Strictly Business: Hooded Pleasures, Book 1 (7 page)

“I don’t want to hear your excuses.” She strode by him and turned to go into the living room. “Stay there and catch your breath. I’ll call you when I’m ready for you.”

Alex stayed silent.

Kate dropped her duffle bag on the couch and swore silently. She hated being late, hated being rushed.

But she’d make the best of it, because she owed Alex the best she had.

It took a minute to tap in her safety code on her phone, alerting Hooded Pleasures she was on site and working.

The initial chime went off, signaling the start of the session. A gentle tone would sound every fifteen minutes, allowing her to pace herself and the client.

It was easy to lose yourself in the scene and forget the time.

Always leave them wanting more
, her inner voice laughed,
but make them enjoy the trip.

She stripped off the raincoat and threw it over the far chair. As she unzipped the bag, she took in the living room, noting the décor.

The black leather couch was there, Alex’s clothing neatly folded at one end. The coffee table was an abused antique, the worn wood showing where coasters should have been used for drinks and weren’t. A thin light brown carpet covered the hardwood floor almost end to end.

The computer desk at the wall held one of the best setups she’d seen in a long time—a large monitor and speakers, the computer tower on the floor one of the pricey models she’d considered the last time she’d upgraded.

His laptop sat beside the keyboard, turned off and silent like its big brother. His cell phone lay atop it, the screen dark.

He’d followed the instructions to the letter, cutting all links to the outside world—or at least as best as he could.

Well done.

A few minutes, and she had most of what she needed out of the duffle, tucked under the bag and hidden from sight.

Anticipation, after all, was half the fun.

Time for Alex to get on board.

“Come in here,” she called.

Alex padded in and knelt at her feet, his hands behind his head. He had calmed down somewhat, his breathing almost back to normal.

Good.

Now to take him out of normal.

“This—” She picked up the riding crop from the couch and touched the tip to his quivering balls. “This is not acceptable.”

“No, Mistress,” he whispered. The tremor in his voice told her he was finally realizing what he’d gotten himself into.

Fantasy made reality.

She savored his momentary panic, drew from it.

This is what you want. This is what you need.

And it is my pleasure and honor to give it to you.

“When I give you an instruction, I expect you to follow it.” She drew the leather square up along his cock. “Why isn’t this harness fastened properly?”

“It wouldn’t fit.” He grunted through clenched teeth, his hips bucking involuntarily.

“Why not?” She saw him respond to the crop’s touch, his cock bobbing for further attention.

He gasped. “Because I’m harder than hard, and it wouldn’t fit over my dick.”

She snapped the end against his inner thigh. Not hard enough to leave a mark but enough to sting. “Wrong. Try again. The harness wouldn’t fit because—”

“Because I got too aroused?” His tone rose on the last word.

“Yes.” She put the tip of the crop under his chin and edged his face up. “Exactly. Consider it your first lesson in self-control.”

His light blue eyes were wide and unfocused.

Kate allowed herself a secret smile. He was already sliding away from this world, this reality.

Mine.

Kate locked eyes with him. “Well done. You were doing what I asked you to do even if you knew it was going to be painful and well-nigh impossible.” She leaned forward and placed a wet kiss on his forehead. “Thank you.”

He shuddered under her lips, and she knew she had him.

Alex couldn’t look away.

God, she’s beautiful.

The merry widow was made of black leather and lace, the garters reaching down to hold up long black silk stockings. The high heels smelled of leather, the rich scent dominating his senses.

He almost came right there and then.

She glared at him. “What are you thinking?”

“You look…you look lovely,” he sputtered, suddenly afraid.

She raised one eyebrow.

“You look lovely, Mistress.” The flash of panic for not answering properly shot right to his balls, coiling around his cock as he waited for her response.

“Thank you.” The crop moved down to flick the dangling leather strap. “Take that ridiculous thing off.”

He fumbled with the cock harness, all thumbs as he wrestled with the leather and metal.

“I’m waiting.” A flash of heat shot up his spine at the disapproving tone.

“Sorry, Mistress.” He pulled it free and tossed it to the side. “Stupid thing,” he muttered.

The crop touched the inside of his thigh again. “What did you say?”

Oh godohgodohgod…

“I said it was a stupid toy. Mistress.”

“No.” She knelt and put her lips to his ear, the heated breath raising goose bumps on his skin. “It’s not a stupid toy when used properly. And I’m the one to show you how to use it, Alex.” She drew his name out like a long piece of taffy. “All it takes is a bit of control. That’s my area of expertise. Teaching you self-control. To start with.”

He shivered as Kate stood again, his attention now on the garters holding those stockings on those long, slender, lickable legs.

He bit down on his lower lip, fighting back the urge to lean forward and press his lips to them, tear the nylons with his bare teeth to get to the deliciousness hiding within.

“I have a present for you.” She reached under the pillows and pulled out a thin leather collar. The long strip held a simple buckle at the back and a metal ring adorning the front.

His eyes widened at the sight.

“This is your collar. No one has worn this before you, and no one will wear it other than you.”

Alex sighed as she stretched it out in front of him.

“You will keep this here and keep it safe. You will wear this for every appointment. Every time I arrive, you will have this sitting on the table, unlocked and ready for me. I will put this on you to signify the beginning of our session.” She showed him the locking buckle on the back. “I will lock it and keep the key safe until the end of our meeting. You will be my submissive and under my control and command until I unlock your collar and take it off your neck. Do you understand?”

Alex nodded.

She slipped it around his neck and clipped the small lock closed.

It was like she’d flipped a switch in his mind.

He wasn’t in charge anymore. He wasn’t dealing with stupid businessmen or deadlines, worrying about what had to be done or what needed to be said or who to call and what to say. All he had to do, all he needed to do, was fulfill her wishes and make her happy.

Tell me what to do.

Kate reached over and placed the key in her duffle bag.

“Now, let’s begin.” She wagged a finger at him. “Stand up and face the couch.”

The traffic jam had turned out to be a bonus giving her an excellent place to start training him.

“Put your hands on the armrest and bend over.” She motioned at the couch. “Remember your safe-word.”

Alex nodded and assumed the position, bracing himself.

“Since this is your first time, we’re going to start off slowly.” Kate moved out of sight before pulling out the single fingerless leather glove from under the bag. She tugged it on slowly, making him wait in anticipation. “Enjoy this now—I won’t be as gentle next time.”

She ran her right hand along the base of his spine and saw him tense up at the cool leather on his bare skin.

The first slap didn’t catch him unaware but startled him all the same, a grunt escaping as she delivered another one to the other cheek.

“Don’t even think of counting. We haven’t started yet,” she murmured as she increased the frequency, spanking his now-reddening cheeks with her gloved right hand.

Kate stopped after ten.

He hadn’t cried or yelped, hadn’t worded out or turned on her.

Good.

She drew her nails along the inflamed skin, seeing the muscles flex under her touch.

“Thank you, Mistress.”

The whisper took her aback. New clients usually didn’t have the wherewithal to speak at this point other than to safe-word out.

“Don’t thank me yet,” Kate answered as she moved to take the leather paddle out from under her bag. “That was just to warm you up.”

Alex began to turn to watch but stopped himself, staring straight ahead.

Good,
Kate mentally said.
Don’t look or move until I tell you to.

He might be new to the scene, but he’d done his homework and was putting it to good use.

She made sure he didn’t see it straight on but instead out of the corner of his eye. It built up more mystery, more tension if the client didn’t see all of what he was about to get.

“Let’s start with the ten for you questioning me on the phone.”

He flinched as the leather paddle slapped his bare ass, the skin pinking nicely under her application.

Kate hummed her appreciation as he said nothing, did nothing other than exhale loudly as the spanking continued.

Sweat beaded on his forehead as she finished her count.

“You failed to meet me at the door as requested.” She bent over his back, pushing on his ass with her thighs, letting him feel the garters against his oversensitized skin. “Correct?”

The answering whisper sent a warm glow through her. “Yes, Mistress.” He didn’t hesitate, didn’t push back.

“That’s worth at least twenty.” She picked up the riding crop.

Kate ran the long cane under his chin, lifting his head with a slight pressure. His hair brushed against her face. The leather collar pressed on his skin—not enough to leave a permanent mark, but he’d see the redness in the mirror for a few hours.

A temporary reminder of how he’d belonged to her, body and soul.

He arched his back and grunted.

“Do you agree?”

“Whatever you want, Mistress.” There was a trace of fear in his voice mixed with acceptance as he settled into his new role.

“Yes.” She released his head and drew the crop down the center of his spine before putting it aside to pick up the paddle. “Whatever. I. Want.”

Kate stepped back and viewed her target. She didn’t begin right away, waiting to prolong the anticipation.

Alex didn’t say anything, waiting for her to start.

He knew his place in this relationship.

She nodded her appreciation, even though he couldn’t see it.

Good.

She drew back, relishing the perfect balance of the paddle in her hand.

It took pacing to deliver so many strokes without breaking the skin or bringing up blisters, the reddening skin needing to cool down between sessions. His body wasn’t used to this, so she went light on him for their first time, angling the paddle to make more of a slap than needed to heighten his reaction, letting the sounds carry him more than the physical pain. Kate broke it up with murmured comments to him about how he was doing so well, adding the occasional caress and squeeze to his tortured skin.

A bit of honey to go with the vinegar.

He was in heaven. Or hell. Or someplace in between, he didn’t know and didn’t care.

His ass hurt, and it was the best type of hurt, the tingling spreading down his legs and up through his balls and straight to his cock. The rhythm of Kate’s counting made it easy to follow, tensing up before the paddle hit and relaxing as she pulled back for another go.

Alex swallowed, feeling the leather collar tight around his neck.

Freeing him from all responsibilities, all control. His only job now was to serve his Mistress and give her what she wanted.

The best feeling of all—no guilt.

No disapproving look. No worry about what she’d tell her friends or what might carry back to Jane. No cruel comments about being a freak or a perv.

Nothing but pure pleasure.

“Let’s change up the game, shall we?” Kate’s smooth voice in his ear startled him out of his introspection. He tensed up, waiting for her touch.

It never came.

She waited behind him, keeping her body away.

“You zoned out there for a bit,” Kate murmured.

“Yes, Mistress.”

“You need to stay focused. Let’s work on that next.” Her long hair brushed over the back of his neck.

He shivered, and his hips shifted forward as if she’d hit him, rubbing against the smooth black leather.

He envisioned digging a hole through the fabric with his cock, ripping it open with his repeated motions.

Alex wasn’t worried.

He could afford a new couch.

If he didn’t bronze this one and set it up as a trophy somewhere.

“I’m tired of counting. Your turn.” The command sent a flash of heat down his spine.

He had a second to brace himself before the paddle landed, the snap of leather sparking his senses.

“One.”

He got to five before his mind checked out and he could do nothing but moan, the delicious friction ripping away his consciousness and replacing it with a sensual fog.

“What number are we up to?” The question brought him down to earth with a shattering thud.

“Uh—”

He swallowed hard not knowing what to say.

Ten? Fifteen?

What will happen if I guess wrong?

“Did you lose count, Alex?” The whispered question in his ear had him thrusting his hips against the couch instinctively, twisting under her.

He blinked away sweat, his foggy mind trying to figure out the answer.

“Did you lose count?” she repeated, walking around the couch to face him. The riding crop appeared again, held against his chin. She pressed it up, lifting his head so he could look directly into her eyes. “Did you?”

“Yes, Mistress.” Alex moaned, feeling a surge of disappointment threaten to wash away his arousal. “I forgot.”