Butterfly of Venus Read online

  The soft click of the bathroom door announced Declan’s entrance. A glass of champagne was placed in her hand. Declan commanded her in a husky whisper, “Keep your eyes closed. Drink.”

  Elizabeth sipped the cold, delicious champagne. She imagined those blue eyes staring down at her. She was completely his, to do with as he liked. She loved the feeling of being wanted. Elizabeth drained the glass and felt it taken from her hand.

  “Slide forward.”

  Strong young limbs scissored Elizabeth from behind. She leaned against him, feeling his erection against her back.

  This was almost too much. Almost.

  “Touch yourself,” he whispered. She hesitated. She was still sore.

  “Do as I say.”

  Elizabeth began a slow rhythm on herself.

  “Now go someplace in your head. Some place that makes you feel sexy. Do it for me.”

  Elizabeth was instantly back in the medieval marketplace. She was being sold as a slave. She had a collar around her neck and a hood over her eyes. When her handler jerked once on the collar, she had to lift her skirt and expose herself. If he jerked twice, it meant the men wanted a better look. She was required to open her vaginal lips. If he jerked three times, she would have to bend over and expose her anus. She could hear the jeers and the comments about her. She knew she was being thoroughly examined and that several of the men were stroking themselves as they looked at her. Elizabeth could feel her orgasm approaching like a mighty beast.

  Declan seemed to sense it as well. “Get on your knees and lean forward. Put one hand on the edge of the tub. Keep touching yourself.”

  Elizabeth did as he said. Her hand continued to move over herself, going faster and faster. Three jerks on the chain. She had to expose her anus to the crowd of men. It was so humiliating. Now she felt a tongue circling that very private area. Declan was licking her there. He was one of the men in the market place. He was touching himself, enjoying her humiliation. He was coming. She was coming. Oh! Oh! Oh! The orgasm arrived and consumed her in a series of shuddering waves.

  Elizabeth waited a few moments as the billows of pleasure subsided, then splashed back against Declan. She was completely spent, exhausted. Neither of them gave a damn about the water that had sloshed onto the floor.

  “Not twice in one hour, you say?” murmured Declan. His hands began gently soaping her body. She thought, for the first time, that she might be falling for him.

  “Will you stay the night?” she asked.

  “Try and stop me.”

  Elizabeth rinsed herself off and climbed out of the tub. She handed Declan a bathrobe that she kept for guests and put one on herself.

  “That’s it, Declan. I am done, done, done. We’ve got oysters and more champagne waiting.”

  Declan grinned mischievously. “I can’t promise anything. But I am mighty hungry.”

  Elizabeth ate four oysters, leaving the rest for Declan to finish up. She adored the easy way he now tipped them into his perfect mouth and the ripple of muscles in his neck as he swallowed.

  “In my next life, I’m coming back as an oyster and hoping you’ll swallow me up,” she told him.

  He smiled disarmingly. “No guarantees. You could get swallowed by a fat old geezer instead.”

  “I suppose.” Elizabeth kissed Declan’s forehead. She felt deliriously happy. “Steak?”

  “Please. I have worked up a serious appetite.”

  “Hmm. Wonder how?”

  Elizabeth cooked them both filets that they devoured. She stuck a candle in the cake she’d made and sang “Happy Birthday.”

  Declan was genuinely touched. “Did you bake this for me?”

  “From scratch.”

  “You are one wonderful woman.”

  “It’s ATM’s annual black and white ball this Saturday at the King Eddy. Care to be my guest?”

  “What time?”

  “It starts at seven. It’s a fundraiser for several charities. Quite a formal affair.”

  “I could attend as a policeman in case things get out of hand.”

  Elizabeth smiled sexily. “You are irresistible as a policeman, but no. The hotel provides security.”

  “I couldn’t get there till eight. I’ve scheduled a rehearsal with the guys.”

  “That’ll be all right. I’ll get Manny to walk me up the red carpet. He loves that sort of thing.”

  By the time they finished the champagne, Elizabeth was tipsy. She didn’t have a care in the world. For now, everything was perfect. When Declan excused himself, she stretched out on her living room sofa in front of the fire. If she could stop time and remain in one moment forever, it would be this one. She remembered that she’d never closed the drapes, and realized it was now dark out, but felt too lazy to get up.

  She heard Declan walk back into the room. “Declan? Would you mind closing the drapes?”

  “Sure.”

  Across the street, hidden in the darkness of an alleyway, a different pair of eyes watched Declan at Elizabeth’s window. Those eyes, light and feral as a cat’s, narrowed with spiteful jealousy. Natasha.

  Declan stood for a moment, looking onto the downtown street. “You’ve got a beautiful house, Elizabeth. I like being here.”

  Elizabeth closed her eyes. She could feel herself beginning to drift. “Mmm. I like you being here too.”

  By the time Declan turned around, Elizabeth was asleep. She looked so peaceful and relaxed. Declan picked up his new guitar and began to softly strum, humming along as he worked out a new tune about Elizabeth’s luminous green eyes: “You say eyes don’t hold secrets. I don’t agree.”

  Chapter Ten

  When Elizabeth woke the next morning, she was delighted to find Declan still in her bed. She gazed at his sleeping face, revelling in his beauty. Even with his gorgeous eyes closed, the strength of his features was astounding. He was simply the most attractive man she’d ever seen. She traced the perfect curve of his mouth with her finger. Their evening together had been beyond anything she had hoped for. She’d had no idea she could be as uninhibited as she’d been with him, but Declan brought it out in her. She’d given herself to him in a way she hadn’t thought possible. She hadn’t yet told him her marketplace fantasy. What would he make of it? Perhaps he would be repelled. Though he hadn’t been turned off by the idea of her having sex with a stranger—in fact, he’d been very turned on. He’d used it against her in the role of a policeman. God, that was sexy. She felt herself getting wet just thinking about it. Was there any chance that Declan was . . . ? She ran her hand under the bedclothes across the sculpted landscape of his fit, young body. Yes, he was hard. Very.

  As she brushed against him, Declan opened his eyes and gave her a sleepy, sexy grin. “Well, good morning to you, too.”

  Elizabeth pushed her comforter away and slid down between his legs. Holding onto his erection, she gently tapped the end. “Testing. Testing. One two three. Is this thing on?”

  Declan burst out laughing. “It certainly is. In fact, I’d say the mike is very live.”

  Elizabeth took the end of his penis in her mouth. She swirled her tongue around the end and sucked gently until she heard Declan moan. Just as she felt he was ready to come, she straddled herself over him and slid down onto his shaft. His eyes had the faraway look she’d noticed when he sang.

  He focused on her pubic area. “Touch yourself, Elizabeth. I love seeing you do that.”

  Elizabeth did as he said. She thought about the slave market. She could see Declan’s face in the crowd. Two tugs of the rope around her neck. She had to expose herself. Even though she knew other men could see her as well, she was doing it just for him, so that he could get a good look at her. Now she was riding Declan faster and faster as her hand brought her to a massive orgasm on top of him. She felt herself pulsing over his shaft in diminishing waves.

 
“You can wake me like that anytime, Ms. Harding.” Declan sat up and kissed her between her breasts. “You are a very sexy woman.”

  “Oh, Declan. In another life and time we might have lived together and started a family.”

  Declan frowned. “I told you. I don’t want children. Now I can’t have them. I’ve had it seen to.”

  “What do you mean?

  Declan made a snipping motion with his fingers.

  “You mean you had a vasectomy?”

  “A few weeks ago.”

  Elizabeth was taken aback. It was such an extreme action. “Is your mother disappointed she won’t have grandchildren?”

  “She doesn’t know.”

  Elizabeth thought it odd. Why would he take such drastic action unless there was something wrong with him? Oh well. It was up to him. As far as she was concerned, he was perfect.

  Elizabeth kissed the furrows on Declan’s handsome brow. “I was referring to another life, another time. One in which we were born closer together. Things might have been different.”

  “I’m happy with the way things are,” said Declan. “I’m happy with you. You are the sexiest woman alive.”

  That was a cue to get out of bed, or she’d be there all day. Tempting as it was, Elizabeth had to get to work. Smiling to herself, she took a quick shower, then made a pot of coffee with French toast for Declan. Her driver was picking her up at nine. She offered to drop Declan somewhere.

  “Sure. Malabar’s. I’m working today.” He grinned. “I have to return the police uniform. I left my own clothes there so I can change.”

  “Maybe you should go without the jacket and cap. I’d hate to see you arrested for impersonating a police officer. Oh, and here.” Elizabeth handed him a ticket. “This is for the ball.”

  Declan glanced at it and whistled. “Ten Gs?”

  “That’s how we fundraise.”

  “Wow. And Franco’s playing? Is he still around? I thought he was dead.”

  “There are some who might agree he is.”

  “Should be quite a night. So I’ll be your date?”

  “If you like.”

  “And will we . . . ?”

  Elizabeth finished his sentence. “Come here afterwards? If you like.”

  Declan smiled his crooked grin. “I like.” His blue gaze penetrated her soul, sending butterflies soaring through her stomach. “I like a lot.”

  * * *

  When Elizabeth got to work, she called Suzie in to her office. Suzie was a bright girl who was doing a terrific job. Elizabeth was gratified that the trust she’d placed in her was paying off. Suzie’s most recent assignment had been to acquire the prizes for the ball’s silent auction. Suzie rattled off a list of luxury items that had been donated: dinner with Richard Branson, a trip to Dubai on a private jet, a cruise with Justin Bieber. These prizes would go for plenty of money, which in turn would be distributed among various charities, helping to build a school in Africa, dig wells in Guatemala and support an animal shelter, a home for battered women and the neonatal unit of Sick Kids Hospital.

  Suzie had done well. Elizabeth told her so and gave her a raise.

  “Wow! Thanks, Ms. Harding.”

  “Could you get me a list of confirmed attendees?”

  “Sure thing.”

  Suzie bounced out of the office, her blond ponytail swinging. Elizabeth could use more eager young women like her. Suzie returned with the list, a veritable Who’s Who of the country’s most powerful and influential people. Elizabeth looked it over, satisfied that the annual event would again be a smash success.

  And Declan would be there. After it was over, she would spend the night with him. Would she have the nerve to tell him what she’d been thinking the last time they made love? Were they making love? Or were they fucking? Did it matter? Elizabeth felt a flutter in her pelvic area. Whatever it was, it was astoundingly good. She couldn’t wait to do it again.

  * * *

  Elizabeth spent Saturday afternoon at the beauty salon, getting her hair, nails and makeup done. That evening, the weather was warm and clear, with a glorious sunset that cast long shadows on King Street. A red carpet rolled from the hotel entrance onto the sidewalk. A crowd of photographers and onlookers waited eagerly behind velvet ropes for the rich and powerful to arrive.

  Assisted by Manny, Elizabeth stepped out of her limo. The flash of a thousand digital cameras temporarily blinded her. Her stunning dress from Paris scooped low in the back almost to the crack of her behind. Over her pale shoulders she wore a white ostrich feather cape she’d found in a vintage store. She was dazzling.

  Manny had been delirious when Elizabeth asked him to walk her up the red carpet. He’d been in a flutter about it for days. A chance to be photographed by paparazzi and possibly appear in the pages of Vanity Fair was almost more than he could stand. He’d managed to scoop a white Valentino tux from a second-hand store. He looked the perfect part of the debonair, albeit gay, escort.

  Thrilled with the attention, Manny waved to the crowd of onlookers as if he were the biggest star in the world. He actually signed a couple of autographs.

  “Stop it, Manny,” Elizabeth warned jokingly under her breath, “or I shall fire you.”

  “Just for tonight I’m Cinderella,” said Manny, stopping to pose for a photo.

  As soon as all of her guests had arrived and had champagne in hand, Elizabeth gave a brief welcome speech. She encouraged them to bid on silent auction items that included a thirty-six-foot yacht and a ski trip in the French Alps with a private chalet for a group of twelve. Waiters were instructed to keep glasses filled. A drunken crowd was a generous crowd.

  After two glasses of champagne, Elizabeth switched to Perrier, but the bubbles had already gone to her head a bit. She was feeling fabulous. Dinner was to be served promptly at eight, and Declan had assured her he would be there in time. She checked her diamond watch and looked up. Striding across the ballroom towards her was a young god in vintage black tails. It seemed to Elizabeth that all eyes in the room were on this movie-star-handsome young man.

  Declan approached her with confidence, his dark hair slicked back and tamed from its usual unruly curls. The faintest shadow of a beard lent him a subtly dangerous masculine air. His dark blue eyes flashed like the many diamonds in the room. As he reached Elizabeth, he took her elbow and leaned in for a formal kiss on each cheek. He smelled of the outdoors, of something woodsy and fresh that filled her with longing.

  “Wow, Declan. You look amazing.”

  “You too.”

  “Beautiful suit. Did you get it from Malabar’s?”

  “No. It was my father’s.”

  Elizabeth took Declan’s arm, then led the way to the dining room, a signal for the crowd to follow suit. Elizabeth did not believe in head tables. Her table was set up on the perimeter of the ballroom, where she had easy access to the stage. Joining her and Declan were three other couples; ATM’s lawyer, Gretchen Sweetwater, and her husband, Bill; ATM’s accountant, Bernie, and his new girlfriend, Molly; and Dr. Charles Sadler, president and CEO of Sick Kids Hospital, and his wife, Elaine. Sick Kids Hospital would be the main recipient of the money raised by the ball.

  As conversation drifted among a variety of topics, Elizabeth was keenly aware of Declan beside her. Molly, the youngest woman at the table by far, was keenly aware of Declan too. She couldn’t stop eyeing him and was practically drooling. Elizabeth thought having the sexy beauty of youth was like being put behind the wheel of a Ferrari without a driver’s licence. A momentary pang of wistfulness seized her. If only she had known, in her twenties, how beautiful she was. She took her looks for granted back then, ignored them, even. As a young woman, she’d concentrated on her future. Now that future was here.

  Elizabeth became aware of Declan’s hand pressing against her thigh. He was deeply involved in a conversation with Charles
Sadler about stem cells. He impressed the doctor with his knowledge that two Canadians had discovered them. As the discussion continued, Elizabeth felt Declan’s hand slowly gather up the fabric of her gown, inch by inch. When he had gathered it up to her knee, Elizabeth thought, Surely he won’t go farther.

  With his conversation ended, Declan turned to Elizabeth. He said, “I hope you’re open to a dance this evening.” He placed just the tiniest emphasis on the word “open.”

  Elizabeth couldn’t believe his nerve. She shifted her legs slightly apart. Now it was Declan’s turn to be surprised. Her dress fit so snugly over her derriere that she had decided against wearing panties. Declan raised a quizzical eyebrow. His fingers moved slowly over her pubic bone, then settled in the valley of her lips, where they made light, teasing movements. Elizabeth could feel her clitoris engorge and her cheeks flush. My God. Bernie was about to talk about European economic policy. She couldn’t take it.

  “Are you all right?” asked Bernie, seeing Elizabeth’s flushed face.

  “Actually, I am feeling a little overheated. Maybe I’ll just go to the washroom and put some cold water on my wrists. Excuse me.” Elizabeth pushed back her chair and fled for the private bathroom reserved for stars playing at the hotel. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were very bright and her cheeks inflamed. She leaned against the wash basin, trying to catch her breath. What on earth was Declan doing to her?