He’d been residing on his personal for a yr earlier than he threw the celebration which might change every part. Born to a small city, Alex Curren had labored arduous to excel and be observed, even with the looming shadow of his extra profitable older brother. When the job supply had come by means of, he’d been totally amazed.
It had referred to as for him to maneuver throughout the nation, taking on residence within the huge metropolis for the primary time in his life. That alone had not fearful him a lot – Alex was social and charismatic sufficient when he wished to be. Making mates wouldn’t be an issue.
Leaving those he already had, although? That was tougher? He’d contemplated what to do for a number of days however finally there was just one actual alternative. Alex had hated residing within the small city, it was constrictive, sooner or later was the identical as the subsequent and there was no sense of progress or development. It was like he was drowning in time, sinking deeper and deeper into the years till sooner or later he’d get up to search out that he was fifty and had by no means amounted to any greater than he had now.
No, his very soul recoiled at that thought and so he turned set on discovering his personal path within the metropolis. He stated goodbye to every of his mates in flip, a few of them had been bitter like he was abandoning them. Others had been completely happy for him, or happy with him. Just a few stood out in his reminiscence greater than others.
Lilly, her blond hair flying as she clapped him on the again. For her, it was not goodbye in any respect. Lilly lived within the metropolis already and visited the previous city when the temper hit her. She was boisterous and cheerful and was one of many first to have a good time his luck.
“Not unhealthy, Alex!” She stated, “Is it what you all the time wished?”
“I do not know,” he stated to her. “I’ve not had an opportunity to go there but. Is it very totally different?”
“Very,” She’d stated severely. “Issues occur a lot sooner, you may discover. It is not as straightforward as life right here. Discovering your house will be arduous however when you do, you may be rewarded. It’s going to be arduous work.”
“I do know that,” he had stated, “However I’m prepared to work arduous for it. I actually am.”
“I consider you,” Lilly stated, capturing him a glance. “I feel you may do exactly effective.”
After a yr of arduous work, Alex had his own residence. A small one, to make sure, however it was his. He had a job, he had cash coming in and higher than every part else, he felt like he was going locations. Shifting up on the earth. For a complete yr, he’d seen none of his previous mates save Lilly, however tonight was going to vary that.
It was the day of his twenty-first birthday and Alex was throwing a celebration. It was to have a good time his new life, his new existence, the entire issues that he had finished and the issues that he additionally had but to do. He’d invited his mates; everybody from the previous city. Most of them had turned up for it too. He’d been a bit shocked about that. After so lengthy, he’d anticipated that the majority of them would not care.
That they did crammed him with heat, and he went by means of that day catching up with previous faces and previous gossip. Laughing and joking as if the final yr of separation had not occurred.
He chatted and drank – although by no means an excessive amount of – hung out with individuals he’d recognized for many of his life. The environment was casual; most everybody had recognized each other since they have been youngsters and there have been few secrets and techniques between them. Because the day went on, Alex felt himself changing into increasingly comfy. Easing into the spirit of the night.
However there was one factor that was not fairly proper. One little niggling drawback prevented him from really having fun with himself.
Her identify was Clara, and he or she was the explanation he had been each anticipating and dreading this night time ever since he’d determined to host the celebration. Clara was, by all accounts, his closest pal and had been an enormous motive he’d hesitated to go away the previous city. It had felt like a betrayal, and to some extent it nonetheless did. He’d hoped to talk to her in the present day, attempt to clear the air a bit. Present her that he nonetheless appreciated their bond. However because the day had gone on, Alex had come to a miserable conclusion.
She was avoiding him.
At first, he could not consider it, then it stung a bit of. They’d been shut since they have been youngsters, rising up collectively in a small city did not go away a complete lot of playmates, and Clara and Alex had been collectively for many of their lives. Leaving the city had been one of many hardest issues he’d ever finished, and he hadn’t finished it with out a complete lot of guilt. Now her actions have been calling that again to the floor.
Did she really feel like he’d deserted her?
Did he really feel like he’d deserted her?
The reply was not a easy one. It twisted in his intestine like a knife. The town had represented every part that he had ever wished, however leaving had by no means been a straightforward alternative for him. He wished to speak to her, to attempt to clarify. She was on the celebration, however each time she noticed him, she appeared to slide from the room. It was infuriating. His urge was to observe her, however he did not wish to drive her right into a confrontation if she felt she wasn’t prepared for one.
But when she wasn’t, why had she come right here within the first place?
And if she was, why wasn’t she talking to him and even staying in the identical room?
For a lot of the day, Alex was in a position to suppress his issues and fears. There was chatter, the laughter of mates. Good food and drinks. However step by step, as individuals trickled away, it turned increasingly apparent that one thing was bothering him. He tried to carry it inside. He flashed smiles and compelled himself to be cheery and completely happy. But those that knew him finest might see that he was wounded, and there have been already rumours. Everybody knew that he and he or she had been inseparable earlier than, so why had they not been seen collectively in the present day, this sooner or later the place they have been again collectively once more?
Fortunately, nobody truly requested. He did not know what he would say in the event that they did.
Ultimately, the final of the visitors trickled away. Lots of them have been staying in lodges or at mates’ properties. Most have been going again dwelling early tomorrow and could not keep for lengthy. Alex waved goodbye and traded ultimate jokes. Just a few mates embraced him. Lilly gave him a strong nod as she left,
After which he was alone. Alex turned, the lounge was a multitude, in fact. Discarded wrappers, empty drinks, deserted plates and the entire different detritus of a celebration. He ran one hand by means of his quick, blond hair. It might be a ache to wash up, however that was effective. He’d taken two weeks off to arrange for this occasion. The celebration itself, the cleanup after which some unwinding. He might afford to be sluggish about it.
Which was good as a result of Alex felt drained. He beloved to be with individuals and loved the time he spent along with his mates however it was exhausting to be the centre of consideration for too lengthy. Now that everybody had left, he was trying ahead to with the ability to simply chill out and look to the long run in his personal specific manner.
However simply as he settled down on a close-by chair, giving a tender sigh of launch, there got here a sound from the hall to the kitchen. He frowned, rising once more to his ft. Had somebody not left?
It was most likely the drink, he determined. It would not be the primary time that somebody had taken a bit a lot of it and he’d needed to name a taxi to take them again to their dwelling or resort. Failing that, they may definitely keep the night time. He wasn’t going to kick somebody out if he did not suppose they may handle themselves.
However because the door swung open, the one that stepped out definitely did not seem to be somebody who had had an excessive amount of to drink. She was lithe, a tad shorter than the common however with a slender determine and deep darkish hair. Her eyes have been blue, and her pores and skin was pale. Often, her face was mischievous, and he or she usually favored nothing higher than to play jokes or gently rib somebody for one thing that they’d finished previously.
Not this time.
“Clara,” He stated softly. “I assumed you have been already gone.”
“I’d have stated goodbye to you, would not I?” She stated a bit awkwardly.
“Often, sure,” He stated. “However you gave the impression to be avoiding me this time. I assumed I might pissed you off.”
“What, you imply like by leaving me on their lonesome for a yr?”
“You were not alone,” He protested lamely. “There have been others…Sarah…David…”
She waved a hand, dismissing that thought earlier than it might absolutely type.
“I am not mad at you, Alex.” She stated, “However I’ve been avoiding you. I simply did not wish to be too close to you till I used to be positive.”
“Certain about what?” He requested, “I do not know when you imply it to, however that is sounding sort of sinister…”
She seemed up at him, her blue eyes flashed not with anger however with annoyance.
“Alex Curen, I’m attempting to admit my emotions to you! Do not you dare attempt to distract me with backtalk!”
He felt as if a bodily blow had collided along with his chest, on the similar time, her personal face colored with the realisation of her phrases.
“Confess your emotions?” His coronary heart was hammering, and the world which had abruptly appeared all so very steady had began to slide sideways. “You do not imply like, romantically?”
“Oh, I knew this was going to be awkward,” Clara murmured. “That is why I have been avoiding you all day.”
She took a deep breath.
“Okay, so all that point we spent collectively earlier than, you did not ever surprise what it could be like if we have been greater than mates?”
Alex felt a storm heaving in his intestine. A part of him did not know what to say, it was nearly as if this complete factor was some wild dream. He shook that feeling off, trying over at his oldest pal.
“After all I did,” He stated. Clara appeared shocked by his frankness. “I simply did not know when you felt the identical manner.”
Clara laughed then, and Alex seemed on in confusion.
“What? Did I say one thing mistaken?”
“No, no,” She stated, “I simply anticipated you to leap across the level a bit extra. Possibly attempt to deflect. I assume that reveals me for considering I can predict you, eh? However when you wished to be extra than simply mates, why did not you ever say something?”
“Why did not you?”
Clara’s face flushed pink. She seemed to the bottom.
“Properly, you recognize… it was sort of anticipated…Everybody knew we have been finest mates and also you simply know that the entire adults within the city have been taking bets on how lengthy till we began relationship or one thing…”
“And that irritated you?”
“Sure! I do not love to do what individuals anticipate me to! I did not wish to suppose that I used to be simply doing it as a result of it was anticipated. I imply, we have been mates, proper? We have been mates for years. We have been all the time actually shut, so it was straightforward to inform myself that what I used to be feeling was only a actually deep connection of that kind. What about you? Why did not you say something?”
“I used to be scared that you’d flip me down,” Alex admitted. She checked out him and laughed once more, and he felt the warmth dashing to his face. “Sure, okay, I do know it is cliche however I used to be a teenage boy! You have been my finest pal! If I attempted to go additional and also you turned me down, it could have been awkward as hell and I used to be fearful our friendship would not survive it.”
“If our friendship was that weak, you’ll by no means have had an opportunity with me anyway,” She stated the phrases with a tender smile, turning it right into a joke. Alex discovered himself chuckling alongside her.
“I do know now,” He admitted, “However I wasn’t precisely that skilled with ladies then.”
“Oh actually?” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Have you ever had a ton of girlfriends?”
“Properly, no…”
“Do you could have one proper now?”
“Clara!”
“What? I am simply asking. I imply, I simply admitted that I’m curious about you, and also you additionally admitted you have been curious about me. Appears a good query.”
“Sure! However nonetheless!”
She discovered nice amusement in his fluttered phrases, however Alex rapidly compelled himself to relax.
“I haven’t got a girlfriend proper in the mean time,” He admitted. “Have you ever had any boyfriends?”
“Now that is a query you do not ask a woman,” Clara stated.
“How is it any totally different from what you simply requested me?”
“It simply is,” She smirked on the look on his face. However it was a playful one, and he or she reached ahead to brush a hand throughout his hair. Her contact was mild, there was a touch of color to her face as if she had not anticipated to get this far.
Earlier than even he knew what he was doing, Alex reached out and drew her nearer. His arms locked round her, and he was embracing her. Clara’s heat physique was pressed in opposition to his chest. He might odor the fragrance she’d put in for the celebration, really feel her in opposition to his pores and skin. For a second, a starvation woke up deep inside him. A surging want. He wished to really feel her pores and skin in opposition to his personal, he imagined what she would appear to be bare. It was not arduous. Within the yr earlier than he’d left the previous city when he had been nineteen and he or she had been eighteen, they’d gone to the seaside collectively a couple of occasions. Her swimming put on had left little to the creativeness.
Now he realised that had most likely been a touch…
Clara pushed him again, breaking the embrace. Confusion blossomed inside him. Need and need have been sturdy, however Alex did not wish to allow them to break factor. His opinion on the entire night time had rotated, and he felt as if a complete new world was opening as much as him.
He was extra proper then than he knew. Clara’s face was flushed, and he or she was biting her decrease lip. She seemed like pushing him away took loads of effort, however not as a lot as what she stated subsequent.
“Alex,” She stated softly. “This may occasionally appear a bit bizarre, however lots of people obtained you a present in the present day, proper?”
“That is proper,” He stated. “It was my birthday in any case.”
“I did not get you a present…”
“Clara, simply you being right here is-“
“Do not give me that hallmark crap! I did not provide you with a present as a result of I did not know what kind of reward to offer you. Your loved ones is mainly wealthy, so…”
“We’re not wealthy,” Alex stated within the tone of somebody who’d had this debate a thousand occasions. “My older brother simply makes a ton of cash and sends some again from time to time.”
“Mainly wealthy,” She repeated. “Anyway, level is I did not know what kind of reward to offer you. So I figured that I’d simply provide you with me.”
“What?” For a second, her phrases did not register. “Clara, you may’t be severe.”
“I’m completely a hundred percent sequence,” She informed him. Her face was very pink now, and he or she was transferring from one foot to a different. However her voice was agency and he or she plunged on.
“Um, that is going to get hellishly awkward and embarrassing, however in the entire time that we have been collectively as mates, did not you ever surprise what made me tick?”
“You imply turned you on?” Alex stated. “I attempted to not! It felt disrespectful. Although I assumed you have been actually cute, I used to be all the time terrified that you’d disapprove of what I used to be considering or wanting.”
“You imply you wished to fuck me?”
“Holy shit, Clara. May you be much less blunt?”
“Most likely. However that may take effort.” She laughed once more, an fringe of nervousness in her voice. “What I’m attempting to say is that I’ve sure fantasies, I all the time wished to attempt sure issues and I…”
She trailed off, realising that she was getting off the purpose.
“Alex, I like BDSM, okay? I need you to tie me up and use me.”
No matter he had been anticipating her to say, that the majority definitely was not it, however Alex had been reacting quite a bit throughout this dialog and did his finest to take this in stride. He let her phrases pour by means of him, the photographs they conjured despatched shivers racing down his backbone. Alex had by no means been into chains and whips, however to listen to Clara speaking so bluntly about her kinks was arousing in and of itself.
She seemed up at him as if anticipating him to show away or to begin speaking, however Alex merely smiled at her, doing his finest to reassure her. She took a deep breath.
“You’re the first individual I’ve ever informed this to,” Clara stated. “I’ve all the time wished to discover that…that aspect of issues… however I used to be by no means courageous sufficient to do it with my boyfriends. It felt like exposing part of me, you recognize? Like I used to be taking a threat. What in the event that they did not wish to? What in the event that they thought it was bizarre, or did not like me anymore for it? You have been the one one I used to be comfy sufficient round to possibly discuss it, however I did not wish to simply conform to what everybody else anticipated and get along with you. Then, you left and I used to be alone for a yr.”
“Clara, I do not know what to say. I did not imply it to end up like that. I imply, I all the time had emotions for you however I did not suppose you have been curious about me.”
“It is effective,” She stated. “I am not going to sit down and really feel sorry for myself. You are proper. I did not make any transfer on you, so I share fifty % of the blame. No, it is simply that whilst you have been away, I obtained the possibility to do some actual considering and are you aware what I realised, Alex Curren?”
She stepped ahead once more and kissed him. Her lips met his, and her tongue dipped into his mouth. Alex responded, his physique hungry, he deepened the kiss. His palms moved round behind her again, urgent in opposition to the naked pores and skin of her shoulders that was uncovered by the pink costume she wore. The kiss lingered for some moments earlier than Clara lastly broke it. She was breathless, and so was he.
“I realised that I might already given everybody else far an excessive amount of energy over me,” She stated. “So let’s do that. You and me right here and now. You have all the time wished to fuck me, proper? To see me bare?”
“Sure,” He breathed. “At all times.”
“And I’ve wished to see you bare too,” Clara admitted. “However greater than that, I wished to discover myself. I wish to see how far I can go together with somebody that I belief. And I belief you, Alex. Completely. That is why I made a decision to provide the finest reward I might to your birthday. I’m going to offer you myself for a complete week.”
“Every week?” He stated. “Aren’t you going again dwelling tomorrow?”
“No,” Clara smiled. “I informed them I’m staying with Lilly. She’s completely happy to cowl for me. If I’ve to, I actually will crash at her place however I hoped that I might keep right here.”
“What would you like, Clara?” Alex growled with stunning power. His coronary heart was beating sooner and warmth was spreading by means of his physique. She was shut, shut sufficient to the touch, to embrace, to undress. “I wish to make sure. I need you to say it. To be sure to imply it.”
“I perceive,” She stated. “Alex, I wish to be your slave for every week. I wish to do no matter you inform me to do. I need you to punish me or reward me, and I wish to discover myself by means of that point. Are you able to try this? Are you able to assist me?”
Sure! The phrase screamed by means of his thoughts, lust and need pulsing and rising. However he fought again, struggled to not lose his logical aspect.
“I can do it,” He stated. “If that’s what you need. In the event you actually are pleased with that sort of factor. And as long as you recognize you may finish it at any time. If you wish to play this sport, I will play with you. However it’s a sport. It must be. Perceive?”
“Are you afraid of what you’d do if it wasn’t?” Clara requested him, however Alex shook his head.
“That is a silly query. I’m completely happy to play a sport with my finest pal and assist her to discover herself. However I’m not going to have her as a literal slave. that.”
“Sure,” She admitted. “It is why you are the one one I am completely happy to do that with. I agree. From this second in, for the subsequent seven days, you are my grasp. So what would you like me to do first, grasp? You’ve a scorching, nubile slave lady prepared to do every part you command. Would you like me to undress?”
Alex laughed.
“That sounds extra like one thing you wish to do.”
“I need to admit, after spending the entire day stewing on this factor, I’m attractive as hell.”
“Then why not strip down?” He was teasing her and so they each knew it. Her eyes flashed.
” why,” She stated. “You must inform me to. I need it to be your alternative. Your…order.”
“In that case,” Alex’s coronary heart was hammering. His blood pumped a thousand miles a minute. He struggled to maintain his voice calm as he spoke the phrases he thought he would by no means get an opportunity to.
“Clara….slave….take your garments off.”
Clara sighed, she seemed as if one thing was effervescent up inside her at these phrases. Her reply was nearly a purr.
“Sure, grasp.”
She stepped again, her physique swaying, Alex’s eyes adopted her hungrily. He might really feel his arousal surging, need roared by means of him. He couldn’t consider that Clara – his finest pal and secret crush – was about to strip for him. Nor that she had simply referred to as him grasp.