Continental Life (9 page)

Bella let out a breathy laugh at the ridiculous statement. If they only knew just how
domineering and officious Xander really was there would be no question in their mind either…“Pfft. No way.”

“You nev
er know, Bella. Maybe he was more pliable when he was younger,” she kept on.

“
Absolutely not,” Bella responded a little too quickly.

Without delay
Christopher picked up on her defensiveness. “You know something, don’t you?”

The blood rose to her cheeks and she shook her head vigorously
. “No, I just like to think I’m a good judge of character, that’s all.”

His eyes narrowed as
he continued to stare at her suspiciously, his cocoa-brown eyes stabbing into her accusingly. She met his gaze boldly until he finally backed down and grinned at her boyishly. “You’re a real doll, Ms. Darcy. It’s too bad I already have a Mistress,” he licked his lips in a lame attempt to entice her.

Rolling her eyes, she crossed her arms over her chest
. “And it’s too bad for you I prefer grown men over little boys, and someone who knows how to satisfy my needs and take control,” she simpered.

He waved his hand in
dismissal but smiled. “Never mind then. I take it back. This
little boy
needs a strong woman, not a submissive.”

“Then we’re doomed, aren’t we?”

“Maybe in another life,” he shrugged his shoulders and laughed.

Not likely.
She was bound in this life and the next, for eternity, to the one and only Lord Pettifor, the most un-submissive man she knew.

***

Two weeks down, four more to go
. Xander’s hunger for
Continental Breakfast
was starting to make concentrating at work difficult. He couldn’t imagine going another month without Bella. Fortunately his weekend had been spent on a business merger at the other end of the country so his time was spent dealing with the particulars of that venture rather than distressing over what was next on the agenda at the DDTC -
disciplinary exercises.

Bella had been very good at giving him what he was asking for
each night, but already, he was getting bored with it. Jacking off just wasn’t satiating his needs and he was beginning to feel ridiculous, like a teenager watching porn, even if this version of porn was far better than his older brother’s skin mags he had access to when he was younger.

The last
week of class had been spent prepping his students for the practicum sessions the following week. Mondays and Wednesdays were the days designated for obedience guidance and discipline, and the luck of the draw had Monday’s belonging to Bella and Lauren. All of their transgressions and wrongdoings, if any, had been collected from the previous week and would be presented to them as they faced the heavy hand of the law. The first round would be gentle as these were trials only.

He couldn’t imagine that Bella had done much wrong, but the rules were different within the walls of the DDTC than in their home.
He knew these sessions were inevitable, but it didn’t make them any easier to prepare for. Bella was feeling the same anxiety, despite his halfhearted reassurances.

As he sat waiting for his pupils and grading the last of their tests, Dalberg’s
latest criticism of Bella threatened to ruin his evening. His comment about her not needing the school and unfairly taking a spot from a person truly in need irked him. Hutchens overheard the conversation and reported it to him before going to the Headmaster.

After hearing that, Xander
was beginning to think that Dalberg’s objectiveness was waning. He hoped he was wrong, but just in case Dalberg had any ideas of taking out his personal issues on his Princess, he was going to have a come to Jesus meeting before the gathering of the first hands-on assembly.

Bella was the first to arrive to class and promptly handed in her most recent homework assignment: a list of
fantasies she hoped to live out or reenact in the future. He and Bella had done something similar to this in the past wherein they had written fetishes they would like to experiment with. It was an exercise in open and honest communication. What the students didn’t realize was that he would go over everyone’s lists individually and then hand them over to the other Lords after he determined who would be best suited for each student. The instructors would then oblige and choose one fantasy to reenact with them.

This was yet another thing he had been dreading in the past few weeks. Of course, he wanted to be the one
to act out one of the scenarios with Bella, but he knew the other Lords wouldn’t allow it. After he began teaching again, he had opted out of the sexual portion of this exercise and agreed to only help when one of the fantasies that didn’t involve penetration or oral pleasure. But now… he was being forced to go all the way, so to speak, with one of the other students. Who it would be, he had no idea yet nor did he know if he could really go through with it. It all depended on the list of desires that they handed in.

Quickly, he flipp
ed the piece of paper over without looking at it. He didn’t want to know what another instructor would be doing with his Princess or even if he would allow it. When he glanced up, Bella’s brows pinched together in confusion, but she said nothing and seated herself. With the room empty except for the two of them, he gave her his best, most wicked, crooked smile and a wink of his eye. His reward: the most stunning dazzle of white teeth flashed in his direction along with her evocative eyes relaying her unspoken desires… His arousal piqued and his cock stiffened as memories of the last five years together with her overwhelmed him.
God damn he was hungry.

His eyes traveled over her body and settled below the bend of her waist
. He wanted to bury his tongue in her… to finger her and release her sweet juices… Bella shifted and squeezed her thighs together, letting onto her own excitement.

If only they had a few minutes
he could lock the door and ravage that delectable pussy of hers…
just a few minutes is all they needed
…His eyes strayed from her crotch down to her firm calves and back upward to her full breasts. The modernized Victorian school uniform was a tasty look for her and he wondered why he hadn’t made her wear it before. Role play suddenly sounded like a fun way to end the night – his Headmaster to her obedient student… and hell, it wasn’t even that farfetched of an idea.

T
he light-gray, cotton skirt with contrasting crimson-red, rosette hem and a full petticoat underneath was begging to be hiked up around her hips and her lace panties torn from her, exposing her exquisite cunt. It would be easy too with mid-thigh level short cut. The black, boned under-breast corset belt embroidered with the monograms
DDTC
in silver spun, silk thread shelved her perky D cups perfectly. And the white silk blouse with lace detail around the neck and front bodice showed off her thick, dark nipples when the room was cooled ever so slightly…
Just one little taste…

Damn the consequences.

His testosterone surged through his veins, and he momentarily lost control. He had every intention of shutting and locking the door, but as he stood, Ms. Breslin came sauntering in. He sighed heavily and plopped back down in his seat.
Damn.

Only a few minutes la
ter everyone else appeared, turned their assignments in, and seated themselves. As he handed out the newest literature on fact-based studies about alternative lifestyles and their positive effects on long-term relationships, he eyed Mr. Zurita. Jade had dressed him in nearly the exact same way some fifteen years earlier, right down to the Belvedere Dolce, black ostrich dress shoes. Christopher was even about the same age as he had been when he got involved with her.
That Cougar always did like her cubs young and impressionable
.

Bella’
s persistence in finding out who Mistress Jade had been involved with was wearing him down. The truth wasn’t as easy to admit to as it seemed. He had never brought it up, but not for any other reason except he didn’t feel it was important.
Until now.
He felt that if he admitted to her that it was, in fact, him that had been involved with Jade, it would distract her from achieving her goal, so he vowed he would tell her right after the graduation ceremony.

As the class read the handout, memories of his time with Jade clouded his vision.
She was a demanding Mistress as he recalled; one who didn’t tolerate disobedience and knew well how to methodically yet seductively wield a wooden hairbrush against wayward lovers who didn’t follow her rules. And he never was good at following rules. Making them, however… yes, he was good at that; something Jade had picked up on almost instantly. It was lucky for him that she did because their showdown of wills prompted her to introduce him to BDSM and Domestic Discipline – something he would be forever indebted to her for. She had also opened his eyes to his true nature. Being her muse for the brief time they spent together had made him realize what his role in life was and it wasn’t being her, or anyone’s, submissive – it was being a Dominant. But deep down, he had always known that, even in his youth. Surely Bella knew that, too, though he was still unsure how she would take the news. Hopefully well.

Time seemed to come to a screeching halt as Bella watched in a horrified daze as Lauren received a flogging from her very own Lord Pettifor. She had done her best to prepare herself for this night, but still her mind was reeling at seeing his hands on another woman. Over and over she repeated to herself that he was merely performing a task, but the look on his face said something different. His deep green eyes were so unbelievably magnificent as his large hands roamed over Lauren’s dark, flawless skin as he eased all the raw areas he had just struck. Leaning down, his tongue skimmed one of Lauren’s pebbled nipples and Bella’s dinner threatened to spill out for everyone to see. The emotion was easily readable on his face and it was clear to see that he was enjoying this as much as Lauren was.

And could she blame them?

When Xander took the pretty female into his arms and began to whisper sweet things into her ear, Bella’s eyes filled with tears. She knew well the words spoken…
You’re such a good girl, Princess…
she could almost hear him saying to her.
You took your punishment well. I love you…

Staring at her twisted hands, it took every bit of courage not to go running from the room.

“Eyes forward, Ms. Darcy,” she heard from behind the table. Defiantly, she resisted. Dalberg couldn’t make her watch her fiancé.
He couldn’t
. Closing her eyes tighter, she fisted her hands, digging her nails into her palms. A touch on her arm tried to urge her, but she held her ground.

“Bella, do as he says,” she heard Julianna say softly.

“It’s not your job to make Ms. Darcy do as she’s told, Ms. Breslin,” Dalberg growled, startling Ju and making her jump in her seat.

She
felt even worse. Now she had gotten Ju into trouble. Without moving, she could feel everyone’s eyes on her – even Xander’s.

“Don’t make him say it again, Ms. Darcy,” she heard in an even
, firm tone that rang all too familiar.

Her very own Lord was commanding her to look at him and she had no choice but to obey. Lifting her head, her eyes met Xander’s. Lauren was still cradled in his arms
and shaking, but his stern gaze was fixed on her as he slowly rocked back and forth.

“I’m sorry, Sir,”
she stated nearly inaudibly.

“He’s not the only one you need to apologize to.”
The voice behind her took her by surprise. Lord Hutchens had stealthily snuck up on her and his hot breath on her neck sent shivers down her spine. “Stand and apologize to the entire class for your selfish behavior. Then apologize to Lord Dalberg for not following his command.”

Rising to her feet, her knees nearly buckled. Scanning the room and making contact with each and every student, she swallowed her pride and did as she was told.

Straightening up, she licked her dry lips tensely and spoke. “I’m deeply sorry for my selfish behavior.” Next she met Dalberg’s condescending glare. “Please forgive my insolence, Lord Dalberg.”

His
eyes lit up and the corner of his mouth twisted upward. “I guess there is a thing or two you could learn from this program and you’re not as perfect as you like everyone to think, are you?”

She
swallowed hard before whispering. “Walla Walla, Washington.”

“Excuse me?” He
stood with his hands fisted at his sides.

Unable to stop herself, she plunged on.
“Have you ever been?”

“What kind of game are you playing, Ms. Darcy? Do you think the rules don’t apply to you?” he barely held his contemptuousness in check.

She shook her head. “I know the rules apply to me and I’m ready to be disciplined,” she answered back as respectfully as feasibly possible considering the circumstances.

He cast his angry glare onto her. “You’d better be
. And there will be no pleasure for you tonight, Ms. Darcy.”

It was just as well. She didn’t want pleasure from anyone except Xander. She didn’t want punishment either, but that option was clearly off the table.

Hutchens firm hand on her elbow guided her to the spanking horse. He had been chosen to be the first to deliver punishment to her and she was thankful for it. Even though the school had six instructors in all, only three at a time actively taught each session, with the others being utilized as backup in case of work or family emergencies.

“Undress down to your bra and panties, and drape your body over the horse horizontally.”

Doing as ordered, she avoided looking in Xander’s direction. No doubt he was upset with her conduct. A spanking she could handle, but not the disappointment in his eyes. The position of the frame of the horse jutting into her abdomen and the exposure of her backside made for an uncomfortable situation.

“Grip the legs and widen your stance,” Hutchens stated as he bent down in front of her, sweeping her hair
off her forehead and tying it back in a ponytail.

Swallowing her pride stiffly, she shimmied her feet apart, mortified at the thought of her ass pointed in the direction of her fellow students that were sitting behind her.

Swiftly and with the skill of a professional, he tethered her hands to the legs and moved behind her. Tapping his foot on her ankles, he widened her step even further, making her hips ache with a dull pain.

“Are you comfortable?” Hutchens inquired.

Craning her head to the side she gave him a look of incredulousness. “Comfortable?”

A faint smile touched the corners of his mouth. “You know what I mean.”

“I suppose,” she pouted when she realized that another man was really going to dole out punishment on her.

Five years ago, hell, ev
en a month ago, she never would’ve thought this would be happening to her.
It wasn’t too late to back out.
Xander had told her that students infrequently dropped out and that sometimes the school’s methods were just too much for some people. She liked to think she was resilient, but seeing Xander’s tongue on another woman’s breast and now this,
what the hell was she thinking
? But Xander believed in her… he had faith in… he had worked hard to get her in…

The sudden tugging of her panties
to just below the crease her rear-end and the sting on her ass brought her back to the here and now, making her yelp from the sudden sting.

“Count them out,” Hutchens breathed out, clearly aroused.

“One,” she choked on the word as she made an effort to stifle a cry.

She knew Hutchens was being gentle with her, but t
his pain felt
different.
More severe. The whoosh of air and thud against her bottom made her shout out again. Jerking her head to the side, she saw why this experience was dissimilar to her previous spankings. Hutchens wasn’t using his hand, he was wielding a large wooden paddle speckled with holes and the initials DDTC etched into the handle. It was the kind of implement she had only seen in old-timey pictures or hanging on the walls of fraternity houses, and the likes of which were now outlawed in schools… But then again, this was no ordinary educational establishment, was it?

“Two,” she gritted her teeth and closed her eyes
, refusing to shed a tear.

As the
timber hit her bottom repeatedly, intense heat and a throbbing pain settled in, along with shame for her behavior. If only she had done as Dalberg had told her to do, she might be sitting prettier. Or sitting at all. With the ache in her ass, she doubted she’d be sitting comfortably for at least a day. Maybe two.

A few years back when
she refused to attend a fundraiser ball with Xander, her ass ached for two days. She had rebuffed his invite on the grounds that the deceiving bitch known as Leggy Blonde would be attending. Stubbornly, she held her ground and Xander had gone alone, but when he returned home, he made it very clear that under no circumstances would he be seen at public venues without her. Two. Damned. Days she suffered with a pain in her ass for that little stunt.

Six
whacks later and just when the endorphins began to kick in, Hutchens untied her wrists, wrapped her in a warm blanket and enveloped her in his strong arms. Floating above herself in an endorphin-filled daze, she forced herself to imagine that it was Xander caring for her and that it was him speaking softly and kindly into her ear. Yes… it was Xander.
Only Xander.

Prying her eyes open, she finally ga
thered the strength to meet her lover’s gaze and what she saw looking back scarred her. He was feeling the same thing she had felt only minutes before when she watched him with Lauren.
Betrayed
.

Her poor, dear, Mr. Pettifor…

How much would they be submitted to?
How much more could they withstand before breaking?
She reminded herself about their date at ten, but putting on a show for him wasn’t going to cut it. Not tonight. She wanted to feel his rough hands gliding over her body and to feel his mouth on her… Only his hot breath against her mouth and his savage kisses could make her feel better. Tonight she needed more than words spoken on the phone or texted, and she knew Xander did, too.

***

Anger etched Xander’s face into hard lines as the sharp tip of his finger poked into Dalberg’s chest. “If you ever speak to Bella, or any student, that way again, I swear to God…”

Dominic’s authoritarian voice cut Xander’s threat of shoving his fist down Dalberg’s airway short.

“Enough, Gentleman. We are still Gentleman here, aren’t we?” his glare turned glacial as he eyed both men. “If you have something to say to each other, then by all means, say it, but let’s keep this discussion civil.”

Dalberg’s piercing blue eyes bore through Xander. “This is exactly why
she
shouldn’t be here. She’s clouded your judgment,” he hissed as he pointed a finger in Xander’s face.

He
laughed bitterly. “My judgment has been clouded? You hypocritical asshole! This school is meant to be a place of solace and knowledge. We’re here to teach these people that animosity and scorn have no place in a loving relationship, yet you’ve demonstrated those characteristics in front of the others while directing your ridicule toward Bella because of your feelings for me! Jesus Christ, Brandon – after everything that Ms. Breslin has been through, how do you think your behavior was perceived by her? Can you honestly say you’re being professional, neutral and unbiased?”

Patches of color dotted his high cheekbones and his mouth parted as if to
dispute Xander’s statement, but he merely stood silent.

Xander
had always prided himself on being a reasonable man – one who could hold his temper under even the most trying circumstances. But when it came to Bella, there was no way in hell he was going to tolerate anyone treating her the way Dalberg had. He could feel the tendons in his neck bulging in anger thinking about his harsh words to his Princess.

How fucking dare he?

Inhaling deeply
, he blinked long and hard, and blew his breath out slowly as he tried to moderate his emotions and fight the compulsion to backhand Dalberg’s smug face. “You seem dead set on making what should be a special learning experience for Bella, nothing but hell. Why exactly is that?”

A long, hushed, sizing up moment passed between them and Dalberg’s lack of explanation and response only i
rritated him further. Just as his rage began to flare up again, Dominic walked forward as if sensing the impending face-off, placing himself between the two seething men.

“It’s seems we’ve reached an impasse.” Pivoting on his heel he faced Dalberg. “You and I need to talk
right now
.” Glancing over his shoulder, his dark, fiery eyes met Xander’s. “You and I will talk later.”

*

Xander’s drive home was interrupted by his sudden need to pull over and step out for some fresh sea air. The image of Bella’s perfect ass raised in the air and under that damned paddle held by another’s man’s hand would be forever emblazoned in his mind. In that instance, resentment had ripped him open and left his emotions bare for everyone to see. He thought he was stronger and more flexible, but he had never been more wrong about himself.

Fuck the DDTC
, he grumbled.

The look on her face as he held Lauren was another memory he would rather forget. She had to know it didn’t mean anything to him…
she had to.

His shoving match with Dalberg still had him feeling raw and pissed off. Clearly
Brandon’s objectiveness and
neutrality
was a thing of the past. It was a good thing Dominic stepped in or else the night would have ended with a few black eyes.
What the fuck was Brandon’s problem?

Leaned up against the hood of his car,
he stared at the bright half-moon and the wispy clouds floating past it. Bella’s pained cries once again broke through his calm. Glancing at his watch, the time read 10:02. If he hurried, he
might
make it home in time to watch her dance for him, but he doubted it. If he hadn’t gotten into the confrontation with Dalberg, he would have had plenty of time…
God damn it.