Tangled Web - (Closed for Chris2c4u)

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melissa Sanderson

One thing in his favour was that Ryan Bayliss was on time, but what Melissa was NOT impressed with was the way he strode into the coffee shop and then sat at the counter eating the lunch he'd ordered. Of all the arrogant ... Any twinge of mercy she might have felt was quickly extinguished as she watched him stubbornly keep his eyes forward and refuse to look around the shop.

Moving away from the wall from where she had observed his arrival, Melissa's mind raced as she calculated how this might be to her advantage. She moved hesitantly towards the coffee shop door, entered and seated herself at a table, her fingers toying with the menu, but not looking at it. Her face was a picture of control, costume... staging ... she had to play this out perfectly ... if she was going to get him dancing to her tune.

"Black coffee, please ... no ... that's all ... I'm not hungry ..."

She forced a smile watching the waitress move away to get her coffee. She could almost sense him tensing at the sound of her voice. She kept her eyes averted and did not seek him out. Let him approach her. And if he was foolish enough to avoid her ...

"Thank you ... "

She took the coffee and the check gratefully.

"You're welcome Ms Sanderson ... "

She'd been recognised ... perrrrfect ... she raised her head to nod in acknowledgement and found herself looking straight into Ryan's eyes. He looked confused ... dazed almost ... his napkin still in his hand from his recently finished sandwich. Just what he expected her to do, she had no idea, but Melissa knew her role. She pulled her eyes away from his, wrapped her hands about her coffee mug and sipped at the hot aromatic liquid, closing her eyes briefly as if to blot out the sight of him.

”Melissa”

The voice was cold, expressionless. She opened her eyes and stared up into his, holding his gaze. She had to admire him. Even now he wasn’t allowing her to get the upper hand … or so he thought. She gestured briefly to the chair opposite and watched as he sat, a hand going into his pocket to drop THE envelope onto the table. Melissa was careful not to give any sign of acknowledgement.

”What’s that…?”

She kept her tone to one of mild curiosity.

"You know what it is."

His voice was expressionless as his eyes searched hers.
Inside her heart raced at the thrill of the game, but externally she was cool and almost disinterested.

”I do?”

A half shrug before returning her attention back to the steaming coffee.
Even with her eyes averted, she could feel his presence, sense his tension.

"Stop playing fucking games!”

The irony of the phrase almost made her smile, but instead, she raised her eyes to meet his as he moved forward almost threatening to growl.

”What are you up to?"

She eased back in her seat, putting more distance between them. She shook her head in wordless denial.
Her body language told him she was intimidated by him, but when she met his eyes again, her own danced with mischief.

"I thought you liked games Ryan?"

She watched the effect of her words. The macho front was gone. She could see he was nervous.

"What do you want from me?"

She sighed. This was more like it. What wouldn’t she give to have this man at her beck and call?
But it was the challenge … the fight, she couldn’t resist.
Her face softened as she smiled almost shyly.

”You didn't appreciate a little ... souvenir ... ?”

She saw his expression change, his body relax, saw a smile tug at the corners of his mouth, even as her own demeanour hardened.

".. but then you're un ungrateful bastard aren't you Ryan?"

She couldn’t help but smile as she saw the confusion and then the anger her words had caused.

"What? ungrate - bas...what?”

She raised an eyebrow, provoking him more.

”I should be grateful for a quick shag that I'll have you know has done nothing for..."

Incredulity made him tactless, but even now he stopped himself from venting his frustration fully choosing instead to sit back and shake his head seemingly at a loss as Melissa watched with detached interest.

"I want to see you again ... tonight ..."

Her softly spoken demand gave no pause for argument.

"… just like that?"

She sipped her coffee as he glanced around the room before leaning forward to whisper urgently.

"I'm going home tonight. Mel … let’s … just put it behind us."

She could not believe how naïve he was being!
As if she they could just walk away from what they had shared.
She shook her head.

”No.”

Her reply had been so softly that he could barely hear and yet it was firm.

” … Last night happened "just like that" and it's not something I'm going to let you just walk away from"

Melissa’s patience was beginning to run out and it seemed as if Ryan finally sensed that.


"What do you mean?"

She had him now. She could see by his expression that he she had him scared.
And she’d not even started yet!

"We can do this the easy way ... or ... not ... "

She folded her arms in front of her, watching him with a poker-faced expression.

"Why not just admit you want to fuck around with me ?"

She watched as he squirmed.

"Mel … It was … great … but … it can’t happen again … it – it’s just not right … for either of us … for James for … “

This time he did not mention his wife’s name!

She watched him run a hand through his hair as if in desperation.

”I don't know what to do...say...I can't … Please understand?"

His pleas fell on deaf ears.
They only made Melissa more determined to have him, or wreck his marriage trying.

”No Ryan. I think it’s you who should understand.”

She reached across the table and drew out the photograph making him look at it.

”You don’t think this is the only one, do you?”

She saw him pale.

”There are others … and of course the cam footage … if … they got into the wrong hands … “

Seeing that she had made her point, Melissa sighed and changed strategy again.

”God … Ryan … why can’t you just … “

Crocodile tears pricked her eyes; she drained the remainders of the coffee all but scorching her mouth and seemed to shiver as she wrapped her arms around herself taking a deep breath. Staring at Ryan defiantly, Melissa asked quietly.

”So … tell me … what was last night all about? Nothing? Meaningless?
Oh no … you told me didn’t you? A “quick shag”? That’s all I am to you?”

The tears brimmed as she felt Ryan’s hand on hers, squeezing, reassuring.

”No.. no … that was wrong … it was … beautiful … but … “

Revenge was going to be soo sweet.
She could feel his double guilt, guilt to his wife and guilt for using her.
She had him right where she wanted him now.

”That’s not the way I remember it.”

Her voice was quiet, but something in the tone made Ryan pause.

”It’s .. not … ?”

She shook her head.

”No … and it’s not the story the evidence will tell either … “

She felt him pull his hand from hers and sit back, watching almost in fascination as the tears stopped instantly and he found himself looking into an icy pair of blue eyes.

”Let me tell you what my version of the events will be Ryan.”

She rubbed her cheeks clear of tears and leaned on the table, her expression detached, flitting around the room.

”Last night … you wanted to interview me … wanted a picture of James … so naturally I invited you back to my apartment … “

Her eyes flitted to his to see if he was following and then vied away again.

”We did the interview, drank still more wine … but when the tape ran out … you began to ask … more personal questions about James and I … about … our relationship … “

She heard him try to interrupt, but continued.

”Daddy won’t like hearing how you took advantage of his little girl ... he think's you're a man with such … “integrity”.”

Her eyes met his, their expression mocking.

”But that's nothing ... it didn't stop there ... or so I'll tell them ... "

She smiled sweetly and held Ryan's gaze.

"I wonder what daddy and your precious wife will say when I tell them how you raped me?”

She heard him gasp, let him protest, rode his outburst in patient silence before continuing conversationally.

”The pictures, the cam footage will .. disappear of course … and if you show that picture to prove your innocence … well … is that pleasure or is she being forced do you think?
It’s open to interpretation… as are the bites and scratches on your body and mine … ”

She glanced down at the photo as Ryan turned it face down and put it back into the envelope. Her voice continued, quietly monotone.

”Of course I had a shower after you left .. . but the clothes … what’s left of them are in the linen basket … the security cam will show the time you arrived … and the time you left … it will also show me at the doorway, in torn clothes … no lovers embrace there as you went for your cab … “

She watched as her words sunk in.

”Daddy spoke to you didn’t he? He was worried about me this morning.
He knows something is wrong … but what?”

She reached for her purse and took out some money placing on the saucer to pay for the coffee.

”I could tell him I want to story to run … and we could pick up where we left off … or … we leave things as they are and be much more discrete … “

Her eyes held Ryan’s as she delivered her ultimatum.

” … or … I tell him that the real reason for me dropping the story and being so distraught is because of the appaling way you abused his trust and mine.”

 

[chris2c4u]

"Black coffee, please ... no ... that's all ... I'm not hungry ..."

The sound of Melissa's voice behind him made his stomach lurch. Well of course it had to be her really, who else could have taken a picture like that? The calculating little bitch, having a camera running somewhere.

Turning around his eyes met hers and he froze for a moment, a rabbit in the headlights, before numbly walking close.

"Melissa." He sat then dropped the envelope on the table.

"What's that?" Internally he sneered. She asked what that was. He kept calm.

"You know what it is."

"I do?"

Ryan leaned forward to keep his voice down as he hissed, "Stop playing fucking games! What are you up to?"

"I thought you liked games Ryan?"

He remembered their "games" and let his gaze drop.

"What do you want from me?"

"You didn't appreciate a little...souvenir?"

Was this a way out? was she just teasing? He began a smile that became frozen jawed astonishment as she went on, "..but then you're an ungrateful bastard aren't you Ryan?"

"What? ungrate - bas...what? I should be grateful for a quick shag that I'll have you know has done nothing for..." He managed to get a grip of his swirling emotions; what was she playing at?

"I want to see you again...tonight ..."

"Just like that? I'm going home tonight, Mel - let's just put it behind us." He looked at her, real concern, fear mounting now. Was she mad?

"No. Last night happened "just like that" and it's not something I'm going to let you just walk away from."

"What do you mean?" Surely not, he thought, she wasn't planning...

"We can do this the easy way...or...not... "

Fuck, she was, the little cow. He bit back the words - "you're so desperate then you have to blackmail men into sex with you?" He thought quickly.

"Why not just admit you want to fuck around with me?" Her voice held a hint of a taunt, a hint that she knew he hadn't had a woman for a long time, that he needed sex.

"Mel - it was great but it can't happen again. It...it's just not right for either of us - for James for...I don't know what to do...say...I can't...Please understand?"

"No Ryan. I think it's you who should understand."

She reached across the table and drew out the photograph making him look at it.

"You don't think this is the only one, do you?"

He knew that had to be but he still felt himself go cold, especially as she said, "There are others - and of course the cam footage. If they got into the wrong hands..."

He wasn't listening anymore when she started crying then stopped again almost immediately. This woman needed help.

"So, tell me, what was last night all about? Nothing? Meaningless? Oh no - you told me didn't you? A "quick shag?" That's all I am to you?"

Reaching out he held her hand as he worked out his strategy. He needed more time. "No...no - that was wrong - it was...beautiful but..." He stopped; the less she knew about how he felt the better.

"That's not the way I remember it." Her voice had the calculating edge back to it. Sitting back, he listened to the tale she constructed, the web she wove about him, watched her scurrying about on it, tightening here, adjusting there before biting her victim, imobilising him with her final words until she was ready for him.

"I wonder what daddy and your precious wife will say when I tell them how you raped me?"

He shook his head. "No. no, no...you little, evil cunt. you..."

She just gave a laugh and continued to show how he was trapped, like a chess player demonstrating there was no escape from checkmate. Stuffing the photograph back in the envelope Ryan stood up, swaying a little as he listened to her.

"Daddy spoke to you didn't he? He was worried about me this morning. He knows something is wrong - but what? I could tell him I want to story to run and we could pick up where we left off - or - we leave things as they are and be much more discrete?"

Her eyes held Ryan's as she delivered her ultimatum.

"Or - I tell him that the real reason for me dropping the story and being so distraught is because of the appaling way you abused his trust and mine."

Ryan stepped back, the chair behind him pushed across the tiles with a squeal. He didn't apologise to the people at the table he backed into as he kept his eyes on hers before turning and fleeing for the door.

****

Ryan sat by the fountain, shivering though he was in the sunshine; he held his chin in one hand and was breathing deeply, thinking. Pulling out his phone he called home. He was relived when no one was there so he could just quickly tell the answerphone his plans.

"Siobhan, hi, look, there's a big feature come up and it means I have to go away for a few days. I don't have time to explain now but I won't come home, I'll take the clothes from the office and get what else I need on the way. Ring me later on and I'll tell you all about it."

He opened his phonebook and dialled Mel's cellphone number that he's got from her when he thought she was normal.

"Melissa. When do you want to meet?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melissa Sanderson

Melissa sat another cup of coffee in her hand. Somewhere inside the vast house her mother was fussing, organising a menu for the forthcoming dinner, a function she had been trying – unsuccessfully - to persuade Melissa to attend.

Putting the dainty china cup aside, Melissa’s mind ran over Ryan’s reaction to her ultimatum, a smile spreading across her face. He had accused her of being “desperate” and having to blackmail men into sex with her! Even HE could not believe that! Of course … he could have no idea … and her family above all would not even understand where her sexual … interests … lay. James would be a convenient “front”, the mantle of respectability she needed, but Ryan … if she could rid him of his infantile loyalty to the cosy little domestic set up he had, a situation that was literally boring the pants off him, then she would be able to … broaden his horizons … blackmailing him was only a way of getting over his initial resistance, the debilitating guilt he was feeling. Of course he wouldn’t see that for a while yet, but would thank her in the end!

And if he decided NOT to play her games?
Well then … she would simply destroy what he had … leave him with nothing.
And then …
Then she’d take him, but COMPLETELY on her terms.
She wanted Ryan and nothing was going to stand in her way!

As if on queue, her mobile cut into her thoughts. Opening her bag, Melissa pulled out the phone and checked the number – unlisted – it had to be. Pressing the button she answered smoothly.

”Melissa Sanderson ..”

There was no greeting in response.
.
"Melissa. When do you want to meet?"

His voice sounded strained, no preamble and no protest.
Her mind raced her plans were already half formulated, but Ryan’s reluctance was going to make this fun … a challenge.
She matched his tone as she responded.

”8 pm. I’ll send the details by courier. Be at your desk at 5 pm.”

With that she rang off.
She knew he would hate being “summoned”.
His pride would be insulted yet he wouldn’t dare disobey her instructions.

”Mother … I have to get going … “

She informed her approaching parent.

”Things to sort … I’ll be in touch …”

She did indeed have things to sort.

At 5 pm a courier would be instructed to deliver an envelope addressed to Mr Ryan Bayliss.
Inside he would find an address indicating a location on the outskirts of the city and a simple message:

ZiZi’s 8pm

 

[chris2c4u]

Ryan sat in his office; he'd managed to get in without anyone spotting him, with no banter with Connie who'd left early for the day. He looked down at the letter the courier had recently delivered. Melissa's hand had drawn the words out starkly.

ZiZi's. 8pm. He crumpled up the paper and threw it in his waste paper recycling bin.

He sat looking at his computer screen as it showed Siobhan's pretty face smiling up at him. A studio portrait she's had done, soft misty light, hair over her bare shoulders. He remembered how she's described the photographer as a bit "all hands" as he adjusted her to get the right romantic touch.

He drew a ragged breath, a sigh as he picked up the phone and called home.

"Siobhan," he said, as her voice flowed into his ear. "Sweetheart."

She didn't mind him "going away." She spoke of housekeeping, of hearing from the children. Then a pause.

"Ryan? Are you all right?"

"Hang on," he said and got up, got away from the phone, into the small bathroom to smother his sobs in a towel, to wipe his eyes. Oh God, what was happening?

Walking back he picked up the phone, "sorry, just a coughing fit. So everything's OK? That's good. How long? Not long, the trip should only be a few days. Yes, I have everything I need here, thanks. If not it's an excuse to buy some clothes; OK, no more Tee shirts. Well, not unless it's a special one."

She laughed and he leant his head on his hand, massaging his temples.

"I'd..." he cleared his throat, "I'd better go," he said. "Siobhan - I love you. Speak soon." He held the receiver for moments after the line died.

Sitting back in his chair he thought to himself, thought over the events of the past few days. Slowly, his journalist's brain began to clear a little and he sat forward, opening the file on Melissa Sanderson, looking at the various stories. Pulling up E-mail he looked for the address he needed.

To: Colin Lomax
Hi Colin,
How's the world at the greasy gossip columns in London? I haven't a lot of time but wanted to ask a favour. I'm doing this project on Melissa Sanderson, daughter of his high and mightyness the Media Mogul himself. She's about to get hitched and they want a splash in their mags. Look, I've got all the usual stuff but she is marrying a Brit and was living over there for a while. Is there anything that maybe didn't make the presses that you know about concerning the pair of them or Melissa? I think she's a bit of a dark horse. Let me know ASAP if you dig anything up.
Love to Kerry and the kids. Ryan.

It was a long shot, but maybe there was something. Now, time to give Mel a surprise.

Ryan showered, generally made himself presentable, even using the cologne that Siobhan had given him before she stopped denying to herself he was an inveterate "what don't I look / smell all right as I am" man (jeans and tee shirt for dinner at a society function). Then the suit. Dark, Italian, stylish. The tie was black with a splash of deep reds, blue and green drawn across the background in a startling abstract patterm. He even remembered how to tie it against the collar of the hand made shirt. Looking in the mirror he smiled as he remembered to unveil his new earring, removing the plaster and looking at his reflection as he acustomed himself to the new image.

Checking his watch he made a call for a cab.

****
The area the cab dropped him was shabby genteel; adverts for the party in the park, flapping from the streetlights, couldn't disguise the slow decline as the chattering classes moved out. Older cars now lined the streets as the imposing turn of the 19th century buildings changed from family homes to cheap apartments.

Zizi's. An Italian restaurant, the windows slightly grimy, the green red and white awning in need of some repair. Again he checked his watch and walked through the door exactly on 8pm.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melissa Sanderson

Melissa looked up at the sound of the door opening and was unable to totally suppress her surprise at Ryan’s appearance. She smiled in approval and waited for him to walk across to the table where she was seated.

She watched his slow advance, her eyes noting the moment he realised that they were in fact the only couple in the place. Whole areas of the usually busy little restaurant had been darkened out to leave just this one alcove, subtly lit and set apart from the two dark Italian waiters that moved quietly just out of sight behind the counter.

”Hello Ryan. I’m so glad you could make it …”

Any retort Ryan might have made was cut short by the sudden appearance of one of those men who pulled out a chair leaving Ryan little option but to seat himself opposite Melissa. She smiled and nodded to the young man who answered with a curt nod and left the table promptly.

”This place is a favourite haunt of mine … and as you see our privacy is guaranteed, so there’s no risk … for either of us … “

Again the man returned.

”Thank you Mario.”

The words were spoken softly as Melissa tasted the wine and approved its pouring. She wondered if Ryan would recognise the label and realise that the Barolo she had ordered was indeed a fine red wine.

”To a pleasant evening …”

She raised her now filled glass in Ryan’s direction with a soft smile and then sipped appreciatively at the smoothness as it slid down her throat before settling back and watching the man opposite her silently. She had missed nothing; the dark suit, the bold splashes of colour on the tie, the earring.

Tonight RYan looked suave, confident and yet she was in control! She suppressed a smile.at the irony of the situation.
She knew he must hate feeling so ... trapped ... and yet that was part of the game.
Once he had succumbed to the inevitable ... well then ... they could really start having some fun!

Melissa crossed her legs and made herself more comfortable, pleased to note that his eyes followed each movement. They did in fact make an impressive couple, if only he would admit it.
Her own attire matched the smart chique of her dining partner. The little black dress was short, figure hugging, but demure enough not to go beyond provocative.

(Melissa: http://klassylady.com/FP285.jpg )

"I ordered for us. I hope you don’t mind. As you can see we’re the only customers and it seemed unfair to expect them to run a full menu tonight."

The soft words broke the silence.
Before Ryan could comment a platter of antipasti was laid before them: A generous platter of mini ciabatta laden with any combination of toppings.

”I didn’t know what you’d like so … “

Melissa gave a self-effacing shrug and reached to take a morsel topped with warm tomato and melted cheese.

”Tuck in, Ryan…”

She invited with a grin licking her lips knowing that her pleasant manner and the informality of the meal was giving him no opportunity for protest or attack.
Unable to make sense of her behaviour she watched him reach out to help himself to the food as she had invited.
Her civility and friendliness had confused him and she loved to see him struggling to make sense of it all.
It gave her a decided advantage!
But she gave none of that away, studiously keeping the conversation light and impersonal.

”Have you ever been to Italy … ?”

The question was so innocuous that it drew a response from him, at first stilted and then more detailed.
The conversation continued and began to flow as first course gave way to main.

”I chose pasta for us … they can do us any type and any sauce … “

She handed him a card with a selection of choices listed.

”That’s just an outline … they can do whatever you want … “

She smiled sunnily at Mario as he returned from clearing the crockery and gave her own order, “tagiatelle classico” a simple dish flavoured with just a tomato and basil sauce, then eased back sipping her wine and watching as Ryan made his selection. She met his eyes as he took up his own glass and stared at her across the table.
She wanted this man.
And he wanted her.
She could almost feel it hanging between them.
Why was he so stubborn?
Why couldn't he just ...
She felt the blood rush to her cheeks at the images that suddenly crowded into her head and dropped her eyes to the napkin on her lap.
She could feel Ryan’s eyes studying her, missing nothing and knew she had to continue to play things carefully if she was to ensnare him entirely.

The arrival of a steaming bowl of pasta diffused the sexual tension and by the time ground pepper and parmesan had been added liberally to the dishes, the atmosphere had lightened to the same conviviality as before.

Melissa carefully ensured that conversation focused on the food and how fresh pasta tasted so much better than dry and then onto cooking and recipes. They hardly noticed the empty wine bottle being removed from the table as both Melissa and Ryan finally finished as much of the pasta as they could manage.

Not until they lingered over coffees – a frothy chocolate topped affair of a cappuccino for Melissa – both accompanied by a thin sliver of intensely chocolatey “mousse” in a sweet “tarte” case did Melissa settled back and allow Ryan an opening to lead the conversation in any direction he wanted.

After the delicious meal, he seemed relaxed, but it was impossible to gauge how he was really feeling about what he saw as an enforced “tryst”.
Melissa hoped he would continue to be easy-going, charming company and not throw up protests and morals as barriers.
It would be so much more pleasant, if he would let her coax him into an affair with her.
She would have him.
She had planned this meticulously.

The real trick was to decide just what was the right move to make next.

 

[chris2c4u]

The dark of the restaurant's interior was Ryan's first surprise. His
first thoughts were this must be a dive, no customers but then he
realised as he saw the pool of light, Melissa had a few tricks for him tonight. Considerable thought had gone into this - and influence too, buying up the restaurant for the night.

Walking over he looked at Mel as she purred, "Hello Ryan. I'm so glad you could make it." He didn't take his eyes off her as he was helped into his seat by the waiter. Whatever else, he thought, she is an exceptionally beautiful woman. Then there was that dress...

He let his eyes linger on her curves and watched as she smiled at the waiter, tasting the wine and accepting it.

"To a pleasant evening." she raised her glass and he his, with a nod he sniffed the bouquet then took a sip. "A good choice," he murmured. He kept his wits about him and didn't make any further comment, waiting to see what she would do.

He was certainly wrong in his judgement about the place; like many good restaurants the exterior didn't proclaim its worth. This one was also tucked away in a slightly seedy part of town but the food was excellent. As Ryan ate he found no topic of smalltalk would come to his mind; he did raise a little smile to himself wondering if he should ask about James. She helped out though.

"Have you ever been to Italy?"

"Yes," he said mechanically, then with a little more feeling, "a while back, as a student, I was in Venice, then Naples. Beautiful country. Then - well, yes, I like it."

He supressed the tale of the family holiday, of one of the last times he had made love to his wife. The afternoon sun had played across the cool white sheets in their hotel room as they moved together, sensually, erotically. He remembered how exciting it was for him that she had actually climaxed that day and they'd slept till early evening when the kids came back. He moved in his seat, feeling himself getting aroused by the memory - by the memory of the perfume she was wearing -
no! That was Mel's perfume. He raised a hand to his forehead and squeezed his temples and sighed.

"I chose pasta for us - they can do us any type and any sauce" She handed him a card with a selection of choices listed. Taking the card their fingers brushed and Ryan caught her eye, her smile.

"That's just an outline - they can do whatever you want."

Ryan ordered linguine and a tomato sauce with basil, onions, garlic and herbs. Sipping wine he glanced into her eyes, surprised that she seemed a little uncomfortable about something; had she blushed? He finally spoke, asking her about her father. It broke the ice a little and they talked. The food's arrival gave them a chance to fence carefully again, speaking of neutral issues.

The coffee was rich and though he hadn't stopped wondering what she was up to he found that he was enjoying her company; the woman who would have said he had raped her, who had manipulated him from the very start of their relationship. And yes, he couldn't deny her sensuality. And yes, he couldn't deny he had been looking for sex, for escape. And yes, the sex had been great. And yes, he wanted more.

It was stupid - the woman was clearly unstable but he couldn't stop himself thinking about their night together. He gave a little sardonic laugh in his head. It's true. Men do think with their cocks.

"It's been nice," he said, breaking a silence that had grown up between them. "Where do we go from here?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melissa Sanderson

"It's been nice. Where do we go from here?"

Melissa lifted her eyes to Ryan’s.

”Go? … Why upstairs of course.”

She told him smoothly.

As if by instinct Mario was by their side, easing away discarded plates and now empty coffee cups.
She smiled at Ryan’s confusion.

”We’ll go up now … “

She informed the Italian, who nodded and whispered a few soft words eliciting a soft chuckle from Melissa. She saw Ryan’s uncertainty, but with Mario awaiting his exit so the table could be cleared he had little choice. Without checking that Ryan was following, Melissa led the way round the bar, out of a back door and up a staircase that led to an airy landing and a wooden door that ran off from the upstairs hallway. Taking out a key, she unlocked the door and walked through leaving Ryan to shut and lock it as he wished.

http://www.lhhscotland.com/images/props/054-sm03.jpg


On the table in the centre of the room was a bucket of champagne and two flutes. Melissa had flicked on the lights and now set about switching on wall nights and a standard lamp to give a more subdued effect to the lighting. When she turned around Ryan was still stood uncertainly in the middle of the room. Caught between exasperation and amusement, Melissa moved towards him, her hands snaking to his buttons and freeing them one by one.

”Just relax Ryan. We have all night … “

Her hand slid into his pocket and drew out his mobile.
Grinning at him impishly, she switched it off and dropped it casually into the nearby armchair.

”No interruptions, no videos, no witnesses, no trouble … just … us … ”

She shrugged the jacket from his shoulders and folded it carefully laying it over the discarded phone.

”Just relax, open the champagne … I’m not going to make you do anything you don’t want to …”

She chuckled and seated herself looking up at him.
She wasn’t going to force him into anything.
HE was going to have to come to HER this time.

”I’d like a glass of champagne please Ryan … “

She prompted softly crossing her legs and letting him reflect on the new situation he found himself in.

 

[chris2c4u]

Ryan looked up to watch admiringly as Melissa's hips swayed ahead of him on the stairs; she knew he was following like a little dog and didn't need to look around.

He closed and locked the door and surveyed the large, well furnished room, glancing into Mel's eyes as she stood close, removing his phone then his jacket. Through his shirt he felt her painted nails run against his body but he didn't reach out for her.

"Just relax, open the champagne - I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want to." He smiled to himself as he lifted the champagne from the ice seeing the two sides of the coin of the situation. He was here because he lusted. But he was also here because she was pulling his strings, directing him and she knew it. Pulling him away from family, home, work.

The champagne cork popped and he managed to catch the efferevesence and poured two glasses.Sitting next to her he held out his glass to her and she smiled and clinked it with her own, sipping the cool wine and looking at him.

He put down his own glass and reached out, placing his hand on her warm thigh as he slid across the leather sofa to be by her side.

"And now?" he said as he let his little finger slide under the hem of her dress that had ridden up her thigh. He massaged the silk stocking on her leg as he smiled at her. Leaning forward he whispered, "I want you Mel."

Bending close, the fragrance of her perfume in his nostrils he kissed her shoulder, nudging the strap of her dress to one side.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She watched as he opened the bottle, skilfully capturing the frothing liquid and filling two flutes. She accepted the glass wordlessly and allowed Ryan to clink his own crystal against hers. She glanced aside as she sipped seeming not to notice his perusal of the room, the pause as he considered his situation. She looked up as he sat beside her and put his hand on her thigh. She raised an eyebrow enquiringly and took a sip at the glass she had not yet relinquished.

"And now?"

His hands were on her stockings, his fingers light leaving a trail of sensation.

"I want you Mel."

Melissa felt a small twinge of triumph, but kept her face impassive as her eyes searched his, unable to help admiring his rugged features even as he kissed her and began to ease the strap of her dress aside.

”No Ryan … “

The soft reply made him stop and draw back instantly.

”No…?”

She saw his confusion and wordlessly shook her head.
Standing she moved past him reaching for the bottle to top up her half drained glass and then raise it to her lips to drink deeply.

”What you said … it was good … and I thought you had enjoyed it too … but .. it was just a “quick shag“

Melissa turned to face Ryan standing over him glass in hand as she sighed heavily.

” … and yes I blackmailed you … … I thought … that if I gave you no choice … then there’d be a chance for us … that you wouldn’t feel so guilty about being with me again. I didn’t think you’d react how you have … I was hurt … things got … well … out of hand … you hate me … “

She laughed bitterly as he opened his mouth as if to protest.

”Yes you do ... You call all your lovers “evil cunt” do you Ryan?!

Happy to see his shocked expression as she quoted his words back at him.

(Really this guy had such an advanced sense of guilt it was too easy.)

Melissa tossed back the remainder of the champagne then crossed the room and sat in the deep armchair at right angles to where Ryan sat.


"You wanted me the other night … and you say you want me now …
There’s no harm in … the occasional "liaison" … no strings … no one hurt … it would be so easy “

She let her deliberately soft and wistful trail off her eyes searching his.

”Anyway ... you're free to go ...
I’m not going to tell your wife anything … why would I?
I’m marrying James … for all sorts of reasons … none of which you can print.
But like your wife, I suspect, it’s not for his performance between the sheets!”

She let tears artfully swim in her eyes and then pulled her gaze away.

”Pour me another drink first will you, Ryan?
There’s brandy in the drinks cabinet. I think I could use one.”

She reached out to take the proffered drink.

"Such a shame ... we could have been sooo good together, you and I .... "

Melissa allowed her fingers to stroke Ryan's cheek tenderly before taking a sip of her brandy and taking a steadying breath.

She had played her hand.
If Ryan came to her willingly, all the better ...
If not ... plan B.

 

[chris2c4u]

"No Ryan."

At first he didn't think he had heard what she said; then he stopped and sat back, seeing her shake her head before walking off, drinking champagne.

"Why?" He sat looking at the floor, incomprehendingly, the wine making his thoughts fuzzy.

?What you said...us...it was just a "quick shag?""

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. She was throwing his words back at him when she had tried to blackmail him, threaten his marriage. As if reading his mind she went on, "and yes I blackmailed you..." He nodded, "Yes, you did."

She looked confused at her own actions, made it sound that she hadn't known what she was doing. "I thought that if I gave you no choice then there'd be a chance for us - that you wouldn't feel so guilty about being with me again. I didn't think you'd react how you have..."

"Oh, how do most of your blacmail victims react?" he muttered. She went on as if she hadn't heard.

"I was hurt - things got - well - out of hand. You hate me."

He drew in a deep breath, "I don't -"

"Yes you do ... You call all your lovers "evil cunt" do you Ryan?!"

He stood up, unsteady as the drink hit him but raised a hand to point to her. "Put yourself in my position, what am I supposed to think? You were threatening to say I raped you - you were threatening my marriage." He slumped back to the sofa, unable to understand what was going on; what did she want? What was she trying to do?

He saw her sit, listened to her voice become softer, sensuous.

"You wanted me the other night - and you say you want me now? There's no harm in - the occasional "liaison" - no strings - no one hurt - it would be so easy."

Then - she was letting him go, telling him he could go to Siobhan. He could walk out but what would happen then? Was she so unstable she would use this against him again? And now -
the restaurant staff knew he had been here, they would be witnesses. He couldn't go; they were tangled up together, it was impossible to escape.

Now there was that about James - she was marrying him but she didn't care about his lovemaking? A woman as sensual as her - marrying and that wasn't an important part of the attraction? He couldn't believe that wouldn't be important so Ryan decided he was another of her toys it seemed, another of the ways she was scrambling to some goal - but what?

"Pour me another drink first will you, Ryan? There's brandy in the drinks cabinet. I think I could use one."

Again, there was the sensual tone.

"Such a shame ... we could have been sooo good together, you and I .... "

The touch of her fingers on his face, the look of her liquid eyes as she sipped the golden brandy.

Ryan stepped closer, taking the hand that had stroked his cheek in his own and kissing her fingers, slowly, one by one. He looked into her eyes.

"We still can. I don't wan't to go. I want us - simple, uncomplicated. Lovers."

Time. He needed time to found out what she was up to.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Melissa kept her eyes fixed on the amber liquid as she swirled it around the glass.
She felt Ryan take her hand and allowed him to lift it up to his mouth, pressing a soft kiss slowly on each finger until she lifted her eyes to his again.

"We still can. I don't want to go.”

Yesss!
The triumph did not show in her eyes, she merely gave him a quizzical look.

” I want us - simple, uncomplicated. Lovers."

She smiled then: The irony of his words!
Nothing they shared would ever be simple and uncomplicated – not now!

” … lovers … “

She breathed, letting her voice caress the word, even as she discarded her brandy glass and raised her hand to move her fingers lingeringly from cheek, to chin, to chest then on downwards to graze his abdomen and linger on Ryan’s crotch before retracting her touch and easing back in her chair.

”Whatever you want Ryan … “

She raised her eyes to his, wide vulnerable, her whole demeanour acquiescent.

”Whenever … however … wherever … “

She told him slowly giving Ryan all the choices.
The bedroom was just beyond this room, yet the furnishings in here afforded more than adequate … comfort …
But perhaps that wasn’t what he wanted from her?
Did he prefer slow sensual love making, or would he once more want to take her, assert his dominance over her body?
For him she would play lover or slut, little girl or woman of the world.
She would give him just what he needed … for now …
Make him believe that HE was in control …

 

[chris2c4u]

He felt her touch him, her fingers slipping down his clothes, her eyes on his. He swallowed as she felt the bulge growing in his crotch and then she leaned back, seemingly relaxed.

"Whatever you want Ryan." Despite hardly moving she seemed to offer herself to him completely, the hard, calculating blackmailer dissolving into this vulnerable girl.

"Whenever...however...wherever..." She breathed the words, emphasising how she was giving herself to him. He couldn't resist his desires for her, they both knew that.

Walking towards her he held out his hand for her to take. Without words he led her to the bedroom, a small light burning in the corner of the room scattered shadows across their faces, caressing their skin as Ryan kissed Mel. For minutes they stood, embracing, hands running over fabric, against skin. Their breathing deepened as they explored lips, sucking on them, probing mouths. Mel felt Ryan's excitment grow as his maleness
hardened against her body.

The kisses deepened and then their mouths began to explore. Ryan kissed through the strands of her hair, suckling her ear through it, pushing it back with his fingers to slide the tip of his tongue inside, feeling her shiver.

It was difficult to slow but they made it to the bed where they sat
close, his hands running down her body, feeling the curve of her waist as his mouth explored her neck. She gave soft, almost plaintive mewls as Ryan sought out each part of her neck that he knew already aroused her so much as hearing her sighs excited him.

Then Mel pushed Ryan back against the headboard, the pillows, her mouth devouring his, running wetly down his throat her teeth trailing, nipping erotically until she suckled his nipple through his shirt. His hand went to the back of her head as she played across his chest his other hand sliding between her legs to caress the soft heat of her inner thigh.

Again they kissed their mouths, lips pressing harder, more eagerly as their bodies moved against one another as they touched, caressed. Ryan's hands ran down the designer dress, almost wanting ot tear it open but with some help from Mel unveiling her lingerie to his touch. He caressed her firm breasts through the lace of the bra, feeling her push against his hand as he felt her fingers pulling at buttons, revealing flesh, as the kisses continued, as their breathing deepened.

His kiss bent to the strap of the bra, teeth moving it until it fell
loose over her arm and he could kiss back and forth over her naked shoulder. Slowly Ryan's mouth slipped to the swell, the softness of her breast. His kiss was half on Mel's skin, half on the lace before sliding over her bra to kiss and suck her through it, feeling the hardness of her nipple through the lace.