Love and History (5 page)

Thus far she hadn’t seen Scott all morning, but she’d thought of him constantly. The things he’d done last night were perfect. He wasn’t afraid of his power. So many new dominants couldn’t handle the responsibility. The fact that her ass stung as she sat at her desk was proof he trusted her. Neither of them was new to the lifestyle.

She debated whether or not to email him her schedule before she forgot that request. She loved being punished but failing to follow through on this order might have bad consequences. He might demand her attention during a time when she needed to be working. Could she say no when he’d asked for the information? That would be the type of punishment she didn’t like. She sent the schedule.

Her body snapped to attention when someone knocked on her door. “Come in.”

It was Colleen, and Bridget smiled, trying not to seem disappointed.

“So what did Dr. Dull want?” Colleen sat down.

“Don’t call him that.” Bridget had never thought of Scott as dull though the students’ nickname for him sort of stuck. He was all business, and while he could tell great historical stories that caught the attention of his students, the faculty had all heard them.

“Why not? He’s great to look at but boring,” she said.

“It was nothing.” Bridget wasn’t sure exactly what was going on so she didn’t want to say anything just yet.

Colleen nodded. “Okay, well, did you send me your paper? I’ll look it over one last time before you send it off.”

“Thanks for doing that! I just want to make sure it’s clean and makes the points clearly.” Bridget attached the file to an email and sent it off. “It’s in your inbox now.”

“Great, I’ll go over it this afternoon, and we can talk about it over dinner,” Colleen suggested.

“Sure. Sounds great.” Normally, Bridget would be more enthused. On a Friday night without a date, of course, she’d hang out with a friend. Only she’d been hoping Scott would claim her time first.

“You seem antsy. Don’t worry about it. I’m sure the paper is great. Any little bit of polishing can be done over the weekend and you’ll have it in by Monday morning. That journal turns around quick so you’ll know soon if it’s in. I think you’re a lock for tenure based on your last review and how much you’ve published.”

“I don’t need a pep talk, but thanks. I just hate things being up in the air.” It wasn’t just tenure now. She almost had an actual personal life with potential.

“Tonight, we’ll have some drinks and scout some men. Mexican?” Colleen asked.

“Sounds great but I really don’t need to think about men now.”

Colleen held up her long fake nails. “Fine, after tenure. You’re right. Focus is good. I’m going to read, and I’ll see you at six.”

“Thanks. See you tonight.”

As soon as Colleen was gone, Bridget couldn’t resist the urge to go see the man who’d meddled in her life.

She headed to the elevators then went down two floors. The computer labs were full this time of day with student workers helping others, but she hoped to grab Nelson between classes.

He looked half worried when she spotted him. “Bridget, how are things?”

She folded her arms and walked into his empty computer-outfitted classroom. “You hacked me?”

He closed the door and locked it with the keypad. “I’m sorry. I was just curious who wrote it. I didn’t know it was you, and when I found out, I went back and read all your posts in the BSDM fetish group. Why don’t you come to anything fun?”

“The social stuff is fun. I’ve made several friends there whom I can talk to about these things. The Doms I’ve met are always so new or so extreme. That’s been a bust. I can’t believe you told him!” She turned away because her face felt as if it’d catch fire.

“Wait, are you mad at me or thanking me?” he asked.

“I don’t know.” She sat on one of the long tables that filled the room. The sting on her ass made her inhale slowly, but she tried not to give away her punished state as she enjoyed the feelings of her very pink ass. “Both maybe.”

“Good. I’ve got good instincts for this. If you’d come to one of the clothing optional functions, I’d have matched you two up.” Nelson smiled smugly as he leaned on the table next to her.

“Did Scott ever go to those?” He’d said no, but she wouldn’t mind a little independent confirmation.

“Nah, I couldn’t drag him there either. He did some random hookups from time to time but never got romantically involved. You’re both solid. You’re not damaged and fucked up. If you two can’t make it…I’m screwed.”

“How are you damaged?” she asked.

“I’m not right for you. That’s all that mattered. If I were a selfish bastard, I’d have claimed you for myself and made you happy for awhile, but that’s not the right thing,” Nelson said seriously.

“A good Dom isn’t selfish. I’m sure you’ll find the right sub or subs.” She knew some people could handle groups or sharing. It wasn’t for her to judge them.

“One would be plenty. It’s finding the right one. Scott was reluctant at first because of the work thing. There are always complications.” Nelson shrugged.

“Challenges can be fun. I won’t screw up our careers.”

Nelson chuckled. “I know that. You two are a lot alike at times. If it doesn’t work, let me know. I’m networked pretty well, but I don’t think you’ll need it.”

“I hope not.” Truly, she hoped she’d found the right guy. “He’s never had a romantic entanglement with a sub?”

“I don’t know his whole history, but he’s never talked about one. You should be talking to him about this,” Nelson said.

She nodded. “Well, thanks, I think.”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t nose around in anything else on your computer. I tracked the blog. I didn’t really hack into your computer or look at anything personal.”

“Thank you, but you could if you wanted to.” She thought of all the naughty stories and pictures she had on her home computer. Nelson wouldn’t be shocked at all after knowing she was submissive but still.

He opened the door, and she left as students filed in. Heading back up to her floor, she made a slight detour to Scott’s office. He might punish her for coming unannounced. She only walked faster and let the sting in her rear add a bit of anticipation and arousal.

After greeting the elderly admin, Bridget knocked on his office door. When he answered, she opened it.

“There you are,” he said.

“Were you looking for me?” His attention went straight to her ego and pussy, but she checked her phone to be sure she hadn’t missed a text.

“I stopped by your office, but you were gone.” He leaned back in his chair.

She studied him as she closed the door and locked it. Charcoal gray slacks and a white shirt with gray pinstripes looked delicious on him but what wouldn’t? The memory of him naked was better, of course.

“Sorry I missed you. I did send you my schedule.” She didn’t volunteer where she’d been on purpose. Let him ask if he wanted to know.

“Where were you?” he asked matter-of-factly.

She leaned on the guest chair since he hadn’t invited her to sit. “I went to thank and scold Nelson.”

“Come over here,” he said.

Walking over, she stood next to him. “I’m not going to stop talking to Nelson because he’s a Dom. He’s not interested in me.”

“That’s not what I was going to say. I’m glad you thanked him. Sit on my lap,” Scott said.

Her eyes darted to the door, but she sat and slid her arms around his neck. “Are you glad he suggested this?” she asked.

His arms wrapped around her waist. “I am. You have an interesting weekend ahead of you. Starting with cooking me dinner tonight.”

She bit her lip. “I can’t. I’m sorry. Colleen is reading my paper now, and we’re having dinner to talk about it. I just found out after I sent my schedule.”

“After dinner, you can come by then,” he said.

“The paper has to get in soon for consideration so it gets published before they decide on tenure. I may have to fix it this weekend. You want me to get tenure, don’t you?” she asked.

“Of course, I do.” His hands slipped below her waist and gave her ass cheeks a squeeze.

She moaned. “Thank you.”

“Your paper might be perfect, and you’ll be free. Text me when you know. If I’m available, I might let you cook for me before I tie you up,” he said softly against her neck.

Shivering, she pressed close. “I’d like that and more.”

“Greedy.” He pinched her ass.

“More of whatever you want from me. The paper is strong, maybe some rough paragraphs, but I hope it won’t take all weekend. I’m comparing
Much Ado About Nothing
to the current climate of celebrity and fame.” She wanted to share everything with him. Her life, her body and her heart.

“Not now.” He kissed her.

Sinking into the embrace, she let his tongue invade her mouth and moaned when he pulled back.

“Maybe I can tell you about it this weekend? I’d love your input,” she said. He was an academic and understood the historical angles. She’d hoped he’d be interested.

“I really don’t know much about romantic literature. I actually have to get to some online class forum stuff. Just enough time for this.” He rubbed his hands over her rear again and slid her off of his lap.

Standing, she felt a chill in the room. “Sorry, I didn’t know. Maybe, you should send me your schedule as well so I don’t intrude.”

She left before he responded and walked with a snap in her step back to the English department. Scott wasn’t one for romantic entanglements according to Nelson. He didn’t want to talk about her work. She knew what she wanted, but maybe all Scott needed was the sexual sub and not a relationship along with it.

In her office, she closed her eyes and focused on what he’d said, not how he made her feel. Last night, he’d wanted to see if they were sexually compatible before they got deep into conversation. Obviously, they worked in bed. She wasn’t young enough or foolish enough to think she was in love with him yet.

Nothing she knew about Scott made her hold back, however. She could easily fall in love with him very fast if they found their groove. It was too early to jump to conclusions. Still, if Scott wasn’t looking to love his submissive, maybe Nelson wasn’t as good of a matchmaker as he thought.

* * * *

Scott had been annoyed all day Friday after Bridget had left. Spending a night alone had been frustrating. She hadn’t texted him either. Now, it was late afternoon on Saturday, and he was watching his phone. Only fools believed Doms held all the power.

Two nights ago, he’d been fine, watching some documentary or one of the many history or military channels while grading papers. Right now, he would normally be making a list for the grocery store tomorrow. Sunday was the one day he skipped the gym in favor of avoiding crowds and running early errands.

Even the gym hadn’t helped this morning. He’d graded his papers, and nothing on TV tempted him. Now, instead of the online sales, he surfed her screen name at the BSDM fetish group. Rereading her blog made him nervous. She wanted a relationship. The fact should turn him off. He could pull the plug now with minimal damage. She might not be happy, but she’d be mature about it.

The bottom line was he didn’t want to. He needed more of her. They had things in common that would make her a good companion for him. Sharing space and expenses with someone didn’t scare him. However, bringing up the topic of love and romance too soon could ruin whatever they might have. Those issues scared him.

He and Bridget weren’t a perfect match. He wasn’t well versed in Shakespeare. The stories about kings? Sure, he knew those but not the comedies. He pulled up
Much Ado About Nothing
and downloaded the book to his phone. Perhaps, he’d rent the movie online as well. That’d give him the basics quicker than wading through the old English. Literature wasn’t his area.

Just then his phone beeped with a message. Finally!

Bridget texted that she’d polished up a few rough edges and sent off the paper for submission. She was free tonight and tomorrow, if he was still interested.

He set down the phone without responding. His own eagerness made him pause and take stock. Hell yes, he wanted her here and now. And he did want her to give proper attention to her career. That didn’t mean he had to jump the second she was available.

* * * *

A few hours later, he’d battled through the
Cliff Notes
version of the story, made his grocery list, braved the store at an hour of the day he dreaded and put everything away. She hadn’t texted again.

He smiled. She’d passed the test by not being too needy. Scott knew she had friends and a life. Some subs threw it all away to be devoted to anyone who would spank them. Not Bridget. She wasn’t begging for attention except in bed.

After texting her that he’d be by in an hour if she was free and to let him know if she wasn’t, he went into the bedroom and grabbed the handcuffs he hadn’t used on her a couple nights ago. She wasn’t new to BDSM, but he enjoyed easing into things and finding what she liked. There was no rush to things.

In jeans and a college T-Shirt, he slid the handcuffs into his back left pocket and protection in the back right. When he checked his phone, she’d texted to assure him she was free and would whip up something for dinner.

Her excitement came through, and he shared it. He was hungry for more than her cooking. He downloaded the movie and forced himself to watch half an hour while planning what he’d do to her. A good Dom did his homework and so did a good companion.

When he arrived fifteen minutes early, Bridget was casually dressed in jeans and a V-neck blue T-shirt that showed a bit of cleavage. Her feet were bare, and her hair was clipped up. “Come in; it’s almost ready.”

She kissed him as he stepped in the door, and he held her for a second. “I think I can count on two hands the number of times I’ve seen you in pants. Only when there’s deep snow.”

“Oh, that. I like jeans for the weekends. I wear shorts at the gym.” She turned to the stove and stirred a pot. “But I think I look better in skirts.”

That was only half the story. He studied her ass in the low-riding, worn denim. “I think this looks very nice for cooking and housework.”