Harriet's heels clicked against the polished floor as she walked between the rows of bookshelves, her hips swaying naturally with each stride. Sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating her silky raven hair and the graceful lines of her body beneath her fitted blouse and midi skirt. The supple curve of her waist flared into round, lush hips, her skirt hugging every delectable inch.
Oblivious to the appreciative glances directed her way, Harriet continued to navigate the aisles, her natural allure drawing the attention of both men and women as she went about her work with a smile.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Bancroft?" a patron called out.
Harriet turned her attention to the older man before her, peering at him over the rim of her reading glasses. Mr. Wright, a frequent visitor to the library, always made her a little uncomfortable by the way he gazed at her. Evelyn, her coworker, claimed he'd been coming here for years and had a reputation as a sly fox and occasional bum pincher. Putting on a smile, she asked, "Yes? How may I help you, Mr. Wright?"
"Um, well, my dear, I'm looking for a book on human anatomy," he said with a hint of mischief, as his eyes flicked toward her chest. His gaze lingered there, almost magnetized, before he cleared his throat, adding, "Something that dives deep into the, ahem, the body’s more intimate places and elusive secrets? Do you have anything with illustrations that goes... that in-depth, Mrs. Bancroft?"
"Of course," she replied in a businesslike manner. She led him to the appropriate section, aware of his look lingering on the sway of her hips as they walked, although making sure to keep her backside well out of his reach.
Upon arriving at their destination, Harriet plucked a thick tome from the shelf with practiced ease, presenting it to the old man. "Anatomy of the Human Body, by Henry Gray. This should cover everything you need to know.”
"Thank you, Mrs. Bancroft," the old man sighed, looking a little disappointed by her choice.
As he accepted the book, his fingers lightly grazed hers, causing an unexpected jolt of electricity to pass between them. She retracted her hand, the brief contact leaving a strange, but not unpleasant, warmth on her skin. Where had that come from, she wondered.
"Enjoy your studies," she said, as she turned away from him and resumed her duties.
While Harriet sat at her desk, she couldn't help but think about how Mr. Wright reminded her so much of her husband, Dr. Charles Bancroft—at least physically.
She had met Dr. Bancroft during one of his lectures on Modernist War Poetry. Charles had been a brilliant academic, tall and lean, with greying hair and glasses that made him look distinguished. She was drawn to him immediately. But behind closed doors, he proved to be a cold and distant man, unable to sustain the physical passion and intimacy the significantly younger Harriet craved.
Mr. Wright, on the other hand, didn't fit the scholarly mold despite his choice of literature. He had a sleazy quality, and his regular crude advances should have repelled Harriet. Yet, she secretly looked forward to his futile attempts. They stirred something in her, even if it was little more than a cheap thrill.
"Is everything all right, dear?" Evelyn asked, noticing the faraway look in Harriet's eyes.
"Yes, I'm fine," Harriet replied, forcing a smile. "Just lost in thought."
"Ah, well, we all have our little daydreams, don't we?" Evelyn said with a knowing wink.
"Indeed," Harriet agreed.
As she sat there, she couldn't shake off the odd reaction Mr. Wright's attention had sparked in her. For a delicious moment, she allowed herself to wonder what might have happened if she’d responded to Mr. Wright’s flirting. What if she asked him to assist her in the book storeroom to hold a ladder while she climbed up to access the taller racks? On the higher rungs, he’d have a great view up her skirt and…
She inwardly chastised herself for even going there. She was married, for God's sake, to a man she respected, even if he was more like a distant housemate than a passionate lover. But she had to admit, Mr. Wright had made her curious. Of course, acting on this was out of the question, but as she got back to her usual tasks, she felt a weird mix of emotions she couldn't put a name to. Was it regret? No, it was more like she'd let sneak into the light, a part of herself she kept under very tight wraps.
Of late, Harriet found it increasingly difficult to ignore a gnawing dissatisfaction with her situation. While the library provided a sanctuary for her love of literature, it also served as a constant reminder of the passion and intimacy missing from her life. The worn pages that filled the shelves whispered to her of worlds where desire was unbridled, and lovers were blissfully consumed by carnal hunger.
She often got lost in daydreams of literary characters sweeping her off her feet, whisking her into a world where sensuality reigned supreme. A bittersweet escape from her mundane and routine existence. She would imagine Heathcliff, brooding and intense, taking her passionately on the wind-swept moors. His rough hands roamed her body, igniting a fire within her that had long been left unattended. In another moment, she could picture Mr. Darcy, his stiff exterior melting away as he declared his love and desire for her while his lips pressed against her neck, pulling her closer, making her breathless with anticipation.
Yet, as time passed, Harriet found the classics less satisfying. Her yearning for something more explicit led her to more contemporary erotic fiction. These stories, unapologetically sensual, moved beyond the emotional into the explicitly physical. The characters were daring, and the scenarios were intimate and sometimes outright taboo. As she lost herself in tales of voyeurism, group sex, and other scandalous acts, Harriet began to question the limitations she had placed on her own desires, wondering what it would be like to cast aside society's expectations and embrace her deepest, most forbidden fantasies.
As she devoured these stories, mostly discovered in out-of-the-way places on the internet, her heart raced and arousal spread through the whole of her body, while a blend of guilt and exhilaration filled her, each sordid tale unveiling desires she had yet to properly understand. These guilty pleasures remained hidden away, a filthy little secret and a counterpoint to her mundane reality. Still, increasingly, they were never far from her thoughts.
Is this what I've been missing? The notion caused her cheeks to flush with the intrusive memory of the lingering touch of Mr. Wright. Has it come to this? Am I really entertaining the idea of an illicit tryst in the library’s storeroom with a dirty old man who happens to look a little like my husband?
********
Later, Harriet found herself working late due to the weekly book club meeting. Vivienne Hartley, the organizer, sauntered in. In her mid-twenties, she was a vision of youth and beauty: her blonde hair cascaded past her shoulders, and her green eyes sparkled with intelligence. Harriet had an undeniable admiration for this young woman, who led her club in a cozy, secluded corner of the library.
"Good evening, Mrs. Bancroft," Vivienne purred as she passed on her way.
A shiver ran down her spine as the warmth of Vivienne's voice enveloped her. It had a deep, sultry quality, her faint Scottish accent giving it an exotic allure that resonated within Harriet's very core.
A couple of hours later, and just before the library was due to close, Harriet got up from her desk and walked towards the gathering, intent on delivering a gentle reminder they only had another fifteen minutes. From experience, she knew that if she left it to them, they'd happily stay much later.
As Harriet approached, staying out of sight, she stopped to listen to Vivienne’s mesmerizing voice.
"Let's turn to page 132, of Decadent Shadows, shall we?"
She could hear the club members enthusiastically leafing through their books.
Harriet was shocked at the choice. While she hadn’t read it herself, she was aware that Decadent Shadows by the notorious author, Dana Synergetic, was a controversial erotic novel, infamous for its depiction of a variety of sexual acts in the most graphic and explicit manner, many of them taboo. A stunning choice given that with the exception of Vivienne, the rest of the book club were older women, and Harriet assumed their literary tastes would be quite conservative.
As Vivienne began to read, Harriet listened intently. The words were pornographic, brimming with raw passion and sensuality.
She found herself lingering at the edge of the group, both captivated and embarrassed by her own reaction to Vivienne's reading. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, trying to focus on anything other than the obscene images the words were creating in her mind.
"Carlo pinned Bethany to the wall, the heat of his body seeping through her," Vivienne read, her voice like velvet, making every word a caress. “His mouth crashed hungrily onto hers, as if he were starving for more, and forced her lips apart allowing him access to the depths of her soul. His tongue explored her mouth with an urgency that left her quivering as his hands roamed over her body."
Peeking through a gap between two books, Harriet observed the club members while staying hidden. The group was completely absorbed in Vivienne's narration, their faces showing fascination and arousal. Flushed cheeks, parted lips, and quickened breaths revealed the story's effect on their bodies. Harriet realized she wasn't alone in her reaction to the explicit tale.
Sweat beaded on her forehead as she fought to stay upright, her legs threatening to give way beneath her. She clenched her thighs together, trying to ignore the insistent throb of her arousal. Her teeth sank into her lower lip, stifling a gasp that threatened to escape as the story's explicit details played out in her mind.
Vivienne’s voice had become a syrupy whisper, as she continued reading, painting a series of intense and vivid images in Harriet’s mind. “Carlo cupped Bethany’s left breast in his hand, squeezing it before trapping the bud of her nipple with his teeth, as his tongue delicately played around its edges. His free hand descended down her stomach towards her already dampening vulva. He ripped away the G-string and traced one finger along the curve of her slit, tantalizingly skirting, but never touching, the throbbing clitoris that begged for his attention.”
As the young woman reached the final words of the passage, she let out a breathy sigh that echoed through the room and left everyone spellbound. There was a moment of silence before the book club members erupted into applause.
"Are you going to be much longer, Viv?" It was Alexander Hartley who spoke. Vivienne's younger brother. He wasn’t part of the book club but dropped into the library occasionally to cadge a lift from his sister. He walked with a swagger that irked Harriet. Tall, and muscular, from his regular workouts in a nearby gym, with short dark hair and piercing blue eyes. Her lips tightened at the young man’s interruption, his casual rudeness disintegrating the hyper-sensual ambiance Vivienne’s reading had created.
His inherent air of confidence often struck Harriet as somewhat intimidating. Thankfully, he'd approached the group from a different direction to Harriet’s, so he hadn't witnessed her spying on the book club.
To Alexander Hartley, the library was a dull and dusty place he wouldn’t be caught dead in if it weren’t for his lack of transport. As he sauntered in, each step exuding self-assurance, he felt eyes on him the moment he entered the corner where the book club met. His workout earlier had left his muscles sore but well-defined, and he liked people to take notice of his body.
Glancing over, he saw the middle-aged librarian, stepping out from the shadows.
"Time's up," she announced, a discernible flush to her face.
His impatience got the better of him. "Come on, Viv," he whined. His eyes lingered on the librarian, drinking in her curvy figure. She might be ancient, like in her forties, but It didn’t escape his attention that she’d a fine rack underneath that ruffled blouse of hers.
"Time's up," Harriet managed to say. She cleared her throat and repeated herself, louder this time. "The library’s about to close. Time to wrap up."
"Thank you, Mrs. Bancroft," Vivienne said smoothly, closing the book with a soft thud. “I completely lost track of time.” The rest of the group mumbled their thanks as they gathered their belongings and filed out of the library.
"Perhaps," Vivienne continued, her eyes never leaving Harriet's, "you'd like to join us next time. I think you might find it... enlightening."
Harriet was wary of the invitation. Vivienne had never asked before. Her face reddened at the possibility the young woman had seen her in the shadows, while she eavesdropped on the reading.
"No, that's not possible,” Harriet replied, a little more curtly than intended. “I have to remain close to my desk for as long as the premises are open."
"Ah, that’s a shame", said Vivienne. "Such a pity. Given your occupation, I’m sure you’re familiar with the various works we choose to read. I'd love to have you share your thoughts and feelings with the rest of the group.”
"Come on, Viv," said Alexander, his impatience palpable. He wore a tank top a few sizes too small, designed to accentuate the highly defined muscles in his chest, shoulders, and arms. His tattoos, lurid and hard to ignore, added another layer to his peacock display."
Harriet bit back a sharp, instinctive retort to his rude interruption.
“Until next week then,” smiled Vivienne sweetly, as she ran to catch up with her brother.
********
The next day, Harriet discreetly took a copy of Decadent Shadows from its shelf to read during her breaks, and while it afforded her some of the sensations she experienced, they amounted to little more than a pale and distant reflection of the reaction she'd had as she listened to the same words being spoken by Vivienne.
********
On the evening of the next meeting of the book club, Harriet experienced a flutter of anticipation. She decided on a white blouse that flattered her figure, and a burgundy skirt that complemented her form. As she examined her likeness, a flicker of uncertainty crossed her mind. Had she paused for a moment to ask herself why she had dressed so provocatively, she would have struggled to answer the question. Was it for her own self-esteem, or was there a budding curiosity, a whisper of something more, directed towards Vivienne?
After they had all gathered, it took a supreme effort to wait long enough until she was sure the book club was well underway and there would be no stragglers. When she couldn’t hold out any longer, she gingerly approached the obscure corner of the library where the group had gathered.
From her secret hiding spot, Harriet could peer at the book club without being seen. The women sat in a semi-circle entranced; their eyes fixed on Vivienne as they eagerly awaited her next words. The atmosphere was heavy with expectation as each person, knowing they were about to delve into forbidden pleasures, was guided by the young woman’s hypnotic narration.
Harriet's own heightened state of arousal caused her breath to come in shallow gasps as she struggled to remain quiet, her hands gripping the edge of the bookshelf.
As Vivienne began to read, Harriet's body responded to the familiar cadence of her voice. She listened attentively as another explicit scene unfolded before her, her mind painting vivid pictures of the carnal acts being described.
Sensations washed over Harriet that were undeniable, urging her to surrender to the pleasure coursing through her nervous system. Heat flushed her cheeks, and her skin tingled with arousal. Her increased blood flow made her areolas swell, and her nipples hardened beneath the thin fabric of her blouse, aching for attention.
As Vivienne's narration continued, Harriet's imagination carried her away on a wave of desire. Though she knew she should resist, the temptation to indulge in these forbidden feelings became overwhelming. Harriet's logical mind fought against her body's urges, but the battle was already lost – she had been ensnared by Vivienne's voice and the power it held over her.
With a trembling hand, Harriet reached beneath her blouse and tentatively grazed the sensitive skin of her bare breast. The sensation was electrifying. Unable to stop herself, she rolled her hardened nipple between her thumb and forefinger, firing out little jolts of pleasure.
The explicit language of the novel only fueled her desire, as Vivienne's voice reached out and seemed to caress Harriet's most intimate places. Emboldened by the erotic narration and the carnal energy in the room, Harriet began to circle her fingers around her nipple, teasing herself with light, tantalizing touches that sent shivers down her spine.
As Vivienne described a particularly charged encounter between two fictional characters, Harriet couldn't help but imagine being in their place, lost in the throes of sensual excitement.
Her other hand slid up her thigh, inching closer and closer to her black lace panties. As she listened, her arousal heightened. The explicit content of the novel and Vivienne's hypnotic voice acted as a catalyst, unlocking a world of passion and desire more intense than Harriet had ever imagined.
Her hand brushed against her underwear; finding the fabric soaked with her need. The gentle contact sent a shockwave of pleasure through her, and she let out a soft moan, her body trembling in anticipation. The risk she was taking only added to the thrill of the moment, as she realized she’d rendered herself powerless to stop.
As Vivienne's voice continued to weave its seductive spell, Harriet delved deeper into her desires, her fingers exploring the slick folds of her hot, moist cunt. The world around her dissolved into nothingness, leaving only the sound of Vivienne and the ever-present thrum of arousal that coursed through her clitoris.
As Harriet's pleasure began to spiral toward its peak, a sudden creaking noise from the floorboards nearby, jolted her back to reality. She looked around the darkened corner of the library but, luckily, no one was there. Just an antiquated building prone to generating odd noises in the quietness of the evening as its old wooden floors settled.
The stillness made her conscious of how hard her heart pounded, then she became drawn once again to the siren of Vivienne's sultry voice. The enchantress read from a tattered copy of an erotic novel, her Scottish accent adding an extra layer of sensuality to each word. Harriet's body still hummed with arousal, a deep ache blossoming between her thighs.