Noelle grinned. “Stop bragging about having two men. But you’re right. There’s nothing worse than chafed pussy.”
Tori tried to hold in her laugh. “Chafed pussy? Geez, Noelle, you have quite a mouth on you.”
“I know I do. Don’t tell Cam because I get punished for bad language.”
Lisa waggled her eyebrows. “You love getting punished. You don’t fool us for a minute.”
Noelle sighed. “I do. Luckily, Cam is a real hard-ass about things, so I get punished on a pretty regular basis.”
Tori played with her martini glass. “I got my first punishment.”
She had their complete and total attention. Brianne leaned forward with a grin. “Well, don’t just sit there, woman. Tell us all the dirty details. Was it hot? Is he really strict?”
“He is very strict and exacting. Just as Lisa said he would be. I was punished for hesitating to obey him. He had to repeat himself more than once. I got a spanking.” She took a deep breath. “Then, he put me in the corner to think about my behavior and how I might change it.”
Every one of her friends was wide-eyed. Lisa took a gulp of her drink. “In the corner? Oh, Tori, that is fucking hot. I’m going to have to find a way to suggest it to Conor without sounding like I’m telling him what to do.”
Noelle leaned into the camera. “I’ve never been put in a corner, but I have had to sit in the barn, naked, and think about what I did wrong. It is very hot. Cam will come in after I’ve been in there awhile with a Dom look on his face and ask me to explain why I’m being punished. Shit, I love it and hate it all at the same time.”
Brianne nodded. “It sounds pretty erotic. But it is a good lesson, Tori. Doms hate to repeat themselves.”
Lisa smiled. “Conor has a saying. ‘What I want, when I want it, how I want it.’ And he sure as fuck doesn’t like repeating what he wants. So I take it everything is hunky dory between you two?”
Tori nodded. “We’re giving this a try. So far, I really like it. Ian is wonderful, and it is very freeing letting him be in charge. We’re not serious or anything, but we are exclusive.” She pulled a face. “But he wouldn’t, you know, do the deed.”
Sara rolled her eyes. “The deed? Are you saying he wouldn’t fuck you? How come?”
“He said it was because it was my first night as a submissive. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not unhappy. He’s got mad skills, I will say that. I just wish he would have, you know, fucked me.”
Noelle took a long drink of her martini. “This conversation is killing me. I’m going to jump Cam’s gorgeous body the minute I see him. Fuck, maybe I’ll take one of the ATV’s out to where he is and we’ll have some outdoor fun.”
Brianne laughed. “Life would be much easier if our men didn’t have to work for a living and could simply be at our beck and call all day.”
Sara popped a chocolate into her mouth. “Is Ian still working on the rapist case? I saw him on television last week but haven’t heard anything since.”
“He is. He’s been working tons of hours and seems really distracted by it.”
“Are they getting close to catching this guy?” asked Lisa.
Tori shrugged. “I don’t know. Ian isn’t allowed to tell me too much. They’re keeping a lid on some of the details of the case. I only know he’s stressed. And worried.”
Sara put her hand on Tori’s arm. “I’m sure he’ll catch him, and soon. I watch those forensic shows now and then, and I’m not sure how anyone gets away with anything anymore. Technology is amazing.”
“I’m sure he will. In the meantime, I’ll have to make sure he stays happy when he’s not working.”
Noelle laughed. “It’s a dirty job, but somebody has to do it.”
Tori lifted her glass with a smirk. “Good work if you can get it.”
Lisa pushed the box of chocolates toward Tori. “There’s a play party at The Estate in two weeks. Are you and Ian going?”
“The Estate? Ian hasn’t said anything.”
Brianne tossed her e-reader on the table. “The Estate is a private home owned by a richer-than-God man who likes to give parties. It’s been dubbed The Estate because it’s huge. It’s on the intracoastal. I hope you and Ian go. Nate and I are going, and so are Lisa and Conor.”
“I’ll ask Ian about it. Am I ready for a public play party?”
Lisa nodded. “You don’t have to do anything, but it would probably give you some exposure to the types of things that go on.”
“I am kind of fascinated to see what it would be like. If we go, what should I wear?”
Brianne giggled. “Fetish wear. You can borrow something from me if you don’t want to buy anything. But I’d love a reason to go shopping for something new. Just remember, whatever you buy, you won’t be wearing for long.”
Tori knew her modesty was going to be an issue. Perhaps a play party was the perfect thing to get over it. Sort of like getting thrown into a pool to learn to swim.
“If Ian says we’re going, I’d like to go shopping. I want to surprise him.”
“Haven’t you already?” asked Noelle. “He was ready to go vanilla for you.”
“That was never really an option. I don’t think he could have done it. This was the only way.”
Lisa refilled their glasses. “I think you’re very brave, Tori. I admire the way you’re going after what you want and being open-minded. People could take a lesson from you.”
“Before I give any lessons, let’s see how this all plays out. There’s a chance this is going to crash and burn.”
Sara shook her head. “It doesn’t change the fact you’ve been brave. Not many people would have given this a go, Tori. Ian is a lucky man to have found you.”
They were lucky they’d found each other. Now they needed to make this relationship work. She was determined it sure as hell wasn’t going to fail because she was a chicken shit. She was going to give this everything she had.
* * * *
Tori pushed through the crowded sports bar and headed to the back. She was meeting Ian here for lunch since his schedule was so busy. Despite the fact they lived next door to one another, they couldn’t seem to spend enough time together. They’d spent pretty much every evening together for the last week. One of them would make dinner, they’d watch some television or listen to music, then the clothes would come off.
She now knew why her four book-club friends had big smiles on their faces. Sex was awesome, but sex with Ian was out of this world. He was leading her slowly down the road of submission and she was loving every single second. It was like nothing she’d ever experienced and better than anything she’d read about.
She saw Ian at a corner table, checking his phone. He looked gorgeous today in his blue suit, pressed white shirt, and blue and silver striped tie. A man in a suit, with a body like Ian’s, was too sexy for comfort. She could already feel her body responding. It remembered all too well the pleasure his body could bring.
She sidled up to his table with a saucy smile. “You look lonely, handsome. Can I join you?”
His slow grin set her pulse hammering. “I don’t know. You’re sexy, but I have a girlfriend.”
She ran a finger up his arm, tracing his bicep. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”
“You’re a naughty young lady. Someone should take you in hand.”
She pretended to pout. “I don’t mean to be bad. I just can’t help it. I need a big, strong man to discipline me.”
He flexed his fingers and her pussy flooded with moisture. It was the same movement he made when he was getting ready to spank her.
His eyes narrowed and his grin became wicked. “I’m the man who could do it, but we’d have to set some rules. You’d have to obey me at all times. My word is law.”
She nodded, her expression solemn. “Your word is law. Will you punish me now?”
He pulled her down into the chair next to him, laughing. “You’re so going to be punished for teasing me like that. Here we are in this publi
c restaurant and there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it.” He leaned over and gave her a slow kiss. “Hello, little slave,” he whispered, his breath warm in her ear.
He pointed toward the iced tea he’d ordered for her. She drank it gratefully, parched from running errands all morning. He sipped his water and quirked an eyebrow.
“Steady, there. You’re really thirsty aren’t you?”
“I feel like I’ve been running since the sun came up. It’s nice to sit down and have a cool drink.”
Ian frowned. “Don’t let yourself get dehydrated. Then you wouldn’t be able to go with me to The Estate this weekend.”
Tori had mentioned the party to Ian last week and he’d said he wasn’t sure about them going, so she was surprised to hear him say they were.
“We’re going?” She felt a rush of excitement. Lisa and Brianne had bent her ear for the better part of two hours telling her stories about these play parties. She was dying to go but terrified, too. She didn’t want to embarrass him with her inexperience.
“We are. You’re a star pupil of submission. You’ve surprised even me by how quickly you’ve taken to this. We’ll go and play a little bit and watch some others. It will give you some exposure to how others play and also give you a chance to ask some questions. It will also give me a chance to punish you for your little role-playing here at the restaurant today. Now I have a hard dick and no relief in sight.”
She giggled. “We could go out to my car.”
“You’re incorrigible, my slave, and you will definitely get punished at the party.”
She pouted for real this time. “I have to wait until then?”
“It’s two days away. I have to work tonight, and you have your girls’ night out tomorrow night. You’re all mine after that, though.” He dropped his voice. “I’m going to push your boundaries, sweetness.”
She fidgeted on her chair. Her whole body was ready and primed and it was a nonstarter. She gave him her sweetest smile. “Since we won’t be together for a few days, perhaps you might consider letting me blow off some steam?”
“Steam?”
She nudged his foot with her own, running her toes up his leg. “You know, taking my pleasure into my own hands, so to speak.”
He leaned forward, his citrus scent teasing her nostrils. “Aw, sweetheart, it’s hard isn’t it? The passion, the desire. I feel it, too.” He straightened and gave her a stern look. “But absolutely not. No. I want you ready to beg by Friday. Your pleasure comes from me and solely from me. No exceptions.”
She sighed. She was ready to beg now. It was going to be a long two days. She wasn’t allowed to bring herself any pleasure, and between fantasizing about him and her reading material it was damn difficult.
She stuck out her tongue. “You’re a mean Dom.”
He laughed easily. “You don’t know the half of it, Tori. I warned you, if you remember.”
“Hey, Ian. I didn’t know you would be here for lunch.”
Tori heard a voice, and a large hand landed on Ian’s shoulder. Ian turned with a big smile and clapped the other man on the back.
“Tim, I want you to meet my girlfriend, Tori Cordell. Tori, this is my on-again, off-again partner, Detective Tim Mills.”
The man was boyishly handsome with dark hair and eyes and an easy smile. She shook hands with him and waved to the chair next to her. “Would you like to join us? We haven’t ordered yet.”
She didn’t really want to share Ian, but it would have been churlish not to offer. The man’s lips twisted. “Only for a minute. I’m meeting another guy here, and I’m guessing the last thing you want is a third wheel anyway, am I right?”
Ian got the attention of the waitress and a large water was placed in front of Tim in seconds. Apparently, he and Ian were regulars.
He drank down half the water in one gulp. “So, tell me how you two met and why I can’t find women like you.”
Tori chuckled. Tim was a charming man. “I’m not sure why you can’t find women like me. We’re everywhere. Actually, Ian and I are neighbors. He moved in next to me about three and a half months ago.”
Ian placed his hand over hers. “The rest is history. Private history.”
Tim shook his head. “Yeah, I get it. She’s yours and you’re not going to tell me any details. Got it. Listen, Ian, are you going to be at the briefing this afternoon? I may need to miss it. I’ve got a lead I want to run down.”
“I’m planning to be there. I can fill you in. You don’t want to miss tonight, though. We’re going to go through the results from the questionnaires. They’re printing up the computer analysis as we speak.”
“Is this the rapist case?” she asked. She wasn’t sure if Ian would tell her, but she was fascinated by his job. Hers seemed quiet and uneventful in comparison.
Tim grinned, his face animated. “It is. This guy is really smart. We’ll get him in the end, though.”
“I’m sure you will.” Tori thought it was strange Tim was so happy about a serial rapist running loose. Perhaps it was the nature of the job. A sort of gallows humor.
“We’re trying to hunt down a person who might be the next victim. Ian got a letter from the rapist with a picture in it of the supposed next victim.”
She could feel Ian’s body go tense, and white lines appeared around his mouth. He was pissed.
“Tim, we’re not supposed to be talking about the case. These are confidential details, man.”
Tim shrugged. “She’s your girlfriend. I assumed you’d already told her. Pillow talk and all that.” He turned to her. “I assume you can keep a secret, then? No one is supposed to know the guy has contacted law enforcement.”
She crossed her heart in pledge. “I promise I won’t tell a soul. I can absolutely keep this quiet. I only want you both to be safe, that’s all.”
“There’s my friend. I have to go. It was very nice meeting you, Tori. I hope to see you again soon.”
Tim left the table as quickly as he’d arrived. She squeezed Ian’s hand.
“I swear I won’t say anything. You can trust me.”
He scraped his hands down his face. “I know I can. Tim’s a good cop but almost like a puppy when he’s working a case. He gets excited, I guess. God knows who else he’s talked to. He’s still young. He wants to move up in the department, and I think he gets overeager. You don’t make chief of detectives overnight.”
“Do you want to be chief of detectives?”
Ian grimaced. “Fuck, no. Too much paperwork and too much talking to the press and the mayor. I’ll stick with my job, thank you.”
“I thought you liked being in charge.” She gave him a teasing smile as he signaled the waitress.
“I like being in charge of you. A bunch of cops, no thanks. Now, let’s order lunch. Damn, I wish I was going to be able to see you tonight, Tori. When this case is over, let’s plan a little vacation. Maybe a trip to the Keys.”
“I love the idea.” She raised her iced-tea glass. “To the end of this case.”
He raised his glass and clinked hers. “To putting this guy behind bars and heading to the Keys. With you.”
“I have just the bikini for the trip.”
“I have just the flogger and ball gag.”
Heat rushed to every part of her. She fluttered her eyelashes and ran her hand up his hard muscled thigh.
“Yes, Master Ian.”
He grabbed her hand and held it firmly. “You just doubled your punishment, little slave. I’d quit while you’re not even close to being ahead.”
She wasn’t scared in the least. It felt like she was getting exactly what she wanted.
* * * *
Tori was fucking late. She’d stayed way too long at the fetish-wear store, and her friends were going to have her ass on a platter. She was supposed to be dressed and ready when they picked her up at eight o’clock. It was seven fifty-six now, and nothing she did was going to slow down time.
She pulled into her garage and breath
ed a sigh of relief. They weren’t waiting for her with impatient-but-amused looks on their faces. They knew she was a stickler for punctuality, and this deviation wasn’t going to go unnoticed or unremarked on.
Tori grabbed her shopping bag, her purse, and her phone, juggling her car keys. Maybe she should call them and give them a heads up? Shit, they were already on their way. She needed to get her ass in gear. Calling them would only slow her down.
She slammed the car door shut and headed for the door leading into the house. She could do this. She could get ready in the next three minutes. She looked down at her phone to see if she had a text from Ian. The rapist had struck again last night, the victim he had sent a picture of, and Ian had been working the case all day. When he’d called her this morning, he’d sounded dead on his feet.
She was almost to the door when a gloved hand snaked around her face, covering her mouth. A strong arm wrapped around her torso, twisting her to the garage floor. She struggled against what felt like steel bands, trying to free herself. She kicked at him wildly, hoping to roll him off of her. His hand tore at her blouse and she thought he would win, when she was blinded by lights. A car had pulled into her driveway.
He immediately let her go and started running away, down her street, and into the darkness. Her friends poured out of the car and headed straight for her. Lisa was the first to reach her, a wild look on her face.
“Dear God, Tori! Are you okay? Holy fuck, Brianne, call the cops!”
Brianne fumbled with her phone while Lisa helped her to her feet. She was covered in dust from the garage floor, and her blouse was torn. She would probably have a few bruises where he had pulled her to the floor, but other than that she was unhurt. She sagged against the car, the adrenaline draining from her body.
“I’m okay. Did you see where he went?”
Lisa found her keys on the floor and unlocked the door, wrapping an arm around her to help her inside. “He flew past us so quickly we weren’t sure what was going on at first. Thank God we got here when we did. How long had he been here?”
Submitting to the Devil Dom [The Martinis and Chocolate Book Club 4] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 5