“No, bud. She’s fine. I’ve already talked to her and checked things out myself. We’re going to meet on Sunday. I trust her,” he assured him.
“Well, why are you sharing this with me then?” Kirk asked, slightly perturbed.
Ethan took his time, knowing his friend was uneasy.
“To be honest, I just thought you should know, as my friend and my manager. I’ve always been honest with you about everything. That way if the shit hits the fan with the paparazzi, you can be a step ahead of them,” he admitted.
Kirk nodded his head slowly.
“Speaking of Paparazzi, you have to be really careful. If they even get a sniff of this, they’ll turn into a pack of hyenas,” Kirk warned.
“Yeah,” Ethan agreed, “I’ve never really given them any interesting drama. I don’t think I’m even on their radar,” he added, confident in his assessment.
“Okay, Ethan. Lay low and be careful,” Kirk warned, not as confident as his friend. “Can I ask you a question?” he said, pausing.
Ethan nodded.
“Why now?”
Ethan sighed. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just sick of playing it safe all the time. I have this image that I’ve been nurturing all these years and it just isn’t me.”
Kirk pouted his bottom lip, showing his disapproval.
“That image has made you a huge success, Ethan.”
“I know that. I’m not being ungrateful. I’ve enjoyed a huge amount professional success, but it doesn’t fulfill me on a personal level. I feel like it’s time to work on my personal shit, and that means figuring out who I am and exploring every angle.”
Ethan stopped talking and regarded his friend for a moment. He could see his words did not reassure Kirk, but that was okay. He knew Kirk would always have his back.
The rest of the day went by quickly for Ethan. After Kirk left he did some work on his computer, read a few scripts for future projects, and even put on the ballgame. But nothing seemed to distract him from thinking about his session the next day with Lady Grace.
He decided to do a little research and after reading over the agreement she’d sent him, he spent some time reading about BDSM.
It was all so foreign to him and yet, strangely fascinating. He familiarized himself with the lingo and came to understand the nuances of the lifestyle. He couldn’t see himself as a submissive, per se, but enjoyed the concept of Top and Bottom. He could even see himself in the role of both.
They referred to that as a Switch.
Sometimes being directed, and sometimes being the director. He imaged both scenarios and was equally turned on by each.
He could picture a life with a woman who was kinky. Someone who was openminded, playful, and naughty. Someone who was ready to explore anything the two of them wanted to try. Certainly, that would have to be a relationship that had a strong foundation of trust, and unconditional love.
How perfect would that be?
To be with someone who wanted him to just be himself and even encouraged him to explore his desires, no matter how unconventional.
Maybe the whole reason for him meeting Lady Grace was so that she could unlock the gate for him, teach him, and open his mind to a whole new world of possibilities.
Showered and refreshed, Ethan crawled into bed. He welcomed sleep because he wanted to be energized and rested when he finally met with his Lady. He picked up his phone to turn on his alarm and noticed the email notification was lit up with two messages.
The first was from Lady Grace and he felt his heart skip a beat as he opened it.
Petruchio (From now on I will refer to you as Pet, LOL),
Sleep long and well. Tomorrow, make sure to eat a healthy and hearty dinner before coming to see me. I want you to be at your best, strong of mind and body. Your limits will be tested.
I expect, and reward, endurance.
LG
P.S. Wear a suit and tie.
Ethan chuckled, imagining that Lady Grace’s definition of endurance might be different from most women’s. He was up for the challenge.
He opened the second message. It was from Mia.
Hi Handsome,
I had a great time on Wednesday. I miss you though. :’(
When will I see you next? If you’re looking for a date for the premiere of Storm Chaser next Thursday, I’m available! Hint hint ;)
I make great arm candy and I just bought the hottest little dress which would look even better crumpled up on the floor of your bedroom ;) <3
Ethan sighed and put his phone down on the bedside table. The premiere had slipped his mind. He’d just come off a whirlwind promotion doing the press circuits for the film- Ellen, Fallon, Kimmel, The View, to name a few. The premiere was the last big push.
He knew this film was going to be a blockbuster, whether he went or not, but as the film’s director, he was expected to go. He hated premieres. Dress up, smile, and wave to his fans, sit through the film and then party the rest of the night away. Yes, it all sounded glamorous and sexy, but the truth was it just didn’t hold the same appeal for him now that it did in his twenties.
It was all so cliché. Greeting his fans was really the only part of the night he enjoyed. If he went solo, he could slip out early and avoid the pomp. On the other hand, if he took Mia, there would be a lot of expectations to meet. He’d have to give it some thought.
He picked up his phone and responded to an email.
Milady,
I look forward to it. Is it okay if I bite back? ;)
Kidding.
Your Pet
Chapter Ten
Reagan
When the door buzzer finally went off, at exactly eight PM, Reagan nearly jumped out of her skin. She’d been anxious since waking up that morning and had spent the better part of the day thinking about how she wanted things to play out with Petruchio. Although she knew his real name, it was important to her to keep things professional, for both their sakes. Until he asked her to call him Ethan, she would hold that space for him.
She buzzed him in and waited the few minutes for him to reach her apartment. She’d been perfectly composed until she read his reply that morning. Although it was meant to be cheeky, she had to admit, it made her hot. She imagined another lifetime when she and her lover could take turns being in charge, that kind of sexy uninhibited play in which they were equals, but could feel safe enough with each other to explore the entire intimacy spectrum. Everything from making passionate love to each other to whatever sexy kink struck their fancy, and all the good stuff in between. That was something she had always wanted but did not hold out much hope for.
Today she would be his Domme and he would be her pet. She would play her role to perfection, exactly as he needed it. Exactly as she needed it.
He’d asked her to be assertive and dominant and to hold back nothing, but she knew this was a dance and she needed to teach him all the steps. He had to learn to waltz before he could tango, but she’d certainly offer him a taste of what the world of kink had to offer. That was why he wanted to work with a professional, so he could try kinky on without any strings attached.
Three soft raps on her door brought her back to the present. She went to the door, took a few deep breaths to get into character, and opened it. She had to clench her teeth to prevent her jaw from dropping. Holy hell, he was gorgeous, she thought as she eyed him up and down, approving of the way he was dressed. His hair came just below his collar and curled just right, making him appear youthful but still masculine as hell. He had a freshly shaven face and as soon as his cologne hit her, she felt her arousal betray her. In another lifetime she would have thrown herself into his arms and allowed him to carry her off to bed. But she wasn’t the romantic heroine and she didn’t live in a Jane Austin novel.
Then he spoke.
“Hello, Milady.”
She grinned at him, the tone of his words unintentional, but not lost on her. She nodded at him, stepping aside to invite him in.
He casua
lly made his way into her apartment, and she followed. He stopped just inside and turned to look at her, waiting for what was to come next. He didn’t appear nervous at all, in fact he had a twinkle in his eyes and a relaxed smile on his face. It set her at ease instantly.
She walked over to a side table and picked up two sets of papers. Their disclosure agreement.
“Business first,” she said, handing him a pen and the papers.
He took the agreement to the counter and added his signature without hesitation, having read it the night before. She gently took the pen from his hand, their fingers touching for a moment. He smiled and looked at her, holding the pen for a moment longer, long enough for her to notice his playful insolence.
She cocked her head at him, raising her eyebrows and he released it to her without comment. He didn’t have to say anything. She knew he was baiting her and she liked it.
“Oh, I see,” she said, a smile hidden behind her sternness.
He grinned as she signed the papers herself.
“Come with me,” she commanded, and led him into the living room.
It was show time.
Chapter Eleven
Ethan
Lady Grace stood in front of him, her auburn hair pulled back into a tight bun, arms across her chest, legs apart. She was donning a short, red leather mini dress that zipped all the way up the front and black stockings held up by a red garter. The best part of the ensemble was her boots, authentic black combat boots.
Ethan felt an erotic pull across his groin as his cock began to swell. Her curves seemed to be bursting against the tightness of the leather, begging to get out and reveal themselves to his touch. He wanted to devour every bit of her. He smiled in anticipation of the moments to come.
“What the fuck are you smiling at, Pet?" she said assertively, smiling as she moved closer.
She slowly circled him, eyeing his body up and down. He knew enough to keep his eyes downcast, which served him well when she finally stopped in front of him. The bodice of her dress landed just above her nipples, perfectly displaying the mounds of her sexy breasts and a hint of her pink areolae. He wanted to pull her close, but he knew better. She was calling the shots.
“I was smiling at you,” he said with a grin.
He knew he was giving her the rope with which she would tie him up. She chuckled and took his silk tie in her hand, pulling him down closer to her face. They were nose to nose.
“Did I tell you it was okay to smile?" she asked sternly, her sweet breath intoxicating him.
In his eagerness, he couldn’t help but smile again. It was incredibly exciting being physically manipulated by her, especially since she was three inches shorter than him. She pulled back and shook her head slowly, rolling her eyes in mock disgust. She undid his tie and pulled it slowly away from his collar. He felt the pull against his neck but didn’t make any moves to assist. He wasn’t certain but he thought that would definitely be crossing the line. He didn’t want to give her any reason to tell him to leave.
“I see you’re going to need a lesson in respect,” she whispered.
She took his tie with her as she walked across the room and sat on a beautiful antique chair. She crossed her legs slowly, deliberately exposing her upper thighs. He swallowed hard but said nothing. He didn’t move an inch. She quietly stared at him for a few minutes, not saying a word. He waited, trying to hide his eagerness. He knew this was a test, and he meant to pass it.
“Come," she beckoned. "Kneel in front of me."
He felt a shiver run down his spine as she spoke the words. He’d never been spoken to like that before in his life. Ethan was the man everyone obeyed, he was in charge every time he entered a room. He was always the one in control. He felt like he’d been transported into an alternate universe.
He slowly crossed the room and knelt in front of her without a care for his Armani suit.
“Hands behind your back,” she ordered.
He eagerly did as he was told, ignoring the discomfort in his knees, trying hard not to grin again. She smiled, in spite of herself.
“Very good. Good boy. Feel free to sit back on your legs. We’re going to be a while."
He gratefully sat back, easing the pressure. He was at eye level with her knees. As if aware of what he was thinking, she slowly uncrossed her legs, exposing her red satin panties to him. Ethan swallowed hard and felt his cock tighten again, throbbing inside his suit with desire.
“So, here are my rules. I will only say them once. You will follow them to the letter. You will not get any second chances. If you fuck up, you will be asked to leave. If you please me, you will be greatly rewarded. Do you understand?"
“Yes, Milady,” he said.
She smiled in approval, melting when he said Milady.
Chapter Twelve
Reagan
She was excited by him but in keeping with character she couldn’t show it. She loved a man in a fine suit and she wanted nothing more than to get him naked and fuck him senseless, but this was neither the time nor the place. The truth was, she wanted to see how far she could push his limits, how far he would go for her. She wanted to know just how kinky he was, just how hungry for a new experience, just how desperate to let a woman take the reins.
She must have stared at him for a few minutes because he cleared his throat and then smiled at her, trying to break her trance. She calmly glared back, as if to get in character, and sat up straighter, crossing her legs once more.
“Rule number one," she began, "when we are in this apartment, I am in charge, completely and fully."
She dropped his tie and picked up a riding crop from the small round table beside the chair. Ethan curiously eyed the tool as she gently slapped it against her palm in a rhythmic motion.
“Rule number two, do not touch me unless you are invited to do so, no matter how tempting it is. Clear?"
She placed the riding crop under his chin, raising his head to look him in the eye. She could sense he was conflicted. He was not the sort of man that took to rules easily, and yet he wanted nothing more than to please her, to meet her expectations.
“Yes, Milady, I understand."
She smiled in approval and removed the crop from his chin.
“Good. Rule number three," she said, then stopped and smiled at him playfully. Then, slowly enunciating each word, she said, “You will never ejaculate unless I tell you to ejaculate."
He smirked and shook his head slowly, in mock disbelief. She knew he was being insolent on purpose. He was challenging her. She raised her eyebrows and with a quick flick of her wrist, brought the riding crop swiftly down on his thighs. His stifled groan sent a warm wave of pleasure through her. She liked the way he controlled his response to pain. He would be fun to break.
“Finally, should you not be able to tolerate anything that is happening to you, be it pleasure, pain or humiliation, you may stop me instantly by uttering the safe word."
She spoke very softly, careful to reassure him.
His beautiful eyes looked up to meet hers. He was beguiling. She felt a flood of desire for him as she realized he was captivated by her. He was falling under her spell. Already, she knew there was nothing she could think of that he would not gladly accept, or try to accept. He was hers, completely and utterly, while they were in that room.
“Yes, Milady,” he whispered.
She quietly regarded him.
“The word is rabbits,” she disclosed.
He chuckled before he could stop himself. Again, she flicked her wrist, sending the sharp sting of the crop over his thighs.
She stood up and walked behind him, bending over to whisper in his ear. She felt the softness of her breasts against his shoulder and his expensive aftershave permeated the air around him. It was exhilarating. She inhaled deeply.
“Do you understand the rules?”
Her lips grazed his ear, and then she bit his earlobe. The contrast of pleasure and pain sent a shock through him and he gasped. She could see
the raised goose bumps on his skin. He was flush, ripe for the taking.
She felt herself getting wet with desire for him.
“I understand,” he finally said.
“Good, now stand up and follow me."
She pulled her body away from him and realized she instantly missed his proximity. She walked out of the room and through an open door, glancing over her shoulder at him.
He didn’t know what to expect but he didn’t look afraid. He was following eagerly, hungrily, completely under her spell.
She led him to the playroom and watched as he slowly looked around, taking in the surroundings.
She tingled with excitement as she wondered what his first impressions must be.
Would he like the distinctly feminine décor? Would it surprise him and add to the layers and mystery she was laying?
He seemed like he was about to ask her something, he opened his mouth, but thought better of it.
She walked over to her chest and pulled out leather wrist restraints. He stood quietly in the doorway watching, waiting for instruction. She approached the four poster bed and attached a restraint to each end post, about halfway up.
He sighed deeply, anticipating what was to come and she turned and smiled.
How much would he tolerate?
How far would he allow her to push his boundaries?
She cleared her throat.
“Did you not hear me, boy?"
Ethan met her eyes helplessly.
“I’m sorry, Milady, I did not."
She shook her head with mock impatience.
“Bloody hell."
She walked slowly towards him.
“What the fuck am I going to do with you, my pet? Stand at the end of the bed, between the posts."
He slowly walked around her, looking her in the eyes, deliberately challenging her, testing her. She met his gaze with authority and smiled when he shivered.
Grace and Mercy Page 5
