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

XXXVII

"And now," Thea added, kicking her feet up on the couch table, "you look like a deer in headlights, which means I am correct. And you know what else that means?"
"Leo gets to punish me, Ma'am."
Thea's grin widened. "Oh, yes, he does."
She watched, satisfaction evident on her face, as Aspen took a hesitant step back from the couch and folded his hands behind his back.
"Here's how this is going to work, Aspen," Thea started, leaning forward. "You will cook dinner, and while that's happening, you'll be quiet, because I will be on this very couch, catching up with my brother. I do not want to hear a single sound from your mouth, understood?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Good boy. Make whatever you like."
Aspen exhaled sharply as he trotted over to the kitchen and began opening some random cabinets, trying to see what needed to be used up so he wouldn't waste any food.
Footsteps filled the silence as Thea left for the bathroom, and Leo returned, suddenly dressed in flannel pajama bottoms and a white T-Shirt that made him look like an entirely different person–
Aspen was staring instead of making dinner.
Leo sat on one of the couches and stretched his legs, turning to watch Aspen work in the open kitchen. "So, Aspen," he started.
Aspen didn't turn as he opened the fridge, his eyes rowing over the number of pre-baked cakes that occupied most of the space inside.
When Leo didn't continue, Aspen closed the fridge again.
"Are there any dietary restrictions that I should be aware of, Sir?"
"No."
"Alright," Aspen muttered in response.
Leo didn't seem to be the most talkative. Maybe Thea had discussed a possible punishment for Aspen with him before, and this was just some intimidation tactic.
Well– He wasn't a lawyer for nothing. Things like this didn't exactly work on him.
Risotto, as per Spencer's recipe, had become a go-to food to cook when Aspen didn't know what to do with himself, so he found himself reaching for ingredients for that.
After a few more minutes, Thea returned from the bathroom, and this time, Aspen did look up.
Leggings and a burgundy satin camisole of sorts, complete with a lace border on the neckline.
Thea owned that outfit, and she smirked at him when she settled on the couch. "Don't get distracted, pet," she warned.
"'D you tell him?" Leo asked.
"Oh, I sure did," Thea muttered. "Sneaky bastard."
Leo chuckled, and then he launched into a monologue about some erotica author that sounded vaguely familiar to Aspen.
"She's one of the better ones, it does make me wonder how many of our clients might have written about us–"
Leopold was an entrepreneur.
Aspen had done his homework on him while Thea was busy baking this morning, all the way from when Leo went to school with Alan to what he did after.
Leo owned multiple establishments similar to Aphrodite across the country.
All of them employed some form of dominant-for-hire concept, and from what Aspen read, he seemed to be insanely successful with this business model.
Aspen had found a website, complete with services and job offers listed, that also showcased glowing reviews by clients — and apparently employees as well.
"Pet."
Aspen flinched as Thea called out his name, torn from his thoughts about Leo and his career.
"Yes, Ma'am?"
"How much longer until dinner is ready?"
Aspen looked down at the pan on the stove and stuck the wooden spoon into the mass of rice, mushrooms, and reduced liquid.
"Almost done."
Jesus.
Get a grip.

Aspen stayed dead silent during the dinner, trying not to watch as Thea and Leopold ate his food.
Appetite had left him.
The longer he thought about what was going to happen after dinner – once Aspen had cleaned up the kitchen, of course – the more his insides churned.
Maybe he was going to be sick.
But still, Aspen forced himself to eat his dinner and drink his three cups of water before he briefly excused himself to go to the bathroom.
When he returned, he found the table cleared, and Thea was busy with the dishwasher.
"Well," Leo spoke up. "That leaves you with me, pet."
Leo hooked his finger into Aspen's collar. "Here's what's going to happen. The two of us are going to go to the playroom, you're going to get rid of your clothes, confess to whatever sin you committed while Thea was gone, and then you'll get to pick an implement for me to spank you with."
Aspen gulped, the collar momentarily tightening around his throat.
"Objections?"
Aspen shook his head, stumbling back as Leo abruptly let go of his collar.
"Well, then. Move your ass," he commanded.
Thea didn't turn.
Aspen couldn't plead his case.
It was fruitless.
So he followed the instructions Leo had laid out for him, trotted after Leo into the playroom, and confessed to having masturbated while he stripped out of his clothes.
"What a shame."
There was something about Leo's voice that sounded like Alan – with about five more years of experience.
You can only disappoint yourself. But of course, it won't feel that way. it will feel like it's me who's disappointed...
Yes, that was about right.
"Fuck around and find out," Aspen muttered, resisting the urge to look up at Leo before he marched towards a closet, opened its door, and grabbed the first leather belt he saw.
"This is the implement I choose."
Leo didn't say anything, as if Aspen didn't deserve the grace that came with having a conversation, and took the belt from Aspen's hand.
"What's your safeword?"
"Red, Sir."
"Alright. Hands on the wall, and bend over a bit at the waist. Shall we see if Thea can hear you through the wall, hm?"
That was all the indication it needed for Aspen to know this would hurt like hell.
"I guess we shall, Sir."
It only took a few seconds for the belt to whip down on Aspen's butt, forcing the air out of his lungs.
"One," he whispered, forcing a rattled breath out through his teeth. "Thank you, Sir."