Her work done, her body washed and prepared, and her dog settled, Elly walked to the foyer, assumed a humble kneeling position and waited for her husband to come home.
Chapter Five
Elly wasn’t wearing a watch, but she suspected she’d been on her knees for at least a half-hour when the garage door opened and Muffin’s enraged yelping announced Arthur’s arrival. Probably everyone in Corbin’s Bend knew when Arthur came home.
His steps firm and sure, he strode to the front door and tested the lock to make certain she’d obeyed. At least she hadn’t failed in that respect. Finally, his key turned the tumblers and he walked in.
He said nothing for a moment, but she suspected he’d noticed her from the way he quickly shut the door once he’d stepped inside. Eyes lowered she remained with her butt resting on the heels of her feet and her hands clasped behind her back.
After a lengthy pause, he spoke in a cold, commanding tone. “Upstairs, now.”
She rose to scurry up the stairs when he said, “No. Crawl.”
Immediately down on all fours, she completed the humiliating journey to their bedroom and knelt at the side of the bed, eyes still lowered in submission.
He removed his jacket, loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves. “Fetch the black plug and ball gag, but don’t bother with the lube. You don’t deserve it.”
Elly’s blood rushed from her face to settle somewhere around her knees as she crawled to the chest and removed the equipment he requested. Except once she had them, she wasn’t sure what to do with them.
“You may rise now and place the items on the bed. Put on the gag, bend over the comforter, spread your cheeks and hold your position until I say otherwise.”
Rising to her feet, Elly walked over to lay the hated plug on their bedspread. Next, she set the rubber ball between her teeth, drew the black webbing over her head and did her best to tighten it. He said nothing, but she knew he watched as she lay across the end of the bed and opened herself for him. She was naturally shy, so this act embarrassed her terribly, which was no doubt his plan. Still, she did as he instructed without hesitation or complaint, knowing he was testing her submission.
With a sigh, he stepped behind her and picked up the plug. “This will hurt, but try to relax your sphincter anyway. The insertion will go more quickly if you don’t resist. Now take a breath.”
She obeyed, but dug her nails into her cheeks when the bulbous object pressed against her anus.
“Relax, Eleanor. I realize this will be a painful punishment for you, but I expect you to accept it with grace. Now, press down and push your butt toward the device rather than shrink away. Though I desire your submission tonight, I will demand your obedience.”
Swallowing hard, Eleanor spread herself open again and pushed back, then releasing her bottom, she gripped the bed covers in her fists and screamed against the gag as Arthur pressed the obscene gadget inside her without any lubrication to ease its way.
“It’s in now, so embrace the discomfort and claim it as your first consequence.”
Though the pain was easing, the plug was so large her body resisted the intrusion with tight, painful contractions intended to drive the unwanted obstruction out of her. However, the device was specifically designed to resist the body’s natural instincts. She tried catching her breath, but even breathing was difficult with the ball in her mouth and her nose filling. He kept a hand at the small of her back, his presence silent and implacable while she struggled to do what he’d demanded of her. When her breathing finally calmed, he straightened.
“Stay in position while I fetch the cane. You’re getting twenty stripes to start. I’ll expect you to keep count, but I don’t care to be subjected to your begging or excuses, so the gag stays in place. That means you’ll need to count by raising your fingers one at a time, starting with your right thumb. After the last stripe is laid, I’ll want you to stand in your corner while I take my shower. When I’m done, I’ll decide how we should proceed next. Nod your head if you understand.”
Eyes closed, Elly nodded and tried not to cry, but she’d be unable to breathe let alone scream by the time he was finished.
Next, he surprised her by running a hand along her still tender bottom. “The welts from last night’s focus session appear inflamed tonight. No doubt, they will make this punishment even more unbearable for you, but you should have considered those consequences before you chose to defy me. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Elly didn’t move as she tried to suck air around the red ball clamped between her teeth. Arthur wasn’t being cruel or unkind, simply strict, though she wished he’d at least tell her he loved her before he punished her, except that wasn’t his way.
When he returned, Elly stiffened in dread over what would follow next, but he surprised her again, this time by pulling her back on her feet. She winced as the muscles in her anus reflexively tightened on the plug.
“Stay there. I want you at a better angle for this.”
He fetched a pillow and put it at the edge of the bed. When he stepped behind her once more, she recognized the familiar metal jingling.
“Hands behind your back. I can’t trust you not to try to protect your rear, and I could break a finger if I don’t stop in time.”
Obediently, she crossed her arms behind her back. Cool metal encircled her wrists and clicked into place. “Very good. Now…” He placed a firm hand at her elbow. “I want you to rest your stomach and pelvis across the pillow. I intend to hold you down since I doubt you’ll have the willpower to stay in place once we’ve started.”
She suspected he was right, so she let him position her, but at the press of his hand on her lower spine, she tensed only to gasp in pain when her anus tightened around the intrusive plug.
“We will begin. Twenty. Count with your fingers.”
A whistle, then a strike and instant fire licked across her backside. Elly jerked and yelped, but lifted her thumb as he’d directed. All his strength went into that swing, which meant she’d be sporting deep red welts by the time he’d finished.
Whistle, strike, fire, a cry, index finger. He was working his way down to her sit spot, but she worried most about the inevitable strikes against the anal plug, which would drive the object even deeper inside her. When that happened, Elly knew she’d try to get away. She’d fight him, unable to accept this punishment one moment longer.
It took him seven strikes to reach her anus. She’d cried out with each whip and slice of the cane; wanting to escape the pain, but forced to remain conscious and count. When the rattan instrument slashed down on the plug, she screamed so loud, she suspected the entire community had heard her. She fought to get free, but he clamped his hand down, forcing her to remain in place. Then her bruised and tortured body started to convulse.
“Count,” he reminded, his breathing labored.
Despite her own difficulty breathing, Elly began to beg. She couldn’t help it. “No more. Please,” she struggled to get out past the gag as agonizing spasms assumed control of her nerves and muscles.
“No. I will not let you up. You are going to do as I say or suffer for your disobedience.” Then the strikes fell hard and fast, despite her desperate pleas and kicking. He no longer cared if she counted or remained conscious, he was laying into her for her disrespect and defiance.
Before the last strike landed, she lost consciousness.
* * * *
When Elly came to, she had no idea how much time had passed, but she lay facedown on their bedroom carpet with drool pouring out of her mouth. Though she expected her backside was nothing more than a crisscross of swollen welts, the area had gone strangely numb. Her head and jaws ached something fierce, however, and her wrists throbbed even though the gag had been removed and her hands were free. Her arms hung so limp and useless, she could barely move them, but when she eventually managed to wipe the drool from her chin, she caught sight of her raw and bleeding wrist. She had fought for all she was worth; however, Arthur was m
uch stronger and more powerful than she could ever hope to be. He topped her by a good one hundred pounds and most of it was muscle. He worked out daily, and his diligence showed.
She tried to move, but her back went into immediate spasms and she cried out, then her breath caught in her throat and emerged as a sob, with one following in the wake of another. Miserable, wrenching sobs that came from her gut.
Despite her anguish and despair, when Muffin started howling and scratching frantically at the laundry room door in an effort to get to her, she pressed a fist to her mouth and listened instead. Where was Arthur? She lifted her head, then relaxed when she heard water running in their shower. He’d wanted her in the corner, but she didn’t think she’d be able to move to her spot by herself. Not with her back muscles continuing to seize up. So, she lay still and waited. After a moment the shower turned off, and a few minutes later Arthur returned to the room with a towel draped around his hips. He stood staring down at her, his features devoid of expression.
“You’re awake now. Good.”
He grabbed the armless chair he often used when he took her over his knee and moved it closer before he sat and stared down at her.
“Can you talk?”
“I think so,” Elly answered, her throat scratchy and raw from screaming.
Arthur leaned back in the chair and regarded her through cold, gray eyes. “I’m disappointed you passed out before we were done.”
She gaped at him, until she realized he’d perceived her actions as further weakness and failure on her part. Perhaps he was right. Fainting from pain was a sign of weakness.
“However, I suspect you now have a better understanding of the depth of my displeasure with you today.”
She’d fully comprehended his displeasure the moment she’d heard his messages, but replied, “Yes, sir.”
“So, perhaps you’d like to tell me why you chose to ignore my rule about calling before you leave the house.”
“I have no excuse.”
“I don’t seek an excuse, Eleanor. I wouldn’t accept one anyway. I want you to give me a reason. You didn’t forget again, did you?”
“No, sir.”
“I didn’t think so. Therefore, your lapse was an act of willful disobedience. You must have had a reason; since you realized you’d face my wrath once I discovered your perfidy. So, I’m listening now. Tell me why you left without informing me first?”
“I had no idea how long I’d be gone.”
“That’s not a reason.”
“You punish me if I’m even a minute late, and I couldn’t give you a time limit.” She grabbed her throat and winced. She really wanted a glass of water, but doubted he’d get one for her. Not considering how inflexible his attitude appeared to be right then.
“So, you’d rather be punished for disobedience than tardiness. Is that it?”
“They’re both pretty much the same to me,” she admitted sourly, her voice growing hoarser by the second.
He rose. “Think so? Then I have not done my duty by you properly.”
Realizing her words had only angered him, she said the first thing she thought of to distract him. “Some people came to the door today.”
His spine stiffened, but he sat back down and bent toward her as if the news worried him. “Who were they, and why were they here?”
“They wanted to ask for my help with a community project.”
“And how did you answer their request?”
“I said I had to speak with you first.”
“I see. So, you thought you would gain my approval by leaving the house without permission?”
“No, but I was excited by their visit.” She struggled to sit up to carry on this conversation, only her arms wouldn’t support her, and her back protested every move she made. Lying down again, she added, “They came asking for my help, Arthur. They think I’d be an asset.” She tilted her head to gauge his expression.
He nodded. “They obviously do not know you very well, then. Do they?”
“No. They don’t know me at all, and I don’t know them,” she insisted, then coughed. Her parched and sore throat ached something fierce. “They said they valued my assistance and would send one of their heads to discuss the project further with you, if you wished.”
“They did, did they? Well they’d be wasting their time. You can’t do it.”
Elly frowned. “Why not?”
One eyebrow rose. “Seems to me working on a project with other women would be enjoyable for you. A reward even. And I’m not inclined to reward you for anything right now.”
She lay her head down again, unwilling to argue with him further. “I’ll inform them tomorrow.”
“Good. Can you sit up?”
“I don’t think so. I tried earlier and my back went into spasms.” She glanced back at him. “I’m sorry I displease you so, Arthur.”
“And are you also sorry you disobeyed me, or merely sorry you were caught?”
“Both, right now.”
“I see. Well, I think you got off lightly tonight, but you’re too weak for more, so once you’re able to move again, I suggest you go on to bed while I get dressed and do something useful.” He rose to put the chair back.
“May I have a glass of water, please?”
“Can you even sit up long enough to drink one?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe with your help I could manage.”
“Of course, my dear. Why shouldn’t I wait on you hand and foot while you lay about being useless?”
“Please, Arthur.”
“Water it is.”
He strode into the bathroom and returned a few seconds later carrying a glass filled halfway, then placed it on the floor near her hands. “Try to drink it yourself while I get dressed. If you fail in that, I’ll assist you when I return.” He exited their bedroom, leaving her staring longingly at the precious fluid while he looked after his own needs.
* * * *
Elly still couldn’t control her trembling arms long enough to hold anything by the time Arthur had returned, so he eased her head up, saying nothing about her whimpers and groans, and held the glass to her lips.
“Drink slowly,” he cautioned, “or you’ll bring it all back up again. And you’re sadly mistaken if you think I’ll clean up after you.”
Elly greedily sipped the water, despite the way it burned her throat rather than soothed it, then groaned with disappointment when he took the glass away.
“Enough for now. You can drink a little more later.” Putting the water down, he shifted their positions so he sat with his back propped against the bed frame and drew her up to his front. She lay on her right side to protect her now throbbing hindquarters. The earlier numbness was slowly receding, allowing pain to eagerly trace along in its wake. Unrelenting agony would follow next.
She leaned against Arthur’s chest, grateful he hadn’t merely dumped her back on the floor and left. They sat together, saying nothing for a moment.
“I’m still quite angry with you, you know?” he asked, idly running his fingers down her upper arm.
“I know,” she whispered, knowing his words meant he wasn’t through punishing her for her defiance.
“You purposefully disobeyed me, and I won’t tolerate disobedience. Ever.” Despite the heat in his statement, his fingers maintained a gentle, almost erotic stroking along her arm. She didn’t reply. There was no need.
“You broke a solemn vow you made to me before God, Eleanor. It’s bad enough when you forget to do things, or run about doing them in that haphazard fashion of yours. But breaking a promise on purpose reflects a defiant, willful spirit that needs to be broken. That’s why I was so harsh with you tonight. If I ever catch you defying me again, you won’t be able to walk or sit for a week, and I’ll make you wear that damned plug the entire time.”
Elly realized he must have removed the hated thing sometime after she’d passed out, which was unusual for him. He was all too happy to insert the device into her, but she ha
d to remove and clean the monstrosity. Had he been worried about her? If he had, he hid his concern well. She glanced down at her swollen wrists. She’d need to bandage them later or she’d stain the sheets.
“Are you listening to me?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you understand what I’m saying?”
She wanted to see his expression, but was afraid to move. “I won’t disobey you again, Arthur.”
“You’d best not, if you value your hide at all.” He held up two tablets. “I want you to take these. They’ll alleviate some of the swelling and help you sleep. Open your mouth.”
When she obeyed, he popped the pills in and helped her wash them down with water.
“We’ll wait a bit until those take effect. I’m also not pleased you fainted. I want you to schedule an appointment with Marcus Devon tomorrow and have him check you out sometime next week. You’ll need to hold off until your welts and bruising are less obvious before you see him, so make sure you set the appointment far enough in the future to give yourself time to heal. We don’t want him or his nurse to know what lengths I need to take simply to ensure your obedience to me. Such an outcome wouldn’t reflect well on either one of us, would it?”
“No, sir.”
“No, it wouldn’t. Still, it’s bothersome to me. You’ve never passed out during one of our sessions before, so I want you checked out.”
Perhaps she hadn’t fainted before, but she’d recalled many times when she’d wanted to. “Okay.”
He gave her shoulder a thump. Improper response. “Yes, sir.”
“Tomorrow is laundry day, isn’t it?”
Tomorrow would be their fifth month anniversary, but for him it was laundry day. “Yes, sir.”
“Good. You’ll need to take bleach to the sheets, I suspect.”
“Am I bleeding?”
“Some. I was angry, so I may have been more severe than usual tonight. Hopefully, this thrashing has taught you the lesson I intended.”
A Simple Misunderstanding (Corbin's Bend) Page 6
