Redemption 4 - Helen's Release

by Helen's Release (Loose-Id) (lit)

  “Since it’s too early for dinner, do you want to go shopping first? I know you mentioned it, but most men hate following a woman around the mall.”

  Griffin smiled, happy at how easily things were falling into place. “No, I enjoy shopping actually, especially with a beautiful woman on my arm. In fact, I just so happen to know of a shop you might find very interesting.”

  “I don’t know if I should tease you about the fact you know so much about women’s dress shops.”

  Griffin didn’t answer, letting her assume the shop he was referring to was a dress shop.

  “Here we are.” Griffin pulled up and parked the car, swiftly getting out and coming around to open Helen’s door. Yvette’s shop was very discreet and didn’t advertise their specialty where anyone just walking down the street would be able to see it.

  “Oh, my, this looks very fancy. I doubt I’ll be able to afford anything here. But it’s always fun to look.” Griffin guided Helen to the shop door, his hand at her back. He just hoped she’d still be as enthusiastic when she realized what was sold there.

  Helen reached up to pull on the door handle, before Griffin could stop her. When the door didn’t budge, she turned to him and frowned.

  “I don’t think they’re open.”

  Clearing his throat, Griffin reached past her and rang the doorbell she had missed. Yvette’s wasn’t the type of place just anyone could walk into.

  “This is a bit fancy.”

  “’Ello.” Yvette’s lightly accented voice spoke softly out of the hidden speaker. “Can I ’elp you?”

  “Yvette, it’s Griffin.”

  “Griffin, my love, come in, come in.” A loud buzz resonated, signaling the door being released.

  “My love?” Helen arched a brow at him before tugging on the now unlocked door.

  “She’s French. She calls everyone her love.”

  “I see.”

  For some reason, Griffin seriously doubted that. Following behind her, Griffin made sure to pull the door firmly behind him. He had paid dearly for Yvette to cater to only them. The last thing he wanted was for someone to wander in behind them.

  “Oh, my.” The awe in Helen’s voice brought a quick smile to his lips. She had paused with one foot on the landing and the other on the step beneath it, as if she were hesitant to step further into the taffy-pink room. If the overabundance of the fuchsia room in collaboration with the mannequins barely covered by the silk nothingness of Yvette’s designs didn’t scare Helen, nothing would.

  The shop was like a scene out of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. He loved the proper clothing Helen wore on the outside, and he couldn’t wait to see the whorish things she would wear underneath.

  The telltale blush was back in her crimson cheeks. His Helen was out of her element.

  Excellent.

  “Griffin,” she gasped, turning to face him. “What kind of store are we in?”

  Griffin wiggled his brows leeringly. “My kind of store.”

  “Do you really expect me to buy something here?”

  “Of course ’e doesn’t.” Yvette walked over to the stairs, a haughty smile on her berry-stained lips. “’E’ll be buying. Right, Griffin?”

  “Right, as always.” Griffin grasped Helen by her arm, nudging her all the way into the store, much to her obvious dismay. “Yvette, it’s been way too long.”

  “Indeed.” Yvette leaned forward and kissed the air next to his cheeks. “But you look divine, as usual. Who says people really get what zey deserve in zee end?”

  “Well, it’s not really the end, so there’s still time for life to catch up with me. I’d like to introduce you to Helen Weller, a close personal friend of mine.”

  “’Ello, my dear. Aren’t you a lovely zing?” Yvette air-kissed around Helen’s bemused face. “Now come, we ladies will begin to look around. I zink I know what Griffin would like to see.”

  “What Griffin would like to see?” Helen turned to stare at him murderously.

  “Oui, oui, he is a man of exacting tastes, yes.” Smiling, Yvette began to pull Helen toward the racks of silk and lace.

  “Uh, just a moment, please.” Helen pulled her arm out of Yvette’s grasp and turned to Griffin. “You are not seriously suggesting I allow you to buy me underwear.”

  “Underwear! Non, nozing so crude. Zese are confections, gossamer bits to entice your man. Of course he will buy. Now, no more fussing. Come, we must choose.” Yvette was a domineering woman who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Griffin had explained on the phone that Helen might be a bit reticent. Yvette had assured him she knew exactly what to do. Even so, he wanted to reassure Helen as well.

  “Helen, sweetheart, just go pick out something beautiful. You deserve it.” So saying, he pushed her toward Yvette.

  “Oh, you are so in trouble right now.” Helen’s tightly whispered words were meant for his ears only. “Fine, I’ll go look. But you’re crazy if you think I’d let you buy my panties. You’ll be lucky if you ever see my panties again.” Helen turned on her heel to follow Yvette, her spine straight as an arrow.

  Griffin chuckled as he seated himself on the comfortable couch. He was looking forward to the upcoming scene that was sure to erupt when Helen found out Yvette would expect her to model the garments for Griffin.

  Chapter Four

  Helen tried to act as blasé as the French woman who was holding up a red bra to her chest, but somehow she just couldn’t think of this as normal. Which meant she must be a pervert, because when Griffin told her to go pick out something, she could feel herself cream at the thought of sexy underwear. He was definitely a bad influence on her, because she never did anything decadent. Ever.

  “Zis red is not a good for you, but zese colors, zee pastels, zey are perfect for you.” Yvette handed her a rainbow of colored bras in yellows, pinks, blues, and greens.

  “I’m not sure if this style will really work for me.” Helen eyed the items doubtfully. She wasn’t exactly large breasted, but these didn’t look as if they’d hold anything more than a golf ball.

  “It’s a demi-cup. Full support wiz zee barest of coverage.” Yvette smiled wickedly and pushed Helen toward the curtained area off to the side. “Try it and see.”

  Helen shook her head uncertainly, but walked behind the curtain. As she passed a mirror, she surreptitiously glanced over to see Griffin staring at her. He had a hard, hungry look in his eyes that made her shiver all over, even though the temperature of the shop was quite comfortable.

  Quickly stripping off her dress, Helen removed her plain white cotton bra, but left on her slip and panties. Grabbing the lacy pink bra, Helen slipped it on, then turned toward the mirror and gasped at her reflection. The cups of the bra pushed her breasts out, as if in an invitation. The brief exertion of changing her clothes had brought a rosy glow to her cheeks and a few wisps of hair had escaped her chignon. She looked like she had just been kissed.

  “Beautiful.”

  Helen gasped as she turned to see Griffin standing at the edge of the curtain. Fighting the urge to cover herself, Helen stared back at him bravely.

  “Have you just recently become a Peeping Tom, or is this a habit of yours?”

  Griffin chuckled before Yvette appeared and pushed him out of the way.

  “Geet back over to zee couch. She is not finished. Shoo!” Yvette stood firmly until Griffin finally walked back toward the couch. “Zat one is a devil. You will have your hands full wiz him. But what a delightful time, too, yes?”

  Helen nodded silently, loath to correct the woman’s impression. Who was she kidding, anyway? She had allowed Griffin to bring her to climax with his mouth, and now she was with him buying underwear. She had made her decision before she ever got in the car today. If he asked her again, she would tell him she was ready to make the next move. She wanted to experience all the pleasure he promised and more.

  “Now, I have brought you a few styles of panties, but zey will all match zee bras. You decide which you like best a
nd zen you can model for us, yes?” Yvette bustled away, leaving Helen gasping at her words. Did she have enough bravado to just step out and display herself to Griffin?

  And what the hell did Yvette mean by “us”? It was one thing to model her underclothing for Griffin — they were semi-lovers — but to do it front of the other woman just seemed odd.

  Resigned to her fate, Helen picked up a tiny wisp of white sheer lace and held it in front of her in awe. She had to admit, they were beautiful. They resembled a pair of tiny shorts. The top was satin white, cut in a high t-back thong with the buttocks covered by a sheer lace. It covered completely, yet exposed her all at the same time. There was a matching bra, or a piece of lace in the guise of a bra. It had the same pretty white lace of the panties, but without the satin covering.

  Taking a deep breath, Helen undressed completely. Instead of rushing to cover her nude frame, she took a moment to do something she hadn’t had done in awhile — she pulled her shoulders back and looked deep into the mirror.

  With a raised brow, she tried to honestly gauge her body. Things weren’t as perky or as flat as they had been when she was Lily’s age, but at the same time, Helen didn’t feel the need to run for cover. Since her breasts had always been on the small side, gravity and age hadn’t really had an effect on them.

  At least her nipples were pointing in the right direction, and as far as Helen was concerned, that was a miracle in itself. She was honestly a bit heavier than she liked, but there was nothing to be done about it now. Running her hands across her rounded stomach, Helen turned to the side and looked at her rear.

  Not bad. All the years she’d spent walking to town because they didn’t have a car had paid off. Her buttocks, although not those of a young woman, were still pretty nice. Looked like she owed Mike a debt of gratitude after all.

  Encouraged by what she saw, Helen dressed in the lingerie, feeling sexier than she had in years. Once clothed, Helen gave herself the once-over and had to smile. For a plus-sized fifty-year-old, she looked damned good.

  Wetting her lips, Helen turned toward the curtain. “Griffin, do you want to see this?”

  His deep chuckle was almost answer enough. “Is that a rhetorical question?”

  “No,” Helen felt like an idiot. “I meant to say, I’m dressed, so you can come look.”

  “Why don’t you come out here and let me see.” Go out there! Is he mad?

  “I’m not walking around in underwear in a store.”

  “I’m the only one out here.”

  “Where’s Yvette?”

  “Would you be more comfortable if she were here?” His voice held a hint of amusement.

  “No, I would not.” Helen’s outrage caused Griffin to laugh out loud.

  “Well, no need to worry. She’s left us alone for … a while.”

  Helen wasn’t sure what the hesitation in his voice was, but peeking around the curtain, she couldn’t see evidence of Yvette anywhere. In fact, she suddenly realized the shop was obviously made to be one large dressing room, since it was completely shadowed from the outside world. She couldn’t even see a cash register.

  “Come on now, you aren’t a tease, are you?” Griffin chided her jokingly.

  Throwing her shoulders back, Helen walked out from behind the curtain. Her mouth was dry and her palms sweaty. She was a nervous wreck, waiting for the other shoe to drop. This was just the time when Mike would have yelled a taunt or thrown a fist. Helen didn’t know if Griffin truly understood what it was taking for her to walk out and put herself on display like this.

  Thankfully, his expression and body told her more than words ever could just how appreciative he was of her sacrifice. Sucking in a breath, Griffin slowly got to his feet, his eyes never wavering. She could feel his gaze as he viewed every inch of exposed skin. Her nipples puckered at the scrutiny, and his answering groan let her know he definitely noticed. Dear God, she was going to have to buy the underwear if for no other reason than they could never be used again. Just the look in Griffin’s eyes was making her damp.

  “This was the best idea I’ve had in a long, long time.” The husky drawl encouraged Helen to walk closer until she was within arm’s reach.

  “Do you like this look on me?” Childishly, even though she knew his answer, she wanted the words. She wanted to be told how appealing she was.

  “No, I don’t like it, I love it. You are beautiful with clothes on, but this … this is extraordinary.” Pulling her close to him, Griffin ran his fingers down her bare arms.

  “Thank you.” Helen bit her bottom lip, wondering if she sounded ridiculous.

  “Give me your mouth.” Griffin bent his head for a kiss, pulling her body tightly against his. The hard erection pressing into her belly filled her with womanly pride. She was desirable. She could turn a man on.

  “You’ve turned me into a wanton,” Helen gasped, before Griffin captured her mouth in a bruising kiss. Her nipples, hard as pebbles and supersensitive, rubbed against the lace barely covering them.

  Griffin broke their kiss, breathing heavily. “Oh, no, I didn’t turn you into a wanton. I just brought it out in you.” Reaching up, he cupped her breasts, his thumbs gliding over the little nubs.

  Helen cried out at the sensation. Griffin’s eyes flared at the sound, and he pinched each nipple between his thumb and finger, causing Helen to stumble toward him. She could no longer hold herself upright as an electric charge seemed to shoot right through her.

  “No more games.”

  Griffin swept her up into his arms, and strode back toward the dressing room.

  Helen was startled by the sudden change in his demeanor.

  Gone was the man who had promised her complete control, and in his place was a passionate rogue who seemed destined to consume her whole. The curtain parted like a pink wave as they swept through the opening. Before Helen’s back was flat on the wall, Griffin had taken her mouth once more in a passionate kiss.

  He moaned hungrily as she kissed him back with as much desire as he was showing her. Despite her initial hesitation, Helen welcomed him into her arms. She pressed her body into his, loving the feel of his finely cut suit pressed against her barely clothed body. His touch was decadent.

  Like a kitten starving for attention, Helen rubbed against him, pressing closer, needing to feel his body against hers. She wanted him so much she could hardly breathe. So badly, in fact, it scared her.

  This wasn’t like her. Not at all, and suddenly Helen wasn’t so sure it was a good thing. His passion, much like the man himself, was all consuming, and it frightened her. With a reluctant moan, Helen wedged her hands between them and pushed against his chest, as she turned her head away.

  “Griffin, we have to stop.”

  “Why? Yvette is gone. It’s just the two of us here.” His words were whispered against the pulse of her neck. In between words, he trailed his lips down the curve of her neck. Maybe turning her head hadn’t been such a good idea, after all. Griffin was just as deadly with his lips when he wasn’t kissing her mouth.

  “You sent her away?”

  “Do you really think I would allow anyone else to see you dressed like this?”

  Helen knew she should probably take exception to his words, but in all honesty, she was too aroused to think that hard. “What happened to me being in charge?”

  “Any time you want to take control,” Griffin slipped his hand between their bodies as he spoke.

  He slid it lower down her stomach which quivered with need, into the open juncture of her thighs, brushing his talented fingers against the satin soaked from her moist sex. “All you have to do is say the word.”

  Did she want to be in control? From where she was positioned, Griffin was doing a damn fine job without her input. “If I don’t stop you now?”

  “Then I’m going to flip you over and fuck you from behind against the mirror, so you can watch while I take you. I’m going to fuck you long, hard, and deep.”

  Helen felt the rush of breath
leave her body at his words.

  Was she ready for this? Her body certainly seemed to think so. “So if I said no right now, you’d just stop? Somehow I doubt that.” Helen knew her words held a challenge, but she just couldn’t help but think that somehow, some way, allowing Griffin into her body and heart would bring pain in the end.

  Griffin stepped back at her words, his hands dropping away from her. She immediately felt the loss of his touch and wanted to call back the words. The sound of his harsh breathing was the only thing between them. “You can test me all you want, Helen. I won’t hurt you, or force you, or whatever it is you think I’m going to do.”

  Helen’s head dipped in embarrassment as she realized she was hoping he would do something hateful so she could be proven right in her belief that all men were like Mike and would just take what they wanted, no matter what the consequences. Griffin’s fingers under her chin caused her to look up at him, regret shining in her eyes at the awareness she had just ruined what could have been a loving moment between them. This might have been the start of something really good, but instead her action might have ended it before it could ever begin.

  “Now don’t cry. I never said I couldn’t be persuaded. All you have to do is give me the signal.”

  “The signal?” Helen sniffled, trying to hold back the emotions.

  “Sure. You want to be in charge, right? All you’ve got to do is take control. Reach out and grab what you want and don’t let go. I’m really good at following orders, so …”

  Helen studied him nervously, wondering if she dared.

  Reaching out, she tentatively ran a finger down his chest, feeling the cool silk of his tie beneath her touch.

  “Take off your tie.” The sudden order didn’t seem to catch him off guard. He just smiled in that sexy, devil-may-care way of his and reached up to loosen the knot of the tie before pulling it off and tossing it to the floor.

  Stepping forward, Helen began to unbutton his shirt, revealing a smattering of fine hair across Griffin’s chest. And what a well-defined chest it was. This was a man who took good care of himself. Leaving the shirt unbuttoned and open on him, Helen stared into his eyes as she grasped his belt buckle and swiftly unhooked it before slipping the belt free of his pant loops.