After a minute or so, he realized she was shaking, and he pulled back. “You’re soaked, pet.”
“I noticed. I got you all wet, too. Sorry.” Bending, she opened the plastic bag, pulled out a covered wicker basket, and handed it to him. “I came with a Happy May Day—or Beltane, if you will—offering.”
Drawing the red napkin back, he stared. Jesus, she’d made him cookies. All his favorites. Including shortbread. He picked up the note she’d tucked in the side. “Thank you for sending Linda.”
“You’re welcome.” He cupped her cheek. “If this is what I get when I send you reinforcements, next time, I’m sending the entire Shadowkitten clowder.”
“All of them? Gods, I’d probably be home with a hangover instead of here.” She looked past him at the pile of leather strewn over the table. “Is there a reason you have floggers out here?”
His floggers were all nice and conditioned. Be a shame to waste all that effort. He smiled slowly as his dick stirred.
“Valerie…”
“Uhhh.” Valerie had no idea how much time had passed. But she was still restrained outside on the lanai.
Naked.
The stubborn Dom had ignored her protests—not about being flogged, but about the naked outside part. At least, he’d been nice enough to lock the gate from the parking lot.
Nonetheless, the wrought-iron lanterns on the stone mansion wall gave off way too much light.
After securing her between the lanai posts, using those eyebolts he’d pointed out so long ago, he’d said he wanted to introduce her to his floggers. All of them.
She’d eyed the table covered with his toys and told him a handshake would be sufficient introduction, thank you very much.
Laughing, he’d started.
He had a lot of floggers.
The soft ones had been so sexy.
Some had thinner leather and others were long and heavy enough to drive the breath from her with a blow. Some made her whine with the evil stinging sensations, and gentler ones he first used on her back and ass, then her breasts.
Gods.
“Valerie. Are you with me, pet?”
“Hmm?”
His so-very-masculine laugh made her lift her eyelids.
He stood in front of her, dressed only in his jeans and boots. The muscles in his arms and chest were pumped to iron from flogging her. The light from the lanterns showed his faint smile. “It was a rough day—I’m glad you were able to escape it for a while.”
She blinked at him and realized he was right. When her skin started to burn, her worries had disappeared. When the pain turned into bottomless liquid heat, her thoughts had poofed away like magic. “Thank you?”
He chuckled. “I’m going to play with you a little more and then fuck you for the makeup sex part of the agenda.”
Oh, she was way ahead of him on that part since she’d come right after he’d used the nastiest flogger on her. He’d called it her reward.
But…getting off again would be fine. So fine. She licked her lips. “Okay.”
Leaning forward, he cupped the back of her head, leaning down to murmur, “Lass, I wasn’t asking permission. Merely giving you an idea of what will happen next. You’re naked and all tied up—the only way you’re getting out of this is to safeword.”
Shivers coursed over her skin at the easy authority in his deep voice.
Stepping back, he held up a shiny steel Wartenberg wheel, so the light glittered off the pinwheel-looking device. The multiple disks were covered in sharp spikes.
Her eyes widened. “I…um…Ghost?”
“Let’s see if you like this, pet.”
Her arms were raised in a V position, with her wrists tied to high anchor points on the posts. Her legs were secured apart. The rain hadn’t let up, and occasional gusts of wind blew droplets of rain through the screen and across her hot skin.
Bending, he ran the wheel lightly up her left thigh, creating a sensual tickling sensation. He did the same on the right leg, working his way up in swoops and swirls, bypassing her groin.
“It tickles,” she whispered.
“Does it?” His grin came and went so fast she almost didn’t see it. A warning tingle ran down her spine. That had been his sadist smile.
He ran the wheel over her stomach, making big circles and letters, and, really, it was prickly, tingly fun.
Things changed when he circled behind her to make the same circles, using the same pressure, on her back.
Only…her flogged skin was already hot and sensitive, and the device felt almost like tiny razors. She hissed and arched. “Oh, spit.”
“Breathe, lass.” His hand was cool and soothing as he stroked over where the wheel had gone.
A breath, another.
“Now, this is the letter I,” he murmured, tracing the devious device down the unflogged skin over her spine.
It felt surprisingly good, and she realized she was sliding back down into her happy place as all of her senses focused on where the torture thing was headed.
“Here’s an L.” The wheel ran down her flogged skin on the left and crossed to the right.
Her back arched at the burning line.
“And a U.” It went over her scapula and down, across and back up. Such glorious, amazing pain that wasn’t pain now, but a billowing slide of sensation. “Ooooh.”
ILU. What was he spelling?
Oh, oh, he wasn’t. “I love you, too.” She laughed, her voice hoarse.
Then the spiky pinwheel ran over the already burning skin on her buttocks adding a shocking burst of pain. Up and down and across it went, until all her ass ignited into a wonderful roaring fire.
Her legs were moving, trying to dance her bottom out of the way, even as she pushed her butt back for more.
“Mmmph, let’s see if you happen to like this elsewhere. Somewhere even more fun.”
Earlier, her head had grown so heavy she’d rested it against her upraised arm. Now, she opened her eyes as he walked around the posts to stand in front of her.
His eyes held the glint she’d learned to respect. To fear as much as she could fear someone she trusted and loved.
Still…
Her ass cheeks burned.
He started at her neck, using the device so very lightly it merely tickled. Moving downward, it went across the tops of her breasts.
Her breasts were still swollen and hot from the suede flogger, and the pinwheel traced lightly around each in a sensuous circle.
Then it changed as he spiraled in, pressing harder, the sharp pain sliding into a heavy line of heat.
With his other hand, he touched between her legs, his fingers sliding in her wetness. He teased her clit until she tried to go up on her tiptoes, even as the device slowly circled one nipple and then the other.
The exquisite pleasure on her clit somehow joined the piercing sensations on her nipples until she couldn’t tell which sensation was pouring into her.
And the pain and pleasure boiled over, rolled over her, and flattened her as she came and came. Her scream echoed off the stone building.
“That did sound nice. I’m not sure whether you were screaming in pain or from coming.” His low laugh sent a tingle through her as he guided her across the lanai…and when had he freed her from the restraints?
Her heart was still pounding, and her breathing was too fast as he bent her over the back of a heavy patio chair. The cushion was cold against her stomach as he pushed her legs apart. “Don’t move, pet.”
His voice was deep. Commanding. And she could hear his pleasure at what he’d done to her. What he planned to do next.
A thrill ran through her. Sex with him was unlike anything she’d ever had before.
She could hear him unzip his jeans. The harsh denim rubbed her tender ass cheeks as his erection pressed at her slick entrance. He eased in slightly, gripped her hip, and penetrated her in a long, hard thrust.
Pleasure exploded through her at the intimate invasion. “Ah, ah, ah.”
“Very nice.” Chuckling, he bent over her, his chest against her back, his cock plunging even deeper.
And then he closed his hands on her tortured, sensitive breasts…and squeezed.
Pain—pleasure—pain poured through her in erotic waves.
He rubbed his callused palms over the pinpricks left by the Wartenberg wheel, and she squeaked. When he rolled her swollen nipples between his fingers, her body responded, contracting around his shaft as she squirmed beneath him.
Laughing with a sadist’s enjoyment, he tugged on her nipples with each hard thrust.
And the floodwaters of sensation closed over her and drowned her in pleasure.
Chapter Thirty
Sunday had finally arrived. As Valerie headed for the playground, anxiety about the upcoming confrontation slowed her step.
She paused for a calming breath. The scent of the surrounding swamp was thick in the air. Only a few puffy clouds broke the deep blue of the sky. So much anxiety filled her it seemed wrong for the sun to be shining.
You can do this, woman.
She straightened her shoulders.
Alongside the Hillsborough River, Lettuce Lake had always been one of her family’s favorite parks. As a mother, she’d appreciated the shady playground when the children were young. Years later, they’d traverse the boardwalk to look for alligators. Eventually, there’d been canoeing and kayaking.
Her heart hurt. They’d been a happy family, hadn’t they?
With a sigh, she crossed the lawn. She’d deliberately come late, hoping her children would have time to talk. To think.
Even to worry…because her fear for what would happen was broken up with pure anger.
She’d never spanked them. What a shame it was too late to start now.
There they were, standing by a picnic table.
In tan shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, Hailey wore her long brown hair pulled back in a no-nonsense braid. Ready for business.
Her husband, Rom, sat at another picnic table, close enough to hear, distant enough to not be part of the conversation. He held an eReader.
Valerie’s grandson was sleeping in a stroller beside him.
Her stomach clenched. Had Hailey brought Luca as a form of emotional coercion?
No, she’d give her daughter the benefit of the doubt.
Across the table from Hailey was Dillon. He wore cut-off jeans and a T-shirt…and an obviously bad attitude.
Valerie sighed.
Finn had offered to come with her, but she’d refused. His presence would have sparked more conflict. But she sure felt awfully alone right now.
And wasn’t that a sad thought when she was walking toward her children?
“Mom.” Dillon’s mouth was set in a line, his jaw jutted out.
Yes, she’d already been tried and convicted.
Hailey’s gaze was troubled, but the way she held herself said she continued to believe Barry’s lies.
Valerie’s heart broke even more. Didn’t they know her at all? Maybe she should walk away from it all.
No. She wouldn’t let the bastard steal her children from her. Not without a fight.
Rising, Dillon crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t know what you hope to accomplish by this. We’ve heard everything that happened.”
“I’m sure Barry said a lot.” She kept her tone mild because she’d always try for peace before war.
When Hailey started to speak, Valerie held up her hand. “Here are the ground rules. This is my time, so I get to speak without interruption. When I’m finished, I’ll take questions. Is that reasonable?”
They hadn’t forgotten their lessons on fairness and grudgingly nodded.
“Good. First of all”—her temper rose so hard and fast she almost choked—“I have never, ever cheated on your father. Never.”
Dillon’s face turned red. “You’re lying. He said—”
“Be. Quiet.” Valerie pointed at him. “This is my time to talk. Not yours.” She imitated the authoritative snap Ghost put into his orders. “Sit down.”
Huh. It works.
“This is what happened before I left and why we’re divorced. I apologize in advance for offending you at the news parents have a sex life.”
Hearing Hailey choke, Valerie barely suppressed a hysterical laugh. Gods, she was shaking already. She shoved her hands into her shorts’ pockets.
“After you two moved out, we were trying to put some life back into a marriage that had turned…quite frankly…boring. We joined a BDSM group and were experimenting with some of the kinky facets of the lifestyle.”
Hailey’s eyes went wide.
“With each other, mind you, no one else.” Valerie eyed her self-righteous children and couldn’t resist. “I discovered I rather like being spanked.”
This time it was Dillon who choked.
“Your father uncovered a different desire. He wanted to be served, or I should say, he wanted to have a slave. To that end, he found Alisha. She’s in her thirties and was thrilled to live with us and serve Barry.”
Hailey whispered, “No way.”
“Truth.” Valerie wrinkled her nose. “Since Barry wanted so much to try it, I agreed. Very reluctantly.”
“You liked her, too?” Dillon asked slowly.
Well, at least he wasn’t a homophobe like Natalia’s relatives. Valerie shook her head. “No, I didn’t. It might have been different if I was interested in women, but I’m not. I allowed her to live with us to please Barry.”
“You let another woman live in your house? And sleep with Dad?” Hailey whispered.
“Yes. It gets worse, though.” Valerie could hear the bitterness in her voice. “After three months, I told Barry a three-person relationship wasn’t working for me. Rather than telling Alisha to leave, he brought in another woman.”
At the silence, Valerie looked at Hailey. “Kahlua is about a year older than you.”
Dillon shook his head. “I don’t believe a word—”
“Be quiet,” Valerie snapped and was gratified to see Hailey shoot him a glare.
“Alisha works a few hours a week at a part-time job. Kahlua does nothing. Neither of them cooked meals nor kept the house up—so I ended up being the housekeeper. My hard-earned salary went to feeding and clothing them and to the expensive gifts your father gave them. If I’d liked them at all, maybe things would have been different. Instead, they spent all their time running me down until I felt like”—her voice cracked, and tears welled in her eyes—“like the ugliest, oldest, most worthless person on this earth.”
She spun, trying to regain her composure. As she wiped her cheeks and blinked away the tears, she saw…Finn.
Beside Rom at the other picnic table, he rose, obviously ready to go to war. She could hear his low curse.
Straightening her spine, she shook her head. My fight.
He stood for a moment, then slowly resumed his seat.
She drew in a breath. He’d come to support her. His presence gave her strength like nothing else would have done.
I can do this.
When she turned back around, both Dillon and Hailey were standing, their expressions appalled.
“Mom,” Hailey whispered. “I’ve never seen you cry.”
“If I needed to cry, I did it in the bathroom or bedroom, so I wouldn’t upset my children.” Anger put the rest of her thought into words. “But it seems I won’t have any children, so what’s the point in trying to be strong?”
Hailey stepped back as if she’d been struck.
“Dad said”—Dillon swallowed—“you dumped him for some pervert. And he’d forgive you and take you back. That he needs you back.”
“Dillon, he’s trying to support two unemployed women without my salary. Of course, he wants me back.” As her patience faded, she pulled papers from her purse and tossed them onto the table. “Since one of your parents is obviously lying, I brought our credit card reports from the last three years. You can see what we normally s
pent before the arrival of the slaves. You can also see when expensive clothing and jewelry store expenses appear. That’s Alisha. When those expenses double again and the liquor stores show up, those are Kahlua’s purchases. She loves her alcohol.”
“But Dad said he started to drink because of you,” Hailey objected.
Valerie snorted. “Early in our marriage, when Barry started drinking like his alcoholic father, I told him if he wanted children, he had to agree to abstinence. It’s why we never had alcohol in the house.”
Hailey’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t have a problem?”
“No. But I didn’t want him to be tempted, so I abstained to support him.” Valerie shook her head. “Kahlua wouldn’t. Instead, he joined her, and the drinking started to affect his work. And his behavior.”
She realized she was rubbing her cheek when Dillon’s gaze focused on her hand.
Her son stared. “He hit you?”
“It was the last straw, yes.”
Chin trembling, Hailey picked up the credit card reports. “These stop in November.”
“That’s when I started divorce proceedings, canceled the card, and separated our accounts.” A movement caught her attention.
Barry was stomping across the grass toward them.
Wasn’t that wonderful? “I take it one of you mentioned this meeting to your father?”
Hailey went red. “Sorry. I thought if he talked to you when we were here…”
Her soft-hearted daughter.
“I’ll tell him to leave,” Hailey said.
“No.” Valerie searched deeper for courage. “Let’s get everything out in the open.”
Barry stopped at one side of the picnic table and scowled at her. “What lies are you telling them, babe? Or are you saying you’ll get your ass back where you belong?”
“Sorry, Barry, but you have enough women at the house. I won’t return.”
“Then you’ll lose your children and your grandchildren.” He made a sweeping gesture. “Tell her, kids.”
Yes, it was obvious he’d set this whole thing up to get his way. Olivia had been right about how manipulative this was.
“Dillon.” Valerie turned to her son. “Do you know what emotional blackmail is? It’s when a person threatens to withhold their affection to force a person to do what they want.”
The Effing List Page 36