by Sara Brooks
He reappeared with a bundle of ropes just as she sat.
The rope rasped against her skin, leaving a slight burn she would feel for hours. It only added another layer to the intimate moment. Another facet of sensation marking her, pulling her under and into his world of submission.
He finished with her arms, settling a hand on the back of her thigh to lift her leg. The rope circled her calf, each loop stacking on top of the previous one as he worked to wind the rope ladder up her leg. It made for an incredible visual in addition to the sensations it brought forth low in her gut.
Done tying off the last circle around her leg, he opened her legs wider to secure her so her knees were nearly to her elbows and her thighs were free of the rope. He pulled and tied off the rope so she was completely exposed and open for him. The spread position wasn’t for the faint of heart, but she actually felt completely at ease. She thanked her yoga instructor for every day he had contorted her body in some impossible position.
The contact of something against her thigh startled her, but she couldn’t lift her head to look. Ryan’s handsome face entered into her vision. “It’s very temping, just to keep you here like this so I can look at you. What do you think? Would you be willing to lie there presented for me in such a matter?”
She swallowed, enjoying the warm fire his questions ignited in her gut. “Yes, Master.”
He chuckled softly as he pressed a light kiss against her right cheek, then her left. His calm demeanor washed over her, comforting her. “Always so willing to please. I wonder if you’d be so accommodating if I left you here and invited others over just so I could show them what is mine.”
A chill washed over her skin, an ocean of gooseflesh spreading from her neck to her toes. On display for others to see. She scowled. It sounded like something Ethan would do. “I never took you for a Master who needs to have his ego stroked.”
Ryan burst out laughing, the sound echoing all the way to the dark corners of the room. “Feisty. I see you’ve found your courage. Which is interesting when you consider the very compromising position you’re in right now.”
She immediately felt ashamed when she’d dropped protocol completely. “I’m sorry, Master.”
“I wonder if you did that just so you’d see if I’d punish you. I will, have no doubt about that.” His head dipped between her legs as his tongue slid against her pussy. She strained against the ropes, the pain of the burn igniting her arousal and pushing her higher, faster than she expected. “But not quite yet.”
He moved away, his hands skimming over her thighs and rope-covered calves. He pressed his lips to the arch of her foot. His lips moved to her ankle, his tongue etching a pattern on her skin next to the rope. His soothing whispers added a seductive layer to the moment.
She fell into a quiet state, her body coming alive every second she lay bound by his ropes. Her skin felt so sensitive. His tongue touched her clit and her body screamed back to life, slamming from neutral to full throttle in a matter of seconds. She couldn’t control anything, couldn’t find a foothold in which to gain her bearings. She tugged on her arms, pulling at the rope in frustration. The pain only intensified her pleasure, sharpening the edge on which he’d placed her.
He broke contact.
Her body automatically reached for him as he sat back on his heels. His intense gaze roamed all over her body, his own arousal heating the color of his eyes to molten. She didn’t care what she looked like anymore.
She just needed.
“Please,” she begged. One of his eyebrows lifted. Through the haze of arousal, she realized her mistake. “Please, Master. I need…” She trailed off, losing herself to the sensation swelling through her. Just touch me please. Touch me so this ache stops.
“This is how I want to keep you. Dripping for me. Begging. Willing to do anything just to have those few glorious moments of release. I have news for you, Beth. If you want just a quick punch, a few moments of bliss, you are going to be sorely disappointed.”
As his fingers slid into her cunt, her world went white.
Ryan watched as she imploded, as she rode his fingers as much as his restraints would allow. Soft oaths spilled from her lips as her muscles milked his hand. There was something so intoxicating—so glorious—about watching her fall this out of control. She had to take what he gave her regardless of her pleas.
He pushed his fingers into her, sliding his thumb hard against her clit. She released a sound lost somewhere between a sigh and a moan. She was starting to come down from her high. In his opinion, that wasn’t acceptable. She may not have realized it, but she was on the outer edges of subspace. A few nudges, the introduction of a little pain, and she’d easily slip inside the intoxicating state.
He withdrew his fingers, listening to her whimper as he skimmed the pads against his lips. “California, once again, you have to be one of the sweetest things I have ever tasted.” He pushed his hand up her torso, cupping one of her breasts as he continued to savor her flavor in his mouth. “All right?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Good, ’cause I’m just getting started.” Her eyes unfocused as he tugged hard on her nipple. Oh yes, some pain is really going to make her crazy. Pushing up, he pressed his body against hers, listening to her breath quicken. The position allowed him to press the ridge of his jeans against her. The heat and dampness wetting his jeans made him smile.
She groaned, long and hard, as he slipped his tongue between her lips, giving her a taste of her delectable cunt. He deepened the kiss, pushing his hips hard against her until her body tightened under his.
She could probably get off just from him grinding against her, but the brief flash he’d glimpsed earlier was too tempting to simply ignore. Her body strained against the ropes, reaching for more.
He pushed up and away, denying her completely.
“I do believe you just growled at me, sub.” Amused, he stepped out of her line of sight to retrieve the flogger he’d carved recently. He could have purchased a run-of-the-mill flogger from any sex toy shop, but he was particular. The toys he made had to serve several purposes. The handle curving against his palm could be used as a dildo or an anal plug depending on the Dom’s need.
For the moment, he was more interested in the grouping of tails hanging from the handle. Still remaining out of her sight, he slapped the tails against his own thigh. She gasped in reaction, arching against the rope.
Oh yeah, baby, we’re going to find a hell of a lot of enjoyment out of this.
“What are your safewords?”
“Avast for stop. Mayday if I need a breather.”
He smirked. She’d finally settled on permanent signals and he wasn’t surprised to hear she’d chosen nautical terms. “Good girl.” He slapped the tails against his thigh again, a thrill shooting through him as he watched her push against the ropes.
There was something to be said for observing a submissive struggle to process their anticipation. Someday he would have to exploit that a bit. Find out if he could make her come without laying a finger on her.
He moved closer, tucking the flogger in his back pocket because he didn’t want her to see it yet. His fingers brushed through her hair, her quiet sigh washing over him as she relaxed. “Need anything?”
“No, Master.”
“Nothing at all?”
He smiled as her eyes slowly opened. “Just you, Master.”
The complete and utter trust she had shined in her eyes. “Safewords if you can still talk, snap your fingers if you can’t get your voice.”
“Yes, Master.” Her voice sounded even huskier than normal, not to mention filled with longing.
Ryan stood, moving between her legs as he removed the flogger. He waited for a few minutes, admiring her as she patiently waited for him to start. The first slap of leather against her thigh was intoxicating. Her quiet whimper added to the moment as he began to lay a pattern on her skin.
The strips snapped against her flesh, turning her gorgeou
s tan a vibrant shade of pink. He kept the hits light, letting her get used to the feel. After a few minutes he increased the hits, causing the pink to turn darker. When he pulled back from one hit, he let the end of the tails brush against her mound.
The louder her cries became, the wetter she got and the more potent the smell of her pussy hardened his cock to steel. She challenged him, insisting he push her even further without saying a word.
When the tails slapped hard in one particularly red spot , she moaned louder. A signal she’d just about reached a wonderfully euphoric state. He wanted her slipping into subspace riding pleasure and pain, so he pulled the last strike short and went to his knees.
She jerked at the first contact of his hand as he checked for possible bruises or cuts. He knew as soon as he thrust into her, she’d be gone. He wanted to watch the first time and make certain she was safe, so he flipped around the handle of the flogger, pressing the release to drop the tail. The flogger was safer as he didn’t completely trust himself if he did slide inside the tempting heat of her pussy.
He used his knee to scoot the tails out of the way as he reached for a condom. Still keeping one hand on her, he slid the thin latex into place over the custom-made toy. He spread her labia with two fingers, teasing her with the tapered hardness until she was panting.
He pressed against the heat of her skin where she’d taken the lashes from the flogger. When she hissed, he thrust the toy inside her, watching as she rocketed into subspace riding a mixture of pleasure and pain.
He adjusted his position so he had a clear view of her face, slowly sliding the converted handle inside her with even strokes. Her hips arched with the movement as she tried to encourage him, telling him what she wanted. What he wanted was to push her further into subspace.
He gave her a few quick and shallow thrusts, listening as she cursed his name.
At least she was still coherent.
Repositioning again, eyes still on her face, he tapped his hand lightly against the back of her thigh. The skin was still hot from the flogger, which would make the pain-pleasure line even sharper. She gasped, a tremor shaking her body. Her voice caught as her head tilted back, breaking eye contact.
“Eyes on me, California. I need to see your eyes on me at all times right now.”
As she moved her head he saw her eyes were unfocused and glazed, signaling she wasn’t far into subspace. He kept up the pace with his hand, thrusting the toy inside her with a steady rhythm. Each time he saw a little bit of focus come back into her eyes, he tapped the skin he’d flogged and watched those beautiful eyes glaze over again and again.
He kept her on the edge, balancing on the glorious point in subspace where release was impending but just out of reach. He could keep this up for hours. Just as he’d trained many submissives, he’d trained himself. The strict discipline was relaxing, a comfort he knew he could always count on.
“Oh God, please. I need to come.”
“No, not God.” He chuckled as he continued to thrust the toy in a steady rhythm. “Your Master.” He kissed her forehead, pushing up to sit between her legs again. His pace slowly began increasing, her muttered oaths increasing as well. When a particularly colorful string of swears were lofted his way, he delivered a sharp slap just as he thrust fully into her.
Her eyes unfocused. She no longer saw him there. Taking her cue, he quickened his pace as fast as he could manage, ignoring the burn in his shoulder from the exertion. Her hands balled into fists and suddenly it was almost impossible to move inside her. She was close—damn close.
“Come on, California. Give it to me.”
She shrieked in answer, succumbing completely and totally. Each time her body started to relax, he pushed hard against her skin to bring on a rush of pain, snapping her back from going too deep. Each time she orgasmed, her voice filled the room. He loved the fact he’d proved her wrong again about making noise during sex.
Her body quivered against the bindings before going completely limp. He had a moment of panic before her gaze found his. She blinked, smiling at him with half-lidded eyes, an indication of someone drunk on pleasure.
Withdrawing the toy, he released the ropes at her wrists, freeing her from the intricate pattern keeping her secured to the floor. As he pulled her close, she curled against him like a contented cat. She sighed as she fanned her hand out to press against his chest. The contact was so simple, yet intensely intimate.
Ryan gloried in the moment, cradling her while she drifted along in subspace. He wouldn’t rush her out of the state. He knew the intoxicating effect was a hard thing to pull away from.
Instead, he drew her closer, checking her breathing and pupils. Satisfied, he fit her head under his chin and leaned against the wall—perfectly at peace for the first time in forever.
Chapter Fifteen
The moving-van brakes squealed loudly in protest as Beth brought the vehicle to a stop. She pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head as she jumped onto the driveway and shoved the keys into her pocket.
A neighbor across the street stopped raking leaves and waved. She smiled and returned the gesture, feeling a sense of peace settle within her chest. It had been awhile since she’d lived in a suburban setting. She’d had an apartment just a few blocks from the station in Nashville. Her real-estate agent had even shown her a few apartments closer to the small heart of Gatlin Falls, but she felt this was the kind of place she wanted to really settle down in.
She didn’t intend to make this a short visit and had always envisioned buying a house. Since her agent owned this house, she was allowing her to rent on a monthly basis until all the legal paperwork was complete and she could call the house her own.
As the lever clicked and she tossed up the roll-up door, piles of boxes and furniture seemed to taunt her. A horn sounded as she pushed up into the bay filled with her life. She glanced around the side of the box truck to see a beat-up and rusted car pull up to the curb. The passenger door opened and Ryan stood, leaning over the roof of the car as he shot her a devastating smile.
Her stomach performed a somersault even though she couldn’t help grinning in return. One of the biggest mistakes she’d ever made had turned out to be the best thing for them both. The pull she felt toward him was consuming, especially after the first time he’d taken her to subspace a few weeks ago. She was also glad he’d been able to get past his own reservations and simply enjoy their scenes together.
Now it felt as if something had truly clicked between them.
Since then, everything had gotten more intense. So intense, it took her breath away. Just the sidelong glances he occasionally sent her way were enough to make her delirious.
Allison popped out of the driver’s side, pulling her seat forward. The passengers in the backseat spilled out onto the sidewalk just as a silver car pulled up behind Allison’s, honking its horn. She recognized it as Elena’s sleek BMW.
Ryan loped up her driveway, pulling her into a hug. “We thought you could use a few extra hands.”
She closed her eyes as he held her, relishing the feel of being so close to him. Ryan showing up here at her house with his friends warmed her to the core. Come to think of it, no one had ever bothered to care enough about her in this particular way. It was a strange, heartwarming feeling she could also get used to.
“Thanks. Certainly can’t refuse an offer like that.” She reluctantly stepped back, feeling the loss of him so close to her immediately. She brushed the sensation away, knowing it really didn’t belong here in this moment.
Ryan’s gaze flicked over her shoulder. “A motorcycle?” He walked over to the trailer she’d hitched to the back of the moving truck. His fingers danced over the custom artwork airbrushed onto the gas tank. She usually didn’t like people touching her bike, but there was something about his hands caressing one of her personal items.
She swallowed hard. “Remember I told you about American muscle and my grandfather? It carried to bikes too. He and my grandmother drive c
ross-country on their motorcycles every summer. When I turned eighteen, he bought me this Triumph, taught me to ride and I’ve been joining their trip ever since.”
Ryan’s fingers tapped against the gleaming handlebar. “She’s gorgeous. Where did you have the artwork done?”
“Station in Nashville did a charity event to raise money for an orphanage hit hard during the flood a few years ago. A local dealership donated the bike and the station owner had her artist friend paint the tank to mark the event. I liked his work so much, I asked him to do my tank.”
“I assume there’s a significance?” One of his eyebrows lifted. “I mean, there has to be an explanation for bloody zombies.”
“What? Girls can’t like zombies? Big Resident Evil gamer back in the nineties.”
He snorted. “Sounds like you and Allison have more in common than just your retro tee-shirt collections. Though from what I understand, yours is more legendary than hers will ever be.” He stepped around the bike, leaning down to her ear. The press of his warm body against hers sent a shiver down her spine. “And the image in my head right now of you draped over the bike, wrists tied to the handles with my rope, is probably something we both have in common.”
She didn’t have a chance to answer as the rest of the group arrived, looking at her in expectation. “The boxes are all marked with the rooms they belong in. Should just be a matter of getting things out of the truck and into the house where they go.”
Elena stopped, evidently stunned. “Wow. And here I thought I was the only anal one in the pack. Big change from the messy girl I roomed with in college.”
Her color-coding system actually allowed everyone to work more quickly than she anticipated and it only took a few hours to empty the truck. Her couch and chairs were the only thing remaining in the container and the men were heatedly discussing how to do the job in the most efficient manner.