Chapter Twenty-Five
We bust through the front door; Taylor kicks it closed behind him. He picks me up, his strength making me feel weightless. My legs wrap around his torso as he takes me into his bedroom. He throws me down on the bed and pulls his shirt off. I can see his hardness nearly bursting his fly. That body. Yum. I am hot all over and I just want him to get inside of me.
“Undress for me but keep that skirt on,” he commands.
I pull off my cardigan, revealing a black lace bra underneath. It is one of the bras I unknowingly purchased for myself. I motion to take off my thigh-highs that are held on by garters.
“No, keep that on too, but show me those beautiful breasts of yours.”
I sit up, unclip my bra and slowly slide each strap down my arms.
“Mmmmm.” He licks his lips, and looks at me like a lion stalking his prey. “Come.”
We go into the darkroom. “I just have to take you in here tonight. There’s just too much inside of me right now.”
“I want to.”
He grins that wicked grin of his and pulls a blindfold out of the drawer.
“But I like looking at you,” I say.
“I determine the rules in here,” he says, tying it around my eyes. I stand blinded, listening to his movement for cues. Minutes later he grabs my hands and ties them up with the same material as last time. I hear him walk away and seconds later the sudden blare of loud music explodes throughout the room. It startles me and I want to make a sarcastic remark, but I am sure he can’t hear me. The music is a mix of drums and synthetic sounds; it is fast paced and aggressive. A man’s voice starts screaming lyrics I can barely make out. Then the volume lowers and he starts to whisper; the change of tone is unsettling.
The volume jumps up again, it is so loud that I can no longer hear what Taylor is doing. I am totally senseless. A slap on my ass jolts me. I feel Taylor working on my hands again, clipping something to the restraints, and then my arms are quickly whipped overhead. The restraints are pulled just taut enough that I am on the balls of my feet. I am stretched, but there is no discomfort yet. The most uneasy feeling is the complete and total exposure to the unknown.
His large warm hands envelop my waist and he pulls me close to him. I can feel his bare chest against my body and then a bite and tug on my lip. I try to kiss back, but his lips are gone just as quickly as they have arrived. He takes a handful of my ass and squeezes so hard it hurts, but then abruptly lets go. He unclips the garters, each one springing as it is released, then he pulls off my panties. I experience complete sensory confusion: I cannot see, I cannot hear what I want to hear, and my hands are tied. While all of my senses are stunted, they also are completely overwhelmed: My ears are full of loud music, and while my hands can do no exploration, the nerve endings on the rest of my body are hyperaware making every touch ripple to the rest of my body.
He leans in close to my face. “Do you remember the safe word?” I nod.
He kisses my breasts, first around the aureolas and then he begins to very lightly lick and blow on the tips. I can do nothing but accept the intensity of the stimulus and wind my hips. The feeling of cold metal envelops the left one and then the right. There is a feeling of sustained pressure, not pinching, but a firm hold on both nipples. I cannot make out what they are, but I can only assume they are the nipple clamps I spotted in the drawer the first time I looked around. Each one had a dangling feather attached for cosmetic purposes, I suppose. I feel them move ever so slightly, as if he is flicking at them, and I moan. They looked so intimidating in the drawer, like devices for torture, but this feels really, really, good.
Kisses and bites run down my torso while he has both hands under my skirt, handfuls of my ass squeezed hard. A new song is playing, but the voice sounds the same, this must be an album.
He yanks down my blindfold. The room is lit in crimson as it was the last time and his devilish figure stands in front of me.
“I want you to watch,” he says in my ear. He drops down onto his knees and begins to roll his tongue tauntingly. He knows it is just enough to make me beg without taking me over the edge.
I observe this powerful man below me in a position of what appears to be submission but I do not fool myself for a second into thinking that I am in control. He takes one leg and crosses it over his shoulder, then the other so that my legs are completely wrapped around his neck and my body dangles from the restraints. He is inside of me, his long tongue penetrating me. I want to grab his hair, I want to dig my fingers into his back, but those decisions are not mine. My body yearns to respond and it does the only thing it can: Gyrating my hips smoothly as my abdomen, wrists and his shoulders bear my weight. I haven’t worked out like this since, well...never.
I am sure I am moaning loudly, but I can’t hear myself through the music. Just as I am about to climax, he stops. I have no idea how he knows, but he does. He slides my legs back down to the floor, they are tired from wrapping so securely around his neck. I am at a loss for what is to come next.
The music stops.
“You like to test me Shy, don’t you?”
“I don’t know what you mean?”
“You are so obstinate.” He circles me as he says this. He comes to my front side, fiddling the clamps with his fingers.
“I don’t mean to be, I guess I just do what I want. I have always been that way.” He smiles as if I just cracked a joke.
“I am going to do what I want now. You are going to trust me on this.”
He removes a pair of stainless steel balls from a pouch. They remind me of those oriental stress balls people roll in their hands. “Relax,” he says as he puts them in his mouth one at a time and then slides the cold metal inside of me. He removes my hands, which are still bound, from the overhead apparatus and picks me up over his shoulder like a captive, throwing me on the large bed.
“How am I going to fuck you?” he asks himself pensively.
I can feel my muscles involuntarily squeezing these balls and like with my nipples, there is a steady stream of tension that keeps my body yearning. He grabs two more leather wraps and binds them to my ankles, and then ties the other ends to the posts behind my head so that my legs are firmly in the air and cannot leave that position.
“God am I going to fuck you silly.”
He slides inside of me cautiously. Instantly, I feel the difference the balls make. It is almost too intense combined with his more than adequate appendage. “Oh, Taylor,” I let out. His next pump is slow but deeper. My moan is louder, he takes each pump a little further, testing my limits. Then he goes hard, it feels unlike anything I have experienced. This may be the closest to the pain and pleasure border than I have ever been before. I find myself sincerely screaming for god and I am not even religious. There is no part of my walls that is not being stimulated. One of his hands supports his weight, and holds my hands down at the same time, while the other tugs at one of the nipple clamps. The sensation of the nipple clamp is so concentrated I can only beg for him to fuck me more. Those are the only words I can utter. I am not Shyla Ball right now; I am just his slave and I beg him to damage me with his whip. He slows down, creating a steady friction, rolling his hips rhythmically. I beg and I beg until the words are unintelligible. He knows what this means, and he pulls on the clamps as I come, contributing to a full-bodied cascade that seems to never end.
I hear his labored breathing as he joins me, collapsing into my chest immediately after. He unties me, but I am unwilling to move. I lay in a drug-like haze I have never experienced before, a place between euphoria and true exhaustion. I try to ask about the balls. “Don’t worry, you can get them later. They are meant to hang out there as long as you would like.” I want to tell him about Eric, but the timing is awful. I will tell him everything tomorrow. He lays his head on my stomach and we fall asleep in his giant, satin-wrapped bed.
***
I jump out of bed in a panic, which wakes up Taylor. This damned room is a black hole, I have no idea if I have slept for five minutes or five hours. I run out into the bedroom to look at the clock. I can feel the weight of the balls inside of me, which force me to clamp around them. I spill the contents of my purse on the floor to find my phone to confirm the time. It’s 7:40. I can get to work in time, but I need to get ready right away.
“Taylor, you really need a damned clock in there.” In there. Last night was a tsunami. I can’t believe we did that! It felt so right at the time. I know what he meant when he said there was too much inside. The powerful release, the total abandon. Maybe, for him, this reminds him he has control; but for me, surrendering my control to him was the most intimate I have ever felt with another man.
He walks up to the threshold of the closet, completely naked, smirking as he watches me scramble.
“Very funny, Mr. Boss. Unlike you, I can’t just roll into work whenever I want.”
I glance up at the mirror. Dear lord, I look like I have been through some kind of brawl. My mascara is smeared all over my eyes and cheeks and my hair is every which way. I quickly wet my hair and slick it into a bun and wash my face. No makeup today. I grab a blouse from his closet. I recently moved some of my spare clothes from the guest closet into the master closet. Shit. I have to tell Taylor about Eric, but there’s no time.
“Are we doing lunch today?” I ask as I reload my purse.
“You’re insatiable.”
“So now ‘doing lunch’ is a euphemism for sex?”
“Ummm, yes?” He walks up to me from behind and kisses the back on my neck. It has an instant calming effect.
“Who’s the insatiable one?”
“I should be able to, no problem. I think I’ll work from home today, so text me with enough time to get down there.”
With that, I bolt out the door. Harrison, who knows my schedule, is already waiting outside. “See you later Mr. Boss!”
I roll into the office with a minute to spare, but I don’t even think that Chad notices because he looks like he is on cloud nine. I text Kristin immediately.
Shyla:
Did you have sexy times w my boss?
“Hey Chad. How are you today?”
“Great! You didn’t say goodbye last night.”
“Well you seemed so engrossed, I dared not interrupt. How much longer did you stay out?”
“Oh another hour or so.”
I asked Lizzy to say bye for me.
“Hey did you see what happened to the other friend I was with? I told her to say bye for me.”
“I’m not really sure. She came back to the table to grab her things and left maybe a half hour before us.” My heart drops. I only hope she did not leave with Eric.
“I’ll be right back.”
I go into the hallway and call Lizzy. There is no answer. I leave her a voicemail and send her a text. I don’t know what to do. I was so stupid to leave her with Eric like that.
Five minutes pass without a response. I go to my desk and try to focus on work. An hour passes with no response. I don’t know what else to do but call Taylor. His phone goes to voicemail too so I follow up with a text.
Shyla:
Have you spoken to Lizzy today by any chance?
10 minutes pass.
Mr. Sexypants:
Lizzy took a couple of days off. I don’t know her whereabouts. Is everything ok?
I don’t think this can wait until lunch. I ask Chad if I can step out for a second because I think I might have a family emergency. He permits me to do so without hesitation. I call Taylor from the lobby.
“Shy? What’s going on? You sounded a little off in your voicemail.”
There is no way he is going to take well to me waiting until now to tell him about Eric.
“I am just a little worried about Lizzy. I haven’t heard from her since last night.”
“Well it’s Lizzy, you know she’s a little crazy. Did something happen?”
I pause.
“Shy, what’s going on?”
“Okay, but you can’t be mad when I tell you. I was going to tell you last night once we got home, but then we started making out in the back of the car, and then the darkroom...”
“What happened.” It is a command, not a question.
“Eric showed up at the karaoke bar last night.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“It was right after I got off of the phone with you. I walked back in and he was dancing with Lizzy.”
“He is out of his fucking mind. Now I know he is following you.”
“He saw me and acted like nothing was wrong. I told them I was going to leave. I was going to find a way to tell Lizzy to stay away from him without telling her about your relation, but I didn’t have time.”
“I am so fucking livid right now.”
“What else could I have done?”
“Well, you weren’t supposed to be there in the first place. Do you think this is a joke?”
“No!”
“Listen, I am pissed at him. He wants to play games and he has no idea who he is fucking with. What did he say to you?”
“Not much. He apologized and I told him to just leave me alone. He tried to start a conversation, he didn’t deny following me, but he implied it was for a reason. There was no way I would find out without engaging him further but, I knew you were coming and I didn’t want to risk another confrontation.”
“Why didn’t you tell me right away?”
“Taylor, my boss and one of your employees was there. I didn’t know what you would do! I was scared around him for the first time and I just wanted to leave”
“So you never got a hold of Lizzy?”
“I texted her.”
“You didn’t - ”
“No, I didn’t tell her who he was. I only said to keep away from him. I assumed she had gotten it and then I got distracted.”
“I’ll call her and if she doesn’t respond, I’ll go to her place.”
“I tried calling her and texting her an hour ago and there was no response.”
“Fuck.”
This was the wrong time to start a new job. Each day there seems to be a new distraction that completely dominates my thoughts. I sit at my desk, exasperated. What kind of shitty friend am I? I left Lizzy with an attempted murderer.
My phone buzzes.
Mr. Sexypants:
No answer. I’m going to her place.
Shyla:
I want to come with you.
Mr. Sexypants:
On my way to your office
I stop into the office to tell Chad it’s worse than I thought. I promise him I will take work from home tonight if I am gone too long.
Taylor sends me a message when he is almost there and I hurry to meet him.
He pulls up in a dark blue Mercedes that I have never seen before. The passenger side door opens up instead of out. Taylor hops out to help me with the door.
“What’s this, a spaceship?” I ask, marveling at the rich interior.
“It’s an SLS.”
“Looks fancy.”
“It is.”
He peels away in an instant.
“What about Harrison?”
“He’s behind us. I want to handle this myself, but just in case things get out of hand, he’ll be with us. I just want to make sure you’re safe.”
We hit the freeway. There is no traffic due to the time of day. He goes so fast I find myself clutching the seat.
My phone buzzes. It’s Lizzy.
“Lizzy!”
“Hey, what is going on? You and Taylor are freaking me out!”
“We tried getting a hold of you and you didn’t call back. We were worried since no one saw what happened to you last night.” I can feel the car slow down when Taylor realizes it’s Lizzy I am speaking with.
“I’m fine, I spent the night out with Eric and my phone died, but now I am really confused because I see this message that you think he’s a creep?”
“Lizzy, did you...?”
“No! We danced and played pool. It was a really good time. I kind of like him so I need to know what you mean.”
“We’ll talk later. He is kind of a womanizer and not to be trusted. I have to go though, I am glad you are okay. Are you still with him?”
“No, he came over to my house for some coffee, but he left just a minute ago.”
We are nearly at her house, but there is no point in visiting now. “Okay, she’s fine, they spent the entire night together and I think she likes him. Shit.”
“Did I hear you say he just left her house?”
“Yes.”
“That means he has got to be on this road going in the other direction.”
“Let’s just let it go.”
“No, I am not letting it go. This has gone on long enough. Don’t you see? He is trying to inject himself into my life.” Just as he says that, my eyes widen as I spot Eric driving in the other direction.
“Was that him?”
I nod.
Taylor makes a sweeping U-turn. Eric slyly merges in between two cars in the left lane. Taylor pulls up to the right of him and tries to get his attention.
“Taylor! Please don’t take your eyes off of the road. This is freaking me out.”
“Sorry,” he says as he falls back.
He follows Eric, who at first appears to be dodging him by weaving in and out of lanes. I take deep breaths, reminding myself that Taylor drives racecars for fun. Eric exits and we follow him. I look back to see if Harrison is still tailing us, but it looks like we may have lost him.
“I don’t see Harrison. Maybe we should just cut our loses.”
“Shyla, he’ll find us. Just stay in the car when I catch up with Eric.” We wind through various residential streets and then turn onto the main road that leads to Taylor’s house. I had gotten so turned around by the chase I did not realize that Eric might be leading us to Taylor’s home.
“That mother fucker.” The two lane road is isolated and very few cars pass through. The road dips up and down which makes it hard to view oncoming traffic in the opposite direction. Taylor tries to make a quick pass, but a car appears over the peak and he swerves back in. The other car lays into the horn. He tries again. Another car makes him swerve back in. Finally, there is a plateau, Taylor slams on the gas, easily passing Eric and turns to block the road. Eric stops. Taylor launches out of the car. “Stay here.”
I pant, completely out of breath, my anxiety at an all time high. I look down and see my hands trembling. Taylor's arms flail in the air, his voice is raised, but I can’t make out what he saying. Eric comes out of the car, shrugging his shoulders, his palms up and facing Taylor as if he has no idea what is going on. Taylor takes him by the collar and slams him onto the car with a loud thud.
I instinctually get out of the car and scream for Taylor to stop, but he is completely tuned out.
“What the fuck are you pulling? Following my girlfriend? Trying to hook up with my employees? Get out of my life!”
“So, I’m not allowed to make friends in this city?”
“No! Remember when you tried to have me killed? You piece of shit. You were supposed to get the fuck out and never come back.”
“I grew up here. I am not going to stay out of this city for the rest of my life.”
“Damned right you are. That was the deal. Listen, I don’t know what you’re up to, but stay away from my friends.”
“Why? Why do I have to do that?”
“You’re a loose cannon!”
“I’m a loose cannon?” Eric motions to his collar which is being gripped firmly by Taylor.
“I don’t know what you are capable of anymore. This is my life, these are my people. You have no part in it!”
“You think I’m going to hurt Shyla or Lizzy? Who is the one who has a history of violence against women?” Taylor drops his hands and takes a step back. He looks completely confounded. “Yeah, I know about your little fucked up fetishes. You and your fucking mommy issues.”
Taylor pauses, calmly takes a few steps away from Eric, then abruptly turns back and decks him right across the face. Eric falls over, gripping his jaw. His lip is cut open. He touches it and, shocked, examines the blood and then laughs mockingly. He looks up at me. “Shyla, do you see who he is?”
Taylor kicks Eric in the stomach. Eric clenches his gut and groans in agony. “Taylor!” I scream and try to run to him, but I feel someone hold me back. I didn’t even notice Harrison was here.
“Get the fuck out or I will make you,” Taylor points at Eric below as he says this.
He walks back to the car. His pressed shirt is now wrinkled and off center, his hair wild, nostrils flared, his eyes blue flames.