Softness
_This story is dedicated to my loving SL Master, who some of you might know as Jarrca.
This memoir is a loosely framed sequence of events based on my personal experience just shy of two years ago._
This story has been rated for adult themes.
Chapter 1
Her tail lingered around the pole for a moment as she carefully stepped down from the side of the stage, the pulse of the purple neon around her slowing to a different tune as some one else else stepped up to take her place. Eying a husky that had given her a hefty tip earlier, she was sure she'd be seeing him later in the night. She had no problem convincing lonely patrons to part with their money. A few cast disapproving glances at her as she made her way towards him. In her mind it was their own loss, giving away for free what could turn a profit. Even if she couldn't coax him any further, she could at least keep him company for a while, business was slow and she didn't have any better prospects.
The conversation was slow. He kept his eyes fixed on the stage despite her attempts at conversation. After a few quiet responses, she quietly excused herself, slinking back to the bar. Reaching over the counter, she grabbed a long-neck, leaving a few dollars in its place as she nodded to the otter serving the other side of the bar. He understood. Even if she had been a tad short tonight he could be sure she'd be back the next. Taking it with her, she settled in the pit near the wall where she could avoid being bumped into. Resting her head on a pillow, she stretched her long legs out in front of her, the short leather skirt falling barely midway down her striped white thighs. She took a deep breath and sighed softly, the night was still far from over and there was work still left to be done. The girl on stage wasn't exactly enthusiastic, maybe it wouldn't be so hard tonight after all.
She didn't notice as a large figure moved to sit beside her in the pit. He smiled as she remained quietly distant. Leaning in closer, he spoke barely above the throbbing music, "So no work tonight?"
She jumped a little as she noticed him, catching her breath, she leaned towards him "Excuse me?"
He chuckled to himself at her surprise, crossing his thick arms and sitting back "Its a shame, if some one who dances like you can't get any business, then everyone else is hopeless."
She raised an eyebrow but feigning indignance wasn't worth it. They both understood the reason for the others presence. One was there to sell and the other to buy and no one questioned it. He moved in closer, expecting a response she supposed. She just nodded a little in return.
He looked a little rougher than her usual clientele. His deep black eyes and broad crimson frame only made her all the more wary. Most of the males who came here were harmless, but a chosen few were not the kind you'd want to be mixed up with.
He relaxed there next to her, casually yawning, his striped arm eventually making its way around her shoulders. He leaned down slightly, speaking into her ear, "You know, kitty, I won't hurt you unless you ask..." His slight accent emphasizing odd syllables.
His comment caught her attention, before her common sense could catch up her mouth was already speaking her mind, "and what would you do if I ask?"
He smiled, "Why don't we see?" He offered his handpaw as he stood slowly. He noticed the gleam of a silver band around her neck, silently wondering if he was about to take another's property to the back room. If he were, it would be on her for not warning him, at least in his mind.
Her ears perked at his offer. Taking his hand, following as he wove through the crowd, heart beating faster. Her second thoughts didn't come until he had closed the door and locked it against intruders. "So, kitten, where should we begin?" Running his padded hands from her shoulders, down to her hips, feeling the leather of her corset against his bare chest. She bit her lip gently, tilting her head back to look up at him. She was barely as tall as his shoulders. The simple touch left her feeling impossibly small and helpless, and strangely wanting. Pressing her hips against his, he smiled. Taking the contact as her answer, his hands traveled further to cup her rear, pulling her more forcefully against him as he captured her lips.
She whimpered into his mouth as her lips parted, his tongue meeting hers, easily taking control. He murred at how easily she gave him control, wondering if she was always this way. Tracing the line of her back up to her neck, tangling his fingers in her hair as he held her to him. The way she pressed her body to him, it was as if she begged for his touch without asking.
A single claw slid from her sternum down her belly, releasing the cords that hold her bodice closed. Leaning back on the bed as she parted it slowly, she could hear a low growl form in his throat. Placing her hands on his thighs, she quickly took care of his belt with her teeth, making quick work of his pants as well, nuzzling his hip provocatively before laying back on her elbows, watching as his pants fell to the floor. "Nothing underneath," she thought to herself, "of course." Grinning as he slid on top of her, tugging her skirt out of the way as he raked his teeth over her collarbone, letting her feel his breath against her neck. Grinding his length against her thigh as he teased her lightly with his clawtips, running them from her shoulders to her hips, then back again, watching her as her muscles tightened under his touch, causing her to move gently against him. She whimpered softly as his wandering hands crossed a nipple, arching her back so that she rose off the bed.
_______
She shivered as he rolled off of her, closing her eyes as she let her body settle into the thick duvet. Her fur contrasted against the silk, even in the dim light from the fireplace.
He kept his dark eyes on her, watching her subtle movements, "So does that pretty collar serve a purpose, or is it just for show?"
She shrugged, "Just for decoration I suppose, it was a gift from a friend."
"Should I take that to mean you wouldn't want it to?" propping his head on his arm as he awaited her answer.
Slowly becoming aware of the thumping music outside, laying a head on her arm, "It did at one time. I didn't end so well. I don't think I'm looking to be in the same situation in the near future."
He nodded gently, "It doesn't have to be that way kitten. Not everyone is looking to take advantage of those girls that might be looking for protection and belonging."
She was confused by his gentle yet confident manner. He demanded nothing from her, yet enticed her to give him all of her attention without a word. She found herself subconciously drowning in his demeanor, his gentle drawl, his seeming concern for a girl she had just met. But this place was full of liars and con-artists and this creeping realization sent her clawing out of her daze. "I'm not so sure I'm ready for anything serious... I should go back..."
He closed his eyes and grinned again, a soft rumble coming from his throat, as if he knew what she would say, "Reach into that front pocket there. There's a card and several dollars. Take them."
"Thanks..." was all she managed to mutter as she quickly re-laced her bodice and straightened her skirt. She was concerned by her own actions. Why exactly was she so easily overtaken by him? Physically, she could make herself want anyone, but he had left her mind clouded with doubts and... something else. Trust, maybe? Not entirely... she still doubted his intentions. Whatever it was, it made her uneasy. As she rushed outside, she only managed to pick up the card from his pants lying on the floor. She knew that he'd follow her shortly and decided it was in her best interest to leave altogether.
_______________
The tiger sighed and fell all but gently back onto the bed. Rolling over onto her belly, she watched the frenzied otter arranging his new furniture, pushing it from one side to the other. "Iffy, are you sure you don't want my help? It might be easier for me to..."
"No hun, I'm fine. Especially after you worked all night last night," he answered as he pushed the dresser in short bursts, "How was it by the way?"
The tiger rolled her eyes, "Worse than usual... then there was this guy... he was kind of weird..."
"How so?" the otter adjusted the dresser against a wall then stood back to admire his handiwork, "and what do you think?"
She gave him a mischevious smile, "That's good, it might look better over in that corner though," as she giggled at his flustered sigh, scooting over a bit as he came to flop beside her on the bed. "But that guy, it was... scary. It was like I wanted to be what he wanted and he barely even talked. He could have told me to do a stage dive onto the empty floor, and I probably would have!"
The otter shrugged and put his arm around the girl, nuzzling her shoulder even as she tried to pull away from his sweatiness, "Sounds like my little Suzy finally found love..."
"Not even," she raised an eyebrow at him, "it's something else. Like for some reason, his expectations matter, even though he's a complete stranger."
He laughed at this, "So now he's in the present tense? You planning on seeing him again?"
"No!" Suzy smacked herself in the forehead, "Ugh... I mean, its not like I'm laying out of work. I might see him again, but I'm surely not going to chat him up."
"Sure, honey, sure..." The shorter fur rubbed his friend's back as she grabbed a pillow and rolled over beside him, closing her eyes and drifting off as exhaustion finally caught up with her.