Balancing it All : BDSM Dark Romance (Punishment Pit Book 4)

by Livia Grant

  The same could not be said of the other spanking taking place in the room. Markus had yet to let up, lighting into his wife’s ass with his strong, open hand. The loud cracks as skin smacked skin bounced off the walls, adding nicely to the ambiance.

  Ironically, the mewling sounds coming from each woman were not entirely different, proving their men knew how to push each of their unique buttons. The disciplinary spanking was as much of a turn-on to Brianna as the playful spanking Tiffany received was to her. They may have both been sexually submissive, but the women needed different handling.

  Luckily for Tiff, Lukus had made it his life’s mission to learn how to get inside a submissive’s head. To learn how to push each one as far as he could without it crossing over into a negative experience. Each sub had her own line in the sand. With Brianna’s experience and Tiffany’s innocence, their lines were pretty far apart. If he did his job right, Lukus would be helping Tiffany move her line closer to Brianna’s over time, although he already knew she would never be into pain like Brianna. He’d be lying if he said that didn’t disappoint him at least a little bit.

  Markus stopped his spanking first, when Brianna sounded like she was both crying and coming, simultaneously. The second he stopped, she cried out. “Oh no! Don’t stop, Markus. I was so close.”

  “I know. Why do you think I stopped? Do naughty girls get to come without permission?”

  “No.” Brianna pouted.

  Her husband let loose another volley on her red ass. “No, what?”

  “No, sir. May I come, please?”

  “Absolutely not. I just got a text from the driver. Our car is here. We’ll have to cut this short. You’ll have to behave yourself all through dinner, then we’ll talk about it again.” His wife’s groan brought a smile to Markus’s face.

  Tiffany’s grinding moved into high gear, suspecting Lukus would have the same restriction. When he pulled his hand out of her damp center and swat her ass a few last times, he grinned like the rogue he was at her frustration.

  She can’t possibly be more turned on right now than I am. Looks like all four of us are going to be miserable through dinner.

  Once he released her, she struggled to right herself. On her feet, Tiffany bent to pull up her panties that had fallen around one ankle during her punishment. Lukus stopped her. Her eyes flew to his when she realized he meant to prevent her from putting them back on. He directed her. “Step out of your panties.”

  “Okay.” She didn’t sound confident as she held his shoulders to steady herself, lifting her high-heeled foot. Lukus scooped up the intimate apparel, raising his eyes to meet Tiffany’s own as she stood above him. With their eyes boring into each other, he lifted her damp undies to his nose, taking a deep drag of her lingering sexual juices. It took every ounce of his self-control to stop from launching himself at her like the predator her scent suddenly awakened in him. He forced his animalistic urges down, knowing he needed to pace himself.

  It’s going to be one hell of a night.

  Slipping her undies into the pocket of his suit jacket, Lukus stood and took her hand, making to leave.

  “Wait. You mean, you aren’t going to give me back my panties before we leave?”

  Lukus stopped dead in his tracks, turning and squeezing her upper arms, drawing her hard against his chest. “I can see I was too easy on you, naughty girl. Time to introduce you to my numbering system. When I don’t have time to stop and punish you, I’ll give you a number. I expect you to track your current punishment number at all times, knowing that I’ll be delivering your punishment when it suits me. For questioning my directions, you’ve earned a ten. For forgetting to use my proper title of respect, either sir or master, add another five. You are at fifteen, and we haven’t left the house yet. I’d get your head wrapped around your submission, and pretty quick, baby.”

  “But… I mean…” He fought down his smile at her beautiful struggle. “Yes, Sir.”

  He didn’t stop the grin at her answer. “Let’s get going. I’m hungry, and not just for food. Time to get our night started.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Brianna

  “Welcome back to Hugo’s, Mrs. Lambert. It’s nice to see you again so soon.”

  Brianna struggled to remember the waiter’s name. It was the same one who’d served them the fateful night Markus brought her here before dropping her off at The Punishment Pit. She wasn’t happy with her husband’s choice of restaurants. They lived in a city known for hundreds of award-winning restaurants of every cuisine, yet he had to bring her back to a place with painful memories.

  Markus’s voice pulled her out of her negative thoughts. “Brianna. You’re being rude. David asked if you’d like your usual Cosmo. She’d love a Cosmo, David, wouldn’t you sweetheart?” Her husband watched her intently.

  Forcing a strained smile, she replied. “Yes, thank you very much.”

  David missed the meaningful look shared between the spouses as he pivoted to greet the other couple. “It’s great to see you again, Mr. Mitchell. Would you like your usual?”

  “You bet. And please bring a Cosmo for Tiffany, too, if you would, David.” Lukus reached to squeeze her hand in her lap, letting the server subtly know he’d be making the choices for her tonight.

  David didn’t seem surprised by the men’s authoritative demeanor. “Of course. I’ll be back with your drinks shortly.”

  Markus dismissed him. “Don’t rush. We have plenty to keep us entertained while we wait.”

  David flashed him a knowing smile before slipping away discreetly.

  Markus had his hand on Brianna’s upper thigh as they sat flush against each other in the massive round corner booth. “David seated us in my favorite booth.” Her husband displayed a humorous glint in his eyes as he continued. “I love bringing rival counsel here to conduct negotiations. There’s only one way into the booth, and I arrange it so my rivals have to scoot uncomfortably around the large table. Then I move in last so I have them trapped. It gives me a subtle edge. I’ve even been known to refuse to let them out of their seat until they listen to my side of the argument.”

  Lukus snapped back quickly. “Asshole. We’ve sat here almost every time we’ve come here together, and you always make me slide in first.”

  “Really? I hadn’t noticed.” The two men shared a good-natured laugh, while Brianna struggled with her resentment of her husband’s choice of restaurants.

  “So what are you gonna try to negotiate out of me tonight, since you put Tiff and me in the back?” Lukus said.

  Markus grasped Brianna’s hand, bringing it to his lips, waiting for her to look up into his brown eyes. “I didn’t come here tonight to negotiate anything. I came here so Brianna and I can replace our shitty thoughts of the last time we were here with some better memories of being here with our best friends.” His humorous grin suddenly turned serious. “I can tell you aren’t thrilled with my restaurant choice, Brianna. I confess; I’m being selfish. This is one of my favorite restaurants. It’s close to my office, and I usually come here at least once a week with clients. I’ve been avoiding it since… well, since we were here that night. I thought maybe coming back with you again would help.”

  Knowing his motivation made all the difference to Brianna. “You’ve been avoiding it? But why?”

  “For the same reason you’re not thrilled to be here tonight. I didn’t want to have anything remind me of… that day.”

  Brianna felt tears stinging her eyes. “Me either. I wish I could just go back in time and erase it forever. You have to know that, Markus.”

  “I know, but I’m glad we can’t. As shitty as it was, I’m glad it happened. It opened our eyes to the hidden layers of each other. We were both concealing too many secrets. I brought us back here tonight to prove we are in a much better place because of all we’ve gone through in the last few weeks.”

  “Oh, Markus. I don’t deserve you.” Brianna launched herself into her husband’s arms. She could hear his hea
rt pounding strong and steady as she pressed her cheek against his chest. It comforted her.

  Tiffany had been doing so well at reigning in her sassy self since leaving the loft, but she apparently couldn’t let the opportunity to comment pass by. “I’ve been telling you that for weeks. Markus might have forgiven you, but I’m not sure I have. You took years off my life scaring me half to death by going anywhere with that asshole.”

  Brianna extracted herself from her husband to fling it back. “Oh no, you don’t. You don’t get to give me shit about it anymore. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be here snuggled up to Mr. Bossy over there. I think you two need to buy me a gift or something for bringing you together.”

  Lukus snorted. “A gift? How about another round on stage? It sounds like you could use a little reminder about how a proper submissive talks to a Master. Did you just call me Mr. Bossy? Really?”

  “Okay, sorry. That might have been a little rude,” Bri admitted.

  “You think?” Lukus said, smiling.

  Brianna was relieved he hadn’t gone off on her. “I’m sorry. I’m just having trouble trying to balance things tonight. Here, in public. Are we here with our best friends, or as subs and their Doms? I’m confused.”

  Lukus turned reflective. “Honestly, I think we’re all in uncharted territory together on this one, sweetheart.”

  Tiff asked Lukus quietly, “So you aren’t going to add to my number for unleashing sassy Tiff on her?”

  “No, baby.”

  She exhaled. “What a damn relief.”

  Bri saw his frown and suspected what was coming. She was right.

  “Now, I might add a few for that potty mouth of yours.”

  “Sorry, Sir.”

  David arrived with their drinks. While the men had reassured the girls they could speak relatively freely at dinner, they retained their control by ordering for the women.

  Once the server left them alone, Markus asked, “So, Tiffany. Have you shared the plans you girls have for next weekend with Lukus?” Bri watched her friend wiggling uncomfortably in her seat and knew the answer to that question. Lukus figured it out, too.

  “Hmm. Sounds like you’ve been keeping secrets from me. Anything you’d like to share?”

  Tiff shot Markus a death stare before answering innocently. “There’s no secret. I just haven’t had time to talk to you about it, is all. We didn’t see each other last night, remember?”

  “What I remember is us talking on the phone for almost thirty minutes last night. I’d have thought you might’ve found time to slip it in somewhere during that call,” Lukus retorted.

  Tiffany flashed the look of a teenager about to ask her parents if she could stay out late on a school night. “It’s nothing, really. I just wanted to tell you… I mean ask you… damn.” She stopped to take a deep breath before starting over. “Brianna and I are invited to a bachelorette party next Friday night. It’s for Sydney, a girl who works at the salon. Everyone who works at The Beauty Box is going and, well…”

  “So where is the party going to be that has you so nervous about telling me?”

  “I honestly don’t know where the place is. I just know Sydney’s been there before, and loved it, so Kennedy, her maid-of-honor, is planning to go there. It’s a dance club and bar.”

  Markus cleared his throat loudly, and Tiff shot him another dirty look Lukus couldn’t miss. “Why do I suspect you’re leaving out something important, young lady?” He was using his Dom voice. Tiffany melted under his stare.

  Markus filled in his best friend. “It’s a male strip club. I went online to check it out. It’s out in the suburbs, about twenty minutes from our house. I was thinking we could get them a driver so we wouldn’t worry about them drinking and driving. I vote we let them go get tipsy and horny as hell and then come home to us. As long as she just looks and doesn’t touch, I’ll be happy to scratch Bri’s itch at the end of the night.”

  Lukus looked less sure.

  This was the first time Brianna had spent time with Lukus and Tiffany together since the fateful weekend that had rocked all their worlds. She was in awe of how much the couple had evolved in a few short weeks. Bri had heard close to every detail of their ups and downs as the couple got to know each other, but all through Tiffany’s eyes. When Markus had dropped her off at The Punishment Pit to be punished by his best friend, Bri had a front-row seat getting to know Master Lukus Mitchell, up close and personal. Tonight, she was enjoying seeing a whole new side to the strong disciplinarian—a side Bri suspected few people, including Lukus himself, had been privy to.

  Brianna watched as the men did the silent communication thing they’d do. It was the same kind of shorthand telepathy she and Tiffany would pull off—a kind of instinctive link only best friends could manage.

  “Fine. You can go, but absolutely no drinking and driving. You’ll also keep your cell phone with you to check in to let us know everything’s okay.” Lukus had wrapped his arm around Tiff, pulling her close. “I trust I don’t need to tell you to keep your hands to yourself, and even more importantly, no one touches you. Got that?”

  Tiff grinned. “Yes, sir. But I do have one more request.”

  “Being kinda piggy, aren’t you?” He grinned back.

  “I don’t know. There’s a little something in it for you, too. I was just going to ask if you could drive out to my place so you’ll be there when I get home. I’d hate for us to miss out on seeing each other that night, wouldn’t you?”

  A low growl escaped Lukus before he answered. “Oh, hell, yes. I wouldn’t miss it, baby.”

  Forgetting, or plain not caring, they were in a public restaurant, the new couple started making out like teenagers on prom night. Before she could feel jealous, Bri’s husband pulled her into his lap. She was grateful for the large booth with its extra space. Still, it was a tight fit. She didn’t have much time to worry about it before Markus captured her lips in a tender kiss. It was a slow, sensuous kiss, full of love and promise. When Markus pulled back to look into his wife’s eyes, Brianna saw his love for her reflected in his gaze.

  “Mission accomplished.” Markus grinned.

  “Sorry?”

  “We have better memories of Hugo’s now.”

  “Oh, Markus. I love you.”

  “You stole my line. I love you, Brianna.”

  Markus

  Markus was frustrated as the driver he’d hired for the evening pulled up in front of Mistress Martha’s Unmentionables. He and Lukus had planned on filling the drive between the restaurant and Martha’s with a bit of fun, but his cell phone had rung within seconds of getting settled into the spacious car with his wife and their best friends.

  “God damn it, Peter. For the last time, just take the fucking deal. It’s a better offer than I ever thought they’d come across with, considering they have his fingerprints from the crime scene.”

  Peter wanted to debate every minute detail. “But I think we could get them to offer a year or two less.”

  “Peter. Are you listening?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you call me for my advice?” Markus asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Then take it. The deal is generous. We all know he’s guilty. He’s going to be home in less than three years. Goodnight.”

  Markus hung up without waiting for a response. “Damn that guy annoys me.”

  Lukus answered deadpan. “Really? I’d never guess.”

  The girls noticed they’d pulled over. They were getting curious. The men had refused to give them any details of the night’s plan, preferring to keep them guessing. Markus knew the second they figured out their destination. Brianna turned to look at him, her brown eyes dancing with excitement.

  “Are we going into Mistress Martha’s Unmentionables?”

  “Maybe. Let’s go.” Lukus was halfway out the door, turning to assist both women out in their high heels and short dresses.

  Markus let the limo driver know what was next. “I’ll
text you when we’re ready to leave. I expect to be at least an hour to ninety minutes.”

  “Of course, Mr. Lambert. I’ll wait nearby.”

  The ladies rushed to the large window display to ogle the half-dozen mannequins arranged in suggestive positions, all wearing an array of lingerie from naughty nighties to strategically placed, skimpy scraps of material.

  Lukus hung back. “You and your fucking phone call. I thought we were gonna have the girls give us blowjobs on the way over. It would’ve served you right if I’d started without you. I’m gonna explode if I don’t come soon.”

  “You and me both. I’m not happy either, and coming here isn’t exactly gonna help.” Markus had been sporting a semi-erection since leaving the loft. Glancing at his wife and her best friend, and knowing they were both bare underneath those form-fitting dresses, only made things worse.

  “Martha better have a private room for us, or her other customers are going to be in for a show.” Lukus held the shop door open for a young couple leaving. “Come on, ladies. Let’s get inside.”

  They weren’t inside the crowded shop thirty seconds before Markus heard the booming voice of Mistress Martha. He may go head-to-head with powerful attorneys all day in court, but there was something about the woman he was about to see for the first time in over three years that reduced him to an unsure novice. He hated the feeling, and the worst part was—Mistress Martha knew it.

  “So, my boys have finally come to see me. It’s about damn time.” She rushed across the store, weaving through the racks of clothes on display, pulling Lukus into a tight bear hug. The girls stood by, mouths agape in surprise. Markus had forgotten what a formidable woman she made. She had to be close to six feet tall. Definitely large, but surprisingly toned for a woman who must have been in her upper fifties. She still wore her dirty-blonde hair in an old-fashioned poufy up-do, which suited her. Markus smiled when he saw she was fitted with her trademark short crop attached to her wide, waist-cinching belt.