Despite being plagued by a level of sexual frustration I haven’t experienced in ages—maybe ever—I’m shocked to find that, once again, I sleep like the dead, and awake filled with energy and ready to take on a grey and drizzly Monday.

After all, the faster I get through my work, phone calls, and a hefty number of emails, the sooner I’ll be headed over to Will’s for Lesson Two.

Or maybe he’ll want to come back to your place, since your headboard is so tying-you-up friendly…

The thought makes me blush, grin, and hurry through breakfast so I can tidy up the apartment and put clean sheets on the bed, just in case. I’m still not completely comfortable with submissive Hailey’s giddiness at the thought of being tied up, but I’m enjoying myself too much to care.

Even yesterday, standing with my nose pressed to the window, taking my medicine for disobeying Will’s orders, was strangely erotic.

The knowledge that I was standing there because Will had told me to, and that he was monitoring my obedience, thinking of me, controlling me even though he was nowhere in sight, was almost unbearably arousing. My nipples were hard throughout the duration of my punishment, and by the time I left his building, my panties were wet.

And we won’t even discuss what happened when I got home and finally had my vibrator in hand and the privacy to take the edge off.

Suffice it to say those batteries don’t have much life left in them.

Neither did I by the time I’d fantasized about Will taking me from behind in the hallway of his building, with my coat shoved up around my waist, the city of Portland spread out beneath us, and the chance that we might get caught making my blood rush in a way that had me questioning what I’m into sexually.

Do I want to get it on in a public place? Would the risk of being discovered really make me come so hard my knees would be reduced to jelly?

I have no idea, but my lessons with Will have put all sorts of new things on my radar, filling my head with terrifying, exhilarating, bliss-inducing possibilities.

At work, I expect to be distracted and on edge as I wait for word from Will, but I’m a productivity powerhouse. I’m so focused that by the time my first students arrive at nine-thirty, I’ve already answered all my work-related emails, shot off an order for new crash mats, and called the cleaning service to schedule the semi-annual gym deep clean.

I’m just Hailey at work—not submissive Hailey—but the sense of calm and safety that filled me yesterday lingers throughout my day. Shutting off the constantly vigilant side of myself to experiment with Will seems to have quieted my hyperawareness in general, and I marvel at how much easier it is to focus.

I’ve always assumed that restless, constant assessment made me an alert and productive human being, but by the time Will’s phone call comes through after my three o’clock class, I’m rethinking things even more radical than my sexual preferences.

“I’ve had one of my best work days ever,” I confess to Will, tucking into my office for privacy as the girls from my pre-teen class gather their things. “I’ve been so calm and focused, getting twice as much done in half the time. It’s blowing my mind a little.”

“In the good way, I hope,” Will says, a smile in his voice. “It’s like that for me, too. The game improves my overall focus. I always play hockey better the day after a scene.”

My brow furrows. “Wow. So if we’d been doing this sooner, you might have won an Art Ross trophy by now?”

He laughs. “Nah. I haven’t been playing at that level yet. But maybe this season. I’m already off to a good start, scoring big. Coach says I’m hitting my prime.”

I perch on the edge of my desk with a grin. “Oh, I would agree. You’re definitely in your prime.”

“Stop,” Will warns. “Or I’m going to have to come over there and fuck you on your desk before we go out tonight.”

Nerve endings humming at the thought, I whisper, “Well, I am sitting on my desk right now… But wouldn’t that be against the rules, sir?”

“Not if the desk-banging was part of your punishment, Curious. Tonight’s lesson is all about seeing if you enjoy being bad, remember?”

“I do remember. And I can’t wait.” I tap my toes on the carpet in a spontaneous dance of anticipation that isn’t like me. But then, maybe I don’t know myself as well as I think I do. If these lessons accomplish nothing else, they’ve certainly broadened my horizons. “So what time am I seeing you, sexy?”

“Five-thirty. I’ll bring dinner over to your place.” He clears his throat before adding, “I can’t wait. I missed you last night.”

“I missed you, too.” I smile, chest warm and full, overflowing with hope, happiness, and anticipation.

“Good. Oh, and Hailey, I want you waiting by the door when I arrive, all right?”

I hum my agreement. “Of course, sir.”

“On your knees,” he adds, making my pulse spike, “wearing that little white sundress I like, with no panties on underneath. No bra, either.”

My eyes close as arousal dumps into my bloodstream, making my skin feel too tight and my soft cotton workout clothes suddenly too rough. “All right. I can do that, sir.”

“Perfect.” He sighs, the hunger in the sound sending tingles prickling up my thighs. “It’s been a long day. I’m looking forward to seeing my good girl waiting for me when I get home. I don’t have the patience for disobedience tonight. If I came home to a disobedient submissive tonight, I would be very upset.”

“Oh, no, we wouldn’t want that,” I murmur, lips curving in a wicked grin as I read his subtext. “I’ll be good, sir, I promise.”

He makes a sound I’ve never heard before—somewhere between a growl and a chuckle—and says, “Goodbye, Curious. See you soon.”

“Soon,” I promise, teeth digging into my bottom lip as I tap the button to end the call. Soon, soon, soon…

Soon I will be in Dominant Will’s presence again.

Soon I will be in his arms and under his command.

Soon I will find out whether I prefer to be a good girl or a bad one…