“Who is my most prized possession?” she enunciated, waiting patiently for Brandi to gain her voice back, arms still straining against the rope. Legs like putty.

“I am.”

After Simone had gone to lock the door to make certain that they were alone again, she untied her lover, and put a leash on her to walk her upstairs, into a nice, hot bath.

Brandi could recover in the heated tub, finding nothing sexual about their nakedness. Instead, it was remarkably innocent in contrast to the many other activities they enjoyed together. There they were in the tub together, Simone very carefully cleaning her in silence. Brandi closed her eyes.

“You did well today.”

She smiled at Simone’s praise, the words more pleasing than any gift. It was a high like no other, to submit herself. “Thank you, Mistress.” She would crawl back to their room later that night, and curl up next to Simone, earning a hug that would last all night.

It was an exciting night for Bette and Tina as well, talking for hours after their visit at Simone’s. Discussing what they liked and what was too much. Bette expressed her shock at Tina’s invitation, and Tina laughed, admitting she didn’t know what she was thinking, but they both ended the night sitting on their couch in the living room. Bette holding her wife, she kissed her hair and smiled at the feel of Tina resting back against her, between her legs.

Tina licked her lips, “What do you think she would have done to me if I’d showed up there alone?”

Bette chuckled quietly at Tina’s always-curious nature. She took a small breath in and then out as she felt Tina relaxing in her arms. “Acting submissive or not?”

“… Not?”

Bette simply laughed, and closed her eyes. “Let’s just say I’m glad I was there.”

“Heyyy!” Tina laughed, turning around in Bette’s arms to giggle once she was tickled, and through a playful struggle, pinned on her back to the floor. “I can handle myself!”

“But in that atmosphere … with a woman like that … she was waiting on my queue,” Bette insinuated, waiting for Tina to grasp what she was saying. Simone would have tied Tina down whether she liked it or not if Bette had asked. “The trust you must feel for me …” Bette cracked one of her infamous smiles. “Baby, it lights me up inside.”

“I know you would never hurt me,” Tina said quietly, touching her wife’s cheek with the palm of her hand as it was given slack. However, there was a nervousness to her touch.

“T. We don’t have to really invite her to … watch us. It was a spur of the moment invitation. I know that, and so did she.”

Tina stayed on her back, keeping sight of Bette’s eyes even in the shadow. “I’m not scared to have her over here. Not with you keeping me safe.”

“I could keep you safe.”

“I know,” Tina whispered, smiling at the biceps that were flexed as Bette leaned over her. “You could take her.”

Bette laughed, “Let’s hope it never comes to that!”

“She offered to whip me!” Tina laughed back, giggling freely as Bette tickled her again until they were both exhausted.

After they’d both had their fill of conversation, Bette got up and offered her hand to Tina, walking back to their room together. Changing and cuddling together, too.

“I don’t wish you were more like that,” Tina said, just as they had both relaxed for sleep. “Like her.”

Bette beamed in the darkness, but she had already known the truth in that. Still, hearing it lifted her spirits like she couldn’t imagine. She pulled Tina as close as she could, and kissed her neck gently. The tenderness appreciated tenfold.

“And I’m glad you’re not my slave," Bette answered back. "I like ‘em sassy.”

Together they teased until they fell asleep that way – their skin contrasting, their hair overlapping on the pillow. Bette’s hand laid possessively over Tina’s breast, and Tina’s arms laid lifelessly by the headboard. A vision of deference, even in sleep.