My apologies for the long delay between chapters!! This one was a struggle for me, as I felt it was time to show some cracks in the new relationship. I truly hope you like it and as always, I love your support and comments! Once again I can't express enough gratitude to FA_JF for her keen eye and kind words.
***
I spend my Sunday at the paint store, looking at swatches until my eyes become blurry. It's hard to focus when my body keeps reminding me of my time with Patrick last night. My shoulders are tight, but the biggest distraction is an ache from my pussy, partially from being a bit bruised by our aggressive fucking, and partially due to an insufferable longing to be filled by him again.
After spending most of their Sunday at the science museum, Patrick took Luka for pizza and video games. While Luka is distracted by a video game, Patrick uses the opportunity to call me. He whispers in to the phone other ideas he has for the rope, some of which make me question his sanity and my dexterity. I make a mental note to include more stretching in to my workouts.
We make a plan to get together on Tuesday evening after he's done with work. He wants to come to my place again so we can talk a little more about the cabinets for the kitchen. I'm a little worried about the boundaries between work and play, but keep my concerns to myself. He has plans tonight to have dinner and watch a game with some friends, so we say our goodbyes until we see each other tomorrow morning at the gym.
***
When I arrive at the gym the next morning, I don't readily see Patrick so I get started with my warm up. When I'm done, I walk over to the weights and see him on his back doing bench presses. The same female personal trainer from the other day is standing next to the bench chatting at him with a big smile on her face. I stop to look at her more closely, feeling some insecurity trickle in as I look at her young, tight body and sun-streaked blonde hair. She appears to be in her mid-twenties. She looks up at me with recognition and her smile drops, then as if deciding I was of no consequence, turns back to Patrick and squats down to whisper something in his ears. Whatever she said causes him to stop his presses, sit up and laugh.
My heart flutters a little. Part of me wants to walk right over, introduce myself with feigned confidence, pretending that they've never fucked; which at this point I'm relatively confident they have. Instead, I find myself turning around and walking to the cardio room. I feel like a coward. For all of my confidence about being an independent, professional woman, I know I'm acting childish; but, after seeing online how many men my age preferred younger woman, it's hard not to take it to heart.
Twenty minutes after I start on the elliptical machine, Patrick walks in and sees me. Cocking his head with a slightly confused look, he walks over and remarks that I've broken my routine of using weights before cardio. I blurt out the first excuse I can. "I'm, um, feeling a bit stiff today and thought it best to get my blood flowing a bit before I did any lifting."
He looks concerned. "Perhaps a massage tomorrow night might work out some of those kinks." His look of concern is quickly replaced with a more devious smile as he adds, "...and once those are out we'll add a few more."
I flush, but inwardly, I'm feeling badly about not being honest with him. I pause the machine and reply, "That sounds wonderful. How about if we barter the massage for a meal? Is there anything you don't like or are sensitive too?"
"I like it all! Meat, veggies, dairy, gluten.... It's all good."
"Wow, you're a rarity in this town!" I laugh. Having a dinner party anymore for my friends has turned in to a recipe for creative cooking with all the limitations usually placed on my menu.
I'm just about to restart the elliptical when he leans in closely, his eyes shining. "Tomorrow night when I arrive, be wearing a short sundress. Nothing else." With those words, he gives me a peck on the cheek and a quick slap to my ass which causes me to look around in a panic until I realize the only others in here at the moment are two runners on treadmills facing in the other direction, oblivious with their ear buds in. As he did the other day, he picks the treadmill directly in front of me and starts his run, leaving me to stare at his hard body for the next twenty minutes.
Once I'm done with my cardio, I go back to the weight room to finish my workout. I'm still bothered that I'd been too insecure to approach Patrick and the trainer earlier, and wonder if my imagination is getting the best of me. Unfortunately those feelings are only bolstered when I see her behind me through the mirror's reflection, glaring at me as I do my lunges. She has sadness in her eyes, a frown on her lips, and an expression I just can't read. At this point I know I'm not imagining anything, but I just don't know what to do about it. Feeling uncomfortable, I gather my belongings and leave the gym.
I spend the day pouring over, and eventually checking out home remodeling books from the library. I pretty much know what I'm looking for as far as counters, sink, and backsplash go, but I'm still uncertain about the cabinets and the floors. Throughout the day, the events of this morning in the gym continue to resonate in my mind as much as I've tried to push them out. Still feeling uneasy that evening, I decide to text him goodnight instead of calling as we usually do.
Despite my text, as soon as I lay down my phone rings and it's him. "Hey beautiful, what happened to you at the gym today? You left without saying goodbye."
I know I should tell him what's on my mind, but all I can get out is, "I, uh....wasn't feeling well." Again I can't seem to admit the truth, and guilt begins to swell inside of me.
"What's wrong sweetheart?"
"I'm fine...just tired." I bite my lower lip to keep from saying more.
"Ok, I won't keep you then. Get a good night's sleep... I plan to keep you up late tomorrow night."
For the first time all evening I smile and relax a little. Maybe I can entice him into a little phone fun. "Mmmmm.... Can I get a little sample tonight?"
He laughs. "Aren't you the horny little one? The answer is no. You need your rest. Go to sleep. No toys, no fingers.... Just sleep."
I blush, because that's just where my mind was going. I tease, "Fine... I'll go to sleep all naked and alone in this big empty bed."
Patrick lets out a little growl. "Don't you worry sweetheart; we're going to put that bed to good use tomorrow night...." He's quiet for a moment, then adds, "don't push yourself too hard at the gym tomorrow."
What sounds like a simple request appears loaded with intention. I can't help myself but ask, "why not, Patrick?" My voice almost a whisper.
His only response is, "It's time for your first spanking."
Those words alone reach deep in to the recesses of my psyche and a myriad of feelings explode within me; primarily lust, but also fear and anxiety. Overriding the last two though, I also feel cherished. He knows this is what I crave from him, what I need. Every venture into my submission to Patrick has been so carefully weighed by him. He's pushed me and challenged me at every turn, but never more than I could reasonably accomplish. The only time I'd ever considered safe wording was when my emotions felt too raw and exposed. If he feels I'm ready for this, then I trust him with all of my heart. I also know that by accepting whatever he gives me, I'm giving back to him so much more.
He'd previously mentioned that spanking was not necessarily punishment, and I appreciate that my first will not be from any transgression on my part. I suspect that he has planned it that way too. What I experience tomorrow night will be purely from the pleasure we both derive from the experience, without any other events tainting it.
I realize I have not responded to him. "I'm sorry Patrick, I...uh, got lost in my thoughts. I promise to take it easy tomorrow."
"Good girl. If you can, take a long bath or sauna tomorrow. I want you all better before I lay you over my lap tomorrow night." He knows he's only adding flame to the fire that's beginning to ignite inside of me.
We say our goodnights, and as I lay in bed with my hands clenched at my sides to keep from touching myself, images of Patrick's strong hand coming down over my soft ass cheeks resonates in my head.
It's going to be a long night.
***
