Wade’s house proved to be out in the edge of the country, on a large lot. The house wasn’t terribly large, but had several trees in the yard, and a fenced-in back yard. He parked his car in front of the garage, and Helena parked behind him. Before she could get out of the car, he got out, came back to her, and held the door for her as she got out. “You didn’t have to do that,” she smiled.

“Just common courtesy,” he smiled. “Although, I fear common courtesy is far too uncommon anymore, Ms. Curtis.”

“You’re right about that,” she grinned, realizing that they were still ‘Mr. McCluskey’ and ‘Ms. Curtis’ – although that might end when Acacia’s collar came off. Might.

“Excuse me while I go to assist My Lady,” he said.

“Feel free,” she smiled, realizing that whatever was behind it, there was something warm to be said for elaborate politeness and manners. That, she could get used to once in a while, though maybe not all the other stuff that these two put along with it. She stood watching as Mr. McCluskey held the car door for Acacia – and was surprised to see that her friend’s hands were still handcuffed behind her, and that she was still wearing the leash, which hung freely down between her breasts. He took the leash in his hands, led Acacia into a gate in the fence, opened it, and motioned for Helena to proceed through, with a slight bow. Acacia followed, and he closed the gate behind them.

The pool was not large – the fenced in area wasn’t large, either – but it was nicely done, with several plantings, lounge chairs and a table with chairs and a sunscreen. Helena glanced around, but her eyes lit on Mr. McCluskey and Acacia. Only now did he remove the leash from the collar, and at a quiet word, commanded her to turn around. She did so without comment; he removed one side of the handcuffs, brought it around front, and locked the cuff back on her wrist there. “Ms. Curtis,” he asked. “Would you desire some small refreshment? A soft drink, perhaps?”

“If it wouldn’t be a problem, sir.”

“No problem, Ms. Curtis,” he smiled. “My Lady, would you be so kind as to serve our guest and myself? Get something for yourself, as well.”

“Certainly, My Lord,” Acacia smiled, and immediately turned for the house.

Mr. McCluskey turned back to Helena. “Please, Ms. Curtis, be seated. Perhaps you might like one of the lounge chairs?”

“Yes, thank you, sir,” she said, turning to one of the chairs beside the pool.

“If you don’t mind, Ms. Curtis, I think I shall remove my jacket. It is getting a bit warm, and the sun does beat down back here.”

“I have no objection, sir,” she smiled, getting into the good manners and formality a little. “This is your house, after all.”

“Yes, but it’s the duty of a host to not let a guest feel uncomfortable,” he smiled as he removed his jacket, folded it neatly, and hung it over the back of one of the lounges. “I hope My Lady’s headstrong remark back at the park did not offend you.”

“Not in the slightest, sir,” Helena replied.

He let out a sigh. “I suppose I should have been firmer with her, but it was a good idea,” he explained. “Ms. Curtis, something like what happened last night is one of the hardest, most heartrending things that can happen in my profession. I really do appreciate My Lady’s attempt to take my mind off of it, as I appreciate your interest in us also helping to do that. So feel free to ask what you will.”

“May I start with a big one, sir?”

“Feel free, Ms. Curtis.”

“Are you two putting me on, or what? I mean, are the two of you really like you’ve acted the last hour or so?”

“To the first part of your question, Ms. Curtis, the response is no. This is not an elaborate practical joke at your expense. It would be much easier to explain if it were. You saw Acacia and I together at the restaurant this morning, and much of the time we spend together, we are much like you saw. However, as I explained, when I put the collar on My Lady much changes between us, but much stays the same. We are no less friends, but we each serve needs in each other that can’t be served when she is not collared. So in that sense yes, we’re really like that, some of the time. I can tell from the expression on your face that you don’t think my answer is adequate.”

“It’s just very, very hard to believe, sir,” she frowned. “I mean, I’ve known Acacia for years. To see her acting like she has the last hour or so is, well, very surprising to me. I wouldn’t have expected it, not out of her.”

“I confess, Ms. Curtis, I would not have expected it out of her when we first met.” He let out a big sigh. “To be honest, I would not have expected it out of myself, either. As I said, our relationship evolved. Our actions toward each other when she is collared did grow out of roles we used to play with each other, just games. As time went on we both discovered that we liked it and let it grow more formal and elaborate.” He shook his head and went on. “I often wonder about whether we could sustain it on a full-time basis, were the opportunity to arise to be able to do so.”

“I can see how it might be difficult,” she nodded.

“You are correct,” he said. “In fact, Ms. Curtis, you are a good example of why My Lady and I cannot act towards each other all the time as we might wish to do. It’s hard enough to explain to you; there are others to whom it would be much harder to explain it to. For example, I am sure you know My Lady’s parents, and I have met them. Can you imagine trying to explain My Lord and My Lady to them?”

“Totally impossible,” Helena laughed. “You’re right, sir, there’d be no point in trying.”

“You, on the other hand, are willing to explore the idea out of a spirit of curiosity, and with, I hope, an open mind. Even given that, it’s difficult to comprehend, is it not?”

“Very difficult,” Helena admitted. “I’m still looking for the rabbit to go running by.”

“I fear to say that if a rabbit does go running by, it will be closely pursued by one of the neighbor’s dogs,” he grinned.

Helena started to make a reply, but noticed Acacia standing over her, a tray with frosty glasses filled with ice and soft drinks in her hands. “May I serve you, Ms. Curtis?” she asked.

“Yes, thank you Acacia,” she smiled, almost willing to accept being called ‘Ms. Curtis’ by her. Whenever things started to show just a little sense, along came another dose of surrealism.

“You’re quite welcome, Ms. Curtis,” Acacia said with a smile, and turned to walk the few steps to the nearby lounge chair where Mr. McCluskey sat. Even with the evidence of the last hour or so, Helena had trouble believing what she saw as Acacia sank to her knees at the side of the chair – holding the tray with the brim-full drinks perfectly level – and holding it out to him. “May I serve you, My Lord?” she said.

“Thank you, My Lady,” he said, taking a glass from the tray. “Your service is excellent, as usual.”

“You’re very welcome, My Lord,” she said, retracting the tray a few inches, but holding it level in front of her, kneeling on the concrete of the pool deck.

“My Lady,” he said after a moment. “It would please me if you were seated. I realize that you wish to show your normal deference, but I fear it makes our guest uncomfortable.”

“As you wish, My Lord.” Once again, she managed somehow to rise gracefully from her knees, holding the tray perfectly level. It was that, as much as anything, that convinced Helena that this was not an act; a move like that had to be well practiced. Acacia had obviously done it many times before.

Acacia walked over to the table, set down the tray, pulled out a chair, and sat down on it – on the front part, very stiffly and straightly, not allowing her back to come within inches of the back of the chair, hands resting in her lap.

“My Lady,” Mr. McCluskey said. “I would like you to be a part of this discussion. Please speak freely if you have something to offer. I will remove your collar if it’s necessary to get your input.”

“Yes, My Lord. If it is your wish.”

“My Lady,” he said gently. “Ms. Curtis and I have been talking about our relationship. She has not used the word, but I can tell she thinks that it is rather bizarre.”

“I believe I have detected that, sir,” Acacia said with just the faintest trace of a smile.

“I just can’t understand it,” Helena said, nearly angry. “He’s told me that this is how you two have come to act with each other, but I can’t understand why you would want to be treated like dirt, like … a doormat.”

“Oh, Ms. Curtis, no!” Acacia protested, snapping out of that irritating neutrality she’d mostly displayed for the last hour or more – not far out, since she still didn’t use Helena’s first name. “I would not expect nor allow My Lord to treat me like that, wearing my collar or not. All I’m trying to do is to reflect the respect he has for me.”

“Funny damn way you have of showing it,” Helena snorted.

“I suppose it is,” Acacia said, with just a trace of a smile. “But I submit freely to My Lord, even eagerly, but only because he has first proved to me that he deserves the respect I give him, and continues to prove it with his every action.”

“Or else, he beats the crap out of you, right?”

“Oh, no!” Acacia said in alarm. “It’s nothing like that, nothing at all.”

“The way your ass looked when you came home last weekend begs to differ.”

“Weren’t you listening? I’m sure I told you that I had to beg him to put my bottom in that delightful condition.”

“That’s damn hard to believe,” Helena frowned, unwilling to believe.

“Ms. Curtis,” Mr. McCluskey broke into the exchange. “I wish I could say that I have never struck My Lady in punishment. Unfortunately, to my sorrow, I cannot say it. But I have not done so in years, and shall never do it again.”

“But you have done it,” Helena charged.

“Yes, as I said, I did,” he replied sadly. “But we were both new at this, and it was a mistake on my part. Long before My Lady and My Lord developed, Acacia would at times be bratty to me, and several times I turned her over my knee to try to deal with that brattiness. However, I soon realized it wasn’t working. My Lady, why wasn’t it working?”

“Because I wanted you to spank me,” she said flatly. “If I acted up, you would do it.”

“That’s correct,” Mr. McCluskey smiled. “Spanking her was counterproductive. It was not controlling her bratty behavior, but encouraging it. Once I realized that, I was forced to find other ways to remedy the problem. It’s like many things – if one way doesn’t work, it’s best to give it up and try another.”

“Hold it, hold it,” Helena said. “Acacia, you’re telling me you like to be spanked?”

“No,” she smiled that thin, enigmatic smile again. “I thought I made it clear last weekend. I love it when My Lord spanks me. Why else would I have bought him a whip?”

“I confess, whipping her is not something that I enjoy for its own sake,” Mr. McCluskey said gently. “However, it gives My Lady pleasure, so I accepted her gift with gratitude. However, I have taken care to use it sparingly indeed. Remember the swans, Ms. Curtis.”

“The swans?”

“Remember how I said that they want more than we can give them? We have a responsibility to not feed them too much, lest it be dangerous to them. The situation is no different with My Lady. One of my responsibilities to My Lady is to make her happy, but not so happy that it’s harmful in the process.”

“Ms. Curtis, my faith in his responsibility toward me is very strong, or else I would not have given him the whip. I feel safe and comfortable that he will not exceed my limits with it and turn a joy into a sorrow.”

“That is a huge responsibility she placed in my hands with that whip,” Mr. McCluskey explained. “I’m in awe of the faith she has in me for that.” He let out a sigh. “In fact, it’s true of many things about us. I told you, Ms. Curtis, that My Lady can be difficult to please. She has many needs, and I do my best to supply them, mostly because I love her very much, and accept those needs she has.”

“You work very hard at supplying them, My Lord,” Acacia said. “I am most appreciative, and I try to do my best to show my gratitude for your efforts. Therefore I gladly submit to your wishes.”

“You see,” Mr. McCluskey smiled. “My Lady is not a doormat. She services needs I have, and I service hers. Like any good relationship, it’s a two way street. Over the years, we have defined limits to our behavior toward each other, and we constantly refine them. She is deferential to me, even submissive, because she has that need to be. I’ve had to bend and change to put myself in a position to meet her needs in the way she desires. From your viewpoint, the end result must seem a little odd.”

“Downright spooky,” Helena shook her head. “I mean, it sounds good as words, but what I see … it just doesn’t come across that way. In fact, it comes across as pretty authoritarian.”

“What makes you say that?” Acacia asked.

“Well, like this morning,” Helena said. “Like when he ordered you not to speak unless you were spoken to.”

“That’s not how I said it,” Mr. McCluskey said. “What I said was that I did not wish her to speak freely, but I insisted upon a response to questions from you or me. In fact, she tends to sink into her submission and tune out other things. I was asking her to stay aware of what was going on.”

“Yeah, but you asked her not to speak freely, either,” Helena pointed out.

“I did,” Mr. McCluskey smiled. “When I first met Acacia, she had a tendency to prattle mindlessly, bringing up things out of midair for the sake of trying to make a conversation, sometimes at the most inconvenient times. Perhaps you might remember that behavior from when you were in school with her. I presume it went on there.”

“You’re right,” Helena smiled. “She was always whispering in class, and like that, the few classes I had with her.”

“Irritating, was it not? Especially when you were trying to study?”

“Uh, yeah,” Helena admitted. “She could get people in trouble that way. But, now that you mention it, she doesn’t do it now.”

“Of course she doesn’t,” Mr. McCluskey said. “I found it most irritating, especially when I was trying to study something that might literally be life or death for someone. It was one of the first things about her behavior that we agreed to try to modify. Notice that I said, ‘we agreed,’ not, ‘I decided.’ In fact, it’s worked remarkably well, and as you have noted, it has spilled over into her life out of my sight. In what I said this morning, I merely stated that I wished her to observe, and feel free to respond to questions without interrupting something you or I were saying.” He turned to Acacia. “Is that how you took it, My Lady?”

“Of course,” Acacia smiled. “Ms. Curtis, it’s not an uncommon request. Had I felt I had something important to say, I would have asked his permission to speak.”

“And I would most likely have granted that permission,” he smiled. “I almost always do.”

“I guess I didn’t have many questions that I felt I could ask,” Helena replied apologetically. “It was a little, uh, intimidating. It still is, I think.”

“I imagine it would be,” Mr. McCluskey smiled. “In fact, it’s part of the reason that we rarely let My Lord and My Lady out in public. As you have seen, it’s hard to explain.”

“That’s an understatement,” Helena grinned. “I still only have the vaguest idea of what’s going on. You say you don’t go out like that often?”

“Only rarely,” Mr. McCluskey shook his head. “The first time was less than a year ago, far away, and it was an exciting experience for both of us. I think perhaps I’ll let Acacia tell you about it later, since she had the giggles about it for months, desperately wanting to tell someone about it, and was not able to do it. Now, perhaps she has someone she can tell safely.”

“This has got to be pretty good,” Helena smiled.

“Believe me, it is,” he laughed. “But, Ms. Curtis, this morning is only the third time we’ve been out in public as My Lord and My Lady in a place where we might be recognized, and you are amply aware of what happened the second time. Since you accidentally discovered us, My Lady felt that you deserved a better explanation than she was able to give you, in view of your closeness with her.” He let out a sigh. “You are the first person we have dared to enlighten with any of the details of our relationship, and I beg you, Ms. Curtis, to keep what you have learned today among the three of us. Otherwise, it will be difficult for all. But, if you will agree to keep your confidentiality, I speak for My Lady in extending our hand of friendship, and eternal gratitude.”

Helena looked at him – and the pleading look in his eyes. She glanced over at her roommate, her friend, and saw no less of a wordless plea. “All right,” she said. “But on one condition.”

“What’s your condition, Ms. Curtis?”

“I still don’t understand a lot of what goes on between the two of you,” she said, a hard note in her voice. “But if I ever get the impression that you’re abusing her, or going one step beyond what she wants, I’m calling the cops. You better hope they get here first, because my next call will be to Acacia’s father, and I’ll tell him to bring his deer rifle.”

Mr. McCluskey shook his head. “You still don’t understand, do you?”

“Not really,” Helena said, “but I’m offering you the chance to prove my fears wrong.”

“Then that’s fair,” he nodded. “I think you will find that your fears are groundless, but I appreciate you giving us the chance to prove it to you.”

“Acacia,” Helena said. “Is that all right with you?”

“It could not be better,” she smiled. “Believe me, if My Lord ever abused me, I wouldn’t have bothered calling the police. I’d have called Dad first. Ms. Curtis, you have no reason to fear.”

“I hope I don’t,” she said honestly. “I don’t think I will. But I’m glad that you decided to try to explain this to me. I can see it’s a lot more complicated between the two of you than it appears on the surface.”

“It is complicated,” Mr. McCluskey said. “I suppose, more complicated than most relationships. We’ve pretty much felt our way along, but in general we’ve both been happy with the results. Our relationship is still developing, still changing, and I hope for the better.” He glanced at his watch. “And now comes an unhappy time. All too soon, I have to put our beloved secret world behind, and turn back into a paramedic with a rude nickname. Ms. Curtis, My Lady and I have found that we can put her collar on in an instant, but it usually takes us both some time after it is removed to shake off the effects of her wearing it. Were it not for the fact that I must seek my daily bread among the blood and pain of others, I would be most anxious to leave it around her neck, as I am sure she desires.” He got to his feet, and walked over toward Acacia, stopping several feet away. “But now, I fear I can dally no longer. We will still have some time to talk, but perhaps you can help us reenter the real world.”

“My Lord, you must do what you must do,” Acacia said sadly, but getting to her feet. She walked the several steps over to him, dropped to her knees, held her handcuffed hands out before her, then bent her head forward, exposing her neck and the lock to the collar.

“I’m sorry, My Lady,” he said softly as he removed the handcuffs.

“I know, sir,” she said. There was enough of an angle that Helena could get a glimpse of her face – and see the tears in her eyes as he put the key in the padlock, removed it, and unbuckled the collar. In a moment, he held it in his hand, and stepped back a half a step.

“Acacia, please rise,” he said softly. She stayed on her knees, erect, but silent. Now, her sorrow was clear to Helena. “Acacia,” he said, a little more sharply. “Rise.”

“Yes, sir,” she said, softly and sadly, getting up – not the graceful way that Helena had seen earlier, but seemingly clumsy. As she stood up, she fell into his arms, and there was a long, sorrowful silence.

“It’s all right, Acacia,” he said softly into her ear – but loud enough that Helena could hear. “It’s all right,” he repeated. “You can wear it again in a few days.”

“I know, My … Wade. I know,” she sobbed.

“Acacia,” he said softly. “Would you be so kind as to take your collar and put it in the place of honor? And perhaps, dry your tears before you return to us? We still have a guest, you know.”

“Yes, sir,” she said softly. “I’ll do it, sir. I’m sorry.”

“As am I,” he said. “Please, let’s honor our guest.”

“All right, sir,” she said, taking the collar from his outstretched palms, much like he had taken it from her hand a couple hours ago, and headed off into the house, as he stood there, silently watching.

Helena wanted to say something, but there was nothing to say. It had been a touching, powerful scene. “I’m sorry, Helena,” Mr. McCluskey – well, if she understood things, it was Wade now – said. “My Lady and I need to learn how to handle guests. We have not had to do so before.”

“No, I’m sorry,” she said. “I felt like I was intruding on a very private moment, just by being here.” She was silent for a moment. “But Wade, thanks for letting me see that. It told me more than all the words of the last half hour. That’s a powerful symbol you have there.”

“Very powerful,” he agreed. “Perhaps too powerful. But let’s talk about that when Acacia is with us, and maybe not right away.”

“You really do love her, don’t you?”

“With all my heart,” he said. “I never thought I could love a woman quite as much as I do her.”

“She said you offered to marry her, and she turned you down.”

“I did,” he said. “More than once. Helena, Acacia and I would be happy to be My Lord and My Lady forever, but we have real lives to lead, and our fantasy world wouldn’t fit in it very well. I offered her the choice of a wedding ring and live in the real world permanently, or wearing the collar when we get the chance.”

“She chose the collar, huh?”

“Yes,” he sighed. “I’m not sure but what it was the right choice.”

“Maybe it was,” she said softly. “Maybe it was.”

He shook his head. “I hope so, but that’s something we’re still working on. Helena, it would be helpful if we can be upbeat. Would you do me the honor of pleasuring me?”

“What do you have in mind, sir?” she grinned.

“It would please me to see you and Acacia frolicking in the pool. I can join you for a while, then I can make us some lunch. Let’s go in, find her, and see if we can get her mind on happy things.”

“Uh, Mr… . uh, Wade, I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”

“We have several, and there’s bound to be something that would fit you,” he said. “You are the first guest that My Lady and I have had, but Acacia and I have had people here from time to time.”

“All right,” she grinned. “I think I can manage a little pool time.”

As Wade had predicted, took a while for Acacia to emerge from behind the ghost of My Lady. Helena and Wade found her in the living room, staring longingly at the buckled collar hanging from a hardwood plaque above the fireplace. Very gently, Wade ordered her to take Helena to one of the bedrooms and find swimsuits for the both of them, while he went to change. The act seemed to break her loose from My Lady a little, but Helena could see that she wasn’t far away. But after half an hour of splashing around in the pool and some laughing and horseplay, Acacia was noticeably closer to normal. Wade headed into the house, and soon emerged carrying a tray of sandwiches and chips, along with more soft drinks. Still comfortably wet – the day was getting hot – they sat down around the table at the end of the pool, grateful for the shade of its umbrella. Acacia was still rather deferential to Wade, but seemed much more normal, now.

A lot of the formality had evaporated – at least, it was hard for Helena to feel formal wearing a burnt orange bikini, with a wet towel wrapped around her waist to pass for something resembling modesty. But the topic hadn’t changed much. “I think the thing that I’m having the most trouble with is that Acacia is so deferential to you,” Helena said in a spirit of curiosity. “Like the business of her asking your permission to speak.”

“I don’t know why that should be so strange to you,” Wade grinned. “After all, I’m sure you must have been in the same situation much of your life. Come, Ms. Curtis, you must have learned it clear back in kindergarten. There are times that you must sit back and let the teacher speak. There are times that you must raise your hand to be recognized before you speak. And, at least in many classrooms, occasionally you are asked to speak freely. Those times are rare, because of the cacophony they produce, so the teacher has to maintain some order. This is really no different.”

“Well, yeah, I suppose,” she frowned. “But this isn’t a classroom.”

“Correct,” he said, “but we have chosen to apply the same rules of courtesy. I cannot speak for you, but I was raised in a home where similar rules were enforced at the dinner table. Indeed, today, much of what I learned there stays with me in the rare times that I am home, for I do at least glance at my father for permission to speak.” He sighed. “Unfortunately, I have a sister-in-law who was raised in a home where such rules did not apply, and she will barge right into the middle of a conversation by saying something totally unrelated, and show no shame for it. It is irritating to most members of my family, but my brother has not seen fit to enlighten her of our family custom or the rules of general propriety. Or, if he has, he has proved unable to enforce his word. And yet she wonders why she is often ostracized by my family.”

“I see,” Helena smiled, understanding a lot about him in one single epiphany. “My mother and father weren’t quite that strict, but we were taught some manners. Acacia, I hope I’m not being too personal, but Wade’s sister-in-law sounds like she would fit right in with your family.”

“Very true, Ms. Curtis,” Acacia smiled. “Even I thought it was irritating, although it was the natural thing to do in my family. Fortunately, My Lord has seen fit to show me a better way.”

“By submitting to him, right?”

“Correct. In accepting him as my lord and master, I have accepted him as the head of the household when I am present. Really, it’s only the polite thing to do.”

“A lot of what we do comes down to that,” Wade grinned. “Politeness. Manners. Simple courtesy. Respect for each other, and the positions we hold. As I said, I learned many of the basics at my mother’s and father’s knee. After I graduated from high school, I joined the Marine Corps. There I learned considerably more about discipline and submitting to authority. You may have heard of the reputation of the Marine Corps boot camps and the degree of discipline that they demand. We all submit to authority, Ms. Curtis, in our own way. Miss Rose has elected to submit to my authority. All of the rest, Ms. Curtis, all of the rest that we do is symbolism and custom that reminds us first, of her submission to my authority and acceptance of my discipline, and second, of my duty to treat her honorably for bestowing that favor upon me. If you want understanding, that is the absolute foundation of it.”

“You say discipline. You mean punishment, right?”

“It can come to that,” he nodded, “but discipline is a much broader term. The most important discipline is self-discipline, which I once heard described as finding the courage to stand up and do what needs to be done.” He smirked and went on, “Even if it’s sit down and shut up. It’s finding the strength to stay within the agreed-upon rules of behavior. New boots in the Marines frequently don’t have that sort of discipline. They learn it from a Gunnery Sergeant shouting in their face, and other such measures. Once I learned how to handle and guide My Lady properly, I have had but few occasions to resort to punishment to correct her. It has been a couple of years now, has it not, Acacia?”

“It was while we were still in college,” Acacia agreed. “I would rather please my Lord, and it does not please him to punish me. That was a hard lesson to learn.”

“Punishment, like spanking, huh?” Helena frowned.

“That might work in some instances,” Wade grinned. “However, as I explained, that does not work with her. On the occasion to which I referred, I resorted to my Marine Corps training. It served the purpose.”

Helena shook her head. The discussion of punishment was getting, well, uncomfortable. Taking the cue, she changed the direction of the conversation a little: “Acacia, why in hell would you love being spanked? Doesn’t it hurt?”

“Of course it hurts,” Acacia smiled. “But it soon brings on a warm, fuzzy feeling that I enjoy immensely. Very soon, I focus on the warm, fuzzy feeling, not the pain.”

“Acacia, we’re getting into really hard to believe country, now. I mean, I guess I knew there were people like that, but I never thought you would be one of them.”

“Would you believe it surprised me, too? Believe, in fact, that it scared me? What I gave you was not a very good answer, because there’s a lot more going on, including feeling good for being the focus of My Lord’s attention. My Lord, may I defer to your opinion on this? I confess I do not understand it very well myself, but we have often discussed it, and you are better than I at explaining such things.”

“I don’t know that I understand it any better than she does,” Wade said. “She’s right, there are several things going on there, some chemical, some physical, some psychological. Ms. Curtis, we are now deep into a fuzzy country where pleasure and pain often mix and exchange places. Different people react in different ways. Acacia reacts in one way, I in another, and you most likely would in yet another.”

“Well, if there’s anything to what Acacia has been saying, I’m not sure I’d want to react like her.”

“An understandable reaction,” he smiled. “She scares me sometimes. In fact, she often scares me.”

“That, I can understand,” Helena grinned. “She damned sure scares me. But I don’t understand what you’re talking about pain and pleasure mixing?

He looked at her for a moment and frowned. “I have an idea,” he said finally. “Would you be interested in a small demonstration that might perhaps clear the air a little? It will involve some minor pain, but I expect you will derive much greater pleasure. On the whole, it probably will be no worse for you than the experiment with the handcuffs this morning.”

“I suppose,” she frowned.

“It will involve my laying my hands upon your body,” he warned. “And I would not do so without your assent, and My Lady’s. However, there will be nothing intimate.”

“Uh, I guess,” she said. “So long as Acacia is here.”

He glanced up at her wordlessly. “My Lord,” Acacia said. “Should you have in mind what I think you are planning, you have my permission, so long as I get some, too.”

“Acacia, you are a shameless sensualist,” he grinned. “I suspect you are correct. Would you be so kind as to go get what you think I need and prepare it accordingly?

“Uhh, I’m not so sure that’s a recommendation, considering the source,” Helena grinned as her roommate’s backside disappeared rapidly toward the house.

“My Lady is far from being solely motivated by pain,” he laughed back. “This is also one of the ways in which she pleasures me, and I think I shall ask for her participation. Helena, this will involve you laying face down upon the ground. Perhaps you might wish to spread a couple towels so you’re not directly laying on the deck.”

It was a couple minutes before Acacia came hurrying out of the house, carrying a couple of bottles. By then Helena was lying down, head sideways in her hands. She hadn’t done a lot of lying out this spring, but the warmth of the sun felt good. “Ah, My Lady, I see you’ve read my mind again,” he said warmly as she brought the bottles to him. “Would you be so good as to assist me?”

Helena wondered what was going on when she realized that Acacia was getting down on her knees on one side of her and Wade was doing the same on the other. “Ms. Curtis,” he said. “To do this properly will require having My Lady untie the back string of your top, but it should not be in any way revealing.”

“Fine with me,” Helena agreed, and felt the string being untied and laid to the side.

“All right,” he said. “This first will be a little warm, but not uncomfortably so. My Lady, if you will work low, I shall work high.”

Helena felt something warm and a little gooey being spread on her back, and very soon, she felt four hands giving her a serious massage. Wade was working on her shoulders, and he squeezed hard and pushed hard at times, and yes, it was a little painful, but it felt goooooood … she could take a lot of that kind of pain, especially with the lower back rub that Acacia had given her. It went on for several minutes and she felt herself melting under the wonderful touches.

“I believe we’re adequately prepared for the point I wished to make,” Wade said, an eternity that wasn’t long enough later. “Acacia, I believe your nails are better than mine.”

That wonderful massaging sensation was followed immediately by a backscratching. It was so hard that it hurt a little, but still, as warm as she was feeling from the massage, it felt wonderful. It went on for perhaps a minute, and it wasn’t long enough. Helena was a little spaced out now, just enjoying the feel. She felt Acacia’s hands grip her waist at the sides, hold on hard, and push down a little … and then felt Wade’s fingers at that reeeally ticklish spot at her sides. “Oh, God!” she moaned, writhing at the touch, unable to squirm away from them with Acacia holding her firmly. “Wade! That tickles! Stop, please!”

“As you wish,” he grinned.

A second later, she felt a stinging pain in her butt as a hard slap of his hand struck it – it came as a total surprise. “Hey, that hurt!” she complained.

“It was supposed to,” he said, putting his hands on her shoulders and beginning to massage them again. “That was the demonstration,” he said. “But I do have some questions for you to answer. First, which was the most gentle? The scratching, the tickling, or the spanking?”

“The tickling,” she said. “You were barely touching me and sending me out of my mind.”

“That can be a fun place to be,” he laughed. “Next question. Of the three, which was the most painful?”

“The spanking,” she said automatically.

“Was it really?” he asked. “I’m not going to bare your bottom to prove it, but I imagine there’s no mark there. On the other hand, your back is a mass of red scratches from Acacia’s nails. They will go away in a few moments with the massage, however.”

“The scratches hurt,” she said. “But not as bad. They felt good.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” he smiled. “Next question. Which was more painful, the tickling or the spanking?”

“The spanking,” she said again automatically, remembering the slap of his hand on her butt.

“Now, Ms. Curtis. Suppose I were to offer you a choice. One minute each of tickling, scratching, or a spanking of, oh, five blows?”

“The scratching,” she said. “That really did feel kind of good.”

“Fine,” he said. “Suppose I offer you the same choice, without the scratching. In other words, a brief moderate spanking, or a minute of rib-tickling?

“Oh, God! You make it hard. I hate being tickled! I’d take the spanking!”

“Would you now?” he laughed. “Acacia, you may take note of the fact that given the choice, your roommate chose to be spanked.”

“Hey, you tricked me!” she protested.

“No, Ms. Curtis, your body tricked you. Don’t worry, I shall not spank you, but we will massage you for a bit more to clear up your back. The point I wished to make is that, clinically speaking, and remember that I am a paramedic, the scratching is really the most damaging, went on longer, and most importantly, was the greatest in cumulative pain. Perhaps I am telling tales out of school, but My Lady has on numerous occasions put scratches on my back that bled and took days to heal. Did they hurt? Yes. Did I enjoy them? Most definitely, both at the time they were placed there and afterward. Would I prefer to be spanked instead? Hardly. Pain is a warning that the body is damaged, but it can also be a blessing. The point I wished to make is that pain and pleasure do mix, sometimes incomprehensibly, and physical and psychological factors can modify the body’s perceptions. This brief experiment left out many of the other factors that obtain in Acacia’s case. Would those factors apply in yours? I can’t say, and you cannot now, either, until you can bring some of them in. That might be interesting to find out, but I will not be the one to assist you in carrying out the experiment, lest My Lady use those fingernails of hers on my eyes. A blind paramedic would be rather useless, I should think. But do think about what you have learned.”

The massage ended a few minutes later. What an experience! “Thank you, Mr. McCluskey, Miss Rose,” Helena said as she reluctantly got up from the ground. “I now think I need to add the ability to give a massage at least half as good as that to the list of things I want in a husband.”

“Sensualist,” Mr. McCluskey snickered. “I swear, I’m surrounded by sheer, sensualist women this afternoon. However, it should not be difficult for you to manage that. You shall only have to find a man who is willing to learn. My Lady, if you would like to lay down, I shall turn my attentions to you.”

“Can I help?” Helena said.

“Thank you for the offer,” he said. “But no, I think I prefer to do this myself.”

“Fine,” Helena snickered. “I think I’ll just find a place in the shade and bask in the warm glow your hands have given me.”

“Suit yourself,” he grinned. “We may be a few minutes.”

In fact, she found a lounge chair on the far side of the pool from the two, and turned her back – she took the hint from his words that Acacia was going to be getting a little more personal attention than she’d received, but that was to be expected. Besides, she needed time to think. Badly. The flood of impressions that she’d had today had just about overwhelmed her.

Looking at the two of them this morning had been almost scary, but the memory of Acacia handcuffed and being led on a leash had washed into the background of the more recent impressions. Clearly the two had an odd relationship, but both of them seemed happy with it, even though Acacia still was acting a little, well, strange … but now that she understood a little of why, it didn’t seem as objectionable. She found that she really did like Mr. McCluskey. Yes, he was very formal, he was pedantic, even a little pompous – but he was also warm, gentle, and open, and this afternoon, a bit of a tease and joker, which made him seem a lot more human. She’d seen comparatively little of Wade before Mr. McCluskey had appeared – it almost seemed for a while as if two very different people lived in the same body, but this afternoon, he seemed like a weird mix of the two, and she liked the mix, too. The spanking, the whipping, and other weird stuff that hadn’t been mentioned but she was sure had happened, well, the jury was out in her own mind, but after the experience with the massage she wasn’t quite as sure how weird they were. My God, what a relationship! Weird indeed – and she’d gotten the definite impression that Acacia was more into being My Lady than Wade was into being My Lord.

All of a sudden, she heard a series of brief, low moans from Acacia. Almost by reflex, she swung her head around to see her roommate’s body jerking in time with them. In an instant she realized what was happening, and snapped her head back, a serious blush rising in her face. She knew what she was seeing – Wade had just massaged Acacia to orgasm, just with his hands and the hot oil on her back. My Godddd … sensualist, right! The back rub that Helena had been given had been good, but not that good – but it had been sort of impersonal, too, and Helena had been holding back on the warm feelings that had been rising within her with the loving touch of those hands. My God, what a lucky woman Acacia was … even with the whips and chains …

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