"Are you ready?" I asked while flipping the car keys around my index finger. I kept my eyes on Amy's, wanting to be sure.
She took a deep, trembling breath, and nodded. "I think so."
"Still time to back out." I leaned in, dragging my free hand along the delicate arch of her jaw. She tipped into my touch, beautifully dark eyes staring right into my soul.
"I'm nervous," she admitted, "but I don't want to back out."
"Alright," I responded. I stepped back to get a better look. My pet was decked out to the nines, dressed in her black mini and a white blouse unbuttoned halfway down. Her smooth white skin wore a slight pink flush, as did her cheeks and neck. How I loved to kiss that elegant expanse. I reined in the desire, while I watched her finish adjusting her ponytail. Her long, already dark hair had been dyed an almost-black, and though she worried it was too dark, I personally loved it. Around her neck sat a delicate silver chain with an elephant pendant; matching earrings dangled above. A black leather collar, thin and set with a silver padlock, also rested around her slim throat. A silver ring sat on the ring finger of either hand; one glimmered with a pale blue stone, the other carried a small diamond. Open-toed sandals that added a few inches to her short frame completed the ensemble. I turned to open the door, and then stopped with a grin. "Lift the skirt," I commanded.
"I thought you wanted to go," she protested.
"I do." Ignoring her delays, I stepped closer and pulled up the mini. I was right about what I thought I'd find; a delicate white thong that was already stained wet with her juices. I pressed the cold metal keys between her legs, savoring her soft hiss. I couldn't wait any longer and dove for her lips. My tongue snaked between and we kissed hungrily, drowning in one another as I grabbed the ponytail and held her to me. She whimpered and I growled, our lust and love a tangled song. The keys weren't cold for long, quickly reaching the temperature of a very warm body.
Finally I pulled away, licking her taste from my lips. I let her skirt drop and tried to hide the catch in my voice. "Time to go." I held the door, being a gentleman. She smiled and blushed again, and stepped out. I locked the door behind us, and we walked hand-in-hand to my car.
The night, hot and humid, was overcast, with thunderstorms rumbling in the distance. A few stars sparkled through the city lights. Northampton bustled with the sound of cars and traffic tonight, though the heavy atmosphere kept things muted. Full of potential and energy, the air hung thick in my lungs, and a tremble touched my hand when I opened the car door for my pet. For us, tonight was a new beginning. A fresh start. And something to be both savored and feared. Amy hopped in, demurely keeping her legs closed as she settled in. I shut the door behind her and walked around to my side, nodding a hello to one of the other apartment complex dwellers who was still eyeing my pet. I checked out my reflection in the window before getting in on my side; reddish hair and goatee, blue eyes Amy insisted went gray at particular times, and a body that I was returning to the definition I'd had at 20, just 6 years earlier. I wore khakis and a green button-down shirt that I kept mostly up, despite the heat. I didn't look bad, if I did say so myself, but I knew I wasn't a match compared to my pet's bonfire. A moment to put on seatbelts and we were off.
The highway was quiet tonight, something I was thankful for. One hand on the steering wheel and the other on the thigh of my lover, occasionally higher, and a million different thoughts running through my head, added up to my mind not being entirely on the road. And we had a long way to go; more than a hundred miles to Providence, and Dark House. It was a long time to think, and rethink, and doubt. Amy kept her hand over mine. Her fingers squeezed and relaxed rhythmically, and I knew she was as nervous as I was, though for slightly different reasons. But tonight was for us both, and I wanted her relaxed.
"Here." I slipped her the icy silver flask I'd packed deliberately before we left; she took it and laughed.
"I thought you wanted us sober and aware of what we were doing?"
"I do. But I don't want you having a panic attack either." I laughed and gave her a quick smile before turning back to the road. "There's not enough in there to get you anywhere near drunk, even on an empty stomach." I could hear the tinny rasp of the flask being uncapped, and then silence as she sipped the chilled peppermint schnapps. The Doctor could soothe any nerves; in fact, Dr. McGillicuddy schnapps was responsible for us getting together in the first place. I always carried a flask of the liquor with me when I went out to a bar or a party. It soothed a nervous stomach, it was sweet enough that any woman could drink it straight, and it did a wonderful job of loosening inhibition. I'd gone to a party at a new friend's apartment, where I knew almost no one. I'd met Amy once or twice before, and she'd attracted me then. This whole night ended up being spent in flirtation and long talks, and I quickly came to the realization that I was falling for her. That quickly, I knew what I wanted. I wanted her. And I got her. First as my lover, then as my submissive, and now as my partner and girlfriend. It'd been a long and rocky road, and we were still just starting out.
She went to hand back the flask and I shook my head no. "Keep it. The last thing we need tonight is for that to fall out of my pocket if we get pulled over."
"How much longer?"
"Another hour or so. Feeling okay?"
"Yes." I could hear the tremor in her voice and I commented on it. She didn't bother with denials. "I'm a little nervous. Are you sure you want me to do this?"
I gave her a quick look. "I'll be right there with you," I reminded her, "and I doubt you'll be the only one doing anything."