The Abduction Agreement (Mistress May I Book 1)

by Krieger, D. F.

  “Abduction Auction? What is that?” The insides of my stomach twisted at the words as I waited for him to explain.

  “They’re wonderful,” Brandi said, a smile plastering on her face. “This will be our third one. Submissives who are without a Dom, or whose contract is up with their Master, can enter the auction. They sign a contract to belong to whoever wins them with the highest bid during the auction for three months. Any proceeds from auction bids go to a local charity. Last time, we sent it to a local animal rescue. The charity we choose is decided on by popular vote.”

  “These people—the subs—they do whatever the person who buys them wants?” I asked while my stomach performed full-throttle flips.

  “Within reason,” Kyle responded. “The contract protects everyone. And some Masters may only want minor things like spanking while others may want a full service sub. It just depends on who wins the sub.”

  “Don’t the subs get a say?”

  Brandi patted my arm. “No one is forced into this. They volunteer themselves, and are completely aware of the possibilities of what they are getting in to. This isn’t a slave trade.”

  “Never a slave trade!” Kyle nearly snarled the words. “Consent, always.”

  My sister turned to her husband and brushed his cheek with her fingertips. The gesture was so loving it nearly tore my heart out. I missed having someone to love. I missed the trust and gentleness that I thought I had with Teresa.

  “What time do you want me here Saturday to start work, and when do you want me to move in?”

  Chapter two

  The music played in soft tones as a backdrop to the night. I served a pair of elegantly dressed women some champagne and tried not to tug at my uniform in frustration. Though I was dressed in a maid costume like the other staff members, I didn’t wear a collar. At least the collars are tasteful, and not something a dog would wear. One thing was certain, I looked forward to clocking out so I could switch back to the clothes I had stashed in the office. The uniform, though sexy, made me feel very exposed and vulnerable.

  Admittedly, I arrived envisioning men walking around sporting erections and women naked or wearing lingerie and being led on leashes. I expected sex in the corners and people making out at the bar. Instead, men walked around in tuxedos, women in dresses, and the collars looked more like jeweled chokers than a BDSM symbol. There were a few men with collars fitted around their necks as well, but somehow they carried them with an air of dignity.

  “My, my... I certainly didn’t expect to see you here, little tigress.”

  I froze briefly as Delilah’s beautiful croon filled my ears. “Ah, Mistress Delilah. What can I get for you?”

  I raised my gaze from the bar and nearly gasped at the beauty of her. Unlike the other women, she wore a tux that tailored perfectly to her body. The material hugged her, accenting her breasts and hips like a lover. The blue ruffles that spilled from her throat caused her eyes to stand out like flawless sapphires. Part of me wanted to weep that the world could make something so beautiful, and the rest mourned that I would never be able to possess it.

  She shot me a dazzling smile and my heart leapt. “It is simply Delilah. You do not play, and so I will not ask you to address me as such. I do confess that hearing the word Mistress fall from your lips does causes me to...” She licked her lips and cocked her head. “Ah well, there are some things a lady shouldn’t impart. Shall we keep that one of them?”

  No! Let’s not. Tell me. Tell me what I do to you, you gorgeous creature.

  “As you wish,” I managed to reply. Pride filled me over the steadiness of my voice despite my desire to beg her for details. “Can I get you anything?”

  “Simply a water, please. But put it in one of those fancy glasses. Afterall, I must appear fashionable.” She gave me a conspiratorial wink and I couldn’t fight the answering smile that tugged at my lips.

  I grabbed a water, popped the cap, and poured it into a champagne flute. With a flourish, I wedged a lemon on the edge of the glass and presented it to her. “One virgin, for you.”

  “Oh goodness, I hope not. It would be an absolute shame that someone so beautiful has yet to know the pleasures of the world,” she said as she took the drink.

  “I meant the drink. Not me. I’m not a... That is, the drink isn’t alco...” I swallowed as I tried to rein in my embarrassment. Flustered, I smoothed my skirt down in a nervous gesture.

  A soft chuckle escaped her gorgeous ruby lips and she sent another wink my way. “I’d love to stay and play more, my blushing beauty, but the stage calls.”

  She sashed away and my gaze riveted on her backside. Oh how I wanted to cup her ass as I pulled her into a kiss. To run my fingers through her curls as she moaned my name. Delilah was a siren, calling to me, and the only way to get to her was to swim through shark infested waters.

  The music cut and Kyle’s voice boomed through the room. “Masters and Mistresses, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time for the auction. May I present to you, Mistress Delilah.”

  Polite clapping filled the room as everyone’s attention diverted to the stage. Delilah strode up and took the mic from Kyle. She offered a slight bow before speaking.

  “Thank you all for coming, and I want to send a special thank you to the subs who have volunteered for this round of the Abduction Auctions. Because of your generous bids, we’ve managed to donate large sums to great causes. This auction’s cause will go to an after school program for the town’s troubled teenagers. The program will sponsor events and outings for the kids, so they can learn and thrive in a safer environment instead of turning to unsavory activities on the streets. The program is explained in your flyer, and is called Extended Family.

  “Without further ado, I’d like to start the auction. Like last time, we’ll start the bidding at one hundred, and to bid you need only raise your number. Once you have won, please see Master Kyle to sign your side of the contract and meet your sub to arrange your situation. Shall we begin?”

  A couple of cheers and more clapping met her. I held my breath and my heart pounded wildly, like it was trying to escape from my chest. Though I wasn’t involved in the auction, anxiety and excitement thrummed within me.

  Delilah called out a sub’s name, and a man stepped up onto the stage, shirtless. It shocked me at first, that it was a man and not a woman. Delilah read off some details about him, which included his preference to be owned by a man and not a woman, then started the bidding. I watched, fascinated, as he calmly stood there, offering the room a meek smile while people in the crowd vied to own him.

  How can he do that? How can he stand there and let money and luck determine the course of his life for the next few months? What if the person he’s auctioned to is terrible to him? What if they ask too much of him? How must it feel to stand there and let your entire existence be based on chance and someone else’s decisions?

  The anxiety inside me reached a crescendo as the bid hit the thousands, then went stagnant. This was it. His destiny lay before him and he wasn’t batting an eyelash. If anything, the man held a peaceful expression on his face.

  “Sold to number 22. Please see Master Kyle to finalize everything,” Delilah stated. “Next we have Lucy.”

  The woman named Lucy crept on the stage, and every bit of her demeanor screamed nervous. Her golden hair and wide, brown eyes reminded me of a mouse. The auction went on, the price rose, and her fear emanated from her. It almost wrenched my heart out. What was she doing up there if she was so scared?

  When the final bidder called, and Delilah announced the winner, Lucy’s expression changed. Sheer relief filled her features, and her entire body seemed to relax instantly. It was like watching someone receiving good news they’d hoped to hear for a long time. The state of her reaction puzzled me. I nudged Brandi and jutted my chin at Lucy.

  “Why did she just act like being auctioned off was a relief?” I asked.

  “Lucy?” Brandi raised an eyebrow. “She’s very high strung, and very co
dependent. Having a Master gives her a sense of security. Lucy used to live in a polyamory household, but her Master married his favorite, and released her and two other subs from service, so they are looking for a new Master. The problem is, she’s too shy to flirt. Kyle thought the auction would be a great way to try her with different Masters until someone fit her needs, and she theirs.”

  I churned the information over in my mind, trying to make sense of it. Why did letting someone else hold the reins on life create happiness instead of fear? Part of me wanted to let go and throw caution to the wind, but I simply couldn’t. Just the thought sent my stomach rolling like a ship on a stormy sea.

  There were only a few more people that Delilah auctioned off, yet the bids made contributed plenty of money to the after school program. Meanwhile, I continued serving drinks to the members who meandered up to the bar during the event. When the last sub walked off the stage, Delilah gave a little bow once more.

  “Masters and Mistresses, we’re all finished. Thank you again for attending. Master Kyle, how much did we earn to donate tonight?” She waved him on stage with a beaming smile.

  He took the mic and pulled a piece of paper out of the inside of his tuxedo. “Well, this was our best auction yet. Tonight we managed to raise...twenty-two thousand seven hundred and seventy-five dollars.”

  The pit of my stomach dropped at the amount of money. I couldn’t believe they’d raised so much. My gaze traveled over to Brandi, who cheered and clapped loudly. The joy she radiated encompassed me until I caught myself smiling too.

  These people aren’t so bad after all. This place, and what they do, is nothing like what I imagined. Maybe I’ve got it all wrong.

  My sister hugged me, then leaned into to ask quietly, “Did Kyle talk to you about working tomorrow too?”

  “He said you’re doing an event with a bigger turn out. Is it another auction?”

  She laughed, shaking her head. “Nope. It’s a toy and demo fair.”

  “Toy and demo fair...” My mouth went dry as I repeated her words back. “Toy...as in sex toy?”

  “Yep. And we have some Masters who are the best in their expertise areas coming in to do demos on various techniques like wax play and sensory play.” Her eyes gleamed with excitement and I tried to hide my own reaction.

  Never mind. These people are fucked up.

  “Amy is volunteering to be the example at one of the demos, aren’t you?” my sister asked as she turned to another girl who had just approached the bar with empty glasses. The woman looked young twenty-ish, with amber eyes and light brown hair. Everything about her resembled a deer—from the wide-eyed expression to the tentative way she stepped.

  “Y-yes,” she replied, her voice whisper-soft.

  I raised an eyebrow at Brandi. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? Amy was terrified of simply serving trays of champagne out on the floor tonight. Do you really think having her as the center of attention in front of a crowd is that great of an idea?”

  “I can do it,” Amy insisted. “Master is performing a demonstration of Shibari. I can do it because it’s that and it’s with him. He’ll keep me safe...protected.”

  “Shibari?” I turned my attention to her and tried to not let my discomfort at my own ignorance show. “What’s that? Do I even want to know?”

  The smile that lit up Amy’s face was almost ethereal. Her features instantly melted into a beaming smile that caused her to radiate happiness and pleasure. “Shibari is beautiful. It’s being tied up and set free, all at once. It’s...it’s heaven.”

  How could being tied up create freedom? It made no sense. Uncertain how to respond, I sent a pleading look to my sister. I knew Brandi would never make me feel ignorant, nor would she tease me for my lack of knowledge.

  “It is an ancient Japanese art of rope-based bondage. Those who practice it have to be careful,” Brandi explained. “Many Masters suspend their subs with the rope, so they must maintain awareness of pressure points and joints. It’s intricate and artistic.”

  “But how is it freeing? I would think being tied up is the opposite of freeing.”

  Amy set the glasses down, then clutched her hands against her chest. “When I’m in Master’s care, his attention is on me and only me. Every breath I take, he’s aware of me. Every part of my body is his canvas. In return, all he asks is my surrender. It’s so freeing to give myself into his care completely. No doubts, no hesitations. And I can let my mind just shed itself of all my fears and stresses. When he suspends me, it’s almost surreal. Like I’m flying. I hit subspace every time.”

  I shot her a smile like I understood as I grabbed a cloth to wipe down the counter. Inside, I mulled over what she’d said. It sounded too good to be true, yet the concept drew me. The only problem was, how did one let go and stop worrying? My habit to chronically worry drove everyone away from me. No one except Brandi seemed able to stand my constant need to control every aspect of my life and my environment.

  “Once we close up, do you girls want to go down the street for some snacks and sodas at the bar and grill? My brother works there on his nights off from his day job. I could use having someone wait on me for a little bit,” Amy suggested.

  Disappointment surged through me that I wouldn’t be able to indulge in some alcohol. Sometimes, when stress haunted my every waking moment, I would tease myself by ordering a beer or a fancy froo froo drink, but leave it completely untouched. Almost like I was challenging myself to see how weak I was. So far, I’d managed to walk away. But with my sister around, I wouldn’t be able to do it. Hell hath no fury like an overprotective sister.

  “Sure, I’m game,” I said as I picked up a tray. “It looks like most of the clients are heading out the door. I’ll go collect empty glasses.”

  “I’ll start running the water to wash them in the kitchen,” Amy volunteered.

  Brandi nodded and pointed at the office. “I’ll go see if Master needs help getting the contracts finished.”

  They both disappeared to perform their stated tasks and I busied myself tracking down wayward glasses. As I did, I let my thoughts wander. I had no idea what sensation play was, and I had a sneaking suspicion wax play meant candles dripping, which didn’t sound sexy at all. But what stuck with me the most was Amy’s description of the Shibari.

  A hand caressed my backside and I nearly dropped my tray. “What the—”

  “Careful, beautiful. A lady should never have a dirty mouth,” a deep male voice cautioned.

  I set my tray down with deliberate, slow motions then turned to face the man down. “I’d appreciate it, sir, if you’d keep your hands to yourself from now on.”

  The man who stood before me appeared classically handsome. His dark hair and tanned skin cast an almost exotic set to his features, and his angular face screamed cocky. My stranger danger senses wailed at me like alarms at a robbery. His eyes, almost black in the light, glittered with predatory amusement.

  “Such a strong, pretty little thing, aren’t you? But you aren’t really broken... You will be such a pleasure to break.” He leaned forward, crowding my personal bubble. “I could make it last for days, you know. I would bring you to the brink of pleasure, then deny you over and over until you were shaking, begging, panting...moaning for release. Using your safe word just so I’ll make you come.”

  A lump appeared in my throat as I fought desperately to hide my discomfort at not just the liberties he took, but his very presence. “I apologize, but I’m not a submissive. I’m Kyle’s sister-in-law.”

  “That could change, so quickly.” He trailed fingers down my cheek. “All you have to say is yes, and I can show you things you’ll never forget.”

  “No...thank...you.” I bit the words out and tried not to say more. “If you’ll excuse me, I have things to do.” Without waiting for a response, I used my elbows to create enough distance to allow myself to turn, grab my tray, and stride away before he could pull anymore stunts.

  My heart thud so hard my entire body
throbbed with the state of fear he’d unwittingly instigated. I hate men. I hate them so much! Tears burned the backs of my eyelids, and my shoulders stayed stiff as I waited for him to pursue me. When I entered the kitchen, I let them relax. If he hadn’t followed me yet, he probably wasn’t going to.

  I didn’t want to risk creating a stir, though. What if the man was an extremely well-known and well-liked patron? Before I could fuck up and create drama, I took a deep breath and pulled myself together. There were dishes to do and girl’s night to be had.

  Chapter three

  The bar played a mixture of rock, punctuated by the occasional country song. Men were lined up at the row of TVs, watching the football game. A cheer went up and celebratory drinks were taken as we sat in our booth. For some reason, all the noise had me wishing we’d just snitched some food at The Black Cuff, despite what happened with the man.

  We ordered fries and sodas all around when the waitress came, then fell into an awkward silence. Or at least, if felt awkward to me. A careful glance at my sister and Amy indicated they were lost in their own thoughts, and not necessarily bad ones.

  “Paige?”

  I froze and my heart performed a double beat as my mind immediately recognized the voice that spoke to me. In virtual slow motion, I turned my head to face my worst nightmare.

  Teresa stood there, a vision in her little black dress and her blonde hair in a perfect bun. Her hazel eyes were wide, almost indicating she couldn’t believe I was here. I managed to form a smile that I at least hoped look genuine.

  “Hi, Teresa. How are things?”

  She gave a partial nod. “Good. They’re good. Here on a date, or...”

  Like it’s any of your damn business. “Out with my sister and a co-worker. You remember Brandi, right?” I indicated my sister with a flick of the wrist.

  “Yeah. I remember. Hey, Brandi.” She gave a little wave and something on her face changed, as if she were schooling her expression, just before a man wrapped an arm around her waist.

  “Who are your friends, Terri?” he asked.