Page 57 of Private Pleasures

Kyle wrapped his arms about her tightly, holding her against his broad chest, his eyes closed as he experienced her pain for himself. He was the man she really desired for herself even if she hadn’t yet reached the realization of that truth yet. She would. His big hand soothed her, stroking her red hair as her sobs began to ease and then fade away. Finally he tipped her face up to him, and started to lick away the tears staining her visage.

“Don’t look at me,” she hiccupped. “I look awful when I cry.”

“You look beautiful, Red. You always look beautiful to me,” he told her.

“Shut up! You’re going to make me cry again,” Nora muttered.

“I would never make you cry, Red,” he promised her. “I just want to love you.”

“I’m so afraid,” she whispered at him.

“Of what?” he gently probed.

“I’m not sure I know how to love, and if I did love you, and you found someone else, I don’t think I could bear it, Kyle.” Her eyelashes were all spiky from her tears.

“Remember, darling, that I’m your fantasy,” he reminded her.

“But it all seems so real to me, Kyle. I don’t know how Mr. Nicholas does it, but The Channel has become reality for me,” Nora admitted. “If I admit to loving you, you’ll get bored with me, and do what Jeff did. You’ll look for other women, and leave me.”

“I will never leave you as long as you want me, Nora. I swear it!” he said. “I belong to you, Red. I’m yours!”

Before they could pursue the subject further, the telephone rang. Nora picked up the handset. “Hello?”

“This is the concierge, Mrs. Buckley. You have been invited to join another fantasy this evening. You will find the appropriate costumes in your closet. When you’re ready just step into the elevator, and push the red button. You can return to your own fantasy by the same means when you wish to return,” the faceless voice said.

“I’d like to take Kyle with me,” Nora said.

“Of course, Mrs. Buckley. There is a costume for him as well. Enjoy your evening,” the concierge said, and hung up.

“Carla’s invited me into her fantasy tonight,” Nora told him. “You can come too. According to the concierge, appropriate costumes are in the closet.” She grinned. The sadness was now gone from her face. “Shall we look?” She got off of the bed and, walking across the room, opened the closet door.

The two costumes had been set on the rod, directly in the center of the closet. For Nora there was a short, ragged-edged black skirt, a red sash, and a low-cut, short-sleeved white blouse. A drawstring bag hung from the hanger with the blouse. Nora pulled the costume out, laid it on the bed, and undoing the bag, dumped its contents in the center of the bed. There were several bangle bracelets, and a pair of large gold hoop earrings. She smiled. Right out of an old Errol Flynn swashbuckler movie. She drew the other costume out, and almost laughed. It consisted of a loincloth, a beautiful gold dog collar studded with pearls and colored gemstones and lined with lamb’s wool, and finally a red leather leash.

“Oh, my,” Nora said, and she giggled.

“Your friend lacks subtlety,” Kyle said, but he was grinning.

“Quick shower,” Nora said, “and then off to Pirate World, Mr. Gorgeous.”

“You go first,” he said.

She cocked her head to one side questioningly.

“If I get in that shower with you, Nora, you know what’s going to happen,” Kyle said. “I can never get enough of you, Red.”

She nodded. “Haven’t you had enough this evening?”

“Nope,” he told her with a grin.

Nora didn’t question him any further. She pinned her long red hair up, and showered alone. When she had finished she came back into the bedroom to dress while he saw to his ablutions. No bra, she thought. Pirate wenches didn’t have bras. She pulled the white peasant-style blouse on over her head. The scooped neck was very low-cut, and her tits were practically spilling out of the garment. She took the ragged black skirt and drew it on. It was barely thigh high, but it did cover the places it should cover. Just. A thong was the only kind of underpants she could wear, and she hated thongs. So, no underpants. She picked up the red silk sash and wrapped it about her waist several times, leaving enough of the cloth hanging to give her a dashing look. She slipped the bangles on both of her arms, and affixed the gold hoops into her ears. She was surprised there were no shoes, but The Channel did everything right, so she wasn’t concerned.

“Well, that’s certainly a come-and-fuck-me-outfit,” Kyle growled, coming from the bathroom. Then he grinned. “I like it.” He slid his hand beneath her skirt, chuckling.

“Keep away,” she warned him, slapping at his big warm hand. Then she sat down at her dressing table and brushed out her hair.

“Put it in a single braid,” he said. “It’s apt to get rough in your friend’s world. You don’t need hair in your face obscuring your vision.”

“You do it,” Nora said. “It’ll be easier.” She sat quietly as he plaited her hair into a long thick braid, slipping a small elastic band on the end of the hair. “You better hurry and dress, Mr. Gorgeous.”