A Miss Masque Adventure

Miss Masque: An Orchid's Kiss - Part 1


"OOOFFFFFF!!!" The air leaves my lungs with a painful gasp, a powerful iron
hard fist crashing into my toned stomach, wrinkling my smooth red leotard as
it punishes my chiseled abdominals. The blow would have doubled me over if it
wasn't for the two massive meat hooks wrapped around the insides of my elbows,
holding my slender arms tightly behind my back. My name is Sally Graham,
overworked paralegal by day, and stunning super heroine at night, though right
now I find my red and black clad form held tightly in the embrace of an over
muscled ox named Bo Adamson. Tonight had started like any other, a rush to get
home, a quick catch up on personal emails and social media, and for once I
managed to get a load of laundry started. Then I heeded the call of the night
and slipped out of my dressy business clothes, trading them in for a sleek and
sexy seamless black sports bra and matching compression thong. My long
athletic legs are clad in a pair of smooth black tights, while a snug fitting
glossy red leotard hugs my lovely feminine form, cut high on my hips to show
off a bit of my tight butt, and held securely in place by two little shoulder
straps. The leotard has a bit of a plunging neckline, giving a nice
distracting view of my cleavage. I wear a sleek black leather jacket over my
leotard along with a pair of wrist length black gloves. Sexy knee high red
leather lace up boots wrap tightly around my legs, and my costume is completed
by a snug fitting utility belt and an identity concealing black domino mask.
Emerald Pines hasn't figured out a name for me yet, but I am the red headed
fury of the night known as Miss Masque, only tonight I may be having a bit of
an off night. "UNNNGNGGHH!!" Another fist crashes into my stomach, knocking
out the breath I had just managed to take in. The punches hurt, but they
aren't doing a ton of damage, I just need a moment to catch my breath. I take
a risk and let my eyes flutter behind my black mask, giving a painful sigh as
I let my muscles relax, my body going limp as I sag back against my captor. Bo
swallows up my lithe frame in his massive arms, the brute standing well over
six foot tall. "Well so much for miss vigilante..." He taunts me, thinking me
helpless and out in his arms. "Yeah, who does she think she is? Some kind of
super hero?" His accomplice laughs and I can feel his eyes wandering up and
down my body. I breathe in slowly through my nose, waiting for my chance,
praying to God that he doesn't hit me again, or punch me in the face. Bruises
on the face are a bit hard to explain at work, and you can only use the "I
fell off the treadmill at the gym" excuse so many times.

I take a minute to think about how I wound up here, in this alley being used
as a punching bag by two heroin pushers. I had come across Bo's name at work
of course, one of the perks of being a paralegal with access to all kinds of
legal and case information. He had recently worked out a plea deal to get out
of jail time for dealing, but in reality he had really just ratted out his
superiors so he could slide into their spot once he got back on the streets. I
had been watching him, and it had only taken him a grand total of four hours
after leaving court to meet with his supplier. You should have seen the shock
on his face when the gorgeous Miss Masque dropped from a nearby fire escape in
the middle of his exchange. His supplier had ditched him, fleeing on foot as
Bo stood there looking like a deer caught in headlights, but his survival
instinct had kicked in and he had shouldered the book bag his supplier gave
him and made a run for it. I of course had pursued, thinking I had everything
in the bag. I'd catch up to him, giving him a pummeling he'd never forget, tie
him up, and leave him for the Emerald Pines police. He'd be back in jail that
night and with any luck, roll over on his supplier to weasel his way out. I'm
no stranger to how things work, and even though I want to bust all of these
criminals and keep them off the street, if one of them spills the beans on his
supply chain that gets a lot more bad guys off the street, even if he gets
away with a slap on the wrist. The only little wrinkle in my plan occurred
when Bo took a hard left and dashed down an alley. Not even thinking I ran
full speed after him, not knowing what was in that alley and not worrying
about it, until a black gloved fist had appeared out of nowhere and socked my
right in the side of the face. Being completely off guard, the punch had
felled me like a freshly cut tree, sending me flying across the alley to crash
unceremoniously into a stack of rubber trash cans. I landed somewhat softly on
a pile of smelly garbage bags, and then each one of the cans had teetered for
a moment and fallen on top of me, plunking me in the head, chest, and stomach.
I was still in la la land from the surprise punch to the face, so I barely
even felt them as they hit me, it just added insult to injury as I lay there
splayed on my back, stars circling my head like I was Glass Joe from Mike
Tyson's Punchout. A cruel fist had grabbed a handful of my red leotard and
dragged my limp form out of the garbage pile,and then a hard slap to the face
had knocked me for another loop. Powerful arms had manhandled me into a
restraining hold, and here we are.

"Man we are gonna have some fun with you bitch..." Bo hisses in my ear, and I
feel his accomplice move in closer. They sandwich me, swallowing me up between
them. I can feel Bo's muscled chest against my upper back, as his accomplice
uses a gloved hand to brush some of my short red hair out of my masked face.
They don't see me as a threat, all they see is a soft vulnerable little girl
in a sexy red and black costume, playing super hero. Bo's accomplice can't
resist my tempting face, eyes closed softly behind my mask as my lips are
slightly parted in a soft pout of defeat, my toned and alluring form limp and
controlled in his buddy's arms. What they don't realize is I'm playing possum,
and it's working. A little too well in fact as the goon in front of me places
his gloved hands on my trim hips, resting them on either side of my belt. He
slides them up my slender frame, caressing the smooth fabric of my red leotard
as he brings them up to cup my ample breasts, giving them a disgusting
squeeze. "Noooo..." I moan softly, trying to sound as helpless as possible. I
learned a painful lesson earlier in the night, and now I'm going to teach
these bozos one. I slowly open my eyes behind my mask, Bo's disheveled looking
buddy giving me a grin as he sees me awaken, his grubby hands crudely fondling
my breasts through my costume. His grin vanishes a second later and he screams
bloody murder as I knee him right in his family jewels. He drops to his knees,
eyes bulging out of his head, which just so happens to fall at the proper
level for a well aimed and rather vicious side kick. The snap of my boot
against his face echoes through the entire alley, and I feel Bo shift
nervously behind me. "What the fuck!!!" Is all he has time to yell before I
slam my boot heel down on his toe, at the same time swinging my head back to
crack him right in the chin with a powerful reverse head butt. My arms slip
free of his weakened grasp and I spin quickly, pounding several punches into
his midsection. He staggers, but doesn't go down, so I follow up with a
powerful palm strike to his sternum, making him grunt in pain and open his
eyes wide as he feels his heart flutter in his chest. The stubborn mule
remains on his wobbling knees, so I help him go down with a swift red boot
between his legs. He crumbles to his knees as his eyes bulge and give him a
nice view of the street as I grab the back of his head in my black gloved
hands and smash it as un-gently as possible into the pavement. Bo is down for
the count, his mountains of muscle now useless to him as he sleeps off an ass
kicking given to him by Miss Masque.

I turn back around, expecting his buddy to jump me, but the coward is crawling
for the street, still nursing his smashed bait and tackle. He screams as I
grab him by his torn denim jacket and yank him up to his feet. "No one sucker
punches Miss Masque!!" I yell angrily as I shove him forward into a nearby
trash dumpster, enjoying the hollow clang of the metal as his face bounces off
of it. I spin him around and tattoo his left cheek with a well practiced and
powerful right cross. The back of his head recoils loudly off of the dumpster
this time and he falls forward, his face crashing off of my knee strike on the
way down as he collapses in an unconscious heap. "That's for touching my
breasts....sicko!! Ewww!!" I shudder for a moment, feeling a bit icky knowing
that I spent the better part of the last ten minutes laying in a pile of
garbage and being manhandled by a bunch of smelly goons. That isn't nearly
enough to stop Miss Masque though, and I quickly compose myself and get on
with my business. I don't have any rope or handcuffs, but thankfully Bo and
his buddy are both wearing belts. I use them as makeshift restraints and leave
them sitting back to back at the entrance to the alley, Bo's book bag sitting
in his lap. Both of them are going to be out for awhile, so I slip a black
flip phone out of a pouch on my belt. "Um...hello? Emerald Pines Police??
Yes...I uh, just saw two brutish looking men dragging a young woman down an
alley...I think she needs help! No!! Are you kidding me???! I was too scared
to follow them!! Please hurry!!" I give the dispatcher an address for the
nearby barber shop, then hang up, tossing my burn phone into the nearby trash
pile. One of the problems with being a fresh young vigilante in a new town,
the police don't really trust Miss Masque just yet. I slip silently up the
nearby fire escape and take a break on the rooftop, checking myself for cuts
and bruises, which I thankfully don't find. My face is sore from where I took
the sucker punch, but it's nothing a little ice pack and make up won't take
care of. I wait just long enough for the cops to show up and find Bo and his
buddy, and then I slip off into the darkness. It's late and I have work
tomorrow morning, plus I need a shower in the worst way. I make it about ten
steps before realization dawns on me. "Shit I left a load of clothes in the
washer!!!" I shake my head and pick up the pace a bit, remembering that I'm
out of work clothes. Anxiety starts to creep in a little bit as I realize I'm
going to have to stay up late and finish the wash, then iron my clothes.
Sometimes I think the perils of a capable paralegal are worse than those of
being Miss Masque, but somehow I'll manage.

"Phew, what a day..." I sigh as I drop into my tall backed leather office
chair, staring blankly at my computer screen for a moment before sitting up to
reach for the keyboard. I'm dressed in a snug fitting short sleeved black
button up shirt, buttoned to the collar with a cute little dark red silk
double looped necktie. A sharp slate gray pencil skirt and opaque stockings
accent my legs quite nicely, while a fashionable black leather belt and black
high heels complete my outfit. I had spent most of the morning running around
the courthouse, filing affidavits and delivering exhibits, so I had to look
prim and proper. Now I'm back at the office, and thankfully my boss is off for
the rest of the afternoon. I tug my hair pins out and let my short dark red
hair unfurl from the tight bun I had styled it in, then rest back in my chair
as I open up my web browser and head for the local news page. I'd loosen my
tie and pop a few buttons on my shirt, but the office is open for a few more
hours, and I never know when a client might drop in or an attorney might need
me, so for the moment I keep up the appearance of a tightly buttoned up and
well put together paralegal. Honestly I don't mind the dressy outfits, I like
to look professional and cute, and in all honesty I paid a fortune for the
clothes so I might as well wear them. I see lovely girls all the time down at
the court house, low cut blouses, short skirts, dress shirts unbuttoned to
their cleavage, but oddly enough the clerks seem to be more willing to cut you
a break if you're wearing a well tailored and professional looking outfit. I
take a swig of my luke warm pomegranate tea and get lost in the webpage on my
monitor. Most people day dream at work by riffling through the gossip sites,
looking up the sports scores, or hunting through the classifieds. I'm not most
people. Instead I'm browsing the crime reports, looking for anything out of
the ordinary. There's the normal day to day drug busts and stolen cars, and I
even give a smile as I notice an arrest for heroin possession in the part of
town Miss Masque was in last night, but then something odd catches my eye. A
rash of break ins at several antique shops. I give them a quick glance,
finding it odd that anyone would try to rob an antique store. I know sometimes
they have valuable items, but I've been in just about every antique shop in
Emerald Pines and have yet to see any rare gems. I'm about to move on to other
things when I notice that the only things stolen were paintings, one from each
shop, but only from two of the three shops broken into. A lot of people would
miss it, but I'm analytical to a fault, one of the reasons I'm great at my job
and also the reason for my anxiety.

Over analyzing things and getting anxious about them is what chased me out of
Chicago. It wasn't some stressful job or scary mob boss that sent Miss Masque
running to Emerald Pines, it was the anxiety of being in such a big place,
with so many people, people I worried would discover my secret. I couldn't
sleep and I lost my appetite at times, which in Chicago really sucks given
that there is good food on just about every corner. Emerald Pines was quiet,
small and quaint, a place I could catch a breather as I dealt with my anxiety.
I had learned to control it for the most part, but there were still times I
went crazy. I was fighting it the natural way though, self medicating by
putting on a sexy red and black costume and roaming the town at night punching
bad guys in the face. The problem was I had to know where to go to find those
bad guys to punch in the face, so I took advantage of my paralegal job, which
offered me lots of little tidbits on crime hot spots around the city. I had
also learned to dive into the police reports, which provided a wealth of
information if you knew what you were looking for. Like I said, most people
would have missed the painting thefts, but not me, and that's why I'm good at
what I do. A soft click of the mouse button opens up another web page and I
search for antique shops in Emerald Pines. I only find four of them, scattered
in various parts of the city, and three of the four have been hit over the
last few nights. I smile as I take down the address of the one shop that
hasn't been broken into yet, then punch it into the browsers GPS application.
"Bob's Knobs...whoever thought of that name was either really creative or had
an awful sense of humor..." I whisper with a giggle as I survey the area
around the shop. It's only a short run or walk from my apartment and there are
plenty of buildings around to offer me cover and observation points. It's
Thursday night so I know I can stay out a little later. Most of the ladies at
the office will be out at the bars, and the guys will be right there with them
trying to pick them up. Most of the office always filtered in a little late on
Friday mornings, so tonight would be the perfect night to pay the antique shop
a visit. My mind wandered a bit as I tried to remember if I had a clean
leotard and pair of tights at home. Last night's costume was still in the
wash, actually needing a second cycle as I wanted to make sure the smell of
trash bags was out of my leotard. I did my best to put those thoughts out of
my mind, remembering that I had some documents to scan into our office
database. The clock tells me I only have about an hour and a half left at
work. I'll finish up and maybe head home a little early, eat dinner and take a
quick nap before I take my anxiety medication. Tonight I'm going to try
something I've never done before. Tonight Miss Masque is going to catch a
thief!

An Orchid's Kiss - Part 2

I crawl across the floor slowly on my hands and knees, my fingers feeling like
warm butter as it takes every ounce of my considerable strength and willpower
to keep my arms going so I don't crash face first to the floor. My muscles
feel so relaxed I can barely move my arms, confusion swirling in my mind as to
what she did to me. A few minutes ago I was throwing punches like a champion,
now my arms feel like they are made of lead, and it takes everything I have
just to move them a few inches. I reach the wall and somehow manage to raise
my hands up, clawing at the wall desperately as I push off with my legs, which
thankfully still work. With a heroic effort I drag myself up to my feet,
turning around to face my opponent just as my arms go limp and I fall back
against the wall, breathing hard from the effort as I feel the fine sheen of
sweat all over my skin. "THUNKKK!" My eyes go wide behind my mask as a
throwing knife embeds itself in the wall just centimeters from my head, a soft
teasing giggle coming from the lady thief as she strides forward, her magenta
gloved hands coming up to firmly grab my shoulders. "Unnnh...what...did you
do...to me...?" I groan softly as she pins me against the wall, sliding in
close as she puts one of her legs between mine, her knee pressing up against
the crotch of my red leotard as our chests press together through our
respective costumes. Her close proximity prevents me from gaining any leverage
to use my legs, the last part of my body that seems to still be working.
"Pressure points my dear...you have them all over your lovely body and if I
push them in just the right place, you lose control of your muscles for a
little while..." She purrs softly as she smothers me, rubbing her silky
costume clad body against my own. Realization hits me like a freight train and
I come to the conclusion that for the moment I'm screwed without my potent
punches and grappling abilities. "What are you after?" I ask her as I meet her
gaze, noticing how her lovely brown eyes twinkle with mischief behind her
multicolored mask. Up close I realize she can't be much older than me and I
blush as she gives me a cute little grin and rubs her body against mine. "What
am I after? Hmm...maybe I just want to have a little fun...?" Her lovely
athletic body feels good against mine and for the moment I allow her to keep
me pinned against the wall while I try to rally some strength. She's trim and
toned, in amazing shape, maybe even in better shape than me. From our fight
I'm guessing she's a gymnast or an acrobat, which would easily explain her
speed and grace, and her freakish strength despite her lithe frame. Where she
learned how to throw knives so darned well though, I have no idea. "You're
beautiful...and I'd much rather have fun with you then continue this pointless
dance that could end up with one of us hurt..." She teases with a soft whisper
as she leans in a bit closer, my cheeks turning rosy red behind my mask as I
try to squirm away from her, but there's nowhere to go and my arms still feel
like putty.

I briefly recall how I wound up here, pinned against the wall by a lovely
brunette lady thief that calls herself Orchid. The night had started off
rather boring as I quickly found out there is nothing glamorous or exciting
about a stake out. I had set up shop on a rooftop across from the antique
store, using a cheap pair of miniature binoculars I had bought at an outdoors
shop after work to keep an eye on the shop. The first few hours had passed and
I had become insanely bored while devouring the assortment of snack bars I had
packed into my utility belt. Right when I was about to give up, a shadowy
silhouette had landed on the roof of the antique store and slowly slinked its
way to the fire escape on the side. I had been a bit surprised to see a tall,
slender woman dressed in a bright purple and magenta costume, including a pair
of cute high heels. After she had vanished I had left my post, being as
stealthy as possible as I crept over to the store and headed for the back of
the building. The back door was still unlocked, and I could see a light on
further inside, but there was no sign of the lady thief. Taking a deep breath,
I had slipped inside and started looking for her, eventually finding her
rummaging through an old storage rack towards the front of the store. Just as
I had prepared to give an amazing and smart ass comment to announce that her
little game was over, one of the old wooden boards under my boots had creaked
softly. She had whirled around in less than a second, her hand flying out,
throwing three razor sharp knives in my general direction. One of them missed
my side, the second whizzed by my head so closely that it took off a few
strands of my red hair, and the third sliced shallowly across my upper leg,
leaving a little slice in my smooth black tights. The grin on her face told me
that she could have easily hit me with all three knives if she had wanted to,
but before I could question her she jumped at me and a fight had ensued.
Initially I fared well, and thought this would be another easy case for me,
but the wily thief had proven to be quicker and more acrobatic than me. I had
the punching power up close, but she was nimble and did her best to avoid
giving me the advantage or an opening to connect. After a few minutes I
noticed that I was sweating harder than I should have been, and I felt a warm
tingling sensation spreading from my upper leg throughout the rest of my body.
It made me feel fuzzy and warm, and Orchid had been able to slip inside my
defenses and land a few shots. It didn't take long to realize that her knives
were drugged with some kind of sedative, and I became even more confused a bit
later when she passed up a perfect chance to lay me out, only to jab her
fingers hard into my shoulders. Now my arms feel like lead weights, rendered
useless by her special pressure point attack.

"Come on red...how about a kiss?" She grins as she slides in a little closer,
but I've got one last surprise left for her. "Kiss this!" I throw my head
forward, trying to catch her with a powerful head butt. Unfortunately I'm not
as fast as I was at the start of the night and she easily steps aside.
"OOOOFFF!!" Her knee crashes into my unprotected stomach, knocking the breath
from my lungs as I collapse to my knees. I teeter there for a moment, then
begin the quick painful journey face first towards the hardwood floor. I'm a
bit shocked though when she gently grabs my shoulders and prevents me from
falling, slowly turning me over as she guides me down for a much gentler
landing on my back. "Mmmmnn..." I sigh softly in resignation as she straddles
me, using her knees to pin my still useless arms to my sides, her weight
mostly pressed down on my lower half, eliminating my legs as an attack option.
"That was naughty...trying to sneak attack me..." She chastises me and shakes
her head, then gives me a teasing grin. "And very resourceful...you're a tough
cookie red...I think I'm starting to like you..." She slowly leans down
towards me, reaching up to tuck a long strand of chestnut brown hair over her
ear as she gives me a flirty smile. "Who....who are you??" I ask softly as she
brings a magenta clad glove to my face, caressing her fingertips over my cheek
before she slides them into my red hair. I blush profusely and give a little
sigh as I feel little tingles float through my head, the playful thief gently
massaging my temple. I think about trying to stall, trying to figure out
someway to turn the tables, but I'm out of gas. I'm sore and exhausted and my
arms feel like giant noodles, and she's smothering me, keeping me pinned to
the floor with her beautiful lean body. "Oh my...where are my manners?" She
giggles as she continues to play with my hair, her eyes gleaming with a look
of mischief as she leans in closer, our lips mere centimeters apart. "You can
call me Orchid...lady thief extraordinaire...now how about that kiss?" Before
I can respond she presses her lips against mine in a soft delicate kiss. Her
lips are like soft warm velvet, gently teasing mine as she slides down to lay
on top of me, pressing our trim, toned bodies together. I can't escape her
kiss, and I'm not sure if I want to as my eyes flutter shut behind my mask, a
soft moan muffled as the fight leaves my body completely. It doesn't seem to
be so bad, pinned to the floor by a beautiful and skilled woman, who just
seems like she wants to have some fun with me. My mind starts to wander as
different passions start to stir within my costume clad form, a hushed gasp
leaving my pursed lips as Orchid finally breaks the kiss.

"Orchid...that's a....pretty name..." I sigh softly as I feel my lips tingle
with a strange icy feeling. The feeling spreads to my cheeks, and into my
mind, my head now starting to spin a bit as my eyelids grow heavy. There's one
last little flicker of realization as it dawns on me that I've been drugged
again. "Ooooooh....drugged...lipstick...that's why...you wanted...to
kiss...me..." I nearly whisper as it almost becomes to hard to think, a
cloying fog wrapping around my mind as my entire body tingles and starts to go
numb. She giggles teasingly and gently caresses my face, rubbing her soft
gloved thumb playfully over my pouting lips. "Well, it wasn't the only reason
I wanted to kiss you...you are quite lovely...but I had to take the fight out
of you somehow..." She slowly slides back a bit and I feel her hands come to
rest on my sides, a little moan slipping past my lips as she gently caresses
my stomach and oblique through my red leotard. I'm completely defenseless, but
oddly enough I don't feel like I'm in danger. If Orchid had wanted to hurt me
or kill me she could have and would have done it by now. Everything about the
way she fights and carries herself tells me that she's damned good, most
likely a professional cat burglar, and if she had any ill intentions, I'd know
it by now. "What...what are you...going to do...with me?" I tiredly ask as I
feel her hands slide over my belt, one of them reaching for the buckle. I feel
my utility belt slacken against my hips and I lay there helplessly as she
gently tugs it from around my waist, depriving me of my inventory of crime
fighting gadgets. "Hmm...well I know what I'd like to do with you..." She
teases and I blush at the naughty undertones in her voice. "A sweet, sexy,
costume clad beauty like yourself....mmmmm....but alas, I have business to
attend to, so most likely I'll knock you out and leave you tied up somewhere
safe to get yourself free in a few hours..." She purrs the last little bit in
my ear and I almost melt, wondering if charming me out of my costume is one of
her other special abilities. "Before all that though sweetheart...I think you
still need to tell me your name..." I feel her warm breath on my face and I
manage to open my sleepy eyes, meeting her gaze from behind my mask.
"I'm...Miss...Masque...and I'm....going to stop...you..." Orchid chuckles
softly and grins. "Miss Masque...an appropriate name for a lovely masked
vigilante..." Our eyes meet again and I can see the smoldering passion and
attraction in her soft brown eyes. "Well Miss Masque...you are certainly
welcome to try...and I'm sure it will be a stout challenge from a lovely woman
as capable as yourself...but for now...you're going to take a little nap..."
She grins and I'm helpless to resist as she kisses me once more, though this
time it is deeper and filled with lustful passion. My eyes flutter shut and I
find myself kissing her back shyly, surrendering completely as I feel the
tingling numbness spread over my lips and through my body. Unconsciousness
claws at the back of my mind as she finally breaks the kiss, a soft sigh
slipping past my pouting lips as I start to give in to the darkness. "I hope
to see you again Miss Masque...until then...sweet dreams..."

I awake with a quiet gasp, something hard against my side as my mind floats in
lucid disorientation. The sound of passing cars and the hum of an HVAC unit
drift into my ears, and my senses slowly start to come back to me. "Orchid..."
I moan softly, the lady thief fresh in my mind as I awake from my dreamy
slumber. Thankfully I can still feel my costume on my body, and my mask on my
face, though I wonder if Orchid took a peek while she had me passed out and
helpless. I guess at this point it doesn't really matter. My eyes flutter open
slowly and I can just barely make out that I'm resting on a rooftop somewhere
in town, twinkling stars in the night sky above me as a cool night breeze
caresses my face and hair. "Unnnggh..." I try to move and find out that I am
snugly bound, which doesn't really surprise me given that Orchid said she
would tie me up. My arms are crossed at the wrists behind my back, rope gently
holding them together. More rope is tied around my boots, which are crossed at
the ankles, and I can feel a length of rope linking my bound ankles to my
bound wrists, keeping me in a snug hogtie as I lay on my side. I look up and
let out an exasperated sigh as I see my utility belt dangling tauntingly out
of reach, hanging off of a small radio antennae just above me. "Ok...no big
deal...just have to focus...come on girl..." I reassure myself as I relax in
my bonds and lay still, trying to shake the last few cobwebs out of my mind,
my lips still tingling slightly from Orchid's drugged lipstick. Confusion
swirls in my mind as I try to figure out what the sexy lady thief's game is.
She had me dead to rights, completely at her mercy, and yet she let me go, if
you can call being left bound on a rooftop being let go that is. I wonder why
she didn't slit my throat, or unmask me, or turn me over to the cops or a drug
gang. She's unlike any other criminal I've ever faced and when she had me at
her mercy, all she wanted to do was tease and seduce me, soothing my wounded
ego with compliments. Orchid beat me, plain and simple. I underestimated her
and got caught with my tights down, and now she was in my head, tormenting my
thoughts and making me question why part of me almost enjoyed being taken down
by her. It doesn't hurt that she's cute, and a snappy dresser, and a good
kisser. It's been a bit since another woman caught my eye the way Orchid has
with her mysterious mask and her amazing skills, not to mention her charming
ways and soft tender kisses. "No...stop thinking about her, have to focus,
have to escape..." I take a deep breath and roll over onto my stomach, arching
my back and stretching out with my arms, reaching my bound hands towards my
ankles.

A lifetime of training and several yoga classes a week have left me lithe and
flexible and I'm able to stretch my hands all the way to the knots holding my
boots together. My fingers fumble around for a moment, but eventually I'm able
to get a grasp on the knots and I start to slowly work at them. They loosen
slowly, a little too slowly for my liking, and I'm forced to take a couple of
breaks, rolling back on my side to rest my aching back. As I rest I ponder
what Orchid is after. She had stolen another painting tonight, and I find
myself thinking that a professional thief like herself is too well trained to
be going after chump change old paintings that are sitting on the dusty
storage room shelves of antique shops. There's a bigger picture here, quite
literally, and right now I'm drawing a blank. I roll back onto my stomach and
renew my efforts to get free, doing my best to just concentrate on the ropes,
I can worry about Orchid and figuring out her plan later on. A few more
minutes pass by and I sigh with relief as the knots loosen enough to the point
I can start pulling my ankles apart. I roll onto my side and shake my legs a
bit, smiling as the ropes go slack around my boots. Slowly I roll up onto my
knees and then gingerly stand up, arms still tied behind my back as I search
the rooftop to make sure I'm alone. Again there is no sign of Orchid and I
frown as I realize she is long gone with another stolen painting. The nearby
HVAC unit has a long sharp edge and I slip over to it and turn around, rubbing
the knots on my wrist bindings against it. It takes a bit of effort, but
finally I feel the ropes loosen and break away as the knots split. "Phew...I'm
having to get a little too good at this escaping thing..." I shake my head and
think to myself that I got lucky this time, lucky that it was an honorable
lady thief that got the better of me and not some drug pushing thug and his
gang of goons. However I don't have much time to dwell on it, I've got to get
my belt and get home to get some much needed rest. I grab my belt from the
radio antennae and quickly buckle it snugly around my trim waist, feeling a
little bit of confidence back in my step as I once again complete my sexy
crime fighting costume. A soft groan leaves my lips as I pull one of my burn
phones from a pouch and check the time, seeing that it is well after midnight
and I have to be up for work in less than six hours. My boots click softly off
of the rooftop as I start to head for the nearby fire escape, wondering if I
remembered to buy coffee and trying to recall if I have any energy bars left
in the pantry. Sometimes it's hard to remember if you bought groceries when
you're trying to balance the life of a busy paralegal with that of a costumed
heroine. Either way I'm going to need caffeine tomorrow, I have a busy day at
work, followed by an even busier evening trying to track down Orchid.

An Orchid's Kiss - Part 4

I sigh with resignation as I take another sip of my coffee, my eyes scanning
through the old police reports, looking desperately for a clue. The office has
been empty for almost an hour, and it is quickly approaching seven o'clock,
but I still have work to do. It's already been a long day running around and
filing various documents, and I'm starting to feel a little stuffy in my
business clothes. My red hair is up in a tight bun and I have my thin rimmed
glasses on, looking rather smart and sexy in a crisp white button up shirt
with French cuffs. The snug fitting dress shirt is buttoned to the collar, and
tucked into a stylish black pencil skirt that nicely accents my legs. Black
tights and matching ankle boots complete my outfit, but there is another
reason I'm all buttoned up today. I'm ready to go one more round with Orchid,
and in my effort to be prepared I simply brought Miss Masque to work with me.
Beneath my buttoned shirt is my sexy red leotard, and the black tights beneath
my skirt are the same ones I wear in my costumed identity. My gym bag holds my
utility belt, red boots, black leather jacket, and most importantly my mask.
It makes me feel a bit sexy, hiding my heroine costume under my business
clothes, imagining that in a moment of crisis I could tear open my shirt to
reveal my heroic costume beneath, but in all honesty I just wanted to be ready
for tonight. I'm not even planning on going home, in fact as soon as I figure
out what Orchid is up to I'm going to head out and patrol the city, with every
intent of bringing her down. Orchid was giving me a few problems though, as I
was trying to figure out how exactly to tackle her. She was a decent fighter,
not quite as good as me, but in an up close fight she had her pressure point
attack, and I had found out first hand just how potent it was. At range she
had her drugged knives, and being that I don't have any actual superpowers,
one of those could spell disaster for me as well. Then there was her magical
lipstick, which she had used the night before to send me off to dreamland. I
close my eyes and remember the soft teasing kisses from the lovely lady thief,
how she had been so gentle when she had me on the ropes. For a moment I
daydream, blushing softly as I imagine her sneaking into my office and
subduing me, getting me all hot under the collar before unbuttoning my shirt
to find my Miss Masque costume. "What is wrong with me?" I sigh out loud as I
open my eyes and shake my head, trying to shake those naughty thoughts from my
mind, but Orchid has done a good job of confusing me. She had me dead to
rights, completely on the ropes, and instead of hurting me or unmasking me,
she had just decided to tease and seduce me. "Focus Sally...she's a
thief...and we have to figure out where she is going to strike next..."

For the next twenty minutes I pour over the police reports, trying desperately
to find a connection between Orchid's antique shop thefts and the bigger
picture. I'm about to give up when it dawns on me. "The paintings!! Of
course!!" I grin with excitement as I go back over the reports from the shops
she took the paintings from and drill down a little further, my pride swelling
a bit as I discover all three paintings were done by the same artist, a Daniel
Brousard. I've personally never heard of him, or seen any of his art, but if
Orchid is after them, they must be worth a lot of money. A quick online search
reveals that Mr. Brousard is a local artist here in Emerald Pines, but sadly
that is about all I can find through various search engines. I'm not quite
done yet, as any skilled paralegal knows, there are always court and real
estate records you can check. I pull up the counties search site and perform a
quick name search. Not much comes up except for a few deeds, a mortgage, and
an estate file. The estate file catches my eye and I dive into it, perusing it
for several minutes as I put the entire picture together. It would appear our
poor artist met his untimely end in a car accident, and was survived only by
his father. There is nothing else remarkable about his estate, until I see the
long list of case files at the end. I open those and find that the local
museum sued the estate for violating a contract, a contract that Daniel made
prior to his death which would ensure the museum would receive one of his most
popular paintings. His surviving family had attempted to fight the order, but
the museum had won in the end. That doesn't explain why Orchid is going after
the paintings, but it gives me a good idea of where she will strike next. The
museum is really the only lead I have, given that she's hit up every single
antique shop in Emerald Pines, it makes the most sense she would go after the
museum next. After all the security would be a bit tighter, the smaller shops
would give her a tune up and allow her to get a feel for the area and what
kind of resistance she might meet. I realize Orchid has been doing recon the
last few nights, as the antique shops and their antiquated security would be
no match for her world class skills. "Maybe she was trying to lure me out?" I
think out loud, curious if she had heard of Miss Masque and wondering if she
had been trying to leave little breadcrumbs for me to find so she could test
me. I quickly realize that probably isn't the case, as hardly anyone in town
even knows who I am. Right now I'm really only popular with the drug gangs
I've been taking down, and that's only because they'd like to see me wearing
cement shoes at the bottom of the river.

No, it's more likely that me running into Orchid was just a coincidence and a
result of me pouring over the daily police reports. Most heroines probably
wouldn't have thought twice about seeing a pattern of antique shop robberies,
but I pride myself on catching the small details. It's a trait that helps me
in both of my jobs. The next hour crawls by slowly as I start to get anxious
about the night ahead, anticipating another showdown with the lovely thief. I
would be lying if I didn't say I was nervous, especially given my first
encounter with Orchid. I wonder if I'll get the drop on her this time, or if
she'll somehow find a way to outwit me again. Then there is the possibility
she's not even targeting the museum, and that I'm about to spend the next few
hours completely wasting my time while she commits her grand crime on the
other side of town. "No...she's going for that painting at the museum, all the
evidence points to it...and this time I'll be the one surprising her!" I
slowly stand up from my desk, stretching out my arms, enjoying the feeling of
my tight muscles as they stretch and pop a bit. I've been sitting at my desk
all day, and Miss Masque is itching to get out and get some action. The museum
is still open for another thirty minutes, but I decide to get an early start
as I grab my bag and slip it over my shoulder. A few minutes later I'm walking
down the sidewalk towards the cultural area of town, which is busy and crowded
with people on their way out to the bars and shops. I look slightly out of
place in my prim and proper dress clothes, but no one seems to pay me any
attention as I slip through the crowd and stop at a sidewalk hotdog vendor,
hoping a quick snack will cure my anxiety. If there is one thing I really miss
about Chicago, it's the chili dogs. It's almost like no one else anywhere in
the country knows how to make a proper chili dog, although I've found the
street hotdog vendors in Emerald Pines to be fairly adept at their culinary
arts. I scarf down my snack and continue my journey, which takes me a few more
blocks through the city until I'm standing right across the street from the
museum. I take in its size and structure, analyzing the somewhat plain looking
two story white stone building for escape routes and possible entrance points.
I know that Orchid is skilled and probably won't just waltz through the front
door, which leads me to the next part of my plan. Taking a quick look around
to make sure I'm not being watched or followed, I dip down a side alley, my
boot heels echoing quietly off the concrete as I head for a nearby fire
escape. I'll need to be up high to scout out the rest of the museum, and the
old four story department store on the corner should provide me with the
perfect perch. It takes me a minute to ascend the fire escape, as I'm
preoccupied with the thought of getting my pristine white shirt dirty, or
catching my business skirt on a sharp edge. After all, work clothes aren't
cheap and I'm a heroine and a professional on a shoe string budget.

Finally I reach the rooftop, my gym bag slung over my shoulder as I search for
a good spot to change. I make sure there aren't any cameras and find a little
nook in behind the HVAC units that shields me from view. Being as quiet as
possible, I unzip my bag, smiling as my super heroine paraphernalia is
revealed. I lay out my black fingerless gloves, sleek red lace up knee high
boots, stylish black leather jacket, utility belt, and finally I pull my black
domino mask out and look at it for a moment, a little shiver of anticipation
running through me as I realize I'm about to face off with the love Orchid
once more. I slip off my skirt and unbutton my crisp white shirt, being sure
to fold both neatly before stowing them away in my bag, leaving myself in just
my smooth red leotard and black tights. My ankle boots come off next, and I
slip them neatly into my bag, ridding myself completely of my work attire.
I'll leave the gym bag tucked away in a hidden spot under an HVAC unit and
come back for it later after I've dealt with Orchid. I slide into my leather
jacket, enjoying the feeling of the supple material against my bare shoulders
before I slip my gloves on and flex my fists a few times. Next I slip my belt
around my waist and buckle it snugly in place, patting down the pouches to
make sure I have all of my gear before I grab my boots and slowly slip my long
athletic legs into them. I zip up the sides and tie the laces tight, smiling
as I complete my costume. Lastly I pull a small bottle from my belt and open
the cap, using it to spread a few drops of a clear gel like substance on the
back of my black mask. I bring the mask to my face and press it in place,
holding it down for a moment as the skin safe adhesive bonds to my face,
holding my mask in place and completing my super heroine look. The nervous and
overworked Sally is now gone, replaced by the confident and badass Miss
Masque! "Now I'm ready to catch a thief!" I say confidently as I pound a fist
into my open palm, ready to once more square off with the lovely and talented
Orchid. I slowly stand up and take a quick look around, making sure I am still
alone on the rooftop. Satisfied that it is safe to emerge, I strut confidently
over to the edge of the roof, my boots clicking softly off of the concrete as
I reach to my belt and pull out my binoculars. I kneel down by the edge of the
rooftop and began to scan the museum, watching as a few last remaining patrons
filter out and head for their cars. I watch as most of the lights go off and
the museum closes, my pulse quickening a bit as I realize it's almost
showtime. I take a deep breath and stand up, tucking my binoculars back into
my belt as I narrow my eyes behind my mask. "Alright...let's do this..."

I'm about to head for the fire escape when a thought hits me like a brick to
the back of the head. "How am I going to get in...what about the guards?" I
ask myself as I suddenly get a little anxious, realizing that I don't know the
first thing about breaking into a museum. "Shit..." I curse softly as my plan
starts to unravel. Originally I had the intention of waiting for the museum to
close, then I would slip inside and wait near the painting, setting a perfect
trap for the wily Orchid. Now I realize there is probably an alarm system, and
several guards still on patrol inside. "Maybe I should try knocking..." I sigh
and shake my head, realizing that they would probably think I was nuts asking
them to let me hideout in their exhibit, waiting for a thief. My stomach
grumbles at me and I start to think as I reach for my belt, going for a pouch
that has a delicious chocolate granola bar hidden away inside of it. I need a
new plan, and it looks like I'm going to have to play the waiting game now. My
hiding spot has the advantage of providing me a great view of the museum's
grounds and rooftop. I realize I'll be able to spot Orchid coming no matter
which way she tries to sneak in. "Alright...we'll wait for her, let her do the
deed, then follow her back to her place and take her down!" In my mind it
seems like a sound plan, but now I have to do something I'm not really that
good at. I have to wait and play the little cat and mouse game. I'd rather
just be punching someone or something, deep in the middle of a fight where I
don't have to think about much. As I sit and wait, binoculars trained on the
museum, my mind starts to have a little fight with itself. Part of me is
confident, knowing I can take Orchid down and put a stop to her crimes, but
the other side of my brain starts to consider the fact that I could get
knocked out or captured again. What if Orchid kidnaps me or tries to unmask
me? No, I'm going to catch her this time...but what if she knocks me out with
another one of those soft amazing kisses? I blush behind my mask as I remember
our first encounter again, her soft hands sliding all over my tight fitting
costume, her plush drugged lips sealing my defeat with a soft and tender kiss.
"Ugggh...stop thinking about it!!" I chastise myself, focusing on the fact
that I'm a heroine, and I have to do my best to catch my adversary. Still I
can't shake the nagging thought about what might happen if Orchid gets me in
her clutches once more, a little tingle running up my spine as I briefly
imagine Orchid kissing me softly.

My day dream is interrupted as I suddenly spot a brightly clad figure moving
across the rooftop of the museum. "Orchid!" I whisper excitedly, being careful
not to blurt it out in case she has some kind of enhanced hearing, but she
seems oblivious to me as she navigates across the adjacent rooftop. I zoom in
with my binoculars to better track her movements, admiring the way she moves
so swiftly and quietly despite wearing heels. "How does she move in
those...let alone fight...?" I sigh as I admire the way her body moves in her
lovely costume, realizing Orchid is a world class woman when it comes to her
craft, she is utter poetry in motion. She finally stops near a skylight and
kneels down, her gloved hands working at something for a few minutes before
she pauses and looks around to make sure the coast is clear. I watch intently
as she pulls open part of the skylight and then slips inside, vanishing into
the museum. Already my nerves are making themselves known, as I am no longer
completely in control of the situation. I have to wait for Orchid to emerge,
and hope she doesn't have a back up exit that allows her to slip from my
grasp. There's also the nagging thought of what might happen to the guards,
although I don't think Orchid is the type that would kill just to complete her
heist, she doesn't strike me as that kind of woman. I slip another granola bar
out of my belt and munch it down nervously, hoping the little bit of food will
calm the butterflies in my stomach. Waiting has always been hard for me, I'm
really more of a run in and take the bull by the horns kind of girl, but I
already learned my lesson once about rushing in with Orchid. Thankfully she
doesn't make me wait long, and a few minutes later she emerges from the open
skylight, a large rectangular object wrapped in brown packing paper tucked
under her arm. "Alright...time to go to work..." I steel my nerves and prepare
to give chase to my lovely quarry, watching as Orchid puts the skylight back
in place and locks it, then takes a quick look around before she moves swiftly
towards the fire escape on the opposite end of the rooftop. I start to move
across my own rooftop, staying low, but keeping my eyes glued to my target,
feeling a little sense of excitement as I once again become the hunter, my
prey a lovely purple and magenta clad brunette who has no idea she's about to
get the surprise of her life. A bit to my shock, Orchid keeps mostly to the
ground as I follow her across town, leaping the occasional chain link fence
here and there. I would have thought a lovely thief like her would have stuck
to the rooftops, using her acrobatics to move swiftly across town, but maybe
the stolen painting is weighing her down. I do my best to stay out of site,
the soft practical soles of my knee high boots allowing me to move quickly and
quietly as I pursue the lovely lady thief.

My focus is razor sharp, but I'm also a nervous wreck. Sneaking around town
isn't my think, and it's hard to stick to the shadows when you're wearing
mostly bright red. One way or another, I manage to tail Orchid until she
reaches her destination, one of Emerald Pines' finest hotels that just happens
to overlook the river. She slips around to the back and then vaults over the
fence by the outdoor pool. "Here goes nothing..." I grit my teeth as I chase
after her, terrified that a car is going to come flying up the street,
highlighting me in its lights, or that a hotel security guard will spot me and
give away my position. Thankfully neither of those things happen as I jump up
and grab the top of the fence, doing my best to keep my grunt of effort silent
as I pull myself up and swing over the top of the barrier, dropping down
gracefully on my boot heels. The pool area is deserted, which isn't surprising
given the late time of night and the slightly cool evening breeze. It takes me
a minute to reacquire Orchid, and by the time I do she is already halfway up
the side of the building. "How in the hell did she get up there??" I hiss
through my teeth as panic starts to set in a bit, my eyes scanning the area
for a way to catch up to her. Thankfully I spot a ladder that leads to a
little balcony above the pool area. A short time later I'm climbing to the
top, and from there I easily spot the service area that Orchid slipped into,
complete with a little flight of stairs that leads up to another ladder that
scales the side of the building. Orchid is almost to the top, but I close the
distance quickly, feeling rather confident in myself, at least until I feel a
stronger breeze in my soft red hair and realize I'm almost ten stories off the
ground. "Don't look down Sally...don't look down..." I whisper to myself as I
keep my eyes on Orchid and continue to climb, albeit a bit more slowly now. A
minute later Orchid vanishes from view, having reached the roof of the hotel.
I arrive a short time later, taking a deep breath before slowly popping my
head up to take a look around, half expecting the sexy thief to ambush me
before I make it another step. Instead I'm greeted with the view of her
slipping over to the side of the roof, where she steps up onto a balcony that
seems to wrap around the building. I realize it's the honeymoon suite of the
hotel, placed on the top floor so that its guests can have the finest view of
the city, both at night, and during the morning sunrise. Orchid slips around
the corner and I follow, doing my best to stay quiet as I peer around the edge
of a small wall, raising an eyebrow as I see Orchid vanish into the suite
through the patio door, which shuts behind her with a soft thud. A chill runs
down my spine as I realize I have Orchid right where I want her, but in order
to stop her, I'm going to have to enter the thief's den.

An Orchid's Kiss - Part 4

The tension and suspense are killing me as I patiently wait, crouched down by
the patio door to Orchid's hotel suite, my eyes peeled for any sign of the
lady thief as my nervous hands work my lock picking tools. It has only been a
few minutes since Orchid vanished into what I think is her bathroom, and I
have no idea if she is only seconds away from discovering my break in attempt.
How funny is it that a heroine is trying to break into a thief's hotel room? I
laugh to myself to ease the tension, not wanting my anxiety to creep up and
get the better of me. Adrenaline rushes through my lithe form and I nearly
fumble with my tools, but somehow I remain focused enough to continue working,
doing my best to keep my mind on the goal. "Focus...almost there...almost got
her..." I whisper softly, calming myself down as I realize I am on the verge
of capturing Orchid and turning her into the authorities, putting another
notch on my utility belt. There is a soft click as I finally get the lock open
and I slowly slip my tools back into a pouch on my utility belt. With a deep
breath I gently grab the door handle and slowly slide it open, again keeping
my eyes focused on the bathroom door in case Orchid returns. As I pull the
door open I'm greeted by the warm scent of incense and the sound of Orchid's
shower. I smile, realizing I'm going to catch her with her skirt down,
completely red handed. I can barely contain my excitement as I tip toe towards
her bathroom, the carpeted floor of the room allowing me to be completely
silent even on the heels of my red boots. I creep past the king sized bed and
reach the threshold of her bathroom door, risking a glance inside, fully
expecting a throwing knife to come whizzing at my face. My worries are put to
rest though as there is no sign of Orchid, only the sound of the splashing
water in her running shower, which is obscured by a privacy curtain. I grin as
my muscles tense, ready to bring the lady thief in after a hard week's worth
of investigation and planning, she won't escape me this time! "Alright Orchid,
you're cornered and there is no where to run! I'm only going to say this once,
put your hands up and come out of there right now!" I put my hands on my hips
and do my best to sound confident and commanding, hoping that she'll be
willing to come quietly, however I'm a bit put off as there is no response,
just the sound of the constantly running water. "Orchid I mean it! I'm not
going to ask you again!! Don't make me drag you out of that shower!!" Again
there is no response, and I get frustrated, reaching up with my gloved hand to
yank the curtain aside, revealing a completely empty shower.

"Shit..." I know it's a trap before she even says anything and I brace for an
impact just as I hear her soft and sweet voice tease me. "Were you looking for
me Miss Masque??" There is a giggle and then she is on me, a blur of purple
and magenta that explodes from the nearby walk in closet with the force of a
battering ram. "UNNNGGGHH!!!" I yelp as her heeled feet kick me square in the
chest and send me stumbling backwards, out of the bathroom and towards the
bed. "I'm flattered Miss Masque, I really am, but if you wanted to come by and
visit...all you had to do was ask!" I recover just in time to see a magenta
high heel flying towards my face. "GNNNFFF!!!" I take Orchid's sexy shoe right
on the chin, the impact sending me spinning around to crash on the bed. I see
stars as my body flops a few times, just barely managing to roll over onto my
back as I'm stunned by the thief's sudden and effective attack. "Unnnhhh..." I
protest as I feel my wrists grabbed and pinned above my head, Orchid giggling
as she straddles me, pinning me to the bed with her body weight as she sits on
my toned stomach and slowly slides backwards until we are face to face. "I
have to admit I'm impressed Miss Masque...you almost had me, if I hadn't
noticed you climbing up the ladder behind me you just might have got the drop
on me..." She smiles and leans in, puckering her lips. "How about a kiss Miss
Masque?" She teases me with a flirty voice and for a half second I almost give
in to the strange desire boiling in my body, the desire caused by the thoughts
of what a night in Orchid's clutches might be like. "How about a rain check?"
I shake the doubts and grin before slamming my forehead into her face. There
is a solid cracking sound and I once again see stars, Orchid having pulled
back just enough to avoid me headbutting her square in the nose. Instead I
catch her on the chin, which is just as effective since it stuns her and
knocks her away just enough so that I can get some leverage and throw her off
of me with a powerful hip thrust. "Oooofff!!!" The gorgeous lady thief is sent
bouncing off the side of the bed and I hear her hit the floor with a solid
thud. I shake the cobwebs from my dizzy head and jump off the bed after her,
just as she performs a graceful flip back up onto her feet. "Give it up
Orchid! I'm taking you in!" I shout as I run forward, putting pressure on her
with a series of hard punches, which she manages to block just in time as she
crosses her arms in front of her face. "Oh Miss Masque...you're going to have
to work harder than that to take me in!" She boasts, but I can sense the
strain in her voice as she back pedals, trying to put some distance between
us.

I can't let her do that, as distance is her friend. It will allow her to use
those impressive acrobatic skills and throwing knives, and I'm not about to
give her the chance. I press my advantage by feigning a sharp right cross,
which she prepares to duck, only to catch my left knee right in the gut. She
grunts and tries to retaliate with a swift kick, but I duck underneath it and
counter with an elbow strike towards her face. She blocks, but I hit her hard
enough in the shoulder to drive her back against the wall. "Unggghfff!!!" I
slip two punches past her guard, catching her square in the stomach with both
shots before following up with a big punch aimed square at her face. She
surprises me again though as she slips to the side, her speed is nothing short
of incredible. "OWWW!!" I cry out as my fist impacts nothing but the hard and
unforgiving wall, giving Orchid a chance to turn the tide. "GGACCCKK!!!" She
slams the side of her hand into my throat, causing me to choke and gag, a
muffled groan all that slips out as she slams her palm into my chest and
knocks me backwards. I stumble on my boots, gagging for air and feeling
lightheaded as my heart beats erratically for a moment, my guard down as
Orchid winds up for a massive spin kick. I see my brief victory fading as I
struggle to regain control, stunned from the thief's sudden counterattack, but
I can't give up now, I'm so close. I reach down deep, gathering every thing I
have, remembering my training and how my parents taught me to be tough.
Orchid's kick is about to clip me square in the face, the power behind it
enough to knock me unconscious before I even hit the ground, except that isn't
what happens. With a growl of fury I manage to raise my arms at the last
second, blocking her kick and desperately grabbing onto her leg as I drive her
backwards and slam her against the wall. She cries out as the air is driven
from her lungs by the severe blow to her back, and suddenly her dead weight
pitches forward against me, throwing me off balance and causing us to both
collapse to the floor. "Ugggh...damn it...she's tough...have...to finish
this..." I groan as I get to my hands and knees and dive on top of Orchid, who
has just managed to roll over onto her back. I grab her wrists and pin her
arms down, using my strength and power to hold her against the floor. "I said
it was over Orchid!! Don't make me have to finish this the hard way!!" She
relaxes underneath me and gives me a wry smile, her bosom heaving as she tries
to catch her breath from our short, but intense fight. "Alright Miss
Masque...you win...I give up..." I raise an eyebrow, momentarily shocked by
her willingness to surrender. "Um...wait..really?" She giggles and then her
face gets serious. "Of course not...rookie mistake sweetie..." She winks and
with a burst of strength she somehow manages to bump me slightly off of her,
her legs slipping out from under me to suddenly wrap around my stomach.

"AHHHHGGG!!!" I groan as Orchid's powerful legs squeeze my sides, doing my
best to concentrate on holding her arms down to the floor, but her legs are
like oak trees and they crush the breath from my body. I'm still not sure how
she managed to worm her legs out from underneath me, but the acrobatic thief
now has me trapped in a vice and is once again turning the tables of our
encounter. I gasp for breath, but my lungs are burning and the pressure on my
sides and stomach is incredible. The strength in my arms starts to fade, my
vision tunneling a bit as I struggle to get oxygen to my brain. Orchid grins
and giggles as she starts to pull her arms free from the grip of my black
gloved hands. "Won't be long now my love...soon you'll be mine..." She taunts
me, and knowing what she might do to me if she knocks me out again, I'm not
sure if I want to actually escape her hold, but I remember that I have to stop
her! In desperation I release her left wrist, more worried about her right
hand since out of nowhere that one suddenly has a poison coated knife in it.
The move surprises her and in her confused pause I'm able to ball up my right
fist and punch her hard right in the side. She yelps in pain and I feel her
legs relax around me, allowing me to take in a much needed breath of air. I
squirm free of the magenta clad thief and roll away from her, my sides and
back aching from where her long powerful legs were crushing me. "Unnggh...got
to finish this..." I steel my resolve and slowly get to my feet, about the
same time that I hear Orchid's sharp high heels approaching me. "AAAAHHH!!!" I
yelp and take a few steps back, nearly tripping on my boot heels as I feel her
knife slice across the side of my left leg. A glance downwards reveals a run
in my black tights and I feel the warmth of my own blood leaking from a
shallow wound. I reach down with a gloved hand to try to stop the bleeding,
but I already know it's too late as I look up at the crafty thief, who is just
standing there a few feet away, grinning at me as she twirls her knife in her
gloved hand. "Orchid...you..." I just barely get out before I feel my leg
start to tingle, a powerful numbing warmth suddenly spreading from my knife
wound through my lower regions, making my knees turn to jello. My booted legs
stumble and my head starts to spin, Orchid's sedative crashing into me like a
tsunami as I feel my muscles relax and my motor functions slow. A sudden bout
of nausea rocks me and I see flashes of purple and blue across my vision. Arms
that could once punch with power and precision drop to my sides like soggy
noodles and I swoon, tripping backwards on the heels of my sexy red boots.

"Oooooooohhhh...." I expect to hit the floor with a painful thud, but instead
I'm caught halfway in a pair of powerful arms, arms that slowly lift me back
up and hold me gently. "I know you are falling for me Miss Masque, but
geez...you're selling it a little too hard here..." Orchid teases me as she
holds my limp form in her arms. "Unnnnh...Orchid...what did you...do...to
me...?" I moan softly, my head still spinning like my mind is in a blender, my
entire body feeling far away and numb with a tingling warmth. I feel a soft
hand sliding down my lower back, the thief's fingers gently probing my spine
as they work lower and lower. "I upped the dosage after our last encounter...
but I think I may have overdid it..." She chuckles as she finds the spot she's
looking for and I feel her fingertips circling my lower back through my red
leotard, just at the point my spine meets my tailbone. "Honestly I didn't
think it would hit you that hard...sorry dear, but it looks like our little
dance is going to end prematurely..." She almost sounds disappointed and I
start to feel a gentle pressure against my lower back from her fingertips.
"Owwwww...." I moan in discomfort as she suddenly presses her fingertips hard
against my spine, causing a brief flash of pain. "Mmmmmn..." I moan softly as
I suddenly feel every muscle in my body relax completely, my lithe form going
totally limp in Orchid's arms. "Can't...move...nnnhhh..." I will something to
move, an arm, a finger, anything, but my body simply won't respond to the
commands my foggy mind is sending it. "That's a special one there love...it
turns everything off for a little bit, so right now you're all mine..." I wish
I could open my eyes to see her face, but I can't. Still her teasing and
mischievous tone is enough to tell me that I'm in no immediate danger. "I'm
sorry it had to end this way Miss Masque...you were quite the potent
adversary, so smart and sassy...and so easy on the eyes..." I feel my cheeks
warm with a soft blush as she again uses her soft voice and gentle compliments
to seduce me. She starts to guide me across the room, using her strength to
woman handle me as I can't move my legs. I'm like a puppet with its strings
cut, unable to move the smallest muscle. A soft bed greets me as I am gently
dropped onto my back, my limp body bouncing a few times before coming to rest,
my tights clad legs dangling over the edge of the bed as my arms lay uselessly
at my sides. I can just make out Orchid's high heels as she moves away for a
moment, followed by the sound of the thief rummaging through some drawers. My
mind races as I wonder what Orchid is planning, knowing that I am utterly
helpless to stop her.

I feel so vulnerable, laid out in my sexy costume, unable to move or even open
my eyes, but I also feel strangely relaxed, almost confident that Orchid isn't
going to put me in any danger. I wonder if she'll tie me up, or if she'll
knock me out with a kiss again like she did last night. The bed shifts
slightly and I feel a pair of gloved arms slip under my shoulders, a tired
groan slipping past my lips as Orchid pulls me further onto the bed, bringing
me up so that my head rests in her skirted lap. I sigh softly as her fingers
start to play in my red hair, brushing a few stray hairs out of my masked
face. "Mmmmn....Orchid...you won't...get away...with this..." She chuckles and
caresses the side of my face with her soft gloved fingertips. "Heroic to the
end aren't we? I'm afraid I've already gotten away with it my lovely Miss
Masque...and you've already played your part..." Her fingertips trace over my
face, and my breath catches in my throat as I feel them tease over my black
domino mask. "Orchid...no...please...not my mask..." I gasp softly, now
slightly afraid she's going to slowly peel the mask from my face, exposing me
to the world. "Relax...I have no interest in who you are under that mask...we
all wear them for a reason..." She teases me as she moves her fingertips back
into my hair and I breath a slow sigh of relief. "Now then...I think you've
earned the rest of the night off for your efforts...there is just one last
thing I will need of you before I go to drop off this painting..." I manage to
slowly open my eyes, though they remain heavily lidded behind my mask. "You
can't...take the painting...you have to...return it..." I do my best to sound
heroic and defiant, but I fail miserably, instead sounding sleepy and shy.
Orchid smiles and caresses her fingertips through my hair, causing me to sigh
in resignation. "So noble and heroic...but don't worry my dear, that painting
will be much better off in the hands of its rightful owner...now then, I need
you to quiet down a bit..." She giggles and I see her suddenly bring a soft
folded purple handkerchief into view. I see the stain of moisture on it and
instantly know what she plans to do. "Orchid...no...you don't need
to...chloroform me...I'm...already defeated...helpless..." I moan softly in
protest as she teasingly lowers the cloth towards my face, a grin spreading
across her own masked face. "Defeated? Hardly...maybe tricked a bit, but I got
lucky tonight sweetheart...you really did push me to my limits...now just
breathe it in..." My eyes widen as the cloth nears my nose and mouth, a little
burning tingle going up my nostrils as I recognize the sweet cloying fumes. I
hate being chloroformed, the feeling of your entire body just shutting down
leaving you helpless to fight it, but in this case there isn't much I can do.

"Mmmmnnnhhhh..." The soft damp silken cloth kisses my lips and covers my nose,
and I breathe in the cloying fumes. My arms jerk slightly, an involuntary
reaction as I try to lift them up to stop Orchid, but no matter how much my
foggy brain tells my hands to pry her hand off of my face, my helpless body
refuses to respond. I wish I could at least fight it, put up a heroic battle,
but Orchid's poisoned knife and powerful pressure point attack have my
completely on the ropes. My head grows heavy and sags in Orchid's lap, the
thief supporting me gently with one hand under my head as her other gently
holds the cloth in place over my nose and mouth. One more soft breath and I'll
be out, completely unconscious, but once again as she has done many times over
the last two nights, Orchid surprises me. A clean breath of air flows into my
lungs as she slowly moves the cloth away, allowing me to hang on to
consciousness by a thin thread. For a moment I float in total delirium, my
mind floating free from my body, trapped in a limbo between unconsciousness
and being awake. "Unnnnh..." I give a soft moan as I feel Orchid's fingertips
massaging my temples, circling over my head with light little circles. "Now
then Miss Masque...now that you are quite comfortable...I'm going to need to
ask you a few questions...please do your best to concentrate and answer them
honestly..." I feel a sharp pressure on both sides of my head as she suddenly
pushes her fingertips hard against my temples. There's a sharp tingle through
my silk wrapped brain and my eyes slowly open, looking blankly up into
Orchid's face, a total feeling of relaxation suddenly coming over me. "Can you
hear me Miss Masque?" Orchid asks me in a soft gentle tone and my lips slowly
spread open to answer her. "Yes...yes...I can hear...you..." I feel like I am
in a daze, stuck in a trance like I'm a spectator in my own body. "Very
good...now firstly my dear, how exactly did you catch on to my plan? How did
you know I would be at the museum trying to steal that painting?" Part of me
wonders why she cares, but a more dominate part of my mind really wants to
tell her, so I do. "It took me...a while...to figure it out...but I researched
the police reports, figured out who the artist was..." For the next few
minutes I tell her about how I put two and two together, figuring that it
couldn't be a coincidence that she stole three paintings by the same artists
from four random antique shops. I confessed that I couldn't figure out a way
to ambush her at the museum so I made up the plan to follow her back to her
hideout and catch her there. The entire time I softly spoke she sat there and
affectionately caressed my face with her soft gloved hands.

"Oh my...look at you my sexy little Sherlock Holmes...I knew I was right about
you, you are quite the capable young woman Miss Masque..." I blush softly at
her words, but she doesn't hesitate before asking me another question. "Very
good Miss Masque...as I said you are one smart cookie, now for the next
bit...did you come alone tonight? Does anyone know that you were after me or
that you were coming here?" I shake my head and softly whisper.
"No...I...came...alone...no one else...knows...about you...." She pauses for a
moment and I can just barely see her eyes twinkling in thought. "Why did you
come alone? Why didn't you just contact the police when you figured out where
I was holed up?" I hesitate a moment before answering. "Because I am alone...I
don't have any allies and I'm the only super hero in this town..." I see
Orchid frown and I sigh as she starts to caress her fingertips through my
hair. "The police...don't trust me....they think I'm a vigilante...they would
probably try to arrest me before they even went after you..." Orchid shifts a
little bit and uses both of her hands to gently hold my head, her soft brown
eyes looking down into my hazy crystal blues. "So you wage a one woman war on
crime...all by yourself...you are so brave Miss Masque..." She gives me a
little grin and pauses before speaking again. "Alright my lovely heroine, I
only have one more question for you..." She smiles devilishly. "How do you
feel right now?" I ponder the question for a moment, my lips slowly parting.
"I feel...helpless...tired, vulnerable...and weak...but...also...warm,
fuzzy...safe...and...aroused..." I feel my face burn with a deep red blush as
I confess the last part, a soft moan slipping past my lips as Orchid teases my
hair. "Oh my...you are a sexy little mynx Miss Masque...but don't you
worry...you are safe...and when I get back...I'm going to show you a night
like no other..." I open my mouth to respond but I'm cut off by the soft
chloroform soaked cloth as it settles back over my nose and mouth.
"Mmmmpppphh...." I fade much faster this time, the long night catching up with
me as I'm at the end of my rope. My eyes open with one last pleading glance at
the lady thief, but she simply smiles and softly strokes my forehead with her
fingertips, coaxing my eyes to slowly flutter shut behind my mask as the dark
tendrils of unconsciousness start to wrap around my mind. "Sleep Miss
Masque...you'll be safe here...you've been working so hard...it's time for you
to rest and relax..." Her soft words slip into my ears as I feel myself
slipping away, my mind drowning in a dark pool as I give one last sigh into
the cloth over my nose and mouth and surrender to the oblivion.

Katy smiled as she watched Miss Masque slowly fall asleep, the red haired
heroine looking rather beautiful and peaceful as she finally gave in to the
chloroform filling her airways and went completely limp on the bed. She gently
played with the heroine's soft hair as she let the cloth lay against her nose
and mouth for a few more seconds, ensuring that she wasn't trying to play
possum. Orchid already knew what a crafty crime fighter Miss Masque could be,
and she wasn't going to take any chances. She took a moment to admire the
slumbering heroine, enjoying the site of her passed out on her back in her
snug fitting red leotard and black tights. Miss Masque was beautiful and
looked quite lovely as she slept, her lips slightly open as her ample bosom
rose and fell slowly, her eyes softly closed behind her mask. "I wish I could
play with you now red...but business calls..." Katy gently traced her
fingertips over the heroine's taut tummy through her red top, grinning as she
thought about how stylish and badass Miss Masque's leather jacket made her
look. She wanted nothing more than to take the sexy young heroine right there,
showing her a night of pleasure only reserved for her most worthy adversaries,
but she finally managed to pull herself away, slipping off of the bed as she
walked over to the dresser in her room. The lovely lady thief returned a
moment later, carrying two armfuls of soft nylon cord, along with a few silk
scarves, which she deposited on the bed next to Miss Masque's helpless form.
Working in a more businesslike manner, she quickly unbuckled the heroine's
utility belt and slipped it from around her trim waist, then untied both of
her sexy red knee high boots. With a graceful and soft tender touch she slowly
slipped each boot off of Miss Masque's toned legs, allowing herself a moment
to rub and caress the heroine's firm calves through her sleek black tights.
"We'll let you keep the sexy jacket for now, be more fun to remove it later
when you're awake..." Orchid teased as she quickly frisked Miss Masque's
jacket pockets to ensure the heroine wasn't concealing any weapons or escape
tools, then she slowly rolled the unconscious redhead over onto her stomach.
Miss Masque's arms were soon crossed behind her back as Orchid tied the soft
nylon cord over her arms, starting at one wrist and wrapping the heroine's
arms in a sleeve of nylon, leaving a long piece of slack cord that hung all
the way down to the heroine's rather nice looking rear. She rolled the sexy
red and black clad woman back over and gently lifted her head, fluffing a soft
pillow beneath it. Orchid then folded both of Miss Masque's stunning legs
back, so her heels were almost touching her butt.

Using more of the soft purple cord, she frog tied both of the heroine's legs,
admiring the redhead's flexibility as she made sure the bonds were snug, but
not tight enough to cause her any permanent harm. "A little something to keep
you busy, in case you wake up..." Orchid grinned as she slid some more cord
under the heroine's back and wrapped it around her waist, cinching it off
snugly before she grabbed the end of the cord leading back up to Miss Masque's
bound arms. She tied a couple of knots off on it and then pulled it up between
the heroine's spread legs, grinning as she watched the knots pull snugly
against the crotch of Miss Masque's red leotard. Orchid quickly tied the cord
off to the ones wrapped around the heroine's waist and then sat back a moment
to admire her work. Miss Masque was trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey, and
Orchid knew that there was no way the sexy and sassy super heroine could slip
her ropes. She looked incredibly delectable bound on the bed, her red and
black clad body looking so soft and inviting. Orchid found herself having to
resist the temptation of snuggling up next to Miss Masque, wanting to wake her
up in a very special way. Instead she reached over and grabbed the little pile
of silk scarves she had brought with her, gently balling one up before she
gently pushed it between the slumbering heroine's plush red lips. She folded
the next one lengthwise and tied it over the heroine's lips, gagging her
gently with the soft and smooth kiss of silk. The final scarf was also folded
lengthwise and then tied around the heroine's head, wrapped over her mask and
under her hair to blindfold her completely. "Don't go anywhere beautiful..."
Orchid whispered softly as she leaned down and teasingly kissed the
unconscious beauty through her silk gag. With that she pried herself away from
her delicious captive and gathered up the heroine's boots and belt, carrying
them back over to her dresser. A message chime on her nearby tablet told her
it was time to make her drop and she took one last longing glance over her
shoulder at the slumbering Miss Masque. "I'll be back soon red...until then
get some rest..." She giggled as she slipped over to the room's walk in closet
and grabbed a thin square object that was wrapped in brown packing paper.
"Time to get paid..." The thief joked as she headed for the back patio door of
her penthouse room, looking forward to her night time rendezvous and the
completion of another successful job.

It didn't take Orchid long to make her way across town, and soon she was
dropping stealthily onto the back deck of a large decades old mansion on the
outskirts of Emerald Pines. "Orchid..." A old man's voice greeted the lovely
magenta clad thief as she slowly strolled over to a man in his late sixties
who was dressed in a comfortable looking maroon robe. "Mr. Brousard...I
believe I have the last of your son's work..." She held out the painting in
her gloved hands and watched with a smile as the old man gingerly took it,
seemingly in disbelief that he had the final piece of his collection in place.
"Do you mind?" He asked as he ran his hands over the packing paper and Katy
obliged with a grin, slipping a knife out of her garter and quickly cutting a
thin line through the paper so her client could gently tear it away from the
painting. The painting was beautiful and featured an expansive landscape
complete with mountains and a vineyard. It didn't take Orchid long to realize
that the painting was of the Brousard Estate's vineyard, which she had seen on
her previous drop offs. "Henry used to sit on the back deck and paint, that is
where he made this masterpiece..." The old man spoke softly, his eyes getting
a little misty as he admired the work of art. "But you don't need to be bored
with those old stories..." He slipped one hand into the pocket of his robe and
pulled out a thick manila envelope. "Your payment...you've more than earned
it..." Katy simply smiled and held up her gloved hand, shaking her head. "Keep
it...donate it to a charity in your son's name if you wish...what I really
could use is some information..." He raised an eyebrow at her request and gave
her a once over, wondering if she was truly serious about turning down such a
large sum of money. "What kind of information?" Orchid grinned and tilted her
head to the side, looking as cute as she possibly could. "Mr. Brousard, you
were a top agent in the CIA for decades, I'm sure you might have some
information laying around somewhere that could help me..." He raised an
eyebrow at her revelation, wondering how she could have possibly known about
his past. "I vet all my clients rather extensively Mr. Brousard, you never
know when someone is going to try to double cross you on a job..." He nodded
and looked at her with a newfound sense of respect for her abilities and
cleverness. "Now then...there's a new heroine in Emerald Pines, waging a one
woman war on crime, the police unwilling to help her or give her the time of
day..." When her client didn't respond she simply continued. "I'm not asking
for the world, just maybe a little bit of information I could slip her,
locations of drug houses, criminal hot spots, just something to help her out."
She batted her eyes playfully behind her mask. "I'm sure someone of your ilk
still has a few contacts somewhere that could get this information..." Mr.
Brousard nodded and turned to head back inside. "Can I get you a drink while
you wait?" Orchid shook her head and smiled. "I don't socialize with my
clients, I'll be fine out here for a few minutes..." He nodded and silently
walked into the house, returning a few minutes later with a smaller envelope,
which he handed to the thief. Orchid peeked inside and smiled as she saw three
USB drives. "Best I could do on short notice, but there's enough there to keep
her busy for awhile...again you have my thanks..." Orchid nodded and turned to
leave. "You have mine as well, now have a good evening Mr. Brousard..." With
that she grinned and vanished into the shadows, excited to return to her hotel
where she had a nice slumbering package of her own to unwrap.

An Orchid's Kiss - Part 5

"Hmmmnn..." A soft muffled moan slips past my lips as I regain consciousness,
my body feeling warm and heavy, the soft kiss of silk against my lips and
eyelids. I can feel the comfortable bed beneath my back, the soft pillow
supporting my head, but for the moment that is all my tired mind can process.
My head swims in a dense warm sea, and I'm not sure which way is up, a soft
tiring warmth radiating through my lithe form. I try to focus, to concentrate
on moving or sitting up, but all I manage to do is wiggle my toes, the soft
feeling of the comforter against them telling me that I'm missing my sexy red
knee high boots. Slowly my senses start to return to me, though I still feel
sleepy, unable to shake the malaise that has come over my once powerful body.
I open my eyes, but all I see is darkness, a muffled sigh leaving my lips as I
let them close, once more feeling the silk against my eyelids. I've been
blindfolded, and there's something in my mouth, along with more silk folded
and pulled snugly against my lips. As the feeling starts to return to my
muscles I weakly squirm, but I don't go anywhere, the feeling of the snugly
tied restraints suddenly present against my skin and costume. There's a void
around my trim waist where my utility belt normally is, but oddly enough I can
steel feel my stylish leather jacket over my shoulders. My arms are pulled
behind my back, each wrist touching an elbow, and I can feel soft nylon tied
the length of my arms, imprisoning my slender arms in a sleeve of rope. I test
my bonds, but find them unyielding, though I must admit they are not
uncomfortable. "Mmmmn..." As I move my arms I become aware of more rope tied
around my waist, along with a rather naughty knotted length of rope pulled
snugly against my leotard, right between my legs. It rubs against my costume,
the feeling of it snugly embracing my most vulnerable region inescapable. My
flexible legs are folded back and bound snugly, my heels nearly touching my
butt as my toned tights clad legs are completely neutralized. I realize that
even if I had my belt and my mind didn't feel like warm jello, I would
probably not be able to escape the unique way I was bound. The soft warm scent
of roses and lilacs suddenly fills my nostrils, the scent amplified as my
sense of smell compensates for my lack of vision. For some inexplicable reason
I feel relaxed, not the slightest bit worried about my predicament. Maybe it's
the incense, or the drugs from Orchid's knife still running through my system,
but whatever it is, I feel no urgency to escape. I feel so helpless and
vulnerable, but at the same time oddly warm and safe, snug in my bondage as I
await the return of the sexy and mischievous lady thief.

Part of it must be the anticipation, my sluggish mind tingling a bit as I
imagine what Orchid is going to do with me once she returns. She had promised
me a night of unimaginable pleasure right before she gently knocked me out,
and given the way she has teased and seduced me over the past few nights, I'm
almost looking forward to seeing if she makes good on her promise. A shiver
runs through my bound form as I think about my encounters with Orchid, the
soft teasing kisses, the way she handled me so gently and tenderly when she
had me completely at her mercy. As Miss Masque I've never run into anyone like
her before, most of my enemies and adversaries are drugged up thugs and goons,
not clever, smart, sexy acrobatic knife wielding brunettes with soft lips and
tender hands. My face flushes with a warm blush as I realize Orchid has swept
me off of my feet, making me completely swoon for her despite the fact she's a
world class lady thief. It has been awhile since I had a romantic evening or
shared a bed with someone, and maybe that is why I feel such a forbidden
attraction to her. It is kind of hard to date when your side job is that of a
sexy masked super heroine, and I've never met anyone quite like her. She's
well traveled, incredibly skilled, beautiful, clever, mysterious, and a good
kisser. I moan softly as passions begin to stir deep within my bound body, my
hips wiggling slightly as I feel the rope tenderly rubbing against my lithe
form. I've been tied up before, but not in this manner. The risk of being
captured comes with the job of being a masked heroine, and I've spent my share
of time knocked out and bound by some of my seedier adversaries, but this
feels different. My bondage feels snug and sensual, the ropes embracing my
costume clad form while the blindfold makes me tingle with anticipation. I've
been bound, blinded, and silenced, the only senses I have left being touch and
sound, both of which are driven to new heights as I await Orchid's return.
Every movement causes the ropes to gently rub against my costume and the
slightest sound makes me shiver as it promises the return of my lovely
adversary. Normally I'd be anxious, terrified even, but everything that has
transpired over the prior two evenings has led me to believe that Orchid
wishes me no ill will. If trading lipstick with a beautiful thief for the rest
of the night is my punishment for failing to capture her, there are much worse
fates out there.

Thankfully I don't have to wait long, my heart skipping a beat as I hear a key
card slide into the room door, though my breath catches for a moment as I
realize that it could be a hotel worker coming to check on things. That could
be beneficial, as they might untie me and give me an opportunity to surprise
Orchid, but they could also do any number of awful things to a lovely bound
heroine. I start to panic a bit as this realization dawns on me, but it is
quickly put to rest as I hear the door open and close, followed by the teasing
whistles of my captor. The sound of a plastic bag being set down on the
dresser fills my ears, and I hear Orchid giggle softly, her voice much closer
now as the bed slightly shifts underneath me. "I hope you had a good nap Miss
Masque..." A quiet muffled moan leaves my lips as Orchid gently lifts my head
and upper back and slides in behind me, the soft rope between my legs rubbing
me tenderly as my body stirs, sending shivers up my spine. Gentle fingertips
play in my soft red hair and I sigh heavily as I relax against Orchid's chest,
my head resting back on her toned shoulder. "I'm going to remove your gag
sweetie...you can scream for help if you like, but I doubt anyone is going to
hear you..." She teases and I feel the silk tied around my lips start to
loosen, and then it falls completely away. It takes almost every ounce of
energy I have just to spit out the wad of silk that was stuffed in my mouth,
my body still feeling far away and lethargic as I take in a deep breath.
"Orchid...back from a...successful night of...breaking the law?" I know it
isn't the best jab in the world, but it's all my sluggish mind can come up
with at the moment. The lady thief giggles softly and wraps one arm around my
waist, while her other hand gently caresses the side of my face. I'm still
blindfolded, but I can almost hear her smile as she starts to whisper in my
ear. "It was a very successful night indeed my lovely heroine. My heist went
off without a hitch, the rightful owner of those paintings is very happy, and
I have a sexy and capable heroine as my companion for the evening. I'd call
that a win..." She whispers the last bit seductively before nibbling at my
earlobe, her one hand starting to gently caress my tummy through my glimmering
red leotard. "How much...do stolen paintings...go for...these days?" I shiver
as her delicate fingertips tease the little indentations of my stomach
muscles. Her other hand slips out of my hair and I hear the soft crinkling of
something plastic as she grabs something nearby. "Well if you must know...I
didn't take a payment on this job my sweet...in fact I traded the painting
tonight for some very valuable information..."

"Information to help you on a new heist no doubt..." I murmur softly as her
fingertips tease a little higher up my costume, moving towards my ample bosom.
"Hmm...I'm afraid not, at least not this time. You see, I actually got you a
little surprise...but you'll have to wait until the morning to see it...now
why don't you relax a bit?" Before I can respond I feel the top of a water
bottle press gently against my lips, my mouth instinctively opening as Orchid
pours cool water into my mouth. I drink it down slowly, enjoying the
refreshing taste, a bit taken aback by her hospitality until I realize that
the water is probably drugged. I pull back a little, surprising her as she was
still pouring the water out, a bit of it dribbling down my chin and dripping
onto my exposed upper chest, causing my to shiver as the cold water tingles
against my skin. "Oh dear, sloppy thing aren't you Miss Masque?" She brings
her gloved hand to my face and gently wipes the water from my lips and chin.
"You honestly think I'd drug the water? After I already have you
subdued...what kind of host do you think I am?" Her tone almost makes it seem
like she is insulted and I hear her set the water bottle over on the
nightstand. "You really should just relax Miss Masque, there's no need to get
all worked up, what's done is done and tonight has played out the way it has."
Her hands move to my shoulders and she starts to rub and massage me through my
leather jacket, causing me to sigh as I feel my tired muscles unwind under her
talented touch. "That's it, just let it all go, you've earned a night of
pampering...waging your one woman war on crime, I'm sure a lovely lady like
you rarely gets a night off to herself to just unwind..." If it's possible,
her soft words and gentle massage have me feeling even more relaxed and sleepy
than before. "I must admit Miss Masque...you are quite clever and very
skilled. You were one of my toughest challenges yet, and I hope after tonight
we can part ways as respected rivals...not enemies..." I blush softly at her
compliments and then let out a little soft purr as her practiced thumbs find a
few sore knots in my muscles and gently work them loose. I tilt my head to the
side a bit and lean up slightly, a soft warmth spreading through me as Orchid
reads my move and leans the rest of the way, pressing her delicious lips
against my own in a soft and tender kiss. We kiss for a few seconds, but it
seems like an eternity, her lovely lips tingling against my own, and I'm
pleasantly surprised that I don't taste her sense stealing poisoned lipstick
as she finally releases me from the juicy lip lock. I might as well have just
thrown up a white flag with the kiss, relinquishing my fate to whatever Orchid
has planned for me, but the lady thief once again surprises me as her hands
leave my shoulders and her arms wrap gently around me, almost in a protective
embrace.

"Like I said Miss Masque, you can relax...I have no plans of hurting you,
unmasking you, or doing anything you might consider...evil..." She chuckles
softly at the end of her statement then gives me a teasing kiss on the cheek.
"Consider this a well deserved night off for being a sexy and capable defender
of the night, if only Emerald Pines knew how lucky they were to have such a
protector..." I swoon a bit in her arms and then her lips are on mine again,
my face flushed under my mask as I feel my body come alive with desire, her
plush lips owning mine in a much deeper and more possessive kiss. At the same
time I feel her arms unwrap from around me, her hands returning to my
shoulders, only this time her thumbs press firmly into a little spot on both
sides of the base of my neck. A soothing warm numbness moves through my
shoulder muscles and down my arms, making it feel as if they are almost
separated from my body. "Mmmm..." A soft moan leaves my pouting lips as Orchid
breaks the kiss and teases her hands down my arms to the soft rope keeping me
prisoner. "Why don't we get you a little more comfortable?" She whispers
softly and I can feel her hands starting to loosen and unwind my restraints.
My arms are unbound, but they remain useless to me as the lovely thief gently
removes the coils of rope and then slides her hands back up my arms and around
to my chest. She starts to slowly pull and tug my leather jacket down over my
shoulders, revealing my smooth bare skin and the thin red straps of fabric
that hold my snug fitting leotard in place. Orchid methodically pulls my
jacket free of my arms and sets it aside, her gentle hands returning to rest
on my toned shoulders, causing me to shiver with anticipation and desire as
her palms and fingertips glide over my skin. "Ahhhmm..." I gasp softly as she
squeezes my shoulders and then teasingly takes my shoulder straps between her
fingertips, slipping them down over my upper arms and causing my top to loosen
slightly over my increasingly aroused bosom. Orchid gently raises each of my
arms, one after the other, as she slips each strap free and then pulls my arms
behind my back once again. I sigh and relax against her as I feel soft silk
being tied gently around my wrists, these bonds designed to tease me more than
they are meant to restrain me. My body starts to awaken as blood flows into my
erogenous zones, my breasts firming up as my nipples tent obviously against
the smooth red fabric of my leotard, tingles running through my mind as Orchid
starts to gently kiss her way over my bare shoulder towards the nape of my
vulnerable neck.

"Oooohhh....Orchid..." I whisper her name and gently bite my lower lip as she
starts to tease my neck with kisses, while her soft fingertips trail lightly
up and down my toned arms, every sensation amplified a hundred times as I fall
further under her spell. I wriggle my hips, causing the smooth ropes still
tied around my waist and between my legs to gently and tenderly rub and tease
against me, further stoking the fires of passion that seem to be igniting
across every one of my nerve endings. Still blindfolded, my other senses
compensate for my lack of vision, making each one of the lady thief's tender
touches all that more intense. I moan as every brush of the fabric of my
compression sports bra and red top against my aroused nipples sends sensual
electricity rippling through my engorged bosom, each brush of Orchid's soft
lips against my skin making me shiver as the beautiful thief disarms me with
the most intense foreplay I've ever experienced. "You are so lovely Miss
Masque, so beautiful and talented, so brave and cunning...all wrapped up in
this sexy little red and black costume..." A long wanting moan slips past my
pursed lips as her words make me melt, the thief just as talented with her
pillow talk as she is her throwing knives. "Mmmnn...yesss..." I can't help but
sigh as her hands finally slip around and envelop my breasts, her soft gloves
gently squeezing my ripened mounds as she continues to feed on my nape with
her plush lips. My flower begins to blossom under her skilled touch, the
petals of my delicate lotus tingling as they are teased by the knotted rope
and smooth fabric of my uniform, my toned tummy quivering as it starts to fill
with a soothing warmth that pulses throughout the rest of my slender frame. "I
have a lovely surprise in store for you Miss Masque...now why don't we slip
you out of this sexy costume?" She gently tugs at the red fabric of my top,
pulling my leotard down to my trim waist. My bosom struggles against the
restrictive material of my sports bra, a soft moan leaving my lips as she
teases my exposed stomach with her fingertips. I feel completely relaxed, but
more alive than I have ever felt in my entire life as she unhooks my strapless
bra and pulls it away, exposing my pert breasts and diamond hard nipples to
the cool air of the room. It feels like even the blood in my veins is tingling
with arousal as she shifts on the bed and slowly guides me down onto my back,
fluffing a soft pillow beneath my head just before she smothers me with a long
deep kiss. At the same time I feel her gloved hand settle on my inner thigh
and tease upward, my moan of desire muffled by her lips as she teases her hand
up my snug fitting black tights. I can feel my damp undergarments against my
smooth skin, the blazing fire in my stomach intensifying as Orchid teasingly
rubs the rope and my costume against my yielding sweet spot.

The most amazing orgasm of my life is burning deep in my loins, and it wants
out, but Orchid once again slow plays her hand, making me sigh in frustration
as her lips pull away from my own. I feel her hands move to my legs, and then
my waist, the long lengths of rope that she had used to bind me loosening as
she unties me and straightens both of my legs out on the bed. I was free save
for the soft silk binding my wrists, but my legs might as well have been
restrained with heavy steel shackles, given how useless they are to me at the
moment. "Ooohh!!" I gasp as she leans down and starts to kiss her way over my
quivering tummy, while her hands pull my leotard all the way off, then return
to rest teasingly on my hips. "Let's see what other lovely things you're
hiding under these sexy tights..." Orchid teases and her fingertips hook in
the waistband of my black tights and begin to tug downwards, gathering up the
waistband of my compression thong as they go. My body burns as I yearn for
Orchid's touch against my sizzling skin, but the lady thief takes her time,
teasing me as she slowly pulls my tights down, causing me to shiver as she
finally slips them down to my knees and exposes my moistened womanhood. "Of
all the works of art I've stolen...I think you might be the most beautiful..."
My heart flutters at the words and I feel my tights slip free of my ankles,
leaving me resting on my back, naked except for my mask and the soft silk that
binds my wrists. As Miss Masque I've never been this exposed or this
vulnerable, yet I feel more aroused than I've ever been in my life. "Now for
your surprise..." She giggles and I hear the cap pop off of a bottle as the
bed shifts beneath me, Orchid sliding in close. "Mmmmnn..." A cool gel like
substance starts to drizzle against my skin, pooling on my toned stomach and
then teasing upwards towards my exposed bosom. Orchid trails the liquid all
over me, leaving a cooling trail across my breasts and upper chest before
drizzling two lines down each of my legs. I gasp and sigh as the liquid
tingles and then Orchid's hands are on me, her gloves removed as her soft
gentle fingers and palms begin to caress my soft pliable body. She starts at
my stomach and works her way higher, rubbing and massaging the gel into my
skin. It starts to warm as she rubs it all over me, making my skin even more
sensitive than before as I feel every single pore come alive with sensual
electricity. All the while she teases me with tender, soft kisses, slipping
her tongue into my mouth as her hands work higher and higher. A long groan
leaves my slightly parted lips as she reaches my breasts and takes her time
massaging and rubbing them, her thumbs and fingertips teasingly rubbing and
gently pinching my rock hard nipples, making them scream and burn for more
attention.

I lose track of time and space as my gorgeous adversary rubs the warming oil
over my shoulders and neck, then starts to move her way back down my body, her
lips leaving sizzling kisses against my newly aroused skin as she slips lower
and lower. "Mmmmmnnn....Oohhhh...aahhhnnn..." I nearly climax on the spot as
her lips envelop one of my ripened buds, her tongue swirling around my over
aroused nipple as she sucks it deep into her mouth, then gives it a teasing
nibble before releasing it. She follows suit on my other breast and my hands
grasp handfuls of the bedspread as lightning runs up and down my spine, a mind
blowing orgasm threatening to claim me as it takes every ounce of my remaining
willpower to hold back my impending climax. My body tenses and hangs on the
precipice, and Orchid responds by moving her lips away, letting me simmer just
enough to keep me on the edge before her hands return to my body and begin to
massage more of the oil into my toned legs. Soon I'm coated from head to toe,
every inch of my body aching to be touched and caressed. "I picked up this
trick on a trip to the orient, along with this magical oil...which I further
enhanced with a little muscle relaxant to keep my guests nice and relaxed..."
I shiver and let out a long gasp as Orchid snuggles in beside me, her soft
pink tights caressing my skin as she hooks her leg over mine and drapes an arm
over my taut tummy, holding me close as I feel her breath on my face. "Feeling
alright Miss Masque??" She whispers teasingly in my ear and I tilt my head
towards her voice, slightly puckering my lips. "I feel...amazing...now shut
up...and kiss me..." Before I can even fathom another thought her lips are on
mine and we are making out passionately like long lost lovers, the lust and
arousal rippling through my slender frame finally stealing away all of my
inhibitions as I openly kiss her back and welcome her pleasuring touch. We are
no longer enemies or rivals, the long night of cat and mouse forgotten as we
let our forbidden passions overtake us. My mind drifts as I melt further on
the bed, her lips owning mine and muffling my soft sigh of desire as I feel
something light and feathery tease against my stomach, leaving a trail of
arousing star fire behind it as it moves all over my midsection. I vaguely
recall that Orchid wore a lovely feathered headpiece in her hair, and reach
the conclusion that she's now teasing one of them all over my skin. I tremble
with anticipation as I realize she is going to make me cum with only the soft
touch of a feather, my legs involuntarily spreading a little wider as she
slides an arm under my head to support me and keep me locked in a delicious
kiss, her tights clad leg rubbing up and down against my thigh. Finally the
feather whispers over my engorged breasts, teasingly flicking light circles
around my enflamed nipples. My body seizes as Orchid teases her knee up and
presses it gently against my boiling honey pot, the combination of the soft
fabric of her tights rubbing against me and the delicate arousing brush of the
feather throwing me over the edge and into sensual oblivion.

"Oooohhhhh godddddd!!!! Mmmmhhhhnnnn!!!!" My lips break away from Orchid's and
I moan loudly into the headboard as my back arches and my butt clenches, my
bound hands flexing into fists as Orchid mashes our lips together in a
passionate tongue filled kiss as I feel a thunderbolt of pure sexual pleasure
rip down my spine and explode between my slightly spread legs. I groan
erotically into her mouth as my toes curl and my orgasm ripples through me, a
tsunami of pure pleasure washing over and through me as my mind goes blank, a
bomb of warm soft tingles exploding between my temples as I soak Orchid's
tights with my release. It seems to go on and on and on, my back arched like a
bow string as my climax spends its tremendous energy, aftershocks washing over
me like a trip hammer as my stomach quivers and my hips squirm and twist. Then
with a long soft sigh my muscles relax and I collapse limply to the bed, the
world seeming to melt away as a heady afterglow envelops my sex hazed mind, a
soft moan leaving my lips as my fists unclench and Orchid snugly embraces me,
her lips teasingly nibbling at the side of my face and down my jawline. My
heart hammers in my chest, my breath coming in soft ragged gasps as I wind
down from my tremendous climax, my tingling oil soaked skin still screaming
for attention as my nipples remain stiff and at attention, making easy targets
for the lovely thief. "Mmmnn....Orchid...that was...incredible...oohhhh..." I
moan and whimper as she tenderly cups my breast and rubs her thumb over my
aroused bud, my young body Orchid's to mold as she has so tenderly picked all
of my locks and laid my treasures bare. "You haven't seen anything yet my
sweet..." She whispers in my ear and then brushes my lips with a soft teasing
kiss as her fingertips trace light trails across my flushed and sweaty skin.
My mind spins a little as I realize she is right and that the night is still
young. The bed shifts slightly and I feel her roll away from me, but then her
arms are slipping under my body, lifting me up and bringing me up in a gentle
front carry. I sigh and let my head rest against her chest as she carries me
through the room, my body feeling light and far away, Orchid's embrace soft
and protective as she playfully nuzzles her nose against my forehead. "I was
thinking...since you interrupted me earlier..." She pauses and slowly sets me
down, a little shiver running through me as my feet touch down on the cool
tile floor of the bathroom. The sound of running water fills the room and she
nudges me forward a bit. "How about a shower?" She whispers playfully in my
ear and I bite my lower lip in anticipation, my mind starting to run wild as
it imagines the further pleasures Orchid will introduce me to.

"Sally! You have a delivery!!" The voice of our receptionist jars me from my
half awake state and I sigh as I push myself away from my desk and slowly
stand up. The heels of my sharp black leather knee high boots move softly
across the floor as I head for the front of the office, looking rather prim
and proper in my business clothes. It was a long morning dropping off
documents and assisting with client meetings, so I'm dressed in a perfectly
tailored dark grey dress shirt and silky black skirt. Black tights accent my
slender legs and the french cuffs and crisp starched collar of my shirt are
fastened and buttoned snugly. A long looped red silk necktie adds a bit of
color to my outfit, and my medium length red hair is pulled up in a loose bun
at the back of my head. I grin as I head for the receptionist's desk, knowing
that the black tights are part of another outfit, one hidden beneath my
buttoned up appearance. You see, I'm not just an overworked paralegal, I'm
also the super heroine Miss Masque, my buttoned shirt and skirt hiding the
sleek and shiny red leotard that I wear with my black tights when I'm out
fighting crime. No one in my office even knows or suspects that I'm the sexy
crime fighter, and I feel a weird sense of excitement at hiding my costume
beneath my work clothes. Crime never takes a rest, so I'm always ready if Miss
Masque is needed. "Hey Carol, what do you have for me?" I ask our raven haired
receptionist with a smile, expecting her to hand me a giant box full of
documents, but instead she grins and hands me a slim box that I easily
recognize as a flower delivery. "Looks like someone got a little special
something..." She gives me a teasing giggle as I take the flower box, unsure
of who sent them. "Probably just a client being nice..." I playfully spit my
tongue out at her as I take the flowers and head back to my office. I close
the door to get a little privacy and then plop back down in my desk chair,
quickly opening the box to see what is inside. "Orchids...wow these are
beautiful!" I smile as I pull out a nice arrangement of purple flowers,
complete with a vase. I set the vase down on my desk and admire the flowers
before reading the little card included with them. "From your biggest fan and
secret admirer..." The note is coy and secretive, with no signature on it.
"Hmmm....who could these be from?" I have no idea who would send me flowers,
or who would be a secret admirer of mine. Being an overworked legal
professional and a super heroine in my spare time doesn't leave me with much
time to socialize or even spend enough time with anyone to the point they
could become a secret admirer.

"These do smell so wonderful!!" I take a long deep breath through my nose,
inhaling the sweet scent of the lovely flowers, giving a soft sigh as I relax
back in my chair and close my eyes, suddenly feeling a little relaxed and
happy about my afternoon surprise. i barely manage to stifle a yawn, realizing
just how tired I am after a tough day at work. "Mmmm....feel so relaxed...kind
of sleepy..." I mumble softly as I feel my muscles relax even more, my arms
feeling warm and far away as I start to think about taking a nap. A soft
giggle from behind me startles me a bit, but my body feels so soft and warm,
comfortable as I melt further into my chair. "Well what do we have here? A
cute little paralegal napping on the job?" A teasing feminine voice fills my
ears, strangely familiar, and I gasp as soft gloved hands slip around the
sides of my head, gentle fingertips suddenly massaging my temples. "You look
rather enticing in this little professional get up of yours...I wonder what
you're hiding under this prim and proper little outfit?" The teasing voice
whispers in my ear, and the soft fingertips slide downwards, teasing over my
face before smoothing down my shirt collar, teasing my silky red tie and then
dancing over my shoulders, before they finally slip downwards and gently cup
my breasts. "Oooohh..." My eyes flutter shut and I moan softly as my bosom is
teased through my outfit, my mind spiraling as I feel a tingling warmth pulse
through me, something clicking in my mind as I recall the type of flowers that
were delivered to me."Orchid...but...how??" I gasp softly as she giggles
again, giving my breasts a plump squeeze before pulling her hands away from my
now tingling chest. "Oh you'll find I'm quite resourceful Sally..." She
giggles playfully and I hear the sound of my bag being unzipped, then feel
something smooth being pressed against my face. "Or should I say...Miss
Masque??" I can hear Orchid's grin as she slowly presses my black mask over my
face, the material sealing against my skin and exposing me as much more than a
mild mannered paralegal. "I'm...I'm not...Miss Masque..." I plead softly,
afraid that Orchid will now expose my secret, but instead I feel a soft gloved
fingertip press against my lips. "Shhh....don't worry Sally...I'm not going to
tell anyone...but just to confirm my suspicions..." I sigh with resignation as
she reaches up, her fingers teasing through my hair as she loosens the bun at
the back of my head and lets my medium length red hair unfurl. "Oh yes...the
way your lovely hair and this mask frame your gorgeous face...your resemblance
is unmistakable..."

I blush softly at the compliment, and before I can reply Orchid's tender lips
are on mine, the wily thief teasing me with a soft playful kiss while her
hands gently cup my face and then move downwards. Sweat trickles down my neck
and beads on my forehead as my body temperature rises, my muscles completely
useless as the drugged scent of Orchid's flowers renders me totally inert. I'm
allowed a quick breath and then I'm once again smothered and silenced by her
velvety lips, a tingle running down my spine as she muffles my soft aroused
moan. My identity is already revealed, but I can't stop her as she teasingly
takes my red tie in her fingertips and playfully tugs at the fabric,
eventually giving it a firm pull to unravel the knot at my collar. "Let's see
what else you're hiding Miss Masque..." She whispers teasingly in my ear
before kissing my neck, her fingers slowly unbuttoning my shirt down to the
waistline of my skirt, revealing the glossy red fabric and plunging neckline
of my leotard beneath my business clothes. "Mmmmnn..." I groan softly as she
slips her hands into my unbuttoned shirt and gently plays with my breasts
through my costume, my aroused nipples already hard and tenting obviously even
through the fabric of my sports bra and red top. Tender kisses sizzle across
the exposed skin of my upper chest and I gasp as I feel a soft tingle of warm
moisture grow between my once powerful legs. My body relaxes completely and I
sag back in my chair, no longer worried about anyone barging in on us as
Orchid wraps my aroused mind around her skilled fingers, the lovely lady thief
suddenly sliding back a bit as her hands leave my chest. They return a moment
later, settling on my tights clad knees before gently pushing my legs apart,
causing my silky black skirt to hike up and reveal the smooth strip of red
fabric between my tights clad legs. "You really do rock a skirt Miss
Masque...and wearing your costume under your work clothes...mmmnnn...super
sexy..." My pulse races as my mind wanders, wondering what someone might think
if they walked into my office and found the oft-reserved and hard working
Sally Graham slouched back in her office chair, mask on, shirt unbuttoned and
skirt hiked up to reveal her as the sexy vigilante Miss Masque, skin flushed
with arousal and her nipples perking against her tight fitting costume. A
burst of sensual electricity arcs through my body as the naughty forbidden
thought turns me on a bit, while at the same time Orchid brushes her teasing
fingertips against the snug fitting bottom of my leotard. "Don't worry Sally,
I won't let anyone else find out your secret...now just relax...we're going to
have quite a nice evening together..."

"Oooohhh...." I wake up with a soft moan, as I feel the delicate silk fabric
caress my naked breasts, my mind warm and fuzzy with arousal as I slowly rub
my thighs together and sigh with pleasure. I feel the pillow beneath my head,
the soft bed beneath me, and most noticeably, the lack of any one else nearby.
With a soft gasp I slowly open my eyes, the tingle of the silk against my body
almost unbearable as I try to relax and let my head clear, realizing it was
all a dream. A very naughty dream at that given the warm dampness I can feel
between my legs. "Orchid...?" I whisper softly as I start to look around, my
vision clearing and adjusting to the soft sunlight filtering in through the
drawn blinds. There is no sign of the lovely lady thief, other than the smooth
silk tied around my wrists, holding my arms gently behind my back, a similar
strip of silk also bound gently around my ankles. I blush brightly and close
my eyes, the memories of the prior evening flooding back into my mind as the
silk sheets continue to tease my aroused skin. I recall how Orchid had slowly
stripped me and made me climax using just some body oil and a soft feather,
followed by carrying me to a warm shower, where she had proceeded to clean me
up in the most pleasurable way imaginable. It had been one of the most
unforgettable nights of my young life, and I could just vaguely recall falling
asleep in Orchid's arms, her soft lips teasing the back of my neck and over my
shoulder before I finally gave into the sweet darkness. With a soft sigh I
resist the urge to writhe against the smooth silk caressing my naked body,
instead sliding back a bit so I can prop my back up against the headboard,
causing the sheets to slide off of me, revealing my naked and still slightly
aroused bosom. A slow glance around the room reveals that Orchid is gone,
though she did leave me a teasing keepsake on the nightstand, where one of her
knives rests, a little note underneath it reading: "Just in case you can't get
free..." There is a magenta lipstick print at the bottom of the note, no doubt
my captor's calling card, though after last night I'm not sure I should even
call her that. "Oh Sally...what have we gotten ourselves into this time?" I
give a wry smile as I start to work my wrists free. It doesn't take long to
slip my comfortable bonds, and I slip out of the bed and slowly stand up,
stretching out my muscles, oddly comfortable with my nakedness as I take a
look around the room. I see my costume neatly folded and placed on top of the
dresser, my jacket, belt, and boots piled in a nearby chair. There's a robe
laid over the desk chair in front of me and I gently take it, slipping into
the soft silk, which feels amazing against my smooth skin. There's a manila
envelope on the desk, along with another note, which I carefully pick up and
start to read.

"To the lovely and Illustrious Miss Masque..." I sigh and roll my eyes,
imagining Orchid's teasing tone as I read through her letter. "You are one of
the finest opponents I have ever matched wits with, and I couldn't help but
leave you a token of my appreciation." I glance down at the envelope, which is
mostly flat, though there is a small bulge at the end of it. "There was no
profit for me on this job, other than the chance to test my skills against a
capable young woman who is doing her best to make a difference in this world.
I can respect that, and inside this envelope you'll find my payment from the
job. Consider it an investment in your future, and use it wisely. You are
skilled and thoughtful, if not a bit naive, but you will learn more from
experience and I can see your potential to do great things for the innocent
people under your watch. Be careful Miss Masque, and keep your eyes open. You
never know when we might cross paths again, and I won't hesitate to try to
make you fall for me again..." I blush softly and bite my lower lip, just
imagining another evening with Orchid. "I part ways with you, hopefully as a
respected rival, and look forward to seeing you succeed in your endeavors. Be
careful, and take care of yourself. Yours Truly, Orchid..." I let out a deep
sigh as I finish reading her note, a mixture of anticipation and pride
swelling within me, oddly feeling somewhat secure that a world class
cat-burglar thinks highly of my skills. I'm also curious as to what is in the
envelope, so I gently set the note down and pick up the long manila envelope.
One end is open and I tilt it towards my hand, my eyes narrowing a bit as
three USB flash drives slide out of the envelope and land in my palm. "What am
I supposed to do with these?" I wonder aloud as I peer down at them, even more
curious now as to what Orchid has left me. "Need my computer...can't really do
much with these now..." I slip the flash drives back into the envelope and
then fold up Orchid's two notes, slipping them into the envelope along with
the knife she left, a souvenir of our encounter. I walk over and set it down
next to my folded costume, then slowly look up, catching a glimpse of myself
in the mirror. "Oh god...the bed hair...uggggh...." I groan as I see my lovely
red hair, frayed and messy, like I've just woken up from a night of partying
from back in my college days. "Miss Masque can't be seen like this...I'm a
mess!!" I sigh with exasperation, glancing around nervously as I wonder what
to do about the whole situation I find myself in right now.

It is at this moment that I remember the shower from the night before, a small
smile spreading across my face as I relax a bit. "Of course...it's a hotel
silly..." I shake my head and slip over past the bed, heading into the
bathroom where I slowly slip out of the robe and slide into the shower. The
hot water feels incredible against my skin and I sit down on the shower bench
and close my eyes, just enjoying the water cascading down on me for awhile. My
mind flashes back to the night before, remembering all the amazing things
Orchid did to me while we showered together, a soft gasp leaving my lips as a
tingle runs up my spine just from the thought. I do my best to put those
thoughts aside for now, leaving my hands to rest at my sides as I resist some
of my own growing urges. A few minutes later I emerge from the bathroom, a
towel wrapped around me and my hair nicely brushed out. I find another note
sitting on top of my costume, this one with another teasing lipstick kiss. "I
managed to convince one of the bellhops to have your uniform cleaned, can't
have my lovely heroine looking amiss..." I roll my eyes again as I set the
note aside and grab my costume, moving over to the bed where I lay it out
neatly. Slipping out of the robe, I quickly slip into my athletic compression
thong and sports bra, followed by my sleek black tights. My glossy red leotard
comes next and I take a deep breath as I slip my shoulder straps up and feel
my costume pull snug against my bosom. It doesn't take long to finish dressing
as I slide into my black leather jacket and then slip on both of my knee high
red boots, enjoying the feel of my boots as they seal against my athletic
legs. Finally I grab my utility belt and buckle it snugly around my trim
waist, feeling my confidence return completely as I am once again dressed in
my full costume. I put my hands on my hips and glance in the mirror, grinning
as I take in my red and black clad form. Gathering up the rest of Orchid's
teasing notes, I slip them into the long manila envelope and then fold it so I
can tuck it into a pocket on my jacket. As I head for the patio door I take
one last look around the room, blushing slightly as I again recall the prior
evening spent with Orchid. In a way I guess I almost owe her a thanks, as she
forced me to tap into an unknown skill set. I've never had to put as much work
into figuring out my opponent's plans before, and knowing that I was able to
decipher the mystery of her painting thefts, I have renewed confidence in my
overall abilities as a street level heroine. Yes in the end she was able to
capture me, but the entire face off with her showed me that I can match wits
with someone that is highly skilled, and quite honestly I can't really
complain much about the results of falling into her trap. "Until we meet again
Orchid..." I whisper softly before slipping outside, fresh and ready for new
adventures.

A few weeks later I'm relaxing in a comfortable chair on the sun porch of one
of Emerald Pines' newest internet cafes, typing away furiously on my laptop in
between sips of a warm green tea. I smile as I scroll through some of the
latest news headlines, which discuss various local news and talk about the
dropping crime rate. There is a feature article about how two of the biggest
heroin trafficking rings that were moving in on Emerald Pines have been
completely eliminated, their remaining members scattered to the wind as they
tried to elude capture by the authorities. I grin as one of the articles even
mentions rumors of a masked vigilante that is assisting the police when it
comes to dealing with the local gangs. The local authorities are of course mum
on the subject, not wanting to seem like they are actually coming around to
the idea of allowing a masked heroine of the night to assist them. "Hmmm....I
do need to be a bit careful with this though, don't want Miss Masque getting
too much press..." I whisper to myself before taking a sip of my tea, though I
really don't need to worry about anything at the moment as I'm the only one
outside enjoying the warm afternoon sun. A broad smile crosses my face as I
lean back and relax in my chair, just out enjoying a lazy afternoon in a pair
of snug fitting jeans and a comfy hooded sweatshirt. All of the good news
about the dropping crime rates in Emerald Pines only further assures me that I
made the right decision to keep on fighting as Miss Masque. The USB flash
drives that Orchid provided me were full of information on all of the local
drug gangs, in addition to some other shady characters operating in the city.
I haven't worked my way through all of the information though, and I'm really
not sure who she got it from, but it has been invaluable in assisting me with
my war on the seedy underbelly of Emerald Pines. Some of the information I've
gone through has really opened my eyes to all of the bad things that are going
on in this town, but a few of the threats are a bit beyond my level right now.
Maybe if I had a partner or a couple of other heroes to help me out I could go
after some of the more dangerous organizations in town, but right now I'm
content to pick off as many of the lower level gangs and drug lords that I
can. I'm making a big difference and that is all that matters to me. A soft
ding interrupts my train of thought and I fish my smart phone out of the
pocket off my hoodie and quickly unlock it, smiling as I see an email
notification from work. "My vacation got approved!! Sweet!!!" I type off a
quick thank you to my boss and then tuck my phone away, now excited for an
entirely different reason as I direct my web browser to a search engine and
type in "Paragon City."

Last night I was busy, out on the streets as Miss Masque shutting down another
drug safe house, only this one was different. The goons seemed to be of a
higher ilk and were better trained. It was a hell of a fight, but I made it
out in the long run and the police were able to rush in and capture the entire
gang and their contraband. It was a tough fight and I had taken my fair share
of lumps and bruises, but it had been worth it when one of the bad guys
coughed up the name of a criminal mercenary organization called the Knives of
Artemis. Apparently this group was helping them run drugs and weapons into
Emerald Pines, allowing them to easily bypass the watching eyes of the Federal
government since Emerald Pines isn't exactly a hot spot for organized crime.
The cops had shown up before I could extract more information with my fists,
so I had fled and watched them finish what I had started from the safety of a
nearby rooftop. Upon reaching home I had stripped out of my sexy red and black
costume and slipped into a warm relaxing bubble bath, my mind going over all
of the information I had learned. What little bit of research I had done later
that night led me to Paragon City, a sprawling east coast metropolis that is
famous for its large population of meta humans and super villains. Unlike
Chicago or Emerald Pines, super heroes are a dime a dozen in Paragon City, and
so are the bad guys. "I'll be able to stay under the radar there, no one is
going to have ever heard of Miss Masque in a place like that..." The only
unfortunate thing is that I had to drop a pretty penny and dip into some of my
savings in order to afford the plane tickets and a cheap motel on the
outskirts of town, in addition to a rental car. I told work that I needed to
visit a family friend, so thankfully my time off request had been approved and
I had a scant three days to spend in Paragon City, where I would hopefully be
able to find the seedy bastards who thought it was ok to try to bring drugs
into my city. I'll admit that I'm nervous, but my battle with Orchid and my
recent success over the last couple of weeks has confidence level at an all
time high. "Man this is a big city, hopefully I can pinpoint them pretty
quickly..." I sigh as I look at the map of Paragon, which is huge and spread
out into multiple zones. Apparently the heroes there patrol the different
areas of the city based on some kind of security level, and most areas of the
city are zoned off by these giant defensive walls. I briefly recall that
Paragon had been the epicenter of an alien invasion a few years back, and the
aftermath of that brief and ultimately failed invasion had led to the city
becoming a global center of technology and advancement, with plenty of
opportunities for corrupt corporations and black market vendors looking to
peddle recovered alien technology.

I'll admit I'm a bit anxious about going to a new place for a few days. I
don't know Paragon like I know Emerald Pines, or even Chicago, but I'm also
not about to give up on this big lead. One way or another Miss Masque is going
to find the Knives of Artemis, and I'm going to make them wish they hadn't
thought of my new home as a place they could bring their criminal activities.
Paragon City is huge and I'll be a nobody there, but that's just fine with me
as I don't mind flying under the radar if it gives me the advantage over my
opponents. "I'm the one they aren't counting on..." I grin and giggle slightly
as I feel the cool afternoon wind in my red hair. I'm sure going to Paragon
City will be a fun vacation, and who knows, maybe I'll make some new
friends...