Camouflage - Chapter Two
My hands shook as I locked the car and put the coins into the parking meter. Twice I had almost turned around and driven back home, but something wouldn't let me. This was so unlike me. The whole thing was crazy. Meeting a man I didn't even know for coffee in the middle of the afternoon.
Granted, it was the most exciting thing that had happened to me in several years. There was a new current flowing through my veins. A quicker, more electric current that heightened my senses. I felt sexy all time and even Mark had commented on how sultry I had looked at dinner one night. What power Brad had to move me like this was the mystery I had come to solve. Then I would be able to return to my normal life once again and leave this behind.
I stood with my hand on the door of the Roasting Company and hesitated a moment before opening it. What would I say when I saw him? God, I felt like a school girl again. "He's probably not even in there," I told myself and opened the door.
I spotted him immediately, sitting at a table in the corner of the room. He stood as I neared, and I watched his eyes scan my body. Every nerve came alive as he looked at me like... like he was touching me.
"Hello Joni," he said bending over and kissing my cheek lightly, pressing his hand on the small of my back. I touched his arm lightly and offered my cheek freely, smiling as he pulled a chair out for me. "You look stunning."
"Thank you." I sat down nervously and looked at the two cups of coffee and the large piece of cherry pie sitting on the table. "Were you so certain that I would come?" I asked grinning at him.
"Certain enough to order the pie," he said putting his hands in his lap and beaming his blue eyes at me. "The worst that could happen is that I would have to eat the whole thing by myself."
"True," I said. "But the cholesterol, Brad. I knew there was a reason why I had to come here today. If not just to save you from yourself."
"I don't think that's why you came, Joni," he said leaning towards me, placing his large hands on each side of the cherry pie. I looked at them to avoid his eyes and wondered what kind of work he did with those hands. They weren't callused, so possibly a desk job. But not an ordinary desk job with his commanding personality. Maybe he owned his own company.
When it was obvious that he wasn't going to continue until I looked at him, I slowly raised my eyes to his. I wanted to take a sip of my coffee, but I didn't trust my trembling hands not to spill it. I had only been there a few moments and already he had me in knots.
"No. Probably not," I tittered, recrossing my legs. He smiled warmly, as if I had given him the answer he wanted, and picked up the two forks on the table.
"Shall we?" he asked nodding at the pie. I sat forward and took a fork from his hand, connecting momentarily with his fingers. He smiled and watched as I pulled my hand away and waited for him to take the first bite. He broke off a small triangle from the tip of the pie, capturing three or four cherries on his fork. I lowered mine as I watched him savor the first bite, holding it on his tongue and rolling it around in his mouth.
"Mmmmm," he moaned as he closed his eyes and relished the taste. "Incredible." I couldn't help but chuckle as I watched his reaction. "Come on... try it!" he said urging me on. "Close your eyes and take a bite. See if it doesn't make you purr just a little."
I raised my fork to my mouth and closed my eyes as I took the first bite, trying to savor it the way he did. It truly was incredible pie and I struggled not to chew it quickly. "Hmmm... very good," I said opening my eyes.
He had put his fork down and was watching me intently as I sampled the pie. I wasn't used to having so much attention and I shifted in my chair from the uneasiness. He grinned, pleased with my discomfort.
"Tell me, Joni," he said taking another bite. "Are you wearing the black panties today?" How did he know? I felt naked and vulnerable in front of him and the heat rose in my cheeks as I reached for my coffee.
"Yes," I answered softly, trying to avoid his piercing blue eyes.
"You must like them then." It was a comment; not a question, so I refrained from answering as I reached for another bite of pie.
"Did you show them to your husband?" he asked setting his fork down and taking a sip of coffee.
"No... not yet," I admitted. After I had worn them... soiled them, I couldn't show them to Mark. It didn't make any sense to me, but I had noticed myself keeping them out of his sight. Brad smiled as if he were pleased and reached for another bite of pie.
"And are the snaps open or closed?" he asked leaning in slightly. I was glad there were no other occupied tables near us with customer who might overhear our conversation.
"Closed," I said trying to sound more in control than I was feeling. I reached forward to take another bite and Brad's fork came down on top of mine and held it firmly.
"Reach underneath your skirt and unsnap it for me." My heart pounded so loud I could hear it as his words registered in my mind.
"Brad!" I whispered. "I'm not into creating a public scene." I tried to smile to lighten the moment, but his expression told me he was serious.
"I think it would cause more of a scene if you make me reach over and unsnap it for you." Was he kidding? Would he really do such a thing? I was afraid to challenge him. "Your back is to the whole room, Joni. Trust me. No one will know you're doing it but you and me."
It was true. The planter on my left shielded us from the tables across the room.
I dropped my fork beneath his and put my hands on my lap. I moved my fingers towards the edge of my skirt while I stared at him. Slowly, I inched them up between my thighs until I felt the lip of the crotch. My arm made a quick jerk as the snaps released the crotch panel, and Brad's eyes widened in response. I placed my hands back in my lap and tried to calm myself down.
"Good girl," said Brad approvingly. I was surprised at my reaction to his words. Why did I enjoy pleasing him so much?
"Tell me about when you got home last week," he said handing my fork back to me. "What did you do?"
"I did what you told me to do." I scooped up three cherries and teasingly licked the thick syrup off them. Brad smiled, appreciating my playfulness, but returned to his questioning.
"Describe it to me, Joni. It will help me to understand you better."
"You already seem to understand me more than I do myself." I had hoped that my comment would appease his questions, but he put his hands in his lap and looked at me reproachfully.
"All right," I said grabbing my coffee for comfort. "I went in the house, walked back to my bedroom, locked the door, laid down on my bed, and made myself come. Is that what you wanted to hear?"
"How did you make yourself come?" He left his hands folded in his lap and waited. I shifted in my seat and could feel the wetness already threatening to escape my lips.
"With a vibrator," I said softly enough that I hoped he didn't make me repeat it.
"And what did you think about while you were making yourself come?"
"You," I said looking into his eyes. He raised an eyebrow and one side of his mouth went up in a half grin.
"And what was I doing while you thought of me?" He leaned forward and rested his large hands on the table again and my eyes dropped to look at them.
"You were... touching me"
"So you imagined me making you come... is that it?" he asked clarifying my statement.
"Yes... I guess so."
"You guess so?"
"Yes. Are you a lawyer by chance?" I smiled at him coyly wanting desperately to be off the hot seat for a moment. He returned my smile and winked at me, releasing the tension.
"If you're finished," he said wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I think we should go and do a little shopping this morning."
"Shopping?" I asked suddenly on alert. I hadn't agreed to a shopping trip or anything more than another cup of coffee.
"Yes. I believe you have the time, don't you?" I could lie and say no, but he could read me too well. First coffee, then shopping. When would I say no?
"A little." It was as close as I could come to telling the truth.
"Let's go then, shall we?" He rose and came around to pull out my chair as I stood. His hand gently held the small of my back as we walked out of the coffee shop, keeping me from fleeing in a moment of panic.
"Let's cross here," he said leading me across the street towards Camouflage. I began to panic at the thought of going in that store with him. But the closer we got, the more obvious it was that my fear would be realized. I looked up hoping he would sense my lack of enthusiasm, but he pressed his hand firmly against my back and smiled as we stepped inside the door.
"What exactly are we shopping for?" I asked as we slowly walked around the assortment of corsets, teddies, bras, and panties hanging on the racks.
"Something for you to try on," said Brad running his fingers over a red satin teddy. A mannequin displayed a black, lace corset that connected up the front with several tiny hooks and eyelets. "What do you think of this?" he asked rubbing his beard softly with his fingers.
"It's lovely," I said. "But, I don't..." Before I could protest, Brad had called the sales clerk over to where we stood.
"My wife would like to try this on. Do you have another or is this the only one?" The heat rose in my cheeks at the fabrication and I wanted to protest, but once again I was silenced by his certainty.
"This is the only one we have," replied the girl. "But I would be glad to take it down for you."
"Why thank you," said Brad charming the young lady. "We'll shop around while you do." His hand pressed my lower back moving me towards the back of the room.
"I can't believe you said that," I whispered to him.
"Said what?" he asked innocently.
"That I was your wife," I was actually starting to laugh at the comedy of the whole scene and avoided his face.
"You have to learn to trust me," said Brad leaning close enough to my ear that I could feel his breath on my neck. We were entering the part of the store that made me most uncomfortable and I sensed that he was watching my reaction to the merchandise he looked at. When he stopped in front of the box containing the blind fold and ties I glanced up at him. He smiled at me warmly and rubbed my back with his hand.
"Have you ever been tied up, Joni?" he asked. I was so grateful no other customers were in the store.
"No," I said trying to move on toward the rack of leather bras. His hand gripped my waist and pulled me back in front of the box.
"What about a blindfold? Have you ever tried that?"
"No," I said staring at the box. Where was that sales clerk with the corset? I hated being pressed like this.
"You've wondered about it though, haven't you?"
"I'm sure everyone wonders about it, Brad."
"Is it so hard for you to just say yes?"
"Yes!" I said grinning at him. He smiled realizing that I had weaseled out of answering his question.
"Here you are," said the sales girl handing the corset to Brad. "The dressing rooms are around here." Once again I was pressed forward by his hand, following the woman around the corner. She opened the dressing room door, which only shielded the area between the knees and the shoulders, and held it open for me. "We ask that men not enter the dressing rooms," she said softly to Brad. "But you can stay here as long as no other women are back here trying things on."
"I understand," said Brad in his charming voice. "Thank you for your help." She closed the door leaving me inside and walked back out to the store. I laid my purse on a tiny shelf and took the corset from Brad's extended hand. He stood leaning against the outside of the door looking at me.
"Put it on for me!" His voice was gentle, yet firm enough to leave no question that he intended for me to model it.
"Do you have to watch?" I asked pleadingly.
"Yes," he said burning his eyes into mine. "That's what you'll think about when you go home today and lock your bedroom door. How I watched you put it on. Now, go on."
From somewhere deep within came the courage and I slowly unbuttoned my dress, watching his face as I disrobed. I carefully stepped out of it and revealed a black lace bra and the panties I had bought the week before - the crotch unsnapped and hanging down. I reached forward and unhooked the bra, pulling it slowly away from my breasts as he watched from the door. I wondered if he was getting as aroused as I was. As I reached for the corset, his eyes moved to the three-sided mirror behind me that displayed my backside.
I bent my head to hook the corset around my waist and saw my hardened nipples confirming my excitement. Had Brad noticed them too? As I neared the top hook I looked up into his glazed eyes. I wondered how hard his cock was from watching me and appreciated the safety of the door between us. I had to lift my breasts up into the cups before hooking the last eyelet and the design created an impressive cleavage as I finished.
"Very nice," he said resting an arm on the door. "Now turn around and look at yourself in the mirror."
I turned slowly, watching his eyes in the mirror as I looked at myself. The corset was beautiful, and I felt and looked totally sexy in it. A smile crossed my lips and matched Brad's in the mirror.
"Yes. I think it's you," confirmed Brad. "I'll let the sales clerk know that we'll take it. Why don't you leave it on for now." I started to protest, but he walked away as another woman came back towards the dressing area.
My dress fit differently with the corset on and I was surprised by the effect. My curves were accentuated by the tight waist, and the cleavage in the low neckline would not go unnoticed. When I returned to Brad in the store, he smiled approvingly and held out a small bag.
"Here. You can put your bra in here."
"Thanks," I said pulling it out of my purse and dropping it into the bag, noticing that he had also purchased a pair of stockings.
"Shall we go?" he asked moving his hand behind me and connecting once again with my lower back. I liked the feel of him pressing me there and made a point of not walking too fast. Once outside, he stopped at one of the benches along the mall and looked at me.
"Let's sit here for a moment," he suggested pointing at the bench. The corset was stiff and the lace scratched my skin, making me wiggle as I sat. Brad noticed my reaction but chose not to comment. He stretched his arm over the back of the bench, lightly touching the nape of my neck, and turned slightly towards me as he began to speak.
"I believe you asked me a question last week that I told you I would answer today. Do you remember what is was?"
"Why I can't seem to say no to you?"
"Yes. Do you still want the answer?" he asked.
"Yes... I think so."
"Yes or no, Joni," he said sternly.
"Yes."
"Good girl." The words and his smile had the strangest effect on me. I wanted to do everything he asked.
"I think you've been wanting someone to take control for a long time. You just didn't know it until I showed you. I've created an outlet for you to experiment a little and you've discovered that you like it. Don't you?"
I wanted to be vague, but I knew it wouldn't go uncorrected. "Yes," I said looking down at my hands folded in my lap.
"If you want to continue relinquishing your control to me, I would be delighted to take you as far as you want to go. But I must warn you that I won't tolerate any confrontations. If you start resisting my requests, I will know that you are finished."
"I don't know how to answer you right now," I said looking up into his face. He smiled warmly, and for the first time cupped my face with his hand. I melted into it, feeling his strength and confidence.
"I don't expect an answer today," he said running his thumb over my cheek bone. "I want you to think about this and be sure before you answer. I'm not talking about a quick little fling in the afternoons."
He dropped his hand back down to his leg and looked at me as I scanned the shoppers up and down the mall. I knew I wanted what he was offering, but I wasn't sure I had the courage to take it.
"Can I walk you to your car?" he asked pulling my eyes back to his face.
"Sure," I said reaching for my purse and bag.
Instantly his hand returned to my lower back, sending a renewed current through my body. When we reached the car, I opened my purse and took out the keys. Brad held out his hand for them and I looked up into his face as I dropped them into his palm.
"This one?" he asked holding up the key with the BMW insignia.
"Yes," I said smiling up at him.
He unlocked the door and held it open as I slipped into the driver's seat. He handed me the keys and then slid a business card out of his pocket.
"Call me when you have decided. There's a private message machine if I'm not there." I looked at the card. Brad Mitchell, Business Developer, a phone and fax number.
"OK."
"You know what to do when you get home, don't you?" I was getting used to how his expression would change when he gave me a command.
"Yes," I said trying not to smile. "I do."
"Good girl," he said one last time. "Drive carefully." He closed the door and walked back to the curb as I drove away.
©Copyright 1996 - 1998 Angela Preston. This story may not be reprinted in any form without written permission. Contact: angela@xstories.com.
