by Maggie Ryan
Reaching the bottom of the stairs without breaking her neck, she smiled and moved down the hall off the back of the kitchen towards the dining room.
“Hey, Grace, wait for me!”
Turning, she saw Gretchen walking towards her, realizing the woman had come through the restaurant. Suddenly an unpleasant thought grabbed her attention even when Gretchen caught up to give Grace a hug. “God, if I had been this excited about class in college, I might have graduated with honors.”
Grace realized she was attempting to look past Gretchen into the restaurant. Could David be there, waiting for her?
“Hey, are you all right?”
Seeing that Gretchen’s smile had slipped, Grace again reminded herself that she had every right to take classes in anything she wished. “Yes, I’m great. Just wondering what’s in store for us tonight.”
“I just hope that I remember to keep my mouth shut,” Gretchen said with a sigh.
“Why would you say that?”
“Because, as Master Conner told me, ‘if you’ll shut your mouth and open your ears, maybe you’ll learn something instead of disturbing the entire class.’ I was just asking if I was positioned correctly, but I guess he didn’t approve.”
Grace was instantly annoyed. “That’s not only rude, it goes against what Master Quentin said. He encouraged questions.”
“Well, I didn’t get him, I got Conner.” Shrugging, she looped her arm through Grace’s. “Still, I am excited about tonight so I’ll just try to be quieter.” Forgetting her wish that she’d chosen a different seat, Grace didn’t hesitate to take a seat beside Gretchen.
“Hey, great shoes!”
“Thanks. I love yours as well.”
Gretchen stretched her leg out and then apologized when another woman had to stop abruptly to keep from tripping over it.
“Oops,” Gretchen said when the woman’s face showed her irritation though she didn’t speak. Once she’d moved to a different area, Gretchen sighed. “Well, so much for trying not to disrupt the class. I bet Julie thinks I was trying to trip her.”
“I’m sure she didn’t,” Grace reassured her, though seeing the woman speaking with Starla Wilson, she wasn’t so sure. In fact, as she watched the two women sweep their gazes over their classmates, she had the distinct feeling both considered themselves to be far above any other soul in the room. Okay, it might have been cheating, but suddenly she was very glad that Laurie had worked with her that afternoon. “Did you practice last night?” she asked Gretchen.
“Until I had to force myself to get up off the floor when I collapsed. Believe me, I seriously considered just sleeping right in the middle of the living room.”
“Me too,” a woman who had just joined their table offered.
“Grace, this is Penny. Penny, Grace.”
Grace shook hands with the woman and instantly liked her. She had a mop of short curly hair and freckles sprinkled across the bridge of her nose. More importantly, she had a ready smile, and when she asked sotto voce if their asses still ached, Grace and Gretchen both nodded and giggled.
“From what I’ve read, that wasn’t even a real spanking,” Gretchen said.
“Well, if it wasn’t, I’m not too sure I can survive a real one,” Penny said and then sighed. “I was so sure that Master Conner had left bruises all over my butt, but not a single mark was visible.” She paused and lowered her voice even further. “If anyone had bruises, it would be you. He seemed to be harder on you.”
Before the others could speak, the door opened to admit all four of the instructors. Grace almost kicked herself when it took Starla and Julie rising and striking the proper pose to remind her of what was expected. She had wanted to tell Gretchen that she didn’t have to stay with Conner. Master or not, the submissives had choices. She stood with her tablemates and came to attention.
“Good evening, ladies,” Quentin said as he strode to the front of the room. “Well done.” Grace felt a thrill as his eyes swept the room and seemed to pause when they reached her. Had his eyebrow lifted to see that she was not only standing properly, but had on high heels and a proper skirt? When he turned to confer with the other Masters, she decided it had been a figment of her imagination. After all, she was only one of nine—wait, nine? Their table was towards the rear so even without turning her head, she could count the other submissives. Yes, there were only nine. What were the consequences for arriving late?
“I’m glad to see that most of you decided to continue your journey,” Quentin said. “Miss Landers has decided not to join you. Before we begin, does anyone have any questions about what we covered last night?”
Grace saw Penny drop her hand from behind her back and then return to its proper position, as if unsure if she should risk raising her hand. Evidently Quentin saw the move as well. “Please, Miss Stoneman, you may speak freely.”
“Sir, I was just wondering if, well, if this room is secure. I mean, not secure, as I can see the door is closed but um, I walked through the restaurant and suddenly wondered if anyone could have heard… um, anything last night.”
Grace was impressed not only by the fact that Quentin had known her name without looking at the folders he once again held, but that Penny had given thought to something she’d not even considered. She felt her cheeks heat at the thought of an unknown stranger or, God forbid, some asinine reporter, sitting out front suddenly pausing in dining, tilting his head, and wondering where on earth that whimpering and yelping was coming from.
“I assure you that this room is entirely soundproof. When we go upstairs to the club, you will be able to stand outside and hear nothing but silence as well. We want you to be free to voice all your emotions, both those of discomfort and those of pleasure.” After a moment, he continued. “All right, if no one has any other questions?” Evidently no one did as he gave an instruction, “Please come line up.”
Once they had, he looked down the line and when Grace saw his hand signal, she instantly sank to her knees, proud to see his approving look. Though not positive she’d beaten the two experienced subs, she was happy she’d done so without faltering. Her wrists were crossed properly, and her toes were pointed against the floor.
“Very nice. I can tell that you all practiced last evening. That tells me you are dedicated to not only your lessons learned, but are anxious to learn more. Is that correct?”
“Yes, sir,” the line chorused.
“Very good. Eyes to me.” Once every pair of eyes lifted, he went on. “Before we go upstairs, I want to go over a few things. Yes, you are submissives, but don’t ever believe you don’t have a choice. As Miss Alton questioned yesterday, there are safety measures put into place. If you ever go to a club where there are none, please do not stay. The D/s lifestyle is built upon trust and if you feel unsafe, follow your instincts and leave.” He paused and Grace hoped that every woman was taking every word he uttered as seriously as she was.
“That said, when you are in a committed relationship with a Dominant, you will need a safeword. And, ladies, you won’t be choosing no, don’t or stop.” He gave a small grin and then said, “Miss Wilson, could you share why none of those is a good choice?”
Starla instantly answered, “Because, sir, when something feels really wonderful or even bordering between pain and pleasure, you might say, ‘No… don’t… stop,’ when what you really want is for the action to continue, especially if your Dominant is skilled enough to have you but a breath away from climaxing.”
Her answer was evidently the one he was searching for because he nodded. “Exactly. For the purposes of this class, and standard among most clubs, Plaisir uses what is often termed the stoplight system. Green means all is fine, yellow means you need a break or for the action to slow down, and red, ladies, means that everything stops immediately. You and you alone can really know what you are capable of, or desire to experience. That’s not to say that as you continue along this path and gain experience that you won’t be tested, especially if you are in a one
-on-one relationship with your Dom. It is his duty to pay attention to your words as well as your body, but he will at some point began to push you to explore your limits. Even then, once you utter your safeword, the action should instantly halt. Any questions?”
Again there were none, every eye on him. “Tonight, as I said, we will be going upstairs. Doing so will give you some real experience as what to expect. You will be expected to be respectful at all times. Before we go, you will be learning a new position. Please rise.”
As she rose along with the others, Grace wondered if their pulse rate had also increased with the combination of nerves and excitement his words had evoked.
“You learned to stand at attention and how to kneel at attention. Tonight, you will learn how to kneel in a way that depicts you are available to serve intimately.” Grace listened as he explained what was expected, and once he demonstrated the hand signal, she tried not to grin. Laurie had been right. He was showing them the silent signal for the Nadu position. When he changed his hand signal to the original kneeling one, the class sank as one, hands crossed at the wrists, legs together. Since he’d instructed them to keep their eyes on him, when his fingers spread apart, the women moved as well. From the moment Grace spread her legs, wider than she’d done in practice, she felt her face heating with the natural blush she’d known to expect. Thinking about the fact that if she were nude in this position, there would be no concealing either her sex or her arousal, she could feel her nipples tightening.
“Eyes lowered.” Even as she obeyed, Grace saw the instructors moving to circle the women, and heard soft corrections being given.
Quentin squatted slightly behind her, his hand on her lower back. “Shoulders back and a bit straighter if you are able.”
Instead, she almost moved to slouch a bit more, having looked down to see that her thin t-shirt did nothing to hide the fact that her nipples were indeed poking against the fabric. So much for deciding that padded bras would be cheating. An inch or so of foam would certainly have helped keep her instant arousal hidden. With his instruction, she remembered what Laurie had said. Never be ashamed of who she was or what she needed. Straightening, she was rewarded with a softly uttered, “Very, very nice, Miss Hensley.” Just those few words had her wondering if the other women’s panties were anywhere as damp as hers.
The instructors returned to the front. Quentin ran them through all three positions a few more times before he seemed satisfied that his pupils understood them and could perform them with relative confidence.
“Eyes to me. Ladies, we are going to take a small break. This is the time to make use of the facilities if you need, as well as to consider whether you are prepared to do as instructed once we go upstairs. You’ll be instructed to assume the positions you’ve learned. However, once we enter the club, you will remove your outer clothing.”
“You mean we’re going to be naked!”
“Miss Kennedy, what did I tell you yesterday about speaking without permission?” Conner snapped, his irritation evident in his tone.
Grace felt sorry for her new friend when she saw her cringe at the chastisement.
“I’m sorry, Master Conner, I-I didn’t…”
“No, not tonight,” Quentin said when Gretchen stammered, and Grace saw that there was no trace of a smile on his lips and the vein at his neck seemed more prominent. She was worried that he was also upset with Gretchen, until she saw his eyes cut to Conner before looking again at his class.
“You will remove only your outer clothing. If you are naked, it will be because you didn’t pay attention to the instructions about underwear being required.” He allowed a smile as a couple of women nervously tittered. “One step at a time, ladies. Now, since we are now at nine, I’m going to ask one of you to move to Master Trent’s group. I’ll have the new assignment when you return from your break. Take this time to decide if you are ready to take that next step. If not, let one of us know you won’t be continuing. Otherwise, be back here in fifteen minutes.”
“Yes, sir,” the women said and at his addition of “dismissed,” they rose and Gretchen immediately scurried from the room.
Chapter Twelve
Quentin saw Trent’s nod and turned to see that instead of heading for the restroom, Grace was approaching them. “Um, Master Quentin?”
He hoped his disappointment didn’t show as he asked, “Are you leaving us, Miss Hensley?”
“Oh, no, sir. I just wondered… might I speak to you, um, in private?”
Pleased to learn she was staying, he nodded and, taking her arm, led her to the other side of the room so they could speak without being overheard.
“I know it’s not my place, sir, but I feel compelled to ask you something.”
“Please tell me you aren’t going to volunteer to leave my group?” Though he knew he shouldn’t care, he did.
“No, but I would like to ask a favor, sir.” He gave her a nod and didn’t miss that she glanced back towards the other men.
“Gretchen… I mean, Miss Kennedy, please don’t tell her I told you…”
“Relax, Grace. I’m not going to bite. Just tell me what’s on your mind.”
He saw her relax and give a small nod. “All right. It’s just that she, Miss Kennedy, told me before class that last night, Master Conner, seemed to… well, belittle her in front of the other women in their group. If there is any way you could allow her to be the one to move? I’m sure she would appreciate it.” She paused, and then added almost as an afterthought, “Another woman validated her statement, saying she thought Master Conner was much harder on Gretchen than the others.”
“I see,” Quentin said, wondering what Conner had said, as he certainly hadn’t volunteered that information the evening before. “And Master Trent?”
“Oh, he’s nice,” Grace said with a smile. “I mean, even when he corrects you, he doesn’t do it in a way that makes you feel stupid or… well, embarrass you in front of the rest of the class.”
Quentin didn’t give her an answer, simply said, “Thank you, I’ll give your request serious consideration.”
“Thank you, Quent—sir.”
“You’re welcome. Go take a break. We’ll start again in ten minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
He watched as she walked away without a single wobble. He’d have a few questions of his own when class was dismissed. Walking back to his staff, he was pleasantly surprised when Trent spoke.
“I know you’re the boss, but if you don’t mind, I’d like to ask that you allow Miss Kennedy to join my group.”
Knowing there was no way the man had heard Grace making the same request, his respect for Trent increased. Obviously the man also remembered the derogatory tone in which Conner had spoken of Gretchen the previous evening.
“Hey, I didn’t get to pick—” Conner began but Quentin cut him off.
“Consider it done. Conner, give the file to Trent so he can go over it before we resume. And remember, every one of these ladies is putting their trust in our hands. Do not in any way cause them to wish they’d chosen not to.” With the decision made and the none too subtle warning given for Conner’s benefit, he left the room to take his own bathroom break.
On his way to the restroom, he saw Gretchen, and noticed that the pep in her step was definitely missing. “Miss Kennedy, a moment please?”
“Yes, sir?”
“I just wanted to inform you that Master Trent has requested you join his group.”
“Really?”
“Yes, do you have any objections to moving?”
“Oh no, sir. I-I’d like that.”
“Very good. Now, let’s see that enthusiasm back, all right?’
He was already in the restroom when Gretchen ran back into the ladies’ room.
***
“Guess what? Master Trent asked for me!”
“Sure he did,” Starla said, dropping the towel she’d been using to dry her hands into the bin.
“He did, Master Qu
entin just told me he had,” Gretchen said, “why would he lie?”
“Oh, I’m sure he’s not lying. But if he is really allowing you to move, I guarantee that some little redhead had something to do with it.”
“What are you implying?” Grace said, stepping out of the stall. “Every one of us, including Master Quentin, heard Conner speaking harshly to Gretchen. I’m sure he understands that it is difficult for a submissive to progress if she is uncomfortable with the Dominant supposedly giving the lesson.”
“Neither one of you will ever be a true submissive,” Starla said, fluffing her hair with her fingers. “Submissives do not wheedle and whine. They do what they are told. I suggest that you both get with the program or do us all a favor and get out.” Once she’d pushed through the door, Gretchen turned to Grace.
“What a bitch. Just because she has some experience, that doesn’t mean we aren’t able to learn.”
“Especially when you’ll now be able to learn from Master Trent,” Grace reminded her. They left the bathroom just as the men’s room door opened behind them.
“That’s right, isn’t it great? You just have to adore Master Quentin, don’t you?”
“Yes, I suppose you do,” Grace said.
***
Fifteen minutes later, Quentin wondered if adoration was what was in the forefront of the women’s minds as they were led into the club. Though it was a Tuesday, the club was not deserted. A few couples were either engaged in activities at various stations or were sitting with others, chatting.
