Designed for Submission (Devine Designs) (16 page)

''Hi!'' she said brightly, stepping back to allow him into the apartment.

He did so, and then shocked her by taking her arm and turning her to place a half-dozen hard swats against the seat of her jeans.

''Hey! Stop whacking me!'' she shouted, her feet dancing, as he swatted her again.  He released her arm and pointed to lock on the front door.

''I said to dead-bolt this door,'' he said, and the memory of his words returned.  She nodded, her hands rubbing the back of her jeans.

''How do you know I hadn't already unlocked it this morning, since I knew you were coming?'' she tried.

Logan shook his head and raised his eyebrow in that quirky, yet incredibly sexy, way he had.  ''Did you?'' he asked.  She opened her mouth but then wisely shook her head.

''Um, no, but …''

''It would be 'No, Sir' and there are no buts,'' he said, firmly.  ''Safety always, Elizabeth.''

She shivered but nodded.  ''Yes, Sir, I'm sorry.  I … I won't forget again,'' she said, embarrassed at the way their date had started.  Logan nodded and reached out to take her into his arms.  She stiffened for a moment but then returned his hug.  He dropped a kiss on the top of her head, and she felt a tingling deep in her stomach.

He stepped back and grinned.  ''Whacking you?'' he asked, and she relaxed and giggled.  ''I don't know about you, young lady,'' he said.  ''First I'll never see a limo in the same way again, and now when I spank you, I'm afraid all I'll see is that Whack-A-Mole game.''

Elizabeth's first thought was of being over his lap, his hand on her bare bottom.  She shivered and then burst out laughing when she pictured the game where the heads of little brown moles randomly popped out of holes only to be whacked with huge rubber mallets.  However, instead of little heads, she imagined little brown bottoms turning redder with each successful whack.  Logan laughed with her but had definitely seen the first look that had crossed her face.  She left his side to grab her keys and a cap off the counter.

''I guess I can only blame myself,'' he grinned, as they left the apartment and she turned to lock the door.  ''It's my own fault that I'm falling for an incredibly beautiful woman with a very creative sense of imagination.''

Elizabeth felt her entire body suffuse with pleasure at his words.  She realized they had only just met, but she was a grown woman and had never felt this way before.  It didn't matter to her about time.  What mattered was that she seemed to be falling for him just as fast.  She didn't speak, but simply allowed him to take her hand as they walked down the stairs.

An hour later, the four were walking from the parking lot towards the mass of people attending the festival.  Banners and posters decorated the entrance where Jason and Logan bought the tickets.  Logan saw the women, heads together, whispering frantically.  Jason finished his purchase and immediately put his arm around his wife and pulled her a step away.  She flashed him a look that said she really didn't much appreciate the interruption.

Logan stepped closer and grinned.  ''Let's face it, Jason,'' he said.  ''If you agree, I'd prefer we give the women a few minutes to chat.  I'm afraid if we don't, there will be a lot of whispering and giggling until they get it out of their systems.'' Elizabeth was surprised at both his thoughtfulness and his openness.  She smiled at Jason and tried to send positive vibes.  Jason looked between the women and then grinned.

''I suppose I am fighting a losing battle, if we don't'' he said.  ''Even though Nancy has already been over my lap this morning, I would really like to spare her another trip if possible.'' Elizabeth suddenly understood why Nancy was dressed in a skirt instead of more comfortable jeans.  She should have known, since she had spent years with the two, learning their personal dynamics.

Nancy shot her a look and then smiled as well.  ''I promise to remember what you said, Sir,'' she said, as she placed her hand on his arm.

Jason nodded.  ''We will meet you over at the coffee kiosk in a half-hour.  I suggest you don't be a nanosecond late, or we'll have another discussion about testing my authority,'' Jason said, firmly.  Nancy shivered at the authority in his voice, her bottom still tender from the spanking she had received that morning.  Elizabeth had only heard that first yelp; there had been many additional ones as Jason reminded her of exactly who wore the pants in their family.  She nodded before reaching up to kiss him on his cheek.

''Oh, yes, most gracious and understanding Sir, thank you for allowing this poor servant a moment, Sir.  I swear on my life I won't be late, Sir,'' she said, with mock severity.  She turned and grabbed Elizabeth's arm, pulling her away as quickly as possible.  Both women were laughing until they heard Jason's voice, which carried easily above the crowd surrounding the gate:  ''I owe you three swats for insolence, young lady!''

The women both seemed to hesitate and then laugh louder and wave their hands over their heads, neither seeing nor caring about the looks on the faces of the people around them.

''You are a hard man,'' Logan said.

Jason chuckled. ''She is a spoiled brat, but God, I love her and wouldn't trade her for anything in the world.''  The two spoke easily as they strolled down the first aisle.  They glanced at the booths as they passed, but neither so much as paused to really look at anything.

After fifteen minutes, they turned to start back.  Jason stopped and turned to Logan.  ''I haven't seen Liz so relaxed or happy in a long while,'' he said.  ''It seems to have done her some good allowing you to take her home.'' Logan nodded, knowing it was Jason's subtle way of opening the door for further discussion.  Being both alpha males as well as practicing Dominants, Logan also knew he could simply say nothing, and Jason, while probably pissed, would not push the matter unless he truly felt a need to protect Elizabeth.  Logan found he wanted to be as clear about his feelings as Jason had been the evening before.

''We had a good discussion last night.  Elizabeth was embarrassed, as she had witnessed a discipline scene the night of your dinner.  I assured her that she had no reason to be embarrassed,'' Logan said.  ''Her concern seemed more to be that I would feel she had invaded some private moment.''

''Yes, I can see that,'' Jason said.  ''Liz is an extremely sensitive and caring woman.  She has a problem with assuming guilt, even when she shouldn't.''

Jason seemed to think about what he wanted to say next.  ''It really isn't my concern, but I would appreciate knowing if you also confided your role as trainer in the club.''

Logan didn't try to evade the question.  ''Yes, we discussed that, as well.'' Logan paused for a moment, meeting Jason's eyes with his own steely-blue ones.  ''I appreciate your position, Jason, and your concern and your protection of Elizabeth.  I took your words last night as the truth,'' Logan said, knowing it was highly unusual for one Dom to question the decision of another.  ''I will allow some leeway in discussions at this time.  However, as our relationship develops, which I assure you I have every intention of encouraging, I will not feel the need to be as forthright.  We are all adults who I hope can become friends.  We all enjoy being members of a club that demands absolute trust.'' He paused, and Jason nodded, his stance relaxing a bit.

Logan sighed, and after another long moment continued:  ''We've discussed the need for clarity, which I also believe the D/S lifestyle demands.  Jason, I am not just an occasional trainer at the club.  I own Tastsinn.  I was there that evening because I was delivering Carol, the woman Elizabeth saw me with, to her Dom.  There are training classes for both Doms and Subs available at Tastsinn.  I believe that making them available allows both women and men to interact with others in a safe environment where they can learn from trainers that have undergone stringent training themselves, as well as have practiced the lifestyle for at least five years.  In case you are also wondering, I am not currently involved with anyone.  I do participate in the classes and Carol was a student.  I haven't been in a serious relationship for several years.  Elizabeth is the first woman in a long time that I feel might be a match for me.  I hope she comes to believe the same.''

Jason understood that Logan did not have to be as open as he just been.  He appreciated his honesty.  ''Good,'' Jason said and then turned to begin walking again.  Logan smiled and realized the single word really was enough.

As the men talked, Nancy was trying to absorb all her friend had told her.  She was both amazed and thrilled.  Her heart told her that Elizabeth was falling hard and fast.  She smiled and giggled.  ''Your Limo Man, wow.  I can't believe you told him you fantasized about him,'' Nancy said, shaking her head as she took a sip of her coffee.  ''I'm very happy for you, Liz.'' Elizabeth smiled, though her eyes were looking at the two men standing a short distance away.  Nancy followed her gaze.  ''I wonder what they are talking so seriously about,'' she said.  Elizabeth turned back to Nancy and smiled.

''I'm guessing Jason is warning Logan to take it slow,'' Elizabeth said, ''and I'm hoping Logan is telling him to mind his own business.'' Nancy almost choked as she laughed and swallowed at the same time.  As the women broke out into unguarded peals of laughter, their joy caused many around them to wish they knew the source.  Logan and Jason had begun to walk back to them, and both men smiled.  It was a true gift that they alone would have the honor of discovering joy with these two women.  The men weren't the least surprised to see the women sitting at a table, large coffee cups in front of them.  Logan figured Nancy was as smart as Elizabeth.  Not only was she assured she wouldn't be late, she got to enjoy a cup of coffee as she and Elizabeth talked.

Jason bent down and kissed her cheek.  ''Smart girl,'' he said, and she grinned, offering to get him some coffee.

He agreed, and she turned towards Logan.  ''May I bring you something as well, Sir?'' she asked, sweetly.  Logan asked for coffee as well and then looked down to see Elizabeth trying to hide her smile in her coffee cup.  Nancy hurried away and Logan heard Jason chuckle.

''I wonder how long she will be perfectly sweet and submissive, hoping I'll forget those swats she has coming?'' Jason asked, and Elizabeth laughed, knowing her friend well.  Logan grinned and shrugged.

He reached across the table and took Elizabeth's hand.  He gave it a gentle squeeze and then slowly entwined his fingers with hers.  She felt her body tingle as he brought their hands up to his mouth and used just the tip of his tongue to slowly swirl against one of her knuckles before he gently blew his breath over the wetness.  Elizabeth felt a surge of arousal, her eyes lifting to his as he smiled before gently kissing her knuckles.  He lifted his lips just enough to be able to speak softly but clearly, without any hint of amusement, ''I'm not sure, Jason, and since I'm the newbie in this group, I'm not even going to take a whack at a guess.'' Jason didn't understand the reason but had to smile when he saw Elizabeth blush, before breaking out into giggles.

Four hours later the men were definitely done with the festival.  There were only so many paintings, sculptures, weavings, and handcrafted items one could take.  The women had the exact opposite idea.  Not content with a mere glance towards a booth, they needed to take time to actually look at the wares offered as the four of them walked through the crowded aisles.

''Oh, Liz, look!'' Nancy said, grabbing her friend's hand and pulling her towards a large booth at the end of the aisle.  ''It's leather!''

Elizabeth heard Jason sigh loudly.  She pulled against Nancy's hold.  ''I'm thinking we're probably pushing our luck,'' Elizabeth said.  ''Maybe you and I can come back tomorrow and look some more.''

Nancy looked at the two men and grinned sheepishly.  ''But it's leather!  Even you two can find pleasure in leather goods, right?'' she asked.  ''Please, Sir?''

Jason chuckled, and seeing Logan smile, he shrugged.  ''Ok, but this is the last booth.  I'm starving and do
not
want to eat festival fare,'' Jason said, taking his wife's hand and walking towards the booth.

''Thank you, Sir,'' she said, leaning into him.

Elizabeth felt Logan's hand at the small of her back and a thrill coursed through her.  ''Shall we?'' he asked, and she nodded.

By the time they joined the others, Nancy was already holding a beautiful leather frame, the texture seeming to change as she turned it at different angles.  ''This artist is truly talented,'' she said, and Elizabeth had to agree.

Elizabeth saw a box that had different types of leather patches stitched with thin strips of black rawhide.  She opened it to find an interior lined with fleece.  It was absolutely beautiful.  ''Look at this,'' she said, as Nancy joined her.  She also thought the box was a beautiful example of the artist's expertise.  ''If only this were larger, I could just imagine it holding something special,'' Elizabeth said.  ''Can't you see Benjamin opening it and pulling out a small paddle or something? Maybe some beautiful scarves? I can imagine Helen's thoughts, knowing that something so beautiful was holding something so wonderfully wicked.''

''That would be perfect,'' Nancy said, with a smile.  She leaned down and drew in a deep breath.  ''Oh, God, I love the smell of leather.'' The women laughed, and both men smiled at their enjoyment.  Elizabeth saw Logan examining something and walked to him.  He held up a beautifully tooled hair clip.  It looked like a figure eight lying on its side, a small, carved piece of wood threaded through the loops.

''That's beautiful,'' she said.  ''It reminds me of the Infinity symbol.  I bet your mother would love that.''

Logan smiled but shook his head.  ''I was picturing it in your beautiful hair,'' he said, as he reached to take the baseball cap off her head.  ''May I?'' he asked, before folding the cap and sticking it in his back pocket.  She nodded.  Nancy and Jason stood watching as he slowly turned Elizabeth around so that her back was to him.  She bowed her head when she felt Logan's hands lifting the weight of her hair.  No one spoke as he twisted and arranged her hair until he fastened it all with the hair clip, sliding the wooden stick in the holes as easily as if he'd done the same a hundred times before.  She felt the air slide across her neck, as it was now exposed, her hair held firmly high on her head.  He bent down and gently pressed his lips to the center of the back of her neck.  She shivered deliciously.  ''Perfect,'' he said.  She reached to remove the clip but he reached up and took her hand.  ''My gift to you,'' he said softly.