Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Jagged Match
   by Nysidra
   Erotic Romance (MF, BDSM, power play)
Summary: The story of a dominant-masochist and submissive-sadist.
   <->
   Valerie propped on the chrome and leather stool in the corner.  She
sipped the weak cranberry vodka and stifled a yawn.  Only an hour gone and
she was tired: mentally and physically.  She didn't want to put on any more
polite smiles, exchange false promises of lunch, or answer to anyone else
for her three month absence.
   An hour was long enough.  She polished off the drink and eased around
the crowd toward the door.
   "Valerie!  Hey, Rich, this is the woman I was telling you about."
   One more polite smile, for the road.  "Mary, how have you been?"
   "Missing you!  That's how I've been.  This is Richard.  We've been
dating for about two months now.  How are you doing?"
   "I'm great."
   "You look great too.  You're not leaving are you?"
   "No, I was just working my way through the room."
   "Good, so am I.  Are you home for good?  You're all better now?"
   "Right as rain." Valerie hoped her smile didn't come across as a glower.
"I'm going to go refresh my drink.  Take care.  Nice to meet you, Richard."
Valerie went to the bar.  Twenty more minutes and Mary won't be able to say
she ran her off.
   Mary's voice carried as she worked her way through the crowd.  "She
spent a few months in rehab.  Poor girl got her head done in by a psycho
boyfriend.  Poor thing has terrible judgement when it comes to men."
   ***
   Alex wasn't in the door for ten minutes when his friend Mark spotted him
and walked over.
   "I'm glad you decided to show."
   "I'm here for David.  That's all."
   "Oh, come on," said Mark.  "I know you love me too."
   "That's your wife's job, not mine."
   "What's my job?" Sharon embraced Alex, kissed him on either cheek.
   "Giving him hell."
   Mark rolled his eyes.  "They are setting up now, should go on in a bit."
   "You all go on.  I'm not running off any time soon." Alex scanned the
room, getting a feel for the crowd.
   Beautiful woman: tailored suit, high heels, but it was her face - not
just her body - that intrigued him.  She stood apart from the crowd,
appeared as isolated as he felt.  She had the body: healthy, soft and
gorgeous, but Alex wasn't looking for a date.
   He moved on, looking at the other power players while they talked and
laughed and sipped the free liquor.  Each time, he came back to her,
finding something new, wondering more about her.
   He needed to stop.
   ***
   Valerie's twenty minutes had come and gone.  The dark haired man walked
through the door and she kept inventing excuses not to walk out.  He had a
sense of a quiet storm brewing under his calm exterior.
   Every few minutes he'd end up staring at her.  Valerie smiled inwardly,
enjoyed his attention.  When he wasn't looking, she furtively took him in.
Handsome in that boyishly cute way, but substantial, strong.
   If she wasn't careful she'd undo all that hard work.  She couldn't let
herself get confused by good looks or a few alluring attributes.
   'Poor thing has terrible judgement.'
   Valerie rolled her eyes.  Hell was other people.
   A girl could dream, so Valerie dreamed about what she would tell him to
do to her.  The way his eyes would light up at her approval.  The way her
heart might race at the thrill.
   No.  This girl could not dream.  She needed to turn her mind to
something else, something healthier.
   Healthy.  She needed to focus on own health.  Fantasize about that.
   She tossed the empty cup.  She needed to leave.  Just when she should
have turned for the door, she went for the balcony.  Maybe the fresh air
would do her some good.
   ***
   Alex kept an eye on her and an ear toward the band.  David worked his
saxophone, the band filled the room with beautiful music.  When she walked
away, his attention followed.  David had his mind on the music.  Mark
wasn't anywhere in sight.
   He could learn her name.  He joined her on the balcony, stood beside her
overlooking the lake.  When their eyes met, that old spark turned his
breath shallow.
   Sparks started fires, and Alex had already been burned.  He should run.
   This close to her, his attraction intensified.  She smelled good, looked
sexy.  He couldn't dwell on past mistakes, no matter how damaging.  He was
in the presence of an angel and he only wanted to think of her.  What she
sounded like, smelled like, felt like.
   Alex took a calming breath.  First he had to say something.
   A breeze fluttered the ends of her skirt.  People passed by the door,
but didn't look out.  He stepped closer.  Below them the occasional car
circled behind the building, a dog barked.  Light applause as the first set
ended.
   Alex knew he was imagining it, but he felt warmer next to her, safer,
secure.  Old urges rekindled as if they had never been put out.
   ***
   Valerie smirked to herself as he eased beside her on the balcony.  Even
with her heels on, he was taller.  She wondered what he'd look like on his
knees in front of her, looking up.  Oh, or crawling up over her body.
   Stop.  It wouldn't last long when he got to know her.  Nothing that
lasted longer ended well.
   Brooding thoughts turned her girlish infatuation into an irritable
discomfort.  He was too close, too tall, and too forward.  Who did he think
he was?
   "Sit down."
   There wasn't a chair on the balcony.  Maybe he'd just go inside and
leave her alone.
   The man sat down on the floor and leaned against the railing.
   Her heart galloped off and her skin flushed.  Instead of looking down at
him she watched the lights shimmer off the surface of the lake.  He sat,
without question.  Was this some kind of game?  Did someone put him up to
it?
   A glance over her shoulder proved no one was paying them any attention.
   He wasn't supposed to listen.  He was supposed to make this easy, to
destroy the fantasy she'd already created of him.  Why couldn't he cause
her own morbid, freakish, and sick thoughts to wither on the vine?
   Now her fantasies were in full bloom.
   He sat as quietly as he stood.  He looked comfortable, content, as if he
didn't have a care in the world.
   She looked at the empty cup in her hand.  Some men would do anything to
get laid.  Well, Valerie knew that feeling.  She handed him the cup.
   "Cranberry vodka, no ice."
   If he was so willing to do anything, then she'd just have to make him
work for it.
   ***
   Alex got to his feet, but left his sense on the floor.  Her voice was so
smooth and self assured without being cruel.  He could have sat there for
hours, waiting for any words from her.  He got more than a word, an order,
and it thrilled his heart.
   He was only too happy to accept the challenge.  It was just a drink ...
just sitting down.  He wouldn't do something that would jeopardize his
freedom.  Not this time.
   "Cranberry vodka and a water please."
   Her proximity electrified his imagination.  Within minutes, she made a
mockery of his assertions: that he wasn't interested in another girlfriend,
he wasn't going to let another woman order him around.
   No, this wasn't like that at all.  He wanted her and he would give her
whatever she wanted.  It wasn't going to go much further than that.  He'd
let her play her game and keep his own darkness to himself.
   David smiled and waved.  Alex cupped his hand to his ear and gave him a
thumbs up.  He could talk to him later.  Right now he had a order to
fulfill.
   She accepted the drink.  "Thank you."
   Below them a woman slurred and stumbled as a shame-faced, balding man
helped her into the passenger seat of a Mercedes.
   "My name is Valerie."
   "Alex."
   They fell back into silence.  Alex eased back down, but this time, he
sat facing her, one leg folded under him, the other extended out in front
of her, over her shoes.  He sipped his water and drank her in.  This dance
of theirs wouldn't end well.  Heightened arousal, attraction, and nerves
warred and collided causing fatigue.
   Why was he letting himself get all worked up over a fantasy?
   ***
   "Do you know the Stewarts?" Valerie looked down at his leg.  He felt
warm, but only a little of him touched her.
   "No, a friend of mine works with them, and the other is playing with the
band."
   "Not the bass, I hope."
   "No," he chuckled, "No he's on the sax.  Do you know them?"
   "I did.  It's been a while." Valerie sighed.
   They barely touched, but she felt like they were lying naked against
each other.  She wanted to feel him, but for all the wrong reasons and in
all the wrong ways.  The fact that she was so keenly attracted to him was a
bad sign.
   "For some ...  strange reason, I am super attracted to you. 
Unfortunately, this won't work.  There are things about myself I can't."
She shook her head.  Let him think she had children or a venereal disease.
Anything would work.
   "I understand.  There are some desires best avoided."
   Valerie furrowed her brow.  Had someone told him about her after all? 
Was he trying to test her?  Why else would he say that?
   Fuck.  He understood?  This was exactly what Valerie wanted, to push him
away, to go home alone, and now she felt upset.
   She'd pushed, but he was still sitting there, still touching her, still
delicious looking as ever.
   A one night stand.  People did that.  She could do that.  Valerie
thought less about her own issues and found herself curious to learn the
nature of his.  He understood?  What made him think that?
   "Stand up."
   One graceful motion and he stood beside her.  He gave her his full
attention.
   Valerie felt the butterflies again, the tiny flip in her belly.  The
look in his eyes caused her breath to catch.  She wanted to tell him all
the dirty little things she had in mind when she looked at him.  Lustful
fantasies rang out like church bells in her head.
   No.  She'd be good for one night, she would.  He was too good to be true
for a reason.
   "I don't know what you've heard, but please don't toy with me.  It's
hard enough just being here in this room full of people judging me."
   ***
   He'd never heard of or met this woman before tonight, but just hearing
that crack in her voice brought out his protective instinct.  Until that
moment he thought she was a stone pillar, good for a moment.  The small
show of vulnerability floored him.
   He didn't bother to ask for clarification.  She must have thought he was
talking about her.  Last thing he needed in his life was more baggage.  His
own was more than he wanted.
   Even still, he wasn't going to let her walk away thinking he only spoke
to her because of idle gossip.  "I've never heard of you or met you before
tonight."
   A small smile.  She emptied her drink, then turned and pressed her lips
to his.  The tentative kiss lingered.  Alex parted his lips to taste her.
She felt good, smelled good.  This relationship of theirs would be over
before it even began, but he was going to give her the kiss he wanted
before walking away.  Alex sucked on her bottom lip and nibbled the swollen
flesh, not too hard, just enough to tease her.
   He felt the fullness of her body as she pressed him to the wall.  Her
hips pressed to his, two small hands gripped his shoulder.  He let go of
her lip in favor of her tongue and caught it between his teeth.  No warning
this time, he bared down and trapped her.
   Valerie whimpered, shuddered against him.
   He let go of her tongue; she kept kissing him.  The woman had a
fantastic pair of lips.  She didn't try and bite or nibble him in return.
Her moans sounded like she wanted more, not less.
   Alex put a hand between them and stepped away.  Of course she was
trouble.  Why else would he have wanted her?  It was like he knew from the
first look.  This wasn't supposed to happen.
   ***
   Valerie rubbed her tongue along the roof of her mouth.  She could still
feel the grooves of his teeth, and the echo of his soft lips and firm
hands. She wanted that again, and so much more of it.
   This was the very opposite of healthy.  Exactly what her therapist
warned her about.  Was it?  Would Brian have sat so silently at her feet?
Did Alan ever work up so gently to find her pain tolerance?
   She leaned in to whisper, "Bite me." She needed to feel his teeth on her
one more time, just to be sure, just to know.
   "Not in public." He stepped away from her and leaned on the railing.
   A couple walked out onto the balcony.  Valerie waved and smiled.  "How
are you all doing?"
   "Great.  They have a beautiful view, don't they?"
   Valerie nodded.
   They bowed their heads and whispered the gossip of the evening.
   His fists tightened around the railing.
   "Alex, right?" She said.
   He nodded.
   She offered her hand.  "It was a true pleasure meeting you, but I need
to get out of here."
   "I'll walk you out."
   Valerie smirked as she headed for the door.  She adored his self
confidence.  He didn't seem nearly as shy and awkward as she felt.
   "Hey, Alex.  Hold up."
   Valerie glanced back, but didn't stall in making her exit.  Maybe this
was the out she needed.  He may not know her, but there was no guarantee
his friend didn't.
   ***
   Alex was still trying to understand that kiss.  He was still pressed
between her and the wall, hearing her moan.  He'd worked so hard to control
himself and his impulses only to lose it with a complete stranger at some
stuffy party.
   A completely gorgeous stranger, he'd give her that.
   Mark caught up while Alex watched her hips sway on the way out the door.
No sane woman would wait, and if he were sane, he wouldn't follow.
   "Did you get to hear David?"
   "Yeah.  He sounds way better than the rest of them."
   "Exactly that's what I was saying.  Remember that next time I tell him
he needs to start looking for another group.  David will listen to you. 
Sharon is in the back with Peggy and Grace.  We might be able to roll out
of here in about half an hour."
   "All right.  If you don't see me around, I probably caught a ride."
   "Having that much fun?" Mark grinned and gave him a pat on the back. 
"Thanks for trying anyway.  I'll give you a call tomorrow."
   "All right.  Take care."
   Alex got out of the house and into the night air.  The cool breeze dried
the sweat on his brow.  He felt like Mark could see right through him, as
if he were some teenaged boy sneaking out.
   He played the stroll through the parking lot cool.  He'd make one or two
circuits.  If he didn't see her, he'd call a cab home.
   ***
   Valerie leaned against the side of her door, palming her keys.  She
should have driven off long ago, but here she was, making the same horrible
decisions she always made.
   When he noticed her, his whole stride changed.
   "Tell me why you wanted me to go away."
   He rocked on his heels.  Thinking of a lie?  Figuring out how to word
it? Deciding to come clean?  "If answering you means I'll never kiss you
again, then I'm not sure I want to do that."
   She grinned.  Here she was, making a fool of herself, but at least there
wasn't anyone around to see.  She wanted to kiss him again.  A dust storm
of erotic wishes kicked up along with that admission.
   Don't do it.  Don't do it.
   She unlocked the car doors.
   "Get in." Valerie felt herself sliding down the rock face she'd spent so
long scaling.
   Five minutes on the highway and ten more until she was in her driveway.
She led him inside the house.
   "Have a seat," she offered as she disabled her alarm.  "Can I get you
something to drink?"
   "Water will do."
   She brought back two glasses of water.  She stood while drinking hers.
   Life was too short to regress to the ways of a child.  She set her glass
down, hiked her skirt and straddled him.  "Is this private enough for you?"
   "Absolutely." He set his glass down on the side table, sat back and
looked at her.
   Valerie sat on top of him, but he made her feel little, inspected. 
"Unbutton my blouse."
   Do it yourself.
   The imagined response never happened.  His warm fingers unfastened each
button of her blouse, those dark eyes of his roamed over her.
   Alex took his time with each button, making his execution of her command
more of a tease.  Once he got the last button undone he rested his hands on
her hips.  "You have gorgeous breasts."
   Valerie leaned forward and presented her cleavage.  "Bite me."
   She expected a soft, playful nibble.  As fevered as her mind was, she
knew he wouldn't be perfect on the first night.  All she had to do was hope
that he didn't try to take a chunk out of her.
   One hand eased up her back and he bit her: hard, firm, exquisitely
painful.  He clamped down and held her flesh between his teeth.  Afterward
he swirled his tongue over the indentions, kissing and tonguing her, making
the sensation linger.
   Valerie shuddered in his arms.  He sent her right over the cliff.  She
kept her panting under control as much as possible, but the aftershocks
were involuntary.
   "Oh how perfect you are," she moaned.
   He had a perfect bite, anyway.  There were plenty of other ways for this
to go wrong.  But it hadn't; he hadn't.  She was still reeling from her
orgasm and he was content to play with his bite mark, kissing it, licking
it, running those vicious teeth over it.  He didn't throw her back, try to
remove her bra.
   "Did you really just have an orgasm?"
   "Yeah," she settled a little higher on his thigh.  "What can I say? 
It's been a very dry season."
   The hand at her back cradled her neck and he kissed her again.  It
wasn't too deep or overpowering.  A post orgasmic make out session on her
couch.  Instead of coming down from the high, she felt herself revving up
again.
   "Come on." She eased out of his lap and led him to the bedroom.  She
shrugged out of her shirt and stepped out of the rest of her clothes.  When
she peeled away her panties, a thick clear strand of liquid glistened.  So
much for the dry spell.  "Your turn."
   Valerie enjoyed the show.  The man was fit, probably hit the gym
regularly with those friends of his.
   "Um," She sighed.  "I'll be right back." She hopped out the bed and set
her alarm.  Once she got under the covers with him she didn't want to
leave. She turned the lights out and rejoined him with a grin.
   He'd made himself at home on her bed.  The covers were turned back.  He
waited for her on his back, hands folded behind his head, and a dead sexy
smirk on his face.
   "Like what you see?"
   "Even more."
   She crawled onto the bed and straddled him.
   "Fuck," she whispered.
   Alex brought one of his hands from under his head and brandished the
foil wrapper between his fingers.
   Valerie giggled and kissed him.  "Aren't you the vigilant boy scout?"
   "More than two rounds and I'll be cursing right along with you."
   "Right, we should make them count." Valerie took the condom from him and
set it aside.  She lay down beside him, half on, half off his body.  "It's
been a very long time, and I ..." Valerie had to be honest.  Life was too
short for bad sex and she'd made too many compromises to fall for a third.
"I want you to start slow.  You're a rather substantial man, so get me used
to you.  Then I want you to use me hard.  If you know the way, make me
scream.  Spank my ass until it's red.  Bite me, grab me, position me. 
Scratch me, but don't draw blood.  Fuck me." She put a finger to his nose
and looked down at his straining erection.  "I'm going suck you off first,
since each round counts."
   "Thank you," he sighed.
   She chuckled and crawled down to take him in her mouth.
   ***
   Alex rolled his eyes back as her tongue worked the area just under his
head.  Those lips and her words unraveled the last of his control.  He'd do
exactly as she wanted, give her exactly what she needed.  All that mattered
was now and her.
   He released into her mouth and moaned as she swallowed him.  He pulled
her up to lay next to him while he caught his breath.  "If you need me to
pull back or stop, give me a yellow or red, okay?"
   "Will do."
   He didn't know how long it had been for her, but for Alex, a woman he
adored, deeply wanted to please, needed approval from?  That had been
years.
   Exactly what she wanted and little she didn't know she'd like.  Alex
slipped the condom on and eased inside her tight, wet passage.  He went
slow, discovering that he hit her back wall just as she met the root of his
cock.  Her pussy stretched to accommodate his girth.
   "On your hands and knees." Alex pulled out and waited.
   She didn't hesitate.  Valerie's round ass waited, thighs parted, labia
red and swollen.  Alex took her from behind, angling his cock to hit her
g-spot while he alternated smacks along her ass.  Each thrust, each slap
set her luscious flesh jiggling, much to his visual delight.
   "Come on, Valerie," he growled in her ear.  "Come on and take this
fucking cock.  This is what you've wanted all night.  You know I'm right.
You fucking need it, and I'm going to give it to you."
   Valerie moaned deep in her throat out as he sank into her.
   ***
   Valerie lay trembling with her head buried in Alex's neck.  She'd had
two orgasms and her body pulsed with a warm glow of both erotic pain and
pleasure.  The first came while on her knees, screaming in the pillow under
her face.
   He worked his way up to spanking her with just the right amount of
sting, timing it perfectly, keeping her wet and moaning for more.  When she
came he bit her on the shoulder and held firm to her body.
   The second climax was more intense than the first.  For several seconds
she didn't breathe or think or anything but feel a storm of electrical
impulses racing through her body.  She lay on her back, under his massive
frame.  His hand held firm to her hips while he thrust and swelled in her
body.  The moment he ejaculated, he did so with a power series of jerks and
groans.
   The sound of their labored breathing filled the room.
   Sweat tingled the stinging whelps on her back and marks on her ass.  He
eased out the bed, but Valerie didn't move.  Erotic afterglow was her
favorite drug, and he was one hell of a pusher.
   The toilet flushed, water ran in the sink, cabinets squeaked.  Valerie
rolled over onto her side.  Reality would catch up soon, and she'd have to
face the consequences, but not just yet.
   ***
   Alex wrung out the cloth and set it beside the moisturizer on Valerie's
sink.  Would she change her mind?  He carried his supplies to the bed with
him and sat down beside her naked body.  He loved when a woman wasn't self
conscious.
   He used the damp cloth to wipe down her backside.  After he cleaned her,
he poured lotion into his hands.  She didn't have any broken skin or open
scratches.  She moaned softly as his hands kneaded the muscles of her back.
   "Did I perform according to your satisfaction?"
   Valerie chuckled and moaned.  "You are a dream."
   "I know the feeling."
   "Could you get my neck?"
   He stretched out over her back and rubbed his thumbs along her neck
muscles.
   Valerie arched her hips and felt his growing erection along her
buttocks. She kept working her hips until she captured him.  She giggled as
the head slipped inside her.  "Got you now."
   "Yeah, you do." He took her slow, cradling her close to his body.
   ***
   Could he do normal?  No.  Everything with him was better than normal,
entrancing.  That gradual, patient stroke of his lulled her into a languid
state.  Each of his arms wrapped tight around her body, holding her in
place.
   Valerie turned toward him, just thinking about how much a kiss would
make the moment perfect.  His lips met hers and the agreement was made.  No
words were spoken, no frenzied need to continue, but Valerie got chills at
the thought of how much this was like love making.  She couldn't be sure
though.  She'd never felt 'love making' before.  Did that mean she was in
love?
   Just the endorphins.  That's all it was about.  A few orgasms and all
kinds of silly thoughts were going through her head.  She turned her face
to the pillow and moaned in near disbelief.  Goodness, was she about to do
this again?  Not to soon, it would kill her.
   The hand under her chest moved up to grasp her neck just as she crested
the peak of her arousal.  He didn't squeeze, didn't choke her, just held
her, showing her that he could if she wanted.
   What she wanted would be insane to voice.
   ***
   Running shower water, a hollow thud.  Valerie whispered, "fuck," from
beyond the closed door.
   Alex turned on his side with a sleepy smile.  A few minutes later she
emerged with a peach colored towel wrapped around her body.
   "There's still plenty of hot water.  You're welcome to use my robe. 
Your clothes should be out of the dryer soon."
   "Thanks." He took his cue and headed for the shower.  She was a great
host, new towel, cloth, and even a new toothbrush set out for him.
   Almost everything in the bathroom looked new for that matter.  The soap
looked newly opened, most of the bottles were full or still sealed.  Under
the cabinet, he'd found it cleaned and barely used.
   The robe fit him snug, but good enough.
   He found her in the kitchen.
   Valerie pulled a pan from the bottom cabinet and smiled.  "Do you eat
breakfast?"
   No.
   That's what he should have said.  He needed to make up some reason to
leave.  Alex looked around the living room.  He needed his phone.
   Don't let her make you breakfast.  Don't make this more than a fling.
   "Yes."
   "Great." She went over to the fridge and pulled out a carton of eggs.
   Alex walked through the living room, giving a visual pass to the
furniture.  The pictures on the wall had faded with sunlight.  The
furniture lived-in.
   He circled back to the kitchen and sat to the breakfast counter. 
Valerie pulled the seal on a bottle of cooking oil.  "Have you seen my
phone?"
   "Yeah.  Hold on, I'll grab it." She came back with a bowl that contained
his wallet, keys, and phone.  "It was ringing while I put your clothes in
the wash.  I talked to David.  He said he'd come pick you up."
   "When?"
   "Well," she grinned and went back to her breakfast prep.  "When I said
you'd be up soon, he said you probably wouldn't stir until noon.  So we
agreed on one.  Good friend of yours?"
   "Yeah, one of the best." Alex left it unsaid why he was the best.  He
didn't see that conversation turning out well.
   There wasn't much said otherwise.  Valerie plated the pancakes, eggs,
and sausage and sat beside him at the counter.
   ***
   The tension between them increased.  The only sounds were those of
utensils, plates, and chewing.  Valerie paced the kitchen for the longest
time wondering what to do, how to turn a one night stand into a good
morning after.  How did she act normal?  What if she just acted like
herself?
   She thought the answer would come to her in the shower, but worries
nagged.  Then she left the bathroom to see him, gorgeous even in the
grogginess of morning.  Breakfast.  She'd make him breakfast.
   Now what?  She'd be calm, cool, and collected.  Be normal.
   "What do you have to drink?"
   "Shit!  Sorry."
   Alex stood.  "Don't worry about it.  I've got it.  I'm just getting a
glass of water."
   "That'll do for me.  So sorry.  I'm just..."
   He went for the glasses and poured them each water.  She didn't want him
to go, not yet.  This attempt to play it cool wasn't helping.
   What was with that hand around her neck last night?  Would he have
squeezed if she asked?  How hard?  A massive body like that?  He could
probably take her against the wall.  Oh, they say it's not as good as it
sounds, but only the lucky bastards who have done it before get to make
those kinds of statements.
   She should end this tastefully.
   The dryer dinged and Valerie pushed her empty plate back.  "Just leave
the plates here.  I'll get them later."
   ***
   Alex decided to follow Valerie's lead.  She wanted to stay silent until
he left?  Then he'd respect that.  They each got dressed in her bedroom,
she favored her bathroom and he was on the other side of the bed.
   The bathroom door opened.  Valerie walked out dressed in shorts and her
bra.  "I don't want this to be the last time I see you." Her chest and face
flushed red.  Her reserved behavior all morning wasn't disgust after all.
   Alex took out his cellphone.  "What's your number?  I'll send my address
and phone number."
   She gave it with a smile.  "I wasn't too weird?"
   "You were just perfect." He walked over and gently touched the bluish
oval on her chest.  "Any more of these?"
   She turned and swept her hair aside.  "Feels like that might be."
   Alex kissed the spot.  He remembered that moment.  He wished it could
last forever, that perfect moment when he knew he'd satisfied her.
   She stepped away and gave him a pout.
   "What?"
   "You missed a spot." She pointed to the swell of her cleavage.
   He pulled her close and made out with not only the spot, but the other
side.  He worked his way up her body to her lips and soon they were pressed
to one another.  "We're starting something we can't finish."
   She moaned in agreement.  "There are other ways." She went to her knees
and pulled down his pants.
   She was even better the second time.  Alex had the stamina to make this
one last.
   The door bell chimed.
   Alex and Valerie moaned in unison.  She rushed to put on a shirt while
Alex fastened his pants.  "That would be David."
   "Is it okay if I don't want to meet him?"
   "No problem at all.  I'll look forward to hearing from you."
   ***
   Alex and his friend walked down the sidewalk.  David looked to be giving
him a hard time, laughing, elbowing him.  She wondered what they were
talking about.
   Breakfast dishes waited on the counter and a long, lonely day stretched
ahead.
   Her week passed in a drugged shade of blue.  The evidence of her
fantastic night faded, but the memory stayed with her each day.
   "What's got you all starry eyed?" Kiki asked as she sat down with her
coffee.
   "Hmm?" Valerie had been thinking about their night together, how
incredible he felt inside her.
   "Yeah, that.  You're dating already?"
   "I wouldn't call it that.  I went to Edgar and Neil Stewart's fall
tasting."
   "Edgar ...  Stewart?"
   "Yeah."
   Kiki wrinkled her nose.
   "That's exactly how I felt.  Lucy said I should attempt to reconnect."
Valerie rolled her eyes.  "Anyway, I did that casual sex thing you're
always raving about."
   "Get out!" Kiki squealed and leaned forward.  "How was it?"
   Valerie shrugged and played it cool.  "Not bad."
   "Lucky bitch.  Wish I got laid last weekend.  Up for giving it another
try?"
   "What do you mean?"
   "Come to Mist with me."
   "I don't know.  I need to go see my parents."
   "Okay, this 12 steps bullshit your therapist has you doing is stupid. 
You fucked the wrong guy, so what?  You don't make that mistake again. 
Fuck the people who weren't there for you.  Fuck this shame tour bullshit."
   Valerie grinned into her cappuccino.  Kiki had been that person.  She'd
gotten her to the hospital, called the police, and was there for her the
day she got out of extended care.  How was she going to react to learning
the truth about her 'fling'?
   It didn't matter.  It was a one time thing.  No one had to find out
about it at all.
   "Mist.  Sure."
   "That's my girl."
   ***
   "Alex had a proper dip-and-dash last weekend," David announced as he
returned with the second round.
   "I thought we agreed no picking on Alex while the sun is up." Brandon
chuckled as he upturned the longneck.
   "He's not wrong." Alex kept his eyes on the overhead screen.  The table
had gone quiet, and he knew it had nothing to do with the game.
   "Who was it?" said Mark.
   "She sounded homely over the phone."
   Alex looked at David.
   "But I know your type," David leaned over to his scruffy, dark haired
partner, William.  "If there were a female version of a daddy, that would
fit Alex to a T."
   William giggled.  "That's a mommy."
   More laughter from the group.
   "Yeah, but less nurture, more discipline."
   "But she wasn't like that, right?" Mark said.  "You need another woman
like that like you need a prison record."
   "It wasn't like that."
   "Then what was it like?" Brandon said.  "Have we seen her before?"
   Alex shook his head.  "She's beautiful, and she doesn't sound homely at
all."
   "She did over the phone."
   "Forget all that," said Mark.  "You didn't freak her out, did you?"
   "No."
   "Must not have," said David.  "When I talked to her she didn't seem in a
hurry to have him leave."
   "Too bad it was a one off.  Who is she?"
   Alex shook his head.  He wasn't going to say anything more about her. 
He checked his cellphone idly.  He didn't want them to be right.  He hoped
she called.  Alex wouldn't have been opposed to her just showing up either.
He could use another night falling asleep surrounded by the smell and feel
of her gorgeous body.
   The obsessive checking worked in his favor.  Friday evening he got out
of the shower to a voicemail from Valerie and a text from Brandon.
   Brandon's text read: Ale House @ 9?
   He listened to her voice mail first.
   "Hey.  This is Valerie.  I'm going to be at Mist this evening.  Probably
from 8 on.  I know we haven't spoken this week, so I don't know what your
plans are.  If I don't see you, I'll give you call tomorrow.  Kay ... 
bye."
   Alex answered Brandon's text.  "Not tonight.  Have fun."
   ***
   Kiki waved her hand in front of Valerie's face.  "Who is it?"
   "What?" Valerie sighed.  "I invited him to meet me here."
   "The one night stand?  What did he say?"
   "I didn't talk to him, I left a voicemail."
   Kiki shook her head.
   "What?  Come on.  I liked him."
   "You liked him?  I'm not trying to be your mother or your fucking
therapist, but come on.  Look at it from my point of view."
   "I know, but it's not like that."
   "You've been all starry eyed and distracted all week.  No man," She
leaned forward her lowered her voice.  "No man who wants to hurt you is
going to take orders, and no man who takes orders should want to do what
you ask." Kiki sat up.  "I thought Brian would have been the final reminder
of that."
   "Brian, since you must utter his name, taught me something all right. 
He taught me that I shouldn't compromise.  I had started to suspect him,
but I didn't listen, and that was my fault."
   "Have you heard from him?"
   "Fuck no, and this guy, he's not even in the same league.  Can't believe
you brought him up.  Let's dance."
   ***
   Alex spotted Valerie minutes after walking into the dance club.  She was
dressed in a dark blue, mid-thigh dress that clung to her body.
   Unfortunately, he also spotted Regina.  He wouldn't have been able to
miss that mess of frost blonde beauty queen cunt in any lighting.  She
inspired something in him that could only be described as a murderous
wrath.
   He kept to the shadows and made his way through the back of the club,
making sure to avoid Regina's line of sight.  If anything was going to ruin
his night then having that bitch notice him would be number one on the
list.
   ***
   Valerie's pulse surged.  Alex was standing off to the side, looking even
more handsome in those dark jeans and light colored shirt.  He looked back
at her and puckered his lips in a kiss.
   Valerie tapped Kiki on the shoulder.  "I'll see you Monday."
   Kiki grabbed her wrist.  "No way.  I want to meet him."
   Valerie wanted to snatch her hand away, but she truly did see this from
Kiki's point of view.  If she'd had to drive her to the hospital, half
conscious and bleeding because of a man, Valerie wasn't sure she wouldn't
behave the same, or worse.  Valerie pulled her along.  They all huddled
near the rear of the building near the exit.
   "Hello stranger.  I'm Kiki.  Valerie's friend."
   "Hello Kiki.  Alex."
   Kiki nodded as she looked him over.  "She's told me nothing about you."
   "And that's more than you need to know." Valerie took out her phone and
started typing.  "That's his name and number.  Can I please go now, mom?"
   "Always acting up in front of company." Kiki checked her screen for the
incoming message.  "You know what I expect." She saluted them both and went
back to the dance floor.
   Valerie offered a sympathetic smile.  "Ready to get out of here?"
   "Yes."
   Alex lived in a subdivision on the other side of town.  They picked up
dinner along the way.
   Valerie fumbled with the plastic handles on their take out.  "We don't
need anything else while we're out, right?"
   He chuckled.  "No.  We are fully prepared."
   He kept a clean house, small, fully furnished.  The living room was a
shrine to the latest technology: LCD display, gaming systems, surround
sound, plush leather seating.  She could just imagine the scene of a bunch
of men yelling and taunting during a game.
   "Mind if I change?"
   "No problem.  I'll do the same."
   She dressed down into a pair of dark grey cotton shorts and a matching
ribbed tee.  She went to the living room and browsed the shelves while she
waited.  There was a bookshelf hidden behind one of the chairs.  She
squeezed between her chair and the shelf and pulled a couple of the books
into the light.
   She hadn't been in the man's house for more than half an hour and she
was already going through his stuff.
   Did she manage to get rid of any bad habits?
   Plastic and paper bags rustled.  Valerie whipped her head around, but he
didn't seem to be fazed.  He set up two plates and began to dish out the
food.
   She put the other books away and brought impact play book back to the
couch with her.  Valerie had never met anyone who actually studied hurting
someone.  Maybe she needed to read some of these books.
   Or maybe they were just for show.
   She got lost in the books, reading and learning things she never thought
possible.  If someone knew enough about this to write a book, did that mean
she wasn't as screwed up as everyone said?
   "You've done the stuff in here?" Valerie asked between bites.
   "Most of it."
   With whom?  She didn't ask, but her face burned as she thought of him
with another woman, another woman crying in delicious pain.  She kept
shoveling food in her mouth to avoid saying something stupid, but all too
soon the meal was over and she couldn't play coy any longer.
   "Do this one," she set the book down on the table and pointed to the
heading regarding lip biting.
   Alex pulled her into his lap, his hands wrapped around her hips.  First,
he just kissed her.  Their mouths tangled and slid together, hungry and
feverish.  She missed him far more than the realized.  He sucked her bottom
lip and rolled the flesh between his teeth.
   Breathe, Valerie reminded herself as the loving nip blossomed into a
bright point of pain.  She whimpered and mewed and her hips ground down
against his erection.  Alex moaned low in her mouth and gripped her tight
against him.
   He moved to her neck and grazed her skin with his teeth, never biting,
just teasing.  He licked along her pulse point and blew a cool stream of
air.  Her whole body shuddered.  He cupped her ass and pressed her harder
to his erection.  "How was that?"
   Valerie tongued her lip.  She couldn't find any indentions of his teeth
or taste blood.  "I liked that." Valerie eased back and got on the floor
between his legs.  "Take them off."
   Alex lifted his hips and pushed off the shorts.  She took them off his
legs and tossed the shorts aside.  She placed his wrists on either side of
his body, then put her hand on his hips.  With a smile of satisfaction she
slid his cock into her mouth.  His eyes rolled back and his body went lax
as she sucked him down.
   She took him toward the back of her throat, keeping him there until she
nearly gagged.  Valerie repeated the motion, using her own momentum to
forcefully fuck her own throat.  Above her Alex twitched and gasped and
moaned.
   "Don't stop.  Please.  Fuck."
   His thighs shook and he growled as he erupted inside her.  Valerie kept
him in her mouth until he began to soften.  She kissed each of his thighs
before sitting up and grabbing her glass of water.
   "I couldn't stop thinking about you all week," he said with a sigh. 
"Come here."
   Valerie sat on his thigh and leaned back on him.
   "I'm crazy about you, crazy for you." Alex kissed her neck.  "Probably
not the best thing to admit, but that's not going to change after tonight."
   "Yeah," Valerie sighed.  "I have to say the feeling is mutual, dangerous
as that is."
   His hand eased up her tee to palm her breasts.  "I love the way you
smell.  What is that?"
   Valerie chuckled.  "Probably my lotion or shampoo." His fingers circled
her nipples, but he didn't pinch, squeeze, or twist them.  Not yet.  "Talk
to me.  I want to know more about you."
   "Show me yours and I'll show you mine."
   That got a laugh out of both of them.  Their hands continued to touch
and explore each other while they talked about scars, birthmarks, work, and
their friends.  Each time they danced around the subject of past
relationships.
   They made their way to the bedroom on the subject of shared music
interests.  She fell back against his bed, but before she could sit up,
Alex put his hand on her shoulder.  The other dipped between her thighs. 
He traced the crease of her thigh.  When he reached her inner labia,
Valerie shuddered and spread her legs a little more.  He stroked her first
with one finger then another and another, circling and plunging deep, no
rhythm or purpose.  His fingers arched and rubbed along the wall of her
vagina.
   "Tell me what you want, Valerie." He voice sounded rough and low with
lust.  "Tell me how to please you."
   The words caught in her throat, her vaginal walls clenched around his
fingers.  Just as she was about to speak his thumb brushed her clitoris. 
"I ...  ah."
   "Tell me." He growled the words as his thumb pressed to her clitoris.
   "Fuck me, Alex.  Please, fuck me.  Make it rough.  Show me what you can
do."
   He made a curious sound just before removing his fingers.  His hands
took hold of her thighs and then she felt his tongue, cool and slick along
her swollen folds.  Sucking, licking, probing her.
   Show me what you can do.  Of all the open statements Valerie had warned
herself against making.  She wasn't afraid this time, not with Alex.  She
barely knew him and yet she felt she'd known him all her life.  That tongue
of his could work miracles.  His fingers returned and Valerie mumbled
gibberish as her feet went cold and body exploded.
   For a moment there was nothing and everything.  Her heart soldiered on,
her lungs took in air, but her brain did nothing.  Alex's cock slid into
her, inch by inch, filling her to the hilt.  His hands dug into her hips
and she knew he was only getting started.
   "Love fucking you," he said the low words like a curse.
   Valerie's eyes flickered open in the dark.  It wasn't the time or place
to question their meaning, but the sentiment made her heart flutter
regardless.  Each thrust and he moaned, his voice raw and gritty.  Each
stroke was a little more intense.  She wrapped her arms and legs around him
and gave herself over.  She wanted him, all of him.
   He reared back, held her hips while he thrashed into her.  The whole
time staring at her with those dark eyes, intense and feral.  She brace
herself as he fucked her faster, skin slapping skin filling the room, her
brain short circuiting yet again.
   He smacked her thigh, one then the other, fast and harsh and the pain
made her arousal skyrocket.  He leaned forward as his teeth were at her
breasts.  She screamed through the pain, through the orgasm, through his
assault on her body.  She didn't care about anything.  She was a ball of
energy, taken, fucked, loved.
   "Is that what you wanted?" He snarled, his bit her again on the neck as
his hips snapped into her post orgasmic pussy.  She was so wet that she
felt the cool smack of his balls against her ass.  He plunged into her
again when she didn't answer.  "Is that what you fucking wanted?"
   "Yes, more." Valerie dug her hands into his hair.  She could never have
another man after him, not like this.  This was what she'd been looking for
her whole life.
   "Say it.  Tell me what you want."
   "Bruise me, leave your mark on me.  Fuck!" She screamed as he slammed
into her over and again.  She clenched around him, feeling her muscles pull
and tense as the third orgasm approached.
   "Where do you want it, Valerie?  Where?  Tell me."
   She couldn't understand how he was able to form complete sentences while
acting like a mechanical bull.
   "My neck," she rolled her head to the side, and bared her flesh to him.
He sucked the skin into his mouth before those teeth made their mark,
digging into her.  The pain went straight to her pussy and took her over
the edge.  She shattered, tore into a million pieces as every nerve in her
body screamed and roared.
   Alex didn't slow down, didn't stop.  He fucked her right through it,
keeping her orgasm going until the very end.  It almost hurt the way he was
rocking into her, thick and firm.  His breath turned ragged.
   "Have I pleased you?" It was less a question, but more like a plea.  The
pure vulnerability ricocheted through her.
   "More than any one ever has," Valerie rushed to answer.  "Lose yourself
inside me, Alex.  I want you."
   He buried his face in her hair and moaned.
   "I want you to cum.  Do it." He shuddered and she felt his back muscles
tense.  His thrusts turned quick and uncoordinated.  "Please, Alex.  I want
you come inside me."
   He growled and cried out against her neck and his entire body strained
as he swelled inside her.  Valerie tightened her arms around him and kissed
his shoulder as he shuddered on top of her.  Tremors passed back and forth
between them.  She swirled her fingers in the pools on sweat on his back.
   Eventually Alex moved off to the side, he nearly separated from her, but
Valerie didn't let him go.  She cupped his jaw with her sweaty hand and
kissed him.  This was the real Alex, the one she hadn't been able to meet
their first night tonight.  A truly wild beast, strong and passionate,
loving and ferocious.
   Their kiss was unhurried and lazy, with several pauses for them to catch
their breath.  He brushed his tongue against hers, smiling as he put his
legs around her.  Valerie felt lazy and sated and for once, at peace.  She
had never been more connected with another person than she was at this
moment.  She curled into his body and rested her head on his chest.
   ***
   Alex stretched in bed and felt the all over soreness of his back and
legs.  The ache put a smile on his face.  He heard the TV going in the
living room and headed for the shower.  He'd woke up several times in the
night surprised to see the beautiful woman beside him.  How was he going to
go another week without her?
   He wasn't, not if he could help it.
   ***
   Valerie paced the living room as she struggled with her decision.  Alex
was in there, water streaming down those rippling muscles.  Would he mind
if she joined him?  She'd nearly gone in there to wake him up a few times.
   She was going to help him get clean.
   The door bell sounded just as she turned in his direction.
   With a heavy sigh she went to his door.
   "Oh, hey," The man blinked his bright blue eyes.  "You're ...  uh," The
word was drawn out as he looked her over, his eyes pausing at her neck. 
"Valerie."
   "Yes.  Hi.  How are you?"
   "Just fine.  I'm Mark."
   She nodded.  Mark was the married one of their crew.  They went to
college together.  "Is there a message I can take?  He's in the shower."
   "Actually, I was just checking in on him, on you.  I didn't think you'd
still be here."
   "You didn't?" Valerie knew the smile on her face was probably off, but
there was no fixing it now.  "I can assure you I enjoy his company very
much."
   "Great.  That's good."
   Valerie heard Alex's foot falls and backed away from the door.  "Mark."
She gave them their privacy and went into the kitchen.
   Their conversation didn't last long.  Alex came back into the house a
few minutes later.
   "What did he say to you?"
   "He was surprised I was still here.  He took a keen interest in my
hickey though."
   Alex leaned against the counter and crossed his arms.
   "What might he have said?"
   He shook his head and took a few long breaths, but eventually he
answered.  "Last night, that thing neither one of us talked about?"
   She nodded.  She almost regretted this line of conversation, but she
couldn't get through her problems by ignoring things she didn't like.  "I
guess we need to have that talk."
   "Coffee?"
   "Sure."
   Alex went to counter and poured some beans into his grinder.  "I've had
a couple girlfriends, none of my relationships went that well.  Always
something missing, normal stuff.  But the last one, she ...  she liked to
threaten to file battery charges when she got angry.  Toward the end she
got angry a lot."
   "Did she file charges?"
   "No, but sometimes I think I would have preferred it.  At least I would
have known it was over." He reached into the fridge and pulled out the
cream while they waited for the pot to brew.  "My friends don't want me in
that situation again."
   She accepted her coffee with a smile.  "Kiki, the one you met.  She's
the only friend I have now.  I ended up in the hospital and under
psychiatric care because," Valerie stared into her coffee and forced the
words out.  "Because I was committing self-abuse by proxy." Her eyes
watered and her cup trembled when she tried to lift it.
   His hands covered hers and he pulled her into an embrace.
   She accepted the shoulder and cried on it.  Just referring to Brian
reminded her of the ways he'd take advantage of her weakness.  He liked to
point them out as the reason why she needed a stronger hand, how she needed
to learn to let go of her power trips.
   "What happened?" She wrapped her arms tighter around him and rested on
his chest.  "What situation did you get into?"
   ***
   Alex walked her into the living room and they eased onto the cushions.
This conversation was bound to happen, and while he wanted to be angry with
Mark, this was the best time.  If all this was just a fantasy, then it
would be over this afternoon.  She'd storm out and stop stringing him
along.
   "It happened fast.  That's what I remember most.  We'd just come back
from a bad night out and she literally pushed me into a corner, accusing me
of only wanting to abuse her.  She was vicious, had a real mean streak to
her, but I liked her.  I thought if I did what she wanted, then she'd be
happier.  That's what hurt the most."
   "What did you do?"
   "What she told me.  I punched her, hard.  I was angry, so it was harder
than I should have.  I kicked her, got her on the ground and, yeah.  I beat
the shit out of her.  When I'd finished, I called my friends.  Gina had
been threatening to call the police on me for a while, I gave her every
reason to."
   "You said finished?  How did you know you were finished?"
   That part was easy.  "I finished because I did everything she told me
to. Was that what happened to you?"
   Valerie shook her head.  "Not even close.  Brian said I should learn to
accept what I'm given, not ask for what I want.  He said he could teach me
to submit to him.  No, when Kiki found me, he said I deserved it, that I
wanted it, but no." She sighed.
   "She told me to do everything I did.  It doesn't make sense.  Maybe I
should have--"
   Valerie turned and put her knuckle between his teeth.  He clamped down
as he looked at her.  "Never compromise.  What you should have is someone
worthy of your trust, your loyal ferocity.  You should have someone who
means it when she gives you a command.  I made so many excuses for Brian,
overlooked the things that made me nervous." She eased up and caressed the
back of his neck.  "We're made for each other, me and you."
   Alex closed his eyes and relaxed under her ministrations.  "I'm
beginning to believe that."
   They moved on from the dark conversation and spent the hour watching a
movie together.
   "Want to go out or order in?" Alex asked.
   "Order in.  What's good around here?"
   He came back with a handful of menus.  They ordered Chinese food. 
During the wait kisses turned to touches and what little clothing they had
on came off.
   Valerie felt light headed with the rush of adrenaline as she brought
Alex's head to her thigh.  His eyes never opened.  He kissed and teased the
flesh just inside her right thigh.  "Go on," she whispered.
   When Alex bit her she didn't scream.  She couldn't.  She panted through
the pain, counting her breaths to avoid hyperventilating.  The pain spiked
and took a deep breath, but she couldn't scream.  His hand was locked
around her throat.
   He let her go, reared up, and slammed into her, cutting off the scream
before she let it out.  He snapped his hips forward and put his hand back
around her neck, but not to choke her, not yet.  He leaned forward and
kissed the tears running down each of her cheeks.
   She clenched her vaginal walls around him and whimpered.  This man was
heaven.  "Don't--"
   The ringing door bell snapped Valerie from her endorphin, love, lust
daze.
   Alex snarled and his muscles tensed.
   Valerie placed her hand on his shoulder.  "Coming," she called out.  She
hitched her breath as he slid out of her.  She eased over the back of the
couch, grabbed his long shirt, and snatched up the cash he'd lain on the
table.  All of it while her head spinning, her mind scattered to the wind.
   She paid the delivery boy, dropped the food off in the kitchen and
returned her ferocious lover.
   He was half on half off the couch, his face buried in the throw pillow.
She grabbed him by the back of his head and guided him to lie on his back.
The moment she straddled his face his tongue set to her.  In less than a
minute her whole body went taunt as she came apart.  She ground her hips
down with a groan then pushed off to her feet.
   "That's what happens to me when you snarl like that." She peeled out of
his shirt and fanned herself.  She'd only made it a few steps before her
body spun around and went over the back of the couch.
   Valerie closed her eyes and braced herself against his brutish thrusts.
His labored breath rushed past her ear as he came inside her.
   "I'll fix your plate."
   Valerie lay there, stunned.  "Alex," his name passed her lips in a
whisper.  "Alex?"
   He hummed from the kitchen.  A second later he helped her stand.  "Are
you all right?"
   "Did you have a condom on?"
   He smirked and Valerie breathed a sigh of relief.  "I wish you had
mounted my cock instead of my face, so yeah, I had it on." He kissed the
tip of her nose.  "When I attempt to fill you with my child, it'll be
because you ask me to."
   Valerie blinked and went to the table.  "Are you ...  serious?"
   "One hundred percent." He pulled the chairs side by side and ate in
silence.  "Sorry if that freaks you out."
   "In a good way," she whispered as she put her arm around his shoulders.
   ***
   Valerie left Alex's side early that evening to answer her ringing phone
in the kitchen.  "Hello?"
   "Valerie, did I wake you?  Are you all right?" Lucy Stanton, her
therapist, said.
   "Yes and yes.  What's up?"
   "Valerie, you know that sleeping during the day is a bad sign.  How have
you been feeling?"
   "It was a nap.  I was tired.  I've been great." Valerie tucked her hand
under her arm.
   "I asked you to keep in touch with me.  It's been a few days."
   "Yeah, sorry.  I forgot.  I, uh, guess you should know I met someone."
   "That's excellent." She paused.  "This is someone healthy for you?"
   Valerie stared down at the bruises on her breasts with a grin.  "He's
plenty healthy." She bit down on her lip to contain her laugh.
   "You aren't at home?"
   "No.  Are you at my house?" Valerie grabbed a cup and filled it with
water.
   "I called your house first.  I was concerned."
   "You have nothing to worry about."
   "Still, I'd like to see you this week.  I want to hear about your new
relationship."
   "I'll call you Monday and we can set something up then."
   They said their goodbyes and Valerie set her phone aside while she
finished her water.  "That was my therapist," Valerie said.
   Alex entered the kitchen.
   "After the hospital visit, psych hold.  She's monitoring me."
   "So you think I'm healthy?"
   Valerie moaned.  "Delicious and oh so decadent."
   "No therapy for me, just a circle of friends that watch who I date,"
Alex said.
   "Like David."
   He nodded.  "Yeah, David, Mark, Brandon.  Couldn't ask for better
friends."
   She pulled him into her arms.  "They aren't going to run me away." She
kissed his cheek near his ear and whispered.  "You'll come when I call you,
won't you?"
   "Yes."
   "I want to be the place where you find solace."
   He wrapped his hands around her and carried her back to the bed.  "I
want to be the one who gives it to you."
   ***
   Sunday evening Alex dropped Valerie off with a heavy heart.  The further
away he drove, the emptier his heart felt.  His only comfort was that he
would see her again.
   Alex walked into his empty house and slumped onto the couch.  After a
few minutes he moved behind the couch to the bookshelf.  He pulled out the
book Valerie had been looking at.
   He'd stashed the books a year ago, after Gina.  He couldn't bring
himself to trash them.  He turned the pages and read the book again. 
Things he thought he'd never have someone's trust enough to try suddenly
seemed possible.  Alex remained curled in his corner, thinking of Valerie,
flipping each page.
   ***
   Valerie lay in the hot water of her tub.  The bubbles reached her chin.
She ran her hand over her ribs.  She gave a rattled moan as she grazed the
bruise.  Healthy, she thought sardonically.  She promised she'd soak in a
hot bath, keep her circulation up, as Alex instructed.  Valerie imagined
Alex there with her, her hands moved across her body as the hot bath
relaxed her.
   Wednesday afternoon Valerie sat across from Dr.  Stanton.
   "How has your week been?"
   "Not as good as the weekend.  I ran into Brian yesterday."
   Lucy sat forward.  "How did that go?"
   Valerie shrugged.  She'd been oddly happy to get the chance to talk to
him.  With her visit looming, Valerie needed something to talk about other
than Alex.  Her plan seemed to be working.
   "He was upset I didn't call him.  He thinks I'm a submissive and needs
to be trained properly and all these weird things.  I mean, I've heard it
all from him before, but I ignored it."
   "How did seeing him make you feel?"
   "Afraid at first, but I'm not with him, so I don't have anything to
worry about."
   "Yes, you've got someone new in your life.  Tell me about him."
   "I like him." Valerie failed to keep the smile off her face and the
blush from her cheeks.  "His name is Alex.  We met at that wine tasting you
convinced me to attend."
   "Did the two of you get along this weekend?"
   "Yes," Valerie chuckled to herself.
   "Let me see."
   She snapped her head up.  "See what?"
   Dr.  Stanton sighed.  "Show me what he's done to you."
   Valerie stood with a huff and lifted her shirt.  "Bruises.  Love bites.
No broken skin.  Completely normal, run of the mill, rough sex.  He's very
careful with me, attentive."
   "You just met him, Valerie.  If this is how the two of you start, where
does it end?  Was your first night with Brian like this?"
   It was nothing like it at all.  Brian didn't have the control,
obedience, or the restraint.
   "No.  I never had to tell Alex to stop.  It's not like I have to 'teach'
him what I like.  I tell him; he believes me.  It's nothing like ... 
anyone else." Valerie readjusted her clothes and sat down.
   "New relationship energy can be some of the best.  I want you to step
back every now and again and look at what you're doing, what he's doing. 
What will he do when he's angry?  What if he pushes you?  How will you
respond?"
   Valerie picked at her nails.  Why should she have to think about that?
Alex did seem to have a temper.  Would he stop listening to her?  What
then?
   "You don't have to answer.  I just wanted you to think about it.  Keep
it in mind."
   "Trust."
   "What was that?"
   Valerie looked up.  "It's called trust.  I know not to bait him,
challenge him.  I have a responsibility to be careful what I ask for, and
not to make excuses like I did with Brian.  I know better."
   "That's all I ask.  Now, how have you been progressing with your
family?"
   Valerie huffed.  "I've called my mother.  That was a short, cold
conversation.  She's embarrassed by me, now she just has an excuse.  My
brother went a little better."
   "Keep trying.  The key is to keep the lines of communication open.  Your
associates too.  Keep socializing, make new friends."
   "I will."
   ***
   "Look at you," Brandon nudged him.  "You're a mess.  Was she that good?"
   Alex grinned.  "She really is."
   "She looked it," David said.  "I can't believe she's your type.  Seems
more prim and proper."
   "You can never know." Alex polished off the last of his beer.
   "That fucking cunt." Mark sat down to the table.  "The biggest bitch we
know just sent me a courtesy message."
   The mood of the table darkened as they waited for the rest.
   "Gina saw you and your girl in some club last week."
   "Mist," said Alex.
   "Yeah.  She told me that if I don't save her she will." Mark shook his
head.  "Fuck.  Was it just a one night stand?"
   "No, and fuck Gina." He cracked his knuckles under the table, but the
snaps were loud enough for everyone to hear.  "She can't do anything."
   "She can talk to your girl."
   Alex shrugged.  "She knows."
   "Yeah," said Brandon, "but how much?"
   "Every detail."
   Looks of surprise and confusion went round the table.
   "Jeez, man, you just met her," said David.  "Seriously?"
   "Serious."
   "You know that won't stop her," said Brandon.
   Alex shrugged it off and started another beer.
   "Yeah," said Mark.  "We don't call her a cunt for nothing."
   ***
   Valerie was washing dishes when her door bell rang.  She rushed to the
door, hands still wet, thinking Alex had stopped by early for their date.
   She didn't know the short, fair skinned, thin lipped woman with the
pixie hair cut.  Or why she looked so pissed.
   "May I help you?"
   "Yes.  Hi.  You're Valerie?"
   She nodded.
   "I need a moment of your time?  It's really important."
   "You have it.  Start talking."
   She smiled.  "The man you're with, Alex?  He's a known abuser.  You need
to be careful of him."
   "Who are you?"
   "My name is Regina Carmichael.  I understand this might--"
   "Gina?"
   "Yes."
   "Spare me." Valerie gave the little thing another once over.
   "Whatever he told you.  He lied.  Please."
   "So, you didn't dare him to hit you?  He didn't beat the shit out of
your ungrateful face?"
   The woman blanched, her mouth hung open.
   "Come to my door step again and I'll finish what he started.  Got it?"
Valerie smirked as she watched the woman run to her car.
   No matter what he was, he was hers.
   <->
Written: December 2008
"My sexual interests are like my eating habits.  I'll try anything once,
twice, if you prepare it differently." -Bianca Lee
   Contact: nysidra at hot mail dot com
  
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