Heat

by Jamie K. Schmidt

  “But what about …” Mallory had to close her eyes to think of the man’s name. “Sam. What does he teach when he’s here?”

  “Cunnilingus,” Nefertiti said without changing expression. “He branches out by offering private lessons to couples. Or single ladies. There’s no emotion, unless you count earth-shaking orgasms.”

  “How is that not prostitution again?” Mallory asked.

  “As far as Couture’s concerned, he’s teaching a course. If he does private lessons for more money, we have nothing to do with that.” Nefertiti frowned at the mess on Colleen’s desk and began to sort the piles.

  “So he doesn’t do his private lessons here?”

  “He’s not supposed to.” Nefertiti picked up a certificate and shook her head. “I’ve been looking for this.”

  “I saw him in that gorgeous apartment the first night I got here. He was with a woman.”

  “Just one?” Nefertiti raised an eyebrow.

  “That I saw.”

  “We rent rooms by the hour for guests who are”—Nefertiti cleared her throat—“tired.”

  “There were a lot of other interesting events going on in the Hot Spot.”

  “Honey, that’s why it’s called the Hot Spot.” She fanned herself with the certificates.

  “Does Sam have a girlfriend?”

  “I think he’s got a bunch. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s got a few boyfriends, too.”

  “What about the rest of the staff? Is anyone in a committed relationship?”

  “That’s not my business,” Nefertiti said. “But we do have couples and triples who enjoy each other. If you’re looking for traditional, this really isn’t the place to find it.” She gave a small, sad smile and looked away. “But that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a good time.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought. I was wondering how the significant others handled the jealousy.”

  “Maybe you should talk to Sam.”

  Mallory blushed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. He might remember me.”

  “From where? Are you holding out on me?” Nefertiti went over to the coffeepot and poured two cups.

  “Oh, you don’t want to know.”

  “I’m sure I do.”

  “Is there a lot of jealousy? I mean Sam’s three o’clock appointment might be worried that his four o’clock appointment is getting better treatment.”

  “That’s Sam’s business, but I don’t hear a lot of complaints. Most of the people here on the kinky side aren’t expecting a lifelong relationship.”

  Mallory’s heart gave a bump at that. She looked up at Nefertiti and saw that she had a wistful look on her face. She’d bet her last dollar that she was thinking about Istvahn. “What about between staff members? Is it forbidden for two instructors to get it on? Is it bad for business?”

  “Like any business, it’s not a good idea to get involved in an office romance.” There was that sad smile again. “It’s unprofessional and distracting in the workplace.” Her voice deepened, and Mallory got the feeling that she was quoting someone. “Of course, that being said, it’s not against the law. I think as long as both parties are mature enough to handle their partner potentially being groped and propositioned and if there’s trust and mutual respect … well then, anything’s possible.”

  “What about during staff development parties? Max was telling me about a wild one. Where he met a girl in a rope dress and Colleen banged a vampire.”

  Nefertiti pumped her fist. “Yes! I knew she had Harold that night.”

  “The vampire’s name was Harold?”

  “He was a sweetie. I miss him.” She walked back to her office and filed the certificate.

  “What happened?” Mallory scrambled after her, carrying both their coffee cups.

  “Colleen trained him and he went with another Domme.”

  “Wait, a dominatrix?”

  Nefertiti nodded. “I don’t remember who.”

  “He was an accountant, right?”

  “When he wasn’t shining her boots.”

  “Didn’t she feel bad when he left her?” Mallory squirmed a little. Poor Colleen.

  “Not at what she was charging to make him the perfect submissive.”

  “He paid her to do what exactly?”

  “She trained him to follow her orders and do some kinky stuff. You want the details? You should ask Colleen. I’m not a sub or a Domme.”

  “What are you?”

  “I’m an African queen, baby.”

  Mallory nodded. “Of course you are. What did Istvahn go as?”

  Nefertiti smiled. “He went as himself. He doesn’t unclench very often. Why? Are you thinking of joining up for the kick-ass parties?”

  “Me? Work here?” Mallory chuckled. “I don’t want to work for Colleen. No offense, but your boss is bossy.”

  “I hadn’t noticed,” Nefertiti said with a wink.

  “Well, it looks like Colleen isn’t going to get here anytime soon. Can you pencil us in for dinner tomorrow?”

  Nefertiti shook her head. “She’s booked solid until the weekend. How about Saturday at Shira’s? It’s a Middle Eastern place on the eighth floor.”

  “Sounds perfect.” Mallory held up her empty cup. “Where should I put this?”

  “I’ll take it. Listen, Mallory.”

  Mallory peeked back from the doorway.

  “Max is a good guy. You could do a lot worse.”

  “I’ve had a lot worse,” Mallory said.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Mallory had just gotten out of the shower when there was a knock on her door.

  “Crap,” she said. It wasn’t even close to nine.

  A woman Mallory had never seen before was holding several large flat boxes. “Your Master wishes you to wear this tonight.”

  “My what?” Mallory said, but the woman was already moving down the hall, presumably to deliver the other boxes.

  Her mood lifted a little when she unwound the ribbon on the package. It was nice to get a present. But inside was a white bedsheet. It wasn’t until she took it out that she noticed the laurel-wreath headpiece and a gold arm bracelet. There was also a gilded mask, much nicer than the one she had to borrow from Alex when she was hiding out from Chrissie.

  The thought of Chrissie made her stomach ache, so she pushed it aside.

  Mallory checked the members-only schedule. There was an orgy on it for tonight. Giggling, she shucked off all her clothes and fitted the sheet over her body. Luckily, directions also fluttered out of the box and after a few tries, she was able to get it tied into a toga. She put the brooch Colleen had given her on the shoulder tie. Mallory didn’t want to risk not being let in to the members-only section, although she was sure Max could sweet-talk his way around any opposition. She smoothed her hand down the soft sheet. She had been a little worried that she would tie it wrong and suffer from a wardrobe malfunction at an inconvenient time, but it looked like it was going to hold. Deciding what to do with her hair was another matter. She couldn’t believe she was going to a Roman orgy—or at the very least, a toga party.

  Looking in the mirror as she settled the wreathlet over her head, Mallory decided she looked more like a reject from Animal House than she did like a Roman empress, but she liked how the high thread count felt as it rubbed against her skin.

  “Soon,” she told her reflection, blowing out a breath.

  They were going to make love tonight. Mallory could hardly wait.

  A few minutes before nine, the knock on her door had her heart hammering to match. She opened it up to find Max dressed in a centurion’s outfit.

  “Nice knees,” she said.

  “You look like Venus.” He stepped into the room and kissed her. “Ravishing,” he said when he lifted his mouth.

  “Will you ravish me?” she asked.

  “Count on it. Put on your mask.” He held up a black Lone Ranger–style mask. “So if anyone sees us, they won’t be able to tell for sure who we are.�
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  “Do you think anyone cares?”

  He nodded. “I think we should be careful. Colleen’s on the warpath. She was pretty pissed you didn’t tell her about your job.”

  “She made me make an appointment to talk to her. I was going to tell her at dinner tomorrow.”

  With both their masks on, Max held out his arm and escorted her through to the members-only side of Couture. People mingled, eating grapes from trays and sipping wine in enormous golden chalices. Max led her through the crowd to a back stairway. She followed him up a winding and carpeted staircase. The sounds of the crowd dimmed and faded to nothing as they reached the top of the landing. He pushed her up against the wall and plundered her mouth until she was breathless.

  “Are you ready for this?”

  “Oh yes.”

  He removed her mask and replaced it with a blindfold the same color as her toga. “Remember playing this game with me?”

  “How could I forget?”

  “You’re going to cross a few lines tonight, I bet.” He tightened the blindfold. “Tell me how kinky you want it.”

  “I want to forget about my crazy life and just feel.”

  “I can do that,” he said and trailed his hand down to cup her breast. He kissed her again, pushing her up against the wall.

  “I want you,” she breathed when he lifted his mouth.

  “If it wasn’t our first time, I’d take you right here. But we’re going to do this right.”

  “Hurry, then. I can’t wait much longer.”

  Mallory fingered the blindfold as Max led her many steps into a room. She couldn’t see a thing. He left her for a moment and she heard the door lock. Then he came back and made short work of the toga and she was naked except for the blindfold.

  She gasped when his hands grabbed her ass. “Are we alone?”

  “Yes,” he said. “Are you ready for me?”

  “I’m ready for anything. Let’s do something crazy.”

  “I want to spank you.”

  “Why?” she said with a shaky voice. “I’ve been good.”

  “I want to see that creamy flesh jiggle. I want to hear your intake of breath. I want to feel you naked across my legs.”

  “Okay,” she breathed. This was what she had been waiting for. What he had been preparing her for.

  “Be sure,” he said, kissing her.

  “I’m sure.”

  She heard him shuck off his clothes and armor, then heard him drag something heavy across the floor. He put her over his lap. The hair from his legs tickled her breasts. Her ass was in the air and she felt exposed and vulnerable. It excited her. Especially when he smoothed his hand over the curved planes. His erection pressed against her side with a hard heat she needed inside her. Her breasts and knees touched the soft velvet plush of what must be a couch he was sitting on.

  “I don’t want to scare you,” he said.

  “Touch me,” Mallory said. “Make me come.”

  The first swat did take her breath away, but it was followed by his fingers tickling her clit until she was moaning. He swatted her again and then gripped her ass.

  “You are so sexy,” he breathed.

  “You like this?” She wiggled her butt.

  “Oh yeah.” He swatted her again, his big hand no more than tapping against her. He paddled her until her cheeks felt tingly and hot.

  He went back to teasing her clit, his fingers tickling the wet heat of her. Mallory moaned. She rubbed herself against him, and he flittered his fingers until she was gasping his name and flooding her pleasure over him.

  He spanked her as her body was trying to recover from the endorphins and she wound up crying out in gratification with each strike.

  “I think that’s enough for today. I don’t want to get carried away. Thank you,” he said, helping her back to her feet. He kissed her sweetly.

  “My pleasure,” she murmured against his mouth.

  “Next time, I’m going to tie you up with my pretty white rope and fuck you senseless.”

  Mallory felt a flash of something. It was fear. “About that …” she started to say.

  Max took off the blindfold. The room they were in was a small bar area. There was a table, the couch they were just on, and some chairs, and on the bar was a tray of snacks and a pitcher of drinks. But what made the room unique was that one wall was a window. Mallory started to cover up; then she realized that no one could look in, but they could look down on the ballroom.

  “It’s the orgy,” Mallory said in amazement, going as close as she dared to the window.

  “They can’t see into here. The angle is wrong.”

  “Do they know they’re being watched?”

  “Oh yes. We can see them, but they can’t see us.”

  “You like to watch,” she said.

  “Right now, you are fascinating me.” His finger traced a circle around her nipple. It hardened and burgeoned to his touch. He pinched it gently between his thumb and his forefinger. Tugged on it. Mallory watched him, her hand surrounding his thick cock. She stroked him, as Max did the same thing to the other breast. Then, he held both nipples and pulled them to the rhythm of her strokes.

  “Your hand on my dick feels like heaven,” he sighed. “And your breasts are irresistible. I can’t stop touching them.”

  “Yes,” she breathed. “I want you to come. I’m so glad I can make you feel as wonderful as you make me feel.” She tugged on him.

  “I’m going to come all over your hand.” He cupped her breasts then, lifting them so he could sample their sweetness.

  She rubbed him harder, with long, swift strokes.

  He took both nipples into his mouth and sucked. Mallory tilted her head back in delight and then because she couldn’t help it, turned her head to watch the figures shed their togas and inhibitions.

  “I don’t think I could do that,” she said, pointing to the woman who was spread-eagle on the banquet table. Four men surrounded her—one at each breast, one between her legs—and she was pleasuring the fourth with her mouth.

  “I wouldn’t share you,” Max said gruffly, looking up briefly. He then went back to her breasts, his tongue and teeth making her shaky again. Her hand stroked him, enjoying the thick length.

  “Do you like making love to me while we watch the orgy?”

  “Are you okay with that?”

  Mallory nodded. “More than okay.”

  “Come here, then.” Max gently removed her hand from his cock and brought her next to a table set by the window. He pulled it out and with a quick motion bent her over the table and forced her legs wide. “I’m glad you’re not wearing panties,” he said. “I would have just ripped them off.”

  “Now,” Mallory begged. Her hands pressed against the window for balance and her eyes were unable to look away at the writhing bodies below them. Another woman was astride a man, riding him hard while another man massaged her breasts. “That’s so hot.”

  “I’m not sharing you.” He entered her hard, filling her deep.

  “Oh,” she cried out.

  “Are you all right?” His voice was ragged, but he held himself still.

  “Oh,” she could only say again. It was perfect. It felt amazing to grip him.

  “Mallory, baby, you’re killing me.” He pulled out almost all the way.

  “No, don’t go.”

  He eased back inside her, sliding back and forth.

  “Yes,” she sighed. “Just so wonderful.”

  He grunted. “I can’t go slow this time.”

  “I don’t want you to—ooh.” The words weren’t out of her mouth when his body slammed into her. His fingers were hard on her hips and she felt the force of his thrusts to her very teeth.

  “Yeah,” she said, tossing her head back to look at him over her shoulder.

  “So freaking beautiful,” he said, pushing into her with a fierce, driving rhythm. “Wanted to do this ever since you let me play with you.”

  “Harder,” she purred, and he p
icked up the pace.

  Her breasts bounced hard with his rhythms. Mallory gripped the table and spread her legs wider.

  “More!” she screamed as the feeling of being possessed and branded hit her. Max was taking her, burning himself on her very heart. She was his. The slide of him in and out of her was building in intensity to the point where every inch of her was so sensitive she began to shake. When his hand smacked down on her ass again, she howled and bucked as the wild thing inside of her let loose. He held her firm against him and plundered deeper and faster.

  “Max!” she cried as the orgasm slammed into her. She was dizzy and disoriented as wave after wave of pleasure filled her.

  He roared his climax and then collapsed on top of her, breathing like he had just run a race and there wasn’t any oxygen. They lay there like that, watching the other people below them orgasm and writhe together.

  Max kissed her between the shoulder blades and worked his way down. “You are amazing.”

  Mallory lifted herself off the table and steadied herself against Max. “Wow,” she said. “Just wow.”

  “So are you freaked out?” Max said, ducking his head shyly.

  She took his face between her hands. “I have never felt this way before.”

  He looked at her, deep into her eyes. “I’m glad.”

  “Let’s watch some more,” she said, gesturing to the couch.

  Max obliged by pulling it closer to the window. Mallory curled into his lap. “What’s your favorite part?”

  “You’re my favorite part.” He kissed her forehead while his hands explored her body.

  “I mean about Couture.”

  “Aside from watching people having sex?”

  “Yeah.” Mallory rested her head on his arm while she watched two women straddle a man. One on his face and one on his cock.

  “I like the excitement.”

  She turned her face to dance her tongue over his nipple.

  “Mmmm, are you feeling frisky?”

  “With you? Always.”

  “Could you see yourself here?” Max asked, his voice nonchalant.

  “Down there? I only want to be with you.”

  “I like the sound of that.” Max pulled her up and positioned her so she was straddling him. He eased back inside of her. “I can’t get enough.”