by Jenna Jacob
“Couldn’t what?”
“Ugh. I don’t want to say it.” I cringed.
Pulling me in closer, Joshua dipped his mouth to my neck. He swirled the tip of his tongue in a lurid path to my ear and I quivered. “Tell me, girl,” he murmured in a penetrating demand that vibrated all the way to my toes.
“I… I couldn’t stop,” I stuttered as he continued to dance his tongue in a lurid waltz down my neck and along my jaw.
“Keep going.” Motivating me beneath an onslaught of sensual sensations, he inched his palm to the base of my spine and pressed me in against his steely erection.
“Ahhh,” I moaned shamelessly. “Couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
“Good girl.” Slanting his lips over mine, he delved in deep with a sweep of his tongue.
Threading his fingers through my hair, Joshua clutched me to his mouth. Opening wider, I exhaled on a tiny whimper.
Someone bumped into us and Joshua raised his head. “Get a room,” Dylan chuckled with a goofy grin.
“Marvelous idea,” Joshua agreed with a feral grin.
“No. Not yet,” Sanna scolded. “You promised to come to the club tonight, Mel.”
Joshua’s eyes widened. “Oh, you did? Fantastic. That’ll work for me.”
The grin fell from my face as anxiety wormed its way in. Floating us toward the back of the dance floor, near the orchestra, Joshua placed his fingers beneath my chin. Gazing into my eyes, his expression grew serious.
“Settle down, Mellie. Nothing’s going to happen at Genesis that you don’t consent to. So erase that flicker of fear from those beautiful brown eyes of yours for me, little one.”
I slowly nodded as the panic began to bleed from my veins.
“I want a verbal answer, Mellie.” His tone bore absolute command.
“Yes.”
“Good. Now where were we?” he asked. A mischievous grin crawled across his face before he sobered and claimed my lips in a panty-melting kiss. I clung to him. The strength of his toned body and the feel of his masterful hands wrapped around my nape and pressed against my spine, combined with the smooth glide of his tongue, vanquished the last of my fears.
“How is it that I never saw you at the club before when I’ve been there with Sanna and the guys?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I definitely would have remembered seeing you, that’s for sure,” he murmured with a wolfish little smile.
We danced, talked, and kissed for hours, stopping only to watch Tony and Leagh cut the cake, toss the bouquet, and sling the garter. The short times I was free of his embrace, I felt an uncomfortable, foreign void inside. I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but I didn’t like it.
Standing outside the church, we tossed bird seed as Tony and Leagh raced to their car. A strange sadness that my time with Joshua was almost over seeped into my core. Even though we’d be seeing each other again in an hour or so at the club, this carefree easiness between us would probably vanish. I’d be on edge, as usual, and he’d likely be suffused in a dazzling Dominant head space. I questioned whether or not I’d be strong enough to keep from falling into his bed. My greater fear was ending up falling at his feet.
Yes, please.
My inner sub had grown stronger, and so did my inclination to let her take over. I needed to find a way to hold onto my self-restraint and keep my wits about me.
Slinging his arm around my waist, Joshua broke my mental pondering and escorted me to Nick’s truck. As the others climbed inside, Joshua pushed me up against the door. Burying his face against my neck, he sunk his teeth into the tender flesh with a low growl.
“I’ll see you at you the club, little one. Wear something skimpy for me… something I can easily bite away.”
A tremor of need shook my body and my throat tightened. I couldn’t even answer him. I simply nodded before he cupped his hands around my cheeks and kissed me… hard. Pulling away, Joshua opened the back passenger door.
“Soon, little one,” he promised. Fire flickered in his erotic eyes and I bit back a moan.
On our way back to the house, Sanna and her Masters discussed the wedding and upcoming collaring ceremony. I zoned out, reveling in the words Joshua had whispered in my ear, each luscious stroke of his tongue, and every passionate kiss that stole my breath.
It suddenly dawned on me that I’d already given him the power to hurt me. When? How? I didn’t remember making a conscious decision. Panic swelled inside, as the little voice inside my head took control.
Go with it and see what happens. He might never let you down, if you’d give him half a chance. Stop assuming the worse when it comes to men. For once, follow your heart not your head… see what happens. It’s not like you’ll die if he breaks your heart.
I knew giving him my submission wasn’t going to kill me—at least not physically. But could it really be that simple? How the hell was I supposed to trust a man I barely knew?
You’ll never know unless you try. Stop being such a wuss. Pathetic isn’t in your vocabulary when it comes to business. Let him in for crying out loud. Loosen the reins on your submission for a week or so. You know you’ll enjoy it.
The battle within wasn’t going to end in a peaceful truce, and I knew it. Yes, I could give some of my power to Joshua. When it was over, I might end up dispensing a ton of self-induced ass kicking, but I’d give it a shot. The greedy sub side me giggled with glee while I tried to wrap my head around having just made the most insane decision of my life.
Once back at the house, we all piled out of the truck. Dylan chased Sanna inside, playfully swatting her ass as she squealed and giggled, while Nick hung back. His face was tinged with traces of guilt. I’d never seen Nick wear anything akin to remorse, and he didn’t wear it well; in fact, he looked like hell.
“Mel, I need to talk to you for a minute.” He was nervous and I had a pretty good idea what he wanted to say.
“Sure,” I replied.
“I don’t know what you and Stephen, err, Joshua talked about on the dance floor, but I need to tell you something.”
“He told me that you called him, Nick. I’m not mad about it, but I’m disappointed you didn’t tell me that you knew who he was the night I came home from the opening.”
“I didn’t realize how… attached you’d gotten to him until last night. If I’d known he’d touched you so deeply, I wouldn’t have called him, because I’d never purposefully hurt your feelings, sweetheart. I’m sorry, Mellie.”
“You didn’t hurt my feelings. I just feel like I’ve been played by you both.”
“It wasn’t like that, Mel, honest. Joshua wanted to surprise you at the wedding today. I didn’t think there’d be any harm in that, but that wasn’t my decision to make, it was yours.”
“I accept your apology, Nick.” Extending my index finger, I poked his rock-solid chest. “But I’m not going to forget that I spent two days wondering why he hadn’t called. That, Mr. Nick Masters, is your fault.”
“Shit,” Nick grumbled.
“Oh, lighten up. I’m not mad. I forgive you.”
“You do, huh?” Nick chuckled. “What made you decide to do that?”
“Joshua’s kiss… It was all worth it then,” I replied on a dreamy sigh.
“That must have been some kiss.” He grinned.
“It was amazing,” I laughed.
“Then I’d say he’s doing a fine job,” Nick chuckled. He draped his thick arm across my shoulders and we walked inside the house.
#
An hour later we sat at a table inside Club Genesis, surrounded by friends. The excitement in the air was contagious. Drake, Trevor, Mika, and Julianna had joined us. I couldn’t stop laughing at the things coming out of Trevor’s mouth. The young man had absolutely no filter whatsoever. Even the stern looks Drake shot his way didn’t slow the young man down one bit.
Glancing at the thick velvet curtain, I nervously tugged on the corset and short black leather skirt Sanna had let me borrow. Feeling near nake
d, I feared my boobs would spill from the ivory lace corset with every breath. Checking my make-up and hair in the small mirror inside my clutch, I exhaled a nervous breath. As I tucked it away, my cell phone vibrated.
My heart fluttered and a smile tugged my lips when I read Joshua’s message.
Look toward the bar, my beautiful vixen.
Snapping my head up, I skimmed the members clustered around the bar. Slightly to the left of the crowd, I saw Joshua standing in the alcove that led to the private rooms. My body began to quiver as the conversations around me lost all meaning. Friends and members melted from view as I watched the tall handsome Dom with his piercing green eyes stride toward the table.
Drawn to his possessive aurora, I wanted to bolt from my chair and rush to his arms, but I tempered my urges and focused on his slow, deliberate gait. Checking my billowing breasts once more, I stopped myself from tugging the fabric. Joshua wouldn’t like it if I tried to cover myself from his view.
Lord, I’d already began to think like a sub.
I swallowed the ball of unease rising in my throat as he stepped up to the table.
“Do you have room for one more?” Joshua asked, giving Mika a slap on the back.
“Stephen,” Mika announced cheerfully as both men shook hands. “Of course. Grab a chair and join us.”
“Don’t mind if I do,” he smiled. Sliding a chair in next to mine, Joshua sat down.
A smile curled one side of his mouth as he gazed at my overflowing breasts. Raising his eyes, he shot me an animalistic look of approval.
“Good evening, Master Stephen.” I smiled demurely.
“It’s always a good evening when I sit next to a beautiful woman whose breasts taunt me to ravage them endlessly.”
Heat crawled up my face and my nipples tingled in agreement.
“No offense, Master Stephen,” Trevor began. “But from my vantage point at the reception you’ve already decimated Mellie from the neck up. It might be time to move on down for a while.”
“Boy,” Drake bellowed with a scowl.
“What, Master?” Trevor gasped. “It’s the truth.”
“How would you like to spend the night cuffed to the bar naked with a fat ball gag shoved in your mouth?” Drake scolded.
“No, Daddy. Please. Not that,” Trevor begged in a mournful plea.
“Apologize to Stephen, boy.”
“I’m sorry if I offended you, Master Stephen,” Trevor contritely offered before casting his eyes downward.
“Thank you, boy, but you’ve only stated the truth. No harm done,” Joshua softly laughed.
“Thank you, Master Stephen,” Trevor respectfully replied.
“Can I have your attention please?” Standing at the front of the room next to a tall padded table, Tony spoke into a silver microphone. Immediately a hush fell over the dungeon. “Thank you. As you know, I will be formally collaring my wife and sub Leagh this evening. We’ll get that fun started in just a little bit, but first there’s a bit of punishment that needs to be dealt with before we begin the ceremony.”
“What did Leagh do to piss him off already?” Trevor whispered with a groan.
“Last night at Maurizio’s…”
“Oh shit,” I blurted out, flashing a look of concern first at Sanna, then Julianna and Trevor; each wore a look that mimicked my outburst.
“I don’t like that kind of language, little one.” Joshua frowned.
Duly chastised, I cringed. “Sorry,” I mumbled.
“There was an incident involving several of our subs, mine included,” Tony continued. “We Doms have spoken, and have come to a mutual agreement. The guilty parties must be punished en mass.”
“Oh, Sanna,” I whispered as I shot an imploring look her Masters’ way. “It was an accident.”
“Shhh,” Nick instructed with a stern shake of his head.
I pinched my lips together and issued a heavy sigh as I reached beneath the table and gripped Sanna’s hand in support.
“I need the following subs come to up with their owner’s please: Leagh, Emerald, Trevor, Savannah, and our one un-owned girl, Mellie.”
“Me?” I squeaked as my eyes grew wide and my knees started to tremble.
Mika, Drake, Nick and Dylan all leapt from their chairs as if they couldn’t wait to rush to the front of the dungeon. Julianna—known as Emerald at the club—slowly rose to her feet, as did Trevor and Sanna. Dylan cleared his throat and arched his brow as he extended his hand toward me. Freaked out and dumbfounded, I stared at it for a long moment.
“I’ll protect you, Mellie.” Reinforcing his words, Dylan issued a tender smile.
“So you were part of the blazing butt-plug of destruction as well, little one?” Joshua chuckled.
I issued him a slight nod before rising up on trembling knees. Taking Dylan’s hand, he led me toward the scening area. Glancing back, I spied Joshua following close behind.
A wave of relief washed over me. He’d be nearby if I needed him.
Leagh joined Tony. Trepidation replaced the happy smile she’d worn all day.
Lined up in a row like criminals before a firing squad, we exchanged pensive glances with one another.
“Remove any clothing that covers your asses,” Tony instructed with a wolfish grin.
“Sanna,” I whispered in a tone of pure panic.
“You don’t have to take off your thong,” she whispered in reassurance. “Masters won’t let anything bad happen to you, and neither will I. You don’t even have to do this… I’ll take your punishment for you if you need me to.”
Her fervent declaration melted away my fears and filled me with determination. I wasn’t about to let Sanna take my portion of the blame, even though the whole damn thing had been a fucking accident—which none of the Doms seemed to give a shit about. Wanting to howl in outrage, I jumped when Mika slipped his hand around my elbow and led me away from the others.
Compassion and understanding shimmered in his unique amber eyes.
“In my club all acts are strictly consensual, Mellie. If you’re unwilling to participate in the punishment, you can forego the little spanking we’ve planned, and work behind the bar for an hour. The choice is yours.”
“I understand, Sir. Thank you,” I replied. “I find it ridiculous that any of us are being punished for an accident. But since our fate has been decided, I’d prefer to take my punishment alongside the others, if it’s all the same.”
“As you wish.” Mika flashed an intimidating scowl. “Drop your skirt, feisty one, and go stand next to your sister.”
Closing my eyes, I slid the soft leather off my hips, placing both it and my purse with the other subs’ clothing on a low table. My heart hammered in my chest as I watched Drake cinch a meaty hand in Trevor’s hair before marching him to the tall table.
“Bend over, boy,” Drake instructed with a tone that brooked no argument.
“You’re next, my blushing bride,” Tony chuckled as he helped Leagh into position.
One by one they lined up and bent over.
“Emerald, you’re next, my beautiful slave.” Mika grinned.
“Honestly, Master. I’d like to communicate with you, but you’re not listening. The company is to blame, not us. You should write a letter telling them the dangers of putting alcohol in lube. Not only is it a fire hazard, it can dry out and damage tender tissue,” Julianna protested.
Mika flashed a stern frown, then swatted her on the ass before forcibly bending her over the table. “Your objection has been duly noted, my sassy little wench. Now, not another word or I’ll add orgasm denial to your punishment. Am I clear?”
Julianna pinched her lips together and nodded vigorously.
“Kitten.” Dylan patted the foam surface and crooked his finger.
“Good luck,” I whispered to my sister.
“You too,” she mumbled back.
“Mellie,” Dylan called to me as Nick moved in behind my sister’s proffered ass.
Sucking i
n a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and marched to the table to join my partners in crime.
“Would you prefer me or Nick to hand down your punishment?” he asked.
What? Oh god. No. I couldn’t stand the idea of Sanna taking extra punishment because I’d chickened out, but the thought of Dylan or Nick’s hands on my ass felt so grossly incestuous I had no other choice. Not to mention they expected me to pick one of them? That was so not happening.
“Um,” My stomach roiled as I darted a frantic glance first to Dylan, then to Mika. Swallowing tightly, I sucked in a deep breath. “Mika, Sir—”
“I’ll do it,” Joshua volunteered, stepping forward wearing a serious but gentle expression. “That is, of course, with your consent, Mellie?”
Relief and gratitude careened through me. “Yes, thank you, Master Stephen.”
Before I lowered myself to the table, I watched Joshua move in close to my bare backside. Dylan sidled up next to him and leaned in close.
“Don’t you dare hurt her.” His threat was a low growl.
“What? Slow down, Dylan. I have no intention of doing anything of the kind. What the hell have I ever done to make you think—”
“It’s not you,” Dylan hissed. “Mellie’s been… Listen, she’s fragile. This is the first time she’s… shit. It’s not my story to tell, it’s hers. Just… go easy on her, okay?”
“I give you my word.” Joshua’s vow teemed in conviction.
Great, he’d want to know all about my embarrassing past. I wasn’t sure I could bring myself to tell him, so soon. A new kind of panic pricked. I jumped when Joshua pressed his strong hand against the small of my back. Leaning over my body, his delicious heat surrounded me.
“Can you give me a little piece of your trust?”
His hot breath caressed my ear. “Yes, Sir.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. I’ll treat it like priceless gold.” Placing a soft kiss on my shoulder, he stood. The loss of his body heat left me feeling brutally barren.
“Four subs. Four swats. And Mellie shall receive an obligatory four as well,” Tony announced in wicked glee. “Drake, you have the honor of first punishment, my friend.”
“My pleasure,” he chuckled. Then in a raspy growl he commanded Trevor to count.