‘You’ve talked me into it. What girl can resist jets?’
‘Seriously,’ he said. ‘If this is your hidden side, I’m very glad I found it.’
‘Are you?’
‘Very.’
After satisfying our appetite for food, we jumped into the bath, put the jets on and emptied every luxury sachet and bottle into the water until it foamed with gusto.
‘So,’ I said, as he lathered my hair with unnecessary care and attention. ‘What do you reckon is going on in the dungeon right now?’
‘I can’t wait to see it,’ he said. ‘It’s going to be…educational.’
‘Yes, but is it going to be incredibly embarrassing?’ I wanted to know. ‘Or even painful?’
‘Well, I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘How do you feel about that?’
‘About what might happen? Nervous.’
‘Do you think she’s going to lock us in and walk all over us in her six-inch stilettoes until our backs bleed?’
‘Maybe! I don’t know. You don’t know. We don’t actually know the woman, do we?’
‘That friend of yours does – Katie. Why don’t you ask her?’
‘Oh, yes – good idea.’ I lay back while Tom rinsed my head with the shower attachment. ‘Actually, they have some kind of thing going on.’
‘Do they? I thought she was with that muscly bloke.’
‘Ryan? Yeah, him too. She’s keeping her options open, apparently.’
‘Fair enough. So you think Maria might want to top you?’
‘That’s what she’s into, according to Katie. She tops guys for money, and girls for fun.’
‘Interesting. Well, you know, she’s a professional. She’ll be absolutely up to speed with consent and boundaries. I bet she’s a safe pair of hands. And even if she isn’t, I’ll be there. Perhaps I’ll let her demonstrate on me.’
‘Would you?’ I sat up straight, fascinated by this idea. ‘Would you be into that?’
‘Well, no. Not really. But I’ll try anything once, especially if it helps you.’
I leaned forward and kissed the tip of his nose. A soap bubble burst on it.
‘You’re all heart,’ I said.
The kiss was repeated, deeper and with embracing.
‘So,’ he said softly, ‘that didn’t freak you out earlier? Getting whipped with my belt until you had to safeword?’
‘No…not freaked out exactly. It was quite…emotional…though.’
‘I’m really…I’m quite awed, to be honest. You trusted me to stop…to not go too far. It’s kind of…humbling…in a way.’
I kissed him again.
‘You wouldn’t know humility if it popped out of these bubbles and slapped you,’ I teased, but I was touched really. Tom had feelings about us. Perhaps it wasn’t just kinky sex after all.
‘Well, that’s what’s so scary about it,’ he said, taking my hands and holding them against his chest. ‘My natural cockiness level has dropped a bit. I might need supplements.’
‘I don’t know about that. You’re very nice, when you aren’t being cocky. I might get to like you.’
‘Now that’s really scary,’ he said with a self-conscious laugh, looking away and retrieving the conditioner bottle. ‘Let’s finish off your hair.’
Later we were kneeling on the ottoman, in his and hers fluffy gowns, drinking wine from the minibar and looking out at the streetlife below. Saturday night was in full swing, and here we were, in the midst of it yet cocooned from it.
‘I’m going to open the window,’ said Tom.
‘Don’t, we’ll freeze.’
But he pulled up the sash and let in the chilly November air all the same. It was bracing for a few seconds, before I started shivering.
‘Drink your wine,’ said Tom. ‘It’ll warm you up.’
The night sounds came into the room – raucous shouts, squeals of laughter, snatches of song and sirens from afar. Directly below us, the muttering of smokers in the patio garden. My senses were sharp and I gloried in using them all to the full, especially smell, which was dominated by Tom’s delicious free cologne.
I could have knelt there forever, leaning against Tom, gazing into the city night, but my reverie was broken when he ducked right down and put his head out of the window, frowning.
‘What’s he doing here?’ he hissed.
‘Who?’
‘Judd Keane – council leader.’
‘Is he?’
‘Yes, just came into the lobby. Alone. Wearing a big sheepskin coat with the collar pulled up, like he didn’t want to be recognised.’
‘He’s the one you’ve been investigating?’
‘Absolutely. Dishing out contracts like Smarties, but only to his rich mates. Meanwhile education and public services in this city are a shambles.’
‘Are they?’
Tom turned to me with scorn all over his face. It wasn’t my favourite look of his.
‘There’s more to this town than the university, Ella. He doesn’t have a finger in that pie, and that’s why its reputation is still intact. But don’t think of having kids here, if you don’t want to pay a fortune for their education. And don’t bother trying to use the libraries or community services. They’re being asset-stripped to pay for his friends’ expensive tastes. Rubbish collection is the next thing up for review. Perhaps you’ll start to notice when your bins are left on the street for weeks in a row.’
‘Hey, it’s not me you’ve got the issue with,’ I reminded him, a bit hurt. ‘Is education that bad here?’
‘Take a look at the league tables and Ofsted,’ said Tom. ‘And read the bloody paper you work for. Absolute disaster over the school meals contract, kids not getting to school because the transport doesn’t turn up, building works left unfinished or in a shoddy state. Though, God knows, Haydon won’t lay into him as hard as he should. He gets away with it every time. Why?’
‘I heard he and Haydon were friends,’ I mentioned.
‘Yeah, exactly. The very next time he spikes one of my stories because he’s scared to rock the boat, I’m getting out of here and going freelance. Fuck this. I won’t be muzzled.’
An image of Tom in a muzzle floated irresistibly into my head, reminding me of our appointment with Maria.
‘Hey, do you think he’s come for the dungeon?’ I asked, mildly titillated.
‘Who knows? Though I’d be down there like a shot, ready to shut him in the Iron Maiden. With a padlock.’
‘Christ, have they got one of those? With spikes and all?’
‘Nah, I think the spikes are just rubber. If they’ve got one. I’d replace them for him though.’
‘Well,’ I said, after a pause. ‘Even bent councillors are entitled to a social life. Don’t let it ruin our evening.’
He shut the window and sat down on the ottoman, taking my hand in his, though there was still some pretty obvious brooding going on.
‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘That bastard gets enough of my attention as it is. Fucked if he’s going to barge into my Saturday night too. Let’s open another bottle and see what’s on TV, until my body is capable of doing something more interesting.’
‘Oh? Do you think it will be?’
‘Get that robe off, Foxy, and I think it’s a guarantee.’
Chapter Seven
At lunchtime on Monday, I sent Katie a message.
Hi, Katie, did you have a good weekend? Hope so. Just wanted to ask your advice on something. Maria invited Tom (the other newbie) and me to visit her in her dungeon tomorrow night. I’m a little bit nervous – suppose I’d just like some reassurance. Love, E x.
I sat back, smiling at Tilda as she came back from the loo.
‘So, there’s gossip about you,’ she said, sliding on to the stool next to me as we sat at the counter of our favourite bagel shop.
‘About me?’ My throat contracted, and I wasn’t sure I could swallow the mouthful of lox I’d found so tempting mere seconds earlier.
‘Yes, ab
out you. Dirty stopout,’ she said with a nudge. ‘Your flatmates said you didn’t get home till Sunday lunchtime. Where were you?’
Shagging your ex in a hotel room.
I blushed, but it was OK. She hadn’t mentioned Tom, so I’d be able to spin her the same line I spun Jess and Mehra.
‘Ah,’ I said. ‘Things got out of hand. Even a bit messy.’
‘Oh, and does the mess have a name?’ Tilda arched an eyebrow, holding her bacon and egg bagel close to her mouth.
‘Kyle. He was in my tutor group at uni.’ I could use his name with impunity, as I happened to know he was doing postgraduate work in the US, so was unlikely to turn up in town. Jess knew him vaguely, and knew we’d had a mildly flirtatious vibe, so it hadn’t exactly astounded her.
‘Oh, really? And are you going to see him again?’
‘Doubt it,’ I said airily. ‘He’ll be on his way to Heathrow right now. He’s working in Boston – just came back for a family do.’
‘Oh, God, Ella, you’re hopeless,’ sighed Tilda. ‘So it was a one-night stand?’
‘Well, unless you know of a way for us to shag without the Atlantic getting in the way, I guess so. Don’t look like that. I’m fine. I knew the score. Fun times, no regrets.’
But I did have regrets. I regretted having to lie to her.
‘Miles’s starting to think he must have three heads or something,’ she remarked.
‘Hasn’t Jess made her move yet then?’ I asked, welcoming this perfect deflection.
‘Jess?’
‘Didn’t I tell you? She fancies him.’
‘No way!’
And so the conversation unfurled, conveniently distant from my real preoccupations, until my inbox pinged and I noted from the corner of my eye that Katie had replied to my message.
‘Who’s that?’ Tilda asked as I perused it. ‘Lover boy?’
‘No, a friend from home,’ I lied, my eyes skittering over the screen. ‘She’s in town tomorrow, wants to meet for a drink.’
There was my cover for the Valmont dungeon shenanigans. Really, I was a bit dismayed at how quickly I’d fallen into the habit of fibbing.
‘Right.’ Tilda whipped out her own phone and began texting, leaving me free to take in Katie’s words on a deeper level.
Hi, Ellie, omg, you lucky thing! Maria doesn’t make offers like that to just anyone. Take her up on it! Honestly, she is brilliant and knows exactly what she’s doing. I promise she won’t do a thing you aren’t comfortable with. Let me know if you want more specific advice. K xxx.
I drew a breath. It would be OK. Maria wasn’t about to lock me into a chastity device and whip me on a St Andrew’s Cross – two of Mia’s more outlandish adventures. It was going to be a gentle, convivial night of sado-masochism, after all.
All the same, I’d be lying if I claimed I wasn’t nervous as I prepared for our dungeon date after work on the Tuesday in question.
I’d texted Katie to ask what I should wear, but she had no suggestions beyond ‘Anything you like’, so I went for a black T-shirt dress and stripy socks that went to mid-thigh. Flat shoes to avoid any further ankle incidents and my long black coat for warmth. My real concern was what to wear underneath all this. Would it remain concealed, or was there the chance of exposure? After much deliberation, I chose plain black cotton knickers and bra, which seemed the combo likely to draw the least comment, if it came to it.
The plan was to meet Tom in the Valmont bar for a quick spot of liquid fortification before asking for Maria at Reception, but, when I got there, he was nowhere to be seen.
My anxiety rose to the base of my throat. What if he didn’t show? What if I was going to have to do this alone?
I tried to call him, but it went straight to voicemail.
A text then. Where are you? I’m at Valmont. Shall I get you a drink in?
But fifteen minutes later I’d had no reply, and I’d already whizzed through one of the Turkish Delight cocktails. If I had another, I’d be both tipsy and broke.
I got up and started wandering around, looking into the restaurant and on the patio, but there was no sign of him there either. I sat down on a chintzy sofa in the lobby and pretended to read the perfectly ironed copy of the paper I worked for, deciding to take my mind off things by making sure I hadn’t let any typos through the net today. But the front-page story, about a stormy council meeting in which one member had sworn at another, had Tom’s byline and that little headshot of him looking suave and serious, and I had to turn quickly to the crossword.
I was puzzling over six down when I heard Maria’s unmistakable voice floating into the lobby from somewhere nearby.
‘Don’t worry,’ she said. ‘I suppose somebody forgot to put your name in the booking log. It happens.’
I put the paper aside and headed towards the words, meaning to make my apologies and leave. If the dungeon was double-booked, as her conversation seemed to indicate, then I would be doing someone a favour.
‘Never mind “It happens”.’ The male voice, issuing from beyond a downstairs staircase marked ‘Staff Only’, was querulous. ‘I’ve had to juggle a lot of commitments to make space for this booking. Don’t you see enough of the place?’
‘It’s my livelihood,’ said Maria with a touch of steel.
I looked over my shoulder at Reception. It was temporarily unmanned, and the door staff weren’t watching. I crept past the rope cordon and down the short flight of stairs.
‘Yes, but damn it!’ insisted the man.
I peered around the corner. He looked familiar somehow, though I didn’t recognise the woman with him, who was mousy and quiet with her hair half over her face.
‘I booked this last week,’ he continued. ‘For goodwill’s sake, Maria…’
‘I’m more about strong will than goodwill,’ she said. Her manner was flirtatious, studiedly light, but there was definite steel in it. ‘As you well know, Judd. I’ve got two little lab rats coming tonight, and I can’t contemplate disappointing them. Don’t you have equipment at home you can use? I can recommend a good shop if you don’t.’
‘Now you listen to me,’ said Judd, and his face was a warning shade of red. ‘It’s down to me that this place keeps its licence. If I wanted to have it shut down…’
‘Oh, stop huffing and puffing,’ said Maria. ‘How would that be in your interests? We all know more about you than you’d care to have made public, don’t we?’
Judd didn’t stop huffing and puffing, but his powers of speech seemed to vanish at that.
‘Bitch,’ he muttered after a short pause.
‘Oh, you love me really,’ said an unperturbed Maria. ‘But yes, I’ll accept the title. I hope we’ll see you at the party?’
He grunted.
‘Lovely,’ said Maria. ‘Good evening, then.’
Now was the time for me to barge in and make my apologies – in fact, now was long overdue. I could have avoided the nastiness between them if I’d timed things a bit better. But I’d been afraid to come between them, and the fear hadn’t diminished despite the cessation of hostilities.
So I hared back up the stairs and hid myself in an alcove while ‘Judd’ and his female companion stalked out in high dudgeon.
I was so well hidden that Maria didn’t spot me when she came up the stairs to wait for us by the Reception desk. I shuffled over to her, ready with the sheepish expression, my words of apology prepared, when Tom burst through the revolving door looking windswept and urgent.
‘Was that Judd Keane?’ he asked of anyone who would answer. ‘Coming out just then?’
Of course – the leader of the council! Tom’s bugbear. My eyes nearly popped at the implications. Plus…his initial was J! Oh, my God, had that girl with him been Mia? Oh, my God.
I was too caught up in this whirlwind of speculation to contribute to any of the following exchange, plus I was so ridiculously pleased to see Tom that my shoes, although flat, felt wobbly.
Maria shrugged.
�
��So many people pass through here,’ she said. ‘It’s a popular place.’
He looked back over his shoulder and seemed to be making an effort to calm himself.
‘Am I late?’ he asked, looking at both of us in turn. ‘Sorry if I am.’
‘You’d be sorry if you were,’ said Maria with a secretive smile. ‘Believe me. But actually, you are right on time. Shall we go downstairs?’
She nodded at the receptionist, who remained blank-faced, and led us towards the cordoned-off staircase.
‘In fact,’ she said, ‘there was some unpleasantness over a double booking, but I fought our corner. It’s never pleasant when two tops go head to head, though. Neither will back down. Perhaps you and I, Tom, will find that tonight.’
He laughed, a little distractedly.
‘Where were you?’ I mouthed, when Maria wasn’t looking.
‘Sorry,’ he mouthed back. ‘Got held up by Haydon.’
‘I’m sorry about the double booking,’ he said aloud to Maria. ‘Was it anyone we know from the munch?’
‘No,’ she replied shortly, stopping in front of an unassuming black-painted door. ‘Here we are now.’
She opened up and switched on a light. We followed her down a further staircase into what must have been a cellar, but certainly didn’t look like one.
It was a huge high-ceilinged space, a bit like a dance studio with mirrored walls but the floor, instead of being sprung, was padded black leather. There was even a barre across the longest wall. It was well heated and spotlit and completely bare. Where the hell was all the equipment?
I looked around, seeing endless reflections of the three of us, a little bemused.
‘Not what you were expecting?’ asked Maria with amusement.
‘Well…no. I thought dungeons were kind of…different.’
‘Oh, yes, most people say that,’ said Maria. ‘Until I show them how incredibly versatile this space is. But, before I start all that, how about something to settle your nerves.’ She smiled at me. ‘You, in particular, seem rather jumpy.’
She walked over to the nearest mirrored wall and pushed at one of the panels. It swung open to reveal a little sitting room, all velvets and feathers, with a well-stocked drinks cabinet at one end, along with some bookshelves. On closer inspection, the walls were festooned with erotic art, most of it featuring leather- and rubber-clad figures bent into various poses.
Fast and Loose Page 13