Chapter 5
At the top of the stairs, they entered a large bed room. It was slightly on the masculine side and had a piece of art on the wall that was one of Bear's favorite prints. The only thing though, he was pretty sure it was not a print. Pulling his eyes away he looked around, noticing the bed in a nice series of blue tones and artfully arranged. He felt obligated to comment,
"Nice room slightly masculine but it definitely works for me," and then it clicked. Without pausing, Bear moved over to the walk-in wardrobe and saw racks of male clothing, all very expensive and stylish. Adjacent was a bathroom laid out with exquisite shaving gear, and again pictures that instantly resonated with him.
Turning to her, he put everything on pause, his head had a slight tilt, he looked at her raising his eyebrows in a silent question. Then unable to contain his insight he added,
"This is not your room is it?" Ma'am just smiled and slowly shook her head.
"I bet this goes over big whenever you bring people home for a sleep over."
Again an enigmatic smile and a slowly shaking her head Ma'am answered,
"Men do not come up my stairs, all workers are female. I am truly fussy as to who gets into my personal space."
He could not contain his response,
"But the clothes. The wardrobe. All of it?"
Again just the hugest smile was spreading across her face as she nodded,
"So, am I to be like the hired help, tucked up down the hall, in my self contained unit?"
"Oh no Bear you are firmly in my bed and never think of anything else. But if you need a little of your own space, see the door way across the room?" He nodded.
"That's my room, always has been, always will be."
"Im confused."
"No, you are not confused Bear. You have never been looked after properly."
With this she came up to him gave him a quick peek on the lips and said,
"Come this way and lets open the kimono fully and give you a real good look."
Before he moved to follow her, he turned again to the print that has meant so much to him over the years. He stood before it, raising a hand and lightly touching the canvas.
"As I thought that is the original"
Again that wide smile, a slight shrug, followed by a huge smile.
"Yes. I knew you loved that print. You mentioned it as one of your most treasured possessions and who am I to deny some one I care for as much as you."
"But" he stammered "My exclusive reproduction cost me fifty thousand."
"Well" she answered "That should telegraph just how far I am prepared to go showing you my love."
"But we have just met. We..." Bear fell silent and continued to look at Ma'am with growing angst. Finally her tone changed and the smile faded and an edge appeared in her voice,
"I met you firstly ten years ago and more recently two years ago when you appeared to be somewhat happily enmeshed with whatever her name was."
"Beverley," he quickly interjected.
"Yes, whatever. We have been an irrevocable couple in my mind since our first meeting. You sadly kept looking for love, in all the wrong places. As to cost, you know what I charge and buying these trifles for you, just made my waiting in the back ground less unbearable. Understand, this is me, caring for you, for my own pleasure. I don't need you Bear, but I certainly want you above anything else in my life. As for you, I will only feel content when you need me, like you would, your next breath, when drowning."
Well, Bear thought, I've heard declarations of love before, but nothing that just stops my heart as this does. There was a pregnant pause, and finally, Bear felt obligated to break the silence.
"You take my breath away. I know the truth when I hear it, and all I can say is thank you or yes please. I'm not sure which, nor in what order."
"Good recovery Bear." Ma'am replied, "It would have been a compete waste, you sleeping in your own bed on our first night together. All, because you could not recognize, right here, is a little girl standing in front of a little boy, asking him to love her back"
Bear just nodded. Shit, oh dear, I know what my heart says and I pushed all in when I crossed the threshold. Silly to think she is anything but totally serious. So it was his turn to respond and looking fully into her eyes he said,
"Yes, I will, I do, and I am."
"Good Bear, this is the dog house. Please be with me next door. I am not going to like sending you here, but trust me, if you do me wrong, this is exactly where you will end up sleeping."
Funny how he melted inside and looked at the ground. In response, she moved across the room, once again took his hand, and lead him towards the door to her room. As he followed he could not repress a quip,
"Does Ma'am wish to continue the tour then?"
"Oh yes, Ma'am especially wishes, and for the record Bear. I love your choice of name for me, so Ma'am, it is, henceforth."