A Hard Bargain by Ashe Barker

Do you spend a lot of time down here?”
    I nod, take another sip of my orange juice as he pulls out his phone again. My heart sinks. Am I boring him already? But he hands it to me, the notepad app back on the screen. “So, how come you’ve seen me, but I can’t remember ever seeing you before?”
    I look down at the phone in my hand, it’s designed for surfing the internet and whatever else, but I suspect he never had this particular use in mind when he bought it. It’s simple enough though, if you’re used to this sort of thing. I am. I have a similar sort of smart phone, but it’s tucked away in my bag in the cloakroom. I even have an app on mine which supposedly converts typed words into speech, but I never use it. I’d rather sign elegantly or write things down than sound like a Dalek with laryngitis and speak at a rate of three words a minute. I quickly tap out my response on the tiny on-screen keyboard.
    Only couples and Doms tend to come and sit here, in the middle. I usually stand over there by the door, with the other subs. You’d never see me there. It’s too dark.
    I hand the phone back to him, he reads quickly, then turns me on the settee so my back is against his side. He puts the phone back in my hands. “Now I can read over your shoulder, as you’re writing. So, you usually just watch then?”
    I nod, no need to write that.
    “What do you watch? What’s your favorite sort of scene? Is there anything you’d like to try?”
    I hesitate, thinking, not sure. The choices are endless. The possibilities spread out before me seem limitless in this moment, and I have no idea where to settle. He chuckles, tightens his arms around my waist, his fingers spread across my stomach, warm and firm against my bare flesh. “You seem tense, Miss Stone. While you’re thinking about that, let me help you to relax.” He slides his hand up, under my crop top, cupping and caressing my breast, first the right, then the left.
    “Is this okay?” He murmurs the question into my ear.
    I bow my head, just slightly, just enough.
    “And this?” He takes my right nipple between his thumb and finger, squeezes, at first lightly, then tightens his grip until I wince. He holds it, keeps the pressure on for a few seconds.
    I’m arching against him, gasping, and he eventually releases me.
    “Did I hurt you?”
    I nod again, but make no attempt to move.
    “Did you like it?”
    Another bob of my head signals my pleasure.
    “Mmm, sexy little sub. I love this top by the way, but I think it’d look much, much better folded up on the floor. Take it off, please.”
    I glance over my shoulder, catch his gaze again, but I don’t hesitate. I lean forward and pull the crimson and black top over my head, fold it carefully then place it on the floor beside the settee. And I settle back against him.
    “Take the skirt off too, please. And the thong this time.”
    The request was softly delivered, but I can feel as much as hear the thread of steel in there. He’s relaxed, he’s easy—we’re here to have fun. But he’s a Dom and I’m a submissive, or very nearly, and I’m expected to obey. I’ve never been naked in the dungeon before, nor in any of the public areas for that matter. It seems I will be tonight though. And again, I don’t allow myself to hesitate. My skirt and thong are quickly deposited on the floor too, and again I lay back against Nicholas Hardisty, my body exposed, available, his to do what he wants with. I just hope it’s going to be good.
    “Tell me what you’ve done so far, on your voyages of discovery? I’m pretty sure no one’s used your arse much before now, which does seem a waste. Am I right so far?”
    Again, I signal my agreement with a slight dip of my chin. No need for the phone.
    “What else? What other fairground attractions have you been on up to now?”
    He’s idly stroking my breasts again, gentle, soothing, arousing me. The electric current starts to zip around my body, that arcing