I'd like to thank my co-author ShadoKat for helping so much with this lovely chapter. I'd also like to point out for those who missed it, I left a response to some reviews/PMs at the end of chapter 17.

as always: most of these characters are not mine, there are adult themes and most are graphic, and this is only fiction. I think I've explained in other chapters the differences between vampire/human D/s relationships and human/human ones - so please don't use this an at home guide.

and please read and review (reviews keep stories moving...)

DINA POV

I carefully put down the case Bobby gave me on the coffee table. Eric was dead as a doornail. It was a little creepy to watch him not breathe as he slept, but that's what happens when your man is a vampire. I saw to my human needs and looked myself over in the mirror. My hair was still slightly damp, but the brush ran right through it with ease. I think I just fell in love with whatever conditioner she had given me today. I was debating on where I should be when Eric rose. I thought I'd sit in the living room and just wait. Maybe try and look pretty. I had, after all, gotten the works done today.

I made my way to the living room and tried to both be cozy and sexy on the couch. How did pretty girls do this?

I was starting to feel a little tired and hungry. I relaxed and let my body chill. I knew I'd eat soon enough and that would pump me up. If I stayed up until dawn, it would be a very long day for me. I was going to get some caffeine ASAP.

Eric POV

I opened my eyes to a great sense of anticipation. Indeed I was feeling almost giddy! Later tonight I would remove a blight off the face of the earth but before that a very special task awaited me. I thought this must be something like what a child feels like when it has a new toy to play with. But I had not been a child for over a millennium and Dina was no toy. I doubted she would find what I was about to do pleasant, but I would make it as easy as I could for her. I could feel her in the other room, waiting for me, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness running throughout her body.

MY body, if I were to be more accurate, for I had insisted she give it completely to me along with the rest of her self.

She was afraid of something today, too. Nothing I had set up for her should have made her afraid. I would find out what it was. I reached over to get my cell phone and check my messages. She'd had a long day letting a stranger do things to her that most people didn't do for themselves. I would allow her a few more minutes before imposing myself on her.

There was a message from Leila, the stylist.

"Lovely girl, your Dina! She carries herself well and speaks with great discretion. She followed all of my instructions without hesitation even though I can see she is body-conscious. She handled the more personal aspects of the service with great maturity. She hides her discomfort well. She is very high-strung, and my spells intended to soothe did not seem to have much of an effect…" Then she went on about how she appreciated my continued service, etc.

Leila was a witch. I had asked her to put something up to make the environment more tranquil because I knew Dina was not anticipating this visit with happy thoughts. I knew I was demanding a lot from her in a very short time and I felt pride surge through me knowing that even though she hadn't enjoyed it, she hadn't broken down, refused to cooperate, or started spilling secrets about me or our relationship. I trusted her very much, but new subs sometimes made slip ups that were abnormal to their typical behavior.

Leila owned a company that handled personal aesthetics of all sorts, such as the kinds of treatments I'd had her do for Dina today. Her great, great, great grandfather was a respected Vampire in Louisiana (he had family before he was turned) and after the Great Revelation he had told her who he was to her and bought a piece of her then struggling business. She was the "go-to girl" in Shreveport now when you needed discreet services and treatments such as I was setting up for Dina. She also gave lessons in comportment, etiquette, and the ins and outs of how to behave yourself within the Vampire and various other Supernatural communities that now existed. Where in a place like Los Angeles, people like Leila were on every other corner, in Louisiana, not so much. She (and her grandfather) demanded, and got top dollar for what they did. Though I hated the practice, I had hired them in the past to groom and "style" girls to be the companions of Vampires who would visit my area from all over the world. Leila's business had another branch, if you could call it that, which would train submissives to the specifications of various wealthy clients. I could have sent Dina there if I hadn't wanted to take her through this myself. I felt that was too impersonal though. I knew how much she loved me and it would have hurt her if I'd sent her away. With my feelings for her, I owed it to her to be with her while she learned. It was also very satisfying for me to train her. I also had to admit a certain part of me felt extremely possessive, even more so than was normal for a vampire, and I wouldn't want her away from me.

The last part of Leila's message was interesting. "…Mr. Northman, I've spoken with you about this before. Mr. Burnham again tried to insist that he be allowed to stay and observe the session. A first session like this is traumatizing enough for a young girl without a man leering at her from the corner. Because of your special relationship with Dina, I denied Mr. Burnham access to the room. I mean, we are in a locked house where I myself cannot leave without your permission. In future, if you desire a guard to be in the actual room, I would strongly suggest a woman?"

I closed my eyes and sighed. I had not wanted Burnham present in the room with Dina. I would rip his eyes out if he ever saw her naked. Had I done or said something in the past to make him think he needed to be involved this closely with these sessions, or was he just being a pervert? The women Leila treated didn't need guards. Almost all of them were volunteers hoping that the Vampire who would be their escort was someone decent who would want to keep them. I had a contract with these Vampires. If I provided this service for them, they were not to harm the human. Feeding was allowed, and all manners of sex, but no torture or intentional cruelty.

There was a message from Burnham himself. "Master, your new girl is very disrespectful of my position. I would ask that you talk to her about it?" His voice had a way of turning snivelly when he wanted something from me. Dina was disrespectful? She had always taken her manners very seriously. This wasn't making a lot of sense. "I made it clear she was not to open the case I left for you, but you never know with those types!"

He was talking about Dina as though she were just some girl off the street that I picked up. Hadn't I been clear enough with him as to who she was? She wasn't going away, ever, and the sooner he realized that the better. I would have to talk to him. I only kept him around because his loyalty was absolute, but others always complained about him. He worked when I could not be there to deal with matters – during the day – so it was easy for things to become distorted. He was replaceable, but it was so hard to find a competent human and teach them. In truth, I held Dina in much higher esteem than Bobby, and once her training was complete enough for us to go out into the world together, where I was Burnham's Master, she would be his Mistress. I don't know very many vampires with bondeds and it would take me time to work out a good strategy for presenting them and their dynamic. I assumed few would view me as weak or try to exploit the fact that my bonded human was superior to my dayman.

It was a good thing I had tapes to view in my spare time. I typed a quick text message to him. "Fangtasia. 4am." This would give me time to view the video feed of every interaction between him and my Dina before I talked to him.

I had blocked off my side of the bond while checking messages and I hoped Dina wasn't feeling the displeasure I felt toward Burnham. I lowered the shield and let my pride and happiness flow just as I stepped into the doorway between the two rooms, smiling at her. I couldn't keep my fangs under control so they were halfway descended. She was a vision in that red dress! I needed to put her in red a more often. Her hair was up in a simple clip and she wore that tiny collar with my name on it. If my heart had been beating, it would have stopped. It looked like she was trying to find a sexy pose for when I came in. That was what was so sexy about her -she tried so hard for me. But all she had to do was sit there. I was hard immediately, glad that I had stopped to put on a pair of jeans. A lesser man would have fallen at her feet. I had trouble finding words. "Come here," was all I was able to croak out, trying to use the strong voice I reserved for when I was asserting my Dominance. I turned away as she rose and followed me to the bedroom. Watching her walk could be my undoing.

DINA POV

Eric came out and looked like a God. His fangs weren't fully descended, but were visibly poking out. I felt the happiness and lust coming off in waves. "Come here." He said hoarsely and I followed him into our bedroom. I felt that same thrill shoot down my spine and settle between my thighs, I always felt when Eric spoke to me like this.

As Eric turned around the air was thick with the sexual tension between us, and then I almost fell to my knees as a wave of lust swept over me like a tsunami. Was that coming from Eric, or did my feelings somehow contribute to it? "I want you to strip." He said firmly. The way he had no need to move, or fidget, was unnerving. His perfect stillness only made him seem more formidable, if that was possible. I peeled off my clothes and stood there with my dress in my hands, unsure of what to do with it. I turned to face him and tried to not shy away from his gaze. I remembered to keep my legs open and felt a blush rise across my skin.

"I'm going to inspect you," he said firmly. "I want to see your body after your appointment with your stylist. I want to see how you look since becoming mine."

I nodded and wondered how I could feel aroused, nervous, and embarrassed all at once. I was able to know that both Eric and I were sexually stimulated. Our bond was murky and confusing at times, but there was no doubt this desire was partially mine.

I shivered at his words and stared at him. I wondered what exactly he was going to do and how it would feel.

ERIC POV

I had to get myself together and I knew it. I wanted to take her in my arms and feel her. Her ass was just the right size for my palms and her breasts! I loved to put my face between them and close my eyes. They could smother me, but I didn't have to breathe. I loved to nuzzle my way beneath them, licking and sucking and finally biting, making her scream. I had to stop thinking about that or I would never get through this. I had to keep my distance and seem aloof. That wasn't easy when she came to a stop just a few feet away and her scent billowed up to catch me off guard as I turned around. She was turned on already. She wasn't dreading this; on the contrary, she was anticipating what was to come. I could feel the heat coming from between her legs the way a human man never could have, and the sweet, musky scent of her arousal almost put me to shame. She didn't know how to manipulate the blood bond but I did. I sent lust back at her as hard as I could, hoping to unnerve her the way she was unnerving me. I had to be the master here, the dominant. I was the one in control.

"I want you to strip!" I commanded her, not too harshly but enough to let her know I meant business. I gave her a fierce look meant to tell her I liked what I saw but I wanted more. And I was going to ask for more. A lot more. I stilled completely, waiting. She had trouble with her body image and I knew that. I thought it was ridiculous; she was the most gorgeous and sexy thing on two legs as far as I was concerned. I wasn't going to put up with any of that "don't look at me" shtick some women tried. I'll never understand someone who will have sex with you, but not strip in front of you. I had never spent time with my bedmates, but heard of human women who wouldn't be seen without make-up on even after allowing their partner to spend the night. Times were getting more and more ridiculous.

I was pleased when she immediately did what I said. As she stepped out of the dress, her arms instinctively moved like she was going to cover herself, but she caught that in time to stop it. Good girl. I noticed that she boldly turned to face me, keeping her feet just a little more than shoulder width apart. She'd remembered to open herself to me. I was very happy but I showed nothing, not moving at all. Beneath my gaze a blush crept up her body starting from the tips of her toes and ending with her face. I could feel her fighting not to cover her body, but she still held the dress.

"I'm going to inspect you," I told her as though it was something we did every day. "I want to see your body after your appointment with your stylist. I want to see how you look since becoming mine." I let that sink in for her while I took the dress out of her hands and laid it over the back of the dressing chair. She trembled ever-so-slightly but held her ground. I was going to push tonight. My inspection would probably embarrass her but it would make one thing potently clear. She belonged to ME. There was no privacy from me where her body was concerned. I would do with it, and her, as I pleased. She would accept my hands, and whatever other parts of me I decided, on or in any part of her body, without question, or there would be consequences.

She remained silent and I knew she had no idea how or whether to respond to me at all. Her eyes were wide, a little fearful, and that was a huge turn-on for me. I was Vampire, after all. But ultimately I didn't want her to fear me unless she was due for punishment. She would take all of her cues from me, and right now the tension in the room was so thick that you could feel it as you moved. I reached forward, taking her hands in mine, rubbing little circles with my thumbs and shaking her arms lightly. "Relax Dina." I said softly but firmly. "Breathe!" This brought everything to a head, as I'd known it would. She grabbed hard onto my hands like a lifeline and her breathing started to come in shallow, shaky bursts. If I had just started maneuvering her around and touching her, that would have produced this response.

"Lean forward!" I ordered her. "Put your hands on your thighs!" I helped her into this position and began rubbing her back. "There you go! Let your head hang loose. Shake it out if you like. I will let you put it back up in the clip in a moment."

I tried to make my voice strong and reassuring at the same time. She would draw on my strength as well here, and I needed to hold us both up. From behind her I squeezed her shoulders and massaged her neck while she let her head hang as I'd ordered. I rubbed her back hard, working out the tension. I pulled the clip out of her hair and massaged her scalp. After a few minutes of my coaching, she stood back up and looked at me with new resolve, even managing a small smile, which I returned. My Dina was a person, after all. What I was about to do may have objectified her, but because I had acknowledged her feelings it wouldn't sting quite so badly. She reached for the clip in my hand, wanting to put her hair back up. I shook my head.

"Let me." I walked around behind her and gathered her hair into my hands, smoothing and taming it as I went. I noticed that Leila had only done a very light trim as I'd instructed. It pleased me to see the lack of split ends. I expertly twisted Dina's hair up similar to the way she'd had it before and clipped it in place. This brought the collar to my notice. This collar had my name on it, announcing to the world that she was mine.

"How did you feel about your new collar today?" I asked from behind, touching the leather and caressing her skin.

This caused a bit of a sob for some reason. "It... It's beautiful Eric!" she said softly.

"But it causes tears?" I demanded gently, confused as I wiped one from her cheek.

"May I touch you?" she asked.

This caught me by surprise. I had never instructed her to ask for permission before touching me. It was something I planned to bring up later because while I mostly wanted her to be free to touch me, there would be times when I would want her to ask. "Yes, you may," I said evenly.

She turned and threw her arms around my waist, leaning her head on my shoulder.

"I can't describe it, Eric!" Her voice was shaky, but strong. I held her gently. "This tiny little piece of leather," and she reached up to touch it lovingly, "means so much more than the other one did, because your name is on it. It makes all of this real. Not that it wasn't real before, but with your name being here… I am yours, and it makes me ….proud. I feel loved and not degraded like…like I thought I would. I thought it would embarrass me to wear a collar but it doesn't! It feels… right." The last word she said softly with a lot of feeling. I put my hands on her shoulders and moved her back from me a bit to see her face. Her face was wet with tears but her eyes shone at me, full of trust and love.

This was exactly what I had wanted. She had accepted everything I'd done to her, and everything I'd given her. I vowed then to not mess this up. Some force, some god, was obviously smiling down on me right now. I wanted to possess all of her and the more she gave in to me, the more I wanted to lose control and be demanding. But I had to be patient. She was still a novice and so very young. I wouldn't break her trust with over zealousness.

I smiled back at her with what I hoped was the same intensity, because her reaction made me deliriously happy. Then I kissed her, and I poured something completely different into the bond while I did it: Respect, gratitude, and happiness. And lust, of course. Lots of lust. I was still me.

I had allowed this brief distraction to loosen things up between us but now I had to get back to the plans I had made. If she truly meant what she said, she would react well to the brand of ownership that I was about to reinforce upon her. It had been necessary to let that emotion out.

"Back to business!" I ordered with a whisper and a kiss on her forehead. She gave a knowing smile and nodded. Then the musk that had permeated the air a few moments ago became stronger, telling me again that she liked my dominance. I was about to put that to the test.

"No more talking now without permission," I said, stepping back from her. Gods, she was beautiful! Her whole body was still flushed from our encounter. At her nod, I gave further instructions. "If I ask you a question, you will answer yes or no, followed by my name. That is all. Do you understand?" My voice was back to Eric-The-Dominant and it seemed to trigger something within her.

"Yes, Eric!" she answered me.

"Spread your legs. Wide as you can."

"Yes, Eric." she moved them as wide apart for me as she could and still stand comfortably. I was pleased.

"Eyes on me unless I am out of your range of vision," I ordered next. I gestured to my eyes as I said this. "If you can not comfortably see my eyes, look at my crotch."

A tiny burst of emotion bubbled up inside of her that could have come out as a giggle, but she hid it well. "Yes Eric," she said with a big smile. Good. She could see the effect she had on me, and what she was going to get if I rewarded her at the end of all this.

Time for lesson 1. "Good. Now raise your arms and lace your fingers at the back of your neck. Do not move them from that position until I give you permission!"

"Yes Eric"

She was trying too hard and I could see it. "You don't have to say 'yes Eric' every time I give you an order. Only when I ask you a question." I said gently. I could see her mouth starting to form the words, so I raised an eyebrow. She smiled gratefully at me. A piece of hair had come loose from the clip so I reached out and tucked it behind her ear, taking the opportunity to test the strength of her grip of the fingers behind her neck. "Remember, keep them there." She nodded, smiling into my eyes.

I started to walk around her and saw the strain this position was putting on her body. I brought my "Eric-The-Dom" voice back out for the rest of this encounter. I was sweet on her but I couldn't let that override my intentions or change the dynamic of the relationship. When everything came naturally to both of us I would be sweet. "Stand up straight." I corrected her, placing my hand on her lower back and another on her head. With her feet so far apart she was leaning back and I didn't want her to fall. I held her shoulders and pushed her feet a little bit closer together, still leaving them wide apart, but so that she could be more comfortable. "Do not lock your knees." I said next. Returning to the front, I saw that she now stood up straight, elbows out to the sides and breasts thrust forward, just the way I wanted them. "Eyes on me." I had to remind her when her gaze slipped somewhere behind me.

Without warning I reached out for her breasts. She jumped a little at the sudden contact and I gave her a stern glare. I would tolerate no negative reactions to my touch. I had never really done this before in such detail, really examined them outside of sexual play. I cupped the left one in my hands and it felt firm, smooth, and warm. I knew that no lumps should be present so I palpated every inch of it with my fingers. She kept her eyes on my face but I could see that she was struggling. Her face was very red. "Dina! Breathe!" I barked at her. She must need more reassurance. I cupped her chin and cheek in my palm. "This is not punishment," I told her gently. "I am going to look over every inch of your body. There is nothing to be embarrassed or afraid of. None of this, and I repeat NONE of this, is punishment. Some will be unpleasant for you."

She nodded but still seemed distressed.

"I am going to give you a couple of safe words here. The first one is 'yellow.' If things start to get too intense and you feel that we may be coming to something you won't handle well, use the word 'yellow.' Understood?"

"Yes Eric," she said bravely, her lower lip quivering. I had noticed this a lot when we were having rough sex or something had upset her. I wondered if she even realized that it was happening.

"Good girl!" I knew she needed as much praise and reassurance as I could give. "The next word is 'red.' If we come to a point where you absolutely can not handle what is happening, use this word and I will immediately stop." She looked relieved, a little too relieved for my liking. "Be warned, however. Use these words with caution and only when necessary. I will require a full explanation of why you used the safe word. If you use it simply to stop pain or penetration, that will not be enough. Not only will I continue with what I am doing, but I will punish you later. I am very serious. We will get this over with quickly if you will relax. We will do this often, so I want you to get used to it as best you can. Do you understand?"

She looked into my eyes and I could see that she was still having trouble. But, through the bond, I felt something change. I scented her arousal again, very lightly, but it was there. "Yes, Eric," she said with a little more confidence than she had before.

"Remember, again, none of this is punishment." I needed her to know that because of what I was about to do. "Get ready. I am starting again." She nodded again. I decided to let her have one concession. "I would like you to look into my eyes as I do this. However, if that becomes too much for you to bear, you may look down. Not away, but down. Understood?"

She gave me a small smile and a sigh. I took that to be a good sign. "Yes, Eric."

I reached out and caressed her face affectionately, and then began again. I picked up the right breast and cupped it in my hand. This one felt slightly lighter than the other one, and it felt rounder. The other one was longer. I palpated every inch of her breast and found nothing untoward, then I pushed them together and looked at them. The left one hung about a half inch lower than the other. I did not find this to be unappealing. I was sure that I was not entirely symmetrical either. I pulled her breasts apart to examine between them. Her flesh was smooth and creamy white. No sun ever penetrated here. Her skin was so soft that I wanted to lay my head right down and forget this inspection business. But that would not help me to assert my dominance.

Without warning I grabbed her left breast roughly, squeezing it hard. I put my hands around it as though something, like a rope, was tied there, and held it. This was hurting her; I could tell. She looked down at the floor, using the breathing technique I had shown her to try to stay calm. I wanted to see how her breast would react to being tied before I actually did it. I bent down to the nipple and laved my tongue over it. She jumped and breathed in deep. I scented her deep arousal at what I was doing, and she thrust her breast forward for me. The nipple could not stand up as well in this position but I could tell it wanted to. I nicked the tip with my fang and she jumped again, unable to stop a cry of pain. Her blood flowed faster this way, and I lapped it up greedily, then used my saliva to seal the wound. I let go of her breast and massaged it for a moment to help with the circulation. But I wasn't quite done. I grabbed it again and slapped it with my open palm. It showed my handprint in red against the creamy whiteness. I liked the way it looked.

I could tell that Dina was having a really hard time holding her hands behind her neck like that. "Dina?" I asked to get her attention. She wasn't looking at me. When she lifted her face her eyes were full of tears. Along with the tears, however, she was very aroused. I could feel it through the bond. "You like that, don't you?" I asked her wickedly, my voice dripping with sex.

She started to open her mouth but then she closed it and looked down again, shaking her head. I grabbed her chin, a bit roughly. "Do not lie to me!" I said sternly. I knew she lied and I knew why. She had been brought up in a Christian faith where women were very repressed sexually. She was very forward and open compared to other women in her religion I had encountered, but she was ashamed to admit that this taboo gave her pleasure. I came close to her ear and drew blood with my fang, a tiny punishment. As I sucked her earlobe into my mouth to savor her blood, I whispered seductively, "I can feel you through the bond. I can smell how turned on you are. If I put my hand…" And I reached down, inserting two fingers into her. She gasped with surprised pleasure. I was right. I brought the two fingers back up and held them in front of her mouth. "Open!" I commanded, and she did. I pushed my fingers all the way in as if it were my cock in her mouth. "Taste how much you do not like this. Later we will discuss why you feel that you have to lie about getting pleasure from pain." I kissed her cheek and drew away, leaving my fingers in her mouth long enough to let her lick every inch of them and suck them to my satisfaction.

"Would it be easier for you if I tied your hands, Dina?" I asked her. "You are conditioned to use your hands to try to ward off someone who is causing you pain." She stared at me blankly and I got the sense that she thought neither answer was the right one. I made it for her. "Do not move!" I ordered. I walked to my closet, went to the back, and opened a hidden compartment. In here were all of the clothes and other items I had bought for Dina. She would see them little by little as I brought them out. I found what I was looking for and brought it out.

It was a posture collar, tall enough to cover her entire neck. It had a big D-ring that I was about to utilize. "Hands behind your back." I ordered her as I walked behind her to fit the collar over her other one, placing the D-ring at the back. She obeyed immediately. I had two leather cuffs attached to lengths of chain. I fitted one cuff around her wrist and then brought it up, attaching the chain to the D-ring on the collar. Then I did the other one. "Lace your fingers together, as comfortably as you can," I demanded. She obeyed, and I fastened two lengths of chain between the cuffs, holding them the same distance apart as they would be if she laced her fingers. But, if she got tired and could no longer lace her fingers together, the chain and cuffs would hold her hands in place. She now had no way to resist anything that I did. I tipped her chin up to look at me. "Remember, this is not a punishment." She nodded and smiled at me, a weak smile but a smile nonetheless. I kissed her lips tenderly, hoping to express my deep feelings for her even as I did these things to her.

I grabbed the right breast and repeated the same treatment on it that I had done to the left one. When I nicked her nipple with my fang I got a stronger pain reaction and she got more aroused. Her right nipple was more sensitive. I took note of that. When I was finished with that test I held each of my palms in front of her face and commanded her to get them very wet. Afterward I took them and rubbed my palms around and around at the tips of her nipples. When they were very hard I started rolling them between my thumbs and fingers, helping them to elongate as much as they could. I had piercing on my mind. I'd seen some women's breasts double-pierced and it was beautiful. I wondered if Dina's nipples could take that. But there was one other thing to test today. My ministrations became harder and harder, and at last I was pulling firmly on her nipples when I clamped my thumb and forefinger down on each one. She had been whimpering with the pain I was causing, and now she screamed. "Eric! You're hurting me!"

I was proud that she hadn't thrown out a safeword, which would have made me stop. "Eyes on me Dina." I ordered her, this time wanting to see everything. "Ssshhh, unless you are using your safe words."

She stared at me silently, her head thrown back, panting heavily while trying to deal with the pain I was causing. I knew that her nipples would numb after a few minutes with the circulation being cut off, and I also knew that I could go no longer than 30 minutes without causing damage. I would periodically pull or twist one or both nipples, keeping the stimulation going outside of the area that was numb. My hands were strong enough to do this all day long but her nipples weren't. I was using the bond to gauge her pain threshold, also going by how aroused I knew she was and keeping steady eye contact. I did not need to breathe, but I breathed with her to help her. Her entire body trembled and she pulled at the cuffs I'd put on her a few times. I was glad I'd put them there because I would have had to punish her if she'd made an attempt to pull my hands away.

Finally her trembling increased along with her tears and I knew she was at her limit. "Brace yourself, this will hurt." I told her, trying to sound gentle. Then I let go. She screamed and started to fall forward. I caught her easily and held her. "Sssshhhhh, sssshhhh," I soothed, stroking her back. "You did very well. I am proud of you." Indeed she had withstood nearly ten minutes of my torturing her nipples. That was excellent for a beginner!

Then I set her back in place and reached for her breasts again. She backed away from me. Instantly I was angry. I grabbed her hair behind her shoulders and pulled her to me. She was crying hard. "Please Eric! This is too much! It hurts!" she screamed at me before I could yell at her for backing away.

My heart softened. I had just put her through as much as she could take. I was only trying to make amends when she had backed away, but she hadn't known that. My hand in her hair loosened. "Sit still, Lover." I ordered gently. "I am going to heal you." Whether she damn well liked it or not. I turned her to face me again.

"Be still!" I commanded in a voice that I hoped would make her know not to cross me again. Then I reached for her as I'd done a moment ago. I touched the bruises I had made and the scratches from my fangs. She winced. When my fingers came near her nipples I could tell she wanted to back away, but she stood her ground. Proud of her, I grinned.

"Very good." Then I bit my own tongue and bent my head to her, pulling her nipple into my mouth before she knew what had happened. She screamed again but it only lasted a few seconds. I had covered her nipple and the surrounding area with my blood and was licking and sucking gently. This was about healing her and making up for what I had just done. After a few minutes of my ministrations she sighed happily and I knew I was starting to make her feel good. My dick was straining like it wanted to jump out of my pants but it would have to wait. When I lifted my head I asked her, "Better?"

"Yes Eric, thank you," she said softly, almost shyly, smiling tentatively at me.

I smiled back and touched her face. Her eyes were still wet with her tears sparkling in her eyelashes. I had never known anyone with such long eyelashes! Her eyes had drawn me in the first time I'd met her but I hadn't made a move to get her then. When she had started running her mouth in Merlotte's about being mine, it was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I wasn't stupid enough not to take advantage of the situation.

I fixed up her other nipple in the same way. "The bruises will heal when we share blood." I told her.

I would rarely keep bruises on her. Her first day as my sub was different. She needed those marks to help with her mindset and keep her thinking about me as I died for the day. In the future, as long as her punishment was fully over, I would heal her. I was good enough with rope not to bruise later when I did tie her breasts. She had the kind of breasts that begged for tying! Full and ripe with large nipples that my fangs ached to bite. I was going to have a lot of fun with her breasts in the future now that I knew she could withstand what I wanted to do. If it had been too much for her I would have tempered myself, but instead she had enjoyed it, whether she wanted to admit it or not.

"You did well, Dina!" I praised her. "We are far from finished but the worst part is over." I still felt lust and happy anticipation of the evening's activities so I flooded those feelings back into the bond, hoping she would pick back up on them. She nodded and gave me a brave smile.

I decided I did need to make one additional statement. "I was very lenient with you today when you spoke out of turn or backed away from me." She started to open her mouth as if to protest or make an excuse, but I put my finger over her lips. "I know why you did it. We have never done this before and I was causing you pain. I am letting it slide today but I will not in the future. I expect complete compliance and obedience. Wouldn't you rather be rewarded for good behavior than punished for making mistakes?"

I smiled lasciviously at her, licking my fangs in the process. I pulled her close to me and put my palm on her stomach, moving downward and deliberately stimulating her clit, tracing my fingers gently along her outer lips before parting her folds and slipping my fingers inside. I moved in and out and around and around until I felt her body spasm with a small wave of pleasure. Her eyes were hooded and she was panting slightly as she stared into my eyes with the same lust that I felt. Her knees buckled and I held her, keeping her from falling and loving the fact that my touch had such a strong effect on her. I kissed her lips, hard, as I moved my fingers slowly out of her, then brought them up to her face where she knew exactly what to do. I nodded with approval and she smiled sweetly, casting her eyes down submissively and making my cock want to jump out of my pants. I stepped back, caressing her waist and her cheeks as I moved my hands into place for the next part of my inspection.

I wanted to completely memorize the feel of her body as well as the way it looked, so I closed my eyes and ran my hands slowly down her sides along her rib cage toward her waist. When I reached there I spread out my hands to see if my hands could span her waist. I have very big hands. They could not, and I opened my eyes to see that I had about an inch at the front and the back between my thumbs and forefingers. She turned red. I had originally meant to keep track of her freckles and birthmarks, but had lost count. Some of the larger ones stuck out and I filed them away for later. Next I continued my exploration, running my hands down the sides of her hips and again using my hands to gauge the size of her hips at her hipbones. I put my hands directly over her hip bones, which were visible but not prominent, and felt my way over her pubic bone along the near flatness of her stomach back up toward her breasts. I noted she had stretch marks, some very faint. Then I felt a tear splash on my arm and I looked at her face.

"Dina, why are you crying?" I asked. I hadn't the faintest idea why she would be upset. I wasn't hurting her any more; my touch was gentle.

"I-I'm sorry Eric!" she managed to say, hanging her head.

"Sorry for what?" I was truly in the dark here.

"I have to look horrible. I can lose weight. I've done it before...we can get my bike or an exercise one for the house-"

And I did the worst thing I could do. I laughed. This made her cry harder. It took my male mind a minute to figure out why. I moved forward, tilted her head up to look at me, then put my arms around her waist. "Dina, you do not need to lose weight. You are beautiful." She looked like she didn't believe me so I pressed my erection into her stomach. "Does this feel like I am not attracted to you?"

She was skeptical. "Eric, you're a guy, and you have a naked woman standing here, and you can do anything you want to me because my hands are tied. Of course you'd get a hard-on! Any guy would, even with a pig standing here!"

I was taken aback. "You think you look like a pig?"

She shook her head but couldn't meet my eyes. I sighed. Another consequence of this society is that women think they have to be twigs to be desirable. I disagree. I like a woman to have some meat on her bones. In fact, I would be happy if Dina gained a few pounds. She would be softer for me. Her breasts might even grow. What man wouldn't want that?

I will admit that I got a little bit irritated but I tried not to show it. "Dina, look at me." I demanded. When she didn't, I lifted her chin again, this time not as gently. "I am a man of few words. If you are waiting for me to compose poetry about the beauty of your body, you will be waiting a long time. I think you are beautiful. You are perfect. You do not need to lose weight. I probably will not say this as often as you want to hear it, but it is the truth. Feel the bond. I cannot lie to you." I hoped I wouldn't have to spend half the night giving her reassurances. I'd thought it was clear how much I loved her body. I didn't understand why she was having doubts.

She closed her eyes for a few seconds and then looked up at me, smiling and looking embarrassed. Her face was still red but I didn't know if that was from her crying or not. "I wish I could hug you," she said.

I waggled my eyebrows at her and swatted her ass lightly. "Later." I said with a wink. "Now, are we clear on how I feel about your body? I do not want to have to stop every five minutes."

She nodded her head. "Yes Eric. I'm sorry."

I kissed her forehead and started where I'd left off. I have a near perfect memory. Putting my hands on her body like this would allow me to know if there was the slightest change. It would also allow me to know her size when buying things for her like clothes, lingerie, and other fun stuff. After I got the feel of her torso, I got to my knees and ran my hands down the length of both legs. I spanned her upper thighs, above her knees, her calves, and her ankles with my hands and fingers, again to gauge the size. Her hair was growing out. I noticed it under her arms before and now on her legs. She wasn't used to this, but I thought it made her look better. I didn't hate all cosmetics and modern appearance care, but it was nice to have her be more natural. I examined her feet, taking note of the pedicure that had been done earlier. I tried tickling her feet but got no response. I was disappointed. I had heard that humans were ticklish on their feet.

"Where are you ticklish, Dina?" I asked her.

"What?"

"Ticklish. Your feet aren't. Where?"

"Eric! I don't want to tell you that! You'll use it against me!" she exclaimed, giggling.

I wasn't having that. "Let me put it this way. You will either tell me where, or I will find out for myself. If I have to find out for myself, I will tie you down one day and tickle-torture you until you beg for mercy, and then some more after that." I stood up and waited for her response.

She got red once again. Have I mentioned how much I love to see her blush? "Um, well, my, um…"

"I am waiting, Dina." I used my Dominant voice that always got a response from her. I scented her arousal again at the sound of my voice like that and took note.

"Um, under my, er, arms and, um, ribs." she said haltingly.

Of course I had to test it out. I reached out and tickled her where she had said. It was very convenient that I had her hands cuffed at the back of her neck. She had no way to defend herself. I laughed wickedly as she shrieked and tried to move out of my reach, which was impossible. I'd wanted to get her laughing because she would hate what I was about to do. I made her cry for mercy and then stopped.

While her hands were still out of my way, I moved behind her to examine her back. I ran my fingers down her spine, finding it to be straight. I checked her neck, noticing a small scar near her ear. She told me it was from accidentally burning herself with a hair straighter. I would consult Leila, but doubted she would ever use one of those again. She had a small mole just right of her spine a bit below the waist. I would keep an eye on that. Then I uncuffed her hands and spent a few minutes helping her rub the feeling back into them. I rather liked the look of the posture collar, though, so I left it there.

"Bend over and touch your fingers to the floor," I ordered suddenly. Her face turned red again and she hesitated long enough for me to start getting impatient. I could feel turmoil within her through the bond. Before I had to say it again, she did as I asked. I put two fingers inside her vagina, which I found to be very, very wet. "I think you are enjoying this much more than you let on." I said in a lustful voice, but I didn't expect an answer. I moved my fingers in and out a few times. "How tight can you squeeze me?" I asked her.

I felt her clamp her muscles and was impressed. "Have you practiced this?" I asked curiously.

"A little. I read about it in a magazine and heard it on a show once." I could see the blush on her body and heard it in her voice. I was happy that I wouldn't have to work too hard on her vaginal muscle training. "Alright, one more thing since there are many things to get done tonight." I removed my fingers and used my other hand to start pulling her into a standing position. I placed my fingers at her mouth and she started sucking without having to me told. I smiled. She was learning so quickly and so well. I walked her to the bed once she cleaned my hand of her juices. "I want you to bend over. Put your weight on your elbows and spread your legs wide."

She moved to do as I said, but I saw her muscles tense. She was very nervous. I started to run my hands over her hips and massage her lower back. "Is there somewhere you are a virgin?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yea." She said quietly, her voice shaky.

"Want to try that again? I said, generously.

She hesitated before replying, "Yes, Eric."

I was excited. I didn't care that my pet had been sexually active before me. It would be unhealthy for her not to be. But it was nice to have something completely mine. I took similar pleasure in knowing I controlled who would see her body and what parts of it, of course. There was the added bonus that anal, more so than any other form of sex, had the ability to be painful or pleasurable. It would take time for us to work up to me taking her virginity and I planned to make the event memorable. "Let's see how you feel, Lover."

I surprised her by sliding a finger into her pussy. She moaned and I added another. I pumped them steadily and began to press against her G-spot. I wanted them soaking wet. After a few moment and before she came, I slid my fingers out of her. They were quickly put against her back entrance. She stiffened. "You need to relax. Feel how wet you are. You know you enjoy what I do to you."

I began to run small circles around her hole and could tell she enjoyed this. I gently pressed in one fingertip. Her body moved to press me away. I kept a firm hand on her hip. "Relax. It hurts less when you are calm." I pressed the finger in further. I held it inside her and felt her extreme tightness. My cock nearly exploded in jealousy of my digit buried inside her unbreached hole. She slowly relaxed and I began to move it in and out of her. I once again felt the need to be kind. Since she was so unsure, I'd let her help set the pace.

"Dina, would you like to try one more finger? You can say 'no;' you've done well tonight."

"No. Please, Eric, not just yet." She replied. I could tell she was grateful. I kept my finger moving and twisted it slightly. I was going to make sure to give her good fingering tonight. I knew she was feeling both a lot of pleasure and pain. I'd classify it more as discomfort than true pain. I didn't stop until I felt the lube she provided drying up. I pulled my finger out and grabbed both of her hips. "I need to have you now."

"Yes Eric." It sounded like a plea. I quickly readied myself and dove into her. She was gushing for me. I fucked her hard and fast. She came first, screaming my name. I followed behind her. It took us only minutes to finish. Her body collapsed, half on the floor and half on the bed. I truly hadn't planned on having sex with her before I left for Fangtasia. She made me crave sex like I was still a newborn.

I got back on track, as I had a lot to do tonight. I went to the dresser and retrieved the collar she's worn for most of her stay here. I was still ordering more for her and would enjoy using them all, but I would probably keep the plain leather D-ring one on her most days. I came back to find her still recovering. "Lets change collars." I nformed what I was about to do. I began to undo the posture collar. She flexed her freed neck when I finished. Generally, I would always collar and uncollar her. I felt it was important for her to collar herself this morning. She was here and submitting to me willingly. I wanted to have her willfully and physically show that submission. It also worked out quite well for her to have such a thin collar on when she went to her stylist. I wasn't sure if I'd repeat this for the next appointment or if I'd change her collar before bed. She sat on the bed, still nude, only in her collar. I pulled her out a silk robe and handed it o her. She pulled it no and fastened the belt.

"Come on, Lover. Go refresh yourself and meet me in the living room." I pulled her up and gently patted her butt as she walked out of the room.

DINA POV

I was slightly shaken up by the inspection. It was both mental and physical. I could almost ignore the physical parts, if it wasn't for how it made me feel. My body was truly owned. I was positioned, looked at, touched, and (for lack of a better word) appraised by the one who owned me. I had read that even after years some subs always feel embarrassed during an inspection. Great. This may not get easier.

I think – and I hated to even think this- that I was most upset because it turned me on. I enjoyed the humiliating act of having my body reviewed for Eric's pleasure. I couldn't remember what that paraphilia was where people got off on being humiliated, but I was worried that I fell under that heading. And Eric was right – I responded positively to some of the pain as well. Some I hated. I wished I hated it all.

How could I enjoy that at all?

And worst of all, Eric knew I enjoyed it. He felt it. He sensed it. He smelled it. The whole time.

I was also embarrassed first by how I looked and then humiliated that I cried like a 14 year old girl over how I looked. It made me feel like heaven to know Eric felt I was beautiful. I would have to get over this so I didn't keep bringing this topic up. It was so strange that Eric liked me with some extra pounds and unshaven everywhere.

Speaking of everywhere, having Eric's finger in my butt was a very new thing for me. I was nervous about having his cock in there. There was some pain and it didn't feel nice the whole time. I enjoyed some of it, but was unwilling to let him add another digit. I wondered just how patient he was going to be about taking my virginity. I didn't know if I wanted to put it off or get the first time – which is always the worst - over with.

I shook my head and went to find a snack. I grabbed my drinkable yogurt from our store outing and began to chug it. It was cold against my teeth – which as Leila pointed out, weren't in the best shape – but I was hungry. I also cracked open a can of Mountain Dew Throwback and got my much-needed caffeine fix. I was curious as to what exactly Eric was looking through in that case I gave him from Bobby. It was tightly locked, but that didn't mean anything- Eric was so careful and conscious of his privacy, nearly everything was locked.

I debated what I'd say about Bobby – did I want to be preemptive or wait until Eric read his report and brought it up? Preemptive made me look more innocent – which I already was. But it might be better to see what Bobby actually said before I started telling Eric my side. Besides – what was I going to say? I didn't want any harm to come to that slime ball. I learned quickly that complaining to a vampire usually meant whoever you bitched about didn't live too long afterward. Me kicking or slapping him was one thing – and if he would have gotten any closer I would have – but I didn't want Eric to kill him. And for all his faults, Bobby was loyal to Eric. He did his job well.

Plus, it made me feel weak to run to my big, strong, fanged boyfriend because some jerk messed with me.

Eric came up behind me and put his arm around my waist. "I have to go to the bar. I want to feed before I leave."

I put down my beverage and followed as he led me to the couch. He pulled me on his lap.

"I'm going to feed well tonight; more than usual. I want you to eat and drink what I left out for you once I finish." He gestured at a tray on the table. I didn't know I'd missed it when I first walked in. I nodded. I began to feel nervous. What exactly was he going to do at the bar? Did something happen?

Of course he sensed my uneasiness. "Shh, It's fine. Just business. Nothing bad for me, I promise you." He began to nuzzle my shoulder and collar-clad neck. "I hate to take this off so soon after it going back to its rightful place."

He removed my collar and started to lick and kiss my throat. I leaned back into him, moaning. He always made it feel so good. His fangs sank into me. His hands didn't roam over my breasts and between my thighs like they normally did. He seemed focused on feeding, but still made an effort to caress me. I laced my fingers with the hand he had around my midsection. His other hand slid up to my face to both hold my head and stroke my cheek.

Around the time he normally stopped, he sucked harder. I began to feel a bit woozy. He finally stopped and sealed my wounds. He placed my collar back on and slid me off his lap, on to the couch. I quickly had some vitamin b-12 and iron pills in a small cup put in my hand. I tossed them in my mouth and took the water Eric offered me. Next I downed some juice and began to munch on some cookies Eric had thoughtfully placed on the tray. I smiled, loving how attentive Eric was.

"How long are you going to be gone?" I asked, slightly nervous of being here all alone. I hated not knowing and waiting. And not being able to leave if I wanted to. I also didn't know what to do if something went wrong…not that it realistically would. I was a worry wart.

"It might take a while. I'm going to leave something with you." He disappeared into the other room and came back holding a cell phone in his hand. "You can use this to call me if you need me. I don't want you to contact anyone else."

He came and sat in front on me, using the table as a chair. He showed me how his cell, Fangtasia, and Pam's contact information was stored in the contacts. "Dina," I looked up and he cupped my face. "Remember: you are not locked in, everyone else is locked out."

He kissed me. "I'll be home soon lover, I have one more thing for you. Wait here."

He left to go upstairs and I sat there dumbfounded. I didn't expect this. I think I was going to take a nap after I finished my cookies. I was so drained. Haha, I was literally a little drained thanks to Eric.

Eric came back 2 and a half cookies later. He was carrying bags of food. Amazing smelling food!

"I found all your favorites off your order history online. Bobby stopped to pick you up a couple dinners from two or three places. Put what don't finish in the fridge. And…The last of your DVDs are here. As always you are free to journal for me or for yourself while I'm gone. Will you miss me, lover?"

I looked at him, still shocked, with drool coming out of my mouth. "You know I will. Hurry back, please." I hoped he could feel the overwhelming love and gratitude that I felt for him. Had a better man ever walked the face of the earth?

"I will."

And with that he was gone and I was left to devour the 'couple' of dinners he got me.