Baby Steps

I used to be so shy but not any more and I love the way I am now.

Part 1

I grew up with very prudish parents. When I left my bedroom to go to the bathroom I always had to wear a dressing gown over my nightie and I had to be fully dressed to go downstairs. My parents also sent me to a catholic, girls only school. Even the college that they sent me to was all girls catholic. At the college the other girls idea of fun was play chess.

So, when I left college and got my first job I was the dowdy, quiet girl whose skirts were always below my knees and my blouses buttoned to my neck and I couldn't even join the conversations with the other girls about boys because at twenty one I had never even had a boyfriend and was starting to think that I would live for whatever years and die a virgin.

The only thing that gave me a bit of hope was that the job that I have is in a city about one hundred miles from my parents so they got me this one bedroom apartment. For a few months I settled into both my job, my little apartment and my dreary life.

Now is probably a good time to describe myself, I'm a skinny girl, my mother having only ever given me small portions of healthy foods and I was never allowed to have any confectionery. Would you believe that at twenty one I had never even been inside a McDonalds or a KFC. This upbringing got me into the healthy eating habit and that never changed when I went to college, nor when I started living on my own.

My name is Claire and I am only one hundred and fifty centimetres tall and weigh forty one kilograms. Fortunately my breasts never grew more than a 'A' cup so I never have to worry about unwieldy breasts even though my mother always insisted, and got me into the habit of wearing sturdy bras. I wear glasses and have long, blonde hair, my mother only letting me get it cut when it got half way down my back.

.

When I started my job things started to change, although it took one of my co-workers to tell me before I realised that one of my bosses had started to spend more time than necessary at my desk talking to me. Ethan is only a couple of years older than me and when I first met him my heart gave a little flutter for the handsome young man.

I started thinking about why Ethan came to my desk so often and realised that most of the occasions were unnecessary and I just couldn't understand why he came. I could never imaging that he would have any interest in the dowdy me but he was definitely flirting with me but I was enjoying his visits and our little chats.

I assumed that he was just using me to practice chatting to girls and some of the things that he said embarrassed me and some I didn't really understand because I was a very naive and lacked even basic relationship experience.

Then one day Ethan asked me if I'd like to go for a drink with him. At first I thought that he was joking and I said so. When he said that he was serious I asked him,

"Why would you want to go for a drink with me, there are lots of girls here that are more beautiful than me and I'm sure that they would love to go for a drink with you."

"Because underneath that long skirt (knee length), that heavy blouse and those glasses I believe that there is a very attractive young woman."

That really made me blush and I replied,

"Stop it Ethan, you're just trying to embarrass me and you are succeeding. You don't really want to go for a drink with me, you're just winding me up."

Ethan picked up one of my hands and held it with both of his and said,

"Claire, I am deadly serious, I really want to go for a drink with you. I want to get to know every bit of you a lot more than is possible in the office."

"You're serious Ethan, you really want to got for a drink with me?"

"Yes Claire I do."

"But I don't drink, I've never touched any alcohol."

"That doesn't matter Claire, believe it or not, pubs do sell none alcoholic drinks. Please say that you'll come."

"Okay, I will, but I warn you that I don't have any nice clothes."

"Claire, you could turn up totally naked and I wouldn't mind, I just want to get to know you better. Having said that if you did turn up totally naked it would certainly help me to get to know you better."

"Stop it Ethan, I'm a good catholic girl, I could never be naked in front of one man, never mind a whole pub full of them."

"Well that might change but for now I would be very happy if you turned up dressed like you are now."

I was still a bit embarrassed, but also excited at the prospect of my first ever date when I replied,

"Okay, what time and where?"

We fixed up a time and a place and we got on with our work although it was an excited me that happily got on with my work.

As I walked to the pub I was both nervous and excited. I was wearing what I considered to be my nicest dress, knee length, buttoned to my neck and with long sleeves. I'd been thinking about getting some new clothes that were more like those that other girls in the office wear, and after listening to quite a few girl's conversations I was coming to the conclusion that my upbringing was holding me back but I hadn't decided on how I would go about changing myself to be more like the other girls. I wondered if going on a date, or possibly more that one date with Ethan would help me change.

I had never been inside a pub before and didn't really know what to expect and I was very happy when I saw Ethan waiting outside the pub for me. I was also very happy when he took my hand and led me in. After getting us both a drink we went to a table in a quiet corner and talked, and talked and talked.

When Ethan went and got us a second drink he suggested that I get a cocktail. I told him that I'd never drunk any alcohol before he suggested one that only had a little alcohol in it. I didn't get drunk, not that I really knew what being drunk was like, but I did feel a little less reserved after I'd drunk it and I did reveal some of my desires, in particular that I wanted to be more like the other girls in the office.

I told him that I wanted to dress more like them and I told him that I'd got the impression that all of them were having sex and really enjoying it.

"So what's stopping you from changing Claire?" Ethan asked.

"Well I don't have much money but the main obstacle is my upbringing."

"Don't tell me Claire, you are a catholic and your mother told you that you must always wear dreary clothes and never let a man see your body until you get married."

"How did you know?"

"It's a common thing. I bet that a few of the girls at work were the same."

"So are you saying that my mother was wrong?"

"Your mother just passed on what her mother told her, it's not her fault that she isn't changing with the times, when you've been brainwashed it's difficult to snap out of it, especially when you are not too young."

"So are you saying that I should wear clothes like the other girls at work and have sex with men as often as they say they do Ethan?"

"That's not up to me to decide for you Claire, only you can make that decision, but I'll tell you now that it will not be easy, you'll have to work hard at it and get out of your comfort zone quite often. But the first obstacle that you have to overcome is you have to want to change. Do you want to change Claire?"

I thought for a couple of seconds then replied,

"Yes I do, those girls appear to be having a lot more fun than I do. And I want some of it but I don't know how to change."

"Well you've just solved the first obstacle, the next one is to force yourself into situations that are outside your comfort zone."

"Like what, how?"

"Baby steps Claire. How about getting some new clothes, ones more like those that the girls at work wear?"

"You mean shorter skirts?"

"Well yes, and low cut blouses. I'm sure that you have a really nice pair of legs under that skirt Claire."

"The first problem with that is that I only have small breasts. I could never display a cleavage like some of the girls."

"Not having big breasts isn't a problem look at Jenny Smith, she only has tiny breasts but that doesn't stop her showing most of her sternum most days. Besides, I don't like big breasts."

"The other problem is that I don't have much money, but I guess that I could shorten some of the ones that I've got. That's one good thing that my mother taught me, sewing, she even let me bring her old sewing machine with me."

"That would be a great start Claire, but maybe one new skirt or dress just to make you feel good because feeling good is half the battle. Maybe I could come with you to help you choose something."

"You'd do that for me Ethan?"

"Of course I would, it will be an excuse to see you again, outside work that is."

"I'd like that Ethan but you don't need an excuse to see me outside work again Ethan, I'd like to see you again." I was silent for a couple of seconds then I continued, "would you kiss me please Ethan?"

"That will be my pleasure Claire."

Ethan bent over and we kissed. At first it was just on the lips, but that alone was magic for me, I'd never had a proper kiss on my lips before and these strange feelings were starting in both my nipples and my pussy.

Then I felt Ethan's tongue trying to open mine so I relaxed and let them open. When I felt his tongue exploring my mouth I was a bit stunned. What was he doing? Does he expect me to do the same? I didn't have a chance to decide what he wanted or expected because my tongue had a mind of its own and the two tongues explored the other.

The strange feelings got stronger.

When Ethan finally broke the kiss I just sat there not really knowing what to say or what to do. After a couple of seconds Ethan said,

"What was that like Claire?"

"I, I, I don't know what to say, I've never experienced anything like that before."

"But was it nice?"

"No, it was awesome, it stated strange feeling in my, my lady parts."

"You mean your nipples and your pussy?"

"Yes." I quietly replied.

"You can say those words Claire, say them again."

"Nipples." I replied.

"And?"

"Pussy." I replied.

"Again Claire."

"Nipples, pussy."

"Again Claire."

"Nipples, pussy."

"Again Claire."

"Nipples, pussy."

"Good, well done Claire, now tell me what the feeling was in your pussy."

"What, no, I can't do that, it's embarrassing."

"Claire, what did you say you wanted to do?"

"Change. Okay, my pussy tingles and it feels wet."

"Good, that's two more baby step achieved, well done Claire."

There was silence for a minute or so then I said,

"Thank you Ethan."

"You don't have to keep thanking me Claire."

"But you're helping me and I'm grateful."

"If you're going to be my girlfriend you don't need to keep thanking me Claire."

"You want me to be your girlfriend Ethan?"

"I do, but to you want me to be your boyfriend Claire?"

"I do Ethan. Will you kiss me again please?"

"You don't have to ask me Claire."

So I got brave and lent over and kissed Ethan on the lips again and it was just as good as the first time. Ethan put one of his hands on my knee over my dress. I tensed up for a second then relaxed and enjoyed the tongue wrestling.

When the kiss broke Ethan asked me if I'd like another drink. I asked for another cocktail and when he came back he sat closer to me and started asking me about my hobbies. I laughed and replied,

"What hobbies, I haven't got any."

"Okay, what nice places do you like going to Claire?"

"I have no idea, I once dreamt about going to the beach, that would be nice."

"I will take you to a nice beach where you can run around with no clothes on."

"Oh I couldn't do that, not without any clothes on."

"Baby steps Claire, baby steps."

"I'm not sure that I could ever do that, my mother wasn't even happy when I went to the swimming lessons when I was a kid and I had to wear a big one piece swimsuit."

"Don't worry about that for now Claire, all in good time."

Just them the landlord called time so Ethan said,

"I'll walk you home Claire."

"That's okay, I managed to get here on my own."

"No Claire, I want to walk you home."

"Oh, sorry, I didn't realise." I said cursing myself under my breath for not realising that he wanted to be with me for longer.

As we walked out of the door Ethan took my hand and gently squeezed it making me feel good. We walked and talked and when we got to my apartment I said,

"I live in here Ethan."

"When can I see you again Claire?"

Not thinking what he really meant I replied.

"Tomorrow at work."

"Outside work Claire?"

"Stupid me, I'm not used to this dating thing, anytime that you want Ethan, the only thing that I have planned in my life is going to work, my weekly trip to the supermarket and my monthly trips back home."

"Right then, with your permission I will be here tomorrow night at 7 p.m. Wait, no, I'll give you a lift home from work."

"You don't have to do that Ethan, I can get the bus as usual."

"Claire, have you considered that maybe I want to give you a lift home."

"Oh, right, thank you, that will be nice. I'd better go in now, I'm not usually up this late."

"Can I have a kiss before you go in please Claire?"

"Yes please Ethan, I like it when you kiss me."

"Or you could kiss me Claire, you can do that anytime that you want, except at work."

I looked up to Ethan's face thinking about how to kiss him when his mouth found mine, well I think that it was his mouth that found mine, it could have been the other way around, and we started kissing. Ethan's arms went round me and he hugged me. In response I put my arms round him and it felt good. I didn't realise what it was at the time but I felt something pressing on my stomach.

After a while I felt Ethan's hands slide down to my butt. My first instinct was to reach round him and pull his hands away but I resisted and as the kiss went on and on whatever it was pressing on my stomach seemed to get harder. When the kiss finally broke I said,

"Phew, that was awesome Ethan."

"Yes it was, but I'd better let you go in before I try to do something that you wouldn't want me to, well not yet."

I looked at him not knowing what he was talking about and Ethan stepped back. Ethan's arms slid down mine and our hands joined for a second before I gave him a quick kiss then said goodnight. As I opened the building door I looked back and saw Ethan still looking at me. I waved then went in.

I ran up the stairs singing to myself,

"I've got a boyfriend, I've got a boyfriend, I've got a boyfriend."

Later when I was in bed I reflected on the evening. It had far exceeded my expectations and I realised that I really liked Ethan. I thought about me wearing clothes like the other girls at work and being on a beach without any clothes on. Then I realised that my left hand was on my right tit and was caressing it through my nightie and bra. And my right hand was pressing on my pussy through my nightie and knickers.

"Good grief, what am I doing, mother would kill me."

My hands went to my sides, the moment gone and I was soon asleep.

*****

I woke up before my alarm and thought that it was a wonderful day, even though I hadn't looked outside.

In the bathroom I took my nightie and knickers off, looked at myself in the mirror and thought,

"I don't know what Ethan sees in you girl, but there must be something."

As I continued looking I decided that I really did want to become more like the other girls at work. Ethan had said the he would help me with 'baby steps', and if that was what it took then I would take his baby steps even if I did get embarrassed or thought that my mother would be horrified if she knew what I was doing. Maybe Ethan was right, maybe my mother was living in the past. Times had certainly changed in a lot of areas so why not in how a girl dresses and acts. The other girls at work certainly were more carefree about their clothes and attitude, some of them, maybe all of them, must have been like me at some time. They had changed so I was going to change, with some help from Ethan

Then I had a horrifying thought,

"Maybe after a night's sleep he had changed his mind and didn't want me as his girlfriend."

I tried to forget about that and hurried to get myself ready for work. As I exited the building I turned and walked towards the bus stop and heard a car horn beeping. I ignored it and kept walking but the noise continued. I was just starting to think that some unlucky car driver had some sort of mechanical problem when I heard my name being shouted.

"Who can that be," I thought, "I don't know anyone around here."

I stopped and turned and got a wonderful shock, there was Ethan stood on the pavement looking my way. Once I'd got over the shock I waved then literally ran to him, flung my arms round his neck and kissed him. When the kiss broke I said,

"What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you to make sure that you still want to be my girlfriend."

"Of course I do Ethan."

"That kiss answered my question Claire, come on, get in the car and we'll go to work."

As we drove we talked and Ethan asked me what I did when I got into my bed the previous night.

"I went to sleep."

"What about before you went to sleep?"

I blushed as I remembered what my hands had done.

"I, I, I put my hands on my tits and pussy."

"Were you naked?"

"Ethan, of course I wasn't, I was wearing my nightie."

"Anything else?"

"My knickers."

And what did your hands do?"

"Nothing."

"Claire."

"Okay, they pressed on my nipples and pussy."

"Did it feel good?"

"Yes, it made me think of you."

"Good, well done, tonight another baby step, don't wear your nightie, just your knickers."

"I couldn't do that, it's not right and someone might see me."

"I thought that you lived on your own Claire."

"I do."

"Didn't you say that your apartment was on the third floor?"

"It is."

"I bet that you close all your curtains at night as well don't you?"

"I do."

"So no one can look in through the windows."

"No they can't."

"Then who is going to see you?"

"Well no one I guess."

"I bet that most of the girls at work wear nothing in bed."

"You think so?"

"From what I've heard and read I'm pretty confident that I'm right. Baby steps remember Claire?"

"Yes Ethan, I'll think about it."

"Be positive Claire, you said that you wanted to change. The world isn't going to end if you go to bed naked, be positive, be brave, just do it."

"Okay, why not, what harm can it do?"

"It will do you more good than harm Claire, another baby step towards being like the other girls."

"Yes."

We drove in silence for the rest of the way with me thinking about what I had agreed to do. It was certainly a first for me, and as Ethan said,

"What harm would it do."

I was happier about what I'd agreed to do.

As we drove into the car park one of the girls saw us and waved.

"That will start the gossip machine." Ethan said.

"I don't care," I said, "in fact I want the whole world to know that I'm your boyfriend Ethan."

"Just don't go bragging about it or trying to rape me in the office Claire. We have to be professional here."

"I don't usually talk with the girls, I usually sit alone in the break room, and I would never try to rape you Ethan."

"I know, and it wouldn't be rape anyway, and if I'm having my break at the same time as you I will sit next to you. Just keep you hands and your mouth to yourself okay?"

"Of course boss."

"It's Ethan, even here Claire."

We got in the lift and I was pleased that we were alone for a minute or so so I reached up and kissed Ethan. He responded and our tongues only parted when the lift slowed at our floor. I stepped back and checked my dress. When the doors opened we stepped out and I thanked Ethan for the lift then walked to my desk.