Lahat ng Kabanata ng Mastering Charlotte: Kabanata 201 - Kabanata 210

"Jennifer, are you alright?""I'm a bit stiff, Mrs Collier. Nathaniel was teaching me to trot this morning.""Ah-ha? I'll run you a hot bath, then. That'll help to ease the muscles a bit."Ten minutes later, as Jennifer steps into foaming water, the bathroom door bangs open and Mrs Collier marches in with an armful of towels, then halts, "Oh, sorry Jennifer. I didn't realise.... Heavens, girl!" She raises a hand to her mouth in shock. "What have you done to yourself?"From thigh to belly, Jennifer's normally pale skin is blue and purple with bruising. "You gave yourself a real pounding, didn't you? You're supposed to rise and fall with the movement of the horse. Not bounce on its back like a sack of potatoes...."*****Monday arrives, and Jennifer sets out at a smart pace down the track, eager to get to school and change the books she finished over the weekend.Chad is waiting for her again. He takes her bag. "It's heavy," he says, as he hitches it over his shoulder. "Wha

James… And so am I....Arms outstretched, her hair flowing behind her she runs, stumbling over the uneven ground in a headlong dash to me........ And I to her.She flings herself into my arms. The knot of tension in my gut unravels and I'm trembling uncontrollably as I pull her to me. My eyes squeezed closed, my face pressed to the top of her head, I hold her tightly."Master, I'm okay, really. Please, I need air…"I release her from my death-grip, but swing her to me by the shoulders, cupping her face with a hand as I look her over, seeking for injuries or any sign that she's hurt."You're alright? Really alright?"Oh, God… I thought I'd lost you...."Yes, I'm fine. It was awful, but Michael.…""Tell me later. Come and get warmed up."And behind her, watching, smiling softly....Michael.…… My friend....... stands there, quiet as ever, but his eyes meeting mine.You brought her back to me........ I gave her to you, and you brought her back to me....

JamesRocking her back and forth, I murmur....... what? Something. I don't know what. Just whatever falls from my mouth. Nonsense words. Comfort noises. For myself as much as for her. I have no idea what I'm saying. Except that she is here and safe and we are together. She and I and Michael, together, as it should be.For a long minute we rock and embrace together, my own strain easing as much I think, as hers."I like a woman who keeps her promises." It's Michael, his expression unreadable. Charlotte jolts against me, wiping red eyes and streaming nose with the back of her hands. She blinks at him. "Um, sorry. What?"Humour crinkling the corners of his eyes, "You did promise me a hysterical outburst once we were safe."She bursts into laughter. There is a manic edge to it, but at least she's smiling. "So I did. Sorry about that. Just give me a minute, would you both."She beelines the bathroom and after a moment there is the sound of drawers and cupboards opening and cl

RichardAs James leaves, Michael hovers, clicking his tongue........ Deciding whether to follow?.... Not a good idea........ You don't interfere between a sub and her Dom....He seems to reach the same conclusion. He pulls at his chin with thumb and forefinger, then turns to me. "Richard.…" His tone is slow, cautious...."What?""I know you think...." Still, he hesitates…"Yes? Come on. Out with it." I sit back in my seat, hands behind my head, giving him my attention. "If it's something awkward, it's better dealt with.""I think that you and James both think of Charlotte as a sub. Intelligent and pretty, but just a sub...."Is that what I think?.... Perhaps....".... and she's not. There's a lot more to her than that. If she can't get what she wants by.… legitimate means, she's perfectly capable of taking matters into her own hands."She's intelligent........ resourceful........ a survivor....Am I discounting her, because she bends the knee to Ja

JamesRefusing discipline....It catches me squarely on the cheek. It's not a hard blow. In truth, I barely feel it....But that's not the point....Unbelieving, for a moment, I'm on hold, as though trying to process reality....Cold fury freezes through me, I grab her by the wrists, yanking her across the floor to the bedroom. "In there, Madam."I'll knock some fucking sense into you........ How dare you....Abruptly, her resistance melts away. She yanks her wrist from my hand. "Alright, I'll go into the bedroom," she says. Chin held high, "I'll take whatever it is you're going to hand out. But it doesn't change anything. It doesn't change what's in my head."On her face is.... what…?Disgust?Resignation?I'm not sure, but something about her wording cuts through my anger.The cellar........ The life you've led…What is going through your head?.... It's hard to imagine....I'm only seeing your life in reflection........ you're the one who lived