Free OneHundredStrokes by Alexandra Christian Page B

he held in his hand was not a small
velvet box, but a book bound in red leather. Selene’s breathing ceased when she
saw it, recognizing the intricate leatherwork on the spine. Though the light in
the room was dim, she could just make out the title scrawled in gold leaf on
the cover. “A Feast of Fetishes,” Julian read, staring down at the book as he
leafed casually through the pages. “I had no idea that you indulged in such
decadent literature, Selene.”
    Selene’s face flushed bright-red and she could feel the heat
radiating from her cheeks. “It looked interesting in the bookshop,” she
murmured.
    “Indeed. Just looking through the table of contents, one can
see how interesting it is.” His eyebrow was raised, but she couldn’t tell
whether it was in amusement or anger. “And they say women aren’t interested in
pornography.”
    “You yourself said that everyone has their own pornography,”
Selene muttered shyly. “And I didn’t know…”
    “Don’t tell me you didn’t know what it was about when you
bought it.” Julian snickered. “A Feast of Fetishes? Really? Perhaps you thought
it was a cookbook.” He strolled toward her, looking predatory, almost
disapproving. “Last week when you were getting ready for our dinner date, I happened
to see this book lying out on the coffee table. I just couldn’t help myself…”
    “So you invaded my privacy?” Selene interrupted, unable to
keep the irritation from her voice.
    “Perhaps. But I think you’ll agree that my finding this has
opened my eyes, as it were. After looking through its dog-eared pages, I knew
that I had to take you away this weekend. All your most heated fantasies are
obviously contained within.”
    “I wouldn’t say all of them.”
    Julian smirked and opened the book, holding it out to her.
“I think it’s pretty obvious the ones you coveted the most.” As his delicate
fingertips slid across the pages, she could see that he was right. It was
apparent by the smudged pages which ones she found most appealing. One story in
particular, titled One Hundred Strokes , had even been marked. Again she
flushed, thinking about the dark fantasies that just the title brought to mind.
    “Ah, yes, I see I’ve found your favorite. One Hundred
Strokes , is it? Pray, love, enlighten me as to what that one is about.”
Julian’s mouth quirked into a malevolent smile as he saw her blush deepen.
“Perhaps a tale of hair brushing?” Selene could tell by his expression that he
knew full well what the story was about. After a few moments of her staring
silently up at him, he raised his eyebrow expectantly. “Well? Answer me, pet.”
    Pet. The same term of endearment that the man in the
story had used. Yes, Julian had read the story in great detail. The heroine of
the story was a spoiled princess whose Prince Charming gave her a lesson in
love and discipline with her silver-backed hairbrush. “It’s about a woman who
wants…um…” she stammered, trying to avoid Julian’s gaze. She was squirming
inside and he knew it. Was enjoying it, even.
    “Wants what?” he urged, tossing the book aside and sitting
down on the end of the bed so that they were nose to nose. Selene sighed almost
inaudibly. He was so close. She could feel his breath, warm and wet against her
chest and neck. She wanted to be closer, but right now he was frightening.
Intimidating. He was pushing her to admit something she wasn’t sure she could
breathe aloud. Some deep-down desire that she had never shared with anyone, and
he wanted her to say it. “Tell me, Selene. What is it that she wants?”
    “She… I…” Her words trailed off and suddenly she realized.
She couldn’t say it. The words died in her throat as she tried to verbalize.
How could she tell him that her secret desire was to be dominated? To be
punished with pain and rewarded with pleasure. She wanted him to take control
and push her limits to their absolute edges. All this time she’d been blaming
him for