Reformat_of_Art_of_Submission_5-16-14-3

by Michelle

  Mark’s wide shoulders relaxed as he pressed the cell to his ear and she couldn’t stop wondering what kind of secrets he hid from her.

  She didn’t have the right to ask, considering her own little white lies.

  She huffed out a breath and read the damn papers. They followed the same pattern as their conversation when he’d tied her to the bed, but before he spanked her. Just reading the words had her remembering the feel of his hands on her, his crop on her, and even more, his paddle. She’d lost all sense of time and place while he bombarded her with erotic pain and lust.

  Her breath caught in her chest and a telltale trickle of moisture slipped from her body at the memory of what he did after.

  A thunk—her head hitting the back of the chair—brought Kellie back to the papers. A month of living with him just might kill her, or ruin her for any other man. He wanted at least three months, maybe more. They’d been in Corpus Christi three days, and he’d initiated sex two or three times every day. Would that be the norm while she lived with him?

  Kellie closed the folder and closed her eyes, remembering the conversations she’d overheard while working at an insurance agency a few summers ago. She’d been at a corner table eating lunch alone while six women of various ages sat at a nearby table and discussed sex like it was a lost illusion, a ruse men used to lure women into marriage. Of the six, only two disagreed that sex disappeared after the first two years.

  If that was true, why did she need to live at Mark’s house? Or, maybe, Mark was the exact opposite of their husbands—a man who demanded sex on a regular basis.

  She jumped when his warm palm cupped her cheek. “We land in about fifteen minutes. I have a car waiting to take us downtown. Since you’ll be accompanying me to several events in the next few months, I’ve made arrangements for you to be fitted with an appropriate wardrobe.”

  “I have clothes, Mark.” Did he think she was a pauper? “I can dress myself.”

  “I know, and you always look put together and lovely. But I have a few formal appearances and I want you decked out to make every other man and woman jealous.”

  “But—”

  “This is where the trust comes in, Kellie. And the obedience.”

  The hard edge in his tone put her on guard. She’d agreed, and now she had to follow his dictates. “Okay. Do I get any say in what I wear?”

  His quick “Sometimes” didn’t make her feel better. Despite the sex, she might not last a month, let alone three.

  True to his word, a car and driver waited at the terminal, whisking them into a barrage of downtown traffic. Mark pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard, pushing into her mouth with his busy tongue, and the possibility of him taking her in the car with the driver listening made her quiver. With another possessive lick, Mark set her on the seat next to him. “Our last stop will be special. I commissioned a piece of jewelry for you and it should be ready by the end of the day.”

  Kellie put her hands on his chest and pressed him away, craving space while he invaded too many facets of her life. “I don’t want you to spend money on me. I don’t like to owe—I mean, I don’t want to be indebted to you when this is over.”

  “I can afford to spoil you, Kellie. I’m going to enjoy it, actually. And I’m hoping by the end of the contract’s term, you’ll decide to stay with me permanently.”

  “We agreed on three months.”

  Mark’s grin flashed. “I’ll convince you to stay longer.”

  She didn’t see it happening. This adventure had turned upside down in less time than it took to bake a cake, but it didn’t mean she had to eat that cake every day. He would demand she do just that every day they were together. From what she already knew of his personality, Mark would demand just that.

  “Mark, this isn’t going to work.”

  Wrong words, wrong time.

  His darkening face said more than words.

  “Please understand,” she said. “I’m overwhelmed. I don’t know what to do or say to make you understand. My life isn’t like this.”

  “It is now.” A firm hand landed on her thigh and squeezed. “Your life is with me, so get used to the way I live. Make it yours.”

  “Mark, I—”

  “No arguments. From the minute you sign the contract, you are mine to take care of as I see fit.”

  Before she could tear the damn papers in half, he leaned in close, his chest pressed against her shoulder, his lips to her ear. The harsh, demanding tone was gone, replaced by raw silk.

  “Give yourself to me freely and I’ll shower you with attention and all the beautiful things you deserve. Let me cherish you beyond your imagination, Kellie.”

  Unable to resist the sensual spell he wrapped around her, Kellie let go of her worry and made a mental note to deal with the emotional fallout when it came to fruition. The pleasure he offered would balance out the pain at the end. Or so she hoped.

  At her deep sigh, Mark nibbled at her ear. “Good girl.”

  The car came to a stop and Mark took her hand while a doorman opened the carved wood door of an exclusive-looking shop. Warning bells rang in her head. These clothes would cost more than her car, maybe twice that. Her feet stopped and she half turned to him. “Mark, I can’t do this.”

  The look he gave her brooked no denial, shouting a clear message of dominance and obedience. She wanted to argue but they were interrupted.

  “Mark, darling, so glad you could stop in today. I’ve been going through my stock for the things you described, and a few others your sub might like.” The woman coming toward them was tall and slim, with a welcoming expression and eyes that already roamed Kellie’s body. Dark hair fell to her shoulders and flipped up in a slight curl. Impeccably dressed, she could easily pass for a fashion model.

  “Kellie, this is Elizabeth Barnett.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Kellie said, offering her hand. Elizabeth took it and tugged her away from Mark, positioning her in the middle of the room and producing a tape measure from her pocket.

  “You do have an eye for beauty, Mark. She’s perfect. A lovely size six, I think. Not too skinny, well-shaped. Come dear, let’s get you into the fitting room and naked.”

  Kellie turned to Mark only to see him grin. Elizabeth’s one-woman conversation continued as she headed back down the hall. Mark raised his brow and nodded in that direction. When she still hesitated, Mark leaned close. “Think of it as an adventure.”

  Then he nudged her down the hall and followed.

  The short passageway emptied into a large open space with racks full of clothing on every wall but one. In the center of the room, a low platform waited for a victim and a plush sofa sat to one side. Mark gave her a quick kiss and settled on the sofa. “Strip and step up, Kellie.”

  She wanted to argue, but the English language deserted her.

  Mark accepted a cup of coffee from Elizabeth’s assistant and turned back to her with a frown. “Now, Kellie. Everything off.”

  With that tone of voice invading her head, she complied. Shameful, but true. The man made control an art form.

  When her skirt hit the floor, Elizabeth turned to Mark with a broad smile. “Master Mark, I’m honored. My little shop was your first stop?”

  “I’ve always appreciated your sense of style and the way you take care of your clients, Liz,” he replied, sipping his coffee. “Steve and Derek always speak highly of you.”

  Kellie looked from one to the other. “I don’t understand.”

  Mark shook his head. “I’ll explain it later, little one.”

  The shopkeeper moved a rolling rack of dresses next to Kellie’s little island of nudity and pulled a dress off the hanger.

  “Arms up, dear.”

  Kellie complied, thankful the woman would show her how to put the dress on. Not much fabric to give her an idea of what went where. Without the hanger, a morass of fabric strips, all royal blue, connected to two rectangular pieces. Elizabeth dropped the thing over Kellie’s head and rearrang
ed the fabric until most, but not all, of her private parts were covered. Her eyes turned to Mark. “I can’t wear this in public.”

  Eyes smoldering over the top of his cup, he said, “Maybe not, but I’ll enjoy it at home.” A quick nod to Elizabeth and she was naked again, the dress now hanging on a new bar, empty but for the skimpy collection of blue fabric.

  They were in the shop for an hour, and Kellie realized how Malibu Barbie might feel when she was left lying naked in the toy box with a pile of designer dresses next to her. She’d tried on formal gowns, cocktail dresses in various degrees of modesty—mostly immodest—and a few pieces of lingerie that left very little to the imagination. When Mark had seen enough, he had Elizabeth dress her in a dove gray demi bra and a matching dress that clung to every curve and fell barely to her knees.

  She’d begged for panties but her request was denied.

  They left the shop and went straight to the next, Mark checking his watch as the driver moved through traffic. Ten minutes later, the driver stopped in front of another building off the beaten path. The sign in the yard proclaimed it a day spa.

  “No.”

  Mark’s expression didn’t move. “I hoped you would indulge me in this. I prefer to taste all of you and hair is distracting.”

  “So you want me to shave my head?”

  “You know what I want, Kellie, and it has nothing to do with all this beautiful golden hair.” His hand lifted a lock and let it slide through his fingers. “Do this for me.”

  “It hurts. You know that, don’t you?”

  He nodded. “But the pleasure afterward will be more intense. Trust me, and follow my wishes.”

  Pulling her attention from his expression, she stared at the building. Once, a year or so ago, Susan had convinced her to get a bikini wax. They’d gone to a full service nail salon and played matching screams. This place looked a little higher end, and the patrons leaving weren’t limping when they left the building.

  She reached for the door and the driver opened it before she did.

  “Should I come in and observe?” Mark’s eyes crinkled at the corners, the dark brown irises sparkling with mischief, and the urge to throw something—anything—in his face flitted in and quickly out of her head. With nothing at hand, she turned her back to him and while the car door was still open, she flipped her skirt up enough to flash him and then strode up the walk.

  Mark’s hearty laugh followed her into the salon.

  To her utter surprise, the driver followed her inside. Maybe Mark considered her a flight risk. Or maybe the guy had a gorilla back and time to kill. Kellie ignored him and looked around.

  The place was nothing like the shop where her privates were ripped off the last time. Soft lighting and soft music defined the salon along with the light blue walls and deep chairs scattered throughout the reception area. A curved counter enticed patrons to take a menu of services and peruse the offerings. Mark’s driver stepped around her and went straight to the desk.

  “We have an appointment.”

  Kellie twitched at the warm bass voice, his words flowing like silk. Like Mark’s when in seduction mode. He must be more than an employee, probably a friend or member of the club.

  “Of course, Mr. Lyons. We haven’t seen you in a while.”

  Definitely not an employee. The receptionist treated him like a favorite client, offering him a beverage while he waited and gesturing for Kellie to follow her down the hall. Her arm in the grip of the receptionist, Kellie cast a quick glance back and saw him smile like he’d seen her naked.

  Oh, God.

  Would Mark want to share her?

  Something else for her to think about while a lady in a white coat ripped the hair out from between her legs.

  Once behind the red door, the spa became even more luxurious. Thick carpets underfoot, dark chocolate walls, and the soothing sounds of a waterfall welcomed her. The receptionist continued to tug on her arm, but it didn’t irritate as much.

  “Miss, we have a schedule and you’re being added only because Master Mark requested it. Please hurry. Emma will be with you in a few minutes.”

  She led Kellie into a small room with a padded table. “Pease remove your clothes and lay on the bed.” The woman handed her a folded sheet and walked out, closing her in. Since all she wore was the flimsy dress and a miniscule bra, it didn’t take her long to get naked and under the sheet.

  It took only minutes for Kellie to understand the difference between a full service salon and a nail salon that dabbled in waxing. The technician was kind and careful, explaining every step of the process and minimizing her pain with an anesthetizing gel before beginning the procedure. By the time she was asked to roll to her stomach and pull her knees under her body, she was only mildly surprised instead of horrified.

  ***

  Once Kellie entered the salon, Mark got out and leaned against the Lincoln Derek used while in Austin. He had a few calls to make and he felt conspicuously pretentious in the back seat by himself. He checked with the jeweler and with Mildred, who assured him the dust had settled. When Derek sauntered out the door of the salon, he grinned.

  The old man was at the top of his game, despite his claim of celibacy. Women drooled after him but for the last year, he’d sworn off scene play and anything else involving women. Mark couldn’t get a good answer out of him about why he took the sabbatical, but didn’t expect it to last forever. In their business, temptations abounded.

  “What do you think of her?”

  Derek smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. “Never thought I’d see you chasing an innocent girl.”

  ”She’s not—” Mark stood and kicked the toe of his boot on the tire. “Okay, so she’s a little young and new to the lifestyle, but she’s a fast learner.”

  “With you as her trainer, of course she is. But you’re walking a thin line between dominance and coercion.”

  “Fuck you. She came to me, not the other way around, and she’s doing some kind of research on human sexuality.” Mark didn’t like the way Derek’s brows moved higher on his forehead with every word. “I haven’t coerced her. I wouldn’t, and you know it.”

  “She means something to you.”

  Mark growled another curse. “Hell if I know why, but, yeah.”

  Derek’s slow smile ended in a one syllable laugh. “So, what are you going to do with her?”

  “Collar and keep her as long as I can.”

  “Damn.”

  They stood in silence for a few minutes until Mark changed the subject. “How’s the renovation going on the new club?”

  “Good. The former country club wasn’t as large as the one we started with in Dallas County, so we won’t have as many options with this property. No pool, for one, and more demo than we originally planned. You see the budget item for electrical?”

  “Yes, but I wasn’t surprised. We knew there’d be snags with such an old property.”

  “True,” Derek said, “but I’d hoped to put that money somewhere else. Anyway, while demolition is moving through the downstairs area, I have crews working on adding bungalows across the back lawn.”

  “Think we’ll meet the opening day schedule?” Mark adjusted the watch on his wrist, then looked up when he heard Derek’s chuckle. “What?”

  “She’s going to wrap you up and tie you down, buddy. Get some control.”

  Mark shot him a look that said more than back off and looked at his watch again. “How long did they say this would take? We have dinner reservations at six.”

  “Twenty or thirty minutes, tops. She’ll be finished soon.”

  “You’re having dinner with us,” Mark told him. “I want to insinuate that I might want to share, see how she responds.”

  Derek tilted his head and gave him a once over. “Don’t think it’ll happen.”

  “You think she’ll balk?”

  “No,” Derek replied, “I think you will.”

  “I don’t mean right away. Maybe after a few months, it’d
be fun to watch her with you. Nothing public, just the three of us in one of the private rooms.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “I’ll be back with her in a few minutes. Or did you want to wait inside with me?”

  Mark heard another chuckle behind him but didn’t respond. He and Derek were business partners and best friends. He could take a little razzing, knowing he’d get the man back eventually.

  Mark paced around the reception area for a few minutes before settling in a chair. Five minutes later, Kellie came out looking like she’d just avoided a root canal and wasn’t sure what to do next. Mark met her halfway to the door, kissed her cheek, and led her to the car. “One more stop before dinner,” he told her as she slid into the back seat.

  “I thought we were going back to Dallas.”

  One brow rose. “Questioning your master?”

  “Not intentionally.”

  “Wise of you.” He slid in next to her and buckled her seatbelt. Mark met her eyes and leaned close. “I’m going to enjoy this.” Then he tucked the edge of her skirt up and over the belt, exposing the smooth skin of her pubic region and the thin strip of hair the technician left covering her mound. “Beautiful.”

  He stroked down the little runway of crisp curls and let his fingers drop onto the soft bare skin below. “Thank you for the gift of your body for my pleasure,” he whispered against her cheek. Kellie’s head tipped back until it rested on the seat behind her, giving him full access to her slim throat. He nibbled the delicate skin while his fingers explored and she whimpered.

  “I know, little one, and I’ll give you what you need when we get back to the plane. For now, you’ll have to be patient with me while I play with my new toy.”

  Mark pressed a soft kiss to her parted lips and continued to move his fingers in the slick folds of her sex. Slow and steady, he added another finger. He wanted her on edge, begging for more while he withheld the climax. He wanted her so in tune to his voice and his desire that he could tell her to come and her body would respond without conscious thought.