Shadow Haven

by AJ Schippers

  “Sleeping?”

  “Get your ass over here.”

  Julia moved over to Alexandra and snuggled in close to her. “Thank you,” she whispered softly when Alexandra’s hand stroked her back.

  “You’re quite something, dear.” Alexandra sighed as her eyes closed. “I have a new rule for you.”

  “Okay?”

  “It’s not so much a rule as it is an order that I expect you to follow,” Alexandra casually said.

  “Are you mad at me?”

  “No, silly,” Alexandra smiled. “Ready?”

  Julia nodded against her as her eyes closed.

  “You are not allowed to wake me up again tonight unless it’s for an emergency or unless you’re scared, understood?”

  “What if there’s a fire?”

  “That would fall in the emergency category, smart-ass.”

  “What if I want to kiss you?”

  “I will deny you for a week.”

  Julia pouted. “What if I go home in two days?”

  The smile on Alexandra’s face immediately faltered as she tensed up. “Are you?”

  “No, just saying.”

  “Don’t make jokes about that, please. Sleep now.” She smiled when Julia gave her a shy kiss on the cheek, then ducked her head down again. Holding Julia in her arms was one of her favorite things. No matter how much she loved to play, nothing could beat the joy she got from holding on to another person.

  “Julia?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I don’t want you to go home,” Alexandra said, letting the hint of vulnerability in her voice show.

  “Me neither.”

  “I’m asking you to stay,” Alexandra said quietly. “You said I was guarded. This is me trying to open up to you. I want you to stay.”

  Julia’s eyes welled up with tears. “You couldn’t get me to leave if you forced me to.”

  Alexandra smiled as she pulled Julia closer and kissed the top of her head. “Good. Now sleep. You can bring me breakfast in the morning, but if you wake me up before ten o’clock, I will tie you up and spank you senseless.”

  “I thought you didn’t do physical punishments?”

  “This is true. No spanking, then. You’re not ready for that anyway. But I am sure I can think of other punishments that don’t involve physical touches.”

  “Breakfast in bed after ten it is, then.”

  Chapter 12

  “Morning,” Nicky said as Julia came bouncing into the kitchen. She smiled when Julia stopped short and openly stared at her. “Forgot I was here, huh?”

  “Yeah, for a moment. Sorry,” Julia gave her best apologetic smile and opened the fridge. “I’m still getting used to this.”

  “No problem at all. I can understand that it must seem strange, or feel like an invasion of your private space.”

  Julia smiled. “I suppose in a way, yes.”

  “I made coffee,” said Nicky. “There should be plenty for you and Alexandra. I’m sure she’ll want some. I’m gonna wake up Ella and get her ready for the day.”

  “Thanks,” Julia said as she eyed the chocolate in the cupboard. Morning or not, she definitely had earned some pieces, and she wanted them right then and there. She turned around when Nicky moved to leave. Her hand burrowed into her hair as she mustered up her courage. “Hey, Nicky?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I know you don’t really know me and stuff, but do you think that when Alexandra shows you that rope stuff I could watch?”

  “Of course! Ella and I would love it. To be honest, we kind of like to show off. Have you ever done that before?”

  “Done what?”

  “Watch people play? In a BDSM sense, I mean?”

  Julia looked at her hands. “No, not yet.”

  “Well, you are more than welcome to come watch us. Alexandra obviously trusts you, and therefore we trust you as well.” Nicky gave her a small wave. “See ya in a bit.”

  “Yeah, see you soon,” Julia said and returned to contemplating making breakfast. It was another ten minutes before she pushed Alexandra’s bedroom door open with her foot, balancing the tray in her arms. She sat down on the edge of the bed and put it down as she pondered her next move. Alexandra was still fast asleep, and she was unsure of the best way to wake her up. Prodding her didn’t seem like a good idea, so she opted for the next best thing instead.

  “Alexandra, wake up. I made you breakfast. The birds are all up and singing, and it’s a lovely day. Not to mention it’s after ten, so, you know, time to wake up,” she said in a cheerful, singsong voice. She smiled when Alexandra rubbed her eyes and stretched her arms over her head.

  “Why do you sound so happy?”

  “Just because you suffer from inconsiderate bitch syndrome in the morning doesn’t mean we all do,” Julia teased.

  “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just call me an inconsiderate bitch, because honestly, if you think that’s an appropriate way to wake me up…”

  Julia’s cheeks went hot. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “You’d better not have,” Alexandra said sternly before smiling as she sat up straight in bed. “You brought me breakfast?”

  “Yeah. I didn’t know what you wanted, though, and I didn’t want to set your kitchen on fire—”

  “What in the world is that?” Alexandra grimaced when she looked at the tray.

  “Breakfast!”

  Alexandra groaned. “Julia, milk and cereal is not breakfast… I like the coffee, though.”

  “There’s something else there too.” Julia grinned as she pointed to the roughly folded wrapper.

  “What is that chocolate bar doing here?”

  “Well, I deserve many rewards, so I thought I’d be helpful and bring it with me.”

  “You want your reward now? Chocolate? In the morning?” Alexandra sounded absolutely horrified.

  “Yep.”

  “Put the tray on the table, please.” Alexandra turned the chocolate bar over in her hands. She patted the bed when Julia had done as she asked. “On your knees.”

  “What?”

  “Get on your knees.”

  “W-why?” Julia stammered, unable to look Alexandra in the eye.

  “You know what to say if you don’t want to do it. But if it’s just a moment of shyness, then I’d like you to reconsider what I’m asking of you.”

  Julia took a deep breath before getting into position.

  “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” said Alexandra.

  “I guess not.”

  Breaking off a small piece of chocolate, Alexandra held it in between her fingers. “Why do you deserve this?”

  “Oh man…you’re gonna make me say it again?” Julia straightened her back at Alexandra’s glare. “Because I asked you for permission.”

  “Permission for what?” Alexandra grinned.

  It was obvious Alexandra liked playing these games. Well, fine. Julia could play as well. “Permission to touch myself,” Julia said as she kept her gaze focused on the wall behind Alexandra.

  “Open your mouth,” Alexandra said as her tongue darted over her lower lip. Julia gulped when Alexandra placed the chocolate on her tongue. “Don’t swallow yet, and don’t close your mouth. What else did you do that deserves you another piece of this?” Alexandra asked as she waved the bar in front of Julia’s face.

  How the hell was she supposed to answer that?

  “I said you couldn’t close your mouth. I never said you couldn’t speak.”

  Julia huffed, mentally cursing Alexandra when she could feel the chocolate melt in her mouth. The last thing she wanted to do was to start drooling chocolate all over her chin. “I asked…Nicky…if I can…watch,” Julia said to the best of her abilities.

  “Excellent. I’m very proud of you. That must have taken a lot of courage.” She smirked as Julia struggled to keep her mouth open. “Are you going to drool? It must be so hard to have all that saliva in your mouth and not have been given permission to e
ven swallow. Do you want another piece?”

  Julia’s eyes grew wide.

  “Are you sure?”

  Julia nodded.

  Alexandra grinned. “Very well, you may swallow, then.”

  “Ugh, that was all kinds of gross.”

  Alexandra held up her fingers. “Look at that—chocolate everywhere. Do you want to clean them?”

  “Yes.” A small moan escaped her lips when Alexandra’s fingers disappeared into her mouth. Her lips closed around the digits, and her tongue flicked against them.

  Alexandra removed her fingers and grimaced. “I suppose I should have known that wouldn’t work.” She wiped her fingers on her pajama pants.

  “Worked fine for me,” Julia said.

  “You get this one for asking Nicky if you can watch. It makes me really proud that you did that.” She opened her own mouth as she beckoned Julia closer with a crooked finger then put the chocolate between her teeth.

  Julia bit her bottom lip. Alexandra’s fingers disappeared into her hair and brought her even closer to capture Julia’s mouth with her own. Before Julia could register what was happening, the chocolate now lay in her mouth. When Alexandra gently pushed her away, she blinked and swallowed.

  “I can’t get enough of your lips,” Alexandra said. “So tasty you are. So, I have some rules for you.”

  Julia yelped when Alexandra wrapped her arms around Julia’s waist and pulled her onto her lap. “Oh my God, what are you doing?”

  “Discussing the rules with you for when you watch later. Rule number one: teaching Nicky and Ella Shibari is a serious matter. Safety comes first.”

  “Understood. Safety first.”

  “Rule number two, you will not speak unless you are being spoken to. In my playroom, I would expect that from anyone who enters, no matter what role they take. Shibari is intense, and random questions are both distracting and rude.”

  “Okay.”

  Alexandra smiled and continued. “Rule number three, if you feel uncomfortable at any point and want to leave, I expect you to quietly leave the room.”

  “I promise,” Julia said.

  “Give me my coffee, please.”

  “So bossy.” Julia got off the bed and handed Alexandra’s cup to her. “So,” she drawled, “what are you going to do in there?”

  “Teach Nicky how to tie Ella up properly and keep an eye on you to make sure you don’t misbehave.” Alexandra winked. “Are you nervous?”

  Julia sat on the edge of the bed. A high-pitched laughter escaped her throat. “Of course not.”

  “It sounds like you are. I wouldn’t blame you if you were.”

  “I think I’m more scared that I’m going to fuck up one of your rules,” Julia said quietly.

  “If you keep swearing like that, you won’t even have to worry about my rules. I won’t allow you into my playroom.”

  “I feel like I’ve been doing nothing but apologizing to you all morning!”

  “Don’t be dramatic. You are fine. I am just saying that unless you have a good reason, you need to tone down the swearing a little bit.”

  “What constitutes a good reason?”

  Alexandra took a sip of her coffee and hummed. “Well, you may swear all you like after you’ve asked me for permission to touch yourself. I don’t mind it as much then.” She grinned when Julia blushed. “All right, I’m going to take a shower and get dressed. I suggest you do the same. I’m sure you could do with one!”

  “All right.”

  After Alexandra set the mug down on her nightstand and got out of bed, she walked over to Julia and pulled her into a hug. “Everything is going to be fine. Don’t stress out, and don’t overthink it. It’s just some tying up.”

  Alexandra held open the door for Nicky and Ella and closed it once they had entered. She grabbed Julia’s arms and pulled her close. “You remember the rules?”

  “I do.”

  “What are they?”

  Julia wanted make a snarky comment, but there was a certain sternness in Alexandra’s voice that prevented her from doing so. She remembered that Alexandra had said that this was serious to her, and mouthing off didn’t seem like the smartest thing to do. “Safety first, no talking or interrupting, and if I’m uncomfortable, leave the room quietly.”

  “Good girl.”

  Alexandra’s eyes grew wide when she stepped inside of the playroom and saw Nicky standing there in the middle of the room.

  “What the hell are you wearing, Nicky?”

  “I just wanted to put it on for giggles, ease any tension that might be in the room.”

  “Take that off right this instant,” Alexandra hissed as she glanced at Julia.

  “Do you think you could take it, Ella?” Nicky said, and she and Ella shared a laugh.

  Julia couldn’t help but be utterly mortified. Nicky standing in Alexandra’s playroom with a huge dildo harnessed to her was not how she had expected this session to start.

  “I expect that monstrosity to be gone when I turn around,” Alexandra said before turning her attention to Julia. She took her hand and guided Julia over to the padded cage and wiggled her brows. “Inside or on top?”

  Julia sat down on top of the cage and pulled up her knees, letting her gaze wander over Alexandra’s body. She had thought Alexandra would wear a leather outfit with thigh-high boots, but that was furthest from the truth. Alexandra was wearing a black tank top and leggings. Her hair was still damp from the shower she had taken earlier, and Julia was enthralled by the droplets of water that made their way down Alexandra’s neck every now and then.

  “All good?” Alexandra asked as she cupped Julia’s cheek and raised her eyebrows. Julia nodded, and Alexandra smiled, her thumb stroking the skin.

  She turned around and walked over to Ella. “And what of you, Miss Brooks?” Alexandra winked when Ella smiled brightly. “Are you ready, Ella?”

  “Yes, Miss Alexandra.”

  Alexandra smiled. “In my playroom, I use the traffic light system. Tell me what that means.”

  “Green to continue, orange or yellow to stay right where it is and not go any further, red to stop completely,” Ella said eagerly. Her feet pointed inwards, and she kept eye contact with Alexandra as she spouted off the words.

  “Perfect,” Alexandra said.

  When Alexandra leaned in closer and brushed Ella’s hair back, Julia felt herself tense up. Alexandra was whispering something in Ella’s ear, and Ella grinned, then nodded. “Yes, Miss. Thank you.”

  Julia looked on curiously when Alexandra grabbed various ropes from the drawer and placed them on the floor around Ella. A thin black rope remained in her hands. Surely Alexandra wasn’t going to be the one to tie Ella up? Had Alexandra not said she would be teaching Nicky? Julia inhaled sharply as Alexandra began to tie the rope into a pentagram harness around Ella, much like she had done to Julia days before.

  Speaking softly to Ella, Alexandra constantly checked the ropes and asked Ella how she felt. Julia had to strain her ears to hear Ella’s soft responses, and she was utterly jealous when Alexandra’s hands moved swiftly over Ella’s body. How many people had Alexandra tied up just like this? Hundreds? Thousands?

  “Hands behind your back,” Alexandra said as she began to tie the rope around Ella’s wrists, explaining that she was making sure the knot couldn’t do any damage to her skin. She moved to the front of Ella’s body and winked at the woman, who seemed to be immensely enjoying what Alexandra was doing to her. “Open your mouth.” Alexandra put the rope between Ella’s teeth. “Bite down, and don’t drop it.” Ella nodded as she bit down on the rope.

  “Nicky, put Ella’s hair in a ponytail. Do not take your eyes off of her for even a second. Make sure she is okay, talk to her, and encourage her.” Alexandra moved over to Julia and smiled when she saw Julia gulp. She whispered in her ear, “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”

  Julia dug her fingernails into her knees. She didn’t like to be mocked. “Why didn’t you tell me you w
ould be the one who would tie her up?” she hissed.

  “What did you expect, Julia?” Alexandra said. “I have to teach Nicky, and this is the best way.”

  She knew Alexandra was right, but she still didn’t like it. “I don’t share well with others.”

  Alexandra placed a chaste kiss on Julia’s cheek, then pinned her with a piercing gaze. “I have a question for you. I want you to think about it, and I swear to God, Julia, if you bolt from this room, you’re in for a long lecture.”

  “O-okay,” Julia stammered.

  “You say you don’t share well with others, which means you think you have the right to lay some kind of claim on me.”

  “I di—”

  “Hush,” Alexandra firmly said. “If you don’t wish to share me with others, Julia, what does that make us?” She placed her index finger on Julia’s lips when she opened her mouth. “I said, think about it. Now, remove that scowl from your face when you look at Ella. They invited you to watch. She doesn’t deserve your angry face. I expect an answer before we go to bed.”

  Based on how hot she felt, Julia figured her face had never been redder than in that moment. She coughed to cover it up, even though no one was looking at her. She had no idea what her relationship with Alexandra was. She just knew she didn’t want Alexandra to touch anyone else, especially since Alexandra still hadn’t touched her properly. There were small touches. There had even been kissing. So there was intimacy, and definitely something between them, but the details were still unknown to her.

  She focused her attention on Ella instead and took deep and steady breaths. Alexandra was right. Whatever she was feeling, it wasn’t fair to take it out on Ella. The more she watched their movements, the more she became absolutely enthralled by the way Nicky and Alexandra moved around Ella, as if they had always done this together and knew exactly what to expect of each other.

  A rope was worked into Ella’s ponytail, and Julia bit her lip when the rope was pulled through the ring in the ceiling. Ella had to stand on her toes now, and she seemed to enjoy what was happening to her. It was easy to see the love that Nicky had for Ella: her hands were constantly touching her as she whispered reassuring words that Julia could only just barely hear. Alexandra gave her instructions on how to make sure that the blood flow wasn’t cut off in any way, and Julia eyed the shears that lay on the floor. She hoped neither of them had to use it.