The Audition Ch. 02

They began that night. First they decided upon a good time for what they decided to call "the audition." She would be allowed to audition as his submissive for 24 hours beginning Saturday at 5PM. For that entire time she would be expected to remember and follow all of his protocols and present herself as a totally devoted and reverent slave.

The list of protocols wasn't extensive but she typed them into her computer as Ken recited just as a visual reminder. It excited her to see the words begin to fill the blank page on her screen.

1. Always use the proper form of address as Sir or Master.

2. Kneel and crawl whenever in the Master's presence unless otherwise directed.

3. Clothing and bedding are a privilege and must be earned.

4. Collar and cuffs must be worn at all times.. even while bathing... only leather may be temporarily removed

5. No touching of self or orgasms are allowed without the consent of the Master.

6. Obey all directions immediately and without any sign of disapproval.

7. Always present in body and spirit as the prized possession you are to your Master.

8. Show gratitude for the Master's attempts to correct or discipline.

He was standing behind her watching her progress. As the final word was typed his fingers wrapped into her shoulder length auburn curls and tugged. Her head was pulled back so that she was forced to look up into his face. He was smiling... but it was the kind of smile one might imagine a cat would have as it chases its prey into a corner.

"I'm looking forward to correcting you, young lady. There are so many ways to show my little one how wrong she is when she rolls her eyes at her Master's words." His face turned darker as his voice became deeper and more still.

"You will wear my marks upon your body. You won't be able to stop the tears. I will not go easy on you if we are to do this thing properly. Is that still what you want?"

It was difficult to tell if she winced from her strained neck muscles or from the fear his words evoked. She swallowed hard before answering.

"Yes, Sir. It is what I want. I want to prove to you that I can be what you need and accept everything you have to offer."

He leaned in and whispered into her ear. "You're such a good girl." Then he kissed her hard on the lips, his fingers still holding her head tight in their grasp.

That night she didn't fall asleep earlier than him. That night they lay together and rediscovered a passion they'd both nearly forgotten they possessed.

**************

The grocery store was packed as usual on Saturday afternoons. It was already noon and Sara still had to stop and pick up the dry cleaning on the way home. Grocery shopping had been a little more exciting with Ken's list attached to the bottom of her normal household items. His included among other things five large "fingers" of fresh ginger, lime jello already prepared, a large wooden cooking spoon, cotton balls, hurricane candles, and a bottle of Dungeness White 2009 Reisling. Of course she wondered what he intended to do with each of them but she dared not ask when he had handed her the list. She assumed she'd find out soon enough.

****************

Saturday 4:35PM

She stood naked staring into the full length mirror on the bathroom door. Fresh from a hot shower her skin was pink with a few droplets of water still clinging to her left shoulder. She wiped them away with her hand and reached for her make-up. Nothing heavy.. just a light brushing of mineral veil with a little blush at her cheek bones. Eye liner and water proof mascara finished the set. She ran her fingers through still damp hair. Blow dryers were a no no for her curls resulting in frizz the likes of which clowns have never known.

She glanced at the time on her cell. Five minutes til five. She was expected to be kneeling at the bedroom door. Only one thing left to do. She placed the black leather collar around her neck clasping it so that only two fingers could slide between it and her skin. At the front was a silver ring. Empty now but soon it might be the home of an ordinary dog leash like the first one they'd picked out years ago at Petco. She had felt so daring standing in the middle of the store aisle while he attached a chain with a bright orange leather band to her. She didn't think anyone had seen them as he lead her up and then back down the aisle but she never knew for sure and it excited her still to think of it.

Black leather, fur lined wrists cuffs followed quickly and she was ready. One final look in the mirror and she turned to the closed door which separated the master bath from their bedroom where he said he would be waiting. Her fingers were trembling as she grasped the handle and turned it. As it swung open she saw him standing confidently across the room on the other side of their California King bed.

She knelt.. slowly.. eyes never leaving his. The carpet felt soft beneath her knees and hands as she began to crawl toward him. She estimated about twenty feet of space lay between them and she vowed to be as sultry and sensuous as her body allowed during her approach. He definitely seemed to appreciate her efforts. His breathing was deeper and his eyes more penetrating as they followed every inch of her progress.

She stopped less than a foot from His boot tips. They were his favorite Tony Lama's ...the black leather worn but still impressive looking. Black was his favorite color for dressing. Boot tops were covered by black Levis which were topped with a black silver buckled belt. The long sleeved dress shirt held black and gray horizontal stripes which seemed to make him even taller than his already imposing 6'2" frame.

Her green eyes followed his form to meet his which were also green but with flecks of gold. He was staring directly into hers... waiting. His hand reached out and cupped her chin.

"Are you sure you want to do this? You know what I am capable of when I am attempting to lead you to better choices and I know you used to accept it... hell, you used to beg for it. But I know it wasn't easy and it definitely wasn't pain free. So I'm asking again.. is this really what you want to do for the next 24 hours, my love?"

Tears gathered and fell quietly down her cheeks. She could never love him more than she did right now. He was telling her that even though she was the one who had brought an end to what was once a very intense relationship that he didn't blame her or even need for it to begin again. He loved her as she was.. always. Whether she was on her knees or sighing in exasperation and then yelling because he didn't do enough around the house, he loved her. Just as she loved him.. . in any form.. she loved him.

But she really did want this to happen. She was beginning to dream each night of being under his belt rather than wrapped in his arms. By definition she knew she wasn't a masochist just as he was not a sadist but in reality the closeness she felt to her husband when he punished her brought joy into her soul. And it seemed as if the more imagination and quite possibly cruelty he put into the punishment the greater her desire for it. She needed this to happen as much as she knew he'd enjoy making it happen.

"Sir.. this girl wants nothing more than to serve you and please you in everyway . She craves the sting of your belt when she is not being her best for you. She is yours to do with as you will." Her voice started as a whisper but gained strength as she noted how pleased he appeared judging by his slight smile and the gleam which had caught in his eyes.

His reaction was immediate. "Good girl. Then we'll get started. First we are going to work on your area of greatest weakness and need - Respect for your Master. Follow me."

While he'd been speaking he attached a red handled dog leash to her collar and now he began walking toward the bedroom door with his wife, and slave, following as quickly as possible on her hands and knees... five feet of bright silver chain between them.

It felt a bit strange crawling naked through the house and she wondered in which room he'd choose to stop. Her knees were already aching a bit even though they'd traveled on soft carpet and she was unhappy with herself that she'd gotten so out of practice with such a simple task. Then the tile of the dining room followed by the kitchen caused her to pull back against the leash as her pace was forced to slow.

The Master allowed some slack to fall in the chain along the harsher flooring but never stopped walking... at least until he came to the back door of the house. She saw him reach for the door handle and her stomach seemed to rise into her throat.

What was he thinking?! Did he really intend to take her outside.. like this?!

The Master looked back and down into his slave's eyes for a second time. This was the test. Either she was going to trust and respect him or she was not. It was her decision.

She heard rather than saw the door open and then felt the tug on her collar. She drew in the deepest breath she could bear and began to crawl once again.

Most would consider the couple as living in the country but they thought as long as you could see your neighbors' houses without binoculars then it was a neighborhood. The house was a basic ranch style with a garage which was basically unattached but did have a covered stone path starting at the kitchen door and leading about five feet to the door at the side of the building. Unless you happened to be driving by the house or were parked in the long driveway you'd never even see the walkway.

First her hands met with the cold, hard stone of the walkway and then so did her knees. But she didn't even notice the tiny pebbles biting into her flesh. Her eyes were staring out into the bright sun toward the street. Was anyone there? Could anyone see her? How would she ever explain what was happening?

And then it was darker. Her naked body was hidden once again within the safety of the garage and the pair stopped moving. A sob escaped her lips with her first breaths since she'd stepped into public view. She felt his hand touch the back of her head and pet her softly. It took her a few minutes to regain any sense of calm. His strong left leg provided a brace as she leaned into it, head bowed, her right shoulder leaning in to take in his warmth and with it his pride and reassurance.

Then he began to walk again and she looked up to examine what was obviously their destination. The far corner of the room had been transformed since she was last allowed inside two days ago.

************

The garage was more a workshop and mancave for him than it was a place to protect vehicles from the elements. It was large enough to comfortably house three cars but their two were a tight fit sitting amongst his woodworking bench and tools. There was also a full size refrigerator, two recliners and a 40" flat screen television which hung on the wall facing them. A floor to ceiling wooden bookcase held a vast collection of reading materials from The Complete Works of Edgar Allen Poe to the Time Magazine Guide to Plumbing and all the way to Advanced Shibari Technique and Style. There were also at least a hundred DVDs though those were mostly for the hard core BDSM fan. It was his garage and decorated with his tastes. No interference or derision was allowed from his wife about anything in it and that was a hard and fast rule that even in her most snarky moments she would not argue.

Today she saw all the normal pieces of furniture and such remained intact but there were additions as well. The thing that immediately captured her attention was an X-shaped cross made of what appeared to be 2X4s affixed to the wall next to the television. As she was led closer to the piece she saw that large O-rings with chains and eye hooks attached were positions at the top and bottom of each end of the boards. Though homemade it was easily recognizable. Her husband and Master had built a St. Andrew's cross for their experiment.

And the cross was not the only new addition to the room. Her left knee came within a few inches of the second piece as he brought her crawl to an end by sitting in the deep brown recliner he claimed as his own. Before looking into his eyes, she glanced first at the apparatus beside her. She knew it at once as something they'd looked into buying on several occasions in the couple's first few years of marriage. It was a spanking bench and it appeared to be the deluxe model with not only a padded middle area but a crossbar at its head used for restraining the occupant's hands and also two padded lower arms at the base for restraining bended knees, ankles and even thighs. It was a work of art, if in fact, you were an artist who also happened to seriously enjoy providing corporal punishment at a high level of intensity.

Her admiration of the piece came to an end as her husband spoke.

"Look at me, young lady. And I expect you to keep that eye contact until you are released from our little agreement tomorrow at 5pm. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir," barely audible but at least she hadn't paused before answering. She knew that any deviation from the rules would be dealt with in ways she'd rather not think about until forced.

Looking up she noticed that on the table beside his recliner was their laptop. The wi-fi signal did reach into the garage but they seldom used it here. Knowing not to ask about its use she did as she was supposed to do and looked deeply into her Master's eyes.

His voice was so deep when he took on the persona of Dom. He could easily send terror through her mind and body with just his tone but this time it was his words that signaled her doom.

"Tell me, my little slut, how often do you think you disrespect me... say... in a week's time?"

She had no idea how to answer that question. Any response would be the wrong one but she needed to say something.

"Um... Sir.. I don't think I try to disrespect you.. Sir."

His eyebrow raised. "Really? You don't "try" to show disrespect?... Hmm.. Then how would you explain this comment you posted on facebook just yesterday? And I quote, "Husbands should be seen and not heard... unless of course you hear them saying , "yes, dear I really enjoyed cooking your dinner and now I can't wait to pick up my dirty underwear which I apparently can't seem to get into the laundry basket."

Her face had become more and more pale as he'd read from the laptop opened beside him. Yes.. she remembered writing that status message when she'd been talking to her best friend on the phone and comparing bad habits their husbands shared. She had no idea he ever read her page. And the knowledge came too late now to save her.

He continued speaking without waiting for whatever response she might have voiced.

"I see by the color of your face and the trembling of your lips that you recognize the blatant disrespect. As for the frequency I think it's probably simpler and more accurate to just read and count them. I'm positive you agree. " His tone seemed to become even darker than before. "I shall begin one week ago and every time I see a post which implies disrespect I will apply a hash mark to your breasts with this Sharpie... that way we won't lose count." The last was said with a slight sneer and upturn of his lips into a smile meant to terrify. Which it did.

Black line after black line was etched upon her very large and now very cold breasts. She watched each application with an agony more intense than any she'd ever felt. First because she knew harsh punishment was forthcoming but mostly because of the shame she felt. It was heartbreaking to sit and listen to her husband.. the man she truly loved.. read all those demeaning words she'd said about him. And adding insult to injury she'd done it in such a public way. She'd been so wrong and now she deserved to feel his anger.. and his hurt.

By the time he finished reading and marking, she counted fourteen hash marks. Fourteen messages disrespecting her husband she had posted in only one week. If only she could take them back.

His finger traced each mark and then found her left nipple. Hardened by the chill of the room, it was easy to pinch between his thumb and forefinger. And pinch he did.. until the pain of it forced a gasp from her lips.

"Did that hurt my little girl?" He chuckled. "Because if that hurt you then it's going to be a very long day my dear. Fourteen public signs of disrespect for your Master in seven days. It seems you need a definite reminder of what happens to sluts who cannot show the proper reverence for the one who owns them."

He stood and wrapped his fingers through her hair to pull her up in front of him. Automatically her hands reached back to take hold of his tightly gripping fingers until she felt the biting pinch at her nipple.

"Are you resisting your Master already, young lady?" His words came out low and threatening. Then he heard her whimper and watched as her hands released his own and slowly fell to her sides. "Much better," he said as he in turn released her nipple.