The Arrangement

Chapter Five

Ashton

Usually, I'm not a fan of having someone around that's easy to read but the moment Henley mentions the more stringent rules it's actually quite entertaining to watch Blair's face drop.

Her expression, which had been a mix of guarded curiosity and tentative optimism, shifts noticeably. There's a fleeting moment where her eyes widen, and she bites her lower lip—a clear sign of her apprehension. It's like watching a play unfold where every emotion is laid bare for the audience.

I lean back slightly, crossing my arms over my chest, observing her reaction with a mix of amusement and genuine interest. Blair is an open book, her emotions flickering across her face like pages turning in a gust of wind. It's rare to see someone so unguarded, and it provides an intriguing counterpoint to the more closed-off personalities I'm used to dealing with.

"So, you just say you want me naked and that's it I have to do it?" She blusters her cheeks turning a humorous shade of pink.

"Pretty much" Henley chuckles with a smirk and I can already tell he's being this blatantly straightforward to rile up Carter.

He's the one that was insistent we chose Blair. Saw her in a club with that friend of hers and made it his mission to ensure she came to us.

He's like a dog with a bone when he sees something pretty he likes. The allowance being a prime example of how far he's willing to go to get her.

Usually, the women we bring in still work if they want to, we treat them well, buy them anything and everything they could ever want but. We've never gone as far as providing an allowance. Carter also wouldn't listen when Lennox pointed out it made it seem a lot like we were buying her.

His whole moral compass almost makes me certain it'll be a matter of weeks before he caves and spills the truth that we fixed this so she would come to us.

"What Henley is trying to say," Carter grits out shooting him a quick glare. "Is that there will be times when we want to come home and the scene will already be started or we want it to start there and then"

"And what if I don't want to?" She fires back, a level of challenge in her tone that I would love to fuck straight out of her.

Henley clearly has the same thought process as he leans back an evident smirk playing on his lips.

"Well, it can go one of two ways" he offers, mischief playing on his features. "You're either being a brat and want to be punished, which I thoroughly enjoy by the way" he says with a wink before he continues, "or you communicate with us about why you don't want to, and we figure it out from there"

"Punish?" She queries shifting in her seat. "And what do these punishments look like"

I watch the interplay between them, intrigued by the dynamics unfolding. Carter's frustration is palpable, his jaw clenched as he shoots daggers at Henley, who seems to revel in the tension. Blair, on the other hand, is a mix of defiance and curiosity, her question hanging in the air like a challenge.

Henley's smirk widens, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he leans forward, elbows resting on his knees. "Punishments," he begins, his voice low and deliberate, "can take many forms. They're not just about discipline, but also about pushing boundaries and exploring limits. It's a give-and-take process, designed to be both corrective and enjoyable."

Blair's eyes widen slightly, but she doesn't back down. "Such as?" she presses, clearly wanting specifics.

Henley's smile doesn't waver. "Well, for starters, there could be physical punishments. Spanking, for instance, is a classic choice. It can range from light, teasing swats that serve as a playful reminder of who's in charge, to more intense strikes that leave a lasting impression. It's all about the intensity and the context."

He pauses, letting the words sink in before continuing. "Then there's sensory deprivation, like blindfolds or earplugs. It heightens the other senses and can make every touch, every sound, much more intense. It's a way to focus your attention entirely on the experience and on us."

Blair shifts again, her curiosity clearly piqued despite her initial apprehension. "And?" she prompts, her voice a bit softer now.

Henley's gaze locks onto hers, the intensity in his eyes unmistakable. "There's also bondage. Restraining your movements, whether with ropes, cuffs, or even just a firm grip, can create a powerful sense of vulnerability and trust. It's about surrendering control, but also feeling safe within that surrender."

He leans back, his expression thoughtful. "And then there are psychological punishments. Teasing, edging, denial—keeping you on the brink of pleasure without allowing release. It's a way to exert control and amplify anticipation, making the eventual reward all the more satisfying."

Blair's cheeks flush a deeper shade of pink, her breathing a bit uneven now. "And what if I can't take the punishment? What if it's too much?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lennox chooses to cut in now, always the comforter. "Then you use your safe word or gesture, and we stop. But we'll need to communicate after, check in and see why or what made you feel the need to stop" he says and there's an obvious deflation in the tension she feels.

I think we're all expecting her to take a moment to digest everything, definitely not expecting the next words to fly out of her mouth.

"And what if I want to be punished?" She asks and if I know Henley he's on his way to being hard as fucking rock.

He lets out a long breath, a slight chuckle coming from him. "If you don't follow the rules, you get punished" he says with a shrug.

Her eyes glitter with the same kind of mischief that I've seen in Henley's eyes countless times before.

"Okay so to recap," she begins, holding up a finger as she repeats everything that she's just been told. "No backchatting, staying in constant communication, no excessive drinking - especially if none of you are there, following your commands and no flirting with anyone outside of the relationship"

"Yeah, they're pretty straightforward" I say.

Blair takes a deep breath, her eyes flickering between Henley, Lennox, and Carter. The challenge and curiosity are still there, but now tempered with a newfound understanding. "And if I want to explore this," she says, her voice steady but tinged with anticipation, "you'll guide me through it?"

Henley's smile returns, softer but no less intense. "Absolutely. We'll be with you every step of the way, ensuring you're safe, respected, and ultimately, satisfied."

Lennox nods in agreement, his voice gentle but firm. "It's about trust, Blair. We're here to explore this with you, to find what brings you fulfilment and pleasure, within the boundaries we set together."

Blair's cheeks flush once more, but there's a spark in her eyes now, a blend of excitement and determination. "Alright," she says, her voice imbued with a newfound resolve.

Henley's smirk widens, Carter visibly relaxes, and Lennox offers a reassuring smile. The dynamic has clearly shifted and there's not a doubt in my head that if she actually agrees to this, it'll be quite the adventure.