'Oh, sure.' Ilona laughed at his perception. 'I expect it adds sexual punch to my charisma. I've been properly bound and gagged in the old tradition.'
'Don't laugh.' Bruce warned. 'There's a wickedly potent emanation from you, a radiance. I'd like to turn you round and look at your handcuffed wrists. But we're watched. Not the proper moment.'
She liked him more and more. Laughing, she teased:
'Suppose you made a purchase, what would you do with me?'
'First off I'd cane your bottom.'
Again the heat! His direct insouciance was enchanting.
But his intent was unexpected. 'Why would you do that to me? I mean, to punish me right away?'
'Because you're still too much of your own woman. I'd see it as cementing my possession of you. I've got one of those lovely English canes. . yel ow. . they come from Singapore. I'd bend you over to get the proper stretch on your skin.'
'So I hurt more. Yes, I know all about it.'
'Hate me?'
'Goodness, no! Why should I?' She twinkled at him mischievously. 'I'm a slave, and I know I'm a slave. I know I'll be whipped and caned. . and things, from time to time. The shock factor's over for me.'
'And you're feeling quite safe under Cicely's ownership.' Bruce wagged an admonitory finger. 'Don't underrate me. You and I might just have a date one of these days with a long yel ow English cane. . !' His voice changed. 'Look, I've monopolized you long enough. I'm getting signals. Come along.'
They were a pleasant middle aged pair, only slightly hardened by wealth. The woman examined Ilona's features, the man looked at her breasts. Bruce's introduction was casual: 'Ilona, this is Senator and Mrs. Hardwick. I expect they'l let you call 'em Bill and Marian.'
Ilona watched Bruce's departing back in dismay. Marian Hardwick's regard was affably hostile, her husband's frankly lecherous. She did her best to smile.
'You're just what Elmer's always wanted.' Mrs. Hardwick got in the first sharp words, no doubt she would also say the last. 'Don't mind him ogling your tits, honey.
He's got a fixation about tits. He never did like mine.'
'Say, girl, are those handcuffs for real?' The Senator's tone was warm, as for a voting constituent. 'Cicely thinks up the damnedest things for these little affairs.'
Obligingly, Ilona turned and stood passively while her handcuffs and hands were lingeringly fondled. Mrs. Hardwick snorted jeeringly. 'Why don't you ask her if her tits are real, Elmer? She'll stick 'em out for you.'
Ilona flushed angrily. 'I'm sorry.' She said coldly. 'If you'l excuse me?' She turned away.
'Hey, hold it!' The senator's voice held authority.
'Marian's getting a dig at me. Look, honey, we called you over on purpose.'
'He wants to buy you from Cicely, or a reasonable facsimile.' His wife retorted acidly. 'Let him get it out of his system, Miss. . whatever you are. He's harmless.'
Her eyes narrowed. 'Did Cicely actually buy you for cash money?'
Why not be amused! Ilona shrugged away her pique, replacing it with girlish charm. 'It actually starts when you get kidnapped.' She explained patiently. 'Then the kidnappers, you could describe them as brokers, sell you to someone who wants a slave. They whip you until you decide to behave.' Her eyes twinkled. 'I've become very obedient. So far as buying me, I don't think I'm for sale. But you could ask Cicely.'
'She the one who whipped you into shape?'
'I was lucky to have several trainers.'
'Huh, this Cicely business! Sounds disrespectful. You use first names with each other?'
'Yes. We thought the Mistress and Madam image overdone, Mrs. Hardwick.
Punishments are so very personal when they come from someone with a real name.'
'Hurt more?'
'Yes they do. The pride gets bruised along with my skin.'
Mrs. Hardwick's interest was captured. 'Damn girl makes sense, Elmer.' She conceded briskly. 'Here, don't let me hog the talk.'
'You wouldn't happen to be the young lady who's getting herself whipped as the grand finale today?' The Senator asked hopefully.
A cold hand touched Ilona's spine, but she forced her voice to be casual. 'I haven't even heard of that.' She admitted. 'I'm only a slave, y'know. There's lots of things Cicely doesn't tell me.'
'But it could be you, eh?' He could not hide his hunger.
'Well. . yes. I suppose it could.'
'Not too fussy 'bout the idea either, are you?'
He was understating her fear. 'To be whipped a little can be terribly exciting.'
She said lightly. 'But the sort of thing you've described. . Ugh! It could be too awful.'
'The girl doesn't want to talk about getting her ass whipped, Elmer.' His wife chided with feminine scorn for male insensitivity. She turned to the handcuffed girl.
'I've given him permission to go to the local whore house, but the idiot thinks he'd like something along your lines around the house.'
'Same as Cicely.' Said Elmer brightly.
'It's not as impractical as you may think, Mrs. Hardwick.' Ilona was inwardly chuckling. 'A slave like me mustn't be regarded as a person. For instance; if you bought me you should regard me as a pet, a pretty plaything to be whipped or caressed according to your mood. I suppose I could perform some useful chores.'
'You're putting me on. You! A pet!'
'Why not! Look at me!' Ilona turned full circle. 'I've got a nice body and I'm helpless. I have to do what I'm told.'
'You know the first thing Elmer would want you to do.' Marian Hardwick hinted darkly.
The nude girl laughed. 'You'd have to draw up some terms of reference.' She embraced them both in her warmest smile. 'It would be between yourselves as to whether the senator fucked me, and at what times, or whether my pussy wasn't to be used.'
'I'll be go to hell!' The senator was visibly moved. His complexion had become even more florid.
'And if I was ever de trop or sort of redundant you should have a cage to pop me out of sight, or maybe a nice little cell?'
'First thing I'd do with you is whip that impudent little ass.' Mrs. Hardwick affirmed. 'You're altogether too damn cool?'
'Is my darling misbehaving?' Cicely Woods's tinkle of laughter took charge.
'Senator, I can see a light in your eye. No, this exquisite creature is not for sale at any price. She is beyond rubies.'
'I could swing the Colorado Concession your way?'
'Not even for that.'
The senator sighed. 'You got too damn much money, Cicely.' He cocked a bright and eager eye. 'Say, is this little trick the one who gets whipped after awhile?'
'Whipped! Why, senator, as if I'd allow such a thing!' Butter would not have melted in Cicely's mouth.
'C'mon, now. The word's got around.'
'You've frightened the poor dear? and she's so sweet?' Ilona was led away by firm fingers towards the bar. She sucked desperately at the straw held to her lips, her eyes bright upon the woman who held the glass.
'Darling, you're trembling?'
'Cicely, it's true, isn't it? What he said?'
'My poor pet!' Cicely's whisper was loaded with love. 'Are you terribly frightened?'
'Of course I am. Oh, Cicely. .! Please tell me it isn't true? Please. .?'
'It's true, darling.'
The glass was lifted once again for red lips to seek solace from the straw. The slave and her owner were very close, eyes locked, their vibrations merging as one.
When the cocktail was gone Ilona admitted, wryly: 'You're right, I am trembling.'
'There's a logic about it. Don't you see??'
