She'd been planning this day for weeks. He didn't celebrate holidays much, just marked the time passing. But she meant to change that. Holidays should be special, she mused happily. Valentine's Day especially! It's the perfect day to celebrate being alive and in love, a day to enjoy! He'd had to work that morning, but the evening she intended to be devoted only to him.
She mentally checked off her list. The steaks and baked potatoes were resting on the table. The salad? Check. Rolls? Check. Green beans? Peaches? Check, and check. Candles? Check. Cake? The cake?! Where had she put it? Oh yes, right there next to the plates. A very pretty spice cake, heart-shaped of course, no icing, just a dusting of powdered sugar... it did look delicious. I need to relax, she thought idly. Napkins? I forgot the napkins! Calm down. Everything will be fine, she told herself as she raced off frantically to find them.
She was a very strong woman, and it had taken her a long time to find the right man. He'd given her the strength to look inside herself, to know who she was and what she wanted. He had helped her break down the defensive walls she'd built up in her lifetime- expectation, self-consciousness (she still struggled with that one), and propriety. He'd taught her everything she knew, showed her the naturally submissive streak hiding behind her everyday facade. He had been the one to show her that it was ok to allow the beautiful, wanton, sensual woman she was to be released. He knew she wasn't perfect, and didn't demand that she be, only that she be the best she could. She swiped a peach from the bowl, nibbling thoughtfully.
She loved him so! He had helped make her what she was, and she wanted to thank him for it, to give him just a glimpse of what she felt in his hands. He'd given her free rein tonight for the first time, and she intended to use her time well. One time a year, he'd told her, she could take charge. He'd been surprised when she'd chosen Valentine's Day. He'd never liked the 'hearts and flowers' holiday before- too commercial, he'd said. She smiled wickedly. Oh, but he would enjoy it this time. He had no idea what she had planned, probably thought she'd just make him dinner and take him to bed. Which was true, well... to an extent anyway. She checked the clock- still five minutes until he came home. She ran upstairs to be sure that everything was in place. Everything was fine, just as it had been when she'd checked the first time, and again the second. Ok, and the third time too.
She heard the hum of his car's engine as it pulled into the drive. She slipped off her frilly apron and ran to the mirror to check her appearance one last time. She'd never had much use for cosmetics, but he liked her to wear them. Her eyes, hazel green and long lashed, were lined tonight in black, making them appear deeper, more exotic. Her lips were slicked a deep rose. She'd pulled her hair up into a bouncy ponytail, letting it spill in a waterfall of auburn down her back, cascading down between her bare shoulders. She adjusted her outfit, the tiny bells ringing softly as she twitched her hip scarf into place. She grabbed her surprise, then raced to the door, barely stilling the chiming that accompanied her movement before the door opened and he stepped inside. Good heavens he's handsome! she thought wildly. He had barely turned from hanging up his coat when she threw her arms around him. "Happy Valentine's Day Sugar!" she purred as she pulled his head down for a deep, hot, soul-stealing kiss.
His lips were warm and welcoming, and they parted in surprise as she nipped his lower lip. She slipped her tongue inside his mouth to tangle with his, hers tasting faintly of peaches. Before she knew it, she was drowning in his kiss, in the heat of his body, in the taste of him. His earthy scent overwhelmed her as she surrendered completely to his kiss. She lost herself in his embrace for a moment, running her hands through the softness of his beard before recalling her plans. Pouring more of herself into the kiss to distract him, her hand began to travel down his shoulder. Upon reaching his wrist, she fastened her surprise- one of her own leather cuffs, around it. Deepening the kiss, she reached for the other hand, sliding the cuff around his wrist intently. Trying vainly to ignore his knowing smirk, that wicked little laugh of his.
"Just what do you think you're doing, my little honey tart?" he chuckled. She said nothing, but grabbed his wrists and clipped the cuffs together behind his back.
When she had both of his hands fastened behind him, she whirled away. "Wishing you a happy Valentine's day milord!" she smiled, curtseying deeply. She peeked upward from her position, pleased to see his eyes gone wide with surprise as they roamed over her. She straightened to stand tall, thrusting her hip forward; her shoulders arched back proudly as his eyes wandered her body, his lust becoming more evident with each moment. She twitched her leg, and the chiming of the tiny bells around her ankle drew his gaze down to her bare foot. She watched him closely, seeing the approval in his eyes as he looked over the ruby-colored gauze skirt sprinkled with golden sequins. She saw desire catch hold as they traveled up her body, the heavily beaded scarf on her hips sparkling wildly. His breathing hitched as his vision settled on her breasts and stomach, completely veiled, but only just, by a bright wine-red, haltered top fringed in gold. Tiny gilded coins dangled below, dancing over her pale skin. She shimmied once, just to watch his eyes go dark, then froze as his gaze lifted to her face. Stunned at the power, the blazing look of lust she saw there, she shivered. He started to reach forward, but was stopped by the cuffs. She saw him go still, then remembered the reason.
