Keep Me: A BDSM Romance (6 page)

Apparently my surprise is obvious, since Caleb laughs. “Didn’t I mention the retreat was at a castle? What better place to indulge in a little friendly torture?”

“Why is there even a castle here?”

He shrugs his massive shoulders. “Some movie star in the fifties, I think. I don’t remember his name, but he was totally in love with European castles. So when he made enough money, he had one built.” The castle looms over us as we drive closer. “Passed out of the family after he died, and now it’s been turned into a small conference center. Popular with lifestylers, geologists and masons, I guess.”

I watch in awe. The place is huge. “That’s crazy. Does it have dungeons?” Was that too eager?

He laughs. “I don’t know. If they do, it’s probably storage space or something. It’s pretty nuts though. Apparently he was so obsessed that he went bankrupt building it. That’s why the family had to sell.”

“Some people are so crazy. Unlike people like us, who dress in leather and hit each other for fun.”

“Hah!” He pulls in through the portcullis driveway while I gawk out the window trying to get the scale of the place. “I suppose we all have our brands of crazy. It’s alright. Makes us human.”

The driveway leads to a downward ramp into an underground garage beneath the courtyard. The garage looks sadly normal compared to the outside. I guess there are only so many ways to build parking garages. We find a spot, Caleb angling the car smoothly into the space, aligning the black BMW perfectly between the lines.

Getting out of the car, he points. “Alright, I think there’s a staircase over there. We’ll get our room assignments inside.” He’s already pulling his huge duffel bag out of the trunk. His powerful arms flex as he lifts, left bare by his black tank top. Guess big men pack big. A metallic clunk sounds from the bag as its contents settle. Just the idea of what might be in there sets my mind to weaving wicked little thoughts.

With a grunt I hoist my sports bag to my shoulder. Nothing exciting in mine, but I didn’t exactly have a ton of time, so I just stuffed in a crapload of clothes. Knowing my luck, there’ll be like eight shirts and one pair of underwear.

We’re just coming up the stairs to the courtyard when Susan emerges from the massive front door of what looks like the main castle, wearing some kind of muumuu and a straw sun hat. She throws her arms out. “Caleb! And you brought Vivian after all. How wonderful!” Her smile radiates almost as much warmth as the sun. “Come on in. Get yourselves something cold to drink. Paul’s on stage right now, doing a talk on legal stuff and staying safe.”

The room he’s presenting in is close, since I can hear Paul’s voice. Susan and Caleb are already deep in chat, so I leave them too it. She’s nice and all, but I’m already seeing how she can talk your ear off. Instead I follow the sounds of the presentation, curious to see what they’re doing. The room’s just down the hall.

So many people. The room’s actually a large chamber with an arched cathedral ceiling. It’s full of occupied chairs, and at one end is a stage. The curtains are drawn, but in front of them stands Paul, wearing a black suit and discussing the legal issues of consent. He’s swinging a pair of handcuffs in his fingers while he talks, and looks like he’s got the audience in the palm of his hand.

For a recent addition to the club, he’s become a popular lecturer fast. Doesn’t hurt that as a police investigator, he knows a ton about legal stuff. Also, the part
I
like better, about police style restraints. The roleplayers love him.

I don’t know him well, but he helped save Amber a few months back when she and Eric got together, so he’s got points in my book for that if nothing else. Nice to have at least one more familiar face here.

I watch a few more minutes, but we’re on right after him. A shiver crawls down my back. Caleb had better finish the job this time, or I’ll kick his ass. I don’t care if he’s three times my size. Our first scene had left me itching for more. Already tingling with anticipation, I return to find Susan and Caleb still chatting.

Did they even notice I was gone? If I didn’t know better, I’d think she’s sweet on him. I guess I don’t know her well enough to say, but she’s definitely not his type.

Unlike me, right? Why does the idea of Susan liking him bother me? Where’s this going? Us. Is there an us? I glance over at him. Do I want there to be one? He looks so laid back while talking with Susan, it’s hard to believe it’s the same brute that threw my new landlord into a wall. Or the guy who makes me soaking wet just by ordering me around and punishing me.

But he’s a friend. And not just any friend. Gabriel’s best friend. It would be a little weird if we got together, wouldn’t it? Part of me wants it. Even I see that. It’s not just the kink, either. He’s nice. He listens to me. He helps me not be such a screwup. He protects me.

I sigh. I don’t know what to think.

Pushing it to the back of my mind, I decide to worry about it later. Right now I’m supposed to be getting ready for a demo. I tap Caleb on the shoulder. “Hey, sorry to interrupt. We’re on soon, aren’t we?”

“Oh, that’s right!” Susan’s way too excitable for her own good. “I’ve got keys right here.” Turning and grabbing something from a table, she’s about to hand us two keys when she stops. “Or wait. Did you guys want just one key?”

I blink.

Caleb pauses and I catch him glancing over at me before he quickly returns his gaze to Susan and smiles awkwardly. “Two keys, please.”

I’m not sure whether to be happy or disappointed.

She smiles. “Alright. You guys work so well together. I wasn’t sure... well, here you go. You’ll be far apart, I’m afraid. Caleb’s suite is already reserved on the top floor, but I’m afraid you’ll have to settle for a room in the servants’ quarters on the first floor.” She puts the key in my hand and pats it. “Don’t worry, honey, it’s all very nice and modern in the rooms. They just like to stick to the castle theme here.”

Right. Whatever. Accepting my key, I shoulder my bag and head for the door. Caleb’s right behind me.

His voice is soft. “Alright. I have no idea what you brought, as far as clothes go. Do you think you have what you need?” He knows how rushed I was.

I run my tongue along my teeth before I answer. “No idea.” My smile’s apologetic. “You did say naked was okay, didn’t you?”

He laughs. “Alright. You know what? Wear whatever you want. Just make it easy to get off.”

“Get off?” I bat my eyes at him coyly. “You are still talking about my clothes, right?”

“Sure.” He grins. “Probably.”

“But—”

“No buts. Obey your Master.” His voice goes from playful to Dom in a millisecond.

Suddenly I’m lowering my gaze and fidgeting with my hands. What the hell? We’re not even scening, but the way he makes me feel... “Yes, Master.” It feels good to submit.

“Alright. I’ll meet you back here in...” He glances at his watch. “About twenty-five minutes.”

I nod.

“Dismissed.” He waves me off.

I hurry to see if I can find my room.

F
uck, she’s looking good.

Striding up to the stage on tall black heels like she’s going to own it, Viv’s walking straight-backed and with a wiggle in her step that makes her rounded hips sway in a way that’s impossible to ignore. A cute little smile curls at the corners of her mouth. For not having had much time to pack, she’s made the most of it.

She’s wearing a loose black skirt, white kneesocks and a white button-up blouse, open just enough to show a little cleavage. Just looking at her already makes my jeans feel too tight.

Everyone’s eyes are on her. I love how she can steal all the attention in a room with just her presence. It’s like she doesn’t even know it.

I give her a hand to help her up on the stage. “Looking good.”

“Thank you, Master.”

And now my jeans are even tighter.

I look out over the room. Everyone’s here, ready for a punishment demo. I like these retreats. The crowds are smaller, the settings more intimate. More focused. Less rules.

Curtains have been drawn over all the windows, shutting out the bright summer light. There’s a slow thrumming beat playing over the sound system, blanketing the room with a sexy beat. The lights are soft, and Susan even got a few black lights set up here and there to give the room more of a club feel. Not quite the same as being there, but good enough to set the mood.

There are curtains in front of the stage, hiding my toys and equipment. Still holding Viv’s hand, I pull her with me to the other side. Time to put on the finishing touches before we get started.

The collar I’ve gotten for her is thick leather, with four steel rings hanging from it, front, back, left and right. Her eyes go wide when I pull it out of my pocket. “Turn around, so I can put this on.”

She licks her lips, giving me some pretty vivid ideas for her tongue. “Yes, Master.” Already in character, she’s lucky we have a show to do. I’m all too tempted to just bend her over and make this a private session.

Holding the collar between my teeth, I gather up her soft red hair in my hands and twist it into a loose tail before holding it to the top of her head. “Keep this in place while I collar you.” Her hands replace mine, and I swear there are sparks as her fingers brush against me. Maybe it’s static, but it doesn’t feel that way.

The collar’s a good fit. I slide the heavy buckle in place, making sure I can fit a finger on the inside. Her beautiful neck looks even better captured in leather. This is just for show, but it makes me imagine collaring her for real. “Nice. Give me your wrists.”

Her gorgeous hair cascades down over her shoulders when she lets go, so she can hold her arms out behind her. I capture her wrists in my left hand, enjoying restraining her with my bare hands for a moment. Her breath catches, a soft sound that barely reaches my ears over the steady sexy background beats.

I pick up the leather wrist cuffs from the table and fit them one at time. Their rough texture offsets the softness of her silk blouse perfectly.

“Keep your hands behind you.” I let go, but she keeps still, her arms in place. The position pushes her tits out, stretching her blouse in a way that makes me want to take them firmly in my hands. I almost do, and from the looks she’s throwing me, I don’t think she’d mind. But the show must go on.

I grab two more cuffs which I fit around her ankles, right above her black stilettos. Now I can attach her to anything I want.

“Into the cage, Pet.”

She draws her breath sharply when she sees it. Sure, I brought some hardware in the duffel, but I had a few other toys that I borrowed from the club sent up in advance. A Saint Andrews cross. A spanking bench. And a cage, low enough that she won’t be able to stand upright.

She hesitates, biting her lower lip. Her throat works as she swallows.

“If anything is too much, you know your safe words, right?” Never know what might squick someone out.

She nods.

“Tell me.”

Her voice quivers. “Yellow to slow down, red to stop.”

“Good. Do you need to use one?”

She shakes her head.

“Then what are you waiting for?” I swat her ass, loving the sharp sound of it. She squeaks and steps forward quickly. I open the cage door, watching her sink to her knees so she can get in. Each step is another point of submission, and she does it so elegantly.

She watches while I put a padlock on the door and close it with a loud click. Her chest rises and falls rapidly in time with her breathing, and her eyes shine with excitement.

I fill my tone with menace. “I’m going to enjoy this.”

Time to pull the curtains. Opening them requires actually pulling a rope, rather than a button, like most places have these days. It puts me at the side, so all the guests see as the stage is revealed is Viv, locked in a cage at the center, the spanking bench to the left and the cross on her right. A row of spotlights bathe the scene in stark light. Perfect.

I tear off my shirt, but leave my dark jeans and black boots on. Gotta look the part. Rolling my neck and shoulders to loosen my muscles, I stride onto the stage, putting all my authority into it. I’m here to take control, and she’s my pet. My slave.

And she’s been bad.

This demo is different from the one in the club. It’s all about us. I don’t have to talk to the crowd. I don’t even care about the crowd. All I’m here to do is punish my naughty slave, and I’ve brought all my toys with me to do it.

From inside her cage, she looks up at me with her big green eyes, her beautiful face split vertically by the steel bars, her hands clutching two of them. Her gaze is drawn to the black crop in my hands. I’ve whipped her before, but this time we won’t get interrupted. This time I won’t stop until she screams, and she knows it.

“Eyes on the floor, slave.” My voice is angry, setting a tone for the scene. It doesn’t matter what she’s supposed to have done. It was against my wishes, against my express instructions, and disobedience leads to consequences. Willfulness will be broken.

She drops her gaze immediately, sitting as straight-backed as the cage will allow, her head hanging, hidden behind the red curtain of her hair.

My leather boots thud on the hollow wooden stage as I approach. I can see her shiver, even from here. I stop, just watching for a few moments, but then I can’t wait. She looks like a naughty captured schoolgirl, and I can’t wait to teach her a lesson.

Pulling out the key, I fit it to the padlock, hearing her breath come faster as the unlatching click sounds. She jumps when I drop the lock to the floor with a clatter.

“Come out.”

With her head still bent, she crawls out of the cage on all fours. I want to tear her clothes off right there on stage, but I’ll do this slow. I’m supposed to put on a show, even if I’m giving less and less of a fuck about the people watching. What I want is right in front of me.

“Up. Present standing.” My voice is calm, but hard.

She gets to her feet, parting her legs to just beyond shoulder width, standing straight with her hands clasped behind her back. Her eyes are fixed on the horizon, or where it would be if she could see it.