Jeff continued. “It’s been decided both parties will be allowed to remain as active members following their reprimand with these provisions: Peter, you will be reenrolled in the mentee program. We’ve assigned you to Master Greene. ” He nodded to the man sitting at Julie’s right. “In addition, you are not to engage in play with a submissive in our group without an approved member present for a period of two years. Do you understand and accept?”
That’s it? Julie wanted to yell as Peter agreed. That was a slap on the wrist. She bit the side of her cheek so she wouldn’t say anything.
“Sasha,” Jeff said. “You will give a presentation at a future group meeting on safe words and why you should never play without one. Do you understand and accept?”
“Yes, Master Parks,” Sasha said.
Julie gave silent thanks Sasha would still be in the group and that all she had to do was give a presentation. She was still mulling over how unfair
it was that Peter got off so easily when Jeff started speaking again.
“Peter, your required reprimand is thirty lashes with the bullwhip. You will be gagged to ensure your silence, as you silenced the submissive who gave you her trust. If you accept, Master Covington will administer tonight. ”
Julie’s mouth dropped open and she shifted her gaze to Daniel. His expression was grave and she realized in that moment he’d known what would be required of Peter. What would be required of him. He’d probably tried to persuade her to stay away because he remembered her panic in the playroom. But because she insisted on coming to the meeting, she would have to witness her fear, her hard limit.
She swallowed a moan.
“Sasha,” Jeff said, and Julie straightened her back, scared anew for her friend. “It’s the agreement of all involved that you have suffered enough for your poor judgment. Your only additional requirement is that if Peter agrees to submit to the whip, you will watch. ”
All the color drained from Sasha’s face, but she nodded.
“Do you need time to decide, Peter?” Jeff asked.
“No, sir,” Peter said, and Julie noted he’d turned as white as Sasha. “I’ll submit. But if I may, can I address Sasha privately?”
Daniel answered. “No. If she wants to talk, you can go to the far corner, but you’ll remain where you can be seen. ”
Sasha didn’t look like she particularly wanted to talk with Peter, but she nodded as Dena whispered to her. “I’ll talk,” she said.
Julie didn’t miss the look that passed between Daniel and Dena. He didn’t seem overly pleased with the blonde, but Dena basically lifted her chin and gave him an I-couldn’t-care-less look.
He stood up and Julie thought he’d go scold Dena, but instead he walked toward her.
“Julie, I need to talk with you, in the playroom. Jeff, keep an eye on those two,” Daniel said with a nod at the corner where Peter was now talking quietly with Sasha. Sasha stood with arms crossed, shoulders slightly hunched.
“Will she be okay?” Julie asked.
“Yes, Jeff will ensure it. ”
She nodded. The stern-looking Dominant appeared to have everything under control.
Daniel led her to the playroom. Again, her feelings upon entering this room were so different from what they had been before. The other times there had been excitement and desire between them. Walking into the playroom that Friday night, all she felt was empty.
He opened the door and she gasped as she entered. The whipping post was centered at the back of the room.
“You need to get it out of your system now so you can be strong for Sasha. ”
She nodded. He knew how she’d react and he’d brought her in here so she would be prepared. “Thank you. ”
His eyes were sad. “I care a great deal for you, Julie. I hope you know that. ”
“I know. ” She cared a great deal for him, too. That was why everything hurt so much.
He looked like he wanted to say something else, but instead he walked farther into the room. “Everyone will stand here. Peter and I will be in the back. I need space when working with a whip. ”
Her knees wobbled. Fuck, she hoped she could do this.
“My entire concentration will have to be on what I’m doing,” he said. “I need to know you’ll be okay. Take deep breaths. Close your eyes. Leave if you have to. ”
She filled her lungs and exhaled deeply. “I’ll be okay. ”
He walked to his cabinets and took something out. Silently, he passed it to her.
“What’s this?” she asked. It looked like a diamond-shaped piece of Styrofoam.
“It’s part of how I practice. This was a rectangle earlier today. ”
She traced her trembling finger down one neatly cut edge in awe of his strength and accuracy. “You did this with a whip?”
“I’m the single-tail expert of the group. ”