by Tara Sue Me
Copyright © 2015 Tara Sue Me
Author photograph © Glen McCurtayne, Coleman/Rayner 2013
Cover photo © Julia Reese / Shutterstock. Cover design www.isitdesign.co.uk
The right of Tara Sue Me to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Published by arrangement with NAL,
A member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC,
A Penguin Random House Company
First published in this Ebook edition in 2015
by HEADLINE ETERNAL
An imprint of HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP
Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing of the publishers or, in the case of reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.
All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Cataloguing in Publication Data is available from the British Library
eISBN 978 1 4722 2654 9
HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP
An Hachette UK Company
Carmelite House
50 Victoria Embankment
London EC4Y 0DZ
www.headlineeternal.com
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
About the Author
Praise for Tara Sue Me
By Tara Sue Me
About the Book
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Epilogue
An enticing extract of The Master
Discover more from Tara Sue Me
Find out more about Headline Eternal
About the Author
Tara Sue Me wrote her first novel at the age of twelve. It would be twenty years before she picked up her pen to write the second.
After completing several traditional romances, she decided to try her hand at something spicier and started work on The Submissive. What began as a writing exercise quickly took on a life of its own, and sequels The Dominant and The Training soon followed. Originally published online, the trilogy was a huge hit with readers around the world. Each of the books has now been read and reread more than a million times.
Tara kept her identity and her writing life secret, not even telling her husband what she was working on. To this day, only a handful of people know the truth (though she has told her husband). They live together in the southeastern United States with their two children.
Find out more about Tara by visiting her website www.tarasueme.com, or visit her on Facebook www.facebook.com/TaraSueMeBooks and on Twitter @tarasueme.
Praise for Tara Sue Me’s breathtakingly sensual Submissive series:
‘I HIGHLY recommend The Submissive by Tara Sue Me. It’s so worth it. This book crackles with sexual lightning right from the beginning … It has heart and the characters are majorly flawed in a beautiful way. They aren’t perfect, but they may be perfect together. Step into Tara Sue Me’s world of dominance and submission. It’s erotic, thrilling, and will leave you panting for more’ Martini Reviews
‘For those Fifty Shades fans pining for a little more spice on their e-reader … the Guardian recommends Tara Sue Me’s Submissive Trilogy, starring handsome CEO Nathaniel West, a man on the prowl for a new submissive, and the librarian Abby, who is yearning for something more’ Los Angeles Times
‘Unbelievably fantastic! … Nathaniel is something special, and he has that … something “more” that makes him who he is and makes me love him more than all the others. Beneath the cold and detached surface there is a sweet and loving man, and I adored how Abby managed to crack his armour a tiny bit at a time … I can’t wait to continue this beautiful story’ Mind Reader
‘A blazing hot BDSM story between a billionaire and someone who’s admired him from afar. I really enjoyed this smoking tale and recommend it to erotic romance readers’ Night Owl Reviews
‘Tara Sue Me’s The Submissive was a story unlike anything I’d ever read, and it completely captivated me … It’s an emotional, compelling story about two people who work to make their relationship exactly what they need it to be, and how they’re BOTH stronger for it’ Books Make Me Happy
‘I am awed by Tara Sue Me … a very powerful book written with grace and style. The characters were brought to life with a love story that will leave you wanting for more’ Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
‘Very passionate … The characters are very easy to relate to and there is a depth to their feelings that is intriguing and engaging … intense and very, VERY H-O-T’ Harlequin Junkie
‘This is the kind of erotic writing that makes the genre amazing’ Debbie’s Book Bag
‘Titillates and captivates from the very beginning’ Romantic Times (top pick)
By Tara Sue Me
In The Submissive Series
The Submissive
The Dominant
The Training
The Chalet (e-novella)
The Enticement
The Collar
The Exhibitionist
In The Partners In Play Series
Seduced By Fire
About the Book
Book Six in The Submissive Series
She’s ready for even more…
When Abby West discovered her submissive desires, she felt like she was born anew. But lately, her Dominant husband hasn’t been the demanding Master who once fulfilled her every passion. Abby begins to crave something else – and to wonder if Nathaniel can still push her past her boundaries.
Nathaniel knows that Abby belongs to him completely, but even he can’t ignore the pleasure on her face as they get to know their new BDSM group. They’ve invited Nathaniel to guide their group to a new level, and he’s promised to show them the way, even as he recommits to fulfilling his beautiful submissive wife’s every desire. Only this time, uncovering her sexual limits may also expose their relationship to more conflict than it can withstand…
Before there was the fan fiction that became Fifty Shades of Grey, there was The Submissive… Indulge in the series that started it all: The Submissive, The Dominant, The Training, The Chalet, The Enticement and The Collar.
To my sister,
my secret keeper, my cheerleader, and friend.
Acknowledgments
When I started The Submissive in January 2009, I thought maybe ten people would read it. It was a new venture for me. Up until that point, I’d never written anything more graphic than a kiss. Truthfully, if you had told me everything that would happen as a result, I’d have had a good laugh, slapped you on the back, and told you that was the funniest thing I’d ever heard.
Well, what can I say? Life is funny sometimes.
Since I took that step forward and opened the bedroom door in my writing, so many incredible things have happened. I’ve met some of my closest friends and I’m now able to spend my days doing what I love.
And though I never planned to write Nathaniel and Abby beyond The Training, it’s
been a lot of fun visiting with them again. Of course, I can’t do this alone, and I’m forever thankful for the people who helped me.
Christin, who helped me with the German parts. Any error is all me.
Tina, who very graciously read and gave me feedback.
Elle, who is always there for me to brainstorm with, laugh with, and share stories with. (P.S. Cole’s next!)
Claire, Jenn, and the entire team at NAL, whose enthusiasm for Nathaniel and Abby keeps me going.
Steve, who made this possible.
My children, who ensure I actually turn the laptop off at times.
You, my readers, who encourage me. I wish it were possible to meet every single one of you.
And Mr. Sue Me, who doesn’t bat an eye when I blurt out, “OMG, I JUST REALIZED WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!”
Chapter One
ABBY
The smell of lust filled the room. In fact, the sexual tension was so high I would bet most of the women present longed to be in the place of the lovely redhead. Currently standing in front of Cole Johnson, the Partners in Play group’s newest senior Dominant, the petite woman trembled slightly. Although she was fully clothed, she displayed a vulnerability I was all too familiar with.
“Daniel told me she’s been having difficulties focusing,” my husband and Dominant, Nathaniel, said. We were at a play party being held at a private residence. He stood behind me, and though we were somewhat removed from the group, he still whispered. “He said he hopes the session with Cole will help.”
“With everyone watching?” I asked. “That seems unlikely.”
“I guess we’ll see.”
We couldn’t hear Cole’s voice; he spoke too softly. The submissive’s gaze drifted from him to the watching crowd. Bad move. Quick as a lightning strike, Cole grabbed her chin and forced her to meet his eyes.
“On me,” he said, the threat in his voice noticeable before it dropped back down to a whisper.
“Perhaps he believes if she can focus while in the middle of a crowd, she can focus during anything,” Nathaniel said.
There was probably some truth to that. The submissive certainly didn’t appear to be tempted to look our way again. Then again, Cole had placed his hands on her shoulders and started a slow stroke up and down her arms. All the while, he kept his eyes locked on hers. I doubted there were many women who would be able to think about anything else if he was looking at them like that.
After a few minutes, he stepped back and spoke to her again. “As far as you’re concerned, you and I are the only people in this room. Understand?”
She answered with a softly spoken, “Yes, Sir.”
“Louder,” he said. “Own your words.”
“Yes, Sir,” she repeated, this time with more confidence.
“You are to keep your eyes on mine the entire time we’re together unless I tell you to do otherwise.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“What’s your safe word?” Cole asked.
“Red, Sir.”
“Thank you. Take your shirt off.”
Her gaze briefly flickered to the floor.
“That’s one, sub,” Cole said, and she sucked in a breath. “Tell me what you did.”
“I looked at the floor, Sir.”
“And what were you supposed to do?”
“Keep my eyes on yours.”
Cole nodded. “Take your shirt off the proper way.”
This time, she kept her focus on him while she unbuttoned and slid the shirt off her shoulders. It fluttered to the floor.
“Very nice,” Cole said. “Now remove your bra.”
I wasn’t a Dominant by any stretch, but I’d been an active submissive for long enough to know and recognize hesitation. Hell, I’d done it often enough myself, but I always learned something new when I was an observer. It was certainly interesting seeing things from a different perspective.
Cole took a step toward her. “On the checklist you filled out, how do you have public nudity listed?”
“As won’t object, Sir.”
“And how else am I to interpret your hesitation as anything other than objecting?”
“I don’t know, Sir.”
“That’s because there is no other way. That’s two. Now remove the bra.”
She quickly reached behind her back to unsnap her bra, but my own focus was suddenly shifted to my husband’s two hands, which were unbuttoning my shirt.
His voice was rough in my ear while his fingers stroked my breasts. “You like watching, don’t you?”
“Especially with you teasing me like that with your hands, Master.”
“You like teasing?” he asked.
I realized what I’d said and how he’d probably interpret my words. “Uh, well …”
He chuckled. “Too late. I’m going to thoroughly enjoy teasing you tonight, but for right now, watch Master Johnson.”
In front of us, Cole had bound his submissive for the night with her arms above her head. Two identical floggers sat on top of a bag off to the side of where they were standing. From the look of them, he’d be demonstrating Florentine flogging.
Cole went right into the scene with both floggers, warming up the submissive with light and easy strokes. Interesting. Whenever Nathaniel used two floggers, he’d start by warming me up with a single one first. But the technique appeared to be working. The submissive’s expression transformed into a look of complete bliss, and by the time Cole started putting more power behind his swing, she was in subspace.
I was transfixed by the sight of them. It appeared almost like a choreographed dance, the way his arms moved in time with her side-to-side sway.
“Very nice,” Cole said to her. “I’m going to bring you down. No climax for you tonight, since you didn’t follow directions at the beginning of the scene.”
She started to protest, but he cut her off. “Unless you want me to demo how to properly discipline with two floggers, you’ll keep that comment to yourself.”
She wisely didn’t say anything else and Cole’s movements grew slower and slower.
I jumped when Nathaniel slipped a hand down my skirt.
“Someone liked watching,” he said.
I pressed back against him and wiggled my butt across his erection. “Yes, Master.”
“I’m going to flog that wiggly ass. Let’s go to the garage.”
The garage was set aside for public play and filled with all sorts of fun toys. Plus, there were always people observing the play scenes. It would be our first time being in the garage, and I smiled at the thought of finally being a participant.
I walked in front of him, nodding and smiling at the people we passed on our way. The party had been going on for about an hour and a half, so the house was filled to capacity. About half of the partygoers were in the garage. A laughing couple pushed past us on their way into the popular play space. I feared the garage would be too crowded, but when we made our way inside, I was happy to see that wasn’t the case.
The room was large and clean and there were no cars. Different play stations had been set up with plenty of room between the areas for people to stand and observe without getting in the way of the people playing. Also, next to each station was a basket filled with cleaning spray and paper towels.
“I like the cleaning stations,” I said to Nathaniel.
“Yes, it’s important.”
I stood for a minute just inside the doorway and tried to take in the entire scene. Between fifteen and twenty people were in the garage, and of those, about eight were engaged in play. The two padded benches and the padded table were occupied, as was the St. Andrew’s cross. Both the people playing and those watching were being observed by the group Dungeon Monitor. He saw us and nodded.
I looked to Nathaniel for instructions and he nodded toward one of the remaining free areas: a whipping post. “On your knees in front of the post.”
I crossed the floor and knelt down while I waited. I closed my eyes to focus myself on serving him. I
thoroughly enjoyed playing in front of others, but I never wanted my focus to drift from where it was supposed to be.
“So you like it when I tease you?” he asked.
“Most of the time, Master.”
“Whereas I, on the other hand, always enjoy teasing you.” He took a few steps and stood behind me. “And I love to hear you beg. So tonight, I’m going to start a scene and we’re going to finish it at home. How does that sound?”
“Like a long ride home, Master.”
He laughed. “And if you don’t want it to be an even longer night, you’ll behave.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Stand up and face the post.”
I rose to my feet and turned to the post, imagining how I looked to the crowd as I did, and positioning myself to please Nathaniel.
He ran his hands up my back and situated my arms so they were above my head. “You would enjoy this better if you were naked, wouldn’t you?” he asked.
“Most things involving you are better if I’m naked, Master.”
He gave my ass a slap. “Someone feels a little sassy tonight, doesn’t she?”
“Maybe just a little.” I wiggled my butt, hoping he’d spank it again.
But he didn’t. Instead he moved my hands to two grips on the post. “Don’t let go and no speaking unless I ask a question.”
He hadn’t brought his toy bag with him, so I couldn’t imagine what he was going to do.
“I’m going to lift your skirt,” he said. “Are you wearing anything under it?”
He was the one who had picked out my outfit before we left. So he knew the only thing under the skirt was me. “No, Master.”
“Everyone’s going to see your ass. The only thing better would be if everyone saw me spank you.”
I tried not to think about how much that thought turned me on. He said he was going to tease me, which probably meant he wasn’t going to let me climax at the party.
He drew my skirt above my waist and I expected him to continue his upward trail, but instead his fingers slipped behind me and he pinched my butt. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from making a noise.