Discovering Pleasure (16 page)

“Wow,” Joe said quietly.

“Intimately…now…” Rose continued with a gleam in her eye and a smile on her face, ”I’m to make sure my bedroom and his are fully supplied with toys, condoms and lube. I’m to take very good care of myself by eating right, practicing yoga, getting my legs and pubic hair waxed and letting him know if I’m overly stressed.”

“Again, very reasonable,” Alicia agreed.

Rose looked down and blushed a bit. She wasn’t sure she wanted to share this next part, but glancing up, she realised that these women would never pass judgement on her.

“And I’m to make sure my digestive tract is in working order and cleaned for him,” she admitted quietly.

“And the consequences?” Alicia questioned encouragingly.

“Well, Nathan insists that I agree to any and all consequences but I’ve insisted that he have full control over all maintenance sessions. Basically, consequences could include spankings using his hand or any other implement, mandatory corner time, figging, enforced nakedness, or anything else we agree to.” Rose took a bite of her salad before she continued. “Maintenance, however, is totally under his jurisdiction. He can paddle my ass, nipple torture, hot wax, whatever he chooses.” Rose couldn’t stop the smile that graced her face as she imagined all the naughty ways Nathan could remind her of just how much she meant to him.

“Figging?” Alicia asked.

Rose explained the process, adding, “Let me tell you, though, ginger in the anus hurts and stings like a son of a bitch. Nathan’s only done that once to me so far and I’m in no hurry to have him repeat it. Holy goddess, I learned my lesson well. Still, if that’s what he chooses to do, I’m willing to accept it. After all, the sting is horrid, but short-lived. It only lasts about twenty minutes then dissipates. Plus, I really like that it’s totally organic and natural.”

Alicia smiled and reached across the table to squeeze her hand. Rose took a breath.

“Whenever Nathan administers a consequence, I feel remorseful for what I’ve done, but also forgiven. It’s like the pain absorbs the mistake. Then the pain fades, the mistake vanishes and pleasure takes over. All that matters in the whole world at that point is him,” Rose babbled.

“It’s okay. I get it,” Alicia assured her. “I really do understand.”

“Rose, you’re happy with all of this?” Joe asked with compassion.

“Yes,” she assured her friend, “I’m more than happy with it. Plus, as we go on, we’ll add more rules and regulations such as needed.”

“So really, it’s all a work in progress,” Alicia summed up.

“Aren’t all relationships?” Joe pointed out.

The three women laughed and raised their glasses in salute.

Chapter Eighteen

Seyval—Light bodied with hints of apple, pear and ginger. Do not be misled. Despite this wine’s delicate flavour, it holds its own against spicy foods.

October 23

My Lord,

I have three appointments scheduled for tomorrow. Two are regular clients but one is a new referral—yay. New client equals new revenue. Had a letter from my father. Things are going well for the resort and we are all—you, me, Joe and Vincent, Maverick and Alicia—invited down for the opening next weekend. I can’t wait to see Maverick and Alicia again. I’m so happy they have decided to come back for the resort’s grand opening.

I miss you. I know you’ve been very busy with your private investigation firm but am hopeful that now you have hired two employees you will be home more. I know this is selfish and I fully expect to be reprimanded for my selfishness (giggles manically).

While you’ve been earning your keep in Kansas City being the big, bad PI, I’ve scrubbed your floors, organised your cabinets (you really are a slob, darling), cleaned my own home and put up fifteen quarts of home-canned tomatoes. Yum. Alicia sent me a really easy sauce recipe I think even your mother would approve of!

So I guess now is the time for confession.

1.
           
 
I forgot to make my appointment to have my legs waxed, so I’m going to do that tomorrow, that way they’ll be clean and smooth for you when you get home at least. Still, I’m two days late, so I apologise.

2.
           
Instead of putting the change from the grocery store in my wallet I just shoved it into my jeans pocket again. As you predicted, I lost five dollars and odd change.

3.
           
This morning, I overslept. I know this isn’t really an infraction of any of your expectations, but it is of mine. I really want to get into the practice of getting up by 6:30 a.m. so I can do my yoga before breakfast, so please help me remember to do this.

4.
           
I left the back door unlocked Tuesday afternoon.

I love you,

Rose

Rose paced her kitchen. She had expected Nathan to be here half an hour ago, but he had called and said traffic on the bridge was horrendous and he wasn’t sure how long it would take to get to her. In the meantime, he’d instructed her to arrange the discipline room. Last summer when they had returned from Southern Illinois, the two of them had set up the spare bedroom in her small home for the express purpose of play, discipline and maintenance.

First, Nathan had equipped the double bed with restraint holders for her wrists and ankles. So far, they had never used these gadgets, but Rose liked the idea that they were in place if needed. Perhaps during their next play session, she’d suggest they be put to use. Next, Rose had purchased a second-hand wooden wardrobe and filled it with Nathan’s flogger, leather and wooden paddles, ropes, and an assortment of toys such as clothes pins, nipple clamps, a blindfold, fuzzy handcuffs, silk scarves, dildos, vibrators and butt plugs. No clothing hung in the closet, but Nathan had reinforced the pole so that Rose could safely hold on to it when being flogged. Finally, Rose had placed a straight-backed wooden chair against the far wall so that Nathan could sit comfortably with her across his lap for any over-the-knee discipline he required.

Just last week, Rose had purchased a small refrigerator and stocked it with bottles of water and a hand of fresh ginger. She’d also placed a sharp knife next to the ginger, just in case Nathan decided to fig her again. He didn’t know about this newest addition to the room, but Rose felt sure he’d be pleased.

As soon as Nathan had called and said he was on his way over, she’d carefully arranged her hairbrush, a leather paddle, clothespins and a bowl of ice on the small table in their special room. She had no idea which—if any—of these supplies Nathan would use, but according to their agreement, she would arrange all the implements she was willing for him to use. How to use these, or if he used them, was up to him. After a moment’s hesitation, she added the ginger root and knife to the table. Before doing any of this, though, she had removed her clothing since she knew Nathan preferred she be totally nude while in the play room. Also, she had got into the habit of remaining naked for him when she knew a consequence or maintenance session was imminent.

Impatient for his arrival, she began to pace and think about her infractions of the week. She was sure he’d be understanding about all of them except for the last one—not locking the door. He was obsessed with her locking the back door even though she’d assured him of the safety of her neighbourhood. There had never been a crime problem in this area of town and she saw no reason to believe she was in any danger. Still, if that was what he wanted, then she should have been more diligent in remembering.

Rose stopped her pacing and cocked her head. Recognising the sound of his car, Rose grinned and sighed in relief. He was home. Quickly, Rose sat on the kitchen floor, her back against the table leg. She kept her eyes cast down but couldn’t keep the smile from her face as she listened to him unlock the door and step into her home. When she saw his shoes in front of her, she actually giggled.

“Welcome home, my Lord,” she said before raising up onto her knees and reaching to unzip his pants.

She felt his hand on her head and closed her eyes as her lips closed over his semi-flaccid cock. Goddess, but she loved the taste of him. She wrapped her tongue around his shaft and applied pressure, cradling his balls in her hands. Since he was not yet fully hard, she was able to easily draw him down her throat. She massaged his precious jewels while his cock grew, practically gagging her. Savouring his flavour, she worked her throat and sucked.

He tightened his hold on her hair and pulled her head back. Gasping in protest, she felt his cock leave her mouth. She sat back on her heels and looked up at him.

“Not that I don’t appreciate the welcome, girl, but we’ve got some business to attend to,” Nathan said firmly.

“Yes, Sir,” she answered humbly. Obviously, she was in for a stern lesson judging by his tone of voice.

Nathan zipped up his jeans and sat on the chair before addressing her.

“Your first offence was not getting your legs waxed on time, but since you’ve taken care of that before I got home, I’m willing to forgive that outright,” he reasoned.

“Thank you,” she said, placing her cheek on his knee.

“You’re welcome. Second, you lost five dollars of your own hard-earned money through carelessness. For that offence I’m going to give you twenty-five hand spankings—five for each dollar.”

“Yes, Sir,” she responded gratefully. Twenty-five swats? That was nothing. She certainly deserved that.

“Number three. You are requesting that I discipline you so that you remember to set your alarm, correct?” he asked.

“I am, Sir. I would greatly appreciate your help,” Rose admitted.

He played with her hair for a bit before speaking again.

“In that case, I’ll administer twenty-five swats with an implement of my choice. Agreed?”

Rose closed her eyes a moment. Nathan’s usual implement for a consequence was a hard wooden paddle. Surely she would remember that punishment for a while.

 
“Agreed, Sir. And thank you.”

“And finally,” he went on, his voice hard as nails, “I am seriously disappointed you left the door unlocked again. Do you know what happened in Collinsville just two days ago?”

Rose frowned and looked up at him. “No, I don’t.”

“A woman was raped and killed in her own home. She, like you, lived in a quiet neighbourhood and the perpetrator just walked right in. It happened during the middle of the day when most of her neighbours were at work. Sweetheart”—Nathan reached down and held her face in his hands—“you have no idea how crazy it makes me when you put yourself at risk.”

“My God, Nathan, I had no idea. I’m so sorry. I promise, I’ll remember from now on,” Rose assured him. Looking into his eyes, she saw his worry and concern. She felt terrible knowing she’d caused him such unnecessary stress.

“Yes, you will. I’ll make sure of that. For that offence, my love, you’ll be figged today and for the next five days for at least twenty minutes. While that ginger is inside of your sweet anus, I’m going to whip you with my belt. Your cheeks will be sore and possibly bruised. I’ll try not to mark you, but I need to be sure you understand the seriousness of what you did,” he explained patiently.

Rose began to shake a bit.
Five days?
He was going to whip and fig her for five consecutive days? She knew that she could object and request a lesser punishment, but the story of the Collinsville woman truly did frighten her. She also realised the chances of her remembering to lock the damned door were slim if he didn’t reinforce the rule. Silently, Rose nodded her acquiescence.

“It’s time.”

Obediently, Rose stood and walked to the discipline room with Nathan following behind her. She waited while he approved the arrangement of paddles. When he saw the ginger and knife, he nodded. Rose was pleased that she had correctly anticipated his desire. Finally, Nathan took his place on the chair. Rose quickly positioned herself on top of his lap. The first twenty-five swats were lovely. Thankfully, Nathan had delivered them with a moderate hand and for that she was grateful. Her skin was pleasantly warm, but knowing the reason for the spanking made Rose feel remorseful.

“First offence is over, sweet Rose,” Nathan said, rubbing her bottom and back. “Ready for the next or do you need a break?”

“I’m ready to go on,” she assured him. Bless him, he always made sure she was ready for more before continuing.

“Oh!” Rose shouted, shocked by the next swat. She’d been expecting his hand, but instead, her bottom had been assaulted by something hard and slightly cold.
Damn!
She’d forgotten that he had said he’d use an implement this time.

“You’ve had this paddle sitting out for a while, love. It’s right in line with your air conditioning vent. Bet that startled you a bit,” Nathan commented.

Panting, Rose nodded. “Yes, Sir. Twenty-five, Sir?”

“Indeed,” he assured her.