tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29954153896068670082024-03-14T01:43:18.037-07:00 Lavender's LettersLavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-47772185428230227072014-03-31T10:29:00.001-07:002014-03-31T10:29:58.773-07:00My Writing Process - Part 1I've been asked to share my writing process today. I'm not sure why anyone would want to hear me write about writing, but I do love to write, so I'll share my somewhat strange process.<br />
<br />
I've been writing since I was a kid but didn't take it seriously until high school. A wonderful English teacher told me she looked forward to reading my published works. (Sorry, Mrs. L--it took me longer than I'd planned!) Then there was the history teacher (I adored Mrs. R) who was sure I'd plagiarized a real book for my spring project until she talked about it in the teacher's workroom and my English teacher vouched for me.<br />
<br />
Now I write romance, a little suspense, a little steaming hot sex, a little paranormal (coming soon).<br />
<br />
For me, every story begins with a loosely arranged premise and an opening scene that's popped itself into my head due to a comment someone made or a location I was dropped into and couldn't leave. <br />
For example, my hubby likes to go to trade shows (mostly hunting and fishing) and a few years ago, he took me to a gun show. I, of course, sent him off to peruse the wares while I hunted down the jewelry tables. With his credit card, of course. Unfortunately, there was only one and I was left leaning against a wall while I waited for Darling Hubby.<br />
<br />
If you've ever been to one of these events, you know there are people of all kinds-mostly dressed in camouflage-walking up and down the isles. After a few minutes of no cell reception, I thought of myself as completely stranded at the gun show.<br />
<br />
An idea popped into my head: two women taking their friend to the gun show to help her ex-boyfriend plead his case and win her back.<br />
<br />
I pulled out the only piece of paper I had in my purse: a sticky note with a phone number at the top.<br />
Many notes later, and a few brainstorming sessions with fellow writers, I had three stories, one for each girl. <br />
I'll add to this tomorrow. <br />
Now, I want to introduce you to another author --Joe Parr.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bio – Joe B. Parr is a North
Texas based Mystery Suspense writer. As a native of the Fort Worth, TX area,
his novels are crime dramas based in and around DFW. Residents of the area will
enjoy the familiar sights and sounds. For others, he provides a virtual tour
highlighting the area’s feel and diversity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">His current release, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Victim</i>, is available in both
paperback and ebook (Kindle, Nook) on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He writes entertaining fiction
with an undercurrent of social commentary. His books address provocative issues
by introducing characters who provide multiple perspectives so that the reader
is driven to explore their own thoughts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Victim, </i>those issues include gangs, media stereotypes and the
racial tensions within the community. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stolen
Innocence </i>(future release)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, </i>he
highlights the growing issue of Human Trafficking and its disproportional
impact on immigrant and minority communities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnSCJUn-p48IBgky1xET6hRv6DHo-Nrfs4WKqwXvO9K80N7XlKtbSMa2cF_mgSe4qH3hzXbw-sUYLbi2gNhCYvZdp7y39cwYZ_TuxCBRqYzJsnAtR6BDybHLlMv_5onxlMUeg-deUj1c/s1600/THE+VICTIM+front+cover+20140127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnSCJUn-p48IBgky1xET6hRv6DHo-Nrfs4WKqwXvO9K80N7XlKtbSMa2cF_mgSe4qH3hzXbw-sUYLbi2gNhCYvZdp7y39cwYZ_TuxCBRqYzJsnAtR6BDybHLlMv_5onxlMUeg-deUj1c/s1600/THE+VICTIM+front+cover+20140127.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<strong><i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Victim </span></i></strong><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">is the first of the Detective Jake Hunter series of
mystery suspense novels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">When two local gangbangers are found dead,
who really cares? This 'who cares' case quickly turns into a high profile hunt
for a serial vigilante killer. The body count and pressure rise in Ft Worth,
Texas as local community leaders and media pundits stir up political discourse
and racial tensions mount. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Police Detective Jake 'Cowboy' Hunter has
been out of the field for six months struggling to overcome the on-duty
shooting death of his longtime partner. His boss has an easy case for him to
'get back in the saddle' while breaking in a new detective. After all, it's
just another case of bad guys ending up dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">While he readjusts to being back on the
streets, Hunter and his temporary partner, Billy Sanders, find themselves
sloshing through the gang infested underbelly of Fort Worth as they chase a
vigilante who has set himself up as a modern day serial Bernard Goetz. In the
process, he has set off a firestorm of racially tinged political pressure by
choosing minority gangbangers as his targets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Between the piling body count and the media
frenzy building to what’s sure to be an all-out war on the streets, Hunter and
his team’s investigation leads them to suspect even the ‘good guys.’ Tensions
escalate until Hunter discovers the media hype can help him outsmart the
killer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-73440415642681498852014-01-13T09:41:00.001-08:002014-01-13T09:41:37.055-08:00Letters to Lavender
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Dear Lavender,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">How do I get my husband to treat me like the heroes in your
books treat their women?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Lavender speaks:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Do you really want a man to boss you around, make all the
decisions about every detail of your life with him, and give you the best sex
you’ve ever had in your life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">(Okay, I admit hot delicious sex on a regular basis is a
wonderful thing to have in a relationship.) But some of the other
characteristics of my heroes are a little more than I’d like in a steady man.
Every once and a while, sure. Gimmie-gimmie! But as a constant? I don’t think so.
That’s why I use the phrase ‘Fairytales for Smart Women’ so freely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I think every woman likes a little fantasy in her life and
with the right man, those fantasies can be achieved. But a steady diet of wild
and crazy will eventually become a bore. The trick is to learn to enjoy your
man and all his idiosyncrasies and help him enjoy yours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">And of course, reading hot romance novels like mine might give
you a few ideas!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Lavender</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Disclaimer: Lavender is a romance writer, not a therapist and this post is a work of fiction. :)</span>Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-14205672180810560432013-11-25T11:08:00.002-08:002013-11-25T11:08:51.220-08:00Hunting for a little Heat<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A big tiger-striped blob is stretched out on the back of the
sofa in my office, her head pivoting every now and then to either look out the
front window to watch for birds or to watch me. Not that I’m doing more than I
usually do in my office. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Just typing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">But the temperature has dropped steadily for the last few
days and she’s waiting for me to turn on the little space heater under my desk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Just past her first year, she’s a huge cat, a definite two
handed lift, and quite intelligent. When the heater is one, she wanders around
my feet until she finds the perfect place to settle-far enough away to keep
from getting scorched but close enough to get toasty warm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Can’t believe I argued against keeping her last year. She
was a rescue cat, taken in by a friend from hubby’s office, and we already had
a big dog and a spoiled cat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Now we can’t imagine not having her in our home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgne80MdNfhgbY5TtRcoiYeIuZAFi7y9XpsKxnSgP65vdWOivlo5qxwSkGh0hffthiqxuG3t9Idi7RZQhEzdcKS-Z8fAy8Y2QZG2nzV-L0OL20N3sF0NKq_Xmw_k-5l41OazK9e3Dq1Ui8/s1600/Tigger-2+(640x471).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgne80MdNfhgbY5TtRcoiYeIuZAFi7y9XpsKxnSgP65vdWOivlo5qxwSkGh0hffthiqxuG3t9Idi7RZQhEzdcKS-Z8fAy8Y2QZG2nzV-L0OL20N3sF0NKq_Xmw_k-5l41OazK9e3Dq1Ui8/s320/Tigger-2+(640x471).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-31685064078621726682013-11-22T09:36:00.000-08:002013-11-22T09:36:27.049-08:00Winter ?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Winter is finally here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Maybe....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I had the same thought a few weeks ago, but lo and behold,
the sun came back and the steam rose into the air-just like summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The cute weather guy hiding in my television has the best
job in the world. He gets paid to make predictions that don’t have to be right.
And he still gets paid. (Yes, I know he’s gone to college and has a degree, and
is often correct, but still.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The fact that I live in Texas makes this an easy discussion.
We have a reputation for changeable weather. We native Texans even have a
saying:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“If you don’t like the weather in Texas, wait a minute. It’ll
change presently.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">However—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I have a theory. (Remember: I’m not a scientist, I’m a
writer of fiction (the hot, steamy, make you want to hunt down your hubby for
some fun, kind.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I think the planet is shifting on its axis and the
scientists in the know (and quite possibly the governments of the world) aren’t
telling us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Could be that we’re experiencing a normal occurrence that
only takes place every few thousand years. (It’s possible.) But after years of
doomsday movies about the death of the planet, those in the know are keeping
the info hush-hush to avoid a planet-wide panic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">So, on the off chance we might be heading into a disaster, I’m
going to have some fun and enjoy whatever comes along. And, of course, I’m
going to keep writing my hot little stories as a diversion from what might
happen down the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">What do you think?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-60471412295438823842013-11-18T11:48:00.000-08:002013-11-18T11:48:41.364-08:00Full Circle
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A few years ago, a writer friend was telling me about the
new book she had coming out, and it sounded wonderful. When I asked her when it
would be in bookstores, she told me it was an eBook and mentioned the website
where I could purchase it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">My reply? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I don’t do eBooks. There’s just something about holding a
book in my hand, turning the pages, smelling that new book scent.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">And I asked her to let me know if it was ever in print.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A little over a year later, I sold my first book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bound by</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Trust,</i> to an eBook publisher. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">And I went out and bought an e-reader. At the time, I wasn’t
exactly tech savvy, but I read the manual and learned how to buy eBooks. I can’t
tell you how many times I reached up to turn the page on the book I was reading
and realized I was using an electronic device. Scary how technology creeps up
on you and invades your life while you’re not looking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I go back and forth with books and eBooks and I still have a
huge collection of both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Just the other day, I was re-reading one of JR Ward’s
Blackdagger Brotherhood books. It’s an awesome series, and I was thoroughly
caught up in the story. I slid my hand down the right side of the page and
touched the corner to turn the page. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Nothing happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Tried again...still nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I was about to cuss my ereader when I realized I was holding
a paperback.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-75564153374267101502013-09-17T09:55:00.000-07:002013-09-17T09:55:48.915-07:00Private Delights -<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: 0.3in;">
The muffled scream
came out of nowhere and he stepped back to check his surroundings. When it
repeated, he put his ear to the glass door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Shit. It was
inside. A woman spewed profanity and cried out in pain. He tried the door but
it was still locked. Not sure why anyone was locked inside, he knocked on the
door. If he was interrupting an early morning love call, he’d at least warn
them of his presence. When he heard the female voice shout for help, he pulled
his Maglite from his belt and tapped hard on the glass panel next to the lock.
At the second tap, the glass cracked and fell into the building’s foyer.
Nowhere near a silent entry, but he was in. <o:p></o:p></div>
The screams
continued and he raced in that direction.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: 0.3in;">
A man was wrapped
around a woman, her arms pinned to her body while she kicked back at his shins.
The way she moved kept the assailant from getting to the open door across the
hall, even though he was taller and bulkier than she. Her eyes widened when
Steve neared, fear intensifying, but he laid a finger across his lips and
turned his focus to her attacker. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px 1em 0.3in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-mirror-indents: yes; text-indent: 0.3in;">
Years of combat
training took him in a few silent steps to the man’s side. Using the handle end
of the flashlight, he popped the man’s head and he went down like a rock. The
woman flung her body forward, ending up on her knees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-12608231161873806972013-07-15T09:47:00.000-07:002013-07-15T09:47:05.348-07:00Chapter 15 - Explicit content. Must be 18 or older to view
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek stared, her words ringing
in his ears. She’d given herself to him wholeheartedly. As much as he’d wanted
to run, as hard as he’d tried to keep his heart separate from hers, he’d
failed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Walking away from Joanne wasn’t
possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The soft sound of her wounded cry
from the bottom of the stairs had chopped through every plan, every ruse, and every
denial. Mark had pushed him to stay, but he’d been resolute. Until he heard
Joanne’s pain, his only thought was escape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Now he understood. Her pain was
more than he could stand. She’d crept under his skin when he wasn’t watching,
making him vulnerable. He needed her. He needed her submission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek unwound her hair from his
hand and stepped around her side until he stood facing her, one short foot between
them. He stroked one finger down her cheek before reaching for his belt. His
already straining cock made it difficult to slide the zipper down and he lifted
her chin to watch as he freed it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I won’t go easy on you.
Understand?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yes, Master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She was already wet for him, no
doubt in his mind. Creaming and ready to beg for him to take her. The urge
pushed him to the far edge of desire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You stocked this room?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne panted at his feet, a lone
tear slipping from one eye. “Yes, Master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He reached around her and
released the leather restraints. “Get rid of those clothes. I want to see your
body.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Just as she had the first time
he’d dominated her, she removed every stitch of clothing and folded it into a
neat pile a few feet away from her position on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Good girl. Now, bring me a
condom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She was on her feet and at the
cabinet in one pulse of his cock. Protection in hand, she went back to her
knees before him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Put it on me. Slow and easy.
Think about what comes next.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Her nipples beaded tighter than a
knot on a kite string and her body trembled as she rolled it down the length of
him. A stray thought caught him hard. Was she fearful of or anticipating sex?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Use your safe word if you need
to stop.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yes, Master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Do you remember your safe word,
Joanne?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She leaned back and settled into
the submissive pose. “Yes, Master, I remember, but won’t use it now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">As intentions went, she couldn’t
be any clearer than that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek grasped her under her arms
and brought her to her feet, her body soft and pliant in his hands. A few short
steps took them to the bed. Restraints dangled from the head and footboard,
ready for fun and games. Sliding one arm around her waist, he used the other to
push her shoulders forward. “Hands on the bed, sub. Feet apart.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Her gasp egged him on, fueling
his need to dominate. It had been a fucking long-ass time since he’d had the
pleasure of a submissive under him and the need to savor every minute pounded
into him at the same rhythm of his cock. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as she was in position, he slipped one
finger in the slit of her ass cheeks and stroked down until he encountered the
dew between her lips. He pressed inside and listened for her moan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He wasn’t disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A quick grasp of his cock and he
was lined up for the first thrust. He took her to her core in one long hard
drive and gloried in the extended half-cry half-moan she made as he burrowed
deep. When she quieted, he pulled back until only the tip of him remained in
her, then went deep again. He set a slow pace, in deep and hard followed by a
prolonged extraction. The feel of her body clenching at him with each thrust
and retreat lit up his brain like sugar after a long fast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He had to know if she felt the
same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Pulling free of her, he landed a
stinging blow to her ass and said, “On your back, Joanne. Face up on the bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She complied with alacrity and he
directed her to raise her arms. He walked to the end of the bed and reached
over the metal frame to grasp her hand. Wrapping the leather cuff around one
wrist, then the other, left her staring up at him with a hitch in her
respirations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Fear crept into her expression
and his chest pinched. “Remember your safe word, use it if you need to. There’s
no disgrace in calling a halt. I don’t want you hurt.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Warm brown eyes met his for a
moment and she nodded, giving him the go ahead to restrain her ankles at the
other end of the bed. When she was spread out for his pleasure, he stood next
to the bed, his tight dick still covered and ready, and surveyed the beautiful
woman before him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He positioned his body behind the
headboard, out of her line of sight, and palmed both breasts. Her gasp
increased the throb of his cock and slowed his movements. He needed to watch
her squirm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Lifting his hands until only
fingertips touched her skin, he circled each nipple in slow spiraling arcs
until he brushed over the tight peaks. She panted and he grasped the tips, then
squeezed. The more he tugged the more her body twitched on the bed. But she had
nowhere to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Moving to one side, he leaned in
close and covered her breast with his mouth. The taut berry hardened even more
as he licked and nibbled. She cried out, begging for more and he gave it,
moving to the other side of the bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Her hips rose and fell in an
age-old rhythm while he took care of her breast. When the tip was deep red, he
lifted his head for her moan. Eyes closed, she whimpered with need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Joanne, you will look at me
while I fuck you. Do you understand? I want you to be sure who’s inside you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yes, Master.” Her eyelids
fluttered and then lifted, a warmth and need he hadn’t expected connecting
them. “I’m yours to command.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-51109324914866962282013-07-08T03:00:00.000-07:002013-07-08T03:00:07.065-07:00Private Delights
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Chapter 14
continued...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hard footsteps sounded on the carpeted
hallway and Joanne ducked into one of the ladies rooms on that side of the
building. Hiding in a stall wasn’t cool, but the only way to escape
questioning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The main door remained shut and she relaxed
enough to leave the stall and dry her tears. Once composed, she stepped out
into the corridor. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek’s big body propped up the wall across
the hall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She stopped short, not sure what to say and
wondering why he was so obviously waiting for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He pushed his body off the wall and turned
with a sharp, “Follow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">With that tone of voice, how could she not?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A swipe of his keycard popped the door’s
lock. He held open the door to a private playroom and ushered her inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Why were you hiding?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Oh, no, he was not going to Dom her into
giving him everything and sharing nothing of himself. “Why did you come to my
house last night?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His stare unnerved her. Heat crept up her
chest and across her cheeks, a physical reminder of what she wanted from him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“On your knees, Joanne.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“No.” She stood her ground, unwilling to
forget the conversation she’d overheard. If he was leaving, she wanted the
words to come from him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">"When are you leaving?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“What are you talking about?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Liar. She wouldn’t let him lie to her. “I
heard you. Your conversation with Master Mark was loud enough that it was
probably heard in the back parking lot. Tell me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Hands on hips, she waited while he stared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The quick snatch at her arm put her off
balance and he spun her around to capture both hands behind her back. Too
strong for her to resist, he controlled her wrists with one hand and reached
for a nearby drawer. Something soft wrapped around her wrists and tightened
until she couldn’t separate her hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Let me go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Do not tell me no, Joanne.” The voice in
her ear was dark, lusty, and urgent. “You are mine. Don’t forget that fact.
Submit to me or use your safe word.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The word hung on the tip of her tongue but
she refused to give it voice. If he left her, she’d have this moment to remember
afterward. If this was all he could give her, she’d take and cherish it. She
bit back a reply but writhed in his grip. She wouldn’t make it easy for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Eavesdropping isn’t a good idea. You might
hear things you shouldn’t.” A tug on the short length of leather between her
wrists pulled her back against him. “On your knees or use your safe word.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With only two choices, she went to her
knees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek stood before her and
growled deep in his throat<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when she met
his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I expect submission, Joanne.
Don’t make me wait. I’m not in the mood to go easy on you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She dropped her chin and waited.
The pressure of his hand on her crown soothed more than it hurt, but the
tension in his body put her on edge. Something bothered him enough to want to
leave and she didn’t know how to help him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He paced around her, a touch here,
a touch there, while she waited for a word or a clue as to his intentions. He
stopped behind her and she drew in a rough breath. Fear of the unknown was more
powerful than the fear of a man she trusted. In this moment, she feared more
for Derek and what was happening in his head than what he would do to her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Will
you obey, or will you use that word? Tell me.”</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I
will obey, Master.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You will not run from me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She quivered, her heart a sharp
thump in her chest at every command. The change in his demeanor had her off
center and confused while she tried to figure out what he wanted from her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“No, Master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Joanne. Look at me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His hand swept over her shoulder
and lifted her hair, wrapping his hand in the locks. ”Joanne.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His sandpaper over velvet voice
sent a shiver down her spine. Something had happened last night, but she didn’t
have a clue as to what. The pressure on her scalp increased and she lifted her
chin to look into his eyes. They were dark, rich with emotion and bald need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I’m yours, Master.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">His fingers dug into her scalp and she stood ready for whatever he had in mind.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span>Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-27922866309491685482013-07-01T03:00:00.000-07:002013-07-01T03:00:05.041-07:00Private Delights
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Chapter 14 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek walked into Mark’s office
with a plan, one quickly postponed when he found Steve already seated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“What’s going on this early?” he
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Hey, buddy. Long time no see,”
Steve said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek sat in the other chair and
waited for Mark to bring him up to speed, wishing he’d thought to bring a mug
of coffee. Sure, he’d had most of a pot at home this morning, but he needed
something to do with his hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Steve found some information
about a member I’ve already approved. We might have a problem.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“What kind of problem?” Derek
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“History of violence.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark raised a hand. “Possible
history of violence. No charges, but more than one incident.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Won’t happen here.” Derek got up
and went to the fridge for a bottle of water. He needed something in his hand,
anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“True. We’ll keep a close watch,
and I’ll be sure to have a heart-to-heart with him before the club opens.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Anything else?” Derek asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Matter of fact, yes. Steve’s
fucking Simon Lindsay’s baby sister.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek laughed. He’d known the Lindsay
family for years and had worked for the old man long before he joined the army
and met Steve. “How in the hell did you manage that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Here’s the kicker,” Mark said.
“She doesn’t know about the club, or our friend, here’s proclivities.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Vanilla? Really?” Derek asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">At least Steve had the ability to
laugh at himself for a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes,
well. I plan to convert her to my wicked ways. Give me a little time and she’ll
be squirming under the whip.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I look forward to watching,”
Derek said, wondering how long he’d have to wait for a private conversation
with Mark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Well,” Steve said, standing and
cracking his back, “I have a job to do, so I’ll be back here later this
afternoon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Finally. Derek slapped him on the
back. “Office still quiet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Nothing Ella and I can’t handle
for a few more days.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">When the door shut behind Steve,
Derek turned to Mark. “Got a minute?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Sure,” he said. “Follow me out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;">The lights were on and music
piped through the building in soothing waves as Joanne made her way through the
main hall and into the staff locker room. The final installation of lockers
beckoned, providing a safe place to store her belongings while she worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The club was almost complete and every day
more and more employees joined the ranks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Today had been set aside to train
wait staff and she and Derek would work together, teaching the new staff the
etiquette of the club and its patrons, the attention to detail expected from
the staff, and the basics of dominance and submission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Working with Derek was a major perk
for her. She’d come to appreciate the man and his intensity. His strong
attitude and the way he controlled her with only is voice made her anticipate
seeing him every day. He hadn’t replied to her message last night and she had
no idea why he’d been outside her home. At some point, she planned to talk to
him about it but, doubted he’d have much to say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He was like a big teddy bear with
a broken paw, and the need to repair him tugged at her heart. When she left the
employee lounge, she knew he was in the building. Master Mark was in the second
floor hall, his voice resonating in the mostly empty space, and from his tone,
he and Master Derek were arguing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“No. I need you here for the next month.
Forget it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek’s voice punched back. “I’m a partner
here, not an employee. I can come and go as I please.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You have an obligation to complete the
tasks you agreed to when we came up with the plan. Don’t bail on Steve and me
when we’re so close to the end of the job.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne stood fixed beside the banister. Derek
wanted to leave. A cave formed in her chest at the idea of not seeing him every
day. Moisture matted her lashes and she turned away, her feet moving without
direction until she found herself leaning against a wall in the dark recesses
of the lower floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Maybe he’d come by to say goodbye last
night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Would he turn her training over to Master
Mark and never look back? She was nothing more than an employee and a
plaything. It was the nature of the business and she should know better than to
let emotions get in the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-82149113548616394882013-06-24T02:00:00.000-07:002013-06-24T02:00:04.904-07:00Chapter 13
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Chapter 13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 63.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek rolled over, sleep evading him in the darkened room.
Her message pushed him to change his mind, change the way he thought his life
should run, and change the way he responded to her easy sensuality. But then
the urge to run, to leave town until the club was complete, filled his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He never should’ve taken on her training. Mark was an ass
and had no right to force the issue. Derek balled up the pillow and crammed it
behind his head, propped up in the dark bedroom while he put off sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">What the hell had happened to his backbone when Mark
insisted he train her? Snapping back and standing his ground would’ve been the
best option. Now he was stuck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Or was he?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Most of the work left to do at the club was minor. In the
morning, he’d tell Mark he had an offer to assist in a club in Vegas and bail
for a few weeks. Mark would finish Joanne’s training and when the club opened,
she’d be ready and he could watch from the sidelines. Just like he had for the
last few years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He rolled over in bed and relaxed, his body sprawling in the
cool sheets. The shadows moved in the hall, floorboards squeaking, night noises
settling in for the duration. A breeze floated across his chest, warm,
delicate, like the whisper of early spring in Galveston when the water heated
and the sand began to bake. His body baked, too, ached with need, and
unfulfilled desire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Slipping into the room, her soft footsteps brought her to
him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Her hair was up, piled on her head, exposing the delicate
column of her throat. Long bare legs were showcased by her standing submissive
posture, her hips barely covered by the oversized shirt she wore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His shirt, he realized. He must have left it in the club and
she’d taken it home. Was she feeling the urges he had, the pull of attraction? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Did she want him as deeply as he craved her?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Her hands moved up her body, cupping what he knew to be
full, rounded breasts, and his mouth watered with the need to taste, to suckle,
and to nip until she cried out. He wanted her begging for more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She shouldn’t be here chipping away at his reservations, his
need to control his body and preserve his memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When her hands lifted to her hair and removed
the combs, all the air in his chest left in a rush. Russet locks tumbled free
and he was on his feet, ready for whatever she offered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She moved to within inches of his chest and he reached for
her hair, wrapping it around his fist and tugging her closer. The feel of her
body against his fueled his need to possess. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Remove the shirt.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Her fingers went immediately to the buttons and in moments
the shirt was a pool of gray on the floor. He cupped her breast, the feel of
her nipple pressing against his palm a heady reminder of her submission at the
club. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Why are you here, Joanne?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He had to hear the words, wanted her submission and her
heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I’m here for you, Master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-39471140745176581952013-06-10T03:00:00.000-07:002013-06-10T03:00:07.079-07:00Private Delights
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Chapter 12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;">It was early evening before Derek completed the paperwork
for Joanne’s project. When she came in the next morning, he’d have contractors
waiting to talk to her about materials and schedules. Budget in hand, he pushed
through Mark’s waiting room and into his office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Thanks for ratting me out,” he told Mark, tossing the
single sheet of paper onto the desk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark didn’t skip a beat. “Joanne thought she was about to
get fired and wasn’t sure what went wrong.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Ah, shit. Didn’t know I scared her that bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know what
happened. One minute we were laughing and talking, the next, Mary was asking
for our order.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“What?” Mark asked, leaning over his desk. “That’s not
possible, we both know that. Tell me you know she’s gone, man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I know,” Derek sighed. “Maureen has a new waitress, and when
she walked up to the table, I saw…I thought I saw Mary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A few long minutes of silence rubbed at his ears before he
heard Mark’s office chair squeak. Derek looked up to see a strange expression. Worse
than concern or sympathy. Worry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Buddy, I know you don’t want to hear this, but you need to
see someone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I don’t need a damn shrink. It’s just grief. I’ll get over
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“It’s been three years. I watched you go through the
process, but I haven’t seen you move on. Mary would—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Don’t tell me what she would want. I don’t need to hear
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark surged to his feet. “Dammit, man, you need to listen.
It’s way past time for you to get back to the business of living. While you
limp through a half-life, you’re leaving the people who care about you in a
bloody wake.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You and Steve can handle it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Sure,” Mark said, easing back into his chair. “but what
about Joanne?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Fuck. I screwed up.” Derek dropped into one of the chairs
in front of Mark’s desk and leaned back to stare at the ceiling. “I didn’t mean
to hurt her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Not completely done. It’s salvageable. She’s still speaking
to you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Hmm, yeah, she is.” He closed his eyes, knowing his buddy
would get a kick out of the next little bit. Humility wasn’t Derek’s strong
suit. “I apologized.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Good for you. How’d she take it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“She’s a decent woman. She accepted it and changed the
subject.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Damn,” Mark laughed, “I could fall in love with her
myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Don’t. She’s too good for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Helluva comment from the man who just screwed with her
head,” Mark replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-28209833839131853112013-05-27T03:00:00.000-07:002013-05-27T03:00:00.098-07:00Private Delights
Chapter 11 <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Desperately in need of a few quiet minutes to put herself
together, Joanne perched on the ugly orange chair that had missed the first
furniture purge and wiped the tears from her lashes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">What had she done? Her submission in the bar had pleased him
and he’d been clear in his praise. The conversation in the car had been
pleasant and friendly. Hell, Derek was almost flirty. Then, with no warning,
he’d become cold and distant. She riffled through the interlude to find a
reason for the change but couldn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Finally giving up the search, she repaired her face as best
she could and went to find Mark. Wrong move, all the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“What happened?” He didn’t wait for an answer, just walked
right up close and touched her cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“It’s nothing. Just a misunderstanding.” The idea of
discussing one boss with another was anathema, guaranteed to make her job
disappear in a heartbeat. She’d never been there, but had seen it happen too
many times to count.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">But Master Mark was a pit bull.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He didn’t back away, and he didn’t take her answer at face
value.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“What did he do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Nothing. I misunderstood, that’s all. It’s fine.” She
turned to the long table in his office with an eye to tidying the stacks of
paper but he caught her arm with a warm palm around her wrist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Don’t walk away from this, Joanne. Tell me what happened.
Better yet, let me tell you what I think happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Oh, hell. What had she gotten involved in this time? And how
could he know what happened at lunch, unless Derek had already told him. She
turned accusing eyes at him, but he shook his head, sympathy pooling in those
dark brown depths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I haven’t seen or heard from Derek, but I can guess what
happened. He was flirting, teasing and friendly, dominating you to the edge of
sensuality, and suddenly went cold. Am I close?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Her free hand floated behind her hip to find the chair she
knew was close by and when Mark let go of her arm, she sank into it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“How did you know?” she asked, her words a thin whisper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark perched on the chair across from her, his elbows braced
on his knees and his hands hanging between his calves. “It’s not the first
time, but it’s been a while.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Whether or not you get involved with Derek, your job is
secure. We have high expectations for job performance in the mainstream
fashion—theft, violence, and the like aren’t tolerated. Having a mutually
satisfying relationship with someone you meet here will not be reflected on
your yearly evaluation. Understand?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A deep exhale lightened her heart. “Yes, Master Mark. Thank
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He nodded. “Good. Now, we still have a shitload of things to
take care of before we open in two weeks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Umm, can I ask a question?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Of course. Shoot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Are you planning to upgrade the restrooms? I was in the
ladies downstairs and it’s clean but on the far side of ugly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“How ugly?” His brow furrowed as he picked up a yellow notepad
and a pen. “Show me. I never gave a thought to the public restrooms, since all
the private rooms have a full bath. Damn.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">They started on the second floor and once inside the ladies
room, Mark agreed to refurbish. “Even to my eye, it’s bad. You know what women
expect in a high—end salon. Talk to Derek and have him set you up with his
general contractor today. We need new tile, mirrors, chairs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He made a few notes and said, “You’re in charge of the
bathrooms. Get a bid from the contractor for all of them and run it by me,
since I keep the money. Let’s take a look at the men’s before we get carried
away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Half an hour later, Joanne found herself back in the bar,
sitting on a barstool while Derek finished his last interview. He’d
acknowledged her with a nod when she arrived, polite and polished as always.
When the applicant left, Derek rose and walked to the long bar and stood next
to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I owe you an apology, Joanne.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She ducked her head. “I talked to Master Mark.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Humor licked at his words when he said, “Turn me in with the
boss?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“No. He asked...he noticed that I was upset and before I
could explain, he told me what had happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Great.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His tone belied his comment, dark with a hint of pain, and
her heart squeezed. “He helped me understand that it wasn’t my fault.” Dammit.
Not the right words at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“It was never my intention to blame you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I know. Can we change the subject? Master Mark asked me to
take care of the refurbishing of the public restrooms and he told me to ask you
for an introduction to the main contractor so I can get a bid.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek tipped his head back and laughed. “Perfect,
sweetheart. I’m the managing contractor. Show me what you want to get done.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-33858425099147742812013-05-20T03:30:00.000-07:002013-05-20T03:30:01.561-07:00Chapter 10 Warning: Adult content
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
Chapter 10<o:p></o:p></div>
Joanne clamped her lips
tight and attempted to relax, but the sting in her nipples continued long after
his hands went on to other endeavors.<o:p></o:p><br />
This job would ruin her
for any other sexual encounter. Just the thought of vanilla sex was abhorrent
right now, the pulse of her arousal filling her head with a persistent drumbeat
of need.<o:p></o:p><br />
Beside her, Derek’s
cowboy boot sat mere inches from her, and if she cut her eyes just right, she
could see his jean encased hip and watch his thigh flex while he spoke to the
applicant. She blinked a couple of times and refocused on the wall several feet
in front of her. Aside from the table he used for the interviews, Master Derek
had placed her in plain sight and she could only wonder what the potential employees
might be thinking.<o:p></o:p><br />
The rumble of Master
Derek’s voice keyed her into what was happening beside her, pulling her out of
her musings and into the reality of her place in the room. Chair legs scraped
and footsteps moved away. Master’s hand stroked her head and crooned his
pleasure while different footsteps approached. <o:p></o:p><br />
They were quicker, or
maybe the length of the step was shorter. A woman? The sensual overload played
havoc on her perceptions of the area around her. And if it was a woman
approaching, what would she feel about Joanne’s place in the room?<o:p></o:p><br />
Derek’s voice
interrupted her thoughts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
“Private Delights is a
private BDSM club,” he told the woman. “The bar will be open to the public, but
wait staff may be asked to serve in the main club. This is an example of what
you might witness on the main floor. Is this something you can handle on a
daily basis?”<o:p></o:p><br />
“That depends,” a
female voice said. “Is this a choice or is this woman being coerced in some
way?”<o:p></o:p><br />
“Joanne, will you
answer her question?”<o:p></o:p><br />
“Yes, Master Derek.” A
cleansing helped her focus on an answer. “I choose to be submissive, and my Dom
provides for my needs. I have the right to deny him but choose to obey.”<o:p></o:p><br />
“This is your decision,
not his?”<o:p></o:p><br />
She didn’t sound
convinced and Joanne didn’t blame her. The lifestyle was a long leap from a
traditional relationship. “My choice. Not one everyone might want to try, but
it works for me. And for many others.”<o:p></o:p><br />
The woman took an
audible deep breath and let it out slowly. “Okay, as long as it’s consensual,
I’m fine with it.”<o:p></o:p><br />
He conducted two more
interviews before calling a break, instructing the applicant to close the door
on his way out. Joanne hopped it meant she’d be allowed to stand up. Her knees
ached from the wood flooring and her back was stiff.<o:p></o:p><br />
The door clicked shut
and rough hands grasped her under her arms and pulled her upright, then onto
Derek’s lap. Fingers dug into the tense muscles below her shoulder blades and
she moaned in pleasure.<o:p></o:p><br />
“I’m proud of you
Joanne. You handled that woman’s question perfectly.”<o:p></o:p><br />
“Thank you, Master
Derek.”<o:p></o:p><br />
His thumbs loosened the
muscles and moved lower. “Stand for me.”<o:p></o:p><br />
She eased to her feet
and stretched then shivered when his hands settled at her waist and those hard
thumbs massaged the small of her back. Just when she thought it couldn’t get
any better, he stopped and leaned to the side. Straightening, he set her bra
and blouse on the table.<o:p></o:p><br />
“Turn around.”<o:p></o:p><br />
Her perception of
nakedness turned on a dime, much like her body did. Bare from the waist up and
in the submissive pose was one thing, facing him with her tits in his face was
another. Her face warmed and she attempted to keep her respirations shallow,
but knowing he saw every inch of her chest as it rose and fell disarmed her
more than being completely naked in the playroom with him.<o:p></o:p><br />
He held out her bra.
“Arms.”<o:p></o:p><br />
Her heart pounded in
her chest but she put her hands through the straps and fought to stay still
while he settled the cups against her breasts. This wasn’t sex, this was
intimacy, and she had no frame of reference for this man’s version of intimate
behavior.<o:p></o:p><br />
“Turn.”<o:p></o:p><br />
He drew the clasps
together and asked, “Too tight?”<o:p></o:p><br />
“No, Master.”<o:p></o:p><br />
“Turn, and breathe,
Joanne. I won’t bite.”<o:p></o:p><br />
Oh, God, she didn’t
need that visual, since her body was already half way to completion.<o:p></o:p><br />
She faced him again and
he slid her blouse over her head and helped with the sleeves. <o:p></o:p><br />
“Now, since you’ve been
a good sub, I’m going to feed you. We have time to get some lunch. Follow.”<o:p></o:p><br />
Did she have a choice?
Not a chance.<o:p></o:p><br />
The voice and the
attitude pulled her into his wake and kept her feet moving in his direction.
Besides, the view from the back was almost as lip-smacking good as his
captivating face. He put her into the passenger seat of his car and they left
the lot. For all she knew, they could be on the way to Mexico, but she knew
better than to ask. Instead, she sat silent and waited for the next
instruction.<o:p></o:p><br />
“Do you have a
preference for lunch?” he asked.<o:p></o:p><br />
“Not really.”<o:p></o:p><br />
“Joanne. This isn’t a
test. If you don’t want to have lunch with me, say so and I’ll take you back to
the club.”<o:p></o:p><br />
Turning to face him,
she caught the glimmer in his eyes and she wasn’t sure what it meant. “I’m not
sure what my place is here.”<o:p></o:p><br />
He grinned, a smatter
of a laugh escaping before he spoke. “Nothing earthshattering, just a friendly
lunch with a little dominance thrown in, that’s all. Now, what do you like to
eat? Or better yet, what won’t you eat?”<o:p></o:p><br />
“Unfortunately, I’ve
yet to find something I won’t eat.”<o:p></o:p><br />
“Good. I can push your
boundaries while we eat and we can talk about your duties at Private Delights
once we open.”<o:p></o:p><br />
“May I ask a question?”<o:p></o:p><br />
Derek nodded. “Of
course.”<o:p></o:p><br />
“Will I be required to
be naked when the club opens?”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-50183356035859424402013-05-13T02:00:00.000-07:002013-05-13T02:00:00.561-07:00Private Delights, continued...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Chapter 9<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The weight of his palm as it settled on Joanne’s
hair created a warm wave, and it worked its way down to her toes and back up
her thighs to settle low in her belly. How had she not known what a true
dominant could do to her body with such a simple touch? Certainly not something
she’d gotten from what’s-his-name all those years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His fingers dug into her hair, nails
scraping against her scalp and sending tingles of pleasure along neglected
nerve endings. The pulse in her chest intensified to a tribal drum beat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You’ve worked hard today. I appreciate
your eagerness to take on responsibilities unfamiliar to you. Master Derek will
be proud of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Thank you, Master Mark.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I am proud of her progress.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne drew air in through her nose and tried
to keep her spine straight while Derek greeted Mark. His voice shouldn’t move
her, but it did and she couldn’t change her body’s response. Master Mark was
merely a warm up for Derek’s intensity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Then he touched her, his finger trailing
across her shoulders, left to right and back again, a gentle caress meant to
sooth but instead, it caused her pulse to jump.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Has Mark taken good care of you, Joanne?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A simple question, but Derek’s tone made it
seem as if they’d been humping their way to nirvana. Was he jealous? Did she
want him to be? Dammit. This place, these men, were driving her crazy in ways
she’d never imagined.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">What else could she say except, “Yes,
Master Derek.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Warm breath floated across her cheek along
with the distinctive scent of Derek. “Maybe you should offer him a kiss.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Her hands quivered where they lay across
her thighs. A kiss in this club could mean many things and she had no point of
reference for what Master Derek suggested. If anything, she’d rather kiss
Derek, but he hadn’t offered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yes, Master Derek.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A hand appeared in her sight line. Derek’s.
She placed her hand in his and let him help her to her feet while Master Mark
waited for his kiss. She’d never heard of a boss needing a kiss for giving an
employee a task to perform, but she’d never worked in a BDSM club. Who knew?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He’d lowered his backside to a sawhorse
left by the contractors, a concession to her height, and she was glad she
wouldn’t be expected to climb his body for this kiss. Eyes down, she moved into
place between his open thighs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Joanne. Look at me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Damn that masterful voice. She lifted her
chin until she could see all of him from his clavicle to his messy brown hair.
The hint of a flirty smile made her relax a bit but the slumberous Dom-at-work
eyes negated the feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Master Mark
was all about power and lust, and he had both assets in spades. Any woman
tangling with him would be squashed into submission in a heartbeat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Nevertheless, she offered him her mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He met her halfway, a soft brush of mouth
to mouth, the slide of his tongue across her open lower lip, and then the
pressure of his full mouth on hers, invading and investigating until he’d
finished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Joanne, go and wait for the next delivery
truck.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Unsure as to who gave the order, she turned
on weak knees and left the empty restaurant, pleading with her legs to keep her
upright and moving until she was out of sight of the two men.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Wow. At this rate she’d need a cold shower
every night after work.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek kept his eyes on her until she’d
reached the end of the rear hall and turned toward the front entrance, sure
she’d fall before she made it. Once sure she couldn’t overhear their
conversation, he asked, “Do you really want her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">To his credit, Mark didn’t even consider the
question. “No. You know I don’t do commitment, and Joanne is one of those women
who craves a happily ever after. I prefer the happy for the night version.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Relief trickled and seeped under his scalp,
and irritation he didn’t need. “Then don’t mess with her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Fucking hell. Where did that come from?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You want her for yourself. Fine. Take her.
I won’t interfere unless you want to share.” Mark’s easy expression gave
nothing away, making him an excellent poker player and a master manipulator
with the women. His sense of fairness was his only redeemer when it came to his
sex life. He never seduced a woman unwilling to take him on his own terms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Even with the little he knew about Joanne,
he knew she wasn’t a play-toy for Mark. “I don’t want her. I just don’t want to
see her hurt.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark made rudimentary sounds of agreement
but one dark brow rose in question. Best to ignore the issue, Derek said, “Are
we on schedule with the opening?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark’s smirk made it clear he
hadn’t been fooled. “Pretty much. I have interviews set up all day today and
tomorrow. Care to split the list with me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">"Sure. What am I looking at?” Derek asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Why don’t you
take the bar staff? Since Joanne has some experience in that area, she can help
and you can continue her training.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Thanks, buddy. I thought she was handling
deliveries all day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Nope. She’s all for you, my friend. Enjoy
the gift.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark strode down the rear hall as Joanne
led the delivery men in through the front of the building. Her hesitation as
she came into the dining room made him feel like a jackass. He stepped aside
while she spoke to the crew then stepped behind her before she could leave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Joanne. Follow me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Satisfaction stirred when her chin lowered
and she fell in step without comment. Derek stayed to one side of the wide
hall. They moved against the traffic of the workmen, but he wanted to be in the
bar area before the applicants arrived for their interviews. He had a schedule
in mind for her training and he didn’t want to deviate too often.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He fact that he wanted a few minutes alone
with Joanne had nothing to do with his feelings. She needed training and he’d
agreed to school her on submission. Today they would play in the guise of
training.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Knowing she followed without question didn’t
make it any more or less a job. Just as thinking about her outside of the club
didn’t mean he had feelings for her. She was a trainee, nothing more, and he wanted
to be sure her training progressed to the point she’d be well-prepared when the
club opened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The bar had been installed during the
reconstruction, a long, curved wooden expanse that curved from one side of the
room to the other. Half the room was designated as dance floor, the other half
providing tables and chairs for drinking and socializing. Unlike the rest of
the club, the floors in this area were hardwood, stained in a rich brown, and
sealed to keep them durable. A few tables, those sent as samples before Mark
chose the décor, peppered the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek pulled a chair over to one of the
tables and set it to face the door. To Joanne, he said, “Arrange a few of these
chairs outside the door and return to me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Her easy compliance encouraged him to push
harder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">When she returned from the hall, she
carried a manila folder. “Mildred asked me to give this to you, Master Derek.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He sat at the table and opened the folder,
glancing at the list while he made her wait. After a moment or four, he lifted
his hand palm down and extended it to his side. Joanne paused and he could feel
her anxiety in the air around them before she went to her knees on the wooden
floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Good girl. Face the wall behind <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>me, with your back to the main entrance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She adjusted her body and settled into the
submissive form. A check of his watch and the schedule Mildred provided gave
him ten minutes to play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Remove your blouse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Drawing a settling breath, Derek watched
from the corner of his eye as her fingers dove to the hem of her top and pulled
it over her head. Folding it neatly and placing it in front of her knees, she
reached for the clasp of her bra and added it to the shirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You honor me with your compliance,
Joanne.” He pushed his chair back enough to enhance his view. “You’re a
beautiful woman.” One finger traced her collarbone from the left side of her
body to the right, then slid lower to circle her breast, beginning at the
outside swell and swirling inward until he fingered the tight bud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Eyes properly down and breath moving a bit
faster than normal, she maintained her pose. Impressive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He repeated the tracery with the left
breast, and when he reached the apex, he palmed both mounds, rubbing and
pinching the nipples until spikes formed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Beautiful, Joanne. Just beautiful.” Derek
shifted his chair back to the table and quietly told her, “The first applicant
has arrived. Stay as you are until I release you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-22525762483406158962013-05-06T02:00:00.000-07:002013-05-06T02:00:02.044-07:00Private Delights, continued...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Chapter 8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne unlocked her front door and eased
into the living room as quietly as she could. Terri’s door was closed, but she
didn’t want to inadvertently wake her best friend at midnight. She sank into
the soft cushion of chair closest to the door and put her purse on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The ankle boots she wore for work pinched
after a long shift, but at least she only had two more days at the bar. The
manager was irritated, primarily because she was the only regular waitress who
showed up on time, but Tim couldn’t blame her for wanting more money. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">And the gig at the club would be a definite
raise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Feet finally
bare, she stretched her toes and wiggled them in the thick carpet. Her head
dropped to the back of the chair while the tension left her shoulders, and her
thoughts drifted to the man from the new club.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek Lyons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Master.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Not a man to fall in love with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She barely knew him, just a name
and persona and a wicked sensuality a woman needed at least once in her life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">But he wasn’t for her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Getting her own life in order was
her priority, and Master Derek had his own demons to tame. No idea what they
were, but Joanne knew they were there, somewhere inside that strong, hard body.
His eyes shone with a sense of pain she’d recognized from her own past, but she
knew from her own experience that it would only heal when the time was right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Not her job, anyway. She was an
employee, a staff submissive in a bondage club, not a counselor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Gathering her things, she double
checked the front door’s lock and went to her room. Ordinarily, she’d shower
and read or watch a little television before sleeping until noon, but she
wanted to work at Private Delights for at least half a day before she went back
to the bar at three. Her budget would thank her later for the double shifts and
exhaustion would mean sleeping hard every night. The end result? No late night
dreams about her teacher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Setting the alarm for seven, she
stripped and fell into bed, letting the cool sheets do their job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Her eyes popped open at six fifteen and she’d
showered and dressed before the alarm went off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">"Hello, stranger,” Terri said from the
kitchen. “Coffee?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yes, please.” Joanne slipped a bagel into
the toaster and put her coffee cup on the oval dining table while she waited,
cream cheese in hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You’re up early.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">"I’m working at the new club this morning,
then at the bar from three to eleven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Ouch,” Terri said. “Whose idea was that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne doctored her bagel and sat next to
her friend. “Mine. I need the money and I’m in training at the club, so I might
as well make the most of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Terri chewed fast, her eyes wide, and
Joanne gave serious thought to leaving before her roommate could empty her
mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Training? Do tell, and don’t leave
anything out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Sure, like that was going to happen. “One
of the owners is teaching me about BDSM and how to be a proper submissive. I’m
also learning about the workings of the club, the staffing, and helping with anything
else that needs to be done.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Will you be the only paid
submissive?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“No, of course not. Well, actually, I don’t
know. Mr. Harrison is still interviewing, and he’s hiring staff for several
positions. Why? Want a new job?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Terri took another bite and shook her head.
“Not there,” she finally said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne laughed. “Chicken.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yes, ma’am. I prefer to work with my
clothes on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“It’s not a nudie bar. I’ll be dressed,
most of the time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Terri laughed. “It’s the rest of the time
that has me worried. Now, I’ve got to get on the road.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Twenty minutes later, Joanne pulled into
the parking lot of Private Delights, a rather large delivery truck turning in
behind her. There weren’t many cars in the lot but the front doors were
unlocked so she went straight in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The new carpet made an amazing difference
in the space, the green and gold scattered swirls in the dark purple mat
visually doubled the large room. While the carpet looked great, the room itself
was cavernous, empty and silent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Upstairs, the main office door was open but
Mildred wasn’t at her desk. Joanne knocked at Mark’s door and waited to be
invited in. silent minutes passed before he pulled the door open. “Joanne?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Good morning, Mr. Harrison. I thought you
should know, there’s a large delivery truck in the front drive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A devil-may-care smile lit up his face.
“Every day’s like Christmas around here. Let’s go see what it is.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He led the way, talking as they went. “Are
you here full time now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“No. I have two more shifts at my other
job, but I wanted to pitch in as much as I could here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Please tell me you have some knowledge of
interior design,” he said as they hit the bottom step. Two moving men were
waiting for direction, a long sofa held between them and another pair of men
right behind them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Oh, my. How much furniture did you order?”
she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Quite a bit,” he told her, and then turned
to the men. “Gentlemen, this is my assistant. If you’ll wait just a minute,
she’d tell you where to place the furniture.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His eyes sought hers. “Follow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Well, hell. Another man who could change
his voice from sweet and friendly to deep and dominant in the blink of an eye.
Her life would never be the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Mr. Harrison, I don’t know much about
interior design,” she said when she caught up with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His quick turn surprised her, even more so
when he touched her chin and raised her head to meet his expression. Cool,
controlled, and collected. “You can do this, Joanne. My plan for this area is
open seating arrangements, a place for members to socialize. Think hotel
lobbies. Scatter the sofas, tables, and chairs in a way that will make people
congregate in small groups to discuss their day or plan their playtime here at
the club. You’re in charge.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“But, Mr. Harrison—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“When you’re here, I’m Master Mark. Don’t
worry, Joanne, it’s just furniture, and easily moved around until we figure it
out. Just do your best.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He left her standing in the middle of the
cavernous main room and she looked back at the sofas waiting for her decision.
Holding up one finger to the first delivery man, she walked the length of the
room and measured the space in her head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She could do this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">It wasn’t that different from arranging
office space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She waved the first man toward her and
directed the pair’s movement until the sofa sat at an angle to one side of the
room but still facing the main entrance. The second sofa’s placement mirrored
the first, a dark green instead of the gold of the first one. She left room for
accent tables, hoping they’d been ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A steady stream of furniture came through
the room and when she was almost out of space, Master Mark reappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Well done, Joanne.” His hand brushed from
her crown to her nape. “There should be another delivery soon, restaurant
tables and chairs. Have you seen the layout of the first floor?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“No, Master Mark. I haven’t been much
farther than this room and your office.” With her head tipped down, she could
barely see the smile he flashed her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Derek’s teaching you the basics?” he
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yes, Master Mark.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Walk with me and I’ll show you the layout.
And don’t be afraid to watch where you’re walking. While I appreciate your
submissive eyes, I’d hate for you to break a leg before the club opens.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A laugh bubbled up and she lifted her head
enough to see the bottom half of his face. “Thank you, Master Mark.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They strode down the hall at a brisk pace
and she was glad he’d given her permission to watch where they were going. The
building was large and spread out, with evidence of recent construction in many
areas. Master Mark stopped at a new wooden door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“This is an access to the north side of the
building where the public bar will be. It connects via a short hall and the
door on the other side can only be opened with a keycard. All employees will
have one, as will members.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She nodded and gave him the requisite reply
and they moved farther down the main hall while he talked about the bar and
when the equipment would arrive. “We’re also looking for staff in that area,
and if you know anyone trustworthy and hardworking, let me know. Or better yet,
have them apply and mention your name.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He stopped when they reached an
intersection in the hallway. “Lost yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“No, Master Mark,” she said with a smile.
He might be a little different in lifestyle, but he appeared to be a decent
sort of man and she found herself liking him a little more with every
interaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Good. This hall runs down the backside of
the building. There are rooms that open on both sides of the hall and it
intersects the main room where you were arranging furniture.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Thank you for the tour, Master Mark.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If you look to the right, you can see the
elevators. I believe Derek took you upstairs?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her face warmed but she tried to keep her
tone smooth and calm. “Yes, Master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He crossed to a set of double doors propped
wide open and she followed. “The vendor delivering the seating for this area
will take care of installing all the booths and setting up the tables and
chairs. All you need to do is direct them to this room when they arrive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She answered in the affirmative again and
looked around the large space. The carpet she’d chosen looked lovely with the
dark wood baseboards and crown molding. The back wall was half glass, the
windows looking out on the former golf course, and she wondered what the man
next to her had planned for that area. Something kinky, most likely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Show me what you’ve learned from Derek.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: .5in right 6.5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It wasn’t a request. The voice was dark
again. Commanding. Joanne went to her knees in silence and assumed the position
of a submissive and awaited his instructions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-83521121939451229342013-04-29T02:00:00.000-07:002013-04-29T02:00:11.182-07:00Chapter 7
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Damn, the place was looking better every day and might
actually open on time, Steve Gladston thought as he parked in the front lot.<span style="color: #c00000;"> </span>Working the day job while his partners managed
the construction irritated, but it had to be done. He’d much rather be here
every day, in the thick of it, but his turn had come and gone. The security
system was in and fully integrated.<span style="color: #c00000;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">At the top of the main staircase the sound of loud voices
keyed him to the location of his partners. From the mixture of laughter and
profanity, Derek was pissed about something and Mark was egging him on. Fun
times ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“What’d I miss?” He sailed into the room and flopped on the
new sofa, waiting for the next explosion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark relocated to the matching chair next to the sofa. “Derek’s
training the new submissive we hired.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Sweet job. Why all the yelling?” When Derek didn’t reply,
Steve turned to Mark. More silence and a lifted brow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">So it was about Mary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">And he was no fucking counselor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“She wouldn’t want you to be alone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Anger and pain poured out of his friend. And an unvoiced
question. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How do you know?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“She loved you. Mary never hid her feelings around us like
she did on the floor. You were her husband and her lover and her Dom. We were
her friends.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek sagged into the other upholstered chair and stretched
his legs out into the open space between the furniture. “Where have you been
all day?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Steve blew out a breath and settled his shoulders. Okay.
Better to change the subject than argue about a dead woman and the man who wouldn’t
let go. “I worked a bid at Lindsay & Sons. One of us has to make some money
around here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek leaned back and popped his neck before answering, and
he still didn’t meet either man’s gaze. “Forgot about that. How’d it go?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“We’re in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“What, no squabbling
about the cost?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Steve relaxed a little. Finally, a decent response along
with the change of subject.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark spilled his two bits, even though he wasn’t part of
their security business. “I remember Simon Lindsay from school. He was head of
the debate team. Can’t imagine he just rolled over and took the first offer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Helps when I show up in time to stop a robbery and rescue
the little sister.” Yeah, he was gloating, but the altercation with the bad
guys got his blood pumping, and so did the meet and greet with the lady. Letting
them stew on that little bit of information, he got up and looked around the
room. “Where the hell did you put the fridge?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark laughed. “The new cabinets were installed this morning.
Open the one on the far left.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Damn, I keep forgetting you come from money.” Steve pulled
out a cold bottle of water and offered it to Derek, then tossed it to him and
grabbed another. When Mark shook his head, Steve closed the door and went back
to his chair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Did you stage a break-in to get the contract?” Derek asked.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yeah, go ahead and slash my ethical soul, but we got the
job on merit alone.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Right. Tell us what really happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Seriously. There were three men in the building when I got
there. The girl was screaming and I went in. Put two down before the brothers
and the police arrived.” As the story unfolded, their expressions went from
disbelief to amazement. ”And the little sister is all mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“How in the hell do you find these situations?” Derek asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Somehow I doubt Simon will allow you to drag his sister to
a BDSM club, no matter how nice the facilities are,” Mark said. “I know for a
fact he’s as straight-laced as they come.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yeah, maybe, but
she’s a grown woman and makes her own decisions.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You’re delusional. She’s got three older brothers. Three
overprotective older brothers. Give it up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">They might be right, but he didn’t give up easily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A knock on the office door interrupted his retort, and
Mark’s assistant, Mildred stepped inside. </span><span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Mr. Harrison, the carpet is here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Great.” Mark stood and stretched. “We have work to do.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“We’re not laying carpet, are we? Didn’t they bring people
to do that?” Steve asked. Hell, all he knew about carpet was that it was
something to walk on. He could build and wire a security system, or create
internet barriers, or act as a human shield, dammit, but he didn’t do carpet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Don’t
be a baby.” Mark shoved his shoulder. “We’re moving the already delivered
furniture out of the way in each room, then putting it back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek
opened the door and ushered them out. “A little manual labor will be good for
us, blow off a little tension.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark
laughed. “Still got that hard on?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“What’d
I miss?” Steve asked, following them down the hall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek
didn’t appreciate the question, especially when he turned the first corner
downstairs and ran right into Joanne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Why
are you still here?” he asked without thinking. The look on her face set him
back a step. “Sorry.” He let his shoulders drop a bit and changed the wording.
“I thought you had to be at your other job.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His
change in tone didn't work. Brittle and contained, she said, “Not until six.
And since I picked out the carpet, I’d like to see it when it’s installed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He
offered a smile. “Right. Forgot about that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark
and Steve came around the corner and Mark said, “Welcome to Private Delights,
Joanne. This is Steve Gladston, our other partner. Steve, this is Joanne
Reynolds, our first Staff Submissive.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Heads
turned all around him and Mark grinned. “I changed the title, since Paid
Submissive didn’t have the right—well, it sounded like something illegal.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Thank
you, Mr. Harrison.” That from Joanne, and Derek slapped him on the back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Decent
of you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Where
are we starting this project?” Steve asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">They
split into pairs. Mark and Steve headed toward the back of the lower level,
leaving him with Joanne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Perfect.
Temptation and self-disgust in one hot package.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“What should I
do first?” she asked, and his first thought was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">get naked</i>, followed by an ache in his chest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“We’ll
start with the playrooms, make sure all the floors are clear.” Two steps ahead
of her on the stairs, he heard her sweet reply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes,
Master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His
cock responded before he could take another breath, thick and ready for the
next step. The step he didn’t want to take.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-46916942642293472432013-04-22T04:00:00.000-07:002013-04-22T04:00:19.879-07:00Private Delights <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Chapter 6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Joanne
flinched at the rough sound of his command. Could she really do this? Watching
him open that weapon, the care he took to make sure all the wrapping was
removed, the slow inspection of each long strand, took her body to another
place. A place where his hands were on her skin, sliding up and down her back
and inspecting every inch as he had with the cords.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Clamping her lips shut to prevent the rising moan, she
slipped her feet out of her shoes and unzipped the black slacks she’d worn,
trying to remember what panties she’d put on this morning. It was a
recognizable deflection for her brain but anything to keep her sane at the
moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A glance in his direction didn’t help at all. He’d gotten
rid of his shirt and stood watching her progress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Waiting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She didn’t know what he did for a living, but it was
definitely working for him. Muscles stood out across wide shoulders and down
his chest, visible even through the dark sprinkling of hair. Just a little
lower, that dark hair narrowed into a thin line and disappeared into the
low-slung waistband of his jeans. Not the kind of body she’d expect from the
owner of a business unless it was a gym.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She swallowed the lump in her throat and draped her slacks
over the back of the chair. The blouse went over her head and joined the pants.
Undies next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She closed her eyes and reached for the clasp of her bra,
but he wouldn’t allow her the slight privacy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Eyes on me, sub.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Dammit. She settled her nerves and tried to remember why she
thought this was a good idea. When she met his hot stare, she relaxed. Not
completely, but some. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He was as affected as she, his chest rising and falling a
little faster than it had when they were simply talking. A flick of her fingers
and the bra dropped from her breasts, the straps at her shoulders holding it
cupped in front of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His eyes flared with heat and she relaxed a little more. A
certain sense of power settled in her chest. He wanted to do this. He desired
this act, and if she wanted, she could call it off. The outcome was hers to
choose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Her hands came up to her breasts and held the bra cups for a
one teasing moment, and then the bra landed on the chair with her other
clothes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Being a tease will often get you more strokes of the
paddle, little submissive-in-training. Bear that in mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Her breath hitched at his comment, but she stood her ground,
only lowering her eyes when his brow rose. “Sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He cleared his throat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Sorry, Master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Good girl,” he crooned. “Leave the panties.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Arms by her side and head tipped forward, she waited for his
instructions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A few seconds seemed like hours while she waited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Ordinarily, we’d use restraints to keep you in one place,
but the proper equipment won’t be installed until the floors are finished.
“Joanne, look at me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She looked up into a half-amused face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I’m going to break a few rules and give you input today.
Don’t expect it to happen again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">When he paused, she wanted to return the smile but didn’t
think he’d appreciate it. Her gaze dropped while she fought the urge and
discovered a growing bulge in his pants. Interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Too choices. Lay across the table or stand against the
wall.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The table was one of those hard plastic temporary things
with rounded edges and it wouldn’t be comfortable at all, not that she expected
comfort. “I’ll stand, Master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Wise choice. Step over to the wall and show me the standing
submissive position.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Easy enough, but not for long. Dread crept up her spine.
She’d never done this, never thought about doing this, and her nerves were
tighter than a violin string.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A cool draft blew across her shoulders as the air
conditioner cycled on, and then heat brushed against her back. Derek’s bare
chest made contact with her shoulder blades, his hands cupped her upper arms
and slid down to take her hands. He lifted them the wall and pressed her palms
to the plaster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Keep them here for me,” he whispered in her ear, the rasp
like the swipe of a brush across her scalp, sending tingles straight to her
core. Those hot hands returned to her shoulders and slid ever so gently down to
her hips. His right foot nudged hers. “Feet further apart. Hm, good girl.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The heat returned to her back and his proximity had her
lungs working a little faster. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Joanne, can you trust me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She replied with a short bob of her head, the gruffness of
his voice causing chill bumps to rise on her arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“The first few strikes will hurt. Breathe through the pain
and wait for the pleasure.” His hands clenched against her hips, his thumbs
rubbing circles into her flesh through her thin panties. “Trust me to make it
good for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She nodded again and the heat moved away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A deep breath did nothing for her nerves or the function of
her lungs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She focused on her muscles, trying not to tighten them. If
she could just relax, she’d be okay. She was prepared but his hesitation worked
on her head. Anticipation was a bitch, one she knew on a first name basis. She
could only hope he was trustworthy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The first lash stung in long lines across her back, the ends
of the strands like exclamation points to the pain. A shout left her with the
second barrage, the sting more intense than the first. In the pause afterward,
a warm hand caressed her skin and the pain morphed into a hot stone massage
with a rough edge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The massage stopped and her Master changed sides, the cat-tail
landing at a different angle. The sensations changed, the slap of the cords and
the tight little end pieces creating an inflammation from within her body. She
ached with a need that raced through her until it reached the center of her
body. A moan echoed in the room, and then another before she realized they came
from her. Again and again, she felt the strands collide with her body, and
every time, she felt the stroke in her belly and in her sex more than across
her back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The need to come bombarded her. “Please, Master,” she
whimpered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He paused in mid swing and lifted her chin. “Are you asking
me to stop?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She turned enough to look at him through a haze of desperate
arousal. “No, Master. Don’t stop. I need...I need more....”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His grin was wicked, his face flushed and tight with lust.
“I know what you need, little sub. Trust me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He stepped back out of sight and another set of lashes
crossed her flesh. Moisture slipped past the elastic of her panties and coated
the inside of her thighs. She needed him inside her. Now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The strands of the whip landed one more time and stopped.
The heat of his body enveloped her, his hands roaming across her shoulders,
retracing the path he’d taken before they began. They paused at her hips then
slid around to her belly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">They moved lower. Thick fingers explored the thick cream
between her legs. Her panties were pushed aside and two fingers slid deep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A cry sounded in the bare room as he filled her, pumping his
fingers in and out of her sex, and a baritone groan near her ear filled her
head. Arms and legs shaking at the onslaught, Joanne clenched around him. “More...more...please,
Master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His thumb moved against her, found the right spot, and she
exploded, the fire in her body rushing to her extremities and back to her core
in an instant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">When her eyes opened again, she was in Derek’s arms, cuddled
like a baby where he sat on the chair. An attempt to leave his lap failed while
he shook his head. “Hang on a few more minutes, honey.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A few more breaths helped her regulate her heart rate and he
eased his hold on her. “Is it supposed to be like that?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He cocked a brow. “It can be. Depends on the motive of the
Dom. Spankings can be for pleasure, pain, or discipline. Some people prefer the
pain more than the pleasure. To each, his own.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“So I shouldn’t expect this reaction every time?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“With me, probably. With others, I can’t say. But most Doms prefer
to give pleasure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A wiggle on his lap made her realize he was still aroused.
What was the protocol when a Dom gave a sub an orgasm? “Um, should I give you
pleasure now, Master?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His head stretched back until he faced the ceiling before he
answered. The crooked smile made him look younger. “No, I think we’ll leave
that lesson for another day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Oh.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Are you still working another job?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yes. I didn’t want to quit until I knew this job was a sure
thing.” Maybe the residual orgasm had refocused her perceptions, but he was
more than handsome as he spoke to her face to face. Okay, so it was probably
the orgasm, but he was being nice and she felt good. Better than good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You’re officially on the clock as of today. Payroll is
biweekly. We’ll continue your training and when we’re not working on
submission, you can help in other areas. Once you’re trained, you’ll be
training other staff.” He held up a hand to stop her question. “I’ll continue
instruction when you need me to with the other subs. Settle with your other job
and give us a call when you know when you can be here on a regular basis.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Thank you, Master.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I’ll be here every day this week, so find me when you get
here. Now, get dressed. I have some things to take care of outside.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He stood, adjusted his hard-on in his jeans, and left her to
get dressed. This was going to be one hell of a job but if she felt anywhere
close to this satisfied at the end of every work day, she’d be in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek stopped at Mark’s office door, his head and dick still
pounding, and pressed his head against the shiny wood, feeling a lot less than
happy with his own version of hardwood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He ached.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Nothing he could do until it went away on its own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Celibacy bit the big one, but he’d survive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His good buddy might not, though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The door opened and Mark came close to running over him.
“Hey, all finished with the new hire?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Apparently, a growl wasn’t an appropriate greeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark’s grin wasn’t welcome, either. “Do you like my new
door? It was just installed. Great wood grain, don’t you think?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek shoved him into the room and slammed the nice new door
behind them. “I need to kill someone right now, and you’re handy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Hard hands pushed against his chest and he leaned into them.
Mark was strong, fit and muscular, but Derek had at least twenty pounds on him
and a boatload of aggression to release.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Come on, man. Was it that bad? Did she run screaming from
the new front doors?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You’re enjoying this way too much, buddy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-726760247111235292013-04-15T04:00:00.000-07:002013-04-15T04:00:19.080-07:00Adult Content - if you are under the age of 18, please exit this page.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Chapter 5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She might have some experience as a submissive, but most of
it was being fucked and watching others fuck. Besides an idiot boyfriend,
Joanne was innocent in the ways of club life. He’d need to start from scratch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The tension in her shoulders told him she was interested but
nervous. Unsure of herself or the situation. Going slow was the best option.
However, Derek had chores outside this gig and knew from past experience that
the more time he took training her, the harder it would be to separate his body
and mind into different entities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Having her in his bed wasn’t an option.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">And regardless of where he got her submissive-wise, he
wouldn’t subject her to the darkness he reined in every minute of every day. He
flat wouldn’t do that to the novice standing in front of him with her mouth
hanging open.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">With one finger, he tucked her chin back into place. “You
don’t have any idea what these things are, do you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“No, Master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mentally expounding on Mark’s poor parentage with a silent string
of explicit phrases, Derek stepped around her and snagged another folding chair
from the hallway. “Sit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne’s eyes jumped to his face, panic making her pale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Shit. He didn’t want to do this, but she needed more than a
rudimentary lesson in dominance and submission. He set the other chair in front
of her and straddled it, his arms looped across the back while they spoke face
to face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">More like he lectured and she listened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“This club isn’t a strip club or a porn shop. It’s a place
where men and women who chose to participate in an alternative lifestyle are
free to openly do so. That said, the members will often be nude or semi-nude
and may or may not be engaged in public sexual encounters. Possibly like the
ones you witnessed while you were involved with that asshole you mentioned.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She sucked in a breath but he didn’t let her speak, his
raised brow all the reminder she needed, thank God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“As a paid submissive, you might be asked to participate in
sexual acts or in scenes where members act out fantasies. You will not be
passed around like a whore the way your previous boyfriend did with the other
women in that group.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Oh. Okay.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You will be paid a salary and we don’t allow gratuities for
any of our employees. There won’t be any allusions about paid sexual favors.
Understand?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yes, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Good. Glad that’s settled.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Me, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek cocked his head in her direction. “Did you expect to
be on your back every night?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“No. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was waiting to
find out if that was the case. I would’ve quit first thing.” Her voice
faltered. “I was hoping for something better than...originally, I applied for a
waitress position.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Understood. Still with me or ready to go home?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Still here. Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Good.” Her body language remained a little off, but in slow
steps he recognized the signs of relaxation. No doubt in his head she was still
way outside her comfort zone, but he could get her there if she’d let him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Working here, you’ll see plenty of intimate acts. If you’re
asked to participate, you may. But it will always be a choice you make. No one
will force you. If anyone tries, you report it to management immediately.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As
close as their faces were to each other, the quick flash of surprise on her
face caught him off guard. “Don’t believe me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
hard swallow and carefully blank face wasn’t the reply he wanted. Her eyes were
down again and her mouth kept opening and closing even though no words escaped.
When she finally looked at him again, her expression was almost defiant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
believe your intent. But the kind of high end clients, members, I mean, well,
in my experience, the more money a man has, the more...favors he expects. Most
businesses tend to follow the money instead of the employee.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Derek
leaned back and stretched his arms, not immediately realizing his show of
muscle put her off. Not his intention at all, but it made him wonder how much
damage that old boyfriend had done and whether she’d be able to work it out. If
he could gain her trust and show her how a true Dom took care of his submissive,
she’d be well on her way to enjoying the lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">With a flash of insight, he realized Mark had been smart to
put her in his hands. He had more patience than his old friend, and more
experience in training subs. It was the right choice for all but one reason. He
didn’t want a woman in his life. He didn’t want to play in the club, just help
manage it. He didn’t want to feel the pull of sensuality from a cute little
submissive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Want and need were two different issues, and watching Joanne
had his body overriding his brain, his emotional reluctance. In fact, he was
perilously close to giving up his celibate streak for this straight talking
woman. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Damn
little lady had a way with words and didn’t cut corners. The strength of her
convictions impressed him. She’d be a hell of a submissive and the idea of his
hands on her filled his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Thanks
for your honesty, but I can assure you the employee’s report will be
substantiated and actions will be taken as necessary. The partners running this
club will see to it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How
can you be sure?” she asked, then slapped her hand across her mouth. “Sorry.
That was out of line.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m
sure because I’m one of the partners. All three of us take offense at a woman
being abused. We’re in the process of putting together membership packets to
maintain the safety of everyone involved in Private Delights, employees and
members alike.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If
that’s true, why are you stocking this room with instruments of torture?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Darlin’,
they may look like dangerous weapons, but erotic pain is often the path to
orgasm. Don’t dismiss it until you’ve tried it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stood and went back to the boxes. Might as
well introduce her to a few more tools of the trade.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Show
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All
motion stopped and his chest flooded with heat. Son of a bitch. Did she really
ask that question, or was it a figment of his imagination? Turning his head, he
saw determination in her eyes even though her knees were shaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What
are you asking, Joanne?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If...if
I’m going to work here...and do this, I need to know if...if I can handle it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And
you’re asking me to spank you?” Damn body wasn’t cooperating with his celibacy
plan and it was Mark’s fault.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
planted a hand on her hip. “Who else should I ask? Some guy off the street?”
Her chest rose and fell on a long, deep breath. “I can assume you know how to
do this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oh,
hell, he knew how and he wanted to, even knowing she wasn’t his to play with,
but she had a point. If she couldn’t handle a little erotic pain play with him
in an empty room, how would she manage in a full club?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
less than perfect environment bothered him. Until the carpet was installed, all
the equipment was stacked in a corner, meaning no restraints. The only option
was the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Derek
pulled a cat-tail out of a box and slowly removed the wrapping on each of the
nine soft leather strands. Each one ended with a braided knot. With the
packaging put away, he gave it a few practice swings and turned to face her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Strip
and present yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-61748890680149413172013-04-08T04:00:00.000-07:002013-04-08T04:00:06.189-07:00A Private Delights novella with no name as yet...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Chapter 4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne adjusted the position of her knees, thankful she’d
worn slacks instead of a dress. The unfinished floor wasn’t exactly
comfortable, but the fabric helped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">What to tell him? Honesty would be best, since she needed
the job. The salary quoted by the secretary was close to double her last
paycheck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Five years ago, I was living in Michigan and dating a man
who was, well, I guess the best word would be interested, in the lifestyle. We
joined a local group and participated for about six months.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Only six months? Why did you stop?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Blunt or delicate? Did it really matter?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“He liked being with other people, but he didn’t like to see
me with other men. He couldn’t handle the fact that I enjoyed it. It became a
competitive thing with him, seeing how many women he could... be with while I
watched. After the second or maybe it was the third month, he refused to let me
participate.” The frustration she’d dealt with during that relationship surged
to the fore and she slapped it back into the dark spot in her heart where all
her troubles lived. “At the time, I thought he’d change his mind once he had
his fill.” She paused for a comment that didn’t come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“We were living together and working a lot of hours. I didn’t
realize he was going without me. When I found out, we fought. He insisted I go
with him again, and I tried. Once or twice.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She stretched her spine and watched his expression stay calm
and unaffected by the information she shared. And then she realized what made
him different. There were no explosions, no demanding questions or heated
discussions. He was strong and dominant, but he didn’t take his emotions out on
other people. The best word she could find to describe him was self-contained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“What happened when you went back?” he asked, his deep voice
conveying curiosity and concern but no hint of contempt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She shrugged. “More of the same. It wasn’t fun anymore, so I
walked away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">That piercing gaze of his observed her for a few minutes,
taking in the information and processing it against what he saw now, and she
hoped the person he saw now was a better person than she’d been five years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I can say with some authority that removing yourself from
that situation was a wise choice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Thank you was the first thing she wanted to say, but didn’t.
“Even though it was his idea to begin with?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek’s brows rose at her question, making him look
sympathetic and attractive as hell. This wasn’t going to be easy, letting him
touch her without getting involved. Falling in love with him might be the
easiest thing she’d ever do in her life. Scary, since they just met.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“From what you’ve told me, if he stayed in the lifestyle, he
probably evolved into one of two types. A closet submissive that plays at being
a Dom, or a dangerous Dom, one who believes there’s no need for a safe word.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I don’t think I’d like either choice.” When he nodded, she
couldn’t stop her question. “What kind of Dom are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">When he laid his forearms on his knees and leaned in close,
Joanne wished she’d kept her mouth shut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I’d like to say I’m the only type of Dom you’ll meet around
here, but until I assess the membership, I can’t comment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">In the early shock of his closeness, she’d forgotten to
lower her eyes, and now, she couldn’t look away. Dark eyes, almost black, bored
into hers and mesmerized, a sensual stroke without a touch of skin on skin. He
radiated power and compassion, a heady mix of sexuality and sorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">In a blink, it was gone from his face, and she didn’t know
what to think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Let’s get started,” Derek said, straightening in the chair.
“While your frame is adequate, I’d like to see better. Knees apart, feet
together, hands on your thighs, palms up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne blinked at his change in demeanor and let her eyes
drop while she adjusted her body. When finished, he murmured a ‘good girl’ and
stood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Her eyes stayed at his feet. Nice shoes. Long and wide. Thick
soles. Interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Rolling her lips in over her teeth, she tried to repress the
inner monologue and listen to his comments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A hand appeared in front of her face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Take my hand and stand, sub.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Sliding her hand into his warm palm reminded her of the lack
of male companionship in her life. This job would most likely change how she
felt about not having a boyfriend. She’d meet a lot of people here, but she
doubted they’d all be like Derek.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Show me the standing sub position.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">With no clue, she raised her gaze. “I never knew that one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He stepped closer and his hands rested on her shoulders, the
heat penetrating a little too much for her comfort zone today, but a few
breaths helped her relax. The distinctly calm tone of his voice helped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Move your feet a little farther apart, relax your shoulders
but don’t slump. Only your head is lowered. Submissive and beaten down are two
different looks. A good submissive is strong internally and happy in the
service of her Dom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yes, Master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Now, put your arms behind your back. Have you had any
experience with handcuffs?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yes, Master.” Dammit. She’d forgotten about this aspect of
submission. The one time she’d been cuffed, she’d had bruises for a week.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she concentrated on her breathing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Rough fingers touched her chin about the same time she heard
his soft shushing sound. He lifted her chin with a gentle hand she wouldn’t
expect from such a large man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You’ve had a bad experience, haven’t you, Joanne?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">It was the first time she’d heard her name on his lips and
the feeling it evoked shocked her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Tell me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“They hurt and I had bruises afterward.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Unless you’re in police custody, they’re not supposed to be
painful.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He held them in front of her and she sucked in a breath. The
metal cuffs he held were wrapped in fabric, nothing like the ones she’d seen
before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Touch them, get used to the feel of them. In our club,
handcuffs—hell, all the cuffs we use—are more of a reminder of submission than
an attempt at pain management.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek laid them in her hands and let her play with them for
a few minutes. The fabric around them was soft and encased all of the metal
except the closures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Before we move any further into the scene, let’s talk about
all the different types of restraints we plan to use here at Private Delights.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He led her to a table piled with boxes, some of them already
opened and waiting for inventory. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Until
the room is completed and shelves are ready, I don’t want to open all of these,
but one from each box should be enough to get you used to the equipment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Who knew sex required equipment beyond the human
participants? Nevertheless, she stood by his side while Derek opened a box and
unwrapped a long leather-sheathed rod with a flat surface extending from the
end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“This is a slapper,” he told her, “usually used when the
submissive is bound in some way or positioned on a Saint Andrews cross.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Suddenly, her world got a whole lot smaller.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-68557776825836556172013-03-31T18:42:00.002-07:002013-03-31T18:42:58.514-07:00Chapter 3<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m
not doing it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They’d
been arguing about it all weekend long and Derek was tired of the subject.
Mark, on the other hand, was still warming up to the subject. A clear reason to
keep Doms from working together on a business project. Neither would back off
willingly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Dammit,
Derek, you don’t have to fuck her, just train her to be a submissive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Easy
for him to say, much harder to do, and the look Derek gave his friend was
intended to end the discussion. “No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They
crossed the main floor and went out to the front walk to inspect the façade.
The contractors had worked over the weekend to finish painting the extensive
remodel and to get the landscaping done while they could. Taking advantage of a
few bright sunny days in February before the weather changed was an opportunity
not to be missed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
original entrance to the country club had been front and center, with wide
steps and a ramp. That entrance was gone and in its place was an oval patio area
contained behind a wrought iron fence. A concrete sidewalk ran through what was
rapidly becoming a grass yard in front of the patio. The sidewalk extended into
part of the existing parking lot and ended in a sloped entrance. Another load
of soil was on its way to fill in the area and enlarge the grass yard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mark
and Derek watched the landscape crew plant shrubs around the water feature to
the right of the entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“This
was a good idea,” Mark said. “I wasn’t sure what you were talking about when we
first discussed it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah,
you didn’t want to trust me, but I know what I’m doing.” Derek shut his mouth
on a groan, sure of what was coming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Exactly,
which is why I want you to train the girl. You know what you’re doing and you’re
good at it.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
truck pulling a flatbed turned into the drive and both men pivoted to watch its
progress. “The sign,” they both said, grinning at each other like little boys
with a new toy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
thought it wouldn’t be here until tomorrow?” Derek asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“They
called early this morning,” Mark said, still grinning. “Both the building sign
and the one for the street entrance are ready to hang.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Derek
felt the cosmos close around his throat. “And that means you need to be out
here all day to supervise.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mark
slapped him on the shoulder. “Yep. Guess you’ll have to handle the new girl.” He
turned and strode across the lot to meet the delivery truck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fuck</i>. Derek reluctantly followed,
wanting to see the final design for the marquee but unwilling to give in to
Mark’s plan. He hated to be manipulated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gorgeous.
No neon for this club, just simple lines and classic décor, except for the
playrooms, of course. But the exterior remained sophisticated, right down to
the marquee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Private Delights</i> spelled out in a flowing burgundy script and set a
few inches out from the brick wall with overhead lights spotlighting it. No flashy
strobe. No trashy pictures of strippers. This private club would remain a
secluded haven for people with discerning tastes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Another
car pulled into the lot and Derek watched a slim woman stand next to her car
looking for a sidewalk of some kind. She was the one he’d yelled at the other
day. The new hire he was being forced to train. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shit</i>. He took a few steps in her direction and gestured for her to
come to him. It helped that she didn’t look happy to see him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nevertheless,
when she stopped in front of him, her head tipped up and she stood her ground. “I
have an appointment with Mr. Harrison.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes,
I know, but you’ll have to do with me. His schedule has changed and I’ll be taking
care of you today.” He smiled when her spine visibly stiffened. “I believe
there are papers for you to sign before we begin.” With a tip of his head,
Derek strode toward the new entrance, wondering if she’d follow or try to catch
up with him. A first test to see how she would adapt to the lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
stopped at the door and she was a few steps behind, ready to enter when he held
open the frosted glass door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wow.
This place has changed a lot since I was here last week. You’ve been busy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Derek
couldn’t stop a smile. He was proud of the work they’d put in. “We plan to open
in two weeks. We still have a long way to go.” He led her to the grand
staircase still covered with the old carpet. “Watch your step here. Some of
this is still loose, but we aren’t pulling it up until the new carpet is ready
to install.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are
they going to make this Friday’s delivery date?” she asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Derek
paused. “How do you know about the delivery?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“When
I was here last week, Mr. Harrison asked me to help him chose the carpet.” She stumbled
on a rough patch of carpet and he reached out to steady her. The pink flush in
her face caught him off guard and he let go as soon as she regained her
balance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Instead
of responding he nodded and hurried her along. “Can I assume you know what kind
of establishment we have here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
huffed. “I would assume it’s a BDSM club, simply because of the position I discussed
with Mr. Harrison. Am I correct?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes.
Have you—do you have any experience with BDSM?” Better to get everything out in
the open as soon as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Some.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Care
to elaborate?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
paused at the top step. “Have I been hired yet, or is this still the interview
process?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Does
it matter?” he demanded, making sure he was calm, cool, and dominant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes.
Legally, I don’t have to reveal personal information during an interview.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do
you have things to hide?” If she was a problem, they didn’t need her, and he
made sure his tone conveyed just that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No,
but my sexual history is no one’s business at the moment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hmm.
Strong minded and a little conventional. The makings of a good submissive. Maybe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Derek
pulled open the door to Mark’s outer office. “Mildred will walk you through the
paperwork. Give her everything she asks of you. We’ll also do a background
check. Is there anything we should know before we run it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Good.”
Instead of leaving her with Mildred, he walked over to one of the folding
chairs lined up against the wall and sat, his eyes following her every move. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
was making her nervous. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shift from
foot to foot was evident only in the slight sway of the cuffs of her pants. Her
slim hips barely moved. And what a lovely ass she had, not too big, but
definitely not flat, and it sloped from her small waist to a nice soft curve
before ending at her thigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
wouldn’t fuck her, but touching wouldn’t hurt. Surely Mary would forgive him
that much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
thought of his wife sent a wave of grief through his gut, but the cut wasn’t as
deep as it had been in the last two years. If Mary could speak to him, she’d be
disapproving of his celibate life these days. She’d told him to move on, but he
hadn’t, not really.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
young woman had finished signing the ream of paper Mildred had prepared, so he
stood and waited for her attention. Gathering her copies into the envelope the secretary
provided, the young woman slipped them into her purse and rose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
she turned to him, he said, “Tell me your name, sub.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Joanne,”
she replied, head dipped just enough to hide her eyes. So the answer was yes,
she did have some experience with dominance and submission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Come
with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Derek
strode out the door and down the hall to one of the open play areas. It was nowhere
near finished, but they could use the space for basic instruction. First, he
needed to assess her knowledge within the BDSM lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Regardless,
he wouldn’t go easy on her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
sat in the only chair in the room and looked her over, waiting to see what she
would do of her own accord. Joanne’s eyes didn’t meet his, and when he didn’t
offer instruction, she fidgeted a minute before going to her knees in front of
his chair. It wasn’t the best submissive form he’d ever seen, but it was
adequate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How
long has it been since you’ve been in this position?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“About
four or five years, Master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her
gaze remained focused on his knees, a good start, but he needed her trust and
more information before they could get started.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Joanne,
for now I’d prefer that you look at me while we talk.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Soft
brown eyes looked at him, her expression hesitantly nervous. The short cut of
her dark brown hair fit her gamin face and even in this untraditional
situation, she appeared calm and in control of her body. No flitting around
with her hands or her eyes like she was a flight risk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Now
that you’re properly hired, will you discuss your private experience with BDSM
with me? I’d like to know where to begin your training.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes,
Sir. First, will you tell me how you prefer to be addressed?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“When
we are in the club, you will address me as Master. Any other time, you may call
me Derek.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Thank
you, Master.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Good
girl. Now, tell me about your past experience.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-90722080528036592372013-03-25T04:00:00.000-07:002013-03-25T04:00:05.107-07:00Chapter 2 - Help me name this story...
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Chapter 2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“How did the interview go?” Beth asked when Joanne came in
the front door. “Did they say when they’d make a decision?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne dumped her purse on the wing chair near the door and
flopped onto the sofa next to her roommate. “He offered me the job, but I’m not
sure I want it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Uh, why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne looked around at all the things she’d acquired in the
last few years. Most of the furniture was new, bought during what she now
called the money-flood year and a half she’d worked for the dot-com. When the flood
trickled into a mud pile, two of her co-workers moved in with her to help with
the rent. They were lucky. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">They hadn’t bought a house like she had. Even with a three
way split, they were barely making the house note and utilities, even though
all three were working long hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Come on, share. I have an appointment Friday. Should I skip
it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“The ad wasn’t exactly clear about the type of business.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“It’s a club. Beer, wine, dancing. Sweaty people getting
drunk and spending money. Better, rich people spending money.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Beth, it’s a BDSM club, very quiet, exclusive and pricey. A
members-only kind of place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Okay, it’s a kinky bar. They still pay good money for
booze, don’t they?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I suppose, but he asked if I would consider being a paid
submissive. I wasn’t worried about the bar or the wait staff positions. Those
are pretty much the same anywhere. But what he suggested is different.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I may have a bachelor’s in English Literature, but I’ve
lived a sheltered life. What the hell is a paid submissive?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Interesting. I asked Mr. Harrison the same question.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Dammit, Joanne,” Beth said, “stop beating around the bush
and tell me the whole story. You’re driving me nuts.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“In the club, there are dominants and submissives. The
submissives follow orders and please their master. They can be punished for
infractions or rewarded for good behavior.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You’ve got to be kidding. He’s opening a whorehouse?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne got to her feet, too wound up to sit still. And
talking about the whole Dominant/submissive lifestyle brought out too many old
memories. Pacing the length of the living room, she tried to find a good way to
explain it to her friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“It’s not always about sex. And it’s not always a male
dominant and a female slave.” She held up a hand to Beth when she gasped. “The
terms are interchangeable in the scene, but no one is really a slave. Actually,
the submissive can stop the action at any time and the dominant has to stop. At
least, that’s the way I learned about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
turned around to see Beth staring at her. Heat suffused her face from the
horrified look on her friend’s face, and now they were both embarrassed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
never knew you had such an interesting life before we met,” Beth said. “I feel
boring as hell right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
giggle erupted, and then another. Beth joined in and the laughter continued
until the front door opened and their other roommate stood staring at them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At
least Terri had a regular job, one she loved and paid well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What did I miss?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Joanne
got a new job. She’s going to be a paid submissive.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">****<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek Lyons pushed the swinging door open with his foot and
maneuvered the large pizza box through the opening. The six-pack of beer in the
other hand clanked as the bottles tipped and his buddy turned at the sound.
Mark grabbed the box and set it on the one open table in the room, one of those
white plastic things that easily folded. They’d cleared out the warehouse store
when the building had been declared habitable and they could begin the remodel.
Easier and cheaper to use temporary furniture until the work was done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Thank God for pizza,” Mark said as they broke into the box.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Thank God the construction is almost done,” Derek added and
Mark nodded while he chewed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek tore open a package of fake cheese and doctored his
slice. “Foreman assures me the exterior will be finished by the end of the
week. How are we doing on the inside?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark swallowed a sip of beer and nodded again. “Carpet will
be delivered and installed at the end of next week. Furniture will come in the
following Friday, now that we have a color scheme.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek laughed. “You finally picked something?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yeah, I had help.” He grinned. “One of the women I
interviewed today picked one for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek raised a brow but didn’t stop chewing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yeah, I know. But I liked all three, and while I can tell a
Chagall from a Renoir, I couldn’t see much difference in the carpet swatches.
It’s a rug. As long as it’s soft on the knees and looks luxurious, I’m okay
with it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Isn’t that why we paid a designer?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yes. She asked me to make the final decision, so I figured
they would all work.” He downed another sip of beer and chuckled. “She was
pissed when I asked a stranger to choose, but the girl did fine and Miss
Tankson still got paid.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“How’s the hiring going?” Derek asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“It’s getting there. I have five bartenders lined up and ten
or eleven waitresses so far. Mildred is doing the paperwork for background
checks. And I think I found a paid submissive. She came in as a waitress
application, but I think she’d be great on the floor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Why? Does she have a BDSM background?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I don’t think so, but maybe. She didn’t open up, but said
she’d think about it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“What makes you think she’ll call back?” Derek asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“She looked hungry,” Mark said. “She’s been working as a
waitress, but has a degree in marketing and made a heavy salary at a now
defunct dot-com. She’ll call.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“This is your instinct at work?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark shook his head. “Nope. Just good business. She needs a
job and I offered her one that pays better than what she has now. She’ll call.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">They finished dinner and Mark tossed the box and bottles in
the large rubber trash bin in the corner. “Let’s walk the place and call it a
night. I need a hot shower and a soft bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“And you call me the old man,” Derek huffed. They’d just
finished the second floor walk-through when Mark’s cell rang.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He grinned when he answered. “Yes. Thank you for calling me
back, Miss Reynolds. Good. Come in Monday morning at ten and we’ll discuss the
terms.” Mark smiled at his buddy. “Great. See you then.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Don’t tell me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark laughed. “Told you I had the gift. She needs a job.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“That’s one. How many submissives did you want to hire?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Probably four or five. We’ll have to see.” They crossed the
corridor and went down the steps to the main floor, noting finished work and
items on the checklist that hadn’t been done. Mark ran a tight ship and Derek
was the best supervising contractor he knew, besides being a security systems
analyst. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I want you to train her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek stopped in his tracks. “Why me? You can do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He nodded. “I could, but I’ll be the boss once the place
opens. And you have better technique.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Bullshit. You just want me involved again.” Derek hadn’t
had a submissive since his wife died three years ago. He dabbled, but he didn’t
keep anyone. “I can’t train anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Don’t tell me you can’t remember the drill. I know you.
You’re the best trainer in the state.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Just think about it. You can meet her Monday morning and
decide.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I’ll meet her, but I won’t commit to training her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I’ll agree to that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek paused halfway across the main floor. “Why don’t you
wait and train all of them at the same time?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I already planned to have you do that.” At his best
friend’s glare, he laughed. “I’m running the business end of this club. It’s
the least you can do for me. Think of it as keeping an eye on your investment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Bullshit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Once you get this girl trained, she can help you train the
rest.” Mark slapped him on the back. “She’s pretty. Tall and slim, with short
brown hair and dark eyes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Derek’s brow lowered. “Don’t push me.” He walked ahead to
the next corner but didn’t turn into the open area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“She’s nice, and she needs a job. Can’t you help her out,
and help me, too?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Dammit. I don’t need this harassment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark grinned as Derek walked away from him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“She was the last woman in the door this afternoon. Maybe
you saw her? Gray skirt, heels, and a nice rack, not too big, but just right
for her build?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Son of a bitch. “Did she have dirt on her skirt?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I think so.” Mark waited for his buddy to make the
connection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“No. Hell no.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-27822540492913185612013-03-18T11:33:00.000-07:002013-03-18T11:37:15.012-07:00Help me name this story...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne pulled into the parking lot and found a spot well
away from the building. The old country club was barely visible through the
morass of workmen rebuilding the façade and while the lot seemed debris free,
she didn’t want to take a chance on a flat tire. With funds dwindling, she
needed a job more than a repair bill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">A few minutes early for her interview, she got out and
leaned against her car. Six months ago, she’d been in and out of this place too
many times to count while she organized the company Christmas party. With no
idea of how quickly a start-up dot-com could go under, her boss had insisted on
a high-end bash to celebrate the great year they’d had.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Two months later, they were bankrupt, and she was the only
waitress at the diner with a master’s degree in marketing and bills to match
the national debt. Well, everybody had bills to pay, and she couldn’t be sure
about a couple of the other girls at the diner. But, for the last few months,
her resume circled Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, and Las Vegas. She even
sent a few to San Diego, hoping she could locate Kevin and reconnect if they
worked in the same town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">This was the last place she expected to be, but the new club
opening after this remodel promised to pay top-shelf wages for qualified
candidates, and she needed the money. Besides, she knew her way around a bar,
knew how to fend of drunks and still get a good tip. She’d put herself through
college doing just that. This couldn’t be any worse than some of the dives she
worked on the East Coast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She stepped over a bundle of wooden rails and made her way
around to the side of the building where she’d been told to look for the
temporary entrance. Halfway there, she ran into a wall of male heat with a wad
of papers in his hand. One minute, she was on her feet with no one nearby, the
next, she was on the ground looking up at the most impressive physique she’d
ever seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Well, the best she’d ever seen in a shirt and jeans, but
from the fit of the shirt as it hugged his body, he’d spent serious time at the
gym.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“What the fuck are you doing here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Looks a side, he wasn’t much of a winner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He reached down and offered her a hand. “Why are you sitting
in the middle of the walkway?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I was walking to the entrance when I was run over,” she
replied, tugging at her skirt to make sure she was still presentable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">She gave him her best screw-you look, but he didn’t notice,
so Joanne stepped around him, or tried to. His hand gripped her arm just above
the elbow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Where are you going, miss?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The steel in his tone and in his grip stopped the sarcastic
reply on the tip of her tongue. One look at his face had her mesmerized. The
sharp line of his brow, dark brows furrowed above his nose, highlighted the
high cheekbones and strong jaw. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Power.</i>
The word flung itself into her brain and wouldn’t leave. She filled her lungs
and fought for a little self-control. “I have an appointment with Mr.
Harrison.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Without letting go, he took a step back and looked her over
from head to toe before meeting her gaze. A flicker of interest in his
expression caught her by surprise but it disappeared almost immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“The path to the front door is on the other side of the
fence.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Releasing her arm only long enough to turn around, he took
her by the shoulder and escorted her to the gate she’d been aiming for before
their collision. The heat of his hand penetrated clear to her chest and
breathing wasn’t easy with him so near. The scent of testosterone and clean
male sweat permeated the space around him and overwhelmed her. Damn, she’d been
single for too long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Harrison is in the main hall discussing carpet with a
vendor. When you come back out the door, make sure you stay on the gravel path
all the way to the parking lot.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yes, sir,” she said as he put her on the other side of the chain
link gate and closed it between them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His lips twitched like he was trying to hide a smile before
the man turned and strode back to a makeshift table facing the building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne focused on the door and increased her pace, mentally
shaking off the encounter with the contractor. She needed this job, and as hunky
as the guy was, she’d never see him once the club opened. The door was propped
open even though the air conditioner blew cool air from every vent in the
ceiling. The waste was irritating after the irrational spending of her former
boss, but she tried to let it go. She didn’t know these people, but they must
have money to spare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Squaring her shoulders, she walked right up to Mark Harrison
and waited while he looked at three carpet samples. The floor underneath was
covered with beige industrial carpet, well-worn and dirty. It should have been
replaced long ago. Harrison looked back and forth between the two salesmen, then
caught sight of her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Mr. Harrison, I’m Joanne Reynolds. I have an appointment at
one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">One brow went up and he did that head to toe thing the
contractor did before meeting her eyes. “I had a little accident on the way
in,” she said, dusting off a spot of dirt on her gray skirt. “One of the
contractors knocked me down. I don’t usually come to a job interview with dirty
clothes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“You weren’t hurt, I hope?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Just ruffled a little, but I’ll be fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">His grin was a surprise. “Good. You can tell me what you
think of the samples before we go to my office.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">That was so not in the job description, but she’d handled all
kinds of tasks at the failed dot-com. “Thread count?” she asked the vendors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Mark answered. “All the same. We’re—well, I’m stuck on the
color and pattern. I need a woman’s opinion.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Joanne studied all three of the large swatches and looked
around the room where they stood. Football games could be played in the place
if they took down the staircase in the middle. “Is it for this space?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Yes,” all three answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“I’d go with the purple.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Eggplant,” the salesman interjected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“The eggplant with the gold and green swirls. It won’t take
over the room and is more elegant than the other two.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Harrison turned to the salesmen. “Order it. I need it
installed at the end of next week.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">One of them pulled out his cell and keyed in a number while
the other hurried to gather their samples. Harrison didn’t spare them another
glance, just turned and strode toward the bare wooden staircase. She followed,
hoping he wasn’t ditching her appointment. At the top of the stairs, he turned
with an apologetic look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“My office is still being put together, so we’ll need to be
a little less formal today.” He waved her to a pair of folding chairs and a
small table set out in the hall. “Please sit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">As if by magic, a door opened and a demurely dressed woman
came out to hand Mr. Harrison a manila file.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Tell me about your previous employment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">With so many interviews under her belt in the last three
months, it didn’t take her long to hit the highpoints and share her work
history. It was all in the resume in his hands and she didn’t deviate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Interesting and diverse. Now tell me about your personal
life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Not a typical subject during a job interview and she didn’t
have a ready answer. Could he legally ask that question?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">“Private Delights is an exclusive members-only BDSM club.
I’m interviewing for wait staff, baristas, and paid submissives. With your
education and background, you would come closer to your previous high salary as
a paid submissive, if that interests you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Prickles of heat crawled over her skin. “What in the world
is a paid submissive?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Chapter 2 will post next Monday, March 24th. </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Help me out with a title! leave a comment or email me at <a href="mailto:LavenderDaye@gmai.com">LavenderDaye@gmail.com</a></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span></o:p> </div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-26909689215634753902013-03-04T10:21:00.000-08:002013-03-04T10:21:11.103-08:00Changes
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">It’s finally happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I finally confused the Amazon search engine and it has no
idea what kind of ads to send me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">For years, my primary purchases from the online giant were
children’s books. Now my kids are grown and they buy their own stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Last December, I spent a week searching for a robe for my
mom, but never found the right one. I’ve shopped for gifts for hubby. I’m
bought my fair share of romance novels. And in the past year, I’ve ordered more
college textbooks than I wanted, but with kids in college, I had no choice. Those
books ran the gamut of subjects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">When I see an email from Amazon in my inbox, I never know
what to expect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I do know my reading habits have changed over the years, and
their computer needs to go with the flow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">As a young teen, I read stuff from the school library and
books I could find in the local grocery store—mainly Harlequin fare (I’m
telling my age, but it was when they only had one line.) and they were fast
reads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I moved on to science fiction in high school and lingered
there for years (the genre, not the school) because I found lots of romance
cleverly cloaked in fantasy and sci-fi from writers like Anne McCafferey. In
fact, most of her books are still on the shelf in my office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Several years ago, in a moment of high stress, I reached for
a romance, sure it would be an enjoyable read and end in a happily-ever-after,
something I desperately needed that day. I haven’t strayed since then, reading
all types of romance from dozens of great writers. I could list my favorites
but this post would go on for miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Speaking of change, the biggest leap I made recently was
from the ‘I must have a book in my hand’ camp to ‘I can’t live without my
ereader’ camp, and in my mind, it was a huge step. I should take a moment to
apologize to all those friends and authors who tried to change my mind a few
years ago, when I was adamant about not giving up my paperbacks. They know who
they are, and I buy their books regularly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Have you made any changes lately?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Leave me a note and let me know.</span></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-24667563280398086242013-02-18T09:17:00.000-08:002013-02-18T09:17:00.911-08:00More Voices
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The voices are back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I think the wild wind we’re having this month is keeping
them in my brain. And wild is the truth. It’s the middle of February, for
goodness sake, and the sun is shining, temps are in the seventies and
everything outside is being pushed by a steady blast of air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The weather is messing with my writing process. My desk faces
a window, giving me a peaceful view of trees, shrubs, and the occasional bird. When
it’s thinking time, I contemplate the great outdoors and come up with some
decent ideas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Not working for me today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Maybe the problem is my story. Make that both stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Juggling two manuscripts is a new job for me
and I’ve yet to work out a schedule to maximize my work day. Both involve BDSM
clubs, but the characters are very different.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">It’s almost impossible to get words on the page when characters
from another book whisper in my ear and tell me what they want to happen next
in their story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Maybe a good dose of chocolate will encourage one group to
keep quiet while I finish up the other story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995415389606867008.post-14340964039486520032013-02-05T11:32:00.000-08:002013-02-05T11:32:53.349-08:00A Life of Leisure
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">As I sit here staring at a blank page, I can’t help but wish
I was a cat. Not a lion or jaguar, nothing exotic or ferocious. Just a house
cat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">My reason?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">The yearning for a life of leisure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">When I look over the top of my laptop, I have a clear view
of a big fluffy black and white cat as she lays upside down in a chair near the
window. She’s asleep for now, and when she wakes, she’ll groom herself, wander
into the kitchen for a snack, and then find someone in the house to love on
her. She might chase a toy across the floor or sit in the window and watch
birds flit around in the tree just outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Behind my office chair, a grey tabby, the newest addition to
our family, is stretched out on her own blanket on the sofa. She’s four months
old and shifts between dead asleep to wild and crazy jungle cat in an instant.
After a hard day (or twenty minutes) of killing a cloth mouse or her favorite
hockey puck in the form of a piece of dog chow, she collapses into another deep
sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">When both are awake, the cats stalk and attack each other,
zipping through the house while having fun. Their lives revolve around
sleeping, eating, playing, and getting a little loving from their owners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">No mortgage payment. No grocery shopping. No taxes to pay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Who wouldn’t want that life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Sure, I might miss opposable thumbs and a really juicy love
story now and then, but I wouldn’t miss housework or gardening. And laundry isn’t
high on my list of favorite things to do, either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">If I was a house cat, no one would accuse me of being a
procrastinator (which is what I’m doing now, avoiding my WIP when I should be
adding words to the total).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">As far as I know, there isn’t a machine to change me into a
kitten when I don’t want to work. Guess that means I need to get back to the
business of writing and let my cats have their naps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lavender Dayehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10684962480864445748noreply@blogger.com0