Stepping from the shower into the cold bathroom air makes me shiver, so I quickly wrap myself in a thick white towel. The rough tile is cold beneath my bare feet, so I step into the hall. Padding through to the study, I sink to my knees on the rug in front of the fire, grateful for the warmth now sinking into my flesh, turning my exposed skin a rosy pink.
Picking up the glass of white wine I left next to the hearth, I take a long sip, not bothering to taste its cold sweetness, just waiting for the numbing alcohol to hit my empty stomach. I lift the expensive wineglass to my eyes, watching the condensation leave trails down the sides, my reflection in the flickering amber glow is matching, as I feel tears slide down my hot skin.
It was an argument over a trivial thing, so trivial I can't even remember its origin. My harsh words had upset you, and now you had gone for a walk, just to clear your head, or so you told me. Shivering as water trailed down my back from my wet hair, I decided I was really going to make it up to you. I just didn't know how.
I jump as I hear you open the front door, kicking snow off your boots. Quickly wiping the tears off my cheeks, I knocked back the rest of my wine. "In here Matt," I called. The door eventually opened, and there you stood, your jeans damp from the snow, wool scarf still hanging around your neck, anger burning in your eyes. Or was it the reflection of the fire? Definitely anger.
"Darling, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it..." I broke off mid sentence, my heart in my throat. Striding across to where I knelt on the floor, you grabbed my chin, angling my face up to meet your eyes.
"Don't ever speak to me like that again." You carry on, not waiting for an answer. "You will not tell me how sorry you are, you will show me. I will use you tonight, and depending on how well you perform for me will depend on whether I forgive you or not. Do you understand me?" Unable to move very far, with your hand clamping my chin, I nod quickly, my eyes wide and frightened. I'd never seen you like this before, and it was scaring me. We had only ever tried a little bit of light bondage before, just gentle things, but I never knew you had such a dark side.
You try pulling my towel from me, but I hold fast to it, clutching it tightly, my only defence against the rage in your eyes. But still I did not expect the slap that snapped my head to the right. Leaning down to my face, you snarl at me. "Do not resist me, Lily! Drop the fucking towel and expose yourself like the slut you are." Too afraid to disobey, my face smarting from the slap, I comply with your wishes, and release the towel. Cowering naked before you, my knees start to hurt, but I am too afraid to move.