I rang the doorbell of the beautiful, white colonial at the end of the Cul de Sac. The house was set far back from the street, spacious and private. Large oak trees dotted the front lawn. Just as I began to get chilly, he opened the door.
"Hello, Pet." He kissed my cheek, took my hand and looked me up and down. My champagne beige, three inch heels, peplum pencil skirt and plain white blouse looked professional and suggestive. I wore hoop earrings and a simple necklace, crystal with a diamond accent. My chestnut hair was pulled up into a chignon. At my side, a large leather purse with my homework tucked inside. "You look stunning. Come in."
"awh, thank you. You have a beautiful house." I said, stepping into the front hall and glancing around. It was tastefully decorated, with antique lighting fixtures and a beautiful staircase. Pictures of his dog, his family and his friends lined the stairs.
"Thank you very much. Do you like salmon?"
I was pleasantly surprised. "I love salmon."
"Good, dinner for tonight is salmon filets, risotto balls and asparagus. Come in to the living room and make yourself at home, it will be another fifteen minutes. I'm going to get you a glass of wine, and while I'm preparing the meal I'd like you to draw the shades and lay out everything in that bag on the coffee table for my inspection and finish your drink. Red or white?"
I was flustered. Oh, I guess we're starting now then. "Red, Please?"
"Certainly. And please, relax. We'll enjoy dinner, dessert, drinks and some conversation. And then we will go over your assignment." He smiled at me, his white, slightly crooked upper teeth gleamed. I smiled back and giggled.
"Good, that sounds very nice." He led me into a large living room with wood floors, a fluffy rug under the coffee table, a plush red couch and love seat, and a fireplace full of birch. The television was mounted above the mantle. The news was playing, on mute. He switched on Bluetooth speakers sitting next to a globe on the side table, and Billie Holiday drifted over the room; I am only what you make me, come take me- I'm yours. He disappeared for a moment, then came back with a glass of wine and patted my bum. "Alright, pretty girl. Do as you're told and I'll call you in for dinner when it's ready." He switched off the television and walked into another room.
Sniffing the wine, I swirled it in the glass and took a deep sip. The velvety pinot noir slid around my tongue and down my throat. I put it down on a coaster and propped my bag up. Arranging the toys carefully, I laid them down in their exact order on the checklist, and placed my highlighted and dog-eared Miss Abernathy's guide in the corner. I read carefully, trying to be the irreproachable student. I sat on the couch and sipped my wine, considering the toys, the handsomely decorated room with it's corals, globe, the bookshelf and fish tank. It was a very comfortable room, but a little bit sterile. Not lived in quite enough. I checked my finger nails and began to notice the buzz I was catching. Still, he instructed me to finish the drink. I was taking my last sip as his voice carried from the kitchen
"Minnie, dinner is served."
I got up and brought my empty glass, walking into a modern dining room connected to an open kitchen. I gazed at the table with six chairs and two lit candles, a beautiful runner and delicious smelling food. He came in from the kitchen with the bottle of wine, and instructed me to sit. I sat at the corner of the table, next to him at the head. He poured me another glass and raised his.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers" I smiled and nodded before taking a sip. We began to eat. The salmon was delicious, rich and pink. The conversation was just as savory. We talked about funny things happening around campus, novels we had read, trips we took or were planning to take one day. He asked me about my plans after school. I wanted to go to grad school for library sciences, and work in a large library or institution. He seemed very interested.
"There's nothing sexier or more helpful than a good looking and sharp librarian." He smiled and winked at me. "They keep us in business."
I agreed, and replied "haha, exactly. And it's a good place to spend time with books and the people who love them."
We chatted for a while, finishing our dinner slowly. The risotto balls were cheesy and drizzled with a delicious butter and garlic sauce. The asparagus was the perfect amount of firm, with just a hint of balsamic vinegar.
"Well, how about we do dessert in the living room? I have chocolate covered strawberries. We can finish off this bottle, crack open some champagne and review your work for the week. And of course, we have to correct your mistake from the other night." He looked at me hungrily, his hand warmly covering my wrist.
"Yes sir, can I help with anything?" I was hoping my helpfulness might lessen the punishment I was going to receive. At the same time, I couldn't wait to feel the sting of whatever was waiting for me.
"Yes, my good girl. You can get the strawberries and champagne from the fridge, and two flutes from the cupboard. I want you to put those on the side table by the couch in the living room. Finish your wine here and while I clean up, pour us a couple glasses of the bubbly, sit and think about what your punishment should be for coming without permission. I want you to come up with three."
"Yes, sir." I sat and waited for him to give me permission to leave. He stared for a moment.
"Very good girl. But your good behavior doesn't undo the bad. However, it will earn you rewards. You may go."
"Thank you, sir."
I collected the strawberries, champagne, flutes and some napkins from the kitchen and went back to the living room. I carefully arranged everything, smoothed my skirt, checked my shirt buttons and my hair in the reflection of the TV, and sat. Choosing my own punishment was going to be harder than I thought.
Ten long minutes later, he walked in.
"Professor-"
"Please, call me James or Sir when we're together like this. Professor is for at school. James is for casual talks and the like. Sir is for when I'm spanking your ass or giving you rewards. Understood?"
"Yes, James."
"Good. I'm going to be Sir right now though."
"Yes, Sir."
He smiled, loving the way he had me on my toes.
"Now, how about your punishment? What should I do with you?"
