GRIT

by Elle Cross

  “Ah.” Understanding dawned on his features. “So tell me how you would answer knowing that this scene will be with me?”

  I hadn’t realize that this scene would be with him. I didn’t know there’d even be a ‘this scene’. I mean theoretically…but I hadn’t thought about engaging in an actual scene with anyone. Like in the literal sense. I just figured that filling out this contract was my way of getting into this damned club.

  “Uhm. Oh. You. And me.”

  “Let me be clear, my Lady. You may look and observe as you wish. However, this scene, and any future scenes in this club will be with me and anyone we both approve of to join us. I will not allow anyone else to touch you without your approval. So, I would like to know, why no intercourse, especially when I had every intention of fucking you.”

  I swallowed.

  “Well. You see. I don’t really. Hm. This is so embarrassing. Oh god.” I buried my face in my hands.

  “Lord Master.”

  I peeked through my fingers. Was he really going to make me say that I wanted him to fuck me? That was it. He wanted me to spell it out for him.

  The cheeky bastard smiled at my slow, embarrassing death, and then I knew for sure he knew what I’d been thinking. “Intercourse with you, I would deem acceptable,” I said it as dry and passive as possible.

  He broke out in a self-satisfied smirk as he checked off his clipboard. “Aside from the random people, what was your aversion to intercourse, anyway?” he said it so casually, but I knew he was teasing.

  Well, he asked for honestly. “Well…I’ve never, uhm—”

  “Had sex?” he prompted with a cocked eyebrow. The man knew for damn sure I’d been thoroughly fucked just last night into this morning.

  “No. I…I’dneverhadanorgasmduringsexbefore,” I said it all in a rush. “I don’t…didn’t… find sex enjoyable.” I had always enjoyed all the parts leading up to sex. Sort of. But even then…sometimes it was best just not to bother with the ordeal.

  With Deimos, this whole discussion was a moot point.

  He chuckled low, a velvet sound that licked up my legs and lingered between them. My body tightened again.

  “Oh my sweet darling, you are as always such a delight. I am sure you know that I will have you come for me. Over and over again.”

  “Yes,” I breathed out.

  “Good.”

  He moved on like he didn’t know that my threadbare hold on my decorum had all but unraveled.

  “Wait. So since you know that I just answered to fill this out, does this really matter—”

  “Does it really matter that you just answered these questions without thought only to gain access to this club? Of course it matters. Most of the tribes follow the old rules, kept at bay only with binding contracts and such. Without the rules, they will take what they wish if your intentions are not clear. Which is why I am making sure you are protected with a contract that meets your complete and clear understanding and limits. Then, I will be assured of your safety if you were ever here or in another bolt hole outside of my immediate presence.”

  That strange little bar in Chinatown that Megan and I stumbled into came to mind…was that one of those bolt holes he meant?

  “Yes,” he said while reading, as if these were contract negotiations for a new building. Perhaps to him they were.

  I needed to shield my mind better.

  Then, he lingered at the bottom of the second page. Placed a finger above where I’d signed my name. The line about the safe word.

  I felt another layer of heat that I didn’t think could be possible. At this point, I could be providing heat for that fireplace.

  To pre-empt his question, I just said, “I wasn’t really thinking when I used…that name…as a safe word. It was just the first thing that came to mind.” In my rush, I’d scribbled down the first name that came to mind when I’d read ‘safe’.

  Deimos.

  Anonymity was part of the package here, that was clear to me now, and so I didn't want to say his public name in this club, even in this room, in reference to him, in case that was an issue. Besides, he was the Lord Master here, scene name or not.

  “So, you consider that word as something neutral that wouldn’t confuse you in the throes of passion?” he asked dryly reciting the question asked.

  More heat flushed my body, I thought to just jump into the fire place and be done with it. “Uhm, no, not exactly.”

  He didn’t respond. Though, he seemed more amused than annoyed.

  “I was just thinking safe. You know. When I read safe, that name popped to mind.” I wore a small hole in the seam on my gloves.

  He said nothing. So I peeked up at him.

  “You thought of that name when you thought of ‘safe’?” he asked, his voice like the deepening sky of dusk.

  “Yes.”

  The only sound in the room was the crackling fire.

  “You may not have intended on fucking anyone when you came here,” he said in a strained whisper, “but I assure you. I will fuck you. You will beg me to fuck you and make you come. And I will do so on every available surface of this room before the night is over. Twice.”

  Every inch of my skin sang at the promise in his words.

  “You will make changes on this form. Then, place your signature next to them, indicating that you have allowed the changes on the document upon knowing that I will be your dominant in this scene and other scenes you may entertain going forward.”

  Somehow, the document appeared on my lap, a pen in my hand, and I changed my answers and initialed the changes.

  I handed it back.

  He waved a hand over it. Gold light flashed and I saw his sigil bloom next to my signatures.

  He laughed a little to himself, then.

  At my look, he said, “I am not one to push limits. But, I am at a dilemma, you see, since I would love to hear you say…that name…when I fuck you. What a pleasant challenge you have given me.”

  He snapped his fingers. That other man from reception came in almost instantly.

  “Please process these, make note of the changes, etc.”

  “Yes, Lord Master.” The man turned and disappeared instantly.

  We were alone again.

  “Now,” he said. “It is customary to accept the arrangement with a kiss. As the submissive, you will come to me freely, to show that you agree. That being with me, here and now, is your choice.”

  A stillness came over him then. Like he could wait for my response all night. Like if I walked out of this room, he wouldn’t move to stop me.

  I hadn’t intended that my visit here would come to anything. That when I filled out the forms, it was just a simple thing to get me past the tourist parts of the club. But now.

  Could I possibly walk away now?

  I hadn’t thought I’d be able to let myself be under anyone else’s power or control ever again.

  However. This arrangement. The promise. The binds that came from this two-way trust.

  And beyond that. Even though he had Voice, he never once used it when speaking to me. And, he never once tried to overwhelm me with his quite obvious display of power.

  I took a deep steadying breath. Kinda wished I took off my heels when I thought to. I never had a problem walking in them, but then again, I never had a problem talking or remembering words before Deimos, here, so I couldn’t assume anything.

  He was only a few feet away, but it was like the other side of the world.

  I stood between his legs. He still hadn’t moved. Except to look up at me. He was so tall, he barely had to tilt his face up.

  I bit my lip. Saw his gaze linger there. Remembered what he said about my mouth and what he wanted me to do with it.

  I leaned over and pressed my lips to his.

  Not for the first time today, I was in for a surprise. I braced myself for a cataclysm. What I got instead was a pleasant smile that lingered on his face.

  “Thank you, Lady Seren.” Then, he rose to h
is feet, and offered me his hand. I took it. “Let’s show you the club. After all, that was why you were here, right?”

  I swallowed. It was why I stayed, so that was true enough. Asking him to agree to meet up with some acquaintances of mine seemed to be an easier feat after I got acclimated. Besides, Lady Astara never gave me a timeline in which to carry out this favor. But I didn’t want to say anything that wasn’t one hundred percent true, so I said the only truth that I’d carried with me all afternoon. “I came here, well, kinda looking for you.”

  He stopped and spun around. I would have tripped, but his arm snaked around me and lifted me up to crush me against his body. He pressed his lips against mine, cradling my neck as he held me in a searing kiss. As suddenly as the kiss started, it stopped, though he still held me tightly against him. I liked the way we fit together.

  “You’re dangerous to my sensibilities.”

  “Dangerous? How?”

  He pecked me on the tip of my nose. “You’re damned distracting, for one.” He set me on my feet again. “But I’m on to you now, my Lady.” He winked at me.

  I rolled my eyes at his playfulness. He accused me of being a distraction, what about him? He was entirely disarming and unexpected. I would have thought that he had wanted sex right away. He didn't. Instead, he wanted to give me a tour of the club.

  I just prayed I’d be able to walk straight.

  Deimos—the Lord Master—stalked down the hall, towing me in his wake. He led me to what looked like an old manor-style house with tall palatial ceilings, marble tile, and rare hardwood. There were people talking and laughing in every available alcove. The bar was also full, with people mingling around those who were seated.

  As we passed, bright conversations would dim just for a moment. Breaths were drawn in sharply, heads nodded at us, a few even bowed or dropped into a curtsy. Like a wave, it seemed our passage through this room had started a little ripple that turned into a wave that spread out throughout the guests.

  Deimos made an impression, that was for sure, with his beautiful golden body on display.

  He paused and turned to me, cradling my cheek. “They are not impressed by me, my Lady. Their reverence is for you.”

  I blinked, glancing around to the truth of his statement. The people in the immediate vicinity looked at me directly, fascinated. I didn’t catch their whispers, but the impression I got was curiosity and awe. But, why? I wanted to ask, but didn’t know if it was appropriate.

  He seemed to respond to my need. He stroked his thumb over my cheek, then my lips. Not yet, he seemed to say. With a slight nod to his head, he continued our walk to wherever it was he wanted us to go.

  We weaved around the various groups of people, and it was to these people that Deimos even bothered to slow down and drop a word or nod. He even stopped to introduce me to a couple of people. However, after one person attempted to touch me without my express permission, Deimos held me closer, clamped his hand onto the back of my neck, where he refused to let go. After that, no one could see me or interact with me unless Deimos introduced us.

  The hand on my neck was thrilling. I would have thought that he would take it off every now and again, but no. It was there to maneuver me, as he introduced me…whatever the situation, he touched me the entire time.

  We finally reached his destination. It was a smaller enclosed area, that reminded me of a gallery wing of a museum where there was an arcade of columns, nooks and crannies to display various sculptures, featured paintings, raised daises in the middle for bigger pieces.

  Except here, the daises had elaborate sleigh beds or canopy beds decorated with rich linens. Why would beds be on display?

  Deimos led me deeper into a private little hallway, and in it there were various theatre-like seats in a hidden alcove that varied from semi-private to private. "I didn't want to overwhelm you your first time here with the…public parties. So here are some parties that you are more than welcome to participate in, but don’t have to.”

  Here, in this private hallway, it was like peering in on different parties in the club through one-way glass. I couldn’t see the beginning or end of the mass of writhing flesh. Nothing was held back. My mouth went dry. "Do they care that you can spy on them this way?"

  His thumb drew circles into my hand as he spoke. "Most of them expect it. Plus, this is an easy way to ensure the safety of all. No harm."

  The further we traveled down the hallway, the more private the sessions were. There was one wing that was simply labeled, ‘Pick Your Poison’. I indicated that this was where I’d wanted to go, and Deimos let me.

  Each alcove was like a little theatrical stage, along with props and costumes. It was as if the people on the stage were part of a living art piece. There were all Victorian-looking beds with the canopy and columns. They portrayed various scenarios and combinations for their audience.

  And then there were extremely private ones where I was able to customize what I wanted to see. A kind of choose-your-own adventure to a happily ever after.

  When two men with a woman between them appeared on stage, I stopped, fascinated. The men were a complementary pair with shimmering blue and green skin, but opposite colored hair that flowed around their body as if they were underwater. The woman was an enchanting burnished gold with fiery red hair; she looked like she was living flame.

  Fire and water. They moved like the forces they represented: in undulating rhythm and fluid grace. Their coloring was so beautiful, it didn’t quite sink in for me that they were naked. They sort of did a little twirl before collapsing on the bed together in a laughing heap.

  I realized that I just stood there, watching them, entranced by them. I turned away from the scene, content to move on, but Deimos squeezed his hand at my neck, just enough to call my attention. I turned in his grip, gazing up at him in question.

  “Would you like to stay and watch, my darling?”

  I shifted my gaze to the group, a sigh escaping me before I could bite my lip against it.

  That was answer enough for Deimos. He maneuvered us to the wide cushioned benches so that I sat between his legs, my back settled comfortably against his large body. His arms wrapped around me, and I had the feeling of being cocooned and sheltered.

  Deimos kissed my cheek, as if to say, relax and enjoy the show. I sighed again, melting into him, content.

  The threesome had done this before. Not that they were doing anything scripted, no. But the way they smiled and touched and laughed…they were comfortable with each other. More than that. And, they knew how to pose every last bit of their naked bodies to ensure they were on display just right.

  The two men stroked and caressed the woman, grazing her breasts, her ribs, her hips as she arched her back for their touch. The men parted, the green one kissed her, palming her breast then squeezing the nipple. The blue one knelt between her spread legs, trailed his hand up her thighs, along her hip bones.

  She was a rippling flame writhing at their teasing touch.

  "Do you like what you see, my darling?" Deimos’ quiet voice pressed against me in the dark, seemed to whisper from inside of me.

  Like? What I saw thrilled me, especially when the blue one started kissing along the gentle rise of the woman’s hip bones. It was like I could almost feel it, my legs tingling in response to the teasing, making me breathless.

  A third man had appeared while I was entranced by the threesome. He was more of a match to the woman, bronze with coppery hair, watching, and perhaps waiting his turn.

  "I feel bad for that man just watching. I hope he gets a turn soon."

  “Would you like him to join now?”

  The thought made my heartbeat surge. "Yes. I would love to see him taking the blue man there, thrusting into him while Blue is on her with his mouth.”

  “And Green?” he asked, taking up my naming system. “Where is Green going?”

  “In her mouth,” my husky voice surprised me. “After she comes, because she’s close with just the teasin
g, I want Green behind her, claiming her ass, while Blue is between her legs in front, fucking her hard while Bronze fucks him.”

  A rumble started in Deimos’s chest, vibrating against my body deliciously as he kissed my temple. “Do they all get to come then?”

  “Yes,” my breath hitched, “they get to come together. Gloriously together.”

  As if they had heard me, they started to coordinate themselves as I described. Blue sealed his mouth between her legs and she arched and moaned. I could almost feel her relief. Green caressed her face in invitation and she licked her lips before taking his cock into her mouth. She casually massaged his balls, and he would have to strain not to come before he was in her ass.

  Bronze lubed his cock, stroking his length up and down with his hand. The movement was hypnotizing. He positioned himself behind Blue and sank himself into the other man. Whatever Blue did in response caused a ripple-effect reaction through the woman and to Green. Bronze reached around in front of Blue to stroke Blue’s cock while thrusting into him.

  The woman's moans became loud and insistent, and I swear I could almost feel it. Deimos caressed my shoulder, down the length of my arm. Nowhere sexual, and yet my skin was slowly being set on fire.

  Blessedly, the woman’s cries filled the room. When her screaming orgasm subsided for now, Green pulled her up toward him angling her hips so he could dip himself into her molten core. Blue took advantage of the moment by sliding his cock into her mouth. She grasped his hips while she sucked him, hollowing out her cheeks.

  Green pulled out of her, then smacked her ass. She took that as the cue it was to take her mouth off of Blue. Green maneuvered them to the edge of the bed, and, still slick with her juices, navigated her slowly, as he slid gently between her cheeks. He stroked her clit until she was open-mouthed with pleasure and fully seated on him. He kissed her shoulder, a gesture so casually intimate that warmed my heart to see.

  Green leaned them both back, so that Blue could thrust himself inside her. He waited a moment for her to adjust to the feeling of being filled by two men simultaneously. The caution, the care they took with her made me sigh more than the sex acts themselves.