Vanessa inhaled sharply, trying again to calm her temper. She took her mind back to a place of lessons from her Dom. She could do this. She could focus, " AND ANOTHER THING!...." she tuned out her boss's yelling voice again. The woman was absolutely going to drive her up the wall. One, she hadn't even researched what had happened leading up to the other associate's accident, she was just jumping to conclusions. Two, she was accusing vanessa of being the cause, when she had not even been near the employee at the time. Her Dom would tell her to defend herself in this situation, to take a stand against the accusations. He was going to be upset, she was quite sure, when he found out she just stood there and took it. Being he was the owner of the company she worked for, she felt like he was going to walk u...... Her eyes lifted, and a hint of "oh shit" filled her mind. One minute he wasn't there and the next he was. Brilliant......
She let out a sigh of frustration, which started her boss on a whole other tirade. " Are you even listening to me?"
Vanessa looked over her bosses shoulder to her Dom's face, who currently stared at her with a raised eyebrow, willing her to say something. Vanessa bit her lip, looking back at her boss "erm, yes?"
"Yes? Yes! You haven't heard a thing I have said , have you? You are utterly uselss! Why are you even here!" vanessa was sure at this point the whole building could hear her boss's screeching. She sucked in a breath when her Dom cleared his throat! Vanessa watched as Dianna whipped around, her whole demeanor changing.
Her bosses voice suddenly changed from shrieking banshee to full on seductive, "Chairman what an ..unexpected surprise.. I was just.."
" I am well aware of what you were just doing, as is I'm sure the whole company. Might I remind you that your position within this company is tenuis at best. There are others who are more capable and certainly more qualified to handle these matters. Others who would not be yelling at an employee who was not even at fault in this situation."
His eyes lifted and moved to Vanessa, " Miss Darnell." his tone gentled but had a hint of disappointment as he directed his attention to her.
" Yes Sir?" vanessa swallowed, feeling her bottom heat even though she knew he hadn't even touched her yet. He didn't have to , she new what was coming later.
" I suggest you get back to your desk , and return to your duties. Vanessa listened to the tone of his voice and nothing else. Oh she was in for it later. Even though he sounded completely calm to those around him, the infliction of his tone and the stiffness of his body language told her, and her alone, that he was furious, not only at her boss Dianna, but at her for not sticking up for herself once again.
"Yes Sir, right away" Vanessa took the opportunity to escape and ran with it. Dianna had been a thorn in her side for years. Hers, and many others. Mostly hers because she new Dianna wanted chairman Marcus for herself. No one within the company new that Marcus was her Dom. No, they kept their life very private, and never let on any different. They left work at different times, they drove different cars, and they worked on different levels. All to make sure their life at home never touched their life at work.
Later that night.....
Vanessa sighed as she finally shut off her work lamp and turned to grab her bag and keys. Maybe she could work her way out of this one. She could come up with a convincing argument, explain why she didn't stand up to Dianna this time. yes, her Dom was reasonable he would understand she was sure. She had never been the stand up type anyway. She sighed as she walked entering the elevator that would take her down to the parking area. It was late. The sun well past setting. She was procrastinating. She was avoiding the unavoidable. Fuck , there was no out for this. She groaned. By staying at work late, she knew that he knew, she was only trying to avoid what was coming. The phantom burning started again. Her thighs and backside lit up. Her body knew, but she was steadily more objecting to the acceptance of her coming punishment. She slid into her car, and started on her way, only to jump and slam on the brakes, when her phone began to ring.
" Dammit! " she swallowed and froze as she saw the ID. Picking up the phone she answered and held it to her ear.
Marcus's deep tone filled the other side, " I'm waiting"
The line disconnected , and she let the phone down slowly, her pupils dilating. Yeah, she was in for it. Vanessa took her time driving home, her heart rate increasing ever mile that she came closer to the house. Every mile new thoughts of what was to come filling her mind. This was part of the thrill , part of the excitement. Marcus would never hurt her or take things to far, all she had to do was use her safe words, and it would all end. She knew she needed this. New he was only trying to help build her up, help her find her inner Goddess. Still it did nothing to slow her heart rate, or even calm her nervous agitation. She parked, looking up at the red door in front of her. Taking a breath she slid out of the front seat, and closed the door quietly behind her. Entering the house, she began to remove her shoes padding quietly down the entryway, and into the living room. Her eyes drank in the sight before her. Marcus was still in his suit, the tie loosened, and the collar undone. A snifter of brandy sat in his hand which he rested on the arm of the chaise. His dark hair was a bit messy, but somehow still neat. Her breath stopped as he lifted his icy eyes to look at her. He said nothing only pointed to the ground in front of him. She moved quickly kneeling at his feet her eyes downcast to the floor. He waited, slowly finishing his drink before setting it down non to gently. Vanessa swallowed hard, only to feel his hand cupping her cheek and lifting her eyes to meet his.
"Baby girl, what has been my number one lesson with you of late?" Marcus's tone was deceptively calm, and gentle. Vanessa's mind raced. even as she already knew the answer, she still stuttered through it. " To..to stand up for myself..Sir"
He let out a heavy sigh his hand falling. " It seems my lessons have not been sinking in. I thought perhaps, you may have just forgotten, that my prescence would boost your courage in standing up to that woman, if she can be called that. Yet, it did nothing. YOU did nothing. Baby girl..... I am disappointed in you." Vanessa hissed, her heart aching. He didn't say it often. he didn't have to Vanessa was meticulous in not disappointing her Dom. She hated hearing he was disappointed in her. It was something she never wanted to happen. It was like being beaten down without being beaten down. A tear slipped down her cheek. He turned seeing the falling of the tear, and sighed. He bent down before her lifting her chin to force her gaze to meet his.
" What happens next is because I love you, and want you to shine. Our world of business is a cruel one, and if you cannot strengthen your own courage and learn to stand up for yourself, you will only fall. That is something I will never allow. This lesson will be harder than the others, but when it is done, know that my love for you will only grow and continue. Afterward if you are up to it, we will discuss what happened in length today. Is that understood?"
Vanessa stared at him quietly for a minute before answering softly, " Yes Sir"
At his nod she stood, and began to make her way down the hallway off to the left, shedding her clothes as she went. Once she was naked and standing before the large black door, she stood quietly her head bowed until he unlocked the door and opened it. Moving ahead of him she entered the room, and moved towards the bench in front of her. The back lay low and flat like a small table that connected to the front platform which was higher. Both had a flat cushion on top covered in black leather. Four cuffs were linked to each of the four corners. Her ankles would be locked down, but spread apart in a kneeling position while her upper body would be flat and splayed across the top platform with her arms stretched out and held down by the other two cuffs preventing her from rising, during punishments.
She moved quietly into position, and watched with dread as he began locking her in place. Her heart started racing again. This was the moment she was dreading. The feel of the sting to come. Her eyes moved over to the table to where his instruments for this session lay, and she almost panicked. There laying on the surface was a cane pole. The one thing she hated more than anything else. The one tool she knew he reserved for her most severe infractions. This was how she knew he was really disappointed. Her wide eyes lifted to his as he stared down at her, gaging her reaction.
" What are your safe words?" he asked firmly
" Stuffies to slow down, teal to stop Sir" his hand caressed her cheek, as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. " good girl." Walking over he grabbed a blind fold, and placed it over her eyes, tying it gently in the back.
" I want you to feel this lesson more than anything, and hear the words I am saying to you. this blindfold will ensure that you can only focus on those two things, and not on anything else. This is not a lesson in pleasure, this is a lesson in learning to stand up for yourself when you need to the most."
Vanessa's hands grabbed the sides up the upper platform, her body tensing automatically as he moved away. Her breathing increased, as she felt him move back behind her, only to flinch as the cane suddenly touched her skin gently.
" Shhhhhh, baby girl. "She felt his hand smooth down her body slowly. " take a deep breath and breath out slowly for me."
Vanessa complied feeling most of the tension leave her body. His lips landed next to her ear. His voice whispering out to her, drawing her in with its mesmerizing deep tone.
" You need this, this is a lesson and a punishment. You are so capable of becoming the lioness I know you to be. I see it, now I just need to draw her out. Tomorrow the sting of these swats will be a reminder to you, to face the dragon head on and slay the beast. The burn will make you sit tall and with pride. The reminder will keep you on the playing field for a long time to come. This can end at any time all you have to do is say your safe word. Do you understand?" Marcus's hand kept moving over her body soothingly.
" I'm waiting baby girl"
Vanessa let out a breath, " yes Sir"
" You will receive twenty strikes. You will count each and every one. Failure to do so will add more. Is that understood?"
"ye..yes Sir" twenty strikes? she had never received that many before, could she even handle this? She lay her head on the platform closing her eyes. She needed this, she wanted to be strong , to defend herself. She just needed the courage to be able to. Taking a sturdy breath, she whispered quietly, " I am ready Sir"
The first swat came hard and heavy, she felt the impact a second or two before the intense burn began. She inhaled a whimper leaving her. " One Sir" the next three came consecutively and quickly the fire of each hit licking up the back of her thighs and ass. " two..three, four, Sir!" her hands gripped the sides harder, her body trembling at the pain. The burn was intense and unreal. This is why he only used the cane as a last resort. This was his fifth time on this lesson, she reminded herself. She had pushed him to this point. So now he was ensuring she remembered it. Another swat, this one as hard as the first, tears burned behind her eyes lids and a small cry went out from between her lips. " I'm sorry Sir, I will do better. Please I've had enough."
He stopped and she flinched as his hands began to slide across the welts she was sure were currently marking her flesh, and he spoke in a firm but gentle tone, " It is enough when I say it is enough. I do not believe you have learned your lesson yet, and you forgot to count , another will be added."
Vanessa inhaled sharply as the next hit came suddenly without warning and she cried out, " five sir!" tears began to flow down her cheeks, the next four hits came quickly and the sobs began, " six.. seven, eight, ni..ne." she was only at nine, she couldn't do this. She still had twelve to go. She hated the cane, hated the pain.
She felt his hand lift her head. " are you with me baby girl, do you need to use your safe word? Were halfway there, Can you take the rest or do we stop the lesson now.?" his voice was gentle no reprimand to be found, only a tone of encouragement to continue, but a hint of understanding if she couldn't.
Vanessa buried her face into his hand seeking comfort for a moment. This was a lesson that she would not soon forget. it was hard, but she understood why it was necessary. Losing her job, because she wasn't brave enough to stand up for herself could do so much more damage, than the pain of this lesson. A sob escaped her lips, and she lifted her head, " I want to co...con..tinue" the next five strikes came making her scream out as the pain flared harder and brighter, she struggled to count, " ten...el..eleven tweelve thirteen FOURTEEN!"
She was full on ugly crying now. There was nothing beautiful about the mess she was creating. Three more strikes, three more words leaving her lips. Three more burning welts. His hand touched her burning flesh making her sob, as he soothed the fire that seemed to be never ending. She laid her head down. Tears streamed freely, sobs made her shoulders shake, and once again the strikes came. Four more in quick succession. She screamed again, her body arching and then collapsing in broken sobs.
She couldn't take anymore, how many more did she have to go, she forgot to count, did that mean he would add more, she just lay there, waiting for the next strikes. None came, instead she felt her Dom undoing her cuffs, words coming from him that sounded far away, she felt something warm surrounding her and suddenly found herself scooped up in his arms, his hands rubbing up and down her arms as he sat her over his lap on her stomach. His words began to penetrate slowly, as she calmed down.
" Such a good girl, I'm so proud of you for taking your punishment." She hissed as something cold touched the welts on her legs and backside, he was rubbing an ointment onto her marks to help soothe and heal them faster. More soothing words, " My girl is so brave, so determined. Were finished now it ok you can breath. IM so sorry we had to do this, but I need you to see how strong you are, how capable you are." She let out a shuddering breath and relaxed across his lap, letting his voice soothe her mind, as she soaked in the lesson she has just endured. There was no way she wanted to repeat this.
She would have to do something next time. She felt herself being lifted and the blanket being tucked around her more, as he pulled her up and against his chest, pushing her head to his should. She hissed as her bottom made contact with his legs, but quieted quickly, as the pain was minimal, and not as intense as it had been. He began to rock her back and forth slowly and still talking to her. Telling her how much he loved her and only wanted what was best for her. Reminding her that she was strong, beautiful, and courageous. She inhaled as she felt felt the stirrings of desire begin to rise suddenly. Her body heated, her thighs clenching. This is how it always happened after a punishment. Her body sucked in the pain and then demanded release through orgasm. The more the pain ebbed the more she felt the ache.
She moaned as she felt her Dom's hand move across her body softly. Then stiffened, when she heard a chuckle come from him.
" I should have known. Nothing keeps my baby girl down for long. Even a session as intense as this one. Unfortunately baby girl, you will not be allowed to cum tonight. I will not torture you further, by adding to your desires, but this lesson you will take in on your own. Keeping her tucked close to his chest he carried her to their bedroom and laid her down. She whimpered as he moved away thinking he was going to leave her alone tonight as well, but calmed when she realized he was only getting undressed.
He slid in behind her once more, and pulled her back against his chest propping his arm under her head. She turned tucking her face against his chest and curling into his side. " I love you Sir." her voice was quiet, but she knew he heard her. " I love you to my beautiful, strong baby girl." she smiled and let her eyes close. This lesson had drained her. She was exhausted, but felt content in the knowledge that she had done her part and taken her punishment.
The Next Morning..
Vanessa had awoken that morning with a reminder of her lesson last night, as she felt the burn on her backside when she moved to sit up. She looked over to find breakfast on a tray beside her with a single rose in a glass, and a note tied to it
Today you will stand with courage, and face down your dragon head on. I will be watching baby girl.
-Marcus-
She smiled. He was already gone for the day. She should be leaving soon as well if she wanted to arrive on time. Eating quickly Vanessa , put the tray away, and got dressed. Heading out the door she locked up and made for her car. The drive wasn't long, but traffic was terrible, so when she arrived she was late, and who should be waiting by her cubicle staring at their watch? Dianna the resident dragon.
" Look who finally decided to show up." Dianna's tone as usual was snarky and condescending.
Vanessa ignored her taking a seat only to stand back up as she felt the burning of the welts on her backside. She looked over at the dragon as she continued on her tirade. Sighing in frustration, her eyes turned icy. Dianna halted for a moment seeing the look on vanessa's face , only to smirk suddenly, " What is there something you wanted to say little vanessa, don't like what I have to say? Well to bad, the chairman isn't here to save you this time."
Vanessa felt her ire grow at her boss's words, and with the burning from her lesson still prominent, she finally let loose all she had been holding back. In a deadly calm tone, that did not require screeching as her boss, so often did, she began to speak.
" First of all I don't need the chairman to do anything for me. The way you treat everyone around here like they are beneath you, and with no respect is reason enough for him to have to step in. You are incompetent and incapable of doing your own work. Instead you push it off on everyone else. You are overconfident, and easily replaceable. You forget that this company runs as a team, and YOU are no team player. You complain about everyone else, to everyone else, and single me out almost everyday. Everyone here knows you have a crush on the chairman , and that his attention to me, is what makes you single me out more than others. the fact that you can let your jealousy rule your emotions, says you are unfit for this position. "
Vanessa straightens her spine and takes a step closer, " I plan to write out a letter of petition against you to the chairman to have you removed, detailing why you are unfit for this position and should be replaced, as well as getting statements of affirmation from everyone else in this room that you have harassed or belittled. Which I am quite sure they would only be to happy to give, and one more thing"
She leans close so that only Dianna can hear her . " No one, especially the chairman would ever stoop so low as to sleep with someone of your demeanor. Cruelty, begets cruelty, and your luck has just run out."
Stepping back Vanessa let a smile of cool indifference fall over her features as she stated quietly but calmly, " Now if you will excuse me I have work to do, unlike you."
Marcus
Marcus felt a smile curve his lips, as he stood around the corner listening in and watching the whole fiasco go down. He knew how Dianna was, knew Vanessa would be late, and knew this was going to happen. He couldn't be more proud of his baby girl in that moment. She had finally done what he always knew her to be capable of. Not only that, but she had remained calmed and composed the whole time, her voice never raising to shouting level. He had not expected that last part, but it only made him love her all the more for it. Now it was his turn to step in.
" You have absolutely no right to speak to me that way , how dare you!" Dianna was once again screeching, it her nails on chalk board way. He snorted as he walked up behind the awful woman.
" Actually she has every right Mrs. Daniels. Your behavior this past week has been monitored by myself and several other trusted people on my payroll, and as such, the reports and my own observations have led me to the decision of you no longer being an employee here. Feel free to pack your belongings, as security will be here in five minutes to escort you out, with or without them. Do not bother to file for unemployment, as I already have my lawyers working on a case against you should you decide to pursue that route. I have also informed all associate companies and those we do business with about your behavior, so I would also advise against trying to get a job in this area. You are one of our worst employees. I have never seen such unprofessionalism in my lifetime. Also, your lack of hiding your obvious interest in me and other men of this company borders on harassment. Which I was only to happy to fill your husband in on, the day he came to see me. I suggest you take lessons from Miss Darnell going forward, on how to act like a lady in a business environment. I have a meeting to be at in ten minute, good bye Mrs. Daniels."
He turned walking away from her a smile of satisfaction curving his lips as he entered the elevator . He shouldn't take such satisfaction in what had just happened, but he did . He had probably also kept the dragon on longer than he should have, but he had also been using her to help teach his baby girl who had done him proud today. Tonight her reward would be unmatchable. He had already started planning out just how he would reward her. Pleasure was something he specialized in, but dinner at her favorite restaurant would be the start.
Such a good girl, and she was all his. He smiled reaching down to pull the velvet box out of his pocket. Opening it up he stared at the object inside. It suited her perfectly. Tonight, after such a magnificent triumph on her part, would be the perfect night to pop the question to her.
He moved to the window in his office and stared down at her in her cubicle. The shinning of the diamond necklace surrounding her neck caught in the light as she moved, bringing a smile of satisfaction to his face. To others the necklace was just jewelry, but to them it meant so much more. It was a mark of trust given with her submission for him, and a mark of ] ownership and love for her.
His eyes caught hers briefly as she sent a smile his way. A smile that conveyed so much in the brief moment she bestowed it on him. The next she was back to her work. A chuckle escaped him as he shook his head turning back towards his desk. Yes, the lesson had finally sank in, and they were ready to move forward. She was ready.
Tonight, would definitely be a night to remember for years to come.