Chapter 14
Frankie
“ A ll right, what does everyone want to eat? I’m starving .” Picking up a menu, though Frankie knew damn well she could recite the contents by heart, Lottie scanned the offerings. “Frankie, we could split the hummus if you want. It comes with bread, but I could ask them to bring us some carrots and celery if you’d prefer that.”
Guilt swelled in Frankie’s chest at Lottie’s offer. Apparently she wasn’t the only one falling back into old patterns. Back when she’d been in recovery the first time, Lottie had spent hours finding her ‘safe’ foods to eat, whether it was bringing her groceries at home or checking menus ahead of time before they went out for a meal.
But as much as she loved Lottie for it, and as tempted as she was to take her up on the offer, she had a feeling her Daddy wouldn’t be happy with her splitting an appetizer, not after he’d very specifically told her to eat a full meal. “Thanks, but I’m actually kind of hungry. I think I’m going to get the grilled chicken.”
Pride, and not a small amount of relief shone in Lottie’s eyes. “Really?”
“Yeah.” Riding high on the knowledge she was putting her friend at ease, Frankie scanned the side options. “With… mashed potatoes. And green beans.”
Mashed potatoes were definitely not on her safe food list. So not only was she making Lottie happy, Holden would be proud of her as well.
All she had to do was actually eat it.
“Do you want me to order for you?”
God, how had she not noticed before how much Lottie enabled her? Tears clogged in Frankie’s throat, but she managed to force a smile for her best friend. “Nah. I got it.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”
“Lottie.” Placing her hand over Lottie’s, she gave it a gentle squeeze. “I love you, but I need to do this for myself.”
Although she didn’t look the least bit convinced, Lottie slowly nodded. “All right. But I’m right here if you need me.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you so much.”
Luckily, the other women around the table either didn’t notice the exchange or were doing a very good job of pretending they hadn’t noticed. And when the server came by to take their order, Frankie’s heart only raced a little as she ordered the mashed potatoes to go with her grilled chicken.
There. That hadn’t really been so hard.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t say the same when their food actually arrived. Staring down at the scoop of white, mushy potatoes on her plate, her throat seemed to swell shut. So many carbs in that little tiny pile.
Ignoring the potatoes for now, she focused on her chicken, savoring the flavors as they exploded in her mouth. Whoever Braden’s chef was, they did an amazing job of making even something as simple as grilled chicken taste like a five-star meal.
She ate slowly, cutting the chicken into small, manageable bites. Around her, conversation and laughter swirled, but she was only half paying attention. Most of her focus was reserved for the food on her plate.
When the chicken and the green beans were all gone, she was left only with the pile of potatoes. Gripping her fork so hard it would likely leave marks in her skin when she put it down, she glared down at the offending white lump.
“You don’t have to eat them,” Lottie whispered, placing her hand on Frankie’s knee beneath the table and giving it a supportive squeeze. “I’m sure Holden will understand.”
As if he’d heard Lottie’s words, the toy in Frankie’s underwear came to life, sending little ripples of pleasure through her. Not enough to make her freeze the way it had earlier, but enough to get her attention.
Lifting her head, she looked over at the other table, her gaze locking with Holden’s. Even from a distance, she could clearly see the way he raised his brow in silent question.
Are you being a good girl?
She could feel the blush on her cheeks as she nodded and, to prove her point, scooped up a forkful of mashed potatoes for him to see. When he sent her an approving smile and turned up the toy, she forced herself to put the fork in her mouth and chew.
Holy shit, she’d forgotten how delicious potatoes were. Even before she’d relapsed, they weren’t a food she’d indulged in regularly. Now, she let her eyes close as she chewed, savoring the salty, flavorful goodness.
The intensity of the vibrations in her panties increased again, and she nearly had to grip the table to keep from moaning out loud as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over her. She was teetering on the edge, just about to fall, when the toy turned off again.
Dammit. So close.
But she’d gotten the message, loud and clear. Eat, and be rewarded. So she scooped up another forkful of potatoes, and then another, until at long last her plate was completely clean.
It wasn’t long after that Holden approached the table, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “Ladies. I hate to break up your party, but unfortunately, Francesca has been summoned to the headmaster’s office. Apparently she’s been a very naughty girl.”
The chorus of ‘Ooohs’ from her friends reminded her of all the times someone in school actually had been told to go to the headmaster’s office, and even though she knew it was play, embarrassed heat rushed to her cheeks.
“You’re all ridiculous,” she muttered, taking Holden’s hand so he could pull her up out of her seat. “I’m not really in trouble, you know.”
“Are you sure about that, young lady?”
Worry snaked its way around the need coiling in her belly. He’d never called her young lady before, and something about that phrase, combined with his stern tone, made her feel very much like a naughty student about to be disciplined. “Well, now I’m not.”
“We’ll discuss this in my office.”
Laying a hand on the back of her neck, he guided her past the other tables in the dining area, and with every passing look, every smug, knowing grin, her humiliation grew. And as her embarrassment increased, so did the throbbing between her thighs.
What was it about being treated like a naughty little girl in front of all these people that got her so hot and bothered? She was a Legare for fuck’s sake, she shouldn’t enjoy being humiliated, especially not in public.
But there was no denying the effect being put on display like this had on her. It was almost a pity their actual scene was going to take place in private.
The room he’d reserved for them did, in fact, look exactly like the office of a headmaster at some snotty, upscale private school. Down to the diplomas on the wall, though a close inspection revealed the names of several Doms who had been awarded degrees in such things as ‘Disciplinary Arts’ and ‘Electrical Play Proficiency’.
“Do you know why you’re in my office, Ms. Legare?”
Turning away from the wall of kinky diplomas, Frankie froze at the sight of her giant man standing behind the large wooden desk, slowly rolling his sleeves up to his elbows.
Why the hell was that so freaking sexy?
“Ms. Legare.”
Jumping at the sound of her name again, Frankie forced her attention up to his face. The silver beard and hair only added to the impression of stern headmaster. “Sir?”
One brow raised as he switched to the opposite sleeve, and she nearly lifted a hand to her face to check for drool as she watched him expose those thick, tan forearms. “Do you know why you’re in my office, young lady?”
“Um, no, Sir. Not really.”
“Several of your teachers have complained that you have a distinct lack of respect for authority. Apparently, their attempts to discipline you have been largely unsuccessful, so you have been sent to me for correction.”
Excitement swirled in her stomach. When he’d said ‘surprise punishment’ this was the last thing she’d had in mind. Settling into her role, she rolled her eyes toward the ceiling and twirled a lock of hair around her finger. “It’s not my fault you don’t know how to hire competent teachers.”
Holden’s eyes flashed, but he wasn’t quite quick enough to hide the twitching of his lips. “Regardless of your feelings regarding our faculty, you will treat them with the dignity they deserve, young lady. From now on, when you disrespect any of our staff, you will be sent straight to me for a reminder on how to behave in class. Bend over the desk and grip the opposite side. I want that bottom nice and high for your discipline.”
“What?” Leaning into the play, she let her eyes widen with faux shock. “You can’t spank me! Didn’t they outlaw that in like the sixties?”
“The only law you need to concern yourself with right now is my law, Ms. Legare. Bend over the desk, please.”
“Just wait until my father hears about this,” she grumbled, lowering herself into position. As short as she was, she had to push up on her toes and stretch in order to grab the opposite edge of the desk, a move that put her ass very much on display for him.
“Very good. Now, let’s see what options we have to teach a naughty little girl like yourself a lesson in respect.”
Turning her head so her cheek rested against the cool wood, she watched him study a wall of implements. Thick leather straps, giant paddles with holes drilled in them, and a series of long, thin wooden canes.
Fear pounded in her chest, and if she hadn’t been leaning against the desk she might have sunk to her knees in relief when he selected a long wooden ruler instead of the other terrifying implements hanging on the wall. It was thicker than a usual ruler, with the words “Teach Her a Lesson” printed on one side but it was infinitely better than a heavy strap or a cane.
“I think this will do for a first time.” Holden smacked the wood against his palm, a smirk curving his lips when she jumped at the sound. “But the next time you are sent to my office, Ms. Legare, we will be testing out every one of the canes on that wall. Am I understood?”
As terrifying as that prospect was, she still had to smother a moan as need pulsed through her at the growled threat. “Yes, Sir.”
“Good girl. I am also allowing you to keep your panties on this time, but do not expect that same courtesy in the future.”
“How magnanimous of you, Sir.”
Apparently he didn’t miss the snark in her voice, because a moment later his heavy hand connected with her ass, sending a shockwave of pain through her.
Fuck , she’d forgotten how hard he could spank.
“Since this is a lesson in respecting those in authority, Ms. Legare, I suggest you keep a civil tongue during your punishment. Unless you’d like to give those canes a try, after all.”
She absolutely did not want that, no matter how her body reacted. “No, Sir. I’m sorry.”
“Much better.” Cupping her ass in one large hand, he gave it a hard squeeze. “You know how to stop this if it’s more than you can take, young lady.”
Her pussy clenched at the reminder, and the stern note in his voice. “I can take whatever you give me, headmaster.”
“We’ll see about that.”