In the Doghouse - Chapter 154
Courtney knew exactly what was making her uneasy but tried her best to ignore it. Her concerns weren’t just physical.
She truly wanted to understand Richard’s feelings. Would something like this be enough for him? Would rougher, more intense play satisfy him? No matter how much she pondered, the question continued to nag at her.
But she couldn’t stall forever. Days kept passing, and Richard had begun showing subtle signs of anticipation. Finally, after lunch one day, she lowered her gaze to the floor and, as if in a hurry, said quietly,
“Tonight.”
There was no immediate reply. Courtney suddenly felt her mouth go dry, as if she were awaiting a judgment rather than making a plan for the night.
Should she say she needed more time? She stole a glance upward.
Richard was watching her, his expression oddly tense. Surprised by his reaction—she’d expected him to be delighted—she found herself flustered. In a steady voice, he spoke.
“Courtney.”
“Yes?”
“You don’t need to force yourself. I’m fine waiting longer, or even forgetting about it entirely if you’re not comfortable…”
His voice trailed off, tinged with regret. Just moments earlier, her face had looked anything but enthusiastic. He began to worry that he’d pushed her into something she didn’t want.
Courtney’s face flushed deeply. The embarrassment of him seeing through her feelings was overwhelming. Had she shown her hesitation so clearly? Guilt-ridden, she switched to a more teasing approach to hide her discomfort.
“No, not at all! What are you talking about? Is it because you’re nervous?”
“Me? No, it’s just… you didn’t look too thrilled.”
“Maybe I’m just a bit anxious, sure. But you should be nervous, too!”
She stuck to her stance, deflecting with a bold tone. Better to stubbornly insist than to offer a clumsy excuse.
Richard watched her with an unreadable gaze, as if he could see right through her. Sweat trickled down her neck. After a long moment, he shrugged his shoulders.
“If it was a misunderstanding, I apologize.”
“See? Don’t think such foolish things. I’ve prepared so much for this.”
Arms crossed in a display of confidence, she pretended not to notice the way her words only heightened his anticipation. If she’d gone this far, there was no backing down.
Richard remained quiet for a moment, and she shifted her gaze away awkwardly. Wasn’t he convinced? Finally, he nodded calmly.
“All right. Tonight, then.”
It worked. Courtney exhaled a sigh of relief, secretly. Now that she looked more closely, she noticed his slightly flushed cheeks and reddened ears. He was trying not to show it, but the happiness on his face was unmistakable.
She stifled a smirk. Acting tough when he was clearly excited. With her earlier tension eased, she casually added her final instructions.
“Oh, and make sure to… clear yourself out beforehand. Tonight will be tiring enough without adding that to the mix.”
“Understood.”
As he replied, his cheeks grew even redder. He was especially bashful today. She felt a sudden urge to push him over right then and there, but she held herself back. After all, tonight wouldn’t be an easy one.
“See you later.”
She tried to sound nonchalant as she turned to leave. She could hear his footsteps heading in the opposite direction. Peeking back, she noticed his stride was slightly awkward, and she chuckled quietly, knowing exactly why.
She felt a surge of confidence. They were just a married couple about to enjoy an intense night together—no need to overthink it. Who cared if it was a bit different? She had prepared thoroughly, and tonight would be a night to remember.
* * *
A perfect night. Richard could only describe it as such. True to her reputation for never letting him down, Courtney had meticulously prepared beyond his expectations.
From the moment he entered the bedroom, it all began. His vision was taken from him first. A double-layered blindfold was slipped over his eyes, blocking out all light. With nothing else to go on, he had no way of knowing what was to come.
Somewhere in the darkness, her voice reached him.
“Open your mouth.”
Without hesitation, he opened wide, and a round ball was pushed into his mouth, preventing him from closing or opening his mouth freely. Courtney fastened the buckle at the back of his head, effectively taking away his power to speak.
Ah, she’d started by restricting his senses. It was flawless—so utterly perfect. What would she do to him? Anticipation sent a cold thrill through him, and his whole body shivered at even the lightest touch from her.
Her voice came in a soft, playful whisper.
“Good. Now, just stay still.”
