“Who are you trying to bullshit? You’ll order her not to have contact with me.”
Tony shook his head. “Again, it’s obvious you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. I suggest you leave BDSM to people who have respect for their partners and quit thinking you have what it takes to be a Dominant. You can’t even control your fucking Internet perving urges. And you’re stupid enough to pay for porn? Seriously? And you’re slimy enough to steal from the woman who loved you and even gave you a second chance when you certainly didn’t deserve it? That’s just…wow.”
He slammed the door shut, forcing James to step back or be hit. Locking it, he stared at the envelope in his hand. It felt like there was more than just a check in it, like maybe a sheet or two of paper as well.
He didn’t contemplate opening it. Instead, he put the umbrella down, turned on his heel, and headed for the bedroom. He fought another urge to laugh when he saw the frantic expression she wore as she tried to speak. But when she immediately shut up and dropped to her knees at his signal, it hardened his cock.
She sooo needs a spanking.
Then again, he had told her to be waiting for him. He’d never expected anyone else to show up, and she certainly hadn’t.
And the smell of whatever she’d made deliciously filled the apartment, making his stomach growl.
He stood before her. “Greeting, pet.”
She immediately kissed his feet, the backs of his hands, and then nuzzled his cock where it strained through his slacks.
“Look at me.”
She did.
Who am I kidding? I’m in love with her. I can’t be mad at her. “In the future, pet, ask who’s at the door before telling them to come in. Especially if you’re naked.”
She nodded, so hard he thought her head might come off.
He held the envelope out to her. “He gave me this to give you.”
She looked at it but didn’t reach for it. “Are you mad at me, Sir?”
He took a deep breath. “No, of course I’m not mad at you, pet. I am upset that you let someone in without identifying who was at the door. I know it’s a coincidence he showed up tonight. He said he left you voice mail messages this weekend. Had I not arrived when I did, I’m afraid of what he might have tried with you.”
She nodded again. “I didn’t listen to them when I cleared them this morning. As soon as I heard it was him, I deleted them.”
“Aren’t you going to open it?”
She stared at the envelope without taking it, then looked up at him. “Would you please open it for me, Sir?” she softly asked.
His heart wanted to break for her. He held out a hand to her and helped her stand. He led her to the bed and sat her down on the end of it. Then he inserted his thumb under the flap and opened the envelope.
Sure enough, two sheets of paper wrapped a cashier’s check for $13,800. “He told me he got a loan from his parents,” he explained as he handed her the check. She gasped in surprise over the amount while he read the letter.
In the long, rambling, handwritten missive, he asked for forgiveness, explained he was in therapy, and begged for a second chance. Including that he’d move to Florida to be with her and would agree to any terms she wanted.
He stopped midway through the first page. “Do you want me to read this to you, or summarize?”
“Summarize, please, Sir. Although I bet he’s groveling and begging for another chance.”
“My smart pet. Yes, among other things. I haven’t finished it yet.”
She took a deep breath, then slowly blew it out again. “I don’t need to hear anything else. You don’t have to finish it.” She looked up, meeting his gaze. “You’re my Sir. If that check clears, which I guess it will, I don’t need to have anything else to do with him. Ever.”
“You don’t want me to finish reading it?”
She shook her head. “No, Sir. Not unless you want to.”
“Do you want to keep it? Maybe to read later if you change your mind? I don’t have a problem with that.”
She shook her head. “No, Sir. I’m not changing my mind about you.”
He smiled. “I meant changing your mind about reading what he has to say.”
She shrugged. “I don’t care what he has to say. I can’t ever trust him again and have no desire to be friends with him.”
“No desire to have closure?”
She shook her head. “He burned his bridges with me. He’s lucky I didn’t press charges against him. The only closure I need is when that check clears and I can pay off all the cards and close them. Please, just tear it up.”
He nodded, then ripped the papers into small pieces before taking them into the bathroom and flushing them down the toilet. He returned to the bedroom and pulled her to her feet, sliding his hands down her back to her ass. He dug his fingers into her ass cheeks and pulled her hips tight against his so she could feel how hard he was.
“I think I’m going to give you five good, hard swats for letting someone in without checking first. Not fun—punishment. Any problem with that?”
She shook her head. “No, Sir. You’re right.”
“Good girl.” He ground his hips against her. “Dinner smells delicious. Is it ready?”
A smile finally broke through the look of consternation on her face. “I just have to go put in the garlic bread.”
He turned her around and delivered a playful swat to her ass. “Then I suggest you go do it. I’m starving.”
* * * *
Shayla hurried out to the kitchen. She shoved the check into her purse before she removed the casserole from the oven and got the garlic bread ready to put under the broiler. It wasn’t until she had the frozen pieces laid out on the cookie sheet and had it in the oven that she realized she was crying.
She leaned against the counter and closed her eyes, wishing she could control her emotions.
I’m free.
For the first time in the months since she discovered the true depths of James’ treachery, she felt like she could breathe without the pain of stress and loss weighing her down.
The check was actually a little short of what he owed her. There were several hundred dollars in fees and interest that had accrued in addition to the original amount he’d charged in her name, but she wouldn’t quibble over that. It was well worth the price to finally be free.
She’d never have to have contact with James again.
When Tony slipped his arms around her waist, she jumped, startled, then turned to face him.
“Talk to me, pet.”
She shook her head and cried against him, relishing the feel of his hands stroking her back.
“It’s okay,” he softly said. “I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere.”
When the timer went off, she extricated herself from his arms and removed the garlic bread from the oven. She was well aware of Tony’s eyes following her every movement as she worked to plate their dinners.
Before she could pick up the dishes to carry them out to the living room so they could eat on the couch, he caught her hand and drew her close again. He feathered his lips along her knuckles, gently squeezing her hand.
“Talk to me now, pet.”
She blinked at him. “I’m free,” she finally whispered.
He smiled. “Do tell.”
She realized how it sounded and laughed. “I meant free from him. From the whole nightmare. In a couple of days, all the debt will be paid off. I’m free.”
He pulled her close. “And what about me? How do you feel when you’re with me?”
She draped her arms around his neck and stared up into his green eyes. “I’m even freer when I’m with you, Sir.”
“Even as my slave?”
“Especially as your slave. I can let go of everything else, every other worry, and focus only on you. I never knew how freeing being a slave would feel.”
That damn, playful smile of his. She felt moisture pooling between her legs.
“Wel
come to the irony inherent in the lifestyle, pet.”
* * * *
Dinner was interrupted again by her cell phone ringing. She started to ignore it when she realized it was her parents’ home number.
“Hello?”
Her mom. “I just received an interesting phone call from James.”
Shayla groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. Tony walked over, brow furrowed, obviously wanting to know what was wrong. “I don’t want to know what he wanted,” Shayla said.
“When I get a nearly hysterical call from your ex-fiancé, claiming you’re being held hostage by a guy who’s treating you like a slave, I think as a parent I should at least make a phone call to find out what’s up.”
She groaned again. “Mom, look. James showed up here—”
“I don’t want to know anything about you and Tony’s sex life,” her mother said, cutting her off. “I read the articles. I suspect I know what’s going on between you two. I’m not an idiot. But are you okay?”
She tried and failed not to snicker as Tony nibbled his way up her shoulder toward her neck. “Yes, Mom. I’m fine. I didn’t know it was James at the door. I thought it was Tony.”
“He seemed like a very nice guy. We both really liked him when we met him.”
“I hope you’re talking about Tony.”
“I am.”
She bit the bullet and closed her eyes. “Good, because he’s going to be your son-in-law.”
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. Finally, her mother said, “Seriously?”
“Yeah. Seriously. He proposed this morning.”
Now her mother sounded strident. “And you didn’t call us?” she shrieked, making Shayla pull the phone away from her ear.
Her eyes popped open. She met Tony’s gaze. He was struggling not to laugh and had stopped mid-kiss. “I was going to call you tomorrow. Tony was out of town for two weeks. It was like after midnight when he got here this morning. We haven’t even had time to eat dinner yet tonight. He just got here from work.”
“When’s the big day?”
“Mom, our dinner’s getting cold.”
“Screw your damn dinner! I get put through this tonight by your ex-asshole, I deserve a little forewarning. When’s the wedding?”
Frustrated and knowing her mom wouldn’t be happy without an answer, she looked at Tony. “She wants a date,” she whispered in his ear.
He smiled. “We’re eloping,” he whispered back.
“You said my choice.”
His smile widened to a grin. “Yes, I did.” He kissed her and took the phone from her. “Hi, Karen. How are you?”
Shayla giggled and rested her head against Tony’s chest as he looped an arm around her shoulders and held her close. She reveled in the warmth from his body pressed against hers.
“Yes, ma’am. He showed up here at her apartment unannounced. I took care of him. He didn’t take kindly to it… Yes, I proposed this morning.” He looked down at Shayla. “I love your daughter and I’m not about to let her go… No, I don’t spend money on porn, and yes, I’m still gainfully employed.”
“Mother!” Shayla yelled as she reached for the phone.
He wouldn’t let go of it and arched an eyebrow at her in warning. “Yes, she did seem a little perturbed by that question… James did leave her a check paying her back in full though… Yes, next time the little bastard calls you, feel free to tell him to go screw himself. It’s a cashier’s check… No, I don’t think he can stop payment on it.”
Shayla clapped a hand to her forehead, certain she’d just dropped into the rabbit hole for good this time.
“Yes, she’ll call you back tomorrow morning with more details… No, we haven’t set a date yet. Haven’t thought that far in advance… Thanks, Karen. I appreciate that… Okay, thank you, Mom.” He kissed Shayla. “You, too. Good night.” He ended the call and placed her phone on the counter.
“Did she really call him a little bastard?”
He grinned again. “No, she called him a little fucker. I thought I’d show some restraint and not repeat that back to her. I don’t want Mom to start thinking poorly of her son-in-law before we’re even married.”
* * * *
After dinner he helped her clean up the kitchen before leading her to the bedroom. He kicked off his shoes before standing with his arms outstretched.
She needed no prompting. She quickly set to work undressing him, carefully folding his clothes and laying them on the dresser. When he was naked, he pointed to the floor.
Her knees folded without hesitation. She rested her forehead on his feet, a soft sigh escaping her.
This is where I want to be. I don’t care why anymore. It feels right.
“How’s my pet?”
“Better, Sir. Now that you’re here.”
“Good girl. Before we can have fun, you owe me five.”
“Yes, Sir.” Already she felt her pussy clenching, growing wet. It’d be running down her legs in seconds, no doubt.
“Over the bed, feet on the floor.”
She stood and turned to assume her position bent over the bed, her clit throbbing, on fire, aching to feel the first stinging slap across her ass.
He sat next to her on the bed and curled his fingers around her collar, pinning her facedown on the bed. His other hand caressed her ass. “Feet wider, pet.”
She scooched her feet farther apart.
“Good girl.” His hand stilled on her ass as heat built inside her, waiting to be unleashed.
“You’re wet, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Sir,” she whispered, her face aflame at the admission.
“Such a good girl you are,” he whispered, leaning in close, his breath in her ear. “I warned you I would rewire your brain. You were such a good girl to let me.”
The silken rumble of his voice flowed through her body, only serving to make her crave his sadistic touch that much more. “Thank you for training me, Sir.”
He chuckled. His hand continued caressing her ass. “It was most definitely my pleasure, pet. I look forward to many more long training sessions with you throughout the years.” He leaned in even closer, his lips pressed to her ear now, his voice barely a breath. “My next goal is to train you to come just by verbal command. How would you like that, pet?”
She fisted the covers and let out a mewling whine. “Yes, Sir. Please.”
“How would you like to feel me fucking your reddened ass, clamps on your nipples and clit, begging me to take them off and then I make…you…come.” On the last word he delivered a hard, stinging blow to her ass, probably hard enough to make his hand sting.
She let out a cry that was partly pain, but a good deal of pleasure, too.
“Answer me, pet.”
“Yes, Sir!”
“Or we could be in the middle of a scene. Imagine me using a riding crop on that sweet ass of yours and taking you just to the verge of coding and keeping you there. And then I turn the crop onto your vulnerable little clit and begin slapping it until you’re ready to code…and I make you come!” The second blow, every bit as hard as the first, made her gasp with pain.
But his words also made her clit throb.
“I will train you in the fine art of orgasm control, pet. You will get to the point where you won’t be able to come without my command. I’ll be able to torture you for hours, keep you begging for relief, making you crave the pain as much as the pleasure so you can come.” She was glad she didn’t have any paddles at the apartment. Blow number three brought tears to her eyes, yet she didn’t even consider begging for mercy.
She wanted it. Needed it.
Craved it.
“Is my poor pet horny?” he asked, speaking into her ear, her neck still pinned to the bed.
“Yes, Sir!”
“I can tell. I can smell how wet you are. Did you come while I was gone?”
“No, Sir.”
“So this morning was the first time since three Saturdays ago?
”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Aww, my poor pet.” Slap!
“One more, pet. One more hard one, and then I’m going to play with you until I’m ready to finish you off. Ready?”
“Yes, Sir.”
She barely had the words out of her mouth before he smacked her one last, hard time. She sobbed, relieved it was over and wishing it wasn’t.
He nibbled on the shell of her ear. “Playtime, pet.” He didn’t let her up. He slid the hand on her ass lower, between her legs, and fingered her pussy. “Just as I thought. You’re a very wet girl.” He lightly slapped her pussy, making her gasp.
“Keep those legs spread,” he sternly ordered.
She did, bracing herself. He was more playful than sadistic, however, keeping his slaps on the lighter end of the scale. Relentless, he worked back and forth, between her clit and her pussy, until her whole body was on fire and she began begging for relief.
“Please, Sir,” she sobbed.
“Please what, pet?”
“Please make me come!”
“Try coming for me like this, then, pet.” His strokes grew more regular, the tempo and force slowly increasing until she wasn’t sure she could take it anymore.
Then subspace kicked in. Endorphins flooded her system. She rocked her body in time with his strokes, gasping as she felt her release closing in.
“That’s my dirty little pet,” he said. “You can do it.”
She arched her back, crying out as she hit the perfect angle for his whole hand to make contact with both her clit and her pussy at the same time.
And then it happened. A slow boil that erupted before she realized it. She buried her face in the covers and screamed in relief even as he built to a crescendo that pushed her harder and farther over the edge. When he stopped, she gasped again, startled as the last echoes of her release still rippled through her.
Then, with a hand still on her collar, he stood and stepped between her legs. He lined up the engorged head of his cock with her wet cunt, rubbing the head back and forth between her swollen labia and coating it in her juices.
“Look what my pet did. My pet came from having her pussy slapped.” He slammed his cock home, hard and deep and drawing a cry of pleasure from her. He pulled her head up with the collar. “Fuck yourself on my cock, pet. Show me what you’ll do for me.”