A Shadow of Doubt

by Dakota Black

  She was beautiful in an unassuming way, her eyes full of sadness as well as a desire to learn. She hungered for her own release and he had no doubt she’d allow him to spank her. He groaned and twisted his balls. Spank? No, Dani didn’t understand her needs just yet. Now, he’d never get another chance to open Pandora’s Box. He remained surprised he’d been as attracted to her, his sixth sense kicking in. He certainly hadn’t gone looking for a woman in a hell of a long time.

  Mitchell shifted and lifted his legs, opening them wide as he continued to stroke, his hand creating painful friction. All he had to do was think of her.

  “Spank me. I’ve been a bad girl.” Dani shifted from foot to foot, her eyes full of apprehension.

  “Yes, you have. Come lie over my knees. Take your punishment like the good girl I know you can be,” he commanded as he patted his lap.

  “Yes, sir.” Obeying like the dutiful submissive, she walked toward him, easing her naked body across his lap.

  After caressing her back, he began.

  Crack! Pop!

  Shuddering given the wayward vision, Mitchell pumped harder and faster until masturbating created a slice of raw agony. He envisioned her porcelain skin and full lips, her hour glass figure and long legs. Grunting, he jerked up from the bed as cum spewed out over his hand. “Fuck!” He panted as sweat beaded across his upper lip. The vision remaining clear, he imagined her reddened ass after a hard whipping. Nothing could be so delicious.

  As he lay spent, he tried to figure out a way to contact her. Unfortunately, he knew nothing about her. Zippo. He’d simply mauled her on the dance floor without asking any questions. He was a moron. A lunatic. No, he was much worse.

  A knock on his door dragged him out of his pensive state. He glanced over at the clock. Hell, it was after eleven. He eased out of bed, throwing on a pair of shorts, and headed for the door. Only two people dared stop by his house and those two knew better, especially on a weekend. The moment he threw open the door, he shook his head.

  “What?” The man held a mischievous look on his face. “You look like you partied all night long.”

  “Good morning to you, Zach, and not exactly.” Mitchell left the door open as he padded into the kitchen. Copious amounts of coffee were in order. Zach Goodman was one of his oldest and closest friends. He was trustworthy and had been his corporate attorney since the creation of the floundering oil business, long before the merge creating Rush Enterprises. They’d grown up together, sharing everything, and along with the VP of his company, the three completely different men were like the 2017 musketeers. He jerked the coffee pot out of the holder, pouring the remnants of yesterday’s coffee down the sink.

  “A cup of coffee would be perfect. I thought you went home with that little filly from the bar last night,” Zach stated as he placed his briefcase on the kitchen table.

  “You mean right after she slapped the shit out of me?”

  “Ouch! Guess you’ve lost your touch, buddy. Did you tell Camden yet?” Zach asked, his eyes twinkling.

  Mitchell gave him a look before filling the canister with heaping scoops of ground coffee. He needed a dark and stout brew to keep him on his toes. “No, I haven’t said a word to Camden. He doesn’t need to know all my dirty little secrets.”

  “He and I are having a drink later. The subject might just come up.”

  “You do and you die, buddy of mine. Why are you here on a Sunday with your briefcase?”

  “My work never ends. I have a slave driver for a boss. Contracts to sign.” Zach flipped open the top, pulling out a thick file folder. He held it in his hands and exhaled, eyeing Mitchell.

  He raised an eyebrow and while he didn’t need to ask what his buddy was thinking, he did anyway. “What’s wrong?”

  “Are you certain you want to do this?”

  “I’ve told you a half dozen times. This is important to me. I don’t expect you to understand, not completely. Hell, I’m not certain I do myself, but this is absolutely something I want and will do. Do I make myself clear enough?”

  Shrugging, Zach nodded. “I get it. I’ll do what the boss says without questioning.”

  Mitchell hesitated before answering. “I’m not your boss, merely a client.”

  “My only real client.” Zach winked.

  “Oh yeah. Then you should do as I say,” he teased.

  Zach moved closer, the folder still in his hand. “I’m serious, Mitchell. This purchase could be a noose around your neck if anything goes wrong with oil production.”

  Mitchell shot him a look. This was indeed something he had to do, a true representation of the man buried deep inside. “Nothing is going to go wrong. The new fields are producing as anticipated. At this rate, we’ll double the company wide production in four months. That’s a significant growth. In other words, stop worrying.”

  “My red flags are raised. I’m not certain why, but they are.”

  “Indian karma?” Zach was what the reservation called a half-breed. Only his twinkling blue eyes gave away that his mother was a blue-eyed blond.

  “Don’t fuck with the spirits.” Zach’s tone was dark and dangerous. Then he laughed. “Half joking. I do have a bad feeling so think carefully. You’re making impulsive decisions latterly, including purchasing that property in El Paso.”

  “That was a good business decision!” Mitchell retorted, but everyone, especially certain members on the Board of Directors had questioned his rationality. The recent acquisition, along with this purchase, would place the company in a precarious financial position. However, this was a deal he couldn’t pass up. Besides, he was using a significant portion of his own money. The Board only had minimal say.

  “If you say so. I warned you about that before the deal went through. I don’t like the way everything went down.”

  He gave Zach a heated look. “But it’s done. This one is personal.”

  “I get it and I know why, but I want you to really think about this. Once the contract is signed, there’s no turning back. You have a lot riding on this, including money.”

  Exhaling, Mitchell grabbed the folder. “You are aware I do understand contracts, right?”

  Zach held up his arms. “I care about you, man. I really do. I’m just your lowly attorney. Talk with Camden. Get his advice.”

  “No. I’m doing this one on my own. I have my reasons.” Even Zach wasn’t completely aware of why he’d made the decision, although he’d understand more than most. The purchase was so far out of his mission statement, there would be many in his company who questioned his judgment. Never mind the naysayers. This was the best decision he’d made his entire life. A new direction was exactly what Rush Enterprises needed, especially given the war of companies to scoop up the remaining producing oil fields. Up to this point he’d refused to go outside of Texas, much to the chagrin of his second in command. Camden was ready to take over the western half of the United States. Maybe he should have listened.

  In truth, Mitchell had grown weary of the dog-eat-dog aspect of business, including the dangerous political games. He knew them cold, understood how to best even his most accomplished adversary, but the constant nightmares were destroying what little was left of the man inside.

  “Stubborn as usual.”

  Mitchell spent several minutes reading the fine print. “Everything seems in order. Did you get any crap about the new caveats?” There were certain aspects he’d demanded, including luring two particular individuals to run the organization.

  “You know the business. Everyone is hungering for a larger slice of the pie. Thankfully, nothing I couldn’t handle. I offered a bit more to sweeten the deal, but the final figure was well within the confines that you allowed.” Zach gave him a wry smile. “You know the Board is going to flip when they hear this, don’t you?”

  Nodding, Mitchell eased back against the counter. Signing this deal could eventually make him one of the wealthiest men on the West Coast, a position he’d jockeyed for since inheriting his father�
�s portion of the combined companies. At least as long as the oil producing portions continued to flow with liquid gold he could placate the Board. However, the reason for the purchase was very personal. The rest came along for the ride. He was a lucky man, savoring the finer things in life because of his circumspect choices in business. Others weren’t so lucky. This would right certain wrongs. “That’s good to hear and I have control.” At least he had control for now. There was much opposition sitting on the elusive Board, including several men who’d been a part of the original company, serving alongside his father. The thought continued to leave bile in his throat.

  “Hey, you’ll have to curtail purchasing all those shiny new vehicles you seem to love so much. You’re all but wiping out your savings.”

  Toys. That’s all he had to show for his life. Exhaling, he dropped the contract on the table and grabbed two cups, pouring the steaming liquid as he thought about his life. He had an incredible estate, including a full working ranch and hundreds of acres situated just outside of Dallas. He owned several cars, two boats, three motorcycles and a partridge in a pear tree. Glutinous. He was nothing more than a lonely pig. “That doesn’t bother me in the least. I have everything I need.”

  “Uh-huh.” Zach grabbed a carton of half and half out of the refrigerator. “Then why do you seem like somebody pissed in your Wheaties this morning?”

  Mitchell held the cup in both hands. “Just bored and tired. That’s all.”

  “I know you too well, my friend. What’s bothering you?”

  He thought about how to answer the question. “I’m forty-six years old. I’ve never been married, no kids and at this point, no possibilities. You know as well as I do that any sane woman will leave me eventually.”

  “Why? Because you’re a dominant man?” Zach gave him a look.

  “That’s part of the issue. Look how many women I pushed away.”

  “Those women wanted to be a part of the freight train racing through gilded gates. Besides, you didn’t give a shit about them. What did you used to call them? Arm candy?”

  Mitchell winced at the words. There had been one woman he’d cared about. He’d even allowed his guard to fall, just long enough to force her to leave. “I need more in my life.” He took a gulp of coffee, savoring the almost bitter taste.

  “Adopt,” Zach suggested.

  Choking, he spewed coffee all over the contract. “Shit.”

  “Take it easy. I have two more copies.” Zach shook his head. “I was trying to break you out of this ridiculous mood. Christ. You need a vacation.”

  “I don’t want to go to another tropical island where beautiful women serve me drinks, food and anything else I ask for all day and night long.”

  He nodded as he stirred his coffee. “You’re right. That sounds horrible, disgusting in fact.”

  “Very funny,” Mitchell hissed. “You know what I mean.”

  “I suppose. Maybe you are hungering to settle down.”

  “Hell, even that lovely woman from last night had a taste of the real man and raced away in fear.” Feeling sorry for himself was a behavior trait he wasn’t used to. He’d learned as a small boy to keep his emotions in check. Daddy had been a great teacher. Snorting, he looked away.

  “Mitchell, you make yourself out to be such a monster. Why? You’re a great guy. You care about your employees, providing some of the best perks in the business. You have two great friends who keep you on your toes,” Zach said as he winked.

  A great guy. One who just happens to believe men should be the head of household. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m looking in all the wrong places.” He amended his earlier thought. He’d shared everything in his life with his two buddies and they’d never judged. Why did he care now? He was no longer certain.

  “How about Alice from accounting?” Zach asked, a lilt in his.

  Mitchell had to search the back of his mind to remember who Alice was. “Uh. No. She’s a nice young woman, but could be my daughter.”

  “Yeah, jail bait wouldn’t work. The story would be messy, perhaps ruin your career.”

  Both men had a good laugh, but Mitchell’s thoughts continued to drift back to Dani. Why did he feel so connected to someone he’d just met? Granted, she wasn’t like the other women in town. She had an edge to her, a reserved demeanor as if she’d been mistreated her entire life. She was also tight as a tick. Unraveling her dirty little secrets could be delicious.

  “Look, I want to spend some time with the contract. I’ll drop them by your office either later today or first thing in the morning. Will that work?” Mitchell knew he wouldn’t be able to concentrate today.

  “Yeah, that’s fine. In fact, I’m thrilled you’re taking your time. You have a few days anyway before the owner comes back in town. So, are you kicking me out of your house?” Zach grinned.

  “I have some things to do and no, they don’t involve a woman.”

  “Yeah. Yeah. Whatever you say, boss man.”

  After Zach left, Mitchell glanced at the kitchen clock. Time to get ready to rule the world. Only this time, he wanted to save and protect. Sighing, he smiled. Maybe he was becoming a better man.

  “What the hell were you thinking?” Dani admonished as she wiped steam from the bathroom mirror. She’d chastised herself half the night, disgusted at the fact she’d let go, allowing a man, a nobody cowboy who thought he was something special, lure her into a tryst. Well, they really hadn’t done that much, but the sinful act was headed in that direction. Thank God, she had the good graces to slap him and leave. Then she’d wallowed in her own private hell, finishing a bottle of wine with Sasha until the wee hours of the morning. Her headache was proof that the incident with Mitchell had indeed occurred.

  The look on his face after her attack had been priceless. She bit her lower lip as she grabbed her deodorant. The guy was hot, so was the dancing. And the kissing. “Ugh!” She had to stop thinking like a teenager with a crush. She had one day to get her tiny house organized before she started her new job and there was a ton of shit to do.

  She needed groceries. She wanted to hang a few pictures. She should get her closet organized, let alone her kitchen. Boxes were everywhere, items pulled out and dropped on various surfaces. An agenda. If she was going to get everything finished in time, she needed to have an itemized list. First stop? The grocery store, wherever that was. She had coffee, bottled water and a box of cheese crackers. Yeah, that was nutrition.

  After dressing, she gulped a cup of coffee and pulled out her phone. Thank God, for various downloadable applications. Within no time, she found three grocery stores that were close to the house. She could do this.

  She was out the door by five minutes until one. This was going to be a long day, but at least she’d have food and wine to keep her company. After she left her driveway, she flipped on the satellite radio. Metal music was in order. When she accidentally bumped the station, she almost wrecked as she attempted to find the right one. A deep and sensual voice grabbed her attention.

  “Good afternoon, well in my part of the world anyway. My name is Master Gregory and this is Taken in Hand. For an hour we’ll be discussing discipline, both with methods and the various viewpoints on the subject. Yes, if you’ve just tuned in for the first time, you heard the word correctly. Discipline. Punishment. Obedience. Spanking. When I say the words, what comes to mind? Say the words to yourself. Do you tingle with anticipation or are you ready to turn the channel?”

  Master Gregory? Who did this guy think he was? Dani was indeed about ready to change the channel when she hesitated. There was a talk show on discipline? Really? She pulled her hand back and turned up the volume.

  “I think for a lot of people, men as well as women, the words either identify you as a spanker or spankee. Dominant or submissive. Head of household or dutiful spouse. I, for one, believe that the man should be the master of the house, providing rules as well as discipline for his spouse. In my humble opinion, relationships are much better off when the ma
n has a firm grip on the marriage. Today, we’re going to discuss the good and the bad of moving into a domestic discipline relationship. Let’s go to our first caller. George. You’re on with Master Gregory.”

  Her mouth dry, Dani was uncomfortable, sweating even though the air was on full blast. She was shocked something like this was on the radio. Her phone beeped, indicating a turn and she jumped, her nerves on edge.

  “Master Gregory, I’ve been trying to get my wife to consider domestic discipline, but she thinks all I want is sex. Do you have any words of wisdom?”

  “Well, George, first thing you need to do is talk with your wife. You must have her engaged in the conversation,” Master Gregory said, his tone commanding.

  She was on the edge of her seat, listening intently. This was very interesting.

  “You need to give her various reasons why you want to enter into the relationship. Granted, sex between partners has been known to be much more intense, but first and foremost, you’re trying to get your relationship back on an even keel. Is that correct?”

  “Yes, and I’ll try. Margie is a tough old bird,” George said. “Thank you.”

  “Of course. We’ll move on to our next caller in just a moment. Domestic discipline isn’t for everyone. You must be honest, more honest than you’ve ever been in your life, for this to work. This is also a learning process. You can’t learn everything right away so give you and your partner the respect of going at this one day at a time.”

  Master Gregory’s words were well thought out. She’d heard of domestic discipline, but didn’t fully understand the concept.

  Beep!

  “Shit!” Glaring into her review mirror, she huffed and stepped on the gas. So, she’d been holding up a line of traffic. Maybe they needed to listen to the show as well.

  “Now, we’re onto Betsy. Hi, Betsy. Welcome to the show. What’s your question?” Master Gregory asked.

  “Hi. Hi there.”

  “You seem nervous, Betsy. No reason to be. I’m here to help if I can. Do you have a question?”