Free Altar Ego by Sam McCarthy Page B

was so relaxing that my eyes closed as I dropped my head back and let his hands take away all of the stresses of the day.
    “Don’t you be drifting off to your special place again.” He said with a laugh.
    “Why?” I asked with a wry smile on my face. “Are you jealous?”
    He laughed.
    “No, but I am intrigued.”
    I didn’t reply, just smiled. I wasn’t sure I wanted to share these particular inner thoughts with him just yet. He rinsed off the soap and sat back on his heels.
    “Shall we go out?” He asked. “Get out of this shithole and dust off the cobwebs.”
    “It’s late Max. Where were you planning on taking me?”
    He grinned.
    “I have this friend who can get us into an exclusive club, it’s all very secretive.”
    I couldn’t help but gasp as I attempted to convince myself that it couldn’t possibly be the same place. Or could it? I bit my lip nervously. Should I throw caution to the wind?
    “Fuck it.” I stood up in all my naked glory. “Let’s go and choose an outfit.” I laughed as Max helped me out of the tub.
    “That’s my girl.” He kissed my forehead and wrapped his dressing gown round me. “I will just go and make a call.”
    I rough dried myself with a towel that was hanging on the nearby rail, and headed through to the guest room. My cases were at the foot of the bed, and I lifted them on to the satin throw and unzipped them.
    By the time Max came in I had already laid out a plain black pencil skirt and a sheer white blouse with billowing sleeves. I was in the process of selecting a vest top to wear underneath it, when Max reached past me and picked up a lacy black push up bra.
    “Do yourself a favour Princess.” He said waving the bra around in his hands. “Leave the vest at home.”
    I acted shocked.
    “Maxwell! How dare you suggest that I dress like a slut?” All the time we were both sniggering away like teenagers.
    He handed me the bra.
    “Seriously.” He disappeared and returned within a few minutes wearing fitted black jeans and a fitted white v necked t-shirt. His biceps were pronounced by the tightness of the sleeves and his tribal tattoo fully on show.
    I dressed quickly and tousled my hair with the dryer, opting for minimal makeup, just mascara and lip gloss. My skin was pretty good for my age and I had never been one for plastering loads of foundation on.  I turned to Max just as he handed me a glass of wine.
    “Will I do?” I asked taking a sip of the burgundy liquid.
    “You look a knockout.” He said and raised his glass. “Now drink up, and get your shoes.  We don’t have long.”
    I drained the glass, slipped my feet into a pair of spotty heels and we both headed downstairs. We had just reached the hallway when a car pulled up outside.
    “That’s us.” Said Max. “Come on.”
    He opened the door and I did a double take as I saw the car outside. The number plate was familiar and I smiled to myself as we walked down the steps and headed for the street.
    The driver was stood with the door already open and I slid into the back seat, swiftly followed by Max. The door was closed and the driver got in the front.
    “You know the score Max.” He said.
    Max reached into the centre console and pulled something out.
    “Sorry Princess, rules are rules.” He said.
    I tried to look surprised as he slipped the blindfold over my head before putting his own on. He sat back and gripped my hand tightly. I started counting silently in my head, which was silly as even if our destination was the same, our starting point was different.  Max didn’t speak, I only knew he was still there from the occasional squeeze he gave my hand.
    When the car slowed to a stop, and the door was opened, I heard a male voice.
    “Good evening Max.” I listened to Max greet him too, and tried to think hard whether I recognised the voice.
    “Just follow me Elise.” Max said quietly and took my hand in his. It was a strange situation, only a few days ago I had been here with Dominic