‘Your choice,’ was what she said when she gave it to him. He kept it in the glove box of his car, out of sight, but not out of mind. He’d take i... out periodically, look at what it said, a promise unspoken, then quickly replaced it in its safe place and wore his fidelity like a thorny crown about his head. Now it had been too long, too long without what he needed to feel like a man again. It had come to this when he stood on the steps of her place, inserted the key in the lock and turned it to. Count them out. If you skip a number, well start over, he instructed, and whispered, one. Two!….Three!…Four!…Five!… I counted along. The fifth hurt the most, and of course I fucked up, seven! The spankings stopped, and I was pulled up by my hair to face my previously sweet sensitive boyfriend. You skipped one. If it happens again, Ill use my belt, he growled, and bent me over again. This time, the spanks were harder, and I managed to count them all correctly, my ass stinging from fifteen hard. They will be along soon.”The Cardinal laughed, “If they have not left yet, it will take them days to arrive.”“Maybe days for you, but mere minutes for us. Just ask Bishop Francis here. He’s seen how fast we can go; we even took him back to my home planet yesterday.”The Cardinal was clearly flustered. “You are delusional, my son. There is only our world and the Lord and saviour watches over it. I am his prophet relaying his words.”Mark laughed. “The Federation currently spans 20 planets, and. . You make me happy, El. You know that. But I shouldn't need someone to make me happy. I feel... limited. You say I've beaten it, but there are still things that I can't do because of it. I want to put it behind me and never have to think of it again. I want to forget about high-necked tops and t-shirts at the beach.I want to wear necklaces that sit properly. I... I want to lie here with you and not keep feeling like I have to cover up." You don't have to cover up." But it feels like it. And.