As Mallory's relationship with Ryan blossomed, her development as a slave started to wither; it was not because she was not trying. Every night, she still brought the leash and collar to her Master; sitting by his desk in the nude, knees spread, hands up, eyes downcast, as he had requested. Sometimes she waited for an hour as he played video games or paid bills, or even surfed porn sites.
It seemed like the wait would get longer each night as Mallory would sit, her feet tingling as they fell asleep from sitting on them. She would become increasingly disheartened, believing she was doing something wrong, thinking she was not a good slave. Finally, one night, he turned to her after she had waited about 15 minutes, "Mal, frankly, I'm getting tired of this routine," she was startled and hurt by Kyle's words. "I just don't have the energy for the games every night."
"But, Master," she protested, "I didn't think we were playing a game. I thought this was a lifestyle."
"It is," he continued, "We are definitely not going back to the way things were before we separated. I mean, I like the way you don't talk back; and the separation of the financial stuff is great. The fact that I control all of that, you do the housework and stuff, that part is going great..."
"Hmmm..." Mallory eyed him suspiciously, still trying to maintain her respectful demeanor, "Then what is it that you think is a 'game' or you don't like about everything?"
"Mal, come on," he demanded, "You're starting to get mouthy. I just don't have the energy for these nightly rituals, and all this other junk. It seems like you are demanding sex all the time and I'm just not really into it as often as you. You know that. And the collar and leash thing, okay, it is sexy every now and then, but every night?"
Mallory drew in a deep breath, mentally counting to ten before she spoke again, "So, let me get this straight," she tried to remain calm as she questioned Kyle, "You like being in control of... let's just say, everything? You like me to do the housework, keep my mouth shut, not talk back, and we have sex, what? Like once every two weeks or so like we used to?" By this point, she was bordering on resentment, "And, what do I get out of it, Master," her voice now dripping with sarcasm, "I was enjoying the ritual. You know, when you put the collar and leash on me, at least for the first few times, I felt loved and wanted. Yeah, it started to feel really routine and like you resented it..." her voice trailed off as she saw the anger start to build in Kyle.
"Damn, Mal," he said, glaring at her, "things were going so well." He turned back to his computer and left her feeling empty and alone; familiar feelings from their previous life together.
"Oh yeah," she said under her breath as she threw the leash and collar to the floor.
Mallory climbed into bed, she buried her head beneath two pillows trying to block out the glare of the computer screens. She wished she was still back in her apartment; she was less lonely when she was alone.
After the discussion regarding the collar, Kyle never placed it around her throat again, and Mallory never saw it. She still behaved as best she could, performing her household tasks and responding to any request her Master had; but there was a palpable tension in the household.
Mallory's respite was work; she loved walking in the front door of her office building and knowing she would see Ryan. Her relationship with him was flourishing. She knew she would never be his slave and they would not have a life-long commitment, but she was having fun. Though she never dreamt she would have an affair, he was distracting her from her increasingly depressing home situation.
Most of the encounters she had with Ryan were nothing more than mild make-out sessions; sitting in the car and steaming up the windows. Occasionally, she rubbed his hard cock over his jeans, teasingly; she knew he wanted her, she wanted him as well, she just did not know how far to push things.
Still, she and Kyle rarely had sex anymore, and she was increasingly attracted to Ryan; he was funny, kind, and very attracted to her. He peppered her with compliments, she felt young and happy when she was around him. She ignored the fact she was not living in reality, she rarely thought about having to go home every day and deal with her life. Each time they parted, the goodbyes became longer and more drawn out.
"We have a three-day weekend coming up," Ryan announced to her hopefully one day, "Do you think there is any way you can get out of your house, and maybe we can go away?"
"Oh, Ryan," Mallory's eyes welled with tears as she looked at him, "I desperately want to, but I just don't know..."
"Come on, Sunshine," he begged, "Just try, make up something. It will be really great. I know this awesome beach just out of San Fran."
