Chapter 21

Kris had been tossing and turning all night, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The darkness of their bedroom seemed to amplify her turmoil, making sleep nearly impossible. She was angry at Jim for introducing her to this path, furious at Doug for pushing her boundaries, and resentful of Ursula for the indignity she had been subjected to. Each thought fueled her restlessness, making her clench her fists and grit her teeth.

As the first light of dawn began to filter through the curtains, Doug stirred in the bed. He opened his eyes and immediately sensed her disquiet. Her body was rigid, and there was a tension in the air that he hadn’t felt before. He propped himself up on one elbow, his deep voice laced with concern. “Good morning, Kris. Did you sleep well?”

Kris snapped back, her voice sharper than she intended. “How could I sleep well with everything that’s been happening?”

Doug was taken aback by her tone. He had hoped a night of reflection would bring Kris to a place of acceptance, or at least understanding. Instead, he saw a defiant glint in her eyes. He realized then that he had been too lenient with her, allowing her to dictate terms in a subtle, manipulative way. She had been topping from the bottom, and he hadn’t noticed until now.

A slow, calculating smile spread across Doug’s face. He knew what needed to be done. Without a word, he reached over to the bedside table and pulled out a set of velvet-lined restraints, the kind he used to keep his partners under control. Kris’s eyes widened as she looked at the binds, her anger momentarily replaced by a flicker of uncertainty.

“Doug, what are you—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Doug had one of her wrists securely strapped into a restraint. He moved efficiently, with the practiced ease of someone who knew exactly what he was doing. Kris tried to pull away, but his strength was overwhelming. He secured her other wrist just as quickly, attaching the restraints to the headboard so that she was forced to lie back, her arms stretched above her head.

“Doug, don’t do this,” Kris pleaded, but there was a note of fear underlying her anger now.

“I think it’s time for you to learn your place, Kris,” Doug replied calmly. “You’ve been trying to control things with me, and that ends now.”

With Kris secured, Doug stood up from the bed. He looked down at her, his gaze both assessing and commanding. “I’m going to leave you here to think about your actions. Reflect on why you’re angry and where your boundaries truly lie. When I come back, I expect a different attitude.”

Kris glared at him, but Doug didn’t flinch. He knew how to handle defiance; it was a part of his nature. Without another word, he left the room, closing the door firmly behind him.

In the bedroom, Kris struggled against her restraints, her anger and frustration mounting. She felt trapped, not just physically but emotionally as well. The quiet that descended after Doug left gave her space to think, and she found herself replaying the events of the past few days.

She thought about Jim’s excited anticipation for their sessions, his willingness to explore new territory despite the discomfort. She remembered Doug’s conviction, his unwavering belief in the power of pleasure through submission. And she thought about Ursula, the indignity of cleaning her, and the undeniable rush of submission that accompanied the act.