She spotted a fluffy black towel on one of the towel racks neatly folded, along with a
matching washcloth. He wasn’t kidding about the maid. How much does a bike mechanic actually make? She slipped off her clothing, tossed it in the garbage and set on the edge of the tub. It would take a whole lot of scrubbing and soaking in the hot tub to make her feel in any way cleansed. She watched the steamy water fill the tub and grabbed the white soap that smelled of sandalwood. The scent reminded her of Pan. The man was in every other thought and she’d yet to learn his given name. So? You’ll learn. The long-silenced voice inside her wanted out. It wanted freedom and nurturing. It battled the self-degrading voice that told her she should’ve tried harder to save Robin. Turning off the faucet, she stepped down into the tub, closed her eyes and rested her head on the back of the tub.
A half hour later, the cool air pebbled her nipples. Her heart knocked against her ribs and her palms grew slick with sweat as she perched on the edge of the massive bed as Pan requested. She could see items lined up on the top of the dresser. A black blindfold, matching cuffs, a set of black cylinders she didn’t quite recognize and a wand she knew intimately. Heat filled her cheeks. What does he plan on doing with it? He pushed the door open and she sat up straighter.
He dressed in a fresh pair of black jeans and nothing more. She couldn’t help but to stare at his tattoo, memorizing every colorful swirl and line. His wet hair looked almost brown while slicked back.
“I like the sight of you naked on my bed.”
His words are a velvet caress, she wanted to feel again and again.
“Have you noticed the gifts I laid out for you?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know what all of them are?”
She shook her head.
“So quiet now. Do you trust me?”
Suddenly mute, she bobbed her head.
“You remember the magic word that makes me stop?”
“Ice,” she croaked.
“That’s right little bird. Ice to neutralize your fire.” He stepped over to the counter and grabbed the blindfold. “This is going to allow you to simply feel.” He ran the silky, soft, material down along her body.
The feather light touches tickled and she squirmed.
“It’ll heighten everything and give me the chance to surprise your body. Our eyes are such a vital part of our brain’s processing system. When you remove it from the equation, all the other sense are amped up in an attempt to compensate. Are you ready for that?”
“Yes,” she replied, eager to escape the demons nipping at her heels.
Pan covered her eyes and tied the loose ends of the blindfold tight.
The blackout material killed her light and flipped a switch on inside her.
“Welcome to my game.” He trailed his fingertips across her collarbone and brushed his lips across her cheek.
“Game?”
“That’s how I view life. A game we make up our own rules to. Life’s too short not to have fun and live on the edge.”
She hummed her agreement.
“Stand.”
Lark pushed off from the bed, grateful for his hand on her elbow.
“Hold your hands above your head. Good. There’s a secret to my bed.” His voice is further away as he seems to be moving around the room.
The sound of sliding mechanisms made her ears perk up.
“It’s more than a frame. It’s got a bar to play with.” His warm breath blows against her face.
His chest brushed against her nipples. His sprinkling of hair rubbed against her skin.