Chapter 14
As usual time flies when things are good, and before I know it, it is Friday evening, the day before Beth's play party. I have to admit, I'm excited about seeing some of the people of the community again I more or less lost contact with after Bella and I got together. Not that I have been avoiding them, on the contrary, but as we never actually got to go to any of the community events, be it a munch or a play party, I haven't seen most of them in months. Between working and being occupied keeping my lovely Bella happily satisfied, meeting others just doesn't have the priority it used to have. After all, one of the primary reasons I hung out with them all was to find someone to play with - and with that need no longer arising, I'm afraid I've turned into a veritable hermit.
"Why are you grinning like that?"
I turn my head and try to smother my excitement a little, seeing as Bella doesn't seem to share it - at least not without some reservations. She's been mostly quiet tonight, which is rather unusual for her.
"Ah, nothing."
"Don't you 'nothing' me, I know that look, Edward."
Deciding to keep things light, I let some of the lust I feel seep into my gaze.
"Guess."
A hint of a blush graces her cheeks when realization hits her, but Bella keeps her calm.
"So much for your promise to be at your best behavior tomorrow," she huffs.
I shrug, then lean closer to her so I can kiss her jaw gently.
"I don't intend to break my word. But that doesn't mean I have to sit on my hands and be all glum about it, and turn into some kind of Kink Grinch or something."
A bright smile takes over her face at that, and she shakes her head in silent laughter. When she turns to look at me again a residue of that mirth remains, plastering a similar smile onto my face in turn.
"While it's a little disconcerting, it's good to see you so carefree again."
"Carefree?" I prompt, then, "disconcerting?"
"You know, that thing where you don't expect hell to swallow you up and hurl you into an abyss of eternal torment? And disconcerting because I can guess why you're so damn happy to go there," she grumbles.
"Which is?"
Bella glares at me for a moment, her smile slowly draining from her face, but then she actually looks aggravated rather than petulantly grumpy.
"Because you finally get to meet your friends again, friends I've inadvertently kept you from. I'm sure you must be looking forward to seeing them again."
"Sure I do," I admit, wondering why she seems so moody. "But you haven't kept me from anyone. I just prefer your company to those of others. And you know that I'm usually working at least parts of the weekends, so it had nothing to do with you in most cases anyway."
I can see that she doesn't buy my attempt to lighten her mood, so I reach over and gently cup her cheek, stroking her softly. She closes her eyes and leans into my touch, and I can feel her relax.
"You know, for all the fun you have when playing the mean badass, you're still a bad liar, Edward."
Her suddenly teasing tone makes me crack up, and I'm relieved her smile is back when I quiet down again. Still feeling like I should set her straight on this, I draw her closer to me until her knee is touching my thigh where she's sitting next to me on the couch.
"Okay, yes, you might be the reason why I lost touch with some of them.
But in a good way. I've been lonely for so long, so I had the time and drive to be pretty active in the community. Since we hooked up I don't need to find someone else, because I already have you, the woman of my dreams.
Also, it's much more convenient to order you to kneel before me and suck me off than go out, find a sub who is maybe compatible with my preferences, and after endless negotiations have them do the same. So don't feel bad from keeping me from that, you actually preserve what little free time I have left."
I don't even try to evade her punch, but wince slightly when her fist connects with my upper arm. For a moment I'm tempted to launch myself at her and ravish her on the floor while I keep her pinned and helpless, but like so often, I don't think letting sex distract our conversation is a good idea. And I can still do the ravishing later.
"You cocky bastard," Bella huffs, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Why, yes, I think that's one of my more redeeming qualities?"
She rolls her eyes at me but when I don't react she exhales loudly, and I can see her eyes cloud over with concern again.
"Okay, I see I can't nudge you into us not having this conversation. You really used to be easier to manipulate when our relationship was days old and you were horny non-stop."
"Trust me, the horniness hasn't receded that much. And you shouldn't even try to manipulate me, ever."
She huffs again, unperturbed by my slightly chiding tone.
"Gee, yeah, I know, me bad, bad sub for attempting to top from the bottom.
Feel free to spank my bad sub bottom any time for it. But that aside, you know what I mean."
"Just spit it out, what has your panties in a twist?" There I feel my smile morph into a lopsided grin again. "Oh, right, you aren't wearing any panties!
How could I forget that."
Her weighted gaze is answer enough, but she goes on without letting me tease her too much.
"There will probably be several of your previous subs there, too, right?"
I nod, momentarily not quite understanding why she's suddenly starting to fidget, but then the proverbial light bulb goes on in my mind.
"Are you jealous because I played with them before we got together?"
"No, of course not, I'm -"
She trails off with a huff, then shakes her head as if to underscore her words, but the way she keeps avoiding me tells a different tale. I briefly consider assuring her she has nothing to fear, but then decide against it.
This is rapidly turning into one of those moments were Bella acts like a stereotypical woman - although she has yet to ask me if I think she looks fat in skinny jeans - and I feel like I have to stop this, right now.
"Bella," I say, stressing her name enough for her eyes to quickly move to my face.
"Hm?"
I can tell she's playing dumb, or deliberately trying to ignore the implication of my change in tone.
"Get up and stand in front of me."
She moves quickly enough that I realize that she knows what I'm up to, although the look on her face is a very long shot from meek.
"Strip."
She slides down her pants without protest and leaves them pooling on the floor, then pulls her shirt over her head and unclasps her bra, all without hesitation. Her step towards me causes her knees to brush between my spread legs where she stops, and with some afterthought she brings her arms behind her back, loosely clasping the opposite elbow with her hands.
I let my eyes roam over her beautiful body, giving her time to see how much I appreciate the view, before I beckon her towards me.
"Straddle my legs."
She lithely climbs onto my lap, her naked thighs pressing into the rough denim of my jeans. I run my hands up and down her legs, pleased that she keeps her arms where they are while her spine is straight, her head upright, not a hint of shame anywhere in her posture.
"Good girl."
A smile is tugging on the corner of her mouth as she inclines her head, then murmurs softly, "Thank you, Master."
Of course now my cock's as hard as ever and begging to be buried in her warm, willing cunt spread right before me, but I do my best not to lose my calm. For one I'm doing this for a reason, and getting the right answers out of her should go before satisfying my need. Although demanding her to give them while I f*ck the living shit out of her is appealing, too.
"Let's try this again. Why are you so twitchy and broody tonight? You said before you wanted to go to this play party, I hope you didn't lie to me then?"
She shakes her head without hesitation, her eyes seeking mine to convey her honesty better.
"Of course I didn't lie. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm exited and scared out of my mind at the same time. I think that's making me a little irrational, Sir."
I smile my encouragement at her while my hands find her ass, kneading her taut muscles there.
"And?"
"And I guess while I'm not exactly jealous of you playing with others before me, I'm apprehensive of meeting them. I know my own limits are quite lower than some of theirs probably were, and I think that makes me feel kind of ... inadequate."
Somehow that is like deja-vu to me.
"Do we really have to have this conversation again, Bella?" I gently chide her, and a hint of a shameful blush appears high on her cheeks.
"No, Sir. As I said, it's kind of irrational. I know you chose me, and yes, I am quite aware that you see more in me than a pair of tits and an ass you can spank at will."
"But?"
It's a little like pulling teeth, having to drag everything out of her like this, but I know eventually my patience will pay off. Bella sighs, somewhat dejectedly, and lowers her voice to the point where I'm wondering if she's trying to break role or just feeling stupid for voicing her thoughts.
"I'm having a bad case of stage fright. You know, like I'll do something incredibly infantile or mess up, and they'll all either pity me or ask themselves how much you must have hurt your head to stoop so low to take someone like me as your sub. When you could have had any of them.
Again."
It hurts me to see her confidence waver like that, but before I can chime in she goes on, her voice regaining strength fast.
"Not that I care so much. I know you love me, the same as I love you. I know they know I'm still more or less new to this so if I mess up they'll probably ignore it anyway. I wish I just wouldn't care what anyone thinks about me, but I want to be your super duper fantastic sub you can be proud of and -"
She trails off, then swallows convulsively and her eyes leave my face as she forces herself to go on.
"And parade around and show everyone how lucky you are to have me. I want to be insanely happy and lose myself in feeling loved and cherished by you, as your sub, and have a real reason for that. And not feel stupid for just having said that, Sir."
I have to admit, her little diatribe is highly amusing, and I pinch her ass cheek lightly until she makes a face.
"You know you don't have to do anything there? We don't have to do anything there? Just stand around, talk, enjoy the company is fine, too."
Bella nods, and after chewing on her lip she catches my gaze again.
"Thank you, Sir. I appreciate your lenience with me here. But I know you want to play, and so do I. It's just that I'm a little afraid you'll push me and I'll make an ass of myself because of some idiocy and disappoint you."
"You can't disappoint me, Bella."
She smiles again at my reassurance, but isn't convinced.
"It has happened in the past. And not to be pesky, Master, but you do have a habit of pushing me beyond my comfort zone. Or you used to."
I'm surprised how dejected the last part sounds, but decide to store that away for a later conversation, after all this is over.
"Do you mean you expect me to do that tomorrow? To embarrass you in front of everyone by inadvertently making you mess up because I pressure you too much?"
I try not to sound hurt but I think I'm not doing a good job, from the way she tenses up. I'm even more surprised when she nods.
"Seriously?"
My unbelieving snort causes her to look away once more, but a quick slap on her ass has her attention focused on my face once again.
"That actually wasn't a hypothetical question."
"I am. Kind of."
"Kind of?"
She cringes at my hard tone but nods.
"Yes."
I don't really know what to say. I mean I can tell that she's trying to get a rouse out of me, and part of me thinks that alone warrants a quick and painful reminder that it's not her place to attempt that - as we don't play things this way. But I don't think whacking her ass good today will help the problem at hand that I haven't realized exists until a few minutes ago.
"What do you think I should do now?" I ask instead.
She seems puzzled for a moment and her composure crumbles a little, but after a little fidgeting she straightens again, looking more confident.
"I think you shouldn't give me the option not to play tomorrow. And you should plan for something that is a little challenging for me, not enough to make me fail but still press me. I think it would make both of us feel good if that works. And if it doesn't, we can still laugh over it for the next few years."
I actually like her suggestion, and it reminds me of our conversation after our switching scene. Building confidence alright. And I feel like kissing her when she adds, somewhat dejectedly, "And you should probably spank me soundly for trying to make you do all that instead of just telling you that idea of mine straight out."
Her eyes are gleaming when I dig my hands into her ass, then let them drop to her thighs. My thoughts are racing, trying to decide what to do with her tomorrow and whether I should tell her about it now, when I realize something else.
"Get up and fetch me the print-outs that are in the red folder on the desk."
She inclines her head and shimmies off me, then scurries off to do my bidding. I have to grin when she returns, her hands still behind her back, with the papers clasped in her mouth. I wait until she has resumed her previous position, then tug the print-outs from between her lips.
"Know what that is?"
"A list. List of limits for tomorrow, I presume."
I nod, then lean forward into her so I can grab a pencil from the coffee table. Bella shudders slightly when my breath skims over her nipples but remains still otherwise, even when I push the papers against her stomach so I can take notes on them.
"Did you read it through?"
"No, Sir, I just took a glance."
I nod, then quickly browse the items on the list I've typed earlier. It's a very abbreviated list, only with the activities I would consider important for an event like this, knowing what Bella likes and what Beth's playroom holds -
although the latter is clearly not as limiting as the former.
"We'll work through it now, together, and I want you to tell me yes or no on every item depending on whether you'll want to engage in that activity tomorrow or not, and if so, rate them from one - not desirable to five - highly anticipated."
She doesn't hesitate with answering, and none of her options surprises me as almost all of those that deviate from the first lists of things she wanted to try after first meeting Beth are things we've explored together. Bella is more than okay with light impact play, light bondage and sex, I'm quite happy she puts heavy impact play still at a three, and as usual, what she shuts me down on are her feet, but still at a one. The only thing that causes her to quirm is me actually jutting down the numbers on the paper where the pencil tickles her skin, but I ignore that mostly.
Then there's only one thing left to ask.
"What do you think of playing with others?"
Her inhale sounds a little pressed, and I watch her swallow repeatedly before she answers.
"I'm not okay doing anything without you involved, Sir."
"And if I'm involved?"
Another shaky breath escapes her, and I can tell she's waring with herself to find an answer.
"Voice your thoughts."
My command clearly surprises her, but after a moment she inclines her head in defeat.
"I guess it would be kind of hot to involve someone else, at least on a small scale. But I don't want anyone except you to f*ck me. And I don't know if I'm comfortable with having someone I don't know touch me."
"Because you don't trust them?"
"Exactly."
"What if I trust them?"
I can tell that she wants to tell me that she's not comfortable with that anyway, and it won't surprise me if she tells me she only considers Beth as okay to be included. A few moments pass and I don't feel the need to stress her, instead I leave her the time she needs to find her answer.
"If you trust them, then I say yes. But with reservations, so one."
I gently stroke her ass for taking that step I haven't expected her to, and I can see a hint of pride glowing on her face. That pretty much decides things for me, and after jutting down that last note I put the paper and pencil down on the table.
"Very well. Then let's talk about that punishment."
She swallows thickly but doesn't react any other way, clearly prepared to take whatever I wish to dish out in silence.
"You are right, I cannot let it slip that you think it's okay to hold something back from me, but I don't think it's a capital offense as you used the next chance you got to be open with me. A spanking will do, and you will go unsatisfied until we get to the party tomorrow."
"Thank you, Master."
As usual my cock screams bloody murder that I inadvertantly cheat myself of f*cking her - because I know Bella well enough that even if I don't let her come she will still have a good time on the way there until I stop her - but I do my best to ignore my dick. Instead I tell Bella to lie down on my lap, ass up, and she quickly assumes position. I pat her softly on her supple rump for putting her hands yes again behind her back even though that means that her tits and face are pressed firmly into the couch. Grasping her arms as I press them into her lower back, I start.
Her whole body goes rigid when I slap her ass hard, not dallying with any warm-up. I know I'm really hurting her that way but as this is intended as punishment, I don't really care. Small gasps and mewling sounds escape her as I continue to spank her, hard and fast, and as my palm begins to sting her ass cheeks get redder and redder by the minute.
Pausing for a moment I rub her hot skin gently, and she relaxes a bit. I smirk when I feel her crotch rub against my erection while she spreads her legs slightly but I ignore both. If it were playful spanking I'd rub her * and finger f*ck her now to take the sting off the spanking, but today her wet p-ssy goes unattended.
"We should talk about what you'll be wearing tomorrow," I start as I pick up slapping her butt. Bella squirms at the first slaps but then quiets, her pants and hisses loud in the silence between my words. I've initially thought that the black leather corset would be a good choice, but I know she'll associate it with our scene now, and after what we just talked about, that's not going to happen.
She wants to be my perfect sub? I'm only too happy to oblige her then.
I go on explaining while I continue to spank her ass, now somewhat less forcefully but still enough to make her squirm once in a while.
"I want you to wear your new blue corset, the softer satin one. Do you have anything suitable to wear underneath?"
I seriously don't know ninety percent of the clothes Bella owns. I know she has the two corsets she got as a present from me. I know some of her more sexy underwear, and one dress that drives me crazy. But the rest are just that, clothes, and I generally don't really care about them as I'm more interested in what they hide than how they represent her beautiful body.
"Like a blouse, Sir?"
"Think again," I grunt, the three subsequent slaps harder than those before.
Bella groans while she presses her face into the cushions of the couch, trying to stifle the sounds. When I ease up again a little she comes forth with a much better suggestion.
"I have a more or less see-through top Alice brought me from Spain. The black one I usually wear with a tank top underneath?"
That rings a very dim bell, but it sounds sufficient.
"You will wear that top underneath the corset, but of course without a bra or anything else."
Bella slumps at hearing my words and the clear implication that while theoretically dressed, her tits will be quite on display above the underbust corset, but of course she doesn't object.
"You told me you got a suitable skirt?"
"Yes, Sir, a short wrap around one with a tie at the waistband."
"You will wear that. No panties. No stockings or hose, and I want you barefoot."
Increasing the force behind the spanking one last time I add, "And you will wear a leather collar so everyone sees at once that you're my beautiful sub."
My last slap is by far the hardest, hard enough to be painful for me, too, and Bella screams loud for a second or two. She instantly relaxes when I let go of her and rub her aching butt gently. Now unrestrained she brings her hands underneath her head, cushioning her face as she eases herself further into my touch. I'm impressed that she's taken the spanking so well, and the devious part of my mind is quite gleeful about the fact that tomorrow her ass will be sore still and might bear a few light bruises.
Those thoughts only worsen the ache in my cock, and I decide it's about time to ease that strain.
"Up you go," I nudge her lightly, and Bella flops off my lap into a crouch, a lot less gracefully than before. Her near silent groan when she stretches makes my dick jump, and I nod down at the bulge in my jeans. "Do something about that."
Bella licks her lips, then looks a little sheepish as she kneels down before me, reaching for the button on my fly.
"With pleasure, Master."
Her mouth is hot and wet when she takes my cock in, one of her hands wrapped around my shaft, the other gently massaging my balls. I thread my hands into her hair to ease her into the right rhythm but otherwise let her work as she sucks me off, her red ass as much of a visual turn-on as my cock disappearing between her lips.
It doesn't take her long to make me come deep down her throat, and I just smirk at the face she briefly makes at the taste of my jizz. I think between the two of us, I'm the one who minds less, which kind of adds to the fun for me. Once she's done packing me up again I pat the couch next to me, making her crawl closer where she curls up as I hug her, still buck naked and clearly content.
I kiss her hair softly as I turn on the TV, and we spend the evening like that.
I still have to grin everytime she re-arranges herself and emits a low groan or gasp of discomfort, but she never complains, and I love her even more for being what she is, even though she sometimes still seems to need some reassurance - my perfect woman.