Hotsprings 3/6 (MF, FF, d/s, etc.) HOTSPRINGS Chapter 5 It was a rarity. All the employees of Hotsprings Campsite were together at the breakfast table. All that is, except Mel. Big Jake entered the common kitchen looking grim. Fred was the first to see him. His welcoming smile did nothing to ease the set of Big Jake's face. "Morning, Big Jake. How's it going." The others looked around and greeted him. Tom had a mouth full of eggs and merely waved, the women wished him a good morning. He wished it were a good morning, but it wasn't. "I have some bad news. I was supposed to leave today, as you know - actually I must leave. I have meetings scheduled for tomorrow morning. Now this happens." He looked angry. "What happens, Big Jake?" Stacy asked softly, setting down the piece of toast she had in her hand and giving him her full attention. "Mel up and quits. No notice, nothing. So I'm going to have to ask everyone to take up the slack for a day or so until Jennie can find a replacement. Worst possible time. I could have done his job but, as I said, I have to leave. I have no options. Sorry everyone." He breathed out in a long sigh. Why now? "Has he left yet?" It was Kat. "No, he's just packing his things in his car, now." Kat jumped to her feet. "Not to worry, Big Jake, I'll talk him into staying." She turned just before she left the room. "He say why he was leaving?" "Gave me some lame excuse. I didn't believe it for a minute. Why? You know something?" "Yes. He's a little confused. He didn't mean to cause any trouble for you, Big Jake. It's my fault." Big Jake raised his eyebrows. "I should have talked to him last night when I found out about his problem. I was tired and figured it could wait until morning. I was wrong. Sorry. It's really nothing, and he'll be back at work in no time." She left a relieved Big Jake behind and hurried down the stairs. That stupid kid. Kat was angry. She directed her anger at Mel, while realizing that her anger was at herself. She should have talked to him last night. But how in hell could she have known that he'd be so frightened. It didn't make sense. At least he could have waited to find out what the deal was going to be. She had told him she wouldn't tell anyone until after they talked. Mel was just closing the trunk to his car when she caught up with him. Just in time, she thought. "Mel." He spun around as if stung. She could see him swallow, hard. "Where are you off to?" "Away." "Why?" She was curious. "You know why." He looked at her in astonishment. "Actually, Mel, I don't. I thought we were going to have a talk. Running away won't get you anywhere . . ." "It'll get me away from here, from you," he interrupted. "And here is so bad, I'm so bad?" She kept a level gaze up at Mel, who towered above her. "You're a dominatrix," he stated, as if that explained everything. "I see." She didn't. "And that frightens you?" "I'm not going to be whipped and end up with scars all over my back. I'm out of here. You can do what you want about what you know." He was defiant, yet the defiance was based on desperation, Kat realized. At least now she knew what she was dealing with. "Whippings? Scars? Just what did Tom tell you?" He'd pay, she swore, he'd pay. "Tom? Nothing. He just advised me to stay away from you 'cause of what you are. I've read a couple of books, I know what you do." "You know nothing." Kat began laughing, she couldn't help it. "Come with me and I'll explain. We'll take a little walk." "I'm not going anywhere with you. I'm out of here." He began moving for the driver's door. Kat turned cold. "If you leave now, I'll call the police and explain what you've been doing, and charge you with stealing from the campsite. They'll bring you back." "I never took anything." Mel had spun back around. "I know. However, that's what I'll tell them." She let it sink in. "On the other hand, if you come for a walk with me and let me explain things, and after that you still want to go, you can go. I'll do nothing. What's it to be, Mel. You have five seconds to decide before I make my phone call." She turned and started walking towards the office. "Wait." She stopped but did not turn. "I'll go with you." "Good. But first I do have to make a phone call." She grinned at his sudden anxiety. "Upstairs. To let them know you aren't walking out without notice. Even if you decide to leave, you will give Jennie a couple of days to find a replacement, won't you?" "Okay," came the grudging agreement. Kat looked up to the second story window where Big Jake and the others were watching from and gave them the thumbs up sign. "Wait right here, I won't be more than a minute." Kat reached in her robe's pocket and pulled out her passkey and let herself into the office. She got Stacy on the phone and gave her some quick instructions, all the while keeping an eye on Mel who was waiting impatiently outside. All she was wearing was her robe and slippers. There was no time to change. She could lose Mel if she waited too long. She hung up the phone and returned to him. "Let's walk." She started slowly up the boardwalk towards the lunch counter. Mel fell in beside her. Tom had just opened and she waved at him, receiving a wave in return. "Do you believe everything you read?" Kat was wondering how she was going to handle this. Too rough and he'd bolt, too easy and he'd be lost to her - untrainable. "Of course not." "These books, you read, were they novels?" "Yes." "Novels tend to exaggerate things, you know." "Exaggerate." He pounced on her word. "Okay. It's true. Some people are heavily into pain. Some of those like to give it, and some like to receive it. They tend to get together. Some people are into dominance, some into submission . . . ." "Not me." Mel was emphatic. "I'm not into submission at all." "Aren't you?" They rounded the corner, now heading toward the pool. She held up her hand to forestall his reply. "I met you in the laundry yesterday. You were loading the soap dispenser. Why?" Mel was confused by the sudden turn in the conversation. "It's part of my job." "There's Stacy." Kat pointed. Stacy was testing the water of the pool with her toe. She was wearing a rather skimpy blue bikini, with the black choker around her neck. "Do you like her?" "I guess so." The sudden jumps were keeping him off balance. "Come on, Mel, either you like her or you don't. What's to guess about." "I like her. She's okay." "Good. I like her, too." Kat paused as they approached Stacy. "Hi, Stacy, early morning dip?" Stacy's brows came up. Come on Stacy, don't blow it. "Yes, Kat." Good, she was quick. "I thought I'd soak for a bit before opening the office." "Nice suit, Stacy. Looks good on you." "Thank-you, Kat." "Turn around, would you?" Kat gave a sideways glance at Mel who had eyes only for Stacy at the moment. Good. "Yes, it looks real good on you, doesn't it, Mel?" "Yeah, Stacy, real good." "Thanks, guys." Kat took Mel's arm and started walking again. "She has nice skin, don't you think? Come on, let's walk out on the hiking trail, for a bit." They walked out of sight of the pool, among the trees. Kat hoped they wouldn't run into any bears. It was quiet, almost still out here, away from the complex. Quite, quite beautiful. "So, who told you to load the soap dispensers?" "Big Jake, who else?" "So, you do what Big Jake tells you?" "He's the boss, him and Jennie." Mel was wondering where it all was leading. He'd find out, soon enough. "So they give the orders and you obey. How is that different from what Stacy and I do?" Surprise flooded Mel's features. "Yes, that's right. Did you see the choker she's wearing? Good. Well, that shows that she's mine. We made a deal." "That's different. I've been hired. Following orders is part of the job." "So, if I paid Stacy, it would be the same?" Kat kept a straight face at Mel's confusion. It wasn't easy. "Let's take a different tack. What, exactly, are you getting out of this job?" "Money. I get paid." Mel waited for her to say something, but Kat kept quiet. "It's a nice place to work." She nodded encouragingly. "I'll get something to put on a resume and a letter of reference." The more he talked, the deeper he would be digging himself. Kat remained quiet. "And, I guess," he smiled, "I like seeing all the women around the pool." Bingo! "And in the shower?" Kat grinned, lulling him. "And in the shower," Mel had to admit, grinning back. She had him. "Precisely. You are willing to give up certain things for certain privileges. You give up your autonomy to get money, a nice place to work, references, something for your resume AND the opportunity to indulge in your fantasies. If you were so much against submission, you'd be running your own business - no, even businessmen have to do what their customers want. You'd be out, by yourself, prospecting or something. "You and Big Jake made a deal. I'm here to make you a deal as well. You get something out of your deal with Big Jake. He gets something out of it too." She stopped to see how he was taking it, then said slowly and distinctly, "That is how it works." "But . . ." "But nothing." It was her turn to interrupt. "You saw Stacy. How many scars did you see on her back? Come on, answer." "None," he had to admit. "I was trained by a dominatrix." Kat undid her robe, took it off and handed it to him. Mel's eyes opened wide, as he saw her naked. She turned around for him. "Take a good look, Mel. How many scars do you see?" "Only one." He touched her on the back of her shoulder. "Looks like it's from barbed wire." He held her robe out and she put it back on just as some hikers came along the trail. They gave Mel and Kat a strange look as they passed. "That was close," Mel breathed out as they disappeared. "Close?" Kat questioned. "They nearly saw you." "Why should that worry me? I play by my own rules. I want you to play by my rules, too." They were headed back. Mel looked a little unsure, but much more comfortable than when they had started out. "I get something out of it - you. Your obedience. You get something out of it, too. First, you keep your job and all that it means to you. Next, you get to keep your little supply room window." Mel looked at her, trying to decide whether it was worth it. "And punishment?" he asked. Joy leapt up within her. She had him all right. "Displease me and there will be punishment, no doubt about it. But nothing you can't take, and no scars - ever." They were approaching the pool again. Stacy was still there, sitting on the side, dangling her legs in the hot water. "There will be things I ask you to do, which you won't like, but you will do them." He looked a little troubled. "Please me, though, and there will be rewards. Rewards that you've only dreamed of." They stopped. "You will stay until you can be replaced, should you decide not to take me up on my offer and feel you can't stay around here?" "Yes, Kat, I will." Kat walked over to Stacy's robe, which lay on a chair and pulled something from the pocket. "Mel," she said, "that pleases me. I know you are not yet mine, still I wish to show you what pleasing me can do for you." She opened up the supply room door and motioned him in. At her request he 'opened' up his window. She pulled down the chair and placed it where it had been previously. She bade him sit. "Stacy will be there, shortly, to take a shower." "But she'll go up to her room." Mel was confused. "I told you, she's mine. She'll obey. Instructions were given over the phone. If I took what I took from her pocket she was to take a shower in that stall. She knows nothing about this, nothing about you. I told her to put on a show. It'll be interesting to see if she obeys when she thinks no one can see." Kat grinned to herself. She would obey. Stacy was caught, just as Mel would soon be. They went in of their own free will, not realizing how addictive it could be. Kat pulled a choker out of her pocket. It was identical to Stacy's. She placed it next to the tissue box. Mel looked down at it. "If you agree to our deal, be wearing this the next time I see you. I will then be Mistress Kathryn to you. Do you understand." Mel nodded. "If you don't agree, return it to me. You may still keep your job, and I will be silent about this sideline of yours, but the wall will be repaired. Any complaints against you will result in dismissal. Do you understand?" He nodded again. "Once you put it on, there is no going back. Return it to me after that and you will have to leave. Do you understand?" Her voice was very cold and demanding. He nodded again. "Good." "Kat?" "Yes?" "About that scar of yours . . ." "You were right," she grinned, "barbed wire. I tried to crawl under it. These," she hefted her breasts, "had grown a little to large for it to be a comfortable fit." She laughed and he laughed with her. Stacy appeared in the shower stall. "One last thing before I leave. You will be the judge of Stacy's performance. If she does not please you, tell me and she will be punished. After that she will repeat the show for you until you are satisfied. That is the case whether or not you agree to my deal." She opened the door to leave. "Oh, yes . . . please me enough and I might even be persuaded to take a shower in that stall. Please me more and you will do more than simply watch. Do you understand?" Kat left before he could reply. She was sure he understood. And Stacy would have a hard taskmaster to please. It would be a good test. Stacy was very confused. Her instructions were to take a shower in this particular stall. Okay, she could handle that. It seemed straight forward enough. She had known better than to inquire about the purpose - that would lead to punishment, she was sure. Mistress Kathryn hadn't punished her yet, and she was hoping to put off that 'pleasure' for as long as possible, so she had agreed. The purpose of the shower was, Mistress Kathryn then told her, to aid her in losing her inhibitions. She was to imagine that her reflection in the mirror was a lover, watching her, and to put on a show for that lover, to entrance that lover. She was to do it in the change room shower to add that spice of danger. Someone could come in for an early morning dip. Someone could catch her. It was a test. She was not to interrupt her seduction of her mirror image for anything. She was not to lock the shower stall door, she was to ignore any intrusion. Her attention must be solely on pleasing her lover. No one could see in, so no one would be able to tell whether or not she obeyed Mistress Kathryn's instructions. She felt a little silly as she set her towel down on the counter top. She looked herself in the eyes and stuck her tongue out at herself. Seduce herself? That was a very strange order. Help her to lose her inhibitions? How? Perhaps she should just leave and tell Mistress that she had done it. Lie? Lie to Mistress Kathryn? She shivered. That didn't seem wise. No, not wise at all. She replaced the towel which she had picked up and turned back from the door. She sat down at the counter and looked at herself in the mirror. She couldn't do this thing. She couldn't not do this thing. What was she to do? To her great dismay she could feel the tears beginning to well up. Her vision blurred. No, she couldn't cry - could she? Why had Kat, Mistress Kathryn, given her these orders? Why? Because Mistress Kathryn was her Mistress and could give her any orders, that's why, you ninny, she told herself. Mistress Kathryn knew what she was doing. Look at how she had handled Tom and Big Jake. The power which had enveloped her like an aura, making her small body seem ten feet tall, was not something that Stacy wished to face. It had been glorious as it had moved to protect her - to face up to it . . . . No. She had to obey Mistress Kathryn. Stacy swallowed and took off her robe, hanging it on a hook. Her bikini followed. There was no grace, no sensuality to her movements, on the contrary, she moved like an automaton. She stifled a sob and brushed a few stray hairs away from her eyes. Blue eyes watched blue eyes. Her reflection seemed to speak to her, showing her the unattractiveness of her body. Her breasts were too large. A cow, they had called her in high school. The first boy who had made his way past her bra had looked at her breasts and said, 'It's milking time,' totally destroying the moment for her. Her ass was too big, too. Plump, she liked to think of it. Ha. It was fat. She had a fat ass. Comments had been made about that also. And why couldn't she have nice sculpted features like Mistress Kathryn. Instead she had been cursed with an oval face. Where was the beauty there? Take a shower, calm down, an inner voice seemed to say. It was good advice and she turned and almost stumbled toward the shower. The hot spray hit her and she turned to warm her whole body under the jets of water. The water felt good but she felt miserable. How was she to obey when she felt so down. She looked back to the mirror. Distance and the steam from the hot water blurred her features. Good. She didn't want to see them anyway. Nobody really liked them. They were just curiosities. All the men wanted to do was get in her pants, paw her breasts. All of them. No, not all of them. Not Fred. He had never looked at her that way. In fact he always seemed happy to see her, happy that she was around. And when she smiled back at him, he lit up. He made her feel good. Stacy, with her back to the hot shower, began to undulate from side to side under the spray. Her eyes were mere slits, open only enough for her to maintain her balance. The spray warmed her neck and washed across her shoulders as she moved back and forth. She crossed her arms in front of her, placing her hands on opposite shoulders and added a turning motion to her torso such that the hot water sprayed across one shoulder and over one breast than across her back and to the other. The water was so warm and wonderful that she became very relaxed. It felt so good. Opening her eyes she noted, to her vast surprise, that the woman in the mirror was moving in a very sensuous manner. She looked good - she looked, well, sexy. Interested now, Stacy began experimenting with her motion, and to her joy realized that she was indeed a very sexy woman. Rather than focusing on one part of her body, the steam caused her to see the whole - perhaps for the first time. And as a whole, she was very good looking. Her body parts fit well together. True, her rear might be a little plump, but it balanced her large breasts. Altogether she was quite a wonderful package. Why had she never seen it before? And if Mistress Kathryn hadn't ordered her here, she might never have seen it! Stacy grasped the shampoo and squirted some on her hand then began massaging it into her scalp. That felt good, too. She watched herself in the mirror. The woman she saw, whose arms were raised, hands in her hair, looked stunning. What would Fred think of that picture? He'd never laugh, that was sure, not even if she made a fool out of herself. He was such a nice man. He'd be warm and understanding. Yes, she'd put on a show for Fred. He would appreciate it, her. She turned sideways to the mirror, looking appreciatively at her profile. Very nice. She hefted her breast in her hand. It had a nice weight to it. She turned again to face the mirror and backed into the shower spray, allowing the suds from the shampoo to come cascading down over her shoulders, breasts, belly and legs. Stacy widened her stance and watched as the suds were directed down between her legs, catching in her pubic hair, then dripping down to the shower floor. She grabbed her shower gel and began lathering up with vigor. Soon her whole body was covered with lather. Her hands ran down over her breasts, sides, emphasizing her figure. She winked at the mirror image and received a wink in return. It was such a silly thing, and she felt silly, but sensuously silly and her lips parted in a wicked grin. She hefted her breasts again, an inquiring look on her face, then nodded as if her question was answered. Her fingers traced ever narrowing circles on her breasts until they circled and rubbed the stiffening nipples. God, that felt good, and the mirror echoed the joy. Sudden inspiration. The chair. Trailing suds, couldn't be helped, she stepped out of the shower and grabbed the plastic chair, returned with it into the shower and sat, facing the mirror. Shower spray caught her head and back and trickled down her front. She shivered in anticipation. Seduce the mirror? She'd seduce it all right. Wet and slippery fingers danced over wet and slippery skin, sending thrills all through her. She inched forward until she sat on the edge of the chair, then leaned back, smiling lasciviously at her image. Can you see? She opened her legs. Can you see better? Legs opened still further. Now? Yes, now. With the fingers of her left hand she spread her lips, opening herself. Her right forefinger she placed in her mouth and sucked. Such a seductive wench. Have you no shame? No. None. Not any more. Her finger came out of her mouth with a pop and positioned itself at her opened pussy lips. Now? She questioned the mirror. Now. Eyes and mouth opened in shock and dismay. She looked down to see the finger embedded deep within her pussy. Shock and dismay gave way to an open mouthed smile of pleasure. The finger was working its way in and out. Her tongue ran slowly across her upper teeth, then back, just touching, tickling, her lips. Such a lusty lass. She grinned at the mirror. Her hips were beginning to rock, of their own volition, and soft moans began escaping her throat. Eyes closed and head moving in slow languid circles she slipped deeper and deeper into her own private world, her world in front of the mirror, her lover. She jumped a bit as her clit was stroked and let out a gasp. Circling faster, rubbing harder sent fire leaping inside. God, it was good. Her breathing was fast and ragged, moans louder now . . . The door opened and a woman stuck her head inside. "Are you all right?" concern in her voice. Stacy's eyes snapped open, surprised and shocked, but she didn't cease her loving strokes. The strange woman grinned, "Guess you are," and closed the door once more. The intrusion had brought Stacy down a bit from the peak and she had to work hard to regain it. Then, almost without warning, lightning flashed inside, her hips began bucking, her thighs closed, holding the hand still, while the waves of pleasure washed back and forth inside of her. Finally finished, she smiled, a very satisfied smile at the mirror, stood and allowed the shower to wash off any residual soap. As it did she slowly caressed her breasts, bringing herself down gently. Then it was done and she stepped out of the shower to dry. She stepped up close to the mirror and gave her image a light kiss. "Hope you enjoyed it," she spoke out loud, not realizing that behind the mirror Mel mouthed back, 'yes'. Mel sat across from Kat at the desk behind the counter in the office. Kat had just finished with a guest. As soon as the door closed, she returned to her seat. "Well?" "It was great, Kat, just great!" Mel reconsidered. "Well, at first it wasn't. I didn't think she was even going to stay. It looked like she was going to cry or something, but then she kinda went wild." "Went wild?" Kat drew him out. "You know, she got into it. She did a real sexy sort of dance in the shower - it was like she knew I was there and was doing it for me. You're sure she didn't?" "She didn't," Kat confirmed. "Then she did herself, in a chair, in the shower. It was great," Mel enthused. His face was animated. "She didn't even pause when some woman poked her head in to see what all the moaning was about," he added, wonderingly. Kat raised her eyebrows at that. She hadn't expected so much. This boded well for the future. "Then she came all over the place. Wow. It was really something." "And you?" Mel blushed and looked down. "Yeah," he finally said, "I came all over the place, too." "You've come to a decision?" "Oh, yes. She did a good job, she doesn't have to repeat it or anything." "No, about our deal." Mel looked back at his shoes. He chewed on his lip for a moment before looking back up, his gaze was held by the choker sitting on the desk. "Yes, Mistress Kathryn, I've made my decision." Before Kat could say anything, Stacy burst into the room. Her face was aglow, her eyes bright. "I did it, Mistress, I did it! You were right, oh God, how you were right." She ran around the counter and gave Kat a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thank-you Mistress, thank-you." She stood back. "I did it," she repeated. "I know. Mel, here, was just telling me about it." "Mel?" She looked at him hard, realization coming to her as his gaze traveled up and down her body. "You were behind the mirror, weren't you?" Stacy accused him. "You sonofabitch!" "Stacy." She shivered at the ice in Kat's voice. "I put him there. I don't have to explain myself," Kat paused dramatically, "do I?" "No Mistress. I'm sorry, I didn't realize." "I'm sure you didn't. Normally such an outburst would deserve punishment, however, this time, you've pleased me in that Mel has now joined us. You may place the choker around his neck." Realization widened Stacy's eyes as she saw the choker on the desk for the first time. With unsteady hands she took it up, placed it around Mel's neck and snapped it shut. It came to her. It had been her actions which had brought Mel into the fold. She had done it. She had helped the Mistress, and she would get to punish Mel, should the occasion arise. Mistress had promised it. "Thank-you, Mistress Kathryn, for allowing me to be a part of this." Her eyes were glowing. "Okay, Stacy. Now I want you and Mel to go upstairs and fix up the spare room. Just like I told you. When you've finished, you can play a little, if you like. You both deserve a little reward." Mel looked at Kat questioningly. She nodded. "You will find that you have made a good choice - so long as you please me. Now go. Stacy knows what needs be done." The mattresses were laid out on the floor making one large bed about 9 x 6 feet. Stacy looked at the coverings appreciatively. "Mistress Kathryn will be pleased," she decided. "If Mistress is in a good mood, perhaps we will be able to sleep with her." Mel, she noted, could barely keep his eyes off of her. It annoyed her that he had been watching her, seeing her anguish and then her ecstasy. "Well," she asked harshly, "what is it?" Even though it had been Mistress' wish she didn't like the fact that he'd seen her undressed. "You're so beautiful, Stacy." There was reverence in his voice. "I am?" She was slightly taken aback. "Oh, God, yes. When you were in the shower, swaying and turning, with the water washing over those beautiful breasts, I nearly died. I thought I'd gone to heaven. Later, when you were in the chair, I was sure of it . . . ." He broke off as her shove caused him to fall to the mattresses. "I'm sorry if I . . . ." He had to stop for her mouth was over his. Still locked in the kiss, Stacy was frantically unbuttoning his shirt, finding the bronzed skin beneath, running her hands over his chest, his hard abdominal muscles and down under his shorts to the softer regions beyond. Ah, yes, there it was, and growing. Mel made to move, trying to sit up. She shoved him back down. "Mistress said we could play. Now be still. You don't want to get her mad - believe me." She didn't know how much authority she had over Mel but she was willing to take advantage of the ambiguity, and Mel was too recent a convert to know anything. She had him stripped in no time flat. Such a wonderful looking cock, and she was in control of it. Never before had such an opportunity presented itself - she intended to take full advantage, for who knew when it would come again. Stacy tenderly stroked his length, enjoying his confusion and pleasure. He made to speak but she forestalled him with a quick warning look. Dropping her skirt and panties, she straddled him and sat on his stomach. Leaning over, she offered her breasts to him. "You've pleased me," she told him, "so you may suckle at my breasts." The words of Mistress Kathryn had come back to her. It felt so good, this power over him, poor boy. She cradled his head as he licked and sucked at her breasts, those breasts he found so beautiful. The coals inside were smoldering, ready to burst forth into flames. She was so hot, so wet, so ready. She released his head and all he had time to gasp was a thank you before she had grabbed his cock and positioned it. He looked up in helpless anticipation and her stomach jumped. She loved it, the power. Now she knew what Kat, Mistress Kathryn, felt. Now, through her, she too was able to feel it, to have the power. She waited a delicious moment, then sat back, enveloping him. He jerked under her as she gave a little cry. Then she was moving, feeling the pleasure flowing in waves. His hands were on her breasts, such nice hands, fondling, stroking, pinching. With one hand on his chest she steadied herself, with the other she helped herself to her pleasure, this pleasure she was taking from, demanding from, him. His head was back and he was grimacing, his body hard and stiff beneath her. She fingered herself faster and the sparks flew, then she was coming, before him, as she desired. She collapsed on his chest as his hips began to piston like mad, then he, too, was coming. Her head rested on his chest. Warmth and comfort soaked through her. His heart sounded beneath her ear, and she gripped him tightly as over and over he thanked her and told her of her beauty. Chapter 6 "What the hell?" Tom did a classic double take. "Mel, come back here." Damn and blast. That bitch. He should never have agreed to lay off Stacy. Now she had two of them. "What the hell is that thing around your neck?" Mel flushed. "It's a choker," he finally said, in a quiet voice. "I can see that." Disdain filled Tom's voice. He'd have to snap Mel out of this. "Why are you wearing it?" He knew full well why Mel was wearing it. He just wanted Mel, himself, to realize how stupid it looked. Mel looked for a place to hide, a reason to leave, but could find none. "I have to," he swallowed. "Have to? What the hell does that mean? Come on, man, it looks damned silly on you. What's a grown man doing wearing a choker?" It did look silly. "I just have to," Mel's voice was becoming progressively weaker. "You gave in to her," Tom accused him. Mel's head hung. "Well, you don't have to leave it at that, take that stupid thing off. Be a man, for Christ's sake. Do you know what people are going to think when they see you with that on?" Probably nothing. Young people wore the damnedest things, but he wasn't going to tell Mel that. "I can't." Mel was weakening, Tom was sure of it. If he could get Mel back on his side, the bitch'd be handed a setback she wouldn't recover from. Next he'd go after Stacy, full bore. He'd made a strategic error in allowing the bitch to gain the slightest foothold. He would rectify that. Hell, what with the face-losing defeats he intended to inflict on her she might even crack. Then the shoe would be on the other foot and he'd have her. Yeah, it'd be something, stripping her pride, and her clothes, from her. He'd put her panties in a special place of honor, just to show her how she'd been humbled. "Sure you can, Mel. It's simple. You just reach up and unsnap it." He was the voice of reason. "But she knows things . . . " "Look, Mel. The only power she has is what you give her. Give her nothing and she has nothing. If she has something on you, don't worry, she won't use it. That would defeat her purpose. She'd never get you then." Mel was nodding slowly. "All you have to do is stand up to her - like a man. She's on her way out. I'm going to stop her stupid games. Understand?" Uncertainty washed over Mel's face. "It looks damned stupid, Mel. Take it off." Mel's hand reached up and he pulled the choker from his neck. "Good decision, Mel." Mel wondered about that. Decisions were a pain. That was Mel's assessment as he washed down the patio around the pool. Decisions were a pain and, unfortunately, he had one to make. Tom or Kat. Tom had been friendly to him since he'd arrived. He'd made him feel welcome. When he'd picked up Donna, Tom had even opened up the lunch counter for just the two of them and cooked them a special late night meal. Yes, Tom had been good to him. He was almost a father figure, not the kind of father he actually had, but more the kind of father Mel wished that he'd had. It was hard to say no to Tom. Kat, on the other hand, was exotic. He'd never seen anyone quite like her. Beautiful, yet strong. Had it not been for Tom's warning, Mel would have loved just being near her. Even now, she exerted a strange pull on him. After all, she accepted his voyeurism, even aided him. What would Tom have thought about that? Above that, it was through Kat that he and Stacy had ended up in bed together. Tom had been after Stacy, he knew, and he'd never have gone along with that. Decisions. Shit. Life would be simpler if you didn't have to make them. "Mel." Oh, God. It's her. Kat was not pleased. Stacy had come to her with the information that Mel's neck was bare. It was bad enough that he'd taken off the choker; it was worse that Stacy had been the one to see and report it. Mel was in the earliest stages of his training, not yet committed. If she came down too harshly he'd be gone, yet if she came down on him too softly, the damage done to Stacy's belief in Kat's mastery could be irreparable. She spotted Mel pushing water off the patio with a push broom. Damn. Stacy was correct. Holding herself stiffly upright, she approached. Her eyes were cold flames. "Mel." He jerked around, his eyes finding hers then lowering. He knew! He knew, and thus it was no accident that the choker was off. Was he trying to test her? She hardly believed that, though it was possible. More likely he was either embarrassed about wearing it, or someone had been talking to him, and Kat figured she knew who that someone was. "Mel. Come with me." She turned and stalked off, never once checking to see if he was following her. At this point she could not afford the slightest sign of weakness. He'd follow, if only to see what she was about to do. Although she had been sure he'd follow, it was a relief to hear his steps echoing behind her as she led him to the office where Stacy waited. She'd have preferred doing this in private, but that was no longer an option. However, it would be an object lesson for Stacy, as well, so she couldn't complain too much. Mel followed her to the inner office, past Stacy, whose eyes were bright with excitement. She was enjoying this too much. Kat decided she'd have to rethink her plans for Stacy. "Sit down." Her tone was hard. It was an order. "I prefer standing." Mel was trying to be strong, but the slight quaver in his voice betrayed him to Kat's trained ears. "Sit down." Each word was spoken distinctly. "You have no idea how little your preferences mean to me." Her eyes burned holes into his. He sat. She now had the height advantage and he had to look up at her. "We have a deal." Have, not had, he caught the inference. "You mess up, I punish. You messed up. You may explain if you feel it will do any good." "You mean about the choker?" Mel was fighting for time. "Don't play games with me, Mel. They'll only get you in deeper." She looked down at him with contempt. He shuddered involuntarily. Good. "I forgot. I'm new at this sort of thing." It was a lie and she knew it was a lie. She'd teach him about lying. "Ah, you forgot." She appeared to soften. "Mel," she asked kindly, "do you know why I asked you to wear that choker?" He looked at her blankly. "Because it is a symbol of our deal. It is meant to remind you, at all times, of our agreement." It was to remind him of his servitude, but that was a little harsh at this tender stage. "If you forget to wear it, if it is so forgettable, how is it that you will remember our deal?" Mel made to speak. Kat waved him to silence. "Perhaps you find such a visible symbol embarrassing?" His guilty start confirmed this. "Ah, I see. Well, fortunately I find that I can accommodate you." She turned toward the door. "Stacy." Stacy appeared as if by magic. She brought with her the small leather case which Kat had entrusted to her and handed it to Mel, as instructed. "What's this?" Mel was worried. "Something that you'll find more private, yet less easy to forget. Open it." Mel opened the case. His eyes widened in horror. Inside were four butt plugs, each one slightly longer and thicker than the previous one. The smallest would penetrate two inches, the largest, five. The portion which remained outside of the body was tapered, such that every time the wearer sat down he would be further stretched. Again, the taper, as well as the protruding length, varied from plug to plug. Mel was shaking his head. "No. I won't wear one. You won't expose me and get me fired. If you do, you'll have lost me." Tom had been talking to him. He'd never have come upon that argument himself, he had been much too frightened. Still, it showed Kat two things. One, Tom was involved; two, Mel had not told Tom what she had on him. Had he done so, Tom would have simply had him go along with Kat for a short time while he repaired the 'window'. Kat simply waited, a sardonic smile playing about her lips. She gave Mel time to stew, to wonder what she would do. It was working, she noted, as sweat began to break out on his brow. "An interesting theory. Not your own, of course, yet interesting nonetheless. What it doesn't take into account, of course, is that if you decide to return my choker to me, then I will have, as you put it, 'lost' you anyway. At that point what difference will it make if you are here or not?" Kat paused to let that sink in. Mel's eyes widened at the thought. "And," she smiled coldly, "if you are gone then I will have a chance at your replacement, not so? So, what do I gain by not getting rid of you?" He was really sweating now. It was time to give him a break, show him the way out. "This is all hypothetical, of course, since you have not returned my choker to me. And while it is true that you have displeased me, your transgression is a relatively minor one which would, in any case, not require your leaving." She could see the hope appear in his eyes. It's not *that* easy buddy. "And with the range of reprisals I have at my command, why would I use the ultimate one?" The hope was replaced by caution. "Reprisals?" "Well, I could accidentally 'find' your window and show it to Jennie. We'd have no idea, of course, when it had been established, but we'd have to have it repaired. I understand you and Stacy had some fun. That could be severely restricted. In fact I could order you to have nothing to do with each other at all. I understand, further, that Tom has been after Stacy for some time. She could go to him and tell him to lay off her, for she has you. That would make you popular with him, wouldn't it." He was sweating once more. "Of course then there are all the other ones." She stopped abruptly. "Other ones?" He wanted to know the full range of possibilities. She almost laughed. It had been so predictable what he'd do. "Other ones. Continue your disobedience and you'll find out about them soon enough. Trust me, you don't want to." He shuddered, his imagination working at things she'd eventually discover, but as of yet knew nothing. "Be aware of this. Tom and I are engaged in a sort of a war. I will win it." She was supremely confident for the benefit of her two subjects. "Now you have to decide which side you wish to be on. The winning side or the losing side. "I've given you enough time. You have five seconds to decide before I decide for you." There was no question. "I'll wear it," declared Mel after a short pause. What else could he do? "Stand up." It was a command. Mel stood. "Stacy, take down his pants and underwear." Stacy moved to obey. Mel made to speak but Kat's cold stare stopped him before he started. He'd better just obey and question nothing. He could feel his face flush as Stacy roughly pulled his shorts then his undershorts down. He wished they'd close the door, even though no one could see him from the outside. "Pick the plug of your choice and ask Stacy to lube and insert it. He picked the smallest one out of the box and handed it to Stacy. "Please lube this and insert it, Stacy." God, that was hard to say. "Are you sure?" asked Kat. "Yes, Kat, I'm sure." She frowned, why? "Then tell her where you want it." "Please put the lubed plug in my ass, Stacy." Stacy grinned a wicked grin. She was enjoying his predicament, enjoying her part in it. How'd he get himself into this. "Spread your legs and bend over the desk." God, it was humiliating. Still, he had no choice. He stepped out of his clothes and obeyed, glad that he no longer had to look at Kat. "Look at me." He looked up into Kat's eyes. The plug was at his anus. Kat gave a nod and Stacy shoved, hard and fast. He gave a little yelp. It was in. He made to stand up, however a warning look from Kat kept him in his position. "You've been very forgetful, Mel." He was chagrined. "I'm sorry Mistress Kathryn." "Ah, you remember. Unfortunately you remembered a little late. We'll have to do something about that." She opened a desk drawer and pulled out a small paddle. He closed his eyes. "Two on each cheek, I think. You will ask for each one by counting it before it lands. Understand?" He understood only too well. "Yes, Mistress Kathryn." Kat tossed the paddle to Stacy who caught it with glee. She would enjoy this. Too bad it was only four strokes. She raised the paddle, waiting for Mel to call out for the first one. He deserved this and she was going to give it to him, but good. "Stacy." She looked up. "Yes, Mistress Kathryn?" The paddle came down. "Too soft and I'll have to replace you on the paddle." Stacy grinned. There was no way it would be too soft. "Too hard and your positions will be reversed." Her grin faded. Now she was unsure. How hard would Mistress Kathryn consider to be 'too hard'? Better to err on the side of caution, better to have Mistress Kathryn replace her than Mel to have a chance at her rear. She raised the paddle again. "I've changed my mind." Stacy froze at Kat's words. "Give him the four. If any are too soft I'll administer extra to make up for them later - on you. Here's your chance to give Mel a break - take his swats for him." Stacy's hand trembled. She had to please Mistress Kathryn, for her own sake, yet knew not how to do it. She was in a quandary. She certainly didn't want to take any of Mel's strokes for him, nor did she want him repaying her for any which were too hard. "One." She hesitated, her eyes desperate. A few seconds of indecision then her arm moved and Mel jerked beneath her blow. His cheek slowly started to redden. It was his turn to hesitate. After a few seconds, Mel decided to get it over with and called out two, three and four in rapid succession. On three, when the paddle came into contact with his already reddened cheek, he gave a gasp, enough of a gasp that Stacy unconsciously eased off on the fourth stroke. "It appears you liked that," Kat told Mel. Curious, Stacy moved around behind the desk to find that Mel was hard. She grinned at his pained embarrassment. She handed the paddle back to Kat, waiting for Kat's pronouncement. She swallowed hard when it came. "Beside him," Kat ordered, "and flip up your skirt." Stacy took her place, bent over and flipped up her skirt to give Kat a clear shot at her rear. She didn't have to be told to lower her panties. She squeezed her eyes closed then gasped as the crack of the paddle against her bottom was followed by a burning sensation. One blow and it was over. "That was for your hesitation," Kat told her. "You are doing too much thinking. Just obey. Your fourth blow was a little light, but still okay. "Mel, you will wear the plug at all times during the day. You may take it out at night. You will be checked by both Stacy and myself to ensure compliance. At the end of a week you may choose to continue to wear it or to wear the choker. Now, both of you, get back to work." "Good morning, Kathy," Jennie came into the office with a curious look on her face. She had just seen Mel and Stacy coming out, both red of face. She closed the door for privacy. "What was that all about?" Kat looked up and smiled hello. "Just a slight discipline problem. It's all looked after now." "Discipline problem?" Jennie raised her eyebrows. "Sounds like something I should know about." "It's really very minor and I wouldn't want to waste your time. Besides, some things are best solved at a lower level. You know what I mean." Jennie didn't and was about to investigate further when Kat distracted her. "However, there is something I'd like to talk to you about. It *is* important." "Oh?" Jennie seated herself opposite Kat. With Jake now gone she had to take over and deal with all the problems. It would be good experience for her. "Do you and Jake skim the till?" Jennie was taken aback that Kat would ask such a question so openly - and expect an answer. "What would make you think that?" Jennie needed time to compose herself. "Mrs. Saunders, I'm not a fool. I've worked with other small businesses and I know what goes on. If it makes you feel any easier, I really don't care. The tax people can take a flying leap as far as I am concerned. You, however, are my employer, you and Big Jake, and I am concerned about you." Jennie thought about it for a moment, wondering how far she could trust Kat. "Off the record, as they say, yes, we do. Why do you want to know? You want a raise under the table?" Kat smiled. "Nothing like that. I just don't want to see you get in trouble." "How could we get in trouble. Outside of you, now, no one knows." "With respect, Mrs. Saunders, if I can find it inside of a day, without really looking for it, anyone can find it." "What!" Jennie was shocked. "No one can 'find it'." Now Kat was taken aback. Jennie was no babe in the woods. If she felt what they were doing was untraceable, chances were it was at least well hidden. Something funny was going on. "Please, Mrs. Saunders, Jennie, bear with me. How do you go about it?" "It's simple. Very often people come to the campsite after we close the office. In the morning they come in and pay and I simply don't write up a slip for them - if they are only staying the one night. That and some coin from the laundry adds up to about one hundred dollars a week. There are no records, so there is nothing to find. Add to that we don't charge ourselves for meals from the lunch counter, and sometimes 'borrow' foodstuffs and it still doesn't add up to anything major, nor are there any records there to be found." Jennie was curious now. "So just what do you think you have found?" I've just finished setting up a computer program to keep track of the bookkeeping. To check it out I've loaded in the information from the last two months. From this, and from the rough look I've taken at the last year, I've concluded that about four or five hundred dollars a month is getting 'lost' somewhere. Here, I'll show you." Jennie had already come around the desk to stand, looking over Kat's shoulder. Thirty minutes later she was in a towering rage. No one who didn't know her well would be able to tell. Those who did would tread lightly around her, very lightly. "Kathy," Jennie was at the door, preparing to leave. "Yes?" "I want you to keep digging. Find out how far this goes back and where the money is going - if you can." "Okay, Jennie." Jennie was still at the door. "Is there anything else?" "Just do what you were brought here to do." Without looking back, Jennie opened the door and left. "Stacy!" "Yes, Mistress Kathryn?" Stacy was at the door in record time. "Tell me everything you know or suspect about Big Jake. Leave out nothing. Then we have a job to do here." Stacy looked surprised for a moment then came into the office and sat down. "Well, first of all . . . " Tom looked forward to dinner in the common room that night. He was interested in what kind of mood The Bitch would be in after her loss of Mel. It would also be a good time to start in on his plans for Stacy. He wouldn't give The Bitch any breathing room at all. He finished shaving - he would look his best for dinner, he had decided - put on a new shirt and headed for the dining room. It being Sunday, the Lunch Bar was already closed and all of them would be there. Fred was sitting in the common room and Tom smiled and waved at him. "What's up, Tom? You look particularly happy tonight." "Going to be a good night, Fred. I'm through pussyfooting around The Bitch. She's been acting too uppity lately and I'm about to take her down a peg. Come on in and join the fun." Tom grinned as he thought of the evening to come. Fred raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure you want to do this?" "Damn straight." The Bitch and the Pussy were sitting at the table while Mel was dishing out some chili from a pot on the stove. It was with annoyance that Tom noted he was making plates for the three of them. Didn't he know any better than to do anything for the Bitch? He dished up food for himself then turned to look at Kat and Stacy. They were watching him, almost warily, he thought. So, they were seeing the beginning of the end already. He smiled an unpleasant smile. "And how are we all doing tonight?" he asked. "Fine, Tom, and yourself?" Kat answered. "Good, really good. And how is your pet?" He patted Stacy on the head as he walked by and took his place. "Is the little pussy feeling fine, too?" Stacy made to reply, but Kat waved her to silence. "That's right, listen to your mistress, Pussy. It's good that you've learned to obey. I'll like it when it's me you're obeying." He spooned some of the hot chili into his mouth and sat back to await a response. Mel set down the chili and toast in front of Stacy and Kat, then sat down himself. He lowered himself carefully and grimaced as the chair took his weight. Tom wondered what that was all about. "Hurt yourself, Mel?" Mel blushed and lowered his eyes. "Mel, what's going on?" Tom was becoming suspicious. "Go ahead and tell him, Mel," Kat ordered. Mel flushed furiously, yet was forced to comply. "I'm wearing a butt plug. It's, ah, uncomfortable when I sit down." He refused to look up. "A what?" Tom was astounded. "Why in hell would you be doing a crazy thing like that?" The question was unnecessary, Tom was sure he already knew. He saw his glorious evening going down in flames. "Answer him, Mel." Kat was faintly amused. "It's instead of the choker, Tom," Mel's voice was barely perceptible. "You stupid sonuvabitch!" Tom was raging mad. "Go take that damned thing out." He'd risen to his feet without being aware of it. Stacy was a little frightened and looked to Kat, who was sitting with a small smile playing across her lips, and was relieved. "I can't." "And why in hell not?" "Mistress Kathryn won't allow it." He hung his head. "Mistress Kathryn won't allow it," Tom mimicked cruelly, then sat down abruptly, shaking his head. "Now, Tom. No need to be hard on the boy. He's just doing what's in his best interest. Besides what's wrong with wearing a butt plug?" Kat grinned at him. "What's wrong . . ." Tom sputtered. "Exactly. You'd probably find it very stimulating, yourself." "Me?" Tom was outraged. Fred was having a hard time keeping a straight face and Tom shot him a dark look. Fred looked down at his plate and busied himself with his chili. "Yes, you," Kat replied. "I have a nice one that I'd be more than happy to let you try out." Her voice was calm, in counterpoint to Tom's. Tom was incredulous. "You'd what?" He realized that she was baiting him and abruptly calmed himself. "There's no way in hell I'd wear one of those. Not for you, not for anyone," he snarled. "Not even for Stacy?" Everyone's head turned to regard Kat, wondering what this new tactic was. Stacy was aghast. She knew what Kat had in mind, but hadn't quite believed it would come to this - and especially not so soon. She was beginning to have second thoughts about the whole process. After all, wasn't it this that she had been trying to avoid when she took up Kat's offer of protection? Fred, also, believed he knew what was coming and he leaned forward slightly, intensely interested. This summer was certainly taking an unexpected turn for him. Tom sobered and his eyes narrowed. He wondered how far this would go and if he could take advantage of it. He tried to look through Kat's eyes to what lay beneath. Kat merely gazed serenely back at Tom. Perhaps this would be the ploy which got him. She trusted him not a whit, yet was not concerned, for she felt she was prepared for his most probable course of action. "Just what do you mean?" Tom asked quietly. "It's simple. I think you will like wearing my toy. We make a little deal. You've always wanted Stacy, well here's your chance. You get Stacy for three hours - she'll do whatever you ask of her - and you wear my toy for three days. Seems fair to me." Kat paused to let him consider the implications of her offer. "Stacy, go to your room. You know what to do." Kat smiled encouragingly at Stacy. "Yes, Mistress Kathryn," she whispered and obeyed, her body moving in small jerks as if it and her mind were at war with each other. "Well, Tom, Stacy has gone to her room and is waiting for you. If you enter her room wearing this," she tossed a leather belt onto the table, "she will be your willing slave for the next three hours." Tom looked at the belt. It was thicker than a normal belt, with devices on it for fastening items to, he suspected. If he put it on he could have Stacy. Later he could simply take it off or, if what he suspected was true and it needed a key to remove, cut it off. He licked his lips. If he took Stacy and then refused to pay up, Stacy and Mel would lose confidence in the Bitch and he would win after all. Even if they didn't, he would have had a willing Stacy - something he'd been after for quite some time. Still, it was risky. It was always dangerous to play another's game. Would she suspect him of the intention to cheat and be prepared in some way? Probably. However, it would be a cold day in hell the day he let someone like her outmaneuver him. Kat stood. "I'll leave you to decide." She turned and left. Tom looked at Fred. "What do you think?" "Why ask me, Tom? Remember what you said about staying away from her?" He paused to let it sink in, while Tom's gaze was drawn to the belt. "It's your decision."