Dane laughed as he left the room.
Aiden leaned over her shoulder. He moved the mouse to bring up the sleeping screen. “Let’s get this going. I’ve got a lot to do out there tonight.” He kissed her shoulder. “Have I mentioned how much we appreciate all your work? You’ve saved our asses this week. Without you here working your tail off, we couldn’t have played on the off hours nearly as much as we have. I’ll be sure to tell the boss to give you a bonus on your next paycheck.”
Stephanie smiled at him. No, he hadn’t mentioned how much he appreciated her. She was glad he did. And she hoped she was sincerely contributing to the business. If she stayed with them, she intended to be a working member of the trio. If that meant here, that might be cool. If not, she would find a job somewhere else.
At least she was no longer quite as stressed about quitting her job at Seabring last Monday. Not that there had been another option really. But still, the idea of walking away with no hope of a referral and no notice made her very stressed.
Working here with Aiden and Dane did wonders for her self-esteem, not because she couldn’t stand the idea of being dependent on them, but she’d quickly realized she was perfectly capable of many types of work. She would survive in the big bad world. She would find a job even if this entire relationship collapsed and left her destitute.
She had an idea.
She leaned back to look into Aiden’s eyes. “Maybe Lori could come over tomorrow? I could use a girlfriend.”
He grinned big. “Of course. I’ll text her and see if she’s free in the morning.”
Chapter Eighteen
“So what did you think of Aiden and Dane?”
Jason whipped his head up from the computer screen and found Lori leaning into his office. Aiden and Dane. Had she spoken to them? Please tell me they revealed nothing to her… The last thing he needed to muddy things right now was for Lori to find out Stephanie was her sister before he had a chance to talk to the two women himself.
He opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t get any words out.
“What’s the matter with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Aiden and Dane. The two guys I recommended on Monday. Didn’t they come by for a tour?” She furrowed her eyebrows and stepped farther into the office. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, of course.” He cleared his throat. She knew nothing. The quizzical expression on her face spoke volumes. “Right. Aiden and Dane. They came by for a tour on Wednesday. They were nice.”
She laughed. “Nice? You act like you barely remember them.” She gripped the back of the chair across from him and leaned in. She chomped a wad of gum and blew a bubble toward him as she tipped her head.
“Do you have to chew that shit? It’s disgusting.” He cringed. He hated speaking with someone who was chewing gum. Even Lori.
“I only put it in my mouth a few minutes ago, and just to get a rise out of you, big guy.” She chomped it harder.
“Gross.” He lifted his gaze to hers. If he turned the conversation in another direction, maybe she’d scram. “How’s Margaret?”
Lori narrowed her gaze at him. “Margaret’s fine. You didn’t answer my question.”
I didn’t intend to.
“Aiden and Dane. I sent them here, remember? I hope you were polite. Geez.”
He pasted a fake smile on and turned his head toward her, keeping his body facing the computer. Maybe she’d get the hint. “I was an angel and they were perfectly friendly. I’m sure they’ll be fine here.”
“I wish you were going to be here tonight. They’re relatively new to the scene and I want them to feel welcome.”
“I’m sure Carlton will make sure they get settled.”
“You are awfully distracted this week. Hot new sub?” Lori giggled. “How did I not know this?”
“’Cause it isn’t true. You make this shit up as you go along. Now scram. I’ve got a lot to do and a plane to catch.”
“All right, but for the record, you’re behaving strangely today. Is everything okay with you? You’re kinda scary.” She worried her lip with her top teeth as she waited for him to respond.
“Stop biting your lip. You and your oral habits. And, for the record, I’m fine.”
She narrowed her gaze further. “Nope. Definitely not fine. No giant smile when I show up. No hug. No ‘Sit, Lori. What’s been happening?’ Just, ‘Scram. I’m too busy to talk to you.’ I’m watching you, stud. Whatever it is, I hope it’s not terminal, ’cause I’d hate to take over this place and run it. I’m still sowing my wild oats.” She pointed her finger at him, a half smile playing at her lips.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not sick. I’m in a hurry.”
“Is the club okay?”
“The club is perfect.”
She stepped back, angling for the door. “Okay, I’m going to leave you alone, but only because I’m meeting Stephanie in half an hour. Have fun on your little vacation.”
“Stephanie? Parkins?”
She paused and tipped her head again. “You know Aiden and Dane’s submissive by first and last name and yet you barely remember I sent the two Doms here for a tour this week?” She shook her head at him. “Did you meet her? Did she come with them? Oh God.” Her eyes grew huge. “Don’t tell me you have the hots for her! She’s way too young for you, and she belongs to two other men.”
He jumped up from his seat. “I do not have the hots for anyone, and no I haven’t met her. I think you’re the one acting strange.” There. Turn the tables. He was both nervous and relieved about Lori spending so much time with Stephanie this week. What if she figured things out before he had a chance to meet with them together? Fuck, and fuck again. “Take your wild imagination and get going. Be nice to Aiden and Dane’s sub. She’s…new to the scene.” Of course Lori already knew that, but he needed to say something to help ensure she treated Stephanie with the best kid gloves.
She bent over in a fit of giggles.
“What?”
“You. You’re priceless this morning. Whatever drugs you forgot to take, make sure you get them in your system quick. I gotta run. I’ll talk to you next week.” With that, she nearly skipped out of the room.
Jason slumped back down in his chair and stared at the ceiling. He plucked a pen from the desk and wove it around and around between his fingers in the air.
The damn hole he’d dug for himself was growing deeper by the minute. He might as well jump in and bury himself at this rate.
Was he even doing the right thing? A brand new sub with Doms she met only a week ago didn’t need any added crazy shit on her plate. He just wanted to protect her and do the best he could to make her life easier from here on out.
Plus there was no way he could have given Stephanie a reasonable chunk of his time in the last day. Nope. Next week. He needed to stop second-guessing himself.
He glanced at his calendar and considered his options. He got back Tuesday. Maybe everyone was free on Wednesday. Should he go ahead and set something up without raising suspicions?
He slumped back in his chair and groaned toward the ceiling. Lori was going to kill him, and Stephanie had every right to also.
He pushed from the desk and began to stuff his briefcase. He glanced at his watch. Shit. He needed to beeline for the airport.
Stephanie stepped from the shower and found herself alone in the bathroom once again. She was getting used to the routine. She reached for a washcloth and dried herself from head to toe. Who knew one small square of towel could soak up that much water? She almost giggled.
Think of all the waste in the world from all the dirty towels that get washed every day of the week. The environment would improve drastically if everyone would switch to washcloths.
“What’s so funny?”
Stephanie turned around to find Dane leaning against the doorjamb. “Shit. You scared me.” She put her hand over her heart, her naked heart. Well, really it was her chest that was bare, but she felt as if her heart were hanging out too lately.
He raised an eyebrow and didn’t move another muscle.
“Sir,” she added, dipping her head. “Sorry, Sir.”
He came into the room and pulled her toward the vanity where he sat her down and combed her hair, like most days. It felt awesome and she secretly hated when one of them didn’t extend this luxury to her. She loved the pampered part of the D/s scene. They adored her, and when they took the time to care for her she warmed inside, even naked.
When he stood back, she followed. “You need to eat breakfast before Lori gets here. You don’t eat enough.”
I don’t eat enough? I eat all the time. She followed him obediently to the kitchen, sat on the stool at the island with her legs spread farther than ever, and ate the breakfast Aiden set before her without speaking a word.
She needed to improve her skills as a submissive a bit or suffer unimaginable consequences. After sitting in the office last night for hours with that spreader bar between her legs, she’d been stiff and sore. Today she didn’t intend to get into any kind of trouble that would buy her another evening of that experience.
When she finished cleaning her plate, she stood.
Dane took the dish from her hand. “Go brush your teeth and come back to the living room.”
She did his bidding, carefully keeping her gaze lowered and demure, hoping to impress him with her desire to please. She hustled from the room, brushed, used the restroom and hurried back to the main room.
Dane and Aiden sat together on the couch in the living room. Dane held a newspaper in front of him. He was so casual, with his legs crossed, his sexy worn jeans and his bare feet.
Aiden looked up when she came in and nodded. “Come, little sub, and kneel in front of us. Assume the first position while we wait for Lori.”
She halted in her steps. Kneel before them until Lori gets here? “But, Sir?” She bit her lip. What were they playing at this morning?
“What?” Aiden asked. His brow was creased. He wasn’t happy. “I don’t see how anything I said had room for discussion.”
Spit it out, Steph. “Clothes, Sir. You haven’t given me anything to wear.” Maybe they’d forgotten. She held her breath.
Dane smashed the paper down in his lap with a rustle that filled the silence like a car wreck. She jerked back a step. His frustration was completely taken out on the poor creased paper. So far… “Steph. This is ridiculous. You’re forgetting your role here. First of all, don’t question us. Second of all, this is Lori we’re talking about. She’s in the lifestyle and she’s even a woman. I don’t see why you need clothing to meet with her. Thirdly, why haven’t we worked past this incessant need for clothes every second? And fourth…” at this he stood and turned toward her, “…the mere fact that I’ve had my paper interrupted to explain this obvious series of bullet points to you has made me a little on the aggravated side.”
A little? She rolled her eyes. “Don’t you think that’s going a bit overboard?”
When she saw the looks on their faces, she stepped back, her bare feet dragging across the hardwood floor, a tremble in her step. She’d never seen them quite like this. Dane was fit to be tied and Aiden’s face told her he agreed with his partner. “I’m sorry, Sir,” she mumbled. She lowered her gaze.
Except I’m not sorry and I can’t imagine sitting around with Lori naked.
“Did you just roll your eyes at us? And then you added backtalk? You’re a bit bratty this morning, Steph,” Aiden said. “If that’s how you want to behave, we’ll be happy to go along. But when you act like a toddler brat, you can expect to get treated like one too.” Now Aiden stood.
Geez. This is not good.
Both men stepped around the couch toward her. Aiden nodded at Dane who took several long strides to the wall between her and the front door. He pointed at the corner. “Come stand in the corner.”
On the shakiest legs ever, she obeyed, shuffling forward until she stood in the spot he’d indicated. They’d punished her like this once before, last week at the fetish party…before the big disaster with her bosses had ruined the evening and changed the course of her life.
“This will be your time out corner when you’re in the living area. Get closer.”
She inched toward the wall.
“Stephanie,” Dane reprimanded, “put your nose in the corner, touching the wall. Your nipples against the wall.”
She leaned in, trying not to cry as she followed his humiliating instructions.
“Feet spread farther apart. Toes against the walls also.”
She stepped out.
“More.” His voice rose. “I want you to be uncomfortable. This is a punishment. You aren’t meant to enjoy it. Clasp your hands behind your back. Put your weight on your forehead, shoulders, tits and belly, all leaning into the corner.”
She spread her legs farther, panting now for breath. Don’t cry.
“Good. Now don’t move until we tell you to.” Dane walked away.
Another set of footprints followed him and she imagined from the sounds in the room they had both settled back onto the couch to resume reading the morning paper.
Stephanie held her breath for long periods of time. It was the only way to keep the tears from falling.
Her mind raced. Oh, God. I can’t do this. It’s too much.
Her entire body shook. Were they watching? Secretly staring at her demise?
She needed to be strong. Don’t let them see you breaking over here. Don’t give them that satisfaction.
And for what? For wanting clothing? So she wanted to be dressed when Lori got there. Why was that such a horrible request?
Didn’t matter now. Not only was she going to be naked, but standing just inside the door enduring a fucking time out.
She could use her safe word. Leave. Run, rather.
She trembled, pondering the idea. They’d come so far. Why this? Why now?
Over clothes.
Deep breaths. She thought she could finally inhale and exhale without tears falling. Get a grip. Pull yourself together. You’re a grown woman for heaven’s sake. You have your own mind.
Why are you doing this? Why are you still here? Go, she shouted into her brain.
But her legs wouldn’t obey. Her bare feet were glued to the wood floor. Her nipples were stuck to the drywall. Her forehead ached from the pressure.
And still she stayed.
She wanted to be good. She wanted to obey them. Maybe they’d been right. She did have a tendency to question their actions without thinking.
It was Lori, after all. Indeed she was a woman. An equal. A peer.
Minutes passed as she visualized this scenario with Lori. If they weren’t on equal terms, would Lori also be permitted to direct her and order her around? She worried about sitting around having a friendly conversation with someone who was dressed while she herself was naked.
Hell, yesterday she’d stripped and masturbated for strangers and a camera. It wouldn’t be any different to sit naked on the couch with Lori. She was a Domme in her own right. She’d seen many naked women before, even ordered them around. Perhaps she’d even sent one or two of them to a time out much like this.
Deep breaths. She gave up the fight within herself to use her safe word. She didn’t want to leave. Probably ever. Sometimes she would fuck up. Sometimes she would be punished. Sometimes she would be loved better than vanilla people ever got loved.
She tried to catch her breath. Her body stopped shaking. She relaxed, as much as a person could while standing for a long period of time with their nose on the wall.
Her shoulders ached and her breasts were smashed, nipples abrading against the rough texture.
The doorbell rang. She flinched, but she remained. In a way, she knew this was a test. Aiden and Dane were finding out what she was made of as much as she was gleaning the same answers from this experience.
The door opened, a breeze wafting across her skin from the whoosh of air in the hall.
“Good morning,” Aiden
said. “Come in.” His voice was low.
“Hey, I—” Lori stopped whatever she was going to say abruptly. “Did we have a little problem?”
“Did we ever,” Dane added.
Stephanie remained in her place. No way in hell was she going to give anyone reason to punish her further or give anyone the satisfaction of having her not take her medicine. She dug this hole, now she had to accept the repercussions.
Today’s lesson: Never question your Doms. Think before you speak. Accept the corrective action with dignity and respect.
The least she could do now would be to follow through with the punishment with her chin up, apologize for her bratty behavior when appropriate, and never repeat the same mistake.
The trio moved to the living area of the great room. Their steps echoed on the hardwood and then died when they hit the carpet.
Aiden spoke next. “Our little sub’s mouth got the better of her. She thought she knew what was best for her this morning. I don’t think we’ll get that kind of backtalk from her again anytime soon. She’s been in that corner for quite a while.”
Listening to Aiden tell Lori about her misbehavior was almost unbearable. She was horribly embarrassed to be chastised like that to another person. She had no intention of ever enduring this humiliation again.
For several minutes the three ignored her, discussing the new club and something about the strange behavior earlier this morning of the man who owned it, and then the cackling laughter of Lori as she retold her conversation with the owner. Her giggles filled the room with life and happiness incongruent with the fact that a grown naked woman was in a time out in the corner.
She couldn’t make out every word of the conversation but enough to know Lori was close to this other man. Had he been her Dom at one point? Or, hell, her submissive? How old was the guy? Lori wasn’t much older than Stephanie.
No wonder Aiden and Dane had quickly and easily gotten a membership at this new place. Their sponsor, Lori, obviously knew the owner well. It was one thing to put in a good word. It was another thing altogether if that word included tongue. Gross, Stephanie. Grow up.
Bound to be Tamed: Emergence, Book 2 Page 23