Consequences

back to Tony’s. It wasn’t until she was almost back at the apartment that it occurred to her, Emily and John are only three hours out of the city. She could get there by train. If she had Eric drop her off near a station, she could get to their house and be back in the span of a day. She used to ride the train all the time. No one would ever know. She couldn’t do it today but excitement brewed as she began to work out the details in her head for tomorrow.
    She slept soundly on his bed when he entered the bedroom. It was about three thirty in the afternoon. “We did it! The deal is complete.”
    Claire woke from her nap and tried to concentrate on his words. “That is great. I’m happy for you.”
    “We are going to celebrate!” Tony exclaimed as Claire started to get out of bed. “Where are you going?” The tone of his question accompanied by his gaze instigated a chill evidenced by goose bumps on Claire’s arms.
    “I thought you wanted to celebrate. I need to dress.”
    His voice less celebratory, more menacing, “Yes, you do, but first you need to undress while we celebrate here.” Tony removed his Brooks Brothers suit jacket and silk tie, letting them fall to the floor, and unbuttoned his shirt. Claire was napping in a pair of shorts and a shirt. She did as he bid and removed her shorts and then her shirt.
    Her instincts told her that the vigor and energy acquired from his successful business dealings would be unleashed here and now. She was thankful she napped. Apprehensively, Claire watched as he walked toward her, his clothes gone. His chest was wide, defined, and covered with dark hair. His trim abdomen was obviously the result of keeping fit. His hips were narrow, and his waist had a light trail of hair leading to where Claire could plainly see he was ready to celebrate. She didn’t need to help him, he was in charge. Although she’d been sleeping something about his demeanor alarmed her, she was fully awake as her body trembled.
    Tony pushed his body against hers. Moving fast and rough, he pulled her against him. She tasted coffee as his lips forcefully engaged hers. She attempted to slow down his movements. Expecting to be lifted onto the bed she was surprised when he pushed her, causing her cheek to feel the softness of the down comforter. She hadn’t expected his actions and he hadn’t prepared her. Her fingers gripped the cover, forming fists as she stifled the urge to cry out. He continued to dominate, showing no meekness. Anthony Rawlings had total control.
    When he finished, he instructed her to kneel. He held her head and dictated her movements until he was ready again. This time he took more time, more positions, and more possibilities. His authoritative tone resumed with instructions and directions. Eventually he led her to the shower. They needed to get ready to go out. The soap, the multiple shower heads, he continued. Finally, he finished.
    He then took shampoo and began to wash Claire’s hair. After ravaging her body, he touched her hair like it was satin. Suddenly, his movements were tender and gentle. She responded appropriately, but couldn’t help think how much she despised him. One day she wanted to help him, to be with him, the next he treated her like a whore. It made her heart ache, but she stopped the tears. He already took too much. She wasn’t giving him those too.
    That night, dressed in a sleek black strapless dress with black heels, Claire was escorted by Tony to Daniel, one of the few four-star restaurants in Manhattan. Located on the Upper East Side, it is known for its elegant ambiance and delicious French cuisine. En route, Tony reminded Claire about his rules: do as she was told, keep up appearances, and the severity of punishment for public failure. Perhaps he could sense her overwhelming desire to flee and felt the need to reiterate the consequences if she tried.
    When they arrived at Daniel they went to the lounge, where Tony ordered cocktails. They sipped drinks while Tony talked about his amazing rescue of this sensational deal. Claire felt like she was spending the evening with two different men. He could chastise her in one breath and be refined and charming in the next. While talking about his deal he said that he didn’t like to talk about money, but today he made more than most people do in an entire lifetime, quoting, “Hell, more than most families do in their lifetimes.”
    The host informed them that their table was ready and they moved