Caroline's Awakening

At that point, there was no turning back.

*****

She touched her breasts and could feel her nipples begin to harden as she caught Claude's eyes looking back at her while still talking on the phone. She was well within the hills and farmland of rural Connecticut when Claude hung up the phone. Through the open window, he gave her back her phone and also a packet of information that was left by Matthew.

She took both into her hands and examined the contents of the envelope. It was a simple non-descript 11" x 14" manila envelope that contained paper documents and other items as well. Claude went on, "We will be to the house in about thirty minutes. Matthew wanted you to read this and let him know if you have any reservations."

Her hands started to shake as she held it in her hand. She set it down briefly only to fill her glass for the third time with the champagne, or was it four times? She could hardly be expected to keep track as her body shook with anticipation.

Before she even opened it, she could tell some of the contents and her panties became soaked with desire. She opened the envelope and she felt a black silk scarf run through her fingers. She could tell just by touching it that it was a rich imported Italian silk and Matthew must had gone to great extent to find.

Equally interesting was a pair of fur-lined handcuffs that were unique in its design. They were not a thin shiny metallic pair or cheesy fur lined ones that one might find at a novelty or costume store. These were extravagant by nature, and were thickly broad, equaling at least an inch and a half and were easily three to four times as broad as the face of her watch. They were gold and not silver but did not look appear to gold plated but rather an alloy of some sort, perhaps brass or gold itself.

On the chain that connected the two was a simple but elegant setting of ruby, emeralds, and diamonds. It was more than a mere set of handcuffs, but designer jewelry as well. She touched the gems and although she was not versed in fine jewelry, from the luster and the feel of the stones, there was no mistaking the authenticity.

She looked through the rest of the packet and was amazed at what she found out. It was a brochure, custom made just for her and showing off an estate. The front of the estate was beautiful, rather informal but elegant at the same time. A circle drive showed accented a large double wide etched glass doorway that allowed someone to see completely through the entire entry way and great room in the back. From the great room, there were several French doors that opened to a patio and a breathtaking patio.

She imagined that glowing aqua blue waters of the pool glistened with the Connecticut night time. Surrounding the pool was acres of lush green lawns and ideal decorations. What was perhaps the most desirable aspect, however, was that it was on a small bluff overlooking Long Island Sound. Caroline could not imagine a finer piece of real estate on the entire Eastern Seaboard than the home which she held in her arms.

As she gazed through the brochure, she noticed an envelope that contained a card, much like a Hallmark greeting card that one might send for a birthday or another holiday. On the outside was the name "Caroline" written in his writing and "open last". Anxious to get to the card, she hurried through the rest of the information on the estate, convinced that it was her destination for the weekend and probably the most romantic weekend getaway life could imagine.

As she opened the card, her assumption was correct. It was an indeed a card, this one an anniversary card remembering their 6 month engagement. Her sudden pang of guilt for not getting a present for Matthew was quickly forgotten as she read the hand written note from Matthew within. It stated:

By now, my love, you have certainly guessed where we will spend the weekend and some of what I may have planned. What you don't know, however are some of the secret plans I have arranged for us. Yes, the blindfold and handcuffs are for you and there will be more surprises like that too.

What you cannot imagine, however, is that my love for you is beyond comprehension and my adoration for your body, your soul, and your mind is without limits.

I do not bind your wrists and blind your eyes for my own pleasure, however, I do it for you for OUR pleasure. You have shared so much the last several months and the more I have become to know you the more I have come to love you.

It is time we take the journey together, to explore each others garden of desire. My desire is for you. Solely. And together I believe we have only touched the seed of our own escalation and our paths will lead us to our own paradise.

I know what you want and hope that you trust the path I have chosen. As you might know, we will not be alone tonight and you are to be the center of a rather cretin ritual that will be both restricting and enlightening. Please trust that what you go through I will do so with you, with nothing but my desire towards you growing stronger.

If you should become frightened or are too timid to go through with this, I will understand and will take your phone call. But please call within the next few minutes. If I do not hear from you, you will be welcomed at the front door and shown to your table. First we will have dinner and then we will have desert.

There are more surprises ahead and know what your desires are telling you.

I hope to see you soon.

Always,

Matthew

It scared her so that Matthew knew her so well. What was it that she possibly could have told him or showed him? Was it something they said after their exchange of pillow talk after making love? Was it the way she behaved and moaned the time he had bound her wrists above her head? Or was it simply something he saw in her eyes?

It really didn't matter, she surmised because she now knew it was safe to tell Matthew of her desires. All of them.

He would understand, no doubt. Could he have the same one? The question lingered in her mind. Either way, she was NOT going to call him back, as much as his plans and her vague understanding of the evening frightened her. She was too intrigued to stop it; too intrigued with questions, with desire and with lust.

She put her cell phone back in her purse and took another sip of champagne for the first time realizing she was beginning to get light headed. She crossed her legs and then lifted them up in the air to stretch. She looked down at her knees and picked a piece of dust from one of her stockings as she felt her panties getting wet and thought, "I do have nice legs, don't I?"

*****

Just as she finished the glass of champagne she noticed the car coming to a gate. Claude pulled down his visor and pressed a button and the iron clad gate opened before her eyes. The house was set back from the road a bit and she could see the building unfold before her very eyes. It was indeed just like the picture, she surmised, with one noted exception.

On the large front entry way were two statues of lions. They were the traditional Chinese statues that Caroline remembered were found on the threshold of Chinese emperors. The one on the left, she recalled, had a lion cub under her left paw and symbolized the nurturing nature of the woman. The one on her right she could see had globe under his right paw, symbolizing the dominating nature of the man.

The lions guarding the home were no doubt there for a purpose and just knowing what that purpose was, was enough to give Caroline chills.

The car stopped and Claude went around to open the door. Caroline grabbed her purse and put the contents of the envelope into her purse. She arranged her dress and took a quick look in the mirror and dabbed on just a little lip gloss.

She stepped out with both legs, wanting anyone who might be looking out to see her. If indeed this was a ceremony for her and her alone, she wanted to make sure she looked her best and gave everyone a view of her most desired feature. Claude took her by the hand and helped her up. She asked him in confidence, "Claude, my dear, what do you know about tonight and this weekend?"

"Nothing more than you, Miss Caroline. Just that I was to drive you here for a surprise of some sort." The twinkle in his eyes said he might not be telling her the entire truth.

She started to walk up the path and then stopped for a second and looked back. "Well," she said, looking back to Claude, "It would be very gentlemanly if you escorted me to the door."

"Gladly," and he walked up to her and offered her his arm.

She took his arm, put her other arm over it and together they walked arm in arm up the front steps and between the magnificent Chinese lions. "I hope I know what I am doing," she said mostly to herself but loud enough for Claude to hear and think she was talking to him.

"I am sure you do, ma'am. Matthew has something spectacular planned for you, I am sure. You are so special to him. I have noticed a big change for the better since he met you."

"That is so sweet of you to say," as she stopped at the front door and gave him a small peck on the cheek. "Thank you for making me feel a little bit better." She stopped to ring the door but before she could, the front door was opened for her.

A handsome middle aged man in a tuxedo opened the door for her and in a Spanish accent and asked, "Caroline Ghetty?" knowing quite well who it was but being polite in asking.

"Yes," she was a bit taken back, "and you are?"

"Pardon me, senorita, but I am Pedro. Senor Matthew said I should be expecting you. I am the combination welcoming committee and bartender for the evening." His genuine smile helped put Caroline's fears at ease.

Caroline gazed around and noticed several people in the large great room and others outside near the pool. Some were standing and others were sitting but all were engaged in conversation like a typical cocktail party. She looked around and noticed the absolute stunning decoration in the host's home. The entry way was large but was not stone or marble like many homes of its nature but it was a very light shade of hard wood, to help blend more in the natural environment.

She could tell the decorating was not formal, but more casual and every bit as elegant and rich as she would have imagined. Most of the decoration was modern but one antique grandfather clock graced the entryway just below the curved staircase. It was probably more than 100 years older than anything else in the house, judging by its craftsmanship and design. It looked familiar but then again Caroline had probably seen dozens of grandfather clocks in her tenure as auctioneer. Pedro reached for her purse and things and said, "Can I take this for you?" She looked back at him puzzled and just then Matthew came into the view and he nearly ran taking Caroline in his arms. Pedro looked away as they embraced and they kissed like they hadn't seen each other in years.

Neither said anything for almost a full minute and then Matthew finally broke the silence. He held her hands in front of her and he examined her. "You look beautiful," he said. "Absolutely breathtaking. If I didn't know you were standing here in front of me and me touching you, I would think you were nothing but a mirage."

"Oh stop it, silly, she said. Now take me out of here and make love to me like you never have before. I can hardly control myself you have me intrigued so."

"Absolutely not." She noticed both a playfulness and a firmness in his voice. "You know very well what is in store for you tonight. You are ready and I am ready for you. You know what is in store for you."

"I do not," she protested in vain, but deep down her soaked panties revealing her lie. "And who are all these people?"

He just smiled in response and then invited her to freshen up in the master bedroom. "You will meet them all and they will all come to know you. I hope you like the arrangements for the weekend."

"This place is lovely. Did you rent it for the weekend?" She walked into the master bedroom and was stunned by its beauty. A four poster bed was in one corner and a sitting room was located near the deck overlooking the pool and the ocean. The bathroom was mirrored marble and the fixtures sparkled with sunshine. She looked in the closet and noticed two new outfits hanging in the closet for her, with matching shoes and a purse. They were identical to the ones she had tried on but never bought last time she visited Sak's. Again he knew something more about her that it almost frightened her.

*****

Dinner was now over and the caterers had cleared the table and finished cleaning the kitchen. The men had gone outside, presumably some of them to smoke cigars near the pool while most of the women talked in the great room. Caroline sensed and uneasiness around some of the women, perhaps because they were aware of her pending ritual.

Caroline searched for someone to talk to and she finally struck up a conversation with "T". T was younger and shorter than Caroline but had a bit more of an athletic build. She looked as thought she may have been an athlete of some sort, perhaps a tennis player, a marathon runner, or maybe even a sprinter. She was petite in size but very muscular, her medium brown hair pulled back to a single pony tail and her white blouse open in front, allowing an observer to notice she was not wearing a bra. Definitely a tennis player, Caroline thought but was careful to follow Matthew's instructions and not talk about personal life. She found herself in the corner alone talking to T and then Caroline finally had the courage to ask, "Do you know what I should expect tonight?"

"Not really," T replied honestly, "and if I did, I would be sworn to secrecy. I am sure you will like your ceremony. Mr. M has assuredly given it great thought and has designed something you would like and something very personal for you."

"But what do you mean?" Caroline pleaded, frustrated by T's vagueness and evasiveness. "What was it like for you?"

"I really cannot tell you. They don't want us to discuss it." She hesitated before she continued, "The men are like that. It is designed for you and not for everyone else to enjoy, although others will probably enjoy it as well. Please don't ask me any more questions. I don't want to avoid you but I cannot answer things that you will need to find out for yourself." She paused once more, looking around to see if anyone might be listening. "All I can say is this: I have been to four different initiation ceremonies and have been the center of the ritual once. Although I truly feel that mine was the most exciting, there is not a one of them I would not have loved to be the center of attention. And that is what you are."

She looked over her shoulder once again at the women, some of whom were cold to Caroline earlier. "That is why some of them appear to be unfriendly. They are jealous and wish it was them getting the special attention tonight." Just then, T's boyfriend called her name. She looked at Caroline with fear in her eye and said hastily, "Relax and enjoy it. There is no way you won't enjoy it." At that, she went with her eyes facing downward going to her boyfriend or husband, Caroline had not been introduced to him yet. He spoke to her and she shook her head and then left the room.

A few minutes later, after all the hired help had left, the lights were dimmed and the people from the outside came in. Everyone gathered in the large two story great room which almost seemed designed for a gathering of this sort. In the corner was a very stately chair, and next to it was large and elegant padded table, which looked very much in place with the rest of the furnishings. Matthew went around filling everyone's glass with champagne and everyone appeared ready for some sort of toast. He came last to Caroline and took her by the hand and sat her in the chair. She was the only one sitting among a group of standing admirers. She felt oddly out of place and had no idea why. With that, Matthew proposed a toast and everyone became quiet instantly.

"To my beloved 'C'," he began, "you have only been in my life a short time but they have been the happiest days of my life. You complete me like no way I could have ever imagined. Only a few months ago I asked for your hand in marriage and you made me the happiest man alive by accepting. Today, I ask for something more and I do so infront of others, as I know you would have wanted."

Tears started to swell in Caroline's eyes, for she did not know what was going to happen, she was touched by the sincerity and passion put forward in Matthew's oration.

Matthew continued, "Marriage is a covenant established before God. This covenant that I want to establish tonight is much different. Like marriage, it is a lifelong agreement, but unlike marriage, it is not recognized by law – but the devotion I pledge to you is every bit as binding. I will have your hand in marriage and now I ask for your collar in bondage. It is not a collar of restriction and pain but of liberation and pleasure. I want to give you that pleasure and I want to give you my total devotion. Stand before me, my dear, and see all that I want you for. The only limit placed on this collar is that of our own imaginations. Here's to you, my beloved 'C'."

With that, everyone raised their glass and toasted Caroline who blushed at the attention she was getting. She had hardly mentioned wearing Matthew's collar, but she would gladly accept such an honor. How did he know she would so willingly? Everyone in the room had his or her eyes on her and she knew she was the center of attention.

Matthew had not asked for a response so she gave him none. It was just understood. There was a short applause and then Matthew asked Caroline to rise from her chair, which now appeared to be more like a throne, and stand before the crowd. Someone wheeled forward a small platform and then Caroline stepped up onto that, with Matthew holding her hand.

The lights were dimmed, and the entire room glowed with the quiet glow of several dozen candles. Scented perfume started to permeate everyone's senses and a light jazz number could be heard slightly above the murmur of everyone. Caroline stood and gazed at her "admirers" and all were paired off as couples, presumably with husband and wife or girlfriend or boyfriend, but Caroline had no way of knowing. The tension was getting thick in the room, as everyone expectantly looked forward to Caroline and Matthew for the initiation ritual to begin.

Just then, another man stood below the platform in front of Caroline and Matthew, Matthew nodded to him and he asked for everyone's attention. The room quickly became quiet and even the music seemed to stand still for his announcement. "This is truly going to be a unique initiation that Matthew has designed specifically for C. Like all of you who have been initiated, C knows knows nothing of this ritual and in fact, has only met all of you for the first time tonight. I am sure she has questions, and Matthew asks for all your understanding as he gives her full consent in this matter."

He turned around and looked at Caroline carefully and continued, "You are but a lamb among the lions this evening and if you should choose to stop at any point, you only need to say the phrase 'please shepherd' and everything will stop and we will either terminate or delay the ceremony. Everyone will understand and we all vow to protect your right to dignity and privacy. Nothing leaves this room. Nothing. However, if you wish to continue, I can promise that you will surrender to the pleasure of submission and Matthew has planned a very intriguing ritual that he feels will surely arouse the passion within."

Everyone waited for her response and she wondered to herself if anyone ever stopped if it got to this point. Certainly she was not going to be the first. She wanted his touch, she trusted his course, and she wanted more of what he promised to give her. "Do you have anything to say, Miss C?" he finally asked.