"Are you sure you're not a masochist?" Dominic asked, a slight grin on his face.
"Absolutely not. I like my wings spicy."
Dominic ordered barbecue for himself.
"Wow, you're a wimp."
He raised an eyebrow. "I'm not a wimp. I enjoy tasting my food."
"I can taste it just fine."
When our wings arrived, I relished my food in a very overzealous fashion.
Dominic laughed and shook his head. "Have you always enjoyed spicy food?"
"My mom made a lot of Cajun, Indian and Thai food when I was growing up. I got used to it."
He took one of the spicy wings from my plate and took a tentative bite. I could tell he was trying hard to keep a straight face, but then he took several big gulps of beer after he swallowed the chicken.
"Tasty, but I think I'll stick to barbecue," he said after clearing his throat.
I rolled my eyes, and whispered, "Wimp."
*****
We didn't drink to excess, but neither of us was in any condition to drive, so after we left Hooters, we went for a walk on the boardwalk. The sun was descending into the horizon beyond ocean, giving the sky and water a pinkish glow. It was hard to tell where the sky ended and the water began. It was the most beautiful sunset I'd ever seen.
Dominic and I walked hand in hand, away from the crowds of couples who had the same idea. When we were relatively alone, he stopped me, holding me in his arms.
"Happy Valentine's Day," he said and kissed me.
"Back-atcha."
Dominic chuckled. "How are you feeling?"
I gazed at him, confused by the question. "Fine."
"I mean about the tattoo and having the rings removed."
I grinned, resting my head on his chest. "More than fine. I'll never be forced to look at that wretched brand in the mirror again, and my girlie parts are normal again."
"I don't know," Dominic said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Piercings in the nether regions have their uses if done right."
I stepped back, gaping, but he chuckled and pulled me back into his arms. "Did you like them?"
"Not the way he did it. If it were me, I'd have piercings done that would enhance your pleasure, and mine." He stepped back. "Speaking of pleasure. Let's get home, so I can give you your gift."
"I thought the tattoo and stuff was my gift."
"I've been looking forward to having your 'girlie parts' free, so I could have fun with them, and I intend to have fun all night long."
I bit my lip as he led me to his car, the anticipation warming my girlie parts.
*****
When we got home, Dominic wasted no time in leading me straight to the bedroom. "Get undressed."
"Shouldn't I open my present first?"
"It's not wrapped, and I want to surprise you another way with it."
I groaned, but I undressed. "I hate surprises."
"You'll like this one."
When I finished undressing he had me lie on the bed.
"Cover your face with a pillow. I don't want you peeking, and I know you. You'll peek."
I gasped in mock indignance as I sat up and folded my arms over my chest. Dominic chuckled and pushed me back down, throwing the pillow over my face.
"No peeking. Trust me. When you hear it, you'll have a hard time not looking."
Hear it? That piqued my curiosity, and I was already having a hard time keeping myself from looking. I pulled the pillow tighter to quell the urge. Being blind to what was going on sent a thrill of fear through me. Kurt had often blindfolded me to add to my terror when he was punishing me or tormenting me for his own amusement. But Dominic wasn't Kurt. I repeated it to myself. He would never hurt me.
A buzzing sound made me gasp. I almost threw the pillow to the side, but I didn't want to ruin this for him. He said I would enjoy it. Dominic must have sensed my anxiety because he gave my hand a squeeze.
"This is all for your pleasure," he told me. "It won't hurt, but it might be intense, so if it gets to be too much tell me and I'll stop."
"Okay," I said, my voice muffled by the pillow.
He nudged my legs apart, and before my imagination could paint a picture of horror, vibrations sent waves of pleasure through me. Instinctively, my hips lifted toward my source of gratification. Within moments, my body exploded, and I threw the pillow to the side. Dominic held what looked like a massager. Another orgasm was already building and before I knew it my entire body shook with pleasure.
"No more," I cried out.
Dominic removed it and turned it off.
"What is that thing?" I asked, once I got my breath back.
"It's called a Hitachi Magic Wand."
It was magic. I was definitely in for a long night, and I was looking forward to it.
*****
Dominic might not have been a sadist, but he loved tormenting me in the most sensual ways, and he enjoyed being in charge in the bedroom. That was something I could live with, especially since the more control I gave him regarding our sex life, the more I learned to enjoy sex again. No one had ever fulfilled me in that aspect of my life. With Kurt it had been the opposite. The more control he took, the more hollow I he left me. He had been sapping my life away. Dominic was filling me with an abundance of love and life.
Still, outside of the bedroom, my life seemed unbalanced. I found myself not wanting his control to stop. At first I thought it was just the sex, but then I realized it was much more than that. It was the stern gaze he gave me in the bedroom when I played hard to get, which always sent a thrill through me. It was the tone of his voice, the way it calmed me and made me feel safe when something from my past would come back to haunt me.
While walking to class one day, I bumped into Bekka. "Do you think we can have lunch today without Jason? I need to talk to you about something and it's kind of personal."
"Yeah, sure."
"Will Jason be okay with it?"
Bekka smiled. "I'm sure it will be fine."
We met up at the bistro that afternoon.
"Jason's having lunch with some of his friends. He said if Dominic is being an ass, he'll beat him up for you."
I laughed. "No, Dominic is great, but it sort of is about him. Well, more about me, maybe. When he takes charge in the bedroom, everything is so perfect. But then outside of the bedroom, I feel lost. It's like he's a different person with me. He goes from being super intense and in control to being laid back. I'm not sure what to do."
"Have you considered the possibility you're craving his dominance outside the bedroom too?"
I shook my head. "No, it can't be that. I mean. I can't submit to him like that."
"Why?"
"It would be too much. What if he wanted me to do something I didn't want to do?"
"Does he make you do things you don't want to do in the bedroom?"
There had been times he had suggested things he wanted to try with me. Sometimes I was curious, and I'd let him try. If I didn't like it though, he'd stop right away. And if I said no right from the start, he never pushed it. I had no reason to believe he would be any different outside the bedroom. "He doesn't, but I'm still scared it might be too much like it was with Kurt. I need some control in my life."
Bekka sighed. "You can't keep comparing him to Kurt. They are two completely different people. Dominic loves you, and I doubt he would ever do anything if it made you uncomfortable… at least in a bad way."
"I know. It's just… I don't know." I shrugged. "I guess I don't know what to expect and it scares me. What's it like with Jason?"
"Well, he's laid back, like Dominic. We don't live together though, so it might be a lot different for you two. Jason doesn't have a lot of rules for me, but I imagine things will change when we move in together."
I quirked an eyebrow at the grin she wore. "And when is this happening?"
"If everything goes well, we'll be getting an apartment together within the next two months."
"Oh, Bekka.
Congrats!"
"Thanks, so what about you? Don't change the subject."
I shrugged.
"You should at least talk to him about it. Just because you talk about it, doesn't mean you have to commit to anything, and at least you'll know what he would expect from you. He may even be willing to do a trial period to see if it works for you."
"I hadn't thought of that." A trial was something I could do. I hoped it was something Dominic would consider, especially after what he'd been through in the past.
Chapter 19
That evening at dinner, before I chickened out, I told Dominic I needed to talk to him.
He gazed at me curiously. "I'm all ears."
The temptation to make a joke about his statement was hard to ignore, but I knew he would accuse me of stalling, and he would be right. If I didn't say it now, I never would. "I want to give the Dominance and submission dynamic a try, but just a trial period to see if I can handle it."
Dominic swallowed a mouthful of food, his expression showing none of what he might be thinking. "What made you change your mind?"
I repeated what I told Bekka that afternoon. He chewed another mouthful of food while he considered my words.
"It's important you know I take this seriously. If you want to test the waters first I'm fine with that, but it will be as though we were in a regular twenty-four-seven dynamic. I would expect you to follow my rules, and if you don't, I will punish you. Even during the trial."
"What do you mean punished?" I asked, shuddering.
"I use corporal punishment with submissives, but I use only my hand or a belt on the bum. Nothing more than that."
I sat back and sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"I couldn't handle that."
"The only time I would punish you is if you broke rules even after being warned, and you would receive plenty of warning. And the most I will ever leave you with, if punishment became necessary, is a few welts that would disappear within a few hours. I don't like to leave marks that last for days. You would also know the count beforehand, so you would know when it would end. It wouldn't be a violent beating like what Kurt did to you. I would never hit you in anger, and if you were to panic or anything during a punishment, I would stop immediately to calm you. Punishment in this kind of dynamic isn't about hurting or terrorizing you. It's about reinforcing the rules."
"So if I freaked out, you wouldn't punish me anymore?"
"That's not what I said, but I would start off more slowly and reassure you to help you overcome your fear."
I nodded and gazed off toward the patio. I still wasn't sure I could go through with it, but if his rules weren't too bad maybe it wouldn't be a problem. If I had no trouble following his rules, there would never be a reason to punish me. "So what exactly would the rules be?"
"I would make specific rules as we went along because they would be based on what you need. In the beginning I would simply expect you to defer to me in all things."
"So I would have no say in anything?"
"Of course you would. I would always ask for your thoughts and input, but once I make a decision, I would expect you to accept it without argument. You would have to trust I am making the best decision for us and our relationship. In this kind of dynamic, the Dominant is responsible for the submissive's welfare. I would always make sure you're caring for yourself and not putting yourself at unnecessary risk. I would help you achieve your goals and dreams."
"Basically, what you've already been doing?"
Dominic grinned. "Essentially, but in this case, there would be no arguing once I've decided on a course of action. I would expect you to follow through even if you disagreed with me."
"I thought you said a Dominant isn't supposed to force a submissive to do something they don't want to do."
"I meant that regarding things you would never do willingly. Things that are against your own morals or would put you in harm's way. But even within our dynamic you could always end it. I would respect your decision to go back to how things have been with us, but as long as you are willing to remain submissive to me, you would do as I say. I would never expect you to do something you didn't want though, Haleigh. This is about you allowing me to take charge within our relationship, so I can guide you in your personal growth."
I had to admit that didn't sound too horrible. It would be hard being told what to do, but it wouldn't hurt to try it. Especially if it got rid of this feeling I'd been having. "Okay, but just for a week to start."
"I want you to commit to at least a month. The first couple of weeks will be difficult and giving yourself a week is setting yourself up for failure. You would give up because you won't have had the time to experience the joys of submission."
"Like I've been enjoying it in the bedroom?"
Dominic grinned. "Exactly like that."
"Okay, one month then."
"The first thing I want you to do is call me 'Sir' when we're alone together or with others in the lifestyle."
I giggled. "That would be too weird. Why would I have to do that?"
"It will help put you in the right mindset and remind you I'm in charge. It's also a way to show respect."
"Like in the military when you call an officer 'Sir'?"
"Yes. Also, there is another thing that's been eating at me, but I haven't brought it up before now. Since you are my submissive for at least the next month, I want to bring it to your attention. You have a tendency to stay up too late reading most nights. It's one thing to do it on a weekend, but I've noticed there are mornings when you have to drag yourself out of bed because you've had only a few hours' sleep. It's not good for your health or grades, so it has to stop. From this point on, lights out is at ten o'clock on school nights."
I frowned. I never had a bedtime. Not even when I was a kid.
"This is your only warning about this rule, Haleigh. I expect you to follow it. It's not that difficult or unreasonable."
What had I gotten myself into? Sure it was reasonable, but I hated stopping in the middle of a chapter. What if it ended in a place where I had to know what would happen next? I wouldn't be able to sleep with those thoughts running through my head. I doubted Dominic would find it an acceptable excuse though. He might even suggest not reading at all on school nights if it was a problem. No thanks.
*****
I didn't mean to do it, but I was so caught up in my book that night I lost track of time. When I heard Dominic coming up the stairs, I glanced at my clock. It was after eleven. I dropped my Kindle on the floor, but left it as I fumbled with the lamp switch. I wasn't quick enough. He opened the door before I could turn it off.
Dominic didn't look at all happy to see me awake. "What's going on?"
I bit my lip, then reached down to pick up my Kindle and set it on the bedside table. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment.
"Are you trying to test me?"
My jaw dropped. "No. I lost track of time."
"Do I need to remind you how serious I am about this kind of dynamic? If you're serious about trying it, then I expect you to do better."
He was so angry. My heart sank.
"I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
"I know it won't. You had one warning with this rule, Haleigh. I'll have to punish you, and I'm also giving you a warning about calling me 'Sir'. You seem to avoid it."
I barely heard the last part of what he said. My mind was reeling over the thought of being punished. "It was an accident. I won't forget again. I swear tomorrow I'll be asleep by ten."
Dominic sat on the bed, taking my hand in his. "If I don't punish you now, you will never take me seriously."
"I will. I'll take you very seriously."
"Good. Come stand over here," he said, pointing to the floor next to him.
"Please, Dom—Sir."
"I've decided, Haleigh. Do not argue."
I couldn't move. My head spun, and I felt like I would lose my dinner. Dominic pulled me into his arm
s. I resisted at first, but he spoke softly, assuring me I was safe. I held onto him tightly as I rode out the wave of panic that overcame me. When I gazed at him, it surprised me to see he didn't look angry. In fact, he seemed sad and disappointed. It tugged at my heart. I buried my face in his chest, sobbing. Dominic kissed the top of my head and held me until my tears ran out.
"Are you still going to punish me?"
"Yes, but we will go slowly. I know you're scared."
He repositioned me so I was over his lap with my torso and head on the bed, while my feet rested on the floor. I hugged a pillow to my chest and buried my face in it. I wanted this to be over.
"Remember, Haleigh. It's not my intention to harm you. I will spank you ten times."
"It'll hurt."
"Yes."
I sobbed again. Dominic rubbed my back until I was calm. Then he lifted my nightshirt and pulled down my panties. I glanced at him, and his face looked stricken. It never occurred to me he might dislike punishing me. Kurt enjoyed it and often put me in a position to fail so he would have an excuse. Fresh tears fell, but this time they were more for Dominic. I let him down and put him in this position when he warned me it would happen.
"Put your hands above your head and leave them there."
I did as he instructed.
"Why are you being punished, Haleigh?"
"Because I read passed ten."
"It disappoints me you would break a rule the same night you asked to give this dynamic a try."
"I'm really sorry."
"Hush. I don't want you talking during a punishment unless I ask you a direct question. I'm going to start now. Do not move, understand?"
"Yes."
"Yes, what, Haleigh?"
"Yes, Sir."
"This is your final warning. You will receive one smack every time you forget after this."
I cried out when his hand connected with my bum. Every instinct told me to reach around and protect my sensitive backside, but I remembered his warning not to move. I didn't want to make this punishment worse than it was. Another hard smack followed and my leg came up involuntarily. Dominic said nothing. He pushed it down and put his leg over mine, holding them in place. Two more hard smacks. I couldn't do this. I shielded myself with my hand, hoping he would decide I had enough. Instead, he caught my arm and pinned it to my lower back.
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