Shield's Submissive (16 page)

Listening to his explanation, Erica learned a great deal, not only receiving more insight into his character with his openness and acceptance of all types of relationships, but learning of his loyalty to his friends and comfort and confidence in his own sexuality.

“Thank you. I understand and appreciate your honesty. Being with you, I’ve experienced an unbelievable amount of pleasure. For the first time, I feel comfortable in a sexual relationship. I can trust in my natural responses because I understand what you expect from me. But aside from the sexual side of our time together, when I’m with you I feel safe, protected, cherished. It’s a deeper feeling than when I would casually date a man. We would call each other occasionally, maybe go out for dinner or catch a show, but we were always separate entities. With you, I feel part of a unit—I guess, a real relationship. I don’t know yet if that stems from our roles or just the chemistry of us together, but I want you to know that I really like it. Can I ask just one more question?”

“You can ask a lifetime of questions if want to, love.”

Did he just say ‘love’? Does he mean
love
love, or is it just a casual endearment? And what’s
with the lifetime comment?

Deciding to agonise over that later, she ignored that loaded statement and asked, “Have you ever mastered a man? I know you said you prefer sex with women, but I’ve read that not all Master and slave relationships are based on sex.”

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“Very astute of you, my dear. You’re correct. There are some situations we’ll encounter that don’t involve sex. For instance, in the clubs sometimes a Dom will have another Dom work his or her sub over but not allow any type of sexual contact during the scene. And yes, I have participated in that type of situation before. Back when I was still trying to refine my Dominant needs, I belonged to a BDSM club where a lot of masochism took place, and I worked a scene with a young male sub. My job was to stimulate him using implements such as floggers and whips, but he was only to come on verbal command. Of course, I had permission from his Mistress to decide when to give that order, and she was present the entire time. Now, my dear, I think it’s time we went to sleep. What time would you like me to set the alarm for?”

In a sleepy voice, she murmured “Um… nine-thirty. My friends and I meet at eleven, and it’ll take me a half hour to get to restaurant from here.”

“Okay, love.” He set the alarm and pulled her into his body like a spoon, softly inhaling the rich scent of her hair. He let the warmth and feel of her soft curves lull him into sleep.

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One Month Later

Erica curled up in the corner of Mark’s sofa, reading a fascinating novel about a post-apocalyptic society in the outer realms of space. Completely engrossed in her novel, she squeaked and jumped when she felt a soft kiss to her nape. She tugged out her ear buds connected to her iPod to hear Mark laugh behind her.

“Hi, sweetheart. What are you reading about today?”

“The end of civilisation as we know it. There’s this dastardly evil man who sneaks up on unsuspecting maidens and pillages their souls for his own ruthless entertainment.”

Mark bent and kissed her full on the lips. “Sounds like my kind of guy.”

He came around to sit next to her, pulling her feet into his lap, and rubbed the arches of her feet. She let out a low moan.

“Oh, that feels good. I was on my feet all day today, and as stylish as they might be, high heels are killers.”

He smiled at her and flipped on the TV to catch a ballgame. Erica remembered that he wanted to watch because it was the Rockies home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Closing her book, she settled in to watch the game with him.

About four innings in, the Cardinals were up by three runs, and her mind started to drift over all that had occurred in the last month. She’d mostly lived with Mark on the weekends, and their relationship had become common knowledge at the office. Surprisingly, nobody seemed to verbalise any objections, even his other partners in the firm.

They had unconsciously developed a routine of going out dinner a couple times a week and staying in on the weekends. Mark always plied her with decadent meals and even more decadent loving. To say that she was sexually satisfied was a gross understatement. They’d continued to explore her submissive side, but he was always open to easy, comfortable affection and loving. Sometimes, they just fell asleep in each other’s arms after a long day at the office or when closing a difficult campaign. Her reverie was interrupted by the tonal rings of the house phone.

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Mark’s attention remained on the game as he absently took the phone and let out a soft curse when the hitter swung and missed his third strike. “Hello?”

Erica’s watched his face brighten as he sat up and spoke excitedly into the phone.

“Hey, Mom.” He paused before laughing. “Oh really? Yes, I can just imagine. When?”

Erica moved to get off the couch in effort to give him some privacy but was halted mid-motion when Mark wrapped his forearm around her waist and pulled her into his side.

“That sounds perfect. What about the rest of the brood?”

Mark’s arm was draped over her shoulder, and his hand moved down to mould across her breast, his fingers gently pinching her nipple. Her head dropped back against the sofa and against his shoulder. She swallowed against the urge to moan while he continued to talk to his mother.

“That’s perfect. I have someone I’d love for you to meet.”

He lifted his arm from around Erica’s shoulders and leaned over to press a gentle kiss against her soft, moist lips. She opened her eyes, and he looked directly into their depths.

Her always expressive eyes showed traces of pleasure from the companionship of spending a lazy Sunday together, a lingering burn of passion, and curiosity.

Erica tilted her head as he wrapped up the phone call. He tossed the phone on the coffee table.

“So…” He paused. “That was my mom.”

“I figured. It sounds like they’re coming home soon.”

“Yeah, and they want to go up to the cabin for the weekend. The whole family.” He ghosted his lips across the bridge of her nose and the gentle curve of her cheek. Two fingers lightly caressed down her neck. His lips reached hers, and he worried the bottom lip gently with his teeth only to soothe the sting with his tongue.

“Sounds wonderful.” Erica braced her hands against his chest and put some distance between them. “I’m sure you’ll have a great time.”

He heard the tension in her voice and saw her eyes close off in detachment. Concern over her reaction prompted him to reach down and take one of her suddenly chilled hands in his.

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“I’d like it if you came with me.” His fingers traced the delicate skin on the bottom of her wrist, feeling her pulse flutter rapidly. “If you’re not ready I understand,” he rushed ahead, fearing she was getting ready to say no. “My family can be a tad overwhelming at times, but they all mean well.”

She just watched him. For the life of him, he couldn’t read her eyes no matter how intently he searched.

She lowered her head. “You want me…” She paused. “To meet your overwhelming family?” She tugged free her hand and used the fingers to cover Mark’s lips. “In an isolated cabin?”

Mark nodded rapidly against her fingers.

Leaning forward, she whispered softly in his ear, “Where I’d be trapped with no way out?” She nipped at the lobe. “Except to hitchhike down the mountain with a trucker named Bubba?”

For a brief moment, he’d been afraid she was serious but quickly caught on and struggled not to laugh by the time she was done. When she pulled back, he could once again read her eyes. He let out a small growl as he wrapped his arms around her waist and attacked her neck.

“Yes, my pretty. You will be at our mercy.”

Between nibbles and soft, open-mouthed kisses, he tortured her with visions of little munchkins demanding games of hide and seek, cuddling before fires and telling horrible tales about their childhood.

“Stop!”

She was caught between laughing so hard that breathing was becoming difficult and panting from the feel of his mouth against her neck. She leaned forward, resting her forehead against his as their laughter died away. Her breathing slowly calmed, and Mark slid one hand up her back and tugged her hair until he could seal his lips against hers in a passionate consuming kiss. His teeth nipped at her lower lip, his tongue sliding in next to hers. He tilted her head and deepened the kiss. A slow flush of heat flowed through her body, and she brought her hands up around to circle his neck, anchoring her in the storm of sensations he SHIELD’S SUBMISSIVE

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always caused with his powerful, overwhelming kisses. She eventually separated only when breathing became a necessity.

“So you’re coming?” he asked.

She released his neck and threaded her hands through his thick hair, pulling slightly.

“Not yet, but keep doing that, and I just might.”

He pulled her hands from his hair and brought her arms down, locking them in his grasp behind her back and arching her chest into his.

“Oh my dear, I can guarantee you will.” He transferred her wrists into one of his clutches and manoeuvred their bodies so she straddled his hips. “Several times tonight, if I have my way, and we both know I always do.” His other hand sank into her hair at the base of her skull and held her tight. “Answer me. Will you come with me to meet the family?”

Erica looked into Mark’s eyes and, for the first time, saw uncertainty lingering in those crystal-green prisms. She wanted to assure him she understood both the spoken and unspoken questions but didn’t appreciate the strong-arm tactics to get her acquiescence.

“Release me,” she said in her best boardroom voice.

He quickly let go of her wrist, but seemed reluctant to break their connection at her neck. His eyes darkened and his expression hardened. She imagined he didn’t like her demanding tone. Not wanting him to mistake her insistence as aggression, she reached up to place her hands on either side of his face and caressed his temples.

“If it’s what you truly wish, of course, I will.” Leaning forward, she kissed his forehead.

“Thank you for the invitation, but don’t treat me like chattel.”

Mark closed his eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intent. I just felt like I was dangling from a cliff and was a little desperate to find out if I would reach the top or be plummeted to the ground.”

Glad to have navigated that minefield of emotions, he lifted her off his lap. Standing, he reached for her hand then led her through the kitchen to his deck off the back of the house.

The view facing west was extraordinary as the sun set behind the Rockies. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he stood behind her and nuzzled her shoulder.

“I had planned to take you to a club next weekend. A special club…members only. I’d like to show you the more public side of the scene.”

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She leaned into his chest. “Is the club only open on the weekends?”

He shook his head.

“When do your parents fly in?”

“She said their flight lands at six p.m. on Friday” He could almost feel the wheels turning inside her head. “What are you pondering in that delightfully dynamic brain of yours?”

“Well, how about we go to the club on Thursday?” She turned around and placed her hand on his chest, looking directly into his eyes. “I have plenty of time saved up at work to take a personal day on Friday, Sir.”

He heard the ‘Sir’ and felt a spark in all the tiny nerve synapses through his body, knowing they were once again back on track after the episode in the living room. “You think you get to make decisions about when I take you to
my
club?”

Immediately, her gaze dropped as though the sight of the print on his long-sleeved sports shirt became immensely fascinating.

“No, Sir. I was just suggesting an alternative. It is, of course, up to you when I deserve such a special outing.”

He lifted her chin so their hot gazes were locked together. Her breathing quickened, and he saw the pulse in her neck flutter. Her eyes had turned deep violet. His cock thickened behind his jeans, and his skin tingled like static electricity surrounded him.

“Very good. Just so we’re clear. Now, as it so happens, in this one instance, I agree with you. So you’re to return to your condo Monday, and on Thursday, you’ll bring your overnight bag with necessities to last the entire weekend. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Sir.”

* * * *

The week had flown by, but as Erica looked to the digital clock on her MacBook, she groaned. It was only two minutes since the last time she had looked.

D
amn, how can it only be noon?
She decided to open her iTunes and distract herself by downloading a new song she’d heard on the radio all week. Absently, she peeled the skin SHIELD’S SUBMISSIVE

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from the grapes she was munching for lunch as she searched. Her desk phone rang, and she picked up the extension without bothering to check the number.

“Hello?”

“Are you ready for tonight?”

Her breathing became rapid at the sound of Mark’s voice. She leaned back in her big executive chair, twirling. A soft smile graced her lips. “Yes, Sir.”

“Good. Have your computer shut down and be ready at five sharp. Drive to my house, and in the bedroom, you’ll find your clothes for this evening. I want you dressed and ready to leave when I arrive home at six.”

“Very good, Sir. I’ll be ready”

* * * *

Erica let herself into Mark’s house with her key and went upstairs to his bedroom. She looked around for the clothes he’d picked out, curious and at the same time nervous. She’d never had someone tell her what clothing to wear and certainly not under these circumstances. What did a submissive wear to a BDSM club? A black, leather cat suit and chains? Fish nets and corsets?