Glimpses of the Island

Ready or Not

Cathy slipped on her shoes and headed for the front door where Mark was waiting. Today would be a trip to the mall. The plan was to meet John and Anna for lunch at a restaurant next to the shopping center, and afterward she and Mark would check out the stores. Cathy paused to look in the bedroom mirror one more time at the metal collar surrounding her neck, touching it lightly with one hand. As a form of jewelry it definitely enhanced her appearance, but there was so much more. She felt proud to wear it in public, at her master's side. There would be no hidden meanings or doubts as to what it signified when people saw her wearing it today.

She turned off the bedroom light and headed toward the front door. Mark was waiting for her by the front door. She noticed he had a cloth bag in one hand, something she hadn't seen before. She picked up her purse from the side table as she approached him. "I'm ready to go, master." She still had to smile when she used his new title. Mark had an odd look on his face.

"No Cathy, you aren't quite ready. Listen to me carefully. Put your purse back on the table, then face me and stand still." Puzzled, she set her purse down and turned to him. What had she forgotten? "Take the belt off too." She unbuckled the belt around her skirt and pulled it out. "Drop it on the floor." She lowered it to the floor to one side.

"Good. Now, hold out your hands." Cathy lifted her arm toward him, hands slightly apart. She looked at the bag in his hand closely, a sense of foreboding as to what was in it. As she suspected, he withdrew a pair of handcuffs attached to the center of a length of chain. They were similar to but not quite the same type of cuffs Anna had worn on that trip to the lake. Fascinated, she watched as he opened the handcuffs and closed one around each of her outstretched wrists. She stood motionless while he checked the fit, making sure they were not too tight, and finally using the tip of the key to double lock them so they wouldn't tighten further. She noticed how he tested the fit by slipping a finger between the cuff and her wrist.

"Tell me if these begin to hurt, or if you feel a tingling in your hands. I don't want them to cut off circulation. Hold still." He went behind her, reaching around her waist to take the ends of the chain. Pulling the ends through the belt loops on her skirt he took up the slack behind her back, pulling her wrists close against her body in front. "If the waist chain is too tight then tell me. It should be loose enough for you to sit comfortably." She felt him attaching some kind of fastener or lock in the back, but couldn't see what he was doing. When he finished he tugged against the chain encircling her waist. Satisfied, he walked back to the door, facing her. She glanced down at her imprisoned hands for a moment, pulling at the chains holding them, and then looked up to face Mark again. She was surprised to see a genuine look of concern as he waited for her reaction.

"Am I ready now, master?" She spoke in a calm voice so he would know she was okay. Anna's warning that day in the car had been prophetic. Cathy now found herself in the same situation. No longer would she daydream about what it would be like. He had caught her unprepared, but she told herself that may have been deliberate on his part, to see if she would panic. She looked to one side at her purse still on the side table. Should she try to pick it up, or leave it?

He answered her unasked question by picking up the purse but not handing it to her. "One more thing, I want you to be silent, no sound, not one word. No talking, unless you have a problem with the restraints." He opened the door and motioned for her to precede him. That was the point where she did start to panic. Outside everyone would see her. Mark must have sensed her hesitation for he took her arm and walked her out the door. When he let go of her arm on the front porch so he could close the front door, Cathy didn't even turn to watch. No one was out in the street, which was a small relief for her. A short-lived relief as he nearly dragged her out to the driveway and her side of the car. A neighbor was out watering his lawn. She saw him glance her way before he went back to tending his yard. No point in hoping she would go unnoticed now.

"When possible I want to hold onto your arm while you are walking," Mark told her as they walked down the driveway. "I don't want you to trip and fall." Cathy turned her attention back to her master. While she had on comfortable low heel walking shoes today if she wore high heels she would want him to keep her steady. Actually, she liked to feel his touch anytime. At that moment it had a calming effect, one she needed to help her with her anxiety attack at being handcuffed in public.

"Now take your time and don't bump your head," he told her as he opened the door. She looked at the car seat and tried to remember how Anna had managed the day they had gone to the lake. What should be a trivial task, getting into the car, had become a real challenge. If only Mark had let her practice a few time before she had to try it in front of everyone. Not being able to move her arms made her feel awkward and clumsy. And worst of all the neighbor next door had an unobstructed view of everything she did.

She turned her back to the door and sat down on the edge of the car seat, leaning forward to avoid hitting her head, careful to keep her legs together. Mark held his hand over her hair to make sure she kept her head low enough to clear. Then she slid backwards to keep her skirt from riding up on her legs. This was the difficult part. Without hands to gather the skirt under her it was no small accomplishment to keep her modesty. Far enough back in the seat, she turned and placed her legs inside. She tried to reach the hem of her skirt to straighten it but she could barely touch it with the tips of her fingers. Not perfect, but she was satisfied with the results. With practice she would get better.

Mark reached in and pulled the seat belt between her arms, buckling it just above and behind her hands. "Can you release the seat belt?" he asked. Cathy managed to reach with one hand and grab onto the belt buckle. She pressed the button and opened it. If the door was closed she should be able to reach the handle too, providing the seat belt was loose. "Good, I wasn't positive if you could open it or not. Now we know for sure." He closed the seat belt again. "I want you to be able to open it in an emergency. Otherwise I will take it off for you. Mind your hands."

She placed her hands palm down on her lap, left over right, exactly as he had ordered. The handcuffs kept her wrists close to her waist but she still had enough movement to cross her hands. Crouched down next to her in the open door of the car, he casually rested one hand on her knee as he looked up at her.

Cathy was mildly shocked at what he had done but also surprised at her own reaction. Now that she had made it to the car seat she felt no fear or worry, more a calm patience mixed with curiosity at what he would do next. Clearly he intended that she would be under his direct physical control for the moment. It explained her surge of passivity, the reason she was so cooperative in ensuring her own bondage. He was triggering her submissive instincts. She was past the point of being able to resist now, but even at the start, when he ordered her to hold out her hands, she had obeyed without even thinking about it. She still didn't understand how he did that to her. No one else could do it, but when he spoke to her in that calm yet demanding tone of voice it was as if her brain stopped working.

As to what he had planned next, her curiosity was answered when he reached down and crossed her ankles. Next he pulled out a length of cord from under the seat and wrapped it around her ankles several times before tying a knot. It was simple and escape-proof since she couldn't reach it. He left about two feet of cord for a tether, which was tied to something under her seat. He stood up to admire his handiwork for a moment before he set her purse behind her seat and closed her door.

As he walked around to the driver's side, she pulled at the rope on her ankles. Nothing she could do about it, too far away to reach. Between the seat belt and her bound ankles she would remain in the car until he decided otherwise. Mark had tied her up a few times, but those had been private evenings given over to lust and passion. This felt different to Cathy. It was more about power, control, a sense of place. Looking down at her hands resting on her lap in the crossed position it was certainly obvious to her who was in charge.

He opened his door and sat down. He put the key in but didn't start the car. Instead he reached over and quickly unbuttoned her blouse down to her skirt. The slightest movement on her part would cause it to fall open. Cathy sat motionless, afraid to even take a deep breath lest she be exposed. She looked out the side window to see if their neighbor was watching.

"There, that's to keep you occupied. Feel free to struggle if you get the urge, but remember we'll be driving through traffic." Mark smiled at her and ran his hand along the inside of her knee. Cathy closed her eyes, trying to concentrate. His hand had sent waves of desire sweeping through her. She had to bite her lip to keep from making a noise and breaking his order of silence. She knew he must have a gag somewhere. He had been too well prepared with everything else. Even so, she couldn't take too much more before she would lose her composure. His hand lingered above her knee at the edge of her skirt. If he kept going she wouldn't care if her blouse opened up. She wouldn't be able to keep quiet either.

"Look at me." Her eyes flew open at the sound of his command. She turned her head to face him. He began buttoning up her blouse. "You've handled this well Cathy, I'm proud of you. I wasn't sure what to expect, but you behaved exactly the way I hoped you would." He finished with her blouse, but she noted how he stopped one button further down than she did. She would remember that in the future. "There, I have no intention of sharing you with the world. Some things I keep for myself. I don't want you strutting around in front of strange men with no clothes on." He glanced at his watch. "We'll be late if we don't get going now. Your order of silence still holds. Sit quietly and watch the scenery go by. Pay attention to your hands," he reminded her as he started the car and pulled out of the driveway.

From the grin on his face and the gleam in his eyes she could tell he was enjoying this immensely. She looked out her window, momentarily lost in thought. His brief words of praise had made her feel warm and content, glad that he approved. Every stop sign and red light along the way he would look over at her. Anna was right about how being so vulnerable and dependent actually drew him closer to her.

It felt strange to be driving through town in the middle of the day while bound hand and foot, in plain sight of any passerby. While no one could see the handcuffs or the rope around her feet, her collar was in plain sight. No one could mistake it for a simple necklace. How many of their neighbors had seen him lead her out to the car? For that matter, what was going to happen when they reached the mall? Certainly he would have to untie her legs, but how was she going to eat? And why was she worrying about it? That was his responsibility. He would tell her what to do, when she needed to know, and she would follow to the best of her ability.

She could see herself in the reflection from the car door window. The distinctive glint from the band around her neck was clearly visible. I am this man's property , it proclaimed to her and everyone else, I submit to his will . It was like carrying a sign that advertised she was not accountable for what she did, providing she kept to her master's edicts. It was ironic, Cathy thought, giving up her independence in turn brought her so many other kinds of freedom. No need to offer contrived explanations when her submissive nature peeked through, no more contemptuous looks when she deferred to her master. She was with her peer group now. Every woman who wore the same collar knew of the need to feel the strong hand of a dominant man in her life, possessing her, demanding her unconditional love and devotion, accepting nothing less than total obedience while sheltering and protecting her from a harsh world.

Mark turned off the street into the parking lot of the restaurant. Behind the building she could see the store signs of the mall. They drove by John and Anna's parked car and pulled into an empty space further on. She hoped they hadn't been waiting very long but without a watch she had no way to tell the time. She tried to see the time on Mark's watch but it was turned the wrong way. She no longer wore one after he had forbidden her to wear any jewelry on her wrists, ankles, or neck. Now she understood the reason behind that particular rule. He provided his own decorations for her to wear in their place. While he was distracted parking the car she discretely pulled against the handcuffs. Industrial strength matching charm bracelets , she thought to herself.

Still under his order of silence she sat quietly as he shut off the car. Before he opened his door he reached down and untied her ankles, pushing the cord back under the seat. He got out and walked around to her side. Opening her door, he reached in and unbuckled her seat belt. He picked up her purse, set it on the hood of the car, and then turned back to assist her. Cathy reversed her earlier procedure, first turning to the side and placing her legs on the ground, then sliding forward while standing up. As before he put his hand out to make sure she didn't hit her head. Her skirt came up too far for her taste when she slid out, but Mark was standing in front of her. Once she stood up it fell into place. She would have to work on a more graceful exit. And hope Mark's taste didn't change to include mini-skirts for lunch dates.

He closed her door, picked up her purse in one hand and then took hold of her upper arm in the other. He led her up the sidewalk to the front door. He let go of her arm to open the door, holding it for her to enter first. Inside the hostess looked at Cathy, then immediately turned to Mark as he stopped at Cathy's side.

"How many?" the hostess asked.

"We're meeting another party here," Mark answered, just as John stood up and waved. The hostess stepped back as Mark took Cathy's arm and headed for their table. As Cathy walked past the line of tables she expected to see everyone staring at her, but only a few glanced at her. No expressions of disapproval or mumbled comments about bad taste. When they reached the table she saw Anna struggling to suppress a laugh. Something of a reversal of fortune, for now Cathy was the one wearing the chains. Mark stopped her just before she reached her chair. He placed her purse in the chair before he took a key out of his pocket to release her hands.

He pulled out her chair as she picked up her purse and sat down. She set her purse on the floor and ran her hands under her skirt as he pushed her chair in. Finally she had a chance to sit down in a dignified manner. The closed but empty handcuffs dangled from the chain around her waist.

The hostess, who had been following behind them, handed menus to John and Mark, pointing out the special of the day. As she left a waitress came to the table and asked about drinks. As usual John ordered tea for Anna. Mark ordered water and lemon for Cathy. Both men ordered soft drinks. After the waitress left Mark turned to Cathy. "You have permission to speak."

At last, she was starting to worry she would have to sit through lunch without even saying hello to Anna. "Yes, sir" she answered.

Mark handed her a menu. "Take a look and see what you'd like for lunch." His comment was casual but she knew it to be an order. He was asking her preference but not allowing her to order for herself. John set a menu in front of Anna but she didn't touch it until he nodded. A different style, Cathy thought, but the same result. Anna looked up from the menu and met Cathy's eyes. Both understood what was happening, no questions were needed this time.

John spoke up, "I see congratulations are in order on your new status, Cathy. Has it changed your view of the Island at all?"

Cathy paused to look at Mark before answering. Seeing no indication of disapproval from him she began. "Thank you, sir," she replied, one hand brushing her collar. "I don't think there have been any changes, perhaps a better understanding now I'm no longer a spectator."

Anna nodded in agreement. "Everyone was very nice to me when we arrived here, but I never felt I was part of the Island either, until master granted my wish to wear his collar. Welcome to our little club, Cathy." She reached across the table and squeezed Cathy's hand.

Everyone turned to the menu. Cathy pointed out the Caesar Salad to Mark, then handed him the menu. The waitress returned with their drinks. The two men ordered lunch for themselves and their wives, who sat quietly as the men talked to the waitress. Not once did she talk to either of the collared women. Cathy decided it would take some time to get used to what seemed to be rudeness, but was actually respect, at least the way Anna explained it.

The moment the waitress left Anna pointed to the chain around Cathy's waist. "I told you so! Don't mind me; I just wanted to say it." John turned to Anna with a mild expression of disapproval but didn't say any thing. Anna caught it immediately. "Sorry, sir, I know that was out of place."

John turned to Mark and shook his head, pretending exasperation. "See how it is? You have to watch them every moment. Still, you seem to have things under control and well in hand."

His last word triggered a reminder for Cathy. Her hands were on the table, not in their proper place while she was sitting. She picked up her napkin and placed it in her lap before she folded her hands on top. A quick glance from Mark told her he had noticed. She was grateful he didn't say anything to verbally correct her. She was proud she had gracefully recovered on her own.

During the rest of lunch they made small talk at the table. John mentioned an upcoming project in Central Asia that might involve the whole company. Mark brought up some of the exotic meals he'd had during his trip in Africa. Lunch came and they ate while talking about plans for a dinner party around the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

When lunch was over Mark and Cathy said their goodbyes to John and Anna before going to the mall. Before Cathy got up from the table Mark reached over and fastened the handcuffs on her wrists again. He held her chair as she stood, and picked up her purse from the floor. Once again Cathy looked around but no one seemed too concerned at what was happening. When he held out her purse she took hold of it with both hands.

She stood behind Mark while he took care of the bill at the cashier's register by the exit. The mall would be their next stop. Outside he put her back in the car and drove across the parking lot to the mall entrance.

This would be a mostly window-shopping excursion today, primarily to see what the local stores had to offer. Mark also wanted to gauge Cathy's reaction on her first public excursion with him as her master. Before they got out of the car he carefully went over his instructions.

"I want you to stay close to me at all times. If we get separated in a crowd you stand still and wait for me. If I let go of your arm you stop where you are. If we come to a door I will open it for you. If there is something you would like to look at or a store you want to visit, just ask. We don't have a schedule so you can take your time. If you get tired tell me and we'll sit down. You can talk to me without restriction but I do expect you to ask my permission before you speak to anyone else. Okay? Any questions, or something you want to say?"

"No questions, sir, I understand," Cathy answered. He knew this wasn't the way she wanted to go shopping, but that wasn't his real purpose in bringing her here today. He had already spoken to John; they would let Cathy and Anna go by themselves some other time. For today Cathy only knew that he wanted the two of them to do something together, and he had picked a visit to the shopping center.

So far she had done well. There had been the unguarded moment when she first saw the handcuffs and her obvious hesitation when she was outside the house, but she had remained calm. The drive in the car allowed her to adjust to her initial shock, while the restaurant had given her an initial, limited exposure to the public. Now she would be in a crowd. Her response to being seen by large numbers of people would be crucial in his evaluation of her state of mind.

Mark had a two-part plan, first a sort of stress test, which she was undergoing now, followed by discussing her feelings later on, after it was over and she had some perspective. If her comments were consistent with what he observed then he would be satisfied. Though she had reassured him time and again she wanted and needed the transfer of power, he still had some unvoiced reservations. Mark didn't pretend to understand why she wanted it; the very idea was incomprehensible to him. But she was persuasive in convincing him she was genuine in the desire to be owned. Now that she had what she wished for, he would find out if she only wanted the outward appearance. As much as he wanted to own her in turn, his own love for her would not allow him to continue if it were to harm her in any way.

He opened his door and got out. From the corner of his eye he watched as she started to reach for the door but was brought up short by the cuff on her wrist. Let it go this time , Mark thought to himself, give her a few weeks to adjust . As he came around to open her door he looked in the window to see she had placed her hands in her lap. That told him she was paying attention and had caught herself in time. He knew she was working to overcome habit and so he didn't think it necessary to remark on the small mistake. He was watching for signs of deliberate resistance more than honest errors. Once she settled into a new routine he would call her on it, but she had to have time to change.

The purpose of the outing was to evaluate how she behaved when actually confronted with the reality of her new status. Mark knew he was being overly strict, more than actually suited his own inclination, but he had to push her in order to find out if, beyond doubt, it was her desire to be so completely dependent on him. What he didn't want was an attempt on her part to suppress her own feelings in order to please him.

He opened her door and helped her out. She stood next to the car, both her hands held against her waist by the chain around her waist. Cathy was visibly nervous, her eyes wide as she looked at Mark. She knew what was coming but was trying to put off the inevitable.

First he had to remove her last security blanket. "Why don't you leave your purse in the car?" he asked as he picked up her purse from the car seat. "Is there anything you need in it?" Inside were her purchase and travel cards. Without them she was not only penniless but could not even step outside the building unless he accompanied her.

"No sir, I won't need it." Cathy watched with a wistful expression as Mark put her purse back in the car on the floorboard before he closed her door and locked the car. He turned back to face her. He could see in the expression on her face that she knew what would happen next. Mark hesitated for a moment, considering if he should offer to remove the chains, but realized if he did then he would have failed to keep his own promises to her. She had to see him acting in a confident and determined manner. If he backed out now she would blame herself, thinking she had done something wrong, followed by doubt that he had the resolve to master her.

"Remember," John had told him, "if she makes a mistake you correct her and move on. She expects it; she trusts you to keep her on that straight and narrow path you have laid out for her. But if you make a mistake the ramifications can be serious. Now she will understand if your best effort was the wrong choice. No one can be perfect every moment of the day. If she knows you did your due diligence, gathered all the facts, listened to her, then made a decision which proved you wrong and her right, she will accept that you just had a bad day.

"What she will not understand is if you fail to live up to your duty as her master. If you are hesitant, indecisive, if you do not demand from her what is your due, then she will lose her trust and faith in you as her master. It's the worst blunder you can possibly make. Good, bad, or indifferent, make the call. Be consistent, finish what you start, she has to know you are unwavering in your determination to have it done your way."

With his hand on her arm, he led her across the parking lot toward the mall entrance. Mark was careful to let her set the pace as he knew she would feel off-balance from not having the use of her arms. At the front door he let go of her to push open the heavy glass door. As he had instructed, she stopped immediately, watching him to see what she should do next. He held the door open and gestured for her to proceed. She walked past him and once again stopped just past the doorway, turning back to wait for him. He went through the door and took hold of her arm. He gave it a slight squeeze and smiled when she looked up at him. "You did well," he told her in a low voice. Cathy looked down and said nothing, but Mark could see she appreciated the praise.

He led her over to the store directory at one side of the atrium inside the main entrance. Still holding on to her he looked at the map and listing of the stores, to see what was offered. When he turned back to Cathy to point something out, he was surprised to find her attention focused on the food court rather than the directory. Facing the same direction Mark saw what had caught her eye. Standing in line with her master was a woman of about Cathy's age, the ubiquitous collar around her neck. More significant was the chain around her waist and the attached handcuffs securely locked to the woman's wrists. Mark had been worried that Cathy might stand out and was delighted to see someone else attired in the same manner. It would go a long way toward making Cathy relax and not be too self-conscious.

The rest of the day went well for them. A few times Cathy asked to visit a store, and once she sought permission to sit and rest. At the bookstore he released her hands so she could browse through the books with him. He also allowed her to roam around the book stacks, as long as she kept within sight of him. At every store they visited the clerk always approached Mark first, but one time Cathy did request permission to ask some questions of her own. The moment he agreed the clerk switched to Cathy, almost as if Mark had vanished. Obviously they knew who held the real buying power, collar or no. He had to turn away in order not to laugh out loud.

As the day went by it was obvious to Mark that Cathy was becoming relaxed and comfortable. Her mistakes, small things like starting to walk before he took hold of her arm, or trying to reach for something, were fewer and further apart. All she would need is some repetition and practice to replace old habits with new ones. He could tell from what she pointed out in the stores that she was having a good time, paying more attention to the merchandise than her collar and chains. That was what he wanted to see, a consistent pattern that showed she was adapting, integrating the changes he imposed with her ordinary life.

Her progress was affecting Mark too. His tendency to hold back was receding, but something else was moving in to replace it. Standing at a store window he found himself paying more attention to her reflection than the items on display. More and more he found himself marveling at how attractive she was. A few times he took hold of her wrist to lead her instead of her arm, just so he could feel the steel bracelet against her skin. When they sat down at a bench to rest and have a cold drink, he put his arm on the bench top, so he could idly fondle the collar at the back of her neck.

When they finished their drinks he stood up, took hers and dropped both cups in the garbage can. Cathy stood up at his nod. He placed her wrists in the handcuffs and took hold of her arm, but turned her to face the entrance. "We're done for today." He told her as they headed toward the door.

"But sir, didn't you want to go by the camera store…" Cathy cut off abruptly. Mark turned his head to see why she had stopped talking. Her expression told him she had figured it out as well. No surprise, he knew she could pick up on his moods quickly, especially when it was one of those moods where she was the center of his attention. She kept her eyes down and said nothing, but that was her typical reaction when he became sexually aggressive.

At the car he took the time to tie her ankles again. Sitting next to her he could tell she was already aroused. The bondage was affecting her, feeding her fantasies. Before he started the car he ordered her to silence and once more unbuttoned her blouse. He laughed as she tried to press her breasts against his hand. She shrugged and smiled at him, as if to say she had to give it a try. He answered by slipping a hand beneath her open blouse and squeezing one breast hard. Cathy gasped, closed her eyes and arched her head back, but managed not to cry out. Mark laughed again, openly enjoying her helpless position. He started the car and pulled out of the parking lot into traffic. Cathy was sitting very still lest any move on her part cause her blouse to fall open. He didn't make it any easier for her. At stoplights he would reach over and put his hand between her legs, beneath her skirt. More than once she shuddered involuntarily, and she was losing her concentration as small groans of pleasure escaped her best efforts to stay quiet.

They reached the house. Mark hit the garage opener. He had to park inside since the car would need to recharge overnight. He pulled in and hit the button to close the door. Cathy watched as he opened his door, eagerly anticipating what was to come in a few minutes. Mark turned as if to get out, then suddenly twisted back and lunged across the car seat. With one hand in her hair he roughly pulled her head back against the seat rest, while forcing open her loose blouse with his other hand. Between the passionate kiss and the hand fondling her breast Cathy lost all self-control, struggling fruitlessly against her bonds as she tried to reach him. The unexpected way he had suddenly seized and used her, coupled with her vulnerable position had pushed her past the point where she could think rationally. An uncontrollable orgasm raced through her body and mind even as his hands were still on her. Only the first of many, Mark knew, for he had her solidly within his power now. She would beg for more all through the evening, surrendering her body, her mind, and her dignity to his demands.

Mark drew back, watching her as she recovered, breathing shallow and skin flushed. Her eyes were still closed. He began to appreciate the degree of control he now had, seeing how quickly and easily he could bring her to this state. Cathy turned to look at him, her eyes wide as she realized what he had done. She had little time to think about it as Mark grabbed her hair and once again kissed her, smothering whatever question she was about to ask.

This time his other hand went to her waist, yanking hard on the handcuffs and chain holding her prisoner. He could feel her hands move, trying to reach up to touch him but rendered useless by the bonds he had placed on her. Another orgasm hit her immediately, the shaking and senseless fight against the restraints telling Mark she was lost to the moment, not even aware of what she was doing. He grinned as he drew back again. From now on she would never look at a car seat without remembering this moment. He reached out and took her chin in his hand, turning her head to face him.

"Don't ever forget Cathy. I am your master, no one else. You answer only to me. I own you, mind and body, and I will do with you as I please. I will accept nothing less than your complete obedience. I will not tolerate defiance of any kind. Your place is to serve and please me, don't ever lose sight of why you are here." Mark ended with his eyes boring into her own, till she had to look away, unable to meet the intensity of his gaze. Reinforcement when she was most susceptible, that's what he wanted to impress on her. Cathy said nothing, remembering she was still under orders not to speak, but he could see his words had not been ignored.

Mark got out of the car, went around to her side, and released her seat belt. He had to help her stand up. Holding onto her arm he led her into the house, past the kitchen into the bedroom. He ordered her to stand still as he removed the handcuffs and waist chain. Setting them on the floor he began to undress her, not permitting her to help. Finished, he swept her up in his arms and dropped her onto the bed. Throughout the evening they made love as never before, tender at first, then forceful, always with Mark in control.