As we left the mall, I let Jane collapse on the sidewalk. She curled herself up again and just cried. Probably missing her family. I couldn't blame the girl for crying, and motioned for Elizabeth to join me as I moved away to give the crying girl a bit of privacy.

Shortly, she stopped shaking and unsteadily rose to her stockinged feet. Still sniffling, she padded over to where Elizabeth and I were waiting. Leaning against a compact car of some sort. A Civic, maybe.

She sank to her knees. Teary eyes quietly looking up at me.

"Thank-you." she whispered.

"For?"

"Letting me cry."

I just nodded at her. She ducked her head and let out one last sob. She raised her head again. I watched her battle to control her emotions. She raised her wrists. Offering them to me.

I loosely slipped a pair of handcuffs around her slender wrists. Not tightening them into her skin, but tight enough that she couldn't slip her hands out of them. She sighed and dropped her hands into her lap.

Knowing what was coming, Elizabeth, beside me, did the same.

I helped Jane to her feet. Her face brightened a bit as she glanced down at herself. No longer completely nude. Stockings. Bra. Panties. She wasn't covered much, but it was better than nothing. Better than walking around nude as Elizabeth still was.

"Girls? I want you to walk on ahead. We're heading back to the hotel. Nice day for a walk, don't you think? Walk where you like. Grass, road. Whatever."

They just nodded. Elizabeth, probably shocked that I wasn't leashing them and forcing them into an uncomfortable stroll blurted, "What, no gags?"

"Don't tempt me girlie."

The two girls, knowing that they'd pushed their luck further than would normally be allowed scampered on ahead. Talking between themselves quietly. I matched their pace, but let them get fifty meters or so ahead. They glanced back occasionally, but stayed on course. Walking through the grass at the side of the road softer on their unprotected feet than asphalt. I just lost myself in thought and watched them as they walked ahead. One nude girl strolling along with one in tight lingerie through the grass. Quite a picture.

I didn't want to end this timeline. It was paradise. The girls behaving.  Having access to their beautiful bodies. No pressures. No stress. The complete feeling of freedom and control over the women. Knowing that I couldn't be caught. Finally being able to do these unspeakable pleasures. I was enjoying myself. Who wouldn't be?

But I knew it had to end eventually. I didn't have the strength to maintain this timeline forever. Nor would these girls be able to maintain the pace I'd set for them and still remain sane. Jane had really scared me today. I had pushed her far too hard. And timeline or no timeline, you could only push someone so far before they snapped. I was surprised that none of them had snapped yet. I guess Amy and Jane were the closest that I'd come to completely losing any of them. I really had to be more careful. Elizabeth was right. An insane or catatonic girl was absolutely no fun at all.

The girls had set a reasonably fast pace. We arrived back in at the hotel in about forty minutes or so. They were tired. Especially Jane. I could see it in her face. She was not going to be able to keep her eyes open for much longer. She was nearly asleep on her feet. It had been a long day especially for her. I was feeling tired myself, the activity and the maintenance of the timeline wearing me down a bit.

The girls trudged up the stairs ahead of me. Elizabeth leading. I was a bit apprehensive as we entered the suite. After all, I hadn't left Christi in significant bonds this time. I doubted it, but she could have released Amy and been planning to jump me as we entered. I needn't have worried. As we entered the suite, Elizabeth and Jane both cringed as we heard an agonized screech from the bedroom.

"Ahhhhhhh. Oh God. Please. For the love of God. My nipples. Hurt. Oh my God. Please no more. He doesn't have to know. You could stop. Pretend that you were hitting me. You don't know what this is like. My legs. Argh. Please not another one. Oh God. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Christ. Christi. God. My tits. How can you do this to me? You must know how much this hurts. You have tits too. Oh God. Please. I'll be good. I'll do anything you want. Just no more. Oh God."

Amy's hoarse voice cried out her pain. It would appear that Christi was still doing exactly what I'd told her to do.

Christi emerged from the hallway. Padding barefoot back into the living area. Her head bent. Tears falling down her face. Leaving Amy to cry to herself back in the bedroom. It took her a moment, but she noticed us standing just inside the entrance. She sank to her knees. Her robe opening. She crawled forward as best she could with the handcuffs and latched herself onto my thigh. Turning her head up towards me.

"Please. Master. Allow your slave to stop. I. She can't do this anymore.  Amy. Slave Amy. Has learned her lesson. Her breasts. Oh my God. I can't do this anymore. Please let me stop. It's too much even for me. Her poor breasts. Please. I can't hit her anymore. She's in so much pain."

I gently took the crop from Christi's hands. The sobbing girl just stayed on her knees at my feet. I whispered to Jane and Elizabeth, "Go sit down. It's okay. I'll deal with this."

Jane and Elizabeth walked to the furniture. Elizabeth settling in the easy chair, nude. Jane reclining on the sofa, stretching out her sheathed legs. Stretching her toes. Probably glad to be off their feet.

I guided Christi to her feet. She unconsciously tried to wrap the beltless robe around her body, but finally gave up. She just stood in front of me letting it hang. Exposing one bare breast. Really erotic though she probably didn't think so.

We entered the bedroom. Amy was still in tears. Her bound body shaking. Pulling against the ropes that held her. Her breasts, poking through the ruined sweater, were both an angry red. Her thighs also bore some welts.  Her nipples were a deep shade of red. Angry red welts covering them on a variety of angles. Leaving Christi by the doorway, I walked over to Amy and touched her cheek. Her eyes were still closed.

"Please don't hit me again. It's not time. Please."

I leaned down and kissed her on the lips. This made her open her eyes and realize that Christi wasn't the one touching her. Her eyes opened wide. Afraid to say anything further. I let my lips drop down her bound body and gently kissed the tips of both bare breasts. She cried out softly at the touches to her aching mounds.

I sat down in front of her. Waiting.

"P-Please. Can a slave speak?" she whispered.

I nodded.

"Please. I. Th-this slave is so sorry. She promises that it will never happen again. Oh God. Please don't hit me anymore. It hurts so much."

"You are ready to behave then?"

She nodded.

"Sure you don't need to be gagged again?"

"Oh please. God. No. I'll do whatever you want. Gladly. Oh God. Please let me go. Please don't let her hit me anymore. My tits are on fire. I'll do anything. I'll never talk back again. You can rape me. I'll crawl. I'll do anything you want." Pulling against the ropes. Breathing ragged.

"What if I want to keep having Christi hit you for a while more?" I heard Christi moan from the doorway.

"Oh God. Okay."

That was enough for me. I began to undo the ropes holding her ankles together. I removed the knee ropes and the ropes holding her torso so firmly to the chair. Finally removing the toe cords and the ropes holding her wrists to the bottom of the chair. She sat quietly as she was released. Waiting for permission to get out of the chair. I removed the cuffs from her wrists last. Unconsciously, she pulled her hands in front of her and rubbed the circulation back into her hands. She carefully traced a particularly angry looking welt on her right bare thigh. Gasping at the pain.

"Amy?"

She looked up at me. Her vision a bit glazed, tears still falling down her face. To her credit she still hadn't tried to cradle her damaged breasts.

"On your feet."

She stepped out of the chair, which had been her prison and torture chamber for the last few hours. Without even being told, she hooked her fingers into her panties and slipped them down her legs. Grasping the sweater, she pulled it over her head, crying out in pain as it dragged across her breasts. She reached behind herself and released the bra clip, allowing the ruined garment to fall to the floor. I could see the effort in her face as she forced herself to stand still, dropping her hands to her sides. Determined to please me.

Again without being told, she slipped to her knees. Looking up at me.

"Please. Master. Can slave Amy please hold herself? Please? My tits. They hurt."

I was beginning to see that she had purposely restrained herself from cradling her own breasts, despite the pain. Hoping to please me by asking my permission. To show her subservience. To show that she'd learned her lesson. Trying her best to use the slave talk that Jane had taught her so long ago. And doing a passable job too.

I nodded. A bit surprised that she had thought of this on her own. But I guess one thinks of ways to be pleasing after enduring the pain that she had. As soon as I nodded, Amy raised her arms. Closing her eyes, trying to block out the pain as her hands explored her breasts. Cradling them. Trying to ease the pain inflicted by the crop. Crying out as even her own light touches burned her abused nipples.

I saw her look up at me. She was crying again. She managed to whisper, "Th-thank you for releasing me." She knew that the punishment could have gone on indefinitely. Her screaming and in pain until she passed out.

I motioned Christi over. She walked over and crouched beside me. I whispered to her. "Get some cereal. Okay?" She nodded and walked from the room towards the kitchen. I sat on the bed, watching the crying and shaking girl on the floor in front of me.

Christi returned moments later with some cereal awash in milk between her bound hands. She looked at me questioningly. I motioned to her and she bent and placed the bowl on the floor in front of Amy.

Without any hesitation at all, the tormented girl fell to her hands and knees. Gasping as her sore breasts swung beneath her. She tentatively let her tongue snake out of her mouth and lapped at the food. She had to be famished. This had all started because she wouldn't eat her breakfast. She began eating her food with a little more enthusiasm. Almost like a dog or cat. Spilling a fair bit, but managing to get some into herself. After she had licked the bowl clean, Christi bent to the still crying girl. Whispered something in her ear. She nodded and bent herself to eat the spilled cereal and milk from the floor. Cleaning up thoroughly with her tongue.

Quite a change from this morning/afternoon. But I guess having one's breasts tortured for the entire day would be fairly convincing. I had Christi get some ointment from the bathroom. Cuffing Amy's hands behind her and holding her to prevent the inevitable struggling, I had Christi apply some of the soothing gel to Amy's breasts. After the initial pain of anything touching the sensitive mounds, she began to moan as the gel settled in and soothed the burning skin. Christi had been careful with the crop. Still no broken skin. But those welts were going to be tender for days. But for the most part, Amy would be fine after a rest and a few hours of relief from the constant pain.

After the gel had been mostly absorbed by her red skin, I guided the two girls to their bare feet and out into the living area. Amy was still quietly crying. But the intensity of the crying had diminished considerably.

Christi's eyes widened as she saw the lingerie gracing Jane's body. I suppose in her distress earlier, she probably hadn't noticed. Jane was quietly sleeping. Her breasts rising and falling with a regular rhythm. Elizabeth raised her chained hands to her lips and motioned for us to be quiet.

I whispered to Christi and Amy. "Quietly, go kneel by Elizabeth." The two girls hurried to obey. I wandered over to the sofa. Looking at the sleeping girl's peaceful face. I gathered her up in my arms and lifted her gently. She didn't stir. I carefully carried the sleeping lady back to the bedroom.

Stretching her out on the bed, I carefully released her bound wrists. I began to undress her. Removing the constricting bra. Slipping the panties off her body. She stirred and mumbled something as I slipped the stockings down her legs leaving her nude once again. She awakened with a start as I slipped the handcuffs back onto her right wrist. Locking it to the bedpost. Probably the cold steel against her pale skin awakening her. She cried out softly.

"Shhhhh. It's okay. Go back to sleep."

"My clothes ..." she glanced down at her again bare body.

"I'll let you put them back on later. Sleep time."

Her fuzzy mind wasn't completely operational. "I don't mind. You are going to let me sleep in the bed? With only this?" She rattled the handcuff.

I had never allowed her to sleep in the bed. And normally I bound her up tight to sleep. This time, she'd really been through a lot. I nodded. She wasn't going anywhere tonight. The handcuff would hold her.

"A slave girl thanks you." I looked at her a bit quizzically. "For the bed and for letting her parents go and for being lenient on her."

"Lenient?" I thought I had been pretty hard on her today. Especially with her parents, but also forcing her to confront her masochism again. I knew that these things bothered her.

"This slave knows that you could have made her do worse things than you did. She is grateful that you didn't. She knows that you should have punished her for lots of things today, but that you didn't. I. She knows that she shouldn't have taken off the nipple clamps without permission. She knows that she shouldn't have run and she knows that she never should have thrown things at you. Thank you. You can still punish her, you know." A mischievous grin graced her mouth. She'd be all right, after all. To give her credit, I had never even mentioned her taking off the nipple clamps without permission. At the time, I had other things to worry about. Like a very very upset female.

I kissed the top of her head. "Good night, sweetheart. Sleep well. Pleasant dreams." I switched off the light.

She sighed and curled herself up on her side. Her cuffed wrist extended, her head lying peacefully on her outstretched arm. On her side. Legs askew. In seconds she was breathing regularly again. Her eyes moving gently back and forth beneath the closed lids. Fallen back into a deep sleep. God knows what she was dreaming.

I watched her. Realizing that this was probably the way she normally slept, minus the handcuffs, of course and perhaps minus the nudity. But I would never have gotten the chance to see it if I'd bound her up tight again.

I left the room quietly. Leaving her to her dreams.

I had to decide what to do with the women before falling asleep. Thankfully I wasn't nearly as tired as I had been over the last couple of days. Maybe my body and mind were getting used to the stresses of time control.

I motioned Christi to her feet. She rose and walked over to where I was standing. She held up her wrists when asked and I removed the cuffs from her. She pleaded with her eyes as I reached forward and slipped the robe from her shoulders. Not having done anything to deserve what she felt was punishment. But she knew better than to complain. I touched her arm in reassurance, and she blushed. Blushed because she was completely uncovered again, I guess. But I wasn't angry. There was no punishment here. I just wanted the girls bare for the sleep period. The other two were already that way.

I picked up Christi's wrist and put the handcuffs on her again. She whined a bit, but accepted the restraints. I motioned for the other two to rise, which they did. I moved Elizabeth's hands behind her back. Again, a hurt look. She didn't think that she deserved to be handcuffed behind her back. I touched her arm to reassure her, but she was a little cranky or preoccupied. Just turning her head away. Understandable.

I spoke to the girls.

"Elizabeth, if you behave, I'm going to let you sleep on the couch. Okay? And Amy? I'm afraid you've earned a place on the floor. Christi. Bedroom floor for you tonight. Jane deserves the bed. For tonight."

Elizabeth spoke first. "Please. I'll sleep on the floor if you'll let Amy sleep on the couch. Look at her." Glancing at the bare girl's red and angry breasts. "Please. She's uncomfortable enough without having to sleep on the floor."

Amy was about to say something but I cut her off. "Elizabeth. You are a noble soul. I'll give you that. But Amy's behaviour today doesn't warrant comfort for sleep. Don't you think?"

Amy just numbly nodded and Elizabeth just swallowed. The girls were protective of one another. I doubt if Amy would have accepted the sofa anyway.

I motioned Amy to the floor and she sank to her knees on the carpet. She used her bound hands to help lower herself to her side. I crouched beside her.

"Amy?" She looked up at me. The tears from her punishment still hadn't quite stopped. "Do you think that you deserve to be hog-tied for your sleep."

She stared at me, tears brimming in her eyes. "Please. Master. A slave begs that she isn't forced to sleep in a hog-tie again. Please. My tits hurt so much." Envisioning her breasts pressed against the floor. Her muscles cramping from a night in a hog-tie.

"But do you deserve it?"

"I. This slave. Please. I suppose."

"So you'd be happy if I just tied your ankles and knees? And not connect them to your hands? Let you sleep on your side?"

"A slave would be grateful. Please. You don't need to tie her up at all."

"I know. But you have to realize that your behaviour this morning was not acceptable."

"This slave knows." She brought her legs close together. Offering her ankles to me to tie together. I wrapped her slender ankles in rope. Trying to make sure that her circulation wasn't being impeded. Did the same above her knees. She shouldn't be that uncomfortable for thenight. Better than a strict hog-tie anyway. I decided to give her a break and retrieved a throw pillow. Tucking it up under her head. Allowing her some comfort despite the other bondage. She smiled a bit. Whispering "Thank-you", as I rose to take care of Elizabeth.

Elizabeth had already moved to the sofa. Stretching herself out. Lying back on her bound hands. I rummaged for a pair of ankle restraints. Wrapped the steel around her left ankle and attached it to the leg of the sofa. No complaints from bound nude girl.

I rose and motioned for Christi to join me. Together we walked to the hallway to the bedroom. As we entered the hallway, I switched off the light for Elizabeth and Amy. I heard Elizabeth cry out softly. As I was turning to move back to the bedroom, I heard a tentative voice from the sofa.

"M-Master?"

"Wait here," I whispered to Christi. Pressing her shoulders, having her sink to her knees.

I stumbled through the dark room and crouched by the sofa.

"What is it Elizabeth?"

"Oh God. I can't."

"You dragged me away from my bed, which incidentally I'm looking forward to. You better be able to. Whatever it is."

"Oh God. Here goes," she whispered. "I can't believe I'm doing this. Please. You remember in the mall? When I offered you something?"

I wasn't sure if she was referring to taking Jane's place, or what? It didn't make sense. "I remember some things. Elizabeth, I'm tired. What is it?"

"Oh God. I offered myself. To you. For better treatment?"

"Yes ..."

"What if I told you that it wasn't entirely for you?"

"Huh?" Dense male that I am.

"Oh God. You are going to make me ask. Aren't you?" I was just getting more confused by the second. Maybe my mind was foggy. I was tired. Or maybe I'm just a dumb male. "What if I told you that I'm available without the need for better treatment?"

"I know that." Still not quite understanding where she was going with this. I could take advantage of them without rhyme, reason, or deals. That was the beauty of having sex slaves. They had very little to offer me that I couldn't just take.

"Oh God. I can't. Please. I ... need ... you. Please."

The light dawned on me. She was trying, in her own subtle way, to ask me for relief. Sex. She was turned on and I was a complete idiot. I touched her shoulder, feeling the heat of her body. She squirmed against her restraints. Her body shaking. Perhaps crying a bit in the dark.

I rose quietly and walked back to Christi. She was still obediently kneeling in the hallway waiting for me. I crouched down and took her face in my hands. I whispered to her.

"Christi. I've got ... ahhh ... something to discuss with Elizabeth for a moment. Okay? Can you take care of yourself? Find a comfortable place in the bedroom?"

Christi just looked at me. A hint of jealousy resurfacing in her eyes.

"Can I take a shower before I go to sleep? I've been dying for one since you left. But I wasn't sure if I'd be punished if I just took one without permission." I hadn't let any of the girls shower before bed tonight. Intending to have them shower first thing in the morning.

"Christi, you can take one in the morning with the others. Okay?"

Tears formed in her eyes, but she just nodded.

"Can I clean up then? Wash my face? Brush my teeth? Please?"

I nodded to her and she nearly jumped to her bare feet. Padding down to the bathroom without another word. I just shook my head and rose from the crouch. I walked quietly back to Elizabeth. Dropping down beside her. Oblivious that Amy could probably hear us.

"What's up, Elizabeth?"

"Oh God. Please. Don't."

"Come on. Doesn't make sense."

"Do you think that guys are the only ones to have urges?"

"I guess not. But I didn't think that you females were as anxious for sex."

"I wouldn't be if you'd leave me unchained for a while. I can take care of myself, you know."

"Now that I'd like to see."

"Oh God."

"Relax. I'm just talking to you. I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want to do. Not now. Not tonight. I'm far too tired."

"It's. It's just that. Oh God. Think about it. I've been naked and tied up for days. You've made me watch the most erotic damn shows that I've ever seen. And that is surprising. I've seen tons of porns. And you haven't given me any opportunity for release. I'm not sure that I like it. But I can't help it. I'm horny. There. I've said it. If you don't want to, just untie my hands for a half hour. Please. I'll let you tie me up again afterwards. I swear it. Where am I going to go?" She rattled the chain holding her ankle. "I just want relief. Honest. Please? I'll do whatever you want."

"How do you want it?"

"Huh?" Her turn to be confused.

"What do you want? You want intercourse? Or do you just want to orgasm? Manually? What were you thinking about?"

"I have a choice?"

"Yup. Too tired to think. Too tired to impose my wants on you. Don't get used to it."

"Oh God. You remember. You made me. Oh God. You made me s-suck that guy?"

"Uh-huh."

"I don't believe I'm doing this. I can't get the picture out of my mind. Me on my knees. Doing that to you. God. I never realized that it could feel so good for the girl too."

Well. Now I was very interested. "Interesting."

"Oh God. Then after you come in my mouth, I swallow it and you do it back to me. You don't even have to untie me." She'd obviously thought about this. She was horny. And I hadn't even known. Like I said; dense.

I lifted her feet and guided her to her knees. She adjusted herself as best she could with her hands still bound behind her. I stood and pulled off my clothes in the dark. I lowered myself onto the sofa in front of her kneeling body. Her silhouette just becoming visible.

She moaned a bit as she engulfed me with her soft warm mouth. I guided her, hands resting lightly on her bobbing head. Her tongue doing wonderful things. Her moans emerging around the penis in her mouth. Feeling wonderful. After the day, and the erotic shows I'd orchestrated, this felt unbelievably good. I had to slow her down. Adjusting her rhythm. Slowing down my unavoidable climax. Scenes flashing through my mind. Amy punished. Kimberly tormented. Jane climaxing so unwillingly. Jane humiliated with her family. The nude and handcuffed girl, so eager to have me in her mouth. Working. Lightly sucking. Her teeth lightly grazing my sensitive flesh. Head bobbing. I could feel the tension rising in my body. Gripping her hair. Making her cry out around me. Forcing her head down. Gasping for breath as I exploded into her. Muscles tensing. Relaxing. Pumping into her. Feeling her frantically swallowing. The orgasm seemed to last forever, but was probably only fifteen seconds. I released her hair. Letting her off me. Felt her breath on me. Felt her tongue. Still licking at me. Cleaning me.

I touched her face. Tracing her lips. Still finding wetness there. Probably what she wasn't able to swallow fast enough. Feeling her tongue trace over my fingers. I touched her arm, her rising to her feet. Sitting back on the sofa.

I guided her legs apart. Willingly, she spread her legs. I crawled up between them. Feeling her tense. Probably thought I was heading for intercourse. But I stopped well short of that. Merely lying between her legs. Feeling her heat. Lightly stroking her breasts. Her hard, erect nipples. Lightly pinching. Her gasping. Breathing erratically.

I leaned back. Teasing her. Running my fingers along her lips. Tracing her vulva. She squirmed at the touch. Wanting more. Begging quietly for more. Trying to press herself into my fingers. Crying softly. Pulling at the chains that held her. Frustrated. Wanting to touch herself. But couldn't.

Finally I slipped a finger between her lips. Her body almost went rigid. Tensing. Finally letting her breath out. Softly calling out. "Master. Oh God. Master."

I slipped a finger inside her. Two. She pressed down. Trying to get them deeper into herself. Crying out. Wanting more. I traced her breast again. She was lost in the sensations. Not caring if Amy, or Christi heard anymore. Not caring about anything except the maddening tease going on between her legs. Finally, leaving my fingers inserted into her, I lowered myself to her. Searching out her erect clitoris with my tongue. Gently licking and sucking at her. Tasting her. Working my fingers slowly back and forth. She pressing herself down onto my face. Crying out. It didn't take long; she was more than ready. I felt her gather in her breath. One last press. One last flick of my tongue across her. She exploded. Screaming. Her body spasming. I felt her internal muscles pressing on my fingers. Milking them. Her orgasm nearly threw me off her.

After she seemed done, I slipped my fingers from her. She gasped at the sensations. Her body still twitching a bit.

I moved away from her. Raising her leg back up onto the sofa. Turning her gently on her side. I kissed her on the mouth. Feeling her tongue gently touch my lips. Tasting herself.

She whispered to me, "Thank you. I know you could have used this against me. Tormented me with my own body. But you didn't. Thank you. Maybe you aren't so much of a bastard after all." She pulled again at the handcuffs holding her wrists.

I smiled. Hard to punish a woman to whom you've just made love. Even if she had just practically called me a bastard.

"Sleep well."

"I will now."

I crouched down to Amy.

"You okay?"

She mumbled. Half asleep. "How the hell is a girl supposed to sleep with all that racket going on?"

"I see you're fine. Sleep well."

"Right." But I suspect that she was almost back to sleep as she made the sarcastic comment.

I gathered up my clothes. Listening to the girls. Both of them breathing regularly. Hard to tell in the dark, but I could swear that they were both fast asleep already.

I crept across the floor. Trying to keep quiet. Not to wake the girls.

As I passed by Christi, I heard her stir.

"M-Master?" she whispered.

"Shhhhh. Go to sleep."

"Please."

I knelt down on the carpet in beside her.

"I'm really tired, Christi, what is it?"

"You made love to her. Didn't you?" A touch of jealousy in her voice.

"What's going on? Why do you care?"

"Oh God." I could sense the tears falling from her eyes. Silently.

"Christi?" I touched her shoulder. It was shaking.

"You. I. Don't know."

I opted to tell her the truth. "Elizabeth just wanted some relief. She was horny. That's all."

"So you had sex with her."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Isn't that self-explanatory?"

"Oh God. Do you like her?"

"Uhhhh. What's going on, Christi? I like all of you. Or I wouldn't have taken you. What's the point in having a girl naked around all the time if you don't find her attractive?"

"I just thought. I don't know. I'm being stupid. As usual. I just thought that we. That I could take care of your needs." She was crying now.

After everything I'd done to her. After all the abuse. All the degradation. All the humiliation. Everything. She still was attracted to me. Now, I really didn't know what the hell to do. I never expected this. Horny women, yes. Even horny women that might need me for sexual release. I could understand this. But Christi was falling beyond that. Jane had warned me.

Damned if I was going to return her though. I'd invested too much time in her to just let her go because her emotions were running wild.

"Christi. You don't want to do this to yourself. You are just feeling weird. I've put you in a very odd situation. You are completely controlled. Your life has changed. Completely. And you simply don't have anyone else. Think about it. You are a slave. I keep you naked. You have nothing to hide."

"But. I feel so. So bizarre."

"Of course you do. But believe me. I'm going to let you go eventually. You are going to forget this reality ever existed."

"Why don't I hate you?"

"I have no idea. You should."

"I don't." Probably as close as she was going to come to admitting that she was falling for me.

"Christi. You have to understand. This reality is for me. I love when you wake me up with kisses and sex. I love it when you press against me. But you have to understand that you aren't the only one here. I can't fall in love with you."

"I know." She was really starting to cry now. I reached forward to pull her into my arms. She pliantly let me.

I let her cry for a while. Just soft weeping. She finally cried herself out.

"Can a slave wake you tomorrow?"

I touched her face. "Christi, I would like nothing better."

She sniffled and squirmed. Wanting out of my arms. I let her. She curled herself back up on the throw rug. Shivering a bit.

I hadn't really considered the girls comfort before tonight. Didn't seem important. But if I was going to keep them for any length of time, I had to temper the amount of idle abuse that I put their bodies through.

I padded out to the linen closet and retrieved four blankets and a pillow. I walked back out the living room. Elizabeth and Amy were gently snoring. I carefully covered their bare bodies. Noticing that Amy was really cold. She was shivering in her sleep. Neither stirred.

Going back to the bedroom, I slipped the pillow under Christi's head. She wasn't completely asleep yet, and she mumbled something sleepily. Probably a thank-you. I covered her naked body with the blanket and she unconsciously pulled the blanket under her chin with her bound hands. Drifting back to sleep.

I climbed up onto the bed. Jane stirred in her sleep. Softly crying out. Dreaming. She tried to turn over. Her bound wrist pulling her up sharply. Again she cried out. Partially awakening. I leaned over her body and released the cuff from the scratched bedpost. I touched her shoulder and she obediently turned herself towards me in her sleep. I carefully pulled her limp wrists together in front of her and connected them using the cuffs. She murmured something in her sleep.

I worked myself under her. Allowing her to use my shoulder as a pillow. She murmured something else and snuggled herself against me. Her body was cool. Probably attracted to my body heat. I covered both of us with the last blanket and drifted off to sleep feeling her soft warm breath against my bare chest.

Within seconds of awakening, I felt another tingling sensation and suddenly my penis was engulfed in a warm, soft cavern. Finally, coming awake I could see the brunette beauty softly, erotically tracing my lips. Kissing me.

I could only assume that the blonde girl was working between my legs. Between them, I was pretty aroused. I reached up and traced Jane's breast causing an unconscious gasp. The movements between my legs were teasing. I could feel her tickling the testicles with her fingers as she sucked. I was just feeling the climax approaching when Christi moved. She simply stopped. I moaned in frustration. Jane still kissing me.

I felt a body moving around. Finally felt a different touch; tight, warm and wet slip over me. Slowly moving. Rhythmically. I could hear Christi's soft voice crying out. I could just see the back of her blonde mane falling down her back as she rode me. Slowly quickening the pace. Until there was simply no holding back any longer. Jane's mouth. Christi's sex. I exploded into Christi. Crying out. Thrusting into her. Jane's tongue touching mine.

I collapsed back into the bed. Gasping for breath. Jane gave me one last kiss and settled back. Kneeling on the bed. Christi slipped off me to kneel beside Jane. I finally opened my eyes. Christi was flushed. Jane was just breathing a little hard.

"What was that for?" I asked the two nude, handcuffed girls kneeling on the bed.

Christi just blushed. Jane answered. "Christi wanted to. And I figured you deserved a few kisses for letting me go from the bed." She rattled her joined wrists.

"How long you been up?"

"A couple of hours."

"Breakfast?"

"Not yet. Didn't want to get in trouble."

Christi looked at me. Still flushed. Still breathing hard. "Please," she breathed.

"What's the matter, Christi?"

"Oh God. I. I still need. Please."

It dawned on me that she hadn't climaxed yet. But I was finished for a while. No way, even with the most intense images of nude women handcuffed in my bed, was I going to be ready for a while yet.

I teased her. "Do you think you deserve an orgasm?"

"Oh God. Yes. Please."

"How?"

"Pardon?"

"How would you like an orgasm? Manually? Orally? Intercourse? Yourself?"

"Oh God. Orally." She closed her eyes.

"Christi. Good thing you didn't want intercourse." I didn't really feel like giving her oral sex. Not after I'd just had intercourse with her. "Will Jane do?"

"Oh God. Please. I'd rather you did it."

"Not gonna happen this morning. I'll do it for you later if you like."

"Oh God. Can I change my mind?" Realizing her error. "Oh God. Jane. Please. No offense intended." She kissed Jane's cheek.

"No problem. None taken," Jane looked relieved a bit.

"You can change your mind," I allowed her. I had just had sex with two gorgeous women. Christi's idea. I was in a decent mood.

"Oh God. Will you let me do myself?"

"If we can watch."

"Do I have a choice in that?"

"Hell, no." I almost laughed.

She closed her eyes. Letting her hands run over her body. Lightly stroking her breasts. Her nipples. Her left hand stealing between her legs. Stroking her lips. Slipping inside. Still kneeling. She brought her fingers up from her pussy. Running them under her nose. Smelling her own musk. Lightly sucking them. Running her fingers down her body again.  Entering herself. Slowly. Sensually exciting herself further. Eyes closed. Completely oblivious to Jane and I. Jane watching the show with wide open eyes.

I could hear the chain between her wrists rattling against her skin as she explored her own body. Slipping her hands further south. Touching her anus. Crying out softly. Slipping her fingers back between her legs. Legs apart. Rubbing around her clitoris. Finding her own unique rhythm. Moaning as she pushed herself further and further. Finally falling over the edge. Two fingers pressed into her vagina. Making small circles against her sex. Crying out. Trying to keep upright. Falling towards the foot of the bed. Still moaning. Breathing raggedly. Fingers still slowly rubbing herself.

She lay on her side. Recovering. Finally opened her eyes and smiled at us. Whispering to me, "Thank you for letting me climax."

I looked at Jane. "You okay?"

"I'm fine. Really. If you want me to masturbate, I will. But I don't really need it."

I nodded to her. "If you don't want it, don't worry about it. Up to you."

Christi struggled back to her knees.

"M-master?"

"Yes?"

"Can a slave take a shower now? She really needs one."

"Sure. I'll join you in a moment." I reached forward and released her wrists. "Make sure you clean your feet." She turned her back and looked down at her bare feet. They were dusty from the floors and such.

Christi turned her blonde head back to me, grinning. "I'll make sure. Can I use hot water?"

Since I was going to join her it only seemed prudent. "Go on. Use all the hot water you want. I'll be joining you shortly."

Christi scrambled off the bed. And scampered into the bathroom. In seconds I could hear the water running and the happy girl began to sing in the shower. Didn't recognize the tune.

I turned my attention back to Jane. Still kneeling quietly on the bed.

"Why'd you let me go from the bed post?"

"You were pulling against it. Wanted to turn over."

"Since when do you care if I'm comfortable or not?"

"You had a really rough day yesterday. And I wanted some company."

"Oh. I slept on you all night, you know. I was surprised when I woke up nestled into you."

"You minded?"

"I don't have the choice to mind."

"If I'd given you the choice."

"I didn't mind. I kissed you this morning didn't I?"

"I still haven't quite figured you out."

"And you never will. I intend to make sure of that," she grinned mischievously.

"You want a shower?" I asked her.

She nodded.

"Join us." I released her hands. Tossing the handcuffs onto the bed to join Christi's. I touched her arm. Together we walked into the already steamy bathroom. Stepped into the shower. Drawing the second girl in with me.

Christi was just finishing her hair. Rinsing out the shampoo. She finished quickly and gave up the spray, allowing Jane to soak herself. Christi immediately began to soap my body. Working the soap into everywhere. Her soft hands causing the typical male reaction. She teased me a bit, but I had no intention of allowing it to go any further. I had things to do today. And I wanted my sex drive at it's peak.

Finishing me, I rinsed. Ordered Christi to wash Jane and stepped out of the spray. I toweled off and dressed before the dripping women emerged from the shower stall. I sat on the counter just enjoying the sight of the girls drying themselves and styling their hair. Making themselves up. Their glistening bodies nearly driving me nuts. And they knew it. No longer shy, they were purposely running their hands up and down their own bodies. Occasionally touching each other. Pouting. Helping each other with make up.

I should just watch them more often. Female things can be fascinating. Especially when said females are completely nude. They finished off and stepped in front of me. I looked them up and down. Whistling my approval.

They both grinned. Christi gave a wistful look at the bath robes. Remembering the feel of being covered yesterday. I debated allowing them the robes for the morning. They had been overly willing to please this morning. That should be worth something.

I reached forward to the robe on the rack. Removed the belt.

"One robe. Who wants it?"

Together. "Me!"

I just cocked my head to the side and looked at them.

Christi broke the silence. It must have been really hard for her. "Jane. Let Jane wear it today. I had my chance yesterday. I don't mind."

Jane, suddenly looking guilty. "It's alright. I don't mind either. Let Christi wear it. I'll be fine."

I tossed the robe to Jane. Christi's face fell, but she managed to force a smile. Jane, all smiles shrugged into the bathrobe. Being smaller than Christi, it fit a bit better than the robe I'd put on Christi yesterday. I gently lifted Jane's arms and slipped the handcuffs back on her. No complaints. Christi, resigned to the restraints, lifted her wrists as well.

I just looked at her. "Don't you want to put on your robe first?"

Her face registered disbelief and almost pure joy. She nodded. Tears almost forming. I nodded to her and she raced back to the bedroom where she'd left the robe. She returned with it. Still not putting it on. Standing in front of me. She finally shrugged her shoulders into the terrycloth and wrapped it around her body. Lifting her wrists much more happily. Allowing me to cuff them.

The robes really didn't afford them much protection without the belts. I still got plenty of flashes of their shining skin as they moved. And it made them happy. I figured they deserved some happiness, considering my plans for them. They weren't going to be overly happy about them later.

"Christi? Care to make some breakfast?"

"Gladly. I'm famished."

"What would you like for breakfast?"

She hung her head. "Cereal?" It's practically what they had subsisted on for days. She was obviously just saying what she thought I wanted to hear.

"Really?"

"Can I really choose?" Not believing me. I knew that they had to eat something a little more filling. They were going to need their energy today.

"What would you really like?"

"You'll let us eat?"

"If you don't tell me, you'll never know, will you?"

"I. Please. I just don't want you to take it away."

"Christi. If I'm going to take it away from you, then there is precious little you can do about it."

"Pancakes."

"Pancakes?"

"Oh God. I would do almost anything for a big plate of pancakes."

"Christi. If I told you to, you *would* do *anything* for those pancakes."

"Oh God. What do I have to do?"

"Cook them?"

Relief. Pure relief on her face.

"Can your slave please make breakfast now? Before you change your mind?"

"Go." I smiled at her.

She practically ran to the kitchen. I heard her toss a casual, "Good morning," to the women still bound in the living area.

Jane and I walked out to living area. Amy was squirming on the ground under her blanket. Trying to find a comfortable position. She looked up hopefully from her position on the floor as Jane and I entered. I crouched down beside her.

"Good morning. How's the breasts?"

"They still hurt." Tears almost forming in her eyes.

I lifted off the blanket. Checked her breasts. Still an angry red. Some of the worse welts were still visible as a pale red criss-crossing her nipples. I traced the worst of the lot. One I think I placed on her body. She cringed and tried to stay still. Tears forming out of her eyes.

"Amy?"

"Yes?"

"Are you going to behave this morning?"

"God. Yes. Please. I don't want any more punishment. Ever."

"What are you?"

"Anything you want." She lowered her eyes as she said the words. No hesitation. "Your slave. Your pet. Your slut. Your bitch. Anything you want me to be. I'll behave. I swear it."

I kissed her cheek. "Good girl. I'm impressed. Guess I won't have to punish you further." I began to loosen the knots holding her legs together. Her legs finally free, she stretched them. I released her hands and she automatically rose to a kneeling position.

"Do you want a shower?"

"Oh God. I'd do anything for one. I don't even care if it's cold or not."

"Go on, you scamp. Enjoy a nice hot shower. Get everything clean. Elizabeth will join you in a moment. Make sure she is clean as well."

Amy rose to her bare feet and practically ran to the bathroom. Moments later I heard the shower running again and her happily splashing. I motioned Jane to sit in the easy chair, which she did as I approached the last bound woman. I whipped the blanket from her body. She blushed as her bare body was exposed. Perhaps remembering what she had done last night. I actually thought I could still see some of my semen dried on her chin. I bent down and gently kissed her nipples. They hardened obediently. Probably just a reflex response. But it sure wasn't a reflex response last night.

I casually unlocked her ankle from the restraint. Lightly slapping her thigh. She gasped. I looked into her eyes.

"Good morning."

She responded with a cautious, "Good morning."

"Sleep well?" She sat up and I turned her so that I could get at her wrists. Releasing them from the steel as we talked.

"I did. You?" Almost like a hesitant lover. Not quite sure of what had happened the night before. Regret?

"I slept fine. Care to shower?"

"I think I need it." She wrinkled her pretty upturned nose.

I gave her a playful slap on the rump. "Go on. But make sure that Amy washes you. Understand?"

"I understand." She bent to my ear and whispered low so Jane couldn't hear. "Thank-you for last night. That's the best I've felt in a long, long time."

I wasn't sure if she meant before or after she was taken. But it didn't really matter. I turned my head and gently kissed her on the cheek.

She rose and padded off to her shower. I sat back in the sofa and just let my eyes travel over Jane's body. Her robe had fallen completely open and Jane hadn't bothered to adjust it. She flushed at my scrutiny but didn't move.

Finally she remarked, "You want to take this away from me, don't you?"

"I will eventually. You look nice right now. I won't take it away."

"Thank-you," she murmured. "How come you are being nice to us this morning?"

"Nice is relative. You are still mostly naked. And you are handcuffed. If I'd told you four days ago that this was going to be your life you wouldn't have thought I was being nice at all."

"True. Relative or not, you are being nice. You're planning something, aren't you?"

"Of course. I'm always planning something." Though I knew what she meant.

"I mean. You are being nice to offset what you are going to make us do. We aren't going to like it much are we?"

"Have you liked anything that I've put you through."

"Some things." She flushed completely. I knew she meant that some of the punishments had turned her on. She knew I knew.

"I mean in general."

"Not really."

"You think any of the others like me forcing them to do things?"

"I don't think Christi minds."

"She minds. Her judgment is clouded a bit."

"Tell me about it. Care to tell your slave what you are planning for us?"

"That would ruin the surprise. Wouldn't it?"

"I guess."

Amy and Elizabeth walked out of the hallway. Elizabeth hadn't dried her hair. It was still dripping onto her bare shoulders. Amy was dazzling. The shower having reduced the small aches and pains that had plagued her from the night spent tied on the floor. Her breasts were still a little red and I'm sure were tender to the touch, but she didn't seem particularly phased as she practically bounced into the room. Probably just happy she wasn't in for punishment this morning.

Elizabeth walked over to me. Without being told. And offered her wrists. I slipped a pair of handcuffs onto her. They were just getting used to being in cuffs. Amy was right behind. I cuffed her as well.

Glancing around, the two girls simply sank to the floor. Unselfconsciously sitting cross-legged in the middle of the room. Idly playing with the cuffs on their wrists. Not saying a word.

Elizabeth was about to open her mouth to say something when I saw a blonde head stick out from around the kitchen door and announce, in a most unladylike manner,

"Grits on!"

I walked in a little more dignified to find the women pressed up around the table. Leaving plenty of room for me. My plate had cutlery beside it. The girls had plates. A big jug of syrup sat in the middle with a healthy plate of pancakes.

I sat down. The girls looked at the food anxiously.

"Smells good."

"Thanks." Christi replied. A smile playing on her lips. Knowing that she was going to get to eat some of them today.

I picked up a couple of the pancakes with my fork and prepared them. The girls watched me. Waiting for permission to eat, I suppose.

"What are you waiting for?" I asked them mischievously.

Jane got her fingers into the pile first. Pulling four pancakes from the pile. The others playfully fought over the remaining pancakes. Jane waited quietly for me to finish with the syrup, then asked,

"Can us slaves be permitted syrup as well?"

"Of course." Though from their perspective, it was better to ask these things.

She reached forward and daintily poured some over her breakfast. I watched, fascinated, as she used her fingers to separate and eat small portions of the food. Very carefully. Trying not to spill sticky syrup on her bare body.

The other girls had the same problem. I almost completely forgot about my breakfast as I watched the women eating with their fingers. It was damn hard to ignore them, as they carefully licked their fingers clean from the sticky mess. Amy was completely oblivious to herself. No sign of trouble like we'd encountered yesterday at breakfast. The girls seemed happy, despite their challenges. They were excitedly talking amongst themselves. Laughing even. The perfect image of happy girls.

Finally, I tore my gaze from the women and I ate the pancakes in front of me. Very. Very. Good. It tasted like Christi had made the batch from scratch. Real pancakes. Delicious. Pancakes tended to fill me up, so I only ended up taking one second helping. They had disappeared before the women had finished their first. Eating with your fingers slowed you down a bit.

I sat back and watched the girls interact. Polishing off all the pancakes. They must have be ravenous. I really hadn't fed them enough over the days. But strangely enough, they hadn't complained about that. Probably had too many more pressing things to complain about. Like sore breasts. I marveled. These women. Complete strangers until four days ago. Laughing and talking like friends. Acting as though everything was normal. Everything normal about four complete strangers sitting around a breakfast table, completely nude, and eating with their fingers. I watched as Amy even fed a piece to Jane. Jane licking Amy's fingers. Bemused, I sincerely hoped that this didn't deteriorate into a food fight. And god help them if I got hit. So, they'd need another shower. If they went that far, they were showering in a damn cold spray.

The girls behaved and finally finished. No food fight. Lucky for them. Amy and Elizabeth immediately rose to their feet and began to clear the table. Running the water for the dishes. I relaxed as Jane and Christi just watched as the other two naked women cleaned up the kitchen.

I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with them today. Amy was probably a bit too sore to be involved in any really rigorous activities. I could live with hurting her further. But it just didn't seem necessary. And Jane deserved some rest after the hell I'd put her through yesterday. I guess I'd have to make do with Elizabeth and Christi today. Or find something different to do.

Elizabeth and Amy finished washing the dishes and returned. They simply stood and waited. Knowing that with breakfast done, I would probably give them further orders.

"Girls? We're moving." I opted for different.

"What?" Almost all together. It was almost as though they had considered Amy's hotel suite a sort of home. It was a fantastic suite, I had to admit. I idly wondered what Amy's father did for a living. To be able to afford this place.

"I think we'd do better in a house. What do you think?"

Elizabeth was the one that spoke up. "But. We like it here. We're used to it."

I looked at her quizzically. "Does it really matter what you think? Or like?"

"No. I guess not."

"Okay. Gather up the toys. Make sure you forget nothing. You can have a vote on where we settle next. Okay?"

Elizabeth sighed. "Yes. Master." No sarcasm. Just defeat.

The girls all rose and began to hunt down discarded handcuffs. Refilling the packs with bondage toys. Ropes. I watched as Jane recovered the crop. When she thought I wasn't looking, she closed her eyes and tapped it against her thigh. Feeling the pain settle into her flesh.

Amy, a look of dread on her face dropped the tongue clamp into a pack.

Jane wandered up. Yesterday's lingerie folded neatly in her arms.

"Please. Master. Can a slave take her clothing?"

I shrugged. We could always pick up more. But she seemed attached to this stuff. I nodded.

She scampered away. Tucking it into another pack. Finally, the girls lined up in front of me, as though for inspection. I rose and left them there making a quick tour of the suite. I couldn't see anything they had missed. I picked up the two packs and handed one to Amy and the other to Elizabeth. They grasped the packs in their fingers.

We trudged out of the hotel room for the last time. Amy looking back at her frozen father one last time, a tear forming in her eyes. She whispered, "Good-bye" and turned around.

Their mood brightened as the girls stepped out into the morning sunshine. Their bare feet touching the warm asphalt. Jane turned to me. Her bathrobe twirling around her body. Pulling at her bound hands and said, "Please. Master. Can a slave please walk in the grass again?"

"Sure. Knock yourself out."

She skipped away to tell the others. I walked a bit behind them. Their mood seemed to have focused back on finding new shelter instead of melancholy about leaving the suite. They talked quietly amongst themselves. I really couldn't hear much, but I definitely picked up the word "sex" a number of times. Amy shaking her head a lot. Girls would be girls. I'd probably have to separate them to keep them quiet. I really didn't care, I let them talk.

Soon, we had walked out of the commercial core of the city back out to where there was a bit of residential housing. I began to watch for a decent place to make our new home base. The girls just enjoying the sunshine and the day. Not particularly uncomfortable. I only had them loosely handcuffed. More for visual effect than restraint.

Jane stopped up ahead. I caught up to the girls.

"That one." She pointed with her bound hands. I followed the line of her arms. She had picked a large house. Almost a mansion. Gates and everything.

"That one?"

"Yeah."

"All of you happy with that?"

The other girls nodded. Probably had never even dreamed of being in a house like that.

"Let's see who's home then?" I opened the gate.

The girls followed.

The front door was unlocked. I opened that and stepped foot into this huge Victorian mansion. Enormous foyer.

"Stay here." I ordered the women. They obediently knelt on the foyer tiles and continued their conversation quietly.

I poked my head into the downstairs rooms. Library. Den. Large dining room. Entertaining room. Living room with a huge entertainment system. TV. Stereo. All empty. Until I hit the kitchen. An enormous place. Christi was going to like cooking in here. There was a cook. An elderly lady frozen while preparing something. Perhaps tea. I ignored her for now.

I wandered back to the foyer. The girls looked up from their knees expectantly.

"Okay. You can make yourselves comfortable. Don't go too far. Stay out of the kitchen. And wait until I come back down. Understand?"

The girls nodded in unison and began to climb to their feet. Anxious to start exploring their new home. I walked slowly upstairs. A feeling of dread permeated me. I have no idea why. It isn't as though there could possibly be any danger. I patted the gun that I'd shoved into the waistband of my jeans.

The upstairs consisted of a long hallway. Closed doors. Maybe five or six of them. I opened the first one I came to. A bathroom. And what a bathroom. It was the biggest bathroom I'd ever seen. Toilet. Bidet. Counter with two sinks. Huge mirror. Shower and tub that all four girls could fit in at the same time. Looked like a whirlpool tub. Magazine rack. Tons of space.

I closed the door. Next room looked like a guest room. Queen size bed. Empty.

Next room. Some kind of den. Or sewing room. It was hard to tell. But the decor looked masculine. A den but with a sewing machine. Strange.

The next room contained a huge four poster covered bed. Very Victorian. Flowery. Lacy. There was a prone woman sleeping in the bed. Older. Fifty or so by my guess. I'd have to get rid of her. Huge mirror. Lush carpeting. After the hotel suite, the girls weren't going to bitch about sleeping on *this* floor.

I wandered back out to the hall. The next room turned out to be a closet. Holding linens and towels.

The final door took me aback. It was locked.

I'm not really one for locked doors. I could have kicked it in, but I figured that lady in the bed would know where the key was. I had to unfreeze her eventually if I was going to sleep in that very comfortable looking bed of hers.

I wandered back to the bedroom. I sat on the edge of the bed and unfroze the woman lying there. She just continued to sleep as though there wasn't a strange man in her room and nothing odd had happened.

I gently shook her. Without opening her eyes she mumbled, "Evan, five more minutes, 'kay?"

I shook her again. This time her eyes fluttered open. She screamed when she saw me. Gathering her nightgown around herself. Crawling up to the head of the bed and huddling there.

"Who the hell are you?" she whispered.

"Doesn't matter. Who are you?"

"Gertrude. Gertrude Mayer. What do y-you want? Money? It's in the safe downstairs. I'll open it for you," she babbled.

"I don't want money."

Her eyes betrayed her fear. Her mouth opened and she bellowed, "Sheila!!!"

I just looked at her. I assumed that she was yelling for the elderly lady in the kitchen.

"She can't hear you."

"Oh my God. What have you done to her?"

"Relax. I haven't done anything to her. She just can't hear you."

"I. I don't understand."

"Lady, you don't have to understand."

"Are you going to hurt me?"

"No. Just displace you for a while."

"Are you going to r-rape me?"

"No. Relax."

Her eyes showed her confusion. "What do you want?" she repeated.

"Gertrude. You know that locked room in your hall?"

It took a second to skip tracks. Completely confused. "Yes."

"Where's the key?"

"Th-that's my husband's room. I. I don't go in there. Why?"

"I don't like locked doors."

"I don't know where the key is."

"You realize that I can hurt you, right?" A bit of menace in my voice.

"Oh my God. You are going to torture me?"

"I have to be sure that you don't know where the key is."

"Please. All right. I'm not supposed to know. Please just let me go. The key. I can show you where the spare key is. Please."

I nodded. She slipped off the bed. She looked over her shoulder at me. Judging whether she could make a run for it. She started towards the door and suddenly made a run for it. I wasn't too surprised. I just nonchalantly narrowed her time bubble. Trapping her in a slower time. I casually walked in front of her, between her and the door. I released her from the time constriction and she stumbled out of it, her timing off. I grabbed her by the nightgown and gave her a good hard slap across the face.

She screamed in fright and in pain. To her it would have looked like I'd just materialized in front of her. She was startled by the phenomenon and the slap stinging her cheek. She brought her hand up to her face, rubbing the red hand print. Her eyes tearing.

She fell to her knees. Begging. "Please. Oh God. Please don't hurt me. I didn't mean. I'll do whatever it is you want. Just don't hurt me. Oh God."

I touched her shoulder. "Gertrude. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to slap you that hard." I did, but I was trying to calm the distraught woman. "Just show me where the key is, and I'll let you free. Okay?"

She nodded. Tears still running down her face. Fear in her eyes. She stumbled back to her feet. This time I kept her within arms reach. Letting her lead me to the den. She opened a drawer on the left hand side and fished around. She finally handed me an ornamental key.

"Please. I'm not supposed to know about this. I. I think he does his business in there. I haven't been allowed in that room in ten years. Please."

"Your husband will never know about this. At least not from me. Promise."

"Do you know Evan?" her eyes becoming shrewd.

I shook my head. The woman probably thought I was involved in Evan's business. And had come to check up on things. Or something. I idly wondered what I'd stumbled into here.

to be continued.......