Holy crap, that French onion soup looked amazing.

 

I looked up from the soup that had just been deposited onto our table and gazed at my partner. We were out for a nice dinner celebrating our 13th anniversary.

 

"So," they said. "I know we said no gifts, but I did get you something, and I vote I give it to you now to distract you from burning your mouth off on that soup before it cools enough to eat."

 

"....you know me well. And you shouldn't have gotten me anything!"

 

"I do, indeed." They grinned. "And too damn bad."

 

They handed me a small unwrapped jewelry case that they had just pulled out of their pocket. I opened it and let out a small gasp.

 

The wide cuff-style bracelet was beautiful. It had a gorgeous opal set into the band, and the colours in the stone seemed to glitter and swirl.

 

"Oh, wow..." I breathed. "It's stunning... you shouldn't have, this must have cost a fortun-"

 

"Put it on."

 

Oh dear. They were speaking in that voice that told me there was no option but to obey. The tone of voice that made me weak in the knees and tingle between my legs.

 

"Yes, Sir."

 

"Very good."

 

I obediently put the bracelet onto my left wrist, took a deep breath, and replied "Thank you, Sir. It's incredible. I love it."

 

"You're very, very welcome, my love. Now, what do you say we take a crack at this soup? It should be safe to eat by now."

 

As we ate, throughout the meal, the bracelet kept catching my eye. It seemed like each time I noticed it, it held my attention for longer and longer.

 

By the end of the main course, I was having trouble keeping track of the conversation. It was almost like the shiny, swirling colours of the opal on the bracelet were drawing me in, somehow. I'd eventually be able to drag myself back out, but then a few minutes later, I'd reach for my water or something and get drawn in again.

 

My partner, to their credit, didn't seem bothered that I kept trailing off my sentences, getting drawn into the stone in the bracelet once again. No, in fact, they seemed highly amused. I had to almost wonder if they'd known this would happen when they bought the bracelet.

 

Eventually, I finished my meal, and the bracelet caught my attention and drew me in once again when I went to set my cutlery down on my plate. This time, instead of just slyly smiling at me, my partner started speaking.

 

"That's it, my love. Just watch the colours. Let them draw you in. Veeeeery good. It's so pretty, isn't it? So hard to look away? So hard to focus on anything but the colours and my words."

 

I nodded, continuing to stare. I vaguely noticed another voice and someone taking my plate away, but I didn't really pay it any mind. I was too busy staring at the cuff bracelet around my wrist, immobilized.

 

My partner began speaking to me in that smooth, quiet voice again that echoed through my sluggish mind.

 

"That's right. Oh, close your mouth, my dear. You wouldn't want to sit there drooling in public, now would you? Very good."

 

"From now on, whenever you wear that bracelet, the pendant will draw you in just like this. When you wear the bracelet and I speak to you in this voice, you'll feel very obedient and follow my instructions without thinking. Do you understand?"

 

I nodded without even noticing.

 

"Very good, my love. Ah, I see our dessert arriving. When the server puts it down on the table, you'll awaken, and stay awake while we eat. Then once we get home, we're going to play some more with that bracelet. How does that sound?"