When he stopped, I stopped. When he walked, I walked. Quite frankly, I felt like a dog heeling at my Master’s side. I didn’t like it.
However, I did enjoy listening to him. He spoke at length with several people, both men and women. I could only assume that the women he conversed with were Dommes. I’d learned through my research that there were both male and female Dominants, as well as male and female submissives.
Regardless, no one seemed to pay any attention to me whatsoever. The conversations took place as though I wasn’t there. Aside from Master Arlington, no one even asked about me. It was as though I was invisible.
An ornament.
I felt as though I was doing fairly well until we ventured farther into the room. Master stopped near a table. This wasn’t just any table. This one was adorned with a naked woman covered in food. Thanks to the items that had already been snacked on, her nipples were showing. I subtly swept my gaze down her body, noticing that her nether region was still partially covered. I wondered if people really ate food that had been resting on her pussy. As I thought it, a man picked up a piece of fruit from her mound.
Yep, they ate it.
Glancing at the woman’s face, I noticed she was solely focused on the ceiling. Her eyes never moved, even when another man’s fingers grazed her nipple as he took a slice of cheese. She played her role as a platter quite perfectly.
Okay, so it appeared that all the things I’d thought were merely rumors were true. Objectification was really a thing.
Thankfully, we didn’t stay near the naked food-woman for long. Master meandered around the room, speaking to nearly everyone. He was very popular, it appeared. Not that I’d expected any less. The PR firm hadn’t made it as far as they had by huddling on the sidelines. He spoke eloquently and at length about a variety of things, most of which were not work related. It was the first time I’d gotten a glimpse of this side of him.
I was impressed and perhaps a little love-struck. Despite, you know, being an ornament and all.
Half an hour into it, I learned that there was something more disturbing than following Master around the room and keeping my eyes down and my mouth shut. That happened when we sat down for dinner. Once I was settled in my chair, my gaze traveled the length of the table. I was awestruck to see the other submissives who were sitting silently, as though they weren’t even there.
“Eyes down,” Master commanded from beside me.
Shit.
I dropped my gaze to my lap.
My stomach rumbled dangerously loud and I felt heat infuse my face.
No one seemed to notice. And if they did, no one said anything.
Someone clinked a fork against a glass. My first instinct was to look up, but I fought the urge, squeezing my eyes closed and keeping my head tilted down.
“I want to thank you all for coming tonight. It’s an honor to be embraced by this community,” Master Arlington noted. “I’m continuously humbled by the support and I’m beyond excited about the new release. I took some liberties with this one, I must admit. In my modest opinion, I think it’s my best yet.”
He chuckled softly.
“However, tonight I’m not going to boast about my accomplishments.”
Several people laughed.
“But I am going to say”—he paused for effect—“Master Moore, I’m expecting the same great things out of you as I’ve always received.”
“You won’t be disappointed,” Master said, a smile in his voice.
“I know I won’t. Now, let’s eat. And after dinner, you’re welcome to visit my dungeon. It’s quite elaborate, for those of you who haven’t been here before. You’re invited to participate should the need arise.”
More laughter ensued.
Apparently, these were all inside jokes, because I didn’t get it.
Conversations around us resumed, and Master was instantly engrossed in a discussion about book release expectations and the notoriety that Master Arlington had garnered thanks to the efforts of Master’s firm. Someone delivered a salad and set it directly in front of Master. I received nothing.
The next thing I knew, he was bringing the fork to my mouth. Not wanting to be rude, I opened, feeling rather foolish for being fed by my Master. This continued, both the conversation and the eating/being fed. Finally, the main course was brought out. I didn’t even bother to look to see what it was. At that point, I didn’t care. I was ready to go home.
While they talked, again ignoring me completely, I kept my eyes down, waiting for whatever I was supposed to do next. Obviously, I wasn’t going to say anything. I was merely an ornament. A freaking ornament.
Master must’ve sensed my frustration because he leaned over, cupping my face and pressing his lips close to my ear. “I’m proud of you, pet. Don’t think I don’t notice how hard this is for you.”
He leaned down and kissed my neck, just below my ear, before returning his attention to the other guests.
His words warmed my heart and the fact that he was acknowledging me, even without acknowledging me, made me feel marginally better. I had to remember that this was his time to shine. Not mine. And I wanted to be here with him, to share this moment. Even if it meant I had to endure…being an ornament.
I guess there could be worse things.
At least I wasn’t a platter.
•
The party turned out to be a humbling experience for me. Granted, Master did not visit Master Arlington’s dungeon, which was a little disappointing. I was immensely curious as to what a dungeon looked like. However, we did cut out rather early, which I didn’t mind one bit.
The drive home was silent. Master didn’t say anything, nor did I. I wasn’t even sure what to say. I doubted he wanted to hear all the questions I had regarding the evening. Why were the submissives treated like objects at Master Arlington’s house? Was it always like that? Was it popular for women to be platters? Did he ever intend to make me into one?
No, I seriously doubted he wanted to go through that tonight, so I opted to watch out the window as we drove.
When we arrived back at Master’s apartment, he led me inside, then down a narrow hallway. He paused at one door but appeared to change his mind and kept going. The next door he stopped at, he opened and pulled me into the room.
I followed obediently. I could tell that something was bothering him and I knew it had to have been something I did. It had been impossible to keep my eyes down at all times. And at one point, I had gasped at something someone said. I knew I’d made the mistakes, but I had quickly corrected my actions, doing the best that I could.
The room that we entered had a bed, but I could tell it wasn’t Master’s bedroom. It was too sterile, too void of anything remotely personal. It had to be a guest room. Which made me wonder where Landon’s room was. More accurately, where Landon was. Was he there in the apartment? Would I see him if he was? Would he join us?
“Remove your clothing and put it on the bed,” Master instructed, then left the room.
I twirled in a circle, wondering what he intended to do to me in this room. Was he going to punish me by making me sleep alone in his apartment? I hoped not because I didn’t want to be away from him. Although I’d been at his side all night, I felt so far away.
Still, I managed to slip off my heels, the dress, and my panties, placing everything neatly on the bed. Well, except for the shoes. I left them on the floor.
Master returned carrying something in his hand. It had a long handle and dozens of leather strands dangling from it. The ends of some of the strands appeared to be knotted.
“What is that?” I blurted.
His eyes lifted to mine. “It’s a flogger. And until I ask you to speak, I expect you to remain silent.”
A flogger? I’d read about them but had yet to see one for myself. I also remembered that it was a tool that could be used for punishment.
Okay, so I was in serious trouble here. If he was going to punish me with that…that…implement of tor
ture, I knew this thing between us wasn’t going to work out. I couldn’t stand the thought of being beaten with an object, regardless of whether he considered it fitting punishment.
Master removed his jacket, then his tie, and finally his shirt. He was bare chested and I couldn’t look away from the magnificent sight. The way his wide chest arrowed down to lean hips, the crisp, dark hair that trailed down beneath his slacks. The way his muscles shifted and bunched as he moved. And yes, I’d seen him naked before, but I was still dumbstruck by how incredible he looked shirtless.
I didn’t stop ogling him until he held up the flogger. At that point, I flinched.
“This is a suede flogger,” he informed me. “It’s one of the softer ones and offers a slight sting. It’s not an instrument to only be used to inflict pain. It can be, yes. But those who understand it understand the pleasure that it can bring. Do you have any questions?”
“Yes, Master.” My gaze darted down to the flogger. “Are you going to punish me with that?”
“No. I’m going to use it on you.”
Okay, now I was sincerely confused.
“Your punishment is that you are not allowed to come, pet. Do you know why you’re being punished?”
“Because I failed to keep my eyes down and my mouth shut during the party.”
“You did. Considering it was your first outing, I am impressed with how well you did, but you disobeyed my orders. Therefore, you will be punished, and next time, you’ll do even better. So, your punishment is that you cannot come during our scene together.”
“I’m sure I can manage that.” That didn’t seem too harsh. I did not see how a flogger—I didn’t care how soft he said it was—was going to make me want to orgasm in the first place.
A smile tugged at Master’s lips. “Don’t underestimate me, pet. I know what I’m doing and my objective is to make you come.”
“But you said I can’t.”
“No, I said you’re not allowed to come. If you do, I will punish you for that infraction.”
Wow. It seemed to be a never-ending cycle.
“From this point forward, you are not to speak unless I ask you a direct question, or unless you need to use your safeword. Do you remember what it is?”
“Red, Master.”
“Very good.”
Master moved toward the corner and that was the first time I noticed there were chains connected to the ceiling. They were adjustable apparently, because Master pulled them lower, putting the padded leather cuffs on the ends within my reach. Sort of.
“Stand on your toes,” he instructed.
I did and he lifted my arms above my head and restrained me with the cuffs. They were high enough that I had to remain on my toes so that I didn’t dangle freely in the air. The position was uncomfortable, but not so much that it bothered me. Not yet anyway.
“Do not come, pet.”
Yeah. That wasn’t going to be a problem.
The strands of the flogger slid down my spine, then lower, over my ass. The leather was cool against my skin.
“I do like this sweet little ass,” he said, then swatted me with the flogger.
It didn’t hurt.
The leather strands went lower, on the backs of my legs, behind my knees, over my calves.
“You should always be required to wear heels. Especially with legs as nice as these.”
The sensations along with the uplifting words made me tremble.
Master caressed my entire body with the strands of the flogger, paying the most attention to my breasts and my ass. The leather was soothing as it slid over my back, my shoulders, my neck.
“I’m going to warm up your back now. This should not hurt.”
I had no idea what that meant, but then the leather left my skin, only to return with a gentle thud over my shoulder blades. Master was right. It didn’t hurt. He continued, moving slowly from my shoulders to my ass. Up, down, again and again. The rhythm was so consistent I felt myself drifting into a strange state of bliss.
I could admit it was slightly arousing, but I seriously doubted I could come like this.
Then the slaps became more intense, leaving a slight sting on my skin. It wasn’t so much painful as it was making me aware that it was there. Still, it was bearable, and before I knew it, I was once again lingering in a state of mindless ecstasy. It was enjoyable.
When he changed the motion, I floated back to earth, once again feeling the sting, only this time, there was something intensely erotic about his movements. I felt my body warming, my insides tingling.
Then he paused, moving around so that he was in front of me.
“Color, little one?”
“Green,” I sang out. “Definitely green.”
He chuckled as his hand slipped between my thighs, his finger sliding inside me without warning. Instantly my arousal spiked as he fingered me leisurely. I moaned as the ache inside me began to build.
“Have you ever experienced subspace?”
I shook my head. I had absolutely no idea what that even was.
Master pushed two fingers in, gently fucking me.
“Get ready to fly, little one.”
I frowned, trying to grasp what he was telling me, but it was hard to ignore the methodical fucking of his fingers. I needed more, but he was keeping my orgasm just out of reach.
Fortunately, since I wasn’t allowed to come, Master removed his hand, then moved out of my line of sight. The flogger’s tails picked up their rhythm, a little harder than before. This time, I felt the gentle stings across my body, as though my skin was tingling from the inside out. My nipples pebbled as a sense of euphoria consumed me.
As my mind floated, I moaned softly, enjoying the feel of the leather against my skin. It was a strange sensation, almost like a high. Not something I could really explain.
“Come back to me, pet.”
Master’s voice wrapped around me, tugging me back to reality. My body still tingled delightfully and I was hesitant to let go of that feeling.
His hand brushed over my cheek. “Let me see those beautiful eyes, little one.”
When I was able to focus, I realized I was no longer cuffed to the chains, but rather lying on the bed with Master beside me. He was as naked as I was and I couldn’t resist curling in closer to him, feeling his warmth, the soft rasp of his chest hair against my palms. He smelled so good.
“I probably should’ve anticipated you drifting into subspace so easily,” he mumbled softly.
I frowned. I had absolutely no idea what he’d just said.
Then my eyes widened. “Did I come?”
He laughed, a hearty sound that made my heart swell in my chest. “No, pet. Not yet, anyway.”
“Thank God,” I whispered harshly. The thought of being punished for an orgasm was absolutely horrifying. And though I hadn’t thought it was possible before he started flogging me, I certainly could see how it could happen.
“So, what did you think of the flogger?”
“I liked it…more than I thought I would.”
Master chuckled again, his fingers brushing the stray strands of hair back from my face. He leaned down and his lips met mine.
I gently pulled back so I could look in his eyes. “May I touch you, Master?”
“You may touch me,” he whispered softly. “In fact, I command you to.”
Leaning into him again, I got lost in his kiss. It started out slow and sweet but soon morphed into something intensely erotic. While I slid my hands over his chest, his back, his neck, I pressed myself as close to him as I could get. This was the first time I’d had him all to myself when we weren’t in the office. It felt ridiculously intimate.
“Ahh, pet, I’m going to enjoy this immensely.”
I wreathed my arms around Master’s neck as he shifted positions, moving over me. The warm weight of him pushed me into the mattress as his hips settled between my thighs. I clung to him, wanting him to remain as close to me as possible. He never stopped kissing me,
even when he reached between us to guide his cock inside me.
A deep, rumbling moan escaped me as he surged inside, his hips stilling when he was lodged to the hilt.
“I’ve been looking forward to this,” he whispered. “To sinking deep inside you, having you all to myself.”
His words were like a balm to my soul, and I’d never felt as cherished as I felt with him in that moment.
“Master,” I whispered, rocking my hips in time with his. His thrusts were shallow, filling me to overflowing, his lips gentle as he continued to kiss me. Time seemed to stand still as we made love, my body giving in to the pleasure.
“Come for me, little one.”
Seconds after his command, my body relented and I came. It was a beautiful orgasm, not an overwhelming tidal wave but a gentle rolling as it consumed me.
“Such a good girl,” he praised as he continued to thrust inside me, building the momentum again.
I found myself riding another wave, only this one was more powerful. His thrusts became more demanding, as though his body was urging mine. Master lifted my right leg, draping it over his arm as he held himself above me while he pivoted his hips, changing the angle. He surged inside me again and this time I cried out as the pleasure rocked me to the core.
“Look at me, pet,” he commanded. “I want you looking in my eyes when I make you come.”
My eyes locked with his as I tried to hold on, not ready to give up this incredible feeling just yet. Master seemed to be aware of what I was doing and his eyes narrowed.
“Don’t hold back. Come for me, Luci. Let that pussy come all over my cock.”
I screamed his name as the eroticism of his words mixed with the overwhelming friction of his cock sent me spiraling. My orgasm shook me to my core.
Seconds later, Master came with a muffled roar, his eyes still locked with mine.
It was the most intense thing I’d ever experienced.
And I knew in that moment, I could so easily fall in love with this man.
Office Intrigue (Office Intrigue Duet Book 1) Page 33