She turned back to Connor as he flicked his finger over her nipple. “Like what you’re seeing, don’t you?”
She glanced down to see he’d undone several buttons of her shirt, and her very sensible white cotton bra was on display. Yeah, she hadn’t expected anyone to see her lingerie tonight. God, he wouldn’t make her walk around with just her bra and pants on, would he?
He lightly pinched both nipples. “Ria? Answer me.”
What was the question? Oh, right.
“Yes, I guess so.”
“You guess so? For someone who can be so assertive, you seem rather hesitant now.”
She had to shrug and smile. “Out of my comfort zone, I guess.”
“Yes, that would be my thought too. Turn around and face them.” She turned, and Connor tugged her shirt off her arms, leaving it just around her waist. At least it covered her stomach.
The Dom had finished by now, he was busy untying the sub. Although, she noticed, he left the butt plug in. He took off her blindfold, speaking to her quietly and running his hand down her arm.
God, Ria missed aftercare. That might be the part she missed most. Being taken into someone’s arms and cuddled and protected. Unfortunately, it had always ended too quickly for her.
She gasped suddenly as her breasts were freed. “Connor!”
He turned her to face him, tugging the bra completely free. But his gaze wasn’t caught on her dangling boobs. Nope, he was giving her a Dom look. The one that said she was in trouble if she didn’t quickly fix things. What had she done?
You called him Connor, dumbass.
Right. And she was supposed to call him Sir. As a sign of submission and respect. Yeah, Doms were big on those things. So sensitive.
“Sorry, Sir. You caught me by surprise.”
“Try not to forget again or I’m going to have to get creative about reminding you.”
Hmm, she didn’t like the look on his face but she decided it was safest just to nod. He cupped her breasts, lifting them. She felt her face flame. They were enormous. She hated them. She could remember begging Freddy for a boob job when she was fourteen. It was one of the few things he’d refused to give her. She hadn’t been a kid who was used to hearing the word no and she’d sulked for a week.
“Magnificent,” Connor said then he leaned in and kissed each nipple lightly. She shivered.
Huge, ugly, horrible things.
“Ria, look at me.”
She glanced into his gaze. He appeared thoughtful. “Not going to like those thoughts going through your brain, am I?”
“Probably not, Sir.” She aimed for a light tone but could tell he wasn’t fooled in the slightest.
“I don’t like these hang-ups you’ve got about your body, baby,” he told her.
“They’ve been there for a while, can’t shut them off in one night.”
“No,” he agreed. “But hopefully I can convince you that no one else sees what you do.”
He drew her right breast up and lapped at the nipple, sucking on it, playing with it until Ria’s legs grew weak and she could feel her panties growing damp. He turned his attention to the other nipple and she groaned. Just as she was about to beg him to take them somewhere so he could ease this ache growing inside her, he straightened.
He turned her around. “Put your hands behind your back and clasp them together.” She did what he asked, aware she was completely on display to the rest of the room. Although no one was paying her much attention. The two people in the cage had left and someone was stripping it out. There was another couple over on one of the spanking benches. Another pair at one of the St. Andrews’ crosses.
Something was wrapped around her wrists, binding them together then Connor reappeared in front of her. “Follow me.”
As she followed him, aware of her boobs bouncing up and down, she looked over her shoulder, her eyes widening in surprise.
Damn man had bound her with the arms of her own shirt. She turned her gaze back to him and saw her bra poking out of his back pocket.
She hadn’t thought it possible, but she blushed even brighter.
He led her across the dancing area, which was empty. She guessed it was too early for anyone to get their groove on. The bar had a few people sitting at it and it was more lit up than the rest of the dungeon. Great. Everyone would be able to get an eyeful.
There was a big man sitting on one stool by himself. Master Nick. He had to be at least six foot five and he was nearly twice as wide as she was. He wore a black shirt and pants. A few seats down another man sat. Instead of fet wear, he was dressed in jeans and a checked shirt, he had dark hair and a sexy moustache. Alexander St. John was a good-looking man and one hell of a lawyer. At his feet his sub rested on her knees, her cheek was leaning against his thigh, and she had a dreamy look of pleasure on her face.
She glanced quickly up at Ria then away. Elise. She didn’t know her that well. Just that she was some sort of artist and she drove a really nice car.
“Evening, Connor,” Master Matthias, who was bartending tonight, greeted him. “What can I get for you?” Then his eyes widened. “Ria. This is unexpected.”
She smiled at Matthias. “How are Stacey and the kids? Did they like the cupcakes?”
“Kids loved them, thanks, sweetheart.” Matthias smiled at her. “Abigail took hers to school and showed off the unicorn one.”
“Rule number two,” Connor told her with a frown. “When we’re at the club, no speaking to anyone unless I give permission. And then you will address any Doms with the proper respect.”
“That’s hardcore,” she muttered. Then wished she hadn’t as his gaze narrowed.
“You’ll not talk now until I give permission or ask you a direct question,” he told her in an icy voice.
Well, shit. That was going to be a tough order to follow. Up there with the whole letting her boobs flop around.
Do your boobs hang low? Do they wobble to and fro?
Suddenly she became aware that everyone was staring at her. Matt was biting his lip, he looked away as though he was trying to hide a smile. Elise and Alex didn’t bother to hide their grins. Connor just looked shocked. He shook his head.
“Whoops, did I say that out loud?”
He scowled. “You did. And that’s twenty for not obeying your Dom.”
“Does it make any difference if I didn’t know I was talking?”
“Speak again without permission and I’m going to gag you.”
Her eyes widened.
Well, shit.
“What can I get for you, Master Connor?” Matt asked again when he had himself back under control.
“Can you hand over my bag?”
Matt bent down and reappeared with a large, black leather bag. She bit her lip. She was dying to know what was in it and what it was doing behind the bar.
He drew a pair of nipple clamps out of the bag. Oh, God. Maybe she should have insisted on filling out a contract tonight. Because she wasn’t at all sure she wanted to wear those on her sensitive nipples.
“Ever worn nipple clamps?”
She shook her head.
“Words, Ria,” he growled at her.
“Thought you just told me I couldn’t talk,” she countered. Then she winced.
Ria, Ria, Ria. That mouth of yours is going to get you into trouble. Yeah, and didn’t she know it.
“And for that, you just earned this.” He pulled out a black ball gag.
“Oh, yay.”
Matthias shook his head. “Suggest you stop talking, little one.”
Connor scowled at the bartender. Matthias held his hands up in surrender, but he was grinning. “Just trying to help.”
“Don’t,” Connor growled.
She looked up at him in surprise. It wasn’t like him to be rude.
“I just want to know why all the Doms around here have nicknames for my sub.”
His sub. Damn, that sounded too good for her peace of mind.
This is just one night. Un
Matthias raised his eyebrows. “You’re claiming her as your sub?” He looked down at Ria. “This is the first time she’s been in here. You been to see Master Joe?”
“We have,” Connor said sharply.
Matthias eyes narrowed, and his lighthearted look disappeared. The rancher was generally an easy-going guy, surprising for a Dom, really. But, right then, he looked anything but.
“Permission to speak to your sub.”
Connor scowled. He didn’t look like he was about to say yes.
“Listen, you haven’t been here long.” This time it was Alex who spoke. He’d turned towards them; his sub’s face was now very close to his crotch. “I don’t know how things happened in your last club. I’m guessin’ it was one of them big city clubs where us little ol’ country folk wouldn’t fit in. But round these parts we take care of each other.”
Oh, dear God. Alex was laying the accent on thick. He never spoke like that. Except for when he was getting pissed.
“You’re small town country folk, huh?” Connor mused. “What is it you do for a living?”
“Well, I’m just a small-town lawyer. Got my degree from some college out East.”
Ria snorted. “Right. Cause every lawyer has a degree from Harvard.”
There was silence all around her. Each of the Doms was giving her a cold look of disapproval.
“I do believe your Dom gave you an order, Ria,” Alex said. “We’re in the dungeon now. That means you respect all the Doms here, especially the club Doms.”
Right. So, Alex really took this seriously. She’d never really been sure. He seemed so laidback the rest of the time.
Connor turned to her. “Open.”
“Wait.” Matthias drew a bottle of water out and unscrewed the top and handed it over to Connor who gave him a quizzical look. “Ria often forgets to take care of herself. I’m betting she hasn’t had anything to drink in a while so before you put that in you should rehydrate her.”
Connor still looked puzzled. “She hasn’t played in here.”
“No, but like the good ’ol boy was trying to explain, we all look after each other around here. This is more than just a club. To many of us, it’s our family.”
“Yeah, I’m starting to see that.” Connor turned to her. “When’s the last time you had something to eat or drink?”
She opened her mouth, some smart assed comment on the tip of her tongue, but they were right. She was in the dungeon now. She’d agreed to this. To Connor being her Dom. For tonight at least.
“I had breakfast.”
His scowl increased. “We need to feed you before we do anything else.”
“Aftercare area has a stocked buffet,” Matthias commented.
Connor nodded and slipped the ball gag away. She noticed he kept the nipple clamps out.
“I couldn’t eat. Really. It will make me feel ill,” she whispered to Connor, hoping the others couldn’t hear.
Fat chance of that.
He studied her for a moment then shook his head. “Not happening. You need to eat something. And drink. Then we’ll play.”
“What if I lose my nerve?”
“Got some granola bars back here, you want one of them?” Matthias asked.
“Like a damn boy scout, aren’t you?” Connor said with a sigh.
Matthias just grinned.
“All right, pass me a bar, and, yes, you have permission to speak to my sub.”
Matthias just studied her for a moment. “Actually, I don’t think I have to ask. You’re sure, aren’t you?”
She nodded back. “Yes, Sir. I want to do this.”
Despite how nervous she felt; it was something she had to do.
“Now has everyone made certain that my sub truly wants to be with me?” Connor drawled sarcastically.
“Sure, boy, don’t let us stop you.” Alex ran his hand over his Elise’s head, and she practically purred with pleasure.
Connor just gave Alex a look, but didn’t say anything. Instead he took the granola bar and opened it. Then he broke off a piece and popped it into her mouth. “Eat that. All of it.”
She wrinkled her nose.
“Nothing more happens until that bar and all that water are gone. I’ll take another two bottles with me,” he said to Matthias, who nodded and handed over a couple more. Connor tucked them into the bag. But she noticed he’d put the ball gag and nipple clamps in his pocket. Awesome.
She forced herself to chew on the granola bar. Disgusting things tasted like sawdust. Drinking the water he held up to her lips was easier since she needed it to get the bar down.
“You need to get better snacks,” she told Matthias. “That was disgusting.”
He grinned. “They’re normally reserved for naughty little subs who forget to eat. You know that’s one of Ajax’s rules.”
Okay, he didn’t know about that rule. Matthias must have seen Connor’s confused look because he explained, “It’s not in any of the contracts, but Ajax doesn’t want any subbies fainting or getting sick because they haven’t eaten. They’ve got no real excuse since he keeps the chill room well stocked. But if they should find their way into the dungeon with a grumbling tummy, I have these bars on hand.”
Made sense. But he was starting to realize Ajax was far more protective over his people than he’d realized. They were a close-knit bunch. Maybe it was because this was a smaller town. Maybe it was just the people. But he liked it here, strange as some of the locals might be.
When Ria had finished the bar and bottle of water, he pulled out the ball gag. “Open.”
She wrinkled her nose and opened her mouth. He thought she’d probably been about to protest but he took the opportunity provided. She glared at him as he secured it over her head. He narrowed his gaze at her, and she quickly dropped her eyes to the floor. Much better.
“Rule number three. No glaring at your Dom. It’s disrespectful.”
She let out a huff of air. Yeah, he figured she wouldn’t like that one. But in here he was in control.
“Even when he’s punishing you. Actually, especially then since you’ve already earned his displeasure.”
Her eyes flickered. She looked slightly stricken. And he reached out to cup the side of her face. “Hey, now, I’m not truly angry with you, you know that, right?”
There was a small hesitation, then she nodded.
He leaned into her. “Ria, there is a learning period. Right now, we’re trying to figure things out. You are learning my expectations. What I’ll take a hard line on. And I’m working out what you need. You can follow my orders or you can push back and disobey. You disobey, I punish you. You obey, I reward you. But there are some areas where I absolutely won’t tolerate disobedience. Honesty, communication, respect, and safety. And respect means for yourself and me. This, baby,” he tapped his finger against the ball gag. “It’s just a little fun. Okay?”
Her face lightened as he talked and the hurt and scared look disappeared. He stood up and caught Matthias studying them. Then the other Dom gave him a nod and a look of approval.
Okay, then, seemed he’d done something to finally prove himself. He’d noticed the other club Doms watched him closely, untrusting. Unsure. He didn’t blame them. A new Dom on the scene who was automatically made a club Dom did seem suspicious, but he’d needed a reason to be able to ask questions where needed.
She nodded again and he smiled at her. “Good girl. Now stay still.” He moved behind her and reached for the hair tie that held her hair twisted up in that hideous bun. He wanted to see it down. He just knew it would be beautiful. Her hair slid out of its hold as though it had been just waiting to be freed. It fell down nearly to her ass, which surprised him. Lush and thick, it shone under the lights in shades of pale blonde to chestnut.
“Gorgeous. Like sunshine.”
She shuffled her feet, and he figured it was just as well she was gagged, otherwise she would probably be protesting that declaration. He ran his fingers through her hair, loving how luxurious it felt. The scent of berries teased his nose and he found himself burying his face in the strands.
“And you smell like fucking raspberries. My favorite. I wonder what the rest of you will taste like.”
She let out a small whimper. Yeah, he knew she was imagining all the places he could have his mouth. He moved in closer and then reached around to cup her breasts. She stiffened.
She’d forgotten she was naked from the waist up, hadn’t she? Forgotten to be self-conscious or worry that she didn’t measure up. Wasn’t thin enough or whatever crap it was she was thinking.
She was perfect. But she needed a bit of reassurance to make sure she realized that. Not that he thought he was going to solve the problem overnight.
He shut that thought down. He had now and he was going to use it wisely.
“What do you think of my sub’s breasts, Master Matthias?” he asked formally.
The other man stopped looking at Ria as though she was his friend or sister, and admiration filled his face. “I think they’re beautiful, Master Connor.”
Ria made a noise and tried to move away. He knew if her wrists hadn’t been bound, she’d be trying to cover these lush mounds. And that would be a terrible crime. Although he wouldn’t mind seeing her in a corset, with her breasts spilling over the top, just waiting for him to unwrap them later. His gift.
“Did I tell you that you could move?” He pinched her nipples, and she groaned. “Stay still. I’m showing off what belongs to me. My body. Mine to pleasure. To punish. And to display as I see fit.”
He raised her breasts up again, putting them on show. He knew she was probably blushing bright red. She held herself stiffly. But she needed to see these weren’t something to hide or be ashamed of.
They were part of her. And they were magnificent. “Master Alex, what do you think of my sub’s breasts?”
“Gorgeous,” the lawyer had lost the drawl. His eyes were darker as he studied Ria. “Like the rest of her.”
Yeah, they’d caught on.
“You’re a lucky man,” Alex told him.
“That I am. Very lucky.” He ran his thumbs lightly back and forth over her nipples until she shuddered, her pulse racing. Then he turned her to face him and reached into his pocket to grab the nipple clamps. Her eyes widened and she looked up at him, panicked.
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