Naughty Temptations

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

They left for Asheville right after lunch on a glorious late September day, with sunshine streaming in bright ribbons through the gold and orange tree canopy. To Dani, it felt like the heavens smiled on them.

The day lived up to that promise in every way. Brad sent her into a boutique clothing store while he ventured into a drugstore to pick up some things he needed. Afterward they spent time poking around a couple of bookstores and offbeat galleries displaying unusual pottery, sculpture, paintings, and her favorite, some interesting textile wall hangings. When she found one woven of marvelous shades of orange, red, and tangerine, with strands of blue, green and gold running through in irregular but satisfying patterns, Brad insisted on buying it for her.

As the sun dipped lower behind trees and buildings, they walked to a nice restaurant for a leisurely dinner. Though Brad tended toward laconic, she’d always found him easy to talk to, and he used to open up to her in ways he rarely did with anyone else. That, she discovered, hadn’t changed in the intervening years. They talked and talked over salad, warm bread, dry white wine, fabulous grilled salmon with crisp green beans and quinoa, and finally coffee and dessert. They discussed family and travel, education, books, movies, sports, and other interests. They didn’t get onto anything very personal, however, until after they left the restaurant and were walking through dimly lit streets back to the car.

As if it didn’t matter, Brad said offhandedly, “I still love you, you know. I don’t know that I can ever be what Tom was to you, but I’m working on it.”

“Brad… I need to tell you.” She hesitated, but it needed to be said. “Tom wasn’t the paragon you seem to think. Yes, he was a terrific dominant and great s****l partner for me. But outside the bedroom—or the dungeon—he wasn’t really a good man. He wasn’t particularly reliable. The kids will tell you he frequently wasn’t there for them when they needed him. For me either, for that matter. He… He was unfaithful more than once, and I have no doubt he would’ve wandered again if he hadn’t gotten sick. All things considered, he wasn’t half the man you are.”

Brad remained silent for a while. He didn’t say anything until they got back to his car, he’d unlocked and opened the door for her and then gotten in himself. “That may be the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me.” He started the car. “I’m not perfect either. Far from it. But when I make a promise, I do my very best to keep it.”

“I know. And that’s part of what I’ve always loved about you.”

Back at the house Brad went and got a bottle of brandy for a nightcap.

The fiery liquid burned her tongue and her few inhibitions with equal intensity. She took him to her bedroom rather than use the sofa. They dispensed with clothes in short order and then their hands were all over each other, rubbing, touching, exploring. It was good. She loved Brad, loved holding him, loved seeing that thrilled expression on his face. She couldn’t think of any other man she’d rather be doing this with.

But she wasn’t reacting the way she had the previous night. No matter how hard she willed it, her body wasn’t responding. She couldn’t seem to manage the same level of arousal. Brad didn’t need to know about it. It would bother him. But she’d never had much success hiding things from him.

Still, it wasn’t until he’d sheathed himself and tried to enter that he realized she wasn’t really ready.

He tried to pull back, but she wouldn’t let him. “No,” she said firmly when he hesitated. “Don’t stop.”

“But you’re not—”

“I’m fine. I want this. More than I’ve wanted anything in a long time.”

Put that way, he couldn’t refuse her, so he drove in, resolutely ignoring her wince. A fast quick f**k left them both gasping, in different ways. When it was over, he rested his head on her neck and shoulder for a few quiet, treasured minutes.

When he moved off her he sat next to her on the edge of the bed. “Same old issue?” he asked.

“Apparently. I thought it might have gone away, but it hasn’t.” She reached for his hand and held on tightly. “Brad, it’s not make or break for us. Not this time. I’ve learned too much. I’d much rather have a good man than good sex.”

“Most people expect to get both.”

“And very few actually do.”

He flashed a quick, wry smile. “I’m not giving up. Trust me.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Very glad.”

Drew returned late Sunday evening, tired and grumpy, but he went to bed early and woke in a better humor on Monday. She spent a good part of the day with him, drawing up a comprehensive plan of attack for the renovations so they wouldn’t have a repeat of the problem with the electrician.

Getting all that rolling took up most of her time for the next few days. Brad quietly reminded her of his care with flowers and fresh herbs. Occasionally he consulted her about the gardens and what she thought he should plan on planting next spring. Together they worked out a design for a wonderful kitchen garden.

The biggest surprise of the week came on Wednesday when she went to collect the mail, since Drew had gone into town to take care of some business.

Because he hated shopping, Drew bought a lot of things by mail and off the internet. As a result he received a lot of printed catalogs. When she did get the mail, she normally glanced through for anything addressed to herself or Brad and left the rest stacked on his desk. One circular in particular caught her eye as she shuffled through the new batch of catalogs.

Caught her attention so sharply, in fact, that she pulled it out and took it to Brad.

He glanced at the cover picture of a woman in stylish bondage gear with a man holding a whip beside her, and then at her. “Yeah, Drew has a kinky side. He goes to a club in town a couple of Saturday nights a month.”

“Which way does he swing?”

“Dominant. Definitely dominant.” Brad studied her and the catalog. “If you want to go, I’m sure he’d be willing to take you.”

She had to consider it. “No. I’ve done the club thing, and it’s not for me anymore. But…”

“Already occurred to me,” he said.

“Do I need to brat it up?”

“Actually I’d rather you didn’t. I’m working something out, but I’m not going to tell you about it until I’m ready. Go put that back with the rest of Drew’s mail.”

“Yes, Sir,” she said. But she thumbed through it before replacing the catalog in the stack of mail. The scenes depicted combined with his implicit promise to fire her imagination and get her hormones charged up.

Brad had his own timetable and despite her efforts to get even a hint from him, he refused to say any more about it. He kept her on suspense until the next Friday.

After dinner that evening, he hung around to help her clean up, and as they finished he said, “It’s time. Will you do something for me? Will you put yourself completely at my command? I think you’ll find it interesting and maybe a bit challenging. Are you up for it?” Brad asked.

Dani couldn’t help but wonder what she was agreeing to. But she trusted Brad. “Yes.”

“Good. Go take a long bath.” He handed her a plain brown shopping bag. “Put on these and meet me in an hour here in the kitchen. Leave your hair loose.” He tapped his watch and his tone hardened. “Don’t be late.”

Her p***y tightened and swelled, aroused just by the masterful words and the promise behind them. Once back in her room, she pulled out the contents of the bag and laid the two pieces it contained on the bed, a long, sleeveless, white satin shift, and a thong panty.

Her mind raced as she wallowed in a bath, soaking in warm water laced with a rose-scented, bubbling oil. What might Brad have learned from Drew? That equipment from the catalog…

She washed with care, used her favorite rose-scented body oil and put on the thong and shift. She felt a bit wanton walking through the silent house like that. At the same time, arousal had her so swollen it made it hard to walk normally. The kitchen was dark and appeared empty as she walked in, but from behind her, Brad said, “Don’t turn around. Don’t move until I tell you to.” Her breath hitched in her throat, and her stomach fluttered, but she remained in place. A length of soft fabric came over her head and cut off her sight. The blindfold was fastened at the back and then her arms were tugged gently behind her and tied together with another soft length of fabric.

“You have agreed to put yourself entirely at my command for tonight,” he said. “Have you any second thoughts about that.”

“No.” It came out so softly she wasn’t sure he’d heard so she repeated more strongly. “No second thoughts.”

“Good. You know about safe words. What are yours?”

“Yellow light and red light.”

“Good enough. Until I give you permission to speak again, you will say only ‘Yes, Sir’ or your safe words. Anything else will draw extra punishment.”

She murmured, “Yes, Sir.”

“Good girl. Now come with me.”

A tugging on her wrists drew her backward, then he put an arm around her shoulders as they walked toward the front hall, through it, and then up the stairs to one of the guest rooms. Her heart beat so fast and so hard she could hear it herself. Her breath came faster as well. Excitement and nervousness combined with curiosity into a dizzying welter.

As they turned into a room she smelled a heady aroma of pine-scented incense. A rustle of clothing suggested someone else was already in the room and it didn’t take any stretch of the imagination to figure out who it had to be. He didn’t say anything. Only Brad spoke as he untied her hands and gently tugged her forward. When they stopped, he pushed her torso forward. Her thighs met the edge of a low table or high bench, and then a hand pressed down on her back until her chest rested against a cushioned surface.

Her hands were pulled forward across the cushions and held firmly. The back of her shift was raised up over her hips and tucked up around her waist, baring her bottom to anyone behind her. Brad’s voice came from in front of her. “You offered to suffer for me and I’m accepting it. You’ve given yourself to me and agreed to accept this freely. It will be hard and painful and it won’t end until I say it’s over or you use your safe words. Is that clear?”

She drew a deep breath. “Yes, Sir.”

Air swooshed behind her and then something broad and hard landed on both bottom cheeks, with a loud crack. She yelped as much from surprise as pain. But it did sting. The second stroke came harder, bringing an even stronger strong burn. Whoever was wielding the paddle had no compunction about striking hard, thank goodness. Tom had always said she had a tough bottom that could take a lot of punishment. She needed a good bit of it.

She had no idea how long it went on, but it seemed like a long time. The paddle smacked her butt until every inch of it felt rough and sore, and then it ravaged her thighs as well. She gasped and moaned once or twice, but, remembering Brad’s orders, said nothing. After a while a small clatter suggested the paddle had been put down. Moments later an ominous swishing made her shiver in anticipation. The strap or belt lashed across skin already primed by the paddle and painted a new ribbon of fire over it. She sucked in a sharp breath. The zinging burn of the leather sent heat straight to her p***y, soaking her tiny thong in the cream of her arousal. A few more strokes and her bottom was aflame, spreading the grating burn through her veins. Dani sank into it, relishing the way each stroke made every nerve ending come alive, making her p***y swell and burn with need.

The strap maintained its relentless assault on her butt and sometimes the backs of her thighs, until her bottom felt so swollen and sore she had to wriggle and kick to bear it. Brad tightened his hold on her wrists and murmured soothing words to her. She had no idea what exactly he said, but the pride and love in that tone added to the welter of sensation rocking her.

And then there was another short break, just enough time to let her catch her breath, before she heard the nasty whiz of a flexible rod or cane. She tried to brace herself for the first stroke, knowing it would be ferocious.

It was.

The crack of the rod sounded like a gunshot in the otherwise quiet room. The line of fire it printed across her rear end felt like a thousand agonizing bee stings. Her shriek was long and painful. She wriggled so hard she almost pulled out of Brad’s hold.

“Three more,” he said, quietly. “You can handle three more. For me. She wanted to argue, to insist she couldn’t bear anymore. But she could. It wouldn’t be easy, but she could.

She questioned that resolve when the next stroke felt like it tore into her butt and left a huge, violently burning gouge. Grating sobs tore from her throat. She kicked and tossed her head around. But gentle lips brushed across her cheek beneath the blindfold. “I’m very grateful,” he said.

It only helped so much when the next stroke cut like a whiplash low down on her rear end, and she shrieked again. The last one came quickly after it, striking right at the sensitive crease where buttock met thighs, and catching her throbbing p***y lips as well.

Her wail shook the room. Brad released her hands and put his arms around her shoulders, pulling her to her feet, and then guiding her a few steps across the room to a bed. He laid her on it and stretched out beside her. Vaguely she heard another set of footsteps leave the room as Brad’s mouth came down on hers. She returned the kiss with hungry desperation, pressing herself against his long, lean body and grinding her hungry p***y against the hard length of his c**k.

He dragged off the blindfold and while her eyes adjusted to the dim light of the room, he yanked the shift up and over her head. She was on fire in almost every possible way other than literally. Her butt burned, her p***y throbbed with need, and her heart was near meltdown for love of the man who went to this much trouble to give her what she needed. It couldn’t have been easy for him.

When she told him that, though, his chuckle surprised her. “Easier than you might think,” he answered. “I’ll remember this next time you get too sassy.”

There was more to say, much more, but for a while they let their bodies do the talking. Dani was so hot, so needy, so ready for him, she dragged him closer and opened to him. Brad didn’t hesitate. He rolled on a condom and positioned his c**k at her entrance. He hesitated, no doubt remembering their last attempt.

“It’s all right,” she assured him, caressing his cheek, and then dragging his face down to her for a long kiss. “I’m ready. More than ready. Hurry or I’ll explode without you.”

He pushed in, tentatively at first, then harder when he found just how slick she was. “Dani.” Her name came from him on a long groan as he pulled back, then rammed in again. His c**k filled her and found the magic place inside that stole her breath with pleasure.

“Oh my God,” she moaned, straining for more while her body pulsed and tensed around him. They rocked and plunged together, breath getting faster, their groans of pleasure mingling in odd syncopation. Dani felt as though a volcano built inside her, ready to erupt. The heat, the pressure, the sheer glorious pleasure was almost more than she could bear.

And still it kept expanding, until she saw only the blinding light, felt only the blissful pleasure, heard only the roar of the approaching explosion. And when it came, it rocked them both, sending her into a jolting, screaming frenzy, and causing even quiet Brad to bellow his joy.

When they could breathe again, he turned toward her and raised his upper body, propping himself up on an elbow. “That was an amazing display. I had no idea. I don’t know if I could’ve handled it if it wasn’t so obviously just what you wanted. And what you want, I want for you. Dani, will you marry me? Soon? I don’t want to waste any more time without you. I want to go to bed with you at night and wake up beside you on the morning. I want to eat with you, and laugh with you, and love you as much as I can.”

“Yes. Absolutely, yes. Even if this never happens again, you’re the man I want to spend my life with.”

His smile made her heart thump and flutter with pure love. “I expect it will happen again. Even if we don’t stay on here, we’ll find a way.”

“Why wouldn’t we stay on here?”

“I thought you might want a place of your own. We could look for a house in the neighborhood, so we could commute here.”

“Is that what you want?” she asked.

He leaned down to kiss her. “I want what you want.”

“You have a nice little house of your own just a few yards away,” she pointed out.

“But I don’t own it. It’s not mine.”

Dani chuckled. “I’ve owned a house for years, and I have to tell you that ownership is totally over-rated. I’d rather be able to call the landlord when the water heater breaks. I suppose living here means I’d still be the one to call the plumber, but at least I can hand the bill to Drew. And we could never afford a kitchen like this one.”

“There’s that.”

“There’s more you should know. If we do stay, Drew will expect to do this fairly often. He promised that it would always be with consent from both of us, and he will never actually touch you, but there will be more of this and likely even more severe. Can you handle that?”

“Given what you know of me, wouldn’t you say that was more of a feature than a bug?”

“Yes, but I still have to be sure you understand it.”

“It’s generous of him to do this for us.”

Brad laughed. “Generosity may have something to do with it, but make no mistake. He enjoyed it. And he’ll enjoy doing it again, whenever I request it.”

“I guess that means we invite him to the wedding.”

Brad considered that for a moment and sighed. “We’ll have to invite him to the honeymoon. Part of it, at least.”

“I guess we will, at that.”