The Wheels of Fortune (closed for DarkWarrioress)

[Tio_Narratore]

“I like spending time with you, too,” Arthur said as he touched her hand in return.

Tim opened the door for Tess to exit, and Arthur hurried around from the other side of the car to join her.

“I’ll call when we’re ready, Tim.”

“Yes, Mr. Hawthorn,” the chauffeur replied.

Arthur placed his hand lightly on the small of Tess’s back as he guided her into Saks.

“I know you’re not familiar with the store,” he said as he walked towards the reception desk. “I’ve taken the liberty of arranging for a personal consultant for you. She’ll help you find what you want and will even make suggestions when she sees what you’re interested in. I can wait for you in the parlor or, if you prefer, I can trail along behind and watch you shop. When you try things on, you can show me right away or you can just bring home what you buy.”

Arthur introduced himself and Tess at the reception.

“Mr. Hawthorne,” the manager said, “It’s nice to see you again. It must be five years since the . . .”

“That’s okay,” Arthur said to her, seeing her discomfort. “It’s nice to be here again.”

They were introduced to Meaghan, a twenty-ish well dressed and well-spoken woman, who was to be Tess’s personal consultant for the shopping trip.

Arthur looked at Tess. “Well, shall I follow or wait? I’m good with either. Which would you prefer?”

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Saks was, well, overwhelming to her. She had never seen a store like it before. Before she could tell him what she wanted, she was being introduced to Meaghan, her consultant for shopping here.

“Well, shall I follow or wait? I’m good with either. Which would you prefer?”

Tess turned Arthur and held out her hand.

“Come with, please?”

She couldn’t explain it, but Arthur grounded her and this store was overwhelming. Besides, the thought of modelling the dresses for Arthur pleased her. They followed Meaghan to a private room. In there, there were rows of dresses that lined the walls. Tess’ eyes lingered on the clothing and she turned toward Arthur to protest. There was no denying it, the clothing in this store was expensive. Certainly far more expensive than anything Tess had ever owned.

“Arthur---”

There was a panicked look in Tess’ eyes and laced through her voice.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Arthur happily followed Meaghan and Tess into the showroom, and, before Tess even called to him, he was aware of her panic.

“Give us a minute, Meaghan,” he said as he took Tess’s hand and drew her close to him.

“It’s okay, Tess,” he said softly. “If you’re worried about the prices, relax. The expensive outfits are in the Designers’ Lounge.”

He gave her a little hug before continuing.

“I can see you’re not used to this kind of shopping, so we’ll take it easy today. Just end up with four or five outfits. Dresses, skirts and blouses, pants suits, whatever you like. And don’t forget shoes...stockings too, I guess, and underthings. You’ll be working for me for a while, I hope, and you will need clothes. And don’t worry about the costs, just about how much you like the clothes. Afterwards we can have lunch; they have a great little restaurant upstairs, and then back home to relax for the afternoon.”

He backed away a half step and squeezed her hand.

“Now just go along with Meaghan and enjoy yourself. She’ll show you things and hold your choices for trying on. When you go to the dressing room, you can choose to model them for me if you want or show me your choices back at the townhouse. Or even just take them, and I’ll get to see them when you actually wear them. It’s all up to you, but I will be pleased to see you in your new clothes whenever I get the chance.”

With that, he released her hand and motioned her back towards her personal consultant.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

The feel of Arthur’s hand and his closeness, helped to calm her. She was feeling overwhelmed already and they hadn’t even started any of the shopping yet. At least his reassurance that the more expensive outfits were elsewhere, she also was very aware that this part of the store still wasn’t going to inexpensive.

When Arthur listed the things he wanted her to shop for, her mind boggled. So many? Then, some part of her feminine mind took over and she looked forward to modeling things for him. She knew he was right. There would be engagements he would attend and probably would ask her along. She couldn’t embarrass him with her current meager wardrobe. Squeezing his hand, she took a deep breath and stepped back as Meaghan stepped back into the room and waited nearby. Turning, she smiled at Meaghan.

“I’m sorry about that little meltdown. I’m ready when you are.”

With one more glance over her shoulder at Arthur, she followed Meaghan out of the room. Where they went next stunned Tess. The walls were lined with clothes. The room seemed endless. Meaghan left Tess standing in the middle of the room, next to a chair.

“Why don’t you have a seat. I’ll go get some clothing to get you started. I was already informed about what you will need. I’ll also order you something to drink to help relax.”

Meaghan disappeared down the room and around some blind corner. Not too long after she left, a young woman entered bearing a tray with some champagne and a fluted glass. She set it on the small table by the chair Tess was sitting in and poured a glass of the bubbly before she left. Glancing at the glass, she wasn’t sure if she should drink it but then thought recklessly, why not?

It wasn’t long before Meaghan was back carrying some things over her arm and she was followed by someone else bearing even more clothing.

“Let’s see. How about we start with these and work our way outward, hm?”

Meaghan set some underthings as well as stockings on an ottoman in front of Tess.

“You can change in here.”

Meghan had stepped next to a curtained doorway and opened it for her. Tess took one look, took another sip of champagne and stood, reaching for the finery. She shot Meaghan a smile with a quiet “Thank you.” Before stepping into the room and drawing the curtain closed. In the privacy of the room, Tess got undressed and donned the lacy underwear, bra and then the stockings and garters. She looked at herself in the full length mirror in the room. The whole ensemble made her feel womanly and sexy. As she turned and preened at herself, she wondered what Arthur would think and no, she wouldn’t be modelling this for him.

“Tess? Here are some evening dresses for you try on. I was guessing your size, but we can alter anything you like.”

The curtain parted slightly and a hand came in bearing a few gowns, which Tess took from her and put them on the hangers on the wall.

“Thank you, Meaghan.”

“Let me know if you need anything else, dear.”

The hand and Meghan disappeared again. Tess’ fingers lightly ran over the fabric of the first gown. It was soft and clingy. It had a slit up the side and she wasn’t sure about this one but started to don it anyway. Slipping it on, she zipped it up the back as far as she could before she stepped from the dressing room and turned her back to Meaghan.

“Could you finish zipping me up, please?”

Tess held her hair up and out of the way.

“Of course. I’d be glad to.”

The zipper was tugged up and Tess let down her hair before heading out of the room to where they had left Arthur. She entered the room quietly and stood by his chair.

“What do you think, Arthur?”

Coming around his chair, she turned in a circle before him. The slit in her dress flashed the stocking and garter beneath it.

“Maybe this one for the meeting with your editor?”

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Arthur sat quietly nearby, also with a flute of champagne, while Meaghan fetched selections for Tess. He smiled as the lingerie was laid out for Tess’s approval and imagined her in them. It wasn’t hard, after all he’d spent a day with her in her bikini, and the image of her body was imbedded in his mind.

He fell into a bit of a reverie as she entered the dressing room, and imagined her slipping out of her clothes. He found the thought pleasantly arousing, and continued to be aroused by the image of her trying them on. The lace panties first, sliding up her thighs as she stepped one foot then the other into them. He paused a moment in thought, wondering if she was natural or shaved, before picturing her pulling them up over her hips. Stockings next, for some reason, probably to get another imaginary view of her breasts hanging down and swaying as she bent to put on each stocking. Next came the bra, her standing up straight, breasts prominently displayed as she tucked them into the lacy cups and then hooked it closed in back.

Time for dresses, then, and Arthur watched Meaghan pass a couple to Tess. A bit of difficulty apparently, ut then she emerged from the dressing room in a lovely dress, a gown to be sure, but not too fancy, just right for a fine dinner out.

He smiled broadly as she modeled it for him, twirling for him to see it all around. All around and then some. He was quite pleased with the flash of garter-and-stockinged leg that the slit revealed.

“That would be good, Tess,” he agreed. “It’s a lovely gown on a lovely woman. I think that’s a keeper.”

He raised his flute in a little toast to her and the dress, and then setlled back in his chair to await the next offerings.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Tess preened under his approval.

“I’m glad you like it.”

She shyly went back with Meaghan to try on another dress. The one Meaghan had waiting for her was a cocktail dress. This one required her to remove her bra. It was backless and fit her like a glove. Tess ran her hands over her body, smoothing the dress in place. She couldn’t even describe how she felt in it. Like… a princess? Hmm. Maybe. She certainly felt sexy in it. There was a slit up one side that exposed hints of her stocking clad thigh as she walked. The heels on her feet certainly added to the glamorous ensemble. The tap, tap, tap on the floor told Arthur she was returning.

“What do you think?” She asked breathlessly, turning a full circle so he could get a good look at it.

“I have never worn something so glamorous, Arthur.”

There was a look of worry in her eyes. All these things were lovely and she knew she couldn’t pay for them, but could she let Arthur do so? He had said she would need them and she imagined so. Arthur liked to travel and the circles he travelled in, well, she didn’t want to embarrass him in clothing that couldn’t keep up with the look that would, in her mind, be required. She stood there, uncertainty in her eyes. She hated feeling this way. At one time, she had been incredibly confident and she hated being reduced to this mere shadow of herself.

"Arthur," she began, canting her head slightly, "why are you doing this for me? Why are you bothering with someone you barely know?"

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Arthur nodded to Meaghan, and she stepped out of the room to leave them alone. Arthur took Tess’s hand and looked into her eyes.

“I feel I’ve known you for a long time, Tess,” he began. “I’ve felt comfortable with you since we sat down and talked in the diner. I feel trust with you, and I feel the competence you have within you. That’s why I hired you as head of house.”

He let go of her hand, but continued his eye contact.

“And the clothes?” he continued. “Let’s not see them as a gift, though I do enjoy your selecting them. You’re my head of house, in charge of everything at the Lodge and here at the townhouse. And you’ll be traveling with me for meetings and such - like this weekend - and I’d like you to dress the part. Consider the new clothes a ‘uniform allowance’ in a way. They go with the job.”

He took hold of her hand again.

“But I’d like also to think of you as more than an employee. I’d like us to be friends. As I said, I feel comfortable with you, comfortable in a way I haven’t felt in a long time. Now let’s get back to work and find you a few more outfits and then have lunch.”

Meaghan returned and helped Tess find a few more outfits, casual as well as more formal, and Arthur thoroughly enjoyed her modeling them for him. Meaghan packed them all up and Arthur took care of the bill and arranged to have Tim pick them up while he and Tess had lunch.

Off to the top floor restaurant, then, and they took a table for two in a secluded corner of the room.

“I’ve told you how I feel about you a couple of times now, Tess,” he said as they sipped their wine. “Now tell me how you feel about this person you hardly know.”

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She smiled. She couldn’t help it. There was something about Arthur that was so engaging. She sipped her wine and avoided his eyes for the moment as she gathered her thoughts. Reaching across the table, she outstretched a hand, palm upward towards him.

“Arthur, you are a generous, trusting man. You also have patience and wisdom. You captured my attention from the first moment we met. You are a gentleman but I sense more than that in you. I’m just not sure about myself anymore. I’m learning, becoming better each day. I know I can trust you and I do.”

She stopped to take a sip of wine before meeting his eyes again.

“You make me feel….”

She searched for the word she wanted and couldn’t find one that fit.

“Beautiful. I never thought of myself like that before. I just simply felt like… me. The clothes you bought me today? I understand the need. I just wish I had the ability to do it for myself.”

Her free fingertip traced the rim of her wineglass.

“Our relationship is evolving, is it not?”

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“Yes,” Arthur responded, “and in a good direction, I think.”

“And doing things for yourself?” he continued. “You’ve already demonstrated that taking charge as best you can under difficult circumstances. And don’t underestimate your abilities. Maybe I brought you to buy some clothes today, but you’ve learned a bit about how to do it yourself. I’m sure you’ll be hitting the shops on your own soon enough, buying clothes for yourself . . .”

He paused to sip his wine.

“. . . and for me to see. I really did enjoy your modeling the clothes for me this morning. Who knows,” he added, “perhaps you’ll want to do a bit of shopping as well as sightseeing tomorrow. ”

Arthur reflected on their relationship as they chatted and finished lunch. He wanted her to be confident, self-sufficient, and he wanted her to give herself to him. But not out of dependency; he wanted her of her own free will. He smiled as he remembered his dream of her extending her hands towards him with a length of rope lying across her wrists.

Lunch finished, Arthur suggested they go back to the townhouse.

“You’ve barely seen the place,” he noted. “You can have some time to get familiar with it before we’re off to dinner.”

He texted Tim, and soon they were back on Washington Mews. Arthur paused again as they ascended the stairs. The chauffeur brought the packages in and Arthur told him he wouldn’t be needed for the rest of the day.

“We’ll be walking to the restaurant,” he explained to Tess. “It’s only about ten minutes away.”

He showed her around the house, starting with the four bedrooms upstairs. The main floor featured a parlor, a formal dining room, and a two-story library with a ten-foot high bay window facing out towards the park. A kitchen, a breakfast nook, and a large den of sorts. After the tour, Arthur brought her back to the library. He opened the drapes for the view and to let the light in.

“I’d like to do a bit of work on my novel,” he explained. “Why don’t your explore the house for yourself for a bit. I’ll only be an hour or so. You can find me here when you’re done.”

As he sat down at the mahogany desk, he wondered - perhaps hoped - she’d find some of the toys he and Emily played with, the few he kept after she died.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

It wasn’t that she couldn’t buy things for herself, she simply never had the means to do so or even had the desire to. Had Brad really drug her down that low? Tess’ shoulders straightened as her spine did. It was time she took back her own power. She had lived in Brad’s shadow for far too long.

“Who knows, perhaps you’ll want to do a bit of shopping as well as sightseeing tomorrow.”

She smiled at him over the rim of her glass and shrugged.

“Perhaps.”

Arthur apparently wanted to get home and do some writing and had told her to feel free to explore his home while he did so. It didn’t take long for Tim to drive them home, deposit her packages and left. She had thought that Arthur would leave her as soon as Tim left, but he surprised her by showing her the house. With a small incline of her head and a smile, she left him in the library to work. Gathering up her new clothes, Tess took them upstairs and hung them up properly, her fingers lingering over the fabric of them as she did so. Never, ever, had she owned such beautiful things. She put her delicates in the drawers of the dresser and folded the bags her clothes had come home in. Letting herself out of her room, she started to explore on her own.

Two of the bedrooms were unused and she found herself down the hall at the doorway of the master bedroom. Her hand hesitated momentarily on the doorknob before she gave it a twist entered unoccupied space. The first thing she noticed was the bed. Walking over to it, she ran her hand over the covers. How many times had Arthur and his wife slept or even played here? What kind of things did they play? Snatching back her hand as if she had touched something hot, Tess turned and actually looked at the room. She had expected to find more of Emily’s touch to the room but all Tess had found and saw was Arthur. She hurriedly left the master bedroom and went to explore the rest of the house.

She softly knocked on the door of the closed library and waited for Arthur to answer. An hour had flown by and a quick glance at her watch told her it was still too early for their dinner date.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Arthur had finished the little work he wanted to do and now sat waiting to see if Tess would come. As he waited, he imagined her in the library with him, playing as he and Emily had so often. There was that image again, Tess, bare-topped offering him the rope that lay across her outstretched wrists. Then there was a light rapping at the door. He arose and quickly went to the door to open it.

“Come in,” he said with a smile, “have a look at the library; it’s my favorite room in the townhouse. Work and play all within these four walls. It’s where Emily and I would write and whatever when we were in town, and it’s where we’d entertain guests after dinners, or even entertain ourselves.”

He put his arm behind her, but not with his open palm on the small of her back; this time his arm wrapped lightly around her waist, his hand gently cradling her just above her hip. Around the room he guided her, describing the books, the art, and the artifacts that were arrayed on each wall, things that he and his wife had acquired. He affectionately pointed out some that were Emily’s choices. They paused in front of the stone fireplace.

“And in the cold weather, we’d have a cozy fire burning here. There was a bearskin rug here, too, where we’d often sit when it was just the two of us.”

‘Odd,’ he thought to himself, ‘I’m talking about Emily, but I don’t seem to feel any grief now, just good memories.’

They reached the front of the library, the window wall that faced the Square. He pressed a button beside the windows, and the drapes slowly parted, revealing a view through some trees of Washington Square Park.

“We’d often work with the drapes open. It was always refreshing to see the bustle of people around the fountain on nice days.”

He became increasingly aware of Tess’s presence as he showed her around the room. By the time he was showing her the massive mahogany desk, he felt bathed in her scent and felt the soft warmth of the flesh under his hand.

“Let’s go upstairs,” he announced on what seemed a sudden whim.

His arm was still around her, but shifted as they reached the stairs, the flat of his open palm and spread fingers enveloping the small of her back once more. He guided her into the master bedroom.

“I presume you’ve explored it a bit,” he said, “but there’s something I feel I have to tell you about it.”

He took his hand from her back as he spoke.

“After Emily’s death I tried to console myself with other women, here in the bedroom. I removed every trace of our sharing this space in hopes it would help me forget.”

He ran his hand up and down one of the massive bedposts.

“It didn’t,” he continued, “and after a few years when I moved mostly up to the lodge, I just left it this way.”

He paused in his memories for a few moments, and then his face brightened.

“Now let’s look at your room,” he said in a very animated voice as he directed her into the hall and to the room next door.

“You can have it redecorated any way you like,” he declared when they were inside. “It’ll be yours when you or we are in town.”

His eyes fell on the dresser and her brush lying on it. He looked back to Tess. ‘Yes,’ he thought, ‘she does have lovely hair, so lush and so red. A nice length, too, even though I do like very long hair.’ And then he had an idea. He pulled the dressing bench away from the foot of the bed and guided Tess to sit on it. He fetched the hairbrush and stepped up behind her.

“May I ask you to indulge me a bit, Tess,” he whispered as he lifted her tresses in his left hand. “You have such beautiful hair.”

He took a first stroke lightly through her hair, hoping she’d say yes.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Tess wandered into the library at Arthur’s invitation, letting the door close softly behind her. Her eyes were fastened to all the books in the room and she sighed. She loved books and consequently, reading. As she walked around the room, letting her fingertips reverently pass over the spines of the many books residing there, she listened to Arthur speaking. At one point, she stopped, studying him and then smiled softly at him.

“You’re thinking of Emily, aren’t you?”

The view he showed her was breathtaking, considering they were in the city. Tess wasn’t much of a city girl. She much preferred the countryside or small towns. Oh, the big cities had their place and functions but her heart would always belong to smaller places.

She was very aware of Arthur’s arm around her, felt his warmth through her clothing. He smelled good too! He took her upstairs into the master bedroom. She hesitated only momentarily at the door. As he spoke about Emily and the other women who had been briefly in his life, her eyes wandered about the room. She watched his hand glide up and down one of the massive bedposts to the bed. On a whim, she moved to the bed and placed her hand upon his.

“Arthur, you shouldn’t try to erase Emily. She was your life. Granted, she’s gone, but she’s not gone from your heart.”

Her voice was soft and not at all intrusive. She wasn’t sure where they were going with this tour but when he suggested visiting her room, she agreed readily enough.

“May I ask you to indulge me a bit, Tess. You have such beautiful hair.”

He wanted to brush her hair. It was such an intimate thing to do and she wasn’t, at first, sure what she should say. Wetting her suddenly dry lips with the tip of her tongue, all she could do was nod slightly. Her eyes closed as Arthur ran the brush through her hair. This was certainly something new to her. She couldn’t remember a single time when Brad had offered to do the same thing. Perhaps that was a good thing. There wasn’t a moment from her past to taint this.

Arthur had made himself clear enough. He cared about her. Now, all Tess needed to do was trust him so they could see where this… whatever this was between them… would go.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“I don’t want to erase her, Tess,” Arthur said quietly as he ran the first stroke of the brush over her hair. “It’s just the end I want to forget. I keep the good memories, but . . .”

He let his words trail off; to continue would evoke the painful memory of that night. A few strokes of the brush, and he took a deep breath.

“I haven’t done this for nearly five years, Tess,” he said. “Brush a woman’s hair. I used to do it for Emily, sometimes to pamper her, sometimes to pamper me, sometimes for our pleasures. She had long blond hair, silken and down to her waist. There were times I’d do her hair for our little games. She enjoyed the classic pigtail on each side for sexual play. And there was a time when I braided it at her nape and wrapped it around her neck, pulling it under itself in the back and fastening the remainder with a hair pin. We went to a club that night and the braided ‘choker’ around her throat was quite the sensation. She had me do it that way a few times.”

He paused a moment and then thanked Tess for indulging him.

“I like the look and feel of your hair, and I felt that you might like this little bit of pampering. You deserve some tenderness in your life. And I feel comfortable brushing your hair. I guess it’s because I feel comfortable with you.”

He continued brushing, falling into a bit of a reverie. He snapped out of it when he realized he’d become aroused. He hoped it wasn’t obvious, and he did want to relax. He still insisted to himself that he wouldn’t attempt to have sex with her until she initiated it, until she offered herself to him. He took a deep breath and a few final runs of the brush through her hair.

“Thank you, Tess,” he whispered as he leaned forward and lightly kissed the top of her head. “It was very sweet of you to indulge me.”

He let his hand glide over her shoulder as he finished.

“Why don’t we get dressed now and take a somewhat longer walk to the restaurant.” he proposed, “You can get to see some of the neighborhood.”

 

[DarkWarrioress]

As Arthur’s hand glided over her shoulder, her own hand came up to cover his. In the vanity mirror, she smiled at him.

“Thank you, Arthur. Having someone brush my hair felt very nice. Emily was a lucky woman.”

Her hand fell away from his but not before she gave his a small squeeze.

“How fancy are we going to dress, Arthur?”

Her mind was already going over her purchases from earlier. Since they were walking, she didn’t want to use any of her new shoes that sported a very high heel. There was also a part of her mind going over everything that had just happened. Everything she knew about Arthur, told her that while he was lonely, he wasn’t looking for something quick and meaningless. That alone forged her courage. Now, it was just a matter of finding the right time.

Her eyes studied the man still behind her and once again, she wondered how it would feel to be wrapped in his arms, to feel his body pressed against her own, to know his body possessing hers. While she hadn’t known him very long at all, the time they had spent together had been meaningful. Something inside her, told her it would continue to be that way. Tess acknowledged that she couldn’t let one bad apple dictate the rest of her life.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“We’ll be dining at Loring Place,” he responded. “It’s just a few blocks from here. A bit upscale in clentel, but not pretentious. Casual chic would be the order of the day. The menu is pretty simple. There’ll be no problem choosing a dish.”

Arthur retired to his room to dress, and as he did, his mind was on Tess. And her hair. It felt so silky and soft and - he was surprised at the unexpected finish to his thought - so familiar, He shook his head at the thought. How could anything about her feel familiar; he’d only known her a few days? But it did feel familiar. All of her. A sense of having always known her swept over him. Thoughts of fate arose again, fate or something else.

Other thoughts entered his mind then. Should he wait for her to show she’d be his or should he take the initiative? He looked at his bed and pictured her there, clad only in her bikini, waiting for him to take her. And he pictured himself doing just that, undoing her swimsuit and wrapping his arms around her naked form. He snapped out of his little reverie.

‘I musn’t try to write this,’ he thought. ‘I have to let this story write itself wherever it takes me. Us.’

Casual chic it was, and he headed downstairs, anxious to see what Tess had chosen to wear, and anxious to take her on a short walking tour of the neighborhood.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Arthur left her to go get dressed for dinner. Tess sat at her vanity a moment or so longer, simply staring at herself in the mirror before she too, got up to go select a dress and shoes. Going through her choices, she picked a simple midnight blue dress that conformed to her upper body and waist then flared out from there. She donned stockings and garters and slipped her feet into a pair of low-heeled, black shoes. Her handbag sat on the edge of the bed and after insuring she had everything she needed inside of it, she closed the snap. The back of the dress had a long zipper and getting it halfway up her back was about all she could manage. With determination in her steps, she went to Arthur’s room and knocked on the door. When he didn’t answer, she knocked again and waited. When there was still no answer she turned the doorknob and peeked inside.

“Hello? Arthur?”

There was no answer, so closing the door again she made her way downstairs, hoping she didn’t encounter any of his staff. When she found Arthur she smiled softly and hesitantly.

“Arthur, would you mind, please?”

Gathering her hair, pulling it over one shoulder as she turned and presented him with her half naked back.

“I could only bring the zipper up halfway. I’m sorry to bother you like this.”

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“I’d be delighted,” answered Arthur with a smile. “It’s been a long time since I had the pleasure of assisting in such a predicament.”

He stepped up behind Tess and took hold of the top of the dress with his left hand and the zipper with his right. He quickly pulled the zipper downward, just past the waistline of Tess’s panties.

“Sorry,” he said with a little laugh, “wrong direction.”

He then pulled the zipper up the rest of the way to the neckline and hooked the little fastener there.

His eyes were on her neck, though, on the side that was exposed. On her nape partially covered by the swirl of red hair, and on her hair draped over the other side of her neck. He found it attractive, so attractive that he couldn’t entirely restrain himself. He bent his head beside hers and gave her neck a warm little kiss.

“Okay,” he exclaimed as he moved beside her and offered her his arm. “Let’s be on our way.”

 

[DarkWarrioress]

She was just about to point out his misdirection, when he corrected himself and it made her laugh softly.

“I didn’t know you were directionally challenged, Arthur,” she teased him.

Before she could step away and turn toward him, she felt his kiss on the side of her neck. Her eyes widened in surprise but before she could say or do anything, Arthur offered her his arm and she slipped her hand into it.

“Okay, let’s be on our way.”

She smiled up at him. “Let’s. I’m looking forward to our evening.”

While they walked toward their destination, Tess gazed at her surroundings. New York was a bustling place. There was always something going on. People hustled from one place to another. The evening was warm and clear. Tess had figured out one thing, at least. The big city was a nice place to visit, but she much preferred living where they did.

It was extremely nice to be on the arm of a good man. One wouldn’t intentionally hurt her. One, she knew instinctively who would take care of her, if she let him. Like anything else in life, there should be give and take and she had to wonder if what she could offer Arthur would be good enough for him.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

“The restaurant’s actually the other way,” Arthur explained as they walked down the steps of his townhouse. “It’s only a block and a half from here, but I wanted to show you some of the neighborhood.”

They strolled around the Square and then headed south. As they walked, Arthur told her tales of Greenwich Village’s history. Arthur enjoyed the stroll, enjoyed having Tess’s arm in his. Again he thought how comfortable and natural it felt to have her by his side. They paused at a small park to watch the men at play, younger and middle-aged men on the bocce courts and the old men at cards and dominoes. Back north, then, past historic houses and finally to the restaurant.

“Good evening, Mr. Hawthorne,” offered the maitre d’ as they entered. “It’s good to see you again. Mr. Lowe and Ms. Greene are expecting you.”

He led Arthur and Tess to a table where two people were already seated.

“May I present Tess Montgomery,” Arthur declared in a cheerful voice, adding, “Tess, this is Jonathan Lowe, my publisher, and this is Meredith Greene. She’s the senior editor. It’s her job to criticize me.”

Meredith laughed as Arthur pulled out a chair for Tess and then took his own seat.

“We’re pleased to meet you, Tess,” the publisher said, and then looked somewhat quizzically at Arthur.

“No, we’re not an item,” Arthur explained, sensing what Lowe was curious about. “Tess is my head of house. We met quite by accident, and one result was the inspiration that got me out of my writer’s block. If it weren’t for Tess, I wouldn’t be here bringing you an on-it’s-way-to-completion novel.”

He reached into his pocket and drew out two USB keys, one for Lowe and the other for Greene.

The two thanked Arthur, and Tess as well, “for making it possible.”

“And more,” Arthur began, “over coffee I discovered she was a bookkeeper and a computer tech. So I hired her to take care of the Lodge and house accounts, and that leaves me free to write whenever I want.”

Arthur paused a moment.

“And she’s a great fishing buddy, too. You should have seen the brook trout she caught up at the lake.”

“Sounds perfect,” Meredith declared as the server came for their orders.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Tess was grateful for wearing low heels. She enjoyed the tour Arthur was giving her. She studied the old and young men alike. It was fascinating to her. When Arthur announced they were at the restaurant, Tess could feel butterflies fluttering around in her stomach. Once inside, they were led to a table occupied by two, a man and a woman.

“May I present Tess Montgomery,” Arthur declared in a cheerful voice, adding, “Tess, this is Jonathan Lowe, my publisher, and this is Meredith Greene. She’s the senior editor. It’s her job to criticize me.”

Tess held a hand to Mr. Lowe first and shook his before she extended the same courtesy to his editor.

“A pleasure to meet you.”

She replied to both of them before sitting down in the chair Arthur pulled out for her. When he gave her credit for ending his writer’s block, she blushed. When they thanked her, her blush grew deeper and she reached for her glass of water, taking a sip.

The server came to take everyone’s order and Tess leaned close to Arthur and whispered close to his ear.

“Would you mind ordering for me, please?”

She trusted Arthur to order something she would enjoy. She straightened up in her chair and studied the two people she had just met. Arthur seemed relaxed enough in their company, which told her that he had known them for a while now. While their server was writing down their orders, Tess took the opportunity to study her surroundings. Elegant comfort. She could tell it was a plush restaurant, but it wasn’t overwhelmingly so. While she wasn’t used to such places, strangely, she didn’t feel out of place. Maybe it was because of Arthur. She glanced in his direction, a small smile playing on her lips as she did so, her eyes softening. He was really something. No one had ever talked her up to others like he did.

As they waited for their food to arrive, Tess asked in a soft voice, “How long have the two of you known Arthur?”

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Arthur decided to go with fish for the both of them. Grilled Arctic Char for Tess and a Skate Fish and Chips for himself, and an appetizer of hummus and pita to start. Jonathan and Meredith were already drinking. Arthur ordered a Whiskey Sour for Tess, expecting she’d enjoy the bourbon base and a Oaxacan Old Fashioned for himself. Their host also ordered seafood, and Jonathan chose the wine.

Their drinks came promptly, and it was time for some small talk.

“How long have the two of you known Arthur?” inquired Tess.

Jonathan laughed. “It seems like forever, but it was over a dozen years ago. We published his first novel, and he’s stuck with us ever since. And fr that we are grateful.”

“You treated me fairly and honestly, Jonathan,” Arthur noted. “There was no good reason to jump to another firm. And besides, I was really impressed with Meredith’s editing. Some editors are hell-bent on having you write what they want, what they think will sell better. Meredith helps you write what you want to write. I appreciate that.”

Meredith blushed and then opined that the order would still be a while so she’d make a quick trip tp the ladies’. As she got up, she motioned to Tess to come with her. Once the two women were gone, Jonathan addressed Arthur.

“I’ve been watching you; are you sure you and Tess aren’t lovers? It certainly seems to me that’s there’s more there than just house management.”

“I’ll be honest, Jonathan,” Arthur replied. “There isn’t, but I wish there were. I feel so bloody comfortable with Tess that I feel I’ve always known her. And I would be delighted to have her as my lover. Maybe more.”

He paused to sip his Old Fashioned before continuing.

“I’m not sure I’m the one for her, or she for me. She’s had a hard time, on her way to escape a psycho abusive husband. I’m afraid if I approach her it’ll scare her off, and I don’t want to lose her. I haven’t felt this good since before I lost Emily. She’s got me back to writing and is freeing me from managing the houses.”

They waited for the appetizers - and the women - to arrive, and they each wondered to themselves what the women were talking about.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

As Meredith got up and motioned for Tess to join her, Tess also got up and excused herself before following Meredith to the ladies’ room. Women always seemed to go to the ladies’ room in at least twos or so it seemed to her. It was also an opening for talk, Tess knew. Still, not knowing exactly what Meredith wanted to know, Tess walked beside the other woman and they entered the ladies’ room.

It was as elegant as the rest of the restaurant. Since Tess didn’t have the need to go, she opted to sit in one of the chic chairs in the room. She wasn’t very far away from Meredith and for the moment, it was just them. Meredith emerged from the stall and joined Tess in the other room, pausing at the sink to wash up.

“I don’t know what you did for Arthur, but this is the first time in a long time I’ve seen him so animated.”

Meredith’s eyes sought Tess’ in the mirror.

“But whatever it was, thank you. It’s a joy to see him writing again. Losing Emily took more than the wind out of his sails. You’ve made him want to live again.”

Tess shrugged her shoulders.

“I haven’t really done anything. Arthur is the sweetest man I have met in a long time. I refuse to take advantage of him but I will help him in any way I can. “

 

[Tio_Narratore]

Tess and Meredith had yet to return when the hummus and fresh baked pitas arrived. The aroma of the fresh bread was too much for the men, and they each tore some pita to dip in the chick pea purée. They ordered another round of drinks for themselves as well, and continued their conversation.

“As far as I know, you’ve never been harder on a woman than she wanted,” the publisher offered. “I think she’d be likely to trust you. I think that trust is already there in her eyes. And then there’s the danger that she might be waiting for you to make the first move, and if you don’t she’ll conclude you don’t really want her, and then move on.”

“I’ve thought about that,” Arthur replied, “and it does concern me. I have this recurrent image, though, of Tess offering me her wrists with a rope across them. I think it’s telling me I really should wait for her decision.”

“Well enough,” offered Jonathan, “but if she does lean towards the submissive, she might be looking for a clearer sign from you. She might be as afraid of rejection as you seem to be.”

Arthur thought it over for a while. It was a complex stuation. Maybe he should talk to Tess about it, but that might make it too clinical, take the spontaneity out of it, turn it into a logical rather than an emotional decision. As they saw the women on their way back to the table, he decided he’d just continue as he was for now and see what might happen.

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Meredith joined Tess and took the other chair next to her, crossing her legs and leaning close. She put a friendly hand on Tess’ arm.

“Between just us, Tess? I don’t know how much you and Arthur have shared so, I may be stepping out of line here, but… “she paused as if searching for words or fighting within herself to express what she thought Tess should know. Meredith tried again.

“I know Arthur said you both weren’t lovers…. And excuse me for bringing it up, but Arthur likes to roleplay in the bedroom. He also leans toward some light BDSM. Would that frighten you off?”

Her eyes filled with genuine concern and friendliness.

“Forgive me for being soi forward but Arthur means a lot to me, to us. I don’t know any details of their private life, Emily’s and his, but Arthur and I would talk together from time to time. I know such things aren’t everyone’s thing. Just so you know.”

Tess didn’t say anything for a time. She didn’t know what to say. So, she said the only thing she could think of.

“Thank you. I appreciate your concern. I can tell you and Arthur are more than just editor and client. You are friends as well and I know you’re just looking out for him.”

“Well, he seems like he’s quite smitten with you, Tess and he’s been productive lately it seems.”

Meredith patted her arm and stood up, smoothing her dress down over her hips. Tess joined her. They left the ladies room arm in arm, smiling and occasionally laughing as they rejoined the men. As they sat down again, Tess was quiet, simply helping herself to some of the appetizers on the table. Her mind was rolling over what Meredith had told her. Oddly, it didn’t disturb her. She knew next to nothing about roleplaying in the bedroom and as for the BDSM part? She knew that that type of thing was consensual, nothing like what Brad had put her through. Although, she knew, there were some women who liked the rougher side of it. To each his own was Tess’ philosophy.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

The women rejoined Jonathan and Arthur and shared the appetizer. And they chatted, of course, through the appetizer and the main dishes, and coffee afterwards.

“Do you think you can be finished by the end of summer?” Jonathan asked, leaving off the small talk for some business. “We’d like to have it out for the Christmas market. Mid-November.”

“And the signing tour, of course,” Arthur responded. “Well, I guess it’s dependent on these two ladies.”

He glanced at Meredith and Tess.

“If Tess stays with me,” he continued, “the way its going I should be finished before the middle of August. And then it’s a matter of how bad Meredith finds it.”

“I’m sure it won’t need much reworking,” Meredith declared. “But I’ll have a better idea by tomorrow, once I’ve read where you’re at now.”

She looked at Tess and then turned towards Arthur.

“It’s up to you about Tess,“ she said seriously. “Treat her well and make sure she has good reason to stay.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow to tell you where we’re dining,” Jonathan said as they took their leaves, adding with a laugh, “after I read what you’ve written.”

A brief laugh, and they were on their separate ways, Jonathan calling a taxi for himself and Meredith, and Arthur offering Tess his arm for the short walk to the townhouse.

“There’s a couple of things I’d like you to think about,” Arthur said as they walked. “One to decide by tomorrow; the other can wait.”

He gave her arm a little squeeze.

“Tomorrow? Sightseeing or shopping, or a bit of both. And think about what sights you’d like to see, the classic tourist places like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty or any other sights you’ve heard of.”

“The other thing,” he continued, “is the possible signing tour. “If you are still with me, I’d like you to join me as my assistant. It is grueling, five or six weeks of a new city every day or two, but it can be fun as well.”

As they arrived at the townhouse, he reached into his pocket.

“Here’s a set of keys for you,” he said as he took her hand and held it while he placed the keys in her palm. “You let us in this time.”