Free Altar Ego by Sam McCarthy Page A

pulled on the door till it slammed and reversed down the drive. I didn’t give him a chance to stop me again, turning the car quickly and pulling away from the house without a second glance.
    Max lived in a large Victorian terrace. He had bought it for a great price years ago when it was run down and we had spent months ripping it apart and rebuilding it room by room. It was stunning now, with all the original features restored and muted colours and creams everywhere. I did help with the interior design, but to be honest, Max had most of the ideas himself. He had a keen eye for design and even with my training he could pull things off that I wouldn’t even attempt.
    I parked on the street and leaving the cases in the boot, I grabbed my bags out of the passenger seat and headed for his door.
    I didn’t bother to knock, just walked in and closed the door behind me.
    “Max!” I called. The sound resonating around the vast open hallway with its mosaic tiled floor.
    “I’m in here.” He called back from the kitchen. I wasn’t surprised. He was always in the kitchen, even when he wasn’t working.
    I headed for the largest room in the house, my nostrils assaulted by the aroma of garlic and cream. He was preparing my favourite pasta and I smiled at his thoughtfulness.
    “I should have married you, you know.” I said as I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly.
    “You don’t have a cock Princess; I think we would both be disappointed at the lack of bedroom action.” He laughed a loud guffaw and turned to return my hug. I melted into his arms. I felt secure with Max. He knew me better than everyone, and never expected a single thing from me. We were soul mates, well apart from the fact that he was gay. Other than that he really was the perfect man.
    We sat at the massive solid oak table in his regency style dining room for hours, filling our faces with delicious creamy pasta and crunchy brushcetta, while the wine flowed freely. It is safe to say we were both a little squiffy by 9pm.
    I opened up to him and filled him in on the details of the dinner I had cooked for Adam, and everything that he had said.
    “Oh Princess...” He squeezed my hand across the table. “What are you going to do?”
    “I can’t go back there Max.” I told him. “I have to learn to stand on my own two feet.”
    “You are strong Elise, if anyone can do it, you can.” He told me affectionately.
    “I don’t feel strong.” I admitted. “I feel drained.”
    He stroked his thumb across the back of my hand, noticing that I was no longer wearing my rings.
    “Go and run a bath, I’m going to grab your cases and then I will come and wash your hair for you.”  He stood up, pulled me to my feet and held me close to his chest. “I love you Elise, and we WILL get you through this I promise.”
    “I love you too.” I whispered.

Chapter 11
    I lay languishing in the hot bubbles, my leg resting on the side of the huge claw foot tub and the steam enveloping me. I felt all my troubles drain away while I soaked and the sounds of Max moving about downstairs were comforting to say the least. I closed my eyes and let myself drift off to another place. To a place which took me by surprise.
    I was leaning against a soft velvet covered wall, with my wrists bound above my head. I was blindfolded and the room around me was silent. I bit my lip as I heard the slight creaking of an opening door, and I sensed another body in the room. It was him. That scent. I would recognise it anywhere. I took a huge breath in through my nose and inhaled as much of him as I could.
    “Elise.” I was roused from my dreamy state by Max calling my name.
    “Wow. Where were you?” He laughed. You looked like you were having fun wherever you were.” He winked and reached for the shampoo bottle. He ignored my blushes and knelt by the side of the tub. He squeezed a generous amount of the divine almond scented shampoo on to his hand and began to massage my scalp. It