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marriage. He wondered what kind of man her husband was and appreciated the fact that she spoke of him kindly and not with the bitterness that usually comes from divorce. But he also knew she had to heal and the first step would be for her to forgive herself for her mistake. Julian wondered at that small imperfection in the human psyche and it baffled him. Kindness toward ourselves often seemed a more difficult thing than kindness toward others.
    He pushed the covers off and got dressed. He'd help Gabrielle, he'd hold her hand and carry her when she couldn't walk herself. His methods might be considered harsh or old fashioned by some, but for others, a firm hand was what it took.
    He knew she'd be embarrassed when she saw him today and he smiled at that as he walked out the door. She'd have to get over that. Last night was only the start of his plans for her.
     
    * * *
     
    Three tables were full at the restaurant when Gabrielle arrived to find Julian sitting with a cup of coffee, an empty seat beside him. Blushing when she met his eyes, she dropped her gaze and walked over to him, sitting down. She winced when her bottom made contact with the hard seat.
    “Good morning,” she said.
    “Good morning.” He reached over and kissed her cheek.
    Luciana walked out of the kitchen toward them, greeting her warmly. “Would you like a cappuccino, an American coffee, some tea?” she asked. Gabrielle could almost hear Luciana's brain working, wondering about the pair.
    “Yes, please. A cappuccino sounds perfect. Thank you.”
    Luciana went back to the kitchen.
    “How do you feel?” Julian asked.
    “A little embarrassed,” she answered honestly. It was all she could think to say. When she'd allowed him to do what he'd done last night, they'd crossed a boundary she'd never even known was there. She wouldn't try to hide from him at this point. She couldn't.
    He took her hands and made her look at him. “No judgment. No shame. I'm giving you what you need and that satisfies something in me. What we did isn't wrong or embarrassing, do you understand?”
    She considered him. “What am I satisfying in you?”
    “Besides the fact that it's sexually gratifying for me to have power over you?”
    She nodded, shaking her head internally at this second strange conversation.
    “I've let go of the guilt I felt over my divorce. I've forgiven myself for what I couldn’t do, who I couldn't be at the time. I suppose being able to give you what you need gives me some comfort, reassurance.”
    She smiled.
    He took her hand. “I want us to be completely honest and open with each other. I don't want lies and I don't want you to hold back whatever thoughts or feelings come up when we're together intimately. Giving yourself over to someone, submitting to punishment, is about as close as people can get. It's about trust and I want to nurture that trust. What are you feeling for me right now? No judgment, just open communication.”
    She considered. “I…” She was going to say that she didn't know, but that would be a lie. “I feel safe with you. You know, you're the first person to have the courage to tell me the truth. That I deserve to be punished. I hadn't really gotten beyond that part though, to the part that I also deserve to be forgiven.
    “I don't want my marriage back. I just want to be free of this guilt. I feel… better… since last night. I haven't slept so well in a long time. I don't think I'm through it yet, but it's something. I don't know if this is normal, to trust someone so quickly.”
    “It is normal, but we, and I mean people in general, have managed to fuck it up over time,” he said. “How is your bottom?” he asked, winking.
    “A little tender.”
    Luciana brought her coffee and they remained silent until she left.
    “But you'd like more?” he asked.
    “Yes,” she said.
    “I'm glad I didn't scare you off. Did you do what I asked?”
    She nodded, blushing.
    “Drink your coffee,” he said.
    After