Afghan Bound Read Free

legs. Unbelievably Charlie appeared detached from the entire scene, staring straight ahead. No, not straight ahead, she was actually watching him as he surveyed the close examination of her body. She had spotted him spying on them and simply stood there, silent and accepting.
    God! Justin screamed to himself. What were they doing with her?
    Suddenly Paul finished toying with the metal rings and asked to see his hallmark. At his instruction Charlie bent forward and pushed out her arse for the two men to study.
    â€˜Excellent artistry, don’t you agree?’ said David.
    Paul moved closer still, inspecting the family crest that now adorned his wife’s bottom. ‘I have to congratulate you, David. It’s perfect, and completely healed.’
    David looked pleased at his customer’s obvious approval. ‘It’s a new technique. I bought a specialist pump from the Far East that blows the ink under the skin, no needles. There’s hardly any damage to the epidermis.’
    The two men continued with their inspection for some time while Charlie watched Justin watching her. There was no way he could have known it, but she hadn’t been given permission to speak.
    When Paul finished his examination he told Charlie to dress, and then turned to David. ‘You’ve done a wonderful job,’ he gushed, shaking him by the hand. ‘Now, if you’ll sign her back over to me we’ll be on our way.’
    David pulled a document from his jacket pocket, laid it out on top of the piano, and they both signed it.
    The show over, Justin returned to the morning room without his ice. Nonetheless he felt the need for another whisky and poured a generous measure, from which he took a large and satisfying gulp. But the door opening and the announcement that Paul and Charlie were about to leave interrupted his second drink.
    â€˜They wanted to say goodbye,’ David informed him.
    Charlie looked Justin straight in the eye as she said her farewell. Of the earlier incident she said nothing. There was no hint of embarrassment; that was an emotion her month’s training had taught her to do without.
    â€˜Well now, let’s get some food sorted out,’ said David after they had departed. They took salad out to the large wooden table at the front of the house where they ate and drank and chatted about their separate lives. It was obvious to Justin however that his friend was holding something back. The images of Charlie bent over and allowing such an intimate examination without the slightest morsel of self-consciousness played over and over in his mind. Sooner or later he would have to mention it; curiosity, as it always does, would get the upper hand.
    They talked until the sun, unlike that young woman he’d just seen, blushed a deep red and began its quiet descent into the sea, allowing a cool breeze to blow in. It had been a hot balmy day which meant the night appeared colder for it. Finally the two retreated to the comfort of the sitting room where David took a match to the kindling in the stove and set the fire ablaze. Soon the warmth spread about the room accompanied by the orange glow of the flames flickering and crackling pleasantly upon the logs. It was a moment when words seemed pointless; a time for reflection. In the fire David saw only flames – Justin however, saw the tightly corseted body of Charlie dancing on the embers. The flames blazed around her legs, licking at her smooth mound while the golden rings winked and glistened from beneath. He saw her breasts move in time to the crackle of the sparks before she turned to bend forward, proudly displaying her tattooed bottom. Her master’s mark, his brand, his symbol of ownership.
    â€˜What exactly do you do for a living?’ His voice startled the relaxed David.
    â€˜I told you. I have a practice in Brighton. I’m taking a sabbatical through the summer – a bit of a rest. My partners are holding the