Mindgames Ch. 13

Master Gabriel and Master Animal looked at each other. They jumped up at the same time, then looked out the window at the same time, then shrugged at the same time. "First light tomorrow, then," Master Gabriel said. "I'll arrange with Stefan for a buggy and team."

Mariah remembers

Mariah supposed it was a good placement, as Mistress Desiree had said. Her master and mistress, while quick with the lash, were not especially cruel. There was an older slave named Pepper to show her the ropes. She needed that, Mariah quickly realized, sometimes wondering what the point had been of the training center when she had to learn everything afresh.

Pepper was scornful. But it wasn't Mariah's fault that the stoves were different from those she had learned on, and that she was in a wing of the mansion where did not know her way around, and that the cleaning supplies her owners favored were not what she had been taught to use.

Pepper was strikingly beautiful - not so much in her features as in the grace with which she carried herself. Tall, powerful, dark skin, hair cut short. When she knelt in obeisance before her owners, it struck Mariah as odd, disjunctive. She should not be prostrating herself.

She wasn't outright nasty to Mariah so much as disdainful. She showed Mariah what to do, more than once if necessary, but never spared her an extra glance, never gave her a friendly look. When their owners ordered them to fuck each other, for release, Pepper got Mariah off, efficiently, but would not allow Mariah to do the same for her. She would just back off with a sniff.

Mariah didn't notice Pepper's attitude at first. She was too busy trying to figure out how to survive. Once she did notice, to the extent that she thought about it, she felt relief. She had no interest in friends.

One morning Mariah came back early from the exercise yard. Pepper was on her knees in the living room. Mistress Suzette and Master Griffin sat together on a loveseat. They didn't hear Mariah come in.

Pepper was pleading, which made Mariah wince. "She's no good for you," Pepper was saying. "I know how you like things. She can't even crack eggs without help."

Mariah froze, anger making her face burn. She had dropped one egg, and had been duly punished for it. That was weeks ago. Why would Pepper bring it up now? For a moment she visualized herself with a whip in her hand, punishing Pepper. She shoved the thought away quickly.

Master Griffin patted Pepper on the head. "Don't take it like this, Pepper," he said coaxingly.

Mistress Suzette added, "You'll like the fields. You're young enough, you've got time for lots of babies. And that means you get to fuck anyone you want until you get pregnant. Won't that be nice?"

Pepper made an odd, strangled sound. She bent down until her forehead was on the floor. "I don't want to have babies," she said. "I want to serve you." She kneeled up, clasping her hands in front of her.

"Pepper, be reasonable," Master Griffin said, and now he sounded irritated. He glanced up and saw Mariah standing there. "You've served us well. You should be proud of that." And he stood and walked past Pepper, indicating to Mariah to follow him to the bedroom.

Present day

Rose couldn't understand it. It was an ordinary day in which she did ordinary things. And yet . . .

As she washed the breakfast dishes she found herself humming. She looked out the window over the sink. The intensity of the blue of the sky caught her off guard. And the way the sun sparkled through the leaves of the maple tree! She did not try to name the colors; they were simply dazzling.

Later, in the exercise room, everything was easy. On a whim she added extra weights to the barbells and still had no trouble lifting. Her stretches were deeper, too. Other slaves who usually did not notice her included her in their conversations. Or had she joined in, unbidden? She smiled and they smiled back at her.

After her shower, the groom sought her out for special attention even though it was not her turn in the rotation. The waxing merely stung. He clucked when he saw her paint-splattered fingernails. Rose tried to tell him he was being silly with his fussing - her master wouldn't care. But he just patted her and reached for his emery board. Rose relaxed and let herself enjoy the attention.

Back in the apartment, it was time-consuming to get ready for the next day's outing, finding the supplies Master Animal had ordered and preparing a picnic lunch that would not spoil or become soggy. Even though she enlisted Raul, the hall monitor, for his help and advice, she was later than usual to meet Master Animal in the revel hall.

He was squinting and frowning at an easel. He saw her and smiled, and although she was across the large room from him she felt as though she were standing next to him.

As she walked towards him he was distracted by the door opening. Two new students. When he went over to greet them, Rose stole a look at the picture on the easel that was frustrating him. His sketch book was open on it, and she saw the sketch he had been shielding from view, for quite a while now she thought of it. In the stable yard - it was her on a horse that was turning. But it was not Rose as she thought of herself. The girl on the horse was proud, excited, strong, beautiful.

Rose was lost in picture. Animal frowned when he saw her looking at it, and turned over the sketch pad before the students could see. "Can't get the damn horse right," he muttered.

He gestured to Rose to join him as he circled the room with the students. She did not dwell on how odd it was that he gave her no task. Then, as he pointed to the third panel - the picture of the courtyard revel-with his right hand, he put his left hand on the curve where Rose's lower back met her rump. It was not unusual for humans to touch their slaves in front of others, to arouse them, but Master Animal rarely touched Rose outside of his bedroom. And he glanced at her, just for a second, as he continued to talk about the panel, and his look was warm, and his hand was fire, and she burned, and at the same time she felt, a little, like the girl in the sketchbook picture.

He kept her with him for the rest of the day. Once he brushed her fingers with his, and he looked at her and it seemed to Rose that he saw her, and she blushed and burned some more, until her pussy ached.

When Rose suggested, shyly, that she needed to return to the apartment to make dinner, Animal shrugged and sent a message to the Kitchen closest to his apartment to have their meal delivered, not to his quarters but to Gabriel's.

Later, when they sat at Gabriel's table, and even Mariah wrinkled her nose at the soggy meatloaf and limp broccoli, Rose focused on keeping her knees wide so that she would not explode. But then, there was Animal's hand, on her knee, above her knee, burning her.

Animal and Gabriel set the time for the next morning's departure, and then Animal stood up. "Good night," he said brusquely to Gabriel. "Let's go, Rose." And he took her hand.

Rose protested, "Master, the dishes . . ."

Animal shrugged. "Mariah can do them. Or Gabriel can, if he prefers." Mariah scowled, and Gabriel looked mildly surprised before he smiled placidly. Animal did not let go of Rose's hand, and led her to the courtyard.

He stopped outside the sliding door to his apartment. Without letting go of Rose's hand, he turned to her. "You know I've . . ." he began. And then he stopped, and stared at her. "You're so beautiful," he said, and he leaned in and kissed her, tasting her. Rose froze, not knowing what to do. A human would sometimes use his tongue to rape her mouth, gagging her, but this . . . Inadvertently she pulled back, then realized her error.

Master Animal did not seem angry with her. He stepped back but caressed her fingers with his thumb. He took a deep breath. His voice was husky when he said, "You know I've never hurt you for the fun of it, right?"

Was this day a mindgame, then? Rose's voice trembled when she said, after a moment, "You've always been very kind, Master."

Master Animal looked at her steadily, in the intense way he had been doing all day. "I want to do something tonight that you won't like," he said, "but I'm not going to hurt you."

Rose nodded. She knew she shouldn't be scared, but she couldn't help it.

"Trust me?" Master Animal wheedled. When Rose didn't answer he said, "Trust that I'm a lazy pansy?" His voice cracked when he said that.

Rose looked up. In that moment he was so vulnerable, so open. "You're not lazy, Master," Rose whispered. 'You're . . ." She couldn't continue.

But Master Animal seemed satisfied. He led her inside, and into his bedroom. "Lay down on your back," he told her. As Rose reclined on the bed, he took off his clothes, dropping them on the floor. In part of her mind Rose wished she could disobey her master and hang them up to save the ironing of them. But then he was in bed with her, his length against her side. He started to kiss her. When Rose unconsciously turned her face away just a fraction, he nuzzled her ear instead. At the same time he put his hand on her abdomen. His breath was in her ear, his hand was on her, so low but not low enough.

Rose wriggled, but Master Animal's hand drifted no lower. She reached for him, but he pulled back. "I want you to relax tonight," he said. "I want you to enjoy this."

"I always enjoy it when you fuck me, Master," Rose said.

"No," Master Animal said a little sourly. "You always come, because you have been trained to, and it's in your diet, and I let you." He leaned in close to her and murmured, "Tonight, I'm doing the work." His mouth found her neck where her pulse beat in her throat. He sucked on her there. Rose was electrified. Without realizing it she groaned softly. She could feel his smile against her skin.

After a time he moved his mouth lower, but only to her breast. He sucked on her nipple, circling with his tongue, while his hand drifted up and cupped her other breast. He lingered there, and Rose struggled to keep her legs spread. When he switched sides, sucking the other breast, she groaned, "Master, please," forgetting that she should not beg.

Animal raised his head, just for a moment. "No coming," he said tersely. "Not yet." Rose sank back, dizzy, confused. Master Animal had always told her she could come whenever he touched her. Why this torture? She could not concentrate on that question.

Master Animal continued to suck on her nipples and fondle her breasts. Rose heard a low, ragged growl, and was not sure whether she made it or her master did.

Master Animal pulled back a little so he could move lower. She was sure he would eat her, and she would not be able to hold back. But he put his hands under her and brought his mouth to her belly button, circling it and then going inside. Rose could not stop groaning. It was as if he were tonguing her clit, except it could bring her no relief. And then his warm hand was on her pubic mound, and if he pressed there even a little she would come. She was still groaning. He stopped licking her, but he held his hand where it was, motionless, until the sensations subsided ever so slightly.

He lifted his hand. "Turn over onto this," he said softly, grabbing a pillow and putting it in the middle of the bed.

Rose couldn't understand at first. Language - everything but touch - seemed strange. But then it sank in. Her master had given her an order. She gathered herself and with a huge effort turned over, making sure to not let her legs close when she did so.

Master Animal positioned her so that the pillow was under her hips. He told her to spread her legs. She heard him reach into a drawer in his bedside table, and then felt him touch her asshole with something cold and gooey.

Rose cried out, betrayed.

Master Animal stroked her ass cheeks. "Remember, you trust me," he said.

"Master, please, I..."

"Shsh," Master Animal said. He lay down next to her so that she could see his face. His brown eyes seared her. "I know you don't like buttfucking, but I don't want you to be afraid of it any more. I don't want other humans to have that power over you." He paused. "If you want me to stop, I will. But . . . " He sounded almost pleading. "Could you trust me for this?"

Rose didn't say anything for a long pause, and Master Animal didn't move. "I trust you, Master," Rose whispered at last.

"You're a great girl, Rose," Master Animal said hoarsely. "I hope you'll belong to me forever." A calmness washed over Rose. With the index finger and thumb of one hand Master Animal spread her ass cheeks. She had not realized she had been clenching her butt until she relaxed her muscles. Master Animal slowly penetrated her with the gel-covered forefinger. It didn't hurt.

Master Animal deliberately moved his finger in and out of her, each time adding more gel. Then, as he pushed his finger all the way in his other fingers seemingly accidentally brushed against her slit, already drenched with her pussy juices. Suddenly Rose experienced his touch as an undifferentiated mass of sensation, all pleasure. His finger now so easily sliding in and out of her butt, awakening nerves she had never known could experience anything but pain. His tenuous touch so close to her clit. She was floating. She heard little sounds and she realized she was making them.

Master Animal stilled, with his finger deeply inside her. Rose gave a little whimper of protest. "Are you ready?" Master Animal asked.

Rose nodded but Master Animal didn't move. She understood he needed her to answer out loud. "Yes, Master," she said. Master Animal slowly withdrew his finger. He rubbed the gel onto his own penis, bringing it from half-mast to hard.

He kneeled behind Rose and grasped her hips, raising them higher. He placed the tip of his penis at the entrance to her asshole. "This won't hurt," he said. "You're well-prepared, and I'm far from the biggest man you've had in there." He stroked her buttocks. "But if it does, you tell me and I'll stop."

Slowly Master Animal eased his penis in. At the same time he reached around Rose and stroked her inner thighs, moving higher and higher. He pressed deeper in. It felt better than his finger had. He moved his forefinger to her slit and rested it there.

Rose couldn't keep still. She gyrated, trying to get his finger to touch her clit. With the movement Master Animal's penis pressed more deeply inside her. She couldn't stop moving.

Master Animal pushed in further and ever so slowly moved his forefinger up to Rose's clitoris, pressing against it with his fingerpad. Rose bucked against him, and he began to pump, slowly, as he rubbed her nub with his finger.

"Oh, Master, I..." Rose said, and then she couldn't say anything at all. She could only moan, as his penis moved smoothly in and out of her, bringing pleasure to a part of her body she had only associated with degradation; as his finger rubbed the very center of her being and she could feel him not only on her clit but in her brain. The world shattered around her, and the only thing tethering her to it was Master Animal, as he moved inside her and on her and as his words reverberated in her. "I hope you'll belong to me forever," he had said. She heard him yell, felt him press into her one last time, but his finger never left her center and even after he softened in her she was flying.

Mariah remembers

Mariah's heart pounded as she served coffee to her master and mistress and their guests. She kept her eyes carefully averted, and breathed the slightest sigh of relief when none of the humans paid any attention to her. She returned to the kitchen as if all were normal. Glancing out the window, she saw that Pepper was still in the courtyard, pretending to weed, glowering at her exclusion from the event inside.

And then came the sound she had been expecting. A surprised cough, followed by an expletive, and then her name shrieked by her mistress. Keeping her face completely blank, she returned to the dining room. "May I serve you, Mistress?" she asked.

"You stupid cunt!" Mistress Suzette yelled. "There's salt in the sugar bowl!" She backhanded Mariah on the cheek, harder than Mariah expected. When Mariah stumbled but kept her feet, Mistress Suzette switched hands. This time Mariah let herself find the floor.

Present day

Rose had fallen asleep with her back against Master Animal's front. When he turned over she woke up. She felt an excitement in the pit of her stomach and groggily tried to remember why. The events of a few hours earlier came back to her in flashes. She remembered Master Animal touching her, and inside her, and the pleasure that had gone on and on.

And then she remembered what he had said. Did he really want to keep her forever? Mariah would say it was a mindgame. She would say Master Animal had raped her.

Had he? He knew she hated buttfucking. She replayed all that he had said, all that he had done, and all that she, her body, more than her body, had done in response. Would he have stopped as he said he would, if she had asked him to? Rose believed he would have. But she doubted that she would have found the courage. She was a slave. How could she refuse any master anything?

Master Animal wasn't any master, though. She remembered the first time she saw him. He had been standing in front of a canvas, holding a paintbrush, staring out a window. She had been struck by an overwhelming sense of his loneliness. He hadn't noticed her then, but from the moment he had first spoken to her he had been kind.

She looked over to him. He was so determinedly shaggy. His ragged beard, his untrimmed hair, the paint splatters in unexpected places - how did he get paint on his stomach? She smiled tenderly. None of it hid from her the sensuous curve of his mouth, the length of his fingers or, now she thought of it, how his fingernails were neatly trimmed, the one part of him that was meticulously groomed. So he wouldn't scratch me, Rose suddenly understood.

Master Animal turned in his sleep again, now lying on his stomach.

As if of its own accord Rose's hand reached out and touched his back. He sighed heavily. Rose sat up and gently massaged him, her hands moving slowly lower until they were rubbing his buttocks. The jar of gel he had used on her was still on the bed; she opened it and rubbed some between his ass cheeks. When his breathing didn't change Rose gently spread his thighs.

She waited. Master Animal's back rose and fell with his breath. She couldn't help herself. It was like the first time she had snuck a look at the portrait Master Animal had been painting of her old master and his family. Her heart pounded, but she had to go on.

She dipped her forefinger into the gel. She put her hand on Master Animal's ass, and pushed her finger in, slowly, slowly, like he had done to her the night before. And pulled it out just as slowly. In her whole life she had never done anything like this. She had never imagined that taking the lead could reawaken her own desire so quickly.

Master Animal turned his head. Rose froze, shocked at what she was doing. But Master Animal looked at her with languid eyes. "If you want, you can keep doing that," he said casually. He added, "But give me a kiss first."

Rose lay down next to him, but hesitated. Master Animal parted his lips and Rose gently licked the inside of his mouth, tasting him. She remembered how he had kissed her in the courtyard the night before, and what had come next, and suddenly she was not shy. She felt once more like the girl he had drawn on the horse, strong, powerful.

She kissed him deeper, stronger, and lay her leg across his back so that her pussy was pressed into his side. It was paradise. But after a minute she pulled back. When Master Animal merely watched her she reached for the jar and gently moved her gel-covered finger into his asshole. He moaned softly. Her body responded as if he was stroking her sex. She moved her finger in and out of him. He gasped and groaned, and raised his hips to give his swollen cock room to breathe. Rose pushed him onto his side and twisted around so that she could put her mouth around his penis while she continued to push her finger in and out of his ass. Master Animal reached down. Rose separated her legs, inviting his touch. Aah, so good. In unison they moved their fingers in and out of each other. In unison they came together, in a blinding fury, for the second time that night.