by Dace Everan
Keena, on the other hand, had had her share of experiences in that field. She was sure she was done with the lifestyle. But when Karla had mentioned attending, it had sent her into a tizzy of worry for her friend. She would not be able to live with herself if the same experience she had befell her friend. She needed to come and make sure her friend was okay, but being here now, she was sure she was of no use to her friend. She had thought she could pull the two-hour class off, but once she had stepped into the club, and had taken the tour of the dungeons, old memories had flooded her and she no longer wanted to be here.
Jazz chuckled. “You came here to support a friend?” Shit, he didn’t know too many friends who would do that sort of thing. Not in regards to what happened here.
Keena nodded. There would be no other way anyone would get her in this kind of place. She wasn’t even sure why she had agreed to come in the first place. She hadn’t known Karla all that long. Maybe, deep down, she thought it would be fun to watch? To reassure herself that not all Masters were evil.
Jazz nodded. “Can’t be that horrible of a friend. You lasted almost the whole lesson, even let yourself be an example. Sure you’re not into it?” he asked, his gaze drifting over her. She really needed to stop slouching. Her breasts looked so much prettier when she sat straight, prouder.
Keena shook her head. “Nope, not one bit.” She dared to hope he wouldn’t see that she lied. Her kink had gone way beyond what she had ever thought it would, to a place she had never wanted to go and had no desire to ever go back to. Yes, having Master Jared bind her to that horse had done things to her body that she hadn’t felt in a long time, but her need was not just bondage. Her need would never be allowed out again.
Jazz harrumphed. “Maybe it was the instructor?” he pondered aloud, a touch of laughter on his voice.
Keena chuckled, deep and husky. “Nope. I would have to admit to being as frigid as a fish when he put me in that contraption, though. Hot, before that point,” she admitted. Her body may have responded to the thick ropes, but she felt nothing sexual towards the man.
Her eyes darted away from the bartender, scanning the room for the dark one she had seen earlier. Wild hair, dark skin, and the longest eyelashes framing the biggest dark eyes she had ever seen on a man. Goodness, who would have thought she would be jealous of a man because of his eyelashes? Even from across a room, she had seen those eyes due to those lashes.
Jazz laughed. “So, seeing it all made you hot?”
Keena smiled, causing dimples to appear at the corner of her mouth. She wanted to giggle at the man. If only he knew it was just seeing a single man standing fully clothed and making eye contact with her that made her hot, not what was occurring in the place. She was sure he would laugh at her.
She was beautiful when she smiled. Her body even straightened up unconsciously, Jazz noted, and her unique eyes sparkled to life. Jealousy struck him. She had the hots for someone in this club. He gave the counter a swipe with his rag. Whoever the lucky man was, kudos to him.
“Not so much seeing, more like thinking maybe getting some was what made me hot,” she shared. Shoot, she couldn’t remember the last time she had had sex. She slumped again. One year, two years ago? Ah, who the hell cared? At this point, she could be a born-again virgin with all the experience she had. Then again, maybe she didn’t want to have sex?
She twirled on her seat when the class came out. The instructor gave a few more words, then allowed the group to go about at free will to check things out. Karla crossed over to her, a huge smile on her flushed face. Keena straightened up, putting on a smile for Karla.
Karla grabbed her arm. “You should have stayed for the last room!” she squealed in her annoyingly loud, shrill voice.
Keena cringed. Why had she come again? Ah, yes, to make sure Karla was safe and aware of what she was getting into. “Yes, I’m sure it was rather interesting,” she replied as supportively as she could.
Karla rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on, Keena! Live a little, geez. Come with me and check it out. I’ll tell you what you missed out on.” Karla pulled her from the chair and dragged her away.
Keena caught herself looking back, then realized she had no one to save her from her own friend. She gave in, following her friend, making sure to keep note of where the big redheaded man was. She didn’t care about the rules of the place. That dude freaked the hell out of her. The first thing she would do to him was slam her clunking shoes in his groin.
George took his usual seat at the bar, Jazz placing a Budweiser in front of him. “You see the non-participant?” Jazz asked.
George smirked. “You would take anything, wouldn’t you?” he joked.
Jazz smirked. Someone was hot for the new face in town. “Did you see the ass on her? Fuck.” His eyes glazed over. “Yeah, I would fuck her,” he offered. He wasn’t any sort of a good friend if he didn’t put his digs in, was he? He chuckled to himself inwardly. He wondered how far he could bait George before George got into that brawling kind of mood.
George nodded. “Yes, nice ass. Nice issues with that ass,” he added. He assumed either she liked being cut up, or she had an ex who liked cutting her up. Perhaps it was a mixture of both. He furrowed his brow in thought. She could have liked it at first. He himself had been fascinated with watching a cutting session, watching the blade glide ever so gently over the flesh, the beading of blood that would spill.
Yes, he understood the fascination, but the scars on her arms were much more than the mere scratches that he had seen on some of the ones who had luxuriated in cutting. He assumed she had been a willing participant, but it had gone above her head in the end and she had managed to get out of that particular relationship.
Jazz nodded. No, baiting his good friend into a friendly brawl was not in the cards tonight. He could see concern in George’s eyes over the girl. George was staking a claim here by showing concern. Jazz knew better when it came to these Keepher men. When they got interested in a woman, they meant business. “She’s here to support her friend,” he filled George in.
George nodded. “Figured as much,” he replied dryly, watching Greg head down the hall. He glanced across the bar at his little brother, Rick. Rick grinned, whispering to the sub he had in his arms. He released her and headed down the hall, following Greg the red.
Jazz chuckled. “For a guard, you are about the laziest one I’ve seen,” he offered.
George chuckled. “I make sure everyone’s safe, though,” he shot back, and it was the truth. He may not move his ass off his seat, but no woman in this club came to harm under his watch, ever.
* * * *
Keena looked into the room, stopping at the sight of the huge X-shaped contraption against the far wall. Karla near passed out with excitement. “Could you imagine, Keena?” she gasped, pulling her across the room in an excited grip.
Keena dragged her feet. She didn’t want anything to do with the damn thing. She should just turn and run for dear life from the fricken’ room.
Karla held Keena’s hand fiercely, touching the X. Her whole body shivered. She turned big blue eyes on Keena. “Come on, Keena, touch it!” she squealed, forcing Keena’s hand up against the thing.
Keena yelped, tugging her hand back. “Eww, gross, Karla! I’m sorry. This is too much. I came. I attended. Now it’s time for me to go!” she uttered, turning on her heel to leave. There was no way she volunteered for this. She’d done more than she should have already. She should never have come in the first place.
Karla groaned. “Oh, come on, Keena, stop being such a big baby.” She spotted a man out in the hall. “Sir…! Miss Keena wants to try the cross.”
Keena’s eyes widened at the stupidity of Kayla’s words. Was her friend completely fucked in the head? There was no way this was happening! Her heart leapt and horrible memories seared her brain. She tried to breathe and found she couldn’t. Her mind screamed as the big man entered the room. She didn’t know this guy from Adam, but her gut instinct screamed at he
r to stay the hell away from him. She was going to die. She was sure of it.
* * * *
Her screams ripped at every man in the joint’s spine, and it wasn’t the good screams they usually heard in this place. That was a freaked-out, absolutely terrified scream that sent cold shivers down a person’s back.
George rushed down the hall, coming to a screeching halt as he entered the room, his eyes widening at the sight. Sweet-stuff Keena was being held by her friend against the St. Andrew’s cross as some strange man belted her in. Tears rolled down her cheeks and her voice was horse from screaming. She struggled to kick out, lashing out to no avail as neither person released her. George stalked across the room, bellowing for Rick. “What in the fuck are you doing?” he demanded. The blonde woman backed away from him, eyebrow arching like he was overreacting like some dolt.
He turned to the man still holding Keena, waiting for an explanation. “She said that’s how she was…that she got excited and screamed,” he defended himself, looking at Karla.
George glanced back at Karla. “Have this one removed and take a mug shot,” he ordered Ricky. Ricky took hold of Karla, dragging her from the room. George turned to the blonde man. “I would advise finding another place for your perks, buddy,” he ordered roughly. He swore if he ever saw this guy in here again, he would lose it on the man’s ass. He was no prude, and had, on occasion, taken a man and smacked his ass hard.
Keena sobbed as the dark-haired man eased her bruised wrists from the leather straps. The terror that was seizing her dropped as she recognized him. This was the one she had seen. He worked here. He wouldn’t hurt her, would he? This was the one that sent butterflies a-flutter in her belly. This one was safe.
His thumbs messaged her inner wrists. “Easy, sugar…just gonna take it nice and slow,” he soothed.
Keena shook her head. “Please, get me out! I don’t want to be here…” Her eyes went wild and she forgot the stupid word. “Word, stop, quit, I can’t remember!” she cried, inhaling short, quick breaths. Stars sparked in her vision. She needed to remember the damn word! “Red!” she screeched. It was the all-knowing word in the end. In every club, all you had to do was scream red, and everything should stop!
George hugged her close, easing her down until her knees folded. He unclasped her ankles. “Lily,” he whispered, reminding her of tonight’s safe word. She sobbed loudly, and her head fell against his shoulder.
“Lily…lily,” she cried, repeating the word over and over. Her hands grasped at his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh.
A cold chill ran through George. This should never have happened. She should never have been made to feel this terror. George clutched her close. Shit, she was spooked. “Easy, sugar. You’re safe. I’m not gonna hurt you. No one else is going to hurt you. I promise.” He glanced at the door. Jared stood waiting for instruction of what he would need. “Water and blankets,” he called. Jared nodded, disappearing.
Keena hugged the strange man around his waist, clasping her hands tightly around him. She was safe here. He wasn’t going to hurt her. He wouldn’t be able to hurt her if she kept herself around him like this. She wouldn’t let go. She would hold on until she knew she was safe! He promised not to hurt her. She clenched her eyes tightly, head pounding. Had she heard him right? Did he promise, actually promise not to hurt her? Were those gentle hands rubbing her back in a reassuring manner? Her body screamed out in protest. Her old scars burned in pain, recalling everything as if it was happening all over again, and the tears started once more.
George brushed his hands through her hair. Her face was buried against his neck. Jared had brought the blanket and a box of tissues, along with two bottles of water. George eased back, grabbing the blanket, and easing it over her. She snuggled closer, whimpering.
Chapter Three
George eased her limp body away, taking a closer look at her face. Mascara streaked her face, her lips a pale pink, nose all reddened from her crying. He grabbed a tissue, wiping the mascara stains away. Poor pet. What atrocities had happened to her to make her react this badly?
He reached down, loosening the ties of her high heels and letting them fall from her feet. Her feet automatically slipped under the blanket. She curled up closer into the fetal position on his lap. He winced. Shit, she was still scared. It was going to be a long night. He shifted back, resting against the base of the cross. No way was he waking her. He would let her rest and wake on her own.
Lila peeked into the room. George was propped up against the base of the cross, the poor girl curled up in his arms. She looked like a rather large ball sitting in his lap. “Closing,” she called softly.
George nodded. “I’m just going to wait till she wakes on her own. She was pretty distressed,” he called softly, the little one shifting on his lap. He glanced down at her. Her face was crinkled in a petrified frown, still asleep.
Lila grimaced at the sight. She nodded. “I’ll let Blain know.”
George nodded. Blain would close up instead, and leave him to do as needed. George had been working here a year now, and had closed the place numerous times for him. Blain knew the importance of taking one’s time with traumatized subs, or subs that had reached sub space.
* * * *
Keena felt heat against her cheek. She shifted and her legs cried out in stinging pain. She groaned, trying to straighten them out.
George came awake. “Easy, babes, you’re stiff,” he warned, automatically messaging her aching tendons with his hands.
Keena’s head came up, catching on his chin. She grunted, groaning as the pain of his hard chin striking her hard head assaulted her. She covered the top of her head to stop the sting.
“Sorry,” she whispered, backing away, teetering. She squealed as she tumbled out of his arms. Wait, nope, his arms tugged her back and held her steady. She froze.
“Easy,” he repeated softly but firmly.
Her eyes met his and it was him! The guy who looked like the one who was teaching the class! This was the one that had made her want to have sex! Her jaw dropped and she openly stared at him. Broad jaw lined with a skinny beard, broad mouth that she had visions of taking her own lips in an assaulting kiss. His almond-shaped, chocolate-brown eyes made her heart melt, so soft and welcoming. His hair was in a disarray of wildness that made her think of wild animals, but it was his eyebrows that had her heart skip a beat. Angled sharply, they made him look devilish.
He smiled and the cutest dimple appeared on is left cheek. She reached out and touched it. “You make me hot,” she mumbled.
George smirked. That alone was worth the stiffness in his lower back. “Thank you, babes,” he replied.
Keena blushed. Oh, shit. She just said that out loud to him! She groaned and scrambled out of his arms. She took in her surroundings, eyes landing on the cross behind him. That stupid fear gripped her all over again, a sharp breath hissing from her.
“Keena, is that your name?” he asked softly, moving into her vision and blocking out the cross. Blocking it from her vision should help her calm down. She seemed to relax when she focused solely on him. He liked that.
She blinked, her eyes looking at him questioningly. “Pardon?” Had that been his soft voice? How could this large man have such a soft, comforting voice?
George moved as she went to look around him at the cross. “Your name, baby. Is it Keena?”
Keena nodded, moving the other way. He moved, keeping it blocked from her. She furrowed her brows. “Karla had that man strap me to that!” she uttered. Her mind screamed. She was pissed off! She shouldn’t have screamed and gotten scared! She should have stood her ground and kept her cool. Maybe that man would have stopped. Maybe he wouldn’t have? Fear streaked through her again.
George nodded. She was getting that wild-eyed look again. He was sure he had seen anger for a millisecond, but that damn fear was blazing brightly.
She met his gaze. “You got me down,” she murmured.
Again, he nodded.
Keena released a soft grunt of uncertainty. Why had her friend put her in that thing? What had possessed Karla to get a man to lock her up? Karla didn’t have the right to make that call. No one did! Only she did. Tears welled in her eyes.
George waited as her mind reran the events. She scrambled around him and looked at the St. Andrew’s cross more closely. Her hand trembled as she reached out to touch it. She turned and gawped at him. “Why would anyone want to be held in it against their will?” she cried.
George released a breath. “No one that is placed there goes there against their will,” he replied calmly. He could sense her endorphins were still flying. She had questions and he would answer them the best he could to ease her anxiety.
Keena looked back up at the cross. How could someone let themselves be used in this manner? She looked at the man with gloom-filled eyes. “I want to go home,” she whispered. She needed to go home and get out of this outfit, clean herself from this place, this night.
* * * *
George locked up the back doors of the club, glancing at Keena. Poor pet was still shaking. He draped his coat over her shoulders.
She peeked up at him. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He nodded, glancing around the parking lot. His little black hot rod was the only vehicle in the now very empty and dark lot. “Your friend was your ride?” Shit’s sake, could her night get any worse? First the fiasco with her friend, and then her friend leaving her hanging. Yeah, they may have kicked her sorry ass from the club, but she could have had the decency to wait till Keena had calmed and come out. He was sure that was what friends did for each other.
Keena groaned. Shoot! She opened her purse. “I’ll just call for a ride. I have a friend who just lives down the street. She’ll drive me home,” she mumbled, digging for her cell.
George pursed his lips, nodding his head. “I’ll drive you to her house,” he offered.