by Leah Brooke
King waited until she placed the collar into his outstretched hand before answering.
“When people see you with me, they might think you’re a friend or acquaintance. Hell, I could be giving you directions. When they see you with me and you’re wearing this, they know that Royce and I are fucking you, and will kick the ass of any man who tries to move on you. That collar signifies that you’re under our protection. Big difference.”
He fastened the collar around her neck, his eyes possessive. “This lets everyone know that you’re off-limits. If you get into trouble, or need anything when we’re not around, we’ll get a call.”
Brenna shivered at the feel of the cold metal against her skin, her emotions in an uproar. She wore nothing else, only the collar signifying that he and Royce owned her. Part of her wanted to rebel at his arrogance and high-handedness, while another part of her thrilled at the warm possessiveness and affection in his eyes.
She reached for the dress he wanted her to wear, stilling when he shook his head.
“I’m not done with you yet.” He moved to one of the high dressers and opened the top drawer, coming back with something that looked like little silver chains. “Throw your shoulders back.”
Obeying him, Brenna eyed the chains dubiously, her nipples already tingling in anticipation. “I thought we were going out.”
“We are going out.” Frowning in concentration, King pinched her nipple and then slipped a loop over it. “Be still.”
Trembling, she looked down, unable to tear her gaze away as he tightened the loop on her nipple just enough to make her aware of its presence, but not enough to cause any pain.
“Oh, God. King, please don’t tell me you expect me to wear these while we’re out.”
“Okay.”
Once he’d finished, he dropped the chain, the weight of it tugging her nipple, and moved to the other. Once he’d finished, he met her eyes, smiling faintly. “I won’t tell you. I’ll let you figure it out on your own. Stick those nipples out at me. If you don’t, and I attach them while you’re slouched, you won’t be able to stand up straight without them pulling. Either way is fine with me, but this’ll be the last time you’re ever warned.”
Alarmed, Brenna thrust her breasts out as far as she could. Shuddering as he attached the chains to her collar, she locked her knees against the overwhelming need that never strayed far from the surface.
“King, when I agreed to this, I didn’t think I would be submitting to you outside of sex. You and Royce want me to be like your…possession. I’m a grown woman, but I feel owned, and a little defenseless.”
King finished fastening the second chain before meeting her eyes, his eyes glittering with promise.
“One thing you’ll never be is defenseless.”
He drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. “We do own you, at least until the auction, or you use your safe word. You can work if you want. You’ll have free time, but Royce and I want to know where you’ll be at all times and with whom. We’ll tell you what to wear, bathe you if we want, and feed you if we want. You’ll have your own life, but you’ll always defer to us—that is, for the rest of the month. Turn around. Elbows on the bed, legs spread wide.”
Not trusting the steel in his voice, Brenna rushed to obey him, jumping up again when the door opened.
A hard slap landed on her ass, startling her.
King glared at her as Royce closed the door and crossed the room.
“Who the hell gave you permission to move?”
She looked at Royce for help, but he merely raised a brow, eyeing her in disapproval.
“I didn’t know it was Royce. It could have been anyone.”
Shaking his head, King sighed. “Only Royce and I will ever come in here without knocking. Sebastian will knock first, but none of that matters. I gave you an order, Brenna. If I want to parade you naked up Main Street, I will.”
Hurrying to turn around again, Brenna stopped short when Royce grabbed her arm. “Wait. I want to see.”
With a fingertip, he traced the loop over her nipple, nodding in satisfaction. “They look good on her. I just came up because Jake delivered the last piece. I didn’t know whether you wanted to put it on her or not.”
King nodded and took the box from Royce’s hand. “Absolutely. She’s having a little trouble with the idea that she’s ours all the time, not just the playroom. I was going to give her a few reminders while we were out to drive that point home. This’ll help.”
Brenna jumped when King knelt at her feet, immediately regretting it as he scowled at her again.
Holding her hip, he frowned up at her. “Why the hell are you so jumpy?”
Royce smiled, circling both King and her to stand behind her, a hard arm wrapped around her waist pulling her against him.
“She’s not used to this, poor baby. She’s probably a little overwhelmed.”
Brenna looked over her shoulder at him. “Ya think?”
Royce slapped her ass in exactly the same spot King had just minutes ago. “Behave yourself.”
“I—oh, my God!”
Brenna nearly collapsed when King sucked her clit hard, and just as suddenly released it. “What did you do? King, there’s something on there.” She reached for her clit to relieve the pressure there, trembling at how exposed it felt now, only to have King catch her hand in his before she could reach it.
Kissing her fingers, King rose to his feet, holding on to yet another of those small chains. With a smile, he gave the chain in his hand a small tug.
She cried out at the pull to her clit, and would have fallen if Royce hadn’t been holding her upright.
“What is that? What are you doing?”
King straightened the chain and attached it to the center of the collar she wore, before stepping back to admire his handiwork.
“Perfect. Now, turn around and bend over. Spread those legs.”
With a glance at Royce, and with his help, Brenna turned, her legs unsteady. Each small movement she made created an answering tug to her nipples and clit.
A hand slid over her back, one she recognized as Royce’s. She didn’t know how he realized, or even if he did how much she needed the contact with one of them at that moment.
As she watched King move to the nightstand, it hit her that the stronger the connection between them became, the more she counted on their touch, or sometimes just the sound of their voices.
She didn’t like being so dependent on anyone, no matter how good they made her feel. She didn’t like the hold they had over her, one that had begun to become about more than just sex.
King met her gaze before moving to stand behind her again. “Don’t worry. This is the same small plug you wore last night. Push your ass out, honey.”
Royce continued to rub her back. “That’s a good girl.”
Biting her lip, she sucked in a breath at the shock of a lubed finger inserted into her ass. Fisting her hands on the bedding, she took several quick breaths as King moved his finger inside her, her legs shaking so hard she didn’t know how long she would be able to stand.
Whimpering at the too-intimate invasion, she bent forward and pressed into Royce’s hand at her back, sending the chains swinging as King slipped his finger free and pressed the cold plug against her puckered opening.
“Damn, baby. You’re beautiful.”
Applying pressure, he forced the tight ring of muscle at her opening to give way, rubbing her bottom cheek when she shuddered.
“That’s a good girl. Just a little more.”
Taken. Stretched. Her most private opening invaded at whim.
It once again stole her resistance, something they seemed to understand very well. When her ass was filled this way, she just couldn’t work up the focus to resist anything they did to her.
Her entire body, alive with sensation, trembled helplessly. Her nipples, clit, pussy, and ass came alive from too much attention, or not enough, she couldn’t be sure.
Whimpering at th
e overwhelming fullness and too-sharp awareness that had her defenses crumbling all around her, Brenna cried out as King shoved the last of the plug into her, forcing the inner walls of her anus to stretch to accept it.
Feeling the base of it against her, she instinctively reached back, only to have her hand caught in Royce’s.
“No, darling. It stays in. Now let’s get you dressed for your shopping trip.”
Brenna shivered as he helped her to stand upright, each movement tugging at her nipples and clit and shifting the plug in her ass.
“I can’t go out like this. Please don’t make me go out like this.” The whimper in her voice pissed her off.
She had to lift her arms carefully for King to put her dress over her head, crying out at the tug to her nipples and clit when she did. “I can’t. I can’t walk. Damn it, I can dress myself.”
King finished dressing her and reached under her dress to pat her ass, a sharp reminder that he hadn’t permitted her to wear a bra or panties.
“You can dress yourself when Royce and I allow it, and you’re going out like this because that’s what I want.” Coming around to stand in front of her, he tilted her head back, his eyes flashing when she whimpered at the pull to her clit and nipples. “Trust me. I won’t ever do anything that I don’t think you can handle. I won’t leave your side.”
To her amazement, he pulled her close, running a hand up and down her back. “I know you’re confused. I know you don’t trust your feelings. I’m sorry that Royce and I have to give you such a crash course in this, but we only have this month. We want you to see the level of submission your new Master may expect from you. It’s not for everyone, but it’s better for you to know for sure if this is what you’re looking for or not.”
Something in his eyes tugged at her, a sorrow, almost…resignation.
She glanced at Royce to find him watching her, the same intensity and regret in his own eyes. Placing her hands flat on King’s chest, she sighed, and decided to go with the truth.
“I’m afraid. I’m afraid this is very much what I want, but I’m also afraid that I’m going to lose my temper and you won’t want me anymore. I’m afraid that the next man I give myself to won’t make me feel the way you make me feel. I’m scared that it’ll be over then. I’ll know exactly what I need, but won’t be able to find it ever again.”
She blinked back tears, swallowing the lump in her throat.
“I’m scared I’ll find exactly what I’m looking for, only to lose it forever and I’ll be emptier inside than before.” She didn’t want to tell them she spoke not only of the lifestyle, but also of them.
Her body hummed with desire, but she knew it was the feel of their hands on her skin, the looks of affection and tenderness in their eyes, and their beloved voices that made it possible for her to allow all the rest.
Royce nodded and slid a hand over her hair, his eyes bleak.
“We’re afraid of some of the same things, Brenna. We want you. Very much, but we want a woman who cares for us, not just what we can do for her.”
Didn’t they know they wouldn’t be able to make her feel this way if she didn’t care for them?
Bending, he dropped a light kiss on her lips, his eyes tender. “We all have a lot of exploring and thinking to do. Go shopping with King. I’ll see you later.”
King went to her closet and came back with a pair of her flats and a sweater. “Let’s get going. It’s going to be a busy day.”
“I need my purse.”
“No, you don’t. One of the things you’re going to have to learn is that Royce and I will provide everything you need.”
Letting him help her into her sweater, she met his eyes, wondering what he would say if he knew he and Royce had already given her everything she needed. Except love.
And a promise for the future.
Chapter Ten
Taking her hand in his, King led her across the parking lot of the club and then across the street. “Are you warm enough, honey?”
Brenna hadn’t even thought about it, too distracted by the gentle tug and release of the chains attached to her nipples and clit, and the shift of the plug in her ass with every step.
“Except when a gust of wind goes up my dress.”
To her delight, King laughed. “I know for a fact that it’s plenty warm up there.” Leaning close, he brushed his lips over her temple. “That must be quite a shock.”
Lifting her hand, he kissed her fingers again, smiling at the people who called out to him.
“Do you know what I’m going to do to you as soon as we get back to your room?” His conversational tone didn’t fool her for a minute.
Brenna shivered, smiling when he frowned and put his arm around her, pulling her against him and wrapping her in warmth. Looking up at him through her lashes, she shook her head. “I’m scared to ask.”
King slowed his steps as they started to pass another woman, one with a man on either side of her and one walking behind.
“You look wonderful, Erin. Are your husbands treating you good?”
Brenna blinked. Husbands?
The other woman paused, glaring at the man on her right, the love in her eyes plain to see. “Jared’s being an old woman. He actually took me to Doc’s for morning sickness, after the doctor already explained what to expect. He acts like I’m the first woman in the history of the world to have a baby.”
The man in question bent and brushed his lips over hers, sliding a possessive hand over her still-flat abdomen.
“You’re the first woman in the history of the world to be having my baby.”
The man on her left pulled her close. “Our baby.”
King smiled, pulling Brenna closer. “Brenna, this is Erin, Jared, Duncan, and Reese Preston. This is Brenna Nelson. She’s staying with Royce and me.”
Erin nodded, smiling and offering her hand. She glowed, her eyes twinkling with happiness under the indulgent looks from the three intimidating men surrounding her.
“We’ve heard a lot about you. It’s good to finally meet you. Don’t worry. They’ll get whoever wrote that note. Rachel’s waiting at the store for you. She has everything that you requested ready to go.”
Brenna shook the other woman’s hand, glancing at the men surrounding her, and wondering if she’d heard correctly. No woman would have three husbands. Smiling, she grinned sheepishly, her face burning at the thought of what these people would think of her if they knew what she wore, and didn’t wear, under her dress.
“I appreciate that very much, but I have to be honest. I don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about. King mentioned Rachel, but I don’t know who she is, or why we’re going to see her.”
Erin laughed and leaned back against the man standing behind her with the familiarity of a woman secure in her man’s arms. Covering the hands he placed protectively over her belly with her own, Erin cuddled closer to him.
“Rachel’s my sister. We own the lingerie store in Desire. Royce and King put in an order for you and we have it all ready. Congratulations, by the way. Most of us never thought—hey!”
Jared rubbed her arm where he’d nudged her, his gaze lingering on the collar around Brenna’s neck.
“I see she’s wearing the club’s collar. That’s good, especially until everyone meets her. We’re going to get going. Erin needs a nap.” Smiling down at his glaring wife, he chuckled. “She gets a little grouchy when she’s tired.”
After they said their good-byes and walked away, Brenna heard Erin answer, her voice raised in outrage.
“Grouchy? Wait until we get home and I’ll show you grouchy!”
After the others walked away, Brenna looked up at King. “Did you really say husbands? As in plural?”
King nodded as they turned another corner. “Yes, all three of them are Erin’s husbands. In Desire, there are several relationships like that, and hopefully more to come.”
Even finding herself in the position of falling in love with Royce and Kin
g, the logistics of marriage to more than one man staggered her.
“Do you mean, forever?”
King frowned. “Of course. She knew for a little while that she was expecting, but they didn’t tell anyone because Kelly had just announced that she was pregnant, and after all of her miscarriages, they didn’t want to steal her thunder. It wasn’t until Erin fainted on the sidewalk that they had to tell everyone.”
Shaking his head, he grinned. “Since then, I haven’t seen her without one of them with her. She’s mellowed quite a bit since she married them. They’re happy together.”
“And you say a lot of women in Desire are married to more than one man?” It boggled the mind. The thought of Royce and King both married to another woman created a cold knot of jealousy in her stomach.
Not wanting to ruin the short time she had with them, she ruthlessly pushed thoughts of them with another woman aside.
King shrugged. “Some, not a lot. The numbers are growing, though.”
“Does everyone know about me, and the note?”
“Of course. Desire’s a small town, and we’re all very close.”
King paused on the sidewalk, gesturing toward a lingerie store. “Rachel has two husbands, and she just had a baby girl. I hope little Theresa’s here.”
The woman behind the counter turned as they entered, smiling from ear to ear.
“Hi, King. You must be Brenna. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Brenna smiled, her attention captured by the man holding an adorable little baby girl. The man, almost as muscular as King, made little cooing noises at the baby, who was a vision all dressed in pink ruffles.
Releasing Brenna, King moved quickly to the baby, and dropped to his knee in front of her. “There she is. Hi, Rachel. Boone, how’s the little angel today?”
Rachel sighed. “Good Lord, don’t get him started. My daughter has both of her daddies securely tied around her little finger, which seems to suit all three of them just fine.” The laughter and love in her tone told Brenna it suited Rachel just fine as well.