The proprietors insisted on serving wine, which required the restaurant front for a speakeasy. Making wine was not safe during prohibition. For genera...ions the restaurant had held a memorial plaque. Francine had seen it, years before. Not much later, a fire gutted the building. Rather than wait for the hulk to be demolished and rebuilt, the Civitano family decided to move a few blocks. They leased the ground floor of an art deco office building.The restaurant was nearly full when we walked. Never have I felt such delicious agony. Lost in the sea of desire, his pleasure overwhelms me. I beg for release, but my master is set upon his task. Breathless, I can only wait. I revel in the attention of the audience, but it does little to distract me. I am here solely for my master, to be displayed and used as he wishes. I can feel him appraise his work, studying me with marvelous intent.“You are truly beautiful my little pet,” my master says in awe, as footsteps approach, “Only one piece. .. and I guess Cricket is almost part of the family, but they haven’t made it official. She’s off working on her book, screenplay, and a movie in Hollywood. Not bad for someone that just graduated from the university at age eighteen.”Sheri tucked all that information away, carefully assessing each piece. She wanted to definitely ask more about her boss’ boss having four or five wives. She knew of her own naiveté and wondered whether Nancy was teasing her.“Nancy, did I understand you to say that. Her loose golden curls perfectly framed an impossibly pretty face with high cheekbones, perfect button nose and piercing sapphire eyes. Yet despite her immaculate appearance—white blouse, black, knee-length skirt, and matching heels—and her air of effortless elegance, she looked nervous, demure even, as she held her hands in front of her.“Hi,” she said with a shy half-smile. “Mind if I sit with you?” There was something about her tone, although I wasn’t sure what it was. Fear? Hope? Or maybe I.