by Dakota Trace
“I’ve spoken with the D.O.J. in New York too. The officer I spoke with believes it’s the case number which is suspect, not the profile in itself. So that leaves Ms. Johnston here with a great deal of explaining to do. Like why she neglected to register once she moved back to California.”
“Because I’m not a sex offender!” Frustrated and at the end of her rope, she pushed away from the table. “You know what, if you’re not arresting me, I’m leaving. I’ve answered your questions and I’m more than tired of your constant accusations.”
“Is she under arrest?” Davis stood as well.
Detective Chayefsky looking defeated, shook his head. “Not at the moment…”
“Then good day to you.” Davis cupped her elbow and guided her from the interrogation room. It was all Sabella could do to keep from collapsing, as he led her down a short hallway and out of the building.
“Just a little bit more, sweetheart. You did good in there. Better than some of my clients in fact.” They arrived at his S.U.V., and after using the remote to unlock it, he guided her up into her seat. “Buckle up, Bella. I’m taking you home.”
“But Ethan said he wanted me…”
“To my home. I really don’t relish the idea of getting my ass kicked by a man nearly a foot shorter and a hundred pounds lighter than me.”
“Ethan wouldn’t hurt you.” There weren’t many things she was certain of at this particular moment, but that was one of them. Her Dom had too much control to hurt his partner, no matter how mad he was.
He arched an eyebrow at her. “You don’t know how possessive he is of you, sweetheart, especially when he feels you’re being threatened. The only other time I’ve seen him like this is was during his marriage to Tamiko. He takes his role as your Dom seriously.”
She wasn’t sure how to reply to Davis so she settled for a shrug. “I suspect no more so than any other submissive he’s taken under his wing, Davis. I have no illusions of where I fit into his life…”
“Where did she go?” Davis propped his arms his hips and glared down at her.
She looked up in surprise, totally floored at his sudden change in demeanor. “What?”
“Where did the feisty submissive I just saw in there….” He jerked his head towards the police department. “…go? She didn’t doubt herself, or let herself be cowed by a detective with a stick so far up his ass, I’m surprised he wasn’t related to ‘José Jalapeno…on a Steek’.”
“I….” She couldn’t help but stare at him, dumbfounded. “José Jalapeno…on a Steek?”
A wide grin crossed his face, before he mentioned a popular comic/ventriloquist by name and one of his puppets masquerading as the spicy condiment on a stick, then it all made sense. She giggled. “Yeah, he’s definitely his brother.”
“Now, care to tell me why you think my friend of twenty years can’t see you for what you are?”
She shrugged. “He’s made it no secret I’m his for as long as he wants me, but we both know how long his attention span lasts.”
Davis finally sighed. “You’ve heard the rumors….”
She nodded. “And have discussed the subject with him. While he’s assured me he’s not looking for the door or a replacement Dom for me, I know one day it’ll probably happen. I’m just thankful he’s going to keep me for awhile.”
“For awhile? I bet he didn’t tell you the last submissive he used those words with, he ended up married to for nearly ten years.”
Her optimistic heart leapt at the thought, but she squashed it. She’d made herself a promise to enjoy what she had with Ethan while it lasted, and not hope for more. “No, he didn’t.”
“Just remember that, Bella, when you’re submitting to him, taking his orders, and sleeping in his arms. He doesn’t offer his temporary submissives the privileges he’s given you. He helps them, but keeps them at arms-length. You’re the first he’s kept overnight, or even allowed the privilege of coming into our home. You’re not temporary…and when he realizes it, you’re going to end up collared so fast your pretty little head will spin.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Go to the training room, Sabella,” Ethan ordered as he pulled back his dreads at the base of his neck with a leather thong, a sure sign he wanted to scene. She froze. Around them the house had quieted as Sabella stood next to the half-loaded dishwasher. He and Davis had just finished discussing the situation with the police and her father’s refusal of Ethan’s offer of refuge. She’d been surprised when she’d heard he’d taken up Mrs. D.’s offer to stay with her. But regardless, he was a grown man and if he wanted to stay with Mrs. D., it was fine with her. That’s why, while in the process of cleaning up the dinner mess, the last thing she’d expected was a direct order from her Dom.
“I’m not going to ask again.” Ethan’s reminder sent a flood of cream thickening between her thighs in response. She squeezed her thighs together before nodding.
“I’ll finish this up.” Davis stood, joining her by the appliance. He rinsed his cup and slid it into the rack. “Heaven forbid you make him wait, Bella. He might just give you a paddling.”
“Sabella knows what happens when she tops from the bottom. Don’t you, little one?” The heat in his eyes had her moving. Even as much as she’d hated the last spanking he’d given her, he’d told her more than once he wasn’t opposed to erotic spanking. And though she wanted to feel his palm against her bottom again, she’d rather not have it as the result of bad behavior. Punishment paddlings weren’t erotic - at all.
“Yes, Sir. I’ll be waiting in the training room for you.” Not waiting for Davis to shut the door on the dishwasher, she scurried out of the kitchen and down the hall, barely registering Davis’s answering chuckle.
Once she made it into Sir’s training room, she went about readying it as was her custom. As she turned on the stereo, lit candles and incense sticks, she slipped out of her ‘in control Bella’ persona and into the role of Sabella. the submissive. She’d just finished folding her clothing and assuming the nadu position in the center of the room when her Sir entered. The click of the lock wasn’t surprising. After Davis had walked in last night, she could only assume he hoped to keep his friend out of the room. She had a feeling, one which had built throughout dinner, Ethan needed to slip into the role of her Master as much as she needed to serve him. The delicious meal of comfort foods she’d prepared weren’t enough. She was going to end up being thoroughly dominated tonight.
“What’s your safeword, Sabella?” The whisper of clothing had her wanting to look but she resisted, keeping her eyes lowered as she answered.
“Dobby, Sir.”
“And slow?” The sound of a drawer opening reached her ears.
“Matsu, Sir.” Moments later his bare feet appeared in her line of vision.
“Good, Sabella. Tonight I’m going to blindfold you before restraining you. Understand?” His voice was hard.
“Y..es, Sir.” She stumbled over the response. In the past, she hadn’t liked being blindfolded by her Dom but with Ethan….she found she didn’t mind.
“You don’t sound all that certain, Sabella.” There was a tone of censorship in his voice.
“I’ve never let a Dom blindfold me before, but I trust you, Sir.”
“Remember if you need me to slow down, use your safeword.” Then a soft dark cloth covered her eyes. The feel of elastic assured her he’d used nothing more than a sleep mask to block her vision. A well fitting sleep mask she noticed though, when no light peeked through around the edges.
“What’s your level?” The ritualistic question, followed by the brush of his naked body, as he settled behind her, scrambled her brains. Every nerve ending went on red alert as she felt every inch of him against her panty-clad bottom and bra encased back.
“Sabella?”
His gruff question sent her libido into overdrive and her response spilled out of her in rush. “Sir, you’re naked.”
“Hmmm, that I am, but you didn’t answer my ques
tion, Sabella.” He spoke the words directly into her ear. Goosebumps pebbled the skin of her arms.
“Gr…re…en,…Sir.” She was barely able to get the words past her throat, as his hands rubbed up and down her arms.
“Good, now relax for me. Breath in and out.” He pulled her close as she slid into the natural breathing pattern of kokyo-ho. It amazed her how easily she managed it now. There was no struggle, no start and stop. Her body fell in tune with his without a protest. The connection between them grew each time they did this, and she didn’t know what she was going to do when he walked away.
“This is no time for bad thoughts, Sabella. Clear your mind and relax into me.”
She immediately apologized as she forced the thought from her mind, not wanting another scolding. Besides, it’s best I focus on here and now.
“Relax, little one. Give over to me.” He pressed a kiss behind her ear. “You won’t be sorry you did.”
* * * *
Ethan wanted to howl his triumph as Sabella immediately relaxed into his arms, uncaring of his nudity against her. It’d taken weeks to get her accustomed to his touch, to trust him until she obeyed without a mental struggle. He’d thought he’d felt just the briefest flare when they first started, but a nicely worded request had her relaxing back against him with a soft sigh. Rubbing his thumbs up and down her arms, he watched as the hair on her arms stood at attention. But she’s still relaxed even as she feels the desire. This is good, because I’m going to push her tonight…one step closer to what she’s been struggling to reach.
Nuzzling the side of her neck, he smoothed his hands down her arms to her hands. Entwining their fingers, he slowly brought them up until both their arms were wrapped around her midsections and supporting her breasts. Her face rolled to the left, a soft moan passing her lips as he made a lifting motion to push up her breasts. Close to overflowing from her bra, he released the front catch, spilling her tightly furled nipples and breasts onto the shelf created by their joined limbs. “So beautiful….so submissive.” He wanted to suck on the tight little peaks until she screamed his name. The memory of her coming for him the night before wasn’t far from his mind. But before he could indulge himself, he needed more of her submission.
Today had been a day from hell after dealing with Lauren’s unexpected visit in the wee hours of the morning. He hadn’t wanted to leave the bed when his alarm had rung, but his responsibilities had called and he’d grudgingly left the bed, only to come out of the shower to find Sabella missing. Following his nose, he’d found her in the kitchen preparing him breakfast. And after a rushed breakfast and good-bye kiss, she’d been off with Davis to his office. But now it’s my time - our time together.
“That’s good, Sabella. Accept my touch.” He used his thumbs to flick over the straining buds. A barely there moan escaped her mouth. A smile tugged at his lips. She was so responsive, a trait he planned on exploiting as often as possible. Moving one arm, he gave a simple command for her to hold her position, as his free hand rubbed lightly over the bare skin of her gently rounded belly. Even as she obeyed without question, she shivered in his hold. For long moments he savored her weight against him, despite the hardness of his dick. He’d give them both the release they’d found the night before, but first he wanted to play…
“I’m going to release you, Sabella. I want you to assume the Leasha High position for me as I get my ropes. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir.” Her breathing remained soft and even while he extracted himself. As he rose, he watched her tentatively move to stand. Blindfolded she couldn’t see a thing and was trusting he wouldn’t let her fall or trip over something. He stayed close by, knowing even if she couldn’t see him, she probably could smell him. As soon as she assumed the requested position, he moved to the drawer holding his ropes. Pulling out a long length of hemp, he ran his fingers over it, both savoring the texture of it while checking for any abnormalities. The routine of checking his ropes always prepared him for the upcoming scene. This ritual gave him a connection many didn’t understand. It was about the journey for him, not necessarily the destination as it was with practitioners of shibari.
“Did you know, Sabella, during my training as a boy, I was fascinated by the rope the Hojōjutsu masters manipulated with such ease?”
“No, Sir, I didn’t.”
He moved back across the room to her. “Luckily for me my oji - my mother’s brother, was brought up with the old ways and didn’t mind answering my questions. When I came of age, he took me under his wing, and taught me not only the old ways of hojōjutsu but also budō, an advanced form of jujutsu.” Stopping in front of her, he brushed a loop of the hemp across her cheek. Like a little bird, she followed it before freezing. Her instinctive response pleased him. “During my training, my oji taught me more than just the take down and how to respectfully restrain an opponent. He also introduced me to the erotic world of kinbaku. I was a mere sixteen the first time he brought his own submissive in to demonstrate true rope bondage.” His heart gave a small jump at the memory of seeing his aunt’s younger sister bound tightly in his uncle’s ropes.
Sabella’s lips parted and a needy whimper escaped her as he moved the rope down her neck to her shoulder. Forcing the memory away, he focused on his little submissive.
“I want you naked, little one. Tonight I want to recreate what I saw the first time, a beautiful submissive losing herself to the ropes - with you.”
“Yes, Sir.” She shrugged her shoulders, allowing the bra to fall to the floor. He bent to retrieve it so neither of them tripped over it later, and was rewarded with a bird’s eye view of her slender fingers hooking over the sides of her panties.
He swallowed hard. “Slowly, Sabella. Tease me with your revealing. Make me a bit crazy.” Holding his position behind her, he knelt mere inches from her lush bottom as she slowly bared herself to his gaze. First the slightly rounded top where it met the small of her back appeared, before it filled out into two luscious globes. As her fingers guided the material down her legs, he was unable to resist. Cupping the flare of her hips, he pressed open mouthed kisses to her ass. She stilled until a guttural command from him had her kicking the underwear off. Lightly nipping one cheek, then the other, he finally released her. He was getting sidetracked.
“Now I’m going to start with Hishi Karada. This was the wrap my oji used on his submissive. It’s not the same as the shinju or the wrapping of the pearls I’ll use during our demonstration. The hishi karada is an all over body weave….” He stood, pressing his cock against her buttocks. He smiled at her reaction. “…one where you’ll feel rope on every part of your body.” He dragged the rope down her arm to her fingertips. “We’ll start with the neck.” He pressed a kiss against the back of her neck, before moving in front of her. With her being unable to see, he didn’t want to startle her as he placed the doubled up loop around her neck.
Neatly folding the hemp, he looped it over her neck and lifted her hair, so it was on the outside of the rope. It took only a few quick twists of his fingers to create the overhand knots which would later form the points of the diamonds in the weave. After finishing and making sure he had formed one special knot, one which his uncle had called a yorokobi no musubime, or pleasure knot, Ethan drew the length of hemp through her legs, making sure the knot was resting over her clit. Pulling it up nice and snug, he continued his craft, humming under his breath as he twisted and wrapped the rope around her lovely body, loosing himself to the flow and ebb of re-creating his first vision of kinbaku.
* * * *
Sabella was awash with sensation as each loop of rope sent shivers of pleasure down her skin. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed since he’d begun, because she was so focused on the rope. It was the first time she’d felt it against her completely naked skin, and the loss of her sight only seemed to intensify the brush of the hemp against her arms, legs and back. But her Sir’s soft humming as he worked was relaxing, despite the desire growing inside her. Witho
ut being able to see, she was never sure where he was going to touch next as he worked. But it didn’t matter because she trusted him.
“Shift a bit to your left, Sabella.” His command broke through her trance, but she did as he asked. Stepping hesitantly to her left, she wasn’t sure what to expect. “Lift your left foot.” Then she felt a small block of wood or something being placed under her foot. It was easy to maintain her balance as unlike the ‘shinju,’ her arms were free, resting at her sides. The hemp whispered around her thigh and the trailing ends teased her calf. Unable to help herself, she shifted and nearly came unglued as a strategically placed, but unseen by her, knot rubbed over her clit.
“Sir…” she gasped, unable stop the pleasure radiating from her groin.
A low chuckle reached her ears, from where she could only assumed he knelt. “I see you found it, Sabella. But be a good girl and don’t move again.” His hand traveled up her thigh to tug the rope between her thighs. “Or I might be tempted to bend you over the spanking bench and give you a very….erotic spanking.” His breath tickled over her inner thigh, mere millimeters from her creaming folds. She wanted to arch her hips towards him in a silent plea, but he’d told her not to move.
“Yes, Sir.” She trembled but held her ground as he continued to pull the hemp across her willing flesh. For every tug and twist she relaxed, even as she wanted to find the illusive sub-space or rope space as Sir called it. He’d once described it as a light, floaty feeling and once she’d found it, she’d never again doubt its existence. As anxious as she was to experience it, the confounded knot rubbing against her clit wouldn’t let her. She was aroused and her body was at war with her mind. She only prayed once her Sir was done wrapping up his present, he would bend her over a flat surface and put out the fire he’d started.