TrickorTreat (4 page)

“I need to go home.” But she didn’t want to. As much as Jud
disturbed her, he was also offering something she wasn’t sure she had the nerve
to accept.

“Do you? Right now?”

No, but it might well be judicious. “Jud, how about come out
and say it? Seems you’re beating around the bush, making oblique suggestions.
What are you trying to say?”

“I want you to let me take you to bed, and show you the
reality is far, far, better than the best kinky fiction.”

She’d asked for direct. She got it. What now? Run a mile?
Better catch her breath first. He was waiting for a reply and her tongue had
fused to her teeth.

Jud wanted to swear, or at least bite off his tongue. She’d
asked for it point blank, but hadn’t been ready. Heavy duty damage control
needed. She was so wonderful, and so eager, but didn’t understand what she
wanted. He was dead certain he hadn’t been wrong. He’d watched her face as she
looked at the toys in the shop. Her reaction to the handcuffs she bought was
clear as daylight. It turned her on, but wasn’t ready to acknowledge her needs.
She would. “You’ve gone very quiet.”

“Are you surprised?” She had her voice back, good.

“No. I imagine it’s the first time a potential lover
suggested that.”

“You're right the first time! And I’m assuming that this
isn’t your standard courtship conversation.”

“Not in the least. There are very few women I’d have this
conversation with. Most women would run a mile, the magnificent ones, like you,
don’t.”

“You mean the crazy ones.”

“Not in the least. You are wonderfully sane, just a bit
reluctant.”

“Hardly surprising.”

“Yes and no. Kink fascinates you, Katie, but you’ve never
had a lover tie you to the bed. Never known what it is to let go completely.
Never felt the sweet kiss of a flogger.”

“Hell, no! I’m not into pain!”

“I’m not talking pain. I’m talking about massaging you with
scented oil, before stroking your smooth flesh with the tresses. I’d open your
legs, and caress the insides of your thighs with the flogger before kissing you
where you want it the most. You’d have the best climax of your life and want
more.”

“Jud!” It came out like a shocked gasp. Her face was
flushed, and it wasn’t all embarrassment. “I just met you five days ago. We’ve
had three casual meetings --as if they really were casual -- and you’re talking
about getting me naked, and doing things to me!”

“Is the prospect so abhorrent?”

“It scares me witless, to be honest!”

They were getting somewhere. “A little bit of fear ups the
arousal, and you are turned on, Katie. I can smell you even over all this
garlic.” She blushed beautifully. Would her cunt be that same luscious shade?
Her nipples as sweetly blushed? He longed to find out. “I’ll make no secret of
it, Katie, I want you in bed. Naked. I want you to submit and give your body
over to me. I want to give you incredible pleasure. And I suspect you want that
too, don’t you?”

“Yes!” She gasped, her eyes wide with shock. “I don’t know
why I said that!”

“Because it’s true, and against all the odds, you trust me.”

“Beats me why!”

“Instinct, Katie. You know in your heart, I’m what you need,
and I won’t let you down.”

Instinct might not let her down but common sense had. Jud
walked her home after she’d said she lived round the corner, but hadn’t even
asked to come in. He kissed her sedately on the cheek and walked away, once he
was sure she’d gone inside. From talking dirty, they wound up like a date out
of Happy Days. She wasn’t sure she needed to get involved with him. But she was
desperate to see him again.

Two days later, she ran into him-or rather he spotted her.
He pulled his car up to the bus stop where she was waiting, rolled down the
window, and asked, “Need a ride?”

“My mother told me never to accept rides from strange men!”

“Hop in!” He leaned over and opened the door. “I just heard
all the buses are on strike.”

“Idiot!” she said, as she sat down, hauling her tote bag
after her. “They’re not on strike, one just pulled up right behind us.” The
driver was glaring for all he was worth. “There are laws about stopping in bus
lanes.”

“Buckle up and we can go.” As he spoke, he reached across,
pulled the webbing across her chest.

“Bondage, I see!”

“Rot!” he said, as he clicked the buckle into place. “It’s
called observing the law. Trust me, you won’t click out of any bondage I put
you in.”

“Dream on, Sonny!”

He laughed so hard, he had to steer sharply to avoid a
cyclist. “I can see I took the wrong tack with you the other night. You like a
direct approach.”

“I like getting home in one piece. So far you’ve violated a
bus lane and almost shaved the hairs off a cyclist’s legs.”

“It's worth it to run into you like this.”

“You’ll run into the pedestrians if you aren’t careful!”
That was unfair. He’d stopped at the crossing but… “Who told you I’d be waiting
there?”

“No one. It was fortunate happenstance.” He ignored her
grunt and went on. “I planned to call you tonight, but when I saw you standing
in front of the bank building, I took it as a sign from Providence.”

“More a sign I was late. I missed my usual bus.”

“You don’t drive to work?”

“This is a better deal. If I drive, I have to pay for
parking. By taking the bus, my employer pays for the bus pass.”

“Ah! An ecologically aware employer.”

“Not particularly, just short of parking places in the mall
garage.”

He did have a nice laugh. But… “Why did you want to call me
tonight?”

“To ask you for a date.”

Reasonable enough, or was it? “Where?”

“You’ll come? I thought you might run a mile.”

“If it’s a night out at some kinky club, it’ll be two
miles.”

“How about a night in.”

“When?” And come to that… “Where?”

“Halloween. I thought I’d invite myself to your house for
trick or treating.”

“Along with the goblins and the ghosts? You want candy?”

“Just what you keep between your legs.”

Sheesh! But she’d be lying through her teeth to say she
didn’t want him. “Thanks for the compliment. What sort of tricks and treats?”

“You’re smart enough to figure that out, I think. We both
dress up, we act out parts, and I give you the best sex you’ve ever had.”

“What do we dress up as?”

“You pick mine, and I choose yours. Once we’re suited up. I
lead and you follow.”

“What if I don’t fancy following?”

“You say ‘no’.”

Couldn’t be that straightforward, not with Jud Carlton! She
needed think time. “Not to change the subject or anything, but would you make a
detour at the next corner for the cleaners? It’ll save me going out later?”

“By all means.” He slowed and turned left. “But only on the
condition that you have dinner with me.”

“When?”

“Tonight. I’ll bring it. Do you want Chinese, Indian, or
Turkish?” The car pulling up at the curb saved her from replying. She unsnapped
the seat belt and opened the door.

“I’ll be back in a minute.”

It was nearer ten. Half the city seemed to be waiting for
cleaning or shirts, but the delay gave Katie time to think and get even more
confused. No doubt about it, Jud was sexy and attractive, fascinated her with
his promises, but he also scared her witless. Could she trust him? Andrew said
Jud was a good guy, and she trusted Andrew as much as she did anyone-or had
until he admitted to tying Sophie up regularly. The thought of poised and
sophisticated Sophie tied up and getting spanked was getting Katie’s panties
damp. She hoped to the heavens the chemical smell from the machines in the back
hid it from everyone else.

It was her turn, Katie handed over her claim check and her
plastic money, signed the slip, and grabbed her cleaning and walked out into
the October afternoon.

Jud was standing by the car, in a no parking area of course,
and opened the door for her. As he got into the driver’s seat and put the key
in the ignition, Katie turned to him. “I prefer Indian, medium hot, and please
don’t come before eight. I've something I have to get done.”

“I’ll be there, Katie.”

Neither spoke a word for the next couple of blocks. Jud
turned left and took a short cut to her apartment, as if he’d studied the
route. She suspected he had. He’d studied her, hadn’t he? He pulled up right in
front of her apartment. She did manage to get out of the car before he got
around to open the door, but Jud got her cleaning before she reached in.
Unnecessary for a liberated woman, but she wasn’t in the mood to argue. But she
was not about to relinquish her key to him, which he clearly expected. Heck, it
was her front door. Jud stepped in behind her, giving old Mrs. Brown next door,
plenty to think about.

Once inside, he just stood and smiled, looking around in a
not too pointed way-he got a few brownie points for that. Katie was
half-tempted to tell him to just stay and she’d fix omelettes.

He reached out for her hand, and stepped closer, her heart
took on a pulse of its own, and what her blood pressure was doing was anyone’s
business. The sight of Jud, watching her with his beautiful dark eyes, and the
twitch of a smile in the corner of his wide mouth, had her biting her own lips.
A nice, hot kiss would be very welcome. She looked up at him and smiled.

“I’ll be back at eight, on the dot.” Katie’s breath caught
as he brushed her cheek with his finger, trailing slowly to caress the point of
her chin. Her lips parted in anticipation, her heart did a little flip, and her
chest heaved as their eyes met. “Medium hot, right?” he asked brushing the hair
off her forehead before dropping a quick kiss.

Sheesh! Her first kiss in High School had been more
passionate than that! But it hadn’t left her quivering and wet. This was nuts!

“I’ll be back!” With that, he opened the door and walked out
while she gaped like a dimwit. He paused to wave and blow a kiss before getting
into his car and driving off.

Katie slammed the door.

He said he was into games, and brother had he told the
truth! She was panting for it, aching between her legs, and her bra felt two
cup sizes too small. Damn him! She was half-tempted to grab the phone and call
every friend or acquaintance until she found someone to go to the movies and be
gone when eight rolled around, but she wasn’t that stupid.

If Jud could do this to her with a brush of his lips, or a
caress down her chin, he had to be worth the trouble.

And it was time for her to take some trouble.

She hadn’t shaved her legs since the pool closed on Labor
Day. Time to defuzz. She also had time for a face pack, a leisurely soak before
shaving her legs, and a shower to wash her hair. She indulged herself
thoroughly by digging out the basket of bath goodies she’d received on her last
birthday, and now her tiny bathroom smelled like a summer garden. She finished
off by slathering her body with a good third of the bottle of lavender lotion,
and wrapped herself in a clean bath towel to dry her hair.

She was clean enough to stand up to scrutiny, or better
still lie down for it.

Teeth brushed, mouth washed, hair next to perfect and a bod
smelling like the perfume counter at Marshall Fields. Time to get dressed, and
what the hell was she going to wear? Her seldom-worn black lace gown was way
too obvious. Sweats, what she usually wore around the house, a bit too casual
for seduction. After prolonged indecision, and a lengthy contemplation of her
wardrobe, that left her convinced she had nothing wear suitable for a
seduction. She settled for a very skimpy, white lace bra and panties she seldom
wore, blue jeans and a silk shirt.

She set the table in the kitchen, before realizing she
didn’t have a bottle of wine in the house. Too bad! It was too late to run out
and buy a bottle. She lit the gas logs in the fireplace, gathered up the stray
papers and old magazines and shoved them under the sofa, and plumped up the
pillows. Back in the kitchen, she found a half carton of ice cream in the
freezer that looked reasonably edible, topped with chocolate topping it would
make a sort of sundae.

Perhaps for afterwards…in bed.

The doorbell ringing had her rooted to the floor for several
seconds. He was right on time. She opened the door. Yup, it had been a while
since she’d had a man like this on her doorstep. And yes, she’d done right to
stick with jeans. He’d changed into black jeans, a black sweater that looked
like cashmere, and a black leather jacket. He also had his arms full, with a
sack that emanated wafts of spice and garlic.

Jud kissed her on the check, and strode into the kitchen as
if he owned it. Setting the bag on the table, he reached out for her hand,
drawing her close. “Katie,” he murmured and lowered his mouth to hers.

How could lips be cool, hot, wild, and gentle all at once?
Jud’s were soft and insistent as he pressed his mouth against hers. Wild
excitement flooded her mind and body. Her skin tingled where his fingers
touched. Her heart sped. And when his lips opened hers, her brain all but
zapped out. She gave a little moan, pressed herself into him, until she
flattened her breasts against his hard chest, and wrapped her arms around him.
His hand was in her hair, another caressed her between her shoulder blades, but
they were mere background sensations to the kiss she felt down to her knees.
She was aware of his body hard against hers, her racing pulse resounding in her
ears, and the wonderful joy of a kiss that took her flying-literally. Her feet
were off the ground, as Jud’s hands on her waist lifted her so they were level.
Katie gasped as she caught her breath, and angled her mouth for more.

And got it.

She was shaking. Whimpering under her breath. Her hips
pressed into his, as arousal burned deep in her belly. Her nipples were hard,
her pussy wet and throbbing. As far as she cared, curry could wait. She was so
hot, she’d never notice if it got stone cold.

“Enough,” Jud whispered, and set her back on her feet.

“I don’t think so…” She grinned up at him, anticipating so
much more.

“Yes,” he insisted. “I came to bring you dinner, not fuck
you.”

Nothing like being pulled up short! “Say it like it is, eh?
What happened to making love, or old-fashioned, good sex?” Sheesh had she
really said that? She was too darn hot to think straight, and, hell, she’d
forgotten to change the sheets. Seemed it wouldn’t matter. She’d just made a
fool of herself again.

The way Jud was looking at her, who knew? He didn’t appear
shocked. Why should he be? He’d used a four letter word, but… “What is it?” she
asked, irritated at his scrutiny.

“I want to make love, have great sex, and fuck you, but not
tonight.”

“Why not? Got your period?”

He shook his head. “I want to be certain you really want
it.”

And that little interlude hadn’t convinced him? “Did you
detect reluctance back then?”

“Not in the least. I detected passion, desire, and a woman
worth having, but I’m not sure you really understand what I need from you.”

And some women claimed all men were after was sex. “You’ve utterly
confused me. You kiss me so I almost climax, and then decide you don’t want
sex!”

He grinned. “Did you really almost come?”

The blood rushed to her face. Great! Now he thought her fast
and easy! She turned to the table and lifted off one of the cardboard lids.
“Aloo Ghobi, one of my favorites…” She looked up at Jud. “Did Andrew tell you
that too?”

“No, it was a lucky guess. It’s one of my favorites.”

“So, we have that much in common.”

“I think, Katie, we have a lot in common. I just need you to
be sure.”

She was rapidly getting more unsure, but she was hungry.
“Look, Jud, you have me so confused, I’m ready to give up. Can’t we eat? I
don’t have any wine I’m afraid,” She’d half-hoped he’d bring a bottle, but…

“Just as well, I think we both need clear heads.”

It couldn’t hurt. She was out of her depth with Jud, knew
it, and decided drowning might be fun. If she ever got her nerve up to take the
plunge. Meanwhile… “Hadn’t we better eat before it goes cold?” Of course, he
could always warm it up the way he did her - with a look and a smile.

“Good idea? Want some Rogan Josh?”

They piled their plates with the lamb curry, eggplant,
cauliflower, and lentils, and sat down opposite of each other. Katie making a
concerted effort not to brush knees under the too small table.

“You forgot to light the candles,” he said. Light them?
She’d forgotten they were even there! “Never mind.” He produced a cigarette
lighter and lit them. No, he seduced the darn things. Holding the flame just
over each wick and watching until the flame leapt up and burned steadily before
moving to the next one. “I love candles,” he said as the second caught alight
and he snapped the lighter closed. “They add to the atmosphere, and these…” He
sniffed the air. “Vanilla?” She nodded, locking eyes with his. Heck, they could
be old gym-sock scented for all she knew. “Romantic and sexy,” he went on.
“Like you.”

Her throat went tight, and she had to swallow hard on her
mouthful of Aloo Ghobi, and clear it down with a long drink of water.

As she set her glass back on the table, he asked, “Katie,
how would you like a love affair?”

“Who with?”

He scowled. ”Don’t be obtuse! Who do you think I mean?”

“You, presumably?”

‘Well, would you?”

Nothing like coming to the point. “Perhaps.” Why play hard
to get? “No! I’d say, yes, definitely, I would.” She tore off a corner of the
Nan, scooped up a morsel of eggplant, and looked him in the eyes.

She almost choked on her Bhahn Bharta.

Jud’s eyes had gone dark as the night outside. His lips
parted just enough to show the tip of his tongue, and his chest rose and fell
as his breath caught. He’d been telling her to wait, and right in front of her
eyes was one aroused male. There was nothing but sheer male desire in every
fiber of his body.

“I’m delighted, Katie,” he said at last, "but I need to
be totally sure.”

“Hell! How much surer can you get than, ‘Yes, I would!’”

“I’m not sure you know what you’re agreeing to.”

“What am I agreeing to then?”

“Whatever you want.”

“This sounds like a riddle.”

“It is, in a way. I want to give you the best sex of your
life. You agree to obey me, and do whatever I ask, and in return, I agree never
to do anything you don’t want.”

She was right about the riddle bit. It was a ruddy brain
teaser. “Look Jud, you’re into kinky sex, right? Handcuffs, etc.” She’d forget
about the whip. He said only what she wanted. Andrew insisted he was a good
guy…so… “I’m curious.” Or stupid.

He set his fork down, and reached over to curl his fingers
over hers. She felt his touch up her arm, down to her knees, and several places
in between. “I won’t disappoint you, Katie, I promise, now eat up.”

Suddenly, she was ravenous. Probably her mind’s way of
blocking out what she’d just agreed to. But the candlelight, the aroma of
spices in her small kitchen, and the brush of his knees against hers, all
combined to hoist her senses to hyper-alert.

It was nuts, but she might just skip the questionable ice
cream in favor of hot sex.

But Jud seemed in no hurry.

And reached over to tear off a portion of Nan. He dipped it
into his portion of Dahl, and popped it in his mouth-all while looking at her.

“This is great.” She scooped up rice and cauliflower on her
fork. “Did you get it at the Bombay Palace?”

”The Taj Mahal on Western Boulevard.” He took anther taste
of curry. “I’m looking forward to getting you naked, Katie.”

At least she wasn’t chewing this time! “Maybe, I’ll get
myself naked.”

“Good idea! I’d enjoy watching you undress. I’d sit on the
end of the bed while you stand in the middle of the floor, and one-by-one strip
for me. Everything: your shoes, jeans, panty hose, tee shirt, underwear, until
you stand there, naked.”

“And what about you being naked?”

“I will be, but I want you naked first. Perhaps I’ll have
you kneel by my side so I can stroke your head. I find the prospect of you
naked and me fully clothed rather exciting.” He paused to take another mouthful
of food. “I’m imagining candlelight flickering over your skin, watching the
lights and shadows across your breasts, and the curve of your belly, and the
softness between your legs.” He paused. “Are your nipples large?”

As if she’d ever thought about it! “I don’t rightly know!”

“Something for me to find out.”

“Seen a lot of nipples have you?” A bit tart, but heck was
he measuring them up?

“A beautiful sufficiency. I’m not a virgin, Katie, any more
than you are.”

Fair enough, but she suspected he was way ahead in
experience. “That’s good news!” Sheesh, she sounded snippy.

“Am I arousing you?”

“Yes!”

“Underwear damp yet?”

This was getting out of hand. “Yes!”

“I thought so. Take them off!”

She almost choked on her Basmati rice. “Take them off?” She
managed after a long drink of water.

His smile could only be described as disarming. “You want to
sit there in damp panties? Besides, you might as well get used to doing what I
tell you.”

He had to be able to hear her heart thumping across the
table. This was ridiculous! Or was it? Wasn’t this what she’d half-agreed to?
The thought of following his lead excited her. “Okay.” Throat tight, palms as
wet as her pussy, she stood up and took two steps across the room.

He grabbed her wrist. Not tightly, not to hurt. But he held
her securely. To move away she’d have to yank her arm free. “Where are you
going?”

“To the bathroom!” He looked up at her, a little quirk in
the left corner of his mouth, and shook his head. “You asked me to take off my
panties!”

The quirk became a lop-sided smile. “Yes, I did. Go ahead.”

“Not here!” Sheesh! In the middle of the kitchen!

“Why not? The blinds are drawn. No one can see you but me.”

“I’d rather take them off in the bathroom.”

His thumb, gently stroked the inside of her wrist. He had to
feel her racing pulse. “I know you would, my dear, but this is where you start
obeying, but since this is new for you, I will give you a choice. If you
prefer, you may take them off in the bathroom.” The sigh she let out was sheer
relief. “But if you take that option, be prepared, when you come out, to lay
yourself across my lap and accept a spanking for failing to meet my request.”