks that's too dangerous and I definitely understand so I'm planning on being a trauma counselor, psychiatrist, at a hospital.” Ella smiled. She saw Claire's hand tighten at Aidan's name. “He's protective, it's annoying and at times suffocating but I know he does it because he loves me. Plus, he's right. The hospital is better for me.”

  “You should do what makes you happy not what he wants.”

  “I know. I do. I want to help kids that have gone through bad times. With my past,” Ella's voice lowered. “I understand how important it is to have someone there. I had a psychiatrist that stayed with me for almost two weeks. I wouldn't leave her side and she kept assuring me that I was safe. We created our own little talk. I didn't know it was sign language until years later, but she helped me and I want to help others.”

  “Ella that's amazing.”

  “So, what made you want to be an artist? A pretty good artist.”

  “It's all about emotions. Like your sign language, my counselor encouraged my art. Everything was done through colors. Each painting I do is a different emotion of how I felt in a situation and the colors that I saw during that time. It's my own form of therapy of my past.”

  “Guess we've both had dark pasts.”

  “Yes.”

  “Aidan's ok with pasts, Claire.” Ella reaches over and squeezed her hand, “We all have dark pasts and secrets and Aidan shoulders it all with class. Of course, he usually has to get alone for a while as he thinks through them all, but they are never too much for him. Trust him. I know he likes you.”

  “The feelings mutual.”

  “I know,” Ella said with a smile. “We all approve by the way.” When Claire looked over at her she went on. “The family’s all been talking. He couldn't take his eyes off you at the wedding.” Claire blushed as she flipped her hand over and grasped Ella's.

  “Thank you. So, tell me about your classes.”

  Ella started talking about her classes as Claire used both of her hands to drive. They were laughing as they drive into the intersection. Claire heard a noise and looked out her window and saw a car flying towards them. Claire slammed on the breaks and fishtailed the ca
r but not quick enough as the car t-boned them and the car flew into the air and rolled several times down the street and finally stopped as it hit a parked truck. The security team slammed to a stop in their SUV, seeing the whole thing. The guards were out of their car, running. Sirens blared in the background.

  Sam was riding with the other guards. He froze as he saw the car in the air. He was out of the car before the car made its first roll. He started running, he knew the other guards were calling in the ambulance, but he had to get to Claire. She was his responsibility to protect her. He almost gave a sigh of relief as the car finally stopped and he pushed himself to run faster. The car was on its roof. Getting to the door he tried to pull it open, but it wouldn't budge. He busted out the back window with a crowbar that another of the guards handed him. He had seen wrecks like this all of the time in Afghanistan. He had to get her out of here.

  “Claire. Claire.”

  Claire opened her eyes. Everything hurt. She heard her name like it was coming through a tunnel. She turned a brief bit before hands went around her neck. Claire freaked thrashing back and forth. She was so tired so exhausted.

  “Claire, stop. You're going to hurt yourself worse.” The voice from the tunnel said. She finally felt movement and saw Sam poke his slim body through the seats.

  “Sam. Sam. Get Ella. Ella first, keep her safe.”

  “Ok but your neck needs to be stabilized and you have to stop moving. Ok.”

  Claire looked at him with wide eyes as she felt hands on the side of her neck again as Sam finally turned towards Ella. Claire saw that she wasn't moving and the cut on her head was deep. Please be ok Ella. You can't die too. Claire prayed inwardly. She was lightheaded. Any energy she had been lost at the lightest touch around her neck. Sirens were so loud. She had heard them before she had even been hit. It's what caught her attention. The pain was awful, but she tried to focus to listen if something was happening to Ella.