After over an hour of soaking in the tub and freshening up, I emerge from Alex's bedroom, rejuvenated and refreshed in a pair of white cotton leggings and a large, plush white heavy-knit sweater. The light wood floor is warm under my bare feet. The sun has surrendered itself to a sudden thunderstorm.
I love this weather.
I make my way downstairs, unable to hear or see Alex. I quickly peek into every room on the main floor, but he's nowhere to be seen.
I guess he had to go out, after all.
Sitting on the kitchen island, I find a sandwich and a note:
Madison,
Raspberry jam and brie grilled cheese.
Please enjoy,
Helga.
That was very sweet of her.
Ravenous, I inhale the sandwich a large mouthful at a time. As I swallow the last bite and realize my plate is now empty, I'm startled by a voice behind me, "Looks like you were hungry." I turn to find Alex leaning against the glass walled corner where the foyer meets the kitchen. "Did you enjoy it?" he inquires with a smile.
"Yes. Very much. Thank you," I'm suddenly nervous being in the same room as him.
"Good," he saunters toward me, "But you have a little jam...just there." He leans forward and seductively licks the corner of my mouth.
"I'm not sure you got it all," I can't help but want more.
"No? Hmmm," he kisses me vigorously and tears away almost as suddenly, "There. Did I get it all now?"
Left panting with desire I can't help but long for more, "I don't think so."
Alex chuckles, "Well perhaps I'll have to work on my cleaning skills." He picks up my plate and puts it into the sink.
"I looked for you when I came downstairs, but you seemed to have vanish," the interrogator in me rears her head.
"I was around," he looks at me challengingly. He knows my game.
"Ah. Because I checked every room."
"Not every room."
Interesting. There's more to this house than I've seen.
I round the island to the sink, run warm water to wash the sticky jam from my hands and continue my inquiry, "I thought I had seen the whole house."
"Not quite everything, Madison." It's clear from the look on Alex's face as he hands me a towel that he's not ready to share the rest of the house with me. I divert attention by playfully tossing the towel at Alex, which he catches inches from his face. He grins and tosses it onto the counter as I gracefully turn and head into the living room.
I walk to the wall of glass at the end of the room and watch the rain falling outside. I hear Alex settle onto the sofa behind me, "Do you enjoy the rain?"
"It's peaceful. It relaxes me. Always has," I am entranced watching the rain rhythmically beat on the window.
"Me too. Aside from the natural beauty of the region and this particular site, the frequent rain was a big factor in my purchasing land here."
"Well you picked an amazing spot. Your home is truly amazing."
"Is it?"
"Oh come on, Alex. You know it's incredible," I turn to give him a look that says I know he's fishing for a compliment.
"To be honest, I've never spent too much time here. As you surely know, our line of work requires quite a bit of travel. I own a lot of homes for convenience, but this one I designed specifically to be my escape, my sanctuary."
I turn to face him, "Well you certainly achieved that. This feels like another world." I move across the room and sit on the opposite side of the sofa, "Though...I have been kidnapped and am cut off. So that may also be a factor."
Alex smirks, "Well I hope that, as a prisoner, you feel you've been treated well."
"So far."
"Good."
I shift awkwardly under Alex's stare, "So...what's there to do around here on a rainy day?"
"Well, aside from certain physical activities, I have an excellent selection of books in the library. There's a chess board in there as well. Or, there's always TV. I have to admit, I love films. With what little downtime I have, I like to lose myself in another's story."
"I know exactly what you mean." Once again I find that I'm on the same wavelength as this man, my detainer. "I love horror films. And sci-fi. And romantic comedies. Ok I don't discriminate any genre, but horror films are my absolute favorite."
"Interesting," he looks somewhat surprised. "Well, would you like to watch one?"
"Sure."
This man watched me masturbate myself a few hours ago with a metal dick and now he wants to watch a horror film.
I'm amused by my thoughts and find myself appreciating the humanity of the man who I once believed was the most evil human being on earth. How quickly things can change.
Alex turns on the large flat screen and pulls up the list of streaming films. He stops at a title, "A movie about a haunting?"
"My favorite kind."
He grins, pushes play and uses the remote to turn off the lights so that we're left in a dark room, lit only by the cloudy light outside. He stands, takes off his suit jacket, tossing it onto the nearby lounge chair, and sits closer to me on the sofa. I pull my feet up beside me and rest my head on the sofa arm, as we lose ourselves in the world on the screen.
The movie wasn't scary, per se, but it definitely had some moments that made me jump. Alex found himself amused every time I twitched. I even found him sneaking his arm around me on the back of the sofa to give me comfort. It felt a bit like I imagine dating in high school would've felt. Unfortunately, I never had that pleasure.
As the movie went on, we found ourselves closer and closer until we were basically cuddling, like a couple on a typical Saturday afternoon watching a movie, though I'm not sure it's actually Saturday. It was, well, sweet. I barely know this man, yet I've never felt that kind've intimacy with another person.
Not since my parents.
Hours later I wake to a darkening living room, covered in a soft wool blanket.
I fell asleep!?
The TV is off and Alex is gone, a red rose and a note in his place. I pick up the rose and hold it to my nose.
Smells so good.
I unfold the note and read it silently:
You're beautiful when you sleep.
It would be perfect if you would join me upstairs.
A.
That word, perfect. Am I reading into this right?
I stand slowly and stretch, my whole body stiff from the awkward position in which I fell asleep. Carrying the rose, I creep toward the floating steps and make my way up them, slowly. Butterflies attack every wall of my stomach as I reach the top and walk down the hall. The door is ajar and I can see that there's a soft, warm glow coming from within. I inhale and push the door open.
Wow!
There are at least 30 white candles of various heights on the floor surrounding the bed. I don't see Alex, but I can hear the shower running on the other side of the bathroom door. In the center of the bed is a white box with a white ribbon and another note. I smile at my dirty thoughts.
Can't wait to see what's in this box.
I round the bed and pick up the note:
If you want this, as I do, I would very much like it if you would wear this.
If you decide to leave and return to the guest room, I will understand.
You are free to do as you wish...
...but I do hope that you will
give yourself to me.
A.
My heart stops beating as I read the last line.
Give yourself to me.
I mouth the words silently, as I untie the ribbon and life the lid. Amid a sea of white tissue paper I find...nothing.
What?
I dig around the tissue.
Am I missing something?
After a few moments, it occurs to me- he means for me to wear nothing.
Clever.
Unable to stop myself, feverish with arousal, I tear off my sweater, placing it on the chair by the window, and go to work removing my leggings, bra and panties. I'm just folding the panties and placing them on top of my other garments when I hear Alex emerge from the bathroom. I turn to face him, completely exposed.
He's wearing only a white towel wrapped around his waist. His chiseled chest is spotted with leftover beads of water from the shower, and his hair is still damp. He smiles and walks to me, "God, Madison, you're so beautiful." He's silent for a few moments as he devours every inch of my body with his eyes. Then he continues, "I'm so glad accepted my offer. I've never wanted anyone so badly."
"Nor have I, Alex," I have to be honest about how I feel. I am nothing else if not honest.
He reaches his right hand out and rubs my cheek gently as he looks softly into my eyes. He comes closer, the knot of the towel pressing against my stomach, and kisses me passionately. He runs the back of his left hand slowly down my body. As he reaches my stomach, I feel the towel drop away, and I feel his strong erection spring to life and press against me. He pulls his lips from mine and gazes into my eyes, "I want to make love to you, Madison."
"Yes, sir, please make love to me," I'm committed to this game as his submissive. I want to try this.
"No, no, Madison. Right now I'm Alex. Just Alex."
"Ok...Alex. I want nothing more than for you to make love to me."
His mouth is instantly on mine, guiding me backward toward the bed. I feel the soft duvet on the backs of my knees. Alex's right hand is on my back, assuring me that I'm being cradled, as I lean and climb backward on top of the bed.