Read Online Alison's Wonderland by Alison Tyler - Free Book Online Page A

places. I hear a voice, too, echoing faintly in my head—his or mine, I’m not quite sure.
    Thanks for the ride.

The Clean-Shaven Type
N.T. Morley

 
    Belle arrived at the castle at midnight, soaked through to the bone. The rain had been pouring down amid lightning and howling winds for hours, turning the road into mud and making the mountain passes all but impassable. It was a miracle that she made it through—even more of a miracle given that the carriage she rode in did not have a driver, but was steered in and of itself, or perhaps by forces unseen—while Belle shivered and stewed in the velvet-furnished compartment.
    Belle’s carriage was greeted by a tall handsome servant dressed in short breeches and a close-fitting top, a muscular man with a handsome face. He helped Belle down from the carriage with a chivalric hand and a respectful gaze.
    “It is a pleasure to welcome you to the castle, Madame Belle.” That title sounded strange to Belle’s ears; she was not used to being called Madame. “I am Andrew, the majordomo. All the castle’s servants are pleased to be at your disposal, Ma’am. Please say the word and anything you wish will be yours.”
    Dripping, Belle followed Andrew down long corridors and up great sweeping spiral staircases. The castle was cold anddark, this being well after midnight; wall sconces held candles that lit as they passed, but the chill was oppressive. As soon as Belle entered her chambers, the warmth comforted her; a fire burned, creating a comfortable and cozy temperature. The room was enormous and lavishly furnished, with divans of silk and a great four-poster bed fitted with luxurious bedding and silk sheets that had already been turned down. The fixtures of the room were of gold and silver and even more precious metals, and a small table had already been set with glittering dinnerware and a meal of cold turkey and fruit, with great flagons of wine.
    “Shall I help you out of your things, Madame Belle?”
    Standing before the fire, Belle turned and looked him up and down, puzzled.
    “Isn’t there a maidservant?” she asked haughtily.
    “I’m afraid not,” said Andrew.
    A pool of rainwater was growing around her as she dripped.
    “May I help you get undressed, Madame Belle?” Andrew asked again after a pause.
    The honorific reminded Belle that she was not here to serve; she was here for another reason entirely. Her old life on her knees was through, at least until she accepted the Beast’s proposal.
    Belle nodded imperiously.
    Andrew knelt behind her and unlaced Belle’s corset. She took a series of deep heaving breaths as her aching back relaxed. Andrew unfastened the laces down the rear of Belle’s dress and she shrugged the thing off, covering her bare breasts with her arms. Her flesh was goose-bumped and her nipples almost painfully erect. Still on his knees, Andrew obediently slipped Belle’s dress over her hips and the garment fell around her feet. She stepped out of the fabric and turned and stood facing Andrew, nude but for her knee-high, spike-heeled boots.
    “Are my clothes being sent up?”
    “No, Ma’am.” Andrew did not elaborate, which irritated her.
    She took a step closer to him, savoring his evident discomfort as he attempted to position his body to conceal from her his still-growing erection.
    “Put your shoulders back.”
    Andrew flushed still deeper. “I’m sorry?”
    “I said, put your shoulders back, ” Belle repeated, lifting the toe of one pointy boot and deftly placing it on the kneeling Andrew’s shoulder, pushing. This was not easy given Andrew’s stature, but Belle was a tall and flexible woman. Doing so placed her sex in close proximity to Andrew’s face, which caused him to draw a sharp breath as he went slipping back at the pressure of Belle’s toe. Catching himself on his hands, Andrew remained there looking up at Belle, his face level with her sex. The position was awkward for Andrew, requiring him to support his body