"His fingers
They focus on her
Touches
He's Venus as a boy

He believes in a beauty
He's Venus as a boy

He's exploring
The taste of her
Arousal
So accurate…"

Bjork—"Venus as a Boy"

The moment Sabine recognized Minahil, she sat up from Erik's body and sat forward in her seat.

She looked much older than the picture in the dragon cabinet. Early forties perhaps, with the body and energy of a much younger person. Unblemished and unlined skin made her seem ageless, but there was something mature in her eyes that gave away any claims of eternal youth.

Sabine watched the woman's handiwork. The meticulous care she took in manipulating the rope into intricate diamond weave knots and braiding made it seem like her hands and fingers were simply extensions of the rope itself.

Erik ran his left hand up Sabine's back, the warmth from his fingers seeping through the thin silk of her top making her skin ache for more full skin on skin contact. Her necklace dangled on her thighs and the temperature in the room rose reminding her of Erik's home sauna. Blood thrummed in her ears as her breath quickened watching Jamila lay on her back while still on her knees with her thighs open and crisscrossed with taut fibers that bit into her flesh. Her privates were on full shameless display as Minahil lifted the last of the rope around her waist harness hoisting Jamila's midsection up as the announcer brought over a step-ladder. Minahil used the ladder to climb up closer to a large metal hook that she knotted the rope to forcing Jamila's back to arch slightly higher.

A final knot was tied and tucked before Minahil stepped down from the ladder and removed it from Jamila's form.

Forty minutes from start to finish.

Minahil knelt down and stroked Jamila's face and whispered to her. The woman nodded her head with her eyes focused on the ceiling. The Master fingered the rope along Jamila's thighs before standing up and facing the audience. She bowed her head slightly and the appreciative onlookers clapped.

Sabine brought her fingers to her lips as she stared at the woman on the floor. Sitting back in her seat she could not get over the look of pure bliss on Jamila's face. Minahil had a slight sheen of perspiration on her forehead and her aura seemed to relax once the work had been completed. Her eyes took in the crowd and when she saw Erik, a bright smile peeled back her generous lips.

Erik clapped and Sabine watched his face as he did so. She saw pleasure sparkling in his eyes before he turned to look at her. He leaned in close and whispered in her ear.

"Did you enjoy it?"

She nodded.

"There are more libations and food available. Please help yourself. We ask that you respectfully give Jamila her space. She will be unbound within the next twenty minutes. Enjoy."

The announcer held out his hands and people were released from their seats. Many stood nearby and admired the living art. Sabine felt conflicted. She wanted to gaze at the woman's body too, but she felt flustered as she saw such flagrant arousal on Erik's face. She wanted his attention on her, but she was also aroused by Jamila, and aroused by the fact that Erik was turned on by the woman. The shock of recognizing Minahil hadn't left her either.

Wine. She needed more wine and space away from the scene.

Sabine walked away from Erik and headed back toward the libations. She fixed herself a plate of crackers and salted meats and gulped down a full glass of Pinot noir. There were servers walking throughout the house carrying trays of wine and hors d'oeuvres dressed in all black clothing with colored shibari rope ties on their chests, arms, and waists. Onlookers snacked and admired the various designs knotted on the hired staff. In every direction Sabine looked, there was something enticing to see or decadent to eavesdrop on.

"Sugar?"

Erik was by her side touching her elbow.

"Minahil. That's the woman on your cabinet door," she blurted out.

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you tell me that you were bringing me to a show with your ex?"

"Ex? She's not my ex."

"She's a woman you slept with."

"She's a Master at this. I learned from her. She was my teacher—"

"Erik! I'm so happy you came!"

Minahil hugged Erik with the announcer right by her side.

"This must be Sabine. Hello!"

Minahil reached out and embraced Sabine warmly even with a plate of food and wine in her hand. Sabine set them on the food table.

"This is my husband Gary."

The announcer, Gary, shook Sabine's hand. He patted Erik on the back.

Erik slipped his arm around Sabine's waist.

"This is Mina and Gary's home," Erik said.

"It's beautiful, everything is beautiful," Sabine said.

She felt ambushed and so caught off guard that her words came out rushed.

"Thank you. Did you enjoy the show?"

"I did."

"Erik told me you are new to the life. Oh…happy birthday!" Minahil said.

"Thank you. You taught Erik?"

Sabine's eyes glanced at Erik before falling back on Minahil.

"Yes. Lord, it seems like forever ago. An apt pupil. Gary and I miss having him around like the old days. Ooh, I love that…"

Minahil reached out and touched Sabine's necklace.

"Honey, I would love something like this. Our twentieth anniversary is coming up!"

"Y'all keep it going," Erik said.

"Gary is my rock. This looks lovely on your skin, Sabine," Minahil said.

"Thank you. A gift from Erik."

Minahil reached out and skimmed her fingers across Erik's left cheek.

"You've always had taste, love."

"I learned from the best," Erik said pulling Sabine in tighter.

Sabine wasn't sure what to feel. Minahil was so friendly and so…regular. Any traces of envy she may have felt earlier evaporated.

"How are the babies? Getting big and bossy?" she asked.

Erik pulled out his cell and showed a few pictures of Deuce and Marina.

"Oh, look at them! Aw! So cute. Still glad Gary and I never had any, but you did well."

Sabine eyed a few servers walking past.

"Did you do all the rope designs on the wait staff?" she asked.

"Yes, I did."

"They are all so unique and so…complex."

Mina stopped some of the servers who swept through and described the knots and designs in depth. Hishi karada. Loop chain dresses. Gote shibari. Single column ties. Double column ties.

"Shibari itself means 'to tie'—"

"Erik told me kinbaku is a new term."

"Relatively new to the language. It means 'to tie securely" but typically that means to tie to the point of no movement from the model. I tend to allow movement in my work. Talk to any shibari practitioner and you will get varying answers. Erik tends to use both interchangeably."

Erik spoke to Gary and watched Sabine get a thorough tutorial. There were nine servers in total and Mina made sure Sabine saw each one.

"We better to tend to Jamila before you mingle a bit more," Gary interrupted.

"She's such a good girl," Minahil purred.

"Mina, it's been thirty minutes" Gary insisted.

"We'll catch up later, hopefully," Minahil quipped.

"Good to see you, Erik," Gary said.

Minahil reached out and touched Sabine's arm.

"Make yourself at home."

Gary whisked her away and Sabine turned toward Erik as she reached for her wine and plate of food.

"Twenty years married? And you were taught by her twelve years ago?"

Sabine gawked. Erik grabbed himself a wine glass and poured himself a merlot before he pulled her away from a large group of people. He sequestered her in a quiet corner where they could see Jamila.

"That woman cheated on her husband with you?"

"No. There was no cheating on her part. They are polyamorous. And I was never alone with her when we had sex."

"Talk," she said.

She stuffed a small cracker in her mouth and sipped more wine. Erik checked their surroundings first then leaned in closer.

"This was before I was married and right when I started fucking heavily with the Black kink community. I saw a show in Oakland and met Gary. He introduced me to his wife. Mina. She did shows all over Oakland and San Francisco. It became my thing and she took me under her wing—"

"Among other things," Sabine snapped with a smirk on her face.

"She started teaching me. When I was in town I would visit them. They moved to L.A. and I kept in contact. We started sleeping together…and Gary would watch."

Sabine coughed and held her throat. She drank more wine.

"He's a cuckold. He likes to watch Mina get fucked by other men. When I was with her, he would watch and jerk off. He always wanted me to cum inside Mina and then he would get on top of her afterward and nut. He got off on having an orgasm with my cum in his wife. He has a compersion fetish. He loves seeing Mina happy with other people sexually."

"On some level, this shocks me, but then it's you so it doesn't really," she said.

Erik curled his lips and his eyes became sultry as he watched her.

"Everyone has something that gets them off," he said.

"Like how Jamila got you off?"

Erik's eyes narrowed.

"Got me off?"

"Your dick was hard with her pussy all out like that."

Erik checked Jamila out across the room. Sabine wondered how much her body ached being in that position tied like that.

"My dick wasn't hard for her."

"The rope then?"

"Yeah. I was imagining what it would be like to tie you up like that and I got excited about it."

Erik's index finger ran up her arm.

"I wonder what it will feel like to place a knot there, or maybe…there. I wonder how you would look dangling down from the ceiling. Or how you would look tied with server's hands? Or a flower weave across your breasts? How many positions could I put you in? What would you sound like when I pull real tight across your soft skin…"

His fingers dipped down into her top. He fondled her breast and her nipple hardened.

"My dick was hard for you."

Sabine lost her breath then. Erik's fingers traced down her arm and rested on her hip.

"I wanted you to see this so you would know what it was like. The beauty of it. The connection it creates in the person who ties and also in the one who is tied. It's primal…more than intimate. A true test of trust. Being vulnerable with one another. Really and truly naked. The first time I saw it I sort of tripped out. I was twenty and ropes on Black people seemed like poor taste. Slavery and shit, but Mina taught me to get over that and to look at the real history behind the art form. They took me to Japan and I saw serious Masters work their craft and I got sucked into the world."

Minahil returned to Jamila's side with Gary and she slowly untied the woman.

"This part is very important," Erik said.

"Yeah?"

"It's like when I spank you. You get in that headspace and the aftercare has got to be there for the come down."

"Your aftercare is always amazing," she said.

Sabine put down her empty wine glass and snack plate on an antique mahogany trestle table. Wrapping her arms around Erik's waist, her eyes took in Minahil cradling Jamila as Gary brought her a robe to cover herself.

"Some people can't handle it, Sugar. I want to do this with you, but we'll move slow."

"Okay. I want you to do it. I've been waiting for a long time."

"I know," he said.

"Would you want to do this with other people if I don't like it?" she asked.

She wanted to please him, but if it turned out to be a dud for her, Erik wasn't the type to stay home with unused rope.

Minahil helped Jamila to her feet and walked the woman out of the room and away from the guests with Gary's assistance.

"I could go see shows. Relive shit in my head. Assist Mina. You're mine now so if you ain't with it, you ain't with it."

"Can we try when we get back home?"

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"We'll try simple binding first. Just the arms. We can see what your comfort level is."

"How long did you sleep with her?"

"Mina was a very short chapter in my life. After a couple of months, she lost interest in me."

"She dumped you?"

"New flavors came her way. I was traveling more and started seeing Calista so I didn't feel bad about it. Our relationship became platonic."

"Did it weird you out that Gary wanted your cum on his dick?"

"It was different, but it was the emotion behind it that he was attracted to. The energy created with me and Mina seemed to rest in my semen swimming in her. He could only cum after I did and after Mina nutted on my dick. Our fluids…I dunno…maybe he thought it was the magic elixir that he needed to bust a good one. I used to think cuckolds were punk bitches who couldn't please their partners. I thought they needed to see their women get dicked down by a real man. Gary ain't nothing like that. His brain is wired to worship Mina. When she cums with other men it makes Gary feel powerful. It's almost like how I like people watching you surf. I get off on them getting excited about you. It's a similar type of vibe."

"Would you let another man cum in my pussy while you watched?"

"Fuck no!"

Sabine slammed her hand over his mouth. Erik's voice was so loud. It made her laugh. His face switched up so fast like he was about to fight someone.

"Don't be saying shit like that," he growled.

The surliness in his voice turned her on.

"I was just asking a simple question!"

"I ain't like it."

"Fix your lips," she cooed.

She swiped her thumb across his lips.

"You get mad about stuff so quick," she teased.

The palm of his right hand smacked her left butt cheek. The shocking sting of it made her eyes water.

"I don't play when it comes to what's mine. You should know that by now," he hissed pushing up against her.

Erik rubbed her ass making soothing circles that caused her to sigh in his ear.

"I'm the only one cumming inside you," he said.

Erik squeezed her backside.

"That's what you want to do," she challenged.

His eyes narrowed again.

"What?"

"You want to cum inside of me. You haven't done that yet. I know you want to."

Erik's eyes darted around. No one was paying them any mind. He jammed her up against the trestle table. Sabine took advantage of the situation.

"You've nutted in my mouth, on my face…all over my body. But you have never cum inside of me raw. You think you own my pussy, but you don't."

His lips twisted up again and his eyes grew dark and menacing.

"You're lucky we're out in public," he hissed.

"And?"

Erik tilted his head and glared at her.

The game was afoot. Sabine loved pushing Erik's buttons when she knew he couldn't do much about it. When she questioned his dominance in sexual matters, it always set him off. She wanted to bust his chops for a bit. She needed to ignite a fuse in him so he would take it out on her when they got home. She only had a few days left with him before she'd have to fly out of the country again. Their household had been crowded with the kids, Yvette, Ryan, Stacy, Bruce, his personal chef, housekeeper, personal masseuse, and a ton of meetings he had been having with his lawyers for work. On any given day the tri-level could rotate up to six other people outside of the children and Yvette. Alone time was precious and rare. She craved that Daddy dick he slang with so little effort.

"Keep being cute," he tossed at her.

"I will," she said stepping away from him and heading back for more wine and snacks.

He followed her.

They mingled and spoke to other guests and Minahil did another show with two bikini-clad women, one white, and another Black and the ropework was even more stunning as she bound the women together until they looked like two weblike trees connecting at the waist. She used two ladders with the assistance of Gary, neon-colored ropes this time, and there was some audience participation with pulling rope from one side of the room to the other. The second show didn't require a seated audience, so guests were allowed to talk and move throughout the house as Mina worked. There was music from a live jazz trio outside in the lit-up yard that echoed throughout the property. The time took longer with Mina's second show and Sabine found herself becoming restless while watching. She wanted to leave. Erik was charming and attracted a lot of attention from men and women as they interacted with others. Sabine wanted more birthday time alone with him.

The lights around the models were dimmed low once Mina finished two hours later and everyone gasped at the glow from the red, green, and orange ropes. Sabine clapped and moved closer to observe the finished masterpiece. The spider-like webbing of the ropes spread across the room and ceiling with the two human bodies entangled inside told a sensual and compelling visual story. Sabine found herself going over the small details in the knots and loops, and intricate braiding while at the same time stepping back to look at the whole piece. The models looked like they gave birth to the ropes through their skin and Sabine felt a welling of deep emotion filling up her chest. It was beyond stunning. Mina looked a little tired from the labor and took a moment to sit on a white and gold baroque throne chair near her work.

Gary brought her a glass of water and spent time by her side kissing her fingers and rubbing her back. Mina's eyes admired her own creation and the pride was so vivid on her face. She turned her head slightly and caught Sabine staring at her. Mina gave her a vulpine smile. This was her seduction. Like a predatory spider dazzling the eye with devilish weaving that pleased the prey, this was how Mina lured her men. How could Erik resist her with that look upon her face after binding sensuous warm supple flesh?

Sabine turned to admire the hanging women ensnared by a clever temptress. She could feel Erik behind her, his soft breath on her neck, and his wide chest pressed against her back.

"Can you tie like this?" she asked him.

"I only do one person at a time."

"But could you do two? And something massive like this?"

"Yeah. It would take me some time, more than Mina, but I've done similar."

"Could I be your model if you ever do another private show?"

The bound women turned their heads slightly to look at Erik.

"Maybe."

"I want you to turn me into a tree, like this—"

"Nah. I would make you into an ocean wave."

"Yeah?"

He nodded and touched her stomach with his right hand. His left hand fondled the green part of the rope in front of them.

"I'd use purple and blue ropes. A bit of white…some green…"

His fingers slid along the smooth binding rope and came close to touching the ankle of the white model. The colored rope was less fibrous than the natural rope Mina had used earlier for Jamila. It felt like it had a wax coating on it.

Jamila walked into the space dressed in a sparkly amber-colored dress that clung to her breasts and hips that jiggled as she moved. The moment her eyes saw Erik, she rushed over and hugged him, her lips kissing both sides of his cheeks.

"I miss you! How come you don't come up for gatherings anymore?" Jamila said.

"Busy. Jamila, this is my lady, Sabine. Sabine, Jamila."

"Hi," Sabine said.

"Hi. You're new here."

"Yeah."

Jamilia's eyes did a top to bottom inspection of Sabine before her eyes went back to Erik.

"Tak needs some people in April—"

"I'm booked and busy with the tour, Ma."

"What about you, Sabine?" Jamila asked.

"What about me?"

"A Grand Master is coming to San Francisco mid-April and he'll need models—"

"She's not doing that."

Erik grabbed Sabine's hand and held it tight.

"Tak is your favorite. He'd love to see you. It's been years. I showed him the pictures when you worked me in November—"

"Last November?" Sabine asked.

She stared at Erik. He tugged on his shirt collar and wouldn't look Sabine in the face.

"Crazy ass party. I almost didn't go, but Erik insisted. Have you done any more work since then? I heard about your arm. Are you better now?"

Jamila talked a mile a minute and Sabine watched Erik deflect out of boredom. He was tuning out the woman and Sabine found it amusing. Applause interrupted them and Erik pulled Sabine back to where Mina was as she spoke to a few guests who showered her with praise. Jamila followed them and Sabine noticed the red marks on her light skin from the ropes digging into her under the brighter lights in a side room. The rope marks made a pretty design.

"Does that hurt?" Sabine asked.

Jamila smiled and touched her skin.

"No. It can burn sometimes, but I love it. Just as much as Erik does."

Jamila clapped her hands for Mina and then she scuttled away to another couple giving hugs and kisses.

"Did you sleep with her?"

"No. I don't sleep with everyone, Sugar."

"You were with her when I was in France?"

"For a private party. That's it."

"She was naked for you."

"She was naked. For the event. Not all shows have nude rope models though."

The party was still going all out, but Sabine was done.

"I want to go."

Erik's face looked concerned. She linked her arm in his.

"I want to be alone with you, that's all. This was awesome, but I want you to myself."

He grinned and the relief was so heavy on his face. She watched him move away to go retrieve their coats. Mina returned to her.

"Thank you for everything. I enjoyed myself," Sabine said.

"I hate to see you leave so soon."

"We have to fly back early in the morning."

"I hope you had a lovely birthday."

"I did. Erik really did it up."

"He's special."

Sabine wanted to ask so many questions. Mina was warm and open and she could see how a young Killmonger could be allured by the woman. She didn't ooze overt sexuality, but the subtle undertones of big ole freak were there.

Mina stepped closer to her.

"He has gifted hands. He'll be gentle with you."

Mina's eyes caught sight of Erik bringing back their coats.

"Take care of each other. He's a sweet man—"

"Why did you stop seeing him?"

Mina stroked her left arm. She wasn't shocked by the question at all.

"He wasn't meant for me. He needs a woman he can take care of. I have my Gary for that. Hopefully, you are the one for him. He deserves some happiness. Take care."

Mina sauntered over to another fawning group and Erik helped Sabine put her coat on.

"I like her," Sabine said.

"She taught me a lot."

"Let's go see."

Erik's eyes shined.

###

They didn't stay in L.A. as they had planned. Retrieving their bags from the hotel they were going to stay at near the airport, they took the first red-eye back to San Diego. Picking up Erik's Porsche from the Lindbergh Field Airport Parking Lot, they drove the short distance to Mission Beach and took a hot shower together in Erik's bathroom. The heat and soothing pulse setting on the shower water made them both sleepy.

Too tired to fool around, but thankful for an empty house, they jumped into bed together naked and cuddled for a long time before drifting off to sleep. Morning came and there was no rush to get Deuce or Marina since they were spending time in their other home. Erik texted Yvette asking for a late afternoon pick up. She took the hint.

They slept longer together spooned tight until noon.

Sabine felt Erik's lips across the back of her right shoulder blade. She opened her eyes to the bright white light of the sun and the four-foot waves breaking out on the beach. Wet kisses continued down her back along her sensitive spine until he turned her to face him.

"You were out," he said.

His fingers sought refuge inside the coiled twists that she forgot to put her bonnet over late into the night.

"Hungry?"

"Starving."

They dressed and took a long leisurely walk along the boardwalk to a local eatery and had waffles with turkey sausages. They talked about shibari and all that they saw the night before and Sabine reveled in having his full attention.

"You should surf later today and let Bruce come over to work on your legs."

"He wants me to gain more weight."

"You should. More muscle mass. I want you to come to Hawaii with me before I compete in April. Gotta get you on some bigger waves more often."

"Maybe during the kid's Spring Break?"

"That would be best."

"I have to film the Delta commercial all day Wednesday in Studio City. Can I take the Acura?"

"Yeah. Deuce's open house is on Wednesday and not Friday like I thought. We'll probably go out to dinner after that."

They hung out at the café a little longer and then took another long walk back to the house. Stacy hit her up and Sabine spent an hour out on the patio going over her schedule for the rest of the week while Erik spent time in his office on his computer.

"Sugar."

Erik called to her from his office balcony. She shielded her eyes to look up t him.

"Can you do me a favor? My lawyer is coming over with some stuff for me. Yvette is ready to go to the movies with her friends and doesn't want to have to drive back down here and then go back up to Del Mar. Could you pick up Deuce and Marina for me?"

"Sure."

She walked into the house and met Erik in his office to grab his keys. He pulled her onto his lap.

"We wasted private time piddling instead of working out the bed," he said kissing the back of her neck.

"We have tomorrow while the kids are at school."

"Bet. It's a date. I'll switch some things over to Tuesday and we can get a little freaky."

She grabbed his Porsche keys and blew him a kiss.

Sunglasses on, cute Tijuana-bought chanclas on her feet, she turned on the GPS in the car and followed it to the La Jolla house. She had only been there once before to drop Yvette off to housesit for a weekend.

Yvette answered the door when she rang the doorbell to the two-story rich suburban enclave.

"Hey, girl! Thank you for taking them. Me and my girls are trying to have a meal before the movie starts, and I was afraid of getting caught in that three o'clock turn-around traffic."

"No problem. Where are they?"

"In their rooms. Go on up. I'm going to finish my hair and then I will be out."

Sabine followed Yvette up some thickly carpeted stairs. The house had a very sterile look to it. Erik's house was well-kept but it looked lived in and open to chaotic energy. The La Jolla crib felt like a museum. All the décor and furniture was dark wood and dark carpets. It didn't feel like children lived there.

"Hey Deuce," Sabine said.

He stepped out of his room carrying a backpack and a small suitcase.

"'sup," he said.

Marina ran out of her room when she heard Sabine's voice. She threw her arms around Sabine's waist.

"Hey, baby shark. You surf today?"

"Yes! The waves were sucky though. We didn't stay out long, Auntie has her date—"

"It's not a date, I'm meeting friends for dinner and a movie," Yvette called out from a bathroom down the hall.

Deuce leaned in so Yvette couldn't hear.

"Her friends are setting her up on a blind date," he said.

Sabine handed him the car keys.

"Go put your stuff in," she said.

Deuce took the keys and his things down the stairs. Sabine ran her fingers over Marina's hair.

"Time to take these braids out and wash all this," she said.

Marina had become addicted to cornrows and twists in her hair. Every two weeks she was driven to Sabine's parent's house to get her hair done. The girl owned more bonnets and silk scarves than Sabine did now.

Marina ran her fingers over her scalp.

"Miss Belinda said this could last three weeks."

"But you've been in the water a lot."

Marina wrinkled her nose.

"You have anything to bring to the car?" Sabine asked.

"No…"

Marina's voice died in her throat and her eyes grew wide as she looked down the stairs. Sabine followed her gaze and saw Deuce holding the front door open with his bags.

Calista stood in front of him.

"Mommy!"

Marina shrieked and ran down the stairs, almost falling at the bottom as she ran to her mother and jumped in her arms. Dread filled Sabine's throat as the woman's eyes regarded her. Inside her home.

Yvette ran out of the bathroom. Her eyes grew wide when she saw Calista.

"Shit," Yvette uttered under her breath.

Sabine followed Yvette down the stairs as the children hugged their Mom.

"Calista?" Yvette said.

"I know I'm a week early. I didn't know anyone would be here. I finished my program and thought I could slip back here and give myself some prep time."

"It's all good. We're glad you're back."

Yvette gave Calista an awkward hug. Marina would not let go of her hand. Deuce stood next to her but he wasn't touching her. Her hair was longer, curlier, and dark blonde. She looked heavier in the face. Healthy. A soft peach blouse and straight-legged jeans made her tanned skin glow.

"Calista."

"Sugar."

"I was about to take the kids back to Mission Beach—"

"I have a girl's night with some friends in Del Mar," Yvette said.

Yvette waved her cell.

"Go ahead and go on your outing. I'll keep Deuce and Marina here with me. We can catch up," Calista said.

"Um…Erik expects them back…"

Yvette's eyes darted to Sabine as she spoke.

"Deuce, come help me with my stuff," Calista said.

He followed her out to the car while she walked with an arm around Marina's shoulder.

"This cannot be happening," Yvette said.

She swiped her phone.

Sabine didn't know what to do or say.

"Erik…Calista is here…I was about to leave and she just showed up. Sugar is here too. The kids are helping her get her stuff. She wants them to stay here with her…"

Yvette walked away from the front door.

Calista walked back in with the children rolling a large suitcase. Deuce rolled in an equally large bag. Marina carried a small duffle bag.

"You can go, Sugar. I'm home now."

There was no malice in Calista's voice.

"Yvette is talking to Erik right now. I'm going to wait and see what he wants…"

"I said you can go. This is a family matter. Deuce and Marina…my children…they're fine being with me."

"Erik is on his way," Yvette said.

Deuce's face looked grim. Marina was oblivious and focused on Calista.

"Do me a favor you two, go on upstairs. I need to talk to Aunt Yvette," Calista said.

Marina left right away, practically skipping up the stairs. Deuce meandered a bit, checking them out every few steps. When they were gone from sight, Calista faced them both.

"There was no need to call Erik. I would've done that."

"All I know Calista is that he has custody and I can't just leave them without his say."

"I'm their mother for fucks sake! I gave him full custody while I was away. I'm home now."

"I know, but we weren't expecting you until the end of next week—"

"I'm the Mom and you all were ready to hand my kids over to his girlfriend? His girlfriend, Yvette? Jesus!"

Sabine could tell Yvette was trying to keep her cool.

"I'm not trying to upset you. I'm just trying to follow Erik's wishes."

"I'll wait outside," Sabine said.

"Shit," Yvette muttered under her breath as she checked the time on her phone.

Sabine walked out of the house and took a deep breath. She leaned against Erik's car and checked her own cell phone. Erik left a message for her.

"I'll be there soon."

Yvette walked outside.

"Go to your dinner," Sabine said.

"I'm not leaving you here alone. And I can't leave with Erik coming over here. Why couldn't she have just showed up after we left? I am so uncomfortable."

"Let's just both leave and let them handle their business."

"I want to. But I never know what will transpire when they are together."

"She's been doing well. That's what Erik said."

"Doing well in another state isn't the same as being back in the real world here. They are oil and water…he's here…"

Erik's Acura whipped behind his parked Porsche.

Yvette scurried over to him.

His face looked calm. He glanced over at Sabine and she walked up to him.

"Go to your thing," he said.

Yvette had her car keys clutched against her chest.

"She looks good, Erik. The kids were happy to see her…"

"You're acting like I'm about to start some shit—"

"I know how you act—"

"Go on," he said.

Yvette hesitated for a few seconds then walked to her red compact Honda Accord and drove away.

"I'm going to talk to her. Go on back to the house. I'll call you on my way back."

Calista stepped outside. A terrible knowing laugh erupted from her mouth as she put her hands on her hips watching them.

"I wish everyone would stop acting like I'm an ogre trampling on the village. I'm just a few days earlier than expected. No big deal."

"Go home," Erik said.

Sabine walked around to the driver's side of the Porsche. Her eyes went up to the second floor Bay window and she saw Deuce looking down at them. Hopping into the car she watched Erik follow Calista into the house.

###

Being inside the tri-level all alone felt unnatural.

The quiet unnerved her. She was accustomed to voices, the constant sounds of laughter, yelling, the loud pounding of feet on the floor, music, the TV on…so much life. Without Erik, Deuce, Marina, or Yvette there it felt lifeless.

Sabine surfed tiny waves for an hour and took a bath in the whirlpool tub. Checking her cell phone there were no messages from Erik. He had been gone for two hours. She debated about texting him but didn't want to interrupt anything.

Walking around the third floor and still not hearing from him, she went into his walk-in closet and opened up his dragon cabinet. Her eyes took in Minahil's photo and she admired how Erik tied her up with more knowledgeable eyes. She ran her hands across the different rope bundles and picked up a thick red one. She carried it over to the bed and leaned over the pillows to slide open the secret bookshelf embedded in the headboard.

Erik was a heavy reader, and he had bookcases all over the house for himself and his children. But this particular bookshelf had grown-up things. Books of erotic poetry. Books on erotic photography. Art books. Books all about shibari and BDSM.

She pulled out a heavy book with color photos and step-by-step instructions on how to tie the rope she had in her hand. The dresser mirror and the mirror in the bathroom wasn't good enough for her. And the full-length mirror in the walk-in closet didn't give her enough room. She took the book and the bundle of rope to the home gym. There was space, great lighting, a wall-length mirror, and a comfortable gym/yoga mat that she could use.

Sabine sat on the mat and studied a few pictures in the book. She found a basic tie she thought she could do alone. Unraveling the rope, she looped one end of the rope around her waist and tried to weave a basic rope dress. She couldn't get the knotting right and grew frustrated. She flipped through a few more pages and found a simpler design. Putting the rope around her neck, she was able to fix a simple knot, but the rest of the binding was so long and heavy. She felt warm in the gym and decided to pull off her underwear and play with the rope naked.

"It's a just a simple knot…that's what the book says…but my lame ass can't even get it right…" she grumbled.

She wrapped more rope around her midsection then stood up to look at her handwork in the mirror. It was sloppy and looked nothing like the color photo. She felt frisky and slipped the rope between her legs just to feel the sensation like Jamila did in L.A.

"Ooh," she gasped as it tickled her clit.

She kept everything trim and partially waxed down there and the rope rubbing up against her clit piercing tickled, just like it did across her nipples.

"You need an expert to do that right for you."

Her eyes caught his reflection in the mirror and she felt even more naked.

Erik walked in. His bottom lip was housed between his top teeth and his eyes had that sensual cognac brown look it got when he was in the mood. Sabine let go of the rope in her hands and it fell to the mat, the weight heavy on her neck and torso.

Erik was barefoot with thin tan lounge pants and a t-shirt.

"Did everything go okay? Are the kids here?"

"I let them stay with her. She'll take them to school tomorrow. I'll pick them up in La Jolla tomorrow night."

He stood behind her and his eyes watched her face in the mirror.

"How was it?" she asked.

"It was fine. She had planned to stay at the house alone and see the kids next week, but…y'know. Shit happens. Deuce and Marina are happy to have her back and looking well. We agreed to have the kids with me the rest of the week and she will get to keep them for a couple of weeks after."

"She wasn't happy to see me there. Asked me to leave."

"She told me. Honestly, it was the first real civil conversation I've had with her in a minute. I told her to worry about herself and that you were a part of our lives now. She doesn't have to like it, but she needs to get used to it."

"I felt bad being there when she saw me. She looked at me like I was some invader. I felt like I stole her life, Erik."

"She's creating a new life, and you are not responsible for how things are. I don't want you carrying her around with you. Please…for me and the kids…try and be yourself at all times around her. Okay?"

"Okay."

Erik touched the rope around her throat. He unfastened it and pulled it away from her.

"Sit down. On your knees."

Sabine dropped down softly and Erik knelt behind her. He touched her shoulders.

"Will you give me permission to tie you?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"If you feel uncomfortable at any time, tell me. If it's too tight the rope can cut off circulation, pinch nerves, and cause damage. Even if you think you can handle it, you must let me know of discomfort. I can adjust and fix that. Stop me at any time, even if it's not physical pain."

"Okay."

"I will just do the top of you and we can see how you feel."

She nodded.

"Do you need water? Need to use the restroom?"

"No. I'm fine."

He stood up and walked to his gym sound-system and put on some soft music. Eclectic sounds gave the room a pleasant ambiance. He knelt behind her once more. Rubbing his hands together he touched her chest and then her stomach. He touched her back and then her hips.

"Are my hands warm enough?"

"Yeah."

He leaned down and kissed her cheek and then trailed his lips to her neck where he kissed her with the fullness of his whole mouth. He did the same to her on the other side of her cheek and neck. When his lips touched the back of her neck, Sabine shivered and he saw her body react. The corners of his crinkled up with a smile of their own. He closed up the shibari book and put it aside. He scrutinized her body and lifted the rope in his hands. He ran his fingers over the blood-red fibers and pulled it through his hands all the way to the end.

"Your body is perfection…"

Erik brought strands of the rope over her neck and created a simple overhang knot.

"The rope just enhances the perfection that is already there…"

He left two inches of a loop in the first knot and she began to feel a little dizzy from the close contact with him. Her nerves had been frayed worrying about him being in La Jolla, and now he was back with her and the tension and stress of wondering about his reunion with Calista ran through her mind. They didn't fight or argue. The children were back with their Mom after nearly three months. She and Erik were together.

Relax.

Erik moved in front of her and created a second knot just under her collarbone. His thick fingers brushed against her right breast and a tiny hiss escaped her lips.

"You still good?" he asked.

"Yeah."

He centered the rope and his eyes danced over her body. He seemed to be making decisions on what to make on her. He made another knot on her sternum and after pulling the long rope ends through the loop, he pulled off his t-shirt.

Making knots down her torso he stopped when he got to her mound. By that time, the tension in her body had spread. The heat from his body being so close to her made her lips part. The smell of his cologne so fresh and enticing had her woozy.

"I'm about to make something called the happy knot," he said.

His dimples popped out and her eyes dropped down to watch his fingers make a knot that he placed right on top of her clit.

"Oohhhh!"

Sabine felt her pussy clench.

"Told you," he whispered in her ear. He nibbled her earlobe and she bit her lip to keep from exhaling loud and being so obvious with her arousal.

Too late.

"Damn, baby…" he sighed.

His fingers delved between her legs and touched her opening. Her slick made his digits glossy and he brought his fingers to his mouth and licked them.

"You always taste so good, Sugar…"

He moved behind her and cradled her chin, pulling her face to the side so he could kiss her, his full lips covering hers completely stealing her breath.

"Erik…shit!"

He pulled the rope between her legs and it separated her folds forcing uncontrolled pants to spill from her throat. He twisted it from side to side, putting pressure on the happy knot that sat on her clit, and spreading the natural lubricant that was dripping from her core.

"Can you handle it still?"

She nodded.

"Speak to me, Sugar."

"Yeah."

"Good girl."

He pulled the two long strands of rope up along her back and slipped it through the loop of the knot on the back of her neck. He separated the ropes and pulled them around the front of her chest again.

Helping her stand up to let her legs stretch, he used expert hands to weave the strands back and forth around her torso using the knots along her front as anchors to create diamond patterns all around her. He checked in with her often asking about tightness and any discomfort.

She felt beautiful. Sensual. Desired by his hands.

The tugging on her clit and wet pussy lips had her on the verge of cumming and when he made the final threading between her legs and connected the final knot on her lower back, she could see his dick tenting his pants like a torpedo ready to let loose. He admired the rope between her ass cheeks and finished tucking the excess rope along her back, and when he moved back in front of her, she saw that his pupils were blown wide. Her eyes dropped down to his dick.

"That's all you with your sexy ass," he said.

He slapped her ass and pulled on the rope from the back, making it tease her clit.

"Look at yourself," he said.

He stepped aside so she could see the back. She twisted and turned to admire herself and only succeeded in arousing herself more as the rope resting on her mound created friction.

"You know what I like about this weave design?" he asked.

His voice was raspy and made her ears tingle.

"What?"

He placed his two index fingers between her legs and plied the rope resting on her folds open so that they rested on either side of her outer pussy lips.

"Easy access. You are so wet."

He kissed her softly then pressed his hands on her shoulders forcing her down on her knees again. He reached into his pants and pulled out his erection. The mushroom tip was already shiny with pre-cum and she wrapped her lips around it without him asking.

"Sucking it so good…open that throat up…"

Sabine sucked and slurped and worked his dick like a lollypop with a tootsie roll center

"Hold up, baby."

He pulled his pants off and got down on his knees in front of her kissing all down her neck and feeling on her nipples. She threw her arms around his shoulders but he pushed her down on the mat. She lifted her legs and spread her thighs and Erik licked his big tongue up and down her folds. She was gushy and saw how glossy she made his lips.

"You said this pussy really wasn't mine."

His face became wolfish and she shook her head feeling perplexed.

"What?"

He slapped her clit and she almost jumped out of the gym window.

"Don't act dumb. You told me since I haven't fucked you raw, this pussy really wasn't mine."

"I was drunk."

"Not really. You meant that shit."

His eyes flashed with a hint of annoyance. She tried pushing his head back down to her vulva, but he slapped her hands away and tugged on the knot right on her clit.

"Is this my pussy?"

"Yes!"

Her voice was whiny and it embarrassed her.

"Can I fuck you—"

"Yes, nigga, fuck me—"

"…without a condom?"

She hated his face being so close to her pussy. All she could see were those big ass lips and she wanted him to take of her the way that only he could. She was drunk with lust and beyond aroused at that point.

The music seduced her with haunting vibes, and he smelled so fucking good, and he was so fucking fine to her. He was her dream man and she lived with him. Loved him. Trusted him.

"If you don't want me to it's alright, baby…I just had to ask. I've been wanting too for a while and I'll pull out—"

She pressed her fingers over his lips.

"Bring me that dick."

The glint in his eyes matched her own and he crawled behind her lifting up her right leg. He bent her body so that she faced the mirror and she gazed at the rope binding her upper torso and privates. Lifting her leg higher and resting his mouth near her ear, Sabine felt the weight of his dick part her folds and sink into her depths.

"Fuck…Sugar…"

Pumping his dick in and out, she watched his face contort in ecstasy as he took what he wanted. She clawed the mat to try and brace her body with the fast pace he was setting, but Erik had something to prove.

"Get it, Daddy," she yelped.

He grabbed two of the knots on her stomach and pulled them, making the happy knot bounce on her clit. Erik's eyebrows were furrowed, his face looking almost angry, but she recognized it for what it was. He was in the love zone. He made her pussy talk, the squelching letting her know she was even more slippery inside. The interconnections of the weave design made her feel tugging all over her body, and in his excitement, he lifted her leg higher and shifted his hips so that he had her locked down on the mat.

"This my pussy?!"

"Yessss!"

The pressure of his erection inside of her was breaking her down. She was going to release hard all over his length. She leaned forward and that tiny shift caused him to go deeper and he was in her spot and she nearly lost her damn mind. He was hitting it so good.

"Yeah…yeah…yeah…baby…s'deep…"

"I gotta pull out!" he roared.

"Wait…wait…I'm about to cum, let me cum…"

"Sugar…fuck! Baby…lemme pull—"

His eyes were on her pussy lips stretched all around his dick with the happy knot wrecking her clit.

"Erik…I'm cumming…I'm cumming…fuckkk Daddy I'm cumming! Ooh! Cum in my pussy, Daddy. I want you to nut in me…"

"Sugar…"

"…nut in me…fill my pussy up…please…"

Sabine watched Erik arch his back and thrust all the way inside her. His dick swelled and he shouted so loud in her ear.

"…spurt that shit all in there, Daddy…"

"Oh shittttt!"

Her fingers squeezed his balls gently and all the huffing and puffing he did before he fell back onto the mat set her off.

"Damn, look at that!" he yelled.

They both watched her pussy spasm on his thickness and her moans made him smile so hard until his gums were showing.

"Pussy mine now, ain't it?"

He pulled out of her.

"Fuck girl…I put a lot up in there…ooh shit…"

He watched her center throb and jump as she pushed his cum out so he could see the milky whiteness ooze over her folds.

"So nasty, girl."

He jumped up and pulled her with him, lifting her off of her feet. He took long strides carrying her in his arms to their bedroom.

Laying Sabine across the bed, he stroked her face.

"Are you okay with this still being on?"

"Yeah. It's comfortable."

"Good."

He fingered the knots all over the front, tugging and pulling to make sure she wasn't too constricted.

"She was right," she said.

"Who was right?"

"Minahil. She said you had gentle hands, and you do. She taught you well."

"What else did she say?"

He had a smirk on his mouth and a coy look in his eyes.

"You deserve happiness."

"She said that?"

"Yeah. Do I make you happy, Erik?"

He didn't answer her. Just completely ignored her words.

But he showed her.

All night.