“I’m so sorry, Ace, please forgive me,” she
begged. “My first day here Sergio grabbed me into his arms to return me to Seth. He hurt me there. I will never do it again. Please, I’m sorry.”
Ace grunted , although he continued to rub his hand along her behind, caressing intimately. His hands remained gentle. He did not grab at her, he did not squeeze. Carrie wondered if his hands lingered to discipline her, reminding her he could touch where he wished and how he wished, or to ease her fear, proving he would not harm her as Sergio had. She realized either way he got the point across. She was at his mercy, but she was not being injured.
“Turn,” he demanded, and she complied. She remained completely submissive in his arms.
Ace soaped her neck and shoulders, pressing
gently on her with his thumbs, moving to her breasts. He cupped her twin mounds, pulling on her aroused nipples. Satisfying one discovery, he then soaped her belly, dipping lower as his other hand gripped her back. Carrie’s breath caught as his fingers once more sought her entry. He carefully guided two large fingers into her, making her slick. She shook before him. Her teeth chattered. She whimpered a soft, frightened plea.
“Am I hurting you?”
“No,” she sobbed, although she was positive he already knew the answer.
“Then why are you crying?”
“This should be my choice,” she replied, and cried harder.
“You have no choice. Accept it.” “How?”
“How have you accepted other things in your past over which you had no control?”
“I got angry,” she said.
“Your anger will not be tolerated or allowed.”
“I know,” she sobbed brokenly, waiting for him to take her. She could feel her tears drip steadily from her chin.
“You must do as you’re told from now on,” Ace
said, though not unkindly.
“Please be gentle with me,” she begged. She moved into his arms, waiting with acceptance, for his touch. She pressed her body against him to encourage him. She kissed at his broad chest, her tongue teasing his nipples in the fashion she had been taught. Whether he was gentle or brutal, she knew she would comply. Her fear was too great to fight him; she was not allowed to be anything but obedient.
Carrie was surprised when Ace stilled her
attempts to arouse him. She wondered if she had done something wrong. His erection remained huge, pressed against her belly, but he made no move to settle himself upon her. He had removed his fingers from within her. She could see the tenseness of his jaw as he clenched his teeth. Worried she had committed yet another crime, she reached out her hand to run the length of his swollen hardness. She would be punished severely if she wasn’t pleasing; she panicked, knowing she must please him.
“I am yours to command,” she muttered with
trepidation. Surely he would hear the apprehension in the words she spoke; Ace would know the phrase Maggie had taught her to indicate her uncertainty and great fear.
“Come out of the bath now and dry me off,” Ace ordered, pulling her with him when he stood.
Carrie did as she was told. Her worry subsided for the time; she felt relief, thinking he wanted to take her on the bed. Maggie had claimed some men found
the tub too restricting, even though the baths were large. Ace was huge, an imposing presence; perhaps he wanted to feel her beneath him. With embarrassment she realized because the cap of the soap had come loose, there was a tremendous amount of extra soap in the bath water. Perhaps he felt because she was so small compared to him that if he squeezed her too tightly she might slip out of his grasp from being so slick.
Carrie rubbed him dry everywhere and followed him back to the bedroom, where a serving tray filled with food had been provided. The large tray was situated within a box-like hole constructed directly into the wall, like a small pantry with two openings. All Carrie needed was to slide the wooden handle across, remove the tray, which she balanced across one arm a bit precariously from its heaviness, and slide the handle back once more, latching it into place, offering them complete privacy.
She moved to Ace with the tray. She placed it
down onto a small table sitting close to the ground with numerous pillows surrounding it. She proceeded to serve him, and then sat back on her heels, waiting until he bade her join him.
Not bothering to dress, Ace settled himself before the tray. He commanded Carrie to sit beside him, and began eating with enthusiasm. The fare before him was excessive in variety. He made certain Carrie ate what she was offered, knowing she had not eaten the
entire day, having been in the hole in the wall.
Carrie sipped at a delicious glass of sweet white wine Ace demanded she drink, while alternately eating choice tidbits he continued to hand her. She remembered being with Roll, she remembered defying him by not eating. She realized she would never do such a thing with these men. They were different than Roll. These men were not interested in her worth for sale; they were interested in her worth and use to them after purchase.
Ace yawned after his appetite had been sated and
rose from the cushions on the floor, taking Carrie with him. He climbed into the huge bed and ordered her to massage his back. She used the warming oil on the night stand and rubbed at his back, working her way down hard muscles, until she covered every inch of his body, down to his feet. Her hands were tired and cramped by the time she had worked her way back up again.
“If you roll over I will do your front,” she said.
She waited his command.
Ace did not respond. Carrie peeked over him to look at his face. His features were relaxed and his breathing had deepened. He was asleep. She breathed out a sigh of relief. Replacing the oil to the table, she curled up to him, knowing she was to remain within his reach. He was not expected to search for her.
The day had been terrifying and long; she had
been given a glimpse into what her new life entailed.
Though she was frightened of the man beside her, he had not hurt her. Perhaps he would continue to be gentle with her if she continued to obey his commands, and she was determined to be pleasing. The thought of being beaten by someone so powerful caused her body to shudder violently.
She closed her eyes, remembering Maggie had told
her to sleep if she could when with a man. They were demanding. He may take her at any time during the night if his need was upon him and she was expected to respond willingly, even if tired. Hopefully she
could. Carrie slept.
* * * *
When morning came Carrie once more bathed Ace. He did nothing more than play leisurely with her. He kissed, touched, tasted and fondled her but came short of penetration, except with careful, probing fingers. By the time he was finished with her Carrie knew he had memorized every inch of her body. He made certain she had explored every inch of him.
Carrie wondered why he had not taken her. She knew he wanted her. His impressive erection had once more pressed against her to heat her belly, and she knew he was not leaving her untouched because she was doing something wrong. She surmised it had something to do with Seth’s promise to Tyr. Seth would not break the rules of his house for a promise, and he would not break a promise because of rules. Both obligations had been satisfied.
Surprisingly, she no longer felt any real fear of Ace. The large, powerful man had caused her no harm. He had not shouted at her or been cruel. He had been very patient when she fumbled or forgot while she strove to remember. She felt more at ease knowing as well Sergio was not about; he would never harm her or any other woman again.
At a knock on the door Carrie glanced at Ace. At his quick nod she ran to open it, and was surprised to see Seth.
“I have come for the girl. I hope she was
satisfactory,” Seth said to Ace, giving Carrie a hard, stern look. Carrie squirmed before him, dropping her eyes to the floor. She belonged to him while Tyr was away. He would punish h
er if Ace said anything negative. She had tried so hard to be pleasing, but she was inexperienced. She had forgotten so much, but she had wanted not to anger him.
“She still requires extensive training before she can be released to others,” Ace said, and Carrie’s heart fell. Her head dropped. She would be punished, she thought, wondering what Seth would do to her. “Although she does try hard and seems eager enough to please. She was satisfactory.”
Carrie felt like throwing herself into his arms in gratitude. Seth was smiling at her.
“Excellent. Carrie, you may return to the other women,” Seth said, releasing her from the room.
Barefoot, Carrie ran down the hall, followed by
the men’s raucous laughter. No doubt Ace was explaining in great detail Carrie’s exploits. She did not stop running until she entered into the women’s room. Maggie looked up at her flushed face. She rose and gripped her arms to study her. Apparently satisfied Carrie was suffering no ill effects, she sat her down to breakfast.
“You are unharmed,” Maggie said in more of a statement.
“He did not harm me. I was so afraid, Maggie; he is so huge and powerful. I tried to remember what you taught me, but forgot everything. He did not get angry or annoyed. I listened for his commands and obeyed,” Carrie said, her words rushing.
“Do you still fear him?” Maggie asked with a
knowing look.
Both women understood Seth’s actions. Carrie was not before Maggie, cowering from great fear, but animated and eating. She had been forced into realizing her obedience would keep her safe from harm. She would learn more easily now. Next time she would not forget.
“No, I don’t fear him anymore. He said I was satisfactory,” Carrie said with a toss of her head, making Maggie laugh.
Carrie accepted Hannah onto her lap, feeding the
child small bits of food from her own plate. She laughed at something Yuri, Seth’s son, did. Carrie was surprised at her own laughter. She hadn’t in so long
the sound was foreign to her ears. She stilled, feeling astounded, and felt a tender hand placed over her own. Carrie looked up at Maggie, who had been watching her.
“You’re allowed to be happy,” Maggie said.
“How can I be?” Carrie asked, appalled.
“Carrie, this will be your home for the rest of your life. Take what happiness you can get. It is different, yes. Your thoughts will be confused until you can release your past. Your past no longer exists for you. You can still dream here,” Maggie said.
“What dreams can I have if I am owned?” Carrie said bitterly.
“You can still dream of being loved and wanted. You are wanted, you know you are. I have seen the way Tyr looks at you. We all have our own favorites here. We have our own contests to see who will be bought the most expensive gift. You elicited a puppy from Seth. I have been badgering him for months about Hannah’s deep desire,” Maggie said, rolling her eyes, which caused a small smile from Carrie. She couldn’t imagine Seth allowing anyone to badger him. Yet she knew Maggie spoke the truth.
“What of my schooling?” Carrie asked, frustrated.
“Years of hard work simply gone in a heartbeat.” “What did you want to do?” Maggie asked.
“I wanted to work with children,” Carrie explained.
“There are six children here, work with them. I,
for one, would welcome the break,” Maggie said in earnest.
“These children are not underprivileged or
alone,” Carrie said, scowling at her, though somewhat cheekily. “These children are overindulged and spoiled outrageously.”
“Perhaps Seth will fly you in a few. He can be
very generous when you please him,” Maggie informed her while lifting a suggestive eye.
“Don’t you feel jealous when he seeks out another?” Carrie asked. She knew Maggie was enamored of him. She liked not the idea of sharing Tyr.
Carrie again laughed at Maggie’s unladylike, exaggerated snort.
“Haven’t you ever heard the expression, ‘Every woman needs a wife’?” Maggie began. “When I am ill, another can be sent to him. When I was pregnant the thought of sex sickened me. Thank heaven there were others to occupy him. When breast feeding he hovered over me curiously until I was ready to beg my demise. But another woman would intervene on my behalf, granting me much needed space. When he gets too demanding I beg exhaustion because of the children, and another can deal with his silly, obnoxious, childish temper tantrums.” Carrie howled with laughter as it was now Maggie’s tern to toss her head in semi-contempt.
The other women crowded around, adding their
own comments about the other men in the compound and their ridiculous idiosyncrasies. Carrie found herself laughing as the women joked at the men’s expense. Even the woman who had belonged to Sergio smiled hesitantly at some of the stories they were regaled with. Carrie ate more than she had in a long while. She decided if this was to be her new life, she would not spend it cowering and angry.
She liked the women she was with. She decided
she did not mind Seth and his men. She also knew within her heart she loved Tyr. She was right; he had been worth waiting for. She would continue to wait. But hopefully he would return to her soon.
Chapter Thirteen
“Would you like to run today, little one?” Seth asked Carrie.
Seth had come across Carrie playing hide and seek with the women and children in the large garden. Her delighted laughter resounded around the high cement walls with the others as she raced back and forth, trailing the children with the other women in enthusiasm. A small black puppy waddled about, stumbling over his large feet, trying to keep pace with an enamored Hannah.
Carrie shook with excitement. She was overjoyed
with his suggestion. She had been looking forward to his promise and wondered a bit fretfully if it would ever come to fruition. She followed him eagerly to his large stable, where he informed her he would take her to the mountain's base. There she would be allowed to run.
Carrie hung back as a massive white stallion was saddled and walked forwards toward her. She stared up at the colossal horse apprehensively, thinking it resembled an ancient destrier from picture books of castles and knights. She looked at Seth with misgiving. “Please, Seth, I can’t ride such a powerful animal
all alone. I have never been on a horse in my whole life,” Carrie said with trepidation. "I don’t even remember a pony ride.”
Seth chuckled down at her; she clung to him, pressing against his side for protection from the magnificent horse that tossed his head and stomped an enormous, eager hoof. She had come to terms with the idea Seth would allow no harm to come to her, as he allowed no harm to come to the other women.
Each day that passed had marked a noted difference in her attitude towards Seth and his men. She no longer cowered from them, but moved among them with ease, doing daily tasks commanded of her. Seth had allowed and encouraged Ace to take her to his room on numerous occasions to train her, with his promise not to take her completely; Maggie had disclosed this information to her discreetly. Ace seemed to hold deep feelings for her and Carrie knew he was harboring hopeful thoughts Tyr would not return.
He had hinted he would ask for her specifically; she also knew Seth would grant his request. Ace was a loyal and trustworthy friend. If he wanted her she knew Seth would decide he should have her. Fretfully, Maggie had also warned her Seth was once again making plans to purchase her from Tyr. Seth was certain Tyr's fascination with her would dull after he had returned to his own lifestyle. Seth felt she had great potential. Ace had informed him the skills she
was honing were improving daily. Her value had already doubled.
“I will ride with you, little one, do not fear,” Seth
told her. He swung himself into the saddle with practiced ease, took up the reins in one hand, and reached for Carrie’s arm.
Carrie was surprised to feel herself caught up
&nb
sp; from behind and felt Ace’s powerful hands lift her up to Seth to settle her in front of him. She knew his hands and the way they felt after spending numerous nights soaping and rubbing him, and he in return spent a great deal of time with his hands roaming her body. She looked down at him thankfully as Seth’s own powerful arm held her securely to him.
“Do not wear yourself out. I require your services
for the evening. You know how demanding I am,” Ace warned her gruffly.
Carrie looked at him, smiling. Ace had made her feel wanted and even loved. He allowed her to express opinions and fears. Much to Carrie’s delight, he had acquired a chessboard when she had expressed a desire to learn the game. He had also been teaching her numerous other things. Ace had not entered her, except with his fingers, yet he had encouraged her to accept him in other ways to satisfy his needs.
She had been afraid at first, but he had never
once caused her pain. He was always careful with her. Carrie had been learning a great deal from him. Though she missed Tyr terribly, Maggie had been
working on her with suggestions Ace would keep her safe. Ace would care for her as well as Tyr could. Maggie had hinted Ace would be around more than Tyr; he would no doubt keep her close and away from the other men. She had grown fond of him now that her fear had been eased; he was intelligent and handsome.
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