“Look,” Cassandra said, “Sarah and James brought rioja.” She passed Sir the bottle, which had wire netting over it.
“Thanks,” Sir said, smiling at James. “This will go perfectly with steak.”
Chapter Two
Cassandra watched Sir pour himself a glass of red wine. He then poured white for her. “Shall we?” he said, indicating the dining room.
“I’ll bring the starters.” Cassandra picked up two of the prawn cocktails.
“Let me help.” Sarah did the same.
James and Sir carried the drinks, and they all wandered into the dining room.
Gentle piano music tinkled around the four walls, which were painted a rich burgundy. Sir’s phone sat on the docking station and it was her favorite pianist playing.
She glanced his way.
He was looking at her.
She smiled. He’d know why she was smiling—that it was a thank you for being so thoughtful.
They all took their seats, sitting next to each other’s partner. Cassandra put her hands on her lap and lowered her head.
“Thank you, Lord, for good food, fine wine and delightful company,” Sir said, “and know we are eternally grateful for everything that you give us. Amen.”
“Amen,” Cassandra murmured. She kept her hands on her lap.
Sarah, James and Sir picked up their cutlery.
“It’s been so busy at the office this week,” Sarah said. “Cassandra and I have been chasing our tails to keep on top of everything the customers want, haven’t we, Cassandra?”
“Yes. We have.” She smiled and watched Sarah pop a prawn coated in pink Thousand Island dressing in her mouth. It looked delicious.
“It’s this new Rawlings account, they’re very demanding,” Sarah went on after she’d swallowed.
“I’ve heard of them,” James said, tearing off a chunk of bread roll.
Cassandra looked at Sir.
He was looking at her. He took a sip of his wine and stabbed a prawn.
Cassandra licked her lips. When would he say it?
“Aren’t they based in Taunton?” Sir asked, putting the prawn in his mouth then chewing slowly. “Rawlings?”
Say it soon.
“Yes, that’s right,” Sarah said, reaching for the butter to spread on her roll.
“I thought so,” Sir said. He looked at Cassandra and bowed his head a little. “Eat, Cass, it’s delicious,” he said.
“Yes, S—”
“Your favorite,” he said quickly.
She was glad of his interruption. She’d nearly slipped up and called him Sir. How would she have explained that to her friends?
He fixed her with a steely gaze. It lasted only a second then he engaged in more work talk with Sarah.
Cassandra picked up her fork and started on her meal. She’d displeased him with the close call. She should know better than that. She did know better than that.
He wouldn’t forget it either. It would come up again later, likely to be worth a spank to each buttock.
She took a sip of wine and looked at him. Not that a spank on each buttock was a bad thing. In fact, just two seemed distinctly lacking.
A wicked idea came to Cassandra. She wondered if she could up that tally during the evening. Get a few more spanks. Maybe he’d spank her with the ginger plug in place.
Oh God, the thought of that— It was so— A crumb caught in her throat. She coughed and spluttered then reached for her drink.
James patted her back. “You okay?”
“Yes, yes,” Cassandra said. “Fine, thank you.”
She glanced at Sir and took a sip of water.
He had concern in his eyes.
“I’m fine,” she said again.
Later she would tell him why she’d spluttered, and it wasn’t because Sarah was talking shop and she’d had more than enough work for the week. It was because she had an image of herself tipped over Sir’s knee, ginger in her asshole and her buttocks turning red under his ministrations.
The thought of the fiery ginger scared her. The thought of the spanking thrilled her. What would it be like to combine the two? Yes, maybe she should misbehave a little.
“This is really tasty,” James said, indicating his bowl, which was nearly empty. “Haven’t had prawns like this for years.”
“It’s very seventies, isn’t it,” Cassandra said. “My mother used to make this whenever she had dinner guests. If there was any left over it was a real treat for us to have it the next day.”
“Mmm, yes.” Sarah put down her cutlery and wiped her mouth on her napkin. “I think my mother did that too.” She smiled.
Sir finished his food and rested back. “James,” he said, “you must tell me about Cape Verde, how was the holiday you and Sarah took there?”
“Amazing,” James said. “Perfect beach holiday and guaranteed weather.”
“It looked beautiful, Raif,” Cassandra said. “Sarah brought one of those photo books into work, the ones you get made up.”
“Yes, I know the type.” Sir looked at her. Of course he knew the type, he’d made one up of her last year. It was nothing like Sarah’s book, though. Not a beach or a cocktail in sight. Sir had been going through a stage of enjoying Shibari rope bondage, and had taken numerous pictures of her in various states of knottage.
Cassandra had enjoyed the whole process immensely. Feeling bound and so dependent on him had sent her into a state of mediation as he’d worked the ropes around her body, harnessing her limbs and wrapping her breasts so tightly that they’d swelled.
No, the book Sir had in his special cupboard was nothing like the one Sarah had brought into work and it was most definitely for their eyes only.
“Would you like to see it, Raif?” Sarah said. “The book’s in the car. I could nip and get it.”
“That would be lovely.” He looked at Cassandra. “Because if Cassandra is a very good girl I might take her there.”
James laughed.
Cassandra kept her attention on Sir. Would he really take her on a beach holiday? She’d been talking about it for a while.
If I’m a good girl.
Well, in that case, she’d just have to make sure she was a very good girl. She’d forget about being bad for extra spanks and do her upmost to please him.
Sir reached for James’ bowl and stacked it on his own.
“Let me help,” James said.
“No, it’s fine. Cassandra will help me.”
“Oh, okay.” James glanced at Cassandra.
She looked away and reached for Sarah’s dish.
“In that case I’ll help Sarah find that book,” he said, a slight frown line between his eyes. “Well, you’ve got the keys in your pocket,” Sarah said. She held out her hand. “I can manage, though, if you pass them here.”
James stood. “No, I’ll come with you. It’s dark out there.”
“You just want a sneaky smoke,” Sarah said with a laugh.
James grinned and shrugged. “You know me too well.” He glanced at Cassandra. “Do you mind?”
Cassandra smiled and shook her head.
“No, not at all,” Sir said. “It will take a few minutes to fry the steaks anyway.”