Nanite Dating, Pt. 2 - TG

     The evening continued with a bit more dancing, more anecdotal stories about the places they'd visited together.  Seemed Rick was quite the jet-setter, hitting Australia one week, Alaska the next.  Joanne continued to play along, effortlessly slipping into the role as Katrina.

     Feeling a little light-headed after all the champagne, Joanne dozed in the car on the way to Rick's house.  A slight bump woke her, and she saw they were pulling up to a magnificent mansion.

     "Is this where you live?" she asked.

     "It is where I reside.  I don't believe one can truly 'live' in a house.  I live all over the world," he said with a keen smile.

     Rick graciously offered his arm and escorted her inside.  The entry way was sheer elegance and the butler, maid and cook met them when they arrived.

     "Welcome back, Miss Katrina," the bulter said in a Portuguese accent.

     "Hello, again," she said with a smile.

     "Magenta, please make sure Miss Katrina's room is prepared.  Alejandro, a nightcap in the sitting room, please."  The maid and butler nodded and departed on their tasks.  Rick began to escort her through the house.

     "I'm not sure I can handle another drink," she said.  Rick smiled.

     "My nightcap is not alcohol.  It's very good for avoiding the hangover," he explained.

     "Oh, well, that's good to know. I think I might need something like that after tonight," she said, easing herself onto the couch.  Her dress was starting to pinch uncomfortably, and she shifted in obvious distress.

     "Would you like to change into something more comfortable?  I can have Magenta bring you a nightgown," Rick suggested, sitting on the arm of the couch.  The blazing fire lit up the side of his face.  Joanne looked up at him, then down into her cleavage and gulped.

     "Um, actually, I'm pretty tired," she said, sitting up.  "Maybe I should just turn in for the night.  We've got a busy day tomorrow, right?"

     Rick smiled down at her and moved to her feet.  Kneeling down, he unbuckled the strap on her heels and set the shoes aside.  He then began kneading the soreness from her feet.  Joanne moaned and slumped back onto the couch.  His hands were like magic, and she could swear it was even turning her on.

     "Katrina loved my foot rubs," he commented.  Joanne could only hum in approval.  Alejandro arrived with their drinks and set them on the table without a word before disappearing back into the darkness.

     Joanne's feet were tingling like mad when Rick finally stopped and offered her a tall glass of a green drink.  He held up his own glass for a toast.

     "To us," he said.  She smiled warmly, basking in the afterglow of the sensuous foot massage and clinked her glass with his.  The drink was fruity, but also packed a punch at the end.  Her whole body relaxed and before she knew it, Rick was sitting next to her.

     Joanne tensed a little bit to be this close to Rick, but the alcohol in her system softened the reaction.  He reached over and pushed a lock of hair over her ear in a soft, tender motion.  He just seemed to gaze into her face like a goofy teenager.

     "Is everything all right, Rick?" she finally said.  He seemed to shake himself out of his stupor.

     "I'm sorry.  I keep forgetting you're new to this.  Katrina and I often sit close and talk, and usually one thing leads to another," he explained.  "I wouldn't want to force you to do anything you weren't comfortable with."

     Joanne felt a little guilty.  Seduction and satisfaction were supposed to be part of the job, and she'd done it plenty of times as a man.  She shouldn't let a little thing like being a woman put a damper on her performance, should she?

     "No, no.  It's okay.  I just ... I'm not used to ... What do you talk about?" she said, turning to face him.

     "Oh, nothing really.  Life, the universe, the future," Rick said, his eyes glancing up at her on the last word.  "Can I just say, Joanne, that you were splendid company this evening.  If I have to be honest, I'd even say you performed better than Becky, or any of the other women who'd portrayed my beloved Katrina."

     Joanne gulped at the appellation.  "Well, I ..." she stammered.  "I had fun too."

     Rick set down his drink and took her hand tenderly.  "Joanne, at the risk of sounding forward, would you be willing to make our relationship a bit more permanent?" he asked.

     Joanne was stunned.  "Permanent?" she squeaked.

     "I've known for some time now that Becky just enjoyed being pampered, but looking as she did, as I'd requested, I was able to overlook most of her shortcomings.  But now, with you, I feel a much better connection.  You are the woman I always imagined Katrina to be.  I would like it very much if you would continue ... As my beloved," he said.

     Something about Rick's voice, the way he was asking for Joanne's affection, was causing a warm tingle down her back.  He was being so romantic; so sincere.  Joanne knew how she should respond.

     "Oh, Rick," she breathed, leaning in and kissing him deeply.  The warmth and tingling only intensified as he slipped one hand around her waist and pulled her into him.  She instinctively hooked an arm around his neck as he effortlessly lifted her from the couch and carried her across the room.