TrickorTreat Read online

  He laughed so hard, he had to steer sharply to avoid a cyclist. “I can see I took the wrong tack with you the other night. You like a direct approach.”

  “I like getting home in one piece. So far you’ve violated a bus lane and almost shaved the hairs off a cyclist’s legs.”

  “It's worth it to run into you like this.”

  “You’ll run into the pedestrians if you aren’t careful!” That was unfair. He’d stopped at the crossing but… “Who told you I’d be waiting there?”

  “No one. It was fortunate happenstance.” He ignored her grunt and went on. “I planned to call you tonight, but when I saw you standing in front of the bank building, I took it as a sign from Providence.”

  “More a sign I was late. I missed my usual bus.”

  “You don’t drive to work?”

  “This is a better deal. If I drive, I have to pay for parking. By taking the bus, my employer pays for the bus pass.”

  “Ah! An ecologically aware employer.”

  “Not particularly, just short of parking places in the mall garage.”

  He did have a nice laugh. But… “Why did you want to call me tonight?”

  “To ask you for a date.”

  Reasonable enough, or was it? “Where?”

  “You’ll come? I thought you might run a mile.”

  “If it’s a night out at some kinky club, it’ll be two miles.”

  “How about a night in.”

  “When?” And come to that… “Where?”

  “Halloween. I thought I’d invite myself to your house for trick or treating.”

  “Along with the goblins and the ghosts? You want candy?”

  “Just what you keep between your legs.”

  Sheesh! But she’d be lying through her teeth to say she didn’t want him. “Thanks for the compliment. What sort of tricks and treats?”

  “You’re smart enough to figure that out, I think. We both dress up, we act out parts, and I give you the best sex you’ve ever had.”

  “What do we dress up as?”

  “You pick mine, and I choose yours. Once we’re suited up. I lead and you follow.”

  “What if I don’t fancy following?”

  “You say ‘no’.”

  Couldn’t be that straightforward, not with Jud Carlton! She needed think time. “Not to change the subject or anything, but would you make a detour at the next corner for the cleaners? It’ll save me going out later?”

  “By all means.” He slowed and turned left. “But only on the condition that you have dinner with me.”

  “When?”

  “Tonight. I’ll bring it. Do you want Chinese, Indian, or Turkish?” The car pulling up at the curb saved her from replying. She unsnapped the seat belt and opened the door.

  “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  It was nearer ten. Half the city seemed to be waiting for cleaning or shirts, but the delay gave Katie time to think and get even more confused. No doubt about it, Jud was sexy and attractive, fascinated her with his promises, but he also scared her witless. Could she trust him? Andrew said Jud was a good guy, and she trusted Andrew as much as she did anyone-or had until he admitted to tying Sophie up regularly. The thought of poised and sophisticated Sophie tied up and getting spanked was getting Katie’s panties damp. She hoped to the heavens the chemical smell from the machines in the back hid it from everyone else.

  It was her turn, Katie handed over her claim check and her plastic money, signed the slip, and grabbed her cleaning and walked out into the October afternoon.

  Jud was standing by the car, in a no parking area of course, and opened the door for her. As he got into the driver’s seat and put the key in the ignition, Katie turned to him. “I prefer Indian, medium hot, and please don’t come before eight. I've something I have to get done.”

  “I’ll be there, Katie.”

  Neither spoke a word for the next couple of blocks. Jud turned left and took a short cut to her apartment, as if he’d studied the route. She suspected he had. He’d studied her, hadn’t he? He pulled up right in front of her apartment. She did manage to get out of the car before he got around to open the door, but Jud got her cleaning before she reached in. Unnecessary for a liberated woman, but she wasn’t in the mood to argue. But she was not about to relinquish her key to him, which he clearly expected. Heck, it was her front door. Jud stepped in behind her, giving old Mrs. Brown next door, plenty to think about.

  Once inside, he just stood and smiled, looking around in a not too pointed way-he got a few brownie points for that. Katie was half-tempted to tell him to just stay and she’d fix omelettes.

  He reached out for her hand, and stepped closer, her heart took on a pulse of its own, and what her blood pressure was doing was anyone’s business. The sight of Jud, watching her with his beautiful dark eyes, and the twitch of a smile in the corner of his wide mouth, had her biting her own lips. A nice, hot kiss would be very welcome. She looked up at him and smiled.

  “I’ll be back at eight, on the dot.” Katie’s breath caught as he brushed her cheek with his finger, trailing slowly to caress the point of her chin. Her lips parted in anticipation, her heart did a little flip, and her chest heaved as their eyes met. “Medium hot, right?” he asked brushing the hair off her forehead before dropping a quick kiss.

  Sheesh! Her first kiss in High School had been more passionate than that! But it hadn’t left her quivering and wet. This was nuts!

  “I’ll be back!” With that, he opened the door and walked out while she gaped like a dimwit. He paused to wave and blow a kiss before getting into his car and driving off.

  Katie slammed the door.

  He said he was into games, and brother had he told the truth! She was panting for it, aching between her legs, and her bra felt two cup sizes too small. Damn him! She was half-tempted to grab the phone and call every friend or acquaintance until she found someone to go to the movies and be gone when eight rolled around, but she wasn’t that stupid.

  If Jud could do this to her with a brush of his lips, or a caress down her chin, he had to be worth the trouble.

  And it was time for her to take some trouble.

  She hadn’t shaved her legs since the pool closed on Labor Day. Time to defuzz. She also had time for a face pack, a leisurely soak before shaving her legs, and a shower to wash her hair. She indulged herself thoroughly by digging out the basket of bath goodies she’d received on her last birthday, and now her tiny bathroom smelled like a summer garden. She finished off by slathering her body with a good third of the bottle of lavender lotion, and wrapped herself in a clean bath towel to dry her hair.

  She was clean enough to stand up to scrutiny, or better still lie down for it.

  Teeth brushed, mouth washed, hair next to perfect and a bod smelling like the perfume counter at Marshall Fields. Time to get dressed, and what the hell was she going to wear? Her seldom-worn black lace gown was way too obvious. Sweats, what she usually wore around the house, a bit too casual for seduction. After prolonged indecision, and a lengthy contemplation of her wardrobe, that left her convinced she had nothing wear suitable for a seduction. She settled for a very skimpy, white lace bra and panties she seldom wore, blue jeans and a silk shirt.

  She set the table in the kitchen, before realizing she didn’t have a bottle of wine in the house. Too bad! It was too late to run out and buy a bottle. She lit the gas logs in the fireplace, gathered up the stray papers and old magazines and shoved them under the sofa, and plumped up the pillows. Back in the kitchen, she found a half carton of ice cream in the freezer that looked reasonably edible, topped with chocolate topping it would make a sort of sundae.

  Perhaps for afterwards…in bed.

  Chapter Five

  The doorbell ringing had her rooted to the floor for several seconds. He was right on time. She opened the door. Yup, it had been a while since she’d had a man like this on her doorstep. And yes, she’d done right to stick with jeans. He’d changed into black jeans,
a black sweater that looked like cashmere, and a black leather jacket. He also had his arms full, with a sack that emanated wafts of spice and garlic.

  Jud kissed her on the check, and strode into the kitchen as if he owned it. Setting the bag on the table, he reached out for her hand, drawing her close. “Katie,” he murmured and lowered his mouth to hers.

  How could lips be cool, hot, wild, and gentle all at once? Jud’s were soft and insistent as he pressed his mouth against hers. Wild excitement flooded her mind and body. Her skin tingled where his fingers touched. Her heart sped. And when his lips opened hers, her brain all but zapped out. She gave a little moan, pressed herself into him, until she flattened her breasts against his hard chest, and wrapped her arms around him. His hand was in her hair, another caressed her between her shoulder blades, but they were mere background sensations to the kiss she felt down to her knees. She was aware of his body hard against hers, her racing pulse resounding in her ears, and the wonderful joy of a kiss that took her flying-literally. Her feet were off the ground, as Jud’s hands on her waist lifted her so they were level. Katie gasped as she caught her breath, and angled her mouth for more.

  And got it.

  She was shaking. Whimpering under her breath. Her hips pressed into his, as arousal burned deep in her belly. Her nipples were hard, her pussy wet and throbbing. As far as she cared, curry could wait. She was so hot, she’d never notice if it got stone cold.

  “Enough,” Jud whispered, and set her back on her feet.

  “I don’t think so…” She grinned up at him, anticipating so much more.

  “Yes,” he insisted. “I came to bring you dinner, not fuck you.”

  Nothing like being pulled up short! “Say it like it is, eh? What happened to making love, or old-fashioned, good sex?” Sheesh had she really said that? She was too darn hot to think straight, and, hell, she’d forgotten to change the sheets. Seemed it wouldn’t matter. She’d just made a fool of herself again.

  The way Jud was looking at her, who knew? He didn’t appear shocked. Why should he be? He’d used a four letter word, but… “What is it?” she asked, irritated at his scrutiny.

  “I want to make love, have great sex, and fuck you, but not tonight.”

  “Why not? Got your period?”

  He shook his head. “I want to be certain you really want it.”

  And that little interlude hadn’t convinced him? “Did you detect reluctance back then?”

  “Not in the least. I detected passion, desire, and a woman worth having, but I’m not sure you really understand what I need from you.”

  And some women claimed all men were after was sex. “You’ve utterly confused me. You kiss me so I almost climax, and then decide you don’t want sex!”

  He grinned. “Did you really almost come?”

  The blood rushed to her face. Great! Now he thought her fast and easy! She turned to the table and lifted off one of the cardboard lids. “Aloo Ghobi, one of my favorites…” She looked up at Jud. “Did Andrew tell you that too?”

  “No, it was a lucky guess. It’s one of my favorites.”

  “So, we have that much in common.”

  “I think, Katie, we have a lot in common. I just need you to be sure.”

  She was rapidly getting more unsure, but she was hungry. “Look, Jud, you have me so confused, I’m ready to give up. Can’t we eat? I don’t have any wine I’m afraid,” She’d half-hoped he’d bring a bottle, but…

  “Just as well, I think we both need clear heads.”

  It couldn’t hurt. She was out of her depth with Jud, knew it, and decided drowning might be fun. If she ever got her nerve up to take the plunge. Meanwhile… “Hadn’t we better eat before it goes cold?” Of course, he could always warm it up the way he did her - with a look and a smile.

  “Good idea? Want some Rogan Josh?”

  They piled their plates with the lamb curry, eggplant, cauliflower, and lentils, and sat down opposite of each other. Katie making a concerted effort not to brush knees under the too small table.

  “You forgot to light the candles,” he said. Light them? She’d forgotten they were even there! “Never mind.” He produced a cigarette lighter and lit them. No, he seduced the darn things. Holding the flame just over each wick and watching until the flame leapt up and burned steadily before moving to the next one. “I love candles,” he said as the second caught alight and he snapped the lighter closed. “They add to the atmosphere, and these…” He sniffed the air. “Vanilla?” She nodded, locking eyes with his. Heck, they could be old gym-sock scented for all she knew. “Romantic and sexy,” he went on. “Like you.”

  Her throat went tight, and she had to swallow hard on her mouthful of Aloo Ghobi, and clear it down with a long drink of water.

  As she set her glass back on the table, he asked, “Katie, how would you like a love affair?”

  “Who with?”

  He scowled. ”Don’t be obtuse! Who do you think I mean?”

  “You, presumably?”

  ‘Well, would you?”

  Nothing like coming to the point. “Perhaps.” Why play hard to get? “No! I’d say, yes, definitely, I would.” She tore off a corner of the Nan, scooped up a morsel of eggplant, and looked him in the eyes.

  She almost choked on her Bhahn Bharta.

  Jud’s eyes had gone dark as the night outside. His lips parted just enough to show the tip of his tongue, and his chest rose and fell as his breath caught. He’d been telling her to wait, and right in front of her eyes was one aroused male. There was nothing but sheer male desire in every fiber of his body.

  “I’m delighted, Katie,” he said at last, "but I need to be totally sure.”

  “Hell! How much surer can you get than, ‘Yes, I would!’”

  “I’m not sure you know what you’re agreeing to.”

  “What am I agreeing to then?”

  “Whatever you want.”

  “This sounds like a riddle.”

  “It is, in a way. I want to give you the best sex of your life. You agree to obey me, and do whatever I ask, and in return, I agree never to do anything you don’t want.”

  She was right about the riddle bit. It was a ruddy brain teaser. “Look Jud, you’re into kinky sex, right? Handcuffs, etc.” She’d forget about the whip. He said only what she wanted. Andrew insisted he was a good guy…so… “I’m curious.” Or stupid.

  He set his fork down, and reached over to curl his fingers over hers. She felt his touch up her arm, down to her knees, and several places in between. “I won’t disappoint you, Katie, I promise, now eat up.”

  Suddenly, she was ravenous. Probably her mind’s way of blocking out what she’d just agreed to. But the candlelight, the aroma of spices in her small kitchen, and the brush of his knees against hers, all combined to hoist her senses to hyper-alert.

  It was nuts, but she might just skip the questionable ice cream in favor of hot sex.

  But Jud seemed in no hurry.

  And reached over to tear off a portion of Nan. He dipped it into his portion of Dahl, and popped it in his mouth-all while looking at her.

  “This is great.” She scooped up rice and cauliflower on her fork. “Did you get it at the Bombay Palace?”

  ”The Taj Mahal on Western Boulevard.” He took anther taste of curry. “I’m looking forward to getting you naked, Katie.”

  At least she wasn’t chewing this time! “Maybe, I’ll get myself naked.”

  “Good idea! I’d enjoy watching you undress. I’d sit on the end of the bed while you stand in the middle of the floor, and one-by-one strip for me. Everything: your shoes, jeans, panty hose, tee shirt, underwear, until you stand there, naked.”

  “And what about you being naked?”

  “I will be, but I want you naked first. Perhaps I’ll have you kneel by my side so I can stroke your head. I find the prospect of you naked and me fully clothed rather exciting.” He paused to take another mouthful of food. “I’m imagining candlelight flickering over you
r skin, watching the lights and shadows across your breasts, and the curve of your belly, and the softness between your legs.” He paused. “Are your nipples large?”

  As if she’d ever thought about it! “I don’t rightly know!”

  “Something for me to find out.”

  “Seen a lot of nipples have you?” A bit tart, but heck was he measuring them up?

  “A beautiful sufficiency. I’m not a virgin, Katie, any more than you are.”

  Fair enough, but she suspected he was way ahead in experience. “That’s good news!” Sheesh, she sounded snippy.

  “Am I arousing you?”

  “Yes!”

  “Underwear damp yet?”

  This was getting out of hand. “Yes!”

  “I thought so. Take them off!”

  She almost choked on her Basmati rice. “Take them off?” She managed after a long drink of water.

  His smile could only be described as disarming. “You want to sit there in damp panties? Besides, you might as well get used to doing what I tell you.”

  He had to be able to hear her heart thumping across the table. This was ridiculous! Or was it? Wasn’t this what she’d half-agreed to? The thought of following his lead excited her. “Okay.” Throat tight, palms as wet as her pussy, she stood up and took two steps across the room.

  He grabbed her wrist. Not tightly, not to hurt. But he held her securely. To move away she’d have to yank her arm free. “Where are you going?”

  “To the bathroom!” He looked up at her, a little quirk in the left corner of his mouth, and shook his head. “You asked me to take off my panties!”

  The quirk became a lop-sided smile. “Yes, I did. Go ahead.”

  “Not here!” Sheesh! In the middle of the kitchen!

  “Why not? The blinds are drawn. No one can see you but me.”

  “I’d rather take them off in the bathroom.”

  His thumb, gently stroked the inside of her wrist. He had to feel her racing pulse. “I know you would, my dear, but this is where you start obeying, but since this is new for you, I will give you a choice. If you prefer, you may take them off in the bathroom.” The sigh she let out was sheer relief. “But if you take that option, be prepared, when you come out, to lay yourself across my lap and accept a spanking for failing to meet my request.”