Read Online Afternoons of a Woman of Leisure (9781101623565) by Elizabeth Bennett - Free Book Online Page B

eyes, she sees him grinning, waiting for her, and she comes and comes and comes.

Chapter Twelve
    Afterwards, Jeremy takes her back to the bathroom and washes her again. Her hands are free, but Joanna is not permitted to touch herself. She stands limply as he rubs soap over her breasts and between her legs, attentively but as if he has no particular familiarity with these places. This time, he rinses her with a handheld shower, motions for her to bend forward and lets the generous stream of water run into her cunt and anus. He leaves her to dry herself, then brings her clothes and stands blankly, watching her change into them. When Joanna is ready, he takes her downstairs to the study next to the front door.
    Mr. Stephens, dressed in casual pants and a clean, pressed shirt, is seated behind a heavy desk. He motions for her to take a seat and she does, demurely crossing her legs. Mr. Stephens lights a cigarette. “You did well,” he says flatly. “Frankly, I was surprised. You were a little defiant at first in the bathroom, looking for me behind the mirror. I thought you would ask to leave.” Joanna is silent. “Do you have any questions?”
    â€œWill there always be whips?” asks Joanna.
    â€œNo. Few of our clients enjoy using whips, though many like to administer spankings, or some other light manual punishment. The ‘No Brutality’ restriction means that whips can only be used lightly, for effect. As I used it,” he adds, after a pause. “You didn’t mind it, I saw.”
    â€œNo,” Joanna says. She is silent for a moment. Finally she says, “I didn’t like being fucked in the ass.”
    â€œAh,” says Mr. Stephens. “We will have to bear that in mind. To some extent, ‘O’ can take care of the problem, simply by not sending you to clients who enjoy anal sex. Conversely, though, you may find that you grow to like it.”
    â€œPossibly,” Joanna says. She is doubtful.
    â€œYou are a beautiful woman,” Mr. Stephens says. “I have enjoyed our session.” He pauses. “I also enjoyed watching you come, but I must warn you that not all of our clients will want you to come. You are aware of that?”
    â€œYes,” Joanna says.
    He gets to his feet and, rather formally, extends his hand. “Thank you for visiting with me,” Mr. Stephens says. “I will speak with Pauline this evening. I hope she will hear from you soon.”
    â€œThank you,” Joanna says. She turns and leaves the study. Jeremy is standing calmly by the front door, waiting to let her out. His face contains no message of its own. When she steps out onto the street, Joanna’s heart begins to beat loudly. The air is soft and moist and heavy, the passersby are self-contained and busy, and everything seems relentlessly normal.

Chapter Thirteen
    â€œThis is Joanna,” she says the following morning when Pauline answers the phone.
    â€œJoanna!” The voice is warm, delighted. “I’m so pleased to hear from you. Mr. Stephens was very impressed with you.”
    â€œThank you,” Joanna says.
    â€œAnd you have had a chance to think about us?”
    â€œYes,” says Joanna.
    â€œAnd you are still interested in working for ‘O.’”
    â€œYes,” Joanna says. “Yes, I am.”
    â€œGood.” Pauline pauses briefly. “Then we would like to offer you a job.”
    â€œI’m free to work in the afternoons,” says Joanna, grateful for the first time since her marriage that she is a woman of leisure.

Part Two:
    â€œO”

Chapter Fourteen
    Joanna’s first assignment for “O” is to meet a woman named Clarissa in an apartment downtown, for a party.
    â€œWhat kind of a party?” Joanna asks Pauline over the phone.
    â€œFor clients,” Pauline explains. “Clarissa will tell you what to do.”
    Joanna asks what she should wear, thinking briefly of the