A Little Bit of Leather

By Jason Walker

Making a beautiful piece of furniture was much easier for Ronald than making a relationship work. That was until the right woman came into his life. A casual introduction to a beauty named Melinda could lead to a lifestyle so perfect for them both.

They have much to learn from each other, but together, will they discover that sometimes work and play go hand in hand?

Reader Advisory: A BDSM Romance, containing scenes of domination and submission, including exhibitionism, voyeurism, spanking, and bondage.

PUBLISHER NOTE: M/F (M/F/M, M/F/F/M), 53,195 words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luminosity Publishing LLP
• Release date: Feb 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370779567

Jason Walker

Born in the mountains of Western North Carolina, the author began his career in Radio Broadcasting in the late 1970s. Having traveled the country, he has now, inexplicably, landed back in the town of his birth. Writing full time and producing audio and video promotional products for authors takes up his days and enjoying his life fills all the moments in between. Active in social media, he welcomes any opportunity to interact with his readers and sincerely believes that there is no such thing as negative feedback. Something can be learned from the opinions of others, even if that opinion is less than glowing. You are encouraged to contact him via email, social media or through his website. And as always, he thanks you for taking the time to read his words. He hopes you enjoy them.

Book preview

A LITTLE BIT OF LEATHER

By Invitation Only 2

Jason Walker

Making a beautiful piece of furniture was much easier for Ronald than making a relationship work. That was until the right woman came into his life. A casual introduction to a beauty named Melinda could lead to a lifestyle so perfect for them both.

They have much to learn from each other, but together, will they discover that sometimes work and play go hand in hand?

Reader Advisory: A BDSM Romance, containing scenes of domination and submission, including exhibitionism, voyeurism, spanking, and bondage.

PUBLISHER NOTE: M/F (M/F/M, M/F/F/M), 53,195 words.

A LITTLE BIT OF LEATHER

By Invitation Only 2

JASON WALKER

WWW.LUMINOSITYPUBLISHING.COM

LUMINOSITY PUBLISHING LLP

A LITTLE BIT OF LEATHER

By Invitation Only 2

Copyright © February 2017 Jason Walker

Cover Art by Poppy Designs

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No part of this literary work may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without the written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

CHAPTER ONE

Ronald was a craftsman. Over a ten-year period, he felt he had mastered the art of constructing wood into shapes and functionalities of his will. He had branched out into metal work but only so much as to augment his wooden creations. His shop was the size of a typical three-car garage, and it was his haven. The air hung with the scents of stains and sawdust. There was a continuous hum of some piece of machinery waiting to be put to work to progress his latest project. He wasn’t hesitant or shy about saying that he was living his dream. Although, in the last few months, he was getting a little bored with his dream, so to speak.

I feel like I have made every cabinet or headboard I want to, Scott. I still love doing it, but I don’t want to keep making the same old things. It has become variations on a theme as it were.

Scott had been Ronald’s next door neighbor for years. He wasn’t a craftsman, he was a truck driver, but he was always good company and when in town would spend most evenings sitting on a stool at the side of the shop drinking beer and talking to Ron as he worked. Scott would occasionally lend a hand but only to hold a piece of wood or fetch a tool. He learned early on that his friend was particular and while he was willing to help, Ronald wasn’t quick to accept it. So, he just enjoyed keeping him company while the sawdust flew. Ronald had never married. Scott had made a habit out of getting married when he was younger but now in his mid-forties he said he was done with that, three ex-wives were enough.

Ronald, I can understand that, but it would be a waste if you didn’t keep making stuff. I mean, I have never seen pieces of furniture as well made or as nice as you make them. And I would have to think that the money is pretty good. I’ve never see a piece sitting around.

Yeah, I mostly do custom order stuff now. For the most part, it is sold before I make the first cut, but that’s not the point. I can knock this stuff out in no time. It isn’t a challenge anymore. I mean, the last thing I did that was really a challenge was that Moravian star floor inlay.

That thing was amazing. I mean, it looked three-dimensional. I remember you fought with that thing for what, three months?

Yeah, it was tough but fun. Most of the stuff I have made since then isn’t all that fun.

The pair fell into silent contemplation as Ronald dug through a pile of wood planks to find just the one he was looking for. Helping to hold the piece, Scott watched as he set up the machine and started feeding the plank into the planer to smooth it and to get it to the desired thickness. As the roar of the machine died down, Scott returned to his stool and opened another beer.

Why haven’t you ever gotten married? I mean, it is fun, sometimes, and if nothing else you would be making furniture for yourself.

I don’t know, I just never got around to it. I thought I was going to get married once, but it didn’t work out. She told me I was too bossy. Since then, I have been on a couple of dates here and there but nothing serious.

Well, maybe you should look into that again. Unlike me, you are still a relatively young man. It could prove to be a good distraction for you and it might help you gain some perspective on what you do in here.

Ronald nodded in tacit agreement as he took the power saw in hand and started making the next series of cuts. It was something that he hadn’t really given any thought to. He liked women. He liked being around them, and as best as he could remember, he enjoyed being with them. Now he was thirty-eight years old. He hadn’t gone on a serious date in nearly five years, and when he thought about it he couldn’t even think of any women he had any regular contact with that he could ask out, even if he wanted to. The wood had been his girl for years. As he placed the pieces of walnut on the large table in the center of the room, Scott walked over to the table’s edge.

You know, I’ve been thinking about it, and I think I know someone you would like.

Oh, that’s all right, bud. I don’t really need a date right now. Besides, when I do, I know some women myself. I don’t think I will have to turn to Scott’s Dating Service.

They both laughed even though Ronald really didn’t know any women.

No, I’m serious. There is this girl I met a while back. She was the sister of a woman I used to date. She is nice. A heck of a lot nicer than her sister turned out to be. I would have asked her out myself if it hadn’t seemed weird, you know, having dated her sister and all. You two are about the same age, and I happen to know she is an artistic type. She paints and stuff. You two kind of look at things the same way. And I got the impression that she doesn’t mind bossy bastards like you.

Ronald stopped in mid-motion and looked at his friend quizzically.

Well, let’s face it. You like things to be done a certain way, and you expect people to do them. You are kind of a bossy bastard really.

Ronald thought about it a moment and smiled as he nodded before going back to work.

Yep, I guess I am. Now get back on your stool. You are distracting me by standing there.

See, that’s what I’m talking about. Fortunately for you, I am so easy to get along with.

I know. Well, I know you will put up with my crap as long as I keep that fridge over there full of beer.

Well, there is that. Look, I gotta go. I’m heading out in the morning.

Where are you off to this time?

Long-haul. I’ll be gone for eight days. Keep an eye on the house for me?

Of course, and I’m going to fix that railing on your deck while you are gone. It bothers me.

Scott knew better than to argue. He knew it was a waste of breath; regardless of the outcome of the argument, the deck rail would be fixed when he returned.

Ronald worked well into the night. He was careful about becoming too obsessive about the work and forgetting the time, at least for the benefit of his neighbors. He was careful about using the machinery after eight at night and tried to reserve quiet work such as staining and sanding for the later hours. He had done it a thousand times before but he always stopped at the door of the shop and looked back before turning off the lights. He always felt as if he was leaving something undone or someone behind when he closed that door at the end of the day.

After his morning coffee, Ronald loaded his van and headed across town to the country club. He delivered the latest creation to Robert and Donna Wilkes. It was an elaborate headboard footboard combination. Robert had given him a few sketches and he had brought them into reality for the couple. He was quite pleased with his effort and was looking forward to the Wilkes’ opinion.

The two men struggled but successfully carried the heavy pieces, which had been wrapped in blankets for safety and so there could be an unveiling, into the bedroom. The public part of Ronald’s job was one of the few times he became nervous. While he had never really been admonished by a customer for doing a poor job, he had seen looks of slight disappointment and those moments haunted him.

Ronald stood to the side as Donna Wilkes cut the tape and uncovered the footboard. She was silent. That lack of comment hung in the air and he started formulating his offer to redo the pieces more to their liking. He had taken a few liberties with their suggested design.

Robert Wilkes helped his wife pull the heavy blanket from around the huge headboard. The oak set had taken Ronald two weeks to finish. For this craftsman that was a lengthy project. All totaled he had nearly one hundred hours of labor in the two pieces. He stared at the couple’s backs as they stood staring at the headboard. He started to speak but was cut off when Robert Wilkes held his hand up in the air. The silence was torturous. The quiet of the room was only broken when he heard Donna Wilkes sniffle.

I’m sorry, Donna. I can make it right. I know you were looking forward to getting this today but I can see that you aren’t happy so I—

Again, Robert Wilkes held up his hand, and Ronald stopped mid-apology. Donna Wilkes turned slowly and he could see the tears on her face. His heart fell through the floor. He may have screwed up in the past, but he had never made someone cry.

Donna, I’m…

Perfect.

Donna Wilkes spoke in a mere whisper, and it caused him to pause. He was unsure he had heard her correctly.

What?

It is perfect, Ronald, absolutely positively perfect.

Ronald started to laugh. It was an involuntary response and was uncontrollable. It was fortunate that he reacted in that way as the Wilkes’ started laughing as well. Donna rushed to him and hugged him tightly. Her tears continued to flow as she thanked him over and over. Robert Wilkes moved up close and shook his hand as his wife continued to gush over his effort and praise him at how well he had captured her husband’s sketches. After a few minutes of glad-handing and cheek wiping the group calmed enough for him to speak clearly.

I’m glad you like it. It wasn’t easy, but I think I did a pretty good job with the posts you drew. I got the loops even, and the holes carved the way you said. You know, I hand hammered the cast iron loops so I could get the look you were after.

Ronald went on pointing out the features he had executed and continued to receive praise from the couple. It wasn’t a standard headboard by any means. It was adorned with holes and metal protrusions. It was the most substantial bed set he had ever attempted. The headboard alone weighed nearly two hundred pounds.

Donna excused herself to blow her nose, and Robert motioned for Ronald to assist him. They were able to wrestle the piece into position. Pushing the bed away from the wall the two men hefted the oak slab in place and pushed the bed back to hold it against the wall. Robert Wilkes moved the footboard into place and leaned it against the bed so Donna could see how the set looked in place when she returned.

Oh wow! It is perfect, Ron. It is so much better than I ever hoped. It will work perfectly!

Ronald was pleased because Donna was pleased. Happy customers pay their bills quickly and made good recommendations. However, he was a little confused over what she meant by how it would work. How does a headboard work, I mean it’s just kind of there? Ronald thought but chose not to ask.

She bounded to the bed and jumped up on the comforter. Moving to the headboard her husband was quick to point out that it wasn’t secure and that she should be careful. She nodded her acknowledgment of the slight danger but closely examined the loops and attachments. Ronald watched in enjoyment as she checked every inch of the headboard and offered compliments for each one. Eventually, she sat on the pillows and extended her arms upward at ten and two. They fell in line with two of the metal loops he had fashioned and secured to the oak slab. He had assumed that they were for decoration and had put extra care into their making.

I can’t wait, Robert!

Ronald enjoyed the view. Donna Wilkes was an attractive woman, but he couldn’t figure out what she meant by her comment. Robert Wilkes looked a little embarrassed and tried to usher Ronald from the room to pay for the piece. He stood by the kitchen table while the bed’s new owner filled out the check.

Here you go, Ronald. I really appreciate how quick you did this and how great a job you did.

Ronald looked at the check. It was for the full amount they had agreed upon for the work plus an additional one thousand dollars.

I think you made a mistake. This is too much.

No, Ron, I didn’t make a mistake. I included a tip to show how much I appreciate your talents. I know Donna feels the same way.

Well, I appreciate it, but I have to ask, what did she mean by that comment?

Robert Wilkes motioned for Ronald to follow him. They stepped onto the front stoop of the house before he spoke.

Donna would be embarrassed if she knew I told you about this, but you have a right to know since you made the furniture. She wanted this headboard. She broke the last one and insisted I get one that was sturdier.

Broke a headboard? How?

Robert was hesitant and kept glancing back through the long windows beside the front door to make sure she wasn’t coming.

Donna is adventurous.

Robert, you are going to have to spell it out. I’m just a woodworker. I deal in absolute measurements, so you are going to have to explain what you mean in simple terms.

She likes to be tied up when we have sex.

Ronald blinked several deliberate times as the statement sank in. And that leads to broken headboards? He just couldn’t connect the two.

Well, think about the design.

Ronald pictured the sturdy headboard, the strategically placed strong metal loops and carved holes. If a little imagination was put to work, he could see how what he had made would work well for placing ropes or cuffs for the proper restraint of a person. He knew he had made the piece more than strong enough. He had considered at one point that a person could hang an airplane engine from the