Chained

"I saw you getting back up. I went to help you up, and the only thing that I could think of was how much I wanted to be inside you. I pushed you back to the ground, and waited. You did nothing. I took hold of your chin, and looked you in the eye. I saw desire there, flaming as bright as my own. I twisted my hand in your hair. I thought you would object, fight me, or do something. You did nothing, but followed my instructions like an experienced submissive."

"When I put my hands between your legs, you were soaked. I couldn't imagine that you didn't want me. Your body and actions encouraged me to keep going. I wasn't sure that I would be able to get all of myself inside you without hurting you, but you were so wet that it was a perfect fit. I relished the way you fit me like a glove. I waited for you to fight me, but your body relaxed around me. Do you deny that you wanted me?"

I shake my head, "No. I wanted that." There is a mixture of relief and desire on his face. He leans forward, and I scoot back. I am not ready for this conversation to be over. He sits back in his chair, and regards me. I return his gaze, and wait for him to continue. "My equal in more than one way," he says wryly.

"When I slapped your ass, it wasn't just you that I was trying to control. I fought with my desire to fuck you like an animal. The way you moaned and whimpered the entire time drove me to a fever pitch. You were like a gorgeous feline, sensuous and unapologetically sexual. When you begged for more, I lost it. The only thing that I could comprehend was how to get you to orgasm; to give you the pleasure that you gave me."

"You came on me twice. You screamed your pleasure to the sky. The smell of pears and our sex filled my nose. It intoxicated me, and the only thing that I could think of was; what I was going to have to do to ensure that I will never have to let you go. As I carried you back to camp, I made a decision that I was going to have to seduce you."

"The next day, I went to the cabin to get supplies while you were sleeping. On my way back, I heard you scream, and I was terrified. I saw that filthy bastard on top of you, pawing at you, and all I saw was red. The only thing that I could feel was fury that he was hurting you. I was so disgusted with myself for leaving you vulnerable. When I snapped his neck, the only thing I felt was pleasure at snuffing him out."

"When I saw you on your hands and knees vomiting, I was ashamed. It was my fault that you were in that position. One that I forced you into. Later, at the stream, you ministered to my body in a way that I had no right to, yet I couldn't turn you away. Then you submitted, let me care for you, masturbated in front of me, and rode me like a prize stallion. Later at the camp after eating steak, you consented to playing the game."

"When I was explaining the rules, and you joked about whether I was sure I wanted to let you go after working so hard to capture you; I thought I was going to be physically ill. I had to focus on you, to bring myself back into balance. After you left he camp, and were out of view, the twenty-minute time restriction seemed like an eternity. At its end, I was in a frenzy to find you, and you didn't make it easy. I lost your tracks several times. I never had civilian prey evade me so well."

"If you hadn't been in that clearing, I don't think that I would have found you. The passionate, animalistic sex that followed still makes me rock hard each time that I think about it. The next morning, you felt like a dream in my arms. I pushed you to tell me that you were mine. I needed to hear you accept that you belonged to me, even if only for that moment. Then you asked the question that I had been dreading. 'Why abduct me.' You were right. I had seen that you were attracted to me."

"I was honest with you. More than I have been with anyone else. I deserved your anger and hatred. Yet you stood there in the forest, rain hitting your skin, and looking like a dryad clothed in flesh. Even though I had just been sated, you stoked desire in me. I wanted to hold you close, and never let you go. After you woke up, you were saucy and playful like a kitten. I had a hard on for the entire move to the cabin watching your butt, knowing that you weren't wearing panties."

"When we were at the cabin, you looked like you belonged there. Then Carl, dumb, and dumber came to the cabin. I was hoping that they would get in their truck, and head back down the road. They must have seen you, when you saw them pulling up. I can't tell you the things that I saw in combat, but I can tell you that I would have preferred combat over seeing that bastard's hands on you."

"I could have strangled you for disobeying me. You scared the hell out of me. You were in his hands, and I was powerless to do anything. I thought that he was going to take you back to wherever he came from, and do who knows what to you. However, you stayed calm, and gave me an open shot. That takes courage."

"From yesterday to today, I can't decide what aspect of you that I am more impressed by. The fact that you know the 70 Cuda has a 426 Hemi, or that you make biscotti that is better than any that I have had in Rome. Seeing these other aspects of you just wants me to make you mine even more fervently. I want to get to know you, better. I want you to be my submissive."

He sits back in his chair, and looks at me pointedly. I focus on my breath, and calm myself. "In all honesty, I loved the time I spent in the forest. My body craves yours, even now. My psych recognizes you as my partner and mate. Nothing would make me happier than to be bent over this table, and feel you cover me. Feel you deep inside me, driving us both to release."

"I'm not going to go to the police about the abduction. While all four deaths were self-defense, disposing of them, and failing to report it is a crime that I am duplicitous in. You don't have to worry about prosecution."

"You took my consent, and treated me less than to satisfy yourself. It has put me in conflict with myself. I see that you are earnest in your desires, but I need time to decide if this what I want. I want time away from you. Where proximity doesn't influence my feelings, thoughts, and desires."

He stands up. He looks me in the eye, and holds my gaze. He searches my face. I return his gaze. If I can't be strong enough to stand up to him, then I can't be strong enough to be his partner. He sees that I am unwilling to back down.

"Know that you are mine. While I will be patient, and wait for you to come to terms with it, I will not accept another sniffing around what is mine. Do you understand?" I nod. "Yes, and I expect that same consideration in return."

"Agreed." He nods his head, turns around, and walks out of my house. As I go to the door to lock it, I hear the Cuda start and take off. I clean up the kitchen, go up to my room, get undressed, and cry myself to sleep in bed.

Morpheus is ignoring me. I give up on sleeping, long before the sun rises. I am restless, and my mind plays last night's conversation on a continuous loop. My eyes see his face as if it has been imprinted on my subconscious. Hurt, disappointment, and anger mar his features.

I drag myself out of bed. I need clarity and focus. I get into my closet. I grab my yoga mat, and unfurl it onto the floor. I stand with my feet apart; parallel to my shoulders. I clear my mind, and let go of my worries. I focus on my breathing, until it is slow and rhythmic. I shift from one asana to the next, flowing smoothly. When I finish, I feel at peace, relaxed, and strengthened.

I roll up my mat, and put it away. Standing in my closet, I pick out an ensemble for work and a casual knit hoodie/pant set. I lay my work outfit on my bed, and dress in the knit outfit. I head downstairs, out the door, and lock up behind me. I walk a couple of blocks to a greasy spoon diner.

The place is fairly crowded this early in the morning. Most of the customers have been coming here for years, and know each other by name. My waitress is a veteran of her occupation. I swear that she was a drill instructor in her past life. I order a blueberry waffle, bacon, and coffee. She winks at me, then walks off.

My coffee is set before me, and I add the required amount of sugar to make it palatable. It is strong enough to talk back to me. As I sit and sip, I feel the caffeine seep into my bloodstream. My waffle and bacon arrive. I spread butter and pour maple syrup on it. Yeah, I know it's comfort food, and today I don't give a damn. I eat with gusto, clearing my plate.

I finish breakfast, pay my tab, tip my waitress, and head back home. I pack my lunch, then go through my morning routine. When I am finished, I step out of the door, and lock it. I turn to the street, and get into my car. My Equinox isn't anything special, but it fits my needs.

I park in the garage at work, lock my car up, then head for the elevator. I disembark on my floor, making my way to my cubicle. Shane's office comes into sight. He is sitting in there, looking like a caged predator. His body language communicates a restlessness that I haven't seen from him before. Usually, he is all calm and control.

When he sees me, he visibly relaxes. I head to my cubicle. On my way there, his scent reaches my nose. I inhale deeply. I fight the urge to close my eyes, and bask in it. It pervades my senses. My body reacts, and I feel it flush. This is not what I need right now.

When I come in line with his doorway, I nod at him, and turn into my cubicle. I log into my client, settling myself in for the day. Lines of code float across the screen, as I perform my tasks. The usual office chatter floats over my head, serving as white noise. I feel his eyes on me throughout the day, but I resist the urge to turn around.

The sounds of people exiting draws my attention to the clock. The day is finished. I log out of my client, and shut it down. I walk out of my cubicle to see him leaning against his doorway. He raises his eyebrow at me. "Would you like a ride home?" His voice is incredibly low and husky.

As I look back at him, I feel my mouth go dry. His black on black outfit highlights all that is masculine about him. I want to push him against his desk, and climb on top of him. My body warms at the image my thoughts conjure up, and I feel a deep blush staining my cheeks. I shake my head. "I appreciate the offer, but I drove to work today."

His face takes on an air of concern. "Are you not feeling safe?" I hear a hard edge to his words. "No, no. I'm fine. I drove my car today so that I could do some errands after work." My words appear to restore his calm. His body relaxes. "Are you ready to leave?"

I nod my head. We walk to the elevator. Chit chat about work consumes the ride down to the garage. When the doors open, he steps out, and scans the garage. When he is satisfied, he turns and waits on me. I step out, walking towards him. "I hope that you have a good day."

"Let's get you into your car." He waits for me to lead the way. I use the key fob to unlock my car, as I am walking. He reaches the passenger door, and opens it for me. I smile at him, then get into my car. I start the engine, roll the window down, and strap in. "Would you have dinner with me tomorrow night?" He asks.

"Yes, but I would like to make it at my house." I reply. Surprise passes over his features, followed by pleasure. "After eating your biscotti, I am curious to see what else you can prepare." I blush at his compliment. "You said you were in Rome. Does Italian sound good?"

"Italian sounds delicious. What time do you want me to come?" I think about what I want to make. "Is seven too late?" He smiles at me. "No, not at all." I return his smile. "Then I will expect you at that time." He nods his head, and steps back from my Equinox.

I wave my hand at him, put my car in gear, and drive forward. He stands there watching me. I pull out of the garage, and make my way to the mall.

I meander through the shops, thinking about our conversation from the night before. He admitted that he was wrong, that he had been driven by desire, and regretted taking my choice away. He could have snapped my neck, then disposed of my body after the weekend was over. Instead, he brought me back to civilization and the possibility of legal repercussions.

He plead his case, informed me of his perspective of the events that led us here. Last night, I saw that he wanted me. He held himself back, gave respect to my decision. I know that if I had encouraged him, we would have ended up lost in each other's passions. Yet, he waited for me. He showed me that my submission was more important than his arousal.

Now it comes down to what I want and need. Will I be happy if I refuse him? Will I be able to find someone like him who can give me what I need? It's possible, but it will take a lot of scrutinizing and wading through shit to find it. That doesn't even guarantee that whoever replaces him will be equally compatible with me, or what I want.

I walk out of the mall with several bags in tow. My purchases include a couple of weeks' worth of sexy bra and panty sets, four full lingerie sets in jewel-toned silk and lace, several pairs of ridiculously sheer stockings, and bees wax candles.

I haul my purchases out to my car. When everything is settled in, I start the car and take off for the grocery store. I pick up fresh eggs, milk, cream, Parmesan cheese, garlic, shallots, cherry tomatoes, baby portabella mushrooms, baby greens, fresh herbs, lemons, cream cheese, two loaves of Italian bread, and balsamic vinegar. The girl that sacks my groceries follows me out to the car. When she is done putting my haul away, I tip her, then leave.

After hauling all the sacks into the house, I put away my groceries. I run upstairs, changing into a tank and boxers. I return to the kitchen. I begin pulling items out of the fridge and cupboard. I am starting some of my prep tonight, to save time tomorrow.

I spend my evening baking fresh croutons and a four-layer, lemon sponge and cream cheese frosted torte. I brew two pitchers of tea, sweet and unsweet. I candy lemon peel to decorate the cake with. I blend a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. I process fresh herbs into softened butter, then mold it into a slim metal cylinder. I put everything away, clean the kitchen, and head to bed.

I wake up early the next morning, dress in casual clothes, and head to the fish market. The mongers greet me with a smile, holding their fresh catches up. I return their smiles, but I am looking for a specific prize. Finally, I see them; big fat tiger prawns. I select the amount I want, pay for them, and leave.

I stop at a deli before I get home. I order a red eye and an onion bagel with lox and cream cheese to go. I get home, put my shrimp away, have breakfast, then start my morning routine. Maybe it's the coffee, but I feel like I have an electrical current running through my body. I am energized and amped to get out of the gate.

I get to work, ride the elevator up, and head to my cubicle. As I get closer to his office, I see that he is watching me. He smiles at me. I return it, then head to my cubicle. I log into my client. I open my programs, and focus on work. I catch him watching me unapologetically throughout the day. I smile at him, then return to work.

I look up at the clock, realizing that the day has flown by as fast as the code that I monitor. I save my work, log out, then shut my client down. When I turn around, he is standing there at the cubicle entrance. "Are you ready to go?" I nod. He steps back to let me pass. "I'm going home to start cooking, but you can come whenever you like. I don't mind company while I cook."

His face shows pleasure. "I have a set of casual clothes with me. Can I change at your place?" I nod my head. "Yes, that will work." He motions me to the elevator. We make our way to our cars. He settles me in my car, then gets into his Cuda. He motions for me to go, and I take the lead.

We park in front of my house. I unlock the door, and set my gear down on the table. He follows me in. "The guest bathroom is off the kitchen. I'm getting changed, then I will be down." He nods at me, stalking off in the direction of the bathroom. I run upstairs, change into jeans and a tank, and come back downstairs.

He is coming out of the bathroom when I enter the kitchen. His jeans and black T-shirt remind me of the forest, and my mouth goes dry. "I'm going to put my clothes away in the Cuda." I clear my throat. "All right, I am going to start my prep." As he walks out of the kitchen, I watch his snug jeans mold the fabric to his ass.

I gather all my ingredients for the meal together. He comes back into the kitchen, and takes a seat at the table. "Would you like something to drink? I made two pitchers of tea. I wasn't sure if you would like sweet or unsweet."

"Sweet, please." I grab two glasses, ice, and pour us each a glass of sweet tea. I get the pitcher of unsweet tea, and add the simple syrup from the candied lemon peels that I made the night before. I blend the syrup in, put it back in the fridge, and start my prep.

I mix and knead pasta dough on my cutting board, then set it aside to rest. I peel and de-vein the shrimp. I put them back in the fridge. I start boiling water for the pasta. "Can I help?" I stop in my tracks. "Yes, you can, but the point was for me to make you dinner." He shrugs. "I like to be useful." I laugh. Oh, you're that and more." He waggles his eyebrows. "I'm glad you think so."

With both of us working in the kitchen, we make short work of dinner. He tosses the greens with herbs and tomatoes. I start the Alfredo sauce, while he rolls and cuts the pasta. As the pasta cooks, I sauté shrimp, mushrooms and garlic in chardonnay and butter. I combine the elements, then transfer them to serving bowls. He sets the table, as I slice the herb butter into thin pats for the bread.

The meal is placed on the table. He breathes deeply, closing his eyes. "It all smells so good." I realize that I am holding my breath, waiting on his approval. I let it out. I serve both of us, and wait for him to start. He digs in with relish. I am content to watch him devour his serving, as I eat my own. He cleans his plate, and my vanity is satisfied. "Would you like seconds," I ask.

He sits back in his chair. "Did I see a cake?" I laugh. "Yes, you did see cake. Lemon sponge, with lemon cream filling, cream cheese icing, and candied lemon peels. Would you like a slice?" He nods his head. "That sounds perfect." I get up from the table, fetch a cake knife, and serve us each a tall, thin slice of the cake.

I watch as he forks a bite of cake into his mouth. His lips wrap around the sweet, and I feel the familiar pull towards him. Pleasure makes its mark on his face. He says nothing, just steadily decimates the lemon confection.

When he finishes, he sits back, and laces his fingers together over his stomach. "I am completely satisfied, because that was incredible. Thank you for inviting me." I bask in his pleasure. "You're welcome, and thank you for coming. I like your company." Pleasant surprise softens his features. "Do you?" I blush. "Yes."

I get up from the table, and start clearing the dishes. He joins me in my task. Soon the kitchen is set right.

We take our glasses into the living room, and sit on my loveseat. Darkness has fallen, and the soft light from the beeswax candles create an intimate setting. His face gets serious and hard. "Did I take you from someone? Did I cause an irreparable damage?" I consider his question.

"I owe allegiance to no man, and I wasn't with anyone. I am my own. Do you have someone waiting on you? Do you have an agreement with other partners?" Gravity fills the air between us. "I was single when we met, and I was not seeking entertainment with anyone else." His voice is low and deep, reverberating its way through me.