Page 31 of Slave

With that, we disconnected. I was still nervous but felt better about what I was about to do. It was just in time, too, since thirty seconds later I turned into my parking garage. Brianna was upstairs waiting for me.

Brianna

The second he left, I’d jumped up out of my seat, a huge smile on my face. He wanted to keep me! Even after I’d messed up yesterday morning and the whole thing at the zoo . . . Master wanted me.

Looking over his home, I was still in awe. I was really going to live here. Stay here with my Master.

It was then I realized that somewhere there had been a change in how I thought of him in my mind. I wanted to belong to Stephan. I wanted him to be my Master. I wanted him to want me to be his.

My eyes settled on the mess that was still in the kitchen. I would clean. Not just the kitchen, but the whole house. Well except for his bedroom and bathroom, which were off limits. He wouldn’t be back for a few hours at least, since he said he’d bring lunch with him. That would be plenty of time if I worked quickly.

It wasn’t hard to find most of the cleaning supplies. What I didn’t find under the sink was in a small closet in the pantry.

I dusted, cleaned mirrors, and vacuumed the downstairs before heading up to the library. I wasn’t sure I’d have time to take all the books off the shelf and put them back so, instead, I just dusted the tops and fronts, wherever I could reach. It wasn’t until I’d finished that I noticed a small little stairway, only three steps, in the back corner.

Up the steps were two doors. I tried the first, but it was locked. The second opened easily and was filled with gym equipment. This must have been where Master was this morning. I could tell he’d been working out. His breathing was heavier than normal, and he was wearing loose fitting shorts, like the ones he’d given me to wear last week. I didn’t notice what type of shirt he was wearing other than the color since I’d kept my head down.

The room had a distinct male scent and was clearly well used. I stood there for far too long lost in my thoughts. It looked so normal.

When I was finally able to pull myself back to reality, I got to work using the cleaner to wipe over all the exercise equipment. There were mirrors along the back wall, so I sprayed them down and made sure there were no streaks.

Finishing, I took a deep breath. The room smelled clean now, but there was still a hint of him that lingered. It just seemed to fit. I also realized that it almost smelled . . . good.

I quickly closed the door and went back down the stairs to put everything away. Going into the room he’d given me, I removed my clothes and headed into the bathroom to shower.

As I washed, my hand lingered over my empty neck. I didn’t understand why. If he wanted to keep me, why I was not wearing his collar? The first thing Ian did when I’d met him was force me to my knees with the help of two others and put his leather collar around my neck. I’d hated it. And I’d fought him. Them. Of course, the only thing my effort had gotten me was a black eye, a sore jaw and lots of bruises. A shiver ran through me.

Stepping into the water, I tried to forget my memories. Stephan. Stephan. Stephan. My new Master was all that mattered. I couldn’t see him being so mean, even though a part of me knew he must be. Sometimes at least.

Getting out of the shower, I dried off and went into the bedroom to dress. Even if Stephan beat me within an inch of my life or shared me with dozens of his friends, I would do it, and I would try to please him. All those things I’d suffered before, and I’d survived. At least now I had more than I’d ever thought I’d have again.

I didn’t want to go back to Ian. If I never saw him again it would be too soon. While I was with him, I was nothing, and I was reminded of it every day. My new Master was different. To say I wasn’t scared of Stephan would be a lie, but so far, he’d been kinder to me than anyone had in a long time. And he didn’t have to be. He owned me and could do whatever he wished.

Looking around, I once again took in all I’d been given since he’d brought me here only three days ago: a bed, clothes, hot water, and food that tasted good. Most people take those things for granted, but I knew better.

A bed was not needed nor deserved for a slave, according to Ian. Clothes beyond the . . . well, uniform Alex and I wore were nothing but items that got in the way of what was his. Hot water was a luxury and not to be granted to slaves unless as a reward. I’d never managed to please Ian enough to earn that. He viewed food almost the same as water. Twice a day we were given a bowl of either plain oatmeal or rice along with some sort of vegetable drink. It provided the nutrients we needed but did nothing for our taste buds, or at least mine. But again, Ian didn’t see tasty food as a requirement for a slave.

Stephan, my new Master, had given me all those things along with so much more. I didn’t know what I’d done to be offered this, but I would not make him sorry for his choice. If he ever did decide to put a collar on me, I would not fight him as I’d done Ian. I would take it willingly and let the chips fall where they may.

After I finished dressing, I looked at the clock. It was almost noon, and I figured he would be back soon, so I walked into the living area, taking the book he’d left outside my bedroom door last night with me. Curling up on the couch, I read until I heard the key turn in the lock.

Dropping the book quickly onto the coffee table, I rounded the corner and dropped to my knees just as he was opening the door. It was strange, but I knew the minute he saw me.

I heard him shut the door and then his heavy footfalls coming closer. He stopped in front of me; his shoes almost touching my knees. Suddenly, I felt his hand on my hair. It was soft and caressing, but soon it was gone.

He walked around me to the table we’d eaten breakfast at only hours before. “Join me, Brianna.”

As fast as I could manage, I stood and walked to him. He was sitting in the seat he’d been in earlier, so I did the same.

The first thing I noticed was a square black box. It looked like a jewelry box, a nice jewelry box. I wanted to ask what it was, but I didn’t dare.

Master pushed a sandwich in front of me, pulling my attention away from the box. “I got us each a club. If there is something on it you don’t like, you may remove it.” I nodded and took the sandwich.

When I opened the wrapping, I realized how huge it was. The meat was piled high between two thick slices of bread. I noticed there were both onions and peppers so I removed them and put them on the side of the paper before taking a small bite. It was really good. I hadn’t been terribly hungry, but this had to be the best sandwich I’d ever eaten.

Before I knew it, I was finished. I glanced up enough to see that Master was, too. He’d been waiting for me.

Then he stood and removed the papers and napkins, taking them into the kitchen. He was in there for longer than it took to throw the things away, and I started to get nervous. But then I heard him walking back toward me and a glass of water appeared. “Drink,” he said. His voice was not unkind, but it was not a suggestion either.

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