It was an ideal day to be driving up the coast road. It was a warm late Saturday afternoon; the sun was bright in a clear blue, cloudless sky. The deep blue of the Pacific Ocean stretched to the horizon, filling the warm air with a sweet brininess. I had left Los Angeles behind and was heading to Carpinteria, a small sleepy coastal town ninety miles north of the city. I had found out early that morning that my sister and I were spending the weekend alone without my parents. I was ecstatic, knowing that I would be free to spend the night with Michael. We had only been seriously involved for a week, and I was in love. I couldn’t wait to see what his home was like; I had only ever seen him at his studio.

The directions he gave were soon taking me away form the waters edge, towards the foothills. The homes here were getting bigger and much farther apart. As I drove up to the address given to me, a large iron gate blocked the path, stopping I rolled down my window to use the call box.

“Hello, Master, It’s me, Heather.”

The gate silently opened and I drove in. There was a small rise before dropping down into a meadow where I could see his house in the tree line. It was a large house, gray-brown and it melted into the background flowing with the landscape. The house and grounds weren’t what I was expecting, there was nothing manicured here, no hard lines or edges. The grounds were overflowing in native grasses and wildflowers, the house covered with ivy and jasmine; it looked completely natural but very well maintained. Silver oak trees surrounded the house like silent sentinels casting cooling shadows beneath their leaves.

I parked near the front door, and stood in the warm air, drinking in the beauty of the day. The front door was slightly open, so I knocked and went in. Michael didn’t see me as I came through the door; he was concentrating on a small table. I saw him put something black down as he looked up at me smiling.

“Hello, Heather. You made great time getting here; I didn’t expect you for at least another half hour.”

“The traffic was moving, for once there were no back up’s.”

He reached his hand out, wrapping it around my neck, running his fingers through my hair, until he was holding me by the base of the neck. Pulling me into his body, I melting into his; he bent towards my lips, as I lifted mine towards his. The warmth of his hand sent a flush of heat throughout my body as our lips and tongues met. I felt the instantaneous rush of his control, along with my absolute desire to please him. I felt loved; I was in love for the first time, an intoxicating and heady mix of emotions. My entire being, sighed and relaxed. He pulled me into his arms and held me close. I was enveloped by his presence and happy.

“I’m glad you here, Heather, thank you for coming.”

“Me too” I said purring into his chest.

As he was holding me I was eyeing the chessboard on the small table. It was a beautiful set of finally carved alabaster and onyx pieces with a finely inlayed wood board. I liked playing chess; it was an appealing brain game, a game of strategy. From the look of it, he was playing against himself. I could feel the devilish grin turning up the corners of my mouth; I was going to play one of the pieces when he wasn’t looking, and wondered if he would notice.

“It’s a gorgeous set, where did to get it?”

“I did a shoot, many years ago, in India, I got it there”

“Come on, help me in the kitchen, I was just finishing dinner.”

I couldn’t help myself, I scanned the board quickly and saw that it was closed game; the center pieces had become locked. I moved the white knight towards the edge of the board, forking a bishop and a rook, than followed Michael into the kitchen.

The kitchen was a shock; it looked like a 50’s time warp gone crazy. Against one wall was diner style booth seating in ox blood red, with a Formica and chrome table. Under the window there was a long cast iron farm sink. The counters were filled with everything retro. There was long green breadbox, and a Dualit chrome toaster. There was chrome Hamilton Beach soda fountain mixer, surrounded with Coca Cola glasses, a straw dispenser, and a box of Twinkies. The glass cabinets were filled with a riot of colorful Fiesta Ware dishes. Every inch of wall space was covered with antique Coca Cola trays, except for the large black payphone on the far wall. A heavy wood table laden with ingredients for the meal Michael was preparing dominated the center of the kitchen. Soft music was playing in the in the background

“Sit here, Heather,” he indicated by pulling out a chair. “This won’t take very long, and I hope that you’re hungry.”

He was wearing his usual black clothing, in this colorful kitchen it was a striking contrast. I had never seen him except in the studio; this was a new and exciting side of him. Watching him fascinated me. He moved with grace, moving pans and ingredients around. I didn’t know how to cook so I watched every move he made. The smell in the kitchen was heavenly; I knew he was baking bread from the aroma. I was taking in long deep breaths and smiling, as he opened the oven, pulling out several golden loves.

“Give these a minute to cool down, then we can dig in. Wait here I’ll be right back.”

He kissed me on the neck, sending a shiver down my spine as he passed, heading towards the dining room. He came back holding a bottle of wine, which he opened, pouring a small amount into two glasses. He swirled the wine around in the glass, inhaled its aroma, than took a small sip and handed me the second glass.

“This is Dominus, Heather, and my house wine, Dominus 84’ to be exact. You’re going to have to learn an appreciation for fine wine.”

I took the glass and tilted it to my lips, taking a small sip, just as I had seen Michael do. I was surprised, I had never had wine before, and I thought it was going to have a sour bitter taste. This was smooth and soft, with an unexpectedly appealing flavor. I smiled at him as I dropped the glass from my lips.

“Good girl, you liked it. Just so you know, you’re starting you education with wine from the top. Dominus is a California wine in the style of a French Bordeaux. This is for you. Keep it, so you’ll always remember.”

He handed me the wine cork, one end stained a deep purple, it felt moist and had the smell of the wine wrapped around it. I wasn’t sure what to do so I put the cork in my pocket. A look of satisfaction spread across his face and there was curious glint in his eyes.

“Take this into the dining room, will you, it needs to breathe. When you get back, let’s have some bread while it’s still warm” he said smiling and handing me the bottle.

“Sure,” I said, reaching for the bottle of wine. “Where would you like me to put it, Sir?”

“There’s a wine coaster, you’ll see it Heather”

I set the wine in the coaster and looked at the chessboard. Michael had moved the bishop and taken a pawn, placing it on the black side of the table. It appeared we had a game in the works. I took his rook with a knight, placed it on my side, and went back into the kitchen. I was smiling to myself, Michael didn’t know it, but I thought I could check mate him soon, maybe two moves.

When I got back, Michael had placed plates and butter on the table. There were two golden loaves of bread on a board with a knife.

“This is the smell that I remember from childhood, fresh baked bread. Dig in while it’s still warm.”

Slicing a piece off and lathering it with butter he put it in my mouth. The warmth, the aroma, the textures, of the bread engulfed my senses. He was watching me again with the same look I had seen before, his eyes that never wavered, they that were fixed and focused. He looked like a Bengal tiger in the tall grass, blending into the background, not missing a movement, smelling the air, waiting for the right moment to pounce. He leaned into me and licked my lips.

“You realize what I’m doing don’t you, Heather. I’m invading your mind.”

I was shocked; I couldn’t grasp what he was saying to me. I pulled back confused, and stared at him.
“I’m imprinting on you. You will never again be able to smell, or taste fresh baked bread without remembering this moment. When you drink wine you will always compare it to this. You will always remember Me.”

He said it as a statement, a forgone conclusion. I knew that he was right. He had changed me forever. He had become part of my thoughts and memories. I never realized it until this moment just how far he had made it into my head, but he was there, a part of me now and forever. He used every sense I possessed to fix this moment, sight, taste, smell, feelings, and all working together. I knew would remember this moment in exquisite detail forever. The music changed, his eyes changed and the amusement in them was unmistakable.

“Yes, Wied Al at last!”

He was happily mouthing the words to the new music that had loaded in the CD player. The music was familiar the not the words. Michael was happily grilling the steaks as he kept beat with the music.

“This is Wired Al, Heather, Greatest Hits volume II, I love him. He’s irreverent and hysterical, every thing I’m not. Listen closely to the words and you’ll see.”

He was right, after I had listened to a few songs I was rolling in laughter. The music fit so well with the surroundings of the kitchen. Amusing, light hearted, kitschy, I was getting it, this was another side of the serious Michael Rhetman. A side that no one knew about, a side that he was willing to share with me, a side he was willing to trust with me with.

“Could you take the glasses and bread out, this will be done in a second or two.”

I place everything on the dining room table and scanned the chessboard. He had made his move; he had taken my knight, the only move he could make with out leaving his king totally open. He didn’t stand a chance, I had him now, rank and file, my queen and two rooks were going to close in and mate him faster than he could maneuver out of the trap. I took his queen with my bishop, placing it on my side of the board and returned to the kitchen.

He was standing there with two plates in his hands, the same watchful eyes looking at me. Restive, brooding, paralyzing, He took my breath away just looking at him.

“All done, lets eat.”

We sat down and he poured the wine, holding up his glass.

“Here’s to memories. Now take your blouse off for me Heather.”

The power in words was inescapable, his words rolled through my mind and I obeyed. I was a bit shocked, but never hesitated. My hands moved to slowly unbutton my blouse. He was watching me carefully, eyes drinking me in. Strangely, I didn’t feel embarrassed at the request, and placed the blouse on the chair next to me.

“Good girl, very nice, now lets eat”

Dinner was fabulous; I didn’t think I had anything so delicious before in life. He had made perfectly cooked filet mignon, caramelized to perfection on the outside, juicy and pink on the inside. Accompanying it was sautéed spinach with garlic and browned butter, and roasted red new potatoes. It was simple and elegant. He had only poured me half a glass of wine and it was causing a warm glowing feeling within me. I was happy and relaxed, even if I was only wearing a bra.

As we cleared, I noticed the board had changed again; he was trapped with no more moves to make. I moved my queen, check mate. I smiled happily; I had won, and was wondering if he was going to say anything about the silent game we had played.

He was behind me as we started into the livening room when he grabbed me from behind forcing me to the sofa. He bent me forward, using his body to trap me under his weight. His breathing was hard as he wrapped a hand into my hair pulling my head back. I felt him lean in, bringing his head to my ear, rasping warm air, hissing to me.

“I see you won the game, Little One. Now it time for your punishment for playing without permission. Say it, Little One, what time it now?”

“But, Michael…”

“Master, Little one…”

I stared crying softly, I was startled, and surprised at the sudden change in him. I felt vulnerable and unsure. I started to whimper as confusion started to overwhelm me. He shook me a bit for emphasis and I knew what I needed to say.

“It’s….it’s time for my…my... punishment, Master, for playing the game with out your permission.”

“Very, very good, Little One, you’re learning quickly.”

He hauled me up roughly by the arms, standing me in the center of the room. My tears were now freely flowing and I was quietly sobbing. I dint know what to do or expect, the idea of being punished was frightening, and worse humiliating. He sat down on the sofa, watching me, waiting, again with the same look of predator watching it’s prey. I was nervous and started to fidget under his intent gaze.

“Stop moving, Heather, I want you to undress and come here.”

His words were stern, without feeling, they left no doubt that he intended to do exactly what he said her was going to do, punish me. What the punishment was, was still an unknown, and that alone was terrifying me.

Tears of humiliation and shame burned hot rivers of saline down my cheeks. I knew that my makeup was a wreck, that my face was red, I felt like a child. I was half paralyzed with fear but my hands began to move. I started with my jeans, slowly sliding them down over my hips, pushing the snug fabric down my legs, stepping out of them. I was left only in my lingerie, feeling totally exposed in front of him. He didn’t say anything, only slightly nodding his head for me to continue, his eyes never leaving me. I unfastened my bra and took off my panties. I stood nude before him, my body racked with silent sobs, waiting for him to tell me what to do.

“Very nice, now, come here and lay yourself across me lap, its time for you punishment.”

His voice, the way his words rolled through the air, carried such power and force. Considering he was telling me he was punishing me, his voice was very unemotional. I was mesmerized, stirred, excited beyond belief, and scared to death all at the same time. I couldn’t believe that I was actually going to do this. I was walking towards him, doing as I was told. I stood next to his legs for the briefest moment before I laid my trembling body across his knees.

“Good girl”

Michael had his left hand under my body, fingers cupping my pussy. He was slowly caressing my round ass. Gently circling one cheek than the other, his hand was warm and the contact was electric. I couldn’t think, the tears were starting to soak the sofa. I felt every move, every circle, and every caress his hand made over the skin of my ass. I was hyper sensitive to everything, this was the unknown.

The three smacks came from nowhere, it was unexpected and frightening. The first smack was hard; the last two were less intense. The sting of his hand left my ass tingling and warm. What I truly wasn’t expecting was that as Michael landed the blows, the fingers of the hand underneath me curled in between my legs, assaulting my clit at the same time. My back arched in indignation and lust, I yelped out scream of surprise and pain. The spanking was over just as fast as it had begun and he returned to the gentle circular caressing motion with his hand.

The moment I relaxed, He did it again, and again, and again. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t think. I was confused and conflicted about how I was feeling. He was driving me wild torturing my clit, and at the same time torturing my ass in a completely different way. My tears and crying were not helping, they only seemed to turn him on more, and I was trying to wiggle away.

“Please……Please stop. I’m sorry……..Sorry I played with your game. Please… Master.”

“Heather. Stop trying to move away from me. Relax, that’s it, relax.”

His words were soothing, he had stopped spanking me and was caressing me again. I could feel the heat and sting of my ass, as his hand glided across my skin. The fingers of his left hand never stopped moving across my clit as he spoke.

“Good girl. You’re very wet you know, and very beautiful. Your ass is a lovely shade of deep red.”

I was gasping in air and trying to crying. An incredible feeling of need was overwhelming me. The feeling of his control washed through me like a drug. I wanted him to stop spanking me, and than there was a part of me that was crying for him to continue.

“This isn’t just punishment for playing the game, Heather, it’s your reward for winning as well. I’m not stopping until you cum for me”

His words were shocking and electrifying as they sunk into my brain. My entire body was open and vulnerable to him; and was nothing I could do to stop him. A gnawing thought forming within me, I realized I didn’t want him to stop. It felt so very wrong, even forbidden to feel this way. At the same time it felt so very, very right.

He had stopped spanking me and was concentrating on my clit. His fingers were roving in deep circular movements, pressing, stroking, and kneading. With his other hand he began teasing the entrance of my pussy. I could feel that my warm juices were soaking his lap, but that didn’t seem to matter at all. One finger, than two were pressed deeply into me, plunging in and out.

A massive orgasm was building. My entire being centered on his fingers. My mind exploded, my toes curled, my entire body contracted as I started to cum. At the very same moment I tumbled over the edge, Michael pulled his fingers out of my contracting pussy and spanked my ass hard, harder than anything before.

I couldn’t stop; the orgasm had taken control of my body. The pleasure and pain combined in my mind and became one. I was moaning in pleasure and crying from the pain. Wave after wave of intense pleasure flowed through me. Spent, finally collapsed and lay heavily over Michael’s knees.

“Good Girl. That was beautiful, thank you.”

He was gently rubbing my back, and bringing me back down from my intense high. I need to think about how I felt about what just happened. It was all too confusing. I heard Michael chuckling and turned my head towards him.

“Ready for desert,” He asked, winking at me “I’m in the mood for root beer float and a bunch of Twinkies.”

I was incredulous, and all I could think was, “Who is this man?”