by Jenika Snow
“Would you like to take a bath?” Nikolas’s voice was soft.
“No, thank you, Sir.” She was so tired, and the deep, even breathing from Griffin behind her further lulled her to sleep. “I’m tired, Sir.” She smiled and blinked up at him.
“You’ll be sore in the morning. The warm water will help to ease your muscles.”
She didn’t answer, or maybe she did but it was too quiet for him to hear, but that was the last thing she was aware of before her eyes became too heavy to keep open and the blanket of darkness swept her away.
****
Maylene sat and watched in stunned awe as Nikolas and Griffin sparred. When they asked her if she would like to watch she was hesitant, because violence was not something she cared for. But as she sat on the blue mat and stared the men she was starting to care for circle each other, she found watching them quite arousing. They wore no shirts, just loose-fitting workout shorts that hung to their knees. Her eyes were riveted to the tight, muscular ridges of their abdomens, and the defined V that disappeared into their shorts. Sweat glistened off their chests, and the overhead fluorescents only amplified the bulging of their muscles and the tensing of their limbs. Watching them go after each other, their moves precise and fluid, was like watching a pair of lions about to do battle on the open ground of the Sahara.
They explained each move to her when they finished, and even though it was interesting to discover one of their passions, she was more focused on their heaving, muscular chests, and the raw testosterone that poured from them in waves. First there were moves such as the Triangle Choke, a lethal looking move that sent Nikolas to the ground in submission. Then came the Guillotine, which had Griffin pinned below Nikolas. These were followed by a Heel Hook, Ankle Lock, and Armbar. They explained those techniques were successful over a century ago, but have since been replaced with more lethal fighting moves. Maylene knew nothing of the sport, not when she was trained to be far from violence. Even though the moves were outdated and not practiced anymore, Griffin and Nikolas still used them. That was all right, though, because watching them and their aggression sent heat through her. Watching them had her pussy sensitive and wet, and her nipples rubbing abrasively against her shirt.
They had been in the gym located in the basement for the past hour and a half, and when they were finished all she could imagine was running her tongue over their chests and licking away the clean sweat beaded on them. It had been several days since she had been with both of her men at the same time, and although she had been intimate with Griffin several times after that night, Nikolas still seemed to keep his distance from her. If she and Griffin were being intimate, Nikolas would always show up. Sometimes he watched, other times he ordered her to suck him off. He had only slept in the bed that one time with her and Griffin, and Maylene started to feel that perhaps he was keeping his distance from her because he had no desire to care for her in a deeper way other than as his sub. Of course the dynamics of a D/s relationship had been taught to her, and Maylene wanted to have him look upon her with affection. The way Griffin cared for her was endearing and adoring. Maybe all of it was in her imagination. She really shouldn’t try to figure it out, because that was not her job. She pleased them and they pleased her. She was content, happy even. There was a fate far worse than the one she currently had. She didn’t even want to imagine who she might be with at this moment if they hadn’t purchased her.
“If you keep thinking about thoughts that make you have that pinched expression it’ll get stuck that way.” Griffin’s teasing drew her from her thoughts and she looked up at him. He grinned down at her. Nikolas stood beside him and wiped off his face and chest with a towel. The scent of them surrounded her and her pussy became wetter. “Thinking so hard never did anyone any good.” Griffin gave her a wink. She picked up two water bottles and stood. Handing them each one shouldn’t have had her hands shaking, but her arousal was thick inside of her and she found it hard to perform even the simplest of tasks.
Maylene didn’t know what to say in response so she just smiled at both of them. Nikolas stared at her with an almost hard expression now and she immediately dropped her head and placed her hands behind her back. Had she upset him? If her instructors would have seen her the past couple of days they would have been appalled by her lack of submission, but then again Griffin wanted her to be comfortable, and she found it easy to relax in his presence. That easiness had trickled out of her in the presence of Nikolas, and she now feared perhaps she had made a grave mistake.
Nikolas’s voice was deep and commanding when he said, “Maylene, look at me.” She lifted her head and saw his brow furrowed.
“I—”
“You fear me.” It wasn’t a question. “Why?” That one word sounded harsh and fierce and she swallowed. She looked at Griffin but could tell he was perplexed at his brother’s reaction by his expression.
“Nikolas—”
He held up his hand to Griffin. “Answer me, pet.” The words were a low growl from Nikolas.
“I’m not afraid. I just don’t want to disappoint you.” His brows lifted high for a second before he lowered his head to stare at his sneakers. For several long moments she didn’t know what to do or say, so she just stood there and waited like a good sub.
He lifted his head and exhaled loudly. “Do I make you feel like I am disappointed with you?”
Licking her lips, Maylene wracked her brain for how to answer. Obviously the truth was what she would tell him, but it was harder than she thought. “Um,” Griffin stepped closer to her and smoothed his hand down her arm. That small touch gave her a feeling of confidence and she continued. “I feel that I do sometimes, yes, Master.” A long pause filled the room and Maylene found herself swallowing as her nerves pricked with awareness. Nikolas showed no emotion. His breathing was calm and had adrenalin and a bit of excitement coursing through her. There was no denying that seeing Nikolas so still, so serious, sent a rush through her veins. Maybe it was her need to obey him, to please him that made her so drawn to Nikolas. She had Griffin who showered her with emotion, yet here was his brother that could be so apathetic when it came to her. Was she so sick, so damaged that she craved the coldness that came from him? Maybe she was, but then she thought of how gentle he could be with her, how caring he was as he cleaned her body after being intimate with her.
Who is Nikolas St. Michaels?
Nikolas stared at her for several more seconds. His nostrils flared and he turned and stalked to the locker room adjacent to the gym without another word. What just happened? When she tore her eyes away from Nikolas’s retreating back it was to see a concerned look on Griffin’s face. Emotion washed through her and the pinpricks of tears behind her eyes made an appearance. Did she disappoint him so much that he couldn’t even bare to look at her or be in the same room?
“Don’t mind him.” Griffin turned and looked at the closed locker room door. “He needs to realize what is important and what he really wants.” She wasn’t quite sure how to take his seemingly cryptic words, but she didn’t have time to really contemplate them either. “It’s not you, Princess, trust me on that. One day Nikolas will realize that life can’t keep going in the same circle. One day things have to change, have to evolve.” He ran his thumb over her bottom lip and she grew brave and flicked her tongue out to trace the thick skin. Salt and Griffin’s flavor filled her mouth and her eyes fluttered. He took her hand and led her out of the gym. “Come on, Princess, help me get clean.” His grin was devilish as he led her into the bathroom and shut the door behind them.
Chapter Six
Maylene had been wide awake for hours, staring out the window at the moon. Griffin lay beside her, the sound of him breathing deeply causing relaxation to wash over her, yet not allowing her to find slumber. Several days had passed since Nikolas left them in the gym. Griffin assured her work had just kept him away, but there was a strange emotion that flickered across his face when he said it. It was hard on her, but she refused to show i
t. Nikolas still hadn’t taken her in the way a husband takes his wife, and that fact caused disappointment, sadness, and even anger burning inside of her. It wasn’t her fault if he didn’t desire her the way his brother did. Even now Griffin’s warm breath teased the back of her neck. He wasn’t touching her but his presence made her feel safe and protected.
The sound of the door opening had her looking over her shoulder. With the sheet clasped to her naked chest she couldn’t see who the dark, shadowy figure was, but in her heart she knew. He stepped into the room, his frame large and intimidating, and his scent saturated the room. When he was close enough to the bed she could see his face in the moonlight. It was harsh looking from the shadows, and when Nikolas crooked a finger at her she slipped from the bed silently. Maylene was nude, but having no clothing on wasn’t what had her feeling hot or her pulse racing. When she was in front of him she dropped to her knees. He ran his hand down her hair and she couldn’t help but feel comforted by the petting motion. Maylene leaned into his hand and closed her eyes. His touch felt so good and warm and perfect.
Nikolas turned and left the room. She didn’t need him to tell her what he wanted. Slowly rising she followed him out of the room, down the stairs and further yet. When they entered the elevator that would take them to the basement her mouth grew dry. The doors closed, shutting them in together so she was very aware of his presence. She was naked yet he was fully clothed in a suit. Had he just left the office? Denying that his being dressed like that turned her on would have been a lie. Maylene wanted to steal a glance in his direction, but she stayed quiet, kept her head lowered and her hands clasped in front of her. The doors opened seconds later and he stepped out. Trailing close behind him Maylene didn’t know where he was headed as he made several turns. She had only seen the gym in the basement, but knew the lowest level of the house was just as massive as the other floors. Her bare feet hit the smooth floor with soft thuds. When he finally stopped in front of a large wooden door it was to reach inside his suit jacket and pull out a set of keys. They were old fashioned keys, ones she had seen in history books that were crude and rough looking. He pushed the door open and darkness greeted her. Nikolas took her hand and led her inside, and although she couldn’t see anything there was no sense of fear, only acceptance and her never ending arousal.
The door shut behind them and the obliqueness swallowed them whole. A moment later light illuminated the room and her eyes widened as she took in the scene. A large four-poster bed sat in the center of the room. A wall across from that held whips, floggers, canes, and restraints of all shapes and sizes. A St. Andrew’s Cross was on the opposite wall, the wood deep and dark and speaking of untold pleasure and pain. He let go of her hand and walked over to the wall that held his implements of ecstasy and agony. Maylene didn’t dare move, and she shouldn’t be watching him, but being in this room, in their space where power was exchanged, was a heady experience. He ran his fingers over the leather and wood that lined the grated wall. He stopped and his hand hovered over a cane. It was a dark colored wood with beautiful engraving around the handle.
He didn’t turn around when he said, “I want you on your hands and knees, little sub.” She got in the requested position and waited for further instruction. He turned around, the cane in his grasp, and his expression stoic as he regarded her silently. Seconds passed, maybe minutes before he finally spoke again. “If things get to be too much, too intense, I want you to say red. That is your safeword. Do you understand, pet?”
Maylene licked her lips and nodded, but when his jaw tightened she quickly added, “Yes, Sir. I understand.”
“Good.” He stared at her for several more moments and finally spoke again. “The cane has been considered an extreme toy in the dungeon, but I personally feel they get a bad reputation.” He eyed the implement almost lovingly then lifted his gaze to her. “This particular one is a new addition to our collection. Bamboo and Rattan have been used in discipline for a very long time.” He took a step closer and ran his hand over the smooth finish. “The sound of the cane hitting the flesh is one of the most beautiful melodies.” His deep blue eyes continued to bore holes into her. After another moment he finally said, “Crawl to the cross, little sub.”
The ground was unyielding beneath her hands and knees, but her need to please Nikolas, her Master, far surpassed any discomfort. She could feel his eyes on her, knew her privates were on full display for his visual pleasure. The way her breasts swung from her movement lent to the increased wetness between her thighs. When the cross was in front of her she stopped but kept her position on her hands and knees. The air shifted behind her as he moved closer. For several long moments he didn’t speak or touch her, but none of that mattered because his presence was like experienced fingers stroking across every erogenous zone on her body.
“Stand, pet.” Once on her feet he positioned her on the cross. With her back to him she knew what was to come.
“You remember our conversation the last time we spoke?” He was quick yet precise as he secured her arms above her head then moved down to spread her legs and restrain her ankles.
“Yes, Master.” The soft glide of his hands smoothing up her thighs had her closing her eyes and breathing in deeply.
“Tell me.” He took a step back and waited for her response.
“You asked if me if I was frightened of you.”
The tip of his cane moved down her spine and her breathing increased. “Yes?”
Maylene had to concentrate on breathing before she continued. “I said I was afraid of disappointing you.” She rested her forehead against the wood and licked her lips. That simple stroke held so much power and promise.
“Do you still feel that way?” Over and over he dragged the cane up and down her back, over her ass, and down the back of her thighs. The power that he held could be felt in the way he touched her. All it would take was a flick of his wrist to send the cane over her flesh in a stinging sensation. Maylene found herself craving more of the pain that she knew only Nikolas could deliver, but it seemed like eternity when he only stroked her flesh.
“Yes, Master.” She whimpered when he ran the tip of the cane down the crease of her ass.
Nikolas said in a deep voice, “Why is that?”
Being honest with her Master shouldn’t have been so difficult, but what if he admitted she disappointed him? Common sense would have told her that the way he touched her, spoke to her, and looked at her, showed that she pleased him. Of course then there was his aloofness at times, and the way he had yet to claim her overshadowed everything else. Obeying him brought her pleasure, and she wanted him to be pleased with her obedience. “You don’t touch me as Griffin does, and when you do…” Deep breath in, deep breath out. “When you do you seem detached.” For several long seconds, which seemed more like hours, Nikolas didn’t speak. Had her honesty upset him? When he rested his forehead against the center of her back she swallowed hard. The gentleness of the act would have brought her to her knees if she hadn’t been bound.
“My sweet, obedient, pet. I’m so sorry I made you feel that way.” Both of his hands slid down her sides and she could feel the cane he still gripped. The vulnerability that came off of him was tangible and she was stunned to see it come from Nikolas. His touch reassured her and tears pricked her eyes. “You don’t disappoint me, pet. You could never disappoint me. My own selfishness to keep my distance should never have made you feel that you were anything but my precious wife, my precious, sweet pet.” The tears she tried to keep at bay slid down her cheeks. “Let me show you how much I care for you, how from this moment on you will never feel anything but cherished and loved.”
Loved. The word felt good, and sounded even better coming from him, her normally stoic Dom.
The feel of his warm breath on her back heightened her senses and all she wanted was to have him touch her, any way he pleased. “I want to hear you beg for my lashes, pet. I want you to ask your Master for what it is you crave.” His lips found th
e shell of her ear and he murmured, “Your pleasure is mine, Maylene.” Her mouth was dry and her throat closed. It was such a simple request, and she wanted his lashes, so badly, but for the life of her she couldn’t form the words. The heat from his chest pressed into her back as he leaned in close. His warm breath tickled her ear when he whispered, “Beg me for it. Don’t be afraid to tell your Master what it is you want.” The cane moved lower, over the crack of her ass and between her thighs. The wood was cold against her saturated, hot folds, and she curled her fingers into the palm of her hands.
The words tumbled out of her in a jumble of whispered, pleading words. “Please, Master. Please strike me.” His deep inhalation came from behind her and a moment later he stepped back. She wanted, no needed, to feel the pain only he could give her. He made her wait a millisecond before she heard the cane singing through the air. It struck her ass with precision and she arched her back and cried out. The pain stole her breath. Never had she felt such an intense, burning sensation. Over and over he spanked her ass, the pain growing higher and higher until the rush of endorphins coursed through her bloodstream and evened out the agony. Never had she thought the sting of his cane could bring out so much pleasure, but with the pain came a sense of euphoria, a feeling of release that had nothing to do with a sexual nature. “Master…”
“My name falling from your lips brings the sweetest sound.” He used his hand to massage the abused flesh. Blood rushed to the area of pain and warmed it. “How many more lashes do you think you deserve to understand that there isn’t anything about you that disappoints me?”
“As many as you see fit, Master.” The guttural sound that came from him sent a thrill through her core. She would have given him anything just to feel his cane, his touch, and his breath on her body.