After a brief pause, during which he allowed himself a chance to let his eyes roam over Kimber’s body, he continued instructing her, “The collar s...ays on, always. It’s not too obvious so only a few might understand its importance, and it is isn’t so obvious that many would perceive what it is. A few might, but I expect it will be rare, and I doubt Mom and Dad will figure it out. It’s my mark of ownership for now.”Moving from the chair Maeson knelt, one knee down in front of Kimber as he. He’s brought me willow bark (an analgesic like aspirin; in fact, aspirin was developed from it), St. John’s wort (anti-inflammatory), mint (for poor circulation), foxglove (it’s the source of digitalis for heart conditions) and a bunch of others I don’t recognize but he does. I guess the flora hasn’t changed nearly so much since his time as the fauna.He’s especially proud of the one he brings today.“This is exceeding good for many things,” he tells me. “If one is in pain, it makes easier. For. " He's expecting you. Go on in."The door was opened for them and they entered an even more extravagantly luxurious office. The deep pile carpet was protected by a waterproof plastic runner which led to the immense ebony and mahogany desk where a bald-headed man sat leisurely puffing on an expensive Cuban cigar. "OK, how did it go?" It didn't go well at all, boss. You know me. I'm experienced and reliable with fire. I don't know what went wrong, but the bottle-bomb didn't hit the window and. I can't take him anywhere,especially when ladies are present."She sultry little chortle at his comment and her blue eyes drifted downagain. "Well, we'll just have to do something about that, won't we?"When she sauntered up to him and kissed him on the lips and he felt thenail of her index finger against the bare skin of his stomach as sheremoved his towel to fall to the floor, he was sure this was no dream.It was all too vivid for that, but more importantly, this was the pointhe'd always wake.