Hard Limits

by Anna Parsons

  “Oh, no,” Evie cried. “Please don’t!”

  “It has to come off, Hope.” He pulled the final clamp from her. As he rubbed the second nipple, her screams became a whimper. Ben and Chris entered and began unbuckling the ties that bound her to the wooden square. Tossing the clamps and the fleece cuffs into receptacles attached to the beams. Dylan reached down and started twisting and turning the plug. Through her sobs, Evie willed her muscles to relax so that he could remove it, which also ended up in the bin. When the bars around her midsection were removed, she fell backward into Dylan’s arms. Out of nowhere the soft blanket appeared. He sat on the throne, tucking the blanket around her. “There now, are you warm enough?” Evie looked up at him, contemplating the strange question. Instantly, she realized that she was a little chilly.

  “I didn’t realize that I was cold until you asked.” She snuggled against him.

  “Let’s get you to where it’s warm.” He lifted her easily and moved to the door. There was a flurry of activity as staff members worked to clean the dungeon, preparing it for the next use. Up the stairs, through the main club area he carried her. Evie watched as Doms nodded or raised toasts to Dylan. There was a look on his face that she couldn’t read but wanted to explore. He walked to an area set up like a cozy living room, complete with comfy sofas, coffee and end tables, and a flat-screen television mounted on the dark wall. Dylan sat, still cuddling his Hope in his arms. Picking up a remote from the arm of the sofa, he pointed to the TV. That’s not a television, Evie thought as the flames appeared. What is it? Dylan noticed her looking at the wall. “It’s an infrared fireplace.” The heat radiated toward her and she snuggled closer to him. Moments later, she had water and a shot of whiskey, which heated her from within. Chris, Ben, Allison, and Antonio joined them, but she was too tired to do anything but smile. She felt herself dozing when another visitor arrived.

  “Master Dylan.” Harrison Stark bowed as he entered the area. Dylan extended his hand in greeting, jostling Evie slightly, causing her to wake fully. “May I have the pleasure of addressing your sub?”

  “You may,” Dylan said as he pulled back the blanket to reveal his Hope nestled in her cocoon. “Hope, Master Harrison would like a word.” She sat up slightly, looking at the older Dom. Just outside the sitting area, Meredith stood waiting for him.

  “My lady,” he said. “You are a jewel.” He turned his attention to Dylan. “Any chance you’ll allow her to participate in a scene I am planning?”

  “Not a chance,” Dylan said simply. Evie exhaled, not realizing that she held her breath waiting for his response.

  “I don’t blame you. But I had to ask. Good evening.” He bowed again before retreating.

  “How are you doing, Hope?” Dylan asked, looking down at her.

  “I’m fine. I can sit on my own now.” She tried to pull away.

  “Not yet.” Dylan held fast. He continued his conversation with Chris and Ben while Antonio and Allison sat nearby quietly. Every now and then, Chris or Ben would look into her eyes. She had the distinct feeling that she was being watched. She removed her arm from the blanket and touched Dylan’s bare chest, causing him to look down at her. “Yes, Hope.”

  “I need to use the restroom,” she said quietly.

  “Okay,” he said as he started to stand.

  “Oh, no.” She touched his chest. “I can go by myself.” She smiled at him. He sat back down, but did not release her. “What’s wrong? Why do you all think you need to watch me?”

  “She’s a smart one, brother.” Ben lifted his glass to her. Evie blushed, recalling their earlier connection.

  “So I am being watched?” Evie asked her Master.

  “You are,” Dylan said, his deep baritone vibrating through his chest.

  “Why?”

  “You entered subspace during the scene,” he started. “That’s not uncommon in an intense scene. Sometimes, subs have a hard time um…coming down after a scene like that.” He looked at her intently. “We’re watching to make sure that you don’t get overemotional because the scene is over, and the connection lost.”

  “But the connection isn’t lost,” Evie said, her hand still on his chest. “I’m tired, but not depressed.”

  “You’re tired and cold,” Dylan said. “You shouldn’t be either. It’s a subconscious physical response to the end of the scene.” He reached in to kiss her forehead.

  “I’m fine.” Or I think I’m fine.

  “You may be, Hope. Every sub reacts differently. This may be how your body reacts and is completely normal for you. We’re just being cautious.” Dylan unwrapped the blanket.

  “After scenes like that one, Antonio cries like a baby,” Chris said, smiling at his sub, who harrumphed silently at the suggestion. “Or maybe it’s me that cries like a baby.”

  “Allison gets horny as hell,” Ben said, drawing Evie’s attention to Allison. She turned a crimson red before burying her face into Dylan’s neck.

  “I thought you had to go,” Dylan said.

  “I’ll hold it,” she said into his neck.

  “I think she needs to talk,” Ben said as he rose. “We’ll leave you two alone. If you need us, we’ll be around.”

  “Okay, Hope, they’re gone,” he said, shifting her so that her back was leaning against the arm of the sofa. “You want to talk about it?”

  “I’m not sure if I can.” She buried her face in her hands. “The whole scene is coming back to me.”

  “Are you embarrassed?”

  “No, I’m not.” Evie smiled. “Surprisingly, I don’t feel any embarrassment at all. I’m just surprised at my actions…or reactions, I should say. I hadn’t thought that a woman would ever do that to me, and that I would enjoy it.”

  “I thought you would enjoy it, which is why we added it to the scene. Your reaction proved me right. Had you reacted differently, I would’ve stopped it.” He stroked her cheek and neck, not wanting to end the connection.

  “But Ben.” She looked down. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do what you wanted me to do.” She looked up at him, her eyes swimming with tears.

  “My Hope.” He caressed her blushing cheeks. “I want you to grow. You grew tonight by participating in that scene. You went as far as you could. Actually, further than I thought you would at this stage in our relationship. I am proud of you.”

  “Really?” She smiled slightly, looking up at him, willing the tears not to fall.

  “God, yes.” He kissed her lips gently. “You were beautiful tied up there, and I will enjoy the marks on your skin for a few days, at least. Your responses to us made me go far past where I intended to take you when I walked through that door.”

  “But I used my safe word,” she said, again looking down.

  “Hope, do you see that as a failure?” When she nodded, he pulled her upright so that they were eye to eye. “The purpose of the safe word is to keep you safe. You use it whenever we’ve gone too far. I told you it’s the equivalent of calling 9-1-1, but if it’s an emergency, don’t hesitate. Do you understand?” He shook her slightly.

  “Yes, I understand.” She placed her hands on his shoulders. “So, you’re not angry that I didn’t have sex with Ben?”

  “You submitted to both of us, and like I said, you went very far for your first time. I’m proud, not angry. Ben isn’t even angry. He may be disappointed, but certainly not angry. You are mine, and mine alone. Tonight was an exploration. We discovered more about each other, our desires, and our limits. It seems that neither of us wants another man touching you. We will make that one of our hard limits.” He kissed her nose.

  “Thank you.” She couldn’t prevent the tears from falling from her eyes.

  “Let’s go home.” He lifted her easily.

  “I need to find my clothes,” she said as he carried her toward the subs’ lounge. Setting her on her feet just outside the door, he pushed her inside where her clothes were neatly folded on the bench.

  Chapter 31:

  A Pict
ure Can Equal a Thousand Words…or None

  Ben walked through the empty club, heading to the office, needing to talk to his friend. The information he was about to share with Dylan was nothing more than a few pictures, which appeared to scream the proverbial thousand words. It nearly broke his heart to have to give them to Dylan, because he watched his friend’s affection for Evie grow daily. He hesitated for an instant, because his own feelings for her were strong. Blood is thicker than water. Dylan looked up from his reading.

  “Hey, man. I didn’t expect to see you this early.” Dylan sat back, watching Ben as he entered. Typical tight jeans and tee hugged him.

  “We need to talk,” Ben said as he plopped down into one of the chairs in front of the desk. “It’s about Evie.”

  “The answer is no.” Dylan leaned forward, returning to his reading.

  “The answer to what? I haven’t asked anything.” Ben held his hand open in a questioning gesture.

  “The other night in the dungeon is as close as you’re gonna get. When she trusts us and herself more, we’ll try round two, sans sex. So the answer is no.” Dylan looked at his friend with a smile.

  “When she trusts us,” Ben said under his breath before meeting Dylan’s gaze. “Do you trust her?”

  “She hasn’t given me any reason not to trust her.” Dylan pushed his papers away and leaned back. Seeing the conflict on his friend’s face, Dylan continued, “What’s going on, Ben? I can tell something’s got you.”

  Ben leaned back in his own chair before starting at the beginning. “You’ve heard of Juan-Carmen Aquino, right? I mean, who hasn’t?” Ben paused to see Dylan nod. To the outside observer, Juan-Carmen Aquino looked like a nerd with his small stature and thick glasses. In actuality, Aquino was a criminal giant, with his hands in drugs, extortion, prostitution, intimidation, and murder. “We’ve been building a case against him for years. Wiretaps, surveillance, the whole works. Well, Aquino’s got himself a new attorney. Peter Nash. He left the DA’s office two weeks ago.” Dylan’s eyebrows shot up at the mention of Peter’s name. “We added him to the surveillance when we got wind of the change from prosecution to the defense team. A few days ago, Peter was in Maxwell’s jewelry store. The guys assigned to tail him took some pictures and made some inquiries. It apparently had to do with buying a ring for his new fiancée.”

  “Okay.” Dylan leaned forward.

  “They say this is his fiancée.” Ben set a picture in front of his friend. Dylan looked down at the photo of Evie, taken in front of Maxwell’s in her peach scrubs. Wednesday is ‘peach scrub’ day. A new picture was placed on top, with Peter standing in the doorway as she exited. The final picture was of Peter kissing someone while sitting in his car. “Brother, I don’t know what this is about, but I thought you should see it. My first obligation is to you. I had to show you, man.”

  “This doesn’t mean anything,” Dylan said as he set the pictures in a line. “Just because they were in the same jewelry store means nothing. Coincidence, at best. And this one…” he said as he picked up the picture of the couple kissing. “You can’t even tell who this is.”

  “Did she tell you about it?” Ben said, watching his friend’s reaction.

  “No, she didn’t,” Dylan conceded.

  “So, she was in the same jewelry store with her ex, and didn’t tell you?”

  “Maybe she didn’t even see him in the store?” Dylan said.

  “Brother, you and I have both been inside of Maxwell’s. No way did she not know he was there. She would have to be blind, deaf, and dumb, given the size of the place. Those aren’t terms I’d use to describe Evie.” Ben sat back in his chair, watching his friend struggle with what he was being told.

  “We lack context here.” Dylan finally spoke. “All we have here is a few photos. Without context, they mean nothing.”

  “Agreed. But when questioned, the clerk described the fiancée as a redhead.” Ben stood and began to pace the room. “So I ask again, do you trust her?”

  Still staring at the pictures, his response was a mere whisper. “Yes, I trust her.”

  “I guess that’s that then.” Ben strode to the door. “Listen, brother. I like her a lot. I want to fuck her, dominate her, and push her limits, but if she’s stepping out on you, my opinion of her will be a lot different. She’ll be a step below a whore, in my mind, if it turns out to be true.” Ben exited the office, leaving Dylan to stare at the pictures. Peter. Is this why she hasn’t opened up to me about how she feels about me? About us?

  * * * *

  Evie exited the subs’ lounge after making sure that her appearance was perfect. The cream-and-gold corset was cinched tightly around her, her nipples peeking out just about the top of the garment. A thin piece of gauze was draped around her neck and tucked into the corset, giving the illusion of covering, but her areolas were clearly visible. A wider strip of gauze made what could pass as a skirt. Only the wisp of fabric and her tiny thong kept her pussy from everyone’s view. Black stiletto pumps completed the outfit. The only makeup she wore was a bit of lip gloss. Dylan preferred her to appear natural. Her hair was allowed to hang freely, another of Dylan’s requests.

  The club was beginning to fill. Several patrons nodded or lifted drinks in her direction. Invariably, their eyes fell to her wrist, which revealed the platinum bangle that confirmed her ownership. Evie learned from Antonio that Anne also wore a bangle, in gold. Better luck next time, boys. Evie’s comfort level had certainly increased since patrons started to realize that she belonged to Dylan. No one dared touch her without his permission and few even ventured to make eye contact. Evie made her way to the office.

  Dylan was on the phone as Evie entered the open door. He concentrated on his phone call and the papers in front of him, barely looking up and not acknowledging her presence. She strode to the desk, taking her place seated on the right side of his desk, crossing her legs, stretching her arms behind her, palms on the desk. He finished his call and sat back to look at her, causing a smile to spread across her face. Damn. That corset is perfect. Down boy. Don’t let it distract you.

  “I missed you,” she said softly, averting her eyes. “It’s been a crazy week. I’m glad to finally be here.” She lifted her hands and looked around the room.

  “So, the club is becoming a refuge for you?” he asked.

  “I believe it is,” she said, returning to her pose.

  “Am I a refuge for you?” He watched her intently.

  “You are, Dylan…Master,” she corrected. She wanted to throw herself into his arms and tell him exactly what she was feeling. Yes, you are my world, my everything. She giggled, thinking of all the ways she planned to show him how she felt.

  “What is it that you find funny, Evie?” Her giggle irritated him.

  “You called me ‘Evie.’ You’ve never done that before.” She smiled at him, but something in his eyes made her smile fade.

  “Where were you on Wednesday…Evie?” He glared at her. When she couldn’t hold his gaze, he knew.

  “I was at work. I left from the beach house, remember?” Evie began to fidget under his intense scrutiny. At that moment, she felt exposed, and moved to cover herself. Dylan didn’t stop her.

  “I remember…Evie.” He threw her nickname out at her again. “All day?”

  “I worked my shift, as always. I turned in my resignation that day.” Evie frowned a bit at the question. “Dylan, what’s wrong?”

  “Did you leave the hospital at all, Evie?” He moved to stand in front of her.

  “Dylan.” She looked up at him. “Please tell me what’s going on.” Something is not right.

  “It’s ‘Master Dylan’…Evie. Tell me about this.” He handed her the photos. She looked at each before looking at him.

  “Okay. Why do you have pictures of me?” Evie asked. She continued when Dylan gave no response. “Who is this in the car?”

  His eyes never left hers. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked softly.

  “T
ell you what?” She set the pictures down on the desk. “I went to Maxwell’s on my lunch break. Apparently, Peter was there, but I didn’t see him.” Evie looked him right in the eye.

  “Why did you go there?”

  “I was just looking around.” She shifted uncomfortably and avoided his gaze. She’s lying. She’s not who I thought she was. Damn.