WRAPPED: The Manhattan Bound Series, Book Two

by Juliet Braddock

  “Will you step inside the foyer, please, Kind Sir?”

  “Ah...yes...” he said, confidently taking her lead. “That's the Maxine I know. Stick with deference. It suits you best.”

  Her excitement fraught with anxiety, Maxine was quite the bundle of nerves. This was her opening night. She'd been working overtime to pull off this renovation in a just matter of six weeks—consulting with an interior designer friend of Jeffrey's, dealing with the contractors, scouting art and furniture. Now the results were in, and it was time for the big reveal to Kind Sir, Himself.

  “On three, my love,” Maxine said and gave his hand a quick pump—more to give her own courage a boost than to assure his confidence. “One...twoooooo...”

  “Three,” Drew said and popped his eyes open.

  Without hesitation, he began his inspection, circling the rather open and lofty space to take everything in. There was definitely a smile on Drew's lips, and his eyes picked up that glimmer of boyish enthusiasm that Maxine so adored.

  She had decided that they should have two separate areas—one for lounging and sleeping, and one specifically for play—and the space divided well within her plan. This was to be their new love den, and she wanted to make sure that she'd covered all bases, from vanilla to hardcore, with a few little surprises tucked in between.

  She'd also managed to integrate Drew's wildly modern tastes with her own classical flair, blending both of their personalities into their shared fondness for kink. To the right, the antique French bed with a hand-carved headboard and spiraled mahogany posts seemed to catch Drew's eyes first. Dressed in crisp white linens of fine Egyptian cotton and flanked by two colorful red lamps, the bed was truly the centerpiece of the room. A red velvet blind covered the large window over the bare red brick wall and played off the deep purple velvet sofa accented with a slick red coffee table and huge, shaggy red throw pillows on the floor.

  There was a small strip of an efficiency kitchen with a tiny stove and a refrigerator as well as a door to the bathroom that bridged the two spaces.

  The opposite end of the room held their dirty little confidences from the naked eye. Now, Drew's grin broadened. He took note of all of her careful choices while planning some future additions of his own.

  The St. Andrew's Cross and the stocks were carefully assembled by the unassuming delivery service, courtesy of the specialty furniture store from which she’d ordered them. There was the primitive hand-carved bondage bed with a firm mattress covered in soft brown leather, complete with built-in restraints on the thick wood posts and a steel kennel beneath. Only once had he teased her about caging, but Maxine had apparently taken note and welcomed his suggestion.

  She'd also placed an antique vanity along one of the walls, as Drew often loved to have her look in the mirror when they played—to see herself in her collar or clamps. Her toy box filled another entire corner, neatly filled with many of her favorite playthings. Meanwhile, Drew couldn't help but laugh that she'd actually found a spot for a small Christmas tree to celebrate the season.

  Yes, this was indeed Naughty Sassy Maxine’s Dungeon of Pleasure and Pain—and they both intended to indulge in every moment alone within those four walls.

  “It's perfect...absolutely perfect, little one,” he said, wrapping his arm around her while he continued to look around. “This is the best Christmas gift you could give me...”

  “Are you sure?” Maxine asked again. “I don’t feel like it’s finished yet...but I figured this could be our...”

  “Work-in-progress,” Drew finished her sentence, then kissed her so very sweetly on the lips.

  “I have two more surprises for you...”

  “Maxine! What else could there possibly be...?” he asked. “This is everything I wanted for us—and more…”

  Focusing his attention again upon the brick wall in the central area of the studio, Maxine pointed toward the two paintings that she'd quickly covered with some holiday gift paper so that he could “unwrap” them himself.

  Again, she was so very mindful to meld their drastically different tastes. As he carefully peeled away the paper from the first painting, Drew took a step back, admiring, then turned to Maxine.

  “This is so very you, little one,” he said. “Exquisite.”

  Her first choice was Resting Girl, a Rococo piece by Francois Boucher of a plump woman with light brown hair lounging in the nude on a divan, her bare bottom facing upward. Her demeanor reminded him so much of Maxine as she lingered after a good spanking, calming herself as she waited for more.

  As he moved along to the second painting on the opposite side of the window, Maxine burst at the seams with her own anticipation. After the hoops through which she’d jumped to make this purchase, she simply couldn’t wait.

  Banksy—the elusive British street artist known to disrupt more than a few of the biggest cities around the world with his humorous but wildly political graffiti—was one of Drew's favorites. While speculations abounded, no one quite knew the true identity of the mystery man behind the spray paint can, which only fueled Drew’s passion for his work. In fact, he’d been dying to get his hands on an original piece of Banksy’s art for quite some time now.

  The portrait Maxine had selected, Lady in a Gimp Mask, was more than apropos of Drew’s taste in modern art as well as reflective of his appetite for BDSM. The actual painting, reminiscent of Rafael’s masterpieces, featured a woman in full sixteenth century costume. A leather bondage mask covered her face. A studded collar, connected to a cuff at her wrist by a chain, circled her neck.

  “Drew?” Maxine prompted, as he stood in front of the piece, mouth gaping in absolute wonder. “Drew, darling?”

  “How the hell did you acquire this, my sweet little one?”

  “Let’s just say that Jeffrey’s friend had a connection at Sotheby’s,” she explained. “And I think he might have dropped your last name around a few times…”

  In one swoop, he’d squeezed his arms about Maxine’s waist and lifted her off the ground to spin her around. “I have no words...this is such an astounding gift...”

  “Technically, you paid for it—I just fit it into my budget...”

  “Technically, I gave you that money to create a masterpiece for the two of us,” he reminded her. “So this is indeed a gift...and what a perfect gift indeed!”

  “I had hoped you'd love it...” Maxine said. “And honestly, I’ve grown rather fond of her myself the last couple of days...”

  “You, my little one,” he kissed her quickly, “have completely outdone yourself yet again...”

  “You’re sure you like it? You’re not just being kind to me…?”

  “You’ve completely obliterated my expectations, Maxine,” he insisted. “You have pleased me beyond words.”

  Relief flooded her at last, and his praise, as always, left her longing. She couldn’t wait much longer to christen the room. However, seeing the pure delight in his appreciative gaze left her giddy. He was right again—surprises were indeed so wonderful.

  “BDSM Banksy...” he muttered and pulled her close. “I'm the luckiest man alive to have you, little one...”

  “No, I’m the lucky one here, Drew.”

  “Maxine, our lives are all about you and me—working as team, supporting each other, playing together,” he said. “You've proven that to me in every facet of our little world...including this playroom.”

  “Mmm...” Maxine snuggled closer. Drew was sinking once again into Dom mode, leaving Maxine tingling with the anticipation of their play.

  The slight thrust of his hips pressed his cock against her. Oh, yes, he was ready. “Strip for me, little one...fast.”

  Lowering her head, she whispered, “Yes, Kind Sir...”

  At his command, Maxine couldn't get her clothes off quick enough. Whipping her t-shirt over her head while she kicked her shoes off, Maxine raced against Drew's ticking clock, mindful that even though they had switched venues, she still had to pick up and put her clothes a
way.

  The sight of Maxine as she knelt down on the carpet before him without instruction—bowed in deference to him as she wiggled that little ass—left Drew both breathless and speechless.

  Oh, what he wanted and needed to do to her—for her—within the confines of this room. Maxine loved him, but she reveled in the pain almost a little too much. While he adored nothing more than taking her just a step farther with every scene, he exerted his greatest care and concern for her well-being and enjoyment along the way, indulging her just enough but not too much.

  That evening, however, he dared himself to test her limits.

  “Good girl.” He placed his hand over the top of her head, his palm resting gently there. “Now, it seems you're missing something here, so sit for me.”

  Slowly, Maxine did just that, careful to keep her back and shoulders so very rigid, with her breasts and nipples pointing straight to Drew. However, she didn't dare lift her head.

  “You are just pleasing me ridiculously this evening, Maxine...” he said, lifting her chin with his fingers. Her eyes brightened as did her smile when she saw her glittering collar in his hand. He’d thought ahead to bring it with him. “I believe you deserve a couple of rewards for your good behavior…”

  “If Kind Sir thinks I’m worthy…”

  “Your collar is a privilege, Maxine,” he reminded her. “And since you’ve completed your first major assignment beyond my expectations, you’re permitted to wear it tonight while we play.”

  “Oh, thank you, Sir…”

  Hoisting himself up on the bondage bed, he patted his thighs, signaling for Maxine to come closer. As she began to crawl slowly, inching along on all-fours, his pride in her soared. Those tiny little breasts swung back and forth in time with her hips, but nothing made him happier than the fact that, again, he didn’t have to command her to crawl. Maxine took it upon herself to satisfy him as only she knew.

  “Such a perfect little slut you are this evening, little one,” he smiled down at her, then signaled for her to kneel up before him. “Why can’t you behave like this all the time? So charming and agreeable…”

  “Because…there’s that…Patience…and Fortitude…”

  “Don’t blame them, darling,” his voice soothed. “But don’t worry. I’ve got some plans for you for the New Year. We’re going to work with my new Naughty Sassy Maxine app.”

  Shifting about on her knees so that they bore into the thick carpet, Maxine grinned.

  “Maybe Naughty Sassy Siri can whip that little ass into shape,” he continued.

  “Siri doesn’t like it when you swear, Sir,” Maxine told him. “She told me that she doesn’t understand ‘fuckballs.’”

  “Siri has a dark side, too, little one,” he retorted. “And you’re going to see it soon.”

  “Yes, Sir…”

  “Now, sit up straight and let me collar you. We’ve got a lot to do this evening.”

  Lifting her hair, Maxine stretched out her neck, awaiting the chill as he draped the choker and fastened the clasp. Perfection.

  Just for good measure, he tugged at her nipples, pulling harder than his norm—stretching and elongating her pliable skin with his fingers. Her lips opened and lust clouded her eyes before her head dropped backward. “Good, Sir…so good…”

  As he pulled his hands away from her breasts, he caught her, steadying her against the thrall of her own rising desires. “Maxine, listen to me,” he ordered. “I need you to focus for me now.”

  Eyes popping wide open, she nodded, ready to tackle his next task.

  “As I said, I’m rewarding you this evening for good behavior,” he continued. “And when you behave, you know you get to choose your own pleasure.”

  “Yes…and…thank you, Sir.”

  “Any idea what you have in mind tonight?”

  Looking away now with an air of inhibition that Drew actually found quite refreshing in Maxine, she mumbled, “Would you please…me…?”

  “What’s that, little one?” Again, he lifted her chin. “You must speak up and be heard. Confidence is so critical in submission.”

  Confidence was indeed the crux of submission. To give herself over to him completely, Maxine knew she had to accept her own body and its limitations but to also assert herself when she needed that extra thrill of pain. She’d been harboring this fantasy for so long with Drew, and now she needed to tell him to make it happen. Admittedly, she was never in peril with him. An implicit trust existed between them. Her safety and her pleasure were essential to their collective enjoyment.

  “I would like for you to whip me, Sir,” she said, raising her head high.

  Before he dared to smile, he always had to question her. Although she’d asked him on other occasions, he needed to make sure that she wasn’t just fantasizing in the heat of the moment.

  “That’s what you want?”

  “I’ve been thinking about it, Sir. A lot. And I know that you’ll honor my safewords, should it become too much.”

  “There’s always an out, Maxine, and I’m so glad that you understand that.” Easing himself from the table, he said, “Very well, little one. I shall whip your ass this evening. And I’ll send you to work sore in the morning. Sound good to you?”

  Biting the inside of her mouth, she almost couldn’t contain her excitement. “Sounds delightful, Sir…”

  First, however, he had to gather his accouterments of kink.

  From her spot on the floor, she could hear him opening drawers and slamming them shut in his haste...or perhaps even in a bit of frustration. Maxine didn't need to watch him closely to judge his moods. Even with her nose to her knees, she could sense something was slightly amiss with her Kind Sir that evening.

  “Okay, little one...I'm stopping for a moment.” Maxine could hear the deep intake of his breath, then the release of his sigh filling the air between them. “Whips?”

  “Oh...red chest...first drawer...mmm...”

  “Give me a minute here...”

  “I'm sorry, Sir...”

  Drew felt slightly out his element. For the first time in his exploration of the darker side of romance, he had no idea where to find anything in his own dungeon.

  “No need to apologize, Maxine,” he said gently. “I just need to figure out where everything is. It's not your fault. Just sit...er...kneel tight.”

  “Yes, Sir...”

  “Lube?” he asked.

  “Lube? Bottom drawer with the First Aid supplies...” she answered, wondering what the hell he had up his magic sleeve that evening. “Sir. Mmm...”

  “Mind your patience, Maxine...” he warned. Under his breath, she could hear the echo of his quiet merriment. “Oh, fantastic! I wanted this, too! Nice…”

  The steel drawer slammed closed, and Drew's footsteps echoed in their slow walk toward her, his leather loafers tapping on the hardwood floor with each step.

  “Now, we're back to play. Understand?” he asked. “By the way, you've done an excellent job of organizing that chest of our supplies. Good girl...”

  “Thank you, Sir...”

  Composure regained, Drew bent down to take her hand and to help her to stand, and then led her a short distance across the room. With each step, he marveled at each and every piece she’d acquired. Maxine truly had put forth so much time and effort just to get things right for their secret hideaway. There was true love behind each and every touch of kink in the space.

  “I’m going to put you in stocks, Maxine,” he explained. “You'll be shackled at the neck, your wrists, and your ankles. Padlocked in place. And I've got the only key...”

  Once the furniture was placed the previous week, Maxine turned over all locks and keys to Drew, per his request, with every set labeled. And there were many…

  With fascination, she watched him, her lips gaping. All the while she minded that torturous tickle catching hold between her legs. Bound, she would be—fully and completely—and left immobile to withstand Drew's freakish fancies. The mere notion sea
red a white hot desire throughout her entire body.

  “Are you ready, Maxine?”

  “Oh, yes, Sir...”

  Taking her hand, he helped her to step onto the two tiny foot platforms, before easing her forward to rest her wrists and then her neck in the appropriate holds. Painstakingly, he closed the cuffs around her, locking her into position and checking each for her safety before closing the shackles around her ankles—leaving her legs spread and with her ass extending toward him.

  With her bottom bared, she squirmed just a bit, knowing that he indulged in this exposure from behind.

  “Oh, Maxine...” he mused. “I don't even have to touch you to know that you've got a waterfall between your legs right now...”

  His mockery only left her longing again. She couldn't even close her legs to attempt to nudge away the sexual strain between them. She was indeed at his absolute mercy.

  “Now, Maxine,” Drew said, walking around the stocks so that he could face her, his hands so conspicuously behind his back. “I just want to make sure we’re well prepared this evening. I’ve chosen the stockade because you’re less likely to move around and hurt yourself.”

  With a suddenness she hadn’t anticipated, he swung his arm out with a dramatic flair, revealing a short whip of braided fine black leather, tapering from its sturdy handle to the tail at the extremity.

  Against the holds, she struggled.

  “I'll be kind and start with my hand to warm you up since this is a first, Maxine,” he said. “Twenty strikes total. Five at a time. We'll switch to the whip at eleven. Understand?”

  “Yes, Sir...” she managed, her feet pulling so desperately against the bondage.

  “And I want to remind you, little one, to use your safewords at any time,” he said. “This is your reward, and I want you to enjoy it.”

  “I'm ready, Sir...”

  “And you may not come until I say the word…”

  How much Maxine had missed his hand—that familiar feel of the heat from the sting, burning as he walloped her ass. The prickling force of his palm filled her with utter delight as he colored her backside rosy. With each swat, she fought against her own fading self-control. Coming now, abandoning her training in her battle against her greedy need for release, was simply not an option.