Hardened (13 page)

“With you?”

“Well, I’d like to hope so. Why, would you prefer to try another dom?”

More emphatic head shaking. “It was you I wanted. Ever since, well, ever since that other time. I’m glad I managed to find you again, and that you weren’t married or—” She stops, meets my gaze, her brow furrowing. “You’re not in a relationship, are you? I mean, Christ, I never even asked.”

I grin at her and reach for her hand. “No, no other relationship. I like to play, but there’s no regular little subbie waiting for me anywhere.”

“I was waiting. Somewhere.”

“Yes.”

“When you say you like to play…?”

“Clubs, fetish meet-ups. Casual stuff mainly.”

“Mainly?”

“I did have an exclusive relationship up until a few months ago but we agreed to go our separate ways. We wanted different things.”

“I… I have no idea what I want…”

She’s lying, or fooling herself. Molly knows full well what she came here in search of. I decide to name the beast.

“Apart from a chance to explore your submissive sexuality?”

She nods, relief flooding her features. I knew I was right. “Yes, exactly that.” She looks doubtful suddenly. “Is that all right? I mean, if you don’t want—”

“I
do
want. That suits me fine.”
For now
.

“How long can I stay here with you?”

“How long do you want to stay?”

“I should go back soon. I have work, things to do. Things to settle.”
A solicitor to instruct, for one thing.
“It’s time I got my divorce started.”

“Sounds like the start of a plan. I have a trip to Paris planned for later in the week, but I’ll only be away a few days. You’re welcome to come back here whenever you want, and you have my mobile number.”

“Is it okay to call you, then? If I need to talk, or… anything?”

“Of course. I’ll take your call any time. And you have to take mine. Agreed?”

She nods. “Of course. So, we’re agreed, it’s just sex then. You’ll show me things, help me to understand this weird stuff I feel inside, the things I want to do?”

“Ah, Molly, we’re going to have such a lot of fun together. But understand this, when you’re here with me it might be just sex but it’s sex on my terms. That means you do as you’re told. You have your safewords, but unless you want to use those I expect no arguments, no procrastinating. Obedience, Molly girl. Can you manage that, do you think?”

She inclines her head, though I have no real illusion that she has the first idea what she’s letting herself in for. She’ll start to learn soon enough.

I harden my tone deliberately. “You can start by losing the T shirt.”

“What? Here?”

I get to my feet to loom over her. A little intimidation can go a long way, especially at this stage in the proceedings, and discipline needs to be both swift and decisive to make the point. I harden my gaze; the time for exchanging confidences is past. “What did I just say about arguing and procrastinating? You’ve already earned your first spanking. Now, for the avoidance of doubt, after your spanking I’m going to feed you, and I prefer you to undress for dinner. Then I intend to fuck you right here on my kitchen table. Do you have any objections, Molly? Are you ready, now, to do as I say?”

She lowers her gaze and grasps the hem of the borrowed T shirt. “Yes, sir,” she murmurs as she pulls it over her head and drops it onto the chair next to her. Then she gets to her feet to stand before me. “Do you want me to bend over your knee again, sir?”

“Not this time. I want you to go back up to my bedroom and bring me a spanking paddle. You’ll find several in the chest at the foot of the bed but the one I want is made of pale coloured wood and has holes drilled in it. You’ll bring it back here to me, then you can lean over the table, rest your elbows on the top, and lift your arse up as high as you can.” I tip up her chin with the tips of my fingers. “You have a lesson to learn, so this is going to smart, little wannabe sub.”

My heart is pounding as I sprint up the stairs and back into Jared’s bedroom. He didn’t tell me to hurry, but I get the impression he expects me to look smart. I don’t want to attract further punishment, even though my pussy is creaming already at the prospect of what’s to come in the next few minutes.

I crouch before the blanket chest and throw open the lid, then manage not to gasp at the array of sexy paraphernalia inside. Although I didn’t actually see the toys he used on me earlier, I know there was a vibrator involved, and something that seemed a bit like a soft whip. He used it to wrap my body in a cloak of sensual tingling. It did hurt, though I would not exactly describe the experience that way. The entire adventure was exhilarating, a sharp burst of pain followed by a deep sensation of pleasure that seeped into my muscles and bones.

I don’t expect the paddle to evoke the same response.

The implement he described comes readily to hand and I set it to one side. I take a few moments to peruse some of the remaining items, and imagine him utilising each and every one of them on me over time. My pussy clenches, spasming wildly as I start to imagine at least some of the sensations. There are whips, more spanking crops than I can count without extracting each one and laying them out on the carpet, several leather cuffs in various sizes and colours, metal handcuffs, leather straps, a formidable collection of paddles and canes. I suspect meting out discipline won’t present a problem to Jared North.

I’m not entirely sure I can say the same for myself, but we shall see. Exciting times ahead. And challenging.

I close the lid, pick up the required paddle, and head back down to the kitchen.

Jared is leaning against the worktop, his arms folded across his chest. He narrows his eyes as I enter.

“Something held you up?” He tilts his head to one side as he regards me, his expression difficult to decipher.

“No, sir. I was just looking at the other things. In the blanket chest, I mean.”

“I see. Did anything take your fancy?”

“Yes… I mean, no, not especially. Everything…” I falter, uncertain what the correct response might be. Will he object to me poking around in his belongings? He did send me up there, after all.

“Everything? What a brave little sub! Or maybe a foolhardy one. Don’t worry, you’ll get to try everything, if you want. And more besides. My collection’s pretty extensive but there are lots more toys out there, once we know what you enjoy.”

“What about things I don’t enjoy?”

He shrugs. “Some of those I’ll use for discipline, probably, such as now with that paddle you’re cradling there. It’s okay to say no though, if you really don’t fancy something.”

“Even if it’s punishment? Like now? Can I just refuse to let you spank me?”

He nods. “Of course you can. I’m not about to drag you across the room, screaming and fighting, then strap you down while I whip you. This is all about consent. By submitting to me you accept my right to punish you, and you
will
bend over and present your bottom to be spanked. Won’t you?”

He waits, unmoving except for one eyebrow, which he raises as he watches my response.

I shuffle before his calm, knowing scrutiny, the recollection of that day in his cell both powerful and very immediate. It’s as though I’m catapulted right back there, the doubt, the nervousness, the unexpected longing I experienced every bit as real to me now as they were then. He just waited for me that time, too, while I made up my mind.

I meet his quiet gaze. “Yes, sir. Now?”

“Please.” He nods in the direction of the table as he extends his hand to take the paddle from me. “Lean on your elbows, shoulders down, bum up, feet about shoulder width apart.”

I move into position, the warmth of the polished oak oddly comforting. Turning my head to face him, I lay my cheek on the smooth wood. He quirks the edge of his mouth in a slight smile, which both comforts and reassures me. He steps forward, the paddle dangling from his right hand as he pauses behind me.

“How do you feel right now, Molly?” He lays his palm over my left buttock and caresses the trembling flesh.

“Scared, sir.”

“Okay, I get that. We’ll be quick then. How many strokes do you think would be fair for questioning my very clear instructions?”

I have no frame of reference for this, and had not anticipated being consulted in any case. I take a stab in the dark. “Ten?”

“Ten? That’s ambitious. I’m impressed.”

“Oh.” My heart sinks a little. I want to impress him, but if Jared thinks ten is a lot… shit.

Jared chuckles. “Baby steps, Molly. We stop at six, less if I decide you’ve had enough.” I’m still processing that when he speaks again. “I can warm you up first with a hand spanking if you like. I do advise that, though these strokes won’t count against the six.” He rubs large circles across my bottom as he speaks, his palm pressing hard, massaging me into relaxed acquiescence.

“Yes, sir. Thank you.”

My body is sinking into the table as the tension I had been feeling dissipates. That state of relaxed well-being evaporates in a moment when he starts to spank me.

“Ooh! Ow! Sir, please…!”

Jared ignores my protests as he rains rapid slaps down on both my buttocks. I twist against the table, seeking to avoid the blows. He stops and steps away from me.

“When you’re being punished I expect you to keep still and remain in position. You can make as much noise as you like—this time—but no moving.”

“Yes, sir. Sorry…”

“Get back in position then.” I shift to comply. “Good. Just lift your bottom a little higher, please. You need to offer me the best angle possible for maximum impact. I want to teach you a lesson with this spanking, a memorable one. And you want to learn it, right?”

“Right. I understand.” And it’s true, I do. More or less. I
need
this to hurt in order to anchor it firmly in my subconscious, along with the required obedience that will be attached to the pain he is about to inflict. With that in mind, I raise my bum an extra inch or two, acutely conscious of my smarting cheeks now fully exposed and vulnerable.

“Good girl, Molly.” Jared starts spanking again, a series of rapid, sharp slaps on both cheeks, then shifting his attention down onto the backs of my thighs. I’m especially tender there, and can’t contain my squeals of pain. By the time he pauses to pick up the paddle from the table alongside me, my entire bottom is burning. “Lift up again, please. And don’t move until I tell you that you can.”

I manage a tight little nod and do as I’m told.

Jared’s arm swings, there’s a brief rush of air, then a sharp crack as the paddle connects with my bottom.

“Aagh! Christ,” I mutter. The first stroke lands in the centre of my right buttock and it hurts. It bloody well hurts a lot, more than I ever imagined. The burst of agony brings me right up onto my toes, my fingers clawing at the unyielding wood of the table top.

“One,” announces Jared, shifting his stance slightly.

He swings again, and the second stroke sears my left buttock. I yelp, my breath catching in my throat, but I remain still.

“Two. Better.” Jared pivots on his heel slightly, readying himself for the next stroke. It lands swiftly, a burst of pain exploding on my right side, just above the first.

“Jesus,” I gasp, drawing comfort from the fact that I’m halfway through my punishment now and not reduced to a quivering wreck. Yet.

“Nearly there.” Jared confirms my count as he lines up the next stroke. “Four.”

I let out a startled scream. For some reason I’d expected this one to land on my left side, in a spot to mirror the last one. Jared is ringing the changes though and drops this on the back of my right thigh, just where it meets the lower curve of my buttock. It’s absolute fucking agony and I’m starting to cry.

I’m angry with myself. I never imagined he’d actually hurt me so much I’d break down in tears. What an idiot I am. How naïve could I be?

“Molly? Remember, you have your safewords.” Sensitive to my shifting reactions, Jared has paused. “You have two more to go, but we can take a time out. There’s no rush.”

I want this to be over. I want to know I weathered my first—well, second—spanking and survived it. I want him to cuddle me and praise me and fuck me until all of this is in the past and I’m his obedient little subbie once more. So, there
is
a rush.

“Now. Do it now, please. Finish it… sir.”

“You sure?”

I nod, frantic that he should just deliver the final two spanks, then tell me it’s over.

Jared does not disappoint me.

“Five.” That one lands on the upper curve of my left cheek and takes my breath away. I am chewing on my lower lip, panting. My entire bottom feels to be ablaze. But I remain motionless, just as instructed. Almost finished. So close. So. Fucking. Close.

“Six.” The paddle connects with my smarting flesh one last time, this stroke blistering across my left upper thigh. I’m up on my toes again, grasping at the far edge of the table for support or I might crumple to the floor.

There’s a clatter as the paddle lands on the table, then Jared’s palm between my shoulder blades both grounds and reassures me. He moves to stand behind me, and I wince as the fabric of his jeans brushes the burning skin on my buttocks and thighs. He leans over, his hands planted on the table on either side of my shoulders, his lips close to my ear.

“Breathe in, Molly, then out. Slowly.”

I manage to do as he says, though my breaths are ragged and uneven. Tears stream down my cheeks, but at Jared’s insistence I concentrate on dragging in gulps of fresh air, then exhaling.

“In. Out. In. Out.” Jared controls and regulates until I am steady once more. Then he straightens. “I promised to fuck you over this table. I am a man of my word, Molly. Spread your legs. Wide.”

Yes!
Despite my lingering tears my lips curve in a satisfied smile. I was punished, and I suppose I did deserve it though it was horrible while it was going on. But now I’ve earned this. I widen my stance.

Not enough it would seem, as Jared nudges my ankles a little further apart. I start to push myself up from the table.