Twice Shy (The Restraint Series) (9 page)

Finally she said, in her soft silky voice, “How do you feel?”

He turned around and brought her deep into his arms, her lips pressing against his chest, her musk mixing with Brendan’s.

“Happy. Hopeful. I love you, Stace.”

Their relationship was growing roots again. Getting stronger. She felt ready to trust him. She had accepted he had been an incredibly stupid teenager trying to live in the huge shadow of his father. Danica Thomas really did a number on Brendan. Stacy still had scar tissue around her heart, but her mind was open to the possibilities. Her heart would take a bit longer.

He felt her lips move, hopefully into a smile. “Cee,” she said. “Call me Cee.

I
f there was one thing that Stacy despised, it was not having control. Typical Domme problem. The other thing she hated was having someone touch what was hers. And Brendan was hers. She knew that Tomas wouldn't make a pass. She also knew that the arousal that came from Brendan wasn't directed at Tomas.

Three months had passed, and Stacy had finally let Bren move in. He’d been willing to up stakes from the beginning. She’d wanted to trust him, but her bruised heart was cautious.

Tomas agreed to train Brendan. And she was observing. Which was the first mistake. She couldn't help herself. West had told her politely that it would be torture to see it. Because Tomas was a very talented Dominant. Extremely talented.

As much as she wanted to be the one training Brendan, it wasn't wise. Her heart was soft to him. She wouldn't be strong enough in the beginning to go test his limits.

One look into those eyes, one raspy breath from that sexy, smoke-damaged voice and she would capitulate.

Brendan thought he knew what it was to submit. He didn't realize that he’d not even come close to submitting yet.

She couldn't stay. Leaving was going to be hell. She supposed it would be like leaving your child at daycare for the first time. She snorted silently when a visual image of 'Dommy Daycare' flashed in her brain, a gaggle of subs corralled by leather and PVC clad Doms and Dommes.

They’d discussed his training. Communication was key in any relationship, but it was essential in D/s one. He said that he understood that she couldn't stay. But he was nervous. Being dominated by a man, even an arrow-straight man like Tomas weirded him out.

This was a test, for both of them. Sighing, she slowly stood, walked toward the man she loved. The man had snuck back into her heart. Scared shitless. She was sure Bren was, too.

She walked quietly, in a flowing dress that stopped just above the knees. Her knee high suede boots with small heels showed off her shapely legs. Just as her dress showcased and showed a considerable amount of her full breasts.

Brendan was restrained, tied to a St. Andrew's cross. Blindfolded, inducted to be silent, unless it was to utter the safe word.

Stacy was relieved that she didn’t have to look him in the eyes for this part of the training. As she walked forward, Tomas gave her an appreciative up and down. She liked dressing like a woman, not a catwoman. Loving the way her curves pleasantly flowed in retro dresses and waist cinchers.

In the past, Tomas had tried to talk her into trying the submissive side permanently with him. They both knew it was a lost cause, but it had been pleasant chase for both of them.

Tomas had trained her too. According to Tim and West's rules, all players in the club have to be trained. And Dominants also have to have a day of experiencing submissiveness. Also known as 'sucky submissive day' in her mind.

She gave Thomas a knowing smile. She tilted her head, in askance. He nodded. Breathing through her teeth, walked sedately across the room, her heels making a lovely soft clack with every step.

She approached Bren. Placed a palm on his back. He tensed, and then relaxed as he recognized either her touch or her scent. Maybe her presence. She whispered in his ear, slightly biting it first. Loving his physical and emotional reaction to her. "Bren, I'm leaving now." His breathing increased, distressed. "You'll be fine. I promise." She paused, looking at his skin, looking at the dampness. The sick-sweat appearing from fear. "Do you trust me?" He took a couple of shallow breaths, and then a deeper one, nodded resolutely. "Then trust me to give you the best trainer. Tomas is. He will not touch you in a sexual way. But are allowed to come when he orders it though. You are not allowed to feel ashamed for getting turned on." Stacy bit the ear again, harder, licked to soothe the bite. Sighed into his ear, "I don't want to boost your ego or anything, but let me tell you something. I love you. I'm not sure that I want to yet. But I do. We have a long way to go. Dominance and submission are important to me and I need to know how far we can go with that." She then kissed his neck gently. "I'll come get you in 90 minutes."

Turning around and schooling her face into a flat expression, she regretfully walked out of the room. Sucky timing, she thought. Finally admitting to him that she loved him and leaving him to be dominated by someone else.

As she was closing the door, she heard Bren break the rules and say, “Love you so much more, Mistress.”

Smiling with a happy sway to her hips, Stacy walked away, thinking about her bratty sub. There would be some fun and interesting punishments in their future. It was going to be a long journey, but it would be together. Their scars had healed with forgiveness.

––––––––

Want to read more of
Jill C Flanagan’s
work?

I hope you enjoyed “
Twice Shy
”. Stay tuned for the next book,
Twice Bitten (Restraint #2)

Want a teaser, and know the exact date it’s going to be released? Sign up for the

Newsletter at
http://www.jillcflanagan.com/swordsandlips

The
Gilt Series (Prequel)
out April 2014

Gilt•ed
–Find out how to get a free copy by signing up!
Thank You!

––––––––

Sign up for the
Swords & Lips Newsletter
to find out when it’s free!

––––––––

Gilt•ed – Prequel out the end of April 2014

A
sh needs to make money. Her brother is going to trial, her sister is pregnant, her mother’s health isn’t great and her father is a dreamer who spends all their savings on the next best thing.

Good thing she was brought up to con people. Even better that she has always had a little bit of ‘mind magic’ as her Mam calls it.

Small cons are all she’s ever done. This time her family needs a big chunk of cash and the best way to do that is a long con.

The target? A honeypot scheme involving a powerful man running for Governor.

And the Gubernatorial candidate’s Communications Officer? Too bad he’s the first guy she’s been interested in, well, forever.

Even though politics are dangerous, politicians may be deadly.

––––––––

Twice Bitten (Restraint Series #2) – out May 2014

S
arge has finally decided to sell the bar and move to Palm Springs to be closer to Stacy and his friends. He can relax, lead a freer life and maybe settle down with a nice little sub.

But his past comes back to haunt him, some unfinished business from an old covert operation plunges him into the past and makes him face his greatest enemy.

Stacy’s grandfather, the killer of the only woman he’d ever loved.

Gilt•y - out June 2014

It’s been over five years since she’s been in the same room Keithley “Lee’ Hierne, black hat hacker turned white collar cyber-strategist. She’s made a new life for her sister and herself.

Lee makes a reappearance in her life, threatening the stable quiet life she’s managed to assemble.

Putting her livelihood at risk is his first move.

She’s already proved that she will do anything for family. And it’s a character flaw he will exploit to get what he wants – for Ash to use her ‘mind magic’ for his agenda.

If only the risks were only her pride. Unfortunately the choice is between her family and her soul...