Author's note: I've been remiss in not thanking the people who have taken the time to comment on my story, to vote on it and to email me about it. Your words have been very encouraging. Thank you! Your comments will inform my future writing. Feel free to comment or email as the urge strikes you.
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There was a 'do not disturb' sign on the door handle of room 237. Grey used the card key to unlock the door and push it open slowly. She peered into the room to make sure it was empty before stepping inside.
The room was dominated by a king-sized bed, neatly made up. On the bed, laid out very deliberately, was a pair of steel handcuffs, a leather blindfold and a greeting card with a picture of a red rose on a white background. Her heart raced as she stepped to the bed and picked up the card. The message inside was hand-written.
Greetings kitten. Please sit on the edge of the bed, put on the blindfold and cuff your wrists securely behind your back. I'll be up shortly.
The text was followed by a small hand-drawn heart.
It was a long moment before she reached out and gingerly picked up the blindfold. It was contoured and one side was foam-padded. Twin leather ties with metal buckles would hold it in place securely. This was no flimsy sleeping mask.
Could she do this? Was this just too crazy? On the surface, it seemed like a very bad idea. Her rational mind screamed at her to leave.
She'd eagerly submitted to Robert's wishes in the past, online, where she had a measure of control and choice. Blindfolded and handcuffed, her control would be gone. She'd be entirely in his hands and subject to his every whim and impulse.
The idea filled her with cold terror. And a desperate longing.
She yearned for the feel of his warm hands on her skin. For his voice in her ear. For the press of his muscular body against her. To have him close to her, to lose herself in his gentle dominance.
And for that to happen, she would have to follow his directions. It was a choice she'd made every day for the past six weeks. As she stared at the blindfold, she felt for the first time that maybe it hadn't been a choice at all.
Maybe this is my true self? Maybe this is who I am?
Getting the mask on took a couple of tries but she soon managed to buckle it into place. The shape and the foam padding left her in complete blackness. She shook her head experimentally and was dismayed to discover how well the mask stayed in place. A little unnerved by how completely it robbed her of sight, she sat on the bed and took a moment to reconsider.
Get out! Run! Time is running out!
But even as her rational mind resisted, her hands were sliding over the surface of the bedsheet in search of the handcuffs.
The cold metal and the loud
click-click-click-click
sound as the cuff closed around her left wrist caused her to shiver in fear and anticipation. She secured her right wrist as well, then squirmed a little, trying to slide her wrists free. The cuffs held firm; her arms were pinned behind her
Her heart hammered in her chest as she felt the full impact of the risk she had taken. She was helpless. She was his.
For several minutes, Grey sat still on the edge of the bed, her ears sifting the silence for sounds of his arrival. When she heard the sound of a card key in the door, she held her breath. The door opened, she heard the rustle of clothing, the sound of shoes on carpet. There was a long pause, and she wondered what he was thinking.
"Stand up, kitten."
She loved the calm firmness of his voice. It cut through some of the fear. She stood.
She felt his proximity as he stepped in close.
"I've wanted to do this for six weeks now."
The pressure of his lips against hers startled her and she instinctively tried to brace her hands against his chest. But those hands were locked behind her. He gently captured her chin between thumb and index finger to tilt her face upwards. His lips continued to explore hers, slowly savouring her taste for the first time.
He smelled like coffee and soap and shampoo. She found herself returning his kiss, raising up on her toes to increase the contact with his lips.
Soon - too soon - he stepped back and released her chin. She stood helplessly, face upraised, lips parted slightly, her breathing rapid.
He was quiet for a long moment.
"If you want to leave at any time, just say 'stop'. I'll free you unharmed, walk you to the hotel entrance and pay for your cab ride home. Is that clear?"
"Yes Sir."
"What are you going to say if you want to leave?"
"I'll say 'stop', Sir."
"Good girl." There was another pause. "Kneel for me, kitten."
The sudden command caused her to gasp and brought colour to her cheeks. Kneel? She hesitated just a moment before slowly lowering herself to one knee, then both. Keeping her balance was tricky with her hands bound behind her.
When she was on her knees, she felt him standing over her, a powerful presence. There was no mistaking what this was, no way to pass it off as something else. She was kneeling at his feet.
What does that make him? What does that make me?
"Move your knees further apart - as wide as you comfortably can. Straighten your back and push out your chest." his instructions were delivered in a patient, steady tone.
She obediently adjusted her posture. She tried to picture how she must look - knees wide under her flowing white dress, arms back, breasts proudly pushed forward, blushing, breathing open-mouthed. She felt wanton. A familiar warmth built between her legs.
"When I have you kneel, this is the position I want you in. Understood, kitten?"
"Yes Sir." her voice was a whisper.
He gently caressed her face with his palm. She pressed her cheek into his hand, loving the warmth of him.
"How does it feel to kneel for me?" he asked.
It felt degrading...and liberating. It felt sexy and submissive and humiliating and arousing. It felt awkward and comfortable. It felt right.
Is this who I am? How could I not have known?
"I...don't know."
"Is it a good feeling or a bad one, kitten?"
"A good feeling, Sir. Maybe...very good."
"That makes me happy."
Then Grey became aware of another sensation quickly pushing itself to the fore.
"Um...Sir? I think I had too much coffee with breakfast."
"Pardon me?" He sounded amused.
