“I’m placing you on probation until further notice. From now on, each and every infraction will earn you a punishment. One of my choosing.”
Her brow furrowed. “Punishment? What kind of punishment?”
He straightened, allowing her room to move. “Bend over.”
“
What?
”
He sighed. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you had a problem with your hearing. Bend over the desk, like you were when I caught you nosing through my files.”
“Look, I don’t know what kind of game you’re trying to play here, but I’m not into it. Just write me up or something.”
“Do you want to keep your job?”
“Of course,” she said quickly.
“Then do as you’re told.”
“But that’s harassment!”
He gave her a smug smile. “File a grievance with the owner.”
Her mouth gaped for the second time in so many minutes. Miss Smartass was speechless.
“What, no biting retort?”
She snapped her jaw shut and glared at him as if she were flaying the skin from his flesh with just her eyes.
“That look doesn’t work on me. Turn around and bend over.”
She huffed, turned around and draped across the desk. “Unbelievable.”
He couldn’t quite believe he was doing this either. “You’re to refer to me as Sir.”
“Fine, you’re unbelievable,
Sir
.”
“Much better. Spread your legs apart, stretch your arms over your head and grip the front lip of the desk.”
He was surprised she didn’t put up more of a fight and did exactly as he told her. The lack of resistance told him there might be a submissive streak under all that angst. He was aware she and Ivy frequented fetish events in Ybor City from time to time, but he had no idea if she was a top, bottom or something in between. Hell, for all he knew she was merely a voyeur. If that were true, she was in for a rude awakening.
With a firm hand, he slapped her right ass cheek. She responded by resting her head on the desk with a sigh. He had to hand it to her, she had tenacity. When he spanked her again, harder this time, she squirmed but managed to stay silent. Her silence wouldn’t last long, not if he could help it. He rained down a series of jarring blows that left his hand throbbing from the intensity.
“Fuck, Brian!”
“Sir,” he corrected and spanked her again.
“Sir, that fucking hurts!”
“Good. It’s supposed to hurt. Do you know why you’re being punished?”
“Because you’re a kinky freak?”
He landed another blow. “Try again.”
“Because you’re a kinky freak,
Sir
?”
He swallowed a chuckle. Smartass. “Think you’re funny?” He slapped her hard enough to bring her to her toes. She let out a small scream, her entire body trembling. To her credit, she hadn’t moved her hands from the front of the desk. “Try again.”
“Because I was late to my shift and snooped through your files,” she bit out between short breaths.
“Good girl.” He gave her backside a soft caress. The urge to pull her shorts down and touch her bare, inflamed skin was almost more than he could handle. He wanted to fuck her senseless while she was still bent over his desk, but he knew it was too soon to push her that far. He’d wait, bide his time. For now he’d discipline her accordingly, and enjoy every minute of it.
“We’re done, for now.” He backed away, giving her space he was certain she needed.
She scrambled off the desk then turned to face him. Her face was flushed and her pupils were dilated, telling him she’d enjoyed the spanking more than words could convey. She licked her lips as her gaze anxiously flicked to the door. She was ready to bolt, and rightly so after the shock he’d put her through.
“You’re going to be on time to your next shift.” He made it a statement, rather than a question. “And you’ll stay for inventory after.”
She scowled. “Fine,
Sir
.” The way she said sir made it sound more like
jerk
than a formal address.
Her defiance actually turned him on, which was unusual. He’d never had the patience or interest for mouthy, willful women, especially those of the submissive persuasion. Lately though, he’d grown bored and uninspired by the sweet, malleable subs he was usually drawn to. Maybe a change of pace was exactly what he needed. Maybe Genevieve was exactly what he needed.
She hadn’t complained about staying for inventory and that surprised him as well. She hated the task and he couldn’t blame her. Taking stock of stored items and the bar was long and tedious, often lasting until sunrise. Not one of the perks of this job, but it had to be done. Demanding she stay when it wasn’t her turn was selfish, but he wanted the chance to spend more time with her, whether she liked it or not.
* * * * *
The sound of gentle waves and smell of salty air had a calming effect on Gen as she unlocked the door to her tiny beachfront apartment. It wasn’t much—furnished with thrift-store finds and decorated with her art and old horror movie posters—but the glorious beach was her backyard. She loved living on the Gulf of Mexico. The sugary, white sand and warm green water were like tonic for her soul. After a visit to her mother’s, she needed all the help she could get.
She sighed as she entered, taking a few seconds to dump her purse on the floor and remove the evil boots that were pinching her tired feet. For once she was glad her mom had been dead asleep by the time she’d made it over to look in on her. She’d wanted to get in and out of the depressing condo as quickly as possible, considering she was still tied up in knots over what had happened with Brian.
A passed-out mother meant it was easier to make sure the stove was turned off and no cigarettes had been left burning. Otherwise, she would have had to listen to a rambling speech about how she should have found a man to settle down with already. Her mother always made it sound as if she were destined to be a crazy cat lady if she wasn’t married by the time she was thirty. Well, she still had five years before she hit that mark and she didn’t even own a cat.
She flopped down on her ratty, poppy-red sofa with a small hiss. Damn her ass was tender, almost as much as her pride. She couldn’t believe Brian had spanked her as if she were a bratty child. And the fact he’d held her job over her head to do it was just the icing on the kinky cake.
What fucking nerve.
God it had been hot. Just thinking about the command in his voice and the way his hand felt as he’d slapped her ass again and again was enough to make her a horny, needy pile of goo. Another night of watching
Movie Macabre
and lurking on Fetlife seemed about as pathetic as things could get. Her mother was wrong. She didn’t need to get married. She needed to get laid. Her battery-operated boyfriend was not an adequate substitute for the real thing.
She hadn’t had a good, sweaty marathon of satisfying sex in a long, long time. She bet a night with Brian would give her the kind of satisfaction she needed—discipline, dominance and hard fucking. Her clit tingled at the thought.
She frequented the surreal BDSM world the mainstream clubs offered on occasion. Fetish nights allowed kinky people to come out to shock and titillate the vanilla masses. She was strangely drawn to the fantasy they represented, but the BDSM practiced there was based on illusion. S
he chose who to play with, how far they went and what was used. She was the one who set the rules, and because of that, it never once felt like anything more than a game.
She wanted to explore things like real power exchange rather than merely pretending with handcuffs and pretty braided floggers.
She’d known Brian for months now, but only as her boss. The person he was beyond that was a mystery—one she was beginning to think she’d enjoy unraveling. Having him unravel her sounded even better.
Disgusted she couldn’t tear her mind away from him, she eased off the couch, headed into the bathroom and drew a hot bath. Her standard-sized tub with its chipped enamel and cracked tile was far from the best, but it did the job. Tonight she needed a nice, calm escape.
And my waterproof vibrator
, she thought as she dashed into her bedroom to retrieve it. She returned and set it down on the edge of the tub before shedding her work clothes.
Once nude, she glanced over her shoulder and inspected her battered backside in the mirror. Through the dried water spots on the reflective glass she saw the pink welts Brian had left were already fading. She ran her fingers over the sensitive flesh, remembering the way his hand had felt. He hadn’t spanked her hard enough or long enough to leave bruises. The small pang of disappointment she felt surprised her. Before she could examine
that
any further, she shut off the faucet and sank into the steaming heat. Moaning with deep appreciation, she relaxed, letting the warmth ease her tired muscles. Of course the water did nothing to alleviate the crazy desire Brian had left in his wake. Irritating man.
She snatched up the vibe, turned it on and sighed the minute it touched her aching clit. What she really needed was to be fucked good and hard. Her body nearly screamed for it, for what she knew Brian could provide. Getting herself off would have to do for now.
Brian’s demanding voice, ordering her to her hands and knees, echoed through her as the little vibrations cranked her higher, faster, speeding toward release. The sting of his palm, the way he’d made her call him Sir, the outline of his erection pressing against his pants, these were the thoughts that drove her to come. She bit her lip and stifled a moan as an orgasm rolled through her. She pressed the massager down harder, intensifying the pleasure until she could no longer stand it. Finally, she pulled her hand away and turned the vibe off. Gasping, heart racing, clit throbbing, she leaned her head back against the cool tile.
How in the hell was she going to work with him now?
Making it to work with seven minutes to spare meant no kinky repercussions. With the possibility of losing her job, it probably wasn’t a good idea for her to push things just yet. Even so, she couldn’t stop thinking of last night’s little exploit. Her brain was already spinning clever ways she could reap the disciplinary benefits of misbehavior. She could always half-ass her sidework or tack on an extra ten minutes to her break. Brian hated that.
She locked her old blue Civic and strolled into work with a smile. Not having to rush around attempting to beat the clock was a nice change. Come to think of it, she’d never been this punctual. Brian would be pleased she’d not only listened, but arrived early. She wandered through the kitchen, ready to announce her grand accomplishment, but no one, other than the cook, was there to hear it. Brian was nowhere in sight.
Squashing her disappointment, she made her way out to the bar and considered kicking herself for being so stupid. Being on time was part of her job, not exactly a gold-star achievement. Besides, this was Brian, the very person she’d cursed just yesterday for being such a prick. Yet today she was vying for his approval. How exactly did that work?
Enough already.
She was slinging drinks solo tonight. Thankfully, it would be hectic enough she wouldn’t have time to analyze the new dynamic she shared with her boss. Tips needed to be good so a smile and an attitude adjustment were in serious order.
She rummaged around in one of the coolers, searching for her secret stash of energy drinks. She cracked open a can, took a sip of the sugary goodness and tried to prepare herself mentally for the long night ahead of her. She’d almost forgotten about inventory, one of the few evils of her job. Hours of bending and lifting, measuring and counting. Ugh. The task was tiring and boring as all get out. Not the way she wanted to spend her Sunday night.
She’d just finished setting up the bar when Brian waltzed in. Much to her chagrin, she felt like a teenage girl again, flustered by the sight of a hot guy she had a crush on. Could she be any more pathetic?
“Made it on time, I see.”
“Yup.” She went for apathetic even though she wasn’t anywhere near it.
He breezed past her and called the staff over to the service station for the nightly shift meeting. Gen hung back on the edge of the small crowd, worried if she stood too close he would be able to tell how hot she was for him. Brian talked with his hands, gesturing to make points, and it distracted her so much she missed every word he said. The spanking he’d delivered last night had been little more than a tease. Somehow she knew he would be capable of making her scream in pleasure as well as pain. How had she not guessed he was Dom? Watching him now, it was so obvious to her. He bled dominance in a way that made her pussy clench with want.
God, she needed to get a grip.
The rest of the night flew by without much event and before she knew it, it was eleven o’clock. She locked the door behind the last customer then finished her sidework. Rolling her head from side to side, she stretched the aching muscles in her neck. She was tired and angry at herself for the disappointment she felt.
Brian had barely said two words to her. He’d acted almost as if last night had never happened. They were at work. She understood that. Playing spanky-panky with the bartender was likely the last thing on his mind. Still, his coldness toward her was enough to make her simmer with irritation.
“Did you count the drawer yet?”
She started at the sound of Brian’s voice. She’d been so lost in thought she hadn’t heard him approach. “Three times.”
“What is it with you and threes?” He gave her a warm, amused grin and just like that, her temper fizzled.
How did he do that?
He hadn’t affected her this way yesterday. Had last night changed the way she saw him
that
drastically?
She shrugged, playing it casual. “I don’t know. I like odd numbers.”
“I’ll have to remember that,” he said so softly she almost missed it. “Pull me a Black and Tan. Not too much head.”
She snickered. “There’s something you don’t hear a guy say very often.”
He gave her a flat look.
“Sorry.” She hid a smirk behind her hand. “I’ll get right on that.”
She grabbed a pint glass and slowly layered dark beer over ale, using the pouring spoon attached to the tap. She took care not to mix the two. When she finished, she handed him a perfect Black and Tan with just the right amount of foam. Brian grabbed the beer without looking up from his paperwork and took a sip. He set the glass down and continued to go over whatever the hell he was going over. A thank-you was too much trouble apparently.
She felt unbalanced, not like herself at all. He’d threatened to fire her, spanked her like a disobedient child then ignored her. She should be pissed off, not groveling for praise as though she were a pet begging for table scraps.
“You ready to get started?” Brian asked.
“Ready when you are,
Sir
.” She didn’t bother keeping the irritation from her voice.
The corner of his mouth hitched with the beginnings of a grin, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. “Okay then. You can start with the top-shelf liquor while I count the well. When we’re done with the bar, we’ll work on the storeroom. Hopefully we can finish this in a reasonable amount of time.” He stood and offered her the paperwork she needed.
She snatched the checklists from his hand, spun on her heel and started with the first of the overhead shelves where the pricier liquors were kept. One by one, she grabbed the bottles off the shelf and began lining them up on the bar according to brand and type.
“We don’t need to have a talk about your attitude, do we?” His condescending tone made her nose itch and her blood boil.
“Talk? Is that what you’re calling it?” She slammed a bottle down with a loud
clunk
. Testing a Dom like Brian was sort of like poking a hungry lion with a stick—dangerous and altogether a bad idea—but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.
“Genevieve.” Steel wrapped up in a soft voice.
Trying to convince herself she wasn’t in the mood for his games, she ignored the sharp pang of desire she felt at hearing him say her name that way. He was the only one who called her that. To everyone else she was just Gen. His stern formality did things to her she didn’t want to deal with right that minute.
She turned to face him, putting her hands on her hips in an act of pure defiance. “What?” she snapped.
He licked his lips and took a slow, steady breath. “Let’s just get through inventory without incident, all right?”
“Whatever you say,
Sir
.” The son of a bitch had some nerve. Did he think she was going to be his afterhours bar slave? He hadn’t said two damn words to her all—
A bottle fell from the shelf, crashed to the floor and shattered. Gen froze, closed her eyes and held her breath.
Please don’t let it be the
Connemara
.
She peeked out of one eye, glancing at the mess on the ground and winced. Shit, shit, shit! She’d just broken a hundred-dollar bottle of Irish whisky. She was pissed at him. She could admit it. She’d even entertained ways to incite him to punish her. She could admit that too. But breaking a bottle of one of the most expensive liquors they had in stock was certainly not the way she’d wanted to do it.
“I’m sorry? It was an accident.”
“Mm, an accident. Is that what you’re calling it?”
She really hated when people threw her words back at her. Not that she didn’t deserve it. “I said I was sorry.”
“If you’d been paying attention to what you were doing instead of having your little tantrum it wouldn’t have happened, now would it?”
Aggravated, she forced herself to look at him. His face was hard as he unbuckled his belt and removed the supple black leather. The swishing sound it made as he pulled it through the loops made her knees weak.
The flogger had been her favorite when she’d frequented the clubs. Only once had someone spanked her with a belt. For some reason, it was too personal, too intimate. Like something that should be used between a committed Dominant and submissive for punishment purposes, not play for casual partners. She had no idea why she felt that way. After all, was there really a difference between one long strip of leather and several thinner ones?
Her heart raced. “What are you going to do with that?”
“Oh I think you know.”
“You’re not going to hold my job over my head if I refuse, are you?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Do I need to?”
She frowned, disliking the immediate “no” that popped into her head.
“Come with me.” He took her hand and led her around the outside of the bar where the empty stools stood. He pulled one of them into the aisle and pointed to it. “Bend over it and grab the legs.”
She shot him a heated glare. “You’re not serious.”
“I’m very serious,” he warned in a low voice.
Gritting her teeth, she whipped off her glasses and held them tightly as she bent over. She rested her middle on the hard wooden seat and gripped one of the legs with her free hand. Blood rushed to her head as she stared at the rough planks of the floor. She should have told him to take his job and stuff it up his arrogant ass.
“We both know you need this, threat or not. Isn’t that right?”
She stayed silent, unwilling to answer him, afraid yet eager for his discipline. The sudden sting of leather across the bottom curve of her ass was sharp.
So good.
She did need this.
“Answer me.”
“What do you want me to say?” She was humiliated. And yet she couldn’t deny how wet she was. The silk of her underwear sticking to her made it hard to ignore.
“I want you to tell me the truth, and address me as you’ve been told.” He punctuated his command with another searing lash.
Ow, ow, ow!
“I-I can’t.”
He struck her again and she gasped at the intensity of the sting.
“You can and you will.”
“Damn you, Brian.” She wanted to obey him, but couldn’t admit she needed his attention, his dominance. This was just a game to him. He didn’t deserve truth.
Heat flared across her cheeks as the strip of leather bit into her again. Although he’d only whipped her a few times, her flesh felt hot and prickly. Her hands began to sweat as she fought to keep them from flying back to cover her ass.
“Stand up,” he ordered.
With a deep sigh, she awkwardly pushed herself up.
“Pull your shorts down.”
She snapped her head around. “What?”
“I don’t like repeating myself, but it seems necessary with you. Pull. Your. Shorts. Down.”
God, she couldn’t say no to that voice. How far would he take this? The bigger question, how far did she want him to? The uncertainty of what he would do combined with her lack of control was scary and seductive. She didn’t believe he would really harm her. Hurt her? Yes, and she was going to love it.
Before she could change her mind, she placed her glasses on the stool and tugged her shorts down past her hips, exposing her ass. The thong she’d worn, plum silk edged in delicate black lace, was one of the nicer pieces she owned. So she’d put a little forethought into this evening when she’d gotten dressed. Wearing sexy lingerie wasn’t a crime. Thank god she hadn’t gone with the Invader Zim bikinis. That would have been embarrassing.
“As you were,” he ordered.
Was it her imagination or was there a tight edge to his voice that hadn’t been there a minute ago?
Smiling to herself, she retrieved her glasses and draped her body over the stool once again. How would the smooth leather feel against her skin? She found out quickly as it snapped down on her bare flesh. The bite was much worse without the thick barrier of cotton to help soften the blow. He struck her several more times and each felt like a lick of fire. Desperate to not give him the satisfaction of a scream, she gritted her teeth hard enough to make her jaw ache. Clenching her muscles, she prepared for the next strike. When it didn’t come, the breath she’d been holding rushed from her in relief.
“I’m going to ask you again, and this time you’re going to answer. You need this, don’t you?”
“Yes Sir.”
You have no idea how much I need this.
“Good girl.” He caressed the tender skin on her inflamed cheeks.