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Love Comes To Me

By: 40DayDream



Hello again, this is a strange one (seems like I've said that before). It is really as much a personal thought experiment about dominant/submissive relationships, as it a story. I was idly wondering what a normal, laid back man would go through if he suddenly found himself with a very submissive partner. I've only read a few D/S stories, but they all seemed to be submissive focused or to involve a very powerful personality as the dominant.

What got me thinking like this was 'Stray Kitten' by Wes Boyd (he's a far more talented author than me). I was somewhat intrigued by the perspective. That being said, I neither have, nor particularly desire, any practical experience in D/S relationships or master/slave relationships (which this one might be, although the term makes me uncomfortable).

OK, all of that is my long winded way of saying that this is a D/S story. I put it in Romance because I prefer that category and because it has no whips, chains, ropes, kinky sex, etc. so I thought the BDSM fans would be disappointed by it. The style is stilted because I wrote it quickly and I was focusing more on the dynamics between the two characters than style.

Disclaimer: All characters who engage in slap and tickle are at least eighteen years old.

All rights reserved.

Chapter 1

If he were to have a motto, he probably would have relied on Voltaire: 'Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.'

But he didn't really believe in mottos. Nor did he believe in 'strategy deployment'. All of that was for people who had more ambition than him. He believed in continuous improvement. If Michael Benz were to be forced to tell you what value he had as a worker, as a human even, it would be easy for him.

"I take what you are doing, and I help you do it better."

He had an ideal job for him, really. He got to travel, extensively, and sate his endless curiosity. People hired him to come in and help them figure out how they could do something better. He wasn't the originator of most ideas, nor the final decision maker. Mike just facilitated. He kept the mental wheels spinning so that other people could see their jobs in new ways. It may have sound like a high pressure position, and it was, but it didn't require that decisiveness that distinguishes leaders from followers.

So that's how he found himself entering his second month in a small Arabian Gulf country, helping a very large company re-invent their payroll system.

The funny thing was that he didn't speak any Arabic or know anything about payroll systems.

To be fair, Mike's job was much harder than it sounds. It required the ability to understand new ideas on the spur of the moment, at least to such an extent that he would be able to ask the group the right question. Just as importantly, it required the ability to sit back and keep quiet, even if he thought that he knew the answer.

That's where many consultants fail. After enough clients, long enough experience, it becomes very difficult not to start to believe that you are the one with the answer. Then, once you believe that you have the answer to the problem, keeping quiet about it can be nearly impossible. That's where a lot of problems come from. Once that happens the novice (the consultant) is making decisions instead of the expert (people who actually do the job).

Mike never had that problem. Exerting his opinion was risky and uncomfortable, so he rarely did it. He had seen his own ideas fail too many times to buy into them. If his clients failed to make the improvement they wanted, at least it wouldn't be because they listened to his shitty advice.

It helped that Mike wasn't particularly imposing, or memorable. He was a little under six feet and slim, with a build that didn't show to advantage under a suit. He wore conservative suits, with his sandy brown hair in a conservative haircut. You would rarely see him smiling or frowning while he worked; his expression tended to stay passive.

When Mike spoke to people, he typically asked so many questions that they would do more talking than he did. This was true even when he addressed large groups.

If you were to sit Mike down and ask about his history, the conversation would probably end with you telling him yours.

If you sat Mike down, handcuffed to a chair, with a blowtorch in your hand, you might learn a bit more. He was a middle child of middle class parents. His college years were spent at Princeton, where he graduated middle of the class.

He was fairly inexperienced with relationships. There had been a couple of girlfriends in college who tended to dominate him a little. Both ended up cheating on Mike. Since then, he had avoided relationships with women. It just seemed that he was too hesitant to go after the girls that would be good for him, and too tempting to the dominating ones he wanted to avoid.

*****

And so here Mike was, in an Arabian state, walking back to the hotel from the client's office. It had been a successful day because the company had made a number of important decisions based on the Mike's questions and prodding. When they wrote up their meeting minutes later on, many of the attendees would forget to include Mike's name in the list of participants.

He was taking a different route home than normal. What very few people realized was that when Mike made his own decisions, he would typically choose the more adventurous path. If he had never been down a street before or eaten a particular dish before, than he would make a point of doing so.

Partway back to the hotel, Mike realized that he was in an area that looked more disreputable than expected. There was a lot of foot traffic and it consisted of a different type of person than he normally saw out in the business or banking areas. That caused him to hurry, which was why he got lost.

As soon as he realized that he didn't know where he was, Mike stopped to get his bearings. Not having any luck, he decided to try the coffeehouse on the street there to see if someone would give him directions.

Going in, he tried to communicate with the rather large, moustached man who seemed to be running the shop. The shop was empty, but even so, the man eyed Mike with suspicion.

Mike spent several minutes asking hIM questions in English, with no success, before he started to get frustrated. The man gave him one-word replies in Arabic that Mike did not understand. He tried showing the man his room key, hoping that it would help develop a common understanding. It did not.

Finally, Mike gave up and handed the man his business car, hoping for some reason that the information might help. 

As soon as he received the card, the coffeeshop attendant's disposition changed, dramatically.

Wearing a large grin, the man grabbed Mike by the arm and pulled him into a backroom, the entrance of which was hidden by a wall hanging. They went down a long hallway while the man spoke excitedly. It sounded to Mike like he had the tone of a used car salesman, but he could only catch one phrase. He thought that it meant "white woman", which didn't make any sense.

By now, Mike had obviously realized that the man was not going to give him directions, but had instead mistaken him for someone else. He was going along out of force of habit, but also because the adventure was definitely intriguing.

Mike found himself in a low, smoke-filled room with cushions spread across the floor. Three hookahs were visible, all of them currently abandoned. There was a group of twenty or so men in the center of the room, huddled around an object that he couldn't see. It was obvious immediately that he was the only Westerner in the room.

Mike pushed his way into the group to get a glimpse of the object that was drawing the attention. He was aware that he should be leaving, it was definitely a bad idea to stay, but he was curious what they were looking at. Probably a piece of art, he thought, or maybe some drugs. That might explain their interest in including whoever it was that they thought him to be.

What he found in the center of the circle was unexpected. Finally pushing his way to the front, Mike found himself standing in front of a woman. She was huddled in a chair, with long hair covering her face. It was obvious that the woman was white, based on the pale skin he could see and the fact that her hair appeared to be red, at least in the available light.

No one was touching her, but the group appeared to be having a lively discussion. The whole situation was surreal, but Mike knew enough about the area to be sure what he was witness to. This was a human trafficking auction and based on the gender and apparent age of the victim, it was almost certainly sex trafficking.

He had no idea what to do. Of course he couldn't stand by, but no course of action was presenting itself.

Finally, he used gestures to ask whether it was allowed to touch or talk to her. He received a hesitant nod in response.

Mike had to be careful. It was extremely likely that someone in the room spoke English, even if they were not making it obvious.

Reaching down, he took one of her hands in his. She didn't react to the contact, neither pulling away or returning the pressure. Slowly, Mike crouched in front of the woman so that his head was close to hers.

"Can you understand me?" His voice was as soft as he could make it without being inaudible in the noisy room.

She nodded in response, almost imperceptibly.

Mike paused. What could he say next? While he considered it, Mike looked her over. She was skinny, although not frightening so, and respectably dressed. He could see shoes and even a burqa next to her.

Something needed to be done, but nothing at all came to mind. He could not force an escape and it was unlikely he would be able to buy her. Human traffickers rarely take credit cards, even Visa.

While he considered it, noises could be heard from outside the room, followed by shouting. Without a word, the men in the group scattered, making for the closest door immediately. Mike just stayed frozen, in the middle of the room, with the woman who did not react at all.

The source of the commotion soon arrived in the form of local policemen. Mike never did find out whether any of the men had escaped.

It was unlikely that the police arriving was good news. Every expert that he had heard or read since learning that he would be spending time in the country had indicated that the police were likely to be corrupt. Trafficking victims rarely made their way to freedom during these busts and on more than one occasion the victim had found herself being prosecuted for prostitution.

So Mike did something rare for him. He made a snap decision. Squeezing the woman's hand, he whispered to her again.

"Can you trust me?"

He received a slight squeeze from her hand. That was all he needed.

Mike quickly stood up, pulling the woman up with him, and wrapped his arm around her. Turning to the closest policeman, who had just entered the room. He started to speak loudly and forcefully (as Americans are usually expected to in foreign countries) in English. He demanded to know the source of the problem and why they were there.

Continuing to go at full volume, Mike insisted that he was walking through the area with his sister. They had gotten lost and he had entered the coffeeshop to find some help with directions. He did not know how they got to the backroom or what was back here. They were United States citizens!

It was obvious that the police in the room could not understand him, but it had the desired effect. The two were not harassed while an English speaker was found. Eventually, a lieutenant arrived and Mike repeated his diatribe. Throughout the whole experience, the woman next to him had not moved.

After reviewing Mike's passport and questioning him on his job and stay in the country, the lieutenant agreed to let them leave. Without an admission to human trafficking, there was little reason to hold anyone.

Mike was beyond relieved that no one asked for her identification.

Pondering the situation later, he was struck by two seemingly unlikely events. First, that the police should arrive at the precise time needed. Second, that they would allow the two to leave without looking at her ID.

After further consideration, he came to two possible conclusions. The timing of the police arrival could have been due to him! It was possible that they were waiting for an event, such as a Westerner entering, to start the raid. As far as her ID went, the lieutenant had appeared to be a sympathetic man. It wasn't unlikely that he had understood the whole situation and let her go to either save the paperwork or allow her a chance to escape the courts.

Those thoughts would come later. For the moment, Mike focused on getting the nearly catatonic woman out of the building and to his hotel. (He had received directions from the police.)

Once in his room, he didn't know what to do with her. She continued to follow him, holding on to his hand.

In the end, Mike sat down on one of the beds beside her so they could talk.

"OK, I know you're probably in shock and we'll figure out what to do tomorrow. Right now, I'm guessing you need some food, a shower, and sleep. I'll order some food up, you can do the other in whatever order you want. OK?"

He only got a slight squeeze of his hand as response. They sat there for a few minutes while he waited for her to react. She did not.

Finally, he got up from the bed, telling her to stay there, and went to the phone. He ordered up several dishes with mild flavors.

When he turned back, he could feel her eyes on him. This whole situation was so far beyond his realm of experience, it was astonishing.

They waited in silence, her sitting on the double bed while he paced the room trying to think clearly. It was already late and he couldn't seem to work things out in his mind. Fortunately, the food came quickly.

He gave one of the plates to her and told her to eat. Mike realized that he still didn't know her name! Oh well, he thought, some problems can wait.

He watched her eat slowly, having no appetite himself. When she was done, he told her that the other plates were there if she was hungry. Otherwise, he was going to bed. They quickly settled down for the night. She had appeared confused at first, until he pointed out which bed was his and which was hers.

Mike lay down in his bed and considered both what had just happened, and what it meant for their futures. Needless to say, he did not fall asleep quickly.

Chapter 2

Mike woke the next morning feeling differently. It did not take him long to realize that it was most likely due to the fact that someone was clinging to him. (He never woke up fully aware.)

Apparently, the woman, who still had no name, had climbed into his bed and clung to him last night. After what she had been through, it seemed likely that she would want the feeling of security.

Fortunately, she was still sleeping. Unfortunately, she was so tightly attached to him (arms around his torso, head on his shoulder, and one leg wrapped around his) that he could not get up without also waking her.

Mike lay there for more than hour, enjoying the unfamiliar warmth beside him, and considering what to do next. It seemed unlikely that the local government would help her. Actually, he thought it likely that the reaction would be dangerous if they were focused on preventing a scandal.

He could go the US authorities, but their relationship with the country was tenuous. Who knew what they would do to try to preserve that bond. In the end, he decided that he would let her decide. All he knew was that he needed to get her out of the country before too long.

She started to stir. When the woman woke up, she did not start at his presence. She simply opened her eyes and looked at him.

Mike got up.

"Would you like some breakfast?"

"Yes." The voice was soft, but she had spoken!

"Would you like to go down to the restaurant to get it?"

The only reaction was an uncertain look.

"You don't need to if you don't want." He didn't know what to say.

"OK, then no."

"You can have a shower if you want."

"OK."

As far as he could tell, from the five words she had spoken, it sounded like she had an American accent.

"Can I ask your name?"

"Which name?"

"Which name?" He parroted back to her. As had been the case since the whole thing had started, he was confused.

"My old name or the one I am supposed to use?"

"They gave you a name?"

"Yes."

He sighed. "Your old name."

"Julie Burns."

"You're American?"

"Yes."

"Where from?"

"We moved around a lot."

"Does that mean you still have family?"

"No, they died before I left."

It was like pulling teeth.

"OK, let's eat something, eh?"

"Alright."

They sat down to eat the leftovers from the night before. It seemed like extracting answers from her and digesting his food at the same time would be too much effort, so he focused on eating.

When they finished, he glanced at the clock. He was going to be late. The events of the last twelve hours had driven everything out of his mind.

Mike jumped up to start getting ready. As he did so, he gave Julie a brief explanation, telling her that he would be back by six PM.

"Order whatever you want from room service. There are pay per view movies on the TV. We'll lock everything up and nobody will be able to get in until I return. I'm sorry to be leaving you now. Do you need anything else?"

She shook her head no.

Mike ran out the door shortly after. Under normal circumstances he would never have left, but the key decisions were going to be made today. If the group did well, his job would be over soon and he could get back to the US.

If Mike could understand what Julie was going through, he never would have left.

*****

When he returned that evening, Mike could not get into the room. Repeated knocking on the door did nothing. It was not until he unlocked the door and opened it the crack that the safety lock allowed, then asked Julie to open it, that she let him in.

He could tell immediately that things were worse than he had assumed. There was no evidence that she had eaten, showered, or even moved since he left the room that morning.

The first thing that he did was order up more room service. When he tried to engage Julie in conversation, she hardly said anything.

After dinner, she asked if she could take a shower. Mike was surprised by the request, but told her that of course she could, that she didn't need to ask.

When she emerged from the bathroom, wearing a robe, Mike was astonished to find that she was beautiful. He had assumed that she was attractive based on the interest in her by the men at the auction, but she surpassed all of his expectations.

She was tall, probably 5'9" or so, and slender with subtle curves. Her skin was pale and lightly freckled, but it was her face that was the revelation. She had the features of a fashion model, with high cheekbones and wide set eyes. She was perfection in the flesh, even without makeup or any other enhancements. A towel concealed her hair, but he knew that it was curly and red. When she came closer, he saw that her eyes were a bright, even startling, blue.

What was left of the evening passed without any event. Mike did take the opportunity to contact his supervisor and client to let it be known that he would not be available for the next several days. He wasn't sure if he imagined it, but Mike thought he saw her eyes widen when she overheard him say that.

He went to bed early, for lack of anything better to do, hoping that the next day would bring a more communicative Julie.

*****

Mike had been in bed about an hour, unable to sleep of course, when he started to hear sounds coming from the other bed, gradually increasing in volume. He considered getting up to comfort her, but could not decide whether it was the right approach. She seemed so fragile.


Love Comes To Me



After a some span of time, he could not have said how long, the sobs quieted. Shortly after, he could feel her presence by his bed. There was a moment's wait before she spoke in a hesitant voice.

"Michael, may I join you?"

He pulled open the covers as invitation, unsure of what would follow. She slipped between the covers and then spoke again.

"Michael, would you... would you hold me?"

He didn't know what to say. When Mike found his voice, he finally managed to respond.

"Of course, whenever you need it." He did not know why he said it like that. Mike was acting on instinct.

He could feel her bare flesh as she grabbed on to him. Like the night before, she clung to him like a drowning sailor. His shirt was becoming damp where her head rested on him. They lay like that for a while, neither speaking.

He could not fall asleep, perplexed by such extraordinary circumstances, and she could not sleep; she was still weeping. Julie spoke up again.

"I am so scared. Nothing should make me happier than to be free, but I... I don't know what will happen next to me. Do you?"

Mike had no answer to questions like that. He was barely able to answer when his colleagues told him to pick the place for lunch that afternoon. But he needed to say something.

Once again lost in the woods, Mike responded with instinct and told her what he felt to be true in that moment.

"Julie, I will take care of you. We'll handle your future together. And don't worry, I will protect you."

It was more wish than truth, but Mike meant it.

Julie responded back slowly, with a single word.

"Really?"

He squeezed her a bit tighter.

"Yes."

The tension left her body in a rush. In a moment, she went from clinging to him fiercely to resting across him. It was a relief to Mike.

A few moments later, he felt her breathing change. He could feel her slow, deep breath on his neck as she slept.

Mike did not fall asleep so quickly. He had made promises with less than his usual care. Now he would need to find ways to fulfill them.

It was late before he dozed off.

Chapter 3

Mike again woke with the unfamiliar warmth pressed up against him. He could feel the smoothness of her skin on his leg and arm. Was it possible that she was naked, he wondered?

Within a few minutes, she must have sensed him waking because she also began to stir. As she did, Mike slipped out from the bed to take a shower and prepare for the day. He hoped that the time spent under the warm spray would clear his mind.

There were too many issues to consider. He needed to get Julie back to the US, of that he had no doubt. To do that, he would need to find a way to close his current job to the satisfaction of his employers, if he could. Julie would require clothes, toiletries, makeup, and everything else a young woman needs to appear in public.

He would need to contact the embassy to learn how she could return home. There was doubt in his mind as to the safety of going to the local police or allowing the embassy to go to the police on their behalf. Mike did not even know whether returning her to the States was the right thing to do at the moment.

Surely she also would need immediate medical care, as well as psychiatric counseling. He was not aware of whether that would be easily available or not here.

Finishing his shower, with no less questions than when it started, Mike dried off and went back into the room to do some research on his computer. He was so engrossed in the task that he did not even notice Julia leave the bed and enter the bathroom.

His attention was pulled to the bathroom door by movement after some time. Walking out of the door was Julie, with her hair dried. (He had not heard the hair dryer either.)

She was naked and she was spectacular. When Mike saw her, he forgot to turn away or speak to her or even to breathe. Julie was more beautiful than anyone he had seen in person or online. Even his adolescent memories of pilfered playboys could not match her.

She was, indeed, tall and slender with a flare to her hips and shoulders. Her breasts were not large, but they were high and proud. Her graceful arms and smooth stomach led the eyes down towards ballerina's legs. Where her shapely thighs met, he could see a gap even as she walked.

Mike was speechless as she looked at him with a shy smile. Eventually he did recover and his eyes returned to meet hers.

"You're naked." Of course, this was fairly obvious to both of them.

"Yes." Julie agreed, although it is questionable whether he heard her.

"You don't need to... I mean... why?..." He could not fully form reply.

She answered him anyways. "Why not? You saved me."

"There is no need... I didn't... I just..."

Julie gave him a strange look as he said this. Unashamedly, she approached him and sat on the bed in front of him.

"You did something extraordinary. You may not know, but there were Westerners before you who saw me, maybe even pitied me. They did nothing. There were police raids before that. No one ever reached out a hand to help me.

"But you did. I can never repay that, but I will trust you forever for it."

Once again, Mike had no response. She simply gazed at him, steadily.

"You can get dressed you know."

"Would you like me to?" Her eyes never left his.

He was thinking of breakfast, trying to tear his eyes from her. "Yes."

"Alright."

She stood up and walked over to where her clothes lay on the floor. Without any sign of self-consciousness she began to pull them on.

"Julie, would you like to go get some breakfast?"

She did not reply, her face showing an uncertain expression.

"It might be good for you."

"Alright, then."

She finished dressing and they went downstairs to the restaurant.

*****

As they waited for service at an isolated table, Mike pondered the recent events. It seemed as if there were a common thread that he should recognize, but it escaped him. Events did not make sense, motivations were unclear.

When the menus were in front of them, Mike absorbed himself in the choices available to him.

"What do you think I should have?" Julie was speaking to him.

Mike never made food recommendations, it had been his experience that when it came to food, people resented bad advice and ignored good advice.

"I don't know. Whatever you like." He did not look up from his menu.

A few minutes later, the waiter came up. Mike gave his order; Julie just asked for water.

After the waiter left, Mike asked her, "Didn't you want anything for breakfast?"

"I will be alright." Her voice was even.

Once again, Mike had no response. It was silent between the two of them until his food arrived.

After he had eaten a little, Mike began to explain his thoughts from the morning. He recommended that the first priority for the day should be to purchase Julie clothes. She agreed to the suggestion. Then Mike began to talk about the embassy and how they would resolve her status.

"You know, it might help a little more to understand your history. If you are willing to speak about it."

"What would you like to know." Again, her voice showed little emotion.

"Can you speak Arabic, do you know what those men were discussing?"

"A little. They were talking about what it had been like to fuck me." Her voice barely shifted as she made the statement.

"They were..." Mike did not know how to finish.

"Several, but not all of them had me at least once since I arrived. They were attempting to make a final sale."

"A final sale?"

"Yes. Once the girls pass their prime age, they try to make a final sale. Or so I gathered."

"How long does that mean you have been here?" He could not keep the shock out of his voice.

Hers remained steady. "I do not know what the date is..." She provided an exact date that she was taken. It had been nearly two years.

"I'm so sorry! I shouldn't be dragging this information out of you..." Mike was angry with himself.

Julie simply shrugged. "I have no secrets from you."

A few minutes later, he completed his breakfast and they left. The next destination was a clothing store.

Once they arrived, Mike felt like he were in enemy territory. He was uncomfortable and uncertain of himself.

He gave an awkward smile. "Pick out anything you need. My assignment paid well."

She looked at him. "What styles do you prefer?"

"I don't know. Maybe the shopgirl has some recommendations?" He did not catch her discontented look at him.

Julie walked over to the shopgirl and they began to speak. After giving her a lookover, the girl started to run around the store grabbing items.

Mike was not paying attention to anything in the store, his mind was still racing with how to handle the embassy, so he did not hear it when the shopgirl walked up.

"She is trying on some of the outfits. Would you like to see her in them?"

"No, that's alright. She should pick out what she likes the best."

The shopgirl left and Mike's attention went directly back to the problems at hand. After twenty minutes or so, he was becoming restless so he wandered around the shop a little. He was considering Julie, and how different she was from anyone he had ever met before. Talking to her felt like a whole different language.

His hand brushed against a sweater. It felt soft to the touch and he liked the texture, so he picked the item up. The tag said it was a loose pullover sweater, and he could see it had a neutral color. He thought it might be comfortable for her.

Picking it up, he carried it back towards the changing rooms. Mike handed the sweater to the shopgirl, telling her that he thought Julie might like it. The shopgirl gave him a strange smile when he said that. Already wrapped up in his worries, Mike returned to the front of the store to wait.

A few minutes later, Julie came to tell him that she was ready. She was wearing a new outfit, including the sweater, with a shy smile.

"I would like to wear these out, is that alright, Michael?"

"Of course." He was thinking about something else.

They left as soon as he paid. While they walked back to the hotel, Julie lightly stroked the sweater she was wearing with a happy smile. Mike was proud to have made such a good choice.

Chapter 4

The rest of the day was spent making calls to a handful of individuals that Mike knew. By the end of the day, he thought he had a plan for the next day. If Julie would agree, that is.

He had confirmed with his bosses that the critical portion of the job was completed, so he was free to return to the States if he wanted to.

When all of that was completed it was already late. Mike looked around the hotel room before noticing Julie sitting on the bed, looking sleepy. He remembered that he had not eaten since breakfast.

"Julie, are you hungry?"

"Yes."

"What would you like?"

"Can you pick?" She was looking at something else, across the room. To be honest, he thought to himself, she looked a little sick.

"Alright, are gyros alright? I think room service can bring us some."

"Of course."

"Are you OK, Julie? You look sick."

"A little hungry is all. I will be fine." She gave him a small smile.

Mike hadn't thought about it. Julie had not eaten anything at breakfast and they had skipped lunch. He went to the phone and ordered immediately. Then he looked back to her.

"I'm sorry. Why didn't you say that you were hungry? We would have eaten sooner."

She gave another small smile. "It is alright, I didn't want to bother you."

"Julie, bother me next time. If you're hungry, let me know!" He was a little frustrated that she had been suffering and had not told him.

She gave him another small smile. "Alright, Michael."

Mike spent the wait for the food telling her about his plan. She listened attentively, but did not offer an opinion.

"Does that sound alright to you?"

"Do you think it will work?" Was her only response.

"I think it should, but I want you to be comfortable with it."

"It sounds alright to me, Michael."

Despite her hunger, she seemed a little happier than she had earlier in the day. Julie continued to lightly stroke the sweater every few minutes, as if reminding herself of something.

The food came, and again they ate silently. Near the end, he finally asked the question he had been considering all day.

"Julie, would you like to tell me about it?"

When she responded, her voice was even. "Do you want me to tell you about it?"

"I want you to do whatever is best for you."

"Alright, Michael. Let me know when you would like me to talk about it."

Mike was confused. Wasn't she supposed to be the one telling him when she wanted to talk about it, he thought?

He decided to try another subject.

"Do you know where you are going when we get back to the States?"

That brought an emotional response from her. The first he had seen all day.

"No. Is there somewhere you want me to go? Where are you going?" She sounded worried.

"I haven't decided."

"Alright."

Again, that wasn't an answer. He decided to sleep on it, maybe she would make the decision in the morning.

I need to be patient with her, he thought, she has been through a lot. By then it was nearly one in the morning. They had a long day tomorrow. Mike decided to turn in. He spent a little time in the bathroom, then slipped into his bed.

A few minutes later, the last evening repeated itself. He again felt her standing by the bed.

"Can I join you, Michael?"

He opened the sheets.

"You don't need to ask for permission for now."

"Alright. Would you hold me, Michael?" He could hear emotion in her voice again.

"Of course."

Again, he could feel her cling to him almost desperately. Mike played the last two days over again in his mind. He had promised to take care of her, but had not made it clear that she was welcome to stay with him when they got back to the States.

"Julie?"

"Yes?"

"When we get back to the States, you can come with me. We don't need to separate any time soon."

"Really?" Her voice was a whisper.

"Of course, I'm sorry that I didn't think of it earlier. I would like to have you with me for now."

"Alright. Thank you, Michael." He could hear the smile in her voice. Again, her grasp on him seemed to relax. A few moments later, he could tell by her breathe that she was asleep.

Mike drifted off soon after.

Chapter 5

The next morning, Mike once again woke to the unfamiliar warmth next to him. When he looked down, he could see Julie's head on his shoulder. Her face was surprisingly peaceful.

Being as gentle as possible, Mike climbed out of bed and headed towards the bathroom for a shower. He did not see whether she woke up when he left the bed. A few minutes later, he was back in the room, focusing on packing. If all went very well, they would be leaving that day.

After a few minutes, he realized that he could hear the shower. Looking over at the bed, he saw it was empty, but when he looked at the bathroom, he realized that the bathroom door was open.

A moment later, Julie stepped out of the shower. Once again, she was naked. She reached over to one of the towels and began to dry herself off. While she did so, she glanced around the room and caught his eye. Mike was having difficulty not staring at her.

She smiled at him. It was probably the happiest smile he had seen from her yet. The lone exception might have been when she put on the sweater he had picked out. She did not seem to feel any shame in letting him watch her.

He felt intense shame in doing so.

Pushing that thought to the back of his mind, Mike finished packing. Soon after, Julie was also ready to go, with her small collection of clothes in a carry-on suitcase.

Mike was dressed more casually than the days before, in a polo shirt and khakis. The tight sleeves of the shirt gave a hint that he might have been stronger than he appeared. Mike did not see the appreciative glance that Julie gave his outfit.

She was casually dressed at his suggestion, once again wearing the sweater.

They left the hotel to head to the embassy.

*****

Twenty four hours later, they landed in Atlanta. It had been a long, slow trip for Mike. For her part, Julie had appeared to enjoy the cramped space. She had simply curled up against Mike and slept for most of both flights.

By all accounts, she had enjoyed her in-flight meals. He had recommended the salads to her, as they tended to be better on planes in his experience.

After they cleared customs and had collected their bags, Mike realized that he didn't have a definite plan. He actually did not own or rent a home. Because of his long travel hours, he simply kept what little he had in a rented storage unit in case he ever did settle down. Mike spent his holidays and downtimes living with his sister, her husband, and their two boys.

That would not work as well with Julie added to the picture..

He considered it further. While he was figuring out the future, there was an easy solution. Julie could stay with his sister. He needed to fly down to Miami to meet with the bosses anyways. That decision broke him out of his concentration.

"Julie, would you like to stay with my sister?"

"Alright." Her voice was noncommittal.

"Good. It will only be for a day or so while I'm gone. I've got to get down to Miami. You'll like them."

"Alright." He didn't hear the catch in her voice that time. Mike was already focusing on booking his reservations on his phone. That brought up another thought.

"Julie, would you like a phone? I think it would be good for you to have one."

"OK, that sounds good."

"Great. I'll ask my sister to take you out to pick one out. She can just have it added to my plan."

"Alright."

*****

When they arrived at his sister's house, Mike introduced Julie to his sister, Kathy, and his brother, Tom. She also met their two year old twins, Eric and Tyler, and the three dogs.

Kathy and Tom had a large mini-mansion in an Atlanta suburb with a large pool and yard. At some point after they moved in, they realized that Mike was likely to spend time there regularly, so they built on an extra suite. It was, for all intents and purposes, Mike's room.

They enjoyed it when he visited, and so did the boys. It also saved him from being forced to decide on a permanent home, so it worked perfectly.

Mike started for the airport soon after they arrived. He was staying at an airport hotel before catching the early morning flight out. Before leaving, he spent a few minutes with Kathy to give her some of the broader story about him and Julie.

He was convinced that this set-up would work well. Kathy would bond with Julie, and some separation from him would probably do Julie some good, as well. He was afraid that his presence was going to bring up memories for her.

If there was anyone who would be able to help Julie, he thought, it was Kathy. She was the kinder of the two and the more decisive. Most likely, Kathy would be able to get Julie to do some of the things that she needed to do soon, like starting therapy and visiting a doctor, that Mike had been uncertain how to discuss.

He smiled when he thought about the two clothes shopping together. Kathy would probably think that shopping for Julie was like shopping for a barbie. She looked good in everything, he was sure.

When Mike got to the hotel, he had difficulty getting to sleep. In the end, it was only a few hours before his flight that he dozed off.

Chapter 6

It ended up being a long two days for Mike. The early departure from his last job led to some tense negotiation within the company before the plan for the next one could be established. They decided to send him to Seattle but it was going to be two weeks. Fortunately, he thought, he had not received any calls from Kathy or Julie, which had to be a good sign.




Love Comes To Me



He hopped a late flight back and arrived at his sister's house a little more than forty-eight hours after he left. As soon as he entered the door, Julie attached herself to him, fiercely hugging him. He could tell that she had been crying, but all she would do was tell him sorry.

A few minutes later, his sister walked over. She asked Julie to give them a moment, which Julie did only after Mike gave her a quick nod.

When they were alone, Kathy slapped Mike across the face, hard. He had not anticipated that reaction.

"Michael, don't you ever do that to someone ever again!"

"Wha..." Was all that Mike could provide as a response.

"Did you know that she didn't sleep a minute last night? It took us an hour to get her to unbarricade the door this morning so that we could get into your room!"

Kathy continued, "And you told her not to call you! Do you have any idea what you put her through? She didn't take that damned sweater off the whole time!"

Mike was reeling. He had certainly not expected any of this.

"I'm... I just... I expected you two to bond! I expected her to do better without me for a few days."

"Michael Benz, how fucking stupid are you?" He had never heard her swear before.

"You know that I talked to her about a doctor and counsellor and she wasn't even interested in listening to me. She just asked when I expected you to be home. You need to take better care of that poor girl!"

Mike had no choice but obey. He had always obeyed his older sister.

Walking out of the room, he found Julie and took her to his suite. She didn't say a word.

*****

Once they were in the room, Julie just sat disconsolately on the bed. She didn't even look at Mike.

Finally something clicked. He sat down on the couch and called her over. She curled up against him and cried silently, while he held her and thought about what he should say.

He ended going with what he should of started with.

"Julie, I'm sorry. It was stupid. I thought that being separated from me for a day or two would be good for you."

She didn't say anything, but she her weeping slowed.

"I never meant to make you think that you couldn't call me. I'll always be there for you when you need it."

She finally looked up at him with a sad, little smile. "Really?"

"Yeah. You can always give me a call or ask me for help, OK?"

"Alright, Michael."

"Tomorrow we should get you your own phone."

"I got one today. You told me that I should."

"Good! What kind?"

"I couldn't decide, so I got the same model you have."

"OK."

They sat there for a few more minutes before he finally started to get up.

"I need to get to bed, and I'm guessing you do too. I feel like I haven't slept in forty-eight hours."

A few minutes later, he was in bed and the light was out. Once again, he could feel her standing next to him.

"Michael, can..."

She didn't get a chance to finish. Mike grabbed her, more forcefully than he intended, and pulled her down towards him.

"Don't ask anymore!" He had not meant to be so harsh. The exhaustion was starting to play a role.

He could feel her warm skin against him again. This time, he expected her to be angry at him for being so short with her. Instead, he felt her lightly cling to him. Within moments, she was asleep.

He followed soon after.

*****

Mike woke up the next morning in a better mood than he had in weeks. He already had started missing Julie when he woke up without her. This time, when he woke, though, her eyes were already open. He smiled down at her, which earned him a large smile back.

"I missed you." As soon as he said that, her face started to beam.

"I missed you so much, Michael!"

She gave him a hug, and then scooted up on the bed so that she was seated next to him. He did the same, so they were sitting together.

He confirmed then that she did sleep naked. The movement of her breasts as she breathed distracted him for a few minutes, before he realized that he was staring.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to stare."

"It's alright, Michael."

"No, it's not... so what do you want to do today? I have a couple of weeks before I need to head to Seattle."

She touched his hand, tentatively. "What would you like to do, Michael?"

He was distracted by the touch of her hand and the nearness of her body. Slowly, he thought back to what his sister had said about the sweater. A suspicion rose in his mind.

"Would you like to go clothes shopping? We didn't pick you out much over there."

"It's alright, I am fine with what I have."

"What if I wanted to get you more?"

She just smiled when he asked that. He would consider that to be a yes.

Mike slid his body off the bed and headed toward the bathroom. As he reached the door, he realized that there was something he had never said. He looked back at Julie.

"Julie, you're beautiful, you know that, right?"

She simply beamed at him as he turned and made his way into the bathroom to shower.

After he was done, he dressed and then sat on the bed to wait for her. After everything he had unknowingly put her through the last two days, Mike took some time to consider it. The critical step, he reasoned, was to let her be the one to leave him behind, rather than vice versa.

After about twenty minutes, she came out of the bathroom with dry hair. Again, she was naked as he walked into the room with a smile on her face. He couldn't help but wonder if she was an exhibitionist.

As she moved about the room, picking out clothes to wear, he could not help his eyes drawing towards her thigh gap. He had never actually seen a woman with one before. He could see her inner lips slightly protruding from her outer. It was entrancing. When she turned around, he admired the swell of her bottom.

He was ashamed to be watching her, but he could not tear his eyes away. If she was aware that he was staring, she gave no sign of it.

Chapter 7

They came out into the main part of the house, just as breakfast was starting. Mike sat down at the table and Julie took the seat next to him. Kathy had just finished serving the food and took her seat as well. Being an early riser, Tom had already left for work.

The three ate in silence for a few minutes, before Kathy broke it.

"Julie, I don't think we ever decided. Were you going to go to the doctor and a counsellor today?"

Julie hesitated before responding.

"I don't know about it. I just..."

Mike, always slow to pick up on signals like this, realized that Kathy was glaring at him in a violent manner. He interrupted Julie.

"I think it would be a good idea. Would you like me or Kathy to go with you?"

"You would go with me?"

"If you wanted."

"Alright."

The topic was settled. A few seconds later, Kathy slipped off to schedule the appointments. She would need to call in a few favors to get them set up for that day.

*****

The first place they visited was his sister's family practitioner. Mike intended to sit out in the waiting room to wait through the appointment, but he could tell from her behavior that Julie was very uncomfortable. When he asked whether she preferred him to come in with her, she gave him an emphatic yes.

After she was weighed and her height was taken, Julie was taken by the nurse to one of the examination rooms. The nurse gave her a paper gown and told her to change. Once again, Julie unself-consciously stripped in front of Mike.

When the doctor, a middle-aged woman, came in she began the exam. Just before starting, she pointedly asked Mike if he wanted to leave. Given the choice, he definitely would have, but he knew Julie needed him. It was obvious that the doctor's visit was much more nerve-wracking than one would expect.

The exam went normally. During the pelvic exam, again seeing building nervousness, Mike offered Julie his hand. She gripped him tightly throughout the process.

Despite Julie's admission to the doctor of having had a significant number of unprotected sex partners in the last two years (the doctor gave Mike a strange look when she heard that) there was no external indication of an STD. She also took a blood test to confirm. As a final item, Julie requested birth control pills, which she was already on.

During the exam, it was obvious that Mike felt far more awkward than Julie or the doctor, despite the fact that Julie was the one with a metal object inserted into her vagina.

Immediately after the exam, they headed for an initial visit at the counsellor. In this case, Mike, with the counsellor agreeing completely, refused to go in with her. When the two came out an hour later, Julie looked withdrawn and the counsellor looked upset.

The final stop for the day was at a high end clothes store. Here Mike made a determined effort to browse with Julie. He quickly realized that what she wanted was for him to pick the clothes. Attempts to find out her preference went nowhere, but whenever Mike suggested an item she immediately latched onto it.

It concerned Mike, he was not much of a woman's fashion maven but it was obvious that Julie had made him the deciding factor for all of her sartorial choices.

This extended to underwear as well, as Mike forced himself to make a foray into that area selecting items. In the end, he just tried to select the pieces that he thought would be the most comfortable. (Julie did not seem interested in that aspect herself.)

Mike did end up breaking down to the extent of selecting a couple of garter belts and thongs. He had not meant to do it, but when he imagined her wearing them he found it difficult not to buy them. Those items seemed to make her the happiest of all of them.

In the swimwear area she acted out a little by selecting a particular bikini that she saw him eying.

It should be emphasized that throughout the shopping trip, Julie had as big a smile on her face as Mike had seen. She was enjoying herself, even if he was having difficulty adjusting to the role.

They finally found their way back in the late afternoon.

Mike collapsed on one of the couches in the house when they arrived. He had not realized that a woman's day out could be so exhausting.

While he was sitting there, Julie asked, "Michael, is it alright if I go change into some of my new clothes?"

His only response was a simple, "Of course."

While Julie was changing, Kathy arrived back at the house. She immediately sought out Mike, excitedly.

"Mike, I just got you guys an appointment at this fantastic hairdresser downtown. It's in thirty minutes."

He gave her a blank stare (and probably an unhappy expression). Before he knew it, she was in his face again, although thankfully this time she did not actually indulge in any violence.

"You stupid son of a bitch, in case you haven't realized yet, she only feels entitled to enjoy things that you are enjoying. And she should enjoy getting her hair cut at this place, so you'd sure as hell better enjoy it for her."

Mike was speechless, Kathy had never spoken to him like that before today. As she walked out the room he heard her muttering under her breath about men being self-obsessed pricks.

*****

Needless to say, when Julie came back out into the room, wearing the clothes that Mike picked out for her, and he told her about the hairdresser (with the requisite enthusiasm), she was thrilled.

He found himself back in the car three minutes later.

Chapter 8

On the drive over, Mike was thoughtful. He was continuing to consider everything that had happened that day. At the same time, he could not help his mind from wandering back to that image of Julie sitting on the bed with a huge smile on her face. He could see her pert breasts moving as she stretched.

"You know that you can have me whenever you want, right?"

Mike decided that must have been a part of his daydream. He returned his attention to the road.

"Michael, did you hear me?"

He looked over at her. The expression in her face was hard to interpret.

"You can have me whenever you want, Michael."

"I... I mean... what..." Not for the first time, he had no response.

"I would like to make you happy. Whenever you want me, I'm yours."

At that very moment, they pulled up to the salon and got out.

*****

Mike was not catching on very quickly. He should have anticipated the expectation that he would pick her hairstyle.

But once again, he was lost trying to determine the right thing to say.

In the end, the very peppy, rather tiny, pink haired hairstylist seemed to interpret the situation accurately. She grabbed a book of styles and walked him through it. Julie was included as a courtesy, but the stylist obviously knew that the final decision was going to rest with Mike.

He selected, with the stylist's help and a lot of inquiring looks at Julie, a medium length style that was going to accentuate Julie's curly, red hair.

Mike sat down praying that he had picked something that would look good. He did feel a sense of relief a few minutes later when he realized that she would probably look gorgeous with any haircut.

It was possible that part of Mike's discomfort was due to the fact that he had never spent time with someone that looked like Julie before. He had never even really daydreamed about it, as he assumed that beauties like her ended up with rockstars and movie stars and billionaires. However, it was quickly becoming obvious that she was more attached to him than he was to her.

The drive home picked up where the ride to the salon had ended. Julie preened in the mirror a little, she obviously loved her new hairstyle, although Mike couldn't help but wonder whether she loved it because she loved it or if she loved it because he picked it.

"You never said anything before." She was speaking.

"I... well... I didn't have anything to say."

"Is that a no, Michael?"

"Julie, it's an 'I don't know', OK."

She sighed. In response, he reached over and took her hand. He could instantly sense her mood picking up just at the slight contact.

"Look, a week ago I was in the middle-east alone, with weeks more at the job planned before I moved on. Now, I'm sitting in a car with the most beautiful, and most damaged, woman I've ever met... and she is offering her body to me. It's not simple, OK?"

There was a very long pause.

"I mean, look, I don't know what happened to you, but I can't help but think that if I took you up on your offer, I would be nearly as bad."

He felt her squeeze his hand. The same nearly imperceptible squeeze she had given it in that smoky room.

"Would you like me to tell you what they did to me?"

"I don't think it will help anything if I ask you whether you want to tell me, will it?" He gave a very slight smile at this.

"I would like you to tell me, but you need to know one thing first."

"What?"

"What they did to you, regardless of what it was, will not change how I treat you, alright?"

"Alright, Michael." There was a little sob in her voice.

"Can I tell you once we're home?"

"That's fine."

*****

Kathy had loved the haircut and insisted on praising Julie for how good she looked. When she looked at the clothes, a few items caused her to glare at Mike behind Julie's back. All he could do was shrug.

They had dinner with the family. Julie surprised everyone by spending part of the meal making faces at the twins and giggling along with them.

After dinner, Julie and Mike retreated to their suite. Mike stopped for a second to consider the fact that it had gone from being his suite to their suite in such short order. If he were being honest with himself, he had to admit that he didn't mind it.

They sat down on the bed again and held hands. Mike was slowly beginning to be able to sense what Julia wanted, even if she would not tell him.

He noticed that she was wearing the sweater again, stroking her hands on the fabric.

"I was eighteen when agents started approaching me to model. It was obvious pretty quickly that some of them were legitimate and some of them were porn directors, so I tried to be careful.

"Before I got any major shoots, I was approached by a representative of a very significant clothing company. It's a French company, but I've gathered since that it's owned by someone in the Middle East. I completed three shoots with them that seemed to be real.

"So when they offered to take me to Dubai by private jet for a photoshoot, I agreed immediately."

She took a few deep breaths.

"We never landed in Dubai, I think. They put something in my drink and when I woke up, I was in a locked room. They kept me there for a week before anyone appeared except the mute who brought my food.

"Several elegant women came to get me. They spent time trying to 'make me beautiful' and training me on ways to make a man happy.

"After a month of that treatment, I was drugged again. When I woke up, I was in the mansion of some man. He took my virginity, then used me in other ways.

"After that, the cycle began to repeat itself, I wasn't being prostituted 100% of the time like the women you see on the street. They would bring me somewhere different, spend time making me beautiful, training me. Sometimes, they would even bring me a doctor. And then when the wait was over, I would be drugged and I would wake up with a different man who raped me.

"They were all different. The one thing I realized was that they lusted for youth and for pale skin."

Julie looked down at her hands.

"After two years, and probably two dozen men, they apparently decided that it was time to make the final sale. The sense I got from the women who prepared me was that girls who go through the final sale end up on the street like any other hooker, or dead.

"And that is when you found me."

Her voice had remained flat throughout the entire recital. As always, Mike didn't know what to say, but this time he had the sense not to try. He simply told her it was time for bed, went into the bathroom, came back out thirty seconds later, and went to bed.

This time, Julie did not hesitate before getting in with him. She was still clinging desperately to him when he drifted off.

Chapter 9

The next morning, Mike woke up to Julie's mischievous smile as she ran her fingers through his hair. (He did not know why it was mischievous, nor did he ever find out.) She wasn't wearing any makeup, she had bedhead, and she took his breath away.

He enjoyed the affection until nature called, when he finally got up.

Mike was standing in the shower, contemplating everything that had happened, when he heard his name. Julie was standing just outside of the curtain.

"Michael, can I join you?" That was new.

He didn't have a response, or at least not a spoken one. Apparently he made some sort of grunt that Julie took as a sign of assent.

She stepped into the shower in front of him, her blue eyes shining above a bright smile. He did not know why she would have a smile this morning.

They stood there awkwardly for a few moments before she spoke up again.

"Michael, could I soap your back?"

He must have agreed, because a moment later she was stroking his back. After she was finished there, she shampooed his hair. He had never felt anything like it before.

A moment later. "Michael, would you like to soap my back?" She had that same smile on her face again.

As he rubbed her back, Mike couldn't believe how soft and smooth her skin was. By the time he reached her lower back and top of her bottom, he was breathing hard. He had an erection, but was far enough back that she couldn't feel it.

Once Mike was done with her back, he took his time shampooing her hair and massaging her scalp. As he did so, Julie's eyes closed in pressure and she leaned back, until she was in contact with him.

He expected her to react angrily or unstably. Instead, she seemed to relax as if she just enjoyed leaning against him.




Love Comes To Me



A few moments later, they ran out of hot water. Apparently, the back washing took longer than they realized.

He dried off and changed rather quickly. Once again, Julie spent some time walking around the room finding her clothes before she started to get dressed. Mike stared in spite of himself.

The day that followed was less dramatic than the ones before. The two spent time with his nephews and Kathy. They went grocery shopping for the family. In the afternoon, Mike took a nap on his couch. He was joined very shortly by Julie. They ended up falling asleep for an hour, tightly spooned.

That evening, they were lucky enough to spend some time with Tom as well and they ended it by watching a John Wayne movie that Mike and Kathy could quote from heart, but which Julie had never seen before.

When they went to bed, Mike felt closer to Julie than ever. Then as they snuggled, and his body reacted to her warm skin, he accidentally jabbed her in the hip with his erection.

Mike froze. He didn't know what the response was going to be, but he was concerned that it could be a flashback or something. Instead she rolled over so that she was facing him.

"Michael, will you allow me to take care of that for you?"

"Julie, no... I don't..."

"Michael, I am ready to do whatever you want whenever you want, but I know you are afraid that I'm not ready. But please, let me at least do this for you. I want to make you happy."

She continued, "I know it sounds strange, but it makes me uncomfortable to know that I can do something for you and you won't let me. Please?"

There were too many conflicting emotions for Mike. In the end, he decided that he could do no better than take her at face value. He wasn't aware of her having lied to him yet. So he said yes.

She moved down until her head by his hips. He had just expected her to use her hands, but instead he could feel her mouth.

Mike had received a few blowjobs in his past, although they were rare from his domineering girlfriends, but they had always been messy, unpleasant affairs that made him think the girl was acting out of a sense of duty. Julie was different. She was gentle and patient. In the end, he came more quickly than he would have expected, and more pleasantly than he ever had before.

She finished him inside her mouth, then cleaned him off and crawled back to the top of the bed. As a very sated Mike felt her against him again, he pulled her up and gave her a long kiss, before relaxing back and starting to drift off. Prior to falling asleep, though, Mike could feel the slow, warm breath on his neck that meant she was already gone.

Chapter 10

The next morning was the first since he rescued Julie that Mike woke up alone. It surprised him to find that he missed her presence so much.

Mike spent a little time exploring his feelings, something he rarely did, trying to get a grasp on the situation. The best explanation that he was able to find was by relating it to an incident that happened a little while before.

Kathy and Tom had taken a short two day vacation and left the twins with a very trusted friend who they were sure would be able to take care of them. Mike arrived back into town the first night and entered the house to a symphony of wailing. The twins, needless to say, were upset and not overly interested in being consoled.

In the end, Mike spent that evening, most of the night, and a good portion of the next day holding Tyler, who was clinging on to Mike as the only one capable of comforting him. The experience had been rewarding, even though the day after Mike's back had been in so much pain that he could barely sit up. (He lacked the training that parents acquire over time.)

The feeling of being so needed by someone had been surprisingly pleasant. Thinking back to it, Mike concluded that it gave a sense of fulfillment, and that it was even a bit comforting to himself as well.

Mike wondered if it was a similar set of feelings that were causing his surprisingly strong reaction to Julie's absence.

Either way, it was time to get up. Mike showered and dressed, then wandered out into the house to find some breakfast.

He found Kathy and Julie in the kitchen. Julie was making something on the stove, and as he entered she gave him an enthusiastic smile.

"I made you some breakfast, Michael!"

He smiled back and took a seat; Mike was still a little groggy.

A few minutes later, Julie put the omelet onto his plate. She was still smiling happily and he was enjoying just being around her. Mike placed his hand on hers where it sat on the counter and told her what he had been thinking that morning.

"Thank you for breakfast. I missed you when I woke up this morning."

He bent his head to take a bite of the omelet. When Mike raised his head, still smiling, he saw that Julie was standing, disconsolate, with tears in her eyes. She seemed to be struggling to speak.

Just at that moment, although neither noticed, Kathy snuck out of the room to leave them alone. Older sisters, like mothers, frequently know best.

Mike could not fathom what had caused Julie's sudden change of mood.

"Julie, what's wrong? Did I..."

That was as far as he got. Julie interrupted him with a rush of words.

"I'm so sorry, Michael... I didn't mean to disappoint you... I wanted to... I thought..." She hung her head, unable to finish the thought.

She was upset as he had seen her since their third day together. Mike knew he was missing something.

"Julie, I'm not disappointed." That word had to be key, he thought. "So tell me what's wrong."

"I wanted to do something nice for you. It's so terrible that I made you unhappy! I'm so sorry, Michael."

He squeezed her hand gently. Even though he was in over his depth, Mike needed to find a way to put Julie at ease.

"Julie, what you did was incredibly sweet and I don't deserve it. Please don't regret it, although you don't need to feel any obligation towards me like that... I think it was a good thing that I woke up alone, because it let me learn that I missed having you with me."

He continued, "Now, will you give me that smile again?"

Julie gave him a smile, albeit a weaker one than before.

He gave her another squeeze. "I'm bad at relationships. You'll need to be patient with me as I learn. Can you try to tell me what you're feeling? That would help me."

"Alright, Michael."

He handed her the fork. "Now have some of the omelet that my beautiful chef made for me."

She took it willingly from him, and started to eat.

*****

After breakfast, while the couple sat on the couch, Mike considered what he needed to be doing. He had almost two weeks until he was due in Seattle. Cutting out a few days to get settled, because he assumed that Julie would be coming with him, he still had nearly a week free.

If Julie would have been willing to ask to do anything, he would have happily spent the week doing that. However, everytime he tried to broach that question with her, Julie would simply turn it back on him to ask him what he wanted to do. If he offered recommendations, she agreed to them immediately and without question.

Looking down at his gut, which really wasn't big, to be fair, Mike decided immediately on what they should do.

"Julie, would you like to go to the gym?"

He could see her hesitate. This time, Mike knew what she was thinking. Was it possible he could be getting the hang of this, he thought?

"I will be going as well."

She gave a smile. "Alright, Michael."

"OK, we need to get you some workout clothes, don't we?"

*****

When they arrived at the sports store, Mike was preparing to spend the time looking at racquetball gear while she picked out her clothes and shoes. It was also possible that Mike had not yet gotten the hang of it.

She stopped him with a question before he could escape.

"What should I buy, Michael?"

Being somewhat less than expert in women's workout clothes, Mike did not have an answer.

"What do you like to wear when you workout?"

"I don't know."

They walked over to the women's section and he saw a head-spinning variety of choices. He would need to narrow it down.

"Well, do you like to show skin and get some air, or do you like to cover up when you workout?"

"Which would you prefer?"

"I would prefer that you be comfortable. Would you like to show skin?"

She appeared to think about it for a moment.

"I think I would like to cover up, but if you would like me to show skin, I would be happy..."

He stopped her there.

"That's good, we'll find something more modest for you. It's strange, I thought you might be an exhibitionist."

Julie gave him a shy smile. "I like it when you look at me."

That made him think.

"Would it make you happy to buy something that shows skin for when we work out in private?"

Her smile had grown. "Definitely, Michael."

They ended up buying her a few outfits, one of which was very daring, and two pairs of shoes. It all took far longer than Mike had anticipated.

*****

At the gym, they spent most of the time on side by side treadmills. Of course, someone as lovely as Julie was not likely to be left alone at the gym. He noticed several guys eying her, although she seemed oblivious.

Eventually, one of the guys walked up to Julie to chat her up, while she was taking a break. Mike was concerned about how she would react to the man's attention and whether she would need him to come to her rescue.

Within a minute, the man left, looking a little defeated. Evidently, Julie had dismissed him summarily.

On the drive back from the gym, Mike asked her about the encounter.

"I told him that I was not interested, so he needed to leave me alone."

She continued, "Is that not what you wanted me to do?"

He did notice that she looked less nervous than she previously did while asking that type of question.

"No, I was happy you did."

There was a long pause while he wondered if he really wanted to ask the next question.

"Do you think you would like to find someone someday?" He asked.

"Find someone?"

"You know? Find someone other than me..."

"Why would I want someone other than you?" She looked genuinely confused, and a little upset. "Do you mean if you wanted to see me with someone else?"

"God, no! I wouldn't want that."

"Then you think that you will want someone other than me? Because if you wanted to be with someone else, I would happily..."

The epiphany struck Mike then, even if it was woefully late.

"Julie, you're never going to tell me no, are you?" He could see her smiling at him out of the corner of his eye. "If I said that I wanted to bring another woman into bed with us or that I wanted to watch you with some other man. You would do without complaint, wouldn't you?"

"Yes, Michael, if that's what you wanted. I want you to be happy."

"This is tough for me to handle, Julie. If I asked you to do some of those things, you would not enjoy them, would you?"

"Probably not."

"But you would do them anyways, without complaint?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I trust you."

"That's all?"

"Yes, Michael."

There was silence until they reached the house. Once they were in the suite, Mike sat on the bed, while Julie unself-consciously stripped off her sweaty clothes. Every time he saw her like this, it took his breath away.

"What if I said that I just wanted you to be happy? For you to do the things that you enjoy?"

Julie looked at him with a thoughtful frown on her face.

"That's difficult for me, Michael. I feel uncomfortable when you ask me to do that, but I would try."

"It's difficult?" That seemed impossible. He was still having difficulty wrapping his head around what he was learning.

"Why would it make you uncomfortable?"

"I don't know how to explain. I'm sorry, Michael."

"That's alright, we'll figure it out." He gave her a smile, which she happily returned.

"I'm going to go shower this sweat off." Mike headed towards the bathroom.

A few minutes later, he heard the familiar request.

"Michael, may I join you?"

He opened the shower curtain in response, and she stepped behind him.

As before, he washed Julie's back and hair before she did the same for him. The proximity to her, the friction of her body against his back as she tended to him, and the recent memory of watching her strip were more than enough to arouse him.

Julie noticed.

"Michael, will you let me take care of this for you?" She asked as she tentatively gave him a squeeze.

Mike looked at her. He was starting to become convinced that she truly wanted to do this for him. He nodded his head.

Julie moved around front and knelt as she took him in her mouth. He could see her eyes as she smiled up at him. A moment later, she began to happily hum while she was bobbing up and down.

It was a new sensation for Mike, one that made him doubt whether he would be able to stay standing. Very shortly, he came, shuddering violently.

Mike found himself sitting on the floor of the tub, the water was shut off, and just in front of him Julie was kneeling with a radiant smile on her face.

"I've never felt anything like that. That was..."

He continued, looking at her expression despite his shock. "You truly enjoyed that, didn't you?"

She nodded. "It felt so good to make you happy, Michael. I could see you smiling at me and I could feel your enjoyment in my mouth."

"Was it sexual pleasure for you, then?" Mike was curious.

She gave a thoughtful look in return.

"Not really. When I see that I am making you happy like that, I get this feeling in the pit of my stomach like butterflies. And then it starts to spread. It's the same feeling that I get when you smile and thank me for making you breakfast... just amplified."

"It seems like I should reciprocate. Would you like me to..."

She shook her head no. "I'm very happy right now, Michael. Let's go sit down and talk, if that's alright with you."

Chapter 11

They dried off, dressed, and went out into the house to talk while they waited for dinner. Mike was constantly replaying the last week's events in his head, trying to understand what was happening.

"That third day, when I didn't tell you what to order, you went hungry, didn't you?"

"Yes." She looked a little ashamed at that.

"Why?"

"I don't know. I think I was afraid that I wouldn't like the food."

"Because I didn't pick it for you?"

"Yes."

"But didn't I tell you to pick what you wanted?"

"Yes."

"But you don't like it when tell you to do what you want to, do you?" He thought that he might be beginning to understand.

She nodded.

He continued, "Because when I tell you that, you're afraid that you're not doing what I really want you to do? And then you don't get that feeling in your stomach?"

She smiled. "Yes, I think that's it."

"So even if I had told you that you should eat a food that you dislike, you would have enjoyed that more than picking something you liked out yourself?"

"I think so, Michael."

Mike was suddenly overwhelmed with the fear that had been slowly nibbling on him for days. She might desire nothing more than to please him, but he was wholly responsible for her.

"Can you tell me when you want something, or if I ask you to do something you don't like?"

"It's difficult."

Mike decided to try something. He opened his arms.

"Come here, Julie."

When he was able, he pulled her onto his lap and just held her. Mike sensed that she was happy although he was afraid to ask her for ruining it.

That was how they spent the wait for dinner.

*****

Dinner was a noisy affair, as only dinner with toddlers can be. In between dodging food thrown by Eric and picking up the spoon that Tyler insisted on dropping repeatedly, Mike attempted some new tactics.

He tried several ways of offering dishes to Julie, hoping that he could detect hints of what she liked and did not like. He found that extremely difficult to do. In the end, Mike simply took her plate, put healthy portions of his favorites on it and handed it back to her. She seemed to be happy with the result.

He decided that he would need to spend some time finding out her preferences, but he would need to do it separately from the act of offering her something.

*****

That night when they went to bed, Mike was focusing his attention to pulling the pieces together. He did not fall asleep for several hours.

For her part, Julie curled up against him and was asleep in minutes.

The next morning, he woke late. As his senses returned to him, Mike could feel Julie pressed against him. Once he was fully awake, she kissed him on the neck.

"Michael, is it alright if I go make you breakfast?"

Still unable to handle requests like that, he simply nodded.

Ten minutes later, a newly showered and shaved Mike wandered into the kitchen. Julie was finishing up an omelet, smiling happily. When she placed the plate down in front of him, Mike insisted on pulling her down into his lap so that she could eat it with him.

"This is a delicious omelet, and you smell delicious yourself, this morning." At that simple compliment, she beamed.

"Thank you for breakfast. Now I think that I need to get some work done today. I'm putting together some training materials that I hope I can use with my next client."

"Alright, Michael."

Julie turned to do the dishes, while Mike left.

*****

Mike headed back to the suite, which had a desk, and sat down to work. Half an hour later, Julie came in. She simply sat down and waited. Mike wasn't able to concentrate too long with her there.

"Julie, you look bored."

"I am alright, Michael."

"Is there anything you would like to do?"

"I don't know. Is there anything you would like me to do?"

It was probably going to go on like this until Mike found something for her to do. This was a long term problem he was going to address, he decided. For now, he just needed a short term solution.

Mike had no ideas. Finally, he looked down at the paper in his hands in desperation.

"Julie, would you like to read this? You can see if it makes sense."

"OK."

She took the papers and sat down on the couch to read. As Mike watched her read, it seemed unlikely that she would understand most of it but there she was, focusing on it with a big smile on her face. His only conclusion was that simply being included in his life made her happy.

After twenty minutes, Mike stopped what he was pretending to work on to talk to her.

"So, does it make sense to you?"

She scrunched her nose a little. Mike thought it was adorable.

"Only some of it."

She paused for a moment. "Is it alright if I ask you a question, Michael?"

"Of course."

"What's a kaizen?"

That had not occurred to him. The training document was full of Japanese terms.

"Good point." She smiled at him for the small compliment. "It's making small, continuous improvements to a process, unless you're talking about a kaizen event or kaizen blitz."

"So for example, if I went out and bought an electric griddle to cook the omelettes in, instead of a pan, that would be a type of kaizen?"

He had never thought of it that way. This was intriguing him.

"I guess, but that's not usually what we mean. A better example would be..."

He took a pause to think about it. "If you changed the spot that you kept the eggs in the fridge from the bottom shelf to the top shelf so that you didn't need to bend down every time to get them. That's the type of thing that I would think about as part of kaizen. It's an everyday focus on making small improvements."

She gave him another big smile. "That makes sense."

The rest of the day continued on like that. Julie and Mike discussed his training materials. He found himself learning new ways to present the ideas. He also was surprised by a couple of the insights that Julie made. It astonished him how sharp she was.




Love Comes To Me



*****

They were sitting down on the couch together, afterwards, when he asked the question that had started to bother him.

"Julie, when did this all start?"

"What's that?"

"This... relationship, I guess. You focusing so intently on me."

She considered it for a moment.

"I don't know. It's tough for me to remember. I'm sorry, Michael."

"It's alright. I've been wondering about that second night. When I told you that I would take care of you, it seemed like you fell asleep immediately. And then after that, you were different."

"I think so, Michael."

"Julie, I'm concerned that I don't match up to your expectations. I don't think that I'm the man to make you as happy as you deserve."

She took his hand.

"Michael, you may not realize this, but even with everything that happened, I am still happier now than I have ever been. I don't believe that you can fail me."

The trust she had in him gave Mike shivers.

Chapter 12

The evening passed as the last few had and when they went to bed, Julie once again requested permission to make him comfortable. It continued to astonish Mike that she would have been more disappointed at him turning down a blowjob than him asking for one.

When he woke the next morning, Julie was, of course, pressed against him.

Julie's dedication to him may have been instantaneous, but he was finding his own love for the girl to be building. He hoped it might someday overwhelm the fear he constantly faced of hurting her.

He definitely was feeling more affectionate of her. As these thoughts were running through his head, Mike had been absent-mindly running his hand up and down her flank. He was astonished whenever he touched her at the sensation of her warm and soft skin.

Mike realized that she was awake and watching him as he stroked her side.

"Julie, is this alright? I wasn't thinking."

"It's alright, Michael. I have been wanting you to touch me." She had a small smile on her face.

He smiled. "Where would you like me to touch you?"

"Where would you like to touch me?"

At least he had gotten used to having questions returned at him.

"You aren't going to make this easy on me, are you?" He couldn't help but ask.

"It seems like you've already made it hard." She was giggling as she cupped him.

He couldn't take it anymore. Reaching over, he grabbed her by the neck and pulled her into a kiss. She melted against him.

After a few minutes, throwing caution to the wind, Mike started to maneuver so that he could enter her. He was sure she would be willing.

Julie pushed him to make him stop. "No, Michael!"

Mike shrunk back, realizing what he had just done. The overwhelming guilt was nearly instantaneous.

"Julie, I'm so sorry... I just..." Mike despised himself in that moment.

He was surprised by the look she gave him.

"Michael, you know what I told you. I'm yours, but I just can't let you do that until I get the STD results back. I don't think I could bear it if I hurt you."

Mike was speechless. This was the first time he had seen her stand up to him. It touched him what she was willing to risk to protect him.

He pulled her into his arms, just to hold her.

*****

Much of the rest of the day went as the last few had. Julie made breakfast before they spent the morning working on the training materials he had developed. She became progressively more helpful and whenever he told her so, she beamed.

During lunch, Mike dropped a plate by accident. When it splintered into pieces, Julie immediately started to head to clean it up. She had bare feet.

Mike, more emphatically than he meant to, told her to go sit on the couch. He was focused on making sure she didn't cut her feet. Surprisingly, she walked over to the couch immediately and appeared to sit contentedly while he cleaned up the mess.

He didn't have time to think about it until later. When they had a chance, he asked her.

"Julie, I was short with you about the broken plate, but you seemed perfectly happy. Why weren't you upset?"

"You told me what you wanted me to do, and I knew that it was to protect me. Why would I have been mad?"

He pondered that for a moment.

"Julie, do you like it when I ask you to do something and say please?"

"Sometimes." She seemed unsure.

"Like when?"

"I guess when you seem a little uncertain of what you want or if you are asking me to do something for myself."

"And the rest of the time?"

"The rest of the time, I would prefer you did not say please."

"Why?" This confused him.

"It confuses me. I want to know what you would like me to do. When you say please, it makes me wonder whether you really mean it."

"But isn't it more polite to say please?"

"I guess." Her voice was obviously noncommittal.

"What about when I say thank you?"

"I like that." She gave a smile.

"Is there anything you like more?"

She seemed uncertain.

He continued, "It's alright. You can tell me."

"I like when you tell me you're proud of me or tell me that I did a good job. It gives me that feeling in my stomach."

"And what would you say if I told you that I wanted to please you?"

She seemed a little confused.

"I don't know..."

"What if I said that it would please me, to please you? Would you be able to help me with that?"

She gave him a smile. "I could try."

Mike took her into the bedroom. Once they were there, she started to strip out of her clothes but instead he tossed her onto the bed.

"Let me!" He put more force into his voice than he was comfortable with.

Mike reached down and began to pull her clothes off of her, insistently. Julie was smiling widely, and her chest and neck were already beginning to flush.

He pushed her onto her back, with her butt on the edge of the bed. Mike did it as forcefully as he dared and used his arms to hold her down, even if it wasn't truly necessary.

He put his mouth on her slit, and began to lick her.

It was a surreal experience for Mike. He had never considered him to be skilled at cunninglingus and he was a little uncomfortable with being forceful with Julie, but her reaction was undeniable. Within a few minutes of him starting, she was writhing on the bed.

Then he felt her legs clamp around his head, involuntarily. She did not even seem to notice it was happening.

Julie orgasmed with a sudden shiver and then lay back limp. When Mike maneuvered them lying next to each other on the bed, he couldn't help but feel proud of himself. He stroked her body again.

"You came so beautifully. How was that for you?"

She smiled, and even blushed a little. "I have never done that before, it was incredible. I could feel you between my legs and I had that feeling in my stomach as you held me down."

"You needed to know that it was what I truly wanted?"

"Yes, Michael."

They lay happily next to each other for a few minutes.

"Julie?"

"Yes."

"Am I always going to need to be forceful with you to please you like that?"

"I don't know, Michael." She answered honestly.

Chapter 13

The rest of the two weeks passed peacefully. They spent the time working on his training, with the exception of a few visits to the gym. During that time, Mike made a point of it a few times of performing cunninlingus on her. He found that he needed to hold her down each time, and continued to be somewhat uncomfortable with it. For her part, Julie took every opportunity he allowed her to please him. The basic inequity of the balance also began to bother Mike.

During that time, Mike found an opportunity to sit and talk alone with his sister. He needed her advice on the situation. As it turned out, her advice was simple.

"Mike, keep taking care of her like you are now."

Her response surprised him. He had expected his sister to be outraged at him for her submissive attitude.

"Don't you think... I mean, it doesn't seem fair, you know?"

"If you're asking whether I am uncomfortable with the situation, than yes, I am. But if you're asking whether a girl with a traumatic past spends her days happily smiling when she's around you, that answer is also yes."

"Do you think this will ever change, Kathy?" He was asking hoping that she would tell him it was a phase.

"I don't know, Michael." He couldn't help but smile a little at her sassy response, imitating Julie.

"Do you want my advice, though?" She continued.

"Yes!"

"Keep her near you. Listen when she tells you something. And try your damndest to figure out how to make her happy, and not just happy that you're happy."

*****

Mike and Julie were sitting on the bed just before they left for the airport.

"Do you like Seattle, Julie?"

"I think I will. You will be there so I will be fine." She gave him a shy smile.

"You don't get homesick?"

"Not anymore."

He gave her a confused look, which was her typical indicator to try to explain.

"I used to, but I haven't since I met you. The only time I've felt like that, Michael, was when you were gone."

"So you'd travel anywhere with me?"

"Yes."

"Even back to the Middle East?" He winced as he said it. That had not been a good thing to ask her.

She didn't even hesitate. "Yes, Michael."

He again said what he knew he shouldn't. "I don't know why you trust me like this, Julie. I don't think I match your expectations, and never will."

"I think you already do, Michael." Her faith in him was absolute. It was terrifying and reassuring at the same time.

*****

They were sitting in the airport, at the gate. Mike noticed that Julie seemed a little nervous. She was squeezing his hand lightly every few minutes, as if to reassure herself that he was there.

"Julie, are you nervous to get on the plane? I know you have a painful history associated with long flights." Mike was concerned.

She gave him a small smile. "I am a little nervous, but I will be fine as long you're with me, Michael."

Julie's faith in herself was justified. Mike put her in the window seat, hoping it would reassure her, and once on the plane she simply curled up against him and fell asleep. Julie slept most of the flight.

Hopefully you enjoyed that a little bit.

I stopped where I did because that was as far as I could take the story at the moment, I have no idea what should follow or how their relationship develops. If anyone has recommendations, I'm happy to hear them. Honestly, I don't know if I'm capable of fully finishing this particular story.

A couple of my thoughts if you're at all interested in the story... or if you're having difficulty falling asleep and couldn't find your phonebook to read:

1) Sleeping appears to be a very heavy handed metaphor that I regularly use to represent being at peace.

2) Apparently I was reading too many Victorian romances when I wrote the beginning of this. There is no factual basis to the initial part of the story except the fact that some of the government documents rank a few middle eastern countries high on human trafficking nation lists.

3) How they got out of the country, why they didn't get the police involved, how she recovered so quickly... those are all questions I can't answer. I thought about trying to, but I was focused on the dynamics between the two.

4) Within my little 'experiment', Julie becomes his during the conversation when Mike promises to take care of her. For the purposes of the story, I saw that as an unconscious (at least for him) agreement between them to the relationship.

5) If you ask why the female character was so gorgeous, it's because I spent a few days writing this story and it made me a little uncomfortable. So I thought, if I'm going to spend this time being vaguely uncomfortable thinking about this master/slave relationship, than at least I'm going to also get to spend it thinking about an impossibly gorgeous woman. I wrote the story, so I'm the damned boss. You'd better recognize.

Be Kind, Please Rewind.



Love Comes to the Pool Party



The first time I saw Kat, I got a lump in my throat.  When you meet some people, you just know they’ll be in your life going forward.  

When I greeted her at the door, she made me nervous. Her short blond hair complimented her round face, and large blue eyes. When we were introduced I actually felt nervous, her bright smile unexpectedly overwhelming my heart.

Out back she walked around in her swimsuit. I found myself following her around like a puppy-dog. I scolded myself for being so obvious.

Eventually I found myself in the pool with Dan. Our kids hit it off, playing behind us in the pool while I rested at the edge just enjoying the moment.  

Dan and his wife Marie were originally friends of my wife Jackie.  Jackie had dated him before she met me.  Jackie passed away the summer before.  We’d been married for 14 years.

Kat had only been in the area for six months or so.  She was a friend of Dan’s sister.  When he asked me if I’d mind if she’d come, I didn't think twice about it, not realizing they were trying to play matchmaker.


Until I spoke with Dan, I was relegated to sneaking glances at her. I winked at him, told him she was a real looker.  He asked me if I was interested and I looked at him with raised eyebrows asking if he was serious.  

It didn't occur to me until that moment as to why she’d been invited.  I couldn't believe my luck.

I asked him if she was married, and he laughed.  Nope, her son’s dad was long gone from the picture.  He seemed like a nice enough kid, 11 years old and polite.  

She sat on a towel on the grass talking to other guests.  Her teal colored swimsuit was still wet from swimming.  As she chatted with Marie, I think she was oblivious to her immodest position.  Her legs were crossed and like any red-blooded man, I eyed her pubic area.  The hollow of the inside of her thigh blonde with hair that escaped the soft fabric of her swimsuit.  The cloth itself hugging the rest of her hair covered vulva.

She'd only admitted to me later that she treated me to that view on purpose.

I was aroused and didn't leave the pool until she’d shifted.

I’d grilled already, so food was laid out on a table in the house, people grabbing what they wanted.  It was a wonderfully lazy June day.  My only real duty was pouring wine and beer.  The girls helpfully picked up after everybody.  

I was able to chat with Kat over drinks and connected with her. 

As darkness fell, we coaxed the children out of water and into the house. A movie played in the family room.  

In the living room we continued our conversation.  I was a little buzzed, and she caught me looking at her.   

Her nipples showed through her bikini top.  I snuck glances at her belly button and the way her slinky hips rocked back and forth. I stared at the fabric of her swimsuit hugging her waist. I studied a birthmark on her leg.  I was ogling her like a fool.

At one point she asked me a question, and when I went to answer, she spread her legs.  Then she said, "Hey, my face is up here."

I turned red and she laughed, touching my forearm.

"Hey," she asked gently, "you have a wonderful house. Feel like giving me a tour?"

I happily offered her the tour, and we both went upstairs while the remaining guests milled about downstairs. Marie winked at me as I passed her.

Kat stopped me by the family photos, and I pointed out my wife and children.  They had been hung with care when life had a different plan.

In the master bedroom she asked me if she could take a shower.  

In truth at that moment she could have asked me to crawl on broken glass for her. I know, it sounds stupid, but I trusted the judgement of my friends as well as my gut. Somehow I knew she was the one.

I offered to go get her bags downstairs which had a change of clothes.  Returning I saw her swimsuit, kicked off on the carpet outside the closed bathroom door.  I heard the shower running.

I stood there briefly considering picking up the bottoms.  I’m not some creeper, but it was tempting.  I heard her voice asking me something unintelligibly from behind the door.  I cracked the door and asked her to repeat herself.  She was inviting me to shower with her.

My heart leapt.  The next minute seemed like an eternity.  I peeled off my trunks, embarrassed as my hard cock stuck straight out.  I looked up.  

“Somebody looks happy,” she said.  It struck me as odd, my wife would have never said something like that, at least not after she had the kids.  I certainly didn't blame her, it's just the way life goes.

In the shower Kat stood in front of me, a blonde patch of curly hair between her legs. My mouth was dry.

Her body was more MILF than hardbody, but that was part of the attraction.  Somehow I knew I could depend on her, hold her, be at ease with her.  Her breasts hung down lazily, a mother’s bosom. Her wide pelvis and legs, enchanted me.  

Hers was a woman’s body.  She sported a tan that ended abruptly at her white bikini line.  A nude pale shadow of her swimsuit on her breasts and waist contrasted with the skin that had been exposed to the sun. The water sprayed off her as she soaped herself down.

I stepped into the shower, embarrassed at my aroused state, inexorably moving forward toward our fate.  I wanted to grab her but restrained myself, instead grabbing a bottle of shampoo in a lame attempt at dignity.

As I lathered up my hair she took the bottle and poured some into the palm of her hand, reached out, and lathered my cock and balls.  I inhaled sharply at her soapy hands electric touch.  I thanked her.  I couldn't believe this was happening.  She was careful not to use too much, and used the detachable shower nozzle to rinse it off. 

She knelt down before me, gripping my erection as she put it in her mouth; licking, sucking. 

I closed my eyes and looked at the ceiling.  Was this really happening?

I warned her that I’d cum if she didn’t stop.

“Do it,” she said, “Cum. Cum for me.” 

I relaxed and released into her mouth.  I felt almost sorry for her, but she seemed to enjoy it. She enjoyed the power, the control she had over me.  She use the warm shower spray to rinse her mouth and joked with me at how much there was.

“Kiss me,” I said.  She looked at me oddly because she’d just blown me, but I repeated, “Kiss me, I don’t care.”

She stood up and I planted gentle kisses on her lips, gradually becoming more forceful.  I pushed her against the shower wall, driving my body into hers, pinning her.

The blood flowing back to my nether regions as I  tasted her mouth, her tongue. The subtle aftertaste from her oral service crossed my lips. 

I reached down and trailed my fingers through her blonde muff, the pads of my finger gently combing the tangles of her pubic area until I felt the soft fleshy rolls of her labia.  I held back, caressing the outsides of her folds.  

Water continued to spray on us. She ground her pelvis and groin into my hand.  I pressed her into the wall, taking control.

Slipping my middle finger inside Kat, she gasped.  She raised a leg in an attempt to give me deeper access.  Her entrance was slick, but the temperature surprised me.  Heat enveloped my finger and she seemed loose and slick. 

I decided to also slide my ring finger into her, making a “come hither” motion as I searched out her G Spot.  With my other hand I caressed her supple ass and those hips I’d longed to touch.

She begged me not to stop, so I continued until my wrist and arm ached.  She’d been kissing my neck, when suddenly she gripped me hard, sucking on my shoulder, half biting, half moaning.  

Eventually her grip loosened, and she tried to apologize.

I told her she’d have to make it up to me.  

Wondering if I would get this chance again, I resolved to make love to her. I grabbed a towel and patted her dry, taking my time to stroke her legs, her back, her ass.  I bent down and she laughed as I sucked on her mom nipples.  

"I’m sorry," I grinned, "I just had to try."  

"You can keep doing it," she answered softly, caressing my head.

“I have to have you,” I whispered in her ear.  Was it a request or a command?  It was a little of both.

I dried off and and saw her leaning against the bed looking at me quizzically.  I smiled and kissed her, gently pushing her down.  She slid into a missionary position and I grabbed her ankles, spreading her legs apart.  She grinned naughtily, enjoying it.

I pressed the helmet of my penis against her slit and pushed.  I thrust into her, my full weight on top of her, trapping her. As I kissed her, my chest pressed against her breasts.  

I grabbed Kat’s hands and held them behind her.  If by some strange reason she changed her mind, wanted me to stop, she would have been unable to.  It was assault with a friendly weapon and she loved it, her moans increasing as her body jiggled back and forth.  

I pulled out gently then thrust hard into her. She told me to keep doing that. As she cried out, I genuinely worried the rest of the house might hear. 

I decided to take a little risk.  I asked Kat if she was feeling adventurous and she nodded.

I led her to an ottoman at the foot of a leather reading chair I used for quiet time.  

The ottoman had been a favorite of my wife’s.  This method allowing both of us perhaps the easiest fuck both of us would have.  It held precious memories for me that cruelly faded with time. I longed to use it again.  

I instructed Kat to lean over it for support.  She bent over, the fabric supporting her breasts and stomach.  Her head hung down and she looked backward through the hollow bottom crying out in astonishment because I’d placed it in front of my mirrored sliding closet door.   

Kat had never seen herself like this.  I’d describe it as almost like she was able to watch a film of herself, her pert labia and clit exposed, vulnerable and all mine. Her freshly fucked hole was gaped.  It shocked and excited her, as it had my wife when we stumbled on this method.

I mounted Kat, my cock and hairy balls pressing into her. The view was primal, savage. 

She reached back and grabbed my shaft, pressing it to the folds of her labia.  I knew where to put it in, her gaping pussy now obvious, but I let her guide it out of respect. I think she enjoyed watching it in the mirror.  It fascinated her.  Hell, it fascinated me.

I filled her, my cock gently sliding in, finding the path.  The ottoman easily supported both of us. With my strong arms I could hold myself up, hovering over her in the perfect position as I pumped into her.  

Again she moaned, telling me how great it felt. This kind of sex was remarkable in the lack of effort.  There were no weird angles.   I didn’t have to lean into her for support. Her body could rest as she enjoyed my hard cock railing her pussy, skin to skin.  She gazed back at my shaft disappearing inside her, my hairy balls swinging to the beat of our fuck.

Because my strong arms supported me, the ottoman gently rocked back and forth.  In this manner we copulated until I felt the tingle start, deep in my groin and along the bottom of my shaft.  I picked up my pace as she bit her lip, trying not to scream.  The tingle enveloped my entire hard penis.

My testicles spasmed and I finally hunched over her, forcing my cock deep into her as I squirted, then did it again as each squeeze became less potent.

I didn’t care if she got pregnant.  I knew she was the one.

Afterward I helped wipe her off.  We returned to the shower, laughing and wondering if we were too loud.

We descended the stairs, nobody acknowledging us, or giving us clues that they knew what we had done. I went into the kitchen and made her a cup of coffee and we talked the rest of the night.  She and her son were the last guests to leave.  We had to work the next day.  

That evening, after I’d cleaned the place up, I sat in the leather chair contemplating the day. I closed my eyes and tried to picture her face.   I stared at the ottoman and said a silent prayer, asking my dead wife for forgiveness.  

That night I slept soundly, haunting memories of the past year abandoned.  I’d like to think the prayer was answered.