"I'm ready, Father."
She stood before him, her skirt and tank top back in place after their brief playtime.
"David is waiting in the car," he said, not looking up.
He had replaced his own clothing and was reading a book on a rather uncomfortable looking chair at a small desk in the corner of the den.
"Be good," he added and dismissed her.
She went to the front door, wondering why Master Charles himself would not be taking her to her appointment. When she opened the door, a man she had never seen stood beside the car outside.
He bowed, formally, then laughed.
"Just kidding," he said.
He opened the driver side door and then stopped, realizing he'd forgotten something.
"What am I doing? Forgive me," he said to her.
He went around to the passenger side and opened her door for her.
She had stopped on the top step, watching him. He was very handsome. His blonde hair was a little too long to be considered neat, and his brown eyes were too lively for him to be considered serious. She suddenly realized she was staring at him, and he at her. She blushed.
"You must be David," she said, descending the steps and holding out her hand to him.
She expected him to take her hand and shake it, but instead he raised it to his lips and kissed it. She blushed again.
"I must be if you insist," he said, smiling.
She pulled her hand back and glanced behind her at the windows of the house. She hoped Master Charles had not seen David's gesture.
"So where is this Francine's?" she asked him.
"Oh, don't you worry. I'll get you there." he replied.
She slid into the front passenger side and he into the driver side.
Pulling away from the curb, he said, "And what might your name be?"
She wasn't used to being asked this. The Masters she knew simply called her whatever they wanted.
"Kolleen," she lied, hoping Master Charles had not told him differently.
"Pretty name," he said, "Very fitting."
She blushed, yet again.
"Thank you," she said, smiling politely.
She was trying not to look at him, putting forth every effort not to notice the way his blue t-shirt clung to every muscle in his arms and chest, the way his eyes were the color of soft suede. She imagined those large arms locking chains around her and snapping a whip, threatening. She was staring again.
"So, how do you know Mr. Brooks?" he asked.
'Curiosity killed the cat, you know.' she thought.
"I'm a friend of a friend. I'm helping him out for a while." she said.
He smiled, knowingly, "Oh, so you're not a slave?"
She blushed. Suddenly, she felt embarrassed.
"Yes, I am." she said, her smile fading and her cheeks burning from embarrassment.
He must have noticed because he was quiet for a few minutes.
They pulled up in front of a large pink shop with the name 'Francine's Salon' painted in fancy white letters above the door.
'What? A haircut?' she thought.
She rather like her long, wavy blonde hair and Sir Thomas would not be happy at all to know she had cut it.
When David stopped and got out, coming around to open her door, he stood in her way refusing to let her pass and smiled.
"Excuse me, David. I'm already late." she said politely, hoping he didn't notice how her breath quickened with him so close to her.
"It's Sir David, sweetheart," he said, "and you should never be ashamed of your position."