I squirmed against my restraints, feeling the soft leather chafe against my skin and tasting it in my mouth. The bonds held fast. There was no way that I was going to wriggle free of them; no way that I was going to escape whatever was in store for me. The sound of footsteps echoed around me. I twisted my head, trying to work out where they were coming from, who it was. The single light bulb in the ceiling burned tracks into my retinas, blinding me temporarily.

"Hello." Even though I couldn't see her, I recognised her voice; her words like honey over ice. They raised goosebumps on me and set me shivering. "I'm sorry that I had to bring you here like this. But, well, I really didn't want to give you the chance to turn down my invitation." I blinked, and my vision returned. There she was - just as I remembered her: those thin cruel lips; those soft cheeks; those cold, merciless eyes.

"Now, what shall we start with?" She tapped an elegant finger against her nose in thought. "Perhaps something light just to remind you what I can do? Or maybe we should dispense with the pleasantries and get straight down to business?" She looked down at me, fixing me with her gaze. "What do you think?"

I tried to say something, but my gag turned my words into nonsense. She looked at me with something that might have been pity. "Of course. I forgot." She reached down, her hands either side of my face. I shook my head, hoping to delay her, but I couldn't. Her fingers caressed my jaw, then pulled the leather bit from between my teeth. I took a deep breath.

"Please, mistress." The words came out in a humiliating babble. "Whatever you want. I'm yours. You know I am ... ."

She smiled. The beauty of it sent my soul soaring, and the calm I so desired settled over me. "I'm sure we can find something," she whispered.

I knew that I would have to thank her for her kindness. Later.