He whimpers a little, making my cock throb.
Then I realize he’s fucking hard. His cock is bumping against my leg.
I reposition my bare foot so the sole presses along the length of his cock and traps it against his abs. “You can grind on me, but don’t you dare come without permission. If you do, I will order a chastity device tomorrow and lock it on you myself.”
Another whimper.
I stare into his eyes, a view Liam no doubt experienced countless times over their years together. They’re a different shade of blue than mine but he’s already deep in subspace.
“How’s it feel sucking the cock of your lover’s husband, hmm? The man who got to put a ring on it after you fucked up?”
He mumbles something that sounds like an affirmative of some sort. Hard to tell.
Yes, I’m hurting and mean and want to work through this quickly. We don’t have time to fuck around with petty games, considering their jobs and mine.
Well, not much time.
I jerk him by the hair and pull him off my cock. Leaning in close, I clamp my other hand around his jaw. “You ever lie to me,” I whisper, “and you might as well resign and leave DC and hunker down to await the bombs dropping on you. The only reason I haven’t blown up both your worlds already is because I love him and know how much he loves you. Understand?”
“Yes, Sir.”
I slap his cheek hard, much the way I did Liam earlier. “You going to sneak around with him behind my back again?”
“No, Sir. I promise.”
I slap him again. “Your loyalty now lies with me, not him. He tries to get you to go against the terms of this deal, you contact me immediately. If you fail to do so, I’ll take it totally out on him and make you watch, and I don’t mean sexy fun, either. I’ll ruin him, tie it all to you, and make you watch the show before I ruin you. It’ll be your fault for not saving him from himself and his stupidity. Understand?”
I’m hoping Liam drilled into Ward, the way he did with me, the “prime directive”—to protect the property before all other considerations. Even if that means protecting the property from the Master, or protecting the Master from himself.
He nods. “Yes, Sir.”
I pull him back onto my cock for another few minutes. “He knows he doesn’t get a safeword tonight. Neither do you. You lost that right when you two fucked behind my back. The stupid thing is if he’d just come to me, I would have said yes. That’s what absolutely kills me about all of this.”
Chuckling, I hold him deep on my cock and make him struggle for a moment before easing back so he can suck in air. “Just like you were scared of your father, Liam’s rightfully scared of what I might do to you. I’ve made good use of my time in DC. Made a lot of contacts. Learned a lot of dirty tricks. Turned enough dirt to discover more than a few bodies. What’s funny is that I’m a very dangerous man, and no one realizes exactly how dangerous I am until it’s too late.
“I have a feeling, based on what Liam told me, that you are not made for politics. You’re going to get a crash course in assholery from yours truly. We have to toughen your balls. You’re going to do what I say, and you’re going to be my bitch in the office and outside of it. When I need leverage to get a bill through conference committee, you’re going to help me do it.
“You’ll also be my spy, passing me any intel that comes your way about your fellow senators. Liam and I don’t talk like that, because he usually has ethics. You, on the other hand, will have entrée into normally locked rooms with your fellow GOP assholes. Until I make you switch parties, that is. But if you hear any rumors, like someone’s fucking someone not their spouse, or they change prayer meetings, or they cashed in stocks just before a critical vote—anything, you tell me. Understand?”
He mumbles his assent around my cock.
Information is a valuable commodity. Some people focus too much on titles and office locations.
Me? I’m an analyst. That means I have a knack for spotting patterns no one else does and fitting things together in a way that makes sense.
Like if a senator is supposedly happily married, and suddenly moves out of a townhouse he shares with other senators and into an apartment all his own, but his spouse and kids aren’t living in DC with him, and he hires a young new intern who doesn’t seem suited for the job professionally about the same time…it frequently adds up to leverage.
Former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner once said, “Crisis creates leverage to change.” Even though he’s GOP, I have to admit he’s not wrong.
Although crisis itself can often be used as the leverage. Or, the threat of creating a crisis can be the leverage.
Leverage I am a master at judiciously applying.
Like right now.
I finally pull Ward off my cock and remove the clothes pins from him, noting the way he winces but doesn’t complain too loudly.
Excellent. There will be torture at work in his future, if he’s used to being quiet like that.
“Let’s go upstairs.” Leaving my cock hanging out, I free his hands, stand, and collect all the phones, his and mine. I can see we’ll have to be careful about that, to not accidentally grab the wrong phones if we’re in a hurry.
I also make myself a mental note to ensure we all have different phone cases.
He follows me to the base of the stairs, where I turn. “You obey every order I give you tonight without question or hesitation. Understand?”
“Yes, Sir.”
He isn’t fighting me. Not so much as an inch. Even when I confronted Liam, I watched him mentally struggling to rein in his Master side the whole time.
Another way my wayward hubby earned bonus points with me. Normally, he likes it when I challenge him for dominance and he can put me down. Because I like that he can take control of me. It’s a thing we do, and something that’s become an integral part of our play.
Earlier, when I bound Liam, I sensed that Dominant side of him struggling to remain in check. Another reason I couldn’t look him in the eyes until he was secured to the bed. It would’ve been too easy for him to grab and hold me, try to soothe my tears, and we’d still be at square one.
But…not Ward.
I’m still far too raw and angry to do a deep dive and analyze my feelings about him right now. My first impression is he’s a full-on submissive. Hell, even in his professional life. From my research, I know he went to work for his father’s law firm right out of college. His father and his cronies got him elected to the offices he’s run for. I mean, Georgia is notorious for voter suppression, so it wasn’t difficult for them to do it without needing much help from Ward. All he had to do was not get caught on video fucking someone he wasn’t married to, or killing puppies, or something.
“Tonight, you don’t speak to Liam unless I okay it,” I add. “No matter what he says.”
“Yes, Sir.”
I take a deep breath. “Do you really still love him? Honestly?”
“I’ve never stopped loving him.”
“He’s a package deal. You get me by default, and I refuse to be a third-wheel.”
“I know, Sir. I’m fine with that.” He blushes and chews on his lower lip. “I told him I thought you were hot.”
A suspicion tickles my brain. “Have you been keeping track of him the way he used to keep track of you?”
His blush deepens. “Yes, Sir.”
“So…you already knew who I was before you met me that day?”
“I did.”
I take another deep breath to steady myself. “How jealous were you when you found out he married me?”
He takes a moment to answer. “Very. But not like I could complain, could I? I’m glad he met you. I wanted him to meet someone who would love him and be perfect for you. I’m glad you healed him.”
I brush away the satisfaction his comments trigger in me. Going easy on him isn’t an option right now. “I didn’t heal him enough, apparently.” I realize I’ll need to get Ward a day collar, too
. Something Liam will see and, hopefully, respect.
A visual reminder to both of them of what’s going on. Because if they can’t responsibly adult outside my presence, we’re all fucked. I have to operate in good faith, and so do they.
“Do you want to know why I can take this approach instead of just kicking him out and divorcing him?” I ask.
He tentatively nods.
“Because I spent all day today reading the e-mails he sent you over the years. I never knew about that account until today. I can see how much he loves you, present-tense. It allowed me a peek into his psyche. You already know what it’s like to love what he loves and hate what he hates.”
That earns me another nod.
“He loves you. Like I told him, I always thought it was an indicator of what a good soul he has that he’s always held space for you. Hence the hall-pass fuck exception. Which I was totally serious about, even though I never realized…” I gesture at everything.
Ward nods.
“If things were different, and you and I were both single, even though you’re subby like me, I’d still think you’re hot and be attracted to you. So, you have that going for you. He loves you—which is the biggest point.”
I take a deep breath. “I also know what it is like to have a shitty father. Not, apparently, to the extent or in the ways yours is. But my ‘daddy issues’ also played a huge role in forming who I am. I get it. But even more, it allowed me to see what not having closure can do to a person. I couldn’t help my mom find closure with my dad, but I can save my husband from that Hell. Where we go from this point is up to the two of you.”
I hold up my left hand and point to my wedding band. “Think of him as being collared to me. In a manner of speaking.” I hold up my right, showing him the bracelet I wear there. “He proposed to me. He’s my husband. He’s my Master. If you really want to be a part of what we have, I am willing to make that space for you, too. But you need to earn my trust first.”
“I will.”
“Don’t make me promises. Because I gotta tell you, your current track record fucking sucks. Just do it. Work your ass off and show me you are a man of your word and not that terrified law school grad who broke my man’s soul.”
He nods.
“Come on.”
I turn and head up the stairs, no longer feeling controlled by the absolute rage consuming me earlier. My mind already wants to jump ahead to the planning stages and free Ward from the anchors in his life.
Because I want my husband to be happy.
Ward Callahan is the key to Liam’s happiness. Meaning I’ll do whatever’s required. Move mountains, if necessary.
Whoever stands in the way of that goal…
It won’t end well for them.
Because it never has in the past.
Chapter Six
At the bedroom door, I step aside so I can watch Ward’s face as he spots Liam’s predicament.
Yes, the kinky bastard is still sporting full wood, just like I expected.
If Liam thinks he’s getting off easy tonight, he’s mistaken.
He’s not getting off at all. He’s going to have to suffer for a while.
Liam’s not one to use sexual torture on me very often, because it makes me grouchy and spiteful and mean, and he doesn’t enjoy when I get that way.
Doesn’t mean I won’t do it to him, though. Although, on the other hand, I could completely ruin his orgasms, the way he’s ruined mine in the past, on occasion.
Let him see how he likes it.
Besides, he’s been getting his brains fucked out for the past couple of weeks. He can suffer without for a while.
Hell, if Liam doesn’t watch himself, I might strap a chastity device on him.
Ward’s eyes widen but he doesn’t speak when he sees Liam tied up on the bed.
I grab Ward by the back of the neck. “You remember how to clean yourself out?”
He nods.
I give him a shove toward our bathroom. “Everything’s under the sink. Go do it.”
He heads that way.
Liam’s gaze narrows and his head turns as he follows Ward’s progress across the room to the bathroom door.
Without talking to or even looking at my husband, I dump our phones on the dresser, separate Ward’s from mine and Liam’s, and put mine on their chargers. Then I hook my phone to our bedroom speakers and select rock music I enjoy, the volume only loud enough it both covers the noises of what Ward’s doing in the bathroom and prevents him from overhearing what I’m about to say to Liam.
Liam’s gaze focuses on me as I return to the bed and check his hands and feet to make sure I haven’t cut off his circulation. Then I reach over and thump the head of his cock again, hard, making him yelp and jerk against his bonds.
“Stupid bastard,” I whisper. “You’re lucky the two of you didn’t get caught. He’s agreed to do everything I say. From this point on, I’m in charge, no matter if I’m in sub mode or not. That continues until I decide if or when you’ve regained Master privileges with me and with him. Understand?”
Liam’s gaze narrows, the Master struggling to rein this madness in, but he eventually nods.
“At some point, I might hand the reins back to you, but not now. Maybe not ever, when it comes to him. If you can’t deal with that then say so, and we can work out the terms of our divorce. You in or out?”
I’m hoping he doesn’t call that bluff because I’d hate like hell to divorce him. I love him. He’s my heart and soul.
But I cannot stay with him if I can’t trust him.
He nods.
I lean in close. “One more time, just to be clear—if you lie to me, or try to go behind my back with him and break my rules, I will ruin him without a second thought or an ounce of guilt, and I will also make sure he knows it’s all your fault. You get one chance to make this right. You fuck up, that’s it. You feel me?”
No way Liam can fake the fear in his brown gaze. He nods.
Stick…and carrot. I perch on the edge of the bed. This whole time, my cock’s been hanging out, and I didn’t miss Liam glancing at it from time to time.
I jab him in the middle of his forehead with my finger. “You do what I say—both of you—and maybe we can eventually have it all. Meaning the three of us together long-term. But only if you both trust me and listen to me. And only if you regain my trust.”
He nods and looks close to tears. Which guts me, because my husband is not a crier, under normal circumstances.
Obviously, this is anything but a normal circumstance.
I finally tuck my cock back in and zip up, but I remove my shirt and toss it aside.
Also, I look Liam in the eyes as I unfasten the thick, stainless steel chain bracelet on my right wrist, my day collar, and set it on the dresser.
I rarely take it off myself, although Liam will frequently remove it for me. Sometimes, he puts cufflinks on me as a day collar. I wear something every day to work as a day collar, but when we’re home, sometimes it’s a leather collar buckled around my neck instead of the day collar around my wrist.
That’s definitely pain in his eyes now as his gaze lingers on where I set the bracelet. Maybe it’s naive on my part, but I want to believe Liam comprehends exactly how badly he fucked up. Maybe it makes me stupid to hope this will work out. Still, I’m willing to give both of them the opportunity to atone.
I read Liam’s words, words from the past he thought no one except maybe Ward would see when he originally wrote them.
He definitely didn’t think I’d ever see them.
The raw, honest anguish. I also know, because of those same words, that he loves me.
That man deserves a chance to finally heal. I swore I’d never share Liam, but the truth is, I have been sharing him, ever since the day I met him.
This won’t be easy, and it won’t be overnight, but I know for a fact there are other throuples out there. Even in politics.
Why can’t we be another one?
&nb
sp; After all, Liam’s not the only kinky bastard in our marriage.
* * * *
By the time Ward finishes his assigned task and returns from the bathroom, I’ve made a trip downstairs to retrieve more supplies, including more rope, and the plastic wrap, and have prepared everything. I’ve even stuffed puppy pads under Liam.
I do not want to have to change the sheets tonight on top of everything else. I’ve got an early morning tomorrow, and I’m guessing these activities will run pretty late. I can’t call off work tomorrow because of my meetings, and because it’ll already be hairy enough catching up from today.
That’s yet another thing that pisses me off about all of this. I’m notorious in my office for having an intolerance for preventable fumbles. I understand people aren’t perfect, but there’s a huge difference between an honest accident beyond one’s control, and deliberate stupidity.
What these two idiots did approaches a level of nearly criminal incompetence, both of them. As a result, I’m going to lose sleep and be forced to rearrange my schedule because they were horny dumbasses.
One of the reasons I love being a slave to my husband is because I’m in charge in every other freaking aspect of my life. People who know me would never suspect I’m submissive. If anything, there’s likely a belief that I’m the one in charge of our marriage. Being Liam’s pet means I get desperately needed down-time I cannot achieve any other way. It’s a mental vacation.
Now, I don’t even have that avenue of de-stressing available to me. Not until they earn my trust.
That’s a rant I focus on them, too. “I shouldn’t have to be doing this!” I yell. Ward stands next to the bed, where I ordered him to await my next command. He looks appropriately chastised.
“I’ve had a rough couple of weeks at work with a few more on the horizon,” I continue. “I’m working fucking Saturdays, and sometimes on Sundays, too. I’m busy as Hell. And what do I have to do today? I have to get emotionally body-slammed because of you two jokers not properly adulting.”
I jab a finger in Liam’s direction. “You know this about me, too. Now I’m stuck waiting to see if you assholes can follow my rules and regain my trust.” My anger boils into full-on rage, even though I know I should shove it back and try to rein it in. “If you two think I won’t enjoy every second of torture I’m going put you through, think again.”
Profane (Devout Trilogy Book 2) Page 5