(Mark's POV - Sun. 10 May 2015)

"I need that spanking, Master. I want it."

Holy crap! What the hell is going on with this boy? Has he turned into a little masochist? No, I don't think so. All the Subs have a little masochistic side, but it doesn't make them Masochists all the same. Still, it's quite surprising coming from Alex and I'm not anywhere near yielding to his request. A spanking wouldn't be appropriate in this case; his latest behavior requires something more mental, something that will enhance a deeper reflection. This has to be a long-term punishment through which I'll be able to see his progress. If he thinks he'll get away with a few minutes of physical pain, he is clearly mistaken.

Alex is chewing his bottom lip, so I pull on his chin before his teeth pierce through the fragile skin, then sit up against some cushions and the armrest of the couch.

"Discipline is a very serious side of our lifestyle, Baby, and I can't punish you with a spanking because it wouldn't fit the purposes teaching you the right lesson," I explain as calmly as I can.

As much as I'm happy with the long conversation we've just had, needless to say, his tone has slightly gotten on my nerves over the past few minutes, but my self-control is still in check for now.

"Then what? How do you expect to punish me?" he asks with obvious annoyance as his little fist punches my chest.

Well, he might get that spanking if that bratty attitude goes on. I certainly won't tolerate a tantrum or further insolence, exactly like I wouldn't with Shannon.

"Like I said, I still need to think about it, Baby."

"Wow... Sounds complicated. It's as if you were going to make it long and very unpleasant..."

"You nailed it," I reply seriously. "Long and mostly unpleasant, and I promise you'll hate it. After all, that's the purpose of a punishment, isn't it?"

"You, Sadist..." he grumbles with a small smile.

"That doesn't make me a Sadist, but I could totally call Cam for more suggestions..."

"Ugh no... Whatever you decide will be fine... I guess..."

"Good, because..." I trail off, sitting further up to pull him closer to me, "I'm just a Dom who really loves his Submissive and who wants to make sure he'll never ever run away again..."

"Are you going to put me on a leash?" he chuckles.

"I might do that. And lock you in a cage when I'm not around."

"Ugh... Thank you, but no thank you..." he replies just as his stomach echoes with loud rumbles. "Oops..."

"Time to feed you, Baby. It's almost 8, so let's go and see what we can cook for dinner!"

Swinging my legs to the side, I get up with him in my arms and carry this frail body to the kitchen where I rest him on his stool. His new stool since we all swapped places yesterday. It seems like his former seat yielded too many bad memories, but I won't complain about the change since I could also picture him there before he ran away. While I cook homemade macaroni and cheese in a comfortable silence, my inner Dom and my inner Lover start a new fight, but I quickly push them to the back of my head. I will need my favorite activity – aside of sex – to sort my thoughts out and this can wait until tomorrow morning.

I would have gone for something lighter than mac & cheese, but Alex definitely needs something consistent. I have always loved his slim body and to be honest, I have come to attach way more importance to his sweet soul, but I can't let him reach a skinny state that would make him weaker than he is. His loss of weight isn't that significant, but it still pained me yesterday evening when I undressed him and saw he had managed to lose enough to float in his jeans. This isn't my biggest concern though, because I know he'll catch up quickly with healthy and regular meals.

A more sensitive topic will be his job and I'm quite surprised he hasn't mentioned it yet. This one might yield a bit more tension and I certainly won't broach it over dinner and risk his loss of appetite, especially if I tell him that Richard now knows about our relationship. Somehow, I feel bad for having gone against Alex's wish to keep things secret, but not that much because I sincerely believe that it will make things easier in the future.

Alex had left a resignation letter, but I refused to give it to his manager. Matt, the manager of Le Marais, was always in the confidence of what happened, and at first, we both decided to say that Alex had called in sick to Richard. However, after a few days, the chef was getting nervous, asking too many questions and rambling about Alex not even giving news. So, I did what I thought was best. I summoned him to my office for a private conversation, told him that Alex had personal issues and that we didn't know when he'd return. When he asked how the hell I would know about this, I simply told him that I was in a serious relationship with Alex.

Since he had already seen me with Shannon, he clearly questioned my words, so I just added that we were in what could be considered as a modern relationship, that a couple of three people was not any different than when there are only two, and that the rest was none of his business. I'm afraid Alex won't like it, but I'm sure he'll get over it. It's not as if the whole staff knew about us and even if they did, well, that's just what it is. No big drama here.

The rest of our evening goes well. I'm really glad to see Alex greedily devour his meal while answering a few more questions I ask. I'm so proud he managed to open up at last. It was like I had opened some sort of valve and a flood of words erupted from him earlier. I can tell he felt better afterwards, so I hope things will go on this way.

We watch TV until it's time to go and pick up Shannon from the club and there again, I witness another emotional moment when the boys hug on the parking lot and cuddle at the back of the car on our way back home. I just feel too happy to mind them considering me as their chauffeur. Even if I haven't sorted out everything yet, Alex is back with us and the little sparkle of joyfulness is back in Shannon's eyes, this is all that matters. And I missed the latter as much as Alex during these two weeks.

Of course, Shannon's life went on after Alex's departure, but he was no longer the hyper and boisterous boy I love so much. As weird as it may sound, I really prefer the exhausting and funny Shannon than the quiet one. It suits him so much better!

Yesterday was a long and frustrating day for my Babe. He spent a lot of time in the bedroom, sitting on the bed and watching Alex sleep, and when he wasn't, he kept popping in every few minutes, just to make sure Alex was really back, until I told him to stop because he was going to end up disturbing Alex's sleep when he needed rest. He sulked for the rest of the afternoon while I was working in my study and calling all our friends and family, definitely back to his old self.

My parents wanted to fly to Chicago to visit us, but I suggested they should wait for a few more weeks and let Alex recover. It might take a bit of time before he gets over his guilt for hurting people with his disappearance and from our conversations, I think I was right.

"Are you tired, Boys, or do you think you could use your enemas...?" I purr once we're back home.

I am leaning against the wall of the entrance hall, watching them as they take off their jackets, and the lust that fills their eyes is like an electric shock to my groin. These two little minxes spin around and without an answer, they dart for the corridor, giggling like two kids. I haven't really been in the mood for sex lately, but I still missed it and now that I have both my boys, I am craving for it.

After twenty minutes – which should be more than enough to perform their enemas – I join them in the bathroom and my two little creeps are already making out under the shower, kissing and groping each other. I obviously join in and add more caresses and kisses while I clean them up, then I let them take care of my body.

"Are you done with your evening routine, Boys?" I ask as we wipe ourselves dry.

"Yep, just need our pajamas!" Shannon replies mischievously.

"You won't need those..." I smirk. "Go lie on the bed while I brush my teeth. I'll be with you shortly."

My boys' hands have left me hard as fuck and I can't wait to tap these cute little asses. More horny thoughts fill my head while I finish up in the bathroom and when I step into the bedroom, leaning against the doorframe, I can't help a smile of utter content. Shannon and Alex are both lying on their stomachs, very close to one another, and whispering excitedly. I cringe a little as I take in the dark blonde's frailty next to Shannon, but my eyes mostly focus on their prominent – and very naked – mounds.

I just feel like parting those two pairs of buttocks and roughly slam into their tight holes, but that won't happen tonight. No, tonight will be made of sweet gentleness and tenderness. I'm going to make love to my sweet angels.

Shannon, who is lying on the left side, suddenly peeks up and notices my presence, making Alex look back as well. Naughty boys... their attention is immediately drawn to my raging hard-on, bringing back lust into their eyes.

"Don't move," I command as I slowly walk toward the bed and kneel on the mattress, one knee between each set of legs.

With the sweetest delight of all, I begin to let my fingers roam all over their smooth skin and my lips soon join in, dropping kisses here and there. The boys moan louder and louder as I wander further down their backs and until I reach the cleft of their asses. Leaning back up, I take a few seconds to contemplate their beautiful nakedness, before I kiss my way back up to their necks, always alternating between them. Their scent is so intoxicating...

"You're smelling so good, Boys... I can't wait to taste your little holes..." I murmur between their heads, earning needy whimpers. "I'm going to make you feel good, my angels... Don't worry."

With that said, I shift to kneel between Alex's legs and gently part his buttocks, revealing his cute little hole, and when my tongue begins to stimulate his ring of muscles, a spasm seizes his body, making him gasp. As my saliva lubricates his skin, my tongue easily pokes in and out and his moans get louder and louder. The tension in his body tells me he is about to come, so I swiftly shift between Shannon's legs to provide him with the same favor and I get similar results.

"Roll on your backs, Boys," I order as I kneel back up.

Shannon and Alex oblige and offer me the most beautiful sight. They are still lying quite close, holding hands and nibbling on their lower lips. They are just too cute and eagerness instantly displays on their faces as I stroke my weeping erection a few times.

"Please, Mast..." Alex whines.

"There's no Master tonight, Baby... and you may come as many times as you need, but you'll get this a little later..." I whisper as I fall back on my hands and swallow his whole length.

"Oh my God... I'm going to come..." Alex squeals as his free hand softly reaches for my head.

I can tell he is trying hard to contain his orgasm, but I still start bobbing up and down his length, enjoying the sensations of his fingers running through my hair. My boy resists the best he can, yet it can't be more than two minutes before his cum hits the back of my throat. So good... I would definitely swallow it whole, but I keep a bit of his load that I share with my greedy Shannon, relishing in his groans of pleasure while Alex moans with satisfaction.

While the little Pumpkin recovers from his high, I shift between Shannon's legs and take care of his erection, starting with a tiny bit of teasing as I run my tongue along his shaft, taste his precum from the slit and trail my lips all over the sensitive skin of his mushroom head.

"Ngh... so good..." he whimpers as I take his whole length inside my mouth.

My own hard-on and my balls are throbbing with pain, but I couldn't care less. My boys' pleasure comes first tonight and I really strive to give Shannon the best head I can. He lasts a little bit longer than Alex, but I soon get to taste his salty cream, and exactly as I did a few minutes ago, I hold a mouthful of his juices to share it with Alex through another passionate kiss.

As I lean back to rest on my knees, I observe my beautiful boys, almost expecting them to fall asleep, but their expressions are only filled with more lust, especially as I begin to stroke my shaft. There are not many ways to make love to both my lovers at the same time, so I first slip a thick pillow beneath Shannon's backside, then grasp Alex's hips to help him straddle Shan's.

Chest against chest and their erections rubbing against one another, they offer me another beautiful sight with these two holes awaiting me. The noises they make as they start kissing does nothing to help my eagerness for release, nor does the way they caress each other. Inhaling a deep breath to keep my self-control in check, I grab the bottle of lube from the bedside table and start preparing them, using two fingers of both my hands to stretch their tightness.

It's been more than two weeks since the last time I penetrated them, so I take my sweet time because I'd rather turn our lovemaking into something pleasurable than painful. After about fifteen minutes of scissoring their holes and teasing their prostates, and if I judge by their needy moans, I think my boys are ready to welcome me. As if I needed more evidence, Shannon suddenly grasps Alex's buttocks, smirking at me, and I take Alex's groan as my cue to go.

Once I have lubed my erection, I lean over Alex's back and take a few more seconds to shower them with kisses before I align the tip of my cock with his entrance and slowly slip inside his warm channel. That moment when you feel your man's tightness open up and stretch furthermore to allow your thickness in is one of the best parts of sex. I might as well come right away, but thankfully, I have enough self-restraint to hold back and giving him time to adjust also helps.

"Please... move..." Alex whimpers with need after a couple of minutes.

"Your wish is my command, baby..." I purr in his ear, smiling at Shan.

I thrust in and out a few times before I pull out and slightly shift to my other little minx's entrance. Shannon's tightness swallows me whole quite easily and I can only groan with deep pleasure as I begin to slide in and out of him. Seeing them kiss and feeling their caresses beneath me is just too hot, but it gets even better when I join their mouths, our tongues entwining messily.

The fire in my balls is barely containable and knowing that my cock won't deflate so easily, I shoot my first load deep inside Shannon's ass, grunting like a bear as my orgasm explodes. And indeed, my member seems to be eager for more sensations and barely a minute later, still pulsing inside Shannon's channel, it recovers its full hardness, ready for another round.

And that round lasts a little longer, allowing me to alternate between both holes. Depending on who I am in, it's more or less easy to rub against their prostates, but I really strive to give them as much pleasure as I can. It seems like their humping and the friction between their erections also helps, so when I feel them about to reach their climax, I thrust back deep inside Alex's ass, just in time to enjoy the clenching of his ring of muscles as his orgasm hits him.

This is obviously my undoing and my balls unload in my blonde's depths while an eruption of strong sensations washes over me.

The three of us are panting heavily after this and the boys are completely worn out, ready to pass out. I still take the time to take care of their bodies, cleaning all our mess with washcloths, and finally join them in bed.

With both my boys snuggled on either side of my body, I feel like I'm the happiest man on Earth.

* * *

It's only 6am the following morning when I wake up with both Alex and Shannon's back against my sides. My internal clock never gives me a break, even when I'm exhausted. Yet, I feel rested and still on cloud 9. Our lovemaking was beautiful last night and I know everything will be fine now.

However, this feeling of incompletion lingers in my head because I need to make decisions regarding Alex's discipline and only a quiet run in the park will provide me with answers. Only then will we be able to bring closure to what happened over the past two weeks, so I sit up and cautiously step out of bed.

After a quick stop by the restroom and once I'm dressed, I head out, eager to reach the Millenium Park. As soon as I get there, both my inner Lover and my inner Dom wake up, resuming their argument where they left it. These two little fuckers have been fighting for long enough, seriously getting on my nerves, and it would be time to reconcile them.

Alex did so great yesterday afternoon, he opened up! This has to count in the balance! Just let go!

This is very true and I'm so proud of my boy for eventually putting words on his feelings. I know people with more difficult pasts than Alex's, but I can't deny that his wasn't easy and he really touched the core of my heart. It's not pity. It's just that his pain and grief couldn't leave me unaffected.

All the same, he could have done that earlier! This would have saved a lot of troubles and worries! He needs to learn his lesson!

I can't disagree with this. Alex made an effort yesterday, but it doesn't erase his two-week absence and all the torment it yielded. Perhaps he has already understood, but how long will it last? How can I trust him? What can I do to drill the message inside his head?

Reassurance and time are what he needs.

A punishment too! Something he won't like...

I do believe a punishment is necessary indeed, but certainly not the spanking he's been begging for. Providing him with what he wants wouldn't serve the purpose of the sanction. A Submissive isn't supposed to take pleasure in his punishment.

Anger was a familiar emotion while he was away and God knows how my hands have been itching to slap those white buttocks until they become red. Somehow, I do understand Alex's urge for a painful redemption. After you've done something really bad, you sometimes ache so hard – mentally speaking – that you only wish for a different sort of pain to alleviate your psychological suffering. However, it wouldn't help him ultimately. And as much as my inner Dom yearns to assuage some of his anger through a low level of physical pain, I think that what he needs above all is more control and additional rules.

Control... rules... control... yes, control sounds good! Chip his butt with a tracker! Full surveillance!

Well, I might not go that far, but Alex probably won't like some of the few ideas that pop in my head while I run. And yet, he will have to do with it and if he ever breaches or misbehaves, then he's going to get that spanking.

After a long hour running and pondering on these thoughts, I feel at peace with myself and unhurriedly head back home. Shannon is off today, so I briefly wonder whether I should send him out for some errands while I have another serious conversation with Alex, but knowing my two little creeps, they might want to do this together. At the end of the day, I wouldn't mind. A brief refresher wouldn't hurt Shannon.

Once I have showered and gotten dressed, I spend the entire morning in my office, making calls and fixing appointments. Things have quietened here and I now need to focus on my business, especially on the opening of the Wine & Cheese Bar in Boston. I will certainly hate leaving the boys home alone, but I won't be able to avoid a few trips to Massachusetts to finalize decoration details and hire the staff.

It's almost noon when the boys eventually get up and meet me in the kitchen, so adorable with their sleepy faces and messy hair. We enjoy a quite noisy brunch thanks to an overexcited Shannon who gushes over the beautiful weather and the fun activities we could have outdoors. The summer is getting near, so we'll have plenty of time for those.

While Shannon and I clear the island counter, putting away the leftovers in the fridge, Alex cleans some pans at the sink. I silently go to stand behind my little runaway and wrap my arms around his waist, leaning my chin above his head.

"I guess it's time to talk..." he asks softly before I can say anything.

"Hmm..."

"So, you've made up your mind...?"

"Hmm, hmm..."

"Do you mind if Shan stays?" he asks shyly.

So predictable...

"Absolutely not. Just ask him. I'll be waiting in the living room, Baby," I reply, dropping a kiss on his head.

I go and sit on one of the couches and while replying to a few emails from my phone, I can hear the boys bustle around and whisper in the kitchen, making me smile. Their complicity – or collusion – may be annoying at times, but it's also reassuring and totally natural between two Subs. And so cute as they walk in five minutes later, holding hands, and settle in the opposite couch with Alex sitting between Shannon's legs. The dark blonde looks a bit nervous, but his dark-haired mate is trying to soothe him with soft brushes and squeezes on his hands.

Do I look that scary?

"Are you stressed, Baby?" I ask with the softest voice I can manage because my purpose isn't to scare him.

"Not really... I figure I'll hear unpleasant things, but I'm ready."

"Indeed, there might be unpleasant things, but we have to go through this, so let's get it over with," I reply firmly, straightening a bit against the backseat. "You already know this, and my purpose is not to aggravate your guilt, but I need to remind you first that both Shannon and I really suffered when you left. Like I said, if any of us should ever break free from our relationship, well, that would be sad. Unfortunately, that's just life. However, there are ways to do this and leaving without a proper explanation or even a real goodbye was intolerable. You left us with unanswered questions, in doubt, and fear for you for what might happen. This was inacceptable, Alex."

Of course, his eyes immediately fill with tears and I don't particularly enjoy seeing him suffer like this, but it had to be said and I must go on.

"I trust you understand what we went through during these two weeks and in itself, this is part of your punishment. Knowing how your sudden departure hurt us – and not only us, I remind you – is a form of sanction somehow. To be fair, and as Shannon pointed it out that Saturday, I have my share of responsibility in this. Perhaps I should have been less lenient with you and forced you to speak up earlier. Perhaps I shouldn't have left you alone in the kitchen when I went out. But damn! I was far from imagining you'd run away!"

"I'm not sure it would have changed a thing... It wasn't your fault..." Alex mumbles with a strangled voice.

"Whatever, I guess I've made my point here and all I want is for you to understand that communication helps. Is this clear?"

"Yes, Master..."

"On a more positive note, I'd like to congratulate you again for yesterday evening, Baby. I'm sincerely proud of the way you opened up and I want you to keep it this way. It'll be my duty to make you work further on expressing yourself and in this respect, I will schedule more one-on-one moments like these. At least twice a week. I'll ask many more questions about your past, your emotions, your feelings and you'll have to answer them all. And that will be until I feel it has become more natural to you. Understood?"

"Yes, Master."

"You'll also understand that I'll need time before I entirely trust you. Coming home and finding you had left was a shock I'm definitely not eager to experience again, and I won't forget that horrible sensation anytime soon..."

"I swear I'd never do this again, Master!" he interrupts me.

"Swear all you want, Baby. You did it once and that's just enough for me to never forget what I felt at that moment," I argue.

I know it's harsh, but Alex needs to understand once and for all.

"So, you'll never forgive me..." he comments, his voice breaking down as new tears fill his eyes.

"Of course, I can forgive you, Baby. I've already forgiven you for this one occurrence, but it doesn't mean I can trust you so easily. The fear to see you leave again will always be here, nagging at my thoughts, but it'll dissipate with time. Meanwhile, I'll have to exert a bit more control over you, that's it."

"What sort of control?" Alex asks, frowning at me while Shannon tightens his hold around him.

"When I'm not around, I want you to text me whenever you go out or get back. I want to know where you are at all times, that's one example."

"I can do this, it's quite easy... and I don't mind," he replies with a more confident smile. "What else?"

"Then," I trail off, also peeking at Shannon, "unless you guys disagree, I'd like to have some sort of trackers welded to your collars," I explain, and this time, Shan frowns at the use of the plural. "Yes, Babe. You too. My purpose is not to spy your every move, but... without going into too many details, it already saved someone's life before, and I'd really appreciate if I could benefit from such a device in case of emergency. Besides, as you may know, many Submissives in long-term contracts with Doms have this sort of trackers in their collars."

"Are you scared we might get kidnapped?" Shannon asks teasingly.

"This is a serious matter, Babe. And no, I don't expect you to get kidnapped, but I need reassurance too."

"I don't mind," Alex says, shrugging his shoulders.

"Me neither. You already have me on a leash anyway and I have nothing to hide, so I don't really care about a tracker," Shannon adds, poking his tongue out.

Well, that one went easier than I thought!

"Glad to hear so! I'll take care of this as soon as possible then."

"Who is this person you were talking about by the way? The one whose life was saved thanks to a tracker?" the perceptive Alex asks, squinting at me.

"Does it matter?"

"Is it a secret?" Shannon chirps in.

"Sort of..."

"How can you expect us to always tell you everything when you hide things from us!?" Shan accuses.

"You could have a point here, Babe, but this is different and it's no bullshit about the do as I say, not as I do. I've always strived to be honest with you, Boys, I always answer your questions the best I can, and very willingly, but this... This is a promise I made to someone to never mention it. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you," I explain apologetically.

"Yeah... like why you refused to celebrate your birthd..." Shannon continues.

"Don't go there, Shan," I mildly scold him as tears start prickling my eyes. "I promise I'll tell you one day, but now is not the time! And once again, I'm not the only one involved in what happened back then, so it's not so easy!"

"I'm sorry... I didn't want to revive bad memories, Mark..." Shannon apologizes.

"No, it's okay, Babe, and your argument is actually quite legitimate," I admit. "I know it may sound hypocritical from someone who constantly asks for more communication. You know I'm always willing to say as much as I can, and secrets are not really my thing. Whenever you, guys ask questions, I like to think I always answer as far as I'm concerned. But when it involves other people, there's not much I can do and it's not always my role to explain... I'm sorry about this, Boys, but I hope you can understand."

"I think we do, Master..." Shan whispers softly, peeking at Alex who nods in answer.

"Thank you. I promise I'll explain some soon, but not today. Now can we go on?"

"Aren't we over yet?" Alex exclaims as his eyes widen. "Or is there a real punishment?"

There we go again...

"This is the real punishment," I state firmly, even scowling as he is about to protest. "Do I need to remind you what discipline is? Do I need to remind you that a Submissive isn't supposed to feel pleasure during his punishment? Do I need to remind you that the sanction shall match the misdeed?"

"Okay, I get it..." he grumbles. "So, more communication and more control it is..."

"Exactly!"

"Is there anything else?"

"Yes, one last thing. Or two. You'll have to physically recover from these two weeks. This implies four rich meals each day until the weight you lost is back. And a ton of rest before you get back to work. I don't expect you to resume your shifts at Le Marais before Tuesday next week. Understood?"

"But... But... I resigned..." he stutters.

"Did you?" I smirk playfully. "I haven't seen any resignation letter..."

"So, you never gave it to Richard?" he squeals in a high-pitched tone that makes Shannon cringe and tense a little bit.

"And why would I have done that?" I ask, folding my arms across my chest. "Did you think I was going to lose one of the best cooks I've ever had? Now that you're back, you get your job back. Unless you no longer want to work there..." I ask as I witness a shadow cast his eyes and although I have my guess on what is puzzling him.

"How... How did you explain my absence...?"

"I just said you had private issues you needed to sort out and that you'd be off for some time," I reply, ready to go through a painful explanation.

"Ugh... But if it had been the case, I would have contacted Richard directly, not you! Didn't he find it weird that you were aware of my problems? Didn't he ask questions?" he exclaims.

"Yes, he did ask qu..."

"Oh my God... What did you tell him!? Don't tell me you revealed everything about us!!!!" he squeaks, not even trying to hide the annoyance in his voice.

"I just told him we were together and..."

"Whaaaaat!!!!?"

Shannon grabs Alex's hand to try and calm him down, but it seems like it doesn't help and Alex disentangles from his hold.

"You knew I didn't want the staff to know about our relationship! Are you kidding me!?"

"Alex..." I groan, now getting pissed by his tone and because he doesn't even let me explain. "Only Richard knows and..."

"I don't give a fuck!"

"Pumpkin..." Shannon whimpers pleadingly, trying to get Alex back within his hold, but the feisty blonde rises to his feet.

"Richard knows you're with Shannon! What is he going to think!? That I'm a slut who sucked the boss for a better position? This is all fucked up!" he screams and his sudden outburst leaves me dumbfounded for a few seconds. "How could you be so stupid? You're such a bastard!!"

Now that's one too many insults...

"ENOUGH ALEX!" I shout, standing up as well to tower him.

My voice is much louder than his and he seems so short now that I have closed the distance between us. It does the trick and I can see how my sudden dominance strikes a chord.

"Kneel!" I seethe, pointing at the floor.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..." Alex apologizes as he drops to his knees at attention.

"You can be sorry, indeed..." I reply, shifting my attention to a shocked Shannon. "Babe, would you like to go watch TV in the media room?" I ask him softly.

Shan peeks at Alex who encourages him to leave this time and once he has left, though not before I have ruffled his hair and pecked his forehead, I return to stand in front a piteous Alex. This attitude is certainly not in his habits, but I can't let him get away all the same. This boy definitely needs less leniency, or this is going to get out hands.

"I'm sorry I talked back..." he whispers in front of my silence.

"You didn't even give me a chance to explain," I scold him. "What the heck happened, Pet!? Where did this come from?"

"I don't know what got into me, Master. I'm so sorry..."

"Trust me you'll be punished for that one, but beforehand, I'll finish explaining what happened with Richard. Yes, I told him we were in a serious relationship, but this happened during a private interview, in my office, out of anyone else's ear's reach. Of course, he knew about Shannon, but I simply told him that we were in a modern three-way relationship, that it's no different from a regular couple, that I never interfered in your professional progression other than giving you a chance as a cook helper, and that the rest was none of his business.

"Now if you fear his reaction or being judged wrongly, you shouldn't. Richard was rather positively impressed by what I told him and above all, he really liked that you never boasted off about being the boss's lover or used this as an excuse to slack at work. He pondered on this for a moment and said And I appreciate that you, as the boss, never act differently with Alex than you would with other employees. And lastly, he said that indeed this is private and that he wouldn't even mention it to you once you're back."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. I had no other choice, Alex. You left so suddenly, but I always knew we'd get you back and you have such potential, it would have been a shame to lose such a good cook. I trust Richard enough to keep his mouth shut, but if you ever decide to reveal our relationship to others, I'm sure the rest of the staff would react similarly. This is really no big deal and people have seen how there are no differences in the way I treat my employees. They've also figured out how valuable you are in the kitchen, so there's no judging here."

"I... I guess you're right... I've really made a big fuss about not much in the end... Thank you for giving me another chance because I really love my job at Le Marais. And I apologize for talking back to you... And insulting you... I'll never do that again..."

"I guess twenty-five spanks should help you remember this lesson," I reply sternly as I take a seat on the couch. "Over my lap now."

Alex gracefully rises to his feet and walks to stand on my right side, head lowered. As much as he was begging for a rough spanking earlier, as I pull down his pajama pants to his ankle, I see that the situation is far from arousing him right now. Which is good, because I don't intend to pleasure him during this punishment. Once he is lying over my lap, his backside jutting out and well exposed, I begin to knead his buttocks to warm them up.

"I want you to count up, Pet," I instruct as my hand leaves his butt, only to fall back and slap his right ass cheek.

"One!" he yelps, maybe a bit surprised by the strength I put into the smack.

Well, I did say I wouldn't make it pleasurable, so without necessarily giving all my force, this is still much different than an erotic spanking.

"Two!" he squeals as my hand hits his left buttock, and I go on, alternating between each side.

At fifteen, I pause for a few seconds to rub some of the pain out of his skin, but I quickly resume the session, reaching a faster pace while he counts up. The higher the numbers, the hoarser his voice gets, but I think he's learning his lesson well. When he reaches 25, I help him up, leaving his pants pooled at his ankles, and rise up to cup his face within my hands.

"Good boy, you took your punishment very well," I say, kissing his teary eyes. "Lie on the couch, I'll go get the soothing lotion."

As I walk along the corridor to the playroom, I hear the TV is screaming in the media room and can't help a pang in my heart as I think about my poor Babe alone in there. However, I first need to finish off with Alex so once I have grabbed the small bottle of ointment, I hurry back to the living room and rub some into Alex's red skin.

"Don't you dare talk back again, Baby," I whisper above his head a few minutes later while I'm hugging him.

"I promise I won't... I'm sorry..."

"You're forgiven now. I love you."

"I love you too, Master. And thank you so much for all the things you're doing for me," he says with sincere gratefulness.

"You're most welcome, Baby. How about joining Shan in the media room for some cuddles and movies?"

"Seems like a great idea!" he cheers before his expression becomes a little more hesitant. "May I lie on my side, though?" he asks, wincing as he rubs his backside.

"Yes, you may," I chuckle.

And as we settle with Shannon on the long couch of the media room, I realize that lying with both my boys is the only way for me to feel complete. I guess that my fear to see any of them disappear will never subside, but I'll contain my overprotective side and strive to avoid becoming a control freak like my friend Joshua. Above all, I'll make sure to keep my boys happy and that should be enough to prevent further runaways.

Meanwhile, I guess it's time to turn the page on this incident with Alex and to enjoy years of happiness with both my angels.

Published on 13 June 2016