by Wendi Zwaduk
“This is awkward.” Melissa threaded her arm around Adam’s. The diamond studs in her earlobes sparkled. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have left you alone with the three of them. Not all at the same time.”
“Actually, it was quite the learning experience.” Adam sighed. “Jordy, thanks. I owe you one. Corey, this is our exit and Gary…nice to meet you. I’ll do my best to measure up to your standards.” Whatever measuring stick Gary happened to be using. With Melissa’s hand in his, he strode out of the house. Christ. And he thought he’d actually ask Gary for her hand in marriage. Not quite. Good thing he’d mentioned something to Corey, who gave his hearty approval.
“You know, I think your dad was like that with me.” Katie shrugged. “It’s a hazing to enter the family, I guess.”
“I’ve dealt with worse. Mom’s sisters. Damn. All five of them.” Adam opened the car door. “Get them all in a room and you couldn’t hear a thing. Just bickering and name-calling.” He shook his head. Thinking about that slice of his past dredged up some odd feelings. He missed the days when he could rely on his family, but not the moments when everyone argued.
“Hopefully I’m never like that,” she said when he sat on the driver’s seat. Melissa placed her hand on his thigh. “Dad didn’t call you names. That’s a plus.”
“Bozo.” Adam shrugged. “He castigated your brothers for not keeping you away from me.”
“That’s a definite plus.” She laughed. “I thought tonight would suck. Chaperoning has never been fun, but I’m changing my mind.” She squeezed his leg. “How many dances did you go to?”
“Until now?” He pulled into the parking lot and wove around the lot until he reached the staff lot and parked. “Two. Both of my proms. One I went with a girl who wanted to go to say she went as a sophomore and my senior prom with a girl who liked me but wasn’t into me.” His past didn’t matter to him. He’d rather think about the red lipstick and how sexy she’d look on her knees with his cock in her mouth.
“They totally lost out.”
“I moved on to better.” He climbed out of the car and rounded the hood. Adam opened the door for her and offered his hand. “I’ve got the prettiest date here.” His hands shook. If all went according to plan, the moment the DJ announced the court, he’d sneak her off to his classroom.
The streamers fluttered from the rafters in the gymnasium and the glittering streamers threw rainbows of light across the massive room. Balloons arched over the doorways and five disco balls made patterns on the floor as they spun. His heart hammered in time with the pulsing beat of the dance music.
“This is great,” she shouted above the noise. A freestanding thirty-foot cardboard tower featured the names of the court members. “Looks like a studio back lot version of Paris.”
“It’s nice.” He wasn’t a connoisseur of dance themes and he didn’t know much about modern-day Paris. The décor was nice, but he preferred looking at her.
“Okay, so we behave and make sure they do too?” She nodded to the students beginning to fill the gym. She stood right in front of him and mouthed the words, “We’ve got the rest of the night to do whatever we want at home.”
“You bet.” How he was going to get through the rest of the night…he wasn’t sure. Adam focused on the students and willed his pulse to slow to normal. Soon he’d get to the part of the night where things would fall into place. Soon.
For the next two hours, he kept the dancers from getting too close and too sexual with each other. Melissa laughed and danced with him, taking his mind off the overload of hormones around him. Across the room, he noticed some of the other chaperones. One in particular caught his attention. Kevin McCombs. Trust the ass to be there. Sure, Kevin’s daughter was on the court, but still. The guy didn’t pay attention to his daughter. No, he watched Melissa like a hawk. Adam shook off his anxiety. Kevin wasn’t a threat. Just an annoyance.
Corey strolled past him and nodded, breaking the tension. The signal. Adam took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Hey, I’ve got to run to my classroom. Want to come along?”
She tugged him to the shadows in the corner of the room. “You mean you want to be alone with me? You want to pull me away from the hormone, glitter and rhinestone overload otherwise known as the dance?” Her eyes sparkled. “Yeah, I want to go.”
Adam threaded his fingers with hers and escorted her down the darkened hallway. He guided her around the gates to his classroom. When he peeked in, he noticed the stars glowing on the ceiling—just as he’d planned.
“Wow. You really decorated. Planning on adding an astronomy unit?” Melissa stopped short behind him. “Wait. Why do you have all these maps open? Planning a trip?”
Adam stuffed his hand in his pocket and palmed the flocked box. He noticed Corey and Katie standing behind her in the doorway. Thank God for chaperones with a great sense of timing.
“Missy, I can travel all over the world and seek out all sorts of history, but there’s only one name written on my heart.” Adam dropped to one knee and withdrew the box. Say the words you practiced. “You make me smile, laugh, want to be a better man. I’d be honored if you’d marry me.” He offered her the piece of jewelry. “Will you marry me?”
Melissa swayed on her feet. She folded her hands in front of her mouth and stared at the ring. The longer she stayed quiet, the harder his heart beat. He’d spent a month’s salary on the diamond. Not a huge rock, but she wasn’t one for anything flashy.
Behind Melissa, Katie’s eyes widened. She crossed her fingers. Corey nodded, as if he were trying to make the decision for Melissa.
“Honey, you have to answer me sometime.” Adam sighed. He should’ve seen this coming. He’d given in to the hope she’d come around. “This isn’t something I’m taking back. You own my heart and soul.” He closed the box. No backing down. He stared up at her. “Take all the time you need.” I’m not going anywhere. But his heart was breaking.
She stared at him for what seemed like forever. Yes? No? How the hell was he supposed to know?
“Yes, Adam. I will.” Melissa sank into his arms and tackled him in a bear hug. “Yes.” She sobbed against his shoulder. “Nowhere else I’d rather be than with you.”
“Thank you, God,” Corey said and clapped his hands. Tears slipped down Katie’s cheeks. “You thought you were alone for this? Oh, no.” Corey shook his head. “You’ve got to have a chaperone at all times. Gotta make sure there’s no hanky-panky here. Besides Katie wanted to see this moment.”
“You kept him waiting.” Katie clapped her hands. “Better be good to him later.”
“I hope so.” Adam slipped the ring onto Melissa’s finger. “I love you.”
Melissa didn’t answer him, but she did shift her hand so the diamond caught the light. The words were there. He felt them and he’d be right there waiting when she found the courage to say them out loud.
“We’d better get back in there. Three more songs and then the whole thing is over.” Corey draped his arm around Katie’s shoulders. “Thank you God, it won’t be long now. I hate these dances.”
Melissa sat on his lap a moment longer. “This was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.” She touched his cheek. “I’m honored to be your fiancée. You’re a good man and I’m glad you’re mine.”
Adam dropped his voice to a whisper. “Care to show me when we get home? I’m dying to peel that dress off your body and lick every inch of you.”
She kissed her way to his ear, then murmured, “Will you play with me, too? I’m craving your hand on my ass. I’ve been a very bad girl who needs a spanking.” She licked her lips, teasing him. “Very bad.”
“Yes, I will.” He helped her to her feet. Time to disclose the other surprise. “I’ve got a present for you at my place. You’re going to love it. Slinky.” He trailed his fingers down her arm. “Form-fitting and shiny.”
Her eyes lit up and she gripped his suit coat. “What is it? When can I see it?”
“As soon as we get home
.” The crowd in the gymnasium burst into applause, no doubt for the king and queen of the winter homecoming court. Still, they could imagine the people at the dance were applauding the engagement. “We need to make one last appearance in the gym before we go.”
“You’re making waiting so hard.” She slipped her hand into his. “Good thing I like waiting.”
Chapter Eleven
Melissa couldn’t contain her excitement. Engaged. Holy shit. She stared at the diamond. He wanted her. God only knew why after the hell she’d put him through. Still…he believed they could make things work, so she’d give him her best. She followed him to his apartment door.
“Close your eyes.” He slipped her hand into his. “I promise this will be great.”
“I’m all yours.” Truer words hadn’t been spoken. Her heart fluttered as she closed her eyes and allowed him to walk her into the apartment. She breathed in deep, taking in the scents around her. Flowers. Furniture polish. Hmm. What was he up to? The door clicked behind her. She counted the steps in an attempt to figure out where he was taking her in the apartment. Another click. The bedroom door?
“Ready?” Adam let go of her hand. “Open.”
She blinked in the light. The bedroom didn’t look any different than before, but a large black cardboard box lay among the blankets.
“What’s this?” She touched the edge of the box.
“Your present.” Adam stood beside her, his palms on her shoulders. “Open it, put it on and I’ll be right back.”
“What?” She glanced back at his retreating form. He left her alone in the bedroom with the box. He’d given her the best presents already—the engagement ring and his love. What more could she want? She lifted the lid and gasped. A latex dress, just like she wanted, in black. She had no idea what play he’d want to do with such a simple halter dress and she didn’t care. She loved the garment. They were custom made. How’d he get her measurements? Did it matter? Not really. She shucked the semi-formal gown in favor of the shorter dress.
Melissa peeked over her shoulder at the closed door. Latex wasn’t forgiving. Any bump or ripple of other clothing would be noticeable. She bit her bottom lip, then popped the catch on her strapless bra. Cool air kissed her nipples and she suppressed a moan. Part of her wanted to touch herself. The rest of her wanted to get into that slinky dress.
She picked up the shiny material and breathed in the tangy scent. A small bottle plopped to the floor. He’d remembered the talcum powder. A tiny whimper escaped her throat. Careful not to get the powder on the shiny part of the dress, she smoothed the white dust over her body. Each touch sent prickles through her system. She unzipped the delicate zipper at the back, then stepped into the clingy dress.
“Wow.” She loved the way the material conformed to her body like a second skin. Tight, but she could breathe with ease. She pressed her knees together. Her juices coated her pussy lips. Just wearing the garment made her wet. She eased the skirt up past her hips, then wriggled out of her panties. Perfect. She dragged her hands over her body. Her nipples peaked as she smoothed the form-fitting skirt back into place.
Being bound, but free and so racy without showing a ton of skin was what she wanted. She stepped into her heels, then knocked on the bedroom door.
“Adam?” When he didn’t answer, she strained to hear him outside of the room. “Adam?”
The door opened and Adam, dressed in his suit, grinned. “Ah, Miss Murphy. You’re right on time.” He held the door for her. “I’m so glad you came back for the second interview. Please, come into my office.”
She fought back the urge to squeal and clap her hands. An office role play scenario. Sweet! She laced her fingers together. “Thank you, Mr. Pallas.” She eased past him, making sure to brush against his groin along the way.
“Have a seat.” He placed his hand at the small of her back. “First, I must be clear. Do you wish to be here?”
“I do, sir.” She swept her gaze over the room. He’d moved the dining room table away from the wall and placed one of the chairs behind it. A white blotter with a calendar and his phone sat on one side of the table. A black candlestick lamp she’d never seen illuminated the space. An array of pens and pencils scattered over the oak table top.
Instead of sitting, she waited for his next command.
“Very good.” He eased onto the chair. “Do you wish to play? Tell me your word.”
“I do wish to play.” She smiled. “Waterfall is my word, but I don’t need to use it.”
“Perfect.” Adam folded his hands and leaned forward, his elbows on the desk top. “I require a lot from my workforce. You will obey commands, listen, submit and sit on my lap when requested.” He paused, then added, “You must also accept punishments when I deem them appropriate. Is that clear?”
“Very clear, Mr. Pallas. I accept.” Giving him the control suited her. She liked holding all the cards any other time, but being with Adam when he took the reins relieved her. He turned her on in so many ways.
“Good. For your first job, I’ll need you to take dictation.”
“Yes, sir.” She shimmied around the desk and picked up a pen. Before she could snatch a piece of paper, he patted her ass.
“Terrible. You’re moving too slow. Time is money.” He patted her bottom again. “And you’ve violated the dress code. That’s a punishment.”
“Yes, sir. I should be trained personally.” She barely contained her giddiness. Oh, just to feel his hand swatting her…euphoria.
Adam scooted his chair away from the table, then spread his feet a bit. “Let me look at you.” His gaze roved over her. “That’s very tight. Definitely not work appropriate.” He patted his thighs. “I want you across my lap. Ass in the air.”
Without a word, she rested on her belly. Melissa balanced herself on her toes and hands.
Adam smoothed his fingertips over her butt. “This is very soft.” His touch sent shivers down her spine. So delicate, but she knew the force he could wield. She bit back a moan. The latex constricted around her body.
“You should be punished.” He flattened his palm on her ass, then struck. The crack echoed in the room, but the pain-filled pleasure took over her senses. The latex upped the sting factor.
“Thank you, Mr. Pallas. I deserve another.” She splayed her hands on the floor. She craved him. Adam rewarded her with three more spankings.
“This dress is very short. I don’t know if the others in the office will be able to concentrate.” He swatted her again, then pinched her ass. “Or I should make you wear something ass-less.”
“I’d like that, Mr. Pallas. Thank you.” She shifted, rubbing her pussy on his upper thigh. Just a little touch to take the edge off. The skirt kept her legs together, but the pressure added to her delight.
“Don’t you dare hump my leg.” He swatted her harder. “Stand.”
The curt tone in his voice pleased her. Melissa scampered to her feet. Being upside down had pushed her breasts high in the bodice of the dress. With the zipper only reaching the small of her back, he’d be able to move the straps down and play. Would he? She clasped her hands behind her.
“What did I do wrong?” She stuck out her bottom lip.
“You liked that punishment a bit too much.” Adam drummed his fingers on the desk. “I’m not sure you’re going to work out.”
“Oh, no, sir. I need this job. I’m willing to work. However you want me to, I’ll do it.” She batted her lashes. “Please?”
“How are you going to convince me?” He swiped his arm across the desk, sending the items except for the lamp tumbling to the ground. “On my desk.” He stood and folded his arms. “You do want the job, correct?”
“Yes, I do.” She hoisted herself onto the oak surface with her hands. The skirt stuck to the polish, making maneuvering almost impossible.
“Nice.” Adam parted her legs. “Where should I start?” He hooked his fingers into the straps of the dress, then tugged. “I do need to analyze my personnel.” He
moved the straps down her arms until he bared her breasts. The latex pinned her upper arms tight to her torso.
Hunger shone in his eyes. “So tight.” Adam grinned. “Added bonus.”
“Yes, Mr. Pallas. I like the attention.”
“Good.” He buried his face in her chest, nipping and licking her heated skin. She shivered and bit her bottom lip hard. He flattened his tongue on her nipple, then bit. Melissa moaned.
“Mr. Pallas,” she whispered. She wanted to thrust her fingers into his hair and show her appreciation. “Take whatever you want from me.”
Adam stopped kissing her chest and sat back on his seat. “Stand and strip. I want to inspect every inch of you.”
“Yes, Mr. Pallas.” With his help, she scooted off the table top. She turned her back to him and glanced over her shoulder. “Will you help me, please?”
Hell yes, he’d help her. Being in control was great, but he wanted to worship every inch of her sexy, delectable body. He eased the zipper to the edge of the dress. The globes of her ass shone bright red from his spankings.
“Turn around.” He swatted her hip. “Take that off.”
Melissa blushed and eased the tight garment past her hips. The glitter from her body makeup caught the light. The dress plopped to her feet, leaving her in nothing but the heels. God, she was beautiful. Like a living statue or a goddess.
“You’ve taken direction well. You respond well to my cues and have impressed me.” He stood. “You deserve a reward.” Adam scooped her into his arms. “In a moment.” In long strides, he carried her to the bedroom. He placed her on her feet. “Undress me.”
“Yes, sir.” Melissa kissed his neck and unfastened each button. One by one, the buttons popped free. She moved the open shirt aside and licked her way down his chest.
Adam groaned and smoothed his fingers through her hair. The scent of her perfume curled around him. The air over his body chilled the fever running rampant in his veins.