I keep the ear piercing scream behind my lips, but just barely as I sit up in bed, panting and sweating. The nightmare is fading, I can't remember the details, just that it was dark, there was blood, I was alone....

I shiver, shaking my head. I look over at the clock and see that it's nearly two in the morning, and it's the third time I've woken up since Rodrigo came home, panic driving me from sleep each time. Each time it's a nightmare filled with darkness and death, each time I try to put it out of my mind, only for the nightmare to lurk in the back of my mind, coming back each time I fall asleep.

I shake my head again, trying to think of something to help. I can't get drunk, other than some wine Rodrigo doesn't keep alcohol in the house. I can't go out, just the idea of going into the night alone sets my teeth on edge. Desperate, I get out of bed and leave my room, letting my feet carry me towards Rodrigo. I slow when I reach his door though, not sure if I'm allowed in. Of course I've been in his bedroom many times, cleaning is one of my duties, but I've never actually been in here at night. Still, I don't know what to do, and I open his door quietly, stepping inside.

The moonlight flows through the larger window that takes up one wall of Rodrigo's bedroom, it overlooks the same walled courtyard of the villa that mine does, and I see him lying on his side, his upper body gloriously naked in the moonlight. I realize, in the months that I've been here, I've never actually watched Rodrigo sleep before, and I take a moment to observe him. He looks more innocent while he's sleeping, the stress and tension of the day eased away from his brow and from around his eyes. He smacks his lips a little as he sleeps, a little smile coming to his lips as he has a good dream it seems.

“Me too, Jessica,” he murmurs in his sleep, laughing softly. “You're very good.”

I wonder what he's dreaming about, and shuffle forward, my foot barely scraping on the wood. Still Rodrigo nearly immediately stops, his body tensing in the darkness. “Who is it?”

“Me, Master,” I whisper, coming over to the bed. “I'm sorry, I just... nightmares. I apologize, I'll go back to my room.”

“No you won't,” Rodrigo says, scooting over and lifting the sheet. “Take off your pajamas and join me.”

I see that he's as naked under the sheet as he is on top, and I feel a familiar warmth as I take off my pajamas and slide under the cool cotton sheets. Rodrigo's body is warm and I can smell his musky essence, that smell that says it is undeniably him. I will admit, there have been a few times when, doing the laundry, I've taken a moment to just inhale his scent from the pillows, they smell so good. Now, his presence reassures me. I wrap my arms around him, holding his body tightly and wiggling a little as I try to get comfortable. Rodrigo strokes my back, his strength easing away my fears and comforting me. Maybe I'm being foolish, but in his arms, I feel like the world can't hurt me. “Master?”

“Yes, my Jessica?” Rodrigo says softly, pulling back his head just far enough to look into my face. He chuckles, his eyes sparkling in the moonlight. “You know, all the times you've submitted to me, we've never done this in my bed before.”

I nod, smiling back. “It feels nice. Master, please keep me safe?”

Rodrigo nods, leaning in and kissing my lips softly. “I swear Jessica, I'll give my all to keep you safe.”

His lips nuzzle at my neck, and I feel the electric tingle of his body touching mine. I pull the sheet off of us, not wanting to get tangled up in what is about to happen. Master strokes me back tenderly, whispering in my ear. “Up on top.”

“Master?” I ask, shocked. Never, in all that we've done together, have I been the one on top when we have sex. “Why?”

“Because you need it this way this time,” he says in a calm, assured voice, pulling me on top of him. I feel his cock slide between us, already hardening, rubbing against my belly as Master holds me close, kissing me softly. “This time... you control the pace.”

It's different than ever before, and Master is gentle, his hands stroking my back and cupping my ass, not squeezing painfully but massaging, sending warmth through my body. It's both scary and wonderful as I dangle my breasts over his lips and he nibbles on one before switching to the other. Sparks jump across my eyes as he pushes my breasts together so that he can suck on both of my nipples at once, sending me reeling in pleasure and having to grab the headboard to the bed, holding myself over him as Master reassures me. In every kiss, every stroke of his hands he demonstrates his strength even though I'm on top, and my pussy grows wetter and wetter knowing what's going to happen. “Master....”

“When you're ready, Jessica,” he whispers, cupping my neck and drawing me down for another kiss. I lift my hips and moan, reaching down to position his cock at my entrance before sinking down. It's delicious, gentle and comforting, and Master moans too, our breath sighing together as we join.

I sit back, feeling him slip another wonderful bit inside me, and I throw my head back, feeling my collar dig into my skin slightly, reminding me who I truly, really belong to. I begin to ride him, his cock slipping in and out of my body in a slow, sensual rhythm, and as it does I feel myself opening up more and more.

“Jessica,” Master whispers below me and I look down at him, seeing in his eyes a reflection of what I'm feeling. This feels different, and while it scared me before, it doesn't scare me any longer, whatever it is. Instead I trace my collar, looking into Master's expressive black eyes and take him in in the moonlight, watching as his skin begins to glisten with sweat as we move together, feeling our bodies find true and total harmony. This isn't about pleasing him, or him pleasing me. We start to become one, bordering on the limit of something beyond just sex as our hips meet together, Master's cock and my pussy the paper thin line of two people becoming one.

“Master,” I moan as we start to speed up, my ass bouncing off his hips as I ride him faster, harder. Still Master lets me stay on top, even as I lean over and kiss him deeply, his powerful arms holding me safe and protected. “Master... I need you.”

“I have you Jessica,” Master reassures me.

I abandon myself, riding Master's cock hard and fast, feeling the orgasm building deep inside me. I look into Master's eyes and see that he's feeling it too, and that while he wants to roll me over and fuck me hard, he's letting me be in control. It moves me, and I grab him around his shoulders, rolling the two of us halfway across the bed, keeping him inside me but now he's on top. I grin, happy where we are now, and kiss him again. “I submit to my Master.”

He laughs even as his hips take over, driving his cock into me and sending pure pleasure rolling up my body. The head of his cock shifts to rub over my inner spot that sends my head spinning, and I'm closer than ever, my hands clasped behind Master's neck as he strokes in and out of my body. Both of us are gasping, sweat glistening in the moonlight and making us glow like we're blending the limit between human and something more as my Master goes harder, both of us pushed past the point of no return as the heat is too much we can't resist.

“Jessica!” Master groans as he swells and comes deep inside me, the feel of his cock throbbing and shooting deep inside my womb pushing me over the edge. I hold on tight, my body shaking and spasming as my pussy squeezes his cock, milking him for every precious drop while pure happiness and bliss washes over me.

Afterwards, Rodrigo doesn't pull out, but instead half rolls, his cock still inside me as we lay next to each other. He kisses me tenderly, stroking my face. “Stay the night,” he says, half request half command. “I'll keep you safe and warm.”

I nod, closing my eyes and snuggling up against him, my ear pressed against his body just enough that I can hear his breath and his heart as sleep comes over me. I begin to drift in that space in between awake and deep sleep, the little voice inside me speaking up again.

This is what we want.

Is it?

You know it felt different this time.

It did. But that scares me too.

Why? Because this time it was more than fucking? More than just amazing sex?

Maybe.

Maybe, you say. Definitely, I say. Don't tell me that you don't want to go to sleep like this for the rest of your life. Protected and cared for in this man's arms.

What woman doesn't want to feel this way? But... but what if I'm just imagining shit?

You know, Rodrigo keeps telling you to let go. To find your strength in your weakness. Maybe you need to think about what that really means.

Maybe.

Well for now, just sleep. We can talk about this more in the morning.

* * *

I still don't quite understand what happened last night, but this morning, as I wake up in Rodrigo's arms and feel him hum happily as I squirm, I know that I want to do anything I can to help this man. “Master?”

“Yes, pet?” he murmurs, stroking my back gently. “Did you get some better sleep?”

“Yes Master.... but I need to go pee,” I apologize. “Do you mind letting me go to use the toilet?”

Rodrigo laughs and lets go, my body protesting that it wants to be back in his arms even as my bladder tells me to hurry the fuck up. I take care of my business quickly, coming back to find Rodrigo standing in the center of the bedroom, waiting for my return. He's even more amazing in the morning light, even though it's not quite right. If I had my drawing pad, I'd want to wait for him to stand there like that in the afternoon light, when the light could highlight every perfect curve and plane, including the thick root of his cock dangling between his legs.

“You look like you see something you like,” he teases as he stretches his arms over his head, sighing happily as his left elbow pops. “Oooh, you're good to hold, but my elbow got stiff. So... what is it that's caught your attention?”

“You know exactly what, Master. But I was thinking about something else, too.”

“Oh?” he comments, lowering his arms and giving me a bemused look. “I must not be training you right, because seeing you naked like that, I've got only a few things on my mind.”

I feel heat creep up my neck, and I bite my lip, flustered and at the same time turned on. “Master... I'm serious. Can we talk about it over breakfast?”

“That was one of the other things on my mind,” Rodrigo says amiably, chuckling. “Head back to your room, get dressed. Something practical, while you were on the toilet I got a text message from Larissa, she wants to drop by. Most likely to talk about last night.”

I get changed, leggings and a t-shirt since Larissa will most likely want to do a training session with me, and to be honest, I'm looking forward to seeing her again. Breakfast is easy, granola with a side of sausages, and as I put the plates down Rodrigo gives me a measured look. “So what's on your mind?”

I sit down, my manners and 'ladylike' behavior nearly unconscious now, and pick up my spoon daintily. “Well.... I was wondering if there's anything else I can do to help you, Master.”

“Around the villa?” he asks, surprised. “Jessica, this villa is spotless. Unless you happen to know how to do drywall work or run electrical wiring for the areas that still need more renovation downstairs, I'd say you're doing as much as humanly possible since the workers aren't scheduled to come in until after the olive harvest is done. Besides, aren't you looking forward to building your garden?”

I nod, and take a bite of granola before replying. “I do Master. But I want to do more. I feel like I'm repeating myself, but when I got involved with this, things were different, at least in my eyes. And I want to stay safe. I realize, the best bet to stay safe is to be all in with you. And to do that, I need to be willing to do even more than what I am. So, what I'm asking is, is there anything that I can do outside these walls to help you? Uh, even if it's extreme?”

Rodrigo considers, then chuckles. “You need to have a nice long private talk with Larissa. I'll make sure you have that chance when she comes by. I'm not saying you aren't strong enough or smart enough Jessica, God knows you're smarter than most of the people I work with. But you need to fully understand what you're asking, and Larissa can fill you in on what exactly extreme means. In the meantime though, there are a few things that I can think of. Do you know how to fight? I mean really fight, and not what you did to that fucker Kahled?”

I shake my head, and pick up my sausage. “All I really learned in my neighborhood was how to fight dirty. Thumbs to the eye, knees and feet to the nuts, stuff like that.”

“Okay well, we can start working on that too. Dirty tricks only work when the other guy isn't expecting them. And I'll get an Airsoft pistol, just like the real one that I have here for home defense. You're going to learn how to shoot as best you can without actually squeezing off rounds, and every time I'm out of the villa and you're here, you're to carry that thing on you,” Rodrigo says. “It'll be enough. The Network may be criminals, but this is Europe, guns aren't as common as New Jersey.”

“I understand. And the rest?”

Rodrigo chuckles. “Talk with Larissa first before you ask me. Her text said she'd stop by this afternoon, which is good because I've got some work at The Farm I need to do. Don't worry, I'll be carrying the whole day too.”

After breakfast I get on my household duties while Rodrigo does some work in his home office using his computer. After I finish up the kitchen, I do the laundry, hanging everything on the line outside to dry in the spring air, enjoying the warmth. I lean my head back, humming in pleasure as the wind ruffles my hair, when I'm interrupted by a familiar if long missed laugh and Greek accent.

“You look like a woman who's enjoying her life.”

I turn, half surprised but feeling better after Rodrigo's reassurances and his forewarning to see Larissa, as beautiful as ever, her glossy black hair pinned back as she seems to have appeared like magic behind me. “You know, you're going to have to teach me how you do that.”

“Yeah, Rodrigo talked with me on the phone, he said you might need a talking to,” Larissa says, smirking. Her violet eyes widen a fraction of an inch as the sunlight glints off my collar, and she raises an eyebrow. “Is that what I think it is?”

“He's my Master, and I'm happily one hundred percent his slave,” I say proudly. “He's the perfect Master, too. I need to thank you again for all of your training. My body would not have been able to accept Master without it.”

Larissa sighs in wonder and steps forward, reaching for my collar. I take a half step back, then stop, lifting my chin in a sign of trust. “It's beautiful, isn't it?”

“It's something remarkable, I'll give you that,” Larissa says, stroking my collar with a finger before taking her hand back. The door to the villa opens, and Rodrigo comes out, giving us a little wave which Larissa returns. “Hey, I found some really nice jewelry here!”

“Thanks,” Rodrigo says, coming over. “Where's your car?”

“Outside the gate, since you decided to break your damn remote sensor,” Larissa says with a smile. “Not that I don't understand. I heard what happened. Just to let you know, Leon hasn't turned up at any of the local hospitals, so I suspect The Sultan might be short a man today.”

“Good, serves the fucker right,” I growl. Rodrigo and Larissa both give me amused looks, Larissa cocking an eyebrow. “What? That motherfucker threatened to rape me, but more importantly he threatened my Master.”

Larissa looks from me to Rodrigo, and back. “My, my. The wildcat isn't gone, after all. I am so looking forward to our talk, Jessica. But only after we can get rid of this smelly, uncultured....”

I can't help it, I growl and my hands clench as Larissa insults Rodrigo, and Larissa laughs. “Relax, relax. I was teasing you. Rodrigo, I am so looking forward to getting the total and unvarnished scoop, would you please give me and Jessica some privacy?”

“Sure. Call me when you're done, we'll grab an early dinner for our talk. Jessica, are you okay with having dinner alone tonight?” Rodrigo asks. I nod, and he pulls out the gun he showed me last night, handing it to me. “Don't forget, as long as I'm not here, you carry that. Even with Larissa around.”

“Yes Master,” I reply, wondering where to put it before pulling out the back of my leggings and tucking it in there. “Uh... I think I need a holster.”

“We'll take care of that when I return,” Rodrigo says, pulling me in close and kissing me hotly. His lips make me weak in the knees, and I'm still recovering when he gets in his truck and pulls up to the gate, getting out to open it himself before I remember my duties and run over to close it.

When I turn around, Larissa's still looking at me with that amused expression on her face. “Yes?”

“You're very loyal to him,” Larissa says. “Is there more than just being his slave involved?”

“Do you mean have we had sex?” I ask, and Larissa laughs again.

“No. I can tell by the way he just kissed you, and that collar, you two have probably done some things that would make even my toes curl. I don't need details, I might just get jealous of you. To say my assignment was unsatisfying is an understatement.” Larissa turns, and we walk back towards the laundry, which I finish hanging before we head over to the garden plot and I put my gloves on.

“You wanna help?” I ask. Larissa thinks, then nods.

“First, let me ask you a question, Jessica. You've become strong enough to submit to Rodrigo. Is that open to anyone?” she says, stepping forward. “If I order you to get your ass into the training room so that I can fuck you, what would you do?”

“Promptly tell you to fuck off, and if I have to pull my pistol and shoot you in the leg,” I reply without hesitation. “I like you Larissa, I don't know if it's because you're the only woman I've talked with for three months or not. But I will never submit to you.”

Larissa smiles, and takes a step back before picking up the shovel from the tools. “All I need to know. So.... what is it that Rodrigo wants us to talk about?”

“I asked him this morning at breakfast if maybe I could help him outside these walls,” I reply, lifting my pick and driving it into the earth. I stop, and take my pistol out, looking around before place it on windowsill of the warehouse, the walls are thick enough that there's exterior sills too. “I can't pick with that thing scraping my ass. Anyway, I want to help Rodrigo. This Sultan character, he sounds like bad shit. And I'm sure there's more.”

“Obviously. Hmmm...,” Larissa says. She plunges her shovel into the ground, picking up a spadeful before turning it over, loosening the dirt more and preparing it for planting. “Well, maybe me telling you about my assignment would help. Would you like to hear?”

I know I shouldn't, considering how repulsed I was when she told me about it, but instead I nod as I lift my pick again. “Sure. How detailed do you want to get?”

“He had a tiny cock, really. Barely thirteen centimeters... about five inches?” Larissa says, and I laugh, shaking my head. TMI. “Okay, you don't need that level of detail. Anyway, it took me longer than I thought it would to get him alone, Heinrich was a lot more cautious than I thought he'd be. Or maybe it was just that he had to get over a few things first.”

“What's that?” I ask, and Larissa drives her shovel into the dirt again, turning it as she pulls it out.

“Heinrich was one of the big financial people for the Eastern European gangs that have been fighting a clandestine war with The Composer's part of The Network for years now,” Larissa says. “Because of where he's from, and the groups he associated with, me being Greek was seen as... well, let's just say I'm sure that he didn't want to be seen with anyone less than your stereotypical Aryan superwoman.”

“Neo-Nazi?” I ask, and Larissa nods, making me laugh. “Sorry, but any man who looks at you and thinks you're not a superwoman is out of their fucking mind.”

“I agree, and once I was able to get some private time with Heinrich, he was of the same opinion. It just took a little more discretion, and a supposed business trip to get him away from his fuckhead allies enough to get into his bed. Once I was alone with him in his hotel room, I got to try and have a little bit of fun with him, but that fucker...”

She sighs, plunging her shovel into the dirt again and I pause my picking, curious. “What?”

Larissa slams the shovel into the dirt and gives me a desperate look. “You know, I've had a lot of men, it's my fucking job. And some have had big dicks, some small, and a lot of the small dicked guys try and make up for it with foreplay and good skills. In fact, the best pussy eating I've ever gotten was from a guy with just an average dick. This guy. though... if I were his wife I would have killed him just out of frustration! His idea of foreplay was about twenty seconds of fumbling with my tits, he refused to go down on me, and when I decided to try and tease him up with a little cock sucking, the asshole blew his load down my throat in less than a minute! No wonder I literally jammed the poison in his ass!”

I can't help it, her obvious frustration and the image in my head of her stabbing a syringe into a Neo-Nazi's ass for some reason is absolutely hilarious, and I laugh. “I'm sorry Larissa, but the image... phew, I didn't know quite how lucky I've been.”

Larissa laughs, nodding. “Yeah. So if you tell me that you've hit the jackpot, I'm going to hate you just a little bit inside. Still like you, but hate you too.”

“Well.....” I say teasingly, fingering my collar, and Larissa laughs. “I can't say he's perfect. There's one thing we haven't done yet. But, last week Master tied me up and licked my pussy for an hour, and I came so many times I passed out. He punished me by taking away my clothes again and then fucking me after dinner in the dining room.”

Larissa blushes, then mutters under her breath in what I guess is Greek. “What's that?”

“I said 'Thessalonian bitches,' which is more or less the Greek equivalent of 'blondes get all the luck.' Most blonde women in Greece have roots around Thessaly,” Larissa says, then sighs half wistfully. “You sure that Rodrigo doesn't have another collar available?”

“Oh hell na...,” I start, then blush, looking down. “Master makes his own decisions.”

Larissa laughs again, and I join in, it feels good after the terror of the past few days. “Okay, well I'll just have to find my sexual release with someone else. And if you want, I'll be happy to give you some advanced training. Especially if you want to learn how to fight. Rodrigo is a good fighter, but women have to react different than men. Smaller bodies, less muscle, you know.”

“I understand,” I say, surprised when Larissa offers me her hand. “What's this?”

“Something I've never done before with a woman in your position. You might be Rodrigo's slave... but you're my friend. I like you too.”

I shake her hand, she's got a good strong grip, and we continue work. When Larissa leaves, I think about what we talked about. I wasn't shocked or repulsed by anything Larissa said. Well, I was shocked, but in a good way, she's so straightforward in the way she told me about her mission, and she's got a wicked sense of humor. When it came to her offer of friendship, I was more than eager to accept it, something that I would never have done even before she left on her assignment. It wasn't loneliness either, I think I genuinely like Larissa.

Thinking about liking Larissa, I know that back at Rutgers I would never have thought of becoming friends with her. The change is all in me. I wonder, how much am I changing?Am I anything at all like the woman who I was before? Then again, did I ever want to be that woman anyway? Doing chemistry and being a general standoffish bitch to every weak-willed wanna be Alpha who comes my way, my only joy in a relationship in seeing how much I can break him before I get tired of him? Aren't I happier being with Rodrigo, who pushes me to my limits and makes me stronger each and every day?

I take out what I'm going to make for my dinner and think. It takes me a while, in fact I'm washing up the dishes and drying them to put away before I make my decision. The fact is though, other than the specter of death and violence that exists outside this villa and is repped by the gun on the counter next to me.... I like who I am and what my life is now.

I've never been happier in my entire life.