Chapter Three
“You did what? Are you fucking out of your mind? Are you trying to get yourself killed?” Camie demanded, issuing a series of curse words. “Jesus Christ. You’re not that naïve.”
“Wait a minute. You suggested Craigslist,” Jenna insisted, shuddering not only from the number of emails but the sheer blatant comments written by supposedly grown men. Maybe there were a few women tossed into the mix. One could never tell. She was overwhelmed, her pulse kicking into high gear. Or maybe she should say underwhelmed by the responses. Some couldn’t speak decent English, let alone try to describe anything but random sexual acts, the majority of which had to be illegal.
Hey, babe. I’m the hard hitting man you’re looking for. Call me.
Hi ya, bad little girl. I have a whip with your name on it.
Come, girl. Big whip. Bigger dick.
I’m gonna whip you real good.
Jesus. She was shivering just from the few she had the time to read and there were dozens of them. Maybe more. All in one night?
“I was joking when I told you that. I mean, come on, girl. I never thought you’d be serious about doing anything in the first place. First of all, I can’t believe that the assholes on the site allowed you to put an ad like that on their pages. Second, you will attract every mass murderer on the East Coast. You know that. Oh. My. God.”
“Stop being so melodramatic. I’m not stupid. Okay?” Well, maybe she was. She’d let her guard down, opening herself up to unwanted attention, and yes, including from crazies who just might sell her to some Arabian sheik.
Camie issued a series of heady groans. “I am so worried. What are you going to do? Let me think. Delete the ad then hide. That’s it.”
She chuckled as she clicked off the email, shutting down her computer. “I created a fake email address with no information. I can check out the crazies first and see if I want to talk to any of them just via the internet. Nothing more. Stop being a mother hen.”
“They can be anybody they want to be behind a computer. You have to remember that.”
“Tell me something I don’t already know. Stop worrying. I’m a safety girl. Okay? Besides, I have to get ready for work.”
“You really have to be careful, honey. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Jenna walked toward the bathroom, flipping on the light. “Your idea. Keep that in mind.”
“Don’t remind me. I’m going to go and shoot myself before breakfast. Call me later.”
“Yes, Mommy dearest.” She dropped her phone and groaned, glaring at her reflection before removing her nightgown. Eyeing the wooden hairbrush, she lifted her eyebrows before wrapping her fingers around the handle. She shifted until she could see her ass then reached back, smacking her ass cheeks several times. The sting was delicious but certainly not satisfying. There had to be a better way.
The day couldn’t have gone by any slower. Jenna looked at the clock at least a dozen times, wishing the lunch hour would arrive.
She couldn’t stop thinking about the scores of emails as well as Camie’s warning. She’d even brought her laptop with her and as soon as the lunch hour hit, she found a quiet spot at a local fast food joint and navigated to her Gmail account. At least thirty other messages had come in. “Delete. Delete. Delete. Maybe. Oh, hell, no.” Why saying the words out loud made the fantasy land she’d created a touch more real, she’d never know. By the time she was finished with sorting through the assholes, she had three in the maybe pile and two of them were questionable.
Huffing, she was ready to slam the lid shut and gobble down her salad when she decided to navigate toward her account on SubmissiveLife. She had one request for friendship. Boy, she was burning up the internet pages. She glanced at the guy’s profile. Interesting. Yes, she adored the black and white picture and accepted. She shoved a fork full of food in her mouth as she glanced at his limited information. He was a dominant. Check. He believed in discipline. Check. He was looking to mentor a mischievous young lady, providing rules and punishment as necessary. Hmmm… Double checks.
Just to be nice, she wrote him a note.
I’m looking for a disciplinarian who lives in the Richmond area, but I’m selective and certainly not an idiot. Tell me why I would choose you.
She giggled, gobbling down several more bites, satisfied that she had the swing of this. A series of thoughts and visions entered her mind, being taken over a man’s lap, spanked like the bad little girl she truly was.
“You’re one very bad little girl, princess. You’re disobedient and mouthy. You can’t seem to follow any of my rules. That hurts me. Daddy is going to have to spank you and your punishment will be severe. Do you understand?” He held both of her arms, caressing in a gentle and loving fashion, his eyes full of kindness.
“Yes, Daddy. I try to be good. I really do.”
“I know that. Now, take off your pretty dress and panties.”
She watched as he unfastened his belt, taking his time to pull the thick leather strap from the loops on his trousers. Tears had already formed from his chastisement. She hated to disappoint her daddy. Sniveling, she removed her dress, folding and placing it just so on his table. Lowering her head, she fumbled to release the clasps on her bra, humiliated that she was going to be spanked completely naked. Her legs were shaking as she attempted to lower her panties, hunkering down in order to pick them up.
“Come here,” Daddy said, his voice soothing yet firm. He sat down on the hardback chair, patting his lap. “Over my lap, little girl.”
She had difficulty walking to him, the anticipation killing her.
“Would you like to tell me why you need a hard spanking?”
Nibbling on her finger, she thought about every infraction. “I’ve cursed. A lot. I’ve been late to work twice and lied to my boss. I haven’t gone to bed when I was supposed to. I called you a few names.”
“Hmmm… All serious infractions. Let’s make certain we help ease your guilt. I’m going to warm you up with thirty from my hand then fifty from my belt.”
Fifty. She wouldn’t be able to sit for a full day. The second he eased her over his lap, placing his warm hand on her back, she began to float, ready for her punishment, taking it like a good little girl. He said a few other soothing words, easing her into a calm place.
Then the spanking began.
Jenna twisted in her seat, her stomach in knots, her pussy clenching. She blinked away the vision, licking her dry lips and scanning the people around her. No one seemed to realize she was on the verge of climaxing.
God, she needed a hard spanking.
Would she ever find a man she could trust? Could she ever really see herself draped over a stranger’s knees, thriving from his firm hand? Suddenly, the salad left a distinct and very bad taste in her mouth.
* * *
Dominick found the listing and toyed with answering. He had no doubt the girl had received copious numbers of emails and by now, she was probably disgusted with her tactic. He’d also checked SubmissiveLife and seeing her personal message had created a dichotomy of reactions. He’d realized the little girl indeed needed a firm hand, which brought out his dominating tendencies. He’d also been hard as a rock for a solid thirty minutes. There was no logical reason why, but he was turned on as fuck.
He cracked his knuckles and glared at the screen. Why not answer on both locations? Couldn’t hurt. If she was serious and they could develop a conversational relationship, then maybe… He closed his eyes, partially disgusted with himself. What did he know about being a true disciplinarian? What implements did he have in his repertoire? Exactly none. Unless you could call certain wooden spoons and his favorite belt the beginning of a collection. He could certainly remedy that in a short period of time. Maybe he would, just in case. A smile crossed his face as he began to type.
I’m very professional, my particular job disallowing any disclosure. I’m considered honest to a fault and hundreds of men and women trust my sage advice. I believe all women deserve strict rules, stern punishment as necessary. I also refuse to take any bullshit or play any games. If you are serious about finding the right person to serve your needs, let me know. And you are correct. There will be no attachments. Period. Tell me more about yourself, as well as your needs in order for us to see if there is a slight chance we will connect. Be succinct as well as direct. As this is a business arrangement, nothing more, there will be terms of the deal that I will determine IF we decide to proceed any further.
He hesitated before signing but what the hell. Master Dominick.
Dominick took a sip of his scotch and sat back, rereading the message. Straight. To the point. And without any fluff. Perfect. He hit send and closed the various programs.
At least for now.
He left his office, taking an early evening swim before preparing his favorite pasta dinner. As he sat outside on the deck with a glass of his favorite cabernet, jazz music on the iPod, he realized he had hope that this would work out. He made a mental list of what he wouldn’t accept.
No drug addicts.
No money grubbers.
No one even close to eighteen.
No wild girls with dark, kinky desires.
That was enough at this point. And what about the implements? He was more excited as he planned out what he would and should purchase.
Paddles.
Leather straps.
Floggers.
Canes.
That would do for an excellent start. He finished dinner, refilled his wine, and proceeded to order everything he thought would work. Over four hundred dollars later, he was placated. For now. His curiosity getting the better of him, he moved back to the computer. Seeing her answer on the kink site, he was forced to admit he was thrilled.
Master Dominick. I am also a professional, working an eight to five job. I’m almost twenty-seven, unmarried, and without any attachments. My needs are simple. I hunger to find the right man to provide me with discipline on a regular basis. I’ve always longed to be controlled, rules provided. I know I can thrive with strict punishment as necessary. I feel I’m floundering, unable to better myself. I see everyone I know succeeding in business as well as love and I’m alone, terrified of what tomorrow will bring. I’ve never done this before, so I’m uncertain how it works, but as I mentioned, I’m happy to come to you. Lunch hour. Before or after work. The weekends. Whatever works for you. But, I need to talk more in order to ensure that you aren’t an asshole, abusive, or ready to slice my throat. Just that simple.
Her words were frank. They were straight to the point. And he was hooked on the concept of moving further. He also realized for the first time that he’d used his real first name years ago when setting up SubmissiveLife. Sighing, he knew this could get messy if anyone found out what he was considering. Even though Catherine was getting remarried, she’d stop at nothing to serve him up to his own board of directors as a sick sadistic fuck.
If this went forward, the very first rule would be absolute confidentiality. In fact, he’d have his attorney draw up a nondisclosure agreement. If he couldn’t trust his own attorney, then who could he trust? Satisfied that he could make this work, as long as they connected, he answered.
Even as we talk, there will be rules that I require you to follow. They will be simple at first, but if you can’t follow these, I will not be able to trust you’ll follow others. One, you will email me when you leave your house in the morning and when you arrive back at home. This particular rule will become stricter if we move forward. Two, you will never mention our conversations to anyone. This will be considered a breach in our initial trust and you will never hear from me again. And three, you will address me as Sir or Master Dominick when talking with me. There will be no exceptions. Do you understand?
At least he’d set up a bogus email account at the same time he’d established his profile on SubmissiveLife. He sat back, finishing up what was left of his wine. Waiting for her reply. There was no hesitation. She could be trained and definitely desired to be obedient.
Yes, Sir.
“Excellent,” he half whispered.
The next time he looked at the clock, it was close to midnight. They’d been exchanging messages for the last several hours. He found baby girl, as he’d taken to calling her, highly intelligent and poised, as well as with a good sense of humor. She also had a mouth on her, something he could correct easily enough. He laughed at himself, realizing he’d already accepted the position as her dom, her disciplinarian, her caretaker of sorts.
This was the perfect kind of relationship.
Tired from the long day, his last message was succinct.
Remember your rules, baby girl. Have a good night. I will expect to hear from you tomorrow.
This time, he didn’t wait for her reply. As he left his office, he had a huge smile on his face. This was exactly what he’d needed all along. On the way to his bedroom, he made a call. He could only imagine his attorney’s face when he listened to the message. He tingled at the thought.
“Troy. I need you to do me a favor. I need a nondisclosure and this is absolute client confidentiality. Let me give you the details and no, you can’t ask me any sordid questions.”
* * *
To say she was excited was the understatement of the year. Jenna had stood in front of her mirror, changing clothes a solid four times. No, five. All the discarded items remained in a pile on her unmade bed. She had to look perfect. Twisting back and forth, she smoothed down the dress, one that had been in the back of her closet. She wanted Master Dominick to be impressed. No, this wasn’t about a date, but after all the days of conversations, her guilt-free admittances about her desires, her fears, she felt relatively close to him.
To a stranger that she’d never met.
“Ugh.” She scowled at her reflection, making ugly faces as she scrutinized her selection. He could still be a mass murderer for all she knew. She had to admit, she’d been put off at first by his request for her to sign some legal agreement, but given this day and age, she did understand. He was supposed to have it with him today. If they liked each other in person, and if she signed the documentation, then they’d move another step forward.
D-Day. Discipline day.
She shuddered at the thought, envisioning his massive hands striking her on the ass more times than she could count. “Breathe and get moving.” He’d insisted on meeting for coffee before work. Starbucks was a public place and with enough noise, no one would pay any attention to them as they talked. Or so she hoped. She’d obeyed every rule up to this point, even lying to Camie about the connection.
She stood back and finally smiled. He certainly hadn’t demanded that she wear any particular kind of clothing, but the dress was youthful without being risqué. Another glance at the clock by her bed and she squealed, racing to grab her purse, phone, and keys. One thing she knew about her master… Shit. She was already thinking of him as ‘hers.’ Anyway. She’d learned quickly that he hated tardiness. When she stood just outside her car, she sent him a quick email that she was leaving. Just as required. Just as had been ingrained in her early training.
Training. Oh. My. God.
After almost flooding her engine, she jerked out of the parking lot, trying her best not to run over the little kiddies waiting for the bus. The five-minute drive seemed to take forever and by the time she raced into the parking lot, she was perspiring in all the wrong places. “Breathe and walk slowly. Take your time.” The pep talk did her absolutely no good. She dropped her purse on the way, her keys twice and almost broke her ankle trying to get onto the curb.
Jenna was a freaking wreck. She’d never been this nervous on any date. And all those dates were so glorious. Okay, so she had terrible taste in men. Whatever. She stood just outside the store, calming her nerves, searching the parking lot. Master Dominick had described himself as tall with peppered hair and he’d be wearing a gray suit and a purple tie. At least the man had taste. There was no one holding that description in the parking lot, which meant either he was late or she was. A quick glance at her watch told her the answer. “Shit. Shit. Shit.” This wasn’t the perfect way to begin.
The coffee joint was as jam-packed as ever, a hint of claustrophobia taking over. She stood on her tiptoes, trying to see over the horde of people standing in line. No one fit his description. There is no way that she was so late that he’d already left. Holding her breath, she weaved through what seemed like a pack of customers, moving toward the back of the store. When she was at the end of the counter, she noticed a man sitting alone in the corner couch, one arm draped over the back, the other scrolling through his phone.
Gray suit, purple tie, and salt and pepper hair. What he hadn’t told her was how insanely gorgeous he was. Even sitting, she could tell he was at least six foot three, if not taller. Everything about him screamed power and influence, and there was no one trying to crowd his space. The moment she took a single step closer, he lifted his head, his eyes locking on her, acknowledging her presence. Then his heated gaze roamed down the length of her body.
Jenna felt so small, frail in comparison to the man and as he stood, sliding his phone into the pocket of his jacket, she lost her breath. Master Dominick was stunning. His shoulders were broad and strong, his legs long and no doubt muscular. He was everything she’d ever dreamed of in a man, but there was no way she could undress in front of him and be spanked like a little girl. None. She should leave now, before things went any further.
But she couldn’t. Her legs refused to allow her to turn around.
Her heart skipping, she walked closer until she could keep her tone of voice lowered. “Master Dominick.” She held out her hand and made certain her back was straight.
“Baby girl. Wonderful to finally meet you.” He smiled as he shook her hand, keeping the grip firm, the hold longer than a normal handshake.
Every cell in her body was on fire, a jolt of current rushing from one part of her body to another. Her mouth was dry, parched to the point she was terrified she’d fall into a coughing and choking fit.
“Please sit,” he instructed, pointing to the chair opposite.
She eased down, trying to keep her composure to any degree. “I, um… I’m sorry I’m late, Sir.”
“Yes. Noted, both the infraction as well as the apology. You understand that if we continue, I will not tolerate tardiness.”
His voice was like smooth velvet, the tone warm yet with the perfect hint of absolute authority. She was lost in his dark eyes, his irises almost the color of his tie. Blinking, she nodded before finding her voice. “Yes, Sir. I will make certain I’m better with time.”
“Excellent.” He crowded closer, pushing a cup across the table. “Black with no sugar.”
“You remembered. Thank you, Sir.”
“I forget very little, baby girl. That you will soon learn, which will mean that if you displease me, no matter how or when, I’ll recollect the infraction for the next discipline session.” Master Dominick kept his tone even, his eyes never blinking.
For a few seconds, she wasn’t entirely certain he was even real. She remained nervous as a kitty cat, trying to find the right words to give him a good impression. She’d toyed with calling him Daddy but wasn’t certain if that was the right word to use. This wasn’t about ageplay, although he was much older. What she’d craved her entire life was a firm hand and he could be the perfect candidate.
“Relax. I’m not going to hurt you and I promise you, I’m not a serial killer. Although if you ask my ex-wife, she might tell you otherwise.” His laugh was seductive, alluring in a manner she hadn’t anticipated.
Nor had she expected he would offer anything about any relationships.
“If you asked my ex-asshole-boyfriend about me, he’d say I was a disgusting pervert.” The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them.
He studied her, his eyes darting back and forth. “Then he would be wrong.”
Heat rose from the very core of her being, sliding up from the swell between her breasts to her neck, finally landing on her cheeks. “Thank you, Sir.”
“Tell me, baby girl, do you crave a spanking right now? Do you wish I could take you into the bathroom and spank your ass for all the bad deeds you’ve done over the last few days?”
She was breathing exceptionally hard, her heart thumping to the point beats were buzzing in her head. After darting a look around her, she tried to think of the best answer. “Yes, I do crave a hard spanking, but I always do. I need the peace, the stress relief.” The confession was easy to say.
“Then no matter where we are, or how this arrangement progresses, you need to feel free to tell me what you need.”
“Yes, Sir.” She had difficulty focusing, could barely swallow, and the thought of drinking hot coffee was too much. In less than a week’s time, she’d found a man she could trust enough to consider allowing him to spank her on a regular basis. No, that wasn’t entirely true. She’d found one she would have no issue being punished by for any infraction, no matter how insignificant.
“Can you do that for me, baby girl? Can you make certain to tell me what you require in the form of discipline?” Master Dominick crowded even closer, cutting the distance between them by several inches.
A quick inhale and his cologne filled her nostrils, his voice bouncing through her mind. “Yes, Sir. I can.”
“Very good. I’m going to give you three things today. One is my cell phone number. You’re going to text me anytime you go anywhere. I want to know where you are at all times. I’m not here to challenge you with regard to your professional life, but if I feel you’re breaking certain rules personally, I will issue a direct command. Two, I have the nondisclosure. You may take your time looking over it, but I will expect a signed copy prior to continuing any further. Three, I’m giving you a list of new requirements that you need to follow. They will restrict certain activities. I will know if you lie to me. I will know, and I will punish you severely.”
Jenna swallowed the lump in her throat, her lower lip quivering. “Yes, Sir. I understand, Sir.”
He exhaled then lifted her chin with his index finger, a smile on his face. “I will care for you, baby girl in a way no other man has.”
God, she needed him to kiss her more than anything. She could almost feel his soft lips against hers, his carved body taking her to new heights of pleasure. The imaginary vision of him, naked and requiring that she please him, sucking his cock was something she’d need to get control of immediately. They’d been very clear that this was a business arrangement and she intended on keeping her end of the bargain. “Thank you, Sir. I believe you.”
Master Dominick leaned back, easing an envelope from his pocket. “Here are the important documents. If you agree to the terms, you will scan and email me a copy of the completed agreement then I will send you the address of my house. We will meet there for the time being. If you choose not to sign the agreement, I will understand. At that point, you will tell me and destroy everything I’ve given you. I will expect never to hear from you again and if I do, I will deny any knowledge of who you are. Are we clear?”
“Crystal, Sir. I understand.”
His eyes narrowed, he grunted his response, the tone guttural, even full of domination. She remained quivering, her mind reeling from the possibilities. This was business and nothing more. She would practice the mantra until she no longer thought of him in any other way but her master, the man who provided rules.
“I’ve enjoyed meeting with you, more than you know, baby girl.”
“Do you want to know my name? I mean, Daddy. Sir. Sir?” Dear God, she was acting like a child.
He smiled and shook his head. “At this point, that doesn’t matter. Of course, your signature will be on the agreement, but you will always be my baby girl and I will be your master. You can also call me Daddy if you’d like.”
The words created an intense reaction, a wave of the same electricity, a blurring of lines in a way she hadn’t anticipated. “I hope so, Sir.” They were connected, a strange tethering that left her mesmerized.
“I do too. I will expect to hear from you.” He rose to his feet. “Please stay and enjoy your coffee.”
“Yes, Sir.” By the time he walked away from the table, she was rocking forward and backward, her senses on active overdrive. After counting to ten, she looked over her shoulder, merely catching a glimpse of him as he walked through the crowd, his air of confidence present. Several of the women watched as he walked toward the entrance, lust filling their expressions. She gulped air and dropped her head into her hands. What had she gotten herself into?
Almost on instinct, she jerked up, grabbing the envelope and racing then pushing past men and women on her way toward the front, standing just far enough away from the window that hopefully he wouldn’t see that she was gawking after him, trying to catch another glimpse. As he removed his jacket, sliding into a vehicle, she found herself moving even closer until she placed her hand on the window. The car he was driving was magnificent, just like the man himself.
When he pulled away, roaring past the entrance, a single look darted in her direction, she issued a single loud and haunted moan. Dear God, she wanted the man and knew in her heart, as well as in her gut, she would succumb to him, submit in every way he commanded.
Oh, this wasn’t good. This wasn’t good at all.