Page 40 of João
If only.
But that power was intoxicating. Already, my heart pumped wildly in my chest as I dressed her. Resettling her with touch, bringing her back little by little to reality once more.
Murmured words were the only thing I used to keep her slightly in stasis as we navigated the first tasks we’d decided on together as aftercare.
Holding her hand, I walked her through the hallway of my house, down the stairs once more, toward the hidden entrance only my brothers and Sal knew about.
By expert feel, I pressed the large sectioned wall around the perimeter of my dining room, the only room that sat east of the stairs. The reason why revealed itself in Gisele’s wide eyes as she took in my conservatory.
“Oh my…this is breathtaking, João.”
The hidden chamber glowed under the light filtering in, the glass ceiling with its intricate chrome design crowning my most cherished creation. Once upon a time, I planned for this to be a space for me and my wife, someone that I could trust and bemyself with, where my darkness and light, all combined in one flawed brain, could be unburdened of all societal pretenses.
Plants from all over the continents of Africa, Central and South America, and the Caribbean cohabited in harmony under conditions similar to their places of origin. Alcoves of tall greenery circled the crystal-covered nooks, protected from outside by plants that kept the structure private from prying eyes. Only moonbeams from up above bathed the space in soothing light. The small round pool in the middle and the adjacent tub were the perfect addition for a moment of warm aftercare. The nook opposite where we stood was the only furnished section in the space. Deep purple furniture and plush moss green seating wrapped the perimeter of the rounded glass area, with the snacks and drinks I’d set up waiting for us on a gilded mahogany table. I was excited to bring her here. Gisele was the only woman I had ever wanted to show this space besides my family.
Here, we could both find our center. Together.
“What is this space?”
“This is where we will do aftercare whenever we scene or you go through punishment.”
“This is…is that a prayer area?”
I nodded, not ready to share more for the moment. But knowing soon…soon I’d explain even more about my concerns.
“Okay, so let’s do our aftercare, Master.”
And I led her into my sanctuary to bring each other back to center.
Centered seemed farfrom how I felt less than twenty-four hours after our first full day and scene. Gissy and I sat in the lounge area and had bites of the snacks as we broke down the scene. Just as I suspected, something had clicked for Gissy toward the end, and she was still on cloud nine, explaining with large gestures how good she felt. After a couple of hours, it was time for her to go.
“I can drive home on my own,” Gissy assured me as I opened the door to her car.
“Should I remind you again what our roles in this are?” The night creatures’ symphony was in full effect, and their concert rose between us as the silent battle of wills continued. She tried to match my energy but that wasn’t how this would go. One look into my eyes and hers dropped to the floor, eyelashes fluttering as she read my quiet determination.
“Thank you, Master, for driving me home,” Gissy finally whispered, and I let the peevish tone slide.
For now.
“Next time you give me attitude, youwillreap the consequences. Don’t play with me, Gissy.”
“Yes, Master.”
Now that? That was much better. That shit was music to my ears.
After too short of a ride, I dropped Gisele home, parking her car in the garage.
“But how will you get back home?” she asked as I approached her on her front steps. Her tired but happy smile settled in mychest. She’d had a good night and I’d had a good night. Fuck, I hadn’t had a scene in months. The life she’d breathed into my kink was unmistakable.
“I already ordered my rideshare. Go inside. Take a long shower and text me before bedtime and when you wake up tomorrow. I want to make sure you don’t drop without me knowing. Understood?”
Last thing I saw as her door closed was her goofy ass smile.
Shit, I could get used to this.
The next day started calmly enough. Gissy followed all of our rituals with quiet precision. She video-called me, allowed me to pick her clothes, and texted me throughout the day. But nothing felt genuine. It was as if Gissy was going through the paces just because. My stomach cramped tighter with each hour that passed while I took care of business needs at the club, accepting orders, directing the weekly deep cleaning, and attending some meetings.
When she told me she wasn’t going to her association meeting after work, the same meeting she couldn’t stop talking about a week ago, my patience shattered. Carried through by determination, I left the cleaning crew disinfecting each and every surface in the club and drove as fast as I could to her. Palm trees, man-made lagoons, and laughing children on bikes and scooters blurred as I kept full focus on the road.
