by Nora Flite
“But you paid that woman to leave us alone.”
“Money doesn't guarantee people will act as you expect.”
Unsure what he was talking about, I changed into my old clothes, grabbed up the ones we'd soiled, and followed him out of the stall.
Everyone in the store looked at me when I appeared. They'd heard everything.
I kept my head down all the way until we got in his car.
****
“Listen,” I said, staring out the window at the world as it rolled by. “Back there, the woman at the store... she called you a Dom. Was she right?”
Silver was quiet for so long that I gave in and glanced at him. He was facing the road, focused—thoughtful. “No,” he said, stretching the word out. “I'm not.”
Shifting, I faced him fully. “Then what is all this? Calling me your pet and stuff.”
The centers of his dark eyes flicked at me, then away. “It's just how I feel.”
Pursing my lips, I willed him to explain further. He didn't. “You feel like I'm your pet? That makes no sense.”
His smile was absent. “I guess so.”
“That's all you have to say?”
“What more is there?”
Sinking into my seat, I breathed in sharply. “Any kind of explanation would do.”
He went quiet again. Tapping my knee in frustration, I opened my mouth, but he spoke first. “I don't think it's possible to explain how I feel. Some things don't work like that. If they did—” It was like he caught himself, his teeth cutting together to end his thoughts.
I'd been so fixated on him that I didn't notice our surroundings. Not until he started to slow down around a curve. We'd pulled into a wide open field. I could see everything for miles, so the planes were easy to spot.
“This is...” Blinking, I swung around to press my hands on my window. “An airport?”
“A private airfield.”
His car rolled to a halt in the middle of the concrete. In front of us waited a small jet, the wings shining gold and red in spite of the cloud cover. He turned the engine off, and I felt him staring at me.
I said, “That's yours, isn't it?”
“Of course.”
Sitting back, I looked over my shoulder at him. His expression was neutral. “Silver, why are we here?”
He didn't smile, but I kept expecting him too. “I need some sun, and there's no better place for sun in February than LA.”
My mouth fell open. “You want to fly to Los Angeles?” My brain tickled with understanding. “You want both of us to go, don't you?”
“It'd be good to get away, just for the weekend.”
My eyes spun back to the jet in wonder. “I thought you said we were going to spend the afternoon together?”
“You don't want to go?” His voice was full of that soft, velvet quality unique to him.
I couldn't stop staring at the jet. It was as foreign to me as a damn unicorn. It had been years since I'd flown.
Since I'd left this city.
I whispered, “I always wanted to visit LA.”
“Why didn't you?”
There was a level of seriousness in how he asked that. I was tempted to tell him the truth; that I'd been fucked up by a traumatic event that had thrown my whole life out of orbit.
I didn't have the heart to ruin the moment.
Flicking my fingers, I erased his question. “Things just got in the way.” What's in the way now?
“What are you doing?” he asked, seeing me pull out my phone.
My thumb moved over the keys. I was acting fast, trying to keep ahead of my nerves so they wouldn't stop me in my tracks. “I'm letting my mom know I'll be in LA for the weekend. Where are we going to be staying?”
He grinned slyly. “You're telling your mom where you'll be? Are you worried I'll do something to you out there?”
Sending the text, I gave him a pointed look. “Exactly. The address, please.”
Suddenly, my phone vibrated. My mother was calling me. We both watched as I ended the call before it came through.
He said, “I thought you were telling her our plans.”
“Texting is one thing, but this...”
“You don't want to talk to her over the phone?”
“Do you want to explain to her what the hell we're doing?” What are we doing? What am I doing? “Because I'd rather not get into that conversation.”
My phone buzzed again.
I groaned, palming my face. “Maybe I shouldn't have told her, now she won't leave me alone.”
He plucked the phone from my fingers before I could react. “Hello?” he asked. The smirk he sent me went ear to ear.
Clutching at my chest, I sputtered. “W—you—oh fuck. Oh fuck oh fuck, hang up the phone.”
“Yes, Alexis is here,” he said, leaning back in his seat. “But she had to run to the restroom.” He was relaxed, his voice thick and gentle. “Who am I? I'm her boyfriend, Silver.”
My tongue felt like it was shrinking.
“It is a strange name, I know.” He winked at me, then went quiet as he listened. “Oh, we've been dating some time. I'm sure she had her reasons for not telling you.”
Shiiiiiit.
He sat up, and I could hear the rising tone of my mom. I thought she had to be angry, and I was working on how to back out of this whole mess.
“Yes,” he chuckled. “I'll be sure to tell her that when she gets back. Our waiter is coming with the check, here he is, I have to go. Yes, sorry. You have a good night too, Miss Willow.” He hung up, tossing me my phone.
I didn't catch it; it just bounced off my knee and hit the floor. “What did she say?”
“You look like you're going to be sick.” Leaning my way, he brushed my neck. “I can feel your pulse going wild.”
“What did she say?”
Laughing, he nuzzled my cheek and kissed my ear. “She was relieved to hear you were finally dating someone. She insisted I show you a good time in LA. Your mom is very nice, Pet.”
Pushing my hands against his jaw, I forced him an inch away from me. My emotions bubbled together in a vat, I couldn't tell one from the other. In retrospect, it made sense that my mother would be happy for me. She'd been pushing me to meet people forever.
But keeping Silver a secret wasn't just for her. I didn't want anyone to know that I was falling for a man that was more questions than answers. He'd been stalking me, how did I tell people how we met?
Just imagining that conversation was giving me hives. The instant the world cracked the shell around us and saw what we were becoming... what I was becoming...
I'd have to admit it.
Was I ready for that?
In the window over his shoulder, I saw I was smiling. I hadn't felt my lips making the shape, but now, the sensation of joy slid into the rest of me. Pushing my mouth to his, I rolled my tongue over his teeth.
The animal-sound he made set my nerves on fire.
Just as quick, I pushed him away. He was breathing hard, coiled and ready to spring back on top of me. “What are you waiting for?” I asked. “You're supposed to show me a good time in LA. Get to it.”
His rich eyes were glowing. I half expected him to ignore my request. Brushing his hair back, he straightened his jacket and smiled. “I'm going to blow your world apart this weekend. When we get back to this city, you won't be the same.”
And I laughed, and I smiled, because in that moment I was happy.
If only I'd known how right he would be.
- Chapter Sixteen -
Alexis
The jet was, quite possibly, the most luxurious thing I'd ever been inside of. We were the only occupants, minus the pilot. When I'd met him, he'd grinned so wide I'd seen his fake gold tooth.
The interior of the jet was creamy caramel. I wriggled into the heated seat, stretched it all the way out, and then looked at Silver in amazement. “How do you do it?”
“How do I do what?” he asked, sitting next to me.
/> “Not just fly around in this thing all the time?”
Laughing, he poured himself a drink from the small bar that was set securely into the wall. “I'm rich, but fuel isn't free.”
Nodding sagely, I accepted the glass he offered me. When he raised his, I copied him. “What are we toasting to?” I asked.
“How about... to good times, future adventures, and two whole nights away to ourselves.”
That last part was said with slow, deliberate words. I blushed, clinking my glass on his. “That sounds wonderful.”
It was a smooth flight. In fact, the only thing that startled me was when Silver's phone rang while we were high in the clouds. It scared me so hard that I dropped my water bottle. “You get reception up here?” I asked. Then, more importantly, “Won't that crash the plane?”
Silver leveled a doubtful look on me. “Yes. We're definitely going to crash.”
When he didn't start panicking, I gave him a shove. He turned it around, pulling me close and kissing my neck. He whispered, “I'd never let anything happen to you, Pet.”
His promise made me dizzy.
Untangling from me, he waved his phone. “Give me one minute, it's work.”
It had been too easy to forget that he had any responsibilities beyond lavishing me with his time and his money. But of course he had to work, and I was glad he couldn't tell how ashamed I was to have forgotten that.
“Hello?” he said, shifting to face the window. “I'm in the middle of something.” Silver went quiet, his eyes narrowing a hair as he listened. “Yes, I know the spare key is gone.” He glanced at me. “Florian, I'm going to be gone all weekend. You don't need to get into my office, just send them the design notes on Monday.”
His office? Hugging my purse close, I listened to the muffle jingle inside. Did he actually give me a key to his workplace?
Digging his fingers into his scalp, Silver bit out his next sentence. “I don't fucking care. I'm not turning around. I'll be back Monday, understand? Or do you want me to email that to you, too?” He shut his eyes, breathing out. “That's what I thought. Bye.”
I waited until he'd put the phone away, but his eyes were still closed. “Is everything okay?”
Silver blinked at me, like he'd forgotten I was there. “It's fine.” Circling me with his arm, he guided me into his lap. “It's even better, now.”
****
Walking through LAX, I gazed at the giant airport in wonder. It was insanely busy, people shoving here and there while we headed towards the exit. As we were passing one of the millions of gift shops, I slowed down.
Hanging on racks were a few generic “I Heart LA” sweaters.
“Did you want a souvenir?” he asked.
“Oh, no, it's fine.”
He studied my face, then turned towards the woman behind the kiosk. “We'll take one of those.”
She nodded quickly, jumping up to grab for them. “Pink or blue?” she asked.
I'd gone silent, marveling at Silver's quick decision to buy me one of the sweaters. They both waited on me, so I cleared my throat. “Pink is fine.”
She handed it over, taking Silver's cash. It was soft and thick, better quality than I expected, considering it was an airport sweater. “Do you like it?” he asked.
Smiling, I hugged it tight. “Call me cheesy, but I kind of do.”
“Put it on.”
“What, right now?”
His eyes glinted, and I thought he couldn't have been more serious. Chewing the side of my mouth, I pulled it over my head, messing up my hair.
Tilting his head, he peered at me. “How do you look amazing in everything you put on?”
“Stop it,” I said, blushing hotter. I saw myself in a window, and I wondered what he was seeing, because I just looked like I'd flown for several hours and needed some caffeine.
His fingers slid into mine, holding tight. “Come on, let's get to my place.”
Sinking into the sensation of his touch, I followed at his side.
The taxi ride was smooth, and while I boggled out the window at the palm trees and buildings, Silver never let go of my hand. Once, he pulled me close, kissing me without a care that our driver was watching.
He held on all the way until we pulled up outside of a bright white condo, and it was only because he needed both hands to gather his suitcase and the shopping bag we'd brought from the lingerie store.
“This is gorgeous,” I said, once we'd arrived on his floor. I spun so I could see every angle; it was even bigger than the place he had in Portland. It also looked more modern, everything sort of minimized—the chairs, the glass tables, the ceramic bar.
“I'm glad you like it. I haven't been back for a month, it's good to see everything is still here.” His chuckle said he didn't really expect someone would rob him. And, considering the security in the lobby, why would he?
“Want a drink before we go out?”
“Just where are we going?” I asked, stopping to squint at him. “I didn't bring much to wear besides all that lingerie.”
I'd meant it as a joke, but his sharp smirk made me pause. “You could wear one of those outfits and get away with it. But I've got something on hand that will work.”
“'On hand?'” I repeated. Silver headed to one side of the giant room, crossing the wide window view of LA that some people would kill for. Kneeling by the suitcase he'd packed in his car, he dug inside.
In a flash of fabric, he yanked a black dress into view.
Covering my mouth, I swayed close enough to see the outfit. “Why do you have that?”
“It doesn't matter.” He stood, offering it to me.
In wonderment, I ran my fingers over the the dress, but I didn't take it. “It does matter. When did you pack this?”
He said, “When I decided last night that I'd convince you to come to LA with me.”
Amazed, I started to close my grip on the black dress's hem—then I stopped. “We're not going to a funeral, are we?”
Cracking a smile, he shrugged. “If we were, you'd look incredibly stunning.”
“I'm sure the grieving family would appreciate that,” I teased. Gently, I looped it over my arms. “Okay, so I've got a dress. What about—”
“Shoes?” He nodded downwards, and I followed his eyes to spot a pair of glossy heels in the bottom of the suitcase.
Just how far ahead had he planned our evening?
Is he planning beyond that? I suddenly wondered.
Shaking myself, I grabbed the shoes and cradled everything in my arms. “I guess I'll get ready for... whatever you've got in mind.”
He smiled so hard that his eyes crinkled on the edges.
****
I'd never seen anything like Hollywood at night.
It was everything I'd ever dreamed of.
“You're going to fall out the window,” Silver said, chuckling.
He was driving a convertible—another car he owned that stayed in LA—and I'd insisted the top stay down. My hair was tangling over my face, but with the taste of the wild night life on my tongue, I didn't care.
Silver pulled down an alley, parking on a quiet street. We were surrounded by graffiti and the air lost its exciting energy, replaced by garbage. Even so, I noticed many of the other cars in front of meters were as expensive as Silver's.
Taking my arm, he helped me down the sloped sidewalk. There was no line in front of the barely lit entrance. A man who looked weirdly like the man who'd checked my name off at the Red and Ripe sat in a rusted chair.
With a quick glance at Silver, he nodded for us to go inside. I'd expected him to ask our names, but maybe he didn't need to. Or maybe he knew who Silver was? Eyeing him, I was blinded by darkness as we passed through a hallway.
“Are you ready?” he asked, pulling up short in front of a black door.
Laughing, I looped my arm with his. “Do you honestly expect me to turn back now?”
Winking, he let me inside.
Hanging from the ceiling wer
e giant cages. Gold and opal, they shimmered under the circles of lights overhead. That was majestic enough, but it was the contents of the cages that took my breath away.
Women. Real, actual live women. Flashes of color highlighted their nudity, white boots the only things they wore. Each of them swung and gyrated, and a few weren't alone behind their bars.
I had a clear shot of a man fucking one of the dancer's doggy-style.
“Well?” Silver asked, running his fingers up my spine. “Is this okay?”
My heart was rumbling, but I managed to meet his stare. “This is what you planned for tonight?”
There was no hint of shame in his face. “Last time, our fun was cut short.”
Anxiousness crept into my bones. It made a home there, refusing to be evicted no matter how I tried to calm myself.
Around us, club-goers danced and shouted. They wore everything from suits to barely-there jean shorts. I didn't know the name of this place, but it only seemed to care about one thing; being erotic.
Silver urged me further into the swaying bodies, his touch as firm as any chain. Turning me in a circle, he brought me close to one of the large, white cushions set around the outside of the club's dance floor. This was good, because my legs were wobbling on my heels; I needed to sit.
“Can I get you a drink?” he asked, looming over me when I settled.
“That'd be great.” Laughing uneasily, I grabbed his sleeve before he could leave. His eyebrows went up. “Look, I know I seem nervous. Okay, I am nervous. But it's okay, I'm not going to run away this time.”
Silver considered me carefully. There was a softness in his eyes, just beyond that ever-constant layer of mystery. “I believe you. So let me go get you that drink.”
My hand fell away. I set it in my lap once he'd slipped out of view among the throngs of people. Crossing my bare legs, I looked around and tried to act normal. What's normal for a sex club? Jeez, if Laralie knew I'd come to one of these places—twice, even—she'd lose her mind.
Silver broke back into my eyesight, two glasses in his hands. He was smiling, but right as he got close to me, his attention swept just over my shoulder... and his joy vanished.
“Hey! Kes!” Someone was waving an arm, heading our way with purpose. The man looked as if someone had poured a hundred pounds of nails into a smelter, then carved the hard metal into a multitude of swords.
