Fleur de Nuit: Bourbon Street Bondage, Book 1 (28 page)

It was Kara, still moving inside her, who brought her back, her voice begging.

“Mistress, please, I need you… Oh, God… Moira!” Kara slammed her hips hard against her and arched her back, her own release washing over. The intensity of it, the sheer abandon, sent Moira climaxing again. Kara’s hand clutched at her as her body trembled. And then finally, they were both still, and it was only then that Moira realized. Kara had come on her own, without asking.

A surge of love and pride pushed past the haze of exhausted pleasure. Moira couldn’t have asked for better proof of her obedience. She’d taken her orgasm and owned it, like a Domme.

Moira smiled as her breathing began to slow. “Kara, love.”

Kara smiled at her languorously. “Yes, Mistress?”

“If you’re finished, please untie me.”

Kara laughed and pushed herself up. Moira sighed as the dildo slid out of her, turning to a groan as she removed the plug next. She breathed deeply at the emptiness, the bodily satisfaction, and then let it out slowly. She’d done her best, and she was pretty sure it was enough.

She hoped.

When Kara unbuckled the last cuff, Moira sat up and patted the bed. “Come here, Kara.” Kara sat, tossing the strap-on aside, and Moira leaned in for a long, slow kiss. “Whatever happens,” she said, leaning her head against Kara’s, “I want you to know I love you more than anything, and I wish so much I’d told you sooner.”

She pulled Kara close, holding her tight as the door opened, and Adrian entered. He said nothing, simply held out a robe for each of them.

Moira sighed and let her go, wincing as she stood. “God, I’m going to be good and sore for a few days.”

Adrian smiled and kissed them both, after helping them into their robes. “We’ll get some vitamin K on you, and you’ll be fine.” The satiny material felt wonderful against her welts. He waited until both of them had tied their sashes and took their hands.

“Mes filles, venez.”

Moira looked at Kara, and they followed him out.

Tamara smiled at them both as they emerged.

“Moira.” She shook her head and took Moira’s hand in her own. “I’m… Wow. What a show of trust.”

Moira smiled bravely. “Thank you.”

Tamara laughed. “Give me a real smile, woman. Don’t you get it? You won.”

Moira stared at her, refusing to believe what she heard. “What?”

“You won. I was wrong. I can’t compete with that. The two of you share a connection I only hope to have one day. I love Kara, but you and she… You need each other. She needs you. And you
are
Domme enough to handle her.”

Moira shook her head slowly. “Thank you. Really. It means a lot to me to hear you say that.”

Tamara leaned in and kissed her cheek, lingering long enough to whisper in her ear. “And God, it was sexy watching her spank you with that crop.”

Moira’s mouth worked silently until a laugh burst from her. “Wait, how come you got to watch?”

Tamara shrugged. “My part was over. They didn’t think it could harm anything.” She stepped back and winked, before stepping over to Kara. Tamara took both her hands in hers and kissed her softly. “I’ll miss you, little one. But I know you two will be very happy. And if you’re not, you know you can always call me,” she added with a wink and a laugh. “Maybe the three of us can play together some time.”

Releasing Kara, Tamara turned and walked away. Moira watched her, and then turned to Kara, hardly hearing the congratulations of the other Doms and Dommes. She simply pulled Kara close and held her tight.

She’d won. It was over, and Kara was hers.

And all she wanted was to take Kara to bed and not get up for at least twenty-four hours.

Adrian leaned in close to Moira, startling her out of her thoughts.

“The tower room is yours again. Your things have all been returned.”

She hugged him. “Thank you, Adrian.”

“Non, thank you, mon ange noir. You’ve made me very, very proud.” He released her, tapping her jaw with his finger, and walked off.

Moira turned back to Kara, hugging her close again. “God, I love you.”

Kara hugged her back, her body shaking with a half-sobbed laugh. “I love you too. But if you ever make me do that again, I will be out the door so fast your head will spin.”

Moira laughed. “Deal. Though, you did seem to be enjoying yourself.”

“I enjoyed getting you off. Not beating you. You realize I almost safed-out when you said that? ‘I want you to hurt me.’ What the fuck?”

Moira sighed, threading her arm through Kara’s and pulling her to the stairs. “I know. I could tell. But you know it was a risk I had to take, right?”

Kara’s head dropped. “Yeah. I know. But don’t ever ask me to again, all right? All I could think of was you lying in that hospital bed…”

Moira reached up, stopping her with two fingers across her lips. “Shh. I know. I’m sorry. It’s the first place my head went too.”

Kara leaned her head against Moira’s as they reached their room. “Desperate times, I know. But I’ll leave the beating to you from now on, okay?”

“Definitely okay.” She pulled Kara in the room and shut the door. “Now get in bed. I’ve missed having you there.”

Kara grinned and did as she was told.

Chapter Thirty-Three

They slept late the next day, hardly emerging from their room when they did finally wake. Moira was content to simply be next to Kara, her presence erasing the uncertainty and fear of the last few days. They talked and touched, kissed and cuddled. They made love in slow, unhurried peace, both still sore from the previous days’ trials.

Moira lay with her head on Kara’s shoulder, her fingers tracing slow circles on the skin of her stomach. She turned and kissed Kara’s collarbone, and sighed. “How does this work now? How do we do this?”

Kara made a quiet, contented noise. “You get to love me. And fuck me as often as I need,” she added with a laugh.

Moira smiled. “Well, obviously. But beyond that. I know there’s more to this collaring thing than that, otherwise you would’ve done it long before now.”

“Maybe.” Her fingers played with Moira’s hair. “But maybe not. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

Moira smiled. “I know. And I’m so glad you did.” She leaned in, kissing Kara slowly, savoring the taste of her lips, the touch of teeth and tongue. Moira felt overwhelmed with the need to convey feelings that words couldn’t express, but that lived in the tangle of mouths, and a need to get closer than they could.

When Moira broke away, it was with a breathless sigh as she lay her head back down on Kara’s shoulder. Her nose nuzzled against Kara’s neck. “We still need to talk about this. I don’t really know how these things work, what’s involved.”

Kara’s hand ran up and down her arm. “Mmm. It works however we want it to.”

“What do you want out of this? Really?”

Kara smiled. “Besides you? I want to know that wherever you go, whoever your client, you’ll still come home to me. I want to wake up in your bed and not have to cross half the French Quarter to see you. I want… I don’t want forced monogamy, but I want to know you approve of any partners I have. Because I always want to come back to you after. And I want to be there for you.”

Moira smiled, kissing her neck, sucking gently at the skin and breathing her in. “You are always there for me. You always have been.”

“Even more than I have been. Always. Every day, every tear, every laugh. I want to be there.”

Moira squeezed her tightly. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you. I love it, but I don’t get it.”

“You’re you, and that’s all it took. But what about you? What do you want?”

Moira went back to tracing circles on Kara’s stomach. “You. I want you in my bed when I sleep, and when I wake up. I want you there to share everything. I don’t expect monogamy, because I want a real cock occasionally too,” she said with a wink. “But I want to know you’re with someone who understands how special you are. I want to be there for you like you’ve been there for me, to protect you and love you and take care of you.”

“So you’re not going to make me do your laundry?”

Moira laughed. “Only occasionally.” She kissed Kara’s jaw. “No, I’m not looking for a personal slave. I’m looking for what you’ll happily give me.”

“Everything. I’ll give you everything.”

“God, I love you.”

Moira slipped out later, when Kara had gone back to sleep, exhausted after another round of lovemaking. She took one last look as she left the room, smiling at the sight of Kara’s limbs and auburn hair tangled in the white sheets, the late afternoon sun streaming in through the windows. She almost turned around right then, but there was something she needed to do. So she closed the door quietly and ran down the stairs.

Moira ran into Adrian coming the opposite way on the staircase.

“Mon ange, I didn’t think I’d see you today. Where’s the fire?”

She smiled. “I just have an errand I have to run quickly. Is Devon available?”

Adrian smiled. “I suspect I know what you’re about.” He glanced at his watch. “Devon should be in the kitchen, and if you’re quick, Lissette should still be there for another half hour.”

Moira kissed him quickly and ran for the kitchen. Devon was more than happy to take her where she needed to go, and in minutes they were in the car and on their way.

Lissette was at the door waiting when Devon pulled up to the back. She wore an ear-to-ear grin that said Adrian had called ahead, a fact that was confirmed when the young woman opened her mouth.

“Maîtresse! Si bon de te voir! Maître Lacroix appelé à l’avance—”

Moira laughed and held up her hands. “Whoa, slow down. My French isn’t that good, despite hanging around Adrian.”

Lissette laughed with her. “I’m so sorry, Maîtresse. I forget when I’m excited. I was saying how happy I was, that Le Grand Maître had called ahead and told me you were coming, and why.” The woman lunged at her, wrapping her in a tight hug. “I’m so pleased for your news. Congratulations!”

Moira belatedly lifted her hands to return the hug. “Thank you. I need—”

“Un collier, oui? Come with me. I would suggest two, really, one for play and something simple and discreet for everyday.” Lissette pulled her into the shop, all business. “Your color is dark blue, oui? I seem to remember Maître Adrian requesting a lot of that for you.”

Moira nodded.

“Bon, I have exactly the thing. Kara, she enjoys the pain, oui?”

Moira laughed. “Yes, she does.”

“She’ll enjoy a strict collar then. Slightly stiffer leather.” She held up a thick leather collar with several rings attached. The black leather was trimmed in a vibrant dark blue with white stitching and studs between the rings.

Moira turned it in her hands, slowly grinning. “This is perfect.”

Lissette beamed back at her. “I thought it would be. I have a few others, but I thought that was the best of them. Now, for day collars, I have two I think are perfect, but you tell me.” She brought out two silver chains. One was a simple medium link chain with a small heart-shaped padlock. The second was a similar choker, but sported a larger heart link in the center.

Moira went back and forth, not sure which Kara would like better. Lissette showed her a few others, but she settled on the plain chain with the lock.

Lissette beamed. “I thought it would be that one.” She set the others aside, and turned back with a shrewd look. “I know Maître said you need them quickly, but if you like, I can have this one engraved first thing tomorrow and sent over to the house?”

Moira gave her a wide grin. “That would be perfect.”

They quickly discussed what she wanted, and Lissette rang her up. Moira jumped when she saw the time, gave Lissette a hug and a thank you, and ran back out to where Devon was waiting.

Kara was sitting by the window in only a T-shirt when Moira slipped back in the room. “Where did you go?”

Moira kicked off her shoes and crawled back in bed, wrapping her arms around Kara as she followed. “Just needed to take care of something. Sorry. I was hoping I’d be back before you woke up again.”

Kara sighed and snuggled closer. “Hmph. I guess that’s okay.”

Moira laughed and kissed her. “I promise it was necessary. And besides.” She kissed her again, slower and deeper, and slid her hand up under Kara’s shirt. “Now you get to undress me again.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Moira pulled the zipper along her thigh snug and shivered as Adrian’s fingers ran up her spine.

“You look parfait, mon ange noir. Are you ready now?”

She gave a nervous smile and leaned back into his steadying hand. “Is it ever possible to be ready?”

Adrian chuckled. “I doubt it. You just have to put on a good show. Confidence, n’est-ce pas?”

“True enough.” Moira took one last look in the mirror. They stood together again in the dressing room of Les Coulisses, minutes from celebrating the last day of Mardi Gras at Fleur de Nuit.

And minutes from Moira presenting Kara with her collar.

Moira ran her hands down the blue satin of her bustier, to her exposed midriff. The short skirt went from blue to black and back again in the light. It didn’t cover much, but revealed the straps of a matching blue garter belt below, and stockings that dipped into knee-high boots.

She went gloveless this time, in deference to the new tattoo on her wrist. Two feathers, matching the finally finished ones that covered her back, placed as though they’d fallen from her wing.

Kara had loved them, exactly as Moira knew she would.

“Mon ange?”

She turned to Adrian. He’d dressed for the night in a deep aubergine suit and black shirt, with a black pinstripe tie. He held out a mask to her, a gorgeous blue and silver affair in the Venetian style, all frills and curls and filigrees. She turned, allowing him to tie it on. He did so with a flourish and finished by draping her cloak over her.

“C’est magnifique.” He tossed on his own cloak and picked up a purple and gold three-quarter mask. He held out his arm with a grin. “Shall we?”

They left the changing room arm in arm. Kara was waiting in the hall. Her clothes beneath her cloak matched Moira’s in every detail but one—where Moira’s were predominantly blue with black, Kara’s were white with a small bit of blue.

Moira dropped Adrian’s arm and walked over to her, giving her a deep kiss. “You look amazing.”

Kara looked down and grinned. “You do too. Help me tie my mask?”

Moira took the fragile mask, a carefully twisted white metal filigree that hid little. One eye was only half there, the bottom section made up instead of three chains that draped along Kara’s cheekbone.

Accented by her glittered eye shadow, the effect was stunning.

Moira finished tying the mask and gently raised the hood of Kara’s cloak, hiding her deep in its folds. With a grin, she lifted her own, and the three walked out to the waiting carriages together.

As the sun sank, the noise of celebration rose through the air, permeating the city. The whole town lit up, the sights and sounds of excess everywhere. Moira could feel the excitement as their carriage pulled up to the club.

The footmen this time wore full black cloaks and gloves, their faces covered by black and gold Bauta masks, the kind with broad, sharp chins that covered everything but the eyes. Moira pulled back her cloak to show her tattoo, no longer a simple outline. Adrian had gone to Moreau’s with them to direct the coloring. Moira and Kara both sported the same blue middle, Moira’s color, and he’d given her the same purple on the right, his color, proof that they both now spoke for him. The last segment on the left he’d left open, telling her that she and Kara could discuss what to put there.

Once inside, Moira finally felt at peace. This was her world, her home. And it was amazing. From the fancy dress to the loud music and raucous crowd, the screams and shouts and sounds of pain. Every bit of it was hers, and she felt free.

No more scrambling, no more panic over things that she couldn’t control.

Freedom.

Moira removed her cloak and turned to Kara.
Not only free. I belong.
And the look in Kara’s eyes said she understood. Moira’s heart felt full to overflowing. She reached for Kara, pulling her in for a careful kiss. “I love you,” she whispered.

Kara smiled. “I love you too.”

“Ah, there are my two favorite girls.”

Moira looked up, grinning as Tamara approached. “Mistress Tamara. I’m glad you could stay for Mardi Gras.”

Tamara winked. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Besides, I wanted to be here for your collaring ceremony.” She turned to Adrian. “No Josephine? I would have thought you’d bring her.”

Adrian gave a smile that was all teeth. “Mais, she’s a lovely girl. But a very wicked one, as well.”

“You mean her temper got the better of her. Well. I’ll have to swing by later and say my goodbyes. With your permission, of course.”

“Bien sûr. I’d like that. Speaking of…” He waved for one of the girls checking cloaks and leaned over to whisper something in her ear. “I believe there’s a small matter I owe you.”

Moira glanced at Kara, who looked as confused as she was. She gave a barely noticeable shrug and watched as the girl returned with Maître Toussaint. Dressed in his tails and death mask, he looked every inch the Baron Samedi tonight.

“Lacroix, mon frère! And Tamara. She’ll be along shortly.” He turned to Moira and Kara. “Mesdames, may I offer my sincere congratulations. I’m so pleased Marcelle and I could be here for this tonight.” He reached out and kissed both of them. “You make a beautiful couple.”

Moira blushed and turned to Kara, whose face radiated happiness. She reached out and drew a finger down her cheek, and was rewarded with a look of such pure love that her breath stuck in her chest.

So it wasn’t until Toussaint shouted something that she noticed Marcelle entering the foyer, with a slim brunette sub walking behind her.

Adrian stepped to Marcelle and kissed her cheek before taking the sub’s chain from her. “Merci, ma belle dame.”

Moira watched as Adrian made a show of handing the silver chain to Tamara. The sub kept her big, dark eyes down on the floor. Her long brunette hair fell straight past her shoulders, coming to the top of her white and pale green babydoll chemise. As Tamara took the chain, attached to a lace-edged white collar, the woman knelt.

Tamara smiled. “Adrian, you shouldn’t have. Just what I always wanted.”

Adrian stroked the sub’s cheek. “Mirabelle here has been wanting to meet you for a very long time. I promised if she was a very good girl, she could.”

“Mirabelle.” Tamara practically purred the name. “Have you been a very good girl?”

Mirabelle raised her big eyes to Tamara. “Yes, Mistress. But I’ve also been very, very naughty.”

“Mmm, Adrian, I think she might be perfect.”

“Mais I thought you’d approve.”

Moira shook her head slightly and turned as Toussaint laughed.

“Adrian and Tamara had a wager going over you.”

Moira’s eyebrows pulled together in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“My dear, it was all a setup. The moment you left Adrian’s that first night, he was on the phone. Tamara was his ace in the hole. We’ve known about you for a very long time. Kara talked about you from the minute she entered our little community.”

“Wait, what? What was the wager?”

Toussaint laughed low. “Adrian offered Tamara another shot at Kara. He wanted to see how far you would go for her.”

Moira threw a glare at Adrian, who simply smiled and winked. “That son of a bitch.”

Toussaint grinned. “Oui, he is. But look how well it worked out.”

“He’s lucky it did. It’s the only reason I don’t stop speaking to him altogether.”

Toussaint laughed again and tipped his top hat in her direction before taking Marcelle’s arm. “We will see you shortly, Moira.”

Adrian returned to them, still grinning. “Don’t pout, mon ange. It makes me want to do deliciously naughty things to you.”

Moira brandished her crop and then shrugged. “I’d tell you to try, but you’d enjoy that too much.”

“Such a shame. I thought you might enjoy another taste of the bottom.”

“In your dreams.”

Adrian laughed. “Oui, mon ange noir. Definitely in my dreams.” He held out his arm for her. “Shall we go in?”

Moira turned to look at Kara with a smile. “Yes. Let’s. Oh, wait!” She turned back to the cloakroom, whispering in one of the girls’ ears. The girl vanished inside and came out a moment later with a box. Moira thanked her and turned back to Adrian and Kara. She kissed Kara again, because she could, careful of the masks they both still wore, and took Adrian’s arm. Settling the box in the crook of their arms, she extended her free hand to Kara, intertwining their fingers as she pulled her along.

Inside, the darkness of Fleur de Nuit made her roll her head back and grin. “God, I love it here. How did I live without this?”

Kara kissed her shoulder from behind. “You didn’t. Remember?”

“Thank you, love. I haven’t told you that enough.”

Kara rested her head on Moira’s shoulder and sighed happily.

Adrian pulled them deeper into the gallery, through the seething mass of bodies, all wearing masks—and some, little else. He stopped, turning to kiss Moira’s hand, and then walked sedately up onto the stage where the band played.

“Mesdames et Messieurs, Doms, Dommes, subs and switches. Let me start by saying bon Mardi Gras to you all!” A cheer went up, and Adrian raised his hand to silence them. “The season of excess comes to an end after tonight, but who knows excess like we, les fleurs de la nuit? It’s our season, and what better way to celebrate its final night than together, non?”

The crowd cheered again, and Adrian turned to look at Moira. “And what better celebration than the bringing together of two kindred souls. L’Ange Noir has done what many of us have wished to do. She has tamed the untamable Kara, la belle dame sans merci. And today, they have chosen to share that with all of us. Mon ange noir?”

Moira, biting her lip nervously, turned to Kara. “Ready?”

Kara smiled and squeezed her hand. “Beyond ready.”

Together, they climbed up onto the black stage and stood beside Adrian. He smiled at them both and stood between them, like a priest officiating at a wedding. “Maîtresse Moira D’Arcangelis, L’Ange Noir. Kara Deschamps, mon soumise préféré. You’ve come together to formalize your commitment to each other, as Dominant and submissive. Mon ange?”

Moira smiled. Her eyes saw Kara and nothing else. “Kara, as your Mistress, I ask you to commit yourself to me, heart, body and soul, as your highest priority in life. That you will love, honor and obey me, and put my needs before your own. I ask that in your love for me, you submit your thoughts, actions and will to me. In return, I commit myself to you, as guardian, guide and teacher. I pledge to make you the highest priority in my life, to love and honor you, and put your needs before my own.”

Adrian turned to Kara. “Do you accept the terms and promise your Mistress has given you?”

Kara took a deep breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I accept, Mistress.”

Moira’s smile grew. “Will you kneel to me?”

Kara knelt without a word, her eyes falling to the floor. Moira handed the box to Adrian, opening it to reveal the collars she had picked out. Lifting the unlocked chain-link day collar, she held it in front of Kara. “As a symbol of our mutual love and promise, I offer you a collar. Will you accept?”

“I accept, Mistress.”

Moira placed the chain around Kara’s neck from behind and locked it. She ran her finger over the engraving, a simple M+K, and then turned it so the lock faced front. Turning back to the box Adrian held, she picked up one of the two keys that went to the collar. “As a further promise to never ask more of you than you can handle, I offer you the key. Will you accept?”

Kara took a deep breath and lifted her eyes. “I require neither key nor promise, Mistress. I am yours.”

Moira’s breath stopped, caught in her chest below an overflowing heart. Without a word, she took Kara’s hand and lifted her up, kissing her before she’d even finished rising. Sound erupted around them as the gallery cheered. Moira pulled Kara close and held her, her heart too full for anything else, except a single word. “Mine.”

Kara squeezed her back. “Yours.”

Moira looked out over the crowd that still cheered them, the new family she’d gained, and hugged Kara tighter. Toussaint and Marcelle stood in front, next to Tamara and Mirabelle. She spotted Devon and Master Ian, as well as Mistress Victoria, the other judge, and several of the subs who had been part of her training.

Family.

It felt good.

She raised her eyes, struggling not to cry, and caught sight of a single figure along the balcony. Standing in the darkness with a glass in hand, the one silent and still figure in the room. She felt his eyes on her in that moment and shivered.

Kara pulled back. “What is it?”

Moira shook her head and smiled. “Nothing. I’m just so happy.”

“Me too.”

But as she hugged Kara to her again, she couldn’t help glancing back to the balcony, and the figure in the darkness. She slowly raised her glass to Gideon and watched as he faded back to the shadows.