In times of stress I find the familiarity of routine soothing. Checking all the various things I need to go out. Just the basics; wallet, cellphone, keys, stove off, and sub on leash.
She's nervous, fidgeting. Hands flinching as instinct tells her to cover her nakedness while the three angry red lines across her bum remind her not to. Her eyes meet mine and for a second I feel her nervousness call to mine. After all some annoyingly rational and mundane voice in my head is repeating that there are no innocent explanation for walking a naked girl on a leash. Tamping down such thoughts, gnawing fears isn't easy but I do it. I have to. One slip and my resolve will break and dash the hopeful expectation creeping into her shy smile. So I force confidence into my own smile and hand her the bag. Her hands settle as she holds her clothing, toys, and everything else she needs for a weekend away in front of her.
My sweaty palms tighten on the coarse leather of the leash and I open the door. Brilliant shafts of light dance about an open and perfectly manicured lawn. Fifty feet of open ground between stoop and curb. Breeze and sunlight playing across my sub's skin, making her normal tan lines stand out all the more as I pull her to a stop. Resisting the impulse to rush I close and lock the door, stealing glances at her all the while. Now my impish side is acting up, pushing away the earlier nerves with the sheer thrill of what we're doing.
My pace away from the door is careful. Steady. Completely unhurried. The leash is slack, but she doesn't run into me. For a moment we simply bask in the glory of a resplendent day. At the curb I politely open the door for her, tempting her cover. A sharp tug on the leash stops her bolting like a rabbit back down its hole.
Instead she looks up at the hawk and smiles, "Please sir, may I get in."
I smile and toss the leash inside. She hits the seat before it does. I take the bag from her, put it in the back and climb into the driver's seat. The doors close and our nervous laughter fill the air. Somehow my hand doesn't shake as I give her a reassuring squeeze on the knee.
"That was fun." I chuckle.
"Fun?" She scoffs shivering from my touch and nerves, "Terrifying. What if the neighbors had seen?"
"They didn't." I said confidently my hand sliding along her leg, "And I know you enjoyed that. I can feel the proof..."