Bryony's Awakening Read online

  It took a man named Nate to stop her inevitable descent into that life. He was older than most of the guys she met, and quite a bit wiser. He took her under his wing and gradually turned her away from the seamier side of life and persuaded Bryony to put her life back on track.

  “Honey, these guys are scum. You are better than that. Don’t let yourself be dragged down into their world.”

  He persuaded her to take some classes and get a better job at the restaurant where she now worked, and eventually she decided to pursue a law degree at NYU. Nate had moved back west a year later, but she would always be grateful that he had rescued her from the life into which she had drifted. But now, discomfited as she was by Alex Graham, Bryony wondered if she had really learned anything from Nate at all.

  * * * * *

  Alex watched as Bryony walked away from him, admiring the shape of her bottom as she went, and thinking how much he would like to hear the sound of his hand smacking that peachy behind. His cock stirred in his trousers and he adjusted himself under the tablecloth.

  It wasn’t long before Bryony was back with the langoustines that he had ordered for his first course. She smiled as she placed them before him. He reached out and touched her hand very lightly and she jumped back as though she had received an electric shock. Alex was aware of the effect that he was having on her, but said nothing. Bryony moved swiftly away.

  When she returned 15 minutes later to collect his plate, Alex seemed to want to talk. He smiled at her and she relaxed somewhat.

  “So, no classes tomorrow I guess? And no work too?”

  “No, I don’t work Sundays.”

  “So what mischief do you get up to on Sundays then?”

  She was a little puzzled by what he meant by mischief, but didn’t ask. “I just chill on Sundays. I’m usually so tired after work and studying that I don’t do much at all. I read the papers, do some laundry, and sometimes go for a drink with friends at lunchtime.”

  “You know, you have a beautiful body.”

  The sudden change of direction completely threw Bryony, but she recovered quickly and smiled when she remembered the words of a well-known song. It was almost as though he could read her mind.

  “And I would hold it against you for sure.”

  She laughed – a full-bodied laugh, natural and spontaneous. “Why thanks, perhaps I could return the compliment.” She stopped and wondered if she had been a little reckless. She could repartee with the best of them, but tried not to do it with customers in case the conversation got her into trouble with her boss. After all, she was no longer working in the bar in Queens, but an uptown restaurant frequented by rich and important people.

  Alex laughed. So she did have a personality after all. He liked the women he chased to have a bit of spunk. There were too many beautiful women who, when he got his hands on them, turned out to be bland and a little boring. Bryony smiled and went to fetch his main course.

  When she returned with the steak that Alex had ordered, he smiled but said nothing. However, the direct gaze that he held for just a second or two more than was usual, made her stomach lurch and gave her a feeling in her groin that she hadn’t felt in a while. The man was hot and he was turning her on. She turned and walked away, trying hard not to let this man know that he had lit a fire under her. But he knew. There was not much about women that Alex Graham had not learned in over twenty years of pursuing and being pursued by beautiful women. He could sense her interest and again his cock stirred in his trousers. He would definitely have to have this woman before the night was over. And not just have her – he wanted to spank that delectable behind.

  Alex lingered over his coffee and brandy as the restaurant slowly emptied, until eventually he was the only customer left. Bryony brought him his bill.

  “What time do you finish?”

  “Not long, sir.”

  She didn’t tell him that she was free to go as soon as he left and she had cleared his table. The restaurant did not like to see their customers hurried out of the door and made to feel uncomfortable.

  “Would you care to join me for a drink at the Heron Club? I think you have earned a relaxing drink after your hard work this week.”

  Bryony reflected for a couple of seconds. She could go back to her shabby room and drink hot chocolate and read a book, or she could spend an hour with this hot looking, wealthy businessman at one of New York’s most fashionable and exclusive private members’ clubs. Really, it was no contest. “Thank you. I would like that. I can be ready in about ten minutes, but I would rather meet you outside the restaurant. I am not sure whether they would be happy for me to leave by the main entrance with a customer.”

  “I have a car outside. I will tell the driver to pull across the street and I will wait for you there.” He stood and again gave her that direct look that made her feel as though it was boring into the deepest part of her psyche – a look that gave her goose bumps. “Ten minutes then Bryony.”

  In the staff room Bryony slipped out of her uniform and into her jeans and sweater. Damn, why hadn’t she dressed a little more carefully this morning. She didn’t think that she would be dressed smartly enough for the Heron Club. Perhaps her date (she really must ask his name) wouldn’t mind her stopping off at her place to change.

  One of the other waitresses, Karen, was still in the staff room and asked her whether she was going on somewhere. Bryony explained her predicament.

  “I’ve been shopping today. Why don’t I lend you something? I think we’re the same size.”

  She produced some bags from her locker and whisked out a pair of three quarter length black pants and a pale green top.

  “Here, try these on.”

  Bryony tried them on and they fit perfectly.

  “Are you sure you don’t mind? It’s really kind of you.”

  “You’re welcome. I assume that your date is that hot looking guy on table eight. I saw him watching you all night.”

  Bryony confirmed her suspicion and thanked Karen profusely. She took down her hair and brushed it, leaving it loose, and repaired her make-up. There, she was ready. She hoped she hadn’t kept him waiting too long.

  Outside, Alex sat a little impatiently in the limo. He hated to be kept waiting. Punctuality was a strong point for him and more than one previous date had been reminded of that fact by the sore bottom it had cost them. He saw Bryony exit the restaurant and look around for the car. Perhaps he would overlook the delay this time, in view of the fact that this date had been rather sprung on her, and it was her first time. He stepped out of the car and held the door open for her, noting that she looked really hot with her hair loose and wearing those tight black pants.

  Once in the car Bryony sat back against the seat and Alex was pleased that she hadn’t lapsed into inane chatter about what had kept her the extra ten minutes. He hated women who couldn’t keep still and quiet, even if their babble was the result of nerves. If Bryony was nervous, she wasn’t showing it.

  Underneath her calm exterior, Bryony was wondering if she had made the right decision. Alex cut into her thoughts as though he could read her mind.

  “No need to worry, I’m not an axe murderer or a kidnapper.” As he said it, the thought crossed his mind that he wouldn’t mind kidnapping this beauty and taking her on a journey of sexual exploration – but that wasn’t his way. It was consensual or not at all.

  The thought of Bryony lying tied up in the trunk of the car, with a blindfold on made his cock suddenly come to life again. He moved his hand over his groin to hide the sudden bulge. No point in frightening her off before he had even had the chance to seduce her.

  On the journey, Bryony answered Alex’s polite enquiries about her law degree. He was a self-made man, whose education had not gone beyond High School, but he respected those who tried to improve themselves, and particularly people like Bryony, who had probably not had an easy start in life and was now putting herself through college by her waitressing work. He despised some of the rich kids he
had come across in his business life who did not appreciate the benefits they had and who sometimes looked down on people such as him and Bryony, who had found life a bit more of a struggle.

  They arrived at the Heron Club and were escorted to a table by a waiter who seemed to know Alex well.

  “Good evening Mr. Graham. It’s nice to see you sir. We’ve saved your regular table for you.”

  Alex nodded and stood whilst the waiter held out the chair for Bryony, before sitting down.

  “A bottle of Krug Clos du Mesnil, the 2000 if you have it.”

  Let’s see if Bryony knows anything about champagne.

  The waiter nodded and went to get the extremely expensive bottle that Alex had ordered.

  “I hope you will like my choice?”

  Bryony was a little taken aback by Alex having ordered without first consulting her, but she did, in fact, recognize the name of one of the best champagnes available. She smiled. “When someone orders such a superb vintage as you have, then how can a girl object?”

  He liked that he didn’t intimidate her. This made his plan to press her into submission all the more exciting. She intrigued him.

  A piano was playing non-intrusive but atmospheric music on the other side of the room, which was about half full. Three couples were dancing on the small dance area in front of the piano. The room was furnished with faux Louis Quinze tables and chairs, but on the walls were genuine works of art. It was all very tasteful and very exclusive. Bryony expected that most of the members here would be millionaires at the very least, with even a few billionaires perhaps.

  The champagne arrived and Alex watched her as Bryony took a sip. He answered the question that she didn’t ask. “You are right. I was testing you about the champagne. It was not very gallant of me was it?”

  “I have worked in bars and restaurants for several years. I know my way around most drinks, even if I have not sampled them all. By the way, what shall I call you? I can’t call you sir, now that you are no longer a customer and I am no longer your waitress.”

  “Well you could call me sir if you wish.” Then he laughed gently and ran a finger lightly down Bryony’s arm, which made the hair stand up. “But as this is a sort of date, please call me Alex. Tell me a little about yourself Bryony. Where you came from? Where you are going?”

  Bryony guessed that Alex did not want her whole life story, chapter and verse, so she gave him the abbreviated version. He was interested in her unusual childhood. He could see now why she came across as more complex and interesting than many young women of the same age. He was also aware of the subtle signs that she was attracted to him sexually – such as when he had just stroked her arm. It was very difficult for a woman to disguise these feelings effectively, and he was a master in interpreting the body’s signals.

  “Do you like to dance Bryony?”

  “Yes, I love to dance, although I don’t often get the chance these days.”

  He escorted her to the dance floor with his arm loosely across her lower back, before taking her into his arms for a slow dance. The sax and the champagne were blending together in her head and making her feel very mellow. Alex’s hand dropped until it was loosely across her bottom and she was drawn slowly towards his body until they were touching quite intimately. Alex was as good a dancer as Bryony and they swayed to the rhythm suggestively. He decided to adopt a more active approach as he had a sense that he would not be rebuffed, so bent and whispered gently into her ear.

  “You are a very beautiful and sensual woman, Bryony, and I find you quite alluring. As we dance I can imagine you naked and in my bed and it is a feeling I find very pleasurable.”

  Then he waited to see what her response would be. She paused for a moment, before replying.

  “You are an attractive and charming man Alex and I would be a liar if I said that I wasn’t flattered and tempted. But I’m not sure that you would be a good bet for me. I’ve made some dire choices in men in the past and I don’t want to make the same mistakes again.”

  The music ended and they returned to the table and the expensive champagne.

  “So I am to be judged by the mistakes in your past, am I? Have I given you any reason to be nervous or frightened of me? I promise that I am a gentleman and nothing that takes place tonight will happen unless you are one hundred per cent happy. I know how I want the evening to end, but the ball is entirely in your court Bryony. Why don’t you give me the opportunity to get to know you better?”

  She did not reply immediately, but continued sipping her champagne whilst eyeing him over the top of her glass, before putting the glass down. “You are a perceptive and smart man, Alex. I won’t insult your intelligence by telling you that I am unaware why you asked me tonight, and I am sure that you have detected a level of interest from me or you wouldn’t be wasting your time. What are your expectations for the rest of the evening?”

  Now that wasn’t quite the answer he was expecting, but he liked her forthright manner. “I’ll put my cards on the table. I would like to take you from here to my apartment and fuck you until you have trouble walking in the morning. How does that idea appeal to you?”

  The shivers of anticipation ran through Bryony’s body and she knew that down between her legs she was already quite moist. Her resolve that she wasn’t getting in Alex Graham’s bed tonight had already begun to weaken, and the champagne was not helping it any. Oh what the heck, life was for living and she had been only half living these past few years. She decided to throw caution to the wind and accept his invitation, as well as Alex’s blunt mission statement. She tilted her head in a way that Alex had already found charming and smiled.

  “Well that is not the most romantic invitation I have ever had, but to be honest you probably had me when you told me I had a beautiful body. In fact you could have saved your money and bought a cheaper bottle of champagne.”

  “Well why don’t you and your beautiful body accompany me and my fine bottle of champagne back to my place?”

  He beckoned over the waiter and handed him his credit card without even waiting for a reply from Bryony.

  As they left the restaurant, Bryony whispered into Alex’s ear. “By the way, does that aim to leave me unable to walk in the morning come with a guarantee?”

  “It comes with a cast iron guarantee, baby. Just you wait and see.”

  On the trip uptown to his penthouse overlooking Central Park, Alex poured out another glass of champagne for them both and decided that if there was any left in the bottle by the time he managed to undress her he was going to pour it all over that delicious body and then lick it off very slowly and thoroughly.

  Meanwhile, Bryony was wondering if she had bitten off more than she could chew in allowing the power of this man to overwhelm her into making a rash decision she might come to regret. But the sexual allure of Alex Graham was doing strange things, both to her mind and her body, and she found herself unable to resist his approach.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Bryony expected a lovely penthouse apartment, but she was in danger of running out of superlatives when she saw Alex’s place. Firstly, it was huge, with double height ceilings in much of the living area, a large outdoor garden with silver birch trees draped with fairy lights, and even a fishpond stocked with koi in the entrance hall. The word ‘Wow’ passed her lips several times – and that was just in the first two minutes.

  Alex smiled. Some of the rich girls he had brought here were so jaded that they hardly noticed their surroundings, and it was refreshing to see such genuine enthusiasm.

  One side of the living area was a huge wall of glass from floor to ceiling, through which much of Manhattan could be seen, and Bryony went to it to look out at the sparkling lights below. “What an amazing view.”

  Alex was standing a few feet behind her, but the view he was admiring was that of Bryony’s peachy behind in the tight black pants. “Yes, it’s a pretty amazing view from here.”

  He put the champagne bottle down on a coffee tab
le and went to stand behind Bryony and leaned into her, putting his hands around her waist and then underneath her top until they settled on her breasts. “Have you ever had a secret wish to be an exhibitionist?” he whispered sexily into her ear.

  “What are you proposing?”

  Alex’s voice was a little hoarse with desire – his cock was already straining against his trousers and he had a feeling that he and Bryony could go on quite a ride tonight.

  “Put your arms up, against the windows and don’t move them until I tell you,” he growled.

  She did as he said and Alex lifted her top over her head and dropped it on the floor, before unclipping her bra and dropping it similarly. His hands massaged her warm, soft breasts. They were a perfect handful – and all natural – none of those dreadful silicone enhanced jobs.

  So far Bryony had done nothing to stop Alex in his quest to undress her in front of half of Manhattan. He could hear her quickening breaths and knew that she was being turned on by what he was doing. He moved on to the zip of her pants.

  “Isn’t there some law about offending public decency?”

  “The only people likely to see us up here, Bryony, are Peeping Toms with their telescopes. Let’s give them a show they will want to tell their grandchildren about. Besides, as a law student, I’m sure that you would be able to come up with a suitable defense.”

  He pulled down her pants and panties in the same movement, and Bryony quickly stepped out of them.

  “Keep your hands up and spread your legs a bit. That body of yours is sensational and should be shown to the world.”

  He quickly stripped off his own clothes and pressed his naked body hard against hers. Bryony didn’t know if it was the effect of Alex or the champagne, but she felt so wanton. She felt Alex’s hard cock pressing up against her bottom and wanted him inside her so badly. It had been such a long time since she last had a man and desire was coursing through her body and making her tremor.

  Alex felt her need and began to rub his cock up and down her bottom crack.