Anna healed faster than either she or the buyer expected.
The buyer played with her injuries, pressing his fingers into the fading bruises from the caning and teasing her with slaps that weren't as hard as the ones she'd felt after the party. When he drew his hand back she tensed, expecting the impact that would jar her brain, but it didn't happen. She grew accustomed to the pain he did inflict, and to her growing horror she found she didn't mind it as much as she did in the beginning. The hard touch of his hands still drew cries from her lips, but the fear didn't blind her anymore. It merely made her heart race.
Thursday morning of the second week, Anna settled down to her knees next to the buyer after serving him breakfast and tea. Instead of tucking into breakfast as usual, he sat back and looked down at her, tea mug in his hand, sipping slowly. "I didn't think the marks would vanish quite so quickly," he said, tracing a finger around the curve of her breast that had been savagely bruised just days before. "You're full of unexpected delights. I can see why your owner cares so deeply for you."
Anna didn't know what to say in response, so she remained quiet, hands on her knees, face tipped up and body a little stretched to receive his touch.
"Tomorrow I'll be home a little early to get ready for another event. You'll have time to dress after I get home, so you won't need to worry about that ahead of time. Do you think you'll be able to appear on my arm again tomorrow night?"
"Of course, Master," Anna replied. To herself, she thought,