‘Of course not. Slavery isn’t legal in this country, in case you didn’t know.’
/> I blushed, and muttered, ‘I did know that.’
Martin returned with a dish so fancy I couldn’t have named any of the components. Maria told us it was pheasant with parmentier potatoes and wild straw mushrooms, in a jus of something I’d never heard of.
We settled down to eat, and the conversation died away as Maria and Martin provided a floor show for us. She fed him titbits with her fingers and he wolfed them down like a dog, kneeling up with his spine straight. Maria had the leash held tight, and Martin thanked her humbly for every morsel. It didn’t look like fun to me, but the lump in his boxers was hard to ignore, and got lumpier still when Maria started to call him names and mock him.
‘Delicious meal, Maria,’ said Keane, laying his cutlery down on his empty plate. ‘As always.’
He was looking at me as he said it. He’d watched me assiduously through every mouthful. I’d been trying to keep my eyes on Maria and Martin, but my senses had been shrieking all the way through, telling me I had some pretty fierce attention.
‘Yes, it was lovely,’ I added.
‘Thank you.’ Maria beamed at us both. ‘Now, I think Martin here needs a little bit of obedience training before pudding, so perhaps you’d excuse us for a little while. Please help yourselves to more wine.’
She got up and dragged Martin after her into the living room.
I watched them for too long, reluctant to look back at Keane and accept that we’d been left alone for a reason.
‘Would you like a collar and leash of your own?’ he asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
I laughed weakly, but didn’t turn and face him.
‘Oh…I don’t know about that.’
‘Look at me,’ he commanded.
I couldn’t disobey him. I twisted my neck unwillingly back, thinking that he’d see my fear, my unease, my…guilt.
‘That’s better,’ he said. ‘You’ll need to learn not to hide yourself from me. Real submission involves having your defences stripped away. Believe me, Ellie, I’ll have you under my hand so quickly your head’ll spin.’
‘When are you going to do the contract?’ I asked.
‘Monday. You can meet me at my solicitor friend’s office and we’ll sign right away.’
‘That’s tomorrow,’ I said, not that it needed pointing out.
‘That’s tomorrow,’ he nodded. ‘But before you sign on the dotted line, Maria’s tactfully given us a bit of time alone, to get used to each other. I suggest we use it to the full.’
‘What do you…?’
‘Stand up.’
Again, his tone brooked no refusal and I was halfway up from my seat before I even thought to question it.
‘I like your outfit,’ he said, leaning back in his chair and looking me up and down. ‘Take off the jacket.’
Lightheaded, I shrugged it off to reveal my corset in all its glory. Keane’s natural authority made this easier for me. All I had to do was obey without thinking. Not thinking was something of a luxury.
‘Did you dress up like that for me?’ he asked. ‘Turn around. I want to see your behind in that tight skirt. Oh, yes.’
Apparently it met with his approval.
‘What are you wearing under the skirt?’ he asked. ‘No, don’t tell me. Show me.’
Christ, was I really doing a submissive striptease for the bent leader of the local council? The slow, sinuous progress of my skirt over my hips and thighs answered my question. I couldn’t see him now, but I could imagine – almost feel – his eyes burning into my black lace knickers and stocking tops.
‘Oh, that’ll do nicely,’ he breathed, as the skirt fell in a glossy puddle at my feet. ‘Bend over.’