The Master Class

by Louisa Bacio

  Wow. A feeling of hope settled in her chest. She was pleasantly surprised. Usually, Lucy told her what to do. She peered at Mario, wondering if he was going to add in his two cents. Nothing.

  “Thanks. Let’s play it by ear when we get there.”

  When they got down to the car, Clarissa and Mario both reached for the passenger-side door.

  “It’s a two-seater,” Lucy exclaimed. “I didn’t even think.”

  “Looks like three is a crowd,” Mario said. “Now what?”

  Clarissa burst out laughing. “Looks like you’re going to need a new car if this keeps up.”

  Lucy sighed, leaning against the driver’s side. “Listen, I’m most familiar with the city. Let me take BART. Clarissa, you drive to Johnny’s place, and then Mario can follow you back to the school.”

  Mario ran his fingers through his hair, making it stand up all over—a habit Clarissa knew meant he was thinking. “You sure?” he asked. “I’m used to taking the subway in New York. It wouldn’t be a problem.”

  Shaking her head, Lucy said, “No way. I’ve lived here the longest and I’m most familiar. Do you feel comfortable driving out of the city?”

  “Piece of cake—red velvet.”

  Her response got a laugh out of the other two. Splitting up didn’t feel right, not after last night. As she watched Ms. Lucy head back to the street to get to the nearest BART station, anxiety tightened around Clarissa’s heart. Logically, she knew Lucy would be all right, but she couldn’t help feeling a little nervous. It was almost symbolic that all three of them couldn’t drive together.

  “We better get moving. As it is, she’ll probably beat us back easily,” Mario said. “She has the most direct route, and we’ll probably hit some traffic.”

  “Isn’t that for sure? It doesn’t matter what time of day it is.”

  With its leather interior and state-of-the-art consoles, Lucy’s car sure was pretty. “It would be a shame to have to part with this beauty,” Clarissa said.

  “You’re telling me. In New York, you don't see many daily drivers like this one. The school must be doing well.”

  “You could say that. It doesn’t matter what else is happening in the economy, people still like to have sex,” Clarissa said. “Well, at least that’s how Lucy explains it.”

  She slid the car into drive and headed toward Johnny’s and then home.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The swelling of music started, and Clarissa wiped the corners of her eyes. What was it about weddings? It didn’t matter that it wasn’t her wedding. The abundance of emotion was overwhelming. It was as if she were tapping into the surging energy of the entire gathering, and it fueled her feelings.

  Outside in the school’s courtyard where graduation ceremonies were usually held, they’d set up for the wedding. They’d wrapped up the couples’ session from the Master Class last week, and now it was time to celebrate and enjoy the approaching summer. From all sides, weeping willows lent their graceful shade, embracing the area. Teal tulle draped from one bench to the next, linking them together like a connected family. Colorful flower petals had been strewn down the aisle, and the air smelled like a spring morning.

  Rain threatened, and everyone kept looking toward the sky. Mother Nature wouldn’t dare on this beautiful day. Clarissa sat between Lucy and Mario on the bride’s side. If they had to pick a side, it would be Mandi’s. Clarissa came to SFSU as part of the same class as Amanda, and now she was seeing her friend’s dream of getting married being fulfilled. Mandi’s family sat in the front row, looking a bit stiff and uptight, probably from being at a “sex school.”

  Reed stood inside the white gazebo, hands folded in front of him, waiting patiently for his bride. He wore a traditional black tux, with matching teal cummerbund and bow tie. His sister Willow sat in the front row, wearing a whispery, light turquoise dress. The hem kept lifting in the wind.

  They didn’t have an accompanying wedding party—only their love would be on display. The entire school and local alums had turned out in support. Savannah and Maggie, another couple who’d found love through the university, sat in the row behind Clarissa. Maggie also used to work with Reed at the police department. Next to them sat Sam, and Johnny, who gave Clarissa a wink and nod of approval when he saw the three of them sitting together.

  The surge of organ music sounded, and all stood and turned toward the back of the courtyard to see the bride enter. Dun-dun-da-dun. It was that moment, and Clarissa held her breath in anticipation.

  A warm palm rested on Clarissa’s knee, and she grasped Mario’s hand and gave it a squeeze. Both he and Lucy had been extremely supportive, and they’d let her move at her own pace as they settled in together. They were going to have to either renovate or find new living quarters, because Lucy’s place was too small to accommodate the three full time. But they’d made it work.

  Now, she wanted more, but it was a matter of letting them know what was happening in her mind. Part of her wanted them to figure it out for themselves. The problem was they’d already done that once, when she’d ditched them in a case of the jitters. It was time to move on to their future.

  Mandi had the biggest smile ever on her face as she passed them. Her gorgeous, black hair had been pulled up in curls, falling in accents, and she wore a mini-veil attached to a tiara. There was no hiding her face or her happiness as she locked eyes with the groom. The joy was contagious, spreading to Clarissa.

  She needed to stop worrying and enjoy. The logistics always worked out eventually. The clouds overhead parted, letting in the sunshine, and the couple promised to love, honor and satisfy each other for eternity.

  Those were some vows to live by.

  Epilogue

  One month later

  Shivering from cold and anticipation, Mario lay across the backseat of a car, hands tied behind his back. He’d been woken, blindfolded and carted off to who knows where. The car trip took a few hours. Within Northern California, that could get you to any number of places from the mountains to along the coast.

  Plenty of time to think.

  When Lucy and Clarissa had left the day before, they’d warned him to expect a special surprise—a culmination of his lessons at SFSU and accepting the offer to stay on and take charge of the school’s culinary requirements.

  He planned to go beyond the fare in the dining room and devise a course for sexy edible temptations. His family in New York wasn’t thrilled, but knowing he was with Clarissa helped ease the pain. They held their questions about when he and Clarissa were going to get married, and their “lovely” housemate Lucy, at bay for now.

  Throughout his time at SFSU, Lucy drilled in the lesson that he wasn’t ultimately in control. While he knew what to expect from Clarissa, Lucy was a totally different partner. She kept him guessing. No matter what he did, it came back to this, right here, right now. Heading off in the hands of an unknown person, for an indeterminate amount of time. His cock throbbed, loving every minute of it.

  The car stopped, and a rush of cool air assaulted his nude body. Someone grabbed his arm, right above the crook of the elbow.

  “Better duck your head or you’ll thunk it,” said a man’s voice he didn’t recognize.

  He stepped out tentatively, barefoot against a smooth rock pathway. He hesitated to rub the stones with his big toe, and his handler yanked him. Parallel footsteps sounded beside them, then a dragging noise.

  “Lift it, you don’t want to alarm the entire neighborhood,” the man said. “We’re coming to a few steps now. One. Two. Three. Okay, open it up.”

  Mario tensed his body, not sure what to expect, and nothing happened. Again, some shuffling this time in front of him.

  “Hand me that ribbon,” the man said.

  After a ripping noise, he tugged on Mario’s nipple ring, and then a silky material slid across his chest and wrapped around the other side. He gritted his teeth. He was being all tied up pretty in a bow. Cold hands cupped his cock, and he startled, lifting o
ff his feet.

  “Hold on there, boy, it’ll make this much more pleasant for you.”

  Tight ribbons curled under his balls and around his cock. He winced. He’d been similarly restrained a number of times. It kept him from coming, and did he ever blow his load once the restraints were removed.

  The hands reached lower toward his ass, and the man cursed, moving behind Mario. “Now’s the fun part, hon. Bend over and let me put this little toy in your ass.”

  “Since you asked so nicely,” he replied. Why the hell haven’t I protested? he thought. It’s not like I’ve been gagged. Conditioning. I’d been taught to obey. Not to question.

  “Fuck that’s cold!” he shouted as fingers that must have been coated in frozen lube probed his ass. Metal replaced flesh, and his sphincter protested and allowed entry. His cock twitched. Fuckin’ freak. Of course it would like this treatment.

  The ribbon around his cock pulled taut and then looped under him around his balls and got tied off behind somewhere.

  A giggle came from behind him, and he willed his body to relax. He had no control. Whatever happened, happened.

  * * *

  “Now, if you’ll take two steps forward and kneel down, we’ll get this party started,” the man instructed.

  He shuffled forward, noticing the difference from cement to paper. Kneeling, he rocked forward a bit, and his face hit against another barrier. He flinched back. He recognized the sound of the sides coming up and then closing over him.

  “Have fun,” the man said. “Let’s hope she finds you fast. We cut a few air holes for you.”

  Sounds from the outside world muffled. I’m in a box, all wrapped up with a bow. He could only guess the recipients.

  The dull sound of a doorbell ringing echoed, and then a familiar woman’s voice.

  “Oh my, what’s this? Why, the biggest present I’ve ever seen.”

  The temperature changed as the package opened and the sides fell away. “Look how pretty you are.”

  She grabbed hold of the ribbon connecting his nipples and pulled up. “Stand up, please.”

  Happy to please, Mario raised up to his full height. Soft hands caressed the tip of his cock. He sucked in a breath.

  “And such a nice gift you are,” she said, stroking him. “Can you lean down?”

  Obliging her, he did exactly that, and she removed his blindfold, tsking. “No reason to keep you all locked up.”

  Bight sunlight pierced his eyes, and he squinted against the contrast. A vision dressed in purple came into focus before him: Clarissa. She came up to right below his chin, with her long waves of light blonde hair and sparkling blues eyes. She blinked, and he repeated the action. Her plump lips pouted, twisted a bit to the side as she inspected him. She looked like an adult version of a doll, with plenty of womanly curves, all dressed up for a party, and here he was, the big surprise.

  “Now turn around.” She twirled her finger in a circle, demonstrating what she meant. “Let me untie you.”

  Deftly, she undid the knots, and the pressure on Mario’s wrists disappeared. He worked his shoulders, relieving the ache. He opened his mouth to talk, and she shushed him with her finger to his lips.

  Where the hell am I? he wanted to ask, but fought against it. Patience. He’d know soon enough.

  “That’s good enough for now. Come on inside. We’ll get you warmed up and cleaned up.”

  At the mention of inside, Mario glanced up, taking in the huge white estate. He looked over his shoulder and caught sight of an ocean. He whistled, low and long, without even thinking about it.

  Her laughter caught his attention. “Beautiful, isn’t it? I never grow tired of the view.”

  * * *

  “Clarissa?”

  She turned back toward him, eyebrow raised. “How rude of me. Did you want to ask me something? Or are you willing to be a good slave and follow me? You see, I won you.”

  “Won me?”

  “Yes. In a contest.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “The winner got to choose the location and scenario. Ms. Lucy and I have some fun planned. Are you willing to play along?”

  She trailed her fingers down his chest, and he nodded, at a loss for words. “I know all about you,” she said. “You like sex dirty and raunchy, don’t you?”

  Before he could respond, his cock did it for him, jutting out against that pretty purple material.

  “And you’ve been quite bad, coming all over the place, at times when you were not supposed to.” She slapped her hand, lightly, against his cock, and it bounded back up. “Well, I tell you what. Over the next 24 hours, you won’t have to worry about that—at all. You can come as many times as you want. As often as you want. As long as you can continue to please us.”

  His balls ached at the thought. He widened his eyes. Did she say what he thought she did?

  On tiptoe, she raised up, leaning against his body to speak directly in his ear. “As many times as you want, wherever you wish.”

  Fuck yes.

  “For now, though, you must call me either Ma’am or Mistress. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.” It was like signing away all control once again.

  Taking him by the hand, she led him inside. While outside featured ornate pillars and sculpted topiaries, inside resembled more of a quaint bungalow. The ceiling featured exposed wooden beams. To the left of the door was a sunken living room with what looked to be a squishy maroon velvet couch. He’d expect sleek, black leather or a slick, polished white, or even bright red—the hue of a whipping gone a bit harsh.

  Maroon foretold luxurious comfort without worrying about appearances. From the corner of his eye, he observed his host. In this setting, Clarissa acted quite differently, and where was Lucy? A quandary. The interlude had to be somehow connected to the university, and yet it was so very different than his previous experiences.

  The hallway curved toward the right, and they walked upstairs to a second landing and into an oversized bathroom. The main window faced the ocean, and sunlight streamed in through the textured glass, casting diamonds of color reflected on the walls.

  Mario stood mouth open, taking in the glamour of man vs. nature.

  “Bath?” Clarissa asked, breaking his trance. She leaned over a sunken tub, her pert, rounded bottom peeking out from under her dark purple chemise.

  His training kicked in. “Oh, yes, Ma’am, let me get that for you.” He stumbled over himself, trying to reach her.

  She shooed him away. “Not for me, silly. For you.” Steam rose from the tub. “Would you like scent?” His focus shifted to a jar of bath salts in her hand.

  He nodded, and she sprinkled some into the rising water, and a wild blend of lavender filled the room.

  “Now let me unwrap this pretty package.”

  With deliberate movements, she pulled the ribbon in the center of his chest, watching the bright pink come undone. The material rubbed against his hard nipples, and he sucked in a breath. Next, she undid the tie between his legs, tsking as she got to the butt plug.

  “Now, this will not do. We have some other plans for you.”

  Curiosity piqued, he wondered what the future held. With a plop, it landed in the trash can.

  “All done.” She brushed her hands. “Climb in.”

  Hot water stung the moment Mario’s foot touched it, but he settled in with a sigh. The warmth chased away the chill from the ride.

  “Thank you,” he said, sinking farther into the depths and settling his head against a soft rubber pillow.

  Clarissa crossed the room and picked up a phone. “Can you please bring up a light assortment for breakfast? Yes, and champagne.”

  “Mind if I join you?” Clarissa stood next to the tub, and her gown shimmied to the floor in a perfect pool of silk.

  “Please do.” Mario shifted farther back, letting her take the scalloped seat closest to the entrance. She didn’t stay on her side, though, instead choosing to settle on his lap, her fine ass getting up close and per
sonal with his curious cock. It took all his willpower not to take charge, lean her over the edge of the tub and take her.

  She ran her delicate hands up his chest, through the smattering of hair. Now way she’d hold that against him. She moved upward, her pert breasts coming to rest right at the height of his mouth, and she raised herself over him. He moaned as she tunneled her fingers through his hair.

  “I like it longer like this,” she said. “The contrast of the dark black looks striking against your skin.”

  A rapping at the door brought them apart, and a woman—again not Lucy—entered with a tray of fruit and scones. They ate grapes and strawberries and cantaloupe wrapped in prosciutto. The champagne flutes were made from some sort of plastic that looked classy and yet wouldn’t break in the tub.

  As Mario relaxed, his mind wandered, thinking of his training at the school. He’d voluntarily joined this world and honestly got off on the darker mixture of pain and pleasure, of being deprived and ultimately, living to please his two lovers.

  But in contrast, being pampered and petted and cherished… he sighed. Could he live like this continuously? The contrast was almost too much, and he wasn’t sure how to react.

  “May I wash your hair?” Clarissa asked. She maneuvered her slender body behind his, cradling him. Her strong thighs pressed along the outside of his hips.

  “Yes, Mistress. Whatever pleases you.”

  “You please me,” she whispered into his ear. Clarissa followed her comment with a quick nip, a bite on the outer lobe, so fast, Mario questioned its existence, except for the lingering tightening of his balls.

  * * *

  Strong fingers massaged his scalp, and she worked in the shampoo. He moaned, curling his toes. He never knew something so mundane could be so very exquisite.

  “Lean back and close your eyes,” she directed, lifting a container and dropping the water over his head. The suds flowed down the sides of his face and collected on his chest.