How You Touch Me (4 page)

I start, but words just fail me at this moment. Mrs
Kenny gives Julian an almost imperceptible nod and exits the kitchen.
I hear her moving in another part of the house, and the hum of the
vacuum cleaner comes on. I turn back to stare at my plate, unable to
look at Julian.

“
She is a sweet woman,” I say at last.

Julian nods. “She's been with me for more than
ten years. She's very sharp. She doesn't probe, yet she knows
everything at a glance. She cares, but she is not a busybody. She
would never gossip or interfere in anything I do.”

I start chewing my lower lip instead of my pancake.
From her knowing looks and words which were pregnant with meaning, I
am sure that Mrs Kenny knows, or would at the very least have made an
uncannily accurate guess, at the real reason for my presence here. I
am a live specimen for Julian's study and research on sexuality and
female orgasms. Mrs Kenny is a sweet, gentle woman who has been
married to her first boyfriend for more years than I have been alive.
I redden, wondering whether Julian will require me to test the sex
machine in the day when Mrs Kenny is still in the house. I'm not
sure the drone of the vacuum cleaner is enough to drown out my moans
and screams of pleasure. I drain my coffee in one long gulp and face
Julian.

“
So...what shall we do this morning?” I try
to keep my tone light and teasing, but the quaver in my voice is
obvious.

Julian puts down his cup. “Shall we go for a
walk? You haven't seen the garden or the pool. Perhaps we could
have a swim. It'd be good exercise and it'd relax your muscles.”

“
Swim? I don't have any...”

“
Oh. I got you a swimsuit. I just hope it fits.”

I run my hands down my blouse and skirt. “Did you
get me all these clothes too?”

He smiles and nods.

“
How did you...” I begin.

“
I...well, I went shopping—online. I tried
to estimate your size and just clicked on the items that I thought
would suit you.”

“
That was really fast...”

“
Yeah. You can specify express delivery and the
items will be delivered to you in a couple of hours.” He
shrugs, his eyes clearly appreciating how the soft blouse and skirt
hug my curves snugly.

“
Th-thank you, for the clothes. They fit me
great,” I stammer.

“
Just let me know if you need anything else,
Sophia,” he says earnestly. “I don't...”

“
I'm fine,” I assure him. “Thanks.”

“
Come.” He stands and offers me his arm.
“I'll show you the garden.”

With my hand in the crook of his arm, he leads me to the
front door. The foyer is sparkling with the golden sunlight
filtering in through the frosted glass at the side of the door. With
the light bouncing off the chandelier and dancing on the marble
floor, the whole house looks bright and happy. I recall Mrs Kenny
words. It's as if new life had been breathed into this house, and—I
glance at the smile playing on Julian's lips—this man.

We walk out into the lush, flowering garden and I step
lightly on the dappled sunlight flickering on the lawn. Walking
through the sprinkle of shed leaves and flowers from the trees, we
reach a swing at the end of the garden. I catch the wobbling swing
and sit down, pushing myself to and fro. Julian leans in and picks
some small leaves and petals out of my hair. “Pretty,”
he murmurs, brushing the hair from my face.

I blush and look away, moving the swing gently. Julian
stands behind me to push the swing higher. The swing sways low and
slow at first, like a pendulum, before swinging higher and higher,
flinging me towards the sky.

Giggling, I kick my legs up and whoop my delight.
Julian laughs and works the swing harder. I close my eyes, feeling
the wind and warm sunlight against my face. Up, up and up I fly.
The clouds scuttle and disperse, and it feels as if I might touch a
piece of that light blue sky. I stretch out my arms, just as I come
whooshing down again, and this time Julian catches me by the waist.

“
Whoa, slow down,” he says. “You look
like you might sail right into the air.”

He releases me and lets the swing fall into a gentle
rhythm. I let the swing come to a stop naturally and hop off. “That
was fun,” I grin at him.

“
The pool is at the back of the house. Would you
like to see it?” he offers.

“
That would be nice.” We walk round to the
back of the house, which looks even bigger and more imposing in the
day. I glimpse the clear blue of the water as I round the corner.

Julian stops and I stare at the kidney-shaped swimming
pool taking up the entire backyard. There are white deck chairs
along the side of the pool, and well pruned shrubs lining the
perimeter of the sprawling property. The water ripples in the
breeze, and I steal a glance at Julian's toned, tanned physique. Now
I know how he got his athletic build. If he swims every day, it's no
wonder his arm and chest muscles feel so firm and hard against me.

He turns abruptly and catches me staring at him. “Shall
we...” His voice sounds hoarse, and he clears his throat.
“Would you like to go for a swim? The weather's fine and I
thought maybe you...”

“
Yes.” I nod hurriedly, embarrassed at
being caught staring. “Yes. A swim sounds great.”

“
I'll meet you here in a while then.” He
smiles.

“
Yeah. I'll go change.” I back towards the
house. He watches me as I duck through the back door. Moving
rapidly through the hall, I admire the ornate furniture and paintings
on the wall. His hall is neat and luxurious with not a single piece
of furniture and ornament out of place, but there is a sense of
loneliness to it. It feels like no one has sat in those chairs and
lounged on that sofa in a long while. In contrast, Julian's ground
floor office is messy and crowded with files and papers. His office
feels more lived in than his hall. He has made his work his life.
He had chosen to just bury himself in his work and his research after
that accident. It was a way to lock up his hurt and his heart.

I can totally understand that. When you lock up your
heart, you can protect it and it can be safe from fresh wounds. I
have locked mine up as well, but Julian seems to be unlocking it,
little by little. Making me smile and laugh, making me feel relaxed
and loved.

I run up to my room and almost trip over a box in front
of the door. Gingerly, I pick it up and open it. There is a
two-piece swimsuit in it. I push into the room and feel the soft
fabric. It is a halter neck, black bikini. I can feel the heat
creeping up my face when I realize that Julian had chosen this with
me in mind. He must have pictured me in it when he ordered this just
a few hours ago.

I undress and pick up the bikini. I finish tying the
string of the halter top behind my neck and look at myself in the
bathroom mirror. The bikini fits me perfectly. No man has bought a
swimsuit for me, ever. Ex-boyfriends, ex-husband—they hadn't
noted my size and body with enough care and attention to be able to
buy a swimsuit for me. I turn one full round and check the mirror
one last time. Julian had bought this bikini specially for me, to
fit my body perfectly. I'm sure he would be dying to see me in it.

I blow out a breath.

Well, I hope I don't disappoint him.

Nervously, I slip on a long t-shirt and make my way to
the pool. I can hear water splashing and I see Julian swimming with
strong strokes across the pool. I stand at the edge of the pool,
watching the muscles on his back and arms ripple as he swims. He
somersaults in the water and kicks off powerfully from the wall. He
swims towards me and surfaces at my feet.

“
Hey.”

I smile back at him. “Hey. You're a very good
swimmer.”

He shakes the water from his face. “It's a good
way to relax. Clears my mind.”

“
I know. It's peaceful in the water. It lets you
think better.”

“
Come on in. The water's just right, not too
cold.” He splashes the water around my ankles and I squeal.

“
It's freezing!”

“
No it's not,” he laughs. “Come on!”

When I back away, a predatory look descends on his
features. With lightning speed, he pushes up from the pool and
tackles me around the waist. Ignoring my shrieks, he wraps his arms
around me and plunges into the water. I surface immediately,
spluttering and yelling. Julian laughs and swims away.

“
I am going to get you. And then I am going to
kill you!” I swear and dive after him.

Julian flips on his back and taunts, “You'd have
to catch me first.”

I narrow my eyes at him. He obviously doesn't think I
can catch him. Well, he doesn't know that I am a pretty good swimmer
myself. I used to be in the swim team in school.

Stealthily, I inch towards him. Out of the corner of
his eye, he notices my movements and barks out a laugh. “Oh no
you don't. I'm not going to be lying here, letting you sneak up on
me. Catch me if you can. Come on!”

With that, he propels himself through the water like a
torpedo. I let out a shout and immediately give chase. My legs kick
hard, and I cut through the water with clean, strong strokes. Julian
has slowed down, perhaps out of complacency, and I close in on him.
Amidst yelps and shrieks and chortles, I capture him successfully and
pin him against the side of the pool.

“
You didn't think I could catch you. eh?” I
raise an eyebrow at him.

He shakes his head, laughing. “No way! I didn't
expect you to be such a strong swimmer. You're fast, even in that
t-shirt. You are awesome!”

“
So now that I have caught you, how should I
punish you?” I lean in, smirking.

Julian stops his thrashing and his eyes suddenly darken.
In one swift, sharp move, he flips me around and clamps his hands
around my waist. I gasp as he pushes me to the wall, imprisoning me
with his arms and body. Just like that, the tables are turned.

“
You were saying...” he murmurs, bending his
face to mine. His hands slip under my t-shirt and move up and down
along the curve of my waist. He pushes my t-shirt up insistently and
I raise my arms to let him pull it up over my head. He flings the
wet t-shirt away and catches my wrists. Very slowly, he brings my
hands down to his, lacing his fingers through mine. His chest is
brushing against my erect nipples, and he lowers his mouth to brush
against my lips. I close my eyes, feeling his breath against my
cheek, my lips, my neck. The searing heat of his breath and his body
is in sharp contrast with the cool of the water. Our hands are
underwater, our fingers interlaced. The water caresses our skin,
pushing us towards each other. The lapping of the water against my
breasts makes me acutely aware of my aching, erect nipples. Julian
steps up to me, pressing urgently against me and I arch my back to
him. His erection stabs into my belly, and I rest one leg against
his thigh, wanting to feel his cock between my legs. Taking my cue,
he pulls my legs up to his waist. The water supports my weight
easily, and I lock my legs round his torso. His hands hold my waist
firmly and he starts to move against me. Through his swimming
trunks, I can feel the tip of his cock strain to enter me. All I
want to do is rip my bikini off and feel him completely inside me,
but I know that Julian would refuse to penetrate me. He wouldn't
even kiss me full on the mouth.

Feeling me, wanting me, tormenting me is as far as he
will go, for now. I throw my head back and his tongue takes a
tentative taste of my throat. I shudder and rake my fingers through
his hair, pulling him to me.

His breathing is harsh and ragged, and he is pushing so
hard against me I can feel his cock at the very tip of my slit. My
bikini feels like an unnecessary, unwanted barrier, denying Julian
access to me. I squirm in desire and frustration.

Julian's hands cup my butt, gripping me so hard his
nails dig into me. “Sophia...” He sounds like he is
begging.

I can't take it anymore. My whole body is trembling
with need. “Make me come,” I whisper. “Make me
come now.”

He gazes deeply into my eyes and very slowly, he
untangles himself from me. Slipping one arm under my knees, he lifts
me out of the water and deposits me at the edge of the pool.
Emerging from the pool, he kneels by my side and gathers me in his
arms. Silently, our eyes locked in an intense, expectant gaze, he
carries me into the house and up the stairs. We are still dripping,
the water running down our chests, but that is not what is causing
the growing wetness between my legs.

I am barely able to breathe. My need is smothering,
smoldering, almost burning through the wet fabric on my skin and I
almost moan in anticipation and agony. Despite the cool water
running down my body, I feel almost feverish.

Julian nudges the door to the laboratory open with his
shoulder and carries me into the room. The sex machine is already
switched on, and I can see a small red light blinking on one of the
monitors.