Chapter Five

Honesty and Openness

 

Words spilled from Melody, making Curtis grin. When he’d suggested sharing her history, he hadn’t expected her to start at the literal beginning. He only half-listened to her story of awkward virgin sex in the back of a car. His focus was on the pink in her cheeks and the tips of her ears. Her freckles stood out and despite her apparent embarrassment, her voice was steady and smooth, melodic in a way he hadn’t heard in the ambulance. Her confused words had been jerky and broken. Likewise, her phone message had consisted primarily of expletives.

Tonight he was discovering her, replacing his first impression of a blood-caked, confused cutie with one that overcame her fears and was willing to risk much in the hope of getting what she wanted. Melody made him laugh and warmed his heart. She was utterly honest in her horrible, hilarious, deeply personal details, which went beyond attractive to admirable. The longer she talked, the more certain he became that as a sub, she would hide nothing. That went beyond attractive to sexy as hell.

His fingers spun the folded up sheet of paper with her list of limits. The white square stood out on the dark brown table, set away from their plates and glasses. Melody’s eyes stayed trained on it while she confessed.

Although there was nothing wrong with anything she revealed, it did feel like she was airing her dirty laundry, shaking the skeletons in her closet.

“And that was when Frank introduced me to Damon. I have to admit, despite all the hate you heap on him, he gave me the best orgasm of my life.”

“I don’t hate him,” Curtis corrected. “I’m just intolerant of incompetence.” He grinned but she didn’t smile back, and he didn’t blame her. “Sorry. I can see you enjoyed your time together, and that’s good. I just wish you’d found someone better to share your first BDSM experience.”

Melody’s fingers stretched across the table to touch his hand, the one playing with her paper. “Someone like you?”

Where had the lump in his throat come from? It felt suspiciously jealous and that was simply unreasonable. Regardless, his voice was extra gravelly when he gave his honest answer. “Yeah.”

“I do too.”

Curtis covered her hand with his free one. “Not tonight.” It was too soon. He needed time to plan something suitable and she needed time to digest what he’d told her and what she’d told him. “But soon.”

“After your next shifts?” she asked, her brown eyes wide and deep.

“No. Tomorrow maybe, or the night after. I won’t subject you to that until we’ve had a couple easier encounters.” He squeezed her hand, feeling the delicate bones in her fingers.

“You don’t think I can handle it?” she asked, sitting up and sticking out her chin.

“No, I don’t. I want to be sure you can. So, soon.”

She took a deep breath and his attention was drawn to her chest for only the second time that night. Her breasts were full and her shirt revealed a modest bit of very tempting cleavage. “I guess I understand that. Thank you for the burger,” she said, opening her bag and digging around. When she started to pull out a wallet, he stopped her.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll get it. You can grab the next one.” The first statement earned him a brow-creasing frown but the latter made her smile and her face lit up. Her eyes became brighter and she smiled wide, showing off straight, white teeth.

“Next time,” she whispered. It appeared she liked that probability.

“Definitely a next time,” he agreed. Lifting her hand in both of his, he brought it to his mouth and brushed his lips over her knuckles.

Melody licked her lips. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to do something tonight?”

He kissed her hand again. “How far away do you live? I’d love to walk you home. It’s a beautiful night.” Was he laying it on too thick? It felt like it, but her smile only grew. Maybe she liked cheese?

“It’s a bit far to walk, but we could drive there and then walk around the neighborhood park.”

Releasing her hand, he waved to the waitress. “That’s a deal. Check!”

Melody took a moment at her door to slip out of her heels and into a pair of comfy sneakers, a pair that caught Curtis’ eye.

“Are those Geox?” he asked, squatting to look at the sturdy white shoes. The soles were thick and the laces tightened to hug her foot. He’d always wondered why women wore heels. They seemed impossible to walk in and made even standing a health risk. These may not be pretty, but they could easily be made prettier.

“Uh, yes? I think?”

“Those look perfect for a long shift. Where’d you get them?”

“I really don’t remember.”

Curtis stood and noticed Melody’s cheeks were pink again. “Pity. I’d love to find a pair. You look like you’ll enjoy this walk more now.”

The tension melted from Melody, letting her shoulders drop in relief. “Yes. The park is that way.”

Curtis took her hand and walked on her left, closest to the street. “Do you walk often?”

Melody shook her head. “I usually take these to the gym. I don’t have a walking buddy.”

Curtis stepped closer, his hip brushing hers in a very light check. “I could use a walking buddy.”

Melody turned to him, her smile, evident in profile, was more brilliant full on. “Then we should. This isn’t the nicest neighborhood for it.” Her words were muffled by a passing truck.

“The Jefferson Park has a nice trail through it. We could meet there next time.”

The blush came back as Melody looked away. “I was hoping next time we might do more than walk.”

Curtis stopped, pulling her back by the hand and spinning her slightly. He caught her in his arms and held her close, leaning in to press his lips to hers.

He’d caught her completely by surprise and her lips were parted and slack for a second. Her fingers scratched over his scalp, through his hair. When he touched his tongue to her top lip, her own slipped out to meet it.

Another car passing made him straighten. Melody was in no hurry to stand again, leaning on him and puckering up again.

“We’re becoming a spectacle.”

She grumbled, her lips twisting into a frown. “I suppose. I don’t mind being a spectacle.”

He took her hand and teased, “I got that impression from your time with Jeff.”

Her mouth opened and closed on air several times, probably trying to find a way to deny that she’d let the college boy take her on his lap during a football game.

“I’m not saying I’m against pushing limits in public, but I’d rather have a tiny bit of privacy.” He looked her way and wasn’t surprised to see pink cheeks. “Do you wear blush?”

“What?”

“Because you really don’t need to. You’re pink all the time.”

She grumbled again. “No, just around you.”

That made him smile. “Lucky me.”

He caught sight of her sticking out her tongue from the corner of his eye.

“If you are going to act like a little girl…” He let go of her hand and turned, one arm wrapped around her chest, bending her forward over his knee. The other connected with her skirt covered bottom twice.

She squealed and squirmed free of his light grip. Her shoulders heaved with heavy breaths and her expression reminded him of black thunderstorm clouds.

He kept his own face stern, daring her to call him out, to claim she hadn’t deserved the playful spanking.

They stood like that for several seconds before she let go of her held breath and stalked in the direction of the park again.

Curtis took two quick strides and took her hand again. “What? You didn’t like that?”

Her eyes flicked in his direction although she didn’t turn her head. Her gaze quickly returned to the sidewalk ahead. “I didn’t say that.”

“That’s right. I liked it. I’d like it better without that skirt in the way. How far to the park? Does it have a bench I can bend you over?”

The last of the irritation making lines on her forehead and mouth disappeared, replaced with a smile. “As a matter of fact, it does.” She increased her pace and Curtis was happy to match it.

It was late enough that the park was empty, all the kids home and getting ready for bed. It was also dark enough that he only got a vague impression of the trees and shrubs surrounding the playground equipment. A street lamp lit the metal and plastic structure, but left the rest of the park to the imagination.

The bench was on the edge of the light. Melody stopped in front of it and turned to him. “What do you want?” she asked.

“I want you to kneel on the seat and bend over the back, Little Song.”

She climbed up, using his hand for support and leaned on her elbows on the back of the bench.

“Bend a little more.” He brushed a hand up her back to encourage her and guided her to press her thighs against the wooden slats.

Melody looked back over her shoulder. “What are you—”

He put his hand to the back of her neck and pushed her head down. Her throat tightened under his hand as she gulped. His free hand pushed up her skirt. She had panties on, and he tugged on the elastic band, pulling them down her hips.

“Is anyone watching? Are you sure this okay?”

“Quiet.” It was the same tone he used with his subs and she obeyed as he expected. With her ass bared, he ran his palm over one cheek and then the other. His pants tightened around his growing shaft. He rubbed her ass, feeling her cool skin warm under his hand. He would like to hold out longer, get her anticipation really high, but they were in a public park. Bringing his hand back, he spanked her hard, leaving a bright pink palm print which he matched on the other cheek.

“Curtis?” she said, her voice strained.

“Yes, Little Song?”

“Are you sure you want to wait?”

He released her neck and used both hands to cup and squeeze her ass. “I’m sure, although I am very eager to make this red, to hear you squeal.”

She pressed back into his hands and his fingers brushed between, sliding over the slick skin.

“You don’t want to wait.”

She shook her head. “No. I want you to take me. Now.”

He released her and flipped down her skirt. When she whimpered, he smacked her ass again. “Time to go home.”

“Will you come inside?” she asked, looping her arm through his for the walk back.

“No. Not tonight. You will come to my place. Tomorrow. Is six too early?” He avoided meeting her eye, knowing she would be eager and longing. He was hard and could be easily swayed to let her relieve him.

“No. That’s fine. Where do you live?”

He gave his address and dropped her off outside her apartment building. She turned and reached up to pull him into another kiss. Unwilling to give her control, he took her face between his hands and kissed her forehead. “Be safe, Little Song.”

She sighed and leaned into the door. He was turning back to the street when she called, “Take care.”

A warm lump formed in his chest and expanded, taking in his hard cock and making it stiffen even more. He was looking forward to tomorrow. Pulling out her list, he started contemplating what he would do with her.