Chapter 10
When he arrived the following morning he saw that Carole bore the telltale signs of not getting much sleep.
He accurately attributed it mostly to the steadily increasing hunger that made her loins ache but she also had been busy filling in her Guilt Diary.
She handed it to him and he opened it and saw that at least the first ten pages had been covered with text.
“Lots of guilt, eh?”
“Yes, Sir. Once I started I kept thinking more and more about things I’d done to hurt or offend people, things I wish I’d said, but didn’t. It was like opening a fire hydrant of guilt... I only stopped when I fell asleep.”
Setting it aside, he took her hand and led her into the bathroom where they conducted their intimate and yet now mundane cleaning ritual.
After reattaching the chastity belt he turned on the hot water to where he’d seen her set it in the past and helped her step into the tub.
She was so lost in the thought of who else she was going to add to the book that she was barely aware of him leaving to go make coffee and taking the diary with him.
As the coffee brewed he thumbed through the books first few pages but then decided he should ask if she was okay with his reading it. He heard the water stop running and started to take two cups in that direction but ran into the sparkling clean woman in nothing but her restrictive belt.
She smiled as she took her cup and they moved to the small table in her kitchen where he’d left the book.
“Did you look inside?”
“I started to, but decided it might be something you wanted to keep private so I stopped. You okay with that?”
“I wanted you to. As I was writing I realized that I was writing it for you to read. That was easier than writing it to myself, actually.”
She gently shoved the book across the table and took a sip of her coffee.
Opening it he saw that she had apparently been trying to record things in chronological order. The first few items were specifically directed at her mother. Mostly simple, little things: times she’d lied, disobeyed, snuck out when she’d been grounded. Until page three when she revealed that she’d snuck a boy into her room and let him feel her up and finger her.
From then on the reports got increasingly intimate and more detailed: her first blow-job, her getting on birth control pills from the school nurse, her first intercourse (which she found very disappointing), and her first experiment with anal (which she found exciting but also kind of disappointing). On page five she was apologizing to her friend Jenny who she had kissed, even though she knew she was gay, without going any further and then gradually pulling away. Not because she didn’t enjoy it but because she had. A lot.
This page was the first one that had scrawled at the bottom in block letters: “WRITE CALL JENNY APOLOGY AND INVITE TO WATCH.”
Thumbing through the next few pages he saw, as he had expected, that they were all pretty minor things. Things the other person had probably forgotten about but still tugged on the hem of Carole’s conscience.
He went back to Jenny’s page and asked if she’d like to explain.
“Jenny was a close friend. We’d known each other since grade school. No. She was my closest friend.”
“What happened?” he asked gently.
“She and I spent a lot of time having sleepovers. We cuddled a lot. She showed me how to masturbate.
“I told her I was afraid of my first kiss with a boy I was dating in 7th grade and she offered to show me. So we did.
All the time.
“I was incredibly naive. To me it was just playing, like when we cuddled. But to Jenny it was much, much more.”
Mark said nothing, just nodded from time to time. It was clear that this was something Carole had kept bottled up and really needed to get out.
“Eventually we’d masturbate at the same time. Just laying next to each other but under the covers. And one day I noticed that she was laying on her side, facing me while she jilled herself. I saw her out of the corner of my eye but I kept my eyes mostly closed.
“After I came she did too and then just lay back like nothing had happened. This went on for a while but when summer came and even sheets were too hot, we just did it in the open.
“I still made believe my eyes were closed and didn’t say anything while she got herself off when I did.
“You know, that’s probably when I started getting excited by people watching me! I never put it together!”
Mark was listening intently, adjusting his position to make his hard-on less visible. She noticed and decided to spice up her story.
“One night, right before we went back to school, as soon as I came I rolled over and looked right at her as she came too. It was a beautiful sight.
“When she was done she licked her fingers nice and slow and then took mine, still sticky with my juices and did the same thing.
“When she was finished she said, “Watching you cum is the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.”
Mark asked, “What was the problem? It seems like typical teen experimentation.”
“I guess it was. But she and I both wanted more.
“She asked, ‘Can I try to make you cum? You don’t have to do anything back.’”
“Mark, she was good! She really knew how to get a girl going.”
“And she never pressured you to reciprocate?”
“Never. She said she was happy just watching me cum... but more and more I wanted to.
“And after the first time she went down on me...
“Let’s just say the boys I had dated were um..., ‘not up to the task’.” she continued, making finger quotes over the last phrase.
Mark squeezed her hand, encouraging her to go on.
“The problem was me and how I was raised to think being gay was ‘wrong, ’ again emphasizing with her fingers.
“And the idea of being bi wasn’t even an idea...
“So I started pushing her away... and have been sad about it ever since.”
Mark gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “I think that’s a good thing to do, even if she won’t come and watch.”
“I will. I’ll call her...”
Sliding Carole’s phone across the table he said, “No time like the present.”
She picked up the phone, took a deep breath and pulled up Jenny’s contact info. “I could never bring myself to delete her...”
He nodded, encouraging her.
She put her phone on speaker and set it down between them. The phone rang and she heard a familiar voice, “Hi, this is Jenny. I can’t answer my phone right now. Please leave your name and number and I’ll get back to you.”
Carole was both relieved and stressed that Jenny hadn’t answered. She took another deep breath and spoke.
“Hi Jenny. This is Carole Collins. I know I can never do enough to make up for the way I hurt you but I’m very, very sorry. I guess you probably know about my public, um... punishments, ” she paused, looking at Mark.
He smiled and nodded and she continued.
“One thing I’ve gotten out of this, um... experience... is that they have helped me get over the guilt I have carried around for... well, forever.
“With one exception. You.”
Mark could see her eyes start to well up and squeezed her shoulder.
“No amount of whippings could ever make that go away. But, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to dedicate this week’s whipping to you.
“I know this might sound weird but when it’s happening I will be thinking of you and how I stupidly hurt you.”
The tears were running down her cheeks.
Sobbing she forced out, “I... I know it’s not enough. It could never be enough.”
Mark whispered, “Take a breath.”
She continued, “And if you can stand seeing me I’d like you to come and watch.”
Her crying was audible now and Mark wanted to just hold her and dry her tears.
“And know that it’s for you... Okay, bye. Again, I’m so sorry.” and ended the call.
Mark handed her a napkin and invited her to sit in his lap, which she did.
It was far more affectionate than anything they’d done to that point but Mark knew it was what she needed.
(When she got home from work Jenny answered her voice mail and was shocked to hear the voice of her once-dearest friend and hearing her sobbing toughed her heart. She had of course been well aware of Carole’s punishments and almost had signed up to watch the stream.
Not because she wanted to see her first lover get whipped, but to see her naked body again. The first girl’s body besides her own she’d ever made cum.
Despite the heartbreak she’d suffered over it, she still carried a torch for her girlhood friend.
She’d have to think about whether she’d attend but in the meantime she went online and signed up to watch the whipping session.
Later, in bed, as she often did, she’d remember her as she masturbated. But this time while watching the stream.
She would only decide later if she was going to attend the whipping.)
Though she would add a few names over the ensuing days approaching her last public whipping, all her thoughts were on her friend. She actually dreamt of throwing herself at a whip-wielding Jenny’s feet and pleading for forgiveness.
After almost three weeks of forced chastity, almost all her dreams were similarly erotic. Most were centered on Mark, usually him punishing her in front of a stadium full of people.
And she woke up every time with a very wet pussy that she could do nothing about.
Mark had made it very clear that he did not want her to tell him about the ones he starred in but he hadn’t said anything about anyone else. When he removed her chastity belt he could smell the savory fragrance and see glistening juices on her vulva. He could easily see the impact of her abstinence on her increasing every day.
“Dreams getting intense, I guess, ” he said.
“This one was about Jenny. I dreamt I was naked at her feet begging her to whip me.”
Even not knowing at all what Jenny looked like, Mark found himself visualizing that scenario with its predictable impact on his arousal.
Carole pretended not to notice and continued, elaborating beyond what she had actually dreamt, “It was really hot. It was on a stage and you and everyone I’ve ever known was in the audience. They could all hear me begging her and see me kissing her feet.
“Two guys in masks lifted me up and attached me to a pole by my wrists, just like in my punishments. I looked over my shoulder just as she raised her whip and blew her a kiss...
“But then I woke up... with my juices leaking out the sides of this damned. fucking. belt!”
Mark had just finished with the sanitary wipe and quickly locked her back up to avoid any temptation, noting that her celibacy was having its impact on him too.
Changing the subject, he told her, “Raven called me.”
Again she felt the shadow of that green monster but just said, “What did she want?”
Despite her best efforts Mark picked up on the jealousy in her tone.
“First, she asked about you. How you were doing physically and emotionally.”
“What did you say?” she asked, in a markedly more friendly tone.
“I told her you were holding up amazingly well and I was proud.”
All traces of green now gone, Carole beamed, “Thank you, Sir.”
“And she asked how you liked Joan. She told me how happy she was with working with her and suggested I tell you to jump on in.”
“I probably will, ” she whispered.
“And... she invited us both to dinner.”
“Both? Are you sure?”
Mark got serious and looked at her sternly, “First, Miss Collins, jealousy does not become you. Second, I will never lie to you.”
There was, in his look as well as his tone, a message that shamed and aroused her.
In a voice that was very close to breaking she apologized, “I’m sorry, Sir. I believe you and will never doubt you. Ever again.”
Patting her on the head in a way that a few weeks ago would have infuriated her but now just made her wet, he said, “Good girl.”
“I just hope it’s not too expensive. I may be getting rich but I’m broke and out of a job.”
“Oh yeah, that hadn’t occurred to me, sorry, ” he said as he took out his phone and made a call, holding up a finger to silence her. “Hi Cameron. It’s Mark. Can you do me a favor and have a check cut and delivered to Carole Collins? You should have her address.”
Carole looked at him wide-eyed.
“I don’t know, what do you think?”
She couldn’t hear what the other person was saying but was stunned to hear Mark laugh and say to him, “Yeah. Five-thousand sounds good. That should hold her for a while.”
Carole was not the sort of person who often found herself speechless but now she was.
“And have a courier deliver it today. She’ll be home all day.”
Carole stared at him with a look of total disbelief. “Just like that?”
“Well, after we set it up with Joan, the money will be steadily and regularly deposited into your various accounts. But yes, just like that.”
“I still can’t quite believe it, ” she said with a grin.
“I have to go to work but after the courier gets here you should probably take it to your credit union and deposit it and then go shopping. Buy yourself something fancy for tonight and maybe something light and smooth for your last punishment.”
For only a moment, one very sweet moment, the next day’s whipping had left Carole’s mind. But she was determined to not let it get her down. This was the first day of a whole new life and she was going to make the most of it.
She straightened the kitchen and tried to sit and read but the intrusive thoughts of her sudden wealth, her shopping, her going to dinner with Mark and the beautiful Raven and mostly, tomorrow’s last ten lashes kept her feeling antsy and unable to settle. She was delighted when after less than two hours a young woman in a khaki uniform with a name tag that read “Kate” rang her bell and presented her with an envelope.
Reaching for her purse to give the pretty young woman a tip the courier said, ”No tip thanks, Miss Collins. But like all my girlfriends I’m a huge fan and would love a selfie.”
This fame thing was going to take some getting used to but in reality Carole hoped she’d never reach the point of taking it for granted.
Putting her arm around the shoulder of the woman she posed for several photos and when the girl said, “One more...” and suddenly kissed her cheek she was startled but flattered.
“Sorry...I couldn’t help myself...” she said sheepishly.
Laughing, Carole said, “C’mon, Kate. Let’s give your friends something special...” and taking the phone from her, grabbed her chin and turned her face to give her a deep kiss while shooting several more pictures.
When she pulled away she saw the courier’s face was bright red and her eyes were sparkling with desire.
“Thank you, Miss Col...”
“Carole. Please, just Carole.”
“Thank you Carole, that was amazing. I hope I get to deliver here again.”
“Are you going to watch tomorrow?”
Feeling suddenly very exposed, she young woman answered, “I’m working. But I’ve signed up for your stream.”
Feeling her juices squeezing out the sides of the damned fucking belt, she looked deep into the other woman’s eyes and said in the most sultry voice she was capable of, “I hope you’ll remember that kiss when you’re watching and jilling yourself.”
“You... you wouldn’t mind?”
“Kate, you wouldn’t believe how exciting it feels to know that thousands and thousands of people are watching and getting off. A couple of weeks ago, I sure couldn’t...
“But now, I really love it.”
“I definitely will then...”
With another quick but strong hug the two women parted company and Carole went inside to change into something that would be easy to change out of while she was shopping.
She chose yoga pants and seeing how well the defined the outline of the damned fucking belt, picked a top that reached almost to the top of her thighs. If she bent over someone paying attention might spot it but it would do.
She decided to splurge on a cab to her credit union. She was carrying an envelope with $5, 000 in it, after all.
The cashiers were, of course, well aware of her recent fame but were too polite to do much more than glance at her.
The pupils of the cashier who accepted the certified check dilated at its amount but made no comment.
“Can I have part of that in cash, please?” she asked.
“Of course, Miss Collins. How much?”
Without thinking Carole blurted out, “A thousand dollars.”
It was more cash than she’d ever held in her hand at one time. She’d handled much larger checks but they were loans for tuition and other school expenses.
“I don’t have that much in my drawer, you’ll have to excuse me. How would you like it? Big bills or small?”
This was a conundrum she’d never faced before and she said, “Eight hundred big, two hundred small. Thanks.”
Locking her drawer she took the cashier’s check to an older woman behind a desk who glanced at it and then at Carole, who she smiled at, and initialed the check and went with the cashier to somewhere in the back.
A moment later the two appeared back at the window and still smiling the manager slid the check back across the window.
A moment’s panic flashed through her mind before the manager said, “You haven’t signed your check.”
“Oops!” she laughed, along with the other two women.
As soon as the check was endorsed and handed back the cashier began counting out the bills. Eight hundreds, eight twenties, and four tens.
“Would you like an envelope?”
She held up the one that Kate had handed her and said, “No thanks.”
Another cab took her downtown to a street where several high-end women’s clothing stores were clustered. She was fighting a wave of imposter syndrome as she opened the door but the appearance of a young sales associate with a warm smile greeting her with an extended hand and, “Welcome, Miss Collins! What a pleasant surprise!”
This sudden celebrity was still feeling a bit odd but she could definitely see it had its benefits.
“My name’s Andi. Are you looking for something in particular?”
Pausing for a moment and trying to think about exactly what she wanted, she finally said, “I need something to wear to a dinner with a couple that will make him forget she’s even there.”
The salesgirl laughed, “I think we can find you something that will make him forget his name!”
She showed her to a private area and offered her, ”Coffee, tea, water, or maybe some champagne?”
She accepted the water and the young woman returned with a green bottle and a stemmed glass.
“Give me a moment and I’ll have a couple of outfits modeled for you.”
Carole was aware of how these things were done but only because she had seen it in movies. After a few minutes a different young woman appeared wearing a black backless dress that was slit up the sides. It was definitely an eye-catcher but though Carole wasn’t short, she definitely didn’t have the long limbs of the model.
Sensing her hesitation, the saleswoman asked, “I have an idea and question Miss Collins, if I may be so bold.”
“Sure, ask away.”
“I think the whole world, at least those who care, know about the belt you have to wear. How would you feel about showing it off?”
It didn’t take long for the budding exhibitionist to agree to it. “That sounds fun.”
The woman left and returned with a blue and white silk dress and held it up for her. “You see how the front is open
to show off the cleavage? Right now it stops just below the navel and the back is about the same.
“I suggest we open both up a few more inches to expose the lock on your belt and the hinge at the back.”
“Ooh! I like that! How long will it take to alter it? I was hoping to wear it tonight.”
“We have our own seamstress. It shouldn’t take long. If you’ll stand up and put it on I can mark wear we want to be open to.”
She had expected to put it on over Carole’s clothing but by then she’d become so used to being nude that she slipped out of her yoga pants and top without hesitation.
“Do those still hurt?” Andi asked.
More than once Carole had thought about how much her life had changed in the last couple of weeks. Before that a question like that would have been a major invasion of privacy and answered with a snarky remark. But her body and her stripes, broadcast across the globe, were no longer her private possession.
“A little. But they’re also pretty arousing, ” she said with a laugh. “Haven’t you ever been whipped?”
She knew that choosing ‘haven’t’ over ‘have’ made the question a challenge and smiled as the girl answered, “Not yet...”
“I think it’s different when you’re being whipped by a lover instead of as a public punishment. But I haven’t had a chance to try the first one... yet.”
As she slipped the blue and white dress over Carole’s shoulders, she asked, “And knowing that there’s thousands of people who are going to watch it and get off makes it a lot different, doesn’t it?”
“Did you?”
The girl turned a deep crimson and Carole couldn’t resist leaning forward and kissing her. Nothing passionate, just two sets of soft lips making quick contact and sending a flood of serotonin into both their brains.
“Tomorrow I’ll try to think of you while I’m being punished.”
If it were possible to blush any deeper, the girl would have. “And tomorrow when I’m making myself cum while watching it, I’ll think of your lips.”
Two pair of twinkling eyes met and knew that they’d be seeing each other again.
Pulling the dress down so it settled on Carole’s shoulders, Andi pulled out a square of clay tailor’s chalk, found the top of the front juncture of the belt with her fingers and made a mark about two inches below it. With her hands on Carole’s hips, she turned her around and repeated the marking on the back.
“This is going to look so hot!”
“That’s what I’m hoping for. I’m up against some hot competition tonight.”
“Well, unless your target is blind I’m sure they’ll be drooling.”
Carole decided not to go into the details, such as the man whose head she wanted to turn had been wiping her pussy and butthole a couple hours before. Or that her ‘competition’ was the stunningly statuesque woman who’d been shackled naked next to her and whipped on her first day.
The two women conversed casually, carefully avoiding mention of the kiss or anything else, even though both were dying to explore it further. Carole was still naked except for the damned fucking belt. She had been naked so much lately that the idea of redressing hadn’t even occurred to her.
After a few minutes a woman came out with the blue and white dress and she and Andi helped drape it over her and guide her over to three mirrors in the corner. She took it in with quiet pride. It really looked hot.
The way it was open in the front hinted at exposing her breasts without actually doing so. She had never been confident about the size of them but the way the dress exposed her cleavage more than made up for it.
Andi held up a large mirror behind her so she could see how well the back matched the front.
“I don’t think you need stockings. Your legs look great just as they are and without them people are reminded that all you have on under it is that steel and leather.”
Her words, combined with her own reflection made Carole’s cunt drip.
A moment later she had removed the dress to have it boxed up and was standing talking to Andi who discreetly fetched a tissue from a nearby table and offered it to her to mop up the shiny moisture running down her inner thighs.
Spreading her legs slightly, she asked, “Do you mind? It’s hard to get it all wearing this damned fucking belt.”
Andi immediately crouched down and with her nose inched away from the front mesh opening of the chastity belt, began to wipe with her index finger up the inside of her thighs like it was a squeegee.
The heady fragrance was unmistakeable and quite stimulating but she managed to (barely) hold on to her business-like demeanor. She wasn’t even conscious of the fact that she had brought her finger to her mouth and sucked it clean.
The sight only served to make the already horny girl even more so. “If you keep doing that I’ll never get dry.”
Andi blushed, “Sorry, but it was too tempting. I couldn’t help it.”
She stood and reached for the box of tissues and used several more to dry up Carole’s juices.
“How long?” she asked.
“Eleven more days.”
“Wow...” was all Andi could think to say. The only time she’d gone a month since she hit puberty was when she was in a full body cast after a ski accident. “No wonder...”
The two pretty women looked at each other with their lustful thoughts laid bare.
They kissed again, this time with more mutual passion. Andi was very tempted to tease Carole’s nipples and stroke around the edges of the damned fucking belt but decided that would be cruel.
Fortunately, a knock at the door and the appearance of the seamstress carrying a box gave them both an excuse to break their embrace.
Remembering that she had other errands to run, Carole glanced at her watch and said, “I guess I should check out. I have a nail appointment.”
Walking her to the front counter, Andi mentioned, “We have a customer loyalty club that gives a real discount.”
Both women knew that it wasn’t about her saving money, it was about getting her back in the store after she had that damned fucking belt removed.
At the cashier, she told the woman at the counter, “I’ll ring up Miss Collins.”
Clearly disappointed the younger woman moved aside but couldn’t help telling Carole, “Miss Collins... we all think you’re amazing.”
Carole was finally getting used to the accolades and gave her a modest “Thanks. That’s nice to hear.”
Out of habit, Carole reached for one of her credit cards and then realized she could use her debit card. She had to force herself to not even bother to look at, or concern herself with the total.
Andi took one of the store’s business cards out of a small rack of them, flipped it over and wrote her name and number on the back and kissed it, leaving a nice imprint of her lips.
“That’s my personal phone number. Just in case you need some adjustments to the dress in eleven days...” she said with a wink.
The walk to the salon took a few minutes that Carole took with a noticeable spring in her step. She felt sexier than she had in a while and her adventure with buying what a few weeks ago would have way out of her price range and flirting with the very cute Andi had completely pushed all thoughts of the looming last punishment out of her mind.
She had used the salon before but not in ages. She couldn’t recall exactly when and had no idea if they’d even remember her, but as soon as she opened the door she realized that her fame, or maybe infamy, had preceded her. She didn’t need to speak Vietnamese to understand that she was the center of the conversation.
She was guided to the only open table and introduced to Lien and told her name meant ‘Lotus.’
Most of the talk among the staff was likely about Carole but seemed more sympathetic from its tone than judgmental. Her manicurist seemed to speak almost no English but smiled at her as she cleaned and trimmed her nails.
These women were all refugees and she assumed most had been through much rougher experiences than her 30 lashes.
More than once an older woman who appeared to be the manager stopped by and spoke to the woman holding her fingers so gently. Only once did she address Carole, “Lien know you. She thinks you are very brave.”
“Please tell her I said, ’Thank you.’”
At the translation, which was obviously longer than two words, the girl blushed deeply and Carole could only guess what she had been told. She saw the manager go and whisper to the other two manicurists and they all shared a laugh, undoubtedly at their co-worker’s expense.
Carole would show them, she thought.
An hour later, she had glossy nails on fingers and toes and was paying with her credit card. On the receipt on the tip line she added a nice 20% and then asked the manager to call over the worker who’d done such a nice job.
She said, “Very nice. Thank you.” and heard the boss translate and this time was sure it was accurate. The young woman beamed at the praise and Carole told her boss, “I’d like Lien every time I come in.”
The manager would normally have rotated her business around the staff but didn’t want to offend this now-famous woman and agreed.
With a gesture, she told Lien to hold out her hand and when she did, Carole placed one of the crisp, new $100 bills on her palm.
The act clearly startled her and she tried twice to return it, as was the custom in her culture. But Carole folded her fingers over the bill and said, “For Lien.”
Carole made an appointment for ten days away, the day before she’d be liberated from the damned fucking belt.
Carole had planned on wearing her most comfortable heels but a glance in a store window made her change her mind and 30 minutes later had added a pair of Christian Louboutin stillettos to her shopping bag.
She knew it was a silly expense that would be wasted on Mark. Raven would surely notice but given her rarified lifestyle might not be that impressed.
Just then her phone chimed with a text from Mark-
Raven sending car to your place to pick us up at 7, ok?
I’ll be by about 6:30 for your cleaning.
She responded with an affirmative.
She wasn’t yet hungry but knew that in 4 hours she would be so she took an outside table at a café. Had she spent any time thinking about it she would have realized what a mistake it was.
Within a few minutes about a half-dozen passers by had pulled out their phones and taken her picture.
That would have been fine but a minute or two after her server had taken her order she met her first paparazzo.
A guy holding a serious-looking camera walked into the patio area and without a word, stood on the other side of the table taking picture after picture. It of course disrupted the calm of the café and drew more attention to her than she could handle.
Gathering her bags she fled into the café. But that wasn’t going to stop the annoying photographer who tried to follow. What did was her 6’3” server who covered the camera’s lens with his hand and used it to push him backwards out to the sidewalk. An act that brought a loud ovation from the entire restaurant.
She stayed inside for the rest if her meal and though people clearly recognized her, there were no pictures or intrusions.
Deciding that her fame was becoming exhausting, she decided to head home even though Mark wouldn’t be there for another two hours.
The cab she called had her home in just over fifteen minutes and the first thing she did was take a shower. Leaning against the wall and letting the hot water soak and warm her as she imagined being intertwined with Andi there.
When she’d started wearing the damned fucking belt she’d assiduously tried to avoid having any sexual thoughts but after almost 3 weeks of abstinence they were omnipresent and she just surrendered to them.
There was still over an hour before Mark would arrive and she found it impossible to settle. She tried reading, straightening her house, and watching TV, but none held her attention.
Finally he arrived and they quickly went through their well-established routine and then she excused herself to get ready for their dinner with Raven. She adopted a light make-up, highlighting her eyes and the dimples that she’d always been noticed for. She slipped the black dress and red-soled heels and did a pivot in front of the mirror thinking, “Oh yeah... I’d do you in heartbeat!”
Mark had his back to her when she entered, “Perfect...”
“I’m ready to go. You?”
He turned and, much to her delight, took in an audibly deep breath. “Wow. You look... amazing!”
“Thank you, Sir, ” she said softly, “I was hoping it would please you.”
Mark had chosen a nice shirt and slacks but felt definitely underdressed. If Raven had gone the same route he was going to spend the entire night being embarrassed about looking like a slob.
Fortunately he was rescued by hearing a chime from his phone announcing a text:
My driver is there. He’s out front.
“The car’s here. Shall we go, Miss Collins?”
His use of her surname sounded very nice. She hoped it would one day how she was addressed by him as her disciplinarian.
The driver was standing next to the open door of a black Mercedes 600. An older, but classic car that impressed him. Gesturing at the bottle in an ice bucket and the two glasses sitting next to it, he told them, “Please help yourself to the champagne.”
“Why do you think she sent a car?” Carole asked.
“My guess is that it’s so we don’t have to worry about drinking.”
Seated on the plush leather seats of the antique car and sipping what must be a very expensive wine was, for both of them, a new and unique experience.
“I wonder where we’re going, ” Mark said as the car headed towards the downtown area.
“Driver, what’s the name of the restaurant where we’re going?”
“I’m sorry, Sir. I’ve been instructed to keep it a surprise.
Surrendering to the circumstance they had finished their first glass and started on a second when the car pulled up to one of the city’s newest highrises. Opening the door, the driver told them, “Please take your glasses.”
Bringing glasses of wine into a restaurant seemed strange to both but they went along with it.
The building’s crisply uniformed doorman greeted them, “Good evening Miss Collins... Mr Wilcox. Please come this way, ” as he opened the front door and led them to a private elevator a bit smaller than the one leading to Joan Mackenzie’s office.
“This can’t be a restaurant. Must be some kind of private club, ” Mark opined.
After a rapid ascent to what was clearly the top of the building the doors opened and they were greeted by Raven who, unlike Carole, had chosen not to dress up for the evening.
She was wearing a very loose sweatshirt that had had its sleeves cut off at the shoulder, revealing quite a bit of side boob.
Ignoring Mark, she gushed over Carole’s stunning new dress. “Wow. Carole, that is one really fucking hot dress!”
She stepped forward and gave her a hug that surprised her but was quickly returned.
“I suddenly regret having chosen comfort.”
“We can wait while you get ready to go out, ” Mark offered.
“Out?” Raven asked. “We’re not going out. Especially after I’ve spent all afternoon cooking you a sumptuous meal.”
Mark and Carole looked at each other and saw that they were both completely caught off guard.
“It’s about ready but it’ll keep. Why don’t I show you around first?” she asked, leading them into her tastefully decorated living room whose main feature was the floor to ceiling windows that gave a spectacular view of the city and the rural areas beyond to the north.
“Not bad, eh?”
She then led them down the hall to where she opened the door to her bedroom which shared the same view and same size windows. “They can be frosted electronically but since there’s only offices in that direction I rarely bother. And besides, the idea that some over-worked janitor or night watchman is getting a free show is kind of hot. Don’t you think, Carole?”
She could see from her expression that Carole definitely had the same idea.
Meanwhile, Mark was picturing the two of them celebrating their freedom from the damned fucking belts in a passionate 69.
Next was her bathroom that had a tub that as big enough to be a hot tub.
“It will seat 3 people easily...” she said with a wink.
After giving them a moment to process that idea she led them back to and through the kitchen to the balcony where a well set table awaited them.
“Please have a seat and Mark, if you don’t mind, there’s more of that champagne and there’s a glass for me on the table.”
Joining them she raised her glass and asked them to do the same. “Here’s to new friendships, ” she toasted.
“And to being liberated in ten days from these damned fucking belts!” Carole added.
Raven excused herself and returned with three bowls on a tray. “This is a consommé that I learned to make at the Escoffier school in Paris. Enjoy.”
Taking a spoonful, her two guests were surprised by its rich blend of flavors. For a clear soup it was a bit if shock.
They both said, ”Wow.” at the same time and laughed.
“Thank you, Lady and Gentleman. That’s what every chef lives to hear.”
As they ate they talked like old friends, with Mark and Carole asking her about her time in Paris.
During the conversation Raven casually mentioned having an apartment in the stylish 6th arrondissement there as if everyone had one.
When they had finished the next course was a salad Nicoise. As they dined, Carole broached the question that both she and Mark had been thinking. “Raven. I don’t want to be rude but all this suggests you make a fortune doing what you do...”
Raven laughed. She actually found it refreshing that her new friend felt comfortable asking about it.
“Oh that? That I still mostly do for fun. All the rest? That I owe to Joan Mackenzie.”
“I have a very select group of clients. Mostly older men who are there more for intimate companionship than sex. “Though I must admit, even if he has to use a little blue pill, an experienced lover who likes to take his time is what makes it fun.”
Carole thought about that for a moment but just. What she wanted was the guy across from her taking her over his knee regularly.
The main course was Coq au Vin with roast grapes brought out in an iron pot the set in the center of the table. When she told them the name they were clearly surprised and she explained, “Yes, I know that grapes seems odd in a hot dish but wait til you try it.”
Taking their plates she served them while she explained, “This was the dish I prepared for my final exam at that school. It’s based on an old Burgundy recipe but I’ve added a few things.”
Seated, she saw Mark pick up his knife and fork and assured him, “You won’t need the knife.”
She was, of course, right. The flesh of the chicken all but fell off the bones and the taste... the taste made them both hum a “Mmm-hm.” That, she said, is a chef’s standing ovation.
They talked about Joan a little, Carole telling Raven that she had decided almost immediately to hire her but that tonight had definitely cinched it.
When they had finished she suggested they have coffee and dessert in the living room. She told them to leave their plates but Mark answered, “And be haunted by the voice of my mother? No thank you, ” as he collected their plates and brought them into the kitchen Raven switched on her Turkish coffee maker and told Carole, “That will take a moment, let’s go into the living room.”
Once they were alone Raven asked, “Have you gotten your period since you had yourself locked up?”
“No, but I’m due. I had my last right before. Did you?”
“Yes. Last week. But it wasn’t as messy as I was afraid it would be. It’s a good thing these were made by a woman though. There’s enough room for a pad and with a tampon, I had no trouble.”
Just then Mark arrived with three cups on a tray. “What are you girls talking about?”
“Girl stuff.”
Normally Raven have added, ‘You don’t want to know.’ but given his responsibility with Carole’s being cleaned, she realized he needed to know.
“We were talking about Carole’s period which she says is due next week.”
From his expression it was clear he hadn’t even considered it.
“How are you about things like menstrual blood?” she asked pointedly.
“Not a problem. I grew up with a single mom and big sister. It’s never bothered me.”
Both women smiled at this unicorn of a man.
So Raven explained the process she had gone through in great detail and to both women’s delight, he seemed genuinely interested.
And to their great surprise asked, “Carole, would you like me to pick those up for you? Just tell me what size.”
Raven interjected, “Not to worry, I have most of the box I used that she can have.”
She excused herself and brought out a tray with a tiramisu and three plates on it. Setting it down she served them each one and took one as well and sat on the sofa between them.
They didn’t speak much as the savored the delicious coffee and dessert, just enjoyed the approaching twilight. The north side of the city has much less light pollution and and soon the broad swath of the Milky Way became visible.
“I like to just sit here and look at the universe sometimes.”
After being free from thoughts of it for hours, finally the thought of the coming morning was seeping into Carole’s consciousness.
Raven picked up on it almost immediately and placed her hand over Carole’s and gave it a gentle squeeze.
None of them wanted the evening to end but awareness of the morning’s demands forced it to.
“We’re going to have to get going I’m afraid.”
Raven answered, “I get it, my friend is coming to take care of my needs soon anyway.
“I just want to say, Carole, I’m glad you came over tonight and I hope it won’t be the last time. As for tomorrow- don’t worry. I know you’ll get through it with flying colors.”
Carole felt genuine remorse that she’d ever had any jealous feelings towards this woman.
“Will you come and watch? Or stream it?”
“Oh. Hell. No!” she laughed. “Do you really think I need to be even more turned on when I’m wearing this belt?”
Carole completely understood and smiled. “Yeah. Me too. I don’t think I’ve ever been this hot in my life.”
“Don’t worry though, I’ve downloaded every minute of it I could find and in 10 days I’m going to watch every second on my big screen TV while I get off as many times as I can before I pass out.”
“Any chance you could film part of that so I can return the uh... compliment?”
“I’ll tell you what. After you get done fucking this guy’s brains out, we can do a Zoom call and watch each other.” she said, gesturing at Mark.
“Don’t I have any say in the matter?” he protested.
“NO!” the two women said in unison and then burst into gales of laughter.
Realizing it was a battle he’d never win, he joined in. “I never thought I’d become a sex object. But here we are.”
“Don’t worry, Mark, ” Carole assured him. “To me you’re more than just a sex object. To me you’re a sex object with the key to this damned fucking belt.”
“Great, Thanks.” he laughed, “And with that, Miss Channing, Miss Collins and I will be saying our thanks and good night.”
Standing up, Raven excused herself and came back a few minutes with a small bag. “Here, Carole. There should be plenty to get you through your period.”
“And Mark, I have to say... I liked you before but what you said about taking care of when she’s her getting her period has lifted you to a whole new level. You’re a real stand up guy.”
She gave him a very passionate hug and then turned to Carole and did the same thing, whispering, “Green flags, baby, green flags all the way.”
Walking them to the elevator she assured them her driver would be out front by the time they got there.
The ride was quiet as they spent a lot of time just sitting and looking at each other.
Once they reached Carole’s house he escorted her in and they quickly went through her nightly cleaning routine and with a gentle hug and a chaste kiss on her cheek he told her, “Ten days.”
“See you in the morning.” And left.