A sharp knock at the door interrupted Shannon's preparations for the evening. Leaving the bedroom and hurrying to the entryway, she opened the door to find the building's doorman waiting.
"Joseph, hello," she said, smiling.
"Good evening, Ma'am. This package just arrived for you, so I thought I'd bring it right up." He chuckled. "Maybe it's a gift from an admirer."
Shannon smiled again.
"Maybe so! Thank you, Joseph."
"Any time, Ma'am. You have a good evening now."
She closed the door and took the package into the bedroom. Pulling off the white bow and unsealing the tape at one end, she freed the box from its wrappings. Shannon lifted the cover of the box and found a delicately filigreed silver heart suspended from a length of fine black velvet rope. She lifted it from the box and fastened it around her neck then moved to the mirror. It was perfect...and so was its sender.
She picked up her makeup brush and added a little highlighting to her face then finished by adding some deep red lipstick. A quick puff of perfume and she was ready. As she set the bottle down, there was another knock at her door.
Checking the mirror one last time, she said, "Okay, Cupid, just one well-placed arrow...."
**********
Shannon had met Julian a few months back at a meeting on mentorship in the BDSM community. They'd been introduced by her friend, Max, and had really hit it off right away. Julian had all the qualities she appreciated in a man: he was smart, funny, passionate about his interests, and expressive. That he was also submissive was icing on the cake.
She'd run into him again at Max's monthly pleasure salon and they had found themselves in a secluded corner talking, teasing and laughing. He could hold up his end of a conversation, toss out lines that allowed her to tease him readily, and never step over the boundaries set by his role. He was very attractive, indeed.
The two had exchanged phone numbers and emails, and the flirting and teasing had continued mercilessly. Soon, the exchanges became playfully kinky and erotic, and it didn't take long for Shannon to know that she wanted more.
The opportunity presented itself a few weeks later at a charity event. A well-equipped dungeon festooned with snowflakes and icicles announced the wintry theme and the attendees had eschewed the usual black clothing in favor of white and silver and crystal blue. Shannon was clad in a sparkling silver skirt and a white latex corset, and the outfit made her blue eyes twinkle. As she crossed the large expanse, she spotted Julian with a group gathered under a banner that read, "Charity Spankables." She grinned and moved toward it.
"Julian, how nice to see you," she said, coming up behind him.
He turned quickly and she could see the pink glow rise in his cheeks as his eyes met hers.
"Miss Shannon! What a pleasure to see you here, Ma'am," he murmured.
"Tell me about what you're doing for the charity event this evening," she said, smiling warmly.
His cheeks became bright red as he explained that he had volunteered to be available for spanking based on the amount of the donation given.
"That's incredibly philanthropic of you, Julian," Shannon said with a grin. "In fact, it's motivated me to be charitable!"
His eyes grew wide as he caught her meaning, but no words came to his lips.
"I'll make my contribution and see you a little later," she said, leaving him standing there to contemplate his fate.
The party geared up and it wasn't long before it was in full swing. Shannon greeted and mingled and danced and was really enjoying the evening. After a trip to the bar for a glass of wine, she decided it was time to get down to business. True to her word, she dropped a check for a substantial amount at the donation table and confirmed her desire to spank Julian as her thank you gift. She was given a small voucher and told it could be used at her leisure.
Making her way slowly toward the spanking area, Shannon spied Julian talking to a few of the other volunteers. He was dressed in a silver tank top and black dress pants, and he was laughing and grinning at whatever was being said. Just seeing him like this made her smile. She kept her eyes on him and as she got closer, he turned and looked her way. She saw his expression change subtly before he found his public smile. In that one moment, he had looked a bit afraid.
"Miss Shannon, a pleasure to see you again," he said, smiling. "Are you enjoying the festivities?"
"Oh, heavens, yes," she replied. "In fact, I'm about to enjoy them even more."
"Oh? You have something special planned?" he asked, trying not to let his voice betray his nerves.
She slowly held up the voucher and she could hear him draw in his breath quickly.
"This way, Miss," he said, recovering his composure.
He led her into an area surrounded by translucent curtains and appointed with settees and small tables and spanking equipment of various kinds. He looked at her and then cast his eyes downward as she took in the view. She brought her gaze full circle and let her eyes fall upon him.
"Why don't we sit for a moment?" she said, moving toward a pair of nearby chairs.
He followed a step behind and remained standing while she took a seat.
"Please," she said, indicating the other chair. He sat and kept his eyes down.
"Although I made the donation and asked to spank you specifically, I certainly don't want to do anything that will make you uncomfortable or interfere with us being friends. Would you prefer if I did not spank you in exchange for my donation?"
"Oh no, Miss," Julian said quickly. "I volunteered to be spanked, so you are entirely within your rights to request me." He paused for a moment, then added, "Aside from that, I...like the idea quite a lot."
Shannon smiled and rose from her chair and extended her hand to him. He took it and rose, and she led him to a spanking bench in the far corner. He stood next to it, waiting for her direction.
She moved close to him and reached out to stroke his face with one finger, and she felt him shiver. Letting her hand drift down the front of his tank top, she reached his belt and undid it smoothly. Soon, it hung loose at his waist and she was undoing the buttons on his trousers.
Julian stepped out of his pants, leaving him in only a pair of black designer briefs. He moved as directed when Shannon turned him towards the bench and climbed onto it so that his body was supported on the upper level and his thighs were perpendicular to it. He felt her hand stroke his back and move down onto his buttocks, making small circular motions.
"Ready?" she asked, leaning close to his ear.
"Yes, Miss." He quivered with anticipation.
