“Once upon a time, yes. As a young girl, I wanted the American dream, the white picket fence, two point five kids and a dog out back. Over the last few years, I’ve come to grips with the fact that wasn’t the cards I’ve been dealt. Life is still good, just different than I’d hoped for.”
Ted heard the longing in her voice. It was a dream she hadn’t completely given up on. He wondered if her career had overridden her desire for children or if her failed marriage had stolen the dream away from her. “I don’t know how women juggle children and a career and still manage to find time to stay sane.”
“I don’t either. I never had to cross that bridge. My ex was all about the bottom line. No matter how much money we made, it was never enough. Career ladders are meant to be climbed… You don’t settle for good when you can have great…ad nauseam.”
Now he was really confused. Meri seemed all about her career. She had achieved a position many would envy, she was constantly going that extra mile and yet it was her ex that was obsessed with the money? Maybe he’d have James run an in-depth investigation into her background, because nothing was adding up.
It was time to get this exercise back on track. “There is more to life than work.”
“I’m learning that, Sir.”
“Glad to hear it. Slowly, and I mean slowly, pull the plug past the narrowed portion then fuck your ass with it.”
“Seriously? I’m just barely getting used to having it there at all. You really want me to slide it in and out?”
“Yes, Meri, and stroke your clit with your other hand. Do. Not. Come. I don’t want to start our evening on Tuesday with a discipline session.” Tuesday seemed like a lifetime from now. What the hell was he going to do? Meri had become important to him. He thought about her constantly. For the few hours she’d been at the dinner, he’d paced the floor, second guessing his decision not to go with her. His imagination had tortured him with every possible way for her to get hurt. After three hours had gone by, he’d considered calling her, just to hear her voice.
Tomorrow was a work day for her. Yes, he would probably be at the club catching up on all the work he’d let slide since he’d first met her, but he knew the hours would tick by slowly. It was ridiculous how quickly she’d gone from one more new member to the woman who consumed his every thought.
“If it doesn’t move smoothly and easily, apply more lube.”
“It doesn’t hurt.” Meri sounded shocked. A few moments more and she began to coo. “I kinda like it, Sir.”
Ted smiled. Her open honesty was refreshing. He liked that she didn’t feel the need to pretend indifference. Her willingness to keep an open mind and try things that had her nervous was a huge turn-on. “Good. Then we will continue…another day.”
“What?” She was obviously disappointed.
He chuckled at her impatience. “Pull it out. Clean it and keep it safe until I permit you to play with it again. You are not to orgasm. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Sir. I’m not allowed to orgasm until you give me permission.”
There was a pout to her voice that Ted found endearing.
“Good girl. What is your work schedule like tomorrow?”
“So far, it is a pretty normal day. Would you like to meet for lunch, Sir?”
“My day is packed, but I should be able to find time to text you. Describe your work space.”
“I have a private office.” She giggled. “We have very similar desks. Ever since I realised that, I’ve had a hard time concentrating at work.”
Ted chuckled. “Have you now? That gives me something to think about. Does your office have glass walls? Can others observe you as you work?”
“I have a few windows overlooking the greenbelt and pond area outside our building, but the glass is supposed to have a protective film to keep people from seeing in. For years now, I’ve thought about having a picnic lunch by the water, but I never seem to manage it.”
“Good. Wear a skirt or dress tomorrow. You may wear stockings if you like, but no panties.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“I will be very disappointed if you disobey me, my pet.”
“I understand, Sir. I will follow your instructions.”
“See that you do. Goodnight.”
Chapter Six
“Hey, Meri, there’s a Ted Stevens here to see you,” Fred, the security guard at the front desk, informed her.
“You’re kidding. Oh, my God, send him back. No wait, I’ll come get him. I know you’re really busy. I’ll be there in just a moment.”
Meri had been sitting at her desk daydreaming about Ted. She’d checked her phone so many times, hoping to get a text from him, she’d finally given up and just left it on her desk. It was unprofessional, but it wasn’t like anyone would say anything to her. She rushed out the door and down the hall to the front reception area. Once she was in the public area, she slowed to a quick walk, wiped the silly, school girl grin off her face and regained her composure.
“Ted”—she reached out to take his hand—“it’s so good to see you. I’m glad you could stop by. Fred, thank you for keeping him company for me.”
“My pleasure, Meri. Mr Stevens, she’s a good girl. You treat her nice, you hear me?”
“It was a pleasure to meet you, sir,” Ted responded as Meri was leading him back to her office.
“Sorry about that. He’s been working security here since I was a pimple-faced teenager. I don’t think he’s realised I’m all grown up now.” Meri held open the door to her office then followed him inside.
Ted took a cursory look around as he leaned against the edge of her desk. “You have good taste in furniture.” He shot her a sexy, knowing smile.
“It would be nice to have your wardrobe and couch, but there really isn’t room anyway. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Sir?” Meri noticed her voice was a little breathless and she hoped the dampness between her legs that had begun the moment she saw Ted wouldn’t show on her dress.
Ted walked to the bank of windows and looked out at the greenbelt. “It’s such a beautiful day that it would be a shame to spend lunch indoors. I’ve got a blanket and a picnic basket waiting for us.” He pointed to her favourite spot under the shade of a tree by the pond.
Meri blinked away tears and struggled to get her emotions in check. “That is the sweetest, most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.” Before thinking it all the way through, she launched herself into his arms. Meri felt him tense then a rumble of laughter shook his chest. He kissed her forehead and held her tight.
Meri stepped back and decided to lighten the mood a bit. Ted didn’t seem to be a mushy kinda guy. “We’d better get out there, before momma duck decides to eat our lunch.”
“Not so fast, little one.” He turned her around so her back was to the window. “Show me.”
There was no point in pretending she didn’t know what he was talking about and she was thanking the moon and stars that she had followed his instructions even though she’d never dreamed he would show up to check. She inched her dress up until her bare pussy was on display for him. “Is this what you wanted to see, Sir?”
He didn’t bother to answer her question. Instead, he closed the space between them, reached down and cupped her mound. Without any hesitation, he pushed his middle finger into her already wet vagina.
Meri closed her eyes and melted into him. They had only been apart one day and yet it felt so much longer. When his arm closed around her shoulders and drew her against his chest, the weight of the world simply disappeared. All the hassles of the job, the daily grind, were poof—gone. All that remained was Ted and Meri and a burning desire to have his cock replace his finger.
“Fred was right. You are a good girl,” Ted purred, with his lips against her ear.
“And you, Sir, are very bad.” Meri could feel heat flooding her face.
Ted brought his finger, covered in her wetness, to his mouth and sucked it clean. “Delicious appetiser, my pet.”
Meri didn’t know how to respond verbally, but physically her body had all the answers. Her nipples were rock hard and pressing against his chest, begging for some attention. The throbbing in her clit was the most worrisome. If it didn’t settle down, she was going to earn a punishment for coming without permission.
“Breathe deep, little one.” Ted rested his chin on the top of her head and held her close.
She was going to get her heart broken. Sexually, Ted was a fantasy come to life. He took her places she’d never imagined existed. But she’d had no idea he had a romantic streak. There was no guarding her heart against him now.
Meri tipped her head up to look at him, still revelling in the fact that he was taller than she was even in heels. Before she could say anything, his lips descended on hers. With his fist buried in her hair and his arm around her waist, she relaxed against him. When Ted broke their kiss, it took every ounce of self-control not to groan in frustration.
“We’d better get outside. If I spontaneously combust, I don’t want to take the whole building down in flames.”
Ted just laughed and gave her a peck on her forehead. “Lead the way, pretty lady.”
Meri took them out the back way. She hadn’t walked along the greenbelt in years. It felt good to have the sun on her face and wind in her hair at work. “This was a great idea, thank you, Sir.”
Ted walked hand in hand along the bank with Meri. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed the company of a woman in the light of day. It had to have been back in college. His last meaningful, could this possibly be the one, relationship had ended when he’d turned down a six figure salary at a ‘respectable’ company.
When he had chosen to join André and start first the toy business then the clubs, he’d known he was making a life-altering decision. His family was disappointed in him. DiscipliNation wasn’t exactly something his mom would brag about while she played bridge. Ted also knew, though he would never call them on it, that his parents owned a rather healthy selection of their products. He was good at his job and he enjoyed it, but that didn’t make family holidays any easier to endure.
Showing up unannounced today was a douche-bag move. He’d told himself he was just following up on a trainee and double-checking her story. Once he’d determined that she was, in fact, a bank executive, he’d set out to call her bluff. Instead, she’d called his.
Ted had assumed that having her dirty little secret Dom arrive at her work place would send her into panic mode. It hadn’t. She’d actually been pleased to see him. And she had followed his instructions and worn stockings without panties. Holy fuck, that was hot.
“You went all out! Look at this, a comfy blanket, a real wicker basket, wow. I can’t wait to see what you packed for us.” Meri opened one of the sides of the basket and began pulling out items.
“I have no idea what’s in there. Before you get too blown away by my picnic prowess, I must confess. I called up a store near my house, told them what I had planned and they did the rest.” All he had to do was whip out his wallet and he looked like a hero.
“You know what they say… It’s the thought that counts. Oh my goodness, there are even roses in here. I love it, pink, red, white and yellow. They covered all the bases.”
“I wasn’t sure what colour you preferred so I told them to include some of each.” When the woman had started talking about what each colour meant, he had almost told her to forget the idea entirely.
“They’re all beautiful. I’ve never received flowers before.” She set them on a rock near the tree where they’d be safe.
“Your ex was a jack-ass.” Meri needed to be showered with little treats. Watching the way she interacted with her employees told him a lot about her character. She didn’t see people based on their status in life. He’d overheard her conversation with Fred when he’d buzzed to tell Meri that Ted was there. In most companies, security guards didn’t call any of the board of directors by their first name. And he’d never seen an executive hold open the door for a member of the maintenance crew like Meri had done as they had left the building. Ted suspected she looked after everyone in her life, but who took care of her?
“There’s some truth in that.” Meri laughed. “Well, we have wraps, potato and macaroni salad, rolls and a very decadent looking brownie concoction for dessert. I think there is enough food here to feed a family of four, so dig in. There is no concern about running out.”
Meri gave him an overflowing plate which he set in front of him until she had hers dished up as well. After she took the first bite, he began eating. His mom might think he’d forsaken everything she’d taught him, but that wasn’t the case. Just because he made his money in the sex industry didn’t mean he was uncouth.
After they’d finished their meal, Meri packed everything but the flowers back into the basket. Once the blanket was cleared, Ted laid down on his side and patted the area in front of him, a silent request that she join him. Meri immediately complied.
Ted moved his hand to her neck. “I don’t like this. We’re going to have to do something about this.”
“What do you mean?” She looked up at him in confusion. Her innocence surprised him, though it shouldn’t. Meri wasn’t after his money or trinkets. She just seemed to enjoy his company and, of course, the things he could do to her body.
“I want you to wear my collar.” His heart was beating so hard he expected to see ripples in the pond. What the hell was he saying? It was too soon, too much. “While you’re in training, that is. I don’t want to confuse other Doms at the club. If you are wearing a collar, they won’t approach you.”
Damn it.
Whenever he was around Meri, his brain went to sleep. She was so down to earth, he forgot they moved in different circles. A woman like Meri would never want anything long term with him. Sure he made a convenient play partner for a while, but it wouldn’t last.
“I’d like that.”
“Consider it done. I’ll make sure you have one before the next play party.” He looked back at her office. “It looks like your windows do indeed offer you privacy. That’s good to know. I wouldn’t want anyone to watch my pet touch her clit or pinch her nipples while she’s supposed to be working. No one gets to watch that show but me.”