He and Gregorio continued their conversation, ignoring both women.

Finally, the other man excused himself.

"Very nice, Brandy. Thank you for your assistance. You may get up and dress."

"Thank you, Sir."

She donned the apron, then returned to her duties.

He faced Chelsea again. "That kind of behaviour, flawless service, is what I expect, what any Dom will expect, from you. Would you like to continue your lesson, or shall we have a drink and listen to some of Master Evan C's music?" He left her attached to the wall while she considered her options.

"I'd like to continue on, Sir."

He nodded. "Brave girl."

He waited, but she didn't protest that he'd called her girl. As he unfastened the metal buckle, he was forced to admit a grudging respect for her. She was either committed to her course, or she was incredibly stubborn. Either way, he'd expected her to run before now.

When he had been a trainer, he'd often waited weeks or a month before asking a sub to practise in public. Fighting emotions was more difficult when you weren't alone with your Dom. "As you heard, Gregorio said that we can use the second space down the hall on the left. Before we go, you need to know there's a screen for privacy, but there's no door. If you cry or scream, as you will, others may hear you." Evan's unintelligible music was still chipping the paint off the walls, so maybe her sounds would be muffled. "And others may walk by and see you. You will be naked. The humiliation you've experienced so far will be nothing compared to what you'll endure over the next hour or so."

She rubbed at her wrist, but she tipped her head back. "Would you like me to follow you, Sir?"

He grabbed their water bottles and started down the hall, not checking to see whether or not she followed. He entered their assigned space and moved towards the side wall. As he familiarised himself with the paraphernalia and apparatus, he said, "Please strip." He didn't look over his shoulder to see if she complied. "Then kneel in the centre of the room. Some Doms will permit you to use a mat. I will not."

As always, Master Damien ensured each room in the dungeon was well-stocked. Damien was not only a gracious host, but a shrewd businessman-Alex knew a production company often filmed at the Den and on its surrounding acreage. Because of the contract Master Damien had signed, he was able to let others use the facilities at very little charge. A couple of rooms had themes, but this one was multi-purpose. A padded, massage-type table was off to one side. Hooks had been strategically attached, but he doubted he'd be using them this evening.

After placing the water bottles on a shelf, he opened drawers, set out a container of disinfectant wipes, tossed a condom on the counter, laid out several of pairs of surgical gloves, then pulled out a bottle of lube.

He looked at the few assorted floggers, spankers and other implements hanging on the wall. He heard her moving around as he selected a thick flogger, apparently crafted from deer hide. It should provide a nice thud, but nothing too intense for her virgin skin.

When he faced her, she was in the same position Brandy had been in earlier. Chelsea was even looking at the floor. Her skirt and shirt were folded precisely. If she had actually removed all her clothes, he would have been quite satisfied with her behaviour. "What instructions were you given, girl?"

She looked up. "To strip and to kneel, Sir."

"Do you understand the meaning of the word naked?"

"I..." She sighed and rolled her hands into tight fists.

He wasn't sure if she was apprehensive or whether she was frustrated with him. "Was your thong expensive?"

"No, Sir."

"No emotional attachment to it?"

She frowned. "Of course not, Sir."

"Good." He took out a pair of emergency scissors and approached her. He crouched in front of her and snipped the material. "And the bra?"

"I'm happy to remove it, Sir."

"You had the opportunity. You asked no questions, therefore I believed you understood the instructions. When I asked you to repeat them, you did, perfectly. So again, did the bra cost a week's salary?"

"No, Sir."

He moved behind her to release the hooks, then he squatted in front her of her again as he cut through the shoulder straps. The ruined scrap of lace fell to the floor, near her thong. He caught her chin. "Lesson learnt?"

"Yes, Sir," she said, eyes wide and unblinking. "When you tell me to strip that means I am to be naked."

"You have ten seconds to remove your shoes. Remain on your knees."

He stood and worked the pulleys on the wall that would lower an overhead hook. Then he took out a small stool that was stored in a corner. Once things were prepared, he returned to her. Her shoes were laid alongside her neatly folded pile of discarded clothing. "The position you are in is what I call kneeling back. It's a fairly comfortable position for a sub. But you should place your hands palms up on your thighs."

When she did, he added, "It's not my favourite. I prefer kneeling up."

He took a cane from the wall. She couldn't know that he didn't intend to punish her with it, but rather, he would use it to correct flaws in her posture. He didn't explain it to her. It was fine with him if she had some questions, even better if she had some concerns.

He tapped the rattan against his knee. "When I instruct you to kneel, you can assume it means I want you in the kneel up position. This means placing your hands behind your neck." When she did so, he added, "Spine straight, and no more resting on your calves. Thrust out your breasts. Keep your knees far apart. Farther." He tapped the insides of her thighs with the cane. "Even more." When he was satisfied, he nodded. "This makes it possible to punish your pussy if I desire."

"I... Yeah. Scared."

"No need to be. Yet."

"You're trying to terrify me, aren't you, Sir? I think a cane on the pussy might be on the limits list."

"It doesn't have to be wicked," he said. "Now stand so I can inspect your naked body."

She hesitated for a moment.

"Many Doms like to ensure their subs have complied with their grooming rules. And sometimes they simply enjoy touching while she or he is helpless to move. For others, it's simply a perfunctory part of the relationship."

Like most novice subs, she stood awkwardly, putting a hand down to steady herself.

"We'll try that again, shall we? This time, keep your hands behind your neck. Use your abdominal muscles. It's tricky with shoes on, but since you're barefoot, it's easier to find your balance." He forced her to rise and kneel ten times before she was a bit out of breath. The altitude had something to do with it, he was sure, but also, that kind of motion taxed the body. "If you want to hold a Dom's interest, you'll practise that a hundred times a day. With heels, without shoes, holding a tray, hands in various positions. Doms expect beautiful movements...poetry in motion."

"Yes, Sir."

"For a standing inspection, I require you to keep your head up, looking straight ahead. Of course, others have different expectations, but if you're with someone for the first time and no other orders have been issued, this is a fairly safe default position. Of course, that doesn't mean you won't be punished for your assumption. I'll show you a lying down variation after we're done here. Now, push your elbows out farther so that your breasts are more prominently displayed. Bring your shoulder blades together."

"More trips to the gym are in order," she observed.

"I have a tongue clamp if you can't keep your mouth shut."

She didn't respond.

He tapped the insides of her ankles with the rattan and she spread her legs wider in response. "Good. Now. I intend to inspect you. Your mental state matters here. You can see this as a humiliating exposure, or you can see it as part of the procedure, or you can know you're pleasing your Dom. You can even, I know, unimaginably, enjoy the experience. It's all up to you." He walked around her. "You have a lovely body, Chelsea. You may thank me for the compliment."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Nice tits. Not too big. Thick nipples."

She was silent for a moment and he tapped her forearm with the cane to prompt her.

"Thank you, Sir."

"Now I'm going to see about the responsiveness of your nipples."

She sucked in a little breath.

"Do you have sensitive nipples, girl?"

"Not overly so, Sir."

"Mind if I find out for myself?"

Her hesitation was so slight that he might have missed it had he not been watching her so carefully. "Please do, Sir."

Before cupping her breasts, he put down the cane. "Stay in position." He lifted her breasts slightly then tightened his grip on the firm flesh.

Her breathing increased, but she didn't protest.

He moved his hands to gently squeeze her nipples. Though her mouth parted slightly, she continued to look ahead. He released her, then did it again, slightly harder. He did the same thing three times. "Now your cunt." He used his left hand to part her labia, and he skimmed the inside of the tender flesh. "Many Doms will want you clean shaven there. If you were my sub, I'd use a pair of tweezers to get every stray hair that you missed."

She swallowed hard.

"Lucky for you, you're not my sub. Some Doms prefer that look." He stroked her clit, then slid a finger inside her. She was nicely damp, responsive. He moved behind her and swatted her rear on both sides with an upwards motion of his hand.

She lost her balance momentarily before immediately getting back into position.

After putting on a pair of surgical gloves, he said, "Open your mouth."

For a moment she looked so mutinous he was betting on her using her safe word. Finally, as he stood there waiting, she yielded. He found it interesting that many subs didn't protest him probing any other orifice, but they didn't like him sticking his fingers in their mouth. "Wider. I mean it," he added when she didn't comply. "Good. Now stick out your tongue." He grasped the end of her tongue and pulled on it.

After he released it, he ran his finger around the inside of her mouth. He did this part to reinforce the totality of submissiveness. Once he was finished with that part, he said, "Now get on all fours like Brandy did, forehead on the floor, part your ass cheeks."

"Sir..."

"You can use a safe word, or you can ask me to slow down so we can talk about it. Or you can get on with it. Stalling will try my patience, and you won't get the most out of this experience tonight. I'm sure you're aware that many Doms use all their sub's holes."

She took her time, but she complied with his request. He crossed to the counter and pumped a dollop of lube onto two fingers. "How much anal experience have you had?"

"Very little...maybe twice. And I've never had more than one finger up there, Sir."

"Until today," he amended, returning to her. He started slowly, inserting the tip of a finger and then pulling back. He did that several times, going a bit deeper each time. "Bear down," he advised. "Feel this ring of muscle?"

"Embarrassing," she said.

He was glad she couldn't see his smile. "No embarrassment needed. It's totally natural. Bearing down will make it easier for me to get past the muscle and you'll feel less pain."

Her legs quivered, probably as much from the strain as from a healthy dollop of fear, but she did as instructed. Soon he had two fingers inside her. "Well done," he said approvingly as he finished up and removed the gloves. He disposed of them as she situated herself. "Return to your previous standing position and tell me what you thought of your first inspection?"

She looked ahead but didn't meet his gaze. "I suppose it was okay, Sir. I did what you said, and tried not to feel humiliated. I didn't really like the mouth part for some reason, and having you up my ass wasn't as painful as I thought it might be."

"Do you recall my earlier conversation about gratitude? I've yet to hear your manners, girl."

She went still, as if oxygen had been sucked from the room.

The pounding from Evan's music suddenly ceased, leaving everything silent.

"I... Christ. I mean, thank you. Thank you, Sir."

"Being inspected like that is a privilege, girl."

"I'm not sure I understand, Sir."

"I'll give you a demonstration. And unless you want another after that, I suggest you remember your manners." He cupped her breasts harshly and squeezed mercilessly.

"Oh, God! I understand. I'm sorry, Sir!" she gasped. "Thank you! Thank you!"

"Much better. Now your nipples." He pinched quickly and hard, then released her.

"Argh," she said, tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you, Sir."

He repeated the process, using extraordinary pressure.

"Sir! Sir! Thank you."

He slapped her pussy sharply. "I should use a cane on this to reinforce the lesson."

"Thank you for your kindness."

He fingered her cunt without bringing her any pleasure. When she didn't thank him quickly enough, he slapped her again and a third time. "Open your mouth." He donned a new pair of gloves while she nervously watched and waited. This time he forced her mouth apart until he knew her jaw ached. He met and held her gaze. Her eyes were wide and unblinking, filled with remorse. The little sounds she made were of gratitude, and she drew shallow breaths through her nose.

"Now show me that ass." Because he'd already stretched her anus, and because her rear passage had already been lubed, he squirted only a small amount of gel onto his fingertips before entering her with no prior verbal warning. He stretched her wide, and quickly added a third finger. He fucked her several times as she whimpered her gratitude. "Now, girl, kneel back and think about the differences in those experiences and how thankful you are that I was so lenient with you the first time."

Chapter Three.

Emotion, regret, resolve and the residual pain from his use overwhelmed her. Chelsea had begged him to train her, but she had to admit that he was right. She'd really had no idea what she'd been asking for. It was a long way from kink that made her giggle to...this.

She struggled into the position he'd said, fighting for breath as she placed her upturned hands on her thighs. He draped a blanket around her shoulders.

Chelsea knew then she'd never been with a true Dom before. She had watched Sara and Lyle together, and at the parties she'd attended she'd observed a couple of scenes. Even here, she'd seen interactions between servers and others, subs and Doms. And still, she hadn't understood. Even though she'd watched it with her own eyes, Chelsea hadn't realised how perfectly Brandy responded to Master Alexander. It was obvious she was focused on only him while she'd knelt, while she'd been exposed, while he'd brutalised her nipples.

When they'd talked, Gregorio had tried to explain it to Chelsea. But the last ten minutes had changed everything for her. She finally understood. Being a sub wasn't just about getting an occasional mind-blowing experience. It was about transcending or transforming your perceptions. Maybe the whips and chains were part of it, but they weren't all of it.