Obsession by Ivory Quinn

You’ll be clean soon.” He’d worked his way up to her thighs, washing her skin with foaming gel that smelled of cinnamon and clove.
    “I don’t think I’ll ever feel the same again.” She blurted out and he looked up at her, the water scattering over his face.
    “You’ve had your eyes opened kitten.” He explained quietly. “Just like losing your regular virginity – it’s like Eve eating the apple in the Garden of Eden. Once something’s seen it cannot be unseen.” He returned his attention to cleaning her and felt her hands sliding down his shoulder blades.
    “Did these hurt?” She asked, absently tracing the feathers of his tattoos.
    “Of course.” They had taken six sittings to complete and it had been agony, but the pain had been so cathartic. He could see how easily ink became an addiction.
    He didn’t wash her hair, although he’d have liked to. By the time he got to her shoulders , she was too exhausted and shaken to stand anymore, so he shut off the water and towelled her down, carrying her through to the bedroom like a precious objet d’art . He took his time drying in between her fingers and toes with soft cotton, lifting her upright so that he could blow dry her hair as she slumped against him with weariness.
    When she was finally dry to his satisfaction, he pulled the covers over her. “Sleep.” He whispered, kissing her forehead. “It will be morning soon and this will all seem like a crazy dream.” He waited a few minutes until her breathing evened out and then got to his feet. Someone had to clean up the play room and there was no way he was leaving it for the housekeeper.
     
    When he awoke the next morning, Noelle was sat on the side of the bed gazing out of the window.
    “Good morning.” He mumbled sleepily. “How are you feeling?”
    “You set me up.” It wasn’t accusatory, just a statement of fact, and she didn’t resist when he looped his arms around her waist and pulled her back down to spoon with him. “You set me up.” She said again, softer this time. “It was only ever about the punishment, wasn’t it? You knew I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from coming. The whole thing was just a prelude to the punishment.”
    “Yes.” He didn’t see any point in lying.
    “I don’t understand.” She sounded confused. “You had me there tied up. You were in control. Why was it necessary to do it that way, to make me feel like I was being punished?”
    “Because this is all still so new to you.” He kissed the top of her shoulder. “We’re still breaking boundaries here. If I’d come at you cold and asked for that, you’d have safe-worded straight off the bat. I needed to get you into a frame of mind where you were more open to the possibilities. It’s crazy and illogical, but psychologically you felt on some level that you did need to be punished and you let me do it.”
    “That’s so messed up.” She still didn’t sound freaked out, just a little confused, and he squeezed her close.
    “You knew I was messed up when you agreed to stay.” He pointed out. “I did tell you the consequences of stepping into the play room.”
    “I know. Just give me some time to adjust. I feel like I’ve had the ground blown out of my world.”
    “Take all the time you need.” He kissed her shoulder again. “Are you hungry? Do you want me to go and make waffles?”
    “I don’t know.” For the first time she sounded amused. “I’m starving, but if you get up that means you won’t be cuddling me anymore.”
    “We have nothing to do today except wrap presents.” He pointed out. “I can go and make waffles and then we can spend the day cuddling on the couch.”
    “It’s Christmas Eve.” She pointed out. “I have to get everything ready for dinner tomorrow.”
    “That won’t take long. I’ll help.” Reluctantly he released her. “Go get your dressing gown on. I’ll make the breakfast.”
    She watched as he strode naked across the bedroom, grabbing his