The Key to Love

The Key to Love

Kate stared at the key. Whatever could it be for? She had found it tucked into a small pocket of a purse she had bought at the local Thrift Store. “Jim. Look what I just found. Maybe it opens a lock somewhere and we could find a fortune.”

Jim came over and took the key. He held it up to the light and inspected it carefully. “No. I don’t think so.” After a second round of inspection, he announced, “It almost looks familiar. The shape, the indent in the end…” His voice trailed off.

“Well, Doctor Locksmith, so what is it?”

Jim just smiled. “Let me check some things. If I come up with an answer, you’ll be the first to know.”

Lying in bed that night, Jim whispered, “You know how much I love you.”

Kate sensed something in his words. “But?” she questioned, lifting her head off his shoulder to look at his face.

“Well ...” He hesitated, then pushed on. “I thought it might be fun to spice up our love life. Just a little.” There, I’ve said it. He waited apprehensively for her response. In the dim light, he was relieved to see her smile.

“What did you have in mind?” she purred.

Jim reached for the nightstand and produced two metal circlets.

Kate stared at them. “Really? Handcuffs? You’re kidding!”

“They’re fur lined,” he grinned. “Remember? We got these as a joke gift a few anniversaries ago but we lost the key. The key you found fits them!

“I don’t know …,” she began.

“Hey, you’re the one who found the key. It's an omen. Let’s give it a try. You say the word and off they come.”

“Well, OK. But you better keep your word!” she warned.

He cuffed her to the headboard, keeping the key in his hand. Where can I safely put this? Not wanting to break the mood, he stuck it under his tongue.

Lowering his head, he began kissing her neck, working his way down her body. He nibbled and kissed her shoulders, enjoying her response. He began on her ribs when suddenly, her knee came up hitting him on the side of the head. Jim swallowed the pain, bolting upright.

“That tickles,” she laughed.

Grabbing his face, he could feel a small trickle of blood from his nose. “You aren't going to believe this.”

“Oh baby. I’m sorry. ” She saw his expression in the dim light. “Enough! Let’s get you a cold washcloth. Release me.”

“You’re really not going to believe this,” he said, pinching his nose to staunch the blood flow.

“Don’t you dare tell me you've lost the key!”

“No, no,” he reassured her. Getting up, he headed for the bathroom. “It might take some time to retrieve it, however.”

"Retrieve? Jim? JIM. JIM!

An entry for the August round of "Holiday Short Story Contest - closed" 
Prompt: A woman bought a handbag (purse) for $1 in a thrift shop.
A week later she finds a key in one of the pockets.
Word Limit: 1000
Word Count: 507