His eyes took some time to adjust to the light level, and he wondered how long he had been unaware of his surroundings.His eyes took some time to adjust to the light level, and he wondered how long he had been unaware of his surroundings. A trickle of their mingled sweat that had once seemed so hot drew a sensuous icy line down his side, and he caught his breath. Turning his head took every ounce of energy he had, and he saw that his arms were still tied in the cords -- cords that had become frayed and strained through his thrashing. Every muscle in his body was sore. His stomach, his legs, his arms especially. His abdomen and thighs were stiff and refused to respond to his orders -- particularly with the prone form of his Lady asleep on top of them. Still feeling the exhaustion, he sighed and dropped back to sleep. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * When he woke, he was alone in the bed and completely unaware of how much time had passed. In a panic, he tried to sit up, and found that he was yet bound. Sounds issued at him from the next room, and he called, "Lady?" The sounds stopped, but there was nothing further. "Lady, are you there?" She appeared in the room, with no boots and no gloves, but dripping wet, her muscular body glistening with water. "You are awake," she observed. "Yes, Lady." His voice was gentle and quiet. "May I get up?" "Of course." She reached to the knife, still stuck in the wall op- posite the bed, and with two quick flicks of it over his head, he felt the cords fall away. Stiffly, he moved his arms back down to his chest, trying to rub at them and finding that his hands were rub- bery and weak. "I was in my spa," she told him, helping him sit upright. His head swam and lights danced in his vision. "Would you like to join me?" Sheepishly, he replied, "Lady, I don't think I'm ready . . . " but she shook her head at him. "It's only a nice warm soak. You could probably use it." She helped him to his feet and guided him into the next room, where a lavish spa greeted him. |