A secretive woman (part 3)

The next day she texted me: Very sore rear. Can't make it tonight. K xx
I replied: Will kiss it better next time I see you. Jeeves. Xx
For forty-eight hours, I heard nothing from her. I was beginning to wonder if my flippant text had caused offence, when she telephoned me sounding very cheerful. She asked if I'd like to take her out to a concert. "They're doing Beethoven's string quartets at St Peter's Church, I've got tickets, she said. "We could have dinner afterwards.
"Sounds good to me, I said.
We have a very pleasant evening together. She did not refer to our previous session, and I did not expect her to. We were either friends or lovers (if that is the right word), but never both at the same time.
"Are you coming back to my place? I inquired as we left the restaurant.
"I wasn't planning to, she replied.
"We don't have to do anything, I said. "I just like your company. You could sleep in the spare bedroom.
She contemplated the offer, before saying, "OK. I need to go back to my place to fetch my things. I'll be at yours in half an hour.

"I don't really know very much about you, I said, as I opened a bottle of wine and poured out two glasses. We were on the sofa in my sitting room.
She raised her eyebrows. "Isn't that part of the attraction?.
"It's certainly intriguing, I agreed.
"But now you want to know more¦ you feel you're not in control of the situation.
"In a nutshell, yes.
"And you want to have sex with me?
"Yes.
"I can't allow that. I'm married.
She delivered this bombshell quite casually, and watched for my response with detached curiosity. For a while, I was speechless, and then anger, sorrow and enlightenment came upon me simultaneously.
"So this is all a waste of time, I said eventually, trying hard to stay calm, although there was a bitter edge to my voice.
"Not for me, she said. "I like what we have. It's special.
"What does your husband think about all this? Or doesn't he know? I inquired.
She shrugged. "He knows I like being beaten but he won't do it so he turns a blind eye to my peccadilloes. His work keeps him out of the country for a lot of the time, and he lets me do my own thing.
"So what kind of relationship do you have?
"It suits us both. I expect he gets up to mischief when he's away. But we love each other and we're quite when we're together.
"That's very nice for you both, I said sarcastically.
"Are you very angry with me?
"As a matter of fact, I am.
"Do you want to punish me?
"No.
"But don't you think I deserve to be punished.
"Yes. But I'm not going to do it.
"Don't you want to be indispensable to me?
"I'm not sure, I weakened. "There isn't much point.
"Why not? Were you planning to marry me yourself?
I sighed. "I know this is very boring and old-fashioned, but I'm in love with you and, yes, I did hope to marry you one day. I think it would be better if you left now.
Suddenly she began to sob. "I've made a mess of everything.
"Goodbye, Karen.
She shook her head and undressed. Delving into her overnight bag, she produced her riding crop and the red silk cords. A moment later, she was on her knees, holding them out to me. "I beg you, she said. "If you really love me, you'll do whatever I want.
I sighed, knowing I ought to throw her out and never see her again. But I lacked the will power. "Fetch the pillows, I commanded, "and go to the kitchen.

In my anger, I chastised her rather more severely than I intended or she anticipated, leaving her writhing and weeping.
"Now rub me better, she said.
"No. Despite my remorse, I feigned disinterest.
"You promised to kiss me better, she reminded me of my text. "You can kiss me instead.
I folded my arms across my chest, and tried to be firm. "That was all before I knew about your marital status.
Her tears subsided. "A promise is a promise. Or at least it should be, she stated solemnly. "A gentleman should always keep his word.
I stooped and brushed my lips across her flushed bottom, intending to satisfy honour with just one kiss. However, I caught the scent of her arousal and my resolve faded. Falling to my knees, I pushed apart her thighs and buttocks and caressed her most secret places with my tongue. She responded by making contented noises, interspersed with encouragements and injunctions not to stop. I buried my face in her hot moistness, and licked hungrily at her engorged tissues until she climaxed.
Now it was my turn, or so I thought. I lowered my trousers and prepared to mount her.
"No, she said. "No. You can't. You mustn't. I don't want to be an adultress.
For a moment, I contemplated rape. She was helpless to resist. But I knew it would be meaningless if she didn't want to participate. With a grunt of frustration, I untied her.
"Get out, I said. "I never want to see you again.
"But you told me I could sleep in your spare room. I'll leave in the morning and then I'll stay out of your life for good.
She stood in front of me defiantly, challenging me to throw her out.
I shook my head. Things were clearly spiralling out of control.
"Look, she argued, "we're made for each other. We're destined to be together like this. Don't you see? No one else would give us what we can give each other.
I stared sulkily at her. "Why don't you get divorced? I want you for myself¦ and I wouldn't mind having sex with you just once in a while. Not too often. I don't mind if it's just symbolic. I mean it's only fair.
She smiled. "Fair. I did warn you I wasn't going to be fair. This isn't about fairness. It's about our needs and filling them.
I could have argued that she wasn't exactly fulfilling my needs, and that she was calling all the shots, virtually. But that seemed childish, and I was aware I was behaving like a truculent teenager. And she did have a point, for she must have been doing something right for me, otherwise I wouldn't want her so much.
"Very well, stay the night, I said. "We might as well finish the bottle of wine.

In the small hours of the morning, she crept into my bed. "I just want to be close to you, she whispered. "I trust you not to do anything I don't want.
"I'll never do anything you don't want, I affirmed.
"I'll make this all worth your while, she said. "I know I'm a pain, but you're being very good about it.
"Get divorced and marry me, I said.
"That wasn't quite what I had in mind, she replied. "Now, let's get some sleep.
Before leaving in the morning, she planted a kiss on my cheek and told me she would have a surprise for me next time we met.
"A surprise? I echoed. "I can't wait.