A Season of Delight

*****

He stood on top of the hill overviewing the valley decked in white, winds were howling through the trees but the sky was clear and bright. It was about time, his fingers clutched the silver clock on a chain in his right pocket; he didn't need to look at it he sensed it, traced the initials with his thumb: S. D.H. . Footsteps were approaching, the sound of snow was heard to be crushed under the presence of three people. Samuel put his hat back on and fitted it to shadow his face. "You are about to introduce me number eight. How has she settled in Pat?" Sam's back remained turned to the three figures: to the left the man from the Bar who was addressed as Pat, in the middle Rosa with a blindfold fitted over both her eyes and ears, to her right stood an expectantly joyous Mary with her hands over Rosa's ears as extra precaution. The women were wearing warm pelts yet pretty dresses and shoes underneath, inconvenient for a longer outing. Rosa was rendered entirely incapable to see or hear.

"Oh tell him Sir Patrick, she isn't what he will expect." Patrick raised his hand fervently to which Mary fell silent.

"Do we need to redo all your lessons? You speak only when addressed here. According measures will be added to your punishments. Silent now insolent girl, you need to control your excitement."

Patrick's gaze had not left Sam as he cleared his voice and continued: "Mary is right about one thing. This girl is different. She neither cried nor seemed fearful since she came to. On the opposite she showed herself to be quite a mysterious surprise in many ways. Mary, too, was rather curious then scared during her early days, but we had to teach her everything. This number eight, I believe has already made experiences." Sam watched the sky turn coloured at the far away horizon betraying no sign of interest. He left them standing in silence until the evening light reached the top of the hill and bathed the group in crimson shadows. With a sudden move he turned around and froze -- just for the tiniest moment -- before he walked up to Rosa and looked. Had one been able to see his face it would have been stunned. The shades wandered over their features, darkness and light eternally wrestling for dominance and perseverance. He simply looked at her as if trying to decide whether she was a figment of his imagination. No word was spoken as Patrick and Mary watched the imposing man in front: imposing not in mere physical but mental presence. Finally Samuel stepped away from them.

"Bring her back to the house. See that she rests I want her tonight, my private quarters, decked for two at eight o'clock sharp. There will be no interruptions from anyone, not even you Patsy." Sam swiftly gazed at the trio from under the brim of his hat to then walk away calm back towards the spot he had occupied earlier where he retook his musings. Mary opened her mouth, but no words came out.

She was instructed to lead Rosa back the way they had arrived by Patrick who joined Sam, raised an eyebrow at his friend and whispered barely audible:

"This gets more interesting by the minute. How I would love to be a fly on the wall tonight. Something is happening old friend. I can tell. Now we see how you deal with what I think you awaited to happen." He nodded and stepped downhill once more to follow the ladies. In solitude Samuel Hall took off his hat once again to reveal eyes glinting with emotion and lips opening to twist into a dark smile. He had been caught off guard for a moment, but beyond that he was intrigued. No one would be spying on them tonight or they would pay for it. This was between him and number eight. This was personal, and yes this was what he after all had awaited to happen but dared not to hope for. What he had forgotten he once wished and needed so urgently; the mutual passion he had buried deep inside forgetfulness. It had chased him right into his dreams and turned them to insidious nightmares and his life into a restless hunt of something you cannot force or catch by will. Her appearance had made a change of his original plans and conduct necessary, something which he would have to make up for, but he had never met a challenge and not appreciated it. He was a Hall after all.

He kept smiling as the sky turned inky: "Rosa. So we finally meet again. My dear Sweetheart..."

*****

The smells of fruits, flowers, the thick earthy scent of the Christmas tree, dinner cooking in the kitchen under the hands of servants and the sizzling flames of all lit fireplaces gave Rosa the feeling of being in a vibrant dream. Snow had started to fall outside as she was sitting in front of a mirror, her hair being made up by Mary, who since their return at the house (Rosa felt the term manor was more appropriate, but she only could go by how it looked inside) had changed her demeanor to what she could only call stunned curiosity being held back by what was no doubt orders from the person she would very soon encounter: The person who had arranged for all the girls to vanish, who had arranged to have her taken, too. Rosa had gotten not many words neither from Mary nor the Bar Man who finally had introduced himself as Patrick McKay, but she guessed that the way she was treated was unexpected and quite in-ordinary. She looked at herself in the mirror of the vanity desk: a pale face, body fitted with an elegant tight dress of dark red silk, green jade accessories and her hair pinned up which made her slim neck stand out all the more. Rosa placed her gloved hands on her legs, they were shaking slightly. It was the night before Christmas, the 24th of December - last year she had been with him. And now?

Mary motioned her to stand up, then circled her once and smiled: "You look beautiful. Like a Rose, so delicate and valuable. Be brave now it must be nearly time." Rosa exhaled as the sound of a knock on the door made Mary jump. Patrick stepped in accompanied by an old man in servant's outfit who nevertheless had an air of grace.

They eyed Rosa then Patrick spoke: "Ms Rosa, you will go with this man. You are to speak no word and do exactly as you are told. "After a few moments hesitation he added:" There is nothing to be afraid of, if I am not very mistaken. I hope you will enjoy yourself. Mary, you will join me and the other guests in the dining room." After Rosa had left Patrick turned to Mary, who came up and grinned as he put his hand on her ass and showed them out.

*****

He stood in the door-frame opposite the way she had entered his private rooms and satisfied his need to look at her unbeknownst, taking in every detail about her appearance but more so the air that surrounded her. As instructed she was sitting with her eyes closed at the small table decked for two. He could tell she was trying to feel where she was, her head moved very little to here and there. She was as beautiful as he remembered, although there now was a fragility about her that spoke to him in a way that made him feel endangered and at the same time there was a hint of an emotion he did not dare to embrace -- happiness. He straightened his jacket and stepped forward.

Rosa sat where the old man had led her blindly. Her senses were heightened, she could feel the light and warmth of many candles across the room, hear the wood burning in the fireplace, smell wine and leather of the chairs and there was also the trace of a presence. Someone was with her, though not too close. Rosa felt as if she should be scared, but there was only curiosity and a weird feeling of being at ease. A memory brushed against her conscious mind. Laughter, they were laughing he was holding her in his arms and she felt so peaceful as happy as she had ever been in her life.... Rosa's heartbeat fastened. Footsteps approached and Rosa moved her hand swiftly, grabbed his arm, felt the fine cloth of his suit between her fingers.

"Don't open your eyes. Not yet. " He said calmly but with undeniable softness in his voice.

"My god, it's really you."

*****

He took her hand and walked her to the window eyeing their reflection. "It's been a long time. I did not think I would see you again. You seem quite well." Rosa stepped up felt the draft and put her free hand on the window glass where she thought the reflection of his face to be. A thousand thoughts and emotions were vying to break free, but she simply asked:

"Did you expect that they would pick me up one day? Is that why...?" Samuel smiled and turned to look down at her real face.

"No. The girls were Patrick's idea. He is a true friend and shares my -- our (he laughed sinister) -- partialities and preferences. I have told him about you, so he took care to try fulfill a void he may have sensed, by choosing a particular type of woman. Most weren't fit for our kind of enjoyments so we send them home, unharmed if shaken."

Rosa could not hold back: "Turned to crime, I cannot believe you would stoop so low. I cannot imagine this is what you left for. Sam, why?" He knew that she was asking for something rather different, something they both needed to bring in the open, but it was not time yet.

He turned her body towards his: "Look at me Rosa. Now."

She opened her eyes and gasped. There he was in a dark blue suit, his black hair wild as always and his eyes were just as forceful as she remembered them as was the commanding tone of his voice. She knew he could see how much she had missed him, how his sudden reappearance was affecting her heart and mind. But it didn't matter. All that mattered was that he was there. And that behind all his darkness and might she sensed that he was just as shaken about her presence.

"Listen very well Rosa. We have this evening and one more day. After that we return to where each came from. Do you understand me?" Rosa held his stare and nodded silently. He gazed deep into her eyes and thought for a moment. "I am surprised you are not crying. Your last letter was rather desperate and silly. I could not keep answering you. It would have done you no good." Rosa frowned at his words.

"I know. You didn't deserve my tears. Not for the reason I shed them anyway. That however is no reason to vanish completely without any explanation."

Samuel hid his surprise and beckoned her forward. "You seem changed. I find myself intrigued. Nevertheless it is Time to eat."

Their conversation over dinner was like a game of hunt and capture. They circled each other like hunter and prey, but the prey was a wildcat that was not easily baited. Samuel asked her about her life, why and how she had come to the States. Yet he told none of his own. Just as usual, Rosa thought. Behind casual words they hid honest sharp questions and tested the other's well being. Both enjoyed themselves greatly, it was as if no time had passed at all. Wit stood against wit. Rosa felt herself honestly smiling for the first time in many months. Sam was sitting across her leaning back confidently with his drink in his hand. His eyes never left her. "Tell me, are you still being trained by someone?"

Rosa put on an amused expression. "If you really wanted to know I am sure you could think of a better way to get an answer to your question."

Samuel took a sip and the tone of his voice had changed to something dangerously dark:" I have to wonder if you are that mouthy. You know what you are asking for Rosa. Are you sure you want to go there? We both know we want this, we both know it would be great. But we have just tonight and one more day. Are you sure you are capable of parting when the time comes?"

Rosa's voice was firm and assertive when she answered, her eyes blazed. "Yes Sir, I am."

*****

In the matter of seconds she found herself pressed against a wall in the strong grip of his hands. She felt as if a weight dropped off her shoulders, something she had been carrying for a long time that only he had the power to take away. Rosa had no idea how, but he was blindfolding her and stepped back. "Don't move or speak. You know the rules." His hand came from nowhere and moved over her bare shoulders, down her side and back up across her cheeks. It felt so good she could not suppress a moan. "Stay calm, we have not even started yet." There was something in his voice that already made her wet. His hands vanished and she found herself alone, waiting, anticipating, hoping. A cold rough sensation crossed over her arms. It pinched and pricked her, but it was strangely elating. He moved the cold metal along each arm, slowly, deliberately raising the pressure to see how much she liked to take. "This is called a Wartenberg wheel. A nice little device I brought back from Europe. I see you like it as much as I do."

He took off her elbow length gloves, unfastened and pulled down her dress and ordered Rosa to turn around as if to face the wall. The wheel moved all over her back and sensations of delight moved with it. His presence towering over her made her feel entirely safe. He enjoyed to switch between caressing her with the softness of his fingertips, scratching her with his nails and moving the wheel in random patterns all over her shivering body. Yes, she was incredibly beautiful and with a sudden pinch in his heart he realized that she was still all his. "Rosa, turn around. " He kept his orders clear and emotionally removed, but he felt his heart beating much more consciously. The wheel moved over her breasts and belly and he smiled as she withheld any rise of voice to follow his order of being silent despite being more and more aroused. "Good girl." He said and leaned forward to kiss her. Her lips tasted so good, they were so full and awaiting; it aroused him so much that she still remembered to not kiss back without asking that he let the wheel drop to the floor and went ahead faster than he intended. "On your knees." He demanded in a whisper.

Rosa moved her hands as he guided her to open his trousers. He was hardening already, she noted and smiled inwardly. She pulled down his clothes as instructed, revelled in his hands being put on her head, embracing the softness of her hair and raised her own hands now closing gently around his shaft. She stretched, bent his shaft carefully upwards and caressed his balls. She moved her head close and started to trace her lips across the left then the right one, the tip of her tongue licking just slightly over the sensitive skin. His smell was all round her. She slipped the right ball into her mouth and started sucking gently while her tongue kept moving over it in circles. Sam hardened more, the pressure of his hands on her head increased. Rosa loved to please him. Her right hand moved slowly up and down his shaft as she changed to his left ball, sucking blowing and using the tip of her tongue to tickle him in a tease that was looking to test whether he wanted her to take time or be fast. After she had treated each ball her tongue found the seam between them that went up to the shaft. She licked it strongly from down up onto the shaft and felt his pleasure rising on her lips. At the top of the shaft she went around the helmet once then twice before kissing the top and licking of his pre cum. Sam let out a satisfied moan and ripped the blindfold off. "Continue. You may open your eyes when it is time. "

There was a perfect understanding between them. Rosa feeling her own wetness inhaled then slipped her mouth around the head and moved her lips slowly up and down and back upwards letting her spit drool onto the shaft. Her right hand had now been placed further down and was still moving and stretching cock while her lips let slip the top deeper and deeper into her mouth. She felt so hot and he too was now breathing faster and letting slip gasps of arousal. Faster and faster she moved her mouth and deeper and deeper his cock went into her until she let it hit the roof of her throat pushing it upwards with her tongue that had not ceased to lick all over the shaft inside her mouth. Rosa could not see it, but Samuel was getting lost in her sensations. He had pulled his head back, closed his eyes and pushed on her head with real force to keep her from stopping. Not that she would have dared to. He forced himself in the whole way enough in control to let her breathe between each gag, but the amount of time kept getting smaller and smaller. Sam's mind was back in focus, he looked down: "Look at me... sweetheart." Her eyes moved from his cock up to his face. He smiled and after intense moments of deep throating inside her while they gazed at each other pulled out gently. He raised her up and put her in his arms: she was in undergarments he had shed his jacket and was in his blue shirt. Sam kissed the top of her head while Rosa pressed into his body in a tight embrace was completely lost in his mental and physical strength, remnants of tears drying on her face. "God I missed you. I didn't know how much." But he didn't say it out load.

"Rosa, come back here, over the table." He instructed her to lie on her belly across the table next to his bed and stood beside her his cock still standing ready. She knew what was coming and tensed her muscles. Slap came down his hand on her bared behind. Slap. Again and again and again until she felt the heat rising from her bottom. Slap. Twenty times he slapped each cheek in alternating rhythm. "That was for your cockyness. Now let's do something fun. I have a coin here and you call. Head will be option one, number option two. Which will it be?" Rosa firmly called for heads and heard the coin being tossed. "Number one it will be." She felt him step away and when he returned he held a wooden cane. "You lucky woman chose your favourite." He smiled with devious delight. "I will do a simple pattern like we used to. I will not count. Don't move or I will have to bind you. " Rosa closed her eyes. Any second now. The wood hit her leg and she felt herself drifting away into their special place. He called it her sucking away all the pain he dealt and transforming it into lust and delight for both of them. And so she did. Whenever the wood came down on her she could feel the hurt burning her skin, but once it came through she made it travel everywhere inside her and so it became bearable. He, too, was engrossed deeply and she could feel his care and concentration in every movement he made. The trust between them was unrestricted.

"Do you like my marking you, making you mine?" he asked with unhidden lust in his voice.

"I do, Sam. Sir. Thank you." Rosa answered with slurred words from somewhere deep inside her tranced state of mind. Time and space, yesterday and tomorrow were of no meaning. There was only his voice the assurance of his presence and the heat that made her feel as if dancing through fire. He put his fingers into her, teased her clit and laughed. She was dripping wet.

"How much do you want me Rosa? Ask for it, beg for it." His voice turned her on more and more with every word he spoke.

"I want you to fuck me Sir. Anywhere you please. I am entirely yours. Please Sir."

He groaned with satisfaction. "Tell me where. Be more precise or you will earn punishment not praise."

Rosa hesitated then answered: "The bottom Sir. Please fuck me deep in my bottom." Samuel raised an eyebrow. That was not something he did teach her. All the better this experience would be no doubt. He raised the cane one last time and finished his array of streaks across her thighs. It came out looking very nice, like a knitting pattern he thought with amusement. He grabbed some ice he had prepared and slowly traced it over her marks. It melted so quickly he found himself impressed. She shivered under his hands, but it would help her feel better soon and let them vanish earlier.

Sam then put his hand to her crotch and gathered fluids smearing them all over his cock and around or inside her arse-hole. "Are you ready?" She nodded. He put the tip of his cock in and pushed. It felt amazing, she was very tight and had been taught to use her muscles. Sam slid back and forth in a fastening rhythm until his balls banged against her legs. Rosa could not suppress her mix of pleasure and pain now, but he did not even think of ordering her to do so. He liked her squirming underneath him, enough for him to note but not violent enough to warrant reprimanding. Her lust and excitement rose with each push. She could not get enough of his physical power and was not far from coming. That reminded her, she was not allowed to without permission. This was going to be challenging. Rosa smiled grimly as he increased his efforts. Of course he knew. He took her from behind for what seemed like an hour before he pulled out in exhaustion and ordered her to lie on his bed.