For the Sub (12 page)

“You sure you still want to stay the night?”

“Try getting rid of me.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” She touched the spot on his cheek where she’d kissed him.

He opened the door and the cat blazed through the opening. It wound around her ankles in a silver ribbon.

Then, seeming to realise she had company, the cat sat and stared at him. If he believed in personification, he’d say the feline glared. It tipped its head and looked at him with unblinking yellow eyes. “He’s strange looking.” One ear flopped over. The one that stood was missing a jagged chunk. “Let me guess, he found you and not the other way around.”

“About a year ago he followed MW through the doggy door and he hasn’t left since.”

“So your strays are now adopting strays, is that how it works?”

“I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

“Maybe I should feed him,” he said. “Make friends with him.”

“Are you sure, Sir?”

“Where’s the food?”

“In a container under the sink. Right-hand side, about half way back. You’ll find a set of three food bowls near the refrigerator. His is the smallest. I only put in half a scoop since MW will eat whatever Whisper leaves. He’s good at defending what he wants, but after he flicks his tail and walks away, his food becomes fair game.”

“This is getting complicated, Brandy.”

She looked at him. Her eyes were wide, luminous, intriguing. She worried her lower lip. “Yes, Sir. It is.”

Because of her hesitation in answering, he knew that she understood the subtext. He was talking about so much more than her pets. “Do you have restraints?”

“I do, Sir.”

“Get them out and put them on the nightstand.”

She nodded.

He paused at the door and looked over his shoulder. “Braid your hair.”

“Oh, yes, Sir.”

The cat followed him from the room.

He found the nuggets right where she’d said. Whisper sat on his haunches near his bowl. He thumped his tail as he waited, as if telling Niles to hurry up.

As he took care of the cat, Niles was aware of the sounds she made. No doubt she was following his orders. There was an undeniable intimacy about sharing a bathroom and a bed. People kept secrets for a reason, and it was more difficult to keep them hidden when you occupied the same space.

Earlier this evening, he’d treated her hesitation with lightness, but he’d been aware of the riptide beneath the surface. Neither of them could pretend their encounter meant nothing.

She’d been clear that she hadn’t had a man in her private space in the two years that she’d lived here. That meant she’d been hurt before and was intent on protecting herself. Had she moved from Denver, or had she run?

He was beginning to understand Damien’s warning. But rather than being scared away, Niles wanted to know why she took care of pets instead of a family.

When he joined her in the bedroom, Brandy was on her knees. Her hair hung down her back in a long silky strand, and the restraints he’d requested were laid out.

Over the last few minutes, he hadn’t lost much of his erection, but arousal returned at the sight of her nudity. She was looking at the floor, with her knees spread and the backs of her hands resting on her thighs. “Well done.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

Not that he’d expected anything different.

He closed the door and advanced towards her. “You’re well trained.”

“Thank you, Sir. I read a lot and watched a lot of videos. My refinement came from Gregorio.”

Resentment slashed through him, shocking him with its intensity.

“We are good friends, Sir. He helped me through some rough times in the past, but there’s never been anything between us.”

“Keep it that way.”

“Sir?” She looked up.

What the hell was he thinking? She was a submissive at an exclusive club. He couldn’t tell her how to behave or who she could sleep with. But that didn’t stop him wanting to.

“I have no intention of fucking Gregorio, Sir.”

Time and again he was struck by how in tune she was with his thoughts and how quickly she responded with reassurances. He reached for her braid and drew her up by it. “I was out of line.”

“There’s no need to explain, Sir. I understand.”

“Bend over the bed,” he said.

As she moved into position, he picked up the pair of cuffs and walked to the far side of the mattress. “Give me your hands.”

She extended her arms towards him, and he secured her in the soft restraints. “You may hold onto the bedding if needed.”

“What are you going to do to me, Sir?” Her voice trembled with sweet huskiness of arousal.

“I’m going to fuck your tight ass.”

She lifted her head. Desire made her pupils dilate, and her lips were parted. “Yes,” she said.

“Lube?”

“In the bathroom linen closet.”

“Remain where you are.”

“I wouldn’t have done otherwise, Sir.”

He exited the room to find two dogs and a cat curled up outside the door, like sentries on duty. Dana lifted her head. Whisper blinked then ignored him. Damned MW lunged for his toes. “Don’t you dare.” His command was brusque and loud.

The Dachshund whined as if deprived of a favourite toy but lay back down.

Niles wondered if Brandy would feel compelled to come to his—or the dog’s—rescue but she didn’t move. “Good girl,” he said to her after he’d returned to her. “I thought you might not follow my order.”

“If you had wanted my help, you’d have let me know. But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t tempted, Sir.”

He placed the lube and a couple of handtowels on the nightstand. “At the Den, you disobeyed one of my instructions.”

Her hot body trembled.

“Do you remember what it was?”

“Yes, Sir. I came without permission.”

“I promised you a punishment for it. Would you like to accept that now?”

“Yes, Sir, if it pleases you. I don’t want it looming out there.”

“I want you to remember this night for a long time.”

“Master Niles, I will remember every moment with you.” Since she was facedown, the mattress muffled her words, but it couldn’t disguise the honesty or the pulse of need.

Response knifed through him, hot, quick, lethal.

He wanted this woman in a way he shouldn’t. He’d hardened his soul. Men were fortunate to meet one incredible woman in their lifetime. But two? Impossible.

No matter how he told himself that, the words
what if
teased him.

With a brutal force that shocked him, he shoved them away. What he felt for Brandy was raw sexual energy. What red-blooded male wouldn’t? She was naked, stretched over a bed, cuffed for him, hair waiting to be yanked. And her curves… Curves like hers would turn a saint into a sinner.

He reached for the detachment that he’d worn like a shroud since Eleanor’s death. He’d scened with the hottest women on the planet in recent years, and he’d done so without entangling his emotions.

This was no different.

She shifted slightly, not enough that any Dom would scold her, more of a gentle movement to shift her weight and ensure his continued interest.

Niles took his belt from the jeans he’d discarded earlier. He laid the leather across her back. “It seems you’re looking forward to this punishment.”

She moaned a little. “Oh, yes,” she said. “Sir, I am.”

“How many stripes do you deserve, you greedy little sub?”

“Dozens, Sir.”

“Dozens?”

“At least. How will I learn otherwise?”

He grinned. A woman with needs that matched his… That night at the Den, he’d forced her orgasm solely with the idea of beating her at a later date. Even as they’d scened, he’d been planning their next meeting. He’d had no idea he’d have the luxury of holding her in bed afterwards.

Niles slid his hand over her curved derrière.

“Mmm. Thank you, Sir.”

He rubbed her skin, each pass becoming more vigorous.

“Sir is too kind.”

“Selfish,” he corrected. “I want to make sure your bottom isn’t too sore for future spankings.”

“You’re turning me on, Sir.”

No doubt. The tangy scent of her arousal reached him, making his cock even harder. It would take all his formidable concentration to get through her belting instead of fucking her.

He increased the friction until he was convinced she had plenty of circulation to minimise bruising.

“I love having your hands on me, Sir.”

“You’re an appreciative miss.” He picked up the belt and folded it in half. He wanted to stand close to her and be exacting about the placement of each stroke.

He started slow, the first hit a whisper.

“Sir,” she protested.

“Patience.” He didn’t blame her for wanting to get on with it.

Once he’d covered her buttocks and thighs, he increased the force and landed the next few in random places.

She took a deep breath.

“Will this teach you to hold back your orgasms?” he asked.

“I’m afraid not, Sir.”

“No?”

“I’m incorrigible.”

He grinned. Damn, he enjoyed this.

With greater force, he kissed her flesh with the supple leather. Her skin reddened, and she jerked. He caught her on the inner part of her right thigh.

She hissed then said, “Thank you.”

Not wanting her to feel uneven, he adjusted his stance and smacked the inside of her left thigh.

He saw her toes curl against the hardwood. “Are you getting hot from this?”

“God, yes, Sir. Everything you do… You know my body.”

Not as well as he intended to.

With his left hand, he stroked between her legs. Like a hussy, she moved backwards, using her body to silently ask for more. Her pussy was already wet. He slipped a finger inside her and pressed against her G-spot. “Didn’t you get in trouble for wanton behaviour?” He pulled away.

“Sir! How is it my fault that you are irresistible?”

“I thought you were a well-trained sub.”

“I thought so, too. Until you and your devilish ways showed up.”

He stepped back, shook out the belt then swung it in a wide arc, letting it crack beneath her buttocks.

“Yum,” she said. “You know what I want.”

At this point, she wasn’t the only one in danger of coming. The sight of her reddened skin, the sound of husky approval in her voice and the sharp scent of musk had him on the edge. If he took his dick in hand, he’d ejaculate on her heated buttocks. Not that the idea was without merit, but he wanted to fill her ass and possess her.

He continued the beating, increasing the ferocity. His hits weren’t as brutal as they would be if he were truly punishing her.

“Oh, Sir…” She turned her head to one side. “You could do this to me all night.”

“No doubt we’d both enjoy that. Six more. Count them out.” When she’d said dozens, he hadn’t planned to deliver that many. But he had, because he wanted to please her.

He blazed one across both buttocks.

“One, Sir.” She sighed.

Then he hit the backs of her calves.

Her knees buckled.
“Fuck, Sir.
Two.”

“More?”

“Four more to go, Sir. Give them to me.”

“That’s my girl.”

She straightened her body position. He seared her with another stripe.

“Three incredible smacks, Sir.”

He grinned. He’d given a lot of beatings in his life, and he’d never had a sub behave as she was. Some took it in silence unless he required they count aloud. Others screamed. Some whimpered and cried. But she encouraged, pleaded and let him know how much she appreciated his efforts.

He delivered the last three in quick succession, and she exhaled softly.

“Thank you.” She craned her head to look at him. “You are going to do me. Right, Sir?” Her eyes were wide, luminous with her plea.

“Are you kidding me? My cock is rock hard.” He tossed the belt to one side and donned a condom before squirting lube onto one palm. “Are you ready for me?”

“I have to have you, Sir.”

“Then let me in.” He lubricated a finger and eased past her sphincter muscle.

She moaned. “Nice,” she said. “It’s been too long since I’ve felt that.”

“I should put a plug in you all the time.”

“I’d be a turned-on mess, Sir, unable to think at all.”

“You would be thinking,” he contradicted. “About me pulling it out and stuffing my dick in you. You’d be obsessed by thoughts of my domination, wondering when it would happen, hoping you could survive that long.”

She moaned. Her words were muffled when she said, “As always, you’re right, Sir.”

He eased out then re-entered her with two fingers, stretching her out.

“I’m desperate to come, Sir.”

“I know.” It was obvious. Her body was slack, supple. “But I want you to wait.”

She turned her face downward and burrowed into the mattress.

“You can wait a little longer,” he said. “Otherwise I’ll withhold beatings and put you in a corner.”

“A fate worse than death, Sir.”

“Then control yourself.”

“Then stop what you’re doing to me, Sir,” she retorted. “That’s my only hope.”

Even now, she was moving around, trying to rub her clit on the bedding. Christ, he liked how responsive she was. Perhaps every Dom turned her on, but he hoped not.

“I’m crazy for your touch,” she said, as if she’d read his thoughts.

A fine sheen of perspiration dotted her spine. As he played with her, she writhed.

“Sir, you’re putting me in a bad position.”

“How’s that?”

“I want to obey you, and I’m having more and more trouble.”

“That is a conundrum,” he said with no sympathy. He continued to finger-fuck her tight little hole. Truthfully, she wasn’t the only one who couldn’t last much longer. His balls were drawn up, and he was clenching his jaw to think about anything other than ramming into her. “Are you ready for me, gorgeous sub?”

“Sir, I’ve been ready. I could have taken you even without your generous preparation.”

He lubed up his dick with a few strokes that had him gritting his teeth then wiped his hands on a nearby towel. Then he released her hands before instructing, “Reach back and part your buttocks.”

She did, and he stood there for a few seconds, admiring the view, made even more compelling by the welts on her skin. “On your toes,” he said. “Toes pointed in.”