Catrina noticed his biceps flex as he made tiny massage motions. His silent communication was impressive.
“I’d like you to stand,” he told the woman. “And tell us your name.”
“Susan, Sir.” She kept her eyes on the wooden floorboards, even as he offered a hand to help her up.
Warmth shimmied up Catrina’s spine as she remembered the feel of his firm grip on her arm. She didn’t normally accept help, and it had surprised her how much she’d liked it.
“I appreciate your show of respect,” he said.
Damien had not used that tone with her. He’d spoken to her as an equal, not as a man intent on seducing a woman.
“And I’d like you to look at me,” he continued.
The woman glanced up, her eyes wide and unblinking.
“I want you to be completely comfortable with everything we do here tonight.”
“Yes, Sir.”
In that same, reassuring, voice he went on, “Is there anything you’re uncomfortable with?”
“I’d like to leave on my underwear, Sir,” Susan whispered with her head turned.
He captured her chin and recaptured her gaze. “Of course you may leave on your underwear. Anything else I can do to reassure you?”
She shook her head but started to fold her arms.
“It appears there may be something else you’re reluctant to tell me.”
“Ah… I have very sensitive nipples, Sir.”
“Then I’ll treat your nipples with all due respect.”
“Thank you, Sir.” She gave a tentative smile.
“And do you have a safe word, Susan?”
“Stop.”
“So, to be clear, stop means stop.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“And a slow word?”
“Slow, Sir.”
“Got it. We’ll take a break if you use the word slow.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“You’re also aware that Halt is the house safe word.”
“Yes, Sir.”
In that instant, Catrina understood why Damien taught demos at the open house events. It was one thing to inform Doms that they needed to make their sub feel comfortable, but Damien was genius. He was repeating what Susan said, but not in parrot-fashion. He soothed and built trust not only with the way he spoke but with physical touch. It was subtle and elegant. Maybe he had been correct in thinking she could learn something from him, as much as that thought rankled.
Transfixed, she took a drink while she watched him undress Susan. He could have ordered the sub to strip. Instead, he took the opportunity to squeeze her shoulders and run his fingers over the skin he bared. “Now I’d like to remove your bra.”
Catrina gulped two quick drinks. The seduction in his tone made her wish the words were directed at her.
“Yes, Sir,” Susan said.
He turned Susan so that her back was to him.
After he’d released the clasp, he turned her once again. Her shoulders were rolled forward so that the bra remained in place.
“Thank you for your trust,” he continued, drawing the straps down her arms. “Remember you can stop or slow down at any time.” When he’d removed the lacy black brassiere and handed it to Gregorio, Damien put his hands on her and said, “You’re beautiful, Susan.”
As if a switch had been turned on, she smiled, and her cheeks flushed with colour, making her look radiant. Hesitancy had been replaced with confidence, impressing Catrina.
She couldn’t look away even if she wanted to, as he cupped Susan’s breasts and flicked his thumbs across her nipples. Her eyes closed. As he continued, she moaned and moved towards him, curling her fingers around his wrists.
Catrina clutched her glass.
Shock tightened her throat. Damien’s concentration seemed riveted on Susan. It appeared as if neither of them were aware of the dozens of people observing them.
For the first time, Catrina saw submission and dominance from an entirely different perspective. For them, nothing seemed to exist outside of one another, and Damien’s attention didn’t wander from the woman under his care.
Catrina took care of her men, meeting their needs. In return, she had at least one magnificent orgasm. Until now, that had been enough.
“Tell me what you want, Susan.”
“An orgasm, Sir.”
He smiled. “Oh, you’ll most certainly earn that.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Her knees buckled.
“Can you wait?” he asked.
“If it’s your desire, Sir.”
“You’re a very pleasing submissive. Tell me what we’re demonstrating this evening.”
“A flogging, sir.”
“I’d like to make love to you with my flogger,” Damien said.
As if she were the one standing in front of him, Catrina’s insides melted. The man had hypnotic appeal.
“Yes, Sir.”
Catrina had never looked at a man the way Susan was looking at Damien, eyes wide with trust and a reverence. What would it be like to…? With resolve, she shoved the thought away. She’d never know, and that was fine.
Damien led Susan to the hearth and placed her hands on the mantel. “Legs farther apart for me,” he said, his words like a caress.
Susan moved into position.
“I can secure you in place, if you’d like?”
“I’ll remain as I am, Sir, if that’s okay with you?”
“Perfect,” he replied.
She looked lovely, wearing only her panties. She’d been trembling earlier, but now, she was still. Though Catrina would never admit it, Damien’s power even held Catrina spellbound.
Damien had said he wanted to make love with his flogger, and that’s exactly what he seemed to do. He started with tender leather kisses, licking at the woman’s shoulders and back. He let the strands fall in gentle waves.
Catrina had never wielded a handle with such skill. She told herself it was because a man’s skin was much tougher than a woman’s, but now she questioned if she’d assumed too much.
She watched as he brought Susan’s body to life. He increased the intensity of his blows on her panty-covered buttocks. Her cries were whimpers of desire, not of distress. She appeared to surrender not only to Damien but to the flogger.
Goosebumps raised on Catrina’s arms, and her skin tingled with anticipation. And she knew one thing. She didn’t want to watch Damien please another woman.
Confused by the irrational thoughts careening through her, she gulped the last of her drink then slammed the empty glass on the tray of a passing server and headed towards the foyer.
“I’d like to be on the next shuttle to Winter Park,” she told the submissive.
“It will be about twenty minutes, Milady. Jeff’s just on his way back now.”
Catrina nodded, said thanks then found the women’s locker room. The place was empty, and she exhaled in relief. She took several minutes to smooth her hair, straighten her skirt, adjust her corset and splash cool water onto her face.
All that done, she felt more in control. She pulled back her shoulders and stepped into the hallway. Damien stood there, overwhelming the space, blocking her way.
She started to take an instinctive step back, but managed to stop herself.
Power cloaked him. For a moment she wondered what it would be like to play with him. Distressed by the idea, she shoved it aside.
“You were there,” he said. “At the demonstration.”
“I had nothing better to do.”
“What did you think?”
She shrugged. “You know what you’re doing.”
“Weren’t you curious to know what it would be like to be in her position?”
“Not at all. I can have a gorgeous man at my feet and tell him exactly what to do.”
“Is that what you want? Or do you want a man who will concentrate all his efforts on pleasing you?”
“I have that now.”
“Do you?” he countered. “Do you
r men give you the attention I gave Susan?”
“Of course.”
“You ought to be spanked for that lie.”
She shivered. With a stubborn tilt of her chin she snapped back, “How dare you?”
“You looked away before answering,” he said. “When was the last time anyone cared enough to watch your movements so intently that they knew you weren’t being honest? Aren’t you curious about what you’re missing?”
“No.”
“Another lie?”
She shook her head.
He dropped his arms and advanced toward her. This time, she retreated. “Damien…”
“You know the house safe word,” he told her. “You can use it at any time. But you aren’t going to, are you?”
Jesus. God. What the hell was happening here?
Her back was to the wall. This close, she was overwhelmed by his masculine scent and determination.
His blue eyes were as dark as a twilight sky. A tiny pulse in his jaw mesmerised her.
“Is your pussy wet, Milady?”
“From what? Being near you? Watching your little demo? Not at all.” She felt suffocated. And her pussy was wet. Damn it.
Impossibly, he took another step closer. With one hand, he captured her wrists and pinned them above her.
Her chest rose and fell as emotions tumbled through her. She shouldn’t want to interact with him. With Susan, he’d been gentle, but there was nothing soothing in the way he held her, overwhelmed her. Then again, this was what she craved.
He touched the knuckles of his free hand to her throat.
She kept her eyes wide, pretending she wasn’t affected.
His touch so gentle she hardly noticed it, Damien stroked downward, down the centre of her chest, bare skin to bare skin.
Then he traced beneath her right breast. He held her gaze, not blinking. She’d never had anyone’s attention like this, and it was heady.
Even through her outfit, her nipple hardened when he moved over it.
There wasn’t a part of her that wasn’t aware of him.
“Open your mouth.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m going to kiss you.”
She started to protest, but he dived inside her. She expected him to coax her. Instead, he consumed her.
He forced his way in, tasting of persuasion and determination. The thrusts of his tongue made her mouth water. He insinuated a thigh between her legs, and despite her resolve, she rubbed herself against his leather-clad leg.
The woman in her recognised his mental as well as physical strength. This was a man powerful enough for her to trust. He’d never push her too far, but he would demand everything, that she hold nothing back, and maybe give more than she ever had to anyone.
As impossible as it was to believe, he deepened the kiss. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. And suddenly she didn’t want to.
She felt an orgasm start to unfurl.
A Dom and sub moved past them, and Damien never allowed his attention to wander.
He kissed her until she began to shake.
As quickly as he’d started, he eased away. He adjusted their positions and hiked up her skirt. He moved a hand between her legs, and slipped beneath her thong to find her pussy.
“Your pussy is wet, Milady.”
She shook her head, and he laughed. It was a satisfied, rather than triumphant sound.
“Shall I finish you off?” he asked, pressing a thumb to her swollen clit.
“I…”
“It’s just you and me. I’ll keep your secret. No one will have to know.”
She wanted to refuse, should refuse. But she’d never known need this debilitating. Even if she found someone else or went somewhere to satisfy herself, it wouldn’t be the same. She needed him.
He continued to make maddening circles on her clit, and he had one finger teasing her entrance.
“Do it,” she instructed.
“Ask.”
Damien was making it clear he was in charge, not her. No doubt he’d give her what she wanted, but her compliance would be the cost. “Yes,” she said. “I’d like an orgasm.”
When he didn’t change the tempo, she closed her eyes. He allowed her the time and the space to wage her internal battle. Sensations assailed her, forcing her body to relax. She became a puddle of feminine need. “Please,” she whispered.
“Look at me.”
She did.
“Ask again.”
She understood. He wouldn’t let her escape or pretend she hadn’t been aware of what she was doing. “Please, Damien. Give me an orgasm.”
“My pleasure, Milady.”
He circled her clit and inserted two fingers deep inside her pussy. He finger-fucked her as he teased her clit.
Her legs shook with the force of his movements.
There was nothing sweet about this, and it was beyond hot. “Damien.” This man was watching her reactions and responding to them.
“Come for me, Catrina.”
He pressed his fingers against her G-spot.
Mindless of her surroundings, she screamed as the climax crashed into her. He helped her ride it, keeping his grip tight on her wrists, pressing her against the wall, supporting her body.
“So, so perfect,” he said.
She screamed a second time, shattered. Her body went limp, but she wasn’t worried, he was there, holding her in a firm but tender grip. She trusted him completely.
It seemed like minutes later when she blinked and looked at him.
“Welcome back,” he said.
“That was…” She held back the words, desperate to be on firm footing again.
“For me, too.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“I adore a woman who is so responsive. I appreciate you playing with me.” He moved his hand from between her legs and straightened her thong and skirt.
She pulled her wrists free from his grip. “It changes nothing.”
“Maybe not for you. It makes me want to know you more.”
“Do you always use sweet words to make all the women swoon, Damien?”
“That was a scene, and you know it. This is different.”
“Is it?”
He took her hand and placed it on his crotch. “You tell me.”
“So? You have a hard-on.”
“Were you born a cynic?”
She shook her head. “Life taught me.”
“I can teach you other things, show you a different perspective. You’ll be a better Domme for the experience.”
“You did that to prove something to me?”
“Partially.”
She wasn’t sure if she was hurt or shocked or pissed. No man had ever taken control from her, and she was desperate to get it back. “At least you’re honest.” She put up a hand to push him away.
“The truth is, I did that because I wanted to get you off, because I’m attracted to you.”
Just because he sounded sincere, didn’t mean he was.
“Give me two weeks.”
“What?”
“I’m challenging you. Spend two weeks with me, submit to me, see if the experience transforms you.”
“Not just no, but hell no.”
“What are you scared of?”
“Nothing scares me.” Another lie. Plenty scared her, and with good reason.
“Then agree to it. You’ve got nothing to lose. You’ll get new experiences, spend a few days up here, have a chance to relax in a way you never have.”
“Relax?” She nearly scoffed.
“What would it be like if you could be yourself and let go, turn over control to someone else for a while?”
“I can’t,” she said, her heart thumping. That was as honest as she’d been with anyone, ever.
He inclined his head, showing he’d heard the fear in her voice. Damn him.
“Was it scary when I brought you off?”
She shook her head.
“When I
made you ask for it?”
“No.”
A woman entered the locker room without disturbing them.
“I will earn your trust, Catrina.”
A traitorous part of her wanted to say yes. Instead, she met his gaze. His eyes were dark, probing.
He brushed a strand of hair back from her face. His skin held the faint trace of her scent.
She had to go before her resolve crumpled. “Thanks for the orgasm. My shuttle will be here soon.”
He moved aside. As she walked past, he swatted her, catching the bare flesh above her stockings and below her buttocks.
Shock stole her breath. She stopped and rounded on him. Before she could speak, Damien had her against the wall, overwhelming her with his scent, his presence.
The sting receded, leaving a tantalising warmth that stunned her and made it impossible to string coherent thoughts together. Despite herself, she grabbed his shoulders and held on tight.
He leant forward and kissed her forehead before moving lower to graze her neck.
His gentleness surprised her, demolished the last of her defences. “Be at my place in Denver tomorrow night at eight,” he whispered in her ear. “Just the two of us, Catrina.”
“You know I can’t.”
“Eight o’clock,” he repeated. “Be there.”
Coming Soon
About the Author
Born in northern England and raised in the Wild West, Sierra Cartwright pens books that are as untamed as the Rockies she calls home.
She’s an award-winning, multi-published writer who wrote her first book at age nine and hasn’t stopped since.
Sierra invites you to share the complex journey of love and desire, of surrender and commitment. Her own journey has taught her that trusting takes guts and courage, and her work is a celebration for everyone who is willing to take that risk.
Email: [email protected]
Sierra loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.
Also by Sierra Cartwright
Signed, Sealed and Delivered
Bound and Determined
Her Two Doms
Clandestine Classics: Jane Eyre
Mastered: With This Collar
Mastered: On His Terms
Mastered: Over the Line
Mastered: In His Cuffs
Naughty Nibbles: Fed Up
Naughty Nibbles: This Time
For The Sub (Mastered) Page 19