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The Twelve Tables

By: xelliebabex



Authors note: Though heavily based in BDSM I have placed this story in Novella's due to the fact that in my grand design it will cross many categories available on this site. This chapter is very much an introductory chapter which will set the scene for chapters yet to come. I hope you all enjoy it. Please leave comments and or feedback to let me know what your thoughts my new story line.

~ellie

*

She had been close to the top end of her graduating class. An Arts History degree in hand, Peri found that, without connections, all her study counted for nothing in getting a job with the National Trust or one of the bigger museums. Resigned to mediocrity, she took a job as a researcher for a publishing firm that specialised in historical biographies and fiction. It was there that she met Josh Craig, a young editor that had been fast tracked by his good looks and family connections. He was cocky and self-assured, but he had a reputation for being precise and methodical. His habits were seen as painfully exacting, exhibiting the diligence which takes infinite patience and attention to details. 

Peri dismissed him early as an arrogant control freak who constantly berated the research department staff for misunderstanding hastily scribbled instructions. Confident and at ease with his good looks, he seemed to be oblivious to the way the other women of the company fawned over him. He was just the type of asshole her mother would like. Peri grimaced, her thoughts going down the stream of obnoxious partners her mother brought home and did her best to stay out of his line of sight.

Six months after starting with the publishing house Josh had come in waving a sheaf of paper above his head "Whom the fuck did this research on the Macedonia book?" His voice held an angry edge to it. Peri cringed and tried to hide. Her name was on the research if he had just looked, but she certainly wasn't going to help him out. 

The dark eyes turned in Peri's direction, and she stood up straighter moving from behind the filing cabinet, "Instead of yelling at everyone you should look at the last page for a name and save your full wrath for the researcher." He had started to walk toward her, making her bravado crumble. She shakily added, "That researcher would be me," her voice petered out as he drew closer.

"A mouse like you, who can barely muster more than a squeak, decided to call some of the author's premises into question and still more outright lies?" Josh's voice still had an edge as if daring her not to back down.

In a quieter guarded voice, Peri explained, "If the author had even used Google as his point of reference, he would have come up with a more logical history of Macedonia than that."

"And these notes?" He asked and waved another piece of paper in front of her.

Several people around her gasped. Peri straightened her back and set her shoulders, "Suggested reading. The author clearly needed help with his own research before submitting the book again," she was mad, and the thought dawned on her that she was arguing with one of her bosses. Gulping she tried to soften it, "I thought he might like to try again. The story line was good even if the research was faulty."

His face became a cross between a smirk and a sneer, "Oh, so you're an editor now?"

What little bravado Peri had left crumpled, and she whispered, "No, of course not, I was just trying to help him after trashing his work."

He watched her fold under his questioning and smirked, "So you read the full manuscripts of what you research and yet still submit before the allotted deadline?" His voice was still darkly serious, but he was impressed he admitted to himself.

"I am sorry," she whispered, "I was just trying to do the job properly. Nobody said not to read the full manuscripts. How can I know what needs to be done if I do not understand the whole story? I don't like to disappoint a good author and I worried that my research had signed his rejection letter." Peri lowered her eyes unable to meet his critical gaze anymore.

Josh considered her then, tilting his head, "So you agree with the editor that recommended this book, even though you ripped it apart with your research?" 

Her head popped back up as she answered, "Oh yes. It was absorbing if you didn't know the region or history at all," Peri wondered if the last words had pushed her luck.

Josh laughed uproariously and turned striding out of the department. Peri fell back into her chair. She liked to read the whole manuscript and get a feel for why an author used one reference or another. She knew she shouldn't have over stepped her brief, but it could be quite a good book if the author could just use better historical data to base certain aspects of it.

Peri promised her supervisor to just do her job simply in the future and went back to work. She found it difficult to concentrate as she worried over her first serious run in with Josh Craig. Although she knew the fall out would be serious, she had been surprised when twenty minutes later her supervisor gently told her that she had been called up to human resources. 'Oh god what have I done. I can't lose my job,' she berated herself again. 

............................

The next few weeks whirled around Peri as she found herself in an office of her own on the same floor as the editors. She researched strictly for Josh Craig who constantly quizzed her on her research methods and thoughts of a specific passage. Each time Peri left her office his eyes seemed to follow her darkly. Eventually, she found it easier to forgo lunch with her friends down in the research department. Peri rarely left her office unless to visit the bathroom or kitchenette on their floor or to leave for the day. 

Even with the self imposed restrictions on her movements, her happy and fun loving nature endeared her to the secretaries and office personnel that worked on the same floor. She started to find people in the kitchenette at the same time as she took her lunch break. She often invited them to her office to chat and generally hang out while they ate lunch. Peri finally settled into her new surroundings and found herself become less anxious about Josh and his attention to detail if not actually at ease with him.

As time went on she found the manuscripts crossing her desk becoming more explicit than the average romance in a historical setting. Themes of bondage or sadomasochism touched on very lightly at first became darker and more elemental to the storylines. Peri found her research opening her eyes wider to a whole world she realised she knew less about that she thought. It was titillating, but she diligently tried to look at each discovery from behind the facade of pure research.

Her dreams though became hotbeds of imagination and she would often wake panting and horny, needing relief before she could think of sleep again. Her own fantasies grew darker. Abducted by bikers and kept in their club house as a sex slave, or by pirates aboard a black ship where she was tied to the mast and whipped into submission before being taken by the crew. Imagining all these things took place without her consent saved her from having to admit the sometimes violent and humiliating aspects of it were an enormous turn on. It was all fantasy, and she knew real life was far removed from the research she had been doing.

She woke again from a particularly realistic dream and leaned over to grab her vibrator from her drawer, a birthday present from her mother who thought no girl should be without one, and rammed it hard and fast into her soaking wet hole. Raising her hips and tensing her muscles as she drilled herself, she pictured a dozen or so men watching her masturbate and jacking off over her as she came. The scene seemed to be held suspended in her mind as she clawed at her clit making the orgasm ripple on into her, building up, to crash once again through her overheated mind and body.

In her dream laden orgasm high, the men in her fantasy morphed into the single entity of Josh Craig who picked her up and bound her to a whipping post. The fantasy so real in her mind, his smirking sneer painted on his face as he called her a filthy slut, the humiliation of the scene playing in her mind feeding her heated cunt all over again. She could almost feel the whip strokes embracing the pain knowing she deserved it. She would take anything he gave her as the humiliating names rained down on her. "Oh god," she groaned into her pillow her hand clawing at her clit again as the fantasy Josh Craig cut her from the post dragging her to the slave pens, writhing in pain and humiliation.

Finally, she lay totally spent and sore from the workout she had given herself. She knew she needed real sex with a real guy and lamented breaking up with her last boyfriend, who had inevitably fallen for her mother's flirty ways. Why was she cursed as the plain daughter of a sexy cougar like Andie? Peri groaned into her pillow, maybe it was time to give in and let her mother make her over again. Even though it had had disastrous outcomes in the past. 

She could never be like Andie who was tall and curvy in all the right places. Peri was short and dumpy. She had her mother's curves, but on her frame she just looked perpetually chubby, even when on the strictest diets. Her mousey brown hair had an unruly wave. She dealt with by tying it back severely, leaving only a thin fringe to hide behind.

Giving up on sleep, Peri stepped from her bed and headed for the kitchen, thinking a cool drink might help settle her fevered imagination. Having got her drink she was sitting in the lounge room in the dark considering her latest research project for Josh and how it affected her dreams when her mother stumbled in throwing on the light making Peri shriek and shield her eyes, "Mother!!" 

"Oh, sorry baby." Her mother flicked off the light switch and tiptoed towards her collapsing on the couch beside her. "What are you doing awake?"

"Just thinking about some research at work," she looked at the beautiful woman beside her. 

"Oh baby I had the best night..." Andie launched into her latest sexual escapade and Peri listened distractedly. 

"You know this isn't something you should probably be sharing with your daughter, right?" Peri stopped her mother's explicit recount. Andie had the good grace to look shamefaced briefly. "Andie," Peri began, she rarely called the woman mother anymore unless scolding her, "You let guys spank you, right? What about the rest of BDSM type stuff, you into it?"

Andie's eyes lit up, "Ooh yes." She said half dreamily. "Men in control and treating a woman like a woman." Then she looked at her daughter shrewdly, "You met someone new! Tell me everything! When do I get to meet him?"

"No, it's not like that," Peri blushed, "Plus I am hardly going to bring anyone I am interested home to meet the cougar again, am I?" her voice was full of disdain.

To her credit, Andie looked shamefaced, "I am truly sorry baby. I wish it hadn't happened, truly I do. It won't ever happen again. I promise. He was a dud fuck, anyway. I saved you actually. Forgive me, baby," she wheedled.

"Its fine," Peri gave in even though she knew it wasn't fine, "If he was going to cheat, he would have cheated anyway. It just would have been better if it wasn't with you. Then I could have someone to hate."

"I love you too baby," Andie hugged Peri tightly. "Ooh just wait a sec," Andie wandered off to her room kicking off her shoes and rummaging around in her shelf before returning. "Here read this," she threw a small book at Peri. "They say it's a true story and will probably help heaps with your questions. It's got more than just spanking! It's such a hot story." Andie winked at Peri and turned back to her bedroom. "See you in the morning," her giggle followed her as the door closed.

Peri turned on a dim table lamp and looked at the book in her hands. A well read copy of the 'Story of O' looked back at her. Intrigued by Andie's obvious excitement about it, she opened it and began to read. 'She consented to this abuse,' her mind kept rolling over as she read, 'for love,' truthfully the story was confusing her. The scenes in the Roissy where O was beaten then fucked then beaten again strangely intrigued her rather than repulsed her.

At 6 am, hotter and more bothered than she had been earlier in the night. Peri marked the page she was on and went to shower and dress for work. She yelled at her mother to wake up as she went past her room in both directions, "Don't make me come in there with cold water," Peri called out.

Ten minutes later Peri rolled her eyes as her flaky mother hobbled into the kitchen, claiming she was allergic to champagne, "I don't know what it is. Every time I drink champagne I end up with bruises on my shins."

"Because you're a clumsy drunk," Peri muttered under her breath, louder she said, "You should probably stop drinking champagne then."

"Oh but I love the way the bubbles tickle my nose," Andie fell into a chair, and Peri brought her strong black coffee.

Andie had become the quintessential cougar since Peri's father had left them six years ago, forcing Peri to attend university parties just so she could tag along. Peri didn't mind so much. She was quiet and studious, and the boys at school never paid any attention to her until her mother burst onto the scene. Within six months of separating, Andie had taken on the title of MILF like a badge of honour ensuring Peri got invited to sensational parties as long as she brought Andie along.

Somewhere in the last couple of years, mother and daughter had exchanged roles. Peri looked after the house, the bills and sat up worrying at night while Andie was out partying. It was Peri who got her mother up for work in the morning and reminded her of appointments and important dates, while Andie grumbled, showered and went to the gym. 

Seeing Andie awake and getting her shit together for the day Peri grabbed her bag and keys, slipping the half read copy of O into her bag she turned toward the door. "Try not to be late for work, Andie. They will fire you one of these days, and I don't earn enough to keep us in this lavish style," she laughed looking around the small run down house.

"My job is so boring, I want to come to work with you and read kinky books all day," Andie giggled, "Hey! Why don't we go to the Hellfire club with me this weekend, if you want to know more about BDSM?"

"It's research, Andie!" Peri grimaced at the thought of seeing her mother at a BDSM club and ignored the invitation, "Don't be late for work again, okay?" Andie nodded, and Peri left for work not waiting to hear her mothers sighed response.

........................................

Pushing her laptop away from her Peri rubbed at her eyes. 'Lunch' she thought, 'I need to stretch and stop thinking about sex.' The ideas she was constantly bombarded with lately made her a walking hormone and try as she might to diligently research sexual slavery in ancient Rome, without emotion, she knew it was getting to her. Maybe she should go to the club with Andie. Some rough experimental one night stand might be just what she needed. She knew going anywhere with Andie was like walking in the shadow of a bright star, but surely someone would notice her if she made herself look available.

Grabbing her bag, she walked to the kitchenette, peeking from behind her long fringe into Josh's office and finding him watching her again she walked faster. Maybe she could leave a little early and pop down to see her old friends in the research department and see if anyone wanted to go for coffee. She needed some normal conversation and a generous slice of cheesecake.

Fishing a container of pasta from her bag she popped it into the microwave to heat for a few minutes. Grabbing a coke from the machine, she took the steaming food from the oven realising it was way too hot again and turned distractedly to head back to her desk, running straight into a hard tall body.

"Oh fuck! I am so sorry." Peri backed up pasta, sauce, and melted cheese burning into her chest. She did not even register whom she had walked into as the pain seared into her. Peri headed to the sink to drop the container and splash cold water at the scalding sauce burning her skin. Grabbing copious amounts of paper towel and wetting them, she dabbed at the reddened skin and her dress. "I am really sorry," she said over her shoulder, "I am not normally so clumsy. Did I get any on you?"

The amused voice of Josh Craig spoke and she froze, "No. It seems like you didn't want to share your lunch with me after I followed the delicious smell in here."

Peri held the soggy paper towel to her chest and looked up. "Oh Gawd, Josh!" Peri was mortified, "I am so terribly sorry, Sir. I will clean up the mess. Did you want something?" Peri stepped back further as he walked into the small kitchenette.

"That looks like a nasty scald. I think you need to get it seen to," he lifted her chin and inspected her chest. "Come with me." He took her hand, picked up her bag and led her from the room. Passing his secretary, he ordered, "Call maintenance to clean up the kitchen. We will be back in a while. Call my mobile if you need me."

He pulled her along behind him and into the lift pressing the basement level button. They descended, and Peri found her voice, "I will just go home and change and be back in an hour. I am fine, honestly."

"I don't think driving in your condition would be wise, do you?" He raised an eyebrow as he looked down on her.

"I will be fine, honestly," she pulled the wet towel that she had been clutching to her chest away revealing large blotchy red marks making her reapply the towel and grimace.

Josh hadn't let go of her hand, and as the lift doors opened he pulled her out. They strode to a shiny midnight blue car. Opening the door he murmured, "In." Placing her bag on her lap he put the seatbelt under her arm and breasts and leant over her to do it up, cinching it tightly, "So it won't irritate your chest," he said in response to her confused expression as his hand adjusted the way it sat beneath her breasts.

She meekly complied, very conscious that she was wet and bedraggled, sitting in the boss's car. He started the engine and pulled out at speed making her bag fall from her lap, spilling the contents to the car floor. Peri bent to pick up some of it, her hand clutching at the can of coke she had shoved in her bag before spilling her lunch everywhere. It was ice cold, and she sat back up rolling over her chest feeling it take some of the heat from her.

"Good idea," he murmured watching her roll the can from her neck down over each breast and back up. 

Pulling up at a medical centre he got out quickly as she bent to grab up her bag shoving the contents back into it roughly. Her car door opened, and he stood there watching her for a moment, "Leave the rest we can get it when we are done." He took her hand and pulled her from the car, ushering her before him into the waiting room, "Is Pete on?" He asked the receptionist, who nodded, "Good tell him I will be in surgery 2." Peri felt powerless as he propelled her forward again.

"Up there," he pointed to an exam table and he went to a small fridge coming back with an ice pack, "Here use this," he took the coke can from her hand as a young doctor rushed through the door.

Pete looked over at the two of them, assessing that there was no real emergency he walked to a nearby bench, "So who do we have here, new girl," he paused briefly before adding, "friend?" 

"Not yet," Josh shrugged.

"I see. So what's the problem?" Pete pulled on gloves and walked toward them.

"It was lunch time, a nice smell was emanating from the kitchen I went to check it out and ran into her spilling the food down her chest as you can see," Josh seemed to be speaking for her now she realised.


The Twelve Tables Ch. 02



It had been a month since that fateful day when Peri had spilled her lunch over herself and Josh Craig. At work he was all business, they had both decided it was best to keep what happened between them outside work. He was still the arrogant control freak she had always known in the office, but there were subtle changes in his demeanour now, and how he interacted with her. His eyes still followed her every movement, and when he came to see her about a project she was working on, he would lean over her or brush against her, the contact making her dizzy with joy.

Josh was a driven man; you didn't get to be in a position like his at such a young age, without putting in the hours and hard work, to back up his talent. Peri often stayed behind with him at work but found when deadlines approached he was better left to himself. After the first incredible week where they had barely spent a moment apart, she felt lonely on the nights that she came home alone to the house she shared with Andie.

For her part, Andie seemed to have settled down with a mysterious man. She was home some nights and seemed to have become a regular home maker. Peri was startled when she walked in and found the house clean and her mother in the kitchen cooking, when she finally went home for the first time since packing a small bag to keep at Josh's that first week. There had been an uneasy truce between them since that night, but it was better than how it had been.

Peri watched Andie folding some laundry, still not quite sure what to make of the change in her, "You going out tonight Andie?"

"No, not tonight," she answered wistfully.

"I was thinking it was time to update my wardrobe a bit, do you want to come shopping with me, it's Thursday the stores are open late. We could, you know, hang out," Peri thought that if her mother was trying to change she should give her a chance to mend the bridges so to speak.

"Really?" Andie smiled widely, "I'd genuinely like that. Just let me make a call first."

Peri watched as her mother walked into her room opening her mobile and went to brush her hair and slip on a pair of heels. Peri knew the type of things she wanted to try on, and she would need heels to see how it would look. She didn't want to change her look so much as she just wanted to make it less frumpy seeming. Josh liked the understated, quiet librarian, persona she had at work just as much as the sexy girl he took home most nights.

"Let's go kiddo! I haven't been shopping for ages," Andie grinned at her.

Peri found herself enjoying shopping with Andie who seemed strangely restrained in her choices agreeing that Peri's style was all her own and making gentle suggestions rather than forcing her into uncomfortable and revealing outfits that did not suit her short curvy figure. During the shopping trip, Andie brought only one dress and Peri was surprised that it was a sedate style that suited her age as well as flattered her phenomenal figure.

Andie was actually a treasure trove of advice now that Peri was actually listening to her rather than cringing away from the lurid details of Andie's past conquests. She gave advice on inserts for high heel shoes to stop the ache that came after extended wear, the best bras for her larger cup size, and the benefits of natural fibres particularly in lingerie.

The whole night was fun for them both, Peri even allowing Andie to give her make up tips, and they treated themselves to some take home food and red wine from one of their favourite restaurants as the stores were closing. As Andie drove them home Peri's phone rang and she picked it up happily seeing Josh's name on the screen she answered with a smile, "Hi Josh."

That was the last word she got out of her mouth as she listened to his tirade, he had tried to call her several times, he had been to her house to find no one home, he had no idea where she was or whom she was with. He would meet her at her house, and he hung up. Trying to hold it all together not wanting to ruin the first fun night she had enjoyed with her mother for years, she looked at her watch gauging the time. 

Andie in a rare show of maternal care reached over and patted her leg, "He was just worried about you baby, and that shows he cares more than he wants to admit." She glanced over and smiled slightly before drawing her eyes back to the road, and Peri burst into tears. "Aw baby, don't cry. Sometimes love happens so fast you don't even notice it until something like this happens. It's a good thing to know he was worried and cares about you so much, right?"

Peri took a deep shuddering breath considering her mother's words. "It's more like he is a control freak and I wasn't where he thought I should be."

Andy laughed, "It didn't sound like that to me, he was shouting loud enough for me to hear the worry in his voice. Whether you two want to admit it or not, it sounds a lot like love to me."

Peri sniffed, "We have only been dating a few weeks. It's fantastic don't get me wrong, I have never been so happy, but love Andie? You of all people aren't going all Mills and Boon on me, are you?"

"It happens to us all sometimes," Andie said wistfully. "Finding that right someone worth settling down for, someone who appreciates all of you not just how you look or whether you give a killer blow job." She grinned and waggled her eyebrows as Peri looked at her opened mouthed.

"There's the Andie I know," Peri couldn't help but join Andie's good mood and wiped her face one last time. They pulled into their driveway and took everything inside the house, Andie was setting the table for two as Peri emerged from her room having put away her shopping bags. 

"I am just going to take this," she held up a glass of wine and a small plate of food, "and go and make a few phone calls. Try and remember he was just worried about you." Peri looked at the table, Andie had set out everything so nicely, she just hoped Josh would be in the mood to appreciate it.

Josh arrived minutes later, and she opened the door before he had time to knock, "Where the hell were you?"

"Hello Josh," she said pleasantly, "What a surprise to see you. I thought you were pulling an all nighter."

"Yeah well I didn't," he saw the table set for two and turned on her with blazing eyes. "Interrupting, am I?" Josh sneered.

"Actually yes," she responded a little too quickly, "but luckily Andie doesn't mind, she went to make a few phone calls and left some food for you." Peri flounced over to the table, "Let's not waste the dinner. You can yell at me from over here just as well as there and I am starving."

Josh followed her still seething but feeling a little foolish for the last remark. "I was worried he said plaintively, "You're usually so predictable."

"Oh no," Peri said with a perfectly straight face, "We have been dating for a month and I am already predictable?"

Josh was not used to being on the wrong end of an argument. The people he dealt with were 'yes' people who did not use sarcasm or pleasantries in the face of his wrath. The problem was that she wasn't arguing with him, there was no argument to win. She made him feel foolish for being angry and he didn't like not being in control of any given situation or feeling foolish.

"Next time, answer your phone or better yet tell me when you're going out, save the worry it causes, okay?" He finally sat at the table with her.

She smiled, "Sure I can do that, now eat before I start on yours as well."

He leaned over and kissed her, "I am hungry for something else," he murmured into the kiss, and she felt a thrill run up her spine. This man dominated her world, he was all controlled passion, in work and in pleasure, and she realised tonight could have gone so differently, if not for Andie's advice.

"You don't like the food?" Peri grinned at him. 

He moved rapidly pushing his chair back and grabbing her arms to pull her over is lap growling as he slapped her up turned ass, "When did you become such a cheeky girl."

Peri yelped and squirmed as he slapped and squeezed her ass feeling his cock hard against her belly. Pulling her up to sit on his lap he kissed her deeply murmuring, "The food won't be as satisfying as what I had in mind, but if you insist I will eat," he looked at the plates. 

She pressed her body against his and wrapping her arms about his neck kissing his ear and whispering hotly, "What exactly did you have in mind?" 

He needed no further invitation. He picked her up kissing her as he walked to the bedroom. Pressing her against the door as he closed it, he undressed her. He loved peeling away that frumpy sexless exterior to reveal the curves and softness of her incredible body. Her hands worked nimbly unbuttoning his shirt and pants with the eagerness she always felt when she was alone with him. 

His worry and anger had been fuelling his need for her for hours and lifting one leg high over his hip he bent his knees and entered her roughly pinning her to the door and taking full possession of her with his hand, cock and mouth. He began fucking into her hard and deep growling into his kisses as their tongues danced around each other. 

Josh half push and half carried Peri back to the bed. He fucked her with animal lust as he satiated his deep need to bury himself within her. Lifting her legs up to his shoulders he practically bent her in half as he pounded her, his hands gripping her bouncing tits roughly making her cry out louder as she gasped open mouthed her eyes glazing over in pleasure.

Peri looked up into Josh's face watching the intense expression as he breathed heavily, she loved the way he made her feel over powered and helpless to his needs as he gave her the thrills and tingles that rolled through her body. She ram deeply inside her and pull her nipples up from her chest twisting them sending a jolt of pain lancing into her brain pushing over the edge into bliss as she cried out filling the room with her orgasm.

Josh groaned deeply as he rammed into her feeling her cunt clamp around his cock and spasm, milking at him with internal muscles, she came writhing below him. He began fucking hard and deep again until he couldn't anymore and collapsed on top of Peri smothering her and wrapping his arms around her as he rolled to his back pulling her with him.

They lay there catching their breath for long minutes as he stroked his hands down over her soft curves enjoying the quivering feel of her highly sensitized body. Finally smacking her ass he grinned, "So about this food you were offering me before you realised my idea was better than yours."

Peri laughed and wriggled free of his arms wrapping her robe about her, "Better go see if I can salvage any of the food."

Josh followed her out to the kitchen after pulling on his boxers to find her pulling two plates carefully from the warming tray of the oven and putting them on the table. "Andie must have done it," Peri shrugged.

They talked quietly about the changes in Andie, and the fun Peri had shopping with her. "Seems this mystery guy is a good influence," Josh's smile bordered on a smirk and took her hand, "Family is extremely important to me, Peri. I'm glad Andie is treating you more like a daughter that is how it is supposed be."

She smiled, "I don't think my phone gets coverage in the mall, it didn't ring once while we were shopping." Peri got up to take their plates to the kitchen and retrieved her phone from her bag. 

Josh pulled a face, "I have never seen your phone before or I might have understood." He held out his hand for it, "This is practically an antique don't you ever upgrade?"

"I never had a problem before tonight," she shrugged.

His tone turned sharp, "Don't shrug Peri. I didn't like not knowing where you were or whom you were with, and it won't happen again, understand."

Peri was taken aback, his tone was that of the control freak work Josh and how he dealt with people who worked for him. The tone was not how they were outside work, and she felt the command in each word. Stunned she didn't respond so he pressed her, punctuating each word, "Do. You. Understand?" 

Peri nodded reminding herself of Andie's advice, he was worried because he cared about her, he wouldn't be angry if he didn't care. Josh continued to stare at her until she whispered, "Yes, I understand."

Josh's mouth tilted to a smile, and he leaned forward to kiss her murmuring, "Good girl."

Josh dressed and left shortly after leaving Peri to clean the kitchen and consider the strange night. By the time Peri crawled into bed, it was well after midnight, and she fell into a restless sleep confused as to whether Andie had finally out grown her cougar period and that it seemed Josh truly cared about her, he just showed it in his own controlling way.

Andie woke Peri up the following morning, "Come on baby your going to be late for work it's not the weekend yet." 

Peri blinked and looked at the clock, before gasping and sitting bolt upright. "Shit I must have slept through my alarm," she bounded from bed and into the bathroom having the quickest shower on record. Flying into her bedroom she saw that Andie had made her bed and laid out an outfit from the new clothes she had bought last night allowing her to dress without the usual worry about what Josh might like or not. Pulling on her boots she glanced quickly in the mirror surprised at how well her boots went with the outfit. She brushed her hair and pulled it back into her usual ponytail and dusted her face with glow to hide the worn look of not enough sleep. Peri rushed out of her bedroom to find her phone and bag and Andie smiled, "Slow down, baby. You have plenty of time, eat some breakfast."

"After last night I just don't want to give him reason to worry again, I will take some fruit," she threw an apple and banana from the fruit bowl into her bag along with her phone. "Have a good day, don't be late for work either," Peri said as she walked out the door.

Eating the apple on her way, Peri pulled into the underground parking of the publishing house with minutes to spare. Hurrying into the lift with several co-workers she kept glancing at her watch. A girl jostled closer within the lift and whispered to Peri, "Wow, you look good today, have you lost weight?"

Peri looked up into the eyes of a friend from the research department smiling, "New dress that's all," she whispered back, but she straightened her back feeling good about the wardrobe make over she had begun last night and for the first time in years felt good about having gone shopping with her mother.

"Come down and visit us more often," her friend said as she stepped from the lift, "before you are too far out of our league." Her friend's laughter sounded as the lift doors closed once again.

Stepping out of the lift she hurried to her small office peeking in to see Josh was not at his desk. Breathing a sigh of relief she put her things away and sat to start working, she was enjoying the latest project she had begun which focused on a group of rural families in Lombardy, Italy during the revolts of the 1840's and 50's. Doomed to failure many families had fled the lush farmland for safer ports leaving the way open for a land grab and monopoly of the produce market by only a few. Lost in her research of family feud's and alliances the courier at her door had to clear his throat twice to get her attention.

"Oh gosh, I am so sorry, come in come in," Peri smiled and blushed, "I was in another world just then."

The courier laughed, "I wish my work was that engrossing. Just sign here and it's all yours."

"Odd," she mumbled more to herself than anything, "I wasn't expecting anything, I wonder what it is."

"Only one way to find out," the courier quipped as he took his board and left the office.

Peri smiled then tore open the padded envelope, a box holding a new android phone fell out with a hand written note. She read the precise hand writing, 

"People in my life have gone missing before, indulge me and use the new phone. It is set up and ready to go with this number, but if you can change it to your current number, either way let me know a.s.a.p. Josh"

Peri sent the next 30 minutes, flicking through the instruction manual and transferring the numbers she wanted to keep in her phone before sending out a group text to alert her friends of the number change. She stepped out of her office concerned that Josh still wasn't at work and went to ask his PA if he would be in soon ostensibly because she had research questions. 

Sabrina looked up from her desk smiling as Peri interrupted her, "He's in meetings all morning, Peri. I am not sure when he will be back."

"Something far more important than my research, no doubt, I'll just email him instead," Peri smiled back and went to return to her office. 

"Wait," Sabrina called. The leggy redhead stood and walked around her desk toward Peri. "Nice dress, who knew you had a figure under all that frumpiness." Her laugh was haughty sounding and Peri cringed. This was why she had always been happy in her mediocrity she realised, comments just like that made her feel that she would never be quite pretty enough, or tall enough, or one of the in crowd.

Sabrina linked arms with Peri as she walked back to her office with her, "There's been quite a change in you over the last month," Sabrina fell into a chair in front of Peri's desk, "So who's the new guy, dish, I'm dying to know."

Peri went wide eyed in surprise. "New guy?" She questioned, "What makes you think that?"

Sabrina laughed, "I can tell you're getting laid, just look at you all glowing and starry eyed. Now the new clothes; next it will be a change to the hair and make up and the transformation from research dungeon frump to sexy research assistant will be complete." 

Peri just sat there startled. This sleek beautiful woman had almost called her sexy albeit in a terribly condescending way. She was at a loss for words.

"Come on," Sabrina wheedled, "It's not just me who's noticed, give me the gossip. Some of the girl's thought you had a crush on Josh but that ridiculous, he's such a perfectionist I doubt anyone would meet his standards, especially a research frump, like you." She saw Peri's face fall, "No offence sweetie, but you do realise how many gorgeous women have thrown themselves at him, and he hasn't even given them the time of day!"

"Yeah, I can imagine," Peri mumbled, "She didn't know why the barbed comment hurt so much, she should have been used it, she had spent her short adult life firmly in the shadow of Andie. In a small show of private rebellion, Peri said, "Who ever is dating Josh must be pretty remarkable. I mean, I imagine it would be hard to live up to those standards day in and day out, it's hard enough working for him."

"You're telling me," Sabrina rolled her eyes. "Now you, little miss make over, tell me everything. Until I capture the man of my dreams I have to live vicariously through other people's happiness," she leaned forward placing an elbow on the desk and propping up her chin before adding, "Please, Peri."

"Fine," Peri started. She truly did want to tell someone how happy she was, she didn't have to say with whom, "I am seeing someone, and the sex is unbelievable! It's just it's so new and exciting, I don't want to say whom it is just in case it doesn't work out, he's way out of my league."

Sabrina crowed, "I knew it!" She just about jumped out of her chair but sat back. "Well that dress certainly makes a difference, where did you get it?"

They talked about clothes and shopping for a little while, Peri explaining that Andie had an eye for what suited people's body types when they were shopping on a budget. They laughed, and Sabrina rose gracefully, "I better get back to my desk, I have probably missed a few calls and driven the receptionist insane looking for me." She laughed merrily and walked out of Peri's office. 




The Twelve Tables Ch. 02



Peri picked her phone back up and sent a text to Josh, thanking him profusely for the new phone saying she would have gotten one herself in a few days, and he didn't have to go to all the expense. The phone came to life in her hands a moment later, the ring tone set to a familiar tune she couldn't quite place.

Answering it tentatively she recognised Josh's amused reply, "About time you thanked me." 

Peri immediately gushed, "I am sorry, I didn't know whether to ring you or not so I went to ask Sabrina then we started talking and..." her voice trailed off as she heard his laugh, deep and rich making her want to see him, desperately.

"Look I am walking into another meeting, but..." he seemed to hesitate before going on, "I ran into my sister this morning, and she wants to meet you, Pete told her, I was seeing someone. She wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, so we are going to lunch with them okay?"

Peri squeaked, "Today?"

"Yeah, today, I know it's weird meeting the family, but you will know someone there," he sounded unsure of her answer.

"I guess it's not your parents or anything, and it's not like you haven't met mine. Just as well I wore a new dress today, so I don't look all frumpy as usual," she gave a self effacing giggle.

"I like you frumpy," he murmured softly, "It's like that hot body of yours is my little secret." 

"Okay, where and when," she was smiling widely and blushing. 

"Pete will pick you up around twelve, send me an email asking for the afternoon off work, I'll approve it and send it through to Sabrina and HR," he, of course, had everything under his control and she laughed, "What's so funny," he seemed genuinely confused by her laughter.

"I was supposed to see Pete next week anyway, this might save me the trip," she lied. She had seen Pete once a week during the last month for test results and to make sure the things he had prescribed for her were working. 

"Again?" Josh growled, "I think he might like your frumpiness too," he teased her eliciting more laughter. "Gotta go see you at lunch," the phone went dead, and she placed it on her desk and sent the email he had wanted, asking for the afternoon off work. 

Looking at the clock and seeing that it was already ten, she grabbed the banana from her bag and went to the kitchenette to grab some cold water still smiling happily, she had totally forgotten to pack lunch for today, and it would be nice to go out for lunch, if not a little nerve wracking to meet someone from Josh's family.

Peri left her mug and banana in the kitchen and went down the hall to the bathroom as the nervous excitement got the better of her, catching her reflection in the mirror she saw how pale she looked. "Urg," she groaned, of all days to have woken late and rushed out of the house. She desperately didn't want to disappoint Josh, and she considered whom she could ask for help. She had friends here at work, but the glamorous girls who would have makeup in the handbags were not quite those sort of friends and the ones she liked to hang out with were more her type of mousy quiet girls. 

She considered Sabrina, but she just reminded her of Andie at her worst, predatory and not particularly likable. Maybe Andie's new found maternal streak would stretch this far, she had always wanted to make her over, Peri shook her head wondering at the change not within Andie but within herself that she was even considering this as she called her Mother.

Fort-five minutes later Andie stood in her office, looking utterly beautiful as usual. Peri looked at her and with a firm voice spoke bluntly, "I am warning you Andie. No pink cheeks or caked on foundation, just eyeliner and mascara, okay?"

Andie grinned, "I was near the store when you called," she pulled out a brand new tub of Glow, a soft make up brush, eye liner and mascara and finally placed a small pot of pale lip gloss beside them. "See, I understand now that you just want to be you," the startled look on Peri's face made her smile wider. "Just one little thing," she asked tentatively as she handed Peri a small hand mirror.

Peri's eyes narrowed, she knew it was too good to be true, "Can I do something with your hair, pretty please, I am so tired of that ponytail you must be as well," Andie said surprisingly softly.

"Only if you won't get upset when I pull it out because it makes me look even frumpier," Peri smiled lightening her words slightly, but new Andie or not, Peri had seen her mother's attempts to do something with her hair before.

Andie grinned and pulled out a hairbrush before peri could change her mind. Pulling the tight pony tail out, Andie braided the wavy locks loosely down Peri's back, it was soft around her face and allowed for small tendrils to curl about her ears. Andie pushed bobby pins with small white flowers into the braid and smiled. Picking up her phone she took a photo if the back of her hair and showed it to Peri. 

Peri pursed her lips as she looked at the photo, then smiled up at Andie, "Thanks, it's perfect." 

"Tell me all about your lunch when you get home," Andie grinned, "I told you, it's love!"

Shaking her head, Peri was about to argue the point when Sabrina appeared in the doorway. "Andie isn't it? I think I met you the day Peri burnt herself."

"Hi," Andie said easily, "You are?"

Peri interrupted, "Andie, Sabrina; Sabrina, Andie."

"Seems our frumpy little book worm is getting some glam, she told me that you helped pick out the dress," Sabrina chatted to Andie ignoring Peri's introduction. "Do you do any personal shopping, if so I would like to book in for a few pointers, I mean look at the difference," she waved her hand in Peri's direction without actually looking at her.

Peri felt her mother stiffen and reached out to take her hand squeezing it and shaking her head imperceptibly. "She does have a style all her own," Andie smiled through gritted teeth, "but I quite like it, she is her own person, unique like her name..."

"Oh no, you don't," Peri cut her off stand up. 

"What," Andie cried in dismay, "You have a gorgeous name I made it up myself."

Sabrina's eyes were alight with curiosity, "Yet another mystery, Peri. How curious you are."

Andie laughed, "What other mystery do you have?" 

Sabrina warmed to gossip, and went through the whole story of thinking she had a crush on Josh and how ridiculous that was and that Sabrina knew she was getting laid and that Peri wouldn't tell her anything other than that there was a mystery man. Sabrina barely paused to take a breath.

Andie smirked, and leaned forward toward Sabrina, "I've met him, did you know? Totally dreamy, I imagine women throw themselves at him all the time. Probably why he chose her, she has a sweetness that isn't painted over by the fashion hype."

"Now let's go talk about this personal shopper thing, you think some of the other's would be interested too?" Andie began to steer Sabrina out of Peri's office walking arm in arm like bosom buddies as Sabrina had done to Peri earlier. 

Sabrina stopped and turned her head speaking over her shoulder, "Josh approved your afternoon off, Peri, lucky duck!" Andie winked at her and continued to propel Sabrina away from her daughter. 

Peri finished her little touches of make up now that Andie wasn't playing with her hair, trying not to worry about what Andie was telling Sabrina.

Deciding it was a good idea to keep some make up at work she put everything into her draw leaving the lip gloss beside her phone to take with her. Andie returned with an agonised expression, "Tell me that I was never that bad, or awful to you."

Peri could have, but it would be a lie. If anything Andie had been worse in her criticism of her daughter's looks over the last few years, than Sabrina had been. "Its fine Andie I am used to it," Peri smiled weakly, "you didn't tell her anything about um, you know who, right?"

"No way, I know her type all too well. Hell, I am her type, or was," she looked at Peri and smiled crookedly, "I am so sorry baby that I made you feel crummy about yourself, but look at you now, your gorgeous!"

"Don't you have to get back to work?" Peri blushed under her mother's unexpected praise. 

Andie grimaced, "Yeah but that personal shopper thing sounds exciting doesn't it. I might have to investigate that, can you imagine shopping for a living, how wonderful!" Andie hugged her, "that dress looks great, you look great, don't let Sabrina get to you." She lowered her voice and whispered in her ear, "You got the guy she is after." Andie stepped back and nodded at Peri's stunned expression. Then laughed and left calling, "Have a great time," over her shoulder.

Peri felt as if she had wasted the whole morning at work. Trying to put the hurt she felt at Sabrina's careless remarks aside, began emailing herself some notes and websites to work on at home now that she had the whole afternoon off. She didn't imagine lunch would take that long. Once again she became involved in the story and it's characters as she pulled out information to be researched more thoroughly and jumped when Peter Lee flopped into the chair in front of her desk, "You scared me!"

"Aww come on little red, I'm not the big bad wolf remember," he smirked at her using the nickname he had given her when they first met.

She grinned and shook her head closing her lap top, "I'm glad to see you, how are you?"

"Great! You?" He smiled as she cleared off her desk and grabbed her bag throwing the phone in and applying a quick coat of lip gloss. 

"Nervous, I didn't even know he had a sister," Peri gave a nervous half laugh.

"Hate to break this to you little red, but Josh comes from a huge family," Peri squeaked looking up at her doorway making sure no one was close enough to overhear, Pete looked around curiously and back at Peri raising an eyebrow. 

"We aren't exactly announcing our relationship at work," she mumbled, "Rumours will probably fly around that you're the mystery man I am seeing, just because you're here in my office."

"I've been called worse," Pete smirked. 

"Let's go before I have to explain to anyone, hopefully they are all at lunch," Peri grimaced. 

Pete took her hand as she stood up and started singing the mission impossible theme softly, "Dun dun dun dun dun dun doo dedoo doo dedoo dede ... Your mission should you choose to accept it..." He laughed with her as they ran to the lift and were stalled having to wait, "You look great, by the way."

Pete looked around and murmured, "I think our cover's been blown, my dear." Peri poked at the button determinedly as she saw one of the girls disappear into the kitchenette and a moment later Sabrina's head poke around the corner.

"You're quite the catch Doctor Pete, do you want an introduction to the office barracuda?" Peri sighed. 

"Nah let's see what the rumour mill makes of this," he bent to kiss her chastely and bundled her into the opening lift, closing the doors on the stunned expression of the approaching woman. 

"Oh, my gosh," Peri held her hand to her cheek. "Last week I was the fat, mousey little office girl that everyone knew had no life, now I am the source of the latest juicy gossip," she punched his arm, "Thanks a lot, Doctor Pete. You're going to have to explain that kiss to Josh, I am not doing it."

"At your service as always little red," he was still laughing enjoying her consternation. "Oh yeah Josh, he probably won't like that huh?" He continued to tease her.

"Oh yeah," Peri mimicked him. "The rumours will be running thick and fast by the time Josh get's back there, and she will make sure he knows I am not the shy little wall flower they all thought I was," she pulled a face, "I shouldn't have worn this dress to work, by tomorrow they will have us making love in this lift."

He laughed uproariously at her babbling, "I'd hate to disappoint the fans," his hand hovered over the emergency stop button and she leapt at it dragging it back.

"Don't you dare! She took a deep breath, "I am acting nuts, I know," she just got under my skin earlier, and I can't shake it, especially going to the last supper like this."

"You're not a drama queen, Peri, what exactly did she say to rattle you so much?" Pete held her hand and walked her to his car helping her in. Peri just waved away the question as he closed her door.

They pulled out into the traffic, and Pete said quietly, "Look you can tell me what happened or I can tell Josh the barracuda made you crazy. Don't forget I am a Doctor and I can make that diagnosis, technical terms like bat shit crazy and everything."

Peri laughed, "You really are so sweet to me, Pete." She narrowed her eyes at him, "Blackmail?" She looked away sighing heavily, "I don't know why it hurt so much, its, not like I haven't heard stuff like that a million times." She smiled crookedly.

"Stop dodging the question," he replied softly.

She knew she sounded silly, but she related the conversation Sabrina had initiated with her earlier in the morning and again with Andie. Peri surprised herself at how good it felt to unload, not something had ever had the opportunity to do before, very often. 

"Did anyone else hear her say that to you?" He asked incredulously.

"Not at the time but she essentially said the same thing to Andie when I was sitting right there. She probably thought she was just stating the obvious and didn't realise I might be hurt. I don't even know why I let it upset me in the first place," she sighed, "it's not like I don't know what they all think of me." 

Pete was silent, and Peri let her nerves get to her, "I don't feel very good could you just take me home I will call and apologise to Josh. Don't tell him what happened, please. I just feel terribly silly now."

"You remember I am a doctor right?" Pete laughed and she blushed putting her face in her hands. "Here's some medicine that might make you feel better instantly if you honestly don't feel well enough to go to lunch, I will take you to the surgery for a check up and Josh can pick you up from there, and I'll explain to him why."

"You wouldn't..." she looked up at him, and he nodded. "I didn't sleep very well last night," she tried without conviction. 

"All the more reason to eat something decent, plus I would rather endure your pouting than the wrath of Nik," Pete chuckled. "Josh has never had a serious girlfriend before that the family knew of if I robbed her of this lunch my life wouldn't be worth living."

"Oh no, take me the surgery, I can't do this. It's only been a month how serious could it be?" Peri's voice became high.

"Too late," the car pulled up in front of a familiar looking Italian restaurant and Pete turned to smirk at her as he got out of the car and came around to her side. "You have nothing to worry about, honestly."

The walked into the restaurant, and Peri was greeted with hugs and kisses finally remembering she had been here before on that first night she had gone out with Josh. She smiled at the owner, "It's so lovely to see you again," she laughed as he kissed both her cheeks loudly. She was shown to a large table, and her eyes widened as she realised the lunch would be bigger than she imagined.

Her eyes searched for Josh, but she couldn't see him yet. Standing at the end of the table each person stood and hugged her and kissed her cheeks like a long lost friend, she barely took in any names as she froze in place her arms going through the motions of each embrace. 

"Come sit with me," a bubbly brunette girl called out as she stood awkwardly beside Pete as everyone finished hugging her. Peri smiled and moved toward the chair Pete closely behind her. "I know it's a little over whelming to meet your boyfriends family, so we kept it small," the girl chattered away, and Peri assumed this was Nik, Josh's sister.

"This is small?" Peri asked incredulously.

Pete interrupted the chatter, "Take a breath now and then, Maryann, let someone else get a word in." Peri took the opportunity to rummage in her bag for her phone, checking that Josh hadn't tried to ring or text her, but it was blank of anything new.

Pete whispered, "He's probably picking up Nik, she notoriously late," he grinned.

"Thanks," she turned to Maryann and whispered, "I didn't catch anyone's name could you run through them again, slowly for me, please? And maybe what relation they all are?"

Maryann laughed, "Well the boys are brothers, and the girls are sisters," she laughed at the look of wonder on Peri's face, "Except Pete, of course, he's a cousin but we love him like a brother." Maryann ran through the six other names with little anecdotes about the person. "There are two more older brothers at home on the farm Papa, and Nik and Josh and another sister who is in Italy at the moment."

"Twelve! There are twelve of you?" Peri was amazed.

"Three sets of twins sort of blew that out a bit, but yeah, nice big Italian family," she grinned. "What about you?"

"I'm an only child, it's been just me and my mother for years now," Peri said quietly. "No extended family that we see regularly either, this is a little overwhelming."

"I can give you some of my cousins I have a gazillion of them, take Pete, he's nice enough when he isn't lecturing me," she poked her tongue out at Pete who scowled at her. 

"Hey Romey, swap seats with me, I need to talk to Ben," Pete smirked and stood up leaving Peri surrounded by strangers. Antipasto platters and wine arrived along with a variety of breads, and Peri smiled nervously as her glass was filled up and she was passed the platters to choose from. 

Romey smiled as he sat beside her and grabbed a platter, "Have more," he said quietly, this bunch won't even leave crumbs for Josh and Nik." She took the tongs he offered and helped herself to a little more. 

"Actually," Peri said, "I was here once before, with Josh, they had this amazing cheesy garlic bread, do you see any of that on the table?" 

"Might have to pry it away from Lucy but I will see what I can do," he laughed, "If she bites my finger like last time, you have to kiss it better."

Peri giggled, "Oh let her have it, I am sure if I ask they will make another one."

He raised his voice, "Lucy if you don't share that bread, Peri is going to order more." Ben stopped scowling at the now quiet Maryann long enough to turn his glare on Lucy who pushed the basket across the round table toward Peri. "We'll order some more anyway," he winked at his sister and offered the basket to Peri.

"What have you done little brat," Romey reached behind Peri, to poke Maryann in the ribs.

"Dated the wrong boy," she lowered her voice, "How was I supposed to know Pete would be at the club on a week night and see me?"

"There are only one a few families that could make Ben frown like that, better go and promise him your soul if you don't want him to tell Papa," Romey said seriously. 

"Fine!" She scraped her chair back and flounced over and tapped Jules on the shoulder who vacated his chair for her. 

Jules took the seat on the other side of Peri, "Nik is later than usual. Josh must be freaking out at her which would make her go slower on purpose."

Peri giggled at the thought of her controlled Josh freaking out, and the image of him storming into her apartment last night flashed into her head.

Romey refilled Peri's glass, "No worries, gives me time to get his girl drunk and steal her away." 

Peri laughed again and took a sip of the wine, she was slowly relaxing, "If he doesn't come soon I might just take you up on that offer."

Jules pouted, "Hey, his name is Romeo because he gets all the girl's, I am a much safer bet." 

"Aren't you twins?" Peri looked between them, "I bet neither of you two have problem's getting girls."

"See what happens when you so late Nik, the valentine brother's try and steal my woman," Josh's voice boomed from behind her.




The Twelve Tables Ch. 02



Peri turned to see Josh walking toward her with the most glamorous woman she had ever seen as Romey turned with her smirking, "You snooze you lose, baby brother."

Josh grimaced and pulled Peri from her chair kissing her passionately in front of everyone, when he came up for air he murmured, "Hi, remember me?"

She smiled, "I think it's coming back to me."

"Can't compete with that," Jules muttered, and Romey whistled nodding. "Guess we better move then and let them sit together."

Peri drew her eyes from Josh to Nik, "Hello," she smiled, "I had no idea Josh had a twin."

"Let go of the girl Josh she can hardly breathe," Nik nudged him. Josh released her and Nik immediately took his place hugging her and kissing both her cheeks, "Hello," she said finally.

The lunch rolled on with people playing musical chairs constantly, the wine flowed, and enormous bowls of a variety of pastas arrived for them to share. More cheesy bread arrived in front of both Peri and Lucy with a napkin folded into a heart on top, Peri looked up at Romey and mouthed "Thank you," across the table and he winked at her.

Josh growled in her ear, "At least wait until I leave the table before flirting with Romeo Geez." His hand squeezed her thigh tightly making her squeak and blush deeply.

The wine was getting to her and Peri excused herself asking where the bathrooms were, "I'll take you," Lucy piped up, "I haven't had the chance to talk to you yet."

Peri stood and smiled, "Thanks." 

They walked back through the restaurant, Peri repeated the same answers to the same questions again, work, family, friends and the polite chatter strangers do. Before they left the bathroom, Lucy stopped her placing a hand on her arm and whispering, "Be extremely careful of Nik. She can be a real bitch and is extremely protective of Josh."

Peri was stunned and gaped at her open mouthed, but before she could ask any questions Lucy pushed the door open and pulled her through walking back to the table. Pete had taken her seat, so she walked around the table, sitting next to Ben and Dante. "More wine," Ben asked. 

"Actually I would love some cool water," Peri replied hopefully. Ben grunted and got up to go to the bar.

"You seem to be handling meeting the family, or some of it, last girl I tried this on ran for the hills," he said sadly. 

"I asked Pete to take me home when we were on our way here, no such luck, and I am not much of a runner I wouldn't have got far," she grinned at him, "Short legs, quite stumpy really."

"They look pretty good to me," he chuckled as she turned toward him and lifted a leg up. 

"It's the boots. They're like an optical illusion," she laughed and took the glass of water Ben handed her. Dante chuckled louder as she thanked Ben profusely taking a large sip. 

"Not many people can make Dante laugh," Ben nodded in his direction, "he's the dark, brooding type."

I was explaining he was seeing an optical illusion made better by the wine," she explained.

Dante chuckled again nudging the man beside him, "Do boots make a woman's legs look longer?"

Emilio looked up, "Depends on the boot I guess." He could see Peri nodding and smiling over Dante's shoulder and nodded, "I would say yes if asked by the woman wearing them though," he said covering himself.

Ben burst out laughing then, and Dante turned back to eye her suspiciously as she gave him the most innocent look she could muster shrugging her shoulders. "Stumpy," she said again nodding. "So you see running wasn't an option for me."

Dante shook his head at her, "Is that how he caught you?" Dante nodded his head in Josh's direction. 

The wine had made her relax and become bolder with these people and she lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Actually the first time he ever spoke to me, he yelled at me for doing my job too well," she looked at their stunned expressions, "I know right?" Her eyes had gone wide in an appeal for their sympathy.

"And you still went out with him?" Dante was aghast.

"Well," she said, "Not right then. A few weeks later he ran into me in the lunch room and spilled scalding pasta and sauce down my top," she was gesticulating and pulling faces as she condensed the story making it seem like it should have been on funniest home video's, "and after a trip to Doctor Pete and no food all day I feinted." The three brothers were laughing loudly now, "So Pete made him take me out to dinner. We came to this very restaurant. Smooth moves, huh?" She was laughing with them at this point, and Emilio almost fell off his chair.

The rest of the table was looking at them with confused grins. The laughter from their small group was highly contagious. Ben took a deep breath, "That's priceless, unquestionably the best first date story ever. Smooth, Josh, smooth." Ben called across the table.

Peri looked at Josh's quizzical expression with pure innocence and blew him a kiss. The waiters had cleared the table of the debris of lunch and musical chairs began again as the siblings moved around to talk to each other. Josh came and kissed her, "I'm just going to check out Pete's new car he's been talking my ear off about it. Back in five minutes"

All of the men decided to go look at the car leaving her alone with the sisters. Peri moved down to sit with Lucy who had seemed the friendliest and smiled. "Men," Lucy rolled her eyes, "They all love their big boy's toys," she took another gulp of wine. "You should see them up on the farm with the quads."

"Where is the farm?" Peri asked.

"Up the coast, they call it little Italy up there," Nik shuddered, "I hate going back, but we all do for two weeks every year in April and May." 

"Yup, big festival," Lucy was starting to slur.

"It's not so bad, we get to see the whole family, all the cousins and aunts and uncles and everyone," Maryann smiled.

Nik waved Peri over to her side of the table, "What you have to understand is that up there they haven't come into the 21st century. Women stay in the kitchen, barefoot, and pregnant type of stuff, but we have maids to cook, so that doesn't quite work out all that well." She shrugged, "They are just stuck in the old ways of the old country, men rule the family and women do what they are told."

Peri considered her, she had researched a lot of Italian history lately, "Pater familias," she smiled, "I understand that, but it's probably not so strictly adhered to as what I have been reading about it from the ancient roman days." 

"Don't be so sure, prepare yourself to be meek and mild and slave like if Josh ever takes you home to meet the folks," Lucy was waving her glass around as she spoke spilling it slightly.

Nik snorted, "They have only been dating for a month Josh won't be doing that anytime soon, he wouldn't take her home to meet the folks," Peri cringed feeling her relaxed easiness dissipate as the barbed words opened her insecurities again. 

"She's here with us isn't she?" Maryann piped in. "Even Dante seems to like her," she thought about it for a moment, "He is so moody I am not even sure he likes me!"

"Your right," Dante said from behind Maryann as he came back to the table, "I don't like you," he smirked, "I love you little brat."

Ben followed him in, "Come on Luce, D and I are going to drive you home." Lucy grumbled and finished her wine moving over to hug and kiss the other women goodbye including Peri.

She whispered in Peri's ear, "Remember what I said." Lucy then leaned on the table as the men hugged and kissed the women and helped her out to their car. The twins followed suit claiming they had to return to work, and Emilio offered Nik a lift which she refused, saying she wanted to catch up with Pete anyway, and he could drive her. "You can walk me to my car if you like brother dear," Maryann said sweetly. Offering her his arm they left leaving Peri alone with Nik.

"I'd love some more water," Peri said cheerfully, "Do you want to go to the bar area with me?"

"Sure," Nik stood and started toward the bar area leaving Peri trailing behind her. She had just got her water and was preparing to engage in conversation with Nik again when Josh and Pete came back in.

"We need to take off, Pete will drop you back, Nik," he kissed her on both cheeks and hugged her tightly, "Thanks, for the lunch, it was great," he smiled broadly at her. Peri went to hug and kiss Nik as Josh shook Pete's hand, "Thanks, mate. No more kissing my girl," he chuckled and stood back while Peri hugged Pete.

Josh took her hand, and they walked out to his car. "I didn't realise your family was so big," Peri smiled up at him, "I can't imagine what a full family gathering would be like. Are any of them married? Do they have kids?"

Josh chuckled reminding her of Dante's slow quiet laugh, "Some of them," he replied as he helped her into the car and pulled the seatbelt across her chest watching the cross over bodice of the dress gape open slightly exposing the curving roundness of her full breasts. "Mm," he murmured, "Did I tell you how lovely you look today," his hand fondled her breasts frowning at his dislike for the constricting bras she wore to support the heavy globes of soft flesh. "Except for this," he grumbled pulling at the bra strap.

She touched his handsome face, "Next time Andie, and I go shopping I will ask her about bras," she grinned. 

"You're going to ask Andie's advice," he smirked at her and closed her door to walk around the car as he got in, he continued, "Will wonders never cease?" 

"She been so different lately. She even came to my rescue today bringing a few things I needed to work and did my hair for me," Peri looked at Josh who was wearing a self satisfied smirk. "What?" She asked, "What's going on that I don't know about?"

"Nothing, sweetness," he leaned over and kissed her deeply, "I am just happy. I am happy that Andie is treating you better; happy that my brothers all love you; happy that your mine."

Peri melted under his kiss and words, lifting her hand to his cheek she stroked it slowly down over his chest to his groin as he kissed her again making him groan into the kiss. "You have the afternoon off, but I have to go back to work for an hour or so," he growled as she fumbled with his belt a smile tugging at her lips which turned into a pout as he spoke. 

Josh straightened up and pulled out into the traffic, Peri had got used to his driving over he last month he seemed to know only one speed, fast. She continued to play with his cock as he drove, smiling up at him cheekily. He drove into a service station winding down his window quickly he pulled a card from the pocket in the side door swiping it through the machine and wound the window back, the car jolted onto the moving floor, and Josh pulled her head down into his lap as the carwash started. 

Manoeuvring quickly, she snapped the seatbelt off, and half knelt on her seat as her mouth engulfed the cock she had been manhandling out of his pants since leaving the restaurant. Peri sucked him deeply filling her mouth to the point of gagging before beginning to bob her head, she felt one of Josh's hand rest heavily on the back of her head as the other trailed down her back and over her ass slapping her, "Insatiable slut," he growled.

She whimpered around his cock and squirmed pulling one leg underneath her body the other kneeling on the floor beside her seat. He continued to spank her as she sucked him, his hand alternately caressing the soft pliable flesh and slapping it as he took him deeply, swallowing around the cock, to take him into her gagging throat. Josh's lifted his hips bucking up into her mouth.

The car rocked as automated brushes battered at the sides and top disguising the occupants as Josh roared, "Fuck, yeah, yeah, Yeah!" Forcing her head down hard before pulling her head up, his eyes were glued to her face, her mouth wide and gasping as he shot sticky ropes of cum onto her willing tongue and across her pretty face. Letting go of her hair he pumped his cock hard spurting a last strand across her nose before letting her suck him dry. 

He leaned back in the seat as the final layer of wax sprayed onto the car and the buffing pads came down. Pulling her off his sensitive cock to sit up in her seat again, he looked at her cum smeared face and growled, "You are such a cumwhore."

Peri ran a finger through a line of cum across her cheek and nose before sucking on her finger, "Mm hmm," she looked up at him with sex glazed eyes showing how horny she was. His hand ran up her leg drawing her dress up and exposing the lacy panties she wore. She widened her legs as she continued to clean her face with one finger. Lifting her hips as his fingers teased at her pussy lips, she breathed deeply. Peri slid deeper in the seat as Josh pulled the panties aside running his finger along the length of her wet lips.

The car slid out of the carwash, and Josh murmured put your seatbelt on as he redid his one handed. As the car came to a halt, he took his hand from her cunt and drew one of hers down to replace it as he turned the ignition and peeled out of the service station back onto the road. "God I love to watch you like that," his eyes darted between the road and the hot slut beside him. 

Peri was panting hard and rubbing desperately at her cunt as they drove through the city traffic back towards the office, she had got herself off often as he watched her over the last few weeks and she knew it drove him wild, "Not yet," he growled reaching over to slap her exposed thigh. She was so close, so very close. She whimpered loudly her eyes falling closed not caring anymore if anymore looked into the car.

Josh's eyes flickered constantly to her, he knew her well now, and he could see how close she was and smirked. "Now," he said as he pulled up at a red light, and slapped her thigh again. Peri started to cum, oblivious to the fact that Josh had pushed the button to wind her window down lightly exposing her body and cries of pleasure to the SUV that had pulled up beside them. The light turned green while she was still cumming and the wind from the open window hit her in the face making her eyes flare open. The humiliating knowledge that she had been seen rolled into her orgasm firing yet more waves of pleasure into her body. 

Slowly she came down from her high, lifting her fingers to her mouth sucking them noisily to tease Josh. She knew what it did to him to know that the shy office mouse would be such a nymphomaniac for him, and only for him. She looked up at him her face still sticky and streaked with the remnants of his cum, and her thighs glowed with the evidence of her own pleasure. 

The office building came into view and Peri leaned forward to grab some wet wipes from the glove box. Parking the car, Josh smirked at her, "You are incredible, unbelievable, so totally..." he searched for the right word and settled for, "Mine." He finished with emphasis. 

Peri had never felt the way Josh made her feel, she didn't know quite how to describe it, she just knew she wanted it to go on forever, she didn't care that Sabrina and her cronies thought it was ridiculous that he would even look at her twice, she could take all they dished out and more because of the way he looked at her right at that moment. 

Restraining themselves, they got out of the car, and he walked her over to hers, looking at his watch he smiled, "I'll pick you up in a couple of hours, let's get away for the weekend."

"That sounds wonderful," she whispered, wanting desperately to kiss him, "I better go before anyone sees me looking less than the frumpy little research assistant you wouldn't look at twice." He frowned at her but said nothing, shutting the door to her car and letting her go before striding into the building.

Arriving at his desk, he called one of the senior editors and spoke briefly, making arrangements quickly enjoying the idea more and more as he listened to the crude man on the other end of the phone. "Happy to help, Mario," Josh chuckled as he hung up the phone, "I will smooth it with HR."

Hanging up he called Sabrina into his office, "You've been with me for over a year now as my P.A.," he smiled at her as she sat and crossed her long legs letting her skirt ride up on her thigh. "I think perhaps you have become too comfortable here, and you are not being challenged enough," he continued.

Sabrina looked shocked and started to protest, but he waved her words away, "Mario, up on the top floor has lost another P.A., and I told him that I thought you had earned the promotion," his smile widened as she paled. 

"But, I am happy here," she looked up at him licking her lips nervously, "with you."

"I could never be selfish enough to hold you back from such a big promotion, big raise too," he said magnanimously, "I would never forgive myself."

Sabrina felt sick, the reason Mario lost so many P.A.'s was because he was so sleazy and hit on them in acts of gross sexual harassment, her mind was working quickly to find a way out of this nightmare as Josh continued. "Move your things up this afternoon; Mario is expecting you so you can start Monday morning first thing."

Josh walked around his desk and help her stand leading her from his office back out in the larger floor with all the cubicles of assorted employee's announcing loudly. "Sabrina has just won a huge promotion and will be leaving us for the top floor, today, make sure you all let her know how much she will be missed as she moves her things." 

Walking back to his office he called HR and made all the arrangements for Sabrina's move. Saying he would find his own new P.A. Sabrina had been good at her job and though he knew she bullied the other staff it did not affect him, so he had ignored it, until today. He knew exactly where he would find a new assistant that better suited his needs. Walking through the building he made his way down the research department.

People scattered to look busy as he walked in, looking at each other nervously. Josh walked to the desk he wanted and smiled down at the girl he had seen peri have lunch with and leave work with some afternoons. "I am instigating a bit of a staff turn over he announced," as she looked up at him nervously. Peri had told her that he wasn't so scary once you got to know him but right now, Louisa wished she could crawl under her desk.

"Is there something I can help you with," she asked quietly, confused as to why he would be telling her this. 

"Yes, actually," he smiled, his voice was quite mellow when he wasn't yelling, Louise noticed. "I heard you might be looking for a change of pace, and an opening as a personal assistant has come up, phones, date books, talking with writers etc," he could see her eyes glitter at the prospect. "The last girl I pulled out of this dungeon has worked out exceedingly well upstairs I thought I would try it again."

"Me?" Louisa whispered.

"Give it a week's trial, if it doesn't work out you can come back down and scurry around with all the research mice again," from what Peri had told him of her friend he had no doubt she wanted and could do the job, she could be trained easily by the office manager on his floor. He could handle the short term inconvenience, and he wanted to do this for Peri. 

He wanted Peri from the first moment she had stood toe to toe with him in this very room, she was unlike any girl he had ever known, and he had decided the first night they had spent together that she was 'the one'. He was just waiting for her to realise that he was hers and if a short term inconvenience gave her a friend to confide in and make her work life easier, so be it.

"Well what do you say," he asked, "You come highly recommended."

"Yes," she finally burst with excitement, "Yes, I would love to try something new. I will pick it all up quickly I promise, I won't let you down, Yes!"




The Twelve Tables Ch. 02



"Good," he consulted his watch, "I will organise it with HR and your boss here, pack your desk up and come up to my office in about an hour." He caught himself up short and smiled at her, "Unless you were planning on leaving early today."

"No. It's OK. It's fantastic, I will be there," she returned his smile. 

"Just one small favour," Josh said quietly, "Let's not tell Peri yet. It will be a nice surprise for her on Monday. Plus I don't want all her friends thinking I will find them better jobs. I have this ferocious temperamental persona I am trying to protect," He winked at her, and she laughed.

He left her and walked over to the research department head, explaining he had reassigned Louisa to his floor and would clear it with HR to hire a more suitable researcher. No one questioned him, or Louisa assuming that she had messed up something he had given her to work on. Walking past her desk she smiled again, "Our little secret until Monday, come see me in an hour."

Josh left the dungeon planning his weekend, gratefully he had met his deadlines the night before and could take a well earned rest with the sexy girl who clouded his thoughts. He wanted to dominate her properly, to use her thoroughly, to introduce her to his darker side. He had been playing it safe, gently demanding more and more of her like today, but his need was strong and he had big plans for this weekend.



The Twelve Tables Ch. 03



It was dark and beginning to rain as Josh and Peri pulled up outside a small winery. To Peri's surprise a man ran out to their car, and Josh wound his window down to speak to him. The Rain was heavy so Peri only heard a few words before the man hurried back inside and the car started moving again.

Josh continued around the winding track past the winery and its out buildings. He pointed to some pale lights in the distance, "There is an amazing villa over there." Turning her head to look at it she was jolted as the surfaced road ran out, and the gravel crunched beneath the tyres. Eventually, they pulled up outside a small well lit cottage. Getting out of the car, they ran through the increasing rain to the large veranda surrounding the cottage.

Josh opened the door then swept her off her feet carrying her into the cottage, kissing her deeply before placing her on her feet. Peri looked around, the cottage was like one enormous room, the bed was directly before her, and she guessed the one internal door on the other side of it led to a bathroom. As she turned taking in the place she saw a well equipped kitchen and small dining table, a small sofa before a fire and large screen TV and beyond that a spa bath set into the wall surrounded with glass looking out over breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and wineries.

"Wow," she breathed, "This is amazing!" She walked over and peered into the large bathroom noting the dual shower heads in the wet space. Josh had snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, nibbling at her neck. "We should get our bags out of the car before we, um, do anything else. Don't you think?" Peri asked him.

"No," he said throatily, "I plan to keep you naked all weekend and at my beck and call." His hands tugged at her clothes as he continued, "Speaking of which you have far too many clothes on for my liking right now." Peri tensed and looked around at all the large windows and glass door leading out to what she expected was a balcony. "We are isolated here and I want you naked," he said it with a smile but she felt the tone making it a command. He released her taking a step back and smirking, "All weekend."

Peri blushed slowly lowering the zip at the side of her dress. "Wait!" Josh moved over to the couch and pressed a few buttons on a remote, music started playing softly. "Now strip for me," he fell back onto the sofa motioning her forward. The heavy beat of the Pussycat Dolls singing Buttons played from the small speakers. She liked the song and loosened up a little bit enjoying teasing him. He had a way of making her inhibitions disappear with his hungry eyed stare and she danced around him slowly revealing her body. Her breasts once freed from the constricting bra bounced and moved with her, his eyes following the sway of her soft curves as she sang softly with the song imagining herself as one of the sexy Pussycat Dolls singing it. It as a song meant to tease men and she did her best to tease Josh.

Peri enjoyed the way he looked at her with hungry eyes. With him, she rarely felt the terrifying self consciousness that would have frozen her movement's mere weeks ago. He had shown her since that first night how much appeal her curvy form held for him in many ways and so she danced for him revelling in her new found sexuality. She watched him as he sat, he was controlling, exacting and demanding, she knew those qualities had not appealed at first, but as she had fallen for him she saw how they had created the man he was, successful, charismatic and unwilling to compromise in what he wanted. Peri blushed and smiled at him as her dress shimmied to the ground, he wanted her, she still couldn't believe it, but she knew it to be true.

"You are such a hot slut," Josh said and grabbed her hand as she danced past him, pulling her to his lap. Peri blushed hotly and looked up into Josh's eyes as he smirked at her not denying his words. He leaned down and kissed her, long deep and passionately while his hands travelled over her body. His hands touched her neck, slowly travelling down to her breasts, encircling them, sending waves of tingling excitement through her. Her nipples became hard and erect at his touch as if answering his unspoken question of how much she wanted his touch.

His hands drifted down to her thighs, and she widened them willingly, letting out a squeal as suddenly he slapped her pussy hard and smirked as she attempted to close her thighs. His fingers delved into making her breathe deeply and let out soft whimpers of pleasure. Manipulating her clit with his thumb as his fingers forced her wider inserting one, then two and eventually three as he brought her higher and higher, watching the trembling muscles of her thighs shake as she came close to the edge. 

He stopped just as suddenly as he had begun leaving her gasping and rocking her hips in need. Josh caught her hands as they travelled down her body, trying to find some release from the tortuous wanting she felt. He spoke huskily as though holding back his own lust and need when he finally murmured, "We are going to try something different this weekend." His eyes bored into hers, and she nodded, speechlessly, waiting for him to say more. Josh transferred both her wrists to one hand and pulled a long slim box from his pocket, "This is for you," he held the box before her eyes for a few moments before releasing both her hands and helping her to sit up upon his lap better.

Peri gasped as Josh opened the box revealing a short golden chain. Each of its links had at it centre a brightly coloured gem stone. "If you accept this," he paused briefly making sure she realised she had a choice, "For as long as you wear this and each time you wear it, here after, you will do exactly as I say." His eyes still bore into hers as if trying to read every thought in her head.

Peri knew she loved the man looking at her so intently, she had never felt this way about anyone, and nobody had ever made her feel so wanted and desired. She trusted him and knew he would not ask anything of her that she could not give. She nodded her understanding and acceptance of his gift as her eyes flickered from his to the beautiful necklace. She noticed a small tremble in his hands as he took the necklace from the box and her mind wondered at that briefly before he spoke to her again.

"This weekend will be very different," his eyes had softened at her acceptance of the necklace, "All you need to do is trust me, and do as I ask," he hands pulled the chain about her neck, it fit she noticed, snugly as if it had been made for her alone. Once again she nodded not trusting her voice, watching the look in his eyes and melting at the way they devoured her with desire. "I need to hear you say it," he whispered as the clasp finally fell into place against her neck.

Leaning in he nibbled the flesh of her neck above the chain as she whispered, "It's so beautiful, thank you. While I wear it, I will be yours and yours alone," she smiled crookedly at him acknowledging to herself he didn't need the necklace, she was already his in every way that mattered. She was sitting in his lap naked while he still wore his suit and she almost giggled that she had already done exactly as he asked before the introduction of the necklace. "I will do as you ask," she added softly.

Josh smiled as he saw the corners of her mouth tilt up, realising she held no trepidation of what she had just committed to. He leaned back in the chair and spoke quietly but with authority, "Take off my tie, my pretty one," he smirked at her as her hands automatically reached for his tie drawing the ends apart and holding it limp from her fingers. Taking from her fingers he picked up her hand and began winding around one wrist, picking up the other hand he bound her wrists together, her eyes curiously watching his every move. She accepted his tying her wrists meekly, and when he finished he leaned in to kiss her, picking her up and placing her on her feet.

Josh led Peri to the centre of the cabin between the sofa and the dinning table where there was a vacant space and reach above him to what she had assumed was a low hanging lighting fixture. From within the hanging crystals, he drew a hook and lifted her tie bound hands to it. Peri found if she relaxed her arms the hook pulled further down and she relaxed her arms until it stopped giving way. Her arms were still held above her head, but she did not feel stretched uncomfortably. Continuing to watch Josh, Peri saw him pull two crystals from the ornamental display and hang them from a second hook the weight making her arms rise higher. Josh continued to add crystals until Peri had no choice but to stretch up and eventually stand on her toes to take the weight on her wrists.

Peri said nothing as she watched Josh take a larger crystal off the hook counter balancing her weight and reattached it to the display before walking away from her. Turning slowly, Peri followed his movement as he took off his jacket and moved into the kitchen. Staying silent as he pulled a bottle of champagne from the fridge and opening it with a loud pop he turned back toward her. Not bothering with a glass Josh took a sip tilting the bottle up to his mouth. Walking slowly back toward her he smiled widely his eyes taking in her curves as she hung at his will. He revelled in the power it gave him and once again was amazed at this girl that had so captivated him. She was exactly the type of girl he fantasised about, soft and curvy, willing and giving, faithful and trusting, smart and curious, he adored her and knew she was his soul mate, this weekend he would make sure she knew he was hers.

"Would you like some champagne, my love?" He asked still smiling widely.

"Yes, please," Peri whispered.

Josh tilted the bottle up to his lips again taking a large mouthful and leaned in to kiss her dribbling the bubbly liquid between her lips. Peri swallowed the still cool liquid tasting Josh along with the liquid. He repeated the manoeuvre twice more letting her drink from his lips and kissing her deeply after each mouthful she took.

Josh bent low and dribbled a tingly stream from the bottle over her breast lapping it from her nipples, the bubbles tingling against her skin as his tongue teased her all the more. Peri panted at the eroticism of the act, and he repeated the slow process on her other breast. Josh loved her breasts, the nipples rose so high making them seem perky despite their size and weight. Taking another mouthful directly from the bottle he stood up erect and once again dribbled it into her mouth and kissed her deeply, his free hand dropping to her cunt delving deeply to tease her to the point of panting and rocking her hips into him. 

Peri ached to wrap her arms around him, and cling to him as she usually did when in the height of need and wanting but all she could do was rock her body closer hoping to feel the form of him against her. Once again he stopped just as she climbed close to the edge, but he wouldn't let her fall over it, Peri whimpered as he moved away once again. She ached for him, desperate for his touch her body bowed as she begged, "Please. Please, don't stop."

Her words gave him more power, and he smirked taking another gulp from the bottle, and slowly moved toward her again feeding her more champagne with his kisses. Peri was calmer now, and he moved away once more toward the spa bath in the glass alcove. Taking the rope like cord belts from the two robes he turned back and approached her. The champagne bottle discarded he kissed her deeply murmuring, "Trust me." She nodded her eyes alight with lust and adoration as she watched him.

With nimble fingers he tied a cord about her waist, and lifting the second cord tied a small tight knot at its middle, he then pressed into her cunt, to rest against her clit. He pulled the cord between her legs until it nestled between her ass cheeks and secured each end to the belt. Josh pulled it up making it rub at her and press hard against her clit before pulling his hands away. Pulling a chair out from the table he sat back taking off his shoes and watched her as she hung. He could see her thighs rubbing together and the pleasure at the sensation of the rope exciting her all the more. 

"How are you enjoying being mine and mine alone, so far," he smirked at her noticing her hips begin to move trying to rub at the cord between her lips and cheeks, knowing he was keeping her on edge.

Peri answered breathily, "It feels..." she let out a whimper as she came close to the edge again, "It feels wonderful." 

Josh continued to watch her until he saw the tell tale shaking of her thighs again before standing from his chair and moving swiftly to her, pulling an end of the cord at her waist to undo the knot and pull the cords from her leaving her starving for more. He stroked her body slowly and kissed her with passion, "Not yet my love," he murmured into the kiss, "Now it is my turn." He lifted her trembling body and unhooked her hands. The crystals rattled, tinkling above them. Gently untying the tie he had wrapped around her wrists, to hold her to his will, he embraced her until her body stopped its constant trembling. When mild tremors alone ran through her, he stepped back and smiled, "Now I have far too many clothes on, don't you think?"

Peri almost dived onto Josh with the invitation to undress him. She began with his shirt running her hands over his chest feeling the muscles through the soft fabric. Slowly she unbuttoned the shirt, letting her lips following her hands. She kissed each small section of revealed flesh until she kissed just above his belt buckle. She kissed each wrist as she unbuttoned the cuffs, she was humming the song she had stripped to, "loosen up my buttons baby," her mind sang. "Saying what you gonna do to me, but you do nothing," her mind sang on as her hands ran up the flesh of his torso lifting the shirt from his shoulders and pushing it down his arms.

Peri kissed own his neck and over his chest moving slowly lower as her hands worked at his belt and zipper noticing how hard his cock was as she did, a small smile creeping over her face. Tucking her fingers into the waistband of his underwear Peri slid it down his legs with his pants as she knelt before him. Leaning forward Peri kissed the tip of his engorged cock and was rewarded with a groan from him making her smile wider as she looked up at him. Josh planted his feet widely and ran his fingers through her hair as he stepped out of his pants and kicked them aside. Once free of the restricting clothes Josh pulled her lips back to her cock and groaned softly. Once again she greeted his cock with a kiss slowly widening her lips and letting her tongue snake out to roll around the fleshy head and delve into the tiny hole embedded there to taste him.

Emboldened by his groans of pleasure Peri wrapped her hands around his thighs grasping an ass cheek in both hands and pulled him closer swallowing more of his cock until over full she began to gag swallowing hard against the reflex. Josh pushed forward as he felt her swallow around him his mind revelling in the pleasure he got from her willing mouth and throat. Holding her head tightly between his hands he began to saw in and out of her mouth slowly making her take more and more of him as she desperately gasped at breaths between swallowing the big hard cock down deeper feeling her own pleasure at his exclamations of pleasure, "Oh yeah take it all, swallow me you little slut. Fuck!"

Her hands kept a tight grip on his ass as he growled out his lust for her. Drooling saliva coated her chin and dripped onto her chest as she worked to take as much as he gave her. After what seemed an age he pulled her from his cock and lifting it up with one hand pressed her face to his ball sac. Dutifully Peri lapped and sucked at the pebbled skin eliciting more growls and dirty talk from Josh.

Not able to hold back the tide rising within him he stepped back and picked her up. Josh almost threw peri across the dining room table and lifted her ass in the air entering her roughly and pounding into her tight wet cunt. "Fuck!" He roared into the silence of the cabin as Peri squealed and bucked under the onslaught. His left hand wrapped around under her thigh to tease at her clit while his right hand began spanking her up turned ass which jiggled so enticingly. He felt her orgasm rip through her, her cunt clamping around his cock milking at it and triggering his own intense cum. Overcome with how his teasing of her had affected him as well, Josh collapsed over Peri.

Catching his breath Josh pulled his softening cock from Peri. He stepped back looking at her reddened right ass cheek with satisfaction and the cum that dripped from her to a small puddle between her feet, 'There would come a time,' he thought to himself, "Where she would know not to waste such a precious gift.' His eyes crinkled and his mouth turned up in a half smile as he imagined her on her hands and knees lapping at the puddle. She had already shown herself so eager for his cum, he had no doubt that if he commanded her to, she would fulfil that desire for him, but he did not want to push her too far to fast.

For now though he picked her up and placed her in the large spa bath turning on the water at a tepid run, climbing in with her. They relaxed in silence as the water filled the bath, he sat behind her pulling her close between his legs, the bath so generous as the let them both stretch their legs before them. As the bath filled, Joshed watched Peri's breasts float and bob with the movement of the water his hand stroking and playing with them gently as they relaxed together.

Peri almost purred in pleasure. With each passionate episode, Peri's insecurities paled further and further into insignificance when it came to their relationship. While their love making had always rough and intense, tonight she had truly felt his need to possess her, and it filled her with wild joy as she lay in his arms surrounded by the warm water of the spa bath lapping around her. She felt incredible after such an intense orgasm, and she tilted her head up and around to purr and nuzzle at his neck showing how utterly happy she felt. 

They hadn't bothered turning on the spa jets as they lay comfortably letting the scented water wash them as they moved against each other kissing and stroking affectionately. Josh tweaked her nipple hard making her squeak and turn her head up toward him, "Are you hungry?" Josh asked.

"Oh gosh, I forgot you were late for lunch and then you went back to work," she started to get out of the bath, "Let me see what I can find in the kitchen," Peri hurried on not giving him a chance to say anything else. 

Standing beside the tub she went to pull on one of the robes, but Josh cleared his throat and shook his head, "Naked all weekend, remember."

Peri's hand went to the necklace nestled around her throat, acknowledging that she had agreed to do as he asked while she wore it. Dropping the robe she dried off quickly with a towel and walked naked to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator Peri was amazed at how well stocked it was and went to the cupboard before crossing back to Josh sitting on the side of the tub he still reclined in. "The kitchen is so well stocked you could have just about anything you like, a large snack or a three course meal, do you feel like anything in particular?" She asked him.

"A decent snack, you decide," Josh replied his hand trailing over her thigh, "and more of you for desert," he grinned at her wickedly.

"Would you like something to drink while you wait?" Peri offered her mind contemplating what she could make that would constitute a decent snack.

"I'll get up and open another bottle soon," the grin was still on his face as he watched her blush and squirm after his comments about desert. Taking hold of the snug necklace with a finger he bent her down to kiss him enjoying the position this put her in, he smacked her ass and sent her back to the kitchen.




The Twelve Tables Ch. 03



Peri busied herself in the kitchen losing herself in the act of cooking, feeling an overwhelming desire to make something that would tempt him as much as her nakedness seemed to. She began cooking using small rounds of flatbread to create small gourmet style pizzas, watching from the corner of her eye as Josh got out of the bath and pulled on his boxers and released the water. It occurred to her that it seemed unfair for him to be putting on clothes until she heard the door and saw him disappear through it.

Peri placed the pizza's in the oven carefully and began to tidy up the small amount of mess she had created, she had learned over the last month that Josh detested mess and clutter demanding organisation from those around him as well as himself. She smiled to herself knowing his dislike for her own bedroom at home which was cluttered with keepsakes, memories and dreams. Posters of places she dreamed of visiting covered walls and books stacked precariously beside overfull shelves, he had complained on more than one occasion about the chaos of her room. It was one place though, in her life that she did not consider adjusting for him because it was the one place that was truly hers and while she may share it with him from time to time, it was who she was so to speak.

Josh returned from the car, rain drops sprinkled over his face and shoulders. He carried a box and what appeared to be a pirate chest on top of it. Putting the boxes on the low table near the sofa, Josh walked to the kitchen moving behind her to wrap his arms around her body. He bent low murmuring in her ear, "You are so fucking hot, I could take you again right now. First though, where is my food, woman?" He said the last with a cheeky smirk half expecting her to arc up at the sexist remark, but she just smiled cheekily and bent forward pressing her ample ass into his covered groin and opened the oven to check the pizza's. Josh groaned and let go of her stepping back and smacking her cheeky ass before turning to the wine rack to open a bottle of wine to drink while they ate.

Peri pulled the flatbread pizza from the oven and cut the small circles into slices decorating a platter for them to share. Taking some napkins and two plates she placed everything on the table as Josh grabbed two glasses and joined her. Picking up his glass he motioned for her to follow his lead and touched his glass to hers, "Here's to us, a beautiful beginning to a wonderful weekend and the delights that are yet to come." 

Peri grinned at him and took a sip of her wine, "This is lovely, Josh," she said quietly, "Not just the wine, the cabin and everything but being here with you, alone, like this," she reached out and trailed a finger down his chest a small blush creeping into her cheeks acknowledging her own nakedness.

Leaning over and kissing her he smiled, "I think we both needed a weekend away, don't you?" 

They talked as they ate about the lunch with his family and how much he had thought she had charmed his brothers, explaining that Dante was not usually so easy to bring out of his shell.

"I don't think Nik, likes me much," Peri whispered, "She's a bit intimidating don't you think?"

Josh chuckled, "Well that's one way to put it. Nik's a full blown bitch to everybody, even the people she likes." His face became more serious as he took Peri's hand, "Nik loves you because I love you, simple as that." 

"I am not so sure." Peri said out loud and smiled up at him, but her mind caught at the warning Lucy had given her as they left the bathroom during the lunch, "Be careful of Nik, she is very protective of Josh." It took another minute, but her head snapped up in recognition of his words, he said he loved her, did she need to say it back, was it too late to acknowledge the words, oh wow, he loved her? Her eyes went misty, Peri wasn't sure if it was his words alone or the turmoil she felt hearing them that made her feel their emotion, or the fact that she had acknowledged what he said about Nik rather than that he loved her. The mistiness made her realise she was almost in tears.

"What's wrong?" Josh grabbed her hand and looked deep into her misty eyes.

"You love me?" She barely whispered.

"Too soon?" He countered.

"Oh, Josh no," she moved her chair out and moved quickly to sit on his lap and embrace him, brushing her lips against his, "I love you too," she said meaning it and surprising herself with the depth at which she felt its meaning. "I was just startled. I mean, well, your, you and I am," she dropped her eyes and flushed pink, "Well, I am me. We don't exactly ...." Her voice petered out not wanting him to realise he had made a mistake and take the words back.

"Yes, we do exactly," he said forcefully. "You are exactly the woman I want." He lifted her chin to look into her eyes, "You are intelligent, giving, brave, curious, and oh so much more including the sexiest woman I know. Do you know how hard it is for me at work knowing exactly what your body looks like under those sedate librarian-esque clothes you wear?" He rolled his eyes dramatically.

Peri grinned and squirmed in his lap. He made her feel so good and as usual chased all her doubts and insecurities away with just the look in his eyes as they devoured her. She had no words to reply, so she kissed him again slowly and deeply, pressing her breasts to his chest. "You make me feel so, so," she was at a loss for words, "wonderful! More confident, prettier, able to take the snide remarks made because I am not..." she stopped and bit her lip as Josh's brow creased at her words. 

"Tell me," he stated not letting on that Pete had already informed him Sabrina's comments and off hand dismissal of the woman he loved. 

"Oh it's nothing, honestly. I just over reacted to office gossip this morning. Nothing I can't deal with," she gave him what she hoped was a dazzling smile and kissed him. 

"Mm," he murmured gripping her breast and squeezing until she gasped and broke the kiss. "I have ways of making you talk," he smirked at her, and she could see the glint in his eye as his finger ran over the necklace that hugged her throat reminding her of her agreement to do what he asked while she wore it.

Considering him she sighed, "I took an off hand comment to heart, the other person didn't even realise I would care, I shouldn't be so thinned skinned," she smiled lopsidedly. "Apparently someone in the office thought I had a crush on you. The person who told me this also assured me that she told them, that I wasn't your type and that you would never date a frumpy little awkward girl like me."

"You know otherwise though. I not only want you, but I love you," he chuckled his hands still playing with her breasts as she spoke.

"I guess it's just that," she paused, feeling silly admitting this while she sat here in this position with him, "That, no one will ever see me as being good enough to be with you."

"Don't you think I am the best judge of what is good for me," he growled.

"Of course! But the barb stung none the less, probably more so because I was just about to meet your sister and I didn't want to embarrass you," she looked up through her lashes believing he may just come to his senses once it was pointed out just how much of a mismatch she was for him. "You know," she pressed, "Josh Craig debonair editor, one of the city's most eligible bachelors and a mousy little research assistant, you can't blame people for believing it could never happen."

"Here I was praising you for intelligence, and that was one of the dumbest things I have ever heard," his eyes stared at her in disbelief. Her lack of ego and self importance had been one of the things that had attracted him to her in the first place, he just hadn't realised how deep her lack of self-worth ran. "Josh Craig, eligible bachelor only because he had never found his perfect match," he corrected her, "Until now." His face was deadly serious.

"Did you ever consider that my friends and even my brothers didn't quite believe that a self-obsessed, control freak like me could get a nice girl like you to date me?" Josh questioned her with a raised eyebrow and she burst out laughing. 

"You left out tyrannical," she laughed all the more, "If yoru going to tell a whopper like that make it a good one," she said shaking her head, "I don't believe you for one moment but thank you for saying that," she kissed him. Josh groaned as Peri pressed against him and kissed him deeply. He was about to give her a lengthy rebuttal but decided on a different course of action.

He smacked her ass making her yelp and smirked as she leaned back from the kiss. "Clean up the mess before we get completely distracted," he smirked, his hands running down up and down her ribs and over her hips. Reluctantly Peri got up from Josh's lap and turned to take the plates to the kitchen. Josh stood and put on some music, then taking his wine moved over to the sliding glass doors. With his glass of wine in hand, he opened them wide to let in the slight breeze and stepped out onto the balcony. Breathing deeply, he looked out on the dark hills and the distant twinkling lights of the nearby town, he was happy, truly happy here with Peri.

Peri watched him as she cleared the table, washed the few plates setting them to drip dry and stored the leftover over's in the fridge. If the weather turned sunny, maybe they could picnic in the vineyard tomorrow, though that would call for clothes she laughed to herself. Peri was happy too. She liked doing the little things for him like cooking and cleaning up. The conversation they had just had made her feel more comfortable about being with him like this. Maybe his brothers had said that in a teasing way, she thought. Pieri picked up her glass and joined Josh on the balcony looking out at the scenery. Still uncomfortable with her nakedness she turned her side to the landscape and pressed her body up against his as he wrapped an arm about her.

He had planned to take her a hundred different ways this weekend showing her the depths of his darkness. Sex between them had always been rough and harsh, he asserted his dominance and control over her in the bedroom more so than anywhere else and she seemed to embrace the mild pain and humiliating dirty talk he doled out to her and crave more. He considered the chest on the table, and all the toys it contained before looking down into her up turned face. Glad to have had the intimate conversation with her over dinner he felt closer to her. They had declared love for each other, he felt as if he had known her far longer than the actual time they had been together and if he had been sure she wouldn't run away from the enormity of the moment he could have proposed right then so sure he was that she was his other half, his soul mate. "Live in the moment Joshua," he reminded himself and bent to kiss her.

They stood on the balcony and finished their wine content in the silence of the others company. Peri marvelled at her depth of feeling, she had admitted she loved him, and she did. She couldn't believe the closeness and depth of feeling that had come about so quickly between them. Her rational analytical mind told her it was lust not love but her heart told her otherwise and she smiled up at the man who had captivated her so entirely. Taking his empty glass from his hand she inquired, "More wine?"

"No," he shook his head slowly, "That's not what I want right now," the corners of his mouth turned up in a smirk. Peri turned to take the glasses back into the small kitchen and wash them, Josh followed taking a bottle of cold water from the fridge and chugging down half of it before offering it to her. Peri shook her head, but her pressed it on her saying, "You need to stay hydrated," with a wink.

Peri giggled and took the water taking a few large sips before handing it back. Draining the bottle and throwing it in the bin Josh picked her up and kissed her deeply, walking to the sofa with her. Sitting with her cradled to him he spoke softly, "I meant what I said earlier, I love you, I want you, I need you in my life, and I want you to understand what that fully entails. How I am different from other men you may have been with." His eyes searched hers for understanding.

"Don't you realise you are already so different from anyone else I have ever dated? How much I love and care for you? There is nothing you could tell me or ask of me right at this moment that would change that," she said earnestly, surprising herself in the process. "Tell me how you are so different."

His voice was still soft, and his words considered, "When we are here, in this place and you wear that necklace I want more than anything to have a Dominant and submissive relationship, with you."

Her eyes widened staring in bewilderment. With the amount of research she had done on the subject, it was something that both excited and scared her, and she wasn't exactly sure of how she felt. They had always had rough, hard sex but to submit and call herself a slave for him, she was unsure of how she felt about that. Her mind went back a few hours earlier when he had bound her wrists and played her body like a well honed instrument and realised she had already been on this road to submission without even knowing it. "You mean, like, whips and chains and things?"

"More like pleasure and pain, dominance and submission, control and obedience. I am sure what I have in mind is not as extreme as some of the things floating in her head right now," As he spoke, his hands toyed with her nipples, making her gasp and squirm not only from his touch but from the idea of giving herself so wholly to him.

"I've always been a very dominant personality, you can't argue that, I know they call me a control freak down in the research dungeon," he grinned lightening the mood a little. "Peri, this is just an extension of who I truly am. And the whips and chains, as you put it, they're just tools, toys if you will, that will bring us both pleasure." Josh hugged her to him, "You haven't shied away from anything I have given you to read or discuss with me, or anything we have done together, this is just the next natural step." 

"You have been grooming me for this?" She asked, the bewilderment in her voice didn't mask her curiosity or excitement as she continued to squirm in the seat.

"No!" He exclaimed feeling her accusation in the words, "Haven't I always been a demanding and controlling man? I gave you the research originally to see how you would react, and your enjoyment at the art gallery we went to was clear for anyone to see." he smirked tweaking her nipple. Peri blushed remembering the sheer blouse and her braless state during their first date. "If you had not been so surprisingly willing and slutty that night, we may not be here right now," He chuckled, but we are and this is what I want."

There was something about his voice, when he called her a slut or used dirty talk on her that reached down and squeezed her cunt making her wetter. She flushed knowing what he said was true she was slutty for him, she enjoyed teasing him and the hungry looks he gave her that drove her own desire for him and made her bolder.

"I've dreamed of this moment from that first time we spoke down in the research dungeon," he took in her raised eyebrows, "Yes, that is when I knew I wanted you, that very first day. Intelligent, feisty, brave and wow what a rack," he squeezed her breasts again. "It took time though, to be sure, and for you not to be so scared of the tyrannical madman that stalked the halls of your workplace," he spoke easier now that she had not immediately run away from his disclosure, "So I took advantage of that time to introduce you to the things I want and need in my life, by giving you that research on slavery and submission."

"You have always been such an independent person, in your thinking and the way you live your life. In the last month I have watched your reactions to my commands, your willingness to give in and to disarm my anger when I am being a little unreasonable like Thursday night," he cupped her face and kissed her, "No one has ever understood me as you do, knowing when to give in and when to stand your ground. It amazes me daily how good you are for me." He could see the curiosity deep in her eyes as well as the love she had for him. He knew her answer already, but he needed to hear it from her. "I want to show you levels of pleasure and passion and erotic pain beyond your wildest fantasies, I want you to explore this side of my nature with me. Please my love, trust me, above all else I will keep you safe." He felt the quivers of her body as he his glided over her soft skin.

She was still silent, so he went on, "You need to understand, Peri, for me, this something I have dreamed about for months, since our first meeting long before our first date," A small frown line appeared between his eyebrows as he sat trying to read her expression. "We will take it slowly, my love, step by exquisite step, building your responses to me, mine to you. You will always be able to say no, Peri, always."

"Would I call you Master or Sir?" She asked quietly as he finally seemed to run out of words. 

"No!" He shook his head, thinking of the other sex slaves and submissives he knew who called every dominant Sir or Master. "I don't want a fantasy sex slave who has no passion for the one using her. I want a real Dominant and submissive relationship, with a real woman, built on love and mutual understanding," His face softened, "I would like you to call me Mine when we are here or when you wear that necklace." He knew the place and the necklace would become unnecessary in time, but for now he would give her the props necessary to accept her place even though she was far more submissive than any woman he had ever dated before that hadn't been trained to be so.

She smiled slightly liking the word and turned her face up to him, "I am yours and you are Mine." Peri said simply.

"Yes," the satisfaction in his voice as he said that single word, and the hunger in his eyes excited her all the more. They could have their normal lives she thought, and this would be a thrilling part of their personal lives. Truthfully it didn't seem to her that it would be much different from how they were when they were together any other time.

Josh put his hand on the pirate style chest he had carried in, "This," he said, "Is my tool box and also your toy box." He smiled at the glittering excitement in her eyes as she looked from the box to him. "It is only to be opened when we are together," he teased her, his hand trailing down to the latch, "I will show you what it holds tomorrow, my love." He chuckled at the look of disappointment on her face and leaned in to kiss her picking her up from the sofa and carrying her to the bed. "Tonight we will have what might actually be our first but will definitely be our last encounter with soft vanilla sex, where you can move of your own free will, and not at my express command," his smile was wide as he hinted at the delights of the next two days.

Peri too tried to think if they had ever made love in a soft sensual way and couldn't quite place it with the lust filled intense and often harsh encounters that usually accompanied their sexual escapades. They lay beside each other, face to face, kissing and letting their hands roam over their bodies. Josh restrained every instinct he felt about pinning her to the bed and fucking her brains out as he allowed the slow gentle pace to continue. 

Peri became frustrated with the slow pace and his lack of control over her, realising how much of his demanding control was part of their sex life. She tried to excite him into action by licking down his chest and over his belly to his cock, but as she started to lick his long hard shaft she felt him move her body into a sixty-nine position and his talented tongue delve between her folds. Bending her head to suck his balls, her hand continued to stroke him as she whimpered her pleasure. She didn't feel the usual surge of tingles and flutters through her body that accompanied the approach of her climax and she began to move her hips wanting more so much more than what he was giving her.




The Twelve Tables Ch. 03



Josh knew how wholly unsatisfying this would be to both of them after the last month of hard, animalistic sex, but he was determined to see it through merely as a point of reference to point her back to when and if she ever balked at a challenging scenario in their future sex lives. He felt a small rush of fluid from her and her thighs quivered rather than shook as a small climax rolled through the woman he adored. Rolling her to her back and looming over her in the traditional missionary position. Josh entered her leaning forward to kiss her as he fucked her gently with slow movements. His body moved against hers and he found it harder than he imagined to pace his movements to the slow beat of what he believed vanilla sex was like.

Peri raked her nails up and down his back and begged for more, "Please," she whimpered, Please, fuck me harder, deeper, more I need something more," her voice faltered, but he continued his slow sensual movements. "No," he admonished, "This is your first lesson in submission." He loved hearing her beg him for more, even more certain that the future would be everything he wished for and more. He gritted his teeth against his own desire to pound into her. Her begging turned him on more than actually fucking in this manner, and he grunted as he came leaving him as unsatisfied as Peri was. He kissed her deeply and murmured, "I am glad we won't be doing it that way again," and grinned as she blinked up at his words and pushed him off her. 

"Oh, I don't know," she said with a perfectly straight face, "It wasn't that bad, I quite enjoyed it!"

Reaching out with lightening pace he pulled her on top of him and began spanking her ass, "Liar," he growled, "You were begging me to fuck you hard, to hurt you, to give you what you deserve," He stopped spanking her and began to push her down his body, "From this point on, my love, it will be your duty to clean my cock after we have sex," he was still growling at her, but he wore a smile of satisfaction at her obedience as her tongue snaked out to lap at his rapidly softening cock.

Sucking the cum from his cock and balls, Peri admitted that what had just occurred was a valuable lesson in her new role as Josh's submissive. She imagined there was not much he could do to her that would make her want to return to that unfulfilling scenario. Eventually, Josh pulled her up and wrapped his arms around her, "Sleep now, my love, tomorrow will be a long day."

"Sweet dreams, Mine," she whispered and closed her eyes giving in to her exhaustion after such an eventful day and knowing tomorrow would challenge her.



The Twelve Tables Ch. 04



Authors Note: Thank you to those people who sent me such lovely feedback asking for another chapter for this story. Here it is! Thank you again to Jason for running a friendly eye over my work it is much appreciated. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. ~ellie




Josh had taken his time over the following day, never demanding too much or pushing her too hard. She, in turn, enjoyed cooking and tidying up their little love nest. She was high on endorphins and love as she stared out of the large glass windows surrounding the spa bath while the sun came up, happily wrapped in Josh's strong arms. She glanced back into the room at the debris of the night's activities and the open chest in the centre of it all. Her skin had pruned long ago, the stings of the welts she wore had faded and she turned her face up to his taking in his sleepy eyes.

Whispering, Peri roused him from his thoughts, "You should get some sleep, Mine, I am guessing we have to drive back to the city tonight."

His hands went to her breasts and played with them as they floated on the water, "Are you tired, my love?"

"A little" she admitted, "but I don't want to waste a minute of this weekend, so I thought I would tidy up a bit and make something nice for breakfast if you wanted a little sleep. It wouldn't be good to fall asleep at the wheel on the drive home." Her brow creased slightly in her worry for him.

Smiling down on her he kissed her softly, "I will sleep a little if it will take those worry lines from your face, but first I need some water." Peri stood up from the bath and stepped out to dry herself. Josh watched her carefully. He had marked her well last night, and she still bore the evidence of just how carried away he had become. "How do you feel?" Josh asked quietly as he too stood up and stepped from the bath pulling a soft robe around his wet body and tracing a red line that moved over her hip and ass with a finger.

"I have never felt this way before," Peri admitted. "The pain and pleasure seem to go hand in hand to make the feelings you give me all the more intense and the dull ache I have today reminds me of just how delightful it all was. It can be," she corrected herself.

"Will always be," Josh smiled and folded her in his arms. "You were always meant to be with me like this." His kiss was impassioned, and she melted once again into his arms. He let her go finally, and she went to the kitchen to get him the water he had wanted. Josh followed her, took the water from her hand gulped it down. "Come sleep with me, you can tidy up later," he smiled and traced the necklace she still wore before picking her up and walking to the bed.

"Really, I'm not tired," Peri smiled. Josh knew she would come down from her high eventually and need sleep, so he put her in bed before crawling in beside her. "I want you to rest then, for at least an hour." He pulled her to him and spooned her, his hands wrapped around the soft mounds of her breasts.

"Yes, Mine," Peri smiled and closed her eyes, reliving the last twenty-four hours she had been in this small cabin with Josh. She had been the second to wake and had found him sat on the bed with the mystery chest, watching her as she came to wakefulness and smiled at him. 

He had seemed excited, like a child on Christmas morning, and had pouted when she got up and went to the bathroom telling her to hurry back. He had brought breakfast to the bed in the form of pastries and juice, and while they ate he opened his chest of toys and had shown her the contents, naming them and offering an explanation if she seemed unsure of something. Josh even gave her a demonstration at times. The ben-wah balls had been inserted almost immediately, and she was instructed to practise trying to roll them with her muscles, keeping them deep inside her cunt.

There were a variety of leather restraints and clamps for various areas of her body as well as what he called his tools that both fascinated, and frightened, her at the same time. She could see the eagerness in his face, and she had gazed upon the soft suede flogger with a curiosity, blended with unease. There was also a crop and several paddles of various designs within the chest. Finally, he had removed a first aid kit and some aloe lotions and began to explain about aftercare and how valuable it was after a particularly severe session.

He reassured her that they would build up slowly, and it would be months, probably, before he considered using some of the things the chest contained. She had smiled at that and could see the excitement his face had held, tinged with concern, as he waited for her reactions because she had stayed silent during his explanation of his tools and the need for a first aid kit. 

In her mind's eye she relived the moment when, in wanting to take the concerned look from his face, she had placed her hand on his cheek and kissed him, "I love you and trust you. If this is what you truly need and desire I will try." She had looked at the toys and tools scattered over the bed and, once again, smiled up at him. They had always enjoyed a rougher, harder type of sex. The first night in the cabin had shown her that she didn't want to return to what Josh had called vanilla sex. "Just take it a little bit slowly with me, please. It's a lot to take in all at once," she had asked softly. His smile had been wide and dazzling. He had pounced on her then and pinned her to the bed amongst everything he laid out and kissed her hard and deep, the passion taking her breath away.

Josh had straddled her body pinning her arms under his knees and, taking a breast in each hand had pressed them around his cock and began to move between them. After a few minutes, he stopped and wedged a pillow under her head and fed her the tip of his cock as he searched blindly around on the bed behind him. He had applied tweezer-like clamps to her nipples then and began to fuck her tips bumping his cock into her lips until she left them open for him. He held her breasts in a vice-like grip and combined with the light clamps she whimpered and panted loudly, her cunt clutching and rolling the ben-wah balls stilled wedged within her.

Peri had cum explosively, and Josh had stilled his movements to force his cock deeper into her mouth and groan as he too came, spraying thick jets of cum into her mouth. From that point on Josh had not given her a moment of the day when she was not tormented either by him or by a toy that he had placed upon her. She had been introduced to the soft flogger early, and her skin quickly became pink under the lash of its tendrils. 

The toys she got to know well. He also introduced a small amount of ass play with the toys before and after the use of a paddle. They had barely stopped to eat and Josh had tormented Peri even during her preparation of food and their eating it. She had lost count of how many times she had come and marvelled at the short amount of recovery time he had needed between each of the harsh sessions of fucking.

Her tits had been weighted and tortured by differing kinds of clamps and eventually, later that night, bound so tightly that they swelled and throbbed before feeling the sting of the crop he had finally used on her in their last session of the night, leaving them both exhausted and on the verge of collapse.

So much for taking things slowly, she had thought as Josh had filled the spa bath and helped her in, holding her close. They had not spoken, being content just to be with each other and rest. In truth, she had revelled in each new thing she had learned. Josh had paced his changes and movements and seemed always to be gauging her reactions and asking about her comfort levels. She snuggled back against him wondering how she got this lucky.

Still unable to sleep, and sure that Josh was in a deep sleep cycle, Peri quietly moved from the bed. Smiling to herself she busied herself with tidying up the debris from the day before. She found discarded restraints and toys in the strangest places, each new find making her laugh. This cabin, she realised, had been purpose built for someone like Josh. The hooks with counterweights in the light fittings, small sections of door frames and floors that pulled away to reveal large eyelets that a D ring could be attached to and a railing at just the right height to be of specific use. She would not have known their purpose, if she hadn't just made use of them all with Josh.

Peri washed and cleaned the toys and tools before returning them to the chest and began to prepare a brunch, hoping Josh would sleep for another hour or two. Once everything was in place, Peri returned to the bed and snuggled close to Josh again, letting her eyes close. They woke closer to lunch time than they had meant to and, pleasantly surprised, Josh scolded her for not staying in bed. She could see that he was pleased despite the scolding, and she grinned as he murmured, "That is the first time since wearing this you haven't done what I asked." He traced the necklace with a finger, "perhaps a spanking will help you remember your promise." Lightning fast, he pulled her over his lap in the bed and smacked her ass once lightly as she squealed in both surprise and delight.

"Oww!" Peri cried out as, after the first lighter slap, his hand crashed down hard on her ass and squeezed the cheek hard. 

"What was the rule, my love?" Josh asked with a growl as his hand crashed down on the other cheek.

"Aah! That I would do as you said while I wore the necklace," Peri gasped kicking her legs and crying out again.

"And did you?" His hand crashed down again making her squeal.

"I am sorry," she cried adding, "Mine."

"You will be," he said, his open palm crashing down again while his other hand wormed it's way between her legs and the wet folds of her cunt. He continued the spanking until her ass glowed red and hot. Peri was panting, and tears had rolled from her eyes when the spanking stopped and he finally pulled her up from his lap. He made her straddle him gripping her hips tightly in his hands as he lowered her onto his cock. "Now show me just how good you can be and fuck me, my little slut," Josh smirked and released her hips pulling his hands back behind his head and watching her.

Peri began to rise and fall on him her breasts bouncing with her movements and unable to help himself Josh reached up to play with them, growling, "You're such a hot slut." He pulled on her nipples until she leaned down over him. They kissed as her hips continued to grind down onto his cock. He enjoying the feeling of being in control of the movement if only at his whim. 

His fingers dug into her hips once again, urging her to continue fucking in her bent position and she began moving slowly again up and down his cock as they continued to kiss and move against each other. Josh bent his knees up causing Peri to half kneel and began to pump up into her hard and fast, growling into the deep kisses and biting at her bottom lip. He felt himself getting too close to the edge and pushed her up to sit upon him once more his hands on her hips guiding her movements at a slower place. 

Josh watched as she leaned back slowly, so he entered at an angle and saw the tell tale quivers within her thighs as his cock continued to buffet her G spot. Peri was panting and whimpering in increasing need, and he leaned up to slap her breasts hard, the force of the blow leaving handprints and pushing her over the edge. The sight of his handprints of her soft white skin and her shaking body as she came only added to his pleasure as her cunt contracted around his cock pulsing and milking at him. With a roar, he let his own orgasm overwhelm him and thrust up into her harder with every spurt of the thick milky fluid.

Josh pulled her to him and held her tightly as they regained their breath. Leaning up Peri smiled down at Josh. "I love you," she said simply and leaned back into him, laying her head on his chest.

He tightened his arms about her shoulders. "About time you realised that," he teased her, "and said it without prompting." He smacked her already sore ass lightly. 

Peri jumped, startled and about to protest, but he leaned up and kissed her, his smiling eyes disarming her protests as much as the kiss. He pushed her off him rolling her to her back and kissed her again. "Alas, man cannot live on love alone, so let's have breakfast!" Laughing she followed him to the table, and they sat close together eating the food she had laid out earlier.

They showered, and Josh packed the chest back into the car after a cursory glance around the cabin to make sure nothing had been forgotten. "Before I give you this," he said with a smile holding her bag out of her reach. Peri her cocked her head inquisitively and waited for the rest of his sentence. He opened the bag and confiscated her bras as she protested loudly. He smiled as he handed her the bag minus the two bras and stroked a finger around her jewelled necklace. "Do what I say for the whole weekend, remember."

She took the bag nodding begrudgingly. "Yes, Mine," she said with a little more attitude than she meant to come through, making him growl at her. She instantly regretted it. She chose a blue blouse and a flowing white skirt with delicately embroidered blue and white flowers. It was one of her favourites and would be comfortable for the drive home.

Josh sat at the small sofa and coffee table with the large box he had brought in Friday night on his lap. Peri dressed and moved about the small cottage, tidying up after their brief stay so that the owners would not think badly of them. He called her to him and pulled her to sit beside him. She saw that he held the book she had seen on her first visit to his apartment. "You've seen this before at my apartment," he smiled. "It's a work in progress, to rewrite some of the characters from the history of The Honoured Society."

Peri looked between the book and Josh as he spoke. "You read this part I am assuming," Josh continued pointing to a rough hand written page in the front of the book, and she looked down for a few minutes rereading: "Each family had agreed to send a younger son, his wife and a body of slaves to the new British Colony to set up a new seat of power for the table of twelve they had created." 

She nodded recognising the section he pointed out. "But why would you rewrite some of the characters, I mean if it is a family history shouldn't it be a real history not a story?" 

"My family sits at one of those twelve tables, it is our duty to live by the code set out by the honoured society," he paused seeing her eyes come alight with curiosity, her mind working over what she knew and what she had already read. "Some members of one of the twelve families strayed from that path and have been dealt with accordingly. I wont say much more as it is an old business, but changes must be made before the next quorum if we are to right the wrongs that were done."

"It all sounds so formal and ominous, is the code so very rigid?" Peri looked up again.

"Yes, I think that it is what binds us together, creates a tight network of family and friends that ensures our personal successes as well as the safety of those we love. When the family is threatened by one man's stupidity or ego," he paused struggling to find the right words for her. "When someone seeks to rise above all others, they are cut off, lanced like a boil so to speak. Only then can the rift be healed," Josh spoke as if from experience. "I know you come from a place where family is not considered the highest of priorities as you never had much of your own but trust me, once you are part of my family, and see all of the branches of that family tree you will begin to understand.

"I would like you to help me with this project, so you can know where I come from, who I truly am, as well as what expectations would be placed on you when you meet the older members of my family," he said, smiling. "Speaking of which we will be having a late lunch with my uncle," he grinned.

"Wait!" Peri stopped him. "The Honoured Society? That was umm," she searched for the word in the dim memory she had of hearing the term, "the 'Ndrangheta. It's like the mafia! Your family is involved in organised crime?" She was truly as shocked as she sounded. 

"That branch of our family tree has been severed," Josh said abruptly making it clear that his family were not part of some criminal organization. "Our values encompass trust, respect, virtue, steadfastness, discipline, dignity and the bonds of family. Does that sound like the family code of criminals?"

"No," Peri admitted uncertainly. The memory of the gangland killings from years ago began surfacing stronger in her memory. It was drugs and territory and something to do with the produce market. Her researcher's mind filed away the information for another time, and she looked up at Josh. He was the man she knew to be true to his word, he was the man that made her so happy, and he was the man she loved. "No," she said more firmly, "of course not, it was just something that triggered an odd memory of the name."

He hugged her to him and kissed her. "Trust me. My family have some odd quirks, but they very much revere the old ways and the old country. They abhor the mafia unions in Sicily and Calabria," Josh laughed with ease. "You'll no doubt argue with me about some of their ways, but what is between you and I will always be as good as it was this weekend." He kissed her again leaving Peri wanting nothing more than for everything always to be as wonderful as she felt it was now and she melted into his embrace.

Josh knew he was pushing her too fast, but he knew that the woman in his arms was his one, his other half, his soul-mate. She had seemed to accept that she would become part of his world and did not question the fact that he spoke of their relationships in terms of family expectations for her rather focusing on the book in his hands his families unique history.

They had packed their things into the car together and left the serenity of the cabin by early afternoon and travelled the few hundred metres back along the gravel road toward the main house. She looked again at Josh smiling. He didn't exactly look Italian, and she wondered about his last name briefly. Craig didn't seem like an Italian surname, yet he belonged to a large Italian family and the home they had pulled up in front of could have been transported straight from Tuscany. Peri looked at the large villa-style house, its terracotta-coloured stucco walls reminding her of the Tuscan villa she had once seen in a movie and always dreamed of visiting.

"You have to come out of the car sometime," Josh smiled as he opened her door while she sat daydreaming. Laughing, Peri took his offered hand and stepped from the car. 

"Ah you are here at last!" An older man had come out to greet them embracing Josh and kissing him on both cheeks before turning to Peri and wrapping her in the same tight embrace before kissing her cheeks, as well. "And who is the beautiful creature you have brought with you?" The embrace lingered a little longer as the older mans hand stroked down her back almost the point of caressing her buttocks, the familiarity making her slightly uncomfortable. 

"This is the woman I will take home," Josh said startling her. "Peri, this is my Uncle Andreas."

"Ah, I see," Andreas said, removing his hand from where it rested dangerously close to the curve of her bottom with a look of what seemed disappointment.

"It's lovely to meet you," she smiled and moved closer to Josh.

"The pleasure will be mine I am sure," Andreas winked at her and slapped Josh on the shoulder. "So, you have found someone to put up with you at long last. It is best to choose your own wife, not all arrangements work out as we would like," he grimaced. "Let's go find your Aunt then, before this late lunch turns into an early dinner."




The Twelve Tables Ch. 04



They walked into the Villa together, and Peri was overwhelmed by the opulence. Carefully selected antique furniture and artwork decorated the interior which was enhanced with delicate objects in porcelain and marble. Her agile mind constantly working, she was sure she could name several of the artists represented in this room when a squeal of delight brought her back to the present and a smiling rotund woman ran and grabbed Josh pulling him down to her height to kiss him loudly on both cheeks.

"You must be his girl," the woman beamed, hugging her fiercely and kissing Peri's cheeks. "Aren't you just adorable! Come, come. I have everything all ready, Andreas has been complaining that his stomach thinks his throat has been cut for hours." Linking her arm with Peri's, she guided her through the villa to the enclosed terrace. Marisol smiled at Peri's gasp at the view they commanded of the vineyards and dams of their farm. The table was dressed as if for a formal dinner party, and Peri looked over her shoulder at Josh, reassuring herself that he was close by.

"Zia!" Josh laughed. "Slow down, Peri this is my Aunt Marisol, and she is not as crazy as she seems, most of the time." 

The little woman hit Josh playfully and carried on toward the table giving Peri a seat facing the view. "She will call me Zia, of course, I will be her Aunty too, so when will you marry?" she asked Peri. "Oh I love weddings. You could have the reception here if you like, but I don't think Josh's father would like that..."

Peri was stunned and looked at Josh for help understanding what the woman was talking about as she prattled on barely stopping to take a breath. Josh continued to laugh as he shrugged at Peri and rolled his eyes.

"Do you expect an answer to any of those questions or are you going to talk her to death before we've even have had a bite to eat?" Andreas barked, putting his hand down heavily on the table top and turning to his wife with a slightly raised voice.

"Well of course I want answers silly. I wouldn't ask them otherwise, would I?" Marisol seemed contrite.

"Then how about you let the girl answer, you haven't even let her say hello yet," Andreas murmured but his tone was reprimanding.

"Oh, I am sorry dear, it's just that Josh has never brought anyone here to meet us before today. Though he has stayed at the cottage once or twice with a friend, he is usually on his own when he visits." Marisol reached out and patted her hand. "Let's start with how you met our Josh?"

Marisol kept up a constant barrage of questions and reminiscence during the lunch, barely letting the others talk at all. It turned out that Andreas and Marisol had no children of their own and that Josh was the favourite nephew as he was also their God-child. They had built the cottage for him so that he would visit more often and take an interest in their small winery and farm. While the woman spoke, two demure women served the lunch and cleared away plates after each course, and by the end of the long, three course meal Peri had questions of her own, about the farm and the people that worked there.

Her curiosity about his family had reached a high point by the time they finished dessert, but she held her tongue thinking that she would pose her carefully-worded questions to Josh in the car on the way home. To her surprise, at the end of the meal Josh left her sitting with his Aunt and went to speak with Andreas in his study. For the second time when meeting his family, Peri was left with the women of the party and it struck her as odd.

"I realise you have help here, but can I assist them in clearing up the lunch things?" Peri offered helpfully, breaking into Marisol's chatter about men and their secret business.

"Oh don't be silly, darling girl. Aren't you so sweet? No, that's what the girl's are here for, to look after our every whim," Marisol smiled. "Why don't we go have a look at some of my treasures? You're an art history major, you said? You will enjoy some of the objects I have managed to collect over the years."

Once again Marisol asked questions she didn't really want answers to but it seemed to be the way she spoke. It was as if she was giving the person choices, while leading them down an extremely narrow path with no option but to follow her. She stood guiding Peri from the table back into the cool dim light of the house. In truth as each favourite piece was pointed out Peri was more in awe of the woman's collector's eye and the stories of how she had come across such exquisite pieces. 

"Good grief woman! Are you boring our guest with your collections?" Andreas exclaimed loudly. Peri was examining an oversized Capidimonte music box when Josh and Andreas finally found them.

"Oh Gosh! No!" Peri said, appalled by his statement. "You know, I studied art history at university, but I never thought I would get to hold an original Capidimonte in my hands like this. I feel as if I should be wearing gloves or something." She laughed and placed the musical carousel shaped box back in its original position.

"If you don't marry this girl soon I might just adopt her myself," Marisol smiled widely at Josh, showing her genuine affection for the new girl in his life while teasing her Godson. "Don't look so worried, I would keep her safe from Zio." Marisol gave her husband a hard look.

"You could try," Andreas muttered under his breath at the hard look he received. Josh stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Peri and smiled at their bickering. This house was a second home to him, and he adored the two people who looked at him with smiles lighting their faces.

"I think I should take you home before these two spoil you so much you think about taking that offer seriously," Josh laughed, but it was getting late and he had a long drive before him. Peri laughed with him but said nothing else as they all walked toward the front of the house again. After much hugging and kissing they finally drove off in the darkening afternoon to return to their real lives. 

"The weekend is almost over," Peri said, realising she hadn't taken off the necklace, but neither had Josh asked for it, and one of her hands fluttered to her neck.

"The necklace is yours. It was only a prop, and a mighty impressive one at that," he smirked at her. "If you were ever to wear a collar like the girl's in relationships like those you have read about in your research recently, trust me you would know it was a collar," he said enigmatically.

"Those girls who served us lunch wore collars," she said quietly.

"Yes," Josh said simply offering no explanation. She knew in her mind that it meant what she thought it meant, it was the road Josh was leading her down, an understanding of this world, but she wondered if all of his family had this type of interest or inclination and how the women dealt with it, though Marisol had not seemed to mind very much.

Josh could see her mind working at her acceptance of his Uncle's submissives and her Aunts obvious acceptance of them. He purposely hadn't explained the situation to her, wanting her to reason it out within her own acquiescence of his family's belief in a type of caste system. As Patrician, he and his family could court and even marry Plebeians, but there would always be a slave class who would serve the elders of their community in the ways they wanted and needed. Though a few of the younger men and women of the family network had strayed from this way of life, for Josh, what he wanted most was an equal. He wanted someone to share his world and enrich it by sharing his goals and interests. 

"They seemed happy to be there," Peri said tentatively, her mind working around the social taboo's that came with the idea of slavery and sexual submission.

"No one is forced into a life they do not wish. Indeed a lot of the girls who have become part of the family landscape seek it out voluntarily. They are always paid, however, room, board, food and an agreed upon amount into their bank accounts each week for their service as a maid or whatever they were hired for, in addition to their other duties." He hadn't meant to say so much, but he reassured himself that she needed all of the pieces to the puzzle.

The trip home was punctuated by small generic questions about his family and the book, gently touching on the lifestyle they led in between. As they talked she thought about what she had learned about him today.

"Come stay with me tonight? We can drop by your place and pick up what you need for work tomorrow," Josh said quietly, but the tone in his voice was commanding even though he posed the statement as a type of question.

"Sure," Peri smiled not wanting to end their intimate weekend yet either.

They drove in comfortable silence. Josh's hand often rested on her thigh as he drove with her hand over his. She was happy, the life she had been living, in the constant shadow of other brighter, smarter, more beautiful people seemed to be a distant memory. She considered how, since Josh had come into her life on that fateful day in the research office, every facet of her world had seemed to change for the better: her job, her mother, and best of all she was in love with someone who loved her in return. She even felt better about her looks and considered if all the extra-curricular activity she had lately had perhaps helped her to shift a little of the weight from her curvy figure.

It didn't matter really, she felt happy, and she found herself actually looking forward to checking on Andie as they pulled up beside the small home she and Andie shared. They walked in to find her sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by books and catalogues and what appeared to be small mountains of paperwork.

"Oh baby, your home already!" Andie appeared to notice the time and looked horrified. "I totally lost track of the time. Do you want something to eat? Was it a long drive? Give me a minute and I will clean this off."

"No need to clean it off, I only came home to pick up some stuff for work tomorrow," Peri walked over and hugged her mother who appeared to relax. "What's all this?" Peri waved her hand at the paperwork on the table.

"Well, that personal shopper idea that you gave me on Friday when I was talking with that bitch Sabrina," Andie paused and quickly looked up at Josh and the look of distress that appeared on Peri's face. "I'm sorry Josh, but your PA is a bitch. Anyway the guy I've been seeing thought it was a terrific idea and said he would back me if I wanted to cut down work to part-time and trial it for a few months to see if I could make it work. The catch is I have to come up with a business plan on my own." Andie looked at the clutter on the table. "I know it looks like a mess, but it makes sense to me."

Peri had pretty much already told Josh about Sabrina's remarks yesterday without naming her specifically, so she wasn't as concerned as she might otherwise have been and Andie seemed so eager about her project that Peri couldn't help but be caught up in her enthusiasm.

"Tell me about your plan so far," Josh said, stepping forward, interested in what she was saying, "What sort of shopping would you offer?" 

"It would be mostly fashion tips and the like. Matching body types with styles and colouring, maybe branch into make-up eventually," Andie continued to talk Josh through what she was thinking and how she might go about marketing herself and getting a few high-end clients.

"I have an idea where you could make some real money and contacts with high -nd clients," Josh said thoughtfully. Peri watched on as Josh explained that executives often left shopping for their wives to their PA's who more often than not had no idea about the woman concerned and no taste of their own. Birthdays, Valentine's Day, Christmas: they were all nightmare times for them. "I think if you marketed towards them, wrapped and packaged the personalised gift with a small card introducing yourself as a personal shopping consultant, their wives might just be curious enough about the woman who selected such a fabulous gift in the first place to seek out your services." 

"A quick phone call is all they would have to make to give me some small clue as to the client I would be buying for, and I could do it. Oh, Josh what a fabulous idea!" Andie all but leapt at Josh in her excitement.

Peri watched Josh disentangle himself from Andie and smile up at her. She was no longer concerned about Andie's predatory habits where Josh was concerned, but she smiled widely as he did his best to keep some small distance between himself and Andie.

"Go get your things together, my love," Josh continued to smile at Peri. "I'll just give Andie some names of the PA's and exec's at work that I think would love the idea."

"Andie," Peri called as she came from the bedroom. "If I put a load of washing on could you hang it out on the indoor rack for me in about an hour?"

"Sure, baby," Andie replied distractedly.

Peri rolled her eyes and went to put on a load of washing, when she came back they were still deep in discussion, so she began making a snack for them all. In truth, she was still full from lunch, but Andie would need to eat, so she made a platter of cold meats and cheeses, fruits and salad and warm, crusty rolls and placed it on the table for everyone to help themselves.

Andie and Josh were talking about limits on regions she would need to cover and the better places to shop with clients being different to places she may shop when bargain hunting. Peri pulled out scrap-paper and began doodling, letting their enthusiasm run its course. In a way she was glad that she could ensure the laundry was done the way she liked it, and she was happy enough listening to them bounce ideas off each other.

"All done then," Josh said as he stood up seeing Peri return from hanging out the laundry.

"Thank you so much, I have a real plan now and the most amazing logo," she held up the doodle, Peri had been working on.

"That was just a doodle," Peri smiled indulgently at her mother, looking at the silhouette she had drawn holding shopping bags that said "I'll run around" on one and on another, " So you don't have to."

"It perfectly fits what we were talking about as her marketing strategy," Josh grinned. 

Andie nodded enthusiastically and hugged her daughter tightly to her, "Thanks."

"Good luck writing it all into a coherent plan. We need to go now that the laundry here is done. I have some of my own Peri might like to do as well," he laughed only half-jokingly.

Andie walked them to the door her arm still around Peri's waist. She kissed her daughter's cheek and whispered, "I am so happy you've found someone who loves you so much. Have a fabulous day at work tomorrow." She said the last louder and smiled at Josh as he bent to place a chaste kiss on her cheek.

"Thanks Andie," Peri farewelled her mother, not picking up on the subtle hint that work would be enjoyable the next day.

They drove in comfortable silence both happy to be heading home together. For Peri everything about this relationship seemed to be so right and so real that it felt like they had been together so much longer than the month or so since their first date. Perhaps it was the intensity and depth of feeling he professed for her and in her own way she for him. Though she had calmed down from her partying and promiscuous lifestyle, Andie had more than enough baggage and quirky behaviours to more than match Josh's unusual family, and she smiled looking up at him.

"Thanks for being so generous to Andie tonight. She seemed a bit overwhelmed by the task when we first arrived, and I have no head for business. You were terrific with all your idea's. I think she has a real shot at making it work now," Peri squeezed his hand, which lay on her thigh.

"All the idea's were there she just needed to structure it better, have a clear starting point, after that the sky is the limit if she does it right," Josh said thoughtfully. "It's a brilliant idea. I could get her to shop for you when all those holidays come around. You know when I am too busy being a business tycoon," he said, teasing her.

They pulled into the parking garage below his building, and he leaned over to kiss her deeply before getting out of the car and grabbing the toy chest and the two small overnight bags from the boot. Coming around the car she saw that the box that held the family book was still in the boot, and she reached for it to help him, but he stopped her.

"Leave it. You can take it into work tomorrow and have a proper look. We are sort of on a deadline for that, and I don't want anyone else to handle it," he said, giving her a half smile. She understood that he may not want anyone else knowing of his unusual family history. So she left it where it was not questioning his decision or when she would have time between her other work.

Refusing to let her take the bags, so he was not carrying everything, they went up to the apartment side by side and so unused to his not having a hand on her somewhere she reached out to link her arm with his. His answering smile made her feel warm and loved. 

He walked and put their bags and the chest into the bedroom neatly stacking the bags inside a wardrobe and placing the chest on a side table. Peri laughed quietly, and when he looked up at her explained, "the chaos that Andie and I live in must just about kill you when you are there."

"Not at all, it's just like home. There are so many of us, there is always stuff everywhere. I think that is why I like my place to be so well ordered. My father's study is well ordered, and that is his space, he gave up on the rest of the house when all of the children came along, and though we always had several maids to keep it clean, keeping it ordered just didn't happen."

"I can't imagine having that many siblings, did you all get along?" Peri was genuinely curious.

"Yeah most of the time, normal fights and stuff but the older ones generally stepped in when the younger ones were fighting," Josh shrugged.

"Who are the older ones?" She couldn't quite place who was the oldest of them from her meeting with his siblings over lunch.

"Angelo, Ben, Carlo, Dante, Emilio; A B C D E," Josh chuckled, "It's easy to remember them. I don't think Mama realised what she had done naming them until someone pointed out that Isabella should have been Fiona." He continued to laugh as he went on, "then Lucia, Romeo and Jules, the Valentine brothers, Me and Nik and Maryanne."

"Nik is short for Veronica right?" Peri said.

"Yeah, but don't ever call her that, she hates it." He seemed to consider what he was about to say. "She hates a lot of things." He stopped short of admitting that included most of the women he had ever dated. By the time he had finished talking, he had begun undressing her and smothered any further questions with his kisses. "I don't want to talk about them anymore," he murmured. His fingers traced the bruises his vicious love bites had left on the soft white skin on the underside of her generous breasts. 

Peri stroked his hair as he teased her nipples with his mouth and teeth feeling her breath quicken and her body respond to his almost immediately. Flipping open the chest lid he withdrew wrist restraints and speedily secured her hands above her head leaving her dangling from a partially hidden hook in the ceiling. His fingers pinched and twisted her nipples eliciting a squeal of pain from her before pulling them out from her body to make her breasts form large pointed peaks and her body bow towards him.

With the high-pointed nipples, they were perfect in Josh's mind, and he once again went to the chest withdrawing a soft nylon rope. He took his time binding them tightly, his cock hard and pressing against the fabric of his jeans aching to be free of the constricting fabric. He listened to her panting whimpers as he finally tied the soft rope off and stood back to admire her. 




The Twelve Tables Ch. 04



"Fuck you're a sexy bitch," his hand lashed out to slap one swollen and discoloured globe. She squealed once again and looked at him with glassy eyes. He quickly shed his clothes and kissed her deeply pressing his chest against her bound breasts swallowing her whimpers. He kissed down over her breasts rolling his tongue around the swollen, distended nipples as his hand sought out her cunt and rubbed over her clit. 

Continuing to kiss down her body he knelt before her and pulled her legs over his shoulders lapping in long strokes over her hot wet cunt and teasing at her clit with his tongue. He ate her slowly building the sensation, soon feeling the tell-tale signs of her orgasm approaching as her thighs trembled beside his ears. Adding his fingers to her torment he glued his lips around her clit and dragged his teeth over it listening to her cries of pleasure and pain. When she came, she came hard, her body twitching and convulsing above him as he continued the torturous assault on her cunt.

Finally, giving in to her pleading and releasing her, he stood and pulled her legs from the floor, wrapping them tightly about his hips. He slammed up into her making her gasp loudly, and her eyes flared open widely. His chest buffeted against her breasts as he fucked her hard, but for him, unsuccessfully, so he reached up taking her hands from the hook and pushed her up against a wall her legs still around his hips. He slammed his cock into her harder and faster her body painfully sandwiched between his aggressive fucking and the wall as she felt her second orgasm rising.

Feeling his own rising within him he lowered his head to bite at the excessively swollen nipples as he pounded into her. They both came loudl,y crying out in release. Josh pulled her from the wall to the bed, sitting her up and rapidly untying the binding of her breasts before collapsing onto the bed beside her. They lay there for a long time wrapped in each other's arms, enjoying the lingering sensations of their love making. Eventually, the chilly night air made them seek the warmth of the blankets and the promise of sleep the pillows offered.

Pulling her tightly against his body Josh murmured in her ear, "I love you, my Peri."

"I love you, Mine," she responded sleepily.

They woke early to the sound of Josh's alarm clock and grabbed a hasty breakfast after spending too long in the shower exploring each other with the passion of new lovers before heading into work. They were held up by a breakdown making the peak hour traffic even more of a carpark than usual. It occurred to Peri that she actually should have brought her own car in case Josh needed to work late but by the time she thought about it they were already running late. 

"I'm going up to see Mario this morning just let my PA know would you? Tell her you ran into me in the lift if it makes you feel better about people here not knowing about us just yet," Josh murmured as they rode up in the lift. He had placed his hand behind her, caressing her ample ass and smiled down teasing her. "Or you can tell them the truth."

"Sure," she smiled back up at him answering both questions with one word and ignoring his last statement.

"I won't be long," he said and passed her the heavy family-history book still in its box as she went to get out at her floor. "Not that you will notice once you start work, my little research mouse," Josh said with a grin. The lift doors closed before she could answer and Peri went to put her bag and the book in her small office before walking towards Josh's office at the end of the hall, to deliver his message.

Peri walked around the corner to face Sabrina and stopped in her tracks. Instead of the vain and egotistical Sabrina she came face to face with her friend Louisa who was beaming at her. Louisa looked stunning. She was in a business suit and wore make up with a new hair cut, but it was unmistakably Louisa. Peri couldn't find the words she needed to say anything, so surprised was she by the sight of her friend sitting here of all places and looking amazing. "Josh has gone up to see, Mario," she said in a voice stilted with shock.

"Great gives us a chance to chat for a minute," Louisa said. She stood up and walked around to where Peri stood open-mouthed and wide-eyed. 

"How? When?" Peri babbled as she stood stunned in her friend's embrace, trying to make sense of Louisa being here rather than the snooty Sabrina.

"Let's see. Friday afternoon, Mr Craig came down to the dungeon. He told me there was an opening for a PA and that you had told him I was looking for a change. He asked if I was interested. I don't know what you told him about me exactly, but I can't thank you enough. Can you believe this?" Louisa was just about jumping out of her skin as she hugged Peri again.

"What happened to Sabrina?" Peri realised in that moment that Pete had told Josh what had happened Friday morning between Sabrina and herself and felt sorry for the girl, though she couldn't work out why.

"She got a promotion up to one of the higher levels of exec's," Louisa grinned. "So here I am being retrained. This will be perfect we can have lunch together and gossip about the office. It will be such fun," she enthused as she once again hugged Peri, showing her happiness.

"I am sorry I was just stunned to see you. Congratulations!" Peri finally returned the girl's hugs and joined in her happiness. "I have some things I need to do first thing this morning, but we will have lunch together you and me, in my office where we can talk properly, how about that?"

Peri had felt relief that Sabrina had been promoted and not fired as she had first thought. Then she laughed at herself as she walked back to her office. "Of course he wouldn't fire a perfectly acceptable secretary because she had inadvertently hurt some little research assistant's feelings. Even if he did love that little research mouse." He had listened to her though, when she had spoken of her friend, and had hired her as Sabrina's replacement and for that she was grateful to him. It would be nice to have a real friend up here.

Sitting at her desk she turned on her computer, checked her emails and began work. Josh walked in to check on her and she smiled looking up from her work. "Seeing Louisa was a delightful surprise this morning. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I had other things on my mind when I saw you Friday, and they stayed on my mind until..." he lowered his voice. "Come to think of it they are still on my mind." He eyed her blouse suggestively. He had unequivocally outlawed her granny bra's, as he called them, and hidden the bra's she had brought in her overnight bag. So to his delight she was braless today. She had large breasts it was true, but the high nipples made them seem perky despite their size and Josh loved to watch them bounce as she walked.

"I better go train my new PA in the ways of making me a happy-chappy, although I bet you could tell her more about that than anyone," he smirked at her. "You do make me exceedingly happy."

"We are hardly going to hide our relationship here at work if you continue to carry on making me blush, Mr Craig," Peri said softly.

"So what? I don't mind. HR has its rules, but rules are meant to be broken now and then. It's you that has a problem sleeping with the boss. I could fix that you know," he laughed. "Sabrina probably wouldn't have minded sleeping with the boss last week," he continued to tease Peri. "But I doubt she will want to now she works for Mario."

"You didn't do that did you? Get rid of Sabrina because of me?" Peri asked, hating herself for voicing her doubts about the promotion. Josh could see Peri was feeling guilty and tried to make it seem like nothing without actually lying to her.

"She earned the promotion. Despite the flaws in her personality, she is actually highly skilled at her job. It just happens that an opening came up at a time when I was considering whether having her as my PA was the wisest choice, especially when her obvious advances were becoming tiresome and upsetting the woman I loved." He smiled at Peri, seeing the clashing of relief and guilt play across her face. "Call it fortuitous timing, but it would have happened eventually regardless. She isn't my type and was becoming irksome. Finding what a sexy little slut you are underneath that research mouse exterior just expedited an event that was already in progress." He watched her blush and wished he could have taken her in this office right there and then.

Overwhelmed that he would do this with her in mind, Peri felt guilt but also a sense of loss. She couldn't quite place her finger on it. She wondered if it was the loss of being able to face Sabrina, without the insecurities that haunted her. She felt she was a much stronger woman after her weekend with Josh and their confessions of love for each other. She considered if it might be something else, like the loss of independence she was increasingly feeling as Josh seemed to become involved in all facets of her life. It all whirled around in her mind, confusing her.

Josh surreptitiously kissed her and left her to her thoughts walking up the hall to his own office, whistling a happy tune.



The Twelve Tables Ch. 05



Peri walked on clouds in the weeks following the weekend away, and Josh, satisfied that he had his soul mate, set her the task of working on the family history. She would need to be well versed in the ways of his extended family before meeting them and in his eagerness to propose he planned to take her home to the farm for the holiday season.

While her nights were filled with passion and pleasure, her days though filled with love, were devoted to researching the extraordinarily extended alliance of families that Josh belonged to. She started at the beginning and reread the introduction she had gone through that first morning in Josh's apartment.

During the early 1800's twelve rich and powerful men from across Italy travelled to meet in Rome. They had participated in the defeated revolts against the despotic rulers of Modena, Naples, Venice, Milan, Bologna, Rome and other cities. Drawn together by dealings in business and pleasure, they discovered within each other like-minded patrician sentiment and a reverence for the customs of their ancestors. Each had established the power of the pater familias within the community of his own extended familia. He held legal privilege over the property of the familia, and varying levels of authority over his dependents: these included his wife and children, certain other relatives through blood or adoptions, clients, freedmen and slaves.

Each family had agreed to send a younger son, his wife and a body of slaves to the new British Colony to set up a new seat of power for the table of twelve they had created. The Sons would regain their lost family names for their travel documents leaving behind the tainted label of Esposito and the legacy of a bastard ancestor. In 1883, with the successful migration of the families younger sons to the new America's fifty years before, the treaty between Italy and the British Isles allowing citizens of both countries to travel an work freely within each other's states set the wheels in motion for immigration of the fore runners of the families to the new colony, Australia. 

A new generation of younger sons could forge their way as pater familias and bring success to the Twelve tables from yet another land. This would safe guard the families against the losses they had suffered during the world war two which came close to mirroring the near extinction of the families during the revolts against the Austrian French and Swiss usurpers of their lands, in the not so distant past.

Each of the twelve men bore the name Esposito or a variant of it. In ancient times, the surname was given to children who were abandoned or given up for adoption and handed over to an orphanage and each man had traced his origins back to a noble and distinguished family and a slave girl. The text went on to list the families and regions their estates lay in and Peri felt her eyebrows rise at some of the names listed.

Using some specially designed software Peri began tracking each family branch that joined to make the twelve tables of Australia and their links back to noble and proud family heritage. This was where the waters got murky for Peri. Italy had a history of changing the landscape of its Nobility. Before Italian Unification in the mid-19th century, the existence of the Kingdom of Sardinia- Piedmont, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the Duchy of Parma, the Duchy of Modena, the Duchy of Savoy, the Duchy of Milan, the Papal States, various republics and the Austrian and French dependencies in Northern Italy led to parallel nobilities with different traditions and rules.

16th-, 17th- and 18th-century Italy (after the Renaissance) was home to myriad noble families that had risen to prominence via judicial appointment, election to the various regional senates or appointment to Catholic Church office. There were also families which had been part of Italian nobility for many decades or even centuries. In the middle of the seventeenth century, there were computed to be fifty noble families in Rome of three hundred years' standing, thirty-five of two hundred, and sixteen of one hundred years. None were permitted to claim a more ancient descent, as they were generally traced to an obscure, or even a low origin.

She sighed realising that this was to be a huge undertaking as there was also Papal Nobility which had two warring sides and the post-unification Nobility. As each claimed lineage back to the time before unification Peri concentrated her searches here and found, many of the family names she had needed to be accounted for but the ever changing borders of the warring peoples made it hard to identify exactly which principality, duchy or kingdom each claimed as ancestors. Fixing a set date at 1500 she drew up a map of the regions as they were then dividing the country carefully and labelling the regions as they were then known with their ruling families and tried to cross match each family to the person they claimed as an ancestor.

Having done this it was easy then to trace the names back through history to the founders of the families at least six could find their lineage harking back to medieval kings but two could place their ancestors in the senate of ancient Rome. A month had passed as she worked obsessively to find the links and follow the known trails of family names when it occurred to her that perhaps she needed to find if these men of the past did, in fact, have mistresses or slaves that bore them illegitimate children. Perhaps like any doctrine of family law it was given to be a truth simply because that is what their extended family networks were based on.

Closing down her computer and putting the book safely away, Peri began packing up for the end of the day. Josh had gone to an afternoon meeting on the top floor, and she was going home to see Andie and have dinner which she tried to do at least once a week now. As her eyes did a final sweep around the office to make sure everything was exactly as it should be, Peri saw the svelte woman striding towards her door and cringed.

"Well, well," Sabrina said as she leant against the doorframe of Peri's office. "Didn't't I underestimate the little research mouse? Who would have thought you would be capable of such underhanded bitchiness."

"What exactly am I supposed to have done?" Peri stood up straighter refusing to be cowed by the statuesque woman. She had not seen her since her promotion to the top floor and for that she was grateful.

"I had an interesting chat with Nik today, I know all about you and Josh. I expect it's no co-incidence the day I try to make friends with you; I got moved to another department manager?" She sneered. 

"I was as surprised as you were, that with the amount of time you spent gossiping and lunching with friends, I was truly shocked that you were promoted," she shrugged, "Just goes to show you can never tell what goes on in the minds of men."

Sabrina rose to her full height and stared hard at Peri, "You better watch you back, because you have made enemies of the wrong people. I just came to gloat and take a last look at you because I don't think you will be here much longer." She looked Peri up and down coldly. "At least you have the good sense to let your mother dress you these days but it still doesn't't hide the frumpy little fat girl that will never be good enough to mingle with the people that matter." With that, she turned on her heel and marched away.

Peri was shaking, and she collapsed into the chair behind her desk and closed her eyes forcing herself not to cry. Cocooned by Josh's love and the general good will of everyone who worked on the floor now, it had been over a month since Peri had felt her old insecurities overwhelm her as they did now. She considered calling Josh but decided not to rock the boat and gathered her shattered feelings picturing him in her mind, tall, handsome and loving. She smiled, so Sabrina had talked to Nik and found out about their relationship, people had to find out sometime and if she lost her job she would find another. She gathered her bag and left her small office bumping into Louisa.

"I was just coming to see if you were all right, she was pretty loud, I doubt your secret is a secret anymore," she indicated the cubicles behind her. 

"Oh, shit! I better tell Josh then; I was just going to let it pass but..." she looked past Louisa to the other people in the office slowly making their way towards the lifts and looking at her furtively, "Shit! Shit! Shit!" she cursed again and for no other reason than the shock of the verbal attack she burst into tears.

"You can't leave like this let me call Josh," Louisa said softly.

"No, really I am fine, don't disturb his meeting," she gave her friend a crooked smile.

"You're not fine, just sit down for a few minutes at least, besides I sort of already called him," she watched the look of horror appear on Peri's face. "Well, I don't want to lose my job just because Sabrina wants it back. I am finally getting the hang of everything. I am sorry, that was selfish of me."

"Oh, Louisa I didn't't even think of that, am I so self-absorbed these days?" Peri began to cry again.

*****

Josh had listened as Louisa spoke quickly and asked her to send five specific people to him in Mario's office. Hanging up he had rung security and asked them to stop Sabrina at the foyer, he knew she rarely drove to work, and they took her directly to HR where she was detained. 

Having heard the recounted stories Mario picked a few of his people and called them into his office. He then rang HR and put it on speaker phone as he talked. 

"I called Josh to a meeting in my office this afternoon regard Sabrina Hayes; I believe she is there with you at the moment. Could you put me on speaker phone please?" Mario waited as there was a click and a dull echo sounded around the voice of the HR manager.

"As I said I called Josh Craig up for a meeting this afternoon regarding some complaints I have received from my staff regarding workplace harassment and bullying, Josh said he had similar reports on his level but as Sabrina was very efficient at her job, he thought the promotion she was due would be enough to curb her sense of importance among the people on his floor. I have within my office nine people from both floors who have filed complaints over the last nine months with both myself and Josh. I believe you have copies of some of them." He paused and allowed the manager to agree and quiet the spluttering rebuttal of Sabrina.

"It has come to my attention that perhaps the wheels of justice are spinning a bit slowly in HR regarding these complaints and having just been informed of gross misconduct by Miss Hayes I felt it imperative it be dealt with directly," once again he paused as he heard Sabrina swear and begin to shout her own complaints until the manager once again gained control.

"Contrary to Miss Hayes belief the girl involved in the incident does not wish to make a statement at this time but I have..." Josh held up his fingers, "six emails all sent to the manager of that floor at the time of the incident detailing the exact words used and their own distress at having to witness such a threatening act of harassment," Mario smiled at the women in front of him.

"I will take Miss Hayes Statement, and you can send me the emails unless any of the witnesses wish to come directly to me to give a statement, and I will consider the incident this evening and talk with you and the other parties in the morning," the hollow voice of the manager sounded through the phone. 

"Thank you, I will expect to hear from you early then," Mario said and hung up without the usual pleasantries. "If any of you wish to go down and see HR management this evening or first thing in the morning I will support you as I am sure Josh will also," he addressed the people before him before dismissing them from his office.

"So, what will she do when they fire her?" Mario leaned back in his chair looking at Josh. 

"Sabrina is sexy, smart and good at her job they won't fire her," Josh said, "they will wait until she gets the mandatory warnings before anything that drastic," Josh said.

"Not her, this girl you're fucking that caused Sabrina to have a jealous tantrum? You know it will all come out now; HR doesn't like the prospect of sexual harassment suits," Mario said seriously, "Trust me. I know."

"Fuck!" Josh exclaimed. "Okay, give me your wisdom, how do I manage this?"

*****

As the time lengthened waiting for Josh, Peri rang her mother and explain she was held up and would be late and perhaps they could reschedule for maybe a shopping trip on Thursday. Mollified by the idea of shopping Andie agreed and didn't't push her daughter on the worried sound in her voice.

"You don't have to stay, I am fine," Peri smiled at Louisa showing how much better she felt. 

"What sort of friend would I be after that little show if I left you alone now," she grinned, "I don't have any plans anyway."

"She's not alone," Josh's voice said softly as he came into her office and picked her up hugging her tightly. "Still planning on seeing Andie tonight?" he asked looking at her face.

"No, I rang and cancelled promising her a shopping trip on Thursday night," Peri grinned.

"In that case," Josh turned to Louisa, "Would you like to join us for dinner and a trip to a special art gallery?" he turned back to Peri, "Now that the cat is out of the bag no need to sneak around anymore."

"That sounds great!" Louisa gushed.

"Great let's go. I know just the place to eat," he grinned and escorted them both to the car park. Louisa had caught the train to work, so Josh promised to drop her home later that night as they climbed into his car.

Flicking his phone to hands-free he dialled a number and gunned the engine pulling out of the car park unnecessary speed making Louisa grip the seat at her sides. "Hey, Lil bro," came a familiar voice through the speakers of the car.

"Hey, D. I fixed you up on a blind date with one of Peri's friends, meet us at Orlando's, fifteen minutes, be there," he said as he ran a barely yellow light.

"Is Peri gonna be there?" Dante asked.

"Of course," Josh chuckled.

"Yeah okay, then. See you in ten," the phone hung up.

"I guess I should have warned you that Josh only knows two speeds, fast and faster," Peri turned looking over her shoulder at her friend.

"It's terrifying but in a good way like a rollercoaster," Louisa laughed as they took another corner and her seatbelt pulled tight holding her in place.

Pulling up in front of the restaurant Josh swore, "Fuck! How does he always beat me here?"

When they walked in Dante was lounging at the bar grinning at them, "Too slow little bro."

Josh rolled his eyes and introduced Louisa, who smiled, liking Josh's brother already, before walking over to talk to the owner and request a table for four and get drinks for them all. Dante led them to a small table in the bar area. 

"So how goes it stumpy?" Dante asked Peri. 

"Slowly," she laughed, holding up her leg, "No boots."

"Do you think boots are an optical illusion making women's legs look longer?" he asked Louisa.

"Oh sure, every girl knows that," she laughed playing along with Peri, "I don't need them of course," she stretched out her long slim legs. Unlike Peri, who was short and curvy, Louisa was tall with a solid athletic build, not quite slim but more muscled than overweight.

"I see," Dante smiled appreciatively as Josh arrived with drinks for the girls. They made small talk through the drinks and the meal, and Peri was grateful that Josh had not grilled her about the incident with Sabrina that blew up earlier. Unknowing of what had happened in Mario's office she hoped that everything could just go back to normal tomorrow, and that everyone would forget it ever happened.

Before the girls had finished their main meals, Josh turned to Dante and said, "Let's go see Zia before we get scolded." 

"He just wants to send you some amazing desert that's not on the menu by sweet talking the cook," Dante laughed, "He always was a show off."

They left the girls to talk and headed for the kitchen. "I sort of promised the girls a tour of the gallery, tonight," Josh said quietly knowing that Dante rarely opened the gallery except for special showings like the one he had taken Peri to on their first date.

"Better be a good reason," he tilted his head and stared at his brother.

"I think it will be mutually beneficial," Josh said, "Did I ever tell you that Peri has a degree in Art History? Her dream job is at a gallery or museum and that place of yours with a special private collection..."

Dante raised his eyebrows a moment before Zia encompassed them both in messy hugs and loud kisses on their cheeks. Josh organised flamboyant desserts for the girls and promised to return soon before taking Dante aside.

"Look she is researching and rewriting the family book for me as her main project, I haven't told her about the collection yet but I bet she can give you a run down on any piece you put before her," Josh promised him.

"What's prompted this? Is she difficult for you to work with all of a sudden?" Dante was genuinely curious.

"Nik blew the whistle or got one of her cronies to, in the worst way. Peri was put through a threatening scene today by the office barracuda, and this particular firm doesn't tolerate fraternization, so it's only a matter of time," he let his voice trail off.

"So start your own publishing firm, you know Ben would back you on it," Dante shrugged.

"I am not ready to be a fully-fledged family man yet," Josh grimaced, "and Nik is being such a bitch, she can't bear that I found a girl I think I could live with forever."

"Yeah, I get that vibe from the two of you, and she understands about the family?" Dante was skeptical but mellowing.

"As much as she knows so far, but she has been working on the book so she knows a lot more than most of the people we have brought into the fold," Josh sounded confident.

"All right, but I have to get Lio there, or he will veto anything we on agree on. Let me call him, Nik's on his shit list anyway, so he will probably agree just to piss her off," Dante gave a half smile.

*****

"I remember being here," Peri said as she walked into the cavernous warehouse gallery. It seemed huge now that it was empty of people and the partition walls that had divided the space during the showing. Dante raised an inquiring eyebrow at her, and she explained, "Josh brought me here on our first date."

"After he burnt you and starved you to the point of fainting he brought you here?" Dante smirked, "and after all that you accepted a second date?" Peri giggled as Josh scowled.

"Your brother has his charms," Peri grinned.

"I do indeed," A voice sounded behind them and Emilio walked out from a large double doorway. Startled, Louisa looked between Dante and Emilio, her eyes wide at the identical twins. "Just a shame I have to share most of them with Dante. How are you, Peri? Long-time no see," He said embracing her and kissing her cheek. Peri introduced her friend Louisa and said she hadn't expected him to be here, but she was very glad he was.

"Josh promised the girls a tour of the private gallery, says there's something in it for us," Dante chuckled.

In a perfect copy of Dante's expression, Emilio raised an inquiring eyebrow at his little brother, "Is that right? Well you only brought one stunner with you, unless, of course, you're tired of Peri already." He said making Louisa blush and Peri laugh and shake her head at Josh, who moved closer putting an arm around her waist.

"Yeah, right," Josh chuckled, "That's not happening."

"Some of the stuff in here is pretty old," Emilio explained as he handed them soft white gloves to put on, "So we take precautions to protect it. Family history and all, we can't be too careful, it costs a fortune to restore, and the real restoration experts don't live in this country."




The Twelve Tables Ch. 05



"Actually a woman who used to work in Louvre restoration lives in Melbourne now," Peri said, "I met her once when I went down to Canberra for an exhibition on the Renaissance Masters. One of my lecturers set it up for me, and we have kept in touch," she looked at their stunned expressions, "You know, occasional emails and stuff. She lets me know if any interesting shows are happening, they get a lot more of the big ones down there than come up north."

"Well do I have a surprise for you," Emilio took her arm and walked her through the large double doors he had opened when he arrived. Josh hung back a little with Louisa as Dante walked on the other side of Peri into an equally vast space that was full of paintings and sculpture.

"There's something over here that I think will interest you, it's my favourite part of this giant reliquary," Josh said quietly to Louisa leaving his brothers to show off their treasures to Peri. Standing before a small group of shelves he nodded, "Help yourself, just keep the gloves on," Louisa was beside herself. She took an old tome from the shelf and gently placed it on the reading stand before opening to the first illuminated page and gasping. 

The time went by too fast for Peri; every new piece was a discovery for her. This had to be one of the most valuable private collections of art and historical relics she had ever heard of or not heard of as the case maybe.

"Josh, I could spend days, weeks, months, and years in here and not be satisfied," she gushed as he appeared behind her wrapping his arms around her waist. 

"I'd offer you a catalogue, but their research and detailing leaves a lot to be desired," Josh laughed. "I doubt it's even up to date."

The twins rolled their eyes. "Locating and securing the missing objects and things we want to collect takes a lot of time and effort, we update everyone in our family newsletter," Dante defended their roles as trustees of the family archive. "Bad enough we let you take over the family history."

"I'll do it!" Peri cut in, "Oh, my god this is a dream come true, just to be here and see them all, but to be able to study and research and..." her head was swimming as she continued to look at the paintings in front of her.

"There are six rooms this size; it takes up the whole block in total, including an auction house and the big gallery we went through; it's probably too big of a job for one person," Josh said softly but smiling at her. "Let alone someone who would just do it part-time as a hobby."

"That's why they need help, any help is good help, right?" Peri looked up at Josh hopefully.

"Wholly shit!" Louisa's voice exclaimed from the other side of the room somewhere, and Josh led the way to where he had left her. Seeing them converge on her, she looked up and said, "That's it, I am not leaving, I am just going to sit here and grow old and you can keep me as a relic." She was hugging a book to her chest.

"I guess it might be nice to have something pretty to look at around here, until she starts to decay that is," Emilio said with a perfectly straight face.

Dante and Josh chuckled, but Peri understood her friend's sentiment and went to see what it was Louisa hugged so fiercely. The men moved away from the girls murmuring quietly amongst themselves.

"If enthusiasm counts for anything, I say we hire them both, it would be good to get the cataloguing up to date," Dante chuckled, "but the family will probably not approve."

"We'll get them to sign a waiver, Ben can draw it up, that'll make everyone happy," Emilio said quietly as if thinking through the issues. "Tell me why this is going to piss off Nik first so I can be sure I am not fighting a losing battle."

"I'm going to take Peri home for the holidays to meet Papa," Josh turned to look at the woman he loved.

"So soon? Yeah, I can imagine Nik has steam coming out of her ears. It must be killing her that you care what a girl other than her," Emilio laughed. Josh explained what had occurred this afternoon and what the fall out would probably be and he wanted to pre-empt it ever happening again.

"Geez that's bitchy even for Nik, getting two girls fired just because you are not listening to her," Emilio sympathised. "Doesn't't surprise me though, I wouldn't't let her borrow some heirloom jewellery for a fashion show she had and she has been dogging my steps ever since, I have never seen Ben so much as I have lately, he will probably appreciate an up-to-date catalogue as much as anyone, and if she is about to become part of the family anyway."

"We could hire Peri as a freelance contractor through the auction house rather than the gallery to take the heat off," Dante suggested. "You know Nik, she can be vengeful; Peri could use a middle name or something. I'll get to know Louisa a bit better, I think, before we offer her anything," he grinned at his brothers.

"All right you work out the details. I'll talk to Peri tonight when we get home. Thanks, Lio," he embraced his brother in a macho hug, "Dan" he said doing the same, "I knew I could count on you." He turned back to the girls who were leafing through the book with wonder. "It's getting late," he called, "I better get you both home I hear your boss is a bastard when it comes to tardiness," he smirked at them.

"His barks worse than his bite," Louisa smiled but reluctantly closed the book and went to place it back on the shelf.

"I'll take Louisa home if you like," Dante offered.

"It's up to her; I guess," Josh said dubiously.

"Sure, I don't mind. I know you two still have stuff to talk about after... well stuff to talk about," she changed what she was about to say seeing Peri's face fall.

"No, so much, we both know what happened," he shrugged, "It's more about what comes next, although she did offer to work here so maybe she's planning on leaving me now." He frowned at her.

"Well they do have a lot to offer a girl like me," she grinned looking around her and winking at Dante, who burst out laughing in his low, slow chuckle.

"The look on Josh's face right now is enough to make me seriously consider it," Emilio grinned, "I guess I'll go find Ben and see what he thinks about hiring some help."

The small group left the warehouse and went in different directions. As they drove, Josh talked about his concern that the company policy about sleeping with the boss, would be brought to bear by Sabrina, who wouldn't go down without a fight.

"We both knew it would happen sometime, and I will still work on your book while I look for another job, who knows maybe your brothers really will let me work on their cataloguing system with them," Peri said easily. "I won't deny it or apologise for falling in love with you Josh but I will miss seeing you as much as I do every day."

"My feelings exactly," Josh said and reached over taking her hand as he drove seemingly in even more of a hurry than usual. Practically dragging her from the car after he parked hastily, he began to undress her in the elevator, the buttons on her blouse coming undone easily under the pressure of his fingers. He kissed her deeply as he pulled each breast from her flimsy bra and played with the rapidly hardening nipples.

Peri could feel the urgency of his need as his hands and mouth possessed her, and she knew the evening would be filled with painful pleasure and the heights of ecstasy he could give her. Pushing her into the apartment, he growled, "Hands on the wall." Without any further acknowledgement, he reefed her skirt up around her waist and then ripped the thin piece of lace that was her g string from her body. She heard his fly unzip and then he entered her from behind his hands moving to maul her breasts.

His pace did not slow as his need overrode his thoughts, one hand drifted down to her cunt, his fingers seeking out and strumming her sensitive clit the other moved up to encircle her throat. He did not hold back, and his fingers tightened cruelly on both areas of flesh as he came feeling her shudder as she gave a strangled cry her hands slipping down the wall with the intensity of what she felt.

Pulling her to the bed, he held her in his arms surprisingly gently in stark contrast to the recklessness with which he has just fucked her. He stroked over her body his hands lingering over her breasts caressing and teasing the high pink nipples. "I love you," he murmured as he nuzzled the red marks that had been left on her neck.

Smiling, Peri wrapped her arms around him. "I know, Mine, I love you too." This man had come into her life and changed her world completely. So much had happened in the short time they had been together that she had no doubt in her mind that the love they shared was real and lasting.

*****

It was three weeks later, and Peri was firmly ensconced in an over-crowded office at the House of Lorraine, an auction house attached to the galleries owned and maintained by Dante and Emilio. Her departure from the publishing house had been swift and brutal, but she had the satisfaction of knowing Sabrina had been fired too, due to the extraordinary amount of complaints against her by co-workers.

After four of the brothers had met and discussed the idea of Peri researching the family collection while already working on the family book it was decided she could do both. The idea appealed to her as she was certain one line of research would inform both projects, so she divided her day in half giving equal time to both projects.

She had worried that Ben, who seemed to be the family patriarch in his father's absence, would not be happy to have an outsider working with their family heirlooms. Josh said he had planned to take Peri to the farm for the holidays; he had then been enthusiastic about getting someone with a professional view to update the cataloguing of the treasures. He also suggested that when she was ready she contact the members of the family to find out which pieces they had in their homes to add those to the database she would create.

Peri was in heaven; this was a dream job in her chosen field and the fact that she felt so close to many members of the family only served to heighten her joy in coming to work every day. Josh had commented that she didn't't seem to miss him at all, but she had kissed him sweetly and whispered, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I hardly thought that possible until now." He had laughed and launched into a torrid scene of sexual use that had seen her so weak he had to carry her to bed afterwards, She still carried the bruising from the ropes that had bound her so completely a week before.

A regal looking woman with grey streaked brown hair walked into her office and stood looking at her for a moment. Startled Peri stood and said quietly, "Can I help you to find someone? I am only new here myself but..."

In a thick Italian accent, the woman said, "Oh, I am sorry dear; I was looking for Dante and Emilio," she walked forward and held out her hand in greeting, "I'm Antonia."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Peri said in a friendly voice. "I am afraid they have both gone to attend a family meeting. Could I give them a message for you?" Peri asked trying to be helpful and wondering how the woman had got past all of the people who worked here to make it to her office which was hidden away at the rear of the building.

"You could help me perhaps," the woman said looking around the room and taking a chair placing her handbag on the floor and picking up a large hat box. "I found this in a lovely little antiques store down on the coast in some little country town when I was visiting my sister. She opened the box and pulled out a well packaged neatly wrapped parcel. Carefully unwrapping it Antonia placed the porcelain mask on the desk before Peri. 

"It's stunning!" Peri gasped at the beauty, "I can see why you bought it." She looked up and smiled at the woman. "May I?" she indicated the mask asking before picking it up.

"Yes, of course, that's why I am here in this place," Antonia laughed softly.

"I am not really an expert in porcelain," Peri admitted, "but I would happily research it for you, if you would like to leave it with me for a day or two," she began turning the mask over in her hands to see if there was a marking. 

"Just tell me what you think and then we will see," Antonia was not about to let the girl off so easily. 

"Well," Peri swallowed, "This mark here," she held the mask out and pointed, "I believe comes from an area in Italy called Daruta, but they have had many marks over time, and it would be almost impossible to date it precisely without looking up the makers mark, if I had to guess though I would think maybe late eighteenth century. It would only be an informed guess though." She smiled at the woman and placed the mask back on the desk looking at the intricate work in the vines and grapes surrounding its stark white face.

Antonia said nothing, but sat back appraising the girl, so Peri rushed on feeling uncomfortable, "Travelling minstrels used masks like this in harvest plays that long ago, but it could just be a very good copy there is no way to know without doing the background work."

"Yes, I have to agree, it always pays to check out the background of something before you acquire it but sometimes passion overrules good sense," she smiled.

"It's truly lovely though, even if it did turn out to be a copy, it would still be a piece worth owning if you were a collector," Peri stroked a finger lightly over the mask. "I am sorry I wasn't better help to you but I would hate to raise your hopes falsely."

"Well, it seems like I have some time to kill, did they tell you when they would return?" She asked pleasantly.

"It was a lunchtime meeting, I expect they will be at least another hour or so," Peri felt like she should apologise or something but couldn't't work out why.

"Have you eaten yet?" she inquired.

"I was just about to have a break actually. I got a bit lost in the project I was working on this morning. That's what happens when you enjoy your work I guess," she smiled.

"And I came and took up your break time," Antonia said with a little remorse, "Well, I will take you out for lunch, you can keep me company while I wait for them."

"I am not sure..." Peri began, but Antonia cut across her words.

"Those boys know it pays to keep me happy. They will not mind trust me," she smiled beneficently.

"Well in that case," Peri did not want to cause waves with a potentially valuable customer, so she began to repackage the mask for her.

"Don't bother with that. You can keep it until you have definite answers for me," she waved her hand dismissing the debris of packaging on Peri's desk and stood waiting for her to follow.

They walked through the large showroom and Antonia stopped and told the manager she was taking Peri to lunch. Then they walked two blocks down to a small Asian restaurant where they were seated like royalty.

"Anything you don't like or are allergic to?" Antonia asked as they took their seats.

"No, I eat most things happily," Peri smiled letting herself enjoy the break from work and meeting a new person in the form of Antonia, who obviously had good taste in antiques so they would have something to talk about.

Antonia looked up at the waiter, "The usual then, for two." Within minutes, Peri had a glass of wine in her hand and was clinking it to Antonia's as she gave a salute. "You haven't worked at the House of Lorraine long you said?"

"Only a couple of weeks, but it's my dream job I am so grateful they hired me," Peri said with feeling.

"Why did you leave your last job was it so very terrible?" Antonia asked.

"Quite the opposite really, I was very happy there. I met the man of my dreams and fell in love there," she stopped herself and smiled self-consciously, "I sound dreadful don't I, the man of my dreams and the job of my dreams, but life is pretty good for me at the moment."

"Life is always better when you are in love," Antonia laughed, "Me, I have been married so long but still we love with a passion. Tell me about your love, I would like to hear happy thoughts while we eat."

As the plates of food came and went and their glasses filled up many times Peri talked about meeting Josh and her initial impressions, of how he took her from the dungeon up to her own office and the fateful day where he scalded her with pasta, though to the date, and the lightning bolt moment where she just knew that he was the love of her life.

Antonia listened and asked questions and added to Peri's story with little anecdotes of her own. Relaxed with the good food and the wine Peri really enjoyed herself and was genuinely disappointed when she looked at her watch. 

"Oh gosh, the time has flown so fast, after telling you what a dream job I had, I may not have it much longer if I take lunch breaks this long," she smiled crookedly, "I have had a really nice time though; it was just what I needed. I miss my friends that I used to eat lunch with."

"Oh, sit down," Antonia commanded imperiously, "Just relax you're with me." She pulled her phone from her bag and dialled a number. "Benedicto, tell your brothers, the girl won't be back to work this afternoon and she switched to speak Italian, "Tell your stupid sister she is wrong,... Yes, that's the one,... Yes, I know they are all stupid at times," she laughed and hung up the phone.

Peri sat wide eyed through the whole conversation; she had just told Josh's mother how they met and fell in love, "wholly shit!" she said to herself over and over again as her mouth opened and closed again as words failed her. 

"Oh dear, that was a bit mean of me not telling you who I was exactly but I didn't't want to make you nervous," Antonia explained.

"I am sorry, if I had known I would never have told you about..." Peri gulped realising what she had said about Josh, and while she hadn't gone into details she made it very clear that he rocked her world. "Oh God," she blushed deeply.

"That's the best part," she grinned, "Now I know you satisfy each other on all levels. Love should always be passionate."

*****

Dante looked at Ben as he hung up, "Mama's got Peri hasn't she?" he said quietly.

"Yeah, she won't be back at work this afternoon," Ben stifled a chuckle, "But here's the fun part."

"Hey Nik," Ben called to the other end of the table getting his sister's attention as she sat talking to Josh.

"What?" she looked up obviously frustrated by the interruption.

"How about you tell us all why you wanted us all here for lunch today?" Ben said with a serious face.

"I just miss you all; I hardly see Josh anymore," she said sweetly.

"Mama just rang, she said to tell you that you were wrong, and I believe she used the word stupid," he smirked, "Would you like to tell everyone whom she came to town to see today?"

"I don't believe you," Nik tossed her head sending her hair flying back around her shoulders as she sat straighter ready to stare down her older brother.

"Give her a call, the two of them are still at lunch together," Ben shrugged, "I've got no reason to lie, wasn't me who called this family meeting, and has yet to bring anything up for discussion." He watched as Nik's haughty veneer dropped momentarily, and she seemed unsure of herself. "If I didn't know any better I would think we are here so that we didn't realise where Mama was."

"Fuck, Nik! Why would you do that?" Joshua had seen Dante and Emilio murmur quietly between themselves. He realised exactly who his mother had come to the city to see, "I don't get it, Nik, why?"

Nik had a look of horror on her face. She was sure that her mother would end the relationship, and she could walk away with clean hands. She had never considered the scenario where her twin would be look at her with such disappointment and confusion. Ben could hear the pain in Josh's voice and stepped in, "Let's go give her a call and make sure she is all right, but from what Mama said she liked Peri, everyone does, even Dante and we all know he doesn't like anyone."




The Twelve Tables Ch. 05



It was Maryann who spoke up as Ben walked Josh slightly away from the table, "I think you have finally out bitched yourself this time."

"Shut up Maryann, you don't understand," Nik spat. 

"Well here's what I understand," Dante said in a hard voice, "Josh loves that girl, and at this point in time I believe he would walk away from you before he would walk away from her."

"Don't be stupid," Nik snarled, "We all do what we're told in the end; you did, didn't you?"

"The difference being," Emilio said quietly, "I would never have made him choose or tell Mama and Papa until he was ready, let alone go behind his back to wreck it for him. Perhaps we should suggest that you need to settle down and worry about your own family instead of who Josh is or isn't doing."

"You wouldn't!" Nik glared at him.

"He wouldn't, he's too nice, but I might," Dante smiled benignly.

"Okay, okay, someone better fill us mere plebs in on what's going on exactly, because this is getting out of hand," Romy said and Jules nodded mumbling his agreement.

"Well from what I understand," Ben said coming back to the table, "Nik set a workplace bully onto Peri making her life hell for a while, and eventually got her fired from her last job and then when that didn't work she called Mama with a story about... let's see what would have got Mama here so fast, gold digging tramp? A member of the wrong family?"

"Yes tell us Nik, what exactly did you call the woman I love?" Josh stared at her with anger in his eyes.

"You don't understand," she said desperately, "I was just trying to protect you from heartache later on. You know she won't be able to handle the farm and the whole family." 

"She's not answering her phone," Josh said to the Ben turning his back on Nik. 

"Come on, let's go crash their lunch date then," Ben stood up and walked from the restaurant with Josh. 

Nik got up to follow them, but Lucia stood in her way, "If you want him to forgive you one day, now would be the time to back off." 

Nik watched the two men leave, "You don't understand," she whispered. 

***** 

"Just ignore it," Antonia smiled, "They know where you are, and we were having such a good time, plus I am sure Ben knows where we are, they will come to make sure I have not made you cry."

"You have been a fabulous lunch date," Peri smiled, "I haven't felt more relaxed with a stranger than you made me feel, which is not like me at all usually," She looked down at her bag as the phone stopped ringing yet again.

"So now that you know who I am, tell me honestly why did you leave your last job if you were so happy there?" Antonia asked her original question again.

"It was a combination of things really," Peri hedged but she had already told the woman so much and she had an inkling she knew part of the story anyway. "Josh and I had started dating but this woman in the office who is beautiful and used to getting what she wanted... she recounted the bullying, the promotion, what Josh had said and then the final confrontation with the woman.

"And how did the woman find out about your secret relationship, you said you were so careful," Antonia pressed. 

"I think someone who was a mutual acquaintance with Josh and herself told her," Peri didn't want to blame Nik in case it caused a family problem.

"You know the person but you don't like to blame, is that it?" Antonia looked at her shrewdly. 

"I don't think they knew the harm it would do," she said softly in response, "and well look at me now, I have never been happier." Peri smiled genuinely happy with her life, "So if they were trying to hurt me it sort of backfired on them. Don't tell Dan or Lio but I would have done this job for free in my spare time I enjoy it so much." She took a sip of her wine and on a topic she loved she said tentatively, "Can I ask you some things about family that could help me with the research I am doing?"

Antonia laughed at the girl's enthusiasm and nodded taking a sip of her drink, "Perhaps another day, when we have more time, I expect my sons will be here to scold me soon." Her laugh was warm and generous, and Peri laughed softly with her. "Put your number into my phone, and I will call you and you can ask as many questions as you like," she passed her phone to Peri and continued her laugh.

"Mothers and grandmothers are always the keepers of family information, they know everything!" Peri lowered her voice, "Despite what their husbands think." To which, Antonia laughed so hard she had tears forming in her eyes as she nodded enthusiastically and called for another bottle of wine. It was about that moment that Ben and Josh arrived to find them roaring with laughter and clinking their glasses together like life-long friends.

"Hello Ladies," Ben said jovially, "Having a good time are we?"

"Benedicto! Come join us," she took in Joshua face which was dark and surly, she lapsed into Italian again, "You too Wah-wah. Stop pouting I haven't traumatised the girl, yet."

"I really need to learn Italian," Peri giggled and smiled up at Josh, "Did she just call you Wah-wah?"

"When Maryann was little she couldn't say Joshua, so she just called him Wah-wah, so anytime he pouts we call him that," Ben explained helpfully as Josh kissed his mother's cheek and took a seat.

"I haven't laughed this much in an age," Antonia took a tissue form her bag and dabbed at her eyes. The waiter arrived with the new bottle of wine and seeing their companions two extra glasses.

"Maybe some coffee or at least some water," Josh suggested to Peri and she was about to agree automatically until Antonia cut into the small silence.

"Don't be silly, pour the wine. I need to go powder my nose, help me will you Bene?" she held out her hand to him.

"Of course, Mama," he took her hand and helped her up escorting her across the room.

"I didn't know Josh," Peri said quickly. "She came wandering into my office looking for Dan and Lio, then asked me to appraise a mask for her in their absence; she only introduced herself as Antonia. I thought she was some important client, and she asked me to keep her company at lunch while she waited for them to return. I thought I was doing the right thing, I had no idea until she rang Ben." The words come out rushed and almost garbled as she tried to explain herself under his steely gaze.

"We'll talk about it at home," he said in a hard voice making her cringe.

"How was I supposed to know?" she was hurt, by the way, he was acting, he hadn't touched her since arriving, "I haven't done anything wrong, why are you acting like I committed a cardinal sin?"

"Why didn't you answer your phone? I have been calling non-stop," He growled.

"Antonia wouldn't let me and I was trying to give a good impression once I knew who she was," Peri was flustered, she hadn't seen Josh act like this for some time, "You should be more worried about what I did and said before I knew who she was," and she immediately regretted her words as his face grew darker, but after all the wine she didn't seem to be able to stop herself from being hurt and blurting out exactly how she felt.

"What did you say? Fuck, how am I supposed to make this right now. I walk in and find you drunk with my mother saying god knows what about god knows who and what exactly did you tell her about us?" His voice was harsh and gravelly, "Did you tell that old fashion Italian Mama that we live together and fuck each other's brains out every night? Was she suitably shocked? Fuck, how could you be so stupid?"

"You don't think I am good enough to meet your parents, do you? That's why you're all dark and stormy,. I was just the good enough for now girl, until you found someone suitable for you traditional Italian familia," she was horrified by the thought but she could find no other explanation for his words, Antonia was far from the prude he made her out to be.

"Don't be absurd," he muttered without conviction and she heard the hesitation in his voice. Panic settled on her like a blanket heightened by the wine and the strange situation she had found herself in this afternoon. Her heart began to thump in her chest, and she felt sick. She visibly paled, and she felt tears prick her eyes as they sat in stony silence.

When Antonia and Ben returned Peri put on a smile, "Thank you so much for lunch, but I believe the wine is getting to me. I'm so grateful for the fabulous time we had and meeting you but I am just going to call a cab and go home," she said standing and leaning across to kiss Antonia's cheek.

"Nonsense, you don't need a cab when I have two sons," Josh had already risen from his chair. 

"Oh, I think that it's best, I promised my mother I would see her tonight as I thought Josh would be in meetings. Stay, all of you and catch-up with each other. I know what a close family you all are; I insist," she heard her own voice crack as she said the last and she smiled again, "Thank you again, Antonia, I hope we can do it again sometime." With that Peri, turned and walked away. Josh followed her and grabbed her arm to halt her progress, but she shrugged him off.

"Trust me, you do not want to talk to me anymore right now because if you say one more thing like that, I may not be able to forgive you or you me for the things I would say in response," she said quietly, "I love you Josh, but please let me go so that we don't say things we will regret forever."

"No," he growled taking her arm and all but dragging her from the restaurant. "I will drive you home, and you will stay there until I get back," he growled.

They didn't speak at all until he finally took her up to his apartment, "Keys," he held out his hand, and she took her keys from her bag and placed them in his hand assuming he was kicking her out. She began to cry and turned into the room to begin packing her stuff. It was only when she heard the deadbolt click into place that she realised he had locked her in.

***** 

Ben had filled his mother in on all he knew about Josh and Peri's relationship and what he knew of the girl. When Josh returned claiming everything was fine, they went back to the House of Loraine, where Nik waited with Dante and Emilio, looking morose.  

"Oh, good you're here, Veronica," Antonia said lightly taking in her daughters mood. "It seems you got your wish and she and Josh have had a quarrel after all." Nik's mood changed almost instantly, and Antonia smiled as she went on. "I can't really understand why, we had the most wonderful time, have you ever taken the time to get to know Peri?"

"No, I have only met her once before," Nik said slowly unsure of her footing.

"Well whose fault is that? Only takes a minute to pick up the phone," Antonia said lightly in a conversational tone. "Tell me, was it you who told this Sabrina woman about Josh and Peri?"

"She told you that just to cause problems between us," Nik was quick to accuse.

"Actually she tried to protect you and wouldn't tell me who did it, even though she knew. Veronica, how can you make such judgments about someone without getting to know them?"

"I know enough; she comes from an awful family; she has no father; they have nothing, no money, no class, and the mother is..." Nik stopped seeing the look on Josh's face.

"So you condemn her for a family that is much like our own history and how we originally lost the name we so embrace currently," Antonia shook her head. "Perhaps it is best you come home for a while, I think being in the big city so long has made you forget your own origins and respect for your family, poor Joshua, you are not his keeper. He has done nothing to bring the family name into disrepute, in fact, after talking to the girl, I think it is quite the opposite."

"Do not look so surprised Joshua, I am not so stuck in the past I cannot appreciate why you would love the girl," she laughed, "What is it she told me before she realised I was your mother, oh yes, you rock her world in the bedroom." Joshua's mouth dropped open, but his brother's laughter was loud and long. "She is also passionate about many things, like her work, it was a good idea to bring her here," she nodded at Ben. 

"Veronica," she looked at her dejected daughter, "If you cannot learn to share Joshua's affection with someone else, I will talk to your father about arranging an appropriate match for you as we did for Lucia when she had lost her way."

"No, Mama, please..." Nik whispered looking at Joshua to help her, but he just looked back with no expression and for the first time she realised she how much she had pushed him into a corner and that Dante might be right.

"Then you must find a way to make this right," Antonia said softly. She looked at the five of her children who stood in the room with her. She was their mother, and she would step in at any time and meddle in their lives, they all knew it was her right, but she loved them and just wanted them to be happy above all else. "Joshua, you can drive me to Lucia's, I am staying with her tonight," she finally said ending the conversation.

*****

Joshua let himself into the apartment, it was eerily dark and silent. Turning on a lamp rather than the bright ceiling lights Joshua saw Peri curled up on the lounge asleep, her luggage neatly stacked beside the door. Quietly he took the luggage back into the bedroom before returning and lifting her into his arms and carrying her to bed. She automatically wrapped her arms around his neck and murmured softly into his chest.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I love you." He lay her in the bed crawling in beside her and wrapping his arms around her.

"You don't think I am good enough for them. I never expected you to make me feel that bad about myself," she untangled herself from his arms and began to sit up.

"I never said that, you did" he accused pulling her back down to him and pinning her arms. "I was shocked, other stuff had happened and then I walk in and find you and my mother drunk. I don't think I have ever seen her drink that much before or treat any of our girlfriends as a long lost friend. I couldn't work out what was going on. Try to understand, please." He kissed her.

"You didn't deny it," she said sadly, "You were so cold and nasty at the restaurant; you were angry with me. I didn't invite her; I didn't order the wine; I didn't even know who she was," Peri tried to explain again.

"I know that, I do. None of what happened today was your fault, it was all mine, and I am sorry," he kissed her deeply. "Let me make it up to you, please," he whispered into her ear. "I need you, I love you and I want you to meet my whole family down on the farm, over the holidays." She looked at him wide eyed, but he kissed her before adding, "Andie can come too."

"I'm not just Miss Right now?" she asked. 

"I would have asked you to marry me a long time ago if I had thought you would say yes," he leaned up on his elbow and looked into her eyes showing the seriousness of his statement. "I didn't think you were ready to hear the question, and I don't take rejection well so, don't answer yet, but know that I fully intend to ask when the time is right."

Peri looked up at him in amazement; he never ceased to confuse and surprise her. This time it was her that wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him down into a passionate kiss. 

"That's the passion my mother said I was lucky to have; I'll take more, please, then I will, what were the words she said you used," he grinned, "Rock your world?" Peri blushed deeply as she kissed him again both of them smiling into the kiss.

"You have thirty seconds to strip before I start tearing the clothes from you," Josh said pulling her up from the bed with him. He then turned and opened the closet that his tool chest lay in, placing it at the foot of the bed before turning back to her. Her breasts had already been freed, and they bounced wonderfully as she struggled with the rest of her clothes. Flipping the chest open he took a length of soft nylon rope and approached her.

"If we have kids after we get married, I won't be happy about sharing these," he grinned as he stroked her breasts with the rope before taking his time and binding them tightly, the darkness of restricted blood flow showing rapidly as they swelled. He bent his head to kiss and lap at her swollen nipples as she stood with her hands behind her neck whimpering softly as she submitted willingly to his needs. Taking a second longer length of rope he quickly tied it about her waist and ran the length between her legs pressing it into the folds of her cunt to caress her clit and turning her around he tied her wrists together with the ends. 

"Mmmm," he murmured standing back to survey his work as he too stripped off his clothes, "You are almost perfect just like that." He took an egg from the chest and turned it on before pushing it past the rope into her already dripping cunt as she hissed her breath and closed her eyes at the intense feeling the rope rubbing over her clit gave her. 

Approaching her with a leather paddle he spoke with a voice thick with desire, "You, my sexy, amazing girl did not answer your phone when I rang," he let the paddle land on her ass, "and I called at least six times," the paddle landed again until he had counted six in his head and was satisfied not only with the colour of her ass but the loud cries of apology she let out through gritted teeth.

Peri was breathing heavily, and tears stained her face but she had held her position taking the paddling he gave her. She quivered as he kissed the tears from her cheeks and lowered his head once more to her throbbing breasts as he slowly undid the bindings there. Each movement she made as he manhandled her filled her body with the pleasure and pain they both enjoyed as the rope between her legs would put pressure on her now swollen clit making her whimper even louder. The egg buzzed away ensuring her body's natural response to his torments, and she felt her thighs begin to tremble.

"I could punish you for so many misdemeanors today but..." he paused and threw the small rope back toward the chest, "as I bear some responsibility for the other issues you will be given a reprieve this time." In truth, his need for her was urgent, and while he loved to toy with her body for hours at times, he needed to possess her, to fill her and to make her cry for him in her need.

Rather than being surprised at the swift punishment and the undoing of her bondage, Peri accepted that Josh had not been in control of his relationship with her today. As happened when the trouble had blown up at work, his need to reassure himself of her love for him made him rush what would have otherwise been a drawn out scene. It seemed that only his family could make him this anxious and lose control, and as the ropes fell from her waist she realised it must have been Nik who had instigated her mother's visit.

Josh pushed his fingers into her as the rope fell away seeking out the egg; his thumb rolled over her swollen clit, and he stared into her eyes watching her build higher in her need. Keeping his free hand around her waist, her teased her until she arched and spasmed, her eyes glazing over as she came loudly, crying out and gasping for breath. He picked her up then and pulled her legs around his hips walking the two steps to the wall. Peri wrapped her body around his knowing that if he could crawl inside her skin he would at this moment and she cried out as he entered her roughly and kissing her deeply.

Josh staggered to the bed and lowered Peri onto it pulling her legs up along his body before leaning over her, doubling her in half. Josh pounded into her like a man possessed staring down into her eyes as he felt himself reach the point of no return rapidly. He growled, stiffening as he came and releasing his hold on her legs collapsed on top of her before rolling to the side dragging her with him, unwilling to withdraw from her body, he held her tightly to him. They let the sound of their own ragged breathing fill the silence as they clung to each other each feeling that they had overcome another hurdle in their relationship in their own ways.



The Twelve Tables



"Let me have a look then, Miss." Peri lowered her hands with icepack, "Mm that is nasty. Can you take the top of your dress down please?" 

Peri looked at Josh and blushed.

"Perhaps you should wait outside, Josh. Seems Miss uh..."

"Peri, Peri Wells," she mumbled.

"Seems Miss Wells is a bit shy, or she is scared of you," Pete smirked at his friend. "You go grab some lunch. I will look after her until you get back. And don't spill it on anyone this time."

Josh raised an eyebrow at Peri and turned walking from the room without a word.

Pete smiled at Peri, "Okay little red, the big bad wolf is gone. Let me look at you." 

Peri smiled but said nothing as she slowly lowered the back zip and slid the dress top from her shoulders, down her arms and let it hang from her waist.

Pete had a goofy humour and charm that put Peri at ease. As he caressed the skin of her breasts, he kept up a constant stream of questions to divert her attention away from what he was doing. Finally he stepped back, "Only one or two spots are deep. You were lucky." He walked away to gather some burn cream and with his back turned to her, he asked the more personal questions, "How long has it been since your last physical?" 

Peri blushed she was a healthy girl. She never went to the doctor unless there was no other choice. Andie had screwed over their last doctor, and Peri hadn't gotten around to finding a new one of her own to avoid the inevitable questions about Andie, returning to her childhood GP would elicit. "My GP moved away," she lied, "and I haven't gotten around to finding a new one yet."

"That doesn't really answer my question, Miss Wells," he continued to probe.

She gulped, "It's been a while," she hedged.

He scooted over to her on a stool with wheels and looked at her appraisingly. Holding out his hand to her he grinned, "Hello Miss Wells. I am Doctor Lee, your new GP. Now lets get some initial tests run and keep you in the best of health and I will just send the bill to the big bad wolf that brought you in."

"Oh no," Peri balked at the idea, "I have health insurance I can pay, honestly."

"Alright, but it takes some of the fun out of it for me." Pete pouted exaggeratedly. "Let's get the blood drawn first. You're sexually active, I assume?"

'Wait' she thought, 'did I just agree to a full exam?' Out loud she said "Yes, but I am not sure I have time for this today. Josh will be waiting."

"Plenty of time, any chance you're pregnant?" Pete went on unperturbed.

"No." Peri said emphatically, "It's hard enough looking after Andie who is like a child."

Pete raised an eyebrow at her, and she shook her head, "Forget it," she sighed. She liked the doctor and gave in to the physical fairly easily.

An hour later she was thoroughly examined and had given so many samples of everything she almost felt violated. "You can get dressed now." Pete smiled at her. Peri frowned at the stained dress crumpled in the corner with her bag and bra. "Here," Pete passed her several bags. "Josh has been here twice wondering what I am doing to you. He bought you a new dress to replace the one he destroyed."

Peri gasped looking at the bags as Pete left the room. 'Well, he did owe me a dress' she thought bringing her shoulders up. 'It wasn't totally my fault.' She tried to convince herself that accepting his gift was okay, and she would owe him nothing in return. Maybe he would like to meet Andie, she smiled to herself. He was just her type, young, successful and arrogant. Shaking her head wondering what she was thinking, no way was she jeopardising her job by letting Andie mess with it.

She dressed quickly, discarding the idea of a bra and slipping on the matching shoes. The straps of the dress were thin and the band that held her breasts was wide and soft allowing her blotchy chest room to breath. The soft dress swung out from just below her braless breasts cascading around her like a soft blue waterfall ending just above her knees. She felt as if she should be going to a cocktail party rather than back to work.

Shoving her stained dress and shoes into one of the bags she headed out to the waiting room. Josh was talking with Pete, and they both looked up as she walked out. Josh watched her with an odd expression and Pete walked toward her handing her a card, "This has my number on it, the big bad wolf will let you off work early tomorrow afternoon to get your results, we should be able to do the Implanon then since your cycle just finished." Pete winked, "See you then, Miss Wells." He said louder as Josh approached.

The new heels she wore clacked over the tiles in the waiting room as Josh took her hand and pulled her out the front door into the car park. Wind blew the flimsy fabric of her dress around her legs as she followed him to his car. He opened the door, and she climbed in as ladylike as she could in the wind whipped dress. Peri leaned back against the leather upholstery crossing her legs and acutely aware of the shortness of her dress she placed her bag on her knees.

"Thank you for this. You didn't have to go to so much trouble." 

"I am glad it fits. I had to ring your mother. You always wear such baggy clothes it was hard to know your size."

"Oh great," she mumbled, "Andie knows," sighing she said, "Let me guess she invited you out for a drink to thank you?"

"Actually, she did," he smirked, "I had to decline. There is a thing tonight I have to attend."

"Oh!" Peri was genuinely surprised, "I bet Andie didn't take that well," she looked over at him as he drove.

"You call your mother Andie?"

"She's not exactly the maternal type." Peri said stiffly and looked out her window.

"I put the things that fell out of your bag into the glove box. Interesting book you're reading," Josh smirked.

"It's Andie's," Peri blurted, "I told her about my current research she thought it would help me," she tried to keep her voice light and easy.

"Interesting," Josh murmured his arrogant smirk still in place. 

.................................

Back at the office, Peri hunted through her bag looking for gum or a tictac, anything to take her mind off her empty stomach. The longer than expected visit to the doctor had meant forgoing any sort of lunch. She came up with some butterscotch and tearing the plastic off, popped it in her mouth savouring the sweet creaminess of it. Grabbing some change she went to grab a coke from the machine thinking the sugar would give her the burst she needed to get through the rest of the afternoon.

Peri could hear the laugh before she saw her mother, 'Oh no, she promised never to come to work.' Hurrying out of the kitchenette Peri grabbed her mother's arm and whispered menacingly, "You promised, Andie. Not at work." She smiled at the young assistant who had been guiding Andie into the offices and thanked her as she steered Andie into her own office. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see if you were alright. That marvellous Josh Craig called me..."

Peri cut Andie off, "He's not your type Andie and even if he was, you would be screwing up my job! Don't do this. You promised to leave my job alone." Peri was distraught knowing exactly what her mother's motives were.

"I was worried about you," Andie tried again but stopped at the look of disappointment on her daughter's face. 

"You could have just called. I have a phone remember, but then you wouldn't have got to check out Josh right?" Peri's voice was hard, "Please Andie just go. I like this job. Don't screw it up for me."

The mild scalding, lack of food and sleep and now Andie's appearance conspired against her, and she felt herself break out in a cold sweat, "Please Andie, just go," she managed to whisper before crumpling in a heap on the floor.

.........................

Peri's eyes fluttered open, and she found she was lying on a leather couch. Andie was sitting beside her looking worried, "Going all maternal on me after all these years, Andie?" Peri murmured, her eyes seeming to want to close again.

"Oh good, you're awake," Andie smiled. "Josh is just calling his doctor friend. He's quite something, isn't he?"

Peri groaned, "I'm fine. Go home, Andie. And for fucks sake, leave my boss alone. Don't make work harder for me than it already is. Keep your pants on for once. Promise me."

Andie looked guilty, "Okay baby. I promise."

Peri rolled her eyes at her mother and sat up slowly, holding her head. Her stomach growled at her reminding her that she needed food. Josh walked over handing her a phone "Here talk to Pete." 

"Hello," she said tentatively. The doctor quizzed her on how she felt, how much sleep she had and when she ate last remonstrating about a healthy diet and looking after herself. Handing the phone back to Josh, she felt like a little girl who has just been chastised.

"Right," said Josh hanging up the phone, picking up the can of coke she had been trying to drink all day and handed it to her, "Seems wearing your lunch is not as healthy as ingesting it. I am supposed to take you out to make sure you eat something sizable and sustaining."

"Dinner sounds great," Andie chimed in "What time should we be ready?"

Josh turned around eyebrow raised, "I am sure you have to get back to work, Andie and I am also sure you already have plans tonight." He smirked a little turning back to Peri, "I will just take Peri out for an early dinner now and have her home and tucked into bed early."

Andie's face fell. She was so used to men falling all over her that she didn't take being turned aside well. "Oh okay," she mumbled before recovering, "Are you sure you're alright, Peri? I can always cancel my plans and come with you?" Andie smiled sweetly.

"No, I am fine Andie, really. You go have fun." Peri was enjoying the look of chagrin on Andie's face. 

"Well as long as you're sure there is nothing I can do for you," Andie turned to leave.

"Wait" Josh called out, he went Peri's office and came back with the bag containing her lunch stained dress and shoes. "You will have time for a load of laundry before you go out tonight, wont you?" Josh pushed the bag into Andie's arms.

Andie began to stutter and, taking pity on her mother while stifling her giggles, Peri answered for her, "Just leave it in the bathroom, Andie I will put it to soak it over night when I get home."

Andie left without another word, stalking back down the corridor.

Josh turned to Peri, "I see why you don't call her mother. Now stay there and drink your coke. I have a few things to do before we leave and I don't want you fainting all over the place."

Her eyes closed and she leaned back against the couch again. She fell into a light doze and her dreams once again turned dark. She was once again in the doctors surgery with Peter Lee. He was smiling kindly at her while strapping her into a gynaecologists chair. Her arms and legs held immobile by leather restraints, her breasts held fast by leather straps. He held up long handled clamps and pulled her labia apart opening her up and exposing her deepest parts. Her dream self looked away. Turning her head in shame to the far corner of the room, she cried out startled finding Josh watching her. The doctor inspected her inserting a speculum. 

Peri woke with a start, Josh's hand on her shoulder as she panted hotly his eyes boring into her. "That must have been some dream." Peri blushed ten shades of red and sat up trying to breathe deeply, not looking at him. Josh smirked and helped her up. "Let's go," he said, "I am suddenly very hungry myself," Josh leered at her and she dropped her gaze to the floor, still blushing deeply. He laughed at her then, "Pete called you little red earlier. It suits you."

Taking her hand he led her from the building as they approached his car Peri stopped, "What about my car? How will I get to work tomorrow?" 

"We will worry about that tomorrow," His grip on her hand tightened and he pulled her forcefully to his car pushing her in the open door and once again strapping her into the seatbelt himself making sure it was tight. His hand lingered over the pink spots still decorating her chest and he smiled.

Getting into the car, he drove out at speed. She watched the city fly by her before pulling up at an Italian restaurant. He ushered her in and ordered for them quickly, "We'll share," he said by way of explanation. 

The wine arrived almost immediately, and she put her hand over her glass, "I don't think I should drink on an empty stomach."

"Nonsense signorina, the food will be here in a moment. Try a little. It's a good bottle." The waiter encouraged and she removed her hand letting him fill the glass, not intending on drinking it. The waiter watched her expectantly. Reluctantly, she pressed the wine to her lips and took a small sip smiling up at him.

"Good, yes?" He said and moved away as cheesy bread arrived with an antipasto platter. She ate and drank happily. Josh asked questions about Andie. Peri opened up about being the adult in the house as her mother screwed everything with a penis over the last five years including her ex boyfriend. Josh laughed loudly when Peri referred to Andie as a MILF and cougar with predatory tendencies. She told him that the only reason she had shown up at the office was to prey on him.

"Believe me, even before your story, I could have told you she is not my type." Josh continued to laugh good naturedly. 

Peri tilted her head startled, "I thought Andie was every guy's type?" 

He sobered a little and smirked at her, "My type is quieter, intelligent, and even a little bit shy. I can't imagine Andie is shy about much," he chuckled. Peri laughed with him, but in the future when she looked back, she would realise this was the moment she fell for Josh Craig.

"So how far have you read in the book I found in your bag?" Josh asked changing the subject. Peri was relaxing as she drank more, helping herself to the huge bowls of pasta that came for them to share. Peri told him about what had happened in the story so far, and they discussed some of the things she could not quite get her head around. He chatted amiably, sharing his take on the book and summarising the last two chapters for her in the process. 

He didn't let her back down as she blushed throughout the conversation, pushing her to explain what she felt about certain characters and scenes. She likened Jacqueline to Andie being vain and needing male attention to be validated even though she and O had become lovers, not a girl who could survive the Roissy. Josh leaned back with a pleased smile as the plates were taken away, "How are you feeling now?"

"Great thanks," Peri smiled at him. "With all those carbs I could probably run a marathon, or just go home and sit around reading and waiting to get fatter."

"I have this thing tonight..." Josh began.

"Oh shit. You told me. I forgot!" Peri clamped a hand to her cheek, "I am so sorry. Have I made you late? I lost track of time," Peri began to gather up her bag and try to signal a waiter, "You go," She murmured, "I can pay the bill and catch a cab home." 

Josh was chuckling again, "Sit still girl and let me finish." His good humour increased as she immediately sat back into her seat again. The girl across the table from him had intrigued him since the first day he had spoken with her in the research department. He had realised she was intelligent and when she believed she was validated by facts she would stand up to his questioning of her research methods and conclusions. He had tried to gauge her moral and ethical views with the work he gave her to complete recently. He found that even though some of the themes crossed societal norm's she had treated them with the same care and thoroughness in her research as general ideas and themes. 

"I was wondering, do you want to come with me to my thing tonight? That is if you feel up to going out tonight?" Josh sounded unsure, even to himself, but one look at the surprised girl made him smile. She was so unassuming, where most girls would have hinted at him for an invitation. This meek little mouse seemed to be totally thrown by his words. 

Peri gaped at him, "I... I mean...." She opened and closed her mouth several times, but nothing came out. Swallowing noisily she suddenly blurted, "I wouldn't have anything to wear. I don't go out that much, and I am sure it's a swanky do you're going to."

He laughed loudly, "Swanky do?" 

"Well you know what I mean. Best I just go home, I am not cut out for soiree's with the rich and famous," She lowered her eyes, hiding her disappointment behind her long fringe. She had enjoyed the dinner more than she would have thought possible before today's events.

Josh considered her across the table as he signed the credit card slip the waiter brought him. "You're a unique girl, Peri," inwardly laughing at her words again, "The soiree as you so eloquently put it, is an art exhibit and yes there will be some swank," he paused and smirked liking that word, "but I would like you to come. So let's go see what you have to wear."

Taking her hand he again pulled her along behind him. At well over six foot his stride was equal to two of hers, and she struggled to keep up. He buckled her into the car and asking the address drove at speed once again through the darkening streets. 

For once he let her lead the way, and she went into the small house she shared with her mother. "Peri, is that you?" Andie called walking out of her bedroom and looking up with a smile that said, 'I knew you would be back' painted on her face as she murmured in a sultry voice, "Hello again, Josh."

"Hi," he said easily before turning to Peri, "Okay, show me what we have to choose from," and purposefully walked away from Andie who looked genuinely confused.

Peri walked into her room, aware it looked more like a library than a bedroom with a myriad of books and posters of some of the great works of art hung carelessly over the walls. "I am sorry about the mess," she whispered as she flung open her closet. Peri pulled out the few good dresses she had and held them up against herself. She watched him as he shook his head at each one before discarding it. 

"That's it," she shrugged and moved to put the dress back in the cupboard.

"Well that's just pitiful. Let me look," he pushed past her into the closet doorway.

Josh pulled out a short black pleated skirt she had forgotten she owned and said "Here put that on for starters. Do you black stockings?" He threw a pair of black CFM boots out behind him, "Oh eureka, these too. I am guessing Andie bought them for you. Get dressed I will be back in a moment."

Peri could hear murmuring and peeked her head out to see Andie leading Josh into her bedroom and died inside. Sitting back on her bed, she sadly called herself a fool for believing Andie wasn't his type.

A minute later he was back in her room, "Why aren't you dressing? Here, it's your mothers but it will do for tonight." A sheer almost see through red blouse landed next to her making her look up. "Hurry up. The longer you take the longer I am out here with the barracuda and she looks hungry," he grinned and walked out closing her door. He opened it again and poked his head in, "You really shouldn't wear a bra, those burns are still fresh, and I don't want you uncomfortable and fidgeting all night, okay?" The grin was still in place as he closed the door. 

She changed in a rush of excitement not quite knowing why, except that this arrogant man was being nice to her and it made her feel good. Better than good, special. Brushing out her hair, she pulled the sides back with a clip leaving the back hanging down past her shoulders. Tying a red satin bow around the clip she smiled and dusted her face with glow. She rarely wore make up and nights like this just a small dusting of a foundation power called glow sufficed with eyeliner and mascara. Some clear lip gloss and she was ready.




The Twelve Tables



Checking her reflection she grimaced, her breasts were too large to go without a bra, but she noted the nipples sat up high, so they looked perky on the full, round globes. The silk blouse caressed her breasts, making her feel even more uncomfortable about not wearing a bra. But after the lovely dinner and the unexpected invitation she genuinely didn't want to disappoint him.

She walked out into the living room and realised Andie was not looking happy, "Oh I agree whole heartedly, Andie. There's a lot to be said for age and experience, but I am not a young stud out to sow his wild oats and learn the ropes so to speak. So you need to back off already," Josh's voice was hard.

"Oh, Andie, You promised!" Peri was overjoyed that for once a man she thought she liked didn't fall into Andie's bed. But she was also heart broken that her mother would try to do it again. She sighed resigned to life with Andie and walked to the door, "Don't say anything," Peri looked at her mother sadly, "I have heard it all before," and she walked out.

They drove in silence. Heading into the shadier side of the city and Josh pulled up at a warehouse. It was brightly lit, and she could see people milling around the entrance, waiting. She stepped out of the car when he opened the door and offered his hand. Even in the heels, he dwarfed her. Not just his height but he was solidly built. She didn't feel so chubby as she stood behind him when they stopped close to the entrance, and no one knew she was there until he pulled her forward having his name checked on the list, "Josh Craig plus one."

They walked in and he spoke cheerfully, "There are five artists exhibiting tonight. Let's see what they have to offer." Josh introduced her to many people as they walked around and she stood quietly at his side smiling and not saying much. Photography, digital art, painting, sketches and sculpture, each artist brought their own unique slant to erotica, from fairytale romance to hardcore BDSM, something for everyone so to speak. Some of the artwork was so explicit Peri felt she was witnessing extraordinarily intimate and sometimes painful moments, her over active imagination feeding her recent fantasies as she became lost in a collection entitled, 'Bound'. 

Josh lowered his head to her ear, "You like the idea of this, don't you?" Her eyes looked back up at the photo. The girl in the picture was blindfolded and bound by her wrists to a rough stone wall facing her tormentor blindly. Legs wide showing wet thighs, the tormentor held a candle over the wax covered breasts, a single drip caught in motion. Josh slid his hand over her shoulder to caress her breast, making her let out an involuntary squeak. "Still sore after your scalding today?" He murmured hotly in her ear.

Peri shook her head, blushing deeply, but found herself arching her back slightly and pulling her shoulders back, wanting to feel more of his hand. She continued to gaze at the picture. "Lovely," he whispered into her ear and kept his hand draped over her shoulder playing with her nipple as they walked to the next one. While not aggressive like Andie, Peri enjoyed sex and the man standing beside her fondling her in public view made her feel extremely sexy in a naughty way. She hoped, even though she knew she shouldn't get involved with her boss, that he would take her home tonight.

"Ah there is Charles. I wanted to run into him tonight," Josh waved over an older distinguished looking gentleman. Peri smiled shyly at him as he came closer, "Charles, this is Peri."

"Hello, Peri," Charles smiled in her direction before looking her up and down in a decidedly overt way, "Nice Josh, new girl..." again a strange pause occurred, "friend?"

"Not yet," Josh replied, "but I do have one for you if you're up for a challenge."

"I do love a battle of wills. Let's grab a drink, and you can tell me of this challenge," there was a gleam in Charles eye and smirk in place as he led them to the bar.

She took the glass of champagne offered to her with a whispered "Thank you," as she mused over the introduction to this man. That was the second time she had heard that conversation today, New girl? The pause before the word friend and the corresponding answer, not yet.

Her reverie was interrupted momentarily as Peter Lee appeared in front of her frowning. "You should be home in bed little red, not here drinking champagne and looking at porn with the big bad wolf." 

Peri grinned, "I just can't seem to say no to him, or you for that matter, did the tests come back fine?"

"Yes, you're a healthy specimen," he smiled at her.

Josh turned from his murmured conversation with Charles, "Pete! Great, look after her for a moment would you." He placed her hand into Pete's almost symbolically and walked a few paces away with Charles.

Pete smiled at her, and they made small talk, about how they each knew Josh. Pete's humour made her giggle and relax with him once again.

Pete sighed as Josh returned, "Take her home to bed, Josh, or I will. She is worn out."

"If you insist Pete," Josh picked her up and cradled her in his arms, "Hear that! Doctor's orders, I get to take you to bed," he chuckled, and she squeaked when he picked her up and strode out of the warehouse.

"I can walk, put me down," Peri squirmed in his arms, but he merely threw her over his shoulder and smacked her ass several times as she gasped without much conviction, "Ow, hey!"

Carrying the buxom girl over his shoulder, her plump ass bouncing under the smacks he gave her, Josh knew he wanted her tonight. He knew he wanted her his way, not like those half hearted fucks he got from the bimbo's he normally had one night stands with. This girl appealed to him on so many levels, and he wanted to see the sexual energy he knew they could have together. He just hoped he was right and that her needs matched his.

Opening the car door he strapped her into the seatbelt again his hand grabbing a breast tightly, looking deeply into her eyes. "You have been a delightful surprise today," his eyes twinkled. Peri whimpered not struggling at all as his hand squeezed her breast cruelly. When he let her go she breathed deeply not realising she had held her breath. Encouraged, Josh undid the buttons of her blouse and pulled it open letting it hang loosely from her shoulders. "Don't move," he growled as he closed her door and got into the car. Josh pulled the car out of the car space and sped back toward the city lights.

Peri was horny now and even though Josh's actions surprised her. She felt all her pent up arousal boil up to the surface. Her face was hot, and she knew coloured deeply but she wasn't sure if it was just from the arousal she felt for him or the fact that her breasts were exposed for any who looked into the car to see.

I have been watching you scurry around the office over the last few weeks like a shy little mouse. Dressing like a frumpy old woman, trying to blend into the back ground, I knew you would be a hot little bitch under that quiet librarian like exterior. Taking her hand he put it on his crotch as he drove and groaned, "You and those perky breasts did that to me, sexy bitch." Rather than pulling her hand away she massaged his cock through the material of his pants looking up at him through her hair. He quickly undid the button and fly shoving her hand inside his pants. "Take it out and stroke my cock for me," it was a command and wrapping her fingers around the hardening flesh she pulled him free of his pants.

His cock felt so hot in her hand, and she looked down into the dim illumination from the instrument panel only to see the large and red helmet of his cock head. Veins protruding as it's girth extended hardening more as she stroked him freeing his cock from his underwear. She squirmed hotly in her seat, "Rub that hot little pussy with the other hand, let me see what a bad, bad, girl you really are," Josh's voice was deeper and breathy as he spoke.

'He was right,' she thought, 'I am being bad, but it feels so good. It's what I need and what I want right now.' Her hand delved down ripping holes in her pantyhose. She pulled her panties aside, and she stroked her clit in time with the stroking of his cock. She was panting in heat and need when they finally pulled into his parking garage.

Reaching forward and pushing his seat back he clicked the button on her seatbelt and lifted her pulling her to his lap and impaling her on his cock. "Oh yeah," he groaned, "Fuck me, you slutty bitch." His hand released the seat back, and he reclined half way down as she began to rise and fall on him. 

He slapped her ass several times as she rode him and Peri squealed in delight, "More," she begged, "more!"

Surprised by her begging, he reached up and grabbed her breasts milking at them with hard strokes pulling the nipples out from her body and twisting them to hear her cry out. "Fuck me harder bitch," her eyes were glassy and she bucked, pounding down onto him. Her long hair flew around her as he slapped and mauled her breasts roughly. He was close, and he wanted her to cum with him, he growled, "Cum with me! You're such a bad girl. You look so innocent but fuck like a cock starved nymphomaniac. Cum with me!" Josh roared at her, and her mind twisted as her body shook uncontrollably. Driving down onto him, her hips rocked as the muscles inside her clamped with spasms around his spurting cock.

She was wobbling as her eyes closed, her breathing ragged. He picked her up and forced her backward to the small space in front of his seat. Bringing her head forward he pressed her face to his groin, "Now clean up the mess you made dirty bitch," he sighed in pleasure as he felt her tongue lap out at his cum soaked groin. Letting her up finally he opened his car door and stood up putting his cock away.

Reaching down he grabbed her hand and helped her from the car. He gently did up the buttons of her top and smoothed her hair. "There you go my innocent looking girl. Now let's get you to bed shall we?"

Peri smiled up at him. She had needed that fuck, hard and rough as it was, "Wow," she whispered, "I have never been so horny. Can we do it again?" 

Josh smacked her ass hard and grinned at her, "What a delightfully naughty slut you turned out to be."

...............................

Peri woke slowly from a deep exhausted sleep taking in the unfamiliar surroundings of Josh Craig's bedroom and a consistent beeping. 'Oh shit,' she thought, 'What have I done?' Sliding from the bed she wrapped the sheet around her and went in search of the beeping. She found her clothes neatly folded on a chair in the bedroom with her purse and phone lying on top.

She picked up her beeping phone, and turned the alarm off having not remembered setting it. She checked her messages, several from Andie which she ignored for now, and one from Josh.

The apartment was eerily quiet as she padded to the bathroom while reading the message. He had left for an early meeting and would be back to collect her by nine. Peri quickly showered and redressed, discarding her ripped pantyhose and rinsing out her filthy panties hoping the flimsy fabric would dry enough in an hour to be wearable again.

The apartment, far from the palatial palace she had imagined he would live in, was compact and serviceable. 'He obviously did not spend much time here,' she thought. She poked around in the kitchen coming up with a breakfast bar and a glass of juice and went into the living to wait. Picking up a large book from the coffee table she thumbed through it looking at pictures and titles not looking too closely at the actual text. Peri realised it was a family history of sorts. It was out of sequence and appeared incomplete and she turned back to the cover, curiously.

The beautiful leather cover was bare of both author or title so she turned to the first page of print and read the page that had clearly been edited more than once, confirming her thoughts that this was a manuscript in progress.

The Law of the Twelve Tables (Latin: Leges Duodecim Tabularum or, informally, Duodecim Tabulae) was the ancient legislation that stood at the foundation of Roman law. The Law of the Twelve Tables formed the centrepiece of the constitution of the Roman Republic and the core of the mos maiorum (custom of the ancestors).

The Twelve Tables came about as a result of the long social struggle between patricians and plebeians. After the expulsion of the last king of Rome, Tarquinius Suberbus, the Republic was governed by a hierarchy of magistrates. Initially only patricians were eligible to become magistrates and this, among other plebeian complaints was a source of discontent for plebeians. In the context of this unequal status, plebeians would take action to secure concessions for themselves using the threat of secession. They would threaten to leave the city with the consequence that it would grind to a halt, as the plebeians were Rome's labour force. One of the most important concessions won in this class struggle was the establishment of the Twelve Tables, establishing basic procedural rights for all Roman citizens as against one another. 

Peri stood up to take her glass back to the kitchen and check her panties, bringing them back with her. They were still damp and she lay them on the arm of the couch as she picked up the manuscript again. Absolutely engrossed Peri continued to read not watching the time.

During the early 1800's twelve rich and powerful men from across Italy travelled to Rome. They had participated in the defeated revolts against the despotic rulers of Modena, Naples, Venice, Milan, Bologna, Rome and other cities. Drawn together by dealings in business and pleasure, they discovered within each other like minded patrician sentiment and a reverence for the customs of their ancestors. Each had established the power of the pater familias within the community of his own extended familia. He held legal privilege over the property of the familia, and varying levels of authority over his dependents: these included his wife and children, certain other relatives through blood or adoptions, clients, freedmen and slaves.

Each of the twelve men bore the name Esposito or a variant of it. In ancient times the surname was given to children who were abandoned or given up for adoption and handed over to an orphanage and each man had traced his origins back to a noble and distinguished family and a slave girl. The text went on to list the families and regions their estates lay in and Peri felt her eyebrows raise at some of the names listed.

Each family had agreed to send a younger son, his wife and a body of slaves to the new British Colony to set up a new seat of power for the table of twelve they had created. The Sons would regain their lost family names for their travel documents leaving behind the tainted label of Esposito and the legacy of a bastard ancestor. In 1883, with the successful migration of the families younger sons to the new America's fifty years before, the treaty between Italy and the British Isles allowing citizens of both countries to travel an work freely within each others states set the wheels in motion for immigration of the fore runners of the families to the new colony, Australia. 

A new generation of younger sons could forge their way as pater familias and bring success to the Twelve tables from yet another land. This would safe guard the families against the near extinction they had suffered during the revolts against the Austrian French and swiss usurpers of their lands. In the not so distant past.

Peri heard the door open and looked up as Josh came in. Placing the book carefully on the table she uncurled her feet and stood smiling. "Hi. How was your meeting?"

Returning her smile Josh looked her over remembering the passionate and exciting sex of the night before. She had seemed insatiable as they come up to the apartment and he had fucked her hard until they both passed out from exhaustion. Seeing her voluptuous curves in the red and black outfit made him want her again and his smile widened. He closed the distance between them and bent his head, "You look very," he paused searching for the right word. His mouth curved into a smirk and he murmured, "fuckable," his mouth taking hers in a deep kiss.

"I am not really sure this is the right outfit for work," she whispered blushing. His hand had travelled up her thigh and was caressing her naked ass.

"You could be right, I am finding it very distracting and I believe we will be late to the office this morning," he had walked her back until she was pressed against the wall. At a distinct height advantage he towered over her lifting his hand to unbutton her blouse, his lips finding hers again.

Peri melted against him. Last night had been incredible and she wanted more. Her hands reached out blindly for his belt fumbling with nervous fingers. They stripped each other, hands fondling and caressing sensitive skin as the kiss deepened and went on leaving them both breathless. He pulled back stepping back to gaze at her with hungry eyes. In the light of day Peri's insecurities rose again and she demurely put an arm over breasts and a hand to cover her pussy. 

He saw her move and sternly said, "Arms down. I want to look at you. Don't you know how fucking sexy you are?" Josh was staring intently at her as she slowly lowered her hands. She had large firm tits with high perky nipples and wide hips that carried a soft rounded ass high above tapering legs. Her frumpy clothes had made her seem chubby but he could see there was no fat on her buxom figure. She was short and stacked and his cock hardened more as he looked at her. "Who knew the shy frumpy research librarian would be such a sex kitten.

Blushing deeply she gazed back at him. She didn't know how she had got to this point but she thanked the gods for the Adonis that stood before her with his huge hard cock pointing at her. He was classically handsome, dark hair, startling blue eyes, a thatch of dark curly hair across his chest which led down in a small thin trail past his naval to his groin. She noted that he kept his pubic hair short and this made his cock look even bigger as he stroked it gently. Unable to stand the scrutiny anymore it was her turn to close the distance and she stepped forward suddenly, in a rush almost and knelt at his feet wrapping her lips around his cock.

"Oh yeah," Josh groaned stroking her hair his hips rocking gently. She was not very experienced and had no real technique but Josh enjoyed the fervour with which she sucked him. He could feel her need and arousal rather than the jaded bimbo's who went through the motions until they could get off themselves.

Tugging on her hair he pulled her up to him and guided her back to the couch. Sitting he made her straddle his hips and impaled her on his cock. Grasping her ass cheeks in both hands he guided her as she rose and fell on him, watching mesmerised as her breasts bounced before his eyes.

Peri was panting and whimpering hotly as she worked her thigh muscles to fuck with him. Moving suddenly he rolled to his side pinning her to the couch underneath him. Josh pulled her legs up over his shoulders and began pounding into her hard and fast. She cried out and bucked her hips to his thrusts as she felt the pressure inside her build.

Lost in the pleasure he gave her, Josh lifted a hand to her throat and circled it tightly, her eyes widened and as his fingers gripped her tighter she came on his cock, "Fuck yes!" he roared and she felt him drive deeply into her and his cock pulse within her shaking body. 

His grip loosened but his hand stayed around her throat as he collapsed heavily on top of her. Peri breathed deeply and closed her eyes. If anyone had told her yesterday morning that she would be lying here like she would have called them a fool. She had believed him a selfish arrogant control freak, and while she wasn't sure she had changed her mind, she now looked at those qualities in him in a totally new way.