by Simone Leigh
“Yes.”
“And she’s definitely alright?”
“Yes. She’s asleep now, but…”
“You believe she was a virgin? The real thing?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Please tell me you took it easy on her.”
“Of course I did. I made it as good for her as I could.”
There is another silence. “Did she come?”
“Spectacularly.”
Another silence, then, “You think she really enjoyed it?”
“Yes, I really think she did, at least after she stopped being scared silly of me. I did everything I could think of to calm her down.”
And another pause, then, “Did the photos lie?” The voice is mellowing.
“Yes, they did. The photos don’t do her justice. Michael, she’s beautiful. She is absolutely stunning. You wouldn’t believe how beautiful without seeing her.”
“Really?” Sounding still more relaxed, the anger is draining from his voice.
“Yes, really…. Look, I know you’re not happy with me about this, but why don’t you join us for breakfast. Then you can meet her and judge for yourself. And you can decide from there….”
“Decide what?”
“Decide…. if you want to join me…. us….”
“You mean, decide whether she should be gang-banged?” The edge to his voice is back.
“It wouldn’t be like that. I asked her, Michael. I thought about what you’d said, and I asked her, at the auction, before we left.”
There is another long pause, then, “You asked her what, exactly?”
“Listen, she’s done what she’s done, auctioned herself, because she’s raising money to go to college. I asked her if she wanted to make more money by having more than just me involved. She's not a child. She's twenty-two and she knows her own mind. She's got real grit and she wants to earn money because she’s funding her own future. I gave her the choice, Michael.”
“You really gave her the choice? You didn’t demand her obedience because you’ve paid for her?”
“Not for that, no.” He’s still hesitating. “Look, Michael. I want you to be involved. You were right about what you said. I’m probably the wrong man to be doing this with her, but we are where we are and….”
“Yes? And?”
“And…. you’re much gentler with women than I am, and a better judge of people. And she is…. well not a virgin anymore, but without the experience to know how things work. And because I’ve bought her, even if I tell her she can, she probably wouldn’t give her safety words if she needed to. So, I want you to do it for her if you think what’s going on is too much for her.”
Another long and pregnant silence, then….
“I still have reservations about this.”
“Fair enough. I’m simply asking that you come to meet her, to judge for yourself.”
“Alright, I’ll see you in the morning. Message me when you’re at breakfast.”
And without ado, the phone clicks dead.
*****
Despite the temptation to step naked back into the sheets with her, I sleep in the other bedroom, giving Charlotte the privacy I think she probably would prefer. I’d like to ‘spoon’ around her, but on reflection, letting her have a good night’s sleep will make the following day a better experience for both of us….
…. ‘All’ of us….?
The following morning, I rise and shower, then make a pot of coffee. With my own cup and an extra, seating myself on the end of the bed, I watch her, and I wait. If she wakes in her own time, she should feel better today.
A finger of sunlight slants through the curtains, edging across the room as I sip the coffee, simply looking at my flame-haired Sleeping Beauty, her tresses spilling across the cream satin sheets, framing her pale face.
Her nostrils flare and I suck in a grin.
Nothing like the smell of coffee to grab the attention….
As her eyes open, fixing on me, “Coffee?” I smile.
She smiles, yawning and stretching. "I'd love some." Then she sits up as I pour, brushing errant red locks away from her face.
How is she?
Certainly not stressed….
Her hair is all over, and I should have insisted that she shower last night. The remains of her make-up having gone AWOL over her face.
First time I’ve ever seen a green-eyed panda….
And yet you are still utterly beautiful….
"How are you this morning?"
She wraps her hands around the cup, sipping. "I'm fine, I think."
Really?
"Try walking around a bit. See if you still feel fine. Your insides took a pounding last night; a pounding they’re not used to."
She creaks her way out of the bed, raising herself gingerly and wincing as she moves. There’s a stiffness around her pelvis which I know I’m responsible for.
"A warm bath again, perhaps?” I suggest, “To relax you a little."
"Er, yes. I think so."
"Take your time. The hotel does an excellent breakfast, and they'll be serving for the next couple of hours."
She stands slowly, stiff at the hips, her movements awkward as she tries to move, her natural grace eclipsed.
Have I hurt her?
She’s bruised inside certainly. That bath will help.
Finally upright, naked, despite her dishevellment, her complete disarray, she still looks astonishing. Her hair is in rampant escape, her mascara panda-eyed and she smells of sex and sweat and me; but her long limbs, her perfect figure.…
She sees me looking at her and, very obviously, is suddenly conscious of her nakedness. Her face twists and reflexively, she tries to cover herself, one hand dropping to her loins, the other moving to her breasts. Then she remembers herself, that she is my ‘property’ for the week and uncovers, but she’s blushing and looks away.
Poor kid, you really don’t know yet how to be naked with a man, do you?
I’m a stranger to her….
Give her a break….
I pull a bathrobe of its hook and toss it across to her. She nods me an embarrassed smile and heads, walking like a clockwork toy, for the bathroom.
Making another pot of coffee, I kill some time going over timetables and targets for the Haswell Contract. I’m getting the benefits, so I’d better get on with the work.
Twenty minutes later she emerges in a cloud of perfumed steam, looking as fresh and innocent as a newly picked daisy. “More coffee?” I ask. “Before we go down to breakfast?”
“Mmm, lovely.”
She knocks back about another half pint of the strong back stuff I enjoy, wandering around the apartment, looking at the views, checking out the bookshelves.
She’s not just beautiful; she’s charming too, with the kind of fresh-faced enthusiasm you normally only see in small children who are at that stage when they are just beginning to explore the world, and everything is interesting.
I try not to be too obvious about it….
Don’t want to weird her out…
…. but I can’t keep my eyes off her. I just want to watch her, to enjoy looking at her.
Time to get on with the day. I tap into my phone.
Going down to breakfast now.
OK c u 20 mins
"Ready to eat?” I ask her.
And now she grins. "Yes. Definitely."
In the breakfast hall, she piles her tray with a huge amount of food; cereals, fruit juice, bacon, sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms and eggs, toast and marmalade.
"Do you eat like that all the time?"
She turns pink, looking a little embarrassed. "Yes, I'm lucky. I don't put on weight easily, but then I do a lot of exercise."
“It shows. Your body is beautifully toned. What kind of exercise?”
“I walk a lot; swim and ride. Other things too, yoga, tennis, a bit of self-defence stuff.”
And as I am about to reply, Michael appears by our table.
Mich
ael
I enter the hotel dining room where, at the far side of the room, I can see James seated at a table with the girl.
Neither has seen me, and I don't announce myself. I want first to see how she is, how she’s reacting to him. Certainly, on the face of it, it seems I have no cause to worry. She's laughing and joking with him, with a huge plate of food in front of her.
Well, she’s not scared if she’s eating like that….
There’s an odd expression on her face.
What is it?
Admiration? Adoration? Worship?
She may have only just met him a day ago, but whatever happened last night, she’s not in fear of him….
Time to introduce myself….
Trying to seem casual, I walk up to the table and the girl turns to me, looks up into my face….
…. and I find myself lost in the emerald gaze of Charlotte.…
For the shortest of moments, words escape me, as I simply gaze into those eyes, then I really look at her
Oh my God! She is stunning.
She wears no make-up and needs none. Her skin is like alabaster and that hair…. even captured in a ponytail as it is, the colour glows in the subdued lighting of the dining room.
James looks up at me with the cock of a brow and a ‘Told you!’ look to him, then, "May I introduce Michael. He will be joining us later today."
She nods, her mouth full of bacon and eggs, then James’ meaning suddenly penetrates. Her gaze drops down and away, every inch the mien of the shy young girl.
"Michael and I know each other of old," says James. "We are long-time friends and we.... share.... things sometimes."
She doesn’t know where to look. I don’t think she’s distressed, but she doesn’t know how to react, what the correct response is.
Help her out here. Smooth things along….
I hold out my hand to her. "Lovely to meet you, Charlotte. I can see James here still has the knack of picking the lookers."
Oh God…. I sound like some fourteen-year-old with a book of guaranteed chat-up lines….
But it seems to break the ice. She stands, smiling, to take my hand and I hold her very lightly at the shoulders to kiss her on the cheek.
And as I do so, close to her, I scent her arousal.
Wow!
She flushes, looking away again. Sitting hastily, she hides behind her coffee cup.
"Are you joining us for breakfast, Michael?" asks James.
"Just a coffee for now. I'll not overstay my welcome. I just wanted to introduce myself to Charlotte, so that she can get used to the idea of me."
She looks up, a little tentatively, first at me, then at James who drops her half a wink and she visibly relaxes, the tension easing from her muscles.
I’m impressed.
Didn’t think you had it in you, my friend….
She returns to her food, not joining the conversation, but clearly listening and apparently enjoying herself.
I scout around for some neutral topic of conversation.
“Don’t know if you knew, James, but Marcie's got herself a new man, down at the Club.”
He snorts. “What, another one?”
“Yeah, a wannabe Dom.”
“Wannabe?”
“Yeah, Name of Steve. Just a loudmouth and bully actually. I don’t think he knows what it really takes. Most of the girls are wise to him and won’t go near him, but Marcie seems to be impressed by his charms.”
“She never changes, does she?”
I shrug. “I don't care so long as it keeps her off me.”
“She being a nuisance again?” he chuckles.
“Oh, you have no idea.” I say. “Sometimes I think I can’t walk down the street without running into the woman. Then I discover she’s bought a gym membership and I can’t avoid her….”
He laughs. “Ever the huntress….”
“Well hopefully, Steve can keep her occupied elsewhere for a while.”
Charlotte is looking a little vacant. Of course, she has no idea who these people are that we’re talking about. Conscious that I’ve done what I came to do, I decide that it’s time to move along for now.
"Gotta go. I'll see you both later." I flash her a smile and a wink and leave. Looking back, I catch James’ eye, and nod an acknowledgement. I’ll be back.
Then, I call by the bathrooms to adjust my pants, which have become unaccountably tight.
James
Michael leaves, and Charlotte doesn’t see him as he turns to look back at her. His expression is strange, but then he glances back at me, nods, turns and goes.
What’s he thinking?
I return my attention to her.
How is she? What’s in her mind?
She doesn’t appear to be panicking, just thoughtful.
"Alright, Charlotte?"
She swallows hard, but, "I think so, yes. He seems…. very nice."
“Yes, he is. That's why I chose him for today. You will, by the way, find if you check your account, that it has swelled overnight. You will be earning quite a bit more towards those college costs of yours.”
No need to tell her right now that it’s not from Michael….
She’s staring at the table-top, putting a brave face on it, but I think struggling a little. “Er… can I ask what we will be doing?”
Keep her calm….
But be truthful….
“We’re all going to play together this evening. I think you’re going to have fun. But, as I say, that’s for this evening….”
Time to relax her again….
“…. Is there anything you would particularly like to do today?”
She looks baffled. Plainly, she had not expected to be asked something like that. Her mouth opens and closes a couple of times, but no words come out.
What to do?
She was still walking a little stiffly as we came down to breakfast. The bath has helped, but she needs to limber up a bit.
Some sort of light exercise….
“A trip out somewhere perhaps? It’s a beautiful day. Do you like picnics? On the beach maybe?””
Her face brightens. “I love picnics, yes. But perhaps somewhere up in the mountains? It will be hot by the beach.”
“Good idea. Finish your breakfast. I’ll go order us a packed lunch.”
In Reception, I order a hamper, the best one they have available….
…. Let’s pamper her a bit….
When I return to the table, Charlotte is nowhere to be seen.
Gone back to the apartment perhaps….
…. No, I have the key….
I’m scanning the room, walking in circles, when I spot her in a small lounge off to one side. The hotel has set it up as a library area and she’s there working her way through the bookshelves, pulling out various volumes.
“Charlotte?”
She startles, flushing and looking worried. “Sorry, Master. I lost track of time. Were you looking for me for long?”
“No, just a couple of minutes.”
“It won’t happen again.”
“I’m pleased to hear it. Shall we go and dress for our day out?”
She slips the book in her hand back into its slot on the shelves. “Of course, Master. Um… what would you like me to wear?”
“Anything you’re comfortable in. I’m going to wear jeans and a tee-shirt. I suggest you do the same.”
I hold out my arm, indicating the door and she brushes past me, still with small circles of colour to her cheeks. As she leaves, I take a quick look at the book she just put back.
‘The Blind Watchmaker’ by Richard Dawkins….
…. Not exactly bedtime reading….
Not just a pretty face then….
It’s a glorious day, with brilliant blue skies and bright sunshine. Charlotte’s idea of having our picnic in the mountains turns out to be a good one and I drive up to a spot I know overlooking a lake. Sitting out on high meadows and taking in the fresh air is sheer tonic to
the soul.
And as it turns out, my jade-eyed ‘guest’ is surprisingly good company. Except for the clubs, I’ve had very little female companionship for the last few years, and on those occasions, I wasn’t doing much talking. And before then, married to Marlene, she spent more time screeching at me than speaking. Also, Charlotte’s choice of reading is making me aware that she has more about her than just a lovely body and face.
I mustn’t knuckle under to my own prejudices; that a woman cannot be both beautiful and intelligent.
Beautiful, intelligent and brave….
“So, what are you planning on studying at university, Charlotte?”
“Physics, Master.” She sounds a little shy about it, as though I might scold her for it.
Why would that be? She thinks I would disapprove?
Or somebody else has?
“Physics?”
“Why physics, Charlotte? What made that your choice?”
“There’s so much to know, Master. I want to learn it all.” She pauses, staring at the grass. “Sorry, does that sound silly or conceited?”
“No, not at all. Which university are you going to?”
She pauses, her face away from mine, swallowing her words, and I realise my error.
“My apologies, Charlotte. I shouldn’t have asked that.” She glances up at me speculatively, her body stiffening. “You don’t have to worry about me.” I continue. “I’ll not come trying to hunt you down after your week is done. I don’t want you to be afraid of me, and I shouldn’t have asked you for personal information.”
She relaxes, smiling. “Sorry, Master. I didn’t mean to come across like that. And no, I’m not afraid of you. Your behaviour last night told me a lot about you. I know I'm lucky that you were my buyer.” She holds my eyes, her gaze steady. “I already believe you’re a good man. I’ll do my best to please you this week; to give you value for your money.”
Her words take me by surprise. I’d not expected her to be so forthright.
Return the courtesy…. Be straight with her….
“I'm going to stretch you, you know”
“I know, and that's alright. With what you've paid, I think you're entitled to a bit of stretching.”
What the fuck do I say to that?
Time to lighten the mood….
“Shall we eat?” I suggest.