Simone's Little Project – Chapter Six (Silver+ Exclusive)

Oh, my god. He'd actually done it! Shy little Vijay had actually asked her over!

Of course Simone had accepted, with as much warmth and excitement as business-level politeness would allow. Saturday evening, his place. He'd texted her his address, and she'd looked it up now on Google Maps at least half a dozen times already. An innocuous-looking, fifth-floor apartment situated across a corner from a large park and ten minutes' walk from the closest metro stop. She'd probably take a ride-share there, the metro being the unknown quantity of delays, accumulated grime, and weed smoke that it was. Didn't want to arrive there looking anything other than her best…

She scanned her reflection in the mirror now, more aware than ever of the heightened color in her cheeks and the quickened thump of her heart under her blouse. Good god, she felt like she was seventeen again and headed out to prom with her sweating, pimply-faced date. But the woman looking back at her in the mirror was no seventeen-year-old. She was older, more mature, more capable of handling relationships with cool, poised elegance.

Well, supposedly.

Maybe try the pearls? Ehh, they'd be overkill. Just earrings, then? Sure: simple, elegant studs. Not too ostentatious – plus they won't get hooked on anything when I'm undressing…

Dammit! There she went again, thinking like a pathetic, hormonal slut. What if he wasn't in the mood? What if he didn't want that kind of friendship? What if he was simply inviting her over to clear things up and then friend-zone her? She shouldn't be too eager – shouldn't assume – shouldn't move too quickly. That was what had been her downfall last time, after all: when in the heat of the moment she'd blurted out that taboo word, and her fantasy had come crashing down around her ears, and they'd slunk apart in such shameful, awkward silence…

Okay, okay. Enough of that. She shook her head as if to rid it of the unwelcome memories, then gave a final glance in the mirror. Dark blue skirt, white blouse, mid-height navy pumps. Good – it was a nice, cool, feminine look. And coupled with the double-dose of perfume – she'd noted well how much Vijay seemed to like strong scents –  with any luck he'd absolutely love it.

God, she hoped so. Because with every passing day she was becoming more and more hopelessly enamored of this sweet, shy young man.

***

"That was amazing, Vijay. Thanks so much for the dinner, and for introducing me to some new dishes!" She was seated on his little blanket-covered sofa, reveling in the gentle glow of spices in her stomach. "You've spoiled me for restaurants now, you know that? I'm never going to find anything in a Bengali restaurant that's going to be nearly as good!"

He joined in Simone's laughter, seemingly both embarrassed and delighted by her praise. "I'm so glad you liked it. It is nothing too special to me and my family, but I think it is safer for me to make the things I know." He sidled closer, like a moth drawn to her bright smile. "And it is nice to share them with someone, too…"

"Oh, is it now?" Maybe she was being too bold, but she simply couldn't help it. He was so sweet, so eager to please, so clearly happy to see her again. "I like sharing things with you, too, Vijay." He flushed at her words and looked down momentarily, but then raised his eyes again resolutely. "Thank- thank you… Simone. I- I, um…"

She gave him an inquiring look, willing herself to remain silent and let him speak. "Maybe this is the wrong time. But I want to apologize," he said firmly. "For our last together, you know. I- it was just- It was wrong of me to leave like that. I was just surprised by- by what you said, and…" He was fidgeting, twisting the tassels of the blanket in his fingers. "What I did was very wrong and- and unmanly. So please, I hope you don't think less of me for- for, you know…"

Simone felt her heart melting at his words. God, he feels so bad about it. Alyssa was so fucking right- we've both been blaming ourselves this whole time… "Vijay, please, it's okay," she exclaimed softly, her hand slipping comfortingly onto his shoulder. "It was my fault, really. I didn't communicate, I didn't check with you. I didn't ask if you were comfortable with- well, with some of the things that I enjoy."

There, she'd said it. And far from recoiling in shock this time, he was actually sliding closer, gazing over at her with shy, embarrassed interest. "Yes, the things you enjoy? There are special things that you like… that, um, turn you on?"

It was her turn to blush now, but she nodded. This is no time to be some stupid, puritanical prude! "Yes, that's right. I guess-" she gave a wry chuckle. "I guess I let one slip last time. It's just that I really, um…" her voice slid down into a half-embarrassed murmur. "I really like taking care of a partner. You know, taking charge, and playing a bit like, you know, like I'm a- a…"

"A mother."

There, she'd said it! And once again, Vijay was still here – not recoiling – not staring at her with judgment and shock. "Ah, I see," he said now, his own hand slipping onto her skirt-clad thigh. "So you would like to be a mother someday?" She chuckled shakily and shrugged. "Oh, dear, in real life? God, I don't know! I don't think I would be ready for a real child. It's just that-" Simone sighed in nervous frustration. "It's hard to explain. It's just so nice – so hot to me – when I think of a man letting me take care of him. You know, a man like you, who's so smart and so amazing and so capable, being all submissive… giving that up and letting me treat him like my little darling…" Like my little baby…

She didn't speak the last words aloud, of course. Even without them, she was quivering at having given so much away. Yet much to her surprise, Vijay was smiling and he patted her leg. "Ah, I see! I see! That makes sense, Simone." And to her inquiring look, he flushed and went on. "No, really. You see- I- when you said that thing last time… 'Mommy'… Well, yes, I was surprised. And worried. I thought you liked the idea of- oh, you know. Of really wanting to do those things with a- a-"

"A child? Oh, god, no!" Simone exclaimed. "No, no, heavens, no. Eww. It's not that at all. It's about pretending, about me caring for another adult who, you know, likes to let me care for them…" Vijay was nodding in understanding. "Okay, okay, that makes sense," he repeated. "Yes, it is different, maybe. I have not been with someone- have not done that with someone before. I do not have much… much experience. I am sorry I didn't know-" "No, no, of course not! No need to be sorry," Simone hastened. "Like I said, I didn't tell you beforehand…"

She trailed off into silence for a moment, then found her voice again before the silence could grow. No sense turning back now! "So if you haven't tried it before… um, would you like to?" A sudden flash of inspiration struck her, and she blurted it out before she could reconsider. "Hey, it's like what you told me before supper! 'Don't knock it until you try it,' right? Maybe it's the same with this as it is with food… You think?" Shit, maybe that was too much-

But the shy smile growing on Vijay's face put her fears to rest. "Well, yes. That is a good way to think, isn't it?" And as a second hand slipped down to caress her thigh, he looked into her eyes with a mixture of eagerness and pleading. "I- I really do like you, Simone. And if you want that, then I would like to try. Please?"

Simone needed no second invitation.