Ocean's Eleven and a Half

By Patricia Payne

The way Danny Ocean figured, it would take about eleven hours after he got out of jail for him to get his slave, Christina, back.

Eleven hours, and he would have her back, and would also have the gem-encrusted Versace corset she had worn at her forced collaring to Sebastian, which was now hanging at an auction room at Sotheby's.

Ocean's best friend, Pete, met him at the gate in his new Corvette at one o'clock sharp.

Pete's frequent visits to the jail had kept him well-informed of Ocean's plans and he had been busy on the outside making preparations for the biggest gamble he had ever helped Ocean with.

1:30 PM

First stop was the spa, where Ocean got a massage, a facial, manicure, pedicure, and of course, a hair cut.

4:00 PM

Then, a stop at the tailor for a final fitting for Ocean's black leather trimmed tux, and then a quick meal at Rosetti's for an antipasto and espresso, then, back to the tailor to pick up the tux.

6:00 PM

At his apartment, Pete changed into his black leather pants, boots, and jacket, with a crisp white shirt underneath. Ocean poured them each a glass of wine before he changed into his tuxedo. The two friends toasted each other, and then went their separate ways. Pete to the slave auction, and Ocean to meet his date before going Sotheby's.

6:30 PM

Ocean found Ann waiting for him at the bar at the Algonquin.The light gently reflected off the ecru linen and silk suit she was wearing, with just a hint of a camisole peeking out under the jacket. He took a minute to admire her black patent leather stiletto Manolos.

Ann had spent her afternoon at Sotheby's and filled Ocean in on where the corset was being stored, what kind of security was in place to protect it, and which other bidders seemed to have an interest in this item.

Ocean paid scarce attention to any of this information, with the exception of Ann's description of the security, which was, as Ocean had guessed, minimal as Sotheby's had other more valuable items to protect.

He had just one thing he needed to know from Ann and he didn't trust her answer enough to take her word on it.

Instead, he offered her his hand, and suggested they move on to the highlight of her night. She took his hand, and as she rose from the barstool, he took her in his arms and gave her a quick kiss and an embrace, his hands running down the small of her back and ending with a squeeze on her pert, little ass.

He smiled. This time, she had kept her promise.

7:30 PM

It was no secret that Sebastian was only interested in Christina because she was Ocean's. He had paid $75,000 to one of the curators at Sotheby's to have her corset put on sale the day of Ocean's release. And he had planned the slave auction that night to infuriate Ocean as well.

Pete entered the auction room easily, saying hello to several old friends. They all know of the falling out between him and Ocean, and they knew there was no love lost between him and Sebastian. The bidding was expected to be furious.

Christina stood on the auction block...ever haughty and ever beautiful. The lights bounced off the soft Italian black leather of her hobble skirt, her black patent leather stilettos, and pierced through the gauze of her white, off-the-shoulder blouse. She met Pete's gaze with indifference.

She knew what the score was.

Ocean had left her with a flurry of unkempt promises, and worse, as his chit to Sebastian, a man who had no use for her other than as a pawn to make Ocean miserable.

She hated Sebastian. She hated her role being his chit. She could have left. She should have left. But she wanted to believe in Ocean, like a dying person in the desert believes an oasis is always over the next dune, and so she stayed, waiting to see if her heart's gamble would pay off.

8:00 PM

Lovers, Ocean and Ann, enter Sotheby's, their fingers entwined as they peruse the items to be auctioned. Ann is spirited and enthusiastic, Ocean, calm and indulgent.

A huddled conference between the two of them after Ann squeals at discovering the jeweled corset. A few words to the floor manager, and then Ann and corset are escorted off for a fitting.

Over at Sebastian's, the slave auction is about to begin. All items for sale are hooded and gagged.

8:05 PM

Ann inhales deeply, just the opposite of the directions issued by the dresser as he carefully, but purposefully, pulls the lacings on the corset tighter. Despite the unconventional fitting, she feels herself giving way to the silk and jeweled luxury that for this moment, encases her. She admires how perfectly the corset accentuates her breasts, and makes her curvier than the Hana Highway. But the fit is not perfect, and she and the dresser both know it. In his haste to satisfy the other requests for fittings, he sighs, and gives Ann a sympathetic look as he undoes his work.

Her cell phone rings, and with a curt nod, she dismisses the dresser, takes the call, makes another one and prepares the garment for it's next potential owner.

8:20 PM

With her phone calls complete, Ann emerges pouting from the dressing room. The coveted corset does not fit, and so with a sigh and a hug, she and Ocean focus their energy on the Monets on hand for the highest bidder.

8:45 PM

Christina is on the pedestal, having barely escaped being caught receiving the undetected phone call, which raises her confidence immeasurably.

The hood makes her feel invisible, but the smell of leather is familiar and reassuring. She makes a slight adjustment to her already perfect posture, juts out her chin, and stands self-possessed and surprisingly, to herself, slightly aroused in front of the crowd.

It is a silent auction, with only the calling of the auctioneer, and occasional hushed comments from the crowd to give her an idea of how the bidding is progressing, and more importantly, who is winning.

Sensing a lull in the bidding, the auctioneer approaches Christina, and with a sure and practiced hand, pulls down her blouse, and quickly clamps her exposed nipples.

Christina gasps and nearly falls off balance, steadying herself on the auctioneer's toupee-clad bald head, prompting the spectators to politely giggle into their bidding paddles.

She "mrmrmphs" an apology and resumes her haughty pose.

8:55 PM

Pete takes a quick glance at his watch. He is alarmed when he sees the time. In order for the plan to work flawlessly, the auction should have been over 10 minutes ago. He knew Sebsatian was too arrogant to let his prize go without a fight, but he didn't think the fight would be so prolonged.

He takes a big sip from his vodka and rocks, and raises his bid.

Christina hears muffled sounds of shock mixed with approval. Her nipples are half numb, half excited with the pain from the clamps. She knows it won't be long now, and she subconsciously rocks against the crotch rope tied under her skirt.

9:00 PM

The auctioneer's gavel comes down. The bidding is over and Christina is led off her pedestal to await her fate.

Ocean's bidding on a delightful Monet is momentarily delayed as his cell phone vibrates, displaying a brief digital message.

Reading it, he smiles, clasps Ann's hand, gives it a quick squeeze, and raises his bid.

9:10 PM

Christina sits in the waiting room reserved for sold property. She has been allowed to remove her hood, fix her hair, and reapply her lipstick.

A black leather gloved hand, reaches in and pulls back the curtain.She recoils a bit, as the fabric parts. It would be just like Sebastian to submit to his need to win over his need for revenge, no matter how great.

She sighs as he slips into the room, puts his gloved hand over her mouth, whispers something to her, and whisks her into the dungeon.

9:20 PM

Christina is tied to the bondage rack in the corner. Her bound wrists are over her head, and her tied ankles are spread wide apart and secured to the foundation of the rack. The skirt has been unzipped and raised to display her curved behind, and the long line of her garters and stockings.

The crotch rope remains.

A black ball gag with a red leather strap has been added.

9:30 PM

Ocean signs the receipt for his Monet and makes delivery instructions.

Ann stands lovingly and patiently next to him, discretely pulling on the unfamiliarly heavy camisole under her suit. She accepts Ocean's offered arm, and the two of them stroll out and enter the waiting limo.

With the door scarcely closed behind them, Ocean grabs her and kisses her full on the lips, while working the buttons on her jacket. She wriggles and her skirt slides up, revealing her stockings and garter. The jacket is somehow peeled off, as he slides his hand between her legs, and begins pulling at the strings of the purloined corset.

Her release coincides with the last of the corset's lacing slipping away.

Christina's owner sits back and enjoys her predicament and the growing crowd of curiosity seekers that is gathered around them. He smiles and sips his vodka on the rocks as her eyes shoot daggers at him.

It won't be long now.

9:50 PM

Ann finishes getting dressed.

10:00 PM

He gets up and approaches Christina. His gloved hand reaches out and caresses her cheek as she does her best to turn away.

The crowd cannot help but notice that she flinches under her gag as his hands move up the back of her thigh, and then smack her on the ass.

Clearly displeased, he notices this too, and with his back to the crowd, puts a velvet cloth over her head and torso, as one would do to a frightened horse.

10:15 PM

The chauffeur stops outside Sebastian's brownstone. He delivers the small package to the doorman with a knowing nod, and watches as it is taken away.

Ocean, carrying a small briefcase, and Ann leave the limo, and enter the auction site.

10:20 PM

Ocean's appearance causes a politely understated uproar among the other guests. All and all, his and Ann's reception is a little too effusive, and rather than seeming like hanger's on, they seem like people all too anxious to see the latest traffic accident.

Ocean calmly meets their glances of morbid enthusiasm and enters the dungeon, while Ann excuses herself to use the lady's room.

10:35 PM

He takes pity on her, and removes the velvet draping. Her eyes meet his for a brief moment before she turns away. He kisses her full on the lips over her gag before he slaps her across the face and abruptly pulls on her restraints.

10:40 PM

She exhales as the corset lacings are pulled against her rib cage again. The weight of it is both familiar and the heaviness of her heart is not counted into the equation.

10:45 PM

Ann rejoins Ocean who is paying close attention to the scene that is transpiring between Pete and Christina. She notices him flinch as Pete beings to pester her with a single tail, something Ocean knows too well from experience she does not enjoy at all.

Together, they stand there in obvious discomfort until Ocean catches the eye of Sebastian and makes a small bow.

Ocean takes Ann's elbow and guides her out of the room, and back into his limo.

The car goes several blocks before he pulls her into his arms and rips the buttons off her jacket, displaying the jeweled corset underneath.

11:00 PM

"You are so punished, my sweetest slave," he says as he takes Christina's foot in his hands, and gives her toes a sweet, lingering kiss.

© 2003 Patricia Payne