Marcus combed his fingers through her loose hair. "That's very good. You've pleased me. Go into to the bedroom and lie on the bed. I'll be with you shortly."
Tabitha was stunned. He didn't want her to continue? He'd said he was pleased, but he didn't let her give him completion. Confusion clouded her mind. She stood, her eyes averted, and walked into the bedroom.
A large, four-poster bed dominated the room. Tabitha didn't spend much time examining the furnishings; she crawled into the center of the bed as directed. She rolled over on her back and closed her eyes. The room was a bit cool and the air raised goose bumps on her skin.
The anticipation was unbearable.
How long will he make me wait?
Tabitha had the urge to touch herself and slipped her fingertip under the edge of her panties. She was sliding her finger toward her clit when Marcus entered the room.
"Well, I don't recall giving a direction for that."
Tabitha bit her lip and removed her hand from her crotch. She glanced at Marcus and saw that he had refastened his clothes. She spotted his arousal bulging against the fabric of his pants.
Marcus crossed to the bed and sat beside her. He extended a finger and gently stroked her lips. "I can see we have a few things to work on in terms of following directions."
Tabitha bit her lip. "I'm sorry … I didn't think."
He paused, waiting.
What does he want?
Then it came to her. "I apologize, Sir. It was wrong of me."
"Now you know that I expect my directions to be followed exactly. No additions. No omissions." Marcus took her hand and kissed the fingertips, one by one. "Don't worry. I'll help you remember. Take off your bra and panties."
As Tabitha complied, Marcus opened the nightstand drawer and pulled out a roll of black velvet ribbon and a pair of scissors. "I picked this up just for you."
"How did you know?"
"I didn't. Not for sure. But I wanted to be prepared." Marcus carefully measured out and cut two even lengths. He laid them on the bed. "Roll onto your stomach."
Tabitha hesitated and looked into his face. What she saw there reassured her and she turned over.
Marcus took her wrist in his hand and wrapped the velvet ribbon around it. He guided her hand to the closest bedpost and tied the ribbon around it. Moving to the other to the other side of the bed, he repeated his actions on her other wrist. "Do you want me to continue?"
Tabitha tested the ties that bound her wrists and found them secure. The vulnerability she experienced was both shocking and arousing. Arousal won out. "Yes."
"Yes what?"
"Yes, Sir."
"I've been patient but I won't keep reminding you. There will be a penalty in the future. Do you understand?"
"Yes … Sir."
Marcus left her legs free and Tabitha was tempted to move them, but resisted the impulse. She heard Marcus moving around the room, but he didn't come within her field of vision.
"Have you been a naughty girl?"
Tabitha nodded. "Yes, Sir, I'm sorry."
"I know you are. But I can't let it pass, can I?"
Tabitha shook her head.
"I don't think I heard you."
"No, Sir, you cannot let it pass."
Marcus rested something against the cheeks of her ass and Tabitha flinched in surprise. He rubbed it against her and she could discern that it was smooth with a bit of heft.
"This is a small leather paddle. Have you ever been spanked with a paddle?"
"No, Sir."
Marcus gave Tabitha a very weak slap with the paddle that didn't leave a mark. "What do you think? Would a spanking cure your naughtiness?"
Tabitha swallowed. "Yes, Sir." Her voice quivered with barely suppressed excitement.
"Get on your knees. Your ass is too low."
Tabitha struggled to reposition herself with little assistance from her arms, which were still tethered. Eventually, she brought her knees underneath her.
Marcus stroked her ass with his fingertips and pressed on her back. "Bend."
Tabitha complied. This position exposed the lips of her pussy, and she grew moist. Marcus had not blindfolded her as he had threatened to do. When she glanced to the side, he had removed all his clothing except his boxer briefs.
The mattress depressed as Marcus put one knee on it to move closer. "Mmmm … the question is, of course, how many will it take? Do you suppose ten might make you more compliant? Or will it take twenty?"
Tabitha did not respond. She didn't have any context to know what ten versus twenty meant. She hadn't been spanked since she was a child, but this was entirely different.
Marcus applied an encouraging stroke. "Answer."
"I don't know, Sir, ten? I'm sure ten will be enough."
"Very well then. Ten it is. Count them out."
The bed shook as Marcus shifted his weight and then the blow of the leather paddle landed in earnest. Her breath caught. It stung, but was not truly painful. This was not a teasing blow like before.
"It's unfortunate that we cannot count that one, as you did not do as you were told." Marcus struck her again.
Tabitha was quick to respond this time. "One."
"One what? We'll begin again." Marcus sounded pleased to restart the count. The paddle came down.
"One, Sir."
"So much better. I see little pink on your ass. I imagine by the time we get to ten, it will be a nice rosy color."
The paddle landed again. "Two, Sir."
"You look very lovely from this angle. Do you know what I'm going to do after I spank your ass?" He smacked her again.
"Three, Sir." Tabitha squirmed, but didn't try to evade.
"After your ass is nice and warmed up, I'm going to take you." Marcus alternated cheeks, aiming carefully at one and then the other.
"Four, Sir." An erotic fog drifted into Tabitha's mind. She was aroused, highly aroused, yet calm and relaxed.
"You look so lovely in this position. Your ass is presented perfectly." He paddled her again.
"Five, Sir." Tabitha's knees trembled.
"Your mouth felt wonderful, but I wanted to come inside you first." He gave her another stroke.
"Six, Sir." Tabitha wished she could see it as well as feel it. She imagined viewing herself - her upturned ass in the air as Marcus administered his sensual punishment.
"I have a feeling you'll be more than ready for me. I can see how slick you are." He struck her again, the paddle bouncing off her flesh.
"Seven, Sir." Her body was fluid, pliant.
"I can hardly wait. I'm so ready to sink myself inside you." He caressed her with the smooth surface of the paddle before withdrawing for another blow.
"Eight, Sir." Tabitha quivered inside. Two more.
"I imagine you are feeling a bit of a tickle by this point." Marcus chuckled and struck her again, just a bit harder.
"Nine, Sir." Tabitha
was
feeling it now, the radiating sting that followed each strike of the paddle.
"Almost done. Your wiggling indicates to me that perhaps you have enjoyed this more than you should." He hit her again and dropped the paddle on the mattress.
"Ten, Sir." Tabitha drew a deep breath. Her ass burned in a few spots.
Marcus knelt behind her and caressed her rear with the palms of his hands, his skin cool against her hot, stinging ass. "Spread your knees."
Tabitha complied and Marcus repositioned himself between her legs.
Marcus stroked her ass. "I wish you could see this. It's such an inviting shade of pink and so warm."
Tabitha vibrated under his touch.
"Are you ready for me?" Marcus struck her asscheek with the palm of his hand and Tabitha jumped.
"Yes! Yes, Sir, I'm ready." Tabitha yearned for him, yearned for the relief that only he could provide.
"Are you still feeling naughty?" Marcus rubbed himself against her.
"I must admit, Sir, that I am." The confession freed Tabitha. She opened herself to Marcus, mentally and physically.
"Well then, I'll have to see what I can do to drive it out of you." Marcus's fingers explored the folds between her legs, spreading the slick wetness of her arousal. When he reached her opening, he spread the lips and brought his cock to bear. "Tell me what you need. Tell me what you desire."
"Please … Marcus … Sir."
At her lapse, Marcus slapped her ass. "Try again."
"Please, Sir, I want to feel you … inside me."
Marcus sank in to the hilt, filling her completely. "Tight and slick, just the way it should be. Perfect."
Tabitha moaned and pushed back against him, craving all he had to give. She shuddered as he withdrew and sighed in relief as he thrust inside again. She ached to have him. Her skin tingled and she throbbed, wanting more.
Marcus caressed her stretched opening with his fingertip as he delved into her. He extended a finger toward her clit and pressed hard against it.
Marcus's intimate touch pushed Tabitha over the edge. She flung her head back and pulled in vain at the ties that bound her hands. Marcus grasped her hips, pushing deeply within her as he felt her spasm. A guttural moan escaped him as he joined her in completion.
Marcus stroked her back and traced his fingers along the line of her spine until he reached the crack of her ass. "I knew you would be like this." He untied each wrist in turn and took her into his arms.
Tabitha strained to be closer, rubbing herself against him. She thought she had some idea of what she was getting into but realized it was not something easily described with words. Her mind had been engaged on a deeper level. Giving over control had breached a psychological barrier she'd never even realized was there. Tabitha always believed that the mind was the most erogenous zone, but now she truly knew the extent of it.
As Marcus pulled the covers up, she snuggled closer, breathing in his masculine scent.
*****
The next morning when Tabitha woke, Marcus was gone. He'd left a note for her on the nightstand saying that he had a business meeting and wanted to meet for lunch.
As memories of the previous evening flooded into her mind, Tabitha shivered. It had been extraordinary, and yet, part of her felt inhibited and nervous about seeing Marcus again. She didn't feel any regret, just enchanted by this new side of her nature Marcus had revealed to her.
Tabitha stretched and felt a slight ache inside. Marcus had been … magnificent - sexy and commanding, while still respecting her boundaries.
No, I won't be embarrassed.
She would be excited and hard-pressed to restrain herself.
Tabitha spent a couple hours on the beach before heading to the casual, local restaurant where she'd arranged to meet Marcus. She was early and slid into a booth to enjoy some people watching. She was deep in thought when Marcus sat down across from her. He placed a small package on the table and pushed it toward her.
"What's this?" The unexpected gesture surprised her.
"It's a gift, of course."
Tabitha thought of making a polite protest, but instead decided to accept it with good grace. "Thank you." She opened the package to reveal a black velvet choker with a plumeria charm.
"A memento of your trip."
"Yes, I've seen a lot of jewelry like this here. It's lovely." Tabitha removed it from the box and examined it. The velvet ribbon was soft but sturdy. The plumeria bloom was fashioned in silver.
Marcus reached for the choker. "May I put it on you?"
Tabitha passed it to him.
Marcus stood and fastened the claw clasp at the back around her neck. He returned to his seat and gave Tabitha a long, probing look. "It suits you. I'm glad you like it."
Tabitha leaned across the table and grasped his hands. His skin was warm and she thought of him against her body. "Would you think I was naughty if I suggested we returned to the hotel and ordered room service?"
"I would." Marcus brought her fingers to his lips. "I thought you wanted to go to the aquarium this afternoon?"
"Well, I did. However, perhaps you could help me with my own scientific investigation instead?" Tabitha ached to touch Marcus again and be touched in return.
"I'm always happy to help. What is your hypothesis?" Marcus played along with her banter.
Tabitha lowered her voice. "I have a theory regarding sexuality and the human capacity for pleasure."
Marcus grinned. "Do you really?"
"Yes, it is my understanding that studies have shown that most couples experience no more than one or two orgasms in an intimate session. I believe that this can be easily exceeded with the right application of technique."
"I feel quite sure you're right." Marcus took a ten-dollar bill from his wallet and tossed it on the table. He grasped Tabitha's hand and led her away from the restaurant.
They made their way back to the hotel and once in Marcus's room, Tabitha experienced a wave of shyness. Her finger played with the flower charm on the choker that Marcus had given her.