“What kind of show?” Her eyes widened as she braced her arms on the railing.
The fascination on her face pulled at me, helping me to push aside my embarrassment. I wanted to tell her to forget the show. Wanted to ask her to come with me to one of the rooms, tell her that I'd teach her anything she wanted to know.
Blurred memories of the night we'd had together haunted me. I’d been drunk enough that things weren’t as clear as I wished, but there were a few fragments that stood out with crystal clarity. Her moving against me. Her on her hands and knees, my fist in her hair. The tight, wet heat of her gripping my cock.
I forced myself to answer her question instead. “It’s always different. You’ll just have to wait and see,” I said, tearing my gaze away from her. If I kept staring at her, I was going to put my hands on her.
And if I did that, I’d lose what little control I still had.
Chapter 6
Toni
The way he kept staring at me was driving me nuts. My body ached for him to put his hands on me. At the same time, I thought I might hit him if he did. Really hit him.
This hot and cold thing with him was going to send me over the edge, and not in a good way.
I might have said something, but before I could, the air was once more charged with music. It all but bled sexuality and promise, and I found my gaze shifting over to the stage, my curiosity overcoming my other thoughts.
“It’s starting,” Ash said.
“I can tell,” I replied absently. Licking my lips, I lowered my head and rested my chin on my hands, my eyes on the woman who was walking onto the stage.
She wore a black dress that pooled around her thighs as she knelt in the center of the spot lit stage, facing towards us. She had pale blonde hair drawn up into a knot, revealing an elegant neck, and as the music slowed, her head lifted long enough for everyone to see the fine features of her face.
A man walked onto the stage and she immediately lowered her head again. He walked toward her and lifted her chin, one finger under it. She gazed up at him, dark eyes filled with something I couldn't quite recognize.
“This is something new,” Ash said softly.
“Hush.” Already, I was caught up in the artistry. I felt like I'd somehow ended up at some sort of Broadway show. Even Ash sitting right next to me couldn't tear my attention away.
As I watched, the man helped the woman to her feet. It was a slow, easy sort of dance, and the movements evoked the sense that he was guiding her every movement before pulling her up against him. After a minute or so, the rhythm of the music picked up and he spun her out and away. She went.
The black dress didn’t.
She stood wearing what looked like a corset or a bustier and panties, staring down at herself. Her body language and expression communicated dismay and when the man started to approach her, she looked up, her hands moving to cover herself.
“Shibari.”
I heard Ash say it next to me and filed it away for future reference. I saw the rope descending from the ceiling then. It wasn't like the kind of rope someone would buy at a hardware store and I wondered what the texture would be like, how it would feel against my skin. Despite how foreign everything around me was, I was mesmerized by the display of rope and rhythm unfolding in front of me. The pair never stopped moving, every pass of his hands over her, every time he twisted her away, there was a new twist of the rope. I couldn't even tell when it was happening, when the dance had changed into restraint.
By the time the music rose to a swelling crescendo, the rope had created a complicated cage of sorts and she was kneeling again in the very same position she’d been in when the dance had started. As she bowed her head once more, the man came up to kneel behind her, their height difference enough to allow the audience to see both of their faces. He slid his hands down her torso, along her still-covered breasts. When he cupped them, my nipples began to pulse.
One of his hands slid lower and I realized I was clenching my legs.
When he eased his weight back, shifting just slightly, I bit my lip.
Then he slid his hand down to the curve of her butt.
My chest started to ache, and I suddenly realized that I was holding my breath in anticipation. What was he going to do next?
The spotlight suddenly went out, bathing the entire place in darkness as the crowd erupted in applause.
I jolted at the unexpected ending and sat upright, swinging my head around to Ash, intending to ask about what I'd just seen.
He wasn’t looking at the stage. He was staring at me. And I had a feeling he’d been watching me for a long, long while.
“Ash...”
His gaze slid to my mouth.
If he didn't kiss me soon...
Screw that. You kiss him, my libido screamed. Common sense argued back, and while those two were battling it out, we were interrupted.
“Ash, how are you?”
The strange voice caught my attention, and I took a few seconds to compose myself while Ash shook hands with the man who’d stopped by our seats. Ash told me his name, but my brain was barely functioning enough for me to smile and shake his hand. It didn't seem important that I remember his name since, less than two minutes after he'd come over, he excused himself, winking at Ash and saying that his sub was waiting.
“His sub?” I was fairly certain I knew what that meant, but I wanted to hear Ash's explanation rather than assuming anything.
He turned his gaze back to me. Eyes glittering with something that looked a lot like desire, he gestured to the stage. “The woman who was being bound, she’s a sub. The man who was tying her, he’s a Dominant. Probably permanent partners. They move too well together and that required too much practice for this to have been a one-time thing.”
Permanent partners. I'd never even considered that before. When I thought of a sex club, I immediately thought of people who were looking to have casual sex, probably with a bit of kink, and never any strings attached. It had been both naïve and judgmental of me, I realized. I made a mental promise to be more open-minded.
“For first-timers, it's sometimes difficult to know who's a Dominant and who's Submissive, but after a while, you know what to look for and it's almost automatic.”
His eyes were intent on mine, as if he was trying to communicate something. I was pretty sure I knew what that something was. “I’ve already figured out that you’re sexually dominant, Ash,” I said, looking away to hide the rush of warmth adding to my already overheated cheeks. “You're too controlling to be anything but in charge.”
His response was simple. “Yes.”
Even though the couple was gone, I looked back to the stage. My entire body ached. I'd never felt like this before. It was the kind of empty ache that wouldn’t be satisfied with good old-fashioned self-service or even the best vibrator money could buy. I wasn't even sure that regular sex would satisfy it.
A sound halfway between a sob and a moan caught my attention and I suddenly realized that the stage wasn't empty anymore. A woman was on the stage. A naked woman. And there was a man standing behind her, clad only in black leather pants. His torso was bulky, just a bit too soft to be considered muscular, and he exuded the sort of persona I associated with men in positions of power.
As I watched, he braced a hand on her neck, holding her face down on a strange, bench-like contraption. It was wide enough for her knees to be several inches apart, and with her ass up in the air, there wasn't much hidden. It was a vulnerable, open position and just looking at her made me want to squirm in embarrassment.
Then he brought his hand down on her exposed ass, the crack audible despite the music.
Desire exploded through me as she moaned, and I had to bite my lip to keep from doing the same. That shouldn't have been so hot.
“Would you care for a drink, Sir?”
The woman’s voice was an intrusion and I had to grit my teeth to keep from scowling. From the corner of my eye, I saw a tall, slender woman speaki
ng to Ash. I glanced over when he said my name, suddenly realizing my throat was terribly dry. “Vodka cranberry, please.”
She gave us both a quick nod and I went back to watching the stage.
Down on the platform, another man had joined the original pair.
I didn’t consider myself sheltered or naive, but watching the two men running their hands over her was pushing me far past my comfort zone. But I still couldn’t look away. They were tying her up, the ropes forming a complicated twist between her spine, ankles and thighs. When they were done, it left her with her ankles pulled up until they were almost touching her ass while her wrists were bound at the small of her back.
It looked uncomfortable. And erotic as hell.
One of the men – the second one – bent over and kissed her. It was a rough and wild kiss, nothing gentle or kind about it. I bit my bottom lip. Some part of me wanted to be down there. But I wouldn’t be a passive recipient, though.
I’d...
“Your drink, Lady.”
I jumped a little as the server spoke from my side. I’d totally forgotten about her and the cocktail. Nodding, I took it and tossed back half of it before she’d even served Ash.
“Thirsty?” he asked, his tone amused.
I gave him a partial smile. “A bit.”
“Bring her another,” he said before the server left. “And a pitcher of water.”
“Of course.”
It was a bad idea, I thought, having another drink considering I was running on a short nap and the food Doug had given me a couple hours ago. But with all the adrenaline I had coursing through my body mingling with the need now clamoring inside, I thought the alcohol would be a good way to help calm my nerves.
Of course, if I didn’t look away from the platform, all the alcohol in the world wouldn't be enough to calm me down.
The first man was behind her now, his hands on her hips as he pumped against her in a primal rhythm that had my core pulsing. He moved with rapid thrusts, and each time, I had to clench my knees together.
Finally, I tore my gaze away because if I didn’t, I would...well, I didn’t know what I would do. I couldn’t come just watching, but if I didn’t come soon, I thought I’d explode.
I closed my hand around my second glass of vodka cranberry. I sipped at it while trying to figure out how to deal with what I was feeling. Before I could though, Ash said my name and I looked over at him, unsure if I was grateful for the interruption.
“Are you ready to go?”
I wasn’t, not while the show was still going on, but if we didn't leave now, I knew I’d probably end up doing something stupid.
Chapter 7
Ash
Her eyes were dark, but I couldn't read the expression in them. Her face was equally blank, making it impossible for me to truly know how she felt about what she'd seen.
Except...her nipples were tight and hard, and they’d been that way almost from the moment we’d stepped inside the club. And I knew that because it'd been nearly impossible for me to stop staring at her the entire time we were at Olympus.
It was almost as difficult now to keep my eyes to myself. She kept shifting around on the smooth leather of the seat next to me as if she couldn't get comfortable. After the first couple miles, I couldn’t help but think it was a good thing I’d decided to drive or I might've lost control and put my hands on her.
I wanted to do it anyway.
“Was it a mistake taking you there?” I finally asked, keeping my voice soft.
“What?” She seemed startled that I'd said anything. “Oh, no. Not a mistake. It was...intense.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw her pressing her knees together, and I had to squeeze the steering wheel to keep from reaching over and sliding my hand between them. She needed a man’s cock inside her and I wanted it to be mine.
“I can’t say I’ve ever been someone who's been curious about that sort of thing,” Toni continued. “I mean, you’ve probably figured out there's no way in hell I could ever be anybody’s sub.”
I had, and it bothered me more than it should have.
She kept going. “I also don’t much see myself wanting to be...well. You know.”
“Yes.” My stomach clenched.
There was a few seconds of silence and then she spoke again, “But it...”
The light ahead turned yellow and instead of speeding through as I usually did, I brought the Porsche to a stop and looked over at her. “It what?”
For too long, she didn’t answer, but when she did, her voice was husky, sending a bolt of desire right through me. “I'm the kind of person who's always known what I want. In life, in general. I’m strong-willed, stubborn and opinionated. I don’t need a man to do anything for me. But...”
Her voice trailed off and I could almost feel what she was thinking.
“Needing a man to do something, and wanting it, are two very different things, Toni.” I couldn't stop myself this time. I reached over and put my hand on her knee.
She froze.
Slowly, I dragged my hand up, the material of her pants thin enough I could feel the heat of her skin. Her breath was ragged and I knew she was just as affected as I was. “You were sitting in there, watching them, so aroused it almost hurt. Am I right?”
“Yes.” The word came out in a low whisper.
I slid my hand higher so that my fingers brushed the inside of her thigh. “I wanted to put my hands on you then. Just like I’m doing now. More.” I could hear the rough edge to my voice. “I know what you need, Toni. I can give it to you. If that’s what you want.” The light turned green, but I didn't hit the gas just yet. Instead, I looked at her. “Or I can take you home. What do you want?”
She was still for a moment, and then, without saying a word, she covered my hand with hers and rocked against them both. I could feel the crotch of her pants were damp.
It wasn't enough. I was going to make her wet.
Twenty minutes later, we were standing in my bedroom.
Part of me wished I’d done this back at the club. If we’d taken one of the private rooms, there were so many things I could have done. So many things I could have showed her.
And patience wasn't exactly the utmost of my virtues.
But maybe this was better. I had my playroom if I wanted more toys, but I didn't. I wanted to show her all of the ways I could bring her pleasure, but I knew this was going to be different from anything else I'd experienced. She wasn't a Sub by nature or through training. I couldn't just jump right into this with her.
I had to do it right.
“So...” Toni was looking at the bed. “How do we...?”
I tipped her chin up, using one finger to guide her face upwards until she was looking at me.
“The most important thing you need to know is that this needs trust.” I smoothed a hand down her hair. “I need you to trust me. Can you do that?”
“After everything that's happened, you're really asking me to trust you?” She raised an eyebrow. “Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.”
No. I couldn't lose her. Not when I was so close.
She blew out a breath, her tongue darting out to wet her lips. I pressed my thumb to the fuller lower one, tracing the damp path.
“You’ll need to trust me at least a little or this won’t work.” It was asking a lot. Maybe too much. But I wanted it. Wanted her.
For a frightening moment, I thought she was going to call the whole thing off. Then she lifted her hands and placed them on my chest, making my heart thud painfully against my ribcage.
“I didn’t come here to back away now.”
A flare of hope went through me.
“I can trust you enough,” she said. “For now.”
I supposed that would have to do.
I opened the top drawer of my dresser and drew out a silk scarf. “Silk is a tricky thing. It makes one hell of a restraint, smooth, strong...sensual. But when you tug against the bonds, the knots tighten. It can be dan
gerous.”
Toni’s eyes dropped to the black scarf. “Are you warning me?”
“Just letting you know. I’ll use something other than silk to restrain you. If that’s a problem, you better let me know now.” I raised the scarf with both hands.
“Wait.” She held up a hand. “I said I trust you a little. I don't trust you enough for that.”
I stilled. “For which one?”
She tugged on the silk and I let it go. Her eyes stayed on me as she reached around me and put the scarf on the dresser. Her expression was serious, but not upset.
“I don't trust you enough to blindfold me.” Her voice was matter-of-fact. She reached up and ran her finger along my jaw. “And I need to know I can get out of however you restrain me. But I want this.”
I nodded. It was strange, having a Sub telling me what I could do to her, but I'd known from the moment I'd first seen Toni that nothing about her would be usual.
“Good.” I reached behind her head and pulled out the pins that had held her hair in place. “Now that we have that settled, are you going to trust me to take things from here?”
She nodded and my stomach clenched as I moved around to stand behind her. It was time.
“I'm in charge now.” I spoke softly in her ear. “And I'm going to give you everything you want.” My fingers ghosted over her neck. “I might do some things you don’t like, or you’re not sure if you like. Before I go any further, we need a safe word. Do you know what that means?”
“Vaguely.” She glanced over her shoulder at me, a puzzled expression on her face. “Why can’t I just say stop?”
I smiled, letting everything I was thinking show on my face and in my eyes. “Because I’m going to do things to you that will make you say all sorts of things. I’m going to lick your pussy and make you come harder than you ever have and then I’ll do it again. I’ll fill you and drive you to your limit. In my world, stop sometimes means...more. So we need something that only means stop. Something that can’t be confused with anything else, and it needs to be something you won’t forget.”
Blindfold Vol. 3: Alpha Billionaire Romance Page 5