by Piper Stone
“Do we need a drink for this?” Jenna managed. She couldn’t help but notice her BFF’s careful moves on the chair. Another spanking? A series of visions popped into her periphery of vision, in bold and vivid color, accentuating the details of one. Hard. Spanking.
She laughed as she flagged down the waiter. “Two glasses of your finest Sauvignon Blanc.”
“Very good,” the waiter said, darting his approving gaze from one to the other.
“Uh-oh. You’re getting a divorce,” Jenna half whispered.
“Uh. No. Mark and I are happier than ever.” Her look was filled with passion and love. “Our anniversary is a little over four weeks away. Hard to believe.”
And now she wanted to scratch her bestie’s eyes out with a dull spoon. “You could have fooled me the other day. You guys didn’t seem happy at all.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Camie leaned over the table, her eyes twinkling. “What you witnessed—”
“Was none of my business,” Jenna interrupted, throwing up her hand. She’d been admonishing herself since Saturday, reliving the moment over and over again.
Camie burst into laughter. “You’re my best friend. I have no problem with what you saw the other day. I should have told you certain particulars about my relationship with Mark.”
“You two are… I mean, you guys… I mean… Hell, where is that damn wine?” Jenna had no doubt she’d down the glass in thirty seconds flat.
“Goofy. Your face is flushed. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I was out of line and punished for my actions. I deserved the belt. We use spankings quite often in our house and I’m always on the receiving end.”
“Spankings? What about equality?” She realized the question was asked with far too much volume, interrupting the older couple sitting less than three feet away. She gave them a half smile, even though her eyes were an easy read—leave it the hell alone.
“Yes. I get three or four a week, sometimes more, depending. You know two people can’t run a corporation effectively. One has to take the lead and Mark is head of the household. He doles out spankings as necessary. Like last night. He found out I overspent my allowance and ouchie is all I can say.” Camie grinned.
“TMI, thank you very much.”
“Oh, come on. You’re a grown adult. We all have certain rules to follow, whether from our employer or laws of the county and state. If we break them, we’re punished. Granted, I’d prefer not to receive a spanking in the middle of a party, but I egged him on, refusing to back down.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong. I mean, not really.” Why was this so difficult for her? Jenna wrinkled her nose.
“You witnessed our argument. I was cranky. No, I was a bitch.”
“So was he. I mean, he was an asshole.”
“But he’s in charge. He runs the household. I live by certain rules including the fact I don’t continue nagging him or arguing, which is exactly what I did,” Camie insisted. “So, he took matters into his own hands. Calmed things down. Didn’t you notice how lovey-dovey we were the rest of the party?”
Jenna could feel herself pale. “I was trying to stay as far away from the both of you as humanly possible.”
Camie rolled her eyes. “You didn’t have to do that. I wasn’t embarrassed, and neither was Mark.”
The waiter brought the wine and as soon as he opened his mouth, Jenna waved her hand. “Not now, sugar. We need time. Lots of time. Get it?” she snapped.
The young blond backed away, his hands in the air.
“Jesus, girl. What’s eating you, the fact you witnessed your bestie receiving a spanking or the fact that you don’t have anyone who cares enough to give you exactly what you need? And what you deserve, I might add.”
She opened her mouth to retort then allowed a slow hiss to escape from her throat. “I don’t want that kind of relationship.” Her words were stilted. “Never. Not going to happen. Ever. Not in my lifetime.”
“Me thinks you doth protest too much.”
“Very funny.” Jenna took a sip then a gulp of her wine.
“Ask me anything because I know you’re interested in learning.” Camie grinned as she swirled the tip of her finger around the rim of her glass.
“What do you mean, you know I’m interested in learning?”
She continued toying with the wine, her expression full of mischief. “Well, I was able to see your face the other day. A mixture of horror and desire. Second, you don’t remember our conversations?”
“What conversations?” Her thoughts drifted back to the infamous night six years before. She would never drink tequila again.
“Friday nights. Bottle of tequila and a pizza. Remember?”
“Well, duh. Of course I remember. We’d talk about the various stud muffins in our classes.” Please don’t remember. Please.
“Speak for yourself. The guys in my classes were all geeks.”
“With the exception of Mark. Wasn’t he the football captain?” Jenna teased, appreciating the slight blush on her friend’s face.
“Love at first sight. Do you know, he told me on our second date that he believed in domestic discipline? By the third, he had me over his knees in the back of his car, spanking me until I cried. I knew he was the one for me after that.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Jenna asked, trying her best to keep her voice down.
“Well, I kind of did. I can’t believe you don’t remember that. We were watching that horrible movie with a spanking scene? Remember now? You admitted that you wanted a dominating man who could keep you in line. And authority figure. And yes, the concept of discipline and spankings came up more than once. That’s why seeing you with Steve makes me want to gag.”
“I remember the dreadful movie, but the rest is a huge blur.” Maybe she had said that. The words were certainly the truth.
Camie winked. “Uh-huh. You’re a terrible liar. I remember everything that you told me, girlfriend and I plan on holding it over your head for the rest of your life.”
“Bitch.”
“Exactly.”
They laughed, the ice broken. “You’re really happy with the arrangement?” Jenna asked.
“Ecstatic and our love life is out of this world. We have sex at least six times a week, sometimes more depending. Hot, passionate, wild sex, the kind that keeps my pussy sore, my knees weak.”
“Don’t make me vomit. Please.”
This time, she rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I wanted to give you a piece of advice.”
“Uh-oh. Here it comes.”
“I’m serious,” Camie huffed. “I want you happy and Steve isn’t going to do that for you.”
“Don’t have to worry about him any longer.” Jenna was unable to stop her fit of giggles.
“He’s gone?”
“Don’t get too excited. Yes. In classic Steve form, he broke up with me over the phone. He said something to the effect that I was beneath him. Asshole.”
Camie groaned. “What a prick. Couldn’t even say the words face to face?”
“No. He couldn’t say them, period. He texted them.”
“I should kick his motherfuckin’ ass.”
“I would help you.” Jenna realized she was actually happy he’d chickened out. “I’m glad he’s gone.”
“That makes two of us. Now, you can find the dominating man you need. A firm hand will do you wonders.”
Jenna took another sip of her wine, this time savoring the flavor. “I don’t want a relationship. I need me time for a little while. A long time. Maybe forever. I don’t know what I need.”
“Except for a firm hand. Besides, I know the truth and as soon as the right man peels away all those layers you have, you’re free to enjoy life.” She shook her head. “But I’m proud of you for wanting to get everything out of the life you’ve been working so hard to achieve before you settle down. Good girl. However, finding a hunk with a heart of gold and a keenness for discipline would spark the vixen in
you.”
Spark the vixen. Maybe she needed a hard kick to rev her engines of complacency. She sat back in the seat, swinging her leg. “That may be true but what am I supposed to do, call 1-800-Rent a Dom?”
“Not a bad idea, if you ask me.” Camie held up her finger before pulling out her phone. “I have an idea.”
“Do I really want to ask?”
“Hold on. Let me look.” Camie hummed as she searched the net. “Here we go. I knew I was right.”
“About?”
She handed Jenna the phone. “Maybe you don’t need a full relationship right now to secure everything your heart desires. They have legitimate companies who provide this kind of thing.”
As Jenna glanced at the screen, reading the words, the services provided, she wanted to slide under the chair.
We provide discreet spankings for the discriminating palate at reasonable prices.
Belts. Canes. Paddles, Switches. Sweat began to form over her mouth. “No way. I’m not using a spanking service. I will never go over the lap of some stranger. Not going to happen.” Hearing a fork drop, several coughs, and a disgusted exclamation, she closed her eyes. “Perfect. Now, everyone knows.”
“Not everyone,” Camie said, laughing. “Come on. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Besides, I’ve heard these places are great. A little expensive but not bad for what you receive.”
“Which is what?”
“A disciplinarian for hire. A dom picked out with you in mind. You can even call him Daddy. I’ll loan you some money if you need.”
“No thank you on both counts. Whatever I decide I will do myself.” Coughing, a string of drool slid out of her mouth. She grabbed her napkin, wiping it away nonchalantly then chugged the remainder of wine. Yes, she had to go back to work and no, her boss wasn’t the kind of guy who would chastise her in any manner.
Damn it!
“Come on. You know this would be good for you,” Camie chided. “That’s what you want, someone to take care of you in a different manner. No strings attached.”
“Not a chance in hell.” To take care of her? No man could effectively do that. She was firmly convinced.
“Admit it.”
Jenna looked for the waiter, her impatience growing. “Admit what?”
“That you. Need. A. Hard. Spanking.”
She glared at her BFF, narrowing her eyes. “Nope. I’m fine. I’m just dandy in fact.”
“Uh-huh. If you say so.” Camie had a shit-eating grin on her face as she slid the phone across the table, the website still on the screen. “You’re mouthy. Unruly. You have a temper and you allow stress to get the better of you. All of that can be taken care of with weekly, if not daily maintenance sessions. At least consider finding someone you can trust or placing that ad. How about Craigslist?”
“Wackos and weirdos. That’s what. I don’t want to end up on the front page as the latest serial killer victim.”
“You are so melodramatic. A strict dom can help you with that as well.” She laughed again, placing her fingers over her mouth. “And all kidding aside. Why don’t you develop a profile on SubmissiveLife and put out some feelers?”
She’d heard about the internet site dedicated to those who were curious about or living a dominant-submissive lifestyle. Her fear of the unknown had kept her from considering, even though her curiosity was piqued. “More whack jobs.”
“There are idiots and assholes everywhere, but at least you have an opportunity to vet out various doms while hiding behind the computer screen. You can talk to other submissives, find out what works for them. Plenty of decent information on the site as well.” Camie held a knowing smile on her face.
“And how do you know so much about SubmissiveLife?” Jenna shook her head.
“We’ll just leave it that I do, and with Mark’s permission. You can find the perfect daddy figure, a man who will love you and care for you, protect you and most important of all, punish you as necessary.”
“Over my dead body.” Maintenance sessions. A strict dom. Regular spankings. No. No! As the waiter finally headed in their direction, all Jenna could think about was finding someone to give her a well needed round of punishment.
After all, she was a very bad little girl.
Chapter Two
“Don’t worry, John. The contracts will be on their way to you tomorrow.” Dominick Asbury sat with his legs up on his desk, gazing out at the late afternoon sky. He’d had a busy week, four contracts signed and another two in the wings. His accountant was going to either love or hate him, depending on how the well paid man looked at things. “Yes, we’re very glad to be doing business with you as well. Things couldn’t have worked out any better.”
At least he’d kept the promise to himself years before when he’d taken over the business. No negotiations. No compromises. He was ruthless in his practices. The thought gave him a smile.
He heard a tapping on his door and swung his head, annoyed with the interruption. With the hours he’d been working, grabbing a beer or two with a buddy then going home sounded like a slice of heaven at this point. Seeing the pensive face of his assistant, he waved her in. “That’s perfect. Let’s get together next week for a round of golf at the club.”
She scurried in, her smile waning.
“Sounds great to me. See you then.” He hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair. “Pencil me in for golf with John Bookman next Tuesday at the Dominion Club, Penny.” He was actually tired of the game, even though he refused to admit it to any of his clients. Personal service, including his expensive membership at two individual clubs in town had certainly helped garner new clients. Business was booming. During the last few years, he’d become a very wealthy man. All because of his business acumen, or as his competitors would say, learning the right way to become an asshole. What the hell? He was enjoying the spoils of war.
“Will do, sir and sorry to bother you. Your ex-wife called, insistent that she talk with you.” Penny placed a handful of files on his desk. “I tried to tell her that you were very busy, but she was very… forceful.”
“You mean she was and will always be a bitch,” he stated, only half chastising himself for admitting the truth. At least Penny had seen the good, the bad, and the wretched during her tenure with him. The girl also had no issue with his brusque personality.
She didn’t react, other than a slight blush creeping up on her face.
“You can say it, Penny. I know she’s been horrible to you as well.”
“She’s a handful, sir. I’m sorry you continue to have to put up with her.”
“Me too. Why don’t you take off? You’ve been a Godsend this week.”
Penny grinned, her eyes opening wide. “I’m glad I could help and thank you. That will be very nice.”
“Absolutely. I’ll be leaving myself here in a few minutes.” He dropped his legs and stood, arching and stretching his back. He’d toyed with taking a couple of days off but going to the islands by himself wasn’t tops on his agenda.
“Sounds good, sir. See you tomorrow.”
“Night, Penny.” He stood at the oversized window, the floor-to-ceiling glass allowing him a fantastic view of the James River. Asbury Associates had the entire top floor of the building, overlooking the downtown area as well as the river district and Shockoe Bottom, the most fashionable nightclub section of Richmond. He’d paid his dues, working twelve- to fifteen-hour days for over twenty years to get where he was. No wonder his marriage had crumbled.
Well, at least the divorce was final, and he could consider living again, instead of spending what little free time he had inside a courtroom. That is, if Catherine would stop hounding him for additional capital. To say she was bitter was the hugest understatement of the year. They both were, but he’d won the battle, curtailing her spending habits. He chuckled and grabbed his keys, heading out of his office, whistling as he walked down the expansive hall.
“Night, Mr. Asbury.”
“Good night, Sheila.
Have a great evening.”
“Are we still having that meeting in the morning, Dom?”
He stopped as Fred walked out of his office. His second in command certainly had a handle on the business, even thinking a step ahead of him. “We are indeed. And celebrations are in order.” He could tell Fred was surprised, given he was almost never in this good of a mood.
Dominick was well known as being tough, expecting absolute perfection from his staff. Granted, he paid well, but his expectations were off the chain. He couldn’t have accumulated his wealth or the amount of business if he hadn’t.
“Wow. You are in a good mood. Sounds fantastic. Don’t forget we need to finalize details for the Northern Virginia properties.” Fred grinned, tapped on the doorframe to his office, and walked back inside.
Dominick knew the man would be here for at least another two hours, if not more. He’d been that way eagerly once in his life. Now? He was searching for more. The ‘what’ he was having difficulty with. “I remember. You keep me on my toes.” Expanding had been his attorney’s idea and for once, he’d agreed with the man. His firm had purchased everything that seemed to matter in Richmond, turning shit into shining buildings, attracting new companies from other states. Asbury Associates was known as the player in town. He wanted more.
He tossed his jacket and briefcase into the trunk, rolled up his sleeves and loosened his tie before climbing into his Porsche, the one luxury he’d purchased after his divorce. Some would call his selection a midlife crisis. He maintained he was finally living for a change. They were decidedly different.
After grabbing his sunglasses, he let down the convertible top before taking off, heading in the direction of his best friend’s favorite bar. The quaint corner café and bar located in the Fan had been around for decades, serving locals from every walk of life. He found a parking spot given the early time only three blocks away, clicking the lock and alarm. The area wasn’t crime-ridden, but he was in no mood to deal with theft or the police. He chuckled at the thought as he strolled the few blocks. For the first time in years, he felt free to be able to do anything he wanted.