“So it’s going well then?”
It had been going well. It had been intense. It had him questioning his ability to maintain control. Truthfully, Charlotte shocked him. He’d gone into the idea of the blind date thinking there must be an explanation for her celibate bookworm status. Declan fully expected her to be either awkward or boring or a combination of both. But Charlotte was none of those things, and she definitely was more than a passing “favor” to a friend. Sure, she was a bit unsure of herself at times and a bit naïve, but she was simply driven and had buried herself in work.
She’s obsessed with work and her writing, Aaron had said when he called. Michaela feels like she’s letting her down by not being able to bring Charlie out of her shell.Michaela doesn’t even know how to reach her at this point.
Declan blinked back to awareness as both Aaron and Lila arrived at the table. Owen stood to greet them, gently taking Lila by the elbow and whispering something in her ear. Declan looked away as Lila blushed and lowered her gaze.
“So what were we talking about?” Aaron sat across from Declan. Aaron sat down and thanked the waiter for his Sam Adams.
“We were discussing Declan’s new girl,” Owen winked. “His new submissive is quite lovely.”
Lila laughed. “So, Declan, getting a play partner is now considered news?” She sipped her martini. “Wait, does Katherine know?”
“Not likely, and it doesn’t matter if she does.”
Declan thought about Katherine briefly as the others chatted. Katherine had been his play partner before he moved to London. She introduced him to the lifestyle but once she accepted the fact that Declan would never be able to be anything but a Dominant, it ended amiably. He had run into her again the night he returned to Pittsburgh at the Altar Bar. She said this time she wanted to have some fun, so Declan figured why not. But, it was the same as before, he was going through the motions. It was touch, tease, tie up, fuck, climax, untie, and then leave.
“If you’re at all interested in keeping ahold of your new girl, I would make sure you steered clear of Katherine all the same,” Lila warned.
Their sandwiches arrived, and they ate in silence for a bit. Declan’s mind started to wander. He thought about Charlotte, and how they needed to establish some balance in their budding relationship. She had gone out unguarded without him knowing, and that was overstepping what he was comfortable with. He had her keep track of her transgressions in the journal he had given her, and he was pleased that she detailed every instance of bad behavior meticulously, as though she knew how he would have directed her to write it. That did please him immensely, but he felt things were off-kilter.
Maybe it was the increased testosterone coursing through his blood from the basketball game, but he was hungry. He needed to collect on the punishment Charlotte was due. He needed it, and so did she. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and quickly texted her.
Declan: It’s time for me to collect on what’s owed me. Your punishment will be tonight. Meet at the new place. 7:30. Don’t be tardy Charlotte.
***
Declan sat in the office of his new home at three minutes before seven thirty and waited. Shortly after he had left the restaurant, he went home and gathered a few things. On his desk sat a paddle with electrical tape wrapped around the handle, a whip neatly coiled like a snake waiting to strike, and a blindfold. He decided that since it was his first time to punish Charlotte, he would give her a choice before he blindfolded her. His mind wandered to images of her creamy white flesh under the sting of his discipline, but a quiet rap on his office door interrupted his thoughts “Come in, Charlotte.” A wry smile spread across his face.
“Good evening, Mr. Pearse,” Charlotte spoke as she closed the door behind her.
“Good evening, Charlotte.” ’Declan smiled. “Before we begin, I trust you understand why you’re here this evening?”
“I’m being punished for not letting you know beforehand that I was going out to the bar with Natalie and her friends,” she recited without fuss. ““Mr. Pearse, will you permit one question though?”
“Certainly, Charlotte.” Her calmness impressed him. “Ask away.”
“Are the objects on your desk involved in what’s about to happen next?” She leaned against the edge of the couch, inadvertently crossing her legs.
“Yes, Charlotte” Declan stood from his chair and walked toward her. “These are instruments of pain and pleasure. While you may consider this a disciplinary action, it is more a ‘funishmment’ if you will. Punishment involves a set of measures to enforce rules. It is never pleasant. This on the other hand, should bring you some pleasure, even if it seems painful at the onset. Would you like me to discuss the rules with you before we commence your ‘funishment’?”
Charlotte took a step back in hesitation before answering him. “So are you certain this is necessary, Mr. Pearse?”
“Yes. You know it is.” He sighed. “Charlotte, we have been dancing around your transgression for a week or more. You need this. I need this. We both need this. It’s time. Now, I am willing to be generous this time since it is your first discipline from me, and allow you to choose which I will use on you. You may choose between the paddle or the whip, but the blindfold will be mandatory.
“WHAT?”
“Now, there’s no need to raise your voice, Charlotte.” He spoke calmly as he walked back over to the desk and stared intently at her. She had changed clothes from work. Her skirt was much shorter, and she wore a peacock colored button down. Her beautiful tresses sat in a high ponytail out of her face. Good. As much as I love her silky, long hair, it’s best it’s out of the way until it needs to be loose. “I’m waiting, Charlotte. You need to choose. In about thirty seconds, the offer will be off the table, and I will choose for you. Tell me. What will it be? Whip or paddle?”
“Paddle,” she said quickly. “I choose the paddle.”
“I figured as much.” Declan ran his fingers over the hard wood of the paddle. “Here are the rules, Ms. Flynn. First, I am not to be referred to as Declan and no longer as Mr. Pearse. I am Master when we are in this position and even in this home alone. Do I make myself clear?” At Charlotte’s nod, Declan continued. “Second, until I declare that I am finished, you will do what I say as I say it. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. If I even catch a sense of resistance or hesitation, I will stop, and we will have to have a more severe punishment at a time of my choosing. Understand?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Good. The final rule is very simple. You will not speak unless I’ve given you permission. If I hear a word out of you, and I have not given you permission, I will punish you as I see fit, in addition to the punishment you have already received. Do you understand, Charlotte?”
“Yes, Master.” Charlotte’s voice was a hushed whisper.
Declan then asked Charlotte for her safe word and began coaching her on how to rate her own ability to continue. He made a point of telling Charlotte he wasn’t going to go easy on her.
“So let’s have it. When you want me to stop what I am doing what word will you use?”
“Thirteen.”
“Thirteen it is.” Declan grabbed the paddle and the blindfold before walking back to her. “Time to begin. Strip,” he commanded.
Charlotte looked at him. “Master?”
“Undress now, Charlotte,” he answered coolly. “That’s the only time I will give the same command twice. Now get after it.”
Charlotte hesitated slightly before unbuttoning her shirt. Her fingers fumbled over the buttons, but soon a chaste white lace bra appeared. Declan felt his crotch tighten at the sight of her ample breasts straining against the confines of her bra. Charlotte reached behind to unzip her skirt, and it fell to the floor along with her shirt.