Velvet Love Ch. 05

Having been with his fair share of women before her, he'd bedded a few who'd been willing to get pretty naughty. But they'd only done it to receive something in return - an expensive outfit from a designer boutique, or jewelry that cost well into the thousands. They'd asked for these things but he had never delivered, choosing instead on classy dinners at posh restaurants, or an upscale brunch at some hidden-away eatery.

He'd had no urge to spoil them, as they were temporary fixtures and nothing else. Sure he'd cared a bit, but love was rarely a factor when casually dating. Constantly after his wallet, they'd seem him as a gateway to easy living, a springboard to riches they couldn't attain on their own.

But with Jeneda it was remarkably different, as she not only gave herself to him openly and with genuine passion, but without expectations of financial reward. He'd never met a woman so unconcerned with his net worth, so when Jeneda had come along it'd felt refreshing and like something real. This in turn had attributed to him falling deeply in love, and now with her as his wife, he felt a completeness that was absolute.

"Heavy in thought, my love?" Cutting through his reflections, Jeneda's voice came out silkily soft.

"Just thinking about how lucky I am to have you, how real and true you are and how it made me fall for you."

"I fell just as hard," she said. "Still got the bruise, and everything."

Chuckling lightly at the corny joke, Dane kissed the top of her head. She in response offered a murmur, then lifted her eyes to gaze into his.

"We probably should have had sex after dinner, huh?"

Pulling up his slacks and boxers, Dane gave her a grin that was gently crooked.

"Why, you think people will be able to smell it on us?"

"You never know." She redid the clasps on her corset.

"So let them smell..." Eyes filled with a gleam, they seemed to egg Jeneda on.

"You're naughty."

"And you love it."

"Of course."

He broadly smiled while settling next to her on the J-shaped limo seat.

"I know a nice little spot we can go for a meal. An intimate restaurant with cozy booths and low lighting."

"How's the food?"

"Excellent. Especially the wood-fire octopus and panzanella."

"Yes to the panzanella, but I'll have to pass on the octopus."

"Come on, sweetheart. Live dangerously with me."

"By eating octopi?"

"Octopuses," he corrected. "Octopi has no etymological basis in grammar."

"Is that right?"

"Yes, it is." With eagerness, he launched into explanation. "The word octopus comes from ancient Greek, where its plural is octopodes. Some mistakenly believe that octopus is Latin and hence pluralized with an - i ending, but the word has been in English for centuries now, so there's no reason not to pluralize it in the English manner."

"Your inner nerd is showing, Dane."

"Sorry." He sheepishly grinned. "Guess I went a bit overboard in breaking it down."

"Not at all." Hooking a leg over his, she gave him a saucy look. "I love when you show off that geeky side. Nothing sexier than an intelligent man."

"Glad you think so," he said. "Most find it pretentious when I mention things like that."

"Well for me It's a turn on, so feel free to do it anytime."

"Damn, I'm glad you're my wife." Eyes glowing, he lifted a palm to graze her face. "Sexy, gorgeous, and appreciative of my nerdy side. How I got so lucky, I'll never know."

"I've thought the same," she breathily said, pupils dilated wide with love.

Gaze burning into hers, Dane pierced straight through to her deeper depths. Passionate and unwavering his eyes caressed her soul, effortlessly drawing her into his dark stare. As if controlled by a magnet his mouth came forth, tongue brushing her lips before venturing in. Her soft yielding mouth fully received him, breath coming faster as his tongue worked magic. Overwhelmed and yet wishing they would never stop, Jeneda pressed against his hard, male body.

"Baby, again?" Dane crookedly smiled. "If I'd known opera made you this horny, I'd have taken you long ago."

Shaking her head at his silliness, she grabbed his crotch. "It's not the opera, darling. It's the incredible way you use this cock."

"So you want seconds..."

"Damn straight. And maybe even thirds, after dinner."

"That could definitely be arranged."

"Wonderful. That's what I wanted to hear."

"You should be cloned," he declared. "Or at least observed and researched."

"For..."

"Enhancement of the female species, of course."

She lightly snorted. "If I were researched, I'd probably be poked and prodded a lot."

"But it would be by me, so naturally you'd be completely fine with it."

"But of course..." She murmured as he kissed her neck, body humming with renewed arousal.

He held her tenderly as they drove along, traveling through the residential neighborhood of Russian Hill before rolling through North Beach. Known as San Francisco's "Little Italy," it possessed a charm that was European. Yet rather than stop at one of the upscale ristorantes, the limo kept on moving through the streets.

Curious as to where they were headed, Jeneda watched as the view became gradually more exotic. Approaching a gloriously decorated gate into Chinatown, she watched as they entered the ethnic enclave. Streetlights sculpted to resemble golden dragons provided light, while strings of lanterns criss-crossed overhead.

Densely packed with both tourists and locals, the road was narrow and full of sights. Street vendors crowded the sidewalks, hawking everything from freshly prepared food to dried teas to various souvenirs. Butcher shops displayed an exotic array of available meats, while stands with produce brimmed full of oriental veggies.

Making a turn down a pocket-sized street, the limo ventured further into the densely populated area. More edgy and gritty than the previous streets, it possessed a vibe that was purely urban. Clothes hung from apartment fire escapes above, waving gently in the cold bay breeze. It seemed that trash was never collected in this dark dank alleyway, because dumpsters were filled to the brim. Feeding on the contents were tomcats, who merely glanced at the limo's headlights before returning to their feast.

Feeling like an outsider Jeneda peered out of the limo window, where men sitting on cardboard boxes and crates played cards and gambled with dice. Perhaps wondering why this limo was invading their private spot, the men shifted their stares to the vehicle. Although they were shielded by tinted glass, Jeneda felt incredibly exposed. She may as well have been outside and naked, because their eyes seemed to possess an X-ray power.

Coming to a stop next to a staircase leading upward, the limo was put into park. A few seconds later the driver opened their door, allowing Jeneda to exit first before Dane. Leading the way he led her up the old steps, which were crumbling and gritty with age. On reaching the top they saw an unmarked door, its paint faded and peeling from wet weather. Adorned only by a glowing Chinese lantern, it gave no indication of what was within. Yet clearly familiar with this mysterious establishment, Dane knocked three times in quick succession.

Curiosity piqued, Jeneda eagerly waited, pulse quickening up in expectation. A few seconds passed before a lock was disengaged, then the barrier pulled open to let them in. Immediately greeted by the aromas of ginger, sesame, and garlic, Jeneda followed behind Dane as he tugged her hand.

Waved forward by a bald Asian man with a food-spotted apron, they were led through a narrow hallway with low ceiling and pale pink walls. Shouts drifted from the kitchen as they passed it, words spoken in Chinese that Jeneda couldn't understand. But on sneaking a look into the tiny cooking area, she saw steaming pots and sizzling pans, some old-fashioned and made of cast iron while others were shiny and stainless steel.

Hurried cooks took orders from shouting waiters, while dishes and pans noisily clattered by the sink. Catching sight of a burlap sack on the food prep table, Jeneda noticed that something was moving within. A duck or chicken perhaps, she couldn't tell, but on seeing one of the cooks grab a knife and reach for the sack, she quickly averted her attention to what was ahead.

Just large enough to fit six candlelit tables, the dining room had Japanese bamboo screens, a large aquarium, and painted fans that adorned the walls. Led to a table positioned next to a window, Dane and Jeneda settled onto padded seats. Given laminated menus, they took a moment to look them over, scanning the variety of time-tested dishes. With so many choices it took Jeneda time to decide, but Dane closed his menu after just a few seconds.

"Too many choices," Jeneda said while shaking her head. "My taste buds say prawns and fried chow mein noodles, but won ton soup is less fattening."

"Go wild," Dane said with a grin. "Forget about fat and calorie content, we'll work it off with a vigorous shag."

"Shag?" Jeneda's lips quirked. "Since when do you use British slang?"

"I spent a summer in England a few years ago. Some terms stuck, so I use them now and again."

"I see." She lightly smiled, but continued looking at the menu.

"Shrimp balls and noodle rolls make an excellent appetizer, but main course should be special and something different."

"How different?" She lifted an eyebrow.

Only smirking in response, Dane signaled the waiter to take their order. Dressed casually in jeans and a collared shirt, the teenaged server put pad to pen, then listened as Dane relayed their request. Jeneda couldn't understand a word, however, due to the fact that he spoke in a foreign tongue. No sooner had the waiter made for the kitchen did she lean in, eyeing Dane curiously and with admiration.

"Were you speaking Chinese?"

"Yes I was."

"You never told me you spoke Chinese."

"I haven't?"

She shook her head.

"Not sure why I didn't," he casually replied. "But I'm not very fluent, just moderately skilled."

"Still, It's impressive."

"Is it?"

She nodded.

"Well good, glad I can still score points with you."

"You'll never stop scoring with me," she saucily said.

"I like hearing that," he replied, and taking her hand, brushed his thumb across her knuckles.

"So, what do you think of the place?" He asked.

"Seems nice enough..." Glancing around, she took in the simple and slightly shabby surroundings.

"I know It's a hole-in-the-wall back-alley type of place, but the food is ridiculously amazing."

"Really..."

"Oh yeah," he replied. "They're all the way traditional here. Authentic Chinese meals, not Americanized slop."

"I should have known this place was something special," she said. "That secret knock you gave was a tip-off if there ever was one."

He lightly chuckled. "The knock is to keep tourists out."

"Why, do they have cooties?"

Dane laughed. "No, but they can be annoying. Plus they lack common courtesy in dealing with the staff."

"So they're rude."

He nodded. "And they always ask for dishes to be altered."

"Well I gotta say I'm feeling pretty special. To be one of the chosen ones is a good thing."

"Wait until you taste the food."

"Foodgasm?"

"Oh yeah, all the way."

As if to prove that his words were true, the teenaged waiter arrived with their meals. Steamy hot and served on plates with a painted dragon, the food looked sumptuous and colorful. Amazingly aromatic it had Jeneda eager for a taste, saliva steadily building as she reached for her laminated chopsticks.

Mirroring her move Dane reached for his own, holding them precisely and with grace. While she went for the shrimp balls he went for the noodles, plunging them deep into the starchy treat. Completely unconcerned with putting on any airs, they smacked loudly and chowed down hard. A cornucopia of flavors, the food was exceptionally tasty, rendering them silent as they avidly ate their meals.

Stuck on the barbeque pork, Jeneda found it difficult to sample much of anything else. But as Dane plucked a tentacle-looking thing from one of the plates, Jeneda eyed it warily and with a subtle sort of disgust.

"I know you're thinking this is disgusting," Dane said. "But stir-fried octopus is quite delicious."

"Seems more like an acquired taste to me."

"It sort of is." Dane positioned the chopsticks in front of her mouth. "But the way Chef Jiu makes it, I'm sure you'll enjoy."

"It has suckers, Dane. Don't think I could stomach swallowing those things down."

"They're so tender so you'll hardly notice," he promised.

"I don't think I can..."

"I do."

"It looks grotesque."

"But it tastes amazing."

"It smells weird, too."

"You're dragging this out, my love."

"I'm just not certain I want it in my body."

"One bite, sweetheart." Still holding the octopus with chopsticks, Dane dunked it in sesame oil, then red sauce. "Just give it a try and see if you like it."

Wetting her lips nervously, Janeda eyed the slimy tentacle. Then taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and opened her mouth. As Dane fed it to her, she noticed how slippery it felt on her tongue. Though slightly tough, the texture wasn't altogether unpleasant. As a matter of fact it was kind of tasty, and eating it slowly she chewed it up. Opening her eyes to look at Dane, she saw that he wore a pleased smile.

"Not so bad, is it?"

"Better than I thought."

"There's plenty more."

"Yeah thanks, but I think I'll pass."

Lightly chuckling he fed himself an octopus tentacle, then washed it down with plum wine. Jeneda savored her won ton soup, then sipped her warm, fragrant tea in a red cup. With bellies now full they were completely satisfied, enjoying the ambiance that was both homey and cozy. For awhile they just sat, watching each other glow under the flickering candlelight. Then reaching across the table to take her small hand in his, Dane lifted it to his mouth and gave it a kiss.

"Why don't we roam the streets for a bit? Take in the neighborhood and see some sights?"

Lightly nodding, she watched as Dane signaled the waiter for their check. Once at their table the server accepted a wad of bills, then bowed politely and spoke in Chinese.

"Mei guanxi," Dane replied back. "Can shi meiwei de, feichang ganxie ni."

With Dane holding her hand, Jeneda stood from her seat, following him towards the back and out the door where they had come in. Once down the short flight of steps and on the ground, they walked side by side down the cobbled alley. On reaching an outlet to the street, Dane led them to the right and down a dingy road. Dive bars and opium dens were plentiful here, along with cheap movie houses showing kung-fu classics.

Clearly a hidden Chinatown that tourists didn't see, it had a well-worn authentic feel. Neon signs mingled with hand-painted ones, advertising everything from tea parlors to wholesale goods. As they walked along, Dane informed Jeneda that many of the shops weren't quite what they seemed.

While some ran illegal mahjong games in back rooms, others were fronts for drug dealing. Well aware of Dane's criminal past, Jeneda didn't have to wonder at how he knew such secrets. She did, however, listen with intentness as he spilled more beans about the street. As they reached the end of the block, they turned down an alley and ventured forth. Unlike the last alleyway they had traveled, this narrow passageway was illuminated with a neon sign.

Deep purple in color it cast a sensual glow, bouncing off puddles created by rain. Although it wasn't creepy there was a dangerous feel to the alley, a number of pitch black shadows that might conceal a criminal opportunist. But with Dane tightly holding her hand she couldn't have felt any safer, and saw their late night stroll as purely adventurous with a risky edge.

It didn't take long before they reached a dead end, which consisted of a boarded-up passageway. Directly next to it was a fire escape, and after lowering the pull-down stairs, Dane gestured for Jeneda to climb up first. Yet instead of doing just that, she eyed the staircase warily and with a questioning gaze.

"Go on, sweetheart," Dane said with an assuring tone. "I'll be right behind you, making sure you don't fall."

"But what's up there?"

"Nothing in particular, except a really great view."

Still unenthused about making the climb, Jeneda lifted a brow and bit her lip. But as she came to the realization that there was nothing to fear, she placed a shoe on the metal step and began to ascend. Following right behind her Dane started upward as well, watching her every move as she climbed higher.

They'd nearly reached the top of the stairs when Jeneda lost her footing, slipping off the metal rung and towards the ground. But Dane was quick to react, arm surrounding her waist so that she didn't fall.

"I've got you, you're safe," he softly assured her. "Take as long as you want before starting again."

Gently nodding, she took a moment to catch her breath. Then starting back upward, continued her way up the fire escape.

"Alright love, you can stop," he said when they reached the boarded-up sixth floor window. "Just step out onto the grating and I'll meet you there."

Following his instructions Jeneda did just that, watching as he reached the platform then rose to full height and took her into his arms. Mouth pressing to hers, he sought entrance with his tongue, passionate and questing as it went deep. Unlike his usual tender caresses this kiss was raw and demanding, fueled by an intensity of want.

Losing herself in desire, Jeneda's arms went around his neck. He in turn grazed the flare of her hips, which were sexily enhanced by the corset. Before long his hands were undoing the tiny clasps, loosening the fabric to free her breasts. Now exposed to the cool night air, her nipples perked tight and hard in preparation. Hands cupping her breasts, he lowered his mouth for a suckle, tongue teasing and circling until she thought she would collapse. Her breath came faster as he grabbed at her skirt, lifting the various layers that made it up. Then, with amazing swiftness, he lifted her onto the metal rail of the fire escape. Dane parted her legs wide before unbuckling his belt, the whisper of fabric accompanying as his pants fell around his ankles.

She didn't know how or when he'd managed to remove her panties, but suddenly she was bare and ready. Naturally lubed, her sex glistened with juices, inviting him into her velvety warmth. Wasting not a moment he slid right in, fully bottoming out before receding.

All conscious thought was lost as he began to work her pussy, thrusts shallow but firm and with a purposeful rhythm. Lush and tight she sucked him in deeper, greedily devouring his meaty cock. Fully in dominant mode, Dane took her hard and with primal intent, as if branding her body with every thrust.

Well aware of how precariously balanced she was, Jeneda knew she could fall at any minute. But Dane wouldn't let that happen, not with the strength he possessed as he held her firm. Yet still it thrilled her at the risk they were taking - six stories high and screwing wildly on an old fashioned fire escape. They alley below was quiet and mostly empty, but every now and again somebody would pass through.

No matter to her at all, as she and Dane were high up above and out of range. Raw and taking, his thrusts made her moan and cry and plead all at once - for release, for mercy, for something else, she didn't know. But the power behind his strokes were primitive, like a lion uncaged and ready to devour. Still cupping her waist with his hands, Dane tilted her backward so that the angle was further enhanced, which in turn caused Jeneda to be perilously positioned.