Part 21 (1/2)

She slowly sat up. She stretched her bound hands above her head and yawned.

”I can't believe I fell asleep.”

”You did. And you were going to have one h.e.l.l of a pain in your neck if I'd let you sleep here.”

”You ain't joking.” She felt at her neck with her fingers. Twisting her head trying to work out the kinks that had already settled into her.

”Come on. Bedtime.”

”Bed?”

”Well. Sort of.”

”You are going to make me sleep on the floor again. Aren't you.” It was a statement. Not a question. Her eyes lowered. ”Can I at least have a pillow tonight?”

”Nope. If you want, I think there will be room for three in the master bed.”

”You're kidding.”

”Why would I kid?”

”Whose the third?”

”She's already asleep. Sheila.”

”I finally get to meet the mythical Sheila?”

”Maybe. Maybe I'll blindfold you.”

”How kinky.” She wasn't even phased. She knew she didn't have much control over what happened to her. And she'd much rather sleep in a bed blindfolded than on the floor unblindfolded.

I touched her arm. She rose obediently and shut her book. I actually thought I could see a faint hint of print across her pale cheek in the pale glow from the desk lamp. She placed the book neatly on the corner of the table with her handcuffed hands.

She silently followed me back through the dark living room to the stairs. Still bright there with the morning sun streaming through the skylight. We climbed the stairs. As we pa.s.sed the bathroom, Elizabeth touched my arm.

”Can a slave brush her teeth before sleeping? Her teeth feel furry.”

I nodded. ”But you don't have a toothbrush.” I made a mental note to go shopping tomorrow. Pick up some basic toiletries for the women.

”I'll just use whatever is there.” I watched as she ran her tongue over her teeth. Frowning.

She padded into the bathroom and using both hands picked up a pink toothbrush from the holder. I would have guessed that it was originally Gertrude's. She ran it under hot water and struggled a bit with the toothpaste. Using both hands she brushed her teeth thoroughly. Either not realizing, or not caring that I was watching her brush. Her nudity was the last thing on her mind. She looked tired as well. She picked up the hairbrush and stroked it through her hair.

Finally she walked back out.

”Did I give you permission to brush your hair?”

She paled. ”P-please,” she stammered. ”I didn't mean. I was only trying to make myself pretty for y-you. Th-this slave is so sorry.” She tried to sink to her knees in the hallway.

I stopped her from going down with a touch to her bare shoulder.

”It's alright. I was just kidding.”

She let her breath out. ”You shouldn't do that. You scared me.”

”I apologize.” I actually was sorry I'd done it. But her reaction was interesting. Probably just overtired.

We entered the master bedroom. Sheila was still fast asleep. Curled up on her side. s.h.i.+vering in her sleep. In the dark she just looked like a normal woman. Asleep. You couldn't make out her injuries.

I bent down to her. I gently kissed her forehead. She mumbled something in her sleep. I carefully slipped a pair of handcuffs around her limp wrists. I connected her ankles with another pair. She slept through it all. She was really knocked out. I doubted if I really needed to bind her hand and foot, but I hadn't really known her long enough to trust her. And I was going to be sleeping in the same bed with her. I wanted to restrict her movements in case she woke in the night and had some bright ideas of how to go from a monster to another unknown master to complete freedom. I seriously doubted that she'd have the courage or strength to attack me, but why take a chance? She seemed to be sleeping alright despite the bondage.

I idly wondered what Jane and Christi were up to. I was willing to bet that Evan wasn't liking it. Whatever it was. I debated looking in on them but decided against it. I trusted them.

”Wrists.” I whispered to Elizabeth.

She obediently presented her cuffed wrists to me. I released her right hand and pulled her arms behind her. She protested weakly as I reconnected her wrists behind her back.

”Please. I'll behave. You don't have to put them behind me. I won't attack you. What good would it do me?”

”Elizabeth. It's just a safety precaution. I can cuff your feet instead if you'd like. Bring your hands back around front. Like Sheila.”

She thought about it. ”Leave them. I can live with this.” She pulled at her wrists. Adjusting the cuff position to something more comfortable for her.

I carefully covered Sheila. She snuggled into the covers. Her bound hands grasping at the sheets. She almost immediately stopped s.h.i.+vering.

I quickly undressed. Too tired to look for pajamas.

There was tons of room in the bed. I slipped into it from the opposite side. Sheila's warm hip pressed softly against mine. She was turned away from me. Elizabeth slipped in beside me. Having a bit more trouble getting into the bed with her hands bound. Her head nestled into the crook of my shoulder.

I pulled the covers over us, tucking them under Elizabeth's chin.

She sighed.

”Master?”

”Yes?” I replied a bit sleepily.

”Can a slave speak?”

”Of course. Just make it quick.” My eyes felt like they were going to close on their own. I was warm. I was in bed with two warm women. And I was tired. Problems could wait for the morning.

Elizabeth kissed my bare chest. ”You know what we were talking about earlier today?”

My mind wasn't working quite right. Elizabeth. s.e.x. Her experience. Something like that.

”Yes. No.”

She looked up at me. A bit confused. She continued along anyway. Determined to speak. ”If I'm a lesbian or not? If. How I reacted to Karen? And the crop?”