Normally I would slip off my shoes when I walked into my house, but my hands were full and instead I walked to my kitchen island and dumped the mail, empty coffee cup, handbag and jacket on the counter. I idly flipped through the mail looking for something more interesting than bills and ads. I stretched my arms above my head and tossed my blonde hair over my shoulders. It had been a long day and I was glad to be home. I was looking forward to a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine, curling up with my dog and watching the hummingbirds conduct their evening flight maneuvers across my garden. A personal note in the pile of mail caught my eye. I lazily scratched the back of my calf with the tip of my stiletto as I slid by finger under the flap. The note written on heavy cream cardstock, read,
Are you ready for our game?
A chill ran up my spine though I could not tell if it was from fear or intrigue. I flipped the envelope over to see if there was anything other than my name beautifully written across the front but there was nothing else. It was at that moment I felt a rush of air behind me and the presence of a person much larger than me. I felt the silk scarf gently cover my eyes as a knot was skillfully tied behind my head. And then I felt his hands reach for mine and firmly guide them together behind my back. A silken cord was deftly wound round my wrists and in a moment I found myself at the mercy of my lover.
He pulled me by the cord steadily so that I didn't lose my balance. Yet walking backwards, blindfolded with my arms behind my back I was quickly disoriented. And because he led me by the cord, I had no human anchor to allay my fear that I would stumble. That fear quickly grew, and I hesitated, only to be pulled more forcefully to where, I did not know. Minutes later the backs of my legs stopped against the bed and a hand on my shoulder pressed down forcing me to sit. The feel of my duvet brought tears to my eyes. Its familiar comfort was welcome as I was now so frightened.
I could feel him move around me and then a metal blade slide up my thigh. I heard the shears cut through my dress from my thigh to my neckline. For a brief moment the tip of the shears touched my throat and when I swallowed hard the blades pressed more firmly into my skin. With two more cuts at each shoulder my dress fell away and I sat at the edge of my bed clothed only in my black lace panties, bra and stilettos.
His hand gently brushed along the side of my face. "Are you frightened?" he asked quietly. I nodded trying to hold a sob inside. "You must answer me when I speak to you. Are you very frightened?" he asked again.
"Yes, yes" my voice caught in my throat as I repeated myself.
"You will be frightened for a little while my love," he spoke as his hand traced a path from my jaw down my neck to the lace of my bra. His fingers brushed along my nipple gently pinching and then releasing me. I steadied my breath. Although he promised fear, his voice provided comfort. I clung to the idea that there would be an end to the fear enveloping me and I just needed to stay calm until the fear subsided.
I felt him loosen the cord from my wrists and heard the hum as the cord was pulled along the bedpost, my arm pulled along with it. Why did I sit so complacently while he adjusted my restraints? He was so gentle and methodical in his movements that I never thought it the moment to fight. And soon both my arms were pulled against the posts and I was a lost soul with only his will to guide me.