Hold My Hand Read Free

well. But,” he paused
and I could hardly breathe, still drowning in that water, “it will
hurt. It will be discipline so it must teach a lesson.” His mouth
turned up in a wide, Cheshire cat grin, one that reminded me that I
was the canary.
    I swallowed but my throat
was dry and I began to cough. William passed me my water glass and
watched as I regained my composure. I’d come to desire this man
despite not knowing what that meant. Now he was laying it out on
the table for me to accept or decline.
    “I don’t know if I can do
this.” Even as I said it, I knew I wanted to try. Maybe this, his
dominance, was what had been drawing me to him. That presence he
had that called to me could be the same desires he was talking
about now.
    He continued to stroke my
wrist with his thumb. I found it soothing. “I believe you can but
it’s for you to decide. Tonight I give my proposal. I’m going away
on business for a few days. When I return, you’ll give me your
answer.”
    For the longest time, we
were both silent. I suspected I’m the only one uncomfortable with
this. After another sip of my wine, I asked, “Why me?” Eyes cast
down; I watched his finger stroke back and forth on my wrist,
mostly to keep from looking up at him and seeing what he must think
of my question.
    “ Oh, Aubrey, sweet
girl,” I felt his smile, unwilling to look up and see for myself
the look he held. “I’ve watched your gentle spirit for months now.
I’ve noticed the books you keep stacked behind the counter – most
likely to read on your breaks – and I’ve listened to you speak to
the people who come by. They may be ordering coffee but you give
them each a piece of you. Your words, your kindness, your heart and
your intelligence have all captured my attention.” His pause was
longer this time. I thought he was done speaking when he drew my
hand to his lips and kissed my wrist. “Then I see this other side
you think is locked away. It’s a sadness, a wayward little girl who
needs guidance. I can give you that structure.”
    William shocked me by how
well he’d seen through my walls. I’d worked years to hide behind
them and, until now, no one had dared to go around them. How did he
see me so clearly?
    “Aubrey,” William caught my
attention by calling my name. “I believe you’ll fit into my world
perfectly.”
    “ And your world is
this dominance and submission?”
    “ That, yes, is the
most important but there are other parts of my life as
well.”
    “So we will date?” I asked,
feeling both equally uncertain and awkward.
    “Yes. We will date.” He
paused, smiled, and continued, “And explore. We will explore a
relationship.”
    “A relationship,” I repeated
his word – this simple word that I could not fathom the meaning of.
“Meaning dominance and submission?”
    “No, sweet Aubrey,” he
chuckled and shook his head, “meaning William and Aubrey.” His
words stopped any further questions I might’ve had. Instead, I
returned my gaze to my hands which were now squarely in my lap.
    *****
    Drawn from my thoughts by
the movement at the coffee shop door, I saw him. William. His eyes
surveyed the small shop and then rested on me, a smile lightening
his face and causing those strong creases around his eyes to
deepen. I wondered about his age. There was more character in his
face than I detected in the men my age. I thought maybe he was a
lot older than I was but I didn’t know for certain then. He hadn’t
told me and I hadn’t asked. I hadn’t asked much of him.
    William was a vision
to behold and I sat a bit straighter knowing he was there for me.
He walked with purpose, confidence radiating from him like beams of
the sun that caused you to shield your eyes and look away. Still,
you crave the touch of the sun’s warmth. He’s like that. I sensed I
should turn away but was drawn to him at the same time.
    I was caught by him. I was
absolutely, unintentionally ensnared. Held by the look in his cocoa
brown eyes