by Tori Carson
She opened her eyes and saw him gazing down at her. He looked young and happy. Eva wrapped her arms around his leg, content to kneel before him.
“Master Gio, it’s so good to see you back in the club. We’ve missed you,” a woman’s voice boomed from behind Eva.
Gio’s hand stilled in her hair. “Thank you, Becky.”
Another woman appeared in Eva’s peripheral vision and placed two drinks on the table to the right of Gio.
“Will you be free later?” the girl behind Eva asked.
Eva noticed the server stopped to hear his response. She could feel how tense Gio had become as the two women approached and she felt a little sorry for him. The brat in her wanted to laugh. He was in a pretty awkward position. Good thing he never pretended to be a choir boy, because he’d have been lying. Though she worked hard to keep the smile off her face, she knew she wasn’t successful.
“Brat,” Gio whispered under his breath.
Eva chuckled softly.
“No, I will not. Becky, Gina, I’d like to introduce Eva. She has agreed to be my exclusive submissive.” Gio placed a hand under Eva’s arm, helping her to stand.
As the attention was turned on Eva, it lost the amusement factor. Both women’s gazes immediately fell on her collar and it took a lot of self-control not to touch it. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Mr. ‘I Bang A Different Girl Every Five Minutes’ is going to try an exclusive relationship? This’ll be fun to watch, won’t it, Gina?” Becky sniped.
Gina had a sudden interest in the floor. “I have to…” She scurried off without finishing her sentence.
“That’s enough, Becky. I suggest you find another Dom to torment. I’m more likely to revoke your membership than I am to banter with you.” Gio tugged on Eva’s hand.
Eva calmly resumed her position at Gio’s feet. She’d expected to feel intense jealousy, but she hadn’t. As she rested her head back on Gio’s thigh, she considered why all she felt was anger at Becky for putting Gio in an awkward situation.
The couch dipped and Gio put a protective arm around Eva.
“Bro, you’re my hero. I always get sucked into her shenanigans.”
“Tony, go away. I want some quiet time with my girl,” Gio told his brother.
Tony continued on as if Gio hadn’t spoken, “Last night, she tricked me into punishing her. I flogged her for so long I got an arm cramp. Stupid. It was what she had wanted in the first place.”
Gio seemed to be ignoring Tony, and Eva chose to follow his lead. It was easy to get lost in her head when Gio played with her hair and cradled her close to him. Within a few minutes, she realized why her response had been so different just a night ago. Since Becky could feasibly be a threat and Sister Carol was absolutely no threat, Eva should have been out of her mind with jealousy. The only change between yesterday and this evening had been in Eva’s mindset. Now she felt secure about her relationship with Gio. She knew he loved her and wanted to build a life together.
“Anyway, the tower is ready when you are.” Tony had apparently figured out that a conversation with Gio wasn’t happening and he headed toward the bar.
When they were alone again, Gio ran a finger over the exposed portion of her breasts. “How’s my girl doing? Did the…interruptions upset you?”
“No. I’m fine.” She looked up at his concerned face.
“I haven’t been a saint, but I didn’t ‘bang’ that many girls either,” he tried to explain.
Eva chuckled. “I think you’re more traumatized by her words than I am. I knew you worked here as a Dom in Residence. I realize what that entails. I also understand vindictive women.” She knew Gio had enjoyed the company of other girls and while she didn’t like it, she accepted it. Within reason, she even understood the death glares from the other women. Gio was handsome, kind and a hell of a catch. They wouldn’t like a newcomer snatching him out from under them.
“Is that why you were so nervous about coming here?” he asked as he rubbed her back.
Chapter Seven
Eva chuckled. “No. I’m worried about your family. I don’t want to do or say anything that would make you look bad.”
“Sweetheart, my family is going to love you.” He knew it with complete certainty.
She shook her head. “How can you be so sure?”
“Because you make me happy. It’s really that simple.” Every time he looked at his collar around Eva’s neck, his heart did an odd double jump. He’d dreamed of this day for so long.
Shaking his dad’s hand moments ago had been one of those special points in time that Gio knew he’d remember always. No words had passed between them, but his father had given his approval. It wasn’t needed. In the big scheme of things, no one’s opinion mattered other than Eva’s, and yet Gio was honored to have it.
He knew Eva’s family didn’t approve of her current lifestyle. They had expected her to return to their community, not make a life of her own. While no one could ever replace her family’s love, he hoped his crazy bunch would help fill the void for her.
“I want to make you happy, Gio, more than anything.”
Gloria put a hand on his shoulder. “Momma wants to see you and Eva upstairs.”
Shit. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. “Eva—” Gio leaned forward and kissed her temple. “Do you remember my sister, Gloria?”
Eva sat up and instantly blushed. “I don’t think we were introduced at the wedding. It’s nice to meet you. Adriana has told me so much about you.”
“Adriana and not Gio? I’m not surprised, Gio never speaks. He’s the stern, silent type.” Gloria laughed. “Anyway, it’s nice to finally meet you. That’s a lovely collar. Is my brother poaching or is that his?”
“Gloria!” Gio admonished.
“See what I mean? He’s always a grumpy bear, and you don’t need to answer. Gio, aka Mr Straight-Laced, would never break a rule—not like that. He’s been charged with keeping our brothers in line. Now that’s a full-time job. Gotta run. My sub is going to wonder if Mistress abandoned him.” Gloria headed down the hallway.
Eva smiled up at him. “Stern, silent and straight-laced? Have I lost my mind or has she?”
Gio sighed. “When I came home, I had a lot of soul searching to do. I re-examined my life and made some serious changes. I stopped drinking and eating trash. I enrolled at Phoenix College and hit the books hard. When I could, I participated in Dom classes. I questioned everything and I wanted answers.” He ran his fingers through her hair.
“We’ve talked about this. I had doubts about what kind of man I was. As a teen I was afraid to ask questions or voice my fears. You have no idea how relieved I was when I started speaking to other people who had the same inclinations as I do. When I understood the power exchange, that a submissive craves their Master’s Dominance as much as their Dom craves their partner’s submission, it all began to make sense. Once I comprehended the dynamic, I realized the responsibility a Dominant carries and I resented my brothers taking it lightly. It isn’t just fun and games. They need to take their actions seriously.”
“And you became their mentor,” Eva finished for him.
“I’m trying. Gloria was right about one thing. It’s a full-time job.” Gio cradled Eva’s cheek. “My mom wants to see us. Are you up for that?”
Eva smiled. “I highly doubt it, but I don’t want to risk getting on her bad side. Adriana talks like Momma Parma is a force to be reckoned with.” She stood up and began fidgeting with her clothes.
“Stop. You look beautiful. Momma means well. If you keep that in mind, it makes conversations easier,” he reassured her.
“I’m sure she does. She raised some great kids.” Eva looked down at her clothing. “If my mom ever saw me in this outfit, she’d have a heart attack on the spot.” Eva sounded concerned.
“Relax.” Gio wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her temple and they headed up the steps.
“I know. I know. Your parents have se
en it all.”
“Pretty much.” At the top of the stairs, he turned to the left and headed to the suite his parents called home. “My family is good people, Eva. Give ’em a chance.”
She looked up at him in surprise. Didn’t she realize it was a two way street? He knew his family would love her, but he worried if she’d be able to accept them. She was already having trouble reconciling a family owning and operating a kink club with her upbringing.
He rapped on the door and his mom immediately answered it.
Maria hugged them both in the doorway. “Please, come in.” She stepped to the side, allowing them entrance.
Eva seemed a little shell-shocked. She had a death grip on his hand.
Gio kissed her knuckles. “Momma? You wanted to see us?” His mom was obviously on a mission, he just didn’t know what it was.
“Sit down.” She waved them to the loveseat. “Eva, can I get you anything?”
“No, Mrs Parma, thank you.” Eva sat down beside him.
“Please, call me Maria. I’ve heard so much about you, I feel like we’re going to be good friends.”
Eva sent him a questioning look. He shrugged. He’d talked to his dad the Sunday after Adriana’s wedding, but his mother hadn’t been close by.
“Adriana tells me you’re from Pennsylvania. Is this your permanent home or are you just here for your studies?”
“Arizona is my home now, ma’am. I’m a teacher and I help run a local crisis center,” Eva explained.
“Teacher? I thought you were the bartender at André’s club.” Maria looked from Eva to Gio in confusion.
“She does it all, Momma. She’s a very busy woman.” Gio tried to take some of the heat off Eva. He knew she wouldn’t appreciate the third degree.
“But you still make time for my Gio?” Maria asked pointedly.
Eva smiled. “Well, it is easier now that he volunteered his time at the crisis center.”
Maria nodded. “I’m not surprised. My Gio is a good boy. He built a rec center for our church and remodeled a home for the aged, all for no charge to them. He looks after his brothers too.” She turned her attention back to Eva. “You must miss your family.”
Gio’s face felt hot and he considered turning down the air, but he couldn’t leave Eva, no matter how uncomfortable his mother’s praise made him.
“Yes, ma’am, I do, but Arizona is my home now. I’ve made good friends and I’m happy here.” Eva moved a little closer to Gio.
“I would never presume to fill the role of your momma, but sometimes it’s nice to speak frankly with a woman who has seen a bit more of life than you could have at your age, especially in this lifestyle. Carlo and I have been married for over forty years. I’ve been a devoted wife and slave. While Gio has grown very knowledgeable and can answer any questions you may have, he cannot speak to you from a woman’s perspective. I can do that, if you allow me.”
Eva squeezed his hand then loosened her grip. “That’s very kind of you, Maria. I may take you up on that offer.”
“Running this type of business, we’ve learned the importance of privacy. If you seek my counsel, it will stay between us. I say this in front of my son, so you both understand.” Maria looked them both in the eye.
“That’s comforting, thank you. However, I hope Gio and I never have secrets.” Eva looked up at him and smiled.
“As it should be. But sometimes girl talk is best kept between the girls.” Maria winked at Eva.
“I can see the comfort in that. Thank you.”
“Carlo and I are mostly retired. We rarely venture into the great hall. Carlo still keeps his office and he continues to handle the behind the scenes work—permits, taxes and so forth—but we’ve turned over daily operation to the children. Lately, Gio has been serving as monitor and filling in as needed as a Dom in Residence.”
He didn’t know where his mother was going with this and he wasn’t at all comfortable. If he interrupted, though, it would look like he had something to hide. Fuck. What was his mother doing to him? Eva wiggled her hand and he realized he’d tightened his grip.
“I understand, Gio, you’ve told your siblings not to schedule you unless it’s an emergency and never as DR. I want you both to know, the family supports this. We’ve spoken to several long-standing members about becoming employees. The roster is filled,” Maria informed them.
“Is this going to cause a hardship…? Having to hire additional employees?” Eva sounded worried. She kept glancing from him to his mom.
Gio shook his head and kissed the back of her hand.
“No, dear. I said this to alleviate your concerns, not raise them. All we’ve ever wanted from our children is that they be happy,” Maria explained.
He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “See?”
Eva nodded.
Maria clasped her hands together. “I know you have other things you’d rather be doing tonight so I’ll stop now. Gio, make sure she has my number, and, Eva, the door is always open to you. Please don’t hesitate to come and see me. Sunday dinner is a standing family tradition. We’d be honored if you would join us, Eva.”
“Mr Parma was telling me you make the best lasagna…” Eva snuck in the comment, fulfilling her promise.
Maria laughed loud and long. “You’re going to fit in quite nicely, my dear.”
After another round of hugs, Gio ushered Eva out of the door. He peeked in the window of the closest privacy room and, finding it empty, he turned the handle and pulled her inside.
Before he could say anything, Eva did, “I take it you haven’t brought many women home to meet the family,” she teased him.
He picked her up and threw her on the bed. “No, I haven’t, but it’s the collar that’s causing all the fuss. I know this isn’t what you’d signed on for tonight. Thank you for being such a good sport about it.” He lay down on the bed beside her.
“You’re right, Gio. They’re good people.” She kissed him on the cheek. “So…” She wiggled her eyebrows comically. “Did you choose this room on purpose?”
He looked over at the spanking bench and gave her ass a smack. “Don’t tempt me, woman. I promised no nudity or arousal,” he reminded her.
“Too late. Just kneeling for you was arousing,” she murmured and feathered kisses down his neck.
He grabbed her hair and pulled her lips away from him. “You’re being bad and there will be consequences, sweetheart.”
“I certainly hope so.”
“That’s it. I just wanted a place where you and I could talk for a minute without being interrupted, but I see what you need.” He stood up, grabbed Eva’s ankles and slid her off the bed. Bending down, he tossed her over his shoulder.
“Don’t beat me, Sir. I promise I’ll be good.” She broke into giggles, completely ruining the helpless waif routine.
As he headed out of the door and down the stairs, he put his hand over her ass, making sure she was covered. Though she was tempting him unmercifully, he intended to keep his promises to her from here on out.
Eva was going to have to be more careful about what she asked of Gio. Being here with him, touched by him, had her wanting more. Now that she knew Mr and Mrs Parma avoided the play area, she was less self-conscious. His mom had been so sweet and really made her feel welcome. It was obvious that Gio wished they hadn’t come, but Eva was glad.
She wrapped her arms around Gio’s waist as he briskly walked across the great hall in the opposite direction from where they’d entered. She wondered what he had planned. She tried to look around and see more of the club, but being upside down and bounced with each step, she didn’t see much.
She strengthened her hold as they started up another staircase.
“I built this portion of the building. Well, my crew and I did. I have some very detailed fantasies of you in this tower.” He was a little out of breath as he swung open the door and strolled in.
Eva remembered his brother mentioning the tower. Her tummy dropped and anticipati
on spiked. “I’m sure you did great work, but it’s hard to tell from this vantage point.”
He smacked her ass one more time before he bent his knees and allowed her to stand. “That mouth of yours is going to give us all kinds of fun.” Gio stood back, giving her a look around.
The view was amazing. They were standing in an octagon-shaped room. Seven of the eight walls were floor-to-ceiling glass. On one side was the Tempe Town Lake. The lights on the bridge were reflected by the water. It was stunningly beautiful and she wanted to someday walk along the bank hand in hand with Gio. There were so many things she wanted to share with him, now that she’d opened her mind to the possibilities.
From the other windows, she saw downtown Tempe. It was breathtaking. “Gio, I don’t know what to say. This is perfect.” His smile warmed her heart.
Gio rested his hand on the pole above her head. He crowded her until her back was against it. “Hold out your hands, wrists together.”
Was he going to restrain her? Her pussy throbbed at the thought. She followed his order, anxious to know what he had planned.
Gio looped the rope and bound her wrists. The tie was loose and Eva was a little disappointed. She wanted him to be firm and in complete control. He held her gaze as he lifted her hands and snagged the rope on a hook she hadn’t seen.
He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “You’re mine.”
“Yes.” Her voice was breathy and filled with need. She didn’t care. She was done hiding her feelings from Gio.
“One day soon, I’ll strip off your clothing piece by piece and show the world what a lucky man I am to have you as my submissive.” Gio took the strand of rope attached to the pole and wrapped it around her arms and across her chest.
He took it under her breasts and pulled it taut. The rope held her tight, just as his arms had done. She took a deep breath and gazed out of the windows. Was he trying to tell her that the glass here in the tower wasn’t one way? Could she be seen by anyone outside? The idea made her legs weak. If he thought this wasn’t arousing, he was deeply mistaken.