"What is your special skill?"
"I don't have any skills."
"Talent? Ability? Education?" Dorian wrinkled his forehead.
"No talent. I was privately tutored and did okay in math. And I speak a little French."
Dorian's frown deepened. "How old are you?"
"I just turned nineteen last week."
"What? I don't accept anyone here under twenty-one. Where is your file?"
"I don't have a file, Mr. Graye. I told you… I got here by accident."
"Send security here immediately," he growled into the intercom. "I want to know the name of the person who made contact with you. Speak up!"
"Please don't yell! I told you it was a mistake," Annie broke into frightened tears, finally explaining her entire story.
Silence filled the room after she had finished, and she watched, fearfully, as Dorian twirled a pen in his hand, his gaze set on the garden outside his window.
He held his hand up when Elias entered the study. "Hold on for a minute," he told the large man. Then, to her, "Do you have anywhere to go? Family? Friends?"
"No," Annie sniffed, accepting the box of tissues he offered her. "I have no one and don't know what to do. I'm scared."
"Calm down. We'll get this figured out. Elias? Run a background and get her paperwork situated. Keep her in the green section of the compound."
"You'll help me? Why?" She looked shocked.
"Because I'm a fool and have a soft spot in my heart for frightened women. I'm probably going to regret this, but I am going to give you a chance to earn a living. You will have all the benefits that I offer my other employees, but you will not be receiving the training. Are you any good with administrative work?"
"I'm really organized and I can learn. I'm also super good on the computer. Thank you so much, Mr. Graye, thank you! I promise to do my best and work hard."
"You'd better," he said with a half-smile. "Bad employees get spanked around here."
She reacted with a blush.
"After Elias is done running your ID, we can get you settled. I'm assuming you don't have a criminal record."
"No, sir."
"No history of drug or alcohol abuse? No bodies buried in the basement of your old house?"
"No, sir. I did steal a piece of bubble gum when I was eight. I felt so guilty that I went back to the store the next day and gave the owner a quarter."
"For shame!" Dorian laughed. "I'm going to put you in the civilian side of the facility so you don't get distracted. You are to report to me in the morning at nine and we'll get you situated in the company office."
Annie not only proved herself to be very reliable and dependable, but she also demonstrated the ability to remember little things that were important to Dorian—like how he preferred his coffee, and the type of music that helped him relax. She began to anticipate his needs without being asked. She scheduled massages and haircuts, had his suits pressed and shoes polished before meetings, and sent birthday cards and flowers to his contracted maids. He was so impressed with her ability as a secretary that, two months later, he promoted her to his personal assistant and introduced her to the secret life in the Manor.
Little by little, her desire to serve him grew more obvious. Having access to his private office allowed her to make certain that the newspaper was on the exact side that he reached for every morning, his pencils were sharpened for his crossword puzzle, and—most importantly—that there was coffee ready without his asking. She also began to mimic some of the moves and gestures that she had seen from the other maids, and he even caught her studying the special book of etiquette and manners that his maids were required to memorize. Her confidence grew under his care to the point that she ceased prying her eyes away from his unsettling gaze, even during a scolding.
Six months after Annie's arrival, Dorian added her to his training roster. She became Fifty, and the scared little girl of the past disappeared. Not once did she feel like another number, but like a unique and special entity. To her, 'Fifty' was a term of endearment, a nickname, and she never felt she was 'last' on Dorian's list.
Chapter Eight
"How does this feel?" Dorian asked, returning his thoughts to the present while pressing his hands gently into her muscles and rubbing in the ointment.
Fifty twisted her head to look at him. "It hurts. Master, you don't have to…"
"I don't want these bruises hardening on you. They will take weeks to disappear."
"How are we going to explain this to the bidders, Dorian?" One asked with concern. "Jamal has multiple females¸ so I am certain he would understand. Mr. Tin just wants someone to sit on his lap to cuddle, so I doubt he would be very upset. I can't say how Mr. Carmichael will react, since he is a new client. I'm just afraid that her chances have become severely limited because of this."
"I trust that our clients are good people and are seeking something beyond mere appearances. My only concern is that they might wrongly believe she causes conflict."
"Master Dorian? Would it be inappropriate for me to tell them what happened?"
"Do you want to do that?"
"Yes, sir." Fifty slowly sat up, trying to balance her body on her hip to avoid the tenderness of her bottom from her morning discipline and the new bruises from the fight. "It's the least I can do."
"I think she needs to rest," One opined.
"No, she's correct. I think it would be good for her to at least talk to Carmichael and allow him to see this side of her. The side we love." Dorian touched the girl's face, his thumb gently brushing over her bruised cheek. "I believe Mr. Carmichael was last seen in the orchid garden. Why don't you speak with him, and I will take care of the other two."
"Are you certain, Master?"
"Absolutely. Don't worry. Everything will work out."
"Yes, sir. May I leave?"
"Yes, darling." He waited until she'd departed before turning to his wife. "Aren't you the Domly one today? Care to explain?"
One shrugged, glancing down at her clothing. She had traded her uniform for a white cotton jumpsuit and red corset. Her red hair was pulled into a high, tight ponytail, and her lips were splashed with red gloss.
"Instinct? It is the Festival, and since I am not allowed to participate in the play, I might as well enjoy my position as the elusive Mrs. Graye."
Dorian wrapped his arms around her shoulders and drew her close for a kiss. "Elusive? Why do you say that?"
"Apparently, our guests are only aware of One, not of Meredith. I think it's time they see the other half of this wonderful arrangement, don't you?"
Dorian smirked, holding her at arm's length. "Are you saying that you're finally ready to come out as the Mistress of the Manor?"
"Yes. I think I am."
"I am so proud of you." He hugged her tightly. "I've been patiently waiting for this time."
"You're proud of me? Why?" Her face reddened with a flush of pleasure.
"I want the world to see that I not only produce the most incredible submissives ever seen, but that I have the most incredible wife and partner that any man could hope for. I knew you had this in you, Merry. I'm just thrilled you are letting everyone else see it. What made you change your mind?"
"The desire to blister the backsides of those girls who hurt our Fifty. It pissed me off. Dorian! What are you doing? Put your pants back on."
"No way. I'm going to have sex with Mistress Meredith, and then I am going to parade her around the compound and show off the Manor's first Domme."
Merry giggled as he peeled the clothing from her body. "Does this mean I get to spank you, now?"
"It does not."
"But you are going to label me as a Dominant, right?"
"Technically, a switch. But I am not a submissive, nor are you my Mistress. In fact," he tossed her on the bed and climbed on top of her, "in this room, you will always be my submissive. Outside of here, you are my equal."
"Really?" Merry looked excited. "Does that mean I can tell Elia
s what to do?"
He bit her shoulder. "You can try. But he won't listen to you now any more than he did as a kid."
"He didn't listen to anyone except you. He idolized you. Still does."
"Do you want to have sex, or talk about your big brother?"
Merry squealed as he sank his teeth into her side. "We really don't have time right now. Not if…" she groaned as he plunged his shaft into her, sinking himself into her body.
"You're mine," he proclaimed, lunging forward and pinning her onto the mattress. His hands held her wrists tightly in place, preventing her from moving from the uncomfortable position. With her backside on the edge of the bed and her legs forced apart with her feet on the floor, she had no choice but to accept his penetration. There was no physical foreplay, except for the biting, and she cooed with delight.
"Harder!" she demanded, tightening her confined fists. "Make me feel you!"
Dorian was not a small man in any sense, and he clenched his teeth as he speared her mercilessly with his rod. He never understood her love of forced entry or the pain it produced, but he happily obliged on the occasions that she was exceptionally deserving. He felt her body give way for him, accepting his invasion and responding by gripping muscles that milked his organ.
"You are so tight," he growled, pulling his cock out just to the tip and then slamming back into her again.
"Owww," she whispered hoarsely, "you're tearing me in half."
"You wish I was, baby," Dorian said with a grin. "The only thing that would make you happier would be if I had spikes on my cock."
"We could get—"
"No," he commanded. She squealed beneath him, her body tightening as she grew closer to orgasm. "You are not to cum. I am going to fill you up and make you carry me in you for the rest of the day."
"What?" Merry's eyes widened. "I can't cum? But you always make sure…"
"You heard me, Mistress Meredith." Dorian quickened his pace, his body straining and his breath raspy. "To the world, you will be the Domme. But behind closed doors, you are my One!" A wave of energy exploded from his body in the form of hot, thick juice that squirted in steamy pulses into her womb. He watched her face as she resisted her own response to the feel of the steaming jism tickling her soft insides. She had been so close!
He quickly withdrew, his glistening cock bobbing proudly against his belly. He had spared her the agony of having to hold back while he waited to relax inside of her. Merry's eyes opened, filled with surprise.
"Aw, come on, Dorian! This is torture!"
"The sadistic side of me wishes to thank you very much for the acknowledgment. Now get yourself dressed while I take a shower. No." He stopped her from following him. "I want you to be aware of my seed for the remainder of the day. No complaining, either."
"You are a cruel, cruel man," the woman said, wiping herself with a tissue. "What did I ever do to deserve you?"
"You introduced me to Elias. You have no one to blame but yourself." Dorian grinned mischievously.
"My fault?" Merry placed her hands on her waist, her swollen lips twisted to a half-smile. "If you hadn't been picking on me during recess, I would not have had to call my brother to come beat you up!"
Dorian laughed, stepping into the shower. "How did that work out for you? Especially after he found out that you instigated it?"
Merry plopped down on the stool outside the stall. "Not well. He spanked me when we got home. Next thing I knew, you were over, playing video games with him."
"What did your folks say about him spanking you?"
"They never knew. It wasn't the first time and, honestly, it was the only thing that really kept me out of mischief."
Dorian toweled himself dry, wrapped it around his waist and leaned against the wall. "I recall spanking you a few times myself once you got into high school."
"So do I," she said with a smile. "I did everything I could to provoke you, too. I just had to be careful that Elias didn't get his hands on my ass first. He wasn't fun, but you were."
"That's because you had a crush on me."
"Big time. I wanted to scratch the eyes out of the girls you dated, you know."
"I was a senior. Guys that age don't date freshman girls. Besides," he kissed her, "you were the envy of your senior prom when you brought a Cambridge man as your date."
"I was, wasn't I? You were so handsome and elegant. All I could think of was how I could get you to turn me over your knee and spank me until I couldn't sit. And how I could entice you to take my virginity. You were such a gentleman back then. What happened?"
"What do you mean, what happened? I'm still a gentleman."
"Oh, don't look so wounded!" Merry teased, smacking his damp arm. "A real gentleman would not leave a lady wanting, like you're doing to me right now."
"A real gentleman would not, this is true. But a sadistic gentleman who needs to remind his little submissive who commands her will do just that. And more, if she pushes him."
"More?"
"Don't get excited. I have many means of making a masochist suffer, my pet. Many, many things that would not be pleasant."
"Like what?" she asked in a seductive voice.
"Like forbidding the use of any instrument of pain, or pleasure, on your body. Starting with your Hitachi."
"Not my Hitachi! To take away a woman's magic wand is pure evil, Master Dorian Graye."
"I will then forbid you the indulgence of bubble baths…"
"No!"
"And chocolate."
"The horror! Please, no more!"
Dorian grinned sardonically as he loomed over her. "I will make you eat oatmeal, twice a day, without sugar or cream."
"Please, my love, stop!" Merry covered her mouth with her hands in feigned dismay.
"And you will be forbidden bare-bottom spankings indefinitely."
"I will surely die."
"No, you won't, because I forbid it. Hand me my pants, please."
"Here you go, darling. By the way, your socks don't match. Again."
***
They arrived, hand in hand, back at the arena, where the pony races were in full swing. Elias waved for them to join him and handed Merry his glass of lemonade.
"You looked a bit flushed, little sister," he observed. "Were you doing the naughty?"
"I wish. He withheld it from me!"
"Good for you, Dorian! It's not often we see the magnanimous One this flustered. So she finally came out, huh?" he commented, noticing the woman's attire.
"She did. I would like to incorporate her as a handler now. Allow her the responsibility of all the first years."
"Perfect. That will free me up to deal with the more difficult cases. Nice marks, by the way. What did those three do to earn the sjambok?"
"They ganged up against Fifty and made her ineligible for auction."
"You're shitting me! Why didn't you kick them out?" Elias' eyes blazed with anger.
"It was their first offense and their records have been excellent until now. I demoted them a year in training, denied Thirty-two right of auction this season, and have them working scullery indefinitely. Between Mrs. Lyon, you and One—I apologize dear, Mistress Graye—I am fairly certain they will never repeat that mistake again."
"Is Fifty all right?"
"She's got some ugly bruises that will take time to heal, including one on her face. She asked if she could speak with her auction assignments about the situation so they did not feel thwarted."
"That is not going to look good for us," Elias said with concern.
"I trust her. If anyone can make this right, it's Fifty."
"What are we going to do with her, then?"
"After she talks with the three prospective bidders, I will allow them the option of a private auction. They can view her without anyone else present. She was already grounded from the Festival, so her injuries should go fairly unnoticed by anyone."
Elias was quiet for a moment, pretending to study the twelve women in the arena who w
ere dressed in formal two-legged Show Pony regalia. Each wore floor-length horse-tail plugs that matched their hair color, and high black hoof boots that forced them to walk on the balls of their feet. All were naked under their elaborate tack of harnesses, bells, plumes, bits, and other decorative items.
"Dorian? I think we've grown enough to make another change to our system," he said absently, jotting down notes as he observed the prancing contest.
"What kind of change?"
"I've had several owners ask about a new selection of submissive. They want Graye Men."
"Interesting." Dorian pressed his lips together in thought. "I'm guessing it's the owners from the Pony Circuit?"
"Yes, and a few from House Management. They want butlers, not just maids."
"That is why we work closely with The Gentlemen's Club. They train formal man-servants."
"Yes, they do, but not in the way we do here."
"Would you be willing to take the position of Head Master for the men's training?"
"I would."
"Then let's do it. We will need a new facility. Set up time with Marilyn next week and draw up some ideas. We have plenty of useable acreage on the island, so choose an area you think might work."
"Really? No arguments?"
"Elias," Dorian turned to him, "I've known you since I was fifteen. I married your sister despite your protests, and you were forced into a partnership with me because I had the finances to make my dream come true. It's your turn. If you want this, I trust your judgment and will do what I can to make it happen."
"Thanks, bro."
"He gets a new facility and boys to play with, and I get my Hitachi taken away. Where's the fairness in that?"
"He took away your toy?"
"He threatened to."
Dorian laughed, hugging the both of them. "I love you two. I don't know what I would do without either of you."
"Me neither. First, you wouldn't have such a great spread like you do here," Elias grumbled.
"And you would be forever without matching socks."
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