Camellia

by Cari Z.

  "What is your favorite fruit?" Lucy asked as she stepped up to Danny, the tips of her boots coming to rest against Danny's bare knees.

  Danny frowned but answered the question. "Apples. I guess. I'm not all that big on fruit, so ..." She finished with a little shrug.

  Lucy put a gentle but steady hand on the top of Danny's head. "If at any time you no longer feel safe, say 'apple' and this will be over with no recriminations. Do not use that word if you simply feel uncomfortable or bored. Doing so will end this completely, and I won't do it again with you. Trust me to treat you correctly, and you'll enjoy this, I promise."

  She glanced at Danny's abandoned plate. "You will receive five touches with the tip of my crop, one for each piece of food you left behind. Does this sound acceptable to you?"

  Danny was surprised to be asked the question since she hadn't thought Lucy would be open to negotiating with her, but she slowly nodded anyway. "Why ask my opinion of it? I thought the whole point was for you to do what you wanted with me."

  The hand in Danny's hair moved down until Lucy cupped her chin with strong fingers. "I'm asking because you've never done this before, and I want to make sure you understand it. I know you're curious, I know that you want to try it, but you need to know that this goes two ways. I'm not a dictator and you're not a victim. Nothing in this scene is meant to make you feel abused, and if you do feel that way, then you need to use your word. Now, do you understand?"

  Danny nodded, though the motion was hindered by Lucy's hand under her chin.

  "And what word is that?" Lucy continued.

  "Apple," Danny replied automatically as she stared up into Lucy's steady gaze.

  Lucy gave her a small smile. "That is correct. Now, to begin. When I offer you food, I expect you to eat it. You're also expected to count the strokes out. Stay as you are until I release you." She positioned the crop above Danny's shoulder, and she winced, expected the sting, but instead Lucy trailed the soft leather flap between her shoulders and over her joined hands behind her back until it rested on the curve of her ass. It stayed there as Lucy reached over to Danny's plate, then came back with a piece of melon between two of her perfectly manicured fingers.

  Danny took the fruit carefully, chewing slowly as she waited for her promised reward. After a few moments of waiting, Danny began to wonder whether Lucy would actually go through with it, or if her words were all just a bluff.

  Danny's skepticism vanished as Lucy lifted the crop and the first stinging bite came down on her left cheek. Lucy's expression didn't change from one moment to the next, but Danny gasped and rocked forward from surprise.

  "One," she whispered, shock coursing through her. That strike was harder than it had been back at the shop, or even during the first ceremony. It hurt, but it felt so good, too, nothing like the occasional spankings Danny received as a child. She took the grape she was offered next without thinking.

  "Two." The second stroke came across her other cheek, warming it instantly. Danny closed her eyes as a deep blush covered her face. She could feel something growing in her belly, a pleasurable anticipation that she couldn't control. She flicked her tongue out to lick her lips.

  Lucy pressed a piece of cheese to her lips and Danny took it, eating slowly as warmth spread over the cheeks of her ass and up her spine.

  The next time the crop came down it was in nearly the same spot as the first, and Danny muttered a barely audible, "Three." But this time Lucy didn't remove the crop. At least, not right away. Instead she let it linger, the softness of the leather soothing the hurt it had caused. Warmth swirled through her chest, and this time Danny knew that it was pleasure that caused her to gasp out as Lucy lifted the crop and brought down on the other cheek of her ass once Danny finished a strawberry. She squirmed, a little embarrassed but not surprised by the wetness she felt growing between her legs. "Four."

  Danny knew that there was only one stroke left, and she was alarmed to realize that she wasn't ready for this to come to an end. It wasn't a game anymore, not to Danny, and clearly it was never a simple game to Lucy. Though her face didn't change in any obvious way, Danny could see the little lines around Lucy's mouth soften a bit as she looked at Danny on her knees. Each strike of the crop brought a soft, almost delicate, smile to Lucy's lips, and Danny felt good knowing she'd helped put it there.

  When the crop came down on her ass for the final time, Danny said, "Five," and smiled back at Lucy as she rubbed her thumb over Danny's cheek.

  Lucy put the crop aside and said, "You may stand."

  Danny slowly got to her feet, surprised to find that her legs were unsteady. Lucy took her into her arms, hugging her tightly. "You did very well, Danielle," Lucy whispered warmly in her ear. "Better than I expected a novice to do. You were lovely."

  Danny rested her head against Lucy's collarbone, shutting her eyes as she fought the urge to shiver. "Okay," she said, unsure of what else she was supposed to say now, how she could possibly express how turned on she was by what they'd done. Her arms hung loosely at her sides—was she allowed to touch back? She didn't know, and she didn't have a chance to ask before Lucy pulled back a bit, running her hands up and down Danny's arms.

  "Do you need a moment to collect yourself?" Lucy asked her in soft, soothing tones.

  Danny wasn't really sure. Did she?

  "Take a moment anyway," Lucy said after the silence stretched. "I'm going to freshen up." She turned and walked into the bathroom, closing the door with a little click that sounded oddly final.

  Danny fell back onto the bed, almost pressing the heels of her hands into her eyes before she remembered her makeup. Fuck. Fuck, that was hot. There was something about being on her knees and obeying that was so satisfying, even beyond being the focus of a beautiful woman, beyond the stinging pleasure of the crop on her skin. Danny knew she wouldn't feel this way with everyone, but with Lucy she could acknowledge how the attention made her feel. It was powerful, and sexy, and …

  And she wanted more of it.

  Lucy had seemed … reserved. Not as if she hadn't liked it, more that she wasn't really willing to express her preferences beyond "Fine, let's try this." Danny, maybe selfishly, wanted Lucy to really want this. She wanted her to want Danny, not just some random person's submission. She wanted Lucy to look at her the way she had during the ceremony, to speak to her like she wanted nothing more than to make Danny as perfect for her as possible.

  Danny had to figure out how to get Lucy's attention and keep it. The tea ceremonies couldn't be the only times. She had to control the situation, control Lucy's attention, all of her focus. Then maybe Lucy would see how much Danny really, genuinely wanted this. At least for now.

  Lucy exited the bathroom, and Danny sat up quickly. She let herself lean back a little, not enough to look coy, just enough to lengthen her torso and put her breasts on display. Careful, she'd have to be careful, not too obvious.

  "Either Lillian or Natasha should be up shortly with our next round of costumes," Lucy said as she came over to stand next to the bed. "Or yours, I should say. Our next performance is in half an hour, so—" There was a knock on the door, and Lucy smiled. "Ah. Come in!"

  It was Lillian, carrying an outfit of turquoise and amethyst in her arms. She gestured at Danny, then at the bathroom.

  "Oh, I don't think I need to change in there—" Danny began, but Lillian immediately blushed and looked at the ground.

  "Lillian prefers the privacy," Lucy said gently. "Go on, I'll be right here waiting for you." Then she moved over to her purse and pulled out her … phone! Shit, Lucy was so bored she was going to play around with her phone while Danny got naked in front of the wrong person?

  "Really, I—"

  "Danielle." There was no mistaking the steel in Lucy's tone. "Go and get changed."

  Danny's mind spun, but she couldn't think of a way to turn this situation to her advantage, not without acting like a bitch. She headed into the bathroom, Lillian following behind her, and shut the door with a huff
.

  Lillian looked at her and arched one eyebrow.

  "What?"

  She arched the other one, then nodded her head back toward the door as if to say, Really?

  "I'm still working all this out," Danny muttered, trying to undo the clasps on her corset without much luck. Lillian pushed her hands away and took over. In less than fifteen minutes, Danny went from a leather and bone corset to an Asian-inspired silk dress, tied high on her waist like a kimono but with only one sleeve. Her left shoulder and arm were completely bare. The skirt was short in front but cascaded in flowery crenellations down the backs of her legs to the floor. She had new shoes: low, delicate sandals that tied up to her knees, and a few swipes with a cloth cleaned off the remnants of her red lipstick, which Lillian replaced with shining pink. Lillian pulled a few long locks of her hair down in the front, redid the bun in the back, and then nodded.

  "Thanks," Danny said. She looked in the mirror—wow, sex on a stick was gone. This was something different, not the costume of a perfect geisha or a sultry goddess. Somewhere in between, and gorgeous to boot. "Really, thanks."

  Lillian shrugged modestly, then opened the door and shooed Danny out of the bathroom. Lucy smiled when she saw her.

  "Lovely. You look very fresh, very sweet."

  "Like an apple?" Danny asked cheekily, wanting to turn Lucy's attention back to what they'd done before. Lucy didn't take the bait.

  "Hmm, no. Perhaps a plum," Lucy said thoughtfully as she briefly tugged on one of Danny's loose locks of hair framing her face. "Come on. We don't want to be late."

  Eyes followed them from the moment they left the elevator. Last time the looks had been heated, assessing, like people were picturing fucking Danny with every step she took. Danny could handle that kind of attention—she was used to it. This time there was some of that, but more people looked at her like she was a work of art, with distant appreciation that wasn't likely to make Lucy jealous.

  Not that Danny was trying to make Lucy jealous or anything. Still, she kept the sway in her walk and held her head high, refusing to pretend to be demure. Danny didn't do demure.

  They reached the booth before long, people parting for them almost unconsciously when Lucy led the way. The stage was prepared just the same as before, the only difference being the color of the tablecloth: amethyst, to match Danny's dress. Danny eyed the setup speculatively, ignoring the swell of conversation by the growing crowd. She was going to own the ceremony this time around. She would show Lucy that she could be perfect, as perfect as she chose to be. If that meant getting fewer smacks, well, Danny wanted to show Lucy that she really could be good. Then maybe she could negotiate for a reward once they were done.

  "Danielle." Danny started and glanced over at Lucy, who looked at her with a faint smile on her face. Natasha wore the same expression, oddly enough. Had they been talking? What had she missed? "Are you ready?"

  "Yeah," Danny said confidently. She was so ready.

  "Then let's begin."

  Danny unlaced and stepped out of her sandals, then climbed up the steps. She walked to the table and knelt down in front of it, careful to keep her skirts tucked up close to her body so Lucy wouldn't have to step around them. She was ready to start. Ready and waiting.

  And waiting. And waiting … where the hell was Lucy? What, had she been distracted somehow? Did Natasha have to speak with her? How long was she going to just leave Danny up here? Was there a time limit Danny needed to know about before she could turn around and find out what was going on? She resisted the urge to bite her lip and fidget and kept kneeling, but she couldn't help curling her toes tight against each other beneath the satin shield of her skirts.

  A soft hand caressed the back of Danny's neck, and she sighed deeply with relief. In the crowd, someone laughed—he was silenced immediately, but Danny felt mortified. She could feel her blush threatening again. She felt like she had never been this red in her whole life, not even during the vacation her family took to the Jersey Shore when she was ten that left her sunburnt for weeks.

  "Focus," Lucy said, her voice calm and carrying. "Prepare the tea, Danielle."

  Finally. Danny reached for the box of matcha, but before she could reach it Lucy's crop snapped down on her right forearm. Danny jerked her hand back in surprise. What the …

  "With your left hand, Danielle," Lucy said.

  Danny wasn't left-handed. She was nowhere close to ambidextrous, either. She could tie a knot or stir a pot with her left, but her right hand was the one she was confident with.

  Which … oh. Oh. This is what happens when you try to be clever, Danny berated herself. Of course, Lucy had seen right through her plan. She was sharp; sharp enough that Danny might get cut if she pushed too hard. Danny took a deep breath, then reached for the box of tea with her left hand.

  It was harder to work the top free, but she managed it after a bit of fumbling. She picked up the bamboo scoop, dipped it into the box, and picked up the tea all right, but clipped the edge on her way up and spilled half of the powder.

  No, no, no… No, this was going all wrong. It was like her first interview again, except Danny was supposed to be better than this now. She had promised to be better. Now she was fucking it up in front of all these people.

  The crop landed firmly across her upper back, a bright flash of pain that pulled Danny out of her own mind. "Concentrate on the task at hand, Danielle, and try again," Lucy said, with no recrimination in her voice, just the expectation of obedience. Danny could do that. She could do what Lucy said. Try again, that was all she had to do. Just keep trying.

  She managed to get the tea into the drinking bowl smoothly enough the next time, capped the box and set down the scoop next to the bright blue silk cloth she'd grabbed it off of. Danny used the cloth to uncover the iron pot without incident, then picked up the ladle. She dipped it into the hot water and lifted it out with no problem, but getting the water into the bowl was harder than it should have been. Danny tilted the ladle carefully, but when she poured too slowly, the water dripped down the side, and when she sped up she almost overshot the bowl. By the time she got it right, there was more than enough water for tea, so Danny pulled back and replaced the lid and the ladle. She reached for the whisk.

  The tip of the crop slammed down on the table an inch away from Danny's hand. She froze. "How do I want this tea blended, Danielle?"

  Danny's throat clicked uncomfortably. She sat, still and quiet, as the leather tab trailed up her bare arm—it felt so naked, more naked than when Danny had been wearing a damn corset. There was something vulnerable about leaving bits and pieces of herself undone when other parts were covered up. The leather brushed her shoulder, then the side of her neck before it tapped her gently beneath the chin. Danny looked up at Lucy, tall and stern and heartbreakingly lovely. "Answer me," Lucy said. "How have I told you I want my tea blended?"

  Danny swallowed. "With … with vigor …" Lucy didn't move the crop, just waited. "Mistress," Danny added.

  "Very good," Lucy purred. "And not another drop spilled, Danielle." She removed the crop and stepped back.

  Not a … hah, right. Danny picked up the whisk in her left hand, holding back her grimace with pure willpower, before lowering it into the bowl and beginning to stir. Vigor, vigor. It felt so awkward, her wrist bending and moving in a way it wasn't used to, her right hand twitching uselessly on top of her thighs. Still, Danny managed to get the tea looking fairly frothy after thirty seconds of focused work. She kept going until Lucy called a stop, and even then, she didn't spill a drop. Fuck yeah! Danny lifted the whisk out of the tea and set it aside, but forgot to let the liquid drain before tilting it over the tablecloth. Three dark green drops stained the amethyst silk, and Lucy tsked loudly. "Look at that, Danielle," she said. "Three drops spilled. Hold out your left arm."

  She was really going to … like this, in front of all these people? Oh, boy. Lucy had tapped Danny with the crop when she messed up in the first tea ceremony, but with the memory of
their lunch experiment still stark and shining in her head, Danny felt especially sensitized to Lucy's touch now. Was this a punishment or a gift?

  Danny extended her left arm straight out from her body over the table, palm down. Lucy nodded. "Very good. Count each stroke." She lifted the crop above her head, then brought it down hard on Danny's forearm, and Danny shut her eyes and shivered with the sting and swift, hot pleasure that followed it. Oh God, that felt so good. This had to be a reward. "One, Mistress," she managed.

  The next landed just below the first. "Two, Mistress." The third was another inch down, well away from the delicate skin of her wrist. "Three, Mistress." Danny opened her eyes and looked at her arm. Three bright red lines marked her, vivid and perfect. She wanted to lick the skin, to taste the evidence of Lucy's crop.

  "Hand me the tea, Danielle," Lucy said, and Danny was glad she wasn't making Danny crawl this time, because she wasn't sure she'd be able to cross the stage the way her legs were trembling. She picked up the tea with her left hand and lifted it up to Lucy, who moved in close enough to brush against Danny from shoulder to calf with her skirts. She tugged Danny closer with a lock of hair, until her head rested against Lucy's thigh, before taking the tea and drinking. Danny let her eyes close as Lucy played with her hair, still shaky and full of emotions she couldn't figure out.

  She was ready for the kiss this time, and leaned into it gratefully as Lucy touched her lips to Danny's forehead, soft and sweet. "Very good, Danielle," she said, and Danny smiled up at her.

  She'd gotten what she wanted after all.

  Lucy heard the click-click of approaching high heels, not unusual in a convention like this, but she would have known those confident strides anywhere. She looked up to see Natasha approaching with Lillian in tow, and Natasha's features gave off a clear look of annoyance. Lucy assisted Danny to her feet as the onlookers slowly moved away from the stage. She knew that Natasha wouldn't say anything to her in front of them, but whatever she was waiting to unload on them looked to be serious.