My boss punished me on the train on the way to the meeting

I was traveling with Solange by train. It was very like her to choose that slow way of letting time pass, as if she lived inside a black-and-white film from the forties, playing the role of an elegant spy crossing half of Europe with a secret sewn into the lining of her coat.

Solange was an imposing woman. Impeccable manicure, ash-blonde hair styled in a blunt cut at jaw length, large eyes under penciled brows, nails and lips painted a deep red that traced just beyond the natural edge so they looked fuller. She always wore fitted suits, skirts that defined her hips, tailored jackets that accentuated her figure. Under the gauze of her blouses, more could be guessed than was shown.

Most people considered her haughty. To me she seemed dazzling, so much so that I lived trapped in her orbit, subdued by her presence without ever fully deciding to be.

I was her secretary, though for a long time I had been something more. Colleagues, yes, but each of us in our exact place. When I disappointed her, she corrected me with a long, heavy wooden ruler she kept at the bottom of her black leather bag, the way other women keep a handkerchief.

—This work is a mess —she said quietly, handing back the stack of papers I had prepared for her before we left.

We were seated side by side in the panoramic carriage, watching the landscape fade away before moving on to the dining car.

—I didn’t have much time —I explained, already knowing no explanation would shift her opinion even a millimeter.

—I’m afraid, darling, that we’ll have to redo it tonight. But first you’ve earned yourself some lashes. We’ll take care of that right now.

—Yes, ma’am —I replied.

—Take my bag to the compartment and wait for me.

She held my gaze with that arrogance of hers and stroked my cheek with the back of her hand.

—You still haven’t recovered from the last punishment, have you? —she hinted, pretending sympathy.

—No, ma’am.

—Perhaps it’s better if you stay bruised. Go on and get ready.

She was tender and merciless at the same time, and that mixture was hypnotic to me. She preferred to punish me in my underwear, in garments she bought for me herself: seamed stockings identical to hers, held up by the garters of an old corset with firm stays that cinched my waist until I could barely breathe. The one I was wearing that day pressed my torso in, ending just beneath my breasts, leaving the flesh exposed, and below, the garters framed the rest of me.

***

I took off my dress and hung it carefully in the tiny wardrobe of the compartment. Then I took off my underwear. I was left in my heels and choker. Solange liked the way that choker looked on me; she had decided it would remind me of my place, just like the corsets. I agreed, because everything she made me do was gratifying in a way I couldn’t explain.

I looked at myself in the mirror and blushed. When I turned, I saw two small bruises from the previous week, just beginning to yellow. There would be more before the afternoon was over. I shivered. Will she take some time for us afterward? I thought, and I knew I would be grateful for it. I closed the wardrobe and kept preparing. I didn’t dare show up until I was ready; nothing enraged her more.

I found the ruler in its usual place, at the bottom of the bag. I sat with it on my lap, knowing minutes or hours could pass. Everything about Solange was premeditated, even making me wait. Luckily, that time she didn’t take long, and when the door opened I stood to receive her, as always.

—Nadia —she said curtly—, stay in the corner. I’m changing for dinner.

—Yes, ma’am —I answered, turning until my nose was pressed to the angle of the wall, like a child in penance.

I heard her rummaging in the wardrobe, recognized every sound of the process of changing clothes.

—Look at me —she ordered when she was done.

I obeyed. Her haughty eyes were fixed on me.

—I expect perfection in your work, Nadia. If I have to reprimand you daily for your bad habits, I will.

—I’m very sorry, ma’am.

—I imagine so. —She sat down.— Now come here.

The compartment was narrow, but there were still a few steps between us. I crossed them quickly so as not to anger her further. She stroked one thigh slowly without taking her eyes off me.

—Such a pity to have to mark this —she commented.

She was smiling, but her smile was as false as her pity. I knew she was eager for the ruler to fly, and I wanted it too, not for the pain but for the peculiar way her attention settled on me then.

She bent me over her lap in one swift pull. My arms and head hung toward the floor, because she liked having my buttocks and the upper part of my thighs right in front of her eyes. I had never seen her raise her arm before a blow, but I could imagine the force with which she did it.

The ruler came down and I shuddered at once.

—Ah, no! —I muttered through clenched teeth.

—Silence! —she ordered.— If you’d rather do this in the corridor, where everyone can see and hear you, I can arrange that.

The train roared forward, and still I struggled to swallow my cries, aware that any noise could rise above the clatter.

The ruler descended on me half a dozen times, stinging blows that made me scream inwardly. The edge was sharp enough to leave lines that would last for days. When she was done with the fleshiest part, she gradually worked her way down until she began punishing the upper part of my thighs.

—For God’s sake! —I moaned again.

My body twisted on her lap as if movement might ease me, but the effect was the opposite: the ruler fell at odd angles that made my skin burn more. To finish, Solange concentrated half a dozen blows on the point where the pain was worst, and a cry escaped me that would have been heard from the corridor.

—That’s enough —she said suddenly.

I knew she had let go of the ruler because her hand was kneading my sore buttocks. Those caresses instantly brought other memories, the times when a punishment turned into something more. She touched me between my legs, where I was wet and hot.

—Perhaps tonight we’ll enjoy each other’s company a little more —she suggested.

Then she helped me stand.

—Now get dressed, the green sweater, and come to dinner with me.

As I left, all I could think about was finishing what her hand had started. Even though I knew that too was under her control.

***

I dressed quickly, though I made sure to style my brown hair neatly, retouch my makeup, and check that no trace of the last half hour showed under my skirt. The redness was fading, but several marks would remain for a while. I applied a cold cream and went down to the dining car, blushing at that strange satisfaction that always followed a punishment.

Solange was seated across from another woman, as elegant and serene as she was. She introduced us.

—Renata is traveling to the same destination as us —she said.

—I see —I replied, taking my seat beside Solange.

I’m sure I made a face when I sat down. Renata noticed it.

—Nadia has just been punished for doing a bad job, and now she’s paying the consequences, isn’t that right, darling? —Solange explained.

I smiled, feeling the blush rise to my ears.

—I’d like to try that method with some of my girls —Renata commented, not the least bit surprised.

It was very like Solange to boast about my situation to certain people; she wanted them to know about our relationship, at least that part of it. I suppose it gave her a sense of power. It made me feel even more submissive, though beside her I didn’t much care what she said.

—Some need more discipline than others —Solange went on.— Have you never tried this method?

—Unfortunately, no —Renata admitted.

—It’s a shame you couldn’t see Nadia over my lap a little while ago. You’d surely come away with good ideas. Wouldn’t you, darling?

—Yes, ma’am —I replied.

Renata smiled, as if she truly regretted missing the show.

—By the way, that choker is beautiful —she observed.

—Isn’t it? —Solange answered.— It’s a good reminder.

She didn’t need to say more; her eyes said everything. I blushed even more. As soon as I finished dinner, she sent me back to the compartment to redo the work. It took several hours, and I fell asleep disappointed not to see her again that night.

***

The next morning, when we arrived in the city, we checked into an old, beautiful hotel, one of Solange’s favorites. She had business with a company downtown, and after freshening up we took a taxi there.

—How’s your backside holding up? —she whispered in my ear as we went along.

—It hurts, ma’am, and you were right: there are several visible marks.

—Good —she replied—. And there may be more if your work isn’t satisfactory. This meeting is important, and I don’t tolerate mistakes.

I rarely saw her nervous, but that morning I could feel her tension. I crossed my fingers that I had corrected every error, that nothing would betray me in front of strangers.

When we arrived, Renata greeted us, to my surprise.

—Isn’t it nice to know we have an ally in here? —Solange said, stroking my back.

—Yes, ma’am —I replied, though she was already focused on the boardroom where the meeting was to be held.

Things went well for a few hours. But after lunch, when they asked me to clarify some doubtful figures, I realized with horror that I was in trouble again.

—Nadia —Solange said sternly—, I thought you had taken care of this.

She said it in front of everyone, six imposing faces turned toward me, and my face burned at once.

—I’m sorry, ma’am, I don’t know what happened. If you’ll allow me a moment…

Before I could continue, Renata came to my defense.

—I think we can sort it out, Solange. It’s not as serious as it seems. Let’s go to my office and see how to fix it.

Solange seemed relieved, but I knew that, despite the kind words, I was still in trouble. The two of them withdrew and, while the others left the room, I was left alone, brooding over my fate. I had no doubt: the ruler would fly again, and only one day had passed. I knew another punishment on top of the previous one would be terrible. Still, I was intrigued by the coincidence of Renata having traveled on the same train the night before. I wondered whether it was chance or whether there was something else behind such perfect luck.

Two hours later, when the two women came out of the office, they were beaming.

—It seems everything went very well —Solange told me, satisfied.

There was no trace of anger, and that calmed me. The relief lasted only a short while.

—And the other matter? —Renata asked.

—Ah, yes, the other matter —Solange remembered.— We can take care of it now or wait until after dinner.

—I’m a little eager, better not wait —Renata said, arching her eyebrows in complicity.

I couldn’t believe how much she resembled Solange, the same arrogance, the same self-command, the same cold beauty. Without another word, Solange turned to me.

—Nadia.

I stood and followed them into Renata’s office.

—Darling, I suppose you understand that your mistakes cannot go unpunished —Solange said.— Renata and I have discussed it, and we think the fair thing is for you to receive your punishment in front of her. Not only will it be a reasonable correction, but she’ll also be able to witness a full one.

It was hard to answer. What for Solange was a stroke of luck horrified me. I didn’t mind her discussing my punishments with other people, but she had never punished me in front of anyone. I had always felt it was something private between the two of us, and I didn’t know how to fit sharing it with an almost stranger.

Noticing my hesitation, she came closer and wrapped her arms around my waist in an affectionate gesture. With her other hand she brushed my fringe off my forehead.

—You can handle this, Nadia —she whispered.— Think how good it will be for the two of us, especially afterward.

She was right; there was something tempting about it. We usually thought alike about these things, each in her own way.

—Besides, you won’t even notice she’s there. You’ll be too absorbed in your own pain.

I didn’t need convincing; I was bound by the agreements we had sealed long ago. I would do whatever she wanted. Even so, I appreciated the effort to soothe me, which reminded me how close our relationship had become over these two years.

She found a chair to her liking, placed it where she wanted, and told me to stand in front of her. Renata stayed behind me, watching.

—Take off your dress —she ordered.

I lifted the hem of the garment and pulled it over my head, letting it fall to the floor. I was left in the corset, stockings, heels, and choker. I was grateful not to be facing Renata.

—You should be able to see her marks —Solange informed her.

—Yes, I can see them —she replied.— I’m surprised by how clear they are.

—A good submissive wears them with pride. Nadia has always taken her punishments very well.

Since I couldn’t see her face, I had no idea how Renata reacted.

—Over my knees —Solange ordered, her tone changing abruptly.

I obeyed at once. I cast a quick glance at Renata and looked away, embarrassed that someone else was witnessing something so intimate. Solange ran the ruler gently over my backside and my whole body tensed at what was coming. I wanted it and feared it in equal measure.

This time she whipped me quickly, one blow after another, with no pause to breathe. I endured in silence, save for a few plaintive moans, but as the punishment grew my voice rose. When she finally stopped, I was drenched in tears, sobbing soundlessly.

—What a lovely red —Renata commented.

—Isn’t it? —Solange agreed.— Would you like to try?

—Of course.

And just like that, Solange yanked me to my feet and ceded her place. I could hardly believe what was happening. I ended up stretched across Renata’s lap just as I had so many times across Solange’s. I expected to notice some difference, but it felt identical. Like Solange, she took her time, found the same feverish rhythm, and wielded the ruler with considerable force.

I’d barely received a couple of blows before I was sobbing again, twisting in search of relief that didn’t exist. But she, like Solange, knew exactly what to do: she held me firmly at the waist with her free arm and continued. She covered every inch of my buttocks, made sure the ruler bit into the upper thighs, where I was most sensitive, and showed no mercy for the small bruises my lover had left me the day before. That double punishment was becoming one of the worst of my life.

When it finally ended, I remained stretched out for a while, until Solange’s soft hands lifted me. I found comfort in her tenderness, as always, though I missed the gestures that usually closed a session: her fingers running over my punished skin, gifting me the exquisite pleasure that came afterward. I knew it was not the time, that Renata’s presence prevented it, but I longed for a few minutes alone with the other Solange, the one I loved so much.

—I hope you’ve learned your lesson —she stated.

—Yes, ma’am —I replied.

—So have I —Renata said, with a gleam in her eyes.— You’ve both given me a great deal to think about.

As I left the office, I couldn’t help thinking of the young secretary waiting in the anteroom and all that lay ahead of her.

—We’re going to dinner —Solange said—, and then I can soothe this burning and these raw patches.

She was stroking my sore buttocks and I shivered. Her lips were very close to mine, and I accepted her kiss. Our tongues barely brushed for an instant, and in that second I could have melted in her arms. I comforted myself knowing we would spend the night and all of the next day together, back on the train again.