Dale reached over and opened the drawer in the bedside table, producing a second set of cuffs. He attached one ankle to the foot of the bed, reached in for a third pair and did the same with the other. Only one hand remained free now. Cora blushed as she realized she was spread-eagle before him.
He grinned at her then removed his own clothing before finally touching his lips to hers. His tongue scorched hers as she parted her lips and submitted to the invasion. The kiss that followed caused the heat to rise as he devoured her. Without a word, he moved down to her shoulder and bit lightly before he reached her right breast. He teased the protruding nipple with his tongue then sucked. The left one received equal treatment. By now, Cora was in agony, feeling the tight coil in her core that begged to be released.
But Dale was nowhere near letting her enjoy that delight. Oh, no. He reached into the open drawer again, this time pulling out some odd-looking things that resembled clothespins.
"What are those?" she asked, wondering when he had added all these things to the contents of the drawer. They certainly hadn't been in there when she was searching for paper and a pen.
"You'll find out" was his only reply.
And she did. He attached one of the strange looking items to each nipple. Cora moaned. "Ow!" she exclaimed as they pinched.
"These are nipple clamps. Are you okay?"
She nodded as the feeling started to subside a bit. She waited to see what else he was hiding in that ominous drawer.
A silk scarf was the next item. He placed it over her eyes and tied it in the back. "Can you see anything?" he asked.
She shook her head.
"The proper response is either ‘yes, Sir’ or ‘no, Sir,’" he told her.
"No, Sir," she said. She could have kicked herself. That was something she should have known without being told.
He smacked her right bottom cheek sharply.
Cora winced behind the blindfold and cried out.
"That's what happens when naughty little girls forget," he explained.
By this time, Cora was finding this all very exciting, and she was anxiously waiting for him to get on with it. She needed to come, and in a big way!
But Dale had other plans. He slowly began to use his tongue to tantalize and torment her even more as he moved over her entire body, starting back up the other side when he reached her toes. The sensations she was feeling were amplified by the restraints and blindfold, her other senses taking over.
The next thing Cora felt was a feathery item brushing lightly across her skin. It moved across her belly and down her legs before it teased her pussy.
"What is that, Sir?" she asked.
"This is a flogger. I'm only teasing you with it now, but it could be used on your bottom sometime."
"Is that feathers?"
"No, leather," he explained.
After that, his tongue, still scalding hot, began to work its magic on her swollen clit, bringing her almost to the brink as he licked and sucked.
"Oh!" she cried out.
"Don't you dare come," he ordered as the tongue teasing stopped.
"Why not, Sir?" she wanted to know.
"Because I said so. That's all you need to know."
She whimpered and received another sharp smack. It stung, and she quieted immediately, not wanting more. Did she like this? If she was being truthful with herself, she would have to say she did. But, damn it, she needed to come.
She felt his body moving up until his breath blew across her face. He kissed her, leaving the taste of her own arousal on her lips.
Then, she heard him unwrapping a condom, and without warning, he was inside of her in one hard thrust. He began moving, and she quickly caught up the pace, arching her hips and meeting his thrusts. She wanted to wrap her legs around him, but she couldn't as they were cuffed to the bed. With her free hand, she ran her fingers through his hair and moaned as his upper body rubbed against the nipple clamps, causing a whole new rush of sensations.
He pumped in and out of her for what seemed an eternity to her. She was ready, but he had yet to give her permission to release. Each thrust brought her that much closer. If he didn't say something soon, she didn't know if she could hold back, which was unusual for her. Most of her other lovers couldn't even bring her to an orgasm. And they didn't really care whether they did or not. But this was Dale. Her Dale. Her first lover. The only man who had ever fulfilled her and made her feel whole. This new dominant side of him didn't turn her off. Instead, it only increased her desire for them to be together.
Finally, he said in a husky, low voice, "Come, baby. It's time."
And she did. She let loose, submitting completely to it, to him, and the flood gates opened, letting the waves rush in, one after the other, crashing, wracking her body with shudders. Her body shook, and she couldn't speak. Finally, she uttered two words, "Dale, Sir."
He was lost in his own pleasure, but when he heard her say those words, he replied, "Cora Beth, my baby girl."
They lay, spent, for some time before he was able to roll off her. He immediately unlocked her wrist and rubbed the circulation back into it. Then, he went to each ankle and did the same before carefully removing the nipple clamps. As the blood rushed back, she moaned. The last thing he did was remove the blindfold. It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the dim light in the bedroom. While she was recovering, he got up and went into the bathroom, returning with a warm cloth a few minutes later. He carefully washed her. He went back into the bathroom then to the kitchen. He brought her a bottle of cold water and handed it to her.
"Rehydrate," he said.
He sat down on the bed and watched as she unscrewed the cap and took a swig of the cool drink.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
She nodded then caught herself. "Yes, Sir."
He laughed. "I like the sound of that, but you only have to say it when we are playing or during a punishment. See, I'm not all that strict of a Dom."
"Too bad I have to go home before I learn all the rules," she said. "This has been fun."
"There's no reason we can't get together again, baby. No reason at all."
"I guess I'd better get some sleep if I'm going to make it to the airport tomorrow," she said sadly as she pulled him to her for another kiss.
He lay down beside her and pulled her to him, holding her for the rest of the night.
The next morning, he brought her coffee and breakfast in bed, along with the Sunday paper. They relaxed in his king-sized bed until it was time for her to get ready for her flight.
He silently drove her to the airport, holding her hand across the seat the entire way. And when the time came for her to board the plane, he pulled her close for one last embrace. He kissed her and whispered, "Until next time, baby."
She smiled at him as tears pricked her eyelids. "I'll be in touch." She kissed her palm and touched it to his cheek before she turned and walked away.
As she settled back into her seat on the plane, she closed her eyes and allowed herself the luxury of reliving the entire weekend, from every smile, every touch, and every kiss to the final goodbye at the airport.
If I never hold you again, my love, at least we've fulfilled part of our promise; we did reconnect, for one glorious love-filled weekend, along with a few surprises.
As an exhausted Cora unlocked the door to her New York City loft, she sighed. Home at last. Setting her luggage in the hallway, she walked to the bedroom and stripped out of her clothes and into her comfortable pink plaid flannel pajamas, sifted through the mail she'd picked up on her way up, and looked around the room. Lonely and empty, she thought as she walked into the kitchen and filled the teakettle with water. She placed it on the stove, turned on the burner and walked back into the hallway to lug her bags to the bedroom. I'll unpack tomorrow, after work. I just can't bring myself to do it right now.
As the teakettle in the kitchen whistled, she made her way slowly back in there and made herself a cup of herbal tea, adding hon
ey for sweetening. She carried the cup of hot liquid to the bedroom, and climbing into bed, she picked up her cell phone and checked for messages. No text messages, no missed calls, and no voicemails. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess. She dialed her mother's cell number and settled back to wait for her to come on the line.
"Hello, Cora, are you home?"
"Yes, Mom, I arrived a short while ago, safe and sound."
"Tell me about your weekend, honey. Did it go well?"
She hesitated and then said in a low voice, "Oh, Mom, it was perfect. I had a brief glimpse of what life with Dale could be like. He was sweet and romantic. We went to a jazz club one night, we watched movies, and we even went grocery shopping together to buy food for a dinner that we prepared together. I got to know him all over again. I'm glad that I'll have the memory of our brief time together."
"Maybe there will be more memories."
"I doubt that. We each have our own lives. I've told you that. He is a confirmed bachelor, and I don't see how we could ever make a life together. He did say that he wanted to keep in touch, though."
"Cora, I don't believe for one minute he is the confirmed bachelor he claims to be. If you want my honest opinion, I think he's remained single all these years because of you."
"I don't know, Mom. The whole weekend was sort of, well, domesticated. He even admitted that he'd never spent a weekend like it with anyone else. His condo is gorgeous, by the way. I would hate to give it up if I lived there, but he says it's not a home to him."
"It's not a home because he has no one to share it with."
"Mom, I know you think we should get together after all these years, but I just don't see that happening."
"I want what you want. Do you want a life with Dale?"
"I don't know."
"I think you know. You are afraid to say it."
"I'm afraid to even think it," she admitted sadly.
"Give it some time. If he wants to pursue it, he'll let you know."
"I'd better turn in. I have to be at work in the morning. Goodnight, Mom. Give Dad my love."
"Keep me posted. Your sister was very excited to hear that you were spending the weekend with Dale, by the way."
"I'll just bet she was. She's always been a romantic."
"Goodnight, honey. Have a good week."
Cora hung up the phone and finished her tea before turning off the light beside her bed and pulling up the covers. Thinking of the beautiful stone fireplace in Dale's bedroom, she rolled over. Her cell beeped, so she picked it up off the night table. It was a text message from Dale.
Hi, Cora Beth,
Just checking to make sure you made it in okay. It was great spending time with you over the weekend. Call in a few days after you've had a chance to get settled back in.
D
She smiled as she typed her reply.
Dale,
I'm home safe and sound in my lonely little loft. I enjoyed our weekend too. I promise to call as soon as I get a chance. Have fun moving back home. Goodnight.
Cora
His response came immediately.
Sweet dreams.
Smiling as she rolled over, she was asleep within minutes. She slept soundly until the shrill buzzing of the alarm clock next to her bed woke her the next morning. Dragging herself out of bed, she went through her morning routine and braved the freezing New York winds to walk to the corner bus stop. When she finally arrived at the office, she was met with a cheery hello from Kayla.
"Hello, stranger, welcome back."
"Hi, Kayla, have you been holding down the fort while I was away?"
"You know it, girl. Grab a cup of coffee and a bagel and come into my office. I'll fill you in on everything."
She walked into her own office, hung up her coat and locked her purse in her bottom desk drawer before going into the lounge to get her breakfast. Slathering a generous scoop of cream cheese onto her cinnamon bagel and pouring herself a huge mug of steaming coffee, she made her way to her coworker's office.
"Sit down, take a load off. Tell me all about the trip home."
"Funeral, family, cleaning out Gram's house, visiting with friends, and a romantic weekend with an old flame, anything else you want to know?" she teased as she sipped her coffee and waited for the reaction she knew she'd get.
She wasn't disappointed when Kayla squealed, "An old flame, oh, give me the dish, girlfriend. Is he hot?"
"He's hot, very hot. He's a lawyer now. We hooked up a few times during the last week of my trip, and he invited me to spend the weekend with him in Austin before coming home. He lives in Austin right now but will be moving back to Fredericksburg soon, to take over his dad's law practice there."
"So, was it just a fling for old times' sake, or is there a relationship budding?"
"Probably just a fling, Kayla, don't get excited. He has a life in Texas, and I live here, remember?"
"Still, that's a pretty romantic story, Cora. No wonder you didn't want to come home."
"I guess so. Now, fill me in. How many new authors did you sign while I was gone?" She conveniently left out the part about Dale being a dominant. Kayla would really pounce on that if she knew because she herself was a submissive. Cora wasn't quite ready to go down that road with her yet.
"Only two, I'm afraid. I know you sent a contract out before you left. We have a few new manuscripts to read, though, so maybe something will jump out and grab one of us there."
"I actually sent out two contracts. I had already sent one before I sent out that last minute one, the day I left."
"Four, then. That's not so bad for new authors, I guess."
"Did I miss anything else?"
"No, nothing earth-shattering happened while you were gone. I think I can safely say that you are the only one who had an earth-shattering experience in the last two weeks. It was earth-shattering, wasn't it, Cora?"
Cora laughed as she remembered the handcuffs, blindfold, and nipple clamps. "Yes, it was at that, Kayla."
"You'd better go see what Audrey has for you. She probably has stacks and stacks of mail piled up just waiting to be read by the one and only Cora B. Watson."
"I'll probably be buried all day; see you later."
"Maybe we can have lunch and you can tell me more about the mystery man in Texas," Kayla teased.
"Maybe," Cora said noncommittally as she walked out the door.
As she stopped at Audrey's desk, she was greeted with a smile. "Hi, Miss Watson, welcome back."
"Are you smiling because you are glad to see me or because you are glad to get all that mail off your desk and onto mine?"
"Both," Audrey replied as they both laughed.
Taking the stack from her assistant, she refilled her coffee mug and made her way into her own office to begin the task of sorting through the various manuscripts and other tidbits that had accumulated during her absence.
By noon, she was more than ready for a break and accepted Kayla's earlier invitation to lunch. The two friends decided to call the corner deli and have sandwiches delivered rather than brave the cold and bitter New York winds.
Settling into the comfortable chair in Kayla's office, Cora lay her head back and closed her eyes.
"Hard to come back after being away, isn't it?" Kayla asked.
"I'm just tired. It was a very busy two-week trip."
"Starting with a funeral and ending with a romantic getaway, yes, I'd say it was very busy." Kayla giggled as Audrey brought their deli order in to them.
"Romantic getaway, did I hear?" Audrey asked. "What did I miss?"
"You guys really are making way too much of this. I ran into my old high school flame. We hooked up. End of story."
"Or beginning of story. That's the stuff romance novels are made of, Cora. You know that." Kayla sighed loudly.
"Exactly my point, the happy ending happens in fiction. It isn't always that way in real life."
"Still, you obviously still feel a spark or you wouldn't have hooked up with him.
The Cora I know doesn't just hook up with anyone."
"Could I please eat my lunch in peace?" she teased as her cell phone buzzed in her pocket. Looking at the face, she saw that the caller was Dale. Of all times for him to call, she thought.
"Hello," she answered, purposely not feeding her two friends' curiosities.
"Been handcuffed lately?"
"As a matter of fact…"
"Seriously, I just wanted to let you know that I'll be moving in two weeks. I put a bid on the place I told you about, and it was accepted. As soon as I wrap things up here, I'll be headed back to the old hometown. The email address I gave you will only be good for two more weeks. I'll have to send you the new one when I get it."
"All right, thanks for letting me know that."
"Do you miss me yet?" he teased.
"Maybe." She laughed again lightly. "The cell number will stay the same, I assume. I can reach you on that?"
"Yes, I'm keeping the same number. I meant what I said, Cora. I want to stay in touch. I realize that we are both very busy people, but we can surely find the time for a quick email or text, occasionally, can't we?"
"Of course we can. I'll call you in a few days to see how the move is coming along," she agreed.
"I'll look forward to it; have a good week."
"Bye, now."
"Goodbye, Cora."
She hung up and looked up to see both of her friends staring at her with looks of sheer shock on their faces.
"That was him, wasn't it?" Kayla finally spoke.
"Well, if you must know, yes, it was. But the call was not romantic. He was letting me know that he's moving in two weeks."
Audrey and Kayla exchanged a look that said they both thought differently. Something had changed since Cora had returned, and neither of them was sure if it would ever be the same again.
Chapter 7
The week went quickly for Cora as she caught up on the work that had somehow piled up on her desk. The slush pile was growing, and she spent every night reading in order to keep from getting behind. I guess that's one advantage to not having a love life. I have time to read at night, she thought as she prepared for bed on Thursday evening.
Her Promised Dom (Dominant Men Book 3) Page 9
