He ran his knuckles across her lower cheek, then cupped her chin and kissed her sweetly this time. “Let go,” he murmured. “I’ve got your back. Be Delia Reardon, and let yourself go.” It took a good thirty seconds of locked eyes before she nodded, and when she did, he spoke again, his voice deeper. “Turn around.”
He spun her so her cheek rested against the wall, then drew her hands behind her back. He’d restrained people before in the line of duty, but it had never given him a hard-on like this did. The robe slipped off her shoulder, and he bent his head and nipped it. He’d planned on using his tie to restrain her hands, but instead he decided to tangle the robe’s belt around them. Win-win. She’d be bound, and she wouldn’t be able to cover her half-naked body.
He slipped the belt from around her waist and felt her start, but he laid his palm across her back, lightly holding her in place. He wrapped her wrists together with the belt and tied the ends in a large white bow.
Without shoes, her head came to his shoulder, and she looked petite, almost delicate. But he’d seen her take down a guy who had a hundred pounds on her, so her smaller build was deceptive. There was strength in those muscles, strength to match that of her will and her intelligence.
And her submission.
He curled his fingers around her bow-tied hands and tugged her backward until she was no longer leaning against the wall, until she was instead leaning back against his body. He slid his other hand around her waist, his palm splayed possessively across her lower stomach, his fingers resting on the bare expanse of her mound.
One thought kept bouncing through his head, and he had to grit his teeth to keep from uttering it out loud.
Mine.
Chapter Eleven
Delia stood silently at Colin’s side as he knocked on Master Gabriel’s door. Her hands were bound behind her back, the thick terry robe hanging open loosely over her still mostly naked body. She should be embarrassed, but she wasn’t, because her mind was otherwise occupied, whirling with the last, softly uttered words Colin had said to her before guiding her to Master Gabriel’s office.
“I’ve got your back. Be Delia Reardon. Let yourself go.”
She didn’t have time to process it, because Gabe McConnell opened the door. He had a remote in his hand and pointed it at the television as they stepped inside the room, cutting off a news story about the car bomb in Montgomery County. A DVR screen flashed, and then the television screen went blank. She slid her gaze to Colin, who gave an infinitesimal nod. He’d seen it.
Not that it was any real proof of guilt. A lot of people watched the nightly news. Watching it on DVR was a little odd, but then again, they’d been occupied when the six o’clock news had come on. In all likelihood, he’d just hit Record when they’d showed up on his doorstep.
And she wasn’t worried he’d figure out what they were up to from a news report. Their names had been left out of the investigation once they’d determined it was likely they’d have to go undercover.
With his innkeeper’s smile McConnell pointed Colin to an overstuffed chair in a sitting area of the office. “Have a seat.”
Colin sat, still holding on to the knot tying her hands together, and so did McConnell, in a matching chair on the opposite side of a small table. The only other chair in the sitting area. Delia frowned. What was she supposed to do, just stand there?
She opened her mouth to speak and got only one part of a word out. “Wha—”
In the blink of an eye, McConnell morphed from genial host to Master Gabriel. “On your knees,” he ordered, pointing to a thin cushion on the floor. “Right there, facing Colin.”
She hesitated, looking at the cushion then looking at Colin for a long moment. She wasn’t sure what she expected to see, but it wasn’t this. He was watching her intently, his jaw tight but his eyes blazing hot. She felt his fist clench around the belt in his hand, brushing against her fingers. Reassurance, maybe?
“Delia,” Master Gabriel said sharply, drawing her attention to him. He raised his eyebrow. “Are you looking for another demonstration of punishments for disobeying? The first wasn’t truly a punishment, because I made sure you enjoyed it. The next one, however...” His words trailed off.
Heat flooded her body, and she grew wet. Had she been angling for more spanking? Maybe. “No, Master Gabriel.”
She looked at Colin, who nodded and let go of the hand holding her wrists. It was hard to be graceful with her hands bound behind her back, but at least she was barefoot and not in those ice-pick heels. She’d never have managed it. She got onto her knees, sitting up high, with her feet below her and their weight on her toes.
Master Gabriel nodded, his face bland. “That’s a start.” He turned to Colin. “We’ll review kneeling poses, if they’re something that appeals to you. They mean Delia is in her submissive role and ready for your orders.”
He stood and moved out of her line of sight. She wanted to crane her head, but knew instinctively that wouldn’t go over well. She felt him move closer, though, by the way air moved around her, and guessed he was squatting behind her.
“You seemed to enjoy it when Colin spanked you with his hand,” Master Gabriel said. She felt him untying her bound wrists, tossing the belt aside. “Maybe next time, he’ll use something a little harder. A paddle, or his belt. Would you like that?”
Enjoy it was far, far too mild for how she’d felt, and she shuddered at the incredibly tempting yet scary thought of more. The shiver slid down her back, making her whole body twitch.
“Well then. I guess you would.” His hands settled on her shoulders, and they slid forward, his long fingers grasping the lapels and pulling the robe backward, dragging it off her shoulders.
Still shaking, she let out a small squeak. Oh God, oh God, oh God.
Colin’s jaw screwed tight, and he locked eyes on her face even as he moved closer to the edge of the chair. “What the fuck, McConnell?”
“Just making it easier for you to see what these poses entail.” Master Gabriel’s voice was mild, his hands completely impersonal, but Christ, when he reached around and accidentally brushed against the undersides of her breasts getting to the front clasp of her bra, she couldn’t hold back her moan.
McConnell’s knowing chuckle made her flush deep red, and embarrassment poured through her, warring with fear. She didn’t want Master Gabriel, really she didn’t. She only wanted Colin, so why was the other man’s touch so arousing? She squeezed her eyes closed and dropped her head, afraid to see the disgust on Colin’s face.
There was a quick beat of silence, and then Master Gabriel’s hands disappeared, her bra still in place. “Look at me, love,” Colin ordered.
She shook her head.
“Delia,” he said sharply, his voice brooking no disobedience. “Look at me.”
Her heart pounded, but she forced her eyes open, made herself meet his gaze. She gasped.
His eyes were hot like molten lava, the tips of his ears red, but his face was serious. “You’re mine, Delia. You belong to me.”
She flinched. “I-I’m sorry, Colin.”
He leaned forward, hands tight fists between thighs corded with tense muscles. He repeated his words again. “You’re mine. You know it, I know it, Master Gabriel knows it. I don’t share what’s mine, and he knows that too.”
Oh, God. What had she done? “I’m sorry,” she whispered again.
He stood in one fluid movement and crouched in front of her. “I’m not. Keep your eyes on me, babe. I can see you’re worried. You reacted to his touch and you think that’s wrong. But it’s not, because it’s not him you’re reacting to. It’s this, and I understand.” And to her utter shock, he reached out, roughly cupping her breast, his fingers flexing against her skin.
He smiled tightly, his face dark and sexy and aroused. Her heart stuttered, and her pulse sped up again at the acceptance in his words and the absolute authority he exuded.
“Colin, please.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” He
r nipples were already hard, so when he pinched one between thumb and forefinger, she felt it straight to her core. He palmed her breasts and tweaked her nipples until she thought she would scream and, finally unable to hold it back, she let out a moan that was part prayer, part his name. He gave her nipples one last tweak, then unhooked the clasp on her bra and pulled it off. She was naked now from head to toe.
He shifted his hands to her bare shoulders, an amused, indulgent smile on his face. “Did that feel good, love?”
She blushed even more deeply. “Yes, Sir,” she said softly, then dropped her eyes to the ground.
“Time for the rest of the lesson,” Master Gabriel said.
There was a whisper of air, and then someone was lifting her head, his hand tangled in her hair to do it. Master Gabriel, and his face was calm, just a slight smile at the corner. She was still embarrassed by the way she’d moaned at his touch, and she couldn’t hold his gaze. Instead, she cut her eyes to Colin, who watched them both with every ounce of his being.
“You’re being a good sub for Colin. Spread your knees wider. Show him how much you want him.”
Her eyes flew back to his, and she saw the devil playing in them. He was enjoying her discomfort, definitely getting something out of this training. Pleasure in teaching new people the life he loved, or something more sinister? She did what he ordered, but shivered while she did it.
He released her hair and guided her arms forward. “When Colin orders you to kneel, you should get into this position.” He turned her hands until they were palms up, resting loosely on her thighs. “This leaves you open to him, to whatever he has planned for you.”
He turned to Colin. “This is a classic submissive pose. Hand position is up to you. Delia can keep her hands behind her back, or put them behind her head. My favorite pose, however, is this one.”
He turned her so she was facing away from Colin, and then she felt his large, hot hand on her back, sliding up her spine until he tightened his grip on her neck, urging her forward. She began to tremble, and was unable to stop it. She wasn’t scared, exactly. And she didn’t want to use her safe word. But she felt as if she stood on the edge of something monumental, and it scared the shit out of her.
“Arms crossed in front of you, forehead or cheek resting on your wrists. Ass up in the air, knees spread so Colin can see all of you.”
He helped her into the correct position, and it grew deadly quiet except for the sound of her breathing, which rasped in and out of her chest. But the longer the men stayed silent, the calmer she became. Her eyes drifted shut, her breathing slowed, and warmth seeped into her muscles. The air wafted across her exposed privates like a soft caress, gentle and soothing yet also arousing. With a sigh, she settled deeper onto her knees, dropping her body closer to the floor, widening her thighs and exposing her even further to Colin’s gaze.
She felt as though she’d finally come home.
* * *
Colin’s blood was on fire. His initial reaction had been to lay McConnell out flat for daring to touch what was his, even accidentally. But Delia’s response to the whole thing morphed his ire into desire, giving him a burning need to see her taken over by pure pleasure—right up until the stunned, desperate look on her face was overlaid by fear and guilt.
Damned good thing McConnell had gotten an immediate read on the situation and removed his hands when he had, or else Colin would’ve removed them for him.
He’d calmed her as best he could, and then he’d pulled her back into the moment as best he could, too.
When they restarted the lesson, McConnell put Delia in a pose facing away from him, and Jesus, all his blood drained south. He’d never seen her quite this exposed before, laid out before him like a feast. Knees splayed wide gave him an enticing view of her waxed, wet pussy and her tight anus. His cock twitched as he ran his eyes over her body again. So open, so willing, so ready.
So submissive.
Nervous, too. Her uneven breathing and rigid posture screamed it. He was just about to put a stop to things, but McConnell gestured for him to wait. He sat on the edge of that chair, holding his breath, and then something amazing happened. In the quiet of the room, she began to relax. And as she relaxed, she opened herself even more to him, sinking into that pose as if she’d been born to it. He breathed a silent sigh of relief, and settled into the chair, unable to take his eyes from her.
Now she waited obediently for him, ass up, head down, glistening with arousal, more still than he’d ever seen her. She was normally in constant motion, her body as active as her brain. But tonight, it appeared she’d found a way to calm both, and just be.
McConnell broke the silence softly, as if he didn’t want to ruin the mood. “Are you comfortable, Delia?”
She’d chosen to lay her cheek against her wrists, so Colin could see her slight smile. “Yes, Master Gabriel.”
“Colin and I are going to talk for a bit. While you’re waiting for him to be ready to use you, I want you to think about why you like this, and what Colin might ask of you next. Could he want to tease you with an anal plug while he fucks you from behind? Maybe he’ll let you feel the kiss of a flogger all over your body.” He paused and dropped his voice. “Or maybe he’ll want you in the middle of the room like this during a party, on a raised platform on display for everyone to see. Would you like that?”
Delia breathed out a sigh. “Oh, yes, Master Gabriel. Please, Sir.”
Jesus Christ. His heart nearly stopped, pummeled by the absolute certainty in Dee’s voice.
“Good girl.” McConnell turned to Colin and kept his voice low. “Even thought it doesn’t seem that way now, tonight was easy. Tomorrow morning, we take things up a notch when everyone else arrives.”
Colin nodded. They’d only been able to get one night alone with McConnell. “How many other people are coming?”
“Four. I like to keep these classes small. One couple has been here before, at a retreat I had two months ago. The other couple is new to D/s, and I’ve never met them.”
Colin’s heart sped up. Two months ago, all the homeowners had come here for a weekend. Three possibilities occurred to him.
One, McConnell was guilty as sin. Fuck, Colin hoped that wasn’t the case. He was starting to like the guy in spite of him having his hands all over Delia, and he wasn’t getting that do-wrong feeling anyway. McConnell was no-nonsense, unapologetic about his dominant tendencies, with a dry humor he could appreciate. So, no, he didn’t want to find out his instincts were that far off.
Two, the couple could be involved.
Or three, they might have information about what went on that weekend, what might have put those homeowners on some arsonist’s target list.
He supposed it could also be none of the above, but he was hoping for some break, or some lead. “How many couples do you usually get on retreats?”
McConnell slid him a sideways look. Shit, he hoped he hadn’t blown it, but he needed answers.
“It depends. I only do them a few times a year, so they’re always full. Last one was five couples and one threesome.”
Colin felt his eyebrows shoot toward his hairline and couldn’t have held his reaction back if he’d tried.
McConnell laughed softly. “People who embrace BDSM tend to be more accepting of different kinds of relationships. I’ve had many guests who are in committed polyamorous relationships. It’s not for everyone, but it works for them.” He shrugged. “As long as everyone is over twenty-one and they’re here consensually, they’re welcome to stay here.”
“You said you’ve turned people away?”
McConnell nodded. “Actually, that happened during that retreat, now that you mention it.” He frowned. “I’d forgotten.”
Colin glanced at Delia, who hadn’t appeared to have heard. She still looked as serene as ever, still and calm and ready to be fucked. Damn, she was really into this. His jaw ached from grinding his teeth to hold himself under control. Work first. Then Delia.
If
they could get a name for that dismissed couple, they might have a lead. And if they could take Gabe McConnell off the list of suspects, they could start making connections he was sure the man had. Colin was tempted to come clean right now, but he didn’t have clearance, damn it.
“What happened?”
McConnell scowled. “This is starting to sound like an interrogation, Reardon. What are you getting at?’
He made himself shrug lightly. “I want to know how safe Delia is here, with other people around. Figuring out why you tell people no is part of that, I guess.”
McConnell looked as though he was about to say something else, so Colin kept going, hoping to reroute the conversation.
“I never knew Delia felt this way,” he admitted quietly, every word the truth. “It turns me on more than I would’ve expected. I’m thirty-four. How could I not have known I would like this? Crave it, even.” Again, truth, and something he’d wondered once she’d opened up that part of her psyche to him and made him wonder what if.
McConnell face eased, and he shrugged. “Some people don’t know they’re dominant or submissive until they find themselves in a situation that brings it out. Some people never figure it out, and wonder vaguely why their sex life isn’t fulfilling. And it’s possible you wouldn’t feel this way for anyone else but Delia, the woman you love. Her desire to be submissive might be what’s giving you your dominant urges. You’re very possessive of her.”
“Yeah, I am.” And he refused to think about why that was, cowardly as it was.
Delia stirred, shifting slightly.
“Her knees need a break,” McConnell said softly. He looked at his watch. “It’s nearly nine. I’d suggest you take her upstairs and put her in a warm bath. She did great tonight. If you allow her to free her submissive side, she could be the perfect sexual partner for your dominant tendencies.”
Colin nodded.
“There are restraints up in your room if you want them. They’re basic nylon cuffs with Velcro bindings, easy to put on and take off. And there are hooks in different places in the room. The bed, the shower and one in the ceiling in the middle of the room. Pretty easy to figure out.”
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