Pinned beneath her, stockinged thighs spread on either side of my lap, Charlotte thrusts her wad of cherry gum abruptly into my mouth with her tongue. Then raising her heart-rimmed shades, she breaks our kiss with a smile widening across her face. "Why don't you bunk today, and come back home with me instead, Toy?"
Caring little for what it must look like to those passing her car, she drags her shimmering amethyst talons down my bare chest towards my crotch then scrapes over the ridges of the steel cage encompassing my locked-down cock through my trousers. "Please don't do this to me, Mistress. You know I can't when my exams are next month."
"Would you still refuse me if I order you to return home? If you drop out, you can stay with me forever as my playmate. I'll take care of everything."
I swallow as her darkened gaze devours me, struggling to not agree that turning back is an appealing option. I'd rather not be here knowing what I need to confront today. "I probably shouldn't. As fun as it's been, I need to stop relying on you. But I promise I'm all yours to play with when I'm back-"
Her kiss is assertive as her lips press against mine again, her tongue forcing inside with a fierce, terrifying dominance, but it seems different to the usual aggression I've come to know. Almost as if she's uneasy about us spending time apart for the first time, away from her absolute control. She's well aware that Louise attends the same sixth form, so I didn't hesitate when she requested I wear chastity outside the house to protect the asset she's grown so fond of. But it doesn't seem to be reassuring her.
"You can, and you will," she purrs, now caressing my cheek with the back of her hand. "Today, I'll show you what it's like to be tortured by pleasure, my Toy. Just come back with me?"
A low growl reverberates from my throat as my stirred cock strains within its tight confinement. "You're incredibly tempting, my gorgeous Queen, but I can't. Please don't make this harder than it needs to be. I beg you."
She pouts at the continual denial, but rubs her red lipstick from my mouth, then fixes my tie. "Fine, I'll pick you up at three, but promise there'll be no fighting, or I'll come to deal with you myself."
"Mm, but when you put it like that you're encouraging me to get into trouble," I reply, dirty thoughts of a public chastisement flooding my mind. "And I'm already wound up from you teasing me now. You really are a cruel, mean Mist-"
Her palm presses against my mouth, quieting me. "Keep speaking like that, and being wound up will be the least of your problems. Now don't keep me waiting because we have something to discuss tonight."
"That sounds serious? It's only about good things I hope?" I reply, kissing the open palm of her hand. "Or have I not served you well enough these past couple of weeks, Mistress? I'm always willing to learn if you'll teach me."
"And you thought I was the only one making this difficult? At this rate, you'll have a lot of making up to do before I even consider letting you out this evening," she says, climbing out of the car to release me. "Now, go before I change my mind, and chain you to the foot of my bed all day like you deserve."
As I wave her off, then instantly slacken my constricting tie, my smile drops off in fatigue. Whatever she wants to talk about can't be good. From experience it never is, and usually, it means I'm in trouble, being ditched or I'm being fucked with. That's what Louise taught me all too painfully well, although, I thought I wasn't at risk of that again with this being a simple, no strings attached arrangement with us as S/M fuck buddies and nothing more.
Unless she's grown tired of me?
It's an unsettling thought, and I'm still wrestling with it as I approach the back of the bike sheds for a cigarette, now further from understanding my own feelings for her. If she wants to discuss us ending what we have or for her to see others, I don't think I could happily accept it. But if she wants to move forward, and this is a legitimate relationship I've recklessly stumbled upon, I doubt that I am ready for that either, no matter what my personal feelings are for her. Change is terrifying when I'm comfortable remaining exactly where we currently are, with no chance of fucking up.
"Boo!" Yelling from behind me, Justin cracks up with laughter as I'm suddenly swamped in darkness. "Told ya he's away with the fairies in fucking la-la land, Shaun. Walked straight past me at the gates too."
I pull off his jacket thrown over the back of my head, as I turn to confront him. "Can you leave it out? I've got a lot on my mind, alright."
"I bet you have," he says, moving towards me, a broad grin and glint in his eye revealing everything Charlotte promised to keep quiet. "So, Matt, how was your weekend, or is that a sore subject?"
"Shit. She told Becka, didn't she? How much do you know?"
"Probably not everything," he begins, raising his voice animately. "Maybe something about a butt plug, a very public spanking, and you being a stark naked, horny mess on a leash, like a bitch in heat. Did I miss anything?"
Shaun gapes in shock at the retelling, eyes near popping out of his head as it explodes with too much information. "You're not being serious? Is that the sex club near Camden?"
I could disappear off the planet. "I knew dating best friends would be a terrible idea."
"Oh, don't be like that. We're all mature adults here... And they did use to fuck which is kinda hot when you think about it," he says, removing a pouch of Golden Virginia from his blazer pocket. "Although it's weird you've let her cage your dick. Next, you'll be letting her fuck you in the arse with a strapon-"
"Right, that's enough! I don't expect you to understand, Justin, but I love this control she exerts over me, and once I get home, I'll be having the best sex of my life, okay?"
Removing a cigarette from my own pack of Marlboro menthols, I dangle it between my lips and lean over, attempting to light in in the breeze. Immediately Justin's hand sweeps back my fringe, preventing me from setting fire to my hair. "Menthols? I thought you told me you hate that minty shit? So, I guess it's true you've moved in fully then?"
"Mm-hm. And while I live with her, I'm under Mistress' orders even if it's smoking this shit... But it's fine."
Justin shakes his head in disapproval. "The thumbprint is that deep already, huh? But at least you fell on your feet big time, you lucky sod! Becka said your girlfriend's loaded and owns a tattoo studio or something-"
"She's not my girlfriend, Justin, so let's get that straight. We're just fuck-buddies, and that's how it will stay. I'm done with relationships. Actually, I've got some job vacancies I'm applying for this week, so hopefully, I'll have something lined up, and maybe even get my own place soon."
Both of them glance at each other, incredulous at my statement, but I still have my doubts that what I have with Charlotte is real until one of us admits to being in love. And then I have to navigate balancing fatherhood with dating. The whole situation is a complicated headache I want to avoid as long as possible until I know our relationship is genuine.
"That's heartless man, and from the way, Becka was telling it, Chaz is well into you," Justin finally replies, exposing his real thoughts on the matter as relief then washes over his face. "But thank god for that! I thought you'd really lost it moving on that quick, lining up a step-mum already. Especially with someone like her."
"Hah. Do you honestly expect me to rush into something serious or heavy this soon? That's the furthest thing from my mind." My laugh isn't forced, still, it's an involuntary, nervous reaction to revealing his true opinion with my outright lie. But I can't dwell on his disapproval, because as I take my final drag, and then stub out the remnants of my cigarette on the wall, Louise shoots me a filthy glare as she passes. "Is it that time already? Right, I guess I'll see you two at lunch. I've got something to deal with first, but I'll meet you at the cafeteria."
Justin immediately presumes the worst as he grabs hold of my shoulder. "Woah, hold up! Don't forget my warning about her... I might not fully approve of Charlotte, but I'll take her side if you start screwing around with Louise again, even if she castrates you."
I glance at his slender fingers that I've dreamt of countless times caressing my lips, hair and body as they dig painfully into me. The gap between my fantasies and reality has irreparably widened. "Trust me, I'm over her. Actually, I've got a gorgeous redhead's heart to break after science, and it won't be pretty."
"Redhead?" His smile broadens at the delectable morsel of information now running through his mind. "Are you talking about that sexy fox, Mrs Robinson? Why am I only hearing about this now?"
-----
My maths and science lessons are tedious, with both of my teachers droning on continuously about our upcoming exams. My mind is numb with boredom, and my concentration drops as we're lectured about our choices with veiled remarks aimed at me, the biggest academic failure here. I probably should have studied during my time off. Still, it's hard to focus on anything when my Mistress commands my attention every moment I'm in her presence.
Louise also appears distracted through both lessons, and purposely I'm forced to avoid paying attention to her as she occasionally steals glances back, fighting her urge to chew me out. As cruel as it sounds, I no longer know what I used to see in her, and compared to Charlotte, she seems dull with her lacklustre personality and devoid expression unable to spark anything within me. My desire to pursue any form of friendship has faded, and although my anger has diminished from the last time we spoke, all the feelings I held are dead after the way she strung me along.
But I do owe her this one final gesture today, even if she doesn't appreciate or deserve the effort.
The bell rings for lunch, and slowly I pack up my bag with my books, allowing Louise and the rest of my classmates to head off before me. Then, as my teacher follows, pulling the door closed behind him, I approach the prep room to find Mrs Robinson, fixing a lingering problem I've neglected for far too long.
She's removing her lab coat as I enter without knocking. But instantly hearing my footsteps behind her as I walk across the polysafe flooring, she spins around and tousles her copper-red hair seductively, envisioning my purpose here is to her benefit.
Her smile is dazzling warm as she glances over me, genuinely glad to see me visiting her once again. "I didn't expect to see you today. You haven't answered my messages and calls for so long that I thought you had forgotten about me. You look good, Matt."
Knowing precisely what she's doing, my arms fold across my chest defensively. "Elaine, we need to talk."
"I know what this is. Let me go pop my diaphragm in," she says while slipping the wedding band off her finger. "Or maybe you'll like to just get right to it? I'm ready to leave Gary, and I realise now that what you're looking for isn't something casual. You've matured and want a family. I can give that to you."
As she perches on her desk, oblivious to my worsening mood, she unfastens the top of her ruffled, white blouse to reveal her spectacular cleavage. I can't believe the infatuation has gotten this bad, and I have zero inclination to deliberately bring another kid into this world. She's deluded if she thinks I purposely want that when I'm only eighteen, feeling like I've been abruptly thrust into a man's world by my situation with Louise.
"Just stop. I'm only here to tell you that if you lay one more finger on Louise, I'll report you, okay? I'll tell them and your husband everything about our sordid little affair."
Her face drops, clearly not expecting this, and she reaches out, clinging to the arm of my blazer as I turn to leave. "Y-You can't do that! We're so good together, and it was only a slap...Barely anything at all. Why can't you see I'm protecting you?"
"I don't care however you justify it, Elaine. Back off from Louise, or I'll show the head all the dirty messages and photos you sent me," I reply, failing to shrug her off as she cuddles against my chest, hoping I'll change my mind. "This isn't worth sacrificing your career when I never loved you."
Tears well in her eyes as she fights against the truth, ignoring that it's been at least six months since I last answered her calls to hook up. "No, no, no... I don't believe that for one second, Matthew. We're soulmates, and we can be together officially after you finish here. That bitch is no longer in our way."
Her blue eyes dart over my face, searching for a single ounce of weakness within me as I finally brush her off. I definitely made an error by fooling around with her, and I've allowed this fantasy to drag on too long. My tone becomes cold in an attempt to drive in the final nail. "You just don't get it, do you? You were nothing more than a distraction to me, so give up. I've already blocked your number so accept it's over before you force my hand."
Her face says it all as she relinquishes my now crumpled shirt, but I don't wait for the tears to fall and leave her to cope with her feelings alone. I already feel horrible, and if I was a little older, perhaps wiser, my decision to cast someone aside so cruelly might be different. But I never went into this with good intentions and she needed to know even if I now feel like the bad guy for destroying the delusion she'd built up about us over our summer fling.
My morose deepens as I finally enter the cafeteria and survey the scene of my fit of rage from five long weeks ago. I knew facing up to the consequences would be tough today, but now I feel so detached from the person I'd become at the time that it's hard to believe I caused the bloodied situation I'd strolled away from. But Charlotte was the one who suggested it would be cathartic to deal with this head-on today, even if my feet are urging me to run away under the others' scrutinising gaze, wondering when I'll explode out of control next.
"Oi! Get over here. I've saved you a seat." Justin waves me over from the table he's sat at in the corner, saving me from the anxiety fast creeping in. A double portion of fries and burger waits for me on a tray, with an ice, cool bottle of water. Smiling gratefully at him for my lunch, I sink my teeth into my cheeseburger and chase it down with the drink while he intently watches me eat. "So, out with it. How did it go?"
"Badly. I didn't realise she'd thought it was serious, but she smacked Louise, so I had to deal with it," I reply, the weight gradually shifting from my chest. "Anyway, it's properly over now, so hopefully, that'll be the end of it, and she'll back off. I swear that is the last time I'm putting myself in that situation."
"Seems a shame, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I've always wondered what it would be like to screw a teacher," he says, smirking as he dunks a french-fry into his frothy banana milkshake. "So out with it. What other teachers have you been shagging?"
I'm momentarily distracted as he licks the milk dripping down the fry before shoving it into his mouth. "Uh... Well, my other teachers are men, and I can assure you I've not been sucking off Mr Davies or Mr Wilson on the sly. Although it might not be a bad idea with how my grades are looking."
"Nah, don't make a joke like that, Matt... Just forget I said anything." Justin visibly squirms with discomfort at the imagery, forcing me to laugh it off, but I instantly become sombre as I spot Louise making a beeline straight towards us, her expression thunderous, bordering on an intent to kill. "Oh, what the fuck have you done now?"
"I haven't done anything, but I'm sure to find out..." I mutter under my breath, no longer hungry. "I swear she exists to make my life a living hell-"
"So, you've resorted to whores now?" she says, shoving my tray into my lap as she destroys my brief moment of peace. "And don't you deny it because the girls in the locker room just showed me pictures. Thanks for embarrassing me, yet again."
"I'll see you later, Justin," I smile apologetically, noticing the stir we're already generating from her baseless accusation. Then brushing the food away, I get to my feet in an attempt to guide this elsewhere, knowing she'll likely follow me. "I don't have the time for this, and it's no business of yours who I'm seeing when you made your feelings about me so abundantly clear."
Louise remains confrontational, unmoving, endeavouring to keep this here instead with an audience to humiliate me. "I'm the soon-to-be mother of your kid! That means it is my business who you're around. In fact, why don't we go back to your house and see how your dad reacts to you kerb-crawling for your next conquest rather than take care of me!"
"Fine, tell him whatever you want, Louise. I won't stop you."
Her nose flares as I try to walk around her and her finger jabs me painfully in the chest. "So you don't deny it? I thought you loved me!"
"I stopped loving you the moment you threatened me. I have no interest in you, and I no longer have to stand here taking your pathetic diatribes anymore." The slap that follows is sharp, stinging painfully across my left cheek, and Justin immediately stands up, ready to step in. Still, it's nothing compared to what Charlotte has given me in the heat of lust-fuelled sex and it's almost laughable at how weakly pitiful it was. "Only my Mistress is allowed to hit me, okay? Now stay the fuck away from me."
She appears stunned, stopping in her tracks finally to give me a chance to get past as my remark sinks in. "Don't think this is over, Matt. You owe me!"
-----
The rest of my afternoon isn't easy, and I blaze through a pack of twenty, holed up in the toilets, skipping out on my final double lesson of English. I hold my hands up that I'd lost my cool, and after Louise stormed off in the opposite direction, furious that I'm no longer pining for her, I received several texts telling me I'm not allowed to be a part of my child's life. All I've ever done is pussyfoot around her, and I'm now in the wrong for giving her the space she wanted by moving on. I really can't win with her no matter what I do, so it's pointless trying to keep the peace.
I find Charlotte waiting for me as I sprint down to the gates at three, leaning against the car's door while she smokes. I'm spellbound by her appearance, seductively dressed in patent, black platforms and a corseted, velvet dress that momentarily I can forget my problems. Crossing the road as she flicks the cigarette away, I gather her up in my arms and kiss her passionately, unable to find a reason to regret my decision to be with her despite my melancholy.
"Someone is already breaking the rules," she teases while I continue to hold her, absorbing her comfort and warmth as I nuzzle into her neck. "Did you miss me, Sub?"
I nod my head, fighting against breaking down here. "Yes, Mistress... but I've had a bad day so the rules are the least of my worries."
"Then I'm glad I have a treat planned for you instead," she says, booping me playfully on the nose. "Get in the car."
A treat from Charlotte was most likely a gift for her, but I buckle myself in intrigued by what it could possibly be. I could do with the distraction after the day I had. Then instead of taking the turning towards home like expected, Charlotte continues past the junction, leading to the town centre. "Where are we going exactly?"
"You'll find out when we get there," she replies, not taking her eyes off the road while smiling cryptically. "It's a good surprise, so you don't need to worry..."
After paying at the pay and display, then returning to the car, she takes my hand in hers, interweaving her fingers with mine, ignoring my request to take her heavy, gothic bag. It seems normal, almost too normal as she leads me through the high street, and I'm struck by the realisation that we appear outwardly to be dating, despite us never having that discussion. I'm not sure if I dislike it.
Finally, we stop at a shop with a white, wooden door, and lowered blinds at the windows, with the sign 'Inkclusive Designs,' above. I'm only aware that she's a tattooist, but this is the first time I've ever seen where she works, and if Justin is correct, she owns this business. "Are we where I think we are? Your studio?"
"Mm-hm. Still a good surprise, or are you feeling nervous?"
I had planned to get a tattoo once I turned eighteen, and had even saved towards it, but in the end, I never got around to getting it done. "I'm... nervous. But are you sure this isn't too much? I know how long these take-"
"Matt, you're overthinking this. Take some deep breaths, then get on my bench. Unless you're afraid to get one, and there's no shame in that. You wouldn't be the first one walking away, but after this weekend, I think you'll be fine."
I still don't think I deserve to be treated as good as this, but it's clear she wants to do this for me. "Okay. Then I'd love to get my first from you."
I'm led immediately through to a black couch, past the waiting area with a plush, maroon tuxedo loveseat, then a woman having an ankle tattoo, her facing wincing a little. It's unnaturally silent apart from the loud buzzing of the coil gun which makes me feel like we've interrupted something from our arrival, but smiling, she pats the seat of the couch, urging me to sit down, then hands me a portfolio. "I don't know if you have something in particular in mind, but I've drawn lots of designs you can pick from."
I flick through the flash tattoos, seeing a couple of deer skulls, many roses and other flowers, a pirate ship, koi, dragons and snakes. All eye-catching designs, but nothing that seems quite right for me. I feel guilty as I hand it back, hoping I won't offend her. "I'm not sure what I should pick, so maybe you can choose for your sub?"
She doesn't appear phased in the slightest but hands another folder to me, and my jaw drops as she reveals the huge head and upper torso of a skeleton knight, amazing me with the realism, and intricacy of her work. It's a literal piece of art that would look stunning, framed on a wall, and she wants to display it upon me.
"I designed this one with you in mind, and I think this would look amazing here?" she says pointing to my right side. "Also this is an area that doesn't get injured, so there's no risk of damage during play. Sounds good? Then wait here while I get the transfer done, and I'll be back. Coffee?"
My response is little more than an awkward mumble, not used to this different, softer side to her. "No, I'm good, but thanks..."
She isn't out of the room for long, before her colleague rounds immediately onto me, with his client now gone. Around his late twenties, with black and green dreads, plus chains hanging from his tasselled, baggy, cargo jeans he seems exactly like Charlotte's type, which I don't like. I'm almost envious that he gets to spend a great deal of time with her, but he sizes me up and down, not bothering with pleasantries as I extend my hand which he ignores. "So you're Charlotte's new boyfriend we've heard all about. You're quite young aren't you?"
My back is up instantly at the thought of a judgement being passed, and I withdraw my offered handshake "I'm already eighteen, and although we've not been seeing each other long, I think she's awesome. Do you have a problem with that?"
"Nah. I've got no problem with you, yet. I just wanted to make sure you were serious. Young, immature lads like you don't usually stick around long once you've got everything you want from her. I've seen my fair share of those like you."
His words stir me into wanting to tell him that I'm not like those others he's lumping me in with, but I know he's right. I more or less insinuated that she didn't mean anything to me to my friends and that I was only with her for one thing. Charlotte, however, seems to have given the impression that I'm her boyfriend, and that we're moving towards becoming serious. It's the only reason I can see why this man assumes he can give me this talk. I need to decide if I'm ready to take that leap with her or step down so she can meet someone who is.
"I understand what you're saying and I get it, but the nature of my relationship with her has nothing to do with you. Charlotte is more than capable of handling herself."
He smiles apologetically, backing away as Charlotte now reenters the room, but it lacks sincerity. "I'm only looking out for my friend's best interests, so I guess you'll have to prove me wrong. Maybe I'll see you again... But I really doubt it."
Charlotte reads the room the instant she sits beside me, and swivels in her chair to confront him as he continues to eyeball me. "Is it cold in here or have I missed something between the two of you, Greg? Nothing? Well, if you're done with your pissing match, I'll get started. Take your shirt and trousers off, Matt."