Note to self: Make sure to avoid eating lunch in teacher’s lounge. Avoid Joe Watson at all costs. Don’t forget you control your own destiny.

To Do List:

Pick up dry cleaning Grade at least fifteen more term papers Stop at Betty’s Books to pick up Lindsey’s birthday gift Call Peter to discuss plans for Lindsey’s party “Ms. Kinison?”

Grace Kinison looked up from her desk, cell phone in her hand. “Shouldn’t you be at lunch, Jessica?”

“I just wanted to know what I made on my term paper.” Jessica LaBlonc’s voice was wobbly and Grace sighed. She knew it was hard for the senior to come in and ask about her grade. For Jessica to pass senior English, she had to make at least a B on her research paper. But then again, so did eleven of her fifty-seven students.

But those other students weren’t worried about their grades. Jessica was. And the fact that she was concerned pulled at Grace’s heart. Jessica had worked hard. She just couldn’t grasp the concepts of the class.

“I haven’t started on your class yet,” Grace replied softly. “I’ll know final grades by Friday.”

“But that’s three days away,” Jessica wailed. “I don’t think I can wait that long. We turned them in last Friday! Why does it take so long?”

Grace put down the phone and clasped her hands together.

“Jessica, I have fifty-seven papers to grade. It takes time to make sure it’s done properly. I’m sorry; you’re just going to have to wait.” Grace groaned inwardly at the girl’s dejected look. “Let me ask you this. How do you think you did?”

The senior bit her lip and then smiled. “I think I did okay. It was hard, though.”

Grace stood up and rounded the desk. “If you think you did fine, then don’t worry about it. I’m sure that everything is okay. Listen, I’ll grade it tonight and let you know first thing in the morning. Fair enough?”

Jessica nodded vigorously and Grace shooed her out the door. She sat back down, picked up her phone and dialed. She pushed send and raised the phone to her ear.

“Watson alert! Watson alert!” Rebecca Shane, the teacher in the room next to her and Grace’s best friend, slammed the door to Grace’s room and turned off the lights.

Grace disconnected the phone and ran to where Rebecca was standing stealth-like against the blackboard.

“Where is he?” Grace whispered.

“He’s coming this way, clipboard in hand. Have you decided how you’re going to turn him down without pissing him off? If you make him mad you go from a senior English teacher to a freshman English teacher with one wave of his pen.”

Grace’s shoulders slumped. “Why won’t he go away? I told him two weeks ago that I didn’t want the vice-principal’s job next year. I just want to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Even as the words left her mouth, Grace knew it wasn’t true. She didn’t want to keep being a senior English teacher. But she didn’t want to be a vice-principal, either. She wanted to write full-time, not just from midnight to 3 a.m. All she needed to do was sell one story. One story and she would know that her writing wasn’t in vain. Then she could quit her job and live off her savings until she hit the big time. And if she didn’t make it big, she would wait tables. Anything was better than working for Joe Watson, who would be principal next year.

She wondered what it would feel like not to have to grade papers every night. Not to have to listen to parents say, “My child says you don’t like him and that’s why he’s failing your class.” Not to have to hide from slimy vice-principals.

“Are you listening to me?” Rebecca said. “He may have convinced everyone else that he thinks you’re the best person for the job, and I’m not saying that you’re not, but we both know that he wants you in the main office so he can stare at those hour after hour.”

Rebecca pointed her finger at Grace’s chest and Grace blushed furiously.

She wanted to object to her friend’s blunt words, but they both knew they were true. Grace was no runway beauty. At thirty-nine, she was at least forty pounds overweight. But she carried most of her extra weight in her chest. And it was the chest that attracted attention she didn’t want.

To try and hide her breasts, she wore matronly clothes to work: turtleneck sweaters that were one-size too large and long skirts that almost hit the floor. Every morning, she twisted her long auburn curls into a bun and hid her deep brown eyes behind glasses.

That had worked perfectly for years. Until the warm September morning when she and Rebecca had gone to the Pearl Street Mall. Grace loved the Pearl Street Mall. It was one of the best things about living in Boulder. An open-air shopping area with stores galore.

The best part was not the shops, though. It was the people. Tourists and residents alike flocked to the area. And it was a perfect place for Grace to sit and people watch, helping her build characters for her books.

For her people-watching escapades, Grace always allowed her ‘writer’ side to come out. That morning she had been wearing jeans and a tank top, her long curls cascading down her back. She and Rebecca had been sitting on a bench, discussing whether or not an older couple they were watching was happy or not (just look at the furrow of his brow, Grace had said, he’s disgusted with being here, and with his life) when a low whistle caught their attention.

Standing above them, and staring straight down Grace’s top at her double Ds, was Joe Watson. Grace had stood quickly and tried to hide her chest with the notebook she was holding, but the damage had been done.

After that, Watson came by her room two or three times a day. He’d asked Grace out to dinner several times and she’d refused. Then the unthinkable happened. Mark Alt, the principal, announced his retirement and Watson was promoted to his job. Now Watson was after Grace to take the vice-principal’s job for the following year.

“Two more minutes until the bell,” Rebecca said. “Maybe he stopped at Beaton’s room and you’re off the hook for another day.”

“Fat chance of that. You’re nice and thin. Why can’t he go after you?”

“My attributes aren’t quite as impressive as yours,” Rebecca said with a laugh.

The bell rang and Grace let out a deep breath. She turned on the lights, opened the door, and walked straight into Joe Watson’s chest.

“Ms. Kinison.” His voice was low and Grace stepped backwards. “We missed you in the lounge today. A working lunch? In the dark?”

Rebecca scooted past them with a guilty look on her face. Watson raised his eyebrows at the two women.

“We were just talking,” Grace said quickly. “And conserving energy.”

Grace cringed as he spoke. “Please come to my office and see me before you leave this afternoon.”

Watson left after issuing the command, and Grace turned her attention to greeting her afternoon students. Four more months of Watson. Online publishers were considering several of her short stories. And her book should be ready for submission by the middle of March. Maybe when it was time to sign contracts for next year, she’d know whether or not it had sold. If not, the four more months of Watson turned into another year, and Grace wasn’t sure she could handle that.

She sighed as she realized she hadn’t been able to call Peter to discuss details about Lindsey’s fortieth birthday party. It looked like her evening was going to be full again.

***

Grace ran her fingers over the blue bindings of the Nancy Drew book. A first edition Mystery of the Lighthouse by Carolyn Keene. A perfect gift for her longtime friend. It was the only book Lindsey was missing in her Nancy Drew collection.

It had taken Betty Rook, the proprietor of Betty’s Books, more than six months to locate a copy that was in pristine condition.

Grace smiled as she remembered childhood summers where she and Lindsey had read the Nancy Drew books to each other. They’d laughed over the antics of Nancy, Bess and George, and acted out scenes in the backyards of each other’s houses.

Now Lindsey was living in Brentwood with Peter, her husband. The couple wrote for the highest rated program on TV, LA349; a cop show based in Los Angeles. And Grace was a wanna-be writer who was divorced and still living in Boulder.

The book eased the pain of her meeting with Joe Watson. She’d flat out told him she didn’t want the job. His unhappiness was very apparent and he let her know that he planned to keep trying to change her mind.

When she’d told him not to bother, a look of such extreme anger had passed over his face that Grace had taken a step toward the door of his office. When the phone on his desk rang, she had bolted out the door and not looked back.

Grace patted the bindings of the book and put it back in its plastic cover. Then she picked up Jessica’s paper and got to work.

She had just given the paper a B in her grade book, and watched Jessica’s grade rise from an F to a low C, when the instant messenger bell on her computer rang. She maximized the program and frowned as an unfamiliar screen name appeared.

Toffer4U: Hello?

Graceful: I think you have the wrong address.

Toffer4U: I’m Toffer Shelley, a friend of Peter McGinley’s. He asked me to get with you about information for Lindsey’s party.

Grace slapped herself on the forehead. Peter. She’d forgotten to try and call Peter after the fiasco at lunch. The party was only three weeks away and she’d promised Peter that she’d give him pictures and stories that he could use for anecdotes and decorations. She’d allowed Watson to make her forget the things that were important, like Lindsey and her party.

Toffer4U: Are you there?

Graceful: Yeah, sorry, I was just slapping myself for forgetting to call Peter. Bad day, you know.

Toffer4U: Sorry to hear that. Wanna unload on a stranger? You can pretend I’m whoever you’re mad at and yell at me. Just put the caps lock on, and let me know if I need to hold my cheek as if you’ve slapped me.

Grace laughed out loud. Just like a friend of Peter’s to be a character.

Graceful: How do you know I’m mad at someone?

Toffer4U: Isn’t that what a bad day usually means, that you’re mad at someone at the office?

Graceful: Probably so. But it’s not an office. It’s a school, a high school.

This time the wait was on Grace’s end. She stared at the empty screen and chuckled. That little tidbit had sent Toffer4U back a few paces.

Toffer4U: Okay, I think I’m recovered. Please tell me you’re not a student.

Graceful: Let’s put it this way, the last time I was a student, Reagan was still in office.

Toffer4U: Really? So Miss. Ms. Mrs.? Graceful, what do you teach?

Graceful: It’s Ms. Grace Kinison. And I teach senior English.

Toffer4U: Yuck. You’re not going to make me diagram a sentence, are you? Or correct my spelling? This could get ugly.

Graceful: I might. What was the noun in your last sentence?

Toffer4U: Is that a trick question? If you look at my high school transcript, you’ll see that English wasn’t my best subject. I was a ‘let’s bribe the teacher’ kinda guy.

Graceful: Those are fighting words in my class. Shame on you.

Toffer4U: Mrs. Williams didn’t care. All she wanted to do was sit at her desk and read, and eat the chocolate I brought her. As long as we were quiet and handed in our papers, she didn’t mind.

Graceful: Was she close to retirement?

Toffer4U: Way past the time, if memory serves. But I remember her fondly. She never hassled me about anything. And I made a C. Still passing.

Graceful: I don’t hassle my students, I teach them.

Toffer4U: Sorry, didn’t mean to imply that you did. Forgive me? Shall we move on to the party before I stick my other foot in my mouth?

Graceful: Good idea. And the jury’s still out on forgiveness. What exactly does Peter want?

Toffer4U: When the jury comes back, let me know. Just don’t send me to the principal’s office, okay? I never was very good at bowing down to authority. And Peter wants embarrassing stories from Lindsey’s childhood. Pictures that will show how she’s changed. Pictures that show what she’s done in her life. He’d said you’d have a bunch. You can visit her parents’ house and pick up baby pictures. Since the party is a surprise, he thought you and I could work together and she wouldn’t figure it out. What do you say? Are you game?

Graceful: Yes, I am. But I have to finish grading term papers this week. Can we talk on Saturday? That will give me time to get out pictures and bring back memories.

Toffer4U: Saturday works for me. How about 1 p.m. your time? That would be noon in LA. We can spend the afternoon together. I’ll bring the wine and some hot sauce in case I stick my foot in my mouth again. You bring the food. Something spicy.

Grace felt a warm feeling spread through her stomach. Then she shook her head. A cyber date wasn’t a date. It was just talking. And it was planning for Lindsey’s party. Still, planning for it with Toffer should be fun.

Graceful: How about Thai?

Toffer4U: Great. One of my favorites. Make sure you get extra spring rolls. And some shrimp rolls.

Graceful: I’ll be here. So, Toffer, tell me. Were you a regular in the principal’s office?

Toffer4U: Semi-regular. Like I said, I’m not very good at bowing down to authority. I like to be in charge. What about you, Grace? Are you good at bowing down to authority?

Graceful: Authority? The only authority I have to worry about is my boss, who is a creep. But I’ve pissed him off and I’m afraid the punishment will be severe. Like demoting me.

Toffer4U: Punishment for what? Have you been a bad girl, Grace? Do we need to do some role-playing here? I can be the principal and you can be the errant teacher. Who knows where it will lead? I’ll keep the paddle handy Saturday, just in case.

Grace stared at the screen. The feeling in her stomach built and moved to her nipples, which hardened immediately. Toffer’s words on the screen made her feel warm, very warm. In all the right places. She shook her head.

Graceful: Never mind. I’ll talk to you on Saturday. I’ve got to get these papers graded.

Toffer4U: Okay, for now. But Principal Shelley will be back on Saturday and he’ll want an explanation. So be prepared, missy.

His icon disappeared from the screen and Grace laughed. The tingling that had spread to her nipples had made its way south. How long had it been since a man asked her about herself? And why was the idea of talking about punishment with Toffer exciting to her? She didn’t even know the man.

She wondered what he did for a living. If she called Peter with her questions, then Lindsey would wonder why she was asking about Toffer. She would just have to ask the man in question on Saturday.

She picked up her red pen and took a paper off the huge stack on her desk. Only thirty-two more projects to grade. At least her Saturday conversation with Toffer gave her something to look forward to while she dodged Joe Watson during the week.

***

Christopher ‘Toffer’ Shelley, known as Drake Dawson to his millions of adoring female fans, shut off his laptop and laughed.

He wondered what Grace Kinison was thinking right now. It was obvious that she had a sense of humor. The remark about the jury proved that. Did she think his parting remark was funny? Or did she think he was a jerk?

It had been so long since he’d talked to a woman as Toffer that he’d forgotten how great it felt. Grace wouldn’t judge him on his 6-foot 3-inch frame. She wouldn’t judge him on his square chin and high cheekbones; his muscles or his broad shoulders; his tanned skin and brilliant smile; or his light blue eyes and dark hair.

She wouldn’t know about his ability to charm fans and the press. He could be himself and not Drake Dawson, star of both the small and big screen.

He walked upstairs to his workout room and programmed the stair-stepper. He began his workout with a smile on his face. He wondered if she was submissive, or if she was freaking out right now about the punishment idea. He hoped she was submissive, that she would react favorably to his tendencies. An online submissive was better than none. And Toffer hadn’t had a submissive in his life for ages. He’d learned early in his career that letting his dominant tendencies be known was risky. He didn’t want to see his sex life splashed across the tabloids.

Toffer’s cock hardened as he worked out. Getting to know Grace was going to be fun. With any luck, he could make her his online sub. He’d have Thai food delivered to the house on Saturday. And he’d buy a bottle of red wine to sip while he IMed with Grace.

He made a mental note to tell Peter that he’d introduced himself as Toffer, not as Drake. Then he felt a pull at his conscience. Was it fair of him not to tell Grace the truth? He wasn’t really lying, per se. He really was Toffer Shelley, legally. Drake Dawson was his professional name.

If she came out and asked him if he was Drake Dawson he would tell her the truth. Until then he was just Toffer. And he was happy that Toffer was going out to play on Saturday with Grace.

Note to self: Just because you talk with someone online doesn’t mean you are attracted to them. No harm can come from a conversation.

To Do List:

Attend faculty meeting Pick up take-out menu from Thai Palace for ordering tomorrow Pick up bottle of red wine Go through and scan photos picked up yesterday from the Murphy house Try to forget every embarrassing thing I’ve ever done so I don’t incriminate myself tomorrow while IMing with Toffer Keep up writing streak and finish Chapter Nine of manuscript The week had been perfect. It had started with her interesting conversation with Toffer. It had continued when she’d given Jessica the good news that, as long as she kept working hard, she would pass senior English. It had hit another high when Joe Watson had gone out of his way to ignore her. The good days had continued when she and Toffer exchanged daily e-mails. She told him about Watson and he told her about life on a TV set. He’d never come out and said it, but she knew that he must be a writer for the show to be such good friends with Peter.

The e-mails had contained subtle hints of sexuality. Nothing too overt, just reminders that he wanted to spend time on Saturday getting to know her better; Principal Shelley was interested in correcting her bad behavior, if necessary.

The week had peaked last night when her IM program dinged with a message from Toffer.

Toffer4U: Hello from LaLa land. Looking forward to Saturday. Don’t forget the Thai food. Do you have a scanner so you can shoot me photos? And I want details. Lots of details. And, oh yeah, stories about Lindsey too… <VBG>

Graceful: Scanner hooked up. Teacher has amnesia and can’t remember anything about her own life. Sorry. :-(

Toffer4U: Does Principal Shelley need to stand you in the corner? Would that bring back your memory? Please advise.

His comment had made Grace smile. Her fingers were trembling as she’d typed her response.

Graceful: I thought you were gonna bring the paddle? Guess I’m off the hook, huh?

Toffer4U: Hardly. The corner is for after the paddling. And I don’t paddle on a covered behind, so be prepared to bare your little ass. If I were you, I would start remembering, really quick.

And his icon had disappeared. Grace had hugged herself, excited about the prospect of a cyber spanking. D/s play had always fascinated her, but she’d never had the chance to try it out. She knew that she would be meeting Toffer in three weeks’ time when she went to Los Angeles for the party. Would he want to play with her in real life too, or was this just an online flirtation?

She hadn’t told Rebecca about the cyber punishment. She had told her about the conversation turning a bit sexy; she just didn’t say what direction the sexy part had taken.

“And I’ve been writing like a fool,” Grace told Rebecca Friday at the faculty meeting at lunch. “You wouldn’t believe how things have been flowing out of me. I don’t know what started it.”

Rebecca took a sip of her water. “How about a man telling you he wanted to hear details about your life? That denotes some interest.”

Grace laughed. “You think? He was pretty funny. I can’t wait to meet him.”

Her grin disappeared when Mr. Alt walked to the front of the room. She was going to miss this man. He had been a great principal.

“Welcome to my last faculty meeting as your principal.” The emotion was visible in Mr. Alt’s voice and the faculty members gasped. “I know that everyone expected me to remain until May, but things have come up in my life that precipitates my leaving early. Mr. Watson is now the principal, effective immediately.”

His voice grew low and tears appeared on his cheeks. The crowd grumbled and Alt held up his hands.

“Things will be fine and I’ll miss you very much.” The crowd rose and clapped and Alt shook Watson’s hand and left the room.

“I’m thrilled to be the new head of Gregory Academy,” Watson said, a smile on his face. “We’ve accomplished a lot under the helm of Mr. Alt. Under my leadership, we will go even further. I do plan on shaking things up a bit.”

His words sent a chill up Grace’s spine. She looked at Rebecca, who mouthed the words, “Hello, little fishes and welcome to freshman English.”

“I’m already working on new teaching assignments for next year.” Watson looked around the room. His gaze stopped on Grace and his smile deepened. “We are also taking applications for my new right hand. If you are interested in this position, see me ASAP.”

The meeting ended in a smattering of applause and Grace slumped back against her chair.

“You’re gonna get screwed, and not in a good way,” Rebecca said softly. “You have more experience than half the English department, and he’s going to have you teaching the lower end freshman English classes.”

Grace felt the breath leave her lungs. Then she sat up straighter and smiled. “I don’t care. Nothing can ruin the high I’ve been on this week. If he tries to screw me, I’ll quit.”

“And lose retirement money? Are you out of your mind?” Rebecca’s blue eyes widened in alarm.

“I won’t let him bully me. If he thinks that by changing my assignment, I’ll cave in to him, he’s sorely mistaken.”

***

Grace stared at the blindingly white snow that draped the grounds and trees. The deliveryman had just dropped off her Thai food and she’d poured herself a glass of wine. It was a little early in the day, but she didn’t care. She’d looked forward to this all week. Fifteen more minutes until Toffer IMed her.

His comments from yesterday about the paddling and standing in the corner brought a smile to her face. She wasn’t sure why. Maybe it just took her mind off Watson and his threats to demote her. Or maybe it was just the idea of submission. She’d thought about it before, but never brought it up to anyone. She’d never even told Lindsey, or Rebecca, about her secret fantasies. She’d tried to propose the idea of bondage to Jesse, her ex, who had promptly shot her down.

Grace took a sip of wine and then filled her plate with food. She’d just taken a bite of a spring roll, when her IM button pinged.

Toffer4U: Good afternoon, Gracie.

Graceful: Hi, Toffer. How are you today?

Grace laughed. A week’s worth of e-mails and it was like they’d known each other for years.

Toffer4U: Fine. Just polishing up my paddle. <g> How’s your lunch?

Graceful: Good. Yours? And I’ve been good. You don’t need the paddle. <squirm>

Toffer4U: We’ll see. I want to get the party business out of the way first. Then you and I can play a little, get to know each other better. And talk about the punishment. Do you have photos for me?

Grace took a deep breath as she read the message again. Ten minutes ago the idea of a cyber paddling had been fascinating. Now it scared her half to death. Of course he wasn’t here. But in three weeks, she would be in Los Angeles, and the threatened spanking could turn into the real thing. She set down her wine glass and sighed. This could be fun or this could be very scary.

Did she really want to go there? Or did she want to put a stop to it, immediately. If she put her foot down, they could plan the party and be done with it. But if she said yes, they could explore something that she’d always been fascinated about. And since she didn’t know him, she didn’t have to be shy, or worry about what he thought about her weight. Not yet, anyway. She needed to remember that this was a friend of Lindsey and Peter. So surely he wasn’t a creep. Hopefully.

Peter trusted him enough to ask him to help with the party. That counted for something. But Peter wasn’t going to discuss sexual things with someone he’d never met. The IM ping shocked her out of her thoughts.

Toffer4U: Grace? Are you still there?

Graceful: Yes, I’m here.

Toffer4U: Did I scare you?

Graceful: A little.

Graceful: Okay, a lot.

Toffer4U: Hmm… but are you tempted?

Grace bit her lip and stared at the screen. Then she tentatively typed in yes. Her hand moved toward the enter button, and then pulled back, before she finally reached out a finger and hit send.

Toffer4U: Good. Hold on to that feeling. Now, about the photos…

For two hours, they laughed as Grace told stories of her and Lindsey’s childhood that included camping, whitewater rafting, horseback riding and reading. She shot him a copy of the first story they’d written together, a horrible rip-off of the Nancy Drew stories that he promised to read later that evening.

Around 3 p.m., she reached the end of her scanned photos. She took a deep breath as she stared at the last one.

Graceful: This is Lindsey and I just after my wedding. She was my maid of honor. Of course, the marriage turned to garbage, but it’s the best photo I have of the two of us in recent years.

She’d debated about whether or not to send that photo. After all, it showed her in all her glory. When she’d sent everything else, she decided it was a good idea. Toffer would get the chance to see her, to see that she wasn’t beautiful and model-thin. She held her breath as the file uploaded to his computer. If he forgot about the punishment discussion after seeing the photo, then she’d know that he wasn’t impressed with her body. Better to get it out in the open now.

Toffer4U: Is that your husband standing next to you?

Graceful: My ex-husband, yes.

Toffer4U: I can see why you left him. He doesn’t deserve someone as lovely as you are.

Graceful: <blush>

She sighed and chewed on her lip. No derogatory comments about being fat, no ‘nice tits, baby’.

Toffer4U: So are we done with the work, any more photos or stories about Lindsey that I need to give to Peter? We’ve done our duty for the afternoon?

Graceful: Yes, I think so. :-)

Toffer4U: Good. Before we go any further, I want to make a few things clear. I’m a Dom. Do you know what I mean by that?

Grace stared at the screen, her heart beating wildly. She’d known that already, but she was impressed that he came right out and said it. The idea made her squirm in delight.

Graceful: Yes, I’ve read about D/s before.

Toffer4U: Have you thought about submitting to a man?

Grace took a deep breath and sighed. She couldn’t believe this opportunity was being given to her. It was thrilling. And it was frightening.

Toffer4U: Grace?

Graceful: I’ve thought about it before.

There, she’d said it. It was out there. There was no taking it back.

Toffer4U: Good. Do you want to submit to me? Do you want to do exactly as I tell you, without question? Do you want to be my cyber submissive? When you come to LA, we can play for real.

Two minutes went by as Grace fought the butterflies in her stomach, and the thoughts that ran through her brain. She’d wanted this, fantasized about it. This was her chance. She couldn’t pass it up. She typed in yes and hit enter. A smiley face popped onto her screen, and then a message popped up that made her eyes bulge.

Toffer4U: Take off your clothes, Gracie.

Graceful: What?

Toffer4U: Now. Take them off right now. You’re not allowed to question me. Do exactly as I say. Let me know when you’re totally naked.

Grace stared at the screen, her heart racing a mile a minute. She hadn’t been naked in front of a man in ages. Of course, she wouldn’t be naked in front of Toffer. But it felt like it. She bit her lip again. At this rate, she’d chew them off before the end of the day.

She’d said she wanted to be his cyber sub. What did she expect? Of course he’d want her naked.

Graceful: Toffer, I…

She hit the enter button before she finished typing.

Toffer4U: The longer you wait the harder I’m going to punish you when we meet. Do it now.

***

Toffer sat back in his chair and smiled. He could just imagine Grace in her house, nervous about taking off her clothes, even though there was no one with her. The idea made him hard as a rock and he gently stroked his cock as he waited. He’d thought about proposing webcams but had decided against it. It was more fun this way. There was more anticipation. More mystery.

It was a good three minutes before the IM button pinged and he knew that she’d been debating whether or not to follow his order. He also knew that since she was hesitating, it meant that if she said she was naked that she wasn’t lying.

Graceful: Toffer?

Toffer4U: Are you naked?

Graceful: Yes.

Toffer4U: Good. You must call me Master now. Do you understand?

Graceful: Yes. Toffer, this makes me very nervous.

Toffer4U: Good. And that’s strike one. I’m going to keep a running count. When you get to LA, you’ll get licks from the paddle according to how many strikes you have. Be a good girl. How do you address me?

Graceful: Master.

Toffer4U: Excellent. Tell me your fantasies.

Graceful: Just like that?

Toffer4U: Yes. And be honest with me. I expect nothing less than total honesty because that is what I will give to you. Now tell me what you want done to you. Tell me what you expect from a Master.

Graceful: To be dominated. I have no experience, so I don’t know what happens.

Toffer4U: But you’ve fantasized about it. You said so yourself. I want to hear your fantasies.

Graceful: Yes, Master.

Toffer’s cock hardened even more and he groaned. He hadn’t been called Master in so very long.

Graceful: I want to be tied up.

He smiled; bondage was something that he loved.

Toffer4U: We can do that. What else? Don’t make me drag it out of you.

Graceful: I want you to spank me.

Toffer4U: LOL. Not fair. We’ve already talked about that. Tell me two other things you’ve fantasized about. And be Honest.

Graceful: Blindfolds.

Toffer4U: I like that idea, too. That encompasses the whole trust issue. One more and then we’ll move on. Don’t be embarrassed to tell me. Remember, I’m your Master now.

Graceful: I’ve always fantasized about being fuc…

Toffer frowned as the incomplete message appeared on his screen. Then a big grin spread across his face.

Toffer4U: Fantasized about what, Grace?

Graceful: Forget that, I meant to hit delete, not send.

Toffer4U: Tell me. Were you going to say fucked from behind? And I don’t mean doggy style.

Toffer waited for the reply. He knew that’s what she wanted, and he was sure she was blushing at his crude words. She wanted him to take her in the ass. He loved that she was embarrassed to admit it, because it meant that no man had ever taken her that way. He stroked his stone hard cock. If he didn’t stop, any minute now he would shoot off in his jeans.

Toffer4U: Grace? Answer me.

Graceful: Yes, Master. I want to be taken anally. I’ve always dreamed about it.

Toffer4U: That’s good, baby. Relax for me. It’s gonna be all right. You’ll be begging for it before I do it, trust me. Now, take your laptop to your bedroom and lie down on your stomach in the middle of the bed. Stop by the bathroom and pick up a hairbrush on your way. Let me know when you’re in position.

He quickly shed his jeans as he imagined her walking toward her bedroom, naked, her large breasts unfettered by a bra. He’d been impressed by her photo. He couldn’t wait to suck them before he fucked the deep cavern that ran between the orbs. He knew they would be soft and hug his cock wonderfully as he pumped into them.

He stroked his cock and smiled as the ping sounded.

Graceful: I’m there.

Toffer4U: You have the brush?

Graceful: Yes, Master.

Toffer4U: Put a pillow under your hips so that your ass is high in the air. I want to know that you’re ready for the spanking you’re going to get today. The one that you’re going to give yourself since I’m not there to do it.

***

Grace stared at the screen. Had she just read that right? She looked it over again and blinked. Yes she had. He wanted her to spank herself. How was she going to do that? She stared at the brush she’d picked up. It was large with a smooth wooden back. It would sting; there was no doubt of that. But how did he expect her to spank herself. When she’d picked it up, she thought he’d have her look at it while he talked about spanking. She never expected she’d be spanking herself.

Toffer4U: Grace, I’m waiting. And I’m not a patient man.

Graceful: Toffer, I can’t spank myself.

Toffer4U: Strike two. I am no longer Toffer. I am your Master now. I won’t tell you again. And yes, you can. Reach around with the brush and slap it against your ass. Do it a few times and then let me know how it feels.

Grace worried her lip and then slapped her ass with the brush. It stung slightly, but she was surprised that it felt so good. The sting shot straight to her clit and she wanted to come, now. Was she really doing this? Spanking herself at the request of someone she didn’t know? She brought the brush down harder and moaned softly. Wetness was pooling onto the pillow below her. This was so erotic. She couldn’t believe she was actually doing what he said. She slapped each side a few times. Her breath came in rapid gasps.

She imagined Toffer sitting at his house in Los Angeles. Was he hard? Did this excite him as much as it excited her? She slapped her ass a few more times and groaned.

Graceful: Master?

Toffer4U: Yes?

Graceful: I did it.

Toffer4U: Good girl. How many times? Did it sting?

Graceful: Just a few. And yes, it stung.

Toffer4U: Good. Did you do each side?

Graceful: Yes.

Toffer4U: Do ten on each cheek. Hard. Imagine that it’s me holding the brush. Your Master, spanking you. Punishing you for not remembering that I’m your Master and not Toffer anymore. You’re submitting to me, Grace. Doing what I want. Do it now.

Grace didn’t hesitate this time. She brought the brush down harder with each swing. She imagined Toffer standing behind her, imagined that it was him slapping her ass with the brush. And it excited her. Excited her more than anything had in years. After she’d delivered the final stroke, she reported her success to her Master.

Toffer4U: Good girl. Tell me how it feels. Tell me what you were thinking about.

Graceful: It stings. And I was thinking it was you. I wanted you to spank me.

Toffer4U: And I will, Gracie. Be patient. You have a three-part assignment for tonight. First, I want you to stand in the corner naked for ten minutes. Stick your nose against the wall with your hands clasped behind your back. When your time’s up you can bring yourself to orgasm. Do you want to come? Are you wet for me?

Graceful: Yes, Master.

Toffer4U: Good. Very good. Think of me when you play with your clit. Secondly, I want you to shave your pussy for me. Entirely bald. Understand?

Graceful: Yes, Master.

Toffer4U: And third, I want you to write a few paragraphs on why you want to submit to me, why the idea of being a submissive appeals to you and what you hope to gain from it. And I want you to be specific. We’ll IM tomorrow at eight.

Grace stared at the screen. What did she hope to gain from this? She wasn’t sure why the idea of submission appealed to her; she just knew that it did. She’d have to do some serious soul searching tonight.

Toffer4U: Tomorrow at eight sharp. And make sure you’re naked.

His icon disappeared and Grace stood and walked toward the corner, her stomach in knots as she looked at the clock and began to form the list in her mind.