Sometimes having a damn conscience sucked big time.
Chapter Four
“So, let me get this straight. You found Brutus by the side of the road, and despite you being allergic to dogs you took him in?”
Jonas put the eye drops down and blinked several times to get his vision to clear, as Rissa regarded him thoughtfully over her mug of tea, which she had insisted on brewing for the two of them, once she’d successfully contained the overenthusiastic Brutus. Having seemingly worn himself out, the ball of fluff was currently snoring in his basket by the back door. The fact that he was sleeping in there and not on the furniture was a small miracle in itself. As had been the calm and efficient way his newly acquired subbie had taken charge.
He’d been only too glad to accede to her on this occasion. Rissa clearly knew what she was doing, and hadn’t batted an eyelid when they’d found another smelly mess of the Brutus variety right by the dog flap of all places.
She had, however told the dog off with an edge to her voice that would have put Mistress Scarlett in full Domme mode to shame. Jonas had watched proceedings through the watery view provided by his streaming eyes with stunned fascination. This efficient, take no nonsense, downright assertive side of Rissa he hadn’t seen before. He was pretty damn sure nobody at the club had, and it was fucking hot to witness. He shifted to relieve some of the pressure in the groin department and smirked at his predicament.
Normally, following an auction, he’d have had some fun at the club with whatever sub he’d won for the night, and he’d be home and nicely sated now. Not suffering from blue balls and allergy overload syndrome.
“Why would you do that?” Rissa’s question shook him out of his self-depreciating thoughts and he shrugged his shoulders.
“I couldn’t leave the little guy there. He was in a right sorry state. Half starved, lame in one leg, riddled with fleas. Yet he still lifted his head and licked my hand. Lord knows why he picked me. He’s growled at everyone since, well apart from you.” He grinned when Rissa’s face lit up at that statement. “He bit the vet when he examined him. Damn fool wanted to put him down. There’s no way… hey, what have I said?”
Rissa had gone so pale at his words she looked on the verge of passing out. Arms wrapped around herself, all her earlier confidence had evaporated like his watery eyes now that the antihistamines had finally kicked in.
“Nothing, it’s just…You’re not still using that vet, are you?” Her hands shook so much as she said that, she was in danger of spilling the hot tea over her fingers.
“No, I gave him the boot straight after that suggestion and took Brutus elsewhere.”
Rissa expelled the breath she’d been holding, and took a hasty sip of her tea, as though to mask her reaction. The fine hair on Jonas’s neck rose. He was missing something here, something important, and while he didn’t want to spook her again, he did want answers.
“Why?” he asked, and that itch between his shoulder blades increased, when Rissa avoided eye contact completely. She made a big show of shrugging her shoulders, instead.
“It’s just he doesn’t sound like a very good vet, if his first solution to any animal presenting with a problem is to put it down.”
Jonas murmured his agreement, and she glanced at him briefly.
“I mean, of course the little guy would be spooked. He’d clearly been through some ordeal…no doubt he wasn’t gentle with him either, and…dammit.”
This time round Jonas’s internal alarms went off ten to the dozen, especially, because Rissa got off the stool, crouched next to Rufus’s basket, and stroked his head. She looked as though she wanted to scoop him up to keep him safe.
“Let him sleep. Lord knows, he doesn’t do enough of it. It’s like a have a dog with ADHD. Dr. Festher is testing him for allergies, and we’re experimenting with his diet to see if that brings any improvement.” He paused when Rissa looked up at him and offered him a tight smile. It didn’t reach her eyes, but it was an improvement of the earlier anxiety the mere mention of the vet had brought on. “Mind you, all the new diet seems to have done is ensure he leaves me plenty of presents around the house. He has a dog flap for pity’s sake. You’d think he’d use it.”
Jonas ran a hand through his hair and sighed. Rissa slid back in the chair next to him, and picked up her mug again.
“Well, it might be the diet, or it could just be that he misses you. Dogs don’t do well left on their own all day, especially terriers. His instinct is to dig. You could try hiding his food in chew toys around the house. That will keep him busy and means he can’t gorge himself in one go either. And if you’re out all day, then you really need to put him into doggie day care or get someone to come and take him for regular walks.”
Jonas sighed, causing her to look up at him again. A faint blush stained her cheekbones, as though she was embarrassed at lecturing him, and sure enough her next words confirmed that.
“Sorry, you no doubt have heard all this already. Dr. Festher is one of the best vets in London, or so I understand. I’ve never actually met him, just heard of him.” She looked almost wistful when she said.
“Well, you’ll get to meet him soon, I reckon. I know Logan has applied for membership at the club.”
That got her attention, and Jonas was mighty glad she’d already admitted to never having met him. As it was, jealousy poked his insides at her interest at another man, even if that might simply be in a professional capacity. He recalled her profession now. Scarlett was nothing if not thorough and the limits list provided to potential bidders with any submissive entered into the auction, always included current and previous occupation. Rissa was a vet nurse, which explained why Brutus was eating out of her little hands. It also added to the unease crawling up his spine. Why had she left a profession, which she clearly loved?
“He has?” she asked. Jonas nodded his agreement.
“I’m his sponsor. I got to know the man quite well over his treatment of the hell hound, so when I found out he was looking for a club, naturally I suggested Spectrum.”
“I see.”
Jonas highly doubted she did see. Logan Festher’s story was not his to tell, however. It had been enough of a surprise to see the wedding picture in the vet’s office, marred by a black ribbon. Jonas had recognized the significance of the platinum collar around the bride’s neck straightaway. It had prompted him to pass over one of the new, discreet business cards, Pedro’s fiancé, Peyton, had designed for the club.
Logan had smiled, turned the card over in his large hands, and nodded.
“That club’s been in the news a lot lately. I wasn’t sure if it was worth exploring. I’ve been out of the loop for a while, following…” He hadn’t continued, just glanced at that wedding picture with a look of abject misery that had made Jonas extend his offer.
“Don’t believe what you read in the papers. If you’re interested, I’ll gladly be your sponsor. Least I can do for all the help you’ve been given me with Brutus.”
Logan had laughed, making him look years younger and shaken his head.
“You’re not doing too well with that though, are you, Jonas?”
Jonas had to smile as he recalled that conversation. He certainly hadn’t been, but acquiring Rissa here, was the answer to his prayers.
“You’re definitively keeping Brutus then?” Rissa’s question brought his attention back to her, and his grin deepened at the almost hopeful note in her voice.
“Yeah, don’t tell anyone, especially not him, but I have a soft spot for the little guy. As ugly as he is, he’s cute when he’s not wrecking the place. I just wish he’d listen to me. Pedro would have a field day if he knew I can’t control my own dog. Slade and Scarlett, too. Some Dom I am.”
He winked at Rissa when she shook her head in protest, and was quick to come to his defense.
“No I bet they would struggle, too. Dog ownership takes time and patience to learn. I bet the first time you tied a sub up, you weren’t an expert…err�
�I mean…”
Jonas laughed as Rissa turned the color of beetroot, wrapped her hands around that blasted mug, and refused to look at him. He had to tease her a little. She was just so delightfully rattled.
“So, you do think I’m an expert then?” Rissa glanced at him and gave the tiniest of nods. Had he blinked he would have missed it, but her breathing sped up, and that blush of hers deepened. He idly wondered how far it would go. His fingers positively itched to touch her, especially as she let her head fall forward, which meant the silky cocoon of her hair hid her expression from him.
“I asked you a question, little one. I would like an answer.” A shiver went through his girl when he dropped his voice to the one he used on jumpy subs, and Jonas hid his grin. That reaction was progress at last.
“Baby girl, answer your Daddy, and let me see your face when you do.”
* * * *
Oh that voice. Rissa could no more ignore that gentle demand than she could stop breathing, so she lifted her head, twisted her hair back into a pony tail, and forced herself to look at Jonas.
“That’s my girl. I’m still waiting for an answer though.”
If she hadn’t been too scared of retaliation, Rissa would have rolled her eyes at him, but that inherent childish instinct she had, had been well and truly beaten out of her under him. Rissa barely suppressed a shudder of disgust. It had been almost six months. You’d think she’d be able to let go of that shadow, but what chance was there. The kink community was relatively small, as Jonas had just so aptly demonstrated by mentioning Dr. Festher.
Rissa couldn’t help but wonder how different things would have been had she managed to obtain employment at Festher’s Veterinary surgery, instead of remaining where she was when he took over the practice. There was no chance of ever being employed with that eminent Vet now, or any other Veterinary surgery in London, thanks to her former employer and Master. Her stomach churned and Rissa swallowed hard to stop herself from being sick.
While he had not shown up at Club Spectrum yet, she lived in fear of that day happening. It was one of the many reasons why she preferred to stay in the back ground. If she took part in a scene and he sneaked up on her… it didn’t bear thinking about. At least, behind the bar, she had a clear view of the club and she could always disappear out back if she had to.
Some of her convoluted thought processes must have shown on her face, because Jonas inched his stool closer, until his knees touched hers. Innocent as that contact was it made her jump, and she would have darted away, had Jonas not grasped her wrists. His hold on her was firm, yet gentle at the same time, as he drew lazy circles with his thumbs, and simply waited.
“You know, you are, Sir.” The circles stopped, and his fingers dug in for a second, before he slackened his hold on her.
“Call me Daddy, if you address me in that way, girl.”
Rissa blinked back tears at the odd note in his voice. He was disappointed in her response, she could tell. For the life of her she didn’t know why she had called him by that generic title.
“Sorry….I…” Her eyes widened and the words died on her tongue, when Jonas lifted her hands to his mouth. Without breaking eye contact with her, he kissed first one, and then the other of her hands, before he took her thumb in his mouth and sucked hard. The action sent waves of pure lust straight to her clit. Jonas grazed his teeth along the digit, before he did the same to each of her fingers.
“Such delightful and capable hands you’ve got baby girl. I’ll look forward to the day you use them to hold my cock.”
At her gasp he grinned. Releasing her as abruptly as he’d taken her hands, he adjusted himself. He made no move to disguise that act. Her throat went dry, when she saw him handle what looked like a massive cock through his tailored trousers.
Jonas laughed and using his free hand nudged her chin up.
“Eyes up here, baby girl, unless you’re willing to help your Daddy get more comfortable.” When she couldn’t form a reply, his grin turned positively sinful. “Didn’t think so. More’s the pity, but I’m a very patient man, and we’ve got all the time in the world.”
That got her voice box to finally work.
“We do?” She croaked that question. “I’m not staying here. I mean after tonight and… well I’m sorry, you should have bid on someone else. I can’t be who you need.”
Jonas’s blue eyes turned to frost at her hesitant reply. Try as she might she couldn’t look away. He looked utterly furious at that moment, yet she’d never felt safer. It was an odd feeling for sure. By rights she ought to have been terrified, but she could sense that he meant her no harm. He was pissed at her, but he seemed to internalize that feeling with a long sigh.
“Girl, if you were truly mine, you would have just earned yourself the spanking of a life time for that comment.” She flinched and he shook his head.
“I don’t know what your former Daddy did to you to make you feel that you can’t—”
“I didn’t… that is…” Mortified at having interrupted him, Rissa couldn’t continue, especially as Jonas got up. Stood at well over six and half feet, he towered over. She gasped when he lifted her effortlessly, sat her on the work top, spread her legs and then yanked her forward until her ass half hung off it. She made an instinctive grab for his huge shoulders, and tightened her thighs around his hips, as his hands went to her ass cheeks, and he stepped between her splayed legs. In this position his hard cock dug into her pussy. Even through their combined layers of clothing she could feel the heat and length of him. His cock jerked, as he thrust against her. Jonas’s shoulders bunched under her fingertips, when she couldn’t suppress her mewl of need, and Brutus yapped in his sleep.
Rissa could feel Jonas’s lips curl into a half-smile, as he nuzzled into her neck.
“Damn mutt will be the death of me.” He pulled back to study her. Smirking, he rubbed himself against her core. “Does that feel as though you can’t be what I need, girl. I bid on you, because I want you. I’ve wanted you for a long time, but you never agree to scene with anyone, so, seeing you up for auction, I had to have you. I want to do a whole myriad of dirty, filthy things to you.” He nodded when she shook he head.
“Oh yes, baby girl, I do. However, you’re not ready, and I respect that. But I promise you this. The minute you are, I’m going to claim every one of your holes, cover you in my cum, tie you in rope, and make you fly, like you’ve never flown before. Until then…you can work off that extortionate amount of money I bid for you in other ways.”
Risa knew she was doing goldfish impressions, but try as she might she couldn’t get her voice to work. Jonas kissed her nose, shut her mouth with his finger under her chin, and stepped away. It left her feeling curiously bereft and still sitting on that work top.
Brutus woke up with a start, and Jonas yanked the back door open. After a curious look up at him, the fluff ball of a dog, trotted off out into the garden. Jonas shut the door and then leaned against it. Arms crossed over his chest, he waited for her to say something, it seemed.
Several minutes passed with the two of them locked in a silent staring contest, only interrupted by Brutus scratching at the back door. Jonas pulled a face and opened it to reveal a wet Rufus. It must have started raining while they’d been caught up in each other. Jonas swore and jumped out of the way as Rufus started to shake himself, covering them both in dirty water drops.
It broke the tension of the moment though, because Rissa hopped off the counter top, snatched one of the kitchen towels off the hook and proceeded to rub the little dog dry with it, before he redecorated the kitchen and Jonas’s legs with yet more mud.
Task accomplished Rufus tried his best to lick her face in gratitude, but she managed to extricate herself from all that canine affection with a stern face.
“No, bed. Go lie down, Rufus.”
Ears down, Rufus dropped his head, gave one hopeful look toward an equally stern faced Jonas, and then dutifully slunk back to his beanbag, where he procee
ded to turn in circles, until he’d seemingly beaten his bed into the right shape. Only then did he settle with a content yip.
“Crazy mutt.” Jonas’s affectionate tone mirrored her own feelings for the dog. Little Brutus really wasn’t much to look at—at all. Most people would call that mass of brown, gray, and white fur ugly, in fact. His indomitable spirit shone through, however. It was no doubt why the little guy had survived out on the streets, before Jonas had given him a home. The generosity of that act made her like him even more, and that was dangerous territory. She was already far too attracted to Jonas. It wouldn’t do to let her infatuation with him spill into more permanent feelings. He’d won her at the Auction. That was all. No more, no less, and to read any more into his seeming concern for her was madness and wishful thinking on her part.
Which brought her neatly back to his far too arousing earlier promise, or threat, depending on how you looked at that.
Taking all of her courage in her hands, and ably assisted by already being on the floor, Rissa shifted to her knees, put her hands flat on her thighs, bowed her head, and waited.
Jonas’s sharp intake of breath sent renewed butterflies into her belly. His polished shoes appeared in her vision, and the heavy weight of his hand settled on her bowed head.
Auctioned to the Protective Dom [The Spectrum Auctions 4] (Siren Classic) Page 4