0 comments/ 20193 views/ 1 favorites Bound Ch. 1 By: His Whimsicality Have you ever envisioned what it would be like to be completely at the mercy of someone else, not knowing what that person will do to you next? Did you ever wonder how your mind and your body would possibly react if taken to their limits, exposed to pain and humiliation? If you're interested in finding out, I suggest that you accompany me on this journey. I want you to conjure up the picture of a man in his early twenties. He measures a little bit over 6'1 and weighs approximately 162 pounds. He is slim of stature, evil tongues might even say bony, but sinewy probably is closest to the mark, because upon closer inspection you could see, or rather feel, that his muscles, although not bulkier than average, are well-defined in the important areas due to more or less regular workout. Furthermore, I want you to imagine that man to be completely naked and in a standing position. He is, however, not standing of his own accord, because his body is attached to a metal frame in five places: On each of his ankles and wrists there are four identical leather clamps, broad and reinforced with metal on the outside, straddling his legs and his arms so that he is forming a big X. Finally, there is some sort of close-fitting metal girdle around his waist, with a thin strap of metal running underneath his crotch from front to back, and chains connecting the waistband to the frame, holding his pelvis in place. Two spotlights are illuminating the area of the frame and the limp body hanging yet lifeless in its shackles, head lolling forwards, feet touching on a floor of dark lino. Beyond the two circles of light, the rest of the room is shrouded in complete darkness, nothing is moving, no noises or sounds can be heard, the only exception being the gentle hum of electricity coursing through the illumination machinery. Suddenly, the creaking of a door breaks the silence. Then the sound of feet, of something or some things being put down by somebody just outside the cone of light. Without warning, a solid mass of water shoots forth toward the man, no doubt from a bucket swung at and emptied over his body. My body. ***** I groaned awake. A feeling of wetness and icy cold pervaded my skin, tickling my consciousness into coming back to me. My head spun horribly, but I slowly started to take in my surroundings, wondering why I had come to in what was obviously not my usual resting position, soon realizing with disbelief that I was naked, dripping wet, cold and - on top of it all - unable to move. After a quick checkout, I quickly dismissed the possibility that I was dreaming, for the feeling of the real world is decidedly different from that of a dream, and accepting that I was somehow held in place, I tried to concentrate my confused brain in order to determine why I was stretched out the way I was, unable to move properly. Still in a daze, I forced my head to look up to my right wrist. ‘Oh shit!’, I went, seeing the manacle holding my right wrist and, swiveling my head, also the one on my left. A quick glance to my feet confirmed my suspicions as I could also see my ankles enchained in the same manner. Giving my metal underwear a brief look, I stated dryly, ‘Hey, at least I'm not naked. Yeah!’. I closed my eyes and let my head drop forward, not willing to believe what my eyes had just told me, especially since I had seen Pulp Fiction at least twice and knew what happened to stupid people waking up bound and in places they had never been before. Was there a Zed lurking around somewhere? Sighing, and with my mind the speed of treacle, I tried to reconstruct how I had ended up here. I remembered a voice, a female voice from the phone I had picked up, and... A violent shiver of cold going through my body interrupted my thought process. I shuddered. The last time I had felt so cold I was in the army while I was doing my compulsory military service. We had been spending the night outside, sleeping in tents designed for two persons, and in the early morning we had stepped outside, our chests only covered by an undershirt. It was November, below zero and I had been shuddering continuously. We went jogging and when we came back, frost that had not been there before was adorning our tent. That was the kind of cold I was feeling right then, a cold that doesn't make you shiver once, but causes your muscles to contract spasmodically for minutes on end. My teeth chattered. ‘Ah, it seems out guest is finally recovering. Did you rest well?’, a female voice from behind me enquired teasingly, mockingly, relishing in my discomfort. I could feel a shiver going down my spine, but this time not because of the cold. How long had she been watching me? I twisted my head so that I could see her, but I didn't achieve a thing, except perhaps show her how well I was held in place. An amused chuckle escaped her lips. Then I could hear her advance, not so much because of her footsteps but because of the creaking and scraping sound of her costume or catsuit or whatever it was she was wearing for this occasion. I instantly knew that this could only mean leather or latex, in all likelihood black of colour, and I thought it was rather charming that, incidentally, she was dressed up like this because of me! ‘Not bad, Dude,’ I began to congratulate myself ironically, but that feeling was kind of dampened as I glimpsed how something - a blindfold, I realized - was slipped over my eyes and tied behind the back of my head. ‘Hey!’ I cried out in protest. My captivatress ignored me and creaked a few paces away where she bent down and began to rummage in some sort of container. ‘Hey, um... Miss!’ I called her again, trying to gain her attention. She raised her torso and approached me. ‘Do you want to be released?’ I heard her whisper in my ear. Not what I was expecting. ‘Yes?’ I said a little bit unsure, partly answering, partly questioning myself. Where was this leading? Why go to all the trouble of chaining me up, only to set me free afterwards? But I decided that this was not my problem, so I hastily asserted, ‘Yes, I want to be released,’ smiling proudly at how easily I appeared to get away from all this. ‘As you wish,’ she replied with a wicked undertone in her voice and I could practically feel her malevolent grin on the back of my head. ‘Uh-oh, wrong turn taken,’ I apprehended. I knew that something was coming, and my suspicions were confirmed as I could feel a rustle on my back. The rustle of plastic, of plastic slowly creeping upwards. ‘Aha?’ I scratched my head mentally. Was this supposed to hurt? ‘What are you doing?’ I questioned her, but horrible realization dawned in the split second the plastic bag was drawn over my head and pulled tight around my neck! ‘NOOOOO!!’ I bellowed, as the material slid down over my nose and mouth, stark terror wallowing up and seeping through me almost instantly. I twisted and shook and banged my head frantically, trying to get the bag off, knowing I could suffocate in less than a minute if I didn't succeed. But my captress was holding the bag together at the nape of my neck and adjusted to my movements so that the bag would neither slide of or, as I'd hoped, rip as a possible alternative. Fuelled by my panic and my steadily increasing lack of air, my heart increased its pace to make up for the deficiency of oxygen in my blood, soon making me think that it would burst under the strain of keeping my body supplied, and the idiot that I am, I had of course made the mistake of screaming when the plastic was cupped over my head instead of doing the opposite, thus easily costing myself 20 seconds of air, and now I felt like I could not last much longer than 10, perhaps 15 seconds. In a final and desperate effort, knowing I did not have much air or time left, I flexed every muscle in my body as hard as I could and tried to somehow break free against all hopes, my head still tossing wildly. It was to no avail. The manacles wouldn't budge, and the plastic was still cutting off my air supplies. My heart was pounding madly at a rate of probably over 200 beats per minute, my lungs heaving almost uselessly because despite their best efforts, they were absorbing way too little oxygen from the air. Then, very much to my own surprise, I gave up the thrashing. Why fight when all you can do is lose. As my view began to blur and my consciousness to slip, I - faintly and as if from a distance - suddenly felt every, and by that I mean every, muscle in my body go completely and utterly limp, and a feeling of absolute relaxation and mental peace descended upon my body, mind, and soul. I was in heaven! I don't know how else to explain that experience otherwise, it probably came from the strong opiates the body emits when it is hurt severely. But the plastic was whipped from my head before I could lose consciousness. Fresh, cool air whirled around my face and, with a gigantic intake of breath, I greedily gulped in one of the essences of life with my burning lungs. With that breath, I felt like my perception was being jolted from ultra slow-motion back to normal and reality set in again abruptly. ‘Do you want to be released?’ I heard her repeat after a while between my panting, but I couldn't answer because I was too busy breathing. ‘Do you want to be released?’ Again that question, only in a more insistent voice this time. ‘No,’ I panted like I dog, definitely not wanting to go through the same torment again that was surely awaiting me had I answered with ‘yes’. ‘I can't hear you. What was it you said?’ Now her voice was not insisting, it was threatening. ‘No!’ I replied, louder this time, my breathing slower but my heart still racing. ‘What?’ she snapped, already starting to pull the hood down again over my face. ‘NOOOO!’ I wailed as loud as I could with what power and air I had left, feeling my face go red as I squeezed out my lungs to show her my fear and desperation at the prospect of receiving the same treatment again, and, trailing off utterly spent, I fell into dark and merciful oblivion. To Be Continued... Bound Ch. 10: Happy Ever After This is the conclusion to a story that was barely a concept, ie the magical corset, and a couple of scenes in my head, when I started putting it down. It certainly was never in my mind that as I fleshed it out it would become 10 Chapters! Thank you to everyone who has been on this journey with me. I only hope discovering these characters has been enjoyable for you as it was for me. If you have not read the previous chapters I would recommend that you do so, as they all tie together to form a single story. The individual chapters do not stand on their own and can sometimes be a bit confusing if you don't have the back story. Lastly, to everyone who favorited either the individual chapters or me as an author, Thank you! I am truly humbled by that kind of recognition. ***** Bound for a Happily Ever After Finally, it was the morning of the wedding and I awoke laying next to Jennifer, our smooth legs still wrapped around each other. Knowing it was the last night we had alone together, we had our own, mini, bachelorette party. Giving her a kiss, I slipped out of her loving embrace and made my way to the bathroom to take a shower. It was weird for it to be so quiet that early in the morning, usually one of us would have been up feeding and/or playing with Daniel Jr already but yesterday, after the rehearsal dinner, Jennifer's parents offered to watch him for the night. Changing my mind, I instead ran the water for a hot bubble bath. Letting the tub fill, I grabbed some fresh towels, my razor, and shaving cream. Pulling my long hair up for now, I closed my eyes and just lounged in the bath, letting the warmth of the water soak into my flesh. I wasn't surprised when a few minutes later the water splashed a bit, as Jennifer tested the water before lowering herself in as well. Opening my eyes, I saw her smiling face, beaming with excitement, hovering just in front of mine. She didn't say a word, just planted a light kiss on the tip of my nose. Leaning back she grabbed the luffa and soap, and after rubbing the soap into a thick lather, began bathing me. First my shoulders and arms, then my chest, my large breasts and nipples becoming hard with the slippery stimulation. On down my tummy, she lathered, being careful around my belly button piercing. With a sloshing, I turned myself around and held my hair up for her to continue on my back and buttocks giggling a bit when she reached around to wash my smooth, hairless pussy. Feeling her breasts mashed against my back as she embraced me, I turned around, wrapping her up in a big hug. "I LOVE you Jennifer!" I whispered emotionally, not wanting to let her go. "I love you too Danielle! I love you SO much!" she responded, squeezing me a bit tighter. As we broke our hug, I took the luffa from her and returned the favor of bathing her. Taking my time, I savored every moment, not knowing when, or even if, we would be able to do this again. Getting out of the tub, we toweled each other dry before rubbing baby oil all over each other. It had an almost ritualistic feel to it, like a rite of passage. First the spiritual cleansing, followed by an anointing with oil, all in preparation for some major coming of age event. I know that wasn't at all the intent, it was just how I felt. Slipping on some casual clothes before we headed to the Church, I felt such a warmth and inner peace having Jennifer by my side. I remember holding her hand, fingers interlaced with hers, the whole way. Other than the Pastor, we were the first people at the Church. Taking us inside, he showed us where we could get ready. I had been in a couple of weddings before but obviously never "on this side." The flurry of activity was far crazier than I had ever seen on the grooms side. The excitement reached new levels as the rest of the Bridesmaids and hairdresser, followed shortly by some of the Groomsmen, showed up. I didn't actually see groomsmen but I heard their deep voices reverberating off the walls in the hall. Somehow, hearing their voices made everything seem more real, and my heart quickened with nervousness, and anticipation. Taking a deep breath to help calm my nerves, I sat down for the hairdresser. My hair had grown out considerably in the past year and a half. Wanting long hair, I never let them remove any length whenever I got it styled. I had never had hair this long before, and I was actually a bit surprised when, as it grew out, my waviness developed into a beautiful bounciness of loose curls. Taking full advantage of my curls, the stylist piled my hair up, allowing it to cascade down in ringlets and securing it with God knows how many bobby pins. "Thank you SO much." I told her after she was finished, while I examined myself in the mirror. "It's gorgeous!" "You're welcome!" she responded with a laugh and a smile. "Is there anything else you need? "No, I'm good." I said excusing myself. "I just need to go change." I did need to change but all the excitement in the room was a bit much and my breathing exercise wasn't working. What I really needed was some peace and quiet to collect my thoughts. Thankfully there was another, smaller and more private, room off the room we were in. It was supposed to give a little privacy for me to get changed into my dress but there was also a small couch and a full length mirror in a wooden stand as well. Letting the door close behind me, I relished the fading of all the commotion. I surrendered myself, and basked in the silence for a moment, before I started to unbutton my blouse, watching every motion in the mirror. Watching myself in the mirror, I felt like a voyeur. I was mesmerized by the skin being revealed with each button released, the edges of my breasts slowly coming into view. Releasing the final button, I let the shirt hang, revealing my bra, ample cleavage, a flat tummy, and my belly button piercing. Reaching down, I unfastened my short denim mini-skirt, while stepping out of my heels. Pushing the skirt down and over my hips, I continued watching myself in the mirror, my eyes locked to the show I was putting on for my own enjoyment. Sliding the shirt off my shoulders, I let it fall unchecked to the floor. For a long time I stood there wearing just my bra and thong, looking at myself in disbelief. Even though it had been over a year since my transformation, sometimes it was still hard to take in. Ignoring my wandering thoughts, I turned my attention back to the mirror, and my captured image. My long hair and soft face, my slender waist, curvy hips and high firm breasts, my arms and legs, had always had a dancers shape and grace to them, shape and grace that had only been enhanced by over a years worth of running and yoga, not to mention the dance lessons. There was a soft knock on the door before it opened just enough for Jennifer to slip in. She must have just finished with the beautician herself, because her gorgeous long blond hair was done so beautifully. I watched with a small amount of amusement, as I watched her eyes scan me from head to toe, pausing lustfully at my heart shaped ass before coming back to my face. "Are you OK with this?" I asked, locking eyes with her in the mirror. "Of course I am!" she said with a smile. "At first I thought it was going to bother me but ... No, I AM SO happy for you sweetheart." Turning around I put my arms around her, and welcomed her embrace trying hard not to tear up. Overall, I was getting better at controlling my emotions but something like this overwhelmed my ability. "Shhhhhh." she soothed me. "I'll be OK! Honestly. Now lets get you dressed!" "I have a better idea." I said kissing her tenderly, my hands coming to rest on her waist. "Mmmmm! I like where this is going." she said quietly, her hands sliding down my back to cup my buttocks, her tongue slipping in my mouth. A burst of laughter from the other room reminded us the precarious nature of the situation. Placing a finger over my lips and making a silent "Shh!" I tiptoed to the door to lock it while Jennifer slipped out of her clothes. Holding my breath, I slid home the deadbolt as quietly as I could. Turning around I saw Jennifer standing there in her bra and panties, folding her clothes. Seeing her naked body always turned me on, even now. It wasn't just her amazing body, it was the way she moved, so fluid, it was like she glided no matter what she was doing. Walking up behind her I popped the clasp on her bra. Sliding my hands around her body, I took over the support of her breasts as I finished pushing the bra away. Jennifer leaned back into my arms, struggling to find a way to embrace me, without first turning around. Kissing her cheek, I made my way back and down to her neck, while I snaked a hand down her torso and into her panties. I was amazed at how wet she was as my fingers slipped in. Her arms stopped trying to embrace me and instead sought me out, finding purchase on my thighs, supporting her body as I continued working. Her breathing was changing, becoming more ragged and desperate as the laughter in the other room rose. Suddenly, she turned around, attacking me with kisses and caresses. "No Sweetheart!" she whispered between kisses. "This day is about you." resuming her attack, she drove me across the room to the small couch, my legs buckling when the cushions hit me behind the knees, causing me to plop down. Taking advantage of the situation, Jennifer pushed me back with her kisses. Feeling her hands working on releasing me from my panties, I lifted my butt to assist her. They would need to come off at some point anyway for what I had planned later with Chris! Abandoning the lips on my face, the front of her assault on my body changed. I quivered and nearly cried out as her lips encircled my mound, tongue slipping into and over my clit. The voices and the laughter from the other room faded in and out as Jennifer worked on my pussy. We had done this many times since my transformation and she had gotten REALLY good at it. Today however, she was pulling out all the stops! Struggling to keep it all in, what I really wanted was to be screaming out my satisfaction. One hand clutched frantically at the cushion of the couch. The other hand held a pillow to my mouth, in a semi-successful attempt, to muffle the mewing sounds I was unable to stifle. Spreading my legs to give her a better angle, my toes curled as my climax neared. Why is it the most powerful, make you want to scream at the top of lungs, orgasms always seem to happen in places where it is impossible, or at the very least socially unacceptable, to scream out your pleasure, like your parents bathroom or Church? That was the situation I found myself in a few moments later when, in the Church dressing room, soon to be clad in bridal white, Jennifer made me cum. My legs I had spread to give her a better angle, were now clamped tight to the side of her head, and I struggled to not tangle my fingers in her hair. After I had come down from my temporary high, I tried repeatedly to return the favor but she was adamant, 'It was MY day!' she said, and would not allow me. I finally resigned the fact she wouldn't let me reciprocate and began laying out my undergarments. I also had a couple of surprises for Chris that made even Jennifer's eyebrows go up when she saw them. With my body still glowing on the inside, we slowly helped each other into our dresses. And when I say 'helped each other' what I really mean is Jennifer helped me. In my defense, I had way more things to put on, including a special corset I had custom made for me by Her Majesties Corsetiere and shipped all the way from England. I won't bore you with the details of the wedding, honestly if you've been to one, you've been to them all. Its the same cookie cutter setup and ours was no different. What made it special was, it was mine. Even the receptions, depending on which part of the Country you're in, are pretty much the same way. Our reception was a pretty big affair, the full meal, a DJ, and a semi-open bar, and guests that stay late into the night. During our first dance, I set a key chain in Chris' hand while I gazed into his soft eyes. "What's this?" Chris asked when he took the key chain. "THAT is the key to my heart." I answered as the music began and we started moving to the beat. "Oh!" "It also unlocks the chastity belt I'm wearing." I whispered in his ear as I stepped in closer, wrapping my arms around his neck so I could still see his face. "OH!!" he responded with suddenly wide eyes. "And this?" he asked holding the remote. "That! would be the remote for the vibrating egg I have inside me." I answered with a smile. "Interesting." he responded while pushing the big button. Seeing he was going to try it out, I braced myself for what was coming. Not a moment too soon either, as it came alive inside me, churning my juices, my knees went weak. Wrapping my arms around him, I attempted to disguise my sudden stimulation as a loving embrace. It stopped, just as suddenly as it had begun, when Chris pushed the button again. It took a moment for my breathing to return to normal. "You're a little freak aren't you?" he whispered in my ear, resuming our dance once he felt I was supporting myself again. "You have NO idea!" I said. Stepping back to look him in the eyes, I gave him a smile. "but you will, starting tonight." I said with a wink, giving a little chuckle at his returned smile. The night wore on and as we mingled with our guests, Chris and I got separated for a bit. At first I thought he was getting me something to drink but could not find him at the bar. Getting myself a fresh glass of champagne I continued searching for him. My next guess was perhaps he was outside, enjoying a cigar with his friends. Turning that direction I headed toward the stairs. My dress swished as I made my way through the crowd, it's width leaving a large wake. Reaching the stairs, I hiked it up and started climbing, hoping to find him, instead I found Jennifer. "Jennifer!" I said with concern, noting the pained look on her face. "are you SURE you're OK with this?" I asked. "I mean, what about Greg? Have you called him? Maybe he would understand!" "I know what you're trying to do Danielle, honestly sweetheart ... I'm fine." she reassured me. "I've found the man for me, I know that now, and he's given me the most amazing gift I've ever gotten. If I only get to spend 15 days out of the year with him ... it's enough." "Oh sweetie!" I whispered giving her a big hug. "I love you!" "I love you too!" Jennifer whispered back. "Should I be jealous?" I heard Chris's voice behind me, question us teasingly. "Hey Chris." Jennifer greeted him "Hey Jen." Chris responded with a smile. "I am SO happy for you guys!" she said to Chris. "but as I was telling Danielle, I have to get going." "Are you sure?" Chris asked. "The night is still young." "Yeah. It's going to be an early morning tomorrow with Daniel." leaning in, she gave him a big hug. "Take care of her. She's the best friend I've ever had!" I barely heard her whisper in his ear. "I will!" Chris whispered back. "Me too!" Turning to me with this amazing, warm, teary smile on her face, she held out her arms to me and sighed when I held them with my own. "I am SO! SO! SO! happy for you! Remember what I said when you moved in with me? It's happened!" she said with a smile. "Now go! Enjoy your wedding night!" she concluded with air kisses on each cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow." "See you tomorrow." I replied, stunned. Chris stepped up to hold me from behind, his fingers locking over my tummy. I watched Jennifer as she swayed away, taking a part of me with her. A thousand tiny, imaginary, threads tied our lives together. Everything we had shared from our time before the corset, as well as everything in the year and a half since. As she walked further away, time slowed down, and I began to feel those threads snapping, one by one. At first I clutched at them, trying desperately to save them, but there were too many, and they were breaking too fast. By the time Jennifer reached the bottom of the stairs, all but one was broken. Turning back to look at me, that thread, that FINAL thread; the thread of our friendship, tied directly to my heart, ebbed with her smile, her love, and I felt that last link grow stronger. She was setting me free, free to be my own woman but keeping me close just the same. In my head, I grabbed onto that thread, putting all of my love for her into it, I fed it back to her. I know it wasn't real but I felt that connection between us solidify, expand until it wasn't just a thread; love, trust, support, it flowed like water, passing back and forth between us in that connection. Giving me a wink along with a slight uptick in her smile, she turned and headed for the door. "She's an amazing, incredible, strong woman." I heard Chris's voice from behind me as we both watched her retreating figure. "You have no idea." I muttered. Thankfully he didn't appear to have notice the effect her departure was having on me. "Maybe we should take her advise." Chris murmured into my ear, his hot breath giving me goosebumps all up and down that side of my body. "OK." I responded numbly. After a brief goodnight to our guests, we slowly made our way to the honeymoon suite, my spirits lightening with every step. Jennifer was right, this WAS my night! I should be ENJOYING it! I had just gotten married, it's not like we would never see each other again! By the time we got to our room, I was fine, laughing, giggling, and pawing all over my new husband as we entered the honeymoon suite. It was an amazing summer night, not a cloud in the night sky, cool without being cold, the moon was full and the stars were out. Our honeymoon suite also had a small balcony that overlooked the city. While it still bothered me we had to cancel our Honeymoon at the last minute, I refused to let Jonathan Pierce ruin my wedding night. Shoving all thoughts of him away, I stepped out onto the balcony taking a deep breath of the cool night air. Standing there on the balcony next to the rail, I looked out over downtown. I remember seeing the cars and people on the street below and thinking 'You've come a LONG way baby!' my thoughts turning briefly to the first time I wore the corset, and the revelation of it's powers. Chris's fingers encircled my slender waist, my body tingled with his touch, and my heart ached, because we wouldn't be going on the trip we had so carefully planned. I turned around into his embrace, his hands coming to settle on the back of my hips just as his kiss came down on my lips. I poured my soul into the kiss I returned. All of my stress, stress from planning the wedding, stress from worrying about Jennifer and Daniel Jr, stress about work and my 'responsibilities' there, every bit of it, everything I had been carrying, melted away in his loving embrace. "I have something for you my love." I whispered. "Does it involve this." he asked, activating the egg inside of my pussy with no warning. He had been doing that off and on, all night long, and we both knew I was dripping from the stimulation. With no audience around to look normal for, I collapsed into his arms, a quivering, trembling ball, oozing sex. My body was alive in a way it hadn't been for so long and the fact that my satisfaction was entirely, 'literally' I thought seeing the key and key chain, in his hands! I expected him to turn it off after a few seconds like he had been doing all night but I guess being in the privacy of our suite had awoken something in him as well. Carrying me over to the bed, I whimpered and moaned as he set me down, giving me another kiss. Bound Ch. 10: Happy Ever After "Wait right here." he instructed while he stood up and walked to the mini-bar, the incessant vibration of the egg driving me to new heights. It was too much! I had had it in me so long and I couldn't take the stimulation anymore. I either needed to cum or I needed it out. Trying to find my clit with my fingers, I found out how effectively the chastity belt did its job. I tried in vane to push the egg out but the chastity belt locked it in, as effectively as it locked me out. Whimpering with the stimulation, my eyes were rolling up in my head when he finally returned. Taking a seat in one of the large chairs in the room, he just watched me while I writhed on the bed. The vibration was driving me insane, I needed something IN me (no the egg didn't count!) I watched in desperation as he took a sip of his drink, the key chain twirling in his other hand. The smile on his face, at that moment, told me everything I needed to know about how this night was going to progress. Slowly; on his time frame; and I would cum, time and time again, before dawn. A slight motion from his hand after he set his glass down drew me to him. I was only about halfway to him when he indicated for me to stop. Mercifully, he clicked the button on the remote again and I had a moment of clear thought before he motioned with his hand for me to turn. With a smile I took a step toward him before turning rapidly causing the skirt of my dress to flair out showing off my sexy blue sandals. I stood there, watching him watch me, twisting my hips playfully. "I just love looking at you Darling." Chris said, stripping me with his eyes. "You are the sweetest, most amazing, and beautiful woman I have ever known." I blushed with the compliment as I made my way to him. "Thank you Chris." I said as I neared him, I had long since accepted my new reality. "And you are the most handsome, amazing, wonderful, sensitive and sweet man I have ever known." I admitted truthfully. "You mean the world to me! I just want to give myself to you, love you, serve you." "Is that why you gave me this?" he asked dangling the key. "Partially." I admitted coyly. "I also wanted a way to let you know that I trust you implicitly. I'm a bit old fashioned ... you already know that ... but I also wanted to show you how kinky I can be." I said thinking about Jennifer's mom. I didn't want to be like that, desperate and quietly promiscuous, while wearing a facade of innocence. "I wanted to let you know, my body belongs to you" 'and you ALONE!' my thoughts finished. "and that I will use it for you, and your pleasure, whenever, wherever, you want." I said suggestively. "If I ever need reminding, just show me the key. Finally it was a way of showing, even more than our vows, that I submit to you." We looked at each other in silence for a long moment as he began to understand the implications of everything I had just said. When it finished sinking in, he smiled so softly. Kneeling in front of him sitting on my heels, my hands on my lap, I awaited his response, my dress fanned out around me. "Oh Danielle! I appreciate that sweetie, I really do!" he said locking eyes with me, an intense look in his own. "I guess I want you to know, we're a team. I don't want you to just submit to me blindly. I want, no, I NEED, your input! I want to know what you think, if you think I'm making the wrong decision, please tell me!" he pleaded. "I will my love." I responded, glad we were on the same page. I mean, every team needs a Captain, and submitting is one thing but giving up my voice ... HELL NO!! ... That wasn't going to happen! "If you'll be the head, I'll be the heart!" I offered in might have appeared to be a compromise but was actually what I had always had in mind. A quick sigh and a sense of relief from him let me know we had an agreement. "So! What should we do about this?" he asked dangling the keys from the remote. "Mmmmm! Whatever ... you ... want." I replied in a suggestive manner. With a smile on his face he pressed the button to put the egg on low and signaled for me to come to him. What happened next was the most amazing sexual experience of my life. Using my physical cues, he drove me to new heights as he slowly removed my dress, never allowing the egg to get me too close. Soon my dress lay strewn across a chair, my corset and other undergarments on display, his cock in my mouth. This was a far cry from where I had started over a year ago, and I didn't care, THIS was right, I was right where I was supposed to be and acceptance was no longer a chore. His magnificent cock was the center of my Universe and I let him know it, as I licked, sucked, tickled, and fondled him. There were so many techniques I had learned since the first time I had sucked his cock, and I used them all. The steady gyrations from the vibrating egg, still locked inside me churning my juices, set the pace as I deep throated him. So lost I was in driving him to satisfaction, I was surprised when he stopped me. Pulling me off his cock with a POP, he stood me up, guided me over to the table and began unlocking the chastity belt. I quivered with anticipation of what was to come as I heard the first of the locks click open. Soon, I was free of its confinement. "Push it out." he requested, his hand between my legs. Obeying his orders, I squeezed, pushing the egg, still vibrating and slick with my juices, out, and into his hand. Turning me around, I spread my legs as he bent me over the table. I could tell by the brief pause he was more than a bit surprised by the jewel tipped butt plug nestled between my buttocks. "You weren't kidding when you said you were kinky were you?" he asked with a slight chuckle. "And I'm all yours!" I replied, looking back at him with a smile. Like I thought earlier, like I wanted, our lovemaking proceeded entirely on his schedule. Nevermind the fact he had seen it before, Chris took his time exploring my body. I don't think a single square inch of my body escaped his attention and kisses. It was nearly an hour before he fully removed my corset, another hour after that before my heels, stockings, and garter belt came off. I gasped as he finally entered me and began working in me for what seemed like an eternity. Soon the sounds of mutual affection filled the suite, another orgasm tearing through my body moments before he finally came. I wrapped him up, arms and legs, as I gave him a full body hug, our sweat slick bodies pressed tightly to each other. The occasional, residual thrust from his cock, reminding me of the toy still inserted deep in my anus. "I love you Chris!" my voice trembled with ecstasy. "I love you ... so ... much!" I finished as a wave of exhaustion washed over me. I fell asleep before he even responded, his cock buried deep inside me. It had been an incredible, crazy, year and now, everything, was done. I had such a feeling of relief and peace inside, couple that with the physical exhaustion from the days events culminating in the consummation of our vows ... it was too much and my body knew it. I only vaguely remember him saying he loved me too as I rolled onto my side. I vaguely remember Chris spooning up behind me and feeling ... safe ... complete ... loved. The light streaming through the gauze curtains flooded the room with its warm white light. It was that warmth that roused me from my slumber. That warmth soaked into me, reinforcing the inner glow Chris and I had sparked the night before. I stretched out and languished in that warmth and as I stretched, I realized Chris had relieved me of the final toy of our lovemaking. Looking around I saw it, washed and polished, setting on the nightstand near me, its gem shiny with a peaceful inner glow of its own that belied its own naughty nature. At first I thought maybe I had overplayed my hand. Perhaps I had let him know too much, too soon, about my sexual nature. The laces of the corset had been untied for some time, the tension of the laces in the grommets the only thing still holding it shut. Chris's kisses started again on my neck and shoulder as he slowly loosened the laces. Huddling there on all fours, I was torn as to what I wanted to do. Pressing my butt back against his pelvis, I could feel his hard cock teasing me through his tuxedo pants. I determined THAT was what I wanted just as his kisses reached my neck right behind the ear breaking my concentration. "Mmmmm!" I melted with the sensation, goosebumps rising up and down my arms. I now understood why Jennifer liked that so much. Looking down, I saw Chris' arm wrapped around me, his hand cupping my breast. What a journey it had been that got me to this point, and yet it FELT RIGHT! When I looked down and saw my large breasts, flat tummy, and shaved pussy, it FELT RIGHT! Like this was the way I was supposed to be, it wasn't until I thought of my past that I even remembered my life as a man. The laces loosened and I felt the corset drop a bit on my torso. Placing a hand on the busk to hold it shut, I rolled over. I wanted it off but I wanted Chris to do the honors, not gravity. I sat there, against the headboard, knees up, legs spread, propped up on one arm while the other precariously held the corset shut. He knelt on the bed, just past my feet, wearing nothing but his pants and socks. Putting on my best 'come hither' look, I beckoned him. Remembering what he had done to me made my pussy quiver. Feeling his hard cock nestled in the crack of my ass wasn't helping. Slipping a finger inside my pussy, I stirred the juices left over from the night before as my memories skipped ahead. Bereft of all my clothes I laid there naked before him, clad only in my jewelry, the gem of my butt plug the most prominent from his vantage point. He caressed my legs toward my honeypot before dipping a couple of fingers in, his thumb resting on my butt plug reminding me of its naughty presence. Shaking his head with a smile, he pushed it in a bit more, making me clench in response. He laughed at the look he caused on my face when he did that. Sliding down the bed, he put more pressure on my butt plug but it also brought me closer to his cock. Reaching behind me, I grabbed his hard cock and gently stroked it. "Mmmmm!" Chris moaned, sleep heavy in his voice. "Are you ready again?" he questioned. "Mmm Hmm!" I replied, rolling over to face him. "and I KNOW you are." still stroking him. Using his hard cock as a leash, I pulled him between my legs. Rubbing the head of his cock up and down my slit, I used it to stimulate my clit before lining him up. "Make love to me Chris." I begged. Sliding his cock in, he propped himself up, giving me access to my clit, my manicured nails a blur as I teased my little button. Occasionally I dipped down further to feel his shaft, slick with my juices, sliding in and out of me. In and out, he worked inside me, every thrust taking me closer. Soon, once again, the room was filled with the sounds of passion as we spoke the most primordial of languages. With a loud grunt he thrust into me and was still, his cock pulsing, giving me more of his seed. I lost track of how many orgasms I had that night but it was clearly more than Chris could handle. Rolling back over he pulled a pillow over his head to block out the rising sun and in no time I heard him snoring softly. Giving him a kiss through the pillow, I slid out of his embrace, and off the bed. Smiling the satisfied smile of a well fucked woman, I padded my naked body across the room to take a shower. I knew any hopes of him joining me were non existent, especially considering how much energy he had expended in the last 24 hours fucking me. Washing away my own fatigue, I enjoyed the hot water cascading over me. I spent a little extra time caring for my long hair before exiting the shower, a thick terry cloth towel supported by my breasts, my hair wrapped up in another As I thought, Chris was still passed out on the bed. Padding quietly so as not to disturb him, I made my way to my Wedding dress. Picking it, and my various lingerie strewn across the room, I carefully put them away in the garment bag I had brought for them. After I had those hung up and put away, I sat on the edge of the bed and stroked the hair of my husband, it felt weird to think that but that's what he was, My Husband! "Mmmmm." he murmured as he woke. "I think you're trying to break me." "I didn't hear you complaining last night." I responded. "Mmmmm." "Or this morning for that matter." I continued. "How do you do it?" he asked. "What do you mean?" I replied playing dumb. "I mean making love to you. It's absolutely ...! I mean it's like ... I've never felt that way before you!" he said, struggling to find the words. Maybe I HAD fucked his brains out! "it's like I can't ... until you do..." he finished finally making a semi complete thought. "How do you do it?" "Shhhhhh. Let's just say it's magic." I laughed at my own, inside, joke. "Now get up sleepyhead, checkout is in an hour." Surprisingly, he got up like I requested and wandered sleepily to take a shower. Taking one last hungry look at his muscular, hairy ass, I grabbed my clothes to finish getting ready myself. I had decided to continue with the 'Bride theme' for my 'day after' ensemble with this amazing sleeveless, low cut, VERY figure flattering, white dress. It was so low cut in fact I couldn't wear a bra, not even the kind designed for such a dress. Thankfully the bodice was so tight, because combined with the the cut, I had more than enough support even with the sides of my breasts on display. Originally the dress came with a white satiny belt that tied in a bow behind, at my request, Jennifer had graciously replaced it with a blue satin one, to match my shoes. I held it on the hanger just looking at it for a time before hanging it back up. Pulling out the satin V-string panties Jennifer had bought me, I let my towel drop to pull them up my legs. Letting the string back settle in my crack, I smoothed out the rest of the material to rest even against my smooth skin. Turning my back to the mirror, I looked at the small V shaped piece of material in the back, embroidered as it were with 'Mrs. Anderson' in the same color blue as my shoes and the ribbon. I wasn't even halfway done styling my hair when Chris walked out of the bathroom. That is probably the biggest thing I miss about being a man, 5 minute showers and your hair being dried and styled before you finish walking across the room. "What?" he asked when he saw the annoyed look on my face. "Nothing sweetie." I responded stepping into my dress and settling it on my shoulders. "Could you zip me up please?" I asked, pulling my hair up. "Of course!" Feeling his hands settling on my hips, I resisted the urge to melt into him, especially when he started planting kisses ahead of the zip. The top of the dress was very form fitting and I felt like I was being poured into it as he zipped it up. Passing the satin ribbons back, he needed no more prompting to tie them into a bow. Slipping my feet into my shoes, they each seated with a pop giving me 5" more height. Turning around I wrapped my arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his lips before sitting back down to apply my makeup. Watching Chris in the mirror as he walked off to get dressed, I turned my attention back to myself. I decided to go with the smoky look I liked, but thinking about my shoes and the contrasting satin belt, I pepped it up with some subtle blue highlights. "Hurry up sweetie checkout is in like 30 minutes!" Chris called out. "You're still putting on your makeup? Danielle! We're going to be late!" I was only about halfway done with my makeup and he was fully dressed, including his shoes! "Seriously?" I said in disbelief. "You would still be sleeping if I hadn't gotten you up!" "Maybe I should go get the busboy to help me load the truck." Casting him a sassy look, I continued getting ready, finishing up just as he finished loading the truck. Lacing my fingers with his, we made our way down to checkout, the high heels and the swaying of my hips causing the dress to sway deliciously. Once we were done checking out Chris helped me climb into his truck. Buckling my belt, I crossed my legs, looking forward to going home. Chris climbed up on the other side, started the truck and we were on our way. I wish I could describe what I felt at that moment. A bit confused but clear headed. Submissive, yet in control. Horny but satisfied. I don't know, even now it's hard to describe, more than anything I thought as I took his hand, I was happy. "Let's go home sweetie." I said with a smile. "OK!" he said. "but first I have a surprise for you." and that's when I noticed he was holding a blindfold. My eyes went up in surprise, and maybe a little bit of panic. "Trust me Danielle." he asked. Taking a deep breath and letting it out through my nose, I turned my body. That gesture of trust was the only answer Chris needed, slipping the blindfold over my eyes, my world crashed into darkness. To his day I don't know if he drove straight to our destination, or if he took a longer route to throw me off, but by the time he finally stopped the truck, I was completely disoriented. Have you ever tried getting out of a truck, blindfolded and wearing heels? Thankfully Chris was there to help, practically lifting me down. "You ready?" he asked when he had me in position. Nodding my head, he removed the blindfold. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the bright light but when they did, I was indeed surprised. I was standing at the end of the driveway, in front of a largish home, with perfect landscaping. The most surprising part I realized, turning around to take it all in, I recognized the scenery! This was where Chris had proposed! 'Where had this house come from?' my mind wondered. "When did you!? ... How did!? ... CHRIS!" I stammered. "Since we are starting a new chapter in our lives, it seemed fitting we should be starting it on new ground, in a new home." "But when did you?" "Shortly after you said 'yes'" he replied. "How?" noticing for the first time all the cars parked up and down the street, and that I recognized many of them. "Well, long story short, I used my connections in the industry and basically operated as my own general contractor." He answered. With a sense of disbelief he led me to the house, the smiling faces of everyone I knew greeting me through teary eyes. I remember giving EVERY one of them a hug, and wiping lots of tears, before sitting down to open our presents. I won't bore you with the details of the gift opening, honestly, it's just like a wedding, if you've been to one, you've been to them all. Sitting there though, surrounded by gifts, some of them open some not, I looked around. I felt truly gifted and it had nothing to do with all the boxes or the stack of stuff, from the crystal knick knacks that would be put away and taken out only to dust, to the small kitchen appliances that would get put away and 3 years later donated to Goodwill, unopened and unused. No, the gift which brought me to tears, was the gift sitting around me. My husband, my friends, my family both old AND new, THEY were what made the day so special to me. That had been one of the unexpected blessings, I forgot to mention, of Jennifer getting pregnant. Being (re)introduced to my parents. At first I panicked a bit, I wont lie, especially when my mom looked at me with a quizzical look on her face, and asked me who my parents were because I looked SO familiar. We made some more small talk about this and that but she kept pressing me about my parents and wanting to meet them. Not knowing what else to say, I told her I had lost them a little more than a year before. (which, all things considered, was not REALLY a lie!) Bound Ch. 10: Happy Ever After Instantly her eyes were full of tears and she wrapped me up in the biggest hug. From that moment on, I was like a daughter to her. She even insisted I call her mom, saying she had always wanted a daughter. As the last of the guests filed out, it was so strange being alone with Chris, my new husband, my friend, my lover. He gave me the grand tour then, showing me all the amenities he had added with me in mind, from the Jacuzzi tub, to the raised double oven, and the deck off the back of the house where we could watch the sunset, it was perfect. We didn't make love that night, well we did actually, but it was on a more spiritual level than physical. Monday morning, as it always does, came all, too, soon. Slipping into a pretty floral print dress and some cork wedge heels that were as as carefree as I felt, I left at a leisurely time to go clean out my cubical. "Hey Cindy!" I greeted her as I waltzed past her desk to my old cubicle, my cork wedge sandals making a funny sound on the faux marble floor. "Danielle!" Cindy exclaimed when she saw me. Jumping up from her desk she grabbed me and wrapped me up in a big hug. "He's waiting for you in the conference room but I wanted to give you this first." she said presenting me an envelope. "What's this?" I asked taking it from her hand. "We took up a collection." she said timidly. "It's not much, only $238." "Cindy, you guy's didn't have to do this." "Yes, we did!" she continued. "You made working here fun. Working for HIM bearable." her eyes flicked toward Mr. Pierce's office door. "To be honest, I'm quitting too, just as soon as I find something else." she said, leaning in to whisper in my ear. "Ms. Reid." Mr. Pierce called from the door of the conference room. "A moment please." I wanted to correct him that it was Mrs. Anderson now but I knew it was pointless. Giving Cindy one last hug, I walked into the conference room to find Jonathan sitting at the far side of the table. "After some consideration, I have decided to accept your resignation." he told me bluntly. "Um, thanks." I responded. "I also wanted to let you know, you will NEVER! work in this industry again." he continued. "Now, get out!" I pretended it didn't bother me but inside my stomach was suddenly in a knot. I had been counting on getting another job quickly but if Pierce was going to use his influence to make that difficult ... on the outside I was cool water, on the inside I was thoroughly, utterly, panicking. It only took me a few minutes to clear out my desk under Pierce's watchful eye. After I had all my things packed, he walked back to the conference room door, where he watched me a bit more to make sure I was actually leaving. With what personal effects I had in the bankers box I was carrying, I headed for the elevator, my heart full of conflicted emotions. Maybe I had a bit of regret for quitting the way I did but I was married now, and I knew I had made the right decision. Chris deserved my fidelity, and that was at complete odds with Jonathan and his ... expectations. Maybe with Chris's connections in the construction industry, I could persuade him to start his OWN company and help get it off the ground! He DID build our house after all. The elevator 'dinged' and the doors slid open. Lost in my thoughts, I waited a moment as an elderly gentleman exited. "Ah, Ms. Danielle Reid!" The elderly man, whom I didn't recognize said. "Just the young woman I wanted to speak with. Here let me help you with that." he said taking the box from my arms and walked back toward the conference room where I had just left Jonathan. Opening my mouth to protest, I watched as my box disappeared down the hall. Trailing along like a lost puppy dog, I followed him as he walked down the hall and into the Conference room setting my box down on the table. I had never seen him before, yet he clearly knew me AND his way around the office. What REALLY caught my eye though, was how Jonathan's demeanor changed entirely when he saw my escort. Gone was the cocky, smarmy look that often donned his face, replacing it was ... fear? Respect? I began paying more attention to this old man. He was old, yes, but he carried an air authority about him. If he stood in a noisy, crowded room and spoke in a whisper, everyone would become silent to hear what he had to say. "Come on in here Ms. Reid, have a seat." he requested, holding a chair out for me. "Actually Sir, it's Anderson now." I explained. "I got married this past weekend." "My apologies Mrs. Anderson, and congratulations!" He said with the warmest, most sincere look on his face. "Please ... Sit." My heart was fluttering and I found myself obeying his request even before I told my legs to move. Stepping up to the chair he held for me, I smoothed my skirt and he slid the chair in as I sat. Crossing my legs, I pulled the chair in to the table, while he sat down in the chair to my left, at the head of the table. "Sit down Jonathan!" he ordered, and my former boss leaped to obey. "You don't remember me do you?" he asked softly, turning to me and looking me in the eyes. "I'm sorry Sir." I apologized. "That's OK darling." He reassured me. "We met only briefly at Smith, Stanley & Jacobsens' Christmas party a year and a half ago year. We never actually spoke directly; but you don't become a success in this industry without having an eye for new talent, and I saw an untapped potential in you. I have to say young lady, you exceeded even my expectations." "I'm sorry Sir." I interrupted. "I still don't know who you are." "Jonathan Pierce ... Sr." He said extending his hand to shake mine. "but YOU can call me Jon." Shaking his hand, I was a bit numb with shock. "I started this little company 50 years ago now. My grandson here" he said indicating Jonathan. "likes to think it's his though. For the most part, I leave him be, just so long as he isn't screwing something up!" he said turning to glare at my former boss. "Grandpa!" Jonathan Jr cried. "Don't you Grandpa me! I should fire you for what you've put this young woman through!" Turning back to me, he smiled again. "When I met you, I was amazed a young woman like yourself was versed in SO MANY subjects. It seemed like you knew something about everything. You had the ability to carry your own weight in every conversation, no matter if it was clothes and handbags, or sports and politics! You also had grace, poise, and were very well mannered. I made a few inquiries and had HR reach out to you. Sorry I had Tammie call you on a Sunday but you have to 'strike while the iron is hot', to use a common cliché." So THIS man was the reason I got the job, and I STILL couldn't remember him. "I knew immediately you would be a great asset to the company but I figured you would also need some experience. Jonathan here has been on my watch list for some time now but he was also the only salesman who didn't have an assistant, and it showed in his sales figures." he said and lowering his voice, finished. "I really didn't want to have to fire him, it would make the holidays awkward." I was still a little out of sorts not quite knowing what to make of everything going on suddenly. "I'm confusing you" he said, correctly reading the expression on my face. "so I will get right to the point. I'm getting old. I know I'm not going to be here forever, I need someone I trust to be able to take over operations here. Initially I thought Jonathan might be that person, so for the last couple of years I have taken a hands off approach. Regardless of what some might think, I am not an idiot, and I pay VERY close attention to my company and I know EVERYTHING that goes on here." "Sir ... I can explain." I pleaded, suddenly feeling the need to defend my actions of the last year. "You have nothing to explain my dear." he said sympathetically. "I understand all too well! You're driven! You want to succeed, and you strive for that success ... but ... not ... at the expense ... of the law!" he said raising his eyebrows as he looked at me. There had been only one job in the past year I worked on we didn't get. The buyer wanted us to handle the transaction in a way I found ... dubious. It was the only contract I walked away from. "Oh Yes! I know about that too." he said reading the recollection on my face. "You made the right decision Mrs. Anderson, and you made me proud!" My nervousness faded with the compliment and I started to feel a bit warm inside. 'Maybe my career ISN'T over!' I thought. "As I was saying, I pay very close attention to the performance of my sales staff, and when I see a below average salesman improve by over 300% to take the top sales position in less than a year ... well then ... I look to see what is different. And in the past year the ONLY thing different is you!" He continued, looking at me. "When I started getting calls from friends and colleagues asking why someone I spoke so highly of, was suddenly being blackballed? Well! I put a stop to that rather quickly!" he said glaring at Jonathan, who was now turning a sickly green. "My grandson is a FOOL! He has no idea what it takes to build something, or re-build something, but YOU DO!" he said gesturing at me with his finger. "I can see it in your eyes." 'Yeah, MY LIFE!' I thought to myself and I ached to tell him but I didn't dare. "Jonathan here may be willing to accept your resignation, I ... am not." He said in a tone that brooked 'no nonsense.' "Sir ... Mr. Pierce." I started. "Please, call me Jon." "Jon. I tendered my resignation because I felt it was no longer in my best interest to work as a personal assistant. I'm married now, and I want to spend more time with my Husband and less time on the road." "I agree! I think your talents are being wasted as a mere personal assistant." Jon continued. "Fortunately, I have an open position for a Director of Sales." "What are you saying?" I asked slightly confused, knowing this was the position Jonathan had been coveting since I started. "I need someone to work the home office. Oversee the sales staff. Close any tough sells." My eyes widened as I began seeing where this conversation was leading. "Hey! Wait, What!?" Jonathan squeaked, vocalizing my thoughts. "Well?" Jon asked, ignoring his grandson. "What do you say?" "Jon, I'm flattered but ... I don't even have a degree! Let alone an MBA" I argued. "I don't even have a high school diploma my Dear." he countered. "Success comes from within, it comes from what drives us, instinct guides us toward it, IF you know the signs. Success does NOT come from a bunch of letters behind ones name." he continued, never breaking eye contact with me. "So ... what do you say?" "I ... ah!" I muttered, struggling for the words. "I tell you what, I'll even throw in a corner office to sweeten the deal." he said, extending his hand. "Do we have a deal?" "We have a deal!" I said, shaking his hand, smiling from ear to ear while Jonathan whimpered at the other end of the table. "Seeing as Jonathan now works for you, and considering what he has put you through this past year, I would understand if you wanted to fire him as your first act as Director." Jon confided. "It would have been awkward for me to fire him but that's not my call anymore." he said winking. "Well thank you Jon." I said turning to look at Jonathan. "but ... I think I am going to refrain from making any major personnel changes on my first day." Jonathan, who had apparently finished turning colors, now appeared to be about to throw up. "Well! Now that that is taken care of, I have a fishing charter waiting for me." Jon said slapping his thighs. Pushing back his chair and standing up with a groan, he continued. "and you I imagine, have a Honeymoon to go on!" "Actually Ssss, Jon." I corrected myself in mid speak. "We had to cancel the honeymoon." "Cancel the honeymoon!" he cried. "My God! Why?" My eyes flicked toward Jonathan in response. "And you sure you don't want to fire him?" he lowered his voice to say. "I'm sure." I responded with a chuckle. "Well in that case, you do know, as a Senior member of the staff, you are entitled to the use of the lodge?" "Lodge?" I inquired, a quizzical look on my face. "My assistant will be contacting you shortly with all the information you need." he said with a fatherly smile. "She will also be able to answer any other questions you may have. Now ... unless you need me for anything else?" "Actually Sir ... Jon." I said correcting myself. That was going to take some getting used to. "Could you have Cindy meet me in my new office." It was easy to know which office was going to be mine as there was only one empty, corner office, in the entire suite. It was the one Jonathan had his eyes on constantly, the one he was convinced he was going to get because of my "assistance." "Of course my Dear!" he said excusing himself. Standing in the center of my new office, I looked around. It was empty and seemed so large, especially with all the light flooding in. I turned when I heard a noise behind me to find Cindy standing there looking seriously confused. She looked around, looked at me, looked back out the door and pointed at the retreating figure I knew to be Jon. She had so many questions she didn't even know where to begin. I gave her a soft smile to calm her nerves a bit. "Who WAS that?" She asked when she finally rediscovered her voice. "What are we doing in here? I thought you quit? And why is Mr. Pierce in the bathroom throwing up?" "Are you still planning on quitting Cindy?" I asked ignoring her questions for now. "I can't keep working for him Danielle." she replied shaking her head. "I can't!" "And what if you worked for me?" I asked with a smile on my face. The shocked look on her face turning into a smile was all the answer I needed. Cindy was the best, she was, and still is, my 'Go to' girl. I offered her a sales position a few years back, including a substantial pay raise. She turned it down saying 'she preferred working with me.' 'It's hard to believe it's been that long now.' I think to myself, my fingers still running over the leather of the corset. "You know!" Chris' deep voice behind me shatters my train of thought, bringing me back to the present, the hard leather case in my hand. "Without even looking at a calender, I can tell you it's October 22nd." "What do you mean?" I ask, closing the lid, a faint snick letting me know its latched again. "Well, every year, on October 22nd, you pull that old leather box down, open it up, and look at the corset inside like it's a long lost friend." he replied. "I ..." I started saying before he cut me off with a kiss and a hug. "Can't believe I paid enough attention to notice?" he asked, raising his eyebrows. "Maybe someday you'll tell me it's story?" Thankfully I had been preparing for that question for nearly 8 years now. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." I responded. When I saw his mouth open to rebut my dismissal I continued placing a hand on his hard chest. "BUT ... I will tell you this. October 22nd was the day I bought it ... and it changed my life!" I explained cryptically. "Everything I have ... everything ... is because of this." I said patting the hard leather case. "It helped make me who I am, and totally changed my relationship with Jennifer. Without it, you and I would've never met, I would have never gotten my job. Without meeting, you and I would have never gotten married, not to mention our three beautiful children." "Four." he said resting his hand on my swollen belly. "You forgot this one." "You're right ... Four!" I responded, blowing a shuddering breath through tight lips. Smiling, I rested my hand on his, marveling at the squirming going on inside me. "Sadly, you won't be able to wear it today." Chris muttered, looking at the corset with more than a hint of regret. "Just a couple more months, then I'll wear it." I promised. He loved it as much as I did, in no small part to the fact I was wearing on both the night we met AND the day he first proposed. "So what time will Jennifer and the boys be here?" he asked "What do you mean?" I asked coyly. "It's October 22nd!" he explained. "You and Jennifer ALWAYS do something on October 22nd. I figured this year considering your current state that ... Jennifer and the boys would be coming here." "You know me too well my love." I replied. "They're coming over for supper but I told them to come anytime." "Good, that kinda fits what I thought." he said looking at his watch. "I'm gonna go fire up the smoker. It'll be pushing it but I think I can have everything done by suppertime." I caught his hand as he turned to leave. Stopping, he turned to look back at me with a quizzical look on his face. "I LOVE you Chris!" "I love you too Danielle!" he replied pulling me back into his arms. 'What a crazy journey.' I thought as I rested in his arms, his hands on my swollen belly again. 'What a wonderful, CRAZY journey!' Epilogue You may be wondering what happened to all of the major players in this little story. Well I'll let you know what I can. JIM? Jim aka Jamie, never changed. Jamie was every bit the predator Jim ever was, being a woman just made it easier. She and Mike conceived that night in my old apartment. Unfortunately, she was never able to accept the baby she and Mike made together. She did carry the baby to term, to her credit, and even tried making it work with Mike. That lasted all of 6 months after the baby was born before she abandoned it, and Mike. Mike, maybe not so surprising considering he was always the more chivalrous one, loves that beautiful baby girl more than anything in the world and is, justifiably in my opinion, SO protective of her. Jennifer and I actually run into him now and then at school functions, mostly soccer matches. He was a little leery about talking to us at first but he seems to have gotten over that. Honestly, I would have to say of all the lives affected by the corset, his, I think, changed the most. As for Justin, well he ended up leaving the firm, and started his own where he doesn't allow his employees to work more than 50 hours per week. He is one of the few lawyers I trust and as such I decided to keep him and his new firm as our General Council instead of sticking with Smith, Stanley & Jacobsens'. He's married now to a nurse named Sarah he met at the coffee shop. They are expecting their second child in a few months. Jonathan Pierce? I keep him around the office as a lesson to others and because he actually does have good instincts, he just doesn't know how to capitalize on them. Cindy reconnected with her High School Sweetheart, via social media, and will be celebrating their fifth anniversary this year. With her by my side we have, in the past eight years, increased revenue by over 600%. Me? I married Christopher, obviously, and we have been married 7 years now. We have 3 children, Two boys, Jason and Allen, and a precocious little girl, Allison. We have another one on the way and decided, since we already have boys and girls, to let it be a surprise. I have finally gotten some amount of control of my emotions, it's taken 10 years but it's nice that I am not reduced to a blubbering ball of tears all the time.