by Dakota Trace
He sighed. “Fine, I’m being pissy. Give me five and send her up.”
CHAPTER FIVE
With Anissa safely tucked into bed with Mr. Giggles, Alyce shut off her daughter’s bedroom light and pulled the door almost shut. It was times like these she was grateful she insisted on living in the older but larger cottage her grandmother had left her. Located at the edge of her family’s estate, if was close enough to the main house to satisfy her mother, but still far enough away to give Alyce a semblance of privacy. And after all the turmoil of today, she needed it. Making her way down the hall toward the living room and the waiting glass of sweet merlot, she sighed. If any day deserved a glass of her favorite wine, it was today. As she settled into her favorite rocker to watch the flames crackling in the fireplace, she winced. Her bottom was still sore. She still couldn’t believe she’d let a stranger spank her…
“You’re late. One would think you’d be on time for something so important to your thesis. But do come in and shut the door.”
Freezing just inside the room, Alyce shivered at the husky timber of the man who stood in front of the windows, but obeyed. Then hesitantly walked over and stopped in front of his desk, her gaze hungrily devouring his presence. Dressed in a pair of chinos and teal polo shirt, stood the Dom who’d refused to let her into New Beginnings. She was almost taken aback by his casual attire. Gone were the leathers, and an aura of dominance he’d displayed at the club. Now, he emanated the slightest annoyed vibe along with a healthy dose of expectancy. He was waiting for her to explain, and his tone assured her it had better be a good one.
She licked her lower lip and rubbed her suddenly damp palms against her skirt. “I…should have left the college earlier, Sir. Then I wouldn’t have been stopped for speeding.”
His brows lowered. “You were speeding?”
She nodded, uncertain how to read him. If he had been Obed, she’d have tried to hide the tickets from him and scraped up enough out of her grocery allotment to pay them, rather than face the backside of his hand or worse. Then she reminded herself, Kaleb wasn’t her ex-husband, nor did he have the right to discipline her.
“That’s not an answer, Alyce.”
She sighed. “Yes, I was speeding. My last class ran over, then another student stopped me to ask me about our study group, and there was no way to extricate myself without appearing rude…”
“So it was okay to keep me waiting?” His expression showed nothing.
She shook her head, then quickly spoke. “No, Sir. It wasn’t.”
He moved toward his desk, his shrewd eyes studying her - almost assessing her. His look had the same intensity she’d noticed in the club. “Do you know what happens when submissives keep their Dominants waiting?”
Behind her bra, her nipples hardened at the combination of his cool steady gaze and almost icy tone. “I get…I mean they earn a previously agreed upon punishment. A spanking or loss of privileges. It would all depend upon their partner.”
He pulled the chair out, and she expected him to sit down. Instead, he pushed it clear of the desk and stood with his arms crossed over his broad chest. “Partners? Interesting word choice.”
She shifted uncomfortably. “Well, to me it doesn’t matter if it’s a Dom, sub, or a switch - whatever. All parties involved going into an exchange play their role, but in the end they are partners. One submits, one dominates. You can’t have one without the other.”
“True. In today’s appointment, what would you have said was my role? Am I playing the part of youth director, teacher or Dom?
She flushed, her mind whirling. “Ah, is this a trick question, Sir?”
“No, just tell me which role you see when you look at me, Alyce.”
She nibbled on her lip. “Honestly, a few minutes ago I’d have said youth director - but now…”
“Now?” He prompted when she froze, struggling to force the word past her suddenly tight throat.
“The Dominant, Sir,” she whispered.
“Good. And do you know what the dominant in me wants to do right now?”
Her thighs trembled and Alyce felt as if she were standing at the edge of a very high cliff. One wrong move would send her careening over the side and down into the unknown.
“I don’t know, Sir. Spank me?”
He moved around the edge of the desk, stopping less than two feet from her as he considered his responses. “It would all depend on the reason for your late arrival. If it were due to circumstances my sub couldn’t control, like the accident out on the highway this morning, I’d give you a stern scolding about remembering to call me. However, I spank little submissives who are chronically late. It is very inconsiderate to make me wait when I’ve set aside time to spend with you.” He lightly brushed a finger over her cheek. “So which was today’s tardiness the result of?”
She tried to form a rational thought, but every part of her was focused on the feather light caress as he explored the side of her face. “I…the later, Sir.”
“Then if you were my submissive, you’ve find yourself bent over my desk, my palm warming your ass for making me wait.”
Tremors raced down her spine, and her knees felt suddenly weak as she met his gaze. In their hazel depths, she could see his conviction. “You’d spank me here? At your place of employment?”
“In a heartbeat, sweetheart. I don’t slack on my duties as a Dominant. I take them very seriously.” He cupped her chin, studying her expression. “You’re tempted, aren’t you? You’d like to find out how it would feel if I were to take my disappointment out on your sweet ass, don’t you? To experience the phenomenon of taking a punishment then knowing everything is forgiven afterward, and we can continue on as before.”
Her heart leapt at his words. This was something she’d read of, had others tell her of how their Doms had punished them and then the incident was forgiven. Could it honestly be true? That once the punishment was over, he wouldn’t pout or hold it over her head? If she wanted to find out, would he actually do it? And if he did, would he refuse to answer her questions later? She resisted the urge to lean into his palm, but kept her eyes steady on his. “If I say I am, will it affect the outcome of another meeting between us?”
He narrowed his eyes, but kept his tone calm. “Whether or not you let me spank your ass has no bearing on another meeting between us. Either way you will make another appointment with me. You intrigue me, Alyce with a Y. I want to learn more about you, and answer the questions I see burning in your eyes. Whether or not you have a warm ass when you leave here will be your only decision today.”
“It’s my choice?”
“For today, yes. We have not negotiated a scene nor have we gone over your limits. Those will be done before I even dream of asking for your submission. This offer is nothing more than an experiment - a taste of what a submissive feels when she disappoints her dom.”
“And if I do…” She couldn’t believe the words flew out of her mouth.
“Then you will bend over my desk, lift your skirt and bare your lovely ass for my hand.”
She bit her lip, her body warring with her mind. God she wanted it. But would he think less of her if she did?
“What does here say, Alyce?” The palm of his other hand rested over her sternum. “Get out of your fucking head, and tell me what your heart wants.”
“To be spanked, Sir.”
His nostrils flared and desire heated his gaze as he stepped back. “Then assume the position, sweetheart.”
With trembling legs, she stumbled around his desk, aware of his comforting presence behind her. Grabbing the hem of her skirt, she jerked it up, exposing the delicate French lace panties she’d donned this morning, then gingerly lowered herself over the cool wood. And waited…
Alyce’s fingers tightened around the stem of her wine glass and she barely managed to stifle her moan at the remembered flare of pain his hand had caused. Each blow had resonated to a hidden part of her, even as her ass had burned. Each time his hand m
ade contact, her body yearned for something more. More pain, more of his touch, more what? As desire simmered through her veins, her mind circled around the answer, trying to ignore the obvious.
The slick flesh and wet panties between my thighs.
“Damnit, this is about my thesis, not getting laid.” She took another sip of her wine. “I don’t do things like this.” Leaning her head back against the chair, she struggled with the confusion their encounter had brought. The burn of his hand against her ass, the comfort of his arms afterward as she shed silent tears. The emotional release from a trying day and his ready acceptance of them. But under it all, the desire for more. More pain, more pleasure - just more of him.
“Shit!” She set down her drink, irritated she couldn’t control her response to the intriguing situation. She was a good girl, a loving mother, and a devoted daughter. “I’m not supposed to indulge in base lusts. It’s just not proper.”
But even as the words passed her lips, she felt like a damned hypocrite. Even if her ex, her controlling mother, and so-called proper society inferred that women who enjoyed sex too much were harlots or prostitutes, she hoped it wasn’t so. She wanted more of what Kaleb could offer. Could she risk her ex finding out for the chance to learn if there was more to sex than a cold marriage bed with an even colder lover?
* * * *
Making his way through the crush of people at the bar, Kaleb searched for Ethan. It’d been a few months since he’d taken the time away from the youth center to attend one of their monthly munches, but he knew without a doubt he’d find Ethan in the midst of it all. The man just loved to socialize and guide interested people to their proper place in the lifestyle.
“What can I get for you?” The tattooed bartender yelled over the pounding bass as he wiped down the counter in front of him.
“A water and the location of Ethan Tremaine. He’s hosting the monthly meeting…”
A wide grin crossed the bartender’s face as he took the twenty Kaleb offered. With a quick flurry of movements, the man handed Kaleb an ice-cold bottle of spring water and his change. “Here you are. Didn’t take you for one of those, but they’re meeting in the back room - where it’s quieter. Just take the hall past the bathrooms, and it should be the third door on the left. Go to the right and you’ll end up in the kitchen.”
“Thanks.” Giving the bartender a generous tip, he took his drink and headed in the direction of the meeting room. Hopefully, he was early enough to catch Ethan before the man was bombarded.
It didn’t take him long to spot Ethan once he entered the room. Standing with Davis, his fellow co-owner of New Beginnings, Ethan seemed at ease as he sipped on his imported beer. A quick glance around showed his sub, Sabella, chatting with her best friend, Lauren and fellow switch Stephanie. If they’d been at the club, he’d have wondered what kind of mischief they were planning, but in such a vanilla setting, he assumed they were just catching up on their gossip. When one of the girls threw back her head and laughed, he shook his head in amusement, before making a beeline toward Ethan.
When he approached, Ethan and Davis’s conversation died down. He thought he caught Alyce’s name but as each man greeted him warmly, he was taken off guard. He’d expected some residual anger from Ethan after their earlier discussion. And his request would probably further piss off the other man.
“I have a favor to ask.” He shifted his weight as both Ethan and Davis turned their attention to him. “I want to bring a guest to your private demonstration next week.”
“You do?” Ethan studied him thoughtfully. “And who is that? Perhaps a certain student who visited the club not that long ago? The same woman who wanted to use the club for nothing more than research?”
Kaleb sighed. “There’s more there than research, Ethan. If you could see how she responded when I spanked her. The longing in her eyes. Damnit!” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I see the hidden submissive who longs to be free when she merely looks at me.”
Davis cocked his head. “But are you willing to take responsibility for her actions at the club?”
Kaleb nodded. “I already assured Ethan I would. If either of you are worried about her presence disrupting things, we don’t have to even be in the main room.”
Ethan sighed. “Fine idea, I’ll reserve the observation room on the east side of the main room for you. I just hope you have better control over Alyce than I think you do.”
“No worries. I’d kick my own ass if something my sub did interfered with Bella flying.” Kaleb took a sip of his water, not bothering to tell Ethan if he had his way, Alyce would be too wrapped up in her body’s own responses to worry about Bella’s.
CHAPTER SIX
“How much do you want to experience the connection between a submissive and her dominant?”
Alyce froze with the forkful of salad mere inches from her lips. Across from her, Kaleb lounged against the chair munching on a garlic bread stick. His gaze was warm but intent. His question was the last thing she’d expected when she’d agreed to meet him for lunch at the popular little Italian Mom and Pop restaurant down the street from the youth center.
“Excuse me?” She lowered her fork back to her plate.
“You heard me. How badly do you need to explore the dynamics between a sub and her dom?”
She swallowed hard and shifted in her seat. “Well, my adviser refuses to accept my thesis without-”
A determined glint entered his gaze as he reached for his ice water. “I didn’t ask about your thesis, Alyce. I asked about you.”
Keeping her face blank, she blotted her lips with the napkin she’d placed over her lap. “I think you’re mistaking my interest in BDSM as personal, Kaleb. At the moment, my only goal is to complete my thesis. It’s the key to bettering my daughter’s life.”
“Really? That’s a rather noble sentiment.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “But as I seem to recall it was you bent over my desk last week asking to be spanked, not your thesis.”
Her cheeks heated. “A gentleman wouldn’t mention my little lapse in judgment.”
A smirk crossed his face. “You’re assuming I’m like other men you know.” He took a sip of his water. “I’m not. I may respect women, but I’m far from a gentleman with a woman I want.”
Anticipation pooled in her stomach. Her nipples tightened under her silk blouse as her long-denied libido stirred. The idea of the man across from her being less than a gentleman roused more than her curiosity. Would he be gentle, stern, or a combination of the two if she struggled to do what he wanted? Part of her wanted to find out, but the larger part was terrified enough to want to hide behind her thesis. “You’re not?”
He shook his head. “No. I’ve been called a right bastard at times, especially when it comes to a submissive’s pleasure. My sub’s release in particular. Nothing is more erotic than pushing a woman to the edge, and holding her there.”
Her breath caught on a nearly silent gasp, even as part of her rebelled at the idea of a woman willingly allowing any man that much control. She squirmed in her seat. “So I’ve heard. Dr. Gylberte mentioned it was one of your…kinks.”
“It’s more than a kink, sweetheart. Long before I entered the lifestyle, I lived to control my lover’s orgasms.”
“So this is a need you’ve had since adolescence? Or did it evolve as you grew older, and the novelty of vanilla sex wore off?” Her fingers itched to pull out her notebook and take notes.
“Tit for tat, Ms. O’Connell. You want an answer from me, I need one from you.”
Her cheeks flushed. “So we’re back to that?”
He nodded. “You intrigue me, Alyce. So buttoned up and seemingly in total control, until you’re offered something you want.”
She licked her lower lip. “And you think I want to submit? To you?” She forced a laugh. “I’m sorry to prick your ego, but I’m a modern woman. A mother with a special needs child who demands a great deal of my time. I have no choice but to remain in control.”
Alyce froze. Was she so transparent? She’d thought she’d vanquished her need to try to please her man the day she’d filed for divorce. “I don’t-”
Kaleb lifted her fingers to his mouth, brushing his lips across the tips and silencing her protest. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to please your dominant. Nor does it mean you’re weak. It takes a very strong woman to submit.”
She desperately wanted to tug her fingers free, to put some distance between them, but her racing heart made it difficult to concentrate on anything other than the ever-building tension inside her. “Awfully sure of that, are you?”
“Absolutely. I would never be able to do what you did in my office.”
She tugged on her hand. “Not into being spanked, huh?”
Continuing to hold her gaze, he refused to let go of her hand. “Stop.” When she stilled, he sighed. “While I’m not adverse to a bit of pain with my sex, Ms. Connell, I would never be able to offer what you gave me in my office. I offered you an outlet, and you took it, trusting me to give you what you needed without going too far.”
She bit her lower lip and resisted the urge to lower her gaze. “I did?”
He nodded. “Yes, quite beautifully in fact. I gave you a taste of what submission should be like. Now it’s up to you to decide if you’re brave enough to do it again.”
“Brave enough?”
“Yes. Ethan is having a demonstration tonight at New Beginnings. I want to take you to it, as my submissive for the night. So, I ask again, how much do you want to experience the connection between a dominant and his submissive? Enough to give up your control for the evening?”