Chapter 64: Lessons

"Hi mom," I said when she answered.

"Jimmy!" she said excitedly. "Oh, Jimmy, it's so good to hear your voice. Are you okay, is everything all right? Where are you?" She must have been excited; my parents almost never called me Jimmy.

"I can't really tell you that mom, but I'm okay and things are going pretty well so far. How are you doing? Allison says there's not much to do besides watch Oprah and work on your tan."

"No kidding. It's not too bad though, with everything that's been going on lately I've pared down my workload already. Carrie takes care of most of the things that come up and she can still call me if she needs something." Her voice got more serious, "Jimmy, tell me the truth, do you think this will ever be over? Do you think we'll ever really get to go back or is this just the first step before we have to disappear completely?"

I thought carefully about my answer. "I don't know mom. I wish I could say yes, but I just don't know. Until we can figure out what's going on and who's after me... , I just don't know."

"Then I think I'm going to sell my interest in the company now. I've got two people wanting to buy me out and I'd rather take the money now than wait and lose it later because I don't have a choice."

"But then what will you do if this does blow over?" I asked.

"I have no idea but if I have the money I'll have options. Jimmy? Thank you for being honest with me. Do you need to talk to your sister?"

"Yeah, she left a message for me to call."

"You mean she knows where you are?"

"Yes, and I'll tell her it's okay to tell you, I just don't want to discuss it on an open line."

"Oh, I understand. Here's Allison. I love you."

"I love you too, mom."

"Hi," Allison said. "Everything okay this morning? Nothing fell off?"

"Allison!" I heard mom in the background.

"I'm kidding, mother! Jeez, chill." I couldn't help but cringe. Allison calling her 'mother' was never a good sign. I couldn't help but wonder if it was the amount of time they were suddenly forced to spend together, that along with the stress.

Suddenly Allison asked, "Hey, are you listening?" and I realized I had been lost in my own thoughts and hadn't heard a word she had said.

"Sorry," I answered. "I got side-tracked when you called her mother, that's never a good sign. Are you guys okay?"

She let out a sigh, "Truthfully? No. With you gone and everything else, mom has gone off the deep end with the whole mother bear protecting her cub thing and she's driving me nuts."

"Allison, cut her some slack here, at least you saw it coming. Her life just got ripped out from under her with no warning. She's already making plans for the possibility that she won't get it back. Be there for her, Sis, okay?"

"Easy for you to say," she said and I could almost see her rolling her eyes.

"Allison?" I pushed.

"Okay, okay. I promise I'll try. Now can we move on?"

"I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't mean to..."

She cut me off, "Don't. You're right, it's stress on both sides and I could be doing more to help. I promise I'll work on it. Meanwhile, you need to see someone about starting a corporation in Nevada. I've been doing some checking this morning and apparently there is nothing to it, the taxes are low and best of all, it takes a court order to get past the corporate wall and find out who you are. And when I say court order I mean someone has to go to a judge with actual criminal charges."

"Wow," I said. "That would be helpful."

"Yeah, no kidding, especially if we do it in layers; set up a corporation, then set up a sub-corporation under that one. You can play employee at the sub-corp without anyone ever knowing that you're really the guy in charge. You don't even have to live or work in the state."

"You're right; there are some definite possibilities here. I could be as mobile as I need to be and have a stable address without having to worry about anyone tracking me down through it. Probably have to come up with another identity to hide behind but still ... It would certainly make life easier if I didn't have to hide all the time."

"Jimmy, if you're using an assumed name technically you're still hiding, but the idea is sound. Hiding in plain sight would have its advantages, and it certainly beats the alternative. You're spending the day with May, right. I'll bet you anything you care to name that Jasmine can refer you to someone to handle all this stuff with exactly the level of discretion you need."

"That's a sucker bet if I ever heard one. Anyone that Jasmine would be involved with would have to have privacy as their number one priority. I was thinking of asking the hotel manager, Sanders, for some recommendations. I figure anyone dealing with the casinos would have to know what they were doing. Oh, and I already opened a checking account. I used Lizzy's address and it's in all three names; I wanted to make sure they would be covered if anything came up. Still, it's going to be weeks before everything comes through; debit cards and all that. Meanwhile I've got things to do that require money; like paying the attorney if and when I finally find one."

"Well at least that part will be easy, just ask both Jasmine and that Sanders guy, and if anyone shows up on both lists then he's your man."

"I'm going to need to come up with a legitimate explanation for where my money is coming from."

"No you're not. Not at first anyway, setting up the corporation is dirt cheap. One of the reasons I think you should go with a referral is that there are so many cheap ads for it, I'm betting they're just advertising the basic filing fee to suck people in and then raping them on the other fees and costs."

"So I don't have to tell them where my capital came from?"

"Well I wouldn't dump a whole ton of money into it right away, just put in enough to give yourself operating capital, find a few people or things; once you start making regular deposits it'll take care of itself. I'd leave the bulk of it where it is for now. Better if no one knows about it."

"I moved some of it already, I..." I caught myself, realizing that this was still didn't qualify as a secure line. "I'll tell you about it later." Just then the room phone rang. "Hang on a second."

I set the cell down and answered, "Hello?"

"Mr. Malcolm there is a young woman here for you."

"Thank you, please send her up."

"Thank you, sir."

I hung up and returned to Allison's call. "May is on her way up, I need to get going?"

"You made her come up, why wouldn't you just ... never mind, I got it. God, this stuff is complicated, isn't it?"

"At first, but it gets easier, at least I hope it does. I love you; I'll talk to you later."

A few moments later that there was a knock at the door. I had a suspicion as to what I would find and it turned out I was correct. May was kneeling in the hallway waiting for me. See, it does get easier.

She was dressed casually in slacks, a light blouse, flat open-toed shoes that looked almost like slippers, and of course, a red leather collar and fan earrings.

"You do your Mistress credit, May. Please come in." I extended my hand to help her up. It was a gallant gesture at best as she laid her hand on mine and flowed to her feet; there was no appreciable pressure on my hand at all.

"You are too kind, sir. My Mistress has asked that you not use my name in public."

"I see," I said, guiding her through the door and walking her to a chair. She surprised me by not sitting in it, but rather kneeling next to it. I knew then it was going to be an interesting day. Not letting go of her hand I turned and sat in the chair.

The real surprise came next.

"So that there is no pretense between us, I know that you are the one my Mistress knows as 'Jimmy' and the basics of Amber's situation."

I was surprised but saw no purpose to denying it. "How is it that you know who I am?"

"Based on what you told my Mistress, you would never betray the situation to another, so David Malcolm could not possibly understand what you need."

"An astute and logical deduction," I agreed. "What else has your mistress told you?"

"My Mistress has instructed me that you are new to the dance," she answered demurely.

"So, in addition to accompanying me, you are to assist in my training today, aren't you?"

"I am honored to guide you on the Master's Path."

"It is I who am honored, a finer guide I could never hope to find."

"The Master is too kind."

"Is there more I should know?"

"Yes, my Mistress keeps few secrets from me; I know all that you have told her. Please do not think my Mistress indiscreet, but she needed to share her thoughts on all that was happening, especially when the pace of Amber's progress became so apparent. My Mistress is a wonder of knowledge, but in order to keep up with Amber's accelerated learning curve she required a slave's perspective. Know without doubt that I would carry these secrets to my grave rather than divulge them. You need not fear the taint of the one you call Lord Hightower either. My Mistress allows no one to be near either of us alone. This is the first time I have been in public without escort in over three years. Usually there are two bodyguards with us at all times when we leave the house. My Mistress takes my safety very seriously for she knows that I am her greatest weakness. She loves me very much and there is not much she would not do if something were to happen to me. She also knows that unless restrained, I would take my own life before anyone had the chance to use me against her,"

I thought about what she had said for a moment before answering, "As I said, a better guide I could not ask for, I welcome any assistance you may offer. I assume that if I were to call you by your name today... ?" I left the question hanging.

She smiled and answered, "Yes, I would not answer."

I nodded my understanding, "By what name should I call you?"

"Your first mistake," she said. "If a name is not given, it is the Master who decides, and the responsibility of the slave to remember and respond. How would you call me, my Master?"

"Are there guidelines or restrictions on the name a Master may give?"

"A reasonable question," she commended me, bowing her head respectfully to me. "Social considerations only; as the Master, you must weigh where and how the name may be used. If I were escorting you to a formal dinner, the name "Bitch" may be inappropriate to the setting, though a slave does not weigh such considerations, she merely obeys. In another setting, such as a private affair or when visiting certain clubs, "Slut" would not be unusual or inappropriate. It depends very much on the setting."

"And if I ask ... if I instruct you to select a name?"

She smiled again, "Once again, a good question. Then the choice falls to me and the responsibility of remembering to you."

"Then you shall be Acacia during our time together."

"Thank you, my Master. How may I serve you?"

"I know that you would not ask and why you would not, but do you wish to know why I chose that name?"

"No, Master, and you are correct that it is not proper to question the name. However, if you choose to share it with me, that is your decision. I will admit to curiosity only because you ask, but the reason is of no importance to me."

"Because it is a beautiful and supple tree," I said. "Slender and graceful to behold, and you are all of these things."

She inclined her head gratefully.

"But also because it is known for its thorns and apparently you are to be the thorn in my side today."

She covered a delicate laugh and said, "It is truly a commendable choice, Master."

"Let's start there; when we are in a setting where the title would attract undue attention, you are to address me as David. If, in such a setting you need to get my attention for instructional or other important reasons, you are to address me as Mr. Malcolm."

"I understand."

"Good. Are there any restrictions that I need to be aware of in normal social interaction, walking down the street for instance?"

"Not unless you wish it so," she answered. "You are free to dictate our interaction in any way you desire. I take it you do not want me kneeling at your feet every time you stop moving?"

I rolled my eyes, "Exactly. While I understand that there will be times when it's different, for the most part -- walking down the street, that sort of thing, I would be more comfortable treating you as I would my girlfriend."

"This is not uncommon," she explained. "In most circumstances a master and slave would go unnoticed as no one knows of their special relationship. I am an exception in that I go nowhere without my collar and fans. I have others for formal occasion and I am proud of my status. These items are known well enough in the area that my station will not be hidden from anyone of consequence. But even without them, if you in fact desired me to kneel at your side and aim for you while relieving yourself in public, I would do so."

"Not for me," I added. "But to honor your Mistress who gave you into my service?"

"For love of my Mistress, yes."

"And are there any other restrictions on our time today that I need to be aware of."

It was a simple thing but spoke volumes. The fact that she locked her eyes on mine and held them as she answered said even more.

"My Mistress has given me to you until you return me to her. I am yours to do with as you wish until that time."

"And she is trusting me to respect that you are her property, on loan for my use, but also in my care?"

"Yes, my Master."

"What is your safe word?"

"Penguin, my Master."

I stood and since I was still holding her hand, she rose with me. I kissed her hand, pulled her arm through mine and said, "Let's go shopping."

The transformation was instantaneous. She bounced on her feet, kissed me excitedly on the cheek and practically dragged me out the door. It reminded me of taking Allison and Shannon to the mall.

My next surprise came when we got in the elevator and she hit the button for the parking garage. The whole transportation thing had slipped my mind. Her car was a very nice Mercedes convertible, red of course, with pale gray leather interior. I held her door and handed her into the driver seat before getting in the passenger side. She pulled a red ball cap on to block the sun and to keep her hair under control, pulling it through the hole in the back so that it hung in a loose pony-tail, and we were off.

Traffic was heavy but not too bad and it didn't take long to spot May's bodyguards following discreetly. As I agreed with Jasmine's precautions I didn't say anything. I knew she wouldn't have said anything about me; as far as they knew they were just doing their normal job at a little greater distance than usual. I'm not even sure that May knew they were there. In just a few minutes we were pulling into a parking structure across town. It wasn't marked as public, but it wasn't a casino either. Apparently she wasn't worried about it so I didn't either. She hung her hat on the shifter and bounced out into my arms when I opened the door, lips pursed and ready. I gave her a friendly peck and squeeze and she held my hand as we walked to the elevator. We hit street level and started browsing the shops; laughing and carrying on like any other young couple in love. Eventually we entered a dimly lit store and at first I thought the power must be out but then I noticed that even though it was on the street, the windows had been completely painted over in black.

The interior was rank with the heady reek of leather; I have always loved that smell. The change in May as we crossed the threshold was just as striking as it had been when left the hotel room. Suddenly she was demure and more attentive, remaining close to me and letting me lead instead of pointing things out. The two employees gave her a cursory glance and immediately ignored her. While that may be appropriate to her station, it wasn't going to help.

"Acacia, attend me," I stepped some distance from the attendant and spoke to her in a low voice. "I require your guidance here, clearly, as a slave you are beneath her notice, but I will require your assistance in making selections."

"As you wish, Master. I know your slave is in hiding, but hiding in front of the crowd rather than lost in it. I will help you make selections that will make the proper statements." She lowered her voice slightly, "Be bold my master, we are safe here. It would be appropriate and acceptable for me to select and even to model for you, the pieces you desire."

"Very well," I said, raising my voice, "let us begin." There were canvas directors' chairs down toward one end of the long jewelry counter and I took a casual seat as May began perusing the various displays.

She selected several items and brought them for my inspection when the girl took them out of the case. The first was a long jeweled chain of black onyx and gold about three feet long. She quickly began explaining its various functions and uses. For discrete occasions it was a waist chain that could be completely hidden under her clothes, but most of the time it could be worn in plain sight -- over a light blouse or dress, or as a necklace of variable length. There was even a special clip that, if you wrapped it around the neck would hold it in the shape of a choker. The dangling end was actually removable and could be hung on the chain at any point. She had been showing me the various options when it suddenly hit me. The dangling end was actually a miniature and highly stylized cat-o-nine-tails with little gold balls on the ends.

She also recommended something more intimate. At first glance I didn't realize what I was looking at but as she began to explain the meaning became very clear.

"It is an alternative to piercing," she explained. They grip the skin tightly, triggering a reaction from the body, which places the nipple in a constant state of arousal." She caught my eye and held it for a moment.

In for a penny... , "Show me." She gave an approving smile, pulled her blouse over her head and folded it neatly on the counter. She had on a dainty white lace bra which she quickly removed as well, folding it and laying it on her shirt. Neither she nor the clerk even batted an eye at the idea, or the reality, of May disrobing in the middle of the store in broad daylight. But then, after all, there were essentially no windows.

The reality of May was no less wonderful than Jasmine's dreams of her. Her breasts were about the same size as Allison's but with smaller nipples.

"The problem with a piercing is that if is not done carefully many times the nerves are damaged or even destroyed, leaving the woman with no feeling, where if it is done properly the nerve is stimulated, and the sensations heightened, by the simplest contact, even just the motion of walking.

"This..." she held up the small clip, " ... is held on by pressure. If my Master would assist me?" she offered me her small breast.

Without hesitation I leaned in and began to suckle gently at her nipple, once it was wet I drew back and blew on it and it popped to attention. I gave her a quick kiss on the lips and said, "Proceed."

"Thank you, Master," she squeezed the body of the little device to open the spring mechanism and fitted it to the base of the flared point. The two pieces of metal bit hard into her flesh but she showed no discomfort. In fact it was pretty clear that she was enjoying the sensation. "The body will respond by swelling the surrounding tissue slightly, which will in turn help keep it in place. You have to be more careful than with an actual piercing as more vigorous movement or twisting can dislodge it." She pulled it out away from her breast and it stretched the nipple nicely. "A straight pull is fine as long as it's not too hard, but if you twist..." she demonstrated and it popped off, her breast bouncing slightly as it returned to its normal position. "It works better with larger nipples; the bigger ones have stronger springs and grip better. When in place," she reattached it and let it dangle, "movement keeps the nerves irritated and the nipple swollen, leaving it displayed nicely." She offered me her breast again and I cupped it in my hand, playing with the tiny charm, and then tickling it with my tongue. Licking or sucking did not dislodge it as long as you didn't get too vigorous.

"I imagine these get swallowed a lot."

"It happens," the clerk said with a smile. "They come with a warning for nursing mothers to take them off before feedings. Another advantage is that if you get a little rough they will pop off without any actual damage. Trust me; having a piercing torn out, even by accident, is not a pleasant experience. I know girls it has happened to. Why don't you show him the chain?" She handed May the black and gold chain and she quickly put it on around her slender waist where it hung delicately after settling on her hips just below her navel. It was a nice accompaniment to the clips and with her slim build the tiny cat hung below the crotch of her jeans, the chain and its gold dangling end drawing your attention to what lie beneath. Immediately I imagined what treasures were hidden there.

She turned so that I could take it all in, then took it off, removed her collar and lay it carefully on the counter, then wrapped the chain around her neck several times, the clerk attached the special clip at the back of her neck and suddenly she had a stranded choker. She displayed it alone at first and then with the little cat attached once more as a dangle. Then she unfastened it, unwrapped a couple coils and let it hang like a regular necklace, the dangling cat resting between her breasts. Another quick adjustment put it back on in full extension once more. It hung from her neck like a tie, the chain bisecting her breasts and the little dangle reaching past her navel. Her final adjustment attached the chain to the twin clips on her nipples, where it hung in a long arc and just begged you to tug on it, which I did to see if it would pull the clips free. It would but the force required was enough that it had to be intentional. I could easily imagine leading her or Amber through the right kind of party by it, which of course was the intent.

I noticed there was a twin in white gold so I had her try it as well. The yellow gold would go better with Amber's darker skin. I had her try several more before settling on one for each of them, yellow gold for Amber and white for May. She blushed very prettily when, after settling it around her waist I told her she could keep it.

"Thank you, Master."

I didn't say anything, just picked her collar up off the counter and helped her put it back on. I wanted to get a set of the nipple clips for Amber but was uncertain as to the size. When I explained this to the clerk I got my next surprise as she peeled off her shirt and shifted her bra to expose a nipple. When I confirmed she was about the same configuration she resettled her bra and selected several in the appropriate size for me to choose from. When I had narrowed the choice to two she took off her bra and began teasing at her nipples.

"Perhaps Acacia could assist you?" I offered.

The girl's face lit up. "The Master is generous," she said and offered herself to May, closing her eyes as May caressed and suckled her to arousal, then attached one of each to her distended nipples. The girl winced slightly at the initial pressure but the way she bit her lip said very clearly that it wasn't because it hurt. She then put her bra and shirt back on to demonstrate what it would look like. "If the bra itself has a little texture to it, it is unlikely anyone would notice the piece itself, but as you can see, the effect remains evident."

It certainly did.

"Thank you," I said. She quickly removed them, I made my choice, and both women put their clothes back on. Then we looked at collars and a variety of restraints and adornments; bracelets, anklets and a set of handcuffs that she could wear together on one wrist as a bracelet. They also came apart so that two people could wear half, signifying the bond between them. I selected several additional items and arranged to have them express shipped to Lizzy so they would arrive before Amber.

"How am I doing so far?" I asked May as we headed back to the car.

"You have handled yourself very well. You do know she would have accepted your help in place of mine?"

"That seemed pretty obvious, but I noticed she was admiring you as well."

"I was not sure you noticed. So you were certain she would accept me before offering my assistance?"

"Not certain, but pretty sure. I don't think anyone working in a shop like that would embarrass a slave by refusing to allow them to obey an order."

"Not for such a simple request, no. As I said, you handled it well."

"Thank you, would you like some lunch?"

She took me to an exquisite oriental place where we sat on pillows on the floor and took turns alternately eating and feeding each other while discussing my legal needs. She was excited that I was considering opening an office in the area and immediately called Jasmine for a couple of referrals. Within minutes I had names for both an attorney and an accountant. Sweet!

We were walking back to the car when Jamie spotted trouble approaching. Two guys lurking in the shadows of the parking garage.

"Thank you, sis. You want them?"

"Oh hell yeah!" We traded places and I found myself shifted to the birds-eye view again.

"You really have to show me how you do that."

"Remind me later," she said just as the first guy put his hand on my shoulder.

"The wallet and the purse, and no one gets hurt."

May turned and backed closer to the car, eyes on me as Jamie said, "Where's the fun in that?" dropped and spun, sweeping his feet out from under him and then rolling to one side before he crashed to the ground. Immediately she stood and closed on his partner, who clicked the trigger on a switchblade and moved forward to meet us. The blade was obviously for show and he had no idea what he was doing, leading with the blade. Just as with Samantha's attack it was easy to block and then catch his arm and twist the knife free. The difference is we had been trying not to hurt Sam, this guy wasn't that lucky. That and it was Jamie in control, not me. She blocked the knife arm the same but only twisted the arm far enough to keep the blade away as she slammed her elbow into his face. I felt his nose break and before his head even started to snap forward again she had raised the knife arm up and away, rotating the wrist outward to lock the elbow and standing him up straight. Grabbing his throat she kicked his knee just hard enough to collapse it, but not hard enough to break it, and shoved him hard over onto the ground, where he lay stunned and gasping for air. The knife bounced away as he hit the ground, ending up about six feet away.

From my vantage point I could see the guy behind us was back on his feet. There was plenty of time but it turned out to not be necessary. As he started towards me, May dropped gracefully to the floor, swept his feet again, and flowed smoothly back to her feet as he crashed hard to the ground once more. Jamie glared at her as she stood back up and then, returned her attention to her two playmates. I watched as Jamie walked over and recovered the fallen switchblade, then drove it point first into a crack next to the one guys head. The size of his eyes as her arm descended made it clear he thought she was going to kill him. Once the blade was firmly planted in the concrete Jamie snapped the blade off and stood up.

"You boys need to find a better line of work; you're not cut out for this sort of thing." Jamie said, and then switched places again, blowing me a mental kiss and I dropped back into control. "Thanks, that was fun."

I put what was left of the broken knife in my pocket to dispose of later and went to hold May's door for her.

"Forgive my intrusion, Master," she said as we drove back out onto the street. "I did not think it necessary but could not risk your safety if I were wrong."

I weighed my options and my feelings before saying sternly, "You risked you own safety for me, normally I would thank you. However your Mistress has entrusted you to me and I would not have wanted to explain to her that you came to harm while in my care. You will not do anything like that again, but look to your own safety first, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, my Master," she answered demurely.

Her phone rang and she glanced at me for permission to answer it. I nodded and she retrieved it from her purse and answered, "One moment while I park, please," and pulled into the parking lot of a small gas station.

"Yes, Mistress?" She listened for a moment and said to me, "The attorney has an opening if you would care to see him this afternoon."

"I don't think I'm dressed for an attorney, do you?"