"My place, tonight at 7:00 P.M. sharp!" I stare at his icy cold response and swallow repeatedly to clear the guilt clogging my throat. I guess I deserve it. I'd be furious if someone was nasty to me.
Sucking in a gulp of air, I text back. "Yes, Sir."
I drag my feet across the marble floor as anxiety runs amok in my chest. The elevator doors slide open and I step inside. I've no idea what punishment Sebastian will dish out tonight, but whatever it might be, I deserve it after everything I said to him. Clutching my bag, I suck in air, filling my starved lungs. I've always had a bratty side, and it's not something I'm proud of, but it's part of my personality. While I was a subservient child at home, when I was outside with my friends, I was a little terror, ending up in fights with boys for just looking at me.The sound of the arrival chime jolts my heart into overdrive. I take a tentative step forward, my gaze darting around the living room. Sebastian lounges on the sectional with a book in his hands. Soft ambient music plays in the background, but it does nothing to calm my overwrought nerves. Bending, I take my shoes off and leave them on the side. Despite having a nap, a lingering headache pulses behind my temples. Sebastian lifts his head, his stone-gray eyes glaring at me with disappointment, sending daggers straight through my heart. Sooner or later, you always end up disappointing the men in your life. Just walk away, Allie. No, I need to take responsibility for my behavior and apologize. Plodding across the hardwood floor, I lower my gaze to hide the guilt brewing inside me like a storm. I come to a stop at the edge of the L-shaped couch and lower myself on the ground with as much grace as I can muster.
Placing my hands on my thighs, I bow my head. "I'm sorry for sending you disrespectful messages and for not listening when you asked me to stop drinking. I assure you it will never happen again." I keep my head downcast because I can't face the disappointment written in his eyes. My gaze follows his bare feet as he approaches me.
"Eyes on me, Alexandra. Hands behind your head." Putting my training collar around my neck, he attaches the leash and continues, "Thank you for your apology. While I appreciate it, we agreed that if you break any of the rules, you will get punished."
"May I do anything to correct my behavior now, Sir?" My voice breaks.
"On your feet, Alexandra. Strip naked." He drops his voice an octave, the sternness and business-like tone slithers through my belly.
"Yes, Sir." As I let my dress fall on the floor, I notice the leather cuffs, lube and butt plug resting on the coffee table. Crap! While I don't mind my partner inserting their thumb during sex, I absolutely hate butt plugs. Then I remind myself that they are on my "I'm open to try it" list. Lifting my clothes, I drape them on the couch.
Sebastian trawls his gaze up and down my body as I stand with my legs apart and resting my hand on my lower stomach. He grabs the leash, leading me toward his terrace. My breath hitches as I take in the evening sky, set ablaze with spectacular flames of the setting sun. I shudder as the cold bite of the late-March breeze covers my skin with chills.
"Spread your legs, bend down and take hold of ankles with your hands," he commands.
"Yes, Sir. As you please." I obey him. Dropping to his knee, he ties my wrists to my ankles. He pushes himself to his feet and walks behind me.
My entire body heats with a flush as I stand face down with my ass and pussy hanging in the air, exposed and available for him to do whatever he wants. Sebastian circles my ass with his finger, applying lube around my entrance, then glides his finger in and out before adding another one.
"Relax and breathe deeply, Alexandra," he advises me as he removes his fingers and slides the butt plug inside me.Despite dragging a lungful of air, my sphincters tense, fighting the sensations of the coldness of the smooth metal, the stretching and fullness. Stop fighting it, I order myself.
"I'll come back to get you after you've had time to think about your behavior." Sebastian saunters towards the living room and closes the door behind him.
I knew he would dish out punishment, but honestly, I was hoping he would spank or flog me and not make me bend forward and hold my ankles, which is a million times worse. There's nothing I can do except wait until he comes back and releases me from the restraints. I don't know how long he's planning to leave me here. What if he leaves me all night? Don't be silly. He's strict, but not cruel. What if Google Earth takes photos of my naked ass with a butt plug for everyone to see? Your hair shields your face, so no one will know it is you, I reassure myself. A giggle escapes my lips as more silly thoughts race through my mind.
I peek at the silver globe of the moon climbing higher in the sky, telling me I must have been standing on the terrace for at least half an hour, if not more. My mind fights the discomfort by bringing back memories of my father forcing me to stand in a corner for a long time rather than teaching me to reflect and take time out. Unlike my father, Sebastian didn't force me to do something I didn't consent to and all of this will be over in a second if I shout out my safe word. I curl and uncurl my toes to get my blood going, thanking the universe for his bespoke hardwood decked terrace because it would have sucked if I had to stand barefoot on a marble floor. Next, I bend my knees, hoping it will release the strain building in my calf muscles and lower back.Bobbing my head to the side, I cast my gaze to the infinity pool sparkling like a blue topaz in the moonlight, wishing I could dive in. As boredom and discomfort settle in my bones, I belt out Halsey's 'Hold Me Down' and shake my body to loosen my coiled muscles. The brat inside me sneers inwardly, congratulating me on an excellent choice of song. My voice dies in my throat as the raucous sound of Sebastian's applause reaches my ears.
"If I knew you had the voice of a nightingale, I'd have kept you inside and asked you to sing for me instead." He lifts my chin with his finger, his gaze ensnaring me before he removes the restraints and the butt plug.
"It sounds like Sir has missed the opportunity for me to give him a private concert," I chuckle, standing upright and straightening my spine.
"Watch your smart mouth, pet." He slopes his head to the left, a smirk tugging his sensuous lips. My heart flip-flops in my chest when he calls me pet. It kills me when he uses my name because it means I've done something wrong or disappointed him.
"Yes, Sir,"I blurt out.
"Unless you think you might need another hour to reflect on your behavior," he replies, his voice laced with laughter.
"No, Sir. I had enough time to think." Placing his arm around my waist, he scoops me into his arms and carries me straight to the bathroom. I wrap my arms around his neck, melting into him and letting the heat of his body warm my chilled skin.
Lowering me to my feet, he takes off the collar and leash. I get into the free-standing circular bath, submerging my body under the water. I come up for air, blowing bubbles in his direction and giggling like a two-year-old.
"Thank you, Sir. You're the best."
"Enjoy your bath, pet." Grinning with amused exasperation, he gives me a quick kiss on the top of my nose and leaves me to it.
Resting my head on the bath, I close my eyes and exhale the stress of the day. I soak in the scorching hot water until it turns almost freezing cold and my fingers wrinkle. Jumping out of the bath, I throw on the big fluffy bathrobe and socks Sebastian left for me. As I trot to the living room, the spicy aromatic smell of freshly cooked Indian curry tickles my nose and makes my mouth water. We spend the rest of the night snuggled on the couch, eating and watching movies.