“Hello, this is Pierce.”
“Hi Pierce, this is Jane,” I said.
“I know who this is,” he said. I forgot that he would be upset that I missed lunch with him today. His voice made it clear he was angry. “What do you want? Another favor?”
I took a deep breath and said, “I want to invite you to a get-together on Friday evening at seven that Luke and I are having at our place. He’d like to meet you.”
“I don’t get you, Jane,” he said.
“Is that a yes or a no, Pierce?” I said. Please say no, I pleaded silently. Please.
“The chance to meet the infamous Luke? Of course I’ll be there.”
Fuck, shit, fuck, I thought. I gave him the address and hung up.
I still needed to make the food arrangements. Pizza was too casual and sushi too formal. I decided on Italian and considered asking Luke what restaurant we had just gone to then thought better of it. Never would I willingly face those people again. Being blindfolded and not actually seeing them didn’t lessen my humiliation. I called a place nearby and placed an order for Friday.
* * * *
The rest of the week went by too quickly. Luke and I avoided talking about the party until Thursday night just before bed.
“So, have you come up with something to trade me for the privilege of wearing clothes tomorrow night?” Luke said as we spooned in bed after making love.
“No,” I said. I knew the conversation had to happen but it pissed me off anyway. I pulled away from him and turned around to face him. “How about choosing to be generous? You must know that I’d never prance about naked in front of those people. And really, do you want my boss and Pierce to see me that way?”
“Before we continue this conversation, let’s just be clear that it’s not up to you who sees you naked. You chose to give up that right. AND if I wanted you to prance or fuck or dance in front of those people, the only choice you would have would be to comply or to leave. Are we clear?”
“Crystal,” I said. I sat up in the bed and crossed my arms in front of me.
“Are you sassing me?” he said, smiling and pulling me over to him.
I pushed him away and said, “What do you want?”
“My preference would be to see you ‘prance’ around naked, as it is my favorite way to see you, but I can tell that might be a bit beyond you at the moment and I do mean for now. So we must come up with a barter. I have a couple of ideas but thought maybe you had something in mind.”
“I don’t, so why don’t you just tell me,” I said. I crossed my legs and prepared myself for the worst.
“Here are a couple of choices: One, I could take you back to the Italian restaurant and let my good friend Marcello whip you himself. He can be a bit harsh in his application and he has requested your presence after the little show we put on for him. Two, I could give you another Pierce assignment that won’t be as easy to get through as the first one. Of course that would have to happen tomorrow at work, and that might make it more awkward to have him over tomorrow night. I’m sure you could handle it, though, as you’d have your clothes to protect you and of course me as well. Three, and my personal favorite: You could go to your boss’s office and masturbate for him. Again, having him over after that might be a stretch—”
“Those aren’t really choices. I mean I couldn’t possibly pick number two or three and I have no interest in letting a stranger have an opportunity to beat me—”
“Well, then, I suggest you come up with something good on your own.”
Desperate and not thinking clearly I blurted out, “How about you invite your friends over? I could be naked in the apartment for that get-together.”
“Brilliant, Jane. I love that idea. It’s not only a fair trade but one that completely excites me. It’ll take some planning on my part but yes, we have a deal.”
I regretted it the moment I suggested it. I knew it would be worse than I could possibly imagine. I got out of bed and paced up and down our bedroom a couple of times.
“Can I take that back?” I said. “I’m sure I could come up with something else you would like.”
“Absolutely not, Jane,” he said, leaning toward me and grabbing my arm. “It’s the perfect barter. I should’ve thought of it myself. Come here, babe. We need to get to sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day.”
I acquiesced and crawled into bed next to Luke. He was out in minutes, but I lay there distraught. I couldn’t shut my mind down as I agonized over tomorrow’s party and what else might transpire in the near future.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
On Friday morning I used my run as pure therapy, trying to run all the tension away. Fortunately, the busy day at work went by quickly. I left thirty minutes early, hoping to shower and do some last minute cleaning up. When I got back to the apartment I undressed quickly by the door and found that Luke wasn’t there. An outfit was laid out for me on our bed, a note atop the neatly folded clothes.
Dearest Jane,
I have a couple of errands to run but should be back in time to greet our guests. You may dress at 6:30 p.m. If I am not back right at 7:00, know I am on my way.
Vito’s Restaurant called and said they will be delivering at 6:30 p.m.
I hope you are looking forward to this as much as I am.
Loving you,
Luke
I wasn’t looking forward to it; I only hoped to survive. To me, it was on a par with going to the dentist or the gynecologist.
I did a quick check around the place, picking up the newspaper and dropping it into the magazine holder. I placed my work clothes in the dry cleaning bag. I set out all the plates, glasses and utensils and spread the tablecloth I’d purchased for the party. When everything looked just right, I headed for the shower.
There was a knock on the door at 6:15 p.m. I had just finished my shower and my immediate thought was that Luke had set it up. I wouldn’t have been a bit surprised to find out one of his errands included dropping an extra tip by the restaurant.
“One minute please,” I said.
I had a choice to make. Should I answer the door wrapped in a towel? I wouldn’t be technically dressed but I wouldn’t be naked, either. I knew what I had to do but stood there by the door waiting.
The knock came again and a male voice said, “This stuff is heavy, could you please get the door?”
“Ugh,” I said out loud. “Fine.” I opened the door and the man/boy, who couldn’t have been more than eighteen or twenty, almost dropped the stack of containers.
“Well, come in,” I said. I held the door and followed him into the kitchen. “There is fine,” I said, pointing to the counter to the right of the sink. “Hang on a sec while I grab my wallet.”
“Oh, it’s all paid for,” he said, averting his eyes to just above my right shoulder.
“Well, a tip then,” I said, heading back toward the bedroom.
“That was taken care of as well,” he said. He didn’t move at all. He just stood there, rooted to the spot.
I had two simultaneous impulses. One was to say, “Well then, goodbye and there’s the door,”—not very nice, but I was pissed after all. The second could have only come from the alter ego that seemed to want to claim me. I was so angry at Luke I wanted to kneel in front of the boy/man and suck his cock until he came. Of course that would enrage Luke—the desired effect—but then I’d suffer as never before. Although my body had quickly adjusted to his propensity for causing me pain/pleasure, the wrath that I would face for that crazy act kept me in check.
I headed toward the front door and opened it for him. He pivoted on his spot but didn’t move closer.
“Do you always answer the door naked?” he asked, making eye contact for the first time.
Desire surged through me as his blue eyes penetrated mine. He wanted me. I looked down and saw just how much. I knew I needed to get him out of my apartment as soon as possible. “Most of the time, yes,” I said.
“You have a beautiful body,�
�� he said. He fondled his erection through his pants.
His tall lanky body hadn’t filled out to manhood. Messy brown hair framed his angular face.
“You need to leave. I still have a lot to do to get ready for the party.”
“Can I come by some other time?” he said.
“The man who paid you ….” I said.
“Yes.”
“He’s my boyfriend and isn’t much into sharing.” That’s what I told him, although I wasn’t sure it was true anymore.
“Oh, him? I thought maybe he was your father or older brother.”
I laughed because Luke was only ten years older.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“Nothing,” I said, “but I can’t wait to tell him you thought he was my father. The sass cometh.” I laughed even harder at myself.
“Oh … well then I guess I better go,” he said.
He headed for the door but my rejection didn’t deter his cock.
“Later,” he said.
“Later,” I said back.
I closed the door and ran to the bedroom to dress. The outfit was a bit more risqué then I’d have chosen but the brown patterned skirt with beige and blue leaves pinched in my waist and the bra under my blue blouse pushed up my breasts to give me a curvier figure. I liked it. I appreciated how much more extreme the outfit could’ve been. He could’ve made me wear what I wore to the restaurant. Clearly even he had boundaries. At least I hoped he did. I still felt extremely wary of what would take place that night—if the delivery boy was any indication. Convinced Luke had put him up to it all—including being early—what might follow put my stomach in knots.
I fluffed my hair in the mirror. Just a few minutes before seven, I sat down on the couch, noticing how odd it was to be sitting there fully dressed. I decided that writing might relieve the butterflies in my stomach. No sooner had I opened the computer when I heard a knock at the door. I shut the laptop and took a deep breath.
“I’m coming,” I said. There stood my mother. I should have prepared myself for the fact that my mother was timely if nothing else. I silently cursed Luke for not being here to “handle” her.
“Hello, Mother,” I said as I leaned in to kiss her on the cheek.
She brushed past me and said, “Well, let’s take a look at the place. I can see I’m the first one here. She walked straight over to the bathroom and said, “Is this the only bathroom?”
“Yes, Mom,” I said.
“It’s a closet, not a bathroom. Why didn’t you just move into your place, Jane? You have two bathrooms there.”
“This is more convenient for work, and although the bathroom isn’t ideal, it works for us.”
“Tsk,” she muttered.
“Would you like to see the kitchen?”
“I guess,” she said.
When I’d finished giving her a tour of the place, she pointed to the second bedroom door. “What’s in there?”
“Luke’s office.”
“I want to see it,” she said. She didn’t wait for me to respond. She made a beeline to the door, grasped the handle, and found it locked. “Why is the door locked?”
“He likes it that way,” I said. I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“What does that mean, Jane?” She faced me, hands on her hips.
A blessed knock saved me from my mother giving me the third degree. She followed me as I opened the door to find Brian. I had hoped it would be Parker or Sandy.
“Hi Brian,” I said as I welcomed him into the apartment. “Please meet my mother, Jacqueline. Mom, this is my boss, Brian.”
“Jackie,” she said, offering him her hand.
“A pleasure,” Brian said as he held my mother’s hand and kissed it.
I saw my opportunity to slip away and said, “Mind if I leave you two for a few minutes while I check on the food?”
“No problem,” my mother said. She didn’t even turn to look at me. All her focus was on Brian. Brian raised an eyebrow and smiled.
I mouthed, Thank you and walked away to the kitchen.
Fortunately Allison, Parker, and Sandy all showed up in the ensuing fifteen minutes and did a wonderful job of socializing with everyone.
Pierce’s absence was a relief. I hoped he had changed his mind. As for Luke …. Where was he? My anger intensified as the minutes ticked past and he failed to materialize. At one point I was close to tears and excused myself to the bathroom.
At five minutes to eight both Luke and Pierce walked into the apartment together. That made me even more furious. Had they been out together? If so, what the hell had they been talking about?
Luke strode in and scooped me into his arms, hugging me to him. “Sorry, babe,” he said in my ear. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“You better,” I said, whispering back.
Once Luke was there the energy of the party completely shifted. In the midst of lively conversation, he kept everyone’s glass full, including mine. Our guests ate Caesar salad, spinach lasagna, and chicken penne with broccoli while consuming several bottles of wine and champagne. I barely picked at my food.
Luke wielded remarkable power over the group. With him there I actually enjoyed the party. I looked on in awe and once in a while we’d lock eyes and he’d smile that all-knowing smile. It felt warm and endearing.
My mother fell in love with Brian that evening and, several times over the next couple of months—especially when I was most unsure of my life with Luke—she’d tell me how I’d missed out on happiness with Brian. She was convinced that he was the perfect man for the perfect wedding. More to the point, he was the perfect man for her, if she’d only been younger.
On that evening Luke won them all over, even my mother. When she told Luke she wanted to see his office, he thankfully declined. I think the locked office had her a bit disconcerted, but he made her laugh in a way I’d never seen. My mother drank her share of champagne and behaved herself for the most part.
When I walked her to the door she said, “I can see why you let Luke sweep you off your feet. You seem happy, Jane, and that’s good.” I knew that part of her affability was the liquor speaking but I appreciated it nonetheless.
“Thank you for coming,” I said and actually meant it. “Are you okay to drive, Mom?”
“Yes, of course I am. I never let myself drink too much. Let me by, please.”
“Drive safely,” I said.
Pierce left next and said, “We’re good, Jane. Luke explained it all to me and now I understand.”
Pierce’s understanding had me more worried than Pierce’s confusion. I wondered what Luke had actually said to him.
Sandy left next. As she was leaving she said, “I would love for the four of us to go out. I’m sure Jason and Luke would hit it off famously.”
“I’ll ask Luke,” I said. “It was so good to finally see you. I feel like it’s been months but it’s only been a couple of weeks.”
“Life really has changed for you in a short while. That’s obvious. I think it’s a good change and I’m happy for you, Jane.” She gave me a big hug and I accompanied her to the door.
“This was a lot of fun,” Allison said. “Rick is going to kill me because I invited another person to the wedding.”
Parker said, “If it’s going to cause problems, Ally, I won’t—”
“Not at all,” Allison replied, laughing. “It was so great meeting you and I definitely want you there. He’ll live with it, not to worry.”
“Thanks Jane,” Parker said, “This was great and I can see I’ve nothing to worry about. Sometimes we just get lucky. Hopefully I’ll be next.”
“They say weddings are a great place to meet someone,” Allison said.
I hugged them both goodbye.
Brian was the last to leave. Luke and Brian were deep in conversation as I said goodbye to all of our other guests. I couldn’t fathom what they’d have to talk about or what they could possibly have in common.
Luke w
alked Brian to the door and Brian said, “I clearly waited too long, but the best man won.” He smiled and then said, “See you at work on Monday.”
“Oh,” I said. “Okay then, thanks for coming.”
The night had put me in a tailspin. I should’ve been happy that everyone liked Luke so much, but for some reason I was even more concerned.
“Well, that turned out well, Jane,” Luke said as he closed the door. “You did a great job. You have wonderful friends who really care about you, and your mother is a hoot. I even thought Pierce and Brian were an interesting pair.”
I turned to face him, the wine giving me courage. “Why were you late? I had to make excuses for you. I remember that first day outside my office when you said, and I quote, ‘I am never late.’ ” I began to undress, avoiding his eyes.
“Is that really what you want to talk about? I thought we would climb into bed and I could make it up to you.”
“Were you out with Pierce? What did you say to him? Why, all of a sudden, does he ‘understand’?”
“Jane, come here and let me take you in my arms. We can talk about all of this tomorrow.” He reached for my hand. “Did you tell the restaurant to deliver the food early?” I would not be deterred.
Luke laughed but then tilted his head. “If you aren’t interested in cooperating, I could tie you down and have my way with you.”
“Answer my questions and then you’ll see just how cooperative I can be.”
“I told you. Tomorrow, Jane. You’re pushing it. Please come to me, as I truly want to make my tardiness up to you.”
Unwilling to let the matter rest, I crossed my arms in front of me.
“Have it your way,” he said. “Don’t think I’ll enjoy it any less. To the contrary, I will enjoy it even more.”
“No,” I said, stepping back as he approached.
He just laughed and easily scooped my slight body up into his arms. I kicked like a little kid wanting to be put down.
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