2; Induction...
Friday came and I was keyed up. It had been a foul day at work, the journey home was full of delays and frustration. The steps to my door were the entry to blessed sanctuary for my frazzled feelings, and improved my mood greatly. An icy beer from the fridge completed the transition to calm and focus.
I had forty minutes before I found out whether my hook had been set deeply, or whether I had scared away that prize fish. I put the meal I had made in the oven and opened a fine pinot noir to let it breathe. I lit the fire and felt it begin to warm the room. Either way I would eat well with good drink to accompany the meal. I would accept either outcome, though the version which had dinner with her was infinitely to be preferred. She was a gem, this one.
The salad was made and the table set in that special way, then I placed the required items in the entry, behind the door. Two of them, hung on the hook, ready to hand, above the chest that would serve a purpose for the next two days.
A few minutes to seven and the smell from the oven was beginning to be noticeable. I turned out the lights and lit the candles around the main room and on the triple candlestick in the entryway. I poured the wine into my glass and admired the warm colour of it.
I sensed more than saw a tiny movement through the glass in the door. My heart sped up at the sign. I checked my image in the mirror near the door, for no reason except routine and to delay the moment when I opened the door. An expectant and happy smile was on my lips.
The door swung inwards to reveal her, kneeling on the mat, knees wide, hands crossed in the small of her back, head held high with closed eyes.
'Give me your hand, please'. She raised her left hand to me and I drew her to her feet, which she did gracefully. I ushered her inside and bade her stand in the entry while I closed the door and doused the light outside. Her eyes were still shut, showing high trust and strength of will.
I stood in front of her, at about arm's length from her. Her perfume was musky, but with some extra tang that I found hard to place. She was dressed in a skirt, with a hip length coat over what was above her waist. She moved slightly and I saw that the skirt was slit up the thigh to show a glimpse of nylon. 'Please open your eyes and look at me. I am pleased that you chose to return to me. Are you willing to be mine until Sunday evening, without knowing what may happen to you?'
'I am yours, sir, for as long as you wish'. She had the deepest liquid brown eyes which turned up to my face. Her hands had returned behind her back and her feet were about shoulder width apart. Her black hair was tied back loosely and flowed down her back.