His hand lifted her chin to look sternly into her eyes. Her body and soul quivered with pleasure at the edge of command in His voice, "Unless given express permission, you are not to speak. Nod if you understand this." She eagerly nodded her head.

"Very good. Now, spread your legs and place your hands behind your head. Stand up straight!" A flicker of appreciation gleamed in His eyes at her instant compliance.

He began to slowly circle her body, touching her here and there: a fingernail raked up her spine, fingertips circled lightly on her ass cheeks, her nipples were rolled between thumb and forefinger. She felt a sharp sense of loss each time a touch stopped, even as her body tensed in anticipation, wondering where the next would land. Her breathing became labored; her heart raced; her nipples tightened; her face flushed a dusky rose. Soft muffled whimpers came from her, as she tightly pressed her lips together, knowing that she must not speak. Moisture was forming between her legs, and she knew that He knew it.

His even, steady gaze caused her to shudder as it noted each of her reactions to His every touch. He was, she knew, learning her responses, watching what made her body shudder and fires of raw need course through her veins..

He placed His fingers under her chin and looked deeply into her eyes; her lids dropped over the green orbs as she trembled violently. Sure now of His power in her mind, He pulled an armless chair to sit in front of her. Without a word, he grasped her by the waist and pulled her over his knees. He smiled at the sharp intake of breath. He savored her vulnerable position, devouring her with His eyes. He watched her quiver with anticipation, noticing the subtle thrusting of her buttocks upward--the very invitation He had been waiting for. CRACK!! His hand fell; she gave a small, muffled cry but bore the blow without flinching. CRACK--the other cheek this time. Tears sprang to her eyes, as she bit down on her lower lip to keep herself from crying out, "Thank You, Sir!" His hand rose and fell in quickening tempo; her breathing became choked with hoarse sobs and moans. Moisture from her cunt seeped onto the leg of His pants. He felt the sweat begin to form beneath his hand on the small of her back. He sensed the straining in her muscles as her slender body writhed on His lap. "Give Me your left hand, little one," He said as He reached into the small bag beside the chair. He pulled her hand behind her back. "Now, the other hand, don't make Me wait." With her body precariously balanced over His knees, He expertly secured her wrists together with the rough hemp rope He had brought with Him. His hand curled into her hair and pulled her to her feet as He rose from the chair. He gave her a brief moment to steady herself on her feet before placing His hands behind His back. His eyes traveled up and down her body, assessing His pet: hair up in a loose topknot, emerald eyes wide, pupils dilated, face flushed, lips slightly parted, nipples erect, light sheen of sweat on her almost translucent skin. "Yes," He murmured to himself, "exactly as it should be."

There she stood, the position of her bound arms thrusting her breasts forward, her entire body tingling with the anticipation of what will come next. His gaze felt like a caress on her skin. A tiny whimper slipped past her lips as he picked up the riding crop from the table. "On your toes, little one. Now," with that edge of danger in His voice that so thrilled her. Rising on her toes, she struggled to stay upright with her hands bound behind her. The very tip of the crop fell onto her ass, the sensation making her sway. SSSSSSSSSWISH! The tip fell again, the sharp sting blending into the first. He brought the tip down onto her flesh harder and faster, enjoying the tiny rivulets of sweat that trickled down her neck and the stripes that marked her ass. Shifting slightly, He brought the crop down again--this time the full length cut across her already inflamed cheeks. Low moans and growls were coming from her throat. He stopped and noted her rigid posture, her every muscle straining for release. "No, little one. Not yet--you will not cum until I tell you. Nod if you understand Me." He watched her struggle to gain control over the sensations in her body as she nodded her head. "Good girl," He said, as He watched her muscles relax.

He watched her breasts rise and fall as her breath came in gasps. He noted the erectness of the nipples, the tiny gold rings that pierced them. He wondered how many clothespins He could fit on each one. Her body hummed with anticipation as the tip of the crop moved back and forth across her nipples. Waves of pleasure rippled through her body as He toyed with the nipple rings with the tip of the crop. With a quick flick of His wrist, He brought the crop sharply across the top of her breasts, leaving a red stripe just above her nipples. A sharp gasp of "OH!" escaped her lips before she could bite it back. Her eyes went wider in terror and she pressed her lips more tightly together, hoping He hadn't noticed. She knew those hopes were futile when He stepped in front of her, and placed two fingers lightly under her chin, "Did you say something, little one?" His eyes had the cold fire of diamonds and could cut granite with a single glance. She blinked tears from her eyes and shook her head rapidly. "Very good, I didn't think so, I should hate to be forced to punish you so early. That would not please Me at all." She reveled in the edge of raw power in His voice and realized that just the knowledge she had displeased Him would hurt far worse than any punishment He could devise.

Her knees grew weak at the thought of how utterly she belonged to Him; she swayed on her toes, almost falling forward. One of His large, strong hands pressed to her breastbone held her upright. The contact of His skin sent ripples of warmth throughout her body, as though it gave off a low-level electrical charge. She felt an intense longing to lean just a bit more into this contact--a longing quickly quenched by the awareness that He had not given permission for this. With a quavering exhalation, she was able to steady herself on her toes once more. The stab of loss she felt when He removed His hand was replaced by a warm glow of pleasure and pride, as he leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Such a good girl."

His hot breath on her neck made flashes of summer lightning dance in her head. She battled with an almost overwhelming desire to lean her body into His strength. She sternly reminded herself of her purpose -- to serve His needs, fulfill His desires. When He wanted her body pressed to His, He would put it there. Consciously, she willed herself to stand straighter and vowed not to disappoint Him by disobedience.

As if he could read her thoughts, he stared deeply into her eyes, "Excellent decision, little one." The warmth in His eyes felt like a badge of honor to her. Her mind was reeling; how had she become so quickly addicted to His praise and approval?

He placed the tip of the crop at the hollow at the base of her throat and dragged it lightly and slowly downward, toward the juncture of her thighs, where her juices were flowing freely. When the tip of the crop was a fraction of an inch from her slit, He changed direction and began a slow ascent. A tiny whimper escaped her throat, but she steeled herself to remain motionless as the crop made its upward journey.

The crop touched her chin, "Are you wet, little one?" She opened her mouth to speak, saw His eyebrows arch upward, and remembered His prohibition. She nodded her head, instead. He chuckled, "Very good, little one knows that being asked a question does not imply permission to speak. Such a wise, good girl." She released a tremulous sigh, knowing that she had just passed a test. The tears of relief made her eyes sparkle and threatened to spill down her cheeks.

To be continued