Kink

Catholicism.  He wore expensive, perfectly fitting jeans, with butter-soft leather driving shoes on his feet, and his long black hair is slicked back off of his face.  This guy has been out of the hood for a long time.  But make no mistake, he uses his street smarts just as much as he uses his looks, and by the way he carries himself, he has fine-tuned both with masterful expertise.  He must have felt the three men watching him, because he turns his face and his gaze pinpoints all of them in one look.  He assesses them all in a fraction of a moment and smirks at them, lifting his chin up as if to say, ‘Yeah, that’s right mother fuckers, I’m in the house now, let’s get ready to have some fun.’

This guy’s a barracuda in a room full of sharks.

“Looks like shit’s ‘bout to get real in here, boys,” John, mumbles as he returns the greeting to Mr. Latin Man.

“No doubt,” Brian agrees.

Marco pulls their attention away with a question, “What were you guys talking about when I walked up?”  It’s obvious from the sound of his voice that he feels the same discomfort about the new guy in town.

“We were just talking about Elsie,” John says letting his gaze stray to the studio where Janie and Elsie have been joined by Elizabeth and a couple of other women from the class.  The stretches have stopped and the women are gathered together talking and intermittently turning to scan the larger outer room, probably to study the men.

“Did you fuck her, John?” Marco asks unceremoniously.

“No, I didn’t fuck her.  Why does a guy have to fuck a girl, if he takes her home?” John says slightly agitated.

“Because I know you want to,” Marco states flatly, “Bad.”   The last word hanging in the air, then falling hard like a lead balloon.

“Fuck you guys, I’ve got a class to teach,” John mumbles, walking towards the studio and the girls.  He can hear the snide comments behind him, followed by a few chuckles from his friends.

When John enters the studio the women go silent, waiting on instructions from him.  He has to admit, it is quite a challenge teaching a room full of sexually charged women, in a building full of testosterone oozing men.  But he has always been one to thrive under a challenge, and he learned a long time ago, you have to use every resource available to you in order to succeed.  In this case, he uses his looks and his presence, he knows he’s good looking and he knows he commands attention.  It’s his responsibility to make sure these women learn everything they can, to the best of their ability, about self-defense.  It could be a matter of life or death for them.  And he doesn’t need any more blood on his hands.  Helping to save lives also helps John heal, a little bit more each time.  When he sees them ‘getting it’, he sleeps a little easier at night and there’d been many nights in the past when he did not sleep at all, rolling around in a cold sweat from night terrors.

“We have a few more minutes before class starts, which will give everyone a chance to arrive, ladies,” he addresses the women who are waiting for some kind of a cue from him.

He can’t help but notice that Elsie’s back is to him, and she’s holding herself around her abdomen.  Her stance and body language shout that she’s reserved, nervous, and self-protective.  A pang of guilt runs through him along with confusion.

I don’t think she’s scared of me, or Brian, but she’s certainly protecting herself from something, but what? he thinks to himself.

His mind shifts into computer mode, as all the interactions he and Elsie have had begin to flash quickly through it, waiting for something to click.  He’s always been an analytical thinker, which made him an asset as a Marine, looking at every possible aspect of a situation.  Nothing comes up in his memories, so he decides that it has to do with whatever she’s hiding.  Each time they’ve been together, he’s felt the connection between them, the attraction pulling and drawing them together.  He knew she was trying to hide behind her tough, smart-mouth façade, using it as an invisible wall so she could keep herself detached…and in her mind safe.  But safe from what?  Did something happen to her?  The thought of someone hurting Elsie fills John with a surging need to protect her, to take care of her, and to heal her.  This leaves him with only one alternative:  he needed to test her and bring it all out.

The rest of the women have trickled in and said their ‘hellos’ as they get situated.  Everyone begins to line up, taking their places, and John can’t help but notice that Elsie has pulled Janie to the back of the room.  A safe distance.

A sly smirk begins to play on John’s mouth as he thinks, You can’t run and hide from me, little one.  You’re mine, whether I, or you, want it.  Fate has dealt our hand and is fucking with us. We might as well get the best out of it.  So, I will find out your secret, and I will set you free. 

“Ladies, in position please,” John’s commanding voice fills the room.

“Any position you prefer, John?” The question loaded with sexual innuendo came in the singsong voice from a blonde in the front row.  She looks like the epitome of a diva, decked in designer duds from head to toe.  Her look includes highlights, a manicure, and a belly button piercing, showing below her midriff-baring top.  Her spray on tan looks fresh, as it’s so dark.

“Actually, I do have a preference Bambi,” John smiles at her.

Are you fucking kidding me?!! Elsie screams at John in her head.  You can’t be that hard up.  Anybody else but HER.  Anybody!!!

At that precise moment John glances at Elsie and sees the