Designed for Submission (Devine Designs) (28 page)

Liz finally took several deep breaths and relaxed into him.  She knew she looked like a mess but didn't care.  She turned her head from his chest to look up at him.  ''I'm sorry,'' she said, her voice soft.  ''Thank you, Sir.''

Logan bent and kissed her gently.  She felt tears well again but knew they were from relief and release of tension.  ''It's over, Schatzlein,'' he said.  ''You did very well, and I'm so very proud of you.''

She flushed, knowing he wasn't talking about her taking a rather intense paddling; after all, he knew she actually craved them at times.  He was speaking of her letting him hear—not just stifled cries and moans—but her full-throated wails and pleas for mercy.

''Thank you,'' she said.  ''May … may I go clean … clean up?''

He nodded and let her off his lap.  She walked towards the door and he stood and gently took her arm before she stepped through.  ''I'd like you to wear this,'' he said, handing her his shirt.  ''When you are ready, we can talk.''

She took the shirt and nodded, fresh tears threatening to fall.  She went into the bathroom and closed the door.  She sank to the floor, her knees drawn up, her shoulders shaking as she began to sob.

Logan didn't wait.  He heard her and immediately tried to open the door.  She was leaning against it.  ''Elizabeth, honey, move … let me in,'' he said.  He was prepared to break the door down, but he immediately felt the resistance disappear.  He pushed the door open and saw her at the sink, the shirt dangling from her fingers.  She looked up and seemed so incredibly small and lost.

''Oh, honey,'' he said, and had her back in his arms, her own around his neck, as she began to cry all over again.  Logan held her tight, hating that he had let her go so quickly.  She had realized that she had allowed him to hear, and he made sure
she
knew he treasured that gift.  It was affecting her, though, on such a deeper level that he truly hadn't been prepared.  He kept her close as he quickly filled the tub and as he struggled out of his pants, using only one hand, her arms refusing to release him.  Before the tub was even nearly full, he stepped in and sank down, her body curled on his lap, her head against his heart.

He kept murmuring soothing, nonsense words as the tub filled.  He turned off the water and leaned against the back of the tub, holding her close.  The water began to cool before she seemed to become aware of her surroundings.  She opened her eyes and sighed deeply, her entire body aching from the tension.

He smiled down at her when she lifted her eyes.  Her lips trembled but she gradually returned the smile.  ''Better?'' he asked, bending down to kiss her forehead.  She sighed again, nodding.

''Thank you,'' she said,  ''for … for everything.'' He kissed her forehead again and then the tip of her nose.  She surprised them both with a short giggle.  He grinned, began at her forehead, then her nose and then her left cheek.  He repeated the process twice more until his lips settled onto hers.  She kissed him back passionately, as if to tell him something.  He finally broke the kiss when he felt his cock stirring.  He wanted her desperately, but knew this was not the time.

''I really screamed, didn't I?'' she asked.  He nodded.  She paused and continued.  ''No one came to pound on the door, did they?'' He cocked his head to the side, as if listening to see if the door was being beaten on.

''No, honey, no one came,'' he said, softly.  She smiled.

''No one cares if I make noise, do they?'' she asked, as if it was an amazing concept. 

Logan smiled and then shook his head.  ''I care, Schatzlein,'' he said.  ''I care because it told me you are learning to trust me.  Sweetheart, you are finding your way to be free of the past.  You have taken only the first of many steps, but, Elizabeth, you are making the journey.''

She didn't speak for several minutes but then nodded.  ''Yes, Sir, I believe I am,'' she said, her smile much brighter, much stronger.  ''I can promise you one more thing,'' she said, as she looked up at him, her eyes seeming to sparkle with her thought.  ''If that paddling was a true example of what I can expect when you punish me, I promise you'll hear me scream every time.''

He pressed her close, kissing the top of her head.  ''I will treasure your promise, Elizabeth, for I know it as the true gift it is.'' She lifted her face to accept his searing kiss.  Logan turned her to face him, her knees straddling his thighs.  She moaned as she felt him enter her, filling her completely.  He guided her to slowly move up and down on his cock; she groaned loudly as his hands cupped her scalded bottom.  They made love without words, her head thrown back as he showed her how naughty little girls who had accepted their discipline were also shown total love and forgiveness.  Water sloshed around them, overflowing onto the floor, as their movements quickened until they reached the pinnacle of ecstasy together, their lips fused together, their sounds of passion being given and accepted in the quiet of the room.

After several minutes, Logan heard her speak.  ''Sir?'' she asked, and he allowed her to sit back a bit.  ''Can we get out now? I'm getting cold.''

He nodded and stood to help her from the tub.  He wrapped her in a towel and briskly rubbed her down.  He rubbed the wet ends of her hair.  ''Let's get you dressed,'' he said, bending to pull the stopper from the tub.  She picked up the discarded shirt and began to pull it on.  Logan thought it sweet, remembering he had asked her to wear it.

''No, honey,'' he said.  ''You need something warmer.''

She shook her head and began to button the shirt.

''Please, Sir,'' she said, ''I want to wear this … unless you need it?''

Logan shook his head, pulled on his pants and then took her hand and led her back to the bedroom.  ''You can wear the shirt, but I want you into some sweatpants and socks,'' he said, and she obediently dressed.  She felt much warmer in the fleece pajama pants, the fabric soft and loose against her tender bottom.  He watched as she pulled her hair back and clipped it at the base of her neck.

An hour later, they had eaten the omelets he prepared and had another two cups of coffee.  She realized she felt more peaceful than she had in years.  They cleaned up the kitchen together and she giggled when he passed her the breadboard.

''You know, after last night and today I will never think of this kitchen the same way again,'' she said.  He grinned, knowing it was true.  When he took her hand, to return to the living room, she pulled him down the hall, instead.  She remembered her promise to show him her dream.  Logan remembered, as well, but was not going to remind her; she'd had a rather traumatic start to her day.

She opened the door and turned on the light.  He entered and listened for the next two hours as she shared her dream.  When she closed the last binder, she seemed to get nervous.  Logan had been sitting on a small couch, his long legs out in front of him, his ankles crossed, as he discovered just how talented and how ambitious his little Sub was.

''This is absolutely incredible,'' he said, when she looked at him.  He stood and walked to the wall, taking his time to look closer at each drawing.  ''What a fantastic idea!  God, I can't believe someone hasn't already done this.  I can assure you that your hotel will be a success.  Hell, I could probably give you enough names to fill every room for a year.'' Elizabeth gaped at him.  It was one thing to dream and design and even plan.  It was another to hear someone who knew about business sound not only impressed, but excited.

''Do you really think I can do this? The loan officer at the bank thinks it is a risk.  I mean, they are going to help me, but not until I come up with more money,'' she said, coming to stand by him.

In answer, he picked her up and twirled her around.  ''Not only can you, Elizabeth Adams,'' he said, ''you absolutely must.''

She laughed and clung to his neck.  ''Would you help me?'' she said, and before he could answer, she placed a finger against his lips.  ''Let me clarify that,'' she said, with a smile.  ''I mean, let me bounce ideas off you and maybe give me some tips? I mean, you are a man,'' she said, and giggled, "… a very, very sexy man and also a wonderful Dom who happens to own the sexiest club in Houston.  I would love to have an additional male outlook.  Jason has volunteered to help when I'm ready.  He's already going to be my accountant.  I have so many ideas, and Nancy wants to be even more involved.  She has some very great ideas.''

She paused again.  ''I am not asking for, nor will I accept, any monetary help.'' She saw him open his mouth again.  ''No, and please, please don't even ask.  I need to do this, but I will not put anyone else's money at risk, or even their name, in case … well, in case it fails.  Or in case it comes alive, and there is fallout from people who discover that there is a hotel anywhere near them that not only condones sexual activity, but advertises that there is now a safe place for consenting adults to stay and play without fear, or embarrassment, or bothering other guests.  It will take me a bit longer, but I'm sure I can come up with the additional down payment.  Can you understand?''

Logan understood perfectly and his pride in her grew.  He sank onto the couch, Elizabeth straddling his lap.  He cupped her face and kissed her.

''I understand, Schatzlein,'' he assured her.  ''I would absolutely be honored to help you in any way you need.  My first tip is to find another lender.  Your guy obviously has no idea the amount of people who enjoy this lifestyle and will flock to your place.  I can draw up a list for you.''

She laughed, her joy flowing from her.  Haven was going to be real.  Her dream was going to become reality.

It was late before he handed gave her phone back to her, smiling as he turned it on.  ''Call Dan first.  Then Elizabeth, you may call Nancy and talk until the sun comes up,'' he said, punching in Dan's number.  Elizabeth asked for Master Daniel and Dan smiled, realizing it was the beautiful Miss Adams.  He agreed to be there in a half-hour and told her to inform Logan that he would need to stop and run the Audi through the car wash to get rid of all the mud.  Logan pretended to growl when she repeated his words and tried to grab the phone but Elizabeth laughed and yelled out her good-bye before she hit the end button.  Logan pulled on the rest of his clothing, including the shirt she had finally given back after they had made love on the office couch.  She had giggled repeatedly when she realized just how much harder it was for Logan to find a comfortable position on such a small piece of furniture.  Afterwards, she had promised to make sure any seating in any room of her hotel would be large enough to accommodate bigger men.  She told him that women wouldn't mind, as the larger furniture would make them feel even smaller, and most Submissives she knew liked that feeling.

She was quiet when his phone vibrated to inform him that Dan had arrived.  He led her to the door and took her into his arms.  He kissed her tenderly, finding that, for the first time in his life, he had absolutely no desire to return to the apartment he loved for its solitude.

''I will call you, Elizabeth,'' he said, against her hair.  ''You need some time alone, despite what you feel right now.  Go fix a cup of tea and call Nancy.  Have a good cry if you need, but know that I am very proud of you and that I could not be happier than when I am with you.  I will call you later, Schatzlein,'' he promised.  She nodded, and he kissed her once more before opening the door.  He looked back and smiled when she held up the key to tell him she would deadbolt the door behind him.

''Granny would be so proud,'' he said, with a grin.  His grin disappeared as he said, ''And, God, I am so very proud of what you have done and what you are going to do.'' With that, he pulled the door closed, waiting until the lock clicked.

Though he was no longer watching her, Elizabeth obeyed him.  She fixed a cup of hot tea and taking her phone, crawled into bed.  She called Nancy and they talked for over two hours.  Nancy felt every emotion run through her.  She was pissed that her friend had gone through so much pain without her and yet thrilled that she had gone through it with Logan and he had done what she and Jason had been unable to do.  By the time they hung up, Nancy had tears in her eyes, knowing that her best friend had finally taken the first step.  She hoped and prayed that the man who had taken it with her would never, ever let her go.

Elizabeth had finished the tea a long time ago when she reached over to turn out the light.  She smiled seeing the small wooden paddle on the table.  She picked it up and ran her hands over its surface.  She giggled as if it should feel hot, retaining the heat it had created on her ass.  She realized that though her bottom had been truly thrashed, all that remained of the session was a small amount of tenderness.  She couldn't believe she felt herself growing wet as she remembered Logan's relentless determination to not only paddle her, but to paddle her until she took that first step.

She jumped when the phone rang.  She dropped the paddle and picked up the phone.  ''Did you forget to tell me something?'' she asked, thinking it was Nancy.

''Just to tell you I will dream of you tonight,'' she heard Logan say.

She smiled and turned onto her side, cradling the phone.  ''I'll dream of you too, Sir,'' she said.  ''I always dream of you.''

Logan grinned, feeling a sense of pride that he had a nightly role in her dreams.  Elizabeth could almost see him and giggled.  ''Hmmm, I wonder if I will be kidnapped by my Limo Man,'' she said, and giggled again.  ''Oh, wait—perhaps a bunch of crazy moles will chase me, attempting to whack my bottom.  Or … maybe some incredibly sexy, wonderful, and very loving Dom will decide he needs an ice cream sundae.''

Logan shook his head, his wonder about this woman increasing every time he talked to her.  ''I'll play whatever role you need, Schatzlein,'' Logan said, softly.  She stopped giggling, her heart swelling.  ''Good night, Elizabeth, I'll meet you in our dreams.''

''Yes, Sir,'' she whispered, feeling treasured and loved. ''In our dreams.''

Chapter 18

Six months later, Elizabeth stood leaning against Logan, his arms wrapped around her.  She felt the sun on her face, the breeze lifting strands of her hair.  More importantly, she felt the warmth and solidness of the man standing with her, his support, protection and love enveloping her soul.