Chapter 73 - The Perfect Christmas Gift
“Hey Alex, any ideas yet.” I asked as I passed her workspace one morning.
“You mean for Polly’s Christmas gift.” Alex swiveled her chair toward me and smiled. She wore a dark blue T-shirt dress with a narrow belt around her was short enough to be indecent expect when paired with black leggings.
“Yes, of course. I texted you.” I answered sitting on the table that until a few months ago had been my own workspace but was now littered with cables and server cases.
“Like five minutes ago.” Alex tapped one finger impatiently on the armrest.
“So you’ve got nothing.” I pressed.
Alex fully turned around in her chair and crossed her legs. She sat back with a scowl. “What’s gotten into you, are you afraid she’ll dump you if you don’t get the perfect gift.”
“It’s our first Christmas. I want it to be good.” I quickly revised the statement realizing its inadequacy. “Memorable.”
Alex softened. “I get it, I really do. I promise I’ll think on it, but give me more time.” Alex answered and turned back to her work.
“Ok, I just thought girls were good at this.” I said.
An angry flash crossed her face. “We’re good because we take time to think, now scram.” She flipped her blue tipped hair over one shoulder, and returned to being a maestro to the orchestra of display monitors on her desk.
* * *
I did my best to put the question out of my mind. Christmas was weeks away so there was time but during lunch at school it was obvious to Polly something was on my mind. “What’s got you so distracted?”
“Oh just thinking about a paper for history.” I lied.
“That’s BS, I once watched you write a three page paper an hour before class and get an ‘A’. Now spill it.” Polly responded.
“Look, I want to surprise you so I can’t…” I started.
“Christmas.” Kristy said from across the table, her body was turned toward Ollie but she had the ability to follow multiple conversations at once. “He’s worried about what to get you.”
Polly turned toward me with a look that said she doubted her friend’s word. “Really?”
I sighed. “Argh! Now you know I’ve been thinking about it for weeks. What if it sucks?”
Polly stood up and draped her arms over my shoulders and leaned in close to my ear. “The fact that you are thinking about it already is good enough.”
“Dish towels it is then.” I said.
Polly laughed. “At least get my name monogramed on them.”
“Damn, there goes my best idea.” I answered with a smile.
Polly laughed and grabbed her lunch tray. “I better go, some of us have to work at passing classes.” She said with a smile.
* * *
The next day Alex caught me as I passed her office. She had a glint in her eye that spoke of mischief. She sat with her legs crossed wearing the sexy secretary outfit she had worn previously, red satin shirt and black knee-length pencil skirt. I was suspicious immediately. “Hey their boss, hold up for a second.”
Alex's Outfit
I sighed loudly. “Enough with the boss crap, you know I’m not qualified.”
Alex shrugged. “You saved my job, sort of, so you’ll just have to put up with it.”
“Fine, what’s on your mind?” I asked.
“I’ve solved your Christmas present problem.” Alex smiled.
I perked up immediately and sat down on the nearby table. “You did. That’s great.”
“The perfection of this idea is not something I’m willing to just give away for free.” Alex said with an unfaltering smile.
There it was. This was going to be bad. I sighed heavily and made a circular motion with one hand. “Go on, spill it. What do you want?”
Alex’s smile widened to Cheshire cat levels. “Polly showed me something I while back, and honestly, I’m still having trouble believing it.”
“Do tell.” I answered in a deadpan.
“She showed me a picture of a sexy French Maid. Quite lovely, but then she has the audacity to suggest it was you.”
“Shocking, unbelievable.” I continued in my deadpan.
“I’d like to see you make the attempt. Come over some evening, dress up, vacuum a few floors. Easy-peasy.” Alex smiled.
“I had nothing to do with that picture. I was just a mannequin. Someone else did the makeup, the figure, and the costume, everything.” I answered.
“Best effort, that’s all I ask. I’ll help you with makeup, if necessary.”
I looked around the room and ducked my head around the corner to see if anyone was listening. “Keep your voice down, please. Your idea can’t be worth doing that. What if Polly finds out?”
“First of all, the idea is awesome, and so what if Polly finds out?” Alex raised her eyebrows while crossing her arms beneath her breasts. “Maybe you should tell her.”
“Sorry, no way.” I said, though my mind worked through possibilities to meet her request despite my refusal.
Alex shrugged and turned back to her work.
* * *
The remainder of the day was busy, but not so busy that Alex’s “deal” was not constantly on my mind. I had no doubt she had a great idea, but this was a game of multiple dimensions. There were plots within plots and if I thought simply showing up some evening ready to humiliate myself in a feminine costume would be the whole story, I was a fool and deserved what happened.
“I should talk to Polly.” I muttered to myself. I was alone in my office with my feet upon my desk and hands behind my head. “There is more to this than Alex’s desires. Maybe she’s trying to get in good with Polly. She probably thinks forcing me into a maid costume is something Polly would like.”
The phone rang and as if summoned by my thoughts, it was Polly. “Hey beautiful.”
“Jack, I need you to stop by the house tonight.” Polly said.
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Something Dr. Lodgkins said in your last session has me concerned.” Polly answered.
“Oh?” I prompted.
“Not on the phone.” Polly answered.
“Ok, see you about six.” I said reviewing the events of the last session with the therapist.
“Love you, bye.” Polly said and hung up before I could speak again. This conversation paired with Alex’s proposal did nothing to alleviate my paranoia. “Now what’s this all about. This has to be connected, what are Alex and Polly cooking up.”
* * *
At six Polly greeted me at the door to her home obviously having seen me pull up in front of her house. She still wore the same clothes she had on at school, a pair of tight jeans and oversized sweater to ward of the chill autumn air. Her fiery hair floated around her head in the breeze that swirled around the house. She looked gorgeous and I stared at her for a few moments. She beckoned me closer not wanting to leave the front porch in her bare feet. “Come on Jack, it’s cold.”
“Sorry, just enjoying the view.” I answered.
Polly smiled taking my arm in hers as I approached. “Such a charmer.” She leaned her head against my shoulder and kissed my neck.
We entered the house and she hauled me up to her room. “What’s up, what did Dr. Lodgkins say?”
“You were there.” Polly responded.
“I was a bit distracted.” I answered remembering the feeling of tight silk scarves wrapped around my body.
“She said you may not be willing to ever give our safeword, for fear of disappointing me.” Polly answered. “Do you think that’s true?”
I remembered the comment. “I don’t know, maybe. I suppose if you threatened to hurt me or something, but I don’t see you doing that.”
“Yeah, never that.” Polly answered. “But I want to try something anyways. Something easier than singing or humming ‘Row Row Row Your Boat’.”
“Before we start,” I watched Polly wrap a pink silk scarf to the top of one of her bed posts that rose to just above her head. “I was wondering if you’ve spoken with Alex today?”
Polly shook her head. “Nope, why?”
“No texts, nothing?” I pressed.
Polly turned toward me with obvious curiosity. “No, has something happened?”
“She was just acting strangely, though with everything that’s happened lately I’m not sure if I know what’s normal anymore.” I answered, hoping to deflect further questioning.
“I’ll check with her later.”
“Ok.” I answered.
Polly held out the pink silk which was fastened to the top of bedpost. “I want you to hold onto this scarf with both hands.”
I stepped forward and grabbed the smooth material. I had to raise my arms, but not so high to make the position uncomfortable. “Alright, I can do this.” I said with mock enthusiasm.
“Here’s the deal, if you let go of the scarf, my game ends and we snuggle up on the couch and watch a movie.”
“Game?” I said and studied Polly trying to see some evidence of the mischief I feared. The only problem was Polly’s intelligence. She was too smart to plan something on the same day as Alex made her offer. So was this just coincidence?
“Yes, you’ll see, but don’t let go. I’ll be right back.”
“Watching a movie sounds pretty good.” I said to her retreating back.
Polly shrugged and disappeared from the room with a smile, daring me to let go. I used a bit of slack and wrapped the scarf around my palms. In a pinch I could get on the bed to take any strain off my arms. The minutes dragged by and I began to wonder if this was some sort of prank but my suspicions were interrupted by a rustling sound from the hallway. The door creaked open and Polly stepped in.
My eyes threatened to pop from their sockets. People talk of having their breath stolen by beautiful vistas atop mountains, I knew exactly how they felt. Polly stood before me in a black strapless dress that hugged her body to her knees. Black is a wholly inadequate word for the color of the dress, the reflected light danced across it in a myriad of colors. The dress was so shiny she seemed painted in oil. Her arms matched covered from fingertip to armpit in matching gloves.
Polly’s Dress
Polly smiled at my reaction moving toward me in a pair of black heels which conspired with the tight dress to change her walk from an athletic grace to a sultry sway. My eyes roved her body watching my own trembling arms in the reflection from the taught material spanning her breasts. I could not speak, I could not breathe.
“...focus Jack. Don’t let go.” Polly said though I missed the beginning of her words.
I shook my head and forced my fingers into a white knuckled grip remembering the horrible consequences if I released the slippery silk. “Remember the rules.” Polly continued and fumbled with the buttons of my shirt with her gloved fingers. “Don’t let go of that scarf or I’ll have to find something less interesting to wear for our movie night. Is that what you want?”
I shook my head now swelling with the intoxicating aroma of her vanilla-rose scent combined with the rubbery smell of the dress. “What do you think? Do you like it?” Polly asked having finished unbuttoning my shirt. She stepped back and slid her gloved hands over her hips. “It feels amazing, do you want to touch?” My hands flew toward her but my grip held firm on the scarf halting the motion. Polly raised a single eyebrow. “Would be a real shame if you didn’t find out what I have in store for you.”
I closed my eyes. It was too much and I needed my mind to function or I might let go of the scarf. Several deep breaths later, which pulled a giggle from Polly’s lips, I managed a few thoughts in my overloaded brain. The cool touch of her rubbery fingers against my chest sent continuous shudders through my body. More giggles as her hands roamed around my bare skin. “I’ve always admired your will power.” Her hands descended moving across my back and dipping into the waistband of my pants just above my buttocks.
I concentrated hard forcing the blood from my knuckles while my arms trembled with the war raging in my head. One side demanded I let go of the scarf with the knowledge Polly would never have time to escape before I could grab her, just one touch, that would be enough. The other side demanded to know what would happen if I could just hang on. Say something, distract her. “Oh God, Polly, I should have told you.”
Polly’s hesitation was a microsecond, maybe less. I knew her well enough to detect it but she played it perfectly. “Of course you should have.”
It worked, Polly stepped back and waited. I sagged back against the bedpost careful not to accidently release the scarf thankful I had managed a slight reprieve. If her hands had wandered any lower I would never have held on. I looked up and still nearly lost my breath at the sight of Polly in the dress and gloves. She was a goddess.
“Go on then.” Polly said.
“Alex…” I hesitated realizing suddenly that the good idea Alex promised would never come now. “Alex wanted something for that idea.”
Polly placed her hands on her hips and cocked her head. “Is this about Christmas again?”
I nodded.
“Out with it then.” Polly said with a roll of her finger.
“She wanted me to clean her apartment.” I said quietly.
Polly smiled. “In a maid uniform?”
I nodded unsurprised she had pieced it together so quickly.
Polly shook her head. “Everybody wants a piece of you.”
“I wasn’t going to do it.” I answered.
“Why not? I’ll help you.” Polly said while tapping her finger against her lips. “I think Alex needs a lesson in manners.”
“Manners?” I said still struggling to realize this was rapidly traveling in a very different direction as Polly’s intentions for this evening shifted with the new information about Alex.
“Trying to poach my man.” Polly whispered and moved toward the door.
“Polly please, don’t make me do this.” I said with an unmistakable whine in my voice and a truck-load of doubt that Alex intended to do any poaching. “Alex wouldn’t…”
She stopped and turned toward me. “Ok, let go of the scarf then.”
I looked up at my hands and then back at Polly who waited patiently looking so amazing in the oil-black dress. “What do you want me to do?” I finally asked.
“I asked you to hold onto the scarf.” Polly said and left the room. She returned a few moments later with a box and garment bag which she hung on the adjacent bedpost. “You know what’s odd. I’ve seen you in more dresses than I’ve actually had a chance to put you in.”
“Not true, remember that pink prom dress of Kat’s?” I said.
“It was a rush job. I think I’ll take my time with this one, since you are here willingly and all.” She looked up at my hands still gripping the scarf.
I told myself the death grip on the scarf was only to keep her from changing out of the dress. I could let go and enjoy a nice movie with Polly. Sure her dress was sexy but she was beautiful in anything, she would look great in a burlap sack. I took a deep breath and looked at my hands and willed them to open. Nothing happened. My hands continued their death grip on the pink scarf. Polly watched me patiently and my surprise was evident. “Can’t let go?”
“I…” I said but my voice cracked. “...tried.”
Polly shrugged and lowered my pants to the floor. She then pulled my shirt up so that it was hooked around the bedpost above my mands and would not fall down. “Alright, here we go. She entered her closet returning with a wad of black satin in her hands, unmistakably a pair of feminine underwear.
I looked back at my hands and still they would not release the silk scarf. When Polly knelt down and tapped my ankle I obediently lifted the leg. “What is going on?” I whispered toward my fingers who maintained their death grip on the scarf.
Polly overheard and smiled. “It’s good to know you belong to me, even your subconscious.” She rolled a pair of fishnet tights in her fingers and slid them up my legs carefully aligning the seams and adjusting the waistband over my navel. “That should keep your fun bits nicely secured. Wouldn’t want anything swinging around.” Polly giggled. “You seem to like the idea of being a French Maid, at least someone does.” She looked down at my now trapped crotch.
I quickly looked away from my legs to see Polly opening a black box to reveal a pair of faux breasts, the nipple pointing toward the ceiling from within a bed of black velvet. Again I looked back at my hands and tried to let go. “This is not normal, free will is supposed to exist. How is this happening?” My thoughts echoed.
Polly coated the back of the breasts with a clear liquid and wiped my chest with a swab of cotton causing my nipples to harden as she dried them with her breath. She carefully aligned the first flesh colored globe and pressed firmly onto my chest. She held her hand there while repeating the process with the other prosthetic. Once done and stepped back, “Pretty good, the edges blend in really well with your skin tone but we’ll have to add some color.”
I was silent but glanced back at my hands.
“It’s a little late now.” Polly said noticing my look. “But don’t worry, I can assure you Alex will think twice before attempting such blackmail again.”
“What are you going to do?” I asked wondering what could possible make Alex “think twice” about anything.
“You’ll see, now for your foundation garments.” She said with a giggle while lifting a stiff roll of black satin from the bed. “You’ve worn this before.”
At this point I closed my eyes and sagged against my own arms, while noticing how my hands continued their fierce grip. Polly wrapped the corset around my waist paying careful attention to the cups of the corset to further enhance my faux cleavage. She then tightened the laces until any attempt to bend over to see my feet beyond the shelf of fake flesh would be impossible. I barely felt her hands slide over my new curves through the stiffness of the corset. “That will do nicely. I mean you already have a nice shape.”
I shook my head in silence.
“Now for the best part.” Polly held up the stereotypical French Maid’s dress in front of her. It had a tight waist and broad skirts with white petticoats just visible beneath. “Is it ironic that you asked me to wear this for your Christmas gift?” Polly tapped one finger against the corner of her mouth in thought. “No, it’s not irony, something else. Anyway, lift a leg.”
Resistance was apparently futile so I complied and she pulled the dress up my now fishnet and satin covered body. Than I realized she could not force my hands into the puffy short sleeves unless I let go of the scarf. Perhaps her plans would be thwarted at last. “Alright Jack I need one of your hands.” Her cool fingers found my tight fist and as if by some spell, my grip relaxed and the hand came free of the pink scarf. My shock must have been plain because she smiled at my reaction. “Thought you couldn’t let go?”
I nodded absently still marveling at the power Polly wielded. “You can do anything to me?”
Polly’s eyes narrowed into slits and her voice dropped to a whisper. “Yes probably, but I promise you’ll enjoy it.” She then slid my arm through the sleeve. “Now the other hand.”
I complied and even remained still while the dress was zipped up the back. Polly spent a few moments fussing with the wide skirts supported by the short petticoats. She then adjusted the neckline which dropped nearly low enough to expose the corset until satisfied with the scandalous amount of exposed skin.
“Alright gloves or a manicure? I prefer gloves because a manicure takes time to do right but I’ll let you choose.” Polly said.
“Very funny, as if I had any choice about this whole affair.”
“Gloves it is then.” Polly answered without missing a beat and withdrew two long black tubes of black satin from the bag. She pulled them on my hands and now only a narrow sliver of skin was exposed between my arms and the puffy sleeves of the costume.
“I don’t think you’re in any position to give me any trouble but I really dig the helpless maiden look so if you would please put your hands behind your back.” Polly held up a black strap in her hand.
I rolled my eyes but at this point what did it matter, obviously some part of me enjoyed this. I had nothing but love for her, and even trusted her despite the evening’s events. So I put my hands behind my back and barely winced as she pulled my elbows together. Not touching but probably close enough for most observers. The effect of this was to further exaggerate my already fully displayed chest. At this point the maid’s dress would not be the first thing to catch the eye of anyone looking.
She lashed my wrists together but this was largely redundant and simply an attempt at completeness. “Alright, now, let’s go for a bit more. Something that will make Alex too stunned to speak.”
“What do you mean?” I asked with obvious nervousness.
“Hair and makeup of course.” Polly smiled. “Well, more makeup than hair since you don’t have much to work with.”
“You do know this is really humiliating?” I said.
“You shouldn’t be humiliated, I mean you look amazing. Millions of women would die to have a body like yours.”
This conversation was a common one. “Yes, I’m so proud.”
“Good.” Polly said ignoring the obvious sarcasm.” She pulled me into her bathroom and I carefully avoided my reflection as she worked on the subtle art of makeup. “You already have nice features, the makeup will only highlight your eyes and cheekbones a bit. Not any acne either, I wonder how you managed that.”
Polly finished much more quickly than I expected. “Would you like to see?” She asked.
“No thanks,” I answered.
“You don’t want to see my work?” Polly said while closing the tube of lipstick she had just finished using. “You’re still there, though it’s like you’re Kat’s younger, though much hotter, sister.”
“Great, just great.” I said resisting her attempts to get me to look in the mirror.
“Fine, be that way. Let’s see about your hair. “ Polly led me back to her room and carefully placed a small white cap on my head. “This would be easier if you kept your hair longer, would you mind not cutting it for a few months.”
My body has been hair free nearly since I met Polly due to her actions, and now she was asking me to grow the hair on my head. I wanted some control over my appearance, if not she would have me going to school in a dress. “No Polly, I don’t want long hair.”
Polly seemed surprised. I did not put any heat into the words just a simple statement of refusal. “Ok, if you’re sure?”
“Quite sure.”
“You would look amazing.” She countered.
“I’m not trying to attract men.” I said daring to continue the oft discussed subject of her tendency to doll me up.
“It’s not about gender or attraction, it’s about beauty.” Polly said continuing the arguments she had made before. Problem was I agreed with her, men are not beautiful, that is the province of women. I just had no desire to be attractive, not that my desires counted for much.
“Well we’re almost done.” Polly said while disappearing from the room only to return moments later with a pair of black pumps that matched her own except these had a double strap that wrapped around each ankle. “Just these and we’re ready.”
Looking at the shoes with resignation I barely registered what she said. “Ready for what?”
“Going to see Alex, of course.”
“What?” I yelled. “I’m not going out like this.”
“We’re just going over to Alex’s apartment, nothing you haven’t done before.”
“What if you have an accident or get stopped by the police?” I asked.
“That would be awkward, but it’s not far and I’ll be careful. Now raise a foot, I doubt you could put these on by yourself with that stiff corset you’re wearing.”
“I’m not going.” I said flatly.
“You are, but since you are throwing a fit about it we’ll both wear those trench coats we wore to Ollie’s house last summer.”
I remembered the coats though the sexy leotards Polly and Kristy wore beneath them intruded into the memory more than the style of coat. “Fine, not like I have a choice anyway.” Though in hindsight I realized Polly was likely not crazy about being seen in the skin tight dress she wore either.
I was steady enough in the high heels, though it took a minute or two to get used to the height, especially with my arms bound behind me. Polly placed the long trench coat around my shoulders and tied the belt. She cleverly tucked the sleeves into the pockets to give the appearance of arms. We then drove toward Alex’s apartment. “Does she know we are coming?”
“I let her know to expect us.” Polly answered
My nerves about being outside in the maid’s dress were soon replaced by concern over Alex’s reaction to my appearance as we pulled into the parking lot in front of her apartment door. “I need you to wait here for just a few minutes. I need a private word with Alex before she sees you.”
“How long?” I said looking around the mostly deserted parking lot, not wanting to be alone in my predicament. “What if someone comes? I can’t even move.”
“A few minutes, Alex is pretty easy to manage.” Polly smiled and opened the door to leave. “I’ll be right back to fetch you.”
I waited through a long five minutes watching fallen leaves blow across the pavement. Polly returned with the wind tossing her trench coat enough for me to glimpse the shiny black of the dress that limited her stride. She opened the door and helped me to my feet and we walked the two dozen steps to Alex’s door which she opened quickly.
What I saw brought a small smile to my lips, the first one in several hours.