Page 41 of Dominic Powers Duet Box Set
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CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Reflecting backover the past month, I’m pleased with how Sophia and I have grown so much closer. We’re more comfortable in our relationship, and the trust between us has strengthened over this time. Others in the office have seen us standing closer than normal co-workers would. We’re not trying to hide our relationship, but we’re not flaunting it in front of others, either. We both have jobs to do and it’s still important for us to be professional.
“Dana, have you made arrangements for my trip yet?” I ask as she enters my office, bearing coffee.
“I have, Mr. Powers. You’ll arrive in Knoxville, Tennessee, and then it’s just a short drive to Oak Ridge. Will Miss Vasco be joining you?” Dana asks in her usual business tone.
“No, not this time.”
“Is there anything else you need, Mr. Powers?”
“No. Thank you, Dana,” I reply as she takes her leave.
A nagging apprehension plays in the back of my mind at the thought of being away from Sophia for any length of time. When I think back to the week I introduced her to my parents, I realize there has been a pattern with her moodiness. The night I dropped her off at her condo, she wasn’t entirely happy that I didn’t stay with her, but she said she understood. We talked more about it the following day, after our first sexual encounter in the office. On my desk.
“I missed you last night, Dom,” she admitted. “I’m surprised how quickly I’ve gotten used to having you with me at night.”
“You did use my pillow as my substitute one time, as I recall,” I teased and she laughed.
“You’ve spoiled me! It’s your fault!” she played back with me.
“I didn’t want to leave you, Sophia. I hope you know that,” I tried to calm her fears. “It’s early for us and we’re not ready to just move in together yet. That doesn’t mean we can’t spend nights together, though.”
“I know. I thought about it after you left and you’re right. For now, I’d like to ask to have Sunday nights at my condo,” she stated cautiously, eying me for any indication that I disapproved.
“Why Sunday nights?” I asked. My curiosity was piqued at her very specific request.
She looked away when she answered, “It just gives me some time to adjust for the work week. Time to get prepared, get my things ready, and unwind for a little bit…just a little time to myself.”
“Alright, Sophia,” I replied, intentionally using her name, “I will agree to that for now.”
She looked relieved that I agreed to her request. I’ve noticed that every Monday morning after that discussion, she is moody and distant. It takes a little while each time for her to readjust to our relationship and our arrangement. While I watch her, study her reactions, and consider all the possibilities, I still give her the benefit of the doubt that she is simply passively-aggressively acting out at me for insisting on keeping separate places.
Today, travel plans have been made that will take me away for a week and Sophia won’t be joining me. There will be more of these trips as I finalize the confidential contract with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The plant is highly classified, highly protected, and a limited number of people are allowed in or around the facility. I’ve already been through extensive background checks and given temporary security clearance that has been months in the making just to be able to conduct business onsite. There’s no way Sophia would have time to meet all the security requirements to attend it with me.
My concern is centered more on what her behavior will be after being away from me for that long. I have three weeks to introduce my more formal method of behavior modification, show her what I expect, and watch her willingly submit to my requests. It’s time for Sophia to spend the night at my house for the first time. I haven’t brought her over because I know that before I do, our relationship must be in the right place.
It’s time for the next phase of our relationship and I feel my spirits lifting just thinking about it. Perhaps her petulance has been because I’ve given hertoo muchleniency. The submissive in her craves the structure a Dom provides. The knowledge that there are consequences for her actions is often an aphrodisiac, especially if she intentionally breaks the rules just so she can be punished. It’s not that I enjoy inflicting pain—I don’t at all. I enjoy the trust that’s instilled in me, how she willingly submits to me, and the sexual thrill of using punishment devices for pleasure.
She will see tonight, for herself, that pain can also be pleasurable. Performed in the right way, it will enhance the intensity. In the right hands, she’ll love the feel of the flogger as it sensitizes her perfect skin. Floggers, paddles, and wrist restraints are definitely in order tonight. She’ll have nowhere to hide once I take her to my playroom.
As if she read my mind or heard my inner thoughts call her, Sophia taps on my office door before walking in. Another Monday morning and I can see the same look on her face as the past few weeks. Her mood is a mixture of both sadness and anger. It’s been taking several hours to get her past this mood and back to her normal self. Today, I’m not waiting.
“Good morning, Sophia. How was your night?” I ask, intentionally poking her with the proverbial stick.
A disgusted look flies across her face before she quickly masks it. “It was fine. How was yours?” she asks stiffly.
“It’s never quite as much fun without you there,” I quip. Sophia takes a deep breath, straightens her back, and exhales slowly. She’s calming herself before she responds and I can’t help but watch, bemused.
“I’m here now, so what do you need from me today?”
I smile wickedly, knowing that she’s unwittingly walked right into my trap. She eyes me suspiciously but it only fuels my fire, my desire to see her in restraints with light red whip marks across her beautiful skin.
“Today, I need your submission, Sophia,” I say pointedly and with total domination in my tone. “Tonight, I need you at my house. You’re spending the night with me and we’re moving to the next stage of our relationship.”
“What stage?” she asks, narrowing her eyes at me.
