Six years later; June 2008
Kate stood at the counter, cash in hand. She did not want an electronic record of this particular purchase.
"That will be $84.95," the woman said, her face a picture of nonjudgemental professionalism. This was her business, and she respected every person's right to experiment within an intimate relationship.
Kate drew in a sharp breath. The price was more than she'd wanted to spend, especially on what amounted to only a half-anniversary, but she had cautious hopes that the end result would be worth it. She really wanted this risk to pay off.
In the 21st century, six months was a noteworthy milestone for any relationship, but especially for two people in very demanding, high stress jobs. That she and Will were still together, and by all indications moving in an increasingly committed direction, was to Kate's mind, a testament to their compatibility. While it was still way too soon to be thinking about anything too permanent, she felt that a little demonstration of trust and personal vulnerability was a step they were ready to take. That it was also wickedly illicit left Kate feeling a combination of self-consciousness and naughty excitement.
A few weeks earlier, a late-night pillow talk session had turned quite revealing when Kate and Will had discovered a mutual willingness to explore somewhat darker desires and fantasies in the bedroom. The conversation, laden with euphemisms as it was, left Kate entertaining an idea for their impending semi-anniversary that had ultimately brought her to this particular shop, buying this particular gift.
"Would you like to see them?" the owner, Elizabeth according to her name tag, asked when Kate had paid the $85.
Kate nodded silently, as terror, self-consciousness, and anticipation tore through her system with equal vigor.
Elizabeth lifted the lid on the white, shoe-sized box. Inside was a mass of black tissue paper, strategically placed to conceal the contents within. Moving the paper aside, the woman removed one black leather cuff, about three inches wide and adorned with a silver buckle and two matching circular rings.
Kate accepted the proffered cuff, feeling the softness of the leather and already imaging it wrapped securely around her wrist. Was it wrong that she was looking forward to this so much, she wondered to herself.
The other cuff was identical, and included a small clasp that hooked to one of the rings on its twin, linking the cuffs together.
As if on cue, Elizabeth began pointing out the hand stitching, the high quality of the leather, the secure yet comfortable fit, and the promise that no marks would be left on her wrists due to the soft and even distribution of resistance. "These are qualities that make the custom products worth the price compared to the inferior material used in the mass produced varieties, such as those over there," she said, pointing out the various cuffs lining the wall.
Kate nodded again, having heard the sales pitch on her first visit to the shop to look into her options for what to get Will. Custom gear seemed a bit excessive for their first foray into light bondage, but her profound love of good shoes and her time on the back of a motorcycle had taught her a deep respect for quality leather. It was one thing she was willing to pay for under any circumstances.
Once rewrapped, Kate thanked the store-owner, walked out of the shop, and began bolstering her courage to revisit a sexual world that was, for Kate, as alluring as it was intimidating.