My eyes were closed and Annie's silky hair caressed my face.
With her back to me, and my arms around her, we were recovering from our fun with the remote-controlled egg. My fingertips trailed lightly up and down her side, and I enjoyed listening to Annie's pleasurable cooing noises.
The minutes ticked by. We had a big night ahead, but we weren't in a rush yet. I opened my eyes and lifted my head, looking for the time. It was near enough to five P.M.
I smiled to myself when I noticed the egg and remote sitting on top of the clock radio.
I eased my head back down to the pillow and sighed contentedly. I kissed the back of Annie's shoulder, but her breathing had evened out and it was clear she was now asleep.
"Oh well," I thought. "Time to start getting organised. I should take a shower."
"Annie?" I whispered quietly, checking.
When she didn't respond, I decided to let her nap for a few more minutes.
I gently slipped my arm from under her neck and stood by the side of the bed, looking down on her. I trailed my eyes down her body and back up again, admiring the curves camouflaged by the white silk sheet wrapped around her. She looked so serene and beautiful.
I smiled.
"She must be exhausted," I thought to myself.
I went to the kitchen to make coffee.
A nice strong cup. I couldn't remember how Annie took her coffee.
I made her one anyway. Just black, so she could add to it herself. I left it on the kitchen bench and took mine in hand, heading back to the bedroom to sit on the edge of the bed.
I put my coffee down on the bedside table and gently shook Annie's shoulder.
"Annie... Annie... it's time to wake up."
"Hmmm? Huh? Mmmmmmm...."
She stretched overhead and rolled onto her side looking up at me.
We grinned at each other.
She arched her back, her breasts straining against the sheet covering her.
"Hello, Sir," she said sleepily, her eyes half open.
"Hello."
I smiled down on her and watched her blush as she came awake, memory washing over her. I picked up my coffee and brought it to my lips, sipping quietly.
"May I have one of those?" she said, nodding and looking at the mug in my hand.
"It's already made. It's in the kitchen."
She yawned and sat up cross-legged on the bed.
"Could you bring it into the bathroom for me? I should probably take a shower and do my makeup before the party, Sir."
I was taken aback by that comment. For some reason, the 'desire to please' seemed to vacate her for a moment. Was she testing me already? She wasn't wasting any time.
I couldn't keep my concern about her comment from my face. My brows must have narrowed. I was thinking and held the coffee cup a few inches from my open mouth.
"Gosh," she mumbled, and bit her lip.
I raised an eyebrow questioningly at her and she answered me in a whisper.
"You are just a little scary looking when you furrow your brow like that, Sir."
She smiled hopefully at me, but it soon faded.
"I see. Well, I had good reason to furrow my brow," I said. "Didn't I, Annie?"
"Um..."
"You were assuming a bit there."
"...and assuming isn't good, is it, Sir?"
"No, it's not. It's taking things for granted. I think it's fair to say you should take your lead from me until such time as I offer it to you."
She smiled and nodded.
Oh yeah, she was testing me.
"I could say I was tired, Sir."
"But that wouldn't be the truth now, would it?"
"Um... no. Not completely, Sir. I'm also very excited about tonight."
"As I am, Annie," I said truthfully. "I think we had a wonderful few hours together. And I hope we have a wonderful evening together."
"Me too!" she replied with enthusiasm.
"I also think you should be wary of getting ahead of yourself."
Annie blushed strongly before whispering.
"Yes, Sir."
Despite the blush, her eyes were sparkling.
I got the distinct impression I 'passed'.
"Now go and fix your coffee, pet. You don't mind me calling you 'pet', do you?"
"Not at all, Sir. I like it."
She grinned.
"Okay," I smiled back. "It's on the kitchen counter. When you have it, come back here."
She fairly leapt out of bed. Her 'need to please' was apparently back with a vengeance. I arranged two pillows on the floor so she could kneel comfortably.
She returned with her coffee held between her hands, eyes looking down. She stopped in front of me.
I was still sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Can I say something please, Sir?"
"After you kneel here."
I pointed at the pillows.
She put her cup down beside them and glided to her knees.
I watched, unsmiling.
"I have something to say to you too, Annie, but I'll listen to what you have to say first."
"Yes, Sir."
Composing herself, she took a deep breath.
"Sir, sometimes I'm a little... impatient? I don't like it but sometimes I just say things without thinking. I'm sorry if I 'assumed' earlier, Sir. I'll try to do better."
"Would you say I'm a quick study, Annie?"
My question took her a little by surprise.
"Without a doubt, Sir," she replied, her eyes questioning me.
"Then pull me up if I am wrong, okay?"
"Yes, Sir. Okay."
I had her full attention.
"From what I understand, there is, what I call, a 'first law'. That is, there are those that desire to please, and there are those that desire to be pleased."
She nodded softly, her light blue eyes gazing into mine.
I continued.
"This law is occasionally blurred by circumstances, either 'created' circumstances, or circumstances that we are 'subject to', but when we are unsure of what to do, we should rely on the first law."
Annie blushed while looking up at me. I saw her swallow.
Yeah, she was reading me.
"I am interested in this subject, Annie. 'Discipline' always made me wonder."
She nodded and watched me, waiting. So I continued.
"What I think is, if you are naughty, or stupid, or displeasing in any way, then it is my responsibility to correct your misbehaviour. But, and this is a big 'but', YOU have to admit it. There is no wrongdoing unless YOU admit it, Annie. I pledge to you that I will be firm and consistent with you. I don't want any crap. No fucking around with my head. No sarcasm. I am a male and I am too literal for your female subtlety."
I realised I was on the verge of ranting. I recognised some of my old issues resurfacing.
I took a breath and sighed. I spoke again, but this time more quietly.
"Don't try to 'play' me, Annie. Be straight forward with me. If you want something, whether it be reassurance or a desire or a need or a want of any kind, just ask."
She swallowed, nodded and continued listening.
"Look, I know I'm harking back to some bad experiences I've had, but this life, this 'way', fits me so well. I've tried to be hypersensitive. I've tried to be everything I could be to my wife. And I couldn't do it. It wasn't me, Annie. I ended up sad and depressed, feeling like nothing I did was right. I need to live my life the way I want to live. To 'be' the way I want to be. And I want you along for the ride. But not if you can't handle it. Come with me Annie. Come with me with your hands open, palms up on your thighs. Show me honesty, and I will show you all of me."
She nodded. There was a tear in her eye.
"I don't know what's going on here. But I've had enough of 'game playing'. You need to know I won't tolerate answers like, 'I don't know what you are talking about'. You are out the door if you say that. I am not kidding, all bets are off if I don't hear what I want to hear."
She almost whispered.
"I have a confession to make."
"I'm listening."
"I didn't lie. I 'am' tired and I 'am' excited. And I am a bit pushy and sometimes I do say things without thinking."
I nodded.
"Go on."
"Yes, Sir."
She swallowed, playing with her hands.
"Sometimes I don't think before speaking, but this time I did."
"Okay..."