The rest will come easily if you just talk and relax.’ ‘What do I say?’ ‘Just ask her about herself, where she comes from, how long she’s be...n here in New York, that kind of thing. Talk, conversation. No pressure. If you feel it’s going well ask her out. If it seems it’s not, well no sweat, at least you’ve introduced yourself and she knows you’re alive.’ Misha watched as the nervous man got up, rubbing his hands down the side of his jeans before picking up his beer and walking over to the bar.. Too much and I could be confined to bed for a few days. Taking a deep breath I replied. “Twenty lashes, Master. If that meet your approval, Sir.” Nothing was said for a moment. I hoped I hadn’t sold my punishment short. Master had an amused look on his face. “Well, I would have thought ten, but if you insist on twenty then so be it. Are you ready?” Picking up the cane he swished it through the air. It hissed angrily, cutting the breeze easily. “Start counting off, loudly.” SWISH . I kept busy until about a half hour to quitting time, when my "aunt" called me into her office. "Do you mind being on your own for dinner tonight? I have a short meeting I have to be at," she said. I told her there was no problem, and she asked, "Are you going over to Gloria's?" Before I could answer, she said, "Are you okay? You look tired or like you're not feeling well. Why don't you just stay home tonight and rest?" As said that sounded like a good idea, my mind was playing with thoughts of. I glanced over to the window. From what I could see through the crack in the curtains it looked like a very blustery day. As we lay, entwined in each other, we talked of our day. We hadn’t really had any plans for the day beyond sun, sand and umbrella drinks and given the thunder, lightening and torrential rain we weren’t sure what to do. Regardless of what else may lay in store for us we decided that a light breakfast and a cup of coffee would be in order so we got up, got dressed and when.