Meeting Her Master (16 page)

“Which I recall you did!” Giada shook her head. “Seeing you waiting outside of the bar for me was a shocker, but that hairbrush in your hand… What were you thinking?”

“I wasn
’
t thinking! That was my problem!”
Blake laughed heartily.
“You could have called the cops on this crazed madman who was stalking you, but you didn
’
t.”

“I have good instincts, plus I was hornier than hell,” Giada giggled. “I wanted to see if you knew how to use that hairbrush the right way. You did not disappoint me.”

“I did love the way your gorgeous ass wiggled under that brush,”
Blake sighed dreamily,
“and the way it felt under my hand. You still have one of the most delectable bottoms I had ever seen.”

“Compliments of the culture,”
Giada laughed.
“
Chicas
are known for our curves!”

“And gorgeous curves they are. Humberto is one lucky man.”

“He is lucky because of you. You helped me accept my darker needs and love who I am. It readied me for him.”

Blake was quiet for a moment, recalling the endless hours of experimentation that he shared with the woman who sat before him. She had been his true friend, teacher, confidante, and a surrogate mother to Tim. He owed her his life.

“I need your help again, Gi. I want Dahlia to be happy and feel whole. It frightens me that her parents still have so much influence over her, even indirectly.”

“
I don’
t know what to tell you,” Giada said sadly. “Regarding her father, you know you can
’
t help someone who doesn
’
t want to be helped. You also can
’
t help someone who is in denial about his or her problems, or has their own secrets that they are not ready to share. You asked for my opinion and I think the best way to go is to focus on our little Dahlia and help her rebuild her confidence.”

“I agree. Would it be uncomfortable for you if I asked you to teach her how to run the house?”

Giada stared at him. “You
’
re planning on marrying her, aren
’
t you?”

“You read me so well. I want her as mine.”

“So take her on as a pet, like you do with the others.”

“I can
’
t. She is special, Giada. The closest I have ever had to her was you,” Blake admitted.

“Not once did you sleep in my bed, either. I do want you to be happy,” Giada reached across to touch his hand, “but we need to make sure she is capable of giving you what you need. She does not understand the concept of committed love and relationships. You… we need to teach her that.”

“So you will help me?”

“I will do anything I can for you. But you must promise to allow me to do it my way.”

“I promise. Are you going to share your plans with me?”

“Of course. To start, you will be taking both of us with you to that auction in Montana. I will need for you to follow my lead as things progress. Can you do that?”

“Follow your lead? Humprf,” Blake feigned discontent. “You are lucky I love you enough to say yes.”

“I certainly am,” Giada smiled affectionately. “All you have to do now is learn that you can say those words to her as well, and not be afraid of them.”

“I hate it when you
’
re right,” Blake scoffed.

Giada kissed his temple and hugged him tightly. “You
’
ll get through this. I promise.”

* * *

Blake rubbed his forehead as Dahlia bombarded him with questions about the upcoming trip. What was it for? Why did he want her to go? What would they do? On and on she pestered him until he finally slapped the tabletop, making her jump.

“I told you that I made this decision and to stop pestering me for answers. And no scowling,” he said moodily.

“Why are you so cranky? And why does Giada get to go?”

“I swear, if you ask me ‘why
’
one more time, I will put you across my knee!”

Dahlia stared straight into his face. “Why?”

He growled and chased her around the table twice before capturing her. She was over his lap, pants down to her ankles, and being swatted rapidly when Giada walked in.

“That little bottom looks like it hasn
’
t seen the back portion of a hairbrush recently,” she commented, sitting across from them. Blake nodded, not breaking his rhythm and ignoring Dahlia
’s not-so-angry protests. Giada continued,
“I wanted to tell you that everything is packed and ready to go. The plane tickets are in the carryon bags, as are all your purchasing documents and auction information catalogues.”

“
Let me gooooo,
” Dahlia squirmed half-heartedly.

“Thank you. Did you also get me an appointment with the whip-master?” Blake asked, moving his swats to the curved underside of her backend, ignoring her subtle hints as she spread her thighs a bit.

“Yes, sir. He is looking forward to our visit. He said he has some unique items to share with you.”

“Whip-master? What
’
s that?” Dahlia asked, reaching behind to protect her burning bottom.

Blake captured her hand, his broad palm moving to her upper thighs and eliciting a squeal. “He designs and hand-makes whips and canes. I thought you might like to experiment a little.”

“That sounds like fun,” Dahlia stated, squirming to escape his hand. “You can stop now. I
’
ve had enough to make me happy.”

“I
’
ll stop spanking you when I feel like it,” Blake retorted, embellishing his words with several exacting swats. “And since this is the only way to get you to lay off the interrogation, I plan on continuing for a while longer.”

“I wasn
’
t interrogating! Ow!” Dahlia argued. “I was
inquisitating
!”

“That
’
s not a real word, brat.”

“It
’
s
my
word! I wanted to know because I
’
m curious! Owie!”

“I have things to do to get ready for our trip. Giada, would you like to take over?”

“
No
!” Dahlia yelped.

“Actually, I would like to take Dahlia shopping. Would you mind?”
Giada laughed.

“Shopping? Me?” Dahlia strained to look up, her head nearly touching the floor as Blake continued to hold her captive over his lap.

“You sound surprised.”

“I have not been shopping since I was twelve. I was on lockdown the last few years, and the nannies were afraid to take me into the world because I was unsafe, remember? I mainly bought stuff from online.”

Blake abruptly stopped the playful spanking and pulled Dahlia to her feet to face him. “You have never been shopping with anyone? Ever?” Dahlia shook her head. “Not even with Ginger?”

“
Ginger’
s idea of shopping is flipping through a sex catalogue. It wasn
’
t until I started seeing her for therapy that I have been allowed in the real world. Believe me, shopping was the last thing on my mind.”

Blake spoke to Giada. “Take her to the salon, too, and out to lunch. Make it a girl
’
s day out. My treat.”

“Yes, sir. Don
’
t dally, child. Get yourself freshened up and we can go.
Vamonos
!”

Blake kissed the red-faced girl on the forehead and watched her leave. He turned to Giada. “Besides spending my money, what are you up to?”

“Dahlia needs to have some mother-daughter time and establish a relationship with a woman that she can look to as a role model since she never really had one. I am the natural choice, given my age and position in this household. I am about to become her surrogate mother.”

“You are brilliant. I am impressed.”

“I wish I could take all the credit, but this was Prof. Hodges
’
idea. He and Humberto were talking over dinner and he was asking question about Dahlia. Ginger said that…”

“Ginger? She was there?” Blake looked surprised.

“Yes. You didn
’
t know? Manny asked her out. They are becoming quite the couple.”

“I thought she was a lesbian,” Blake stated with amusement.

“She has discovered, since being introduced to cock, that she thinks she might like it both ways. She has also introduced the lifestyle to him and tried to convince him to go bottom. It didn
’
t work well for her,”
Giada chuckled,
“so she compromised and has him thinking of letting her bring in a female third for her to top.”

“Damn! I admit that I am pleasantly surprised, but also incredibly happy for them. Shows you don
’
t have to be set in your ways.”

“We agree. Humberto and I are considering playing with them. That is, I play, Humberto watches. You know how voyeuristic he is.”

“I will have to have them over to see my new toy when it
’
s finished. I am having it made especially for Dahlia for a party I am planning.”

“That sounds wonderful. Here is my pretty girl,” Giada said as Dahlia returned to her side, dressed in torn jeans, a crop-top and sandals. “I will see you later this afternoon.”

“Have fun, ladies. Dahlia, behave yourself.”

“
Do I have to?
” Dahlia asked, kissing his mouth.

“If you don
’
t, then I won
’
t allow Giada to spank you when you get home,” he teased with a grin.

“Awwww… okay,” Dahlia teased back. She accepted Giada
’
s outstretched hand and the two disappeared from the room together.

* * *

Blake looked up from the couch as the two women returned late that evening. He glanced at his watch with a frown. “It is past eleven! Where have you two been?”

“We went shopping and then out to dinner. It was so much fun!” Dahlia exclaimed, hopping upon his lap.

“Have either of you ever heard of a cell phone?”

“I called Humberto to let him know I would be late. This has never been something you worried about before, Blake. Are you okay?” Giada asked, sitting next to the couple.

Blake held Dahlia on his lap, his large arms wrapped protectively around her. “I
’
m feeling overprotective with this one. She has a penchant for trouble and I was afraid I would get a call from the club that she had escaped your sight and ventured in.”

“How paternal of you!” Dahlia exclaimed. “What is the worst that could happen? I get tied up and turned on?”

“Dahlia, I will say this once and never again.” Blake
’
s tone was serious. “You will never enter that club unless you are by my side. Am I understood? There are things you don
’
t understand and are not ready for yet.”

“You
’
re so grumpy tonight,” Dahlia commented, looking into his handsome, rugged face. She suddenly grinned. “I know what will make you happy!”

“No! You are not giving me a blowjob,” Blake grumbled, pulling her away from his crotch. “Believe it or not, not every problem can be solved with sex.”

“It can
’
t?” both woman asked, smiling at each other.

“You two are going to send me off the long end of a short pier. Giada, go home to your husband and jump his bones. We will pick you up in the morning at about 7:00,” Blake said patiently as he stood, Dahlia with her legs wrapped around his waist and her arms clinging to his neck. He looked at her. “What do you think you are doing?”

“Letting you carry me. To the door! Now!” Dahlia pointed.

Blake raised his brow. “Am I actually hearing you give me orders? Are you insane?”

“A little,” Dahlia giggled, clutching him tighter. “It would be polite to show Giada out though, right?”

Blake muttered something under his breath as he escorted Giada to the door. He kissed her cheek. “Get a good night
’
s sleep, my friend. And send Humberto my regrets that I am stealing his wife away.”

“I will do that. Dahlia? Remember what we talked about, okay?”

“Yes, ma
’
am.”

Blake stared at Dahlia in surprise and then caught Giada
’
s nod. She winked, waved, and left the two of them standing in the doorway.

“Do you want to tell me what that was about?” Blake asked, nuzzling her soft neck.

“Nothing important. She bought me something today, though. She told me to show you, but I
’
m a little embarrassed.”

“Let
’
s get you to your room and then you can share, okay?” Blake said, reaching down with a free arm to pick up several bags from Niemen Marcus and Macy
’
s. “Are there bricks in here?”

“No, silly. Boots.” Dahlia laughed, kissing his rough cheek. “You need to shave; you have prickles.”

“I
’
ll show you prickles, little girl. Here we are.” He set her on her bed and sat down next to her. “Tell me about your day.”

Dahlia jumped on the mattress with delight. “It was so much fun! Giada and I got our nails done and then she took me for a makeover and shopping for new jeans and shirts for our trip. She even bought me new underwear!”

“You really have never gone shopping before, honey?”

“Not with a…
friend.
”

“Or a mom?”

Dahlia looked up at him, eyes brimming with tears. “That is what it felt like, Blake. Like she was my mom. She even bought me this.” She held up a teddy bear dressed in a princess gown. “She said that if she had ever had a daughter, that she would want her to know she was a princess. I felt like a princess today. I felt like, well, she wanted me around.”

“You are wanted around, baby. You have become a very special part of our lives. I
’
ve known Giada for years and I have never seen her take an interest in anyone like she does you. She
’
s a genuine person, and for her to take you under her wing is a special gift.”

“She made me feel less ugly today.”