After the auction, all the slaves, even those bought in private agreements, of which there appeared to have been quite a few, were brought up on the stage. Each Master, and then each slave, or sub, were called. The Master, or Mistress, had been given the opportunity to buy a collar, and at this point the sub was “collared” and chained, to be led off the stage. Off stage the contract was signed by both parties, during which a safe word was decided upon and added to the contract.

Andy stood with her three friends, waiting for their names to be called. There had been a moment when Peter had approached her, bemoaning the fact he could not bid, but was very polite and gracious.

“Gayle G.”

The girls stopped talking when Gayle was called forward.

Ray was there waiting, and he grinned the whole time he put a narrow black collar around her neck and then attached a silver link chain woven with black velvet ribbon.

Liz turned and smiled. “The black velvet was a nice touch.”

Gayle’s outfit was a black vest and trousers. With her dark hair, she looked good.

Liz had her dark auburn hair pulled back into a high ponytail, with curls spilling down. She had gone to one of the shops and purchased an outfit. It was red leather, sleeveless and laced down the sides, but showed a gap of several inches of skin on the sides. The skirt was tight to her knees and slit straight up the front, just shy of indecent.

Mark’s eyes almost popped out of his head when he first saw the usually quiet, sedate chemistry professor.

Danny, Tony and Jack had all expressed their surprise and appreciation, as well. They also applauded the other women’s outfits as well, but Andy’s won hands down. She was wearing a leather bustier, with a leather thong, black lace top stockings, of which the right one boasted a small red rose, and black high heels. Her breasts were mounded up high, resting on a special shelf inside the bustier. When the breakaway was removed, her breasts were displayed as if placed on a tray because sewn into the edge of the shelf, was black lace.

Ruthie rented a French maid’s outfit and Danny had not been able to take his eyes off her. She was called next and received a collar that was black velvet with a miniscule white lace edging. Her leash was black silk ribbons.

Liz was called next and received a beautiful red leather collar and silver chain link leash. Mark swung her around before they reached the table where they signed the contract and sent her giggling.

When Andy’s name was called and she started walking towards Jack, there were a number of “whoops” and catcalls, along with people applauding. Obviously, Andy decided, they liked her outfit. Reaching Jack, she smiled, waiting for her collar.

He pulled something from his suit pocket. He didn’t show it to her first as the other guys had, but instead he fastened the thick gold herringbone chain around her neck, fastening it in front, where it clicked shut with a tiny lock. The key hung down the front from a small, fine chain. There was a small circlet, where he hooked the thick gold curb-link chain.

Jack turned, without saying a word, and led the way to the contract. The safe word was set, and they both received a copy of the contract. They joined their friends.

“Now what?” Ray asked.

“There’s a party…ow!” Andy stopped abruptly. A light smack on one cheek caught her attention.

“My submissive only speaks with permission,” Jack told her softly.

Andy felt something inside of her twitch. It surprised her how quickly Jack had gotten into this. “Ja—” she stopped abruptly. “Master, may I speak?” she finished her question softly.

“Yes, Andrea, you may.”

Andy froze at the sound of her full name being spoken by Jack. It sounded so much sexier than her nickname. She swallowed quickly. “There is a party for all owners and slaves.”

At the party, Andy got her first real glance at the inside. Nearly all the slaves, or subs, were either standing behind their Master, or kneeling at their feet. Many had part of their outfits removed to bare their breasts. As soon as Andy saw that, she wondered if Jack would remember the way her bustier could be broken down. She didn’t fancy that!

Jack sent her off to fetch him a drink as they all stood, watching the comings and goings of the others. She and Gayle went together, and when they returned, Ray and Jack led them to a quiet corner where two comfortable chairs were arranged side by side. Jack took the silk pillow from his chair and tossed it down. Pointing to it, he directed her. “You may sit there.”

Andy started to sit when the leash tightened. She saw him lift one eyebrow and she realized she’d forgotten something. “Thank you, Master,” she murmured, sitting next to his chair.

Ray duplicated Jack’s actions, flushing a little as he did so.

Andy glanced at Gayle, who now sat on the same side as she. Her friend appeared a little miffed at the experience. She could imagine that being submissive was something her friend, as a physician, had rarely encountered, if ever.

As for herself, she wasn’t altogether sure how she felt. She remembered what she’d heard in one of the lectures about submissive service. Her role in public was to be attentive to her Dominant’s needs and desires. She had a joyful task to demonstrate, through her attitude and demeanor, and that was to ensure the Dom’s needs came first.

But some considered the private appearance equally, if not more important. Frowning, she recalled one woman had said the ability to “take a heavy beating” and reach arousal, or not break, did not prove you were a good sub. Instead, what mattered was whether you could say you were as good a slave to your Dom during the quiet moments when he was giving you what you craved?

The whole idea of pain and punishment made her cringe, or she believed it did. She’d never experienced pain intended to arouse, and its culmination was in a climax. Of course, that was the private stuff, or in a pre-orchestrated scene. In her mind though, the private stuff was very important, if you were thinking about long term.

Andy stiffened. Where the hell had that idea come from? Long term? Nobody here had talked anything beyond this cruise. In two days, she’d be saying good-bye to all of them once more. This had all been fun and she couldn’t deny that. But none of this echoed her normal life, not in any way. More importantly, could Jack possibly be in her future? She’d never imagined it in her wildest daydreams regarding this cruise. Perhaps, the fat girl still lived inside her, and she’d only been fooling herself all this time. Was her subconscious beginning to think long-term, with Jack?

It was possible, she guessed. They were both single, and unattached. Sexually, they certainly sparked. In college they had talked about everything, up until the spring break incident. Jack had been her best friend. Would he want to be her lover upon their return?

After all, there were still the times she reached for the ice cream. She couldn't forget that fact. No matter how much talking it through with a therapist, journaling her thoughts and emotions, and making changes in her life and eating patterns, sometimes the little fat girl remained.

Gentle as a kiss, she felt Jack’s hand touch her hair. As she felt the caress across the back of her head, she was just as aware as if it were her skin he stroked. His hand moved down the back of her head until he reached the velvety super short pelt at the back. That’s when everything changed. His fingers began rubbing up, the opposite direction the hair grew, and all her nerve endings flared like firecrackers. Her body shook visibly, and she knew that with this touch—he controlled her.

A moment later, she knew he had felt it as well when his fingers paused until the shiver stopped. As soon as she was in control, he began the sensual tease once more. Andy could feel her pussy flooding as her passion shot forth, like super heated lava from an erupting volcano.

God!

She needed—

Jack’s hand moved away. “I don’t think you saw the interesting thing about Andy’s costume, Ray.”

Andy jerked her head around to stare at Jack. She pleaded with him silently, yet she also knew one of the primary things about submissiveness was feeling embarrassed and sometimes even humiliated, while in public. She did wonder if this was payback for her not telling about her writing…and going to dinner with Duke.

“Andrea. Please remove the special inserts on your top and pass them to me.” Jack held out his hand.

By his action, Andy guessed he had no doubt he would be disobeyed. She couldn't stop her erratic breathing, partly due to nervousness, but also she knew some of it was excitement. Looking down at her already burgeoning bosoms, she pulled them off together, guessing that was how he would prefer it, more dramatic, she thought. Immediately, her breasts sprang free, the lightweight gold chain between the gold rings wiggled wildly.

“Holy shit!”

“Oh my God, Andy!”

Jack touched her hair against. “Andy, I want you to readjust your breasts, so they are propped on the shelf to show them off better.”

Andy paused for a moment. His words reminded her that she had wanted to try some of different activities with him—

“Andy! If you refuse, it will go into your punishment book.”

She stiffened and then brought up her hands. Andy lifted one breast and then slid it more fully onto the small piece of leather, which extended from the bottom of the bodice. Its slightly bowed convex shape pushed her breast higher. She heard Ray gasp as she completed the second side more quickly.

“Wow!” A second later, “Ow!” Ray leaned over and was rubbing his right lower leg.

Andy glanced at Gayle and even though the other woman was looking down, there was a smile on her face. Andy almost laughed. Most likely, it should have been Ray receiving a collar tonight, instead of Gayle. She wondered if this exercise would change her friends’ relationship. Abruptly, her thoughts stopped as she felt Jack’s hand resume its slow stroking over her clipped nape. With only a few caresses, her body reacted once more. The shiver that shook her this time caused her breasts to jiggle enough to set the little chain swinging.

Gayle stood abruptly, pulling Ray up with her hand. As if she were making him speak, Ray grimaced as he opened his mouth. “Well, I guess we are leaving for the night. Goodnight, Jack…oh, goodnight Andy.”

Silence followed their friends’ departure. Andy knew according to the contract, she had to ask permission to speak. She wasn’t completely sure what to say.

“I think the wrong slave is on the leash,” Jack’s fingers paused as he murmured a few moments later.

Andy laughed. Technically, it was probably wrong, but she couldn't stop it. Bubbling up from inside, it showed their thoughts truly were “simpatico!”

Seconds later, Jack’s fingers tangled in her hair and tilted her head backwards. A smile slowly curved his lips upwards and Andy knew without one doubt left in her body, mind or soul, she loved Jack. The feelings—love, passion, friendship—had always been there, but she had denied them for so long that she had not recognized it, until now. This was why she had butterflies in her stomach, and everything didn’t make much sense.

His hand moved around her head until it cupped her jaw. His thumb rubbed back and forth her lower lip.

Andy did what felt right—she kissed his thumb on its fleshy pad before taking it inside to suck on it. The look on his face revealed that she’d startled him, but she didn’t stop. For a moment, though, she thought he was ready to stand and lead her out of there.