Free The First Touch by Alice Sweet Page B

sleep.”
    His eyes stared at her and said, “He is one of many? Besides Serena and Flanagan, Who else do you hear?”
    She looked at him with thoughtful eyes, and watched his pupils receding again, satisfied with his leveling state of emotions she continued, “There are so many.”
    He encouraged her gently, “I am listening.”
    She smiled, “Ok well let’s see, H enry, Flora, Helen, Galen ...” She continued for quiet some time and eventually he stopped her b y raising his hand.
    “ I never would have thought it possible...” His voice trailed as he looked at her his skin turning grey and sickly. She placed her hand on his arm and he looked down at her as if he had just heard some of the worst news of his life.
    She asked , “ Are you alright?”
    He gave her a weak smile asking, “What is the name of the man that talks to you each night?”
    She smiled faintly and said, “Grayton.”
    His posture changed slightly almost a slump of defeat. He said gravely, “He is a good man.”
    Her eyes brightened and she replied, in spite of herself, “You know him?” Ivan n odded looking at the ground, while Autumn added thoughtfully, “I have always wanted to meet him.”
    Ivan feigned interest and said slightly, “So during your talks, you have discovered that you have a lot in common?” She looked at him confused; he continued looking unaware of her apparent dismay, “I only ask because of his age. I guess I always assumed his match would be an older woman, although that could be why he was waiting to turn you.” Autumn’s mouth was as wide open as were her eyes. He added , “He’s going to be furious with me for discovering you.” He smiled smugly af t erwards .
    “What on earth are you talking about? Talks…? Old…? How old is he? And what do you mean waiting to turn me?”
    He looked at her for a long moment and then said, “I think its best if you wait and talk with Grayton.”
    She shook her head and replied, “ Wait …No… Not yet. ” She plopped down on a bench, in the park that they were cutting through.
    He looked at her with a new look now, one of annoyance. Then he held his hand out and said, “Let’s go.”
    She crossed her arms and replied, “No , I am not leaving without an explanation.” He looked at her with a fierceness that would have sent a normal person running.
    “Let’s go Autumn .” She shook her head, and he tried tempting her with, “ I will take you to Grayton.”
    She shook her head, “No , answer a few questions first.”
    “You needn’t worry he will not be angry with you, mistakes like this happen from time to time.”
    She blinked, flabbergasted, “Mistake?”
    “Oh, no not you my dear, Gra yton will explain everything when you meet him.”
    “Why don’t you explain it to me?”
    “It is not my place,” he replied stubbornly.
    She shook her head, adding , “I think if I remembe red correctly that I am the one who came to your rescue,” even if you did not need it , she thought to herself. Adding aloud, “Plus you might still need me…”
    He added more to him then to her, “Your dreams did lead you to me.”
    She reveled at the thought , “ So… y ou do need me then .” S he patted the bench next to her , as the thought sunk in . He swallowed and sat down next to her suddenly very obedient . He did not look her in the eyes and her primal urge to dominate him took hold. She felt the need to touch him again , and this time she gave into her desire. She was going to enjoy her moment of power. S he slid her hand up to his cheek to turn his face to look at hers. Surprisingly, he closed his eyes, leaned into her touch tenderly .
    The ch ange in the flow of power was exciting and Autumn smiled, delighted by her sudden new hold over him. Without thinking she leaned over him and pulled his body closer to hers on the bench , while he suddenly became sheepish . It was int oxicating , playi ng into a dominant role which he at once seemed to understand, subm