True Beginnings (9 page)

Chapter 9 HIM

I hang up. Jake still won't answer my calls. I've left him voicemails and texts, but he needs his space still. Dan said he hadn't heard from him either.

Dan...I shake my head thinking about him. It's been a week since Jake left Julia, since Lucy confessed to Dan that she's fine with me disciplining her, since Dan accepted this. He surprised me at the office on Wednesday. Asked if I would go for a drink with him. I called Lucy and told her to wait at home for me. I haven't let her go out all week. Continued punishment for her lies, she's grounded from seeing her friends outside of work next week too.

Dan was shy about talking, but I just waited him out. Finally, he blurted out that he'd told Becca about Lucy and me. He'd laughed.

"Becca wasn't even surprised or shocked at all!" I wasn't surprised by that. She has more understanding of relationships than Dan. He tends to be more of a what you see is what you get kinda guy. It was harder for him to think that there was more to what he suspected all along. He's coming around though.

"She said she always thought you were kinky!" Dan said this with a big laugh. Of course, saying that his wife didn't really give my sexual preferences much thought...not really, of course, with more laughter. "She even said it's in all of her favorite smut books, so who knows..." He'd looked embarrassed, but we cheered to ourselves for finding happiness. He accepts that Lucy and I are happy with our arrangement.

He also asked if I told Mike. I told him I intended to...when the time is right of course. No more secrets or hiding anymore. He only nodded at this. He doesn't want to be put in the middle of anything. He knows I wouldn't do that to him, though.

I hear Lucy getting out of the shower. Good. I smile to myself thinking of the afternoon she has in store.

"Lucy, come here." I use my deepest voice, barely louder than normal. She is standing in the doorway in an instant, hair dripping down her wet body, towel pressed to her side.

"Can I dry off first?" She knows better than this. I clench my jaw, but she jumps to come to me before I have to do more than this.

She tries to put the towel around herself to stop from puddling on the floor. I grab it out of her hand and throw it on the ground. Water runs down her legs, off her hair, drops magnify her erect nipples. Her gorgeous look of fear is perfect. She puts her arms behind her back automatically. My good girl.

"Lucy, last week I administered a punishment for what misbehaviour?"

"I didn't get your persmission before making plans." She says this quickly. She's not likely to forget that rule any time soon.

"And have you done this since then?" I already know the answer.

"No, Sir." She looks down, "You grounded me...And I wouldn't ever do that again...Sir!" She is quick to add, in case I mistook her words for pouting. She is a good student!

"Good." I sit on the bed. "Go get the belt." She stops herself from saying anything, but her whole body twitches with fear and the question I know she's thinking. "Don't make me tell you again, little girl." This has her moving quickly to the closet.

She comes back just as quickly, laying the belt next to me. Her flesh is goosebumps, her nipples painfully erect and dark, her hair still dripping water down her back and tits. Her arms where they should be again.

"Lucy, you have a spanking coming today." She tears up, but doesn't do more than quiver her lips at this. Such a beautiful look of fear in her eyes. She's shouting her pleas with those blue eyes. She takes a stuttered breath in and holds it, calming herself as I've taught her. "This is a maintenance spanking, Lucy." I give a moment to react. "If I have to punish you, then the next week you will receive a spanking as a reminder to be good." Her eyes look down for a second; she knows she can't argue with me. My pride mixes with my desire for her. "Even if you've been on your best behaviour all week long, as you
should
be anyway...you will receive a spanking. Do you understand me?"

"...Yes, Sir..." She says through swallows. Her bottom is only just back to a normal color. She had trouble sitting for two days afterwards. I'll be easier on her today...but she doesn't need to know that.

"Get over my knees." She moves jerkingly, awkwardly placing herself across me, putting her fingertips on the floor. "Place your hands around my calf...this will keep you steady." She does this and moves a little to adjust herself again. "Put your legs straight out. And keep your toes pointed." She does this, stretching her body, exposing her creamy white upper thighs to me. I adjust her a little so her bottom is raised higher on my knee. I can feel her heartbeat. I know this position strains her leg and stomach muscles.

"Do not move from this position until I give you permission. If you move your hands or your legs, I will start your punishment over and add additional spankings for disobedience. Do you understand me, Lucy?"

"Yes, Sir." She wants to get this over with quickly...not gonna happen, little girl.

I place my hand gently on her ass and feel her flinch. God, how I love her! Her hair covers her face, but I know she's blushing; her soft tears will blend with her wet hair nicely. I admire how my hand can cover a cheek completely. I rub down to the fold just above her thighs...her most tender spot. I can feel her wet heat from here, too. "Open your legs." She obeys without hesitation, rocking slightly. She keeps her legs stretched, toes pointed though.

I cup my hand over her pussy, rubbing down to her clit, she moans. "Quiet." She's going to need another shower, I smile to myself. "Does waiting for your punishment make you wet, little girl?"

She whimpers, but answers in her sweet girlie voice, "...Yes...Sir."

"Does getting a spanking make you wet?"

"...Yes, Sir..."

"Why?" I can tell that she's startled by the question. Her mind is already down the path of waiting for pain, an animal place, a pet waiting for its master's pleasure.  This makes her crawl back a little from fear, up to a point of being able to think. It takes some deep breaths before she can answer.

"I want to please you."

"That's not your only reason, Lucy." I chastise her.

"When you said...that...that you liked...hurting me..." I wait patiently for her to continue, absently stroking her pussy and clit. "...I wasn't able to tell you...that...I like...that you do... That I know...it's how you show me how much you love me...even when I'm bad, you make me your good girl again...and I want to be good for you..." She's crying softly, this raw revelation taking her breath and turning it into sobs. "I crave your love, Max...I need your love... The pain...is part of your love...and I crave it." She says this with a strangled voice, tears choked back.

I wait for her to calm a little more. "You do make me so happy, Lucy. I love you. And I
will
always make you my good girl."

I don't wait. I spank her tender spot first, a quick sting with only my hand. She whimpers, but stops herself. I pick up the belt and her legs stiffen. She tries to relax, I don't wait. I smack both cheeks with the belt, dead center. Her breath goes in sharply, but she remains quiet otherwise. The second and third strikes follow each other quickly, both centered. Her breathing is rapid. I wait only a second more and give her one good smack to her cheek bottoms, the belt hitting the very top of her thighs as well. Her breath stops for a second. I bring the belt down one more time on the same spot. A small cry escapes with her breath.

"You may raise your legs, Lucy." She instantly brings up her feet, "That's high enough." She stops with her toes pointed perfectly up to the ceiling. "You may not lower your legs onto your bottom...You'll feel the sting of your punishment without any relief, little girl." I let her breathing even out before having her stand. She puts her arms in position and waits for me to tell her what to do. Such a good girl, I have.

Her tears always make me harder. Her face is soft. Her eyes shining, and hungry, looking all over my face, chest, body. I'm wearing only my boxers. My cock is stiff. Her eyes keep lingering and jumping back to my face, hopeful that her punishment is over and she'll be rewarded between her legs.

I stand and take her in my arms, bringing her arms around me. She melts to me, trying to bring every inch of herself in contact with me. "Thank you, Sir."

I meet her mouth arching up to mine, our kiss deep and long. She puts her hands on the top of my boxers and looks for permission with her eyes. I nod slightly and she pulls them down. I pull her onto the bed, falling back with her body on mine, stretched out together.

I roll us over, so she's pinned under my weight. Pulling myself up onto my elbows. "Open your legs...wider. Good girl." I cup her pussy, not putting a finger in, but pressing with my whole hand. "Hands by your sides." She obeys, moving her hands to be pinned between her body and my knees. I sit up and slide into her.

I can feel her moan inside, it's so deep and long. I lightly slap her face, her eyes pop open again...her pussy squeezing me. I'm grinning at her. Her confused mix of emotions plays across her face.

"You belong to me, Lucy...and I'll do whatever I like to you...whenever I feel like it. Do you understand me?"

"Y...Yes, Sir." Her sweet girl voice, chin pressed down. With her arms pinned, she can't do anything to protect herself. Good.

"And I like slapping you...I like the look on your face..." I slap her again, just lightly, enough to shock her into automatically squeezing my cock again.

"My look...?"

I thrust in and out of her a little, her moans and wetness make stopping hard, but I finally slow down and stop. "Yes...you have the perfect look..." I slap her again; she actually moans this time and holds the squeeze, pushing her hips against me. God, she's gorgeous. I have to breathe to stop from cuming. I thrust into her hard again and she pushes against me more. I give in to the desire to fuck her hard and fast. I stretch out my legs and with my arms around her, we come together quickly.

I roll off her and she instantly crawls into my arms again.  I brush her hair away from her forehead and kiss the top of her head. "Your look...it's like you're begging me to stop and begging me for more all in one... What were you thinking just then…when I smacked you?"

She shyly lowers her head into my chest more and in her highest, quietest voice, "I was thinking that I wanted to please you...that if slapping me pleases you...then that's what I want too...and" she pauses for a long moment. "And...I like that you...that you do what you want...to me...I like that I'm yours..."

"You are most definitely mine, little girl!" I smack her hip. I push her onto her back, so I can look at her face, into her eyes. I kiss her and her arms go around my neck, so warm, so small.

She snuggles back into my arms when I lay back again. "I want to make sure that you understand, Lucy...I'll do whatever I want to you...slap, spank, whatever...always when you deserve it, for being a bad girl. But sometimes, it will be just because I want to. Do you understand that I still love you, even if I'm rough with you?"

"Yes...I love you, too, Max." She kisses my chest. "And...And I like that you're rough..." She adds this so quietly, shyly.

I say no more and feel Lucy's breathing lengthening. I turn my head so I can watch her nap for a while. I still can't believe all that has happened between us.

I can't believe that I've finally found a girl who can understand my tough love, my disciplinary ways. A girl who obeys my every rule...at least tries to, I smile...and takes the punishment she deserves when she doesn't. My heart wants to burst looking at her sweet face on my chest. I'm a love-struck, gushing idiot!

I fall asleep finally, with my cheek pressed against her head.

                                                                                    .....

I wake to her smile. Her face is turned up towards mine, still curled against my chest. "Can we go to the grocery store?" She says this with a secret grin.

"Ok..."

"I want to make you something special for breakast tomorrow." She smiles bigger and jumps out of bed. Stopping though before heading to the bathroom, "If you think you'll like it, that is..."

Chapter 10 HIM

"This is very good, baby. You're becoming a good cook!" I'm downing a second helping of her croissant egg casserole. We bought everything yesterday for a recipe she downloaded, so she could make it the night before for me.

"I'm glad you like it! I found a few more recipes that you'll have to guinea pig too," she's smiling though, very proud of herself.

"As long as you don't burn it, I'll try it." She throws her napkin at me.

She's quiet though as she clears the table. I grab her hand and pull her onto my lap. "What's up? Why the quiet face?"

She shyly makes eye contact. "I...Have you thought more about...my company picnic? ...It's next weekend...so if I'm not going to make it....I should tell some people soon..." I smile to myself that she knows asking a second time is reason enough to make me mad. But this was a pre-rule planned event, so I'm indulgent with her.

"We can go." She hugs my neck and says thank you.

                                                                                    .....

"It's too bad your ceo's house isn't on the other side of the lake, we could've just driven on to my parent's tonight," I look around at the line of cars waiting for the valet. This is going to be crowded.

I look at Lucy. She's also staring out the window, at the large house beyond the long drive. The place is impressive. It's about three times the size of my parent's lake house. Must have at least thirteen bedrooms.

She said the party was taking place on the lawn, with the full grounds made over for team-building games, the pool and lake made into team activities too. She knew I wouldn't let her run around in a bathing suit though. She's wearing a loose cotton dress, flip flops, with her hair pulled into a loose knot at the base of her neck, no makeup. She looks perfect, smiling at me as I watch her wait for the valet to open her door. 

We walk hand-in-hand up the stairs and in the open doors. Refreshments are available everywhere, trays circulating, a bar set up in a corner, outside. I hand an iced tea to Lucy and we walk through the foyer, past the winding dual staircases and elaborate mirrors.

"This place is massive!" Lucy is whispering to me, looking everywhere with wide-eyes.

"I'll get ya a place like this someday," I wink at her and she hugs my arm to her side. "Maybe with a few more rooms, though..." We both laugh.

We spot Laura and Tad first and head towards a canopied area of tables set up on the lawn. "Hey you two! Welcome to the swankiest place I've ever been!" Laura hugs Lucy and smiles at me. Tad shakes my hand.

"I know! I can't get over it...people actually live like this?!" Lucy is watching a volleyball game a few feet away. Tracy is on the other side of the net, in a tiny red maillot with cutoff shorts over it. She sees us and waves. Lucy waves back before turning back to me, facing the water. A large tile-surround pool area is dwarfed by the sparkling of Lake Michigan beyond. People are everywhere.

"We just got here too. We were just about to head to the beach..." Laura obviously has a bikini on under her t-shirt and shorts. I'm glad I didn't let Lucy bring a swimsuit. This is business-fun not vacation-fun. I may not care about her work, but I do care about how she's perceived.

Lucy looks to me for direction, "Sure." She smiles at my answer and takes my hand again.

"Did you guys bring suits? The pool is amazing...it has one of those wave maker thingies in it!" Laura continues talking without waiting for answers. She's sweet, but Tad must have a lot of patience or bad hearing.

Before we reach the pool, though, Lucy is stopped by a tall, mid-forties woman with light brown hair. I recognize her as Lucy's boss. "Catherine, it's so nice to see you!" Lucy almost sounds sincere. I smile and put out my hand. The woman looks me up and down before shaking it.

"So you're the mystery guy with the private car and Cartier on call, eh?" Lucy unconsciously moves her left wrist back. I'd given her another watch to replace the one that was stolen. The face of this one is surrounded by diamonds and has an engraving, "Always."

I cock an eyebrow at the woman Lucy calls Cruela. I can see why; she tries for intimidating. Sitting tall in her seat, polo shirt and long crisp shorts, not feminine but not manly either, she's sizing me up. "No mystery...I'm Lucy's real boss," I give her a wink. She only laughs, giving me an appraising look still. Lucy looks uncomfortably down at her feet. I pull her to my side more, "Have fun today," and we walk away.

The volleyball game over, Tracy and Josh intersect our walk towards the beach. "Hey! So you do still come out to play!” Tracy bumps hips with Lucy, looking at me though. “Was Cruela nice today...was that an actual smile you just got?!" Josh isn't saying anything, just nods a hello. I nod back.

"She was...Max charms everybody, though." Lucy leans into me a little more, our legs in sync as we start walking again. 

Tracy doesn't comment on this. "We're going to do the paddleboat races later, you guys up for it?" Lucy looks to me to answer, but Tracy just rolls her eyes, "Come on, Luce...it'll be fun. You and I can be on a team even!"

"Sounds like fun...sure." I answer for us. Lucy smiles, but Tracy gives me another wary look.

We find Laura in a group of people standing in the water; she's in a white bikini, her voluptuous body on display and getting a lot of attention. Lucy looks to me and I nod her towards the water, she kicks off her shoes and heads towards Laura, with Tracy right behind, "Where's your bikini?" I sit at one of the picnic table benches set up, Josh sits next to me.

"I...I didn't bring one."

"Why not...Master wouldn't let you?" Tracy says this like she's out of a horror film, laughing. I don't hear Lucy's reply; she's standing too far with her back to me, splashing water onto her arms in long motions. The sunshine electrifies her curls, like a halo. Her dress isn't see-thru, but the outline of her legs is clearly visible. She's beautiful.

Josh finally says something to me, "Sorry about the other night...I don't hold grudges, ya know."

"Ancient history." I smile at him. Not a bad guy, just young, younger than his age. He's more interested in fitting in than making his own way.

"Cool."

I watch as the group in the water gets a little bigger. Tracy runs back to our table and takes her shorts off, kissing Josh before heading back. Her one-piece is smaller than most bikinis. Her flaming hair matching its brightness. I shake my head and look sideways at Josh, who's staring off in another direction.

I'm drawn back to the water, hearing Lucy's high laughter. A guy is splashing water onto her and Laura. She's splashing back like a kid, arms full in the water. The front of her dress and hair are clinging to her. Her nipples pushing the thin material. She's hiding behind Laura, who's trying to push her in front of her. They stop their water fight, but my view of Lucy is blocked by the guys surrounding them.

I wait only a moment before taking off my boat shoes and moving towards the water. She should know better than to be in a group of guys dripping wet like that! I meet her at the water's edge, walking back with Laura.

By her look, downward-eyes and covering her chest, she knows she's in trouble. "Laura has a towel I can use," she says this quickly, not looking up at me. I follow her back to the table and put my shoes back on.

Laura digs around her bag and pulls out two towels, handing one to Lucy. She quickly wraps it around herself, pressing it into her dress, still eyes down. The guy who was splashing her comes over. "Sorry about getting your clothes all wet, Luce!" Up close, I can tell that he's closer to my age than Lucy's. He turns to me and Josh, "Hey...I'm Rich." I shake his hand and introduce myself; Josh does the same.

"I work with Lucy in recruiting...well, she's been trying to help my recruiters get their heads out of their asses anyway!" He laughs and touches Lucy's arm. "Lucy is one of the best...I just wish I could convince Catherine to give you to me and have you working my accounting positions!" Lucy darts her eyes up to me when he touches her. She freezes at the look she sees. "Hey, Bill...come over here..." Rich is yelling at a group a few feet away. A guy walks over to join us. I haven't stopped looking at Lucy, her eyes are back down.

"Lucy," He touches her arm again and she bolts her eyes up to him, "This is Bill Mont. He's my latest hire. I know that your cross-training is over with my team, but I was hoping you wouldn't mind taking Bill under your wing a little..." He's smiling at her, touching her, like he knows her really well. I feel my jaw clenching and relax with a deep breath. "I'll buy you lunch again!"

Her eyes shoot straight to mine, pleading, then she takes a breath, stands a little taller and puts her hand out to the new guy, letting the towel drop to her waist. "I'd be happy to help...but Rich really is the guy to learn from. You'll do great on his team!"

Laura butts in, "Lucy is just being modest! You really want to pick this girl's brain...she's waaay smarter than any of the guys!"

Rich gives Laura's shoulder a shove, "You only say that because Lucy gives your team all the best people...we get the leftovers as accounting support!"

"Damn straight!" Laura is laughing, pushing him back.

Bill just smiles at Lucy, "I'm new to recruiting, so I'd really appreciate any help you can give me, Lucy. Do you have a sec now...I know it's a day off, but I'd like to act like I'm trying to impress my boss here with my drive..." He laughs and slaps Rich on the arm, "And he does talk highly about you....Do you mind?"

Lucy hesitates, still avoiding looking at me directly again, "Um...sure...how can I help?"

And this guy actually turns away from me. Puts his hand on Lucy's arm. And tries to take two steps away from me with her. Lucy is already turning back to me, when I step in. I grab both of her arms from behind, not squeezing, only holding her firmly. "
I
mind, Bill."

The guy blinks at me, everyone is quiet. I see Tracy out of the corner of my eye has joined the group again too. Her mouth is wide open. Laura is looking embarrassed. The guy is backing off, "Oh...sorry...I, um, didn't mean any..."

Rich butts in, "It's supposed to be a party...just have fun, Bill, you'll have plenty of time to impress me in the office!" He laughs, but he's looking at Lucy, concerned.

Lucy's head is bent down slightly, her eyes completely averted. I haven't let go of her arms. I let her pull her arms away to bring the towel around to her front finally. She continues drying off more. Rich makes a quick good-bye, saying he'll see Lucy in the office next week and takes Bill with him. Tracy gives a look to Josh and he walks off.

"Lucy, you wanna tell me why every guy here thinks he can put his hands on you?!" My voice is steady, the deep warning one she knows so well. Lucy shrinks more and starts to answer me.

"What the fuck, Max?!" Tracy is in my face. She's tall, but only comes up to my chin. She's moved to be between Lucy and me.

Lucy grabs Tracy's arm. "Please...keep your voice
down
...people are looking..." Laura also looks around and stands closer to Lucy.

"Answer me, Lucy."

Her eyes meet mine as she steps in front of Tracy again, drawn to me. "I'm sorry, Si...Max."

Tracy grabs Lucy's arm and twists her around to face her. "Why are
you
saying you're sorry?
He
should be sorry for making you look like some spineless wimp in front of Rich?!"

I ignore Tracy and take hold of the back of Lucy's arms again. She almost falls into my chest, her body yielding to my touch and voice. "Is
that
how you answer me?"

Her face turns to the side, chin up, eyes looking up into mine again; she swallows hard. Tracy and Laura just stare. "I'm sorry...Sir." She almost whispers this, the pleading in her eyes stronger than her voice.

"What the fuck?!" Tracy is trying to pull at Lucy’s hand, but I have hold of both of her arms. "Snap out of it! Why are you doing this?"

Laura pulls Tracy's arm back and whispers angrily, "Stop it. People
are
looking!" But she's also staring in disbelief at Lucy.

Tracy takes a deep breath and looks around. Quieter this time, "Why are you letting him push you around like this?"

"He's not. I was wrong to let them touch me. ...It was disrepectful."

"Disrespectful to you? Or to
him
?!" Tracy shoots me another hard look.

My face is calm, only a slight furrow to my brow. "Both." I answer for her.

Tracy is again staring at me, but turns her eyes back down to Lucy, in a calmer voice, "Lucy...you don't need this guy...he's been waaay to controlling all along and he's gone too far..."

"I..." Lucy stops, tears starting to make her voice shake, "I like...how controlling Max is...and it's none of your business."  My pride in her matches my anger.

"What the...I don't even
know
what to say to you right now?!" Tracy is just shaking her head, arms crossed, glaring at Lucy. Laura has a shocked look, dragging her eyes from Lucy to me and back. "Lucy...you need to get your head out of your ass...he's a control freak and you shouldn't be with him!" Tracy glares for another second, waiting for Lucy to respond. Lucy is shaking, but silent against me. "If you stay with him...you're an idiot!" Tracy turns and stomps off. Laura only looks at Lucy and me one more time and turns to run after Tracy.