The tall blonde walked into the dimly lit space of the cafΓ©, pausing in the doorway, letting her eyes grow accustomed to the darkness.
He sat on a stool at the end of the bar, watching her for a few seconds before he got up to meet her halfway across the room.
She smiled when he put his hands around her waist, trying to pull her close. But she pressed her palms against his chest and held him off with a look of feigned indignation on her face.
"Why Sir! Such boldness!" she exclaimed.
She kept beaming at him with an innocent smile on her face, defiantly daring him to oppose the false prudishness by continuing his endeavour. But he didn't take the bait and just smiled as he took her by the elbow, escorting her to the exit. On their way out, he leaned towards her and whispered with his low voice: "We'll soon find out who will pay for being bold, my dear."
Her eyes slightly widened and her smile froze but she never faltered, as he held the door open and let her pass into the bustling city street.
Outside the bar, he gently pulled her against him and they strolled along the side-walk like any other couple, chatting away, enjoying the late afternoon sun.
They were quite a sight to see, walking together, his arm slung around her waist. Both being very tall, they stuck out of the crowd in more than a figurative way. With her high heels she almost equalled his 6 foot 5, which made them look like giants, compared to most other people.
She felt very proud, walking alongside of him, making heads turn. She had a fondness for good looking, well-dressed men β especially tall, well-dressed men. And when they had good manners too, she was definitely interested.
But she never met a guy that matched her personality the way he did. When they first met, she was attracted to him because of his looks and his utter gentlemanly ways. He'd been attentive, kind and respectful, yet resolute and strong-minded β she didn't like spineless people much.
And he had the good sense of humour to take a joke. She liked challenging him and knew he could and would respond to her bravado in that rigorous way of his.
They walked into the city park and soon deviated from the main lane, turning to a smaller path. After a while they reached a secluded meadow, often used for picnicking. When they reached the first wooden table, he stopped and turned to her. She looked at him apprehensively, not knowing what they were doing here. He had promised to take her out to dinner but she hardly believed dinner would take place at a picnic ground in the park.
His right hand slowly moved up along her arm, caressing the bare skin, till it reached her shoulder. Then suddenly, he grabbed a fistful of her long hair and with a jerk pulled her head backwards.
She gasped in surprise, as he pulled her face closer to his, while he held her hair in a tight grip.
"So, what was all that cheekiness in the bar about?" he growled.
He tried to keep a stern expression on his face, which wasn't easy, looking straight into that startled face βeyes wide with fright. It was so rewarding to watch the emotions roam across her face.
"I... I'm... sorry," she stammered. "It was just a joke."
She never knew where he'd draw the line. One day she could get away with anything and the next she'd get her ass whooped over the tiniest disobedience. It kept their relationship diverse and interesting. He knew how she loved to play these mind games.
"And you really thought it was funny, did you?"
"Yes... no... I don't know. I guess not."
"So you've been a bad girl, haven't you? Now, what would be a good punishment to put that straight again?"
"Ehm... I don't know, Sir."
"Oh yes, you do, little lady. And you're gonna tell me fast or I'll double any rate."
"You mean, right here, out in the park?"
She wondered if he really would go through and punish her out here, in plain sight of any potential onlooker. He'd never done that, before.
"I do mean right here, out in the park, kitten."
Now she really was getting nervous. She should be sitting in a restaurant, having dinner with him, not getting her ass whooped in public.
"But Sir, people could see," she tried to sway him.
"So?"