Chapter Fourteen
“Wow,” Elisa said, holding up the piece of paper. “That's incredible.”
We were sitting at our little table in the tiny kitchen, eating our lunch and admiring the design I'd spent four hours on. When I'd returned home from the office, I'd soaked in the bath and thought about my assignment. I didn't want to remember the beatings of my foster father, and yet, the emotions that had arisen within me were still close to the surface. If I could design something beautiful, maybe they would go away.
And so I did.
“I've always loved the way you draw, it's so intricate. However, this... it's something else.” Sitting back in her chair, Elisa lifted her phone and aimed it at my picture.
Launching forward, I knocked her hand away, almost toppling the phone from her fingers. She yelped and fumbled, just about catching her precious gadget.
“Sorry,” I said, getting up and tucking the paper into my folder, “but I'm not sure I want it on social media.”
Tucking her long blonde hair behind her ear, Elissa raised her eyebrows at me. “Or is it because you want your boss to see it first?”
My phone beeped as I put my plate into the sink. Dashing back to the table, I read the text from said being. Of course that was the main reason for not wanting Elissa to share my piece, but also, I wanted to keep it private. It had been inspired by my experience with Joe and I wasn't ready to let the world see it.
“That's him,” I said, flashing my phone, “I need to go.”
Jumping to her feet, she crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her gaze on me. “Don't let him take advantage of you. It's a Saturday, you weren't supposed to be working.”
Waving a hand in dismissal, I grabbed up my bag and headed out of the kitchen, shouting over my shoulder as I went. “We're not working today, apparently.”
“Ah, okay then,” she said, appearing in the kitchen doorway, “I want to hear all about it! ”
Grinning, I wiggled my eyebrows and left the apartment, running down the stairs and out of the front door. Joe's car was parked out front, the engine running and the steam puffing out of the exhaust. I shuddered, just slightly, as I climbed into the passenger side and leaned over to him. He blinked, his eyes widening as I planted a kiss on his cheek.
“What are we doing today?” I asked, trying not to hop up and down in my seat.
As I'd cleaned myself up the day before, I'd reflected on our experience. I'd never orgasmed so hard in my life or felt so vulnerable. My walls had crashed down while I rode on the chair, my trust completely and utterly given over to my boss. I'd slept soundly for the first time in a long time, shocked when I'd awoken to a text informing me that we were going on a date. I hadn’t really wanted a date on my day off – said no one ever.
“We're going for a walk in the woods.” His words were accompanied by a wink as the car set off.
Speechless, I gaped at him, not sure what to reply. I had to admit, walking had been the last thing I would've pictured us doing. And yet, the idea of being out in the open air, with trees for cover, was a little titillating.
“I love nature,” he said, surprising me, “ever since I was a boy. I lived out in the countryside with my mother and father and I'd always escape to walk in the woods.”
I smiled sideways and tried not to blush when he glanced over and smiled back.
“You do seem the down to earth type,” I mused, “but I have to admit, you've shown me a richer side to yourself now. I'm not sure I know who you really are yet.”“
Clearing his throat as he drove, he nodded. “I understand why, I haven't exactly been straight with you.”
“The owner of a club,” I said, glancing down at my unsuitable footwear. “Wait, I haven't got shoes for walking in mud.”
The corner of his lip lifted. “It's okay, I have some for you.”
Narrowing my gaze on him as the car made its way out of the city, I pursed my lips. “Do you now? Is that because you take a lot of women walking?”
“Jealous, are we?” he quipped, taking my hand as I went to playfully smack him. “There's no need. I know your size so I got you some boots, that's all. Now, let's go back to the club.... Do you know anything about it?”
Sneaking a glance down at our joined hands where they rested on the gearstick, I shook my head. “Just that it used to be a theatre back in the day. Tell me more about it. How did you come to own a club? Oh, you probably did a design job there and fell in love with the architecture.”
“I don't need to tell you anymore, then, do I?” He chuckled. “You basically know it already. Except, it used to be the place where high society held private meetings, away from the public eye. Aristocrats would come together to share their fantasies.”
“Fantasies?” I blurted, “I was not expecting you to say that.”
Shrugging, he took his hand away to flick on the indicator and drive us into a wooded car park. I'd been so intent on his face and the touch of his hand, I hadn't noticed that we were out of the city and in the countryside.
“You'd be surprised by what went on in these places,” he muttered, parking up and turning to look at me. “And still does.”
“At your club?” My response was met with a quietening kiss.
“Let's go,” Joe announced before I could press him on the matter.
Ah, so he had shushed me with his lips and his mouth. What was I supposed to take from that? Wait, what type of messed up shit went down at the club? Surely he hadn't got the chair from the club? Oh, gosh, my mind was whirling with questions as I got out of the car and followed him to the boot. My boots slid on the muddy leaves and I had to right myself.
I hadn’t immediately baulked at the idea of getting dirty, but I had wished he'd warned me before we'd set off so I could've changed out of my skirt. Luckily, I had thick leggings underneath, so they'd keep me warm.
“Will these do?” Joseph asked, pulling out a brand-new pair of expensive looking Wellington boots.
They were black with such a shine on them, I felt guilty at the idea of walking through the mud. Not wanting to make a fuss, I nodded in reply to his question and took them from him, balancing against the car as I changed into them.
“You could've warned me we were doing this,” I said, looking around when I was ready.
The orange leaves that barely hung onto their branches were stunning against the bright blue afternoon sky. The trees stood tall, all around us, shielding us from the busy city not too far away. I breathed in deep, enjoying the cool air as it entered my lungs. Clean. So much cleaner than London air.
“Sorry,” he said, shutting the boot of the car and zipping up his jacket. “I didn't want you to refuse. ”
I watched his muscles flex as he bent down to tuck his jeans into his own boots. His arse was gorgeously enhanced by the denim material that hugged him in all the right places. He looked delicious in his tight black tee and red and black chequered jacket. A proper country gentleman.
“I wouldn't have...”
My sentence trailed off as the lie echoed around us. He raised his eyebrows as he took my hand and led me into the woods. I smiled up at him, tracing his dark and grey stubbled jaw as the tall trees engulfed us, cutting us off from the car park. The birds sang high in the branches, and yet, there was a silence I wasn't used to. It calmed me as I breathed deep and looked around, admiring the prettiness of the changing season.
“Do you know who I look up to the most?” Joe said, staring ahead.
His intensity made me lick my lips. He hadn't opened up to me, and I'd been scared to ask much, so I had to let him speak. “No,” I murmured, “I have no idea.”
“My mother.”
Uh huh. Well, that wasn't what I’d been expecting from the hulking man who had a kink for bondage and younger women. Maybe naively, I'd thought he'd reply with an architect or artist.
“I know,” he said, watching a bird as it took flight from the branch above our head, “it seems cliché, but I just wanted to protect her, you know?”
“From your father?” I asked, tucking my free hand into my jacket pocket.
He inclined his head and went to open his mouth, pausing when a bird squawked and took flight, making us both jump.
I waited for him to go on, but he went silent, distracting himself by watching the crackling leaves beneath our feet. There was no point in trying to get him to talk, he wasn’t the type to allow someone else to dictate the pace of a conversation.
“So,” I muttered, smiling up at him when he led me through a gap in the trees, “it's a pretty cold date.”
Narrowing his gaze on me, he carried on walking. “Don't worry,” he replied, “I'll warm you up soon.”
My mouth gapped open as I sped up behind him, trying to catch up to his long strides. Was he expecting me to get naked in the woods? A spark of desire made my pussy pulse and I grinned, suddenly up for anything he suggested in the wild.
As the trees narrowed, a small pathway appeared. My curiosity piqued as we went through a gap between the trunks and came to a stop. There, hidden away, was a small white bell tent with a fire pit in front of it. The logs were piled up, ready to be lit.
“This is... my surprise?” I glanced behind us, checking that there wasn't someone waiting in the wings.
Nope, apparently, it was just us, in the middle of the woods. I couldn't tell whether I was more shocked at the fact that we were in the middle of nowhere or that he expected us to sleep in the creepy place overnight.
As Joe got busy igniting the fire using a lighter and some kindling, I unzipped the tent and glanced inside. Plush blankets adorned a mattress of some sort, piled up enough to cover ten people. He obviously wanted to keep us warm, but I wasn't sold on the idea.
“Have you ever camped before?” he asked, smiling when the small flames started to lick the bottom of the logs.
Clearing my throat, I shook my head. “I can't say I have. Coming from the city, it's never appealed.”
“Do you prefer luxury?” he cocked his head as he looked up at me from his crouch.
Staring at him, I blinked slowly. “I shared a room with several children growing up, none of whom were my relatives. I'm used to crap sleeping conditions. However, I do prefer a proper toilet and some preparation.”
“Preparation for the toilet?” He rose into a stand and stepped closer, looking down at me. “Or for other things?”
Ah, so maybe he had brought me out here to show me a good time. I wasn't complaining, except, yeah, I was totally complaining. I preferred the hotel room on our first date, I wasn't going to lie.
Linking my arms around his waist, I smiled up at him. “Both. Although, I'm not so sure about the creepy crawlies.”
Chuckling, he tucked my hair behind my ear and grasped my arse cheeks in his hands, squeezing hard. “It's okay, I'll keep you safe.”
Enjoying the thrill of his promise, I leaned up for a kiss. He hovered near my mouth, teasing me with his warm breath. I looked into his eyes, frowning when his intense gaze turned serious.
“Let's sit,” he said, brushing his lips against mine before pulling away and plonking down onto a camping chair.
I hadn't even noticed the two seats nearby: I'd been too engrossed in the idea of sleeping in the woods. Who did that anyway? Was it even legal?
“Please,” Joe said, taking out a flask and waving it in the air, “sit down with me. ”
Going closer, I took the chair and moved it nearer to the fire. The flames were starting to build, slowly rising towards the sky. The heat was strong enough to start to thaw my frozen hands as I extended them towards the bright orange flicker.
“This will warm you.” Handing me the flask, Joe urged me to drink.
I did as I was told, my eyes widening when the hot chocolate coated my tongue, tantalising my taste buds. A strong kick of alcohol followed the sweetness of the hot liquid. Oh yeah, that was the sort of thing that would warm my bones.
“So,” I said, taking another big gulp of the delicious drink, “why did you bring me here exactly?”
He looked at me sideways before chewing his bottom lip. “I wanted to disconnect from it all, to really get to know the inside of you without any interruptions. No calls.” He held up his phone before tucking it away. “No internet, no people making noise... nothing but us.”
“The animals might make noises in the night.” I looked around us, shivering from the thought of what could be out here.
“You do know we live in England, right?” He winked at me. “There's not much out here that can hurt you. Unless,” he said, shuffling closer and putting his knees either side of mine, “a fluffy bunny or wily fox comes for us.”
Trying to hide my grin, I ducked my head, feeling a little foolish for having the heebie jeebies. He was right, there were literally no scary animals in our woodland, and yet, I looked around us, making sure no one was watching anyway.
“Let's play truth or dare,” he said, raising his eyebrows in challenge.
A fizz of intrigue sent tingles throughout my whole body. Joseph was too old to be interested in teenage games, so there had to be a deeper meaning to his madness. I quite liked the idea of a naughty version of truth or dare.
Threading my fingers through his and resting them on my knees, I pursed my lips. “Okay, I'm game.”
“Truth,” he breathed, leaning forward and tapping me on the nose, “or dare.”
Lifting the corner of my lip into my cheek in a mischievous manner, I raised one eyebrow. “Dare.”
His head moved back slightly, as if he were shocked by my bold first move. I wasn't much into games, but if we were going to play, I wanted to start off strong. A lot of people feared saying dare in case it led to unwanted attention. Not me, not in the middle of the woods. I wanted him to push me.
Itching the stubble on his jaw, Joseph glanced at the fire before he licked his lips. “I dare you to hold your hand as near to the flames as you possibly can.”
Okay, that hadn’t been the type of dare I'd been expecting, but whatever he wanted, I had to comply. Reaching my hand out to the side, I slowly moved it closer to the heat, cringing when I went too near. I didn't pull away, though. Instead, I kept my palm hovering, just far enough away not to burn my skin. The heat still stung, and I gritted my teeth, laughing when Joseph snatched my hand away.
“Very good,” he said, a smoulder in his eyes. “I like your willpower.”
His praise made my cheeks warm, which was embarrassing to say the least. Why would I enjoy his praise? He was meant to be my equal, and there I was, keen to keep the praise coming. It meant a lot to be seen, that was all.
“Truth or dare,” I said, rubbing my hand on my thigh to get rid of the clamminess.
As his fingers stroked my knees, he narrowed his gaze on me. “Truth.”
For a split second, I thought that he would refuse to play. Being a dominant man, he liked to be in control. If I asked a question he didn't like, would he still take part ?
“What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you?”
His nose screwed up and he sniffed before looking away. I sat completely still, holding my breath and waiting to see if he would open up to me.
“My father almost killed my mother and I had to watch. I couldn't do anything,” he blurted, his cheeks going bright red, “until he had left.”
My mouth gaped open, and I forgot to start breathing again. “What did you do?” I eventually said, tucking my fingers into my palm.
“I planned to kill him myself.”
Hugging my knees, I rubbed my lips together and watched him stare at the flickering flames.
“How old were you?” I ventured, hoping I wouldn't push him too far.
His gaze snapped to me as a darkness crossed his features. “Ten.”
Sucking air into my lungs, I nodded. I understood exactly why he would want to murder someone who had done so much harm. I had often dreamt up ways to get rid of my foster father when I'd been a kid. Some of my ideas, although ingenious, had also been disturbing.
“I once dreamt that I pushed my foster father off the top of a cliff and watched him tumble down the edge, smacking and crashing against the rocky surface until he disappeared into the sea, too broken to be able to float to the top.” Wringing my hands together in my lap, I kept my gaze on my fingers.
I'd never admitted my fucked-up thoughts to anyone, let alone a romantic interest. He'd either share his own brokenness with me or run for the hills.
“Was it a dream?” he muttered, “or a fantasy?”
His hands covered mine and I looked up, blinking when his head came closer, and his lips touched mine in a heated kiss.
I grabbed his neck and pushed my tongue into his mouth, swiping it around his in an erotic dance. Something about his question made the hair on my arms stand on end. We'd both shared our dark thoughts and it sparked a deep warm burn inside my pussy.
Pulling away, he smiled at me. “It's your turn. Truth or dare.”
I bit my lips, debating whether to allow myself to be vulnerable by asking for a truth. I wasn't ready for what Joe might ask me after our confessions. I wanted to know more about the situation with his father and whether or not he played out his fantasy. My chest squeezed and I shook my head. No, my designer boss liked strange kinks but he wasn’t a killer.
“Dare,” I said, grinning when he frowned.
“Very well.” Standing, he offered his hand, pulling me up when I took it. “Let's see how game you really are.”
My insides quivered as he led me to a nearby tree and picked up a set of handcuffs, swinging them on the end of his finger. I eyed the metal object, already feeling the cold sting of the material against my wrist. “What do you want me to do?”
“Stand with your back against the tree,” he instructed, nodding when I moved into position. “Now, hold your arms up.” He clipped one of the handcuffs onto my wrist as I lifted them into the air. “That's it, and the other one,” he said, snapping the remaining cuff over my free arm and pinning my wrists together.
I kept quiet as he placed the chain of the cuffs over a small branch, effectively trapping me with my arms held high. The air rushed around my bare midriff as my top rode up.
“You can get free,” he muttered, bringing his mouth near to my ear and leaning his bodyweight against me, “but I want you to stay here, no matter what happens. Prove to me that you can be obedient, and you shall be rewarded.”
Shit, his words almost sent an orgasm rocking through me. There was something extremely hot about a man wanting to control me in the middle of the woods.
“How long do you want me to stay here?” I asked, looking into his eyes as he pulled away.
“Not long.” He stepped back and tucked his hand into his pocket. “I'm just going back to the car to get something. I won't be a moment. Close your eyes...” I went to protest but he laid a finger over my mouth. “...Ah ah ah, you agreed.”
My eyes drifted closed of their own accord, as if they were ready to obey my master. The heat of the fire was too far away to warm me now, but the thought of what he might dokept me hot. Really hot.
“I’ll be back soon.” The sound of his feet crunching on the leaves started loud and then faded, until I could hear him no more. I’d held my breath as he’d walked away, listening for any sign that he would come back and surprise me. Alas, he really had left me all alone.
A bird sang in the trees above my head, the sound calming my frazzled nerves. My back was stiff and the muscles in my arms were starting to ache, and yet, I couldn’t lower them. I even kept my eyes closed, despite the fact that Joseph wasn’t even there. He would never know if I’d sneaked a peek to check if he was returning. It shouldn’t have taken him too long to go to the car, it wasn’t that far a walk.
The sound of a long low whistle made me stand straighter. Was that him? A chill went down my spine as I realised that I was standing in the middle of the woods with my hands tied above my head. Yes, I could no doubt pull them from the branch if I needed, but I was compelled to do as I’d been told, despite the sudden fear that gripped me.
I was alone, I could hear that. And yet, it felt like someone watched me. Opening my eyes impulsively, I checked around, trying to see behind me. It was hard to twist enough to see which direction Joe had gone in. The darkness of the day cast shadows across the woods and the small gap in the bush was completely empty.
Inhaling a long deep breath, I tried to steady the slow tremor inside me. The time was starting to drag, where was Joe? Surely he wouldn’t leave me alone here?
A loud feminine screech sounded in the distance and I jumped, looking through the trees on my right. I couldn’t see anything… Wait, was that a shadow of…? No, it was just a bush.
If Joe came back and found me looking around, he would be furious. I had to calm my brain and relax, he wouldn’t be long .
“It’s fine,” I whispered to myself as I closed my eyes again, “there’s no one around, it’s just me.”
Another scream made my eyes snap open. “Hello?” I called, searching the area with my gaze.
My heartbeat was pounding and my blood rushed in my ears, making it impossible to listen properly. Was there a woman out in the woods? We’d not seen any sign of life on the way in. Unless someone had begun a late afternoon walk.
Breathe, woman, breathe. The next scream had me trembling and I wondered whether to keep my eyes open, just in case someone was watching me. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and tears popped into my eyes. Being out in the cold woods, all alone, was kinda freaking me out. What if someone came before Joe returned and saw me, looking like a fool? Or worse, they could hurt me against my will.
About to pull my arms away from the tree, I yelped when something touched my waist from behind. My heart went into my throat as Joe’s chuckle reached my ear and his hands pushed up under my top, stroking and caressing my skin.
“Are you okay?” he said, his voice deep as his hands explored me.
He had stood behind the tree and reached around the trunk, his long arms able to wrap around me from behind. My heightened senses collided, and adrenaline coursed through me, making my knees shake. His palms pushed up and under my bra, cupping my breasts in a tight squeeze.
“I’m fine,” I muttered, clearing my throat when it croaked. “Did you hear that scream?”
The soft touch of his fingers was thrilling as he stroked down my sides and back up again, running his thumb around my nipple. “No.” He tracked down my stomach and dug a hand into my underwear, burying his finger between my folds and rubbing my clit. “You were a good girl. You deserve to be rewarded.”
Cold air wafted around me as his hands disappeared and he was there, in front of me. Grabbing my hips, he lifted me so the handcuffs came free from the branch. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he kissed me and started to walk. My stiff arms fell around his neck, trapping him as I pressed myself against his waist. The adrenaline made everything feel so so good as he ducked into the tent and laid me down.
“You’ve allowed yourself to be vulnerable with me,” he said, running his hands up my legs and tucking the tips of his fingers into my waistband. “Will you give yourself to me?”
“I already have,” I replied, blinking slowly .
Shaking his head, he started to peel my leggings down my legs. “No, you took me for your own healing. This time, I’m taking you for me.”
My breath was sucked out of me as he undid the button on his jeans and set himself free, shaking the material down his legs until they were hooked around his ankles.His long hard penis sprung free as his briefs followed.
“You're gorgeous,” I said, lifting my cuffed hands into the air as he climbed on top of me.
His hard gaze softened when our eyes clashed. “You're beautiful. You passed your first trust test.”
“I did?” Sighing as he pressed his weight into me, I relaxed into the soft mattress.
“You deserve to feel beautiful,” he said, ducking out from under my arms and rolling me onto my side before tucking himself behind me.
I stretched back against him, pushing my hips into his crotch and wiggling when his cock nudged my arse.
“You took me rough before,” he went on, stroking his hand up my side, “and now it's my turn.”
Smiling, I closed my eyes and lifted my arm above my head, allowing him access to my breast. “You seem like the type who likes it rough. ”
His chuckle reverberated through my chest where it was pressed against his. “Well yes, I wouldn't know how to be gentle.”
His low growled voice made the skin on my arms tingle. The pressure of his hips, grinding against my arse made me gasp in a breath.
“Maybe one day,” I whispered, relaxing my muscles when he lifted my leg and positioned the head of his penis at my entrance.
Leaning up on his elbow, he kissed my shoulder as his free hand took hold of my hair and pulled it until my neck bent back, and I was looking up into his eyes.
“Are you ready for me?” His eyes burned, staring straight into my soul.
A gulp moved my throat and my pussy clenched in anticipation. “Yes, I need you.”
The hitch in his breath was followed by the thrust of his hips. My mouth stretched as wide as my vagina walls as the thickness of him sent pleasure rippling through me.
He didn't pause to enjoy our union, instead pulling out and entering me again, fast and hard. My legs shook as he kissed my shoulder and neck, sending tingles down my body.
Our heaving breath was loud as he lowered my leg, trapping his cock between my thighs. The friction made us both gasp as he pushed up inside me.
“You feel so good.” He panted and reached his hand around the front of me, burying it between my slit and feeling for my sensitive nub.
I elongated my whole body against his, sighing when his fingers circled my clit and delicious jolts fired into my core.
He pulled my hair again and licked my earlobe, thrusting harder and faster. The heat of his breath on my ear as well as the hard bang of his cock made me shake uncontrollably. He had control as he flicked his fingers over my clitoris and the sparks rose up my body until they crested into the sweetest orgasm and rushed back down the entire length of me. A silent scream shot from me, pulling my mouth open wide.
Joe stopped moving his hand, instead holding my pelvic bone still while he ploughed into me, losing his shit with a roar and shudder.
The delicious come-down soothed me as we collapsed, melding into the soft pile of blankets beneath us. Stars danced in front of my eyes as I closed them, revelling in the afterglow of our frantic lovemaking. I'd imagined having sex with someone powerful but Joe's skill had far outdone my expectations. Tears slung into my eyes as emotion gripped me, squeezing my chest.
“I never thought it could be that amazing,” I whispered, partially hoping that he hadn't heard me.
His arm slipped around me and he buried his head into my neck. “Unfortunately, the patriarchy has a lot to answer for when it comes to the pleasure of women, even now.”
Smiling to myself, I blinked away the water in my eyes. I didn't want to let the past ruin such an incredible experience.
“Don't get me started.” Glancing over my shoulder, I raised my eyebrows. “I hope you don't expect me to be a woman who never fights back.”
“Only in the bedroom.” He winked and slapped my arse, making me jump. “Any other time, I like the challenge.”
The smart from his hand made me purse my lips - both sets. I secretly liked the idea of him teaching and controlling me in the bedroom so I wouldn't argue.
“You can be rough with my body,” I said, biting my lip, “but please be gentle with my feelings.”
“Always,” he fired back instantly. “That's one thing I can promise. ”
I hadn't realised how tense I was until my body relaxed at his words. Trust wasn't an automatic response for me, I had to give it time. And he also had to know that I wanted the same in order to return it. Except... if I told him the full truth about me, would he still want me? Only time would tell.