"I assume it's a good sign you're unpacking?"
His question was like a knife through her heart and she stopped packing to turn towards him. “We're still a little uncertain of each other. How do we fix that?"
He closed his eyes, his expression pained. “I don't know,” he said, before opening them and uncrossing his arms to put his hands in his pockets. “Time, I guess? Last night, and this morning, I was sure I was doing what we both needed, but today I've second-guessed myself a dozen times, wondering if I went too far."
He pulled his hands from his pockets and moved to cross his arms again, and then dropped them. “Are you okay? Do you want to take another shower?"
She shook her head and went back to unpacking. “You didn't go too far. In a twisted sort of way, the ending drew the four of us closer. It felt... bonding? I don't know how to explain it."
"Yeah, I felt it too, as did Brent. The two of you talked a little at the Aquarium, right?"
Nodding, she said, “He wanted to confirm I was okay with his... participation. And I needed to understand his motivation. I kind of had it right; he can be turned on by any submissive taking pain for their Master, no matter the gender, plus, he's always stimulated by Jacob's submission, and whether he's submitting to me or Brent doesn't seem to be important."
She glanced up, went back to folding. “He says the two of you are working towards eventually being able to give orders to both of us when in a scene?"
"Yes, that's the plan, though we won't rush it. Their contract has to be altered; it's not something Brent can demand, Jacob will have to consent. He'll have to feel I'm worthy."
He walked towards her, but stopped a few feet away, as if afraid to touch her. His voice was soft, cautious. “Speaking of contracts, ours terminated when you left. I'm just happy to have you back; I won't push to revive it. It's up to you."
"I assumed it was reinstated when I submitted to you last night. You reclaimed me, Sir. As far as I'm concerned the contract is in force."
"I never make assumptions about contracts. If Brent and Jacob hadn't conspired with their Truth or Dare game, would we be this far along?"
"Probably not. I thanked Brent for that today, too—he pointed out Jacob should get most of the credit. I'll have to find a way to reward him. What was going through your mind when you kneeled before me?"
"How vulnerable I felt. How much I must've hurt you by stepping away when you put yourself in that position. Exactly what they wanted me to feel, I imagine."
Dana turned from him, put the last of her clothing away and began stripping—wanting to show him her submission, her desire to follow the rules.
"I'd like you to take another quick shower, and I want to put the TENS on you for its original purpose—as pain relief. We can't leave it on full time, but when you're sitting still I think I can keep your shoulder from hurting."
"Why not leave it on? It aches and throbs when I'm sitting still, but hurts when I use it."
"Pain's there for a reason, to keep you from re-injuring it, to make you baby it. I'll block the signals when you're resting, but not while you're moving around."
Dana was surprised to see Zach waiting with a towel when she stepped out of the shower. She stood and let him dry her, but her heart sank into her stomach when he said, “Inspection."
She'd shaved, but not to inspection protocols. She spread her legs and bent over, turning so the light shone on her pussy and ass, and felt his finger trace a path along both lips, across and around her asshole, down her legs, and back up.
"You forgot about inspection?"
"I'm sorry, Sir. I know it's the weekend, but I was in a hurry and trying not to get my head wet. I just hit the high spots, not really thinking."
He patted her on the ass, her cue she could stand. “I'll let it go today; we'll call it special circumstances. Sit on the bench so I can get the pads on you."
He placed four electrodes around her shoulder before leading her to the bedroom loveseat and plugging them into the TENS, switching it on and giving her a questioning look.
"I don't feel anything."
"Try lifting your arm."
She did and winced. He made an adjustment and she sensed the slightest buzz, barely a hint of a vibration. She raised her arm again and felt nothing. She lifted it higher and he said, “Whoa, that's enough. Remember, the lack of pain doesn't mean you can pretend it's healed. You're still hurt, I've just blocked the nerve response from reaching your brain. You have to keep babying it or I'll turn it off."
"Thank you, this is wonderful."
He smiled and ran his finger proprietarily around her nipple, as if he owned it. His simple actions never failed to turn her on, the idea he could just casually reach out and touch her whenever he wished, whether he was horny or not, whether she wanted to be touched or not.
"I'd like to do our evening ritual, but you're not up to kneeling for fifteen minutes yet. Lie down and rest your head on my thigh, so you can look up at me. Get comfortable, I need to know what's going through your mind, and what you're feeling."
She arranged herself, realizing the act of looking up at him put her in the right headspace for this, no kneeling required. He rubbed her face, lightly brushed across the top of her hair, being careful of her stitches.
"If you could change anything about last night or this morning's scene, what would it be?"
"The smart-ass in me wishes I'd been allowed an orgasm this morning, but you denied it because I smarted off, so...” She shrugged. “I didn't realize I was testing you when I said it, but once you pointed it out, I realized you were right. If you hadn't responded with a consequence, I'd've been disappointed."
"Do you feel I did enough to re-affirm what we are to each other?"
"Yes, Sir. I do. And I love you even more for understanding how to make me feel I belonged to you again."
"Why did you snap at Jacob?"
"Coming back here, I suddenly had misgivings. No, not misgivings, exactly, but it put me on edge. I'm tired of being injured, fed up with constantly hurting and having to be so careful of how I move. It's frustrating, Sir. He just said the wrong thing at the wrong time. I should've controlled myself better, though."
"Yes, you should've, but I think you've learned a valuable lesson about being on Top, and what Brent said afterwards gave me an idea. When I realize I'm in no shape to control myself, much less both of us, maybe I need a safeword? I'd like to think it won't ever happen again, but if I'd had a way to let you know I wasn't in a good place, we could've avoided..."
He paused, his face looking pained, and she didn't make him figure out how to finish his sentence. “I think it's a good plan, Sir. Do you want to say davenport, or Heritage Park, or red?"
"Heritage Park seems more fitting, but we use it in our everyday speech. How about using the same initials? Harry Potter? That's not something I'm likely to say very often."
She laughed. “Okay, Harry Potter it is, then."
"I don't want to wait until January to get married."
She closed her eyes and thought about it, her inner voice reminding her time wasn't guaranteed, and life could be taken with no warning. She didn't want to wait so long, either, but wasn't ready to set a date just yet.
"Ask me in two weeks, please, Sir?"
He brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers, his expression serious, almost apologizing for his next question. “Will you go with me Monday to sign medical powers of attorney for each other? I asked my lawyer to draft them, and I've already made an appointment for us."
"You can have him email me both and I'll look them over and sleep on it. If I agree then I'll go with you Tuesday to sign them. Sir."
"Thank you. Is there anything going on in your head I should be aware of?"
"Nothing specific I can think of, just general anxiety about what we need to do to make this work, to heal the rift so it doesn't pop up and cause problems later."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Fifteen
* * * *
Dana walked out of her office, wishing everyone a good weekend, and slid into her new Infinity. Zach had tried to purchase a vehicle that'd cost twice as much, but she'd put her foot down and told him she'd buy her own car; she wasn't with him for his money. When she showed him the safety specs it turned out her choice was safer than his. Argument over. Thank goodness their contract stipulated she got a say in major decisions, and would stay that way—at least until their fifth wedding anniversary, but likely indefinitely.
Zach appreciated not having to “parent” her, and valued her ability to make responsible choices. He certainly relished owning her, but was happy to get her input on the big stuff.
She'd finally understood he enjoyed micromanaging her, especially since he could pick and choose when to dominate her every move, and when to back off and chill out, secure in the fact she'd be fine without relentless supervision. So far, they'd been on similar rhythms, so she was content to be left to her own devices when he backed off, and was thrilled to yield to his power when he decided to take the reins.
She was completely healed from the wreck now—bruises gone, stitches out, aches and pains a distant memory. Her hair only had six weeks’ growth, but with the extensions, it wasn't noticeable.
Traffic was light and she made it to the airport quickly, waiting only few minutes before the helicopter came in for a landing. Brent stayed to talk to the pilot, but Jacob came straight to her, waiting for her outstretched arms before leaning in to give her a long hug. She gave him the order to kiss her and he leaned down to show her exactly how happy he was to see her, his lips a gentle demand as the air around them went thick. She felt his heart beating against her chest as her own pulse quickened and she tore her mouth away from him, burying her head in his chest, letting him hold her as she fought the urge to demand he get into the backseat and use his tongue to get her off.
Brent joined them, sliding into the front passenger seat with a chuckle. “You two make me hard just watching you. Jacob, put our luggage in the trunk, please."
Dana gave Jacob another quick peck on the lips before motioning him to do as Brent said. It'd only been two weeks, but she'd missed Jacob, and looked forward to spending time alone with him. They were to have a six-hour window tomorrow to hammer out their own contract, and she'd worked on the specifics all week.
Apparently, there were going to be serious discussions between the four of them this evening, but conversation stayed light on the drive home and through a good part of dinner. As they finished chatting about the weather, of all things, she was about to mention they were supposed to be talking about something important when Brent began.
"I used to have a helicopter pilot's license, but life got busy and I haven't kept it up. It should take me six to ten weeks to prepare to test for it again."
He took a bite and Zach picked up. “Brent and I'll both have helipads put in, and we're going in halves on a four-person helicopter. The one we're looking at will make it from their house to here in around thirty-five minutes."
Brent took a sip of wine and looked at Dana. “Should the two of you want to visit us, I can come get you, but realistically we'll be coming here more often."
Zach waved towards the playroom. “The bed down here's big enough for the four of us, but I'd like to personalize their suite, and while we're at it we'll bring in an oversized bed. You and Jacob need to draw up a design plan and let us approve it, and you should schedule your people to get started."
Dana was still stuck on the helicopter and turned to Brent. “So, does this mean we'll get together every weekend?"
"It means the possibility becomes easier. Remember, Jacob is frequently needed on weekends, as that's when the galas are, where he has to prepare some big star for an event. Every weekend won't happen, but we could come close, if that's what we decide we want, as a group."
Dana's head swam with the prospect of having Jacob most weekends, consistently, so she could count on it. She saw the gratitude in his eyes as he gazed at Brent, and knew he felt the same way.
The four discussed the options the helicopter would open up during the rest of dinner, and as Dana swallowed her final bite, Brent looked at her and said, “Before we begin further discussions, you and I have things to talk about in private, if you'd like to come upstairs with me?"
She turned to Zach, unsure of what was going on, but he only smiled and said, “Go, and know I'm good with whatever you decide. Brent and I've had this conversation, but this one should be your decision. You'll understand why when he asks."
Her eyes travelled to Jacob, but he shrugged, apparently as much in the dark as she. Giving him a lopsided grin, she drank her last swallow of wine and walked up the steps with Brent.
"Come, sit with me on the sofa, I'll get the easy question over with first, then we'll get to the more difficult one. I'm planning to have Jacob pierced. It'll be a guiche, and I'm having a piece of jewelry made that'll say Property of Brent. I think it'd be appropriate for you to have him pierced, if you'd like, and to design the jewelry for it. My agreement with Jacob states I can have him pierced any place I wish, as long as it won't be seen by the general public."
He rolled his eyes, smiling. “Leaves out nipples, since he wears such tight shirts. If you can negotiate them, congratulations—but it'd probably be better to pick something lower."
Dana's heart tipped in her chest as she returned his smile, recognizing what he was offering her, and appreciating his understanding of how important she and Jacob had become to each other. A flood of emotions stormed her and she threw her arms around him. He embraced her with his strong arms and said, “Funny, when male Doms talk, there's usually less hugging."
She kissed him on the cheek. “I've always wondered how being fucked by someone with a PA would feel."
"Excellent choice. I'm not interested in piercing a body part I rarely utilize, but you frequently make use of his cock, and you'll have the added benefit of being stimulated by a Prince Albert. That'll be a big turn-on for him—his pain giving you long-term pleasure."
He reached for his tablet, showing her a mock-up of the ring and tag he'd designed for the guiche, and let her look through the options for PA's, though she'd need to talk to Brent's jeweler before reaching any final decisions.
"Okay, that's settled, what else is there to discuss?"
He took both of her hands in his and said, “I understand you've already put the deposit down to hold a date in early April for your wedding?"
"Well, yeah, but we weren't supposed to tell anyone until Thanksgiving. He asked me two weeks ago, and I told him I'd give him a maybe, but need more time before I'm ready to go public."
Brent tilted his head, pursed his lips. “He's under the impression it's a yes, but you just aren't ready to announce it yet."
She sighed. “He's pretty much right. I guess I shouldn't be surprised he talked to you, as close as the two of you've become."
"How would you feel about a double wedding? I'm going to ask Jacob to fly off to another state and marry me—would you like to get married in Massachusetts with us?"
Dana had worried about her and Zach having a connection the rest of their little group didn't, and this solved everything. Best of all, it'd be a ceremony meant for only the four of them, and not a show put on for family and friends. The huge weight she'd been carrying floated away as she said, “That's perfect, Brent. It's overwhelming sometimes, if I stop and think about it—how intertwined our lives are becoming. But if I don't overthink it, everything's so simple. When will you ask him?"
"Sunday at lunch, before we go home. I've arranged to have a nice meal catered, and we'll all be dressed up."
"Can we go together to look for rings? Would it be too weird for all of us to have them match in some way? Not identical, but a unique detail that's the same?"
"I think that's an excellent idea. You know Zach and I'll let you and Jacob handle most of the details. He's already been working on creating your
dress."
They talked a little more of wedding plans and Dana said, “Oh, do you have the paper you said you'd draw up, giving Jacob permission to sign an agreement with me?"
"Yes, I've got about two dozen things listed that I think he might not feel comfortable agreeing to without wanting to check with me first. I included everything you requested, plus piercings."
"Good idea, thanks. I can see how if he's already agreed to allow you to pierce him, he'd be hesitant to give it to me, too, without checking first.” She looked down the list and saw something else she hadn't asked for.
"I wasn't planning to ask for his consent to punish him at my discretion without a safeword."
"Jacob needs it from you, so you should include it. It's a lot of responsibility, but I know how much you care for him, and I've watched you balance punishment with his current emotional and physical state. I'm sure you're ready for it, and I'm certain he needs it."
Dana's insides quivered, and suddenly she understood Zach's concern of taking her too far, as she worried she'd go farther than Jacob could handle and would damage their trust.
"I promise you'll be fine with it Dana. You can read his face, and his tone of voice—you know exactly where he is without input. He doesn't need his safeword, because you know where his edge is. I wouldn't suggest this if I weren't convinced you were up to it."
Realizing he was right, she nodded and continued. “So, tomorrow evening, once we've got it hammered out, I'll send the final contract to the printer in your suite, and that'll be the cue for you and Zach to come in and witness our signing it."
"Yes, and then we'll watch you make him yours physically. Jacob's told you he wants you to make him cry, right?"
Her arousal ignited as she thought about her plans. “Yeah, he has. I'll have him carve the ginger before we start—a plug for both ass and cock. You brought his armbinders? I'll hook those to the winch, and use a spreader on his ankles, put the ginger in, add in weights on his nipples and balls, and then use his own belt on his ass—that should be enough for tears, shouldn't it?"
Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon Page 17