Page 124 of The Facilitator 1

“Anything you want toshare?”

He turned and smiled at me. “It’s been amazing to see you change somuch.”

Was that the start of our parting? “You’ve done that,Mackenzie.”

He slowly nodded his head. “What an idiot,” hewhispered.

“Who?”

“That car, behindus.”

I looked at him as he glanced in his rearview mirror. The side mirror wasn’t positioned so I could see if there was a car behindus.

“Will you make these couple of days special for me?’ Iasked.

“I’ll make them the best you’ve everhad.”

He focussed his attention on the road, but he did take one hand from the steering wheel and clasp it around mine. I held on tight and looked out the side window so he wouldn’t see mytears.

The journey was too short and I soon noticed the house come into view. I wanted just a little more time alone with him. As before, the valet stepped forward and retrieved our bags from the boot and the car keys from Mackenzie. Veronica opened the door. She smiled ingreeting.

“It’s good to see you again,” she said. “I have the cottage ready foryou.”

She handed over a key and gestured with her arm for us to lead the way. The valet followed behind with our bags. Mackenzie opened the cottage door and allowed me to step through first. I felt immediately athome.

“I have what you requested set out for later. Shall I reserve a table for dinner first?” Veronicasaid.

“Yes, an early dinner, six o’clock,” Mackenzie answered in clippedtones.

Veronica frowned ever soslightly.

“Is there anything else I can get you?” sheasked.

“No,” hereplied.

She nodded at him and turned to walk away. “Thank you, Veronica,” I called afterher.

“I think I’ll take a shower,” Mackenzie said stripping off his shirt as he walked to thebathroom.

As Veronica closed the door, she looked at me; I shrugged myshoulders.

I decided to open the wine that was cooling in an ice bucket, I needed a little Dutch courage, the enormity of what I’d asked for, what I was about to witness and receive started to dawn on me. Maybe Mackenzie wasoffbecause he was getting in ‘thezone.’

I sat on the sofa and twirled my glass between my fingers. It wasn’t long before Mackenzie walked back in with just a towel around hiswaist.

“Are you okay?” Iasked.

He smiled at me, “Yes, do you want to pour me one?” Maybe his shower had washed away his sourmood.

He sat as I did. I handed over his wine and he turned slightly towards me. He raised his glass, clinked it withmine.

“No sleep, Lauren. For the next twenty-four hours you are completely mine, every minute, every second. You’ll only do as I say, not ask,say.”

My stomach did a triple flip, worthy of a score of ten, had it been off a divingboard.

“Are you ready for that?” he added. It was all I could do tonod.

“Do we need a safe word?” I asked; my voice had raised anoctave.

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