by Jenna Jacob
“It surprised me that Trevor was so…mouthy,” she replied.
“That’s Trevor. He never holds back what he’s thinking, at least not since I’ve known him.”
“But isn’t he disrespecting Drake by doing that?”
“No. Well, I mean, to some it might appear that way. In the simplest terms, it’s a cry for Drake to reinforce his command. Trevor’s been through a hell none of us can truly understand. They’ve both been through the wringer. Not only that, but having a baby in the house demands a lot of attention. I think Trevor simply wants the reassurance that he’s firmly and irrevocably under Drake’s thumb.”
“That makes sense, but isn’t that a form of Topping from the bottom?”
Kellan shrugged. “Evidently Drake doesn’t perceive it that way, or I suspect he’d staple Trevor’s mouth shut.”
Mercy sucked in a hiss and cringed.
“What I’m trying to say is that every relationship is different. What works for one couple or polyamorous relationship isn’t guaranteed to work for another. That’s why communication is necessary. It establishes the parameters that make a Dom/sub relationship fulfilling.”
Mercy nodded as she sat absorbing his words.
“Don’t worry. I’ll do my best to help you gain a better understanding.”
She turned and pinned him with a look of anticipation. “So, are you saying that you’ve decided to train me?”
Kellan pondered her question for several long seconds. “Yes, I suppose I am.”
Mercy’s chin quivered slightly as a wobbly smile spread over her lips. “Thank you, Sir. I won’t let you down.”
He sent her a gentle smile. “I know you won’t, gorgeous.”
Though she’d be a constant and brutal test of his willpower, Kellan needed Mercy to cast away the shadows within him and draw him out to the light as much as she needed him to do the same.
Another wedge of anxiety melted from his shoulders.
Over the next three days, Mercy eagerly approached each lifestyle discussion with an open mind and more questions than Kellan imagined possible. She drank in every nuance of Dominance and submission like a sponge. While Mercy’s headaches had vanished, he still watched for any signs of a relapse.
Every night at dinner, she would slide to her knees in the kitchen and raise a beverage to him with such grace and beauty it shook him to his Dominant core. He wanted to cinch a fist in her hair, drag her up and lay her out over the table, then drive his cock balls deep inside her precious yielding body. Sheer will kept him from it…for now.
Kerr had still evaded capture. The Chicago PD hadn’t been able to locate the prick, and Kellan was growing worried and frustrated. He didn’t let Mercy out of his sight. Not even when Julianna came to visit with her laptop and several other subs and sat out on the deck in the unseasonably warm weather, oohing and ahhing over items to replace the ones Kerr had destroyed.
When he heard Mercy lament about buying a new computer to her friends, an idea formed in Kellan’s mind. While she and the others were in the kitchen whipping up lunch, he’d snuck upstairs and wrapped her broken laptop in a small tote bag along with a note to Mika.
Hours later, when the subs began to leave, Kellan gave the bag to Julianna and asked her to return it to Mika. She gave him a strange look but thankfully didn’t ask any questions.
Kellan had thought buying Mercy a new computer and transferring her old files to the new one would be a wonderful surprise. Unfortunately, he’d inadvertently opened Pandora’s box. After seeing the new device, Mercy began relentlessly begging to spend an hour or two “playing” with the new computer. When she refused to stop, Kellan was forced to hand down her first punishment.
After binding her wrists and ankles to the arms and legs of a kitchen chair, he placed her cell phone and computer on the table in front of her. The MP3 player he found tucked in the bedside drawer of the guest room remained in his pants pocket.
“You will focus on the items in front of you, angel. You are not to lift your eyes and look at me, or your punishment will begin all over again. You will answer only when I ask you a question. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Do you have any questions regarding what I have outlined?”
“No, Sir.”
In pure interrogation style, he placed his hands behind his back and slowly walked back and forth. He watched her intently, making sure her stare didn’t stray from the devices he’d placed on the table.
“Why are you banned from using these?”
“Because I had a concussion.”
“You have,” he corrected.
“But I—”
“That wasn’t a question,” he interrupted with a low but clipped tone. Kellan couldn’t help but smile as a tremor of blatant excitement rippled through her. “You’ll keep your explanations to yourself unless I ask for them. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“To make sure that you followed Dr. Brooks’ instructions, I rearranged my court cases to keep you here with me. Why do you suppose I did that?”
“Because you were worried about me, Sir?”
“Yes, indeed I was, but there’s another reason. Do you know what that might be?”
“No, Sir.”
“Because I know you, little one. I knew you wouldn’t last seven days without picking up your phone or logging in to your computer…or perhaps sneaking a listen to some music?”
When he pulled the music player out of his pocket and placed it beside her phone, Mercy closed her eyes and wrinkled her face. She was definitely having an oh, shit moment.
“Yes, my devious little minx…you’ve been busted…busted big-time.” He moved in and stepped behind her. Gently brushing her hair to one side, Kellan leaned in close to her ear as she shivered. “What do you think I should do about this, hmm?”
Long, silent seconds passed as she seemingly weighed his words. “Is that a rhetorical question, or are you genuinely asking for my input, Sir?”
He couldn’t help but grin, but Kellan wasn’t about to lose the upper hand. He dragged his tongue up the side of her neck, drinking in her silky moan as she tilted her head to the side granting him more access. Unable to resist he sank his teeth into the plump flesh of her earlobe and tugged lightly. Mercy sucked in a quivering gasp and gripped the arms of the chair.
He would never grow tired of the erotic way she responded to him. Without a word, he released the silk ropes binding her ankles and wrists and extended his hand.
Mercy stared at his open palm before lifting her soulful, yearning eyes to meet his.
“Do you trust me, angel?”
“With my life, Sir,” she answered.
She slid her fingers into his waiting hand. An urgent need to crush her to his chest and never let go uncoiled inside him. The looming anxiety that Mercy would soon return to her apartment and her life crept down his spine. He didn’t want her to leave. Didn’t want to be forced into the dark, empty exile again.
As he drew her into his arms, Kellan closed his eyes and savored the feel of her soft body pressed so perfectly to his. He was powerless to alter his past or predict his future. All he could do was imprint each life-altering moment he spent with this captivating and sensual sub deep in his soul. Kellan had no doubt each memory would warm his empty nights for years to come.
He buried his face in her soft hair and inhaled deeply as he forced the depressing thoughts from his mind. “Your safe word is now diamond.”
“Diamond?” Mercy repeated curiously.
“Yes. You constantly blind me with your bright and shimmering light, angel.”
She pulled back and studied his face. A wealth of happiness glistened in her eyes. “That’s the sweetest thing any man has ever said to me.”
“Get used to it.” He sent her a crooked smile.
A pensive expression fell over her face. “Are you going to force me to use my safeword, Sir?”
“I don’t plan to. I simply aim
to instill the importance of taking care of yourself…doing what you’ve been instructed to do. Dr. Brooks wouldn’t be pleased to discover you’ve ignored his orders any more than I am. Remember our discussion about submissive responsibilities?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Then I shouldn’t have to remind you to eat, sleep, and care for your physical and mental health in order to represent your Dominant in the best light possible.”
“Is that a roundabout way of saying that you’ve assumed the role of my…my Dom now, Sir?”
Hope was written all over her face. It knocked the wind out of him like a punch to the gut. His heart wanted to say yes. But his conscience wouldn’t allow it.
Kellan sent her grim and melancholy smile. “No, angel. I’m not. I’m simply your mentor.”
Mercy lowered her lids and nodded. “I’m ready, Sir.”
“For?”
“My punishment,” she answered bravely.
“Very well. Follow me.”
Kellan led her through the alcove separating the dining room and kitchen. He opened the door to the basement and descended the stairs, hyperaware of Mercy trailing close behind. Striding past his home gym, he drew open the door to a small dungeon. After Leena’s accident, he’d poured his fear and frustration into creating the play space. Foolishly convincing himself that his wife would fully recover, he’d planned to surprise her when she returned home. But his wife was floating between heaven and earth, never to return.
Bringing Mercy to the dungeon he’d designed for Leena sent a tinge of guilt to stain his conscience. But the past five days he’d spent with Mercy, she’d taught him that lumbering aimlessly through life wasn’t living, but merely existing. He found it ironic that the teacher had inadvertently become the student.
Mercy stood in the middle of the room, taking in the sight of the St. Andrews Cross, bondage table, and spanking bench he’d painstakingly sawed, sanded, and stained.
A palpable wave of apprehension rolled off her as she dropped her chin and gazed at the floor. Kellan greedily absorbed her angst and blended it with his power. He aimed to stress the importance of obeying directions as he set her submissive soul free.
“Strip,” he commanded.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Mercy jerked her head up and shot him a deer-in-the-headlights stare. She wasn’t embarrassed about taking off her clothes. She’d stripped dozens of times for Kerr. It was the fact that Kellan had commanded her to take off her clothes that blew Mercy’s socks off.
“Eyes on the floor, angel.” His low, firm tone had her girl parts melting like spun sugar.
After spending the past five days with Kellan in almost constant arousal, Mercy feared that his slightest touch would make her shatter beneath a massive O.
“We’ve discussed protocol. Have you already forgotten what you’ve learned?”
She shook her head and lowered her gaze.
Mercy had strived to keep from disappointing Kerr for fear of his punishments.
The idea of failing Kellan and letting him down physically hurt her heart.
He’d tapped into a whole other level of submission she’d never felt before…unlocked some primitive and elemental need to surrender. An arousing hunger began rising inside her.
“When I am in command of you, whether in this dungeon or the one at the club, I expect you to use your words when you answer me. Is that clear?”
Kellan had moved in close behind her. She could feel his breath caress her shoulders.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good. When I give you an instruction, I don’t ever want to be forced to repeat myself, angel.”
Holy hell!
Mercy had watched Kellan work other subs at the club before, but she’d never been on the receiving end. His Dominance was enthralling…dizzying…captivating. She didn’t waste another second; Mercy peeled off her clothes.
“I’ll use my words from now on, Sir.”
“Yes. Like a sinful bar of candy, I aim to unwrap all the sweet submission inside you, let it melt over your tongue, and let you feast on serenity.”
She’d much rather he unzip his fly and let her feast on his cock until it melted all over her tongue, but kept that fantasy to herself.
“Kneel before the cross, girl. Clear your head and ready yourself for a session like we talked about yesterday.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Lowering to her knees on the thick, plush carpet, Mercy bowed her head and closed her eyes. When she’d entered the small but tastefully decorated dungeon, she’d noticed the floggers, paddles, whips, and crops hanging from individual hooks along the walls. The tools of bliss and torture were displayed the same way at Club Genesis. She wondered what implements he would choose for her punishment. Would Kellan stop if she used her safe word? Mercy didn’t have a lot of faith in safe words. They hadn’t done much to protect her ass so far.
He’s not Kerr. This is Kellan. He isn’t punishing you for his pleasure. You fucked up. Remember?
Oh, yes. Mercy remembered the disappointment that sluiced in her veins when he placed her MP3 player on the table.
“Is there a reason you’re not trying to clear you mind? I can hear you thinking from here.”
She started to lift her head at the sound of his voice across the room but stopped herself in the nick of time.
Dammit. She wanted to clear her head but couldn’t shut off her brain. Hearing his words, Mercy was doubly distracted now. She was curious to see what toys he’d selected, making it even harder to remain in her submissive pose.
“I’m trying, Sir, but it’s hard.”
“Then ask for my help.” Kellan knelt down in front of her and gently raised her chin with his fingers. Pride and reassurance glistened in his compassionate stare. “Why are we here?”
“So you can punish me.”
“No. We’re here so you can make amends for disobeying the rules. Tell me, how do you feel inside knowing that you’ve disappointed me?”
“It feels lousy.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Why?”
“Because that tells me that you yearn to please. That submission isn’t simply something fun and exciting to do, a role to play, but that you genuinely feel the need to make me happy.”
“I do.”
“Then why did you sneak the device into your room?”
Mercy swallowed tightly. God, she didn’t want to confess the reason, but Kellan would sense a lie a mile away. Of that she was sure.
“I didn’t pack it from my apartment with the intent to use it. I just tossed it into the duffel bag that day.”
“Go on.”
She exhaled heavily and cast her gaze back to the floor. “A couple nights ago, I couldn’t sleep. So I thought maybe a little music might help me relax.”
“Why were you tense?”
“I-I was thinking about you,” she mumbled.
“Oh? What exactly were you thinking?”
Mercy could hear the smile in his voice. Yeah, he was going to love what she confessed next.
Shit!
“I wondered what it would be like if instead of telling me good night from the doorway, you…well, you crawled in bed with me.”
“I see. Raise your head and look at me, girl. Tell me what you imagined me doing to you then.”
Mercy swallowed tightly and gazed into his eyes once more. His supportive expression had been replaced with carnal fire.
“Everything,” she whispered on a trembling breath.
“Every dirty little thing you could think of?” He asked with a knowing smirk.
She blanched. Something about the words he chose felt hauntingly familiar.
“I know you fantasize about me when you masturbate. You told me the night I brought you here from the hospital.”
Mercy’s eyes grew wide. Her stomach swirled. She felt her cheeks catch fire. Good god. Had she blabbed every detail to him that night? Embarrassment pulsed so vehemently through her she want
ed to melt into the carpet.
“I’ll share a secret with you, gorgeous. I fantasize about you while I’m fisting my cock. I dream about all the dirty little things I’d love to do to you as well.”
The floodgates between her legs opened. A ripple of hunger made her clit and nipples tighten and throb. A tiny moan rolled off the back of her throat. She ached to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him…slide her tongue past his full lips and feast on his mouth. Press her naked body against him and writhe all over him until Kellan ripped off his clothes and fucked her hard right there on the floor.
As if reading her mind, he slanted his mouth over hers and took possession of her with a savage kiss. He thrust his tongue deep as he gripped her shoulders in his strong, capable hands. Mercy moaned as she wrapped her tongue around his, gliding up and down as if it were his cock, and swallowed his feral growl.
Kellan cupped her breasts. Squeezing and massaging her aching orbs, he plucked and pinched her nipples until she pulled from his mouth, and tossed back her head crying out in bliss.
A low, sultry chuckle rumbled from Kellan’s chest. He released her breasts, giving one last tug on her nipples, then stood. The bulging erection tenting his trousers, taunted her. Mercy wanted to reach out and release his steely length and suck him down her throat.
“You’re not here for pleasure, my wicked little angel. You’re here for punishment.”
“Beat me. Bruise me. I don’t care. Just please, Sir…fuck me when you’re done…please?”
Kellan’s nostrils flared. His cock lurched against his zipper. A look of indecision fluttered across his face before he clenched his jaw and slowly shook his head. “Who makes the rules, little one?”
“You do, Sir.”
“Exactly. Rise and place yourself over the spanking bench. Keep your ass raised up high in the air for me, girl.”
On shaky legs, she stood and complied. She shivered when she raised her ass and the cool air of the room met her wet and heated core. Kellan moved in close behind her. The air stirred and Mercy could smell the heady scent of her own feminine musk.
“Even prettier than I imagined,” he murmured. “Your pussy is so pink and swollen and wet. You make my mouth water and my cock scream, girl.”