He whispers in my ear as we glide across the dance floor. Slowly He slides my dress off my shoulder and lightly kisses my neck...
RING,RING,RING,
I roll over with a groan, "This better be good," I grumble into the phone.
The voice on the other end says, "With me its always good." My heart skips a beat as my mind rushes to place the voice. "I'll be there in 15 minutes. Dress in the clothes in the bag at the foot of the bed."
My mind reels, "At the foot of the bed? There is no bag at..." my foot fishes around for a bag, and it bumps something. I sit up and see this mysterious bag. "How in the world..." I start to say. But he cuts me off.
"Don't worry about that now. Just do as I say and don't be late. I won't wait for you." Click the phone goes silent.
I quickly jump out of bed and turn on the light. I look at the clock 12:25am. I rub the sleep out of my eyes and look around the room. Setting at the end of my bed is a small black bag. I walk over to the door and look at the lock. Yep, it locked. How in the world did he get into my house? Well no time to worry about that now. I'll check into that later.
I look at the clock again 12:27. I better get a move on. I open the bag and take out it's contents. Jean, a man's red flannel shirt, purple lacy strapless bra and panty set and hiking boots. This should be interesting. I think, as I rush to the bathroom for a quick bird bath and to braid my hair. Another quick check of the clock 12:33. As I dress, I search the bottom of the bag. It's got to be here. Where is that damn thing. Aha, here it is. I grab the blind fold out of the bag and run to the door, 12:37. I grab my key's and lock the door. I wonder if it really matters. Locking the door didn't stop him.
I hurry down the two flights of steps from my loft apartment. I step out into the quiet night and slip my blindfold on. I lean against the building and wait breathlessly. I hear a car pull up and the door open. I hold my breath praying this is him and not some nut stopping to hassle me. His footsteps come closer and closer. A slight breeze blows and I catch a hint of his cologne. My insides melt.
His lips brush mine and I feel the coarseness of his beard rub across my check as he whispers in my ear, "Good girl, I knew you wouldn't let me down." He nips my earlobe gently and wraps his arm around my shoulder. We walk over to his car and he opens the door, I get in. Moments later his door opens and he slides in beside me. I know the drill, and there will be no talking during the trip. But, it give me time to think about what is to come.
We must be going somewhere in the woods, but why the hiking boots? How can I hike blindfolded? Maybe it's just a look he is going for? But what a silly look purple undies and hiking boots. I giggle quietly to myself. We wind through the city streets turning every way possible. He does this so I can't figure out where we are going. But little does he know, I couldn't careless where we go, as long as we get there and I can feel his big strong hands upon my body. The car slows to a stop, he reaches over and places something hard in my hands. It's hard and square like a cell phone.
He leans over and whispers in my ear, "Get out, once you do may take off the blind fold. But do not look towards the car. If you do, I will drive away. I have given you a cell phone, but it will only dial 911. Use it only in an emergency. When you get out, keep your back to the car and walk directly into the woods. In the woods you will find yourself a place to hide. I will seek you out. Do not go passed the river. If in one hour I can not find you. You will win. Find your way back to the car. The key's will be under the seat. Go home. If you have won. I will show up on your doorstep. Roses in hand and you will finally know my identity. Then you will become the mistress of the game. You will choose, what, when and where. But, if I win, you are my prize. I will do with you as I see fit. And I retain mastership. It is now 1am. Time to begin."
I reach for the door handle and get out of the car. My heart is racing with excitement. I debate as to weather I should just hide in the open and enjoy his victory once again. Or go for it all and be rewarded at sunrise. My body urges me to let him win again. I've always been a big fan of instant gratification. But, my mind argues that this has been going on for months. And the not knowing is driving me crazy. Every man I see on the street or at work, makes me wonder. Is it him? Does he know my most intimate secrets? And to be the mistress of the game! To be in charge of when, where and how! Oh so tempting. My mind wins, I'm going for it all. This time I will not fail. This time, I will be rewarded. I will own him! I remove my blindfold and resist the urge to look back at the car. I place the cell phone on my waist band and run off towards the woods.
Once in the cover of the trees I survey the area trying to get my bearing. I mentally thank God that there is a full moon out tonight. This place seams familiar? But, its hard to tell in the dark. And then I saw it. The old make out tree! I used to come up here as a teen every weekend. I knew exactly where I was and where to hide. I took the trail that leads off to the left. I pick up a fallen branch of pine needles to brush away my footprints. I step off the trail and walk cautiously through the leaves. Making mental notes of landmarks I pass on the way. Just in case I needed them. It has been a long time since I was up here. I walked for what seams like forever. I don't remember it being this far or this rugged when I was a kid. My body glistens with perspiration for my efforts. And then, there is was. The perfect place to hide. Just off the trail there set a very large bolder with several old trees surrounding it. It looked exactly the same as I remembered it. Here I can sit behind the bolder and the trees will cover me.
I pile up some leaves as a cushion to sit on and make myself comfortable. I look at my watch 1:45am. I think to myself. This is great, I only have to hide here for 15 minutes and I've won. This time he underestimated my abilities. I slowly calm my breathing so that I can here the sounds around me. I can here the mocking birds in the trees, and somewhere in the distance an owl hoots. Checking my watch again, 5 more minutes.
I hear something behind me. Was that a footstep? I hold my breath. There it is again. I slowly begin to stand and turn around knowing that I've lost the game. But, to my surprise I see a doe slowly approaching. My movement startles her and she turns and runs away from me. I breath a sigh of relief and pray that the noise doesn't alert him to where I'm hiding. I check my watch again, 1:58am. I think to myself, I've almost won and if the noise draws his attention. He still won't be able to make it here in just 2 minutes. A smile spreads across my face as is imagine becoming the Mistress of the game. And then I feel it. His breath on the back of my neck. His hands slipping around my waist. He nuzzles my neck as his watch announces the 2 o'clock hour.