Page 109 of Easy
One
LOUISE
‘You seem nervous.’
The prospect seems to amuse him, but he’s right. It had seemed much easier in the club—easier in the dark of the cab. It felt natural to play along with his promises, the kind of promises that might sound like threats to other girls.
I want to fuck you until you can’t stand.
Sign me up for some of that, but do so quickly because my tequila bravery won’t last forever. Maybe the change of pace has me feeling off balance. His reaction is like the tango; quick-quick, slow. Is it natural to want to be pinned against the door? Held tight in his hands and fucked hard on all fours? And why is he watching me so? Whatever the reason, his eyes remind me of a tiger. And I’m feeling deliciously like his prey.
‘Do you play?’ I ask, my eyes alighting on a chess set. Expensive looking and highly polished, the set appears to be in the middle of a game. ‘What?’ I look up at his low chuckle. ‘What’s funny?
‘Oh, nothing,’ comes his reply, though his expression clearly says otherwise. ‘I do play. Chess and... other things.’
‘So cryptic.’ I take another sip of my wine as I continue my examination of the room. Pale, sumptuous sofas, a large oriental rug, and abstract, original artworks. From a chair, he watches me with a dark-eyed confidence as I move around the room. ‘I like games,’ I say, filling the silence. ‘Or at least I did when I was small. Mostly.’ At the incline of his brow, I realise my tone is tinged with bitterness. ‘My brother and I are the kind offight to the death siblings.’
‘I prefer games of an adult nature and find wagers add to the appeal.’
‘I’ll betyou’ve made that an art form,’ I say, ignoring his meaning. ‘Such a sultry purr,’ I tease, my wave of wine bravery carrying me on. ‘I imagine you’re very popular with the ladies.’
‘I do okay,’ he answers, his eyes heated and hungry as they travel over me. ‘And some nights I do more than okay.’
A little overwhelmed and a lot turned on, I plant myself on the sofa opposite him. I have the insane desire to saylet’s fuck, but instead, I manage, ‘Then let’s play.’
‘I don’t think you’re ready for the kind of games I play.’
‘Then why do you think I’m here?’
‘To fuck.’
‘And you’re quite particular in your tastes?’ Despite my cool demeanour, nerve endings seem to pulse at the surface of my skin as I recall his earlier words.I’ll tie you up. Watch every line of your body grow taut with an elegant distress.
‘I believe I said I like hurting pretty girls.’
‘Maybe I’m a pretty girl who likes to be hurt.’ I don’t think my voice has ever sounded so sexual.
‘Maybe you are,’ he answers reasonably. ‘Or maybe you just think you are.’
Oh, God, I am—I want to be. ‘Oh, a dilemma. Am I kinky or vanilla? Where would your money lie?’
‘I’m trying to decide.’
‘Play me to find out,’ I challenge, swirling the wine in my glass. ‘Cards... poker... you decide. The winner gets to decide how we fuck.’
‘To the victor goes the spoils?’
That sounds a little open-ended. I’m not sure I’m ready for that—all my openings would probably be ended, for sure.
He’s smirking as I look up. I hadn’t said that out loud, had I?
‘Terms to be negotiated following defeat,’ I add, ignoring the possibility.
‘I look forward to it,’ he purrs.
‘Don’t fret. I won’t betoohard on you.’
His deep burst of laughter resounds through the room. ‘I like a woman with confidence. Though I’m not sure I have any playing cards here,’ he says as his eyes drift from mine, scanning the room. ‘Something simpler, perhaps.’ His gaze moves back to me. ‘A word association game.’
