Page 146 of Easy
If only he knew.
‘You don’t know everything about me,’ I respond, something hot and sweet flaring deep in my gut. An image rises like smoke in front of me, tiny whispers of sensations, of people’s eyes on me as I writhe in ecstasy. The full effect of the desire is just beyond my reach. Unexperienced. ‘Have you never heard the sayingthere’s a first time for everything?’ So many firsts with Dan recently, but this one? This one is staying as a fantasy.
‘First times are fantastic,’ he rasps, suddenly pushing me flat and himself over me. The cool metal of his belt buckle prods my hip. ‘Virgins, as a rule,are overrated. But first times and you are something else.’
My heart jumps ever so slightly at his powerful words, though I manage to shrug off the compliment. ‘I so don’t want to hear tales of your deflowering exploits.’
‘Not to worry. The only recent deflowering I’ve been guilty of is joining Hal in knocking off the heads of his mother’sroses.’
‘The poor kid’s already in therapy then?’
‘We were playing Power Rangers.’ Dan shrugs. ‘Not actingout. Well, he wasn’t. He’s fine; she’s the one who needs a shrink.’ He seems to shake himself as though to eradicate the thought. ‘But that is a tale you don’t need to hear.’
‘Agreed.’ It’s too soon. Not to mention, he clearly doesn’t want to share.
How are you faring this morning?’ Pulling himself onto his elbow, he peers down at me with a cryptic smile.
My eyes slide away quickly, my cheeks starting to heat as I recall last night. The way he’d looked as he’d come. His whispered praises and his ecstasy. The marks of the rope on my skin for hours afterwards, a map telling the tale of our evening. His exquisite aftercare.
‘I’m fine, thanks,’ I manage.Booboos all kissed better, thanks.
‘Positively verbose,’ his clipped tone announces. ‘You don’t want to talk? Discuss last night? Go for a review?’
‘God, no!’ This comes out more like a laugh.
‘How very un-American. Perhaps you don’t like first times with me?’
‘I just don’t need a dissection,’ I say with a shrug.
‘But it’s part of the fun.’
‘Anyone ever tell you you’ve got a sadistic streak a mile wide?’
Lying back against the bed, he slides an arm under my head. ‘Sweetheart, I’ve been a pussycat. You haven’t the capacity to like being truly hurt.’
‘That sounds like a slight; should I be offended?’
‘No slight implied,’ he says, before asking suddenly, ‘What would you liketo do next?’
‘I... I...’ Images danced behind my eyelids as though shown on screen; cuffs, hands, teeth. Hot, heavy kisses. Discomfort. The chaffing of rope. An avid audience. ‘Can Ij-just get over last night first?’
Dan laughs, drawing me closer and kissing the crown of my head. ‘You never get over ropes, but I was referring to the rest of the day. How about brunch?’
‘Oh.’ My cheeks burn immediately. Seems this spiral is all of my own making.
‘Not that I don’t have a million nefarious plans rattling around in here.’ He taps his head. ‘If I can persuade you to stay.’
‘Oh, I don’t know. I’ve got things to do. If you want me to stay, you might have to tie me to the bed... ’
‘If you ask nicely,’ he answers, leaning over me to glance at the bedside clock. ‘I might just do that.’
As he moves, I get an inadvertent glimpse of his tattoo. The words in swirling script make me feel quite sick.Belle.
‘But I thought we might go for brunch first.’ When I don’t answer, Dan turns to me. ‘What is it?’
‘What does this say?’ I ask carefully, reaching around him to draw a finger across the ink.
‘Sois belle et tais-toi.’ His French accent sounds perfect, but what would I know.
