Friday nights. On the one hand, it's always nice to go out and mark it as something other than just another weeknight. On the other hand, after a week of work, I often want nothing more than an early retreat to bed. Though not necessarily to sleep.
This night was one of those difficult ones. He really wanted to go to the brewpub. The weather was starting to turn, and there wouldn't be many more evenings when we could sit on the deck and listen to the band. I said sure, of course. Then I did that passive-aggressive thing that I usually pride myself on not doing. I hugged him from behind and ran my hands over his crisp white shirt, saying "Don't you want to change into something more comfortable?"
"No," he said, absently, "This is fine."
I came out of the bedroom naked, holding a dress up in front of me -- that little black and white print, with the buttons down the front and the deep sweetheart neckline. I looked up at him through my lashes. "What do you think of this?"
He barely glanced up from the pile of mail he was sorting. "Sure, great."
I slowly buttoned myself into it and then paused, my chest bare. "I don't need a bra with this, do I? What do you think?"
"No, you look fine."
With glacier slowness I bent over the laundry basket, facing away from him, and held the pose, sorting through things one by one. "Hmmmm -- where are those white mesh panties I like? I know that I put them in the wash."
I don't think he even looked up.
I kept it up in the car; stretching like a cat, letting my skirt ride halfway up my bare thighs. Telling him about the "interesting" dream I had the previous night, where he had his way with me and, for dessert, several of my friends. At the bar, I was SO warm and absentmindedly unbuttoned a couple of buttons. I had to try one of his fries, and to do so, well, naturally I had to stand up and lean across the table. I mean, I practically fellated the straw in my Diet Coke. Nothing.
I had to run to the bathroom. I took my time bending over to get my bag. And then I gracefully rose, holding his gaze until the last second, and when I walked away I swished that skirt with more than a little anger.
I had only gone a few steps when he called me back.
"Yes?"
"Come a little closer," he said. I took my time leaning over the table and he whispered in my ear, his breath tickling me, "When you're in the bathroom, I suggest you take off those panties." I smiled from ear to ear. There's no other word for it -- I was downright smug.
When I came out and saw him waiting for me, I was confused, but happy. He held out his hand and said, calmly, "I'd like to have a little chat with you." And then he took me by the wrist and pulled me into the men's room.
I'll admit that I struggled just a little bit as he paraded me past the urinals, which were in use by a few patrons. I tried to turn my burning face from them, as if by not seeing them I could ensure that they wouldn't see me. I had to skip to keep up as he bounded down the aisle of stalls, several of which looked occupied. With his right hand he gripped me tight, and with his left he loosened his red silk tie -- the investment banker tie, I always called it, because it made him look trustworthy, staid. When we got to the last stall he mockingly, gallantly, waved me in ahead of him, and then he shut the door and locked it, pressing me up against the scarred gray metal. I was panting but he was calm, his face registering only a slight amusement.
"Now, hold out your hands like a good girl," he murmured, and when I did he quickly bound my wrists up in the red silk, cinching it tight and then securing me to the coat hook on the back of the door, my arms raised.
"I think that may be the first appropriate thing you've done all night, pet," he said conversationally, and I tried to flash him a look, warning him that people might hear. He chuckled, leaned in closer. I could feel the heat coming off him, but he didn't touch me, except to pull a lock of my hair from behind one ear and place his mouth against it. I could feel the palms of my hands and soles of my feet prickle with roller-coaster fear.