Decadence by Karen Stivali Read Free Book Online

A simple yellow note card offering a free lesson. She’d never gotten
one before and coming less than twenty-four hours after Olivia’s suggestion, it
had seemed like a sign.
    Breathless with nerves, she’d entered the studio the next
day.
    “Are you Jessica?” A wisp of a woman had appeared from
behind the Japanese screens that lined the right side of the large studio room.
    “Yes,” she’d answered, contemplating leaving.
    “Come, put your things over here and meet me by the mirrors.
Shoes off, please.”
    Jessica had shrugged out of her jacket and left her shoes
and messenger bag in a heap in the corner before cautiously approaching.
    Madame Carla moved around her in a slow circle, eyeing her
up and down, head tilted to the side. Petite but firm hands had parked on her
shoulders, straightening her posture. “What are you hoping to get out of this
lesson?”
    Jessica blushed, heat filling her cheeks. “My friend Olivia
recommended you.”
    “You want to learn to dance for your husband?”
    Jess nodded. “If I can.”
    “Of course you can. If you want. But I recommend learning to
dance for you, then showing your husband what you can do. Confidence shows in
every dance move and it comes from within. I’ll teach you.”
    And the lesson had begun. Jessica left the first class
feeling an inner calm unlike anything she’d ever experienced, along with a
sense of determination. “I’m going to do this,” she’d promised herself as she’d
signed up for the ten-week program.
    Now the lessons were over. And she needed to get herself
ready to tell Eric what she’d been doing. Racing into the house, arms full of
packages, she headed straight for the bedroom to change. Tremors shook through
her stomach as she slid on her thigh high stockings and quickly put on the
other new clothes.
    She stepped back to examine herself in the mirror, turning
from side to side. Hair swept into a messy updo, secured with two lacquered
sticks so she could undo it with ease. Black stretchy tank covering her new
lace-up bustier. A man’s red silk tie neatly knotted at her neck. Short naughty
school girl skirt barely concealing her silky black panties.
    She hardly recognized herself. Pulling on long satiny
gloves, she had a fleeting moment of panic. What if he laughs?
    Madame Carla’s voice echoed in her head. “Move like this and
he won’t be able to form a complete sentence.” Taking a deep breath, Jess
steadied herself and went to set the stage. She laid out the cheese platter
they hadn’t gotten around to trying at lunch. Strawberries. Grapes. Perfect
finger food. Just as she finished surrounding the bottle of white wine with ice
and placing the bucket on the dining room table, she heard Eric pull into the
driveway.
     
    Eric had tried to call Jess three times. Each time voice
mail picked up, he felt himself get a little more rattled. How long is this
freaking class? And where the hell are the kids? It occurred to him that he
didn’t really know what she did with the kids when she took her afternoon
classes. Again there were no checks to babysitters. How could she possibly
disappear for a few hours in the middle of the afternoon?
    His phone buzzed in his pocket and he saw that he had
several text messages. Checking the time stamp, he realized they’d come in over
half an hour earlier. Damned cell service.
     
    Olivia’s taking care of the boys for the night.
     
    Thought we could have some extra time together.
     
    Will be home by 5. What time should I expect you?
     
    Hope you’re on your way. There’s something I really need
to tell you.
     
    Jesus. Something she needs to tell me? His heart
pounded in a frustrated rhythm making it difficult to take a deep breath. Fuck. He drummed the edge of his desk, glancing at the wall clock—5:15. Time to go
home and find out what’s really going on.
    Eric went over every possible scenario in his head,
clenching the steering wheel for the entire drive. Half of them scared the