His Domain

by Ashe Barker, Katy Swann, Rosalie Stanton, Lucy Felthouse, Anarie Brady, Rose C. Carole

  Other Responsibilities may also include but are not limited to the following upon the request of your employer or if the need arises—

  The purchase of new linens and towels

  Arranging for professional carpet cleaning

  Personal shopping services

  Polishing of silver and dinner services

  In return for the above services, Mr. Vanderson will provide five uniforms to be worn at all times while on duty, all cleaning supplies—maid will provide a list of what is needed every Friday and the materials will be available every Monday morning—a personal suite, three meals a day along with healthy snacks, tea, water, coffee or lemonade as desired by the maid. He will also provide medical insurance coverage for the maid while under his employ. He will pay for a cell phone, car and car insurance.

  Should the maid fail in any of her duties, the two will have a meeting to discuss the issue and come to an amiable agreement. Mr. Vanderson has the right to correct the maid’s conduct, decorum, dress or work habits in order to help her meet his expectations. The maid has the right to refuse such correction and will then immediately leave the premises with two weeks’ salary.

  The maid will at all times refer to her employer as Mr. Vanderson or sir and he, in turn, will refer to her as Miss Insert First Name or some other respectable term. Should Miss ____ disagree with a particular form of the address, Mr. Vanderson will refrain from the use of such term once he is made aware of the situation.

  The maid will never, unless under a direct order, go to the third floor.

  Miss _____ will have a weekly meeting with Mr. Vanderson every Tuesday afternoon at three in the library to discuss the week’s schedule and other new and old business as needed.

  Closing the book, Alice couldn’t deny the reasonableness of her new employer but wondered about the consequences of disappointing him. She also couldn’t help but wonder what was so special about the third floor. A sudden image of poor Mr. Rochester’s demented wife flashed in her mind and she giggled, then shook her head to rid herself of the image. Hearing a quiet knock on her door, she opened it to discover a lovely young woman wearing a similar uniform to hers, holding a covered tray.

  “Here’s your dinner, Miss Alice. Shall I set it down in your parlor?”

  “Yes, that would be lovely, er…”

  “Miss Sally. I’m the assistant cook and help out as a maid if needed so we’ll be together often in our duties. Now, I hope you enjoy your dinner, but before I go, can I answer any questions?”

  “Oh my. I have so many, but the main one is, are you happy working here?” Alice asked anxiously.

  Sally’s face split into a wide smile and she answered, “Yes, miss. I’m very happy. Mr. Vanderson has high standards and doesn’t shirk on reprimanding us if we step out of line, but he’s fair and reasonable.”

  Alice bit her lip and asked, “What do you mean ‘reprimanding’?”

  “Well, miss, that’s something for you and Mr. Vanderson to decide. Our reprimands are not what one would normally expect, and Sir frowns on the staff discussing it with others. He says that he values our privacy and expects us to value his. Makes sense when you think about it. Well, if that’s all, I’ll bid you good night,” Sally answered quickly. Before shutting the door, though, she grinned and added, “But I wouldn’t worry about that too much. Mr. Vanderson will never do anything you object to, and he might just surprise you a bit.”

  Her mind full of questions, Alice looked over her manual again while she ate her dinner of grilled chicken, a light salad and glazed carrots. When she finished the deliciously simple meal, she placed the tray outside her door and prepared a bath for herself. According to the manual, she needed to be in the kitchen for breakfast no later than six a.m., so she thought she’d have an early night.

  Chapter Two

  “Miss Alice, do you have questions?”

  Alice stood in front of Mr. Vanderson’s desk in the library. She had risen at five that morning, dressed in her uniform, gone to the kitchen for breakfast and attended to the duties listed for the master bedroom and bathroom. It was now eight a.m. and she was feeling pretty confident about her new job.

  “I do, sir.”

  He waited.

  “Well, first of all, who will be my direct supervisor?”

  “I will.”

  This surprised her. She had assumed it would be the butler, Mr. Grey, whom she had met at breakfast that morning. Mr. Grey certainly matched his name. He wore charcoal slacks, a dark gray dress shirt, a dark tie and charcoal vest. His hair, the color of well-polished steel, was cut very close to his head. He stood very straight, used very proper English and spoke very little. Miss Sally had warned Alice that when he did speak, it was wise to listen and obey. Mr. Grey did not believe in idleness.

  “And has my work been satisfactory so far this morning?”

  “The work has, yes.”

  Frowning a bit at his answer, Alice continued, “The manual mentioned possible reprimands for work not meeting your satisfaction. I’d like more details on that, sir.”

  He smiled. “Yes, I assumed you would. First of all, you could be reprimanded for not only your work, but also for your decorum and dress.”

  “I see.”

  “No, I don’t think you do. For example, you neglected to use the word ‘sir’ or ‘Mr. Vanderson’ just now. That would normally warrant a reprimand, but since this is still your training week, you are forgiven.”

  Alice’s eyes widened as she began to understand just how formal and strict Mr. Vanderson intended to be.

  “Yes, sir. I understand. May I ask if I have made any other infractions?”

  “Certainly, Miss Alice.” He stood and walked around her. Slowly.

  “Lift your dress, please,” he stated.

  She jumped, startled, and asked, “Why, sir?”

  He laughed a bit and said, “I’m happy to hear the title added and the respectful tone. I shall expect you to ask any question at all, Miss Alice, but always in such a manner. To answer, you were instructed to wear your uniform, which you have. However, you were not instructed to wear any other garments, and I see an outline of both bra and panties. Now, please do as I asked and lift your dress.”

  Alice gulped. Did she really want to do this? She knew she could walk away, after all. Then she thought about the conversations she’d had with the assistant cook both last night and this morning. Miss Sally too wore a uniform—sans panty lines, she now realized—and seemed quite happy, not mistreated at all. Besides, Alice couldn’t deny her curiosity about Mr. Vanderson. He was young, but certainly old enough to know his own mind. From the Internet articles she’d read about him, he was thirty-eight years old and had inherited some wealth. However, as a world-famous jeweler, he had more than tripled his initial inheritance. Top movie stars, world leaders and royalty all commissioned one-of-a-kind pieces from him. Further, he was a large contributor to charities that catered to abandoned and abused animals, as well as many education programs. Putting all of his good works aside, his blond hair was well-trimmed but long enough to hang over his blue eyes when he looked down, and his pale skin, square jaw and broad shoulders shouted power and pure masculine beauty. His low voice, while quiet, demanded respect. But it was his hands that Alice found most fascinating. Long, slender fingers that belied the strength and control necessary to create the beautiful works of art his mind envisioned. Suddenly Alice realized she very much wanted to please this man.

  Slowly, she lifted the skirt of her dress to her thin waist, until the white cotton panties were fully exposed.

  “I see. This is certainly cause for a reprimand, Miss Alice. Are you prepared to accept the consequences for your actions?”

  “Might I ask why you object to underclothing, sir?”

  “Another fair question. I object because I’m an artist at heart, Miss Alice, and the line that shows through with underclothing offends my artistic senses. I also request the men follow the same rule, just in case you were w
ondering if I’m a sexist pig. If an employee simply must wear underpants, I insist on a thong style for both men and women.”

  Alice blushed. She had indeed been thinking that he was a pervert, only wanting a woman to be bare for sexual availability. However, she could appreciate his reasoning, odd though it may be. Now knowing the reason for the rule, she removed the offending garment, walked to the trash can and deposited the scrap of cotton into it.

  “Mr. Vanderson, I’d like to begin as we plan to go on. When you excuse me from this room, I promise you I will go directly to my room and remove the bra, since I’m sure you do not approve of that either. As it happens, I have very little need of one other than for convention’s sake. I’d remove it now, but that would involve removing my entire uniform, and I’m simply not comfortable with that quite yet. I want you to know I appreciate this week-long trial, but I’d prefer to know exactly what a reprimand will be since I have no doubt that I will make other mistakes in the future,” she stated, her voice shaking a bit toward the end.

  He stared at her for a moment, then nodded.

  “Very well, Miss Alice. I must say your spirit pleases me greatly, as does your common sense. It is good to know exactly what one has agreed to before committing.”

  He sat back on his chair and pushed it away from the desk.

  “If you will place yourself over my lap and keep your dress up, Miss Alice, I will demonstrate a light reprimand. Generally, I employ corporal punishment unless the employee has a strong objection to it. If at any time you feel uncomfortable in any way and wish me to stop, simply say ‘red’. The reprimand will stop immediately, we will discuss our options and either continue with the reprimand, revise it, or you are free to leave with a full two weeks’ salary and a glowing recommendation.”

  Alice gulped, waited just a moment, then did as he said. In for a penny, in for a pound, right? Besides, the very thought of lying over this man’s thighs made her insides tingle. Alice had always been intrigued by the idea of a strong, dominant man. In truth, the lack of finding one had contributed greatly to her status as a single woman. She’d dreamed of submitting to a man who was unafraid to set and enforce expectations.

  Alice took a deep breath, closed her eyes and mentally prepared herself. Nonetheless, when Mr. Vanderson’s firm hand came crashing down on her soft flesh, the air wooshed out of her lungs and she yelped. Yes, it hurt, but a different type of heat had been sparked. A tiny lick of fire seemed to burn inside her very soul. As Mr. Vanderson continued to spank her now-tender bottom, Alice’s mind began to float to a different plane of existence. Nonetheless, after what could have been no more than two minutes, Alice was squirming and kicking. Mr. Vanderson held her tightly in place with one arm around her waist while he continued to spank her. Suddenly, there were too many sensations for her to comprehend, and she began to cry quietly. What surprised her even more was that her insides were not just tingling, they were damn near on fire! She’d always fantasized about receiving a spanking, but the reality of it far exceeded her imagination. Closing her eyes, she imagined herself kneeling before Mr. Vanderson, nude, her bottom as red as her face, his cock, which she could feel pressing against her stomach, before her. In her mind, she took him in her mouth, cradling his balls, sucking his length until she gagged. Alice moaned, mortified that she could smell her own excitement. Despite the burning heat on her skin, she was on the verge of orgasm.

  Mr. Vanderson must have sensed her shifting mood because a moment later he gently rubbed her throbbing bottom and turned her over so that she was sitting on his lap. He held her hands and looked directly into her eyes.

  “I know that was uncomfortable for you, Miss Alice, but you need to know what to expect from any further misdemeanors. All of my employees expect the same treatment, and so you should have no shame if they hear you cry or even see the markings. No one in this house will think less of you. Is this clear?”

  Alice sniffed and answered, “Yes, Mr. Vanderson, quite clear.” But what would they think if I came sitting right here on the boss’ finely pressed trousers?

  “I couldn’t help but notice that the spanking also excited you.”

  Alice groaned and looked down.

  “No, no, Miss Alice. Don’t be ashamed. In fact, I insist that you never try to hide your feelings from me. As you could tell, I too was quite excited. Nonetheless, I want to assure you that I will never move upon those feelings without your express consent. Nor, if indeed we do have sex, would that have any effect on your position here.”

  Alice looked up at him and smiled slightly. “Thank you for saying that, Mr. Vanderson.”

  “You’re quite welcome, my dear. It would be ungentlemanly of me not to offer you some relief, but accept only if that is what you truly wish.”

  Alice bit her lip, thinking. She rubbed her thighs together, feeling the cream that coated them. Her pussy was swollen, needing attention. How long had it been since she’d had an orgasm?

  “I would appreciate that, sir,” she answered quietly.

  Without another word, Mr. Vanderson pressed his hand between her thighs, opening her legs wide. With his right arm, he supported Alice. She leaned against his hard chest, burying her face into the side of his neck. When he flicked her engorged clit, she jumped, every nerve in her body flaring to life. Slowly, he worked his way down her wet slit, rubbed her elongated nub with his thumb. He pressed first one, then two fingers inside her. Alice moaned and relaxed against him. He scissored his fingers, widening her. Alice felt her moisture running down her thighs and vaguely thought that she’d have to send his trousers to the cleaners. Then all thought left her. He’d found that magical spot buried deep inside her. He teased it, played it, pressed it, all the while keeping up that exquisite torture of her clit. Alice arched her back, caught her breath and slowly released it. She let go of the world around her and soared higher than she’d flown in years. Color exploded and she clung to him, her anchor as she drifted in a sea of joy.

  Reluctantly, she came back to earth, both shamed and proud of her quick orgasm.

  “There now,” Mr. Vanderson murmured quietly. “Better?”

  “Yes, sir,” she answered once she caught her breath. “Thank you, sir.”

  “And now do you wish to end our agreement and collect your two weeks’ salary?”

  For a moment she was confused by his question. Then she understood what he was really asking her. Had he crossed a line by touching her sexually?

  “Absolutely not, sir,” Alice answered without hesitation. She now had her breathing and her emotions under control. Carefully, she slid from his lap and smoothed her skirt. She stood proudly before him, suddenly more confident that she had been in years. “In fact, I rather prefer your form of reprimand rather than worrying over something I may or may not have done wrong.”

  Mr. Vanderson smiled. “Yes, Miss Alice, that is precisely the case. I do have unorthodox predilections, but great respect for my staff. So if I were to suggest something you were not comfortable with, you are welcome to give a counter-appeal with no fear of reprisal.”

  “I understand, sir. And thank you. Now, if it pleases you, I’d like to adjust my wardrobe to your specifications then carry on with my work.”

  “Of course. And Miss Alice…” he began.

  “Sir?”

  He cleared his throat, stood, then continued. “I want you to know that I do not make a habit of pleasuring my staff after a reprimand. In an effort to be totally forthcoming, I must admit that I am attracted to you on a very personal level. If this makes you at all uncomfortable, just say the word.”

  Alice looked him straight in the eye, smiled, nodded and left the room.

  * * * *

  The rest of the day went off without a hitch. By seven-thirty that evening, though, Alice was glad to be off her feet and relaxing in her own parlor, sipping a cup of hot mint tea. She had turned on the television but couldn’t find anything interesting to watch, so turned the volume down low and began writing i
n her journal.

  She’d begun this habit after Emmit was born, finding that writing her thoughts helped her keep organized and make sound decisions. As a young mother, desperate to provide for herself and her baby, she’d often been exhausted and stressed. She wasn’t sure what would have happened if Mrs. Simms hadn’t noticed her and Emmit trying to sneak into her basement one cold winter night. When she’d found out the plight of the new mother and baby, she’d immediately offered them the use of one of her spare rooms. Within a few weeks, Alice had kept house and cooked for Mrs. Simms in exchange for food and housing. Mrs. Simms, who had never married and had no family, had doted on Emmit, calling him the grandson she’d always wanted. Without the older woman’s help, Alice would never have been able to earn her GED, let alone an associate degree in horticulture. As it turned out, she made better money working as a maid than a florist, but she had no regrets regarding her degree. She put her knowledge of botanicals to good use in finding eco-friendly cleaning solutions. Sadly, the old woman had died two years earlier. She’d left Alice all of her worldly goods. After paying all of the bills and selling the house, Alice had had just enough left to purchase one car for both herself and Emmit to share. When a co-worker had told her about a job opening at the Vanderson estate, Alice had done her research and jumped at the opportunity. Emmit had protested her leaving the apartment, but Alice had wanted to give her son, who had just turned twenty, the opportunity to live on his own. Looking down at her favorite fountain pen, Alice came back to the present and began to write.

  February 24

  Well, today was certainly interesting. I’d been warned by Joyce, the woman who first told me about this job, that Mr. Vincent Vanderson was eccentric, and now I know what she meant. As an adult I never thought I’d be spanked, especially not as a reprimand for my job, and I honestly don’t know why I accepted it so easily. Something about Mr. Vanderson’s eyes, I think. There is kindness there, along with a certain sternness. It helps to see how comfortable and happy all the other employees are as well. Also, Mr. Vanderson has made it very clear that he is open to negotiations and will not force me or anyone to accept physical correction. I like having a choice. If I’m going to be honest with myself, I also have to admit I liked the spanking. Sure, it hurt at the time, but the burn quickly dissipated, and I was left with a very odd sensation. Rather than being humiliated by the whole thing, I was kind of turned on. Okay, that’s not true. I was VERY turned on. Hell, I thought I was going to come right there on Mr. Vanderson’s lap! Wouldn’t that have been embarrassing! Obviously, Mr. Vanderson noticed this and offered his assistance. Again, I thought I would absolutely die of embarrassment, but for some reason, it all just felt very right. My biggest regret is that I didn’t offer to relieve Mr. Vanderson of his sexual frustration! I feel a bit selfish for that. I can’t say that I’m looking forward to another spanking, but should one occur, I won’t hesitate to make him such an offer.