Chapter 16 #2
At Jackson’s direction, Paula produced several dustcloths, a few markers, a box of garbage bags, and two empty boxes. “Do you have any file folders so we can have something to organize the papers?”
Paula gave him a sheepish look. “I never thought of that, Sir. I just put them in different piles.”
Jackson chuckled. “No wonder your desk at the precinct looks like it does. You really do have trouble with this. We’ll start a list. In the meantime, let’s see what we have.
” He moved to the first convenient box and opened it.
Inside was a mishmash of items, some carefully wrapped in newsprint and others thrown loosely in.
He raised an eyebrow. “Yours, I presume?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Time for the boxes and garbage bag. I have a simple system. First, are you a garage sale person or a donate to charity person?”
“Donate, all the way. Garage sales are a pain in the ass.”
“Okay. This box is ‘Keep,’ this box is ‘Donate’ and the garbage bag should be obvious. Each item comes out of the box, and you decide where it goes. When the ‘Keep’ box is full, we take it and put everything away. ‘Donate’ boxes get put in a designated area, and again, garbage is obvious.”
“What about recycling? The newsprint doesn’t belong in the trash.”
“Good catch. Another garbage bag will do for now.”
Miscellaneous didn’t begin to cover the variety of items in the first box.
Paula vaguely recognized some as things she had struggled to organize when she had packed up in St. Louis.
Paula began with plastic clothes hangers scattered randomly through the box.
Those were useful, and she was low on them.
Keep. Next was a pair of geode bookends.
She hesitated over them. “What’s the problem, Melda? ”
“I’m trying to remember who gave these to me.”
“Do you need bookends?”
“Maybe?”
“You can’t remember where you got them or who gave them to you. You don’t know if you need them. You’ve survived without them for how long now?”
“Okay.” She gathered her resolve. “Donate.”
“Good girl.”
They continued through the box which also contained a collection of coffee mugs with various slogans on them wrapped in t-shirts with other slogans, most of which she put in the ‘Donate’ box.
The most incongruous item they found at the bottom, a small wooden carved cat.
“I don’t even like cats,” Paula said. “Where could that have come from?” She started to put it in the ‘Donate’ box, but Jackson stopped her.
“That’s quality work. Let’s put it with your grandmother’s stuff for now.
It might be worth something. Some of her things may be valuable, too.
She wasn’t the only collector around.” He paused to look about them.
They’d taken half an hour to empty one box.
He was clearly pleased there was more in the ‘Donate’ than the ‘Keep’ box.
“I think we can stop for today. You’ve made it through one box, and now you know how it’s done.
I expect you to continue at a rate of one box every other day until your own things are done.
Then I’ll help you evaluate your grandmother’s things.
Let’s put the stuff you’re keeping away, you can grab a shower, and we’ll go get that lunch. ”
“That sounds good, Sir.”
Jackson crossed his cutlery on his plate and dabbed his mouth with a paper napkin.
Paula was astonished at how long he took to eat.
He seemed to savor every bite he took and had chosen their food with care after asking about her likes and dislikes.
She frowned at his ordering for her, but refrained from commenting, trying to accept it as part of their new dynamic.
“So, Melda, let’s discuss your decision to hide the state of your house from me.”
Oh, let’s not!
“Honesty and openness are important for every relationship, but even more so in one like ours.”
Paula stared down at her plate. See, she was bad at this.
“Luckily for you, our kind of relationship has a very straightforward way of dealing with problems.”
She looked up at him in surprise. What on earth did he mean by that?
“Let’s go back to my place.” He stood up and held out his hand. Paula looked from his hand to his face, with no idea of his mood. “Melda?”
She was reluctant to continue, but she let him lead her to the car.
On the drive back, Jackson said, “The way it works is that when you do something wrong, I punish you, and we wipe the slate clean. No grudges, no recriminations. All is forgiven. Melda, please remember that’s what this is.
You can use your safeword to either slow down or stop, but use it wisely.
Calling ‘red’ doesn’t take away my right to correct you for your behavior. Do you understand?”
Paula chewed on her bottom lip. “Am I allowed to ask questions, Sir?” Her voice sounded small, like a child’s.
“Yes, you may.”
“What do you mean by ‘correct’ me if I have to use my safeword?” She was puzzled.
Jackson looked over at her. “Then I’ll find a different way to punish you. I think it’s unlikely with what I have in mind at the moment, though.”
“Are you mad at me, Sir?”
Jackson shook his head. “No, Melda. I would never punish you while I was angry. That’s not fair to either of us and would make me into a bully.
I understand why you tried to hide your house from me”—he held up a finger—“but know that as your Master, I’m responsible for your well being, and I can’t do my job if you keep important facts about your life from me. ”
Paula blinked at that. She was an adult, and she could take care of her own life! She remembered the cluttered mess in the other rooms and cringed. Maybe she did need to be punished.
“But it’s embarrassing!”
“Melda, look at me.” She peeked up at his sincere face. “There is absolutely nothing between us that’s embarrassing. I love every aspect of you—the good, the bad and the ugly. I want you to understand this punishment is more for your benefit than mine.”
“How is that, Sir?”
“You were worried about my reaction to the state your house is in, right?” She nodded. “You’re afraid it affects my opinion of you.”
“So, you’re not mad about the house, but because I kept it from you?” Did she understand him right?
“That’s right.” Jackson said.
She considered this for the rest of the trip to his condo. As they pulled into the drive, she said, “I think I understand. I’m willing to accept my punishment.”
Once inside, Jackson led her straight to the bedroom and gestured for her to go first. “Strip and kneel beside the bed.”
He strode over to the bed, pulled away the covers, and Paula hurried to do his bidding. What would he do? Would he spank her? Would it hurt? Did she want to get punished?
Not really. Well, maybe. Would it repair their relationship? With her ex-husband, misunderstandings and grievances had accumulated until they couldn’t bear to be in the same room. There had been so much hurt and anger between them it was almost palpable. She didn’t want that with Jackson.
“S-sir?” She hated how small her voice sounded.
“Yes, Melda?”
“Is everything really okay between us, after you punish me?”
His shadow fell over her. “Yes, girl, clean slate.”
She sighed in relief and straightened her spine in resolve. “Okay, Sir. I’m sorry I kept this a secret. Punish me as you see fit.”
“Wonderful. I’m proud of you, Melda.” He smiled broadly. “Go and lie down on your back in the middle of the bed.”
Paula rose and climbed on the bed. Wanting to keep his approval, she quickly scooted over to the middle.
“Spread your legs.”
With trepidation, she obeyed his order.
“Because you weren’t open with me, your punishment is going to be to open up a different part of your life,” Jackson said, and she could hear him move the chair. The telltale cracking alerted her he’d sat down. “You’re going to masturbate, and I’m going to watch.”
What? Paula shot upright and was met by a stern blue gaze.
“Don’t tell me you don’t masturbate.”
“Of course I do, but it’s a solo activity.”
He didn’t answer but smiled and leaned back as if he were settling in for a show. The evil rat bastard!
She plopped back and groaned. Well, it was to supposed to be punishment, and at least she was going to get off.
Paula placed her hand between her legs and stroked her clit.
The chair creaked again. Was he leaning forward? The notion of being watched was more hot than embarrassing. She upped her efforts, and soon her legs started to tense, and her belly quivered.
“Stop.”
The order made her freeze, and her arousal cooled like she’d dived into a cold lake.
Her eyes had drifted closed, but now she opened them so she could look at Jackson.
“You’re not allowed to come, Melda. Continue!”
“What! What’s the p—” A stern look stopped her question, and she started the process of arousing herself again.
Three times Jackson made her start and stop like that before he rose from the chair and grabbed her hand.
“Both your problems and your pleasure belong to me, Melda. Don’t forget it again.” He brought her hand to his mouth and licked her fingers clean—rubbing his tongue over the sensitive skin between her fingers while maintaining eye contact with her, as if she wasn’t horny enough already!
“Get dressed, Melda.”