Page 26 of Lie with Me
I PLAY “STARS” ON MYphone for CJ in the car on the way back to the hotel. He agrees about the soulfulness and understands why the music speaks to me. He gets me. He always has. Since our first conversation, we just clicked.
“Mr. Carmichael!” The concierge behind the front deskraises his voice to get our attention. “This was left for you.” He waves a white envelope. “The gentleman asked that I personally deliver it to you.”
“Thank you.” CJ takes it from him, almost warily. He glances around the lobby before taking my hand again and heading to the elevator.
“Something important?” I inquire.
CJ turns over the envelope inspecting it several times before opening it.
“Let’s hope not.”
It looks like an ordinary invitation to me.
I examine his face as he pulls it out and reads the white card inside. He scoffs but not in a bad way. In an amused way.
“What is it?” Now, I’m dying to know.
“An invitation to an event here in New York.”
“When?”
“Tuesday night.”
“Oh. You’ll be back in Hawaii by then.” I mask the disappointment in my tone.
“Yes, I will.” He places the card back in the envelope, and then in his pocket before he pulls me flush against him. “But I’m here now, and I plan to make the most of it.” He kisses me firmly and affectionately, waking the arousal that was dormant during dinner. Our tongues tangle until the elevator doors open and we stumble out into the hallway. We can barely keep our hands off each other. As soon as the door to CJ’s hotel room slams closed, he has me pinned against the wall, dragging his tongue up and down my neck, biting my skin until it hurts.
“What’s your fantasy, Tara?” he asks between fevered kisses. I nibble my lip as CJ sucks on my neck, awaiting my answer. Should I tell him my deepest, darkest fantasy? I have never shared it with anyone. The mere thought of it accelerates my arousal to hyper speed.
But it really is just that. A wicked fantasy that will never become a reality. It’s too wrong. Too preposterous unless I went looking for that kind of trouble.
“Well?” he urges. “You going to share, or do I have to torture it out of you?” He tickles my ribcage, knowing I’m the most sensitive there. I squirm, but he’s so much stronger and bigger; there are only two ways to stop him, tell him what he wants to know or kick him in the nuts.
“Okay!” I surrender, screaming with laughter. “I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you!”
He stops, letting me catch my breath.
“You’re so wrong.”
“I never claimed to be right. Now, tell me. I need to know.”
“Need?”
“Yes, need.” He tucks a strand of renegade hair behind my ear.
I hesitate, wondering if I should tell him the truth or lie to save face. But I figurefuck it; this whole weekend is about fantasy, right? Being autonomous and sexually liberated. I chew on my lip again as CJ waits impatiently for my answer.
“Tara.” He presses up against me again, his fingers resting on my ribs, threateningly.
“Okay! I want to be dominated.” I rush the words out. CJ’s eyes brighten. “I thought you weren’t into collars?”
“Not dominated like that.” My voice is barely a whisper. Oh god, am I actually admitting this out loud?
“I want to be taken by force.” CJ’s jaw drops. Not the answer he was expecting. Trust me, I can’t believe it’s my fantasy either, but the idea of being completely controlled is thrilling. I’m fucking soaked just thinking about it.
“Like a captive fantasy?”
I nod apprehensively.
