Cherished
Master of My Heart
Michelle Hughes
Tears of Crimson Publishing
Copyright © 2015 by Michelle Hughes
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.
Michelle Hughes/Tears of Crimson Publishing
27687 AL Hwy 22
Verbena, AL 36091
www.tearsofcrimson.com
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Cherished/Michelle Hughes. – 1st ed.
ISBN-13: 978-1508596837
ISBN-10: 1508596832
Cherished
Reality
Learning
Trust
Discovery
Training
Luca’s World
The Dungeon
Sunday
Day One
Broken
Weekend
Healing
Education
Public
Collared
Owned
Cherished
Before you, I was nothing. A shell of a person that you saved with your guiding hands.
―Michelle Hughes
Chapter One
Reality
After a year of emails, phone conversations, and online chat, I was meeting him in person. Flying into a city I’d never visited, and hoping that this wasn’t another decision I’d regret later. My nerves were strung tightly, this meeting could very well change my life forever.
I guess to understand why I was meeting this man, you need to have a little background on my life up until now. I’m twenty-two years old, grew up in a small backwater town, and about the only thing I have to show for my life is a series of fuck-ups that would require a list longer than this introduction to explain.
What would possess a person with limited education, a serious lack of self-confidence, and barely a hundred dollars left in a bank account to leave everything behind and meet a virtual stranger? Hope.
That’s what Luca offered me. Do I think there’s a chance he can help me find what is sorely lacking in my life? Not really, but when you’re on the verge of saying fuck it all and there’s even a small chance your life could be better, most people would take it. I know I did.
Let me explain something upfront. I’m not a sexual person. My teenage years were spent being abused by a piece of shit family member that left huge scars on my ability to ever enjoy sexuality. I don’t fall in love. I think most men are slimy pieces of crap who should be wiped off the bottom of your shoes. And this idea of a lifestyle Luca’s talking about, to be honest, makes me very uncomfortable.
So I’m sure you’re asking again, why would you do it? He bought me a roundtrip airline ticket to Chicago. For someone who’s never left Alabama, and always wanted to, that was a great incentive in itself. He’s promised to help me get my life back on track. You’d have to understand how fucked up my life is right now to get why that means so much. But the one thing he offered me that I couldn’t resist? Pièce de résistance? Luca swore even if I chose not to stay he valued me as a person and he would teach me to feel the same way.
For a person like me, someone who’s always felt pretty much worthless, that’s an opportunity my soul’s yearned for. Maybe he’s full of shit, who knows? If there’s one iota of a chance he’s not, though, I have to find out. Worst case scenario I get to spend the weekend in Chicago, a place I’ve always dreamed of visiting.
Big words, but as I step off the plane into the O’Hare airport, my hands are shaking. This is a huge step! What if he’s some crazy psycho and the minute he gets me alone something horrible happens? Maybe I should have thought this through a little more. I want to stay on the plane and fly back home to Alabama. My feet take me out the door through the hall leading me closer to him, and I honestly can’t catch my breath.
Standing in this huge terminal, I don’t know how anyone finds another person. In my panic, there’s a small voice in my head almost hoping he won’t show, it’s like a mental war going on between what I really want. Then I see him and one fear is put to rest. He’s even more handsome than the photographs we’ve exchanged, but it can’t override my other concerns.
I stood, unable to move. His long legged stride has him standing before me in no time. I don’t know what to say. It was so much easier when we were talking online or even on the phone. Insecurity forces my eyes to my feet, and the soft chuckle that leaves his perfect mouth does things to my libido that I really can’t explain.
“I’ve waited a long time to meet you, could I at least see those beautiful eyes?”
Beautiful and me were never two words that went together in my mind, but as I gain the courage to look at him, oddly enough I feel that way. His smile is brilliant. Perfect, like the rest of him. When he reaches out a hand for me to shake, I’m dumbfounded for a moment. It’s a sign of respect, and one I’ve rarely seen from men in the South.
Taking that hand, I shiver from the strength in his grip and I hope my palm isn’t sweaty. Almost too quickly he releases, and I feel empty. It’s the strangest sensation to want that hand back in mine. My heart is racing so fast I’m not sure I’ll make it through the introduction! I lift my eyes to his brilliantly blue ones, and the confidence written in his orbs is almost as attractive as he is.
“Your pictures don’t do you justice, Gina. I can’t wait to show you my city.” That smile again. It makes me want to melt, considering my usual disposition toward men that’s an enigma. Everything about him is perfection, even the dimple in his chin that makes him seem much safer than what he probably is. “Should we leave?”
I manage a nod, and he motions toward a sign indicating where we should pick up my luggage. Walking beside him, the conversation is non-existent, but still he’s smiling, and for some reason, it makes me feel more comfortable that he’s not speaking. I reach down and pull my suitcases from the moving bin, and he quickly takes them.
“Thanks.” My word is so soft, because I’m a little shocked by his manners. I knew what lifestyle he lived, a dominant male that enjoyed training submissive’s. Maybe my mindset was wrong, but I expected him to want me to cater to his needs, not be a gentleman.
“For what?” His hands are full and he nods his head in a direction before walking, and I follow, hoping he doesn’t want an answer because I’m still so nervous I can’t speak.
We walk out of the terminal and a car is waiting, door open, the chauffeur giving a nod of recognition. Luca hands over my bags, and motions for me to slide in the backseat. I’ve never been in a limousine before, and once seated I look around in wide-eyed shock. I knew he had money from our conversations, but I wasn’t really prepared for this.
“I thought we’d enjoy a light lunch and talk before I take you to your hotel to freshen up. Will that work?” Sliding in the seat beside me, he winks before reaching over to buckle my seatbelt. Normally I put one on the minute I get into a car, but my mind is elsewhere. I nod, after stiffening from the contact of his hands as he completes the task. I’m not repulsed, far from it, even that small touch makes me aware of my body in ways I ha
ven’t ever experienced.
“Good. I’d love to hear you speak more. I find your accent adorable.” Sitting back in his seat, he buckles himself in and tells the driver where we’re going.
He wants me to talk, and all I can think about is taking in the sight of him. Twirling a strand of hair around my finger I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. When his fingers entwine with mine, pulling them from my hair, it’s like having a volt of electricity stream through my skin.
“There’s no reason to be nervous around me. Yet.” The sensual tone of his voice gives me goose bumps and he lowers our hands to the small space between us in the seat, not letting go.
“I don’t know what to say.” I remember well from our talks he wants honesty above all things, so I tell him the truth. Then I’m lost in his eyes again. There’s a tenderness in those depths that makes me want to weep, and I can’t really explain why.
“You can tell me how your flight went. Did you enjoy it?” His hand feels so warm in mine, and just listening to him speak makes me relax a little.
“It was unreal. Seeing the world fly by and soaring through the clouds, I’ve never experienced anything so beautiful.” The words spill from my mouth, and it’s so nice to have someone to share the adventure with.
“I remember the first time I flew. I was still just a boy, but watching the scenery below made me feel so small in comparison.” His face brightens as he speaks and I’m in awe of this beautiful man sitting beside me. “Did you talk to any interesting people on the flight?”
“I saw a few, but I didn’t know them, so I pretty much kept to myself.” We were having a normal conversation, and it surprised me that he wasn’t bringing up all the other things we’d discussed that went along with his lifestyle. Pleasantly surprised.
“That’s something I think we could work on together. You’re such an interesting person. People deserve to have a chance to discover that.” He squeezed my hand gently.
“I don’t think I’m very interesting.” My voice softens in self-doubt and I wonder what he sees in me that I don’t.
“Stop, Gina. One thing you should already know about me is that I’ll never allow you to speak negatively about yourself. You’re a beautiful, intelligent, woman and if there is one gift I hope to give you, even if you decide not to stay, it’s the ability to see yourself as you truly are.”
His voice grew deeper as he spoke, and I knew instantly I’d displeased him. I wanted to take the words back because making him unhappy, for reasons I can’t explain, left me feeling horrible. “I’m sorry.” With a whisper-soft voice, I pulled my hand from his, placing it in my lap and lowering my eyes.
He wasn’t having that. His hand reached over and he grasped my chin, those bedroom eyes peered into mine. A finger grazed my cheek, and he smiled again. “You are going to make a beautiful submissive.”
My lips trembled from his convincingly spoken words as much from the light touch on my skin. I wanted this man. I couldn’t explain it, didn’t understand it, but my body longed to experience passion for the first time in my life. It terrified as much as excited me.
“I want you, too, but we have much to discuss before that even becomes a consideration.” He took my hand in his again, this time resting it on his thigh.
Through his slacks I could feel the strength of that powerful muscle, and I felt so weak and small in his presence. Was I so transparent? He’d read my thoughts, and I wasn’t about to deny the truth. It was somewhat eerie to know he could tell what I was thinking, but exciting as well. For the first time since meeting him, I managed to smile.
“That’s what I like to see.” I’d missed most of our trip, I noticed as the car came to a stop. He’d kept me so entranced that the city I’d been dying to visit didn’t even matter. I watched as the driver opened his door, and he slid out gracefully. That man could definitely fill out a pair of slacks. Even in the three piece suit he wore, I knew he would have a gorgeous body underneath. I was a little shocked that I was thinking that way. Less than thirty minutes in his company and already I was becoming a pervert. I flushed deeply.
He extended his hand, and I awkwardly took it, allowing him to help me out of the car. Luca wasn’t what I was expecting at all. He kept my hand and spoke a few brief words to the driver before turning his beautiful face to me again. “I think you’ll enjoy the coffee here.”
We were both coffee people, although I was more the, whatever was affordable at the supermarket type, while he’d spoken about all the gourmet blends he enjoyed trying in our talks online. Walking to a corner table I sat down with him, my mind filled with excitement about finally being here in this city with him.
My eyes took in the quaint coffee shop, every detail I was putting in my memories. The aroma was so decadent I knew I’d never forget the scent, and I closed my eyes allowing it to overtake my senses. When I opened them again, Luca was staring at me intently and immediately I blushed. “What?” Again, my words were whisper-soft.
“You.” His smile widened, and I couldn’t help but return it.
“What about me?” I wished I had a mirror. Was my hair a mess, did I have something in my teeth? Men didn’t usually look at me the way he was, and my insecurities came to the surface.
“The way you feel everything so intensely, I knew you’d be like this. It pleases me greatly, Gina. You please me.” His hand reached over to rest on mine and my heart raced again. “I truly hope you stay.”
I had no idea what he was talking about, but his words warmed my heart. No one had ever truly wanted me, at least in a way that didn’t involve destroying me in some way. “Why wouldn’t I?” I couldn’t hold his gaze, the sincerity in his was too great, and I wasn’t deserving of a look that invoked so much emotion.
The waitress came over, and I was glad for a break from the intensity that was all Luca. It frightened me how much I wanted to be what he needed. I asked him to order for me, because the list of coffee flavors was so long I had no idea what to get. He gave her our order then turned his attention back to me. I knew it – even though my eyes were still staring at the table – because I could feel him. I know it’s strange to say that, but it’s still undeniable.
“I want you do to something for me.” His words pulled my eyes to his, and I waited for him to ask his question. “It’s very hard for me to know what you’re thinking when I can’t see those incredible eyes. They really are the most beautiful shade of green.” He was smiling again, I wondered if he ever didn’t? “When we’re together I want you to look at me, unless I ask you not to. Can you do that?”
I could do anything he asked of me in that moment, and I nodded, biting my lip, nervously. He turned my hand over in his, and those long fingers traced a small pattern on my palm. “I also need you to speak to me. Your voice is lyrical and I would like to hear it more. Will you do that for me, as well?”
“Y-yes.” It was almost impossible for me to speak when he looked at me as if I were the most beautiful woman on the face of the earth. And keeping my eyes on his? That probably took even more than speaking did.
“Thank you for that gift.” After squeezing my hand briefly, he released it as the waitress came back with our drinks. Neither of us spoke as she arranged them in front of us, but he thanked her as she finished the task. “The reason I worry you won’t stay is because the things I’ll ask of you will be out of your comfort zone.” He picked up his mug, and brought it to his lips, never once breaking eye contact.
I had gotten on a plane, flew away from everything I knew, and he was worried about my comfort zone? “I’m already out of it.” I attempted a smile, but it wobbled. “Are you talking about those things you had me look up online?” I’d been shocked the first time he’d sent me links to pictures with women kneeling, bound by intricate knots of rope.
He seemed pleased that I was asking questions, though to be honest now that we’d met in person, I wasn’t sure he was ever not happy. “That, and other things I would want to do to you, if you were
mine.” He watched me intently, as if by looking at my expression he could gauge what I felt.
“You mean like sexual stuff.” My face heated at even mentioning that topic. It wasn’t something I felt comfortable discussing. The only experience I’d had in that area had been forced, so of course, I was terrified at the thought of him doing anything like that to me.
“I would want to explore your sexuality, yes, but I promise anything I do in that area you would find pleasurable. That doesn’t concern me as much as how you will adapt to my methods of training you to discover that hidden side of yourself.” His elbows found the table, and his fingers created a steeple as he gazed deeply into my eyes.
I wanted to look away, hide the fact that I doubted he could teach me pleasure in that context, but I remembered what he’d asked. Keeping my eyes locked on his, dozens of questions came to mind. “Maybe you should just tell me what you think it is I can’t handle then, because honestly the sex part scares me more than anything else.” That was about as brutally honest as I could get.
“Should you consent to being mine, I wouldn’t allow you to be afraid of how I would please you. The only concern you would have is not pleasing me.”
“How could I not please you?” It was against my human nature to not be a person that made other people happy, so worrying about not pleasing him didn’t really concern me overly. “What would you do if I didn’t?” I felt like I was missing a very important detail, but couldn’t put my finger on what it was.
“All I would ask of you is your complete submission. Anything less would disappoint me. Talking negatively about yourself, refusing to let me train you because your fear of the unknown outweighed the trust I’d need you to have, those things were be very disappointing if you decide to be mine.”
He took another sip of his coffee, still keeping eye contact and I realized I hadn’t even touched my drink. Lifting my cup, I sipped slowly as I tried to understand what he was saying. Placing it back down on the table, my mind was confused. “You still haven’t told me what you would do.”
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