From the start, she knew that he would be getting lucky.
All the men who dated her wondered. It thrilled her to no end, knowing that she had the power to make their luck. Didn't the ancients, in their wisdom, worship Lady Luck, Fortuna, all-powerful controller of the fates of men? Like a goddess, she held them all in the palm of her hand, to reward or deny as she pleased...
He wasn't the handsomest or the most attractive man she'd ever dated. By conventional standards, he might even be considered a little plain, being a smidge under the average height, and having few features that would make him stand out in a crowd. He might even be called forgettable. But she knew. Perhaps the average person couldn't tell, but she'd been with enough men to know that he had that special something.
Men were absolutely useless without it, no matter how handsome they were. She'd known more than her fair share of pretty boys. She'd even let a few of them get lucky, more in hope than expectation. And more often than not, she had been disappointed, left berating herself once again for falling for a pretty face.
But
he
was different. She'd seen it as soon as he'd sauntered in, immaculately dressed in a well fitted suit and tie, into the restaurant where they'd agreed to meet for their date, seen it in the subtle way that every eye had briefly turned towards him, seen it in the easy way he sat across the table from her, smiling gently as they talked. She'd seen it, and she'd known.
He'd be getting lucky tonight.
It was just a matter of letting nature play its course.
He had been the perfect gentleman. As a matter of course, he had paid the bill for their moderately expensive dinner. She had returned after a tactical bathroom visit to find that everything had been settled. That was how a gentleman should do things, she thought, with a minimum of fuss and bother. And, like a gentleman should, he had escorted her home, right to her doorstep. He had made no claims on her, which made it all the easier to invite him in. Again, with the absolute minimum of fuss, just an easy confidence that this was the way things should be.
He would be a worthy opponent. Well, she was no slouch either. Even with all the luck in the world, he was going to have to work for it.
They had retired to her living room, still keeping a comfortable distance at either end of her couch. He had removed his jacket and tie, the sleeves of his crisp shirt neatly folded up to reveal well shaped forearms. His top button was undone, displaying a surprisingly delicate throat. It wouldn't be long before she had the rest of his accoutrements undone.
Now was when the game really began.
She draped herself luxuriantly over the armrest, showing her body to its best effect. The dress she'd picked that night was a good one, clinging to every sensual curve, teasing all but revealing nothing. Would he be able to resist? He would, leaning back lazily, matching her ease. A sultry smile rose to her lips. Tonight's game would be a good one.
'Can I interest you in some coffee?' she asked, putting just the right amount of purr into her voice.
'Thank you,' he replied, 'but I think I'll pass. Best to avoid too many stimulants, this late in the evening.'
'Oh? But the night is so young. Surely you don't intend to go to bed so soon?'
'Not at all. But I find that there are better ways to stay awake.'
'I wasn't talking about sleeping.'
'Neither was I.'
Yes, she thought, he
would
be fun...
'Then what were you talking about?'
'I think we both know, my dear.'
So, that was his game. Not bad, but amateurish. She wasn't going to fall for something so simple. If he wanted her, he would have to ask for it, and place himself as supplicant before her. But, that didn't mean she couldn't tease, and cajole, and lead him on. There were many ways to play this game, and she was determined to enjoy herself.
Slowly, she raised a hand, gesturing languidly at nothing in particular.
'Shall we, then?'
'On the contrary. I think we should stay right here.'
Her breath caught momentarily in her throat. With an effort, she forced herself to relax again, allowing the tension to ease from her body. Perhaps she hadn't heard him correctly. She took a slow breath to compose herself, determined not to show any sign of surprise. Smoothing the frown off her face, she turned to regard him, sitting so easily at the other end of her couch.
He chuckled warmly, shifting his weight to lean towards her and resting his elbows on his knees.
'Don't get me wrong, my dear,' he said, his voice soft and low. 'I have every intention of seeing this night through to the very end. But here is as good a place as any, don't you think?'
She did her best to match the easy smile floating across at her. Something about that smile was starting to make her feel uneasy. There was almost something predatory in it. She would have to take care, not to fall into whatever trap he was laying out for her.
'Why, whatever do you mean?'
Again, he chuckled.
'I think it's time to drop the play acting and get started, no? We both what's going to happen, my dear. Now... Strip.'
She blinked in surprise. Her hands were already moving across her body, loosening the ties of her dress. She caught herself just in time. There was a primal power in his voice, one that demanded obedience. Her body had responded all on its own, moving without her to do his bidding.
He certainly was something, no doubt about it.
She chuckled nervously. Exerting all of her will, she managed to force her body to relax again, pushing herself down into the couch. She needed to bring the situation back under control. This was her game, and she was determined that it would go her way.
