On the other side of me sat Felipe, Celia close to his side on the floor. The woman in white sat next to Caleb.
“Kitten, you’re behaving exemplary tonight,” Felipe whispered, and gently touched my shoulder. I remained in position, though his touch sent a shiver of mistrust down my arm. I turned my head slightly to see if Caleb noticed.
“She’s had her moments,” Caleb added as if I weren’t there. His attention was drawn to the woman in white sitting next to him. From my position on the floor, I watched her polished fingers slide up the middle of his thigh and stop short of the bulge between his legs.
“So good to see you again, Caleb,” her silky voice purred loud enough for me to hear.
“Have we met?” Caleb asked and placed his hand over hers, preventing it from going any farther up his leg.
“Regrettably, no. I was here when you and your lovely girl first arrived. I admired you and I was sure to find out who you were,” she all but purred.
“I see,” said Caleb. “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss…?”
“J,” she said, “Mrs. J, but don’t worry, Mr. J, is well aware of my extra-curricular activities.” She gave a short flirtatious laugh. Her fingers moved up to cup Caleb’s bulge.
I fought the urge to swat her hand away. Mine! You fucking, bitch.
Caleb pressed her hand to him and then moved it back into her lap. “Thank you for the compliment, Mrs. J, but I think your attentions would be best spent on someone else.” Caleb’s voice carried down to me, even though it was a whisper next to Mrs. J’s ear.
“You’re not available?” She sounded disappointed.
Seething with jealousy and with the memory of Caleb and Celia in my thoughts, I inclined myself toward Caleb and rubbed my head against his thigh. To my surprise, Caleb’s hand landed on my head in a soft and reassuring caress, before he urged me away.
Caleb chuckled low and I watched his hand squeeze the top of Mrs. J’s thigh through her satin gown. Her legs parted and she pulled his hand toward her center.
“You’re hungry. We’ll make sure you get your fill.” Caleb caressed her deeply with his fingers then slipped from her grasp and moved his hands above the table. He grabbed a plate of the appetizers and piled a few on her plate as well as his own. “That should get you started.” His voice held a promise and I had to wonder what he planned for later.
Tears stung the backs of my eyes. Not that he noticed. My heart hammered in my chest and I swear the ringing in my ears blasted out for everyone to hear. My breath came in pants, and Felipe’s hand brushed my upper arm.
“Relax,” he whispered.
Caleb reached down with a succulent shelled shrimp in his hand. “Open, Kitten.”
My eyes automatically rose to his level. Before I settled an appropriate glare at him, my nipples received a burning tug that stole my breath. My mouth dropped open, quite by accident, but Caleb used the opportune moment to plop the morsel into my mouth. Mortified, I could do nothing but chew. My stomach appreciated the attention.
All of the chained ones ate from their Master’s hand. It appalled me, but I remained submissive. I promised obedience. It made Caleb happy and my survival ultimately depended on his happiness. I still hadn’t seen Rafiq, but I had come to expect surprises.
When the last course was finished, Caleb pulled away from the table. “You need to relieve yourself and freshen up.”
Felipe interjected, “Celia can take her to the slave quarters, if it’s all right with you, Caleb.”
“I’ll take her over with Celia. Then Celia can show Kitten what’s expected.”
Caleb helped me to my feet. The plug shifted, creating another tremble through my body. Felipe gave Celia’s chain over to Caleb, and he led us away.
He handed Celia my chain at the door. The room was shiny and sterile white. A row of tubs lined the floor to the right of me, some large, some small. To the left, were private rooms. Farther down, I saw a large mosaic featuring a young Mexican girl bathing outdoors and touching her nipples while a man watched in the distance. It provided the backdrop for the shower room, which featured a row of shower heads, drains in the floor, and a few toilet stalls.
“What is this place, Celia?” I whispered. My voice held both wonderment and trepidation. Unconsciously, I reached for her hand and she held it.
“It’s just a room, Kitten.”
She leaned in close to my ear and whispered, “Everything we say is recorded. Motion sensors – microphones.” I nodded.
“Go on and use the ladies. I need to grab some towels.”