“It’s more a state of mind,” he informed her. “What you’re talking about falls under the broad umbrella of bondage and discipline. And it could just be added kink in an otherwise vanilla relationship. But submission is about putting someone else’s needs before your own. And you do it from a genuine desire to serve, not because you see it as a means to an end. Most of all, it’s about mutual trust.”
She felt as if she’d been chastised.
“I appreciate your honesty,” he said. “I’m sure we can find you a man to spank you.”
She laughed nervously. “I don’t suppose you’d be interested? I mean, it is your birthday, and someone should get a spanking, and I’m guessing you won’t be baring your butt.”
“Quite correct.”
She wished he’d tip the cowboy hat back so she could see his eyes better. “You could consider it a birthday present,” she suggested.
“I’m not all that interested in giving you a spanking. And it has nothing to do with your delectable derrière. I prefer subs who have a desire to serve. Within that context, a spanking for punishment is fine, and so is an erotic beating.”
While she hadn’t liked being ignored, or the nasty little pinch, she had liked his firm command and the way he’d so masterfully swatted her. It had stung. But the memory of it was making her horny. “I wish you’d reconsider,” she said, hoping she didn’t sound as desperate as she felt. “I can do anything I set my mind to. You won’t be disappointed in me. I promise you that.”
Just then, Master Damien called for everyone’s attention.
Sara had told Chelsea that the man could have been a movie star. He had long, dark hair that was secured at his nape. Leather pants highlighted his strong muscles, and a short-sleeved black T-shirt revealed a tattoo she couldn’t quite make out.
Some Doms and Dommes urged their subs to their knees for the announcement. Those instructed verbally or through hand commands knelt without complaint. She understood what he was trying to say. No one appeared to rebel against the indignity the way she instinctively had.
“We’re celebrating Master Alexander’s birthday tonight,” Master Damien said. He nodded to a server, and the woman pushed a rolling cart into the living room. A half-sheet cake was ablaze with dozens of candles. He began to sing the birthday song—too bad Master Evan C wasn’t in the room—and others joined in.
As everyone applauded, Master Alexander blew out the candles. And because she figured he wouldn’t make a wish, she did.
“Chelsea will be helping to serve the cake,” Master Alexander announced.
She frowned at him.
“Let’s see how much you really want to be a sub,” he said, looking at her.
She sucked at cake cutting. She could never get the pieces to stand up, and she always ended up with frosting all over her hands.
“Try it with a smile,” he added.
The woman who’d wheeled in the cake offered her a huge knife. As Chelsea accepted the pearlescent handle, the other woman disposed of the candles. The same man who’d brought her wine earlier carried over a stack of plates.
After cutting some mostly straight lines, she picked up the cake spatula and transferred the corner piece onto a plate.
“Take it to Master Alexander,” the woman advised.
Right. Chelsea was supposed to wait on him since he was the birthday boy. She picked up a plate.
“Don’t forget the fork and a napkin.”
She took the plate to him, and she hid her snarl behind a smile.
“Try again,” he said.
“Excuse me?”
“Watch.” He gestured to the woman server.
As she moved towards Master Damien, she kept her head tipped. She extended the plate and, when he accepted, she offered the fork and napkin as one package.
Chelsea scowled. She’d never noticed all that before.
“Keep watching.”
The woman gave a brief, barely noticeable curtsy.
“Seriously? You expect me to do that?”
“You would receive this kind of instruction as part of your training.”
Cheeks burning with humiliation, she carried the plate back.
Now that Masters Damien and Alexander had been taken care of, the help began to offer cake to the rest of the guests.
A bald man, apparently of some sort of Mediterranean heritage, was standing near the tray, arms folded across his chest. His shoulders and chest were massive, and she wouldn’t have been surprised to learn he played professional football. Or maybe he made a living as a bouncer.
“No one is paying any attention to you.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Almost everyone here is with a sub, or they’ve been around the lifestyle for years. All subs have their behaviour corrected from time to time. It’s totally natural.” He smiled and set her at ease. “I’m Gregorio,” he said. “I work with Master Damien here, and I take care of the Den. It’s my job to ensure everything runs smooth.”
“And that includes reassuring wannabe subs?”
His silver earring winked in the overhead light. “My jobs are many and varied.”
“I’m not even his sub. I just want him to train me.”
“So he’s seeing if you’re worth the effort?”
“He turned me down.”
“Obviously, he’s intrigued. You found a way to get an invite to a private party to meet him. Don’t give up easily, unless you’ve decided it’s not for you. In that case, move on and find someone who shares your kink.”
She nodded.
“Are you planning to take the cake back to him?”
After thinking about it for a few seconds, she softly sighed and said, “Yes.”
“Are you right-handed?”
“I am.”
“In that case, I recommend you carry the plate in your left hand. Wrap the napkin around the fork and carry those in your right hand. Keep your head down, gaze lowered. At this point, he won’t be expecting you to kneel. Concentrate on the pleasure he will receive from your service. Offer the fork and napkin first, and then seamlessly transfer the plate to your right hand so you have no awkwardness. The most important thing with service is to think about things ahead of time, plan them out, but have the room to be flexible if your Dom desires it.”
“What about that little bow thing?”
“You can manage something, I’m sure. Bonus points if you use the term Sir or Master Alexander when you address him.”
“Right now, I’m not sure I can remember my own name.”
“That’s why you need to concentrate on him, not yourself. Don’t overthink,” he added. “Try to be natural. You will screw up. Everyone does. Just accept the correction without taking it personally. As I’m sure Master Alexander has already advised, give yourself over to the experience of pleasing your Dom. Get out of your own way, allow someone else be the centre of your universe. If you’re a submissive, you’ll be fulfilled from pleasing him. It’s not for everyone. It’s not for most people.”
Before she could thank him, he had moved off. Surreptitiously she watched another server. Cake was offered one way to Doms, and a little less formally to subs. Some Doms ate and refused a piece on behalf of their sub. One server was directed to place a plate on the floor for a sub. And as Gregorio had said, no one seemed to notice. The blonde sub held her hair back from face and began to eat. Her Domme placed the spiked heel of her boot on the girl’s shoulder while she ate her own dessert.
Everyone had been telling her the same thing. Submission wasn’t for everyone. The more she saw, the more she questioned the path she’d set for herself. Other people seemed to think this was normal, when it seemed anything but to her.
But then Master Evan C entered the room, electrifying it with his energy. The woman he’d been to the dungeon with looked beautiful with her smile and tracks from tears staining her cheeks. She walked over to the tray and carefully selected a plate for him. If others could find pleasure in thi
s, so could Chelsea.
Doubly resolved, she straightened her spine and moved back towards Master Alexander, her gaze cast downwards. She focused on the act of serving him, ignoring the little voice protesting what she was doing. “Happy birthday, Sir,” she said, following Gregorio’s directions.
“Thank you,” he replied. “But I’ve changed my mind about having cake.”
She bit back her instinctive curse. “Of course, Sir.”
“I’ve decided I’d rather give you a birthday spanking.”
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About the Author
Born in northern England and raised in the Wild West, Sierra Cartwright pens books that are as untamed as the Rockies she calls home.
She’s an award-winning, multi-published writer who wrote her first book at age nine and hasn’t stopped since.
Sierra invites you to share the complex journey of love and desire, of surrender and commitment. Her own journey has taught her that trusting takes guts and courage, and her work is a celebration for everyone who is willing to take that risk.
Email: [email protected]
Sierra loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.totallybound.com.
Also by Sierra Cartwright
Her Two Doms
Mastered: With this Collar
Mastered: On His Terms
Mastered: Over the Line
Mastered: In His Cuffs
Mastered: For the Sub
Mastered: In the Den
Bonds: Crave
Signed, Sealed and Delivered
Homecoming: Unbound Surrender
Night of the Senses: Voyeur
Bound Brits: S&M 101
Halloween Heart Throbs: Walk on the Wild Side
Naughty Nibbles: Fed Up
Totally Bound Publishing
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