My entire life I was surrounded by sex. My Father made it a dirty commodity. I had sex twice. The first time was my own choice when I was fourteen, and I gave my virginity to one of the stable boys. It was an act of rebellion against my father. I knew how much he got for a virgin and I was scared that he would sell me too, the way he sold my mother. He only kept my mother around to raise me until I was thirteen, then he sold her. I don’t know to who, or where in the world she is. I don’t even know if she’s still alive! I keep hoping I’ll find her one day.

With my virginity gone it took care of the one fear, but not for long. Father found out and that’s when I had sex for the second time. He forced me to have sex with the stable boy, threatening that the boy would be killed if I didn’t. The boy was still climaxing inside me when Father put a gun to the back of his head and pulled the trigger. That was the day I realized just how evil Father was. That was also the day I promised to make up for all the evil he has done.

Jack frowns lightly, indicating that he’s not understanding me. I quickly explain, “I don’t have sex. I don’t like it.” The words are curt and I almost realize my mistake too late, but I quickly add, “I do however like to watch.” I have to be careful with the cameras on us.

Jack’s features soften a little as he finally grasps what I’m saying. And then I see it in his eyes, empathy. He understands because he feels the same way!

I lift my hand to his face and let my palm rest against his cheek. I don’t know why I’m touching him. I don’t make a habit of touching the people I save, but with Jack it’s different, I just can’t explain it.

I want to touch him. I want to offer him comfort. There is so much I want to tell him. I want to tell him that soon he will be free! I want to tell him that he’ll never be hurt again. But I keep all the words in and try to tell him with my eyes that everything will be okay from now on.

I drop my hand away from his warm skin and I move to take a seat at the table. I make sure my back is to the camera so they can’t see my face.

“Satisfy yourself,” I order.

Jack drops to his knees and as he removes the towel, I let my eyes flit to the window. It’s the only privacy I can offer him.

Minutes pass when I hear a distressed whisper, “Mistress.”

My eyes flit back to Jack. He’s still on his knees, his hand firmly wrapped around his hard cock. When my eyes meet his, I’m shocked at what I find. He is silently begging me to help him. I’ve seen that broken look before but this time it cuts at my heart.

I get up and walk over to him. Kneeling in front of him, I take a deep breath. I lean a little forward and whisper, “Do you want me to help you, Jack?” I will not touch him without his consent.

For a moment I watch the battle play off over his tense features and then he nods. “Please, Mistress.”

~*~

Chapter Three

Jack~

Feelings swamp me. I’ve always been able to shut down. It’s not because Mistress Ryland is nice to me, that’s not it at all. Mistress Claire is also kind and I’ll even go as far as saying that I’ve grown fond of Mistress Claire. This is something else, something I’ve never felt before.

When Mistress Ryland told me she doesn’t like sex I was shocked at first, but then I felt an unfamiliar warmth creep into my chest.

Just maybe she’s like me. Just maybe she’s not bad - I hoped for a split second before the warmth faded and I was reminded that there are no good people. Any person who is willing to do business with Cameron has to be bad!

She brings her hand to my cheek and her touch is silky soft, just like her eyes. The lust filled looks I normally get is nowhere to be seen in her eyes.

She doesn’t want me? I’ve never experienced this before. People always want something from me, either my cock, or my ass and sometimes my blood.

Mistress Ryland’s eyes are so warm I want to crawl into them – I want to find rest there.

She drops her hand to her side and then walks over to the table. I watch her take a seat.

She’s really not going to fuck me?

This whole evening with her is foreign to me.

“Satisfy yourself,” she orders, but there is not bite in her voice.

I drop to my knees and I remove the towel baring myself to her. Her eyes quickly fly to the window and it confuses me. She said she’s a visual person, then why won’t she look at me?

I palm my rock, hard cock. It will be hard for a few hours still. I slowly start to stroke myself, just like Mistress Ryland instructed.

Minutes pass where my cock feels lifeless in my hand. My eyes are glued to Mistress Ryland. She has a sad look on her face and it makes the warm feeling from earlier return. I’m not used to feeling anything but longing and heartache for Momma and worry for David’s safety. I don’t know what this emotion is called that’s tightening my chest to the point where it’s getting hard to breathe.

More time passes, and the feeling becomes so overwhelming that it hurts my chest. I know I won’t come and I can’t stand the emotions any longer. “Mistress,” I say softly, hoping I won’t get in trouble for talking to her without her permission.

I keep my eyes on her, silently asking her to understand what I cannot put into words. I can’t come.

She comes to me, and kneeling in front of me, she makes my heart clench. It almost looks as if she cares for me. I know that’s only my imagination. These people don’t possess the capability of caring for another person.

I watch as her lips part and she sucks in a breath, and then she leans forward. Her sweet scent forms a cloud around me as she whispers, “Do you want me to help you, Jack?”

Again she’s using my name. I’m usually called slave. Only the other slaves use my name. I can only stare at her as her words sink in. She wants to help me? Why would she want to help me? I’m nothing but a slave here for her enjoyment.

Is this a game she’s playing with me?

Is this some kind of trick?

Her soft eyes tell me it’s not, but I could be wrong. A monster can be disguised behind many faces.

I have to remind myself that I’m only a slave and she’s a monster.

I nod, “Please, Mistress.” I say the words that are expected of me. The number one rule for a slave is to always do what a mistress or master wants you to do.

If they ask you whether you want your freedom you answer no, because that is what they want to hear.

If they ask you if you want to be flogged or whipped, you answer yes, because it’s for their satisfaction that you will bleed and scream.

I let my eyes travel over Mistress Ryland’s head and focus on the wall. For a moment I was stupid, I let myself feel something. It won’t happen again.

~*~

Chapter Four

River~

His eyes focus somewhere behind me and the blank look that comes over his face cuts deep into my soul.

He didn’t say yes because it’s something he wanted! He thinks it’s what I want.

I take hold of his arm and getting up I pull him up alongside me.

“Let’s just sleep, Jack. It’s been a long night.” I throw the covers back and looking up at him I order, “get in bed and sleep.”

Jack slips under the covers, his eyes not once meeting mine.

I switch off the bright light and then I strip out of the ridiculous outfit, but I keep on the bra and panty set. I get in next to Jack and then turn my back to him. “Night, Jack,” I whisper.

I can hear his breathing behind me. He’s not moving a muscle, most probably waiting for me to pounce on him.

I turn around and scoot closer to him. I reach under the covers and feel for his hand. Holding his hand in mine, I start to whisper so only he can hear, “I saw you working in the garden earlier, is that something you like to do?”