The Dom and the Researcher

Sitting down, he looked at her expectantly.

"Actually, what I have to tell you is that I am going out of town to a conference and won't be back until Saturday."

She could tell that this news was definitely a surprise to Charles. His eyes widened briefly and then he said "Well, that was unexpected."

"I am sorry. I should have told you earlier. But things have been happening so rapidly that I, well, it just slipped my mind."

"Very well. When will you be back?"

"Next Saturday."

"Give me a call when you get back. But I must warn you, I am rather busy next weekend and the week after with my other work. But I'll see if I can make time to see you."

"Thank you! I am so sorry to have to leave like this. But I'm presenting at this conference and must be there." She didn't know why she felt the need to apologize to him. She'd just met the man and, besides, he was a research subject, not someone she was dating. But it felt right to apologize. She was so confused.

Charles had been taken aback by this turn of events. He fully expected her to take the first step on the road to submission. He also understood that she had a regular job. This would definitely make the process more difficult. On the other hand, he was very pleased with her apology. It showed a definite desire to please.

"Well, I guess I'd better go home and pack. I need to review my speech."

"What is the title?"

Blushing Laura said "Dominance: The Outward Manifestation of a Weak Self Image."

She blushed even more as Charles burst out laughing. All he said when he finally stopped was "I guess you do have a lot to learn."

Laura quickly gathered her things and dashed out. She was so unsettled by the whole experience. She knew now that the basis of her presentation was false. Charles had, by far, one of the strongest self images she'd ever encountered. But she couldn't change the topic nor any of the presentation at this late date. The presentation title was already announced and electronic copies of her presentation were being sent to the audience as she made her way home. What was she to do?

She had another restless night. She grew angry with Charles as she tossed and turned. Everything in her life was going so smoothly before she met him. Now, in just a few short days, she'd questioned her whole research approach, learned that she may be fundamentally wrong in her basic hypothesis and now, that the topic of her presentation was flawed. But as she mulled over the whole situation, she realized it was not Charles she should be mad at. It was herself. She'd walled herself off from the world, taking comfort in a safe academic world. She felt like that scientist in that book by Isaac Asimov who said the way to conduct research was to read all that had been written and look for the truth. That scientist had scoffed at the idea of doing actual field research. Granted she'd done field research but it had been purely through observation with a wall that she herself had built to keep her away from her subjects.

She kept looking at her bedside clock, hoping that time was not creeping toward 6 a.m., the time she had to get up to catch her flight. But, as all of us find out, time continues on despite our hopes.

She arose when the alarm sounded and underwent her morning ablutions. She was ready in time for the Super Shuttle that was picking her up for the trip to the airport. She stared miserably out the window the whole trip. She was barely aware of the trip and was unpleasantly surprised when the driver pulled up to a stop and let the riders out.

She already had her ticket and seat assignment, so just pulled her carry on along behind her as she made her way to the TSA screening area. Her phone rang just as she was getting ready to get in line. She was surprised when she answered the phone. It was Charles. She didn't remember giving him her number.

"Charles. How did you get my cell number?"

"You forget, I do work in the technology field. I know lots of geeks that can get me all sorts of information."

"Oh, right. Why are you calling?"

"I just wanted to say that you'll do fine. We both know there is a hole in your presentation topic. But it is mostly correct. There are a lot of so called "Dominants" that have a weak self image and use dominance as a mask. Just remember that and relax. Everything will be fine."

"Oh, thank you, Charles. That is so sweet of you. How did you know I was nervous?"

"Because you are an honorable person. An honorable person would not want to present information that they knew was incorrect."

"Oh, Charles. That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you."

"If that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to you, then a lot of people have been falling down on the job. You have many fine qualities. You are beautiful, smart, and well educated among other qualities I like. Now I have to go. I have a busy day. I just wanted to catch you before you boarded your flight."

"Thank you Charles. You have no idea how much this means to me."

"You can show me when you return."

With that, he hung up and she was left to ponder the whole conversation. As usual, her conversations with him left her lots to think about. First and foremost, was her relief at his words of encouragement for her presentation. It felt as though a large load had been lifted from her shoulders. But with that relief came two questions. What other qualities did she have that he like and how did he expect her to show her appreciation?

Just then, someone bumped into her and startled her out of her reverie. Realizing she was blocking part of the entrance to the TSA screening line, she shuffled forward into the line still pondering the conversation. Did he expect her to sleep with him? No, that wasn't his way. Besides, he had ready access to sex with his live in sub. She decided she'd just have to see what happened when she returned.

Laura fell asleep as soon as she got in her seat on the plane. She didn't even hear the safety announcement. She slept so soundly that the flight attendant had to wake her after they landed. She realized that everyone else had de-boarded when she looked blurrily around. Grabbing her carryon suitcase from the overhead rack, she raced out of the plane and made her way to the hotel shuttle area to catch a shuttle to her hotel.

Her presentation the next morning was very well received. She didn't even feel like a fraud with Charles' words in the back of her mind and accepted the applause as her due. She then made her way to a presentation on deviant sexual behavior from a social psychology perspective. Next was lunch with colleagues before an afternoon of panels and presentations.

The whole time her mind kept coming back to Charles and his call to her. Without that call, this would have been a disaster. It was with that in mind that she skipped dinner with a friend to call him and thank him. Hitting redial on her phone, she waited anxiously for him to pick up. And then he did.

"Ah, Laura. Calling to tell me how well your presentation went?"

"Oh, yes. They loved it. People have been coming up to me all day with questions and comments. I can't tell you how grateful I am for your call. I was a nervous wreck and you saved me. Thank you."

"That's what Dominants do for their submissives. We take care of them."

"Charles! I am not your submissive! Now behave! There I was all happy with your kindness and you had to say that."

Charles answered her with a chuckle and then said "Just giving you a taste of what it's like in a Ds relationship."

"Oh, ok. But please don't say things like that to me again."

"We'll see. Look I have to go. I'm off to meet with some investors about a little business deal I'm putting together. But before I let you go, I'm putting together a little dinner with friends the Saturday after next and wondered if you'd like to join us. John Krull will be there."

"John Krull!! Oh yes, I'd love to join you. Thank you so much. Oh, Oh. Thank you!"

"Ok, bye bye."

Laura was so excited she almost didn't realize he'd hung up. Finally, she put away her phone and flopped down on her bed. This had been the most amazing day! First the presentation and now the opportunity to meet her idol, John Krull. All because of Charles.

She laid there for a while, her mind a whirl before she finally decided she needed a shower and dinner. Tonight she would order room service. But first the shower.

She quickly stripped and put her clothes neatly away, then, walked nude into the bathroom. On the way she looked at herself in the full length mirror. Her body looked pretty good. She ran regularly and it showed in her toned legs. Her breasts were a little small but that way they didn't bother her when she ran. She'd always loved to run and had been a long distance runner in high school and college.

Looking down her body, her eyes were caught by the sight of her untrimmed pussy. Frowning, she thought "Maybe Charles has something there. It does look a little unsightly, all that hair. Maybe I should at least trim it."

Rummaging in her toiletry bag, she found a pair of scissors and began to trim away the unruly mess. Before long she found that she'd trimmed it all away and all that was left was stubble. Looking at herself in the mirror she thought "That looks almost as bad as it did untrimmed. I guess I'd better shave down there. At least it will be neat." So she grabbed her razor and shaving foam before getting into the shower.

She got the remaining stubble wet and then sprayed the foam on. It took a while as she was a little nervous shaving around such a sensitive area, but finally it was smooth. Then she grabbed the soap and started to wash her body. The touch of her soapy hands felt so good on her breasts and they lingered to gently pinch her nipples. Moaning, her hands wandered down to her now smooth pussy. Oh, if felt so good, all smooth. It was amazing how much more sensitive it was now that all that hair was gone. Her fingers found her slit and slithered inside while her thumb started flicking her clit. Soon, her moans reverberated through the bathroom as her mind wandered.

She remembered amber giving Charles a blowjob and how he continued to speak with her. She wondered how it would feel to be nothing more than a sex toy. Then she pictured his face as he came, spurting his cum into her willing mouth. Next, her mind pictured amber in her pony training sessions. The thought of a woman being treated like livestock brought her to an incredible orgasm and she screamed out her passion.

Spent, she leaned against the shower wall with her head down. But as she became aware again, a question rang in her mind "Oh, god. What's happening to me! I just came at the thought of being demeaned and de-humanized! I can't, no, I can't. This is not happening to me!"

She quickly finished her shower and grabbed a towel to dry off. Determined to drive these thoughts from her mind, she dressed again and left her room for the hotel restaurant. Maybe she could find some colleagues to eat with. Anything to not be alone with these thoughts.

She immersed herself in the conference and her colleagues for the next two days so she could get herself back to a normal frame of mind. She awoke at 6 a.m. each morning to run on a treadmill in the hotel gym. Running had always been her place to think about problems or, sometimes, to just zone out. She preferred running outside but didn't feel safe in a new city. She used her time on the treadmill to process her situation with Charles and would always firmly decide to keep her distance and treat him as a research subject. But at night when she was alone, she'd find her hand wandering down to her smooth pussy mound and oh so wet lips as she thought of him.

Finally, the conference ended and she headed home. She wanted to call him as soon as she landed but held off for a whole day before finally succumbing.

"Charles, I'm back from the conference and wondered if we could get together for an interview?"

"Sorry, babe. I'm really booked this week with work and when I'm not working, I have amber's training sessions. So not until Saturday when you come for dinner."

A surge of jealousy went through her upon hearing that amber had some of his precious time and he couldn't spare any for her. Amber was just a sub, no, a slave, and she, Laura, was a full professor at a prestigious university! But then she calmed down. He had not made any commitment to her, nor she to him. Of course, he would spend time with someone who had.

"Ok. What time do you want me to show up Saturday? Would you like me to bring anything?"

"Be here at 6:30 for cocktails, dinner will be at 7:30. As for bringing something, just that luscious body of yours."

"Charles! I thought we discussed this! No more demeaning statements about me."

"Have you thought about what your beautiful ass would look like with some red stripes?"

"Charles! Enough! I will see you Saturday. Good bye."

She heard him chuckling as she hung up. She tried to be mad at him but couldn't deny the warm feelings emanating from her pussy at his words. Even the remark about her ass made her feel good. He liked her body!

Shaking her head as if it would clear it of these thoughts, she started to review her lecture notes, adding information she'd picked up at the conference. But she found it hard to concentrate and her mind kept wandering back to their conversation.

"Damn him! Why did he have this effect on her?!"

It was a long week, waiting for Saturday to arrive. To distract herself, she reread Krull's book on his experience with the aboriginals, picking up new insights into his immersion experience.

Finally, Saturday arrived. She went for her morning run and then spent hours going through her wardrobe, trying on different outfits. She was so torn. On the one hand, she wanted to wear something sexy for Charles. On the other hand, she wanted to look the consummate profession for Krull. Finally, she settled on an outfit that showed off her legs but still looked professional.

She arrived at precisely 6:30 to find another party of 3 just going in the door. Charles greeted them and sent them into the lounge before turning to her.

"Laura, nice to see you again. Fresh from conquering the academic hordes. My, don't you look delicious."

"Thank you Charles. And academics don't make a horde, more like a gaggle."

Charles chortled over that and then took her arm to lead her into the lounge. There, behind the bar, was amber. This time dressed demurely in a light colored dress. It was hard to tell how long it was but Laura guessed it was only long enough to keep it respectable and no more.

Seeing her look at amber, he said "An unexpected surprise. Turns out that my amber has some bartending experience. Amazing at her young age. Someone was not obeying the law. But I am more than willing to take advantage of her skills. What would you like?"

"I'd love some merlot."

"amber, a glass of merlot for the good doctor."

"Yes, Sir."

"Here you are Doctor."

"Thank you, amber."

Charles looked at Laura and said "You really must remember not to thank a slave. It makes them uncomfortable."

Laura looked down, chagrined at being corrected not 5 minutes inside his house and on a subject for which she was supposed to be an expert.

"Now, let me introduce you to John."

Charles led her over to a short, grey haired man. Laura recognized him from his pictures but was surprised how much older he looked in person.

"John. I'd like to introduce you to the lovely Dr. Laura Baxter. Don't let it go to your head, but she got into her line of work because of you."

"Dr. Krull, it is such a pleasure to meet you. I can't tell you how much I've looked forward to this evening ever since Charles told me you'd be here."

"Dr. Baxter, may I call you Laura?"

"Oh, yes. Of course."

"Well, Laura, you must call me John. It is so nice to hear that such a lovely young woman was looking forward to meeting me. Lovely, and a Doctor, no less. How amazing. Charles must be so proud of you."

"Charles?"

"Oh, I assumed you belonged to him. I'm sorry for my mistake."

"Belonged? What do you mean?"

Krull looked over at Charles with a quizzical look. Charles answered his unspoken question. "Laura knows about my 'proclivities,' in fact we met because she's writing a paper on the lifestyle. And, no, I don't own her. Yet."

"Charles! Please, it's one thing to tease me privately, but not in public."

"Who is teasing?"

"You are impossible. John, are you in the lifestyle?"

"Oh, no. But I accept this aspect of my good friend as he accepts my own peculiarities. Now, why were you so excited to meet me? Other than for my dashing good looks." He said smiling.

"Your book inspired me and gave my career the direction that led me to this point. I want to write a book like you've written. I want it to be on the BDSM world and that's what I'm researching now. What advice can you give me?"

"Advice? Well, that's the part that most people have problems with. As I tell all aspiring cultural researchers, you must live the culture to really understand it. That can be difficult, let me tell you. The things I had to do when I was living with the aborigines. Let's just say they turned my stomach at first but after a while I grew to enjoy them. I remember the first time I emerged naked from my hut, I was blushing all over. In fact, my aboriginal name means something like 'red all over,' and then there was learning eat their food. Nothing like eating live termites and banana slugs to make you a little green. But now I rather dislike wearing clothes and love termites. Banana slugs I still don't like but am used to eating them. Oh, and learning to go barefoot. I'll tell you, the first few weeks, my feet were a mess. But then they toughened up and got so many calluses that I was a whole shoe size larger when I left the jungle a year later."

"But it was a happy time. I probably would have stayed if my research assistant hadn't come to get me. I still go back for a few weeks every year. I just wish I could combine that life with this one. But those worlds are far apart."

"So, if you want my advice. Live the culture. Make it a part of yourself. That is the only way to really understand the culture you are studying and to write an inspired research paper."

Charles spoke up at that moment "Laura and I have discussed this. She is uncertain about taking the next step. Perhaps you have some words to help her?"

"Only that the first step is hard but it is worth it."

Laura looked a little like a deer caught in a headlight. Her eyes were round and her mouth open in astonishment. She didn't know what to say. She half expected him to say that, but it led to a place she didn't want to go.

At that moment, Charles put his arm around her and said "I see dinner is ready. Let me escort you to your seat."

Laura looked up at him gratefully and said "Thank you."

The rest of the evening went by in a whirl of sights and sounds that Laura barely perceived. Krull's advice weighed heavily on her mind. She noted, thankfully, that Charles stayed near her the whole evening and kept people from bothering her too much.

Finally, the evening was at an end. Charles seated her in an alcove while he said his goodbyes to the rest of the guests before finally sitting down beside her.

"Will you be all right to drive home?"

"Oh, oh, yes. Thank you. In fact, thank you for everything you did for me this evening."

"What? I did nothing."

"Yes, you did. First, you introduced me to John. Then you stayed by my side the rest of the evening when you knew I was so distracted by what he'd advised me to do. All that time you should have been with your other guests."

"It was my pleasure. As I told you, Dominants take care of their submissives."