Like many women of my age I have a sense of resignation about my prospects of finding a life partner. Unlike some, I believe that I have found something more satisfying.
My partner at the moment is sleeping now, bless him, after quite an exhausting evening of emotional manipulation. He won't stay for long -- few of them do -- but every waking moment will be precious.
I first realised that I got a thrill from humiliating men quite by accident. It was a second date shortly after the end of the longest relationship of my life. I was on the rebound, seeking affirmation and finding it fleetingly with meek men I found on dating websites. This one was especially meek and even as I asked him back to my flat I could sense he would be a disappointment.
When I leant in to kiss him on the sofa he froze like a shop window mannequin. Even when I slid my hand up his leg he remained inert. I stopped and asked him if he was alright, because, I said, I would get as much of a response from a china doll.
I thought that this might break the tension, but he blushed and didn't reply. I joked that his red cheeks made him look even more like a doll. "Should I put you in a pretty dress and play with you?"
His shame was all-consuming but I refused to be embarrassed for him. My primary feeling was annoyance. "Come on then," I said. I took him to my bedroom and told him to take off his clothes, although I was so impatient that I took most of them off him myself.
I wondered how far he would let me go before showing some assertiveness. How much more shame could he take? Would he let me do anything to him?
I wondered whether I had a dress that would fit him.
He was slender and I am a size 14 (US 10) but even so I didn't want to risk him damaging my clothes. I was flicking though my wardrobe when the answer became obvious. The worst hen party I have been to involved a dance class that required us to perform in ballet dresses, which we were obliged to buy.
I pulled the dress out. It was essentially a leotard with a short lycra skirt sewn above the hips. It was pink and shiny, which I thought would help with the humiliation, but more importantly it would stretch and it was unlikely I would ever need it again.
"Here you go," I said. Still nothing. I held open each of the leg holes in turn as I lifted his ankles to pop them in. I pulled the costume up his legs, higher than I needed to go so it was nice and snug. Then I threaded his limp arms into the arm holes and lifted the upper body up and over his shoulders, reaching round to fasten the poppers at the neck.
"The first thing a ballerina needs to learn," I said, placing my hands on his chest, "is balance." I shoved him roughly onto the bed. I climbed on top of his supine body and began kissing him. Whether it was through fear or arousal, this time he began to respond.
I reached beneath his skirt and fondled him through the leotard and here there was a response too.
I instructed him to fondle himself while I got a condom. He was ineffectual even at this so I pulled aside the bottom of the leotard and took him in my hand while telling him what was expected of him as a ballerina. "Do you know the basic positions for ballet?" I asked him. I couldn't honestly remember them so I made some up while telling him how well suited he would be.
The more I elaborated, the more I realised that I enjoyed his humiliation and the power it gave me over him. I kept up the fantasy as I mounted him. "You should see yourself... you look so demure... even your little noises are girly... do a girly moan for me... I want a sigh, now, give me one."
I could feel my orgasm building and held onto him tightly, controlling the rhythm as I needed it. As I spilled over I stared at him. His flushed face was turned to the side and his mouth lolled open. I hadn't noticed whether he had come or not and I didn't care.
I told him to take the condom to the bathroom and clean himself up. When he came back, still in his dress, I spooned him as I fell asleep.
He didn't last as a boyfriend. I managed to get him back to my flat once more but although he wore a tight satin blouse and pencil skirt as he gave me passable oral sex it was a disappointment that he was so feeble.
Since then I have developed a routine for my men, which worked particularly well tonight. What I really like is watching their resistance crumble, so the more they protest the more rewarding is their surrender. The first step is to get them naked. A good a line as any is: "Let's slip into something more comfortable."