Bel flushed, feeling miserable, and was grateful when the waitress came along with their coffees as she appreciatively took a big gulp and then changed the topic away from Alex and asked Elena how things were going between her and Philip.
As her friend's mood became less enthusiastic, Isabelle found herself listening to Elena's worries that things between her and Philip just weren't going as well as she had hoped. Although he was a lovely guy, it seemed that the spark between them just wasn't there, which was a shame as Elena really enjoyed his company and wanted things to work out between them.
As the women talked, and Isabelle did her best to reassure her friend and offer her the support she needed, the clock continued to tick, and it was approaching 8 pm when they left the coffee shop and Isabelle made her way home.
Maybe, she thought to herself, she'd luck out and Alex wouldn't be home yet, although that hope faded as soon as she saw the lights that had been switched on in the living room shining through the windows as she approached the front door.
"Hey!" she called out cautiously, and Alex came to meet her in the hallway, concern etched over his feet.
"Bel! At last. Where have you been, love? I was worried."
"I know, I know. I'm sorry. I tried to call you, but I must have left my phone here." She told him about Elena and how their outing had overrun as he dished up some pasta for her to eat with him.
They took their plates into the living room, and after they'd eaten she lay back on the sofa with her feet in his lap as he stroked away the aches while she talked to him about Elena's unhappiness over Philip.
"I'll try and stop by and see her tomorrow. She never said anything to me over being unhappy with Philip," he said with a frown. "He seemed like a nice guy when I met him, although I thought it was a bit odd that she hadn't invited him out with us recently."
"I think he is a nice guy, and she wanted it to work. There's just not the," she searched for the right word, "chemistry, I guess, between them that she wants. She's not upset because of anything he's particularly done or not done, but just because she'd had hopes for the relationship I think."
"Hmmm. Even so, I'll pop in and see her as soon as I can."
"She'd like that," Isabelle replied, beginning to feel sleepy as the foot massage worked its magic.
"Hey sleepy head. No dozing just yet. You and I still have a few things we need to discuss, hmmm?"
Her eyes jerked open and her heart sank. She knew exactly what he was referring to, but had hoped that he might have forgotten about it as he hadn't said much about it since she had gotten home.
"Oh, but..."
"Hmmm?" He raised one eyebrow at her, questioningly.
"It was just one little mistake, Alex. Even Elena said that I did deserve a bit of a break from work."
He lifted her so that she was sat completely on his lap, in his arms, with his arms looped round her to offer her reassurance.
"Love, I'm not annoyed at you going and enjoying yourself." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You do deserve a break. You've been working so hard recently. But, I told you to make sure you took your phone with you when you went out. I was really worried when you weren't back when it began to get dark, and when I tried to call you, all I heard was your phone ringing in the kitchen."
She pulled a face. She hadn't even thought that he would have tried to call her, though it made perfect sense.
"I did try to call, really I did. I just didn't realise that I'd forgotten my phone until it was too late, and Elena didn't have her phone with her either."
"I know. I tried to call her as well, in case something had happened to you both. I'll make sure I have a word with her about that. She knows better than to go out without her phone as well!"
"Oh!" Isabelle squirmed, not having intended to get her friend into trouble as well.
"Don't look like that," he squeezed her shoulders gently, "I'd figured out for myself that she'd left her phone at home when she didn't pick up."
Realising that he was right, and he would have put two and two together pretty easily anyway, Isabelle felt slightly better, but looked up at him apprehensively, not sure quite what he had in mind, but knowing that she'd agreed to this deal and had to take the consequences whether she liked it or not.
"Don't be scared, Bel. I know that it was a genuine mistake that you forgot to your phone, but I do want to make sure that in future you'll remember not to do it again."
"You're not going to yell at me?"
"Bel, when have I ever yelled at you?" he asked, surprised.
"Well, I guess you haven't," she admitted, as she thought quickly back. It was true; he'd hardly ever even raised his voice at her.
He sighed and brushed her hair away from her face, hooking a stray strand behind her ear. "Bel, it's still not sinking in is it?"
"What do you mean?" she gazed up at him, still apprehensive.
"You know I'm going to spank you," he felt her tense automatically, "but as I said, I know you made an honest mistake, so it won't be too hard, just enough for you to remember it. But then, that's it, Bel. We put it behind us. No grouching, or sulking or angry words at each other. We move on from it?"
She could tell he really wanted her to understand and, sure, she understood the words he was saying, but part of her just couldn't really believe that they would be able to move on so quickly, that he wouldn't snipe at her for days afterwards. She tried to explain that to him and, to her surprise, he nodded, and said, "I know that's what you're finding difficult to believe, but aren't we at least going to give it a chance?"
Tentatively, wanting to believe him, she nodded.
"Okay, love." Quickly, he kissed her again but then, just as swiftly, re-arranged her so she was settled face down over his knee.
She gasped, as she'd expected him to make her lean over the side of the sofa like he had last time. Oddly, she found it more comforting to have the security of his body against her, reassuring her with his proximity and touch.
Gently, he pushed up her skirt and lowered her panties so that they caught around her knees.
"Now, young lady. You know why I'm doing this, don't you?"
Still scared, but trying to be brave, she nodded.
"Tell me then, Bel," he commanded softly.
"Because I didn't take my phone out with me, and I'd promised you I would," she answered at once. "I'm sorry, Alex, really I am."
"I know you are, Bel. But it's more than just you not taking your phone out you know?"
"I know. If there had been a problem I wouldn't have been able to call you for help, and I'd have been stuck. It was stupid, I should have checked my purse before we left."
Tenderly, he stroked her lower back. "Good. Now, I'm not going to make you count these, Bel, but so you know, you're going to get thirty spanks with my hand. Now try not to struggle, okay?"
Gulping, she nodded. Thirty still sounded like an awful lot to her, and she was dreading the feeling of humiliation that she knew was going to creep over her.
"Smack!"
She jumped and automatically tried to buck off his lap. His hand wasn't as hard as the horrible paddle had been, but it stung and made her sensitive flesh throb unpleasantly.
"Shhh," he hooked his leg over her flailing legs, keeping them in place.
"Smack!"
"Smack!"
"Ow!" she cried out as the bite of the spanks turned to a burn and she felt the heat spread over her bottom. "Alex, it hurts, stop!" as, futilely, she tried to get him to release her.
"I know it hurts, Bel. That's the point, you know that, but don't try and struggle, it'll make it worse."
She hiccupped, tears beginning to run down her face as the spanks continued to rain down on her poor bottom and the tops of her thighs.
Gradually, she settled, but with her hands clutched onto fabric of his jeans as if hanging on for dear life. She felt herself thinking about how stupid it had been for her to leave her phone behind and how, if it had been the other way roun
d, she'd have been so worried about him had he not come home from work when she expected him, and she couldn't contact him. She hadn't been fair to him, she knew.
As she was lost in her thoughts, she didn't realise that the spanks had stopped and he was tenderly rubbing her back, caressing her shoulders, as he waited for her to calm down.
When he felt the shaking in her upper body ease, and the trembling of her shoulders calm, he gently moved her so she was back in his arms and he could cuddle her. Instinctively, she tried to pull away, the feelings of embarrassment flooding back, especially when she saw her panties still caught round her legs.
"No, Bel," he said firmly, "don't pull away from me. I'm not letting us go down that route again."
"But..." she wouldn't meet his eyes, and desperately tried to correct her clothing.
"No 'buts', love. This is just me and you remember, and there's no need to be embarrassed."
She knew he was right. After everything they'd shared, she had no reason to be embarrassed. Taking a deep breath, she tried her best to relax. "I'm sorry Alex, I know I behaved stupidly. I really will try and remember my phone from now on, I promise."
Tenderly, he lowered his head and kissed her, letting his lips slowly roam over hers, coaxing her to open to him. "I know, love, and I believe you. Just remember that I want to be sure you're safe at all times, okay? And taking your phone with you is a part of that."
She nodded, still feeling embarrassed at the spanking, and still experiencing the smarting hurt in her bottom, but feeling comforted with his arms around her, realising that he didn't seem to think any less of her for having let him put her over his knee.
He continued to kiss her through her tension, and lightly stroked her breasts through her dress as his lips persisted in teasing her and she felt herself relax more into him. Almost imperceptibly, he deepened the kiss.
"Mmmm," she murmured into his mouth, shifting slightly so she was pressed against him more closely, her panties finally falling to the floor in the process.
Effortlessly, he pushed up her dress further so it was gathered around her waist, and with a feather light touch, let his finger tips trail over the new heat in her bottom, chuckling as he heard her gasp at his touch. It wasn't quite pain, but it wasn't entirely comfortable either. Smoothly, his hand drifted to the folds between her legs and slowly, so slowly, he began to stroke her, while his other hand tangled in her hair, keeping her close to him and his lips on hers.
"Still embarrassed?" he asked, gently.
Groaning, as she felt her body begin to respond to the magic of his hand, she muttered "You don't play fair," in his ear, feeling his low laugh in response.
"Alex," she whispered, her breath slightly unsteady, "I'm not sure this is right."
He paused and his hand stilled. "What do you mean, love? Am I doing something you don't like?" he sounded worried.
"No, no," she reassured him immediately, "it's just that well, so soon after. I don't know if this is a good idea."
"What's done is done, Bel," he replied, his voice serious. "You did a silly thing and you've been punished for it. Now it's time to move on, as long as you don't hurt?"
"Oh!" surprise filled her voice, as it began to dawn on her just how much he meant what he had said earlier about there being no recriminations, no on going bitterness after a spanking.
"Do you hurt Bel?" now he was the one who momentarily needed the reassurance.
"Yes, no, well," she tried to find the words, "I'm sore, but I'm not in pain."
"Good." He sounded satisfied as his fingers began to work their magic again and he stroked through the dewy wetness.
"Oh!" she gasped as his fingers began to tease her core, circling the distended nub and quickly causing her to writhe in his arms.
Swiftly, he turned them round so that he was lying back, with her on top of him, her legs circling his waist, his arms still slightly lifting her to protect her sore bottom. With one hand, he unfastened his jeans, freeing himself from the constraints of the rough material.
Looking down, she saw him take her wet essence that stained his fingertips and stroke it over the head of his hard cock, making himself slick to ease his entrance. Isabelle felt her channel tighten and clench at the sight of him stroking himself under her and, whimpering, moved her hips so that she was poised above him, his cock nudging her moist folds.
Understanding better than Isabelle how much she needed the reassurance of their intimacy, he thrust upwards in one sure movement, hearing her gasp of relief at his penetration. Knowing that now wasn't the time to tease her, he continued to thrust upwards, letting her feel the comfort that his possession brought, whilst with one hand he continued to gently circle her nub, feeling it flare under his fingers whilst at the same time her channel quickly began to tighten around him and he felt the start of her contractions.
"No, not yet, too soon," she tried to bat his hand away, wanting to prolong their joining.
"Shhh, we have all night, love," he reassured her as he caught her wrists in one of his hands, whilst his other hand continued to massage her intimately, and his mouth pulled at her nipples through her dress.
"Alex!" she cried, feeling her world spin out of control as he thrust deeply into her, touching that part high inside her and she felt the centre of her body shift so that it was focussed solely on that sweet, tender spot as she fell apart in his arms, feeling him catch her as she found her release and collapsed against him.
* * *
Contemplatively, she sat in front of the mirror putting the finishing touches to her make-up. It was Saturday, the last weekend of their 'trial' arrangement. Alex had been called into the hospital for an emergency, and she was having an evening with her sisters. It had been arranged for ages, although she couldn't help but feel a bit sad that she wasn't spending it with Alex. Somehow, it seemed to be a bit of a milestone, or maybe crossroads would be a better description. She didn't know where they were going to go from here.
She knew that, despite her shaky start and misgivings, she'd settled into their lifestyle over the last couple of weeks and blossomed, emotionally as well as physically. She felt cherished and valued, secure and happy in Alex's affections for her. At times, she admitted to herself, she almost felt truly loved, such was the devotion and tenderness he showed her. She knew she loved him, but then, she'd loved him since she was a teenager. It was simply that those feelings had developed and matured, and were now the emotions of an adult woman rather than a giddy child. Unfortunately, they remained the emotions of a confused woman.
His version of tender discipline no longer terrified her the way it had at first. Okay, it wasn't something she would look forward to, but she'd been stunned that she felt, in fact, more independent and in control of her own life than she had before, when she'd always assumed she would feel the opposite.
However, they hadn't yet had a conversation about what the future could hold for them. She thought, and hoped, that he would want their relationship to continue, but she also knew that he was the type of man who would want them to have an honest discussion about their feelings for each other and what they wanted, rather than just fall into continuing things between them. She also figured he would want her to commit to continuing with his 'rules'. She sighed inwardly. Although the last couple of weeks had been a revelation for her, it was still a huge commitment and decision on her part and the vulnerable side of her really wanted him to verbalise how he felt about her, so she knew her feelings weren't one sided, and that she wasn't imagining he reciprocated her emotions.
Oh well, she thought. That conversation would have to wait now until tomorrow anyway. There was nothing like leaving things until the last minute! He knew she was heading over to Lily and Tom's for the evening, and her other sisters would be joining them there. Lily and Tom had recently moved house, setting up a proper home together. She wouldn't be surprised if they announced their engagement soon, their relationship was so solid, and she envied Lily, and Megan for that matter, th
e certainty of their emotions and lack of self-doubt when it came to their relationships.
Carefully, although it was now akin to a reflex action, she checked that her cell phone was in her purse. Now they had a bigger house, Lily had offered for her sisters to stay over that night rather than make their way back to their respective homes, but Isabelle had declined as she knew that Lily and Tom had only just moved in and hadn't had the chance yet to sort out their various furniture and belongings properly. She hadn't wanted Lily to stress about having to sort out bedrooms when it wasn't necessary. Elise would probably stay over with Lily, but Isabelle and Megan were both planning to get the Tube back provided that it wasn't too late. Alex and Luke had both insisted that if it got late they should get cabs back, or call them and they would come to pick them up. Not that their reaction surprised or dismayed her anymore. She'd pretty much come to expect it as a matter of course. In fact, she would have been surprised if Alex had not insisted on it.
Just as Isabelle was about to pull on her shoes and make her way to the Tube, her cell phone rang from within her purse. Puzzled, she pulled it out to see that it was Elena calling. Answering it, her heart sank to hear her friend so upset. Elena and Philip had broken up, mutually and they still hoped to stay friends, but it didn't make it any easier for her friend to accept the disappointment. As she tried to counsel her friend, and reassure her that the right man was out there for her, she lost track of time and by the time she ended the call, which was only because Elena herself had to go as she'd arranged to meet up with another of their mutual friends that evening, and promised Elena that she and Alex would stop by tomorrow to see how she was doing, she realised she was nearly an hour late.
Swearing softly under her breath as she looked at her watch, she realised that even if she got a cab to Lily's, by the time it had arrived she wouldn't save much time compared to if she took the Tube. Making a snap decision, she rushed into the kitchen and fished around in the large bowl where she'd last seen her car keys. She didn't drive very often, but kept a car as she sometimes had to travel outside London to see her agent, and it made life so much easier than relying on trains. Triumphant, she found the keys of her little car and, grabbing her purse and phone, rushed out the door.
Isabelle's Story, A Bentley Sisters Novel Page 9
