Cassya stirred when she felt movement on the bed next to her. As she slowly rose to consciousness she became aware of an ache between her legs, reminding her of what happened last night. A smile crept on her lips. A voice disturbed her reverie.
"Is it too cliché to ask if you were thinking of me?" The voice said with humour.
She opened her eyes to be greeted by Alaric, casually dressed and holding a cup of coffee based on the smell.
"A part of you maybe, based on how my lower half feels this morning." She half smirked.
He chuckled. "Well... gentlemanly conduct would behoove me to apologise for the discomfort I have caused. But my 'ego' is delighted that you're going to be reminded of it for most of the day."
He gave her a wolfish smile. "Coffee?"
He offered her the cup and she sat up and took it gratefully, giving him a wry smile in return.
"Should I expect that kind of treatment every time we lay together?" She asked as she took a sip.
He pondered for a moment. "You mean me bringing you to satisfaction, multiple times in a night? He raised an eyebrow with a smirk.
She wanted to roll her eyes. "I think you know I meant...where you got a little rougher?"
A hint of concern creeped into her voice.
He cottoned onto what she was hinting at. "I thought you liked that part, you were moaning and squeezing me like you did... If your concern is that I might be one of those men who thinks it's normal and arousing to hurt women in bed. Then that is incorrect. I do not seek to cause pain... I say again for the third time, I do not have any deviant tastes. I may occasionally like to be a bit more dominant, rougher and spank that lovely behind of yours, but it is not something I will force on you if you decide you don't like it. You have the right to veto, it's in the contract." He answered, sounding serious.
She blushed. "I...did like it...but...are you going to want that tonight? I might still feel a bit tender." She asked, feeling a bit sheepish.
He chuckled, clocking her blush and liking her confirmation. His tone became more flirtatious, sultry.
"If you wish... later I can be gentle and tender. Watching you writhe and moan while sheathed around me will still be satisfying. I can also go harder if you ask for it...just like last night."
Cassya's blush intensified. Arousal formed between her legs and her breath caught. Alaric leaned over kissing her, wrapping their tongues together and leaving her breathless. He nibbled her lower lip as they parted. Cassya struggled to keep her coffee cup level as the kiss caused some of her blood to leave her brain. He met her eyes as he pulled away, smirking.
"As much as I would love to take you again this morning, we both have places to be. Finish your coffee, get dressed and Dickenson, one of my servants, will escort you home. I can't offer you my carriage because I need it."
"This Dickenson is walking me home? Will I have to walk back here tonight?" She queried.
"No I'll send the carriage, in future if the carriage is unavailable expect Dickenson to escort you. Unless there is anything else, I will be off, see you this evening."
He left the room leaving Cassya there alone, she enjoyed the coffee. It was a much higher quality than what she drank at home these days, she savoured every sip. She slipped out from under the covers, still nude and found her clothes where she left them the previous night. Redressing herself before heading downstairs. She saw Tessa as she reached the bottom milling about doing chores. When Tessa saw her she gave Cassya a nod of acknowledgement before heading upstairs, presumably to tend to the bedroom now that Cassya had left it. She saw a large, broad man in a chair near the front door, reading the newspaper with his own empty cup of coffee on a table next to him. He was in his late thirties she estimated, he had a strong masculine face and a demeanor that would encourage people not to bother him. Wearing inconspicuous clothes that were in good condition but clearly not expensive. He looked up at her as she walked over.
"Hello, are you Dickenson?" She enquired, in a friendly tone. He nodded. Clearly a man of few words. "I'm Cassya, nice to meet you."
She held out a hand to shake, which he took, giving it a strong grip. She thought it best to try and be on good terms with the staff, as technically she was one of them now in a way. Plus walking home in an awkward silence with this slightly intimidating man was something she wanted to avoid.
He escorted her home and she did manage to get a bit of talk out of him. Learning he was married with a couple of kids and the way he talked about his wife made it obvious he loved her, it was sweet. Cassya thought Dickenson just looked unfriendly, he was more of a teddy bear at heart. When they reached her house, he waited until she was safely in the door before walking off.
Cassya suspected there was probably a hidden purpose to Dickenson being her escort going forward. Maybe it was purely for her safety or perhaps it was something else. Like Alaric wanting to be certain she was headed home and nowhere else, she mused. Time to make breakfast, her siblings were already up and rushed over to see her.
"Sis' where were you? I went to wake you up this morning but you weren't there!"
Her little brother asked, curious.
Cassya made up a believable lie.
"I was so tired after work, I took a nap there. I guess I slept longer than I intended to. Sorry if you were worried."
Her siblings smiled.
"S'okay you're here now."
Her mother came down the stairs as she had breakfast and coffee on the stove. She looked at Cassya, then ushered her to a room out of earshot of her siblings.
"How do we stand Sweet Pea?" Her mother asked. Her face was neutral.
"I have taken the 'job', I have an employment contract of sorts. Written down, it covers the exact figures involved and some of the...ahem...more intimate aspects of the arrangement."
Her mother nodded.
"Six months...that's it?"
"Yeah, I can leave before that if I wish but we have to pay the balance. There's also a provision in the event I bear his child. Along with a weekly stipend generous enough that you could give up the second job, stop working yourself into the ground."
Her mother looked pensive, mildly surprised.
