Authors: Megan Fields
Alex peers over my shoulder. “Who’re you looking for?”
“Ella. I’m guessing she still lives locally. I need to see her.” I‘m using 192.com to find Ella’s address, providing she’s registered to vote. I hit search and wait for the results.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? What happened to inviting her to the opening, and seeing if she shows up?” He walks to the kitchen and flicks the kettle on. “Maybe you should give her some space.”
“She’s had ten years of space. I should’ve contacted her before now.” I reply forcefully. “I’ve regretted not keeping in contact with her and I’m not going to go another day without talking to her.” I stare at his back, my fists clenched.
“Well just go careful brother. It’s been a long time and she may not be the same girl you remember.” I eye him suspiciously, but his face remains stoic.
“What aren’t you telling me?” I ask.
He faces me, crossing his arms across his chest. “Nothing, but people change. Are you still the same person you were when you were seventeen?” He challenges.
I push my hand through my hair. “Of course I’m not, but I can’t believe she could’ve changed that much. She seemed like the same Ella to me yesterday.” I reason.
“Okay, but I’m just looking out for you, both of you really. I know we had no control over moving away, but it broke both of you back then.”
“Well thank you for your concern, but we’re both adults now and can take care of ourselves. I know it hurt like hell to leave Ella, but things are different now. Just being with her for a brief moment yesterday made me realise I’ve never gotten over her.” He joins me at the dining room table with a cup of coffee. “How was the club last night?” I ask changing the subject. I try to stay out of his affairs when it comes to him being a Dom. It’s not that I disapprove or anything, I just like my women to have a bit of fight in them. I love women who own who they are and are confident about what they want.
“The club was interesting. It needs a little work, but the foundations are solid. I met up with a few Dominants that I’ve been conversing with. It was nice to finally meet them face to face...” As Alex is talking, I notice my search has finished and I’m now looking at Ella’s address. I can’t believe she lives so close. I can be at her apartment in the next ten minutes. I barely hear what Alex is saying. “... Jack? Jack, are you listening to me?”
“Yeah, sorry.” I cast him an apologetic look.
“You found her?” He asks.
“Yeah and she lives closer than I thought, opposite Richmond Green.” I’m already putting my shoes on and grabbing my coat. The decision already made to go and see her before I realised what I was doing.
“Go. I hope I don’t have to say I told you so though.” I glance back at him before I leave, his face is still blank. Shrugging off his curious attitude, I quickly headed out the door.
I walk to Ella’s place, my pace quicker than usual, taking the short cut through the park and find myself outside her building staring stupidly at the intercom. I really don’t want to buzz her, but how else am I going to get inside. Lingering for a bit, I finally make the decision to stop being a pussy and push the button for her apartment, when someone comes out. He kindly holds the door open for me and I quickly enter, flying up the stairs two at a time. Feeling hesitant, I knock on her door and push Alex’s concerns to the back of my mind. I see a shadow move in the crack under her door, so I know she’s in there. She must’ve looked through the view hole and seen it was me though. Okay, maybe Alex was right and she needs space, as she clearly doesn’t want to see me. I give her a few more seconds and then make the decision for her, “Ella? I can see your shadow under the door.”
The door unlocks and my jaw almost hits the floor, as she opens it. “Hey, Jack.” She fidgets and pulls her robe tighter.
I clear my throat and try to get my raging hormones under control, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” We linger in the doorway awkwardly, until she holds it open further in silent invitation. As I walk in, I take in the details of her apartment. I don’t know how I know, but it so fits Ella. From the projector I see for movies, to the way she’s decorated it with warm honey tones. It gives the room a welcoming homey feeling. Family photos are spread out around the room and I’m surprised to see the one of us both under the oak tree at school. It reaffirms to me that she hasn’t changed all that much over the years.
She gestures for us to go sit in the living room and we sit at opposite ends of the sofa. Turning to face her, the sight of her takes my breath away. “You okay?” I ask.
She frowns at my question, “I’m fine. Why?”
“You ran out on me so fast yesterday.” She looks down at her hands fiddling in her lap. She looks so nervous and all I want to do is reach out and touch her.
“I'm sorry Jack. Seeing you again, it just brought up a lot of feelings and memories and I... I panicked I guess.”
I’m sure that’s not the reason she took off and I’m a little hurt that she can’t confide in me. I guess I can’t expect her to though, so I go along with it for now. I get up and sit on the coffee table opposite her, needing to close the distance between us. “I'm sorry. I wanted our first meeting to be anything but awkward, but I guess it was inevitable really.” I rest my elbows on my thighs and look down at the floor. My hands are so close to touching her that I have to look away to control myself. She tucks her legs up on the sofa, but in doing so her robe slides open exposing her thigh.
My eyes drift to the expanse of skin and I swallow hard, as I reach out to pull her robe over her leg, my knuckles graze her skin. A static shock catches me off guard and crackles in the silence of the room. I’d heard of the old cliché of people feeling a touch of electric from someone else, but this is a shock so strong it makes the hairs on my arms all stand to attention. My hand lingers on her skin and her eyes meet mine. My fingers slowly caress her softly. Withdrawing my hand, I watch as her eyes close briefly. The moment is spoiled when the front door’s thrown open and Lottie comes in.
“Jack?” She shouts excitedly. She lets out a squeal and launches herself in my direction. I barely had time to stand to greet her before she was throwing her arms around me. Giving her a big cuddle, I pulled back to look at her.
“Hey, kid.” She frowns and pulls away from me, hitting me in the chest.
“I'm not a kid anymore Jack!” She retorted narrowing her eyes at me.
“Ouch” I joke, rubbing the spot she hit. Ella stands up and walks toward what I assume is her bedroom.
“I’m just going to get dressed.” She shouts back over her shoulder. All I want to do is follow her. Slide her robe off her shoulders and watch it pool at her feet, leaving her naked and vulnerable. I’d start by kissing her fiercely, making her lips swell from my roughness, let my hands glide down her back and cup her ass, pulling her against my hard cock. I would push her down onto her bed and then...
“Jack… hello?” I blink and look down to find Lottie, who’s watching me, her eyebrow cocked, hands resting on her hips and a knowing look on her face.
“Sorry, what did you say?” Taking a seat in one of the arm chairs, I begin to drum my fingers on the arm rest impatiently.
“I was asking you what you’ve been up to, but now I want to know what your intentions are regarding my sister.” She’s looking at me with a deadly serious expression.
“You playing the role of protector? I think your sister can take care of herself.” I say jokingly.
“Oh I know she can. I just don’t want her heart to be ripped out again. Are you staying in the UK permanently?” How could she see through me in just five minutes? If she knew I still had feelings for her, then surely Ella would see that as well.
“Yes I’m back for good. Mum still lives across the pond, so I’ll obviously visit her, but England is and always will be my home.” She eyes me suspiciously.
“Okay, but I’ll be watching you.” She points at her chest, then her eyes and finally points at me, before heading off to her room. It makes me chuckle and I’m glad she’s as protective as she is. Maybe she’s managed to warn off idiots in the past. Ella returns and I gulp at the sight of her. She’s wearing the tightest pair of jeans I’ve ever seen and an off the shoulder top that although baggy doesn’t hide her figure. I can tell she’s not wearing a bra and I inwardly groan. I make my way to the kitchen where she’s making a pot of tea.
“Want a cup?” She asks.
“No thank you.” I sit down at the breakfast bar and watch as she moves about her kitchen. God, even watching her complete a simple chore is arousing. She sits down next to me and my eyes drift to her bare shoulder. Her skin’s tanned and I can imagine how smooth it would feel. I close my eyes and take a deep breath; I came here for a reason.
“Listen, I'm sorry I didn’t stay in touch.” I stare at her for a long moment, hoping she can see that I regret it every single day, but she quickly averts her eyes.
“Look, Jack let’s not do this. The past is exactly that and we should just concentrate on the fact that we’re here now.” She looks up at me as she continues. “We should start over and be friends.”
I’m a little taken back by her decision. I would rather talk it out, but if she doesn’t want to, I won’t force her. “Okay, as long as you're okay?” I ask giving her one more chance to be honest with me.
“I'm fine. Honestly.” She tries to say it with conviction, but I can see right through her; always could, but now isn’t the time to pressure her. I will be the friend she needs me to be and maybe one day she’ll let me in on her real feelings.
“Okay then. What’re you up to tonight? Want to grab a bite to eat?” I ask. Standing up and running my hand through my hair, I see her looking at me and grin. I watch her for a few seconds, until she realises I’ve seen her ogling me.
Caught you
I think to myself. Seems I’m not the only one who’s feeling the heat between us. She looks away and takes her cup to the sink.
“I'm sorry I have to work tonight.” She looks at her watch and I take the hint that she wants me to leave. I pause on the threshold and as she stands close to me I can’t help myself. My hand reaches out to touch her bare shoulder. Her skin is so smooth and her chest is rising and falling faster, like my touch has ignited something. Her nipples betray her, as they harden and I find myself licking my lips with the thought of sucking them into my mouth.
“I’m here if you ever want to talk.” My hand slides up to the nape of her neck and I feel her shiver. Her breath catches, as I lean in to place a lingering kiss on her cheek. As I pull back she places a friendly smile on her face and I head down the stairs and silently wave before disappearing.
I sigh loudly as I close the door; turning to find Lottie standing directly in front of me. My hand flies to my chest, “Christ, Lottie!”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” I walk past her and head to my room. “So what’s going on with you two?” Her question is muffled as I close my door in her face. “Ella, talk to me.” She shouts.
“I've not got time now Lottie. I have to get ready for work.” I sit at my dresser and stare at my reflection.
“Okay but you’re not getting away that easily. Are you coming home tonight?” She asks.
“Not sure. I will text you to let you know.” I hear her go back to her room and let out a sigh of relief. I can’t face my own thoughts about Jack at the moment, let alone someone else asking me about it all.
I’ve just slipped on my shoes when my phone alerts me to a text from Alex.
Outside
I grab my coat and head down. He’s driving a different car tonight, a Mercedes SLK 500. I open the door and slide into the leather seat. It moulds to my form and is exquisite to touch. “Nice car.”
“Only the best.” He replies cockily. We get to the club before I have chance to fully appreciate the vehicle and I leave Alex to socialise, while I head to my office to change. He will be fine on his own for a few hours and I needed a break to settle myself.
Later on in the evening, I search him out. It didn’t take me long to find him watching a scene unfold between a Domme and a sub. Deciding to join him, I silently watch Amber tie her sub to a large cross; as she tightens the restraints she whispers something in his ear and I see him mouth, “Yes Mistress.” She runs her hands slowly down the length of his body spanking his ass gently, before she heads to the toy chest and pulls out a flogger. She trails the handle of the flogger down his spine and talks to her sub.
“Beg me.” She commands.
“Please Mistress.” She raises her right arm and hits him; he groans throwing his head back. She continues to wield the instrument with the precision and confidence you’d expect from a master of her trade.
I’m so fixated on the scene playing out in front of me that when a hand encircles my arm I jump a mile and shout, “Get off me!” Alex lets go immediately and holds his hands up in surrender.
“Ella it's me.” I stare at him as my brain catches up and take a few deep breaths.
I take a step back. “Alex?”
“Yes, it’s me. You okay?” Looking around everyone’s eyes are on us. I run to my office as fast as I can, swinging the door shut behind me, but it hits Alex's foot as he barges in after me. I pour myself a stiff drink and shoot it down. “Ella?” He approaches me as if I'm a caged lion about to attack. “What the hell happened back there?”
“Nothing, I'm fine.” I reply coldly, but he doesn’t buy it. My chest is heaving and my hand shakes as I set the glass down.
“What the hell? That was not nothing, you lost it when I grabbed you. Why?” I move to look out my office window, closing my eyes as memories take me back to seven years ago. I’m tied to a bed, our bed. The one I’d shared with the man I loved. The man who I thought loved me. Eric. The man who spent three days raping me. The memories are still so vivid and I can smell his cologne; feel the tight rope around my wrists.
“Ella?” Alex's voice breaks me from my thoughts. I slowly open my eyes and face him.
He looks down and my eyes follow as they land on my hand rubbing my wrist. I drop my hands to my sides immediately and look away. “I... I had an abusive ex.”
“How abusive?” His voice is strained from trying to remain calm.
“Alex, don't.”
“How abusive damn it?” He demands.
I take a deep breath and look anywhere but at him. “He used to hit me toward the end.” I wrap my arms around myself. “When I threatened to leave, he tied me up and... raped me.”
I watch as he paces the office before slamming his fist into the door, making me jump.
He walks back toward me, “Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.”
I reach for him and hold his hand. “It's okay. I'm fine, it’s just sometimes things trigger certain memories and I panic.”
“Is this why you're a Mistress?”
“Yes. When I met Izzy I was struggling. I’d had no one in my life for three years and was pretty much a hermit. She took me under her wing and showed me a way to take back control.”
“Where’s your ex now?”
“He’s in jail.” I reply.
He lets out an angry growl. “I'm so sorry Ella.”
“It’s okay. I really am fine. Therapy got me through the worst of it and when the memories do take over, my friends and family are there for me.” He looks in my eyes and can see I’m telling the truth. “Look, let’s get back out there and soak up the atmosphere.” I try to walk past him, but he doesn’t let go of my hand.
“Ella I’m here if you ever need to talk okay?” He sounds serious, but I chuckle at his comment. “What’s so amusing?” He asks sounding hurt.
“It’s just your brother said the same thing to me earlier.” He let’s go of my hand and I look into eyes that remind me so much of Jack. “I know you’re here for me and I appreciate it, but I’m okay. Please don’t say anything to Jack though okay? Promise me?”
He shakes his head and I think he’s not going to agree. “Okay, but only because I think it should come from you.”
I nod, but I don’t have any plans to tell him if I can help it. I don’t ever want Jack to know how broken I am. I don’t want to see pity in his eyes. I head out to the scenes taking place on the first floor, to make sure everything is going smoothly. As I wander through the club monitoring play and talking with patrons, I feel my panic attack subside. It’s been a long time since I’ve had one and I hope I don’t have another one anytime soon.
By the time I get home its 4:30am. Opening my door, I notice something flutter to the ground. Curious I bend down and retrieve a note from the floor.
Ella
I hope work was okay and not too stressful. I would like to take you out to dinner one night. Just as friends of course. Please say yes? God I feel like I'm 17 again. I promise it will be better than McDonalds this time.
Here’s my number so you can text me
Jack x
His note makes me smile like I’m a teenager again. Leaving it on the counter, I stifle a yawn and head to bed.