Author's note: Let me again express my humble appreciation for all the positive and insightful comments and emails, and for the high ratings you've given my first real attempt at writing a story. It really does mean a lot to me, so thank you all.
***
He met her unexpectedly as she was leaving the office at the end of the day. He wore blue jeans and a white t-shirt under a gray hoodie; looking casual and relaxed without looking sloppy. A backpack was slung casually over his right shoulder.
Just the sight of him changed her. The tension left her shoulders and back, her heart beat faster and she smiled her first real smile since lunch. She tried to resist the urge to run up to him and throw herself into his arms. It had been a rough day.
He approached her with a wide smile of his own and without pretense he scooped her into a tight embrace. Her weariness evaporated as she yielded to the hug, wishing she could melt into him. When he finally released her it was only to gently tip her chin upwards and deliver a warm, slow kiss. The kind of kiss her co-workers would gossip after. She flushed self-consciously even as she returned it passionately. On the sidewalk in front of dozens of harried commuters, she felt her body respond.
She was equal parts relieved and disappointed when he stepped back, keeping her left hand in his right.
"You look like you survived another week." he said.
"Just barely, Sir. Are you here to carry me home?" she couldn't stay away and leaned into him, loving that he had come for her. She titled up for a second kiss and he obliged.
"Even better. I'm taking you to the best restaurant in town."
"In a hoodie and jeans?"
He winked at her and they walked hand in hand for several blocks. He set a casual pace; a stark contrast to the evening commuters pressing to catch their buses and subways. The late summer weather was warm and humid but she felt comfortable in her white knee-length dress. Her heels weren't really intended for long walks in the city but his slow speed made it easier on her tired feet. She wondered if she could coax him into giving her a foot massage after dinner. She'd been a very good girl for him today.
But first she'd have to pass the Sixth Gate.
They stopped in front of an old, four-story brownstone building. A clothing store had once occupied the ground floor but had gone out of business some months ago from the look of it. Fliers and graffiti littered the storefront. Robert had a set of keys and was opening the front door.
She followed him inside hesitantly, made nervous by the unkempt condition of the abandoned store. The door banged shut behind them. Dust lay thick on the floor and the air had a musty scent.
"Toronto's newest - and best - coffee shop." he announced, gesturing expansively with his arm. "I figure it should seat about 60. Good location, close to commuter traffic and the nearest competition is almost two blocks away. What do you think, kitten?"
"Am I required to give you the Complete Truth, Sir?"
He chuckled. "Okay, it's dirty and run-down and old-looking. Needs upgrades to plumbing and electrical. It's going to take a lot of work."
"That might be an understatement."
He caught her gaze in his brown eyes. "When you're starting something new, you don't look at what
is
, you imagine what
could be.
You have to be able to see the potential that's hidden under the surface. Once you can do that, all that's left is to do the work."
He moved behind her and pointed out where the counter would be, how the seating would be arranged, how customers would flow and move in space. She tried hard but couldn't see it. She knew that he saw it, though, and she had come to trust him completely.
As he finished his grand tour of the big, empty room he led her back outside and locked the front door. A few steps away was an adjoining door that she figured led to the floors above the store. And Robert produced another set of keys.
When they were inside the door he closed and locked it behind him. She was relieved to note that the door looked solid and heavy and secure, with only a small window set into it. A stairway wound its way upstairs. The hallway had the same musty scent as the abandoned store. She turned to Robert and found him looking at her thoughtfully. Mischievously.
"This place is a little dusty. I don't think we want that lovely white dress to get dirty, do you?"
She shivered, immediately aware of his meaning. She reluctantly reached behind her and started to lower the zipper on the dress.
"Are you sure this place is empty, Sir?"
"Positive, kitten. I was here less than an hour ago, before I went to meet you. Checked the place top to bottom."
She pulled the dress over her head and handed it to him, leaving her in a lacy white bra, skimpy white panties and her heels. During the last few weeks it had become commonplace for her to be undressed in his presence. He carefully folded the dress and slipped it into his backpack, then took her left hand and led her up the stairs. Her shoes knocked loudly as she ascended each step; the noise echoed through the quiet stairwell. The inside of the building was warm but she felt a nervous chill. She kept very close to Robert as he walked her through the interior.
"There are three apartments - each one occupies the entire floor. Real hardwood. They'd make good income properties." he said as he led her to the lone door on the second floor. He unlocked it and swung it open. They picked their way through dusty rooms, each one in disrepair, some littered with broken furniture. Robert paused every so often to point out the selling features of the apartment, clearly seeing the place through different eyes than she did. To Grey, the place was ugly and not worth the time and effort.
The third and fourth floors differed from the second only in the type and quantity of debris, although on the third floor there was one large room that had obviously been cleared of junk and swept clean. A thick white duvet had been spread out on the floor against the far wall.
"Shoes off, kitten. It took forever to clear this room and polish the floor. Let's keep the dust outside."
He slid off his runners and she removed her heels. The clean hardwood felt cool and solid under her bare feet.
"See how it doesn't creak when you walk on it? That means it was done right when they put it in."
He led her to the duvet. He sat with his back against the wall and pulled her down after him so she was seated between his thighs with her back against his solid chest. She loved the firmness of him against her back.
"Uh, Sir? There are no drapes on these windows." she said, feeling exposed in her underwear. Tall office buildings rose up on all sides. Anyone could be peeping in!
"Whew! Good thing I kept
my
clothes on."
"Your concern for my modesty is
very
