His Lady Godiva (Lovers and Other Strangers)

by Giroux, L. C.

  "Does this please you?"

  Michael smiled at her "Do you want to please me Kitten?"

  "Yes, I'd like you to be pleased with the way I look. I've never dressed simply to please a man."

  "Yes, It pleases me. Wait, move your hair off your shoulders. I want to see those nipples tempting me to kiss them. Yes, perfect, every man in the restaurant will want you. Let's go, the limo should be waiting downstairs."

  "You aren't going to drive?"

  "Not when you look like that. I want to be able to touch you. I'll let someone else drive, and I specified that the limo have a privacy window."

  "Michael you said, just dinner."

  "I may have lied a little. We will have dinner but what we do on the way there is just a bonus."

  "Oh, dear God."

  Michael's deep chuckle told her he would have no mercy and she was going to be barely coherent at dinner. She should have figured, this dress minus any lingerie was just an invitation to sex. But looking at herself in the mirror again she looked like a woman that wanted to fall into a man's arms. As long as they were Michael's, she did. Walking over to him, she bent down to give him a kiss filled with all the love and longing she suddenly felt. He reached up and cupped her breast, flicking his thumb over the nipple. The silk some how magnified the sensations making her knees weak.

  "We should go or you are going to have to carry me down there."

  "As you wish Kitten." His smile took her breath away.

  When they got to the limo she stood and stared. "Michael, really? A Rolls? If this is your idea of a regular Monday dinner date, what the hell do you do on Saturday night?" He smiled at her.

  "I missed you and wanted to spoil you a little."

  "A little! Something like twenty thousand dollars worth of jewelry and clothes and then a Rolls to take us to dinner? I..." The driver had opened the door and was waiting for her to get in so she gritted her teeth on the rest of what she was going to say. She plopped herself down in the seat. The interior of the Rolls was meant to be soothing but for some reason the burl wood and soft leather just made her feel on edge. She heard the driver ask Michael if he would need any assistance and held her breath waiting for him to explode but he didn't. He just politely declined and asked if he would fold up the chair and stow it inside for him. Michael used his strong arms to swing himself into the seat and Violet tried to relax.

  Once they were on their way Michael pulled her closer to him. He could feel the change in her but didn't know what had caused it or what to do about it. It was obvious she wanted some kind of explanation for the over the top gifts. The problem was he couldn't entirely explain it himself. They had spent one amazing weekend together, hell, this was their first real date! He didn't know if he was ready to admit to himself how he felt about her, let alone say it to her. This wasn't just about the sex, though even if it were the gifts were not nearly enough to thank her. No, already there was a level of trust between them that scared the hell out of him. He had always thought he'd be alone his entire life but now the thought seemed like something far worse than just not being able to use his legs.

  "I'm sorry if I went a overboard. I'm not used to having someone to spend money on and I got carried away." He turned her face to look at him and saw tears in her eyes. "Violet, I only wanted you to feel special, pampered, give you things you couldn't get for yourself. I... didn't mean to make you cry."

  "Michael it's just all so... overwhelming. You are so overwhelming, everything you do to me and make me feel, I just... I feel like I can't process it all, can't keep up. I want to be with you but a little quiet time once in a while is fine too. Forget it, I can't explain it."

  "I get it, I've pushed your limits enough for one night. Do you at least like the gifts, if you don't or they make you uncomfortable then you don't have to wear them."

  "No, No, they're beautiful and they make me feel beautiful but could we just have a quiet dinner, something like a normal date?

  "Violet, I, um, I've never really been on a normal date."

  "Me either." Finally she smiled at him and he kissed the last of her tears away.

  "Here, turn around so your back is to me."

  "Why?"

  "So you can lean back and I can hold you, and stare into your eyes, and steal the occasional kiss." Which he did as soon as she had done as he had asked.

  "There, Comfortable?"

  "I love being in your arms."

  "Good, because I intend to keep you here, at least till we get to the restaurant."

  Then he kissed her till she was senseless, wonderful, rich, drugging kisses that left her breathless, her body a fire that consumed all the oxygen in her blood. His arms around her the only thing tethering her to reality. She whimpered when the driver announced that they were five minutes from the restaurant.

  "But..." He held her against his chest and she was happy to hear his heart beating as hard as hers.

  "Violet you'll have to, um, pull yourself together." He said as she sat up.

  "Um, darling, what are you going to do about that?" she said staring at where she had been laying across him.

  "Hmmm, that is a new problem."

  "I think you're supposed to imagine something very unsexy." She couldn't help but grin and tried not to giggle.

  "That will be damned difficult with a beautiful woman grinning at me. He failed to sound angry at all which caused Violet to actually start laughing. "Oh, yes that will do it! Make the beautiful woman laugh at the poor wretch she has aroused. I pity your poor brother, he should have told you men are very sensitive to being laughed at when they are in this condition."

  "I can't be held responsible for biology! I, um, have to undergo my own torment. It is just, thankfully, more private." Then she kissed him on the cheek.

  "Woman, that is how I got into this trouble!" but he was smiling at her as she rearranged her clothes and put her shoes back on.

  When they got to the restaurant the driver set up Michael's wheelchair and Michael transferred to it easily enough. She was surprised when the driver was the one that reached to help her from the limo. When she put her hand on Michael's shoulder she immediately felt the tension coming off him. When she looked at the entrance she quickly realized why. The restaurant was an old inn that had been bought and renewed by an exciting new chef according to the reviews she had read. They had not however made the front entrance wheelchair accessible. Three steps down to the door and the door opened out into the walled area.

  She knew that hesitating would only make everything worse. "Driver, I'm sorry, I never did get your name?"

  "Harold, ma'am."

  "Harold, Could I ask you to hold the door open for me?"

  "My pleasure ma'am." Violet gave him her most beguiling smile as she whipped Michael around without even asking and as gently as possible tilted him back and rolled him down the short stairs. Thankfully, the interior entry was large and fairly dark. "Hi, we have a reservation. We do, don't we Michael?" He barely nodded. "Dennison, for two." Then she turned back to Michael. He still looked so shaken. It would have been easier if he had just gotten angry but this utter resignation scared her.

  She leaned into him catching his hand and turning so the maitre'd couldn't see what she was doing. "Michael, I am going to need you to protect me from all the leering men when we get in there." She whispered in his ear as she turned his face toward hers. Then she used her other hand to guide his through the wrap of the dress and up her inner thigh. When she felt his fingers start to explore how wet she was she closed her eyes for a second, afraid her knees would give out. When she opened them again Michael was staring at her with a look of thanks and desire on his face. She smiled back at him and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Finally pushing his hand down, she stepped away and turned back to the maitre'd.

  "Right this way Mr. and Mrs. Dennison."

  "I'm not..." The man had already started walking away so it seemed pointless to correct him. She let Michael lead the way so he coul
d situate himself. Then sat as the maitre'd pulled out the table so she could slide into the banquette. She let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Hmm, Mrs. Dennison? She tried to hide her smile. Mrs. Violet Dennison or would the more traditional Mrs. Michael Dennison be better. Okay, enough high school name games. Michael had never even intimated that he wanted anything like marriage.

  "They are all staring at you dear."

  "Who?"

  "All the men, they are thinking why the hell is she with him?"

  "Michael, I don't..."

  "It wouldn't matter if I had two good legs. It is just the way men react to a beautiful woman. The uncivilized part of them thinks that any sexually attractive female should be theirs. And you are Violetta." His using the nickname he had given her at the hospital sent a warm blush over her.

  "Maybe, but I am only yours."

  "You say the nicest things- Mrs. Dennison."

  "I wondered if you heard but now you are teasing. Should I remind you again this is our first date."

  "No need, just trying it out. It has definite possibilities."

  "Didn't your mother teach you it isn't nice to tease girls."

  "But darling, I know how much you like me teasing you when we are in bed."

  Violet blushed and looked to see if anyone had heard him. "Evil Man! Figure out what you'd like for dinner so we can pick a wine. They are supposed to have an excellent cellar."

  After they had placed their order. Michael reached over and held her hand. "I didn't thank you for being so gracious about getting me in here. I was so intent on getting everything set up that I never asked about access. I'm sorry I embarrassed you."

  "How did you embarrass me? By needing a little help? That is ridiculous. Embarrassing would have been if I had let you bounce down the stairs after I had fallen on my butt in these heels. That was the only thing I was worried about." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. He looked as though he was about to say something when the sommelier brought the wine and then the moment was gone.

  Michael had wanted to tell her how much her stepping in when he was lost meant to him. How, what for her had been nothing, salvaged a little of his pride. And he would have told her except he seemed to have turned into a drooling idiot around her. He had planned this dinner to show her that he wasn't some sexually depraved animal. Show her that he was in fact erudite, enjoyed the finer things in life including the best food, fine wine, good conversation. All of which should have been there and was with the exception of the conversation.

  He couldn't seem to form coherent sentences with her near him. The food and wine were superb but he barely noticed, they were now starting dessert and he could barely remember what he had eaten for his entree. He was consumed with her, the light playing in her hair and eyes, the feel of her thigh pressed against his. Half way through the meal he hadn't been able to stand not touching her, even if it was only incidental contact, so he had damn near dragged her to him.

  In doing so the wrap dress has gotten caught under her and completely exposed her thigh. When she tried to fix it he had stopped her. Telling her that no one could see but him and he appreciated the view. She had blushed but left her thigh exposed for him to caress. From that point on he barely remembered to breathe. As the meal went on he couldn't keep his hands off her, first stroking the back of her neck till she sighed and closed her eyes. Then he grazed his knuckles along the side of her breast and her eyes flashed open. When she found him staring into them, her mouth curved in the faintest smile. Damn the woman! Who was seducing whom here! When he could feel the heat coming off of her and could smell the creamy spicy scent of her arousal he knew he would break his promise to her.

  Slowly he stroked her thigh with the lightest of touches. By the time they had gotten their after dinner drinks she was curling her hips up to press against his hand. He reached up to the back of her neck playing with the chain hanging down from there. He turned toward her and whispered in her ear.

  "My pet, lean back for me and spread your legs a little." She seemed to wake from a dream and caught his eye.

  "Michael? I don't think..."

  "No one will know if you can be quiet, Kitten. The waiter will not come back till I pay the bill. It is dark and none of the other tables are paying the least bit of attention to us. Please, I know you need release." His last sentence was barely audible but when he gave a soft tug on the chain she lay back letting her legs relax open. He edged his fingers closer to her cleft, she was sticky well below the tops of her thighs. Glancing down at her nipples through the silk dress he chuckled softly in her ear, "Oh yes, you know you need this."

  He started nibbling her earlobe and was rewarded with a breathy moan as her eyes drifted closed. He ran his fingers softly up and down her bare outer lips teasing faint whimpers from her. Stroking just along the edges caused her to spread her legs wider and groan slightly. When he flicked her clit she hissed like she had been burned. He slid his fingers into her warm, wet core and felt her tighten around him. She had her eyes closed and a soft smile on her lips. He wanted to memorize the sight of her like this, gorgeous, flushed with arousal, completely his.

  He turned his hand so the palm covered her mound and moved his thumb to work her clit. She was so wet but he would make her even more so. He started moving his fingers inside her. Alternating their strokes so they worked against each other. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked into his as she bit down on her lower lip.

  "Kiss me Kitten." He whispered in her ear. She took a deep breath that dragged her nipples across the silk and tasted his mouth. Her arms wound around his shoulders and she pulled him into her like a starving woman. When she did, he increased the pace and pressure of his fingers working her sensitive flesh. She rocked harder against his hand as her lips and tongue devoured his. Michael kept his eyes open fascinated by the emotions playing over her face, all of them beautiful. Finally, he saw her eyes shoot open as the first pulse of her orgasm hit. He crushed her mouth to his, sucking her cry from her lips as he held her body. All her efforts to mask any outward signs had forced the energy in, shattering in its intensity. As she came back to reality, he smiled against her lips and murmured in her ear, "Mmm, My kitten of a wild cat."

  "Oh! You are truly evil. She whispered under her breath. "What happened to not having sex tonight?" She was glaring at him but with a half smile on her face that made him want to get the hell out of there soon so he could do wicked things to her.

  "Umm, Sorry?"

  "If only you could look the least bit convincing..." Then she started laughing and he knew she wasn't really angry at him. "We need to get going, I have to be at a meeting tomorrow morning and my boss noticed my sudden lack of attention to work today."

  Michael signed the bill and collected his credit card. "Why don't I just drop you at your place and then you can come get your car tomorrow night?"

  "And not get out of there till the next morning? I don't think so. Much as I have enjoyed this evening, I think we should stick to the original plan and only see each other on the weekends. I don't know if I can physically take more than a couple days of you at a time."

  The chauffeur helped get Michael up the stairs which was good since Violet's legs were still shaky.

  Once they were in the car, "So you are not going to come up stairs with me tonight?" He felt like a disappointed five year old about to throw a tantrum.

  "Michael, I can't. I need to maintain some level of professionalism at work and that is tough to do when I am both exhausted and hyper-sexuallized."

  "I'm not sure that is even a word?"

  "Ugh, fine! I can't run around all day, every day with my panties soaked because I can't stop thinking about you or what you do to me. Is that better?"

  "Mmm, much. Can't stop thinking about me, hunh? You do realize that if we don't see each other all week then I just have all that time to think up new ways to torment you."

  "Oh dear God."

  "I'm not sure prayer will help
in this case." He smiled down at her as he pulled her up against him. He gave her a melting kiss and slid his hand into the neckline of the dress, cupping one of her breasts. When she tried to pull away he said, "What about dessert? I never even got a taste of these. He rubbed his thumb over the nipple bringing it to a peak. Violet groaned but moved closer to him. As he bent his head to tease the nipple with his lips he chuckled at her willingness to let him do as he wished.

  ***

  Board of Directors meeting, Lyric Opera of Boston

  Michael hated being late but sometimes it was unavoidable. It could take forever to find the accessible entrances and exits so he tried to be early to every meeting. Unfortunately this mornings appointments had run over so now he was good and late. At least he was better at managing his temper since he met Violet. Now things like being late when he really couldn't have done anything else rolled off his back instead of frustrating him to no end. Being the newest board member he wasn't likely to be able to contribute much anyway. The receptionist pointed out the conference room and he found it with little difficulty. On entering the chairwoman noticed him first.

  "I'm terribly sorry, Madeline. My patient appointments ran long this morning."

  "Michael, no worries. Everyone, I'd like to introduce our newest board member, Dr. Michael Dennison, brilliant surgeon and tremendous opera afficiando. Michael, I won't overwhelm you by introducing everyone at once. Why don't you take the space over there." When he was introduced he saw one dark, curly head snap to attention. As luck would have it the space he was directed to was right next to her.