The doorbell rang, and I glanced over towards the basement. I could still hear the faint, indistinct sounds of objects being moved around downstairs, where Master was preparing everything that would be needed for tonight's entertainment. I swallowed and stood up from where I sat on the couch, smoothing down my dress before approaching the entryway.
I opened the door, and the butterflies in my stomach upgraded to a small flock of swallows upon seeing Cain standing there, hands in his pockets, bathed in the porch lights. It was dark outside behind him, and the porch lights glinted off his pale hair.
Cain was wearing black jeans, black leather boots, and a steel grey t-shirt. The grey of the shirt brought out the blue in his eyes, and complemented the blonde of his hair, set in the slicked back undercut he'd kept for as long as we'd known him. I could smell his cologne as I stepped aside to let him in. It was something woody with a touch of spice. Not too overpowering; tasteful.
I closed the door behind him, and as soon as it closed, I could feel a line of tension snap up into the air between us like some tangible, breathing thing. Maybe it was just me. He didn't seem affected by it. My stomach was doing little flip flops, and I knew a pink blush was likely touching my cheeks.
I played good hostess, offering him a beverage, taking his jacket and hanging it up. I made a pass through the kitchen to grab a can of Coke for him, and a bottle of water for myself. The sound of my heels clicking across the tiles seemed unusually loud. He looked at me for a long moment as I handed him the soda where he sat on the couch. His eyes were usually bright with humor and intelligence, but tonight they also held a glimmer of something else that made my stomach tighten. He gestured for me to sit next to him on the couch, and I obliged.
We'd sat this close before, many times, but this time was different. His gaze traveled over me, from my head to my toes, and back again. I'd decided to wear my long, black hair up in a high ponytail, and wore no jewelry save for a small set of gold hoops in my ears. I was wearing crotchless pantyhose, stiletto pumps, and a dress that had always felt scandalously short to me, but hugged every modest dip and swell of my curves. His gaze slowed as it traveled up my legs, and I felt a flush warming my cheeks again. With how thin the fabric of the dress was, I knew it would be plainly visible to see my nipples tighten under the scrutiny of the gaze. I automatically crossed my legs, pressing them together. He noticed the movement, & a little smirk tugged at his lips. He raised an eyebrow, flicking his gaze down & back knowingly. I squirmed, feeling heat creep further across my face, and his eyes sparkled, smile growing.
Eek.
I'd known in the back of my mind that I'd been about to get myself in deep trouble when I'd asked for this, but I still wanted it. The look in his eyes told me that I might have bitten off more than I could chew this time, though.
The sounds of chains and gear being moved around downstairs had stopped a few moments earlier, and the sound of approaching footsteps moved towards us, up the stairs. Master appeared at the top of the stairs, and paused in the doorway. He struck an intimidating figure, standing over 6' in his black leather boots, black leather pants, and a black t-shirt. His straight black hair was pulled together into a low ponytail, disappearing down his back, but I knew it ran to just past his shoulder blades. My stomach tightened at the sight of him standing there in all of that leather, as his brown eyes met mine. They were a deep shade of dark chocolate brown, almost red when in direct sunlight. He was a perfect picture of Tall, Dark, Lean, and Handsome.
I stood up, ready to ask if he wanted me to get him a drink, but he was already moving towards Cain. The two men had nodded to one another, Cain standing up as my Master approached the couch. They clasped hands the way that men often do in public, exchanging brief greetings. I waited, trying not to fidget.
I couldn't help it. I fidgeted.
I began running my fingers through the straight, black strands handing down from my ponytail, again and again, until Master's tanned hand was suddenly upon my own, stopping the fretting motion. I bit my lip guiltily and looked at him.
"Sorry."
"You seem nervous. I can't imagine why," Cain said cheerily from beside me, eyes dancing. Master looked amused, as well.
I couldn't think of anything to say, so I just bit my lip harder and looked between the two of them.
Nervous? Yes.
Excited? Almost uncomfortably so.
Wondering if I would be regretting this by the end of the night?...Well, no, but I was pretty sure I'd be questioning my sanity by then.
••••••••••
Master had instructed me to go upstairs and put on the outfit he'd chosen for me. I'd obeyed and gone upstairs, now closing the bedroom door behind me. I took a slow breath and turned to survey the items he'd left for me on the bed:
A pair of black thigh highs, a pair of matte black leather ballet boots; a zip-front heavy-duty leather corset—underbust, of course—with several strategically-placed D-rings on it, a set of leather ankle cuffs with o rings on them, and finally a set of full-length lace-up leather sleeves with mitts and O-rings at the ends;
