Our Lady of Pain

Chapter Six-1

Chapter Six

A cool, gray morning was yielding to a warm, sunny day but Corinne lay in bed. There was no reason to get up and she was feeling sick to her stomach. Trying to take a deep breath made her stomach roll. The phone rang through her fog but Corinne didn’t answer it. They could leave a message. Too much effort to get it now. Oblivion and delirium sucked her back down into their own worlds. It was a world where Gregory stood by her bed holding a glass of water. He was trying to get her to take a sip through a straw. “Come on, just a little,” his voice sounded like he was talking through cotton.

Corinne couldn’t do it. She couldn’t lift her head. It felt like her arms and legs were tied to the bed and the bed itself was tipping back and forth. “Can’t…” She was so thirsty though. His hand held the glass closer, slipping the thin straw between her lips. Another hand lifted her head. “Take it, suck on it.” But when she did, the straw was no longer there. It was replaced by Gregory’s thick c**k. Corinne tried to pull her head back but there was no escape. Her throat constricted and for a second Corinne felt certain she was going to throw-up again.

“Suck on it, Corinne. It’ll make you feel better.”

She did. She closed her eyes, relaxed and tried to think only of this one thing. It felt good, she realized, to feel him in her like this. It was a comfort to her more than an act of arousal. It made her feel drowsy and content, suckling at his s*x. Even when he pushed into her deeper the urge to gag was gone. He was f*****g her mouth. She was his. His mouth touched between her legs. Corinne moaned around him.

Her eyes opened to darkness. The nausea was gone for the most part but her stomach still hurt. Corinne tried to swallow but her throat was dry and a headache pressed on the back of her eyeballs. “Gregory,” she whispered to the room.

The quiet rumble of late-Summer thunder answered her. It was nearly ten o’clock at night as she sat in the semi-darkness watching an old episode of Twilight Zone. Corinne pulled the blanket over her and curled up on the sofa, thinking of Gregory and his offer. The whole thing was surreal. Had it really happened or had it been part of this illness, like the oral s*x. She shivered. She could feel his kisses and touches just as clearly as she could then. What had been real? All of it or none of it? Had she really agreed to what she thought she had?

By Saturday morning, Corinne felt well enough to shower and dress and was tired of napping. A walk in the fresh air would help. Corinne slipped into her sneakers and headed out. It was a little too warm for the jeans she’d chosen, but her light, cotton blouse was suitable. A fresh water bottle hung from her shoulder by a strap.

There was a small stream just down the road. Beyond it, if you climbed over an old stone fence, was a field and a path into the woods. Corinne had walked it a thousand times. There was never anyone else in sight and her thoughts always grew clearer on these outings.

This time her mind was filled with thoughts of Gregory and all they had discussed. All the dreams flooded back to her and the promise he’d extracted from her before leaving. Pleasing herself had been the last thing on Corinne’s mind these past few days. It floated in front of her now, calling, like a carrot before a mule. Corinne began, subconsciously at first, looking for a place that would guarantee her privacy. The notion of m**********g out here scared her and thrilled her. Getting caught would be humiliating.

She changed her mind about doing it half a dozen times before finally seeing a spot that just might work. It was an old house foundation, long forgotten and partially buried in rocks, leaves and fallen branches. She’d poked around in there looking for bottles and trinkets a number of times. It was set back and anyone in it would never be seen until someone was right on top of them. If anyone else arrived, there would be no way to hide. Any intruder would make enough noise in advance for her to pull herself together. Corinne kept telling herself that it was safe and she’d never seen anyone out here before.

Corinne slid down the embankment created by the crumbling foundation. One corner of this former cellar had completely caved in. Corinne went to the opposite corner, gave a quick look around the woods then pulled down her jeans. She could do it through her panties, she decided. Just a quick thing and she’d be done with it. Her back resting against the stone wall, her knees bent up and parted, Corinne rested her head back.

“For you, Father Monroe,” she thought as she began. The very idea of doing this for a priest made it all the more forbidden and arousing Corinne imagined him there, standing above her on the edge of the foundation, dressed in the only clothing she had ever seen him in. He would have his hands on his hips and maybe a little sapling switch in his hand. He’d not say anything, just watch.

Her fingers slid under her panties, probing her folds and wetness. Corinne pinched and rolled her c**t slowly, feeling it, pumping it. The heel of her hand rubbed the point of arousal as her fingers moved down, pushing into herself. Corinne lifted her hips, drawing her legs further apart. Her hands moved expertly, knowing exactly what she liked without having to think about it. She held the image of Gregory in front of her, felt his eyes on her, almost hearing his warm moan as he watched. The efforts grew more urgent, moving her hand a fraction one way, rubbing herself hard then shifting the angle to apply slightly different pressure. She wished she’d brought her vibrator. That would have made it so much easier. Her right hand moved to fondle her breast, while the left remained occupied at her crotch. Touching her n****e sent a little gasp of pleasure downward. Pumping harder and faster, the tips of her fingers slid into her p***y until the warm tingles of pleasure grew. She’d slid down the wall slightly, hips pumping with her hand until everything tightened and expanded at the same time. Pleasure erased everything that was around her.

The water bottle was drained by the time Corinne returned home and so was she. The heat and activity sent her to bed for a nap. At least the illness was leaving her and the walk had done her good. It was what she had needed to do. Corinne fixed herself a light dinner several hours later, read, watched TV and went to bed. She thought of her time in the woods and of him and before long found her hand straying to that place between her legs once more. She wanted him. She wanted to see him again and to tell him her thoughts. It wouldn’t be like last time, she vowed. This time she’d be ready. She’d say it all, right then, right there and it wouldn’t be so bad. Corinne would be the strong, self-assured woman she always wanted to be. No more shyness and no more stumbling over her own tongue. And damn it all, no more tears to screw it up. She fell asleep, her hand still to her groin and her head still full of thoughts of him. A smile was on her face and no dreams disturbed her slumber.

Twice a day, at least, sometimes three or four, Corinne would give herself the pleasure Gregory had told her to. Each time she thought of him. Each time she would begin by saying it was for him. It grew easier. Saying it to him might be another matter all together. Corinne was determined to try.

She planned their menu for Thursday night. She kept the apartment spotless and primped more than she had in years. Corinne wanted it all to be perfect. Her closet was dismal. All her clothes looked dull, drab and proper. That’s not what she wanted to be, not what she wanted to become for Gregory and for herself.

On Wednesday, Corinne went shopping for something special to wear. It would be something she’d only dreamed about. It would make her what she was. She started at Victoria’s Secret but nothing seemed quite what she had in mind. She bought a new bra of see-through lace and a matching g-string. She bought a garter belt and stockings. But that was not what Corinne was looking for, not really. Those things were common. Any woman might have those in her drawer. The rest of the mall was not of any help. All of it was just too ordinary.

There was one place she didn’t look. It was across town, near the old theater. Corinne sat eating lunch, thinking about that place. Bound2Please was the neighborhood adult fetish store. It hardly seemed appropriate under the circumstances. Maybe she should be dressing like a Mennonite or something instead. But, she’d driven by Bound2Please dozens of times. The storefront was draped with black and the display promised all sort of erotic delights within. She had always wondered what was in there. Corinne slurped her chocolate shake and headed for the trash can.

“Today, Corinne, you are going to find out what is in there.” Corinne beamed inside, anxious and eager. Gregory would be pleased. She knew it.

She was not disappointed. Corinne walked around the room, touching the leather, the vinyl, the lace, the chains and buckles and zippers. Thigh high boots, six-inch spike heels and fetish shoes of all types took up another aisle. She didn’t know where to begin.

“Can I help you with something?” The perky, red-haired salesgirl asked.

Back home, Corinne unloaded each bag carefully, touching her purchases with love. She had chosen leather, sweet and soft and so delicious to smell. She spread the skirt out on the bed. It was short and pleated, like a cheerleader’s skirt, but made of black leather. The leather corset top was next. She had picked one that laced up the front as she’d have to do it herself. Wide straps ran from the front and crossed in the back. Shiny metal D-rings hooked them to the bodice itself. She had picked out a simple leather collar, nothing heavy or too serious looking. A little O-ring dangled from the front and a simple snap held it around her neck. It would be good enough, for now.

Next Corinne removed the box that contained her new boots. They hugged her calves and topped off just below her knees. Laces ran up the outsides. The heels were close to four inches. It wasn’t a lot of heel, not like some of the boots she had seen, but Corinne was too practical to get something she’d not be able to walk in, no matter how sexy they looked. The stockings and garter she had bought at Victoria’s Secret would go perfectly with the boots.

Corinne looked at herself in the mirror and frowned. No make-up, hair a mess, looking rather tired, but content. She wondered if that’s what she looked like after having s*x. If so, it was no wonder she’d been alone for so long. A smile rose to the surface. “You’re beautiful, Corinne. Don’t ever forget it.” Corinne dug under the bathroom sink and pulled out her make-up kit. “Now, to make an appointment to get my hair done tomorrow.” Corinne finally felt like she was living instead of just existing. This was going to be the start of her new life. This time it would be different. This time Corinne would be what she wanted to be and not what others suggested for her. She’d take the chance because at this point she had absolutely nothing to lose.

She pulled into her driveway on Thursday, groceries in tow. Once the table was set and the meal cooking on its own in the oven, Corinne had time to get dressed. Then the phone rang.

“Hello? Yes, this is she,” she listened and her expression grew dark. “How late? Yes, that’s okay,” she looked at the stove, nibbling at her fingernail. “I just put it in the oven to bake. Yeah. Of course. Don’t worry about it. I’ll be here. Yeah, I know. Okay. Bye,” she hung up, looking bleak. He was going to be a little late. She’d manage. She still needed to get dressed and do her make-up. If he wasn’t that late, she still wanted to be ready for him. Corinne headed up to her room. G-string, garter and stockings went on first. She liked how they made her legs look, long and thin and sexy. She laced the leather corset up carefully, adjusting her breasts like the woman at Bound2Please had shown her. The skirt slid up over her round hips. She looked at the boots. She’d wait for him to call before putting them on. The little leather collar went on. Corinne smiled, touching the little O-ring. Her long hair curled over her shoulders. She went to the bathroom for the make-up kit. It all took so much time, Corinne thought. That’s why she never bothered with all this. It just took too long.

Seven o’clock arrived. Seven thirty came and went. The hour pushed towards eight. The phone rang. Corinne snatched it before the second ring. “Yes?” It was him. He was on his way. She hung up the phone, breathless. Panic set in. She turned the oven back on and got her boots. He’d not be expecting this. He’d expect the old Corinne. This was the new Corinne, Father Gregory’s Corinne. “His,” she practically cackled at the idea that she was dressing like a w***e for a date with a priest.

The half hour inched towards forty-five minutes. Dinner was ready. Corinne’s boots clunked on the kitchen floor as she turned off the steamed green beans, fretting over their perfection. Corinne paced.

A child-like thrill raced through her when his car finally arrived in her driveway. But, unlike a child, Corinne did her best to cover her excitement. She didn’t stand by the door but went back to the kitchen and would pretend she hadn’t been peering out the

window every two minutes for the past twenty. He knocked. She took a breath and went to the door. Corinne suddenly felt very, very insecure. She opened the door, smiled and posed.

He was speechless for a second. “Wow.” Gregory stepped in so Corinne could shut the door. “That’s something. You are Corinne Anderson, aren’t you?”

“More than ever,” she giggled.

They moved to the kitchen. Gregory insisted she go first so he could watch her ass and the way her skirt bounced. “You didn’t have to do this, you know? Got a corkscrew?” He held up the bottle of wine he’d brought.

Corinne could not stop smiling. “I know, but I wanted to. I thought you’d like it,” she handed him the corkscrew. “You do like it, don’t you?”

“Oh, I like it very much. Thank you. What do you think about it?”

“It’s not so bad. It’s more than a bikini on the beach.”

“And much sexier.” Gregory filled the wine glasses Corinne had retrieved. “Shall we make a toast?”

“If it pleases you,” she was giddy.

“It does,” he cleared his throat and held his glass to hers. “To new adventures and opportunities.” Their glasses kissed softly. “Let’s eat. I’m starved and whatever you have in that oven smells great.”

Despite her worries, the meal was just as perfect as Corinne had hoped it would be. She told him about being sick and then confessed her little trip to the woods. He roared with laughter.

When dinner was done Gregory took her by the hand and led her to the living room. She sat on the floor beside him, nervousness returning. “You are a wonderful hostess when you put your mind to it,” he said.

“Thanks.”

His fingers played with her hair. “But you’ve not yet done one important thing.”

“Oh?” She liked when he touched her hair but fought the urge to tip her head towards his palm. Corinne sat very still.

“You’ve not yet submitted to me, not really. You need to do something a little more extreme. Proof, if you will, of your intentions. Consider this your preliminary job interview. Unless, of course, you are not applying for the job I offered,” she looked down, suddenly realizing how all this must look to him. “Take off your skirt, Corinne.”