They slept that morning until nearly nine.

Lucinda was still chained face down by her hands to the bed, still wearing the collar and in a very bad state of disarray. Her hair was tangled and half had escaped from the plait, which had been unpinned and was lying down her back. The make-up that she had so artistically and carefully applied, was now little more than dark and fearsome stains and smudges over the pillows and most of her face, which underneath was a picture of serene contentment. He was lying alongside with his legs entwined around hers and his left hand beneath her, feeling the soft skin of her breasts and the contours of her nipples.

As he awoke, he twisted on top of her and with only a brief moment to locate himself in her sex, he raised himself and woke her, by hard and persistent thrusting. She did not assist at all, but took all of the pleasure she could extract, coming as he deposited the last of his seed deep inside her. As he finished, he dropped back and lay peacefully on top.

***

'I've got to go!' He was propped on his elbows, still vaguely inside her and looking at the digital clock at the side of bed. 'The flight for Orlando leaves at twenty to twelve. Shall I run a bath?'

'How could you?' She was just about awake and was speaking quietly, as he undid her from each of her bonds and gently massaged each limb in turn. 'I'm going to keep all the memories of you on and in my body for as long as possible. I'm at least going to have you drip all down my legs for the rest of today.'

'That's lovely!' He laid down again and kissed her. 'Will I see you again?'

'Probably, but I think it may only be business!'

'Why?' Disappointment showed on his face and in his voice.

'You really do belong to somebody else, but then you never admit it, spending all of your time programming and creating mayhem and trouble for others. I'm here in Vegas and you're in London. Then there's the age difference. Cassie. The fact that some day I'll want another child. We'll be friends, yes. But lovers probably not. And maybe never! Not unless you fundamentally change.'

'Am I that bad and difficult?'

'No of course not! I like you a lot!' She turned onto her back, so she could kiss him. 'Let's hope that when this deal is finished, you will find what it is that you have been feeling the need of? That you and your lover in England will discover a new level of relationship that is satisfying to both of you.' They finally kissed. 'Count your blessings, they are many. Listen to people and don't always have an answer for every problem.'

Copyright 1999 by Ewart Higgins