by Raven Dark
“Don’t turn around. Don’t look at me.” His breath was hot on my nape.
“Please, Master, just tell—”
But he’d ground himself against me, his steely hardness rubbing into my ass, and the chafing caused a sting that made me hiss. He pulled back a little, then pressed against me again, whispering in my ear. “Sheriff do this to you?” His fingers stroked the bruises on my wrist.
“Yes, Master. But I—”
“What did you do? Hm?” He bit my ear.
Oh, Maker, help me. The way he said that, in a voice dripping with threat and carnality, had me wanting to tell him, had me wishing he’d find his own way to discipline me. I bit my lip.
“I’m not surprised he whipped you. You have far too much of an effect on a man.”
“Master—”
“I said don’t move.” He nipped my ear again, hard enough that I mewled. “I missed you, Kitten.”
Then he released me, so suddenly I swayed. Head spinning, blood hot with need, I turned around. “Master…”
But the walkway was deserted. He’d already gone.
When I joined Pretty Boy and Steel, I was still trying to process what had happened with Hawk.
“What was that all about, Princess?” Pretty Boy had asked when I walked through the entrance to his cave.
The two of them were lounging on the couch watching me, Steel sitting in the crook of the L-shaped couch, feet up, arms across the backrest. Pretty Boy sat in the middle of one of the sectionals, sipping wine from one of his many golden goblets. Diamonds glittered on the sides of the gleaming chalice. Looking at it, I was suddenly reminded of what these men were—pirates—and I felt a sudden, unwilling upsurge of the heat Hawk had already awakened in me.
“Nothing, Masters. Are we eating in here tonight?”
“Yep, and we’re hungry,” Steel said, gesturing to his empty plate, then nodding to a table over in the corner where a cookpot sat steaming. “Feed us, woman.”
The amusement in his eyes lightened his words a little, but with the greedy way he watched me straighten my frock, I wasn’t about to test him. I crossed the room, took their plates, plus the one they’d set out for me, and made my way to the pot.
“We asked you a question, Princess. Answer us,” Pretty Boy said, leaning back on the couch.
Doling out a delicious smelling noodle dish and rolls, I opened my mouth twice, only to close it. “Hawk was just…” I trailed off. What had he been trying to do? His hot and cold behavior made no sense. I wanted to be angry, but I was too busy being confused. Unsure what to tell them, I shrugged lamely and retuned to the table with full plates, setting them down.
“Is he still being an idiothead?” Steel asked. He sat on the edge of the couch in front of the coffee table now, taking a roll off the plate I handed him.
I snickered behind my hand at the accurate description I wouldn’t dare have said.
“He must be.” He ripped open the roll, tearing apart the soft, white bread. Steam wafted off of it. He lathered a liberal amount of butter on each half. “He didn’t fuck you. He’s still in self-flogging mode. Back up to the mountain for him.”
Disappointment pricked at me. No, he hadn’t taken me. Instead, he’d left me burning for him, grasping for a reason he wouldn’t let me in, or for a way to bring him back to me. I sat on the two-person sofa across from Steel, and as soon as I did, I winced at the sting on my butt cheeks. The memory of Sheriff’s viciousness careened through my thoughts, and my clit hummed in response until I squirmed, which made my backside sting more.
“Sore, are you, Princess?” Pretty Boy grinned before starting on his meal. “We heard you gave the men quite a show earlier. I assume whatever happened is why you’re wearing that stupid frock.”
My cheeks flamed, remembering the way Bear and the others had drunk me in, enjoying the show. The way Gore refused to let me dress.
“Cherry gave me the frock. I’ll go change right now, if you wish, Master,” I added, happy to be out of the white garb.
“No way. You stay right there, Petal.” Steel pointed to the sofa when I moved to get up.
Feeling a stab of annoyance, I sat slowly back on the seat. At my wince, lights of amusement appeared in both men’s eyes.
“I gather you were with Sheriff?” Steel asked. “He’s the one who tanned your hide, and then sent you away naked?”
Utterly humiliated, I focused on my food, hiding any emotion they might see on my face.
“What did you do?” Pretty Boy asked, sounding remarkably like Hawk. His eyes teased.
I heaved a breath. Looked at the harshly hewn ceiling of the cave, dotted with stalactites. They’d likely find out anyway.
“He caught me watching him…” I couldn’t believe I was even saying it. “…pleasuring himself in the bath.”
Pretty Boy had put a piece of roll in his mouth and now covered it on a laugh. Steel almost choked on his beer.
“You were spying on him while he was whacking off?” Steel’s grin was huge before he wiped his mouth with his hand.
“I didn’t go there to snoop!” I said, desperation for their support eating at me. “I went there to ask him to talk to Hawk, to check on him.”
Both of them laughed.
“And you’re surprised he punished you?” Steel snorted.
“You’re lucky he didn’t do worse,” Pretty Boy added.
“It wasn’t like it sounds, Masters.”
“Yeah, it was,” Steel said, still smiling.
Once more, I sighed. “Am I always going to leave him naked?”
Pretty Boy shrugged. “Maybe. As long as he gives those clothes back.”
The clothes? He was worried about the clothes? I let my fork drop to my plate with a loud clatter.
I’d spent my life being trained to control my emotions, to behave like the perfect slave. To always ensure my masters looked in the best light, never to make a man sound as if he was in the wrong. Anger was beyond my rights. Hurt wasn’t something I was supposed to feel; I was a slave, to be used and passed around as Master saw fit. Even my irritation with Hawk’s behavior felt foreign, and probably only felt so close to the surface because Sheriff’s actions left my nerves too raw. But now, seeing Pretty Boy and Steel not only accept what Sheriff had done, but that they found amusement in it, was a hook that dug deep. Maybe it was because, since I’d come back to the Grotto, I’d felt more connected to these two than anyone else. With Pretty Boy and Steel, I felt least like a slave.
When my fork had dropped, Steel sat up a little straighter. His jaw stopped working. Pretty Boy set his goblet down gently, eyes on me.
“Is there a problem, Petal?” Steel rumbled. There was no danger in his voice, just what sounded like a reminder to control my temper.
I played with my food, feeling ridiculously sullen. “No, Master.”
“Princess.” Pretty Boy reached over and lifted my chin up until I looked into his eyes. “I’m guessing you expected us to take your side on this.”
“No, I didn’t, Master.” Did I?
“Good. Even if you hadn’t invaded the General’s privacy, there would be nothing we could do. You belong to Sheriff as much as us. And even though he and I disagreed about your place here, I know that Sheriff is only fighting with himself. He wouldn’t hurt you. He only did what was his right. The difference is, if he had belted you just for the fuck of it, we wouldn’t be laughing.”
My thoughts swirled. I had no idea what to say to that. It disturbed me that what they felt reached deep into me, stroking something fundamental in my being. Feeling shamefully lonely, I ate my food without a word.
They said nothing for a long time, until I started to wonder what they were thinking. When both of them had empty plates sitting before them, I took the last bite of my food and stood up.
“Do you want more, Masters?” I held out my hands for their plates, hating the stiffness in my voice.
“Nope. Come here.” Steel took my hand, pulling me aroun
d the table until I stood between them. Both men shifted until they were sitting beside each other on the long part of the sectional, in front of me.
Unsure what they expected of me, I looked between them, wishing I could wipe away the tension between us.
“Turn around,” Steel said quietly. “Let’s see the damage on that ass.”
Did I imagine the note of protectiveness in his voice?
“And take this thing off,” Pretty Boy added, tugging at the skirt of the frock.
Affection made me smile a little at the disdain in his voice as I turned my back to them and slid off the panties Cherry had given me, then lifted the bottom of the frock slowly to my waist. Embarrassment tied my gut in knots, knowing they’d see the evidence of my mistake.
“Awe,” Steel crooned softly. The couch creaked when he leaned toward me, fingers gently caressing the welts on my ass cheeks. I heard the faintest chuckle in his voice before I felt his lips gently caress and sooth the sting. “Poor, sweet Petal’s ass looks sore.”
“It hurts, doesn’t it?” Pretty Boy said, and his hand massaged the same spot.
I bit my lip, suddenly feeling silly and concentrated on pulling the frock off, tossing it on the floor.
“Much better. Come here.” Pretty Boy pulled me onto his lap and turned my face to the side to look at him. “You know if Sheriff took things too far, we’d do what we could to protect you, right, Princess?” He traced my mouth with his fingers.
The words were a balm that soothed the confusion and turmoil brought on by everything else that had happened that day. Hawk, Sheriff, the women’s behavior at the laundering hole. I leaned my back against him and rested my head in the crook of his neck, feeling safe.
“I know, Master.”
Beside me, the couch shifted with Steel’s weight before his palm warmed my shoulder, then slid down to my thigh. He dropped hot kisses on my arm.
“Tell me something Petal.”
“Yes, Master?” I turned and gazed up at him, stroking his whisker-rough cheek.
“Did Sheriff fuck you after he did this to you?”
I nodded.
He kissed and nibbled the bruises on my wrist. “Did you like it? Everything he did? Did you come?” His voice was husky and low.
My heart battered my chest, liquid fire flowing in my veins. There was no hiding anything from these two. “Yes, Master.”
Pretty Boy made an amused sound, and I turned my head to look at him. His bright blue eyes were full of lust before he sat up and started kissing my neck, my jaw, all the way to my mouth. “And what about when Hawk dropped you off earlier? Do you wish he had fucked you, Princess?” he murmured against my mouth.
“Yes, Master.” The words were out before I could stop them. Every caress, every brush of their lips these men gave me reawakened the desire Sheriff and Hawk had toyed with, the need Hawk had left unattended.
“Good. We’ll be happy to give you the attention you need.”
Steel grabbed me from Pretty Boy and pulled me into his lap with a growl in approval. He palmed my breasts, playing with my nipples, turning them to sharp, aching points. “I say we get an early start. Get her to the bed and fill her dirty little holes full of cock.”
I hummed my agreement.
These men were dirty, they were harsh, and they lived by their own rules—and they were all mine.
They spent the night taking what was theirs, asserting their master’s rights.
I slept well in their arms.
Chapter 13
Talk of Illegal Things
Around lunchtime the following day, Steel came to visit me at the slave quarters. I had just finished my morning chores and was wiping my hands when strong arms grabbed me around the waist.
“Mmm...I’m hungry, Petal, and you smell good enough to eat.” He nuzzled my neck, causing delightful goosebumps to dance along my arms. “You’re having lunch with me today. Grab a blanket and let’s go.” He swatted my bottom.
“Yes, Master.” Curious as to why we’d need one, I took a blanket from one of the storage closets, then followed Steel out onto the green, then up onto the Grotto’s main walkway.
We stopped by the common room where Crash had set out a basket of food for Steel. I wondered when Steel had planned this. He didn’t seem to be the planning type.
“How’s Cherry this morning, Setora?” Crash asked with a grin. He had on a white apron made out of thick linen. Surprisingly, it added to his handsome physique.
“She’s well, sir.” I gave him a warm smile, and he winked back at me. After watching him and Cherry at the party the other night, I still couldn’t look him in the eye without my cheeks heating up. After all I had seen—and been seen doing—in the Grotto, I guessed old habits died hard.
“Enjoy your lunch, guys.” Crash headed back into the kitchen. Steel followed after him, leading me by the hand.
“Master?” I asked, confused as to why we weren’t leaving.
“Come on, Petal, we’re going out this way.” With the basket of food in his hand, he looked like a children’s story villain as he marched his way through the busy kitchen. The sounds of clanging pots and pans rang out, hot steam from the ovens filling the air as we made our way through to the back exit.
The afternoon was sunny and breezy, a perfect day to be outside in the open green. On our way down a narrow rock pathway, I took the time to look around me. Walled on one side by a high cliff, this area was a bit more shady than the big green of the clubhouse and it wasn’t nearly as wide, but it was spacious enough to have privacy away from the Grotto inhabitants. I loved the private feel it offered.
Steel took us off the path and led us to an area near a cavern which provided some shadow from the bright sun overhead.
I spread out the blanket and sat down, tucking my legs underneath me. The basket Steel brought had been packed with cheeses, breads, portions of pork, and a small bottle of wine.
“Master, this is a wonderful surprise. I have never had a picnic before. Well, aside from the parties at the clubhouse. But this is…more intimate.” I blushed at my word choice, which made Steel laugh.
“Well, I am happy to be the first to give you this, Petal. And speaking of giving. I have something else for you.” He cleared his throat, seeming nervous.
Curious, I sat up straighter.
Reaching inside his cut, he brought out a book that had been tucked in an inner pocket. He placed it on my lap and gave me a sheepish look. “I watched you that day at the bazaar. The way your pretty violet eyes lit up when you saw this, I figured I’d have someone nab it before it was sold.”
My heart filled with a tenderness for Steel that I had never felt before. His thoughtfulness and kindness made me pause. I looked into his deep blue eyes. “Master…I. Thank you, Master,” I said quietly. I leaned over and kissed his lips gently.
He grabbed the back of my head and opened my mouth with his tongue, kissing me thoroughly, leaving me breathless.
Letting me go, he gave me a look, then nodded. Nodded at what, I didn’t know. “Now, let’s eat. You can read me a page or two of that book. What is it about, anyway?” He took a roll from the basket and tore it in half before loading it with pork and cheese.
“It’s a book of poems. I still can’t believe you bought it for me.” I blinked at the cover, stroking the gold filigree. I opened the turquoise book and began to read while Steel ate. “‘My love, my stars, my moon and sun. I have loved you for eternity,’” I paused to look around us, then to Steel. It was very surreal, reading to a man, out in public no less.
“Go on,” Steel nudged me with his knee.
I swallowed and continued. “‘On this day, your nectar is its sweetest, your love is my greatest treasure. Your heart is a sanctum to my body’s pleasure.’”
Steel snorted. “How old is this book? No one speaks like that.” He took a big gulp of the wine, then handed the bottle to me.
“Let’s see. It’s…Maker, it’s about three hundred years old,�
� I said, taking a drink after looking at the opening pages. Damien’s library had antique books, but I had never held, let alone owned, a book of poetry so dated before.
“Keep going, Petal. I like hearing your voice.” He brushed his hands off and laid down on his back, his head on my lap. I took a small bit of cheese and ate while I flipped through the pages to another poem.
“Ah. Let’s try this one,” I said, and I read for a good five minutes before I paused to take a drink. “Would you like to read, Master?”
“Nah. Like I said, I like hearing your voice.” He cleared his throat and wiggled uncomfortably. “How did you learn to read?”
I put down the book and ran my fingers through his short brown hair. “When I was around four years old, I think, my mother started teaching me. But it wasn’t until I was at Damien’s compound that I was truly schooled in language arts.”
“The one good thing that fuck did for you, filling your head with all that stuff.”
I nodded. “I didn’t realize how uncommon it was for a female to read—or that it was illegal—until I got older. I’m a bit nervous even talking about it.” I released a shaky laugh. I trusted Steel, though. He wasn’t looking to use my knowledge as a trap, and he wouldn’t punish me for doing something that he asked me to do.
“Well, you’re good at it. Better than me, that’s for sure.”
He turned in my lap, put his arms around my waist, then tackled me to the ground. I squealed in delight.
“Now let me show you what I’m good at, Petal.” His voice was husky, his eyes mischievous.
“And what would that be, Master?” I teased breathlessly. Having Steel so carefree and all to myself was intoxicating.
“This.” His lips met mine, a slow, warm caress that tasted of summer wine. Our tongues tasted and danced. Then he turned onto his side, rested his head on his palm, and handed me back the book. “Here, lean on me and keep reading. I’m starting to like these corny poems.”