High Score

by Sally Apple

“You’d be surprised how much a woman gives away with her posture, mannerisms, body language.” Thor’s low voice sounded like water flowing over rocks, smoothing the rough edges and swirling through deep pools. The sound battered her defenses and lulled her into a sense of complacency.

  The wine was going to her head. Either that or her exposure to perhaps the sexiest man alive was turning her brain to mush.

  “You resist the very things that you want and need,” he continued. “People expect certain things from you, and you feel trapped. Deep down, you yearn for your own brand of adventure.”

  “Close,” she said, surprised at his insight. “Very close.”

  Before he could say anything more, their dinners arrived. She pushed her half-eaten salad aside.

  Thor wasted no time cutting into his steak and forking a bite into his mouth. Briefly, he closed his eyes as though savoring the taste.

  She imagined Thor embraced life the same way, experiencing eagerly all the sensations nature had to offer. How different he was from Dickie who thought eating was necessary to sustain life and not much more. Like most thin people, he treated food with indifference, or worse, examined it with a certain amount of suspicion and distaste.

  It was a pleasure to watch Thor enjoy his food. Red meat and Vikings are a natural combination, she thought.

  She sampled her own steak. “Mmm, sure beats an old hamburger from a fast-food joint.”

  “I’m with you on that!”

  They ate in silence, sharing contented smiles and glances reflecting curiosity and interest.

  Thor felt reluctant to finish dinner, because Shelley might develop second thoughts about keeping company with him. She might thank him and slip away. It was a risky moment.

  A waiter approached and hovered discreetly. “Dessert?”

  She shook her head. “I’m stuffed. Thanks, anyway.”

  “I guess that will be all. May I have the check?” Thor could almost feel her gearing up for a polite goodbye.

  The waiter left a small black leather-bound folder on the table and departed.

  Thor glanced at his watch. “If we hurry, we’ll get good seats near the front. You can have an unrestricted view of the Bad Boys.”

  A spark of interest flared in her eye. “I’m actually surprised they’re performing in the middle of the week.”

  “They used to limit their shows to the weekends, but they decided they needed the practice. They’re gearing up to go on tour.” He opened the black folder, glanced at the bill, and shoved a wad of cash inside. “Shall I ask for ringside seats tonight?”

  For a split second, she hesitated, then nodded and smiled. “Sure. Okay.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Once outside, he paused with his hand on her arm. “Listen, are you sure you don’t want to ride with me? It’s only a few blocks. We can swing back here for your car afterwards.”

  She eyed his Harley. “No, that’s all right. I’ll meet you there.”

  “Suit yourself.” He watched as she climbed into her car, eyeballing her lean body and long, shapely legs. What a cautious little filly she was! But he didn’t blame her one whit for being careful. If she had an inkling of how much she tempted him, how badly he wanted a taste of her innocence, she’d run screaming.

  Chapter Three

  Shelley figured she might live to regret going out with Thor Ryersson, but what were the chances that Dickie would ever find out? It was not like he or any of her friends hung out at the Blue Light Club. It was a different world from her usual haunts, and tonight, the Bad Boys’ performance was just the sort of excitement she craved.

  Immediately after finding seats right next to the stage, which was nothing more than a roped-off section of floor along one wall of the club, Thor ordered drinks. This time, he asked her preference, and she settled for a Seven-High.

  In almost no time, the place became jam-packed with women laughing, smoking and drinking. The room pulsated as though charged with pure estrogen. Restless motion, like a surging sea, increased as the women waited for the show to begin.

  By the time the lights went down, there was literally standing room only. The cocktail tables had all been hauled out, and only half the women had chairs. Rubbing elbows was as real as it could get. Shelley wondered what the legal capacity of customers in the establishment was. To her inexperienced eye, the attendance had to be double what regulations allowed.

  The lights dimmed overhead, leaving spotlights flooding the stage. The pounding music in the darkened room provided a surreal environment for the Bad Boys prancing like four gypsies in their bolero vests and leather pants. Their movements were graceful, yet powerful, exuding machismo. They swaggered and postured, their muscles rippling, as they peeled off the outer layers of clothing. Under the brilliant lights, their firm pecs and six-packs gleamed as though coated with oil.

  When they were down to their tight-fitting shorts, the music reached a crescendo, and the young men whirled away behind a makeshift curtain in the corner. The spotlights centered on the stage, and one at a time, the Bad Boys returned to perform individual acts. Each one gyrated with abandon in his own style, and Shelley could almost smell the perspiration steaming off their slick bodies.

  The volume gradually rose until the music became deafening. Most of the women were on their feet now, screaming at the Bad Boys to strip off their last scrap of clothing. The lights came up slightly, allowing the performers to move into the audience. Women reached out to stuff dollar bills into the dancers’ thongs. The floor was so crowded, the Boys had to step from chair to chair to make any progress. This worked fine, since by now, few women were sitting down.

  Shelley stood up, too, the better to see the action of the crowd. Eventually, one of the gypsies stepped onto her vacated chair, steadying himself on the back as he leaned left and right accepting bills from ecstatic women. He was young, in his early twenties, she guessed. It couldn’t have been his first performance, still his eyes were wide with barely suppressed alarm. He trembled slightly, as though intimidated by all the wild women reaching for him.

  Shelley smiled at Thor. He gave her a thumbs-up, so she showed off by patting the young man’s thigh. He didn’t seem to notice, being preoccupied with the women in front of him. His muscles were firm, the skin damp with perspiration. What fun, she thought, to be in a situation where she had permission to run her hands over the smooth skin of a nearly nude male—a stranger at that.

  Her antics got a grin out of Thor. She slipped her hand higher, stroking his bare hip and buttock. Laughing aloud, she tucked a dollar down the front. Wow! What a rush!

  * * * * *

  Thor guided Shelley across the parking lot, his large hand warm on the small of her back. A shiver traversed her body, a reaction not entirely due to the cool autumn night air.

  “I don’t want you driving home,” he said. “I’ll take you.”

  “I didn’t drink that much. I’ll be fine.” Her head whirled only a bit as she stumbled along beside him.

  He didn’t answer, but continued urging her toward his motorcycle.

  “I’d be nervous leaving my car here overnight,” she protested. “They might have me towed.”

  “Not until tomorrow.”

  “But how will I get here to pick it up?”

  He smiled down at her. “Don’t worry. I’ll see that you get your car home all right.”

  “Well, then… Just let me get my jacket out of the trunk of my car.”

  A few moments later, he buttoned her into the jacket as though she were a child. Standing so close, invading her personal space, he set every nerve in her body on red alert. She flinched each time his hand brushed against her.

  After popping a helmet on her head and buckling it under her chin, he boosted her onto the passenger seat of his motorcycle. He climbed on in front of her and hit the starter.

  The rumble of the engine vibrated between her thighs like a living beast. What a sexy machine!

  “Where do you live?” He tur
ned his head to hear her answer over the reverberations.

  She hesitated. Just because he owned an adult store and managed a team of male strippers didn’t mean he was a danger to society. Everybody had to earn a living somehow. Besides, Thor was the most gorgeous hunk she’d met since—well, since forever. On the other hand, she’d been taught to safeguard her privacy. Rapists and stalkers were not unknown in Loveland.

  He glanced at her over his shoulder, his eyebrows raised.

  Why was it so hard to think when his eyes met hers?

  He smiled. “I mean you no harm, Shelley.”

  She nodded and gave him her address.

  “Now don’t feel shy about hanging onto me,” he said. “I don’t want you falling off.”

  She tentatively slipped her arms around his waist. His large hands gripped hers and pulled them tighter around himself. The smooth metal of his belt buckle pressed against her palm. The intimacy conjured lascivious thoughts. If she shifted her hand only a few inches downward, she would be trespassing on forbidden territory.

  As they zoomed through the dark, the cool wind on her face contrasted with the heat flaring between her legs. Street lamps flickered past at dizzying speed. The throb of the engine shattered the stillness of the night. Once they reached the suburbs, the streets formed tunnels between rows of trees and the headlamp pierced the gloom.

  Riding the motorcycle was like straddling a humongous personal vibrator. Her bottom quivered on the firm seat, and Thor’s hips, wedged between her thighs, added to her growing arousal.

  In Shelley’s driveway, he cut the engine and dismounted, then helped her to the ground. Retaining his grip on her elbow, he led her up the walk. Did he think she was falling down drunk? Or was he the last of a dying breed of gentlemen escorting her to the door?

  His hand slipped around her waist, offering extra support. Either he considered her incapable of walking on her own, or he had intentionally maneuvered her into letting him tuck his fingertips under the edge of her blouse to stroke the bare skin on her midriff. The heat from his touch spread through her body.

  “Let’s have your key,” he said, releasing his grip as he stepped onto the miniscule porch.

  Automatically, she handed it to him, then waited while he unlocked the door.

  “You got any roommates?” He ushered her inside.

  “No. Just me.” She ignored the little voice that kept reminding her she didn’t really know this man. It was not like he was a total stranger, though. After all, she knew where he worked. Regardless of how he made his living, he was a local citizen with a legal business permit.

  Fumbling with the buttons on her jacket, she managed to remove it and stash it away with her purse in the closet.

  “Let me check around to make sure the place is secure.” Thor was already halfway across the living room.

  “It was locked—”

  “Back door? Every window?”

  He’s just being protective, she told herself, and decided to let him do his thing—poking his head into every room and testing locks everywhere. His scouting mission did make her feel safer. Truth be told, the quiet house often gave her the willies when she returned late at night.

  She wouldn’t mind letting Thor help her keep the silence at bay this evening, plus she wanted to know him better. So the question uppermost in her mind was how she could get him to stay longer.

  She nearly collided with him on her way to the kitchen. “Want some coffee?”

  He steadied her with his hands on both shoulders. “Coffee is good when you need to function. But you don’t. The best thing for you is to get to bed and sleep it off.”

  “I told you, I’m all right,” she protested, reluctant to end their time together. This date was a one-time shot. Once Thor left, she would have no excuse to see him again.

  “Do you have any super B-complex vitamins?”

  “What?”

  “Super B, best thing for staving off a hangover. Where are they?”

  She directed him to the bathroom, and while he rummaged through the medicine cabinet, she perched on a stool at the breakfast bar. She laid her head down on her arms. Maybe he was right about her condition. Her head was swimming, but it felt good. No worries…

  “Here, take these.” He handed her a glass of water and two long, yellow tablets.

  She swallowed them dutifully. How good it felt to have someone fuss over her. Especially someone as attractive as Thor.

  “Now, let’s get you into bed.” He scooped her up in his arms and headed for the bedroom.

  In Shelley’s mind, an alarm went off, but it was faint and far away. Mostly, she enjoyed the short ride through the tilting house. Now that her feet had left the floor, disorientation became more pronounced.

  Thor laid her crosswise on the bed. Kneeling, he removed her shoes and socks. His warm hands on her bare feet felt incredibly sensual. He massaged her toes and the ball of one foot, causing unrelated areas of her body to twitch with pleasure.

  “Ah, that feels good,” she said. “Don’t quit now.”

  After both feet had gotten their share of massaging, he got to his feet and leaned over her to unbutton her jeans.

  Yes, she thought. Yes! There was nothing in the world she wanted more than to feel his touch.

  Strong hands pulled her blouse loose from her jeans and carefully unfastened the buttons down the front. He pulled her into a sitting position long enough to remove the blouse and unfasten her bra in back.

  Cool air flowed over her bare breasts, causing her nipples to harden. She lay back on the bed, luxuriating in the sensual awareness he roused in her.

  He’s only moments away from making love to me! The thought tantalized her.

  “God, you’re beautiful!” He sank down beside her, reaching with one hand to cup her breast. He gently squeezed the fullness, then rubbed his thumb pad across her erect nipple.

  Shelley sighed with pleasure, wanting more from him, yet unsure how to ask. Little by little, her decorum ebbed away. If he only knew what his touch did to her self-control!

  When he put both his hands on her breasts, she smiled and raised her arms over her head, stretching like a cat. The throbbing between her legs grew so strong she wasn’t sure how much longer she could rein in her passion.

  “You like that?” His voice was deep and throaty.

  “Yes.” She moaned, throwing caution to the winds. “Take me, Thor. Now!”

  His hands stilled on her body. “Ah…no, sweetheart. Much as I’d like, I can’t take advantage of a tipsy woman.”

  “What?” The familiar sting of rejection brought tears to her eyes. “I keep telling you, I’m not—”

  “Shelley—”

  “But I am horny!”

  He smiled and shook his head as though in wonder. “We can discuss that condition when you’re fully conscious.” He showed his reluctance to follow through with his decision by continuing to play with her breasts.

  “Thor! You’re torturing me!”

  “I know, baby. I’m suffering, too. But we’d better wait.”

  She placed her hands atop his to feel his fingers moving on her breasts. “Do you know why I went to your shop this afternoon? Why I really went there? I was trying to get up enough nerve to ask you…”

  “Ask me what?”

  “If you would make good on your offer. You said you would tutor me in the finer points of sex.”

  “Baby, you know I will. It would be my sublime pleasure.”

  “Then what are you waiting for? I’m ready.”

  He groaned. “You deserve more than a quick fuck. You’re under the influence, and I can’t in good conscience—”

  “I’m not incapacitated, I’m just less inhibited than usual. Please, Thor, do me!”

  “You’re too sexy for your own good!” He lowered his mouth to her right breast. His tongue felt so hot on her skin! The way his beard and mustache brushed her flesh was the most erotic thing she had ever imagined.

  “Fuck
me, Thor!”

  “You have no idea how much I want to!” His trembling hands stroked her body on each side from rib cage to hip, gripped the waistband of her jeans and slid them down her legs. His mouth followed, leaving a trail of kisses down across her stomach and belly.

  “Yes, Thor! Yes!” If he so much as touched her where it counted, she would become his willing slave. She kicked her jeans and panties off her ankles, letting them drop to the floor.

  Slowly he rose to his feet, obviously torn. “I can’t.”

  Entirely naked, she squirmed on the bed, glorying in the feel of the soft coverlet against her back. The cool air flowing across her skin contributed to her feeling of abandonment. She wanted him on top of her, rubbing his bare skin on hers. She parted her legs in a silent invitation.

  Thor’s expression, as he gazed down at her, reflected his painful dilemma. Kneeling again beside the bed, he gripped her upper thighs and made a wistful sound. He lowered his head to kiss the inside of her knee.

  “You little vixen!” he said. “I won’t fuck you tonight. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. But if you feel the same way in the morning, I’ll be more than happy to oblige you.”

  “I’ll die if I have to wait until then!”

  With a strangled sound, he pulled her hips closer to the edge of the bed. “All right, darling. Spread your knees wider.”

  When she did so, he stroked a finger down her slippery crease. Fire spread through her, out of control. She thrust her hips up against his hand, whimpering from the force of her desire.

  With his thumbs, he parted her labia, and bent to plunge his tongue inside. His soft hair brushed her inner thighs and his coarser mustache pressed against her clit, awakening nerves she didn’t know she had.

  She cried out, nearly overwhelmed with the intense stimulation. Nothing in this world had ever felt so good. She lifted her legs, one at a time, and propped them on his broad shoulders, giving him access to any part of her that he wanted.

  His tongue moved to her clit, and she screamed his name. He pressed his mouth against her firmly, sucking and teasing her engorged bud with the tip of his tongue.

  Delirious with pleasure, she closed her eyes and panted for air. More! She craved more of his tender mercy! The power of her long-suppressed desires consumed her like a raging fire, spreading through her body and sizzling on her skin. Deep inside, she bloomed outward like a flower reaching for the sun.