PainLove - Bk. 03 - Ch. 01-06 (book 3 of 4)

Chapter 1

Very early Saturday morning Rob took the dogs for their usual walk. It had been a quiet week, alone. He wondered whether the women would return to face their punishment. He hadn't heard from any of them, although what he'd said could have discouraged them from trying. He was quite prepared that none of them would return; he had already decided he would move far from this part of the country, maybe even out of England entirely. Australia was nicely distant, but he'd easily found opportunities for a position in Ireland, even more on the Continent. He was fed up with their games and one way or another a change was required.

When he brought the dogs home, just a bit after eight o'clock, all four women were standing by the stair leading to his front door, shivering in the frost. After opening the front door, he gestured, they all silently climbed the stair to follow him in.

He led them into his living room. "Please, take a seat." Rob made a point of sitting in a chair rather than the couch so no one could sit beside him. Helena, Marion and Kim sat in a row on the couch, Cathy sat silently opposite him. She seemed more calm, less engaged than the other women.

Because of her reserve, he picked Cathy for his request. "Cathy, would you serve coffee please? This is one of the changes we must have. I own this flat, which makes me your host. But you decided to come live here. Everyone will take their fair turns serving drinks, cooking, washing up. I'll do my part and I expect each of you to do your part as well. When Cathy or Kim have been working during the day, they may ask to be excused. That goes the same for Helena when she has business to sort out. Is that clear?"

All four women nodded.

"Good, the same goes for making coffee, breakfast and so on, don't assume I'll do it. I'll do my part, but I expect each of us will do our part in turn. If you wait for me to make dinner, you'll be served every fifth day. Agreed?"

Again all four nodded their heads.

"Last week you said you would rape me and you all did." They started to protest, but Rob spoke over them. "It was a mind-fuck, wasn't it? A mental rape." They fell silent again.

"The original plan for last weekend was to do some shopping. The suggestion came from Helena. I've made some arrangements, we're going to do just that. I know your sizes, I bought dresses for the four of you. Each dress is different, but all of a similar look. We're going across to the big new mall at Birmingham. We'll spend the afternoon there. Helena, I know you're especially concerned about being recognized so I have four, identical wigs and sunglasses for each of you.

"I've added these details because we'll attract attention, so I've also arranged protection. People we trust will keep away anyone we consider a threat. Don't think for a moment you'll be unsafe, there will be four people circling around us. I have someone lined up to take care of Nicky and Inca so we've the whole day to do as I see fit. We'll have dinner in a nice restaurant, I booked nine seats, our guards will dine when we dine.

"Helena, our escort is drawn from your own security detail, people you know and trust. I'm paying them with cash. Your man Michael Haft knows all about this. He helped set it up. Officially you're here with me all day."

"I forgot to mention, you all must wear black stockings with your dresses, I insist on this."

Rob dismissed the ladies to dress, telling them the limousine would leave at half past ten. The women asked questions, but Rob made them no wiser.

A few minutes later Marion caught him alone in the kitchen and apologized for herself. "Rob, I am so glad we've made up." She tried to kiss him.

Rob took a step back. "We haven't made up yet. Let's see if you still want to kiss me tomorrow morning."

A puzzled Marion went back to tell the others what Rob said. Helena came to Rob asking for their dresses and the wigs. Rob opened a wardrobe and gave them each their dress. The dresses fit properly as Rob intended. The ladies understood what Rob meant by saying the dresses would attract attention. In back, the bold-colored dresses had a decent length, below the knee, but the front was as short as a miniskirt. It was likely their stocking tops would be visible when they were walking.

"This is my suit," said Rob as he looked back in to check on them. It was made of a deep black material, with quite a sheen, almost satin. He looked superb in it. When he moved, the color seemed to shift and flash.

"Now I see." Cathy had to laugh, in spite of her situation. "You, walking into the mall with four almost identical sexy women."

"Okay, you see the picture, but I didn't want Helena recognized so now you know what we're up to."

"So you had this all figured out Rob?" Helena tried to assert herself, challenging Rob. "You were pretty sure I'd come back to face my punishment, then?"

"No, I wasn't sure at all. I decided to take the risk. I had options ready against not everyone coming this morning."

Helena kept silent. She had her own thoughts about how Rob had handled things. She was uncomfortable with someone else pulling all the strings, giving her the surprises.

Inca and Nicky barked, the door-bell rang and Rob went to the front door to open it. It was Sylvia, who had agreed to take care of his dogs until they came back from their long day. Rob saw Nicky and Inca were in good hands with her. He gave her the keys to his flat and also an envelope with her money. She opened it and peeked quickly inside. "Rob, this is far too much."

"Sylvia, everyone is getting the same amount and you don't have the fun of going shopping. If you want something to eat or drink, just look in the kitchen and help yourself. You can read, watch TV or whatever, just take care of the dogs. It might be as late as midnight when we return."

Kim and Cathy came out in their dresses, one cobalt blue, the other bright yellow. Sylvia's mouth felt open at the sight of them, identically clothed and showing their legs in stockings.

"Not to offend, Rob, but you look like a pimp out with his girlfriends." Sylvia had a smile on her face. She wasn't willing to make eye contact with the women, but they all knew what she meant.

Rob simply smiled. "Could that the purpose of all this?" The women didn't say much.

Rob opened the door when the bell rang again. The driver of the limo said he was ready to leave. Rob saw Neil beside the cars, who waved to him and gave him a thumbs-up. It was a sight for passers-by, the large white limousine and two black Mercedes sedans parked behind it, men and women in gray or black suits. Helena was right behind Rob, taking in the scene with disbelief. "You've made quite a production of this." Her dress was purple.

Rob turned to her. "It's my intent we attract attention. At the same time I want you to be perfectly safe. You'll have the opportunity to shop undisturbed. They're your people, they'll watch over you."

"Thank you dear, but next time let's not shop in these striking outfits." Helena sighed, thinking what a long day it was going to be. She led the four women straight to the limo. Rob gave the security detail and the limo driver their envelopes of cash.

Birmingham was a long drive, well over an hour. They all settled in a bit. It wasn't easy to remain ladylike in the dresses he'd chosen for them. Rob closed the window between the driver and themselves, allowing the women to be less careful with where their legs went. Less guarded, their stocking and garters were visible at least part of the time. In the privacy of the limo, they didn't mind at all. In fact they teased him with occasional glimpses of their knickers, openly looking for evidence of tension in his trousers.

Rob's tone turned sharp, he'd had enough of their teasing. "If you want, I can go sit next to the driver. It wasn't my plan for the day to start out unpleasant, but if a reminder is required I can easily make the entire day less pleasant."

The driver's voice came on the intercom to report they were a few minutes from their destination. "Where do you want to be dropped, sir?" Rob lowered the screen between the driver and his passengers. Fully prepared, he knew which entry would have fewer people present and helped the driver find it.

Rob opened the door of the limo and helped the women, one after another, step out of the limousine. Few were nearby, even so some stopped to look at them. Rob smiled, inside the mall they would surely get the attention of many more people.

Chapter 2

Rob and the four women spent some hours shopping, breaking into smaller groups to attract less attention. They saw each other occasionally, the women sometimes changing who they walked with. They gathered briefly for a light lunch in one of the mall's cafes.

There were minor incidents of staring to embarrass the women. In the late afternoon they headed for the exit. On the way out, a group of younger men stopped to stare, whistle and make lewd comments as they passed. Rob had hoped this would happen, just enough to make all four of them uneasy and embarrassed. Helena's face got quite serious, Rob couldn't tell if it was out of excitement or out of shame.

Their limousine driver had pulled up, ready for his passengers. The boot stood open, the driver stowed all their purchases there. The women took their places in the car. Rob boarded last after confirming the destination with their driver.

Once they were driving, Rob had a question. "So ladies, did you have a good time, in spite of some inconvenience of showing your lovely legs?" His intent was to be provocative.

Immediately Kim spoke up. "Yes, let's plan another trip. I had great fun. I like to embarrass strangers."

The others looked at Kim with some displeasure, as if they were seeing her for the first time. Helena shook her head. "Our doctor can become quite a different person when opportunity presents."

Cathy spoke up. "It was more fun than I thought it would be, but dressing like that in public was more than I'm ready to take. I'll wear the dress again, Rob, but in private, just for ourselves."

Marion agreed. "I had fun this afternoon, more than I expected. I don't care if people are looking at me when I dress provocatively. I might be a bit like Kim, I can like being startling now and then."

Rob wasn't going to let Helena get away. "What about you? Did you like it, or not?"

"To be honest, I was very afraid someone might recognize me or some other thing that would embarrass me." Helena held up a hand as if fending someone off. "When those dreadful boys whistled at us, I could feel the color rushing up my face. So, no, not another time dressed like this."

The hour driving to Northampton was uneventful. The restaurant Rob had arranged was known for its wine cellar and inventive chef, also for customers who tended to be less conventional. Rob had arranged for a table in the back, nearly out of sight. When he and his company made their entrance, the host greeted him and immediately escorted them to their tables.

After they had wine in their glasses and ordered their meals, Rob leaned into the table and said, "Ladies, time to continue the punishment."

"Oh, please." Marion was instantly exasperated. "Point taken. All is forgiven now, how can you possibly have more punishment for us. Do stop being so full of yourself." She went on for a bit. Rob just let her talk, not really listening to what she said.

Rob left a little silence before speaking after she finished. "Marion, if you haven't seen the cane brought back out, can the punishment be over?" The ladies at the table instantly went silent and looked to Rob. "You have a choice, right here and now. You can go along with the entire punishment, all the way to the end, even though I'm 'so full of myself.' If you don't intend to do that, one of the security detail will put you in one of the cars and take you wherever you wish to be taken. I'll take care to assure I never see you again.

"Our security people traveled in two cars, to keep a car is free to take someone away, should it become necessary."

He gave the four a pleasant smile. "So, who's leaving now, who's staying to take their punishment?"

Helena responded by putting her hand over his hand and squeezing gently.

"Good. This part of the punishment is a lecture. You'll be judged by your participation. The waiter won't bring out our meals until I give a signal.

"Tell me what you learned, being on display like that? Kim, I doubt you learnt a thing, I'll let you out. Cathy?"

She took a few seconds to gather her thoughts before speaking. "I didn't like being told what to wear. No, I liked what you told me to wear, I didn't like being taken out where I'd be seen by strangers wearing it. Intimacy should be... intimate."

Rob was impressed when Marion was next to answer. "I value the difference between my life out in the world and my life in the playroom. There are playroom things that don't belong in my real life. In the same sense, there are things from my life that shouldn't come into the playroom."

It was Helena's turn. "I was reminded of how cautious I am about my public image. I would do a great deal to not be embarrassed like that again. Even the thought I might be noticed or worse, identified out there with you made my day difficult."

Kim had something to add. "Rob, I'm not as flighty as you think, I did learn something worth mentioning. I didn't mind shocking people, hell, I'd have been happy walking through the mall in nothing but stockings. But I could also see my friends, the people dearest to me not only didn't like themselves on display, they didn't like my drawing more attention to us as a group. I learned sometimes what's good for our group, our family, is more important than my own impulses of the moment."

Rob sat thinking for a moment, the ladies waiting for him to speak.

"Two things I wanted you to learn and I thank you for naming them both.

"First, I want you to be more considerate of how I might feel when you do things. Cathy, you've tricked me into going for a public walk in that stupid sissy dress. It was a terror for me. I managed to look calm that day, that evening, the next day, the next week, but inside I was seething, constantly holding back the impulse to make certain you would never again do something like that to me."

Cathy's face shifted from calm, to defiant, to sorrow as he spoke.

"I managed not to run away, but that was the beginning of quite a series of big challenges for me in the past few months. That's my second point. I've crammed all manner of things into today, from foolish to pleasant. Would you feel differently about each of these events, shopping, dressing provocatively, lunch in a cafe, dinner in a restaurant, a caning, if they were further apart, not all bunched together in a single day?

"I ask you to pay attention to how frequently you propose something new with me. What's happened to me recently, all in rapid succession, has been quite a challenge. Think about the impact on you, then consider recent events and their cumulative impact on me. This is an example of what I most need from you, all four of you: empathy."

Pausing, Rob noted Marion treating him as he had when she was talking: displaying little interest. "What I'm calling on you to do is stop relying on your impulses of the moment. As Kim said, stop assuming what you want is good for our circle."

His look to each of the women around the table ended with his eyes on Helena. The next question was hers alone. "I understand it's common for a mistress to drop a sub after a few years, observing there is nothing left for the two of them to do together. Is this where you expect your relationship with me to go?"

Helena was shocked by the question but didn't hesitate to respond. "I intend a long term relationship. For life. I'll personally hurt anyone who messes it up."

Rob nodded in agreement with Helena. "So, look at the nature of what you want to do and think about how I might take it. Will it help or hurt our relationship, our friendship, our family as Kim styled it, in the long term? Start from the assumption what we do together cannot be on a whim, being part of a long-term relationship. Look to the future. Too many things all at once is a problem. Surprising me is a problem. Don't do it." He held out his hands, spread in invitation. "Have you any questions?"

He was greeted with silence. "Good, then. I hope you've all learned your lesson. This trip is the only event like this. There will be no next time."

Kim was surprised. "You won't go shopping with us any more?"

"You don't understand what I am saying. The next time I feel really hurt or humiliated - I don't mean a little chaff - there won't be a punishment. I will simply leave."

"So, do you still want to reconsider our marriage?" Helena's face showed Rob he'd been too plain-spoken with his words.

He took her hand. "I want a lifetime of marriage with a wife I love and adore. I'd prefer a wife who loves and adores me, too. What you can help me with is fewer reasons to question my judgment on who my wife should be. You know I hate these surprises. You saw how angry I was a week ago. You know I hate being expected to join in the instant, no notice, no discussion. It's simply too much for me, I'm uneasy with no idea what's coming and you offering no choice but to participate. That is why I insist on consent, not just consent in general: consent each time we begin. We will, each time, agree on what will happen, at least the general form and the limits.

"Listen, I take these things seriously, you call them games but they aren't games with me, not the way you've been doing these things. You think it's all innocent and you don't see I can't handle it. No, I could handle it, but I have no reason to tolerate this kind of stress.

"Call me overreacting, but the next time my impulse is to leave, I shall. I am ready to move away from the Midlands, leave England if I must, exit your lives completely."

Helena looked as if he had hit her. She had tears in her eyes, but said nothing. Marion comforted her by taking her hands in her hands and giving Rob an angry look.

Rob's softened his voice. "I'm sorry Helena. My words may seem extreme, but what I experience can be extreme. I'm cautioning you, all four of you, to think of this."

His voice grew more stern. "Marion, you've been giving me angry looks. You know exactly what I am talking about. If I leave, rest assure I have been pushed. I won't leave because I jumped." Rob turned looked around the circle, making direct eye contact with each of Kim, Cathy, Marion and Helena. "So, ladies: no more games. Especially no more surprises. No secrets. Do I make myself very clear?" He had an unmistakable threat in his voice.

Helena answered for all of them. "Yes, Rob, no more surprises, no secrets."

Rob leaned over and kissed her. "I take your word on this. If I'm to be your husband, we should talk more often, really talk." Helena leaned over, an arm around his neck, her head on his shoulder. He smoothed back a hair which had fallen near her eyes.

Rob decided to break the mood. He raised his glass. "To love and friendship!" They all joined in the toast. Their meal was served and the atmosphere lightened.

As the limousine stopped before Rob's house, the door opened and Sylvia came outside, both dogs on the leash.

Sylvia walked the dogs then left to go home. The ladies were chatting in his living room. Rob knew it was time for the final part of the punishment. This was the part that had to go just right.

He called for the women to gather in the first bedroom on the hallway. He picked up the cane from behind the door room, swishing it experimentally as they came in.

Helena looked at him, her eyes large. She whispered, "Are you really going to cane us?"

"I said there would be a caning, it's the only thing you knew in advance." Rob spoke with no trace of compassion. "This is the last part of the punishment and I want it over by midnight so I can sleep. Afterwards you can choose to stay or leave. I care not what you do. As for me, in the immortal words of Sir Elton, I'm sleeping with myself tonight." Kim tried to give him a smile, break the mood, but when his cold eyes rested on her, she also looked down.

He ordered the ladies to take off their dresses. In just a minute they all stood before him in their lingerie. On any other night they might have looked sexy but it was ruined by the expressions on their faces.

Rob swished the cane again. "I shall cane each of you, one by one, in the room next door. Six for Helena, five for each of you others. When I am done with you, you proceed into the main bedroom. When all four of you are in my bedroom, after the caning, I will have a few final words, then I'll dismiss you to do as you wish.

"Helena, you're first, it's time for your six." He led her down the hall. In the second bedroom Rob rearranged a few cushions on the end of the bed. He set the cane on the bed and took a wicked-looking, hinged paddle from the bottom of the wardrobe. "Do you know what this is?"

She shook her head. She didn't even want to imagine.

"It's called a clapper or a slapstick, a percussion instrument. It's used in an orchestra, not for BDSM." His voice was very quiet. "Helena, I could never hit you in anger, I love you. But the other three will be caned and they must think you've been caned as well. You must do your part by crying out at the right time.

"Bend over, here." His voice was loud enough again for the others to overhear. He guided her to lay over the cushions, her bottom in the air. Rob held the clapper behind her back. "I'll be ready in a second, just give me a..."

Snap! The sharp sound was loud, very close behind Helena's head. She involuntarily cried out. After a pause, he moved the clapper a little closer to her head and surprised her by making the second snap, eliciting a second cry. The third came after a much shorter pause, surprising her again.

"Halfway." Rob spoke loudly again. He followed the pattern with the final three strokes, using the location of the sound and the timing to get Helena to cry out with each one. When he was done, Rob helped her up, gave her a kiss. Quietly he reminded her to act as though she'd been caned. "Only you will be spared."

He opened the bedroom door, guided Helena to his room and called for Cathy. As she walked in the door she said, "I'll take six, in solidarity with Helena. Rob, you really have gone too far, this is going to change our relationship."

When the door was closed Rob surprised her with a quick kiss. "Cathy, I have far too much respect for you, I could never give you a caning." He quickly explained the clapper and told her she was the only one he would not be caning. "You have worked so hard for me and I appreciate all you've done. I respect and trust you more than the others. I won't put our relationship in jeopardy." He repeated the six, fake blows. She performed well, assisted by the loud surprises behind her back.

Then it was Marion's turn. She came in haughtily, also calling for six, not five strokes of the cane. Perhaps the women had discussed it. The sight of the frightening contraption stopped her short. For Marion, Rob said he was afraid to hit her, he was convinced she would take her revenge in a later session in the playroom. He managed to encourage appropriate noises out of even steely Marion.

Kim was the final of the four women. He closed the door. "Kim, your punishment is I won't give you the pleasure of a caning. But you are the only one, the others are in there quite sore." The process was repeated again. He put the clapper back in the wardrobe.

He escorted Kim into his bedroom, gratified to see the other three acting like they had welts on the bottoms. "A very important point: yes, I did hurt you. This is a simple, physical manifestation of the heartache you give me with these tricks you play. One final time: no tricks, no surprises, no secrets. No heartache. There will be no repetitions of a day like today. You all know what I'm prepared to do if there is too much all at once, either one event that's too much or a series of events too close together."

He dismissed the ladies and they filed out of his room. He closed the door and was soon asleep.

Chapter 3

When he returned from walking the dogs' early morning walk then next day, he could hear giggling and talk in the main bedroom at the end of the hall.

"Oh, Rob would you mind joining us?" The glimpse of Helena said she was at least topless.

When Rob stepped into his own bedroom, he saw all four women, each wearing only stockings and suspender belts. Together they were a very erotic sight, done especially for him.

Cathy grabbed his hand. "We're worried at how skilled you are with the cane. We all felt the pain you gave us, but this morning not one of us has a mark to show for it." They all turned and bent over, giving him a good look at four very attractive bums.

They turned back, surrounding him, crowding around him, hands pulling and plucking. Within seconds, Rob had been stripped naked by expert hands. They complained he was the only one not wearing stockings. Helena fastened a black waist-cincher around him then pushed him to sit on the edge of the bed. Cathy and Marion each rolled a sheer stocking up his legs and fastened them to the garter clips. All the while Kim was stroking his member, giving it kisses. Unseen hands helped him into his new pink peignoir. He was gently guided to lie in the center of his bed.

Helena took him in her mouth, kissing and sucking, Marion sat on his face. Cathy and Kim each took hold one one of his hands; guiding his fingers to where they were already wet and warm. The girls were also horny as hell. They each placed a vibrator in Rob's hand, guiding them to slide into their pussy's. Helena mounted him and his cock slid into her moist hot cunt.

Rob was being taken by four eager women, all wanting their share. They were so uninhibited. Had they all had been drinking this early?

Helena and Marion keeping him occupied, Kim and Cathy put cuffs on his wrists and secured them to the bed. His ankles soon followed and he was unable to move, completely at their mercy. With his hands off the edge of the bed, they used tape to keep his hands in a grip under the dildo-shaped vibrators so he could not drop them. They stood straight up and ready to be used.

Marion claimed his dick and straddled him. Helena didn't object, she just climbed on the bed and knelt over Rob's mouth, gripping his head between her stocking-covered legs. Rob was forced to worship Helena with his mouth.

Marion slowly moved her body up and down. She reached out to Helena's breasts, toying with her nipples. Each time Marion squeezed a bit harder, Helena pushed her cunt against Rob's nose and mouth. He did his best to satisfy Helena, as his dick was being stimulated a little slowly. The only thing he could move was his head, only a little. Sometime he gasped for breath after being smothered between Helena's thighs. He licked her pussy, penetrated her with his tongue, tried to stimulate her clit, but was in fact a bit helpless; the women did all the work. It even hurt at times as Helena rubbed her cunt all over his face, he felt her pubic bone pressing against his nose. He felt suspender clips hard against his cheek. He was still mad with lust. He was buried under wet women flesh, the juices of Helena's cunt covered his face and he worked his tongue in and out, trying to drink her as much as possible.

Kim and Cathy were enjoying themselves. They each had a vibrator from Rob's fist in their vaginas, hands free to caress Helena. Marion squeezed Helena's breasts. One after another they climaxed. Rob wasn't quite there yet when Marion finally climbed off him.

The four of them looked at each other, laughing, Rob still tied to the bed.

"Can you turn me loose?"

Marion answered, "oh, no. There is more."

She and Helena untied the ropes on his ankle cuffs, moving them from the bed to two eyes screwed into the wall. Pulling on the rope pulled his legs up. Cathy shoved a cushion under his lower back.

The screw-eyes were new to his bedroom. "When did you fix those things to the wall? What perverts you are!"

Helena just winked at him. Cathy climbed over his face, just as Helena had done. "Start licking, lover!"

Rob couldn't see, but he knew what to expect. He'd had a glimpse of Marion strapping on a dildo on its harness. Helena worked one of the vibrators in and out of his arse, applying more and more lube. Finally he was slippery enough and Marion stood before him. For a moment Cathy raised herself so Rob could look at Marion who showed him the dildo.

"This is a life-size dildo. It's not as large as the one Jenny used on you, but larger than we tried on you before. You will become Helena's husband and our submissive. I am your mistress and I expect you to take whatever I choose for you without complaint. I know better than you what you require. Once you get used to it, you will love it. Girls must suffer sometimes, you know, as they begin to learn about pleasure."

Rob shouted in horror. "No, no!" His mood changed completely.

Helena stroked his hair. "Be brave darling, we know what we're doing. Relax and enjoy the ride."

Helena turned and then also fastened on another dildo the same size. It wobbled with each step she took toward the foot of the bed.

Marion looked around. "Are we all ready?"

"You came prepared for this - this isn't spontaneous!" Rob accused them.

Helena smiled. "Of course not. We had to be sure you would be willing and in a good mood. We know you're not entirely willing, but think of it as a girl who loses her maidenhead. You'll not be hurt, maybe a bit of discomfort at first. I know you will be brave." She gestured. "Marion, I think we're ready."

Kim took his member in her hand and slowly let it glide through her lubricated fingers, as though it were a dildo. The effect on Rob was immediate. He had been softening a bit, but he he quickly was both hard and aroused.

Marion worked two fingers into his arse and when she thought he was relaxed enough she put her dildo to his hole. She patiently guided it, fractions of an inch at a time, into his arse. Now and then she stopped to let Rob get used to the intruder, before she pushed a little bit further. Cathy was intentionally smothering Rob again. She let him have air now and then, punctuated by a demand he lick her as much as possible. Rob tried to do his best, but was constantly distracted by the dildo trying to pass his sphincter and the effect Kim's teasing fingers on his erection. Kim took care to bring him near the edge, then stimulate him far less so he'd cool off again. He didn't know she even had ice nearby, in case more drastic steps were necessary to keep him from reaching his orgasm.

Marion kept pushing. She slipped the head past his tense muscle, which had been trying in vain to keep the dildo out. It was then easier for Marion to push deeper and deeper, until he felt her legs against his, the base of the dildo pressing against him. He was filled up completely.

Rob felt as if his arse would tear apart. He might have screamed but Cathy just smothered him. Kim stimulated his dick more. They knew he was in pain, still they wanted to see it through, it would make things easier in the future. They had each tried this themselves in the past, they knew from their own experience how wonderful it would feel once he got used to it.

Cathy rose a bit, to give Rob air. He had relaxed a bit, now the final barrier had been passed. Marion moved in and out, pumping him, feeling less resistance from his bum. With a grin on her face Cathy told him, "girls learn to love it, once they feel a proper dick."

Marion bent over a bit, giving space to Helena, who was standing behind her and Helena shoved the dildo into Marion's arse, just like Marion was doing to Rob. With each thrust Helena gave to Marion, Marion did the same to Rob. They were not using ordinary dildos. They were doubles so with their thrusts into him gave them penetration into their own cunts.

Kim stopped stimulating Rob's dick, expecting it would now stay rock-hard without her teasing. Now Kim grabbed a dildo and worked it in her own cunt, looking at Marion and Helena.

Marion took her time to build up to her own climax - without compassion for Rob, whose arse was becoming sore. Finally Marion's body stiffened, her shoulders went back. She shouted, "oh, ohh yes!" Pushing as hard as she could against Rob, she bucked her hips, finally slowing as the pinnacle waned. When she finished, she simply held still. Helena was still fucking her, Marion waited. Kim took out a hand towel and wiped the lube from Rob's dick. Helena came a minute later, with a cry and shuddered and trembled. Once Helen had pulled her dildo out, Marion pulled out of Rob with a plop, moved to the side of the bed, bent over Rob and took his member in her mouth.

Rob had given Cathy at least two climaxes, but it would be more honest to say she had taken them herself constantly rubbing her cunt over his mouth and nose.

The soft, warm feel of Marion's tongue brought Rob instantly to the edge. She slowed, prolonging the last bit of the build-up, until finally there was nothing could stop his climax. Marion took all of it in her mouth as she tapped Cathy on the back, signaling it was time to move aside. Marion moved up to look at Rob's face, she put her mouth over his mouth and when she opened it and inserted her tongue through this lips, snowballing his own cum into his mouth.

With a devilish smile Marion looked him in the eye. "And all girls learn to love the taste of semen!" The women laughed, Rob's expression darkened. He wasn't hung up about the fluids from himself, but he didn't like the idea Marion suggested. Then he admitted to himself he could see the humor of it and his face relaxed.

Cathy and Kim released him. Marion still wore her strapon and he had an idea. "Mistress, let me clean that for you." He helped her take off the harness, glancing up to see Cathy's amused expression. He reappeared in ten minutes and joined them in the bathroom. They all tried to get him hard again, but he was exhausted by all the emotions he had endured and went to lie on the bed, to take a short nap.

Rob woke when he felt chilled. He found all four women sleeping on the bed, next to him. He slipped off the bed, fetched a few sheets and blankets and covered them all.

His arse was a bit sore but he had to admit, when the dildo was pulled out, he had felt a bit empty. In truth, it had been some fun. Still, they had only yesterday agreed to recognize his limits, to stop trying to change his limits and to stop surprising him.

He realized they came to his delivery of punishment with a harsh response prepared. They'd made their promises to him knowing what they had planned. There was no evidence they'd moderated or postponed their plans when his punishment turned out to be not too unpleasant. Who was disregarded again? From now on he would be more selfish.

It was midmorning. With a sigh, he slipped out from the bed full of women, dressed and took the dogs out again, deciding to go for a longer walk in the woods.

Chapter 4

Pulling into the car park at the dogs' favorite piece of woods, he saw Michelle's car was there. He let his dogs run, soon he heard them barking out of joy, they had obviously met their buddy Boris.

He wasn't so keen to meet Michelle but had already let the dogs free to run. He went to the creek and saw the three dogs running through the water.

He saw Michelle sitting on the fallen tree again. She waved to him but he did not come closer. She stood and walked towards him slowly, watching the dogs.

"Good morning. I'd have thought you'd be here much earlier."

Rob wished her also a good morning, his voice neutral.

Michelle frowned. "Are you angry with me?" He saw Michelle's face was coloring. She still had some decency in her, he thought. But he said nothing.

"Rob, I'm sorry." Michelle looked crestfallen. "I should have told you at the very start. It was unfair but it was not on purpose, believe me. I realized only later who you were. I hope we still can be friends."

When Rob finally spoke, it was to mock her words. "Friends? I already have too many Mistresses as friends. I can't handle one more."

Michelle's answer was soft. "I'm not your Mistress."

Rob grimaced. "No woman ever will be." He grimaced. "I'll just make my normal rounds." He whistled to his dogs.

"May I come along, Rob?"

Rob looked like he was seeing her for the first time. "You're behavior is so totally different from other Mistresses I know. How is it you are the head Mistress? I thought you would be more commanding."

"There is a difference between being friendly and polite towards a friend and being the Mistress for a submissive."

Rob was still defiant. "I am neither submissive nor your friend."

Her voice was still soft, wistful. "Aren't you? I thought we were becoming friends."

Rob was still hostile despite her apparent mood. "And what do you propose? Would you want me to introduce you to Helena's circle of friends? I know nothing about you."

Michelle suddenly started to cry; she leaned against a tree and covered her face with her hands. Her shoulders were shaking. Realizing he was making it worse, Rob eased his arms around her shoulder, pulled her close. Her head on his shoulder, she kept crying.

"What's the matter, Michelle? This can't be about me."

Between sobs, she answered. "It's only a little about you. It's about many things, like the responsibility. Do you think I wanted this? It was forced on me, I was selected by people in the group, they called it an election, not for my skills, not because of the power I wield or the teaching I do. They didn't even ask if I wanted it. No, they just decided I shall be their new Queen. One of them said I was the best looking."

She looked uncertainly up at Rob. Then her expression had more resolve. "You know, as a Mistress I am popular. But I am also good at mistressing, I can be a very severe Mistress for the pain-sluts, but mostly I see myself being a play partner, one who gives and receives in a manner consistent with what my client seeks."

"I might like that."

"I just want to have fun, without all that, that - stuff. I'll had administrative responsibilities. I'll have obligations to mentor my fellow Mistresses, it will take much of my time. They're even holding an inauguration. I don't want it, but they're pressuring me."

"Who are they?"

"Powerful people, rich people." She chuckled. "You don't appreciate how many millionaires, how many politicians, how many solicitors you terrified when you took your revenge on Iris. They came back quickly enough, bored people who just want to be entertained. Many of them want only to watch, the kinkier the better.

"The club was established for people to participate, not just to watch a show. That's why the room is so large, with so many stations available. To my knowledge none of these rich people have ever whipped, nor been whipped. Not even been in bondage. They think they have the right to watch something completely new every time they come." She shrugged. "Some people expect to be given everything they want. They pay for it, they want it, no matter the cost to others."

Rob nodded and gave her a squeeze, his arms still around her shoulders. "That I understand all too well. What about your submissives? Don't you have friends among them who can help protect you against those who are after you?"

"You have no idea Rob, how powerful some of these men are. I can't resist them; I'm so tired with all of the fighting." She wiped her eyes.

"For a Mistress, you sure do cry a lot." Rob immediately knew his words were too harsh. Michelle's face shadowed again, she turned away from Rob, her shoulders moving as she sobbed.

He stepped around her, took her head in his hands and kissed her forehead. "I'm too blunt when I speak, ask anyone. Ask Helena, I just told her off again yesterday." He put his arms around her, holding her against his chest, trying to offer comfort. He thought he might tell Helena off again when he returned to his home.

Michelle slowly recovered herself. When they walked back to her car, he held her hand.

As Boris jumped into the back seat of her car, she leaned in to Rob, to kiss him. Unlike the last time they'd met, he didn't hesitate to return her kiss. She could not let him go, her arms around him, her forehead against his chest. "Hold me Rob; please hold me for another minute. I feel so alone."

You and I both, Rob thought. Feeling alone in a home full of supposed girlfriends was why he was out on this long walk.

Finally she let him go, looked him in the eyes. "Goodbye Rob."

"I'm sorry you're in this situation. I'm not sure what I can do to help, but if anything within my reach will help you, I'll do it for you. Think about the advice you gave me: say no to them." With a soft smile on her face she finally drove off.

Rob drove home thinking about this strange encounter. Michelle didn't just kiss him, there was some passion in what she did. The others would not like it, not at all. He knew Helena was tolerant, but this woman was going a bit far. He sighed; he had to discourage Michelle. Maybe Helena would pity her. He decided not to tell anyone about his meeting this morning, at least, not about the kiss.

When he came home, Kim and Cathy were sitting on the couch just wearing their nightgowns and negligees watching a show about English history on his old television. Marion was in the bedrooms, making up their beds.

Helena was busy in the kitchen, she greeted him with a smile. "I saw what you did with the dildo. Cathy explained you did it to hers. I think it was funny, a fine way to express your anger. Poor Marion doesn't understand. She really can be quite blind at times."

Suddenly she stiffened and with accusing eyes. "You smell of a perfume I don't recognize."

Rob didn't hesitate. "I met that woman again, Michelle, walking the dogs. She had a bit of a cry, I held her. I guess that's the perfume you smell."

"Did you have a rendezvous with her?"

"Of course not. We meet by happenstance once in a while. She brings her dog for a run to the same wood where I take mine. It's been three times in, what, two months? Yes, today we walked together and talked. It appears she doesn't want to be head Mistress for that Northampton club at all, but she's being pushed to do it by powerful people. She talked about how she felt about it."

"You were close enough that you have her perfume on you. That's more than talking."

"She was crying, I gave her some comfort, I had my arms around her."

"I should have known, you make women cry. What did you say to her?"

"No, it wasn't me this time. Well, here's how it was me: I caused Iris to be dethroned, Michelle is being pressed to fill her shoes. She isn't happy with the role. There are too many demands on her time, too many people who expect their demands will be met.

"I made it worse, I gave her advice she didn't like. I told her to say no to these people and walk away from them. It sounds like some of them have it in their power to make her life miserable if she doesn't do as they wish." He missed Helena's frown.

"So, now you know everything. She cried, I held her, there was a kiss goodbye."

"Rob, there is anything going on between you and Michelle?"

"There is nothing going on between Michelle and I, nothing. I have too many women with demands for me already, I can't imagine giving up my little free time to a woman on the side.

"I started the talk with her today by pushing her away. That just caused her tears, so I gave her comfort."

"Are you planning to bring her into the circle?"

"I do not bring women people into your circle. It's your circle, not mine." Rob stopped himself from saying he was the circle's toy.

"In the past the circle was larger, we were sometimes ten to twelve women, but many found a new partner and dropped out. We few were the losers, we comforted each other, but couldn't find a husband or friend until you came." Helena sounded unsettled.

"And, are you happy?"

"You aren't always easy to deal with, I must admit. You make me cry too often. I try to do my best to please you, but sometimes I don't know what you're thinking. On the whole, I'm happy with you, not always, but much of the time. And I like it here on your little house, I must admit. It feels normal; we behave as a normal family, especially when it's just the two of us."

"Helena, I must say you make me cry too often as well. I often get the feeling your circle doesn't include me, I'm present but not part of it, you're just using me. Like this morning, even with four women I felt lonely." And used, Rob thought.

Helena was shocked. "You felt lonely? I thought we had a great time together this morning! We made made such detailed preparations. We even had to drill a hole in the wall by ourselves whilst you were away with the dogs. We had to plan it carefully."

"I understand. Although you broke a rule, I did enjoy it some. But afterwards I felt cold and I was lying alone. Kim and Cathy were lying next to another, you and Marion. I got out of bed without waking any of you. I was reminded of how you two said you wanted me between you. I was between you, but not with you. I woke up cold. I ended up covering all of you up and going out with the dogs. So, yes, I felt cold and alone with four women in bed with me."

Rob turned abruptly and walked out on her, leaving her, once again, with tears in her eyes. He wanted to be alone. What he just had said to Helena had been bothering him the whole morning. He'd been aware of the loneliness for some time. Finally that morning he'd found the words. Just yesterday he had announced to them things had to change. Within hours, he was shown how little had changed. Sure, Helena made breakfast and Marion straightened the beds, but they'd done a scene without his consent. He would not have given his consent. He still felt locked out, excluded, from the circle living in his own home.

He started to shower. As he rinsed his hair, the shower door opened and Helena stepped in with him. She kissed him. "I'm listening to you and I understand. Tonight it will be just you and I, nobody else. We will marry, the others don't really matter, they can go if it interferes with us. I think the others have been fun for me, but at a cost to you. I don't like what you just said and I want to make it right."

Rob looked at Helena, the water flowed over her long brown hair and over her face. He knew her well enough to see from her face, her eyes, she was in distress. He finally had made her hear his concerns, but at a cost. He kissed her, the water cascading over their shoulders.

Rob changed the subject. "What about Michelle? What do I say to her when I meet her again? Should I tell her about our circle?"

"I was thinking she needs friends, real friends who support her. I understand all too well how the rich can behave, I've been doing it myself. Bring her to meet me when you get the chance. I'd like to offer our friendship to her."

After the shower Rob and Helena used their towels to dry each other. That simple act made them feel closer again.

When they returned to the living room, Marion, Kim and Cathy were talking. Marion turned to Rob. "We shall get you some piercings soon."

Rob looked at her coolly. "Really?"

"Yes, it is our place to say what we want. Your place is to do what we know is right."

Rob nodded. "Why stop at a few piercings? It's time to stop taking half-measures. We should pierce my nipples, you do want my nipples more sensitive. I imagine you'll enjoy a Prince Albert piercing as well. You want a nice round stud through my tongue, a little something more for you when you require my oral service. If it pleases you ladies, I could have breast implants. I'll grow my hair out, get a more feminine style for your pleasure. I must have a collar of course, a wide metal collar, the kind that is riveted on, permanent. We should get anal dilators so you don't need to go through the trouble of working up to bigger dildos. Would you like my ears pierced? I should think two piercings, that's more feminine. One of the ladies can take over my bedroom, of course I'll have no use for a room of my own. When you're not using me I'll sleep locked in a cage at the foot of Helena's bed." His voice had a flat tone to it, as thought a recitation.

"We haven't talked about chastity yet, you could lock me up in a nice metal belt. But you'll tire of having to put me in and take me out, after all what's you lock in the cage is the only reason to keep me around. I've just seen a new idea, I expect you'll love it: there's a new castration surgery which results in a man who can have erections, but can never ejaculate. That would be perfect for you, I'll get hard whenever you want, ready to serve all four of you in a single night, always randy, desperate even, always eager to please. I think you'd like me castrated."

There was a long silence. Finally, Cathy said, "Rob, isn't that a little extreme?" He didn't respond. "Is any of those things what you want?"

"This isn't a discussion about what I want, is it?"

Another long silence, then Helena said quietly, "Rob, what do you want?"

"How is that relevant?"

Helena sighed in exasperation. "It's relevant because you have a say in the matter. You're supposed to become my husband, not my sex slave."

"Do I have a say in the matter? Really?"

"Of course you do."

Rob turned to Kim. "What did you tell Marion about piercings?"

"I just said we discussed it some time back."

"How did you describe my reaction?"

"That you were lukewarm at best to the idea."

Rob turned back to Helena. "What did I say to you?"

"You said you don't even like a ring on your finger, much less the idea of piercings."

There was a long silence while Rob just looked at Helena. His face held no readable expression, he was just creating a long silence as the appropriate response to her comment. It was up to her.

He waited.

She got it right. "It's settled, there will be no body modifications."

Rob turned to Marion. "Once again you take the slightest hint, you turn demanding and haughty. You demand still another sacrifice from me. It started as just a whim. Ah, but you can't let the whim go.

"Marion, stop it. Just stop having such foolish ideas. I tell you this, if I leave Helena the single most likely cause will be something you do.

"That time is now already upon us. It's clear to me our fun little activity this morning was carefully planned. You didn't know what the promised punishment would entail. You imagined a worst case and prepared accordingly how you'd exact your revenge. You learned my punishment was not so difficult to bear - even the caning was not too bad. Yet you didn't make the slightest change to your plans. Marion, the morning after pledging you would not go too far, you went too far again. The morning after pledging games would be agreed before starting, you led a game despite my protests. The morning after you pledge no surprises, you surprise me. I take your promises seriously, it appears you don't."

He turned to Helena. "What did I say would happen the next time you go too far?"

Marion cried out to him. "Rob, please! Don't blame Helena, it was all my doing. I planned it, I bought the dildos. I bought the hooks for the wall. We wanted it to be fun for you! We planned so carefully to not go too far! Then you threaten to distance yourself from us, you bring tears to my eyes when you say these things!"

"You told me to wait for the pleasure after the pain. But you are unwilling to face the pain after taking your pleasure at my expense. When you abuse me, you will experience consequences. Yes, don't look at me like that, what you did this morning was abuse, you violated limits you know well.

"I tell you this: if I ever again experience something I interpret as an attempt to stretch my limits, I will respond by making you feel real pain. Apparently I didn't hit any of the four of you hard enough with the cane last night. That can be corrected."

He turned to Helena. "Here is a new limit: monogamy. As of this instant, lasting until no less than six months after we are married, I will agree to sexual contact with no one except you, Helena. You cannot give me to anyone, you cannot share me with anyone." He paused, glaring around the room to include all four of them, then turned back to Helena. "And at the moment even your chances of having sexual contact with me are not promising."

Helena didn't respond for a moment. "Rob, that's all well and good, but there is no wedding date, making your terms kind of ambiguous."

"Today is not ambiguous. Six months after our wedding is not ambiguous, it's only unknown. If you want a definitive end, set a date."

"Well, how can I set a date when you haven't proposed."

The four women were surprised to see Rob start to laugh. "Sorry, it's just I have always assumed you were taking charge on that score. I was expecting you to give me a command rather than me proposing."

He reached into a cupboard and took out a small box. "But I can correct that right now." He opened the box, dropped to one knee and presented the box to Helena so she could see the ring. "Helena, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"

Helena was taken aback by the evidence he'd been prepared for some time to propose to her. "I, uh, I, yes!" She pulled Rob to his feet and they wrapped their arms around each other. Rob was still holding the case with the ring. The other three ladies gathering around them got a good look at it before Helena.

After the initial, emotional response, Helena tried on her ring and stopped to admire it. It was not over-large, not flashy, but it was exquisitely made, it fit her taste perfectly.

Rob was also prepared with a list of things, from his memory, that had to be done. "Now, there are things to work out. There is a prenuptial agreement to be executed. And I made clear we shall have a written agreement on limits and how we're to play together. I gave you a draft, you owe me a response. I won't sign a prenup until we've a signed a contract on our play."

Helena was somewhere else entirely. "Will you wear my ring, a wedding band?"

"We'll have to discuss that." He glanced to the ladies witnessing his proposal. "In private."

"I still haven't eaten today." Hungry, Rob went to the kitchen looking for something to eat. He made a sandwich, sat at the kitchen table and began to eat.

Chapter 5

Cathy came into the kitchen and gave him a smile. "I want you to know you handled yourself very well. I thought your exaggerated response to piercing was quite effective. You might have been feeling anger, but you expressed none."

"I wasn't all that angry. To be honest, that scene on the bed this morning was hot, exciting. Marion didn't make a mistake, she was right up to, but not over, my limits. But I don't credit Marion's good judgment. This time she was lucky. But that crap about piercing had to be put down so I piled on more to set her back on her heels."

Cathy nodded. "She organized the scene; I'm relieved it went okay for you. I had my doubts but I just went along. You're right, she never said as much, but it was plain she had planned her revenge on you before she knew what form your punishment would take. Which was brilliant, by the way, the punishment. You gave us ways to feel us how you felt. I've learned, I have more empathy. Helena shows signs of learning as well.

"But Marion won't stop speaking as though you will simply do anything we command. I'm worried just what you said will happen: Marion will selfishly do something and it will result in you leaving all of us."

"I've been worried about Marion for some time." Rob grimaced. "But can I ask Helena to throw her out? It wouldn't be fair to Helena. I'm just watching Marion carefully, mostly for ways to move myself further from her."

Marion came into the kitchen, wiping her tears from her cheeks. "Rob, you are a lovely man, my love, my submissive, my pupil. Helena's fiancée and my slave."

"Not submissive, not your pupil. No one's slave!" He took a breath to calm down. "Games, played occasionally, out of love, in the playroom only and not until there's a written agreement."

"Of course, dear. There is a time for everything. Be my lover." She surprised him by wrapping her arms around him. Helena stepped in just then, he gave her a smile.

Marion kissed Helena then Rob again. "When will the playroom be finished? I want to arrange an engagement party for Helena as soon as possible. We'll want the playroom to celebrate properly!"

She took both Rob's hands. "You will learn your lesson, slave. I'll teach you to obey me."

Rob first response was anger, but the smile she gave him made him realize she was only teasing him. He laughed. "I must find a way to delay the completion date. You two are frightening me!"

Kim came into the kitchen, looking forlorn. She said what she was thinking. "I suppose a wedding means we will break up the circle."

"Nonsense," Helena said. "The circle will be around my marriage. In time we'll find a way to formalize our relationship, social contracts for each of you. Without the circle I am not sure I'd be sane today. Without the circle I doubt I'll ever keep my husband from getting bored, wandering off."

Rob grimaced but chose not to respond. He took Kim's hand over his, took Cathy's and placed it over Kim's, then Marion's. Helen put her hand on the top. "Ladies," Rob said. "To each of you I say this: I promise to care for you, to respect you and, yes, to trust you in good and bad times."

"As will I," Helena said.

"And so will I," Marion added.

"Yes." Cathy sounded determined. "I certainly will."

Kim looked at all their friends and tears filled her eyes. "I never thought this might be possible, but yes, I will too."

They all kissed each other.

"So, Rob, if we all want to fuck you again with the strap-ons, you're going to be okay?" Helena was giving him a devilish smile.

Rob's smile in response was more forced. "A little compassion. Not too many of you at once and not too often."

"Ooh!" Kim had begun thinking ahead. "We shall all buy dresses for the wedding! Rob too, you shall be dressed as a bride for the wedding."

"I'm not so sure. I must know who is going to be there before I decide if they see me in a dress. Discussion and planning will be necessary before I can agree."

Helena sided with Kim. "Rob, I think you should go shop for a bridal gown in case we decide you're to wear it. I suggest you go shopping for dresses next week, take Kim and Cathy with you. Buy a complete bridal ensemble. Just send the bill to me.

"The builder's making good progress. The house will soon be ready for us. Once the playroom is ready, we'll have an engagement party. We have some work ourselves, setting up in the playroom, the builders will be gone before we decorate."

"So the playroom will feature in this party?" Rob already knew the answer, he wanted to hear Helena say it.

"Yes, a small, private role. Not all the guests will see the playroom, but a select few will be invited to stay late for a private party. I'll assure you and we girls have a good time. Be prepared for a nuptial spanking."

She hadn't made a joke, Rob understood. S&M would of course play some role in the engagement party, then likely again in the wedding celebration. The bad evening in Marion's playroom tumbled out of his memories, giving him a shiver.

That afternoon they all felt relaxed and happy in an atmosphere of quiet celebration. Glasses of whiskey and brandy; snacks on the table, the dogs on the floor dozing, soft music playing in the background.

Rob and Helena didn't realize it, but for Cathy and Kim it was as if a heavy burden had been lifted. They didn't dare to mention it for themselves, but they had been quite apprehensive about how the wedding might affect them. They wanted to stay in the family, but they didn't want to stay if they would become a burden.

When she could grab a moment alone with him, Helena told Rob it would be better if Marion joined them tonight as she had been a bit upset, a refusal to be in their bedroom would come as a blow to her. Despite what they promised to each other earlier Marion should join them.

Nobody wanted to make dinner so they ordered their dinner to carry away from a local place. They all went out for a walk with Rob and his dogs. It was dark, cold and damp in the streets, but with the five of them, talking and laughing, they minded the chill less. Rob took Nicky and Inca on to the park. The ladies went to collect their dinner and take it home.

He let the dogs free and they disappeared into the dark. He heard loud barking and then three Dobermans came running back toward him. He knew the third dog: it was Boris, Michelle's Doberman. In the distance he saw Michelle's figure. Her face was hidden in the collar of her coat, but still he recognized her tall, slender silhouette. She came toward Rob slowly, she hadn't seen him. When she was quite close to him, he greeted her. "Michelle."

She was startled, then saw who he was and her face brightened. "Rob!"

"Hello again, Michelle. I didn't know you lived near here."

"I don't, it's a bit of a walk to get here, but Boris and I like this park, it's more sociable. I didn't realize you lived in this neighborhood."

"Yes, just up the way. Would you like to come by for a minute? I'll introduce you to my future wife and girlfriends."

"Wife and girlfriends?" Michelle seemed to still think he'd been joking.

"Ah, there they are." Rob pointed at the women in the distance and coming toward him, carrying a few bags. "Four women."

Helena saw Rob gesture toward her, standing beside a woman with a third Doberman. She immediately knew who the woman was.

She spoke quickly to the other three. "I think we're about to meet Michelle, the new Supreme Mistress."

They met at the street-corner, half-way between the park and Rob's house. Rob introduced Michelle to each of them and they shook hands. Rob worried Helena's reaction might be hostile, but she had asked to be introduced. Now that Helena could see this woman herself, she knew Rob had told her the truth. Michelle was a woman with troubles, all four ladies recognized the signals. They all had been in the same state, more or less, until they found comfort with each other in their circle of friends.

"Would you join us for dinner, Michelle? We can feed your dog too; it seems Nicky and Inca are his friends already."

"Oh yes, Boris and female dogs, especially other Dobermans, he's in heaven."

Rob saw Helena's expression change. "What a coincidence, meeting you here." He decided she looked sad.

"Not entirely, I come here often of a weekend. From where I live, it's still walking distance, not so far. The forest where Rob and I bumped into each other earlier is further, as it must be for Rob as well.

"Mightn't it be an imposition for me to join you? I believe you're celebrating something, I didn't understand quite what Rob meant."

Helena looked even sadder. "We are celebrating two coming events, my marriage to Rob, then a ceremony in which Cathy, Kim and Marion will officially sign a contract. They will join us to live at my estate. As soon as the renovation is ready for us, we have just decided to throw an engagement party."

Marion asked Michelle a question, apparently they recognized each other. Rob took Helena's hand and took her one step aside for a conversation in whispers. "What's the matter, dear?"

"I thought you found yourself another woman. Now I've met I understand what you said is true, but still I was afraid..." she didn't finish her sentence.

Rob was amazed she could have these thoughts. "You were afraid I might leave you for another mistress? Helena, if I were to run away now, it would be to no women at all for quite some time, not to another of the same ilk." He grinned. "Besides, I just proposed to you."

"Yes, yes. It's just - just today you told me you felt lonely, then you were so angry about the pegging. I thought I might lose you."

"It was my reaction to what you four did, Helena, don't blame me as though you had no involvement. Why do you enjoy such freedom of action then complain when I exercise my own freedom? You think I act like a spoilt child, but I feel more like a child's toy: roughly used during play, quickly dropped when playtime ends. Sometimes you treat me like nothing more than a dick, a warm dildo, to be used by any and all. Surprise: I have feelings. I am not fucking every cunt that comes my way, thus monogamy for now." What was she thinking?

Helena decided to let it rest, she would talk about it with the others. Rob had a point, but she didn't know what to do about it. First she wanted to know Michelle better.

Rob walked briskly toward his house, leaving the others behind. Initially he thought he'd unlock and make ready for the unexpected gathering. Suddenly, now, he was in no mood to entertain. He briefly considered taking the dogs in and locking the women out, but he saw it might feel good but would just make the problem larger. He made some extra turns, taking a very long way back to his flat. When he opened his front door, the dogs went in before him. He heard them barking when they found Boris. Rob hung up his coat and entered the living room. The women, now five, were holding glasses of red wine, Rob could see two bottles standing open.

Helena seemed irritated. "Where were you, Rob?"

"I thought you might have a better conversation with Michelle without me in the way." He didn't intend to tell her about his dark thoughts. The situation was uncertain enough already. Here he was again, he thought, the one obliged to walk carefully, not upset a fragile situation. If they knew he preferred all of them gone, the fracture might never be healed again. Helena signaled for him to meet her in the kitchen.

"Tell me what's bothering you. I recognized the signs the whole evening, it's just getting worse."

"If you want to know, I'm a bit fed up with all these women at the moment. I want peace and quiet."

"You should have thought about that before you proposed. I don't say you shouldn't, but you shall face the consequences. I don't pity you." She was mocking him, a little.

Rob knew Helena had a difficult time as well. "I'm sorry Helena, I don't blame you, it's just too much sometimes."

He paused, reconsidering his words. "I don't blame you alone, but you must understand you are not blameless." He took her hand and kissed it. "I love you, Helena. Sometimes I wonder if you understand how much I care for you. But in this warm flat and especially with such a crowd here, I have no privacy. Even at the pub someone from your security was inside. It can feel like there is always someone looking over my shoulder. Cathy and Kim can stay the weekend, but I want to be here with just the two of us."

"I totally agree, it's a bit crowded now." They left the kitchen and joined the others for the meal.

Rob finally decided Michelle had no part in what happened to him in the past. She just had the same, strange lifestyle as the four women who had taken over his home.

Chapter 6

With renovations to Helena's house making steady progress and December approaching, Cathy and Kim decided it would be a good time to buy dresses for the wedding so they could be ready for the it, whenever it might take place. For Rob, appearing as a bride was certainly going to be embarrassing. He expected to be humiliated, but he also knew he'd really like to wear one, it would thrill him to try them on in the shop.

Rob drove, following Kim's directions with no idea where she was taking him. She knew a large bridal shop on a shopping street in the center of Northampton. It was a Tuesday morning, all the shops were open but it was still mid-morning, it was not crowded. When they entered, they were the only customers.

A young sales woman greeted them, giving Rob a look of displeasure. "You know, the custom is the groom does not see the gown before the wedding."

Rob blushed. Before he could say anything, Cathy smiled broadly. "The dress we're looking for is for him. Do you have a problem with selling a gown to a man?"

The sales woman didn't blink an eye. "One moment please. I must get my supervisor." She disappeared behind a curtain at the back of the shop. In the meantime Rob, Kim and Cathy looked around, inspecting the dresses. Kim and Cathy went to look a bridal attendant dresses. Bridal dresses were all together, hung by size. Rob looked over the dresses likely to be in his size. His thoughts drifted to what he could wear as bridal lingerie.

Rob looked over as he heard a woman's approaching footsteps. A lady in her mid-forties was taking his measurements with her eyes as she approached. She looked him up and down, a pause that made Rob quite self-conscious. "So you want to wear a wedding gown?"

Rob abandoned his feelings of shame, especially when he didn't know the woman. At least she wasn't treating him as if he was a pervert. Maybe she'd sold dresses to men before. "Yes, please. I'm to be married soon. My bride wants me in a bridal gown along with her. I like the idea so here we are."

The woman smiled and extended her hand. "Call me Lisa. I'll be happy to help you. You want lingerie as well, I imagine?"

"Indeed I do, Lisa. My name is Rob. I am quite serious about buying a nice dress. Our friends Cathy and Kim are here to make sure I try it all on here in the shop." He gestured to Kim and Cathy coming over. "It's part of the fun, actually. "

"Of course. Have you thought about color?"

"Yes. Definitely not white, because my bride will wear white." Kim and Cathy nodded, this was discussed during their drive. "Any other color is good."

"Hmm. We've ivory, cream, yellow, pink and even red. Which do you prefer?" Gesturing, she led him to the rows of dresses hung up on display.

"Pink! What can we do in very pale pink?"

"Yes - wear pink!" Kim said with enthusiasm.

"Pink it shall be. I have this dress here with a lot of lace and ruffles. It comes in another cut where the front is short and the back long, daring and quite sexy. Either comes with a veil in pink, but I'm thinking the veil and the petticoat should have a black lace edging, not this pink lace. What do you think Rob?"

"How short is the front?"

"It's a summer wedding dress, but in your case I think it should be a bit shorter, sexier than standard. I suppose you aren't marrying in a church?"

They all laughed, although Rob, looking a bit unsettled, laughed less. "No Lisa, it's very private and sexy is good."

Lisa picked the dress from the rack and carried it to the back. "Follow me please; we'll fit it on you."

Suddenly Rob was self-conscious. "Err, Lisa. I'm not wearing lingerie."

"What do you want to wear beneath it? Not white lingerie. Pink or black? I'd suggest black as the accent color for the pink, all the way down to the skin."

Before Rob knew it, Lisa had him to the dressing area in back, leaving Kim and Cathy behind. "Not to worry, ladies, I'll take good care of him. Take a seat; when he's ready, we'll have him out for you to see."

The dressing room Lisa led Rob into was pretty large, but Rob could see a bride needs space to dress.

"Take your clothes off Rob. Underpants, too. I have panties here, you can keep them as a gift from me and it will be less embarrassing for you."

She handed him black French knickers, lots of lace at the legs and up the hips. He folded his clothes neatly on a chair. Rob was uncomfortable to feel himself getting hard. Lisa, unembarrassed, was watching with some interest. He turned away from her slightly and stood still for a moment. He resumed putting on his knickers. When he turned back toward Lisa his erection much less evident.

"I am impressed. Disappointed, I suppose, too." Lisa gestured slowly with her hand in a wanking motion. "I was thinking I'd help you be rid of the embarrassment the usual way." She left the dressing room to fetch his bridal lingerie set. She brought him a underbust corset with the satin panels alternating black and pink. Rob stood for her to fit the corset around his waist. After fastening the busk up the front, Lisa started to pull the cords at his back. Rob felt the pressure on his waist and chest. "Lisa, I can't breathe!"

"I'm only beginning! Now you can feel what women must endure to be pretty." Rob rolled his eyes. He was getting tired of that excuse. She kept on pulling the cords. With each pull the corset more snugly, pulling him in. She started pulling the cords tighter, working her way up, then taking away the slack she'd created. Finally the cords came together in the middle, giving Rob an hour-glass figure. She tied the cords in a knot and Rob sighed from relief when she was ready.

"Rob, you must wear this corset each day and the cords must be pulled a little tighter each day."

"What?"

"Yes, your body will get used to the corset and if you wear it each day, you'll notice you can pull the cords tighter each time."

She opened a small box. "You have no breasts; I have here some small pads women with smaller busts use to enhance themselves a bit. You can use this option or not, I'm just showing you the possibilities." She picked up a bullet bra in colors matching the corset. She quickly had it fastened around him.

"This style does well without pads." She couldn't resist and pinched a nipple.

"Please Lisa. I have enough women around me who want to do that every day! Cathy, one of the women out waiting to see me in a gown, is a mistress, as is my wife-to-be."

Lisa raised her eyebrows. "A real wedding? I thought you might just be doing a little fantasy scene! I don't get it. You're getting married, in earnest, to another woman?"

"The marriage is serious, the dress is a fun detail. We'll sign legal contracts with the other three women, who will live with us. I'll be obliged to care for all of them as wives."

"It must be a very special wedding. Do you think I might join the party? I often attend weddings to take photos of the bride, for use in my shop. In your case I wouldn't see photos doing much good for the shop, I must admit it will be more curiosity."

"You should ask one of the ladies. But, I must warn you, I'm told I'll be the only male present. Knowing them pretty well, the party could well become, um, more intimate."

Lisa rummaged through the boxes and finally found what she was looking for.

"Rob, I have sheer nylons for you to wear with the corset. I imagine you can put them on yourself?"

Ordinarily he could put on his own stockings, but it was much more difficult wearing the corset. Lisa saw he was familiar with putting on stockings but gave him some assistance. She handed him a pink petticoat. "We'll add a black lace trim to the hem."

It came down to his knees. "Hmm, we must shorten it a bit. When you wear your dress, we'll show off the petticoat, of course, but we must also show your lovely legs."

She pulled up the petticoat a bit to show him in the mirror. "Yes, definitely. I'll shorten it a bit. Your friends are Kim and Cathy? I'll call them in now, I want to show them how to help you put on a bridal dress."

She went back out into the shop. Rob found himself pacing around the dressing room, in a bridal shop, wearing only lingerie. What had he done to himself? He had to learn to keep his mouth shut! At first it was fun, but this was getting more and more serious. Now this woman, Lisa, wanted to attend the wedding.

Cathy and Kim came in, quick to complement Lisa on the lingerie she'd suggested for Rob.

"Rob, you actually have hips and a bust. Unbelievable, I had never expected to see you like this." Cathy was astonished and Rob had to turn and walk before them.

"Now swing your hips a bit!" Kim was enjoying immensely the sight of his hips swaying as he walked.

"Very nice."

Lisa just smiled and lifted the dress down from its hanger. "Can one of you assist me? Rob must wear his dress so we can fit and measure. It will help you see what assistance he'll need when he gets dressed."

Cathy stepped over quickly. Between them they held the dress up. Rob, unable to bend far in his corset, simply put his arms forward. Slowly Lisa and Cathy fed the dress over his head, helping him get his hands through puffed sleeves as they carefully drew the dress into place. When the dress was settled, the women were astonished at the effect of his tight corset, making his hips wide and giving him the appearance of natural breasts.

In the mirror, Rob saw his own face, a sharp contrast to the rest of him, looking quite womanly in the bridal gown. He saw his legs in nylons and a bit of frilly petticoat as he took a few steps. Both the sight and the feeling made him feel sexy. He was surprised to find he felt happy. He saw in the mirror Cathy and Kim were looking at him.

Cathy and Kim urged him to take a walk out into the shop, where there were larger mirrors and he could see himself see from different directions. They purposely didn't tell him there were now a few other customers in the shop.

Lisa opened the curtain leading to the shop and Rob passed into the shop. Only then did he see two women sitting on a bench, watching a teen girl holding a dress up to herself, before a mirror. Despite this, he decided to walk on rather than go back.

When he passed them, the women on the bench were admiring the dress. Only as Rob came quite near did they notice he was a man wearing a dress. They didn't laugh, they didn't mock him, they couldn't say anything. The girl simply said to him, "I wish I had your figure. And those legs! You look ravishing. Unbelievable, even. Your partner is in for a lovely surprise."

"I hope she will approve."

The girl was surprised. "You're marrying a woman?"

"Absolutely. We agreed we would both wear bridal gowns."

"Well, you have a good start. You're gorgeous. I think your bride has this right. Why not, you look stunning!"

"Thank you, dear. I've never looked like this before today."

Lisa guided Rob to step onto a low platform, surrounded by mirrors. She looked over details and took the occasional measurement, making notes on a pad. Some alterations would be required. She said the dress would be ready in three weeks.

Rob disappeared behind the curtain again. With help from Kim and Cathy, he took the dress back off. Lisa helped him with the corset and showed him how he could put it on by himself, if necessary. Rob dressed again in his male clothes but he kept the suspender belt and stockings on under them as their next visit would be a shoe store.

As he left the shop, Lisa gave him her private telephone number. "Rob, I'm really eager to attend. Please, call me as soon as possible with an answer. I'd be ever so pleased to be part of the party when you go to the dungeon."

As soon as they had turned away from the shop entrance, Cathy had to comment. "We cannot leave you alone with a woman. You either make them cry or you make them kiss you." She was smiling as she said this, but also looking at him with a bit of suspicion. Rob decided not to answer.

Further along the street was quite a large shoe store. This was heaven for Kim and Cathy, they soon were out of sight admiring one shoe after another. Deciding not to ask them to help him shop, Rob took things into his own hands. He caught the eye of a passing sales clerk, asking her if they sold women's shoes in larger size.

The woman gave him a glance. "Shoes for yourself?"

"Yes, I'm looking for pink colored pumps or, well, something with heels."

"Follow me, please, sir." Rob sighed with relief as she brought him to a quiet corner of the shop. She asked his size. "I'll be back in a moment." She came back, carrying four boxes.

"I have four different styles in pink. Ankle boots, court shoes, sling heels and a classic ankle-strap heeled sandal."

Rob sat to take off his shoes and then his socks. The woman didn't react at all when she saw he was wearing nylons, she handed him the court shoes. Rob took a few steps in them. They were not very high heeled, about three inches, he could walk without issues. He then tried the ankle-strap heels, which were a bit higher and had quite a narrow heel. Despite difficult walking he quite liked how the ankle strap looked, hinting as it did of a cuff for bondage.

The ankle boots were steadier for walking and he immediately liked them. He didn't try the sling heels. "I'll take the boots and the ankle strap heels. I'm going to wear them with a bridal gown, I think the ankle boots will be better for me, but I must ask my fiancée which she prefers me to wear."

"Perfect. Then follow me to the counter."

Walking to the counter, Rob had to ask. "You weren't surprised, not at all?"

"You have no idea how many men come here to buy shoes for their wife, with a shoe size like yours." She grinned. "I have no idea who they think they're fooling, themselves I guess. I'm glad you just said it was for you, making it much easier for me to find the right shoes. I don't care what people do so long as they pay."

Rob used his credit card; the shoes went into a large shopping bag. Rob joined Cathy and Kim as they continued to browse for their own perfect shoes to wear for the wedding.