by Mimi Tulane
Her street team captain was just finishing up, helping with the setup of her table and organizing the display of her books and was all smiles when Ebony glided over to peck her cheek in greeting. Ebony loved the atmosphere created by those that enjoyed her work and she was starting to feel herself loosen up. Rasheed had just greeted her mother and was now shaking hands with her father, and it warmed her heart. Imani gave her a wink and Mac gave her the thumbs up. The bookstore owners were offside of the table and once she signaled to them she was ready to begin, one of them came forward to give her a warm introduction amid the polite applause of her eager audience.
“Thank you so much for a having me here, I am so overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and love.” She was in her element and took her seat as a small panel of one to begin the question and answer segment. A quick glance in her family’s direction, which included Rasheed, bolstered her courage and had her heart racing anew. He was all smiles and had pulled out his own copy of Conquered Love, the one she had signed and given to him prior to leaving the house. Tonight had barely begun but it was shaping up as a night of new beginnings.
Chapter Nine
Rasheed listened intently to the questions that were asked of Ebony. He was using those questions, some personal in nature, as another means of uncovering the layers of his female. Yeah, he had claimed her, no doubt about it. Most of the questions were general. What was her motivation for this book? Why did she choose the laundromat for the setting of their first meeting? Other questions were rather deep. Did she feel that women were often portrayed in most books as repressed sexual beings? He sat there filling up with pride as he watched her field their questions and share with her fans, her own personal thoughts and feelings.
He realized he was falling headfirst for her.
He especially began to tune in as she opened her book to a specific set of pages to begin her reading. Her normally soft spoken tone was replaced with the intense urgency of the passage she chose, even her narration of the events leading up to this particular moment in the book had him and the audience hanging on her every syllable. She explained that Seth was the antagonist of Jubilee’s past, a past she had to set herself free from before she could move on with Aaron.
“All along Jubilee had been content with herself but had allowed for the abusive relationship with Seth out of a fear of being alone. That had been her downfall. Seth’s erosion of her self-esteem had left her bereft of feeling that she could ever find true love again. When she met Aaron at that laundromat, their first meeting was explosive, mysterious, and sensual. With him, she felt herself able to explore all of her wildest fantasies without judgment or repercussion. In this moment that I am about to share with you, Seth has returned, hoping to rekindle the dead spark, having now realized the jewel he lost in Jubilee. She in turn throughout her journey to self-fulfillment and healing has finally found her voice and wanted him to know she was no longer a slave to her past.”
Ebony began to read, “‘I’m not sure what it is you want from me, Seth. Did you think I was going to be like one of those women you are used to, falling over you because you deigned to pay a bit of attention to me? Or was it the fact that I am not a size-two Barbie Doll that led you to believe I’d be that way, overly grateful to the great Ken for sparing her a second moment’s notice? Let me be perfectly clear that you are seeking a return into my good graces, not the other way around. I don’t believe for one moment you’ve changed. In fact, I no longer give a damn. Really Seth, get over yourself; I know what love is and isn’t and you don’t know the first thing about loving me.’”
Rasheed deeply felt every word spoken by Ebony. After his talk with Jocelyn, he knew good and damn well what that passage was about and the inspiration behind it. He was totally turned on by her voice, the emotion she put into the reading because he felt he knew where it was coming from—the depths of her soul. She had written her own story and by God he was feeling her. He stood and began to clap a heartbeat ahead of everyone else, filled with emotions that he could barely contain. Ebony was putting it out there in her own way, letting him and the universe know that she was ready and capable of loving again and that the pains of her past were no longer binding her. His family’s well-meaning caution was valid but it was the woman who conquered her past that had his rapt and undivided attention. Conquered Love was her anthem, the drum beat she was sounding off to march to, and he was going to fall in step right along beside her.
With a smile that lit up the room, she thanked everyone for coming out and buying her books. Her street team had grab bags and even did a raffle for other freebies. He, however, was only focused on her, and when she looked his way, her eyes told him she knew he got it. He waited as patiently as he could during the signing. She talked with her readers, signed their books, even posed for selfies.
While she was busy, Imani pulled him to the side to have a word. “So, looks like you guys are heading for your own happily ever after. How are you feeling about my sister now, Rasheed?”
“Imani, right now, I am feeling like I am Aaron, the guy from her book, just dumb enough to know I got the long straw in the pull for her heart, and smart enough to know I’ll do everything in my power to take good care of it.”
Imani hugged him tightly. “I’m so happy you guys are working out. Rasheed, she adores you and whatever you’re doing, keep up the good work.”
Imani’s vote of confidence meant the world to him. Mac gave him an at a boy before steering his love away to steal a quick kiss, then going to pose for a picture between the two sisters like he was a fan boy. Rasheed managed to get to her himself, kissing her on her cheek and then whispering, “Girl, right now, I could skip the barn and just take you home.” She looked at him her eyes full of emotions.
“Oh no, you promised me that my pleasure was yours. We’re going to do that damn barn, boy.”
Damn, now who could argue with that?
* * * *
They drove to the ranch, the anticipation of their play hanging heavy in the car. He found himself growing hard as a boulder thinking about the scene with Ebony as his heroine. “Babe? You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. I’m good with us just hanging tight for the night, bringing you back to my place for a night cap. God, Ebony, you were really something.” She smiled at him in the car, reaching over to trace the line of his jaw. Her touch had him on fire and ready to consume her like she was kindling.
“I know, Rasheed, please, I want to. I feel like with you I can explore my sensuality and not feel self-conscious about my looks. I want to just feel again and feel with you. I am about to enjoy myself with the man of my dreams…and he just happens to be a Dom. Well, okay.” He laughed with her, falling deeper and faster than he’d hope he could. She was all right with him, and seemingly all right with herself. He wouldn’t overthink it, he’d just let it ride.
He maneuvered the car onto the property and drove right up to the barn. Reaching into the backseat, he grabbed out a duffel bag and a fancy shopping bag. He hopped out and once he’d helped her out he handed the shopping bag to her. “What’s this?” she asked him.
“Something I’d like you to wear for me.” He watched her eyes grow slightly hooded and her lips part, as if she didn’t have breath enough. He smiled slowly, letting the full measure of his growing arousal play about his face. “Tonight is all about you, baby girl. Let’s go inside.” They headed toward the barn door, a dim glow escaping from beneath it, hinting at what was inside to await them.
He pushed the doors open and paused, allowing her to enter first. He heard Ebony gasp in delight and he, too, was amazed at what he saw. The barn had been decked out with hanging lanterns and hay bales draped in gauzy fabric. A low table inconspicuously sitting among the bales was draped as well, laden with a champagne bucket filled with ice and a bottle of champagne, two crystal flutes, and a covered tray. As they approached their make shift play area, he saw an iPod deck with a remote, various lengths of scarves that would serve a
s his rope for the night, and several other items he might need in administering after care.
Damn, Reese, you are the man…
“Rasheed, you did all this for me?” Ebony’s incredulous expression was one he’d remember all his lifetime. She gazed up at him with such adoration and wonder, he couldn’t help himself, he pulled her to him cupped her head and kissed her with the passion of a man losing the battle with love. He was definitely ready to take the plunge.
“I can’t take credit for the style, I asked Reese if he could set things up and damn if he didn’t do just that,” he murmured.
“Well I love it. It’s amazing that you went to all this trouble. I think I was just expecting a musty barn and you to bend me over a saddle!” They smiled, lost in the feelings welling between them.
“No, baby girl, not with you. Never. I’ll always treat you with the respect you rightly deserve, and take care of your needs the same.”
On the table was a note card and Rasheed picked it up, read it with a smile, then handed it to her. Enjoy the night and feel free to play as long as you like. ~ RJ
“There’s a dressing room in the next bay, I’ll change out here.” Ebony nodded and headed in the direction he indicated. He was going to make sure she enjoyed this night and every night they had together.
* * * *
Ebony’s heart was so full. Gone were the last of her reservations. Her latest book had been a form of therapy for her but she never thought of it as prophetic. Rasheed really was Aaron, now that she saw the connection, and she was Jubilee. In just the short time they’d spent together her reservations had begun to fall away. Her talk with her sister had only confirmed to her that she was indeed ready to accept the love of someone new. His being a dominant never really came into play in that regard.
Tonight she would experience bondage in a non-threatening environment with a man she was falling in love with. A man her parents liked and whose cousin had swept her sister off her own feet. She thanked heaven for the good fortune of her sister finding love with Jonathan Mackenzie and through the both of them, she was finding her own love with Rasheed. Slow and steady, but growing with each moment they shared. And to think she had wanted a flat tire! She truly wanted to be on this journey with him. Along the way she was discovering more and more facets about her own life as well. She wasn’t going to pretend that all aspects of BDSM appealed to her. But the trust she felt growing for the man that had gone out of his way to give her the fantasy—from right out of one of her very own books—spoke volumes to the amount he cared for her.
She donned the skimpy attire he bought for her, marveled that he got her right size, and even adored the cute costume. It was campy but she loved it. She decided to really embellish the tiny farm girl outfit by braiding her hair in two pigtails. The tiny skirt barely covered the swells of her ass and she felt the cool breeze upon her skin as she headed out to greet him. She’d removed her bra, left on her thong and flats, and hoped he liked what he saw. However she nearly lost her composure when she got her first good look at him.
“Oh my damn, Rasheed, you look hot!”
She didn’t bother to try to hide her look of astonishment and for once she reveled in the fact, that the Black Adonis standing in front of her was all hers for the night. Hers for the long haul if that’s what she wanted.
His bare chest was oiled to a high shine, and he had on an open vest. He had exchanged his slacks for jeans and a pair of leather chaps. He even donned a cowboy hat and a pair of boots…all for her. “Come here, female, I want to get a good look at what’s mine.” His command was promptly obeyed. Ebony knew she wouldn’t have dared to disobey his request because she wanted to get to him as fast as she could!
“Turn around for me, baby, let me look you over.” She complied doing a little runway turn, then waited to get his reaction slightly worried, but she needn’t have been. His look was downright feral. “Girl, I’m going to make sure that tonight you understand that whatever you need of me, I’ll do. You are so damn fine, woman…” His voice broke off and she found herself wrapping her arms around his neck, lifting on her toes to kiss him. His embraced engulfed her and their tongues danced sensually. His hands roamed over her curves, kneading and caressing her, inching his way lower until he was cupping her ass. His palms felt warm, made her pussy weep from their contact. “Baby, what do you want? I know how this scene goes, but what do you want?” he asked her, his voice rough and raspy.
“I want you to take control, Rasheed. The setting might be inspired from the book but this is our memory, our story. Just have your way with me.” Where had she found this newfound boldness, she wondered. Perhaps it was the ambience of the barn, the decorations, or maybe it was just the man in front of her asking her what she wanted, what she desired.
“Then I want you to give me a safe word. This won’t be a full scene, and I won’t require any protocol of you. This is our play time—yours and mine. But I want a safe word. I want you to know that we continue or stop at your behest.”
She was growing weak with desire, the walls of her pussy quivering in need. “Jubilee, that’s my safe word. It’s not only the name of my heroine from Conquered Love, but it has a context that I find describes my personal journey. Biblically, the Hebrew year of Jubilee meant freedom to captives. I’ve been a captive of my own insecurities for far too long. I’m done with that—not tonight, not again, and not with you.” He nodded his head and then leaned in for a slow passionate kiss before pulling her toward the table. It was then she noticed some changes to their backdrop.
Rasheed had stacked a few hay bales high enough for her to bend over or sit upon, and had covered them with a soft throw. The makeshift bench sat in front of a trellis draped in gauze and threaded with exotic flowers. “Extend your wrists to me.”
She held out her arms and he lifted each one of her hands to his lips to brush a soft kiss along the pulse points. He pulled the scarves, his ties for the night, from the table and fashioned with a practiced hand loose-fitting cuffs for her, leaving a length of material loose on both.
“I want you to sit upon the bales, baby, I’m going to tie your hands to the trellis.” He was explaining what he was doing but she was already ahead of him. Her scene from her book had been a bit cruder. Her character had tied the woman to a post in the barn with some frayed rope he had on hand. Rasheed’s version was a damn sight classier. Like a lamb she obeyed his instructions, perching her ass upon the throw covered hay, her pulse quickening as he leaned in pressing against her while he worked and fastened each of her wrist to the trellis by the length of the scarves he left loose. The cuffs tightened but not excruciatingly so, just tight enough for her to know he meant business.
“Too tight?”
“No, not at all.” She was already caught up and feeling a euphoric sense of desire settle upon her. He turned once more to the table and uncovered the tray. There were assorted fruits piled high and chocolate bonbons there. He poured a glass of champagne and then gave her a sip. How had he known her throat was growing dry from the small panting breaths she had begun as her excitement built, spurred on by his binding of her wrists?
“I won’t be drinking any. I want you to know that I never operate impaired, baby. I want you to relax, we’ll start slow.” She nodded and he offered her one last sip before sitting the glass down.
Next he picked up the remote. A familiar candy-apple-red iPod, was now loaded on the deck base and when he pressed play, the soulful voice of Maxwell wafted out into the barn, singing “Pretty Wings.”
“Rasheed, I love his music! That song…”
He only chuckled then said, “A little bird may have whispered that you left your iPod at your parents’ house and said bird took the liberty of loading a few songs for tonight.”
Her sister! She wanted to cry. Imani was the best sister anyone could have, but especially her. “I thought that iPod looked strangely familiar, it’s mine!”
He smiled at her then slowly advanced, his hands
behind his back. “Close your eyes. Let the music transport you, while I go to work.”
If she could have come at that very moment she would have, she was already vastly stimulated and he hadn’t even begun! His words, the music, the ties on her wrist, the outfits, the barn, she was on sensory overload and now he was asking her to close her eyes. She complied with bated breath.
* * * *
Rasheed was in the zone. From the first moment of her appearance, wearing the tiny costume and right up until the moment he slipped the silk cuffs on her wrist, he had been cognizant of her reactions to him and her surroundings. She was so ready for him. He inhaled the soft scent of her perfume and even caught a whiff of the musk of her arousal and it made his cock uncomfortably hard.
When he worked, he did most scenes with professional detachment, adding enough thoughtfulness so that his clients could lose themselves and their inhibitions. But being with Ebony here, in this setting, seeing her with her eyes closed, bound, and aroused was setting off a fury of latent emotions. This is what he’d been missing. Someone he could care for, someone who got him. She may not have much use for BDSM on the whole but she sure as hell was digging the play. He pulled the feather tickler from behind his back. Her version had been titillating but innocent despite the male tying up the female before he had dropped down to his knees and kissed every inch of the bound woman’s pussy.
He was going to do that and more to Ebony now. He ran the tickler over her thighs, the dusky parted limbs were giving him brief flashes of her red thong as she squirmed a bit on the hay bale. He smiled as she struggled to keep her eyes closed as he commanded her. “If you open those beauties before I say so, baby, I’m going to blindfold you,” he warned her. She smiled and squeezed her eyelids tighter. He wanted to laugh, he wanted to fuck her, he had so many wants that he wanted that he pushed his wayward thoughts aside to just enjoy her discovery of this unique form of sensual stimulation. The tiny bib that served as her top barely covered her full breast so he took the tickler and ran it over the sides of each soft round, gently pulling the bib over to expose one nipple at a time and then stroke the buds with his tickler.