Katie's Art of Seduction

Chapter Five

Katie scrubbed the bathroom with a vengeance. The white porcelain of the bathtub gleamed and the chrome taps sparkled in the morning sun. She’d tossed and turned all night long, unable to get Cain out of her mind. The sun was just rising when she dragged herself out of bed, determined to put him out of her mind and get some work done. It was now just before noon and the small apartment had been swept, scrubbed, and dusted from top to bottom.

Katie sat back on her heels and surveyed the bathroom. She peeled off her rubber gloves and swiped her hand over the sweat on her forehead. Images from the night before flashed through her mind. She still found it hard to reconcile the woman from the night before with the woman she normally was. She’d been reckless and somewhat stupid in venturing off with an unknown man. And what she had done with him! Just thinking about it made her feel hot and tight all over, as if her skin no longer fit her properly.

Rising from the floor, she picked up her bucket of dirty water and dumped it down the toilet. Giving the handle a quick downward push, she watched as the dirty water swirled around for a few seconds and then disappeared, leaving cleaner, fresher water in its place. She wished her own thoughts could be discarded as easily. Sighing deeply, she picked up her rubber gloves and sponge and dragged it all to the kitchen closet where she stored her cleaning supplies. The fresh smell of lemon cleaner and the bright glow of winter sunlight filled the air. Her apartment was clean and tidy, but she was a mess.

Katie stared out her small living room window. For once, she was not noticing the sights and sounds of the neighborhood that usually enchanted her. Street vendors enticing people to their carts with the savory smell of food, children playing on the sidewalk, the colorful display of the newsstand on the corner, and the varied groups of people rushing down the street. This was usually a source of unending inspiration for her painting. She was only vaguely aware of it, as a sort of hazy vision off in the distance, but she couldn’t seem to focus her attention on any of it today.

More often than not, she found the mundane housekeeping tasks almost restful. There was something soothing about the repetitive chores of sweeping and cleaning that allowed her mind to drift into a state of almost artistic meditation. Unfortunately, this morning it hadn’t worked.

Katie felt restless. She was startled to realize that she was waiting, but wasn’t sure what for. Cain had left her uncertain last night. Would he contact her? She didn’t know how to reach him even if she wanted to. The real question was did she want him to? Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back and allowed the fatigue to wash over her. She didn’t know what she wanted, but she had an unsettled feeling in the pit of her stomach that she had to find out where this thing with Cain was leading. If she didn’t explore it, she’d regret it for the rest of her life.

She rolled her head from side to side to loosen the tension in her neck. One thing was for sure, she was finished moping. It was a beautiful winter day, crisp and clear, and she had things to do. First, she would take a shower and then she’d take herself to lunch at Gino’s Italian Deli before she went grocery shopping. Thoughts of spicy Italian food started her mouth watering and her stomach growling.

The painting on the easel caught her attention as soon as she opened her eyes. It was no longer complete, but rather was the beginning of what she feared would be a series of works. The dark shadow from this painting now had substance. Cain was real to her now and no longer a night phantom.

Her emotions always found their way onto the blank canvas and already her brain was picturing and discarding many possibilities. Idly, Katie picked up a dry brush and tapped it against her chin as she was drawn into the painting. She needed to see more of him this time. Removing the finished canvas, she propped it next to the wall where she had a clear view of it. She grabbed a fresh, blank canvas and positioned it on the easel.

A loud knock on the door made Katie scowl. She hated to be interrupted when she was working. It was probably just as well, she thought as she lay the brush down. She really needed groceries. Katie opened the door, but kept the chain on as she peeked through the opening.

“Delivery.” A young man in a delivery uniform tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for her to respond.

“But I didn’t order anything,” Katie answered suspiciously. In all the years she had lived here, she had never had a delivery of any kind. “Are you sure you have the right apartment?” It had to be a mistake of some kind.

The young man glanced at his clipboard. “You Katie Wallace?”

Katie nodded hesitantly.

“Then it’s for you.” He laid the box on the floor when she still made no move to open the door. “Look, I just need a signature here.” He thrust the clipboard through the small opening. “The tip has been taken care of. Just sign on line three.”

Katie scribbled her name on the proper line and pushed the clipboard back towards the deliveryman. Glancing down to make sure his paperwork was in order, he turned and hurried away. “Have a nice day,” he muttered as he disappeared down the stairs.

Katie waited until his steps faded and then she cautiously unlocked the door and picked up the large white box. Propping it against her hip, she relocked the door and then carried the package to the coffee table. Carefully, she removed the cover and peeled back the crisp, white tissue paper. She forgot to breathe as she peered down into the box.

Her fingers tentatively reached out to touch the flowers, tempted by their lush, burgundy petals. The box overflowed with long-stemmed roses. There had to be at least two dozen of them and their heady scent filled her nostrils as she took a deep breath. The blood-red roses were a sharp contrast to the one perfect orchid that lay in the center of the box. Its white petals and pale pink center looked all the more fragile surrounded by the roses. It was a gift of sensual promise. Of passion.

A white envelope was tucked into the tissue paper and Katie plucked it out. She didn’t need to open it to know who had sent them. Still, she was curious enough that she opened the envelope and drew out the plain white card. The writing was bold with a masculine bent, making her think that he’d written the message himself. “I’ll call you at midnight,” she read aloud. Nothing else. Not even a signature.

Katie placed the card carefully on the coffee table. She couldn’t decide if the message was more threat or promise. The gift was an extravagant one. Katie didn’t even want to contemplate the cost of the exotic flowers. They were hers and she planned to enjoy them. Grabbing up the box, she hugged it and laughed out loud. She danced her way into the kitchen, her feet shuffling as she swung her hips from side to side. Setting the flowers carefully on the counter, she rummaged around the cupboards for a container to put them in.

Settling on two Mason jars for the roses, she carefully positioned the flowers one at a time in the containers until she was satisfied with their placement. The thorns had been removed and that made the task much easier. She floated the orchid in a Depression glass bowl that she’d found at a thrift store. The pale pink of the glass matched the center of the exotic bloom.

Katie stood back and admired the flowers, enjoying the rich texture and color, and slightly drunk on the heady perfume of the roses. She hugged herself in glee, feeling like a kid on Christmas morning. One at a time, she moved the containers into the living room and placed them in various positions until she found one she was satisfied with. One jar of roses sat on the windowsill, their beauty framed in the morning sun. The other one sat in solitary splendor on the coffee table and the orchid bowl perched alongside her easel so she could admire it while she worked.

Her stomach growled, reminding her that she’d promised herself a spicy Italian lunch. Katie glanced at her watch and was surprised to see that almost an hour had passed. It was almost one o’clock.

Reluctantly, she headed for the bathroom. She had to shower, change, and then head out to run her errands. Katie couldn’t resist one last glance behind her as she left the room. The sight of the flowers filled her stomach with butterflies and a feeling of anticipation.

Katie stepped back from the easel and contemplated her latest work. Tipping her head to one side, she examined it from another angle. It was better than good. She’d managed to capture the sheer animal magnetism of the man, his image half-hidden in the shadows while the half illuminated by the streetlamp showed a man of power. A sense of danger and darkness surrounded him, as if he were a predator just waiting to pounce. This was a man who valued control and exerted the power of his will on those around them. She’d had a firsthand lesson in that last night.

Cain’s was not a handsome face, but a strong and a surprisingly sensual one. His hair blended in with the black of the night and fell over the left side of his face. His nose was large and had a bump in the middle, but it suited his face well. His jaw was square and his cheekbones were prominent. But it was his eye that drew her. She’d managed to capture the intensity in his startling green eye.

Her back ached and her fingers cramped as she stood there. Katie groaned and stretched, but her eyes never left her painting. She’d been working for hours. When she’d left the apartment at lunchtime, Katie had planned on a leisurely lunch before running her errands. Instead, she’d grabbed a quick pepperoni and salami sandwich, raced through the grocery store, and hurried home to work. The need to paint Cain was almost overwhelming. Her fingers were itching to paint and she readily succumbed to the temptation.

Satisfied for the moment, Katie cleaned up her brushes and set her supplies to rights. The empty feeling in the pit of her stomach informed her that she had missed supper. She shrugged, unconcerned. It wasn’t the first meal she’d missed. When she was painting, time seemed to disappear as she immersed herself in her work.

The kitchen beckoned and Katie answered the call. She quickly washed her hands and assembled a quick snack of cheese, crackers and slices of crisp green apple. Stopping long enough to grab a bottle of water from the refrigerator, she carried her booty to the living room.

Sinking into the comfort of the well-worn sofa, she munched on an apple slice as she tilted her head back and closed her eyes. She was tired, but it was good kind of tired. A satisfied kind of tired. She was pleased with her latest effort. One eye popped opened and glanced at the clock. Just after eleven. And she was pleased that she had managed to keep her mind off Cain’s mysterious message.

She shook her head and sat forward. Who was she trying to kid? Cain had filled her thoughts all day. It didn’t matter if she was cleaning, shopping, or painting, her mind continually turned to him. Piling a cracker with cheese, she stuffed it into her mouth and chewed. It would serve him right if she went to bed and turned off her phone.

But she knew she wouldn’t.

When her plate was empty, Katie took it to the kitchen and dumped it in the sink. Taking her time, she checked to make sure the lock was on the front door, turned off all the lights and went into the bedroom.

The light from the bedside table was soft and muted as Katie undressed for bed. She made a quick trip to the bathroom to attend to her nightly rituals of washing her face and brushing her teeth. The sheets were soft and inviting as she crawled under them, taking a moment first to adjust the comforter on top.

Katie settled her head against her pillow and stared at the ceiling. Squirming around, she tried to find a comfortable position. She lay there for a moment before flinging back the covers and thumping down the hallway and into the darkness of the living room.

It took her two trips, but the three containers of flowers now graced her room. One jar of roses sat on the bedside table while the other one graced the windowsill. The orchid bowl was centered in the middle of her dresser, reflected in the mirror behind it.

Katie snuggled back into bed again and took a deep breath. The scent of roses filled the air, and she sighed in contentment. She inhaled deeply again. Then once more. The worries and thoughts of the day started to melt away and she felt herself relaxing for the first time all day.

She drifted in that state of wakefulness and half-sleep until the shrill ring of the telephone shattered her tranquility. Her body immediately reacted. Her heart pounded and her hand shook as she reached out to answer the call. It was one minute after twelve.

“Hello.”

“Did I wake you?” Cain’s voice was deep and husky on the other end of the line.

“No. I’m in bed, but I wasn’t asleep.” Katie tucked the cordless phone under her ear. She could hear nothing but the sound of Cain breathing on the other end. “Are you there?”

“Yeah,” came his reply. “I’m picturing you in bed. Are you naked?”

“No. No I’m not,” Katie stuttered in reply. “I have on a nightgown.” Katie could feel a heated blush climb up her face. “What are you doing?” She desperately wanted to change the subject.

“I’m sitting in the dark in my study.” Cain gave a short, harsh laugh. “I’ve been sitting here for an hour, waiting to call you.”

“Thank you for the flowers.” Katie felt shy all of a sudden, as if Cain could somehow see her. She burrowed under the covers, pulling them tight to her chin and grasping their soft edge with one hand.

“You’re very welcome, honey.” Cain’s voice flowed over her like a warm blanket and made her feel very special.

Silence filled the other end, and Katie fidgeted with the covers while she waited for him to continue. She didn’t know what to say to him, but she was strangely content to just listen to the sound of his breath and his voice. Her contentment was shattered with his next request.

“Take off your nightgown, Katie,” his husky voice pleaded.

“Why?” Katie wasn’t sure she liked his tendency to want to dominate their sexual relationship.

“I want to imagine you naked in your bed. Waiting for me.” His bold words shocked her even as she felt her body responding to them. She clamped her legs together and squirmed a little to try and ease the ache.

“Why do you always want to be in control?” Maybe this wasn’t the best time for such a question, but she genuinely wanted to know his answer. At first, she thought he might ignore her question. Fidgeting with the bedcovers, she waited impatiently.

“It’s as natural to me as breathing. You liked it last night didn’t you, Katie?” His tone was soft and coaxing. “I certainly did.”

“I did enjoy it.” She could feel the heat of a blush cover her face. “I’m not completely at ease with that fact, and I don’t know that I want it to be that way all the time.” Unable to find a comfortable position, she turned on her side, and plumped the pillow under her head.

“I see.” He paused for effect. “Do you want me to go?”

“No.” Her heart was pounding now and she could feel a bead of sweat drift down her back. Part of her was afraid that he’d just hang up, and part of her wished he would. “I just don’t want to be ordered around all the time.”

“Will you do what I ask tonight?” His sorcerer’s voice was urging her to agree.

When she made no reply, he tried again. “There’s no harm, Katie,” he coaxed her. “You can do it.”

Squeezing her eyes tight, she counted to five and made her decision. There was no way she could resist the soft plea she heard in his voice. “All right.” She hardly recognized her own voice as she heard herself agreeing.

“Wait,” Cain called. “Can you put me on speakerphone?”

Katie looked at her machine. She’d never done it before, but she knew her phone had the capability. “Wait a second.” Katie pushed a button and stuck the receiver on the phone base. “Okay.”

“Can you hear me all right?” Cain asked. His deep voice seemed to fill the room.

“Yes.”

“Then strip for me, Katie.” His request was stark.

The rustling of bedcovers could be heard in the silence. Anticipation filled her as Katie pulled her nightgown over her head and let it fall by the side of the bed. She took a deep breath and tugged the covers back over her. Her breasts nudged the underside of the cool sheet, and it was arousing to feel her torso and her behind sink into the sheet that covered the mattress. “I’m naked.”

“Push the covers down, Katie.” The rustling covers had given her away. “Lie back on the bed like you were waiting to entice me.” Cain’s voice was ragged as he spoke.

Could she do it?

His quiet “Please” filled the air. Katie bit her lip, uncertain. Making up her mind, she kicked the covers off the bed so they wouldn’t tempt her. “I’m naked on the bed for you.” She couldn’t believe that sexy voice was hers.

“What do you look like?”

Katie looked at her body, and saw only her familiar, lanky form. She looked away as she spoke. “I look like me.” Cain’s husky laugh filled the other end.

“Tell me everything,” he ordered. “Start at your toes and work your way up.”

Katie swallowed and stared at her toes. “My feet are big.”

Cain’s laughter echoed through the bedroom. “They’re not as big as mine are, honey. I wear a size fifteen.”

Katie continued, feeling a little more confident now. “My legs are really long, but they’re strong from all the walking I do.”

“Someday soon, I want to feel those long, luscious legs wrapped around my waist. You’ll hook your ankles tight around my back as I bury my cock deep inside you.” Cain’s voice sounded strained as he spoke. “You’ll like it. I promise.”

Katie bit her lip to hold back a moan as his words created a very vivid picture in her mind. She could imagine them, legs entwined, with Cain thrusting deep and hard inside her. Her skin heated, and she could feel the dampness between her legs as her body prepared itself to accept him. That was the problem with being an artist, she could visualize the entire act. Perfectly. Well, maybe it wasn’t such a problem after all.

His voice called out to her. “Katie, tell me more.”

Katie moved her legs restlessly on the bed, as the throbbing ache between her legs grew stronger. “My hips aren’t too wide, but my waist dips in a little.” Her hands traced the curve of her hip and grazed the side of her waist. She’d never touched herself in a sexual way before. The thrill of doing something slightly illicit was potent.

Cain responded as if he could read her mind. “Is your skin warm? Are your nipples hard?” His voice got lower and softer. “Are you wet for me?”

Katie was half-scandalized and half-turned on by Cain’s questions. “Yes,” was all she say. She felt all those things.

“Tell me,” he ordered.

Katie licked her lips. She could feel her nipples getting harder. “My nipples are hard.”

“What color are they?”

“Dusty rose.”

“Touch them for me,” he groaned.

Katie’s hands slid up to cover her breasts. Their fullness filled her hands. Her nipples grew even tighter as she massaged them and plucked at them with her fingers. She moaned and her legs came together to try and ease the throbbing emptiness. She wanted release.

“Are you touching yourself?”

“Yes,” she moaned. “I ache.”

“Do you have the roses nearby?” Cain questioned.

“Yes,” Katie replied as she turned her head to admire them.

“Take one of them in your hand.” Cain waited while she followed his instructions. “Now close your eyes and pretend the petals are my fingertips. Draw the petals over your legs and up your stomach.”

Katie clenched her teeth and let out a low hiss as she did as he asked. The soft petals against her sensitive skin aroused her unbearably. “Let the petals slide over your nipples. Back and forth. Back and forth.” His low voice was hypnotic, and she blindly followed his instructions.

Katie got lost in a world of sensual pleasure as she drew the rose over her nipples. The slight friction of the petals on her nipples was driving her crazy. Their velvety softness caressed her breasts and teased their hard tips. It was too much and not enough at the same time. She needed more. She needed Cain, but he wasn’t here.

The scent of the flower was intoxicating, as her breathing grew more rapid and uneven. Katie was caught in the sensual snare of Cain’s voice and no longer hesitated at his commands.

“Put a pillow under your ass and spread your legs for me, Katie.” Katie grabbed the pillow next to her and stuffed it under her behind, and then she spread her legs without a moment’s thought. “Wider.” Cain ordered. Cain paused for a moment. “Are you open wide for me, Katie?”

“Oh, yes,” she moaned, straining to open her legs wider. “Only for you.”

“Keep them open as wide as you can.”

“Yes,” she promised, pushing them even further apart.

“Put your middle finger in your mouth and suck on it. Hard.” His odd command jolted her for a moment, but she complied and began to lick and suck her finger. “That’s good,” he praised her. “Now, spread yourself wide with your other hand and use your wet finger to lightly rub your clit.”

Katie moaned as she did as he’d asked. Her heels dug into the mattress as her hips pushed upwards. The air was thick with the smell of her arousal mixed with the pungent scent of the roses as deep moans slipped from her. She was so close to coming, and her entire being was focused on her pleasure.

“Keep your legs open. That’s it. Just keep your touch light and steady.” Cain’s breath was deep and harsh as it filled the room. “Now, slide that finger right up inside your wet pussy. Feel your muscles clench around it.” Katie pushed her finger deep inside and arched up as her inner muscles clench it. She could hear Cain talking in the background, but could barely understand what he was saying. A second finger joined the first one deep inside her.

“God, I want my cock deep inside you. It would feel so damn good.” Katie could hear the pain and longing in his voice. “Pretend that your fingers are mine. Use them however you want. However you need. I want to hear you come.”

Katie continued to move her fingers, finding a rhythm that pleased her. Using her thumb, she brushed her clitoris and moaned in pleasure. Cain’s voice kept up a steady stream of encouragement and praise. “Reach for it, baby.”

Katie’s breath was coming harder and faster, but it still wasn’t enough. “Cain, help me…”

“Pinch one of your nipples hard, Katie, but don’t stop moving your fingers. You’re so close, baby.”

Katie was sweating now. She could feel the perspiration roll down her forehead. Without thought, she followed Cain’s instructions. Rolling one of her taut nipples between her thumb and forefinger, she then pinched it. At the same time, she thrust her fingers as deep inside her as they would go. “Your fingers are longer,” she wailed.

“I wish I was there. I’d eat your sweet pussy until you came. Imagine it, Katie. Imagine me doing that for you. Because I will, you know. I’ll lick your clit and suck your lips until you cry for mercy, but I won’t stop. Not until you come in my face. Soon, Katie,” he promised. “Soon.”

Katie was moaning and thrashing on the bed. So close. She was teetering right on the edge.

“Come for me, Katie. Come for me. Now.” At Cain’s final command, she brushed her thumb across her clitoris and rode the wave of sensation.

Desire reached a feverish pitch and Katie reached for it. Her orgasm washed over her, filling her completely before releasing her. She fell back in bed, exhausted and replete, but strangely empty at the same time. Her legs moved restlessly over the sheets even as her body thrummed with pleasure. She wanted Cain here with her. In her.

“You’re beautiful in your passion, Katie.” Cain’s voice was deep and rough in her ear. “Next time, I want my cock to be in you when you come. I want you to want that, Katie.”

His words were making her feel hot and bothered all over again. The hand on her breast began to move again, stroking her engorged nipple. “Yes, Cain.” She felt so good right now. “I want to feel you inside me.” She shivered as the hand between her legs began to stroke her wet, aching flesh.

His strained laughter filled the other end. “You sure make it hard on a man.”

Katie suddenly became aware of the fact that she was sprawled wantonly on her bed having phone sex with Cain. She closed her eyes and groaned even as she reached over the end of the bed and pulled the covers up over her naked, sensitive skin. “I’m sorry.”

“Why? You just gave me a beautiful thing. Thank you.” As if he could hear her thoughts he went on. “Don’t feel awkward or guilty. We both enjoyed ourselves.”

“All right,” Katie promised, not sure she would be able to keep it. “I won’t.”

“I’ll see you soon, Katie. Sleep well and dream of me.”

She could hear him breathing on the other end of the phone and knew he was waiting for her to sever their connection. “Good night, Cain. Sleep well.” She heard him muttering to himself as she reached out and broke the connection.

Smiling to herself and hugging his “not likely” to her heart, Katie turned off the bedside lamp and settled into bed. She reached under the covers and pulled out the slightly squashed rose and placed it gently on the pillow next to her head. Her body reacted to the intoxicating scent of rose and sex that filled the air. Katie’s movements were slow and sensual as she settled her bare skin against the sheets. She didn’t bother with her nightgown. Being naked made her feel closer to Cain. She drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face and his promise in her heart.