In Time

Mae stopped herself from hitting Jack for using the words that only hours ago she had mocked him with. Rage helped bring back Mae's focus and recentered the task of gaining Jack's trust to get access to a viable escape option.

"Won't someone get suspicious? If I'm missing and you're not at work?"

Jack smiled "Nothing you need to be worried about."

"But my friends... my family. They'll get worried."

"You've let them know that you got a once in a lifetime opportunity to backpack in europe and service will be spotty."

"I let them know this?"

"Well of course I did, but your friends and family believe it to be you."

"Oh." Mae couldn't say anything else.

Jack's arm lifted, and while Mae stopped herself from moving she couldnt stop her body from flinching and tensing. Jack's hand paused briefly before he continued and ran his thumb softly against her cheek. He cupped his hand gently but firmly around Mae's chin forcing her to meet his gaze for the first time since she arrived in the room.

"Ah, there you are." Mae looked into his eyes as long as she could before closing them tight. He gently released his grip and softly smoothed his hand on her head.

"Okay sweet girl, I've got to go now. You can color and rest, and dinner will be in a few hours. I expect you to eat all of it, okay." Jack gave her an expectant look.

"Please don't leave me in here." Mae cried feeling like she might go crazy if he did.

"It's okay Mae, you'll be okay. Color me a picture?" He kissed her head and began to walk away from the bed. Mae got up and began to follow him.

"Stay there little girl, or there will be a consequence." Jack warned still gently but with an edge to his voice.

Mae tried to listen to him but as he grabbed the door handle she couldn't help herself. She reached out and grabbed his arm.

"Please Jack." Jack looked down at her with disappointment in his eyes. He grabbed Mae's hand that was holding onto his arm and qucikly angled it around Mae's back.

"You're hurting me" Mae cried and she struggled against Jack who was much stronger than he looked. He took Mae to the bed and she started to struggle harder "No no please I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"Quiet now, it's not what you're thinking." he sat on the bed and pulled her stomach down across his lap securing her legs with his own and pinning both her hands with one of his hands. Mae had been wearing a skirt and he lifted it up revealing light pink underwear. She tried to thrash against Jack but he kept her secure.

"I told you to stay, didn't I? I told you to address me as Sir, didn't I? 5 corrections for each one you disobeyed. When I am finished you will thank me respectfully or add 5 more."

Jack adjusted Mae so that her ass was further up. He waited as she continued to thrash before he finally slapped his hand hard against her ass. She screamed and he continued.

Mae felt more embarrassed than hurt. She couldn't believe he was spanking her! She wanted to hide and scream at the same time. Each smack wasn't terribly painful but left a bitting sting. After 10 hits on her now red ass, Jack paused.

"Thank me now or I will give 5 more." While Mae wanted this over as soon as possible, she couldn't give in. So much for her plan she thought. No this could be a part of it, of course she'd have to act out again before he put trust in her.

"No?" He sighed as he began to hit her again, increasing the intesity after each slap. He made another pause after reaching the end of the hits.

"Now let's try this again. Thank me for your punishment." Mae attempted to struggle free but nothing more. Jack only shook his head and continued with 5 more slaps, now much harder than they were when he first started. Mae cried harder as well.

"We can do this for as long as it takes little girl." Another pause, Mae felt sure she could withstand him. He continued once more, hitting her harder than she thought possible for just his hand. "You know, I think perhaps you're enjoying this? That's why you don't want it to be over." Jack mused as the last set ended. Mae's face became a deep red for anger but also from the embarrassment of the small truth. She was slightly enjoying it in a way she didn't understand. He paused once again. He couldn't think that she was enjoying it so Mae gave in with a huff.

"Thank you." She gritted between her teeth.

"Thank you what?"

"Thank you Sir."

"For what?"

"Thank you for my punishment sir." Mae didn't feel like she could be anymore humiliated.

"And why were you punished." She was wrong.

"Because I didn't stay and I didn't call you Sir, Sir" She replied with as much sarcasm and disdain as she could muster.

"Good girl." Jack said as he stroked her head "I know that was hard for you, next time I expect more respect though." Jack readjusted Mae's skirt and released her from his grip. Immediately she moved to the opposite end as him.

"Be a good girl." And with that Jack left.

She cried into the bed holding her stuffed monkey until she couldn't anymore. Fighting off the numbness and defeat Mae forced herself to get up. Mae grabbed the box of clothes and went to organize them in the closet which had built in shelves. She noticed that they were her clothes and while she folded most of the clothes onto the shelves she put on a baggy pair of jeans and loosefitting tee. She discarded the skirt and blouse in the box, which would work as a hamper for now. She grabbed the crayons and coloring book as she closed the closet door. A part of her wanted to snap the crayons one by one and tear up all the pages, but she reminded herself to be patient.

Coloring actually helped to calm her nerves a bit. She could just focusing on staying in the lines and chosing a color. She smiled to herself as she had an idea. Once she had finished coloring a page she ripped it out of the book, folded it, and wrote "To Sir." She would play along for now, and felt herself getting good at this twisted game.

Hours later dinner had come as promised. It came when she was in the bathroom again but it was just the meal, no sign of Jack. She ate the tacos hungrily and when she was done she put the plate by the door. Curious, Mae tried to open the door again but it was still locked.

She walked into the bathroom, but stayed right by the door frame. She waited and listened for the sound of the door but it didn't come. Bored, her hand hurt too much from coloring to continue. Instead she lay on the floor in her room and threw a crayon up in the air and caught it over and over again. She wished she had something to watch or read or anything.

Just as Mae contemplated destroying the room and breaking everything she could Jack walked through the door and quickly shut it. Mae quickly sat up and waited.

"Have you been a good girl?" The question made her furious but at the same time her stomach turned in knots as she nodded.

"Yes Sir." Jack smiled at her as he came and stroked her head.

"Good girl. Why don't you put your pajamas on and brush your teeth. I'll tuck you into bed."

Mae hesitated as she let out a soft whine.

"Don't make me repeat myself sweet girl." Mae stomped to the closet and grabbed her oversized shirt and shorts she used as pajamas and stomped into the bathroom. She changed and brushed her teeth and walked back into the bedroom where she found Jack sitting at the end of the bed.

"Good girl, come get into bed."

She paused and said with a pout "Even dogs get a walk especially when they're good. Please sir, I've been in this room all day, with nothing to do, I couldn't even think of sleep."

"If you get into bed now, you'll get to leave the room tomorrow if you keep being a good girl." Mae sighed and wandered over to the bed. As she passed she saw her coloring page for him on the ground. She grabbed it and got into bed.

"This is for you." Jack smiled as he read his title on the page and opened it up.

"What beautiful coloring, thank you." He leaned down and kissed her on her forehead. Her eyes met his as he sat back up. "I'm very proud of you, you're already doing much better than I thought you would be at this point." Mae couldn't help but smile, as hard as it was, her plan was working. Jack gave Mae her stuffed monkey and stroked her hair some more. His thumbs smoothed over her cheeks and than her lips, making Mae's breath hitch. "you're so beautiful" His words made Mae look away. He grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. "I wan't you to say it." His eyes bore into hers until a light shined in Mae's as she said "You're beautiful." He laughed and begun to tickle her. "Why thank you, but that's not what I meant." He continued to tickle her until she was begging him to stop as she was laughing. "Only one thing that can make me stop." Mae tried to catch her breath as she said "I'm beautiful." Jack continued to tickle her and said "I couldn't hear that, what did you say?"

"I'm beautiful!" Mae shouted as she laughed. Jack stopped with a laugh of his own and then suddenly became very serious as his face leaned inches away from her own. "Yes. You are beautiful. And yet that is the least interesting thing about you."

As Mae looked into his deep brown eyes that told stories of their own she couldn't stop herself as she kissed him. Telling herself it was the perfect opportunity to advance her plan. Although she didn't didn't fully believe herself, she held onto the lie as he deepened the kiss. His hands held her head as his tounge licked her lips asking for entrance. Finding comfort in pretending that she was back at home, in her own bed, she allowed her mouth to open slightly. His tounge danced with hers as his one hand began to lower slowly past her neck and down to her chest. Simultaneously his teeth grazed her lips pulling lightly as his hand squeezed her right breast. She let out a small moan as she felt wetness pool in between her legs. He kissed her once more and then rose from the bed. Mae whimpered softly in complaint. Jack had a huge grin he tried to hide as he said "I see you're just trying to stay up past your bedtime aren't you?"

Ashamed of what she had just done Mae took his joke gratefully, "Can't get anything past you."

"Don't you forget it. Goodnight sweet girl." Jack gave her one last small kiss before he turned off the lights and left the room.

The next morning Mae woke to Jack smiling at her from the end of the bed.

"Good morning sweet girl. Get dressed and then I will take you outside of the room for breakfast." Mae did not need to be told twice, she nearly jumped out of bed and ran to her closet. She could not hide her delight at being able to leave the room which made Jack chuckle softly to himself.

"Not so slow Mae, pick up the place." He teased which earned him a death glare from her.

Soon enough Mae dressed, choosing her flowly pink dress with ruffly sleeves seemed like the quickest option, and waited eagerly by the door.

"Make the bed please." Feeling annoyed with anticipation Mae rolled her eyes and went to make her bed. Jack grabbed her arm qucikly and tightly pulling her up to face him.

"Never roll your eyes at me. This will be your only warning." Mae simply nodded in panic not wanting to lose her chance at leaving the room. As he let her go and she made the bed Jack said "I will start to expect you to answer me out loud with a yes sir or no sir, okay?"

"Yes sir." Mae whispered, and Jack accepted it.

With the bed tidy Mae looked expectantly at Jack. He smiled "Before we go, one thing." His hands unveiled a collar and a leash which made Mae sink away from him. "Come here sweet girl and let me put them on."

"I'm not a dog." Mae crossed her arms, he couldn't be serious.

"You compared yourself to one last night. Something about how even dogs get to go on walks?" He was serious.

"I was referring to the way I was being treated worse than a dog."

"Well now you can be on the same level as one. I'd say that's moving up in the world."

He was testing her, she knew this but she still wanted to scream at him, hit him and tell him where he could shove the collar and leash. Mae had the willpower to shove down those impulses but she didn't know if she has the strength to willingly be lead around on a leash.

"The choice is yours to wear it or not, but wearing it is the only way you get out of this room."

His words wore away at her resistance and she gingerly stepped towards him. Jack wore a self-satisfied smile as he attached the collar around Mae's neck and clipped the leash onto it. It made her want to scratch the smile right off his face.

"Good girl. You're going to follow me as I lead you. If you try to take the collar off your arms will be bound. If you try to run you will be in your room nonstop for another week. Understand?" Mae nodded down looking at the floor and met with a sharp tug. Mae looked into Jack's eyes as his eyebrows were raised, waiting.

"Yes sir. I understand."

"Good girl." With a smile Jack opened the door leading them out of the small room.

Mae gasped as they entered into the rest of the house. Natural light surrounded her from every angle as they were surrounded by windows which looked out into woods in every direction. Yes, they were definitely out of the city, but she couldn't determine where. The house stunned her with its wooden floors and angular shape. They walked immediately out to a foyer that had a beautiful brown piano. Jack led Mae through the foyer and through the living room into the kitchen. The house reminded Mae of a midcentury modern early 70s cabin. The trees from outside cast shadows of leaves on the floors making Mae feel as if she were outside under the trees.

"I'm glad you like it." Jack mused at the look on Mae's face.

"Yeah not bad for a prison." She meant for it to come out as a light joke but the truth of it weighed in both Mae and Jack's minds.

Jack pulled out Mae's chair and gestured for her to sit down. She did so and as he tucked in her chair, he leaned down and whispered in her ear to stay as he unclipped her leash. Her body felt tempted to run, but she told herself now was not the time. Her back was to Jack, and as she turned to look for him he spoke firmly "Eyes forward." She rolled her eyes, safe in the knowledge that he couldn't see her.

She heard movement in the kitchen, tempting herself to look back again but she kept her eyes forward. Mae heard sizzling and the air filled with the pleasant scent of pancakes. Jack put a plate in front of her and pleasantly surprised Mae with waffles.

"Blueberry waffles." Jack smiled

"The most superior waffle. Thank you sir."

"You are most welcome sweet girl. We'll eat and then I'll take you on a tour."

After they ate Jack reattached Mae's leash and took her on the promised tour. Mae couldn't help but be impressed by the beautiful house. The large windows her favorite part, not just because she had been trapped without windows for a day. Jack lead her through the living room which had a comfortable looking couch, a tv and was surrounded by books. He showed her the master bed and en suite which was massive and had the best views in the house. Next to the master was another room and Mae noticed it resembled her own apartment. It had her bedding, her clothes, even some of her decorations. Mae found it hard to breathe as she looked at it and started to cry.

"It's okay sweet girl." Jack ran his hand up and down Mae's back trying to soothe her. "If you keep being a good girl, would you like to sleep here tonight?" While being surrounded by her old things felt comforting it also made her feel uneasy, but anything had to be better than the windowless room.

"Yes sir." Jack smiled and led her out of the room. There was another room, setup as a study that Jack warned that Mae needed permission from him to go in. A bathroom in the hall and then they went through a door that brought them through a completely glass room. Inside it was warm with a large pool at its center.

"Never go swimming without someone to watch you, okay?" Mae felt annoyed at the question, she wasn't a child, so she kept quiet. Jack tugged at her leash "I expect a response."

"Yes sir." Play along, play along, play along Mae had to keep telling herself.

"Good girl." Jack smiled at Mae and released her leash. Mae felt the desire to bolt but stayed still waiting instruction. "Go brush your teeth and meet me back in the living room."

"Yes sir." Mae cringed at herself as she went to do as she was told, like a good little captive. There were three exit doors that Mae had counted. One by the kitchen, one in the foyer, and one at the pool. The one in the foyer would be easiest to escape from but Mae had a creeping feeling that Jack expected this from her, and it wouldn't be so easy. After brushing her teeth she passed the foyer and froze. A part of her screamed that she wouldn't get another chance like this, but the logical part pointed out that she definitely wouldn't if she lost the trust she worked so hard to gain. "Be smart." Mae told herself. She never had been more patient in her life.

Mae entered the living room quietly to find Jack reading a book which title she couldn't read. All she could do is stare and wonder if she really had missed her opportunity, he look unworried of her whereabouts. She fully entered the room and cleared her throat. Jack looked up and smiled "Good girl, grab a book and come sit by me." Jack had a good selection of books and she became overwhelmed with the choice of choosing. "Come sit down." Mae sat and he stroked her hair for a moment before he went and grabbed a book for her before going back to his own. It was Beautiful World Where Are You by Sally Rooney. She looked at him and stared for awhile. "What is it sweet girl?" He asked without taking his eyes from the page.

"Nothing sir." She opened the book up. Mae couldn't admit that this had been a book she has been trying to get from the library to read for ages. How could he know? It had to be a lucky guess, right? They read side by side and eventually Jack's arm made it around Mae's shoulders. Instead of pulling away, she leaned in to the crook of his shoulder. They had been reading for about an hour when Jack asked Mae to finish the chapter she was on and then close the book. Mae finished and then looked up at him to find that he had been watching her. He only smiled and said "would you like to go for a swim?"

"Yes sir." Mae hadn't swam in ages and it had to be better than spending her time all alone in the windowless room. At least that's what she thought until Jack had her doing laps. He had taken off her collar before she entered the pool, and she didn't realize it had a code to take off. After she had done twenty laps Mae couln't fathom doing anymore and asked to stop. Jack agreed and led her to the hot tub.

"Swimming is good aerobic exercise without being hard on your body." Mae only nodded as she enjoyed the heat and the bubbles. Jack sat next to her and his hand rested just above her knee. She fought the urge to move away from him. He slowly moved his hand up towards her inner thigh. "Will you come sit on my lap?" Mae went to move away from Jack but an idea of negotiation made her stop and move towards his lap. He helped position her so her back leaned against him. "Good girl." His hands slowly moved up and down her body appreciatively, starting at her legs and up to her torso.

Mae took this opportunity while she had it. "Can we go outside?" He paused gripping Mae's waist tightly but gently.

"Why?" Jack asked.

Mae looked back at him and found his eyes. "Please? Haven't I been a good girl?"

His hand reached up and squeezed her breasts. "Yes, you have been a very good girl. I wouldn't want to do anything to tempt a change in that."

Mae couldn't help but squirm as he continued to squeeze and fondle her breasts, but she tried to cover by stroking his arm, "I promise I'll be good! Maybe we can go for a little walk, or just have a picnic in the fresh air?" She looked up at him with the best look she could muster and then added the cherry on top, "Please sir?"