CHAPTER THREE
I woke to the sight of Kate’s back and shoulders, her hair spilled out on the pillow like silk. I slipped my arm around her and pulled her against my body.
"Good morning, future Mrs. Drake Morgan."
Kate turned over and looked at me, a coy smile on her lips. "You mean Ms. Katherine McDermott, future wife of Drake Morgan, M.D."
"You're not going to take my name?" I said, keeping my voice light. I was a bit surprised, but she was a feminist from a wealthy family, so I expected she might want to keep her own last name. I was happy that she wanted to marry me. Her choice of taking my name was just a detail.
"We never really talked about it,” she said hesitantly. "I always swore as a modern feminist that I'd never take on a man's name if I married."
I smiled, narrowing my eyes. "You don't appreciate patriarchal traditions?"
"I'm not a possession," she said, and it was then I realized she was taking me seriously.
I decided to play a bit. Toy with her to see what she thought so I didn’t answer.
She frowned. "Do you want me to take your name?"
"Of course,” I said, keeping my voice formal, frowning back. “As my slave, you must take on your master's name…"
She stared in my eyes as if trying to see if I were serious. Then, I burst out laughing and tickled her. I was delighted when she squirmed and giggled uncontrollably.
"I'm kidding," I said. "I always assumed you'd keep your own name so I was only playing around when I called you Mrs. Drake Morgan. It's the most formal thing I could think of at the time."
I stopped tickling her, enjoying the moment of intimacy.
"I'm serious, Drake," she said and reached out to brush a hank of hair from my eyes. "What do you want?"
"I want you to be mine completely,” I said and squeezed her, “but that's more a matter of the mind and soul. A name is just a name and if you don't feel it, taking on my name would mean nothing."
"I thought you wanted me to remain my own woman,” Kate said, pouting a bit. “Those were your words."
I exhaled, wanting to be truthful but wanting her to choose to take my name rather than feel obligated. "Of course I do. But one who gives herself to me completely. That's what marriage is. Complete and total exclusion of all others. We are each other's property. No one else's."
She nodded. "I will and I do."
"Good. Whatever you decide about taking my name is good, as long as you marry me." I pulled her closer and kissed her softly. When I did, I could taste the minty toothpaste on her tongue. I pulled back. "Hey, no fair! You already showered and brushed your teeth."
She grinned and slipped her arms around my waist, nuzzling my neck, kissing the skin beneath my ear. "Early bird gets the fresh breath."
I tickled her again and she squirmed away from my fingers, laughing. Then I rolled out of bed and strode to the bathroom, very aware of my morning erection. I had to hold it down or else I’d pee all over the wall.
"How often do you work out?" she called from the bed.
I turned to the sink and washed my hands. "Before I met you? Couple times a week. After I met you? Zero. I'll have to use the university weight room and track if I don't want to become a fat old man."
"You'll never be a fat old man, Drake. You're too conscious of your health. Besides, I saw pictures of your father when he was in his fifties. He was still well-built and trim. You'll be like him."
"Hope so," I said and turned on the shower. I stepped in and quickly washed then when I was finished, I dried off before sprinting back to the bed, jumping on it and slipping under the covers. I lay on top of Kate, the touch of her soft flesh under me making me instantly hard once more.
"I hope you're not teasing me, Doctor Morgan," she said, her voice a bit breathless, "coming back here still wet and naked and lying on top of me. I hope you intend to follow through."
I pulled away, frowning in mock affront. "Whatever could you possibly mean, Ms. Bennet? Me tease you? Not follow through? I would never be so cruel…Don't I always finish what I start?"
"You do. You always please me. I hope I always please you as well."
"You do," I said and kissed her shoulder. "But there is one thing I’d like to try that I haven’t."
Her eyes widened. "And that is?"
I grinned and pressed my lips next to her ear. "Big." I brushed my lips against her cheek, then licked her neck.
Her eyes widened. "Oh, God…" She burst out laughing at that.
"Kate, don’t laugh at my desires," I said, serious about it. We had to be open about our fantasies.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly and touched my cheek. "I told you already that he won’t fit so it would be a waste of time."
I didn’t say anything, but I knew that she could fit Big inside of her if she was adequately aroused.
"I tried, believe me," she said, her expression earnest.
"You had orgasms with it,” I asked.
"Yes, but that was purely clitoral," she said. "I never got him inside."
I smiled to myself that she called Big ‘him’ but kept my eyes narrowed. "I could get it inside of you."
"No, I don’t think so. You haven't seen it. Waaay too big."
"You want a friendly wager?" I said, aroused at the prospect of proving her wrong. "I'll bet you three free orgasms that I can get Big inside of you and make you come when I do."
She frowned. "That's a win-win for you because you know you'll give those orgasms regardless. Besides, it would hurt."
I shook my head. "No, it wouldn't. I'd have you so worked up that when it was finally inside, you'd come immediately."
She smiled and turned her face away. "I don't know…"
"Is this a hard limit, Ms. Bennet?"
"When you call me Ms. Bennet, I can’t be a sub."
"I know," I said, smiling guiltily. "Katherine. Is it a hard limit?"
Once more, she stared into my eyes like she was trying to read how serious I was. Finally, she shook her head.
"Of course not. If you say I'll enjoy it, I know I will. You've always been right. I trust you completely."
I nodded, pleased that she was willing to give in so easily. "Good. No wager, then. You packed it in the boxes we had sent here before we left?"
"Yes."
"Good," I said again. "Our boxes are already in storage. When I get it, I'll show you just how good it can make you feel."
Then I kissed her and began a slow seduction of her body and mind with kisses on her cheek, down her neck and throat. I kissed her breasts, almost drowning in them they were so lush and full, her nipples hardening beneath my tongue and fingers. She groaned, pressing her breast into my face.
"That's what I want to hear," I murmured against her skin as I traced a line from her nipple to her belly with my tongue, circling her navel. I pressed her thighs apart and Kate exhaled and writhed beneath my mouth.
I pulled away and glanced up. "I'm going to have to restrain you, Katherine, if you don't lie still."
"I can't…" She gasped when I flicked my tongue lower, her body jerking in response.
"Hold onto the headboard," I said. "Keep your legs still."
Despite my orders, she didn’t stop moving as my tongue swept over her clit again and again, her body shuddering with each touch. I knew it wouldn’t take long for her to come.
"Drake…"
I didn’t stop to build her up again for I wanted to fuck her right away and feel her first orgasm on my cock when I was inside of her. I leaned up over her and entered her with one long smooth thrust, shoving into her fully. I lay on top of her, my arms on either side of her head. I didn’t move. I merely lay there, fully inside her body, and kissed her.
She squeezed around me, greedy for more stimulation, but I wanted her to give over control. I stopped, breaking the kiss.
"Stop," I said. "Lie still."
She did. "What are you…"
"Shh," I said and kissed her once more, my tongue finding hers, sucking it into my mouth.
She wrapped her legs around my waist.
"Don't move," I said again. She stopped and waited but I knew she was frustrated and in need of release. I wanted to teach her patience.
We lay still, locked in each other’s embrace, my cock deep inside of her. Finally, when I was certain she was truly giving over control, I began to thrust slowly, deliberately slowly, my face over hers, watching her closely.
"Drake—" she started to say but I covered her mouth with mine, drowning out her words. I thrust hard and deep and she went over the edge, her breathing erratic, her eyes almost rolling up into her head. I felt her muscles clench around me as I thrust harder and faster. Then I came, pleasure shooting from deep in my groin, my balls, and the head of my cock as I ejaculated into her.
We lay with our limbs entwined for a few moments, both of us breathing heavily.
Finally, I slipped out of her, but I remained on top of her, her legs around my waist, her arms around my neck.
"We've become very vanilla," she said.
I pulled back, one eyebrow quirked. "Not enough kink for you, Ms. Bennet? It sure felt and sounded like you enjoyed it."
"I did," she said and bit her bottom lip. "But is it good enough for you?"
"Being with you, any way I can be with you, is good enough for me. But I'll make a special trip to the hardware store next weekend so we can play a bit once we get our own place. I promise…" I glanced around the room. "This bed is no good for bondage, and I don't want the butler to find any spreader bars or other implements of pleasure so we'll have to make do with plain old dominance. But you have to learn to obey, Katherine, or I'll have to stop being so indulgent and smack that pretty pink ass of yours."
"Am I bad sub?" she said, batting her eyelashes playfully.
"You are very bad,” I said and kissed her neck. "I’d deny you an orgasm in punishment but you're far too responsive and would come despite my best efforts."
Kate sighed and squeezed me more tightly. "Do you think there are dungeon parties in Nairobi?"
"I happen to know there are dungeon parties here because I went to one when I was here before. There are dungeon parties wherever there are enough kinky people. Do you want me to find out when the next event is scheduled?"
"I want you to be happy, Drake. If you need more kink, more D/s, I'm game."
"I am happy," I said and kissed her. "I have everything I could want. You're here with me. I have a teaching job and a surgical slate. I'm working with an old friend. Being able to help out here in Africa." I shook my head slowly. "You don’t have to worry about that. The only thing that would make me happier would be to know that you couldn’t be happier."
Kate smiled but it took her a bit longer to say it. "You make me happy," she said finally, and I was a bit disappointed. Was she worried that it wouldn’t be enough?
"It's only six months," I said and kissed her chin. "Before you know it, we'll be returning to Manhattan and will start planning our wedding."
She smiled at that. Perhaps she was just anxious about being so far away from everything that she knew and loved. I’d have to ensure I spent as much quality time with her as I could, given my soon-to-be very busy schedule of teaching and surgery.
Her happiness was my happiness.
We showered together afterwards and I felt as if my life had finally come together. It had been years since I had done intimate day-to-day activities with a woman. Eat breakfast, read the papers, shower, talk about the weather, plan for the afternoon, think about dinner. These were things I avoided for years, not wanting to get tangled up in someone else’s life only to be untangled painfully as I had with Maureen.
Now, I relished the small things Kate and I did together as a couple.
While we were sitting enjoying our breakfast, I called Jan, our real estate broker to set up appointments to see houses for rent.
When I finished talking to him, I slipped my cell into a pocket. "Jan has three lined up for this afternoon. I thought we might spend the day in bed, but I'd like to jump on this, get a place as soon as possible. Michael wants me to start at the hospital on Monday. Classes start the following week and I have lots of work to do to get ready."
Kate smiled and a pleasant silence passed between us as we finished our meal.
I glanced at Kate, who sat smiling at me. "What are you thinking about?"
"About the open studio courses at the Institute that Claire mentioned to me. I want to check it out, see if they have space. I have that series of paintings to finish that I started in Manhattan. Plus, they have studio space for students. "
I made a face, wanting to tease her about the nude paintings she’d done of me. "Not more nudes of me sleeping I hope."
"No," she said with a grin. "You naked in the bath. You naked sitting on the couch. You naked standing at the window, drinking a coffee…"
I laughed. "Can't I be wearing some boxers or something? Not everyone wants to see my parts."
"The collection will be for me. And maybe I'll let you wear some boxer briefs. No tighty whities for you."
"Never," I said, making a face of mock horror and holding up my fingers, crossed as if to ward off a vampire. "But I thought we'd find a house with space for a studio. You wouldn't have to worry about finding space anywhere or working out a schedule."
Kate smiled. "That would be nice, but part of the reason you work at a studio is to meet other artists. Be inspired by their work."
"You mean like the three stooges at the studio in Chelsea?" I said, only half meaning it. I had been jealous of their time with Kate, I admitted to myself. They shared something with her that I never would.
"They weren't stooges!" she said and pouted. "Well, maybe Jules…"
"I must confess I didn't really feel comfortable with you being alone with three men," I said, hating to admit it but wanting to be open with Kate so she could trust me.
"Drake," she said, chidingly. "I have to have a life outside of you like you have. Maybe I should be jealous of you with all those pretty young OR nurses, not to mention young aspiring female brain surgeons…"
"Ha!" I shook my head. "Skilled OR nurses are hard to find. They tend to be very bossy. They run the OR, in case you didn't realize it. We surgeons come in when they're all ready and do our bit and then leave. As to the surgical residents, most of the time they're far too exhausted to have affairs. Don't let the television shows fool you." I took her hand in mine and stroked her skin. "You have no reason to be jealous."
She smiled. "Neither do you. I doubt there are many gorgeous brilliant talented and sexually dominant artists who could hope to hold a candle to you, Dr. Delish. You don't have to worry, either."
"Well," I said, making a sad face. "If you really want to explore the local artist hangouts, if you really want studio time somewhere, I won't stop you. But I reserve the right to be jealous if your fellow artists are too attractive."
"I reserve the right if the OR nurses and residents are sexy young things."
"Agreed."
We both forced a smile. Kate had to understand that there was no one else who could hold a candle to her in my heart and mind.
I’d gladly spend the rest of my life proving it to her.
Once our meal was finished and we’d had a coffee, we took a walk around the hotel grounds. My cell rang and when I checked the display, it was Jan.
“I’m on my way to pick you up,” he said, the sounds of traffic on the line. “Expect me in a quarter of an hour.”
"We'll meet you in the lobby in fifteen."
I ended the call and turned to Kate. "Jan will be here in fifteen to take us to our first appointment. A place in Kihingo Village."
"Where's that?"
"North and west of Nairobi's city center in Kitusuru,” I said, remembering it from my time before. “Gated, walled and really upscale. He has five houses available there, but we'll only see three today."
Kate nodded, and I could tell from her wide eyes and flushed cheeks that she was eager to start finding our new home together.
We walked back to the hotel and freshened up, then went to the lobby to wait for Jan. He arrived in a late model BMW and we met him at the door. After introductions all around, he escorted us to the car and opened the door for Kate.
Jan moved to Kenya from Denmark a decade earlier, and quickly became familiar with the real estate market in Nairobi. He was sought-after because he catered to foreign visitors needing short-term housing. Jan spent the first few moments of the trip explaining the community that we would be visiting first. Made up primarily of rich expat Americans working at the University, area hospitals, or for one of the corporations located in Nairobi, it was secure and quiet. After traveling north from the hotel, we arrived at Kitusuru Estates in the Kihingo Village where the first house was located. There was a gate with a guardhouse at the entrance to the estate. The estate itself was lush and green.
The houses were very upscale and the community resembled any you might find in the big cities in the southern region of the US. It was a family neighborhood, with a soccer field, a lake and wide streets with little traffic.
The first house was a red brick four bedroom with a pool.
Jan stopped the car on the street and turned to us. "This one has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, a huge lot with a swimming pool, and there's a community tennis court, a track and shopping all within the compound."
Kate turned to me, her expression doubtful. "Do we really need a place so big?"
I took her hand. "No, but we can invite people to come and stay with us. Plus, you can use a room as a studio. I'll have an office and we could have a guest room."
She nodded, and followed me into the house.
It was impressive. A large foyer led to a living room and dining room with vaulted ceilings and huge windows looking out over a large yard. The master bedroom was as large as Kate’s apartment and the bathroom off the master was marble with golden faucets and a two-person glass and tile shower. I immediately thought of having sex with Kate in the shower and I smiled to myself when I saw her examining it, wondering if she was thinking the same thing.
“This would be my office,” I said when we poked our head into a smaller bedroom. The next bedroom was just as small and we decided it would be a guest bedroom. The final bedroom was almost as large as the master.
"This could be your studio," I said, smiling indulgently at her.
I watched as Kate walked around and examined the space. "It's amazing," she said, standing in the center of the room.
"It is, isn't it?" I glanced around and then turned back to her. "So much better than the studio in Chelsea and that tiny room you had."
She nodded. "I'd still want to get some studio space in the city," she said as she examined the closet. "Otherwise, I'll get really lonely with you gone all day."
"Of course," I said, but I felt a twinge of jealousy. Damn. I had to fight it. She had to have her own life if she was to be happy in Nairobi.
Kate came to me and slid her arms around my waist. "You don't sound very certain."
I shook my head and put my arms around her shoulders.
"Of course I am. I can't keep you hidden away like some priceless jewel, now, can I? What kind of future-husband would I be? Typical masculine jealousy creeping in. Ignore it." I bent down and kissed her. "I can't wait for us to make one of these places our home. Buying groceries, cooking meals together, swimming in the pool, walking the streets, sleeping in late on the weekends. Using the shower stall. I can think of a thousand things to do once we're moved in and all alone."
She smiled up at me. "You can? What could you possibly mean?"
I grinned. "I'll have to make a pit stop at the local hardware store for some rope and maybe a few hooks and padlocks. I can't wait to tie you up and keep you so sexually satisfied, you'll never want to leave the grounds."
"I can't wait either,” she said, her voice a whisper. “But I'll still have to go out now and then..."
"Now and then." I squeezed her once more and then led her back to the kitchen where Jan stood waiting.
"Well? What did you think?" Jan turned to Kate as if she was the one to decide.
"I can't imagine seeing anything more wonderful than this house."
"It is the nicest.” Jan admitted. “But there are a few others I've arranged, so if you're ready, we can go."
We saw two other houses but they couldn’t compare to the first house. I could tell from the way Kate commented on the amenities that she preferred the first one, the red brick house.
"Properties are really scarce this time of year," Jan said when we left the final house. "These three are all I have in this area. We can see others tomorrow, but this is by far the nicest community in the city."
We drove back the way we came and ended up driving past the first house once more. I wondered if that wasn’t done on purpose, to tempt us even more.
I took Kate’s hand and kissed her knuckles.
"What did you think?"
"I loved the first house,” Kate said wistfully. “I'd take it now, if it was up to me."
"My thoughts exactly," I said and smiled. "Jan, I think our minds are made up. We like the first house."
Jan laughed. "I thought you'd like it. Consider it done. I'm the renting agent on that one and if you give me the deposit, it's yours. The current renters have moved out, but it has to be cleaned. You can have it in ten days once the paperwork goes through."
Sunday went by all to quickly. The two of us were lazy, so we spent our time in bed. I arranged for room service and we had breakfast brought in so we didn’t have to go out. We read the local English papers and even caught a newscast. I relished every moment with Kate, making very vanilla love to her twice, thinking that I’d probably be exhausted after my first week at the hospital and would likely not have much energy.
I was right.
I started at the hospital on Monday, doing rounds with Michael and meeting with prospective patients and was late getting home my very first full day at work.
On her part, Kate spent the day alone but she texted me to say that she and Claire were going to do some shopping for our house.
I had to stay late to work with Michael, and didn’t arrive back at the hotel until midnight. I was extremely tired so I was ready to get to bed. Kate was asleep so I did my best not to disturb her, although I would have liked to have spoken with her a bit before going to sleep. It wouldn’t be fair to wake her up just to go back to sleep so I crept into bed and slipped next to her, being careful not to touch her.
I knew that there would be very many similar nights for us in the future. Such was the life of a surgeon, especially one who was in high demand as neurosurgeon were. As one of the vanishingly small number of pediatric neurosurgeons in Africa, Michael was in very high demand and I wanted to soak up every bit of his knowledge because I was hoping to specialize in pediatric neurosurgery. It was still just a thought but my time with Michael would help me decide.
I barely remembered my head hitting the pillow before I was asleep.