The cat's Whiskers

The Cat’s Whiskers.

Jane did her best to stifle a yawn, and would have succeeded if she hadn’t reached up with her hand to brush a tear from her eye. Mark, the man talking her into the ground was the reason for her boredom. She sighed inwardly. Mark had to be the biggest bore she had ever met. If he wasn’t bragging about himself and his achievements then he was waffling on about cars, neither subject interested her. Sure, Mark was good looking, a woman’s classic description of what they wanted a man to be like, tall dark and handsome, but it was his egotism that irritated her. She had listened patiently to his monotonous drone about the latest performance car he had just treated himself to, which was okay, but he had laboured the horse and was now in the process of flogging it to death. More than once she had prised herself away, only to find a few moments later he had reappeared at her side, leering like a schoolboy.
All day she had dreaded coming to Patricia’s dinner-party, more so when she had heard Mark was going to be there but she had already committed herself and the last thing she wanted to do was to let her best friend down, especially when Patricia had pleaded with her to make sure she would be there. She should have known better, Mark, after all, was Clive’s best mate, and the two went hand-in-hand together. Whatever Clive did, Mark was there also. So when the party was arranged, Mark was the first to be invited, Jane was added later to even up the numbers. “That’s how Clive is,” Patricia had said, “he likes things neat and orderly. Jane groaned as Mark once more extolled the virtues of owning a Porsche.
Dinner was, as usual, up to Patricia’s high culinary standard, and the wine, which Clive always selected, was perfectly matched. It was Mark who spoiled the evening, at least for Jane.
The party had moved from the dining room through to the living room and Mark followed closely in Jane’s wake, hovered closely then settled by her side once she made her choice of positions in the room. It wouldn’t have mattered if Jane had decided to hang from the ceiling, Mark would have been right there with her.
Mark had tried several times to flirt with her but Jane, wise to his advances merely ignored them. She was mildly amused by his pathetic attempts but it helped to liven up what would have been a relatively dull evening. The moment she arrived, she knew it had been a mistake to wear the new black dress she had recently bought herself. It was short, a good eight inches above her knee, and the black high heels she wore made her legs look even longer that usual. Mark had immediately been drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
“You know,” he said smoothly, “there are much more important things to be doing than spending half the weekends on the road. You need a good fast car to get you to where you want to be, after all, the road isn’t everything, is it?”
“If you say so, Mark,” she replied, “but then why is it you attach so much importance to cars?”
“Ouch,” he said mockingly. Then smiling, he said, “One does have an image to maintain. When you’re an executive in a high profile television casting agency, one has to be seen with all the right toys and . . .” his gaze travelled down to her cleavage, “and the right people, especially beautiful women.”
Jane felt like vomiting. For all his effort he was nauseating and he had the charm of a bulldozer. Mark, she concluded, although she had already been sure of it, was interested in three things. Himself, cars and getting women into bed, in that order. He used the first two to get to the third.
“Perhaps I could take you for a spin, sometime, Sunday, perhaps. We could stop off for a spot of lunch somewhere and then zip down the motorway to Newmarket and I could show you the racehorse that I’ve an interest in.”
Jane’s eyebrows flicked upwards in a show of interest, a smile played in the corners of her lips. Mark had found her Achilles heel. Horses were among her favourite animals. She had ridden them often when she was a girl, a habit that had waned in recent years. If she managed to get out to ride once in every six-months, she considered herself lucky. “A racehorse,” she said, not wanting to appear too enthusiastic. “I didn’t know your horizon expanded any further than your preoccupation for fast cars, along with women with very tight clothing and extremely loose morals.”
Mark smiled thinly, but picked up on her piqued interest. “You like horses, then?”
“Like them! I adore them.” A vision of her sitting astride a well-bred and muscled animal made Jane’s eyes shine. It had been a long time since she had last enjoyed a gallop, to feel another living, breathing thing, moving in unison with you. Horses were in her blood and the sight and sensation of seeing the grass zip underneath a horses hooves as she raced along, was exhilarating.
Mark took a mental note of her reaction. “In that case, why don’t we take a drive up there this Sunday, if you’ve nothing else planned that is?”
Alarm bells rang in Jane’s head and the sparkle faded from her eyes. Without realizing it, Jane had set herself for a date with the obnoxious Mark. She could back out, of course but the lure of maybe getting the chance to ride a thoroughbred was more alluring. “Would I be able to ride it?”
Mark hesitated, his countenance vacant for an instant.
“If you say I can’t, then I won’t come,” she added forcefully. As she waited for his reply, Jane was acutely aware that the room had fallen silent, every pair of eyes looking their way. Self consciously, she let her gaze drift round the room. She caught sight of Patricia’s bewildered expression and saw her mouth the words, “What do you think you’re doing?” Clive, at his wife’s side looked on with keen interest, mischief in his eyes.
Mark’s face relaxed into a smile. “I’ll see what I can arrange.”
“That’s not good enough. You have to promise or I’m not going.”
Mark caved in. “All right, I’ll organize it with the trainer but I can’t promise you you’ll be able to stay on him for long.”
“Half an hour is all I’ll need,” she responded, the shine retuning to them. Still she was wary of Mark. This would be a one off thing, the last thing she wanted was for him to get the wrong idea and keep going after her. Firmly in her mind she made the resolution that once Sunday was over, then that would be it as far as she was concerned. Enjoy the afternoon, and then dump him. Let him get what he wanted from someone else but it wouldn’t be with her.
“Great,” he purred, “Sunday it is, then.” He looked across at Clive and shot him a look of triumph. Clive responded with a wink.
Jane had seen the two men’s reactions and she sighed. It had been a set up. Mark had the reputation for being a fast worker and a love-them-and-leave-them type but there was no way that she was going be another of his conquests. It was bad enough that she would be spending most of the day with the man but she reasoned with herself that she was going to get what she wanted, secure in the knowledge that Mark would not be getting anywhere with her.
Strangely, Mark, after confirming their date, paid little attention to her, something she remarked to Patricia as the party began to break up, people drifting off in pairs. Mark surprisingly was among the first to leave. Usually he stayed right till the end. As he left, Clive descended the outside steps with him. Jane watched with mounting dismay as the two lingered at the foot of the steps talking. Finally, Mark tossed his keys in the air and catching them slapped Clive on the shoulder as he made for his car.
“You know they had made a bet,” Patricia said as she stood at Jane’s shoulder, watching the scene outside, her face impassive. She looked sideways at Jane, watching her reaction. Surprised, she never saw one.
“I guessed it must have been something like that. I saw how they were in the living room when I finally agreed to go with him. How much was the bet for, do you know?”
“Twenty pounds I believe. It was just a petty thing, but you know men, they only think with what’s below their belts. And what man could resist a challenge like that, especially when an attractive woman like you is the quarry?”
“Do you know whether he has a racehorse, or was that another ruse, a carrot, as it were, to get me to agree?”
Patricia remained impassive. “Who knows? He might have. Though whether he sees it from one meeting to the next would be anybody’s guess.”
Well, I don’t know what else Mark may have planned for Sunday but the chance for me to ride a horse will be the only thing I’ll be thinking about.”
“Just be careful of him, that’s all,” Patricia advised.
On her journey home Jane’s mood deepened. How dare they! She thought, as she drove home. The nerve of it all! It was one thing to be badgered by Mark all evening, but to end up having to spend part of her weekend with the creep, and all because of a stupid bet, was intensely annoying to her. But then what else could she expect. Clive was always trying to set her up with someone, while Mark was only interested in how quickly he could get a woman’s clothes off. The more she considered it, the more she hated the idea of being ensnared in a petty web of deceit. As she drove, rain had begun to fall. Nothing heavy, just the light, misty stuff that would be more of a nuisance that anything else. To the beat of the wipers sweeping across her windscreen, she formed a plan to get even. Mark had an avid interest in cars. Well, how would he like to see her Jaguar. Jane broke into a broad grin as her idea took shape. By the time she reached her home she was giggling like a schoolgirl
Once inside her house, she kicked off her shoes in the hallway and slipped off her pantyhose. Walking through to her living room, she slumped into her easy chair and stretched out her legs. Her cat, Amazon, ambled in, with that, so-there-you-are-and- where’s-my-dinner expression on his face. Sitting at her feet, he rested a paw on her leg and released a long plaintive whine, one that said, I-don’ t-care-about-your-day-just-feed-me.
Smiling, she looked at his yellow eyes and leaning forward, tugged one of his ears. Amazon pushed his head into her hand. “How’s my baby?” she said to him.
Purring, he continued his pushing.
“Does my beautiful boy want something to eat?”
He responded with another whine.
Getting to her feet, she went to the kitchen and opened the fridge door. Peering inside, she saw the plate of meat she had prepared for him and taking it out placed it on the floor. Amazon was pushing his face into it before it had reached the tiles. Watching her pet eating, her mind drifted back to her thoughts of getting even with Mark. It was the most delicious idea she had ever thought of. Walking back through to the living room, Jane could contain herself no longer and erupted into laughter. She was sill giggling when she went to bed. Smiling profusely, she watched with great amusement as Amazon came into the bedroom and leapt effortlessly onto her bed. He circled a few times, and then settled himself, licking his paw and wiping it over the side of his face, his body pressing close to hers.
Mark called her during the week to confirm their plans. Jane winced when she heard his voice on the other end but almost immediately her lips parted in a smile as her plan leapt into her brain.
“I’m pleased you called. I’ve been thinking. It’s a long way to Newmarket and back again, why don’t you stop off at my place on your way home and have dinner? If you’d like to that is.”
Jane couldn’t see him but Mark punched the air in jubilation. Readily he agreed to her suggestion that he bring a change of clothes to freshen up in, and when she mentioned he might like to bring his toothbrush as well, he almost dropped the receiver. Hanging up, Jane felt a euphoria she hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Later the same day she received a call from Patricia. “What on earth are you playing at?” were the first words that greeted her ears. “Here I am thinking you hated the guy and all of a sudden you’re thinking of asking him to stay the night. What’s gotten into you,” she scolded, “have you got rocks in your head, or something.”
“I assume you heard the latest,” Jane laughed. “Pat, calm down will you. I have absolutely no intention of cooking for him or asking to sleep with me. He might be getting into my house but that will be as far as he’ll be going. I know he has the impression that he’ll be getting into my bed, but as for me in it with him, well, he can forget that. In fact, I won’t be in the house at all.”
Patricia paused then said, “You’re scheming something, aren’t you?”
Jane was laughing so hard her sides were aching. “Oh yes, I have something very special for Mark Brodey. It’s something he’s never likely to forget, and I can honestly say that he won’t be bothering me after this Sunday.”
“Are you going to tell me what it is you’re going to do?”
Jane paused then said, “Nope. I want it to be a total surprise but this I can tell you, it’ll be the best fun that I’ve ever had.
“You know you can be very frustrating at times Jane,” Patricia said testily but with a hint of humour in her voice.
“Mmm, I know. Annoying, isn’t it?”
“Yes, very.”
The conversation ended with Jane not giving Patricia a single hint of what she had planned.
Sunday, and Mark was right on time for their day together. Jane had dressed to tease and as she slid into the seat beside Mark she made every effort to get as close to him as possible without actually touching him. The skin-tight black pants she wore showed her body from the waist down to their best advantage, and the cashmere sweater hugged her curves deliciously. The entire time they were together Jane toyed with his senses and emotions. Deliberately, she had worn her most expensive perfume and on frequent occasions she brushed herself against him. During lunch, she had heightened his arousal by running her foot up and down the back of his calf, while her eyes danced with his. When finally they reached the stables, she was surprised to learn that he actually did have a racehorse, or rather a half share in one. Mark lived up to his promise and Jane spent an adrenalin-filled forty minutes on the back of a chestnut stallion. The feeling of the wind rushing through her hair was more than words could describe.
Sliding out of the saddle she immediately went to Mark’s side. “Wow! What a rush! That was absolutely incredible. Thank you.” She leant closer to him and pecked him on the cheek, then whispered in his ear, “My God, he is a magnificent animal. Having him between my legs was one of the most amazing experiences ever. It certainly does things to a woman.” Deftly she nibbled the lobe of his ear before retreating. It was a signal that sent a shiver straight down Mark’s back that stopped between his legs.
Mark grinned lecherously.
On the journey home Jane leaned back in her seat and looking across at Mark said softly, “I can’t wait to get home. Can’t this thing go any faster?”
Mark, his anticipation almost screaming out of the top of his head, pushed harder on the accelerator.
“I love the smell of leather,” she said, running her fingers up and down the gear stick. It was a classic suggestive movement and Mark interpreted it in the only way he knew. The Porsche flew along the motorway.
Pulling to a halt outside her home, Mark switched off the engine and climbed out, glancing up at the neat house with a garage built on the side. Warm light glowed from within. She slipped him her house key.
“Go inside and make yourself comfortable, help yourself to a drink. I’ll join you in a few minutes. There something I have to do first. Leave me your car keys, I want to hear once more the sound of power, with me behind the wheel.”
Mark made no protest. He took the key from her and handed his to her. Lightly, she brushed the back of his hand, an action that made the hairs on the back of his neck tingle. He leaned forward to steal a kiss from her but she planted a hand in the center of his chest and pushed him firmly away.
“Patience,” she breathed seductively. “Go inside, I’ll just be a moment.”
He took the stairs two at a time, unlocked the door and slipped inside. Closing the door behind him, he quickly scanned the inside. Jane’s house, a one storey building, was neat and tastefully decorated. Mark moved quickly. He wanted to have a quick look around before Jane came inside. He was convinced they were going to make love. All the signs were there, it was just a case of when.
The living room was sumptuous. Two large cream coloured divans sat opposite each other. A fire, which was used extensively during the winter, had a huge palm standing in front of it. The walls, also cream, had expensive prints handing on them. All the woodwork was painted pale green. Houseplants were placed carefully about the room. A large bookcase, the shelves filled with books, was against the wall opposite the fireplace. Three steps led up to a small landing that featured two doors. One was closed, the other ajar. Mark sprinted up the steps and threw open the door. Eureka, he thought. The bedroom. He walked across the dimly lit room and pushed firmly down on the mattress of the large bed. Hearing a sound behind him he looked over his shoulder. Through the open door he could see the front door. It was still closed. He reached over to a side table and clicked on the lamp standing on it. Amazon, who had been dozing on the bed, sat straight upright and stared at the impostor. Mark froze.
Amazon leapt from the bed and Mark, fear gripping him, backed away into a corner of the room. Mark, panic seizing his entire body, poured sweat. Amazon snarled, baring his white fangs. Mark hardly breathed as he looked into the pale eyes of Amazon; Jane’s pet South-American Jaguar as it stood in the doorway, barring the way out of the room. The big cat released a low, guttural sound. Mark tried to swallow.
Jane, when she saw the light to her bedroom come on she started Mark’s Porsche and put the vehicle into gear. Releasing the hand brake she eased forward, away from the house. Laughing to herself she said cheerfully, “He can stew there until the morning. That’ll teach him.”

The End