“I’ve been working to get the room right for you for quite a while,” he said in a tender voice. He closed the distance between us in a few steps and put his hands on my upper arms. “I wanted it to be perfect for you.”
I wanted to look up at him. I was dumbfounded. He wanted it to be perfect for me? Was this really my Master Devin? Master Devin wasn’t tender or gentle or…or was he? Memories of how he’d been before I turned sixteen flooded my mind. His smiles. His hugs. His kisses. Memories of him at my birthday parties and ballet recitals. He’d treated me like a princess. And then he changed. Literally overnight.
I blinked back tears, not knowing where they came from. Kindness towards me had been frowned upon for so long, by both Master Devin and Master Jack. The kindest thing they did to me was not make it hurt during sex.
I stood there, clenching and unclenching my hands. I didn’t know what to do. I shook my head slightly, trying to get a grasp on what was happening. Moving would likely earn me the backside of his hand against my cheek, but I was having a very difficult time controlling my body.
Master Devin pulled me towards him, wrapping his arms around me, and I could no longer hold back my tears. I began shaking and sobbing uncontrollably. My legs collapsed beneath me and he caught me before I fell, gently guiding me to the ground. He sat on the ground with his arms around me. I wanted to grab onto him and hug him, but didn’t dare move.
What is going on? Is this a trick? I shouldn’t be moving; he’ll punish me.
But he didn’t punish me. He just held me and let me cry. I didn’t understand. Why comfort me? There was certainly a visit to the dungeon in my near future for my behavior.
I sucked in gulps of air, struggling to gain control of my emotions and my body.
Stop crying, Anna! He hates it when you cry. Stop before things get worse!
But he didn’t move. He stroked my hair and whispered in my ear, “Shhh, Baby. It’s okay. It’s all right. Shhh, Baby, I’ve got you. You’re okay.”
As hard as I tried, though, I couldn’t calm down as quickly as I wanted to. Finally, though, after what seemed like an eternity, the streams of tears on my cheeks slowed to a trickle and I stopped shaking. I took a deep breath and let it out through pursed lips. I was calm.
Did I dare move? He held me tightly, but the comfort I felt disconcerted me. I tried to pull away, to assume my normal submissive pose, but he tightened his arms around me. I froze, uncertain of what to do. What do you do when someone who has been icy cold for years suddenly shows you affection?
We sat there for a few moments in silence as my tears ceased. Master Devin kissed the top of my head and then stood and pulled me to my feet. Now I will be punished. As we walked back into my room, I took in a silent, shaky breath to prepare myself for whatever punishment he would pronounce. But instead of leading me out the door and to the dungeon, he led me to the easy chair next to the window. He sat on the ottoman and indicated for me to sit in the chair. I put my hands in my lap and stared at them, trying to look and be as submissive as possible.
“Anna, look at me.”
I looked up expecting to see anger, though his voice wasn’t angry. His eyes were kind and he stroked my cheek. “When we are in here alone, you don’t have to sit in your pose or avert your eyes from mine. When we are alone in here, I want you to be comfortable with me and not think of me as your Master.”
What? Not think of him as my Master? That’s not possible. I’d been conditioned for too long to change that.
“Let’s go over the rules for the Manor and then you can ask me any questions you might have, okay?” He paused and looked up at me with a slight smile on his face.
“Yes, Master,” I said softly, looking back down at my hands.
“First of all, you no longer need call me Master unless I specifically tell you to.”
I furrowed my brow in confusion but didn’t say anything.
“In the Manor, you will call me ‘my lord’ as you do the other men. In here, you may call me Devin.” He chuckled. “I think you’re too old for ‘Uncle Devin’, don’t you think?” I had called him Uncle Devin as a child. I’d called Master Jack ‘Uncle Jack’ as well.
I didn’t respond, thinking he didn’t require an answer. But he didn’t continue and I glanced up at him.
“Don’t you think?” he repeated with a warm smile.
“I...yes...Ma...Devin,” I stuttered. To be honest, I didn’t know what I thought.
Devin frowned, “Don’t lie to pacify me, Anna.”
I dropped my gaze to my hands again as cold fear filled me. “I’m sorry, Mas...Devin. I don’t know if I’m too old to call you Uncle Devin.”
“I think the general population would frown upon my mistress calling me ‘Uncle’.”
“Mistress?” What?
“Yes, Anna. You are my mistress. You’re still technically a slave, but to the general populace of San Francisco, you will be my mistress.”
I blinked several times, confused. Again. Why would Devin need a mistress? He was happily married to a beautiful wife with three equally beautiful children.
“You’re frowning. What are you thinking?”
“I...,” I stammered. I shouldn’t question him, but he asked and I had to answer. I took a breath for courage. “Why do you need a mistress, Devin? You’re married. What purpose could I possibly have in your normal life?”
Devin laughed. “Oh, Anna. You’re so naïve. I love it.” He took my hands in his and kissed each palm. “Why shouldn’t I want to spend time with a beautiful young woman? You will be able to help me in so many ways, and I want you to be respected in the community. Being my mistress will ensure that. Besides, going out with my wife has become tedious. And the sex...mind-numbing. She needs to realize I don’t need her, but she needs me.” He frowned as if upset at some inner thought.
I couldn’t come up with a response to his statement. I knew many of Master Jack’s friends were married and they came to his house to use me. They didn’t speak very highly of their wives, but I never imagined Devin feeling that way. But what did I know of marriage? It seemed an unfortunate requirement for men of a certain standing in the community.
“Shall we continue with the rules?”
“Yes, Devin.”
“This is your safe place, Anna,” he said, motioning with his hand around the room. “You needn’t observe the formalities of the Manor while you are in here. You may call me Devin. You may call Ian by his name and any other men you may desire to bring in here.”
Why would I want to bring men in here? I didn’t say anything so he continued with an amused expression, as if he could read my thoughts.
“As I said earlier, you will call the men in this place ‘my lord’ as you have been accustomed to. All men. There are men in and out of here all the time, so it’s probably safer if you stay in here when you’re not required elsewhere. I tried to make this room as comfortable as possible so it wouldn’t feel as if you were in a prison. Hence the courtyard.” He motioned towards the window.
I nodded.
“Whenever you are summoned into my, or certain other men’s, presence, you will enter the room, walk to stand a few feet in front of me, depending on the room, and bow in submission. Stand up. I’ll teach you how to do it properly.”
I stood and walked behind the ottoman. Devin turned to face me. “Take a few steps back. Yes, good. Now, assume your submissive pose, but instead of putting your palms together, lean your body forward with your arms out in front of you and put your nose on the ground.”
I did as he said. The rug was softer than I expected.
“Good girl. I didn’t think you’d have a problem with that. You stay in that position until you are told you may get up or sit up. Either command means you assume your submissive pose, though you may put your hands on your thighs instead of putting your hands together. Does that make sense?”
I nodded, my nose still on the ground. I hoped I could remember everything I was learning.
“You may return to your seat.” I did and he continued. “I want you to go shopping to get some clothing. I assume this is the best you have?” He motioned towards my jeans.
“Yes. I was undressed unless I was out at my ballet lessons.” He nodded with a thoughtful expression on his face. “I’ll have to figure out who to send you shopping with, but I’ll get you out there in the next few days. Maybe I’ll take you.” He grinned at me.
Devin wanted to take me shopping? This day was getting weirder and weirder.
“You will be attending various social events with me, and will be allowed out to do other things, if you so desire.” He shrugged. “But I’d prefer it if you didn’t go out alone. At least for a while. You’ve been sheltered for far too long and I’d hate for you to get lost or for something to happen to you. Unless he’s otherwise occupied, Ian will accompany you. He’ll make sure you’re safe.”
My heart sank into my stomach. Be alone with Ian? Devin had to be joking. Ian detested me. Who knew what he would do to me if he had me out and alone?
“Anna, Ian is a good guy.”
I snorted and then covered my mouth, horrified at what I’d done. Where were all these emotions coming from?
Devin laughed. “It’s okay, Anna. I know you’ve only had...painful interactions with him. But that’s because I needed it to be that way. He really is a nice guy and he will keep you safe. Once you get to know him, you might like him.” Devin paused. “He thinks you’re very pretty.”
“He does?” Why did that thought intrigue me?
“Yes. He’s also quite the lover. The girls all like it when he visits downstairs.” Devin looked amused. “You might like him in your bed.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “Why would I voluntarily want to take someone to bed with me?” I asked before I realized the words were coming out of my mouth. This safe room was loosening my tongue. I feared it might be loosened too much.
Devin just laughed...again. Apparently, I was very entertaining today. Well, I guess that was better than him hitting me. Yes, definitely better than hitting me. Could I trust this change in him? I searched his eyes, but saw nothing that would indicate he was insincere.
“Oh, Baby. Just try to go a few days without sex. See how desperate you get for a hard cock in your pussy.”
I looked at him skeptically. “I doubt it.” The thought of being able to be away from a man for more than a few hours thrilled me. A bed to myself. A room to myself. It sounded heavenly.
“I like it that you feel comfortable enough in here to snort and express yourself. That pleases me immensely.” He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “I want things to be different from now on. I want things to be good for you.” His voice was soft and tender. So unlike him. Perhaps he really had changed.
He pressed his lips to mine, pushing his tongue against my mouth to gain entry. I succumbed to the pressure and his tongue darted into my mouth, teasing and cajoling mine. I moaned and pressed my mouth to his as my body reacted as it had been trained to. My nipples hardened and I could feel my pussy moistening and swelling. I swirled my tongue around his, pulling it into my mouth and sucking on it slightly. I heard him moan and he brought his hand behind my head, threading his fingers into my braid.
I knew he wanted me. I could tell by his breathing that he was aroused. I tentatively placed one hand on his knee and slid it up his thigh towards his cock. He groaned as my fingers brushed the bulge in his pants. I pressed my thumb against the base of his shaft and moved the pressure upwards.
“Oh, God, Anna,” he moaned into my mouth. I was pleasing him!
He suddenly pulled away from me and put his hand on mine to stop me from caressing his hard cock. “Oh, stop, Baby. Please,” he pleaded.
I blinked, confused. “Did I do something wrong? I thought you were enjoying it.”
Devin grimaced. “Yes, Baby, I was enjoying it. Very much so.” He took a deep breath. “I think I understand what Jack was talking about with your lack of social refinement.”
Social refinement? What did he mean? The only reason a man would bother to kiss me was because he wanted sex. That much I knew. If a man wanted to have sex with me, I was to do whatever I could to make sure he enjoyed himself. It was simple really. Why didn’t Devin want me?
“Baby, sometimes a man just wants to kiss a woman. Without it leading to sex.” He took a deep breath.
I tilted my head, not understanding his words. “Why wouldn’t he want sex?”
He gave me a funny look and then his features softened once more. “Sometimes there just isn’t time to have sex and he just wants to touch her. Or tease her. Kissing can simply be a sign of affection.”
“Affection?” I echoed. The idea was not completely foreign to me; some vague memory of affection towards me skimmed the edge of my mind. Yes, when Devin used to hold me and kiss me on Jack’s couch. We didn’t have sex then but he held and kissed me all the time. That was affection. I remember now.
I looked up at him, tears in my eyes. “Do you feel affection for me again?” I whispered.
“I do.”
The look in his eyes filled me with warmth and I ran my hands up his thighs. He shook his head, smiling gently, and put my hands on my own thighs. “You don’t want to have sex with me?” I asked, hurt clenching my heart.
“Oh, yes, I do, Anna. Very much so.” He cupped my cheek. “But I was just kissing you because I wanted to show you affection.”
“Oh.” I still felt confused. “How do I tell the difference? I know you were aroused, so I did what I was supposed to do. If a man wants to have sex with me, but he doesn’t....” I sighed. I knew Devin wanted to have sex with me. He even said so. But then he told me to stop. “I don’t understand,” I groaned.
“Baby, don’t get upset. It’s all right.” He sighed but didn’t sound exasperated. “Maybe the best thing to do, until you’re able to tell the difference, is to let the man take the lead. If he kisses you, kiss him back. If he starts pursuing more, then you can do more. At some point you’ll learn the difference and be able to act accordingly.” He paused. “Accept his kisses and his touch, but don’t go further than he does unless he indicates that he wants you to. I know you can read men very well, but desiring sex and making the choice to have sex can be very different things.”
I frowned. That made no sense.
“Anna, you could walk into a store this afternoon and sense that every man in there wanted to have sex with you. It’s a likely scenario. Men are aroused visually and easily. But I don’t want you to feel obligated to work your way through the men in the store. Does that make sense?”
I thought for a moment. “I guess a little. Just because a man wants to have sex doesn’t mean he wants to?” It sounded convoluted, but I was beginning to understand.
“Yes, I suppose that’s an accurate summary. I’ll help you learn. Jack taught you about seduction, right?” I nodded. “Sometimes I’ll ask you to go have sex with a man. When I say that, I mean I want you to seduce him. I don’t want you to walk up to him, grab his cock and shove it in your pussy. Seduction is an art and Jack told me you were very good at it. In general, the best way for a woman to work a man is through seduction. Aggressive women can be a turn off to a lot of us.”
Okay. Seduction, not raw sex. Got it.
“Anna, there are men out there who will want to seduce you. Let them. Men want to be in charge. Let them think they are. If you need to seduce them, let them think they are the ones seducing you.”
“So, I’m manipulating them into doing what I want them to do, and making them think that they came up with the idea?”
“Exactly! You are a smart girl, Anna.” Devin’s wide smile and sparkling eyes warmed me from head to toe.
I beamed, thrilled that I had caught on at last, though my head was starting to hurt from all the new ideas being crammed inside.
“But Anna,” Devin added in a low voice, his smile disappearing in an instant. “Never, ever manipulate me.
Do you understand?” The darkness in his eyes made me shiver. I knew that Devin well.
“Yes, Devin,” I whispered. “I understand.” I swallowed nervously.
Immediately his demeanor changed back into his new, pleasant self. “Good girl.”
Devin proceeded to tell me about the Gatherings that occurred on Friday nights at the Manor; some were more formal than others were. Regardless of the formality, however, I would present myself to Devin at each one and then sit at his feet until he wanted me. These Gatherings more often than not resembled orgies rather than meetings, though quite a bit of business was conducted. Men were more open to suggestion just after a good orgasm, he explained.
“Come, I’ll show you the Great Hall.” Devin stood and I followed him out of the room. We wound our way through the massive building and down multiple staircases. I got lost after a few turns. Devin assured me that I wouldn’t have to find my way around alone; I’d always have a guide to take me wherever I needed to go.
While we walked, Devin explained how the Manor worked, including what he meant by “his girls.”
“They’re sex slaves,” he explained. “Generation after generation of girls have been born in this house to do the bidding of the current Master. Me being the current Master, my father before me, his father before him, et cetera. Some girls have certain specialized skills. I also have breeders; their sole job is to produce the next generation of girls.”
“What if they have boys?” I asked.
“That doesn’t happen very often. We have...ways...of leaning the odds in favor of female babies. Of course, I need males, but not as many. Ian was born to a breeder.”
Ian?
“Other girls specialize in hard play...masochism, if you will. Several are especially talented and they enjoy special privileges. All the girls are identified by their necklaces. The breeders wear a simple silver chain and they have their own special area of the Manor. Common girls wear a simple silver collar. Masochists wear a silver color with a red design on it. That way the men know what they are getting. All of my girls are experts in the sexual arts. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be here. I’d find another job for them or eliminate them.”
The Life of Anna, Part 1: Enslaved Page 4