Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2014 00:53:20 +0000 (UTC) From: Christian Debus Subject: "Master of River's Bend" Chapter Three Gay Male/Interracial Master of River's Bend By Jean-Christophe Chapter Three "Questions, Answers and Explanations" This is a story of erotic fiction meant to be read by adults over the age of eighteen years Written by Jean-Christophe November, 2014 My stories are archived at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Jean-Christophe_Stories "The characters and ideas contained in this story are products of the writer's imagination and bear no resemblance to actual persons or events. Please respect the integrity of the story and don't do any rewrites, make alterations or add another's artwork or pictures" Please consider donating: Nifty needs financial support to keeping bringing these stories to the readers. If you'd like to help financially, please donate to http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html Part Three River's Bend mansion is positioned on a small rise almost one and a half miles inland from the river and it is reached by a long, sweeping driveway of white gravel. The magnificent oaks lining both sides of the driveway turn it into an impressive avenue while their overhead branches, heavily festooned with Spanish moss, touch to create a cool, green tunnel which provides shelter from the winter chills and the summer's heat. Other trees - cotton wood, pine, elm, hickory, sweet gum, pecan and tupelo - all indigenous to the area form a pleasant backdrop to the sun-drenched fields of crops growing on both sides of the driveway. Luke watches as gangs of light-skinned slaves work in these fields under their black overseers' whips and he is surprised to see that all are stark naked unlike the scantily clad ones toiling on the wharf. He wonders which is normal for the plantation's slaves; partial or full nudity. Is total nudity for the slaves the usual practice at River's Bend? The scene is so powerfully erotic that he hopes this is so and it provides him with yet another question for Beauregard. At first, they travel in silence and the only sounds to disturb the almost cathedral-like quietness of the driveway is the labored breathing of the slave Kip as he trots before them, the soft patter of his bare feet and the scrunching sound of the trap's wheels in the loose gravel. Luke supposes running unshod on the loose gravel must be difficult if your feet are soft and tender. But, no doubt, the slave's feet are well calloused. From what Luke has seen to date all the plantation's slaves are barefooted. Luke looks back over his shoulder and sees the hand cart containing his luggage is trundling just a few yards behind the carriage. He notices both the slaves, now completely nude - are struggling under the heavy load. After all, the wooden cart is solidly built and Luke, thanks to his mother's insistence and extravagance, isn't traveling lightly. And adding to the heavy load of his trunks and valises, the slaves must also contend with the weight of his body-slave Nestor who sits atop his luggage like some African potentate. Nestor is beaming broadly; obviously he is enjoying the experience of having other slaves do the work that by rights is his to perform. Luke finds Nestor's smile and attitude disconcerting. Perhaps a stern reprimand later, when they are alone, won't go amiss. Luke doesn't want to give Beauregard the wrong impression that he can't control his body-slave, Nestor. Luke waits for Beauregard to speak. After all, etiquette demands that he, as the guest, must wait for his host to speak first. And as he waits he turns his attention to the slaves laboring in the adjacent fields. Luke looks out from the carriage through the trees lining the drive and into the sun drenched crops of golden, ripening grain. The fields are a chequerboard of varying shades ranging from the soft yellow of the grain crops - now being harvested by teams of sweating, naked slaves - to the green tinged corn. These fields are the scene of much activity and Luke is stirred by the sight of so many muscular slaves industriously engaged in harvesting the grain. Even from this distance, he can see the stress their labors place upon their sweat stained, sun darkened bodies. At the forefront there is a line of slaves who, working abreast of one another, use long, sharp scythes to fell the tall growing stalks just an inch or so above ground level. Their actions are synchronized and the sweep of their scythes are in perfect unison with one another; it is obvious the slaves are well trained and conditioned for such work. There is something graceful in their body movements as they move steadily forward. Their tall, lean bodies twist and turn with each sweep of their scythes and Luke is reminded of a choreographed and well- rehearsed dance troupe. The unrelenting sun glints on the slaves' naked torsos and their sweat highlights the working of the muscles of their arms and upper bodies as they follow through with each sweep of their scythes. From the cool shade of the driveway, Luke looks out over the sunny, unshaded field as the slaves move relentlessly forward with robotic resignation. He hears their labored breathing, the gentle "swish" of the scythes cutting through the rustling stalks and their soft moaning as tired muscles protest at the ceaseless demands made of them. The labor is unremitting but still the black overseers aren't satisfied. The overseers' angry whips crackle frighteningly through the air demanding more of their charges and as the lash cuts across their unprotected backs the suffering slaves cry out but respond positively to the unrelenting demands made of them. But these slaves are the lucky ones in that they work upright. Following close behind them are other slaves, who work bent doubled over gathering up the scythed stalks, tying them into sheaves and placing them into stacks ready for picking up and carting into the distant threshing sheds. And their stooped backs make tempting targets for the impatient lash! Luke is finding pleasure in such a pastoral scene. However, his erotic reverie is cut short by Beauregard's question. "Luke, no doubt your mind is a maelstrom of mixed emotions and confused thoughts? And you must have many questions you want to ask of me? Am I correct?" "Yes I am confused, Beauregard! There's so much I don't understand." "Luke, I want to be honest with you. There are things you need to know about River's Bend and me. Let's begin with River's Bend, shall we? What do you know about the plantation, Luke?" "Apart from knowing it belongs to you I know absolutely nothing, Beauregard!" "Your father never spoke of it?" "Very seldom, Beauregard. He never talked about River's Bend with me. I only ever overheard him talking with other members of the family about the plantation." "I see, then I should begin by telling you a little about the plantation's beginnings, Luke. Originally, River's Bend was a grant from the King of France to my great-grandfather who is your great-great grandfather. That is how the land came to be in our family. Our ancestor however went a step further and entailed the land. Do you know what I mean by 'entail', Luke?" "It's something to do with how the land is left, I think." "That's right, Luke. In his wisdom my great-grandfather entailed the land so that it can only ever be left to one of his direct, male descendants. And that descendant can't sell or dispose of the land while it's in his possession. It must pass 'in toto' to the next heir. Which means that I can neither sell nor dispose of any part of River's Bend and that I must ensure it passes to one of his direct male descendants. Normally, that would be my son but as I never married I am without issue and I must look to finding a suitable heir for River's Bend. And that is why you are here, Luke. As a direct, male descendant, I want to see if you'd make a suitable heir." "Beauregard, I don't know what to say. All this comes as a surprise. Until a week ago, I had no idea that I was a direct descendant of the original owner of River's Bend. And I don't know whether or not I would make a suitable heir. Anyway, shouldn't my father be the next heir?" "You're being too modest, Luke. It's for me to judge if you'll make a worthy heir. And whether or not your father should be the next to inherit River's Bend is also for me to decide. Normally, as I said it would go to my son. And for reasons which will soon become clear to you, I consider your father to be an unsuitable heir. I see his son as the logical choice to be the next owner of River's Bend." "And that's why I'm here, Beauregard? To give you the chance to see if I'd make a good heir? What must I do to prove myself?" "Absolutely nothing, Luke! Just be yourself and let me be the judge. Now tell me - what do you know about me?" The frankness of Beauregard's question unsettles Luke and momentarily, he wonders how to answer. Should he be circumspect and not reveal what little he does know? Or should he be completely honest with Beauregard and answer truthfully. He senses Beauregard is testing his character and he decides on the latter. "Beauregard, I have to say that I know very little about you. In all honesty, you were never spoken about in my presence and what little I do know is only hearsay." "Luke, I take it that my erstwhile relatives seldom spoke about me? Is that correct?" "That's right, Beauregard." "I would expect that to be the situation, Luke. But tell me what you heard them say about me. Speak honestly and hold nothing back." "I only ever heard this once - about three years ago - but someone said you liked 'Greek love' and that you had dark desires." "And did you know what they meant by that Luke?" "I didn't then but later I found out that the ancient Greeks practiced love between males. So I took it to mean that you're a homosexual." "And you were right in coming to that conclusion. Yes, I like to have sex with other men - well with one man really - and that is why the family ostracized me. Does that repulse you, Luke?" "Not at all, Beauregard." Luke is warming to his cousin and feels confident enough to tell him the truth. "I rather suspect I am the same. I'm attracted to men especially if they are naked slaves like the ones working in your fields." "Really Luke, you surprise me." Beauregard is genuinely surprised by Luke's frank confession. "Does anyone know of this? Have you ever had sex with another man either a free man or a slave?" "No, I have never told anyone of this. I was too afraid to do so. And no ..." Luke hesitates before continuing, "..... I have never had sex with another man. But I have thought about it constantly." "Then Luke it would appear we have much in common. While you are here, I want you to be yourself and don't suppress your true feelings. And if I can be of help to you I am always ready to listen to you or to answer your questions. And I have one piece of advice for you. I have never been ashamed of who or what I am and I have always lived my life in the manner in which it is meant to be lived. Luke, you should do the same. Be the man you are meant to be and live the life of your own choosing. And you must never feel guilty. In my experience guilt is something imposed upon you by others. But tell me how do my relatives describe me, Luke?" "They refer to you as debauched, dissolute and beyond God's redemption." To Luke's surprise, Beauregard laughs loudly and startles the slave Kip into breaking his pace. "I would expect that of them ... the sanctimonious hypocrites! But tell me more, Luke. You mentioned something about my dark desires. Is that correct?" "Yes Beauregard, you were described as having dark desires." "And what did you take that to mean, Luke?" "To be honest, Beauregard I didn't know then and I'm unsure now. But in a strange way, I relate that to myself too. You see, for as long as I can remember, I have been attracted to black men. Often, I fantasize that a black man owns me and uses me sexually. I crave for that to happen and yet I am fearful of it ever occurring. I have often wondered if this is the same as your dark desire." "How very perceptive of you Luke. And what a strange coincidence. We are alike in so many ways. My dark desires would be more accurately described as my Black desires. I too share your love of Black men and always have. And believe me, there is no greater pleasure to be had than surrendering yourself to a Black man." Beauregard's frank admission comes as no great surprise; after all Luke had long suspected this to be the situation. But hearing it expressed in words encourages Luke to ask further questions. "Beauregard, can I ask? Do you have sex with black men?" "Luke, I have only ever had sex with one Black man." This too surprises Luke. From the rare comments he'd heard about Beauregard within the family, he'd believed his cousin to be promiscuous. But by his own admission, Beauregard is monogamous and true to just one man. "Beauregard, can I ask why?" "Certainly Luke! I said I wanted to be honest with you. I discovered as a boy that I loved a Black slave boy the same age as myself. He was my play companion until he became old enough to work in the fields with the other slaves. But we used to meet whenever we could and ours was a friendship like no other. To cut a long story short we experimented sexually; he emerged as the dominant partner and I was the submissive and it's been that way ever since." "Do you still have sex with him?" "Yes Luke, whenever he desires it." "Will I meet him, Beauregard?" "Luke you have already met him - on the pier just now. I'm referring to Massa Charles." There's an awkward silence between the two as Luke absorbs Beauregard's frank admission that he is in a relationship with his plantation manager. As his mind swirls from the confusion of his thoughts, he blurts out. "But he's your slave, Beauregard!" "You're wrong, Luke. Massa Charles isn't my slave. He is my Master and I am his slave." "How ..... Why.... I don't understand." "Massa Charles was the slave boy I just mentioned. Even as young boys - long before our sexual awakenings - he was the master and I was the slave. Only we were too young to recognize this was the true situation. The fact was that he made all the decisions and I simply obeyed. It seemed perfectly natural for me to do so. Overtime, I came to recognize that I wanted to serve him as his slave rather than have him serve me. When I inherited River's Bend, my first act was to free Massa Charles and to install him as the 'Master of River's Bend'. And it's been that way ever since." Slowly, bit by bit, Luke takes in the startling news. "You say you are Massa Charles slave, Beauregard. You're speaking figuratively and not literally aren't you?" "Quite the contrary, Luke. I mean it when I say I am his slave. I submitted to Massa Charles the day I manumitted him. The day I installed him as the Master of River's Bend, I begged him to make me his slave. He graciously consented and placed me in bondage to him. And as you can see I wear his slave collar around my neck. It's been that way for over twenty years now. Of course, legally River's Bend belongs to me - as a Black man, even a free one - Massa is prohibited from owning property. But the reality is that Massa runs the plantation and its operations and he has oversight of all its slaves. And I have to say Massa has been most successful in his endeavors. River's Bend is one of the most prosperous plantations in the region and it is the envy of many another owner. I should add that to all outsiders I appear as the owner and master of River's Bend but on the plantation there's no doubting who the real master is. All the slaves know the true situation. They know that I am Massa's slave and they see me as one of their number. " "Is that why he calls you Ptolemy?" "Yes Luke! Massa named me Ptolemy when we were small boys together. I recall he told me then it was my true 'slave name'. How prophetic that was of him. I am proud of the name that Massa has bestowed upon me. However, I see I have shocked you with my revelations." "I'm not shocked by them, Beauregard. Or should I now call you Ptolemy?" "Massa would prefer that you do, Luke." "I'm not shocked. But I am puzzled. If all this is true, why am I here? What's the true purpose of my visit?" "For the reason I mentioned before. I'm looking for someone to replace me as owner of River's Bend should anything happen to me. And I need to protect Massa's position should I predecease him. Obviously, you can see the 'uniqueness" of our lifestyle and understand that few people would be sympathetic to it. You mentioned your father as a potential heir. I think you'd now agree that he's highly unsuitable. Should he inherit what would become of Massa Charles? He'd be turned out penniless to fend for himself." "Why do you think I'd be any different ... ah..." Luke struggles to say the name, ".... Ptolemy?" "Thank you Luke for calling me by my slave name. That is one reason why I think you'd be a suitable candidate. Already you appear to have accepted my true status. And by your own admission, you say you have homosexual tendencies and that you fantasize about submitting to a Black man. Who knows - if you decide to stay on despite what I have told you - you might be tempted to try the lifestyle for yourself." Ptolemy's comment that he might be tempted to sample the lifestyle of a slave at River's Bend both frightens and excites Luke. And it appears more of an invitation than a suggestion. While the thought of serving as a slave does appeal to Luke, there is a natural reluctance on his part to surrender even a small part of his freedom to Massa Charles. As argument and counter- argument do battle within his consciousness, Luke rationalizes that his visit to River's Bend is to be a brief one and at the end of the day - as a voluntary slave - he would have the freedom to leave. So why not use his visit as an opportunity to "discover" his true self - something he could never do at home. Here, within the privacy of River's Bend, he has the chance to experiment and for his actions to remain a secret from his family. "Tell me Luke. Will you stay on?" Ptolemy's questions interrupt his train of thoughts. "Or has what I've told you shocked you enough to cut short your visit. If so, I can turn the cart around and you can leave on one of the cotton barges. And I won't think any the less of you." "I'd like to stay on." Luke answers shyly. "If that's all right with you and Massa Charles. Will he mind?" "Not at all Luke. He has looked forward to your coming and I am very happy that you have decided to stay on at River's Bend. Now I'm sure you have other questions to ask. Am I correct, Luke?" "Well yes there are some things I'd like to ask. They have to do with those slaves working in the fields just through the trees." "I thought you'd have questions about them Luke. I've noticed you watching them. They are fine specimens aren't they? Just feel free to ask me and I'll answer truthfully. After all, when you become the heir to River's Bend you'll need to know everything." Luke is surprised to hear Ptolemy say "when you become the heir to River's Bend". It would appear that his cousin has already made his decision and yet they have known each other for less than an hour. Suddenly, becoming the heir to River's Bend is very appealing and Luke is flattered and excited by Ptolemy's comment. However, the thought does occur to him that he is yet to win Massa Charles's approval. That might involve much more than mere talk. "Ptolemy, you speak as though you have already made up your mind about making me your heir. Surely, that's a bit premature as you hardly know me." "Luke I already know you well enough to declare you the next heir of River's Bend Plantation. I took a calculated risk in inviting you to visit. For a start I wasn't sure if your father would allow it and secondly you were unknown to me. But I reckoned on your youthful idealism. I hoped that you were unprejudiced - unlike my older relatives - and that you had an open mind and wouldn't be shocked by my lifestyle. To my great delight I was correct in assuming this and as an added incentive, I sense that you share my predilection for being a white submissive with a Black Master. I am more than ready to tell Massa of my decision at lunchtime. No doubt, he will have things to say to you and I must leave those to him." "Thank you Ptolemy. I appreciate your faith in me and I won't let you or Massa Charles down." "Luke, I know you won't. But let's stop for a few minutes so that you can study the slaves up close. I can see your great interest in them and I know you have questions about them too." Ptolemy's suggestion is a welcome one as Luke wants very much to see the slaves at closer quarters. "Thank you Ptolemy. I'd like that!" Ptolemy tells the slave Kip to halt and clambers out of the cart. "I won't be a moment, Luke. Bear with me as I shuck off my trousers." Luke watches slack-mouthed as Ptolemy quickly unties the cord around his waist and allows the sweat soaked trousers to fall in a crumpled heap around his ankles. As he unabashedly kicks himself free of them, Ptolemy sighs with relief. "There now, that feels so much better!" "Ptolemy, why did you remove your trousers?" "Because Massa would expect me to, Luke. My natural state as Massa's slave is total nakedness the same as all the other slaves on River's Bend. Besides I am forbidden to enter Massa's house wearing any clothing." "Do you spend all your time naked, Ptolemy?" "Yes I do Luke. Until this morning, I've only worn clothes on special occasions in recent years. One of those was when Massa took me to the attorneys to instruct them about finding an heir for River's Bend and to write to your father asking permission for you to visit. I was, of course, dressed very formally and I found my suit very constricting. I was glad to shuck it off at the first opportunity. However, today is a special day with your arrival and Massa didn't want to confound you too soon by having me appear buck-assed naked when I greeted you. Massa gave me special permission to cover up and wear trousers. But again, for me, they felt 'unnatural' and most uncomfortable. I am happiest when I'm as naked as a jay-bird as I have been for these past twenty-two years." For the first time Luke sees Ptolemy in all his slave-naked glory. The first thing that registers is that Ptolemy, like the field-slaves, sports an allover tan and even his muscular ass is the same uniform color of his torso and his legs. Ptolemy's ass is well formed, but not overly large, and it is comprised of hard, solid muscle. Shapely is the word that springs to mind as Luke gazes lustfully upon it. The twin orbs of Ptolemy's rounded buttocks are divided by a deep, mysterious cleft which like the rest of his body is hairless. And inexplicably, Luke has a vision of Massa Charles mounting Ptolemy and using that ass for his pleasure. The thought is tinged with just a touch of envy on Luke's part. Ptolemy turns and Luke now sees his circumcised cock at partial rest atop his heavy, pendulous balls which hang low between his thighs. Again, Luke is surprised at the lack of body hair for Ptolemy is smooth-skinned and has no pubes. The fact that Ptolemy is circumcised puzzles Luke. Given that circumcision isn't widely practiced within the wider community and is mostly confined to certain religious groups, Luke wonders why Ptolemy is circumcised. Was it done when he was an infant as is customary among those groups or at some later date? If performed later, then perhaps, it was done for ascetic reasons. Luke has to concede that the removal of both his pubes and his foreskin does enhance Ptolemy's overall appearance. The absence of his pubes creates an optical illusion and Ptolemy's cock and balls look much bigger and more attractive unlike Luke's own "overhang" which most times conceals his cockhead. Ptolemy's cock by comparison, is pleasing to Luke's eye with its flanged, mushroom glans and piss-slit on open display. It has to be said that Ptolemy hides nothing from view. Perceptively, Ptolemy is aware of Luke's interest in his cock and asks. "Luke, haven't you seen a circumcised cock before?" To be truthful, Luke hasn't seen another man's cock up as close as he is to Ptolemy's. As a small boy, he and his playmates had satisfied their prurient curiosity by measuring their tiny cocks against one another and even though they were aware of their foreskins, they ignored them for the most part. And of course, after the onset of puberty, the opportunity to examine another man's cock had become impossible given the strictly moral rectitude of his family and friends. Ptolemy's question hints at Luke's naivety and his face is suffused bright red by his embarrassment. "No Ptolemy, I haven't. Your's is the first circumcised cock I have ever seen. But tell me - why are you circumcised?" "Because Massa wanted it, Luke." Ptolemy replies simply. "You'll find all of Massa's slaves have been skinned. That's a euphemism for circumcision by the way. But Massa simply refers to it as 'cutting'." "Why would Massa Charles want you and his other slaves to be circumcised, Ptolemy?" "Luke, here are several reasons why we are cut. The main reason is that Massa wishes it and his wishes are paramount to all else. Another reason is that Massa sees it as a 'badge' of our slavery. Free men aren't normally circumcised and they are inordinately proud of their foreskins as a sign of their manhood. We, on the other hand, have had our foreskins removed and that diminishes us in Massa's eyes. He no longer sees us as men but simply as slaves or mere beasts-of-burden. Another reason, and the one that Massa has told me of many times, is that a slave's body must be on full view to its Master at all times. That's one of the reasons why Massa keeps his slaves naked so that nothing is hidden from his sight. And the retention of the foreskin would hide a slave's cockhead from Massa's view and that's something he won't allow. And then there is the matter of cleanliness. Without a foreskin, a slave is able to keep his cock cleaner. There are no hidden parts to harbor filth or grime." "I see! And who does the ahh.... what was the word you used .... skinning?" "In recent years another of Massa's slaves cuts any new, uncircumcised slave Massa buys. In his previous life this slave was a white doctor but somehow he became a slave. I'm not sure of the reason why but I do know Massa bought him privately from a slave-dealer. Perhaps he was a special order that Massa placed with the slaver. Massa calls this slave his 'vet' or 'animal doctor' and he works fulltime to keep Massa's slaves healthy and he treats all the injuries they sustain. As you can imagine, with such a large slave herd, he's kept fully occupied and his services to Massa are quite invaluable. Oh, and he also takes care of Massa's horses and other farm animals." "Ptolemy, can I ask another question?" "Surely Luke, ask away." "Why is there no hair on your body? Why haven't you got any pubic hair?" "For much the same reason as Massa had me cut as a young slave. It's a mark of my unmanliness and it identifies me as a slave. Hair on the body defines a free man whereas the lack of hair on his body defines a slave. Anyway, as I said a few moments ago - no part of a slave's body should be hidden from its Master. Without my pubes, my cock and balls are enhanced and on full display for Massa's enjoyment. Massa's house slaves are fully shaven and that's also for pragmatic reasons. Massa won't abide his house slaves shedding their body hair on his furnishings - and even worse - their hair getting into his food or drink." As Luke considers Ptolemy's answers, his attention is still centered on the slave's cock. In fact, he is mesmerized by it. Luke sees it as a thing of beauty and he contrasts it with his own concealed "ugliness". He can well understand why Massa Charles wants his house slaves smooth-bodied and cut. And at the same time, he struggles with an almost uncontrollable urge to reach out and touch Ptolemy's cock. As he watches, Luke notes the absence of any embarrassment on Ptolemy's part. Obviously his total nudity doesn't shame him; indeed the opposite is true as Ptolemy unashamedly displays his nakedness. Turning so that his body is in profile, Luke sees the initials RB - branded on Ptolemy's right flank. Shocked almost beyond belief by this, Luke asks incredulously. "You've been branded?" "Of course, Luke. It is the fate of all slaves to wear their owner's brand and Massa is no different. He marks all his livestock - both slave and animal - with the River's Bend brand." "Ptolemy, I noticed the slaves working on the wharf were branded on the breast but you're branded on the ahh .........." "Go ahead and say it Luke. I'm branded on the ass. Luke you don't have to spare my feelings. As a slave, I'm not entitled to feel any shame or embarrassment. No slave is. When talking about a slave's body you use the common vernacular. You use words like ass and cock. Massa does so all the time when he talks about his slaves. And Luke, one other thing; Massa doesn't have intercourse with a slave. He fucks the slave. Luke, Massa can't abide an 'educated' slave - one who talks like a free man." "All right then, Ptolemy. Why are you branded on the ass and not on the breast like the other slaves?" "I'm guessing there are two reasons why Massa had me branded on the ass, Luke. Most probably, the first one is for ascetic reasons. I believe Massa didn't want to spoil my appearance with a brand in such a prominent position as on my chest. Well that's just my guess, anyway. However, I think I'm on firmer ground with my second reason. Massa likes to finger the brand on my ass and he has told me many times that whenever he looks at it he remembers my ass really belongs to him." "Ptolemy, may I examine your brand?" "Of course, Luke." "I mean - can I touch it?" "Certainly Luke. It's long healed and it won't hurt me. Go ahead." Hesitantly, Luke reaches out with his right index finger and traces over the brand. He feels the scarred tissue of the letters RB - for River's Bend - emblazoned in sharp relief on the contour of Ptolemy's smooth flank but it is the hardness and warmth of his flesh that excites Luke the most. Their close, welcoming embrace on the pier and the sensation of Ptolemy's near naked torso pressing against his body had excited him and left him yearning for more. Back on the pier, Ptolemy had been stripped to the waist; here, in this spot, he is completely nude and Luke feels a compulsion to explore his slave cousin's naked body. Guiltily, Luke's hands reach behind Ptolemy and he gently cradles an ass cheek in the cup of each hand. He waits for Ptolemy's rejection of his bold move but none is forthcoming. Instead, Luke feels a slight tremor ripple through Ptolemy's powerful frame and he responds in kind. Ptolemy moans softly and pulls Luke into a tight embrace. Their bodies touch and Luke feels the heat of Ptolemy's hard erection pulsing through the thick fabric of his trousers. His own cock swells with answering desire and he has never felt so alive. If ever there'd been any self- doubt about his sexuality it is quickly dispelled as Luke's hands explore the hard muscles of Ptolemy's back and broad shoulders. Luke feels the tensing of Ptolemy's back muscles and the flexing of his ass as he continues to luxuriate in the feel of the slave's naked, male flesh. But even as Luke's eager fingers knead the muscles of Ptolemy's broad shoulders, his mind is resolutely fixed elsewhere. His thoughts are firmly centered on Ptolemy's cock and balls. Luke pulls away and standing a few inches apart from Ptolemy, he looks down with lust-filled eyes at the blood engorged cock protruding at an angle to the slave's smooth, hairless groin. Emboldened, Luke slips a hand between Ptolemy's thighs and gently fondles his testicles. For Luke, this touching of another man's balls is a new experience and one that he now enthusiastically explores with guiltless abandon. As he gently rolls each ball between his fingers, Luke warms to the sensuous, silky touch of Ptolemy's hairless scrotum. Encouraged by this close proximity to another man - and a naked one - Luke lovingly fondles Ptolemy's genitals. As one hand gently squeezes Ptolemy's balls, Luke's other hand slides up and down the shaft of his cock and he marvels at the blood-hot heat of Ptolemy's erection and at the satin-like feel of his cock. For several moments both Luke and Ptolemy are lost in their common lust. Then, much to Luke's disappointment, Ptolemy suddenly pulls away from Luke and apologizes. "I'm sorry, Luke! I shouldn't have allowed that to happen." Luke is confused by his cousin's rejection and his emotions are very mixed. He feels a mixture of disappointment and frustration; disappointment that Ptolemy has called a premature halt to their first sexual encounter and frustration that he's done so. And also hurt; for uppermost in Luke's minds is the question - had he somehow offended Ptolemy. Crestfallen, he simply asks. "Why, Ptolemy? Have I done something to offend you?" Ptolemy sees Luke's confusion and hurt. He reaches out and places a comforting arm around his young cousin's shoulders. "Luke you have done nothing to offend me. Please believe that. And if it's any consolation to you, I find I am as attracted to you as I believe you are to me. Am I correct, Luke?" "Yes, Ptolemy. I like you very much and I had hoped that we could well .... You know?" "Yes I know Luke and if I could I would. But I can't for the simple reason that I am a slave." "Ptolemy, are you saying because you are a slave that you can't have sex with me?" "Yes, I am but not only you, Luke. I'm not free to have sex with any other man." "But why, Ptolemy? I don't understand?" "Luke, there's a special bond of trust that exists between a master and his slave. A slave has to trust his master's better judgment at all times and to accept that all decisions a master makes on his behalf are for his own good. And Massa and I have such a bond and for me to have sex with you or any other man without Massa's consent would be to break that trust. I hope you can understand my position." "I think so, Ptolemy," Luke can barely conceal his disappointment, "but I had hoped, never- the-less." "I know Luke. And believe me, I do understand how you feel. And I wish I could have accommodated you with all my heart. You are an extremely handsome, young man and I can see you possess a pleasing body beneath your clothes. For what it's worth, it would be a pleasure for me to explore your body further. And who knows - Massa may yet allow it. But the choice must be left to him." "I'm sorry, Ptolemy, I hope I've not overstepped the mark and made any problems for you with Massa Charles." "Not at all Luke. However, I will confess to Massa what has happened between us and leave it to his superior judgment as to what action he will take. Now Luke, if you're ready let's go and inspect the slaves as they work." To be continued ......