Chapter Four

Cassandra

 

I couldn’t deny my surprise or joy—my mouse had turned into a tiger and I kinda liked it. Any other questions could wait. I might have behaved like I was always in control, but the truth was I needed her. Her disappearance had hurt more than I’d expected. My heart, once fleetingly open, had shut down again. But here was a chance, if I was brave enough to take it.

“It sounds like you have everything planned,” I said. A brief worried expression passed across her face in response to my words. I moved to lie on my back. Wanting to reassure her, I said, “I can’t wait.” And I wasn’t lying.

Ronnie positioned herself across my thighs then undid each of the straps of her teddy and let her breasts spill over the corset. She looked magnificent with her long red hair pooled around her shoulders. I couldn’t help myself. I reached up and pinched a nipple between my fingers. She groaned, a noise which turned into a growl.

“You like that, don’t you?” I said. I squeezed harder, testing her desire.

“More. Make me feel.” I loved to see her like this. As Ronnie arched her back, pushing her breasts toward me, the dampness between my legs increased. I did as she asked.

A thought struck me. “I’m going to get some nipple clamps for you,” I whispered. Her gaze met mine. I saw no fear, only curiosity. “Would you like that, my pet? I suspect you would.”

“I want to kiss you,” she said.

I expected her to lean forward and press our mouths together, but instead she slipped a finger to my pussy. “You’re so wet,” she said, her pupils now just black with the smallest outline of blue.

“And whose fault is that, Ronnie?” Her eyes widened when I used her name.

Her mouth curved up slightly. “I guess it’s mine.” She brought her finger out of my folds, lifted it to her nose, moaned then reached out and rubbed it on one of my nipples. It hardened under her touch.

“This way I get to taste you too,” she said. I arched my back, wanting her lips, tongue and teeth on my flesh. She touched me with the tip of her tongue. “More,” I said. She licked and sucked one nipple then the other. She made me ache so deep inside. Finally, she stopped and kissed me, making sure her nipples touched mine. Her tongue pushed my lips apart. She fucked my mouth, plunging in over and over. I longed to feel her do the same elsewhere and lifted my hips.

Ronnie sat back and lifted the double-ended dildo. “Do you want this?” she asked, teasingly.

“Yes. Please. I need something inside me. Need to feel. Need to come. Want to see you come.” The strength of my desire surprised me. It had been so long since I’d felt such a craving.

Ronnie edged back to position herself between my thighs. “Open your legs so I can slip this in. You’re wet enough to take it.”

She eased the silicone toy inside me, stretching me, filling me. It was angled to find the elusive G-spot. “What the…?” The vibration startled me.

Ronnie grinned. “Did I not mention it has extra features?” She pressed the remote and changed the setting to a pulse then another, which started slowly and built. “Now for me,” she said.

I moved my legs together again as she raised herself to straddle me. She lowered herself slowly. Shit, it was hot seeing the toy slip inside her.

“Oh, that’s good,” she said, rising and falling, leaving the vibration on fast and even. I thrust up to meet her coming down.

“Yes, that’s it,” she said, her head thrown back.

She rode me, increasing the vibration and her movements. I felt a gathering deep inside, that feeling when the world centers within then explodes outward in ripple after ripple. I was nearly there, holding my breath, gasping for air then holding it again, waiting, waiting, until…

“I’m close,” I said.

“Me too. Oh God, so close.” Her mouth fell open as her head fell back. My orgasm screamed out of me as hers hit.

“Yes!” she shouted. “Oh yes.” She continued moving. I let the waves wash over me and clutched at the bed sheet until I could take no more. “Please,” I said. “Too much.” Tears came unbidden. The vibration stopped and Ronnie lifted herself off and withdrew the toy, leaving me empty, before quickly removing her clothes. She fell in beside me as I continued to pant, stroking my hair, soothing me, bringing me back down.

“Are you all right? You’re crying. I didn’t hurt you, did I?

“No,” I assured her. Different emotions screamed for attention. My body shook as contractions still came like the aftershocks of an earthquake. She had rocked my world. I’d never allowed anyone to get under my skin, to make me need, but somehow, she had. She held out her arms and I entered them without thinking, laying my head on her breast, loving the feeling of being held, totally confused by my lack of control. This wasn’t me. I didn’t cuddle or get cuddled, yet here I was with her arms wrapped around me, holding me, preventing me from falling apart. I yawned as tiredness overcame me.

She stared at me. “You will stay, won’t you, Cass? I know we haven’t usually but…”

“I want to stay, Ronnie. That was…” I didn’t have words, not for this.

“I know we still need to talk, but not now—now we need to sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”

How had the tables turned? How had I lost control? And why didn’t I care? I closed my eyes. Surrounded by her warmth, I let sleep overtake me.

 

* * * *

 

The morning brought more pleasure. “Oh yeah, just there.” My knees buckled and I held on to Ronnie’s shoulders as she brought me to orgasm while water cascaded over both of us. “So good,” I managed between breaths. She kissed me and stepped out of the enclosure, wrapped a towel around herself then held another open for me.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. I’ll order a full English for us both, shall I?”

Still leaning against the tiled wall, getting my breath back, I replied, “Sounds wonderful.” I stepped out of the shower and let her wrap the towel and her arms around me. I tried to ignore how comfortable this was. We still had to talk. I guess we’d both used sex to put off conversing just in case we didn’t want the same thing. Everything could change in an instant. Getting carried away was for fools, and I prided myself on not being a fool.

Thirty minutes later, we were dressed, last night’s food had been cleared, and the smell of smoked bacon filled my senses. I needed coffee while Ronnie, who had not succumbed to American likes, had ordered breakfast tea.

“I want to ask you something,” Ronnie said.

Okay, time to find out why I was here. “I’m listening.”

She took my hand. “What we had in America was what I needed then, but it’s not what I want now.” I opened my mouth, thought better, and closed it again. Don’t interrupt. This is her time. Her grasp tightened.

“I think—if we give it a chance—we could build a relationship. I want to try, Cass, to find out.”

There it was. Could I take that leap? I’d never trusted anyone enough in the past. Could I trust her? Could I make myself that vulnerable? I didn’t answer.

Ronnie continued, her gaze searching for any response, “I need to know we’re on the same page—if that’s what you want.”

I asked myself again. Is this what I want? My heart ached, but my head… The dynamics of our relationship had certainly changed. I’d never been good at giving up control, but with Ronnie, it didn’t seem to matter. Could I have the best of both worlds? Did we have a chance? Could I take so big a leap? People had let me down, from the father I never knew to the mother who preferred drugs to me. My foster parents had offered food and shelter, but not much love. Still, I’d been luckier than some. Bosses had sought to exploit me until I’d worked out how I could use my talents in other ways. Could I change—settle down with one person?

“I want to,” I said, quietly. I needed her to understand. “There are reasons why I like to be in control. I’ve never had what I’d call a normal relationship, but this may be the time. I’ll make mistakes, Ronnie. I’m used to getting my own way.”

Ronnie leaned forward. “I’m more than happy to fulfill every one of your needs, whatever they are,” she assured me. “I have needs too.”

Shit! The hairs on the back of my neck and my arms rose. “Can we do something different together?” I asked. “Have some fun?” We’d have time to talk later. Now I simply wanted to enjoy her company.

Ronnie gave me what I can only describe as a beaming smile. “Great minds think alike. I was hoping you’d say that. How about we start by getting out of here and acting like ordinary tourists? There’s lots to do in Brighton. We could wander around the shops, go on the pier, even visit the Pavilion. I need some air and the sun is already shining.”

I loved the way her eyes lit up with excitement as she spoke. “I’d like that,” I said. “We have tonight as well. We could go out somewhere—dancing, even. It’s an LGBT-friendly town.”

Ronnie took hold of my hands. “Talking of dancing…umm, there’s something else I’d like to ask you in the spirit of getting to know each other and moving toward being together. I know it’s soon, and you don’t have to say yes, even though I’d love you to—”

I placed a finger on her lips. “It’s okay,” I said, slowly. “Just ask me.”

“Right. Well. My sister is getting married next Saturday. I’m a bridesmaid and I’d like you to come with me—as my friend. Not girlfriend. I know it’s soon for that.”

Was it? I wasn’t sure. Girlfriend sounded nice to my ears.

“Are you ready to meet my family, Cass?”

Time to throw caution to the wind. I had the feeling it was all or nothing now. We couldn’t go back to what we’d had. “That’s dropping me in the deep end,” I said. “But on the plus side, it gives me an excuse to buy a new outfit. I’d love to come with you.” I could afford to treat myself to something new if I dipped into my funds.

“Good.” She pressed a palm to her chest and breathed out slowly. “Let’s go.”

Brighton was known for its shopping area, the Lanes, and we wandered through the many narrow streets with their little shops and cafes. The Internet had told us there were boutiques of all sorts, including those catering for women beyond a size ten.

“What about this one?” Ronnie asked, standing in front of a clothes shop painted in rainbow colors. “It says they have outfits perfect for a summer wedding.”

“What are you wearing?” I asked. “She’s not making you wear pink flounces, is she? You know you haven’t told me anything about her and her husband-to-be, or much about your mum.” I was curious, but I hadn’t said anything about mine either. “All you’ve said is how much you both owe her.”

“The answer to your first question is that the dress is dark green. There are no flounces and it has pockets. Marty’s nieces are also bridesmaids, but they’re only six and eight. Marty is the groom. My sister is Theresa. She’s a year younger than me. They’re having a civil service at a hotel with the reception there as well. It’s one of those fully inclusive packages. Why don’t we go in and I’ll tell you more later?”

In the end, I chose the first dress I tried on, as often happens. It wasn’t my usual structured style. The forecast said the heatwave would continue. This dress flowed from under the bodice, had mid-length sleeves and reached to mid-calf. I loved the multitude of purple shades. But the trouble with boutiques is they have boutique prices. I’d never spent so much on a single piece of clothing. It must have shown on my face.

“Let me,” Ronnie said. “After all, I invited you to the wedding. You’ll need shoes and a handbag too, and a hat if the sun is out.”

“I can’t,” I said. “I’ve always paid my own way. I’m sure there’ll be something else.” I put the dress back on the hanger.

She moved in closer. “But I want to see you in it. Please, let me. Consider it a birthday present for all those I missed.”

“But you’ve paid for this whole weekend,” I protested. I won’t deny I’ve let women buy me presents in the past, but this was different.

“Cass, I don’t care. I bet you don’t treat yourself often enough.” Had she guessed how I searched charity shops for the classic pieces I wore, or sometimes made my own versions? “I know you like to be in control, but this weekend…”

She didn’t need to finish. “Okay, just this once,” I conceded. “And I already have suitable shoes and a handbag. A big straw hat with a purple scarf wrapped around will do, or I can use the optional belt from the dress. It’ll be perfect.” Her smile set my heart fluttering. Shit, I had it bad. What the hell was happening to me?

“Of course it’ll be perfect. You’ll be wearing it.” She strode to the desk. “We’ll have this one, please.”

This Ronnie was so different. Here she was in command, used to giving instructions, and expecting great service. That I could bend her to my own will brought an aching desire to drag her into the changing room. Heat rushed to my face. Fuck. I never blush, but here I am.

Once outside, Ronnie took my elbow. “There’s another shop I want to visit just around the corner.”

We walked arm-in-arm down a lane lined with more shops and cafes. People sat outside in the sunshine and we had to maneuver around them. We stopped outside a shop which, from the display in the window, specialized in the more exotic and erotic end of lingerie.

“I ordered something for the wedding, and I need to collect it. They deliver, but I hoped you might like to have a look inside, too. They’re LGBT friendly.”

I wandered around the place while Ronnie collected her purchases. My gaze settled on some lingerie on display in the corner. I’d never seen anything similar. The background color was black, but it was decorated with embroidery patterned like stained glass with so many colors. It was beautiful but… Maybe I could dip into my savings for this instead of the dress? I had my two corsets and some pieces I kept for special occasions, but this was beyond them.

“Ready?”

I jumped when Ronnie appeared behind me and turned reluctantly away from the display. “Yes, let’s go to the pier and get fish and chips,” I said. “You can’t come to the seaside and not eat fish and chips, and I’m starving.”