Over the next few weeks, Mark and Sydney’s relationship began to take on the appearance of normality. It wasn’t forced. It wasn’t rushed. It was comfortable in ways neither questioned. This alone stood in stark contrast to their previous quasi- liaisons. 


      Women were always attracted to Mark’s domineering exterior but sought to mentally castrate him at the first sign of self-thought. Needless to say those relationships were short lived. And with Sydney there were the “fixers”; the men who endeavored to lure her away from a life of sin in an effort to save her mortal soul. And when those attempts proved futile, they presented ultimatums that were generally met with the gently breeze of the door being slammed in their faces. 


      In the solace of their isolated world, their neutral space where they debated openly, laughed until it hurt, exchanged ideas, and spent their quiet time: they were validated. There was no need to justify who and what they were. No need to explain the long nights and the occasional abrasion. No need to conceal their endorphin withdrawals of Dom drop, a common occurrence after Mark’s extended scenes with overzealous subs feeding on his energy; leaving him detached and withdrawn. 


      Sydney arrived at his flat later than normal finding Mark sound asleep yet exhibiting clear signs of Dom drop; tossing, turning, irritated. Calmly sliding into bed behind him, she wrapped her body around his and breathed evenly. She eased his head back and stroked his hair as he rested in her arms, replenishing his depleted energy as he had done for her. 


      “Breathe, my love,” she whispered holding him close until she felt him relax against her. He obeyed, giving himself over to her care.


      “Thank you. I don’t know how I have done this alone for all these years,” Mark admitted pressing her hand to his lips. “I’m so tired, Syd.”


      “There aren’t many people who can perform at our level. Rest now,” she replied. 





 As was their Saturday morning ritual, Mark and Sydney walked to the local coffee house. On the weekends the establishment bustled with locals sipping beverages, playing chest or simply lounging away people watching while chatting with friends from one of the many settees dotting the room. The beauty of her mezzo-soprano vocals often left Mark in awe. Mark sat relaxing with his paper while Sydney hummed along with the piped in café music and surfed the net for holiday locations. It was time they took a break and got away from the city.


      Though she nurtured him, the hints of sadness in her eyes led Mark to believe there was a part of her in reserve, kept away from even him. He didn’t push the subject. In time she would open up. Around his paper, he studied the graceful lines of her profile and neck, wondering if she realize how magnificent she was. Flawed, perfectly imperfect.


      “Can I get you another coffee?” one of the servers asked Mark, interrupting him mid-thought.


      “Yes, I’ll have another and Sydney…?” he offered, she didn’t answer. “She’ll have another as well, thank you.”


      “What do you think about going down to Destin Florida or maybe up to Brattleboro Vermont?” Sydney asked without peeling her concentration from her screen.


      “If we go south we’ll miss the cold weather but we’ll miss the last snow. You really are putting a lot a thought into this aren’t you?” he observed.


      “Of course,” her eyes met his. “This is our first trip together. I wanted it to be special.”


      “It’s going to be special regardless,” he stopped as the server delivered their orders. “Anyway you decide is fine with me as long as we’re out of the city.”


      “Iowa it is then.” She smiled leaning back on the sofa. Mark damn near choke on his coffee. 


      “Why in hell’s name would you want to go to Iowa? Don’t plan on intervening with me and my family. The lines of communication were severed years ago and I doubt adding you into the equation will help matters; it’s a closed subject.”


      Sydney rolled her eyes. “I’m not intervening but I do think, maybe, perhaps….” 


      Mark shook his head smiling. “Get it out of your pretty little head. It’s not happening,” his phone rang. “I have to take this outside.” He stood walking out with the phone pressed to his ear when he caught Sydney watching him walk away. He smiled and doubled back, giving her a panty-dropping kiss.


      She kissed him twice then whispered close to his ear. “When we get home, I’m going to fuck you until you beg.” Mark gave a sinister grin as their eyes met.


      “Good luck making that happen,” he handed her the cup of coffee. “Drink up, you’ll need the stamina.” He gave a shy wink and left Sydney under the heavy gaze of every woman in the room. 


                                           *******
                                            

      “I can’t believe you’re making me do my own grocery shopping,” Sydney complained pushing their cart around Sam’s Warehouse. 


      “I can’t believe you’ve never done your own shopping.” Mark replied tossing a bag of mixed salad into the cart. Sydney quickly removed it.


      “That’s what my assistants are for,” she maneuvered the cart around a six-pack family. “Why did we have to come here on a Saturday? It’s too damn crowded.”


      Mark returned with an arm full of various vegetables, looking at her pouty face. “Because this is how normal people shop, not everyone has assistants waiting on them hand and foot,” he searched the cart for the bag of salad, then accusingly up at Sydney. She rolled her eyes and retrieved the discarded bag. “You’ve got to start eating better Syd.” Mark continued as they walked.


      “I eat well enough thank you very much,” she hoofed trying to avoid running over a lady passing out food samples who refused to take no for an answer. She accepted with a brief smile, placing it in the cart with the other dozen or so samples collected since their arrival. By now, Mark was half way up the produce aisle swooping an irksome child out of the banana bin and returning him to his mother.


      “I freaking hate this place,” Sydney said. Mark steered the cart out of the middle of the aisle where she’d left it and pulled her against him.


      “For a woman who has the power to bring any man to his knees, you sure as hell flunked this test.” He chuckled. “This is easy, people do it everyday.”


      “Not people like me,” she mouthed into his chest. “I can’t be domesticated. I’m a Domme; we’re waited on. This is bullshit.”


      “I see I’ll be raising the kids,” Mark laughed. 


      “Kids? You want kids?”


      “Maybe, but not anytime soon.” He began pushing the cart. 


      “Goodness, I was afraid for a second.”

      “I didn’t say I wanted them with you,” he teased. “You can’t even do the shopping alone. Yeah, you’re the woman I want raising my children.”


      She shot him a dirty look. “You won’t have to worry about that because you won’t be getting any for a while, Big Mouth.” smugly she walked to the checkout line, aware that he was watching her ass. She stood awaiting his next move. Within seconds, she felt Mark’s powerful arm snake around waist gently drawing their bodies together. He leaned close to her ear; his warm breath, his pure seduction, aroused her senses. A low moan escaped Sydney’s lips as she leaned her head back against his shoulder, completely forgetting they were in the checkout line with tons of shoppers surrounding them.


      “You’re a horny bitch,” Mark whispered in a low register. “I’m looking forward to fucking the hell out of you. Would you like that?”


      “Yes,”

      “Yes who?” the tension in my arm grew. 


      “Yes sir,” she muttered between them.


      “Good girl. I want to make you cum,” Mark smirked. “I’m going to tie you up and have my way with you.” His hand roamed up and thumbed over her nipple once; she inhaled sharply. His words caused her pussy to tremble.


      “Mmmm, make me your fuck-toy, daddy. Spank me.”


      Mark remained stone-faced, not drawing attention to their illicit PDA. “You want me to spank you?”


      “You know I do,” Sydney purred. He loosened his grip, Sydney pushed back against him, not wanting him to release her. It was the reaction Mark hoped to elicit; she was a willing participant in this clandestine game. Thank goodness for long checkout lines.


      He kissed the side of her neck and whispered. “I want you to beg me.”


      “Oh shit,” She bit her bottom lip; the early signs of orgasm began to build. “Please spank me.”


      “Are you wet?” they moved forward as another customer completed their transaction.


      “Yes sir.” 


      “Tighten your pussy,” he ordered keeping a watchful eye on the people around them. She obeyed, her walls held tight, she fought not to cum. “Do you know what I am going to do to you?”


      “No,” Sydney mouthed.


      He caressed her waist, rubbing her tenderly until she relaxed. “When I get you home, I’m going to slide your pants off, leaving your nice little thong in place,” his words came slowly as his free hand skirted the waistband of her jeans. She parted her soft lips anticipating his next words. “Lean you over the back of the sofa with your ass in the air, spread you legs apart, and proceed to spank you lightly.”


      “Harder, please.” Her body jerked, he settled her.


      “I’ll give it to you harder right before I run my hand between your beautiful thighs, over your clit,” she whimpered feeling each of his movements as he spoke. “Then I’ll check to see if you’re ready.”


      Sydney was on the verge of collapse but she needed to verbally hear his plans for her. She needed him to take her over the top here in public, in front of everyone without their knowledge. She concentrated on his energy, his hidden erection pressed into her back; she demanded to be taken. 


      “What do you want me ready for, sir?”


      Just out of sight of the other customers, Mark gripped her ass and spoke through his teeth. “I’m going to pin your arms behind your back and fuck you until you speak in tongues,”


      He held Sydney, her knees weak; each orgasmic contraction savagely suckled her clit sending tiny electric shocks spinning through her until at last ending with a sound akin to a string of horse coughs. She recouped just enough to greet the cashier without her earth shuddering orgasm being too obvious.


      “How are you today?” Mark inquired, his smug smile beamed at the cashier.