Seduced by the Game

by editor Lisa Hollett

  “I’m sure the boys will agree we’ll do anything to make sure you want to come back.” Tim set the snow brush down on the hood of her car and pulled her into his arms. His lips were cool and moist from the snowflakes still falling steadily over and around them, but heated readily against hers. Firm and sweet, his kiss erased all her doubts. He looked into her eyes as he held her, not suspecting a thing. Because she’d given him no reason to.

  And she wouldn’t. She stuffed her hands into the front pocket of his jeans and rested her head against his chest. “I’ll be back, Tim. Don’t you worry.”

  By the time she got home, everything Dean had told her, all her concerns, were carefully filed away in the back of her mind. Dean had told her where the club was. He probably expected her to walk in, take one look at Tim on his knees, and walk right back out, ending things for good.

  She couldn’t say for sure how she’d react, but she wouldn’t set herself up for failure. She left her habitually submissive outfits in her closet and chose something a little more neutral. Because that’s how she had to approach this situation.

  Without judgment, simply seeing the man she was falling for. And she was falling for him, hard and fast, which scared her more than anything she might see.

  Because she had a feeling it wouldn’t change a thing.

  Chapter Four

  Tim stood tall, more exposed than he’d been at the club for a long time. Considering this “club” was actually a private bimonthly gathering in a warehouse typically used for boat storage, wearing nothing besides a pair of snug, black boxer briefs had him fighting hard not to shiver as the Domme in the one-piece leather bodysuit paced in front of him. And the five other male subs vying for her attention.

  She was an older woman, experienced, and well-respected in the local scene. Her hair had gone completely white years ago and she didn’t bother coloring it. Which suited the sharp angles of her face and her olive skin tone. Her eyes were a startling emerald green that cut through her subs like diamond blades, leaving them with no question as to what she expected of them. Tim had spoken to her at a few gatherings last summer and found her to be intelligent and easygoing. A very nice woman.

  But a very tough Domme.

  There were large metal heaters set up all around the warehouse, but a draft still found its way into the large space, making the candles on the tables near the three large fridges flicker. No alcohol was served at this particular event since it wasn’t set up for socializing. There was no mistaking what everyone was here for. But Silverfalls—as the mature Domme preferred to be called—hadn’t been certain about Tim’s place in the lineup.

  “Find yourself a gentle Domme, Tim. You’re not a masochist.”

  Tim had smiled at her before dropping his gaze. “I could be, if it pleases you, Mistress.”

  She laughed, but cut it short as she latched onto the back of his neck and hissed, “You’re not a stupid boy. You know I’ll give you exactly what you need. Get in line.”

  She left him waiting for a while with the others as she strolled back and forth, observing them with detached interest. He’d seen her in action before and knew she was waiting for the weakest of them to slip up. The punishment would be swift and make the remaining men reconsider if they were absolutely certain they wanted to play that close to the edge.

  From the corner of his eye, Tim could already see one man shifting his weight impatiently. The heavy scent of sweat hovered on the cool breeze from the man next to Tim. Silverfalls continued pacing.

  Around them, sounds of play had begun. The buzzing of powerful vibrators. Light slaps on a bare ass. The whoosh of a flogger teasing flesh. Marylyn Manson’s “User Friendly” began playing, just loud enough to add to the ambience without drowning out the erotic noise.

  “Mistress?” The man at the other end of the line, all done up in straps and sporting a yellow latex thong, cleared his throat. “May I—”

  Silverfalls strode up to the man and caught him by the jaw before pressing a long red nail to his lips. “Shh.”

  Tim’s pulse pounded hard. He’d figured that man would be the one who failed, but there was no way to guess what Silverfalls would consider breaking her rules. Speaking apparently wasn’t a deal breaker. The Domme looked over at him, one brow arched. He faced forward.

  She resumed pacing.

  Looking wasn’t allowed, but wasn’t a fail.

  “Tim?” A familiar voice. His eyes widened as he spotted Madeline near the entrance, moving away from the metal racks where everyone hung their coats on the provided hangers.

  He had to fight not to go to her when he saw Dean cross the room to intercept her. Dean had that look in his eyes, the one he gave to subs who didn’t respect the code of conduct at the club.

  Those subs never lasted here long.

  “Have you found something more interesting than me to hold your attention, boy?” Silverfalls stopped in front of him, blocking his view of Madeline. “Am I boring you?”

  “No, Mistress.” Tim clenched his fist, every single muscle in his body aching to move around the Domme, to go to Madeline. He’d wanted one last night to say goodbye to this side of himself. But now, he couldn’t even remember why it had been so important. He couldn’t bear Madeline thinking he wanted to be with another woman. All his depraved urges were insignificant. He shook his head. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have come to you—I can’t do this.”

  Tapping a finger on her lips, Silverfalls glanced over her shoulder. When her gaze returned to him, her smile was positively evil. “Are you saying ‘red,’ Tim?”

  His jaw hardened. He’d gone into the scene with clear limits. No blood, no scat, no sex. She hadn’t gone past any of those limits. Calling red seemed…weak.

  It wouldn’t be if a sub said it to you.

  But he wasn’t a sub.

  You’re not a Dom either.

  Which was exactly why he wasn’t good enough for Madeline. Not yet.

  “What are you trying to prove to her, boy?” Silverfalls ran a nail down his bare chest. Goosebumps rose on his flesh, but it felt wrong. The Domme closed the distance between them. Her lips grazed his. “Tell me.”

  “Red.” The word left his mouth before his brain fully registered that he was done. He wasn’t sure what that meant for him. Would he leave the lifestyle completely? Go to Madeline and tell her he could live without dominance or submission and still make her happy?

  Damn it, he couldn’t say for sure, but he did know he wasn’t taking another step without knowing she was with him.

  Dismissing him, Silverfalls turned, revealing Madeline who stood a respectful distance from the scene. The Domme let out a soft laugh. “You, my dear, are a very lucky woman. He would have suffered under my hands, and I suspect he’d have taken it all for you.”

  “I’m not sure I understand why, Mistress.” Madeline folded her arms over her chest, the crimson corset she wore pushing her creamy breasts high, her feet shoulder-width apart in black fuck-me heels. She was mouthwatering, her short leather skirt showing off her curvy thighs, but she didn’t come off as either a Domme or a sub. She was feminine, strong and vulnerable and absolutely perfect. And not very happy with him. But she spoke quietly to Silverfalls. “I apologize for intruding on your scene.”

  “No need. I imagine you were surprised to see your man waiting on me.” Silverfalls chuckled. “Make him pay, honey. You’ll feel better.”

  The Domme returned to her lineup of men. Madeline turned and headed toward the coat racks.

  Tim hurried to catch up with her. And to explain.

  “I thought I could do it. One night and this would be behind me. I could focus on your needs and—”

  She spun around and smacked his chest. “My needs? How in the world do you know what I need? You assume I’m a sub because I responded to your brother pulling the big tough alpha male routine?”

  “Aren’t you?” He’d been wrong. He wanted to be wrong. If either of them had to do without, it would be him.


  “I am, but right now I’m tempted to strap you to the nearest cross and beat you! She could have hurt you, and then what? I was supposed to be grateful that you’d taken a beating so you could erase a huge part of the man I lo—” She growled when his lips curved. “Don’t you dare look all pleased. I’m very close to hating you right now.”

  “Let me say it first then.” He bit back a laugh as he caught her wrist before she could smack him. “I love you. But I was stupid and I’m sorry. Feel free to beat me.”

  “Don’t tempt me.” She crossed her arms behind his neck and grabbed a fistful of his hair. “I’ll do it.”

  His nostrils flared as her eyes dilated. Not once during the scene with Silverfalls had he been even remotely aroused, but now? Hell, he was fully erect and wanted nothing more than to kneel for Madeline. She’d be magnificent with a whip in her hands…but no. She’d never played with a whip. Not wielding one anyway. Actually, he had no idea how experienced she really was.

  He’d managed to make a real mess of things.

  Only, he hadn’t expected her to show up here. How had she known to where to find him?

  “You’re thinking hard and I can guess why. Your brother ratted you out, Tim. And I’m glad he did. I should thank him.” She lowered her hands, swiveling on her heels to walk away from him yet again.

  The cold seeping into the warehouse slithered over him as he quickly trailed Madeline to a lounge type setup at the far end of the room. Three large leather sofas on a gray shag rug surrounded a sturdy wood coffee table. Two naked subs were entwined on the table, both collared, making out for the amusement of the handful of Doms in suits, watching them. Dean glanced up as Madeline approached.

  Tim’s brother snorted as he stood. “I take it you decided not to take my advice.”

  “You’re a smart man, Dean. But I’m glad you asked me to come here. Tim wanted to shut down one side of himself. I won’t allow it.” She placed her hands on her hips. “But I’ve found something I want to explore.”

  Dean leaned forward, elbows on his knees, shooting Tim a curious look before returning his focus to Madeline. “I’m listening.”

  Madeline inclined her head. “Good. I won’t attempt a whip without proper training—which I’d like you to give me—but maybe a flogger? I want to hurt him, but not so much that he’s useless to the team.”

  What? Tim wet his lips with his tongue. Tried to project a big “hell no” through some magical sibling bond.

  Which he either didn’t have with his brother, or Dean dismissed because he was a twisted fuck. His brother stood and grabbed his large leather toy bag. “I misjudged you, sweetheart. And I’d be more than happy to teach you how to hurt him.” Dean finally met Tim’s eyes. And somewhere in there was the boy who’d melted Tim’s favorite G.I. Joe with a magnifying glass when Tim had broken his drumsticks. The same boy who’d grown into a man Tim could call on his worst days and simply listen if that was all Tim needed, or throw a few punches if all went to hell.

  Sometimes his worst enemy. Always his best friend.

  He trusted Madeline. And yeah, Dean too. Kinda. He could count on leaving the club alive. In one piece.

  But not much else if Dean had anything to say about it.

  * * * *

  What in the world am I doing?

  Madeline stared at the back of Dean’s head, the weight of the leash in her hand feeling so very…not wrong, but off. Tim hadn’t knelt, or groveled, when she’d taken the collar from his brother—a collar that didn’t mean much according to Dean—and placed it around his neck. If Tim had behaved overly submissively, she would have stopped, but she still saw him as the man she wanted. The man she’d fight for.

  The leash tugged as they reached an area with only a chair and a big metal bucket. She swallowed hard and looked back at Tim. His lips were pressed together and he was glaring at his brother.

  Dean just laughed. “This isn’t my scene, brother. No mind fucking. I’m here as a mentor, that’s all. And even that is pushing my comfort limits, so don’t start freaking out or I’ll have Silverfalls teach her the ropes.”

  “You’re an asshole. You know I hate this setup.” Tim moved closer to her and she reached back to take his hand. His palm was damp. He’d done exactly the kind of scene he and Dean were discussing. And she had a feeling it hadn’t gone well.

  I may have to kill your brother, love. She gave Dean a hard look, sure her thoughts were projected when his smirk disappeared. “You won’t push his limits in this scene. Unless I’m wrong, I’m in control now.”

  Tim straightened at her side. She could sense his support and something more. He was proud of her. Which gave her the strength she needed to face a Dom she’d usually surrender to.

  “I’m not the bastard you both seem to think I am. Tim is comfortable with you, and this is the farthest we can get from the main attractions.” Dean nodded toward the center of the room where a beautiful, long-limbed woman was somehow binding herself with graceful twists and flips, rising higher and higher on a rope slung over the rafters. “Most of those in attendance have been doing this for years. You’re both trying something new. Tim is a shitty sub, and I can’t see you even playing at being a Top. Do either of you get off on humiliation?”

  Tim squared his shoulders and scowled at his brother. “Fuck you, Dean.”

  “That kind of talk wouldn’t be allowed if you weren’t my brother, Tim. Since you are, it’s even worse. So just shut up.” Dean held his hand out toward the chair. “Have him sit—I can tell you don’t want him kneeling for you yet, but you need him lower than you to help your dynamics. Make sure he understands what he’s getting into. Even though he’s a man, I would be a little more hands-on if we weren’t related. Since that is a hard limit for me, you’ll just have to follow your instincts and listen to my instructions.”

  She nodded and stiffened her spine as she looked at Tim. She noticed how his throat worked like he was swallowing hard. His lips parted like he couldn’t get enough air. His fists were clenched at his sides.

  He certainly didn’t come off as a sub. But his eyes held the same tenderness they always did when they met hers. Which made it easier to give the leash a firm tug and lead him to the chair. He wanted this.

  And maybe she did too. She wouldn’t know until she tried. “There were so many ways we could have started this, Tim. I get not being into vanilla sex, only fucking those in the lifestyle because you can’t stand the idea of plain old missionary after years of kinky fun.”

  Tim shook his head. “That’s not why—”

  “Quiet!” She pressed her lips together when his jaw clenched. She hadn’t meant to raise her voice, but she had no damn clue what she was doing. All she knew is that she’d lose her nerve if she stopped. “You came here to submit, Tim. So do so. I’m disappointed that you couldn’t talk to me first. If you had, I might have come with you and we could have negotiated how this was going to work. Because I want to make it work. Don’t you?”

  He lowered his gaze. Nodded once. “More than anything.”

  “Good. Then this is what we’re going to do. I’m going to let your brother show me how to use a flogger. I’m pissed enough to use one to punish you, but that doesn’t feel right. So you’re going to sit there, holding on to the seat by your hips.” She drew in a sharp inhale and spun to face Dean. “And watch while your brother uses the flogger on me. Not for pleasure, I’ve done that before. Show me how it can be used for discipline.”

  “What? No!” Tim moved to stand, but she slapped her hand into his chest without shifting her attention from Dean. Tim’s chest vibrated under her hand as he let out an angry sound. “Dean, don’t you dare.”

  “Silence, sub.” Dean’s lips quirked. His eyes darkened as he folded his arms over his chest. “You’re supposed to be negotiating with him, pet. If you want to play with me, I’d suggest you ask nicely.”

  “I’m not giving you control of this scene, Dean. I am temporarily handing over control o
f myself so you can teach me. And I can punish him.” She smiled when Dean’s brow furrowed. This was actually fun. She enjoyed being flogged, hated being punished, but for some reason even knowing this would hurt didn’t diminish the sense of power she held. The punishment would be effective because Tim would hate her taking this for him. Which was the point. And Dean? Well, she was serious about learning from him. And maybe teaching him a thing or two while she was at it. After all, Dom or not, he was still a man. “He has a choice. He can end the scene at any time, which is more than he gave me when he agreed to submit to that Domme.”

  “A very good point.” Now Dean looked over at Tim. “So decide, brother. Are you going to end this?”

  Tim gaped at him. “You can’t be seriously considering—”

  “She has potential. I think she’ll make an excellent student. I’m willing to do things her way.”

  Madeline had to fight not to bounce and cheer at what she considered a huge win. She had Dean on her side. Finally.

  Now if only Tim would give it a chance. He’d been willing to go to an extreme to be with her. She was offering him a far lesser evil.

  Shaking his head, Tim held out his hand. Sighed with relief when she took it in hers. “I can’t share you with him, Madeline.”

  “I’m not asking you to.”

  “Then…then you only want him to train you? You want to be my Domme?”

  This time, she shook her head. “No. Not all the time anyway. But I might learn to like it—is that what you’re afraid of?”

  “I’m afraid he’ll hurt you.”

  A lump rose in her throat as she envisioned him standing in a line with other men, ready to serve that woman. She wanted the bitterness and the anger from that image to go away and not come back. And there was only one way she knew how to do that. “Nothing he does will hurt as much as what you almost did. This is your punishment, Tim. Then it will be forgotten. We can start fresh.”