In my apartment, as I hover between two different outfits, I hear the ping of a phone message, but not from my own mobile.After a few moments, there is the sound of cursing from the lounge. Sticking my head around the door, "Problem?" I ask.Ryan, looking thoroughly annoyed, says, "I'm sorry. I've been called away. There's something that needs dealing with...""Always on call when you work for yourself?"He grimaces. "Yes, that's the downside. Lots of freedom, but lots of responsibility too." He pauses, thinking. "Look, this shouldn't take me more than a couple of hours. Why don't you get yourself ready anyway, and I'll meet you at this club of yours?""Sounds great.""Good." He takes my hand, squeezing the fingers. "Text me the address and I'll see you there.""Sure. I'll tell them at the door to expect you and that you're with me. They only let in so many single men and if they think you're by yourself, you might not get in."*****At the Club, waiting for Ryan, I

"Hello, Mr Alexanders...""Kirstie, we discussed this before. We're not at work now. It's James...""Hello, James. Michael here was just telling me how you saved Charlotte's life..."His eyes roll sideways. "I thought we agreed not to advertise that..." he mutters.Michael's grin is unrepentant. "We agreed not to advertise it unnecessarily. Sometimes it is appropriate.""Like when?""Like when Marcie gets disparaging about my best friend and risks my wife punching her teeth out."James frowns. "Have I missed something?"I'm saved from answering. Ryan appears at the door. "He's here then?" says Michael."Sorry?""No woman smiles like that at the arrival of a random stranger." His words are calm, but his eyes are smiling.I blush.Oh, God. I just blew off your brother..."Kirstie, it's alright." He touches my hand; the briefest of glancing touches. "Ben's a good man, even if it doesn't look that way to you right now. But he's not the right man for you."The

"I can, Kirstie," he says calmly. "I think I can do whatever I want with you."Whimpering, vibrating with the desire for climax, I say nothing. "Do you want to come, Kirstie?" I nod, my face still pressed against the sheets."I thought so. I'll let you come in a while if you ask me nicely.""Please, let me come...""Mmmm... you want me to give you an orgasm... like this?" Fingertips play over my swollen clit. Hypersensitive now, I groan as he plays with the quivering nub. Slick and wet with my own juices, his skin slips over mine, sending pleasure rippling through me. Almost immediately, my climax rises again and I arch and strain, shuddering against the welling pressure inside me.And as I hover, brinking on my climax, once more, the fingers withdraw. and this time, there is a Slap! against my buttocks. I yelp against the sting. It's not truly painful, but contrasting sharply with my sizzling rise to climax, it sends shockwaves vibrating through me.Oh, God..."Ryan,

He strips me.Whereas previously he has undressed me slowly, now I am almost unwrapped. My dress is a simple knitted jersey, skin-tight and clingy, showing my curves. He smiles appreciatively, running his hands over my contours, over my neck and chest. He slides his hands down to the hem, then tugs upwards, peeling it up and off me, leaving me in bra, panties and shoes.And my body reacts to his mock-violence; I'm liquid and warm inside, readying for him."Do you trust me, Kirstie?"My heart begins to pound. "Trust you? Why do I need to trust you?"He smiles, clicks open his briefcase and produces silk rope, soft, pliable and, as he trails it over my skin, with a silky, sensual texture. "Are you willing to let me restrain you? To bind you? I did it before with my tie, but not properly. You don't know me very well. Are you happy for me to do that?"Am I?Do I trust him?I do..."Yes, I think I am.""Good." He kisses the nape of my neck, then roughly, I am scooped up,

"I want to talk to you," he say. "And I'm returning your bag. It was in my car that evening up at Michael's place.""Yes, when you abandoned me and left me without even the money for a taxi. I'd have been in real trouble if Michael weren't a very decent man."I snatch the proffered bag from his hand. "And you can't talk to me here. Even if I thought I had anything to discuss with you, I have no authority to let you into the building. So, please go, you can see I've got my hands full, can't you."His gaze finally transfers to the sobbing Erin in my arms."Why's she crying? What's wrong?""As you already know, Erin's broken up with her boyfriend. And, as you can see, she's very upset. I simply can't handle my job, her and you all at the same time. Now Ben, please leave. If anyone sees that I'm letting you stay here, I'm risking my job.""Too late." comes a voice from behind me, grit in the tone.I startle and swivel to face the lean-faced James, looking down at me, his expr