Raw Silk

by Lisabet Sarai

  Kate felt the tracks on her buttocks burning. “Please, Somtow. There are serious things that we need to discuss.”

  “I was definitely serious,” he said earnestly, but his eyes were twinkling. “However, I suppose that you called me her to talk about Edward Harrison.”

  Kate nodded. “I have some very disturbing things to tell you,” she said, trying to figure out how to get started.

  “I already know,” said Somtow simply.

  “Know what?” she asked, startled.

  “Everything.” He smiled kindly and reached across the table for her hand. “Gregory Marshall called me this morning and told me the entire story.”

  “Everything?” Kate asked, wondering exactly how much Marshall would have shared.

  “About Harrison’s embezzlement and industrial espionage. About how he hired you to distract me. About how you discovered the plot and how you and Marshall foiled it.”

  Kate searched his face, trying to grasp whether he really knew the details.

  “I know that you and Marshall have a relationship. I have known that for some time. He’s a strange character, with some tastes that even I do not share, but basically he is a decent person.”

  The handsome Thai smiled wryly. “I understand, Katherine, that I could never hope to keep you completely for myself.”

  Kate shook her head. “Somtow, I can’t go on like this. It is too confusing, too draining. David, my lover from Boston, called this morning. He is coming to Bangkok next week. What am I going to do, with three men in one city? I have got to simplify my life before I go insane.”

  She sighed. “The trouble is, I want you all. Each of you is unique and exciting in his own way. How can I choose among you?”

  Somtow saw that she was in significant distress. “From my perspective, you do not need to choose. I see no reason why you should not take as many lovers as you wish.” A mischievous gleam lit his face. “However, if you really do believe that you must make a decision, I have a suggestion.”

  Kate brightened. “Anything would help.”

  “Why not have a contest, a showdown of sorts? Invite all three of us to make love to you at once. Seeing us, feeling us, knowing us, side by side, may help you see your own desires more clearly. When you compare us directly, perhaps your path will be obvious.”

  “Are you serious, Somtow?” Kate did not know whether to laugh. How typical a suggestion to come from her debauched prince!

  “Definitely. Maybe you will discover which one of us is right for you, which one of us pleases you the most. Maybe you will change your mind and decide you still want us all. Either way, it will be an adventure that you will remember all your life.”

  It was a crazy, reckless idea. Still, as Kate mentally reviewed the last six weeks, the wild things that she had done, the wild person she had become, the proposal had a certain symmetry that attracted her. What more appropriate way to conclude this period sexual excess and unbridled lust than by staging the most extreme, orgiastic scene of all?

  “I’m willing to do it,” she said finally. “And you are obviously willing. Even eager,” she added slyly. “But what about Gregory and David? Will they agree?”

  “If they want you,” said Somtow, “they will. And I cannot imagine that they would not want you, as desperately as I do.”

  Somehow he was behind her. His arms went around her waist. He buried his face in her hair, left soft kisses on her neck. “Leave all the arrangements to me, Katherine,” he said. “I will reserve a suite at the Oriental Hotel, where we can all relax in comfortable luxury. I will also speak to Gregory, and to David if you like. It will soothe their masculine egos to think of this as a competition between us men, rather than as a show for your sole benefit, where you will choose your favourite performer.”

  He was as good as his word. Gregory called her Friday afternoon, to confirm his intention to participate in the gathering.

  “I wouldn’t miss it,” he told her, the usual edge of mockery in his voice. “The chance to watch you being fucked by other men, to see you writhe and hear you moan. A most delightful show, I expect.”

  He paused. “I have no doubt about your ultimate choice, my sweet. I have known that you were mine, from the very start. However, if it amuses you to play this scene, I will let you have your fun.”

  Kate felt a stab of annoyance at his conceit that almost cancelled out her excitement.

  “Don’t be so sure, Gregory,” she said smoothly. “You have never met David, and you hardly know Somtow.”

  “But I know you, Kate.” His voice was low, barely audible. “I know you better than you know yourself.”

  He was silent for a moment, then continued briskly.

  “In any case, I called for another reason as well. I want to offer you a job.”

  “A job? I have a job.”

  “Well, I thought this might stimulate your creative juices, as they say.” He gave a little laugh. “I’ve decided to use some of the money from the TFX deal to start a new club.”

  “You are planning on keeping that money?” Kate found his greed depressing.

  “Certainly. I earned it, didn’t I?”

  Kate did not trust herself to respond rationally.

  “Anyway, what I have in mind is something more modern than The Grotto, and more—specialized. A cyberclub that better reflects my particular interests and talents.”

  “An S&M cyberclub? You can’t be serious.”

  “Oh, I most definitely am. Bangkok is already considered the sex capital of the world. There is a significant minority of visitors, not to mention residents, whose inclinations are less—shall we say—traditional than my customers at The Grotto. I will offer immersive fantasy as well as live performances; the watchword will be ‘interactive’.

  “I’m considering calling it ‘Club O’. Or perhaps, ‘Justine’s’. What do you think?”

  “Where do you see me fitting into this new venture?” Kate asked a bit stiffly. Was he envisioning her as one of the performers? Was this all an elaborate plan to subject her to ever-increasing humiliation and punishment?

  “I would like you to design the environment—be my technical and creative resource. Your projective 3D work would fit right in, but that would be just the start. I am sure that you can come up with lots of ideas, given your recent experience and training.

  “And of course, you will always be welcome on my stage at Club O…”

  Kate sighed. He was so infuriating, and so appealing. “I ‘ll think about it,” she said. She certainly could not put such an engagement on her resume. Still, she found the possibilities interesting, from both a professional and a personal perspective.

  “Let me know when I see you at the showdown,” he said. “Until then, I’ll stay out of your hair. By next Saturday, I want to be sure that you are missing me.”

  “Oh by the way,” he added in an offhand tone, “I gave about two-thirds of the TFX money to the Royal charities for slum children. I figured that I needed some good karma to balance out the evil intentions I have for the remainder.”

  He hung up before she could voice her astonishment.

  Friday afternoon brought her a second offer of employment. Somtow called to ask if she would take the position of Managing Director for DigiThai on a permanent basis. “I do not know if I will be staying in Thailand, Somtow,” she answered. “Depending on how things turn out at the ‘showdown’. I might decide to return to Boston with David.”

  “That would be a great loss,” said her prince. “I think you belong here, Katherine, in this sensual, experimental, changeable city. However, I do not need a decision now. I just want you to know that I value your intelligence, skill, and dedication, as much as your more tangible assets.”

  Kate leaned against a pillar in arrivals area of the international terminal, waiting for David. She scanned the double doors nervously. The monitors indicated that his plane had landed, but she knew from experience how long it could take to clear immigration and cust
oms.

  Her feelings about seeing David were incredibly mixed. She recalled their closeness, the easy comfort of their relationship, with a kind of amazement. Life had been so simple then. She reviewed all the good times they had shared, the movies and the concerts, gourmet meals and lazy evenings in front of the television, deep conversations and strong, sweet lovemaking. Somehow she could not make it real; they felt like someone else’s memories.

  I have changed, she thought. I am not the woman who loved David, not the woman he loved. He will see that. The thought filled her with a poignant sense of loss.

  Then she remembered David’s boldness in the Boston airport, and their long-distance dalliance a few weeks before. Perhaps David had changed also. Maybe this time in Thailand would encourage him to explore and develop the kinkier, more adventurous self that she had glimpsed in those encounters. Certainly, Bangkok has had that effect on me, she thought wryly.

  The doors to the secured area swung open, and a stream of passengers began to emerge. Kate moved over to the railing, pushing her way through the cheerful, noisy crowd so that she could see better.

  When David finally trudged out, she did not recognise him for a moment as her usually energetic, well-groomed lover. He was pale and drawn, with dark circles under his eyes. His brown curls were dishevelled and stuck up from his head. One tail of his wrinkled shirt dangled outside his trousers, while the other one was tucked in. He wearily dragged a suitcase behind him, as if he barely had the energy to put one foot in front of the other.

  Did I look that bad when I arrived, Kate wondered, her heart filling with affection and concern. “David!” she called out. “Over here!”

  He looked up and scanned the crowd. His face brightened as he located her. “Kate. You have no idea how glad I am to see you.”

  His pace quickened and in a few moments he was at her side. Kate held out her arms. “Welcome to Bangkok, David.”

  She felt his arms encircle her as he returned her hug: strong, warm, comfortable, familiar. They hung there motionless for what seemed like a long time, neither wanting to end the embrace. Finally David loosened his grip and kissed her with closed lips.

  “Thank you for coming to meet me.” He stood back a bit and eyed her hungrily. “You look wonderful, Kate. Life in the tropics agrees with you.”

  “To be honest, David, you look like hell.” She smoothed his curls with gentle fingers. “Believe me, though, I understand exactly how you feel. Let’s get you to your hotel, and to bed.”

  Kate took David’s suitcase pull in one hand, and his hand in her other, and led him toward the ranks of waiting taxis. “What hotel are you booked at?” she asked.

  “The Montien,” he said, not noticing the odd look that flitted across her face. “It’s on Suriwong Road, near the business district, or so I was told.”

  “Yes,” said Kate quietly. “I know it well.” She turned to the driver and used her rudimentary Thai to bargain for the fare. Soon they were on the highway into the city, the neon signs and tenements shooting past.

  David leaned back and closed his eyes. “God, I’m exhausted,” he said. “I knew you were far away, but I don’t think I really understood how far.”

  Kate took his hand. “I know you must feel pretty limp and bleary-eyed at the moment. It takes a couple of days to get over it. It helps to think in terms of the current time zone. Don’t keep reminding yourself what time it is in Boston. Instead, try and adapt yourself to the schedule here as quickly as you can. Force yourself to go to bed when it’s nighttime here. Don’t allow yourself to nap during the day, even if you think you can’t keep your eyes open. And so on.”

  “I certainly could use a bed right now.”

  “Go ahead and doze. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

  David settled back into the seat. In five minutes he was snoring softly. Kate took the opportunity to look him over more thoroughly. Rumpled and worn as he was, he was still attractive. In sleep, his boyish features were peaceful and relaxed. Red-brown curls framed his smooth, tanned forehead. The hint of a smile curved his full lips. His russet eyelashes were as thick as a girl’s, but the blunt-fingered hands that lay in his lap and the wiry muscles exposed by his short-sleeved shirt testified to his delightful masculinity.

  Kate remembered those hands on her bare flesh, and gave a delicious little shiver. She allowed her gaze to travel to his crotch. In fact there seemed to be some swelling there. Perhaps he was in the midst of some lascivious dream. She longed to touch him, to stroke him to full hardness, but she restrained herself. He needed his sleep. They were in a public place. Most of all, given her own uncertainties about him, she felt it was not right to encourage him.

  So she spent the ride in fantasy. She imagined unzipping his fly and waking him with her mouth. He would be rigid almost immediately, she knew. She would slide her tongue up and down his smooth shaft, then swallow him suddenly, burying her nose in the hairy tangle at the root. He would cry out, would nearly come, and she’d pull back, barely teasing him with her lips until he regained control. Then she would engulf him again.

  She knew him so well. He would want to lay her down on the seat with legs spread wide. More than anything, he liked to be in her pussy. This time, though, she would take command. She would climb into his lap, her back to his chest, and ever so slowly take him into her. She felt the juices flowing there now, as she pictured it. Then she would ride him, hard, the way she liked it. If he seemed too close to coming, she would stop for a moment. She could imagine their laboured breathing, smell the sweat and the sex, as they sat poised in one of these moments. Then she would begin again, slamming herself down on his cock, twisting and grinding her way to orgasm.

  David stirred in his slumber and murmured something unintelligible. His partial erection had become more prominent. Suddenly, Kate felt ashamed at her own selfishness. What about his pleasure? She had an inkling, though, that he would enjoy being taken that way, being used by her for her own satisfaction. It was, after all, a type of pleasure that she understood.

  The cab pulled up at the hotel. Kate shook David’s shoulder gently. “We’re here, David. Wake up.”

  He opened his eyes, yawned and stretched. “Mmm, that felt good. I had some interesting dreams, too.” He grinned at Kate.

  “About me?” she asked demurely.

  “What do you think?” he said, his grin broadening. He glanced down between his legs. The bulge in his pants provided an obvious answer.

  “You’ll have to tell me,” said Kate with an answering smile. “But not tonight. You need sleep more than you need me.”

  “You think so?” he asked, his eyes serious though his tone was humorous.

  “Come on, David.” Kate grabbed his suitcase and carried it in to the reception desk. She did not want to pursue this conversation.

  Though it was past midnight, the lobby was bustling. Loud laughter came from the bar. Kate could feel the pounding beat from the disco downstairs through the soles of her shoes. She remembered her first visit here, her trembling and hesitation as she opened the door of Room 1263. She felt a sharp pang of desire at the thought that Gregory might be up there at this very moment. This was swiftly followed by a stab of envy, as she wondered who might be his companion.

  “Do you want to come upstairs with me?” David’s voice broke into her reverie. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes. “You know that I would like you to.”

  “Not tonight, David,” said Kate gently. “You are very tired. And I’m—confused.”

  “I understand, Kate. It is true, I’m beat.” He pressed the button to summon the elevator.

  “Why don’t we get together for lunch tomorrow,” she said. “Come meet me at DigiThai around noon and I’ll take you to one of my favourite little places.” He nodded as she handed him her business card.

  The elevator door slid soundlessly open. “Until tomorrow, then,” said David, kissing her lightly.

  “Tomorrow. Sleep well, David.” The door closed and he
was gone.

  Kate stood motionless in front of the lift, fighting temptation. More than anything, she wanted to go up to 1263, to see for herself if it was occupied. Of course, she knew Gregory would not appreciate the intrusion. He would punish her severely for it. She didn’t mind; it would be worth it.

  Then again, perhaps the desire she felt pulling her toward the twelfth floor was actually his summons. Maybe it was a test of her sensitivity, of her obedience to his will. How could she not answer his call?

  She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts, and the spell faded. It was late. She was tired and overwrought, tense from her encounter with David. She was allowing her imagination to overwhelm her good sense. Sleep was what she needed, as much as David did. Still, she felt a strange reluctance as she turned to retrieve the taxi and make her way home.

  David arrived promptly at noon. His sport shirt was freshly pressed and his hair was combed, but he still looked tired.

  Kate wore a beige linen suit with a skirt that reached her knees. She had an appointment with some new customers in the afternoon, the proprietors of one of the oldest textile companies in Thailand.

  “You look so businesslike.” said David, admiring her. “Though a bit conservative.”

  Kate laughed. “This is my Managing Director uniform. My software engineer uniform is much more casual.”

  She took his hand. “Come on. Let’s go eat.” She held open the door of the office suite for him, then summoned the lift.

  The elevator doors opened, and Somtow stepped out. “Katherine.” he said, taking her hand briefly, then relinquishing it. “I was just coming to see you. I was hoping to persuade you to join me for lunch. There are a couple of company issues that we need to discuss.”

  Kate smiled despite herself at Somtow’s attempts to present their relationship as purely business. “I’m sorry, Somtow, but I already have a lunch engagement. This is David Berman, an old friend from Boston.”

  “David, this is Somtow Rajchitraprasong, founding partner of DigiThai Ltd.”

  David smiled and held out his hand. “A pleasure, sir.”