Chapter 28
Once they got to Brandywine, Carley was checked into a room and refused to see or talk to Sophie, but did allow Kiera, who happened to be a world-renowned psychiatrist, to keep her updated on her progress. At least that was something. Brandywine was everything that Keira had said and more. Carley had agreed to a three month stay without the possibility of leaving; all of them knew it wasn’t safe for her out on the streets. Much to Sophie’s surprise, Matthias left immediately after Carley was checked in; the two of them exchanged a couple of words, but that was it. He didn’t even bother trying to talk to her and Ethan. In a way, that was for the best because Sophie wasn’t his biggest fan, right now. He might have his reasons for doing things the way he did, but that didn’t mean he had been right.
“Bags are packed, Babe, you ready?”
Sophie looked around the hotel room they had been staying in. There wasn’t anything left behind; they had come with virtually nothing, only sleeping here when Sophie wasn’t at the hospital talking to Kiera and her staff. Ethan had been so good to her, making sure she slept and ate. Even taking her on a couple of walks to get fresh air. The one thing he hadn’t done was touch her, other than a few kisses. There was a part of her that wondered if he had changed his mind that everything that had happened up until now was a hoax created by Tobias. Maybe she wasn’t his mate after all and all the talk about chemical manipulation had been correct.
“What are your you thinking about in that crazy mind, Sophie? Ethan hugged her from behind, he always did that just when she needed it the most.
“I just…, do you still want me? I mean we haven’t…” Sophie said, pointing to the bed.
“We haven’t what?”
“Well, you know,” Sophie said, again pointing to the bed.
“Oh, is this your way of asking why I haven’t thrown you down on that bed like I have dreamed about for the last few days and made you mine completely? Babe, you had a lot of stuff you needed to deal with, and I didn’t want to take away from that, but don’t worry I have plans for you, really soon. As a matter of fact, I think those plans will be happening in about five hours. You think you can stop that mind from spinning out of control for that long?”
“Yeah, I think we better get going, then,” Sophie said, practically running for the door. Ethan was right behind her, and it felt good to play, even if it was just for a little while.
As promised, five hours later she and Ethan were standing in the same cabin on Little Travers Lake that they had left behind.
“Why are we here?” Sophie asked. Kind of confused, she had thought they would go back to his home, but he brought her here instead; maybe he didn’t want her to be around his family.
“Get that thought out of your head right now, Pet.” Ethan crowded her until her back was up against the sliding glass door. “I brought you here first because I wanted to have time with you alone before I took you to the chaos that is Alpha Team. The women would be all over you, and Bas and Dalton would want their time to get to know you, too. Shit, Jacks told me that Ryleigh was planning for things days in advance, slumber parties and dinners, shit like that, but I’m a selfish man. I told them they would just have to wait.” Ethan kissed her, and Sophie knew what she wanted to do. Pushing him slightly away from her, she went to her knees.
“Yes Master.”
Ethan tried to bring her back to her feet, but Sophie wasn’t having it; she knew what he wanted, and she wanted to give it to him. Hell, she wanted it for herself. Sophie straightened her pose just like he taught her and waited for his direction.
“Sophie, my sweet girl, if this is what you want, I will give it to you. This, everything we do together, is your choice. I would give it all up just to have you, do you understand?”
“Yes, Ethan I understand completely and I want this I want what you have to offer,” Sophie said, looking up to Ethan.
“Okay, then you have ten coming to you, Pet. I won’t be easy on you, but if you can’t take it, I expect you to tell me to stop. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Good. Come now, pet.”
Sophie could see the change in Ethan; he was in Dom mode, and it only increased her want. She needed him, she wanted his discipline and the pleasure she knew she would receive, from receiving and accepting the pain from him. When they got into the bedroom, Ethan’s one-word command caused her body to heat.
“Strip!”
Sophie didn’t make him wait, she stripped as fast as she possibly could, her body shaking in anticipation of what was to come. Ethan stood stoically and watched, his hands crossed over his chest, feet shoulder width apart. Damn, he was sexy. Sophie could feel the moisture gathering between her legs and started to tremble. He noticed and came to her, running his finger from her shoulder to her stomach.
“Such a good girl, I can’t wait to make you mine. Now, bend over and place your hands on the bed. I won’t restrain you this time. We will practice honor bondage, this time. I expect you to remain still with your hands firmly in place. Can you do that for me Sophie, can you do that to please your Master?”
“Yes, Master, I can do that, for you.”
Sophie did as he instructed and waited for his next move; it didn’t take long. She felt his heat at her back and the warmth of his breath on her neck. She also felt his naked flesh; when had he gotten undressed?
“So pretty, Sophie. I will always remember this day and the honor you have bestowed upon me, trusting me with your body and giving me your heart. I promise to keep them both safe and well cherished. Do you believe me?”
“Yes, Master. I will do the same. I promise to love and cherish every inch of you.”
“Ah, babe let’s get though the pain, so we can get to the pleasure we both need.”
Ethan raised his arm, bringing his hand down swiftly on her ass. She needed this as much as he needed to give it to her. She had scared him, more than once, and they needed a clean slate to start fresh again; this punishment would do that for both of them. His hand blurred as it streaked through the air, the sound of flesh meeting flesh as it landed on her butt echoed through the room.
Sophie tried to smother her pained yelp, but failed. Gripping the sheets tightly, she waited for the next blow. For a moment, she wanted him to stop, but she needed this, wanted it. Shifting her ass back, she tried to encourage him to continue.
“Count it out Sophie,” Ethan’s voice demanded. The fear and uncertainty he had been feeling before was starting to subside, leaving only pleasure in its wake. Pleasure of giving her what she needed spread throughout his body; his Sophie was giving him exactly what he needed.
Sophie heard Ethan’s command, but was still so absorbed in the pain and pleasure coursing through her body. It took her several seconds to respond. This didn’t make Ethan happy, and she regretted the hesitation, only wanting to make him happy. She was fully focused on her master, now, vowing to herself that she would make him proud.
“I need a count, or we will start over again. Do you understand me, Sophie?”
For all of a second, Sophie thought she would disobey, maybe she would always need to push just a little, but she stopped herself. The need in her body was overriding what her mind thought it wanted.
“One, Ethan.”
Ethan moved up on the bed, pressing his body into her back, causing her to collapse on the bed. He clenched his hand into Sophie’s soft, silky hair, forcing her head back, placing his face close to her meeting her eyes.
“When you are being punished, you will call me Sir. Do you understand Sophie?”
“Yes, Sir, I understand.” Sophie didn’t like the disappointment she saw in his eyes. She wanted the acceptance and lust.
“That’s a good girl,” Ethan smiled slightly, giving her, a quick hard kiss. He released her hair then moved back into position behind her and waited. Sophie took several deep breaths and moved back into position on her knees. It didn’t take Ethan long to continue her punishment, bringing
his hand down on her other ass cheek.
“Two, Sir,” Sophie immediately said, with a small sob.
“You please me, Sophie,” Ethan said, slightly rubbing her abused flesh. The contrast between the stinging pain and the warmth of his hand turned the sting into a wave of pleasure that took her breath away and tightened all the muscles in her body. She felt as if she was on the verge of the most intense orgasm of her life. She felt free, free to express anything, to let go of all the pain and hurt she had felt for so long.
Ethan noticed a change in Sophie’s body, she had relaxed and was pushing her butt back, waiting for his blow; she had finally submitted to him, fully. Pulling his hand back he brought it down on her butt once again, giving her what she was asking. Ethan delivered four sharp smacks. being careful to never hit the same spot twice.
Sophie had started to sob, and Ethan paused giving her comfort by allowing her a moment and rubbing his hands on her body. When she pushed her ass back asking for more, he didn’t make her wait.
“You were meant for me, and me alone Sophie,” Ethan said as he stroked his hands over the marks on her ass, enjoying the fact that he had marked her, claimed her as his own in a small way.
“Please, Sir, I need this,” Sophie moaned at the attention, pushing her ass back,
“As you wish. The last four are going to be hard and fast. Can you handle it, take the pain for me, Sophie?”
“Yes, Sir, please.”
Ethan raised his hand once again and brought it down as promised, hard and fast. His sweet girl didn’t disappoint either, moving into the smacks. The tightness in his chest eased, and for the first time in weeks, he felt as though he could draw a deep breath. Ethan could smell her arousal as it filled the room, enticing him, making his cock pulse and weep with anticipation.
Running his hands over Sophie’s ass, he nudged her legs apart to get to the treasure he so desperately wanted. Sliding his fingers through her hot, swollen lips, pushing forward to the jewel he sought. Sophie collapsed forward on the bed her hips rocking with the movement of his fingers.
“Sweet, sweet girl, if you come before I say, we start this over again from the beginning. Is that what you want?” Ethan lightened his touch, allowing her the slightest of touches, enough to keep her aroused, but not giving her enough friction to allow her to come. Pulling back slightly, Ethan circled her entrance with his finger, but didn’t penetrate her; this, too, was a test. Sophie’s body responded by pushing back, but Ethan had been ready for her, pulling back before she got what she wanted.
“Sophie, how many times have you disobeyed since we met by placing yourself in danger?”
Sophie’s body stilled and for a second, he thought she wasn’t going to answer him.
“I don’t know, Sir,” she said on a heart-wrenching wail, “I was so worried Ethan,” Sophie’s words were almost intelligible, “I just thought that I knew…”
“You need to learn, Sophie, that you are more important, that keeping you safe, healthy, and happy is my first and only priority. It hurt me to see you taking pain that was meant for me when I could have prevented it. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir,” Sophie sobbed, dropping her head to the bed. Her body was on fire, her breast felt full and heavy, and her nipples had taken on a life of their own. Every time she moved they scraped across the sheets causing tingles to run straight from them to her clit. Her body burned, all for Ethan.
“Are you going to punish me for that, Sir?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Yes, Sir, please,” Sophie pleaded. She knew they were both on the edge of something epic, and she needed to reach for whatever it was.
Smiling, Ethan couldn’t have been prouder. Sophie was everything he never knew he wanted, sweet and submissive in the bed and intelligent, bratty, and bad ass outside of it. Hell, she had taken on three shifters without even batting an eye. That didn’t even count her confronting Tobias. He hated that it had happened, but loved that she was strong enough to take care of herself if he wasn’t there to protect her. Then, damn, asking for and submitting to his discipline, she was damn near perfect in his eyes.
“Two more, sweet girl. Raising his hand, he brought it down on the area where her ass met her thigh, knowing the pain would be more intense, quickly doing the same to the other side.
“Ethan, oh shit I’m going to come.”
“Don’t you dare,” Ethan said flipping her over onto her back, pushing her up further on the bed. Once he was got her in place, he positioned himself between her legs, deliberately dragged her sore ass over the sheets, distracting her from her arousal for a second. Hearing the gasp of pain, he laughed.
“That did the trick, now, didn’t it sweet girl?” Sophie lifted her head and turned scowling at him, but didn’t say a word. Grabbing her hips, he pulled her body back into his, needing to be closer to her, his cock was already weeping for her sweet heat.
“Are you ready for me, Sophie?” Ethan positioned himself at her entrance, pressing the head of his cock into her slowly; for the first time, he felt his control slipping and stopped, laying his head down on Sophie’s shoulder.
“Sweet girl, this is your last chance; if we continue, you will be mine, now and forever, do you understand? There will be no going back for either one of us once this happens. Can you feel the bond forming, joining us?”
“Yes, Ethan, please. Please, don’t stop, I want this. I want you and everything that entails.”
Ethan pushed deeper into Sophie, fighting for each inch he gained as she tightened around him, squeezing his cock in a vice-like grip, he almost lost it, blowing well before he was ready. Her pussy was so warm, tight, and slick; he was in heaven. Sliding his arm under her, he planted his left hand on the bed next to her head.
“Wrap your legs around me, Sophie.”
Dropping his head to her neck, Sophie loved the feel of his hot breath as it flowed over her sensitive skin. The sensation only intensified her already raging arousal. When Ethan started to move again, Sophie couldn’t help but to grab onto him. She needed an anchor into this world. His thrusts became deeper, harder, each thrust scraping over and waking nerve endings within her body she had never felt before.
She was holding him so tightly with her arms and legs, and at the same time begging him to fuck her harder, faster. She was on the edge, and she wanted desperately to fly. Then she felt it a sensation so foreign, but familiar at the same time, a burning that seemed to emanate from her heart straight to Ethan’s. The moment the connection cemented itself connecting the two of them, Sophie’s body ignited into a thousand sparks of lights, the feeling so intense, it took her breath, sight, and ability to speak.
Sophie vaguely felt Ethan reach his own completion, collapsing onto her body, the heavy weight welcoming grounding her. A couple of seconds later, she was shrieking when an intense stinging pain lashed at her neck. Ethan pulled back to look at her, only to grab his own neck. Sophie was graced with the most beautiful smile she had ever seen.
“Sweet Girl, move your hand.” Sophie did, but not before wiping the area for wetness; the pain was gone, but she was pretty sure something had sliced her. “Sophie do you know what this means?” Ethan pulled her up hugging her closely. Sophie didn’t have a clue what he was talking about, but typical Ethan didn’t give her a chance to respond.
“We have been blessed, Baby!” Still confused, Ethan pulled her from the bed, bringing her into the bathroom, pushing her forward until she was facing the mirror above the sink. “Look, it’s our claiming mark.”
Sure, enough there was some kind on mark on her neck. Sophie leaned closer, trying to get a good look, but it just looked like some circles, maybe. Looking into the mirror, she looked to Ethan standing behind her, acting like a total dork, smiling, raising his eyebrows up and down. She had never seen this side of him before.
“Ah Ethan, care to explain to me exactly what a mating mark is, and while you’re at it, what about all the fate blessed stuff too?” So
phie asked crossing her arms over her chest. She wasn’t upset by any means, just kind of surprised. She could feel Ethan inside her; rubbing her chest, she liked it a lot.
“Okay,” Ethan said, showing a vulnerability she had never seen in him, “I might have left out a few things, but Babe, it was just because I didn’t think it would happen. You said and everyone else said our connection was chemical, and I assumed you were wrong, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up, so I just didn’t say anything.”
“So, what you are saying is you lied to me.”
“Well, no, I just didn’t tell you everything, just in case.”
“No, if I go by what you say, then a lie is a lie, even if it’s just an omission.” Sophie was teasing him, she didn’t feel the least bit mad, but she wasn’t going to let him off the hook that easily. She should have known better because her big bad bear Dom wasn’t going to let her get away with it.
“How about we go back to your lessons, specifically the one where you never question your Dom?” Grabbing her sore butt, Ethan pulled her close. “I think you like the sting of my hand on your ass; I could always get my bag. I’m sure I could find something else to coax the insolence right out of you,” Ethan said smiling.
“Oh, I wasn’t questioning my Dom, I was questioning my mate; there’s a difference, after all,” Sophie laughed. Bringing her hand up, Sophie caressed Ethan’s cheek. “I love you, Ethan.”
“Love you too, My Sweet Sophie, now and forever.”
NAC & The Holly Group - Box set: Alpha Team Page 124