baby "baby" first appeared in the erotic ezine Ruthie's Club (www.ruthiesclub.com/gateway.php) in January 2005. ***** baby says: hey sexy, you there? blue-eyes says: yeah i’m here. sorry, phone rang baby says: who was it? blue-eyes says: front desk. meeting in the morning got cancelled baby says: oh good, that means you have more time tonight blue-eyes says: sure do baby says: so when you coming to see me? blue-eyes says: when you want me to? i’ll be in town all week for this stupid conference baby says: how bout now? blue-eyes says: i don’t know where you are baby says: im at work blue-eyes says: you want me to visit you at work? wont you get in trouble? baby says: naw, me and the owner are likethis. LOL Pete licked his lips and glanced at the web-cam photo he’d printed out before flying to Orlando. It was blurry, off center and too dark, but not even a crappy web-cam shot could hide baby’s beauty. Soft red lips parted in an evil-diva smile, jet-black hair curled against the pearly skin of her neck and her heart-shaped face. And those eyes. Damn, those eyes. Huge, blue-green cat eyes lined in black and fringed with long, thick lashes. He’d had to jerk off right away when she’d sent him that picture. She’d talked him through it, and then licked the semen off his stomach when he came. She was so damn good, he could almost feel her wet tongue on him. But he’d never actually met her, and he’d always heard how dangerous it was to hook up with someone you only knew online. He looked at her picture again and thought of all the things they’d shared. Not just sex, but hopes, dreams, things they’d never told anyone else. It didn’t feel like lies; it felt real. “Just do it, you damn pussy,” he ordered himself. He turned back to the computer screen. blue-eyes says: ok, i’ll come baby says: you sure will; just wait til you get here, so i can swallow it blue-eyes says: oh thanks now i have a hardon baby says: excellent i know what to do with that… blue-eyes says: LOL ok tell me where to go baby says: where you staying? blue-eyes says: at the Radisson She gave him detailed directions on how to get to the club where she worked. He copied them onto a piece of hotel stationery. blue-eyes says: ok let me shower real quick and ill be there soon as i can baby says: hurry lover baby says: tell the doorman baby sent you An hour later, Pete’s taxi pulled up to the curb in front of 453 Hazelwood Street. He frowned, checked the scribbled address again, and looked back up. Yep, that was the number baby had given him. He almost told the driver to turn around and take him back to the Radisson. Only the thought of the enticing woman waiting for him inside kept him from doing just that. “I can’t fucking believe I’m really doing this,” he muttered. He paid the driver, got out, and approached the door. It was solid black metal, set in a black wall. A small red neon sign over the door read ‘The Ties That Bind.’ baby had told him that she worked at a private BDSM club. They’d had countless chats where she’d tie him up and do the most depraved things to him. It never failed to make him come hard and fast. The thought of doing those things in real life made his belly tighten. He ran a hand nervously through his hair, pushing the honey-gold waves out of his eyes. He’d had many lovers, male and female, but none had ever gotten under his skin the way this woman had before he’d even met her. “Pete, my boy,” he said, “inside this club is a woman who might be the one. Just knock on the goddamn door.” He nodded, squared his shoulders, and gave the door a couple of hard raps with his knuckles. A small panel slid open and a heavily made-up face peered out. A line of black tattooed teardrops trailed down the white cheek. Eyes the color of molasses slid appreciatively over his body. “Yes?” The young doorman smiled, his black-painted lips stark against his powdered skin. Pete suppressed a shudder. “baby sent me,” Pete said, as he’d been instructed. The brown eyes widened. “One moment, sir.” The panel slid shut. Pete heard the snick of bolts sliding back, then the door swung open. “My name is Simon,” the doorman said. “Please come in.” Simon stood aside and Pete walked in, not without some trepidation. The door swung shut behind him. Something about the sharp sound of the bolts ramming home seemed very final. He shivered as he looked around the small, black-painted room. Simon turned back to him with a cadaverous smile. “Follow me, please.” He turned and pushed open a set of red, padded double doors. Pete followed his whip-thin form into the inner sanctum. He stared around with wide eyes as they made their way through the crowd to the back of the huge room. The whole place was painted black. Floors, ceiling, walls, all solid black. Chains hung from the ceiling, dangling plastic limbs, blow-up dolls, and sex toys only a few feet above the heads of the throng. Multi-colored lights pulsed in time to the throbbing techno beat, illuminating a wall-to-wall sea of nearly naked flesh. Groups of two, three, and more undulated on the dance floor and wound themselves into tangles in the red leather booths lining the walls. He caught glimpses of men and women wearing black hoods and studded collars. “This way, sir.” Pete shook himself and focused on his guide. Simon was holding open another black metal door, smaller than the one out front. It opened onto a long hallway lined with doors, each one different. At the end of the hall was a spiral staircase made of wrought iron. Simon headed straight for the stairs. Pete followed him, his stomach fluttering nervously. Sounds he wasn’t sure he wanted to identify floated from behind the doors they passed. At the top of the stairs, Simon knocked twice on a carved door that looked like it was made of mahogany. The door opened a crack. “baby’s guest is here,” Simon said. “Thank you, Simon,” said a female voice. Simon turned and started down the steps without a word. “Sir? In here, please.” The woman in the doorway was tall and elegant. Pale blond hair swept up into a loose twist at her neck. She smiled at him, and stood aside to let him enter. He gaped at the black-and-red painted walls, hung with manacles, chains, whips, and things he couldn’t even identify. A huge mahogany bar curved out from the far wall; mirrors behind it reflected bottles of liquor. A single chair sat in the middle of the red hardwood floor. It was black, wide, and sturdy, and bolted to the floorboards. There was a hole in the seat. He decided not to think about that yet. “I’m Nora,” the woman said. “I’m baby’s personal assistant. Would you like a drink?” “Um, bourbon, please.” Pete pulled at the collar of his pale blue T-shirt. He’d picked it because it matched his eyes. “So, you’re baby’s assistant? Wow. She said she worked here, but hell, she didn’t tell me she was a suit.” Nora’s brow creased in a polite furrow as she rummaged behind the bar. “A suit?” Pete laughed. “Yeah, sorry. An executive. Seems like she’s higher up the food chain than she let on.” Nora smiled as she handed Pete a glass of iced Kentucky bourbon. “baby owns the club, actually.” Pete nearly choked on his drink. “You’re shitting me.” “No sir. baby built this place up from scratch. It used to be an abandoned warehouse. Now it’s the most sought-after club of its type in the Southeast. We turn away far more people than we allow to join.” “Wow.” Pete tossed back the rest of the whiskey in one gulp. Something about the fact that baby owned the place both terrified and aroused him. He felt himself getting hard just from the thought of her concentrating her fierce executive personality on his body. He glanced at Nora. “So when does she get here?” “Simon will inform baby that you’ve arrived. I’ll help you get ready.” Pete narrowed his eyes at her. “Yeah? What does that mean, anyhow?” “baby wants you prepared a particular way. I gather that you two have talked about… certain things?” Pete gulped. “Yeah. Okay. So, um, so what do I need to do?” It embarrassed him more than a little to talk so openly to this woman about his strange affair with baby. But she seemed to know all about it, and didn’t seem the least bit shocked or put off, so he pushed his unease aside and thought about the woman he’d come here for. baby’s white skin, baby’s wicked eyes, baby’s soft wet mouth. His cock swelled even more, pushing against his zipper. Nora glanced at his crotch and raised a neatly plucked eyebrow. Pete felt his face flush. “Please remove all your clothing, then sit down in the chair.” She sounded so matter-of-fact that she might as well have been telling him to take out the trash. Pete’s jaw fell open. “What?” “Please remove your clothing,” Nora repeated blandly, “and sit down in the chair.” “But… but I thought… listen, I don’t know you…” “Sir, if you want baby to come to you, you must do as you’re asked.” She gave him a tight smile. “You needn’t worry about me seeing you naked. I am not interested in men. Now if you’ll please remove your clothing, sir? baby can be quite impatient.” Pete bit his lip. He only hesitated a second before yanking his T-shirt over his head and pulling off his shoes and socks. It took him a moment longer to get up the nerve to strip off his jeans and underwear. Nora folded his clothes and placed them in a neat pile on a shelf beside the bar. Her blank expression didn’t falter as she motioned him to sit. “Why’s there a hole in the chair?” Pete asked as he sat down. “It’s made that way, sir. Hands behind the back of the chair, please.” Pete put his hands behind him. “I can see that, but why?” The possibilities made his balls tighten. “Many of our clients make use of this sort of chair from time to time.” Cold metal clamped snugly around his wrists. “It’s baby’s favorite,” she added. Pete couldn’t decide whether that scared him or turned him on, or both. “Spread your legs, please.” Nora knelt on the floor in front of him; small silver chains and padlocks dangled from one manicured hand. Pete almost didn’t do it. He squeezed his eyes shut and pictured baby’s red, red lips wrapped around his cock. He spread his legs. The chains were cold on his skin as Nora fastened them around his ankles and knees. He opened his eyes and looked down; the sight of his body splayed and bound for baby’s pleasure made him ache with anticipation. Nora stood and smoothed out the wrinkles in her long black dress. “baby will be with you shortly, sir. Enjoy your evening.” Pete watched her turn and walk out a small door to his right. The room was so quiet he could hear his own heartbeat. It pounded in his ears like tribal drums. He rested his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes. His arms and legs were beginning to cramp and indignation was close to overcoming his arousal, when he heard the door to his right open. He started to turn his head. “Stop. Look straight ahead.” The voice was low and sultry. Pete felt a thrill go through him. baby. It had to be. No one but baby could have a voice like that. “baby?” “Yes, Pete. baby’s here.” Pete heard heels clicking behind him. He licked his lips. “How did you know my name? I never told you that. We agreed to just use screen names.” A soft laugh raised the hairs on his arms. “It’s not so hard to find out.” Warm hands caressed his shoulders, sending shivers of pleasure down his skin. “What…” “You don’t need to know my name. Just call me baby. Everyone does.” “baby,” he whispered. “baby. Let me see you.” She didn’t answer, and his mouth went dry. If he’d fucked it up already, if she was angry with him… But no. Light clicking footsteps around his left, and baby stood before him. He stared, speechless. He’d known she was beautiful. But no picture could possibly capture her as she really was: sleek and feral, fragile and dangerous. She was small, no more than five foot and six inches, even in her high heels. She was slender and delicate, and in a blood-red satin dress that dragged the floor. Her white shoulders were bare and lovely, and her collarbone was a graceful arch beneath the thin straps of the dress. She smiled down at him, red lips moist and open. A curling strand of midnight black hair clung to the corner of her mouth. “Am I beautiful?” She stalked closer, pale skin peeking through the thigh-high slit in the front of her dress as she walked. She stood between his open legs and stared down at him. It was like locking gazes with a jungle cat. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” Pete answered. It was nothing but the truth. baby’s smile widened. Her turquoise eyes gleamed with something indefinable. “Am I really?” “Yes. You are.” She lowered her gaze to his crotch and licked her lips. His erection throbbed with the need to be touched. She sank to her knees and leaned forward until her red mouth hovered over his cock. She rolled her eyes up to meet his. Her pink tongue flicked over his skin, feather light, and he groaned. “God, baby, suck my cock,” he begged. One corner of her mouth lifted in a teasing half-smile. “You haven’t earned that yet,” she said. She planted a gentle kiss on the tip of his cock, and then rose gracefully to her feet. His hips strained toward her, desperate. “What do you want?” He gazed up at her; she seemed unbearably beautiful, unearthly in her perfection. She was a goddess, and he was her slave, worshipping at her dainty feet. She gave him a smile full of darkness. “I want to find out if the things that make you come in cyber-land still make you come when they’re real.” Pete nodded. His heart was hammering against his ribs, and his whole body burned. “I want you to do those things to me,” he said. baby smiled that deliciously wicked smile again. She took his face in both small hands and bent towards him. “Kiss me,” she whispered. He closed the space between them and pressed his mouth to hers. Her lips parted under his, her tongue slithering into his mouth. Her kiss was hot and fierce, deep and demanding. When she pulled away, he whimpered from the loss. He licked his lips; her lipstick tasted like cherries. He stared up into her glowing eyes and couldn’t speak. “Don’t worry, my sweet, innocent boy,” she crooned. “I’ll be very gentle with you.” He didn’t know what he was about to say. Whatever it was flew straight out of his head when a searing pain shot through his right nipple. He glanced down and gasped when he saw the small metal clamp digging into the tender flesh. Baby flicked it with a fingernail the color of a blood clot, sending another bolt of pain through him. “Do you like that, darling?” She bent and kissed him, a light brush of lips. “Fuck, yeah.” She smiled, and pain blazed in his other nipple. Her fingers twisted both clamps at the same time, and he screamed. baby kissed him hard, plunging her tongue into this mouth while she pulled and twisted the nipple clamps. By the time she backed away, his body trembled all over and he was gasping for breath. He’d never been so turned on in his life. His nipples throbbed with pain, and the pain was wonderful. He felt ferociously alive. “God, it turns me on to hear you scream,” baby said. She whirled around and strode over to a cabinet set into the wall. She opened the door and pulled something out. Pete watched the muscles working in her back, her shoulder blades standing out like birds’ wings. When she turned around again, he saw that she was holding a black lacquer box. It seemed heavy. “What’s in the box?” he asked. She didn’t answer him. She moved behind his chair, slim hips swaying as she walked. A rustle of satin, and her hot lips on his neck. “Have you ever been fucked in the ass?” She flicked her tongue into his ear. He drew a sharp breath. “No,” he whispered. “You’ve been with men before.” It wasn’t a question. “Yeah. A few times. But I always topped, I never bottomed. Are… are you gonna…” “Yes,” she said. “I am. Don’t worry, my love. My playthings won’t damage you.” “But you’re going to hurt me.” “Oh, yes. You want that, don’t you? Sweet, dirty boy.” She pulled his head back by the hair. He stared up into her eyes. “Tell me what you want me to do to you,” she said, and ran her tongue over his parted lips. “I want you to do the things you do to me when we talk online.” “Want to hear you say it.” She bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. “Want to hear those filthy words from that sweet, pretty mouth.” He swallowed. “I want you to fuck my ass. Stick your toys up my ass, and fuck me.” She smiled. “You’re so good. So obedient.” She kissed him once more, softly, and let go of his hair. He heard the whisper of satin as she knelt behind him. So the opening in the seat of the chair was for what he’d thought. He gasped when he felt a slick finger against his hole. Her nail scraped teasingly across the sensitive skin as she rubbed him with lube. “Fuck, baby. Stick your fingers in me.” “Mm. Yes.” One slim finger pressed inside him, the nail scratching the delicate tissue. He moaned and tried to push against her hand. She shoved another finger in. “You like that, don’t you?” she said. A third digit inserted to the hilt, twisting and making him squirm. “Yeah, Christ.” “I’m taking your virginity, you know.” Pete didn’t know what to say, and really didn’t care. His cock felt ready to burst, his nipples burned, and he ached to be penetrated by more than just fingers. “baby… please, please…” “Hush, darling. Your baby’s going to take care of you.” baby pulled her fingers out, and something hard and slick probed at his hole. It felt huge. He moaned as the toy opened him, stretched him, and filled him up. The sensation was like nothing he’d ever known, pain and pleasure mingling until he wasn’t sure which was which. Then it began to vibrate inside him, sending waves of scorching bliss crashing over him, and he cried out. “Feels so good, doesn’t it?” baby’s breath was soft and sweet on his ear. She appeared in front of him again, a predatory smile curving her luscious lips. He couldn’t speak; his vision blurred, the blood pounded in his ears. baby hiked her skirt up around her thighs and straddled his lap, planting her knees on either side of his hips. “Do you like how my butt plug fills you up?” She raked her fingers through his hair, kissed his open mouth. “Fuck, yeah.” “Would you like to fuck me? Shove your cock inside me and fuck me good while my toy’s in your ass?” “Yes, God, please let me fuck you.” Pete thought he might die if he didn’t come soon. He knew he wouldn’t last once he was inside baby, but he didn’t care. He had to have her, if only for a moment. She got off his lap and backed up a pace, and he groaned in frustration. “Please, baby.” Her blue-green eyes were stern. “I want you to know me first.” Pete frowned. “What do you mean? Are you gonna tell me your name now?” baby smiled, and the smile seemed sad. “Maybe. But that’s not what I meant. I don’t usually give my lovers this choice, you know. But you’re special to me, and I need you to know.” She slipped the dress straps off her shoulders; the garment puddled at her feet and she kicked it aside. Pete stared, unbelieving, at the smooth chest, the hard-muscled abdomen. And the long, thick, erect cock held against the flat belly by a silver chain threaded through a ring in its head and attached at either end to matching nipple rings. He stared, and imagined what it would feel like to have that inside him instead of a toy. He raised his eyes to baby’s face. The liquid gaze seemed lonely to him now. “So,” baby said. “You know me now. Do you still want me?” Pete didn’t stop to think. This wasn’t just some random cross-dressing guy. This was baby; this was the person he’d shared his deepest thoughts and dreams with. This was the first person he’d felt truly connected to in his entire life. It was baby he wanted, whatever that meant. He stared at the delicate, lovely man standing naked before him and answered the only way he could. “Yes.” His voice was raw with need. baby smiled at him, and it felt like sunshine and summer breezes. baby swayed back over to the chair, picked up a tube of gel off the floor, and straddled Pete’s lap again. Her eyes—no, his, Pete reminded himself, his eyes—shone as he leaned in and pressed his moist red lips to Pete’s. They kissed, baby rubbing his cock against Pete’s until Pete thought he’d go mad. “Let me inside you, baby,” Pete begged. baby bit his lip and raised up on his knees. “I’ve dreamed of this,” he said, and smiled. He squeezed some lube onto his hand, coated Pete’s aching cock with it, then reached between his own legs to slick his opening. His eyes burned into Pete’s as he grasped Pete’s shaft and slowly impaled himself. baby’s body was burning hot inside, cloud-soft molten heat around Pete’s cock. He moaned into baby’s mouth when he kissed him again. baby was moaning too, little cooing birdlike sounds as he moved in Pete’s lap, Pete’s cock slip-sliding in and out, in and out, baby’s cock hot and hard between them, the chain catching on Pete’s nipple clamps. Pete stared into baby’s eyes, those hypnotic ocean-water eyes, and felt a wash of love spread through him. He belonged to baby now. He screamed as his orgasm slammed into him, bowing his spine and shaking him in his seat. baby came at the same time. Warm slippery fluid flowed down their pressed-together bellies. When it was over, baby held Pete’s face in his hands and kissed him tenderly. “I love you, baby,” Pete whispered. He stared into baby’s eyes and wished he could touch him. baby caressed Pete’s cheeks, rubbing his thumbs across his lips. “My name’s Adrian.” He unlocked Pete’s chains and led him to his private apartment with a huge bay window overlooking the city. They played more games together before they fell asleep on the bed, with baby’s head pillowed on Pete’s chest, and Pete’s arms holding him close. No one at the conference ever noticed Pete was missing. The hotel noticed, however, when Pete failed to check out. After nearly a month of halfhearted searching, the police declared his case closed and took the flyers down off the post office walls. Pete’s boss shrugged, and told the security guard that, if he showed up, to tell him his ass was fired, and to get the hell out. Pete didn’t know or care. His old life was like a bad dream now, the memories tattered and faded and harmless. He’d found his home in baby’s arms.