A Submissive's Dream (Divine Designs)

by Maggie Ryan

  "Haven Note: make sure all towels are big enough for a real man," Logan quipped as his towel slipped to the floor. Elizabeth giggled and used a finger as an imaginary pen against her palm, as if writing down his reminder. Logan grinned, picking up the towel and quickly drying off before tossing it in the corner. As Elizabeth stood with her back to him so he could comb out and dry her hair, she finally found her courage. "Thank you," she said softly. "I mean for … for being gentle."

  Logan didn't need further clarification. He knew she was not speaking about her hair. He bent to kiss her cheek. "You are welcome, Schatzlein," he said, putting the brush down and quickly braiding her long hair. As she handed him a scrunchy, he added, "It will take a while and a bit of training for you to learn to relax, but Elizabeth, I will soon claim your bottom as mine." She shivered, her nipples peaking, her stomach fluttering, and her bottom clenching. She blushed, knowing she wasn't afraid; instead she was anticipating the moment, something she could barely believe herself.

  "Yes, Sir," she said quietly, loving when he turned her to face him and cupped her face in his palms. He bent in and kissed her, his touch igniting her again.

  "And, Liebchen, you will learn that together it will always be amazing," he promised, after releasing her mouth. She moaned softly, knowing he spoke the truth. Logan grinned and then slapped her butt—hard. "Let's get dressed, our troops await!"

  They exited the elevator into the lobby of the small hotel. Elizabeth looked around, expecting to see Logan's family and their friends but saw nothing but the clerk behind the counter. She looked up at Logan. "Think they got tired of waiting?" she asked, feeling guilty over their shower play when people had given up their own weekend to help her in her dream. Logan grinned and shook his head, her face so very easy to read.

  "I'm sure they are just in the dining room," he assured her. "If there's coffee, that's where Ariel will be. You can stop feeling guilty. After all," he said, bending to kiss her lightly, "You aren't the Dom … you can always plead that you were only following orders."

  She giggled as he reached down to gently slap her ass. "Sounds good to me, oh my demanding Master," she said, and then yelped when he slapped her just a bit harder. Noticing that the previously bored looking clerk had certainly perked up as he listened to their conversation and watched his hand on the ass of an extremely beautiful woman, Logan shot the man a smile and then slipped his arm around her.

  "Come on, daylight's a'wastin." Shaking her head at his silly expression, she walked beside him down the hallway. The moment they entered the dining area, voices raised in song, making her flush beautifully as strains of 'Here Comes the Bride' let her know that Logan had told someone that they were now engaged. Elizabeth saw Nancy break away from her husband, Jason, running across the room to throw her arms around her best friend.

  "Oh God, I'm so happy!" Nancy said as the two women hugged and did their customary 'happy dance' around in a circle. Logan just shook his head and accepted a hug and a handshake from Garrett. Elizabeth was soon being passed around the room, accepting congratulations, hugs and kisses from Jason, Garrett, Ariel, and her future-in-laws, Benjamin and Helen. Helen had tears in her eyes.

  "I am so blessed," Helen said, kissing Elizabeth's cheek. "I couldn't have wished for a better girl for my boy." Elizabeth felt loved and cherished by the older couple. She had come to know them well through working on the extensive remodeling of their home as well as the special project they had hired her and Nancy to do. They had told her that the beautiful playroom their firm had completed was far more than they had ever dreamed they wanted. Though it had been a shock originally to discover that Logan's parents had been into not only domestic discipline, Benjamin never hesitating to take his wife in hand throughout their marriage, but were also committed to a D/S relationship, Elizabeth now found it a wonderful testament to how love and desire never had to fade. Logan was also congratulated by everyone, his father simply smiling as if he had known long before his son did that this was the only woman for him.

  "Hey, what did I miss?" a deep voice asked from the doorway.

  "Craig!" Elizabeth yelled, running across the room and leaping. Craig laughed, caught her, and twirled her around before she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  "Hey, Lizzie," he said, giving her a kiss. "You are glowing, and from all this hugging and kissing, I'm guessing it isn't just about Haven?" She laughed and nodded, releasing his neck to hold out her left hand, wiggling her finger so that he couldn't miss the diamond ring. "Oh, so he finally got up the guts to ask," Craig said, laughing as he saw Logan heading towards them. Craig took off his cowboy hat and plopped it onto her head, smiling as it dropped to cover her forehead. He tilted it back and bent to whisper, "Hmmm, let's see exactly how far we can push this. Master Craig demands that you play along." Elizabeth gasped as she felt him move his hands to cup her rear even as he bent and pressed his lips against hers. Neither noticed a woman enter the room, her eyes widening slightly as she saw the tallest, largest man she had ever seen fondling and kissing the very woman who was dating her brother. Her eyes caught the sight of the large engagement ring on Elizabeth's hand as she had her arm wrapped around his neck while her other hand ran through his thick hair. Could it be that Elizabeth was dating this incredible looking-man as well? Had Logan lost out to what appeared to be the biggest cowboy on the planet?

  "Very, very funny," Logan said. When Craig simply turned his back to Logan, his hand gently slapping against Elizabeth's shorts-clad bottom, it was all Elizabeth could do not to laugh against Craig's lips as she caught the look on Logan's face. "Enough already, this one is mine and is off-limits from now on," Logan said moving in front of Craig, taking the hat from her head before pulling Elizabeth from Craig's arms as she tried to compose herself. She pretended to swoon, her hand flapping in front of her face as if to cool herself.

  "But darlin', this little 'ole cowboy was just saying 'howdy', and oh my …," Elizabeth said, and then yelped when Logan's hand slapped her rear—quite hard. "Ow, I was kidding," she complained and then giggled, everyone in the room laughing at Elizabeth's silly, exaggerated Texas drawl. Logan growled and then after giving her an even more passionate kiss, he set her down, his arm holding her to his side.

  "The only 'howdy' you will accept from this bandit in the future is a handshake, my little Rose of Texas—unless, of course, you prefer red to yellow?"

  Knowing he meant a red bottom instead of a yellow rose, she shrugged and then slowly nodded. "I'm yours to command, oh great one."

  Craig chuckled and reclaimed his hat from Logan's grip. "Congratulations, Logan," Craig said, slapping Logan on the back. "You have definitely chosen a fantastic bride. Liz is perfect for you."

  They all heard a snort and turned to see Barbara, Logan's sister, shaking her head, her arms crossed. "She doesn't have to be perfect, but I suppose she qualifies to become a Dietrich, Logan. After all, she just admitted she's ready to give up her own voice, obey your every command, be passed around at your whim, and accept the fact that you'll spank her ass if she doesn't … more like a good Stepford Wife than perfection."

  "Bunny!" Benjamin said, having seen his eldest daughter return from the restroom, "Apologize to your brother and Elizabeth at once." Barbara rolled her eyes at the childhood nickname and turned to her father.

  "Dad, I'm not a child, and I am too old for you to call me that," she protested.

  Benjamin's eyes flashed as they gazed at his eldest daughter. "Then I suggest you don't act like a child, Barbara Grace. Apologize, or we can go upstairs." Elizabeth watched Barbara's face flush at the implied threat.

  "I'm not three anymore. You can't …"

  "I don't care if you are ninety-three," Benjamin said, "and believe me, little girl, I will never have a problem reminding you of that fact." Barbara's hands clenched and she looked like she wanted to argue, but seeing her father's hand move to the buckle of his belt, seemed to think better of it. She turned to look at Logan and Elizabeth.

&
nbsp; "Fine. I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry, Logan, Elizabeth," she said, before turning and stomping from the room. Benjamin turned to follow, but Logan put his hand out and caught his arm.

  "Let it go, Dad; she's hurting," he said softly. Benjamin looked down at Elizabeth, a woman he admired greatly, knowing that Barbara's words had hurt her.

  "It's okay, Sir," Elizabeth said. "We should have acted better ourselves, not pushed Logan or teased him." Helen had come up to them, not saying a word. Though she was also shocked and disappointed in what Barbara had said, she knew it wasn't her place to interfere. Benjamin finally nodded, not wanting what was supposed to be a mini-celebration to be tainted any further. Garrett turned the group's attention to the door that led to the kitchen.

  "Let them eat cake!" he said as he took Logan's arm and Ariel took Elizabeth's. The engaged couple smiled as two servers entered the room, one carrying a huge tray of cinnamon rolls stacked to represent a cake, the other carrying pitchers of orange juice. As everyone prepared their plates, cups of coffee and juice, gathering around a table to enjoy the surprise breakfast, nobody noticed Craig slipping from the room.

  Craig walked into the lobby and asked the clerk if he had seen a woman coming from the dining room. The clerk pointed to the front door and Craig thanked him, walking out of the hotel. He didn't think Barbara would have actually left, although he didn't immediately see her. He turned and spotted her sitting on a low wall that divided the parking lot from the woods. He walked to her, easily swinging one long leg over the wall, straddling it as he turned towards her. Barbara sighed, not even turning to look at him. "Look, I just want to be left alone."

  "Tough," Craig said. "What's going on?"

  She shrugged as if she didn't know or even care. "Look, I don't know who you are, but…"

  "Your brother and Liz are both friends of mine. If you know anything about Liz, you know she isn't anything like you accused her of and that she would never do anything to hurt your brother. If you know anything about your brother, you know …"

  "That he does whatever the fuck he wants. That he is the perfect husband, the perfect man, the perfect everything. That he never does a fucking thing wrong," she spat, finally looking at him.

  "Don't," he warned, his voice never rising but his tone dropping. She rolled her eyes again.

  "What, I can't even have my own opinion? I have every right to say what the hell I want." Craig looked at her closely, his eyes capturing hers and saw the tears she was barely able to conceal.

  "Sure, you are allowed your opinion. What you aren't allowed is to spew filth when giving it. I'm not sure who you are talking about, but we both know it isn't your brother. I've known Logan a long time, little girl, and I know your brother adores you," he said softly. She shook her head in disbelief. "I don't lie, Barbara. In fact, I am often told I'm too honest. I know you are hurt; I know you are angry, but, honey, I also know that it isn't because you are pissed at Logan or Liz. I'm giving you a chance to explain your behavior before …"

  "Before what? Before you tell my dad that his grown daughter knows a few fucking curse words? Before you convince him or Logan to span …" She didn't get a chance to complete her question as he stood, lifted her off the wall as if she weighed nothing, sat again, pulling her over his knees. He popped the back of her jeans hard three times before she could even react.

  "What the hell!" she said and then yelped when another three swats landed on her burning backside.

  "Stop! You can't do this … I'll sue you! I'll have you arrested!"

  Swat … swat … swat… "Oww, I'm a lawyer … you … you are assaulting …. Ow!" Craig swatted her three more times, his hand crashing down hard on her bottom, knowing that though it had to be a bit shocking, the thick denim of her jeans protected her butt from any real pain. He lifted her off his lap and stood her before him, his hands holding her upper arms.

  "That's but a sample of what you've earned, little girl. You need your butt spanked until you are squirming and crying and submitting to what you know you deserve. You are a beautiful woman, Barbara Grace, but your behavior is atrocious and more like what I'd expect from a naughty child. Your mouth is filthy and you are saying ugly things about good people."

  "I'm not a child! I'm going to…"

  "I'm not finished!" Craig said, firmly. "You are acting like a brat. I don't take kindly to threats, and you'll find I don't make idle promises. You are a Dietrich. You were raised knowing right from wrong and how to treat others with respect. How to treat yourself with respect. That it isn't necessary to get your point across by cursing like a sailor. How to stand with those that love you against the world. Sure, you could sue me, I suppose, but if that's what you decide you need to feel better, to get yourself back to where you really wish you could be, then I'll deal with it. If, however, you manage to be honest enough with yourself, you already know what you really need. I'll be around all weekend. I won't touch you again until, little girl, you come to me and ask me to finish this spanking. Of course, the next time you are across my knees, your jeans won't be protecting that beautiful little ass. You'll feel my hand on your bare bottom so I can be sure that the lesson gets through that stubborn mind of yours. Understand?" Her mouth dropped open and her eyes flashed. Despite her indignation, Craig saw the look behind her eyes that she couldn't quite manage to hide. "Until then, I suggest you remember that your family loves you. If you are as sorry as I think you are, I'm sure Logan and Liz would like to hear it. It wouldn't hurt to apologize to your parents, either." He stood, and she had to crane her neck to look up at him. He still had hold of her arms, easily able to hold her in place. He shocked her further by bending to place a kiss on top of her head before picking her up and lifting her over the wall so that she was standing on the concrete of the parking lot instead of in the dirt. He released her and stepped over, himself.

  Barbara could only stare as she watched him walk across the lot and disappear into the front door of the hotel. It was as if she were seeing him for the first time. He had long legs that ended in a pair of worn cowboy boots. He was wearing jeans that hugged his butt in a way that made her heart pound. Her hands absently went behind her, rubbing at the seat of her jeans before yanking them away. Instead of thinking about how incredibly cute he was, how he towered over her, how even though his hat had shadowed his face she had been able to see the deep chocolate brown eyes as they captured hers, she should be furious! This cowboy had actually spanked her as if she were three years old. She stomped her foot in frustration. She already had a father who had threatened to remind her how it felt to be bent over his knees; she sure as hell didn't need another daddy threatening the same! God, she was a grown woman and yet … yet part of her was actually wondering at why she had thought of that cowboy in terms of a daddy and thinking about his promise to give her exactly what she needed. She felt her stomach flutter, thinking about him saying that the next time he spanked her it would be on the bare, and for a brief moment wondered what that would feel like. Swearing under her breath, she wondered what it was that gave men the idea that they had the right to tell women what to do. This was not the Wild West where the poor little damsels needed protection. This was the twenty-first century, damn it! No one had spanked her in years, and no one had ever spoken quite like that to her. She had told Craig the truth. She was a lawyer. She and her husband … make that ex-husband …worked together in a firm they had started with three other people after graduating from law school. Her copartners considered her a strong woman, one who knew exactly what she wanted, one that never, ever lost control. Her reputation was that of an ice-queen, one who could be counted on to leave her emotions at home, not bring them either to the office or the courtroom. If any one of them had witnessed what had just happened none would have believed it. Hell, she couldn't believe it herself.

  Barbara slowly walked back into the hotel. She heard laughter coming from the dining room and paused, not sure if she could really join them. Her father stepped into the hall,
seeing her standing alone and looking bereft. He smiled and opened his arms. The simple, silent gesture broke her. She fled into them, her face buried in his shirt.

  "I'm sorry," she said. "I … I don't know …."

  "Shhh, Bunny girl," he said, as he patted her back. "I know you are having a tough time, honey. I'm here for you. We are all here for you." She nodded and lifted her head.

  "I know, Dad. I … I need to apologize again." Benjamin didn't dissuade her; they both knew she needed to do exactly that. He kept an arm around her as he led her back into the dining room. Craig was standing with Garrett and Ariel, having loaded four of the cinnamon rolls onto a plate. He also had a cup of coffee. Watching Benjamin leading his daughter back into the room, seeing her speak quietly to Logan and Elizabeth, he smiled. Elizabeth immediately hugged her; Logan gave her a hug and kiss, as well as a pat on her butt. Craig grinned at seeing her flush but said nothing. After she had apologized to her mother, Craig walked towards her.

  "Come, we'll share some breakfast." She wanted to tell him where he could stick those rolls, but figured she had already caused a big enough scene for one morning. They were all supposed to be working together this weekend. It wouldn't do to piss everyone off before they ever even got to the worksite. She nodded, and he pulled out a chair, asked her if she wanted coffee, and brought it to her when she said she did. He took one of the rolls, placing it on a small plate and put it in front of her. She watched as he picked up another roll and practically swallowed it in one bite. He thought she needed lessons on manners? She used a knife, cut a small piece of the roll, and then forked it into her mouth, chewing slowly. She hadn't finished half of the roll before Craig had devoured another.

  "What do you think?" he asked with a smile that made her heart lurch again. She felt her mind go blank at the look in his eyes. He had removed his hat, no longer hiding his eyes. His eyelashes would make any woman green with envy, thick and curved just enough to frame his incredible eyes. They seemed to sparkle.