The dark figure paced restlessly in front of the comfortable looking leather couch and
froze in mid-stride when the monitor showed the front gate of the estate opening. She
observed the dark red convertible rolling along the driveway, registered with satisfaction
the smooth switch to one of the other motion sensitive cameras. She deactivated the
monitor and waited for the sound of the key turning in the front door.
For a heartbeat relief showed on her face. A face of classical beauty with elegantly
arched eyebrows, long eye lashes, a sculpted nose, high cheekbones, and bronzed skin.
Standing just shy of six feet the woman was taller than most; her full curves covered a
core of muscle-based steel and exuded raw energy and power.
She cut the single soft lamp that had illuminated the large living room, leaving only the
light from the two large panorama windows coming in. She settled down on the couch, with
her legs stretched out in front of her and crossed at the ankles and her arms draped atop
of the back rest; a predator seemingly at ease instead of the prowling pacer she had been
moments before.
The door opened and a lightly tanned hand reached for the light switch. The central
ceiling light came on, and a young woman stepped over the threshold. She was too busy
juggling her keys, a light coat, and a couple of bags and parcels to be aware of the other
woman. She also didn’t see the unlit candles spread all over the room or the bottle of
Champagne waiting in an ice bucket on the living room table.
When the young woman finally turned around her long dark hair followed her movements in a
smooth wave. She was much shorter than the woman on the couch but carried herself with
poise and confidence… at least until her deep brown eyes saw the seated woman and she
visibly paled. She rushed towards the couch and fell on her knees beside the outstretched
legs.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I lost track of time. Please, punish me, Mistress.”
“You lost track of more than time, Tory!”
“I’m sorry, Jacq. I know I have lost the right to use the honorific after disobeying your
orders.” Tory said with her eyes firmly lowered.
Jacqueline ignored her and stood up. With the sweep of a hand she sent one of the
Champagne glasses flying to shatter against a far wall. Tory’s hands flew to her ears at
the sound.
“The little celebration I wanted to share with you is as ruined as that glass. Don’t you
cover your ears when I’m talking.”
No sooner had Tory lowered her hands than the second glass went flying.
“You know you will have to be punished, Victoria.”
“Yes, I know, Jacqueline. I deserve to be punished. I’m sorry I was late.”
“You will not be punished because you were late, my love. You should know me better than
that. You will be punished because you didn’t tell me, and because you didn’t even think
of sending me a message. You will be punished because you didn’t use your cell phone.
“I was worried about you, Victoria Katherine Lerner. I was only a couple of minutes from
checking on all the hospitals in town to learn if someone matching your description had
been brought in. Don’t you ever do this to me again, young lady!”
“I did try…my cell was dead.”
“My cell was dead.” Jacqueline mimicked Tory’s tiny voice. “And whose fault is that?” She
demanded as she took up the bottle of champagne.
“Mine. My fault…I deserve to be punished.” She said with her head still down.
The ‘POP’ of the cork caused Tory to look up just as Jacqueline upended the bottle above
her head drenching her in an ice cold shower.
She gasped from the shock. The sight of Tory’s hair and once smart outfit in ruin would
have been amusing if Jacqueline had not been so upset. The humiliation started tears from
the kneeling girl’s eyes, but her tears also dimmed some of her Mistress’ anger.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Jacqy! Please, punish me!” Tory whispered.
“I will, but I’m too angry right now. I will go for a run to calm down.”
Jacqueline’s voice was hard but Tory could also sense her Mistress’ love. “I want you to
clean up this mess, all of it. Strip, take a quick shower, and wait for me, right here!”
Tory didn’t dare to turn around until she heard the door closing behind her. She
whispered. “I’m sorry, Mistress. I never wanted to hurt you. I never wanted you to
worry.”
The dark-haired woman stripped on the spot. Her tailored business suit was probably not
salvageable but she didn’t really care. It was nothing more than what she deserved…
Luckily the hardwood floor was sealed and thus easy to clean. She took what felt like the
quickest shower in history, put away the unlit candles and knelt in the exact same spot
she had before. Her knees were spread, her back straight and her hands were resting on her
thighs with the palms up.
Tory tried to focus on her breathing. She tried to stay calm but her feeling of guilt
didn’t make it easy. Her knees were slowly beginning to ache but she knew she didn’t
deserve better. She knew she deserved every punishment her Mistress would see fit, and it
took all of her discipline not to turn around and crawl towards Jacqueline in an effort to
be more easily forgiven when she heard the door to the living room open and close once
again. Instead she kept her eyes firmly on the floor.
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