The Master (23 page)

Her hands stilled and he carried her across the yard to a far corner where the lot was wooded. He found a fallen log and sat, placing Sasha over his knee.

“Now this is a lovely sight.” He ran his hand over her backside. “I’ve never had you in this position before, but I think I like it. In fact, I may turn you over my knee every night before we go to bed.”

She just groaned.

“Tell me, slave. Have you fantasized about being facedown across my lap?” He slapped her butt cheek when she didn’t say anything. “Tell me.”

“Yes, Sir.”

He rubbed the spot he’d just slapped. “Good girl. Now tell me what I did in your fantasy.”

“You spanked me.”

“With my hand?”

“Sometimes.”

“Sometimes?” He reached behind the log and picked up the switch he’d found days ago. “That means more than one fantasy?”

She didn’t reply as quickly as he wanted. He tapped her backside with the switch. “Answer.”

“Yes, Sir. More than one.”

“Tell me about your favorite.”

“It’s not really what you do that makes one fantasy stand out, Sir.”

“Oh?”

“It’s what you say and how you say it.”

“Very interesting. Give me an example.” He brought the switch down harder and at the same time, teased the sensitive flesh between her legs.

“In one, you’ll tell me to take my panties down and bend over your lap. In another, you tell me to prepare for the spanking I’m about to receive. You make me get what I want you to spank me with and then ask you to work over my ass.”

While she talked, he continued his teasing with one hand and marking her arse with the switch with the other.

“Look at this bum, already turning pink under my hands. Show me how much you want me to continue. Lift it up for me.”

She moaned, but did it anyway.

“You’ve been a naughty slave, haven’t you? Teasing your Master and then fantasizing about him spanking you.” He pushed two fingers into her—
fuck
, she was so wet. “Look how turned on you are. I’m going to spank you and then I’m going to fuck you against a tree. How does that sound?”

“Like my new favorite fantasy, Sir.”

“I’m already living my fantasy. And that’s you on your knees, offering yourself for me to take however I damn well want.” He brought the switch down hard and at the same time thrust two fingers inside her. “Pleasure and pain. After a while, they start to feel the same, don’t they?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Lift that arse back up. And stop wiggling on my lap. You’ll come when I say you can and not a minute sooner.” He spanked her again. “Hungry for my cock, aren’t you?”

“Always, Sir.”

“Good. Because I’m ready to give it to you.” He dropped the
switch. “Go stand against the tree to my right. You’ll know the one when you see it.”

She crawled off his lap and walked toward the trees. He knew when she found the one he’d told her to stand against because she stilled momentarily. He imagined it looked a bit scary at first glance. He’d set it up with rope and chains.

“Put your back against the tree and reach up and grab the ropes.” He waited while she got into position and then walked to stand in front of her. He unzipped his pants. “How does the tree feel?”

“Rough, Sir.”

“It’s going to be rough on your back and you’ll have scratches. Are you okay with that?”

“Yes, Sir,” she said with no hesitation.

He pushed his pants down and stepped out of them. “Still wet for me?”

“Yes, Sir.”

He lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist. “Keep them here. I’m going to pound you into that tree.”

She whimpered.

“Here we go. Going to slip inside.” He pushed into her. “Ah, yes. So good like this.”

She tightened her legs around him as he started moving deeper. He didn’t know what it was about Sasha. She told him that he made her strong, but the real truth was, she allowed him to be strong. When he was with her, he felt like he could be himself.

He moved his hands to her face. “Look at me.”

Her green eyes were hazy with lust. He continued moving inside her as he held her gaze. The intensity of their union struck
him in the center of his chest. This woman who had come to him hurt and yearning for healing had somehow healed him.

“Too much,” she said, echoing his thoughts. “It’s too much.”

“No, little one.” His voice was far gentler than he felt. “It will never be enough.”

“I know. I know.” She pushed her head against the tree, but kept her eyes locked on his.

Suddenly, it wasn’t enough to be inside her. He needed more. “Touch me. I’ll hold you,” he panted. “I want your arms around me.”

It was precarious, but she let go of the ropes. And he had no choice but to be strong. After all, he had to secure her. She was held by only his arms and the tree. Her nails dug into his shoulders, and it was the most welcome pain he’d ever experienced because it was she who gave it to him.

He wondered if that’s what a submissive felt when under a Dom’s control.

The thought made him more forceful and he wasn’t going to be able to hold out much longer.

“Are you close?” He didn’t wait for a response and because he couldn’t risk moving his hand to help if she needed it, added, “Get there.”

“Harder. Mark my back.” Her lips parted and for a few precious seconds, they shared the same air.

He felt her start to tighten around him and her eyes beseeched him. He wanted to hold out a little longer. She felt too good. But her whispered request unleashed him and he gave her what she wanted, slamming her against the tree.

“Almost. Please,” she whispered.

“Yes,” he replied, feeling dangerously close himself.

Her release followed with her breath hitching in the most
sensual way and the moan that came from her throat pushed him over the edge of his control. He pushed into her one last time and covered her lips with his in a kiss that came nowhere near expressing what he felt at that moment.

But his sadness at not being able to show or tell his feelings was overshadowed by one crushing thought.

This was only temporary. She wasn’t really his.

•   •   •

S
asha moaned as Cole gently helped her to her feet. For the moment, she ached all over. Not that she was complaining. Emotionally, she felt better than she had in a long time. Something about Cole set her at ease, even when he was being so commanding he drove her mad.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Just pleasantly sore, Sir.”

He nodded. “Let’s get you inside so I can take proper care of those pleasantly sore spots. You remember what I said about the brick patio?”

“Yes, Sir. You said by the time you finished, your submissive wouldn’t remember her knees.”

“Let’s see if I’m right.” He lifted her into his arms, ignoring her squeal of protest.

He carried her across the yard and into the house, not stopping until he’d placed her on the bed. He was still naked, but he pulled on a pair of shorts as soon as he put her down.

“On your stomach, little one. I need to take care of your back first.”

She rolled over, slightly miffed that she couldn’t watch him, especially when she heard him walk away. Where did he go? She
thought about lifting her head, but she was suddenly so tired after the intensity of their sex, the way he’d looked at her and made her look at him. Her eyelids grew heavy. It seemed so surreal.

“You have some scratches.” Cole’s voice woke her. “Nothing that really broke the surface. Hold still, I’m going to wash your back.”

Ever so gently, he pressed a warm, wet cloth to the nape of her neck and slowly slid it downward, pressing and patting.

“Does that feel okay?” he asked.

“Wonderful, Sir.” She was tired before, but now with him touching her in addition to the warm washcloth, there was no way she could keep her eyes open. Still, it didn’t seem right to just fall asleep on him.

She was supposed to be serving him. She couldn’t just take a nap. Could she? He’d made his way to the lower part of her back and took a warm towel and laid it across her shoulders.

“Still okay?” he asked.

“So sleepy.” It took a lot of effort to get the words out.

“Close your eyes and rest.”

“Feel bad.”

His lips brushed her lower back. “No need to feel bad. I need a slave who’s well rested. Take all the time you want.”

Satisfied, she allowed her eyes to drift closed and when she dreamed, she dreamed of Cole. Though it really seemed lifelike when he climbed in bed with her and put his arms around her.

She woke to find her head on his chest. She stretched as her eyes blinked open, but the movement hurt her back. “Ow.”

His hand stroked her shoulder. “Back hurt?”

“Yes, Sir. But not too much. I just wasn’t expecting it,” she
said. He didn’t say anything. She hoped he wasn’t second-guessing the scene. “In a way, I like it.”

“How is that?”

“It’s like you obliterated my scars. Or at least covered them with your own marks.”

His laugh made her feel warm inside. “I like the way you think, Sasha.”

“Maybe we should do that every day. Have you cover my skin.”

“It’s a tempting thought.”

“Now, my legs are a different story.” She wanted to tease him, to draw out the playful man she knew he kept hidden. He was so complex and the realization struck her, she liked each facet of his personality. Each one so different and yet so perfectly
Cole.

His fingers skimmed her upper thigh. “What’s wrong with your legs?”

“They’re a bit sore, too. I doubt I could do that every day.”

“I bet I could convince you otherwise.”

“I bet you could.” She propped up on an elbow and looked down at him. The words she’d planned to say left her when she saw him looking at her. In fact, she had the strongest urge to pinch herself. Was she really in Cole’s bed?

For the next week and a half.

This was temporary. She was only in his bed because she’d asked to be trained like this. It wasn’t as if he’d asked her or that they were permanent.

His forefinger traced her lips. “Why the frown, little one?”

“Nothing.”

He raised an eyebrow, but damned if she was going to tell him what she was really thinking. She almost told him she was
thinking they’d left their clothes outside and she thought it was going to rain later. But she couldn’t lie to him like that. Besides, he’d know and they’d had such a great day, she didn’t want to ruin it.

“If you must know,” she said. “I was thinking how I wished your marks were permanent.”

He traced her collarbone and brushed the training collar. His mouth opened like he was going to say something, but he closed it.

Damn, now she’d made him uncomfortable. She swirled her finger on his chest. “I mean, in place of Peter’s. You know?”

“Look at me, Sasha.” His voice was rougher than normal and his eye held a strange expression. “I know exactly what you’re talking about.”

•   •   •

S
he was straightening up the bed the next afternoon when she heard his footsteps coming down the hall. Her body froze and she tried to tell if he was walking her way or not. He’d received a phone call earlier in the day and though she didn’t listen in, she’d been able to tell he was agitated.

“Sasha?” he asked, peeking into the room. “Oh, there you are.”

He didn’t look aggravated; maybe she’d misread something. She walked up to him and knelt at his feet. “Do you need me, Sir?”

It was a requirement he’d added today. She rather liked it, though she could see how it could be an issue if she was in the middle of doing something.

“I wanted to let you know we’re having company for dinner
tonight,” he said. “A good friend of mine who happens to be working temporarily in New York is stopping by.”

“I look forward to meeting them, Sir.”

She said the words, but truthfully, she was disappointed she had to share Cole. Their time was limited enough and now this friend was coming over and cutting in on it?

“It’s been a while since we’ve gotten together. I’m looking forward to it as well.”

“What type of work is your friend doing in New York, Sir?”

What if his friend was female? What if it was the woman he’d done the demo with months ago?

She really, really, really hoped it wasn’t her.

“He’s a contractor. Right now he’s working on a project for someone Nathaniel and Jeff know.”

She almost missed the part about the job because she was too busy rejoicing it was a man.

“I’ll warn you ahead of time. He’s a very large guy. He’s intense, and he’s a Dominant.”

No big deal. If she could handle Cole, she could handle Mr. Large and Intense Dominant.

“How do I address him, Sir?” she asked.

“He prefers submissives address him as Herr Brose.”

“What?”

“He’s German. Still lives there when he’s not working in the States.”

“How do you know him, Sir? If you don’t mind me asking.”

He reached a hand down. “Stand up and come with me to the kitchen.”

They made their way down the hall and she’d finally accepted
that it obviously wasn’t any of her business how they met when he spoke.

“Fritz Brose and I met about ten years ago. He was my mentor.” He flashed her a smile. “You could say everything I learned about BDSM, I learned from him.”

“I thought you said you researched it while at university.”

“I did. He was my main source of information and when I decided to take a more hands-on approach, he said he’d make sure I learned the right way.” He came to a stop outside of the kitchen. “You’ve heard people say there’s no one true way?”

She nodded.

“Fritz doesn’t believe that. There’s his way and there’s the wrong way.”

Those words still echoed in her head when the doorbell rang a few hours later.

Cole instructed her to wait in the living room and though he didn’t specifically tell her, she knelt by the couch. She wore a green dress that came to her knees when she stood. She thought it brought out the green in her eyes, and that the plunging neckline showed off the collar.

Funny, she didn’t own a lot of dresses, but they were Cole’s number-one item for her to wear and she’d grown to like them. She could only imagine the look Julie would give her if she started wearing dresses to work. At the moment, work and Julie seemed so far away, like they belonged in a different world.