Obsession (9780061887079) Read Online Free PDF Page A

gives your spirit freedom to pursue work so that your life runs smoothly. Was it only folderol you told Maja—that you’d found none qualified until you met me: “Bee has not only beauty, but smarts and though appears diffident with a gentle reticence—occasionally an unexpected take-charge attitude breaks through (absolutely!), which I find a charming combination not found in others I’ve been auditioning”—you’d taken “time to evaluate her character,” coming to the conclusion “Bee is capable of keeping under control any tendencies of jealousy in her nature” (not necessarily), “carries herself with poise” you admired, suspecting “under her yielding demeanor there is a controlling streak in her nature (definitely) requisite not only for management of Akeru but structuring her own life by ability to respect and obey The Rules.” And that “she also had intelligence and sensitivity capable of handling some tricky situation (which Maja didn’t go into) concerning Wife.” As you were still considering Nadine, Maja with her gift of sorcery consulted her oracle, concluding that position of planets at the moment when Nadine and I came together at Janus Club were significantlyaligned, and, believing in the science based on the chaos theory postulated by Benoit Mandelbrot, showing how mathematically everything is literally and inextricably connected to everything else—a butterfly flapping its wings in the jungles of Brazil exerts an effect on the atmosphere here in our room right now—Maja knew the moment had come, there should be no more shilly-shalling, and she hastened to put in motion the Yab-Yum to discover once and for all which of us embodied all that you were seeking. Destiny brought it together and the outcome was—me. So that everything in your life “now fits easily, seamlessly into place,” as you so often say. And so it has. Until now.
    Stay away for a while. See how it sets. I’m not that crazy about you.
    Bee
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    Pain ran up my arm as I beat my fist on the letter—how could he? “Everything in your life ‘now fits easily, seamlessly into place.’” I gave him that. He told me so—praised me, acknowledged my expertise was what made him free to create without concerning himself with mundane details—the secretaries, household staff, apprentices, assistants—how painstakingly I interviewed and screened each and every one before I considered them worthy to be part of his entourage. How proud I was the day he named our estate Talcilla, cementing our partnership in every way. “High praise coming from you, my Lord and Master—thank you kind sir,” I’d teased, giving a mock curtsey, and he’d bowed his head in deference, clapping his hands applauding. Oh god—what a fool I am. I started tearing the letter up—but instead opened another.
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    Talbot,
    Having banished you from my sight until I cool off, I was caught off guard yesterday when you showed up at Akeru unexpectedly—so soon demanding punishment for past indiscretions. Lucky for you I chose the small whip weighted with tiny steel balls encased in cream-soft leather, dangling beguilingly from a handle that fits cozily into my palm, always a pleasure to wield instead of the cumbersome other (which you certainly merited). Keeping at it, I knew you wanted more, but the greater punishment would be to stop. So I did.
    Your sweet fat bottom appeared more flushed and sore than usual, so instead of soothing unguents, I chose to finish it off with a few smacks from one of those newfangled kitchen gadgets you’re always bringing home—which happened to be handy—some sort of thing with wire bristles—perfect to bring your cheeks to just the right shadeof piggy-pink, ready for a sponge soaked in vinegar to rub on your bottom until you cried out in pain. Only then had you received