“You must’ve been able to find some beauty over there through all the mess.”
“Yeah, the women were beautiful; their dark eyes drew you in. It was like they put you in some exotic trance or something. Most of the time they were covered up, so you couldn’t see what their bodies looked like, but, God, I could only imagine what kind of body would be attached to such gorgeous eyes. They were cautious of American men, though. So, you know, it wasn’t easy to get to know them. The people were all right. It’s a hard situation for everyone.”
“I see.” Tony tilted his empty glass at Adam’s. “Ready for another?”
“Sure, why not?”
“Why not what?” Lily said as she walked out onto the veranda. She was carrying a tray with a glass globe pitcher filled with a dark red liquid. She stopped short of Tony and Adam. “What?”
“Let me help you with that.” Adam stood and took the tray. “Where do you want it?”
“On that little table would be fine, thank you.”
When Adam placed the tray on the painted table, Lily stared at him. Her blue eyes softened in the light-cast shadows
Adam sat back down, trying not to openly study at her supple body as she stood looking between him and Tony. She wrung her hands together, finally settling on putting them behind her back.
“I made some sangria,” Lily said. “Let me get you some.” She looked down at the tumblers the guys were holding.
Tony took a sip while Adam swirled the amber liquid against the sides of his glass to let Lily see the men were drinking Scotch.
“Oh, Tony, that stuff tastes awful. Adam, try some of this.” She turned to the table and poured two glasses of sangria. “This tastes so much better than that stale old stuff.”
Adam set the tumbler of Scotch on the floor beside the chair and took the sweet wine from Lily. The slight tremble in her fingertips made him want to pull her down onto his lap and whisper to her that everything would be okay. Instead, he skimmed his fingertip over her knuckles as he took the glass from her hand. She tipped her chin up and tilted her lips into the slightest smile. The sight was a beacon in his darkness. She smiled for him.
Before he could say anything, she scurried over to Tony. With a pat on his leg, she sat down on his lap and snuggled close to his chest. Adam took a drink, all the while wondering what it would be like to be Tony, to have the privilege of friends-with-benefits with such a sexy creature. He wondered what kind of benefits they toyed with. Had Tony made those marks on Lily’s back? Had she begged him to make them? Was there something else going on? In no way did Lily act like an abused girlfriend or someone doing anything against her will.
He stuffed the thought into the back of his mind and focused on the way she swayed her legs as she relaxed, drinking her wine. Every few swings, her long skirt skimmed up, and he caught a glimpse of her creamy pale calf.
“This is really good,” Adam said, trying to distract his thoughts.
Lily fidgeted on Tony’s lap until he placed his hand on her lower back, instantly settling her body. How does he do that?
Adam watched Lily askance as she sipped the dark elixir. He was amazed as he studied her. She giggled, slowly whisking her legs back and forth. He wondered how she could fit the persona of a little girl in such a womanly body. He shifted in his chair, realizing how very badly he yearned for her to be curled up on his lap. The loose sweater she was wearing hung off one smooth shoulder. The billowy white knit teased him when she leaned over. He was appalled to find himself stretching to see what was hiding underneath. Was he a fucking teenager? Goddamn, he sure was acting like one.
TONY LEFT LILY and Adam on the porch to walk around the lawn, lighting the garden torches. He looked back. Adam and Lily were enveloped in the soft glow of the citronella candles. They sat in the chairs, barely speaking. Adam’s lips moved, and Lily politely nodded from time to time. The slight trembles coursing through her body while she’d sat on his lap had told him how nervous she was.
He knew his poppet longed to touch Adam and have him give her the pleasure she craved. The timing was going to be crucial. She wouldn’t welcome him readily unless she was encouraged to do so. Lily had become so accustomed to the feeling of not having a man’s touch without the accompaniment of pain; he feared she wouldn’t be able to find the sensual side of a man again. Or a healthy relationship, for that matter.
Tony knew it was time for her to flee her self-imposed prison and taste the pleasure of everything passionate. He loved her enough to show her that, and besides, if he planned on ever letting her go, he had to prepare her. Seeing as Lily was obviously taken by her new tenant, Tony concluded he would have to test this man to find out if he was going to be the right one to leave her with.
He couldn’t recall her ever feeling like this when he’d brought other men to the house. She’d always make an excuse to leave the room when Tony encouraged her to talk to the man he’d invited over. One look at Lily and the men were begging to be in her company, but she’d suddenly become exhausted and need to go to bed or find a reason to suddenly run an errand. Tony eventually stopped trying and found Renee. Lily had been excited to meet Renee, and Renee had been more than willing to take part in Lily’s lifestyle. Once he explained his obligation to Lily, Renee was eager to participate. The match was perfect. For them.
Tony watched Adam’s sinewy form walk across the lawn. Tony, who was still puffing away on the cigar, motioned for Adam to follow him. “I want to show you something,” Tony said. “Come here.”
“What about Lily?” Adam pointed to the veranda where Lily was curled up, sitting on one of the chairs, sipping a glass of sangria.
“She’ll be fine. Come on.” Adam followed Tony down the garden path until they reached the outside bathtub. Tony slid his hand along the worn enamel lip. “This is Lily’s tub. Your brother got it for her.”
“Yeah? Don’t you think it’s pretty odd to have a bathtub in the middle of a flower garden?”
Tony smiled as Adam slurred his words. The combination of Scotch and sangria was beginning to kick in. “She likes to take a bath out here.” He studied Adam’s expression.
“God, I could imagine she’d look fucking hot doing it.” Adam stopped short. “Oh, man. I’m sorry if I…I mean, well. I know you two are…friends.”
“No problem, man. So, you think you’d like to see her in here?”
“Truth be told, Tony, I have.” Adam slipped his hand over his face as he reclaimed the erotic image. “I overheard someone down here and found her in it, talking to you on the phone.”
“And…” Tony coaxed.
“Well, that’s it.”
“That can’t be it. I remember what she was doing. Did you stay to watch her?”
“No.” Adam acted offended that Tony would even suggest such a thing.
Tony knew there wasn’t a man on earth who could’ve turned down watching those naked curves and full breasts. Just thinking about what the scene must have looked like made his cock twitch. He knew how stunning Lily was naked, and he knew all too well how great her creamy white skin looked in a tub of water.
“I… Well…” Adam looked around like someone might be spying on them. “I walked away.”
“You could resist watching her masturbate?” Tony asked, knowing there was no way in hell Adam could’ve walked away from a sight like that.
“I didn’t want to embarrass her,” Adam said.
Tony gave Adam a knowing half smile. “Really? Tell me, when was the last time you were with a woman?”
“It’s been a while, around three months. So I’m crazy horny. Goddammit, okay, I stayed. No man could have resisted that. She was working so hard, and her voice sounded…so… Well, it made me want to come right there.”
Tony laughed. “So, did you?”
“Fucking yes, man! I did.” Adam hesitated, then started to laugh too.
“Did she ever see you?”
“No, I left after she came. I don’t think she ever knew I wa
s here. Please don’t tell her. I don’t want to scare her. She’d surely send my ass packing if she thought I was some kind of stalker running around her property.”
“Your secret’s safe with me,” Tony assured him as he gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. “Tell me something. When was the last time you were tested?”
“Tested?”
“Yeah, tested.”
Realization bloomed on Adam’s face. “Oh, you mean tested. I had a checkup and blood work before I left on my last assignment. It was several months ago. I haven’t been with anyone since.”
“Perfect.”
Adam took a deep breath. “Can I ask you a question?” Tony sat on the edge of the tub and watched as Adam paced on the foliage. “How did Lily get those marks on her back? I mean, did someone beat her?”
Tony had to be delicate not to alarm Adam and not to betray his poppet at the same time. “She has a delicate taste for the sensual arts.”
Adam stopped pacing.
“She has certain desires that lead her to obtain those marks. When did you see them?”
“The other day she seemed upset when I noticed them. What do you mean ‘delicate taste’? I’m not naive; I have been to a sex club before. There was some scene play, but no one got hurt. It was mostly acting.”
Tony took that as a sign of encouragement. At least he knew Adam had been exposed to the lifestyle. Only problem was, this was no scene acted out by amateurs. This was real life. Real submission and dominance. This was not a club where the flogger was some plastic play toy. There were no tickling feathers and handcuffs. Real submission couldn’t be taught. Real submission was broken into a sub or born into the character. Real subs knew to keep their eyes to the floor without being told.
Tony could sense other doms as easily as he could command a willing sub. Adam carried the qualities, maybe unknowingly, but with a few guiding tips he could be a strong leader. He was sincere, honest, relentless, and above all other things, he adored Lily.
“Soon enough, Adam.” Tony rose and again patted Adam on the shoulder. “Soon enough you’ll see. If you so choose.”
“If I choose?”
“Yes. I believe my poppet is rather fond of you, and if you’d be willing to explore the situation, I’d be more than happy to help out.” Tony held his breath. Would Adam be willing to at least see what Lily needed?
Adam contemplated the offer. “Explore Lily, you mean?”
“Yes, my good man.” Tony tried to make light of the delicate subject. “Explore Lily.” Tony took a long puff from the expensive cigar. “And there is much to discover if you’re willing.”
“Does Lily know about this?”
“She’s been waiting, Adam. Now, do you wish to play the game?”
“Did my brother? Play the game, I mean.”
“He wasn’t able to.” Tony turned away from Adam. If he didn’t know about Nicholas’s preference, it wasn’t his place to tell Adam about it. “He had other needs.”
“And what makes you think I’m right for her?”
“I don’t know if you are.” Tony flicked the white ashes from the end of the cigar before turning back to him. “That’s what we’re going to find out. What do you want most, Adam? To control another human being for your own pleasure? What did you learn in those clubs by watching a pretend scene where the end result was a random guy coming all over some woman’s face? Tell me, Adam, is that what you want, or would you rather have the real thing, the truth?”
“I want her. Since the first letter Nick sent describing the woman in his life, all I could think about was what her voice would sound like. Did her skin smell like flowers? You ask me what I want the most. Her, Tony. I only want her.” Adam’s answer exploded from him before Tony had the chance to take another puff from the cigar.
Tony blew the gray smoke from between his lips. “Then take her, my friend.”
Chapter Six
Adam and Tony walked up onto the porch. Adam leaned against the pillar, watching Lily as she adjusted in the wicker chair. Somehow she looked so small curled up with her legs tucked under her ass. He could still make out the round slope of her hip under the oversized sweater and skirt. He wanted to reach out and grip the generous curve, to pull her waist close and rub the front of his jeans against her.
“Find anything interesting?” Lily asked. “Where did you guys go?”
“I showed Adam your bathtub,” Tony said.
She was obviously annoyed by the notion. “Why did you do that?”
“Because, poppet, I wanted him to see how you spend some of your afternoons.”
Adam quickly looked back and forth between Lily and Tony. Shit, she looked pissed.
“He doesn’t care how I spend my time, Tony. Besides, you know that’s a private place for me.”
“I…um, I…” Adam stuttered to find the right words. “I promise not to bother you there.”
She glared at Tony. “Thank you, Adam. That was a gift from Nicholas, and I cherish it.”
“Adam has agreed to stay for a little while longer tonight,” Tony said directly to Lily, almost seeming to forget Adam was standing right beside him. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind,” she said and rested her hands behind her back. Adam liked the soft blush coloring her cheeks.
“Good. Now let’s get you some rope.”
Adam registered the details in a flash. The marks, the rope, the way Lily followed Tony. He might have been a little drunk from the Scotch and wine, but he wasn’t a fucking idiot. He had no idea what was about to happen. He wasn’t naive either. The thought of watching S&M live with Lily as the main attraction made his dick hard.
“Tony, no. Please not now.” She wrung her hands together as tears swam in the ocean of her beautiful blue eyes.
“It’s okay, Lily,” Adam tried to assure her in a soft voice. “I want to watch you.”
“No, Adam, you don’t.” The tears fell. “You think you do, but you don’t. Please, Tony.”
“Poppet.” Tony cradled her against his firm chest, wiping her moist cheeks. “Don’t worry. Adam won’t run away.” He kept his focus on Lily’s face. “Will you, Adam?”
Adam cleared his throat. “No, Lily. I won’t run away. I promise.” Was she panicking inside as much as he was? He wasn’t sure what to expect. One thing he knew for sure was that whatever happened, he wouldn’t abandon her.
Tony left them standing alone while he went inside the house. Adam watched as her eyes focused on everything but him. He, however, couldn’t care less about what was around him. He only wanted to stare at her as she fidgeted with the cuffs of her oversize sweater. She looked so scared and so beautiful at the same time. Soon, Tony was back on the porch with a long rope dangling from his fist.
TONY MOTIONED FOR Lily to come over. “Poppet, come here.”
Lily startled at the sound of his voice. She walked to him, knowing if she hesitated he’d be disappointed, and the last thing she wanted to do was let him down. He was still her trainer after all. She looked back to find Adam standing behind her. Tony pulled her sweater over her head and tossed it onto the chair.
Lily quickly palmed her breasts with her trembling hands. She remained silent and still for him. He pulled on her long skirt, forcing it to her bare feet. She waited for Adam to gasp, for his appalled expression, but they never came.
Tony took her hand as she stepped out of the crumpled fabric and walked her over to one of the large white pillars lining the veranda. Quickly, he secured her to the post with her belly rubbing against the smooth wood. Her wrists were bound on the other side facing the lawn, while her feet were separately secured to the railing below.
Surely, Adam was disgusted. She would watch him walk back across the lawn anytime. Nicholas did the first time he saw her splayed like this. Nicholas had scolded Tony until Lily assured him she was comfortable. Only she hadn’t been tied to this pillar; Tony had fixed her to one of the large clothesline poles on the side lawn. Eventually
, Nicholas took to the idea and had enjoyed the display as he sat on the blanket, stroking Tony’s cock.
Not even that erotic image could bring her comfort. She hadn’t wanted to please Nicholas like she did Adam. This was different, and she couldn’t figure out why.
She flinched when she felt a warm finger trace down her back. The firm fingertip traced the line of one mark. She leaned her head against the pillar, steady. Another pass, slow and gentle, forcing the wetness to build deep in her sex. This time the caress explored the line on her upper shoulder. Was Tony showing Adam her marks? Why?
She looked over to the side. Tony was sitting in the chair, reclined and enjoying another glass of Scotch. He smiled at her before taking a drink. Lily’s felt as if her knees were going to give out when she realized it was Adam’s exploring touch caressing her. The fluids rushed from her pulsing core down her thigh. Oh God, please don’t let him notice.
“Can I keep touching her?”
“Adam, you can do whatever you want with her.”
Lily’s breath hitched. What would he do? Would he push inside her when she wasn’t ready? Would he kiss her neck? Oh God, would he touch her backside? No matter which he chose, she was resigned to his mercy. Tony was there, and he wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her.
The heat from Adam’s body radiated through her backside. She could feel him move closer. She imagined his face, expression stern as he methodically studied her tortured flesh. He placed the fullness of his palm onto the left globe of her ass. Lily pressed into the pillar, trying to escape his probing hand. He didn’t seem fazed as he continued. The warm massage of his hand magically made her legs ease apart. God, why can’t I control my own body?
Then the unthinkable happened. His firm lips barely traced the line of one of the fresh marks. She pushed her hips to reach for the touch again. He knelt. She felt his sweltering breath on her backside. Again, the gentle graze of his lips on yet another tender welt. She melted against the pillar, gripping the unforgiving wood.
Gilded Lily Page 10