submission by degrees

His finger under my chin kept me from looking down again. "I will let you down, but you will obey me, Morgan." His tone brooked no refusal on my part and I did my best to convey that with a look. I still remembered the rules, even though I had broken them more than once so far.

Stephen stepped closer, and reached above me to unfasten the chain from my cuffs. In seconds I stood, still cuffed, but now more comfortable. He bent then, to unfasten the chains attached to my ankles and I breathed a sigh of relief. Just to be able to stand flat footed and stretch my legs felt like heaven. I would have no respite, though. I saw the flicker of intent in his eyes before he spoke.

"Kneel. Don't move until I give you permission, girl!"

I knelt.