A Lover's Call (3 page)

The phone rang again three minutes later and this time Rachel said only, “Hello? May I help you?” Her voice was careful, neutral.

“Rachel.” His sweet, sexy voice was in her ear and Rachel actually sighed with relief.

“Richard!” she exclaimed. “You’re late!”

Richard laughed. “So I am! But it’s your fault, young lady! Your line was busy. The service asked me if I would like another sex goddess as Velvet was engaged but I told them I’d wait.”

As they talked, the banter was easy and relaxed. This time Richard moved into more personal territory, asking Rachel about her first sexual experiences and what her sex life was like now. Instead of taking offense and only feeling a little embarrassed, Rachel confided about her limited experience. She felt safe with Richard. He didn’t seem to judge or think she was a prude or hopelessly old-fashioned.

She admitted she hadn’t dated much and that sex to this point had been less than exciting for her. Richard confided in Rachel as well, talking some about his last serious relationship, admitting he had yet to find “the one”.
The girl who would make his heart pound when he thought about her.
The girl who would be willing to submit to his dreams and desires.
If this was an odd way of phrasing things, Rachel didn’t pick up on it. She hung on his every word, fascinated and not a little love-struck.

Richard held forth at some length about his ideal woman. She would be open and honest, like Rachel was. She wouldn’t have to be sexually experienced but she would have to be willing to trust her lover. She would be adventurous—willing to try new things, even if they seemed strange or risqué. She would accept that her lover would be the one in control. He would call the shots sexually speaking and she would submit to his requests.

But that wouldn’t be a one-way street, he assured her. If he found a woman like this, he would cherish her. He would love her so completely she would always feel safe and adored. This woman, if he could ever find her, would come to revel in her sensuality. She would know her ability to drive any man wild with her charms. But she would choose to give herself only to him.

Rachel felt strange as Richard shared this intimate portrait of his ideal woman. She felt hot and wished suddenly she had a cool drink instead of the tepid herbal tea by her side. Her nipples ached and she realized they were erect, poking out when she looked down. She touched them briefly through her nightie, lightly pinching them. Her heart felt constricted and she had trouble filling her lungs.

She realized with a tiny secret jolt that
she
wanted to be that woman.
His ideal lover.
And yet she only dimly understood what he was saying. The words and concepts were new but a part of her, some secret as yet unexplored part of her, latched on to his words with a silent
yes
! That part of her was eager, thirsty, for whatever he was offering.

The two hours ended too quickly and as Richard began to talk about when he could call her again, Rachel interrupted. “Listen, Richard.
About that.
I was wondering.” She paused, suddenly unsure of herself. She plunged on. “I was thinking. There’s no reason we have to talk like this. I mean, I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to call me directly. You know, not through the service.”

She waited. After a moment, Richard said, “I’d love to call you directly. But, Rachel, if I do that, the rules change.”

“The rules?”
Rachel felt a weird grip in her belly.

“Yes. It means this is becoming about us, Rachel. It means that I mean more to you than just a nice way to pick up extra cash. Is that what it means, Rachel?”

“Yes,” she whispered, feeling a blush, glad he couldn’t see her. “Oh yes!”

“That makes me happy, Rachel. But you should know, if we do this, I’m going to want more from you.”

“More?” Rachel echoed in a whisper.

“Yes. I’ll want to move to the next level with you. Are you willing to do that?
Ready to do that?”

Rachel didn’t know what the next level was. At least, she would have said she didn’t, if he’d asked her. But in her gut, she did know. It had always been there, behind the gentle probing, behind the easy laughter.

“Yes. I’m willing. I want to.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper and she found she was clenching the receiver, her knuckles white.

“You answered quickly, Rachel.
Too quickly perhaps.
Before you give me your home number, I want you to be sure. I want you to understand the rules.”

Rachel felt rebuked and then embarrassed. She had been quick to agree to whatever new game he was playing without any real idea of what it meant. She was pretty sure it had to do with sex—after all, they were on a 900 sex line at this very moment. The sexual tension between the two of them was undeniable. She had shared intimate details about her sex life or lack thereof with this man.
Now she waited—tensed, confused.

“Rachel. I want to teach you.
About yourself.
Sexually.”

Rachel didn’t respond, unless a sharp intake of breath could be considered a response. Richard
continued,
his voice soft and low. “We’ve talked some about our pasts, about our sexual experiences and I know yours have been rather, uh, limited.”

The fact was, she wasn’t a virgin and had had sexual relations—as she had primly said—with two different boyfriends. The sex had been okay but the earth certainly hadn’t moved. In fact, if she were honest, the second relationship had been something of a disaster. She didn’t confide this to Richard—indeed had never told anyone about it, but she’d been humiliated by the man, who ultimately broke up with her.

She hadn’t loved him and he hadn’t broken her heart, though perhaps he’d scratched it a bit. Even now, a year and a half later, she still carried a secret shame, a wound that had never healed from his cold treatment of her. Among the many minor humiliations he had visited upon her, he had told her she stank and always insisted they shower just before sex. He later told her all women stank—there was nothing to be done about it. It was their lot and men’s lot to endure it.

That was scant consolation to a woman who was already deeply insecure about her own body and her sexuality. Though she knew he was cruel and his comments had no basis in fact, a part of her believed his condemnation and caused her to shut down just a little more.

Though she’d rarely dated since then, Rachel remained sexual, quietly yearning for the touch of a lover in the night. But she had found more pleasure at her own hand than with men. Certainly it was safer than risking another scratch to her heart.

Richard of course had no idea of what was passing through Rachel’s mind as he said, “I have this sense about you, Rachel. I mentioned once an appealing quality of yours—your vulnerability. I love your willingness to honestly explore your feelings. I’m going to be blunt now and I hope I don’t offend you. I’m going to tell you straight out what I want from you, Rachel.

“This isn’t a make or break deal or anything like that. We’ll still talk as friends if this isn’t for you. But I have a feeling, if you’ll trust me, that I can help you learn amazing things about yourself. You’ll learn what it is to submit to your lover—to give yourself completely.”

Richard paused but Rachel merely sat, listening. Her heart was pitter-pattering. She didn’t feel capable of speech at that precise moment but she was all ears. He continued. “I want to teach you about yourself.
About your body, about your desires.
I want to learn with you about what you’re capable of as a sexual and sensual being. I want to take you on a journey of sexual exploration—just you and me. What that means is I’m going to take you through a series of sexual exercises. As you advance with me, my demands will become greater and your experiences more intense. Through it all, you can always say no at any point. And I will be there for you, every step of the way, guiding you.”

He paused, his voice still calm though Rachel detected a quiet yearning beneath the words. “You’re like a flower, Rachel. Like some glorious hothouse flower never put in the right environment to open and reveal your lush blossoms. I want to help you bloom, sweet girl.” In the silence that ensued he added, “Will you go there with me, Rachel? Will you accept this adventure?”

Rachel held the phone away from her head for a moment, staring at the receiver as if it were some animate thing. Her hand trembled slightly as she put the phone back to her ear. She realized she wasn’t sure what she was agreeing to but her body felt warm, her blood pulsing hotly through her veins. Her pussy was wet and she shifted, pressing her thighs together, feeling her need.

“Yes,” she whispered.

* * * * *

Saturday was busy as Rachel did her housecleaning and grocery shopping. At the supermarket she found a tube of personal lubricant, a packet of nylon rope, a packet of clothespins and a wooden ruler as he’d instructed.

That evening the phone rang. “Hello?”

“Rachel.” Her heart skipped a beat. Just hearing his voice, low and sure, set her heart pounding. Tonight was the night!
The first night of their new “game”.
Their sex games, she thought with a thrill, still not quite believing she’d agreed to this.

“Hi, Richard.”

“How are you, sweet girl?”

“Oh I’m good, thanks.” She liked that he called her “sweet”. She relaxed in the red recliner, absently smoothing the leather arm with her fingers.

“Are you dressed as we discussed?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me.”

So, he
was
like all the rest, she thought, smiling. She looked down at herself. “I’m wearing a T-shirt like you said.
White.
No bra. And a black skirt.”

“And?”

“Oh.” She flushed.
“Um, and bikini panties and shoes.”

“Heels?”

“Yes.” Rachel held out a leg, admiring how the three-inch-heeled white sandals she’d bought made her legs look longer and shapelier. Her closet contained sensible shoes, never with a heel. A librarian was on her feet a lot and rubber soles were essential. But the high heels made her feel sexy.

“Good. Do you have some wine?” He’d suggested she have a glass of her favorite wine next to her chair instead of the usual herbal tea. He told her he’d have a glass of it too next to his chair. They’d toast their fledgling relationship.

“Yes.
A merlot.
I already had a glass.” She giggled and lifted her second glass, taking a healthy sip. Rachel didn’t often drink but she liked wine, especially red.

“A toast,” Richard said.
“To us.”
Then, “Are you ready?”

“I-I think so,” Rachel said, setting the glass down, shifting nervously in her seat.

“Now remember, Rachel. You are to obey me without question. I want you to do exactly what I tell you and I don’t want a word of protest. You don’t have to be coy with me. Understand?”

“Yes,” she
whispered,
eager now to begin.

“Cup your breasts for me.” Rachel did, lifting them slightly, wishing as she always did that they were bigger. “Roll the nipples—make them hard for me.” Rachel obeyed, pinching the tips, feeling the pull of desire as her nipples elongated through the thin cotton fabric of her T-shirt. She was already breathing hard and felt dizzy from the wine.

“Sit back and spread your legs. Put your hand on your pussy.
Over the panties.
Are they wet?”

“They’re damp.” She didn’t want to talk—it embarrassed her, but she knew he expected answers to his questions and she was determined to obey.

“Slip a finger into your panties. Touch your pussy. Push a finger into yourself. Are you wet?”

“Yes.”
A whisper.

“Spread your legs farther. Pull the panties aside with one hand and play with yourself for me. Don’t come. Just play with yourself. Don’t try to be quiet—it’s just you and me.”

A part of Rachel was shocked. Shocked at what he had so directly told her to do and shocked at
herself
because she was doing it! But part of her thrilled as she pulled aside the silky fabric and found her center. It was hot to the touch and wet as she pressed a finger into herself. She moaned quietly and then sighed.

After a few moments he said, “Stop touching
yourself
.” Reluctantly she obeyed, pulling her wet fingers from her panties, her clit pulsing with need. “Take off your T-shirt and your skirt. I want you just in your panties and heels.”

Rachel obeyed, feeling incredibly sexy as she did so, tossing her hair back after she pulled off her top, releasing her perky breasts. The nipples were erect and dark pink. She unzipped the skirt, letting it fall to the ground by her chair. The leather was cool against her bare flesh.

She took another long drink of wine and sat back, cradling the phone to her ear, eager for his next command. “Rachel. Do you have the ruler?”

Rachel looked over at the tray of items she’d set down next to her chair as he had instructed. She lifted the wooden ruler, wondering what he had in mind. “Smack your right breast with it.
Lightly.”

“What?” Had she heard him correctly? Smack
herself
?

“Yes, you heard me. Rachel, pain can be erotic. Not terrible pain—just a light stinging. It’s part of a continuum of sensation. It can put you in a different frame of mind. A more intense frame of mind, you might say. Remember, trust me. Just try it. Pick up the ruler and smack your right breast.
Across the nipple.
Do it.”