"Yes?" I answered the ringing cell phone, after digging it out of my purse, which was in turn sitting upon the dining room table. I was running late. I needed to be ready when my Mistress arrived. She gave me strict instructions as to what I was to wear and say when she showed up.

I answered the phone in haste. I did not look at the caller ID. I still had to blow-dry my hair and put on my makeup. Masturbating in the shower at Mistress' orders took a little longer than I planned. She was scheduled to be at my front door at exactly 7:30 p.m. and my clock now read 6:51.

A melodic voice answered mine from the tiny speaker of my cellular phone. "Is that any way to speak to your Mistress?" She asked.

My heart leapt into my throat. I was a fool to not have looked at the caller ID. I wanted to do so now, quickly, just a peek to see where she called from, but I did not dare. What if Mistress spoke to me while I had the phone away from my ear? I might have missed something important and be chastised severely for it later. No, I decided that couldn't take such a risk.

"Please forgive me," I said sheepishly, "I did not realize it was you, Mistress."

"True, and why should you? I'm early. Buzz me in."

I panicked, but managed to quickly answer. "Yes, Mistress," I said and then pressed the star key on my phone's face. Then she called from the front door of my apartment building!

My flat was in slight disarray. I had to clean up a bit. But I was not ready to go out yet either! I quickly threw the few articles of clothing that lay on my bed into the dirty clothes hamper within my closet. Then I made the bed in haste, wiped off my sink and piled the newspapers, books, and magazines in a neat pile upon my coffee table. At least the place would have the look of ordered disarray.

Just then I heard a knock at my door. I bolted for the latch and swung the mahogany slab open, stepping calmly aside and lowering my eyes. Mistress entered quickly and then waited while I secured the door.

I took her coat and hung it in the closet near my own. I offered to remove her shoes, but she chose to keep them on her feet. One tapped the hardwood floor of my apartment until I knelt in proper greeting.

I blushed a bit as I sank to my knees. My ankles crossed right over left as I did so. My wrists also crossed behind my back as I leaned forward slightly. My lips pressed against the leather of each boot twice. It was her preference. Then I waited on my knees for her command to rise.

Her fingers played in my still damp hair. I smiled a bit at the thought of just how much she liked to see me fresh from the shower and scrambling to please her. It was not just a Domme's desire to see her submissive scramble. She genuinely liked to see me fresh faced. She also seemed to like my skin warm as when I just stepped from a hot shower or bath.

I purred audibly as she stroked my hair. I couldn't see Mistress' face looking down at the floor as I was, but I could feel her smile. The room grew warmer, but not in temperature, in sentiment.

Then her fingers traced one side of my face. A sharp red fingernail pressed the bottom of my chin and lifted my gaze to hers. "You're not ready," she said.

It was a statement. I knew better than to answer statements. She was making a point. If she wanted an explanation, humble advice, or banter then she would ask for it in specific terms. I kept my mouth shut.

She stared at me for a long moment, literally holding my attention. I grew nervous. I did not normally meet Mistress' eyes. I did my best to keep from fidgeting. I kept my wrists tight against each other and did the same for my ankles.

Mistress must have noticed. She smiled. I breathed a tiny sigh of relief to see it. "Finish preparing yourself, pet. We've reservations," she said.

"Yes, Mistress." I replied and then rose from the ground. My knees ached just a bit from kneeling on the hard surface. The skirt Mistress had me wear that day was not long enough to cover my knees. Even if it had been, it was too thin to offer any cushion.

Mistress told me what to wear that night by e-mail. I'd dressed according to her wishes, which always thrilled me. It meant that she wanted my appearance to be especially appealing. It usually signified a special evening. Though weather this was to be a happy occasion or punishment, I couldn't tell just yet.

I'd racked my brain when I read the e-mail. I couldn't remember any substantial mistake. Of course, I constantly made small mistakes. I adhered to her preferences as best I could but each week I seemed to forget some small thing... to sit with my legs together but not crossed, to bend at the waist while picking up something light but bend at the knees when lifting something heavy, to properly strain Mistress' grapefruit juice. I found it difficult to keep track of so many little things.

I tried to remember though. I tried very hard. I'm just wise enough to realize that the little things are what make any relationship, D/s or no, a success. Besides, I loved to obsess over the little things. They were what could really make a Domme smile, in my opinion. Wrapping a towel around Mistress after she stepped from the shower is wonderful and courteous, but wrapping a large, fluffy towel that has been warmed in an electric clothes dryer for a few minutes around her delicate skin is even better.

But even the small mistakes I'd made that week had met with correction. Though it was certainly her prerogative, I hoped that Mistress did not intend to have me punished for them again. Perhaps one of my infractions was something that happened a little too frequently?

Regardless, I'd dressed exactly to Mistress' specifications. I wore a very tight black mini skirt that barely fell to the middle of my thighs. Thigh high stockings were allowed me, so that I would not shiver myself silly in the winter cold. A pair of high-heeled riding boots awaited my feet near the door.

The top I wore was made of black silk. It was cut to flatter my shape, and did so quite well. The thin material also allowed my nipples to remain in prominent view. It buttoned up the front with flat black buttons and had three-quarter sleeves.

I was allowed no underwear. I was not to wear panties or a bra. And so I was without those garments as I listened as Mistress' boots click, click, click into the living room of my apartment.

She sat on the couch and crossed her legs. She looked stunning in a short black skirt that was nearly identical to mine. She'd also dressed in black stockings, a white blouse, and red lipstick. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail so her beautiful face and seemingly sculpted cheekbones were quite prominent.

"May I please offer a drink Mistress? Would you like me to let your hair down and perhaps brush it out?" I asked.

"No." Came her quick, cool reply, "I want you to finish preparing yourself for the evening."

"Yes Mistress." I said. Then I returned to the bathroom and dried my hair. I styled it as best I could and still be quick. It looked very nice when I finished. I even managed to flip the ends out a bit with a curler or three. I was proud. I hoped Mistress would be pleased. It was yet another small thing.

My makeup took a bit longer. Mistress had instructed me to wear a bit of mascara that night along with my usual makeup. I hated wearing mascara. I found it messy and I disliked getting anything that close to my eye. It frightened me, and that fear made me feel silly... like I was some helpless little girl. Eyeliner was different. I could trace the outside of my eye and not flinch. But when I tried to apply mascara I couldn't seem to think of anything but how close the coated bristles were to the cornea of my eye.

That night was no different. Between watering eyes and cringing, it took me nearly fifteen minutes to put on mascara alone. Even then it was too thick. I had to use a tissue and cotton swab to lessen it some before I was satisfied.

My dark blue, almost black, eye shadow went on quickly enough. I was accustomed to wearing it. My dark purple lipstick took a bit longer. I normally only wore lipstick during evenings that I went out. It took two applications before I had even lines around my mouth. But when I finished I felt especially pretty.

When I returned to the living room I saw that Mistress was reading through a magazine I left upon my coffee table. She smiled and beckoned me with one finger. I approached slowly and stood on my toes when I stopped.

Mistress had me turn around in a circle. She then stood and touched away a smudge of mascara from the corner of my left eye. I thanked her. She replied with only another smile. Then she patted my rear and told me to bend over the couch. I did so, and placed my hands upon the seat cushions. They were flat, palms down.

I hard the click, click, clicking of Mistress' boots again as she walked into my closet. The rustling of a few things followed. Then she returned. I dare not look up.

"Spread your legs." came her simple command. I did, inching my feet apart until she told me to stop. Then I felt something cold against rear entrance. A moment later I felt rather full. I whimpered when her hand left me. I hadn't even realized that she steadied me with one hand on my bum while her other hand inserted a plug into my ass until the supporting hand was gone. I missed the tender caress immediately.

"Good girl." Mistress said, "Now stand up and go to the bathroom. You've a bit of lubricant sliding down your thigh. I don't want to ruin your stockings just yet."

"At once Mistress." I said. I padded into the bathroom and tore a scrap of toilet tissue from the roll. She did not want to ruin my stockings yet? What could that mean? I wiped my thighs until I felt no chilly residue or traveling droplets.

"You know..." Mistress' voice came suddenly from behind me. I hadn't heard her creep up to me. I jumped a bit, turned toward her, and fastened my gaze upon her collarbones. It was Mistress' preference that I lower my gaze when we spoke, but not all the way to the floor. She liked to see my eyes. "You look very sexy with your skirt bunched around your waist like that."

I blushed slightly and briefly wished I were allowed to lower my eyes to the ground when conversing with Mistress. But I knew I couldn't hide my embarrassment from her, even then. "Thank you Mistress." I replied, not knowing what else to say.

"I'd like it to stay that way, but as I mentioned before, we've dinner reservations."

"Yes Mistress," I answered while pulling my skirt down, "Would you like me to fetch your car?"

Mistress cocked her head to one side in thought. "No, I think I'd rather walk with you to the car." She said, "And I think you'll drive tonight." I nodded and voiced my compliance. In the back of my mind I knew that every time Mistress had me drive she teased me incessantly. But I was not very concerned about that at the time. I was more worried with seeing Mistress' coat upon her, and then fastening my own long, fluffy coat about my body.

I was allowed what I consider to be a great honor with Mistress Loren. She often took my arm when we walked instead of the other way around. She let me guide her around manhole covers, grates, puddles, and slippery surfaces while we conversed. It let me keep her a bit safer. It also gave her the luxury of rambling off about any subject she wished, getting lost in thought or simple conversation, at any time.

That night she put her gloves on as we descended to street level in my apartment building's elevator, and then hooked her hand around my elbow once we were outside. I smiled and thanked her. She returned the smile and pointed to the left.

"The car is this way pet." She said, the cold making clouds of her breath, "I had to park a block away, on the other side of the gray office building." I thanked her again and followed her lead in that direction.

The car's engine was still rather warm as Mistress' drive from the suburbs to the city typically took a minimum of ten minutes. The heater shed the chill from us quickly once inside. I let the red convertible idle for a bit before asking instructions.

"I want you to drive us to Paulo's." Mistress instructed, "Park in the lot across from the restaurant. It's the lot near Nordstrom. I want to walk with you for a while before dinner."

I lifted my eyebrows involuntarily as I placed my hand on the gearshift. Ms Loren loved Mexican food. The first time I visited her she took me to Paulo's. It is a Mexican restaurant on the South side of town. It's also where we signed our first and second Dominance and submission contracts. So Paulo's had a certain place in my heart.

Perhaps Mistress only wished to have good Mexican food. But she had me dress for the occasion. She also wished me to park three blocks from the restaurant. I wondered what she had up her sleeve.

"But before you do that," Mistress added, lifting the open edge of my coat away from my body, "Open your coat. I want to play with you."

I blushed but complied quickly. I unfastened my seat belt and reengaged the emergency brake. Then I untied the sash of my long, black, crushed velvet coat. I parted the edges so they hung open over the seats. I think Mistress nearly purred as she slipped her hands between my thighs as I refastened the seat belt.

Driving was a bit difficult. I was challenged to keep my mind on the road while Mistress' soft fingers with sharp, red claws played at the lips of my sex. She was careful though. She pulled away and only stroked the laced edges of my stockings when I had to navigate through any great number of cars. I was teased only when it seemed safe to do so.

However, most of the way was rather devoid of traffic. Mistress was sure to have me stay from the main roads. As such, I was quite wet when we finally parked in the lot near downtown and Nordstrom.

Mistress took my arm as we walked from her parked car. I proudly and carefully guided her around gratings and blemishes in the sidewalk. Then, just as I opened the restaurant's door for her she stopped. Her hand lifted my chin so that my gaze met hers.

She asked, in a very serious tone, "Do you trust me?"

It caught me quite off guard. I didn't understand why she would ask such a thing. Just the previous night I was securely bound to her bed and gagged while she ran the edges of very sharp knives over my skin. I signed not one but two year long contracts that pledged my service to her. I would give considerable thought to pledging my entire life to her. How could I not trust her seemed like a more apt question. What did she have planned that she felt a need for such reassurance?

But I swallowed all of that, nodded slightly, and replied promptly, "Yes Ms Loren... implicitly." I breathed a sigh of relief when she merely nodded, dropped my chin, and stepped into the restaurant. Perhaps she didn't notice the trembling of my voice.

Dinner was fabulous as usual. Mistress ordered for me, but was kind enough to ask what I would like before doing so. I was flattered. If only she would allow me to help pay for the meal I would have been truly happy. The prices on the menu were quite high and I hated having someone spend a lot of cash on me.

We spoke vaguely of politics and a local scandal that made the news over the past few weeks. I kept up with it, as Mistress seemed interested. And indeed, that evening I was glad that I had done so. Then the conversation took a different turn while waiting for dessert.

"The collar I have you wear is quite fetching." She said, before taking a small sip of wine.

"I agree." I replied, thinking of the beautiful swath of leather. It had silver buckles and dipped in a small "V" at the front. There, in the center of that "V" was a well-placed, sturdy, stainless steel ring.

Mistress seemed to love that little ring. It was just big enough she could put her thumb through it, though she usually used her index finger. She sometimes would lead me here or there in such a fashion. Occasionally she used a leash but leads were usually reserved for private parties.

I wasn't allowed to wear the collar outside of circumstances Mistress considered to be safe. Her preference was that I only wore her collar when she knew for a fact that everyone in close proximity practiced some aspect of BDSM. Mistress held a position of authority in our city and didn't wish to have her kinky nature used against her. It's something I understood and a preference I adhered to with great care.

As such, I wasn't allowed to wear the beautiful leather collar out very often. A few private parties were the usual exception. A night at a leather bar in New York when we vacationed was also deemed safe. It wasn't really something I thought about much. I merely did it. If it kept Mistress from losing her job or being harassed, then I was certainly all for it.

"I've been thinking lately that I'd like you to wear a collar more often." Mistress said, smiling that I was so obviously lost in thought.

"Not in public?" I asked, a bit shocked at her suggestion. When Mistress looked at me with raised eyebrows I swallowed hard, lowered my eyes, and said sheepishly, "Please forgive me Loren. I was... what you said is a contradiction of what you've had me do in the past. I apologize for speaking so abruptly and without respect."

As with most things related to Dominance and submission, Mistress had me drop her title when in public. If we were out shopping, dining, or what not, she was simply "Loren." It was difficult for me to remember at first, but became significantly easier after a few harsh reprimands.

"Yes sara, I am serious. I think it would be a great boon to our relationship. You have been especially forgetful of my preferences lately. Perhaps something tight around your neck as a reminder that you are mine would be just the thing to keep you from being such a forgetful slut."

I was very surprised. "I would dearly love that but, with respect Loren, are you sure that's wise?" I asked.

"No." Mistress stated flatly, "It probably isn't. At least I can't have you wearing that obvious piece of leather out of the house. Besides, I want it on you at all times, even in the shower. We both know that water does nasty things to leather. And leather can be cut off with ease. Something more permanent would be ideal. Something metal."

"But..."

"Yes, yes, I know what you are about to say. Stop being such a ninny. I know that you are concerned for my safety. I'm touched pet. I truly am. But don't be so uptight!" I blinked and merely stared at Ms Loren. She laughed and lifted her wine glass. "To your new collar," She said as a toast, "May it keep you in line."

I blushed and raised my glass, peering around to see if anyone was eavesdropping. I knew Mistress was right. I was being a bit too uptight. But what if someone saw me with the collar on and knew I was Ms Loren's girlfriend? They would surely put two and two together.

And then my fears multiplied. When I turned my attention back to Ms Loren I saw her pull a small package from her purse and set it on the table with a thud. I looked from the package to Mistress' face and back. She laughed.

"Yes sara, it's what you think it is." She said.

"But Loren, I..."

"No." Mistress chided me, "Stop it. I'm the one who makes the rules here. I made you think of my safety and that's well and good. But you're taking it too far. I'm your..."

Mistress paused and lowered her voice. "I'm your Mistress, damn it." She said in a whisper, "Trust me." I looked at the package on the table again. Then I lifted my gaze back to Ms Loren's collarbones. "You told me earlier tonight that you trust me. I asked that question for a very good reason. And now I think you know what that reason is. Do you remember that question pet? Do you remember what your answer was?"

I nodded. "Yes Loren. I remember. I spoke the truth. I trust you." I said, and reached for a long sip of wine, "I submit to your wisdom. How shall I proceed?"

Mistress sat back in her chair and replaced the wine glass in her hand with a glass of water. "That's better." She said. Her smile returned and I suddenly felt completely safe as stared into her warm, near hazel eyes. Then Mistress paid the check while I retrieved our coats.

I was made to drive for nearly half an hour. I watched the lights of the city fade in the rearview mirror and wondered where we were heading. At first I thought that perhaps she merely wished to go for a drive and tease me further... which she did in spades. I whimpered my frustration on more than one occasion. Each time the sound caused a smile to blossom on Mistress' ruby lips that warmed the entire car.

Then I realized that the streets we traveled became more and more specific. Suburbia sprawled before us slower and slower. I'd nearly gathered the courage to ask Mistress where we were going when she pointed to a home at the corner of a block near a traffic circle. Several cars were parked in the driveway and around the curb nearby.

"Leave me there," Mistress said, "And park the car. I'll wait for you inside."

"Yes Mistress." I answered. The car seemed to stop at the front curb all on its own. I was still floating from the excitement brought on my Mistress' hand beneath my short skirt while I drove. She removed her hand when I activated the emergency brake though, and retrieved a small envelope from her purse.

"See that my purse is locked in the trunk and use the club on the steering wheel." She quietly ordered as I opened the driver's side door.

"As you wish Mistress." I said, and then shut the door again.

I rounded the front of the car carefully. I still wore rather high heels and didn't want to risk a sprained ankle. Then I opened the car's passenger door and held Mistress' hand as she exited.

"Shall I escort you to the door my Lady?" I asked patiently. I hoped she would say yes.

"No pet." Mistress replied, already prancing up the walk toward the door, "I'll see you inside soon enough."

I'd been to this particular home on several occasions. It belonged to a very sweet and kinky gay couple who were rather involved in the city's leather scene. They threw a party nearly every two months and usually only the A-list of the city's Dominants were invited. Those Dominants then brought whatever submissives they wished.

True to form, the house was bustling with scantily dressed people, mostly in black. Even wearing a miniskirt and a thin silk blouse with several buttons undone I felt overdressed. A woman wearing only a pair of very high heels and a collar greeted me at the door. She smiled and managed a curtsy despite the fact that she wasn't wearing a skirt. My coat disappeared into her hands.

As promised, Mistress was near the door, just inside the living room and to the right. She stood near a pillar that held the room's high ceiling aloft and spoke to a tall, flamboyant man with close-cropped dark hair. I recognized him as one of the hosts, Daniel. He smiled broadly when I approached.

"Ah, there she is." Daniel said after Mistress Loren paused in their conversation. I could nearly swear that his smile grew as he stepped toward me. "You are in for quite a treat. I'll go see if everyone is here." He touched Mistress' arm gently and then pranced off toward the kitchen. I kept my eyes on the floor but raised my eyebrows. I knew better than to look Mistress in the eye. She was smiling though. I just knew it.

Mistress produced the black leather collar I often wore at her home from her purse. She dangled it in front of my face by the shining steel loop, which hung at my throat when it was fastened about my neck. "Though I brought this, you won't be needing it." She said. Then she pointed toward the center of the room where a thick rug lay.

"Kneel." Mistress commanded. I noticed a host of other people, Dominant and submissive alike, enter the room. I knelt on the soft rug while Dominants poured themselves into chairs or loveseats around the perimeter of the room and their submissives sat on the floor at their feet. Mistress sat with Daniel on the room's only sofa.

I didn't look up briefly when Charles entered the room, but I saw his boots and blue jeans. "I think that's everyone." His familiar voice said, then stopped. "What do you think you're doing boy? You're sitting on that couch like you own it. Get on the floor where you belong."

Daniel yelped audibly and slithered off the seat and into the floor. He sat with his legs curled beneath him. "That's better." Charles said. He sat next to my Mistress and looked to her. She nodded. I briefly noted that her hands were empty. The leather collar was gone. Then Mistress smiled.

I knew that smile. I'd seen it a thousand times. Even in my peripheral vision, as that's the only way I could see any of them while staring at the floor in front of me, I knew that smile.

It made me relax a bit. It made me tense a bit. It was soothing and yet made me worry. I wondered what she planned that required an audience?

She looked at Charles. "I seem to have left my things in the foyer." She said in an offhand sort of tone. Then she turned to me. "Be a good girl and fetch my purse for me."

I crawled to her coat and purse, careful not to sway my hips. Mistress didn't like the idea of my hips wagging as I crawled away from her. She said it was too much like telling her to kiss my ass. So I was careful how my hips moved.

I picked up only her purse. If she had not specified, I would have brought her coat as well. At first she mentioned her "things" but then she told me to fetch her purse. She said nothing about her coat. I thought for a moment that I should bring the coat anyway but eventually decided it would be best to obey Mistress' orders to the letter. I returned to the living room, crawling, with her purse straps between my teeth.

Mistress smiled widely to see me bring her purse in such a fashion. She took the leather satchel from me with a kiss to my forehead. I preened.

Then she reached into her purse and removed the same package I'd seen before. It was the one she laid on the table earlier. She smiled and beckoned me closer and higher. I approached on my knees with my back straight. My hands immediately crossed behind my back, right wrist over left.

Mistress slit the package open with her fingernail and reached inside. When she pulled her hand from the package she was holding a silver loop. It was wide, about the exact width of my neck. I gasped.

It was then that I knew I should have kept my mouth shut during dinner. Ms Loren was a very intelligent woman. She purchased a collar that was both practical, yet was shiny, pretty, and could easily pass as a simple necklace. It was perfect. No one who didn't know exactly what it was would ever guess. Many of those in the room gasped or murmured their appreciation.

"It's beautiful Mistress!" I whispered.

"Yes," Mistress responded, "It is, isn't it." It wasn't a question.

I was then instructed to hold my hair up while she fastened it around my neck. It was hinged at one end, and held together by a locking screw at the other. I wouldn't be able to remove it without the proper tools. That thought made me near giddy.

I saw flashes of bright red from her nails as Mistress fastened the collar around my neck. The metal was cool and smooth. The most wonderful feeling of warmth rose inside of me. The collar meant that I was hers... that she cared for me. I swelled with pride and became a little wet besides.

When she released it, it weighted down on my shoulders. It was easily twice as heavy as my leather collar. No matter. I knew that I would become accustomed to it. In the meantime, perhaps it would serve as a reminder as Mistress said earlier.

Even as I reached up and touched it I felt tears well in my eyes. I was crying by the time I looked up to thank Ms Loren. I opened my mouth but no words came. In the end, I wrapped myself around her legs and sobbed.

She embraced me for a long time. I remember hearing whispers from those around the room but didn't open my eyes and can't recall the exact words. I didn't care. The only person I cared about, that I wanted at that very moment to please with my every living breath, held me in her arms.

When I calmed enough to release her, Mistress kissed away my tears. I saw then that she shed a few tears herself. "You look beautiful pet." Mistress said proudly. Then her smile grew wicked. "But there's something missing."

She walked slowly, deliberately around me and stopped when she was directly behind me. "Ah, that's it." She said, "Your cheeks are colored with emotion but your bottom is still just as pale as ever. I think that should be rectified, don't you? Charles?" I could well guess that she grinned like a shark as she said it.

"Bottom... rectified... was that a bad joke?" Daniel asked. I heard a swat, and then Daniel yelped again.

"Never mind him," Charles replied, "I like a pink rear end as much as anyone, but I think it will be more fun if we all can lend a hand... so to speak." The room's occupants all chortled and agreed. I closed my eyes and relished the weight of cold metal around my neck. I was determined to do almost anything at that moment to make my Mistress happy. What was being passed around a room when compared to my Mistress' smile?

My breath caught in my throat when I heard a very familiar jingling sound. It was something I knew quite well. The sound was made by a set of buckles. Those buckles were attached to Mistress' favorite gag, and I knew just whom she planned to use it upon.