The Blood of the Ocean

Parker woke again at dawn, watching Jarod sleep in the pale light. She
remembered the night before, Jarod's punishment, then their gentle lovemaking
after his nightmare. And he had said he loved her.

She traced his golden collar with one finger, frowning. Did he really
mean what he'd said? In the heat of the moment, it would be easy to mistake
feelings of affection, comfort and sexual satisfaction with love... For some
people, it might be very easy. But not Jarod. Jarod had lived in an emotional
vacuum for most of his life, and Parker couldn't imagine that he would take
something like love so lightly.

Which left one question... whom did he love? His Mistress, or the woman
beneath? Miss Parker flicked Jarod's collar with her fingernail and he stirred
slightly, wrapping his arm around her and hugging her tight. He had taken away
everything in her life that kept her stable - her job, her home, her colleagues,
stripping her back to the bare essentials; her womanhood and her desires. Then
he had rebuilt her, made her Mistress to his slave. He had provided for her a
world of sensual possibilities, but left the definition and creation of that
delight to her.

hapshaps he loved the submission she provided, loved the control she took
from him. Parker frowned, during the night he had not bed sed submissively, if
anything he had initiated their lovemaking, nor had she behaved as a Domme. And
it was only when they were lying sated in each others arms that he had professed
his love... so perhaps he loved Miss Parker, not the Mistress. Surely his
submission was not all an act, designed to reach the woman underneath?

What boundaries had he placed on his devotion? Parker wondered.
Everything seemed to blur and blend in her mind, Jarod as her friend, her lover,
her prey and her slave. Would he love her everywhere? Only in this place?
Perhaps he would love her only as she held him, kissed him and whipped him.
Maybe it went the other way, and he desired her dominance but could only ever
love her when the power balance was equal. And what if he never meant it at
all?

Shaking her head in frustration, Parker realised she was going around in
circles. She would never be able to guess Jarod's reasoning - he worked so
mysteriously. Asides from their provocative phone call, she couldn't even begin
to imagine what had triggered his interest in her sexual history, or even why he
had chosen to orchestrate the week's events.

Miss Parker knew that Jarod had placed an enormous amount of trust in her
during the last few days. Passing all her wildest speculations, he had
submitted to her with grace, despite the minor incident the previous morning.
And yet her doubt stemmrom rom the fact that she knew all too well what he was -
a Pretender - able to become anything, anyone, and perhaps even a devoted slave
if he had an ulterior motive.

So she couldn't find the answer with Jarod, Parker mused. But maybe she
could find the answer within herself, or rather, Jarod's treatment of her and
reactions to her. The more she thought about it, the more Miss Parker liked it.
If she could turn the tables on him, take away the security and comfort of his
submission, strip him down to the bare essentials as he had done to her... then
maybe then she could understand him.

When Jarod awoke a mere hour later, she kneeled by the bed in a position
identical to the one she had found him in the morning she arrived. He stirred
in the bed, seeking her warmth, and raised his head when he realised she wasn't
there. Sleepily blinking his eyes, he stared at Miss Parker.

"Good morning Master," Parker said softly, keeping her eyes lowered.

Jarod sat up slowly, the blankets pooling around his waist as he propped
up on one arm. He studied her naked body for a moment, his gaze travelling over
her set shoulders, firm breasts and spread knees.

"What are you doing?" he asked, looking confused. Parker remembered his words
from the first day they were here.

"I'm fully trained Master," she said smoothly, and Jarod gave a wry smile. He
reached out to brush his hand down the side of her face.

"You want to be my sub, my slave?" he asked, sounding amused.

"Yes Master, very much," Parker said, and realised it was true. It had been
years since she had subbed for anyone, and she instinctually knew that Jarod
would make a fine top, gentle but firm.

"Okay," Jarod chuckled, "Come here then. I think I'd like to inspect my
property."

Eagerly Parker climbed up onto the bed, and went to kneel beside Jarod,
but he pulled her astride his lap, so her knees were either side of his thighs.
He paused for a moment, and then settled his hands on her hips.

"Who do you belong to?" he asked, his voice husky. Miss Parker smiled.

"You Master," she sighed. Jarod slid his hands up her sides, lifting her
breasts briefly before continuing his upward journey.

"This feels weird," he said conversationally, threading one hand into her hair,
"But at least I finallt tot to do all the things to you I want to... and I don't
have to worry about getting spanked."

Jarod pulled her head back gently to expose her throat, and Parker sighed
as he pressed wet, open-mouthed kisses on her neck. He supported her with his
free hand at her lower back; pulling her abdomen forward and tugging her head
back so her whole body was arched and available for his mouth.

"In fact, there are a *lot* of things I want to do to your very delectable
body," Jarod said in a sexy murmur, and Parker chuckled huskily. He kissed her
throat, shoulders and breasts, obviously enjoying himself immensely, and then
gently eased her back upright.

"What brought this on?" he asked softly, and Miss Parker closed her eyes. Jarod
stroked his hand down from her hair to the front of her body, down her chest and
stomach.

"I exist to serve you Master," she said, losing herself in the feel of his hands
on her body.

"That didn't answer my question..." Jarod said, "But we'll get back to that
later. First, I think I should collar and name my new slave. Go over to the
cupboard and fetch me the leather collar you were wearing last night."

Parker opened her eyes, clambering off the bed eagerly as Jarod chuckled.
She grabbed the collar he had spoken of, and then kneeled respectfully by the
bed, offering the collar up on her flat hands. Jarod gave a soft rumble of
appreciation, taking the thin leather band from her hands and patting his lap
invitingly.

"You'll wear this collar for one day," Jarod said when she was comfortably
settled astride his lap, "I don't think I'd like to be your Master for any
longer than that. As long as you're wearing this collar, you belong to me; it
is a sign of my ownership. Understand?"

"Yes Master," Parker purred, tilting her head forward as Jarod closed the collar
around her neck with a simple button stud. She raised her head for a long,
lingering kiss when it was on. When Jarod drew back, his eyes were glittering
mischievously.

"And now for a name," Jarod said, and when he bit his lip, smiling slightly, she
leaned forward hungrily for another kiss. He stopped her with a gentle hand to
her collar, "Uh-uh. Not yet, not until you have a name, slave girl."

Parker scowled, deciding he was enjoying himself far too much. Jarod's
'inspection' earlier had left her flushed and arousedd nod now she wanted for
nothing more than to kiss and make love to Jarod, except he seemed quite
prepared to draw the moment out.

"Let's see," Jarod said thoughtfully, toying with her hair, "You called me
River, for strengnd cnd change. But you - you are endless beauty with a quiet
strength, what I will always return to."

"Master..." Parker breathed softly, entranced by his soft words. With a smile,
he laid a finger over her lips.

"When I run like a river, I run to you," he murmured, "River to the ocean.
Dark, and containing many secrets in its depths - governed by the moon - the
embodiment of woman. Your name will be Ocean."

Gently Jarod lowered his mouth to hers, pulling her against his chest and
kissing her deeply. Parker could feel his erection between her thighs and
scooted her hips closer, rocking against it. She gave a soft mewl of want and
Jarod smoothed his hands down her back to clasp her buttocks, tugging her into
place so that his cock was pressing directly into her wet warmth, only the thin
barrier of the sheet preventing penetration. Parker broke the kiss with a gasp.

"Please Master!" she whispered desperately. Jarod watched her with glittering
black eyes.

"Please... what?" he asked, and Parker groaned softly, rocking against him.

"Please, please fuck me," she begged. Jarod ran his fingertips across her
swollen mouth gently, and desperately she licked and nipped at them.

"I want you to go downstairs," he said softly.

"No..." Parker protested, arching into her master, and he shook his head.

"Go downstairs," Jarod said, visibly having to control himself, "And cut some
fruit for breakfast."

Petulantly Miss Parker slid from Jarod's lap, shooting him a poisonous
look before thumping down the stairs, his soft laughter following her. In the
kitchen, she took out some of the fruit they had bought the day before, cutting
it and muttering to herself. She jumped a few moments later when Jarod wound
his arms around her waist, not having heard him come down the stairs.

"Not *too* angry with me, I hope? He asked, nuzzling her neck. Parker leaned
back into his embrace, his erection pressing against her back, sighing as he
cupped her breasts.

"No Master, of course not."

Jarod picked up a succulent piece of sliced orange from the cutting board,
touching it gently to her nipple. Miss Parker gave a soft moan as the cold
fruit touched the sensitive tip, her breathing speeding up as he trailed it up
her breast and neck, opening her mouth as he held it to her lips.

"Is breakfast ready?" he asked, and Parker nodded silently, chewing the sweet
fruit and swallowing quickly.

Jarod piled the fruit onto a plate quickly, leaving Parker to go sit at
the table as she moaned in protest. He grinned, and tapped the table in front
of him.

"Come and sit. I want something to look at while I eat."

With his help, Miss Parker perched on the edge of the table, so her legs
hung down on either side of Jarod's knees. He scooted his chair in, setting the
plate beside her hip, and bent his mouth to kiss the soft skin just below her
bellybutton. Parker leaned back on her hands, her breathing hitching as he gave
a soft nibble.

"I was going to make you wait," Jarod rasped unsteadily, raising his face
slightly to look up at her, "But I don't think I can. Lie back."

Jarod stood up as Miss Parker slowly laid back on the table, leaning over
to give her a brief, hard kiss. He lifted her legs, hooking her knees over his
elbows; gripping the edge of the table and straightening his arms so she was
bent almost double. His cock settled naturally against her slick folds, and
Jarod thrust inside her with one smooth motion.

"Oh god!" Parker cried, already sensitised by the lovemaking of the night
before.

Jarod dipped his head down to give her a lingering kiss between her breasts,
giving a soft, breathless chuckle. "You feel amazing," he murmured, thrusting
experimentally, "You're so beautiful..."

Miss Parker panted softly, writhing impatiently as Jarod kept his thrusts slow
and measured. He had been teasing her all morning, and she was so close to
orgasm she could practically taste it. She met his gaze with a desperate one of
her own, her fingers scrabbling across the tabletop uselessly.

"Please Master," she panted, and Jarod smiled, surging into her again and again.

"Please, what?" he asked, and bit his lip with a groan as she bucked her hips.

"Please... harder, Master, please let me come," Parker begged.

"No," Jarod whispered, "No, Ocean, I can hold on for a while longer yet, and so
will you."

He stopped thrusting suddenly, and Miss Parker let out a wail of
frustration. He hushed her gently, not withdrawing, instead letting go of the
edge of the table, cupping the backs of her knees and drawing her legs around
his waist. She clung to him tightly, lifting her arms to embrace him as he bent
over her body to kiss her hotly.

"It's okay, it's okay," Jarod murmured soothingly against her lips, "Are you
ready?"

"Ye- yes Master," Parker whispered haltingly.

Jarod cradled her in his arms, holding her hip and leg to his body with
one arm and cupping her neck with the other. He began to move again, building
up a steady rhythm. Miss Parker closed her eyes, tipping her head back and
gasping soundlessly. Her body felt like one big ache of unsatisfied desire, and
with every smooth slide of Jarod's cock into her body, she had to concentrate on
holding off that orgasm that threatened.

"I can't!" she cried in frustration, clutching at his shoulders desperately.

"You can," Jarod said firmly, and increased the pace, driving into her harder
than before, so her body shook with his every movement.

All Parker could think about was the blinding pleasure she was
experiencing, the heat of Jarod moving inside of her. She struggled for
control, thrashing her head from side to side, arching up to meet his body and
breathing hard. She raked her nails down Jarod's back and he growled low in his
throat, both their bodies slick with sweat. She began to whimper with his every
thrust, a soft, guttural cry torn from her throat.

"Please... please Master!" she begged, clamping her thighs around Jarod's waist,
trying to hold him to her.

Jarod's eyes never left hers, and she raised her face to his for several
hard kisses. She was shaking now, the pleasure so intense it bordered on pain.
He bent his head over her chest, squeezing his eyes closed.

"Please... please Jarod," Parker whispered softly.

Jarod's head snapped up and he gave a long, harsh groan. "Yes, yes, you
can come, Parker," he growled, and bucked his hips devastatingly hard against
hers.

Miss Parker threw back her head, her orgasm ripping through her, all the
tension and pleasure of the morning pulsing over her. She shuddered as Jarod
gave a muffled sob, thrusting twice more before finding his own release, and she
pulled his head to hers for a wet kiss, another wave of intense sensation
rippling through her, and she cried out.

Jarod kissed her neck, slipping his hand between them to stroke her
clitoris, shifting inside her slightly, and Parker felt another orgasm riding on
the crest of the first. She panted slightly, rocking her pelvis against Jarod's
hand and cock rhythmically, gasping as she came again, arching her back and
moaning throatily.

Jarod shoved one hand under hips and the other under her back, scooping
her up and holding her to him. He carried her awkwardly into the lounge, her
legs still wrapped around his waist and his cock still buried inside of her.
When he reached the couch he sat down, holding her in his lap, stroking her back
soothingly.

Parker buried her face in his neck, still gasping for breath. Her body
was trembling, and every now and then she rocked with a sudden spasm, her whole
spine tingling. She pressed several feverish kisses to his neck.

"Oh Jarod, oh god Jarod, I love you, oh god," she mumbled, clinging to him.
Jarod nuzzled her shoulder gently.

"Are you okay?" he asked, and she chuckled.

"I'll recover," Miss Parker murmured. She wound her arms around his neck,
holding him tightly, and he kissed her temple lovingly.

They sat in silence for a few moments, Jarod running the palms of his
hands up and down her back in a repetitive motion. Parker's breathing gradually
evened out, her tremors faded away, and she kept her face in his neck.

"Do you want me to forget what you said a few moments ago?" Jarod asked finally.
Parker didn't raise her head.

"No," she said hesitantly. She bit her lip, feeling confused.

"I meant it, when I said it last night, I meant it. I wouldn't say it just
because of the sex... although that sure makes it easier," Jarod said, and she
could hear the smile in his voice.

"Do... do you love the mistress?" she asked. There was a long silence.

"What do you meahe ahe asked in confusion. Miss Parker raised her head finally,
her face just inches away from his. She was intensely aware of the fact that
their bodies were still joined in the most intimate of ways.

"What is it about me you love? The way I dominate you, or the girl you knew as
a child, or..." Parker trailed off, and Jarod tilted his head, a bemused smile
gracing his features.

"I love *all* of you," he said huskily. He cupped her breast in his hand,
weighing it thoughtfully, "I love the way you look in the sunshine, I love the
way you dress, and I love the way you kiss me. I love what you were as a child,
and I love the woman you have become. I love that you can dominate me, yet
offer yourself to me the very next day. There are a thousand different things
about you I love, and I'm not even sure I could list them all. The point is
that I *love* all of you."

Miss Parker couldn't help herself, and grinned broadly, pressing her mouth
against Jarod's for a long, passionate kiss, which he enthusiastically returned.
When she lifted her face again, they smiled at each other again.

"I love you too," she whispered, and they kissed again.

"We should eat," Jarod said eventually, and then looked down ruefully at their
sweaty and sticky bodies, "Or maybe have a bath and then eat."

They went upstairs together, Miss Parker adjusting the water temperature
while Jarod added fragrant oils. When it was ready he climbed in first, helping
Parker to settle between his legs. She leaned back against his chest, sighing
contentedly.

"I don't want this ever to end," she murmured, and made a soft noise as Jarod
ran slippery hands up the length of her body.

"It doesn't have to... come with me," he said.

"You know I can't," Miss Parker said, frowning slightly, and Jarod sighed.

"I know."

He began kissing her neck, flickering his tongue over her pulse, cupping
her breasts in his hands. Parker moaned softly, twisting her body and neck so
she could reach Jarod's mouth for a long, drugging kiss. He squirmed against
her slightly, and she felt his renewed erection.

"Christ, you're like the energizer bunny... you just keep going and going,"
Parker mumbled against his lips. Jarod drew back slightly, smiling slyly.

"If you'd rather I took care of it by myself..." he offered.

"Shut up," Parker growled, attempting to turn around.

They spent several moments shifting and sloshing around in the tub, trying
to kiss and touch each other as much as possible at the same time. Eventually
they were face-to-face, Jarod kneeling in the centre of the tub and Miss Parker
straddling him. They kissed slowly, savouring the experience. Jarod let one
hand roam over her slick back, the other cupping her breasts briefly before
sliding between her legs. Parker gasped as he began gently stroking, two
fingers delving at her entrance as his thumb slowly circled her clit.

"Oh... god, Jarod," she hummed, raising herself up on her knees slightly, and
Jarod used the opportunity to capture one of her nipples in his mouth, rolling
it between his tongue and upper teeth.

Miss Parker clutched at him, feeling a slow aching warmth building up in
her, very different from the furious need of the morning. She ran her fingers
through his hair, pressing kisses on his temple, and he raised his face to look
at her inquisitively.

"Inside me," she murmured, and knelt up even more.

Jarod nodded, gripping the base of his cock with his hand and gently
guiding her hips into position, so she felt the tip probing her slick folds.
Biting her lip, she sank down, winding her arms around Jarod, and he returned
the gesture. Now she was completely surrounded by him, wrapped in his arms,
their chests pressed together, her thighs squeezing his, his cock inside her.

"You're beautiful," Jarod murmured. Parker brushed her mouth across his.

"You're perfect," she whispered in turn.

They stayed still for a long time, just kissing gently and letting their
arousal slowly build. Their bodies were beaded with moisture, and every touch
and movement against each other was slickly erotic. Finally Miss Parker could
bear the throbbing need no longer, and gave a soft whimper, rolling her hips.
Jarod gave a soft, choked moan, gripping her hips and helping to lift her just a
little, and then bring her back down, impaling her on his cock once again.

"Oh... Parker!" he chuffed, sounding almost surprised, and Miss Parker liked the
way her name sounded on his tongue; loving and sensual.

They began to move in unison, pausing occasionally to kiss, rocking
themselves together in no particular hurry, simply enjoying the very act of
ir lir lovemaking. Miss Parker came first, shuddering and crying out against
Jarod, who watched her in rapt fascination. Not long after, Jarod followed,
gripping her tightly against him. They sat, breathing heavily and pressed close
together.

"You're going to have to go home soon, aren't you?" Jarod asked some time later,
sounding sad. Miss Parker gave him a gentle kiss.

"Yes," she said simply.

They stayed in the bath until the water was almost stone cold, then dried
off, dressed, and went back downstairs for breakfast. It seemed that now that
their feelings for each other were all out in the open, something had been
resolved between them, and they slipped out of thees oes of Master and slave,
and nor did they reverse their roles once more. Instead they talked easily over
breakfast, laughing and joking, although Miss Parker still saw the sadness
behind his eyes.

The time for role-playing and games was over, Miss Parker reflected sadly,
and she had the feeling it was time to gack ack to the real world soon. The
world where Jarod ran and tormented her in his free time.

"We could stay a few more days..." Jarod offered once they had finished eating,
but Miss Parker shook her head.

"Sydney and Broots will be worrying about me," she said.

With a great sense of sadness, she walked around the house one final time
as Jarod cleared their breakfast things away. It was probably around midday,
and the sun was shining brightly outside, the pool looking cool and inviting.
She was standing in the lounge, looking out at the deck, when Jarod joined her,
kissing her neck gently.

"Do you need to empty the fridge or anything?" Parker asked, and he shook his
head, no.

"I just have to make a call - there's a woman in town who look after the house
when Marcus isn't here and hasn't loaned it to any friends," Jarod said. He
rubbed her arms gently, "We can go right away, if you'd like."

They locked up the house, climbing the stairs into the bedroom, where
Jarod cleaned up a few last things. Parker stared at the bed, her mind occupied
with the image of him bound and blindfolded, gasping with ecstasy...

"Time toe the this off," Jarod said, and she focused back on him. He raised his
hands to her neck, undoing the simple leather collar and pressing a kiss on her
as he did so, whispering, "Goodbye Ocean."

"Goodbye Master," she whispered in return. Jarod replaced the collar in the
cupboard, and stood waiting expectantly in front of her.

"My collar, Mistress..." he said, slipping briefly back into role.

Miss Parker raised her hands, fingering the thin gold circlet. She hooked
her fingers under it and used it to pull Jarod's mouth down to her own, pressing
a quick, hot kiss on him.

"Leave money for it. I want you to wear it always, to remind you of who you
belong to," she growled. Jarod flushed, obviously pleased.

"Yes Mistress!"

Finally it was time to leave, and Jarod led the way into the front room.
He stuffed the blank notebook into the Halliburton case, tucked his cell phone
in his pocket and picked up Miss Parker's car keys. She picked up her keys, and
without ceremony or looking back, they stepped out the front door.

It ended up being almost a six-hour drive back. Jarod drove most of the
way, with Miss Parker taking the last leg of the journey towards sunset. Jarod
slouched down in his seat as they pulled into her driveway, wary of any
surveillance. Parker parked in the garage, turning off the ignition as the
automatic door lowered behind them, leaving them in darkness.

She gave a soft cry of surprise as Jarod lunged across the car suddenly,
releasing her seatbelt and pulling her into his arms quickly. He pushed her
aga
against the door, pressing his lips to hers, his tongue plundering the depths of
her mouth. Miss Parker wound her arms around his neck, crying out with
frustration as her legs bumped against the steering wheel.

"I love you," Jarod breathed, pulling back slightly, and then assaulted her neck
with kisses and licks.

"Stay tonight," Miss Parker gasped, clutching at his shoulders.

"I can't, too dangerous," he mumbled against her neck. He pressed his nose
against her neck, breathing heavily.

"I could command you to do it, as your Mistress," she countered, and Jarod
chuffed softly.

"But you won't," he whispered sadly.

Parker pulled his face up, pressing her mouth against his repeatedly in
short, hard kisses, her throat clogged with tears. Jarod kissed her pack just
as passionately, threading one hand into her hair. Giving a soft sob, she
leaned her cheek against his.

"Damn you for making me care," she whispered, and Jarod chuckled softly. A few
moments passed, then she passed a hand down his cheek tenderly, "Get out of the
car and kneel, River."

Jarod gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek, and then scrambled backwards,
opening the car door and sliding to the floor. Parker sat up, opening her own
door and stepping out. She walked around the car, to wear he was kneeling
obediently, his posture perfect. She stroked a hand through his hair, and then
turned his chin up so he was looking at her. She fingered the gold collar
around his neck.

"This stays. No matter what you do, no matter where you go. If you can't wear
it you have to carry it on you. It's a sign of my ownership. The day I take it
away from you is the day it's over between us," she said hoarsely.

"Yes Mistress," Jarod said.

"Now go. Before I cry."

Jarod nodded, rising to his feet. He took her in his arms for a long,
lingering kiss, then turned away, letting himself out through the side door and
disappearing into the twilight, leaving her alone. She touched her lips, and
smiled slightly.

"Goodbye River," she said softly, and went inside.


The End.


Author's notes: The title from this story comes from a totally obscure sonnet I
wrote many years ago, and it's so... irrelevant, for a lack of a better term,
that I decided not to include it. I still, however, like the phrase and the
thought behind it, thus it made it as the title.