Page 32 of Caged in Desire
When he pulls back to look at me, his eyes are level with mine and darker than I’ve ever seen them. “And you’remine.”
Oh. Dear. God.I can’t breathe. And I’m going to leave a puddle on this chair if I don’t do something fast. “Erm…I shouldprobably freshen up before this starts,” I say, doing my best to stand gracefully in my current state.
The powder room is surprisingly empty, allowing me my choice of stalls. I rush to the one farthest from the entrance and close the door behind me, breathing deeply to calm myself.
I’ve finally gotten my heart rate down when the door creaks open. Heels click on the marble floor in different cadences, indicating multiple women. Wanting to avoid any small talk, I wait for the sound of stall doors closing before making my exit, but it never comes. All I hear is the faucet turning on, and I’ve waited long enough that it would be awkward to leave now.
“Any chance we can hide out here until the dancing starts?” a woman asks in a husky voice.
“Ugh, I know. Ihatethese stupid ceremonial speeches. Like, everyone here is already going to donate, just take our money and let us be!” another woman replies, her tone lighter and airier but no less grating.
The screeching laughter threatens to do serious damage to my eardrums, but their voices are distinct enough that I can confidently assume there are only two women.
“Did you see Henry?” Husky asks. “I mean, did you see Henry and hiswife?”
“Yes! Have you heard the rumors?” asks woman number two.
“That he knocked her up? Yeah, right. You know as well as I do that Henry Sinclairnevergoes bare. Not even with him being so particular about his women being on birth control. He made my doctor send him a notarized confirmation that I had undergone the implant. Not that you can’t feel it in your arm regardless.”
I’m frozen. I obviously can’t leave now, but I’m suddenly aware of any noise I make. Not that I can breathe anyway as I listen to these women discuss having sex with my husband. Something I’ve been longing for but that he keeps avoiding.
“Same girl, same. There just has to be more to this story. She’ssoyoung. There’s no way she’s experienced enough for him. He doesn’t even accept applications from partners with less than five years of experience in the lifestyle. In fact, there’s a renowned submissive at one of my favorite clubs who had had ten years of experience but only two partners, and he didn’t give her a chance.”
“Maybe he just finally fell for someone? I mean, have you noticed how handsy he’s been all night? Have you ever known him to be so touchy?”
“Ha! Funny. Minimal touching, no kissing, minimal eye contact. He has so many rules against intimacy. Honestly, it’s really a wonder he’s such a sought-after Dom.”
“You’ve seen the man. He’s built like a god! Whowouldn’twant a chance at that? And hiscock…I’ve yet to come across one bigger.Andgoddamn can he fuck. Even if it was only from behind, I’ve never come so much in my life.”
“You too? I thought maybe it was just me, but you’re right, I certainly didn’t mind not kissing when he was dealing out one orgasm after another. I wonder if this has anything to do with his last sub, Lori? He terminated their contract early, and I heard she made a huge deal about it.”
“You know we all tried to be the woman to get him longer than his standard one-year contract, so whatever it is that she did, I’m certainly jealous.”
“Ugh, they're about to start. Let’s go.”
They’re out in a flash, but I’ve lost my ability to breathe yet again. Henry told me about his past with BDSM and was clear that he would tell me anything I wanted to know. I really should’ve asked him. I would’ve preferred to hear his explanation of things instead of from two of his past partners.
He apparently wasn’t touchy with them, but did he care for them? Did he bring them to the home we now share? Did they swim in my pool or eat at my table? Did they sleep in his bed?
I’m trying to convince myself that what we have is different. He touches me, and he certainly makes eye contact. He won't kiss me, though, so maybe I’m no different. After all, our relationship is just another contract, isn't it? At least he personally chose those women. He had no choice with me. And he certainly hasn’t tried to fuck me.
Music bleeds into the powder room, signaling the start of the ceremony.Breathe, Kat, breathe.
Summoning all the grace I can, I hold my head high and make my way to the front. I can feel the eyes of everyone at each table as I pass, threatening my composure.
I practically fall into my seat when I finally reach my chair, but Henry immediately reaches for me. “Are you alright? You seem flushed.” The concern in his eyes is evident as he rubs his thumb across the top of my hand.
“I must have had too much champagne. I should be fine in a minute,” I say, reveling in his touch as he wraps his arm around me and pulls my head to him, kissing the top before letting his hand rest on the back of my chair.
His hand finds my arm, stroking tenderly up and down throughout the ceremony, calming my nerves. Making me believe Idomean something special to him after all. By the time it’s over, I’m feeling much better about things and ready to spend the evening dancing with my husband.
That is, until I hear a familiar husky voice.
“Henry! How are you, darling?”
Turning, I see two gorgeous women, both built like models with legs for days. I’m sure they’re much closer to Henry’s age as well. They both look young, but there’s an air of maturity there, too.
If my husband is shocked to see them, he hides it well. “Hello, Val, Melissa,” he says, holding out his hand to greet them. It’s as stiff a welcome as he gave every middle-aged man, but it still ignites a burning jealousy in my heart.
