La Contessa

This is the second chapter of a completed BDSM novel entitled 'La Contessa'. I am publishing it on Literotica a chapter at a time every few days.

La Contessa

The most decadent city...

The most perverted of mistresses...

Renowned for her cruelty and the bizarre sexual tasks her household servants perform for her, La Contessa's reputation is well established. And Venice of the eighteenth century has degenerated into a decadent and lascivious city, the perfect backdrop for her perverted games.

***

Chapter 2: Julia

I dash in pursuit of my mysterious, cloaked and hatted follower before she disappears into the shadows of the Calle Miracoli. Turning the corner, I catch her up and grab her arm. She makes no attempt to escape my clutch or run off, so I loosen my grip. She turns towards me and two luminous, brown eyes and attractive face looks up at me. I'm taken aback. This girl is certainly a beauty, there's no mistaking. And she's no working girl. Her cloak is made of thick velvet and finely cut, and her face is naturally pretty with no need for the layers of rouge the prostitutes around here use. My initial anger melts away when I see the girl who's been pursuing me.

"Why are you spying on me?" I ask gently, "do you want servicing? I can do that for you."

"No, no, you misconstrue my intentions sir, I am here on an errand for my mistress," she replies with more than a hint of indignation.

"Oh yes, and who is your mistress and what is your errand?"

"Have you heard of La Contessa? La Contessa di Nemesia. My name is Julia and I serve in her household as her personal maid. Her reputation is well known in Venice I believe."

"La Contessa, yes her name is notorious," I reply.

Indeed, her name is renowned in Venice. In a city which takes a certain pride in its decadence, La Contessa's name is the epitome of all that's sexually debauched. The reputation of her balls and parties is high amongst those with an interest in the sexual or bizarre. I've never met her. Our social circles are poles apart, but her antics are the talk of the taverns and brothels of the Cannaregio. It's even said she enters the district masked or in disguise. So, the girl's story possesses some credibility. But what interest could she have in a male street walker like me, who prostitutes himself to all and sundry?

"But what does she want with me?" I ask.

"Ah, you see, this is my errand. She asked me to scour the alleyways of Venice for a new slave to serve in her household."

"And you think she'd be interested in me?" I ask, my curiosity aroused by the possibility.

"She's most particular. She wants slaves who can commit completely to her service. She's after fresh blood and is looking for a young and willing male slave. You have the physical attributes," she teases, "good looking... well-endowed."

Her eyes flash with appreciation as, seeing me close up, she casts an appraising glance over me.

"And your enthusiastic performance with the two transvestites would intrigue her. Her interests are, how can I say, extremely perverse, and servants who can offer a range of different services interest her."

"So, is she looking for a stud to service her?" I enquire, flattered at the compliments.

Julia bellows with laughter, and I'm not a little deflated at her reaction. Surely that's what her mistress wants?

"No, you misunderstand. Don't flatter yourself with such vanity, those are not her inclinations. She'll manipulate and control. She'll use your body how she desires, not to satisfy your sexual needs, great though I'm sure they are," she adds with a sly smile.

"But, I don't get it, what's in it for me? Why should I give this up for her?"

"The pay is good, if you are prepared to accept her rules and serve her obediently and diligently. You will have a patroness who, in her own way, will support you if you are loyal. And give all what up? Standing on street corners in all weathers until your youthful good looks fade, is that where you want to be in five years-time?"

I look hurt, but she's right, as I understand only too well. I can't do this for the rest of my life. The shelf life of a street worker is short. If the life-style doesn't wear you down, then there's the risk of syphilis and other diseases. Despite the offence I've taken, her point is well made.

"I have other plans," I mutter defensively.

"I don't mean to cause offence sir, but you must see the weight of my argument. I won't deny life serving my mistress is not without its challenges. She's an exacting mistress and I've seen how she uses her sexual slaves and servants, but the rewards are considerable. She's also generous and, as I've said, the pay is good."

The offer is an intriguing one. The arguments advanced by La Contessa's maid are powerful ones. How much more sense it makes to do what I do now but receive a regular income and live in the opulence of La Contessa's palace. I'm aware of her reputation as a strict madam and organiser of sexual games. It's known she's a wealthy, powerful and formidable lady with connections amongst the aristocracy and ruling elite in Venice. There must surely be opportunities for advancement in such a household.

Then my attention is drawn back to the delectable Julia, exotic and sensuous in her rich cape and wide-brimmed hat. Perhaps La Contessa's household will hold opportunities of another kind.

"Are all the servants in La Contessa's service as pretty as you? Because, if so, I reckon I'd enjoy working in her household."

It's corny I know, but I can't resist making passing the comment. It invariably works; few girls can resist a compliment. Julia smiles knowingly, and blushes.

"You flatter me, sir. Beware if you think working for La Contessa will offer an outlet for your own flirtation or you will get a rude awakening. Remember you would be there only to serve La Contessa. So, tell me, are you interested in entering her employment?"

It's decision time. I can't help but be intrigued by such a curious offer. To be plucked from the back-alleys of the least salubrious district of Venice and transported into one of the grand palaces on the Grand Canal to serve a wealthy lady, albeit one known to have extreme and bizarre tastes. I know in my heart Julia's right when she says my life on the streets is a short one. And then what? I might earn enough for an apprenticeship to a trade. Is this what I want to do with my life? No, the proposal put before me now is far more enticing.

"Yes, I'm interested in your offer."

"Excellent," exclaims Julia, "but remember La Contessa won't accept you into her household until she has assessed you, and put you through an initiation. She's trusted to my judgement and I'm sure you won't disappoint, will you?" she adds slyly.

"So, what happens? Do I come back with you straight away?"

"Yes, but there's one other little test you must face. La Contessa's instructions were clear. She said, "you must be sure to find a young male who can submit to me completely. Make sure he can accept punishment from you as a trial so he understands the nature of the duties I will expect him to perform.""

Julia looks at me with a wicked smile.

"So, you're saying you have to punish me before I can come back with you?"

I'm shocked but excited at the prospect of receiving punishment from the lovely Julia.

"Yes, if you can't pass this test, then you'll be no use to La Contessa. Come sir, I'll make it as fun for you as I can. Tell me, what's your name?"

"Roberto, my name is Roberto. Follow me. If I have to submit to punishment, let's find a place we can play out your game in a modicum of comfort."

I take Julia by the hand, encased as it is in the softest kid-leather gloves. If this young lady is her mistress's maid, then she must be well looked after to afford such luxurious accessories.

As we stumble along the poorly lit alley heading for a spot of light at the end of a dark tunnel, I take the opportunity to wrap my arm around her waist. She shoots a quick glance at me but does nothing to resist, pulling herself into the warmth of my body.

We reach the canal side. The water laps against the crumbling steps leading towards the canal-basin where a handful of gondolas are moored. The moon casts a baleful glow off the surface of the canal-waters. If you were an artist, you might see a romantic scene. The black-lacquered gondolas rocking gently on the water bathed in moonlight, and a young and attractive couple, cloaked and mysterious. But this is Venice, decadent and full of surprises, where nothing is quite what it seems.

"Is this OK? Will we be disturbed here?" enquires Julia.

"Not at this time. Most of the gondoliers will be working off Ponte San Leonardo where they can pick up trade from the taverns around the square. This place is only for mooring. I know many of the gondoliers; a few will offer me use of their gondolas for a soldi."

"Here, take care," I say whilst taking her hand to guide her into a gondola.

I've chosen one with a canopy to afford greater privacy, designed for erotic liaisons. The sights and sounds these gondoliers must witness as masked strangers seduce and copulate under their noses!

"We'll have a little privacy in here," I explain, as I part the drapes and invite her into the gondola.

The weight of our bodies and the nervous carelessness of our steps cause the gondola to rock, and Julia to lose her balance. As she stumbles and falls onto the cushions scattered on the floor of the gondola, I collapse on top of her. It's an opportune piece of timing. We both fall in a heap of excited giggles. We know where this is heading, have both been anticipating this from the moment our eyes met minutes ago.

The weight of my body presses on her and I feel the excited heaving of her breasts against my chest. My face is over hers and I admire her pert little nose and sensuous ruby lips curled into a knowing smile. Her bright hazel eyes invite me to kiss her. She's lovely, there's no doubt about it. It's been a long time since I've desired a woman for my pleasure, and not merely to satisfy a client. I lower my lips onto hers and they are met with an aroused passion matching my own. She puts her arms around me and squeezes me tighter, dislodging her hat in the process. A swathe of chestnut hair tumbles onto the shoulders of her burgundy cloak. We kiss and cling to one another using the heat of our bodies to ward off the midnight chill.

As our mouths part for a moment she puts a finger on my lips and whispers, "Wait Roberto. Stop for a moment. I must carry out the trial La Contessa has set for me. I must do this. She will question me and she sees all, she'll suspect if I've not carried out her instructions. I've never done this before. She enjoys playing with people. I think she wants to see if I'll go through with it."

My curiosity is aroused. "Go through with it? What do you mean?"

"She told me, "I have a special task for you, girl. I want to find a new slave. Go into the lanes of the Sestiere di Cannaregio. I hope you have the stomach for this Julia, for the alleys around the Campo di San Canciano are renowned for their decadent goings-on. I'm looking for a young man who'll perform for me, who'll do anything I desire. He must be able to take punishment, and you must test him for me because he's no use if he's not willing to suffer for his new mistress. You can choose any implement you like." At first I protested, but believe me Roberto, as you will soon find out, you do not resist a command from my mistress. Besides, I'm devoted to her, I'd do whatever she asks of me. I think she set the task as a test for me too."

I can't deny I find the thought of the delectable Julia inflicting corporal punishment on me intensely arousing.

"She means for you to spank or whip me?" I ask.

"Yes, that's her intent. I won't deny I'm passionate and hot-blooded, but it's not my natural inclination. I'd rather have a man's cock inside me than have him tied up. But, I think my mistress has asked me to carry out this task deliberately. I've no experience of domination but I've to go through with it. La Contessa will interrogate me in detail about what I've done and how you responded to it."

Julia's tale has made me even more intrigued about the mysterious La Contessa and convinced me entering into her employment could prove to be a lot of fun.

I spread my arms in an inviting pose, "Well go on then Julia, I'm all yours... dominate me, punish me!"

Julia looks apprehensive and apologetic, "Honestly, I've never done anything like this, but my mistress did give me one or two tips."

She inhales a deep breath to prepare herself and get into the right frame of mind.

"Ok, for the next few minutes you will be my slave and do as I say..." she announces trying to be serious, "... and then, if you please me, you can fuck me!"

"Oh, I'll look forward to that bit," I smile.

"Stop Roberto, this is serious. If I fail in my task, I'll get punished... I know I will. You must help me by entering into this."

I put on a deliberately serious face, "Mistress, your wish is my command."

She stretches her hand out towards me, her gloved fingers held out tantalisingly before me.

"Kiss my hand," she commands.

I glance up into her eyes. The hints of playfulness have deserted her. She has a doggedly determined stare as she takes on the role of mistress.

"Yes, madam," I reply.

I take the kid gloves into my hand and draw in the intoxicating aroma of leather. I put the hand to my lips and kiss the glove. The leather is soft and pliable against them. I've kissed a woman's hands on many occasions but it has been done mechanically, as a greeting, and never in such a sexually charged atmosphere. Julia holds out her hand like a Duchess.

"Now," she mutters breathlessly, affected by the sexual tension between us, "remove the glove with your teeth."

I find this a delectable and sensuous little twist. I take the leather at the tip of the middle finger between my teeth and tug gently. I'm expecting this might be a tricky task but such is the luxurious smoothness of the leather, the glove slides easily forward. After a few gentle pulls with my teeth the glove drops silently onto the cushions. Her immaculately manicured hand is offered and I press my lips against it, no command needed for me to understand the unspoken instruction. My heart beats fast, and I sense Julia, having entered fully into the role, is aroused by what she's made me do.

"You understand my instruction is to inflict punishment on you, don't you?"

"Yes, madam."

"Undo your breeches and pull them down."

I obediently comply with the request.

"Now, your knickerbockers... "

I accede to the command until both breeches and knickerbockers are hanging around my ankles. I surprise myself at how easily I give in to the whispered orders. It's like I'm in a dream. I'm beginning to think Julia is rather good at this, or perhaps she's touched a submissive side of me?

"Now, get down on all fours."

By now, as I get into position, my heart is racing and my cock is definitely aroused. There I am; my leggings around my ankles and my arse exposed, in full view of the beautiful Julia, in anticipation at the erotic delights she'll inflict on me.

Her hand runs over the fleshy mound of my arse. I have to confess, the delicious touch of Julia's soft fingers is extremely arousing. Then I hear the slap of flesh upon flesh as she spanks my bare backside. I know I'm expecting this, know Julia has explained the need to punish me but, nonetheless, I'm still surprised. Maybe I expected a gentle half-hearted slap, thinking the girl who, on her own admission, is doing this for the first time, would only deliver a few gentle slaps. She spanks me several times more with her bare hand and I expel a gasp as the stinging spreads over me. It's not intensely painful, but it's still a hard stroke. Julia delivers another four or five slaps. I hear her breathing, heavy with the physical exertion of the strokes and, dare I say it, the feeling of arousal they trigger in her. After another few strokes, and with my arse stinging in a sensuously erotic way, Julia finishes by running her hand gently across my glowing backside.

When she moves her hand away I get up from my crouching position, but Julia grasps my ponytail of black hair in her hand and pushes me onto the silk cushions again.

"No, I haven't finished yet. I'm sorry," she whispers apologetically, "but I must leave my mark on you. My mistress will inspect your backside tomorrow and will seek for evidence I've carried out her instructions to the letter. She'll look to see I've put my mark on you. I must go further. The redness will fade by tomorrow morning and she won't believe I punished you severely enough to truly test you."

On hearing this my emotions are mixed. My cock is hard and I yearn to turn Julia onto her back and take her, yet I'm both fearful and excited at the prospect of further punishment.

"You must do whatever your mistress instructs," I reply, my bottom still hanging invitingly in the air.

"She must be convinced you can receive punishment or she won't take you into her employment."

The more I hear, the more excited I am of the opportunity to spend more time with Julia, and of meeting her mysterious and sadistic employer. I've not great experience of submission in my work, but the touch of Julia's palm on my arse is convincing me it's something I could warm to.

Julia bends over me, the velvet of her cloak rubbing against the bare skin of my backside. She presses her body against mine so closely I feel the excited rising of her breasts against my back.

"Before I departed, she told me, "Leave a token on him so I can see what punishment he is prepared to take. Only then can I be assured he might be fit to join my household." She invited me to choose an implement from her collection of whips, paddles, and tawses, and described the marks they leave. I selected her leather flogger. She said, if I hit you hard enough with it, it would leave a nice scarlet glow across your arse."

What a night it's turning out to be, offering more intriguing possibilities than any other I've experienced whilst scouring the alleys of the Cannaregio.

I repeat, "Then you must do what your mistress asks of you."

Julia pulls the flogger out from under her cloak. She touches my cheek with it tantalisingly. On its end is a black piece of leather in the shape of an ace of spades. She offers it to me, and I kiss its surface in the knowledge it will soon be striking the peachy flesh of my backside.

Julia rises and stands over me, my face and body still buried in the cushions but my backside still exposed like a sacrifice. Julia sets her legs apart to steady herself and assumes a standing position to afford greater purchase for a swing.

The first stroke comes cracking down on my arse, and I hear the slap of the rounded piece of leather on my skin. If the touch of Julia's bare hand delivered a delicious sting, the flogger is seriously painful. She delivers another few strokes and then runs the leather against my glowing flesh. She definitely knows how to do this. Making me wait and anticipate the next round of strokes, offering me a hint of sensuality before the pain. If it's her first time, then she's a quick learner, or maybe her mistress has provided her with tips before she set her off on this bizarre errand.

The flogger comes down hard on me again. Julia raises it high above her head and brings it down with all the force she can muster. Who'd have thought her delicate frame could deliver such a powerful stroke, yet it did. The pain is excruciating, but deliciously so. It does nothing to subdue my ardour. My cock is still erect. Indeed, with every stroke it gets harder, and my desire to lie with my tormentor ever greater.