Conquering Jude (16 page)

He lifted his head off the pillow. “Yes, but as long as you understand, I’m more than willing to accept the punishment if I think you’re endangering yourself, Mistress.”

She scowled. “Is protecting me that important to you, pet?”

“Yes.” He groaned as she nipped at his stomach.

“All right then. I’ll try to accept it, but if you go beyond what I think is necessary, I
will
punish you. I’m a Domme and you’re my slave until we decide otherwise. I don’t take orders well.”

Understanding lit his eyes. “I understand and thank you, Mistress, for indulging me.” The intensity of his gaze had her looking away. Uncomfortable with the connection she felt with him, she focused on the hard flesh between her fingers.

“All right. Now, you’ve been hard much longer than necessary and for that I apologize. If I had been myself, I wouldn’t have withheld your release. Under normal conditions, a half hour withholding is more than sufficient for a newbie.”

His voice broke. “I understood the risks, Mistress, and you did allow me to come with you and Micah, for which I am thankful.”

She arched a brow at him. “I did? I don’t seem to recall granting you permission.”

He gave her a strained grin as her hand began to stroke him again. His eyes glazed over with pleasure. “Well, you could’ve been screaming ‘Yes’ in pleasure but I choose to take it as permission.” He flushed and she felt his balls pull up.

She pressed a kiss to his stomach. “I want you to come for me.” She dipped her head back down and ran her tongue over the damp tip. Wiggling her tongue into the slit, she gathered his taste.
Damned if he doesn’t taste wonderful.

“Son of a bitch!” His hips jerked and she heard the sound of fabric shredding under his gripping fingers. Releasing her hold on his cock, she sucked him in with strong and fast tugs. Above her head, she could hear his hoarse curses and muttered words. How he promised to pleasure her if she’d only let him. How he loved her taste if she’d only bring her sexy ass up to him, he’d eat her.

“No, come for me. NOW!” She raked her teeth over the head and was rewarded with an answering groan as the first splash of seed hit her cheek. She quickly covered him then milked him with her mouth. She accepted four more spurts, savoring the tangy taste of him.

When he started to soften, she pulled away and licked her lips. He was now lying in a quivering mass of completion. When she crawled up onto the couch, he shifted to make room for her. She pressed her mouth against his, sharing the remnants of his pleasure with him. He gave a sigh of pleasure when her mouth finally released his.

She snuggled closer, draping her cast over his torso – the warmth of his body making her sleepy. She yawned. “What were you expecting? More punishment?”

She placed a quick kiss against his lips. “I understand. I’ll talk to him about it and see if he’s still willing. Now, just hold me.”

“Yes, Mistress.” He wrapped both arms around her. He rubbed a hand over her hair.

* * * *

A brisk knocking at the door drew Jude out of a deep sleep. He sighed at the warm softness against his side. Olivia hadn’t moved away.

“Damn it, Bozka Metjka, if you don’t open this door now, I’m going to call and wake up Jackson’s ass to let me in.” The accented voice of Caelan Doherty was loud even through the door.

“Mistress?” He nudged her carefully. “I need to get up.”

“Hmmm.” The drowsy reply was followed by her curling up closer to him. He groaned when her thigh, where it was draped over his, brushed his cock. It automatically hardened.
God, I
am
as bad as Petrov’s dog.

“Come on, sweetheart. You have a pissed off Irishman outside your door. Let me get up and deal with Caelan so we can go back to sleep.”

She jerked at Caelan’s name. Scrambling into a sitting position, she cried out as she knocked her cast against him. “Ow!”

“Slow down, Mistress.” He slid around her. Standing, he stretched, vastly aware of Olivia’s eyes on his body. Turning, he tucked the cotton blanket around her before lifting her and the blanket. Easily and gently, he carried her back down the hall.

“Where are you taking me? Caelan is outside my door!”

He pressed a kiss on her forehead. “I’d like it if you would pull on some clothing, Mistress. Unless you’d like me to kick Caelan’s ass for seeing you in your nightgown?”

She scowled at him. “Are you trying to tell me what to do again?”

He set her down in her bedroom. “No. Just telling you what’ll happen if he sees you dressed like this. It has nothing to do with you, Mistress, but everything to do with me. I shouldn’t be jealous of him – but I am.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Even if you had a right to be jealous – which you don’t – he’s a Dom, Jude. How the hell do you figure you have anything to worry about with him?”

Jude sighed and rubbed the back of his neck before answering her. “He’s a man, Mistress.”

The pounding from the living room got louder. Olivia cursed. “We’ll talk about this later, slave. Go let him in before he rips the door off my condo.” She turned away from him and he clenched his hands in frustration. The flatness of her voice bothered him and he knew his possessiveness was going to become an issue.
But dammit, why can’t having me and Micah be enough for her? What will I do when she decides she needs another?

* * * *

Leaning up against the breakfast bar with a mug of coffee cupped in his hands, Jude watched as Caelan read his Mistress the riot act. They were sitting at the table across from him, Olivia nibbling on the light breakfast he’d prepared her, and Caelan sipping on a cup of black coffee.

Caelan leaned back in his chair. “Come on, Olivia. I don’t need you being difficult about this. I’m having enough trouble with Kalinda and the guys. I don’t need to add onto it another unknown attacker stalking you.”

Jude now noticed how frazzled Caelan looked. His auburn hair was mussed plus he had dark bags under his eyes. The stress of Kalinda’s continuing rejection of her Doms was showing. Personally, Jude was glad he wasn’t in Caelan’s shoes. Being the buffer between two Doms and his sister - a sub who no longer considered the men her Masters and was going to do what she damned well pleased, couldn’t be easy.

Olivia set her cup back on the table and took a bite out of her toast. “I’m sorry Kalinda is giving Josh and Dom a hard time, but honestly this isn’t the same type of situation. I’m not a young confused girl who’s running from her Doms.”

Caelan crossed his arms over his chest. “No, you’re just a Domme in denial who won’t accept help from anyone, unless it’s forced upon you. Hell, I’m even surprised you let Jude stay here.”

“Like I had any choice in the matter. It was either him or Jackson. At least with Jude I get to order him around and he’ll listen. With Jackson, I’ll have World War III on my hands over every decision.”

His breath catching in his throat, Jude’s heart sank at Olivia’s words.
Fuck, not only am I the lesser of two evils, she thinks I’m a fucking pushover. Dammit, I shouldn’t have let her known of my need to submit to her. I’m no less a man than Jackson. If she thinks I am, all I’ve done is set myself up for more fucking heartache.
He set his cup down with a clatter and strode from the room.
Good going Larson – just what you needed. Let another woman take what’s left of your heart and stomp it in the ground.

* * * *

A frown marred her brow. “Excuse me? Jude’s a big boy. Why would he be hurt? He was there when Jackson gave me the choice. It’s not like he didn’t know. If his feelings got hurt, then he’s just being over-sensitive. ”

“Is that what you think? I can guarantee with the little declaration you just made, Jude now feels not only was he a last resort, but also that the only reason you want him around is because you think you can walk all over him.” He finished off his coffee in one gulp. Standing up, he pushed back from the table. “Olivia, I’m going to take off now that I know Jude is here. I trust him to keep you safe. He won’t let anything happen to you.”

“I know he won’t. I
am
happy he’s here, believe it or not.” She walked with him towards the door. “Funny thing really. I didn’t think I’d be comfortable with him under foot.”

Caelan stopped in front of the door. “It’s funny how that happens. I was the same way with Nisey.” He pulled his keys out his pocket. “Do me a favor though - remember that submissive or not, every man has his pride. With Jude it’s closely linked to his ability to protect. He’s just as much a protector as he is a submissive, but by no means is he a pushover. He’s a security consultant for God’s sakes. If he were truly weak, he’d never have made it in the security business.”

“So what are you trying to tell me, Caelan?” Anger had her words coming out much harsher than she intended.

“Just leave the man some pride.” He leaned in and brushed a kiss over her forehead.

“You’re full of it. My slave knows better than that. I’ve never considered him a pushover. In fact he’s the most stubborn man I know. Hell, it took him almost three months to even admit he was submissive. You know damn well what I meant when I said he’d at least listen. I wasn’t saying he would blindly do as I say - only that he’d listen before fighting me on every decision.”

Caelan nodded. “Good to know but I’m not the one you have to explain that to, Olivia. Now, I have to go and see if I can figure out where the hell my sister lit off to. Instead of giving Dom and Josh a chance, the little shit moved out of my house, lock stock and barrel, while Nisey and I were in the Bahamas.”

She nodded. “If you don’t have any luck, let Jude know. I’m sure he can find her for you.”

* * * *

Sitting in the backseat of the car with Micah at her side as Jude drove them back from Gabriel’s Greek Family Restaurant, the tension was so thick she could’ve cut it with a knife. The boys had lived up to their promise. Micah had arrived just before noon. He’d kept up a lively conversation as Jude had driven them to the restaurant. Jude had even spoken and joined in the teasing camaraderie between the three of them, but his smiles never reached his eyes. Jude’s quiet respectfulness hadn’t been the soothing balm to her nerves it should’ve been. Every time the word Mistress had passed his lips, his eyes had been guarded. The connection they’d shared this morning was gone and it really bothered her.

She’d thought everything would be okay. After Caelan left, she’d sought Jude out, only to find him getting out of the shower. Just the memory of seeing him wrapped in nothing more than a white towel around his slender hips, leaning over the sink as he brushed his teeth, had her breath catching. It’d taken her a few fumbling tries, but she’d finally explained what she’d meant. He’d given her a nod and said not to worry about it – that he’d understood.
But dammit why does it seem like he’s a million miles away?

Micah’s hand touched hers. “Troubles in paradise, Mistress?” He kept his voice pitched low enough so Jude wouldn’t be able to hear.

She nodded. “I said something this morning he took the wrong way. Or I wasn’t thinking clearly.” She cast him a glance. “The pain meds have that effect on me.” She quickly but quietly explained what had happened. “Either way he’s been distant and I just don’t know how to connect with him again.”

Micah gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I think the biggest problem here is he’s at a crossroads. He’s accepted you as his Mistress but does he know you have accepted him as your slave? Have you given him the words or even the actions?”

She shook her head before resting it on Micah’s shoulder, all the time aware of Jude’s eyes in the rear view mirror. “Then what do you propose I do?”

Micah’s voice rose. “It’s time to claim him in a way which will leave no doubts you own him.”

From the front seat came a low answering groan.

Chapter Eleven

Jude stared in disbelief at Olivia. “Excuse me? You want me to do what?” They were standing in the middle of her living room. After hearing Micah’s statement about Olivia claiming him, he had a hard on from Hell and now his Mistress was proposing he take a
nap
with her?

Olivia cocked her head at him. “I’m tired from our outing, pet, and I really enjoyed sleeping with you earlier.” She held her hand out to him. “Besides, I want you well rested for this evening. Micah will be back later with the items I requested.” An evil glint filled her eyes. “And believe me, you’ll thank for me for allowing you to rest this afternoon.”

Breathing fast, he gathered up what was left of his fraying control. “I…okay, Mistress. I’ll try.” He took her hand and allowed her to lead him down the hall and into her bedroom.