A Little Band of Red

by Lily Freeman

  His gorgeous girl was nervous, possibly because of him or maybe she just was around men? She certainly didn’t have the bold, brassy confidence that a lot of women had, especially ones as attractive as her. But he liked that she was shy, hiding her gaze from him and fidgeting, it was a very natural reaction when the chemistry was so strong.

  “Love one. Why don’t you sit down and talk to me while I cook you dinner?”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, I love to cook.”

  After a quick hunt through the cupboards, he found wine glasses amongst numerous other kitchenware, but what peaked his curiosity was the fact that everything appeared new. The pantry was the same, the cupboard under the bench also. By the time he’d searched the drawers, he had to ask. “Is everything in your home new? Didn’t you bring anything with you when you moved?”

  For a moment she looked bewildered before she sat down. “Technically I didn’t move, I got on the first available flight out of my old life and ended up here twenty-four hours later. The only thing I brought, other than clothes, was this.” Standing up, she reached into one of the many cubbyholes under the stairs, retrieving an old Polaroid camera. “It was my grandma’s and I take it everywhere.” Camera still in hand, PJ returned to her seat, taking a large mouthful of wine before she spoke again. “I honestly didn’t know if I’d be staying when I got on that plane or just passing through, but then I found this place.”

  Well that answered one question, only now he had at least twenty more. “Your old life, did something happen to make you … run away?” After finding her stash of pots, he put some rice on to boil.

  “I didn’t run away, I chose to leave.”

  Luke glanced up, watching her very carefully. “What about your family, your friends?”

  She flinched, almost dropping the camera. “Like I said before, I’m not close to my mother, in fact not being on the same continent is almost a relief.”

  If anyone could relate to her need for distance from an alcoholic parent, it was Luke, still that didn’t explain the sadness he could see in her eyes. He didn’t want to upset her, but he wanted everything, all the good in her life and all the bad. “What about your father?”

  PJ was silent, glancing around the room before she spoke again. “My father, and I use that term loosely, made it very clear years ago that he had no interest in me. It was possibly right around the time I started resembling my mother’s old boss, Mark.”

  Fuck! “Oh Jesus, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Dropping his knife, Luke was beside her in a heartbeat, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and holding her tight. She was still talking softly in his ear like she needed to reassure him that she was alright.

  “It’s fine, really.”

  Luke let her go, just enough that he could see her face. She smiled at him, her eyes moist before she continued.

  “It’s just such a dysfunctional situation to grow up in. I’d only ever known him as my father and for years he was, then one day he—wasn’t. Mum started drinking; Dad slammed the doors and stopped looking at me, and both of them refused to talk about it. I mean I’m not stupid. I overheard enough arguments as a kid to know what, or more to the point, who the problem was. But after a while I chose to ignore it, just like they did.”

  A tear fell, just one before he kissed it away.

  “They don’t even know I’ve moved.”

  “Right, so no family talk then. What about your friends, you’ve told them?”

  Her sadness was quickly replaced by another look—guilt if he wasn’t mistaken.

  “Hmm, not so much. The last time I saw my best friend, she was in bed with my fiancé.”

  Luke went very still as he once again struggled to keep a hold on his emotions. The idea of her marrying someone, that she could love a man so much she would willingly commit her life to him, made Luke jealous, insanely so, but that emotion was quickly replaced by another as he replayed her comment again and again through his head. His blatant sense of relief that she’d abandoned her old life was tainted by his guilt. He could imagine how hurt she’d been walking in on that, but if she hadn’t—he stopped that thought right there.

  “What a fucking fool.” Luke kissed her, sweeping his tongue into her mouth, claiming a part of her back, and she came so easily, putting the camera down before tangling her hands in his hair and holding on tight.

  “He was a complete asshole on all fronts, but I would never have left if he hadn’t betrayed me, so I should thank him really.”

  Not as much as Luke should, though he kept that to himself. “So you’re not lonely,” he would never let her be lonely, “or sad over what you left behind?”

  Her hands delved deeper, tilting his head down so she could kiss him again.

  “Not even a little. I’ve met some incredible people,” she nipped him, so he nipped her back, “and I have a home now and a dog and a …”

  He could feel her quiver, see her cheeks blush. All of a sudden she looked extremely embarrassed. It was an absolutely gorgeous color on her. “A what?”

  The one word that had defined him for so long whispered against his lips, but for the first time it was said without fear.

  “A Master.”

  Luke felt like he’d died and gone to heaven.

  They ate dinner on the platform, curled up in each other’s arms and they stayed that way for a long time afterwards, kissing and talking until Luke stood and pulled PJ to her feet.

  “You look tired, why don’t you go and have a shower. I’ll join you in a minute.”

  Tired, was he kidding? PJ’s stomach was in knots with excitement and anticipation, even a tiny hint of fear, yet it felt different now. It wasn’t fear of him, merely fear of the unknown; what he would do, how it would feel. Even though they hadn’t discussed anything about Luke’s kinks or hers after their meeting at the club, it was like some sort of mutual agreement had been reached, but would she still feel that way in half an hour? There was only one way for PJ to find out.

  “Okay.”

  Under his intense steely gaze she crossed the lounge and climbed the stairs. Her clothes fell to the floor in no particular order while she waited for the shower to heat up, but it was the other heat that left her dizzy, her whole body burning with desire.

  Taking her time, PJ washed her face then her throat, her hands sliding lower, her fingers grazing over her nipples, pinching and the response was instant; her flesh drew tight as a tiny ache shot through her torso. She was about to do it again because it felt so good when her wrists were caught and dragged behind her. Luke’s fingers were so much bigger and so much rougher as they caressed her.

  “You weren’t starting without me were you? That’s not allowed.”

  He pinched her, not in a cruel way, but hard enough to make her gasp and that was before she leaned back against something unnervingly large.

  “No.” Not sure whether she was answering his question or voicing her fears, she waited while her hands were separated and then placed against the shower wall, her legs pushed apart. She could feel him everywhere as he leaned down, his thighs bracing hers, his chest pressing along her back, his cock—

  “Don’t move.”

  “O—kay.”

  The rich scent of body wash filled the shower before Luke’s hands started to explore, down her ribcage, across her stomach then around to her breasts. He teased her, rolling her nipples until they were hard little points only to move away, stroking her tummy and her hips then all the way down to her calves. She was panting by the time his hands slid between her thighs, trembling by the time his fingers slid between her folds and barely capable of standing by the time he turned off the shower.

  After nudging her out with a chuckle that could best be described as sinister, Luke dried her then just picked her up, carrying her back to the bedroom where he deposited her in the center of the bed. Her towel was stolen, leaving her naked. Not that she cared anymore—there was an easiness between them now, an understa
nding, and she loved that because it was something she’d never had before. Luke was completely comfortable with his body, and he had a right to be. He was beautiful, all sleek limbs and corded muscles. She’d never seen a more perfect example of male in his prime, or a more smug one if the look on his face was anything to go by.

  His heavy shoulders flexed as he dragged the towel back and forth before he moved down to his six-pack, and it wasn’t just your average six-pack, tiny muscles twisted around his sides, visually showcasing the power of him. A dusky line of hair started below his navel, trailing lower and getting darker until she was looking at the most impressive cock she’d ever seen. He was heavily aroused; his smooth shaft jutting out from his crotch, but that wasn’t what had her breath catching in her throat, no, it was the sheer size of him. Not only was he long and proud, he was incredibly thick. There was no way he’d ever fit inside her. PJ’s trepidation must have shown on her face or in the way she involuntarily edged back, whatever it was, he saw it.

  “Don’t be scared, I’m going to make this so good for you.”

  She was about to make this so good for him or at least his ego because there was no way she could hold back her fear. “You’re so … big, I’ve never been with anyone—”

  “You’ve never been with anyone like me and that’s why you and I will be incredible. So how about you just relax and let me take care of you?”

  Because it was going to hurt, and PJ didn’t like pain. “But I’m—”

  “Shhhh.” Dropping the towel, Luke leaned over and kissed her, just once before he grabbed the remote, plunging the bedroom into darkness then with one more button, the sky lit up above her. As she watched, mesmerized by the way the soft golden light danced over his body, Luke climbed onto the bed and crawled towards her.

  When his hands casually ran up PJ’s arms taking hold of her wrists, she wasn’t surprised. When he tugged them high above her head, she was even less surprised, but when he bound them with something he took from under her pillow and secured it to something else along the back of her bed, she was actually quite shocked.

  “Oh my God, what did you do to my bed?” With a quick glance behind her, she discovered several sparkling dog clips. “Have you tied me up with Vader’s leads?”

  His laugh was deep and throaty and a little bit evil. “What can I say? When an opportunity presents itself, what man wouldn’t take it?”

  Rising onto his knees, Luke climbed higher, his hands finding her forearms, his fingers tightening around her wrists until she groaned.

  “Tell me you love it, being bound and helpless, completely at my mercy.”

  “I do.” And she did. He was magnificent as he towered above her, his lips curving into a wicked smile. PJ couldn’t resist, her shoulders arching up off the bed as she tried to reach him. His fingers flexed, cutting in until she dropped back, lying completely still. Then the licking started, down her neck, across her collarbones, her lips.

  “You taste so fucking glorious, like a drug. I was hooked from the first kiss.” He nipped her throat hard enough to leave a mark before he sucked her, lashing his tongue over the little hurt. She could feel his hands move, one shackling her wrists, the other meandering down her arm, along under her chin then her head was tilted to the side. With a firm touch, he held her still while he nuzzled her. Warm wetness followed, his tongue sweeping carelessly, tasting her, learning her, teasing her till she was moaning like a harlot.

  “Oh God, please.”

  Luke’s chuckle rumbled over her damp flesh before he rose above her. “Are you ready to play, little Darling?”

  Her breathing became shallow; small gulps of air taken between groans. If they were going to do this, and she was pretty sure given the lust driven madness surging through her body that they were, then she knew instinctively what he expected her to say. The interesting thing was, she wanted to say it too. “Yes, Master.”

  Under the stars, his smile was breathtaking. “That’s my girl.” He kissed her, gently, passionately, thoroughly. “Now you and I are going to start building something very special between us and I can’t tell you how, because I honestly don’t know, but I’m going to earn your trust.”

  PJ did trust him and she needed him to know that, but as soon as she opened her mouth, he silenced her with another kiss. He owned her in that moment, completely. Her body was his and her heart was only a few steps behind.

  “I need you to tell me what you want tonight. Can you do that for me?”

  She wanted him to touch her, to sooth the aches that he’d so cleverly created, but it was never going to be that easy with Luke. “Yes, Master.”

  “Then tell me. What do you want?” Or perhaps it was!

  He cupped her breasts, pushing them together while his weight shifted, his knees nudging between her thighs, easing them apart. Just as she was trying to find words, string them together, he captured one of her nipples, squeezing with enough force to have her moaning in bliss.

  “Ohhh, Jesus.”

  “You are so beautiful, so fucking perfect, but if you don’t tell me …”

  Luke eased back, releasing PJ’s nipple, which flushed scarlet briefly before fading to pink. When he glanced up, he saw her lips parted around a moan that was so pure and honest, he just about came. His cock jerked between her thighs, the head sliding through her wet folds, teasing, but neither of them was ready yet.

  “You want more?”

  There was no hesitation when she answered. “Yes, God, yes.”

  “Then tell me.” He could see her struggling; so desperate yet so innocent and he loved it, was drunk on the feelings that she evoked in him. More than anything he wanted to show her what she was capable of, the highs he’d be willing to bet she’d never reached before, but she’d reach them with him, every time.

  “Please, Master, please suck my nipples.”

  “Good girl.” Dropping lower, he swept his tongue over her again and again until she was undulating helplessly below him.

  “Do you trust me, just a little bit?” The first time he’d asked her that question, she’d been lethargic, drifting gently in the afterglow of an orgasm. Not now, now she was aware of things that he would never have hidden from her, yet he hadn’t really wanted her to know. Did she really trust him, with her heart and her body? As he watched her slowly focus on his face, he was about to find out.

  “I do, Master.”

  Luke couldn’t hide his smile as he asked her again, exactly like he had that first night. “Will you trust me just a little bit more?”

  “Yes, Master.”

  Reaching to the end of the bed, he found the other three dog leads he’d stashed there earlier. “Lift your hips.”

  She did, straight away. He was so proud of her, of the faith she showed in him to keep his word and not hurt her. It gave him a true sense of hope about their future.

  Taking one of the leads, he threaded it between her legs, right by her pussy, then he took her foot, nudging it up so her knee was bent. Carefully he hooked the lead through the D-ring then secured the leather strap around her thigh before he knotted the remaining length around her ankle. She could move her foot about two inches. A minute later, her other leg was identically bound, leaving her spread wide open, but he wasn’t quite done yet. She was still holding the position he’d told her to as he wrapped the last lead around her hips twice, spacing the leather out across her pubic bone.

  “Good girl. Down you go.” He watched her as she lowered her hips, loving the way her eyes never left his face. “I think you deserve a reward for staying still, don’t you?”

  “Yes, Master.”

  Her coy little smile had him grinning as he eased his way back down between her splayed thighs. “Now you remember the rules, don’t you? No coming unless I say so or there’ll be punishment.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  “Good, now would you like me to lick you like this,” he swept his tongue right up the center of her pussy. She twisted against him, trying to forc
e more of her flesh into his mouth, “or would you like me to suck you like this?” Latching his lips over her clit, he sucked on her with deep urgent pulls. She cried out in a low wail that was so fucking erotic, he actually felt pain as his balls drew up tight into his groin. With a groan of his own, he eased back, taking a long leisurely lick through her folds before he followed it with a cool breath.

  “Ahh, Master, more.”

  Vividly conscious of her heightening arousal, PJ panted as she tried to calm her heart, slow the heat that was coursing right under the surface of her skin, yet she couldn’t and it didn’t. Every touch, every lick left a blueprint of Luke’s exquisite torment, but very soon she was going to break one of his rules. She wondered how he’d punish her tonight and whether it would hurt.

  His spanking had hurt yet it had been one of the most sensually explicit experiences of her life and the crop; she’d never felt anything like it, the sharp sting before the exquisite pleasure. No, that hadn’t hurt, that had been something else altogether.

  Luke’s big fingers wandered up the inside of her thighs, drawing her back before he grabbed knees her and spread her wide. Tiny golden stars danced over his face, highlighting his moist, grinning lips.

  “Have you ever begged, Baby, because you wanted something so much?”

  “No, never.”

  “Well you’re about to. Do you know how I know?”

  Stubble scraped over her tummy, across her mound then his fingers slipped between her folds, exposing her completely. PJ felt the trickle of moisture right before he swept his tongue along her thigh. She hissed, caught so close to ecstasy.

  “How? Ahhh … God.”

  Luke’s laugh was evil. “Because if you don’t, I’m going to do this.”

  With a touch that was so soft, non-existent almost, he licked her again, spearing between each and every layer of her flesh before he dipped inside with the tip of his tongue. He teased until she was writhing in unfulfilled agony, suspended in a blissful hell. Her eyes slammed shut, blocking him out, then everything dissolved: all her ambitions, all her fears, her dignity. She wanted to feel so much more than she was, and right now Luke was the only one who could make that happen.