Chastity play on the first date

A story of chastity, temptation, anticipation, and an unexpected surrender.

The rain had transformed the London streets into a glittering tapestry of silver and gold. Beyond the restaurant windows, the city was settling into a cool October evening, its pavements glistening beneath the amber streetlights.

Daniel glanced at his watch.

Seven minutes to seven.

He had arrived early, partly out of good manners and partly because he was more nervous than he cared to admit.

At thirty-eight, he was hardly inexperienced when it came to women. He had enjoyed relationships, suffered disappointments, and endured his fair share of dreadful first dates. Yet something about tonight felt different.

Her name was Charlotte.

They had met online three weeks earlier, exchanging messages that had quickly progressed from polite introductions to deliciously playful conversations.

She was intelligent, witty, occasionally mischievous, and possessed an extraordinary talent for making perfectly innocent remarks sound as though they concealed something far more interesting.

Once, when he had jokingly described himself as a man who liked being in control, she had replied:

Oh, Daniel. I do hope you're not one of those men who insists on making all the decisions.

He had answered that he was perfectly capable of being flexible.

Her response had arrived almost immediately.

How very interesting. We shall have to see.

He had thought about those words rather more than he should have.

At precisely seven o'clock, Charlotte walked into the restaurant.

Daniel recognised her immediately.

She wore a fitted black dress beneath an elegant cream coat, her dark hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders. Her makeup was understated, her jewellery delicate, and her smile possessed precisely the combination of warmth and mischief he had imagined.

"Daniel?"

He stood.

"Charlotte. You look absolutely beautiful."

"Why, thank you."

She allowed her eyes to travel over him, taking in his navy jacket, open-collared shirt and carefully polished shoes.

"And you, Daniel, look like a man who's been wondering what to expect."

He laughed.

"Have I been that obvious?"

"Only a little."

She smiled as he pulled out her chair.

"Don't worry. I promise not to be too difficult."

"Too difficult?"

"Well, we wouldn't want you getting bored, would we?"

And with that, the evening began.

---

Dinner was wonderful.

They talked effortlessly, moving between subjects with the comfortable familiarity of people who had known each other for considerably longer than an hour.

Charlotte had a wonderfully expressive face. She raised an eyebrow when amused, tilted her head when curious, and possessed the most infuriating habit of allowing a silence to linger just long enough to make Daniel wonder what she was thinking.

He found himself wanting to impress her.

Not with stories about his career, his car or the places he had travelled, but with something altogether more personal.

He wanted her to find him interesting.

And Charlotte, he was discovering, liked interesting men.

"So," she said, halfway through their second glass of wine, "tell me something about yourself that you haven't told me already."

Daniel considered the question.

"Something embarrassing?"

"Not necessarily."

"Something surprising?"

"Preferably."

He smiled.

"Well, I once took ballroom dancing lessons."

Charlotte laughed.

"Really?"

"Unfortunately."

"That's rather charming."

"I was dreadful."

"Oh, I doubt that."

"I assure you, I was a danger to everyone on the dance floor."

She laughed again, and Daniel found himself enjoying the sound enormously.

"Your turn," he said.

"My turn?"

"Something surprising about you."

Charlotte leaned back in her chair.

For a moment, she appeared to consider her answer.

Then she smiled.

"I'm rather fond of men who can surprise me."

"That isn't particularly surprising."

"No?"

"Not really."

"Well, perhaps I should be more specific."

She lifted her wineglass, watching him over its rim.

"I like a man who knows when to take charge."

"Very reasonable."

"And..."

She paused.

"Who knows when not to."

Daniel raised an eyebrow.

"Now that sounds slightly more interesting."

Charlotte smiled into her wine.

"I thought you might think so."

There was something about the way she looked at him that made the space between them feel suddenly smaller.

Not uncomfortable.

Quite the opposite.

The restaurant continued around them: the soft clinking of glasses, the murmur of conversation, a distant piano playing something gentle and familiar.

Yet Daniel had become distinctly aware of Charlotte.

Of the faint perfume she wore.

The delicate movement of her fingers.

The way she occasionally held his gaze a fraction longer than necessary.

"So," he ventured, "would you say you're quite a dominant woman?"

Charlotte's eyebrows rose.

"My goodness, Daniel."

He laughed.

"Too direct?"

"Not at all."

She carefully placed her glass on the table.

"I simply wasn't expecting you to be quite so brave."

He grinned.

"Perhaps I'm full of surprises."

"Perhaps."

She considered him thoughtfully.

"But to answer your question, yes. I suppose I do enjoy being in charge occasionally."

"Occasionally?"

"When the mood takes me."

"And what puts you in that mood?"

Charlotte's smile became positively wicked.

"A gentleman who asks too many questions."

Daniel laughed.

"Then I may be in trouble."

"Oh, I wouldn't say trouble."

She leaned forward slightly.

"Not necessarily."

---

By the time dessert arrived, Daniel had abandoned any pretence that this was an ordinary first date.

Charlotte fascinated him.

She was not overtly flirtatious. She never resorted to obvious remarks or exaggerated gestures.

Her charm lay in something far more subtle.

She seemed to understand the peculiar excitement of anticipation.

The pleasure of leaving a question unanswered.

The quiet power of a suggestion.

When the waiter placed two coffees before them, Charlotte stirred hers thoughtfully.

"May I ask you something rather personal?"

Daniel smiled.

"I thought we'd been doing that all evening."

"Not quite like this."

Something in her expression made him sit a little straighter.

"Go on."

"Have you ever considered allowing a woman to have a little more control over you?"

He looked at her.

"Control?"

"Mm-hmm."

"In what sense?"

Charlotte took her time answering.

"Well, imagine meeting someone you found attractive. Someone who intrigued you. Someone whose company you enjoyed."

"So far, so good."

"And imagine that she suggested something rather unconventional."

"Such as?"

She smiled.

"Patience, Daniel. I'm getting there."

He laughed.

She continued.

"Imagine she wanted you to make a small promise. Something private. Something that belonged only to the two of you."

He watched her carefully.

"What kind of promise?"

Charlotte traced one finger around the rim of her coffee cup.

"Have you ever heard of male chastity?"

For a moment, Daniel simply stared at her.

Of all the questions he had anticipated that evening, this was certainly not one of them.

"Chastity?"

"Yes."

He gave a slightly incredulous laugh.

"I can't say it's something I've discussed over dessert before."

"There's a first time for everything."

Her expression remained perfectly composed.

Which, somehow, made the conversation even more intriguing.

"You're serious?" he asked.

"Quite."

He leaned back, studying her.

"And is it something that interests you?"

Charlotte smiled.

"Very much."

Daniel glanced at the little flame flickering between them.

He had heard of chastity arrangements before. The idea was not entirely unfamiliar, although he had never seriously considered participating in one.

Now, however, the concept seemed remarkably different.

Perhaps because it was no longer an abstract idea.

Perhaps because the woman sitting opposite him was so utterly captivating.

Or perhaps because Charlotte was discussing it with the same effortless elegance she had used earlier when recommending the chocolate fondant.

"Can I ask why?" he said.

"Why it interests me?"

"Yes."

Charlotte considered the question.

"I think anticipation can be a wonderful thing."

He nodded.

"Go on."

"These days, everything happens so quickly. People meet, they rush, they want everything immediately."

She paused.

"I rather like the idea of slowing things down."

Daniel smiled.

"By putting a man in chastity?"

Charlotte laughed.

"When you say it like that, it does sound wonderfully outrageous."

"Isn't it?"

"Perhaps a little."

Her eyes sparkled.

"But isn't that part of the fun?"

Daniel found himself smiling despite his astonishment.

"And what would you actually want?"

Charlotte leaned forward.

"Something very simple."

"Which is?"

"A gentleman who was curious enough to try."

There was a pause.

Then she added, almost casually:

"And perhaps gentlemanly enough to let me keep the key."

Daniel felt an unexpected little thrill of nervousness.

He looked at her.

"Are you asking me?"

Charlotte smiled.

"I'm wondering whether you might like me to."

---

They left the restaurant shortly after ten.

The rain had stopped, leaving the pavements shining beneath the streetlights.

Charlotte slipped her arm through Daniel's as they began walking.

For several minutes, they talked about ordinary things.

A new exhibition at the National Gallery.

A restaurant she wanted to try.

A terrible film they had both watched recently.

Yet Daniel's thoughts repeatedly returned to their extraordinary conversation.

Eventually, Charlotte noticed.

"You're awfully quiet."

"Am I?"

"Yes."

She glanced up at him.

"Have I frightened you away?"

He laughed.

"Not remotely."

"Then what's occupying that handsome head of yours?"

He hesitated.

"Your question."

"Which one? I've asked you rather a lot."

"You know perfectly well."

Charlotte smiled.

"Ah."

They walked another few steps.

Then she said, "And what have you decided?"

Daniel looked at her.

"I haven't decided anything."

"How sensible."

"But I am curious."

"Curiosity," Charlotte said, "is a very attractive quality."

He laughed.

"You seem to have an answer for everything."

"Not everything."

She stopped beneath a streetlamp and turned towards him.

"Tell me, Daniel. When was the last time you did something completely unexpected?"

He thought for a moment.

"I honestly can't remember."

"Then perhaps you're overdue."

Her smile was gentle, but there was a delicious suggestion of mischief behind it.

He studied her face.

"Would you really ask a man to do something like that on a first date?"

Charlotte appeared to consider the question seriously.

"Not just any man."

"Then what kind?"

"One who made me curious."

"And have I?"

"Oh, Daniel."

She smiled.

"You have no idea."

For a moment, neither moved.

The cool night air carried the scent of rain and distant traffic.

Charlotte's hand rested lightly against his chest.

Then, quite unexpectedly, she kissed him.

It was brief.

Soft.

Perfectly unhurried.

When she stepped back, Daniel was smiling.

"Well," he said, "that was unexpected."

Charlotte laughed.

"Was it?"

"A little."

"Good."

She took his hand.

"Come along. I'll make you a coffee."

---

Charlotte's apartment occupied the upper floor of a beautiful Victorian townhouse.

The sitting room was softly illuminated, its tall windows overlooking a quiet, tree-lined street.

There were books everywhere.

A vase of white roses stood on the mantelpiece, a candle burned on the coffee table, and somewhere a record player was murmuring an old jazz melody.

Daniel looked around appreciatively.

"This is lovely."

"Thank you."

Charlotte hung up her coat.

"Make yourself comfortable."

He settled onto the sofa while she disappeared into the kitchen.

For a few minutes, he was alone with his thoughts.

He wondered whether he had misunderstood her.

Perhaps she had simply been teasing him.

Perhaps the entire conversation about chastity had been nothing more than an unusually sophisticated form of flirtation.

Then Charlotte returned carrying two coffees.

She placed them on the table, settled beside him and tucked one leg comfortably beneath herself.

"Now then," she said.

Daniel smiled.

"Now then?"

"Have you recovered from your shock?"

"I wasn't shocked."

"No?"

"Surprised, perhaps."

Charlotte laughed.

"You're a terrible liar."

He grinned.

"All right. A little shocked."

"Better."

She sipped her coffee.

"And are you still curious?"

Daniel hesitated.

Then he nodded.

"Yes."

Charlotte placed her cup down.

"Would you like to see something?"

His curiosity sharpened immediately.

"Should I be worried?"

"Only if you have a very vivid imagination."

"I do, actually."

"Then perhaps you should be terribly worried."

She laughed at his expression before rising gracefully from the sofa.

"I'll be back in a moment."

Daniel watched her disappear into the adjoining room.

He could hear a drawer opening.

Then closing.

When Charlotte returned, she was carrying a small black leather box.

She placed it on the coffee table.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then she opened it.

Inside, resting against dark velvet, was a polished chastity device.

Beside it lay a tiny silver lock.

And a key.

Daniel stared.

Charlotte watched his expression with unconcealed amusement.

"Well?"

He laughed.

"You really weren't joking."

"Not even slightly."

He leaned forward.

The object looked almost disappointingly ordinary.

And yet the implications were anything but.

"May I?" he asked.

"Of course."

He lifted the little lock from the box.

It was surprisingly delicate, its silver surface catching the warm light.

Charlotte watched him turn it between his fingers.

"Funny, isn't it?"

"What?"

"How something so small can inspire such a lot of thought."

Daniel smiled.

"That's one way of putting it."

She reached across and gently took the lock from his hand.

"Another way," she said, "is that it makes a rather interesting promise."

He looked at her.

"Charlotte..."

"Yes?"

"Are you actually suggesting that I wear this?"

She smiled.

"Would you like to?"

He looked down at the open box.

Then back at her.

"You don't believe in making first dates ordinary, do you?"

"Ordinary dates can be very pleasant."

She paused.

"But I have a feeling you and I might enjoy something a little more memorable."

Daniel laughed quietly.

"You certainly know how to make a man think."

"Good."

Charlotte leaned back against the sofa.

"I like a thoughtful man."

He considered the box again.

"And if I did agree?"

Charlotte's expression softened into something almost affectionate.

"Then I would have a rather lovely little secret about you."

"A secret?"

"Mm-hmm."

She lifted the key.

"Imagine us having dinner together next week. Sitting opposite one another in some beautiful restaurant, talking about perfectly ordinary things."

Daniel watched the little key turning between her fingers.

"And?"

"And nobody around us would have the slightest idea."

She smiled.

"Not the waiter. Not the couple at the next table. Nobody."

He felt himself smiling.

"Except us."

"Exactly."

She let the key settle in her palm.

"Just our little secret."

Daniel was quiet for a long moment.

There was something undeniably captivating about the idea.

Not merely the device.

Not even the key.

It was Charlotte herself.

Her confidence.

Her wonderfully matter-of-fact approach to something so unconventional.

The way she seemed perfectly content to wait while he considered the possibility.

He had spent years making sensible decisions.

Choosing practical options.

Following familiar routines.

And now he was sitting in a beautiful woman's apartment, wondering whether to accept one of the most unusual invitations of his life.

Charlotte interrupted his thoughts.

"A penny for them?"

He laughed.

"They're worth considerably more than a penny."

"Are they?"

"Definitely."

"Then perhaps you should share."

Daniel looked at her.

"I think I'd like to try."

Charlotte's smile changed.

The mischief was still there, but beneath it was something warmer.

"Would you?"

He nodded.

"Yes."

She placed the key carefully on the table.

"Well, Daniel."

She leaned forward and kissed him lightly.

"That is a very interesting answer."

---

Some time later, the two of them were standing beside the fireplace.

The atmosphere had changed.

Not dramatically.

There had been no grand declaration, no theatrical performance.

Yet something quietly significant had taken place.

Daniel had made his choice.

The little black box lay open on the coffee table, its velvet lining almost empty.

Only the silver lock remained.

Charlotte stood before him, looking wonderfully composed.

Daniel, by contrast, was experiencing the extraordinary sensation of being both nervous and entirely certain of what he wanted.

She noticed his expression.

"You're thinking again."

"Can't help it."

"About what?"

He smiled.

"How I managed to get myself into this situation."

Charlotte laughed softly.

"Well, you did ask me out."

"I was expecting dinner."

"And you had dinner."

"And coffee."

"And coffee."

He glanced towards the little lock.

"And rather more besides."

Charlotte smiled.

"I did warn you I could be surprising."

"You certainly did."

She reached for the lock.

The tiny silver object rested between her fingers.

Then she looked at him.

"Come here, Daniel."

There was nothing harsh about the words.

She spoke softly, almost affectionately.

Yet he found himself responding to them with a curious immediacy.

He stepped closer.

Charlotte smiled.

"That's better."

She placed a hand lightly against his chest.

For a moment, she simply looked at him.

It was an extraordinary sensation, being studied with such calm, unmistakable interest.

"Do you know what I like about you?" she asked.

"What?"

"You're not quite as predictable as you pretend to be."

He laughed.

"I think tonight has established that."

"Indeed."

She brushed an imaginary speck from his shirt.

"And I rather suspect there's a mischievous side to you that doesn't get nearly enough attention."

"Perhaps."

"Perhaps?"

"All right. Definitely."

Charlotte smiled.

"Much better."

The soft jazz music continued in the background.

Outside, the rain had begun again.

Daniel could hear it whispering against the windows, accompanied by the gentle ticking of the mantel clock.

Charlotte glanced towards the lock.

Then back at him.

"Shall we?"

Daniel felt his heart quicken.

It was such a simple question.

Yet he knew that his answer would become the moment he remembered most clearly from their first date.

He looked into her eyes.

"Yes, Charlotte."

A small, satisfied smile appeared on her lips.

"Lovely."

She moved closer.

And suddenly the whole evening seemed to narrow into a collection of tiny, extraordinary details.

The soft warmth of the room.

The faint scent of Charlotte's perfume.

The way her dark hair caught the lamplight.

The almost imperceptible smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Daniel had imagined that this moment might feel strange.

Awkward, perhaps.

But it didn't.

It felt intimate in a way he had not anticipated.

There was a brief rustle of fabric as Charlotte attended to the discreet fastening, her movements calm and assured.

Then she paused.

The little silver lock rested between her fingers.

She looked up at him.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Daniel could see a question in her eyes.

He answered it with a small smile and a nod.

Charlotte smiled back.

Then, with quiet deliberation, she secured the lock.

Click.

It was the smallest sound imaginable.

A delicate metallic note.

Barely louder than the ticking of the clock.

Yet Daniel heard it with astonishing clarity.

For one extraordinary second, everything seemed perfectly still.

Charlotte withdrew the little key.

Then she straightened, holding it between her finger and thumb.

And smiled.

"There."

Such a simple word.

Spoken with such exquisite satisfaction.

Daniel looked at her.

He could scarcely believe what had just happened.

An hour earlier, he had been enjoying coffee after a perfectly delightful dinner.

Now he was standing in Charlotte's sitting room, wearing a locked chastity device, while the woman he had met only that evening held its key.

And perhaps the most surprising thing of all was how pleased he felt.

Charlotte studied his face.

"Well, Daniel?"

He laughed softly.

"Well, Charlotte."

"Not quite the evening you had planned?"

"Not remotely."

She stepped closer.

"And how does it feel?"

He searched for the words.

"Extraordinary."

"Extraordinary?"

"Yes."

She raised an eyebrow.

"That's a rather vague answer."

He smiled.

"I'm trying to understand it myself."

"Take your time."

He glanced at the key.

It looked almost absurdly small.

Yet he was acutely aware of its significance.

He had made a decision.

And now Charlotte was holding the physical reminder of it.

"I suppose," he said slowly, "it feels as though I've done something rather daring."

Charlotte smiled.

"You have."

"Something I never imagined doing."

"Until tonight."

"Until tonight."

She stepped closer and gently adjusted his collar.

"Well, I think you've been rather wonderful."

Daniel laughed.

"Have I?"

"Very."

She glanced down at the key in her hand.

"And I must admit..."

She paused deliberately.

"What?"

"I rather like knowing that you trusted me enough to say yes."

There was a tenderness in her voice that caught him off guard.

He reached for her hand.

Charlotte allowed him to take it.

For a moment, they stood quietly together.

Then she raised the little key.

"Now."

Daniel smiled.

"Now?"

"I have a question."

"Another one?"

"Just one."

He laughed.

"Go on."

Charlotte's eyes sparkled.

"Do you think you'll be able to concentrate when you see me again?"

Daniel shook his head.

"Not a chance."

She laughed.

"Excellent."

Then she kissed him.

It was longer than their first kiss.

Still gentle.

Still unhurried.

But there was a new warmth between them, an unmistakable awareness of the unusual little secret they now shared.

When Charlotte stepped back, Daniel was smiling.

"You're enjoying this enormously, aren't you?"

She looked almost offended.

"Daniel!"

He laughed.

"You are."

"Well..."

She gave him a wonderfully mischievous smile.

"I wouldn't want to pretend otherwise."

---

It was approaching midnight when Daniel finally prepared to leave.

Charlotte accompanied him to the door, her cream coat draped casually over one arm.

The apartment had grown quiet.

The record had finished playing, the candles were burning low, and outside the windows London shimmered beneath the rain.

Daniel slipped on his jacket.

"Well," he said, "I think we can safely say that was the most unusual first date I've ever had."

Charlotte smiled.

"Unusual in a good way, I hope?"

"In a very good way."

"Lovely."

She reached up and straightened his collar.

It had become a habit of hers already.

A small, affectionate gesture that Daniel found strangely endearing.

"Will I see you again?" he asked.

Charlotte appeared to consider the question.

"Hmm."

He laughed.

"You're not seriously going to make me wonder?"

"Well, Daniel..."

She reached into her pocket.

When her hand emerged, the little silver key was hanging from a narrow black ribbon.

She allowed it to sway gently between them.

"I do seem to have acquired something rather important."

Daniel smiled.

"I suppose you have."

"And it would be terribly rude not to arrange another meeting."

"Terribly rude."

"Quite."

She stepped closer.

"Friday evening?"

"I'd like that."

"Eight o'clock?"

"Perfect."

Charlotte smiled.

"There's a lovely little restaurant I've been meaning to try."

"Another restaurant?"

"Of course."

She looked at him innocently.

"Unless you've gone off dinner dates."

Daniel laughed.

"Not at all."

"Good."

She slipped the ribbon around her neck.

The little key disappeared discreetly beneath the neckline of her dress.

Daniel watched the movement, unable to disguise his smile.

Charlotte noticed.

Naturally.

"Oh, Daniel."

"What?"

"You're staring."

He laughed.

"Sorry."

"Don't apologise."

She touched the little ribbon at her neck.

"I rather like that you know it's there."

He shook his head, grinning.

"You're impossible."

"Am I?"

"Completely."

She stepped forward and kissed him once more.

"Goodnight, Daniel."

"Goodnight, Charlotte."

He opened the door.

Then paused.

"Charlotte?"

"Yes?"

He hesitated, suddenly feeling almost shy.

"Thank you."

Her expression softened.

"For dinner?"

He laughed.

"For a wonderful evening."

Charlotte smiled.

"The pleasure was mine."

Then, just as he began walking towards the stairs, she called after him.

"Daniel?"

He turned.

She was leaning against the doorframe, her dark hair falling loosely over one shoulder.

"Yes?"

Her smile was pure mischief.

"Try not to think about me too much."

He laughed.

"That's going to be rather difficult."

"Good."

She touched the ribbon at her neck.

"Then I'll see you on Friday."

And with that, she closed the door.

---

Outside, London was quiet.

Daniel walked slowly towards the main road, the cool night air brushing against his face.

A taxi passed, sending a fine spray of rainwater across the pavement.

Somewhere in the distance, a church bell chimed midnight.

He smiled to himself.

He had left home that evening expecting an ordinary date.

A pleasant meal.

Perhaps a kiss.

Possibly the promise of seeing an attractive woman again.

Instead, he had experienced something entirely unexpected.

He thought about Charlotte.

Her confidence.

Her wicked little smile.

The way she could turn the simplest sentence into something that lingered in his imagination.

And, of course, the key.

That tiny silver key.

Now hanging from a black ribbon around her neck.

He found himself wondering whether she would wear it to work.

Whether she would occasionally touch it absentmindedly while reading.

Whether she might smile to herself whenever she remembered what it represented.

The thought made him laugh.

His telephone vibrated.

A message.

Charlotte: Home safely?

He smiled and typed a reply.

Daniel: Almost. Just getting a taxi.

Her response came quickly.

Charlotte: Good. I've had a lovely evening.

Daniel: So have I. Although I think you may have ruined ordinary first dates for me.

A moment passed.

Then:

Charlotte: Oh dear. How unfortunate.

He laughed.

Another message appeared.

Charlotte: Still, perhaps we can make Friday equally memorable.

Daniel looked down at his telephone.

Daniel: I'm beginning to suspect you already have plans.

Three little dots appeared.

Disappeared.

Then appeared again.

Finally, her reply arrived.

Charlotte: Daniel, darling. I'm a woman who likes to plan ahead.

He shook his head, smiling.

Before he could answer, another message appeared.

Charlotte: And I do hope you won't forget our little arrangement.

Daniel glanced towards the rain-darkened street.

Daniel: I don't think forgetting is going to be a problem.

Her final message came a few seconds later.

Charlotte: Wonderful. Then sleep well, handsome. And remember...

A pause.

Then another message.

Charlotte: I have the key.

Daniel stared at the words.

He could almost hear her voice.

That calm, elegant, gently teasing voice.

He smiled and slipped the telephone into his pocket.

Across London, in her softly illuminated bedroom, Charlotte stood before her dressing table.

She removed the black ribbon from around her neck and allowed the tiny silver key to settle into her palm.

For a moment, she simply looked at it.

Then she smiled.

Daniel had surprised her.

That was the lovely thing about the evening.

She had expected an enjoyable dinner with an interesting man.

She had hoped for good conversation, perhaps a little flirtation, and possibly the beginning of something worth exploring.

What she hadn't expected was how much she would like him.

His humour.

His honesty.

His endearing nervousness.

And the wonderful way his expression had changed when he realised she was completely serious about her unusual proposition.

She placed the key inside a small velvet-lined jewellery box.

Then reconsidered.

Smiling to herself, she retrieved it, slipped the ribbon back around her neck, and tucked the key beneath her nightdress.

Somehow, keeping it close seemed rather appropriate.

Her telephone vibrated.

One last message.

Daniel: Charlotte?

She smiled.

Charlotte: Yes, darling?

Daniel: Is it Friday yet?

Charlotte laughed aloud.

Then she typed her reply.

Charlotte: Patience, Daniel.

She paused, considering her next words.

And smiled.

Charlotte: I have a feeling you're going to become very good at waiting.

She placed her telephone on the bedside table and turned out the light.

Outside, London slept beneath a soft curtain of rain.

And somewhere across the city, Daniel lay awake for a little while longer, thinking about a beautiful woman, an extraordinary first date, and a tiny silver key that was no longer his to keep.

For the first time in a very long while, he was looking forward to Friday with almost unbearable anticipation.

Charlotte, meanwhile, closed her eyes with a contented smile.

She had gone out for dinner.

She had met a charming man.

And, quite unexpectedly, she had become a keyholder.

Not bad, she thought.

Not bad for a first date at all.

The End.