Max clicks his fingers and music starts playing. How did that happen? The music is a gentle bluesy jazz sound, and she recognizes the singer instantly.
‘Joss Stone,’ she says. ‘My favorite singer.’
‘Yes, I know,’ he replies, taking her jacket from her shoulders.
He knows? What does that mean?
Before she can give this any more thought, a waiter appears with a tray holding two glasses. Max takes both the glasses, and the waiter silently fades away into another room.
Max holds out a glass for her to take. ‘Champagne?’
‘Oh, thank you.’ She tries to act as if she always has champagne on a date. She takes a sip and realizes that this is no supermarket special…this is the real deal.
‘If it’s OK with you, I thought we’d take a cruise around the bay while we eat. The city is an amazing sight from the ocean with all the lights blazing – I would love you to see it.’
‘That sounds wonderful!’ Dominica wants to get her phone out and start taking pictures. This is going to be an evening she will remember for a long time. Imagine posting some of those pictures on Facebook – her friends would certainly sit up and take notice. Maryanne next door would go crazy wanting to know all the gossip. But she doesn’t want to spoil the moment. She will just have to remember it all, in every detail.
She feels a muffled roar somewhere below her feet, and realizes the powerful engines are kicking in. The sense of motion increases, and she guesses they are now on their way out to sea. They chat for a while, and Dominica begins to relax. She is out of her depth, that’s for sure – in more ways than one - but she knows she looks good, and Max is easy to talk to. After a while, Max stands up and drains his glass.
‘Well, if you are ready, we’ll go and eat.’
‘Sure, I’m ready.’
Max escorts her up a short flight of steps, then forwards to the bow of the ship. She steps into a room that is laid out like a dining room – but it is a dining room with a spectacular view. There are windows all along two sides of the room, designed to allow the best possible outlook. On one side, she can’t see much except for the vague shadow of the sea and the clouds in the dusky moonlight. But on the other side, the view is sensational. The city is now ablaze with lights in the darkness, and the effect is heart stopping. It’s not the biggest city in the world, but it is certainly beautiful. The lights reflect off the still water of the bay, and the sky seems to sparkle in their reflection.
Max guides her to a table that has been set for two, and pulls out a chair for her to sit down. When they are both seated, the waiter reappears with water and fresh glasses of champagne. Dominica makes a mental note to go easy on the champagne, or she could end up making a fool of herself. She has seen the effects that excess alcohol can have on people in her life, and she has no intention of letting such stupidity ruin her evening. She sips at the water.
If the view is spectacular, the food is equally outstanding. She has only a vague idea of what she is eating, but whatever it is, it tastes delicious. The evening passes quickly – much faster than she would like – she wants to slow the pace and savor every moment. Max is the perfect host, anticipating her every need, and chatting easily.
As they finish their dessert, Dominica takes a moment to soak up her surroundings. She can’t help but comment:
‘What an amazing yacht…and a wonderful view, too! This is such a great experience.’
Max nodded. ‘Yes, I love it here. I think life is too short to settle for second best. We need to make the most of every moment, don’t you agree.’
‘Well, in theory – yes. But in practice, most people don’t have the same opportunities that you have. Most of us are stuck in the hamster wheel of life, going round and round in the same old circles. Life is just an endless round of work, chores, sleep…and more work. We go round and round that circle until we reach retirement age. And just when we have the time to start enjoying life, we drop dead from a stroke or a heart attack. That’s how my half of the world lives, Max.’
Max smiled. ‘Yes, life can be tough for a lot of people. I know that. But that scenario is not as strange to me as you might think. I know that people assume I had a lucky start in life, inheriting the family business and everything. But the true story is rather different. My father died when I was twenty two, and I had to take over the business. I didn’t want to – I had only just graduated, and I planned on having fun for a few years. But my father left the business to me, so I had to get involved. But he left me a poisoned chalice. When I looked into the books, I found the business was bankrupt.’
‘Wow! Really? I had no idea. I thought you just inherited a fortune.’
‘Yes, that’s what people think. But the business had been running on debt for years, and was about to go under. My father expanded too quickly, relying on borrowed money. On the surface, everything looked rosy, but it was all about to collapse like a deck of cards. Everything we had – our home, this yacht – was mortgaged to the hilt. The business wasn’t profitable enough to service the debt, and the creditors were closing in. A few more months, and it would have been all over. The business would have gone into liquidation, and the assets sold off for peanuts.’
‘Well, you obviously didn’t go bust. You are running a very successful empire now. Something must have changed. So what happened?’
Max looks wistful, as if the memories are painful ones. He hesitates for a moment before he goes on.
‘It wasn’t easy. I nearly ruined my health trying to turn the business around. First I had to renegotiate the debt to buy us more time. That was difficult, because I was a young guy, with nothing more than a business degree and a lot of confidence. But I turned on the charm, and managed to get myself three years’ grace. It took a lot of midnight negotiating, but we got there in the end. I had to put my personal assets into the business to guarantee the debt – down to my last cent. If we had gone under, I would have lost everything except the clothes I was standing in.’
His voice is measured and reassuring. Dominica can see how he could easily charm his way out of anything – especially if female executives were involved. He would be able to wrap them around his little finger. She listens enthralled as Max continues his story.
‘Anyway, I cut our losses on the worst deals, and reinvested the funds in businesses with more potential – mobile Internet, software development…lots of hi-tech ventures. A couple of those turned out to be big winners, and within three years we were debt free and growing quickly. Now we are expanding faster than ever, and things have been going great ever since. But the point is, I know what it is like to be in the hamster wheel. I’ve been there, and I didn’t’ like it. Now that I am out of it, I intend to enjoy every moment. Life should be spent doing what you want to do – and squeezing the most out of every second.’
‘That’s an admirable sentiment. So it makes me wonder why you are spending the evening with me?’ Dominica is amazed to realize she said that, but she really needs to know what this is all about…what is going on?
Max looks puzzled. ‘What man wouldn’t want to spend an evening with a beautiful woman? I’ve been looking forward to this all day. This is what I live for, the reason why I work so hard – so that I can spend my free time truly enjoying myself. I can’t think of a better way to have fun than spending the evening with you.’
‘I’m flattered, Max, I really am. But, let’s be honest. You are a very successful and attractive man. There are plenty of younger women who would love to spend the evening with a man like you. You have plenty of options. You can take your pick from the world’s most beautiful women. So why waste your time on a plain old single Mom like me? I’ve been trying to work it out, but it doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense.’
Max pauses, looking intrigued. ‘I think perhaps you haven’t looked in a mirror lately, Ms. Dunn. Any heterosexual man who didn’t find you attractive would be in urgent need of resuscitation. And yes, I must admit that I don’t have too
much trouble finding female company. There are plenty of gold diggers and hangers on. But finding good company – a woman that I really want to spend time with…now that’s another matter.
‘But I’m just another suburban soccer mom with a hectic job, a busy life and too many chores to do. You can take your pick of sophisticated women with successful careers, money and everything else…all the things I don’t have.’
‘Dominica…I don’t settle for second best. As I said, I don’t believe in wasting a moment of life. You wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think you were something special. Plus, I think I have something to offer you.’
Now it is Dominica who looks puzzled. ‘To offer me? What, exactly?’
Max takes her hand and holds it tightly in his. She feels that buzz again, shooting up her arm. She focuses hard on not blushing, but she can feel the heat on her cheeks.
‘I can show you how life can be extraordinary…more wonderful than you ever imagined. I want you to escape the routine of everyday life, and discover sensations and feelings that you never knew were possible. If you open your mind to the opportunities, there is no limit to what we can experience together. I believe you have the maturity and the spirit to share that dream with me.’
Dominica thinks hard about what Max is saying. She is apprehensive, yet excited, too. A part of her wants to hold back, and play safe. But another part of her yearns to take part in this adventure, whatever it may turn out to be.
‘Life is too short to miss out,’ Max says. ‘Turn down this opportunity, and you may never get another one. I promise you I will open up new horizons for you…if you let me. But don’t worry about that now – let’s just enjoy the rest of our evening. Come with me, let’s go outside and enjoy the moonlight – it is sensational tonight.’
A minute later, they are on the deck at the bow of the yacht, enjoying the wonder of the view all around them. The moon dances between the clouds, sometimes hiding and leaving the world in shadow, and sometimes peeping out and painting the sea, the yacht and everything around them in a gentle bluish-dark glow. And the lights of the city blaze on, bathing the sky in their own ethereal light. The night is cool, but not cold. Just being outside in the fresh air on the open sea is a genuine privilege.
It truly is a beautiful moment. The yacht slices through the water, cutting through the gentle waves of the bay and running south, parallel with the coast. Dominica feels the wind in her hair as the yacht accelerates, and she shakes her head to let it blow free. Max takes her hand and leads her to the bow of the ship, then stands behind her, his hands gently gripping her waist to keep her safe. She sees the bow of the ship cutting effortlessly through the waves, feeling the motion beneath her feet.
‘Hey, this is like the Titanic movie,’ she says. ‘Rose and Jack at the bow of the ship, heading out into the Atlantic.’
She hears him laugh in her ear. ‘Yes, I guess so. Then imagine you are Rose. What does she feel?’
So Dominica pretends she is on the Titanic, setting out on an epic adventure – blissfully unaware of the disaster that lies ahead. She imagines what it would have been like to stand at the front of such a gigantic ship, the wonder of the age, on her way to the New World – her heart full of hopes, dreams and misgivings. But Rose can forget her problems for the moment, because she has Jack next to her, holding her, keeping her safe. Dominica stretches out her arms and imagines that she too is sailing into a new life. She feels Max behind her, his body touching hers, his flesh against her flesh. The wind blows her hair backwards. It must be touching his face. She turns to look, and suddenly his lips are touching hers.
She is taken by surprise, but the surprise is a pleasant one. More than pleasant. A sensational one. She feels his lips eagerly searching hers, his tongue probing inside her mouth, taking her, wanting her. The scent of his cologne fills her nostrils, all her senses are on full alert, enjoying the warmth of his touch. His hands pull tighter around her waist, tugging her towards him. She can’t help but respond, parting her lips and stretching up her arms around his neck, pulling him down towards her. She is aware of his strength as he pulls her slim body next to his. And now she feels something else. She feels his erection pressing against her, and she doesn’t want the sensation to stop. She wants him closer, to feel his hardness, to revel in the knowledge that she is exciting him and turning him on.
Oh, boy…this is so much better than a microwave dinner in front of another repeat of ‘How I Met Your Mother.’ Don’t let it stop, don’t let it stop…
But it does stop. Max pulls away from her, but only briefly. He bends down and sweeps her off her feet, picking her up as if she weighs nothing at all. She hugs him around the neck, and he strides across the deck, down the stairs and along the corridor.
Then they are in another room…a bedroom. Max places her on the bed, the door swinging closed automatically behind him. The room is like a five-star hotel room, the bed soft and inviting. Dominica is excited. Things are moving so much faster than she expected – not that she had expected anything when the evening began. But somehow, it feels right…she wants to be here. She doesn’t want this to stop. She wants to explore what comes next.
Max whispers in her ear. ‘If this is moving too quickly for you, and you want to go home, just tell me. You are in control. But personally, I think we are too mature to waste time. We could be dead tomorrow, and then to have wasted tonight would be a tragedy. So if you are ready, let’s enjoy the moment…let’s explore what is possible.’
With that, he takes her in his arms again, kissing her repeatedly, pulling her body close to his. His hands are caressing her buttocks now, touching her, wanting her. She feels the yearning building within her, a sensation that she has not felt so intensely for longer than she can remember.
Yes, Max, I am ready for a new awakening. I want to explore what is possible…
Max kneels on the bed, and pulls her up close to him. Then she realizes her dress is rising up her body. He is pulling it up and over her head, throwing it onto the floor beside them. But he doesn’t stop there. He expertly unclips her bra, and slips it over her head, revealing her breasts. Before she can react, he takes her firmly in his arms and lies her head back on the pillow, his hands sliding down to her panties and swiping them from her body in one smooth movement.
Dominica is shocked. This is all happening so quickly. One minute they are kissing properly for the first time, the next she is lying naked on his bed. This is not a world she is used to. This is the world of a multi-millionaire, a man who takes what he wants, whenever he wants it, without wasting time on pleasantries. And for now, for reasons that she finds hard to understand, he wants her. She is shocked at her own audacity, allowing this to happen. But also electrified by the rush of it all. Why shouldn’t she grab at the chance to enjoy life for once?
For a moment, she feels vulnerable under the soft light. Now he can see her in all her naked glory. She is very conscious that she is not Miss Executive Girlfriend…she is not nineteen and perfect. She is a mom in her thirties – what will he think when he compares her to the beauties that he can bed whenever he wishes?
Max runs his eyes over her naked body. ‘My God, you are so beautiful,’ he says, and she feels reassured and blissfully happy. Surely he can’t really mean it…but she will take it. Then she feels his lips against her flesh once more – but this time touching her breasts and setting her body on fire. His tongue snakes gently around her breast and then his mouth closes on her nipple. The feeling is intense. Her nipples harden, and she is aware of the growing dampness between her legs.
Don’t stop…don’t stop now. Please don’t stop…
But he has no intention of stopping, and she is happy to enjoy his domination. She feels desired and wanted. After so many years of caring for others - being forced to be organized and in control – it feels delicious to lay back and let someone else take charge. She wants to submit to his desires. It is a new sensation for her, but one that is almost orgasmic in its intensity.
‘I want to take you, Dominica,’ he says. ‘I want to make love to you…to show you how a woman like you should be cared for and cherished.’
Now she feels his lips again, kissing her hips, her thighs, her calves…all the way down to her feet. He takes her toes in his mouth and sucks. It tickles, and she can’t help giggling. But more than that, the feeling is intense and sexual.
Max climbs off the bed and undresses quickly. As he strips off his clothes, she becomes more excited. Soon he is naked and beside her again. He embraces her, and she flinches with joy as she feels the tone of the muscles on his biceps, and the sheer masculinity of his broad shoulders. She wants him, right now – the feeling inside her is primal and urgent. It has been far too long since she has slept with a man, and she wants to make up for lost time.
It seems he feels the same way, too. He pushes her gently onto her back, and then he is on top of her. The hairs on his chest rub against her breasts and make her nipples harder than ever. He pushes her knees apart and positions himself above her. She wants nothing more than to surrender to him. She can feel the wetness of her vagina, her lips there swollen and ready for sexual union. He too is ready, his erection hard and firm, almost throbbing with anticipation. And then in one easy movement, he slides deep into her, filling her up. She spreads her legs further apart and arches her back, taking every inch of him deep inside her. She had forgotten just how good sex feels. But this is better than any sex she has had before. Already she can feel a connection between them that takes her pleasure to a new and higher level.
He is big inside her, filling her and expanding her. This is what being a woman is all about. She wants more, and she gets it. Max thrusts deep inside her, withdraws and then thrusts in again, each time taking her to the hilt. She moans softly as the nerve endings throughout her body tingle and glow. His rhythm becomes faster now, pulsing inside her, his face next to hers, kissing her on her lips, her cheeks and her neck. She kisses him back, snaking her legs around him and pulling him deeper inside. She is wetter than ever, and she feels the first tingle of orgasm growing within her. The more he thrusts, the stronger the sensation becomes – and then her body explodes into a delicious orgasm that shudders through her body.
The Domination of Dominica Dunn: Discovering New Worlds of Sexual Sensation Page 5
