Chapter 25

 

“Make sure you’re in position when he gets here.”

He stood over here where she knelt, ensuring she took the prescribed pose. This needed to be just right if they were going to have a chance at pulling this off.

It was a good sign that Hunter had called his phone approximately ten seconds after Troy and Lacey left his office that day.

The letter was a little bit ambiguous — and it was done on purpose. He’d tried to make it effective enough to entice him, but not too much to scare him off.

 

 

Hunt,

 

I have a proposition for you. Come over to my place next Friday night. If you do, you’ll get to see what really happens on Friday nights at my house.

 

If you do come, do it with a (very) open mind. Lacey knows you’re coming, but doesn’t know exactly what’s going to happen. You’re going to be helping me keep Lacey in line, and yes, it will involve touching her.

 

If that’s not something you think you have an interest in doing, no harm, no foul. Things will go on as they always have. If this is something you want to be involved in, then call me sometime between now and Friday.

 

Merry Christmas, buddy.

 

Troy

 

 

There was a knock and Troy fixed Lacey with a stern glare, ensuring she was where she needed to be.

He opened the front door to find his friend on the porch, his black coat already collecting a dusting of snow at the shoulders. Huge white flakes poured down all around him, the sounds of the city muffled in that special way one only encountered in a snowstorm.

“Hey, thanks for coming, man.” Troy rubbed his shoulders, a tip of his head beckoning Hunter inside. “Get your ass in here. It’s freezing!”

Hunter stomped the snow off his boots before stepping in, Troy closing the door and locking it.

His friend didn’t budge though, not even shrugging off his coat despite the toasty warmth. There was a reticence in the tall man’s eyes — and perhaps a hint of eagerness as well.

“You sure you want to do this, Troy?”

He knew Hunt. His cock wanted to do this, but his heart was still broken. Yes, it had been a while now since the break-up, but feelings were still raw. He hoped tonight would help him forget about those feelings, at least for an hour or two.

“Of course, I want to do this.” Troy shut the door with a rush of frigid air, the deadbolt thudding home. “She needs this as much as you do. Just like we talked about on the phone. She still won’t believe me when I tell her she’s beautiful — so I told her I would bring in a neutral third party to help convince her.”

“Cruel bastard,” Hunter muttered, shaking his head as he hung up his jacket.

“You bet your ass.” Troy’s arm swept toward the hallway. “She’ll be nice and frightened by now. Shall we?”

“I can’t believe I’m doing this shit.”

I know the feeling, pal.

Troy led him into the living room. They’d made it like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Their fireplace was roaring with a healthy fire, the yellow flames splashing warm light over the woman kneeling facing it. Their deep blue high-backed chair was set off to one side looking back from the fire into the rest of the living room, the long, low couch facing the fireplace. It would be the perfect perch to watch the festivities. The Christmas tree, festooned with a panoply of bright, blinking lights, soared upward, taking advantage of every extra foot provided by the vaulted ceiling.

And kneeling in the middle of it all, was Lacey. She was dressed in a tight, bright red long-sleeved top, and a crimson pleated skirt that was so short it barely covered the lower curves of her buttocks.

Troy found he’d quite liked that look from her little stunt in Hunter’s office, and sought to replicate it tonight.

Her bottom was pressed to bare feet, the pale soles peeking out from under her. Her long dark hair had been gathered into a loose single braid that reached down her back almost to the floor.

Just go with this, Hunt. It’s gonna be okay.

Troy wasn’t yet sure he quite believed that yet, but there was no time like the present to find out.

Hunter leaned in close to him, whispering. “Glad to see you had her dress up tonight.”

Troy grinned, clapping a hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “Merry Christmas, bud. Enjoy yourself.”

Hunter made his way around the couch, sitting and blowing on his still ice-cold hands. Troy walked slowly around his silent, kneeling wife, meeting her gaze one last time, ensuring she knew she’d be in for it if she disobeyed. He sat down in the chair, watching his silent, prostrate wife.

“Lacey, tonight is the last Friday before Christmas. And what usually happens on Fridays?”

Lacey’s head rose and she looked over at him. “Maintenance?”

The question in her tone made Hunter smile. It was a good sign. If Hunter got off on her nervousness and bashfulness the way he did, that was most of the battle right there.

“Well, tonight, you’re not getting maintenance.” Troy glanced over at Hunter.

Her head tilted. “I’m... not?”

“No.” Troy shifted in his seat, stroking his chin, trying to ignore the swell of his erection already twisting in his pants. “Do you remember our little discussion earlier this week? About the way you talk down to yourself about your appearance?”

Lacey shook her head with a little laugh. “You mean how I’m still a beached whale?”

“Lacey, stop it.” Troy gave her a tight smile. “That’s what Hunter’s here for tonight.”

Her head dropped again, and she drew a shaky breath. “Okay. But how?”

“You keep saying you’re fat, that you haven’t lost your baby weight. Is that right?”

“Yes — but I don’t really need to say it. You have eyes.” She turned her head, sliding a glance Hunter’s way. “Hi, Hunter.”

“Hello, Lacey. Merry Christmas. You’re looking beautiful tonight.”

So far, so good.

“Thank you,” she said softly, giving him a shy smile, a bit of color rising in her cheeks before she turned to look at Troy once more.

“He’s right, you know.” Troy sat forward, glaring at her. “But despite how many times I’ve told you. Despite what’s obvious to everyone but you, you still think you’re fat, right?”

She was silent a moment, her head turned toward the tree to her right.

“Answer me, Lacey girl.”

“Yes, sir.” Her voice dropped to almost a whisper. “I still can’t fit into all my clothes from before. That says it all, right there.”

“No, it doesn’t.” Troy stood up, crossing his arms over his chest, looking down upon his kneeling wife. “But I think Hunter might be able to get you to see the light. If your own husband can’t convince you, then maybe someone else — someone more neutral — can help you see how crazy this is.”

“Troy, what do you mean?”

He smiled down upon her, his eyes glittering. “He’s going to spank you, of course.”

“What?” She swallowed hard, the muscles of her back stiffening under the red fabric. “But you said you wouldn’t—”

“I said I wouldn’t be giving you maintenance, but you’re still getting a spanking.” Troy nodded in Hunter’s direction. “And Hunter’s going to be the one to give it.”

“I don’t—”

“Are you objecting, Lacey?” He paced slowly back and forth in front of his kneeling wife. “What do you propose I do? You aren’t listening to me. You’re saying awful things about yourself — things which happen to be completely untrue — and which just serve to make you miserable. And now you’re going to argue about the fairness of this?”

Her head drooped, her little feet squirming under her.

“No, sir. I just… he’s never... before.”

Troy chuckled, walking over to the fireplace, holding out his hands to warm them for a moment. “Oh, he hasn’t spanked you — but I guarantee he definitely knows what he’s doing when it comes to handling a woman.”

Hunter grinned, the firelight dancing in his dark eyes. He seemed to be going along with the program just fine.

Yeah, but are you?

He wasn’t yet sure how to answer that, but the fact that he still had an aching hard-on at the prospect of his best friend spanking his wife’s ass was something Troy regarded as a hopeful sign.

Then Hunter shook his head, frowning. Perhaps he’d been wrong about his friend after all?

“Yes, Sir,” Lacey finally said, her voice wavering.

Troy reached up to the oak mantel, and pulled down the pale wood paddle. It was light, and yet devastatingly effective, capable of raising a tremendous sting and heat within but a few strokes. He had no intention of going easy on Lacey just because it was going to be Hunter laying down the law. Quite the opposite, in fact. He pointed the paddle at Lacey.

“So, you agree that Hunter knows what he’s doing. Knows how to spank you — and do it well?”

“Yes... sir.”

The blush flooded up her neck, until even her ears turned a bright pink.

“Good, then let’s get started.” Troy sat down, tapping his thigh lightly with the paddle. “Since you think you look so awful, and you won’t believe me when I tell you otherwise, we’re going to let Hunter render an opinion on the matter. Then maybe you’ll start believing me.”

“Troy, that’s not necessary. I think, just—”

Troy shot him a look. “Do you object to having a look for yourself?”

Just go with the flow, goddammit.

“Well, I don’t... well, no. But it’s not necessary.”

Judging by the size of the bulge between Hunter’s thighs, the man’s body wasn’t on the same page as his words.

Good.

The fact that Troy knew, and completely approved of, Hunter’s admiration of his beautiful wife was something they’d long ago just sort of accepted. To Troy it was the natural order of things; of course, two Dominant men would take pleasure in looking upon the beauty of the submissive wife of one of them.

With Sara finally out of the picture, it made all of this easier, but Troy knew that attraction to Lacey was not something Hunter had ever gotten entirely used to. That he was able to openly express his attraction to Lacey made things more honest — and open — between the three of them. Still, there had always been an unresolved tension.

Now, there was a chance to take that first step in finally resolving it.

Lusting after another man’s wife — even if that man was your best friend — was not something he knew Hunter was ever going to fully be at peace with, regardless of any assurances, and outright approval, of Troy.

Troy waved the paddle at his wife. “Stand up, Lacey.”

She rose quickly, her hands clasped in front of her. The red skirt which just barely hid the lower curves of her buttocks, flared a bit at the hem. A very fetching look indeed. It was an outfit just slutty enough to get all of them in the mood to celebrate something much more than just Christmas.

“Take off your clothes,” Troy said. “Skirt first. Turn around before you lower it.”

Lacey made a tiny sound of defeat as she obeyed, the skirt whisking down her legs, revealing her naked bottom. The deep red of the snug top remained, perfectly framing her plump buttocks.

“God damn.” Hunter wiped a hand over his mouth.

Her ass was a thing of beauty — and they both took a moment to stare at it. Broad and round, its soft curves beckoned for both caresses and the lash. If anything, the curves of her hips looked a little more exaggerated with the top still on, the contrast of the red against her pale flesh drawing the eye. The lush thighs swept down to the tight, nervous muscles of her calves. It was a mouthwatering sight, especially to two men with distinct interest in the female buttocks — and what could be done to them.

“Beautiful, just like I said. You heard him.” Troy gave her a mock scowl. “I told you, Lacey.”

“Gorgeous,” Hunter added, then cleared his throat. “You’re not quite done though.”

Now we’re talking, Hunter!

Troy beamed at him, and gave him a wink. “He’s right, Lacey. Top off, then turn around. Hands on the back of your head.”

“Yes, Sir,” she said softly.

The red shirt soon joined the skirt in a pile, and she turned, reluctance in every step. Her breasts, still swollen with milk though she was in the process of weaning Hayden, swung as she faced them both. Her eyes were downcast, the little muscles of her biceps flexing as she locked her hands behind her head. Hunter’s eyes seemed to rove everywhere, his erection now blatantly tenting his jeans.

Troy could relate.

The dark shock of thick curls between her strong thighs immediately drew his eye, the pubic hair trimmed into a pleasing delta. He’d allowed it to grow much more fully than what seemed currently in fashion with women. He longed to stroke his fingers through it.

“You don’t shave her?”

He liked the way Hunter talked about Lacey’s cunt as if she weren’t even there. Another very good sign indeed.

Troy nodded. “Making her try something new. As much as I like her pussy exposed, it gets old eventually. I might make her keep it this way for a while.”

“Well, I like it,” Hunter said, smiling at her despite her downcast eyes. “Very pretty.”

She shifted her weight. “Sir, I—”

“Be quiet.” Troy let steel creep into his voice. “Let him look at you. You might have thought about this when you were arguing with me earlier this week about how you looked. Maybe after tonight you’ll think twice about doing that again.”

Her white teeth worked her upper lip between them, but she nodded.

“Sorry, Sir.”

My good girl.

“What about the rest of her, Hunter?”

They both looked upon her, the network of ghostly veins visible beneath the surface of the pale skin of her milk heavy breasts drawing the eye immediately, the nipples and areolas still quite dark. It never failed to turn Troy on either, much to Lacey’s embarrassment.

Her belly was still rounded, but by no means fat. There were a few stretch marks visible, toward the sides of her abdomen, but rather than marring her appearance, he found them appealing, a sign of both what she’d been through and something he suspected she was very self-conscious of. That self-consciousness, that vulnerability, simply fanned his lust for her higher.

If he knew his best friend, he suspected his feelings would be very similar indeed.

There was some loose skin along the lower curves of her belly — to be expected with pregnancy — but she was almost back to normal already at only a few months’ post-partum.

“She looks amazing, Troy. Her body’s snapped back so fast. I can hardly believe it. Love her tits though — shame you couldn’t keep them that way all the time.”

Troy chuckled at that, savoring the beginning of another sweet blush for Lacey.

She peered at Hunter from under dark lashes, her face flaming.

Hunter smiled at her. “You’re gorgeous, Lacey. You should never call yourself fat. You look like a woman. And a beautiful one, too. You need to listen to your husband.”

“Which is where you come in, Hunt.” Troy stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his hands catching her breasts, lifting them in his palms.

Her head fell back as he whispered in her ear. “You’re doing so well, sweet girl.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple, then looked at Hunter.

“She needs a reminder to listen to her husband, and to stop being so hard on herself.”

A moan escaped her lips as he squeezed her nipples, a shudder passing through her body.

“Come here, Lacey,” Hunter patted his thigh. “Over my lap. Time to redden that big bottom of yours.”

Troy smiled again, loving the way Hunter seemed to be getting into the swing of things when it came to gentle verbal humiliation. He knew his wife loved it, no matter how crimson her cheeks became, and the fact that Hunter seemed to take to it naturally was yet another encouraging sign.

He urged her toward Hunter. She lowered herself over, her entire body trembling violently as her weight settled upon his lap. Hunter’s jaw tightened visibly when she wiggled against him, seating her hips at just the right angle to facilitate her spanking. Just as she’d been exactingly trained.

Troy offered the paddle to Hunter, but he shook his head, holding up his hand with a lift of his eyebrow.

For a split second, Troy’s body grew tense at the prospect this was really going to happen. But it was Hunter. He trusted his very life with the man. He could do this — he hoped. He had to try.

For her.

“Cold!” Lacey murmured, shuddering over his lap as Hunter took her bottom cheek in his hand, squeezing, goose flesh spreading over her skin. The sight had Troy’s cock twitching, both jealous and at the same time loving the voyeuristic thrill of being able to watch her reactions from afar.

It was a huge moment for them… and Troy was shocked at how easily they’d all gotten through it.

He hoped it was a good omen for what might come next.

As Troy sat back down in his chair. Hunter stroked the broad, round buttocks, seeming to take his time, as if he were familiarizing himself with the gorgeous canvas he was about to practice his sadistic craft upon.

He knew the feeling.

The fire popped loudly, and Lacey jerked. Hunter stroked her hip, smiling.

He brought his hand down hard, the smack ringing out, and Lacey yelped. The handprint left behind on her skin was pale, then as the blood rushed back, deepened to pink then an angry red. He smacked her other buttock, and then his hand stilled, gripping her bottom firmly.

Then Hunter took up a steady rain of blows, landing hard smacks on each cheek, alternating between each side. He varied his angle of attack, sometimes giving her hard, slow spanks, then following with a rapid-fire storm of them until her body reared up off the couch, her legs kicking in anguish.

Troy was usually quite strict with her, and as a result she was stoic under Hunter’s initial flurry. But he suspected Hunter would see that as a challenge — and he had no doubt his best friend was more than capable of rising to meet it. In more ways than one.

Poor girl.

He smacked her ass harder, this time on the lowest part of her cheeks, where they were the softest, and he stroked her there lovingly between blows. Troy loved the way her broad bottom shook and wobbled under each strike, the view much better from his vantage point.

Hunter stopped to spread her buttocks, and Lacey hid her face in her folded arms. Aiming carefully, he spanked the inner slopes between the cheeks, pausing occasionally to stroke the soft whorl of her exposed anus as she whimpered her mortification.

Jesus Christ.

Apparently, any reservations he may have had that Hunter would be reticent about taking advantage of his power — temporary though it might be — over Lacey were entirely unjustified. And watching the way his best friend so ably handled Lacey’s body was deeply arousing in a way he wasn’t quite prepared for.

He could get used to this.

Troy’s cock was so hard, he was afraid he might make a mess of his pants.

Hunter struck methodically, one side then the next, repeating it until Lacey began to sniffle and the inner curves of her bottom blazed as brightly red as the rest.

“That’s a girl,” Troy said, his voice a rumble. He sat forward, his elbows on his legs. “Be good now. Relax that bottom for Hunter. I want you to feel this, Lacey girl.”

Incredibly, she obeyed, her body stilling, her bottom unclenching. Hunter paused a moment to stroke and squeeze the lush flesh of her buttocks, his fingertips tracing the swollen marks.

Then he began again, raining down progressively harder blows until her bottom glowed red, the hand prints so numerous that they merged into a deep scarlet smudge, and she groaned softly, her voice breaking at a particularly harsh spank.

“The next time your husband tells you you’re beautiful, what are you going to do, Lacey?” Hunter marched smacks down first her left thigh, then the right, and she cried out.

“Listen… to him. Sir.”

“That’s right. Good girl.” Hunter urged her legs apart and landed a harsh smack to each soft inner thigh, making Lacey keen, her head coming up.

“Please!”

Fuck me. Go Hunter!

Hunter growled the words, leaning over her. “Next time you feel like putting yourself down, and ignoring the truth, ignoring your husband, you’ll remember this, won’t you?”

“Yes, sir!”

“If he ever has to call me back to punish you some more, I’ll come witness what happens on a real Maintenance Night.” Hunter stilled his hand, her welted flesh a mottled crimson. “And you’ll get more than a spanking then, won’t you?”

Her back hitched once and she swallowed a sob. “Yes, sir. I’m very s-sorry. I’ll listen, I promise.”

“Your husband loves you very much, Lacey. And all he wants is what’s best for you. Listen to him, and you’ll never go wrong. Do you believe me?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You call me Hunter. Your husband is your Sir.”

“Yes, Hunter.”

Hunter met his gaze then, and he nodded to his friend, smiling.

He’d done it. The asshole had actually gone through with it. And to Troy’s shock, it was one of the hottest things he’d ever seen.

But more than that, they had done it — for it was much more than Hunter being tested tonight.

If he could let this one special man touch — and punish — Lacey… perhaps there were far more avenues that could be explored.

It was but the first step, but there was no doubt it was a giant one.

Lacey began to weep, and Troy stopped himself from going to her, seeing Hunter gently stroke her hair. Troy suspected it was a flood of emotion his sweet wife could hold back no longer.

“Say it, Lacey,” he said, knowing she needed this one final push. “Tell us everything now.”

“I’m so sorry, sir.” Her voice warbled, and she took a deep breath to steady it. “I’m so sorry for not listening to you. I’m… I’m worried you won’t love me anymore, won’t want me. I’m trying, but I can’t help it. I’ll obey you, and I’ll listen.” Her voice settled, and her body relaxed as Hunter continued the soft caressing of her dark, silky locks. “Thank you for helping me see, for still loving me.”

Troy slipped from his chair, kneeling next to his wife, kissing her cheek, his hand in her hair.

“Lacey girl, I love you so much. And I’ll never stop loving you.”

She pressed a kiss to his hand. “I love you too, sir. I’m sorry.”

Then she craned her head back at Hunter, her smile bright despite the tears brimming from her beautiful eyes. “Thank you for s-spanking me, Hunter. Thank you for… caring about me.”

For one moment, he saw a flash of agonizing wistfulness in his friend’s gaze. Then it was gone.

“Troy is one lucky son of a bitch.”

With a mischievous sparkle in her eye, her hand closed over Hunter’s, gently squeezing as she whispered it.

“Merry Christmas.”