OnLocation

by Sindra van Yssel

  Teresa had done him a very big favor by not running from his bed. He owed her the way he owed the men he’d known who’d risked their lives with and for him in Afghanistan and Iraq. He’d never deserted any of them in a time of need and he wasn’t going to desert Teresa. He’d get her out of this scrape—but if she was involved the way Gallagher had said, they had no future. Getting her safe would pay off his debt.

  Now he had to figure out what to do with her tonight. He’d been thinking of taking her to the dungeon. He was sure she’d enjoy it, but he wasn’t sure he was in the best frame of mind for hard play. Being distracted and using a cane did not go together. No, he’d try something softer, even if it wasn’t exactly his style.

  Chapter Eleven

  An hour before dinner there was a knock at Kyle’s door. He opened it, expecting to find Roger. Instead, Teresa was on her knees naked in the hallway. Her legs were spread uncomfortably wide and her back was arched. He didn’t think she could maintain a position like that for more than a minute, but she was beautiful.

  “Sir,” she said, “I’m finished.”

  His cock jumped in response to the sight of her. Her nipples jutted out, looking squeezable. Her lips were soft and turned up for a kiss, but that wasn’t what his cock wanted and it was already level with her mouth. He wanted to stand over her, unzip his pants and slide his cock as far in as she could take it without gagging. Maybe farther. Teresa seemed to like being pushed. He swallowed.

  “Get in here,” he said, his voice harsher than he wanted it to be.

  She started to stand up but he touched her shoulder, instinct taking over. “No. Crawl.”

  She put her hands on the floor and crawled in. He took a step around her to watch her ass sway as she moved. “God, Teresa. You’re perfect.”

  “Thank you, Sir.”

  He wished he knew what to think of her. He remembered how she’d watched the lights on what must have been the drug-running boat. She’d thought he was asleep, of course. But she didn’t mention them to him, although that didn’t prove anything. He hadn’t known what it meant at the time either.

  “I don’t know what to do next, Sir,” she said, jolting him back to the present.

  Of course she didn’t. It was hard to remember that she wasn’t an experienced submissive. Not that experienced subs were mind readers, but they usually didn’t have the same vulnerability in their eyes. She’s afraid she’s doing it wrong.

  “Get up on the bed and kneel there. It’s softer than the floor.”

  She scrambled up, turned to face him and knelt as directed.

  “You’re here early. Why?”

  “Because I wanted to be.”

  “Did you not understand my instructions?”

  She grinned at him. “Do you want to punish me for it?”

  Oh, she knows me well. He didn’t intend to be that easy to manipulate, however. That wouldn’t satisfy either of them in the long run.

  Was there a long run? Showing up naked in front of his door was quite an act of bravery, especially in the middle of the afternoon. Did she know Gallagher had been locked in his room? That might make her braver, but if she was involved in the drug running it might also make her figure out that the game was up. And that might make her desperate. He hoped it was bravery.

  Regardless of what the police wanted, he was going to have to find out, and he was going to have to do it without giving Teresa any chance to warn Stegner. He got out the rope he’d braided into her hair once. “Hands behind your back, love.”

  She smiled and did as directed. She didn’t look like a woman who was afraid she’d been caught. She looked like a hot sub ready to play. But then, sometimes the corrupt assumed everyone had a price, and maybe she thought his was sex.

  He tied her wrists tight behind her. He’d have to pretend he thought she was guilty to have a chance to get the truth out of her. He hoped she’d forgive him.

  Hell, he hoped he was pretending. He wasn’t sure. He scooped her up. He didn’t need to have her hands tied in order to subdue her, but there was no sense in making her think she had any choice. She thought it was all a sex game and he wished it was. “We’re going on a trip.”

  She laughed.

  He carried her out of the room and then went to her room. He picked up her suitcase, which was awkward without putting her down, but he managed it. She wasn’t struggling. “Why do we need that?”

  “You’ll see,” he said. “Now not another word until I say so.”

  “Yes Sir.” She bit her lip. Obviously she didn’t like it. Was she being a good sub or did he have her cornered?

  He walked down the stairs. He’d been hoping to avoid Roger but luck was not on his side. The other Dom was sitting on the sofa watching a soccer game. Roger turned to look at them and raised his eyebrows.

  “Where are you going?” asked Roger.

  “Out.” He unlocked the glass door that led to the dock.

  “Do you know what you’re doing?” asked Roger.

  “Absolutely.”

  Kyle carried her down the dock. “Do you always parade your girlfriends naked in front of your pals?” she asked.

  He thought about that. “Pretty much,” he admitted. Although he’d never thought of the women he played with as his girlfriends. But they were on Submission Island for the experience, and exposure made their pulses race. He never got the tender flowers, anyway—that job went to Tom or Roger or Carter. Maybe not Carter anymore. Natalie seemed to have her hooks in him for good, and he seemed happy about it. “I told you to keep quiet.”

  She nodded.

  He put her in the boat, unhooked the line that held it to the pylon at the end of the dock and hopped in himself. He started the engine, got it going to full and then engaged the throttle for twenty seconds as they sped away from the island. He didn’t turn the boat lights on and he killed the engine as soon as they built up some speed. It wasn’t the safest way to go, especially as dusk was approaching, but he didn’t want to attract the attention of the police if they were watching. If the cops were smart they’d keep away until Stegner arrived, and he was betting they were smart. Catching the big fish was more important than making sure Gallagher and Teresa didn’t escape.

  He knew he shouldn’t let Teresa go either, if she was in on the plan. But as her Dom he felt duty-bound to protect her. And selfishly he needed to know, one way or the other.

  “I thought at first— Sorry Sir.” She pursed her lips.

  “That I was taking you off the island? Only if you want to be taken.”

  She didn’t say a thing but stared at him. Ah. “You may talk now,” he added.

  “I don’t want to be taken. Off, I mean. Not unless you’re coming with.”

  He nodded. “I really like you.”

  She smiled. “I really like you too. You’re the best kidnapper I’ve ever met, Sir.”

  He chuckled. “Okay, I have been a bit heavy-handed.”

  “I’ve discovered I like heavy-handed. When it’s from you.”

  She couldn’t be acting. He was sure she wasn’t. Which didn’t mean she was innocent, it just meant she was kinky. There had been no way she was entirely faking that anyway. He weighed his words carefully, watching her reaction. “Stegner is going to be here tomorrow.”

  She nodded. “I know. I was going to talk to you about that. If you walk me naked past the movie people, well, it might affect my career, so I was hoping we could work out an—”

  In other circumstances that would be an interesting chain of thought, but this time he shook his head and interrupted. “It’s no use, Teresa. I know what’s going on.”

  “Huh?”

  “Gallagher told us everything.”

  She didn’t respond. He didn’t know what to make of that, so he went on.

  “Once Stegner is here with the penteconter full of drugs, the police will swoop in. So I’m giving you a choice. I can take you away now. I’ll drop you off onshore with your luggage and you can escape and neve
r see me again. Or you can turn yourself in, go straight, give evidence—and I’ll wait for you to get out of jail. Then we can pick up where you left off.”

  She jerked at the bonds tying her wrists, but they didn’t budge, as he knew they wouldn’t. “You! I ought to slap you. What the hell do you think I am?”

  “Maybe you should tell me.”

  “What drugs are you talking about?”

  “The ones Stegner got from Colombia.” He couldn’t be certain, but he thought it was a pretty good guess.

  “Is that why he shot there?”

  His heart surged. She seemed genuinely not to know, or she was a very good actress. “Yes. Gallagher told you us were in on the whole thing, Teresa.”

  Her face turned red and contorted with rage. “Gallagher is pissed because I didn’t sleep with him, and pissed more because I’ve been with you. I can’t believe you believe him! You—you—” She shook her head, seemingly unable to say more. Then she kicked him hard in the shins.

  He wanted to believe her. He did believe her, but he couldn’t be sure. Actions spoke louder than words. He waited, hating himself for it. Hoping he wasn’t losing her in the midst of his need to know. From her glare he thought he might be.

  “I guess you barely know me, really,” she said at last.

  “In some ways.” I know some things about you that I would guess no one else knows.

  “It doesn’t feel like that. It feels as if I’ve known you forever. It’s just been a few days.”

  He nodded.

  “I would never be part of a plot to smuggle drugs. I don’t need the money, but even if I did I’d find another way to get it. Hell, I’d sell my body before I got people hooked on ecstasy or LSD or whatever. Cocaine, probably, if it comes from Colombia? Anyway. No.”

  If she sold her body, he’d be buying. But there was no time to get distracted by that thought.

  “Take me back,” she said.

  “Back to Submission Island?”

  “Back to Submission Island. I’m not guilty. I don’t need to run. Not that I couldn’t get swept up by Gallagher’s lies, but either way, I’m not running. I need to prove to you that I’m innocent.” She gave him one last glare, then twisted her back to hold up her hands. “Oh, and pineapple.”

  If he’d thought she was guilty of running drugs, he wouldn’t have let her go. As it was, he took out the utility knife from his pocket, flicked it open and cut through the bonds.

  “Usually those things don’t cut worth a damn,” remarked Teresa with ice in her voice.

  “Usually people don’t take good care of them.” He pulled her into his arms, not too surprised she struggled. He was strong enough to hold her anyway. “Listen to me. And don’t pull yourself out of the boat.”

  She glared at him.

  He was used to subs glaring, but this time it bothered him. It didn’t stop him though. “If you had chosen to run, you’d be out of my life for good. And maybe by the way I went about this I’m out of yours, anyway. But I had to know and I had to keep you safe. We’ll go back and fight this together and I’ll vouch for you. I can tell the police that you voluntarily stayed on the island. They won’t be happy with me trying to help you escape, but since you didn’t actually go, they can’t arrest me for anything.

  “Even if Stegner and Gallagher and all the rest try to drag you down—and I don’t see why they would, unless they all have some motive—I will stick by you and stand up for you.” And I wanted to be in a position to do that. She’d have to figure that part out herself, because it was way too self-serving-sounding to tell her. But it was the truth.

  The hard part would be resisting putting a fist through Gallagher’s face before the police got there. It was probably a good thing they’d locked him up in his room. Kyle had let Roger bring the jerk food, because he wasn’t sure he trusted himself.

  “I don’t blame you for needing to know,” she said.

  “There’s a but there, isn’t there?”

  “Yes. I’m still angry. Even if it doesn’t make rational sense, I want you to trust me. And I thought we were out here having some fun, so I feel let down.”

  “I trust you.”

  “Now.”

  “Yes.” If she wanted a saint or a psychic, she had to know she had the wrong guy. At least he wasn’t fool enough to take her comment about being let down and make a pass at her. He was pissed at himself, even if he wasn’t sure what he should have done differently. The last thing he wanted to do was to make her angry or let her down. He’d known from the start that he’d be doing both.

  “I’m sleeping in your bed tonight,” she said.

  He blinked.

  “I trusted you even when I woke up with your hands on my neck. You need to trust me too. I don’t know what else I’m willing to do with you right now, but we’re sleeping together. Got it? Um, Sir.”

  He laughed at the incongruity. She’d shown a flash of that steel when he first met her, and it had nearly turned him off her entirely. Now he was proud of her for it. “As long as you understand that’s the last order you’re giving, yes. I got it.” He wasn’t sure it was safe to grin at her, but he did anyway, because he wasn’t sure what his face would end up doing if he didn’t.

  “I don’t need to give orders. I just need my safe word. Which I know you’ll honor.” Her face had the same war going on. Finally she gave up and smiled at him.

  “Always.” He gunned the engine on the boat and turned it back toward this island.

  * * * * *

  Terry stayed dressed for the rest of the day in jeans and a plaid shirt. He didn’t tell her she couldn’t. Only when bedtime finally came did he tell her to take them off.

  If she hadn’t wanted him to, she would have gone to her room and changed into jammies. She’d been pretty sure that sleeping in jeans wasn’t going to pass, but she was willing to do it if he didn’t say anything. He’d been decent and respectful all day, but she missed his edge. Maybe he felt bad about taking her out to sea, although she had to admit it had given her an opportunity to demonstrate, if not prove, her innocence. Maybe he still didn’t trust her entirely.

  He didn’t ask if he could make love to her, but this time lovemaking didn’t involve whips or ropes or even those nasty little nipple clamps she’d been looking forward to feeling again. He laid her on her back, spread her legs and licked her pussy with soft, slow strokes. Men always seemed to want to go too fast, but not Kyle. He built her arousal up patiently before speeding up, sending her over the edge with quick flicks of his tongue directly on her clit.

  A week ago a man with a tongue that skilled would have been her idea of a keeper. She’d hold his head down and enjoy the ride. Now she wanted her Master back. Not that there was anything wrong with Master going down on his woman whenever he liked. One of the many things I won’t say no to.

  He didn’t stop until she was sated, but then she started to worry. It was all fine and well to say she’d face the music. She was innocent of any wrongdoing. But it could all get very messy and there was no guarantee what would happen. Not with the police and not with Kyle. She wanted to talk to him about it and she didn’t. If she let him know she was worried, would he think she had something to hide?

  He seemed to sense her anxiety, because he pulled her to him and held her close. “It’s going to be all right,” he said.

  She looked up at him. “How can you know?”

  “Because I won’t let anything happen to the woman I love.”

  Did he mean what she wanted him to mean by that? She wanted to say “I love you too”. But she wasn’t sure she should. He had said the woman. Not a woman. The. Her heart sped up.

  He spoke before she did. “How long can you stay here, before you have to go on another job, Teresa?”

  “Um. A week or two. I have another job. I’ve been working nonstop for a while… but then, I rarely take vacations as such. My job sends me to exotic locations all over. Although sometimes I think I’d like to just spend some
time at home.”

  “Would you be willing to take one in my home?”

  This time he sounded as though he really wanted it. “Yes Sir.”

  “Good girl,” he said. “Now let’s get some sleep.” He closed his eyes.

  “Yes Sir.” She’d thought she might have to help him the way she had before with a little sex, but soon his chest was rising and falling rhythmically. She didn’t know whether to be disappointed or pleased, although she was certainly satisfied. He trusted her, or he wouldn’t be willing or able to fall asleep. She squirmed to get into the right position, her body pressed against his side, her head on his broad chest.

  There was a knock on the door that roused her as she was on the edge of sleep. “It’s me, Roger.”

  Kyle fluttered his eyes open. “You answer it.”

  “But I’m naked,” she protested.

  “Get used to it,” he said, “since you’re staying. I’m not going to let Roger’s presence interfere with me having a good view.”

  Oh. She got up and opened the door a crack, peering around. Limiting Roger’s view didn’t interfere with Kyle’s.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” Roger said, “but I have some news that might help both of you sleep. Gallagher did some more talking.”

  Kyle chuckled. “Let the man in, Teresa.”

  Damn. She opened the door and returned to the bed, conscious of her nakedness but pleased to take direction. The very fact that it made her uncomfortable was part of the attraction, perversely. If he’d asked her to put on a robe she would have been grateful, but this reassured her that Kyle was still in charge, even if his lovemaking had been uncharacteristically gentle.

  “That wasn’t necessary,” said Roger.

  “I know,” said Kyle. “I’m training her.”

  Training. She ought to rebel at the word but she didn’t. It implied a long-term outlook. And she wanted to learn to please him as well as she could. She wasn’t worried whether he’d please her—he seemed to know more about how to do that than she had to teach him. And he was naked too. That made it a tiny bit easier.