Guardian Domination (24 page)

He arrived promptly, dressed like a sinister, gothic vampire which added to his new found ‘Domliness’. He chuckled, “I was ready for you to answer the door dressed like a slave.”

“I wish. You know Jace would never let me out of the house like that. Let’s go before I turn into a pumpkin.”

The night was a success. I fended off Jace’s calls and was home by 11:45, eradicating all evidence of my adventure. He called again at 2:00 am to say he was on his way home. With a self-satisfied smile, I went back to sleep.

Jace was still in bed when Ben sauntered in unannounced the following morning. “Hey shorty,” he said, grabbing a soda and plopping down next to me on the deck. “Have fun last night?”

“Doing what?” Jace’s voice asked groggily, overhearing Ben’s question as he came outside.

I put my finger to my lips and Ben’s eyes narrowed as he realized I had lied to him.

“Hey Jace, how was the gig?” Ben turned away from me.

“Same old thing. I’m glad I have a driver so I can get some shut-eye. What happened last night?” Jace was looking at me suspiciously.

Ben knuckled my thigh. “Go on, tell him how much you enjoyed staying home and playing with the dogs while the rest of us went to the party.”

“You didn’t go to that party, did you, young lady? Not after I specifically forbade it.” Jace’s eyes also narrowed.

I couldn’t lie to him so I simply looked down and kept quiet.

“Care to share anything with me, Benjamin? It seems like my girl lost her voice.”

“It’s for her to tell you, not me. I will say this much, I don’t appreciate being lied to,” Ben crossly responded.

Jace took a deep breath. “I am going to get some coffee. I am expecting to hear something when I return… from one or both of you.”

When he was out of sight, Ben grabbed my chin painfully in his left hand. “You
lied
to me! I would never have taken you if I knew he hadn’t changed his mind!”

“Ben, I’m sorry. I really wanted to go and he was being unreasonable. He’s going to be so mad and you know what’s going to happen. Please, protect me!” I look at him with tears in my eyes.

“Not this time. I am not going to lose Jace or Mark’s respect because you wanted to have your way.” His lessons with Jace were obvious.

“Well, I hope this respect is worth it to you because you are probably going to witness something that you might regret,” I hissed under my breath, seeing Jace return.

“Well, my darling? Are you going to tell me what happened last night?” Jace asked calmly, sitting down with his coffee.

Slowly, I spilled it all, including lying to Ben. Jace listened carefully, glancing at Ben every now and then. Ben had his eyes down. Poor guy.

Jace noticed too. “The life of a Dom isn’t easy, my friend,” Jace said softly. “You didn’t make the choice for her, she did. I don’t blame you in the least bit. And the fact that you didn’t just report straight to me just increased my respect for you ten-fold. Thank you.”

Ben looked pleased at the praise. “Jace, I’m really sorry. I need to say something, though, in her defense.”

“Go on.”

“Despite her lying and disobeying your orders, she acted completely responsible. She dressed appropriately, did not drink or smoke, had her phone with her the entire time to make certain she would receive your calls, and she requested to be back home at a reasonable time. She also asked me to drive her, so she didn’t have to worry about her safety. It’s just my opinion, but those things should be considered before you pass judgment,” Ben said, softly but firmly.

Jace stared down at him, meeting his eye. Ben didn’t budge. “You, young man, are going to be an excellent Dom one day if you keep this up. Good for you. Okay, what would you say would be appropriate discipline in this case?”

“I really don’t know. It’s too personal, sorry.”

“It’s just as personal for me, remember? I don’t like disciplining her. It’s never playtime and always causes her pain that I wish I didn’t have to give. Celeste? Any opinions?”

I knew what he was asking. He wanted me to choose an implement. I stood silently and went upstairs and searched through the second drawer. There was a large, rather heavy leather paddle. It didn’t look as menacing as the strap but, knowing Jace, it would bring tears. I handed it to him and woefully sat back down. Jace weighed it in his hand and handed it to Ben, telling him to slap his thigh with it. Ben winced upon impact over his jeans.

“That’s gonna smart,” he commented, glancing at me.

Jace was in complete Dom mode. “I certainly hope so. Celeste? Over the back of the couch and do not give me any lip. Ben, what is your relationship with my girl?”

“You know she’s my best friend. Why?”

“Any sexual interest?”

“Uh, no, of course not! She’s just like a kid sister. Why do you ask?” Ben said uncomfortably.

Without another word, Jace reached around and unzipped my shorts, yanking them down to my knees, followed by my panties. I wanted to die with mortification, thankful that I had worn a long T-shirt that hid my front! He pressed me over the back of the couch and held me in place. Pleadingly, I looked at Ben, who ignored me as he leaned back in the recliner. Saying nothing, Jace lifted the paddle, stated the number thirty, and swung it in a large arc against my pale bottom.

I bit my lip, determined not to yell or carry on in front of Ben as the instrument collided with my soft flesh. I pounded my fists on the couch, breathing heavily as a second stroke landed squarely across both cheeks. One after another… I stopped counting so I could concentrate on holding back my shame-filled tears, simply panting with effort as each lash engraved itself upon me.

The thirty strokes of that paddle left me puddled over the back of the couch, clinging to the cushions as I desperately tried not to allow myself to be lost in my tears. Jace, satisfied with the condition of my hind-end, beckoned to Ben to come inspect my bottom and nonchalantly pointed out places of bruising and the pattern of the paddle. He then lifted his hand and sent it sharply against the crease between my bottom and thigh, and I howled as I squirmed to escape. Blow after heavy blow landed on the lower portion of my bottom and the tears came unwillingly and without control. He had never hand spanked me while standing over the back of the couch so this new and unexpected turn of events caught me by surprise. Nor did he lecture me about what had been done.

His silence was deafening as he gently pulled my panties and shorts up, reaching around to my front to fasten them. It dawned on me that he had been protecting my modesty somewhat, especially since the OTK position showed every nook and cranny to the observer. Jace was protecting me, but I hated his distance and the fact he did not hold me afterwards. I was then shamefully sent to stand in the corner while he and Ben candidly discussed my punishment, with Jace offering different scenarios and Ben commenting on exceptions.

Mark entered mid-conversation. “What did she do now?” he asked, joining them on the couch.

Jace quickly filled him in.

“Celeste? Turn around, please?” Mark requested. I obeyed, my eyes red from crying. “Look at me. Please tell me, was it worth it?”

“No, sir. It never is,” I answered truthfully.

“Then why do you keep doing these things? You always think you won’t get caught, yet you always do.”

“I don’t know why. I just do.”

“Ben, in your opinion, why do you think she does this stuff? I’m really interested in discovering what is going on in her beady little brain,” Mark asked.

“I can’t speak for her but, if it was me, I’d want to challenge all my boundaries to see how far I could go. Just for the hell of it. I still get a big thrill about outsmarting my father sometimes.”

“Been there, done that,” Jace agreed.

Mark chuckled. “You still do it. Jace loves to challenge authority. But I don’t see that with her. Not anymore, anyway. Other ideas?”

“Well, you know I love her— I mean, she’s my best friend and all. And I really respect you guys. But, she’s a little spoiled. I mean, well, she is used to eventually getting what she wants and hasn’t quite grasped the concept of the word 'no'. Sorry, Celeste, but it’s true,” Ben said honestly.

I glared at him with the best Look-Of-Death I could muster.

He continued, ignoring me, “She’s not spoiled in the way that she’s hurtful to others, like the other rich kids. Just with you two. She gets away with a lot of shit,” he uncomfortably explained.

“He has a point,” Mark commented. “We’ve discussed this before, J.”

Jace frowned. He wasn’t happy with the observation. And it wasn’t the first time he had heard it. The same had come from Mark on several occasions, hence earning me the nickname of ‘Weasel’. “It sounds like we need a day of total obedience,” Jace said decisively, glancing at Mark.

“Are you sure she’s ready?”

“If what Ben says is true, then we are in for some major problems in the future. She must learn to respect and obey boundaries.”

“Can you fill me in on what you're talking about?” Ben asked.

Jace explained that it was day dedicated to training a submissive to obey without question, regardless of what would be done. That familiar shiver ran down my spine, fear and excitement.

“I think we might need to talk about this, J. She’s too young,” Mark said with concern.

“We’ll talk, don’t worry. We'll think of some activities that will stretch her behavior to the limits, starting with sitting through a movie without talking or fidgeting.”

“Now, that’s a good idea,” Mark agreed, looking at me carefully. “I’m sure we can come up with some challenges for her.”

I just stared at the carpet, wishing with all my might that Ben would leave so I could give my ‘loving’ family a piece of my mind.

“Celeste, up to your room. You are to stay there for the rest of the evening. No TV, computer, phone or music. Move it, now. I don’t want to see you until I tell you to come out.”

No cuddles? No reassuring hugs? Sending me away? Where was the forgiveness? Was my punishment over? I gulped back my tears and ran as fast as I could, slamming the door behind me and falling on the bed, sobbing. I didn’t care if the tantrum earned me another spanking; I needed Jace’s attention and waited tensely for him to come up and deal with the fit.

Nothing. I heard the guys talking and Ben driving away, and waited some more.

Still nothing. I tried to work on my math but couldn’t focus, wishing Mark would come up to help. Nothing.

I fell asleep holding my pillow, exhausted from crying and feeling more empty than I could ever remember. Going to bed without a piece of Jace—a kiss, a pat, a word… left me feeling miserable and utterly alone. Jace was my everything, and without him, I felt like nothing. I hated that power he had over me.

“Aren’t you going to go up and say good-night?” Mark asked softly, observing Jace’s posture as he looked out the back window at the ocean.

“No, not tonight. I am so disappointed in her. She acted as if my instructions meant nothing to her. She treated my order like a joke and I’m pissed. She treated ME like a damn joke.”

“I'm certain that was the farthest thing from her mind. Ignoring her is not going to change anything, either. J, you forget, she’s really still a kid. You’re my best friend and like a brother and you can’t hide what’s going on with you two. It’s destiny. But you need to be patient and allow her to grow. You belong to each other, but she needs time to mature.”

“This was
not
part of the plan when I agreed to take her,” Jace snarled. “I’ve already exceeded what I would consider appropriate behavior with her, but she’s such a natural…”

Mark walked over to him and placed his arm around his friend’s shoulder. “We never know when fate might land something, or someone, incredible in our lives and sometimes it takes time to see it for what it is. I grew up with Gayle and was like a brother to her, too. I used to babysit her, for crying out loud! My mentor encouraged me to wait and grow in my own skin and even though we didn’t kiss until she was twenty-three, we both kept coming back to each other. You know the rest,” Mark reassured. He added, “Celeste is ready for you physically, just don’t push her before she’s ready mentally, okay?”

“I hear you. I’m still not going up,” Jace said stubbornly.

Mark patted his shoulder. “I understand. Do you mind if I do? There is no reason for both of us to withhold from her, is there?”

“Do what you want. I‘m going downstairs to watch TV,” Jace shrugged carelessly.

“J? It’s okay to be angry, you know. She hurt you and you hate that she has that ability; especially since she doesn’t even know it. I get it. You’ve probably not allowed anyone to have that kind of power over you in a long time. Am I right?” he watched Jace nod reluctantly. Mark sighed with a gentle smile, “She just wouldn’t have understood. Her actions were out of pure selfishness. And, yes, she is spoiled. My fault as well as yours. We can fix that. Together.”

“I don’t want to be an asshole,” Jace looked at Mark wearily.

“Never even crossed my mind. You have to accept the hard, ugly truth that you're human, that’s all. Night, Bro.”

Jace waved, looking tired as Mark bounded upstairs. His mind swam with confusion. He was a patient man, but he also knew that his patience would be tried constantly over the next several years. He took a deep breath and attempted to relax the pounding in his heart.

He knew Mark was right. Jace had put up such a hard façade over the years to protect himself that it was difficult to let anyone in. He was even uncomfortable with the degree Mark knew. Jace wished, just for that moment, that he drank. Instead, he went outside with the puppies to run the property and work off some steam.

Mark sat down on my bed, stroked my hair, and explained that Jace placed a lot of value on his decisions for me, and that my defiance was very hurtful. He further said that by deliberately blowing off Jace’s instructions, I had not only insulted him but also demonstrated my lack of respect for him as my caregiver, my family, a man or even a friend.

Mark’s words jarred me. I honestly would never have believed that Jace had a heart that could be broken and viewed him like everyone else did— impenetrable, indestructible, a tower of foundation and a fortress of strength. My own degree of selfishness stunned me when I realized I never had stopped to consider how much I had affected, and altered, Jace’s life. He had essentially given up his freedom so that he could be with me.