To Seek a Master (6 page)

Feeling rather pleased with herself, Laura made a quick detour to Pretty Things on her way to EAS, risking Mr Henderson’s displeasure, to buy another suspender belt and a pair of seamed stockings, which she put on in the shop changing room. She was only a few minutes late, and he showed no great surprise when she blamed the train. Nor did he show any unusual interest in her, immediately launching into the day’s work.

‘Something rather tricky has come up, Laura. Drake over at Maxwell-Boyce is considering an additional five 36,000 volt units on their order. It should be straightforward, but he is one of those clients who appreciate the personal touch, while as you know I have to be here this afternoon. I’d like you to take Drake to lunch, if you wouldn’t mind? On expenses, of course.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Good girl.’

His response carried just the note of condescension and affection she’d come to imagine from the Man, and instantly brought her the familiar prickle of resentment and arousal. Telling herself to be businesslike, she quickly gathered together the things she’d need as Mr Henderson explained what she was to do and that she was to meet Mr Drake at the Horseshoes in Abbots Ripton.

It was an unexpected treat, and not only because she would be out and about instead of stuck in the office all day. By the time she’d secured a car from the pool the weather had begun to break, with patches of blue showing among fast moving clouds and a wonderfully fresh feel to the air. It was also the first time Mr Henderson had ever trusted her to act on her own with a client, while there was no denying that the identity of that client made a lot of difference.

Even if Mr Drake wasn’t the Man, he was very definitely a
man,
and just the sort to make her melt. It was even possible that he’d leave Miss Manston-Jones in Peterborough, which opened up all sorts of possibilities. They’d be alone in a country pub on what was turning into a beautiful spring day. A little wine, and she might be able to suggest a walk to make sure they were safe to drive back to their offices, a walk on which he might very well try to take advantage of her.

She’d be made to squat down in some lonely copse, to take his cock in her mouth, all the while risking being seen by some walker or farmhand, very possibly with her blouse open and pulled back to show off her breasts as she sucked. Maybe he’d even take her all the way, kneeling in the grass, her suit dishevelled to show her off in the same rude way she’d been the night before, or stark naked, without a stitch to cover her modesty.

On the other hand it was still a bit chilly, while the grass was sure to be full of ants, spiders and other small creatures guaranteed to have much the same effect on her ardour as a bucket of cold water. It would be more practical to take a room at the pub, if less romantic. That way they could really indulge themselves, and with luck he would prove forceful and open-minded enough to want to tie her to the bed or, better still, to smack her bottom.

Only by jamming her foot on the brake did she prevent herself from running into the car ahead as it slowed for a red light. Telling herself that if he did spank her she would deserve it for not paying attention to the road, she forced herself to concentrate. The traffic was light, and she quickly realised she had made a mistake in setting off as soon as the car had been cleared, as she arrived only minutes after the pub opened, with over an hour to go before Mr Drake arrived.

She bought an orange juice and went outside, sipping her drink in the pale spring sunlight and letting her thoughts drift. The events of the last few days had opened up the possibility
of
exploring her sexuality in some exciting way, taking her back to the way Tommy Fuller had made her feel: rude, sometimes even dirty, occasionally a little scared, but every bit a woman. Mr Drake at least had the potential to do the same.

After a quick glance to make sure that nobody was looking, Laura quickly undid the second button of her blouse, then the third, only to do the third back up, open it again and close it again. She knew from bitter experience that a lot of men would be put off by too overt a display, while there was every chance that Miss Manston-Jones would be along as well. Miss Manston-Jones, Laura was sure, would never have to suggest that she was available.

A silver Mercedes was pulling into the car park, and Laura stopped fiddling with her blouse, watching as the driver eased himself into a parking space. He got out, a typical young businessman, alone and with no obvious reason for the guilty glance he cast in Laura’s general direction before going inside. Moments later a second car arrived, small and red. This time it was a woman; petite, with dyed blonde hair cut in a bob and the sort of chest that made men talk down. Like the man, she went into the pub.

Laura could see in through the windows, to the bar, where the man and woman greeted each other with a kiss. They drank wine, chinking their glasses together and gulping the contents in an obvious hurry. Five minutes and they’d finished. The man came out, got into his car and reversed a little way, allowing the woman to nip quickly into the passenger seat as she emerged. Laura smiled.

Obviously the couple were having an affair, and presumably a clandestine one. It was hard to disapprove, when she didn’t know who else might be involved, and easy to enjoy a vicarious thrill as she imaged the couple driving off for a bout of hurried, illicit sex. There would be no time for anything fancy, as both
were
presumably on their lunch hours. They’d kiss, clinging urgently to each other in a passion made hot by anticipation. He looked the type to take the lead and would unzip himself, pulling his cock and balls out from the fly of his suit and guiding her hand to them. As she began to stroke him erect he would fumble her breasts out of her clothes, enjoying their size and weight, running his thumbs over her nipples to make them pop out. As soon as he was stiff she’d get into his lap, her skirt pulled up, her tights and knickers pushed down, and the full length of his erection eased into her. They’d do it like that, with her bouncing on his cock and him with one big breast in either hand, to reach their satisfaction in just minutes.

She was smiling to herself as she pictured the scene, and now earnestly hoping that Mr Drake would turn up alone, and make a move on her. Another car was approaching, a black one, very similar to his. Her heart had begun to beat faster as she realised it was his and she quickly composed herself, pretending she hadn’t noticed him until he was actually walking towards her, his hand extended. There was no sign of Miss Manston-Jones.

‘Another early bird, I see.’

Laura stood up, sure that he would realise the state she was in as she took his hand and responded.

‘Mr Drake. Good morning.’

‘Chris, please. Is everybody at EAS so formal?’

‘Mr Henderson feels that I should address senior people respectfully.’

He chuckled.

‘My PA’s the same, maybe we should swap? Shall we go inside? It’s a bit windy out here.’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘What are you having.’

The words ‘rough sex’ rose unbidden to Laura’s throat and she ended up coughing in her effort not to actually say them. He made her choice for her.

‘G and T. Have you been here before?’

‘No.’

‘It’s very good. Miles from anywhere of course.’

Laura smiled and nodded, wondering if any of his previous visits had been liaisons such as the one she’d just witnessed. He set up a tab and ordered the drinks, refusing to allow her to put anything on her own expenses. Taking a menu and the wine list, he led her to a table by the window. Laura sat down, completely abandoned to his easy assumption of control. He was absorbed in the menu and she took a moment to watch him, admiring the lean contours of his shoulders and chest, but particularly his face. There was something patrician about him, yet with a boyish cast, so that it was easy to imagine him not as a businessman, but perhaps as a wealthy young idler from between the wars, or a Spitfire pilot. Certainly it was easy to imagine him as the hero in a novel, and one with a dark side, one who would enjoy giving a girl a bit of necessary discipline across his knee.

‘Do you like spatchcock?’

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘Spatchcock. You know, it’s a chicken dish.’

‘Oh … yes, of course. Yes, very much.’

‘Well I’m going to have it.’

‘So will I.’

‘And a bottle of Chablis, I think, or would you prefer Sancerre?’

‘Um … whichever you think best … no, let’s have the Chablis.’

Laura had forced herself to make a decision, sure that she was making an exhibition of herself. He took no notice, but
went
to the bar and quickly gave their order, speaking the moment he returned.

‘To business. I’ll be straightforward with you here. I’ve managed to persuade my bosses to upgrade our 36,000 volt system at the same time as the general one, hopefully saving money in the long run. This is my idea, and a lot rests on my being able to justify it, so I need a good price. Presumably old Henderson has given you some leeway?’

‘Some, yes.’

‘Good. Then name your bottom line to save a lot of tedious argument, I’ll accept, sign up to the deal and we can enjoy our lunch, how’s that?’

Laura hid a smile, having seen enough clients try to steam-roller Mr Henderson over the years to recognise the technique. Hoping that Mr Drake was so sure of himself that he’d assume she’d accept his offer without quibbling, she named a price ten per cent higher than the one Mr Henderson had suggested. Mr Drake gave her a sharp look.

‘Merlin Gerin can do better.’

‘Then you’d have two companies trying to install switchgear at the same time. Please Mr Drake, if I don’t manage to reach an agreement I’ll be in trouble.’

He laughed.

‘OK, I’ll take it, if only for that naughty schoolgirl impression.’

Laura found herself blushing, as if he’d read her mind, and quickly busied herself with the paperwork. Having reached a decision he signed up without further discussion, and Laura was soon left with a satisfying sense of a job well done, while it was clear he was keen to flirt, and perhaps more. He spoke easily, asking questions and making her laugh with his wry, slightly self-effacing style. By the time they’d finished lunch what little resistance she’d had left was gone. He made it easy
to
melt, and when the couple she had seen earlier came back she didn’t hesitate before leaning across the table.

‘Do you see the man in the green tie and the blonde woman?’

‘Yes.’

‘They arrived shortly before you did, in different cars, then went off together in his. That was nearly an hour ago.’

He chuckled.

‘The Horseshoes is well known as a rendezvous. There’s a piece of forestry land a couple of miles away, which is, shall we say, equally well known. I suspect that’s where they’ve been.’

‘I’m sure it is.’

Laura hesitated, spinning the stem of her empty glass between finger and thumb as she wondered if she dared suggest a visit. He smiled, once again seeming to read her thoughts, extending one hand to gently stroke her fingers as he spoke.

‘Would you like to?’

Laura nodded, a sudden, urgent motion, making no effort to conceal her passion. His smile grew a trifle broader and he squeezed her hand, then rose to pay the bill. Alone for a moment, she was sure that everybody else in the pub knew exactly what was going on, despite nobody paying any obvious attention at all. Not that she really cared. She was ready, and it had been too long.

He came back and took her by the hand, Laura walking as if she was in a dream as she allowed herself to be led to his car. It was new, the inside still rich with the smell of leather, the air warm and still. She relaxed, feeling safe and confident now that she was sure she had his attention, also naughty. Turning to him with a smile as they set off, she began to undo the buttons of her blouse, making it very clear that she was
fully
available and needed no further cajoling. His response was a knowing, amused chuckle.

The plantation was just minutes away, a stand of mature poplars and pines cut through by broad gravel roads, arrow straight but with turning places every so often that might have been designed for lovers in cars. He chose one well in from the road, but instead of taking Laura into his arms as she had been hoping, he climbed out, beckoning her to follow. She obeyed, not wanting to spoil the experience, but gave a squeak of alarm as he immediately pressed her against the side of the car, his hands circling her waist beneath her open blouse.

‘Won’t somebody see?’

‘Maybe, another couple.’

He’d undone her bra as he spoke and the next instant her breasts were bare to the cool forest air. She tried to speak, not at all sure if she wanted to put on a show for other people, but he had taken one nipple between his lips and her voice came as a gasp. He was going to have her, just the way he wanted, and in the open, something so in tune with her fantasies she had quickly abandoned all thought of resistance.

‘OK, do it … do as you like.’

‘I intend to.’

He’d spoken as his mouth left her chest, but he stayed down, adjusting her clothes and kissing her flesh as it came bare, confident in his right to do as he pleased. Laura shut her eyes, holding him gently as she was exposed, her blouse opened wide to leave her bare breasts thrust high, her skirt rolled up to show her stockings, her suspenders straps, her knickers. A single, firm kiss was planted on the mound of her sex and he spoke again.

‘Stockings and suspenders, I see. I do like an old-fashioned girl.’

Laura tried to answer, but again her words came out as a
gasp.
He’d tugged her knickers down, in one sudden motion, exposing her to his mouth. Her legs began to shake as she was licked, her breathing growing deeper and harder by the moment, until she was sure she was going to come.

‘Don’t stop, please.’

He pulled away.

‘Greedy girl, Laura.’

The tone of gentle admonishment in his voice was exactly what she needed as he set to work again. A few more words with that same easy authority would have been perfect, but her imagination had no trouble in keeping up. He was doing wonderful things with his tongue as she imagined how it could have been, for him to call her a greedy girl, just as he had done, but to refuse her request, then to tell her what happened to greedy girls, how greedy girls needed their bottoms smacked before being made to suck cock.