by Rose Nickol
Rachel swallowed and took a deep breath. “Yes, Master,” she answered with a hint of trepidation in her voice, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth again.
“You’ll do fine, and you can always use your safe word if it becomes too much,” he told her, pulling her lip free and rubbing his thumb back and forth over it.
“Yeah, I can use my safe word and look like a fool in front of the whole club. First public scene I’ve done in ages, and I chicken out of it? I don’t think so. No matter what, I will do this,” Rachel thought to herself.
Chapter Twenty-One
The next few days passed quickly, and Rachel’s trepidation grew. Her biggest worry was how she would react to the whip. They hadn’t practiced, and she was afraid that it would trigger memories from her past. She wished she could talk to Tina, but the woman was still out of town and no one had heard from her.
Taking a chance that maybe Tina was back and had been too busy to call her, Rachel decided to call Margaret again.
“No, Ms. Greene, I haven’t heard from Dr. Springs, but she isn’t scheduled to check in for another few days. I will give her all your messages when I hear from her. Have a nice weekend, dear.”
Rachel thanked the woman and disconnected the call. Something still bothered her, but Margaret seemed to be her normal self, so Rachel blew it off.
That night was the night Craig had scheduled them for the club. He took her shopping that afternoon for a new outfit to wear.
Shopping with Craig was a blast. He followed her into the dressing rooms and made sure everything fit to his satisfaction. He played with her constantly, and she was so aroused by the time they got back to the club that she was whimpering with need. Just where he wanted her.
When she whined, cried, and demanded release, all Craig said was, “All the better for tonight, my love. Patience, and you will get what you’re asking for.”
“Bastard,” she muttered under her breath.
“I heard that and I’ll add it to your tally.” He chuckled.
Craig had chosen a halter-style top in dark turquoise and a very short black leather micro skirt for her to wear. The top was more like a string bikini than a halter in the fact that it barely covered her breasts and narrowed to a string around her back and the ties were the same around her neck. All of her back and midriff were exposed. The skirt skimmed the top of her thighs and barely covered her butt. It also rode low on her hips. She had worn more to the beach. He didn’t give her any underwear to wear, and if she bent over she’d be flashing everyone. Not that she was going to be wearing it for long anyway. There were a pair of peep-toe, six-inch stilettos that went with the outfit, but subs weren’t allowed to wear shoes in the club and they were just for, as he put it, his personal pleasure. Craig had told her he couldn’t wait to have her legs wrapped around him while she was wearing the shoes.
Personally, she thought about stabbing him in the back with the damned things, but as long as she didn’t have to walk anywhere in them, it should be good.
Craig took her into the club about half an hour before they were scheduled. He didn’t want her to anticipate any more than she already had. He had thought about leaving her in the suite until the last minute, but decided against it. He knew that all of her friends were going to be there to support her and wanted her to have a few minutes with them.
When they reached the bar, sitting there were Kyle and Jenna Masters, Evan McGregor, Dave, and Sadie Ewers, Dean Daniels and Connie Smith, and Alan and Theresa Rainer. They were the only people in the club. What Craig hadn’t told her was that the owners, Kyle, Dave, and Evan, had decided to close the club for a private party that night. They were going to make this a celebration of Rachel’s return.
Rachel was so happy to see all her friends, she had tears in her eyes. Looking around, she noticed that there was no one else in the club. She looked to Craig for an explanation.
“Surprise, baby!” he said. Then they all hollered, “Welcome back!”
The tears flowed freely as Rachel hugged everyone. “I can’t believe you all did this for me,” she kept saying over and over.
Hugging her, Craig said, “I told you this night was going to be special.”
“In more ways than one,” he thought to himself. He had several more surprises planned for his woman.
They all talked for a while, breaking into groups of men and women as they inevitably did. After a few minutes, Craig broke up the groups and led his lady to the station he had planned on using for the evening’s activities.
All the anticipation and anxiety had left Rachel, and all she felt was happiness. This was where she belonged. Even knowing she was about to be punished in front of all her friends didn’t bother her. She knew she deserved and needed this.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Craig led Rachel to the alcove where Dave’s new spanking bench was. It had a frame around it and an assortment of clips and chains to attach to various body parts for restraint or punishment. Craig had chosen this device because he could use the clips to restrain Rachel without restraining her arm or legs. Having the clips attached to her nipples and clit would be incentive enough not to move. He hadn’t used this device before, but Dave and Evan said it was very effective with Sadie. He was anxious to try it.
Showing the various features to Rachel, he explained how he was just going to use the clips on her nipples and clit and it would be up to her to keep still enough not to hurt herself.
Jenna looked at Sadie and whispered, “evil, just pure evil.” Sadie nodded but wisely kept quiet. She had been the first person to experience the device.
Kyle, Jenna’s husband, pulled his wife close and whispered in her ear, “Don’t fret, little one. I’m having one made for the playroom at home.” She shuddered in anticipation and thought to herself, “great.”
Theresa and Connie just looked at each other, hearing everything and not willing to tempt their men.
Craig had Rachel kneel and then explained to the group why she was being punished and what he was going to do. Commanding her to rise and strip, he prepared the bench.
Once the bench was ready and Rachel had removed her clothes, he positioned her over it and leaned down to give her a reassuring kiss. “You can do this,” he said against her mouth, leaving her no doubt how much he loved her.
He was right, she could do this. Her heart glowed from the knowledge that she had so much support. She had never felt this loved and treasured in her entire life. Her mother had done her best, but it was hard for them while she was growing up and there hadn’t been money or time for extras. Rachel had spent a lot of time on her own and learned to be her own support system. Then when her mother got older, she became ill with dementia, and Rachel had been her caregiver for several years before it became too much and her mother had been institutionalized.
She had been so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t realize that Craig had been speaking to her. “I’m sorry, what did you say, Master?”
Looking indulgently at her, he asked, “Where did you go, little lamb? Was it a good place?”
“Lost in memories and the warmth I’m feeling from my friends,” she answered with tears in her eyes.
Wiping away the tears, Craig kissed her again and whispered, “If it’s a good place, I hope you can go there again.” He knew her life had been hard and hoped the future would be better for her.
“Time to get on with it,” he announced to the group. Leaning down, he took one of her nipples in his mouth, sucking and licking the small bud until he felt it swell under his administrations. He attached the clip and proceeded to do the same with her other nipple. Once he had both nipples attached, he moved between her legs to work on her clit. Attaching the clip to it, he fastened all three clips to chains and attached them to the bottom of the frame. Cautioning Rachel to hold as still as possible, he lubed a large butt plug and her puckered hole, then pushed it inside her. Then he took an even larger dildo and lubing it, inserted it in her pussy. Both devices v
ibrated and were controlled by a remote he had in his pocket. He activated both on the lowest speed and announced to the group what he had done.
Once he had her prepared to his liking, he squatted in front of her and asked how she was doing.
“Green, Master, I’m green,” she answered.
“As green as I can be with my pussy and ass buzzing, and I don’t dare fucking move an inch or I’ll tear off something valuable,” she thought to herself.
Taking a flogger, he trailed the ends over her back, butt, and thighs, barely brushing the skin. Slowly, he started twirling it, bringing the flying ends closer and closer to her skin until he could hear the thudding of leather against skin with every stroke.
When he had her skin a deep pink, he stopped and ran his hand over her to feel the warmth he had created there. He stepped around in front of her and squatted so he was level with her face.
Talking softly so that only she could hear, he told her, “I’m going to let Evan and Dave each take five swats.”
“Yes, Master,” she answered softly, knowing he was doing this because when she ran away it affected both the men.
Craig rose to his feet and turned to the group. He called Dave and Evan up, and they each chose their implement from the closet. Dave chose a small paddle, and Evan chose a strap.
Dave went first. Squatting down in front of Rachel, he told her how proud he was of her and cupped her face with his hand, looking in her eyes. He smiled.
Then he walked around behind her. Gently rubbing each of her ass cheeks, he pinched one, then hauled back and let her have it. The paddle he chose was small, but he knew it would sting like hell. When he was finished, he walked around and wiped her tears away, then kissed the middle of her forehead.
Evan took his turn next, doing basically the same things Dave had before he laid five strokes evenly over her skin. When he was finished, he also kissed her forehead before returning to his wife.
Craig thanked both men and instructed Rachel to do the same. Hiccupping and sobbing, Rachel thanked the men and apologized for worrying and troubling everyone.
Craig once again knelt in front of her and spoke softly to her, assuring himself that she was okay to continue and that she wasn’t overwhelmed.
“Now for my part of the punishment, I had planned on more, but I think my little lamb realizes what she did, and she won’t be doing it again. I’m going to give her three with my single tail, and that will be the end of the evening. After that, we will be returning to our suite. I want to thank you all for coming, and I hope our abrupt departure does not upset anyone. I’m sure Rachel will be calling all her girls in the next few days. I know she’s going to have some news for you all.” After Craig’s announcement to the group, he gave Rachel the three strikes then quickly unfastened her, wrapped her in a soft blanket, and carried her off. He would do aftercare in their suite. He wanted her all to himself now.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Craig carried Rachel to the bedroom and sat on the side of the bed with her. He held her tight and murmured to her, telling her how proud of her he was and how good she had done.
Once he had her calmed down, he carried her into the bathroom and ran a warm bath. He put plenty of Epsom salts in the water, knowing her muscles would be stiff from trying to hold herself still and not pull on her tender parts.
Lowering her into the water, he quickly stripped and crawled in with her, holding her tight in his embrace.
Turning her head and looking up into his eyes, she smiled lovingly at him and said, “Thank you, Master, that was perfect.”
“You’re welcome, love,” he told her, not exactly sure what she was thanking him for but not wanting to break the mood and ask her.
She relaxed against him, her bottom sore but not any worse than she was used to. She had been worried that tonight’s activities would be more than she could take, but it was perfect. Just what she needed for an introduction back into the club.
* * * *
Craig was so considerate of her and seemed to know exactly how much she could take and when she was reaching her limit even before she did. He knew how much to push her and when to pull back.
“Master,” she said tentatively, “I’m so sorry I hurt you and worried you. I promise I won’t do it again.”
Holding her tighter, Craig whispered into her hair. “I know, love. It’s over now, and we won’t talk about it again. You made a mistake with good intentions, and all will be fine.”
“Just don’t ever do it again,” he said under his breath.
They sat in the water until it cooled then rinsed in the shower. Craig wrapped Rachel in a towel and dried himself, wrapping a towel around his waist. Carrying her back to the bedroom, he sat her on the side of the bed, then left her for a brief moment to get something from the other room.
Coming back to the room with a small box in his hand, he got down on one knee in front of her and said, “I know I should wait and take you out for a romantic dinner when we are both wearing clothes, but I can’t stand it anymore. I have to know your answer tonight. Rachel, I love you. I want you to be in my life for as long as we both live. I can’t handle the thought of losing you. Will you marry me and be my wife, my partner, and my love for as long as we both live?”
At first Rachel couldn’t believe her eyes and ears. Seeing a tear at the corner of one of his eyes, she took her fingers and gently brushed it away. Dropping to her own knees in front of him, she wrapped her hands around his neck and looked into his eyes.
“Yes, I want all of that, yes I will marry you and be your wife, partner, and lover for as long as you want me.” Then she pulled his face to hers for a kiss to seal the deal.
Handing her the box, he gave her the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. It was simple but elegant, something she could wear every day, not too ostentatious. “I knew you wouldn’t wear anything flashy, and I wanted to give you something you won’t ever take off. If you don’t like it, we can exchange it for something you like better,” he explained to her.
“No, it’s perfect. Here, put it on me and see if it fits,” she told him excitedly.
He slipped the ring on her finger, and it fit perfectly. She held it this way and that, admiring the way it looked on her finger. Flashing her hand at him, she asked, “So…what do you think?”
“Perfect, just like you,” he answered, standing up and pulling her with him. Pushing her back on the bed, he fell on top of her. Somehow they had both managed to lose their towels in the process, and with a quick thrust, he was inside her.
“Rough and fast,” he told her, putting his words to action.
* * * *
Rachel woke the next morning and knew she must be the happiest woman in the world, maybe the universe. Even the shadow of Mike Hawkins hanging over her life couldn’t dampen her spirits. Everything was perfect.
Grabbing her phone, she starting calling everyone she knew. Her first call was to Theresa. They had become good friends, and she couldn’t wait to tell her all that had happened. She quickly called the rest of her girls, and they planned a lunch out. They were all going to get together and make wedding plans.
Craig came in while she was making her calls and watched her animate with enjoyment. He hadn’t seen her so happy for a long time. Too bad he had to tell her that two more of the jerks that had tortured her were getting released today. He really wished this mess was over.
By the time she had finished all her calls, she was almost jumping on the bed with excitement. Looking up, she finally noticed Craig in the room. Smiling at him, she asked, “Have you been there long?”
“Just for the last two calls. I like seeing you so happy.” He grinned at her.
“We are all going to meet for lunch at Theresa’s favorite place and plan the wedding,” she told him excitedly.
He didn’t want to dampen her spirits, but he wasn’t happy about the idea of all the girls meeting outside the club. “Why don’t you do it here? We can have the kitchen cater a
nything you want, and you can use one of the conference rooms for some privacy,” he suggested, hoping she would see reason and listen.
“We all want to get out. Jenna and I have been under house arrest, and she needs a break from the children. We’ll be okay, it’s just a few hours in a public place. What can happen?” She had known the men wouldn’t be happy about their plan, but one way or the other, they were going to have their afternoon, the girls had decided.
Craig didn’t want to tell her what could happen. Shaking his head, he left the room. Time to rally the troops. If the girls were going to have an afternoon out, so were the boys.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Even though Rachel was on “lockdown” as she like to call it, the days flew by, and today was the day she was to meet the girls for lunch. She was surprised and a little worried because Craig hadn’t made any further attempts to dissuade her from going. She had fully expected him to flat-out forbid the trip.
Craig drove her to the restaurant and escorted her inside. Some of the others were already there, and giving Craig a quick kiss, Rachel ran to join them. As she walked up to the table, she noticed that the girls were grumbling to themselves.
Sitting in an empty seat, Rachel asked what was up.
Jenna looked at her and said, “Take a look in the corner. You’d think they’d trust us in a public place.”
Turning her gaze to the space indicated, Rachel saw all the men, including Craig, sitting at a table where they could not only watch the girls, but also both doors to the establishment. Standing up, Rachel said, “This is bullshit, I’m going to go over there to give them a piece of my mind.”
Theresa grabbed her arm, pulling her back before she could fully stand, and said, “Think that out, girlfriend. Has your ass recovered from the last punishment?”
