The Master

by Tara Sue Me

  I’ve seen you naked—”

  Her cheeks flushed the loveliest hue of pink. “When should we start?”

  “Two weeks?” he suggested. “I’m moving into the new house this week, so that’ll give me some time to get settled.”

  “That works with me.”

  She looked so beautiful kneeling at his feet, calmly discussing being at his disposal all day, every day for two weeks. Fuck, he was a bastard and a half.

  But she wants it.

  He couldn’t argue with that. The truth was, he wanted it, too. He wanted her in his house, in his bed, and in his chains. He wanted to push her to her knees before him, bend her over his couch, and hold her tight in his arms. He wanted to care for her like no one ever had before and to be the one person she could always count on to keep her safe and protected.

  He fucking wanted too much, and wanting always came with a price.

  The difference, though, was he just might pay it for her.

  • • •

  Later that evening, he welcomed Daniel and Nathaniel to the guesthouse. He was going about this all backward, but things had happened too quickly at Petal Pushers. He’d called and invited Jeff, but apparently he and Dena were attending a class of some sort at the hospital.

  “Come in,” he said. “Excuse the boxes.”

  Daniel looked around the room. “I’m glad you found a place, but I have to admit, I’ve grown used to having you here. It’ll seem so empty without you.”

  “I don’t envy you the boxes,” Nathaniel said. “Took us forever to unpack.”

  “I won’t have that much. I let Kate keep most of the furniture and stuff. I’ll be buying everything new.”

  He realized with a start that he couldn’t remember the last time he’d thought of Kate—and this time, his chest didn’t have that empty feeling like it used to. He was finally moving on.

  He waved to the couch, feeling freer than he had in a long time. “Have a seat.”

  “Are you going to tell us why we’re here tonight, or do you want us to guess?” Daniel asked.

  “I’m guessing it has something to do with a submissive being retrained.” Nathaniel sat down and studied him. “Am I right?”

  “You are,” Cole said. He felt the need to pace, but he sat down on the ottoman in front of the couch, facing his friends.

  “Something wrong?” Daniel asked.

  “No, in fact, everything’s going well. Better than I expected, actually.”

  He hated that it felt like he was asking permission. Of course, he really wasn’t. He’d already made the plans with Sasha. Was this one of those situations where you ended up asking forgiveness instead of permission?

  “Sasha is doing very well,” he said.

  “I thought so. Especially after she stayed overnight.” Daniel had that know-it-all look on his face.

  “She what?” Nathaniel obviously hadn’t heard the group gossip.

  “Sasha spent the night.”

  “I thought you weren’t going to have sex with her.” Nathaniel didn’t look happy. “That’s why you were recommended.”

  “How many BDSM relationships have you had that didn’t involve sex?” Cole asked.

  “We aren’t discussing my sex life. We’re talking about how you explicitly said you weren’t going to sleep with Sasha during her retraining.”

  “I assure you, Sasha suffered nothing. She wanted it. Badly.”

  “Abby wants a lot, too. That doesn’t mean she always gets what she wants in a scene.”

  “Of course not.” Cole felt his blood start to boil. It was only his inner voice reminding him that Nathaniel was simply looking after Sasha’s best interests that kept him from saying what he really felt. “I would be a horrible Dominant if I gave my submissive anything she wanted. But I don’t do that. And I would hope you know enough about me to recognize that.”

  “I saw her that next morning,” Daniel said. “She looked calmer and happier than she has in a long time.”

  Nathaniel sighed. “Nothing to do about it now. What’s happening? I’m guessing you didn’t bring us here so you could tell me you slept with Sasha.”

  “I’m actually adding a level to her training.”

  “Oh, no,” Daniel said.

  Nathaniel frowned. “What? Why do I feel like I’m ten steps behind on everything here?”

  “Daniel’s known me long enough to see where I’m going with this.”

  Daniel nodded. “Cole and Kate were twenty-four/seven.”

  Nathaniel’s eye grew wide and then narrowed. “You aren’t actually suggesting . . .”

  “No, I’m not suggesting anything. To either one of you. I’m informing you that Sasha has asked me to give her a taste of twenty-four/seven and I’ve agreed.”

  Neither man said anything. If they were trying to come up with reasons why he shouldn’t, they were wasting brain power. He knew them already. They needed to understand that he felt this was in Sasha’s best interest.

  “I assure you, I will do nothing to harm Sasha. And you should know I didn’t agree to this right away. She made her request some time ago and I turned her down for all the reasons you’re probably thinking. But she’s progressed well, and she’s ready. Frankly, I’d rather be the one she’s with than for her to pick some stranger we don’t know.”

  “I guess my thoughts really don’t have bearing on this, do they?” Nathaniel asked.

  Cole was glad he finally saw that. “I didn’t bring you here to ask permission. I’m just letting you know, as a courtesy, how the training has changed.”

  “We’ll need to know how it’s going. I’d like for you to check in with either me or Daniel a few times a week while this is happening. And I’d also request that Sasha continue to meet with Abby.”

  Cole nodded. “Of course, that sounds perfectly reasonable.”

  Nathaniel chuckled. “I’m not sure reasonable is the right word.”

  Cole smiled and looked at Daniel. “Sasha wanted to tell Julie herself. She’s doing it tomorrow, so if you wouldn’t mind not saying anything to Julie . . .”

  “Not a problem,” Daniel assured him. “I don’t want to be around for that conversation, anyway.”

  • • •

  “You know, Sasha,” Julie said first thing the next day. “I was thinking last night, and I believe Nathaniel was right in suggesting Cole for you.”

  Sasha looked up from the bills she was paying. It had been another restless night, and around five she had gotten out of bed and started working. For a second, she wondered if she’d heard correctly. “Oh?”

  “I thought he’d be too much, you know? Too stern and unyielding. But after I thought about it—well, after Daniel made me really think about it—you seem happier and more at ease.” Julie buzzed around the main room, straightening things up and pulling out papers needed for the day’s deliveries.

  Now or never.

  Sasha shut her laptop. “I’m so glad you said that. Keep it in mind when I tell you this.”

  Julie froze. “Uh-oh.”

  “I’m going to take two weeks off starting the week after next.”

  “What? Are you serious?” She lifted an eyebrow. “How is Cole involved?”

  “I’m completely serious. I’m arranging for a temp to come in and help. She’ll be here tomorrow.” Sasha stood up and walked to the workbench Julie was standing at. “I’ve asked Cole to train me at a new level and he agreed, but his condition was I not work for those two weeks.”

  “That’s just crazy. What type of training would require you to . . .” Her eyes grew wide in apparent understanding. “Oh, no. Oh, hell, no. Are you fucking out of your mind?”

  Taking a deep breath, Sasha answered as calmly as she could. “I am not out of my mind. It’s something I want to explore and Cole’s been nice enough to agree.”

  “Nice enough to agree? He’s going to have a sex slave for two weeks. What man would turn you down?”

  “Don’t be stupid—you know it’
s more than that. Or is that not a collar you wear every day?” She took a step closer to her. “Don’t tell me if Daniel walked in that door and ordered you to the back room to suck his dick, you wouldn’t do it.”

  Julie crossed her arms. “We don’t do twenty-four/seven.”

  “Well, Cole does and I want to taste it.”

  “This has ‘bad decision’ written all over it. I know you. You’ll make a horrible slave.”

  “Thank you so very much for your vote of confidence.”

  Julie’s eyes softened. “You’re my best friend. I love you and I want to support you, but you have to be reasonable.”

  “What about Cole training me as a slave for two weeks is unreasonable?”

  “The words that pop out are: Cole, training, slave, and two weeks.” She ticked them off with her fingers.

  “I could handle your attitude better if you were a random stranger from off the street.”

  “A random stranger from off the street didn’t sit by your side for weeks when you were borderline catatonic!”

  Sasha saw the worry and fear in Julie’s eyes, but it was time for her friend to face the truth. “I’ll never stop being a broken submissive until you stop seeing me as one.”

  “I don’t—” she started, but stopped.

  “Cole sees me as strong and sexy. When I’m with him, I feel that way. Don’t make me feel broken, Julie. I deserve better.”

  A lone tear streaked down Julie’s cheek. “God, Sasha, I’m sorry. I just, I can’t see you like that again.”

  Sasha pulled her into a hug. “I won’t ever be like that again. I’m not even the same person. But I want to do this. I need to do this.”

  “I hate it and I think it’s a rotten idea.” Julie squeezed her lightly. “But I love you more than I hate the thought of you and Cole and slave training, so I’m going to support you. Just promise me you’ll be careful, and I mean more than the physical.”

  Sasha muttered a promise to be careful, but she had a sinking feeling it was already too late.

  • • •

  Almost two weeks later, she stood in the foyer of Cole’s new house telling herself it was only natural to feel apprehensive about what she was getting ready to do. Arriving to the massive home with only her purse and journal made her feel defenseless. She’d get over it soon.

  Cole closed and locked the front door behind her. The sound echoed in the otherwise still foyer. “What are you thinking?”

  She took a deep cleansing breath. “How defenseless I feel standing here.”

  “Good.” He walked to stand in front of her and cupped her chin so she had no choice but to meet his eyes. “As of right now, you are defenseless. By agreeing to do this, you have placed yourself under my complete control. I determine everything you do, you say, you wear, and very nearly what you think.”

  Her heart beat faster. This was a new side of Cole, one she’d only caught glimpses of before.

  “Your one goal, your one purpose in life, is to serve me. You will serve me with your obedience, your mind, and your body. You have safe words if you need them, but let’s be very clear.” He leaned over her and whispered in her ear. “For the next two weeks, I fucking own you.”

  A shiver ran down her spine and her skin broke out in gooseflesh.

  He took a step back. “You have an hour to prepare your body to serve me. The master bathroom contains everything you’ll need. Once you’re finished in the bathroom, you’ll find instructions.”

  Without waiting for her to acknowledge he’d spoken or that she understood, he turned and left her standing alone. Her heart pounded wildly.

  Holy hell.

  She brought her hand to her chest and closed her eyes. Based on how he’d acted just now, there would be no slow and easy initiation into the next few weeks. Apparently, they were hitting the ground running at full speed.

  Her lips slowly curved into smile.

  She couldn’t wait.

  As she climbed the stairs to the second floor, she felt the weight of his stare on her back. She wasn’t sure where he was watching her from, but as she walked, she made sure to sway her hips. At the top of the stairs, hoping he still watched, she slipped her shirt over her head, unhooked her bra, and walked topless to the bathroom.

  Based on the conversations they’d had over the past week, she knew exactly what would be waiting for her in the bathroom. Placed in a neat row on the countertop were the items she needed: body wash, shampoo, lotion, shaving cream, a razor, toothbrush with toothpaste, tweezers, a hairbrush, and a tube of lube. She purposely ignored the last item for the time being and picked up the body wash, popping it open to smell. Lemongrass.

  She grabbed a towel and debated between shower or bathtub. Deciding she was wound too tightly for a bath, she turned on the shower and waited until steam filled the room before hopping in.

  As she washed and shaved, she was acutely aware of how vastly different this shower was from every shower she’d ever taken before. This shower was more than a way to get clean. It was preparing her body for Cole in the manner he wanted. She was filled with a desire to be waiting for him smelling, looking, and feeling exactly the way he wanted. She wanted to present herself perfectly to him because that would bring him pleasure.

  She dried off and put on the lotion he’d left out. Her hands trembled with excitement while she styled her hair. Her time here would be like nothing she’d ever experienced. There would be nothing to worry or stress over. There would only be Cole.

  After glancing at the time, she double-checked with the tweezers to ensure she removed any stray hair missed by the razor. She brushed her teeth and was finally faced with one last item. She eyed the lube before picking it up. When she went to open it, she noticed the writing in black marker:

  Bring this with you.

  She sighed in relief and placed the tube on top of her clothes. Perhaps he was only reminding her what he planned. It didn’t mean he’d do it today.

  Waiting for her on the bed were a garter belt, sheer hose, skimpy panties, and a lace bra. All in black. She ran her fingers over the lingerie and smiled.

  He remembered.

  The conversation about her fantasy party wear. He not only remembered, but he made it happen.

  And this was no ordinary lingerie. Though she normally wore nondescript cotton, she recognized the high-end name brand. The Doms she’d played with in the past never really cared what she wore, one way or the other. The one time she’d put on something sexy for Peter, he scoffed and told her it was pointless because she wouldn’t be wearing it long. But this?

  This was decadent.

  She took her time putting on each piece, imagining how she’d look once she had it all on. But when she looked in the mirror, she was unprepared for what she saw reflected.

  She’d told Julie that Cole made her feel strong and sexy, but today he’d done more. Today he’d shown her she actually was strong and sexy. She stretched this way and that in front of the mirror. She looked better than she had in her fantasy.

  A note had been placed beside the outfit with her name written in Cole’s handwriting.

  I’ve been unable to get the picture of you in black silk and lace out of my head. Once you’re dressed, meet me in the kitchen. It’s time to take responsibility for your actions.

  Cole taking her in the kitchen was one of her favorite fantasies. To think he’d had the same one made her want to run down the stairs and beg him to take her. Probably not the best course of action, though.

  Doing her best to ignore her pounding heart and trying to appear as if she did this sort of thing daily, she walked calmly down the stairs and into the kitchen. He stood by the island and appraised her as she entered. The look of masculine appreciation and desire made her stomach do cartwheels.

  “Very nice, little one. You look fucking fabulous.”

  She dipped her head. “Thank you, Sir.”

  “But aren’t you missing something?”