Altar Ego Read online

  “Close your eyes.” His voice was distant, almost as if he wasn’t even in the room with me. I closed them and stilled myself as much as I could, though I could not control the throb from deep inside. I clenched my thighs together and tried to concentrate on stemming my climax. I heard the noise before I sensed him. A whistling sound followed by a loud thwack preceded the pain.

  Fuck!

  The pain!

  I arched my back as his hand smoothed over the sting and a sob caught in my throat. He shushed me again and brought his weapon down rapidly on the other cheek, rubbing instantly to alleviate the burning sting. My bottom raised and my spine curved, I pressed my face into the chair and bit my lip. I could taste blood and I was unsure whether I wanted to continue, I attempted to move but he deftly moved his fingers inside of me, thrusting them back and forth until I was rocking in time with his movements and while I was occupied he hit again. I cried out loud.

  “Dominic! NO!” I sagged onto the chair as my orgasm ripped through me, I felt my muscles clench around his fingers, pulsing and throbbing. I heard something land on the floor and felt his hand behind me as he slowed his movements, pushing gently upwards and then slipping out and finding my tiny bud, which was now hard and sensitive to his touch. I gasped as he put a little pressure above it and felt him nudging at my behind.

  “Do you still say No Elise?” His voice was ragged and breathy. I did this to him. Me.

  “No...I mean I...” I ground myself against him once more, this time causing the head of his erection to brush against my opening.

  “Please Dominic...” I begged.

  “I thought so...” He said and rammed himself into me. I tightened my hold on the chair leg with one hand and lifted my other arm behind me, catching his hip with my nails I pressed into his flesh pulling him deeper into me. He rubbed my clit as he pounded into me and we moved in perfect rhythm together as one.

  I cried out just as he grunted and I felt his warmth spill inside of me as I pulsed around him milking every last drop from him. He slowed down moving his hips in small circles until his orgasm subsided, and he collapsed onto my back, kissing my shoulder blades and caressing every single inch of my damp flesh. I slowed my breathing down to a manageable level and relaxed underneath him. I smiled, totally satiated and reminded myself to thank Max later on.

  Chapter 13

  “Elise...” He mumbled against my skin. “Elise. Are you okay?” I opened my eyes and hummed in response.

  He stood slowly and helped me to my feet before rapping his arms around me and pulling me close to him. He placed a kiss on the top of my head.

  “You have no idea...” He started to speak.

  I looked up onto his eyes; there was a flicker of emotion. Something had touched him. There was a look I hadn’t seen previously.

  “About what?” I asked, reaching up to brush my lips against his chin.

  He closed his eyes momentarily and let out a sigh.

  “It doesn’t matter Elise.” He stroked my cheek with his thumb. “You did well.” He smiled at me and moved away to retrieve my clothes, buckling his belt as he did so. The cold air hit me and I wrapped my arms around myself in a self conscious manner. This he noticed and knelt in front of me, carefully assisting me in putting my clothes back on. When I was dressed, he took both of my hands in mine and smiled.

  “You look even more stunning with a flush to your cheeks.” I blushed more which in turn caused him to laugh, a deep throaty chuckle. I was warming to his personality more and more. He could no longer pretend to be as aloof and stand offish as he did. I had seen more of him than he cared to admit, and I was silently pleased about that.

  He led me by the hand to the glass wall and pressed the button for the door to open. The soundproofing in the room became even more apparent once we left, and as we headed down the corridor I could hear the muffled sounds of music and chinking glasses downstairs. He called the lift and squeezed my hand tightly as it arrived and the doors slid open in front of us.

  We stepped inside and I watched his back intently as he pressed the button for downstairs. His shoulders were broad and muscular and his hair clipped short at the back of his neck leaving his skin exposed. I let my eyes travel down towards his tight buttocks, and I blushed a little as I relived what had just happened upstairs.

  “It’s rude to stare Elise.” He said brusquely...but his ears twitched slightly and I knew he was smiling.

  “I’m sorry sir.” I replied, my own grin spreading across my face.

  The doors opened as we reached our destination and a couple stood aside to let us exit. The woman was dressed in a corset and little else, her mouth made up with heavy red lipstick and a collar gracing her elegant neck. Her companion was an older man, clearly her master and she waited for him to enter the lift before following him, her eyes focused firmly on the floor. I craned my neck to follow them with my eyes and Dominic took my hand yet again and pulled me away.

  “Is she...?” I started to ask. It was only natural to be inquisitive about the circumstances that brought these couples together, here, in this place.

  “Everyone here is participating with consent Elise. That’s all you need to know.” His eyes darted over my face, as if trying to work out what I was thinking... “We don’t ask questions. Everyone is entitled to their privacy.” He stroked my cheek. “Okay?”

  It was a question that didn’t really require an answer. He didn’t need to protect his members from me. I was here for him and him alone.

  He opened the door and we were back in the throng of the party. The lights were low, the music at a comfortable volume and the atmosphere friendly. There were not many strangers here, of that I were certain. I spotted Max by the bar and moved to join him. I was stopped my Dominic’s hand on my arm.

  I looked at him confused before my mistake became apparent.

  “I’m sorry... May I...? He lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed it tenderly.

  “Of course.” He nodded with a smile and I moved away from him to join Max at the bar.

  “Hey stranger.” He grinned. “Where did you fuck off to?” He stared at me inquisitively. “You have some explaining to do.” He gestured to the barman who swiftly made another cocktail and slid the glass across to me. I picked it up and sipped at it coyly.

  “I’m not so sure I can explain it Max.” I said softly.

  “Well you certainly had an effect on the boss man.” He said, nodding over my shoulder. I turned to see Dominic staring at me. He was leaning against the wall with one hand in his pocket and his eyes didn’t leave mine. It was mesmerising and I struggled to look away and focus my attention on Max.

  “The boss man?” I asked.

  “Yep.” Max drained his glass and nodded again at the barman. “He owns this place. You certainly know how to pick ‘em sweetheart.” He winked as he picked up his drink and held it up to me. I chinked my glass against his and smiled.

  “And anyway...” I said with a wink... “I have some explaining to do?” I laughed. “What about you?” I teased.

  Max let his eyes fall. He was uncomfortable and I suddenly felt bad. I touched his arm and moved in closer. “You don’t have to explain to me Max. I will love you just the same...no matter WHAT you are into.” I smiled at him and he looked into my eyes.

  “It’s not something I can share with everyone Elise.” He sighed. “Most people wouldn’t understand.” I squeezed his arm.

  “I understand Max. Really I do. You could be into anything and I wouldn’t love you any less. You are my best friend.” I sat up straight. “Anyway...Enough of this. What ARE we drinking?” I lifted my glass to my lips once more.

  “Flaming orgasms darling. Highly appropriate I think.” He winked and laughed, and instantly the Max I knew and loved was back in the room. We both laughed loud and then sniggered as practically everyone turned to look at us.

  Several cocktails later and feeling rather worse for wear, I inhaled Dominic’s scent as he approached and gent
ly took my elbow in his hand.

  “Time to go Elise.” He said quietly.

  “But I still have a drink...” I argued, fully aware that my attempts were likely to be fruitless.

  “Well I think you have had enough.” He spoke a little firmer this time.

  “What about Max?” I asked.

  “Max is going to be busy.” He said and increased his grip on my arm. I turned and saw Max being led away by the man he was speaking to earlier. “Now let’s go.” He practically pulled me across the room; manhandling me and being a little too rough for my liking. I struggled the entire way and as he opened the door and spun me around, shoving me through it before following and slamming it behind me, his eyes blazed.

  “Don’t you ever fight me like that again Elise!” His voice was eerily calm though his eyes said something completely different and I felt my breath catch in my throat as he glared at me. It wasn’t fear I felt though. Surprisingly, he didn’t frighten me at all and the amount of alcohol consumed made me feel foolishly brazen.

  “Well don’t manhandle me like that again then.” I crossed my arms across my body defiantly and stared at him, egging him on.

  “Manhandle you?” He ran his hand through his hair and paced the hallway. “Is that what you think I did?” He stopped in front of me.

  “That’s exactly what you did! You manhandled me and you tried to tell me what to do.” I dropped my arms to my sides and unknowingly let down my defences. “You treated me like a possession in front of all those people!” My voice was raised now and my bravery at its crux.

  He stood quite still and didn’t say a word. I relaxed against the wall while I thought of my next move, but I was too late. He had my arms up within a split second, held tightly by the wrists with just one of his hands. His chest was pressed up against mine and he backed me into the wall so hard that I thought my ribs might break. I held my breath and tensed my shoulders as he leaned in, resting his forehead against mine. His other hand smoothed its way up my body till he rested it on my breast.

  “That is EXACTLY what you are Elise.” He crashed his lips against mine, nipping at me with his teeth and drawing blood. I gasped as my body sagged against him. “And what’s more...You like it.” He softened his kiss, caressing my bloody lip with his tongue. I responded eagerly, excited by his masculine display. I should be running for the hills right now. All of my senses were screaming at me to get the fuck away from him, yet the one sense I listened to, was the one that was burning me between the thighs. My desire for him was like nothing I had ever imagined, let alone experienced, and he was right. I DID like it. In fact I loved being his possession, being owned by him.

  He paused and spoke softly now...

  “Tell me...” He stroked my cheek with the pad of his thumb. “Tell me you like it.”

  I looked into his eyes and made a little coughing sound at the back of my throat in an effort to find my voice.

  “I do like it...I like you...I like how you make me feel.” I waited for him to kiss me some more but he stepped away from me taking my hand in his.

  “Good.” He said. All the gentleness was gone again from his voice, and I got the impression that I would never completely know the real him.

  I let him lead me once again through the corridors. As we reached a heavy door he turned to me.

  “Close your eyes Elise.” He rested his hand on the door knob waiting for me to follow his instructions.

  “What? No blindfold?” I questioned him, my eyes still open.

  “Let’s treat this as a test.” He said with a small smirk. “Now...Do I have to tell you again?”

  “No.” I replied and promptly closed my eyes.

  He tightened his hold on my hand and opened the door, letting the cool night air from outside rush in to greet us. I followed his lead and heard him open a car door. He gently pushed my head downwards so that I was in a position to slide into the car. He leaned over me and buckled my seatbelt, his fingers grazing my breast as he did so.

  “Keep them closed...I will let you know when you can open them.”

  The car door closed and a few seconds of silence passed. I wanted to open my eyes, just to take a little peek, but my desire for whatever Dominic was offering me was far greater than the desire to see where I was, so I kept them tightly shut.

  I heard him open the door and slide in to the seat next to me... The engine roared into life and the car started to move. There was no driver...only us...I was aware of his arm next to me, changing gears... and the purr of the engine was different to the car we normally travelled in. This was his car, and it was a sporty one I was certain.

  I felt myself relaxing into the leather seat and slowly drifted off, only to be awoken what seemed like seconds later by a gentle shake of my shoulder.

  “Elise.” His voice was tender and I opened my eyes slowly to look at him. He had turned himself in the driver’s seat to face me and lay his arm across the head rest behind me. His hand was resting on my shoulder as he watched me.

  “Hey.” I smiled as I looked over his face. His skin was flawless and due to the time of night his stubble was just appearing.

  “Time to go home Elise.” He said.

  I turned to glance out of the window and realised that he had parked right outside Max’ house. I was dismayed. I had thought that he would take me home to his place. I couldn’t hide my disappointment.

  “Oh.” I said under my breath, though there was no way he would have missed it. “I thought we...”

  “What?” He replied looking straight into my eyes... “What did you think?”

  I moved to get out of the car.

  “Nothing...I...” He grabbed my wrist firmly, not enough to hurt but enough to stop my escape.

  “Tell me.” He said.

  I sighed. “I thought you would take me to your place.” I looked at him waiting for his response. Instead he let go of my wrist and turned to stare through the windscreen. He gripped the steering wheel with both hands and simply said...

  “I will see you tomorrow.”

  Exasperated, and feeling more than confused, I climbed out of the car and slammed the door closed behind me. I didn’t look back as I headed for the house, stopping to retrieve the spare key from under the shell by the steps. I entered the house and slammed that door too. Once I was safely inside, I leaned against the wall and exhaled. I hadn’t realised until that moment that I had been holding my breath.

  I opened my mouth and screamed out loud. The frustration of not knowing where I stood was beginning to get me down.

  I headed into the lounge where I kicked off my shoes and curled up in a ball on the sofa. Tugged one of the large velvet throws off the arm and covered myself in it. Warm and comfortable, and a little worse for wear, I slept.

  Chapter 14

  As I slowly drifted back to consciousness I could feel a feather light touch on my cheek. I was aware of a presence near me and I hummed softly. I turned my head slightly and felt the gentleness stroke my cheek.

  “Hmmm Dominic...” as soon as I spoke I knew that the scent was all wrong and my eyes snapped open in shock. To my relief Max was sitting on the floor next to the sofa.

  “Jesus Max, you scared the shit out of me.” I proclaimed as I sat up a little.

  “Erm...I would say I disappointed you more like.” He replied with a wink. “I made coffee. It’s time to wake up Sleeping Beauty.” He gestured towards the steaming mug on the coffee table, and I sat up and reached for it. I wrapped my fingers round the mug and sipped at it, burning my tongue immediately.

  “It’s hot.” Max laughed.

  “No shit Sherlock.” Despite the blister forming on my tongue I laughed too. Max clambered up onto the sofa and curled his legs underneath his bum, picking up his own coffee and nursing it. We sat in silence for quite some time, just being us and it was bliss.

  “So... you were dreaming about him too?” He asked.

  “Who?” I smiled as I drank more of the dark smoky liquid. />
  “Oh come on Elise.” He nudged me with his elbow, my mug jolting and drops of the hot coffee spilling onto the throw. “How do you know him?”

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” I laughed as I mopped up the spill. “It’s all a bit strange.”

  “I will tell you what is strange.” Max interrupted. “You refer to him as Dominic. THAT’S what is strange!” He was watching me intently, waiting for me to respond. When I didn’t, he went on... “Nobody calls him Dominic. He is just Dom.”

  “But that’s his name.” I said.

  “It may well be, but he is Dom. Dom by name...”

  “Yes I know...and Dom by nature. I have been filled in on that little gem already.” I rolled my eyes.

  “Elise...the man is dangerous. He has every submissive falling at his feet and you should NOT be getting involved with him.” Max was on a roll now and I could feel his voice getting fainter as I switched off to his rant about Dominic. “...Are you listening to me?” He was pissed off.

  “Yes, yes I’m listening. He is no good for me blah blah...I’m a big girl Max. I can look after myself.” I told him, and drained my coffee before putting the mug down on the table with a bang.

  I waited for him to say something else. He didn’t. He wouldn’t dare. He knew how I could be when I wanted something, and he knew full well that nothing he could say to me would put me off.

  “Why were we there last night Max?” I asked. “Who is that man?”

  He looked a little vacant for a second, then squeezed my knee and said dismissively “I thought it would be fun.” He stood up. “I have to get ready to open the restaurant.”

  “You didn’t answer the question Max.” I called after him as he headed for the door.

  “Neither did you princess.” He called back as he bounded up the stairs.

  I laughed. He had a point. Clearly neither of us was in a position to question the other over our secrets right now. He would come clean though. Max couldn’t keep secrets very well, and before so long he would be bursting to tell me everything. I, on the other hand, had gotten used to keeping my feelings in check over the years and so wouldn’t struggle to keep things to myself.