“Are you okay, baby?” James cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing over her cheekbone as he leaned down to look in her eyes. The lines that formed between his eyebrows as they pulled together made her smile.
“I’m okay. I promise, Master.” She smiled and he sighed.
“Not James?” One of his eyebrows ticked up.
“I’m not sure that’s proper etiquette inside Crucible, sir.” Thalia grinned and James laughed, pulling her against him by her hip.
“Well, as your master, I want you to say my name, just for now.”
“James.” Thalia half-whispered it and she heard the soft groan in his chest.
“Thank you, baby. Now, did you really mean what you said to Marisol? About this being nothing like -” he paused and she watched his shoulders tense and then relax. He blew out a breath and continued, “About us, all of this, being nothing like Marcus?”
The sincere worry in his voice was like a punch in the stomach. Had he ever thought that? Had he ever thought they were similar? Actions are all about intent. You can yell at someone and intend to hurt them, or intend to help them. When Marcus had punished her it had been to create fear, to force submission from her. When James gave her pain it was controlled, calculated to give her pleasure in perfect balance. And she wanted it. He watched, he was careful, and she could always end it. She could stop him with a word, just like he’d promised the day they’d met.
“James.” Thalia’s voice was steady, and his eyes widened at hearing his name from her mouth without an ounce of shyness or nerves. She interlaced her fingers with his free hand. “I trust you. Completely. You have kept every promise you’ve ever made to me. You have helped me understand a side of myself I didn’t know existed six months ago, and you have helped me enjoy that side of myself. And I can enjoy that side of myself with you because I can let go, I can let go and trust that if I needed you to stop, you would.”
“Always.” James interlocked their fingers more tightly and squeezed her hand.
“I know. And I know you care about me, I know you want the best for me, and I’m really looking forward to going out with you, in public, without the panic attacks. Maybe to more places like this?” Thalia grinned and James laughed.
“I think normal dates are what we need, baby.”
“But we should have special dates like this, too. We could alternate!” Thalia smiled, and James almost choked on the drink he was taking.
“Maybe not alternate, but a couple of times a month I think a special date would be very fun.” He grinned at her, but she tilted her head countering his offer.
“Hmm, maybe two normal dates, then a special date?”
“Are you trying to bargain with me?” James feigned irritation and Thalia only rolled her eyes.
“It’s a good deal.”
“Hmmm. Five normal dates, then a special date. After all, I have quite a few places I would like to take you now that you will look at something other than the table.” His cocky grin almost made her swoon and lose track of her goal, but she held on. Probably only by the grace of the incredible orgasm he’d given her earlier.
“Three normal dates, and I’m also looking forward to what normal dates will be like.” She smiled, but he just grinned wickedly at her.
“Four normal dates. One special, and if you don’t agree I’ll tie you up like you want me to so badly, pet, but we’ll play the frustration game for the rest of the night.” James ran his fingertips slowly across her collarbone, between her breasts, and down her stomach until he cupped her pussy through her dress.
Her resolve crumbled.
“Four. Deal.” Her breath caught as he started to rub her through the dress, and he moved her until her back collided with a cool wall.
“Have I mentioned I adore how smart you are as well?” James’ mouth was on her neck, his fingers tugging her dress up so he could slide his touch under her panties again. Her hips bucked against his seeking fingers and she whimpered. She still wanted him, needed him, craved him.
“God, I want you.” His words melted her and ignited a blaze inside her. He grabbed their glasses and set them aside before he pressed against her again.
“Yes, yes, please.” Thalia was working on his belt when he grabbed her hands and pinned them sharply above her head.
“No. We are not having sex in open space, at Crucible, on your first visit to a club.” His voice was growling, commanding, and edged with desire.
“Come on...” she whined and tugged at his grip on her wrists, but he simply gripped tighter until it hurt a little. Which only served to turn her on further, and she pressed her thighs together for self-control.
“I’m thinking, pet, and you still need to work on patience.” His smile was wicked as he turned her around so she faced the wall. “Hands on the wall, bend at your hips.”
A cheer went off in her head, but she stayed silent as she followed his commands. Palms flat on the wall she bent forward and she felt his hand move over the round of her ass. Then his hands slid up her thighs, pushing the hem of her dress ahead of them until it pooled around her waist. When he slid her panties down and had her step out of them she was sure he had relented and was going to fuck her. In the middle of Crucible. Her pussy squeezed around nothing as she imagined him driving into her from behind - and then she felt the stinging pop of his hand across her ass. She jumped and almost stood up, but his other hand rested on the small of her back to remind her to stay in position.
“Oh, pet, you are so very tempting.” His voice was a growl above her as he landed two more swats across her skin, the places where his palm landed heating up.
“Maybe you could give in, Master?” Thalia bit her cheek to try and stop herself from smiling even though her hair curtained her face. A series of sharper swats across her ass had her shifting her weight from side to side, biting her lip as she waited for the stings to subside. James’ hand moved up her back and into her hair, tightening his grip to hold her in place and stop her wiggling.
“Making suggestions, pet? Maybe I should leave you be for the night so you gain an appreciation for what I do give you?” James’ Dom voice sent shivers over her, but she knew he was teasing. At least she hoped he was teasing. It was still impossible for her to ignore, especially when his other hand slid between her thighs and brushed her slick folds.
“I’m sorry, Master, please keep going,” Thalia begged, “I want you, whatever you want.” Her fingers pressed into the cool wall, the heat of her skin rapidly warming the stone beneath her hands. A sharp spank made her bite down on a moan. She’d missed this.
“Then hush.” James brought his hand down on her skin in a steady rhythm, occasionally pausing to rub away the stinging sensation that was building with the heat in her skin. He continued and she found herself moaning with each strike of his hand. Her body was humming, her mind fuzzy with desire, her pussy growing more wet with each set of spankings. Each set punctuated by the gentle rubbing of his hand to soothe the sting.
Her body jerked when his fingers suddenly slid inside her, and she moaned and whimpered, fighting the urge to push back. Fighting the urge to take her hands from the wall. Her lips parted to beg again and she gritted her teeth to stop herself. He’d told her to hush. His touch teased her, and she shook as the heat in her skin seemed to concentrate at her core. His fingers curled down to brush against the bundle of nerves inside her and it had her gasping, her fists clenching against the wall. She whimpered, tilting her hips to meet his touch. He groaned above her and pressed a third finger inside, pumping them in and out as she stifled moans and whimpers and pleas. Just as she thought she would fall over the edge James removed his fingers and tightened his fist in her hair. He pulled her up, breaking her position so he could take her mouth. His body pressed her to the wall, his mouth conquering hers. The firm pressure of his erection pressed against her through his pants and she held on to his shirt while her head spun.
“Fuck it. Come with me.” James took her hand and pulled her f
orward. He took long strides through Crucible, the blur of people around her couldn’t distract her from the tense lines of his shoulders. He stepped down a side hall until he slammed a door open and pushed her inside. They were in an elegant bathroom, and James reached behind her to flip the lock. Then he grabbed her and his arms were around her, his hands tugging the dress up until the tight fit stopped its movement. “Bloody dress,” he cursed, the frustration clear in his voice as he deftly yanked the zipper down.
“You did pick it, Master.” She smiled and murmured as he ripped the dress over her head leaving her in just her bra.
“And it looks lovely on you, but I want it off.” James grinned, the dark green of his eyes obvious in the soft light of the bathroom. Thalia reached out for the buttons of his shirt and he caught her hand, and tugged her against him. His hands slid over her skin, following the curve of her waist, and then her bra was coming off. He groaned and took her mouth again, his hands cupping her breasts, his fingers brushing her nipples until they hardened into pink buds. With his hands distracted she worked on the bottom buttons of his shirt, sliding her hands across his stomach. He pulled back and pointed at the counter, “Up. At the edge.”
She hopped up and the counter felt ice cold against the heated skin of her ass, she yelped and he chuckled. His fingers finished the work she’d started and his shirt dropped to the floor. Thalia stared hungrily at the skin he revealed. The deep V of his hips as he undid his belt. His hands stopped.
“Enjoying the view?” James was grinning when her eyes found his again. She blushed, but she didn’t back down.
“Yes, Master.” She answered and he stepped between her legs to kiss her again, his hands cupping her face to his. In a moment his touch switched from sweet to dominating. His hand twined in her hair and craned her head back as he broke the kiss. She was breathless as she looked up at him, his body angled over hers as she braced herself against the counter. His eyes devoured her, sliding down her body, and then his mouth followed. Her fingers found his hair as he slipped between her thighs, but he caught her wrist. “Both hands on the counter and do not come without permission.”
“Yes, Master,” she whimpered, knowing before she even felt his mouth on her that his command would be difficult to obey. Her body was taut as a bowstring, and when his tongue split her, dragging through her wetness slowly, she shuddered and moaned. He gave her no mercy, his tongue delved inside her making her rock her hips to meet him. When his mouth closed over her clit she cried out and almost lifted her hands. Strong hands pushed her thighs apart, and she lifted her hips to meet his mouth. He groaned against her flesh and she dropped her head back against the mirror. Each stroke of his tongue flooded her pussy with heat and she was slick with her juices. Her hips rolled and he pushed them back to the counter as another wave of pleasure sparked up her spine when he drew her clit into his mouth and sucked hard. “Oh God! Master! Please, I’m going to -”
“No. Hold it back.” His mouth returned to her without mercy and she was shaking her head, biting her lip as she pushed back the crest of her orgasm. There was no way. His tongue found her clit again and she screamed and tried to push away but he tugged her hips forward again.
“Oh no, I can’t, please?” She was begging, she couldn’t even form coherent sentences as the tension built inside her, her heart racing, her fists clenching. Just as she was sure she would tumble into oblivion without permission – he stopped. Her eyes opened to find him pulling her up towards him. His mouth was wet with her when he kissed her and she could taste herself as he moaned against her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer and his tongue warred with hers. Then he grabbed her arms from around his neck and pulled her off the counter. In an instant he had flipped her and pushed her chest down onto the marbled top. His hand held her arm behind her back and she heard a distinctive tsk tsk behind her.
“Didn’t I say to keep your hands on the counter, pet?” His voice sent a thrill through her, as did the tinkling sound of the metal fixtures on his belt as he slid it out.
“Yes, Master.” She wiggled in anticipation and he pressed her down on the counter by her arm. The belt came down hard and fast, stripes of fire overlapping the sting of the spankings on her cooled skin. She bit down on the cries, her cheek laid against the counter. Pain and pleasure thrummed inside her, the stings heating her skin and rebounding inside her. He stopped as quickly as he’d started and the belt clattered to the floor. An instant later he thrust his cock inside her.
She came instantly.
The way he filled her, the ache of her skin, his grip on her arm as he held her down all combined to shatter the heat inside her. Her scream of pleasure rebounded off the tiles in the room, and James groaned behind her. She shook under him, lifting onto her toes as he pressed her harder against the counter, letting the fluttering of her internal muscles grip him before he started to move. He slid back and thrust hard, the counter bruising the front of her thighs and she didn’t care. Her body was tingling, his thrusts stretching out her pleasure until she couldn’t identify the end of her orgasm from the beginning of the next. Soon, Thalia was meeting him thrust for thrust again, pushing her hips back to meet him only to be pressed sharply against the counter again. The sting of the welts on her ass made her cry out louder, made each thrum of pleasure inside her that much more intense. She arched up as he pushed her pleasure to the edge again, heat spiraled down her spine, the tension building as his thrusts increased. She bit her lip trying to hold back, trying not to come without permission again, but he knew her. He shifted his angle, and thrust hard so that he brushed directly against the bundle of nerves that exploded pleasure inside her. Thalia cried out and his moans joined hers. She felt his cock jump inside her, his warm seed filling her. Then there were just their mingled breaths and the dull thud of the music through the wall. Her whole body was humming, and warm, and her brain sparked with aftershocks of pleasure. He slid from her and gently pulled her up from the counter. Thalia caught a view of herself in the mirror. The fronts of her thighs were red from the countertop, her chest and face were flushed, her lips swollen from their kisses and her bites. When he turned her in his arms she got a peek at the red lines across her ass, but he distracted her with a kiss, and then that’s all she could think about.
“You make me lose control, pet.” He smiled down at her so she knew he wasn’t upset, but his confession confused her.
“You seemed very in control to me tonight.” Her voice was breathy, still strained from her cries and their exertion. James laughed.
“Ah, maybe. But don’t think I’m forgetting that you came without permission.” He held up two fingers, “Twice.”
“I never imagined you’d forget, Master.” She grinned and he kissed her hard, before pulling back on a laugh.
“Just so you know, I had no plans to fuck you here. I was going to do that back at the Dormitory.” His arms wrapped around her and banished the cool of the room, “But I’m pretty sure that idea was out when you were writhing on my lap.” He smiled and she felt his hand trace a few of the welts across her ass. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fantastic. That was... amazing.” She smiled and he kissed her again, warm hands pulling her tight against him where she felt sated and happy.
“Agreed. And as long as you’re alright, we should go back, everyone will be looking for us.” He grinned and snagged her bra and dress from the floor and she took them.
“They will be... James, I-” love you. She stopped herself before she said it aloud and used the excuse of tugging her dress on to hide the pause.
Not yet.
“What, baby?” He was pulling his shirt on and she took the opportunity to drink him in, that smile still plastered across her face.
“I’m just so lucky to be with you.” She said and he took a step forward to kiss her again, and helped zip up her dress. He handed her panties to her with a devilish grin and then reached for his belt on the floor.
“I’m t
he lucky one, Thalia, I promise.” He kissed her quickly before checking himself in the mirror and she did the same.
They had to return to their friends. Everyone who had become so important to her so quickly. They needed to finish celebrating with Julie. Then they’d head back to Purgatory, and leave in just a couple of days. And then?
Then it was back home. Home. With James, and their life, and their dates, and their future. And two more months until she could say the words she wanted to say.
She couldn’t wait.
Chapter Five
“Where the fuck is she?” Marcus growled into the phone. Three weeks with no updates, no photos, nothing.
“She’s still in Scotland, Mr. Williams. At the same property she’s been at this whole time. I told you I’d contact you when she left.” The irritation in the private investigator’s voice put Marcus’ teeth on edge. This loser had been feeding him the same line for weeks.
Salvaged by Love (Thalia Book 3) (The Thalia Series) Page 7