The Alexandra Series

by Lizbeth Dusseau

  ***

  All Jocelyn could think about on the way to London was the trip to Germany, and the trip home from Germany, and the dinner with Will and Alex, and the Saturday night before she left…and every other moment she’d spent with the man she loved.

  Did it matter that he hadn’t said I love you? Did it matter that this relationship was an emotional rollercoaster ride? Did it matter that she was often out of control and vulnerable to the whims of a man that remained a mystery to her? She liked adventure, and mystery, and high drama. But what would it be like with him if it was forever? Could they live with that kind of intensity? And why was she even considering forever, he’d made no suggestions that he thought of anything beyond the present moment.

  And of course, there was that dreadful word, submissive.

  Reggie was likely right from the start. She was no sexual submissive. She loved to submit sexually, but there was a big difference. An attitude mostly. She’d seen it in Alexandra Kozak. There was a quality in the woman that required relinquishing everything, which seemed so right for her, even if she still fought it. Submissive was a state of being Jocelyn wasn’t sure she understood. To her, submitting to Reggie meant wild sexual theatre and kinky fun, and the hottest sex she’d ever had. But he’d have a hell of a time if he thought he’d ever ‘train’ her.

  And if he was right, if he knew she wasn’t submissive, why the hell was he going into their relationship with such passion?

  The plane landed on foreign soil where she’d make her home for three weeks. She hoped before the trip was over that she’d have a few things figured out.

  Chapter Nine

  “Miss Crandall, is it?” Reggie said, eyeing a young blonde woman seated in front of him. She couldn’t have been more than twenty two, fresh out of college, looking to nab the secretarial assistant opening. How like Alexandra, and a dozen other young things that had paraded through his life. Delicate, creative, industrious, and no doubt submissive. There was that same old thrill charging through his body eyeing such a creature.

  “Yes, sir,” Shelby Crandall replied.

  She was sitting on the edge of her chair, trying to hide her nervousness, but her hands were already sweating. She’d already been approved by Dwight and this was her final interview. It would be the most difficult for her; but for Reggie it was just a formality.

  “I’m not an easy man to work for, Miss Crandall. I’m told I’m rude and cold. In fact, I’ve been recently warned by a high priced efficiency consultant to lighten my autocratic tendencies in running this company. I’m afraid, I only make cursory efforts in that regard, much to my consultant’s disapproval. You’ll have to be willing to put up with my temperament.”

  “Funny you should say that. I rather thrive in that kind of temperament,” Shelby Crandall replied, cocking her head sweetly.

  “Really?” He’d have to tell Jocelyn that there were people that responded favorably to ‘rude and autocratic bosses,’” he smiled to himself.

  “And sir, I would consider working for this company a major step forward in my business career. You’re company is so well respected.”

  “It’s a plum of a job,” he agreed. “And it’ll be difficult to get up to speed, but I’ll demand that. I don’t have ‘training’ periods. You’ll be expected to perform from day one.”

  “I’ll give it my very best, sir,” she replied.

  “Well, I think that’s all I need,” Reggie said. “You can go now.” He started to attend to some papers on his desk while the young woman rose from her chair and moved toward the door.

  “Mr. Harold,” she turned back, interrupting her dismissal. “I…uh…”

  “You have something to say?” He looked so annoyed with her, she wondered if she should speak. “If there’s something else, Miss Crandall, please speak.”

  “Yes sir, I…uh, well I’ve been…it’s been mentioned to me that your autocratic methods extend to certain disciplinary practices with some female employees?” She looked at him for confirmation. Her knees were trembling more than ever.

  “You heard that, where?” Reggie asked.

  “Her name was Margo…” she answered.

  “I remember her,” Reggie replied. Another blonde – though they weren’t all blondes. Margo was a tiny little thing who liked to be tied up and spanked. The tying up was very important. He remembered mostly the time he’d caned her. She was practically orgasmic before it was over. “Margo suggested what?” Reggie asked the trembling young woman.

  Shelby Crandall wasn’t sure it wouldn’t be better just to flee, but she’d already gone this far, how could she retreat?

  “I have certain submissive tendencies that require certain treatment,” she explained.

  “What kind of treatment is that?” he asked.

  “Sir. This is hard to say.” She was starting to falter.

  “Let’s have it all since you’ve chosen to begin this line of conversation.”

  “I have a need for good discipline, for my bottom to be spanked or paddled or…” She hesitated to go on.

  “I’ve given up those practices,” Reggie informed her. “These are more dangerous times to be taking liberties with females in a company like this.”

  “Even willing females?” she asked.

  “I’ll keep the thought in mind,” he said, briskly trying to return to his work.

  “I am quite serious, sir,” she made her final comment.

  “Unless you want me to flog you right now, I’d suggest that you better get that pretty ass out of this office.”

  “Yes sir,” she replied. She considered the conversation a positive sign, even if Mr. Harold was noncommittal.

  ***

  Three days later, the nervous Shelby Crandall was in his office again. This time she was standing in front of him with the remains of a report in her hand. Reggie had gone over it with a cursory eye, marking it with the bold stripes of a red pen. He handed the document back to her.

  “I’m sorry, sir,” she said, meekly. This her first task for him, and she’d failed miserably. She was too scared to ask questions of him, and that was her undoing. Her guessing was all wrong.

  “It’s poor first try,” he said. “Have the corrected file on my desk by five.”

  “Yes, sir, I will.” She left hastily.

  It was seven o’clock before the file finally appeared in front of Reggie. Though the report was perfect this time, he was annoyed by the delay.

  “Miss Crandall, I hope your future work will be accomplished a little more efficiently,” he said.

  “I’m sure it will be. I was just…”

  “Excuses aren’t necessary. Top quality work is. You may go.”

  Reggie could almost see the thrill of delight run though the young woman as he made his stern rebuke. He smiled to himself, thinking how easy it was with the right woman. Jocelyn, good god! She was a bother, but the damnedest bother he’d ever known. She’d never in a million years be like Shelby, or Alexandra or Margo, or any of the others. Finding even the thought of her refreshing, he took a few minutes to think about her, wondering what time it was in London.

  Shelby Crandall was in his office several days later, along with Dwight and her immediate supervisor. It was a grim conference. Two days late on important company deadlines was something Reggie did not abide.

  “There have been some good reports coming in on your new assistant,” Reggie observed, trying to soften the message that would follow. Jocelyn would be proud of his effort. “But,” he continued, “we seem to have a problem with Shelby’s accuracy. Let’s handle it.”

  It was just that simple, the meeting was over.

  “Miss Crandall,” Reggie called to the woman, as she was on her way out. She was the last to leave. “One more thing.”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Close the door,” he directed.

  Shelby closed the door and moved back toward Reggie’s desk.

  “If you are deliberately trying to rouse my passions fo
r discipline again, I think you should be careful. I have given it up. The last secretary I had didn’t believe me, and I fired her when her work started to suffer. She challenged me and lost the game. Do you understand?”

  “Yes sir,” she replied.

  There was a sad look on the girl’s face, almost despondent. At least it furnished Reggie with the answer he was looking for. The mistakes in her work were so contrived, it was obvious what she was looking for.

  “I hate being manipulated.”

  “Honestly sir…” she started to defend herself.

  “That will be enough,” he interrupted whatever whining explanation she had and waved her off.

  Several days of perfect work from his new assistant pointed to the young woman’s ready reform. He actually enjoyed Shelby’s youthful body gracing the executive offices of the company. Since Jocelyn had left, there hadn’t been anyone quite as charming or arousing. She certainly couldn’t hold a candle to his lover, but she was a pleasant diversion, including her well rounded bottom, that no doubt would take a good deal of deserved punishment.

  After the first unfortunate forays, Shelby Crandall seemed to be working out well. However, an early morning executive staff meeting gone awry changed all that.

  Intended to start at eight o’clock sharp, the young assistant was nowhere to be found. The rest of the staff waited for a half hour, but when she didn’t arrive, they went on without her. Unfortunately, since half the meeting concerned Miss Crandall’s reports, there was little point to the gathering. Ten minutes of quick discussion and Reggie dismissed the rest of his staff.

  At nine o’clock, Shelby Crandall finally dashed from the elevator and moved rapidly toward her office. She was flustered and about ready to spit out her bevy of explanations when she saw Mr. Harold in a discussion with his secretary.

  Shelby waited impatiently, but instead of acknowledging her, Reggie picked up his brief case. “I don’t have time now,” he said, as he brushed past the young woman on his way to the elevator. “We’ll be talking about this when I return,” he said grimly. He disappeared from sight before she could speak again.

  When Reggie returned to the building, he immediately called the new assistant into his office.

  “Miss Crandall, you have an explanation for this morning? And please, I want the short version.”

  She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry sir, I overslept. I think my alarm clock broke but I’m not sure. I wasn’t aware of it until I turned on the radio.”

  “You overslept!” he looked at her in disbelief.

  “Yes sir.”

  “That is the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard.”

  “But it’s true.”

  “And no call to the office?”

  “I was in too much of a hurry, I knew how important this meeting was. But, I guess there’s really no adequate excuse.”

  “No, I think not. You’re not being at the meeting changed this entire day, you have no idea the impact.”

  “So, I suppose you’re firing me?” she asked. Certainly this had to be the last straw. The beginnings of her career were having a less than sterling impact on the company.

  “No, I’m not,” Reggie replied.

  “No?” She looked surprised.

  “Miss Crandall, it takes too damn much time to hire someone who’s supposed to be as intelligent and efficient as you. I’m a practical man, and a fair one. I simply can’t afford to fire you.”

  “Oh, sir, thank you. I promise, this will never happen again.”

  He eyed her with a fixed look that made her shiver instantly.

  “This blunder of yours however, will not be ignored. Since you made such a point of telling me of your inclinations for discipline, I’ll give you a treat. Though I doubt you’ll want a repeat performance. At least let’s hope not.”

  The young woman’s eyes were wide with wonder. Thrill and fear were dashing through her slight frame in the same instant. Her knees were suddenly weak, and for the most inexplicable reason, her bottom was already burning and her boss had not yet laid a hand on her. Shelby had spent many a night rehearsing just such a moment in her mind, allowing the idea of the handsome Mr. Harold spanking her bottom to excite her beyond belief. When he informed her that it would not happen, that only doubled her desire. She had visions of making the man so angry that he’d finally break down and do the act. Apparently she’d done just that.

  But now, as much as she’d fantasized about this happening, facing a real punishment was appalling. She’d never had a full-fledged punishment. Lots of playful spankings with one boyfriend. And while this was straight out of her fondest fantasies, the reality was far more suspenseful and scary than she ever imagined.

  She watched intently as Reggie moved to his desk and opened a bottom drawer. When he rose, she saw the leather spanker in his hand. A lightning bolt of alarm darted through her body.

  When he approached, his stance was firm, his eyes cold and his expression grim. With his jaw set tight, and his imposing stance, all that remarkable dominant male presence made her quake to her very core.

  “Are you wearing underwear?” he asked.

  “Yes sir.”

  “Remove it.”

  She blushed immediately, but knew to comply. Lifting her skirt, she managed to pull away the panties from her hips with a quick tug, removing them without revealing too much of her private parts. She wasn’t sure if modesty really mattered, considering the fact he’d be baring her behind in a few minutes anyway.

  With that task accomplished, her little white panties just a tiny spot on the floor, she looked up at him meekly.

  “Bend over the desk,” he instructed.

  It was the last she saw of his face and the spanker until the punishment was over. She closed her eyes tightly, too afraid to even look. Everything else that followed was straight from her daydreams.

  Shelby felt his hands lifting her skirt. She felt the air on her bare skin, wondering all the while what he was thinking. Did he admire the shape of her bottom? Did this arouse him the way it was arousing her, the way the men in the spanking stories she read were aroused by the sight of a naked bottom? Did he have other designs for her, the same designs she had for him? She had the most exhilarating feeling of delight rushing through her. She almost smiled, she was so happy…

  At least until the first smack hit. That first fierce blow jolted Shelby so much she was practically knocked from her feet.

  “Oh, my god!” she shrieked.

  The first smack was followed by an untold number of others, one right after the other. The burn, the sting, the heat, the pain…it was far more intense than her fantasies told.

  “Oh, I can’t stand this!” she wailed, hoping he’d hear her woe and end it. But that wasn’t the plan. Mr. Harold was clearly in charge.

  No matter how much she wiggled and wailed and jumped up and down, he kept up the spanking.

  “Settle yourself, Miss Crandall, or this might go on forever,” he warned.

  She gritted her teeth and tried to stop her dancing feet, but each new smack leveled on her bottom just made the whole horrible thing worse.

  “Please no, please stop!” she cried over and over again.

  After what seemed like a hour, though it was really only a couple minutes, Reggie slowed the pace, though he laid especially hard biting smacks on the center of her bottom, one right on top of another.

  “Oh, god, please stop!” she wailed, and she slumped down so he couldn’t level the next smack on her burning behind.

  “I’m sorry, I’m really sorry,” she cried. “But please.”

  Reggie stood back waiting.

  Shelby worried that he wanted to begin again, but when she looked up at his placid face, she sensed he was finished, too. Gingerly rising to her feet, she faced her boss with a bowed head, admonished, embarrassed and thoroughly overcome.

  “I suppose you’ll be more careful of your job performance. I hope the desire for spanking has finally been realized, and you
won’t be manipulating another confrontation. You got just the basics today. Anything further would be much more harsh. I’ve used a cane liberally in the past. But then, I’d like to give up this kind of theatre, Miss Crandall. My charity will not extend to another foolhardy escapade like the one this morning. Is that clear?” he asked.

  “Absolutely, sir,” she replied.

  “You may go now,” he said.

  Shelby wasted no time getting to the door, but the minute she was there, she heard Reggie’s voice call her back.

  “Miss Crandall,” he said.

  “Sir,” she whipped around looking at his face. It hadn’t changed.

  “Your panties?’

  “Oh, yes sir,” she said, blushing. She quickly retrieved the fallen garment and made a hasty exit.

  Leaving his office, Shelby tried not to be noticed. And to her surprise, the atmosphere outside Mr. Harold’s office was perfectly normal. Not one sidelong glance, not one stare or snicker.

  “His office must be soundproof,” she thought to herself.

  As she scooted off toward the restroom to repair herself, she knew that this had been the very worst thing that had ever happened to her, and yet, there was the most awesome feeling of warmth and lust racing through her. She could have masturbated on the spot… if she’d had the time. She blushed to herself thinking how wicked it all was. Her fantasies would now be all the more inflamed by the stimulating moments with Mr. Harold and his leather spanker.

  Chapter Ten

  Reggie stood on the edge of the hot tub looking down at the bubbling hot water.

  “You coming in?” Will looked up at him and asked.

  “Yeah, for a while. I should be getting back.”

  “Back to what?”

  “I have some work at the office,” he explained, settling in across from his friend. He’d had a hellacious work out so he was aching all over, that good kind of ache after strenuous exercise. It had been good therapy for a day too filled with too many reminders to suit him.