I was told, exactly as I’d been told. I couldn’t imagine not having him in my life now. No more emails. No more fucking. Now this new phase had started, I couldn’t risk it being taken away. I wanted more of his cock inside me, and if it meant I could only have it every so often, then so be it.
My stop came, so I got off the bus and headed for home, safe in the knowledge that if anyone I knew saw me they wouldn’t think I was me anyway. Not with this hair, these clothes. They’d realise who I was eventually, of course they would, but for tonight I was safe to slip inside and mull over what had happened in the past hour or so.
I went straight for the mural and stood staring at it while memories filled my head and sexual excitement set my clit to throbbing. I dropped my bag to the floor and walked forward, brushing my fingertips over the painted cock I yet had the privilege of seeing for real. The way it had felt as it jammed in and out of me somehow matched the way I had painted it. I leaned forward, pressed my nose to it, and inhaled deeply. Wishing I could smell it. Wishing that when I dashed out my tongue I’d be met with soft skin encasing hardness, not a cold wall that yielded nothing.
I stepped back, semi-appalled at what I’d just done. I glanced about, as though someone was here to witness my act: then rushed over to the window to snap the curtains closed. I felt across my desk for the lamp and switched it on; staring at the mural now lit a muted yellow. This man, God, he’d wormed his way inside me, and now that I’d had him, his hands touching places I’d only dreamed and hoped he would, I wasn’t letting him go for anyone or anything. So what if I was a little fanatical? I wasn’t hurting anyone. He would never say the stop word, I’d make sure of that.
Chapter Six
The following day, I called the office early, feigning sickness. I wasn’t lying, when I thought about it. I was sick, just not ill. Sick with wanting Liuz. I said I’d be OK tomorrow, back out in the field in search of good stories, and the editor had sighed. There wasn’t much he could do about my absence, really. I was freelance. I just had to hope I stumbled on a good story soon, otherwise he might drop me, decline future stories I submitted, and I didn’t think my landlord would appreciate having to wait for his rent until I earned more money.
I hadn’t slept too well, annoyed to hell and back Liuz hadn’t sent an email last night, not even a thank you or ‘Sleep tight’
.
I felt a huge dose of the grumps coming on, feelings of rejection swamping me whole, and pressed my lips together so tight I imagined they’d gone white.
‘I’m not going down that road,’ I said to the mural, pulling a dressing gown around myself. ‘You’re not going to turn me into a needy, simpering wreck. I’m going to make you want me so much you can’t think, can’t breathe.’
It was all very well me saying that out loud, but could I really do it? Liuz was a strong man, in body and in mind, and I doubted very much he would be easy to break. But everyone had a chink in their armour, didn’t they? Everyone had an Achilles heel. I just had to find his. Once again it came to my mind – what was important to him?
I thudded into my office, booted up the laptop then went in search of coffee. When I came back, my palm curled around a steaming mug, I checked my mail. My heartbeat kicked up a notch.
There was mail from Liuz, and to my surprise there was an attachment.
I gnawed at the inside of my cheek as I waited for the message to open.
‘Hey, Aniolku . I have sent you a present to remind you of our wonderful evening together, though you must tell me exactly how it makes you feel, for as you know I am eager to learn more about how to best realise your fantasies.’
My stomach clenched as I opened the attachment. It was a video, and instantly I recognised the setting. The dull, dishwater colours, the single bare bulb overhead and one
Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan
Lauren Royal, Devon Royal