Punishing for Pleasure

by Avery Gale

  When Dex heard the shower shut off he returned to the enormous bathroom and grinned when Meri stepped out and shrieked, “Holy crapping carp, you scared the life out of me. How did you get in here? I locked the door. I always lock the door. I know I locked it. Geez, listen to me. I’m rambling. I really hate that, but it’s because you rattled me. You’re lucky I didn’t hit you with something. I’m like that when I get scared, I lash out and it’s awful. I really hate to be scared.”

  Realizing how badly he’d startled her, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I had no idea you would be so flustered. And yes, you did lock the door, but, love, that lock is really a joke. If you really want a lock on the door for the times we aren’t here, we’ll install one, but truthfully, that lock is just lame.” When he’d been in the bathroom earlier he’d noticed the panties she’d placed on top of the clothing he assumed she was planning to wear, and the lace and elastic scrap of nothing was now in his pocket. He knew she planned to go to her office for a few hours before they all went to the club, but he and Ash had other plans for her—and she certainly didn’t need panties for what they had setup for her out on the patio.

  *****

  Ash stepped into the bathroom in time to hear Dex’s words to Meri and wondered what had startled her so badly. But when he looked down at her naked form he lost all focus on the words she and Dex were speaking. Holy fucking hell! For several seconds he wasn’t even sure he was breathing. He didn’t think he’d ever seen the remnants of bruises that particular color. And to know that he and Dex were responsible almost made him physically ill. With a flash of insight, Ash wondered how much worse it had been after her punishment at the club the first night they met.

  The fact she’d managed to keep this a secret for the past few days was another issue they’d be discussing at length. But then he remembered that she had in fact mentioned being a “bit sore” and that was why they hadn’t pressed for sex. She had been in bed under the covers the past two nights when he’d come in from showering in another bathroom, but damn, this had been far more than a little sore. Sure, it was obvious the deep tissues bruises were healing, but he wondered how the marks had looked a day or two ago. The look on his face must have alerted Dex there was a problem because Ash heard him ask, “Sweetheart, Master Ash is standing behind you and looks like he is about to have a stroke. Want to tell me why or should I just check myself?”

  Ash heard her gasp just before she started struggling to step away from Dex, her arm waving frantically in the air trying to snag a towel from the nearby bar. Dex held tight, it was obvious Dex wasn’t planning to release her. “Stop.” By the time the word registered in Meri’s mind, Ash could tell she was nearing panic. Christ, does she think we’re going to add to her bruises? Even though Ash considered himself a sadist in BDSM play, he wasn’t about to injure the woman in his care. The only pain he gave a sub was that which had been agreed upon in advance. And they were definitely going to be renegotiating limits after what he was seeing.

  Dex slowly turned Meri until she was facing away from him and Ash saw her tear-filled eyes and Dex’s scowl. Ash heard her whisper, “It’s not that bad” at the same time he heard Dex’s low whistle.

  “Not that bad? Are you fucking kidding me? Compared to what? Jesus, I don’t even want to think about what this looked like a couple of days ago. And you didn’t consider this important information?” Ash heard the rising frustration in Dex’s voice and knew his friend well enough to see things were going to be FUBAR in seconds if he didn’t intercede. Dex rarely lost his temper, but when he did, it was a flash fire that scorched everything around him.

  “Pet, tell me what your ass looked like after your punishment the night we met.” Hell, the look on her face alone answered his question. God you gotta love a sub with such open and honest expressions. For just a moment he completely lost focus as he took in the incredible sight of her. She was stunning and as genuine as anyone he’d ever met. Whatever you saw reflected in her expression was the absolute truth with her. I’ll bet she is the worst poker player ever. He wasn’t completely sure how it would all play out, but he knew the woman standing in front of him had just rocked his entire world, and she hadn’t even really done a thing. But something in her eyes lit a fire in his soul he hadn’t even realized had been kindled—just waiting for a special woman to set aflame.

  “Well, to tell you the truth it looked pretty awful for a few days. I really hadn’t intended to, well, let anyone…umm, you know…”

  Dex knew he wasn’t going to like the way this story ended, but he wasn’t about to let it go either. “No, sweetheart, I’m afraid we don’t actually know so you are going to have to enlighten us. And let me remind you that editing is not allowed. Just spit it out. You won’t be punished for telling the truth.” That wouldn’t always be true, but it would be true that punishments for lying were always be exponentially more severe.

  They both watched as she seemed to consider her words and for once Ash was inclined to give her a few moments to gather her thoughts. He didn’t have the impression she was planning to lie, but he could almost feel the tension vibrating through her. Does she think we’ll stop now that we know how badly we’ve marked her? Just as he was about to ask her, she looked up at them both, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “My mom walked in on me while I was in the changing room at Chico’s and well, she sort of lost it.” Ash felt like he’d been gut punched. Not only had they failed her as Doms, now her mother was going to hate them forever. And if her family was anything like his own, her father had been informed as well. Fucking perfect.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Dex settled Meri on his lap in the club’s main lounge and smiled at the other Doms sitting in the small circle. Sam McCall had his wife, Jen, settled in a similar position—angled so he had access to her front and back with her legs draped over the outsides of his widespread knees. But Jen was naked and her arms were also bound behind her. Her clit and pretty pink nipples were all clamped and linked with a fine gold chain that Sam kept swirling around his finger and pulling in quick jolts as they talked. Personally, Dex didn’t know how much more the poor subbie was going to be able to take before she came without her Master’s permission, and he’d bet that was exactly what Sam was hoping for. Her breathy moans were increasing in intensity and a fine sheen of sweat glistened over her skin. “Pet, let me remind you that you do not have permission to come. Your other Master hasn’t arrived yet and you heard what he said.”

  Jen pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and nodded her head furiously. Sam looked around the group and chuckled, “Our sweet wife decided it was okay to be sassy with her other Master today on the phone. I’m sure she thought she was perfectly safe since he was working on a rescue on the other side of the globe.” He gave the chain a firm pull and smirked when Jen writhed on his lap. “What she didn’t know was he and the others had successfully delivered that sweet little girl back to her family and were already on their way home. So our sweet doll here wasn’t going to have time on her side for Sage to forget and forgive her transgression.”

  Carl Phillips was sitting next to Dex and as usual, his casual pose was a ruse. Anyone who had ever been on a mission with the man recognized the predator that lurked just under the surface. Carl had been one of the operatives who had gone to South America to rescue Jen and their bond of friendship had been solid ever since, despite her continuing comments about his wild driving. “Oh, sweet girl, you are in for it, aren’t you? I just can’t believe we went all the way to Bolivia to pull your pretty ass out of the fire only to have you put in on the line again.”

  His words and tsking sound seemed to pull Jen back from the edge and she leveled a look at him. “I have thanked Master Mario Petty for that rescue on several occasions and,” Jen’s sassy use of the nickname she’d given Carl—a combination of champion Formula1 racer Mario Andretti and NASCAR Hall of Famer, Richard Petty’s names had been a deliberate distraction.
Jen knew her husband well enough to know he’d paddle her ass for the comment and she was probably hoping it would pull her back from the edge—Dex doubted that was how it was going to play out and didn’t even try to hold back his chuckle. Just as Sam lifted Jen from his lap, his brother stepped up behind him and lifted her right into his arms.

  “Sweet cheeks, you are in a real pickle, you know that?” Dex watched as his friend’s eyes softened as he took in his wife’s startled expression and then squeal of delight when she realized who was holding her.

  “Yes, I know and I’m trying to feel remorseful…really I am…but I’m just so fredding glad you are here that I just don’t care. I don’t care if you spank me…I just want you to touch me. God I missed you so much. Master Sam doesn’t laugh at my jokes. He just looks at me like I’m a dork.”

  “Let’s go, I need to be inside of you and then we’re going to deal with your bratty behavior.” Sage turned and walked purposefully toward the private rooms. His long legs ate up the distance quickly. Dex looked at Sam who was shaking his head.

  “How am I ever going to train her properly when he does shit like that? Damn. And she’s right about the jokes, half the time I have no clue what they are giggling about. But I’m glad Sage has a playmate because, honest to God, I’ve never understood his sense of humor.”

  Dex felt Meri stiffen and gave her a soft squeeze, “Sweetness, if you have something to say to Master Sam, you have permission to do so…respectfully.” He wanted to laugh at her soft gasp of surprise, sometimes the woman was just too easy to read.

  She recovered quickly and nodded before turning her attention to Sam. “Master Sam, I’ve talked to Jen several times and she has wonderful things to say about both you and your brother.” She paused and seemed to be considering whether or not to continue before plunging ahead, “Well, I just thought it sounded as if you felt a bit left out because they share the same appreciation for silliness, and well, I didn’t want you to be unhappy.”

  Sam McCall looked at Meri for long seconds before finally speaking. “Meri, I didn’t mean to imply that at all. I’m confident in my relationship with Jen, my brother and I both bring very different things into her life. But…that being said, I want to thank you for being our friend and caring about how I felt. I rarely change my opinion about someone, but knowing you has reminded me why it’s important to not make snap judgments.” Dex rubbed his hand in soothing circles over Meri’s shoulders when he felt her go rigid at Sam’s words. He knew she hated the fact everyone’s first impression of her had been so horribly negative. Sam’s eyes softened and he shook his head, “I know that didn’t come out at all right. What I was trying to say is that I’m glad I’ve gotten to know the real woman and I’m also grateful my wife has you for a friend. Friends who are willing to take the risk you just took are rare and I’m glad you are in her life.” He stood and stretched, a sly smile curving his lips. “Now, I have a sub who needs a beating before my brother and I remind her what it feels like to have two cocks seeing to her pleasure.”

  “Even though I am flattered by the nickname, give your sweet subbie a couple of sound swats for me—I don’t want her getting too cheeky.” Carl Phillips’ grin softened his expression, but Dex knew there was something bothering his friend and vowed to schedule a time for the two of them to spar, he’d always found a couple of rounds in the ring was good for finding out what was eating at someone. Carl turned his gaze back to the rest of the group as Sam strode away, “Are any of you up for watching the Wests christen the ‘Woodshed’? I hear Tobi provided them with the perfect excuse this afternoon. Personally I just think she wanted to be first.”

  Dex had heard the club’s newest feature was finally finished and fully functional, and he wasn’t surprised the Wests would be christening the new area tonight. The Woodshed looked for all intents and purposes exactly like what the name implied—an old-fashioned wood shed used by many parents as a punishment location for their wayward offspring. The threat of being taken “behind the Woodshed” was often enough to set a progeny on the right path—hadn’t worked that way for him, but his sisters had both only made the long journey to the backside of hell once to his knowledge.

  When he and Ash had toured the new area with the other Masters in residence at the club last week, they’d been impressed with how realistic the entire setup was despite all the security monitoring and hidden BDSM elements. The woodpile itself was a fully functional spanking bench with sliding doors concealing a well-stocked supply cabinet complete with everything a Master might need to punish a naughty sub. There was also seating for an audience as well as several technological options allowing observers to participate.

  All of the Masters now had apps on their phones that would allow them to “vote” on punishments, volunteer to help if a Master was of a mind to allow it, or provide input that could be sent to the group or any individual. Micah Drake had outdone himself on the tech end and every Master who had seen the venue had been impressed as hell. Dex would have loved nothing more than to make use of the Woodshed after the Wests scene, but they’d had to quickly change their plans after seeing Meri’s colorful ass. Dex didn’t see any reason they couldn’t watch the scene though. He’d known several submissives who became as aroused from watching as they did from playing, and it would be interesting to see how Meri reacted. They’d noticed she was self-conscious about being exposed out in the open areas of the club and that was one of the boundaries he and Ash planned to push.

  *****

  Meri felt as if her entire body was vibrating and they hadn’t even stepped out the club’s back door yet. She’d heard Tobi, Gracie, and Regi mention the Woodshed but they’d all been banned from the area, so what little they knew was pure conjecture. Meri had never heard the expression “taken out behind the Woodshed,” but the others had been more than happy to enlighten her on the American euphemism for paddling. Ash had taken one hand and Dex the other as they made their way down the walkway and Meri found herself trembling but she wasn’t sure if it was from fear or anticipation. Ash paused and looked down at her, “Are you cold?”

  Even though the outside air felt cool against her heated skin, Meri certainly didn’t feel cold. Nope, not cold at all. Holy hell, my blood feels like it may start to boil. Meri’s mind finally refocused on the moment and she realized she hadn’t answered his question. “No, Sir, I’m not cold at all, even though I probably should be.” His grin told her that he understood what she was implying.

  “Good to know. So I’m assuming your trembling is from anticipation or apprehension. And I’m guessing that was what you were thinking through rather than answering my question.” Even though it hadn’t been a question, Meri still nodded her head in agreement. He smiled and she heard Dex’s soft laughter behind her. “Let’s go see what you think of the Wests’ latest attempt to keep naughty subs in-line, although I suspect the area may not offer much in the line of punishment for some of you.” With that he gave her ass a quick swat and turned back to the path.

  Rounding the corner and taking in the venue, Meri was surprised to find it wasn’t at all what she’d expected. It appeared to be remarkably rustic and so simple that she wondered why it had taken so long to construct. There were several rows of cushioned chairs spaced far enough apart to accommodate a kneeling submissive, and the raised stage area looked more like a simple movie set. Her confusion had probably shown in her expression because she heard both men chuckle. “Don’t be fooled, this is a construction and technological wonder. The Prairie Winds staff truly has outdone themselves.” Moving toward the front, Meri noticed that Tobi was already standing on the stage with her hands behind her back. The simple white cotton sheath was completely translucent with the lighting focused on her from all directions. Even though she was obviously supposed to be looking at the floor, Meri could see her eyes darting up occasionally. When she noticed Meri, her shoulders seemed to relax as if she had been looking for someone for moral support. Meri gasped as a feeling of pure
panic moved through her. Oh my God, don’t they remember what Tobi’s dad did to her? I have to help her. She didn’t even get to finish the thought when Ash spun her quickly so she was facing him. “Tell me.”

  Meri knew her breathing had kicked into high gear and she worried her heart might actually beat its way out of her chest, but she still knew exactly what he wanted. He’d sensed her anxiety and wanted to identify the trigger. Once she’d finally admitted her interest in the BDSM lifestyle, Meri had researched it tirelessly. One of the elements that attracted her was a Dom’s commitment to caring for his submissive—both physically and emotionally. The concern was easy to see in his eyes and after a couple of deep breaths she finally answered, “I just sort of had a flashback to the stories Tobi’s told me about her childhood…and well, I’m worried for her.”

  Ash nodded once letting her know he’d heard her concern, “Do you think Tobi’s Masters will honor her use of the club’s safe word?”

  Meri was shocked by his question, it had never entered her mind that Kyle or Kent would ignore their wife’s use of a safe word. Safe, sane, and consensual was the guiding tenant at Prairie Winds and any Dom not ending a scene immediately when the sub safe-worded out was banned for life. “Of course.” At his raised brow she remembered where they were and quickly added “Sir” to the end.