Masters & Lovers Box Set One

The evening is soft and warm, the end of a perfect September day with the sky that translucent blue you don't get any other time of year; lovely but hinting that as soon as the sun goes down, frost will kiss the tumble of golden leaves that litter the grass.

Elizabeth is all little-girl-tell-me-tell-me. "So where are we going?"

"Spoilers...."

I turn onto the highway to take us out of town. She frowns. "Not the theatre then?"

"No, not the theatre."

"I thought it might be that performance of Les Misérables you wanted to see?"

"No, not tonight. But I have tickets for that for next month."

"Oh! I'll look forward to that."

"Good."

I drive, working to keep the satisfaction from my voice, and I suspect, not succeeding.

She fiddles with her bag, looking perplexed. "And why are you driving instead of Ross?"

Because Ross is busy....

But I'm not ready to give away any secrets yet. "Ah-ah...."

I slide a sidelong look at my lovely wife. She looks both elegant and charming; not that she doesn't always. Wearing a classic 'little black dress'....

Every woman's fall back when she doesn't know what to expect....

.... her lovely figure is skimmed and highlighted and, sitting back in the passenger seat, the hem of the dress rides just a little high, giving me a view of smooth, firm thighs. She's wearing some perfume which I recognise but can't identify and my cock twitches....

Observation only tonight....

... or is it?

What to expect...?

*****

James

"I'm just going to check all the gates are closed. Don't want any guests wandering through from the hotel."

"Amen to that," agrees Michael.

Charlotte is watching out from our front window. The view overlooks the slopes down to the lake, but she's looking towards the gate. She doesn't often look 'naughty' but tonight my delectable sub has the devil in her eyes. Aiming a forefinger at her, "When they arrive, you behave. Yes?"

"Yes, Master."

Hmmm....

She lowers her eyes in apparent submission....

.... But I know you better than that Green-Eyes....

.... and judging by the sceptical expression Michael wears, he's thinking much the same.

There's a crunch of gravel and the toot of a car horn. Charlotte rises from her seat as though she's on strings, heading for the door, Michael in hasty pursuit to head off any....

.... unexpected occurrences....

On the doorstep, she morphs into the perfect lady, but exchanging a look back to me, Michael hooks an arm around her waist....

Just in case....

Leaving Michael to handle our less-than-predictable mermaid, I vanish back into the lounge to arrange drinks.

The four follow me through only a minute or so later. "Hello, Richard. Happy Birthday, Beth." I give a light hug on the shoulders and a kiss on the cheek.

"How long will dinner be?" asks Michael.

"Ross says about half an hour, so meanwhile, I think we can all enjoy a drink out on the terrace in the sunshine." I hold up a glass. "What's your poison, Beth?"

"A gin and tonic would be nice thank you, James."

"Coming up. Richard?"

"I'll have the same."

He ambles across, ostensibly to examine a couple of wine labels. "Does she know?" I murmur to him, dropping a couple of ice cubes in a tumbler.

"Not a clue," he replies, equally quietly.

"Lemon in your drink, Beth?"

"Yes, thank you."

I pass her the G&T, flashing dire signals at Charlotte who is having trouble keeping her face straight.

*****

Ross - Richard and Beth's chef, among his other assorted duties - is doing the cooking, leaving me free to act as host. However, I don't take the head of the table, seating Richard there instead, where he will have a good view of anything happening.

We took some care over the place settings. Charlotte sits between me and Michael, with Michael, as he normally does, holding her hand. He is, however, sitting directly opposite Beth and is, quite subtly, watching her. And Richard is watching Michael watching Beth, his eyes crinkling at her slight confusion.

I have to admire Michael's style. If he overdid it, he might weird her out, but he doesn't. Instead, whenever she speaks, he pays close attention, holding her eyes for just a fraction of a second longer than he might normally. And I know he's doing it deliberately. Normally Michael shies away from Beth....

An attraction he won't admit to...?

I should have seen this coming....

.... Perhaps it's better out in the open.....

Richard, I also notice, leans away from Charlotte....

Deliberately?

Making sure he doesn't cross boundaries?

.... Does he know he's doing it?

"What has Richard given you for your birthday, Beth?" asks Charlotte, her voice dripping innocence.

"This beautiful necklace. Isn't it lovely?" She lifts her chin, touching the collar at her neck, displaying Richard's gift. It is indeed very lovely. In silver and emeralds to complement her colouring, it is displayed to beautiful effect by Beth's hair, which she has piled up on her head in elaborate coils and curls to emphasise the long sweep of her neck.

Michael reaches across, taking a closer look, and incidentally brushing his fingers over hers as he touches the piece.

But while Beth is distracted, I lean in close to Charlotte. "If you don't behave, when we go downstairs, I won't use a flogger, I'll use a crop on you and you'll not be sitting down 'til Christmas."

She bites her lip and looks down. "Yes, Master." But I'm not fooled by the fake meekness. She's still smiling.

"Be polite and make some nice noises about that necklace."

"Yes, Master.... Can I see please, Beth...." She leans out, looking more closely.

No, not silver. It's platinum....

.... Must have cost a fortune....

Certainly, it reflects what her billionaire husband can afford to spend on his wife....

Wonder how much jewellery she already has?

And clothes....

.... And bags....

.... And hats....

And I ponder my Jade's refreshing indifference to such things. Give her a library and a quiet spot and she's happy.

But there is Richard's problem....

What do you give your wife when she already has everything money can buy?

I turn my face away, re-composing myself. The blond, blue-eyed answer to the question is two seats away from me, apparently slowly hypnotising Beth. Her eyes hover over his face for longer and longer until, with a start, she is pulled back to reality by the entry of Ross bearing a cake.

Michael and I had no idea it was coming. Nor, by the look on his face did Richard. This is Ross' present to Beth, and it's a minor work of art, with a candle for each year and a marzipan fire engine and firemen with hose aimed at the candles. "Oh, it's lovely. Thank you, Ross."

He beams. "My pleasure, Mrs Haswell. Happy Birthday."

Michael's eyes follow her chest as she takes a deep breath to blow out the candles. As she blows, Richard says, "Make a wish...."

Michael continues, ".... but be careful what you wish for...."

Charlotte leans back against me. "Look at her eyes." She covers her mouth as she speaks. I'm sure Beth can't hear her words, but she surely thinks that Charlotte finds something funny. And if I'm honest, Michael's early moves in the seduction of another man's wife are quite entertaining, given that her husband is seated close by and giving it his full blessing.

Charlotte has a point though, about Beth's eyes. The pupils are widely dilated, her sea-green eyes reflecting bronze in the candlelight. There's a sheen over her face and, as Michael reaches forward to refill her wine glass, her breath hitches. As the group enjoy the cake and rather a good Muscat, I excuse myself for a few minutes, checking downstairs that all is ready, lighting candles and making sure the hearth is burning well.

The cheese course arrives, along with the port I brought up from the part of the basement I did set up as a wine cellar.

"Thank you, Ross. That's all we need for this evening," says Richard. "There's a suite for you in the hotel. Make yourself comfortable over there."

"And just tell them who you are at the bar," adds Michael. "Order what you want. It's on the house. The restaurant too if you want it."

"Everything alright for you, Mr Alexanders?" asks Ross as I see him out.

"Perfect, Ross. Thank you again. I'll settle what I owe you in the morning if that's alright?"

"Of course, sir. Good night."

"Good night Ross."

I draw the bolts on the door, pull the curtains across and re-join the others,

"All quiet now, doors locked. The evening's ours."

I take my seat next to Charlotte where she shuffles up closely enough for me to wrap an arm around her and reel her in tight.

And now what?

The ball's in Richard's court I think....

His eyes cross to mine and I tilt my head in question.

Last chance to back out....

He turns to the other end of the table. "Michael, I think you might want to lead the way on this one."

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Beth's gaze flicks around the table before fixing on her husband, but he only smiles and waggles his eyebrows at her. "Spoilers...."

Charlotte pulled in against my chest, I whisper close by her, "You're still alright with this?"

"Yes, Master, I'm fine. Really. In fact, I've been looking forward to it."

In for a penny....

Michael, his gaze locked on Beth as he moves, stands and walks around the table, offering her his hand. She blinks, flushing, but takes the hand as he helps her upright, to stand just a little bit closer to him that one might expect of a casual guest.

One arm linked around Charlotte's waist, my chin resting on the fist of the other, I sit to watch the show.

Charlotte's giggling.

"Be quiet." I almost breathe the words. "If you think I'm joking about the crop...."

It makes no difference. Charlotte has a grin like a jack-o-lantern.

Michael reaches for his back pocket....

Ah....

And I know what he's planning. It's almost a repeat run of when he and I introduced Charlotte to the facility in the basement.

And pretty much guaranteed to have the desired effect on any sub with intelligence and imagination.

My cock twitches and Charlotte shuffles back, pressing against me....

That's my girl....

This is going to be fun....

Inch by inch, Michael draws his favourite silk scarf from his pocket. Charlotte is well familiar with it; very sheer, in a black fabric that all but floats. Beth watches it like a rabbit into headlights. As he winds his finger in a circle, her eyes flick to Richard, but he has adopted my pose, chin on fist, watching in silence.

She turns obediently, her chest rising and falling, and he binds the silk around her eyes, snugly but not too tightly. As he does so, I see his head tilt back....

Scenting her...?

She's aroused then....

.... Not scared....

His hand at the top of her arm, he speaks to her, loudly enough that we can all hear him clearly. "Beth, we're going to walk you. I'll have one hand. Richard will have the other. We won't let you fall. Alright?" "Alright." There is a tremor to her voice, but it doesn't sound like nervousness.

Richard stands immediately, looking at her closely, the tremble in her movements, and he smiles....

He knows his own wife of course....

.... He takes her hand in his. At the other side Michael, slipping his hand down, draws his thumbnail along her spine before slipping his hand into hers. Beth's chest heaves, almost jolts.

Next to me Charlotte murmurs, "Very nice."

Interesting....

"You like that do you?" I reply, very quietly.

"Oh, yes. It's like.... like an electric shock when you're not expecting it."

"I'll remember that."

As the two men turn, to lead the blind Beth from the room, Michael pauses, casting a look back at Charlotte, but she merely smiles brightly and waves her hand to gesture him out of the door.