Hard Limits

by Anna Parsons

  “That’s right. You’re like a brand-new shiny toy,” Antonio said as he reached out to touch her. “In more ways than one. This lifestyle is new to you. Peter needs his ass kicked for what he did. And”—he paused, staring straight into her eyes—“And, we want to see what caused the change in Big Badass.” Evie tilted her head slightly, curious as to what change Antonio was speaking of. Antonio sighed and placed his hand over hers. “Well, sugar, your Master has always been rather intense. People step out of his way when he is in the club. He was prone to snap at the littlest thing. Lately, he is full of smiles, laughing, joking, making plans, and having a party like this one. It’s been a long time since that happened.”

  “Master Dylan used to have parties at his old house with Anne. Since she died, no parties, and the smiles were few and far between.” She smiled at Evie. “We’re glad you found each other.” Allison reached over to touch her new friend.

  “I’m kinda surprised Dylan has invited his boys to play today like he did with Anne,” Antonio pondered. “You and Anne are nothing alike.”

  “Anne played with you?” Evie looked shocked at the possibility.

  “Oh, yeah.” Antonio pretended to fan himself. “She was something else. Insatiable.”

  “More like red hot,” Allison chimed it. “Ben loved having her.”

  Having her? “You mean…” She paused to swallow. “You mean, Dylan…I mean, Master Dylan allowed his friends to have sex with his wife?” If she had pearls, she would have been clutching them.

  “That was her kink,” Antonio said matter-of-factly. “She liked it a lot, although I don’t think Master Dylan got off on watching her when she was with other men. He seemed to tense whenever it happened but stood back because Anne was so into it. I could be wrong, but as an observer of human behavior, I think exclusivity is his thing.”

  “Observer of human behavior? Are you a psychologist?” Evie asked.

  “No, an accountant,” Antonio said and Evie almost spat out the beer she had just sipped.

  “Leave it to Antonio to bring levity to any situation,” Allison observed. “Really, Evie, Anne took advantage of all the lifestyle had to offer, be it male or female companionship. There is no right or wrong, only what the Dom and sub agree to.” She paused to down the last of her beer, and rose to get another bottle. “I agree with Antonio that Master Dylan enjoyed Anne’s reactions when she was with other men or women more than the act itself. On the other hand, Anne really liked to watch Master Dylan be dominant over us, and sometimes that included sex.”

  “Us?” Evie asked as she turned to Antonio.

  “Yes, darling, and I loved every minute of it!” Antonio gave Allison a high-five, meanwhile Evie almost fainted.

  “Oh, Evie.” Allison reached for her, tugging her into her arms. “Don’t mind us. We don’t want to make you uncomfortable. It’s not about sex, it’s about our submission and our pleasure. We derive pleasure from our submission, because it pleases our Doms and in turn they take care of us. And darling, I am a psychologist.”

  “Really? I thought you were a secretary,” Evie said, pulling away slightly to look at Allison.

  “Yes, I keep the place running, but I also review new applications, help with interviews, and make recommendations. Yes, I am trained as a psychologist, master’s degree, licensed and all. If the boys like calling me a secretary, then so be it.” Noticing Evie’s shocked expression, Allison smiled. “Master Dylan gave me a place to discover who I am, to be completely fulfilled as a submissive. I can’t imagine life without it.”

  “I was always missing something in my relationships, but I just thought I was a weirdo. I tried really hard to make them happy, to make them like…love me, but they all walked away. I tried to be what they wanted me to be, but I couldn’t.” Evie nervously picked at the label on her beer bottle as she spoke to her new friends. “You know, I secretly looked at my brother’s S&M magazines when I was younger. The look on the women’s faces drew me in. They were tied, beaten, ravaged, yet there was a glint in their eyes. They were happy.” Evie contemplated. “I know that sounds stupid. They were models, not really submissive.”

  “No, sweetie, it’s not stupid,” Allison said, hugging her. “It’s who you are. The others didn’t know what to do to bring that out. But I think Dylan does. I think both of you can become what you are meant to be.”

  “But I don’t know that. How do I know that he is any different from the others? They all left me. All of them.” Tears formed in Evie’s eyes. Antonio moved to the other side of her, placing Evie between her new friends.

  “He is different. You are different. Changing you will not happen. You are who you are, and who you are is the person that Big Badass is falling in love with.” Antonio hugged her closer to him. “Forget everything else, and concentrate on him. Let your reactions to him guide where you two are going, not your past, not his past.”

  “Antonio is right, much as I hate to admit it.” Allison stroked her hair. “I don’t know you, but I know Master Dylan, and I see him becoming more than he was. Subtle changes that fit him perfectly are because of you.”

  “You’ve brought him back to us, to everyone who sees Exxcess as a beacon and a place for us just to be who we are. I don’t know if he loves you yet, but I think I love you because of it.” Antonio placed his cheek against hers and kissed her lightly.

  Allison pulled away and looked around. “Okay, enough of this.” She wiped away a tear. “I am ready to eat and play.”

  “Speaking of returning to old ways, Dylan told Chris that he was finally going to start on the playroom,” Antonio said as he rose and started opening containers that sat on tables near the grill, which Dylan heated up in preparation for lunch. He nodded at the finger foods that were Ruth’s specialty.

  “What kind of playroom?” Eve asked.

  “In his old house, he had a mini Club Exxcess. After the fire, he let his at-home fun fall by the wayside,” Antonio explained as he popped grapes into his mouth. “Now he plans to convert one of the beach houses to a full-fledged, ‘no need to leave the house ’cause I have all of my shit right here’ playroom.”

  “When do we eat? I’m starving,” Allison chimed in. “And how about some music?

  “Let’s get this party started.” Antonio moved to turn on the stereo.

  * * * *

  “Are you sure she is ready for this, brother?” Ben leaned toward Dylan, placing his elbows on his knees, watching his friend’s reaction. The three friends sat in the cockpit, as Dylan maneuvered the craft into Galveston Bay, heading out toward the Gulf. The engine of the sleek vessel purred as Dylan picked up speed.

  “I believe she is. Or maybe I want her so badly to be ready that I am pushing her.” Dylan kept his eyes on the surf ahead. “If I didn’t push, we would likely never get to this point. She’s very unsure of herself and a bit unsure of me. ”

  “She’s beautiful and gives off a submissive vibe,” Chris chimed in, causing Ben to nod in agreement. “The question is, are you ready?”

  “To have you two fuckers touch her?” Dylan turned toward his friends. “Hell no. But I have to know just how far I can push her before she breaks. She will do whatever I ask, but you know I don’t want a mindless slave. I want someone who will challenge me. I think she has it in her.” He rubbed his chin, which had a couple of days’ growth. “She is so damned smart and generous and talented and—”

  “And you are completely whipped!” Ben interrupted. He raked his hands across his buzzed black hair, blue eyes focused on his friend.

  “I’m not whipped. I think I’m falling in love.”

  “Question…” Ben always started with that word when the interrogation was about to begin. “Do you want to spend every moment with her? When you are not together, do you think about being together? Does she light your fucking pants on fire? And most importantly, does she feel the same way?”

  “Yes. Yes. Hell, yes. And…I have no fucking clue.” Dylan threw his hands up. �
�I don’t know where her head is. I think she has feelings for me, but she’s been burned a lot.”

  “I’ve noticed the change in you,” Chris said, watching his friend. Dylan smiled as Chris rose from one of the three leather captain’s chairs that took up the center of the bridge, opening the small refrigerator to retrieve three beers. “See, a few weeks ago, that would have gotten a growl, today I get a smile.”

  Dylan grinned as Chris opened the beer bottles and returned to his friends. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He continued to smile as he sipped the ice-cold beer.

  “Damn, man. You are so far gone,” Ben observed, laughing. He studied his friend for a few moments before nodding. “It looks good on you. She is what you needed…what we needed.”

  “We’ll see.” Dylan smiled.

  Chris nodded in agreement before raising his Bud Light bottle in a mock toast before taking a sip. The three men looked toward the rear of the boat when they heard the music start. “Well, they’re having a good time,” Chris said as he chuckled.

  “Let’s join them,” Ben said as he rose, unbuttoning the shirt he wore with his swim trunks. Dylan cut the engine, and the three friends walked to the back of the boat.

  Salsa music pumped from the mounted speakers, as Antonio and Evie skillfully danced as if no one watched. Dylan was engrossed in watching them move across the makeshift floor. Her timing, the movement of her hips, her rhythm to the music, all drew his attention, and he was not alone. Chris and Ben’s attention were glued to the scene. Ben slid into the seat near Allison, pulling her close to him as he wrapped his arms around her, his gaze never leaving the dance floor. Antonio spun Evie around with ease. Moving a little too far, she spun into Chris’ arms. “Oh, gosh. I’m so sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.” Evie righted herself.

  “Ah, but I was paying close attention,” Chris said as he caressed her shoulders. “You dance beautifully.”

  “Um, thanks, I’ll take it from here,” Dylan said to his friend with a smile. Giving Chris a playful punch, Dylan folded her into his arms. “You’ve got rhythm, my Hope.”

  “It’s inbred. Comes with the package.” She smiled up at him.

  “Hungry?” he asked as he kissed her nose, cheek, and forehead.

  “Famished.” With one more kiss, Dylan led her to the grill area.

  While the guys prepared lunch, Evie, Allison, and Antonio jumped into the clear waters of the Gulf from the side of the boat, played, and swam. More than once, Evie looked up to see Dylan watching her. Allison and Antonio noticed, too. “He can’t leave you alone for a minute,” Antonio observed. “Dylan and Evie sittin’ in a tree,” he sang. “You got a boyfriend.” Evie enjoyed the teasing and laughed as she pushed his head underwater.

  Within the hour, there was a bounty of food. The Doms took one table and allowed the subs to eat as a group in the corner. Both trios talked as they ate. Evie glanced in the Doms’ direction more than once when she heard Dylan laugh or when the group got loud about something. The subs, on the other hand, were speaking quietly. Evie learned about Allison’s relationship with Ben.

  “We’ve lived together for nearly three years. He’s been hinting around about taking it to the next level,” Allison said with a smile. “I have been in the lifestyle most of my adult life. Like you, I was missing something in vanilla relationships. When I met Ben, he had just ended a TPE relationship.” Allison noticed Evie frown. “TPE is ‘total power exchange.’ It means that the sub gives all control to the Dom, in life, not just in the bedroom. Ben made all the decisions for his sub, from when she woke up in the morning to how she dressed to what she ate to when and where she had conversations, and with whom.”

  “Wow,” Evie said. “That seems like a lot of responsibility. I mean to be completely responsible for someone else like that. Even parents want their children to grow up and make decisions for themselves.”

  “Very insightful, Evie,” Allison agreed. “It was difficult for Ben. He was building his career and had to take a lot of time away from her. She suffered, and because she was unhappy and unfulfilled, he was unhappy.”

  “Unfulfilled?” Evie asked.

  “Think of it like this,” Antonio chimed in. “It may appear on the surface that the Dom is in total control, but in reality, the sub has quite a bit of power. It’s relinquishing that power, even for a little while, that gives the Dom power. In a TPE relationship, if the Dom can’t accept all that the sub is willing to give then neither will realize their full potential.”

  “So what happened?” Evie asked, looking back at Allison.

  “He released her,” Allison said, causing Evie’s eyes to widen. “No, not like what Peter did. It was a mutual decision. They talked about what each needed and decided that what they wanted couldn’t be found with each other. So…Ben found another Dom. One that could devote the time, energy, and resources needed to realize the sub’s potential. From what I understand, she is very happy now.”

  “So there was no love between them?”

  “I’m sure that it was there, but what we share with our Doms is deeper than love.” Allison took a sip of her drink before continuing. “It’s understanding…”

  “Devotion,” Antonio interjected. Evie found herself frowning again.

  “More like undying support and commitment,” Allison continued. “They make it their responsibility to care for us, to put us first. If we’re happy, then they are happy. That is so much deeper than love. Antonio is right, ‘devotion’ says it all.”

  Evie sat back and watched the water ripple in the Gulf. Deeper than love.

  “Did you see Big Badass almost deck Master Chris for touching you?” Antonio looked over at him.

  “He was just kidding,” Evie said, returning from her daydream. “Wasn’t he?”

  “Not really,” Allison chimed in.

  “Nope,” Antonio said. “He may have been smiling, but there was no humor, at all.”

  “I don’t know what to say about that. I know he’s very protective.” Evie started clearing the dishes.

  “Darling,” Antonio started. “That’s an understatement. Here, let us help.” The three subs cleared the food and dishes from both tables, taking the remnants to the galley below. “Are you ready for some fun, Evie?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked nervously.

  “Did you notice the pallets next to the Masters’ chairs?” Allison asked. Evie nodded. “When you are ready, you go kneel on your pallet.”

  “And when you do, rest assured that Master Dylan’s cock will spring out of his pants. Might even put your eye out if you don’t duck when you see it coming.” Antonio pretended to jump back in mock surprise. Evie couldn’t help but laugh.

  Chapter 21:

  Touch of the Master’s Hand

  Taking a deep breath, Evie strode from the galley back to the deck where the Doms remained seated, sipping their beers. Dylan did not appear to see her as she neared, but she thought she heard a sharp intake of breath with she knelt on her pallet, even though his attention remained on their conversation. From her periphery, she could see Allison and Antonio take their positions. Evie watched his face. The tension in his jaw and the grip on his beer bottle told Evie that he was quite aware of her presence.

  Dylan tried to keep from looking at Evie as she sat on her pallet near his chair, but his gaze involuntarily drifted to her. He watched as her breasts rose and fell on each inhale and exhale, noting that her eyes remained on the floor in front of her. When she walked over and gracefully kneeled on the mat, all three Doms had paused, almost imperceptibly. Obviously, the time spent with Antonio and Allison was as fruitful as Dylan had hoped.

  The Doms continued to talk for some time. Dylan’s voice was soothing to Evie’s ears. He chuckled a few times during the conversation, enjoying the time he was spending with his friends. Evie began to tire, and instinctively laid her head upon his knee, causing him to stop speaking in mid-sentence and look down at her. Chris and Ben noticed as well
. Ben tapped the inside of his thigh, Allison’s cue to begin servicing him. She moved between his legs, pulled down his swim trunks and rubbed his hardening cock. After a few strokes, she took him between her lips. Chris reached over and caressed the back of Antonio’s neck, which prompted the sub to reach for the zipper on Chris’s cargo pants.

  Evie sat with her head on Dylan’s knee, watching the scene before her. She lifted her head and turned to look at Dylan when he gently touched her hair. He sipped his beer and watched her, softly caressing her. She moved between his open legs and reached for the waistband of his plaid shorts, lifting his polo shirt for access, grazing his stomach, which she saw clench before her. Although Evie thought Dylan’s friends’ cocks were impressive, Dylan’s was magnificent, outstanding, glorious. Damn, I am a lucky woman. She sucked the head of his rock-hard dick into her mouth. Dylan let his head fall against the back of the chair, allowing Evie to do her work. He drifted in the reverie caused by her warm mouth and clever tongue that massaged the underside of his pulsating cock. Reality intervened when he heard his friends finish inside of the mouths of their respective subs. He held back as long as he could and exploded, grabbing Evie’s head, holding it to him as he shot down her throat. She swallowed the load and licked him clean before sitting back on her heels, still stroking him. Dylan still had his fingers tangled in Evie’s hair, not wanting to let go.

  Dylan leaned over toward her, breathing hard. “Thank you, my Hope. You please me.” He leaned back and took another sip of beer. “My friends would like to experience you, Hope. How do you feel about that?” He watched her intently.

  Evie fidgeted slightly, confident that she was blushing all over, feeling the heat rise and envelop her. She started to breathe heavily and rub her thighs, a move that Dylan knew well. “I don’t think I would like that,” she said softly. “I…I…no, I wouldn’t like that.”

  “Even if it pleases me?” He watched her every breath.