"Chattel"

by Errica Liekos

From Best Women's Erotica 2014, edited by Violet Blue

"Maybe I haven't been making myself clear," Alex said. "I let you go because I trust you to come back. Men like me don't give away things they're unsure of. But maybe you haven't under- stood my confidence in you."

"I..." Sasha started to speak, but Alex's hand tightened behind her neck, and she stopped. He rubbed his five o'clock shadow against her throat, then continued.

"I can see now that I made a mistake," he said. "You don't need your freedom, do you? You need to know you're wanted. You need to know you're loved."

Sasha felt her legs go weak. She leaned on Alex, and he held her weight. There were no windows in their front hall. She opened and closed her eyes to the same solid black.

"I'll be clear from here on out. You're mine. I own you. I tell you to spend time with your friends because it gives me pleasure to do so. Because I like you missing me, and I like it when you come home with new stories from your friends and your world to entertain me. I expect you to stay independent and entertaining to me. Do you understand?"

Sasha nodded.

"Because I have no interest in owning something weak and unchallenging, Sasha. I want you strong, and I want you to have your own interests." Alex lowered his voice even more. "But you belong to me. Do you understand?"

Sasha nodded again.

"I'm not sure you do. Go into the living room. I'm going to show you."

Alex released her, and she walked deeper into their apartment, less sure in her heels than she'd ever felt before, sensing his body just a few inches behind her with every step. She turned the corner, and their living room appeared before her, lit by the streetlamps shining through the windows. She hesitated at the doorway.

"The middle of the room will be fine."

Sasha moved to the center of the room, and hesitated again.

"Face me."

She did. Alex had his arms crossed, but his body language didn't seem closed off. There was a trace of a smile dancing around his lips.

"It really is a lovely dress you're wearing," he said. "Take it off."

Sasha blinked, then did as she was told. A pile of green silk quickly landed in a puddle around her feet.

"And matching underwear, too. Lovely." Alex stepped forward and ran a hand along her side, like he was calming a skittish horse. "But I want you, not some fancy outfit. Take them off as well, if you please."

The courtesy of his phrasing somehow made the words even less of a request, more of a command. She unhooked her bra and let it fall. She slid down her panties and stepped out of them, then nudged the clothing away from herself with one foot, so she wouldn't trip on the fabric. Sasha looked down at her high heels and back up at Alex.

"Shoes, too?"

He chuckled. "Let's not go nuts."

Sasha stood in front of her husband, naked except for three-inch black leather heels. He was close enough to touch, close enough that she could grasp him with both arms and cling to him for reassurance, but she didn't dare. She held still as he watched her, his eyes roaming over her body, finally meeting her eyes.

"Good girl," he said.

She shivered.

"Oh," Alex said. "I see. Let's warm you up." He knelt down in front of her, reached for her hip and kissed her.

Sasha had never really liked anyone, even Alex, going down on her. It made her self-conscious. Without thinking, she stepped back.

Alex stood up faster than she realized was possible, grabbed her upper arm and yanked her body back toward his own.

"See?" he said, pressing against her. "This is what I'm talking about. I'm not doing this for you. This is what I want." He took her other arm in his hand as well and started walking forward, forcing her to walk back. Each time she took a misstep in her heels, his arms supported her. "You belong to me. All of you. I don't care if this makes you nervous, I don't care if you don't understand how beautiful and delicious I find you." Sasha took a final step backward and felt the fabric of their couch against the backs of her legs. "Now lie down, spread your legs and give it over."

Sasha felt the heat and moisture building between her legs. She did as instructed.