Maybe it was only my imagination, but I sensed stares on me and Dennis as we left work later that day. Walking with me toward the elevator, he rested his hand against the small of my back, his touch light but possessive. Even after we were alone, with the elevator doors firmly closed, Dennis maintained that contact. I could easily feel the warmth of his palm through my blouse.

His eyes were bright while he chatted about the workday. I had little to contribute to the conversation, since my hours at the office were more mundane than his, but I was happy to listen. 

And happy to study the strong line of his jaw, which again sported a five-o'clock shadow. As my stare drifted lower, I couldn't help but wonder if his chest was hairy like Nelson's. How would it feel to run my fingers through those dark curls?

"I hope you're hungry," Dennis said once we were in the parking lot. I let him escort me past my car and toward his own, but when he mentioned where we'd be having dinner, I paused. It was an expensive restaurant, one my parents and I went to only on special occasions.

"Won't we need a reservation?" I asked. 

He flashed a winning smile, clearly unconcerned. "It's Monday, and we'll arrive soon after they open, before the dinner crowd, so I don't think we'll have trouble getting a table."

Glancing down at my outfit, I was glad I'd dressed up. Dennis was in his usual suit and tie, but he probably could have charmed his way into the restaurant while wearing jeans. 

As he opened the car door for me, I discovered I didn't have my normal first-date jitters. Instead, an uncharacteristic confidence had banished all nervousness. I was certain I wouldn't have felt this way only a week ago. Maybe my evening with Nelson had changed me far more drastically than I'd realized. After all, the man had been determined to destroy my inhibitions. 

When Dennis slid into the driver's seat, he paused before starting the car. Meeting his eyes, I felt my pulse quicken, for I fully expected him to kiss me. Instead, his gaze moved over my dress, then down to my stockinged legs. 

"You look beautiful, Joni." His voice was low and quiet. In that moment, hot desire became a near-palpable force between us, and I had to resist the urge to touch him. 

The smile that formed on my lips felt like a seductive invitation; the thank you I murmured sounded like a purr. Though Dennis couldn't hide his surprise at the change in me, he didn't seem at all perplexed by it. No, it made him comfortable enough to rest a hand on my leg while he drove through town.

Just as he'd predicted, we had no trouble being seated at the restaurant. I sank into the refined, subdued atmosphere of the place, the low lighting and glow of candles making me bold. So bold that I dared to reach across the table and graze Dennis's fingers during dinner. The gesture brought a knowing smile to his face.

I was practically throwing myself at him, yet he remained a gentleman, asking me about my family and my hobbies. He gave me a quizzical look when I revealed I spent many evenings knitting or reading. I couldn't easily explain that until very recently, I'd lived a mostly quiet, uneventful existence, interrupted only by the wildly passionate fucking my friend's father had given me.

The meal was delicious, but I couldn't fully enjoy it; my mind was already racing ahead to the moment Dennis and I were alone again. He asked if I wanted to order dessert, and I politely declined. If the evening went as planned, he'd be having me for dessert.

Glancing at his watch, he said, "We have time to catch a movie. Have you seen The Godfather? It's such a great film that I wouldn't mind seeing it again."

The last thing I wanted was to spend the next several hours sitting in a dark theater beside Dennis, unable to do more than hold his hand. I understood he was trying to make this a customary date, and that he was also trying to respect me. Hadn't I always presented myself as a good girl?

But Nelson, with his filthy talk and filthier sex, had made me realize that my "good girl" role was often a burden. Tonight, I wanted to abandon it altogether. 

"How about we go back to your place?" I suggested in a casual tone. 

I could tell I'd caught Dennis off guard, but he quickly recovered. "Uh, sure, we can do that, Joni." 

Searching my face, he seemed anxious to decipher my motive. Shamelessly brazen, I decided to let him know I didn't plan to sit on his couch and watch television. Just as I had earlier, I slid my tongue along my bottom lip, leaving my skin glistening.

Dennis quickly signaled he was ready for the check, and I had to hide my pleased smile. 

In the back of my mind, I heard a voice that sounded exactly like my mother's: You're moving too fast, Joni! You'll scare off a decent man by acting like a tramp. I heard my own voice telling Nelson that no woman wants to be considered a slut. 

Then I heard Nelson's tender words: You deserve to be happy in all ways.

It was his advice I resolved to follow.

Once Dennis and I were back in his car, I disregarded self-restraint entirely. Though there was plenty of daylight left, I didn't hesitate to slide across the seat. His eyes widened a little in surprise, but he let me cup a hand against the back of his head and guide his mouth to mine.

As soon as our lips met, he released a pleasured moan. Ever the gentleman, he rested his palm on my waist, inches beneath the curve of my breast. I was the one who guided his hand upward. In response, he gave my breast a squeeze while my tongue grazed his. 

We hadn't yet broken the kiss when I caressed his inner thigh, my fingers venturing toward his groin. It was my turn to moan upon finding him already half-hard.

Dennis said through quickened breaths, "You don't waste any time, do you?"

I felt my cheeks grow hot. Again, I heard that admonishment in my mind, telling me that men don't like fast girls.

Still, I refused to withdraw. I kept my hand right where it was, massaging Dennis's strengthening erection. As he looked down at me touching him, I asked, "Does it bother you that I move fast?"

He snapped his head back up, his stare full of such intensity that it made my panties wet. 

"Not at all," he replied.

Then he kissed me, his mouth fervent. I didn't try to subdue my whimper of longing. The sound prompted Dennis to start the car and speed toward his apartment.

His place was larger than mine, the interior more modern. And the best part? He didn't have a roommate. We managed to keep our hands off each other until his door was shut behind us and we stood in his living room.

"Would you like a drink?" As he spoke, his gaze drifted to my breasts. 

"I'd like you to show me your bedroom," I replied. 

Dennis was quick to take my hand and lead me to it. He apologized for his unmade bed. "I overslept this morning and didn't have time to make it. And I... I didn't expect you'd want to see it." Seemingly unsure of himself, he rubbed the back of his neck. I sensed his fear of making a misstep, of saying the wrong thing.

I merely smiled while moving closer. "It's fine," I said, stepping out of my heels. "We're just going to make a mess of your bed anyway."

By now, his erection was a prominent bulge in his pants. When we again kissed, I resumed stroking him, figuring my boldness would encourage his own. Instead, his hands were tentative while gliding over my dress; he didn't dare to lift it higher, much less reach beneath it. I found myself craving Nelson's insistent touch, the way he handled me as though I were a possession. 

Dennis's lips traveled to my neck, planting chaste kisses on my skin.

"You don't have to be so... gentlemanly," I murmured.

My words made him lift his head and search my face. "What do you mean?"

I offered a seductive smile. "You can be more aggressive."

Instead of encouraging Dennis, my suggestion seemed to put him off. I noticed his shoulders tighten as he took a step back from me. 

"I'm sorry, Joni, but I'm having trouble understanding just what you want. I felt I was being plenty aggressive already."

Somehow, I managed to hold my smile, refusing to reveal my frustration. I couldn't blame Dennis for being confused, and again, I strove to make my meaning clear. Taking his hand, I pressed it between my thighs.

"Make me feel dirty," I whispered. "Treat me like your whore."

Dennis's eyes grew comically wide, and I easily heard his sharp intake of breath. I expected him to pull away, then put an end to our evening. The thought of that made my arousal wither into humiliation. 

But Dennis surprised me by exploring my sex through the fabric of my dress and panties. I didn't bother to muffle a lustful moan as his fingers began their eager fondling.

"I think I understand now," he said in a guttural voice, his eyes locked with mine. I gasped when he used his free hand to grab my arm and pull me closer. This time, his kiss was hard enough to make my knees weaken. His tongue thrust against mine in a wanton simulation of the coupling to come. 

He was careless, almost rough, in stripping me out of my dress. Instead of making me apprehensive, his dominance caused my panties to grow even more saturated. I was so wet that I'd created a visible damp spot on my underwear, which Dennis was quick to notice when I stood half-naked before him.

"Look at you, already sopping wet." His tone was a reprimand, and his stare bordered on mocking. He slipped a hand into my panties, drawing a moan from my throat. "I never dreamed you were such a slut."

Warm waves of arousal lapped inside my belly as I reached to unclasp my bra. I didn't have time to remove the undergarment before Dennis tugged it free and tossed it aside. With his hands and mouth, he delighted in my firm, round breasts, and in my stiff nipples. I mewled while he suckled each peak in turn.

"Oh, I'm going to have such fun with you," he promised. As if to emphasize his vow, he took my left nipple between his teeth and gave it a playful bite. Straightening back up, he said, "Take off those panties, but leave the stockings on if you like."

I hurried to yank down my sodden underwear. When the scent of my arousal drifted up to me, my former modesty returned. I wondered if it was normal to be so excited. 

I had little time to entertain the doubt in my mind, for Dennis was quickly discarding his own clothing. I was pleased to find that his chest was as hairy as Nelson's. His body was lean and strong, and after he stepped out of his briefs, I sensed his pride as he took his hard cock in hand. It was quite long; by my quick estimation, I guessed it was well over seven inches in length. It had an impressive girth as well. 

When I started to reach for him, he merely shook his head. "Lie down on the bed and spread your legs wide. I want to see your wet cunt."

Trembling, I moved to obey. Though my face felt uncomfortably hot, I parted my legs and even went so far as to spread my outer labia with my fingers.

Dennis moaned in appreciation, his stare riveted between my thighs while he stroked his cock. "You're absolutely beautiful, open to me like that." His eyes again met mine. "Tell me you want me to fuck you."

I dared to rub my clitoris, releasing my own moan. "I want to feel that big cock inside me," I said. "I want you to fuck me hard, Dennis!"

My filthy words made him advance upon me. I cried out when he leaned forward and buried his face in my sex. As his tongue lashed at my tender pearl, he worked two fingers inside me. 

"Please!" I begged, propping myself up on one hand while using the other to toy with my nipple.

He continued devouring me, his fingers thrusting in and out of my needy cunt. Effortlessly, I surrendered to my first orgasm of the evening. My thighs quaked, and my cries turned to wails. Dennis's tongue remained merciless; his frenzied licking coaxed forth powerful aftershocks even after my climax subsided.

Finally, he stood again. In the deepening shadows of the room, I was able to discern something feral in his expression. "You can't resist carrying on like a bitch in heat, can you?" he demanded. I watched as he turned on the bedside lamp, then retrieved a condom from the nightstand drawer. "Now, I'm going to give you the hard fucking you deserve."

Eagerly, I scooted farther onto the bed, resting my head on his pillow. I made a mental note to call my gynecologist tomorrow: I needed to start taking the pill as soon as possible.

Maybe my excitement was contagious, for Dennis rushed to sheath his cock. Between my thighs, he guided his tip to my entrance. Our eyes met, and I nodded emphatically, letting him know I was ready.

When he started to slide into me, I had to hide a wince. I wasn't used to his girth, and though I craved the sensation of being stretched and filled, my face grew hotter.

"Even through the condom, I can feel how tight you are," he groaned. 

As my cunt throbbed around his erection, I laid my hands palms-up on the bed. Dennis grinned, then leaned forward. I moaned at the feel of his fingers circling my wrists. 

"I know what you want," he whispered. "You want to be held down and fucked like a whore."

"Yes," I admitted in a tremulous voice. My God, he seemed to grow even larger inside me!

And then he started to thrust his hips. While wriggling in his grasp, I made no real effort to escape; I certainly wasn't about to order him to let me go. He studied my face as if I were a stranger. The familiarity between us seemed to vanish, leaving only an undeniable need to claim and be claimed. 

Through his fierce lust, Dennis managed to growl, "Tell me to stop and I will."

"Don't stop!" Lifting my head, I watched him pump in and out of me; my eyes widened at the sight of his powerful cock. It was relentless in taking my cunt, for Dennis's rhythm never faltered. Our fucking threatened to steal my very breath, but I knew I would soon be struggling not to scream. 

Dennis's expression had twisted into something brutal. Still, I couldn't resist urging him on. "Fuck my brains out!"

He was now covered in sweat, and I felt his hot breath on my face. When he began circling his hips, I came with a strangled cry. In vain, my body tried to buck, but his weight continued pinning me down. 

Dennis gave me no time to recover. Instead, he fucked me right through that climax and into another less than a minute later. It was as if my cunt had turned against me, offering up orgasms so intense that they bordered on torment. 

"Please!" I panted, still trembling. "Please, I can't..."

Releasing me, Dennis carefully withdrew. I sensed the urgency in his movements, and in the way he roughly ridded himself of the condom. He straddled me just as Nelson had, but his pulsing cock was aimed directly at my breasts.

To encourage him, I gathered them in my hands, pressing my flesh together. 

"I love how fucking dirty you are," he revealed just before a loud groan emerged from his throat. 

I let out a delighted sigh as his semen painted my skin. One large glob covered my left nipple altogether. His cum was only a bit thinner in consistency than Nelson's. 

Dennis kept stroking off, seemingly determined to drain himself of every drop. Almost reverently, I gazed upon the cock that had given me such pleasure. His balls, nice and tight, invited a suckling. 

Once my lover was finally spent, he used his free hand to wipe at his sweaty brow. His smile was one of utter satisfaction, and I noticed his erection was slow to soften. Feeling dirtier than ever, I lifted my head higher. The gesture must have surprised him, for he hesitated. 

"Don't you want me to lick you clean?" I asked in an innocent voice. 

He cupped my head in his hand, then positioned his tip at my mouth. Extending my tongue, I set about licking his skin. My attention sent a visible shudder through him, and I heard his faint whimper.

"I'm sensitive after orgasm, but my God, Joni, I love how hungry you are for my cum!" 

When Dennis couldn't bear any more stimulation, he eased off of me. I let him use his undershirt to wipe the semen from my breasts, and before I left the bed to slip into the bathroom, he grabbed my hand and pulled me close.

We shared a deep kiss, our tongues bold in meeting each other. A giddy happiness threatened to overwhelm me then, but I didn't give him a chance to see it. Only when I was by myself in the bathroom did I cup a hand over my mouth to muffle a joyous giggle. 

A little later, Dennis and I lay in his bed. Though his arm was firmly around me, I noticed he'd grown quiet, and I knew he was lost in thought. Part of me was afraid to find out what had made his brow furrow. 

Eventually, he murmured, "How many guys have you been with, Joni?"

His question made my elation dim. Looking up at him, I asked, "Would it upset you if I said I've been with twenty?"

Dennis fixed an incredulous stare upon me. "Uh... not necessarily? I mean..."

I let him flounder for another moment before saying, "Dennis, I've been with two men before you."

"Oh." Though his voice was impressively neutral, I sensed his relief.

"And how many women have you been with?" I shot back.

"Um, a few more than two," he replied with a sheepish grin. 

"So you're plenty more experienced than I am," I pointed out, knowing it was important to him. 

Dennis pulled me closer, planting a kiss on the top of my head. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't have asked. And the only reason I did is because I'm wondering how you've become so... confident in expressing what you want in bed."

"I wasn't always!" I laughed low and soft, remembering how shy I'd been with my first boyfriend. "I only became more confident recently." I wouldn't reveal how recently. Instead, I told Dennis, "The second man I was with taught me a lot. He changed me."

He studied me for a long moment. "You seem to care for him even now," he finally said. "What happened between you two?"

He's married, I wanted to blurt out. He's my friend's father. 

And you, Dennis. You happened.

I merely shrugged, hiding the depth of my emotions behind an easy smile. "It wasn't meant to be."

*****

Though Dennis and I made it no secret that we were seeing each other, we were still careful at the office, refusing to fuel the gossip any further. Only when we were all alone in the elevator did he sometimes lose control. 

One morning, a few months after our first date, he waited until the elevator doors slid closed and then reached for me. He knew better than to kiss my mouth, which would smear my lipstick and leave some on his skin as well. Instead, he buried his face in my neck and suckled at my tender flesh.

"I won't share you with anyone else," he told me, his voice uncharacteristically vehement. "I mean it, Joni. I want you to be all mine."

Lifting a hand, I tenderly stroked his hair. "I am all yours," I promised. 

As our relationship continued, I expected it to lose some of its initial intensity. After all, isn't that what usually happened? Infatuation waned, hopefully to be replaced by something more profound. 

Yet even while our feelings deepened, the passion of those first weeks, and then months, didn't fade. Dennis and I were desperate to get our hands on each other at every opportunity, and I ended up spending more time at his apartment than my own. I'd already given Leah advance warning that I'd probably be moving out when the lease was up.

On an early fall morning, I woke to find myself alone in Dennis's bed. I always marveled at how well I slept at his place. Glancing at the clock, I quickly remembered it was Saturday, and I didn't need to rush to get ready for work.

Minutes later, Dennis strolled into the room, fresh from a shower. He was stark naked and irresistible. "Morning, sweetheart," he said.

"Come here." Though my curls were a mess and my eyes were still bleary with sleep, I tried my best to look alluring.

I must have succeeded, for he was quick to rejoin me. After instructing him to lie flat on his stomach, I moved to straddle his hips. Since I was naked, I was able to slide my sex over his skin. Semen still matted my pubic hair from our lovemaking the previous night.

I set about massaging Dennis's shoulders and working the tension from his muscles.

"Oh, that feels wonderful," he sighed.

He was soon completely relaxed, his breathing soft and even. I wouldn't let him drift off to sleep. Instead, I leaned forward and started kissing my way down his spine. He rewarded me with an appreciative moan.

But when I spread his legs in order to settle between them, and then parted his buttocks with my hands, I felt him tense. Still, he didn't pull away or tell me to stop. Not even as I buried my face between those firm globes and teased his puckered skin with my tongue.

"Joni, what are you..." His voice was an octave higher than normal.

Rather than answer, I passionately kissed his hole. 

Dennis lifted his head, offering me a glimpse of his profile. I saw the conflicted look on his face.

"It feels good, doesn't it?" I purred.

"Ah... yes, it does." 

His flesh tightened beneath my tongue, which only encouraged me to prod at his opening more fervently. All at once, he relaxed and allowed me inside.

"Fuck, Joni!" Dennis's moans became almost constant, and I noticed his hips rocking. 

With a wicked smile, I said, "Now you understand how much of a turn-on feeling dirty can be."

"Yeah... oh, Christ!" He was breathing faster, getting carried away. "I need to be inside you, baby."

When I gave him room to turn over, I found he was fully hard. Grinning at what I'd brought about, I started to take him in my hand. 

Before I could, he drew me toward him for a kiss. "I love you," he whispered.

Dennis had told me that on many occasions, but the way he said those words—so earnestly and heartfelt, giving each one its own weight—always made me blush with pleasure.

"I love you, too," I whispered back with a sweet smile.

And then I took him the way he so often took me: mercilessly.

*****

I did sometimes wonder if I'd ever hear from Nelson again. Though I was madly in love with Dennis, I still remembered my friend's father with tenderness. If it weren't for him, I might have remained the good girl, never brave enough to express what I truly wanted.

The days grew shorter, hinting at the chill of winter. I was rarely on my own in the evenings, but on a Friday in October, Dennis had to attend a business dinner, so I decided to spend the time alone packing up the contents of my closet. Before year's end, I'd be living with the love of my life.  

At ten o'clock sharp, the phone rang. I frowned, puzzled at first. 

And then I knew.

Picking up the phone, I offered a quiet hello.

"Joni, I was hoping you'd be home," Nelson said. 

I smiled upon hearing his voice. "I'm so glad you called."

He and I made easy conversation, chatting about our jobs, and about Martha. I marveled at his casual tone; he spoke as if he'd never been more than my friend's father. As if he hadn't transformed my very being.

Finally, he asked, "Are you seeing anyone?"

"I am," I replied, my smile widening to a grin. "I started dating the man I told you about, the one from work. In fact, I'll be moving in with Dennis soon."

Nelson was quiet a moment, so quiet I wondered if he was still on the line. When I softly said his name, he quickly responded. "I'm thrilled for you, sweetheart." 

Though he sounded genuinely pleased, I detected the wistfulness in his words as well. 

"I'm sorry I've been out of touch," he continued. "I didn't feel it was fair to keep calling when you were entering into a new relationship. And now that you're in love, I hope you don't regret what we shared."

"I don't," I assured him.

"It still means a lot to me, just as you do. With you, I felt young again, and I'll always be grateful for that."

I longed to make clear to Nelson just how much he'd changed me. Before we said goodbye, he wished me and Dennis all the best. I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. 

"I know it was only for a week," I said, "but I did love being your whore. And now, I love being his."

"That's my girl," Nelson replied, his voice full of affection. "Never forget, Joni, you deserve to be happy in all ways."