A New Story From An Earlier Time

she hated when He was away. she hated being alone. In her life, she had done many things, things she was not always happy about or proud of, simply to avoid being alone. she hated when He was away.

*****

Friday morning, Frederick had to leave for work, as usual. This Friday morning, however, Frederick had to leave for the entire weekend. He had an important business trip to go on, a trip that could result in a lot of money to buy anastasia a lot of things -- and anastasia liked a lot of things. But, no matter how well she understood the importance of the trip and its value to her, she didn't have to like it.

*****

she couldn't believe the day she was having. Frederick had left yesterday morning, and she felt cold inside. Then, this morning, it started to rain. Not just a little sprinkle, either. Oh, no. Water was coming down in sheets, flooding the streets, causing accidents, getting her wet (and not in the good way). But, she had to go out. she could not sit at home alone. Since she could not be with Frederick, she did the next best thing in her mind, she decided to pay Nathan a visit.

*****

Frederick, anastasia, and Nathan had been friends for a long time. anastasia and Nathan had become particularly close, she thought of him like a little brother, except she liked him better than her real younger brother. Interestingly, Frederick initially had to convince anastasia to accept Nathan as their friend. anastasia had seen Nathan as a mystery, someone she had trouble figuring out, and anastasia did not like mysteries. Although she had still not quite figured him out, she had grown to love Nathan's quirky personality. Nathan, or Nate as she would sometimes call him, was a joy to be around. He was brilliant, funny, and irrepressible. He was not powerful or sexy, like her Frederick, but she only had room in her life for one such man anyway. she and Nate proved that "When Harry Met Sally" was wrong: Men and women can be friends without sex being an issue. she realized, however, how rare this was, and she loved Nate all the more for it.

*****

she pulled into Nate's driveway. He, of course, had been expecting her. When she tried to casually mention on the phone the day before that, since Frederick was out of town she "might" drop by sometime Saturday, he immediately started cleaning up the house in anticipation of her visit. Nate had known anastasia long enough to know she doesn't do alone well, which was fine with him. He loved his "big sister" and was more than happy to spend a day with her. In fact, although he normally preferred time alone, he really wanted the company today.

The rain continued to pour.

The car roared to a stop. anastasia threw open the door, hopped out, slammed the door shut, and ran to the porch.

Nate watched as she stepped onto the porch. As always, she was impeccably dressed, wearing a pink blouse with a black skirt and pink heels with black trim to match. Her pantyhose even appeared to have a slight pink shade to them.

"Come on in." Nate said as held the door open and she entered his home. It was a small place, perfect for a bachelor like Nate, yet quaint and cozy. she flopped down on the couch and looked up at Nate. "Got anything to drink?"

"Of course," answered Nate as he closed the door and went into the kitchen to get anastasia a drink.

*****

The morning flew by with elated conversation interspersed with a number of drinks. Although they were not by any means drunk, they agreed that neither of them should drive, and since Nate kept virtually no food in his home unless he had specific plans to prepare a meal, lunchtime came and went without any food. By mid-afternoon, they were both feeling the effects of the alcohol. They were sitting together on the couch, him sitting upright while she sat sideways, almost laying on the couch, with her legs draped over his. she was relaxed and comfortable. As usual, Nate's bachelorhood eventually became the topic of conversation.

"Nate, i think i've found someone perfect for you," began anastasia, only slightly showing her current level of intoxication.

"What makes this one any different?" Nate replied, not quite masking his intoxication as well.

They had been through this before more than a few times. anastasia could not understand why Nate did not have a girlfriend. He was fun to be around and he earned a decent living. He could certainly afford to treat a girl well. Although Nate was not the kind of guy she ever thought about sexually, he was not unattractive and many women ought to find him more than acceptable. Unfortunately, every attempt anastasia had made to find someone for him, for one reason or another, had failed.

"i don't know, Nate. Maybe nothing. Maybe she'll be like the others. i'm just trying to help. i want you to have someone special in your life."

"I do have someone special in my life," Nate responded with a smile. "I have you."

To say Nate had been taught to make such statements would be to understate it. When Nate and anastasia had first begun their friendship, Frederick and anastasia had made a concerted effort to instruct Nate on talking to and complimenting women. Given the circumstances, of course, Nate's compliments were virtually always directed at anastasia. Frederick and anastasia constantly observed Nate's behavior with women and acted to correct or improve it at every opportunity. Now, Nate reacted instinctively with an appropriate sentiment intended to make anastasia feel special. This, of course, did not cover up the fact it was also a way to dodge the issue.

"Damn it, Nate," she complained, moving up slightly to look more directly at him, "You know what i mean. i love you, but you should have someone that wants to be with you as a couple."

"ana, I just don't see that happening. I'm doomed to live out my life alone, and I'm good with that. Face it, nobody wants to spend their life with a stubborn, pain in the ass kook like me. Maybe if I was attractive enough someone would overlook that I'm a jerk, but that's clearly not the case."

To give her words more emphasis, she sat up slightly and leaned towards him with her legs still across his. anastasia and Nate had been such close friends for so long the typical boundaries of 'personal space' no longer had any meaning for them. "Nate, A) you are not a jerk, and B) you are very attractive. i truly don't understand why you have so much trouble finding the right woman."

anastasia's face was inches from Nate's. Nate saw in her look that she really cared for him, even loved him. Suddenly, he leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers.

she was surprised by Nate's kiss. she didn't want to hurt his feelings and she didn't want him to believe everything she'd been telling him about how wonderful he is was a lie, so she permitted the kiss. and even returned it a little, to buy her time to figure out what to do. Unfortunately, in his inebriated state, Nate took this for encouragement. He placed his right hand over her right breast and began gently massaging and stroking it. anastasia was even more confused now as to how to deal with this.

she pulled her lips slightly away from his. "Uh, Nate, this is a bad idea."

He didn't pulled his head back to look at her, but he didn't remove his hand from her tit. In fact, through the thin cloth, he felt for the nipple behind her bra and lightly squeezed it between his thumb and first finger while saying, "What about this is a bad idea? The drapes are closed; no one can see us, but we can go to the bedroom if you like." He closed in on her again, pressing his lips against hers.

she pulled her head back slightly, replying, "No, Nate. i mean doing this is a bad idea. Period. You're one of my best friends, but i don't see you that way."

Nate, quite obviously, was barely paying attention to her objection. As they were talking, he had repositioned himself on the couch so he was sideways, laying next to her, but slightly above her. He let his hand slide down anastasia's side from her breast to the bottom edge of her skirt. "ana, you just admitted you find me attractive, or was that a lie?" he asked, hesitating for a moment for her to respond.

she knew she was in a difficult spot. Did she deserve to be in this situation? she did tell him he was attractive. And, they had flirted for years, since the beginning. In fact, she could reasonably take credit for teaching him to flirt. Now, how was she supposed to rebuff him without hurting one of the most important people in her life?

To make matters worse, she found her body responding against her will. she could feel her nipples harden as heat and moisture began building between her legs.

she gently kissed him and explained, "Nate, you're like a brother to me. This just isn't right for me, or for us. i'm sorry, but i just can't imagine being with you in that way. If you and i had a different relationship, of course i would be interested in you, but i can't force myself to feel something i don't."

Nate looked surprised to hear this from her. He began to apologize, "Oh, anastasia. I'm sorry if I've misread you." Then, with a slight change in the tone of his voice, he continued, "But, I don't think I have. I think this is what you really want, and you just want me to push you." He pushed his hand farther under her skirt, until his fingers were pressing against her pussy.

"i want you to stop that, Nate." She pushed him back and got up off the couch. "i think i'd better go." she grabbed her purse and headed for the door. she walked out into the rain without her umbrella and didn't even try to shield herself from the water falling all around her.

*****

she got all the way home before breaking down. she barely had the front door closed when the tears started falling. she was sad and confused and alone. she was so afraid she had hurt Nathan with her rejection that she barely recognized how much he had hurt her by trying to force himself on her. she couldn't stand the idea of losing her "little brother," one of the most important people in her life. she briefly wished she had given in to him. This, of course, would have created other problems, but she could only focus on one problem at a time -- and right now, it was the likelihood she had just lost one of her dearest friends.

she cried herself to sleep.

*****

she woke to the sound of the telephone ringing.

"Hello?" she croaked.

Then, she heard His strong voice, "Hey, babe. How's it going?"

she wanted to start crying again. she wanted to tell Him what had happened. she wanted Him to comfort her and make everything all right.

Instead, she replied, "Just fine."

"Are you sure? you don't sound 'just fine.'"

"Yeah. i'm just a little under the weather. i think all this rain is getting to me."

"Okay, if you say so." He knew it was a lie, but it was her lie to tell. she would tell Him the truth when, and if, she was ready to.

He continued, "Good news. I'll be home late tomorrow morning. Everything went perfect and My client gave us the business, but with all of the rain, she decided to call it quits and go home early. So, I need you to be a good girl and stay home tomorrow, put on some sexy lingerie, and I should be there around 9:30. And, no fair starting without Me!"

she was so happy she couldn't speak. she was afraid she would go to tears, and she did not want Him to hear her like that. she did not want to have to explain her day to Him. she simply wanted Him home. she knew she then would be able to deal with whatever else she needed to.

He teased, "Are you still there, darling? I'm not ruining any plans you had to screw those Mormon boys that come around on Sunday morning or anything, am I? I'll bet they're in really good shape from all that bike riding. Tell you what, you tell me what time you think you'll be done with them, and I'll wait until after that to come home. Fair deal?"

she found her voice, "No. i want you here as soon as possible. i want you here now. If i can't have that, i'll take the best i can get. Please don't delay, Sir. i will be warm, wet, and willing the moment you enter the door. Just please get home soon."

"Of course, anastasia. Of course. I'll be there as soon as possible."

The conversation continued for some time. He knew there was something wrong, but felt this was not one of those times when she needed to be pushed into opening up to Him. she knew He felt her discomfort, but she just couldn't tell Him what had happened. she prayed that He wouldn't ask her, and He prayed He was doing the right thing by not asking. Eventually, the call ended and they started thinking about tomorrow.

*****

He arrived home. True to form, before she could even say a word, He bounded in the house and planted a big, loving kiss on her lips. When He came up for air, she chose not to say anything. They communicated silently, in that way that only people who know each other so well can, and they moved to the bedroom. For the moment, everything was perfect. Everything was right.

Without a word, they made love. He held her tightly to Him. she clawed at his back, insisting He give Himself completely to her. He looked deep into her eyes as He ran His hands over every inch of her skin. she opened her body and soul to Him. They were together in that bed for an eternity. she was overcome by the love she felt from Him. she cried as He entered her for the I don't know how many-th time, and begged for Him to continue when He hesitated at the sight of her tears. she needed this. she wanted everything He had to give. she needed to know that everything He had was hers. And, this, of course, was the way it was. He had always expected, even demanded, that she be completely and totally His. she now could see that this had always been an even exchange. In fact, there were probably times when she had not given herself to Him as completely as He had committed Himself to her. she vowed this should never happen again.

As if sensing her thoughts, Frederick looked down at anastasia with love in His eyes, ran His fingers into her hair to gently reassert His dominance over her, and asked, "Who do you belong to?"

For the first time ever, she really understood what she was saying when she responded, "I belong to You, Sir."

*****

her problem with Nathan could wait. she might not even ever tell Frederick what had happened. But, she knew she could if she needed to. she was content and wanted nothing but to serve Him and make Him happy. At the moment, she could not even contemplate the need to make Nathan, or anyone else, happy. Although she was tired and sore from the lengthy lovemaking, it had done it's job. she felt loved. she felt wanted. she felt protected.

she felt Owned.