“I’m a little nervous about being in public that way, Sir, but no, that’s not truly the problem.” She quickly explained her concerns about Janie to him, leaving out her thoughts about not being good at the whole marriage thing. “It's not just that, Sir; I don’t have anything to wear at the moment, other than what I have on at the moment.” In all honesty, she thought, the dungeon tonight was probably the least of her concerns, even if the thought of being put on display for his friends terrified her.
She gestured down at herself, still wearing his bathrobe. “The rest of my clothes are at the condo, and if I go back there to get them I’m afraid I’ll just end up getting into another argument with Janie." She wasn't truly being honest with him, and was babbling nervously to avoid thinking about what the future would be like for them.
“There’s no need to worry about any of that, sweetheart, “Rhett told her reassuringly. “I'll send someone out for clothing for tonight, and if you don’t feel comfortable collecting your things from the condo while Janie is there, well I can send someone to collect it all for you. Or I can just buy you new things. You could consider it a new start for your life, beginning everything from scratch with me.”
“That’s sweet of you, Sir, truly it is, but I wouldn’t feel right just abandoning all of my things. I’ve had some of them for a long time, and they are indispensable to me.”
“As you wish, sweetheart, but if you don’t want to deal with Janie for the time being then I’ll give you my card and you can get yourself some things to get by. Alternatively I can give Delilah a call and she will send over anything your heart desires.”
“Thank you, Sir; you treat me far too well.” Throwing her arms around him, Leah hugged him tight and kissed him deeply.
“I treat you the way you deserve to be treated. Now, as far as the dungeon tonight, sweetheart, you always have your safe words,” he reminded her softly. “The original ten nights are behind us now, and I know you will always do your best to please me.” He gave her a small wink and moved over to sit on the bed, patting the mattress at the side of him. He called a servant on the phone quickly, and told them to visit the boutique and inform Delilah that his fiancé needed a casual outfit for the evening and all the intimates to go with it.
Leah immediately sat beside him as he made the call, wishing she could just let her concerns about their marriage go for the night. Everything he did was so efficient, and it seemed as if any problem she had he could fix with just a simple phone call. In some ways it made her feel safe and cherished, in others she felt so out of her depth that she didn't know if she was coming or going.
Then the thoughts of what he expected in the dungeon hit her, along with her other concerns. Outside of the office fantasy she had experienced with Rhett, that night was her coming out, of sorts, and that thought put her back on the edge of panic. She wasn't ready for it, she thought, and taking a deep breath she almost told him, but refrained when Janie filled her thoughts again.
“Will Janie be here tonight?” Leah asked, not sure how she felt about that possibility. Seeing Janie again so soon after their argument would be bad enough, but to see her in the dungeon, that just made it all the more worrying.
“I’m sure by tonight David will know that there are issues between the two of you, and will have enough sense not to bring her.” There was also David’s refusal to allow him to see Leah after their disastrous faux rape scene, and his threat of legal involvement, he thought to himself. “But if they do show, I’ll have them turned away at the door. I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable, sweetheart, especially on your first night on display in the dungeon.”
“I’d rather you didn’t do that, Sir.” Leah lifted her eyes to his. “Janie may have crossed the lines, but I love her like my own flesh and blood. If there’s any chance that we can work out our differences, I would like that chance.” She didn't really want to try and work it out on her first night belonging to him in public though, not if it could be avoided.
“That is a decision I will leave up to you, sweetheart.” He lowered his head and kissed her quickly. He was perfectly happy to leave Leah to deal with her best friend if that was what she wished, but David was a different matter.
If David showed up, they would be having a discussion in his office before his friend would be allowed to use the dungeon. They had yet to have any contact since that fateful night. David had been out of town working on a case, and he had only learned that day from his secretary that his friend would be back in town that evening.
“Thank you, Sir. I guess there’s nothing I can do about it until it happens.” That was one worry she could push to the back of her mind for the time being, that just left her with her other worry, which was actually more pressing. “Sir, what will you do with me in the dungeon tonight?” She knew it wasn’t right to ask because he enjoyed keeping her on her toes, but she knew it would help her to remain calm if she had at least a clue.
Rhett chuckled at her comment and stood. “Whatever my devious mind decides.” He knew she was nervous, but he needed her to remember that she had agreed to be his submissive, and as her Master, he would be in charge.
Groaning softly at his reply, she fell back on the bed, her hand to her forehead in an overly dramatic fashion. Her stomach was already filled with butterflies and his words, while filling her with a thrill, weren’t exactly comforting. Putting her arm over her eyes she took several deep breaths as she felt the nervous tension build.
Shaking his head, Rhett pulled off his tie and hung it up in the closet before rejoining her on the bed. Grasping Leah’s wrists he pulled them over her head and gazed down into her eyes. “Trust, Leah, we’ve talked about this before. It’s essential that you trust me.” He knew he’d gone overboard on a few of the nights they had shared together, and he still had a way to go before she would trust him a hundred percent, but there had to be at least some measure of trust between them otherwise it would be difficult for them to have any kind of life together.
“I do trust you, Sir; I’m just not comfortable knowing that a group of people I don’t know will be watching me with you.” She couldn’t think of a more reasonable way to put it and hoped he understood.
Chuckling, he leaned down to kiss her deeply before pulling back. “The secret to remember, sweetheart, is that you are mine, and the only person you have to please is me. The people who will be here tonight do not matter, they will have whatever fun they wish to have, but you are mine. Make sure you remember that if any of them ask you to play.”
“Of course, Sir.” She had no problem whatsoever telling anyone other than Rhett to go jump off a cliff if they invaded her space. The thought that someone would even attempt that gave her yet another worry to add to her growing list.
“Good, because if I thought you would even consider playing with anyone else I would have to redden that gorgeous ass of yours.” Growling softly at that thought, he pushed her knees apart with his legs and allowed his thigh to grind against the thin material of her dress. “You’re mine, and mine alone; I won’t ever share you with anyone.”
His words were so possessive she tensed at the threat in them. “I could never want another man, Sir.” She spoke the words quickly, seeing the caveman in him lurking in his eyes.
Her words soothed his ire and he smiled warmly as the jealousy receded. “See that you remember that, sweetheart.” His hands undid the sash of her bathrobe, and parted it, baring her gorgeous body to his sight. Lowering his hand between her slightly parted thighs, he tugged lightly on her piercing and felt her desire flood his hand. Knowing she was turned on he pulled away from her and grinned wickedly. “I need to go make sure everything is in order for tonight.”
Her body ached for more than the simple touch he’d given her and she bit back a sigh of disappointment as she slid off the bed. “You are a tease, Sir.” The moment the words slipped out her hand flew to her mouth; she was shocked that she had said such a thing.
His eyes darkened, and he
pulled her against him abruptly. “Would you like to elaborate, sweetheart?” He fought to conceal the grin that threatened his lips, knowing she hadn’t meant to speak aloud what she was thinking. When she shook her head, he growled, “Words! I know you have an extensive vocabulary, sweetheart, so use it!”
Lowering her eyes, embarrassed at being so vocal, she blushed deeply. “No, Sir, I would not like to elaborate, please forget I said anything.” It was crazy, she knew, but as much as his caveman persona scared her, it also turned her on, and seeing it coming to the forefront again she found herself tempted to beg him to take her, right there and then, as hard and as forcefully as he wished.
“I don’t think I will forget.” Returning to the bed he sat, pulling her over his lap. With hurried movements, he yanked the robe from her shoulders, tossing it aside carelessly and brought his hand down on her backside.
The sound that left her lips was a cross between a whimper of pain and longing. The pain was not severe, more of a sting than anything else, and she found herself stimulated by it; her juices, which had been started by his teasing of her piercing, increased.
Rhett delivered several more sharp slaps and then massaged her twin globes before sliding his hand down between them to rub her sensitive folds. “I’m not sure this is a punishment for you, sweetheart.” He laughed softly as his fingers massaged her heated flesh and discovered that she was even wetter than she had been before, enabling him to slide his fingers inside easily.
Her cheeks burned at his words, but she couldn’t deny his statement. She was enjoying the situation, and her body was making that abundantly clear to him. “No, Sir, I don’t think it is,” she whispered as she remained draped of his lap, her legs parting slightly to give him greater access to her.
“Good, because I never intended it to be one.” Slowly he inched his fingers in and out of her drenched core until he felt her on the verge of release, he stopped then, leaving her there. “Now we should go see that everything is ready for our guests. As my submissive it will be your job from now on to assist me in such duties. You have much to learn about running my household, and it will take time for you to learn it all, for now though, we will start with the dungeon.
“And my intention, sweetheart, is not to tease you. You will feel more comfortable about being in the dungeon if your mind is where it should be, on me.” Delivering one more resounding slap to her ass, he lifted her off him and set her on her feet.
The last smack had more of his strength behind it than those that had come before, and as she stood she rubbed her aching buttocks. Unfulfilled, she was feeling a little at odds with him, but at least he explained why he had teased her. That was something, she thought, as she clenched her thighs together, attempting to alleviate the ache he had caused. Grabbing her discarded robe from the floor, she slid it on petulantly. She tied the sash tightly before looking at him, her body aching for release.
Smiling at her discomfort, he held out his hand to her. “The sooner we get the dungeon set up, and everything else sorted, the sooner I can make you forget about that need, sweetheart.”
“Yes, sir,” she grumbled a little as she said it; she hated that he was so smug, but she knew he was right on target with his words. She was now longing to be in the dungeon with him, where he could satisfy her, and she could do the same for him.
Her desire, and the delicious ache he had instilled in her, lasted for the next couple of hours, his proximity enough to keep her in a state of anticipation as they checked and finished the arrangements he had made. She was glad for the reprieve of going to get dressed when her clothes arrived, and almost gave in to the temptation to please herself while alone, but rethought the idea.
Preparing the dungeon proved to be little more than a case of making sure that his servants had followed all of the instructions he had left them. The equipment with which his friends and guests would play had all been taken out, set up, and checked by his well-paid and discreet servants, and a repeat of the banquet Leah had seen the first time she came to the house was laid out.
Though a glance revealed that everything was in order, Rhett insisted on checking every piece of equipment to be sure it was set up correctly; a process that only increased Leah’s desire since he insisted that she begin learning how it should all be set up.
He also checked the sumptuous banquet to be certain the food was prepared to his exacting requirements. He found no fault with anything, despite his scrutiny, much to Leah’s relief. She was not sure how he would have reacted if he had discovered a problem, and she didn't really want to find out.
It wasn’t until the party began that Leah felt her nervousness return. It built up gradually within her, peaking when she reached the bottom of the stairs and stepped into the dungeon, after occupying herself with getting dressed and checking her emails until Rhett fetched her. By the time she entered the dungeon, her heart was racing, and she found herself clenching at Rhett’s hand as he led her away from the foot of the stairs.
Feeling her grip on his hand tighten Rhett looked back at Leah in concern. One glance was enough to tell him she was on the verge of a panic attack. Her body was stiff, and her beautiful eyes were darting around the room like she was a caged animal looking for a way out. “Breathe, sweetheart,” he told her, lowering his mouth to whisper the words in her ear. There were already more than two dozen guests enjoying the equipment, and more than a few of them had turned to see who the new arrivals were.
“I want to leave,” Leah managed to mumble through lips that were suddenly parched. She didn’t like the way the people were staring at them, and the thought of being put on display was making her stomach roil uncomfortably. Her hand tightened even further on his, becoming a grip that would have been almost painful to most other people, and she tried to pull back, wanting to leave.
She hadn’t used his title; that above everything else let him know just how afraid she was. “Leah, we are going to walk over to that couch and sit down,” he motioned with his eyes to the couch he was talking about, “and you are going to calm down, that’s an order.” He knew what she needed just then better than she did, and his tone was brusque as he sought to break through her panic.
His caveman persona did the trick, she relaxed enough to take a deep breath and let him lead her over to the couch, where he sat and pointed to the floor in front of him. Startled she lifted her eyes to his and waited for him to explain what it was he wanted.
“Kneel there for me.” He kept his voice firm, wanting her to feel under his control. He knew that for her to make it through her first night in the dungeon as his she needed a firm hand.
Awkwardly, she knelt in the spot he had pointed to. Resting her hands on her thighs she attempted to keep her back straight, like he had taught her. Lowering her eyes, she concentrated on her breathing, which at that moment she was having a hard time keeping even. The sounds that came to her from around the dungeon, ranging from pain to ecstasy, found their way through her mental turmoil, despite her efforts to tune them out.
He caressed the top of her head as he watched the scenes before him. He had planned to scene with her that night, but at that moment he wasn’t sure she was ready for it. The thought of her sexy body on the cross as he showed her the pleasures of being flogged had his cock twitching, and he knew if she didn't relax soon it was going to be a long night for him.
As his eyes wandered around the dungeon they came to the stairs, they widened as he saw an old friend from his childhood and college days reach the foot of the stairs and stop just inside the dungeon. They had discovered the lifestyle together as a diversion from their studies, but it had been years since they had talked, and it was a surprise to see his friend there.
Smiling when his friend noticed him, Rhett motioned him over with his free hand. As his friend approached he got to his feet, reaching out to shake his hand when he reached the couch.
“Damn good to see you, Rhett. What’s it been, ten years?”
“Good to see y
ou too, Alex,” Rhett responded to his friend’s smile with a broad one of his own. “It must be at least that. A phone call would have been nice! Or did you just decide to drop in and surprise me?” Chuckling at the memories of their early days together in the lifestyle, and the sessions they’d shared, he motioned for his friend to join him on the couch.
“I would have called but had no idea I would actually be free to come tonight. I managed to get some business finished up early and figured now was the best opportunity I was going to get to stop by and catch up.” Alex said, still smiling as he shook his thick mane of blond hair. “You know how it is, businesses to buy, places to go. I’ve barely had time to breathe these last few years, but I finally have things the way I want them.”
Leah kept her eyes lowered as the two men talked, wishing she could leave the dungeon and go back to the safety of Rhett’s bedroom, or his study. It was one thing to be in the dungeon with Rhett when it was just the two of them, but all the people around her were making her nervous and she felt out of place, especially with his friend there.
“I’ve been keeping up with how you’ve been getting on,” Rhett said, paying no attention to Leah, “and I have to say, I’m extremely impressed.” The two of them had been inseparable during their teenage years, not to mention all through college. He remembered that every idiotic thing he had done in his youth had been a result of his friendship with Alex. “So are you back in Chicago for a while?”
“Permanently,” Alex told his friend. “I’ve moved back. I see you’ve managed to keep things going in my absence,” he observed as his eyes wandered around the dungeon, another smile playing about his lips.
“Don’t tell me you finally acquired it!” Rhett remembered clearly that Alex had vowed not to return to Chicago to live until the day he gained control of the advertising firm he had worked for straight out of college.
“Damn straight I did, and the first thing I did was fire that self-righteous son-of-a-bitch." The self-righteous son-of-a-bitch in question was the man who had hired him, and then fired him after discovering Alex had slept with his wife. It hadn’t mattered that Alex didn't know the lady in question was his boss’s wife, or that his boss hadn’t known his wife was a submissive.
Beyond 10 Nights (Forbidden Desires Series) Page 3