Escape From Reality Read Online Free PDF Page A

silver.
    “Your room is
at the top of the stairs.” They ascended a thick marble staircase that sparkled
with a myriad of colored light reflected from the large twinkling stained glass
windows at the very top. Tapestries lined the walls, and Leila’s fingers
trailed along the rich fabric as she followed along, her eyes scanning the
artwork, shocked to see bold paintings of different couples in the throes of
passion and one large portrait that looked like a woman’s vulva.
    “I’ve never
seen anything like this before.”
    They reached
the landing, Dominick pausing before an intricately carved door flanked by wall
sconces holding fat white candles. In the flickering light, shadows played
across a carving of two figures, arms tightly wrapped around each other.
    Dominick
nodded. “The castle will likely introduce you to many things that you have
never seen before.”
    His voice faded
as Leila leaned closer to the door. For an instant, the figures shimmered and
swayed then drew closer, arms pulling the other into a passionate embrace, the
kiss deepening.
    The clothing on
the figures fell away, the woman’s breast briefly burnished by flickering
candlelight before being covered by the man’s caressing fingers. The man was clearly
aroused, the scene quickly becoming extremely erotic. Sounds—a soft moan
of pleasure, a sighed gasp—echoed in the hall. The couple’s actions were
clear now, the man was making love to the woman as they stood, her leg placed
high on his hip, his hand beneath her leg, his hips flexing…
    “Oh…my…” Leila
stepped quickly away from the door, one hand to her throat, backing into Dominick.
He caught her elbow and she turned to him in confusion.
    “Miss Connors,
are you alright?”
    Heat rose in Leila’s
cheeks, her words caught in her throat as she struggled to reply. Glancing back
at the door, she drew in a startled breath. The couple, now fully clothed,
stood a polite distance apart, sharing a chaste kiss.
    “I…I’m fine. I
think I’m just tired. The carvings…I thought I saw them move.”
    Dominick’s
chuckle was low. He released her elbow, reaching for the wrought-iron door
handle.
    “Writers, yes…such
vivid imaginations. I would imagine that comes in very handy in your line of
work, seeing inspiration in even the mundane. Even in a simple door.” In the
soft light, she thought she saw him smile.
    Dominick opened
the heavy door to her bedroom and Leila’s uncertainty was quickly forgotten.
    “Oh my! It’s
beautiful!”
    Her room was
incredibly large, dominated by a glorious four-poster bed intricately carved in
the Jacobean style. Rich burgundy drapes hung from the sides and across the
top, and a heavily detailed Tree of Life spread covered the thick plush mattress.
    Carefully arranged
around the room were various antique dressers and a massive wardrobe, all in
the same style and all heavily carved. The floor was covered with a thick burgundy
rug, reflecting the Tree of Life pattern on the bedclothes. As on the stairs,
the walls were hung with tapestries, but the light was muted and Leila couldn’t
see the details. A single multi-paned window with a deep padded ledge reflected
the light of the candles.
    “It’s a bit
anachronistic, you know, 17th century Jacobean in a medieval castle, but the
owner is a bit of an eccentric and, well, when you own a castle, you can
furnish it as you like.”
    Leila dropped
her purse and bag on the carved bench at the end of the bed, turning to watch Dominick
light the last of the candles on the mantle with a long taper.
    “The owner… who
is he?”
    He turned, an
enigmatic smile on his face. “I’m afraid I cannot divulge that information,
Miss Connors. If you were looking for the provenance of each piece of furniture
in the castle or the vintage of every bottle of wine in the cellar, I’d be
happy to supply that information. But…” He blew out the taper, dropping it into
the banked fire.
    “That’s one of
the many charms of