She frowned. “I’m not sure what your point is.”
“Sir. You’ll address me properly at all times. Any questions?”
Her shoulders slumped slightly, as if in defeat. “No, Sir.”
Much, much better. He liked the way the respectful term of address rolled off her tongue. “Any ill effects from last night?” he asked.
“Last night?” She folded her hand in her lap. “Which part are you talking about? When you beat me? Or the part where you sent me home without pay, not knowing when I’d get to come back? Or the part where you didn’t call until this afternoon? Or the part where you expected me to drop what I was doing and come in after all? Or the part where you refused to fuck me?” She smiled sweetly and added a belated, “Sir.”
He leaned forward. What the hell had he gotten himself into?
If he wanted a hookup, he could find plenty of willing women. Karyn had girlfriends who would spend an evening with him. He could avail himself of one of the club’s other submissives. And there would no doubt be single women who showed up tonight who’d like to scene with him. He didn’t need to sit here with a hellion of a masochist who’d intentionally annoy him at every turn. “I told you I would call you, Alani. I did. I don’t make promises that I don’t keep.”
She met his gaze and didn’t look away.
“Now answer my question.”
“I have no ill effects from the beating, Sir. I barely had a red mark above one of my knees.”
She sounded a bit disappointed.
“Would you like to see for yourself?” she asked.
His boxers could no longer contain his erection. He forced himself to focus on the upcoming discussion. “What happened last night was unacceptable. I apologize.”
“I’m not sure what you’re apologizing for.” She frowned. “I begged you to beat me.”
“I enjoyed every minute of it. But the location was wrong. I should not have mixed the work issue with the fact I wanted to use my belt on your ass. It should have happened offsite, at my place or at yours.”
“I see.”
“I’ve only had one long-term relationship. I travel too much, and my schedule is extraordinarily demanding, and frankly, Alani, I value my freedom.”
“Is there a reason we’re having this discussion? You hit me with a belt a few times. That hardly justifies your need to tell me about your past or freaking out about your freedom.” She straightened in her seat and leaned back again, putting physical distance between them. Her body language spoke volumes.
He fought back a sudden surge of temper. He couldn’t wait to have her naked, rounded derriere across his lap. “I’m not freaking out about anything. What I’m saying is this: I will handle your retraining. But I want more from you. My cock has been hard since I had you over the desk last night. I want to fuck you. I intend to fuck you. I don’t want any confusion between our work life and our personal lives.”
“I’m not confused.”
“Do you have a boyfriend? A dom? An important relationship?” He took a deep breath and leaned forward. His cock pressed insistently against his pants. “I want to see you outside the club. Is there anything that will stand in the way of you giving yourself to me?”
She brushed a few strands of hair back from her face. “I have no other relationship, but a man, any man, including a dom, must earn my respect before I agree to anything.”
He nodded at her challenge. She wasn’t the typical sub, which was probably why she appealed to him.
“Go on,” he said, wondering if he’d made an error. Was this sexual tension all one-sided? Was one man as good as another as long as he beat her and gave her screaming orgasms?
He all but ground the enamel off his back teeth.
“I’m not interested in anything long-term with any man,” she said. “The fact you travel a lot frankly appeals to me. It makes things more clear, more defined. So in answer to your question, yes, I am interested in hooking up for an occasional scene with you, Sir, as long as you fuck me after you beat me.”
“Good.” He was more clipped than he intended. He wasn’t asking to collar her, but Christ, he wanted something more than just a promise of an occasional meeting. Was there a woman more confounding than Alani Dane? “Then we’re clear. When we’re at work, we’ll keep things professional. Fortunately I’ll only be here a week while Master Marcus is gone. Outside of the club, I will bend you to my will, punish your indiscretions, beat you into erotic submission, and fuck you ragged. Blunt enough?”
Chapter Four
Alani’s heart missed its next beat.
Yes. It was blunt enough.
Last night and most of today had been torture. She’d chastised herself for allowing boredom with the scene to impact her job. She’d been alternately pissed and thrilled with Master Nathaniel’s high-handed treatment.
No man, either at the club or away from it, had affected her the way he did. He seemed to know her deepest fears and motivations. He knew what she wanted in terms of punishment. His beating had been magnificent. It had hurt, and she still bore one small welt behind her left knee. But it hadn’t been over the top. He hadn’t hurt her the way the other dom had.
He’d found a rhythm that might have sent her into subspace, and she’d been close to achieving it. She suspected he knew that.
Rather than adding strokes for her misbehavior, he’d known that withholding them from her was much worse.
He seemed to know her as well as she knew herself, maybe even better.
She’d tossed and turned all night. She’d dreamed about him, fantasized about him.
She wanted to scene with him again. She wanted to feel the full impact of his lash. She wanted this implacable dom to force her capitulation.
He sat there in silence. His broad hands—capable of giving her mindless pleasure—were folded on top of the table. When she’d scooted back earlier, he’d leaned forward, taking away the little space she’d put between them.
The force of his personality and restraint combined with power and intelligence was overwhelming.
She met his gaze. He regarded her intently, as if her answer mattered to him. His green eyes were deep, searing into her. He watched her every reaction. She couldn’t hide, even if she wanted to.
“You’re wise to think about it a bit. I’m strict,” he warned her. “Last night was only a taste of what you can expect if you don’t follow my rules. I know you don’t fear any form of corporal punishment. I know you suffer more when I withhold my attention. Therefore, if you step out of line, you can expect to be sent to a room, alone.”
She swallowed.
“There are also other ways of punishing a recalcitrant sub.”
Suddenly she was feeling very submissive. He was as implacable with his words as he was with his behavior. He was dom through and through, and she couldn’t help but respond to him. “Sir?”
“Toys, Alani. Orgasm denial. How well do you suck cock?”
His abrupt change of subject caught her off guard. “That depends. How big is your dick, Sir?”
He inclined his head as if to say touché.
The fact he hadn’t fucked her last night rankled a bit. She’d thought maybe he didn’t desire her. But now she knew he was much more diabolical. A good sub wanted her dominant’s cock, and he knew that. It wasn’t just a physical joining; the connection was an emotional reassurance. In this man, she’d met someone who understood the complex issues of a D/s combination.
She toyed with her hair. As he’d obviously planned, she wanted him. So the question was: was she up for the challenge he presented?
“Problem, Alani?”
Of course he’d noticed her betrayal of nerves. She shook her head. “I’m a quick study. I will do my best to please you, Sir.”
“As I said earlier, I don’t play games. I won’t allow you to, either.”
Her heart stopped. Cold. She looked at him and swallowed deeply. The tiny scar on his chin seemed more pronounced.
“You haven’t made this sound very appealing.”
“I will give you the lash you crave.”
Her pussy moistened.
“I will give you the attention you need. I will give you the experiences you yearn for. Are you brave enough?”
With more bravado than she was really feeling, she looked at him and said, “Bring it on, Sir.”
He cocked his head to one side. The motion was arrogant, assertive, threatening.
“Your comment will earn you a punishment,” he said. “Tonight. After you finish work, I’ll drive you to my place.”
She wondered if he could smell her sudden arousal. Part of her wanted to suggest they meet at her place, where she would feel more in control. But she knew he’d never go for it. Still, she had to try. “I’d rather follow you in my car.”
As if she’d never spoken, he said, “Get ready for your shift. I’ve decided we’ll be giving a demonstration tonight.”
“Sir?”
“As part of your retraining, I want you to show our patrons how a well-behaved sub takes what her dom dishes out. Any objection?”
Her thoughts somersaulted. “I thought you didn’t do public scenes.”
“I generally don’t. I’m filling in for Master AJ. He’ll be delayed this evening. Again, it’s your choice, Alani. You don’t have to participate. I’m sure Willow would be willing.”
He had to have guessed she wouldn’t back down from his challenge. “I’ll do it,” she said.
He nodded, as if he’d expected nothing less. “I want to see what you’re wearing. Please stand and remove your coat.” He leaned back and folded his arms across his chest.
He moved from subject to subject at dizzying speed.
She’d chosen a fairly demure outfit for the evening—well, if PVC was ever demure. The black swing skirt flowed over her hips and ended midthigh. A cropped top left her midriff bare but completely covered her breasts. With Master Nathaniel in mind, she’d donned fishnet stockings. She’d added only a G-string, leaving her ass bare, just in case.
She pushed away from the table and stood. She unknotted the belt and parted the lapels before shrugging out of the coat.
“Nice.”
His approval made her heart beat faster.
“Turn around.”
She draped the coat over the chair and turned her back to him.
“Lift your skirt to your waist.”
Her hands shook slightly. His rich voice held no compromise. With him, she never had to fake anything, never had to go deep into her head and pretend to be elsewhere. Only the moment existed.
“This is an advanced scene tonight, not for beginners. I am going to insert a plug up your ass, and I may push you past your comfort level. Certainly you won’t have experienced anything like this at the club.”
“Yes, Sir,” she whispered, thrilled. That’s what she wanted: new experiences, new highs.
“How did you like my belt last night?”
“Very well, Sir.”
“We’ll use a flogger tonight.”
She wrinkled her nose in disappointment. Then, grateful she was faced away from him and that he hadn’t seen her expression, she nodded. “As you wish, Sir.”
He chuckled. “That means you prefer something else. Remember, I demand honesty.”
“Yes, Sir. I would prefer we use something else.”
“Why?”
“In my experience, Sir, a flogger is a fairly gentle implement.”
“Ah. You’re afraid I’m not going to hurt you enough. Not to worry. I watched Master Richard work you over; I saw which hits you responded to. Rest assured I’ll make you feel it far more than he did.”
Her clit began to throb.
“It doesn’t matter what you prefer, little painslut. If I want to barely touch you for this demonstration, that’s my choice. And you’ll thank me.”
“Yes, Sir, I will.”
“But make no mistake, you’ll feel the leather on your hot body. And I will hurt you.”
That comment made her wetter.
“Meet me in the classroom no later than twenty past seven. The class is scheduled to begin at half past.”
She shivered a bit.
“You may face me.”
She let go of her skirt. The PVC material floated into place as she turned back to face him.
“Did I give you permission to drop your skirt?”
“Sorry, Sir.” She lifted it back up, exposing her derriere.
“Across my lap.” He scooted back his chair.
She stood there shocked, unmoving. He was going to spank her here in the bar? Now?
“Do I need to repeat my command?”
Chapter Five
She met his gaze.
His green eyes were frosty, unrelenting. His firm jaw was set uncompromisingly.
She moved toward him and lowered herself, wishing she were more graceful. She struggled to keep the skirt held high.
Before she had her fingertips on the floor, he struck her hard across both cheeks.
Alani gasped.
She’d expected a warm-up spank, not this searing pain.
Before she recovered, he smacked her again.
“I didn’t hear a thank-you, so we’ll start over.”
He landed a third blow.
He hit hard. Her ass burned. Her cheeks flamed. She was aware of others looking at her. Somehow, this was very different than a scene with one of the patrons. Here, in the bar, people would be aware she was being punished. It heightened her humiliation.
She reached for a chair leg, anything to keep her balance.
“Alani?”
“Thank you, Sir!”
He smacked her again.
“Two. Thank you, Sir!”
“One,” he corrected. “You are expected to count and express your gratitude.”
She gritted her teeth. “One. Thank you, Sir.”
He placed the next hit directly on top of the first. It was all she could do not to wriggle away. “Two! Thank you, Sir.”
The third and fourth left her struggling to breathe. His thighs were firm beneath her torso, and the material of his slacks chafed her bare midriff.
His fifth slap stung more than any other. She squeezed her eyes against the sudden burn of tears. “Five. Thank you, Sir.”
“Get up.”
She blinked.
He wrapped his arm around her waist and helped her to her feet. “Move over there.” He pointed to an area a few feet away, beneath a lamp. “Bend and show me your ass.”
She was reeling.
He hadn’t stayed with the punishment long enough for her to enjoy it. He hadn’t exploited the emotional components, and he’d caught her unprepared.
He folded his arms across his chest.
Just who the hell was this harsh man? And what did she really know about him?
Slowly she turned around, lifted her skirt, and then bent.
“Just a little red. When I beat you during the demonstration, I’ll make sure you have a few more marks.”
Alani took in a couple of breaths to steady her nerves.
He checked his watch. “You’re excused.”
Just like that? He spanked her and then dismissed her? His cavalier behavior rankled. She opened her mouth to speak but changed her mind. He’d told her he wanted to see her outside the club, and they had agreed to meet later. She told herself that was enough. She released her skirt and stood. Her hands shook as she grabbed her purse and coat. She started to move past him, and he snagged her wrist, stopping her.
“I’ll let your bad behavior go unpunished this time, Alani.”
“My behavior, Sir?”
“I expect constant gratitude when I give you attention.”
Genuinely puzzled, she frowned. “I thanked you for the spankings, Sir.”
“Constant gratitude,” he said again. “Unless you’d like remove your skirt and stand in the corner with your red ass exposed to everyone in the club and think about it for a while?”
She shook her head. “Thank you for the punishment, Sir. And for allowing me to get to work.” She clenched and unclenched her hands.
“And for not making you stand in the corner,” he prompted.
Bastard. “And for not making me stand in the corner, Sir.”
“Don’t forget yourself, sub.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Sir. I promise to do better.”
“See that you do.” He released her wrist.
She was too well trained to hurry away, even though that was what she wanted to do. She moved slowly and deliberately toward the ladies’ dressing room, aware of him watching her.
Once the door closed behind her, she exhaled.
No man, ever, had managed to punish her so completely, get inside her head, remind her of her submissiveness.
She pulled her hair back.
As the rush of adrenaline receded, she realized her pussy was still wet. His high-handed treatment had turned her on. He got to her in a way no one else ever had.
Willow joined her a few moments later. “I heard you’re doing a demo with Master Nathaniel tonight.”
She opened her locker and hung up her coat. “What else have you heard?”
“If you’re wondering if I know about your retraining, yes. I don’t know why but—”
“I yawned during a scene with Master Richard.”
“Seriously?”
“And I rolled my eyes. Master Nathaniel caught me.”
Alani looked at the other woman. She wasn’t sure if Willow was her real name or not, but it certainly fit. Tall, blonde, leggy with green eyes and natural grace, Willow was lovely, making it impossible to hate her, no matter how much Alani wanted to.
“I mean, who wouldn’t? Master Limp Wrist is a total bore.”
“Master Limp Wrist?” Alani repeated.
“Oh!” Willow made a show of covering her mouth. “Did I say that out loud?”
Alani laughed, tension slowly leaving her body.
-->