Crystal and Gold Read online

  "Daisy Mae's figure looks fine to me," said Madame's male companion. He was terribly good looking, with curly black hair and piercing dark eyes just like Madame's. But he was definitely not a lady. He was a tall, broad-shouldered football type in a black suit, sort of like a policeman.

  "My name is Crystal May," she said sharply. She hated being in trouble. She hated letting Madame down. But she also didn't like the way the tall, dark stranger was looking at her.

  "Wait until you are introduced, child," Madame said sternly. But her eyes were twinkling. Deep down Madeline Charles liked a girl with spirit, even if she ran a very tight ship. "Special Agent Matthew Gold, allow me to present Miss Crystal May Snow, one of our most charming new faces."

  "How do you do, Crystal May," the Special Agent said politely. He did have a nice smile.

  "How do you do, Agent Gold? Is someone in trouble? Are you here to arrest someone?" Crystal May knew from watching television that a Special Agent was with the FBI.

  "It's against the law to transport a young woman across state lines for immoral purposes," the FBI man told her. "Madame Madeline here says she's running a school, not a house of prostitution."

  "That's right," Crystal May said breathlessly. "None of the girls here ever have sex with any of the men who come to watch them." Color flooded her cheeks at once. Had she said too much?

  "Watch them do what?" Agent Gold asked, his black eyes sparkling just like Madame's.

  "As you know, Agent Gold, this is an old-fashioned boarding school." Madame Madeline sounded grand yet not quite truthful, like she was reading from an official press release. "We believe in strict discipline and corporal punishment. Public humiliation is a powerful deterrent as well."

  "You mean you spank your girls in public?" Matthew Gold came on all innocent, like this was news to him. But Crystal May could see the all too knowing way he checked out her behind.

  "We never force any girl to take her punishment in public, unless she chooses," Madame said silkily. "But some girls accept it for the good of the school. Isn't that right, Crystal May?"

  "Yes, ma'am." Crystal May blushed, but her big blue eyes were innocent as she looked the handsome FBI agent right in the eye. "I've only been here four weeks, Agent, but I've already learned a heap — that is, a considerable amount. I've learned better grammar, diction, and vocabulary, and I've also improved my table manners and my posture." She paused, letting her long lashes screen her eyes as she gazed modestly downwards. "I've never been spanked once since I've been here. But I'd be happy to let you all spank me here and now, if Madame Madeline thinks it's appropriate."

  "I think that's a splendid idea!" Madame's laughter was like icy silver wind chimes, but her hand was warm and reassuring on Crystal May's shoulder. "Since you're still new, my child, we needn't drag you in front of the entire school. Let's go back up to my office, Agent Gold. You may do whatever you like with Crystal May, within the limits of safety and propriety."

  "Of course." The tough, seasoned FBI agent had played this game plenty of times. But the sexy blonde projected an air of innocence and mystery that intrigued him. Where did she come from? Why was she here? She was different from the big city runaways Madeline Charles usually served up. Matt Gold wanted to help the soft-spoken country girl. But he also wanted to teach her a lesson. He wanted to hear Crystal May whimper for mercy with her bare ass quivering under his hand.

  The three of them walked up the stairs to Madame's private study, and along the way they passed several other girls. A couple of them winked at Crystal May. They knew she was in for it and didn't want her to be scared. But some of them looked at Matt Gold in a real interested way too. Crystal May didn't like that. She was the one who had earned a spanking from the gorgeous FBI man. She felt proud and nervous and excited like she was going to her first dance. Madame was holding her by one arm, and Agent Matt Gold had her real tight by the other. In no time at all they reached the book-lined study, which was both elegantly furnished and very luxurious.

  "Would you like something to drink, Special Agent?" Madame settled in behind her desk like a queen sitting down on her throne. She reached for a fancy jar of liquor, what they called a decanter, a lovely and expensive item made out of frosted, shimmering glass.

  "No, thank you," Matt Gold said, in a scratchy voice. He did sound like he needed a drink. But instead he looked at Crystal May, a hot, smoky sort of look. "I'd like to see her undress first."

  "Very well. Crystal May, you may remove your kitchen overalls. Over there, by the fire."

  "Yes, ma'am." Crystal May felt like Madame was counting on her. And she felt the heat of the fire on her bare skin as she slipped off the rough, heavy garment, bending over to fold it up neatly and set it in the corner. But most of all she felt the hot and heavy way Matt Gold was looking at her. When she bent over she knew that he was looking at her behind and thinking how it would feel.

  "Beautiful," the lawman said. He was sitting on a leather sofa that faced the fire, with a real nice view. And he sort of groaned like it hurt him even to see such a fine behind. "Oh, baby, you should be modeling in New York City, not scrubbing floors in a Nevada whorehouse."

  "This isn't a whorehouse, dang it!" Crystal May's voice was usually soft and whispery, but this time it cracked like a whip. She spun around with hands on her hips, not even caring that all she had on were a little old push-up bra and some frilly little white lace panties. "You think you're such hot stuff, don't you? Well you ain't! All you are is a policeman who likes to make trouble for decent folks instead of catching criminals. I bet you like watching me take off my clothes, don't you? And I bet you like pretending you can make me do any low-down thing you want. 'Cause you know a girl like me wouldn't even look at you if I wasn't true and loyal to Madame."

  "Crystal May Snow! You will close your mouth and cease this vulgar behavior at once!" Madeline Charles smacked her hand down on the desk, her diamond rings flashing in the firelight.

  "Yes, ma'am." Crystal May lowered her eyes, like a girl in trouble. But deep down she knew she had said the right thing. Madame's dark brown eyes were bright and shiny with pride. So instead of waiting for orders on what to do next, the country girl decided to push right on ahead. "Agent Gold, I'm sorry for my rude behavior. This is my first spanking, so I'm just a little scared."

  "Like hell you are." The big city agent grinned, and patted a spot next to him on the sofa. "You've got guts, honey. I like it when a girl talks back. Of course I know it's all just part of the act. Come on over here, Daisy Mae. Let's get to the climax of our little drama."

  Crystal May felt like sticking her tongue out, and saying no. She wasn't putting on any act. She honest to God meant every single word, and she hated Special Agent Matt Gold! But the only way to keep Madame out of trouble was to do exactly what he said. So without being a bit sassy, she sort of slinked her way over to the couch, and let the dark-haired lawman get her laid out just right. Her long legs were dangling over the arm of the sofa with her behind sticking way up in the air.

  "Now when I start, you can make me stop at any time," Matt Gold told her. He had taken off his fancy jackets and rolled up his sleeves. "All you have to do is say the following words. 'I'm not a naughty girl. Please take me away from here!'"

  "But I don't want to — ow!" Crystal May was totally taken by surprise. The first smack came out of nowhere and it hurt worse than she expected. It was like something hot stinging her behind!

  "What did you say, dear?" This was Madame, talking from behind the desk. But it sounded as though she were a million miles away.

  "I didn't say anything — owww!" This time the hot sting nearly brought tears to her eyes.

  "You are a brave, sweet girl, Crystal May," said Agent Matt Gold. His hand was already in the air for another smack. "All you have to do is beg me to take you away from here."

  "No! I don't want to go! Ow! I like it here and — ow! You know it's not — ow! Ow! Oh!"

  Crystal May couldn't stop howling. Pretty
soon she was crying her eyes out too. She couldn't believe how fast her resistance crumbled. It wasn't just the way Matt Gold's heavy hand kept coming down harder and harder on her burning ass cheeks. Each new slap hurt worse than the one before!

  But it wasn't just the pain, sizzling and scorching like a forest fire burning out of control. It was the way his voice got right inside her head. Matt Gold had a lovely voice, low and deep and sort of soothing to listen to. He kept saying she was good and kind and sweet, that she didn't deserve to be locked away in a low-down place like Madame's. And it seemed like the pain made her want to believe him, even though she knew it was all just lies. Before long she heard herself giving in, saying things that weren't even true, but crying her eyes out as though they really were.

  "Stop! Please stop! I'm not a naughty girl! I'm not! Please, please take me away!"

  "Ah," Matt Gold said. And he let his hand fall down on her butt, but softly now. "Ah."

  "Will we see you again soon, Agent Gold?" Madame asked, as if the two of them were old friends who had just run into each other at the market and been chatting away about the weather.

  "I think so, if I'm not called back to D.C." The handsome agent was already standing up. First he was rolling down his sleeves, and then he was putting on his jacket and buttoning it up. "You take care now, Madame Charles. I'm glad to see everything is still running so smoothly around here."

  "Drive safely, Agent Gold."

  Crystal May Snow heard the door close softly behind him. But she didn't look up to see Matt leave. She felt like a fool, a frightened child who had gotten sucked into the play-acting of others. She knew it was just a show. But when the show was over, all she could do was lie there and cry.

  CHAPTER TWO

  "Come on, dear. Pull yourself together."

  Madame's hand clamped down on Crystal May's shoulder. It wasn't a mean grip, but it was firm and strong. Madeline Charles was saying as plain as day that she cared, but that everyone had to do their part. The country girl crying on the couch quickly choked off her tears.

  "Do you reckon we did all right?" Crystal May sniffled, wiping her eyes as she sat up.

  "You did very well indeed, darling. Now come, we have business to discuss."

  Crystal May stood up, feeling a bit shaky on her legs. The pale, delicate-featured blonde could still feel Matt Gold's hand on her flaming ass cheeks, just like he was still in the room with her. Her poor behind felt hot, burning hot. She imagined it glowing red like the burner on a stove. She tried to get dressed, but she was all thumbs. Her hands were shaking and she couldn't control the way her fingers kept fumbling the job. The whole time she was worried about sitting down again.

  "Here, darling." Madame poured her a drink from the cut-glass decanter on her desk. "This should help. And I've put a cushion down for you to sit on while we talk."

  "Thank you, ma'am." Crystal May sat down ever so slowly, but the pain was not so bad. Madame poured a drink for herself as well.

  "To your first time, my dear." The head of the school raised her glass in a toast.

  "Yes, ma'am." Crystal May closed her eyes and swallowed some of the amber-colored liquid. It was like drinking a forest fire. The liquor in the glass burned so bad that it made her cough.

  "Slowly, my dear. The idea is to sip. Savor the pleasure. Yes, that's much better."

  "That was worse than the spanking!" When she could breathe again, Crystal May gave a shaky laugh. Her throat was still burning, yet slowly the warmth slid lower and pooled in her belly.

  "Adult pleasures often take some getting used to," the older woman said. "Don't you think?"

  "I reckon so." Crystal May felt a mite better now. She felt warm inside and out, and not just because of the liquor in her glass. Madame was initiating her into liquor, the same as Matt had initiated her into spanking. Only instead of feeling hurt or put down she felt flattered and proud. "Well, I imagine that I can learn to do anything with a fine ... with an exceptional teacher like you."

  "You'll have other teachers," Madame told her. The older woman sipped her drink slowly. "In time you'll discover that pain and pleasure are never far apart. But at the moment we need to discuss business, not pleasure. Do you know why Matt Gold paid us a visit this afternoon?"

  "Why, I reckon – I mean I imagine he was trying to spy on us, to see if we were breaking the law. To determine if we were engaged in any unlawful activities."

  "No, that's not it." Madame poured a little more liquor into her glass, and into Crystal May's too. "Your grammar and vocabulary are improving, my dear. But you happen to be mistaken."

  "Oh." Crystal May frowned. What good was building your vocabulary when you were still the same dumb person underneath? And what good was acting like a lady when any low-down lawman could treat you like a whore? The country girl picked up her glass and took another drink, and it made her burn inside, just like before. Only this time the liquor made her a little bit reckless. "Well, if Agent Matt Gold wasn't here to get us in trouble, why did I have to let him spank me?"

  "I let him spank you." Madame's calm voice and level gaze put Crystal May right back in her place. "I made that decision for three reasons. First, because you deserved it. You were eating sweets behind my back. Second, you've been dodging your true potential for far too long. I didn't bring you here to scrub the floors. And third, Matt Gold is more than just an FBI agent. He's a friend, and he's here to protect us from real danger."

  "What danger?" Crystal May gulped the rest of her drink without even tasting it. "I'm sorry, Madame, I was rude just now and I apologize. My behavior was impertinent and unacceptable."

  "That's quite all right, my dear," Madame said quietly. "As I remarked a moment ago, your vocabulary is improving steadily, and your manners are impeccable – when you want them to be. Matt Gold is an FBI agent, not some lustful sheriff's deputy or a corrupt city vice cop on a prostitution sweep. He's part of the Organized Crime Task Force, and his specialty is the mob."

  "But we're not mixed up with the mob!" Crystal May's hand flew to her throat. "Are we?"

  "We are not," Madeline Charles confirmed. "But we are a business as well as a school. Recently we've been making a great deal of money with our private shows. And along with the money has come a certain amount of unwanted attention. From the law, and from others as well."

  "You mean mob guys," Crystal May cut in. She forgot the rule about not interrupting a lady.

  "Correct. Our shows are clean and wholesome. Our young ladies are disciplined in a traditional manner, and never forced into sexual acts. But some of our regular customers would like to see a change of policy. And they want a share of the even greater profits that would surely result."

  "They want us to become real whores." Crystal May felt dizzy all of a sudden, like she'd been spinning for hours on one of those wild rides at the county fair. But this was no ride. "I'm sorry, Madame, but I could never let folks watch me if I thought ... if it could lead to something like that!"

  "We won't let it happen," Madame Madeline told her gently. But her proud black eyes said plain as day that they were both in real trouble. "I only wanted you to understand that it was for the good of the school that I let Matt Gold discipline you today. He's after the mob, but he's also genuinely concerned about our safety. Naturally he wants to keep a close eye on all the girls."

  "Naturally." Crystal May looked into her empty glass. Madame was smart and very brave, fighting for her rights and protecting her girls like a queen. But Matt Gold had just been using her. She was one of the girls, and that was all. Crystal May felt cheap and dirty. All the liquor she'd drunk was still in her system, only now it was making her feel sleepy. She wanted to sleep forever.

  "Off you go now," Madame said soothingly, like she knew just what Crystal May wanted. "You've had a busy day, dear. I'm sorry I had to discipline you. But you did very well and I'm proud of you. You passed the test. Now go to your room and rest. Carla will wake you in time for dinner."

  Crystal May
got up, moving just like a sleepwalker. Or like one of those fancy wind-up dolls. Madame Madeline was pushing her buttons just like a toy. But the lady stopped her at the door.

  "Oh, just one more question, my dear. Where did you get that candy bar?"

  The slim blonde straightened her shoulders. "Reckon I stole it from the delivery truck when that old boy wasn't looking." Madame could make her do just about anything, all right. Except for one thing. A country girl never snitched.

  * * * * *

  "Hey, Sleeping Beauty! Wake up! Tonight's the night."

  "Huh?" Crystal May felt blinded by the glare from the little lamp over her bed. She put her hands up over her eyes quick as lightning, but she could still hear Carla Brunelli loud and clear.

  "Come on, honey, get up and take a shower. We've got dinner with Madame in half an hour, and after that there's going to be a show. It's about time you got to see what this place is about!"

  "About time?" Crystal May squinted up at the Italian girl. Whenever there was a show everyone got new dresses to wear. Carla was already dressed in a slinky black evening dress that really accentuated her stunningly voluptuous figure. "Did you have to cover my shift in the kitchen?"

  "Sure, but that's all right. I notice I didn't get any new demerits on the board this afternoon. So nobody knows where you got that candy bar?"

  "Nobody." The pretty blonde sat up on the bed, knuckling sleep from her eyes. She wasn't a snitch, but she didn't like keeping things from Madeline Charles. Crystal May owed the woman.

  "Aw, don't feel bad, honey. Everyone gets their first spanking sometime. Here, put this on."

  "Huh?" Crystal May looked up. Carla was offering her a tiny medallion on a chain.

  "It's a Saint Christopher Medal," the dark-eyed beauty confided, patting her companion on the arm. "I've got one just like it under my pillow. You keep it there until you need it. Put it on when you're going somewhere and it'll always keep you safe."

  "That's mighty kind of you, Carla. I'm much obliged."