Keep Me: A BDSM Romance

by Bellerose, Cate

  I wave at some familiar faces, but Caleb’s nowhere to be seen. Weaving through the crowd, I try not to touch too much sweaty skin. I’ve got my cutest little red dress on, and it’d be nice to not look like I walked through the rain to get here.

  Towards the back of the club, through a short corridor, are the play areas. It’s packed here too. Some are playing, like the pretty girl on the rack getting worked over by a burly guy in a leather suit. That guy sure knows how to handle a whip. Maybe I should get to know him better. The rest are standing, crowded around the center stage, as if they’re waiting for something to happen. What’s going on?

  I see Caleb. He towers over them. It’s the first time in years I’ve seen him dressed for play, and it’s an impressive sight. Mouthwateringly impressive. He’s shirtless, showing off his broad chest and powerful muscles. Black leather pants hug his tight ass. In his hand he holds a long flogger, the leathery strands alternating between black and deep red. He’s like a god, surveying his domain, and I already want to be a part of it. Wow.

  When he notices me, his strict face breaks into a confident smirk, as if he’d known I wouldn’t be able to stay away. “Viv! Over here.” He motions for me to come closer.

  Suddenly everyone’s eyes are on me. Usually, I don’t have a problem with crowds, but I feel a little put on the spot right now. Especially since I don’t know what’s going on. I wet my lips and swallow the lump in my throat, gathering my courage.

  He’s lucky I trust him.

  The crowd parts as I approach, so I can see what I have in store. A stage fills the center of the room. Caleb’s standing on it, surrounded by fancy old furniture: a deep leather chair, a wooden coffee table with elaborate cutout trim and a heavy bookshelf packed with thick books. A thick, expensive-looking area rug is laid out underneath it all.

  But what draws my eyes is the set of stocks to his side, low to the floor. In sturdy wood with metal fittings, it looks medieval compared to the rest of the furniture. Heavy, simple and intimidating. The shutter can be locked with a padlock, and there’s a big hole for a head and two small holes for wrists.

  My head and my wrists, I’m beginning to realize.

  I tear my eyes away and examine the rest of the scene. A duster and apron hang from a hook on the bookshelves. Is this some sort of role play scenario? Obviously, I’m part of this somehow, but how it’s paid and why? No idea.

  I’m so confused. “Caleb, what’s going...”

  “Quiet, slave.” His face turns hard and his voice stern as soon as I step up on the stage. “Present!”

  Almost without thinking, I drop, finding the thick rug soft under my knees. Straight-backed and resting my ass on my heels, I cross my wrists behind me and look straight ahead. Posture perfect.

  Wait, why am I doing this? I’ve done slave play enough times that the positions are second nature. I just didn’t expect them today. “Caleb...”

  “Silence!” His voice thunders, making a shudder go through me.

  Got it. I won’t get any answers until we’re done. That’s alright. I haven’t played since before... Well, the whole Gabriel and Dawn clusterfuck. This might be exactly what I need.

  Okay, need to center. Clearing my head, I try to get into the right headspace, letting my shoulders relax. Feeling as ready as I’ll get, I wait in anticipation.

  Caleb ignores me and addresses the crowd instead. “Well, now that we’re all here, I’m ready to start.” The smirk is clear in his voice. “First of all, I’d like you all to meet my lovely assistant, Vivian. She’s filling in for Kate, who couldn’t make it tonight due to other commitments. I’ve seen Vivian in action before, though, and I’m sure she’ll do great.”

  Agreed to might be stretching things a bit, but I’ll play along. Already the familiar tingles rush under my skin. I shiver softly, my hormones firing up, but otherwise do my best to hold perfectly still. I’ve never been mastered by Caleb, but I’ve yet to meet a Master who’d expect anything less.

  “Next, I’d like to welcome you all to this demonstration of Master and slave play. It’s nice to see so many taking time out on a Tuesday night.” He works the crowd like he’s done this a lot. How have I not seen him lecture before? “You’ll be treated to some straight submission, perhaps some mild humiliation, and if you all help me keep an eye out for mistakes, we should be able to get in a couple of solid rounds of punishment as well.”

  Oh God. I can only imagine the kinds of spankings someone built like him can dish out. Just the thought sends a rush of heat into my lower stomach.

  Caleb comes around to stand in front of me. With my gaze straight, I’m looking right at the suggestive bulge under his leather pants. It’s funny. I’ve never thought too much about that particular part of him, but right now, I have to admit I’m pretty curious.

  “Notice her posture. Looking straight ahead. Attentive, alert, waiting for my command.” He runs his hand through my hair like a soft caress. “She’s a good pet. Well trained.”

  The crowd murmurs. This is so strange. Sure, I’ve done slave play before, and in front of an audience even, but never as part of a demo. This time, I’m just a prop, and it’s strangely impersonal and exciting at the same time.

  “Let’s see how she does with commands. On all fours, Pet.” There’s steel in his voice, but it’s not necessary. I obey, putting the fact that everyone can look up my dress out of my mind. At least I’m wearing panties. “Good.” He sits into the leather chair. “Fetch my slippers.”

  I scan around, and spot them on the rug next to the stocks. Knowing what he expects, I crawl over there on my hands and knees. I feel silly doing this in front of the crowd, but part of me loves it too. Not sure why, but I’ve always enjoyed these games.

  The slippers are soft leather moccasins. I make the mistake of picking them up with my hands when I hear his chiding voice, like he’s scolding his dog. “Nuh uh uh. I said fetch, Pet.”

  Right. Putting the slippers back down, I try to get at an angle that lets me pick them up with my teeth. I hear chuckles in the crowd, which make my cheeks burn. I can be a good pet, damnit. How hard can it be? Hard enough. The slippers prove difficult, and it takes several tries before I finally manage to get them both in one bite.

  Lifting my head proudly, I crawl to Caleb with as much grace as I can manage. Our eyes meet, and he beams approval at me. It’s a nice feeling, especially with so much having gone wrong lately. Maybe this is exactly what I need.

  I drop the slippers next to his bare feet, unsure as to what he wants me to do. If I’m supposed to put them on with my teeth as well, we’ll be here all night.

  “Present.”

  I sit back up on my heels, hands behind my back.

  He ruffles my hair a little. “Good girl. You may put my slippers on now. With your hands.” He makes it sound like he’s doing me a favor, but there’s no question that it’s an order.

  “Good. All fours. Footstool.”

  I scramble into position in front of him. When he puts his feet up on my back, crossed at the ankle, they’re heavy. I look down, not quite able to meet the gazes of those around us.

  “As you see,” he addresses the crowd, “slave play, like all types of BDSM, is about trust. Vivian didn’t even know what I had planned for her tonight, but she jumped right into it. We trust each other. She knows I won’t do anything to harm her, and I know she can be counted on to follow my orders. She’s a good girl.” He pats my head again.

  I try to be the best footstool I can be while he continues. “We didn’t agree on a safeword before we started, which is not something I’d normally recommend. Vivian’s experienced, and we have a standing club rule that if nothing else is agreed on, the traditional red and yellow are assumed. I know Vivian knows this.”

  To be honest, I’d forgotten. I was so caught up that safe wording didn’t even occur to me. I’m not about to ruin his presentation, though.

  “Anyway, I’m sure the poor girl is getting sick of my big paws on top of
her, so I’ll give her a break.” He takes his feet off me and stands. “Present standing.”

  I get up as quickly as I can. Hands behind my back, feet together, head bent and eyes down. It’s a long time since the last time I did slave play, but it’s stuck with me.

  “Look at me.”

  I lift my head, meeting his eyes. Under the soft lights in the play area, they look gray rather than blue. The intensity in them startles me. They crinkle just a bit in the corners when he grins.

  “You failed to pick up the slippers properly. That’s one punishment so far.” The crowd murmurs. It’s obvious which part of the demo they really want to see. “Just remember that.” He gestures at the duster and an apron hanging on the shelf. “Dust my living room.”

  I blink. And here I thought I was in for a spanking. Menial labor? Or just more tasks for me to fail? Doesn’t matter. An order’s an order. I pull the apron over my head, grab the duster and look around. I start with the coffee table. Everything’s clean, so it’s all for show, but that’s just part of the play.

  Meanwhile, Caleb lectures. “See how she moves with elegance? The slave’s job is to please her Master at everything she does.” Immediately, my mind is filled on ideas for other ways he might want to be pleased as well. No idea if the audience can see it, but I definitely feel my cheeks flush.

  “The best slaves are efficient, hard-working and enticing all at once, every move they make aimed to both fulfill their duties and to entice their Master.” I can hear the grin in his voice when he concludes. “A slave that fails to fulfill her duties because her Master couldn’t keep his hands off her is the best kind, in my opinion. It even gives me cause to punish her afterwards.” The crowd chuckles.

  Is he saying that I do that to him? Or just playing up the crowd? Caleb’s always been nice, but it never occurred to me that he had those kinds of thoughts about me. Now that he’s bringing it up, though, I’m definitely getting some of those thoughts about him. Almost without thinking about it, I put a bit more wiggle in my step and try to position myself so he gets glimpses down my dress. More than one can play at this.

  “Beautiful, right? Enough dusting. I’m sure the furniture is clean enough. Hang up your tools, Pet, then present before me. Quickly.”

  I hurry, hanging the apron and duster on the hook, but I only make it one step towards him before I hear the light thump of the duster hitting the rug.

  His brows furrow, but his eyes sparkle with amusement. “Pick it up.”

  I’m in for it now. That’s another punishment, I’m sure. I get the duster back on the hook as quickly as I can, this time making sure it’s hanging securely. As soon as I’m sure it’s not going to fall again, I rush over and sink down to my knees in front of him, eyes down and wrists crossed.

  “That’s two punishments. We’d better hurry, so we can take our time with them. Don’t you agree, Pet?”

  It takes a second before I realize that he’s asked me a question.

  “I said, don’t you agree, Pet?” His words are slow and there’s menace in his tone.

  I reply immediately. “Yes, Master.”

  “Three. Next time, reply immediately.”

  “Yes, Master.” My heart flutters.

  He paces back and forth in front of me, still holding the flogger. He swats it softly back and forth over his thigh while he walks, like an interrogating officer, the swish swish foreshadowing my upcoming punishments. I both dread and anticipate them.

  “Present low.” His voice whips me into moving. Bending at the waist, I put my palms on the rug and slide them forwards until my forehead touches the floor, like I’m worshipping him.

  He talks to the crowd. “It’s important that your slave is reminded of her station while you play. No position reinforces that you’re her everything as much as this one.” They murmur behind me as his pacing stops, his feet just beyond my fingertips. “Display.”

  I hesitate. Not for him, but for all the others. Displaying is specifically for showing me off. When did I get shy about this stuff?

  “I said, Display.”

  “Yes, Master.” I get up on all fours, my knees wide apart, my ass up in the air, again glad I’m wearing panties. His hand lands on the inside of my thigh, startling me. Sliding his hand up, he pulls my dress along with it until my ass is fully exposed, only covered by thin, silky fabric. I chew my lip self-consciously. Could be worse. I could have worn a g-string. Or nothing.

  “Beautiful.” He almost whispers it, so I’m not sure whether that was for the crowd’s benefit, or mine. His big hand is hot against my ass cheek. He gives me a squeeze, then a sharp smack that makes me squeak.

  “Display front.”

  My face burns. If I wasn’t blushing before, I definitely am now. I roll onto my back, grab my ankles and pull my legs back. If I was naked, both my breasts and my pussy would be fully exposed, both to him and the watching crowd. Instead, it’s just humiliating. I can’t deny the heat that courses through me, though.

  Caleb puts his hand on the inside of my thigh. I remember the slap on my ass. He’s not going to—.

  He doesn’t. Instead, he pats the inside of my thigh a couple of times. “Good girl. Stand.”

  Thank God that’s over. I get up as quickly as I can, smoothing down my dress. I probably shouldn’t be thanking anyone just yet. There are still the punishments to go.

  As if he reads my mind, Caleb lifts his flogger and swings it into his hand, his crooked smile full of promise. “Alright, Pet. This is the good part. Present in front of the stocks.” A shudder races down my back at his words.

  I hurry over and get in position. I’ve already earned enough demerits. He follows, stopping next to me. I keep my gaze fixed forward, but I follow him in my peripheral vision. The anticipation has me on edge.

  He lifts the upper part of the stocks, then catches my eyes with his. “I’d hate to damage that pretty dress.”

  It’s not a command. Not quite a request either, but he’s giving me the choice, even if it’s not obvious to the people watching. For him, sure. For the others? If it’s what he wants. Why am I so certain? I’ll think about it later. For now, I just do.

  “Master, may I take it off?”

  He smiles. “You may, Pet.”

  Crossing my arms in front, I take the bottom hem between my fingers and lift, peeling my dress up and over my head. For the moment while it passes over my eyes, I imagine what I look like, kneeling in just my underwear, in front of Caleb and surrounded by strangers. My nipples tighten up at the thought, the insides of my bra cups suddenly oddly rough against my sensitive nubs.

  Then I can see again, and I don’t have to imagine anymore. They’re all there, watching us with big eyes. I’m so exposed, and it’s exciting and scary and embarrassing and sexy all at once. Wish I’d known earlier how much fun playing with Caleb was.

  “Put your head and hands in the stocks.” His steely voice urges me forward. I get into position and he locks me in. My head and hands are trapped, and I can’t see anything of what’s going on behind me. All I can do is wait.

  Thin leathery strands brush across my ass. The flogger. Here it comes. I close my eyes, anticipating the first strike, but he keeps stroking my skin with it instead. I got in here expecting punishment, and when it doesn’t come, it’s kind of strange. I want it, but he’s not delivering. Just teasing.

  I can’t help it. I wiggle, chasing the tails of his whip with my ass, eager for sensation.

  “Still.” His voice cuts through me, and I freeze. “I’ll tell you when you’re allowed to move.” He continues, to my frustration. To obey, ignore the touch of the flogger and hear what he’s saying, all at once is beyond difficult. “Four transgressions. Not using your mouth on the slippers. Dropping the duster. Not answering a direct question. Hesitating to obey. Think about what you’ve done.”

  His touch disappears. I wait. And wait. Why isn’t he doing anything? Even the soft touch was better than nothing. It’s getting harder and harde
r to stay still. I’m so tense I’m vibrating.

  “Good girl.” His soft voice soothes, just before he thwacks my ass hard with the flogger. I cry out, more in surprise than in pain.

  He strikes again, and again, alternating sides, leaving scorching hot trails across my soft flesh. Down onto my thighs. Up on my shoulder blades. Rhythmic and steady, satisfying a need I didn’t realize had grown so deep. It’s been way too long.

  I don’t care about the transgressions tonight. They’re just part of the game. If I hadn’t messed some things up, he would have made something up. But his punishment goes deeper. It drives feelings out of me that I’d bottled up. Jealousy, regret, anger. Every strike of the flogger strips out some of those negative emotions along with a layer of skin, peeling me bare.

  I love it. There’s a release in it that I’ve missed. When I haven’t played in a while, I forget how good it is. Caleb’s doing a great job reminding me.

  When he stops, I whimper. I’m not done. Not ready. I want more, but I don’t want to ruin his demo. He calls the shots.

  “I’m afraid that’s all the time we have today.”

  What? It can’t be. I’m nowhere near done. My moan of disappointment carries, to judge by some of the chuckles in the crowd. Laugh it up, jerks. You’re not the ones left hanging over here.

  Caleb addresses the crowd. “This was a simple punishment, but I’ll be doing a session at Susan’s retreat next weekend on punishment strategies, where we’ll cover some more advanced and some pretty fun punishments. So if you guys are interested in more, sign up if you haven’t yet. It’s going to be a good time. Or a bad time, if you’ve been naughty.” The crowd laughs and begins to disperse, while I’m still stuck in the stocks, frustrated.

  He makes me wait, but finally he comes over to let me out, a sexy grin on his face. “You did awesome, Viv. Thanks for helping me out.”

  “Not like I had much of a choice. Thanks a lot for setting me up.” My voice drips with sarcasm.