Waiting on Summer

by Bella Settarra

  “Fancy a go?” He murmured in her ear and felt her whole body come alive in his arms.

  She stared up at him with hopeful eyes. “Could we… I mean… Are we allowed…um…yes, sir. Yes, please,” she stammered.

  He snickered. There weren’t many people around now as it was so late, and he felt it was the perfect time to introduce her to the delights of the facilities.

  “Anything I need to know about? I mean, I know we haven’t actually gone through your limits or anything. Any medical conditions?” He watched her face as he asked her and saw a totally serene expression.

  “No, sir. My safe word is ‘banana’.” He saw total honesty in her face and relief swept through him. She certainly wore her heart on her sleeve, and he was confident that she wouldn’t try to pull the wool over his eyes.

  “Banana it is, then.” He nodded with a smile. “No problems with being bound?” He had helped her up onto the horse and was about to cuff her hands and feet.

  She laid her face against the soft leather of the horse as though resting it on a feather pillow. “No problems at all, sir.” She smiled.

  Nathan clipped on the cuffs, running his finger around the inside to ensure a comfortable fit. Her skin was so soft and smooth he wanted to touch her all the time. His cock told him it was time to stop though, so he obeyed. He took a minute to drink in the sight of her lying across the contraption. Her neck looked long and elegant, and her legs were silky and delectable. Her whole body was softness personified, and he loved it. He ran his hands up and down her legs, lifting the short skirt up to reveal her smooth, round butt. He stroked her back gently and felt her sink into the horse with a contented sigh. He had never known a sub to be so relaxed on their first time with him. He could feel the trust emanating from her, and he cherished it.

  Suddenly he smacked her warm, soft butt, and she yelped in surprise. He did it again five times, and he saw her close her eyes, as if letting the sting wash over her as he smoothed it away afterward. He swatted her another five times, and instead of tensing up, he felt her relax even more into the leather.

  “Good girl,” he cooed and watched a smile spread across her lips. She responded well to compliments, he noted.

  Another five swats followed by his hand holding in the heat and then gently rubbing away the sting. Then another. And another. Nathan felt his own tension release as he played, watching her body and her face closely for her reaction. Tears streamed down her beautiful face after a while, but she didn’t make a sound, except to confirm she was OK when he asked her.

  He varied the position of his hand and felt her wetness when he swatted her up from the base of her butt. He smiled as he saw her body tense at last and watched her breathing become more rasping. His finger swiped her clit.

  “Come for me, Summer,” he murmured into her ear as a look of pure delight crossed her face.

  Immediately she opened her eyes and stared at him as she screamed her release. It was the most beautiful sight he had seen in his life, and he felt his cock strain hard against his leathers. His release would have to wait though. He quickly clicked open the cuffs and lifted her quivering body into his arms. She was a soft handful, and he loved the feel of her so close to him.

  She closed her eyes as her arms wrapped instinctively around his neck, and he carried her to a nearby sofa surrounded by artificial plants in a warm, quiet corner of the room. He pulled a blanket from the back of the couch and wrapped it around her sated body, whispering to her all the time.

  “You did well, sugar. I’m so proud of you.”

  Her full lips curved slightly into a contented smile, and she drifted off to sleep in his arms. Nathan gazed into the somnolent face of an angel. His angel.

  * * *

  Summer opened her eyes slowly, not sure where she was. Warm, strong arms held her, and she suddenly realized she was still at Collar and Cuffs.

  “Hey beautiful.” Nathan’s deep voice rippled through his chest next to her ear, and she sat upright.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, feeling a little embarrassed and a whole lot flustered.

  “Why?”

  His slight frown marred an otherwise gorgeous face as she stared up at him. From this angle she could see his handsome face with the thin stubble on his chin and cheeks giving him a roguish appearance. His slightly longer, collar-length dark waves gave him a casual air, and the warmth and faint scent of spice were an indication—as if any were needed—that this guy was definitely all man.

  “I fell asleep,” she whispered.

  “I noticed.” He laughed softly.

  She rolled her eyes at her own daft comment and giggled. Looking around she could see that the place was empty and the lights were low. A sudden panic shot through her.

  “What time is it? I have to go.”

  “Slow down, sugar,” he said, holding her tight to stop her leaping from his lap. “Why the hurry?”

  “I need to get home. I’ve got an interview tomorrow…today…well, in the morning.” She felt herself go hot as her mind raced, but he was holding her tight.

  “OK, calm down. It’s just after three. Let’s get changed and I’ll run you home. What time’s your appointment?”

  “Six fifteen, but it’s across town. It’ll take me over an hour to get there.” She was calculating the times in her head as she spoke. It took her forty-five minutes to walk here, so she could be home just after four. That would give her time for a quick shower and change before she set off for the interview.

  “Come on, let’s get changed.” His voice was calm as he slowly released her and helped her get up.

  She felt a little light-headed and instinctively reached out for him as she felt herself swaying on her feet.

  “Wow, sugar. When did you last eat?” He caught her and scooped her up in his muscular arms.

  Summer was mortified. She knew she was on the heavy side and must have been breaking his back with her bulk.

  “I’m fine. Put me down.”

  “You’re not fine. And I believe I asked you a question.” He didn’t seem to be struggling with her weight as he walked easily through the empty club and over to the changing rooms.

  Her head felt like mush. “I had lunch,” she said quietly.

  “Lunch? You haven’t eaten since yesterday lunchtime? Well no wonder you’re not right, sugar. How did you come to miss dinner?”

  She felt herself go hot with embarrassment. “I was across town to see about this job,” she explained. “It took a whole lot longer than I thought, and I had to get here for six thirty so I got the bus, but it was late and…”

  “So you did a full shift upstairs and then exerted yourself down here without a meal inside you?” He shook his head in clear disbelief.

  Summer said nothing. She felt stupid. She had done what she had to in order to get to work on time. She didn’t know that Brad fucking Dexter was going to make her have to work late and that afterward Nathan whatever-his-name-was was going to take her to see the boss and then bring her down here and… She felt herself blush and buried her face in his chest. The smooth satin caressed her cheek, and the soft hairs of his chest tickled her chin. His spicy smell surrounded her, and the memories of the wonderful time they’d had together flooded her mind.

  “You OK now?”

  They were just outside the women’s changing room when he gently lowered her to the floor.

  “Yes, thank you, sir.” Her own words shocked her, and she stared up at him.

  “Good. You’ve got five minutes. I’ll be waiting here for you. If you take any longer than that I’ll be in to find you. Got it?” His warm, brown eyes twinkled with mirth, and she couldn’t help smiling as she nodded.

  The events of the evening whirled around in her head as she quickly changed. This gorgeous hunk had actually spanked her and made her come in the club. The club where she worked. Sort of. And Dominic and Mr. Dexter and Brad were there! Were they there when it happened?

  “Oh shit!”

  �
��You OK, sugar?”

  She suddenly realized that she had said it aloud and that Mr. Nathan hunk-of-the-year was right outside the door.

  “Um…yeah, just coming.”

  “Again? You’re insatiable, woman.” He chuckled, and she blushed.

  “Sorry, I was just thinking out loud,” she explained as she arrived by his side.

  He was wearing his suit trousers and his shirt, open, no tie. He held his jacket up on his shoulder with one finger, and he was casually leaning against the doorjamb. Summer felt her breath hitch. Had he really been that handsome earlier?

  “What were you thinking?” He put his other arm around her shoulder and led her toward the elevator.

  She blushed again. “I was wondering about earlier,” she began, staring at her feet instead of his gorgeous face.

  “Just what were you wondering about it?” His voice was deep and suggestive, and she felt butterflies dance in her stomach.

  “Well, when we…when I…”

  He followed her into the elevator. Somehow being there with him in this confined space made it even harder to speak. He stood right up close to her, facing her, and lifted her chin with one finger. She breathed him in with a gasp.

  “When I spanked your pretty little butt until you came?” His southern voice was husky and rasping as he practically growled the words out.

  She stared into his warm eyes and realized the close proximity of his mouth to hers. She felt his breath on her face, and a fire began to burn in her stomach. A fire, she remembered, which had burned brightly down there earlier when they were in the club together.

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  She felt his nearness as he leaned down and gently grazed his warm, moist lips against hers. She felt sparks of electricity fly between them and gently pressed her mouth to his. His tongue lapped at the seam of her lips until she opened them, and then his jacket fell to the floor as both arms wrapped around her, cloaking her in his warmth, his scent, his body. His kiss was soft and sensual, and she felt as though she was floating through the air on a cloud of hope.

  A pinging sound alerted them that they were on the ground floor, and he slowly loosened his grip. One arm still held her as he elegantly stooped down to retrieve his jacket when the door opened. She snuggled into his warmth as the cool air met them in the foyer, and he wrapped his jacket around her before leading her outside.

  There was only one car in the management parking lot, and he guided her over to it.

  “Where do you live, sugar?” He opened the passenger door for her and she climbed in, grateful she didn’t have to endure that long walk home.

  The thought of her poky apartment entered her head and she swallowed hard, trying to decide whether to tell him a different address so he wouldn’t see where she lived. She was exhausted though; it had been a long night. And that kiss…

  “Is it far?”

  She was suddenly aware that he had already gone around the car and climbed into the driver’s seat. He turned the key and the engine hummed. She looked around at the plush leather. This car must have cost more than a couple of years’ wages for her.

  “I’ll show you,” she said with a sigh.

  He smiled. “I had fun tonight. I hope you did too?”

  He was looking across at her, and she couldn’t help thinking he looked slightly concerned.

  “Yes. Thank you. I just wondered whether…”

  He watched her expectantly.

  “Well, were Mr. Dexter and the others there when…?”

  Nathan laughed, and his large hand came over and covered hers as she fiddled with the fabric of her jeans.

  “I have no idea,” he said, shaking his head. “To be honest, they were the last things on my mind.”

  She stared down into her lap.

  “Does it matter?” He must have noticed her uncertainty with the situation as his voice sounded a little anxious.

  “Well, Dominic’s my boss. I have to work with him, you know?”

  “Did you see them there tonight, in the club?” He asked slowly.

  “No. I know Master Dan said they’d arrived so they must have showed up, but I don’t know how long they stayed. Maybe they left early.” She shrugged, immediately feeling happier.

  “Maybe.” Nathan’s warm hand squeezed hers, and she felt a glow of excitement flood her system.

  She directed him to her run-down street and pointed out her apartment block. He didn’t seem perturbed at all, and she was relieved. He was obviously quite wealthy and she was embarrassed about where she now lived, but she wasn’t going to lie to him about it. What would be the point? He was one of the management team, and she was a waitress. He was also a Dom, and she knew that meant he wasn’t going to ridicule her. He had been really nice to her tonight and that kiss was out of this world, but she wasn’t naive enough to think it meant anything. Not to him, anyway.

  “I’ll walk you up,” he said casually as he got out of the car.

  It must have been nearly four in the morning, and in this neighborhood she would have been a fool to refuse. Not that she had encountered any trouble herself, but she wasn’t about to take any chances.

  “It’s this one,” she told him as they reached her front door. “Do you want some coffee?”

  She expected him to say no. Who would blame him? Instead he looked thoughtful.

  “Are you having one or were you planning to get some sleep?”

  She giggled. “I haven’t got time to sleep,” she told him. “I’ll definitely be having coffee, and lots of it.”

  He looked surprised. “Well, in that case, I’d love to join you.”

  The apartment was old and paint peeled from the walls, but it was clean—she made sure of that. The furniture was bought from a secondhand store, but she had given it all a good wash and it looked all right. At least she thought so. She had made her own curtains with cushions to match, and the kitchen shone.

  “This is nice,” he said, looking around.

  “Thanks. Sit down.” She went through and put the kettle on. The kitchen area was only sectioned off by a counter and some cupboards, so they were easily able to carry on a conversation while she prepared the drinks.

  “How long have you lived here?” he asked, looking around.

  “A couple of weeks,” she told him.

  “You’ve got it really nice.”

  She felt herself blush. Something about getting his approval seemed to have an unholy effect on her, though she didn’t know why.

  She handed him his coffee and sat in the chair opposite him. The two chairs and tiny sofa didn’t actually match, but she had covered them in matching throws to try to coordinate the look. And to hide the coffee stains, which no amount of fabric cleaner would remove. She didn’t like being so far away from him, she realized, having woken in his embrace and kissed in the elevator. She told herself it hadn’t really meant anything and she was probably just feeling a little emotional because of the circumstances and the long night.

  “Did you come here for a job?” he asked.

  “No. I only just managed to get the job at the club at the last minute. I thought I’d missed the deadline but Dominic, um, Master Dominic, was kind enough to give me an interview. I didn’t think I’d get it, to be honest. It’s been a while since I did silver service.” She sipped her coffee.

  “So what’s the job you’re going for today?”

  She flushed, wondering if he thought she was about to leave the club. “It’s just shelf-stacking in a small grocery store,” she explained, stifling a yawn.

  His eyes narrowed. “And you’d prefer that to working at the club?”

  She stared at him. “Oh no. I love working at the club. It’s just that they can only give me a few shifts a week. This job’s not great pay but they’ve said they can offer me full-time work if I want it. Which I don’t. I just need to supplement my shifts, that’s all.”

  Nathan nodded. “I see. So how many hours are you going to do in the grocery st
ore?”

  Surprised at his interest, Summer put her mug on the coffee table, pulled a notebook from a magazine rack next to her chair, and opened it.

  “Well, I’ve worked out that I’ve got three regular shifts at the club each week, although Dom…Master Dominic can’t tell me which nights I have to do yet. Anyway, Ms. Powell at the grocery store needs me to do at least four shifts there, with the possibility of more as and when I’m needed. They’ve got staff vacations coming up, and sometimes it gets real busy at weekends too, so I might have to work longer. Anyway, if I do a minimum of three nights at the club and four days in the store, that should cover my rent, bills, and bus fares.” She smiled, preening a little.

  Nathan came over to where she was sitting and put his mug on the table next to hers. “How many hours are you going to be working, then?”

  “Well, I have to be at the club for six hours each night, and the store shifts are eight in the morning until six at night, unless I have to work over. In actual fact I have to get to the store for half past seven because of the bus service, but I don’t need to start until eight so I thought I could take my breakfast with me and have it more leisurely once I get over there.

  “The only problem might be if Master Dominic and Ms. Powell need me on the same day. Master Dominic wants us to be there for six thirty, but I don’t finish at the grocery store until six o’clock and it’s too far even by cab to get from one to the other in half an hour. Not that I could afford a cab anyhow.” She bit her lip. When she looked up at Nathan she was surprised at how hard he was frowning.

  “But you’d be working a minimum of fifty-eight hours a week, and that’s not including traveling time.” Nathan shook his head as he looked at her figures. “Even if it was logistically possible, which I doubt, you’d be exhausted.”

  Summer laughed. “I’m not afraid of hard work, you know. When I was in West Palm Beach I was working over a hundred and…” She coughed uncomfortably. Grabbing the notebook from him she quickly stuffed it back into the rack.

  “When was this?” He was studying her closely, and she felt unnerved by him.