What will you do now?

Take her upstairs…to dinner, of course

Your tongues part company reluctantly and your companion smooths her dress down with shaking hands, although she walks steadily enough when you lead her back up to the kitchen and her breathing has almost returned to normal by the time Jie invites you both to the table for the first course. The accommodating grad-student has cleverly prepared a menu that, with only slight differences, satisfies both you and your companion. Since this is a special occasion, Julia is relaxing her usual diet somewhat, but she never loses sight of the need to stay in shape, for the sake of her own health, quite apart from the possibility of a spanking if she lets her fitness slip.

Chatting about food sees you through the delicious starter, but when Jie clears the dishes ready to serve the main, you feel the need to find a new subject to keep the conversation flowing. Work is a safe topic, as is corporal punishment if your guest's reaction to your cellar is anything to go by. Julia might well be happy to discuss the discipline of some unfortunate student with whom she crossed paths today, but if romance is your goal, then perhaps you ought to try something more personal. Family, childhood, holidays, interests and pastimes all flit through your head while you sip from your glass of wine to gain time to gather your thoughts.