SadisticExcess

‘Safe, Sane and Consensual aren’t always a part of my work. Granted, there has to be a certain understanding, you see, between us before I even consider doing to you what your mind seems to think it wants. That understanding has to be clear, not the sort usually established between two people, be they dominant and submissive, or simply two partners in business, but rather one that is spelled out, explicit and clear. Anything else is fair game. Do you understand this?’

When she didn’t answer, he continued.

‘It isn’t as if I don’t see holes in your clauses anyhow, as my mind works to unravel. You are simply my latest puzzle, the latest person to fascinate me, interest me enough to drive me to make even the most modest of efforts. I seek in your mind, perhaps some sort of temporary relief for myself, a point of focus to keep my mind from wandering as it does. I am using you, just like you use me, but let us think of it as a business arrangement - a temporary merger, wherein my company will control yours until such time we need to part.’

He paused and picked up the glass of ice water in front of him. The water had condensed and beaded, the napkin beneath his glass, soaked. He watched her over the rim, half expecting her to run, surprised she remained this long. The business part of the speech usually sent them scurrying. He tore off one corner of the napkin and balled in between his thumb and forefinger before sliding the glass back to the table.

‘You will be stronger after this time. Able to stand, defend, but it comes at a cost. Some of the payment is made to me, daily, until our merger is complete, within your ’stipulations’ of course.’ His mouth curled in a mocking smile that he flaunted openly. ‘Other payments are taken from you slowly, for each day you find yourself without that strong hand. You see, you’ll be able to contain yourself, but always seeking someone who wants to reinforce your walls. Strengthen them.’

He snapped his fingers, pretending the idea just came to him, despite the fact that this action had played out many times before this. ‘A missing piece to your life’s puzzle.’

She glanced down at the pages of text before her. She had read over them, but had gotten lost in the endless sea of words. Stacks and stacks of sheets, almost hypnotic in the way they flowed across the page. The writing was flawless, precise, even though she had watched him write them out as she named off her terms. She moistened her lips. Something wasn’t quite right, but this is what she wanted, right? She wanted someone to fill this hole inside of her, this void she couldn’t even name until she had seen him, heard his voice.

He watched her and then slid the pen across the table. He knew she was caught even before she sat down at the table. He resisted the theatrical urge to slide his palms together and give a diabolical laugh. He could smell fresh meat. He watched as she reached for the pen and quickly signed her name to the documents in one bold move.

‘There.’ She placed the pen on top of the stack of papers and folded her hands back in her lap, meeting his gaze for the first time since sitting down. He leaned forward and curled his fingers around the contract, his mouth curling in self satisfaction. He felt the urge to immediately reach out and test her here and now, but resisted, accepting that patience made the fruit all the sweeter.

Still it was the image of peach juice running across his tongue he had when he snapped his fingers in the air and waited for the resulting movement of his men to come closer. He watched her look up as they neared, noticing only them, not the stilled movements of the other people in the restaurant, the way the flame suspended in the nearby fireplace. Mortals never noticed the important details, just the large, looming ones.

She looked at him in question as his men reached down and pulled her up from the chair. She seemed more shocked and hadn’t made a squeak of protest. ‘The meek shall inherit the earth…’ he thought, ‘What bullshit.’

Besides, after this was over, she would no longer qualify. ‘Take her home.’

To be continued…perhaps.