I Guess I Do Need the Money Pt. 02

Cassya stirred when she felt movement on the bed next to her. As she slowly rose to consciousness she became aware of an ache between her legs, reminding her of what happened last night. A smile crept on her lips. A voice disturbed her reverie.

"Is it too cliché to ask if you were thinking of me?" The voice said with humour.

She opened her eyes to be greeted by Alaric, casually dressed and holding a cup of coffee based on the smell.

"A part of you maybe, based on how my lower half feels this morning."

She half smirked.

He chuckled.

"Well... gentlemanly conduct would behoove me to apologise for the discomfort I have caused. But my 'ego' is delighted that you're going to be reminded of it for most of the day."

He gave her a wolfish smile.

"Coffee?"

He offered her the cup and she sat up and took it gratefully, giving him a wry smile in return.

"Should I expect that kind of treatment every time we lay together?" She asked as she took a sip.

He pondered for a moment.

"You mean me bringing you to satisfaction, multiple times in a night?

He raised an eyebrow with a smirk.

She wanted to roll her eyes.

"I think you know I meant... where you got a little rougher?"

A hint of concern creeped into her voice.

He cottoned onto what she was hinting at.

"I thought you liked that part, you were moaning and squeezing me like you did... If your concern is that I might be one of those men who thinks it's normal and arousing to hurt women in bed. Then that is incorrect. I do not seek to cause pain... I say again for the third time, I do not have any deviant tastes. I may occasionally like to be a bit more dominant, rougher and spank that lovely behind of yours, but it is not something I will force on you if you decide you don't like it. You have the right to veto, it's in the contract."

He answered, sounding serious.

She blushed.

"I... did like it... but... are you going to want that tonight? I might still feel a bit tender."

She asked, feeling a bit sheepish.

He chuckled, clocking her blush and liking her confirmation. His tone became more flirtatious, sultry.

"If you wish... later I can be gentle and tender. Watching you writhe and moan while sheathed around me will still be satisfying. I can also go harder if you ask for it... just like last night."

Cassya's blush intensified. Arousal formed between her legs and her breath caught. Alaric leaned over kissing her, wrapping their tongues together and leaving her breathless. He nibbled her lower lip as they parted. Cassya struggled to keep her coffee cup level as the kiss caused some of her blood to leave her brain. He met her eyes as he pulled away, smirking.

"As much as I would love to take you again this morning, we both have places to be. Finish your coffee, get dressed and Dickenson, one of my servants, will escort you home. I can't offer you my carriage because I need it."

"This Dickenson is walking me home? Will I have to walk back here tonight?" She queried.

"No I'll send the carriage, in future if the carriage is unavailable expect Dickenson to escort you. Unless there is anything else, I will be off, see you this evening."

He left the room leaving Cassya there alone, she enjoyed the coffee. It was a much higher quality than what she drank at home these days, she savoured every sip. She slipped out from under the covers, still nude and found her clothes where she left them the previous night. Redressing herself before heading downstairs. She saw Tessa as she reached the bottom milling about doing chores. When Tessa saw her she gave Cassya a nod of acknowledgement before heading upstairs, presumably to tend to the bedroom now that Cassya had left it. She saw a large, broad man in a chair near the front door, reading the newspaper with his own empty cup of coffee on a table next to him. He was in his late thirties she estimated, he had a strong masculine face and a demeanor that would encourage people not to bother him. Wearing inconspicuous clothes that were in good condition but clearly not expensive. He looked up at her as she walked over.

"Hello, are you Dickenson?" She enquired, in a friendly tone.

He nodded. Clearly a man of few words.

"I'm Cassya, nice to meet you."

She held out a hand to shake, which he took, giving it a strong grip. She thought it best to try and be on good terms with the staff, as technically she was one of them now in a way. Plus walking home in an awkward silence with this slightly intimidating man was something she wanted to avoid.

He escorted her home and she did manage to get a bit of talk out of him. Learning he was married with a couple of kids and the way he talked about his wife made it obvious he loved her, it was sweet. Cassya thought Dickenson just looked unfriendly, he was more of a teddy bear at heart. When they reached her house, he waited until she was safely in the door before walking off.

Cassya suspected there was probably a hidden purpose to Dickenson being her escort going forward. Maybe it was purely for her safety or perhaps it was something else. Like Alaric wanting to be certain she was headed home and nowhere else, she mused. Time to make breakfast, her siblings were already up and rushed over to see her.

"Sis' where were you? I went to wake you up this morning but you weren't there!"

Her little brother asked, curious.

Cassya made up a believable lie.

"I was so tired after work, I took a nap there. I guess I slept longer than I intended to. Sorry if you were worried."

Her siblings smiled.

"S'okay you're here now."

Her mother came down the stairs as she had breakfast and coffee on the stove. She looked at Cassya, then ushered her to a room out of earshot of her siblings.

"How do we stand Sweet Pea?" Her mother asked. Her face was neutral.

"I have taken the 'job', I have an employment contract of sorts. Written down, it covers the exact figures involved and some of the... ahem... more intimate aspects of the arrangement."

Her mother nodded.

"Six months... that's it?"

"Yeah, I can leave before that if I wish but we have to pay the balance. There's also a provision in the event I bear his child. Along with a weekly stipend generous enough that you could give up the second job, stop working yourself into the ground."

Her mother looked pensive, mildly surprised.

"While it would be wonderful to give up the second job... this is all suspiciously generous for what is effectively being a paid mistress... No offence Sweet Pea. He's not expecting you to do anything 'strange' is he?"

"Nothing 'strange', that is also in the contract. Assuming he doesn't throw anything weird or unexpected my way I think I will be able to do this for the full six months. Free us from the debt."

"What's he like? What do you make of him?" Her mother asked genuinely curious.

Cassya thought for a moment.

"Handsome, charming. The kind of man who wouldn't have much trouble luring women into bed with him. Yet incredibly calculating as well. Believe me mother, I share your suspicions. But he is yet to give me any reason to doubt him definitively. After our experience with Father and everything after, we have had plenty of dealings with people with bad intentions. Who knows with Alaric though... He might just want what he says he does."

Her mother took this in, pondering before speaking.

"That lie you told Ash and Willow this morning... Let's stay with that. You are sleeping at work going forward. Working so hard that their Mother can spend more time at home. They shouldn't learn the truth. Assuming you get through this without a child in your belly... we never speak of it again once it's done."

Cassya gave a resigned nod. Her mother gazed at the floor.

"Sweet Pea, I know you are doing this for the family and it's potentially going to save us... I thank you, but I can't help but feel shame in my failings as a mother that this is what it has come to. You should never have been put in this position in the first place. I hope you can forgive me one day." Tears pricked her mother's eyes

Cassya hugged her tight.

"You have nothing to be sorry for... there's nothing to forgive. Father did this to us, he is the only one to blame here, you have done your best Mother. If I ever see him again it will be hard to resist the urge to club him with the frying pan."

Her mother giggled, through her tears.

"Sorry I've already got dibs on the frying pan, pick another blunt instrument."

Cassya chuckled, they broke off, her mother dabbed her tears and returned to the kitchen. They had breakfast and her mother set off for work. She had a normal day with her siblings. When they were at school she walked to the gambling hall, handed in her notice and walked back home. She waited for the carriage to arrive that evening, it came shortly after her mother got back from her second job. She got in and was taken back to Alaric's.

She was ushered in again like the night before. Tessa led her up to Alaric's office, knocked on the door and entered upon hearing his voice. He smiled at her from behind his desk, Tessa closed the door behind her.

"So what is on the agenda for tonight?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Alaric smirked.

"Potentially the evening to yourself. I have a lot more work to get through, I don't know how long it's going to take me to finish it."

"Any recommendations on how I should occupy myself?" She asked flirtatiously.

He gave her a wry grin, got up from his desk and went to his bookshelves. He browsed the collection before pulling one off and handing it to her.

"How about curling up in bed with an entertaining book? I'll join you when I finish up here."

She gave him a wry look then did as asked. She went to his bedroom, took off her shoes. As she approached the bed she saw a silk nightie had been left on the bed for her. She jumped at the opportunity to clothe herself in silk for the first time in what felt like forever. She divested herself of her clothes and slipped it on climbing into bed and started reading the book, 'The Courtesan's Hidden Secret'. She had initially wondered why he had recommended it. It seemed to be a generic courtly romance... until she got a bit further in... it was filthy. Terms she had only heard in passing at the gambling hall explained in their full context, with detailed descriptions of the acts. All performed by or on 'the courtesan'. This was why he had wanted her to read this most likely, either to receive tuition or titillation. It had the desired effect either way. Which one of these acts might he ask her to perform? She soon found herself imagining herself and Alaric in place of the characters in every scenario, steadily growing more aroused. One scene caught her attention, 'the courtesan' and her lover in the back of a carriage, covertly merging their bodies, while trying not to alert the people outside to their actions. She couldn't quite put her finger on why she was so drawn to this scene. Was it the passion or the threat of getting caught?

As she was pondering the question Alaric walked in. He strode over and pulled the book out of her hands. Keeping the page open and studying it.

He chuckled.

"So this is where you have got to... I like that scene too."

She put on a facetious tone.

"Did you know this book is filled with smut? I was shocked, I say, shocked."

Giving him a wry grin.

He returned it.

"So shocked you kept reading well into the smutty part of it."

Continuing her facetious tone.

"Purely for the sake of decency, I needed to see how far the smut went."

His grin became lascivious.

"I'm certain you found it very educational."

He put the book to the side and started pulling off his clothes.

She dropped the facetiousness from her voice sounding sincere, giving him a curious look.

"I wouldn't have thought that this would be your kind of thing?"

He put on a mocking tone mimicking affront.

"Why? Can't a man enjoy a bit of literary smut about a courtly lady? It definitely helps the imagination when in bed alone."

He finished undressing and climbed into bed on top of her, sliding his hand up to her thigh to her sex, stroking her folds, finding them wet.

He flashed a wicked grin.

"Seems like it aided your imagination very well."

He leaned down and deeply kissed her. His hand ran through her hair, while the other pushed her nightdress up to her waist. Travelling up to her shoulders to pull down the straps and expose her breasts. She melted into the kiss, his hand grasping around her breast, teasing her nipple between his fingers. He broke off the kiss, removing his hand from her hair, placing it on the pillow next to her. He clasped his lips around her other nipple, sucking it, rolling it over his tongue. She caressed her fingers through his dark wavy hair, his silver eyes looking up at her. He lightly bit her now hard bud between his teeth causing her to let out a small gasp.

His mouth parted from her nipple with a pop. He took his hand from her breast and used it to angle himself at her entrance. He placed his hand down next to her, then slowly eased inside to the hilt. She groaned, she ran her hands over his chest as he grazed his lips against her neck.

"Do you need me to be gentle?" He purred his question. She detected a small hint of frustration.

"Yes!" She answered, as he slowly ground his hips into her tender insides.

He grinned. Rocking his hips, trying to reach her sweet spot with every movement. She was soon undulating her body against his, helping him reach it. Moans soon escaped her, finding herself tightening around his length when he began pulling back his hips and fully submerging himself in her depths. All performed at a measured controlled pace. His eyes told a different story, she saw desire, hunger and barely contained restraint. As pleasurable as this was for her he clearly wanted more, to mount and aggressively stuff her. A wicked thought entered her mind, how far could she tease him before that restraint shattered. The memory of how he had taken her the night before, caused her to be willing to risk the potential discomfort between her legs the next day.

She took his nipples between her thumbs and forefingers, teasing and rolling them. Nipping his ear before trailing her lips along his neck pressing her teeth into his neck. He groaned as she kept playing, raising his face over hers.

An eyebrow raised and a wry suspicious grin.

"You're playing a dangerous game if you want me to stay gentle!" He growled.

She just smirked mischievously. Running her hands all over his skin, squeezing his buttocks, leaning up to lightly bite his lower lip.

His face twitched a little.

"If you're trying to ask me for something, say it." A hint of frustration entered his voice.

She just giggled puckishly.

She moved her fingers back up to his nipples to pinch them, then kissed him needfully, teasingly. He leaned into it, pushing her down. He sped up the pace of his hips. No longer gentle, he was hammering into her. She gasped and moaned into his mouth. He broke off the kiss, resting his forehead against hers. He planted down his elbow next to her head, as his other hand snaked across her skin between them to her nub and began caressing it.

"Is this... what... you wanted?!"

He groaned. Gazing at her, studying her face as her eyes became unfocused, her mouth left slightly open for the panting moans she could not contain.

"Yes!" She mewled. Her legs wrapped around him, as he drove in deep and hard.

He formed a dark wolfish grin, before his own face started to slacken, his eyes becoming half lidded and his lips letting out pants as he enthusiastically buried himself between her legs. Smacking their hips together. She rested her hands on his shoulders, feeling his muscles tense and flex beneath her fingers.

His touch building her pleasure, she rolled her hips into him, their bodies merging into a bestial rut.

Her body taking him and clinging to him as he sank into her. Instilling a growing feeling of rapture that was leading her to her apex to soon throw her off the edge. Her hips trembling, toes starting to curl and delightful surges creeping through her. She felt Alaric's muscles begin to shake, it wouldn't be much longer for either of them. When her orgasm seized her she whimpered and whined, the surges became a rapturous flood as her sex gripped and clamped around Alaric. Demanding its tribute which his balls gave willingly and generously to her deep inside. Groaning then letting out a grunt as his own euphoria took him and finished its journey through him.

He pulled out and collapsed next to her. Both of them quietly enjoying the post-coital bliss as they lay there panting, waiting for their breath to normalise. Eventually Alaric spoke, starting with a chuckle.

He half smiled at her.

"Testing my restraint like that is almost sadistic. Telling me to be gentle and you doing your best to tempt me otherwise is very confusing."

She giggled.

"That was part of the fun. I wanted to see how much teasing it would take for the veneer of gentlemanly civility to break... not that much it seems." She gave him a wry grin.

He rolled his tongue around his mouth. Looking at her ponderously, curiously with a hint of a smile to his face.

"So you have that side to you as well. That's interesting, looks like I learned something new tonight."

"Much like how I learned you ache for it to be more intense even when you're trying to be gentle... and that you like dirty books." She teased.

He chuckled.

"You're setting a dangerous precedent here. I am happy to take my pleasure from a more gentle session, but I was upfront this morning that yes I do prefer to go a little harder. You telling me one thing then hinting at the other is going to potentially cause confusion in the future... where I start ramming you like a rag doll when you don't actually want me to. Please say what you want clearly. Also please explain what you find so curious about me enjoying filthy literature?"

He raised an eyebrow.

She smiled.

"Okay no more confusing teasing in the future. As for the book, maybe I just assumed that's not the sort of thing a respectable noble gentleman would keep on the bookshelf in his office." She answered sardonically.

He laughed, then smirked.

"I technically only started having those descriptors applied to me quite recently. But that kind of book is something you can often find hidden in the libraries of the wealthy and noble. If you know where to look. In fact I stole this one."

"Who from?" She tittered as she asked.

He sniggered.

"Not saying, but based on what you've read of it... I think you can rule out Aberforth."

She put on a playful tone, raising an eyebrow.

"Can I?"

Matching her playfulness.

"Of course! I'd never take a smutty book from a man's library... too much risk of finding the pages stuck together."

It took her a few seconds to comprehend his meaning, before she burst out laughing.

"So you stole it from a woman, don't you feel bad about taking her guilty reading pleasure?"

"Nope! She had quite the collection. I doubt she even misses it."

"Now you are just making me really curious about who it is!"

He made a gesture like his mouth was zipped shut, grinning at her. She was disappointed at the withheld information.

"What else makes me curious is that this is the second night in a row that you have brought up my ex-fiancé and insulted him."

She focused on him, studying his reaction.

He wore a curiously wry expression.

"I thought you might appreciate the chance to laugh at the man. Unless you are about to tell me that you still pine for a life of carnal dissatisfaction with a man who is only a few steps above a blithering idiot and as pleasant to be around as a shit coated swine?"

"Really don't like him do you?" She grew pensive. "I'm not even remotely sad that he called off our engagement. I was not looking forward to marrying him. I can't disagree with your assessment of him... but your disdain seems... deeper."

She kept studying him.

He sighed.

"I have my reasons... let's leave it at that."

After a few moments of awkward silence. She asked a question.

"Are you finished or are you wanting to go again tonight?"

He looked at her with a flirtatious smirk.

"Not happy with just one round?"

She blushed.

"... uh... I just..." She stammered.

He chuckled.

"It's been a long day, if you want further satisfaction... you can play with yourself I would love to watch..." he saw her grow nervous at that prospect, "... or maybe ride on top of me? Like from the book."

She grew intrigued at that option.

She kneeled astride him, he ran his hands up her thighs as she started to stroke his length. He sighed, quickly growing hard again under her touch. She positioned his tip at her entrance before sinking herself down upon him. Sitting on his lap with him deep inside, she saw his face relax as she trailed her hands up his chest. She placed them beneath his shoulders to anchor herself, then rolled her hips on top of him. Grinding him into her sweet spot. He grasped her breast, squeezing her nipple, then moving it down between her legs to play with her nub. She began to raise her hips up and drop them down on him. He breathed deeply.

"When you drop your hips back down, roll and squeeze. It'll feel better for both of us."

He suggested.

She did as instructed, marvelling at the sensation going through her. He lightly rocked his hips up into her when she dropped down. Creating a rhythm between them, that sent shivers through her. The pace between them stayed gentle, pleasure slowly building as they intertwined. His eyes half lidded as he watched her ride on top of him, quietly groaning. They stayed like this, time passing just delighting in the feeling as it kept growing. The pair of them began to tremble as they grew closer to their finishes. Cassya found herself dropping lower and lower to Alaric's chest as they kept going.

When she was laying on top of him Alaric drew up his knees and began thrusting up into her rapidly, a sudden adjustment to the languid pace they had been enjoying. She moaned as he pushed up into her, delectable jolts running through her body. His fingers still caressing her nub as he frantically sheathed himself between her legs. She was suddenly launched off her edge after leisurely approaching it. She squealed and aggressively tightened around him as the bliss assaulted her senses shooting through her nerves. Alaric grabbed her hips and buried himself deep as he spurted, coating her insides. Both of them lay there in a panting heap.

Cassya wondered if she should move and get off him. When she tried to raise her hips Alaric pulled them back down.

"I want to be inside you for a little longer."

He announced. Still breathing heavily.

She relented, remaining impaled upon him until she felt him begin to soften and climbed off, dropping onto the bed next to him. Shortly after he pulled back the covers and slipped them both under. The pair of them soon fell asleep.

When she awoke the next morning, she rolled over to see Alaric sat up in bed reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee. He noticed her looking at him through bleary eyes.

He smiled at her.

"Morning, I can pour you a cup of coffee if you wish, Tessa brought up a tray with a pot and a spare cup."

"Uh... yes, that would be nice thank you." She answered sheepishly.

Cassya felt embarrassed as she realised that Tessa had seen them in bed together. Then noted that it was unlikely Tessa didn't already have an idea of what her new role was in this house so the embarrassment was pointless.

"I'm surprised you're still in bed, I would have thought you'd be up, on your way out."

She pondered.

He smirked as he poured another cup of coffee for her.

"Like most people in possession of their sanity, I don't get up at the crack of dawn unless I need to. I have no morning appointments today, hence I'm in bed with the paper enjoying my coffee..."

He finished pouring and proffered her the cup, she sat up to take it, the sheets failing to cover her breasts. He raised an eyebrow.

"... and the view."

She gave him a wry look, before pulling the sheets up and taking the cup.

"Thank you."

He returned his attention back to the newspaper.

"You can take the carriage back today. Dickenson will be collecting you tonight."

She drank her coffee before getting out of bed. She walked over to where she had left her clothes. She slipped off the nightgown that had bunched around her waist. She turned around, about to ask where she should leave it. When she saw Alaric's eyes were already fixed upon her, appreciating the view.

"Any preference on what I should do with the nightdress?"

It took him a while to respond as he was looking at her, eyes travelling up and down.

"Leave it on the foot of the bed."

His gaze followed her as she walked back over.

"My, my, what hungry eyes you have Mr Wolf."

She playfully teased. Placing the nightdress down.

He chuckled.

"Are you Red Riding Hood in this scenario? Minus wearing the hood or anything at all?"

"I may not have the hood, but I have a tricksy beast in the room staring at me."

He put down his coffee and newspaper, giving her an amused yet bewildered look.

"Tricksy beast?"

He sprang from where he was, grabbing her and pulling her back onto the bed. She let out a playful squeak as he held her down, pinning her hands above her head. Wolfish grin on his face, the rest of him wearing nothing.

"If I am a beast then I have caught my prey. Mine to devour, savour and thoroughly enjoy as I wish."

Cassya gulped, her pulse quickened, feeling arousal at this sudden turn of events.

"I don't need to be gentle, I can be hard, merciless and show my prey exactly who they belong to." He growled.

Cassya didn't even notice that she was biting her lower lip as he spoke. His eyes darkened. He held her wrists in one hand while the other trailed down her body and slipped between her legs. Feeling her dampen.

He pulled away from her chuckling.

"So you get turned on by that sort of thing. I'm going to have to remember that because I can't act on it now... you have someplace you need to be."

He returned to his coffee and newspaper smirking as she got up looking confused, flustered and slightly disappointed. She got dressed, went downstairs and got into the carriage to go home. As she sat there travelling back she found herself pondering that last interaction with Alaric. Had just been him having a bit of fun or had it been a peek at something else? Or maybe she was overthinking it? She had spent so long going over it, she almost didn't notice when they pulled up at her house. She stepped out and went inside. The day went as it normally would except for her and her mother maintaining the lie to her younger siblings why she wasn't sleeping at the house anymore.

The time came that Dickenson came to escort her. She saw him through the window and they made their way to Alaric's. Upon arriving she was greeted by Tessa.

"Master Alaric is not here yet, but he asked me to start getting you ready when you arrived." She spoke neutrally.

"Sorry Tessa, he hasn't explained anything to me. Get me ready for what?" Cassya queried.

"Dress fitting. He's made a few selections, and wants to see you in each one before he chooses." Tessa half explained.

"Do you know what these dresses are for?" Cassya asked, puzzled.

"An event tomorrow evening. He said he'll go through the details with you himself. Shall we get started."

She gestured for Cassya to follow her, she obliged. Going upstairs to the second floor to a different bedroom from Alaric's. There were three dresses laid out on the bed, one a rich pink, another pale blue and the final a deep crimson colour.

"You need to strip down, you know you need the right undergarments to wear these. He's bought you those as well." Tessa declared.

Cassya gave a resigned sigh. No point in being embarrassed in front of Tessa after this morning. She took off her clothes and got into the new undergarments. She hadn't missed the corsets since her wardrobe was downgraded. Cinched in by Tessa, she was secured into the first dress, the pale blue one. She also hadn't missed how long it took to get into these clothes, all the ridiculously complicated fastenings that ensured you had to have someone help you dress like a child almost. By the time they had finished, they heard the front door and someone walking up the stairs. The footsteps stopped in front of the bedroom door and it opened, there stood Alaric. Appraising her.

"Hmmm, now that I see the blue on I'm less of a fan." He mulled.

"Hello to you too." Cassya raised an eyebrow.

"The shade doesn't quite match her eyes and the colour is too muted to be particularly eye-catching." Interjected Tessa.

"Well put Tessa, okay pink one next then," He turned his gaze to Cassya. "Come up to my office when you've changed."

He closed the door behind him and walked upstairs. Then Tessa and Cassya began the long process of divesting her from the blue dress and fitting into the pink. When it was finally done, she gave herself a check in the mirror, it was the kind of dress she would have worn before, it was strangely familiar in that way. She made her way upstairs to Alaric's office, knocked, then entered when she heard his voice. When she walked in he looked her up and down appraising her again.

"Much better, now go try on the red one." He ordered.

Cassya resisted the urge to roll her eyes until she was out of his eyeline and going downstairs to the other bedroom. She walked back in, both she and Tessa worked on getting her into the final dress. Cassya really didn't like wearing this one. It was beautiful and well made, but unlike the other two this was revealing, it had a very tight low cut bodice which exposed a lot more cleavage than she would like. There were virtually no sleeves, just a couple pieces of silk that hung halfway down her shoulders. The intense crimson colour made the whole effect even more lascivious. She internally sighed... he was going to pick this one, wasn't he.

She went back up to his office, knocked and entered. When she walked in Alaric's eyes were glued on her and the wolfish grin emerged.

"That's the winner!" He declared with enthusiasm.

She harrumphed.

"Can't I just wear the pink one?"

"What's wrong with this one?" He asked, keeping the wolfish grin.

"Assuming this is a society event, I don't want to spend the night being gawked at by men like you are right now." She looked at him sternly.

His voice took on a puckish hint.

"Remind me again, how would you have described your 'uniform' at the gambling hall?"

She sighed.

"That's different, I was anonymous, just a server. Going dressed like this to a society event screams 'give me attention' in a place I don't want to be remembered! This was not part of our contract."

He thought about her words before formulating a response.

"Okay, you're right it's not part of the contract. How about I knock off an extra week as compensation. You would be doing me an enormous favour by agreeing to this. It's the first party of the season and I have to attend, but if I attend alone the man eating women of high society will be on me like vultures. I bring a companion who looks as delectable as you do in that dress, it will deter all but the most shameless and determined."

"I can still do that in the pink dress as long as I'm armed with a hefty stick." She jokingly offered.

He laughed.

"As wonderful an image as that is, the red dress is the more socially acceptable option. You don't have to tell anyone who you actually are, give everyone who asks a different name, hell, you could say your name is 'Kelly Lingus' for all I care. The few people who might recognise you aren't going to make a stink out of it, they'll more likely pocket that info and try to confirm it later. I'll have Tessa make you up to reduce that chance."

She rolled her eyes.

"I assume you also want me to prick my ears for useful gossip."

He grinned.

"Absolutely! Get Tessa to help you get out of that dress. I'm sure she wants to finish her day."

She worked her way back to the spare bedroom. Tessa helped to peel her out of the dress and uncinch the corset before going home. Cassya appreciated having her full lung capacity back and got dressed in her regular clothes. She returned to Alaric's office, knocking then entering.

"Was there anything else to discuss?"

"No, we've covered it." He answered, not looking up from his papers.

"Are you wanting me to 'serve' you later?" She asked, cocking her head.

He looked up, the wolfish grin back on his face.

"As much as I would love to, I have to get a headstart on the work I won't be able to do tomorrow. You have the evening to yourself, spend it as you wish. Maybe do some more reading."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Alright then, goodnight." She left his office, closed the door behind her and went into his bedroom. Slipped into the nightdress and under the sheets, spotting the book from the previous evening on the nightstand. Why not? She thought. Picking up the book and reading it further. Despite being titillated by it, she was too tired to focus on the words anymore. Alaric was yet to join her so she was about to put down the book, when she spotted a passage that was underlined and a couple of notes scribbled next to it on the page. Clearly two different hands had written them. The first said 'not sure this is possible, the skirts on those kinds of dresses are way too thick and voluminous to do that.' The second, 'Think you are right, unlikely they could reach her neck with all the skirts in the way'. Cassya chuckled to herself, she was sure the second note belonged to Alaric, she recognised his handwriting from the contract. Who had he been comparing this with? It was a question she pondered as she put the book down and went to sleep.

She awoke the next morning, it was dawn with the sun just about to crest on the horizon. She looked over, no Alaric, his side of the bed didn't even look slept in. She got up, got dressed and went downstairs, hoping to find the means to make herself a coffee. She located the kitchen where Tessa was preparing some.

"You're up early." She commented.

"I had an early night. Are you always here at this time?" Cassya asked neutrally.

"Everyday except on my days off." Tessa answered.

Cassya raised an eyebrow.

"That's a really long work day."

Tessa smiled.

"But he pays me very well for it. My children are all grown up now and my husband is quite capable of feeding himself. Working here isn't that onerous and gives me more than enough to save to retire. Many others doing this work can't say the same."

Cassya pondered this.

"Do mind if I ask you a deeper question and I promise your answer stays between us?"

Tessa nodded.

"Sure."

"What do you think of Alaric?"

She asked her attention fixed on Tessa studying her face for the slightest of reactions.

Tessa thought for a moment before answering.

"As an employer he is excellent, pays well, treats me with respect and has never asked me to do anything ridiculous or unreasonable. He only expects competence and discretion in return. As a man well... he keeps all his cards close to his chest... and that is all you will get out of me." Tessa gave her a pointed look.

"Are you and Dickenson the only staff?"

"At the moment it's just Me, Dickenson, Bradford the coachman and you who serve the household."

That little jab wasn't missed by Cassya. She was just as much Alaric's employee as Tessa was, just a small reminder not to forget it.

"Have there been other women who have... filled a role like I do in the household?"

Cassya asked tentatively.

Tessa rolled her eyes.

"Alaric has kept me employed for all these years because I respect his privacy and I am strict with my discretion. Ask me questions all you like, but there will be many that I will not answer."

Cassya guessed that was the end of that line of enquiry. Tessa was not going to offer anything else up.

"Did Alaric leave early? It looked like he didn't make it to bed."

"I found him asleep at his desk when I came in, he got changed and left in the carriage soon after. You'll have to wait for Dickenson to take you."

She answered.

The coffee was ready to drink by this point. She enjoyed a cup as she waited for Dickenson. After he arrived, he escorted her back home. Cassya spent a large portion of her day mentally girding her loins for the high society party that evening. Alaric was probably right that the majority of the attendees would have no idea who she was. She had only been from a merchant family and of the few of these kinds of gatherings she had attended, most of them had been on Aberforth's arm. Memory was easily manipulated, a different name and style would be sufficient to create doubt even if she did look familiar to a few. The time came for her to go when the carriage pulled up that evening.

She arrived back at Alaric's and was ushered inside and led to the upstairs bedroom. Alaric was putting on the finishing touches to his clothing for the night. Adding a touch of finery to the impeccably tailored ensemble, his wavy hair styled. Cassya had to acknowledge he looked exceptionally dashing like this.

He smiled at her as she entered.

"Ah good you're here. Time to start getting ready."

Tessa followed her into the room. The undergarments and the dress were laid out on the bed. Alaric went to sit in a chair and began watching. Cassya sighed and started to undress, fully divested of her clothing as Tessa started to bring over the undergarments. Alaric's eyes glued to her form as Tessa helped her into them. Cinching up the corset so her breasts were considerably pushed up, then manoeuvred her into the red dress and a pair of heeled slippers. Next Tessa styled her hair into an elegant updo and applied makeup on her. Cassya had to admit the makeup did a good job of tweaking her features, creating the illusion of difference. When Tessa was done Cassya looked every bit a salacious woman of high society.

Alaric had a wolfish grin as he observed the result.

"Good work Tessa, it helps that you had an exceptional canvas to work with."

"I'm glad you're pleased sir." Tessa replied.

"Well time we were off. That'll be it for the night Tessa. See you tomorrow."

Alaric dismissed her.

Tessa nodded and left. Alaric and Cassya made their way downstairs to the carriage shortly after, he helped her inside before entering himself, giving the two taps on the roof to get them going.

"Where is this party?" She asked.

"Farnsworth estate, it's about an hour's ride away." He replied.

"How long do we have to stay?"

"A few hours potentially, I'm afraid."

"How am I going to get out of this dress at the end of the night? I can't do it by myself."

His wolfish grin returned.

"I'll help, I'm looking forward to taking that off you later."

"Do you know how to do that?" She enquired, a wry half smile on her face.

He smirked.

"I've had some practice."

"How much?" She glibly responded.

Keeping his smirk.

"Enough... and if I run out of patience there's always the option of tearing it off you."

He joked.

"And there was me thinking you were fond of this dress?" She jibed.

"I'm much more enthusiastic about what's underneath it... when we get there, there's going to be points where you're going to have to fend for yourself. How are you going to handle that?"

"By acting aloof and listening more than talking."

He chuckled.

"I like that you know how to play the game."

They sat in the carriage until it pulled up at a large mansion with extravagant gardens. Alaric stepped out and helped her down. Keeping hold of her hand as they walked in the front doors. They walked in and Cassya felt many eyes burning into her, curious and speculative looks. She caught many of the men openly gawping. She put on her best effort to appear unbothered. Alaric led her through the hall until he was waved over by a group of people, a couple of whom she recognised from her first night at the gambling the gambling hall. Teagan and she didn't catch the name of the other.

As they walked over they greeted Alaric with enthusiasm.

"Alaric! Now we can get you to introduce your companion to us."

One said.

Teagan directed at her.

"You look very familiar, have we met before?"

She quickly thought up a response. Batting her eyelashes. Putting on a sultry tone.

"I have a lot of men try that line on me. I'd have thought a man of your calibre would come up with something more original."

It got a laugh from the group.

Alaric answered mockingly.

"Teagan I've barely walked through the door and you are trying to filch my guest? You astound me!

Teagan was flustered.

"I didn't mean it like that. I'm clearly mistaken."

"So who is this lovely creature you've brought with you tonight? How did you find her?" Another asked.

Alaric put on a charming smile.

"This is... Winifred Carstark. I saw her and decided I had to have her."

Cassya gave him a wry look.

Another one of the men spoke.

"I'm sure it is a delight to 'have' her."

A lascivious smirk on his face. He promptly received a smack on the arm from his own companion.

Alaric just held a veiled smile. The group engaged in idle small talk for a while before Alaric moved them along. They engaged with a couple more little groups before one of the servers passed a note to Alaric. He read it and responded to the server.

"Tell him I'll be up shortly." The server nodded and walked off.

"Are you about to abandon me?" She asked, raising her eyebrows and taking a sip of the drink she had picked up.

"Afraid so, I have business to discuss and they will want to do so in private. I'm sure you can manage to stay out of trouble for a while."

He gave her a wry smile.

"Of course, see you later. Assuming I haven't been stolen by another man by then." She replied with a playful hint to her voice.

He chuckled.

"Woe betide any that even tries." Smiling as he walked away.

She ambled through the party. Many giving her lustful glances, she had several men approach her with clumsy attempts at seduction. Until she saw a face she never hoped to see again. Her ex-fiance Aberforth, average height with chestnut hair, medium build and vaguely handsome with brown eyes. He looked right at her and did a double take, then made to approach her from the other end of the room. She quickly ducked out moving through groups of people to escape his eyeline. Making her way through several rooms until she found somewhere quiet with a sofa to sit on that was mostly shielded from view, while she finished her drink. As she hid there she was left unnoticed by many as they walked past having their conversations. One particularly chatty pair of women were a trove of gossip.

"There's so many people here!"

"I know! Aberforth Carnaby has brought his new fiancée, heard them discussing some investment opportunity and even Lady Marlberg is here tonight."

"My god she's something. Lady Marlberg is such a beauty, most of the men at the party are vying to be her new bedfellow. I wonder if she'd take me instead."

"You want to be the plaything of an older woman?" She giggled. "From what I've heard you might have more of a chance than you think. Have you seen what Alaric brought in draped on his arm?"

"Yes, I think there are many who don't know what to make of the mystery woman. No wonder she has Alaric's attention though, that dress looks like it was made for a body like hers."

"Are you seriously drooling over her? If she's with Alaric that makes it even harder to catch his eye. He's the best prospect here yet the hardest to catch!"

"Come on now, you only became so keen after he got elevated and the King's secret became an open one. He's still a bastard, just a royal one. Besides, that new plaything of his is probably easier to get. More likely to grab his attention by stealing his lover." She cackled.

"Man measures his gold by the mountain, has a gorgeous face and quite the reputation in the bedroom. Royalty aside, I'd be trying to snag him right now if it wasn't for that blonde, whoever she is."

Her friend laughed.

"Good luck with his complete lack of interest in you. Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to find and flirt with Lady Marlberg."

The pair walked away, leaving her alone. She heard a pair of footsteps approaching. As she turned to look she saw a tall woman with hair like a waterfall of ebony silk, skin like ivory and emerald eyes. All set against a stunning cat-like face, above a slender elegant figure. She smiled when she saw Cassya and tittered.

"Are you taking a break from the crowds as well?"

Cassya found herself returning the smile.

"Without my escort, the men are rather persistent."

The woman chuckled and sat down next to her.

"I have a similar issue. It's become common knowledge embarrassingly fast that I am without a lover. So many are putting in their applications so to speak."

Cassya smirked.

"Easy one to fix, just spread a rumour that the position has been filled... and use multitudes of names for maximum confusion."

She laughed.

"I like you, you came with Alaric? What's your name?"

"Winifred." Cassya answered.

She cocked her head at her curiously, smiling.

"We both know it isn't... Cassya."

Cassya blanched.

"Relax, I'm not going to scream it from the rooftops and I have no desire to make trouble for Alaric. I'm Lady Claudette Marlberg, nice to meet you."

"How did you know?" Cassya asked, wanting to understand how she had slipped up.

Claudette chuckled.

"I'm good with faces, I recognised you even with this more grown up appearance. I remember you from even before you became Aberforth's fiancée."

"I think he clocked me as well, that's why I am hiding here." Cassya lamented.

"I can understand wanting to avoid that awkwardness."

Claudette was acutely focussed on Cassya.

"Tell me, is Aberforth any good in the sack?"

Cassya was surprised by the question, but couldn't hide the scowl on her face.

Claudette giggled.

"I figured he wouldn't be. How about Alaric?"

Cassya blushed.

"So you are sleeping together, I thought so."

Her voice turned sultry.

"Any chance I could convince you to hop into my bed instead, pretty thing?"

She began to move her face closer to Cassya.

"I've never thought of women like that."

She grew nervous, she could smell her perfume as Claudette grazed her fingers against her cheeks

"I think I can get you to consider it."

Claudette brushed her lips against hers, before pressing them together. She ran her hand up the back of Cassya's neck, holding her as Claudette tried to deepen the kiss. Only to be interrupted.

"Ahem!" Alaric cleared his throat, notifying them to his presence.

Cassya broke it off to be greeted with Alaric's raised eyebrows and bemused expression. She felt awkwardly embarrassed at the situation, whilst Claudette had a Cheshire cat-like quality to her smile.

"Alaric, how lovely to see you. You have atrocious timing."

"I think I got here at exactly the right time to catch you attempting to steal, Claudette. Don't you have enough options to choose from?"

"I can never have too many, besides I was curious about 'Winifred'. I hope I've made her curious too." She joked in a sultry manner.

"I'm sure 'Winifred' would be disappointed if she indulged your curiosity, that you don't have the reach that I do." He responded with a smirk.

"How about you let me borrow her and we can find out?" She purred.

"I'm not sharing." He stated flatly.

Cassya got up and walked over to Alaric. Looking back at Claudette.

"I'm not an object to be passed around."

Claudette just smiled and she stood up.

"Let me know if you feel curious. See you around 'Winifred'."

She sauntered back to the party.

Alaric turned his attention to Cassya.

"I know I said no men, but I won't be particularly overjoyed if you start bedding women either."

He gave her a wry half smile.

She was flustered.

"She kissed me... I wasn't... I didn't..."

He laughed.

"I know what she's like, try to resist her sapphic affections in the future. Let's go, I've had enough of this party."

She nodded, took his hand and they made their way out of the party. Climbed into the carriage and left.

"She recognised me." Cassya said quietly. "I'm pretty sure Aberforth did too."

Alaric just smiled.

"Claudette won't spread that around; it doesn't benefit her even slightly. As for Aberforth, probably not either. His ex-fiance on my arm is something he will be mulling over rather than making it known to his circles."

Cassya raised an eyebrow, looking at him pensively.

"Overheard anything interesting?"

"Apart from most of the party goers vying for you and Claudette, Aberforth's engaged again and something about an investment." She relayed, keen to see his reaction.

"Hmm... interesting. Thank you." A slightly malicious hint entered his smile.

"Just an hour until we're back and I can get out of this dress." She sighed.

"I'm looking forward to that too." The wolfish grin creeping onto his face. "But how will I occupy myself until then, perhaps I'll have a taste of something?"

He kneeled in front of her and started to pull up her skirt, reaching for her underwear to pull it down.

"You can't be serious! Bradford is going to hear!" She whispered forcefully. Her face was flushing pink.

He tittered. "Then cover your mouth if you don't think you can stay quiet."

He slipped off her underwear, pushed up her skirt and parted her legs before moving his face between them. He ran his lips up her thigh until he reached the spot between them, lapping his tongue between her folds. He pulled the hood away from her nub and danced his tongue across it. She slapped her hands over her mouth as she felt a moan about to escape from her. He looked up and chuckled at her reaction, he kept tasting her. Running his tongue up and down, occasionally returning his tongue to flick her nub. His goal was not to rush her to pleasure, it was to tease and slowly build it within her. She lost track of how long he did this to her.

She was panting, starting to sweat and the ache between her legs was growing. He didn't add his fingers, just torturously teasing with his tongue. She longed to have something inside as she started to rock her hips into his face. Yet he stayed his course like a man quietly and slowly enjoying his meal. She started to shake as her edge approached, coming to her at a snail's pace. She wanted to demand that he lick harder or faster, but taking her hands from her mouth risked the carriage driver hearing her. She looked down at him, his eyes meeting hers, an almost victorious look in them as he gazed up. He wrapped his lips around her nub and started sucking it, rolling his tongue over, making her nub twitch. Her body jerked, he metaphorically grabbed her and tossed her the remaining distance over the edge. She let out a muffled squeal as her back arched and ecstasy rolled through her.

She sat there panting deeply, waiting for her breath to normalise. When Alaric unfastened his trousers, probed her entrance then buried himself inside. She let out a muffled squeak. The wolfish grin plastered on his face, she expected him to start going hard. Even with her hands covering her mouth, Bradford was going to hear. Her moans were still going to leak out through her hands and the sound of their flesh slapping together, her sopping wet sex eagerly accepting Alaric's manhood would be all too audible.

Embarrassment burned through her.

But Alaric just slowly eased himself in and out. Barely making a sound, virtually undetectable with the clip clop of the horses' hooves up front. He maintained this aching pace taking great care to grind against her sweet spot inside with every movement.

He whispered in her ear. "I'm staying like this, let's see how far into the journey home we get before one of us finishes. Once we get back and I've got that dress off you... I want to fuck you like the beast you accuse me of being."

He gently sank in and out of her depths whilst she stifled her moans. The pace was tantalising yet torturous, she didn't want Bradford to hear, but she wanted to feel Alaric's hips pounding into her. The relentless pace he had shown her that first night. But even if she asked him for that, she suspected Alaric wasn't going to give that to her yet. He was having far too much fun teasing her and watching her frustrated face. A man of contradictions, he had only taken a little temptation to stop being gentle on the second night, but now had the self control of a monk? Not even slightly caving to the temptation to slam into her even as he was wrapped around her soaking wet insides, lightly squeezing him.

He ran his hand up to her chest, feathering his fingers over her cleavage swelled over the top of the dress.

He whispered in her ear, chuckling slightly.

"I really would like to free your breasts, play with and suck on your nipples. They look like they are so desperate to escape... but I don't think we'll be able to cage them again. We don't want to give Bradford an eyeful when we walk back in. I'll just have to lavish attention on them another time."

She squeezed him at the thought, she wanted him to play with them too. She rolled her hips into him. Through his half lidded eyes and light pants, the wolfish grin remained. Grinding into each other, she felt herself teasingly building to her finish. Still longing for him to drive his hips into her, she accepted the growing sensation within, her insides clinging to him as he reached deep. She started quivering as she grew close, Alaric moved his hand from her chest to her nub, slowly rubbing his fingers around it in circles. This was how it continued, her slowly eeking towards her edge, begging him with her eyes. But he was not caving, he kept his steady pace right up to the point she clamped and spasmed around him. She muffled her choked scream as she trembled, finally meeting her ecstasy. Alaric slapped a hand over his own mouth as he smothered his groan, her insides having milked his seed from him. They stayed in that position for a while, both trying to catch their breath.

Alaric withdrew, he pulled her skirt back down, refastened his trousers and picked up her underwear, stuffing them in his pocket. He looked out the carriage window.

"Well that killed a good amount of time... we're almost back."

A few minutes later the carriage pulled up to Alaric's house. They got out, Alaric holding out a hand to help her. If Bradford had heard them he didn't show it. They went inside and made their way to the upstairs bedroom where Alaric started helping her take off the dress. He had not been lying, he did know what he was doing. That knowledge did make her wonder just how many women he had helped to undress. Him helping to peel her out of her dress like this felt strangely intimate, his fingers trailing across her body to undo the various fastenings. It didn't take him long to strip it from her, then he started to unlace the corset. She could not help the sigh of relief she let out as he loosened it, then they both attacked the laces on the front.

He tittered. "Not a fan of these I assume?"

She raised her eyebrows giving him a wry look.

"How would you like to wear a garment that uncomfortably squeezes your ribs and pushes your breasts up to your chin?"

He laughed.

"I'd have mixed feelings about suddenly developing breasts, but I see your point."

When the last lace was loosened she whipped it over her head and threw the corset on the floor. She moved over to the dressing table to begin pulling all the pins out that Tessa had used to secure her hair. She became distracted as she saw Alaric undressing behind her in the mirror. Removing the last of the pins she shook her hair free, then wiped off the makeup with a washcloth and bowl of water Tessa had left for her. When she finished Alaric was behind her. He grabbed her, carried her to the bed and threw her on it. He climbed on top of her, kissing her deeply, needfully. He clamped his mouth around her breast voraciously sucking it before stopping and flipping her onto her front. He lay on top of her kissing and nibbling her neck before growling near her ear.

"I'm about to pound into you like a piledriver. If you have any protests about that, speak now or hold your peace."

The prospect excited her.

"As you wish." She purred.

She didn't see the manic gleeful quality his wolfish grin took on. He positioned his tip against her sex and slammed inside. His hips aggressively smacking against her ass. He planted an elbow near her shoulder while his other hand slid underneath to tease her nub. She tried to gain some purchase by lifting herself up by her elbows. He ran his hand through her hair grasping it and twisting her face to kiss him before pushing her cheek into the bed. He kept hammering into her, her body positively thrumming with delight. She could not deny she loved being taken like this, his every thrust deep and hard. She parted her legs wider, encouraging him. He used his own knees to push hers further apart before resuming his pounding pace. She gave him the moans he wanted to hear as he reached even deeper, her insides practically hugging around him as he mined her depths. It didn't take long for her moans to devolve into whimpers and mewls. She heard him grunting and almost growling above her. Nothing else existed except for his touch and his warmth pushing in and out of her at a frantic pace. Her fists balled up in the sheets, the world was starting to go white and her eyes rolled back. Her orgasm hit her like a cannonball, exploding through her, the rapture capturing her entirely as she shook. Her toes curled, shrieking as her internal muscles clamped and spasmed around him.

While he paused his thrusts, she didn't feel him tense or the warm gush of his seed inside her. He just gently rocked his hips, unfurling his fingers from her hair. Kissing her neck and stroking her cheek with his fingers, as she lay there letting out harried breaths.

"Let me know when your sensitivity fades, I haven't finished yet." He growled.

That was how he continued, lightly grinding his hips, whilst running his hands over her skin. Her oversensitivity made this wondrous rather than teasing. But once her sensitivity returned to normal though, it became teasing again.

"You can keep going." She moaned.

"You mean I can hammer you like a nail?" He purred. Grinding his hips harder.

"Yes!" She whined.

He shifted onto his knees, lifted her hips and shoved a pillow under them. Then commenced his hard, deep, relentless pace. He roughly grasped her hips to hold her and drive himself inside. He ground hard against her sweet spot, her moans getting louder. He raised a hand and it slapped on her rear, making her gasp and squeeze him. He slapped her other buttock harder eliciting a yelp and another squeeze. She couldn't see how slack and relaxed his face had become or how his eyes were glazing over. He leaned over, grasped her wrists and held them to the bed, securing them with his weight. Her sex gripped him as he pushed into her, his hips slapping against her ass. She sank into that oblivious feeling again, like he was the only thing she could recognise in this moment, the rest of the world going blank. She gave him guttural moans and groans as he owned her body. He watched her face, so free from tension, her eyes barely open and her lips emitting pleasured noises that he craved. He was going to make her come like this. His own grunts and groans started to escape him, he felt his hips start to shake, he was getting close. He increased his pace, she had not asked for it but she was going to take it. He saw no protest or discomfort on her face, just pleasure and her moans got louder as she quivered under him. He felt her tense, then she screamed, her insides squashed around him, juddering, demanding. His balls tightened, rapture violently gripped him and he offered his seed to her depths. A growling cry escaped his lips as he spent himself, delighting how she continued to spasm around him.

He released his grip on her wrists, he pulled himself from her and collapsed on the bed next to her. He rolled her onto her back, arranged the covers over them, then pulled her close. She nuzzled up to him and was soon sleeping, he joined her.