It all started when I called him âStubbyâ and things just went downhill from there.
I met Damian the summer that I turned fourteen and we became fast friends. We were closer than siblings for a couple years under the innocuous label of âbest friendsâ before we finally admitted our feelings for each other and began dating. I have to admit that we were, and are, a striking couple, almost a study in opposites. He is tall; I am short, at least compared to him. His skin is darkly tanned, mine is very pale. His hair is dark, mine is blond. We both have blue eyes. Anyways, after several years of ups and downs, and the certain love between us, we found ourselves happily married, and yes, proud parents. Of course thatâs the condensed version, but Iâll leave those tales for another day.
I was so excited when our friends called to invite us to an impromptu dinner party. We live in a very small town and although we have many friends, we donât socialize that much, so the prospect held a certain appeal for me. We packed up the kids and headed over to Annaâs house, anticipating the good company. Her house was crowded, mostly with people we knew, although there was a couple there that we hadnât met. The kids were playing happily in the game room, and we were downstairs in the living room when it happened.
Annaâs Yorkshire terrier stole a piece of chicken right off of the dining room table. Everyone was laughing as we watched him gulp the food down with such obvious greed. Damian commented on how funny his stubby little tail looked wiggling back and forth as he chewed. My only defense is that I had a little too much wine and was feeling a little too carefree. I grinned and then went in for the kill.
âYouâre one to talk about being âstubbyâ, Damian.â
His head jerked up and blue eyes locked with mine as our friends erupted in laughter. My face felt hot as I met that hard stare; there was no mistaking the warning. I pasted an innocent smile on my lips and proceeded to make things even worse for myself.
âOh come on, donât be mad honey. You know I love the
little
fella.â
My sly glance at his groin made it quite apparent that the little fella I referred to was not Annaâs spoiled pup. His jaw clenched tightly and I know I must have pasted an âoh shitâ expression on my face because the laughter died off pretty quickly. After several tense moments of silence, Damian took pity on everyone and resumed the conversation as if nothing had happened. I was only too aware that he would not shrug the matter off as easily as he appeared to.
For some reason, the evening seemed to fly by, probably because I knew that I was in for it when we got home. I plied myself with drinks, hoping to firm my courage or pass out; either would have suited me just fine. Unfortunately, Damian must have caught wind of my intentions, because he cut off my drinks a short time later. I couldnât insist on more alcohol without looking like a complete ass so I just kept my mouth shut.
Again, I have to blame the alcohol, because there is no way I would have decided on my next course of action had I been in my right frame of mind. I guess I figured that if I was going to be in trouble, I may as well jump in with both feet. I spent the rest of the night flirting shamelessly. As I engaged in suggestive banter I watched Damianâs eyes grow colder and colder as they rested on me. He hates it, and I mean
hates
it when I act like that. Not that heâs an overly jealous kind of guy, heâs not. He knows that Iâm his and his only. He just doesnât like it when I donât act like a lady in public. When itâs just he and I, well thatâs another matter entirely, but when we are with our friends, I am supposed to be a good little girl. I was decidedly bad that night. Before I knew it were saying our goodbyes and strapping our tired kids in the car.
The ride home was completely silent. Damian didnât even turn on the radio. I would have welcomed some tunes, even at full blast the way he likes to listen to it, if it would just ease the tension between us. No such luck. I proceeded to âfall asleepâ on the short drive. Maybe if I was sleeping he would just let me off the hook.
We pulled into the driveway and Damian shut off the car. I remained as still as I could, breathing evenly.
âI know youâre not asleep, Marie. Get the kids into bed, and then get your ass to our bedroom.â His voice was firm and very quiet. It was even more terrifying than if he had screamed at me.
I sat up, abandoning my ploy, and wisely so. I think that was probably my only good decision the whole night. He slammed the car door shut and headed into the house as I got the kids out of the car and took them to their room. Iâll admit, I took longer than usual tucking them into bed, and read them an extra bedtime story. I heard him rattling around in the kitchen, fixing himself a drink, but the house was dark when I finally sneaked down the hallway to our bedroom.
I didnât see a single sign of Damian, but I knew better than be relieved. If he wasnât in bed asleep that meant that he was only preparing for what lay ahead for both of us. I didnât bother turning on the light, just perched lightly on the edge of our bed, dread encompassing me like a little girl waiting outside the principalâs office. I folded my hands in my lap, clenching them tightly as I awaited my husbandâs wrath.
Lights blazed on, momentarily blinding me. I blinked, then quickly turned my attention to my lap when I saw my naked and very angry husband. He stalked toward me and grabbed my hair ruthlessly, yanking me from the bed. I squealed in pain as I stumbled to my knees, kneeling at his feet. He twisted his fist cruelly in my hair and jerked my head back, forcing me to look at him. I could see hurt and anger in his face, and just a hint of smug superiority. Oh yes, he knew what this position did to me, how it makes me feel so inferior and emphasizes my submission to him.
âWhat were you thinking? Hm?â
I remained silent, my eyes stinging from the sharp pain at my scalp. I knew what would come next, and I dreaded it most of all. His disappointment.
âHow could you, Marie? You shamed me tonight. In front of our friends. You disobeyed me, you insulted me, and you hurt me.â His voice was low, and completely sincere. I felt my eyes tearing up, ashamed at myself. I tired to glance away from his accusing stare, but he stopped me. âNo, look at me. Do you really think that lowly of me? Do you really respect our wedding vows, our love, so little?â
I shook my head, biting my lips to keep from sobbing. It was part of my punishment, hearing what I had done to him, and it killed me to know that I had betrayed him. He is my life, my breath. If I could have taken it all back right then, I would have.
âI am your Master and your husband. You are mine. Mine. Your actions tonight were unacceptable. What do you have to say for yourself?â
I stared up at him, forcing myself to look him in the eye as I laid my heart bare to him. âIâm so sorry. I know that I insulted you. And I know that I disobeyed you. I wasnât thinking. I love you so much, and Iâm ashamed that my actions tonight did not show that. Iâm so sorryâŠâ
His looked at me tenderly for a moment, then bent down and kissed my forehead. âI know you are. And I forgive you. But I have to punish you for this, Marie.â
I nodded my head, knowing that this would be the last display of tenderness for quite a while. His features hardened, a mask of strict command settling easily upon him. His hand jerked me forward, forcing to rise partway on my knees.
âSo, you think I have a
little
cock? I think the word you used was stubby.â