by Andra Lake
“Well she told me she’s upset about the rumors.”
“Shit.” Ian ran a hand through his hair. “I guess I should talk to her about it.”
“Yeah, you should,” I said, but some of my bitterness was fading away. Was it possible that he was just clueless?
He glanced at me, his hand still in his hair. “At least I have an idea why you’re so hostile toward me.”
I looked at my feet. “I wouldn’t say I’m...hostile.”
“You just think I’m a douche bag.”
I peeked up at him and smiled. “Kind of.”
He shrugged, but he was smiling too. “So I’ll just have to prove you wrong. Challenge accepted.”
I shook my head, still smiling. He was so friggin’ charming. It was almost impossible not to like him—but I knew that was exactly what got girls like me into trouble.
He walked me right up to the door of my building. I opened the door and then hesitated, turned back to him.
“Goodnight, Ian,” I said politely. “Thank you very much for walking me home.”
He gave me a salute. “Any time, little lady.”
Chapter Four
“Mini-me, we need to get out of here. Let’s go to a party.”
I cringed. I hated that stupid nickname. But when I tried to tell Melissa to stop using it, she only used it more. Lately she’d become enamored with the idea I was her little underling. She also seemed to find it funny to pretend to choke me.
Yesterday Ian had gone around our building with a Polaroid camera to take pictures of everyone for the lounge. Just before he snapped ours, she wrapped her arms around my neck. Tightly. In the picture she’s smiling like a crazy person and I’m sitting in my desk chair looking like I can’t breathe.
Ian had shaken the photo to develop it, frowned at the result. “Unfortunately we only have enough film for one picture a room.” He shot me an apologetic look before moving on to the next person.
“I’m not really in the mood,” I said now, not looking up from my textbook.
“It’s going to be super fun. A guy in the drama program told me about it and I don’t want to go alone.”
“Maybe ask Carly.”
“I want you to come. You know, like a roommate bonding thing.”
Surprised, I glanced up. She was smiling at me hopefully. I had no idea what to say.
“I even have an outfit you can wear.” She skipped over to her wardrobe and pulled down a plaid skirt. “All you need is a white blouse.”
I closed my book and stood up. “You want to dress me now?”
“It’s a schoolgirl and Tom Cruise party. I’m dressing up like a schoolgirl too.”
“Well yeah, I have a white blouse...” I shook my head. What was I thinking? I didn’t want to dress up like a slutty schoolgirl for a party.
“It will be fun,” she said as if reading my mind. “Maybe help you stop crushing on Ian. Oh!” She snapped her fingers and opened her desk drawer, pulled open a bottle of vodka. “This is what we need.”
I watched as she poured two shots and handed me one.
“We’ll do a bunch of these and then be brave enough to go.” She held up her shot glass, smiling at me over the rim. “Have fun, Alexis, and stop worrying about everything, including school. Shed that goodie-two-shoes thing you’ve got going on.”
That did sound very inviting. I was tired of being viewed as a good girl. After all, I was a college student now and almost a legal adult. I needed to grow up.
I hesitated for only a second before tipping the shot back. It burned its way down my throat, unearthing memories of a sleepover in which a friend and I had tried shots of tequila while playing with a Ouija board. We’d then pulled the oldest trick in the book: refilling the bottle with water.
Three or four shots later, I was dressed in the outfit Melissa had designed for me, my hair in pigtails. It wasn’t exactly making me look like a grownup.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I whispered, looking at my reflection with a mix of unease and excitement.
“It’s going to be so much fun!” Melissa gushed. While I’d been changing, she’d been pouring herself more shots. “Gary is super hot. The guy that told me about the party, I mean. He says his buddy always throws the most epic parties and that there’s always a theme.”
“Where is this party?”
“They live off-campus in a large house they call the mansion. It’s that big.”
“Wow.” It was my first off-campus party. I needed another shot.
By the time our cab arrived, we’d tossed back three more shots and I was feeling the burn. I grabbed for my sweater, but Melissa swatted at my hands.
“No way, you’re not covering yourself up. Seriously, Alexis, it’s like I have to force you to look sexy.”
To say I felt like an imposter was an understatement. I was teetering in my heels like some kind of circus freak on stilts. I only ever wore heels when it was absolutely mandatory, which in my family translated to religious holidays. Every other day I liked to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground so I could take off at a moment’s notice.
The lounge was full when we snuck by, but a large guy was standing with his back against the glass door, thankfully blocking us from view. We hurried to the parking lot where the cab was parked, Melissa enjoying the looks from the guys that passed, me ducking my head. I didn’t pay attention during the ride; the passing streets wouldn’t have meant anything to me anyway. My mind was on the night ahead. Even while worrying about what I’d gotten myself into, I was still thinking about Ian. I wondered what he was doing tonight…and who he was doing it with.
We pulled up in front of an enormous house with a Victorian feel. I’d never been good at describing things, whether it was a house or a car, but what I could say was that it didn’t look like it belonged on that street. It actually had turrets. And a balcony that ran the front expanse of the second story. Leaning against the railing smoking was a guy in a dark grey suit and a blonde in schoolgirl attire with her hair in a high ponytail.
We were definitely at the right place.
Melissa shot me a sexy smile before sashaying her way up the front walk. I balled my hands into fists and followed behind, holding my head high. Once I was inside I’d feel a lot better, I knew that. Inside it would make sense that I was dressed like a slutty schoolgirl.
We pushed open the door and stepped inside. There was a large front foyer with dark walls and mirrors on both sides. It led to the kitchen in front of us, a living room area to the left and a hallway to the right. Groups of people were talking in the foyer and they glanced up and smiled at us as we entered.
Looking around, I could a few people sitting on chairs and couches in the living room, holding either wine in a small plastic wine glass or beer in a red solo cup. Some girls were dressed in suits as well, which was kind of cool. Who said you had to dress like a slut just because you were a girl? We lived in the here and now.
As we moved through the foyer, trying to act like we knew what we were doing, a dark head turned to look at me. When he saw me, his eyes widened slightly and his mouth opened in a small “o” of surprise. He looked familiar, and I wondered if I knew him from somewhere, or if he was simply checking me out.
I quickly averted my gaze.
The booze was flowing from the kitchen and the moment we entered, a tall guy with red hair offered us a glass of wine or beer. “Ladies drink free.”
Melissa took a glass of red wine and I opted for the beer.
“I’m Manny.” He held out his hand and both of us took it, introduced ourselves. “How did you hear about this?”
“I’m friends with Gary,” Melissa said. “Have you seen him?”
“Yeah he’s around here somewhere.” He glanced around just as the volume in the entire house seemed to amplify. People were excited about something.
Manny grinned. “Sounds like we’re about to start.”
Before I could ask what was about to start, t
he crowd in the kitchen surged forward, forcing us back into the foyer. We were pressed against a wall as people entered the foyer from the hallway as well, looking over their shoulders at whatever they were clearing the way for. All around us people were whistling, cheering, talking excitedly—their eyes alight with excitement and their cheeks pink.
Even in my heels, I had to stand on tip-toes to see over the crowd as what we were waiting for finally arrived. A large, burly man stepped out of the hallway with a large sack over his back. Everyone moved aside for him as he made his way through the foyer and into the middle of the living room. Then we were shoved along with the crowd again until we were standing in the living room with everyone else. Melissa grabbed my hand and pulled me to a gap where we could see what was going on.
The man placed the sack on the floor and let it fall open, spreading its edges out like a blanket. My heart skipped a beat. It took me a minute to register what I was seeing.
Lying in a pile was something close to thirty wooden paddles.
My eyes flew to Melissa. She looked just as shocked as me.
“What kind of party is this?” I tried to take a step back but couldn’t move. People had joined us on both sides now, packing us in tightly.
“I have no idea,” Melissa giggled, out of nervousness of excitement I couldn’t tell. “But I don’t think it’s entirely what Gary made it out to be.”
“I think those are paddles...for spanking. Like it’s a spanking party,” I hissed, panic rising.
“I think you’re right.”
I swallowed hard. “Let’s get out of here.”
“You go if you want.” She shook her hair over her shoulders. “I’m curious to see what happens next.”
“Seriously?” I looked at her incredulously, but she ignored me. Apparently she actually wanted to stay.
I swallowed hard. I guess I’d have to leave her.
Just as I was about to turn and book it, even if it meant shouldering my way through the crowd, the host walked into the room.
“Welcome, everyone!” He held his arms wide and spoke in a large, booming voice, smiling at everyone in the crowd. He was wearing a black suit and top hat and looked more like a magician than a party host.
“Welcome to our schoolgirl-themed party. For those of you who are new, I’ll introduce myself. I’m Drake Maxim, party host and owner of this house. By day I am a Drake Maxim, Fund Manager—and by night I am Master Maxim, BDSM fetishist.”
BDSM fetishist? Holy shit. I glanced around, searching desperately for a way to sneak out without being noticed, but the circle had only tightened. I’d have to cross the room in front of everyone to get to the front door.
I elbowed Melissa, hoping that now she would be ready to leave, but she only smiled down at me excitedly. Suddenly I worried she was high on more than Vodka.
“Privacy screens have been set up in the various rooms down the hall. You exhibitionists are also welcome to play in any location on the main floor. For those of you who are new to spanking,” his eyes rested on Melissa and me, “or those who simply like to observe, you are welcome to wander around and make yourself comfortable.”
The hairs on my neck stood on end and I glanced to my right. A man in his late thirties with blonde almost white hair was watching me. When he noticed me looking back, his tongue slipped out of his mouth and licked along his dry lips. I tried not to shudder and focused on the host again.
“Requesting a private observing session is allowed as well,” he was saying, “and all requests and responses should be treated with respect. The mansion is a place of acceptance, a place where we can all experience our inner most desires safely and without judgment. Anyone that violates these rules will be asked to leave.”
He paused for a moment, perhaps to give everyone a chance to make a comment or ask a question. When no one spoke, he nodded and said, “Very good, let’s begin. Feel free to grab a paddle.”
The crowd surged forward and I took the opportunity to grab for Melissa’s hand, but she snatched it away. A guy who didn’t look much older than us was stalking toward her from across the room. He was good-looking, I had to admit—he had light brown hair and blue eyes and looked like an all around American gentleman.
Except he was intent on spanking my roommate.
“Gary!” she cried happily and shook her hair out again. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“Are you okay with this?” The question implied he wasn’t sure but his face remained smiling, as if he already knew the answer. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” Then his eyes landed on me. “Alexis, right? My friend Adam recognized you.”
Oh my God. I wanted to sink into the floor. I was going to end up like Vanessa with a bunch of rumors swirling around about me. Soon I’d wish I’d gotten caught sucking Ian off.
“I’ve got to go,” I said and rushed away.
I didn’t dare go back into the hall; there were too many people there. Instead I went into the next room, which turned out to be a study. The only way out was through a door that led into the kitchen, and a man and woman were in the midst of flirting in the doorway. Through their partly entwined bodies I could see the kitchen was filled with people, including the host. And I didn’t want to risk speaking with the host.
I was trapped.
My legs began to shake. So far no one had noticed the study, so I was safe for now. I just needed to get myself together enough to turn back around, walk past everyone and out the front door.
No one could stop me.
***
I stood in a dark corner of the study gripping my red solo cup tightly. All around me, sounds of spanking emanated from various rooms in the house, and on the couch in front of me a brunette was being pulled over a guy’s knee. Apparently they weren’t going to use the privacy screens and instead give me a private show. My pulse began to pound in my ears. I knew I should leave—especially so that people couldn’t accuse me of wanting to watch—but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I was too afraid to move. Moving meant potentially running into someone with a paddle.
The man raised his paddle and hesitated before bringing it down hard on the woman’s bare ass. I quickly looked away, only to sneak a peek again as he continued. Her ass turned redder with each slap, and with each slap I could feel the heat growing between my own legs. I had no idea if it was from embarrassment or because I was getting turned on—but it made me worried about my mental health either way.
It was time for me to get the hell out of that house.
“Well, well,” a familiar voice said behind me. “This is the last place I’d expect to see you.”
No way. It can’t be.
I whipped around to see Ian in the doorway to the study. He looked casual as usual, leaning a forearm against the doorjamb and wearing a black T-shirt and jeans. The position of his arm above his head caused his shirt to pull taut across his strong stomach. His gaze moved lazily around the room, landing on the couple on the couch for only a second as if he’d seen it all before. As his eyes returned to me, he smiled as if I was the real treat.
“Though you certainly look the part. Fuck.”
I moved to cross my arms but stopped myself. Instead, I took a swig of my beer for confidence.
“And here I thought you were a good girl.” He dropped his arm and edged closer, and I didn’t back away.
“Melissa brought me.”
“Let me guess—you thought it was a schoolgirl/Tom Cruise kind of party.”
“Yeah. I did.”
“Sorry, sweetheart, but it’s a whole lot dirtier than that.”
“I figured that out, thanks. What are you doing here?”
His lips turned up in a smirk as he looked at the spanking scene again. “I got a very interesting text from a friend of mine. Said I wouldn’t believe who was here.” His bright green eyes fell on me. “I figured you were either holding out on me or didn’t know what you’d gotten yourself into, and I should come save you.”
I gla
red at him. “I’m fine.”
“You stick out like a sore thumb. Want me to help you out?” From behind his back he produced a paddle, stroked it almost lovingly. “He’s been saving himself for you.”
My breath caught. My cheeks were so hot, they literally burned. I could no longer look him in the eye. I was still the same girl, try as I might to pretend otherwise.
When I ducked my head, he took the chance to move closer so that he was standing directly in front of me. I peeked up from under my lashes to see his broad chest blocking out my view of anything else. His right hand went to my hair, wrapping a pigtail around his wrist. My breathing stopped as his left index finger went under my skirt, pushing it higher up my thigh.
“You look so sexy,” he said in a low voice. “You should wear this to our seminars for me.”
“You’d like that.” I’d hoped to sound biting, but my voice came out soft, barely above a whisper. I was having trouble keeping it from shaking. The skin of my thigh tickled where he was touching it.
“I would,” he said in a deeper voice than usual.
I’d estimated him to be just shy of six feet, but looming over me he seemed larger somehow. The hand touching on my thigh moved to my hip, pulling me closer so I could feel the hot bulge in his jeans against my stomach. Holy hell, why hadn’t I left when I had the chance?
“I’m going to spank you tonight,” he said softly. “Tell me no.”
His hand in my hair was holding me immobile. I knew if I struggled enough, he’d let me go, but I didn’t want to. The heat between my legs had only intensified since he’d started touching my hair and thighs, and fear was mixing with excitement at the unknown.
Was he really going to spank me? Was I actually going to let him?
Behind me, I could still hear the girl getting spanked, and now her breathing was labored and aroused. So was the breathing of the man. Every few hits he grunted a little from either exertion or arousal, I couldn’t tell.