Detention

by Stephanie Williams

  “What? Hey, Mia and I have been at it since I arrived.”

  “No, Brett. The unfinished business I’m talking about goes back eight years.”

  Brett looked at Hunter. “You mean my senior year?”

  “You admitted to fantasizing about her during that time. Did you ever act on it?”

  “Of course not! Wait! Oh, I see what you’re saying.”

  “You haven’t gotten over that initial attraction. And I believe that Mia still sees you as that student serving detention. She also could be harboring guilt issues.”

  “Guilt? From what?”

  “Getting a teenager all hot and bothered, especially since you told her the reasons for you getting in trouble.”

  “You mean that this block Mia and I are having is because she still sees me as a student, and I still see her as the vice-principal?”

  “Think about it about, Brett. Sometimes, we tend to freeze people in time. Mia still sees you as an eighteen-year-old student, running around the schoolyard with all the other students. You still see her as a teacher and the vice-principal. The very woman you served detention for.”

  “Oh, God.” Brett put his head in his hands.

  “I think you still might see her as forbidden,” Hunter continued. “That was fine then, you were eighteen, a normal high school crush. But let’s face it, as you said, society would have made the proverbial face. But you’re a grown man, and Mia has made the decision to be with you, but you’re still that student to her, and she’s still your vice-principal.”

  Of course! Why hadn’t he seen it? “Hunter, my friend, you just gave me an idea. I have a plan, and I believe after it comes off, Mia and I can move on emotionally in our relationship.”

  “Glad to be of service. Can you return the favor?”

  “Anything.”

  “I need you to set it up so that I can have time alone with Ms. Tracy.”

  Brett smiled. Hunter may have been a sub, but Tracy was going to have her hands full.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Mia sat at her desk, staring out the window. She couldn’t believe the letter she got from the school district. Seven of her best teachers were being forced to retire after the spring semester. Damn!

  Johnson, Tingle, Wilson—the list went on. These were teachers who loved their jobs and took the gift of teaching seriously. Why did they have to go? There were a lot of teachers who just collected paychecks for babysitting. Why not them?

  Mia sighed heavily. What was she going to do? What was she going to say to them?

  God, she missed Frank. If there was one person on this planet who would know what to do, it would have been him. He would have been pissed from here to next Thursday, but then he would go into action. Heads would roll, names would be taken—things would have been shaken up.

  “I miss you so much, Frank,” Mia said, fighting back the sting of tears.

  She had no time to cry. She had to think of something. Frank had taught her a lot, but she never really had to put anything into action on her own. Frank had always been there.

  There was no better time than the present. Mia put away the letter and began making calls.

  ***

  “What?” Brett nearly leaped through the phone when Derek gave him the distressing news.

  “Calm down, man. No use getting high blood pressure six thousand miles away,” Derek said, his voice tight.

  “You just told me that the few teachers we have scheduled for the school opening are not coming! How the hell do you expect me to act?” Brett began pacing the floor, making a permanent track in the thick carpeting. This couldn’t be happening.

  “Look, they heard about the civil unrest we had here a few weeks ago, and they ran scared. I’m sure we can find—”

  “That civil unrest was put under control by the UN and NATO! The rebels are out. People are safer there now than they would be in New York!”

  “I know this, you know this, but people get into that knee-jerk reaction.”

  “Okay. I was about to call someone who can help. I was originally just going to ask him for a few names, but it looks like I have to ask for half the university.”

  “Great. You take care of things on that end. We’ll take care of things on this end. Between the two of us, we should get some positive results.”

  “Let’s pray.” Brett disconnected. He was about to fling the phone across the room when it rang again.

  “Hello!”

  “Whoa. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  Mia. Thank God. Maybe he could concentrate on more pleasant thoughts, even if it was for a few fleeting minutes because he would have to make those calls soon.

  “Hello, darling. Yeah, sort of. How are you?”

  There was a sigh. “Okay. I’m…okay.”

  “Sounds like your day is going just as great as mine. Want to talk about it?”

  “No, there’s nothing you can do anyway. I called to see what you were doing this evening and to hear your voice.”

  Brett wanted to jump up and down like a teenager getting front-row tickets to the latest sold-out concert. She just wanted to hear his voice. God, he loved this woman. “I’m glad you called. Hearing you is soothing on this end, too. How about a movie and dinner?”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  There was a pause, then Brett heard Mia rummaging through that suitcase she called a purse. “I was going to a school meeting tonight, but I’m going to cancel it. Something’s come up, and I have to regroup. So the meeting is postponed for the time being.”

  “Was I the something?” Brett asked in a hopeful tone.

  “Not exactly. Some school political stuff.”

  “Gee, here I was thinking you would put off seeing the President himself just for little ole me,” Brett teased.

  Mia’s laughter through the phone warmed his heart. He would do anything for her.

  “What time can you…oh, look I forgot. I still have Hunter’s phone number.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, I forgot to give it to Tracy. In fact, I’ve been so busy with work and with…ahem…you, I didn’t have a chance to tell her that Hunter was interested in her.”

  “The question is, is she interested in him?”

  “What woman wouldn’t be? He’s absolutely gorgeous!”

  The hair on Brett’s neck stood up. Then he felt stupid for feeling this way. “Okay, okay. You don’t have to rub it in.”

  “Brett, he’s not my type.”

  “You’re damn straight!”

  “I can’t believe you’re jealous!”

  Brett heard the teasing humor in her voice. “Okay, you got me. Hey! I got an idea.”

  “What?”

  “Let’s double date.”

  “Um….”

  “What’s the problem?”

  “I don’t want Tracy knowing all our business.”

  Brett grinned to himself. “Still the little hypocrite. You do realize if Tracy and Hunter hook up, she’s going to know anyway.”

  “Oh. Yes. I see your point.”

  “Still want to get them together?” Brett asked. He was a fair man. He understood Mia’s hesitation. Not everyone was open-minded and having your best friend know about your secret love life could be awkward.

  “I just hope that Hunter can convert her to…um…his way of thinking.”

  “Trust me, I’ve seen Hunter in action; he can be most convincing. Besides, Tracy looks like a ball-buster, just his type.”

  “Brett!”

  “Sorry.” Brett chuckled.

  “So we’re on, I guess.”

  “Don’t worry. It will be perfect.”

  “I trust you.”

  And Brett knew she did.

  ***

  Mia paced the short length of Tracy’s kitchen.

  “Really? A double date with you and the stud-puppy?” Tracy was finishing off the fried chicken she’d picked up on the way home from work.

  “Tracy, please! He is not a stud
puppy. Brett is a very mature man. He’s traveled a lot and does research work in third-world countries.”

  “Yeah, you told me. Wouldn’t think it from looking at him, though. He seems like he should be on the Harvard polo team.”

  Mia crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her best friend. Tracy was so jaded. “So, are you up for it or not?”

  Tracy put down her biscuit. “Yeah, I’ll play. Besides, I like a man who says ‘Yes, ma’am. No, ma’am.’ A guy that takes orders. It’s refreshing.”

  Boy, Tracy was going to love Hunter. “Well, here’s his number.” Mia handed her the slip of paper.

  “When did you get this?”

  “My first or second time out with Brett, I don’t remember. Anyway, he was very interested in you. He wanted me to ask if you were available and looking.”

  Tracy nearly choked on her soda. “And you didn’t tell me all this time!” She was practically out of her seat.

  “I’m sorry. Between school and dating Brett, it slipped my mind.”

  Tracy looked at the piece of paper for a bit.

  “The number is not going to magically dial itself. Call him. He’s expecting it. Brett told him about tonight.”

  “Oh, I know that. It’s just that….”

  “What?”

  “What does he see in me to be this interested?”

  Mia had to hold back a laugh. If she only knew.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Brett was getting dressed when the doorbell rang. He checked the monitor by the end table. It was Hunter. He pressed the intercom button. “Use your key and make yourself at home.” After a few minutes, Brett joined his best friend in the kitchen.

  “Nervous?” Brett asked, removing the beer from Hunter’s grasp.

  “Oh, sorry. Wasn’t thinking.” Hunter got a glass of orange juice instead.

  “Relax, man. Tracy’s not going to bite. Unless that’s what you want.”

  Hunter threw him a look. “You realize Mia’s cover will be blown if Tracy and I hit it off.”

  “Yeah, we talked about that already. She’s cool with it, though.”

  Hunter nodded. “Good, glad to hear it. It looks like she’s slowly coming around.”

  “Yeah, but I’m still planning on our special night tomorrow.”

  “As I think you should. That will definitely break through a lot of barriers.”

  “I have you to thank.” Brett patted him on the back.

  “Any time.” Hunter put his empty glass in the sink. “So, is there any advice you can give me on Ms. Tracy?”

  Brett thought a moment. He’d known Tracy for about the same length of time he’d known Mia. Tracy came to the school every Thursday like clockwork for lunch with Mia. She was a domineering woman. He wondered if that’s what ruined her marriage. Mia told him that Tracy was divorced. Most likely she had married the wrong man. She needed a man who would do her bidding—in the bedroom, of course. After that was taken care of, everything else would fall into place. She wouldn’t dominate Hunter outside of the bedroom, unless he wanted it. Yep, this was going to be interesting.

  “Well, apparently the man she was married to was inadequate.”

  “Obviously,” Hunter agreed. “She’s a beauty and smart.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be able to fulfill her every need.”

  Hunter gave a knowing smile and headed to the door. “I have the engine running. I just took my own car. Not chauffeuring tonight. Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.” Brett followed him out the door.

  They picked up the girls at Mia’s place. Brett never realized how pretty Tracy was until she greeted them at the door in her evening dress. Hunter was one lucky man.

  Once Hunter and Tracy broke the ice with their coy hellos, Brett and Mia gave them space and took a booth by themselves at the restaurant.

  “They look like they’re having a good time,” Brett said, eyeing the couple at the front of the restaurant.

  “Yes, they do, but I thought this was a double date. Shouldn’t we be together?” Mia asked as she took a sip of water.

  “Normally, yes, but I needed to talk to you.”

  “Oh.”

  “It’s something we have to work out.”

  Mia took Brett’s hand. He immediately covered it with his, stroking the back of it with his thumb. He couldn’t lose her due to some silly fear or self-judgment. What they engaged in was nothing perverted. It was something enjoyed by two consenting adults. The feelings that they had for each other were very real and strong and beyond lust. Well, tomorrow night, all the personal demons would be laid to rest.

  “Brett, is there something wrong between us?”

  “In a way, yes, but I figured it out. Actually, Hunter figured it out. I was close, however,” he quickly added.

  “You discussed us with Hunter?” Mia looked horrified.

  “Mia.”

  “Of course you would talk to Hunter. I keep forgetting the circumstance in which you two met. Well, what is it?”

  “I think there is an emotional block between us. You have one, and I have one.”

  Mia stared at him. “You felt it, too?”

  Brett nodded. “Tomorrow night, everything will be straightened out.”

  “Oh, how?”

  “I have a surprise for you.”

  Mia cocked her head. “Another one? And it’s going to solve everything?” She didn’t try to hide her skepticism.

  Brett chuckled. “Don’t worry, no machines this time. But trust me. After Hunter told me what was going on between us, there was only a matter of figuring out the rest.”

  “You mean to tell me Hunter can tell what’s going on between us?”

  “Hunter is a sub only in the bedroom, darling. The man is one year older than you, but he has wisdom beyond his years.”

  “I see,” Mia said, obviously impressed.

  “Anyway, after he told me the problem, I figured out the solution.”

  “Really? What is it?” Mia sat up straighter.

  Brett wagged his finger at her. “No, like I said, it’s a surprise, but I assure you, it’s one you and I will enjoy immensely. Plus, it has been a long time coming.”

  The waiter came by and took their orders. Brett couldn’t help but notice the look on Mia’s face. She was consumed by curiosity. Good. What he had planned would be that much sweeter. He just hoped that once she found out what he was up to; she wouldn’t run out of his house screaming.

  It was one thing settling into the BDSM lifestyle. It was another to do what he had in mind.

  Time went by fast. Brett looked at his watch and realized he needed to get home. He had calls to make. “I’m afraid our night for painting the town red has to be cut short.”

  “You’re right,” Mia said. “I have a lot to do this weekend before our board meeting Monday.”

  “Don’t forget our rendezvous tomorrow night,” Brett whispered in her ear.

  “Yes, of course,” Mia said.

  Looking at her face, he could still tell she was curious, but a little apprehensive. “Still worried? Don’t be. Trust me.”

  ***

  Mia nodded and headed toward the car with the others. Once she was home, the butterflies really started to flutter. What had Brett planned? What was he going to do that would get them past this emotional block?

  Would he use more gadgets? Deep down, she kind of hoped so. Seeing Brett dressed in leathers, cracking that whip and controlling that mechanical orgasm machine was something she’d never even dreamed about, yet she felt right at home all tied up, and at both the machine’s and Brett’s mercy.

  And yet…Hunter saw it. Something was off-kilter. Whatever it was, it must really be there, but Mia was trying desperately to ignore it. She just wanted to enjoy the new experiences she was having with Brett, but she knew that couldn’t last long. If she wanted to have a relationship with him—a real, loving relationship, they had to clear the air of a lot of issues. Just what those issues were, she
didn’t know. Brett seemed to have it all under control, though, so she decided to trust him.

  Mia reached for the phone to see if Tracy made it home okay, but decided against it. Hunter couldn’t take his eyes off her all night, and he said he would take her home last. That left a lot of things open. Mia didn’t want to disturb them.

  She headed upstairs to work on her proposal for Monday’s school board meeting. She was going to give them hell, and even if she lost the fight, they would remember doing battle with Mia Bradford.

  Besides, she needed to do something to keep her mind off things. Saturday night would arrive soon enough.

  ***

  Brett had everything just about ready for Saturday evening. Hunter came by and gave his approval. After much badgering, Hunter told Brett what happened after he dropped him off.

  “Tracy and I just talked. I didn’t even get into what I’m about. You know as well as I do I need to feel her out. I do believe she will be more than a willing participant. I hope, for the long run.”

  “You mean, you think she’s the one?” Brett asked, patting his old friend on the back.

  “Not sure, but hoping. Now, young man, you will in turn tell me everything after tonight, good, bad, or indifferent,” Hunter said, grabbing his jacket as he walked toward the door.

  “Of course. Wish me luck.”

  “No need to ask.”

  Brett looked over the basement one last time before going to get Mia. He wanted to make sure everything was perfect and exact. Satisfied, he left.

  The drive to Mia’s seemed extra long. He guessed he was just as nervous about this as Mia was. That was the main reason he wouldn’t tell her what he had planned until the last moment.

  He approached her door and rang the bell. When she opened it, the vision knocked the air from his lungs. “Mia, you look absolutely…breathtaking.”

  She had on a crimson satin dress with a deep V in the front. Her ample bosom spilled out enough to excite, but not enough to appear gaudy or tasteless. Her hair was in ringlets and pinned up in a waterfall style, like a Greek goddess. As usual, her face was exquisite. Ruby-red lips, beautiful brown eyes, and come-hither lashes.