Shelter in Place: Quarantine Romance Collection Includes New Novella

by Jamie Knight

  I got to work later than usual but still well ahead of everyone except Elsa. I had never tested it, but I was sure that I could come in at five or six a.m., and she would already be there. There was a rumor going around that she never slept.

  “She’s here,” Elsa said, before I had my jacket off.

  “Who?”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “The tooth fairy. Charlotte, who else? She’s waiting in her office. She seems eager.”

  “She’s early, for a change.”

  “I know. I was surprised, too. I think she is trying to do a good job for you, chief.”

  I grinned.

  “Fancy that.”

  To my surprise, the day was far from an unmitigated disaster. Charli, as I called her in my mind but never to her face, even made it through without screwing up too badly, which was a record for her.

  Even then, the faux pas was minor and involved forgetting to include a napkin with my lunch. A situation that Elsa soon rectified by bringing me a paper towel from her own stash. Between the two of them, I had everything I needed.

  “Enter,” I said in the afternoon, in response to Charli’s light knock on my office door.

  I kept meaning to tell her she didn’t need to do that. It was an office, not a monastery. Nor was she going to awaken some kind of dreaded beast by knocking too loud. I didn’t bite— well, I did, but only those who wanted me to.

  “Hello, Sir. I did the copying you requested and—”

  What followed was like something from an old slap-stick movie. The reports flew up as Charli went down. The stark white sheets fluttered down around her like attacking birds.

  I would have laughed if it hadn’t looked so painful. Instead, the emotion that overtook me was one of concern. Not for the reports, though they were important too, but for the girl on her hands and knees on my office floor.

  Charli didn’t object as I helped her to her feet. She didn’t weigh a lot, allowing me to sweep her into my arms and place her onto the leather chair opposite my desk.

  “I-I’m sorry, I—”

  “Hush,” I ordered, and Charli stopped talking.

  It came out rougher than I had meant it. I intended to be comforting, but some people found the way I spoke to be commanding and sometimes frightening.

  “Are you hurt?” I asked.

  “I-uh-yeah, it hurts a little.”

  “Where?”

  “My knees mostly, and my ankles.”

  The cause of injury to her knees was obvious; both of them were afflicted with carpet burns. There wasn’t much we could do about that. The pain would go away in time.

  Far more pressing was the potential of a broken or twisted ankle. As gently as I could, I removed both of her shoes and rotated one foot and then the other.

  “Does this hurt?”

  “N-not really, no.”

  “Good, nothing is bruised or broken.”

  I picked up her shoes and headed over to the desk, putting them in one of the many drawers.

  “Still, I must insist that you not wear high heels again. They’re far too dangerous.”

  A pretty shade of pink colored her cheeks, and she lowered her gaze.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Do you have other shoes with you?

  “My sneakers.”

  “I’ll have Elsa bring them in. Though from now on, it is flats only. Is that clear?”

  Her eyes remained focused on the floor.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Look at me.”

  “Yes, Sir,” she repeated, lifting her doe-eyes in my direction.

  My heart ached. She looked as scared as she sounded. Like I might strike her and not in a fun way. The last thing I wanted was for Charli to fear me.

  “I’m not mad,” I blurted out, “or disappointed.”

  Damn, I sound like my old man.

  I ran my fingers through my hair.

  “The point is, I’m not upset with you. You had an accident, that’s all. One that is easily fixed with a change in footwear. It happens. Otherwise, I think you are improving as far as your work performance here is concerned.”

  “Really, Sir?” The happiness in her eyes sent shockwaves to my dick.

  “Yes. I don’t say things that aren’t true. Now please pick up those papers, and I’ll call Elsa to grab your sneakers.”

  Charli got down on all fours, crawling around the floor with her beautiful little ass high in the air when Elsa came bustling in.

  She raised her eyebrows in my direction as if to say, be careful.

  Too late.

  I had already fallen hard and was past the point of return.

  Chapter 5 - Charli

  The feeling of Max’s skin lingered like ghosts in the back of my mind. I still called him “Sir” in the office but thought of him as Max.

  He’d lightened up in the past few days, and despite our rocky start, we seemed to be building a rapport. At least I thought so. He could be hard to read. His tone had softened. He was still using his master’s voice, but I was sure it just came out naturally.

  It was a struggle not to call him ‘master’ instead of sir. I wouldn’t admit it to anyone ever, but I wanted to be his pet, his sub. For my strong, handsome master to take me under his complete control and shape me to my maximum potential.

  There was no longer any question or indecision about the clothes I wore. It was sexy all the way—cute sneakers, short skirts, and skintight blouses that showed off my assets. I didn’t know for sure if Max was interested in me, but I wanted to wave my interest in him around like signal flares.

  At least he seemed to appreciate the improvement in my performance. I still had a lot to learn but getting rid of the heels solved many problems like tripping over my own feet and dropping things. There hadn’t been a major spill or tumble in a few days, and I gained confidence in myself and my job.

  Today I got to work early, as had become my habit. Elsa and Max were already there because, of course, they were. They were always there before everyone else, sometimes even the security guards, or so I’d heard.

  “Morning, Sunshine,” Elsa said, not looking up from her crossword.

  “Morning,” I replied.

  I stopped off at the watercooler for the day’s first bit of refreshment. Max had insisted I drink at least eight cups a day.

  Properly hydrated, I went to my office and smiled at the brown paper bag on my desk. I shouldn’t have been surprised. Putting bags of food on my desk was something he’d started doing.

  Maybe he got Elsa to do it. Either way, I knew the meals were from Max. He had commented before that he never saw me eat.

  I confessed I hadn’t been eating much. It wasn’t on purpose. I just never honestly thought about it until I was so hungry it hurt. Food always seemed like fuel and was never the initial thing on my list to do every day.

  But I had to admit, I’d started to feel stronger since Max had insisted that I eat. My hands were steadier, and my mind was clearer, making it a lot simpler to learn what I had to.

  The breakfast bagel was delicious, and I ate too fast, feeling full but satisfied when I tossed the empty bag into the wastebasket.

  The knock on my door made me jump, pulling me out of my happy little world. Elsa stood in the doorway like the goddess she was.

  “Did you enjoy breakfast?” she asked.

  “Very much so.”

  “Good, Max thought you would. It was from his favorite bagel place. Be sure and tell him.” She grinned and drummed her fingers against the door. “He wants to see you.”

  “Of course.”

  Straightening my clothes and checking for stains, I went to Max’s door, not even bothering to knock.

  “I enjoyed the bagel,” I said, closing the door behind me. “Thank you.”

  “Great, sit down, please,” Max replied, not looking up from his papers.

  I obeyed my master’s orders and sat.

  “I—”

  He glared at me.

/>   “I don’t recall asking you a question or giving you permission to talk.”

  I shut my mouth so fast it made a noise. I watched him, taking in his every move, trying to gauge his mood. I couldn’t get anything except that he was very busy. Though busy with what, I could only begin to imagine.

  He lowered the paper to his desk and leaned back.

  “I like you, Charli,” he said.

  The sound of my nickname on his lips soaked my panties. That was the first time he hadn’t used my full name.

  Was I in a dream?

  Had my fantasy man actually said he liked me?

  “I—”

  “Silence,” he replied again, gentler this time.

  “Yes, sir,” I said, hanging my head.

  “I like you, and you have been doing a lot better. You are still rough around the edges, mostly due to a lack of practical experience. But I see genuine potential in you. I think you could do really big things, even become an assistant editor if you want to, but you are going to have to go through some discipline.”

  “What kind of discipline?” I asked, before I could stop myself.

  “Some very serious and strict training. I am willing to undertake this endeavor if you are interested. I won’t lie to you. It could get harsh, but I think it will be of a significant benefit to you and your future career.”

  I swallowed hard, imagining the type of training I’d like to receive from him.

  “What does it entail?”

  “We will work very closely. You wouldn’t be in your office anymore. I would set up a desk for you here so I can keep an eye on things. You will do what I say when I say it. If you screw up, you get punished swiftly and severely, but if you do well, you will be rewarded in the same manner.”

  “Punished and rewarded how?” I asked, my voice quiet and small.

  “If you’re bad, I will spank or paddle you. If you’re good, I will play with your pussy until you cum. I will lick and suck on your clit until you feel amazing. I will fuck you and you’ll think you’ve died and gone to Heaven.”

  The world around me turned hazy, and it took a few seconds for me to understand what he’d said.

  “Y-you’ll spank me?” I asked, trembling at the thought, though more with pleasure than fear.

  This was a strange part to focus on, but for some reason it turned me on the most.

  “Yes, but only when needed for correction. I will never harm you.”

  I grasped the armrests, my fingers digging into the soft leather.

  “What’s the difference?”

  “Harm leaves a permanent mark.”

  There was a long pause. I tried to make it look like I was thinking his offer over. In reality, I was trying to catch my breath and, with it, regain my ability to speak.

  My heart pounded against my rib cage, and my pussy ached with desire, longing for the unknown pleasures being offered by this sexy, strong, and commanding man.

  “Yes,” was all I could manage.

  “Good. I am still working out the details, but it won’t take long.”

  All I could do was nod. Every muscle in my body trembled at once, making it difficult to form words. I couldn’t stop thinking about it—about him.

  I imagined him standing behind me while I was on all fours. Imagined him spanking me, then fucking me. Pounding his big, beautiful cock into me and bringing me to previously unimagined levels of pleasure.

  “You are excused,” Max said, picking up his paper again.

  “Yes, Master,” I blurted out.

  I covered my mouth, and my cheeks flushed, burning hot. I wasn’t sure where the word had come from, but I had said it and couldn’t take it back. But I’d meant it. And he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, a pleased and slightly smug smile spread across his handsome face.

  I rushed from the room before he had time to say anything. It didn’t matter if it was good or bad. The cat was out of the bag, and it was up to him to make of it what he liked.

  I grabbed the key to the staff bathroom from the receptionist’s desk drawer and practically ran there.

  Locked in the privacy of the single-occupancy bathroom, I yanked down my panties and pressed my fingers against my soaked pussy. I slammed back against the cool tile wall, moaning with relief.

  Gently as I could, I worked my fingers along my delicate pink folds, paying close attention to my swollen and throbbing clit. Getting into the rhythm of things, I closed my eyes, losing myself to the pleasure coursing through my body.

  The bathroom door opened again, the hinges squeaking like the door of a haunted house. I could smell Max’s cologne. The musky scent wrapped around me like a cocoon.

  Peering at me with his molten gaze, he removed my hand from between my legs, and one by one, he sucked my fingers, groaning as he did.

  Lowering his hand, he slipped two fingers inside me.

  “I can’t wait to slam my cock inside your tight little pussy hole, Charli. I can’t wait to fuck you again and again and again.”

  I couldn’t stop the moans falling from my lips.

  “Shush, pet. We don’t want anyone to know what we’re doing here.”

  To keep me quiet, he clamped his palm over my mouth and deftly worked me to a head-spinning orgasm. My cries of pure joy were muffled by his gentle hand clamped over my mouth.

  When I had nothing left to give, he put his fingers in my mouth and had me suck them clean. Not one to leave a job unfinished, Max got to his knees. Holding the front of my skirt up, he buried his face between my legs, again muffling my yelps and screams.

  His lovely tongue worked my sweet little pink cunt with the skill of a master. It was the right decision to have him train me. I had a hard time imagining him hurting me even in the case of an incurred punishment.

  He struck me as the type who knew what he was doing in all things, be it giving pleasure or pain. The line between the two was thin, as I was soon to discover.

  He got to his feet and lowered his lips to mine, his breath smelling of my arousal.

  “I should spank you. It was very naughty, running out like that. I don’t mind what you were doing, but the way you left was unacceptable. Still, it was my mistake, not yours. I should have seen how excited you were getting. Usually, I’m a lot more sensitive to the needs of my pets. From now on, though, if you pull a stunt like that again, your ass will be the color of a fire truck. Understand?”

  He grabbed a handful of my naked ass and squeezed hard.

  The feeling was so beautiful it made me squeal and ache and want.

  “Yes, Master,” I murmured when I regained my senses.

  “Good, Pet.”

  With that, he washed his hands and left the bathroom.

  I slid down the wall, spread my legs, and brought myself to another soul-shaking orgasm.

  Chapter 6 - Max

  I could still taste her pussy, clean and sweet on my tongue, like delicious candy. I wanted more, so much more, but there would be time enough for that. For the moment, I held myself back.

  I savored the thought of being with her again and of taking her virginity. She hadn’t been with a man before—something my time finger fucking her had confirmed. She was so tight. I would help loosen her up and break her in. I would punish her when needed—her plump, curvy ass was in need of a good spanking and she clearly seemed excited about getting one—but I would also help her reach her full potential.

  I hadn’t been lying about that. I saw great things for her. If only she could learn to be more refined and less clumsy.

  I got dressed in a hurry, not even noticing which suit I took from the closet, and, once dressed, I gave a moment’s thought of taking the car into work. But even I had limits in terms of moral compromise.

  “That’s not your Thursday suit,” Elsa said, sounding shocked, looking up me up and down once I arrived at the office.

  “It’s not?” I looked down at myself, doing my best impression of befuddled.

  “What tie did you bring?” Elsa a
sked, digging through my backpack, my bike still standing between us.

  “I really don’t—”

  “Oh, Max,” Elsa groaned, pulling out far and away the ugliest tie I owned.

  “It was dark,” I explained.

  “Are you actually going to stick with that story?”

  “Until my dying day,” I confirmed.

  She shrugged.

  “Suit yourself.”

  Elsa slipped the tie around the collar of my shirt and started on a fancy double-Windsor knot. Her long fingers moving with practiced deftness. I had little doubt she knew about Charli and me. Whether she approved was another matter.

  I realized she was younger, but not by much. Just sixteen years. She was nineteen, and I was thirty-six. It was hardly cradle snatching.

  I saw our arrangement as a legitimate mentoring opportunity despite my burning desire for her. It was common in the BDSM world. Particularly in certain subsets. While we would do sexual things, it would all be for the greater purpose of nurturing Charli.

  “Be gentle with her,” Elsa said as if reading my mind, “she’s delicate, and I don’t just mean her body. I think she’s led a very sheltered and protected life. From what I can gather, her parents were old fashioned and controlling.”

  “Understood,” I said, a silent understanding passing between us.

  Elsa finished the tie and lay her hand over my heart. It was her subtle way of giving me her blessing, something that was still important to me. Elsa had served as my conscience for longer than I remembered.

  “The pandemic is getting worse,” Elsa said, returning to her desk. “It looks like there could be a state-wide lockdown soon.”

  “Keep me posted,” I said, heading for Charli’s office.

  I was all the way there before I realized I hadn’t brought her any food. My forgetfulness was funny. Until I’d met her, I’d never forgotten a single thing. If I didn’t know better, I would have said I was lovesick.

  Still, it wasn’t too bad. For every problem, there was a solution, as Elsa’s mom used to say.

  “Sir.”

  The sound of her voice was like the gentle coo of a dove. I turned to see the most beautiful girl in the world standing behind me.