by Anna Edwards
"I am just sorry that I couldn’t prevent Mr. North getting shot as well."
"It was a difficult situation." Sophie squirmed beside the imposing man. "You may ask your questions now Sophie."
"Thank you." She winked at him and turned her head to Sonia.
"Is it true you’re dating Matthew?"
"I am, yes."
"Oh, I am so happy." She brought her hands to her face in a joyful prayer.
"We are taking our relationship slowly. Mr. North isn’t doing too well." Maybe she could divert the attention away from her.
"He needs to just get out and have a night in the club. That will sort him." Grayson tried to mumble under his voice.
"Club?"
"I don't need more babysitting. I just need to catch up on all the fucking work I have missed while I was in the hospital." James' angry voice shattered through the door before Grayson had a chance to answer her question.
"She is your sister, and you’ll get your arse in there and say hello, or I will smack you in the face till you pass out and I can drag you in there."
"You know you aren’t so indispensable that I can't fire you."
"I am. Nobody else would put up with your shit."
'Go fuck your girlfriend before she walks out on you like mine did."
"I will let that one go. Now get the fuck in there!"
The door opened, James stumbled in, and Matthew blocked the exit.
"There is the welcoming brother I know and love." Sophie stood and held her arms open to him.
"You didn't have to come, Sophie. I am fine, I just have lots of work to catch up on." James made no effort to embrace his sister. He stood with his arms folded and glared at everyone in the room.
"You’re a mess, stop lying to us and yourself."
"The woman I love left me. Sorry, I am not a happy clown at the moment."
Sonia was getting scared.
"You lied to her. She needs time to calm down, and then you can talk to her."
"I didn't lie."
"You did!"
"I was protecting her!"
Sonia looked over to Matthew and could see how much this was hurting him. James was his best friend as well as his boss, and there was nothing he could do for him. She coughed, and they all looked at her. “Mr North, if I may, Miss Jones loves you, she just needs time to understand what happened. She used her safe word--that doesn't mean she’s finished with you. Matthew taught me that it means a break for reflection and understanding."
Sonia looked back over to the figure that loomed large in the doorway. Matthew had an adoring smirk on his face. It made her heart leap.
"Miss Anderson is right," Grayson spoke next, and everyone turned their heads to him. "Matthew, how far is my club from here?"
"Half an hour, sir."
"Miss Anderson is trained?" Grayson raised an eyebrow as he spoke. Why did he need to know if she was trained? She was a bodyguard. Of course, she was trained!
"She is learning."
"Sophie, take Miss Anderson and help her dress. You as well. Wear my favourite outfit. Mr Carter will send any requirements he has to you both shortly. James, Matthew, both of you get changed as well. I think a long shower is required for you, James."
"I am not going to the club!" James folded his arms across his chest as Sophie got up and came over to Sonia.
While the men continued to argue, Sonia leant in and whispered to Sophie.
"Why are we going to a club? Are we going to try and find James another woman?"
"Nothing of the sort. Gray asked about you being trained?"
"Yes, I am a bodyguard. I had training."
"Not that sort of training."
"What sort then?"
"BDSM. I have a feeling my fiancé wants to remind my brother of the rules of being a dominant lover."
"Miss North? How will this help Mr North?"
"Please, call me Sophie. We all have issues that we keep inside." She looked towards the men as James finally and very reluctantly agreed. Matthew allowed him out of the room to change. "It takes a certain knowledge to find it and help guide someone to overcome it. That doesn't only work between Dom and submissive. It works on all levels."
CHAPTER TWELVE
Matthew
Matthew pulled Sonia closer as they walked into the club. She may not be collared, but she was his, and nobody was going to get close to her. James went straight to the bar and ordered a large whisky. The two-drink rule was going to be a problem later on.
James had made it clear he was not here to play and as soon as Matthew and Grayson disappeared into rooms, he was out of there. Matthew wasn't entirely aware of what Grayson was trying to do; he just hoped he did it quickly and that it worked.
Matthew took a seat on a plush, black leather sofa and motioned for Sonia to sit beside him. She hadn't spoken since they entered the club, but her eyes had been flickering between various scenes that were going on around them. Sophie took a seat at Grayson's feet.
"So, what are you planning? He won't scene."
"He might not have a choice." Matthew wasn't sure he liked the look that crossed Grayson's face.
"Sophie. While I talk with Matthew and James, why don't you take Sonia and show her around? Stay with her at all times. If she gets into any trouble, your punishment will be denial. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master."
"Do you want to go, Sonia?"
"I would like to look." She bowed her head as he took her hands. She raised her eyes up from under her long lashes. He slid his hand under one of the slashes in the sleeveless top she had on. The top was covered in them and gave an illusion to her breasts being covered. In fact, if she moved in the wrong way anybody would be able to see them as she had no bra on. Her nipples were hard already as he alternately took them in his hand and twisted.
"Stay close to Sophie. You don't have permission to speak except to her."
He removed his hand, and she whimpered from the lost contact.
"Yes, Master."
Matthew watched them walk away.
"When are you going to let me in on the plan? Especially since it seems to involve my property."
"Have you whipped her before? I appear to remember that’s your forte."
He had, a few times. She enjoyed it.
"Yes."
Grayson shook his head, and James took a seat near them.
"Your club's rules are shit. Tell them I want another drink."
"The two-drink maximum is for everyone's protection. There are no exceptions to the rules."
"I might as well go home then."
"You’ll stay. We are just starting the evening."
From behind them, a commotion started up. Several women screamed, and a loud thud echoed around the vaulted ceiling. It was the direction Sophie and Sonia had headed in. Matthew jumped to his feet; Grayson stood a little more casually. James didn't move at all.
A muscular man dressed in only a leather loincloth rushed over to them.
"Master Grayson. Master Noah needs you at once."
"Of course. James, Matthew, would you care to join me? I suspect I need to officiate something. I could use your input."
Matthew stomach sank. He clenched his fists because he was very close to smashing them into Grayson's face. He followed Grayson, and as the sea of observers parted he saw Sonia being held back by Noah from a Dom that was laid flat out on the floor. He rushed over to her and pulled her away.
"Hands off her."
"Is she yours?" Noah said as he bent down to assist the beleaguered Dom up from the floor.
"She is."
"Is she not collared?"
"Not yet!" Matthew gritted his teeth as he searched Sonia for signs of injury or distress.
"She shouldn’t have been left alone, then." The man who had been on the floor brushed himself down as he spoke. Matthew glared at him as he turned his attention to Sonia.
"What happened?"
"I was watching a couple on a cr
oss, and he started speaking to me. I couldn’t answer him, as you said I couldn’t talk. I didn't want to disobey you. I turned to Sophie to get her to talk to him, but she was talking to someone else. When I did, he tried to grab me. My instincts kicked in, and I flipped him onto the floor. I am sorry. I didn't know what else to do."
"Shush. It is okay." He pulled her into his chest in comfort.
"How was I supposed to know she couldn’t speak? She wasn't collared and was standing alone. This isn't my fault. When I touched her, she should have dropped to the floor. I demand punishment for her." The man turned to Grayson. "You have rules here, after all."
It suddenly dawned on Matthew what was going on. Grayson had set this all up.
"Not happening!" He wrapped his arms around the shivering woman nestled against him.
"Master Grayson, if he is her Dom and doesn’t allow the punishment, then I want his membership revoked."
"Revoke it?" Whatever game Grayson had in his mind, Matthew was playing along correctly, judging by the smirk on the owner's face.
"I don’t think I can do that. After all, his employer requires it for his job.” Everyone turned to look at James who was casually leaning against a spanking horse.
"Doesn't bother me. Not if it means I can go home."
"But what about when you need to bring clients here, James? Your bodyguard wouldn’t be able to carry out his job."
"Just do it Matthew, and then we can go home." James let out a frustrated moan. Sonia clinched harder to Matthew's chest.
"I am sorry, Sir, but I will not punish my woman for something that’s my fault.”
“It would seem we have a stalemate then. No one will be leaving anytime soon. Not until we can sort this out. I suggest we all take a seat and allow others to continue their scenes."
Sonia lifted her head and looked straight into Matthew's eyes. Her dark eyes were watery with unshed tears. Matthew shook his head again.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. What punishment do you want? I will do it." James stepped forward and spoke to the man that had been wronged. So this was Grayson's game.
"I think ten lashes with a bullwhip. James, you’ve trained on them?"
Matthew clenched his fists. He wasn't sure he could watch this, let it happen.
"Yes, I have. Matthew, put Sonia over the bench."
"Are you not going to ask my permission to do this?" Matthew asked.
"Do I need it?"
Matthew met Sonia's eyes and leant to whisper in her ear.
"Sonia, you can use your safe word at any time if you don't want to do this."
"Can you stay with me?"
"I am going nowhere. You’re going to need to remove your clothes."
"People will see…"
"At this moment, no woman in this room can match you."
Matthew kept Sonia as close as possible and helped her remove her top and trousers. Small gasps came from the crowd when they saw the marks on her legs.
"At least no one is looking at my breasts or vagina." She let out a little giggle before looking down at the floor. Matthew led her over to the bench and placed her so her back was facing James, who already had the flogger in hand, twisting it in practice.
"Keep your eyes focused on me. James will want you to count. I will help you. It will be a bit more painful than we have used before, and he doesn’t know your body as I do but..."
"It is okay." She interrupted him. "I am ready," Sonia spoke to Grayson but kept her eyes on his.
Grayson addressed the crowd, " Miss Anderson has consented to punishment for disrespecting a Master. She’ll be given ten lashes by Master James. Master Noah, you speak for this gentleman. Does he accept the punishment?
"Yes, he does."
"You may begin then." Grayson nodded to James who pulled his arm back.
"Maybe you should think that she is Amy." Sophie spoke just as James started to bring the flogger down. The world seemed to turn in slow motion to Matthew as he saw James stop his movement. The recognition dawning on James' face as the tendrils fell gently onto Sonia's back. Her eyes went wide. He was around the side of the bench, and she was in his arms before the flogger even hit the floor. James sagged to the ground. Sophie wrapped her arms around him as Grayson stood over them.
"Matthew, take Sonia to my private room upstairs. Noah, let him in please. Anything they want ensure they have it. We will look after James."
Matthew could hear his heart almost beating out of his chest as the adrenaline flooded him. Noah led them away.
"They broke him." She whispered so softly that Matthew barely heard it.
"He’ll be better now."
"Did you know what the plan was?"
"I guessed it the second I saw the Dom on the floor."
The door to a velvety, plush room was opened. A king-size bed lay in the middle, and mirrors adorned several of the walls and ceiling. Grayson had good taste. Matthew set Sonia on the bed and tucked her into the Egyptian cotton bedding to keep her warm. He went back to the door to talk to Noah.
"How did you get the Dom to agree to that?"
"He owed Grayson. He didn't have much choice. Your woman has good moves."
"Don't get any ideas."
"Grayson says you can have the room for the night. He has men outside to watch the family. You won't be disturbed. Ring if you need anything."
"Thanks, Noah." Matthew shut the door on the outside world. It was just him and Sonia alone together in the room. He sat on the bed, and she reached out to him. He couldn’t help but stare at her.
"What? Do I have something on my face?"
"Sorry. I can't believe you didn't use your safe word."
"I didn't need to. I knew that you would take me out of there if it meant I would be hurt."
"That flogger isn't a lightweight one."
"Show me?"
"Don't be silly."
"I am not." She dropped the sheet, and it pooled around her knees as she knelt on the bed with her seductive curves displayed. "When I removed my clothes, I thought of how horrible my scars looked."
"You did?" He raised his eyebrow. "Well, that does deserve some sort of punishment."
"Please, Master."
"Bend over, Sonia. It is time to play."
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sonia
Sonia had managed to hide the trembling in her hands the entire time, but now she was alone with Matthew she didn't have to. As she knelt before him naked, it wasn't fear causing her shivers but more the anticipation of what was to come. He had used soft floggers on her before. The sight of the one that James had held up had sent an electric pulse of desire down her spine.
"Sonia, I am not going to use the one James was about to employ on you. I am not prepared to go that far yet. What I will use though will leave marks. Are you sure you’re ready for that?"
She nodded.
"I need to hear you say it."
"I am ready, Master."
"Good girl."
"Would you’ve stopped James if he went to hit me?"
"He isn’t just my boss, Sonia, he is also my closest friend. I want nothing more than for him to be back to the man that he was rather than the shell he has been the last few months but there are limits. I had to let Grayson's little plan run its course as much as I could. But I promise you. James North Wouldn’t have left a mark on your skin. That is my job. I don’t share my responsibilities when it comes to you.
"I think I like that answer." And she did. Matthew broke her from her thoughts with a kiss to her forehead, stopping her in front of a wall that contained a St. Andrew’s cross.
"I am going to strap you to this. How are you feeling?"
Sonia looked at the strange contraption. "Green."
"Place your arms in the loops, and I’ll secure you."
Sonia did as instructed. Matthew wrapped the soft leather cuffs around her wrists and ankles. This was a little nerve-wracking, but excitement was also beginning to build, a heat coiling within her. Sh
e couldn’t see what Matthew was doing, but she could hear him remove his jacket and shirt. Suddenly his fiery breath was on the back of her neck, and the hairs on her arms stood like a salute to their master.
"I am going to use a knotted flogger on you. It will leave marks, but I’ll take care of you after. Ten, for doubting your beauty again. I want you to count. I need you to stay with me."
"I’ll count."
"Pardon?" Matthew's brought his large hand down hard on her pert backside, the reverberation of lust pulsed through her.
"I’ll count, Master." Her answer was breathless.
His closeness was gone. She heard the swish through the air and when the pain exploded over her buttocks she realised he already had his tool of choice in his hand.
"One."
"Louder. I need to be able to hear you clearly." The knotted tendrils came down again.
"Two."
"Do you understand you’re being punished because you doubted your beauty?" The leather met her flesh twice more in quick succession as he spoke.
"Three. Four. You tell me I am beautiful, and I shouldn’t doubt your judgement."
The next four lashes came with only the count spoken between them. Sonia's mind was fading into the realm of pain and the oh-so-beautiful pleasure she was feeling, but her consciousness of the number brought her back. The heat of her arousal pooled between her legs and the tender spot between her legs ached for his touch. This was more intense than any of the previous play they had engaged in. The final lash came down, and as she screamed out ten, she heard the flogger drop to the floor, and Matthew's lips met her inflamed skin. He trailed lower, caressing her body. He massaged her buttocks.
He dipped two fingers inside her and angled the rest to circle the engorged nub of her sex. Within seconds, she was screaming out his name as she came in an explosion. As she slowly came down from her high, Matthew withdrew his hand and eased her into his arms as he undid the cuffs binding her to the cross. He laid her out on the bed on her stomach and reached over to the bedside table to take a bottle of oil. Silently he smoothed it into her body. She let out a moan of contentment as he returned the bottle to the table.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like I am floating. I found it so hard to count. I just wanted to drift away."