Ari and Brett

A Rose Called Miracle: Book #3, Pt. 6

Author's Note: This is the third book of 'A Rose Called Miracle'. This is fiction. All characters in intimate situations are over 18. Any resemblance to real people, organizations, or businesses is purely coincidence.

If you are uncomfortable with the subjects of control, restraint, discipline, and mild corporal punishment, please go no further. Likewise, this story is peopled with hetero, interracial, and LGBTQ+ characters and couples, and indirectly--incest; if you can't deal with that, leave now--you'll only be offended. Also, I apologize to BDSM aficionados--in this story I pretty much ignore proper BDSM safety measures as the characters develop their relationship. Please do not use these writings as a 'how to' guide. Lastly, if anyone reading 'A Rose Called Miracle' has enjoyed my characters, feel free to take them on new adventures--but please don't mess too much with the canon.

BRETT AND KARI (A Master/slave story of Love and Loss)

**There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle. Albert Einstein

**For those who are willing to make an effort, great miracles and wonderful treasures are in store. Isaac Bashevis Singer

CHAPTER 21

The last morning on our tropical paradise, Brett and I woke up early. We'd been told to expect the seaplane two hours after sunrise. We packed, made sure the place was clean, and carried our things down to the dock. Then came the fun part--we had to track down Nick and Nora and get them into their carrying crate. We finally caught up with them down on the beach playing with the crabs again. We enticed them, at last, with a can of tuna fish, just as the plane splashed down in the lagoon. I had to run back to the bungalow and put on some clothes...nudity was my new norm and I'd forgotten until Brett reminded me.

Solo and another man stepped off the plane and greeted us. Solo was effusive with his apologies for the loss of Brett's house. He couldn't understand or explain how their inspection and renovation work had missed the damaged fuel oil line.

The trip home was just like the trip down--except in reverse. When we got home...I mean to the local airport, Brett's home was gone now...we were met by a limo parked near the bottom of the airplane's stairs. As we descended the stairs, Mistress Spencer and Sister Elizabeth climbed out of the car and rushed over to us. Annabeth grabbed Brett's hands and blubbered her apologies...I swear, Mistress Annabeth blubbered. She was distraught that after all Brett had done, one of her companies had allowed Brett's house to be destroyed.

Elizabeth approached me, "How are you Sister Kari?"

"I'm fine...honest. We're safe and Master and I had a wonderful six-week vacation. I feel as if we're closer than we've ever been."

"But your master's house?" Elizabeth insisted.

"Can be replaced. We're already discussing plans and fantasies for a new house. We loved the beachside bungalow so much we want to look for--or build--our new home overlooking the water." As I finished speaking Mistress Annabeth waved us over to join Brett and her. I said goodbye to Solo and the other man and thanked them for watching out for us. The chauffer promptly opened the door and we all climbed in.

I sat next to Brett and across from Elizabeth and Mistress Annabeth. "Alright, let's get down to business." Mistress Annabeth began. "Brett...Kari...I apologize again for what has happened--especially considering all you've done for me. Here is what I propose: first, Spencer Industries will provide you with a place to live while you find a permanent home; second, when you find a suitable location, Spencer Industries will cover your costs to purchase or build a new residence--up to a maximum of $1,000,000. We..."

"Jesus Annabeth, that's not necessary!" Brett interjected.

"Of course it isn't, but I'm doing it anyway. Now, if you will stop interrupting..." She glared at both of us, daring either of us to interrupt again.

"Sorry." Brett and I answered together. "Mistress." I added alone.

"Now as I was saying, before I was interrupted, Spencer Industries will cover the first million to replace your home. Also, the Spencer Board of Directors has elected you, Brett, as our newest corporate director with annual compensation of $99,990.

"What!!" Brett and I gasped together. I stared at my Master. He stared at Annabeth; his mouth moved but no sound came out.

"Well, I've quieted you down at least." Annabeth smirked. "Finally--at least for now--the Board of Directors has assigned you 100,000 shares of SI common stock issued the day before my recovery was announced.

Brett sat still. At least his mouth wasn't gaping open now. After a lengthy silence, Master spoke, "Annabeth, thank you, but all this isn't necessary. I helped you as a friend. I only did what any decent person would do for a friend in trouble. I didn't help for..."

"Brett, you darling boy..." Brett flushed; I glared as Annabeth reached out and patted his knee, "I know that." She smiled at me and removed her hand. "And that's what I explained to the board. Now, let me explain something to you. I am here not as CEO of SI, but as the messenger from the SI Board of Directors. Back...is it really only?...any way, when I was in that bed, and waiting to die, word of my illness leaked out. In seven days, SI's stock price dropped by 90%."

"I didn't know that." Brett whispered.

"I'm sure you didn't. Now, since the news of my recovery has spread far and wide, and investors know that I'm back in the saddle..." Sister Elizabeth gasped and began laughing. Mistress Annabeth gave her a stern look, "We'll discuss that outburst later. Now, as I was saying...since the news of my recovery became public, our stock price has fully recovered...not only recovered, but is now 28% above our previous all-time high. Brett, the rewards I've told you about are the SI board's attempt to say thank you."

"I understand." Brett said softly. "But, before we accept anything, I have one condition."

"Let me guess." Annabeth smiled like a cat that ate the canary, "You need to speak with Freda Haugen about a conflict of interest. Am I right?"

Brett nodded. Freda reached into her handbag, pulled out an envelope, and handed it to Brett. He read it, sighed, and handed it to me.

Dear Brett,

I have spoken in-depth with Annabeth Spencer in regard to Spencer Industries' offer for you to join the SI board of directors. Annabeth has assured me that it is entirely a personal matter between the two of you, and in no way compromises your position at WAMA. In fact, we look forward to your imminent return when your recovery is complete. We all miss you.

Congratulations on your election to the SI Board of Directors. I'm sure that with your unique way of looking at any situation you will be of as great a value to SI as you are to WAMA.

Sincerely,

Freda Haugen

I finished reading the letter and handed it back to Brett.

"What do you think?" Brett asked me.

"It's a very nice letter, Master." I tried to stay neutral.

"Slave, tell me what you think. Be honest." Brett was in serious mode. Mistress Annabeth had a small smile on her face as she watched us.

"Master...I think..." I hesitated, "This slave thinks that anyone who would refuse this thoughtful and generous offer...is a stupid, callous, ungrateful jerk. Master." I finished.

Elizabeth gasped again...Mistress Annabeth shrieked with laughter.

Brett reached out his hand to Mistress Annabeth, "It seems I accept your generous offer. Thank you." They shook hands and he turned to me, "We shall discuss your outburst...when we get home." He looked around. "Wherever that may be."

"Brett, Dear," Mistress Annabeth spoke up, "Remember, you told Kari to be honest; and she was. She must be punished for her brazenness, of course--perhaps a nice, long session with a thin whip?"

"I don't have a thin whip," Brett answered. He turned to me, "But I do have a couple nice leather belts..." He left the threat hanging. My backside started to tingle.

We continued our drive back toward the city. Mistress Annabeth explained that SI had leased the penthouse suite of the local Continental World Hotel (a chain which SI owned) for us for one month as a start; that would give us time to look at our options for a place to live.

While Master and Mistress Annabeth talked, I pulled out my phone and opened the stock tracking app that Brett had purchased for me. One of my duties was to track the price of WAMA stock and keep Brett informed. For fun, I did a little research on SI stock. I stared at the results...shocked by what I saw. I re-ran my calculations, "Holy cow!" I exclaimed. Everyone turned and looked at me. I wanted to disappear.

"What is it, Kari?" Brett asked. Annabeth smiled; I suspected she knew what I'd been doing on my phone.

"Master...I was just using my stock checking app; the 100,000 shares that the board gifted you." I hesitated.

"Go ahead Kari," Mistress Annabeth urged, "Tell him."

"Master. As of this moment...your shares of SI stock are valued at, roughly, $11,650,000."

Mistress Annabeth's grin widened, Brett fell back in his seat, silent. I used my calculator to recheck the figures I'd run in my head. I had not made a mistake.

"Kari's right." Mistress Annabeth added. "And that's based solely on the unconfirmed news that I have recovered. After my appearance at the annual stockholders meeting next week, I'm betting it will be worth even more."

I think I was more accepting of his sudden windfall than Brett was, "Congratulations, Master."

Brett took my hand--his palm was sweating, "Thank you Pet." He turned to Mistress Annabeth, "I don't know what to say..."

I leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Say thank you Annabeth...Master."

"Thank you Annabeth." He recited and squeezed my hand.

We arrived at the hotel shortly after that. It was a tall, modern building; lots of glass and steel. A uniformed greeter opened our door while a bellman pulled a cart to the trunk and gathered what little we had as well as Nick and Nora's crate. Annabeth and Elizabeth said goodbye from the car and left us.

The desk clerk, for the briefest moment, started to give us grief about the cats; luckily, a nearby manager had been briefed before our arrival and firmly told the clerk that Nick and Nora were welcome.

We took the penthouse's private elevator to the top floor. The bellman opened the door and ushered us into the large, well-furnished apartment. It was luxurious, yet conservative. Stylish, yet comfortable. We immediately designated the second bathroom as 'the cats' room' and quickly set up their litter boxes.

Once the bellman finished showing us where everything was--I was surprised when he showed us the music study with a baby grand piano--and he left us, Brett and I sat down across from each other in the living room.

We sat quietly for a while, absorbing the atmosphere of the suite, before Brett spoke. "Kari, I think we need to start a 'to do list' so we can get back to living life on our terms."

"I agree." I pulled out my laptop and opened a blank document, "I think we need to do grocery shopping."

"True. But first we need transportation. We need to call that detective and see if my truck's been released."

"Okay. Number 1 -- obtain truck. Got it. Number 2 -- get food?"

Brett nodded. "We also have to find a realtor to help us search for our new house or land. Maybe get a couple of them competing for our business? Get the best price for the old land."

"Number 3 -- sell old place, find new place. Got it."

"We need to return to work; the sooner the better." Brett said.

"Number 4 -- Earn a living!"

We looked at each other, "Clothes!" We exclaimed together. Everything we'd left behind when we went to the island had been destroyed by the fire.

"Number 5 -- wardrobe." I muttered as I added to the list.

"We'll stop at the bank tomorrow and have a credit card issued in your name. That way we can shop separately."

I nodded, hesitated, "Brett...sir...I need to make an appointment with Wanda for my rose tattoo. We've been discussing the design."

"Oh. May I see?" Brett asked.

I pulled up the photoshopped images Wanda had sent me. They showed, from three angles, a beautiful, near photo quality, blanket of pink roses that stretched from the nipple of my left breast all the way up to and over my shoulder and flowed around my butterfly--giving the impression the butterfly was resting on the roses. The flower clusters continued circling down my left arm, ending at my elbow. I handed the computer to Brett.

Brett sat staring; he looked at me and shook his head. "Kari, Sweetheart. This is incredibly beautiful--but it is too much..."

"But Brett..."

"Let me finish. Please." He stopped my protest with a raised hand. "I think..." He paused, "I think that either the breast and butterfly combination; or the arm and butterfly combination, would be enough to honor what the rose has done for you. I...don't want to insult you...but I feel that if you had this entire thing done...it would...bother me. In my eyes, all this, would detract from your beauty."

"I understand." I got up from my chair and went to sit with Brett. "Wanda and I worked hard on this design; but maybe I did get just a bit too enthusiastic. I'll send a message asking her to show some other options."

I shot off the e-mail to Wanda. Obviously she had anticipated Brett's objections because less than 10 minutes later I received a message from her showing three alternate designs. The first was an upper arm sleeve of roses, up and over my shoulder to the butterfly; the second was the breast-blanket to the butterfly; third was a new design on my back: a bouquet of seven large, perfect pink roses with dark green foliage stretching from the middle of my back up to the butterfly and held together by a large pink bow.

"Wow!" Brett muttered after I showed him Wanda's new proposals.

"So?" I asked, "Which one?"

"Sweetheart, this is your choice. Do you remember what I said before? If you have this done, you have to look at it and live with it for the rest of your life."

"I understand. How about this: is there one you really, really, dislike?"

"I can't say I dislike the artwork; but your breasts are so beautiful, I'd hate to see them marked up."

I nodded quietly, secretly relieved. Wanda had warned me that breast tattoos hurt like a bitch. I deleted the image of the breast blanket, and then stared at the other two. I decided. "Master, I'd like the rose bouquet on my back."

"Okay. Let Wanda know, then go ahead and set up your appointments."

"Thank you Master."

"You're welcome." He gave me an evil grin and I shivered, "Now! Slave, shall we discuss the consequences of referring to your Master as a jerk?"

I thought he'd forgotten. My butt tingled; my pussy spasmed at the menace in his voice. I'm sure I flushed bright red. "Go to the bedroom. Take off your clothes. Wait for me." He ordered. I scrambled out of his lap. I couldn't help but notice the enormous bulge in his pants--My God he was already aroused. I knew I was in so much trouble. As I ran to the bedroom, I squeezed my thighs together to keep from leaking. I got out of my clothes as fast as I could, folded them, and set them on the bureau. I raced into the bathroom, peed, grabbed a towel, and ran back to the bedroom.

I spread the towel on the thick carpet and dropped down into my 'apology' position. And waited. It seemed like forever before I heard my master's soft footsteps approaching. He stopped, standing right beside me. "So, my little Slave, you thought you could insult your master in front of others and not face consequences."

"Master, I..."

"Did I give you permission to speak?" He snapped. My pussy spasmed again. Damn! Just the threat in his tone was setting me off. I stayed silent. He moved away from me. I dared a quick peek and saw him enter the bathroom. He stopped and turned, "Pet, get up on the bed; face down; arms and legs spread." He closed the bathroom door.

Pet. He called me Pet. It was okay. Master was doing this for me, not to me. I finished spreading myself with the towel resting under me. I shivered.

"Look at me Pet." I jumped. I hadn't heard my Master leave the bathroom. He stood there in only a white bathrobe. "Guess what I found in the bathroom?"

I gasped as he grabbed my left hand and knotted a bathrobe belt around my wrist and tied the other end to the bedpost. Before I could do anything, Master quickly grabbed my ankles and secured them to the bedposts at the foot of the bed. Lord help me, but I had a tiny orgasm as Master tugged tight the belt on my right ankle. I was gasping for breath and my heart was pounding as Master sat on the edge of the mattress, right beside my head. My right hand was still free.

"You love this, don't you Pet?"

I forgot my rules and simply nodded. Master rewarded me with a sharp slap on my ass. "What have I told you about nodding? Have you forgotten everything because I was so lenient while we were on that island?" He demanded. He slapped me once more on my other butt cheek.

"No Master!" I gasped. Afraid to lift my head, I felt around with my right hand. I found Master's thigh and moved upward--softly touching Master's skin. I found what I was looking for; son-of-a-bitch, he was hard as steel! I wrapped my fingers around him and began slowly stroking.

While I did that, Master leaned over and started running his hand up and down my back. For a while I was able to concentrate on stroking my master; I could feel copious amounts of man lube pouring out of him. I knew I had him super-aroused and I was contemplating what I could do next when Master slid his hand between my butt cheeks and inserted a finger in my anus.

I jumped and squealed in surprise. Master immediately removed his finger and stood up. He grabbed my right wrist and finished the job of tying me to the bed. "That's enough fooling around." Master stated as he stepped away from the bed. I tried to twist to see where he was and what he was doing; but I was bound too securely. I could only wait--trembling with...fear?...no, excitement.

Eventually, Master returned. I turned my head to look at him. The first thing I noticed was the leather belt dangling from his hand. I had to force myself to slow my breathing--I didn't want to pass out. Then I saw his ferocious erection. "Cripes!" I thought. "Brett...Master is as excited as I am."

He stepped back a bit, I heard a swish and had time to think, "Oh no!" before the belt landed across my ass. I shrieked and before I could take a breath Master struck again...and again...and again. I cried, and squealed, and struggled against my restraints. Master struck again...I'd lost count how many strokes I'd received. Suddenly as I wiggled my bottom...was I really trying to escape? Anyway, the towel I had under me twisted and rubbed my pussy. I screamed with delight as a shattering orgasm ripped through my body. I bucked and bounced on the bed, grinding myself against that wonderful towel. Master stopped the striping and kneeled on the carpeted floor beside me.

He stroked the damp and sweaty hair off my face, "Pet, are you alright?"

"Yes Master. This pet had the most wonderful climax. Thank you Master."

"You were very noisy." Master stated, matter-of-factly. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes Master. This pet is fine. It apologizes for the noise."

Master made a final pass at my hair--clearing my face. "Very well. We'll continue."

My pussy spasmed again...I couldn't control myself, "Yes Master." I whispered.

"But there will be no noise this time. I think a gag will help." He stepped away from my side, leaving me writhing against my towel and wondering where he'd find a gag.