GAMES
The last Sunday of the month was extra warm and sticky. Kristen had nothing to do. It was too unbearable to tan at the lake, so she turned up the air conditioning and plopped down on the black leather lounger. She turned on the TV and flipped through all the cable channels. “What a rotten day, nothing is even on TV,” she moaned.
She decided to challenge the elements and drove downtown to go shopping. She parked in a city garage and then wandered from store to store along Michigan Avenue. After she could not find anything that interested her, she made her way over to the patio of a major restaurant and planted herself in a corner. She ordered a Pepsi and sat quietly watching the tourists as they came down the sidewalk.
As she looked to the north, she saw a familiar male figure walking her way. He was dressed in black pants and a white shirt with a dark silk tie. It was Karl from the ball! He had noticed Kristen too, and made his way over to her. He ducked his head under the table umbrella and sat down.
He nodded politely. “Miss Stratford, I am surprised to run into you.” Kristen gazed at his handsome, dark looks and felt shy. She replied “Hello Karl. Are you back in town for a while?” Karl half-smiled “I do business in Chicago very frequently. One of my major divisions is located here.” He acted uncomfortable answering her question.
He looked at her glass. “Is there alcohol in that?” Kristen said “No, I am not one that usually enjoys drinking during the day. I am out to shop. I am on a mission.” He looked around “I can see you have not completed it. Where are the bags?”
Kristen shrugged “Guess, I can’t quite get in the mood. I was going to try again later.” Karl said “I would like to take you and find you some outfits. Let’s go.” It was apparent that he was telling her that she was to come with him, it was not an offer.
Kristen gave him a curious look as she rose from the chair and reached down for her purse. Karl went over to her and held her elbow. He left a fifty on the table for the waiter and walked Kristen down the street and straight into Prada.
He looked around and went toward the shoe displays. Without asking her what she liked, he picked out three pairs, all with very tall and spiky heels, and handed them to the clerk. “Please go to the back and find us these in a Size 8.” Kristen didn’t say a word as he again took her arm and they left.
The shopping continued as Karl took her to more stores and now picked out her outfits. It was uncanny that he knew her sizes and had remarkable taste when it came to style. He even picked out matching scarves and several articles of lingerie for her.
Whenever Kristen tried to speak up, he would give her a look, and she would instantly clam up. She seemed to be maturing by the minute as she learned to restrain herself. She barely knew him, but she felt like he owned her. She was intimidated by his cold demeanor. There was nothing romantic between them, but strangely, Kristen loved being with him.
Both of them had handfuls of bags with no room for more. They sat down on a bus shelter bench for a brief rest. Karl looked over Kristen and said “I think you should have short hair. We are going to take care of that now.” Kristen blurted out “What are you talking about? There is no way I am cutting my hair! I barely know you. This is too weird. I am going home.”
Karl looked at her sternly “You know that the only place you will be going is back with me to my hotel. I want to see how you look in your new wardrobe. We will pass on the hair for now.” Kristen gave him an incredulous look and was ready to protest again. But she was so fascinated by him that she longed to see what would happen next. She was afraid to disappoint him and feared he would lose interest if she did. He was so gorgeous. She was dying to have him.
Karl hailed a cab and they arrived at the Ritz-Carlton a few minutes later. He kept her in his grasp as they walked in the large doors. Karl frowned at her when she smiled at the doorman and held her arm even tighter. He ushered her across the long lobby and into the elevator.
As they ascended to the top level, Karl moved closer to Kristen. He looked at her for a brief moment as if he wanted to kiss her. She readied herself to embrace him. He then straightened his body and said “You are correct. You would look awful with short hair.”
The bell sounded their floor and Karl collected most of the bags and nudged her with them. “Down this way.” Kristen walked in front of him. Karl had a very luxurious suite and he put the parcels in a corner. He then reached for hers and said “Please be seated Kristen.” She began to set herself down on the couch. “No. Over there.” He pointed to a large wing chair in the corner.
She slowly walked over to it, sat down and gave him a defiant look. He made no comment and turned his back to her as he carefully pulled all of her clothes out of the bags. Kristen knew that he had spent a small fortune on her and wondered what he was now expecting in return. She wasn’t sure whether his attitude was just an act and was hoping for a quick warm up. She was ready.
Karl held up a strapless white leather dress and reached for a pair of silver shoes with glass heels. “Please put these on. You may choose your undergarments.” He tilted one of the larger lingerie bags towards her as he looked away. Kristen gave him an amused look and reached in to find the sexiest ones. She thought to herself “This should make him cave in. I will just come out wearing these!” Karl knew what she was thinking and stated “Please reappear in the entire ensemble. Then we will have you try on something else and go to dinner.”
Kristen walked off into his bedroom and closed the door. She put on the outfit and fixed her hair and make-up. She looked great, but felt depressed, and sat down on the bed wishing that he would join her.
Karl knocked on the door. In his no-nonsense English accent, he said “Come out of there please. I assume you are ready?” Kristen did not answer and Karl came in. He sat down closely next to her. “Kristen, what do you expect from me?” She didn’t know how to answer him. Although he remained reserved, she could feel his heat emanating around her. She was so sure he liked her. Why wouldn’t he show it?
She considered making the first move. She began to lean into him and he abruptly stood up. “You are dressed. Now please go back out to your chair.” He proceeded to walk back to the couch and she sat reluctantly in the chair. He walked quietly up to her, reached to her neck and put a silver dog collar around it. He then clipped on a thin black leather leash.
“On your knees please.” Kristen looked at him in utter disbelief “You have got to be kidding me.” Karl replied “No, I am quite serious. Please walk over to the hallway. He lifted her from the couch to the floor and added “You will be rewarded.” Kristen thought that maybe he would be the prize, so she obeyed.
As Karl held onto one end of the long leash, she began to paw her way through the plush carpet. Karl watched with no emotion. She knew she looked cute, but she felt ridiculous and rolled over on her side with her arms and legs sticking straight up like a dog. “This is so lame. I am not doing this!” Karl quietly answered “That is fine Miss Stratford. Please return to your chair.” Kristen just stayed on the floor and looked at him for a short time. Then, without another word from Karl, she knew to pull herself up and return to sit down.
She said “I don’t think I am into this. I am sorry.” Karl stood up “No need to apologize. You are just afraid to like it. It goes against what you have learned through the years.” He then reached into one of the bags. “Hold out your hands please.” Kristen raised them and he swiftly wrapped one of her new scarves around them. She could feel the softness of the silk as he pulled it taut. She looked into his blue eyes and fell into them. She felt a longing deep within and was starting to enjoy this!
Karl said “There. That will keep your hands off of me.” Kristen wondered if this was all some lame English joke and decided to appease him. She tritely said “What next Master? Where’s the whip?”
Karl was not pleased. “You don’t know who you are addressing. Until you do, it is best to k
eep quiet. I will mix you a drink to calm you down.” Kristen whined “Karl. Can’t we do something else? I really mean it. I am just not into this.” He frowned “No, but you are into me and I know you want to please me.”
He stirred her to her greater depths and she was dying to make love with him. She softly asked “How can I do that?” He answered “By listening to me and not talking.” She retorted “I am not a child.” Karl laughed “You know that you are and you will be treated like one.”
He looked aggravated and said “Kristen, you are boring me. Time for you to go. There will be no dinner.” Kristen said “Oh please Karl, I don’t want to go. I want to stay here with you!” He untied her hands and pointed to the door. “Please enjoy the items I bought you.”
It was difficult for her to gather up all the bags, but she managed. She started to walk out the door and began telling him her phone number. “Karl, please write it down, I want you to call me.” Karl replied “There is no need to be begging me. This meeting is adjourned. I have a limousine out front to return you to where we met.” He then closed the door behind her.
When morning came, Kristen felt a bit depressed, but she managed to make it through the day. It was weird, but she felt
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