Taking Courage

by S. J. Maylee

  He arrived at her side of the table in time to stand toe to toe with her when she rose.

  “Do you need something, Simon?”

  “You're good at this.” She deserved the compliment, regardless of her prior bad act. He couldn't decide what to make of her. She had done well here, and he'd admit she'd done well in their scene. If only she hadn't shown her ability to deceive. She wasn't right for him, but she was a natural submissive. He could at least advise her how to move forward.

  “Thanks.” She looked shocked.

  “Do you still need a Dom for Friday night?”

  “Yes, I do.” Her eyes widened a tad.

  “Ask Keller for Charlie's number.”

  She sat back down at her laptop, an edge of irritation clear in the way she abused the keys. He was being nice. There was no reason for her to be hostile.

  “Charlie's the Domme at the club responsible for the trainees.”

  Her fingers stilled, but she didn't look at him. “I have Charlie's number, but thank you. Don't you still train subs?”

  “I do sometimes.” Surprise warred with his opinion of her all over again. He had called her out on her deceit. She had to know by now he wouldn't let her get away with it again.

  “Would you...” She remained still. Her fingers hovered over the laptop.

  “Would I what? Consider training you?” He knew he should say no.

  She peeked at him from under her eyelashes with the question dangling on her lips.

  “If you want me to train you, you are going to have to ask.” He waited for a bit. When she didn't speak, he walked to the door. Smart girl. She’d probably thought better of asking him. She was better off with someone Charlie could find for her. He shoved off the ache the thought gave him.

  “Would you train me, Sir?”

  He turned to examine her. Every time he thought he had her pegged, she surprised him. Who was this woman? Could he train her? Could he really get past what she did? Her actions were nothing like Kelly's, and he shouldn’t punish her for someone else's crime.

  Her eyebrows squished together, and her shoulders were all stiff. They'd need to work on her nerves first.

  “Stand up.” In a couple easy strides he was close enough to take hold of her nape and tilt her head back. “I’ll train you, but the first sign of a lie and that’s it.”

  “I understand, Sir.”

  “You will need to be at the club on Fridays while you're training.” He tightened his grip.

  “I'll definitely be there. Do I have to wait until then?” For a new sub, she wasn't having a problem keeping eye contact.

  “You don't want to wait?”

  “No, Sir. I've waited long enough to understand, and the anticipation is killing me.”

  “Okay then. We can get started tonight. We'll start small and see how it goes. I don't want to interrupt your work day, but there are things you can do to prepare yourself for our scenes on Fridays. Also, it's important for you to understand quite a few of our fellow employees are members of the club, but rest assured I will not be discussing your training with them at breaks. Your training is not their business.”

  “I trust you, Sir.” Her eyes drank him in, feeding his desire to dominate her.

  “You do?”

  “Yes, Sir. I also respect you for holding me accountable for my misstep.”

  “Thank you. Well, this is a good place to begin.” He let her go, took a couple steps back, and folded his arms across his chest. “I have a few ground rules. Are you ready?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “First, no more panties.”

  “At the club?”

  “Anywhere. Since you don't want to wait, while you are my trainee, I want you as aware of your body as possible. Your panties are an unnecessary barrier.” Holding the attention of a willing submissive was like a drug to Simon. Her gaze told of her concentration, but it was her sweet musk filling the air that would do him in. “Take care of your things here, then remove those panties, and get your ass to my office. You have five minutes.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  He strode from the room, high on the possibilities. But, once out the door, doubt crept in. He had a safety net. She would only be his trainee. It was a safeguard he would utilize. Skepticism continued its steady incline.

  Maybe he wasn't ready to take on the responsibility.

  Once back in his office, he paced back and forth in front of the window. That damn ravine wasn't calming the edge of worry ticking at him like an alarm clock ready to blow. A knock at the door stopped him in his tracks. It couldn't have been five minutes already.

  “Hey, Simon.”

  “What do you want, Jake?” Just what he didn't want, a conversation with his happy buddy.

  “I heard from Keller there's a new sub working here. Do you know her?”

  “No.” He sure as hell did not know Janna. She confused the dickens out of him, and he wanted to fuck her senseless for it.

  “Simon, what has you so rattled?”

  “Sorry.” He stopped pacing, blew out a breath, and sank into his chair. “I was taken by surprise today.”

  “Anything I can do to help?”

  “You just did.” He needed to remember Janna and Kelly were two different women. Just because Janna had lied her way into her first scene, she hadn't continue to lie like Kelly. “I think I just took on a trainee.”

  “Really?” His buddy had a shit-eating grin on his face.

  “Did Keller send you in here to check on me?”

  “I'm pleading the fifth for the man only because he was right about Lydia.”

  “You could have warned me.” Keller and his matchmaking were famous around the office, even if he did deny his efforts. Jake and Lydia were his latest achievement. Simon never would have guessed he would have been next on Keller's radar.

  “Not a chance.” Jake sat down in Simon's guest chair. The one he'd spanked Janna in earlier. “I did tell Keller you weren't ready though.”

  “Definitely not ready for this one.” Simon took a deep breath.

  “I haven’t asked you about Kelly lately. Thought after our last discussion it was best to give you space, but maybe that wasn’t the right decision.”

  “I should have come to you.” Simon rubbed his chest. “I am thankful for your advice. After I thought about it for a few days, I realized you were right. I wrote to Kelly’s husband, apologized, and told him how to get a hold of me if he ever wanted to talk.”

  “Did you ever hear from him?”

  “I did. He called a couple weeks ago. They’ve decided to move, make a fresh start.”

  “She’s lucky he’s not asking for a divorce.”

  “That still might happen. I gave him Charlie’s number. Told him she could help them find a couples’ therapist that specialized in BDSM.” His pulse kicked up. “She is lucky though. It’s clear her husband loves her.”

  “Maybe you are ready for this new sub.”

  “Ha! I think Keller is finally going to lose one.” Simon got up and waved his friend to the door. Janna would be here soon, and he didn't want her crossing paths with Jake just yet. “I might have agreed to train her, but that will be as far as it goes.”

  “Sure, just keep telling yourself that. Remember, you don't like liars, so don't start lying to yourself.”

  “Get out of here, Jake.” He gave his pal a smack on the back for his wise and once again needed advice. “I'm expecting someone.”

  “Keller said she's the reason you missed our collaring ceremony a few weeks ago.”

  “Don't remind me.”

  “Can I meet her?”

  “You will soon enough. Now, get out.”

  “You can hide her until Friday, and then I'll know. Everyone will know.”

  Chapter Four

  Janna kept her calm on the walk back to her office. She set her things down on her desk and quietly shut her door. Jumping up and down might have been a little girl's move, but she was giddy. He’d agreed to
train her.

  Her new life couldn't be going better. Finally she felt like she'd broken free from the chains. Power surged through her. She didn't have to worry about her father watching over her shoulder every day and second guessing her decisions. She was making her own choices and leading herself down the path she wanted.

  She leaned against the door and let the smile spread through to her fingers and toes.

  She wouldn't be detoured. Her first team meeting had gone smoothly. She’d proved she could support them. Of course, she didn't know what she didn't know. She needed to double back on her notes to make sure she hadn't missed anything.

  Her cell danced and rang on her desk to her father's favorite tune. Ironically it was Chicago's “25 or 6 to 4.” Memories of easy Sunday drives to visit her grandparents flew through her thoughts.

  “Hi, Dad.”

  “Hello. I wanted to see how your first day was. Make sure you aren't in over your head.”

  “It went great.” Her father sure knew how to give her good memories a clean side swipe.

  “Oh.”

  “I've already had my first team meeting, and everyone is really nice.” She tossed her pen across her desk. “I'm actually late now for my next meeting.”

  “They're keeping you late already?”

  “Dad.”

  “You do know I can find a better job for you if you decide to come back home?”

  “Dad.” She bit her tongue and remembered the promise she’d made her mom.

  “If you come home, we can spend a week together in Italy like we talked about.”

  “I like Chicago. Thanks for checking on me, but I really better be going.” She didn’t need his fancy trips. She needed her own life.

  “Okay, Okay. I just never thought you'd leave us.”

  “Talk to you later, Dad.”

  She set her phone down and took a deep breath. Her father’s smothering ways weren’t going to change. Fortunately, he hadn’t come to Chicago to force her hand. Her mother advised her not to antagonize him. Keeping their conversations short might be the key.

  Janna checked her watch. She only had a minute to complete her orders and get back to Simon. She yanked her panties off, stuffed them in her purse, and made her way to Simon’s office.

  She stopped at his door and watched him. The only sign of tension in his large frame appeared in the crease between his eyes. With his hand on the mouse, his sights were on the monitor in front of him. His lips appeared relaxed. She wanted to run her finger along them and find out for herself what they felt like. Were they strong and silky at the same time, much like the man himself? In another minute, he'd notice her and his closely guarded features would return.

  “Stop lurking there. I sense you watching me.”

  Damn, does he miss nothing?

  “Sit. I need to set a couple ground rules, and then you need to get back to work.”

  He watched her like a morsel he wanted to tear into. She felt moisture gather in a couple different places marking her heat.

  “Before we make another go at the club this Friday, I wanted to make sure we were on the same page.”

  “I need to thank you again, Sir, for taking me on after our first scene.”

  “You might not want to thank me after you hear my ground rules.” He adjusted his posture and looked at her straight on. “After punishing you, I've found forgiveness, but if there’s a next time, I won’t be so tolerant.”

  “No, Sir, we wouldn't want that.” She fought the scowl nagging at her. No one would let her forget her mistakes. Here she'd just met him and he was already reminding her of her wrongdoings. At least he didn't have her full list.

  “Keep up the attitude and I'll put you back over my knee.”

  “Sorry, Sir.”

  “Better. You do well when you remember your place. In fact, I'm quite impressed with how much you've learned without firsthand experience.”

  “Thank you, Sir.” Maybe she'd been too quick to jump to conclusions. Hard to earn praise seeped into her. Her extensive studies were keeping her in the door, giving reason to be grateful for her ferocious need to read.

  “Have you followed my first request?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “The only place you are allowed to forgo the formality of calling me Sir is during the work day, when we are not alone.”

  “That seems reasonable, Sir.”

  “I had Charlie send over your limit list, and I've just refreshed my memory on your hard limits. Anal sex is a soft limit, correct?”

  “Yes, Sir.” A flutter of nerves danced across her growing arousal.

  He slid a box on his desk towards her. “While you are in this building I'd like you to consider wearing one of these.”

  She peaked under the lid and gasped. Half dozen different sized plugs filled the box. The smallest one was a soft dainty pink. Each plug became more saturated in color making the largest plug a shadowy rose. A shiver worked its way down her legs, and her heels tapped out a rhythm.

  “You want me to trust you, and I want you to trust me. Are you willing to give my request a try?”

  She reached out to the box and pulled it closer. He wanted her to wear one of these while at work. He was crazy. How would she be able to concentrate with something stretching her back entrance? She ignored the liquid fire soaking her channel. There was only one reason for this kind of training.

  “Each day of the week you'd be preparing your body for my use.”

  “Oh, I do like the sound of that, Sir.”

  “You’ve pleased me. You're willing to do this for me then?”

  “I'll give it a try. Yes, Sir.” She shifted her thighs back and forth.

  “I want you to be comfortable with the largest plug by Friday.” A satisfied smirk lit his face.

  She leaned back, her refusal on the edge of slipping out.

  “I suggest you swallow your retort. Use your safe word, or start a conversation. This is not a place for disrespectful comments.”

  “What, I didn't...” Shit. She had to remember her feelings often shone brightest on her face.

  “Smart, I'll forget about it since it's your first day and you didn't finish the sentence. Next time you talk back, I'll bend you over my knee whether you finish the sentence or not. Understood?”

  “Yes, Sir.” She pushed down on her knees silencing her heels.

  He got up and moved around the desk, sat on its edge, and flipped open the box. He picked up the smallest plug. She stared at it for a second and looked up into his eyes, trying to find a hint of the man she'd been dreaming about.

  “Some of your training you will find enjoyable and some you will not. It's not all about pleasure. Do you want to continue?”

  In the past, this was often the point of her retreat. Every time she tried to find her passion in life a confrontation would knock her off course and send her back to her humdrum routine. Pushing her history aside, it was a simple question.

  What did she want?

  He wouldn't make it easy. He would make her earn it. She appreciated him for the challenge. Each time he made her choose her path she remembered the why.

  “Yes, I want to continue, Sir.” She pulled air into her lungs, slowly letting it go as she examined the soft pink surface of the plug.

  “You've pleased me.”

  Warmth spread like honey over her senses, heavy and tasty. Why did he have to look so shocked?

  “Put the plug in before you head home.” He handed her the box.

  “But I've never ... how?” She rubbed her elbow, and when his eyebrows rose she added, “Sir.”

  “Would you like some help this first time?”

  “Yes. Thank you, Sir.” She shook her hands and rubbed them on her skirt.

  “Come and bend over my desk.”

  She set the small box on the desk and did as he asked.

  He flipped up the back of her skirt and rubbed a hand over her skin. “Very nice. Now, spread your legs.” He pulled out a tube fro
m the top of the box. “This might be cool at first, but it will warm up as I spread it around.”

  He held one side of her ass, and with his free hand he drew a slow circle over the rippled skin of her anus. She closed her eyes and pushed away strange thoughts about the act and reveled in his attention and caress. His finger dipped inside, and sensations sprang to life, heating her sex.

  “Push out a little and ease my way. That's it.” With his finger farther inside, he worked the gel back and forth, and then he pulled from her. Only a heartbeat later, something new pressed at her entrance. It wasn't his warm finger, but it was just as soft and slippery. “Push out again. Good.” He worked the plug back and forth, going farther each time, until he finally had it all the way in. “There.” He rubbed her ass and then pulled down her skirt. He grabbed a wipe from somewhere and busied himself with cleaning his fingers.

  She wanted to sink into the desk. She got up and kept her gaze focused on the floor as she made her way to the door. Each step reminded her of his touch.

  “Janna.”

  “Yes?” She turned to find him walking towards her. His eyes were as dark as she'd ever seen them.

  “Don't forget this.”

  “The box, right. Thank you, Sir.”

  “Don't wait too long before going to the next size. They may be bigger, but they'll be easier for you to hang onto. Also, don't forget to add the gel to your anus and the plug.” His instructions, although delivered crisp and to the point, felt clinical, and the experience was anything but.

  “Okay.” An empty ache settled in her chest.

  “I'm sure you have plenty to do before your next meeting tomorrow morning.” He positioned his body close to hers and pulled the door open. “Have a good evening, pet.”

  “Thank you, Sir.” She could get lost staring into his dark eyes.

  He moved past her and down the hall in the direction of the bathroom.

  ****

  The next morning Simon's new developer, Marcus, rattled on in his ear. He wanted to shoo him away, but the man was bustling with some concern in the project not yet addressed. Janna hadn't arrived at the meeting, and he didn't want to miss her entrance.

  “Simon, we didn't figure enough time for edits. Don't you remember what happened with the last roll-out? You can't let this new girl set us up for failure.”