A Hard Bargain Read online

  Table of Contents

  Legal Page

  Title Page

  Book Description

  Dedication

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  New Excerpt

  About the Author

  Publisher Page

  A Totally Bound Publication

  A Hard Bargain

  ISBN # 978-0-85715-665-5

  ©Copyright Ashe Barker 2014

  Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright March 2014

  Edited by Sarah Smeaton

  Totally Bound Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2014 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

  Warning:

  This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Burning and a Sexometer of 3.

  The Hardest Word

  A HARD BARGAIN

  Ashe Barker

  Book one in The Hardest Word serial

  Over forty-million pounds in the bank, but the one thing she wants to buy is not for sale.

  Freya Stone is a Lottery winner. A Euromillions Lottery winner to be exact. The week she won, hers was the only winning ticket. And it was a rollover, seeing her almost forty-five million pounds richer. But with no taste at all for a wealthy lifestyle, Freya bought herself a flashy car and a fancy apartment, then ran out of ideas and stuck the rest in the bank to be carefully invested by her own private wealth consultant.

  One passion her wealth will enable her to indulge, however, is her appetite for submission. Or so she thinks. Following a childhood illness, Freya is unable to speak. She gets by pretty well with a combination of British Sign Language and a notepad, but her lack of speech makes negotiating difficult. She can’t tell a Dom what she needs, and she can’t use safe words. None of the Doms she’s played with so far have been especially interested in training a novice sub who doesn’t even squeal.

  So Freya decides to buy tuition from a Master who comes highly recommended. Why not? She has the funds at her disposal, and nothing better she’d like to purchase. Twenty-five thousand pounds for a month with the Dom she’s fantasized about for ages seems like a bargain to her.

  But experienced and harsh Dom Nick Hardisty has other ideas. Infuriated at Freya’s attempt to buy his services, he turns her down flat, while also demanding that she pay for her temerity by submitting to a punishment which he will administer personally.

  Can Freya accept his discipline? Can she convince him to reconsider and provide the help she needs? And Nick Hardisty drives a hard bargain. If he won’t accept her money, what will his price be?

  Dedication

  For Hannah, my current work in progress, and John.

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Euromillions Lottery: Camelot Group, Française des Jeux and Sociedad Estatal Loterías y Apuestas del Estado, S.A

  Dalek (Doctor Who): British Broadcasting Corporation

  Skype: Skype Technologies S.A.

  Tesco Clubcard: Tesco PLC

  Sudocrem: Forest Tosara Ltd

  Anadin: Anadin

  Facebook: Facebook, Inc.

  iPhone: Apple, Inc.

  Alton Towers: Merlin Entertainments Group PLC

  Pepsi: PepsiCo, Inc.

  Ford Cortina: Ford Motor Company

  Aston Martin Vanquish: Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.

  Woolworths: Woolworths Group plc

  National Lottery: Camelot Group

  Lloyds: Lloyds Bank plc

  BMW: BMW AG

  Qantas: Qantas Airways Limited

  Countdown: ITV Studios

  Outlook: Microsoft Corporation

  Costa: Whitbread PLC

  NatWest: National Westminster Bank Plc

  Samsung Galaxy: Samsung Group

  Citroen: Automobiles Citroen S.A.

  Google: Google Inc.

  Levi’s: Levi Strauss & Co.

  WHSmith: WHSmith PLC

  Prologue

  From: Freya Stone

  To: Nicholas Hardisty

  Date: 27 March 2013

  Subject: A Business proposal

  Dear Mr Hardisty

  Please forgive this less than orthodox approach. I was given your contact details by Angela Delaney, who I believe is a mutual acquaintance to both of us. We probably have a number of mutual acquaintances in fact, as we are both members of the Collared and Tied club. Certainly I’ve seen you there, in the dungeon.

  There’s no delicate way to frame my proposition, and I appreciate that in normal circumstances a direct approach from me, to you, would not be acceptable. But my circumstances are a little unusual and I hope you will be able to overlook my departure from accepted practice. In short, Mr Hardisty, I want to commission your services. As a Dominant, my Dom, specifically. I am convinced that you would never normally consider inviting me to scene with you, so I feel I should offer you some payment to compensate you for your time and for sharing your expertise. Would you consider the sum of twenty-five thousand pounds to be a fair price for your services? If not, I am happy to negotiate.

  For this amount, or whatever sum we eventually agree on, I would wish to enjoy your attention, exclusively, for a period of I think perhaps one month, though, I am prepared to be flexible on that also. You will know better than I what’s involved and how long it might take. During that time, I would like you to work with me, train me in order that I can become accustomed to submission and the BDSM lifestyle. I am interested in exploring the various forms of submission, the usual and most common practices and so on. You will appreciate that whilst I have long been aware of this aspect of my nature, my experience is extremely limited, and to date my progress as a submissive has not always been especially rewarding. I have reached the conclusion that unless I take drastic steps, that situation will not alter.

  I mentioned that my circumstances are unusual, and I feel I need to explain those to you more fully in order that you can consider my proposal fairly. Whilst I have normal hearing, I am mute. I cannot speak at all and therefore I cannot use safe words or other vocal clues to communicate with a Dom. I have on a number of occasions encountered difficulties as a result of my particular communication challenges. Not that I have had many offers.

  On the other hand, I understand that you have an extensive track record and considerable expertise in training submissives, and I would like to be able to benefit from that specialist knowledge.

  If you are positively incli
ned to consider my proposition, perhaps we could arrange a time to get together to discuss the details. I am happy to meet with you at a time and place of your convenience.

  Best regards

  Freya Stone (Miss)

  From: Nicholas Hardisty

  To: Freya Stone

  Date: 31 March 2013

  Subject: NO!

  Dear Miss Stone

  You are quite correct. Your approach is both unorthodox and inappropriate. I am in the habit of selecting my own submissives, and have never yet found it necessary to do so on the basis of financial consideration.

  I understand your membership of the Collared and Tied club has been revoked so it is unlikely our paths will cross again. May I therefore take this opportunity to wish you every success for the future.

  And finally, if I were minded to accept payment for my services as you suggest, I would have done what you require for considerably less than you have offered.

  N. Hardisty

  From: Freya Stone

  To: Nicholas Hardisty

  Date: 2 April 2013

  Subject: A Business Proposal

  Dear Mr Hardisty

  There was no need to have my membership revoked. A simple no would have sufficed. As there are no other reputable establishments catering to my—our—preferences closer than Glasgow, I now find myself with nowhere safe to play.

  I am therefore considerably worse off than when I first approached you. Perhaps that was your intention, but I feel that a more direct form of retribution would have been more appropriate. You could have simply spared a few moments to spank me, and been done with it.

  Needless to say, I deeply regret having approached you, and you will not be bothered by me again.

  Yours sincerely

  Freya Stone (Miss)

  P.S. The level of my financial offer reflected the value I place on the service I am seeking. I have the funds, and how I decide to spend my money is entirely up to me.

  From: Angela Delaney

  To: Nick Hardisty

  Date: 2 April 2013

  Subject: Freya

  Nick

  I can’t believe you did that. Freya was only asking you to help her. You had only to say no. You and I both know perfectly well that if you’d chosen not to agree, you could have convinced her to abandon her plans without resorting to such measures.

  Freya Stone needs her membership in the club. You know as well as I the dangers facing an unattached and inexperienced submissive, let alone a sub with Freya’s communication difficulties. Freya is willing, enthusiastic, courageous and honest. She could, given training, become a perfect submissive. And she deserves a chance, no less than the rest of us. I can’t imagine how she’ll cope now, without the relative safety and protection offered by a well-run club. No doubt she’ll be reduced to skulking around dodgy chat rooms and sleazy online networks. Heaven help her.

  You may own the club, but I am the manager here. You are also my big brother, Nick, and you know I have the utmost respect for you. I have no wish to quarrel with you, but you make it extremely difficult at times, not least when you take matters of club membership into your own hands in this way. I am very disappointed in you over this, Nick. Very disappointed indeed. I like Freya Stone and I’ve tried to help her, train her, but it’s not a Domme she wants. She will only really respond to a Master, and I don’t doubt that she would have responded beautifully, given time and the opportunity to explore her nature in safety.

  And regardless of your singularly ill-chosen remarks in your email to me earlier today, I have no regrets at all about suggesting to Freya that you could meet her needs because quite simply, Nick, you could. Can. You are exactly what she needs. As the general manager of this club, I am aware that you are an experienced trainer, highly regarded among all the submissives you’ve educated. You have a reputation for being hard but fair, exacting and challenging. You certainly have the skill and creativity, and the patience, to devise ways of overcoming Freya’s particular issues and developing her unique qualities. And you’re intuitive, tuned in to your submissive’s responses, good at reading the signals. Even without words, you would know how she was feeling, you’d be aware of her responses whether she was able to tell you or not, and you could have trained her. I know Freya would have been safe with you and that’s why I recommended you. And it’s not as though you don’t have the time, now that you’re not throwing tourists out of those bloody planes of yours every day.

  I should have insisted though on making the introduction rather than allowing Freya to approach you herself. I did advise her against offering you money for your services, but she felt certain you would not entertain her otherwise. Again though, you had only to say no.

  Despite my advice, she was determined to approach you, she felt it was the polite and most reasonable course to take. How wrong she was, and I’m sure she will by now be bitterly regretting it. If you’d bothered to even talk to her, you’d have found out that Freya’s lack of speech has made it near enough impossible for her to discuss and negotiate her needs with any of the Doms who she has experimented with so far. She’s had some distressing experiences, and it’s to her credit that she still has the fortitude to persevere. Or she did. Until she encountered you.

  As well as refusing to help her, you have also had her club membership revoked. That last was unnecessary. I want you to re-consider. Please, for me.

  Yours

  Ange

  From: Nicholas Hardisty

  To: Freya Stone

  C.c. Angela Delaney

  Date: 4 April 2013

  Subject: Collared and Tied Club

  Dear Miss Stone

  Your membership at the Collared and Tied club has been reinstated. My actions were disproportionate, and I apologize for any undue distress caused. Your suggestion made in your email of 2 April 2013 is accepted as the more appropriate course of action and therefore when you next encounter me at the club, please be so good as to make yourself known to me and I will administer it.

  There is no need to respond to this email. I would prefer no further communication between us other than that outlined above.

  N. Hardisty

  Chapter One

  “That’s him.” I sign the words to Summer, my closest and dearest friend, who’s managed somehow to bury all her own heartfelt objections to this mad scheme of mine and has come here with me anyway. To provide moral support. Or maybe to try one last time to talk me out of it. And if all else fails, as she puts it, to pick up what’s left of me afterwards and make sure I get home.

  “Who? Which one?” she whispers the questions back at me.

  Two powerful-looking Doms lean casually against the bar in the far corner of the members’ lounge here at the Collared and Tied club. They’re talking quietly, both their expressions serious, and although this is very much a social club and they’re both nursing drinks, I suspect their discussion is more business than pleasure. Still, that doesn’t concern me. My business with Nicholas Hardisty will definitely have very little to do with pleasure. He’s here. And so am I. It’s to be tonight then.

  It’s been over a month now since that disastrous, ill-fated email exchange with the terrifying Mr Hardisty, and I’ve been dreading this face to face encounter. Twice a week for the last four and a half weeks, I’ve been dreading it. Each time I’ve returned here since that awful day when I picked up that voicemail message from the membership secretary telling me that I was considered ‘unsuitable for membership’ and that therefore my pass card had been invalidated. The cultured female voice went on to inform me that I would not be admitted to the premises again, I was no longer a ‘friend’ in the club Facebook group and my log-in details had been removed from the club website. And the remainder of my annual membership fee was non-refundable. The cash was the least of my worries, but I was suddenly cut adrift, an outsider, not welcome. Not that I’ve ever felt especially welcome, more a fish out of water if I’m honest, but I have always felt safe here and that mat
ters to me. I was gutted by what had happened, completely crushed. It never occurred to me that a simple request, however unwanted or uninvited, would result in such harsh and instant retribution.

  Mistress Angela spoke up for me, I know I have her to thank. And he relented, commuted my sentence so to speak.

  My foster mum always advised me to be careful what I wished for. Well. I certainly wished to attract the attention of the most respected and desirable Dom in the Collared and Tied club, and I’ve got my wish. And now, he’s going to spank me. It’ll be a punishment spanking, so I have no illusions. It’s going to hurt. A lot. He didn’t actually say, didn’t say much at all in fact, but I would think it’s likely he’ll have it in mind to punish me in front of an audience to discourage any other similarly unruly and misguided submissive from breaking the rules and irritating him. Maybe it’ll be in the dungeon, so I get to be publicly humiliated as well as hurt.

  Not that I’ll get any say in it. And there’s no point at all in delaying the inevitable. Indeed, if he suspects I’ve tried to avoid him or delay matters, he’ll dish out even more retribution. So it’s really got to be now.

  Summer finds this fondness of mine for kinky sex more than a little unsettling, but even so she hasn’t tried to talk me out of my regular visits to the club. Well, not much. Until now. Ultimately, she’s all for consenting adults is Summer, and she just wants me to be happy. And safe. But she doesn’t think this latest business with Nicholas Hardisty is even remotely safe, a view she’s shared with me pretty much constantly for the last four and a half weeks. Ever since I confided to her what I’d done, and what the consequences were. And what I intended to do—or more accurately allow this powerful and angry Dom to do—in order to resolve the matter.

  “You don’t have to do this. It’s mad. No one can expect you to just walk up to him and, and…”