Chapter 24: Allies, Part 3

Michael

James releases her, scooping her up as she totters, to deposit her on the bed next to me, then pours her a glass of wine.

"Relax, Girl," he says. "You've had enough for one day."

She looks high, spaced out almost, as she swallows at the wine.

"Thank you, Master. Yes, I've had enough for one day, but I enjoyed it. It was marvellous." She swings around to me. "And thank you, too. That was wonderful."

I have to swallow hard as emotion runs riot through me…

Oh, Babe.... you're lovely....

Lying here on the bed feels so natural, speech so unnecessary. We settle in a loosely bound group, Charlotte resting into the crook of James' arm, me leaning against her. In the flicker and gleam of the candlelight, the wine is ruby in the glasses, the room warm and the scent of the woman next to me evocative.

Don't get ideas.... She'll be gone in a few days....

.... Perhaps she'll stay....

Don't be a fool, Man.... For her, you're a stranger that's fucked her....

My reverie is