Chapter 42
CHAPTER
FORTY-TWO
EMMA
Istill felt shaky and nauseous. Images of the murder scene flashed through my head like a horror movie on repeat.
It was becoming quite a habit, having to erase horrors from my mind.
And I knew they’d live with me for a long time to come.
That, and the thought that he might still be out there, watching me, despite what Alex had said about him being locked up.
But I’d agreed to get into the car with Alex and take a drive to see whatever it was he wanted to show me.
When we pulled up outside my house, I turned to Alex, feeling a little confused and concerned that he’d brought me back here so soon. I’d expected him to try and keep me at his home for longer.
“Are we here because the house is ready for me to move back into?” I asked, but I couldn’t deny, the thought of being alone again filled me with dread. Especially after today.
“Not quite. The attic still hasn’t been secured.
Your landlord is an asshole. He promised it’ll be done by next week.
I told him I’d do the brickwork with my own hands if it wasn’t, and he threatened me with legal proceedings.
That amused me. He obviously has no idea who he’s dealing with. But it’s fine. It’s being sorted.”
I nodded in a daze, apprehension still buzzing away in my brain like a swarm of wasps had taken residence in there.
“So, why am I here, if it’s not ready?”
I peered up at my house as we sat in the car. It didn’t feel like home anymore, which was sad. I had loved this place at one time. My slice of freedom and independence. I hoped it’d feel that way again soon.
“Let’s get out and I’ll show you why,” Alex replied, and the thrill and secrecy of what he had to show me intrigued me enough to agree.
We climbed out of the car, and he came to stand next to me, holding my hand as we walked up the path.
I glanced sideways at him, still feeling a little suspicious despite my curiosity.
But from the way he hummed to himself, he wasn’t apprehensive at all.
The nightmares that plagued me weren’t even on his radar.
Once we got to my front door, he took out the spare key that used to live in Ethel’s drawer and unlocked it. Then he pushed the door open and stood back to let me walk in first.
I walked into my house, but stopped when I saw what he’d done.
It didn’t look like my house anymore.
My threadbare carpets had been replaced with plush, expensive cream carpets.
The kind he had at Sunford Manor, that made your feet sink right into them, they were so luxurious.
The walls were different too, now covered in the prettiest cream, patterned wallpaper.
Subtle yet stylish. Exactly what I would’ve picked out myself.
Stunned, I stepped further into the room, noticing the fireplace wasn’t my old electric fire with the scuffed, worn-out wooden surround.
It was a marble hearth with an open fire, and the most beautiful, gilded mirror hung above it on the wall.
I glanced to the side to see my old sofa with the mismatched cushions wasn’t there either. In its place was a leather corner sofa with pretty, grey cushions. I reached out to touch the arm, and the softness of the leather made me sigh. This would be much comfier and cosier than my old scratchy one.
Then I saw the art on the wall, the simple pencil sketch of a ballerina, the one I’d found on Pinterest that looked so stunning I’d saved it to my mood board.
There was a new side table too, next to the sofa, with the pewter abstract sculpture on it that I’d saved on the same mood board.
Or was it silver, not pewter? I couldn’t tell. But there was one thing I was sure of.
“Did you go through my Pinterest boards to do this?”
My whole living room looked like the dream room I’d always wanted when I’d searched online for interior design ideas that I’d probably never be able to afford.
“I might’ve looked at your socials for some ideas. Was that okay? If you don’t like it, I still have your old stuff in storage. I can put it all back if you want me to.”
I was speechless.
“Alex, this is...” I was stunned. Overcome with a mix of emotions. “It’s absolutely stunning. It’s what I’d wish my home to look like if I could have it any way I wanted.”
“But you don’t have to wish anymore. Because it does look like this.”
I knew what he was doing. He’d taken my fear and the violation of that man breaking into my home and tried to turn it on its head. Create a new beginning for me. A clean slate.
I couldn’t deny, the panic and anger from earlier was slowing wilting and dying inside me, because of him.
I slipped my shoes off, not wanting to tread any dirt into the gorgeous cream carpets, and padded across the living room to stand in the doorway of the kitchen.
That too had been given the Alex Kingston makeover.
The cupboards, which used to be a little tatty with the vinyl peeling in places, were now solid wood.
The worktops weren’t chipped and stained; they were expensive marble.
And even the appliances, that had seen better days, had been swapped for high-end replacements.
“Alex, this must’ve cost a fortune.”
“It was nothing,” he replied, coming to stand behind me and wrap his arms around me. “I liked doing it. You deserve a little luxury, especially after everything.”
I turned in his arms to face him.
“Thank you. This is so thoughtful. It’s so much. Too much. You’ve turned my little house into the perfect home.”
He leaned closer to whisper in my ear, destroying the last remaining wasps that’d plagued me earlier. Replacing them with fluttery butterflies and sprinkles of gooseflesh that made my skin prickle and the hairs on my neck stand on end.
“I saw your Pinterest board for the bedroom, too, but I might’ve added a few of my own touches up there.”
The flutters in my stomach multiplied as I gazed up at him.
“And what touches would those be?”
“Well...” He pretended to look coy as he said, “I saw the padded headboard you liked, but I am partial to a metal bed frame. They’re very practical, you see.” His shy, coy act didn’t last long, and I saw the wicked glint in his eyes as his gaze darkened.
“Practical in what way?” I teased, wanting to coax that darkness out further.
He took my hand and pulled me towards the staircase.
“It gives me somewhere to secure my handcuffs. I do enjoy a little role play.”
The flutters in my stomach flew south, landing right in my pussy as it clenched at the thought of where this was going.
“I think I might need to see this bed frame... and try out your role play first-hand.”
“Anything for you,” he replied, leading me up the staircase.
Once we entered my bedroom, with its new, grey velvet opulence, he headed for the silver bedside table, slid the drawer open and took out a set of handcuffs.
“So, you like role play,” I stated, my heart racing inside my chest. “What role am I playing, exactly?”
He turned to face me, stalking towards me like a predator about to devour his prey.
“I thought I might play the role today.” He reached for my hand, lifted my arm, and secured the cuff to my wrist.
“And what role might that be?” I asked, letting him take the lead, giving him full permission to cuff me, to do whatever the fuck he wanted with me.
He pulled me towards the edge of the bed, ready to secure me to the metal bedframe. He clicked the other cuff into place and then leaned close to my ear.
“That I’m the one watching you, stalking you, waiting to take what I want. And what I want is...”
He was turning everything on its head today. Taking what’d happened to me and reclaiming it, creating something for us. Rewriting the script.
“What do you want?” I asked breathlessly, my panties already soaked and my core aching to feel him again as I bent over, holding the bed frame.
He reached between my legs, rubbing his palm over me.
“This. I want this tight little pussy. I want to fuck you so hard you can’t handle it.
Make you come all over my cock again and again.
Have you begging me to stop, but I won’t.
Because this is my pussy. Mine to fuck as hard as I want.
” He leaned closer as he said the last part.
“All mine. Only mine.” And then he bit my earlobe, making me moan and push my ass back into him.
His words made my core clench, and my pussy throb. I wanted exactly what he promised.
“Where do you want me?”
“On top of the bed. Leave your clothes on. You’re taking a nap. You’re all alone. And you don’t expect anyone else to be here.”
He stalked over to the window and drew the curtains, dimming the room and giving us privacy.
I did as I was told, laying down on the bed fully clothed, and I closed my eyes, immersing myself fully into his fantasy.
Seconds ticked by and nothing happened. No sounds, no touches, no talking, just silence. And just as my body began to relax, I heard the click of the lock on the bedroom door and I gasped, playing my part of the lone, vulnerable woman.
“Who’s there?” I whispered, but he didn’t respond.
I held my breath, listening intently as my heart pounded against my rib cage.
I heard a gentle sound, the brush of fabric as he walked slowly over to the bed, and then the crackling sound of his zip as he undid his trousers and let them fall to the floor.
I squeezed my eyes shut, begging, “Please don’t hurt me.” This shouldn’t be turning me on, not after everything I’d been through, but it did and I couldn’t explain why. There was no reason to it, other than I knew I was safe. Alex made me feel safe and able to explore experiences like this.
A fingertip grazed my cheek, brushing a hair out of my face, and then I felt the warmth of his breath as he whispered, “I won’t hurt you... if you do exactly as I say.”
I was panting now, the fear and excitement making me nervous and needy all at once.