by Lara Swann
“You brought me…to a store?” I give him an askance glance. “What’s this plan of yours, anyway?”
“A designer store.” He points out. “Or several of them, actually. This place is a little exclusive - a private shopping experience.”
“A shopping experience?” I ask, slightly incredulous.
“I told you I wanted the chance to spoil you, Leah. And you need it - it’s painfully obvious you never spent any of that money on yourself—”
“It was for Maddie.” I frown.
He’s right - that child support account he set up for Maddie is still going strong, and I’ve felt so good finally buying her some new things. But…I didn’t feel right spending that money on me.
He rolls his eyes at me. “It was for anything you wanted, and you knew it. But since that isn’t going to work, I’m going to have to get you some new things myself. So here we are.”
He takes my arm, and I step with him automatically, still looking up at the large complex, slightly dumbfounded.
Then I laugh, and squeeze his arm with a shake of my head.
“You really are…one of a kind, Alistair. I don’t know many guys who would voluntarily take their girlfriend out shopping - let alone make it a date.”
“I don’t know many girlfriends who would drag their heels about it.” He grins at me. “Besides, it’s not the whole date. You need something to wear for dinner tonight.”
He leans in to kiss me, and I meet him for a few brief moments - then pull back.
“We’re never going to get anywhere if we start that.” I murmur as he objects.
My pussy is already aching, and my heart flutters every time our eyes meet, and all the stupid stuff that I don’t notice when Maddie is around. It’s amazing simply to be with him alone, one-on-one…and if he wants it to be while shopping…okay then.
I give into the idea - not at all reluctantly - and the next few hours pass in a swirl of colors and clothes and attention and advice. I have my hair done, my nails done, everything styled and pressed and polished - and I can’t believe Alistair actually seems to enjoy watching it all, a smirk on his face and heat building in his gaze.
And, it’s actually fun.
I haven’t been shopping in years, not properly - and never like this. Where they don’t even put the price tag on the clothes, because it doesn’t even matter. Several people fussing around you, helping and talking and laughing - taking clothes away, bringing alternatives…
Alistair said he wanted to spoil me. And yeah, okay, I definitely feel spoiled.
It feels like I haven’t even really had time to myself for the last four years, let alone a whole day focused around me, and…yeah, it feels good. I can feel his warmth and affection and care - and the kind of intent focus that keeps me trying not to squirm in these ridiculously expensive clothes.
By the time we finish, I imagine we’ve probably bought a whole new wardrobe - or several dozen - but I have no real idea, because I know we’ll be taking home more than just the ones I said I liked. And it doesn’t come with us, either - once I chose something, it disappeared entirely. Half these items are one-of-a-kind, too - that’s something else I learned.
A fashion queen’s paradise. Not quite me, but hell - it turns out that playing the part is a lot of fun anyway.
I did try and tell them that the use case for most of these clothes is going to be entertaining a kid - playing with food and paint and sand and dirt. The attendants were really not impressed by that, but Alistair just waved at them and suddenly it didn’t matter. Apparently, he doesn’t care if these ridiculous designer clothes end up being one-time items. I did manage to make sure most of it was practical - just nicer versions of things I already wore. Jeans and sweaters, skirts and tops and blouses…not just chic, beautiful dresses.
Though there were some of those, too.
In fact, the only thing we actually walk out of the place with is the stylish black dress that I chose for tonight. Complete with a diamond earring-and-necklace set, and gorgeously styled hair.
If he’d asked me beforehand, I doubt I ever would’ve said this was how I wanted to spend my afternoon. But, he was right anyway. Leaving there looking fantastic for the first time in so long…I suddenly realized how much I’d missed this.
A little personal treat, here and there. A pick-me-up manicure or a new haircut to make myself feel good.
A nice dress, to make myself feel sexy and hot.
All little things, that slipped away somehow and I never even noticed. Just like my sense of self - of individuality beyond simply being Maddie’s Mom.
And now…it feels like I’ve got some of that back.
I remember what it was like to feel like Leah. To feel hot and sexy, ready to have fun and grab life by the horns.
That’s been coming back slowly, thanks to Alistair.
Hot sex and subtle kisses, and all that simmering tension between us…that’s helped.
Having enough freedom from stress and worry and rushing from one job to the other…that’s helped too. Given me enough time to be able to think again. To be able to do things because I want to, not simply because I need to - something more beyond the endless ‘to do’ list of things to get done.
But this. This has blown all that out of the water.
I feel like a woman. Not a kid - not a student finding her way in the world.
But a sexy, confident woman who knows what she wants…and has it standing right beside her.
And I feel like tonight is for me.
“You look stunning, Leah. Absolutely mesmerizing.” Alistair murmurs to me as we get back in the car, on our way to the restaurant he’s booked for tonight.
I can practically tell how much my eyes are shining as I look back at him.
“Thank you.” I smile, and it’s almost shy. “You were right. I never would’ve done this myself, but…I should have. I feel…I feel on top of the world, Alistair.”
The way his smile expands, and he just beams back at me, melts my whole body.
We kiss again on the way to the restaurant - but not as desperate, not as needy. Even though I feel like the whole day has been one long tease, this is gentler, softer…sweeter.
And when the car stops this time, we’re ready immediately. Alistair gets out first, and holds his hand for me to join him, as if I’m some princess or a famous actress about to walk down a red carpet. That’s how I feel.
Important.
And the restaurant only accentuates that feeling.
It’s not loud and in-your-face with its class and sophistication, like so many of the ones he first tried to impress me with. No, this one is intimate.
The room that we’re shown to has exquisite architecture and decor - but it’s small. There are only a few tables, and they’re set apart from each other, with the clever acoustics of the place making everyone else’s conversation feel like a light hum, a murmur behind you. Atmospheric, but not invasive.
It’s very well done.
We sit at a corner to each other, and Alistair’s hand folds over mine almost immediately. I get the impression he’s not going to let go for the rest of the evening.
And he barely does - even when he’s tasting the amazing combination of flavors and ingredients.
I told him at the beginning I didn’t want to be wined and dined again. But I think I was just trying to make a point. Because this…this I can’t really object to.
It’s just…beautiful.
And being with Alistair - just Alistair - feels special on another level.
We talk, about nothing and everything, so much easier now than when we first saw each other again. So much easier, because neither of us are paying the slightest attention to what we’re saying. We’re just staring at each other, high on emotions and desire, and it doesn’t matter what the other person says - because there’s nothing we can possibly think wrong about each other right now.
At least, that’s how I feel.
And in such a warm and protective
environment…it’s not hard to mention a few of the things I’ve been thinking.
My slight confusion about who I am now, and what I want with my life.
“Who do you want to be, Leah?” He asks, with the kind of fervent expression that tells me just how much he wants to know. Wants to know me, whoever that is. “What do you want to do?”
“That’s what Emma asked, too.” I admit. “I don’t think I know.”
He considers me for a while, then tilts his head. “Do you want to go back to college? I saw how happy physiotherapy made you, all those years ago.”
I blink at him, that answer surprising me a little - and he must have read it in my expression. He coughs, looks down briefly before glancing back up.
“I know I didn’t necessarily…support you with that back then. But…you made it pretty clear what you wanted, anyway. And I want you to know - whatever you want now, you can have. I just want you to be happy, whatever life that is.” He says, then adds with a grin. “So long as it’s with me, anyway. You’re not getting away from me again.”
I laugh, then lean in to kiss him again, squeezing his hand before I think about what he’s said.
“There’s Maddie, though, and I know I want to be with her. Be there for her…”
“You can have both, you know. There’s ways to do it all, and if anyone can…you’d be able to, Leah. We both know that.”
“Your resources might not hurt.” I say, teasing - and then feel suddenly surprised that I can tease about that.
It doesn’t seem like such a big deal anymore. It’s been so hard to think about using any of what he has, but…the idea is getting easier.
I let the conversation move on, but it lingers in the back of my mind anyway. I think about it. About possibilities.
And maybe it’s the clothes, or the date, or the way everything seems so different now…but it really does seem possible. Like I could be who I was…and who I am now. And maybe it would work.
For the moment though…I’m savoring this night.
And it truly feels amazing. I can’t remember ever tasting food like this - maybe I did when we were together before, but I doubt it. It’s too good not to remember. And the company…well, that somehow upstages even the food. Especially as the bottle of wine slowly empties, and everything takes on a warm, happy haze.
By the time the main course is finished, I’m actively trying to resist running my hands all over him, kissing madly at the table, or any number of other inappropriate ideas.
He, however, isn’t quite so disciplined - and it doesn’t take long before I feel his hand creeping up my leg.
My thigh quivers beneath him, and the wave of desire that hits me is so hard I have to bite my lip. Which doesn’t make his answering grin help in the slightest - his eyes darkening with lust and clearly wanting more from me.
“Alistair…” I murmur, but it doesn’t deter him at all.
His hand slides further up, under the hem of my dress until he’s stroking my upper thigh and my pussy feels hot and wet and ready for him. I struggle not to squirm as the waiter comes over to take our dessert order - especially as he mutters in my ear as I’m glancing at the menu.
“I know what I want for dessert.”
Fuck.
I know what I do, too.
I wait until the guy has left until I rake my gaze over him, but I was sorely tempted to skip the actual dessert - despite how good the food here has been.
Then his fingers are actually skimming over the thin, silk panties we also bought today. They’re soaking wet, and I know he can feel it by the way his eyes flicker.
“My, my…” His voice is sultry and deep, and I have to struggle not to show a glimpse of what he’s doing to me.
My pussy twitches desperately under that light touch, and I want nothing more than to climb on top of him right now.
Then he slips the panties aside entirely, and without any warning at all - plunges a couple of fingers deep inside me.
I can’t help it.
I gasp out loud.
I don’t think anyone turns to look - but I can’t tell, because my entire vision is clouded over with sudden need.
“Alistair.”
He chuckles, and kisses my temple in the perfect sweet contrast to what he’s doing below the table. If only I could maintain that same separation.
“Damn you.” I mutter, and it only makes his eyes light up more.
He scissors his fingers inside me, almost in response, and I clutch at the table cloth - feeling my juices gush out onto his hand. I’m definitely going to leave a wet patch when we finally get up - and my face flushes red with embarrassment.
“Alistair…this is a nice place.”
I’m almost desperate now, and I can hear it in my voice.
And I’m not sure if I’m desperate for him to stop - or continue. Probably both.
I squeeze my legs tight together, and his fingers start slowly pushing in and out of me. My pussy clenches around them hungrily, and despite everything else - I can feel the heat building inside of me.
They arrive with our dessert a moment later, and Alistair thanks them in a perfectly calm, controlled voice.
I feel like I could smack him at that moment.
I’m probably sweating and heated and all I can think is that it must be really fucking obvious what we’re doing - but they don’t appear to notice anything.
And then the bastard actually starts eating dessert.
While finger fucking me.
I’m barely clinging onto the table cloth and he can do that.
“This is really good.” He says, totally innocuous. “You really should try it.”
“Alistair!” I hiss.
It’s getting worse. I don’t know whether it’s what he’s doing, his totally casual attitude, or…hell, the whole day.
But I don’t know how much I can control it anymore.
My pussy is quivering around him, and even with just his two fingers…even when I want his cock so much more…fuck, I don’t think I can hold back much longer.
“You need to stop.” I say, my voice obviously strained.
“Here, try it.” He feeds a forkful of the rich, chocolate-y dessert into my half-open mouth, and I swallow automatically - not really thinking about the dessert.
The explosion of sugar and chocolate and a perfect mix of orange and cinnamon creates yet another, distinctly different, feeling of pleasure. Yet another sensation.
And I almost moan as I eat it.
“It’s almost…” His hand rotates, and then his thumb brushes my clit and my whole body bucks against the chair. “Orgasmic, don’t you think?”
Then, before I can even answer, his fingers speed up - thrusting deep inside me while his thumb works my clit with the kind of skill that makes me want to curse. The heat that had been building unavoidably inside me gets tense and tight and…
“Alistair!” I hiss again, gulping air.
And then it’s too late - it all explodes through me. Pleasure radiating out from his touch, my nerves on fire and shuddering with the intensity of trying to fight it…and failing.
Oh fucking god.
I clamp my mouth closed, refusing to let a sound escape, as my eyes close and I hope I’m not shuddering too much. I feel like every muscle is tense - with pleasure, and trying to remain still, and the high that runs through me is almost impossible.
When I finally open my eyes again, I look quickly around - checking that nobody is staring at us. They’re not. I must’ve done okay.
Then I look back at Alistair, to see the smuggest grin on his face. And his wet, sticky fingers hovering just before his mouth.
He waits until that moment - until I’m looking at him - and then slips them into his mouth, making a point of sucking on them and sighing appreciatively.
“Yeah.” He says. “The dessert here is good, but I was right - the one I really wanted…that was orgasmic.”
“Fucking…bastard.”
I get out, after a long time catching my breath. My body is still shuddering and now that he’s withdrawn his hand, my pussy still wants something to clench tight - my legs are still pressed together, and I still feel like squirming on my seat.
I just want more.
And he knows it. I can see it in his eyes.
“Are you sure you don’t want your dessert?” He asks, innocently enough.
My eyes flick down to see the untouched parfait on my plate.
And I shake my head.
There’s no way I could continue eating right now - he is way better at this unaffected game than me, and even with my competitive streak, I can’t hope to match him.
“Hmm, well…” His gaze runs over my flushed body. “Do you want to get out of here, then? If you aren’t in the mood for this dessert…we should probably find something else to satisfy you.”
My eyes widen again at that, and my pussy clenches tight. That sounds like exactly what I want. And I can’t deny it, even as I can’t deny that this was…unbelievable.
Inappropriate in so many ways, but…god, running away with desire and pleasure like this. It’s something special.
He stands up and offers me his arm, which I definitely need. I take it and join him, trying to still the way my body still wants to send aftershocks through me. Or maybe they’re just anticipatory shivers…for what’s about to come.
I make the mistake of glancing down at my seat afterward…definite wet patch.
I flush again - but as he grins at me, I can’t help the stirring of desire again in my stomach. Maybe I shouldn’t like it, but that was one of the hottest things I’ve ever done.
I let him help me towards the exit, and it’s only as we get halfway there that I suddenly think of the bill.
“Wait, what about—”
“Already taken care of.” He grins at me. “Places like this don’t really bother their clientele with bills.”
My forehead wrinkles for a brief moment.
Actually paying for the meal is an indicator of class now?
And then he laughs, leaning down to kiss me - and I forget all about it as everything else that’s just happened takes over again. What starts as a quick kiss becomes deeper and more insistent, our mouths opening and tongues clashing together as all the build up from dinner - from the day - the echo of his fingers inside me…it all makes me want to lose control completely. In every way.