The Agreement (Unrestrained 1)

I relaxed a bit, letting my body go slack. Drake didn’t say anything at that point, but he must have felt my compliance. He smacked me harder this time and I tensed a bit. He rubbed my

buttocks softly as if to soothe them, slipping his fingers between my cheeks each time.

"She thinks she can handle this level of pain and is relaxing. You have to up the pain in order to find that amount that is just beyond comfort level, both physically and psychologically. This is not a sensual spanking. It's punishment and should hurt enough. Just enough, but not more. This is to make a point, to reinforce her submission. She should just give in and take it, and if you're lucky, she'll go into what is termed 'subspace'. You must watch a sub carefully to see if and at what point this happens. At that point, you have to rein yourself in a bit, because she won't feel the pain and you could hurt her beyond her tolerance, or even do permanent damage. A Master must be exceptionally attentive to his slave during such an encounter."

I tensed at that, unable to stop myself. Hurting me just beyond what I can tolerate? I wasn't sure about that.

"My slave has just tensed in response to what I've said. Such is the danger of demonstrating a technique. The slave can undergo anticipatory arousal or anxiety. At that point, it's good to reassure her."

He bent down to me, his mouth next to my ear. "Do you trust me, Katherine?" he whispered.

I said nothing for a moment, blinking, trying to calm myself. He stroked my hair, then down my back. "Katherine, I won't do more than you can take. Do you trust me?"

Finally, I inhaled. "Yes, Master."

"Good girl," he said and began stroking my buttocks again, his fingers lingering between my cheeks, slipping down to my pussy.

"This slave is nervous, but also excited sexually. Some arousal, even when being punished, is inevitable simply because she is submitting and that is arousing to a submissive."

Then he smacked my buttock again, harder than ever, and it stung quite a bit. Soon, several more blows fell on my ass, alternating between buttocks, several in a row, before he stroked each buttock softly.

"You can see her skin is very fair and fine. She's already getting quite a delicious blush to her nice little ass from the spanking. I'll have to be mindful of that. I don't want to draw blood, but a bit of warmth and tenderness will remind her of her punishment when she sits for the rest of the evening."

Then, he rained down a volley of smacks, each a bit harder and more painful than the last, and I began to wonder if he'd stop and when. My ass was starting to hurt. It felt hot, and my heart was pounding but I was determined not to cry out or respond, biting my lip, pulling at a small bit of loose skin to distract myself.

After several more smacks, and me biting down hard to prevent crying out, I did let out a gasp, despite my best efforts, tears blurring my eyes.

Drake stopped immediately, and rubbed my ass tenderly. He leaned down and whispered in my ear.

"Have you learned your lesson, slave?"

"Yes," I said meekly, a sob in my voice. At that moment, I think I hated him just a bit, but at the same time, something was building in me, a sense of elation that I submitted, that I didn’t fight and I didn't use the safe word, despite it hurting me beyond what I thought I would tolerate.

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, Master," I gasped, crying now in earnest.

"Good," he said and bent down to kiss my buttocks, one after the other, resting his cheek against one. "Perhaps you'll be a bit more careful in your behavior when I give an order."

Then he sat me up and turned me to face him. I tried to wipe away my tears, which I knew would make my mascara streak.

"Oh, Kate," he said, his voice aghast. "Your lip…"

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

He touched my bottom lip and his finger came back bloody. I just covered my eyes with my hands and cried quietly, no sound coming out of my mouth, not wanting to look in his eyes because I just lost it. It didn’t hurt that much – not really. It was just so intense, the way I felt. I couldn't explain it. I had to cry as if some kind of dam had burst within me and I had to let the emotions out.

He pulled me into his arms and kissed my shoulder, stroking my hair and I knew he felt truly bad about my lip, even thought it wasn't really his fault. Then he pulled back, removed my hands from my eyes, and shook his head softly.

"I'm sorry," he said. "You were too strong and I went a bit too far, waiting for you to make a sound to indicate you'd reached your limit." His face was ashen, his brow furrowed as he touched my lip. Then he leaned in and kissed me, taking my bottom lip between his, licking off my blood. Then he pressed my head to his shoulder and spoke to those who stood there watching.

"This slave was trying so hard not to use the safe word that she bit her own lip, drawing blood. Drawing blood is one of my hard limits and hers, so I inadvertently crossed it. This was a mistake on my part, and is due to my failure to recognize how stubborn she is and what a high pain threshold she has. We're still getting to know each other. Don't let your position as Dominant or Master prevent you from apologizing when you recognize you've crossed a line or performed inexpertly. It's the only way to regain your slave's trust."

Then he pulled me back from his shoulder and wiped my cheeks with his fingers, so tenderly, that it succeeded in calming me. He really did regret what happened.

"I'm sorry," he said again. "It won't happen again."

Then he pressed my cheek once more against his shoulder. He picked me up in his arms, and carried me over to the Attendant.