Liberated Heart

by Measha Stone

  His groan of approval was payment enough for losing one of her favorite bras. It hadn’t even occurred to her to ask him to spare it. Nor did it occur to her to stop him from his next movements. With quick, calculated snips and tears, her skirt and panties found the same fate as her tops.

  “Ah, there we go.” He tossed the scissors onto the table, the clank of them landing lost in the background along with all of the other sights and sounds. She sucked in her breath when his warm hands clasped over her breasts, kneading them, and squeezing them. “I knew you’d have nice tits.” Her nipples rolled beneath his palms. His eyes weren’t on her face. They were occupied with her breasts. When he dug his nails into her flesh, she hissed and threw her head back, clenching her eyes at the pain. “Open your eyes, Erin! Now!” Two hard slaps to her breasts got her attention, and she opened her eyes, biting her lip from the burn spreading through her chest.

  Again his hands roamed over her chest, pinching here and there. Each time, she jumped a little, but kept her eyes on him, even when he seemed to be occupied elsewhere. When his hand traveled down to her belly, and then further still, she wanted to close them again, to concentrate on feeling his hands on her, but he wouldn’t allow it.

  He brought his gaze back to her, locking their eyes together as his hand slid down over her mound, and his fingers slipped between her lips. “Is this good, right here?” he asked her when she remained silent. She could see her own chest, pink with dark scratch marks traveling down them, heaving with her breath. “I asked a question.” A sharp pain shot through her clit when he pinched.

  “Yes, sir!” she yelled out.

  “Yes, what?” He kept his lips just far enough away that she could smell the mint on his breath, but not reach out for a kiss.

  “Yes, that feels good.” Her toes curled into the mat at the added pressure he put on her clit.

  “Are you wet?” he asked, and she wanted to growl. He knew the answer.

  “Yes, sir.” She leaned her head against her outstretched arm and focused on his fingers. More movement, more pressure. He circled her clit, building up her orgasm, letting it grow until it was near painful.

  “Another rule, but I think you know this one. You can’t come unless you ask and I give permission. Don’t come without it. You do not want that to happen.” A dark promise lingered in his warning.

  Just when she edged to her limit and was going to ask for permission, he pulled his hand away. Delivering three quick slaps to her pussy which made her jump up, bringing her feet together to protect the sensitive area. Realizing what she’d done, she quickly walked her feet apart again, putting herself back into position. But it was too late, he had seen.

  “What did you just do?” he asked, turning his back to her and going back to the table. When he turned around a thick leather flogger was in his hands. “Erin. What did you just do?”

  “I closed my legs.” She nearly whimpered with her confession.

  “I’m sorry, what was that?” He cupped his ear while waiting for her to answer.

  She took a deep breath, and swallowed hard before giving her answer again. “I closed my legs, sir.”

  “Yes, you did.” He pulled the black, leather falls of the flogger through his hand. “And I had said not to move your feet. So we are back to breaking the first rule I gave you. Isn’t that right?” He stalked toward her. Although she had broken the rule, the excitement in his eyes told her that he was almost pleased with her. He wanted to punish her, and she’d given him the perfect reason.

  Her legs trembled as he made his way back to her side. Balancing the flogger over his shoulder, he reached down and found her clit again. She moaned, the instant pleasure of his fingers overwhelming. His unoccupied hand, wrapped around her neck, pulling her face to his. His tongue darted out and licked her lips. The sensations of his fingers, and the warmth of his tongue mingled together. Not a single coherent thought would form in her mind with his eyes on her in such a way. It was too much. Stimulation intensified everywhere.

  “Are you close?” His whispered question drew her attention away from the pressure building in her clit again. “Do you want to come?” That question. A simple question drove her closer to the brink, closer to the edge she wanted to jump over. How could words so easily affect her?

  “Yes, sir.” She licked her dry lips. His dark eyebrows raised, and he gave her an evil grin, one that should have sent fear trickling through her. Instead, her arousal heightened. His fingers moved fast, rubbing harder and harder and just when again she was about to beg permission, they were gone. She wanted to pout, or stamp her feet, but she managed to keep herself together. She’d take what he gave her. She’d ride out this experiment of hers, and she’d do it with as much grace as she could muster.

  While watching him step away from her, pulling the flogger from his shoulder, she slowed her breathing, and gathered her composure. Her toes curled and uncurled into the carpet beneath her, and she fisted and unfisted her hands. Moving the blood through her body, keeping herself alert for what came next. Her breasts still burned from the deep scratches of his nails.

  He circled her, a beast toying with its prey. Even if she wanted to turn to look at him, she didn’t have the strength. She caught his gaze as he passed her, which appeared to be enough for him. After the second circle, he stopped a few feet in front of her. Too far for his hand to touch her, but close enough for the flogger. Lightly, he began swinging it back and forth, letting the falls slap her pussy. It didn’t hurt. Quite the opposite. The ache began to grow again and soon she found herself wanting the next impact. “Nice and soft, right?” he asked.

  “Yes, sir.” She nodded, keeping her eyes on him, but looking at his arm when he swung it back. A hard hit, directly on her clit, and she cried out from it. It came unexpected. She managed to keep her feet on the floor, planted, but only barely. Another hit. The stinging burn shot through her body, rippling through until it found her core. And there it ignited and spread. He continued to bring the flogger up through her legs, landing on her pussy. She cried out, at one point she screamed, but never did it occur to her to make him stop. The longer it went on, the more she wanted. Soon enough though, the comfortable, arousing burn turned to hot white sting, and she did scream out. “Fuck!” She yelled after a particularly harsh blow. He didn’t stop, only raised his eyebrow then landed two more.

  Her chest heaved, her breasts already pulled up from the positioning of her hands, rose and fell with her gulping breaths. It took a moment for her to realize he’d stopped. The flogger once again rested over his shoulder, and his hand was running over her pussy, soothing away the sting. “Good girl. Now, don’t move your feet again.” Then he slid two fingers into her open and wanting pussy.

  “No, sir.” She shook her head, pushing her hips toward him, needing more. “Please.” She begged when he continued to move slowly.

  His right hand slapped her ass, one cheek then the other, then the first again. Meanwhile his fingers delved deeper and faster. “You can’t tell where the pain ends and the pleasure begins, right?” He whispered into her ear, resting his forehead against her. He was right. They both danced together, pulling her one way then the next. She tried to concentrate, but each time she focused on his fingers, another slap to her backside would drag her away. “What? You look like you need to ask something? What is it?” He turned his head so his ear was facing her.

  “I need to… please… can I come, sir?” She didn’t even recognize her own voice. It shook with her desire and her need.

  His nails bit into her flesh, as he dragged them across her ass cheeks. “Yes, you can come.” His words broke the damn. Her legs trembled, her body shook and the explosion pulled her head back. Each fiber in her body lit up as her orgasm tore through her. His fingers never left her. He stroked her, probed her, brought her to a new height of arousal and dropped her again, a second orgasm ripping through as the first began to subside. Her arms pulled on her bonds, her eyes closed instinctively, and she shoo
k her head to ward off any distraction from the intense waves running through her.

  As her body relaxed, bringing her down from such an incredible plain of pleasure, she gulped in air and rested her head against her arm. She didn’t meet his gaze, didn’t even try to open her eyes. His fingers withdrew from her, but he didn’t stop touching her. He brought his fingers to her mouth, and without a word, pushed them inside. She cleaned them, the best she could while still dancing in the residual haze of her orgasm. Soft, long stroke of his fingertips trailed down her abdomen, down her back. Lingering warm kisses pressed against her neck and her cheek. It took her a moment to realize he was talking.

  “You did so good. So fucking good.” He moved, twisted his torso, and she felt his erection brush her leg. So hard. So powerful. “I’m going to take you down now.” She must have nodded. There was a jangling of the leash, then her hands were being brought down in front of her. The cuffs were unlinked, and he tossed the leash aside. Warm kisses trailed along her collarbone. “Come here.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and brought her to a set of chairs. He picked up the robe that had been placed there, and helped her slide her arms into it. He’d thought of everything. “Here, sit.”

  He took the seat beside her and pulled her against his chest. His skin was warm, his arms firm as they wrapped around her. She took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of him, clean, natural. As though he’d just stepped out of the shower. After a few minutes, she pulled away from him, swiping some of her hair back behind her ear. He watched her, his eyes full of concern and desire. “I’m okay,” she said.

  “I know.” He grinned, a boyish grin. “I’m going to pack up. Did you bring your bag?”

  “It’s in the dressing room.”

  “Once I’m packed, I’ll take you over there to get dressed.”

  She nodded again. She’d be going home now? He hadn’t even reached any sort of physical fulfillment. “Okay. I probably missed the last train, I’ll need a cab.” She spoke more to herself, but he must have heard her just as he stood from the chair. Turning around to face her, he crouched down. With his eyebrows lifted and a deep crease in his forehead he peered at her.

  “I didn’t ask you to bring a bag so you could go home. I asked you to bring a bag because I’d like you to spend the weekend with me. The whole weekend.” His hands rested on her knees. “But before you answer, you need to consider it seriously. If you come home with me, the moment you step into my house you belong to me. Completely. You’ll eat when I say, sleep when I say, and fuck when I say.”

  She touched his face, letting her fingertips trail his jaw. Such strength. The lighting of the room cascaded across in such a way that his eyes were shielded in the shadows, making his piercing stare even more prominent. If he thought the action odd, he didn’t say. “Okay.” A weekend getaway? Sure, she could use one. She could put off thinking about what to do with the house and the rest of her life until Monday. A full weekend distraction sounded just fine with her.

  “Don’t give me your answer yet. When you’re dressed. Not until then.” He went to the table, and began to pack up his things. She wondered who had laid them all out for him to begin with. It was then that she slowly remembered where they were. People were all around them. The bustle of the room suddenly drowned out her own thoughts. For a while she’d been able to tune out the noise, the crowd. She’d orgasmed in front of these people. Had anyone stopped to watch?

  She didn’t have time to dwell on the horror of that thought. Bradley handed her a bottle of water and held out his hand for her. Slipping her hand in his, she let him lead her out of the room.

  As rebound dates went, this one was going pretty well.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Bradley checked with a few of the staff members while Erin changed into a new outfit. One that was still in one piece. The fundraiser had superseded its goal during the first round of the auction. The auction had finished while he and Erin were in the back room, the stage turned over for a few demonstrations. He had originally planned to stick around so Erin could watch the rope demo, but the discomfort in his pants overruled.

  He had expected her to be open to what he planned. She’d shown enough determination to make him believe she wouldn’t back down at the first challenge. Her level of effort, the utter submission to his rule, to his application of pain and pleasure had caught him a little off guard. Although he had planned on using the flogger on her in a soft and gentle manner, when he had her in front of him, with her eyes so big and curious he decided to go a different route. Her moving out of position hadn’t been a disappointment at all, it opened the door for him to be rougher.

  Years had passed since he took on a new sub, but he didn’t doubt that he could bring her into his world with a patient hand. She needed to discover the things she liked and to do that, she’d probably have to go through some things that she didn’t. Weeding all of that out would help her when she went on to find her dom. That’s what he was doing after all, he reminded himself. Helping her get over the ass that left, and get her on her feet and move forward. It was a civil service, really. The fact that his stomach soured at the idea of some other man touching her in any way was just a reaction to having his dick so damn hard. He’d find relief soon enough—the moment they entered his house.

  “Bradley.” Claudia brushed her hand over his chest before resting it on his forearm. “There was some guy looking for that girl you bought.” The venom in her tone wasn’t missed. He’d have to have that talk with her sooner rather than later. Claudia was a casual playmate. He’d never given her reason to believe otherwise, but the poison in her tone suggested he may need to make it more clear.

  “Did he give his name?” Bradley searched the room, then glanced at the closed door to his office.

  “I don’t remember.” She gave a carefree shrug. “One of Alex’s friends I think. After he asked about you, he ran off to Alex’s office. Just thought you should know. She may be taken already.” The jealousy in her eyes mirrored in her sneer.

  “Is Alex in his office?”

  “I don’t know. Didn’t I mention I was going to be on the auction block tonight?” She changed tactics, running her hands over his shoulders and down his arms, with wide eyes and a pouting grin.

  “You may have mentioned it.” He looked back toward his office. Erin stepped out and was searching the room for him. A shiver shot through him when their eyes locked. She smiled. A warm, genuine, happy to see you smile. Her eyes moved, and the smile dropped. A small move, a twitch perhaps, but he’d seen it. Following her gaze, he realized Claudia had slid her hand through his arm, effectively hanging off of him while she continued to prattle on about the guy who’d purchased her for the evening. An old flame that wouldn’t leave her alone.

  He quickly untangled himself from her and gave her a stern look. She’d kept talking and hadn’t even bothered to notice his irritation. “That’s too bad. Have a good night.” He forced a nod and then walked away toward Erin who hadn’t moved toward him.

  “Hey.” Her smile widened when he approached, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  “All covered up again.” He shook his head at her jeans and flowing blouse.

  “I thought I’d be taking the train home.” She moved her bag to her other hand. “I don’t want to take you away from anything.” He followed her gaze over his shoulder to where Claudia stood with a few other girls, shooting vexing stares at them.

  “I’m not with her,” he said with more force than he had intended, but he needed her to know he wasn’t that sort of guy. One woman at a time was all he needed.

  “It’s okay. You don’t owe me anything.” That damn smile again. He’d give her a spanking if she kept up that pretense. It obviously bothered her to see Claudia draped on his arm. He couldn’t blame her for that, he’d probably punch a guy in the face if he dared to touch her in his presence.

  He did his best to check his irritation, but from the look she was giving him he figured she coul
d see it just fine. “My car’s in the garage.” He took her hand and pulled her toward the kitchen. They’d leave through the employee entrance. He wasn’t sure who had seen her on the auction block, but if any of her friends were there, they’d want to delay their departure. He couldn’t allow that.

  Thankfully she didn’t give him any trouble when he pulled her into the stairwell. He would need her cooperation once they reached the door leading out into the street. He’d held back during their little play session in the dungeon. She’d taken everything he’d given with more grace than he would have expected from her. He would have understood more apprehension, more withdrawl, but she gave back every ounce of energy he put forth. It made for an intense scene for him, to draw out her energy and use it against her. Each little flinch fed his desire to give her more, to take more from her.

  When they reached the bottom landing he paused at the door. “Erin.” He turned her to face him. He picked up both of her hands and ran his thumbs over the leather cuffs still in place. She hadn’t taken them off. He wouldn’t read anything into that action, he couldn’t, not if he was going to let her go come Monday morning. “Erin, if you come home with me, I need you to understand that I take total control. There is no compromise with me. It’s my way. It’s the only way. I’m not a complete asshole, so you’ll just have to trust that everything I do or say is as much for your benefit as mine. Except for when it’s solely for mine.” He tried to soften his speech with a grin, but she looked confused.

  “If I want to leave, I can?” she finally asked when he hadn’t started talking again.

  “Yes, of course. Whenever you want to leave, you just say so. Your desires have importance, and I would never hold you or anyone against their will.”

  She gave a warm laugh. “I didn’t think you were kidnapping me. I just meant, if it gets too much, I can stop it? I can go home, and you won’t hate me?” A flash of worry filled her eyes before she managed to push the concern away.