COMPLETED | Take Me Down The Rabbit Hole (BDSM | 18+)

XXV

"Aspen," Thea greeted him at the door. "Right on time." 
"Mistress," Aspen greeted, cleaning his shoes off on the doormat and bowing his head in greeting. "Shall I take my shoes off?" 
"Yes," she confirmed, and stepped aside, letting him into her apartment. "Put your jacket away, too." 
Aspen obliged and followed her into the open-space living room, which was separated from the kitchen with a wall that had an arch for a doorway. It looked incredibly spacious, and it smelled like baked goods - caramelized sugar and vanilla extract to be exact. 
"Please, have a seat. Since this is our first meeting in my apartment, I don't expect you to keep up with the usual protocol." 
She gestured to one of the two couches and Aspen sat. 
Thea poured them water from a pitcher on the table and sat opposite him. "So," she said, taking a sip and leaning back. "You'll be spending the weekends with me, but beyond that, you are welcome whenever. I expect you to text me before you leave Alan's apartment, though."
Aspen nodded. 
"And when you do turn up, don't expect to get my attention right away, Pet. I'm a busy woman, and I do not need a whiny submissive taking up space in my apartment. If you whine, I'm putting you in a box and locking you in the closet," she added, regarding him from her position on the other side of the large coffee table.
Aspen stared at Thea. "Mistress, are you-" Aspen started, but Thea interrupted him with a laugh. 
"You looked positively horrified there," she chuckled. "Relax, Pet. Locking people in closets is my brother's specialty."
For a split second, Aspen had relaxed, but her addition made him tense up again. 
"Oh, come on, Pet," Thea teased him. "Don't be scared. I'm just messing with you."
This time, Aspen exhaled. "Has Master Leo actually locked someone in a closet before?"
Thea drank more of her water. "Oh, Pet," she tutted. "Of course he has. But he won't do that to you, because I won't let him touch you unless I want him to, and I wouldn't lock you in any closets either. If you do well, I'll reward you, and I'll be pleased." She smiled at him. "Look at me, Aspen," she commanded softly, causing Aspen to tear his eyes from the spot over her head - a random piece of black and white art with red accents here and there - and focus on her instead. 
"I believe that you've received excellent training from your Master already, and you needn't be worried about any punishments any time soon. I have high expectations, yes, but those are more about your obedience rather than your performance in the bedroom if you will. This is new for you, and I'm fully prepared to handle any and all slip-ups in a  manner that won't scar you emotionally."
"I appreciate that," Aspen said softly. He'd been so excited to submit to someone who'd actually touch him and fuck him, but Thea's comments about Master Leo had put him - figuratively - at the edge of his seat, and he didn't know how to feel about that. 
"Good boy," Thea mumbled. "Has Alan told you what I expect from a submissive?" 
"He mentioned a lot of domestic services," Aspen said softly, and Thea chuckled. 
"Yes. You will deliver outstanding orders to my clients and clean up my kitchen for me every day after I'm done baking. Do you cook, Aspen?" 
"I do." 
"That, too, then."
Aspen nodded.
"You'll have your own bedroom for privacy, scenes happen mostly in the playroom, and my bedroom is off-limits at all times." 
"Yes, Ma'am."
Thea hummed. "You do seem to want to follow protocol already, so let's get into that, shall we?"
Aspen blushed, but he straightened in his seat. "Lay it on me," he mumbled, causing Thea to laugh. 
"Well, we've already discussed the domestic acts of service that will be part of the protocol. As you know, Ma'am and Mistress are acceptable forms of address, and I expect you to text me before you get to my apartment every weekend, If I send you a shopping list, I expect the shopping to be done before you get here. You are permitted to be fully clothed in my apartment unless I specify otherwise. In case I do have to punish you, the punishment will be in accordance with the act of disobedience, but primarily of sexual nature since there is little influence I actually have over your life." Thea looked over at him after she'd finished her little monologue. "Any questions, pet?"
Aspen was about to tell her, no, but instead, he blurted out, "Are you going to teach me how to bake cupcakes, Mistress?"
"Would you like to learn, pet?" Thea asked back, and Aspen noticed that she'd edged forward in her seat, looking at him intently. 
"Yeah." Aspen nodded. "I'd love to learn, Mistress."
"Good boy. I'll see what I can do about that for you, then, But if you touch my clients' cakes without my permission, you are getting punished. I think we'll start with the 'watch and learn' method, no? That was you can keep me some company." She smiled. "Speaking of that," she added, getting up. "Come with me."
Aspen rose to his feet as well and followed her to the kitchen, but Thea stopped next to the door and gestured to a hook in the wall. "This will be your spot, Aspen," she said softly. "I'll keep you close by while I'm busy, but that doesn't mean I won't play with you while I'm working."
Aspen looked at the hook. "Is that for-" he started, nervously licking his lips.
"A leash?" Thea questioned, confirming his suspicion instantly. "Yes. Would be a shame if I was trying to enjoy your company while all you do is try to get away. I like leashes, Aspen, and I will use them frequently. I'll put some cushions here for you to kneel on so you'll be comfortable while you kneel for me. Doesn't that sound nice?" 
To Aspen's surprise, it did. 
"Yes, Ma'am," he mumbled, his cheeks flushing.