Slave To Love (38 page)

Taren faced him. “She wants me to eliminate her next.”

“You can’t. She has immunity.”

“I’ll have to figure something out there. But she definitely needs to go.”

Jace blinked. “I thought you were getting rid of Fear?”

“I’ll have to do him afterward. I promised Mistress Night I would honor her request.” Taren took short, careful steps toward the house.

“Be careful with this decision.” Jace had to fight the urge to put his arm around her. “You’ve gotten a reputation for being full of integrity. If any of the remaining Doms suspect you’re bending the rules, they’ll turn on you.”

She smiled wider. “I won’t do anything that would jeopardize the show or the rules. I promise.” She nudged him with her elbow. “Thank you for your concern…and the kiss.” She put her fingers to her lips. “I haven’t stopped thinking about that all day.”

Jace wanted another chance to give her an even bigger kiss, but they had gotten to close to the house. “I should have done it sooner.”

She lowered her voice. “Will you do something for me?” She looked at the house. “Switch your slave with Lord No’s.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

When Taren had made the request to Jace to switch Sweetheart with Bubbles, she didn’t expect to see him refuse. His face went cold and serious.

“I can’t switch with Lord No.” He glared at Taren.

“Why not?” Last time she checked, the show still revolved around her.

“If you remember No’s contract, he stated that he wouldn’t play with anyone else and that she couldn’t play with another Dominant. That applies to this situation.” Jace folded his arms across his chest. “Whose game are you playing?”

“Excuse me?” Now Taren wanted to rip off the vibrating panties that had given her so much pleasure only moments before and throw them at Jace’s feet.

“Two of your three eliminations have been done for you. Now you’re having contestants make requests. Are you doing this show for yourself or for everyone else in the house? Who will be next?” He jutted his thumb over his shoulder.

“Mistress Night recognized in me that I would want a Dom instead of a Domme.”

“Because you’ve presented yourself that you’re looking for love and not simply to serve. Night is a damn good disciplinarian. You would be a fool to let her walk out the door because you’re too afraid to submit to a woman.”

“Maybe I’m a fool because I think I could be happy with someone else.” Flames engulfed Taren’s body as she stormed up to Jace. “You think because you’ve made me come a few times that you know me?” Now she pointed to the house. “That woman only spent an afternoon with me and knew me better than you. She knows what she wants.
I
know what I want.” She glared at Jace. “At least I thought I did.” She started to storm past him when he grabbed her arm.

“Don’t look to fall in—”

This time she stopped him. “I know. Falling in love is not an option. You’ve mentioned that to me several times. I get your stance.” She shrugged out of his grip. “For as many times as you’ve told me, I’m starting to wonder if you’re trying to convince me or are you trying to convince yourself.” She shook her head. “If you spent more time trying to be a good Dom for the show, for me, than trying to scare me, you might discover some things about yourself.” She marched away.

“So now you’re an expert on me?” Jace called after her.

She turned to him but never stopped walking. “No. Just the whole reality-show dynamic. And I know how I feel. Stop fighting it.” She climbed the stairs to the front door and went into the house.

The production staff flitted around with their camera equipment.

“There you are.” Kitty ran up to Taren as she headed up the stairs. “We want to do a couple of confessional booth videos.” She brushed grass clippings off Taren’s dress. “We need your take on what’s happened so far and today’s events. Are you ready now?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

The front door slammed closed. Taren and Kitty watched Jace storming to his new room.

“Whoa. He’ll be fun to interview later.” Kitty returned to her crew.

Taren wouldn’t have used the word fun to describe his demeanor now. Then again, maybe she truly didn’t know him. A few weeks of terse meals and hot sex didn’t make a relationship. Now she doubted he could be a good Dom for her. Maybe she needed to rethink her strategy about who to eliminate.

Kitty went to the dungeon space where the interview area had been staged. Taren assumed her spot on a high-back barstool in front of the camera.

“You know how this goes.” Kitty crouched under the camera. “I’ll ask you questions. Answer them in complete sentences.”

“Got it.” Taren crossed her legs and got an immediate reminder about the vibrating ball nestled in her pussy. She needed to get through this quickly to remove her panties and her thoughts that she could want anything more from Jace.

“Okay, we’re starting. Action.” Kitty cleared her throat. “Taren, what did you think about when you went to the Club 4400 today?”

Taren looked directly into the camera, took a breath before she answered. “When I went to Club 4400 with Mistress Night, I didn’t know what to expect. I had been to the club only one time before to observe everything.” She paused as she thought about that instance, the one that drove her crazy with need that she had to have Jace. She steeled her nerves to keep going. “I didn’t go to the shop side.” She peered around the dungeon. “It’s a lot like this but with way, way more stuff. It was hard to choose. With Mistress Night, I found the right item.”

“What was that?” Kitty pressed.

“I ended up with a paddle.” Taren started to reveal about the panties. She would keep that part to herself. “It has a smiley face on it. Very whimsical.”

“Is that how you see BDSM? Fun?”

“I see BDSM as being whatever you want it to be for you. Keep in mind that the majority of play is about sensations.” She’d learned that from her book…and Jace. Damn Jace. “With the right Dom or Domme, it can be fun.”

“What are you looking forward to with this next elimination?” Kitty sat on the floor and started doing something else on her tablet.

“I’m looking forward to be blown away by some heavy-duty play session. I want to be wowed. After all, I am looking for my Dominant.” Taren hated to admit that Jace had been right about that aspect of this whole process. To make a serious decision, she needed to watch them play, especially since Jace seemed to have taken himself out of the running.

****

Days in between her confrontation with Jace did nothing to lessen her anger toward him. It still pissed her off that he thought so little of her decision-making skills. Yes, two contestants got eliminated for her. She couldn’t be blamed for that. One got too handsy and the other physically assaulted another contestant. She’d been prepared to make a decision. She would show Jace and everyone else her capabilities.

After a cool shower that eased her anger and aggravation, she padded into the bedroom where a team of three people waited for her. It took her a while, but now Taren had gotten used to this glam squad showing up prior to taping.

Tonight they would do the taping in the dungeon. Taren couldn’t wait for that. She liked watching play, probably more than she should.

She saw the stylist holding up yet another virginal white dress.

Taren shook her head. “Black. I want to wear black.”

The stylist who liked to be called Ms. Pittman grimaced. “Black doesn’t read well on screen.”

“Worked for Simon Cowell and Steve Jobs.” She plopped down in a chair. “I’m tired of wearing white and looking like a good girl. I’m not. It doesn’t have to be black. But there are other colors in the spectrum. Find me something else.”

The stylist glanced at the other two in the room before she exited.

“Good. Now. I want a great smoky eye look.” Taren noticed the same confused expression on the makeup artist’s face. Taren had more demands. “No more curls. I want a blowout. Make my hair stick straight. It’s time the viewers see someone in control and not some scared little girl.”

“I think we need to talk to Kitty or Vern about these changes.” Priscilla, the hair stylist, started walking backward to the door. “There’s a specific look they want for you.”

“And then there’s what I want. I know myself better than anyone else. It’s time for a change.” She glared at the remaining two in the room. “Do it or I don’t do the show.”

Jace had wanted to know whose game Taren played. Her own. Thanks to him, she woke up to her reality. She wanted this show. Wanted this life. She needed to start showing them.

After a fight with Kitty, Vern, the stylists and even Macabre, they all folded and allowed Taren to be styled as she’d requested. Her hair had been pressed to straighten the texture. Not content with a simple part in the middle and the straight hair framing her face, she made the hair stylist give her a deep side part and pull her hair back into a low ponytail.

Her makeup gave her a dark and mysterious appearance. Besides the smoky eye, the makeup artist gave her matted red lips. Taren had even refused a glossy lip, fearing it would give her a dewy appearance.

To complement the whole look, wardrobe put her in a knee-length red wrap dress that showed off her modest cleavage, and high, strappy nude heels. Taren felt powerful.

She emerged from the bedroom feeling like she could conquer the world. When she stood at the top of the stairs, she peered down to see the remaining contestants and the house slaves in the living room about to shoot the opening scene. Right now Taren fed off their shocked expressions.

She strolled down the steps, making sure to add an extra sway in her hips. When she did that, she noticed Jace staring at her. He’d only glanced at her when she stood at the top of the stairs. Now he wouldn’t break his notice.

“You look different,” Kitty said as she stared at Taren.

“That’s a good thing.” Taren stood at her assigned spot next to Macabre and didn’t acknowledge the group who continued to watch her.

“Something’s changed,” she heard Bruiser say.

He had been right about that. Taren had finally taken off the blinders. That didn’t mean she doubted a BDSM relationship could turn to love. She didn’t think she could get that from anyone in the house.

“This will be interesting.” Kitty faced the group. “We’re going to the dungeon again today. This time it’s all about caning.”

Taren noticed everyone nodding except for Jace, who lowered his head. 

“Mackie, we’ll start when you’re ready.” Kitty took her same spot and propped her foot up on the seat of her chair. “Action!”

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.” Macabre wore a long black pleather dress that formed so close to her body that Taren saw her navel piercing outline through it. “Tonight will be an elimination challenge. Competitors will be asked to display their best caning technique.” She turned to Taren. “How do you feel about that?”

Taren nodded. “Excited. I can’t wait to see what everyone will do.”

“Good. Follow me to the dungeon.” Macabre started to walk toward the dungeon at the back of the house.

“And cut! Okay, folks, let’s get the cameras set up in the next room. You all relax until we get in there.” Kitty rustled her crew to the other room while the contestants all strolled around the living room area.

Taren knew someone would be approaching her. She thought it would be Jace. Instead Mistress Night stood next to her.

Night leaned in next to Taren. “You look nice tonight.”

Taren smiled. “Thank you.” Although she wished she could have heard that compliment coming from Jace, who now ignored her.

“You remember our deal from a few days ago.” Night kept her voice low and even put her hand over her mouth so that the cameras wouldn’t catch her.

Instead of verbally answering, Taren nodded. She had already been hooked up with a microphone attached to her dress.

“Good. I got to spend some time with her.” Night nodded toward Beauty, who wore a silk, cream-colored nightgown. “I see this going somewhere. Even if you back out on our deal and I win, she will be a part of my life.”

Great. Seemed like all of the Dominants connected with their house slaves, no one wanted her. Not really. She looked at Jace again. He still has his back to her. Damn him.

“Let’s get to the dungeon.” Taren strolled to the place where she would see another form of play.

She and Macabre sat in chairs off the side where the action would be taking place.

“Just in case.” Kitty picked up a remote and hit a button, which lowered a curtain over the windows that faced the pool area.

“Let’s start. Taren, anyone you’re interested in seeing first?” Macabre asked.

Taren scanned the lot. She could pick Mistress Night to get her out of the way. Or she could go for Jace out of curiosity. Or maybe she would pick Fear. Get the worst one out of the way.

“I’d like to see Lord No first.” Taren didn’t know why she picked him. Maybe seeing him would help her decide on the order of the rest.

Lord No held Bubbles’s arm and pulled her to the center of the room as though he didn’t trust that she would do so on her own. Again, she wore a long, fluffy white sweater that probably felt so soothing against her skin, but had to be hot as Hell underneath.

No lowered an overhead bar. He stood in front of her. Without warning he bent down, slid his hands under her sweater, and pulled it over her head, revealing her completely nude body. She stood there confidently if not with a little attitude.

Lord No brought her hands up to secure them in the wrist restraints. The entire time, No glared into Bubbles eyes. She didn’t break her stare. She challenged him like Taren had never seen before. Tension filled the air as he raised her off the floor enough so that her toes could still touch the floor, but barely.

Lord No went to the wall of canes. After scanning the offering, he went to his locker and pulled out one that looked like bamboo. The ends and parts in the middle of the two-foot cane carried a darker hue, like he’d used this several times before.