Wednesday, December 4th
Colin
With Anthony driving I was able to concentrate on talking to him about things surrounding Sydney.
“Have you given any thought to Christmas, Anth?”
“A little bit. I’m glad she’ll be with us at the cabin. I want to see if we can find her something superhero. You saw how excited she gets talking about them. And we have to let her pick out the tree. I don’t care how fucking ugly it might be, she gets to pick it out.”
I doubted Matt or Gina would object.
“Tonight if we have time, I want to see if we can get her some new clothes. She only has the stuff you picked out for her and a few other things that Gina’s helped her get for Irons,” I told him.
But priority number one tonight was stuff for our room. Tomorrow the housekeepers come and I wanted them to have the new stuff to wash and then put on the bed. Anthony and I put together another grocery list for the housekeepers too.
I went off to work in my office and was making great progress with getting through email and going over some additional info on the Cheng deal. I was sending Sydney a text when that orange foam ball knocked my cell phone out of my hand. Anthony laughed and shut the door behind him and flopped on the couch. I finished my text to Sydney making sure she was doing okay and then joined Anthony in the sitting area. I could tell something was on his mind but doubted it was about work.
“Col, something’s bugged me since you started training her and it really bothered me this morning. And I know this stems from what Evan and Seth possibly wanted.”
“Okay, let’s talk about it. This is good, Anth. We both need to feel comfortable enough to discuss whatever doesn’t feel quite right. What’s bugging you?”
“I don’t want her to feel like she has to wait for us to start eating. She’s not our slave. She’s our sub.”
“She’s more than that. You know that, Anth.”
“I do. My point was just that, you and I aren’t into high protocol. A slave would wait for her Master to eat. Sydney isn’t our slave. She’s too tiny and came from a shitty apartment with little food. You and I should be taking care of her first.”
I understood what he meant and agreed with him. We’d explain it to her tonight. I’m glad he and I talked about it. Especially after seeing how she lived, Anthony was right; he and I needed to make sure she always had enough to eat.
“Don’t forget that Sydney has a follow up tomorrow with Matt,” I said as I was scrolling through my phone.
“What is Matt doing tomorrow?” Anthony asked me as he pulled his phone out frowning. He was skimming through his calendar on his phone. “Fuck! I didn’t put it in here.”
“Matt’s going to check on her abdomen and ribs. He’ll probably look at the welts on her back and see how the wounds are healing. And another pelvic exam.”
“Fuck! She gets so upset over those.”
“I know, Anth. But it’s for her health. Hell, I just learned a few nights ago that Howard had his violent way with her for nearly seven years. Don’t you think seven years of that damages someone physically?”
He was staring hard at me and then looked away. Shit. His folks fucked him up too. I bet he wishes he only had seven years’ worth. He had that by the time he was in the third grade.
“Anthony, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to minimize anything you went through. I know you suffered ten years more than she did.”
He ran his hand through his hair and started shaking his head. He was quickly punting a discussion like that far from our atmosphere.
“It’s not about me. I agree with you. Yes, seven years can do a lot of damage. I support her needing to go for the follow up and I’m sorry if it came across like I didn’t. I just hate seeing her so upset and uncomfortable.”
“We’ll be there for her.” I paused so he could calm down a minute and shake his mom and Bruce from his head. “Since we’re thinking about not using condoms anymore, I think you and I should get tested again. It’ll give her peace of mind, which is something she hasn’t had. We have to get it out of her head that she’s bad and isn’t worth our skin touching hers.”
Anthony and I went to lunch after that and talked about Blake’s upcoming holiday party and auction. Many people in the community volunteered their time and/or services all in the name of Blake’s charity. I hold a black tie party in October and then we have one in December at my place. Anthony usually offers a rope session. It’s usually one of the most popular items on the auction block. Blake has hinted his wife wants him to bid on it so Anthony will give them a private class. Anthony hasn’t committed to offer a rope session as of yet, though.
“Have you thought about the rope session?”
He nodded while he ate his sandwich and then looked out at the Strip.
“I don’t think I’m going to do it this year. I don’t feel right about it.”
I knew where he was coming from. But auctioning out his famous rope evening didn’t mean he had to have sex with whoever won the bid, although last year’s did. A good friend of Blake’s won. She’s a little older than I am and has known Anthony, Matt and I since we all joined the club in our twenties. She’s a Domme and a damn good one too. Anthony did a very involved rope pattern on her and suspended her. While he had her suspended, he flogged her until she was nice and red. I knew last year’s scene was on his mind. He didn’t want to put himself in that situation right now.
“Anth, it’s for charity. A charity that should be very close to you and I after all Sydney’s been through. All you’d be doing is teaching a rope session. Blake and his wife are interested. Sydney would understand it’s for charity. Just think about it some more. Blake is coming over Saturday to go over the party specifics.”
I wasn’t going to push him into doing it. But it was charity and his rope session fetched a pretty penny. And also in the back of my head was knowing how much he loved rope, and that he couldn’t use rope with Sydney. I know he’s said it doesn’t matter and he’d give it up, but it’s such a huge part of him. I thought if he did auction it off, it could still feed his need for rope play.
Since Christmas has been on our minds some, Anthony and I went to the outdoor mall close to work and roamed around a bit after lunch. We went into a novelty store mainly because the window display had a superhero poster. Turns out the store had tons of superhero stuff and Anthony was like a kid in a candy store looking at all of it.
“Col, we need to get some stuff.”
We scoured the store and ended up with some desk accessories for her new space, several journals that had characters on them, a Wonder Woman throw, a Batman and Robin wall clock, a wall calendar for the upcoming year and a new Iron Man tank top. It wasn’t exactly like the one she had to toss out, but it was new and would fit her. At the counter, Anthony grabbed a stack of superhero stickers.
“Seriously, man? I think the other stuff is cool and she’ll go crazy over it, but stickers?”
“Yeah, I’m going to put these on some of the larger bandages. She’ll like them and they will make her smile.”
Man, he had me there. I smiled and nodded at him. Anthony had Sydney’s guilty obsession dialed in. We planned to give these things to her for Christmas so she could decorate the empty room upstairs as her space. I thought it was very important for her to have her own space and this way she could decorate it with stuff she loved.
Anthony pulled some stuff out of the bag to look at while we drove back to work. He was eyeing the Batman and Robin wall clock. It was pretty neat and Sydney would love it.
“Hey, do you think she’ll think of me as Batman or Robin?” He asked at a stoplight.
“You’re definitely Robin, Anth.”
“What!” I couldn’t help but laugh and give him shit over that. We jabbed at each other the rest of the way to work and both decided that we were each Batman for different reasons.
We stopped and talked with Dwayne for a few minutes in the atrium before heading up to the tenth floor. Anthony started up in the elevator again about the Batman and Robin thing.
“Fuck it. You can be Batman. You’ve got the whole thing going with the pretend muscles and rubbery body armor.”
I turned to look at him leaning against the wall of the elevator and really tried hard not to laugh. I ran my hand over my shirt and pulled it so the fabric would be tight against my body. I pointed to my obvious chest muscles that could be seen through my shirt.
“Got news for you, Robin, my muscles are real. Check it out.” I pointed to my chest and abdomen and he smirked and stood up straighter and did the same thing.
Anthony has defined biceps and pecs but his abs weren’t near the definition that I had. His stomach was flat and he had some definition. He and I are just two different body types. It didn’t matter though, Sydney loved both of us. He laughed and flipped me off.
“You wanna touch my abs, Robin, and see what real muscles feel like?” I joked with him.
He burst out laughing and shook his head. I ended up holding my stomach while laughing.
“No, fuck you, man. It’s bad enough I have to watch those things flex when you fuck. I’m not touching them. Besides, I’m happy being Robin. Robin’s got a thicker dick.”
The elevator stopped on the tenth floor and Anthony and I were both still trying to stifle laughs over the Batman and Robin thing. Anthony’s secretary was waiting for the elevator and smiled when she saw us laughing.
“What has you two in stitches?”
“Don’t ask. Trust me, you don’t want to know.” I said as we walked by.
I headed to my office and Anthony headed to his. I smiled again as I neared my office. Sydney. Sydney is what had Anthony and I all smiles. I loved that girl so much. I concentrated on some work for a while before my meeting with Mitch, James and Anth to go over various projects. Anthony, Mitch, James and I were in my office going over some things when my secretary came in.
“Sorry to interrupt, gentlemen. I need the final head count for the Christmas party to give to the hotel where the party is at. I have the rest of the staff but you two.” She pointed at Anthony and I.
Oh fuck. I glanced at Anthony as he picked his phone up and pretended to be looking for something.
“Just me, this year Leslie,” Anthony said and went back to fiddling with his phone.
“Alright, and you?” Leslie was looking at me waiting.
“Two. Sydney will be attending with me.”
I went back to looking at my screen but glanced back up to see Leslie quickly filing out with a smile on her face. Shit, Anthony and I need to talk about this too. As Mitch and James headed out of my office, James mentioned how nice it will be to see Sydney.
“Anth, about the party…”
“Colin, don’t worry about it. Look, we have something very unconventional. It’s not always going to be as easy as it is with our friends from Irons. Around work functions and to our colleagues, you’re her man. Everyone already knows especially after the shit with Howard coming to the building. I’m fine with it. I’m happy to be part of something like this and I’m not going to pout that she’s not on my arm at the fucking work Christmas party. She’ll be with me on Christmas. I get to go to bed with her, and wake up with her, and I’m comfortable with that. We know the truth.”
Finally 3:30 appeared and Anthony and I headed home. I was pretty sure things were going okay with her. Anthony and I had kept good tabs on her during the day and Gina went over for lunch. I talked to Matt early afternoon and he had said that Gina thought Sydney was doing fine and nothing like yesterday.
We opened the door and there she was. Naked, legs slightly parted, palms up on her thighs and her smiling face looking up at us. And peeking at us between those legs was a bare as can be pussy.
“Hi, Sirs!”
The excited feeling sparked through my system when my eyes fell on her. I walked to her and cupped her cheek while looking into those deep blue eyes. Everything in the world that I needed was in those blue eyes. I stepped to the side and looked back at Anthony. He stood a short distance away, hands in his pockets looking down at her. His gaze was intense to say the least.
“She’s beautiful, huh Anth?”
He quietly walked forward and then crouched in front of her while I stroked her hair. He reached out and ran his thumb across her lips and then tweaked a nipple pulling a playful yelp from Sydney.
“Gorgeous.”
Anthony let his hand wander down between her legs and then his finger disappeared inside her.
“Mmm, Sir.”
Anthony smiled and looked up at me. Sydney is so responsive to us. He pulled his finger out and stuck it in his mouth.
“Mmm, is right sunshine.”
He stood up and we all went to get ready to go out. Anthony was going to help her get dressed while I went upstairs to change. I was semi hard after watching her coo at the invasion of Anthony’s finger. I quickly changed into jeans and a button down shirt. It’d be warm enough with my jacket. Thinking of that reminded me that we’ve got to get Sydney a coat. She had a flimsy twill jacket that didn’t even zip because the zipper was broken. We’d look for one tonight.
When I got downstairs they were still in their room getting ready. I let them be and went to the kitchen and found her limit list and glanced over it. I was proud of her. It looked like she made progress on it today too.
She was okay about costumes and outfits for scene play and marked it as a four. The clothespins didn’t do too well though and got a three. She marked she had never tried them. Some people at Irons could get very detailed with clothespins and had colored ones and they’d make a design on their sub’s body with them. Some were really impressive.
I was surprised to see she made it through the cutting category without me getting a text. She marked it as a hard limit. Good girl. She also marked electricity as a hard limit. Nothing here surprised me or disappointed me. Anthony and I weren’t into cutting or using electrical wands. I wanted and needed her mind to submit. I didn’t need to dress her body in clothespins or poke needles through her skin. I just needed her mind to be open and willing.
She had a few question marks next to the exhibitionism category. Good, she knew to leave it until we could explain. Perfect timing because they walked into the kitchen.
“Baby, I was just looking over your accomplishments today. I’m proud of you for getting further. Did anything upset you or make you question anything?”
“No, Sir. After our talk, I reminded myself that these were only things with you two. I knew you wouldn’t cut me so I marked it as a hard limit and moved on. I didn’t give it any additional thought. But this one,” she moved next to me and pointed to the exhibitionism category. “I wasn’t sure what this one meant exactly.”
“Think of it in terms of Irons. Most of the scene rooms have windows for others to look in. Sometimes an unattached sub will go in one of the rooms alone just to entice a Dom or a Top. They’re exposing their body and vulnerabilities to others. That’s what the voluntary section of the category is. Now, forced exhibitionism isn’t as bad as it sounds. I know the word ‘forced’ makes it sound bad. But really it would be like me instructing you to go sit on our patio, naked. I could give you directions to play with yourself or something like that. That would be forced. Also, when Anthony gives you and I instructions or vice versa, that’s a form of forced exhibitionism. But remember Sydney; you always have your safe word. It’s always valid and won’t be ignored, baby.”
She nodded and was thinking about it. Sydney picked up her pen and marked them both as a three. She’d do it for us. I felt my dick twitch at the idea of Anthony and I sitting in the spa in the middle of the day instructing her to get naked on the patio lounger. Maybe we could incorporate that when the weather gets warmer.
“How did you do with the online toy shopping?”
“Good, I think. There are some crazy toys out there.”
I led us to the den and sat down at my computer and I pulled up the website I directed her to and checked out the shopping cart. I was eager to see what our fragile little kitten found exciting to try. I couldn’t help but smile when a saw some blue anal beads waiting in the cart. Anything involving anal was a perfect indicator that Sydney was progressing and that she trusted Anthony and I. Howard hurt her anally, badly. But here she was, willing to try with us.
Sydney was sitting on my lap and Anthony was leaning over the desk so he could see too. I looked up at him and saw that he was smiling over her selection as well. He also knew that her toy choice proved she trusted us.
Her mind was opening and this was something that turned me on incredibly. With an open, willing and trusting mind, we could make her soar. I was so proud of her.
“Anth, order our girl the blue beads.”
I pushed Sydney and I away from the desk and out of Anthony’s way. I made sure I spent some time making out with Sydney while the blue anal beads were being purchased.
Once Anthony was finished I pulled myself away from Sydney’s lips. We had a long shopping night ahead of us and needed to get going.
I kissed her forehead and looked her over. Anthony put her in a long sleeved, light blue henley and her zip up navy sweatshirt he bought for her. She was soft and made me want to sit and hold her for hours.
“We need to find you a warmer coat, baby. Maybe tonight.” I tugged the zipper up on her sweatshirt to ensure that her chest stayed warm.
“This is warm. It’s the warmest and nicest stuff I’ve had.”
I smiled at her and then looked over at Anthony. The clothes he picked up that morning have turned out to be the nicest clothing she’s had. I wanted to give this girl the world.
“Baby, when the three of us go out like this, it’s going to be hard for Anthony and I both to touch you as we want. Remember, before we go out we’ll tell you which one of us will be your main Dom. As we discussed last night, that doesn’t mean the other one is less important, but rather than you worry about which one of us will be giving direction or holding your hand, we’ll tell you upfront. I’m going to be your main Dom tonight. I’ll hold your hand in public and sit next to you at dinner. At home and in Irons, we’re free though.”
She said she understood and we headed to Pizza City. As planned, I sat beside her in the booth and casually let my arm rest behind her on the seat cushion.
“I can see how the main Dom title is very helpful for me. Otherwise I would have worried over where to sit without making the other one feel bad,” she said while reaching for her soda. Anthony and I laughed and nodded. Her statement was very true. She liked the guesswork being taken out of the equation. Many subs were like that. Anthony and I weren’t the jealous type. We’ve been co-topping for years. This was different of course, but he and I loved her and knew she needed and wanted both of us. I couldn’t imagine problems arising with jealousy.
“What kind of pizza tonight, sunshine?” Anthony asked her. It had kind of become a running joke with the three of us. She loved plain, cheese pizza. We finally stopped opening the menus.
“Can we get cheese pizza?”
This girl. She always asked and never assumed. Anthony and I would always let her win when it came to pizza. We’d give her anything she’d ever ask for but knew she’d never ask for a thing. She was just that way. She was used to not having much, but she never asked for more. I’ll never forget when she went shopping with Gina and I gave her money to buy something; and she did, for Anthony and I, and not a thing for herself.
“How did you do with your other writing assignment? About writing five things you like about yourself?” I asked her while Anthony put a slice on her plate.
“Um, okay I think. I wrote down five things in the notebook.”
I nodded and told her that I was happy she worked on that today and told her we’d take a look at them tonight. I didn’t bring to her attention to the use of “um.” She was already nervous about the conversation of finding something she actually liked about herself. I wanted her to relax and be able to enjoy dinner.
We went to the mall on the Las Vegas Strip for our shopping needs. There was a mall on Las Vegas Boulevard that tended to have more upscale stores and we didn’t take her there to flaunt, but it was just where Anthony and I shopped.
I held her hand as we headed towards Bloomingdale’s and Anthony walked on her other side. The mall was crowded, and as we walked, I kept a firm hold on her. Eventually Anthony walked in front of her to keep people from bumping into her. As we were coming up on a clearing, Sydney squeezed my hand and suddenly stopped walking.
“Anth,” I caught his attention and turned back to Sydney.
Her eyes were wide and she was smiling. She was staring at the huge Christmas tree that sprawled upwards from the first floor to the top of the mall.
“Can we go closer?”
“Of course, baby. Come on.”
We took her right up to the base of it and let her take it all in. There were lots of tourists trying to get close to get a picture of it or get pictures of family with it in the background. And there was Sydney. She was mesmerized as she looked upwards at it. Anthony and I watched her for a few moments. There was a sense of innocence with the way she was around the tree that made me feel really good inside. Anthony and I could give her the world. She looked at the ornaments, the lights and reached out to touch the ribbon.
“Go stand beside her. I’ll get a picture of you two, Col.” He shoved me towards the tree.
“Come here, baby. Anthony is going to take a picture of us.”
Sydney slid into my arms and when Anthony finished the picture, I told her to stay put so she could get one with Anthony too. I took his phone and waited for him to get next to her. He ended up standing behind her and wrapped his arms protectively around her and placed them on her stomach. He looked really happy. I mean, really happy. The picture of them turned out great and when he looked down at her, thinking I was done, I grabbed another picture. It was a nice picture. Intimate. Here there was so much going on around them and Sydney was so excited about the decoration and nothing around Anthony made any difference. It was just her that he was interested in. I quickly forwarded the three pictures to my phone.
“Shopping time. Let’s go.”
“Did you see all those lights? They were so bright and pretty. I loved the way the silver ornaments reflected all of the colors of the lights. The velvet ribbon was a nice touch too.”
Sydney talked the entire way to Bloomingdale’s about the tree. Her excitement was infectious.
We headed to the bedding section first. I wanted everything new and with their input. We roamed around and a nice older lady approached us.
“Welcome, may I help you find something in particular?”
I glanced at her nametag. Cassandra. I smiled at her and explained that we were looking for some new linens.
“Did you have a particular fabric in mind? We have cotton, sateen, flannel…”
She was carrying on and I couldn’t help but picture the three of us naked and sweating on a pair of heavy, warm, tartan plaid sheets. Not quite the look I was going for. I glanced at Anthony and he gave me an upward nod to let me know to take the lead on this.
“Cotton of some sort is what we’re looking for.”
We followed her to a huge section of bedding and she pointed out some interests. She showed us where the nicest sheets were at, which were the Egyptian cotton, then the pima cotton. She said they had some less expensive sets that were combed cotton. Cassandra pointed to the area where those were at and I felt Sydney tug in that direction. No, not a chance. I gripped her hand firmly.
“We’d like to look at the Egyptian cotton, please,” I said. We followed her to that section and stared at all of the colors on the walls.
Cassandra was very chatty now that she saw where my intentions were. She showed us where to look on the shelf for the king sized sheets and then backed up to give us some space. The three of us scanned the wall of colors. Most of the colors were pretty tame and muted, which suited Anthony and I just fine. But this was Sydney’s home too. She was used to not having much and Anthony and I wanted her to be a part of this decision. Sydney was used to getting items in whatever color was on sale or the cheapest. She was done with that and we wanted her input.
“What color do you like, baby?”
“Um,”
Anthony and I quickly looked down at her. Was she nervous or just indecisive? She had her lower lip between her teeth and she was looking at all the colors. She reached out and picked up a package of light blue sheets and flipped it over. I could tell that the price tag was hanging her up. Anthony noticed it too. She turned around and looked in the direction of the combed cotton sheets. I took the blue package from her hand and flipped it back over.
“Baby, look at these.”
“But, they’re so much money. I think your existing sheets are probably fine for us.”
“No, that’s not the point, Sydney. I want that room to be ours. Not mine with you two staying there. You both live there and are not sleeping on my old sheets.”
Anthony was quick to lighten the mood with Sydney and he did a great job.
“Yeah, Sydney. We’re absolutely not sleeping on Colin’s sheets.”
Sydney smiled and returned her attention to me.
“We are getting new ones, baby. Something soft for your body. These are the nice Egyptian cotton ones.”
This kind of stuff would always end up being a battle with her. She was used to not much of anything and the thought of spending $290 on a single flat sheet didn’t sit well with her. Honestly, I understood. But just because she was used to barely having enough to scrimp by didn’t mean she would continue that way. Not anymore. I was putting the finest material down on that bed for her body to lie on. It’s been beat on, raped and tortured repeatedly over the course of seven years. That body will be pampered and cherished from here on out.
“Anth, pick out a color. I think we should get a few sets. Our activities might require them to be changed multiple times during the week.”
Sydney blushed but Anthony was wearing his cocky smile. Anthony and I decided two sets worth would be gray, two sets white and we were still waiting on Sydney to pick the last two. I didn’t want her surrounded in all dark or bland stuff so I was hoping she’d pick something light. Sydney just needed a little pushing but was afraid to make a decision.
“You liked the light blue, right?” I asked her.
She nodded and I picked up the matching pieces for the light blue. Anthony had all the gray and white stuff already in his arms and I piled the light blue ones on. He took them with Cassandra over to the counter. She was very excited to help. It was probably going to be a month’s worth of commission just in our purchase tonight. I’m sure that excited her in addition to eye candy Anthony. She was probably in her seventies but kept eyeing him and smiling.
“Pillows, mattress pad and a new comforter, Cassandra,” I said and we followed the chipper lady over to the next section.
“Are you interested in down or down alternative?” She asked.
We picked out new pillows, the mattress pad and the comforter much quicker than the sheets. I was pleased with the down alternative as it was cooler for Las Vegas weather but would also provide warmth. I never ended up with sweaty feet buried under a down alternative one.
“What are we missing?” I asked as I glanced around.
“Blankets and maybe some new throws. You could use new throws, man.” Anthony made me laugh. He made linen shopping sound so masculine.
“Nice, Anth.” I playfully punched him in the arm and tugged Sydney towards the blanket section.
I was a pro at picking out throws and Anthony and I knew exactly what to look for. It was important for a Dom to have one in reach. He and I walked up and down the throw section touching all of them and then rubbing it over the backs of our hands. Sydney followed closely behind me and when I found some that I thought would be nice, I rubbed it over her hand.
“What do you think, baby?”
She looked at the sign that showed the price and paled. I put my hand over the sign and looked deep in her eyes.
“Sydney, I didn’t ask what you thought about the sign that has the price tag. I asked you what you thought of the material.”
She stood staring down at the throw. It was nice, soft cotton. I always liked cotton or fleece for sub throws because they did the best in the washer. I could hear Anthony asking Cassandra to give us a few minutes.
“Sunshine, we want to wrap you up in the softest stuff out there. Don’t feel bad for us wanting to do that.”
She nodded and looked back down. “It’s just so much money. I’m not worth a hundred dollar blanket.”
“You’re worth more than a hundred dollar blanket,” I told her as I bent to kiss her and pull her against me. I nodded at Anthony to grab a few throws.
“Get however many you think we need, Anth.”
While he headed over to the counter, Sydney and I walked up and down some rows of duvets. Anthony joined our hunt for the perfect duvet cover. There were some real hideous ones. I saw one that was a mixture of browns, golds, oranges and some reds. It was an absolute nightmare from a lost decade. A few minutes later from the other side of the aisle Anthony called out to us that he found one. We turned the corner and I stopped. He was holding up the matching pillow to the hideous brown, gold, orange, red mess. He was kidding of course but was doing it to try to lighten Sydney up. And, he’s always successful at that. She giggled next to me and looked up at me.
“I’m going to be honest, I don’t like that one at all.”
“I don’t either, baby.”
At least she had laughed though. We stopped in front of a gray one that had light blue lines running through it in different directions. It was very contemporary and I looked at it for a few moments with Sydney. Somehow, it seemed perfect and I couldn’t quite say what it was that I liked so much about it exactly. I just knew I liked this one the best.
“Hey it matches the bedding we picked out,” Anthony said as he came up to stand next to me. “It’s like us. Dark and all but weaving in us is this little light.” I stared at him. Then he added, “Sydney.”
How the fuck did he come up with that? Next time Matt or I say he’s not a deep, emotional guy, I’ll have to remember back to this night in Bloomingdale’s. I slapped him on the shoulder and motioned for Cassandra.
“We’ll take this in the king size please.” I looked down at Sydney. She was our light. “Did you like that one too?”
“Yes, Sir. It matches the sheets. I like how it looks gray from the distance but once you get closer, you can see the blue pattern.”
Last thing we needed were some new towels. I wanted to get the big fluffy bath sheets. Anthony and I were both tall and the bath sheets fully cover taller frames, so I was looking for those. Cassandra led us to the Egyptian cotton ones and we quickly went with a combination of the gray and white bath sheets and gray hand towels. Sydney came over with some light blue washcloths. I was happy that she seemed to be working past the dollar sign. I knew that we go through washcloths quickly whether it’s due to nightmares or cleaning ourselves up after sex. So I made sure we grabbed lots of washcloths in a combination of the gray and light blue. Anthony grabbed new bath rugs too.
“Okay, the gray washcloths are for the two dicks and the pussy. Light blue ones are for faces,” I suggested as we headed towards the counter. We were done with our linen shopping.
As Cassandra started to ring things up I suggested that Anthony take her over to Macy’s and start looking for some clothes. I didn’t want her standing here when this thing totaled out. He understood and from his blazer, he pulled out a small bag of M&M’s. He opened them and poured the handful into his palm and Sydney immediately collected the green ones.
“We’ll meet you in Macy’s,” Anthony said and then headed off with Sydney.
I turned my attention back to Cassandra and the sound of us helping out the economy. There were so many washcloths. But we needed them. I’d make sure the housekeeper gathered all of the existing bedding, towels and throws and would see that they’re donated.
“Ok, your total is $8,135.94.” Cassandra sounded nervous when she fed me to total. I looked up at her and raised an eyebrow.
“Egyptian cotton?” I asked.
“Yes, it’s the finest out there. Would you like to take a look at the pima?” She asked nervously.
“No, I’m just giving you a hard time. It’s fine.”
I pulled out my wallet and asked her if cash would be okay. When I saw the shock on her face and told her I was kidding and swiped my card. I felt really good about our purchases. Thankfully Bloomingdale’s had car service and would be meeting me in the parking garage with the bags. I moved the car to the loading zone and sent Anthony a quick text telling him I’d be there shortly.
AG: Jackets and coats here are limited. We need to go to a different store for a coat for her. Some of what’s here are grandparent coats.
It was already December and most people who needed coats would already have them by now. Except our girl. And we certainly didn’t want her in a “have to” jacket or coat. She was twenty-seven and shouldn’t have a field coat unless she wanted a field coat. I caught up to them and we headed to the store where Anthony got all of Sydney’s clothes. He refers to it as the “nightclub” store.
I had never been in the store but I had to agree with him. It was loud and the heavy perfume or cologne could be smelled way out into the mall. Gina shopped here on occasion because I know I’ve seen this logo on stuff of hers before.
“Hey, ‘sup.” A guy said as we entered the store and went back to standing by a plant. Amazing. As Anthony helped Sydney look at some coats on a rack, I watched this guy standing uselessly by the door. He kept adjusting his pants so the indentations running into his tight jeans would be more noticeable. What was he doing anyhow? Keeping the plant from falling over? I shook my head and turned around to face Anthony and Sydney.
He had helped her into a navy blue coat. It had a hood, lots of pockets, buttons and zipper closures and a fleece collar that came up high on the neck. It also had a nice heavy lining and hugged her body. The thing was perfect. How on earth did this store have such a weird atmosphere and sad display of youth working in it, yet produce some of the nicest clothing?
“Do you like it Sydney?” I asked her as Anthony and I were checking the zippers and the sleeves. It was a really nice coat and she looked cute in it. It had a nice, youthful look to it. It was a twenty-something’s coat.
“I do. I really, really do.”
As she took it off, she reached for the price tag but wasn’t quick enough. Anthony grabbed it out of her reach. I glanced around for anything else that looked like it might serve a purpose. All of her clothes were really nice from here and this coat was perfect. Anthony and I helped convince her to get a few pairs of jeans as well.
We made it to the register and another college aged guy and girl rang us up. It took both of them. While the girl watched over his shoulder the guy carefully pushed buttons on the register.
“Did I get it?” He asked the girl.
“Yeah, you’re so rad,” she replied and took the coat and jeans to the back counter, removed the security tags and put them in the bag. Words couldn’t describe the bag. The bag was something else.
“Here you go. Thanks for coming in.” The guy handed Anthony the bag and we headed out through the maze.
As we were leaving there were some college girls giggling and flirting with the guy holding up the plant and they were posing to take a picture with him. I had to watch. He pulled his pants down some more and smiled big for the girl with the cell phone.
Those pants go any lower he’s going to be showing those girls his dick. There can’t be any underwear in there. I glanced at the bag Anthony was carrying.
“You’re not bringing that bag into the house,” I told him.
He held it up looking at it and laughing. The bag had two college aged looking guys on it leaning against each other both without shirts and their jeans dangerously close to revealing their dicks.
“Come on, we can decorate our room with it,” Anthony suggested.
“Thank you for the coat and jeans.”
“You’re more than welcome, baby.”
“Yeah, sunshine needs to stay warm. Her dark Doms need her warmth.”
Fucking Anthony and his greeting card sayings for Doms and subs. He was on a roll tonight. He was excited to help her try on the coat because it gave him a reason to touch her. He’s been pretty restrained for most of the evening.
When we got to the car, he asked if I cared if he rode in the back with her. I knew he needed to be near her and I encouraged it. He put the bag with her coat in the front seat and joked about the guys on the bag keeping me company.
On the way home Anthony and I talked to Sydney about the Christmas party next weekend for work. I knew that she was planning on going shopping tomorrow with Gina and told her she should start looking for a dress for that party and for the Irons party the following weekend. We explained the auction and she said it sounded nice and asked if she could do anything to help or auction off. Anthony and I firmly said she would not be auctioning off anything.
It was late when we got home but I wanted to make sure Anthony and I were able to talk to her some before we went to bed and I wanted to see her journal. Anthony and I needed to work daily with her on self-esteem and confidence building.
We sat on the bed and she handed me her journal. I’ve been curious all day over what she’d write down. I kissed her forehead while Anthony had her wrapped up in his arms on his lap. I opened her journal and let my eyes scan over what she liked about herself.
Number 1: I like that I have a new friend to do stuff with and talk to about things.
Number two: I like that my second to the biggest toe is shorter than the big toe.
Number three: I like that I’ve been fortunate enough to have Colin and Anthony love and take care of me.
Number four: I like my blue eyes
Number five: I like that I’m Anthony’s sunshine.
I smiled at what she had written and read them out loud. Before Anthony and I, she’d only have the happiness over her toes and her blue eyes. These were good, but I wanted more from her. I knew she had it in her but was either scared to think that deeply, or didn’t think that’s what I was going for.
“These are good, Sydney. But give me something else.” I said to her and maintained eye contact with her.
I propped myself up on my elbow and continued to look at her. The silence was heavy but I’d wait her out for a few more moments. I reached out and tugged on her second toe, causing her to giggle.
“Give me something else, baby. Something you’ve got in you but you keep guarded. Something you’re shy about, maybe modest over. I want that.”
Hers eyes left mine and she looked down. I could see her eyes moving as she dug. As I watched her struggle, I thought if I prompted her a little, she’d catch on. I took hold of her hand and ran my thumb gently across the back.
“Remember when Matt brought you to lunch the day you got upset over the list? Remember trying to move off Anthony so you wouldn’t wrinkle his suit?” She nodded, waiting for me to continue. “And remember when you were worried about Anthony facing Howard in the atrium at work?” She nodded again and held herself very still. I rubbed my thumb along the back of her hand while looking in her eyes. “Remember when we were helping you clean out your apartment and you wanted to donate everything you could possibly donate to those less fortunate than you?” She pulled her bottom lip in to keep me from seeing it quiver. When she looked down, I took hold of her chin and her watery eyes met mine. She knew where I was heading with it but I wanted her to believe it and say it. “Say it, baby.”
“I’m…I’m a kind person.”
I nodded and glanced at Anthony and then smiled at Sydney.
“Now, say it like you believe it, baby.”
“I’m kind.”
“No, like you really believe it. It’s the truth, Sydney. You, my dear, have the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful heart. Your heart is bigger than your little body can hold. Anthony and I don’t know another human soul that is kinder than yours. Now, say it like you mean it.”
With more confidence, she said she was kind. Anthony poked her tummy and looked up at me, trying to lighten the mood and make her smile. He’s always successful and began to tease.
“It doesn’t sound too convincing to me, Col. Maybe she thinks we’re lying.”
“No! No, not at all. It’s just…” Sydney started but let her words fade.
“Just what, sunshine?”
“I’m just not used to hearing, or thinking those things. Not until you guys.” I wiped a tear away from her cheek. She smiled and nodded at me. “I’m a kind person,” she said with a strong, matter of fact tone.
“Good girl, baby. Anthony and I are proud of you.”
Working on Sydney’s self-esteem was going to be a daily task of ours. She needed it desperately.
Tomorrow was the follow up with Matt and we wanted to talk to her about it because she gets upset having to go to the doctor. She doesn’t come out and say anything but she gets quiet the night before and the morning of the appointment. I know she’s nervous and she doesn’t like anyone’s hands on her except for Anthony and I.
“Tomorrow when we go see Matt, Anthony and I are going to get blood tests as well. We want to be able to assure you that we’re healthy and clean since we’re abandoning the condoms.”
She told us she trusted us and wasn’t worried about it. Still, Anthony and I were going to do that. She kept grinning though, and when I asked her what she was smiling about, she said “I’m excited you guys are willing to touch me without a condom.”