She would record the conversation, get it to the cops, and they could arrest him by midnight. Things would work out just fine.
She sat down in the chair. She couldn’t do that to Vince. He knew what he was doing. He was the cop. But he’d threatened to kill Vince if she told him, and if that happened, Lucia could never live with herself. She couldn’t tell him. She couldn’t be responsible for something happening to Vince. She would feel horribly guilty, the way Joseph felt responsible for Jaymes threatening his mother and his brothers and sisters, and her. Joseph’s guilt showed how much he cared about his family. In the past few days she’d come to care about Vince, too.
Her decision made, she walked out of the office and nodded at her friend.
“Did you call him?” Carmen stared at her, her eyes angry. “You can’t let that hibrido get away with this.”
“Yes, I called him. He’ll take care of everything.”
Chapter 15
Vince ran his hands gently over Lucia’s arms. She was curled up next to him on the couch, the TV going, but neither of them really watching.
“Are you feeling all right, Apuro? Was I too hard on you earlier today?”
“No, Sir Vince. I loved it. Are we going to play some more?”
“No. We’re going to watch.”
“A video?”
“No. My friend Knox, and his sub and future wife, Tatum. They’re doing a scene at Jaguars tonight. I thought we might go.”
“A scene?”
“Yes, Tatum is uncomfortable with performing in public, so Knox takes her out of her comfort zone every now and then. He tops her in public.”
“Wow. I don’t think I’d like that.”
“That’s good to know. I’ll have to try it with you sometime.”
“What’s he going to do with her?”
“Perform a proper scene, which I really haven’t done with you. I’m afraid your education has been sorely lacking because I’ve been too eager to fuck you.”
He kissed her forehead.
“I’m not complaining.”
“No, but I need to teach you better. Tonight’s scene will help with that. Every scene has three parts. You prepare the sub, so that they’re comfortable, you perform the scene, for both of your pleasure, and then afterward, you make sure the sub knows they’ve pleased you.”
“You’ve done that with me.”
“Yes, but we never really talked about the difference between submitting and ownership.” His voice was deep. “Knox owns Tatum. She belongs to him. He is her Master.”
“Does that mean she would never question him on anything?”
“No, she still has a voice. Remember, safe, sane, and consensual. But a sub who has a Master has been collared, permanently. They wear the collar twenty-four/seven. In Tatum’s case, she wears a jeweled collar in public, and a leather one at home. It’s an outward sign she belongs to Knox.”
Lucia pursed her lips. Talking about this took her mind off tomorrow night. She was nervous about it, but she didn’t want Vince to see that.
“Is that why you haven’t asked me to wear a collar, because I don’t belong to you?”
“Some couples who are not committed wear collars in scenes. It’s a strong reminder they’re submitting. I would like you to wear one tonight, so people will know you’re mine.”
Lucia blushed. “I’d like that. But, how will they know I’m yours?”
“You’ll stay with me, kneel down next to my chair. And I’ll be holding your leash.”
“My leash? I… wait. Like a dog leash?”
“Call it a lead. You see, I haven’t done very well at teaching you. Knox and I are different Doms. He’s more into control over Tatum in all areas. He feeds her, except when they’re in public, and she follows his every command. I’m a little bit more lenient.”
“What if she says no? What if she uses her safe word?”
“If she doesn’t like something, they discuss it.”
“But he wins.”
“Not always. A good Dom will make a few concessions. Everyone has limits.”
“I don’t know if I want to be led around like a dog.”
“You’re looking at this the wrong way. Don’t you want people to know you’re mine, that I’m your Master? You called me Master today when I fucked you.”
A wave of guilt spread through Lucia. She hoped he still felt that way tomorrow night, when she’d gone behind his back to get Jaymes’ confession.
“Lucia?”
“What? Oh yes, I do.”
“Good. Then let’s go to Jaguars and see if we can’t pump up your education a little bit.”
* * *
Jaguars seemed different tonight. They’d gone to her house, and Vince had picked out clothing for her to wear. A black skirt she felt was much too short and much too tight, and a tight black blouse that rode low and showed off her large breasts. Her hair was bound into a ponytail behind her.
She felt like a streetwalker, and when that image came into her mind, she laughed. During her wilder days this was exactly how she had dressed.
Now, they were in an antechamber outside one of ‘Master Chad’s private playrooms’.
Vince had told her the Jaguars’ owner had given him permission to choose a collar and leash from the room before they went into the public room where Tatum was already being topped.
Vince leaned down and kissed her nose, then held her face close to his. When she smiled at him, he leaned over and took a collar from the many hanging from the wall. This one was plain black leather.
It was wide and thick, and Lucia knew Vince had picked it because there wasn’t a chance someone could miss it.
“Kiss the collar, Lucia,” he said. “Show me you accept it.”
“What? I don’t…”
“It’s symbolic, like you kissing the paddle today. It shows me you’re accepting your submission to me.”
She nodded and lowered her lips to the leather. Vince stroked her hair and a tingle ran up her spine.
“You have no idea how beautiful a sight that is,” he whispered. “I’m going to have to get you a collar for home, too.”
He wound it under her hair, fastening it in the front as her heart beat faster and faster.
“How do you feel?”
“Strange. I’ve worn chokers before, so I guess it’s not really that different.”
“You look beautiful.” He walked to the wall and selected a thick leather leash.
“Not that. Please. I don’t want to be led around.”
“Shush. You’ll be fine.”
“Sir Vince, please.”
“Lucia, who’s the Dom?”
“You are.”
“Do you want to submit to me?”
“Yes, Sir Vince, but…”
“There are no buts, Apuro. I want you to wear the leash. It will please me.”
For the first time since they’d started this, Lucia had an idea of what submission truly meant. She knew Vince wouldn’t force her to wear the leash, but he wanted it, and she was expected to submit to his wishes, and get pleasure from that submission.
She thought about how she felt when she was with him, the pleasures his masterful hands had brought to her. Now he stood before her, the leash held lengthwise between his hands, expecting her to kiss it and show she would submit to his will.
Images of what they’d done together flashed through her mind. In the years she’d been so wild, she’d never felt a connection with anyone. Now, it had only been a few days and she felt like she never wanted to leave Vince’s side.
If you felt that way, you’d tell him about tomorrow night.
She pushed the thought aside and lowered her lips to the leash. Vince again caressed her hair as she kissed it.
“Oh Lucia, you have no idea how seeing you do that affects me. We need to talk about a permanent thing between us.”
“Really? As is more than this week?”
“As in more than this month,” Vince replie
d. “I think I want to keep my Lucia next to me always, to keep her out of apuro.”
She laughed nervously.
“Come on, little one. Let’s go watch.”
He threaded his hand through the loop of the leash and pulled her along after him. She put her hands on it and pulled backward.
“Wait. I don’t think I can…”
“You can. Relax and trust me.”
In the main room, Lucia felt like she was on display. Until she realized many of the women and men were wearing collars and leashes. She relaxed somewhat as she followed Vince through the crowd toward a raised dais.
An auburn-haired woman stood upon the platform, naked, her arms stretched to her sides and her legs spread wide. Once they were at the very front of the crowd, Lucia could see her nipples were pierced. Hanging from the rings were small balls; a ring, also containing a ball, glistened from her clit and labia.
She wore a thick black collar attached to a leash hanging down between her breasts. A man with black hair stood behind her. He wore street clothes, and had his hands clasped behind his back as he examined her body, moving around her slowly.
When he commanded her to kneel, Lucia jumped.
Vince, who was now standing behind her, snorted out a low laugh.
The woman knelt and the man straddled her, rubbing his ass against her naked back. He grasped the leash and pulled it back as he continued to grind himself into her.
Lucia felt wetness form inside her folds. Would Vince ever do that to her? She had to admit it was exciting. But she didn’t know how she’d feel if it was her, naked and kneeling in front of a crowd of people.
After a few moments, the man stood and ordered her back on her feet. He removed the weights from her nipple rings, her labia, and from the ring Lucia could now see hung from her clit hood piercing.
The woman sighed in relief.
“Nate, if you will, please.” The man’s voice boomed out and Lucia watched as the man who usually worked the door brought a wooden bench onto the platform. When he’d set it down, he bowed to Knox. The bench had a raised center, with two lower benches on either side. Each side had restraints built in.
Knox wrapped a ball gag around Tatum’s mouth, then swatted her behind.
“Now.”
“What’s he doing?” Lucia whispered to Vince.
“He’s going to bind her to the table, for just a little while.”
“But with the gag, she can’t say her safe word.”
“She doesn’t want to. They planned this scene in advance. She knows what’s coming. Mostly. There’s always the tinge of fear that something might happen you’re not expecting. That keeps her on her toes.”
“Mount it.” Knox pointed at the bench and Tatum put her hands and knees on either side of the top bench. Knox nodded to Nate, who attached the restraints to Tatum’s wrists and ankles. When he was done, he knelt before Knox with his head bowed.
Knox stroked his hair. “You’re dismissed.”
The sub left the stage and Lucia leaned back to whisper, “That huge man is a submissive?”
“Yes. He belongs to very nice Mistress. Now, take your mind off him and pay attention.”
“Huh.” Lucia turned back toward the stage just as Knox was placing a blindfold over Tatum’s eyes.
“How long will he leave her like that?”
“Not very long. Ten minutes, maybe fifteen. Just enough for her to get a little nervous. As I said, she’s out of her comfort zone. The sensations she experiences will make her feel things more. You can ask her when they’re done.”
“Is he going to let other people…”
“No. It’s not about sex. It’s about feelings and sensations. He’ll fuck her later, but not here, and not now.”
“Oh.”
Lucia watched the stage, transfixed by what she was seeing. Tatum was still, and she wondered what sort of discipline it took to stay that way. She also wondered what sort of trust you had to have to put yourself into another person’s hands and allow yourself to be tied up in public.
After about five minutes, Knox took a large feather fan Nate handed him. He ran the feathers down Tatum’s back, over her rump, and down her legs. She wiggled and he slapped her behind.
“Be still, Vixen.”
He caressed her again, then stepped down from the stage. He nodded at Vince and winked at Lucia, who smiled back nervously. The crowd remained silent as Tatum waited for either touch or command. When another five minutes has passed, Knox stepped onto the stage and caressed her back.
“Very good, my love. Nate, release her, please.”
When Nate had undone all of her bonds, Knox released the ball gag and helped her to her feet. The crowd gave noises of appreciation; then the couple stepped off the stage and headed toward Vince and Lucia.
“You must be, Lucia,” Knox said, sticking out his hand. Lucia shook it, then was shocked when a naked Tatum pulled her into a hug.
“Oh, I’m so happy to meet you. It’s so good to see Vince smile again.”
Lucia nodded.
“You look nervous,” Knox said, as he tightened Tatum’s leash around his hands and pulled her in for a kiss.
“I am.”
“Well, let’s go someplace more private. Say, I know. We can have a party in Vince’s hot tub. It’s the closest.”
Vince laughed. “Yeah, don’t bother asking the host.”
“Don’t worry,” Knox replied. “I wasn’t planning on it.”
Chapter 16
“So, no more ghosts?” Knox sat down next to Vince in the hot tub. The ladies were inside, putting together some snacks.
“Amazingly enough, no. I immersed myself in a new case.”
“You immersed yourself in a feisty little baker.”
“Yeah, I gave her hot crossed buns today.”
Knox laughed. “It’s so good to have you back, my friend.”
“She’s done major things for my ego,” Vince said. “And for other parts of me, as well. It’s quick, I know, but I think she may be the one.”
“We figured that out. Tatum’s already planning your wedding.”
“Right. Don’t you think we should give it a bit more time?”
The words were hardly out of his mouth before the ladies came out from inside.
“It’s just so perfect,” Tatum said. She set a bowl of chips on the table and ran toward the hot tub, jumping in and kissing Knox.
“Lucia’s going to do our wedding cake. Isn’t that great? I mean, I hated the other woman, that’s why I didn’t give her money down, or sign anything. I had another week to get it done and she falls in my lap. It’s perfect!”
Lucia walked toward the hot tub at a more sedate pace. Vince watched her, and for a minute he thought she didn’t want to be here, that something was holding her back. Then, she peeled off the T-shirt she was wearing and climbed into the tub, sitting down next to Vince.
“Something wrong?” he whispered in her ear. “If you’re uncomfortable, let me know.”
“I’m fine,” she replied. “It’s just been a while.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.” She kissed his cheek.
“Good. Then, it’s time for a party game. I’ll go get the handcuffs, and the other fun things. And let’s move to the pool where there’s more room.”
* * *
“Handcuffs?” Lucia watched Vince head toward the house. The three of them got out of the tub and stood outside, waiting for their body temperatures to drop a bit before jumping into the cooler waters of the pool.
Tatum laughed. “Yes, Vince has this thing about handcuffs. I think it’s the cop in him.”
Lucia laughed.
“On a serious note, though,” Knox said, “thank you for bringing Vince back to us. He was lost the last two months. You’ve found him again.”
“I’m not sure it was me.”
“It was,” Tatum said. “Trust us.”
Lucia nodded. She felt horribly guilty as she liste
ned to them talk about how the ‘old’ Vince was back. They were praising her for it, and here she was, lying to him about tomorrow night. Maybe she should tell him. Maybe he should know what she was doing. She watched him walk back to the tub, his hands full of toys.
He was so confident and sure of himself, so handsome and so very sweet to her. She had to tell him. Tonight. Her decision made, she decided to enjoy whatever fun they had planned.
“Is this a BDSM game?”
“Not really,” Vince said. “It’s more just a sex game.”
Lucia and Tatum got into the pool while Knox walked to a shed, returning with two inner tubes that he threw in before he climbed inside.
“Right,” Vince said. “Tatum, you get this one. Lucia, put your pretty little ass in this one.”
It took her a few minutes to get situated in the tube. When she did, Vince leaned over and kissed her.
“Arms behind your back.” She laughed when she realized he was going to handcuff her. Then, she jumped when she realized she and Tatum were going to be handcuffed together.
The other woman’s arms were threaded through her own and the handcuffs linked together, left wrist to right wrist, and right to left.
“Sir Vince.”
“Oh, I like that,” Knox said. “Maybe you need to be calling me Sir Knox.”
“Whatever you desire, Sir Knox.” Tatum giggled. She wiggled, and then interlocked her fingers with Lucia’s.
The intensity – and the uncertainty – of the situation made Lucia feel very nervous, and very excited. The men were circling them, stirring up the water so the inner tubes bounced up and down.
When Knox stopped in front of her, she bit her lip.
“Relax,” he said. Then he leaned toward her and traced her slit. From the sighs coming from behind her she knew Vince was doing the same to Tatum.
Lucia closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation. His fingers dipped inside, searching out her clit, which he found easily. He stroked it gently, then slid his finger down to her opening. When he pushed a hard plastic item inside her she shivered.
“Just a vibrator,” he said softly. “Tatum gets one, too. They’re waterproof.”
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