Friday Night, August 10
Rachel sipped at her glass of wine, waiting. The hotel room was well appointed, with a separate room containing the bed. She had mixed feelings of anticipation and guilt. Then a rise of anger as she thought about how she ended up where she was. She took another drink of her wine and refilled the glass.
A knock on the door set her in motion. She set her glass on the coffee table, checking her appearance in the mirror mounted on the wall. Rachel closed her terry-towel robe and peered through the eyepiece in the door, confirming his identity. She opened the door.
“Hi there,” she breathed out.
“Hello, yourself.” Ryan stepped inside and pushed the door closed. He tossed a leather duffle bag on the floor and grabbed her hair, pulling her head back.
She tried to meet his gaze. Suddenly, his mouth was on hers and she closed her eyes, dropping her arms to her sides. When he released her, she gasped and grabbed at his arm.
“Pour me a drink.” He scanned the room, noting the hide-a-bed, two armchairs, the coffee table, and a desk.
She hurried to the table. “It’s a really nice red.”
Ryan walked over to the window, staring briefly between the parted drapes. He turned around and took the offered glass from Rachel. He studied the wine as he swirled the liquid around. “Tell me, are you expected home tonight?”
“Yes, but I told Joe I was going shopping with a girlfriend and then we’d go for drinks. I can stay out fairly late.”
“Good.” He tasted the wine and nodded his approval as set his glass on the desk. He used one hand to hold the lapel of her robe, and with the other hand, he slapped her face.
“Please. I don’t want any marks on my face. I don’t want to explain that to him.”
He cupped his hand under her chin. “I’ll decide what I do with you. Do you understand?”
“Yes. I just don’t want to get caught.”
He yanked opened her robe, pulling the material down her arms to the elbows. “That’s not my problem. I’ll do what I want with you.” His hand squeezed her bare breast.
Rachel gasped. “Ryan…”
He pushed her toward the couch until she fell backward on the cushions. His eyes narrowed as he leered at her, the robe open in the middle, exposing her body. Ryan unbuckled his belt and pulled it loose. “Now it’s time to have some fun. Roll over.”
Rachel opened her mouth, unable to speak as she gulped in air, and twisted around to lie on her stomach.
* * *
Ryan checked his messages and placed his mobile on the table at the side of the queen-sized bed. “I think I’ll order up some food. Afterward, there’re some more things I want to do with you.” He bent over her and untied the rope securing her wrists behind her back, observing the red stripes on her bottom.
Rachel turned around and sat on the bed. “Ryan, please, you know I’ll do what you want. Delete those pictures. What if someone discovers them?”
“No, I enjoy looking at them. Don’t worry, they’re our secret. It also ensures your compliance with my wants.”
Rachel stood at the side of the bed, rubbing her wrists. “Please.”
“I’m keeping the photos. The subject is closed.”
Rachel stared at his back as he left the bedroom. She let out a long breath and pushed away the rope to the end of the bed where the ball gag, more rope, and a riding crop rested. She stood, put on the housecoat, and walked to where he stood talking on the hotel room phone.
“Could you order me a salad and a burger as well? I’m hungry.”
“You should eat, because I plan to test your endurance.”