Andrea Maurer loved a bit of public bondage. That excursion through the park several months ago with Mariam while she’d been bound and gagged was one of her fondest moments in a relationship overflowing with them, that kinky adventure made all the more memorable by the Persian beauty’s declaration of love… not to mention the pleasures they’d shared afterwards. Since moving to the townhouse she’d inherited from Great-Aunt Leslie, the two young women continued to dabble in it, the cold winter nights providing plenty of opportunities for the beautiful redhead to move about while secretly bound, the fear of discovery minimized by the fact that, this late at night, the streets, alleyways and public parks were largely empty, with none disturbing their pleasures.

Until now. Until tonight. Above the thick woolen scarf, and the leather panel gag it concealed, bright blue eyes widened with recognition at the approaching figure, and Andrea felt the sudden desperate urge to flee. Not that she could, of course. The usual restraints they employed in public bondage were in place and holding firm; a short leather armbinder to keep her arms bound behind her back in a reverse prayer position, leather cuffs hobbling her booted ankles, each connected to the leather belt at her waist by lengths of thin chain, and a leather posture collar to complete the ensemble. All this lay concealed beneath her scarf and a long black overcoat, perfectly natural attire for such a cold spring evening, but that he of all people should stumble upon one of their kinky games… Please, just don’t notice us. Please. You shouldn’t even be out late at night anyways!

Too late.

“Andrea?” a warm tenor broken the night’s quiet, and the redhead’s guts turned to ice as a figure she knew quite intimately made his way towards the two young women, offering a smile of genuine pleasure. “What are you doing out here this late?” In his late twenties, he cut a handsome figure, tall, confident and dark-haired, with the sort of honest and affable demeanour that instinctively drew women towards him, even before they got a good look at his sculptural features. Behind black-framed glasses, warm grey eyes examined Andrea for a moment, before turning towards the dark-haired beauty beside her. “Sorry, I should have introduced myself. I’m—"

“Arthur Langstrom,” Mariam finished, politely offering her hand to the newcomer. “One of Andrea’s colleagues at Global Affairs, right? It’s nice to finally meet you, I’ve heard so many good things about you.”

“I’ve actually warranted a mention?” Arthur remarked teasingly as he shook the proffered hand, unable to conceal his pleasure. “And you must be the famed Mariam Kamal. Andrea speaks very highly of you as well.”

“Does she now?” the Persian beauty purred, reaching up and giving her upper arm a comforting squeeze. “I’m so glad to hear it.”

“So what are you two up to?” asked Arthur, glancing back towards Andrea, the beginnings of a frown forming. “You seem a little quiet there, Andrea. Everything okay?”

Oh, perfectly fine. I just have an imitation cock shoved halfway down my throat, so I can’t really chat right now! Andrea remarked to herself, a blush spreading over her pale features at the thought of that little detail ever becoming public. With each passing heartbeat, she became ever more desperate, hoping against hope he’d just bugger off and go away, but there was little chance of that. Arthur was a good man, always eager to help those in need, and for the past year, he’d been as true and as steadfast a friend as she ever could have hoped for, kind and generous and respectful… and would never abandon her if she was in trouble. Her nervousness grew, heart pounding frantically at her breast, and she dared not move for fear of the creak of leather or clink of chains giving her away. If their kinky activities ever became public…

“She’s just feeling under the weather, that’s all,” Mariam quickly covered for her, the lie passing so smoothly from her full lips it may as well have been practiced. “Bit of a sore throat, apparently, so she doesn’t want to strain her voice.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Sounds like she needs to be getting home, then,” Arthur expressed in mild reproof.

“Trust me, we are. Just needed to swing by the drugstore to pick up some medicine. Isn’t that right, babe?”

Andrea nodded as best as the posture collar would permit. “Is there anything I can do to help?” Arthur persisted. “I’d be happy to escort you both home, if you like.”

Just go away! came the redhead’s desperate inward scream. It was just like him to be helpful and gallant and oh-so polite, and while such attributes were some of his best qualities, right now, she hated them with a passion that bordered on madness. If you’re offended, I’ll apologize to you a thousand times over once I’m not gagged, but please, just leave!

“That’s kind of you to offer, but I think we’ll be fine,” Mariam demurred. “We’re pretty close to our place, anyways.”

“Right, this townhouse Andrea was telling me about. It working out for you both?”

Arthur, if my love of bondage winds up becoming public knowledge because you felt like having a friendly chat with my girlfriend, I’m going to kill you…

“Oh, it’s wonderful. Tell you what, maybe we can have you over for dinner one day? When Andrea’s in better health, of course.”

“I’d like that. Well, I won’t keep you,” said Arthur. “Pleasure to meet you, Mariam, and I hope you feel better soon, Andrea. Don’t feel you have push yourself either; I can cover for you if you’re still feeling sick in the morning.”

With that generous offer, the young man ventured out into the night, leaving them alone once more in the parkette, and Andrea let loose a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding in. “Exciting, huh?” Mariam quipped, planting a small kiss on her lover’s forehead. “You doing all right, babe?”

“Mmmpppgghhh…” the redhead groaned. It struck her how public and exposed they were now, and a desperate urge came over her to get back inside so that this near miss need not be repeated. “Mmmmppggghh, nnngghh! Mmmpppgghhh!”

“It’s okay, we’ll get back in a bit,” Mariam assured her, gently taking hold of Andrea’s shoulder and guiding her back down the path towards to the townhouse. “Still, you have to admit that the risk of discovery is what gives public bondage its spice, right?” The Persian beauty leaned in close, warm breath tickling her lover’s ear and drawing a moan of pleasure. “Especially when it’s by your ex…”

“Mmmmpppgghhh…” Yes, she’d never had a former lover come face-to-face with a current one before, and certainly never under such circumstances. Admittedly, her relationship with Arthur had been a brief one that never went public, a month-long passionate affair between two colleagues before both realized they weren’t comfortable dating a coworker. Still, he was a good man, and deserved to find happiness. Now, if he could just not unwittingly stumble into one of our bondage games, that would be great…

“He seems like a nice fellow,” the Persian beauty opined. She must have seen the astonishment on Andrea’s face, for she chuckled softly before leaning back in. “And I know I have absolutely nothing to worry about. Now come on. Public bondage is fun and all, but right now, I’m in the mood for something rather more private…”