Page 82 of Cook

“Yes Daddy,” she whispered for only my ears.

Crossing to stand between Maddie and the others, I gave the fucking toolbox a once over.

Mercer waved at the assortment like Vanna White. “You’re free to bring your own implements, but we do have equipment available for your use. These are good tools for beginners, but you’ll find more advanced things in some of our other playrooms. Cherie?”

“Yes sir?” she replied immediately.

“Kneel beside the door, nose to the wall,” he ordered.

Cherie hesitated—barely perceptible, but it was definitely a pause—and Mercer reached into the cabinet for a riding crop. She turned to face the door and hinged at her hips, flipping her skirt over her bare ass.

Mercer popped her with the end, and I could see the mark forming before she stood and crossed to the door. There, Cherie hung the loop at the end of her leash on the handle before she kneeled and pressed her knees into the wall. She then sat back on her heels and leaned forward until her nose met the dark green brocade wallpaper.

The small man put away the crop and jutted his chin at Cherie. “That’s what defiance and then obedience looks like in a sub. Your job,” he said in a quiet voice, “is to set clear expectations for your sub.”

I ground my teeth, not liking how he referred to her, or them, as things rather than people. “Maddie,” I corrected.

He flourished his fingers and strode past me toward Cherie. “As you will.”

Checking on Maddie, I witnessed something raw cross her face, as if she was opening up to something of wonder. I didn’t understand, yet, but I would. That’s why we were here.

“This is a game of power.” Mercer ran his hands through Cherie’s hair, petting her as if she were a dog. “Power given by her as a gift to me, her master. True, my pet?”

“Yes sir,” answered Cherie without moving a muscle.

“Be as creative as you like, but it’s your job as your sub’s Dom to be patient. To give them order. To provide them with a firm hand. And yes, to dole out punishment when they fail to meet your expectations.” He held up a finger. “And finally, you are responsible to care for them after your scene.”

“Scene?” I questioned.

“Yes. Could be bondage, any kind of discipline... like I said, as creative as you will.”

Fuck! How I hated the images that were running through my brain. And what this little bit of instruction stirred in me. Envisioning Maddie behaving for me like Cherie behaved for Mercer had my lower gut tightening and blood starting to feed my erection.

But only if she wanted it too.

I peeked at her again, letting my eyes linger on how she sat with her knees and ankles together, her hands folded in her lap, and her eyes wide and bright.

“There’s a hamper there.” Mercer pointed to the far corner near a counter with a sink. “There are towels in the cabinet beneath the sink. The mattress has a waterproof pad under the sheets.” He indicated the queen-size bed in the center of the room. “The sheets need to be stripped when you’re done. Those, along with any towels, can be tucked into the hamper before you leave. Any questions?”

Fuck yeah! A shit ton of them, but nothing I could put into a logical question. “No.”

“We’ll leave you then.” He picked up the end of the leash and tugged Cherie to her feet. “There are no locks, you’ll find. We had them all removed after an incident. But you’ll have two hours in theroom for your session. No one will bother you. The light above the door will flicker to alert you five minutes before your time is up. That button there will go straight to my cell in case you have need of me.”

Cherie opened the door for Mercer, and he smiled at me.

I didn’t answer and certainly didn’t thank him.

He leaned closer and whispered. “She wants you in charge. Everything about her body signals that. Trust what you’re feeling.”

Once they were gone, I closed the door and pressed my head against it.

“We don’t have to do this,” Maddie said from the side of the room, her voice small.

I had to get past my insecurity, pronto! Maddie, still sitting in her chair, looked as curious as a jackrabbit after hearing a rustle in the bushes. But I didn’t miss the way her fingers twisted together in her lap.

Mercer was right about one thing, at least. She needed me to be strong and give her guidance. Problem was... I’d been denying myself for a while now and my cock was bitching at me nonstop. Could I unleash myself? Let myself fuck her and not break her further?

I strode over to the wardrobe and looked over the collection, flashing back to that first night when I’d taken her to Mom’s. What she had said so quietly to me in the dark...I need someone who will be gentle with me, but firm enough to tell me what I need to do, like the dad I remember.

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