Kindling Passions... A KnightWATCH Story

         The “vacation house” sat on a cliff overlooking the Oregon coast. Looking out the floor-to-ceiling window-wall of the family room, David watched the waves roll from the horizon into the beach, the dark gray panorama strobe lit by the occasional flash of lightning. The window was one of many features that made David feel he was in a mansion.

         “Still admiring the view?”

         “Melinda, how could one NOT admire this view?” David pivoted to partially face the kitchen doorway, finding a more comfortable position on the couch. “It’s incredible. I still can’t believe you call this a vacation house.”

         “Mom and dad actually planned on retiring here. Dad passed away just after they finished building it, and mom wasn’t sure what to do.” Melinda walked in from the kitchen, placing a tray with a coffee pot and two mugs on the coffee table before snuggling next to David on the couch.

         “What made her choose to keep this place, instead of trying to sell it?”

         “A few months after dad died, us kids got together and shanghaied her out here. A lot of things needed to be discussed, so we tricked her into a family gathering. One night, we sat down and hashed a lot of things out. It was pretty similar to tonight, actually, with a storm lashing the coast. The power went out late in the evening, and suddenly we were back in the stormy nights of my youth.”

         “Oh, man. I remember a lot of nights like that back home, especially in the early summer. Huge thunderstorms would blow up; you’d have tornado watches and warnings posted, lightning clear across the sky, and a lot of times the power was knocked out.” David leaned back on the couch, smiling as he recalled childhood memories. “We had this upstairs back porch where we’d sit and watch the storms go by. God, we spent a lot of nights on that porch, waiting to see if the wind would blow the rain in, wondering how close the lightning was.” He added with a sigh, “They say the simple pleasures in life are the best; that was definitely one of my favorites.”

         “Are you enjoying tonight’s weather?”

         “It’s not bad. Different, but not bad. And yes, I do get a thrill out of it. But there is one difference, Mel.”

         “Oh?”

         “Yeah, we still have electricity. It’s a little different knowing you can turn on a light if needed.”

         “Oh, get picky, why don’t you! Look, there’s only one way to experience a night like this. You have the lights off, a lit candle or two in the room, and something warm to drink while you snuggle up with someone special.” She put a mug in David’s hand to help prove her point. He took a tentative sip. “Don’t worry, bub. I left out the Hemlock, Strychnine, all that good stuff.”

         “Not even Arsenic?”

         “No, and don’t even think of calling me ‘old lace,’ buster.” Wagging a finger, she continued, “Don’t give me that ‘Who, me?’ look. I’ve learned a few things about you over the last few months. Including that you tend to make smart-ass comments whenever you get the chance.”

         “What else have you learned about me?”

         “You’ve got a good, albeit slightly warped, sense of humor, David. In some way, you care about almost every person who comes into your life. You have goals, good ones, but you sometimes need an extra push or shove to make them come true.”

         “Look, if this is another pep talk about my physical therapy –” Melinda silenced him with a finger on his lips.

         “David, you’ve made great progress since the accident. That’s one reason we’re out here, to celebrate the progress you’ve made in the four months since that… jackass… hit you.” David shuddered, remembering the day Christopher Algemein came across the median of Interstate 47 and hit the ambulance David was driving nearly head-on. “That’s one of the reasons I’ll kick your butt as needed in physical therapy. It’s also why I’ll keep bugging you to start horse-riding therapy with Jim and Annabelle.

         “But this is something else, something just as important.” A loud crash of thunder accentuated her point. “Thanks,” she said, looking up at the ceiling. “A few more of those might make him listen. David, you’ve been getting stronger physically. You need to do the same emotionally.” Melinda caressed his cheek. “And David, I’m not a porcelain doll. I’m a pretty tough ol’ broad, as they say. I have you and several other folks to thank for that, because you’ve all helped me grow stronger. In fact, I think I’m strong enough to take a chance. Are you ready to do the same?”

         David looked into his mug. “This is really good hot chocolate, Melinda. And you’re right; it’s perfect for this weather.” He took another sip before setting the mug back on the tray. “God may very well hit me with one of those lightning bolts. But there’s something I have to say.”

         “Then say it to me,” she replied, pulling his chin towards her. “Don’t talk to the couch cushions.”

         “I’ve become damn attracted to you, Melinda. We’ve had some really good times over the last few months, and some great laughs. We’ve helped each other grow a lot. And you’ve certainly pushed me along in physical therapy. Hell, my therapist ‘Barry the Bastard’ counts you as one of his allies.

         “But I want more than that. I want there to be an ‘us,’ hon.” Melinda blinked her eyes several times, the shock of his willingness to say that painted across her face. “Now, I’m not talking marriage here. But I want more than friendship… more than we have now.”

         “Then what’s stopping you?”

         “I helped you bury that ring and necklace at Jeremy’s grave. I saw you take them off by yourself, instead of asking me to do that for you.

         “But I can’t fight memories, Mel. I have to know that you can take a chance on me. But what’s even more important… I have to know that I won’t be fighting Jeremy’s ghost for your affections. Can you leave him behind? Whether it’s with me or someone else, can you move on in your life and leave his tragedy in your past?” Melinda responded by grabbing the back of his neck and pulling his face to hers.

         Before David could realize what was happening, Melinda’s kiss had set his lips afire, and her tongue pried its way into his mouth. When their mouths parted several minutes later, David took a deep breath. “Mel… that kiss…” David took several more breaths.

         “Stop being so melodramatic bub. My kiss isn’t THAT powerful!”

         “ ‘Not that powerful’, Mel? Good God, woman, you could stop a beating heart with that kiss! The ER doesn’t need a crash cart when you’re there.”

         “Give me a break! My kiss alone isn’t that powerful. And tell me just why the ER wouldn’t need a crash cart?”

         “Because if you give mouth-to-mouth, those electric lips of yours will definitely snap someone out of V-tac or V-fib!”

         “As Annabelle is so fond of saying, ‘now hush, young man!’ I don’t cure cardiac arrhythmias, nor do I cause them. That kiss, in and of its self, wasn’t all that powerful. Maybe you got the message I was sending you. And maybe it’s you who isn’t ready yet. Got anything to say about that, bub?”

         “What do I have to say about that? Hmm… how do I comment on, or reply to, a defibrillator kiss?” He began to caress her cheek. “How do you repay someone for rocking their world in a most enjoyable way?” David suddenly pressed his lips against Melinda’s, his hands wrapping around her body.

         “Is that all you have to say?” Melinda was trying to look disappointed with David’s kissing prowess. But she couldn’t hide the quiver in her lower lip.

         “Don’t start pouting at me, Melinda. To paraphrase the great Navy captain John Paul Jones, ‘I have not yet begun to kiss!’ ” Melinda started laughing, only to be silenced by David’s next lip-lock. For several minutes, the only noises in the room were the pleasant moans of two people learning how to be lovers. As David’s hand slipped and slid down from Melinda’s neck, the moaning stopped.

         “What the Hell? David, who the HELL do you think you are? How DARE you!”

         “I’m sorry,” he said, removing his hand from Melinda’s right breast. “I… I got carried away. I… I’m sorry.”

         “I’m sure you are, mister. Don’t you EVER do that to me again.” Grabbing his hand, she moved it to the top button of her blouse. “Not unless you mean it, David, and are going to do it right.” She softly stroked the back of his hand and kissed him again. “Well, big boy? What are you waiting for?”

         David pulled her closer, planting his lips on hers. As their tongues danced and parried with each other, David’s left hand fumbled with the buttons on Melinda’s blouse. When they were all undone, he started kissing and nibbling on her neck, peeling the blouse off of her right shoulder. Then David’s hand glided downward. “You were planning this, weren’t you?” The question was not so much said as breathed between nips at her bare shoulder.

         “Why… why do you say that?”

         “Just how often do you go bra-less, hon?” David had been pleasantly surprised to find only soft, young skin under her blouse. Taking it as an offering, he caressed the proffered breast, feeling her nipple harden under his touch. A quick look down brought a wicked smile to David’s face; her other nipple, still covered by her blouse, was trying to break through its prison of peach-colored cotton. The occasional flash of lightning from the picture window served to enhance the view.

         “Only for special… Ohh… special occasions.” Melinda gasped yet again as David nibbled on her neck and fondled her breast, finding several places that sent her head spinning.

         “Including seductions?”

         “Special… seductions, yes.” Melinda’s head lolled to one side as David’s mouth glided over her neck. “Ohh… oh, God…” David kissed his way down her shoulder while pinching both of her nipples and making them stand nearly at attention. Melinda’s breathing became more rapid the lower David’s mouth floated. With a sudden nipple-pinch, David kissed and nibbled the top of Melinda’s bare right breast. “Ohh, God! David… my love… my lover… don’t stop—”


         “Huh? What?” David awoke to bright sunlight, with birds chirping in the distance.

         “Hiya, sleepyhead. Did you have a good nap?” Melinda lay next to him on the picnic blanket. They were enjoying a warm day, soaking up the sun in a grassy meadow. Clad only in his swim trunks, David propped himself up and admired the skimpiness of Melinda’s string bikini.

         “I don’t know about a good nap, but I had a very interesting dream.”

         “Anyone I know? Or I should know about? Hmmm?”

         “Don’t think so, hon. This dream took place in a big, fancy house on the Oregon coast.”

         “Oh, sure. ‘No one I would know,’ eh? Sometimes I think I should never have taken you out to the vacation house. Hell, it’s been four months since we were out there, and you’re still in shock from the night I dragged you out of your shell. You think about that particular night WAY too often!”

         “Hey, now. I never said anything about a particular night, just a certain beautiful and expensive house overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Just what are YOU thinking about?”

         “I’m remembering how one night, I got this guy to overcome his super-timid tendencies. How I helped him realize it was time to take a chance, to move out of his comfort zone. And how,” she purred, “I suddenly found out this timid, shy, teddy bear of a guy was a sensual tiger on the inside.”

         “And just what did this sensual tiger do for you?” David raised his eyebrows. “Or, should I say, to you?”

         “He… you… oh, God, you made me feel incredible. You made me stop hiding from my own sensuality, made me realize I was running from various types of happiness. The crazy thing is, David, I set out to ‘rescue’ you that night. Instead, we rescued each other. And since then…”

         “Since then, my lil’ chickadee,” David replied in his best (or worst) W. C. Fields impersonation, “several new worlds have opened up for us. Tell me the truth, hon. Did you ever expect us to have the relationship we have now?”

         “Are you kidding? When we first met, I never expected a relationship with anyone!” Melinda sidled closer to her boyfriend. “But now, I wouldn’t give it up for the world.”

         “I’m damn glad to hear you say that, Mel. BUT, I refuse to date a French fry. So before you turn into ‘lobster nurse,’ I’m covering you in suntan lotion.”

         “Lobster nurse? Sounds like a horror film dreamt up in the doctor’s lounge! Especially after a bad day on the floor!”

         “Of course, Mel! Every doctor’s nightmare, after all, is a nurse who can show him or her up. Especially if the doctor in question gets off on the power trip. Doctors like that can’t stand nurses who are proficient, or who aren’t in awe of their medical superiority.”

         “How do you know this so well?”

         “Because they’re the same doctors who belittle paramedics and EMTs. It goes hand-in-hand. But what’s more important right now is ‘lotion in hand.’ Lotion in my hand, that is, as it glides over your body. And besides,” he added with a distinct leer, “it gives me a chance to massage you.”

         “I don’t think ‘massage’ is what you really have in mind, bub. And anyway, I have a good coating… of sunscreen… already… damn, that feels good!” David had moved himself down to Melinda’s feet, dragging a small bag with him, and was now massaging his way up her left leg. “Careful, mister, don’t get too close!”

         “Too close? Too close to what?”

         “Too close to what? Why, I outta slap you!”

         “Slap me, my dear?” David was now massaging his way down her other leg, the leer in his voice more pronounced. “Why, Melinda, are you into that kinky stuff?”

         “What kinky stuff, David?” He looked up to see a coquettish smile on Melinda’s face. David reached into the small bag beside him.

         “Don’t play innocent with me… my little slut.” Before Melinda could respond, David had pulled a pair of fur-lined leather cuffs out of the bag and was wrapping them around her ankles. “You and I both know that you love ‘that kinky stuff,’ as you call it.” After binding the ankle cuffs to nearby stakes in the ground, he massaged his way back to her face, bringing the small bag with him. “If you didn’t, right now you’d be: A. Wringing my neck; and B. Ripping those cuffs off your ankles. But you’re doing neither of those things. Why is that?”

         “Because you’re right, sir, I do love it. And the bindings feel… mmm, very good, sir.”

         “They help you relax, don’t they?”

         “Yeeessss,” she sighed.

         “And you’d love to relax even more wouldn’t you?”

         “Please, sir.”

         “Then lift your arms over your head.” Melinda didn’t speak, just purred as she complied. David massaged her left shoulder and arm, finishing by cuffing and tying her left wrist to the ground. “What to do next, what to do? Ahh, yes, time for a little more physical therapy.”

         “Physical therapy, sir?”

          “Oh yes, my dear. After all, you’re one of the people who told me I’d need to crawl before I started walking.” Melinda soon understood, as David crawled around and over her to massage her right shoulder.

         “How,” she sighed, “did you get so good at massage, sir? You… your hands are incredible!”

         “Simple, my little slut. I’ve been paying good attention to the warm-up and rubdown massages I receive in physical therapy. I’ve asked a lot of questions. And I had you ask Monica for instructions because I was getting spoiled and didn’t want it to end. Now, tell me… are you feeling spoiled?” David accented the question by cuffing and tying down Melinda’s right arm.

         “Spoiled,” she sighed. “Spoiled… bound… free.”

         “And who makes you this free, my pet?”

         “Only you, sir… only you!”

         “Exactly. And what happens when you’re this free, little slut?”

         “This little slut serves her Sir.” Then she lustily purred, “I serve you!”

         “That’s right, my dear, it’s time to serve me.” David took a few moments to admire the beautiful lady tied down before him. “And I love it when you’re like this… all nicely warm and naked.”

         “Naked? Uh, sir… I think you goofed.”

         “Me? Would your Dominant ever make a mistake?”

         “I hear the laughter in your voice, sir. But you did make a mistake. After all… I’m not naked.”

         “True, but you’re not far from it. And clothing… especially your current clothing… can be easily removed.”

         “How are you gonna do that? After all, you’re barely crawling right now, sir. It’s gonna take a while for you to untie and undress me.”

         “Yes, but I wont mind, and I don’t think you will either. After all,” David leered, his voice taking on a devilish timbre, “I know we both love it when I crawl all over you.” David leaned over and rubbed his nose against Melinda’s, then gave her a deep kiss on the mouth. “Now, why are you acting so bratty?”

         “Me? Bratty? I’m never bratty with you sir!”

         “Are you sure about that?” David slithered back to Melinda’s left side and began stroking the inside of her left thigh.

         “Well, maybe… maybe a little…” she gasped, “bratty, sir.”

         “Yes, you are being a bit bratty… nothing too serious.” David kept stroking her leg. “Now, my love, am I getting too close?”

         “No, sir… not close enough. Your little slut wants you closer… please… please…”

         “And why do you want that?”

         “To… to please… you… sir!” Melinda’s entire body jumped as David grabbed her breast with his free hand, her sigh drifting loudly over the meadow.

         “And don’t you worry about me getting you naked, my dear. I have my ways. Especially if it’s something I want.” David pinched her nipple as it tried to poke through the thin fabric of Melinda’s bikini.

         “Hey over there!” David and Melinda looked to the far end of the meadow to see Annabelle Hollis approaching on horseback. “I see you two are getting along well out here!” David waved her over.

         “What are you doing out here, Annabelle?”

         “Checking up on you two, David. You guys missed lunch, so I figured I better make sure you hadn’t killed each other. Obviously that’s not the case.” Annabelle tied her horse to a nearby tree and walked over to the amorous couple. “I said you two were getting along well; that was obviously an understatement! Do you really trust this guy enough to tie you to the ground, Melinda?”

         “Trust my sir? Always, Annabelle.”

         “I hope I’m not embarrassing you two.”

         “Not at all, Annabelle. In fact… we want you to join us. Don’t we, little slut?” David increased his fondling and stroking, making Melinda melt even further. Annabelle had trouble hiding her jealousy… and her need.

         “Oh, yeess, Master! You know I looooove it when a sister submissive jooiiins us. Especially if it pleases you.” Melinda sighed in disappointment as David stopped stroking her thigh… then jumped when David put Annabelle’s hand on her other breast. David then reached over to Annabelle’s breast and pinched her nipple.

         “Now tell me the truth, Annabelle,” David said, continuing to tweak her nipple. “Will your Master mind if you join us?”

         “Oh… oh, God… no, Sir, he won’t mind. You know he won’t, Sir. Ohh…          God…          ”

         “Feel free to fondle that breast in your hand, Annabelle. And stroke my little slut’s thigh. But tell me, why did you really come out here?”

         “Master… sent me out. He wanted to make sure… you two were okay.”

         “Is that all, Annabelle?”

         “No, sir. He said… he also said that, if the occasion arose… I was to join you… to serve you.”

         “Are you ready, Annabelle?”

         “YES!”

         “Then untie my little slut’s bikini.” As Annabelle reached behind Melinda’s neck, David leaned down to speak in the young nurse’s ear. “Don’t you worry, my little slut… your treasures will soon be revealed.”

         “Oh my God! Oh, God, thank you, thank you…”


         “Oh my God! What the hell was that?” She awoke with a start, sitting bolt upright in bed. She had never had a dream like that before, and wasn’t sure what to make of it. “How… how could… this happen?”

         “How could what happen, my dear?”

         “I had a dream, honey. I don’t know where it came from… it was a D/s dream…” She started babbling, unable to contain her confusion and fears. “And… and other people we know… they were in this dream!”

         “You KNOW we keep this part of our lives private, my dear. Have you been telling others about this part of our lives?”

         “NO! No, My Lord, I haven’t. I know better than that.” She took a deep breath before speaking. “I’m scared. I don’t know where this dream came from, why others were involved…” She continued to babble about the dream, despite her Master’s attempts to calm her down with soft words and caresses.

         “ANNUSHKA!!” Jim Hollis knew that particular word would calm Annabelle down and make her focus. It was the name he had given her 25 years ago, when she agreed to be his consensual slave as well as his wife. “Relax, Annushka. You’re simply having a dream.” Stroking her back, he continued, “Tell me, who were the other people in your dream?”

         “I’m s-sorry, sir… I was dreaming about David and Melinda. They were in the meadow…” Annushka began talking her way through the dream. Jim let her ramble, knowing she needed the release. “There was one really weird thing, Master. In my dream, David had just woken up from a dream of his own. He was dreaming about their trip to Oregon—”

         “The trip they took last month?”

         “Yes, Master… the one where each of them was surprised by what happened. They both talked to me after they got back.”

         “You told me how Melinda was in Heaven when they got back, and how David was in fear.”

         “Was? He’s still in fear, Master! He’s taken a big step with Melinda. I’m afraid he won’t follow up, and that he’s going to lose… wait a minute, you’re right.”

         “Right about what, Annushka?”

         “They took that trip just over a month ago. Oh, my God…” Annushka broke down crying for several seconds. Jim held her by her shoulders, knowing she needed to feel him close.

         ”I’m sorry, Master. I realized this wasn’t just a dream… it may have been a premonition.”

         “A premonition? You got a glimpse of the future?”

         “I think so, sir. You see, in my dream, Melinda was teasing David about his dream… about him having his dream FOUR months after the trip!”

         “But they… Oh. Relax, little one. It may have been a premonition, or just a glimpse of a possibility. Don’t fixate on it, or think that it has to come true. Just realize that it’s possible.”

         “I know, Master. But I’m also thinking that if David doesn’t get off his ass, he’s going to lose Melinda. I know I shouldn’t let things like this affect me so much… I’m sorry…”

         “There’s nothing to apologize for, little one.” Jim wrapped his arms around Annushka from behind, resting his hands on her breasts. “You’re dreaming about friends, and possibly projecting your desires into their lives. It’s not wrong, but you have to be careful. Now tell me the truth. Have I been neglecting you, Annushka?”

         “NO, Master! I… I’m just not sure where this dream came from. Not knowing…” Annushka began to sob. “I’m sorry, Master, but this is scaring me!”

         “Don’t cry, little one.” Jim hugged her tighter, and began to slowly rock her back and forth. “You’ve told me before that you think Melinda is submissive. And we both know that David has the qualities to be a loving Dominant. I think you’re subconsciously wishing the best for them, or what you think is the best… and wanting them to have a little fun. Am I right?”

         “Yes, Master.”

         “Believe me, little one, anyone who knows those two can tell they’re in love.” Jim’s voice took on a lecherous lilt as he added, “They may even be having their own ‘fun’ with each other. So relax, my dear… simply relax.” Jim’s voice took on a soothing quality that never failed to mesmerize his 48-year-old wife/slave. “You’re fine. Something tells me you’re also getting antsy about this weekend’s play party. I think you need something to calm you down, and remind you of your place. Take off your nightgown.” As Annushka complied, Jim padded over to their walk-in closet. He came back with several items. “Put this on.”

         “My… my pleasure harness… thank you, Master.” Normally used only in their D/s or BDSM play, Jim had pulled out the cup-less bra because he knew it would give Annushka a sense of peace. Once she had the “harness” in place and fastened, Jim cuffed her hands in front of her. “Now lie down my dear, and relax. Get some sleep. Let the bindings you’re wearing remind you of what’s to come this weekend… let them relax you, and bring you peace.”

         “Thank you, Master. I love you.”

         “I love you too, Annabelle.” Jim kissed his wife’s cheek. “Now, get some sleep. We’ve got a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Getting David to ride a horse is going to take a lot of work on both our parts, and on Melinda’s.”

         “You can say that again, Jim. He’s still got some fears to conquer, and he’s going to need support from all of us. I hope Melinda is up to it.”

         “We’ll deal with that in the morning. You get some sleep.”

         “You too, hunny-bunny.”

         This installment of “Recoveries” has been brought to you by the letters “S” and “M”, and by the number “69”. We hope you have enjoyed this installment of “Recoveries”. But don’t expect it to appear in the real story.