Elise typed on the computer with rapt concentration until the ring of the phone interrupted her thoughts. She glanced at the caller id display. Her fingers froze above the keys, as her heart began pumping hard in her chest. She stared at the ringing phone, torn between the inexplicable desire to hear his voice again, and the fear that if she did, she'd be drawn into a dark world in which she did not belong.
She didn't realize that she had been holding her breath; until the ringing ceased and she was able to take a deep breathe. She continued to stare at the silent phone until the red message light illuminated. She picked up the receiver and pushed the message button. Fear and excitement bubbled in the pit of her stomach as his stern voice rang through her body. No greeting, no deference to civility, just a phone number delivered in a quick business-like cadence.
There was no mistaking the intention. It was a command.
She shook off the electric effect, and resumed typing.
She lay in bed trying to concentrate on the pages of her paperback. But even the hunt for a serial killer couldn't fully capture her intention. Why had he called again? She had told him, right in front of David that she was no longer interested in seeing him. On their very first meeting, he had told her that all she had to do was say no and she would never hear from him again. Yet here, several months later... the phone rang sending a jolt of panic through her. David reached for the phone. Elise stared at the pages of her book, as David said hello. The seconds ticked slowly, she felt them in the put of her stomach. She knew who it was. David hung up.
"No one there." his words were curt. The meaning made very clear to her. She pretended to be only half listening.
"Must be a wrong number." she murmured trying to sound uninterested.
David settled back, and resumed watching the old western he'd seen at least a couple hundred times before. She felt the tension in his body, knew that he was concentrating as much on his old movie, as she was on her book. Finally, she put down the book, and turned off her light, preferring the cover of dark. What the hell was going on? First, today at work, and again tonight? What could he possibly want? She silently promised David that she would handle this for once and for all tomorrow.
The morning was filled with meetings. She tried to concentrate, but her thoughts were on the phone call that she would make later that afternoon. She rehearsed different scenarios in her mind. It occurred to her that this was ludicrous. She had told him months ago that she was back with her husband. That seemed to end it. But a few months later, she received another call. Elise was flattered, but a little nervous. She once again had explained that she wasn't interested in seeing him again. Had he heard something in her voice? Could he sense her inner conflict? Impossible. She barely knew him. While they spoke on the phone many times, she had only seen him once. That one intense encounter somehow had connected them for nearly a year now. He still invaded her fantasies, and now once again, he invaded her reality. David had been unusually quiet this morning. She was able to secretly check the caller id to confirm what she already knew. She had erased the number from the list, cursing the asshole for the pang of guilt she felt. It didn't feel right keeping this secret from David. But it was not something she was able to talk to him about. But their relationship was not at the point where suspicions and secrets couldn't drive a wedge between them. But she had to choose, she'd choose her secret, rather than endure David suspicions.
She had told David about the encounter. She explained the curiosity that drove her to explore a dark fantasy she had harbored since she was a child. Although, she didn't tell him how it left her wanting more. David was jealous, of course. But he had embarked on a great many sexual excursions during their marriage, which among other problems had caused their breakup. Since they had been back together, they had tried a little role-playing. But, she just couldn't see David in the role of a stern "Master". Although, David had some very dominant characteristics, they were the very aspects that had caused so much trouble in their relationship. The attempts ended in frustration and resentment.
But if she didn't put a stop to this quickly, she would see David's dominant side in a very unpleasant way.
Finally, alone in her office, she replayed that message, writing down the number this time. It took three attempts before she could dial the number correctly. Every nerve was on edge as she waited for an answer. Instead of his voice, an electronic voice informed her call was 'forwarded a message system'. She hung up. He never answered his phone. Instead, he had always called her back when she left a message. She didn't want to talk to his answering system. She didn't want him to call her. She wanted the call to be on her terms. She wasn't his slave awaiting the attention of her 'Master'. The game had to be over now. She decided that if she didn't reach him by the end of the week, she would leave a message... a very pointed one.
He smiled as the display lit on his cell phone. 'Adjunct Systems', his sweet Elise. He had seldom met a woman who was so naturally submissive. And so in need of training. His other slaves were entertaining, but something about this woman struck him in a way that no other had. Damn, the bitch! Her husband would never know her as well as he did. In just one session, he had reached into her soul. A place that he was quite certain no one else had gone. She was his. She would always be his. He could hear it in her voice when she told him that she could not see him again. It was time that she understood her place.
He waited as the sun ebbed from the sky. As usual she was working later than her co-workers. The parking lot was nearly empty. He parked in the usual spot, hidden in the gathering shadows. Finally she emerged from the building. She walked toward her car, while searching her purse for her eyes. He chuckled. She was not meant for this life. She always seemed just slightly out of step. The only time that he had ever seen her in her true element was when she was entangled in his bonds.
"Hello, slave." Her head jerked up, her eyes wide.
She recognized him, of course. How could she forget her one true master? He watched as she pulled herself together. Hesitantly, came to meet him in the shadows.
"Hello, Alec."
He arched his brow. "It's Alec now is it?"
Even in the dark, he could feel her blush. She said nothing as she stood nervously before him.
"You called." he stepped forward, gratified by the shudder of desire that passed though her. Good to see he still had that effect on her.
"Yes. Actually, I was calling you back."
"I hope that I didn't cause you any trouble."
"No." she shifted her eyes away from him. He let the lie pass.
His body so close to hers made her slightly dizzy. How was it that he could still to this to her, she wondered. She felt as if he had her bound in place with only his steely gaze.
"Come with me, just for a drink." it sounded like a request, but his eyes told her different.
"I can't. I have to get home..." her answer held no conviction. He waited while she battled with herself. Perhaps it would be better to discuss this over a drink. She looked around the parking lot. Only a few cars were left. She didn't want anyone she worked with to spot her standing in the dark talking with a man who was obliviously not her husband.
"Okay, but I can't stay long." He smiled and opened the door for her. He watched her pull her long legs into the car, then closed the door. The sound thud of the door made her feel as if she were locked inside. A tingling feeling rose in the pit of her stomach as he slid in beside her. Her mind screamed that this was not a good idea. But she ignored it, chastising herself for being paranoid.
