Lessons in Love

by Kathryn R. Blake

  "I guess you're growing on me. I mean, you already possess an ego the size of Texas, so I wouldn't want to do anything to inflate it."

  He grinned. "Heaven forbid you should ever do that." He put his hands on her waist and lifted her off his lap. "All right, we'll begin a new leaf, here and now. So, I want you to stand here" — he pointed to a spot directly before him — "and take off all your clothes."

  Pam's heart skipped a beat. "You want me to strip? Why?"

  "Because I intend to spank you to prove my point, and I want you naked. Any more questions?"

  "But—"

  He placed a finger against her lips. "No more arguments. Just do as I ask, please."

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Pam regarded the man seated before her, the man she loved more than anyone else in the world, with severe trepidation. "Why?"

  Rising smoothly to his feet, he bent down and touched his mouth to hers. The kiss was hard, yet soft, firm, yet gentle, and gave her no quarter. "Would you rather I undressed you?"

  Her breath caught in her throat. Having him take charge made it far less likely she'd do anything wrong. "Yes, please."

  "As you wish." He unfastened her shorts first, then slid them down her legs to her feet, where he ordered her to step out of them. Rising, he folded them neatly and set them on the couch. Next came her top, which he raised over her head and laid on her bottoms. At least she'd thought far enough ahead to wear matching bra and panties.

  "Cute," he said, plucking at the pink bow nestled between her breasts. "Very cute, indeed, but it still has to come off."

  She let out a slight groan but didn't protest as he removed her bra, folded it, and added it to the pile.

  Then he stepped closer and placed his hands at her waist. "You have a beautiful body, Pam. I never want you to be ashamed of it or reluctant to share your nakedness with me. I love to stroke your skin, and caress the places only I have the privilege of seeing and touching."

  "Besides me," she added softly.

  "Hmm. Perhaps, when you bathe or shower, I'll permit it, but otherwise this gorgeous body belongs to me."

  Pam's eyes opened wide. "Are you serious?"

  "Very much so. Why, is that a problem for you?"

  "A little. It is my body, after all."

  "Yes, but I'm laying claim to it tonight, at least as far as your pain and pleasure go."

  "What does that mean exactly?"

  "That I don't want you touching what I consider mine without permission."

  Growing moist from his words alone, Pam swallowed audibly. "I need to ask your permission to—touch myself?" Her voice sounded weak and breathy to her ears.

  "You most assuredly do." He cupped his hand between her legs. "I am claiming this part of your body, here and now. As well as here," he said, sliding his hands up to cup her breasts. "And here." His arms encircled her as his palms hugged her behind and drew her even closer." Pam groaned, unsure how she felt about giving him so much control and yet relishing in his possessiveness.

  "So, what happens if I disobey you and bring myself to orgasm?"

  He tilted his head. "What do you think will happen?"

  "I'll get spanked?"

  "Among other things. You'll unquestionably get punished for trespassing."

  "Trespassing?" she asked as his fingers tugged at her panties to remove them.

  "That means encroaching on someone else's property. Step."

  "I understand what it means," she muttered even as she obeyed his directive. "I'm just not sure it applies."

  He placed her damp underwear on the pile and turned to face her. "Well, I suppose that would depend on whether you want to please me or not. Do you wish to please me, Pam?"

  Though a part of her ached to do some touching of her own, she gave a reluctant nod, realizing she did indeed want to please him, more than anything, so she added, "Yes, sir."

  "Good girl," he murmured, giving her another kiss, this time as a reward. Both his words and kiss filled her with a warmth that settled between her legs. Though her inner feminist still bristled over his restrictions, the parts that marked her female relished the thought of belonging to him.

  "Okay." He led her back to the couch and drew her across her knees.

  "I still don't understand why I'm getting spanked tonight," she complained without offering any resistance as he settled her into position, raising her backside while supporting the rest of her body across the sofa.

  "Shall I give you a list?"

  She shook her head. "Will this be a punishment?"

  He caressed her bottom in a way that made her want to purr.

  "I should make this spanking especially harsh to teach you that running away is never the answer, but I want something else from you tonight, so no. This will be more like a wakeup call than a punishment."

  "But will it hurt?"

  "You'll feel a sharp tingle building into a warm heat that is just short of painful, so I want you to relax and experience. Don't tense, and I think you'll enjoy it."

  Closing her eyes, Pam whispered, "I'm still scared."

  He drew her against the hard plane of his stomach. "I've got you, kitten. You're safe and loved. So close your eyes and trust me to know how to bring you fulfillment."

  Inhaling deeply, Pam relaxed as Rob began her spanking. When the sting built into an itch, she started to squirm.

  "Steady," he cautioned.

  "I need you to—"

  "Part your legs for me."

  Pam instantly obeyed and drew in a quick breath when his fingers slid into her while his thumb pressed the small nub of flesh that throbbed for attention.

  She arched her back. "Ooh. Yes."

  "This is mine," he growled, increasing the pressure.

  "Ah. Oh God, I'm going to come."

  "Go ahead and shatter for me, little one. You're secure in my arms, and I won't let you go."

  Rob continued to do sinfully erotic things to her as Pam climbed higher and higher until she bucked against his hand and let out a soft cry with her release.

  He immediately slowed and softened his touch but remained inside her until her body grew limp. When she sighed, he murmured, "Good girl. Now, I'm going to ask you to do something I expect you will find difficult."

  Though uncertain whether she could even move, Pam doubted she'd resist anything he wanted her to do at that moment. "What is it?"

  "I want you to stand before the fireplace while I take a few snapshots of you."

  Swamped by a sudden wave of uncertainty, Pam leaned up on one elbow and asked, "Naked?" At his nod, she added, "Why?"

  "Because I think you're one of the most beautiful women in the world, and I want to capture the moment in a picture I'll place in your notebook. Will you let me do that?"

  "I'd rather you destroyed the notebook."

  "It's part of your history, Pam. Despite its unpleasantness, the experience helped mold you into the woman you are today. Why would I want to destroy that?"

  "Because it's ugly."

  He drew her up so she knelt beside him on the couch.

  "Just so we're clear, I consider those words punishable."

  "You can't punish me for the truth, Rob, unless you expect me to live a lie."

  Sighing, he picked her up like she weighed no more than a doll and set her on his lap. "Not a lie, kitten, but an altered sense of reality. I want you to see yourself the way I see you, and I don't find anything about you, including your past, ugly. If I need to stress that point on your backside, I will, but I would prefer you accept what I say is true."

  Pam stared down at her clenched hands. "I'm not sure I can."

  "Look at me."

  The way he spoke those three words sent a small thrill coursing down Pam's spine. When she obeyed him, his coffee brown eyes and unsmiling visage regarded her with earnest intent. "You are beautiful to me, Pam. Repeat after me, 'I am beautiful to Rob.'"

  Blushing, she looked down again, but a firm finger under her chin didn't allow even
that small evasion.

  "No. I want you to keep your gaze fixed on my face and repeat the words I gave you. "

  Though he spoke softly, his tone contained a steely firmness that refused to be denied. So, she did exactly as he asked. "I am beautiful to Rob."

  His hand released her chin to travel down her back in a gentle, reassuring stroke. "Good. Keep your eyes on me and say it again. This time with a little more conviction."

  Pam took a deep breath then echoed, "I am beautiful to Rob."

  He nodded. "Better. Again."

  "I am beautiful to Rob."

  After she repeated the sentence ten more times, he asked, "Are you starting to believe it, yet?"

  As she stared at him, Pam came to accept every word he made her say. Though she couldn't fathom why, he did find her beautiful. "Yes," she whispered.

  "Thank you. Now, will you let me take your photo?"

  Nodding, because she did want to please him, Pam let Rob pose her until she stood facing him with her arms at her side, while he snapped a picture with his phone.

  "You're not going to post these anywhere, are you?" she asked when he turned her for a side view.

  His fingers tightened on her waist. "No one else will ever see you like this. I am a possessive man, and you are mine. Understand?" he asked with a soft growl.

  "Yes, sir."

  "Good." Stepping back, he took another picture and rotated her again until he had photographed her front, back, and sides. "Perfect. The next one I'll want to take will be when you're pregnant with my child."

  Pam gasped as she whirled to face him. "What?"

  Drawing her into his arms, he gave her a quick hug and tilted her chin up until their gazes met. "I'm saying, dear heart, that since I intend to lead you down a path of sex and debauchery, the least I can do is make an honest woman out of you."

  When Pam's jaw dropped, he took advantage by swooping in for a kiss.

  "Are you asking me to marry you?" she queried when he let her talk again.

  "Well, I'd say I'm more telling than asking at the moment, but that is the general idea, yes." Then drawing her close, he picked her up so her legs wrapped around his hips.

  "That's not funny."

  "No?" He asked, though his expression indicated he wasn't joking.

  "No. You can't be serious."

  "Why not?" Though the question sounded reasonable, the notion was absurd.

  "We hardly know each other."

  He cupped his hands beneath her bottom. "Interesting. So, you would go to bed with a man you hardly knew?"

  Pam wanted to growl at him. "No. Of course not."

  "And yet, we're headed into your bedroom, are we not?"

  Yeah, okay. She was eager to make love with him, but reluctant to wed him, which made a whole lot of sense if she was promiscuous or crazy.

  "Any other objections?"

  Pam had thought this moment would be much more romantic than her boss adding an item on her to do list. "Perhaps. What if I don't want to marry you?"

  "Then I shall have to change your mind."

  "How?" she inquired, her brows raised as she ran her fingers through his dark, thick hair

  "That's for me to know, and you to find out." Tightening his grip, he murmured, "But I'd say that's enough talk. The only things I want to come out of your mouth are your sensuous moans when I bury myself deep inside you. I ache for you, Pam, and have been in an uncomfortable state of arousal since the day you showed up in my office." After lightly nipping her collarbone, he claimed her lips again until she grew so weak, she started to slip.

  "Oh, no you don't," he objected, holding her in position as he carried her into her bedroom.

  Rob gently laid Pam down on her bed and stripped off his clothes in record time. Her eyes wide, she watched as he slid up from the end of the bed to settle between her legs. Realizing what he intended, she grabbed his hair.

  "Wait. Before we get too far, I need to tell you something."

  "You're talking," he pointed out unnecessarily.

  "I know, but this is a big step, and I don't want you to be disappointed."

  Sitting back on his heels, he glared at her. "What would make you think I could ever be disappointed?"

  "My lack of experience."

  "I know you're a virgin, Pam. I've seen your medical records, remember?"

  "Oh."

  "Besides, I can categorically state that nothing you do in bed will ever disappoint me." Once those words left his lips, he leaned forward to fix their focus on the tiny bit of throbbing flesh that begged for attention.

  Pam arched her back, unaware that a man's mouth could dispense such intimate pleasure. His tongue teased and tormented until she thought she might burst into a million brilliant pieces. With her back bowed, fingers clutching, and thighs trembling, she shattered once again as her orgasm took her places she had never been before.

  Before she recovered, he pressed into her slick passage. Despite being more than prepared for him mentally, her untried channel resisted the intrusion as it clamped down to prevent him entrance. Moaning at the discomfort, Pam clenched her jaw tight and thrust her hips forward in an effort to force her body to accept him.

  "Shh. Easy, kitten. We'll get there, eventually, so don't try to rush things you're not quite ready for, yet."

  "But—"

  Towering above her, he held perfectly still as he gazed down. "No, Pam. I'm the one with experience here, so I suggest you follow my instructions, or I'll secure you in a way that will give you no choice."

  She blinked, unsure if the idea of being restrained by him frightened or intrigued her. "You would?" she asked, more than a little uncertainly.

  "I would." With those two words, Pam's body unclenched and he eased in until he reached the thin barrier of tissue that blocked his way. "Good girl," he murmured as he withdrew a bit. "I love the way your body grips mine as though it never wants to let go. You're perfect, Pam."

  He gave a sharp thrust that had Pam gasping in pain, but then he stopped moving.

  "You belong to me. And as much as I'd like you to experience everything life has to offer, I am far too possessive to allow any other man the privileges you grant me." He slipped his fingers between them to massage her clit. "This warm, lovely pussy belongs to me and me alone. Even you need permission to stroke it."

  "You are awfully domineering, aren't you?"

  "I protect what I consider mine, and I believe we've already established you're mine."

  Though a part of Pam suspected she should be insulted by his archaic attitude, her body tingled in response to his claim. She wanted him, and only him. She loved this man more than mere words could convey as he took her on a journey to revisit the stars.

  * * *

  Pam lay snuggled in Rob's embrace, while her thoughts remained wrapped in a haze of post coital bliss, and couldn't imagine ever wanting to be anyplace else.

  She trailed her fingers through the fine hair covering his arms with a sign of utter contentment. "I love being held by you," she murmured.

  "And I love holding you, so we're evenly matched in that regard."

  Turning her head, she gazed at him. "So, what happens now, with us?"

  "Us?" he inquired with a raised eyebrow.

  She sighed. "All right, me, then. Where do I go next?"

  "You're coming back home, where you belong, and where you should be at this moment," he answered, giving her bottom a light smack.

  Not ready to debate over whether she had a right to leave or not, she asked, "And?"

  "You'll move into my room, so I can keep a closer guard on you."

  "That sounds ominous. You keep your leash pretty short as it is."

  "Clearly, not short enough or we would be in my bed. Not yours."

  She gave the hairs on his arm a playful tug. "No. You'd still be at your meeting, and I'd be wondering why you had pictures of me kept in your playroom, but that's not what I meant," she added quickly, cutting off any arguments he might offer
in retaliation for her snooping.

  His arms tightened their hold around her. "So, what is it you want to know?"

  "Will I go back to work for you?

  Pulling away to frown at her, he asked, "Is that what you want?"

  She shrugged. "It's why you hired me."

  "No. My reasons for hiring you were to bring you under my guard. You needed a keeper."

  "Thanks a lot."

  "Well, you did. Aren't you happier now?"

  "Yes, but I also want to be useful to you, not just your sex toy."

  He chuckled. "There go all my fantasies, poof, like a wisp of smoke."

  This time she gave his chest hair a firm tug.

  "Watch it, kitten," he warned. "I can play rough, too."

  "Answer my question, please."

  He focused a considering gaze on her for a moment before he turned on his back and tucked her in close to his side. "Well, I will admit you are a much better assistant than Kathy ever could be."

  "Thanks," she murmured, less than thrilled with his assessment.

  "Do you really have no concept as to how much I value your assistance?"

  Pam gave another lift to her shoulders. "You aren't very forthcoming with your compliments."

  "No, I guess I'm a little stingy in that regard, but I was totally serious when I complimented you for the way you handled Adam last week, and he hasn't stopped singing your praises since."

  When Pam remained silent, Rob turned to face her. "Pam, you have an uncanny talent for this work. You were able to find something that we missed after going through that file multiple times. You possess an insight into this business that is rare indeed. And, you are much more attuned to my needs, both personally and professionally, than any other assistant I've ever had. Does that help answer your question as to whether I want you to work for me?"

  Though a part of Pam wanted to hop up and down on the bed with joy, she gave a small snort instead. "Thank you for that evaluation, but I really don't see how you're qualified to judge."

  He frowned. "Why? What do you mean?"

  She whorled a few hairs on his chest around her finger. "How can you ascertain my abilities from those few and far between times you actually allowed me to work rather than put me through the Peterson makeover agenda?"