Free OneHundredStrokes by Alexandra Christian

Chapter One
     
    Selene shivered as the night air slipped through the
curtains and blew across her skin, still wet from the bath. From the rumbling
sounds outside, she could tell that a storm was brewing somewhere over the
mountains. The late summer humidity had settled over them like a warm, wet
blanket, charging the air with a strange electricity. It seemed to reflect the
dark mood of confusion and excitement that was rumbling deep inside her. When
her boyfriend Julian had suggested they go away, just the two of them, she’d
been taken by surprise. He had always been one of those workaholic types and
lately she’d grown tired of his excuses. Their relationship, once hot, heavy
and constant, had turned into a bi-weekly date night that might or might not
culminate in half an hour of mediocre sex. And even when they managed to have
sex, something was missing. She always found herself alone and unsatisfied.
    During last week’s dinner date, Julian had sprung the idea
of a weekend getaway to the mountains to escape the August heat. Selene had
been apprehensive at first, thinking that perhaps it would end up being a
business trip for Jules and she’d be left alone in some hotel room, but her
reservations had been quelled immediately. He’d arrived at her apartment to
pick her up with only a small valise of clothing and no cell phone. Instead of
his usual suit and tie with crisp white collar and perfect hair, he’d donned a
pair of jeans that were stylishly ragged and a T-shirt that seemed to cling in
all the right places. He looked relaxed and more sensual than she’d ever seen
him. After she’d commented about it, Julian had only laughed and said simply,
“This weekend is for you, darling.”
    As Selene gazed around the room, she felt the truth in his
words. The palatial mountain house he’d reserved for their getaway was like
something straight out of her imagination. Dark wooden pillars rose all around
the room, ending in exposed rafters that held up the high ceilings. She could
smell the rugged scent of pine and cedar all over, coming through the windows
that surrounded the entire place. It was the smell of the forest and it made
her feel animalistic. As if she were Julian’s prey, waiting in nervous
anticipation for him to strike. A bed sprawled in the center of the room,
covered with an assortment of lush pillows and comforters. The thought of lying
back on that monstrosity with Julian had already made her wet with desire.
Selene could only hope that he would live up to her expectations.
    “Penny for your thoughts.” Julian’s voice startled Selene as
he strolled into the room. She turned toward him, her breath catching. He’d
shed his T-shirt and his jeans hung low on his hips. She watched him, savoring
every movement. He moved with an unearthly grace that she had to admit had
fascinated her since the day they’d met. She watched the muscles in his back
and shoulders work as he pulled back the coverlets and tossed the decorative
pillows onto the floor. His dark hair, usually perfect, was tousled and stood
up at strange angles all over his head, highlighting the strands of silver at
his temples.
    “Oh, nothing,” Selene replied, crossing the room to sit at
the small vanity dresser beside the bed. “Just wondering what you’re going to
do with me now that you have me all to yourself in the middle of nowhere.”
Looking into the mirror before her, she could see his mischievous smile.
    “Thinking I brought you out here to have my way with you?”
    “Well, didn’t you?” Her heart fluttered in her chest at the
thought of Julian having his way with her.
    “Of course,” he replied, sitting on the bed behind her. He
stared at her in the mirror, his green eyes burning into hers. “I didn’t think
you’d mind.”
    “Not at all,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “There
are few things in this world I enjoy as much as you having your way with me.” A
combination of the charged air and the dark