by Tori Carson
“Yes, but I’ve never seen one before. It’s taller than I imagined.”
Sean stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders massaging the knots away. “Tell me about one of the scenes you’ve read.”
Michelle considered saying she didn’t remember any, but what would be the point? He’d know she was lying. Refusing wouldn’t be any fun either. “Sophie was…” She waved her hand toward the cross. “And Greg flogged her.”
“Was she facing the cross or away from it?” His voice was a whisper near her ear, sending delicious shivers down her body.
Her nipples had hardened and the sane part of her brain hoped he wouldn’t notice. Fat chance though. He seemed to catch even the smallest detail. “He flogged her backside. She was blindfolded. I don’t think I would like that.” She could have bitten her tongue off for sharing that piece of information. What had gotten into her? She needed to get a grip and stop visualizing her and Sean in the scene.
“It narrows your focus and heightens your responses. Why does it frighten you?”
Glancing over her shoulder at his handsome face, she decided there was no point in playing coy. “I’d want to see what was happening, what was coming next. I guess I have trust issues.”
“Seeing what’s going on won’t stop it from occurring. Only using your safeword would stop a scene. Besides, you need to trust a person completely before you let them restrain you. Playing in the club gives you a modicum of safety. Our universal safeword is ‘censor’. If you hear it, get a GM immediately. I’d prefer you didn’t intervene personally.”
“GM?” Her voice had taken on a breathy tone she wasn’t familiar with.
“Garden Monitor, or Dungeon Monitor if they’re stationed downstairs. They’ll have a yellow armband.”
“Okay.” His warm hands, touching and massaging her shoulders, was all she could think about.
“I want to try something. Will you let me? I promise you can get free at any time.” His seductive whisper slid along her neck making it impossible to say no.
She nodded.
Dropping his hands to her waist, he nuzzled his lips along her neck. “Thank you.” Sean used his body to urge her toward the cross.
Holy shit, what was she doing? Her breath was coming in ragged bursts. Flames were licking her body everywhere he’d touched her. He was too potent. If she didn’t get a handle on things fast, she’d melt at his feet. As if sensing her distress, he set her away from him. He ran a hand through his hair. Could he be as affected as she was?
“Put your back against the cross. I want you to face me. Remember to take slow, even breaths.”
She smiled. Yeah, he noticed every little detail. If he was playing her, then she was in for the biggest heartbreak of her life. Should she regroup or go for it?
“I’m not going to use the manacles.” He slid them to the other side of the cross. “The vines are a great visual effect, but they are a little scratchy.” He pushed those behind the beams also. “I’m going to use rope.” Sean ran his hand down her right arm to her wrist. He linked their fingers and brought her hand to his mouth for a soft kiss on each finger.
Potent, too damn potent. Her heart was pounding so hard he had to hear it. She was trying to breathe calmly, but it wasn’t working.
“Since I promised not to tie you, you’ll have to help me out. Hold the wood here. Can you do that comfortably?” He was in her space. As he held her right hand along the edge of the wood, their cheeks touched and his chest brushed against her breasts. His left thigh was between her legs, urging them farther apart.
Not trusting her voice, she nodded.
Sean’s hand cupped her left cheek as he kissed her. “Answer me verbally, Michelle. I may not always be able to see your face.”
“Yes, I can hold it,” she whispered.
“Good girl. Close your eyes for me and just feel.”
With his body pressed so close to hers, she almost missed the feel of the rope wrapping around her arm. Very lightly, she tested her bonds.
“I’m going to slide the end of the rope through the wrap right here by your shoulder. If you were to push away from the cross, they would come unwound.”
His hand brushing across her nipple as he looped the rope caused her to moan. Her body was hypersensitive to his every touch.
“Oh Michelle, you’re so responsive. Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me, girl?”
Her breathy chuckle didn’t sound like her at all. He was turning her into something she was not. Yet she went along willingly. Craving more.
Sean took her left hand in his, lightly kissing her wrist and the center of her palm. “So beautiful, Michelle.” He slid her hand along the smooth, thick piece of wood.
Slowly, he wrapped another piece of rope around her free arm. Once it was secure, he rested his forearms on her collarbone and sank his hands into her hair. Long, sensual fingers caressed her scalp. As she moaned at the incredible feeling, his mouth descended upon hers. Locked in a scorching kiss, Michelle rubbed her aching breasts against Sean’s chest, wishing they were skin to skin.
Sean eventually softened the kiss and pulled back, his forehead laid against hers as they both fought to catch their breath.
“Sean?” she whispered once she could.
“Yes, Michelle,” he answered without pulling away.
“I’d like the job.” She giggled.
He tipped his head back and laughed. “I’m so glad to hear it.” He placed a soft, sweet kiss on her forehead. “Close your eyes again, baby. I’m not finished with you yet.” He dropped to his knees.
Sean nuzzled her crotch through her jeans as he wound the rope down her leg. “I want you, Michelle.”
“You want the woman you fantasized about. You don’t know me yet. Just like I don’t know the real you, only the man I made up night after night.” Her brain had definitely flipped the talk switch on and the filter switch off. When the man of your dreams says he wants you, you swoon at his feet, not argue with him.
“What kind of books have you been reading, Michelle? Haven’t you heard of love at first sight, soulmates, two halves of one whole? Where’s your romantic instinct?”
“My instincts have been tempered by reality starting at a very young age. My mom went through more husbands than I can remember. Each one was Mr. Right until he beat the crap out of her. The nice guys she dated were too boring, so she tossed them to the curb too.” Holy shit, why was she telling him her life story? Maybe she should ask him to gag her—then she’d keep her mouth shut.
“My parents were childhood sweethearts. They’ve been married almost fifty years and they’re still very much in love. I want that. The sex without strings thing gets old. I want more. I want to build a life together.” Sean’s breathing was just as ragged as hers.
They came from different worlds, but they were together right now. Michelle tipped her head back and focused on what she was feeling. Both legs were bound. It hadn’t felt like he’d knotted them, but she doubted she was strong enough to break free. It didn’t matter. She wanted to be right here with him. He pulled her shirt up and nuzzled her stomach. His whiskers scraped against her lily-white skin, making her wish she’d eaten fewer late-night suppers and spent more time in the sun.
All thoughts vanished as he started winding rope just above her breasts. Slowly, his hands slid across her chest, first above then below her aching boobs. Her nipples were erect and begging for attention. “Sean.” She didn’t know what she wanted.
“I’m here, Michelle. Just you and me,” he wove the rope between her breasts then took it behind her neck and back down, “spending a little time getting better acquainted. You want that, don’t you, Michelle? You want to know the real me.”
“Yes.”
“Good girl. I gotta tell ya, Michelle, I like seeing you bound. You’re so sexy, baby. My cock isn’t fitting in my pants worth a damn right now.”
Michelle giggled. It was strange hearing that kind of talk but she liked kno
wing he was suffering too.
Sean cupped her breasts and gave her nipples a quick peck before he stood. “Do you like being restrained, Michelle?” He slid one finger down the side of her face.
“Yes.” She imagined the rope was an extension of him and he was wrapping her in a hug.
“In the book you read, did Greg give Sophie a discipline or sensual flogging?” He ran his left hand through her hair then grabbed a handful and pulled.
Her breathing shallowed and quickened. Wetness was pooling in her pussy. Heaven help her, she’d never been hotter. “Sensual,” she panted.
“Oh Michelle, what I wouldn’t give to strip you bare and flog that beautiful skin of yours until it was such a pretty pink. Did you know that floggers can be made from any number of materials? Each one gives a little different experience. I’d use one with soft-as-butter suede strands to caress you with each strike. Would you like that, Michelle?”
“Yes.”
His hand tightened around her hair, pulling on her scalp with such a delicious ache. He kissed her hard, abrading her skin with his whiskers. For many blissful hours to come, she’d remember his touch. Wanting more, she parted her lips and invited him in. From somewhere far away, she heard a beeping.
“Fuck! We’re about to have company.” Sean was struggling to get his breathing under control as he quickly began removing the ropes.
“Sean, your kisses are dangerous.” She ran her tongue along her swollen lips. “I think my panties spontaneously combusted on that last one.”
He nuzzled her cheek and she could feel his smile. “There’s a way around that,” he whispered near her ear. “Don’t wear any.”
Chapter Two
“Sean, where the hell are you?”
“That’s Steven, who needs his ass kicked for having the worst fucking timing in history.”
Michelle laughed, just like he’d thought she would. He quickly released the chest harness. It was the only tie he’d actually knotted. Once she was free from it, he pulled her away from the cross. The rest of the ropes uncoiled from her.
His cock was on fire. He hadn’t had such a reaction to a woman anytime he could remember. Michelle had nailed it—their attraction was potent. And his response to her was nothing short of intoxicating.
“Come here, you little minx. You can just stand in front of me and hide my very obvious erection from Steven.” He inhaled her scent and planted a few kisses along her neck. Damn he had it bad. He pulled away slightly and raised his voice. “We’re over here.”
She leaned back and wiggled her butt across the front of his pants, earning her a resounding smack on her ass cheek. She looked over her shoulder and gave him a sexy smile.
“I see you’re gonna be trouble,” he growled. When she started to walk back up the path, he put his arm across her chest and pulled her toward him. His cock nestled perfectly in the small of her back. “Thank you for trusting me, Michelle. It means a great deal.” He kissed her cheek, then let go of her.
As they stepped onto the main pathway, Steven was waiting for them.
“Hi.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Master Steven. It’s nice to meet you. Master Sean has told me very nice things about you.”
She shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Michelle Jarrett.”
“Let’s go check out the bar and Steven can give you a rundown.” Sean kept his palm on the back of her neck and his forearm resting between her shoulder blades. The contact, he hoped, would help keep her calm.
Who was he kidding? He needed the contact just as much. The level of intimacy they’d shared a moment ago shook him up. Why he was drawn so forcefully to Michelle he might never understand. One thing was for sure—he was too old to play games. For once in his life, he planned to lay his cards on the table. Winner-take-all style.
“I love your ass,” he murmured after Steven got a few feet away.
Michelle put her arm around his waist and bumped his hip with hers. She mouthed, “you’re bad,” and flashed him her killer smile.
“How long have you been tending bar, Michelle?” Steven asked as they reached the bar.
“About seven months at Tinkers. I also worked at Chuggs, near Charleston, for a little over a year.”
“Do you have any club experience?”
“Nope.”
Sean sat near the corner of the bar and Michelle stood in front of him, just like he’d asked. He pulled her onto the stool between his legs and glared at Steven. He kept his arm around her waist, knowing his possessive posture would shock the hell out of his friend and, more importantly, get him to back off.
Steven stood with his arms crossed over his chest staring at them. Sean sent him a shit-eating grin over Michelle’s left shoulder. Steven gave an “I give up” gesture and walked behind the counter to the serving area. “Let me show you the run of the place.”
Michelle linked her hand with Sean’s and gave it a squeeze before she followed Steven. She was watching intently everything Steven was showing her. Hell, Sean was half following along as well. Since he was going to be the one making sure she had what she needed tonight, it might help if he had a clue where everything was. The bar was one area he never worried about. Steven was good at his job and Sean left him to it. But with Jared out tonight, he needed Steven in the basement watching the dungeon.
She asked several questions that he hadn’t thought of and didn’t know the answers to. Sean was breathing a little easier now that Michelle was looking comfortable and Steven had relaxed. Maybe this wouldn’t blow up in his face after all.
“You seem a little short on glassware. Do you have any back stock or will I be washing dishes on the fly?” She winked at Sean causing him to smile.
“We have another case in the basement. Has Master Sean given you the full tour?”
“We were interrupted,” Sean answered for her. “Since she’s only bartending for us, I didn’t think that was an important area to go over.”
“Some of the supplies are in storage down there. If you need anything, let a GM know and they’ll get it for you tonight. Did Master Sean explain I won’t be able to give you any hands-on training tonight? I have to fill in for another employee.”
“No problem. The only aspect I’m concerned about is how to monitor when a member is eligible for more than one drink.”
“Once you get to know the members, you’ll recognize their patterns. We really haven’t had anyone try to circumvent the rules, so it shouldn’t be an issue. When a member is finished playing for the night, they’ll remove their wristband. At that point, the bar is virtually open to them.”
“You haven’t had trouble with guests taking off the band, getting drunk and then putting it back on?”
That was a very viable scenario. Sean looked to Steven, hoping he had an answer. “No. Again, once you get to know the regulars, you’ll learn their habits and they all know the rules. You shouldn’t have any problems.”
“Okay.” Michelle’s gaze met his. Her face read like an open book. She wasn’t convinced, but didn’t want to make waves.
“I’ll be with you as much as I can tonight,” Sean assured her. “If the system needs more guidelines, we’re open to suggestions.”
Steven held out his hand to Michelle. “Welcome to Cat Tails.”
“Thank you.”
Sean cut in. “Let’s go to my office and start the paperwork. I have some errands to run this afternoon, Steven. I’ll be in and out until we open. If you need me, text.” Once she left the serving area, Sean took her hand.
As soon as they got back to his office, Michelle went to her purse and pulled out a protein bar. “Do you mind if I have a bite?”
“No, of course not. I should have asked if you were hungry. When was the last time you ate?” Shit, where was his brain?
“I don’t know. When we had the chicken.”
“That was almost twelve hours ago. Fuck, Michelle, you can’t do that. And a protein bar isn’t nutrition.” He put his hand on her
head. “Why are you sitting on the floor? Are you feeling faint?”
“Sean, I’m fine. Calm down. I didn’t want to chance getting crumbs on your gorgeous couch. I do this all the time. It’s no big deal.”
“Well, don’t do it again. Consider that an order and sit on the sofa, for heaven’s sake. It’s just a piece of furniture. You don’t belong on the floor.”
She started laughing. “You worry too much and the floor is comfortable. Come join me.” She patted the ground beside her.
He sat down on the couch and pulled her onto his lap. “You’ve got to be exhausted. Let me take you home. Forget about starting tonight. You can work Tuesday and we’ll wing it tonight. I’ll have a server fill in.”
Michelle pulled her head away from his shoulder. “That’s ridiculous, Sean. I’m perfectly fine to work tonight. I pull back-to-back shifts all the time. It isn’t a big deal. Don’t get all stubborn about this, please.”
“I don’t like it.” He wanted to pamper and take care of her.
“Well, thanks to you, this will be the last time. What paperwork do I need to fill out?”
“Screw the paperwork. We need to get you a real meal.” He went over to his mini-fridge and pulled out an orange juice. “Drink this on the way.”
“I can do the paperwork while you drive, too.” She smiled as if she weren’t trying to work around him.
“You don’t listen very well, do you?” He kissed the tip of her nose and helped her stand.
“I listen. I just rarely obey. Do you have a clipboard?”
“Obeying is a good trait in a submissive…” It was important she feel comfortable around him and be willing to speak her mind, yet he wasn’t going to put up with her pushing herself so hard. He’d have to walk a fine line until they understood each other better.
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that. Reading about submission and being submissive aren’t in the same ballpark, are they?”
He handed her the contracts, clipboard and a pen before opening the door for her and leading the way to his car. Sean decided he would have to pick his battles and right now getting her something to eat was more important than anything else. “Submission comes with trust. As we learn more about one another we’ll find our way. D/s isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. I’m in uncharted territory almost as much as you are. I’ve never had my emotions involved before.”