Free Ashley's Bend by Cassy Roop

pleasure in the bedroom, Ashley.” I blushed crimson. He was talking about pleasure and pain right here within earshot of all my customers.
    “Do not be embarrassed by my words, Ashley. That is why I stopped by. There will be a package delivered to your apartment tomorrow afternoon with instructions. Follow them. A car will be by to pick you up at five-thirty. Do you have to work this weekend?”
    What? A package? Instructions? He was firing off information to me and my head was spinning.
    “Um, no. I took this weekend off.”
    “Good. No distractions for your first few sessions every weekend for the next six weeks. If money is an issue, you can be given assignments at the club for pay.”
    Was he serious? Take off every weekend for the next six weeks? And assignments? What kind of assignments?
    “I...I…” I stuttered. I was at a loss for words. He saw my discomfort and realization kicked in. He chuckled
    “Not, those kinds of assignments, Ashley. Jobs like you are doing now, serving, bartending, and etcetera.”
    I relaxed at his elaboration on assignments. I was not a whore, and I would not do things to become one. I had more self-respect for myself than to do that.
    Dominic stood up from the bar stool and leaned across the bar towards me. He lifted his non injured hand and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind my ear before he caressed my cheek. I nearly melted into his touch as an electric charge sang through my body. I felt it all the way down to my core.
    “Be ready, Ashley. Follow the directions in the package tomorrow. I will know if you don’t,” he said and he turned around to leave. I watched his backside as he walked away. What a backside it was! His dark wash jeans hung low on his hips and hugged his ass in all the right ways. I could see the muscles in his back ripple beneath his tight grey shirt. How in the world was I going to survive?
     
    Later that evening, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling. What the hell was I doing? Submissive training? I’m not submissive am I? Was this the world that I wanted to acquaint myself with? The last few months with Jared had been some of the darkest of my life. His constant rejections and absence from our marriage left me feeling vulnerable and squandered. Was I permitting myself to the same dark emotions by joining the club?
    All I knew was I wanted to be closer to Dominic. If it weren’t for him and the feelings that I underwent every time he was close to me, I would never have consented. I did say I wanted to live, to experience new things. I had been lost in someone else’s identity for so long, I was ready to break out and find out who I was. The only way I was going to be able to do that was by experiencing new things and going outside my comfort zone.
    I remembered Dominic’s orders to follow instructions for the package I was to receive. I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous apprehension for his plans. At the same time, though I was excited to not know what was to become of all of it. My eyes started to grow heavy and I rolled over to my side and hugged my pillow. Tomorrow, I would start my new life. Tomorrow, I would subject myself to the world that was more than I had ever had the opportunity to experience. My eyes fluttered closed and I was lost to sleep. I couldn’t help but dream about dark hair and eyes like chocolate.

     
    I woke up Friday morning feeling like I didn’t get a wink of sleep. I tossed and turned all night long, alternating from dreams about Dominic to nervous anticipation for what would happen. At least I would have Kelly with me at the club. I feared that I would get there and chicken out before I even set foot in the door.
    I rose out of bed and went about my morning routine of brushing my teeth and showering before sitting down at the table eating breakfast. Kelly went to work super early this morning so that she would be able to attend the club with me . I started reading through the newspaper that Kelly had left