Passion's Claim

by Devyn Douglas

  He’d fucked her all night, each time demanding her total submission to his raging need—a hunger he’d yet to sate. There were so many things he longed to show her.

  He wanted to seal her into this room and forget where they were. Fuck dealing with the others and the backlash he knew was inevitable once she learned more about him. Maybe she was different than the other women and the money wouldn’t matter. Even if she could accept his dark sexual desires, he wasn’t sure commitment was something he could handle.

  The fact he even considered the notion proved the luscious mass of curves innocently slumbering had crawled under his skin and nestled into a part of him he’d thought immune to anything beyond noncommittal one-night stands and carefully structured submission scenes. Last night hadn’t been about submission. It’d been a primal need to be inside her.

  A part of him recognized he couldn’t compare Autumn to the self-absorbed, rich girls he’d grown up surrounded by. He knew a hell of a lot more about her than she’d probably expect him to—that was one luxury of having money. The Brigade kept top-of-the-line private investigators on retainer and he’d had no qualms using one of them to find out more about her.

  And discovered exactly what he’d expected. Autumn was the second child of four born to a middle-income household in upstate New York. She’d worked her way through a state university to take a low-paying marketing job that barely paid the rent on the piece-of-shit apartment building Kade had recently purchased.

  Her sex life had probably been blander than her upbringing. The list of previous boyfriends had been almost nonexistent, daunting evidence she was ill-prepared for the urges ramming Kade’s insides like a jackhammer.

  Guilt chewed at him. He shouldn’t have had her investigated. But he’d wanted to know more about her before she ripped his heart out. All he knew for sure was he couldn’t let her go. She was his.

  A soft knock on the door drew him away from the bed and the thoughts pounding at his will to leave her resting. He’d pushed her further than he’d intended, fucked her well into the early-morning hours, and he still wanted more. He needed a connection he’d somehow failed to make yet, a silent assurance for a small part of him he’d refused to accept existed. That pain-in-the-ass part of him that wanted her to be his. Only his.

  Kade opened the door and glowered when Lance pushed his way into the small room. Guilt crept through Kade and he looked away, knowing the fact he’d fucked a woman outside the sealed-off play room wouldn’t escape Lance’s assessing gaze. Sure, the rest of the suite was designed for sex, but Kade always kept pleasure restricted to the play room. Always. The scent of sex hung in the air. The urge to cover her sleeping form pressed heavily on Kade, but he battled it as a knowing grin appeared on Lance’s face.

  “You’ve got crappy timing.”

  “Figured you two would be hungry by now.” He held out a tray with two covered dishes and a pot of coffee. “We did have plans, unless you’ve called them off.”

  Though he’d learned of Autumn’s arrival only hours beforehand, Kade had set what he could in motion, determined to push her barriers and learn whether she could handle him and The Brigade.

  He’d managed a couple hours of lucidity amongst the hedonistic lust last night and reiterated her limits, and his. Picking up her computerized checklist, he tossed it to Lance.

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Why indeed?” The screen flashed on as Lance thumbed through the documents Autumn had filled out. “Any problems with our plans?”

  “No.” Kade took the food and set it on the small table. Motioning for Lance to sit, he poured a cup of the steamy brew and dumped a hefty dose of creamer into the mug.

  “Didn’t think you used that shit.”

  “I don’t.” He took the cup and set it on the bedside table. Leaning down, he pressed a kiss on her cheek as he pulled the sheet over her exposed ass. A soft moan escaped her parted lips and she turned into his hand when he stroked her arm. “We’ve got company.”

  “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” Her raspy voice made his cock hard, a reminder of how good her mouth had felt sucking him. He was the reason her throat was scratchy, raw. Him. Possessiveness mingled with pride. Her hands ran down his stomach. “Come back to bed, please.”

  “Sounds like a damn good idea to me.”

  “Stay out of this,” Kade stated.

  Lance chuckled and held up his hands. “Hey, say the word and she’s all yours.”

  Kade bristled at the unmasked taunt. He’d always shared his women, they all had. It was the way of The Brigade. They’d all recognized some of them would eventually find someone special—someone they’d share only so far. Kade had sworn he would never fall into that category.

  Though a part of him was ready to admit he’d been wrong, he wasn’t prepared to run the gantlet of friends ready to tell him, “I told you so.”

  Picking up one of the trays of food, he lifted the lid and tossed it back onto the tray. He inhaled the scent of crispy bacon and fried eggs. His stomach rumbled in protest when he turned around and set the food in front of Autumn. “Eat up, sweetheart. You’ve got a long day ahead of you.”

  “I do?” She looked up, her hazel eyes wide with innocence. “What are we doing?”

  “Testing your limits.” Kade turned. “Give her time to eat and then we’ll meet you downstairs in the training dungeon.”

  * * * * *

  The training dungeon. Autumn swallowed the nerves bundled in her throat and took a deep breath, stilling her rapid pulse to return to a semblance of normal. The red silk robe Kade had covered her with did little to detract from his warm touch on the small of her back. Hot breath warmed her throat.

  Eating had been a futile chore none of her wanted part of after she’d heard those words. The training dungeon. Plush burgundy carpet pressed between her toes. Cool air rushed through the vacant corridor. She stood, waiting for a sign, an order, anything from the man standing beside her with a grim expression on his face as he glowered at the massive double doors before them.

  They’d discussed scenes, limits, safe words and more things than Autumn could even fathom, much less recall with clarity after a long, sensuous evening. He’d made it easy to confess her desires, her fears. Her needs.

  “You have a safety word. Don’t be afraid to use it.” He moved behind her.

  Her inner prude screamed for her to run for the lobby door and not look back. Her inner slut wanted whatever loomed behind those doors. Submission had always been a fantasy, one she’d explored some with him and the other three men. Moisture pooled between her thighs. There was no doubt they’d be there—in the dungeon. She’d figured that much out based on Lance’s discussion with Kade earlier.

  Kade. His body was pressed against hers now. His hands were on her waist, pressing into her flesh. She leaned into him, seeking his warmth. A groan filled her ears.

  “You keep that up and I’ll drag you back upstairs.”

  The doors opened and Lorenzo stood in the doorway. A smile appeared on his face. “Stryker suggested I help you in.”

  Stryker. The name resonated within Autumn, sending shivers up her spine. Would he be here too? She couldn’t imagine adding him to the intoxicating testosterone brew she’d lapped up last time.

  “He wasn’t invited,” Kade stated.

  “Doesn’t mean he’s not watching from the corridor. Your sub made quite an impression yesterday.” Lorenzo held up a walkie-talkie. “Come, Jane.”

  Jane. The name sent arrows of pleasure arching through her. They’d called her that before, the name they used for their subs. The playtime had begun.

  She looked back at Kade and noted the firm set to his jaw. Chase sauntered up and held his arms out for a hug. She went to him obediently and accepted his bearlike embrace.

  “Don’t be nervous, sweetheart.”

  Was she that obvious? Lance’s bemused expression proved she was. He looked behind her to Kade. “Thought they could start it off.”r />
  “Agreed.” Kade touched her arm. Desire slivered through her. “Remember your safe word.”

  Autumn nodded, her mind processing the new surroundings. Her experience with the lifestyle was minimal at best. Though she’d perused websites online and wandered through one club before retreating for safer ground outside, she didn’t recognize much of what was in the room. The large room housed a cage in the corner, complete with a small cot. She shuddered at the confining structure and swept her gaze from it to the large panel of paddles, whips and other equipment on the wall nearest them. Chains hung from various points in the room.

  A massive bed loomed in the far corner. Chains dangled from the four corners, meeting to suspend a leather sling above the bed. Autumn swallowed the doubt crawling through her.

  “Easy, sub. You aren’t ready for any of that.” Lorenzo pressed his body to her back. Confident hands framed her hips. “Perhaps we should blindfold you again so that sexy mind of yours doesn’t wander on us.”

  Her pussy clenched as she remembered the blindfold. They’d been total strangers to her—the ultimate sensory play. A part of her still couldn’t believe she’d trusted Kade that much, yet a larger part of her longed to explore more submission. That’s why she was here, in this room with them. They’d taken her to the heights of pleasure before. She had no doubt they could again.

  “Strip for us, Jane.”

  Her hands ran down the silk robe Kade had put her in. Slipping it off her shoulders, she stood and averted her gaze. Somehow this time felt different. Perhaps it was the fact she stripped while they were there. Kade had stripped her last time, teased her body until she was a pool of liquid goo ready to melt.

  “Very beautiful.” Lorenzo touched her cheek and turned her toward him.

  Chase sandwiched her between him and Lorenzo. His hands moved down her arms and to her wrists. Raising them, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Breathe, Jane.”

  She looked for Kade. Where had he gone?

  “Sshh. You’ll see him in a moment, sub,” Lorenzo whispered. “Let’s get you secured first.”

  Deft fingers locked cuffs around her wrists. Her pulse pounded in her ears when she tugged the restraints. Lorenzo stood before her, his thumbs flicked her nipples until they were hard nubs straining for his attention when he pulled away.

  “Keep your gaze on me, Jane.”

  She obeyed, though she couldn’t help but wonder if Chase had gone to remove something from the wall. Anticipation pooled moisture between her legs. Lorenzo’s hands wandered down her sides, pausing at her ribs.

  “You will not speak unless to answer a question. Understood?”

  “Yes Sir.”

  “We were remiss in letting you experience sensory play fully, Jane. Perhaps we should work on that today.” Lorenzo nodded.

  Autumn tugged on the restraints overhead. Her ass pressed against Chase as he returned. His comforting voice wrapped around her. “I’m going to slip the blindfold on.” Darkness enveloped her. Her pulse pounded in her ears.

  “Breathe, Jane.” Lorenzo’s voice shattered the jumbled thoughts racing through her mind. “I already miss those sexy eyes on me.”

  Footsteps echoed on the slate floor. Cool air whipped across Autumn’s back. Where had Chase gone? She heard someone mutter across the room. Drawers slammed shut. Had there been a dresser near the bed?

  “Problem?” Lance asked.

  “Who the crap used this room last? And why isn’t anything where it should be?”

  “The cowboy lacks finesse with sensory play,” Lorenzo whispered. His fingers ran down her rib cage. Tendrils of awareness crept across her skin. “Your skin is satin, bruises easily.” His fingers trailed across her waist. “Shame someone failed to remember that.”

  “He didn’t hurt me.” He’d been gentler than she’d expected, rougher than she’d dared wish for. Restrained. The thoughts made no sense in her head, but she knew she had to explain them somehow. He’d been dominant, but never harmed her. He’d been rough, gripped her firmly, but it was always when she’d failed to remain where he’d put her. “I bruise easily and he…”

  “You owe them no explanation, Jane. What happens between us will always remain between us.”

  Kade. She couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking. Submission scenes were probably too commonplace for him to think much about her being here. At their mercy.

  “I can tell when you think of him,” Lorenzo whispered. “Your pulse races and your breaths become erratic, as if you’ve been riding him all night.”

  If only. Straddling his hips and sheathing him in her wet pussy would feel so good right now. She squeezed her thighs together at the thought. A firm slap landed on her ass.

  “Bad Jane,” Chase admonished.

  “Keep your legs apart.” Lorenzo brushed his fingers across her cheek.

  “I think we should make it easier on her,” Lance commented. “Kade?”

  “Agreed.”

  “The only thing worse than backseat drivers are sideline Doms,” Chase muttered. His hand swatted Autumn’s ass as he whispered, “Don’t go anywhere.”

  Like she’d want to. Autumn focused on his footsteps and the rhythm of Lorenzo’s breathing on her neck. Nothing could dissuade her body from reacting to the swirls he formed on her skin as he moved from her rib cage down to her hip, then across her abdomen to work back up to her rib cage on the other side. One more inch. One more swirl upward and his heated touch would glide across her hardened nipples. Even downward, past her navel and across her mound would work. Oh those fingers would feel so good across her clit.

  Autumn bit her lip and dropped her head.

  “Only we get to suckle your sweet lips, Jane.” Lorenzo cupped her face

  Chase’s hands touched her thighs. “Let’s spread your legs a bit wider, sweetheart.”

  She complied. Her skin tingled when his light touch ran down her inner thigh, to her knee and then lower. Leather cuffs clamped around her ankles.

  “This spreader bar will keep your legs apart quite nicely. You look lovely, sweetheart.”

  “Very nice,” Kade commented.

  Moisture pooled between her legs.

  “Such beautiful skin,” Lorenzo whispered.

  “Agreed,” Chase replied. “I wonder if it’s as sensitive as it looks.”

  Something slid down her back, leaving tingles down her spine as it grazed her shoulder blade, then made a sensual path to her ass. Soft. The sensation wrapped around her waist and moved up her stomach, across to her ribs.

  She moved away from the tickling instinctively. Chase’s arms braced her sides. “Relax, Jane.”

  The object floated across her nipples. She moaned when it swept upward, then paused at her neck before grazing across her lips. A feather.

  “Your skin is flush with your excitement,” Lorenzo whispered.

  She gasped as another one ran up her thigh. Chase chuckled in her ear when she tried to close her legs. “Good thing we went with that spreader bar.”

  The feather brushed across her wet pussy, back and forth until she moaned and writhed toward the unseen source of pleasure. Heat consumed her nipple as someone sucked.

  A hand cupped her other breast. Fingers tweaked the aching bud, taunting it with the promise of the same sensual pleasure her other hard peak was receiving. Someone licked a path toward her other nipple.

  “Such a responsive sub,” Lorenzo commented. He sucked the other nipple into his mouth.

  Autumn arched toward him, willing him to suck harder. His teeth nipped her. She groaned when he pinched her other nipple.

  “She’s ready,” Chase stated.

  “You can’t rush preparation,” Lorenzo replied.

  Preparation. For what? The thought buzzed in her head like a nagging insect.

  “Open those sexy lips, sweetheart.” Chase. He was in front of her now. Where was Lorenzo? She tugged on the restraints, her mind trying to process the few sounds drifting into her ears.
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  A swat to her ass made her jump. “He gave you a command, Jane.”

  Autumn opened her mouth. Cool moisture dribbled across her bottom lip. Ice ran down her chin and neck. She shivered.

  “Have you ever played with ice, sweetheart?”

  Autumn shook her head, even as her mind recalled the two times she’d run the frozen morsels over her heated skin. The ice had been a welcomed relief from the sultry summer heat while she’d listened to Kade’s domination scenes next door. The cool moisture sliding across her had made her come. Her pussy clenched at the thought.

  “The relationship between a Dom and a sub is one built on trust. We can’t have trust if you lie, can we?”

  Autumn stammered for an apology, an excuse, anything to fill the silent void following the harsh question. She hadn’t meant to anger anyone. Admitting what she’d done while listening to Kade seemed…wrong. Those pleasurable nights were hers, not theirs.

  “Only a couple of times, but I was alone.” She tugged on the restraints. “I didn’t think that counted.”

  “It counts, sweetheart.” Chase ran a piece of ice across the swell of her breast. “Tell me, what were you doing while you played with this ice?”

  “Masturbating.”

  “Is that all?” The ice ran across her nipple.

  No. She shook her head. “Please, Sir.”

  “Pleasure isn’t something to be ashamed of, sub.” Lorenzo’s voice fell in her ear.

  “I’m not, Sir.”

  “Good. Then answer the question.” Chase ran his hand across her stomach. “Tell us what brought you pleasure that night.”

  “Kade.”

  Lorenzo chuckled. “You were a naughty sub, weren’t you?”

  “Yes Sir.”

  “Did he punish you for listening in on his scenes?”

  “Yes Sir.”

  “I doubt he punished you like you should’ve been,” Chase commented.

  Fear threaded through her desire.

  “Don’t worry, Jane. That’s between you and Kade.” Lorenzo ran his hands down her arms. “You were very brave to be honest with us.”

  “Always share with your Dom, sub.” Chase ran ice across her nipple. “Understood?”