My shoulder burns with the sharpness of the flogger.
He repeats the hit and coaxes a scream out of me. I writhe helplessly and overflow with tears and pussy juices.
Thomas stops and presses his hand against my shoulder. He impales me with just one move and...
The inevitable climax washed over me. It wasn't the strongest orgasm I'd had but it was so unexpected it nearly knocked me out. The wetness flowed down my palm and thighs. I made a total mess of myself when the pleasure subsided and temporary relief went through my veins.
It would be short-lived. The moment I entered the room where Allie was preparing her web I'd be as good as gone. The heat of Thomas and his demanding presence would overwhelm any remaining common sense.
Would it be pathetic if I left?
The only one who kept me from finding the exit was Nate.
I washed my hands and soaked some towels in cold water to cleanse myself.
No. Running away is not an option anymore.
Whatever happened, I'd meet it head on and solve this emotional mess.
Allie and Thomas were right about one thing. There was something immensely sexual about running makeup. I studied my reflection in the mirror while I wiped at the streaks and black smudges. Maybe it was the club's effect. Even the most mundane things looked sexualized. The raw sensuality of the Ballet of Wax and Fire had overwhelmed me and everything seemed more intense.
It didn't matter. This was the first time since the accident that I'd felt hot. My fingers didn't even tremble when I ran the mascara brush against my lashes.
I can handle this.
I was here to kick ass and take names.
Everyone had taken their masks off when I made my appearance.
Allie was sitting at the head of a long table of dark, mahogany wood, covered with bowls of fruit and plates with finger food. Two bottles of wine, red and white, were being cooled in a large ice bucket.
She drummed her long nails over the tabletop. Thomas was sitting next to her and leaning on his elbow. He was also squeezing the palm of his free hand as if it was a beating heart. Save for those small gestures and the intensity of his eyes, Thomas was pretty comfortable in his place. He rested against the backrest of the chair with a light smile on his face.
Allie and Thomas looked regal. A couple of authoritative figures who were kind enough to let us mere mortals into their world.
"Hello again, Lina. Please, have a seat. Feel free to help yourself to whatever you like." Allie raised her glass to me. "Just have in mind that the alcohol rule hasn't changed. You already had champagne at the club so I can only offer you soft drinks."
"Thank you, Allie. I'd rather stay sober for the rest of the evening, anyway."
"Smart move." She nodded and pressed her lips to the glass. Her graceful movements were entrancing. "I myself rarely drink. I prefer to keep my senses acute... but tonight is a special night, isn't it?"
I didn't say a word in response and simply took a seat next to my boyfriend, who had taken advantage of the alcoholic beverage option. It didn't help him look less skittish. He constantly shifted in his chair and smiled nervously at everyone around him.
He moved his hand to his shirt collar to loosen his tie. When he felt me close to him, he found my hand and grasped it. This time it wasn't the protective hold of a concerned lover.
Nate exuded the panic of a chased animal. His palms were sweaty and he was looking around in search of a safe exit.
He didn't belong here... but did I?
"It took you a while to get back to us," Thomas drawled. He picked up a little grape from the bowl of fruit and rolled it between his fingers. "We were afraid you had fallen. I was on my way to check how you were doing."
"With all due respect, if anyone should be concerned about Lina, it's me," Nate said in a more edgy way than expected given his sheepish behavior. He clutched my hand painfully and glared at Thomas.
My ex didn't even flinch.
"Fine by me." Thomas raised his hands in mock defeat. "If she was mine I wouldn't have let her fix her makeup by herself. It's all I'm saying." He smirked at the part about me fixing my makeup.
"But she isn't yours, is she?" Nate growled for the first time that evening.
"I'm not anyone's so can we accept I don't need to be supervised in the bathroom?" I frowned at Thomas. He was going too far with his cheap provocations.
"Boys and girls, stop fighting." Allie waved her hand in bored dismissal. She used my copyright headmistress approach when I was dealing with petty insubordination. "We're all adults so we'd better act like it. Thomas, don't be rude to our guests. Nate, relax, nobody's trying to test you... Well, Mr. Brat here is but you're supposed to be mature enough not to respond."
"I... I'm sorry," Nate said. "I'm just very new at this and I didn't expect to have to deal with my girlfriend's ex who clearly still has feelings for her. It's a bit more challenging than I expected."
I reached out for a bottle of water and took a large gulp. The cold liquid felt amazing to my heated insides. Then I turned to Allie and said in a firm voice, "We must agree the situation is unusual. You knew Thomas would be here when you invited me, didn't you?"
Allie laughed. When she spoke, she sounded sincere... on the surface.
"To be fair I wasn't entirely sure if he'd agree to attend. You were much easier to seduce, Lina."
My cheeks flushed when I remembered the scene at my office. I clenched my teeth and tried to dismiss the thought of how obedient I had been.
"Still, you persuaded him." I took another sip of water. "Now that you have us all right here... what's your next move, Mistress Sheila?"
The polite, slightly threatening voice I used on her was one that often helped me in negotiations and business meetings. Allie didn't even flinch and simply looked at me with vague amusement.
"My my, I see why you're so into her, Thomas. And you, Nate." She savored her wine and leaned even further back in her chair. "I like your spirit. However, you're lucky you're here as a guest and not as a sub."
"Oh?" I ran my fingers across the bottle's throat. "Thomas must have let you know bare bottom spanking is just foreplay for me."
"You're just as trusting as I remember." Thomas tried to stay cool but the hurt was easy to hear in his voice. "I don't kiss and tell. I promised you no one would learn what we did in the bedroom. Even Allie."
"True." Allie nodded. "He never said a word. So, thank you for letting me know what you like, Lina. Anyway, I wouldn't have spanked you. You'd do corner time, on your knees, naked, with a ball gag in your mouth. Like all bad girls."
"Pity I'm a guest, though?" I crossed my legs and gave her a smug smile. I thought of running my fingers up Nate's arm but I'd used him enough already.
"Don't push your luck, honey." Allie rolled her eyes and stole a glance at Thomas. He cleared his throat and fixed his tie with a frown.
I couldn't get over that sudden change in his appearance. If I were still his, he'd probably have commanded me to strip naked and sit in his lap or at his feet.
Him being fully clothed with me naked was one of our favorite displays of power exchange.
Oh, fuck it, Lina, focus.
Thomas cleared his throat and nudged Allie.
"Lina's bratty but she makes a good point. Why are we here at all?" That hint of nervousness in his voice made me raise an eyebrow. He had no idea what she was up to?
I stopped myself before I questioned his sincerity. Last time I did it the results were disastrous.
Nate chose that moment to assert his dominance, or at least to try.
"For once, I agree with him." He couldn't conceal the nervous quake of his voice as he turned to Allie. "You should give us at least one reason why we shouldn't leave."
"Well, for starters, you'll never learn what I had in mind." Allie shot him a dazzling smile.
"That's pretty manipulative and way too vague to be a good reason." If it was going to be a punishment-free night I might as well ta
ke advantage of being free to challenge Allie. Blood was rushing through my veins and a strange thrill went through me.
"Careful there, Lina." Thomas narrowed his eyes at me. "You might be a guest but it wouldn't be the first time a guest was punished for being rude."
"I really want to be polite but you know me. I hate when I'm kept in the dark." I didn't flinch from his heavy gaze even when ants started marching down my back.
"I'm not too sure about that." He smirked.
"Listen, Allie... Sheila... whatever you prefer." Nate spoke with a soft voice. "I appreciate your invitation and hospitality, the show, everything. You're an amazing hostess, and..."
"See, Lina?" Thomas laughed. "That's how you should address a Dominant. Your new boyfriend seems very good at it. Did you two discuss who will do the topping?"
Allie slapped him across the wrist and shook her finger at him.
"You heard what I told Shock&Fear downstairs, Thomas. The same rules apply to you. You wouldn't be the first top who has been knocked down a peg or two in this room."
She turned to Nate.
"Go on..."
"So, you're an amazing hostess. I thank you for the opportunity to explore... your world. Still, we're in an uncomfortable situation. Would you please tell us what you expect of us. Lina said you wanted to help us with our training. However..." He pointed at Thomas with his head. "I'm not sure how that guy being here will make things easier."
"Geez..." She rolled her eyes. "You guys are all so impatient. No small talk and pleasantries, no social chit chat so I can cook you on slow fire? That's just no fun."
That bitch was having a great time. If I had to be honest, I would do the same if I were in her shoes. Power was an addictive fragrance.
She raised her hands and sighed in mocking defeat.
"Fine, fine, I'll tell you what I think we should do with the rest of the evening. It's not even midnight. There's so much time for wicked deeds. Remember, you can leave but you haven't come all this way just to forfeit, have you?"
The question was supposed to be for everyone but she fixed her eyes on Nate.
"It's up to Lina. I'm here because I want to give her what she needs."
Allie didn't comment on his shaking voice and just kept talking.
"So..." She left her glass on the table and sat back, with her wrists on the chair's armrests. "Lina's a natural sub, even if she knows so much about power play. And you, Nate, you want to learn how to master her so you can keep her happy."
He nodded. Thomas rolled his eyes but didn't say a word. I knew exactly what he was thinking and as infuriating as it was, he was right.
"Lina, when was the last time someone dominated you or you were in a scene? It's been a while, hasn't it?"
This was quickly becoming the most fucked up couple's counseling I've ever attended.
"Well..." I pushed the water bottle away. "It was long time ago. It will be more than a year and a half since last time..."
"I see." She nodded and some sympathy flashed in her green colored eyes. Her expression softened and she gave me a warm, sweet smile. It caught me by surprise. "So, you have forgotten any training you used to have. Correct me if I'm wrong. You, on the other hand, have never been involved in the kink community or in any form of D/s play, have you?"
Nate blushed and looked away. His shoulder tensed and he uttered in a strained voice, "N-no, never."
He looked down when he spoke.
"So, you both need training," she stated simply. "I'll tell you something very few people know about me. When I first got involved in D/s, I started as a submissive. I was trained as a submissive, to be more precise."
I couldn't contain my laughter at her words.
"You have a fantastic sense of humor, Allie." When she didn't laugh, I blinked in surprise. "Wait, you're serious?"
"Yes. The person who trained me thought I had what it took to be a great Domme. However, I was arrogant, proud and too bratty for my own good. I lacked empathy and simply used to get off on the thought of topping."
I briefly wondered if she had changed all that much.
"That experience taught me humility and made me see things from the other side." She was looking at her hands when she said that. "It made me a better person and a better Domme. So, if you ever decide to top someone, you should learn how to be a bottom first. Of course, not everyone in the community does it or agrees with it, but I live by that principle."
Nate looked at Thomas and asked him carefully, "Have you... gone through this type of training?"
I expected my ex to throw some snarky remark but he answered with the same quiet hesitation as Allie did.
"Yes. I hated every minute of it but Allie has a good point."
"You're full of surprises, aren't you?" I whistled and shook my head.
"I told you, the chameleon is my spirit animal." Allie smiled. "It's easier to wrap your mind around submission when you've experienced it yourself. As for Lina... She and Thomas must have a private scene in another room."
"What?" Thomas and I exclaimed at once and stared at each other.
"You heard me. Lina needs a new induction into her old lifestyle. I can't think of anyone better than Thomas to do it. Nate needs to experience the point of view of a submissive. It would be difficult for him if he watches his girlfriend submitting in front of him. It wouldn't be good for his future self-esteem as a top."
Never had a single word been uttered with more sarcasm.
"Also, Lina, I doubt you'd be thrilled if I made your boyfriend kneel for me. It wouldn't be easy for you to think of him as a Dom later."
"I'm sorry, Allie, but how come there was no one better to re-introduce Lina than her ex?" Nate grabbed my hand so hard I groaned in pain. He released his desperate grasp and glanced at me with an apologetic expression.
He turned to Thomas.
"I understand you. It must be hard to let go of a woman like her. But she's with me now."
Allie interfered before Thomas had a chance to reply. His eyes were darting back and forth between Allie, Nate and me. Maybe his best friend hadn't informed him of her twisted plan.
"If she's with you, you have no reason to worry, right?" She picked a strawberry from the bowl of fruit and gently sank her teeth into it. She was following us with the gaze of an experienced poker player. "Lina might disagree with me but nobody knows her quite like Thomas does. Am I wrong, Lina?"
I was about to protest but I couldn't find the words. I could never relax with another Dom quite like I had with Thomas. Not yet. Maybe with Nate if someday he learned how to fake the dominant role.
This is all so wrong.
"This will give them the chance to tie up all their loose ends," Allie added with a more tender voice. "They didn't have the best relationship end and they need to tell some things to each other. You wouldn't want to worry about her daydreaming about her ex, would you?"
"So you want me to do... whatever you expect me to do while my girlfriend and her ex are somewhere all alone?" Nate gasped.
"That's just the beginning. If I decide you're ready to start, we set an appointment to continue your training next week. It's up to you."
I had to go. My boyfriend was understanding enough, and didn't deserve such mindfuckery. There were other, less damaging ways to bring kink into our relationship. As for Thomas... I had a chance for one last night with him. It hurt to deny myself but there was no other way.
"Before you make any decisions, you should know I'll monitor your play in the private room. I wouldn't want any accidents." Allie glared at Thomas and I shivered. Agony wrenched my heart and I found it hard to breathe. "There's a panic button next to the door. I don't think you'd need to use it but you do have that option."
I looked away from Thomas. To be with him tonight would be the last meal on my death row. Yet, I couldn't be an irresponsible, self-indulgent bitch. If only I had kept Nate out of this mess... Maybe then I'd get to be with Thomas for one final time.
Every b
it of me ached when I spoke the next words.
"We're leaving. Allie, this is going way too far and I--"
"I want us to do it, Lina."
I stared at Nate in disbelief. Thomas shook his head and narrowed his eyes into slits.
What the hell was happening?
"Nate, I--"
"It is fine, baby." He caressed my face and leaned forward to kiss me. "If it will make things between us easier, I want you to do it. Don't worry about me. I'm not thrilled but..."
Nate shrugged and looked down.
"I don't want you to stay trapped in the past."
"It might make things harder for us, Nate."
Why did he have to push me in that direction? Couldn't he feel my raging lust for Thomas? Once I gave in to it there could be no turning back.
"I'm not afraid of difficulties, Lina. If you need closure, I'll be waiting for you." He touched my cheek. Thomas was still looking at Nate as if he had suddenly had grown a second head.
Allie took the key that was lying next to her plate and rested it in Thomas' open palm.
"It's the usual room. You remember it, right?"
"God," Thomas muttered. "You planned it to the last detail, didn't you?"
"Of course," Allie drawled. "Now, if any of you wants to leave earlier they should go back to the reception area. Take your time and be smart."
I kissed Nate and said to him, "I appreciate what you're doing. You really deserve better than me."
"Don't ever say that." He ran his fingers through my hair. "I'll wait for you."
Thomas took the key and headed for the door. We walked out together into the unknown. Tonight, the last thing I wanted to do was to be smart.
When I was eleven, I got a new kind of flu that nearly killed me. My body temperature had risen close to the lethal point. I had spent an entire week in the hospital, on monitors and drips, in constant delirium. It was the only time I'd had memory loss, as if an invisible monster had bitten out a small chunk of my life.
There were sensations from that strange, dizzy period I could recall as easily as if it was yesterday. They were strong and shockingly real. The heat that pressed me down like a rock. The cold sweat coating my skin. My mother's shrill voice when she demanded that the doctors should do something. The terror that my life was slipping away. The world darkened before my eyes and I found myself swimming deeper in the dream until I passed out... just to wake up for more pain, fire and chill.
Unorthodox Chemistry Page 14