Bondage Seduction (9 page)

Ted slammed his hand against his desk. She didn’t deserve that. He felt like such an asshole. Since he was being one, everything synced.

As she came back into view and moved into the lobby, he had to switch cameras. She’d ducked out with only a quick wave to Amanda. Part of him was relieved that their receptionist wouldn’t bust his chops, but another part of him wished Meri had talked to her and vented a little of her anger before she got behind the wheel.

He switched cameras again and found her standing by her car, rummaging through her purse.
Damn it.
He’d told her to always take her keys out first. If she were his sub, she’d be punished for that one. His stomach made an annoying flip and bottomed out.

Well, asshole, you made sure that would never happen.
It wasn’t like he’d been scening often lately anyway. Every party night, he volunteered for DMS duty. He’d been so busy making sure he stayed unattached, he’d been practically celibate. Ted only refused to give in because agreeing to monogamy was too much like being in a relationship. And a relationship with Ms Board of Directors wasn’t going to happen.

Meri was still digging through her purse.
Woman, you are alone, in the dark, in an empty parking lot. What the fuck?
Ted stood up, determined to go protect her, just as she pulled out her keys. He sat back down and continued to watch. Thankfully, she took a moment to blow her nose and calm down before she drove out of the parking lot. He was tempted to follow her home, but if she caught him, it would freak her out and rightfully so.

Once her taillights had faded from view, he turned off the monitor and sat at his desk. The hollow feeling in his chest confirmed he’d really fucked up this time.

* * * *

Meri had taken a record long shower the night before and again this morning trying to wash away the agitation from Ted’s announcement. She couldn’t even put an emotion to the emptiness engulfing her. Technically, he hadn’t rejected her outright. He’d offered to train her and scene with her, but he wouldn’t conform to her idea of what their time together would be, so she’d bailed.

She wasn’t in love with him…yet. But she had suspected they would find their way there eventually. There was no denying she felt a connection to him that she’d never experienced with anyone else. His strong, confident nature was very appealing. And he wasn’t arrogant. She liked that too.

As she drove to work, she pondered what to do. Although she refused to relent on monogamy, she wasn’t willing to give up on Ted. However, if she were going to be exclusive with Ted, then he
would
reciprocate. That was non-negotiable. All she had to do now was figure out how to achieve that goal, and the rest would fall into place.

She parked in her same old spot, waved to the security guard, Fred, and made her way to her office. It was nothing fancy, the view wasn’t even all that prestigious, but it was comforting all the same. One look at the desk and her eyes started to tear up. No more of that. She stood a little straighter. She knew it wasn’t smart to go into a battle considering defeat.

After dropping her briefcase and purse on her desk, she walked to her window and stared out over the man-made lake and greenbelt. A momma duck and her little ones were walking along the shore. Such a peaceful moment in time.

Meri starting chuckling. She doubted the momma duck would agree with her assessment. Trying to keep four little ones in line while feeding and protecting them wasn’t for the faint of heart. And neither was landing a man. It was time to suck it up and get it done.

She went to her cell phone and texted her best friend.

I need a favour…a big one. Can we meet for lunch and discuss it?

There was no doubt in Meri’s mind that Brandy would go along with her plan, but Meri’d have to bare her soul first. Oh well, if there was one person in the world that Meri trusted above all others, it was Brandy. She’d come through for her.

* * * *

“No way in hell am I dressing up as a Domme and going to a kink club with you. Absolutely not. It’s out of the question.” Brandy sat back in her chair with her arms crossed over her chest and a look of outrage on her face. She’d pushed her meal a few inches away from her and fought to keep her voice low enough that the other customers in the restaurant wouldn’t hear them.

“I jumped out of a plane for you. I went white water rafting, slept in a tent for four nights covered in mud and bugs and sticks. You
are
doing this for me.” Meri wasn’t backing down on this one. “I told you on the third night of that trip from hell that you owed me and payback was going to be a bitch. Well, honey, it’s time to pay up.”

“You’re being unreasonable. These aren’t in the same ball park. I will look horrible in latex. My ass will look like a balloon about to pop. No!”

“I was covered in mud and bugs for four days. It took a three hour manicure to dig the dirt out from under my fingernails. Sticks were tangled in my hair. I looked like the dregs the monster from the black lagoon threw back.” She shook her head. “You are doing this. Finish eating and we’ll go buy you something to wear.”

Brandy stared at her for close to a minute before a smile touched her face. “I used to enjoy acting in my college days. I suppose this might be fun, and I get a bit of revenge before your hero rushes to your rescue. All right, I’ll do it, but after this, we’re even.”

“Oh no, honey. We aren’t. Do you remember when you talked me into sneaking into the Pi Kappa Phi’s dorm, or delivering a singing telegram to Jesse Scott, or…”

Brandy held up her hand. “Okay, I get it. I’ll be forever in your debt. I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I’d rather pull this prank than go to another charity dinner.”

“There’s one of those this evening too, but I can make a solo appearance. You’ll need some time to channel your inner Domme.” Meri laughed. It was good to have friends she could count on.

* * * *

In the ladies locker room at DiscipliNation, Meri listened to Brandy bitch. It was nice having the shoe on the other foot for a change. She remembered in the aeroplane hangar, how she’d chewed Brandy’s ear off to keep her from having a nervous meltdown.

“You know you’re making me do everything I just signed a contract saying I wouldn’t do. You’re going to get me thrown out of here. What if the man of my dreams is out there? He’ll think I’m some bad girl who breaks all the rules and now I’ll never have a chance to find my happily ever after.”

“You are a rule breaker and the man of your dreams better know and love that about you or he isn’t the man of your dreams.” Meri would never admit it, but she did feel a pang of guilt for dragging her friend into this. She wasn’t entirely sure how Ted would respond. He might just ban them both from the club for not following the guidelines.

“That may be true, but what if the future Mr Brandy is here tonight and he thinks I’m a lesbian because I’m with you? What then?”

“You’re an intelligent girl, you’ll think of something.” Meri looked in the mirror. She’d chosen another mini hankie skirt, but had forgone the corset for a clingy easy on, easy off, blouse. During the new member orientation, she’d seen Amanda wearing one similar to it. “Let’s get this charade over with, before I chicken out.”

“Hold on. I bought you a surprise.” Brandy held out a collar and leash. “It matches my outfit so I couldn’t pass it up. Turn around, wench, while I collar my wayward slave.”

“Oh, please, Brandy. Be serious.” But she complied. Meri felt odd wearing it. It felt constricting and she didn’t care for it. Running a finger between the leather and her neck, she knew it wasn’t tight, but it felt confining all the same. Next, Brandy attached a black leather leash and started to pull her from the locker room. “Hey, slow it down, Mistress, and lighten up on the leash. You’re a short one and I don’t want to walk hunched over.”

“Very funny. You’ve earned yourself a few extra swats for that crack. I’m not short. You’re overly tall.” Brandy immediately stopped and released the leash.

A handsome, well-built man was headed their way.
Thank God, it isn’t Ted.

“Can I help you, ladies? I’m Master Aiden, one of the DMs this evening.”

“I was hoping to show my friend what a St Andrew’s cross looked like. The one in the great hall is being used right now. Amanda said no one was scheduled to use the room until nine p.m. and we promised not to touch anything.” Meri knew she shouldn’t be the one speaking. Brandy should have taken charge, but all her friend could do was stand and stare.

Meri should have warned Brandy that while many of the men here were sexy, ‘step off the pages of fitness magazine’ handsome, that didn’t mean you could drool on their boots.

“I’m assuming you don’t have Master’s rights and aren’t allowed access to the privacy rooms. Am I right?”

Meri nodded her head. “No we don’t, but we aren’t planning to scene. We’re just taking a quick peek around.”

“Master Ted is working this section tonight, and he is a stickler for the rules. You might have ten minutes before he comes back through. I suggest you look quickly and move on.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Meri grabbed Brandy by the arm and pulled her past Master Aiden.

Once they were behind the closed door, Brandy turned on her friend. “I am so pissed at you. You’ve been holding out on me. You found your own secret stash of ‘Oh, my God, could a man be more handsome?’ men and you didn’t tell me. Then you go one step further. You devise a plan to show me just how sexy the men are and get me thrown out and banned from the place all in one swoop. Why do you hate me?”

“I don’t hate you. I tried to get you to join with me, but you said you weren’t into kink. Now, you heard Master Aiden. We don’t have much time. Turn your head, I’m going to take off my top and lean against the cross. I need you to put the cuffs on me and stripe my back a few times with the whip so it looks real. Be careful, I’ve been told new Doms can sometimes take it in the eye while learning how to use the damn thing.”

“Seriously? Eff-that. I’m wearing my sunglasses then. I love you and all, but I’m not losing an eye for you.” Brandy had come prepared. She fully expected to get thrown out so she’d sewn a pocket inside her skirt to dump all her ‘must haves’ in.

Meri moved behind Brandy so she wouldn’t scar her for life by seeing her naked and took off her top. She threw it on the loveseat then walked up to the cross. It was a bit intimidating, but everything taller than her was. The cool wood along her bare skin made her shiver.
Oh please, let this plan work.

“You’re sure about this, Meri?” Brandy asked, as she started fastening the cuffs around Meri’s ankles and wrists.

“Am I sure it will work? No. Am I sure I want to try this? Yes.” She’d worn her hair up in a loose bun and missed being able to swing it in front of her face to hide her expressions.

“I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m likely to hurt you.” Brandy sounded a little nervous.

“I’m more worried you won’t hit me hard enough and he’ll know this was just a ploy.” She’d rather have physical pain than have their plan backfire and face the embarrassment.

“I’m going to start out easy for both our sakes.”

Meri felt the first strike. While it didn’t hurt along her spine, the tip swung around and seared her boob. She bit her tongue to keep from crying out and scaring Brandy. “Step away a bit. It’s wrapping around and hitting my front.”

“Sorry.”

She heard Brandy step farther away. Now the only thing that caught her flesh was the tip and damn did it hurt. “Move more to the side, Brandy.”

“How do you know this shit? I feel like an idiot, and I know I’m hurting you.”

“It’s fine, Brandy. Just try to have more of the leather hit my torso and thighs. Avoid the kidney area if you can.” Meri wouldn’t be faking it when she yelled the club safeword. Her back and breast burned more than Meri imagined possible from only a strike or two. She was starting to shake and hoped Brandy wouldn’t notice.

The next three strikes were placed a little better, but they still felt like Brandy was peeling her skin off. She couldn’t take much more. “Look out the door window and see if you see him. He’s about six-five, dark hair and a goatee. He’ll be wearing a yellow armband with the letters DMS on it.”

Brandy went to the door and spied out the window. “I see him. He’s kinda scary looking, honey. Are you sure you want him?”

“Yes,” she hissed.

“Okay, if you say so. He’s talking to a guy at the end of the hall. If you scream really loud, he might be able to hear you.”

“Place two more strikes and then I’ll scream. Don’t freak. You aren’t really hurting me.” Okay, that was the biggest lie she’d ever told her friend. Hopefully, she wouldn’t burn in hell. Because, if it felt anything like where the whip had touched her, she’d do just about anything to avoid going there.

Before the second swat even fell, Meri started screaming. “Crisis. Stop, I can’t take it. Please, stop. Crisis!” The tears she’d been holding back fell unabated down her cheeks.

Meri heard the door open and turned to see Ted filling the doorway.

“What the hell is going on in here? Who are you?” Ted asked as he brushed past Brandy and began to release the cuffs and free Meri from the cross. “Meri, are you all right?”

Brandy gave her a quick wave and sneaked out the door. Meri was glad her friend had left. She hurt so badly, she just wanted to curl into a ball and cry.

Ted’s heart was pounding. Ugly, red welts lit Meri’s back and thighs. In one or two places, the whip had broken through her skin and tiny beads of blood were dotting the surface. Ted pulled sterile gloves from the pack he wore when he was on DM duty. He didn’t want to take the risk of spreading germs and giving her an infection. She was shaking and needed his help immediately.

As he pulled her into his arms, she grimaced and hissed in pain.

“Meri, talk to me. What happened in here? Who was that woman?” Ted carried her to the loveseat and sat with her in his lap. “Try not to move. If you wiggle around it’s going to hurt. I’ve got some ointments that will clean the abrasions and help with the pain. Can you lay down for me?”