Seridae had known the touch of abuse. Rolf’s hand was different. Soft and warm, it was gently strong. His were not the hands of a cruel man. Seridae had had enough experience to know what the hands of cruelty and perversity felt like. The warmth of Rolf’s hand seemed to flow into Seridae’s body and bathe him. The slave had never before felt the way he was feeling now. For the first time the touch of another did not hurt or repulse him. Seridae finally gave Rolf a soft smile. Rolf gave Seridae’s hand a very gentle pat before releasing it and setting it on the slave’s lap

“I think a nice meal is in order.” Rolf reached for the phone and ordered up a light supper. When he had finished ordering and hung up, he turned his attention back to Seridae. “Dinner should be along shortly.”

“Yes, Sir. They are quite prompt here.”

“Seridae, would you like to have our dinner out by your garden? It’s enclosed, I know, but we could still enjoy the evening.”

Seridae hesitated a little.

“It’s okay.” Rolf understood. “I will have the meal set up in here. We can move it out to the garden after the page leaves.”

Seridae nodded. “I think that would be nice, Sir. Let me go set up the table out there.” He stood up and gracefully walked in the direction of the garden.

“I could help.” Rolf started to stand up.

“No, Sir.” Seridae glanced over a slender shoulder. “It will take only a moment.”

“All right. I will wait for the meal.” Rolf settled back in the couch.

Seridae had a glass-topped table at the edge of the garden. He kept it clean, so it only needed a quick wipe with a towel. Seridae set two linen placements down. Napkins and utensils would be provided, and the plates would already be served. Seridae spotted a bud vase and decided to put a flower in the center of the table. He found a pretty peach rose and gently cut it from the bush. He set it in the bud vase, with a little water. Seridae heard the doorbell on his way back . Rolf admitted the page.

The page, this one was called Sandor, wheeled in a food cart.

“You may set up in the living room.” Rolf led the way.

“Yes, Sir.” Dark-haired and blue-eyed, the page appeared to be about twelve. He happily did as Rolf had told him. “When you’re finished, just put it all back on the cart and push it out into the hallway.”

“Thank you.” Rolf gave the boy a pleasant smile.

“You’re very welcome, Sir.” The page bowed and left.

Rolf showed him out and returned to the living room. “Now we can move it.”

Dinner turned out to be two salads and two turkey sandwiches. The salads were made up of garden greens, cherry tomatoes, red cabbage, carrots, lemon cucumbers, celery, sprouts, baby corn, hard-boiled egg, and a bleu cheese dressing. Between thick slices of home-made rye bread, sliced turkey breast was topped with cranberry sauce and sat on some lettuce leaves. Seridae provided iced tea.

“Please tuck in.” Rolf laid a red linen napkin across his lap.

“Thank you, Sir.” Seridae had not been invited to join a master in a meal very often. It had been very rare, if ever.

“I thought salad and a sandwich would be okay.”

It was then that Seridae noticed that his master looked tired. “Are you all right, Sir?”

“I’m fine, Seridae.” Even Rolf’s smile was tired. “I’m just very tired My business keeps me busy, but lately, it seems to keep me busier.”

“Eat and relax, Sir.”

Rolf nodded. They ate, discussing weather. Seridae could see that Rolf needed rest. He was eating slowly, and was almost slouching. When they had finished eating, Seridae cleaned up and wheeled the cart to the door. Rolf pushed it out just as another page was walking down the hall.

“I’ll take that, Sir.” The young page took control of the cart and continued on his way.

Rolf went back inside.

“Sir, if I may be so bold, you look dead on your feet.” Seridae chewed his bottom lip a moment. “Would you care to retire now?” He knew that this time would come eventually. “The beds are very comfortable here.”

“Seridae, that sounds wonderful. I can’t remember when I last slept.” Rolf rubbed his forehead.

“Come with me.” The slave led Rolf into the bedroom and sat him in a chair.

Seridae pulled down the inviting covers and rested the bedspread on a small couch at the foot of the bed. He plumped the pillows then lit a candle on the dresser before turning out the light. The room took on a warm glow. Seridae returned to the chair and helped Rolf to his feet. Taking a deep breath, Seridae gathered up his strength and led Rolf to the bed. It was okay; he’d done this many times before. He untied the sash of Rolf’s robe and slid it off his shoulders. Seridae couldn’t help but look at his master’s body. Rolf had broad shoulders, and he was well-toned. His legs were long and looked strong. Seridae went to lay the robe on a chair and looked back at Rolf’s backside. In the soft candlelight, he could see Rolf’s firm, round bottom. Returning to stand in front of his master, Seridae blushed as he caught sight of Rolf’s ample manhood. This tall man obviously kept his body in shape. All of it.

“I’m sorry, Sir.” Seridae realized he was staring and looked away.

“Don’t be. I’m not shy about my body. Don’t worry. All I ask tonight is to lay beside you.” Rolf got into bed. He stroked the sheets. “Feels good.”

Seridae walked around to the other side of the bed and disrobed. Rolf looked at him.

“You have a beautiful body, Seridae.” Rolf smiled as he admired his slave’s young body in the candlelight. Soon he would know the pleasures of Seridae’s body, but not tonight. Rolf was exhausted, and he wanted Seridae to feel at ease with him. Moving too fast would only frighten the slave even more. Seridae had had enough of that in his life. Yes, he was a sex slave, but rolf wanted their first time to be different. Seridae had never really known pleasure; sex had been forced on him from day one. It had been rape at first. Then Seridae did it to survive. No, things would be different from now on.

Seridae slid in beside Rolf. To his own surprise, he searched out Rolf’s hand and held it gently.