by Tl Reeve
He nodded. “Interesting.” He strolled over to where she sat. “We meet again, Hannah,” he whispered. “You’re a sight for these old eyes.” Hannah blinked. “Do I know you?” Her gaze lowered until settling on the badge. “Hey, could you get me my phone call? I need to call my boss.”
“I know who your boss is,” he said, taking out his phone. “I’ll call him for you. I’m sure he knows where you are though.” As he put the phone to his ear, Jude stormed through the doors of the precinct, with a snarl firmly in place.
“Who’s the fuck head that arrested one of my employee?” he growled.
“I believe that officer over there,” Raphael said, pointing to the man who brought Hannah in.
“Thank you Raphael. It’s good to see you again.” Jude marched over to the counter where the man stood filling out paperwork. “Release Hannah before I go over your head and let your captain know you were on the wrong side of town, Kapinsky. I know you work on the west side. A wild guess says your mother can’t keep her nose out of other people’s business.” Jude glared at the man.
“My mother didn’t call me. I got the call from a concerned citizen. I found Hannah here inside the house. It’s my duty to bring her in,” he replied with a shrug. “The answer is no. I will not let her go.”
“Did you ask her what she was doing in the house?” Jude pressed.
“Well no, I didn’t have to. She broke into Mrs. Robertson’s house.”
Raphael sat down next to Hannah and watched the interaction, “Interesting day you’re having,” he murmured. “Would you like me to take those cuffs off for you?”
“I would love you forever if you released me from these horrid things.” She held up her hand to him and waited.
Raphael took the keys out of his pocket and let her out of the handcuffs. Without a second thought, he tried to sooth away the redness. Hannah moaned. The sweet sound she made shot straight to his dick, engorging it. Get a hold of yourself, Jonas, she doesn’t even remember you.
“Get on the phone and get his Captain down here, before I blow a fucking gasket on his ass,” Jude yelled.
“So what happened at the house?” Raphael asked.
“Nothing really. We were checking the security systems, which the owner knew about, plus hello, I’m wearing a uniform. Anyway, while I waited for Jude to call me, Lone Ranger over there took me down. I couldn’t even call Jude to let him know what happened.” Hannah pulled her hand back before brushing the area where his fingers caressed the abused skin. “Thanks.”
He missed the feel of her skin on his when she retracted her hand from his grasp. “No problem. So he didn’t ask to see any identification?” She shook her head. “Incredible.” Out of the corner of his eye, he caught glimpse of Jude heading their way. “I believe you’ve been sprung,” he said. “I’ll see you around.” He couldn’t stand being as close to her as he was. She had gotten under his skin without even trying.
“Yeah, sure. I guess I’m bound to see you sometime, since I work for Jude,” she said lifting her shoulder.
Sooner than you know, little one.
“That jackass needs to be put down!” Jude said, as he gave her a bag filled with her personal effects back.
“I said the same thing to myself a couple times. The guy over there…who helped you” —Hannah hooked her thumb over toward the man who was walking out the door— “who is he?”
“That’s Raphael. Part-time Dom at Olivia’s and a detective with Chicago PD,” Jude said as they followed the detective out.
“Is he attached to anyone?” Hannah hedged.
“Are you asking if he has a submissive?” Jude asked.
“Are you going to make me say it?” she scoffed.
“Yes, yes I am.”
“Fine. Does Raphael have submissive?” she asked, giving him a droll stare.
“No, he doesn’t. In fact, I don’t think I have ever seen him with a personal submissive. I don’t think he’s ever collared a sub, come to think of it.”
“You have to wear a collar? Like a dog collar?”
“Well yeah. Some wear them all the time and some only use them while they play. They come in all different sizes and some even have rings like dog collars.”
Nibbling on her bottom lip, she contemplated what he said. Would a Dom make me wear a collar too? “Do you wear one?”
“What is this, million-dollar question day?” He stared back at her for a moment before shaking his head. “Yes I wear one, only during play. Mistress picked it out. Micah has one too.”
“Cool,” Hannah said, sliding into his car.
“I suppose so. How do you feel about being collared?” He got in beside her and asked.
“I don’t know. Honestly, it freaks me out a little. To know I belong to someone. A relationship with a man in this capacity is a little overwhelming. Add the collar to it, and I have to question what I am getting myself into.”
He patted her knee. “Everything will fall into place the minute you accept who and what you are.”
On the drive back to Caelan’s, she contemplated what Jude told her. It was true. She either had to accept what she was if she wanted to make progress. I’ll just wait and see if I can get a Dom to pay attention to me. If it works out, awesome. If not, well I can go back to vanilla sex. Not like I wasn’t already there. “Do you think Raphael would work with me?” Hannah asked.
Jude kept his eyes on the road. “You’ll have to ask him. But I think— “Yeah?” Jude, answered his phone. There was a pause then Jude bit out, “You’re fucking kidding me, when?” Hannah watched as his face contorted into mask of pure fury. “We were in the neighborhood. How could we miss it?”
Hannah listened to the one side of the conversation. Whatever happened, wasn’t good. “Well, we better fucking get on it. I’ll see you at the office in five.” Jude hung up his phone before throwing it into the console of the car as they continued down the road.
“Not good, huh?” she questioned.
“No, not good. It would seem while I was getting your ass out of jail, another house was hit. Mother fucker!” His hand hit the steering wheel with such force it made Hannah jump. “How am I supposed to protect my customers if I can’t catch the fucker who’s breaking into their homes?”
She wasn’t meant to answer the question, but she threw in her two cents anyway, “You’ll find him, you have me with you. There is no way he can get away from us now.” She smirked with a wink.
*****
Raphael paced the vestibule of the club. Carlos had tried to calm him but he was way too wound up. Hell he’d only been with Hannah for ten minutes the day before, and he couldn’t get the feel of her skin or the sound of her moan out of his head.
“Go on in, Master Raphael. They’re waiting on you.” Carlos opened the door and ushered him through it. “Have fun in there.”
“Yeah, have fun.” He chuckled.
Walking down the hall toward the meeting room, the sounds and smells of the club filtered through him. Any trepidation he may have felt vanished when he heard the laughter coming from the room. They were having fun in there, something he’d craved for a long time. When he opened the door, he could see everyone coupled up, except for Hannah. Her eyes were downcast, and she nibbled on her lip. He felt the sadness roll off her. She was alone, and he couldn’t help but walk straight over to her.
“Hannah?” he whispered. The room had gone silent as all eyes were on him, watching to see what he’d do next.
Hannah tilted her head up and smiled a little. “Raphael, it’s good to see you out of those wretched handcuffs.” A crimson flush crept into her cheeks as she heard Jackson and Jude snicker. “I mean…ah hell, I suck at this.” She hung her head in embarrassment.
“Give me your hand please. The one that was restrained yesterday. I want to see how badly the jackass hurt you,” he commanded, roughly.
“Sure.” Without hesitation she laid her hand in his, exposing her soft skin to him.
H
er touch cooled his overheated flesh. The frantic emotions that had been threatening to spillover settled in an instant. Before he realized what he was doing, he lifted Hannah from her curled up position on the couch and pressed her against him. Locking eyes with her, he took her spot on the sofa and pulled her down on top of him to sit on his lap. Their bodies fit together perfectly. This is where I want to be. I just don’t know if I can stay.
“How’s my wrist, Raphael?” Hannah licked her lips. It took every bit of his control to not kiss her. All he needed was one kiss to calm the raging storm within him.
“Fine, it looks good as new,” he said before brushing a kiss over her wrist.
Hannah shivered under his touch, and the dominant side of him whooped at her acceptance. “How do you do this to me, Raphael? How do make me so weak?” she murmured against his chest.
“I haven’t done anything, but I feel it too.” His arms came around her and held her to him.
Caelan cleared his throat. “Dinner will be here shortly, and then I thought we would put little Hannah through the paces. I believe it is time for her to learn what it means to be submissive and where she fits in this lifestyle.”
“I would agree. It is past time. She has been neglected for too long.” His tone held no censure or accusation. He’d thought about nothing but her since he’d seen her in the station.
“Then it’s settled,” Caelan said, opening the door for the staff bringing in their dinner.
Hannah carried her plate to where Raphael waited for her. She figured she’d sit next to him and get to know him a little. Discover what made him tick. As she took the spot next to him, he gave an exasperated sigh. Hannah turned her head slightly and saw Raphael frowning at her. Uh oh, now you’ve gone and done it. You haven’t even done a scene with the man and he’s pissed at you. “Did I do something to offend you?”
He put his plate down. “What do you see around you Hannah?”
She glanced around. Couples sat cuddled were in each other’s laps as they ate, while she sat next to him. His fingers laced with hers, silently giving her strength to let go and take a chance. Maybe. Butterflies danced and fluttered in her stomach as he tugged her into his lap and made her comfortable. Hannah opened her mouth to ask for her plate when he stopped her. “Let me,” he said loading up her fork with chicken alfredo.
Staring deep into his eyes, she opened her mouth slowly, then moaned as the flavors exploded against her tongue. Hannah blocked out everyone as he fed her. She hadn’t realized being fed could be erotic or in the least bit sensual. After swallowing the last bite, she wrapped her hand around his neck and kissed him.
His tongue darted past her lips, and she pressed herself completely against him. Hannah sucked gently on his tongue. A tingle of awareness shot through her as he growled and fisted her hair. Fuck this felt too good. As she shifted her hips, his grip tightened and instantly stilled her. Hannah’s eyes flew open as she felt the hard press of his length against her hip. Holy shit!
“I think they like each other,” Nisey giggled softly.
Hannah agreed with her, she did like him, but now what?
Chapter Four
Once dinner had finished, Nisey led Hannah to the changing room and gave her what she was supposed to wear. Just a thong? A patch of material barely wide enough to cover my girly parts and that’s it? Hannah couldn’t believe what Nisey showed her. She shook out the robe hoping to find a top she might have missed.
“Uh, Nisey, where’s my top?” Hannah asked, searching for it.
“What do you mean, a top?” Nisey replied, as she cinching her robe together tying it.
“You know a bikini top or a bra or something?” The last time she had done a scene, they allowed her to wear a small black tank.
“There isn’t one, Hannah.” Nisey giggled.
“Wait, let me get this straight. I have to go in there and be naked in front of everyone? That’s insane!” Stomping her foot, Hannah blew out a breath of frustration.
“You afraid, white girl? You scared?” Rena’s teasing tone did nothing to calm the nervous energy that raced through her, because yes, she was extremely worried.
“I’m not scared or afraid of anything.” Hannah spun around and grabbed the robe.
“You don’t sound so confident about that.” Rena smirked.
“Suck my ass, Rena. Oh wait, you need Jackson’s permission first, don’t you?” A sly smile formed on Hannah’s lips as Rena’s smirk faltered.
“Our Masters wouldn’t be pleased with this conversation,” Nisey said, nibbling on her thumbnail.
Hannah put her hands up, “Hey, I’m just here for the show.” She began changing out of her clothes. “I think we need to work on your backbone though, Nisey. Yours has gotten a little weak.” “I’ve been saying the same damn thing,” Rena added strutting from the changing room.
“I guess I got told, huh Nisey?” Hannah said chuckling lightly.
“This is not good, Hannah. You have to respect your Master, it’s part of being a submissive. You have to understand that.” She pleaded with Hannah.
“I don’t have a Master, Nisey, remember? No one wants me. Maybe it is my smart mouth or because I’m so young, I don’t know. So until the day comes when a man actually wants me, I don’t have to follow the fucking rules.”
Hannah headed back out to the main room where they’d eaten dinner. Everyone had gone back to their normal seating arrangements, and she returned to her spot on the couch. She wasn’t sure what Caelan had planned for the evening, but she looked forward to it.
“What are you doing, Hannah?” Raphael’s voice reverberated through her.
“What does it look like? I’m waiting for the show to start. Have fun tonight.”
A kiss didn’t mean anything. Though it was hot and turned her on more than she’d ever experienced, it didn’t mean she’d roll over and expose her belly to him. Raphael’s nostrils flared as his eyes narrowed. His upper body bent so they were eye to eye. “What did you say?”
“N-nothing.”
Raphael snarled. “You will address me as Dominare. Now, on your knees.”
Scrambling to her knees, she tried to calm her breathing as desire pooled low in her belly. Across from her she could see Jude smirking slightly, his tan studded collar firmly in place as Micah watched her with cautious apprehension. Oh yes, tonight would be entertaining to say the least.
Raphael raked his fingers through his hair as he blew out a breath of frustration. How had she managed to crawl under his skin so quickly? He’d never thought he’d be ready for another sub, especially after how he’d treated Kalinda, but now he wasn’t so sure. Hannah’s bold defiance called to his dominant side and flipped every one of his goddamned switches. She crawled under his skin to the point he twitched to bend her over his knee and redden her ass.
“We will watch Caelan and Nisey, and then we’ll discuss more in-depth the breadth of your submission.”
Her gaze lowered settling on the floor in front of her. “Yes, Sir,” she whispered.
“No, this won’t do either,” he muttered.
Her gaze lifted, challenging him. “I suppose it won’t.” Disdain filled her voice, replacing the soft supplicant submissive who tried so desperately to be what every Dom wanted rather than being herself. “I’m sorry this” —she motioned between them as she stood— “doesn’t fit your cookie cutter world.”
He snatched her arm before she could step away. “None of that now.” He sat, then pointed between his legs. “I want you here.”
“There?” She pointed to where he’d requested.
“Do not test me, Hannah. I am a most patient man, but you yank my ability threadbare.”
“Fine,” she huffed. “We don’t need you becoming threadbare, do we?” She knelt between his legs. “Better?”
“Marginally,” he answered. He pressed on her shoulder until her butt touched the floor and she leaned against him. “Perfect.”
“You’re a weird on
e, Dominare.”
“Perhaps.” He ran his fingers through her silky tresses, tugging ever so gently. Her moan had him smirking. “Be a good girl while Master Caelan and Nisey scene for us, and I’ll reward you.”
“Tempting.”
Yes, he’d enjoy taming her tongue. His hand tightened momentarily when Caelan held his hand out to Nisey. She took it readily, her gaze casted toward the floor. No words were spoken. Their conversation, a silent one. She lowered to her knees while allowing her robe to slide from her shoulders. The show of it was mesmerizing. Raphael trailed his fingers down the column of Hannah’s throat. Her pulse quivered under his touch.
“Do you like what you see,” he purred.
“Yes.”
As soon as the robe fluttered to the floor, Caelan lifted Nisey. Their movements perfectly choreographed. He circled her, his arms crossed. His gaze scrutinizing. “Shall we tie you up, grá?”
“Yes, Maíster,” Nisey answered.
“Good girl.”
Caelan grabbed a bundle of rope from the tray beside them. Unfurling it, he began with a simple harness. Hannah’s hand gripped Raphael’s leg. Her nails bit into his flesh. The pinpricks of pain went straight to his groin. He continued to touch her, running his fingers through her hair. The delectable sounds she made were music to his ears. Yes, as much as she had a hard time believing she belonged, he knew she made her own place among them.
“As you can see, I made a simple diamond harness. This will allow me to put Nisey into just about any position.” A cross beam with an O-ring attached came into view, and Calan fed the remaining two sets of lines through it. He then fed two ropes through the pulleys on opposite sides of where they stood. Once they were connected, he tugged on the bindings. Nisey lifted off the floor. Her body hung suspended in midair.
Hannah sucked in breath.
“Do you see how relaxed she is?” Raphael asked. “The way her body melts into the ropes.”
“Yes.”
“There is absolute surrender in Shibari,” he whispered. “Just like there is absolute surrender in submission, pet.”