licking droplets of moisture from his neck made her feel restless and uncomfortably hot.
Jessie left the tub on shaky legs, and put on her fluffy, blue terry clothe robe. She went to her cherry wood dresser and opened the top drawer. On top was the cotton underwear she wore everyday, but underneath was her stash of overpriced, mostly unworn, lingerie. She picked up a soft peach camisole and matching silk panties. Would he like something elegant like this, or should she go for the black lace thong and push-up bra? Thinking of her full bottom, Jessie opted for the more modest style.
She slipped off the robe, pulled on the peach lingerie set, and walked over to the full-length mirror by her blue and white plaid bed in what she thought was a slinky manner. The effect wasn’t bad. The high-cut of the panties made her pale legs look long and elegant, and she could just see the outline of her dark nipples through the camisole. She brushed a finger over her right breast and it immediately beaded against the silky camisole. Cupping the entire full breast in her hand, she remembered how it had felt that afternoon to be touched just that way by Duncan . She groaned and shook her head to be rid of these thoughts. What had he done to her? She was turning into a complete nympho!
As for clothing, Jessie was stuck. She didn’t own a single sexy thing. She dressed for comfort, not style. Glaring at her closet, she wondered why she’d never bought anything with seduction in mind. It was almost like she wanted to be ignored by men. Why else would all her clothing be two sizes too big, and mostly beige? Jessie pulled out a white eyelet sleeveless blouse and skirt. It doesn’t exactly scream seductress, she thought, but at least it’s not gigantic and ugly.
After putting on the blouse and skirt, Jessie sat at her vanity and contemplated her hair. Up or down? He seemed to like it down, but it would be a Ronald McDonald fright wig by the time she walked to his place. Up is more practical, she thought, besides, maybe if I put it up, he’d be tempted to take it down again. She quickly knotted the mass of hair into a chignon at the back of her neck and looked at the kitty-cat clock on the bureau. She had just enough time to take a few deep breaths, and make it to Duncan ’s place by eight.
A half hour later, Jessie knocked on Duncan ’s apartment door timidly. There wasn’t any answer. She tried again with a little more force and was rewarded by the sound of barking and Duncan ’s voice saying, “Come on, Han, give me a break.” The door opened and he was standing there smiling at her. That smile was so beautiful; he was so beautiful that for a moment Jessie couldn’t say anything. She just stared and smiled back at him. Hannibal chose that moment to enthusiastically shove his nose into her crotch.
Jessie jumped back with an embarrassing squeal.
“Where are your manners?” Duncan said to the dog, grabbing him by the collar, and holding him back gently. “Don’t you know it’s not polite to do that until you’re asked?” Duncan led the dog back to the patio doors and gently nudged him out onto the balcony. He threw a bone out after the poodle and came back to Jessie. “I’m so sorry Jessie. What can I say? He’s a barbarian. Kind of like me. But I’m better trained than he is, I swear. Please come in and make yourself comfortable.” He reached out to her and pulled her into the apartment, tugging gently on both of her hands. “You look great.”
He was smiling at her again, and Jessie thought about forgetting the polite conversation and launching herself into his arms. He was so much more boyish and approachable when he wasn’t working. For the first time, she thought about what might happen tomorrow, after they’d make love.
Like many women, Jessie had always dreamed of a long courtship, followed by sweet, respectful sex eventually, but what happened when the sex came first? Was there a possibility for more
John Dickson Carr
Betsy Haynes
Cj Omololu
Ted Bell
Michael Connelly
Ryan Clifford
John Updike
Taylor V. Donovan
Juliet Boyd
Cathy McDavid