Free Learning to Yield (Power Exchange Academy - Submissive Center/Master's School) by Madelene Martin Page B

elbows resting on his knees and fingers laced in front of him.
    Since he was just looking at her, she felt free to admire him for a moment. His broad, prominent cheekbones, his strong jaw. She hadn't seen him up close very often - certainly not this close.
    She noticed stubble on his jaw that hadn't been there yesterday, and could see the color of his eyes. They were pale brown, with flecks of gold, and they stared at her as though trying to read her thoughts, as though he could see right through her.
    "So what do you have to say for yourself?" He asked.
    Ashley thought for a moment, trying to sort through her racing thoughts, to figure out what he wanted her to say.
    "It's an easy question." He said. "Answer me."
    "I didn't know I wasn't supposed to."
    "But you had some idea."
    She thought about it for a second. "Yes, Sir," she admitted, her lower lip trembling. "I suppose I did."
    "And yet you did not ask for permission to come. Did not tell your dom it was about to happen."
    "I'm sorry, Sir." And she really did feel guilty.
    He held up a hand in a gesture of silence. "You will have a chance to apologize properly in a moment."
    She nodded and was silent, wondering what came next with a mixture of dread and anticipation.
    "Did you notice your dom was a bit more forceful in his inspection than the others?"
    Her brow furrowed as she considered this. "No... Sir, I wasn't thinking about anything other than the moment."
    He nodded. "Fair enough. The fact is, you indicated you are a bit of an exhibitionist. This session was intended to push the students' boundaries just a little. So we had to take that into account and go a bit further with you."
    Thinking about it, she could see his point. "I understand."
    "I must say you performed well, despite your inhibitions about your body and your initial reluctance to repeat certain words."
    If it had been possible to blush any more than she already was, Ashley would have done it. She looked down at the floor, her heart swelling at the compliment and a secret smile on her lips. "Thank you, Sir."
    "If you look away from me again," he said mildly, "I will have you blindfolded for your next classes. Believe me when I say it will make things much harder."
    She made herself look at him, forced herself to keep eye contact.
    "Your dom rated you quite well." Mr. Morgan continued mildly. "He enjoyed the way you reacted to the humiliation."
    She nodded.
    "However, that doesn't excuse your infraction. It's something that simply must be made an example of. Do you understand?"
    "Yes, Sir."
    "I'm glad we are in agreement. What do you think I should do about it, then?"
    "Whatever pleases you, Sir." She answered, feeling quite proud of herself for her phrasing.
    He chuckled. "Good answer, but I want to hear your thoughts."
    "I..." Ashley sighed. "I deserve punishment, Sir." She knew it was the answer he wanted to hear. Anyway, perhaps it would be enough to help her have some self-discipline in the future.
    "My thoughts exactly." He sat up, and leaned back in the chair. "Go to the cupboard over there. Since you were honest about your need for punishment, I will let you choose the instrument."
    She was about to get up, but remembered in time that he hadn't instructed her to. So she crawled around his desk to the cupboard up against the wall.
    It was glass-doored, as high as her shoulder while she knelt, and held a rack of hanging instruments of punishment. Her hands started to tremble as she carefully opened the doors.
    There were several canes of different widths, a riding crop - probably the one he'd touched her with yesterday - a leather paddle and a wooden one, along with several things she didn't know the names of. At the bottom was a flogger with leather strings, next to one with what looked like fabric.
    She touched the floggers, one after the other. Both were leather-handled. The strands of the second, on closer inspection, were knotted black silk. Something about it looked sensual, calling to her.