by Christy Poff
"Have you ever used Ben-Was?"
"No, Mistress."
"You will not allow them to come out. If you do, I will punish you."
"Yes, Mistress."
Stasia watched her slave's concentration, pleased. Master R had done an excellent job with this one but she never knew him to send a slave away without reason. Without hesitating, Stasia went to Sheridan's nipples, taking each between her teeth before brushing her tongue over them.
"Very nice tits, slave. Your nipples are perfect for what you want done but then again, you already knew that."
"Yes, Mistress, I've been told."
"Good, now, did you experience any bondage with your master?"
"Just this, nothing else."
"Because of where we are, I will have to gag you. Sounds carry and we can't risk the police."
"Fine, Mistress."
"I usually use a ball gag. Gives you something to bite down on."
"Does Mistress have any others?"
"I have bits, scarves, tape..."
"I want the one that resembles a cock."
"As you wish, slave,” Stasia said, pulling out a leather gag from one of the cabinets. A small rectangle of leather covered the mouth, while straps attached it to the slave's head. Attached to the leather piece was a small piece resembling a cock. As soon as she inserted it in her mouth, Stasia could see Sheridan embracing yet another aspect of the lifestyle.
Stasia walked around her. Out of Sheridan's view, she picked up the flogger, using it lightly at first.
"Remember, you may not come unless I say you can."
Sheridan nodded.
Snap!
Sheridan's breath caught, her teeth bearing down on the bit in her mouth.
Stasia's flogging expert, Sheridan's body rosy while showing no welts or other signs. She could see Sheridan wanted to come but held her body in check.
Without a word, Stasia pinched her left nipple, piercing it with a rod before inserting the nipple ring. She repeated the process on Sheridan's right nipple.
"You are definitely perfect, Slave Sherry."
Sheridan whimpered, shock waves scorching her body.
Stasia knelt before her. She laved her pussy, nipping at her clit.
"Feed me, slave."
* * * *
Stasia had Ridge move Sheridan to another room where she could rest. She wanted Ridge to keep an eye on her for any adverse reactions to the piercings and, if she fell asleep, someone would be with her.
She went into the office she shared with her partner and placed a call to the Spread R Bar Ranch.
"Hello?"
"Yelena, this is Mistress Stasia, I need to talk with Ross."
"I'm sorry, you can't right now."
"Why is that?"
"He's not here."
"Where is he?” Stasia asked, hearing Yelena's hesitation. “Do I have to pull rank on you?"
"No, Mistress."
"Tell me then."
"He's in the hospital in a coma from a bear attack."
"What?” Stasia gasped.
"A few weeks ago. It charged him and he went over one of the lower cliffs."
"Doctor Bentley's prognosis?"
"He'll survive but we have no clue about how long he'll be..."
"I see. How are the others taking it?"
"They've been obedient to my commands."
"Then it's business as usual?"
"No, Mistress."
"I see. Master R won't be pleased,” she mused. “Yelena, call me the minute he wakes up. I need to speak with him."
"I will try."
"Don't try—do! This is a command and you know I'm a senior Dom to all of you. If you don't, I will come up there and personally punish you."
"Yes, Mistress."
Stasia hung up, realizing what had happened to Slave Sherry. Ross must have been working with her at the time of the accident and love-starved Yelena saw it as a reason to get rid of the competition. Her contact with this slave tonight told her everything she needed to know.
She'd noticed the physical reactions of Sherry's body when they spoke of Master R. Everything she did from her perfectly shaved body to her depression from the forced separation, she did to please a man who not only mastered her but who she'd fallen in love with. If Ross had fallen for her, Yelena wouldn't have hesitated to send her packing while not caring how much she hurt his slave. Damn bitch!
Stasia took a piece of paper and wrote a quick note.
The answers you seek are in a hospital in Coeur d'Alene due to a bear attack. I know you could never have displeased Master R enough for him to force you to leave.
She placed the note into an envelope, then took it to where Ridge sat with her. She left it with Sheridan's things and went to see her host at the front desk.
"Mistress Stasia, your wishes?"
"When Sherry leaves, make sure you tell her she is always welcome here. Her membership is my gift to her."
"But..."
"No buts—she is a lifetime member."
"Yes, Mistress, forgive me."
"You've done well protecting me, my partner and everyone here. I would have been disappointed if you hadn't questioned my decision."
"May I ask what you see in her?"
"She's a damaged flower who needs to have a safe haven."
"Its sounds like you know what caused this damage."
"Not what—who."
"I see, Mistress."
"She may remain after closing. Ridge is with her."
"Yes, Mistress, as you desire."
* * * *
Ross fought to regain his life. He remembered what happened to him but he didn't know what occurred afterwards. His mind concluded he'd been taken to the hospital, thanks to Bentley's protocol. Other than that, he knew nothing but one important fact in his otherwise good life—he loved Sheridan Greenlaw. The memories from their ride to his favorite spot and later filled him.
He'd seen her in a vision and felt hot but he sensed something wrong. Maybe she'd be with him when he finally left the darkness his life had settled into. He needed to talk to her and explain everything. He needed to tell her he loved her and he wanted to marry her. He needed—her.
Inwardly, he smiled. Sheridan Beckham had a nice ring to it—it sang. He wanted Doc to be his and no one else's.
Suddenly, pains shot through him. His chest felt like it had been shocked. What the hell...
Please ... Sheridan ... help me...
* * * *
Doctor William Bentley walked into Ross’ room to check on him. He noticed the elevated vitals, his heart rate quicker. He checked the tape noticing a spike in Ross’ brain activity. Suddenly, Ross’ body jolted then, as quick as it happened, Ross calmed.
"Ross, if you can hear me, you have to wake up."
Bentley notated his chart, grateful he'd stood his ground with Yelena. Unsure of what Ross endured, he felt better having him under constant supervision in the department where the staff had been trained to care for cases like Ross Beckham's.
He left instructions to increase the checks from once an hour to every half an hour, then went to the nurses’ station to tell them. Something's going on with him, but what?
"Call me if there are any other spikes—no matter when it happens."
"Yes, Doctor Bentley."
* * * *
Yelena hung up after Stasia's call.
Why the hell was she contacting Ross after all this time? Had she met up with the doctor? No, where would they...
Yelena remembered Mistress Stasia from when she came to the ranch. Stasia had been in the same position then Yelena enjoyed now. She had been an expert teacher, Yelena learning a great deal but she'd become restless. If Yelena remembered correctly, Stasia and Ross agreed the ranch would not survive the both of them fighting for control all the time.
Stasia left, Yelena moving up to her position, though not as powerful. In the meantime, Stasia created her own following with an exclusive clientele and member
-only club in the Sun Valley area—if she still owned it. The last Yelena had checked, Stasia did not have anything listed on their elite register, nor did any of her contacts know anything about Stasia.
"Why now?"
Somehow, Yelena had to sidestep her mistress’ command and not tell her about Ross when he came out of the coma, while she had to make sure she didn't slip to Ross about Stasia's call.
"Damn it! I don't need complications."
* * * *
Sheridan woke, the soft satin sheets caressing her body. Every nerve ending stood on edge, the sensations coursing through her electric.
"How do you feel?"
"I feel ... I don't know. What happened?'
"You submitted to Mistress Stasia. She punished you and did your nipple piercing. I've been keeping an eye on you while you slept. You took the whole experience well. There are no adverse reactions to the piercing at all,” he said, handing her a cup of tea.
"What time is it?"
"It's past noon. One of our valets took your car home. Mistress would like you to choose clothes to go home in. Your coat and dress were put in your car but we left your license, cash and AMEX card and Mistress left a note for you."
"Oh..."
"Do you want something to eat?"
"Whatever you come up with. Don't go to any more trouble."
"No trouble. Mistress Stasia considers you family,” he said, calling the kitchen and ordering her a light breakfast.
"But she doesn't know me. Well, after last night..."
"She knows enough."
"What is her..."
"That is for her to tell you when the time is right."
After a knock on the door, a waiter brought in her breakfast on a silver tray. She tried sitting up, the sheet falling to her waist. She gasped, grabbing for it.
"You needn't worry, her punishment would be severe. If Mistress had her way, her waiters would be eunuchs.” Sheridan's smile eased the situation.
She ate the meal, unaware how hungry she was.
"When did you eat last?"
"Yesterday morning, I haven't had an appetite since I came home from upstate."
"Do you want more?"
"No, I think I'd better take it slowly."
"Take your time. When you are ready to leave, I'll take you home."
"Thank you. I appreciate all this."
An hour later after a shower, she dressed in a soft, silky tank top and jeans. She met Ridge at the front desk where the host gave her Stasia's gift.
"I don't understand. I..."
"Your credit card was not put through. Mistress Stasia has given you a lifetime membership here as her gift."
"Where is she so I can thank her?"
"I will pass it along. Mistress is sleeping."
"Thank you for this."
"You're very welcome. I look forward to seeing you again."
Sheridan nodded, smiling. Ridge escorted her out to his Lexus, then drove her home. Once there, he made sure she got inside safely, then left.
* * * *
Sheridan waited until he'd disappeared from sight, then went upstairs. The soft fabric brushing her overly sensitive nipples drove her crazy. She removed the clothes, then looked at herself in her full-length mirror, gasping in disbelief.
Mistress Stasia had pierced her nipples placing gold hoops in them. On each one, a small gemstone glistened in the sunlight, thrills running through her.
His voice came to mind—seduce me while learn about your body.
"Forgive me, Master, for what I'm going to do but since you're not here..."
Sheridan traced her nipples, her need overwhelming. Slowly, she slid her fingertip along her body to her mons. Without thought, she slid it into her core, finger fucking herself. She needed the release. Mistress Stasia had helped immensely, now this...
I will forever be faithful to ... Who?
* * * *
Ross heard voices around him, one familiar. He recognized Bill Bentley's tenor voice as he gave a nurse instruction.
"Yes, Doctor, right away,” she said before hurrying from the room.
"Come on, friend, wake up and rejoin the living."
"Why?” Ross whispered, his mouth dry. Bentley reached over, grabbing some ice chips. He pressed them to Ross’ lips.
"Take it easy. I don't need you having an upset stomach."
"Where am I?"
"Kootenai Medical Center. I had you flown straight from where they pulled you from the canyon."
"When?"
"Several weeks ago,” Bentley said. He went on to explain everything they'd done to repair him.
"Weeks? Shit!” he groaned, trying to get out of bed.
"No, Ross. You can't get out of bed yet. A lot had to be repaired."
"I've got to talk to..."
"Yelena's been waiting to see you."
"No, not Yelena, Sheridan..."
"Sheridan? Sheridan who?"
"Sheridan Greenlaw—she's been a guest at the ranch."
"She hasn't been here, only Yelena, Erika, Alvaro and Garth. No one else."
Ross fell back against the pillow, exhausted. His mind raced. What had happened to Sheridan? Why had she left the ranch? How long had it been?
"Can you have Yelena bring her in? I need to talk to her."
"I'll tell her,” he promised his patient, wondering. In all the years he'd known Ross Beckham, Bentley had never seen his friend like this. He'd sworn off relationships until ... Could this Sheridan be the one, the light he'd been searching for?
* * * *
She'd finally remembered Mistress Stasia's note, looking for it. She opened it once she found it, read it and gasped. It never occurred to her that Ross may have been injured. It would explain why ... But the note from him...
Sheridan fished the final note from R from her bureau drawer and looked at it carefully, noticing two things. Under careful scrutiny, she recognized the handwriting as someone else's and she didn't feel the same things she felt from his other notes—the heat not there. Why? Who?
She called information for the phone number to the hospital, then called there.
"I'd like to check one of your patients."
"Are you family?"
"I'm a doctor of his."
"The patient's name?"
"Ross Beckham."
The nurse told her Ross had been upgraded to serious but stable condition.
"His room number?"
The nurse told her.
"Your visiting hours?"
"He's only allowed visits from specific people."
"I see."
Sheridan hung up, frustrated since she really had not learned anything. She thought about calling the ranch but it hit her—Yelena had not wanted her there, especially after she and Ross had gone riding. Am I that much of a threat?
Unable to do anything, Sheridan figured she could do one of three things. She could call the ranch and get shut out of his life again, wait and see if Ross contacted her, or the third option, forget their time together and go on with her life. If she went on without ever seeing Ross again, would Mistress Stasia fulfill her submissive needs?
Chapter 7
As hard as Bentley tried, he could not keep Ross in the hospital once he got out of bed, short of putting guards on the elevators and stairwells. Giving in, he made sure Yelena had strict instructions for his care, Bentley concerned about his condition.
Physically, Ross had made remarkable progress. His leg had been the prime concern having suffered major damage in the beating years before in Nebraska, then the fall. They added a titanium rod to it in order to give Ross the support he needed.
"He needs to do specific exercises in order to regain the use of his leg."
"I'll make sure he does them,” Yelena vowed.
"Good. The ranch is a good place for him to recuperate. No riding or..."
"I understand. I'll make sure he behaves."
"I hope you can,” Bentley mused. Now, if he can heal emotionally.<
br />
* * * *
Once Ross returned home, he felt like a new man, though his life lacked one very important part—Sheridan Greenlaw. He headed for the den, needing to know the status of the ranch. Depending on what he discovered, it would tell him if he could concentrate on finding her. Pleased with what he saw in the ranch's ledgers, he picked up the phone and called Warren.
"Warren, I'm happy with how you've run the ranch since..."
"Thank you, Ross. How are you feeling?"
"Better now. I'd like you to come up to the house to discuss the next several months."
"What?"
"I'm appointing you acting foreman, manager, etc. You'll be doing my job until I can saddle up again."
"I'd be honored to..."
"Good. I'll see you around noon today."
Ross hung up, then reread the files in front of him. While he'd been sleeping his life away, Warren O'Brien had kept the operations at the Spread R Bar Ranch in the black. When he met with Warren later, he would give the man a bonus with a raise. Ross thought the title of assistant foreman would be a good reward as well.
Pushing the files back, he slowly stood up, then made his way to his favorite leather couch where he could put his leg up. He relaxed, closing his eyes and dozed off, dreaming.
"I am very pleased."
"I'm glad. I want to please you."
"And if I ordered you to do something right now?"
"I would, Master. I'm here to nurture my submissiveness."
"Suck my cock, slave."
Sheridan responded automatically, two different shocks coursing through her—the shock from the thrills he sent through her and the second, because she responded without question as submitting to his commands had become second nature, both obvious to him from her body's reactions. She rose to her knees reaching to unzip his jeans. His cock erect, she took him deep into her throat, Ross groaning.
"Hands behind your back, slave."
Obediently, she did as he commanded, obviously relishing what she described as the velvety feel of his cock against her lips and tongue. He entwined his fingers in her luxurious hair, pressing her closer, her pace feverish. She took him deeper, her lips brushing his balls, his groans driving her.
Ross exploded, filling her with everything in him. She took him greedily wanting more.
"Very good, Sheridan. Now I want you to stand up. You'll play with your tits because I want your nipples hard while you seduce me. Mmm, very good,” he complimented as he parted her legs a bit further. She gasped when his fingers entered her, pumping hard and fast. Her body went with it doing an erotic dance for him. She lost herself in the throes of his desire, her eyes closed while whimpers emanated from her.