2 comments/ 12075 views/ 2 favorites Robert & Rebecca Ch. 01 By: Two Silver Foxes (Author's note. Two Silver Foxes is a nom de plume for two literotica.com contributors, Silverstag and Redneck Woman56 with Silverstag writing the dialogue for Robert and Redneck Woman56 the dialogue for Rebecca. The author's hope you enjoy the story and will continue the tale if your comments and votes indicate an interest. We would like to say that collaborating in this way has been an enjoyable and intellectually stimulating experience.) ROBERT: I was walking down Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta with Miss Matilda Hawkins on my arm. We strolled on the cobblestone walk, past Victorian mansions, looking for a seamstress who came highly recommended. Miss Hawkins was to accompany me to the International Cotton Exposition of 1881, an event of considerable significance in post-war Atlanta and she needed a new dress for the occasion. Atlanta had prospered after the war and in fact had more than doubled in population since General Sherman's army had put it to the torch. I had served the cause in the War of Northern Aggression on the staff of General Longstreet, thankfully always behind the lines but close enough to hear and witness much of the carnage. I was in my early 40s, Miss Hawkins was in her early 20s but the difference in our ages was not remarkable for the time and place. She was a giggly girl who seemed and acted younger than her age but she was attractive and her father was wealthy, not entirely a bad combination. "Oh, Robert," she said to me, "Don't you just hate what they're doing to Atlanta, tearing down so many of those fine old homes to make room for government buildings?" "That's progress, my dear." "Progress? My daddy calls it rubbish and blames all those horrible carpet baggers," she said, with a pout. "Be that as it may but your Daddy's bank is financing much of that reconstruction," I said. "Reconstruction. I hate that word." I started to reply but then noticed that we had come to our destination. We stopped at the door of a modest shop. The sign on the window read, Peachtree Millinery - Rebecca Hastings Proprietress. We opened the door and walked in. Arrayed along one wall were bolts of fabric and in front of them stood books and illustrations of dress designs. On the other side of the room were finished dresses, some on hangars and a few on mannequins. The place was clean and orderly and obviously well maintained. A sign on the counter said Ring Bell for Service and there was a small silver bell standing beside it. I rang the bell and a door opened behind the counter. A small woman came into the shop and smiled at us. She had chestnut colored hair drawn back in a bun with a pert nose and an aquiline face. She appeared to be about my age. The most striking thing about her were her eyes. They were the color of jade and had more than a spark of intelligence. "May I help you?" "We are looking for Mrs. Hastings," I said. "I am Rebecca Hastings," she said, "Miss Hastings as it were." "I am Robert Jenkins and this is Miss Matilda Hawkins. Miss Hawkins needs a dress for the grand ball at the Cotton Exposition," I said. "Well, I'm sure we can manage that," Miss Hastings said. "You made a delightful gown for my cousin Rachel," Matilda interjected, "and I hope you can make an even better one for me." "I'm sure we can," Miss Hastings said. "I have some patterns you can look at or, if you wish, I can design something special." "Oh I definitely want something special," Matilda said. "Fine," Miss Hastings said. "If you'll excuse us Mr. Jenkins, we'll start with some measurements." I tipped my hat and said, "Then I'll leave you ladies to your labors and return shortly." I left the shop and strolled down Peachtree Street. I watched people riding by in their carriages but my thoughts were about the intriguing woman who I had just met. Independent business women were a rarity and I wondered what her background was. She had an intelligent, efficient way about her and I was eager to learn more about her. I was also curious as to what, if anything, she thought about me. REBECCA: I had first heard the bell on the shop door ring, and then the bell on the counter summoned me. I was irritated because it meant I would have to put down the newest novel I was reading, Great Expectations by Mr. Charles Dickens. Even though it was 20 years old it was new to me, I had bought it at a used bookseller I frequented. I had been fortunate after the War, my father had left me a small inheritance that I had put to good use opening this shop and had acquired the beginnings of a proper library through careful purchases. Still, all in all, it was a solitary life I led. I had taken care of Papa after Mama died, and by the time he was 'called home', as the Baptists are prone to say, I found myself a spinster who must make her way having no male relatives to whom I could turn, I opened this shop. I carefully laid the book down, marking my place, and made my way from my private quarters in the back of the shop to greet my customers. My hands ran over my hair to make sure it was smooth, during the humid summers in Atlanta my hair seemed to escape from the bun I usually wore to form little tight curls around my face. I was taken aback when I went through the curtain into the shop. Before me stood a couple, a very unusual couple. The young woman was striking, of course. She was draped on the arm of a man in his forties, and it was he who held my attention. He was of medium height, but solidly built with broad shoulders. He wore a gray suit, and had taken his hat off, as all gentlemen do when they enter a building, to show a remarkable head of black hair only just beginning to show silver at the temples. His eyes were dark and flashing, and somehow when he looked at me I trembled. He looked at me as though he knew what I looked like underneath my chemise. Once the introductions were made and the purpose of their visit relayed to me, he left the shop and I was alone with Miss Hawkins. She went first to the mannequins and seeing nothing there she liked, she began to thumb through books of illustrations. While she did that I chose several bolts of satin that I thought she would like. She finally decided on a pattern and came to the counter to look at the fabric I had chosen. "Oh, no," she said, "none of these will do at all. I must have something exquisite for the Ball. Something that will drive my cousin, Rachel, green with envy, and something to make Mr. Jenkins not take his eyes off me all night. You see we've been keeping company for the past month and I've decided I want to marry him." She then giggled as though she had made some kind of joke. We decided on a pale rose silk with the proper amount of lace and frippery and frills. When she showed me the illustration in the book, she added, "I would like for the shoulders to come a bit lower as well as the neckline. I want to show a bit more décolleté than this picture shows. And, can you embroider it with seed pearls around the neckline?" I quietly assured her I could and began taking her measurements. I wondered how Mr. Jenkins could put up with such a simpering, childish woman, but kept my voice level and business-like. She went on and on about her Daddy, president of the bank, and about Mr. Jenkins and his land speculations which had gotten him very rich in the process as if they by their successes gave her some sort of self-worth. We were just about finished when Mr. Jenkins came back in the shop to claim Miss Hawkins. She immediately went to him, babbling all along about the gown she was to have made. Although he patted her hand and said he was sure that the gown would make her the belle of the ball, his eyes never left me. Being embarrassed at such boldness, I averted my eyes, but not before I noticed a slight smile on his lips and I wondered how it might feel to have those lips pressed to mine. Shocked at this thought I blushed and his smile became a grin. It was almost like he could read my mind. Finally Miss Hawkins had stopped her prattling and said, "We will come back next week for the first fitting." Dismissing me as though I weren't even there she turned to him and said, "Let's be on our way. Do you think we could stop for a lemonade?" "Certainly, my dear." He opened the door for her and as they were leaving he looked back at me and smiled. A sincere, handsome smile that made my breathe catch and my heart beat faster. ROBERT: I strolled along Peachtree, stopping to light up a Cuban cigar. As I walked I thought about the seamstress and tried to analyze my interest in her. She appeared to be nicely formed but no more than other women I had known and certainly not as voluptuous as Matilda. Perhaps it was her eyes, her jade-colored eyes that flashed with intelligence and seemed to connect with mine on a different, deeper level. I do not believe in love at first sight but I do believe in lust at first sight and decided that I wanted to get to know this woman better, much better. After what I gauged to be an appropriate amount of killing time I returned to the shop to collect Matilda and to assess my reaction to Rebecca and her's to me. Matilda was as giggly and enthusiastic as ever. I tried to share her enthusiasm as best I could but my attention, frankly, was directed at the other woman. The contrast between the two in age, appearance and demeanor was striking. Again Rebeccas's jade eyes seemed to pierce mine and I could scarcely look away. We made arrangements to return for a first fitting of the gown and left the shop, Matilda babbling and myself looking one more time deeply into Rebecca's eyes and trying to get behind them. As we walked Matilda talked and I responded appropriately. I had learned through trial and error that with a talkative woman - and the majority of them are - all that was required of me was an occasional "yes: or "I see" or "I understand" or "I can see how you would feel that way." Matilda's repertoire of conversation was limited to fashion, society and gossip, none of which required a great deal of thought. I decided that what I really I needed was an intelligent conversation with an intelligent, articulate woman and I thought I knew just where to look. I escorted Matilda to her home and, pleading a business appointment, left her there. I walked purposefully back toward the seamstress shop, formulating a plan to seduce the proprietress. As I turned a corner I saw her walking toward me, carrying a book in her hand. Our eyes connected and I said, "Miss Hastings. I was on my way to your shop. Will you be returning shortly?" "I'm on my way to the tea room for lunch but I can postpone that if you like." Thinking fast I responded, "Why don't you let me treat you to lunch?" "Thank you for the offer, Mr. Jenkins, I would be delighted to join you for lunch but I would insist on paying my own way." "Then I would be delighted to accompany you," I said, thinking to myself 'what an independent woman'. We walked together to the tea room and were shortly seated at a cozy table for two near the front window. She placed the book she had been carrying on the table and I asked, "What are you reading?" "Great Expectations by Charles Dickens." "Ah, Mr. Dickens. I have read some of his work. I am especially fond of Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two Cities. I thought A Tale of Two Cities had some resonance with our war of northern aggression and I could relate to parts of Oliver Twist." "You were perhaps a foundling?" "No,' I said with a laugh, "more like Bill Sykes or Fagin." She smiled and we began a lively conversation about books and authors we enjoyed. I was impressed by her range of reading and generally in awe of her looks and intellect. This woman certainly demanded closer inspection. "Why were you coming to my shop?" "I was wondering if you made men's clothing." "I have," she paused, "on special occasions for special customers." "And how does one attain special status?" "Being a delightful luncheon companion doesn't hurt." I laughed and said, "Then perhaps we can conduct some business after lunch." We ate and talked and then walked back to her shop. We discussed clothing styles and fabrics and then she said, "I'll have to measure you." 'Madame, you have already taken my measurement', I thought to myself and I said, "Should I keep my suit on?" "It appears to be a good fit," she said, "If you're happy with it I can probably take the measurements while you're wearing it." She proceeded to measure my shoulders, chest, waist and the length of my arms. Then she said, "I'll have to measure your inseam to make sure the trousers are the proper length." Her glance dropped to my legs and I felt my cheeks begin to flush, 'My God, I'm blushing" I thought,' but could only stammer, "Go, uh go ahead." She dropped to her knees in front of me, placed one end of the tape measure at the cuff of my trousers and ran the other end up the inside of my leg, stopping just below my testicles. As if it had a mind of it's own my cock began to stir and stiffen. REBECCA: As we walked back to my shop after lunch I became increasing aware of Robert ... Robert? When had it changed from Mr. Jenkins to Robert? He stopped briefly to light a cigar, "I hope you don't mind." "Not at all" I said. Thinking it had been a long time since I had smelled the aroma of a fine cigar smoked by a dashing man. I was startled at my thoughts. I hadn't thought of anyone as dashing in years. As we began walking again my thoughts wandered back to an effortless time. A time where men took their cigars and brandy in the study and women took an aperitif in the drawing room. My mind was filled with nostalgia. I thought of the last man I had considered dashing standing before me in his gray uniform. He took me by the arm and led me into the gardens where he pulled me to him and kissed me. His kiss was at first very gentle but changed into one of desperation. He was leaving tomorrow. Suddenly I returned his kiss with a hunger that I knew matched his. He broke the kiss, and led me further into the garden. We walked without saying a word. He stopped in a rose bower, "Rebecca, I want you to wait for me." "Oh Thomas, I will wait forever if that is what it takes." "I don't expect it will take forever," he laughed, "I don't think this war will last more than a few months." He kissed me again and I began to tremble. He looked at me with those dark eyes, his hands sliding up to cup my breast. When he heard my breath quicken he pulled me down to the ground with him. I remembered how it felt. How the pain of him entering me had changed. How I clung to him, wrapping myself around him to pull him closer. Then the exquisite moment when my whole body seemed to melt away, not knowing where I ended and he began ... and I remembered crying out. The next day I watched as he rode off. It was the last time I ever saw him. I was brought back to the present by Mr. Jenkins saying, "A penny for your thoughts." A penny indeed! "I'm sorry," I said, "but the smell of your cigar took me back what seems like a hundred years." Thankfully we had reached my shop and I could pull myself back together as I opened the door, took my hat off, and gathered my tape to measure him. "Now, Mr. Jenkins, if you'll just stand there I'll get your measurements and you can picked out some material and soon be on your way." I began by measuring his arms and continued around to his shoulders. The smells of cigar, soap, his cologne and the underlying aroma of manly musk made me stop for an instant. I was aware of a stirring deep inside me and I fought to clear my head. As I stood behind him I noticed how broad his shoulders were, and as my hand grazed over those shoulders and the pretext of getting a measurement, I felt the muscles there and couldn't stop my hands from lingering for a moment. I took a deep breath and walked around in front of him. We were both oddly quiet and he looked at me with those dark eyes holding an expression I couldn't quite read. I put my arms around his waist and was aware of my head almost leaning against his chest. As my breast brushed up against him I felt my nipples harden. Suddenly my breast felt heavy and there was an aching deep in my belly unfamiliar for so many years. I quickly straightened up and said, "I'll be back in just a minute. I just remembered a swatch of new material in the back that you might like." And I hurried to my back room. Once I was in the backroom I leaned on my work table for support. I was trembling and a light sweat had popped out on my forehead and upper lip. I took several deep breaths and splashed some water on my face, "Get a hold of yourself, Rebecca," I said. "He's merely a customer ... and a customer who brought in a fluffy young thing just hours ago." As I dried my face and retrieved a swatch of material the thought of him with the voluptuous Miss Hastings brought me back to reality, "What could he possibly see in me ... a spinster seamstress." The cold water on my face and the self-talk went a long way toward composing me as I went back in to face him. "Here, I found it," thrusting the swatch into his hands. "We're almost through here, I only need to get your inseam and you can be on your way." I knelt in front of him placing my measuring tape at the cuff of his pants. I pulled the tape upward and was abruptly aware of a stirring in his pants. I looked up and saw him flush. I opened my mouth to say something, but no words seemed come out . Before I knew what I was doing I had dropped the measuring tape but my hand drifted up on its own until it cupped his balls. As I looked in his face I saw the shock of what I had done register there. I scrambled to my feet saying, "I'm dreadfully sorry Mr. Jenkins. My hand slipped." But he and I both knew that was a lie. ROBERT: I was startled when I felt her touch on my testicles and my cock immediately sprang from half to full mast. I looked down at her kneeling in front of me and noted the flush on her face in delightful contrast to her sparkling jade eyes. As she started to stand up I dropped the swatch of cloth she had handed me and reached down to help her up. Her arms were slightly spread holding the tape measure and I put my hands beside her breasts, under her arm pits, I could feel the heat from her petite body and a slight hint of perspiration. Obviously I was not the only one feeling the heat of the moment. As I brought her to her feet my hands moved to touch the sides of her small firm breasts. She gasped but did not pull away. I smiled at her and said, "I'm sorry, Miss Hastings, my hands seemed to have slipped also." She looked at me with a shy smile and her lips slightly parted and said, "Accidents will happen." "What some would call accidents others would call serendipity," I said and slowly lowered my face toward hers. She did not move away. Instead she brought her lips closer to mine. I put my lips on hers and gave her the gentlest of kisses. She responded by slightly moving her tongue into my mouth and pressing her body close to mine. I put my arms around her and moved them slowly up and down her back. She sighed and kissed me more fervently. I gently probed my tongue into her mouth and dropped one hand to caress her shapely rear. I knew she could feel the full force of my erection and she acknowledged it by moving her belly slightly. Usually given this manner of response from an attractive woman I would have moved into full attack mode but something about her, about the moment, caused me to pause. Instead of forcing the issue I pulled away from her and brought both hands to her flushed face. I kissed her gently again and said, "Please excuse my boldness, I don't know what came over me." Robert & Rebecca Ch. 01 She smiled and said, "No excuses are necessary, Mr. Jenkins. We are both grown-ups here." "Indeed we are. And please call me Robert." "I will, Robert, if you will call me Rebecca." "I certainly will, Rebecca and speaking of calling I would like to call on you this evening. Would you care to join me for dinner?" "I would be delighted, Robert but aren't you involved with Miss Hawkins?" "There are varying stages of involvement Rebecca. I don't know what Matilda may have told you about our relationship but I suspect that our goals might not be the same. We have no agreements, formal or otherwise. I am, as you said, a grown up man and can make my own decisions. And I would very much like to take you to dinner." "Alright," she said, "I close the shop at five and I could be ready by seven." "I will see you then." I clasped her hands in mine, gave her one more chaste kiss and left her shop. As I went out the door I turned to her and said, "Until this evening." She smiled and nodded her head. I walked away feeling a whole new set of emotions. Could I be falling in love with this delightful creature? I was certainly intrigued by her, by her looks, her laugh, her obvious intelligence. Whatever was coming over me? Whatever it was it was delightful and I was eagerly looking forward to the evening. REBECCA: My lips still felt swollen from his kisses. I put my hand to my lips remembering the sheer maleness of him. I fluttered around the shop until 4:45 when I could no longer contain my enthusiasm and I locked the doors and pulled down the shades. As I went to the back toward my living area I started to think about what I would wear tonight. I put the large kettle on to heat water for my bath and went to my wardrobe. As I opened the door and looked over the dresses there I became depressed. Before me stood the evidence of what my life had become, a few mousy dresses ... all dull in color, all perfect for a woman who's yesterdays were just like her todays and her tomorrows. Shaking myself, I finally picked my Sunday dress, it would have to do. I looked at it, it was a simple scoop necked amber in brushed cotton, it would be good for my coloring. Quickly I decided to sew a little lace around the neckline to dress it up just a little, perhaps tucking the neckline in to turn it from a Sunday-Go-Meeting dress to one a little bit more sophisticated. That being done, I poured the water in my hip tub and climbed in. I allowed myself a few minutes to luxuriate in the hot water before I soaped myself with gardenia scented soap. The fragrance was always a favorite of mine and had, I thought, an underlying hint of sensuality about it. I looked at the clock and it was already past 6:00, so I rinsed and hurried to dress. Looking at myself in the mirror I was pleased at what I saw, the dress had turned out exactly as I had pictured, not too low-cut but just enough. The lace gave the impression of just a little bit more bustline than nature had blessed me with. I sat down to do my hair and curled it up on top of my head, the addition of earrings brought attention to my eyes. I studied myself in the mirror and decided against the locket I held in my hand. Tonight, I decided, I would appear straightforward and down-to-earth. After all, there was no need for me to be putting on airs with Robert, he'd find out soon enough how plain I really was. Another glance at the clock told me it was 6:45. I started pacing the room. I was getting increasingly nervous ... Why had I agreed to dinner with him? What would I talk about? Would he think me attractive? Would he kiss me again? My pacing was stopped by a knock at the door. I gave myself a quick look in the mirror, gathered my purse and tried to slow my footsteps as I went to open the door. Robert was standing there splendidly in a dark blue suit and his hat in his hand. I noticed that his dark hair was just a little longer than most men's, curling about his collar. I realized that I quite liked it that way. My voice caught in my throat for an instant, "Good evening" was all I could choke out. "Good evening, Rebecca," as he took my hand and guided me in to his carriage, "I hope you're hungry, I've made reservations for us at 'La Petite Maisson'." He got into the carriage and as he was putting on his hat, I became conscious of how closely we were sitting. I looked at him and again my voice was just a whisper because his face was so close to mine I could feel his breath on me, "Oh yes, I'm starved." His lips brushed mine just for an instant and he said, "I hope you won't be disappointed in tonight's offerings." And with that he cracked the reins on the horse and we proceeded down Peachtree Street to the restaurant. The maitre d' at the restaurant knew Robert by sight and welcomed him with kisses on both cheeks. I was startled at this even though I knew of the French custom, a quickly looked at Robert who seemed unphased by the demonstration of friendship. The maitre d' quickly took up two menus and escorted us to a private room. I had never been in a private dining room before and looked about me. It was more like a parlor or salon complete with a love seat and fainting couch. I noticed a bottled of champagne chilling in a large silver urn. Robert was giving the maitre d' an order for appetizers, so I had a little time to collect myself. When they were finished and the door finally closed turned to face Robert, "I'm afraid I'm out of my element here, I'm more used to small little cafes like the tea room." He grinned, I didn't know if he was secretly laughing with me or at me. "My dear," he said, "it's just like the tea room but with elevated prices. You'll become used to places like this, I plan on seeing to it." He stepped over to the silver urn and uncorked the champagne, pouring each of us a glass, as he handed one to me he said, "A toast to the prettiest lady in all of Atlanta." I quipped, "I need to know who she is first before I can toast her ..." Robert looked over his wine goblet at me, his dark eyes betraying nothing of what he thought. He put the goblet down on the table and took me in his arms. I hadn't the willpower or the inclination to pull away. Then he kissed me. Gently at first, then his tongue was on my lips circling them, exploring my mouth. I thought "This must have been what the apple tasted like to Eve." He tasted of faint cigar smoke, champagne and a sheer power that left my legs weak. His hands ran from the nape of my neck down to my bottom sending a shiver through me. He pulled me closer to him and I could feel his erection lying against my belly. I secretly smiled with the knowledge that I had this affect on him. Our kiss was interrupted by a knock at the door, our appetizers had arrived. Robert looked down at me and smiled before he let me go and answered the door. I stood there not moving, afraid my knees would buckle if I tried to move at all. ROBERT: As soon as I left Rebecca's shop I walked to my favorite restaurant, La Petite Maisson, to make reservations for dinner that evening. They were not yet open but my knock on the door was promptly answered by the maitre d' who knew me well. "Monsieur Jenkins. How nice to see you. Will you be dining with us this evening?" "Indeed." "Alone? Or with Miss Hawkins?" "Not alone and not with MIss Hawkins," I replied. "Ah hah, a new conquest?" "You could say that but I'm not quite sure who's doing the conquesting." "Very interesting. Very, very interesting. Should we make special arrangements?" "Absolutely." He smiled and said, "You want the private dining room, I suppose?" "Yes," I said, "and lots of privacy." "And your dinner selections?" "I think I will leave that in your capable hands. For some reason I have become terribly indecisive." "Perhaps your heart is ruling your mind. It happens or we should hope it happens at least once in our lives." I smiled and nodded my head and he continued, "We have some excellent sole fresh from the docks within the hour. I would suggest that with new potatoes, root vegetables, a small salad and a new consignment of exquisite champagne from my country." "Viva la France," I said, "Viva la amour," he said, "when shall we expect to see you and this enchanting lady?" "Around seven." I bade him good day and walked back to my house. I was so deep in thought that I almost walked past it. Rebecca was so unlike any woman I had ever pursued. My taste had always run to women who who were much younger and certainly more voluptuous than she. More breast, less brain as it were. Rebecca was probably close to my age and unlike the usual flighty young female I was normally attracted to she fell into an entirely new and intriguing category. She even ran her own business, apparently successfully. I was confused and befuddled yet extremely happy and excited. I took more than the usual pains in bathing and dressing for the evening, splashing on some new French cologne. French food, french wine, french cologne, the evening was becoming positively Gallic. Viva la France. Shortly before seven I knocked at her door. She opened it and at the first sight of her my heart almost stopped beating. She looked exquisite yet vulnerable. Perhaps we were kindred spirits. I hoped she found me appealing, I knew for sure that I felt extremely vulnerable. It was a new and not unpleasant feeling. On the way to the restaurant she sat close beside me and I savored the feel of her body so close to mine. I longed to reach down and tough her warm thigh but instead kept both hands on the reins, needing to control the horse, hoping to control my soaring emotions. The dinner was excellent, as usual. The food was perfectly prepared, the service was prompt and unobtrusive, the conversation was lively and the champagne was intoxicating although I scarcely needed much intoxication given the allure of my dinner companion. I kissed her only one time, thrilling at the touch of her lips and the feel of her body close to mine. My hands strayed to her compact bottom and I pulled her close to me hoping she could sense my hunger for her and feel my hard member pressed against her. From the smile on her face after we kissed I believed I had succeeded. After dinner we left the restaurant and climbed into my carriage. I smiled at her and said, "Do you drive?" She nodded and I said, "Would you like to drive?" She returned my gaze with a quizzical expression and said, "If you would like me to." I handed her the reins. She took them and with a serious expression on her beautiful face she set the horse in motion. She was obviously no novice when it came to driving a carriage. "You've obviously done this before," I said. "Oh yes," she replied, "but except for my father, when he was quite old and infirm I've never driven for a man. It's a new experience." I laughed and touched her thigh and said, "Here's to new experiences. Just keep both hands on the reins." She laughed and as we drove I slowly and tenderly stroked her leg. She sighed and said, "Now I see why you wanted me to drive." When we got back to her place I walked her to the door. We kissed and she said, "Would you like to come in for a nightcap?" I nodded my eager assent and followed her in. She closed the door and locked it and turned to me. I took her in my arms and kissed her, sweetly and than hungrily. She moaned and I put my hands on the buttons running down the back of her dress. I looked into her dazzling jade eyes and said, "Rebecca when I handed you the reins it was both erotic and symbolic. It was a gesture of my feelings toward you. Our relationship will proceed only as far and as fast as you desire. The reins, dear lady, are in your hands." Rebecca: I tried to look into his eyes, to see if I could detect his emotions behind his last statement. Unfortunately I had not turned the wick up on the lamp and the room was bathed in moonlight, a soft silvery essence that inundated the whole room. His eyes were dark and glistening, the moonlight effectively masking any feelings held there. His mouth tender but unsmiling. I didn't know what to think so I stepped back to gather my thoughts. Immediately occurrences of this unusual day sprung to mind ... his hungry kisses this afternoon, my hand on his balls, the champagne, the hardness of him pressed against my belly, the ride home with his hand upon my thigh. Suddenly I was bewildered, I knew I wanted him, the wanting of him was bubbling up from a dark spring within me threatening to overcome and overwhelm me. I had felt so sure that he would sweep me into his arms, seduce me with his kisses and caresses. I was prepared to that. In fact, the anticipation of being crushed against his hard body was almost more that I could accept. It had been so long since I had been with a man, I had been a young woman then and Thomas had led me into that world of bliss and delight. There had been sporadic lovers over the years but none that stirred those feelings in me that had lay dormant for such a long time. In fact I prided myself in my detachment, I may give my body occasionally but my heart remained my own. Robert seemed to sense my apprehension as he turned to lay his hat on the counter. He turned back toward me and cupped my face in both his hands and lowered his face to mine just brushing my lips for an instant. His hands went to my hair, "I've wanted to do this since the first moment I saw you." He started pulling our my hairpins one by one releasing my curls until my hair fell beyond my shoulders. "There," he said, "much better". He took a handful of my hair and brought it to his nose deeply inhaling the scent of it. Then wrapping his hands in it he pulled my face slowly to his. His mouth captured mine in a slow and sensual kiss. When the kiss broke I smiled at him and took him by the hand leading him to my living quarters at the back of the shop. I dropped his hand and went to the oil lamp. I took a match and lit it then turned the wick down until the smallest flicker of light was put out. Robert came up behind me and put his arms around my waist, nuzzling in to my neck. As he kissed my neck his hands slowly slid up my ribs then cupped my breasts. I could not help the groan that escaped from deep within my throat. He continued kissing my neck, then my ears and I titled my head so as to give him more flesh, my hands going up to cover his. I could feel my nipples harden to the point of being hurtful under his fingers. "If you don't want this to go any further I must go now." He whispered, his fingers finding their way inside my neckline to tug at my nipples. I was astonished to realize that my nipples had grown larger and even harder now that flesh was touching flesh. "There's no need for you to go ... Please stay" I said, my voice low and tremulous from the passion that was building inside of me. He didn't say anything but I felt his hands on the buttons at the back of my dress. When he finished unbuttoning my dress it fell to the floor puddling at my feet. He then unhooked my petticoats and they fell away. He took me by the shoulders and turned me around to face him. I put my hands under the lapels of his coat and slid it off his shoulders. As I labored with the studs in his shirt he unlaced my corset. I wiggled out of it and stood before him in just my chemise and pantaloons. I knelt before him and lifted his foot to take off his shoe, he put his hand on my shoulder to keep his balance. I looked up at him while I was taking off his other shoe and smiled. I remained kneeling in front of him and rose on my knees to unbutton his trousers. His cock instantly sprang free and I took it in my hand, mesmerized by the feel of it. He was warm and hard, and I was drawn to him. I leaned forward and took him in my mouth savoring the taste of him. My hand drifted down to cup his balls as my head slowly move up and down taking in a little more of him each time. His hands wrapped in my hair and through upturned eyes I saw that his head was thrown back. "Oh my god, Rebecca ... oh my god" he groaned. ROBERT: The feel of her warm and willing mouth upon my cock was indescribable. I was thrilled and amazed and ever so thankful that I had handed her the reins. I only hoped that her grasp on my balls would not be as firm as her grasp on the reins on the way back to her shop. I had experienced oral sex before, usually with ladies of the night and with an occasional woman of sophistication, but I had certainly not anticipated this response from Rebecca. She worked her tongue lovingly up and down my shaft and gently stroked my tender balls. I looked down at her and said, "Look at me, Rebecca." The loving gaze she returned with my cock buried halfway in her mouth told me what I needed to know but I had to ask, "Do you enjoy doing this?" She pulled her mouth away from my cock and said, "I enjoy doing this to you. Do you enjoy it?" I laughed and said, "I believe that's obvious and most appreciated but there's something missing." She smiled and said, "And what would that be?" "My enjoying you while you are enjoying me." She smiled and stood up and said, "Mr. Jenkins you are a rare and amazing man." "And you are a rare and amazing woman." I began to undress as quickly as I could, never taking my eyes off of her. She was, by now, only wearing a chemise and pantaloons and they quickly followed her dress and petticoats to the floor. She stood before me with an expectant smile upon her lovely face. Her arms were at her side, her legs were slightly apart. Her pubic mound was crowned by a lovely thatch of chestnut colored hair. Her breasts were not large but perfectly formed, accentuated by small nipples which appeared, to my eager gaze, to be quite hard. She looked at me as if asking for my approval and I hope the look I returned told her what she wanted to know. I do know that I would have given all I possessed for a photograph or portrait of how she looked at that moment. I walked up to her and she grasped my hand and led me to her bed. She pulled back the coverlet and laid down with her legs spread in an attitude of complete surrender. I looked at her and said, "God you are beautiful. I have never, ever wanted a woman as much as I want you." She smiled and said, "I am yours." I sat beside her on the bed and placed one hand upon her mouth and another on her sex and said, "I'm not sure which lips I want to kiss first." She laughed and said, "Well take your time, but not too much time. I fear I may expire from anticipation." I smiled and leaned forward to kiss her on her mouth. I ran my tongue along her lips and with one hand I slowly kneaded one of her erect nipples. She opened her mouth to me and my tongue dove in, tasting a delightful mix of my musky cock accented by some of the champagne we had consumed earlier in the evening. Her tongue played with mine and she reached between my legs to stroke my cock. "I want you," she said. "You have me. You possess me. You own me." She smiled, gave my cock a squeeze and said, "I"ll take good care of this. I value my possessions." "I"m sure you will," I replied. I kissed her once more and than laid down beside her with my head at her feet. I took one small and perfect foot and put it in my mouth and licked and kissed her toes. Because I was taller than she my knees were slightly bent and she could return the gesture so she stroked my thighs and seemed to purr. "No man has ever kissed my feet," she said. I ran my tongue along the bottom of her foot and said, "I worship the ground these walk on." I began to run my kisses up her legs and she moved her body, sliding down the bed to accommodate me. As I lowered my face into her chestnut colored thatch I could feel her lips enveloping my cock. Robert & Rebecca Ch. 01 Rebecca: As I hungrily took his cock in my mouth, I felt his mouth begin to nuzzle at the core of me. As he licked and suckled there, his fingers spread the folds there until my pink bud was naked and vulnerable. Robert moved to the side of the bed pulling me with him until I lay crosswise and he was kneeling on the floor. He took my ankles and pushed them up to my bottom then he put the least bit of pressure on the inside of my knees urging them down. "Now", he said, "I can truly enjoy the taste of you." With that his mouth enveloped me as his fingers found a home inside me. I was almost to the brink of orgasm when he backed off, lifting his head to watch me writhe with anticipation. As the expectation of release lessened in me, he began his torment once again and I found myself once again approaching blessed release. Again he took me right to the brink and then retreated once again. "Damn you," I hissed, "please make love to me. I can't stand it anymore." His dark chuckle told me that he had taken the reins back for a time. "Not yet, my love, not yet." As he once again bent over me my hands were never still. They went from covering my eyes to grasping the sheets to pulling his head closer. His fingers intertwined in mine and he pressed them beside me rising to look me into my eyes, "I'm going to make love to you now," he whispered lowering his mouth to mine. That I could taste myself on his tongue and lips only intensified my passion and I threw my arms around his neck. His hardness came up against me, he entered me slowly. I felt him fill me inch by inch until I sheathed him completely. My hips rose to meet him as he lifted himself up on his arms and looked at me, "I never felt anyone so warm and wet and welcoming. I want to make this last." His strokes were deliberate and slow. I noticed a sheen of sweat covering his chest and shoulders, I knew that sweat covered me as well. As he pumped into me I could feel myself reaching the pinnacle of release yet again and just as I got there he withdrew from me. "You bastard!" I whispered. "I told you I wanted to make it last" Robert sniggered. Then he kissed me again and his hands found my breast kneading the nipple softly between his fingers. I pushed him from me and down on the bed. Without saying anything I mounted him. I didn't need any help guiding him into me and I sunk down on the length of him. I threw my head back as my hips began to swivel on his cock. It was glorious! I leaned forward and put my hands on his chest, riding him with abandon, my eyes shut concentrating only on the feeling of him. It was only minutes before I felt my climax approaching again. It started in my belly and radiated outward and I felt flush. I opened my eyes and saw Robert looking up at me with a mixture of passion and something else I couldn't quite place. Suddenly my orgasm was overtaking me, making me quiver and arch against him. I shuddered and I think I screamed out his name then the world went black. When I came to I was lying half on Robert and half off. He was leaning over me, stroking my hair back from my face. "What happened?" "You fainted, the French call it "petite morte", or little death. How do you feel?" "Rather silly, I think." He continued to caress me hair, bending down to give me feather soft kisses on my eye lids, nose and mouth. My breathing was returning to normal and I began to respond. They were not the frenzied kisses of minutes before, but slow filled with something other than raw passion. Robert rolled over on me and entered me again. There was a tenderness in his face as he watched me. My hands ran up and down his arms and my eyes never left his. As he approached his release I was surprised to find myself once again on the brink. He collapsed on me and his weight enveloped me like a protective shell. We came together, him saying my name over and over, my intimate muscles spasming around his shaft. We both lay there panting for a few minutes, then Robert tried to roll off me. I grabbed his bottom and held him to me, "Not yet," I said, "don't leave me yet." We drifted off to sleep with us still attached to each other, not knowing where one of us ended and the other began. ROBERT: I'm not sure how long I, or we, slept. I awoke to find myself lying beside Rebecca. It was too dark to see the clock on her mantle but enough moonlight crept in through her window to make out her face in deep, and I hope satisfied, sleep. I drank in her beauty and relished the memories of our love-making wafting pleasantly through my mind. I knew instinctively that the love we had made surpassed any other in my experience. I sensed that my scale of values as it pertained to women had reached new heights and wondered to what ultimate pinnacle they might reach. The night air had lowered the temperature of the room enough to make me feel slightly chilled, perhaps it was that which had caused me to awaken. Reluctantly I reached down for the coverlet and brought it over our naked bodies. As I placed the coverlet over her she stirred, opened her eyes and gave me a radiant smile. "What time is it?" she asked. "I don't know," I said, "but time has no meaning when I'm with you." She smiled and offered her mouth to me for a kiss. I kissed her gently, stroked her face and said, "Thank you for a wonderful evening." "You're most welcome," she said. "I should probably be leaving," I said. "It will probably soon be daylight and I don't want to ruin your reputation." "Don't bother about that," she said, "but if you have things to do I suppose you should go and I need to start working on that dress for Matilda." "Ah, yes," I said, "Matilda. I vaguely remember her although if she goes to the Grand Ball it won't be with me. I would still like to go but with a different companion by my side. That is if she can come up with a dress and I imagine that she can." She laughed and said "I imagine that she can although she's not accustomed to such formal occasions. Assuming, of course, that you're referring to me." "None other," I said. "How exciting," she said, "but are you sure you want to introduce me to your social circle?" "Madame," I said, "I would gladly and proudly introduce you to any circle. And it wouldn't hurt your business one bit to be introduced formally and socially to all the swells who will be there." "Ever the businessman, aren't you Robert," she said "but remember I'm just a simple craftsman and shopkeeper." "There is nothing, nothing simple about you, Rebecca. I'm sure with your skills and my contacts you could expand your business well beyond its present limits, granted of course that you would wish to do so." "That's an intriguing thought," she said, "although I can only make one dress at a time." "My darling you would simply design them. We would hire other seamstresses to make them." "We would? Are you proposing a partnership?" "I suppose I am although it would be a junior partnership since your skills would drive the business." "You would consider a junior partnership under a woman?" I laughed, "Not just a woman, my dear, not just a woman. We could call the business Hastings and Jenkins." "I like the sound of that," she said. I laughed and said, "We can work out the details as we go along. Do we have a deal?" She paused, thought for a while and looked at me seriously. The sun had risen enough to show the fire in her jade eyes. "You're really serious about this? You're not just trying to curry my favors?" I smiled and said, "My darling I've already curried more favors than any mortal man is entitled to although I don't recall curry being in last night's cuisine, delightful as it was. Spicy, yes, but not curry." "You know what I mean." "Indeed I do. But just look around you. See how Atlanta has grown from Sherman's ashes to one of the predominant cities of the south, the new south. More and more people are arriving every day. Many of them are women, women of prosperity and disposable income and I believe we could dispose them of our share of it. I have never been more serious in all my life." "Alright," she said, "I'm game if you are, although I think you should be the figurehead. I don't believe the south, even the new south of which you speak is ready for a man being in a subservient role to a woman. We must keep up appearances." "Appearances, be damned," I said. She laughed and said, "But Robert, appearance is what our business would be about." "You are not only beautiful and talented, you are also very wise. Our respective roles in our enterprise will be our little secret," I said. "One of many secrets, I hope."