Love Hurts

by Dinah McLeod

  "Well," he drew the word out, running a finger down my shoulder. "That's what the safe word is for, sweetheart."

  Chapter 5

  After he explained the “safe word” to me, I shyly leaned over and whispered one in his ear, brushing his lobe with my lips. He arched an eyebrow and chuckled, but I hadn’t changed my mind. And somehow, after all that, I found myself lying on his bed waiting in eager anticipation. Well, one part eager, two parts terrified.

  Why was I doing this? I kept going over and over it in my head and the only thing I could come up with was that I was curious. Brandon promised that he could take me away from all my worries and frustrations if I just listened to him, if I just did what he told me to. Both were going to be hard for me, I knew that, but Brandon made me want to try, for reasons I couldn’t even name.

  Where had the man even gone? I wondered, looking around the room. The walls of his bedroom were painted a gray-blue with white trim paneling and the bed I was lying on was a dark cherry four-poster. It wasn’t, I reflected, like the rooms of most of the guys I’d dated, which was evidenced mainly in the absence of sports paraphernalia adorning the walls and the lack of dirty laundry on the floor.

  Just as I was sitting up, Brandon came back into the room carrying a few different things in his hands. I tried to get a better look at what he had but the stern look on his face drew my focus.

  “Didn’t I tell you to stay on the bed?”

  “Yeah, but—”

  “I’m sorry? That’s ‘yes, sir.’”

  I stuck my lower lip out in a pout, but answered dutifully, “Yes, Sir.”

  “And you were leaving because?”

  “Um…” I bit my lip, trying to think of a suitable answer. “I didn’t know where you were.”

  “If you had gotten up, I wouldn’t have known where you were.”

  I pouted even more at his logic, but before I could say so he walked around to where I lay and loomed over me. “I think now is the perfect time to set some ground rules.”

  I nodded, feeling my breath catch in my throat as I looked up at him. He looked so amazing in his blue Oxford button-down. It really brought out his tan complexion and accentuated the deep blue of his eyes. The dark sweep of hair on his forehead looked inviting. I wanted to reach out and touch it, but I hesitated. Was touching allowed?

  “Karen?”

  “Yes?”

  He cleared his throat with a gleam in his eye. “Should that be a ‘Yes, Sir?’”

  God, I loved the deep quality of his voice. It sent shivers up my spine whenever he opened his mouth—especially if he was being a bit firm, like now. “Yes, Sir.”

  He leaned over me, his lips stretched into a sexy grin. “Do you have any idea how much I love hearing you say that?”

  “No, Sir,” I giggled as I replied.

  “Hmm. Sit up, please.”

  So I did, swinging my legs around to dangle off the bed. Brandon sat beside me and the intensity of the gaze he turned on me made me blush. How did he make me feel so positively virginal? It had to be the way he looked at me—like I was the only girl in the world that meant anything to him. It wasn’t a way I was used to getting looked at, but I was more than happy to adjust. It was only for a little while, anyway. We’d have a little fun and then we would both go back to our normal lives.

  “I think it would be good to discuss what our expectations are and our goals.”

  My lips curved into a smile as I asked, “We have to have goals?”

  “I thought this stuff would be a normal day at the office for you,” he teased, and I laughed.

  “It’s nothing I’ve ever done before,” I admitted.

  “I think most things in life go better if you know in the beginning what you’re looking for, what you expect. I find that to be true in relationships, too.”

  “So if I said I expected you to send me off to work every day with a cup of chocolate-cinnamon coffee, you’d do it?”

  “We could discuss it.”

  “Oh-ho!” I exclaimed. “So, is everything you expect also up for discussion?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact.”

  I couldn’t help but detect the faintest note of warning in his voice, which became even more evident when he said, “Please, watch your tone.”

  I grinned wickedly. Now that the pain in my bottom had begun to ebb a bit I was feeling bolder. “So, no getting under your skin? Is that a rule?”

  I could see by the seriousness on his face that I was pushing it, but despite my all-too-recent experience with the flat side of his heavy palm, I wanted to see what this man was made of. I was used to dealing with men that always folded and deferred to my judgment—I wanted to see how different he really was. Yes, maybe he was right; maybe I was in need of someone to keep me in line from time to time.

  “No, it’s not a rule, Karen. Respect is the rule. We should always treat each other with respect, even if we disagree, even if we’re mad.”

  I took in his stern eyes and no-nonsense voice and nodded. I didn’t want to push too hard just yet. “Yes, Sir.”

  “And that’s another thing. Now, normally I am pretty relaxed about the whole ‘sir’ thing, but I think in your case it would help you get in the right mind frame. So for now while we’re together I’m ‘Sir’. Got it?”

  I arched an eyebrow. His voice wasn’t assuming, even if his words were, and he seemed so calm, so assured that it took me back. No man ever talked to me like this. “Is that agreeable, Sweetheart?”

  “Yes, Sir,” I told him, because then again, no other man called me sweetheart in that soft, sexy voice either. “Respect and calling you sir. Anything else?”

  “I want you to be nicer.”

  I tried to stop the smirk that came to my lips, but I couldn’t help it. Hell, it was practically my favorite facial expression. “To whom?”

  “Everyone.”

  A giggle escaped me as hard as I tried to look serious. “Okay, look,” I began, pleading my case before he even started; I could already see the muscle at his jaw twitching. “It’s not that I’m mean, I just take care of business. Sometimes people don’t see it that way, but…” I trailed off when I realized that he wasn’t budging.

  “Our little conversation earlier didn’t make much of an impression, did it?”

  “What? I just—”

  “This morning, were you just taking care of business?”

  “Well…” I spluttered before defiance reared its ugly head. “Yeah, I was!”

  “I see.” He went quiet, staring at me with neither warmth nor malice, watching me as I began to squirm.

  I met his eyes without flinching. I was used to stare-downs; I could do it in my sleep. Unfortunately, the longer we went without talking, the more I began to think about his question. The more I thought of it, the guiltier I felt. Of course, I hadn’t known when I’d met him this morning that I would ever see him again, but I didn’t think that point was likely to win me any points. “Okay, fine!” I relented. “You’re right. I was a little over-zealous.”

  “Is that what they call it at Dusty Records?”

  Only when I do it, I thought, but stubbornly remained silent. I’d admitted he was right—wasn’t that enough of a concession for one day? “I will be nicer,” I said at last, begrudgingly at that.

  “Not just to me,” he added. “I want you to be nicer to everyone you meet. From the newspaper delivery to the woman at Starbucks who makes your coffee.”

  “But that woman is an idiot!” I burst out. “She always gives me extra foam when I specifically tell her—” I broke off in mid-sentence to glower at him. “Why?”

  “Karma, baby,” he said with a wink. “That, and I’m not going to date a girl while people are drawing up plans to have her assassinated.”

  “What?”

  “I’m wasn’t sure before, but know I can say with certainty that the barista is in on it. The extra foam thing is a clear give-away.”

  “No, I mean… are we dating?” />
  Brandon eyed me thoughtfully for a minute. “I’d like to see where it goes. I do like you, Karen, but I’m going to be honest. I won’t put up with disrespect or outright cruelty.”

  I considered his words for a moment before nodding my agreement. “Okay. I mean, yes, Sir.”

  “No more cursing—”

  I vented my frustration with an agitated cry, “You are killing me here, Brandon. The next thing you’ll be saying that I can’t flip off cabbies.” Before he could answer, I leveled him with an agitated stare. “Do not take that away from me.”

  “I hate to be the one to point it out to you, honey, but that sort of falls into the being nice thing we just talked about which you already agreed to.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Just one more thing, for now. Stay safe. Your safety is my number one priority, which means it should be yours, too. I’m going to be extremely careful with anything we do. No more driving like I saw today, understand? No peeling out of parking lots and no speeding.”

  “Yes, Sir,” I replied, as sweetly as I could manage.

  “I’m very serious about this, Karen. If I find out you’re endangering yourself in any way, I’ll bring that hairbrush back out, do you understand me?”

  I nodded solemnly, my cheeks flushing at the suggestion. To my surprise, I found that my blush had less to do with embarrassment and more to do with a sudden flutter of excitement that simultaneously shocked me and made my panties dampen.

  “It’s decided then. Is there anything you want to bring to the table to talk about?”

  I was still puzzling over the strange reaction I’d had when he’d threatened to spank me again. Not trusting myself to speak, I shook my head. The paddling he’d just given me had been so painful you would have thought I would have hit the door running at the mention of another one. So why hadn’t I?

  “Do you want to be submissive to me, Karen?”

  I felt a tingle run up and down my spine at the question. “I think so.” God, looking into his expressive, warm face, at those big, broad shoulders and I was almost ready to promise him anything. “I want to try.”

  “In that case, I want you to lie back and spread your legs.”

  Chapter 6

  For the first time in my life, I didn’t hesitate to follow an order. I did exactly as he instructed, my heart pounding hard against my rib cage. I hadn’t expected sex to come so fast, but I didn’t need to think about whether or not I was willing. My body had been tense and ready since he’d first told me to apologize this morning. It was so hard to believe that had only been hours ago.

  “Close your eyes,” he told me, and I dutifully obeyed him.

  I waited, trying to breathe deeply to calm my racing pulse. The harder I tried, the more excited I became. My entire body was tingling, every inch of flesh crying out for his attention. The next thing I felt was a soft, cool piece of silk being placed over my eyes. “What?” I gasped.

  “Shh. Take it easy.” The calm in his voice reassured me and I let myself relax. As soon as I did, I felt him sit down on the bed. “You’re being such a good girl,” he murmured.

  Just as soon as the words left his mouth, I felt something tickle my skin. It was light and soft, but my body was so revved up the slightest contact with my skin made me gasp. It trailed down my bare shoulder, sweeping over my throat. I arched my back, trying to encourage some of his attention to fall on my stiffened nipples.

  Unfortunately for me, Brandon had other ideas and instead the caress traveled to my other shoulder and down my arms. “How does that feel?”

  “Mmm,” I sighed happily. “Good.”

  “Just good? Let’s see what I can do to improve that.”

  I felt his weight shift on the bed, and the next thing I knew, I could feel him lying beside me. My breath caught in my throat without him even touching me. Feeling his nearness like heat from a furnace was enough. I turned toward him, my breath coming in shallow gasps. How could he make me feel so excited without having even touched me?

  “I love your hair,” he said and the next thing I knew, I felt his fingers stroking the silky strands.

  “Take off the blindfold,” I breathed. “I want to look at you.”

  “Is that the proper way to address me?”

  His voice was more playful than stern and I had to fight back a giggle. “No, Sir.”

  “You know what this means, don’t you?” He stroked my cheek as he asked and I found that I couldn’t speak. “I have to punish you and so soon.” He tsked his tongue softly.

  I gulped before asking, “Another spanking?”

  “Hmm…” His fingers slid down my cheek and over my parted lips. “I don’t think so. I think I’m going to leave that blindfold on and have you keep your hands at your sides. No touching, no matter what. Do you understand?”

  “I understand.” I let out a loud whimper when I felt a stinging spank land on my bottom.

  “What was that?”

  “Yes, I understand, Sir,” I replied, my lip trembling. Every nerve in my body had come alive when he put that blindfold over my eyes, which led to every caress being more sensual and every spank even more painful.

  “Good girl. Remember that now.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  I was rewarded for my obedience with a gentle kiss pressed against my lips that ended so quickly I wondered if I’d imagined it. Before I could protest and beg for more, I felt his big, warm hands slide down my dress until he was holding on to my hips. Then he moved a hand over my belly, letting it rest there for a minute before sliding it up, inch by inch. I was practically panting as I waited to see what he would do next. With every inch of untouched skin that his fingers claimed, I felt myself clamoring for him to take me completely.

  When a finger grazed over my nipple I thought I might orgasm on the spot. Without thinking, I raised my hands, desperate to touch him. I felt the bed shift as he maneuvered away from me, and I let out a frustrated groan.

  “We said no matter what,” he reminded me. “Be still or I’m going to stop.”

  I nodded, holding my breath until I felt the bed move with his added weight. I didn’t fully exhale until I felt his fingers on my breasts and then it came rushing out in a cry of desire as I arched my back. Brandon obliged by pinching my nipple and rubbing it between his fingers until he had me purring like cat. His other hand kneaded my breast until he’d set my skin on fire. When I felt his teeth gently graze my nipple, keenly felt even through the fabric of my dress, I shuddered, holding back my desire.

  “Don’t,” he whispered and I didn’t have to ask what he meant. He had to know that I was fighting to obey him with everything I had, even though I was dying to touch him. I wanted to run my fingers through his brown hair, I wanted to tear open his shirt, sending buttons flying so that I could drag my fingernails down the smooth skin of his back. Just the thought had me salivating.

  I wasn’t a patient person by a long shot; I was used to getting what I wanted fast and if there was going to be a delay I found out why. I’d never known what torture it was to be held at the mercy of another person and part of me hated it while the other part found it deliciously thrilling.

  “What do you think so far?” Brandon asked as he stroked my collarbone with his tongue.

  “It’s kind of kinky, isn’t it?”

  When he laughed, it filled the room. “Not by a long shot, sweetheart. I could show you kinky, if you want.”

  “Do I get to take the blindfold off?”

  “Only if I get to tie you down.”

  I gasped in surprise, but the only answer I could offer was a little breathy whimper that escaped my lips.

  “Does my naughty girl like that idea?”

  “I don’t know, Bra—Sir.”

  “Have you ever been tied up before, Karen?”

  “No, Sir.”

  “I think you might like it. It’s very liberating.”

  “For whom?” I giggled nervously.

  I felt the di
stinctive warmth on my face as he leaned in closer. “For both of us, I would think.”

  “When do I get to touch you, Sir?”

  “We’ll see how good you do, honey. Do I have your permission?”

  I licked my lips and slowly nodded, though not without trepidation. This must be why he told me to spread my legs, I thought, realization dawning. He was hoping for this all along. I knew I should be angry, or at the very least, irritated that he’d planned this, but my quick temper seemed to have deserted me for the time being.

  “Just be still and this won’t hurt.”

  That sounded promising and when he took hold of my ankle and slipped something around it, I found it really didn’t hurt at all. I stayed very still while he moved around the bed to my other foot, and then up to the headboard for my hands.

  “You’re doing so well,” he praised and I felt myself smiling at the compliment.

  “Aren’t you going to—” I was in mid-sentence when he slipped the blindfold off my eyes. I blinked in the sudden light, even though he’d dimmed it.

  “These next few days are going to be about trust, Karen. Trust and obedience. Do you think you can do that?”

  I was still blinking, trying to make the shape of his face less fuzzy. The truth was, I wasn’t sure I could. I was used to giving orders, not following them. Was it too much to expect that I could change and in such a short amount of time? When my focus cleared and I saw his face looming above me, I felt my heart flutter. Those gorgeous blue eyes were looking at me with such intensity that I felt captivated. Something about him made me want to promise anything, even when I wasn’t sure I could deliver. I fought the urge and replied honestly. “I’m not sure, Sir.”

  He seemed pleased by my answer. “That’s all right. Just do your best and we’ll work through the kinks.”

  I laughed at him and soon he joined in. I couldn’t believe I was laughing over a joke while tied down to a four-poster bed, which made me giggle all the more. If the men at the office could see me now! God knows they’d all like to step in and take a few whacks at me with that hairbrush of his.