This chapter is less steamy than the first four but is essential to the story, so please bear with me and I hope you all enjoy it.
*****
Stephanie looked up as David returned to their table. He apologised for keeping her waiting for so long, explaining that an unexpected situation had arisen that had required his attention. Stephanie had wondered why he had been away for so long. He did not strike her as the kind of man who would leave a woman hanging around. Still, she had been too caught up with noticing the amount of attention she was receiving from other men in the restaurant to have dwelt upon it too much. David took his seat across the table from her, his eyes looking into hers seriously.
"There will be times when you are with me where I will be called away to attend to business or other situations," he told her. "As my sub, you will be expected to maintain your place with no complaint and no sign of either dismay or boredom."
Stephanie nodded to show that she understood.
"Now the Maitre D' has informed me that he noticed you were uncomfortable receiving the glances of various men in this restaurant. This will have to stop. As my sub, you are a reflection of me and will therefore be expected to take a pride in yourself and accept men's admiration graciously!" David continued, holding her gaze.
Stephanie blushed and looked down at the table.
David reached out and lifted her chin with his finger. "You are a beautiful woman, Stephanie," he said, "and you need to learn to believe that!" "Now," he continued in a brisk tone. "I believe we should eat. After all, I don't want to run the risk of your being late to return to your hotel!"
Stephanie smiled and they shared a very pleasant lunch. David expertly ordered food and wine that restored energy without filling them up. The meal was beautifully prepared and the waiters were deferential and attentive, although they couldn't help but gaze appreciatively at Stephanie and the way her dress clung to her figure. Stephanie tried very hard not to blush, trying to obey David's order to accept their looks with grace and composure.
When they had finished their meal, David signed the check and rose, holding out his hand to assist Stephanie in rising from her seat. As she rose, her skirt rode up her thighs a little, and Stephanie flushed, remembering that she was wearing no panties. She was about to hurriedly smooth the material down when David caught her other hand. He didn't say anything, merely held her gaze and she had no choice but to stand there, held by his magnetism. Once he was sure he had her obedience, David nodded to indicate that she could now smooth down her dress.
"Slowly," he told her commandingly.
Obedient to his command, Stephanie slowly smoothed the fabric down until it once more clad her legs without wrinkle. They walked out of the restaurant and made their way to the concierge desk, where David asked for his car to be brought around to the entrance of the hotel. They walked to the hotel's entrance, David's hand resting lightly under Stephanie's elbow as he subtly reinforced his control over her. Once there they paused. The sunlight slanting through the windows bathed Stephanie in a warm glow, adding lustre to her hair, the colour of the material of her dress taking on an added depth. Stephanie could not know that she looked absolutely stunning. Men were looking at her in admiration, women with envy!
Stephanie's head turned as she heard a deep throated, throbbing growl approaching. Her mouth dropped open as she saw a smooth, sleek Aston Martin DB9 Volante pull up in front of the hotel, sunlight reflecting off its gunmetal paint. The car screamed power and elegance in every line. The driver's door opened and a valet stepped out, moving around the car and into the hotel lobby. He walked towards David and placed the keys into his hands. David handed over a $20 dollar bill as a tip and guided Stephanie out through the hotel entrance. He opened the passenger door for her and Stephanie swallowed hard as she realised how low the seat was. She was going to have to be very careful manoeuvring in and out of the car. One lapse and she would be exposed for all to see! David's hand steadied her as she lowered herself, legs together onto the seat of the car. Keeping them together, she swivelled until she could lift her feet slightly and place them in the foot well. She was unaware that in trying to keep from exposing herself, she had entered the car in the most elegant manner. David closed the passenger door and moved around to the driver's side. Seating himself, he looked across at her. He was pleased to see that although her skirt had ridden up her thighs (something he had blocked from anyone else's sight as he closed her door), she had made no move to tug it down.
"Raise your skirt above your hips," David instructed.
Stephanie's mouth opened in startlement at his command. Being told to undress in the privacy of the penthouse was one thing. Being told to stand naked in the lift had been almost as bad but if she obeyed him now, anyone looking in through the window would be able to see her exposed pussy! David looked across at her, his eyes steadily measuring her, giving no sign of relenting. Stephanie swallowed hard and lifting her hips slightly, drew the skirt up above them until it rested around her waist. David reached over and stroked her mound before sliding a finger between her legs.
"Your legs are too close together, sub," he advised. "Remember, you are to be available to me at all times! Place each leg at the sides of your seat."
Stephanie's tongue darted out to lick her lips, unaware of how enticing that looked. Then she did as she'd been told and moved her legs until they were spread either side of the passenger seat.
"Better," David said. "Well done sub."
He smiled at her and Stephanie felt a warm glow at his approval. Somehow all the thoughts of being seen with her pussy exposed seemed to fade in the warmth of his regard.
David switched on the radio and smooth jazz flowed from the speakers. They rode back to her hotel in a companionable silence. David drove the car with calm competence, his hands making minute adjustments to the steering wheel as he guided the car through the traffic. Stephanie watched those strong, capable hands, remembering how they had felt upon her body. Her skin flushed and her pulse quickened as her body responded to those memories! She had been apprehensive maybe even a little scared, but she had also never felt more alive!
Far too soon, the journey was over and David was pulling up outside her hotel. As he pulled the car to a stop, David looked over at Stephanie.
"You may pull your skirt back down, sub," he said.
Stephanie gratefully complied.
"I will let you make your own way into the hotel," David told her. "I don't want you drawing any unnecessary attention to yourself for the time being."
As Stephanie made to open the car door, David held up a hand to stop her and obedient to his silent command, she paused.