Nina (f/m) - updated 02-12-2022 Ch. 3
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 8:17 pm
Chapter 1 - Nina
Peter met her the day his life ended. It was the single most humiliating day of his life and he hid deep in the research stacks in the campus library. He slunk to the floor and pulled his knees up to his chest letting his dirty blond hair shield him from the rest of the world. So absorbed in his own despair he did not know anyone was there until she spoke.
“Having a tough day.” Her voice was feminine and delicate.
Peter jerked in surprise and quickly swiped an arm across his eyes, swiping at unshed tears. A long sleeve gray sweater clung to her waist and a Halloween-patterned skirt spread out over her hips stopping a few inches above her knees. It flowed around her thighs which were encased in dark hosiery and ended in a pair of simple white tennis shoes. Her waist was so narrow even with the added thickness of the sweater she would make an hourglass jealous. “Oh sorry,” Peter said, his normal high baritone much lower due to his throat clogged with sorrow.
The young woman gracefully crossed her legs and dipped into a sitting position beside him, carefully arranging her skirt across her knees. The movement created a gentle flow of air filled with the subtle scent of peaches, probably from her shampoo or perfume. Peter had trouble meeting her eyes and focused on the ghosts sprinkled among the fall leaves comprising the pattern of her skirt. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Peter shook his head and wondered where there was a better place to hide than the library on a Saturday night on a college campus. “I can’t, sorry.”
A hand touched his arm. The coolness of her fingers penetrated beneath the sleeve of his black athletic shirt which he wore beneath a black cotton T-shirt. The gentle touch froze his limbs. “I don’t know you, you don’t know me. It’s pretty safe.”
Peter met her eyes. The liquid brown pools had gold swirls around the outer iris, her lips were shockingly red and full parted in a gentle smile. Her hair danced across her shoulders in shiny brown curls. “It’s embarrassing, my life is over.”
“Ok, but sometimes sharing it with someone can bring a bit of perspective.” The young woman urged.
Peter’s chest heaved in a sniff and a chuckle escaped his lips. “That’s the problem, I shared it already and now I’m sure my whole dorm knows, the whole school.” Peter looked up as another person walked by the row of shelves where they sat talking.
Nina noticed the look and stood up. “My name is Nina, why don’t you follow me to a small test taking room where we can talk more privately.”
Peter hesitated as Nina walked away, her skater-length skirt swaying back and forth as she moved toward the end of the stacks. “Come on, you need to talk about this.” Her voice was forceful and Peter found himself combing his fingers through his hair and following before his mind had a chance to ask what he was doing.
Nina led him to an empty room filled with small cubicles where students could work without any danger of their neighbors peeking. Two chairs were positioned near the door and she sat down holding out a hand toward the other. Peter closed the door and sat down. “Alright then, can we start with your name?” Nina asked.
“Peter.”
“Alright Peter, why don’t you tell me what happened? Why is your life over?”
Peter took a deep breath and shrugged. “You’ll think I’m a freak.”
“Did you do something illegal?” Nina responded.
“No.” Peter said immediately.
“Immoral?” Nina responded.
“Depends on who you ask?” Peter said with a shrug
“Dangerous?” Nina continued.
“Probably if you’re not careful.” Peter answered and then sighed. It was obvious she was going to persist until he simply told everything. “Look I’ll tell but you’ll either laugh or back out of the room slowly.”
“Try me.” Nina said her voice lowering in a way that sounded more irritated than patient.
Peter took a deep breath. “My roommate planned to be out of town this weekend so I thought I had the dorm to myself.” Another deep breath. “Ever since I was a kid I’ve always enjoyed tying myself up, so that’s what I did tonight.”
“You tied yourself up?” Nina asked.
Peter nodded.
“How?” Nina asked.
“Rope.”
“Why?” Nina said.
Peter shrugged. “I don’t know really but I love the feeling of helplessness even when it’s an illusion. My mind breaks free and my imagination runs wild.”
“And it excites you sexually,” Nina said in a matter-of-fact way that was barely a question.
“Well, I suppose, at least since puberty,” Peter admitted. “But I can’t really alleviate that particular need while bound if you know what I mean...it’s complicated. Also, sex at this age get’s mixed into everything.”
“And your roommate came home and found you?” Nina said.
Peter nodded. “I was tied face down to my bed with my wrists bound to my ankles. I heard him opening the door and I couldn’t even get the blindfold off before he saw me.”
“You were blindfolded?” Nina clarified.
“And gagged,” Peter added.
“Gagged, really?” Nina said with a bit of surprise.
“Yeah, a damp cloth and some wrapping,” Peter answered.
“What did your roommate do?” Nina asked.
“He looked at me and ran out of the room. By the time he was back with the R.A. [resident assistant], I had managed to get my hands free. Panic can be a powerful motivator. I got dressed and fled, eventually ending up here.”
“Wait a second, you got dressed? Were you naked?” Nina asked.
“No, to prevent rope burns I wear this.” Peter lifted his arm and slid a finger across the tight material of the shirt he wore beneath his T-shirt and pulled his jeans up to show the same material covering his legs. “It’s just a runner’s shirt and tights.”
Nina nodded. “I noticed the tights in the hall, that explains it.”
“So you see, my life is over.” Peter finished.
“What did you tell the R.A.?” Nina asked.
“Nothing. I just bolted past him.”
“Hmm…” Nina said, tapping one finger against her ruby red lips. “What dorm are you in?”
“Collins Hall, second floor, why?”
“Derek Moorehead is the R.A.?” Nina asked.
“Yeah, but why?”
“Promise me something,” Nina said.
Peter scrunched his face in confusion. “Promise what?”
“I think I can fix this situation but you have to stay right here, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“What could you possibly do?” Peter asked.
“I have a plan if you’re willing to try it?” Nina said.
“My plan was to drop out of school and work fast food for the rest of my life, is it better than that?” Peter asked.
“Oh, I can definitely beat that, but you have to stay here.”
Nina left, closing the door behind her leaving Peter to pace around the small room listening to the odd sounds of the old library. He picked up an old chemistry textbook and was flipping through the pages when Nina snuck back in. “Alright, Derek will be here in a few seconds...”
“What?” Peter exclaimed. “How is that helping?”
“Trust me, I don’t have time to explain my whole idea but just let me do the talking. You aren’t against a few white lies to get you out of this?”
Peter shook his head, his mouth suddenly dry from fear. “Nina, you don’t know me.”
“True, but you trusted me with some intimate information so I figured I should try and help. I make no promises…” There was a knock on the door.
Nina opened the door and a bearded man a couple of years older than Peter was waiting on the other side. He glanced at Peter with a look of concern.
“You’re Derek?” Nina said.
Derek nodded and pointed. “Nina?”
Nina nodded. “I think you deserve an explanation about what happened tonight with Peter?”
Derek’s eyes popped. “You were involved?”
Nina nodded and Peter had to use every ounce of willpower to keep his mouth from dropping open in surprise. “Yeah, it was a dare between us and I intended to come back and set him free but… well you know what happened.”
“So are you two together?” Derek asked.
Nina shrugged. “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes we’re friends.” Nina paused with a coy glance toward Peter. “Close friends.”
“Why did you let her tie you up? Just a dare?”
Peter looked away. “Well, she’s beautiful and said I would never escape. I thought she would have to touch me…”
“Stop, stop, I get it. We thought it was some kind of robbery, but when you ran out we thought…” Derek paused and looked at the floor. “Well, other things. Why did you run?”
“I freaked out and was pretty embarrassed, and you would never have believed I had a girl in my room,” Peter said.
Derek laughed. “That’s true.”
Nina put her hands on her hips and glared at Derek. “Are you satisfied?”
“I suppose, I better go throw some water on the rumor fire that is starting. Don’t do things like that again.” Derek said, looking at Peter with disapproval.
“Well, she left me alone,” Peter said with downcast eyes while indicating Nina.
“If you weren’t being such an arrogant twit,” Nina responded. “I can get out of anything.” She said in a sing-song sarcastic imitation of Peter’s voice.
Derek waved both his hands at them. “Alright, I’m glad it was just a mistake. I’ll see you back at the dorm.”
Derek left and closed the door behind him.
Peter looked back to Nina who was smiling while holding out her arms in a ‘Am I good or what’ way.
“Amazing, you saved my life. Thank you so much.”
“No problem, happy to help,” Nina responded.
“Trouble is, people are going to think you and I are involved now.” Peter’s voice dropped and he sagged. “You’ll have to tell them the truth, and then the story won’t make sense.”
“Don’t worry,” Nina said, waving her arms toward him. “I’m a senior and live off-campus. None of my friends are even remotely attached to the rumors here.”
Peter perked up. “Alright, if you’re sure.”
“Positive, here give me your phone,” Nina asked.
Peter handed over his phone and Nina quickly ran her hands across the screen. “There, I just texted myself so we have each other’s numbers. If you have any more problems, or just want to talk.”
Peter looked at the number and went back to Nina. “Why?”
“Why did I give you my number?” Nina asked.
“No, why did you help me?” Peter clarified.
“I told you earlier, you trusted me with some really private information which I really pushed you to divulge. I figured I owed you.”
“Wow, you are something,” Peter said with a smile.
“Ahh, thanks.” She squeezed his shoulder and left the room.
* * *
The teasing he got for getting tied up and abandoned by a girl died down in a few days mostly because he felt kind of proud of Nina’s lie. Being tied to a bed by a beautiful girl was pretty awesome and all the guys knew it.
Nina was also right, he rarely saw her on campus closer than a wave, but the following Saturday after the incident he sat down on the bed and shot her a text. “Just wanted to thank you again for saving my life last Saturday.” He hit send and laid back on the bed imagining what it would be like if their little bit of fiction had been real.
His phone chirped with a response. “You better come over, I won’t be in the library tonight to rescue you.” She ended the note with a winking face emoji.
Peter was about to ask where she lived but before he could finish an address popped up on the phone with a question? “Do you have a car?”
After a quick map search, he responded. “Yes, be there in 15 minutes.”
It was closer to ten since Peter was so excited. Nina was outside swinging on the porch of a surprisingly large house when he pulled up. Dusk had settled and the porch light made an amber halo of her dark curls.
“Hey Peter, how’d you manage your week?” Nina asked.
Peter noticed she wore a similar ensemble as last time. A short flowing skirt that did not cover her knees, this time with a stars and galaxies print, a white T-shirt with a Supergirl emblem on the front peeking from between the buttons of a gray long-sleeved sweater. Peter wondered if his fingers would touch if he grabbed her by the waist. “Really well, thanks to you. Was there any fallout for you?”
“No, no one said anything. Like I said, our circles don’t intersect.” Nina said.
“What are you studying?” Peter asked
“Dentistry,” Nina said.
“Wow, do you like it?”
“Yeah, though I’m going to specialize in the surgical side. More school, but there are fewer emergencies, so better hours. What about you?”
“Culinary Arts,” Peter said.
“Oh a chef,” Nina said with what seemed to be genuine excitement.
“I hope so, someday.”
“You’ll have to cook something for my aunt and me,” Nina said.
“You’re aunt?” Peter said.
“Oh yeah, this is her house, I get to stay here rent-free if I help her with chores and cooking and other stuff.”
“Wow, that's a good deal. Does she not like guys, is that why we’re out here?”
“Oh no, I just really like the fall weather, it will be too cold to sit outside soon enough. Come on, I'll introduce you.”
When Peter heard the word ‘aunt’ he expected someone old or perhaps using a cane, but Nina’s aunt could not have been much past the age of forty. She was standing at the sink in a pair of exercise leggings that were a vibrant shade of purple and highlighted an extremely well-toned backside. A T-shirt tied into a knot about her waist was loose enough to show a matching sports bra beneath.
“Aunt Penny,” Nina called but the woman continued to sing along to the music entering her ears through white earbuds. Her blond hair waved back and forth to her movements. Nina finally stepped close enough to tap her on the shoulder. “Oh Nina, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.”
“That’s ok, I just wanted to introduce a friend I met at the library last week. This is Peter.”
Peter stepped forward and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you Aunt Penny.”
“Oh just Penny, and it’s nice to meet you too. You’re in school too.”
Peter nodded at the same time that Nina said. “Culinary school.”
“Ohh, a chef. I hope you’ll cook for us, neither Nina nor I are all that good around the kitchen.”
“I would love to, do you have a favorite dish?”
“Oh, my husband used to make the best lasagna before he died. I would love to taste homemade lasagna again.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Peter said.
Nina waved off the statement. “It’s been years, but thank you,” Penny answered.
“I can make lasagna if you’re willing to let me use your kitchen for most of an afternoon, it’s quite involved.”
Penny laughed. “Sure you can, saints know I don’t use it.”
“When would you like me to come over?”
“Sooner the better, I can’t wait. What do you think, Nina?” Penny said with an excited smile.
“Tomorrow is Sunday, that works for me. What about you?” Nina said, looking back and forth between Peter and Penny.
Peter must have looked surprised because both Nina and Penny started to assure him that he did not have to cook for them. “No no, I’ll be happy to cook but there are some ingredients…”
“If you’re willing to cook I’m more than willing to go shopping tomorrow morning,” Penny said. “But really you don’t have to.”
“No it’s no trouble, I’ll just give a list to Nina before I leave,” Peter said, looking at the smiling brunette.
“That will be fine, now don’t let me intrude upon your evening, I’m going to go shower and head to bed. It’s so nice to meet you, Peter.”
Nina stepped closer. “I’m sorry this happened so suddenly.”
“I like to cook, it’s no trouble.”
“If you’re sure,” Nina said.
“I’m sure.”
“Do you want some ice cream? My aunt always keeps a good selection in the freezer.”
“Sounds good.”
Peter looked around the kitchen while Nina got bowls and spoons. It was a relatively modern kitchen and it would be good to cook for someone who was not paid to find all his mistakes. “Chunky Monkey? It’s my favorite.”
“Oh yeah, love that,” Peter answered.
They sat down at the bar which surrounded a large sink. “So how are you feeling?”
“A little shell shocked,” Peter said but quickly held up his hand when Nina began to speak. “And not about cooking tomorrow.”
“What about?”
“Well a week ago I was sitting on the floor of the library contemplating my own death and now I’m eating ice cream with a gorgeous girl, it’s quite a trip.”
“I’m hardly gorgeous,” Nina said.
Peter sat his spoon down and looked at Nina intensely until she finally returned his stare. “I’m trying to decide if you are one of those people who likes to downplay their attractiveness because they want people to disagree, or if you really believe you aren’t beautiful.”
Nina blushed. “Well I can be a little intense sometimes, and that’s a turn-off for most guys.”
“Intense?” Peter asked.
“Assertive, argumentative, decisive. I know what I want.”
Her answer was quick. It was obvious she had heard those words before. He thought back to his experience with her in the library and how she took charge so quickly. “Well it sure has its advantages, you saved my life.”
“You keep saying that. You weren’t really suicidal?” Nina asked.
“Not suicidal, but I’ve always wanted to be a chef, and if I had to leave culinary school…” Peter let his voice trail off.
“I get it.” Nina nodded.
They ate in silence for a few minutes until Nina spoke. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
Peter laughed. “What more could you want to know that would be more personal than what I already told you.”
“Just a question then?” Nina clarified.
“Sure, I’m pretty sure I can be honest with you.”
“Have you tied yourself up since?”
“Nope, no privacy,” Peter answered, not really surprised by the question.
“If you did have privacy, would you have?” Nina asked.
“I don’t know, maybe, though I never did it more than a couple of times a month back home.”
“Any idea what you like about it?” Nina continued.
Peter shrugged. “It’s hard to articulate. The idea of being helpless is exciting to me and actually being helpless is pretty relaxing. Maybe it’s the fact that I can’t control the outcome, nothing to do so my mind just lets go.”
“That makes some sense, I guess.” Nina nodded.
“And you know what else, I started running when I was probably twelve or thirteen because I wanted to wear running tights. I love the feeling of compression on my body and that feeling seems to be all wrapped up together with the ropes and tape and whatever else I use.”
“So you like tights?”
“Yes, they are a pretty big draw for me.”
“Like what my aunt was wearing?” Nina smiled.
“I noticed, sure, sorry if you caught me staring, but liking a nice set of legs in tights is more normal than all the bondage stuff.”
“Bondage. That’s a pretty loaded word.” Nina said.
“I suppose, but it fits pretty well.”
“What about the other letters in B.D.S.M.?” Nina asked.
Peter looked at her with some surprise. Everybody seemed to know about that particular scene these days. “I was into it before I’d ever heard of that acronym and I’m not into giving or receiving pain. As for discipline, I really don’t know what it means other than spanking which seems to be related to the other two.”
“And you’ve never had a partner?”
“Nope, when I was young my friends and I tied each other up, but that was it, and well before puberty.”
There was another long silence broken up only by the clinking of spoons against bowls. “I’m sorry if this freaks you out,” Peter said, interpreting Nina’s silence as discomfort.
“No, it doesn’t bother me. I’m just curious. We all have our own quirks. I did invite you over here, remember. If it bothered me, I wouldn’t have.”
Peter nodded. “Ok, let me get you that list of ingredients.” Using a recipe on his phone he wrote out the list and slid the paper across the table. “There you go, it’s getting late and I want some good sleep so I don’t screw up the lasagna tomorrow.”
“Yup looking forward to it,” Nina walked him to the door and paused by the porch swing. “What about handcuffs?” She blurted after Peter had begun to walk through the fallen leaves that covered the lawn.
Peter shook his head in surprise, not expecting the previous conversation to continue. “What about them?”
“Have you ever used them?” Nina asked.
Peter chuckled. “Sure in the past, but I don’t like them. They can really hurt, even with clothing to protect your skin.”
Nina nodded. “That makes sense. How do you tie yourself up so that you can’t get free?”
“That’s just it, for me, it’s always been an illusion. I’ve never been truly helpless.”
“How do you know if you like it?” Nina asked with a puzzled expression. “I mean maybe if you were really stuck you’d freak out and panic.”
“Well I’ve had a few close calls, but I suppose you’re right, I don’t really know,” Peter answered.
“That seems like something you should know,” Nina said quietly.
Peter shrugged. “I suppose so.”
Nina was quiet for a long time and when Peter turned toward his car again Nina spoke. “I could do it.”
Peter stopped walking, his breath catching in his throat as blood rose into his cheeks. He tried to speak but could not think of anything to say. “I mean…” Nina continued. “I could learn, I really don’t know how.”
Peter turned back toward her and waited for a long time before finally speaking. “Where?”
Nina let out a breath she had obviously been holding. “We’d have to do it here.”
“You’re aunt…” Peter said.
“...is gone a lot and doesn’t ever come into my room.” Nina finished.
“Are you sure?” Peter asked.
“Yes, but I won’t be very good.” Nina looked at the ground and then up at the sky while beginning to pace. “I should be able to find some resources online without getting into all the porn stuff, I mean those folks had to learn it somewhere, and it’s becoming more mainstream. You could probably show me the basics, right?” Nina was talking fast and kicking her feet through the fallen leaves. “And supplies, is the rope special, or will any kind work?”
Peter tried to answer but Nina went on. “Uh…”
“I’ll check online for that too, if I can’t figure something out you’ll just have to show me what you know and we’ll go from there.” Nina finished and was sounding a bit out of breath. “How’s that sound?”
“Fine, it sounds fine.” Peter was beginning to wonder if she was more than just curious. “Let me know when you're ready to practice, and I’ll be your dummy.”
Nina smiled and stepped closer. “Sorry I got a bit carried away, I’m sort of like that. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Sure thing, just don’t forget to give your aunt that list.”
* * *
Peter watched carefully as Aunt Penny took her first bite of the lasagna. The dish with all the trimmings had cost him the afternoon but Peter knew it tasted good, what self-respecting chef serves food he hasn’t tasted. Yet he was being tested against Aunt Penny’s memory of her husband’s dish, and memories are hard to live up to. Nina watched as well and smiled when her aunt’s eyes grew wide and her jaw muscles slowed to savor the taste. “Oh, Peter, thank you so much, such a lovely flavor. And my husband never made the pasta from scratch, delicious.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Peter said, releasing a breath he had not realized he was holding.
“Try the garlic bread,” Nina said. “It’s so light and crispy.”
“Yes, everything is so wonderful. I’m putting you on my list next time I entertain. You wouldn’t mind some work as a chef would you?” Penny said.
“Oh that sounds great and it would make an important addition to my resume,” Peter answered with real excitement. A first-time gig as a chef no matter how small was a big deal.
The conversation for the remainder of the meal revolved around the food and the manner in which it was prepared and served. Peter had no secrets and was happy to explain the process, he knew that a good chef did not rely on the secrecy of his recipes but in the genuine love of the ingredients and the process of putting them together.
“I hope ice cream is good enough for a dessert after such a lovely meal.” Aunt Penny said.
“Can’t beat Chunky Monkey, no matter the occasion,” Nina said.
“I hate to eat and run but I have a small get-together tonight with some friends. You can just leave the dishes and I’ll get them later.” Penny said.
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll clean them. There’s not a lot of mess in the kitchen anyway.” Nina said, smiling at Peter.
“Clean as you go. It’s the only way to run a kitchen.” Peter smiled.
“Alright, don’t expect me back ‘til late.” Penny tossed her napkin on the table and left the room in a swirl of perfume that reminded him of his mother. She was dressed in a black cocktail dress well suited to a night out with friends.
Nina leaped up and hauled the dishes to the kitchen in two quick trips. Peter wondered if the pair of black leggings she wore beneath the sweatshirt had anything to do with his admission to Nina that he enjoyed Aunt Penny’s clothing the day before. Peter carefully packed the leftovers into the fridge and in just a few minutes the counters were clean and the dishwasher was humming away beneath the sink. A glance at the clock showed it to be still early in the evening with the last rays of the sunset shining through the large windows overlooking the backyard. “So Peter, are you ready to be my dummy?”
Peter shook his head at the words. “Already? You only suggested the idea yesterday.”
“Well…” Nina said. “I couldn’t get my brain to shut off last night so I did a bit of research and I went out shopping for supplies today.”
“I don’t know if you can do it just by reading or watching stuff online,” Peter said. “But I’ll let you try.”
“Instead of distracting you with conversation while you cooked this afternoon, I practiced on my own legs. I’m keen to try if you are willing.”
Peter shrugged trying to mask his own excitement. “Lead the way.”
“Come on.” Nina led Peter to the stairs. “Now don’t be staring at my ass.”
“Sorry, can’t help myself,” Peter answered.
Nina smiled but took the stairs one at a time while Peter enjoyed the shine of the material and the movement of the compressed skin that was at eye level as he ascended. At the top Nina pointed to an open door. “That’s the bathroom, and right across from it is my room.”
“Where does your aunt sleep?” Peter asked.
“Downstairs in the master bedroom,” Nina answered as she opened the door to her bedroom.
The room was decorated in pastel colors with a single-sized bed along one side covered with a peach bedspread with a white crosshatch pattern. Opposite from the bed was a white chest of drawers standing next to a set of large windows with curtains that matched the bedspread overlooking the backyard. Nina walked directly to the chest of drawers and pulled out a small pile of black and blue material. “Here go change in the bathroom.”
Peter looked at the clothing in her hands. “What’s that?”
“Tights and a leotard, to protect your arms and legs from the ropes,” Nina said simply.
“Oh that’s not necessary, I don’t always protect my skin.”
“I noticed in my practice today that the cotton rope I bought slides more easily over the skin if it’s covered by this material. So go on, I don’t want to suck at this just because you’ll be a little self-conscious.” Nina said.
“I’ll wear the tights but not the leotard.”
“I have a pink one if you don’t stop arguing. Now go on, I won’t laugh at you. I promise.” Nina said, pointing toward the bathroom.
Peter stared at the clothing and then back at Nina who simply arched one eyebrow before pressing the clothes into his chest forcing Peter to hold onto them. “Fine, but if you laugh, I’m leaving.”
Peter stomped into the bathroom and stripped out of the clothes. The shiny black tights had a loop of material that went around his heels and rose to a high waist. He assumed they were Nina’s and with all her extra curves he did not expect them to fit as well as they did.
The blue leotard on the other hand took some figuring out. It was long-sleeved but the back had four straps that crossed over each other which made figuring out how to put his legs through the neck opening a bit challenging since the straps seemed to constantly interfere. This fact left him unaware of the thong cut of the leotard until he had pushed his arms into the sleeves and adjusted the fit over his shoulders. Only then did he feel the too narrow material attempt to push the tights between his butt cheeks. “This is ridiculous.” He stuck his head out the bathroom door. “Nina, this leotard is a thong.”
Nina’s head appeared in the doorway from across the hall holding a coil of rope in her hand. “Yes I know, it’s the only one I have, I always wear a skirt with it. The pink leotard has a fuller cut if you would rather have that one.”
“Is this necessary?” Peter whined.
“Stop thinking about it as anything other than protection for your skin. It’s something you told me was important.”
“I wasn’t wearing girl’s clothes.”
“Come on, you're about to let me tie you up, what difference does it make what you’re wearing?” Nina said.
Peter rolled his eyes and opened the door revealing his spandex encased body. “Fine, I dare you to laugh.”
Peter watched her face closely for any trace of a smile or chuckle, but she only made a single comment. “Looks good on you, come on I’m ready.” With a shake of his head, he walked into the room. “Alright, I’m going to keep it simple to start, if you think I’m doing something wrong let me know.”
Peter looked around the room and saw a neat pile of cut ropes with their ends taped to prevent fraying and several rolls of red and blue self-adhering bandage. “Wow, you’ve been busy.”
“Yeah, I got really into it,” Nina admitted. “Turn your back and give me your wrists.” Peter felt Nina’s cool fingers against his wrists as she pulled his arms behind his back. She tugged on his elbows, “Tell me when it hurts, I want to see how flexible you are.” Peter pushed out his chest as Nina pulled on his arms. “That’s about as far as I can go.”
“Several inches still between your elbows, I saw plenty of pictures of people with their elbows touching behind their backs.”
“Females, I’d wager,” Peter answered.
“Sure, but flexibility can be trained. Now before I start, every article I read mentioned the need for a safe word, but since you’re going to be gagged, I figured we would just go with ‘Shave and Haircut’ if you get in trouble, just hum it or knock on something if you’re able. You know that tune?”
Peter demonstrated that he knew it.
“If anything happens that you don’t like then make that sound and I’ll release you as fast as possible,” Nina said.
“I’m impressed, you’ve really done your homework,” Peter said.
“Yep, hands together behind your back palm to palm,” Nina ordered.
Peter expected her to be clumsy with the ropes but she folded the rope in half and pulled the loose ends through the loop created by the fold before encircling his wrists and pulling the rope taught. After a few circuits of his wrists, she pulled the trailing ends crosswise in a firm cinch. “Wow, you have been practicing.”
“Yes, the site I read calls it a two-column tie and it’s pretty universal, the hard part is remembering to keep it loose until you cinch it. This next part is something I could only read about, your upper body.” She selected a much longer rope and repeated the folding process pulling his elbows as close as was comfortable. It took a lot more rope since they were further apart. She threaded the loose ends of this larger rope beneath his armpit, around the back of his neck, and back through his other armpit before it joined the rope between his elbows which ensured the rope would not slip downward. Another length went around his waist and over his bound arms with the cinching rope between his arms and back. “There, that should work. Go ahead and lay face down on my bed. It makes a lot more sense now that I've tried it.”
Peter tugged at his arms a bit to test her work and realized that he may actually be stuck. Following Nina’s instructions, he got onto the bed with his knees and eased himself down onto the soft coverlet by rolling onto his side and then onto his stomach. Nina immediately began wrapping his ankles and knees in rope in the same way she had done his arms; wrap first then cinch between. “Alright, now I’m going to make sure you don’t just hop away,” Nina said. She attached a rope to his bound ankles and threaded it through the rope behind his neck pulling his legs toward his wrists in the most restrictive hogtie Peter had ever experienced. “There, that should keep you on the bed.”
“Are you done?” Peter said as his fingers began questing for knots.
“Not yet, just lie still,” Nina said. “Here are a couple of options for a gag, I can either stuff your mouth with this scarf,” She laid out a green and pink paisley print scarf. “Or these,” She sat two pairs of pink underwear that appeared to be made of silk and were undeniably feminine. “These options were the best I could come up with on such short notice.”
“Uh, obviously the scarf,” Peter answered. “Though a gag is hardly necessary for the first time.”
“You’ll hardly be helpless if you can talk, so the panties it is.”
“Hey, I said…” Peter exclaimed but his voice was cut off as Nina pressed the two pairs of feminine undergarments into his protesting mouth.
“I heard what you said,” Nina said as she pulled the thickest part of the paisley silk scarf between his lips to keep him from dislodging the underwear. “But part of being helpless is not getting what you want, right?”
Peter mumbled something unintelligible and tried to glare at her. “And that look reminds me why you need to be blindfolded too.” She took a thinner scarf and pulled it across his eyes, knotting it firmly behind his head.
“Last year I got a fancy goodie bag from a convention I attended. It was a simple drawstring bag made of dark blue satin.” Peter felt something slide over his head and narrow around his neck “That should keep you from rubbing your head on the bed and slipping that gag or blindfold off. I’m pretty impressed with that idea if I do say so myself.”
Peter was a bit stunned by the sudden development. Either Nina was really good at research and managed to find excellent resources or she was running a scam on him. If the latter, it was too late because he doubted he would be able to escape. When he felt Nina touching his hands with the familiar feel of self-adhesive bandages and forcing his fingers into fists, he doubted he would ever escape.
“Alright there Peter, I think I’m done. Let’s see how long it takes you to get out, I’ve started a timer, though if you are too wild I may have to attach you to the bed to keep you from falling off.”
Peter knew that wild panic was a poor strategy for escaping from knots so he kept his movement controlled with his first job to get the wrapping off his fingers. He began to rub them together hoping to break through the tough bandage but with no luck after several minutes.
“Are you really trying to escape?” Nina asked from somewhere nearby. “I mean you confessed to enjoying the experience. How do I know you are making a genuine attempt?”
Peter again tried to speak but nothing came out from behind the wads of feminine cloth distending his cheeks and depressing his tongue. He rubbed his hands together again and if there was progress it did not result in any additional movement from his fingers.
“Alright let’s try this.” Peter felt movement on the bed and something soft and slightly warm draped over his feet. “I just placed my clothes across your feet. If you would like to see my nearly naked body you just have to get free. Don’t you want to see it?”
Peter felt a rush of heat run through his body and suddenly the already compressed crotch of the leotard was even more restrictive. He tried to bounce on the bed while furiously rubbing his head against the bed trying to dislodge the satin sack pulled over his head. Nothing worked and nothing changed except the sound of Nina’s laughter in the room.
“Well then, maybe you are stuck.” Nina smiled and slipped her hand across Peter’s buttocks, sliding her fingers between the leotard and tights where the thong dipped between his legs. Peter froze and moaned at the touch. His mind in a blitz of overwhelming sensation that combined with his immobility to heighten the experience beyond anything he thought possible.
The mattress compressed on one side as Nina got onto the bed. “Ok, then, just to make sure, off with the bra.” There was more movement on the bed before Peter felt Nina’s body close to his. “There we go, panties next.” More movement before Peter’s left side was awash in warm softness. “Alright Peter, seems like now would be a good time to get free.”
Her lips had to be less than an inch from his face and he could feel her breath through the layers of thin cloth. So close, but he might as well be back in his dorm for all he would be able to see of her. Agonized groans escaped his lips and he dropped his head in defeat. It was too much, he was helpless and more than anything he wished he were free.
“Is it all you expected, dear Peter?” Nina whispered, running her fingers over his satin-encased head. “True helplessness, it’s what you wanted.” Peter slowed his breathing. Her fingers continued to slide everywhere along his body ignoring the knots and giving him no hope for freedom. “I’m tired. I stayed up way too late last night learning how to tie knots and it took so much practice. Time for a nap.”
Peter’s mind would often drift when he tied himself but this was different. In his imagination, he saw Nina curled next to his body with her naked thighs pressed against his as her beautiful brown hair covered one cheek. Relaxation warred with arousal and he simply existed, like a tree in the forest, he just was. No goals, no ambitions, no worries, just contentment. Time slowed and his rapidly aching body seemed to numb.
Time slipped by until finally Nina shifted, her movements rousing Peter from the blissful fog. The bed shook and soon knots began to loosen and his legs fell back. Blood flowed into cramping muscles and the numbness turned to brief but acute pain, a reminder that all good things must end. The satin bag was removed, the gag pulled from between parched lips, his eyes were freed to blink at the dim light. “Drink some water.”
Peter looked at Nina who again wore the same black leggings and sweater she had worn before. The only difference now was the triumphant grin on her face. Peter drank the glass and stretched his arms. “No way was that your first time.”
Nina shrugged. “Believe what you will, but I’m a quick study. Ask anyone.”
Peter shook his head. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You’re welcome.” Nina kissed him on the forehead.
Peter met her the day his life ended. It was the single most humiliating day of his life and he hid deep in the research stacks in the campus library. He slunk to the floor and pulled his knees up to his chest letting his dirty blond hair shield him from the rest of the world. So absorbed in his own despair he did not know anyone was there until she spoke.
“Having a tough day.” Her voice was feminine and delicate.
Peter jerked in surprise and quickly swiped an arm across his eyes, swiping at unshed tears. A long sleeve gray sweater clung to her waist and a Halloween-patterned skirt spread out over her hips stopping a few inches above her knees. It flowed around her thighs which were encased in dark hosiery and ended in a pair of simple white tennis shoes. Her waist was so narrow even with the added thickness of the sweater she would make an hourglass jealous. “Oh sorry,” Peter said, his normal high baritone much lower due to his throat clogged with sorrow.
The young woman gracefully crossed her legs and dipped into a sitting position beside him, carefully arranging her skirt across her knees. The movement created a gentle flow of air filled with the subtle scent of peaches, probably from her shampoo or perfume. Peter had trouble meeting her eyes and focused on the ghosts sprinkled among the fall leaves comprising the pattern of her skirt. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Peter shook his head and wondered where there was a better place to hide than the library on a Saturday night on a college campus. “I can’t, sorry.”
A hand touched his arm. The coolness of her fingers penetrated beneath the sleeve of his black athletic shirt which he wore beneath a black cotton T-shirt. The gentle touch froze his limbs. “I don’t know you, you don’t know me. It’s pretty safe.”
Peter met her eyes. The liquid brown pools had gold swirls around the outer iris, her lips were shockingly red and full parted in a gentle smile. Her hair danced across her shoulders in shiny brown curls. “It’s embarrassing, my life is over.”
“Ok, but sometimes sharing it with someone can bring a bit of perspective.” The young woman urged.
Peter’s chest heaved in a sniff and a chuckle escaped his lips. “That’s the problem, I shared it already and now I’m sure my whole dorm knows, the whole school.” Peter looked up as another person walked by the row of shelves where they sat talking.
Nina noticed the look and stood up. “My name is Nina, why don’t you follow me to a small test taking room where we can talk more privately.”
Peter hesitated as Nina walked away, her skater-length skirt swaying back and forth as she moved toward the end of the stacks. “Come on, you need to talk about this.” Her voice was forceful and Peter found himself combing his fingers through his hair and following before his mind had a chance to ask what he was doing.
Nina led him to an empty room filled with small cubicles where students could work without any danger of their neighbors peeking. Two chairs were positioned near the door and she sat down holding out a hand toward the other. Peter closed the door and sat down. “Alright then, can we start with your name?” Nina asked.
“Peter.”
“Alright Peter, why don’t you tell me what happened? Why is your life over?”
Peter took a deep breath and shrugged. “You’ll think I’m a freak.”
“Did you do something illegal?” Nina responded.
“No.” Peter said immediately.
“Immoral?” Nina responded.
“Depends on who you ask?” Peter said with a shrug
“Dangerous?” Nina continued.
“Probably if you’re not careful.” Peter answered and then sighed. It was obvious she was going to persist until he simply told everything. “Look I’ll tell but you’ll either laugh or back out of the room slowly.”
“Try me.” Nina said her voice lowering in a way that sounded more irritated than patient.
Peter took a deep breath. “My roommate planned to be out of town this weekend so I thought I had the dorm to myself.” Another deep breath. “Ever since I was a kid I’ve always enjoyed tying myself up, so that’s what I did tonight.”
“You tied yourself up?” Nina asked.
Peter nodded.
“How?” Nina asked.
“Rope.”
“Why?” Nina said.
Peter shrugged. “I don’t know really but I love the feeling of helplessness even when it’s an illusion. My mind breaks free and my imagination runs wild.”
“And it excites you sexually,” Nina said in a matter-of-fact way that was barely a question.
“Well, I suppose, at least since puberty,” Peter admitted. “But I can’t really alleviate that particular need while bound if you know what I mean...it’s complicated. Also, sex at this age get’s mixed into everything.”
“And your roommate came home and found you?” Nina said.
Peter nodded. “I was tied face down to my bed with my wrists bound to my ankles. I heard him opening the door and I couldn’t even get the blindfold off before he saw me.”
“You were blindfolded?” Nina clarified.
“And gagged,” Peter added.
“Gagged, really?” Nina said with a bit of surprise.
“Yeah, a damp cloth and some wrapping,” Peter answered.
“What did your roommate do?” Nina asked.
“He looked at me and ran out of the room. By the time he was back with the R.A. [resident assistant], I had managed to get my hands free. Panic can be a powerful motivator. I got dressed and fled, eventually ending up here.”
“Wait a second, you got dressed? Were you naked?” Nina asked.
“No, to prevent rope burns I wear this.” Peter lifted his arm and slid a finger across the tight material of the shirt he wore beneath his T-shirt and pulled his jeans up to show the same material covering his legs. “It’s just a runner’s shirt and tights.”
Nina nodded. “I noticed the tights in the hall, that explains it.”
“So you see, my life is over.” Peter finished.
“What did you tell the R.A.?” Nina asked.
“Nothing. I just bolted past him.”
“Hmm…” Nina said, tapping one finger against her ruby red lips. “What dorm are you in?”
“Collins Hall, second floor, why?”
“Derek Moorehead is the R.A.?” Nina asked.
“Yeah, but why?”
“Promise me something,” Nina said.
Peter scrunched his face in confusion. “Promise what?”
“I think I can fix this situation but you have to stay right here, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“What could you possibly do?” Peter asked.
“I have a plan if you’re willing to try it?” Nina said.
“My plan was to drop out of school and work fast food for the rest of my life, is it better than that?” Peter asked.
“Oh, I can definitely beat that, but you have to stay here.”
Nina left, closing the door behind her leaving Peter to pace around the small room listening to the odd sounds of the old library. He picked up an old chemistry textbook and was flipping through the pages when Nina snuck back in. “Alright, Derek will be here in a few seconds...”
“What?” Peter exclaimed. “How is that helping?”
“Trust me, I don’t have time to explain my whole idea but just let me do the talking. You aren’t against a few white lies to get you out of this?”
Peter shook his head, his mouth suddenly dry from fear. “Nina, you don’t know me.”
“True, but you trusted me with some intimate information so I figured I should try and help. I make no promises…” There was a knock on the door.
Nina opened the door and a bearded man a couple of years older than Peter was waiting on the other side. He glanced at Peter with a look of concern.
“You’re Derek?” Nina said.
Derek nodded and pointed. “Nina?”
Nina nodded. “I think you deserve an explanation about what happened tonight with Peter?”
Derek’s eyes popped. “You were involved?”
Nina nodded and Peter had to use every ounce of willpower to keep his mouth from dropping open in surprise. “Yeah, it was a dare between us and I intended to come back and set him free but… well you know what happened.”
“So are you two together?” Derek asked.
Nina shrugged. “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes we’re friends.” Nina paused with a coy glance toward Peter. “Close friends.”
“Why did you let her tie you up? Just a dare?”
Peter looked away. “Well, she’s beautiful and said I would never escape. I thought she would have to touch me…”
“Stop, stop, I get it. We thought it was some kind of robbery, but when you ran out we thought…” Derek paused and looked at the floor. “Well, other things. Why did you run?”
“I freaked out and was pretty embarrassed, and you would never have believed I had a girl in my room,” Peter said.
Derek laughed. “That’s true.”
Nina put her hands on her hips and glared at Derek. “Are you satisfied?”
“I suppose, I better go throw some water on the rumor fire that is starting. Don’t do things like that again.” Derek said, looking at Peter with disapproval.
“Well, she left me alone,” Peter said with downcast eyes while indicating Nina.
“If you weren’t being such an arrogant twit,” Nina responded. “I can get out of anything.” She said in a sing-song sarcastic imitation of Peter’s voice.
Derek waved both his hands at them. “Alright, I’m glad it was just a mistake. I’ll see you back at the dorm.”
Derek left and closed the door behind him.
Peter looked back to Nina who was smiling while holding out her arms in a ‘Am I good or what’ way.
“Amazing, you saved my life. Thank you so much.”
“No problem, happy to help,” Nina responded.
“Trouble is, people are going to think you and I are involved now.” Peter’s voice dropped and he sagged. “You’ll have to tell them the truth, and then the story won’t make sense.”
“Don’t worry,” Nina said, waving her arms toward him. “I’m a senior and live off-campus. None of my friends are even remotely attached to the rumors here.”
Peter perked up. “Alright, if you’re sure.”
“Positive, here give me your phone,” Nina asked.
Peter handed over his phone and Nina quickly ran her hands across the screen. “There, I just texted myself so we have each other’s numbers. If you have any more problems, or just want to talk.”
Peter looked at the number and went back to Nina. “Why?”
“Why did I give you my number?” Nina asked.
“No, why did you help me?” Peter clarified.
“I told you earlier, you trusted me with some really private information which I really pushed you to divulge. I figured I owed you.”
“Wow, you are something,” Peter said with a smile.
“Ahh, thanks.” She squeezed his shoulder and left the room.
* * *
The teasing he got for getting tied up and abandoned by a girl died down in a few days mostly because he felt kind of proud of Nina’s lie. Being tied to a bed by a beautiful girl was pretty awesome and all the guys knew it.
Nina was also right, he rarely saw her on campus closer than a wave, but the following Saturday after the incident he sat down on the bed and shot her a text. “Just wanted to thank you again for saving my life last Saturday.” He hit send and laid back on the bed imagining what it would be like if their little bit of fiction had been real.
His phone chirped with a response. “You better come over, I won’t be in the library tonight to rescue you.” She ended the note with a winking face emoji.
Peter was about to ask where she lived but before he could finish an address popped up on the phone with a question? “Do you have a car?”
After a quick map search, he responded. “Yes, be there in 15 minutes.”
It was closer to ten since Peter was so excited. Nina was outside swinging on the porch of a surprisingly large house when he pulled up. Dusk had settled and the porch light made an amber halo of her dark curls.
“Hey Peter, how’d you manage your week?” Nina asked.
Peter noticed she wore a similar ensemble as last time. A short flowing skirt that did not cover her knees, this time with a stars and galaxies print, a white T-shirt with a Supergirl emblem on the front peeking from between the buttons of a gray long-sleeved sweater. Peter wondered if his fingers would touch if he grabbed her by the waist. “Really well, thanks to you. Was there any fallout for you?”
“No, no one said anything. Like I said, our circles don’t intersect.” Nina said.
“What are you studying?” Peter asked
“Dentistry,” Nina said.
“Wow, do you like it?”
“Yeah, though I’m going to specialize in the surgical side. More school, but there are fewer emergencies, so better hours. What about you?”
“Culinary Arts,” Peter said.
“Oh a chef,” Nina said with what seemed to be genuine excitement.
“I hope so, someday.”
“You’ll have to cook something for my aunt and me,” Nina said.
“You’re aunt?” Peter said.
“Oh yeah, this is her house, I get to stay here rent-free if I help her with chores and cooking and other stuff.”
“Wow, that's a good deal. Does she not like guys, is that why we’re out here?”
“Oh no, I just really like the fall weather, it will be too cold to sit outside soon enough. Come on, I'll introduce you.”
When Peter heard the word ‘aunt’ he expected someone old or perhaps using a cane, but Nina’s aunt could not have been much past the age of forty. She was standing at the sink in a pair of exercise leggings that were a vibrant shade of purple and highlighted an extremely well-toned backside. A T-shirt tied into a knot about her waist was loose enough to show a matching sports bra beneath.
“Aunt Penny,” Nina called but the woman continued to sing along to the music entering her ears through white earbuds. Her blond hair waved back and forth to her movements. Nina finally stepped close enough to tap her on the shoulder. “Oh Nina, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.”
“That’s ok, I just wanted to introduce a friend I met at the library last week. This is Peter.”
Peter stepped forward and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you Aunt Penny.”
“Oh just Penny, and it’s nice to meet you too. You’re in school too.”
Peter nodded at the same time that Nina said. “Culinary school.”
“Ohh, a chef. I hope you’ll cook for us, neither Nina nor I are all that good around the kitchen.”
“I would love to, do you have a favorite dish?”
“Oh, my husband used to make the best lasagna before he died. I would love to taste homemade lasagna again.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Peter said.
Nina waved off the statement. “It’s been years, but thank you,” Penny answered.
“I can make lasagna if you’re willing to let me use your kitchen for most of an afternoon, it’s quite involved.”
Penny laughed. “Sure you can, saints know I don’t use it.”
“When would you like me to come over?”
“Sooner the better, I can’t wait. What do you think, Nina?” Penny said with an excited smile.
“Tomorrow is Sunday, that works for me. What about you?” Nina said, looking back and forth between Peter and Penny.
Peter must have looked surprised because both Nina and Penny started to assure him that he did not have to cook for them. “No no, I’ll be happy to cook but there are some ingredients…”
“If you’re willing to cook I’m more than willing to go shopping tomorrow morning,” Penny said. “But really you don’t have to.”
“No it’s no trouble, I’ll just give a list to Nina before I leave,” Peter said, looking at the smiling brunette.
“That will be fine, now don’t let me intrude upon your evening, I’m going to go shower and head to bed. It’s so nice to meet you, Peter.”
Nina stepped closer. “I’m sorry this happened so suddenly.”
“I like to cook, it’s no trouble.”
“If you’re sure,” Nina said.
“I’m sure.”
“Do you want some ice cream? My aunt always keeps a good selection in the freezer.”
“Sounds good.”
Peter looked around the kitchen while Nina got bowls and spoons. It was a relatively modern kitchen and it would be good to cook for someone who was not paid to find all his mistakes. “Chunky Monkey? It’s my favorite.”
“Oh yeah, love that,” Peter answered.
They sat down at the bar which surrounded a large sink. “So how are you feeling?”
“A little shell shocked,” Peter said but quickly held up his hand when Nina began to speak. “And not about cooking tomorrow.”
“What about?”
“Well a week ago I was sitting on the floor of the library contemplating my own death and now I’m eating ice cream with a gorgeous girl, it’s quite a trip.”
“I’m hardly gorgeous,” Nina said.
Peter sat his spoon down and looked at Nina intensely until she finally returned his stare. “I’m trying to decide if you are one of those people who likes to downplay their attractiveness because they want people to disagree, or if you really believe you aren’t beautiful.”
Nina blushed. “Well I can be a little intense sometimes, and that’s a turn-off for most guys.”
“Intense?” Peter asked.
“Assertive, argumentative, decisive. I know what I want.”
Her answer was quick. It was obvious she had heard those words before. He thought back to his experience with her in the library and how she took charge so quickly. “Well it sure has its advantages, you saved my life.”
“You keep saying that. You weren’t really suicidal?” Nina asked.
“Not suicidal, but I’ve always wanted to be a chef, and if I had to leave culinary school…” Peter let his voice trail off.
“I get it.” Nina nodded.
They ate in silence for a few minutes until Nina spoke. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
Peter laughed. “What more could you want to know that would be more personal than what I already told you.”
“Just a question then?” Nina clarified.
“Sure, I’m pretty sure I can be honest with you.”
“Have you tied yourself up since?”
“Nope, no privacy,” Peter answered, not really surprised by the question.
“If you did have privacy, would you have?” Nina asked.
“I don’t know, maybe, though I never did it more than a couple of times a month back home.”
“Any idea what you like about it?” Nina continued.
Peter shrugged. “It’s hard to articulate. The idea of being helpless is exciting to me and actually being helpless is pretty relaxing. Maybe it’s the fact that I can’t control the outcome, nothing to do so my mind just lets go.”
“That makes some sense, I guess.” Nina nodded.
“And you know what else, I started running when I was probably twelve or thirteen because I wanted to wear running tights. I love the feeling of compression on my body and that feeling seems to be all wrapped up together with the ropes and tape and whatever else I use.”
“So you like tights?”
“Yes, they are a pretty big draw for me.”
“Like what my aunt was wearing?” Nina smiled.
“I noticed, sure, sorry if you caught me staring, but liking a nice set of legs in tights is more normal than all the bondage stuff.”
“Bondage. That’s a pretty loaded word.” Nina said.
“I suppose, but it fits pretty well.”
“What about the other letters in B.D.S.M.?” Nina asked.
Peter looked at her with some surprise. Everybody seemed to know about that particular scene these days. “I was into it before I’d ever heard of that acronym and I’m not into giving or receiving pain. As for discipline, I really don’t know what it means other than spanking which seems to be related to the other two.”
“And you’ve never had a partner?”
“Nope, when I was young my friends and I tied each other up, but that was it, and well before puberty.”
There was another long silence broken up only by the clinking of spoons against bowls. “I’m sorry if this freaks you out,” Peter said, interpreting Nina’s silence as discomfort.
“No, it doesn’t bother me. I’m just curious. We all have our own quirks. I did invite you over here, remember. If it bothered me, I wouldn’t have.”
Peter nodded. “Ok, let me get you that list of ingredients.” Using a recipe on his phone he wrote out the list and slid the paper across the table. “There you go, it’s getting late and I want some good sleep so I don’t screw up the lasagna tomorrow.”
“Yup looking forward to it,” Nina walked him to the door and paused by the porch swing. “What about handcuffs?” She blurted after Peter had begun to walk through the fallen leaves that covered the lawn.
Peter shook his head in surprise, not expecting the previous conversation to continue. “What about them?”
“Have you ever used them?” Nina asked.
Peter chuckled. “Sure in the past, but I don’t like them. They can really hurt, even with clothing to protect your skin.”
Nina nodded. “That makes sense. How do you tie yourself up so that you can’t get free?”
“That’s just it, for me, it’s always been an illusion. I’ve never been truly helpless.”
“How do you know if you like it?” Nina asked with a puzzled expression. “I mean maybe if you were really stuck you’d freak out and panic.”
“Well I’ve had a few close calls, but I suppose you’re right, I don’t really know,” Peter answered.
“That seems like something you should know,” Nina said quietly.
Peter shrugged. “I suppose so.”
Nina was quiet for a long time and when Peter turned toward his car again Nina spoke. “I could do it.”
Peter stopped walking, his breath catching in his throat as blood rose into his cheeks. He tried to speak but could not think of anything to say. “I mean…” Nina continued. “I could learn, I really don’t know how.”
Peter turned back toward her and waited for a long time before finally speaking. “Where?”
Nina let out a breath she had obviously been holding. “We’d have to do it here.”
“You’re aunt…” Peter said.
“...is gone a lot and doesn’t ever come into my room.” Nina finished.
“Are you sure?” Peter asked.
“Yes, but I won’t be very good.” Nina looked at the ground and then up at the sky while beginning to pace. “I should be able to find some resources online without getting into all the porn stuff, I mean those folks had to learn it somewhere, and it’s becoming more mainstream. You could probably show me the basics, right?” Nina was talking fast and kicking her feet through the fallen leaves. “And supplies, is the rope special, or will any kind work?”
Peter tried to answer but Nina went on. “Uh…”
“I’ll check online for that too, if I can’t figure something out you’ll just have to show me what you know and we’ll go from there.” Nina finished and was sounding a bit out of breath. “How’s that sound?”
“Fine, it sounds fine.” Peter was beginning to wonder if she was more than just curious. “Let me know when you're ready to practice, and I’ll be your dummy.”
Nina smiled and stepped closer. “Sorry I got a bit carried away, I’m sort of like that. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Sure thing, just don’t forget to give your aunt that list.”
* * *
Peter watched carefully as Aunt Penny took her first bite of the lasagna. The dish with all the trimmings had cost him the afternoon but Peter knew it tasted good, what self-respecting chef serves food he hasn’t tasted. Yet he was being tested against Aunt Penny’s memory of her husband’s dish, and memories are hard to live up to. Nina watched as well and smiled when her aunt’s eyes grew wide and her jaw muscles slowed to savor the taste. “Oh, Peter, thank you so much, such a lovely flavor. And my husband never made the pasta from scratch, delicious.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Peter said, releasing a breath he had not realized he was holding.
“Try the garlic bread,” Nina said. “It’s so light and crispy.”
“Yes, everything is so wonderful. I’m putting you on my list next time I entertain. You wouldn’t mind some work as a chef would you?” Penny said.
“Oh that sounds great and it would make an important addition to my resume,” Peter answered with real excitement. A first-time gig as a chef no matter how small was a big deal.
The conversation for the remainder of the meal revolved around the food and the manner in which it was prepared and served. Peter had no secrets and was happy to explain the process, he knew that a good chef did not rely on the secrecy of his recipes but in the genuine love of the ingredients and the process of putting them together.
“I hope ice cream is good enough for a dessert after such a lovely meal.” Aunt Penny said.
“Can’t beat Chunky Monkey, no matter the occasion,” Nina said.
“I hate to eat and run but I have a small get-together tonight with some friends. You can just leave the dishes and I’ll get them later.” Penny said.
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll clean them. There’s not a lot of mess in the kitchen anyway.” Nina said, smiling at Peter.
“Clean as you go. It’s the only way to run a kitchen.” Peter smiled.
“Alright, don’t expect me back ‘til late.” Penny tossed her napkin on the table and left the room in a swirl of perfume that reminded him of his mother. She was dressed in a black cocktail dress well suited to a night out with friends.
Nina leaped up and hauled the dishes to the kitchen in two quick trips. Peter wondered if the pair of black leggings she wore beneath the sweatshirt had anything to do with his admission to Nina that he enjoyed Aunt Penny’s clothing the day before. Peter carefully packed the leftovers into the fridge and in just a few minutes the counters were clean and the dishwasher was humming away beneath the sink. A glance at the clock showed it to be still early in the evening with the last rays of the sunset shining through the large windows overlooking the backyard. “So Peter, are you ready to be my dummy?”
Peter shook his head at the words. “Already? You only suggested the idea yesterday.”
“Well…” Nina said. “I couldn’t get my brain to shut off last night so I did a bit of research and I went out shopping for supplies today.”
“I don’t know if you can do it just by reading or watching stuff online,” Peter said. “But I’ll let you try.”
“Instead of distracting you with conversation while you cooked this afternoon, I practiced on my own legs. I’m keen to try if you are willing.”
Peter shrugged trying to mask his own excitement. “Lead the way.”
“Come on.” Nina led Peter to the stairs. “Now don’t be staring at my ass.”
“Sorry, can’t help myself,” Peter answered.
Nina smiled but took the stairs one at a time while Peter enjoyed the shine of the material and the movement of the compressed skin that was at eye level as he ascended. At the top Nina pointed to an open door. “That’s the bathroom, and right across from it is my room.”
“Where does your aunt sleep?” Peter asked.
“Downstairs in the master bedroom,” Nina answered as she opened the door to her bedroom.
The room was decorated in pastel colors with a single-sized bed along one side covered with a peach bedspread with a white crosshatch pattern. Opposite from the bed was a white chest of drawers standing next to a set of large windows with curtains that matched the bedspread overlooking the backyard. Nina walked directly to the chest of drawers and pulled out a small pile of black and blue material. “Here go change in the bathroom.”
Peter looked at the clothing in her hands. “What’s that?”
“Tights and a leotard, to protect your arms and legs from the ropes,” Nina said simply.
“Oh that’s not necessary, I don’t always protect my skin.”
“I noticed in my practice today that the cotton rope I bought slides more easily over the skin if it’s covered by this material. So go on, I don’t want to suck at this just because you’ll be a little self-conscious.” Nina said.
“I’ll wear the tights but not the leotard.”
“I have a pink one if you don’t stop arguing. Now go on, I won’t laugh at you. I promise.” Nina said, pointing toward the bathroom.
Peter stared at the clothing and then back at Nina who simply arched one eyebrow before pressing the clothes into his chest forcing Peter to hold onto them. “Fine, but if you laugh, I’m leaving.”
Peter stomped into the bathroom and stripped out of the clothes. The shiny black tights had a loop of material that went around his heels and rose to a high waist. He assumed they were Nina’s and with all her extra curves he did not expect them to fit as well as they did.
The blue leotard on the other hand took some figuring out. It was long-sleeved but the back had four straps that crossed over each other which made figuring out how to put his legs through the neck opening a bit challenging since the straps seemed to constantly interfere. This fact left him unaware of the thong cut of the leotard until he had pushed his arms into the sleeves and adjusted the fit over his shoulders. Only then did he feel the too narrow material attempt to push the tights between his butt cheeks. “This is ridiculous.” He stuck his head out the bathroom door. “Nina, this leotard is a thong.”
Nina’s head appeared in the doorway from across the hall holding a coil of rope in her hand. “Yes I know, it’s the only one I have, I always wear a skirt with it. The pink leotard has a fuller cut if you would rather have that one.”
“Is this necessary?” Peter whined.
“Stop thinking about it as anything other than protection for your skin. It’s something you told me was important.”
“I wasn’t wearing girl’s clothes.”
“Come on, you're about to let me tie you up, what difference does it make what you’re wearing?” Nina said.
Peter rolled his eyes and opened the door revealing his spandex encased body. “Fine, I dare you to laugh.”
Peter watched her face closely for any trace of a smile or chuckle, but she only made a single comment. “Looks good on you, come on I’m ready.” With a shake of his head, he walked into the room. “Alright, I’m going to keep it simple to start, if you think I’m doing something wrong let me know.”
Peter looked around the room and saw a neat pile of cut ropes with their ends taped to prevent fraying and several rolls of red and blue self-adhering bandage. “Wow, you’ve been busy.”
“Yeah, I got really into it,” Nina admitted. “Turn your back and give me your wrists.” Peter felt Nina’s cool fingers against his wrists as she pulled his arms behind his back. She tugged on his elbows, “Tell me when it hurts, I want to see how flexible you are.” Peter pushed out his chest as Nina pulled on his arms. “That’s about as far as I can go.”
“Several inches still between your elbows, I saw plenty of pictures of people with their elbows touching behind their backs.”
“Females, I’d wager,” Peter answered.
“Sure, but flexibility can be trained. Now before I start, every article I read mentioned the need for a safe word, but since you’re going to be gagged, I figured we would just go with ‘Shave and Haircut’ if you get in trouble, just hum it or knock on something if you’re able. You know that tune?”
Peter demonstrated that he knew it.
“If anything happens that you don’t like then make that sound and I’ll release you as fast as possible,” Nina said.
“I’m impressed, you’ve really done your homework,” Peter said.
“Yep, hands together behind your back palm to palm,” Nina ordered.
Peter expected her to be clumsy with the ropes but she folded the rope in half and pulled the loose ends through the loop created by the fold before encircling his wrists and pulling the rope taught. After a few circuits of his wrists, she pulled the trailing ends crosswise in a firm cinch. “Wow, you have been practicing.”
“Yes, the site I read calls it a two-column tie and it’s pretty universal, the hard part is remembering to keep it loose until you cinch it. This next part is something I could only read about, your upper body.” She selected a much longer rope and repeated the folding process pulling his elbows as close as was comfortable. It took a lot more rope since they were further apart. She threaded the loose ends of this larger rope beneath his armpit, around the back of his neck, and back through his other armpit before it joined the rope between his elbows which ensured the rope would not slip downward. Another length went around his waist and over his bound arms with the cinching rope between his arms and back. “There, that should work. Go ahead and lay face down on my bed. It makes a lot more sense now that I've tried it.”
Peter tugged at his arms a bit to test her work and realized that he may actually be stuck. Following Nina’s instructions, he got onto the bed with his knees and eased himself down onto the soft coverlet by rolling onto his side and then onto his stomach. Nina immediately began wrapping his ankles and knees in rope in the same way she had done his arms; wrap first then cinch between. “Alright, now I’m going to make sure you don’t just hop away,” Nina said. She attached a rope to his bound ankles and threaded it through the rope behind his neck pulling his legs toward his wrists in the most restrictive hogtie Peter had ever experienced. “There, that should keep you on the bed.”
“Are you done?” Peter said as his fingers began questing for knots.
“Not yet, just lie still,” Nina said. “Here are a couple of options for a gag, I can either stuff your mouth with this scarf,” She laid out a green and pink paisley print scarf. “Or these,” She sat two pairs of pink underwear that appeared to be made of silk and were undeniably feminine. “These options were the best I could come up with on such short notice.”
“Uh, obviously the scarf,” Peter answered. “Though a gag is hardly necessary for the first time.”
“You’ll hardly be helpless if you can talk, so the panties it is.”
“Hey, I said…” Peter exclaimed but his voice was cut off as Nina pressed the two pairs of feminine undergarments into his protesting mouth.
“I heard what you said,” Nina said as she pulled the thickest part of the paisley silk scarf between his lips to keep him from dislodging the underwear. “But part of being helpless is not getting what you want, right?”
Peter mumbled something unintelligible and tried to glare at her. “And that look reminds me why you need to be blindfolded too.” She took a thinner scarf and pulled it across his eyes, knotting it firmly behind his head.
“Last year I got a fancy goodie bag from a convention I attended. It was a simple drawstring bag made of dark blue satin.” Peter felt something slide over his head and narrow around his neck “That should keep you from rubbing your head on the bed and slipping that gag or blindfold off. I’m pretty impressed with that idea if I do say so myself.”
Peter was a bit stunned by the sudden development. Either Nina was really good at research and managed to find excellent resources or she was running a scam on him. If the latter, it was too late because he doubted he would be able to escape. When he felt Nina touching his hands with the familiar feel of self-adhesive bandages and forcing his fingers into fists, he doubted he would ever escape.
“Alright there Peter, I think I’m done. Let’s see how long it takes you to get out, I’ve started a timer, though if you are too wild I may have to attach you to the bed to keep you from falling off.”
Peter knew that wild panic was a poor strategy for escaping from knots so he kept his movement controlled with his first job to get the wrapping off his fingers. He began to rub them together hoping to break through the tough bandage but with no luck after several minutes.
“Are you really trying to escape?” Nina asked from somewhere nearby. “I mean you confessed to enjoying the experience. How do I know you are making a genuine attempt?”
Peter again tried to speak but nothing came out from behind the wads of feminine cloth distending his cheeks and depressing his tongue. He rubbed his hands together again and if there was progress it did not result in any additional movement from his fingers.
“Alright let’s try this.” Peter felt movement on the bed and something soft and slightly warm draped over his feet. “I just placed my clothes across your feet. If you would like to see my nearly naked body you just have to get free. Don’t you want to see it?”
Peter felt a rush of heat run through his body and suddenly the already compressed crotch of the leotard was even more restrictive. He tried to bounce on the bed while furiously rubbing his head against the bed trying to dislodge the satin sack pulled over his head. Nothing worked and nothing changed except the sound of Nina’s laughter in the room.
“Well then, maybe you are stuck.” Nina smiled and slipped her hand across Peter’s buttocks, sliding her fingers between the leotard and tights where the thong dipped between his legs. Peter froze and moaned at the touch. His mind in a blitz of overwhelming sensation that combined with his immobility to heighten the experience beyond anything he thought possible.
The mattress compressed on one side as Nina got onto the bed. “Ok, then, just to make sure, off with the bra.” There was more movement on the bed before Peter felt Nina’s body close to his. “There we go, panties next.” More movement before Peter’s left side was awash in warm softness. “Alright Peter, seems like now would be a good time to get free.”
Her lips had to be less than an inch from his face and he could feel her breath through the layers of thin cloth. So close, but he might as well be back in his dorm for all he would be able to see of her. Agonized groans escaped his lips and he dropped his head in defeat. It was too much, he was helpless and more than anything he wished he were free.
“Is it all you expected, dear Peter?” Nina whispered, running her fingers over his satin-encased head. “True helplessness, it’s what you wanted.” Peter slowed his breathing. Her fingers continued to slide everywhere along his body ignoring the knots and giving him no hope for freedom. “I’m tired. I stayed up way too late last night learning how to tie knots and it took so much practice. Time for a nap.”
Peter’s mind would often drift when he tied himself but this was different. In his imagination, he saw Nina curled next to his body with her naked thighs pressed against his as her beautiful brown hair covered one cheek. Relaxation warred with arousal and he simply existed, like a tree in the forest, he just was. No goals, no ambitions, no worries, just contentment. Time slowed and his rapidly aching body seemed to numb.
Time slipped by until finally Nina shifted, her movements rousing Peter from the blissful fog. The bed shook and soon knots began to loosen and his legs fell back. Blood flowed into cramping muscles and the numbness turned to brief but acute pain, a reminder that all good things must end. The satin bag was removed, the gag pulled from between parched lips, his eyes were freed to blink at the dim light. “Drink some water.”
Peter looked at Nina who again wore the same black leggings and sweater she had worn before. The only difference now was the triumphant grin on her face. Peter drank the glass and stretched his arms. “No way was that your first time.”
Nina shrugged. “Believe what you will, but I’m a quick study. Ask anyone.”
Peter shook his head. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You’re welcome.” Nina kissed him on the forehead.