“Oh my God.” I slump onto the stool at the breakfast bar.
“He’s taking me to Vermont for a few days, I hope that’s okay.”
“Selina, of course that’s okay.” I lie, my heart aching. “I’m happy for you. You must have worked things out.”
“We did. We just realised why we were flat lining, it’s because we just don’t spend enough time together, he’s even talking about moving in together. Yes, I know it’s all back to front, upside down, but it feels right.”
“Then,” I ache to end the call. “Go for it.”
“Thanks so much Talia!” She giggles. “I’ll be home soon!”
I arrive at Matthew’s penthouse near three PM. Hungry, cranky and everything in between, I’m told by Jake to set myself up in the guest bedroom.
I slump down to the bed. Once he leaves, I take stock of the space. I’d expected something like a prison cell, but this room, with its spectacular view of the water takes my breath away. I push through a door in the room, finding a bathroom, complete with soaking tub and again those stunning views of the water that it’s hard not to allow myself to fall in love with it.
“Like it?”
I jump in surprise at the nearness of Matthew. He looms by the door in a tuxedo, the bow tie undone.
“What...why are you dressed like that?”
“Hello to you too.” His lips lift in a half smile. “You need to get ready, we’ve got a party to get to.”
My head starts to swim. He looks utterly handsome and I’ve clearly lost my mind. “I don’t have anything to wear.”
He puts his hands into the pockets of his trousers, offering me that smile again. “Check the walk in, there is plenty there.”
I leave the bathroom, stunned to locate the walk in on the opposite side of the room with Matthew who is following me through the space. “Oh my God...”I step in, the lights automatically illuminating with a soft, alluring glow that brightens to reveal one rack with numerous dresses. I check out the dresses, all figure hugging, mostly in black...and... “Holy shit.” More than my month’s salary. “I’m not wearing these.”
“You are.” He nods to my current attire. “Ripped jeans, Nikes and a vintage tee won’t cut it. And that blonde mop of yours needs a hairbrush.”
I shake my head, really fighting the upset. “I’ve changed my mind.”
“Too late sweetheart,” He fiddles with his bow tie in the mirror, expertly swivelling the fabric until it’s a neat bow. “You’re mine.”
I take a seat on the chair in the walk in, staring at the racks of clothing. I also locate the boxes of heels, and when I bring one to my lap, I’m stunned to find that they are in my size. I eye the spectacular nude heel in awe before stuffing it back into the box. The price alone was nearly the same as my ill fated shift just last night...
When I sequester myself in the bathroom, I hold onto the marble vanity with shaking hands; and that’s when I see the lines of beauty products positioned neatly on the vanity. “Oh God, this cannot be happening...”
I go back to the walk in, rooting through my cases for anything, anything else to wear. Frustrated when I come up empty, I take a peek in the wardrobe again, plucking a stunning black lace gown that has a nude sheath under it. It’s floor length, my size and with its full sleeves, it makes me feel less conspicuous.
I take a quick shower; loosen my hair which has been tied up for so long that it has actually curled. I hit it with an enormous amount of hair spray, put make up on, having to do my lips twice because my hands are shaking...which could be the craziness or the fact that I haven’t eaten since God knows when.
In the act of trying to find shoes to wear, I’m keenly aware that someone has stepped into the space. I look up, finding Matthew appraising me for the door way. “Stand up.” I do as he asks, smoothing down the gown as I go. “Turn.” I nervously tuck my hair behind my ears as I comply. His blatant, hungry stare sends a lazy ripple of awareness through my system. I shouldn’t be enjoying this...but some deep, dark, twisted part of me...is. He steps towards me. “You’re wearing underwear?”
“What?”
“Underwear?” His eyes trace the dress from breasts to my thighs.
“Just panties...”
“Take them off.”
“What?”
“They show through the lace.”
“I’m not-”
He moves towards me before taking a knee, reaching under and skimming his hands up my thighs. I get such a shock that I freeze in place, my hands scrambling for the nearest wall for support. His fingers work lightly, too lightly...like he’s enjoying himself as he finds the band. Hooking his fingers, he slowly brings them down my hips. “Step out of them.” He commands. I shift, watching as he assesses the full coverage panties with an amused smile. “I’ll get you some lingerie.” He tosses them into the bin near the vanity.
We arrive at the Fairbanks hotel just after seven PM. We’d driven in near silence from his penthouse. He’d spent most of his time on his cell, engrossed in whatever he was reading, texting or doing, because I’d given up trying and watched the world go by. No panties was a new thing to me...and I didn’t like it. He, and I hated myself for it, was making me wet. Put aside the crazy ‘I’m going to ruin your father plan’...he was downright gorgeous...and twisted...and what the hell was I thinking?!
The penny dropped like a meteor hitting the Earth when I realised why
