by Lynda Aicher
“I think it sounds good,” Vanessa said, nodding. “If he wants to do it, let him have it. He has the personal skills and knowledge. It makes sense, and lord knows no one else wants it.” Another round of nods confirmed her statement. “We can always reassess later if it doesn’t work out.”
“You okay with that, Dek?”
“I guess.” He might have agreed, but he didn’t look pleased. “We’ll have to talk about the training replacements and how we do it, but this makes the most sense.”
Marcus sat back and grinned. This was good. It was another step up and into something he could use long term.
“While we’re on this topic,” Jake spoke up. “I’d love to hand over the stocking responsibilities. Is there anyone on the bar or kitchen staff we trust to handle that?”
The discussion continued on that line for a while and included other jobs that could be better distributed among the staff. The transitions would need to be gradual and staggered, but it would work. Just as soon as the Doms let go of their control.
Marcus chuckled to himself at the thought. So it might take a bit longer, but it would happen eventually.
Chapter Fourteen
Marcus stepped behind Quinn and eased the trench coat from her shoulders before handing it and her purse to the woman working the coat check. The lobby was busy, the Saturday night crowd arriving in a steady flow. As usual, the chords of music rose and fell each time someone entered the main room of The Den. There was a sensual sultriness to the air that conflicted with the cool breeze wafting in from the entrance.
“Was the ride here okay?” Marcus asked, settling his hand on her bare shoulder.
“Yes. Thank you.”
He took a moment to admire her outfit, the appreciation shining in his eyes. She’d worn a cherry red pleather bustier that hugged her ribcage and pushed her breasts to their maximum advantage. The black skirt was barely crotch length, and he smiled when his gaze held there.
He leaned down and nipped her neck. “Nice skirt, pussy.”
The one crude word dropped her right into her submissive role. No one would dare to call her that outside of here. But Marcus’s use of it at the club had turned into a private endearment that made her sex clench every time he used it.
But she wasn’t playing a role anymore. It was more like a mindset that settled naturally within her now. She tilted her head and absorbed the pleasant sting of the small bite. “Thank you, sir. I wore it for you.”
He nipped her again. “Only me?”
“Yes, sir.” There was absolutely no one else she’d want to wear it for. She smiled and shot him a look from under her lashes.
He tapped her ass, and she flinched away, even though the crop bruises hardly hurt. She glared at him, but it was softened by the lingering curve of her lips. Yeah, she didn’t really mind the reminder of who she belonged to.
He grabbed her hand to lead her down the hallway, out of the flow of traffic. She didn’t say anything as he removed her collar from his pocket. She simply turned around and lifted her hair so he could access her neck. It was the second night she’d left her hair down at his order. It made her a bit nervous that she might be recognized. But she’d wanted to please him, and The Den had guaranteed her anonymity.
The collar went on quickly, but his fingers lingered to caress her skin. She sighed at the familiarity and the last bit of her resistance faded as she gave herself over to Marcus.
The lock clicked closed, and he placed a kiss over it. His lips were warm against her nape when he placed two additional kisses to each side of the lock. That one small act let her know how much he cherished her submission. She didn’t feel like his property. No, she felt like his treasure.
“We won’t be doing a Scene tonight,” he told her as he turned her around and attached the leash to the front of the collar.
“Yes, sir.” She kept her voice even and tried to hide her disappointment. It’d been two nights since their last Scene, and she’d hoped they’d do something besides watch again.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
“Quinn.” The stern use of her name in his deep Dom voice had her gaze darting up to his. Her breath quickened almost automatically at his hard expression. “I know you too well. When I ask a question, I want an answer. Tell me what you want.”
Wasn’t that nice of him? Snark. Brat. The words rang in her mind. Now was not the time for either of those. Once again, he was making her voice her desires. She should be able to do that. “I was hoping we would get to play tonight, sir.”
His grin could only be described as wicked. It spread across his face and turned her blood hot with its promise. “Oh, we’re going to play, kitten.” He stooped down, ran his hand up her bare leg and snaked it under the hem of her skirt. She sucked in a breath when his fingers trailed through her pussy, even though she’d known he was heading there. “You followed my directions perfectly. That will be rewarded. Trust me.”
No panties had been his second instruction for the night. He pressed on her clit, and she had to grasp his arm to keep her knees from buckling at the quick shot of pleasure. Now she understood why he’d given that order.
He rolled the leash around his fist until it was pulled taut. Her chin lifted at the tightness, forcing her to look at him.
“Tonight, you will not speak unless I give you permission.” He pressed a finger into her wet channel. The sweet pleasure had her biting her lip to hold back the whimper. “Your body is mine to play with as I want and you’ll let me. Willingly.”
He went silent, and it took a moment before she realized he was waiting on her. “Yes, sir.” Her pulse was back to its erratic race that pumped her blood too fast.
“A lot of eyes will be on us tonight. Don’t disappoint me, kitten.”
“I won’t, sir.”
“I know you won’t.”
Her resolve to make him proud was cemented the second he professed his belief in her. She’d be the best damn sub he’d ever had.
He removed his torturous hand, and her small whine was from both relief and disappointment. His kiss was light but lingering before he straightened. “One more thing.” He ran his thumb over her lips, which were free of lipstick at his order. “No acting.” Her breath hitched. “I want you, Quinn. It was you the other night. We both know that. Don’t hide from me anymore.”
He was asking too much. It was one thing when she gave herself without his knowledge. But now, the truth was laid out and exposed for both of them to accept. The imbalance was terrifying and brought up a rush of denial that flushed her cheeks with heat.
She clenched her hands to hide their sudden trembling and wet her dry lips before she could speak. “What are you giving me?”
That wasn’t very submissive of her, but she couldn’t be the only one bared and vulnerable. For the first time she was truly poised to run. She’d thought and dismissed it many times, but her fear had never been as high as it was right then.
“Quinn.” His voice was soft and he pushed back a lock of her hair before he framed her face with his big hands. “You already own me. I’m yours.”
And what was she supposed to do with that? The nausea rose so fast she choked on the bile that scorched her throat before she swallowed it back down. The truth was there in his eyes, the dark depths refusing to let her reject his admission. It was too fast, too intense.
She squeezed her eyes closed against the stinging of unwanted tears. Her lip throbbed where she bit it so she concentrated on that.
“I’ll catch you,” he murmured. He brushed away an escaped tear with his thumb, the damp trail smearing across her cheek. “Trust me.”
She ducked her head, her heart bursting. She leaned into his embrace, his strength engulfing her. Her voice was stuck somewhere behind the huge knot in her throat. His silk shirt was smooth against her forehead and his clean, masculine scent flooded her. He threaded his fingers through her hair and held her close, not pushing, just waiting for her.
/> It was another minute or two before she could ease back and finally look at him again. It was probably the stupidest thing she’d ever done and it was guaranteed to break her heart, but she’d come too far to turn back now. There was really only one thing she could do.
She went to her knees, assumed the submissive pose and said, “Yes, Marcus.”
* * *
Quinn was beautiful and completely his. No more pretending or pretense, and she was kneeling in submission at his feet. His life really was charmed.
Marcus wished like hell they were anywhere but half-hidden down a public hallway at the club. He wanted to press her against the wall and take everything she’d just given to him.
“Perfect, Quinn.” He tugged on the leash, and she rose on that silent command. As soon as she was on her feet, he scooped her up and fulfilled part of his desire.
Her back hit the wall as her legs naturally clamped around his hips. She was so tiny, yet fit perfectly in his arms. He had his mouth on hers in the next instant. She opened immediately, her response as demanding and frantic as his. A low growl rumbled in his chest and he pushed his tongue in farther, seeking to claim her and take everything she had. She clawed at his back and neck, pulling him closer, her hips rocking.
God, he could eat her up. Fiery one second, submissive the next. She was the whole package he’d been searching for.
He ripped his mouth from hers and pressed his lips to her temple, trying to catch his breath. “Shit, kitten.”
She puffed a laugh, the air tickling his neck. “That, sir, I can’t do on command.”
He buried his face in her hair and bit back his own laughter, but his shoulders still shook despite his best efforts to hold in his amusement. “Brat,” he finally managed to growl.
“You love it.”
He did. Damn, did he. But she didn’t need to hear him admit it. “Already earning punishments and the night’s just started.”
She jerked back and sputtered, “But...but...”
Her wide-eyed expression had quickly become one of his favorites. Her eyes always went dark and showed her true feelings in the unguarded moment. This time, there was both shock and anticipation displayed. She wouldn’t admit it yet, but she was coming to like his punishments.
He lowered her to the ground and found the nipple clamps he’d stashed in his pocket. “Tonight’s lesson is about anticipation and endurance.” He flattened his palm and let her study the toys. Her throat worked, but she didn’t comment.
She froze as he eased the zipper down on the front of the bustier. He checked the hallway to ensure they had some semblance of privacy before teasing each nipple into hard nubs. Her rosy peaks were ready and pert, but he plucked at the sensitive tissue until she arched into his touch. Her head fell back to rest on the wall and her eyelids were heavy but they couldn’t hide the desire burning in her eyes.
He slipped the Y-style clamps on each hard bud then slowly turned the screws until she gave a slight inhale. They weren’t tight enough to actually hurt much, but the ache would grow and she’d be reminded of them every time they rubbed against her bustier.
The zipper closed easily, her gasp sending a wave of heat through him. His erection that had just started to subside came back lightning quick. It was going to be a very good night for both of them.
A run of his fingers through her sex found her wet and ready. “The only thing you have to focus on tonight is not coming.” He kissed her lips, her mouth parting for more, but he pulled back. He teased her clit with slow circles that had her squirming. “No matter what I do, you won’t come until I say you can.”
Her breaths were short and sharp through her parted mouth. Holding her gaze, he traced his finger over the offering, leaving a trail of her own juices on her lips. The shock was back in her wide eyes, but he didn’t say anything. His wait paid off when her tongue darted out to take a quick swipe at what she couldn’t resist tasting.
“Have you ever tasted yourself before?” She shook her head and clamped her mouth tight. “Now you know what I crave every time I see you.”
That devious spark flashed in her eyes and her lips quirked in a suppressed smirk. “Your little pussy?”
Oh, hell. She was too damn quick. “Behave, brat.” He stepped back and grabbed her forgotten leash. “Come along, little pussy.”
He couldn’t define if it was a purr or a hiss he heard as he led her into the main room. It didn’t matter which one it was because her punishment would be the same.
One he was definitely going to enjoy.
* * *
Quinn kneeled at Marcus’s feet, her pose impeccable. Her nipples ached in a way that, like her bottom, she knew they were there when she normally didn’t. The awareness held true for her pussy too. With her knees parted as far as her skirt allowed, the air swooped in to cool the moisture that Marcus had spread and ensured kept flowing.
It didn’t help that she couldn’t get the smell or taste of her own juices out of her senses. She’d long since licked the last from her lips, but the memory remained and she wasn’t certain if she liked or hated it. And that was no different from half the other things she’d experienced with him.
They were in the middle of the bar area on the main floor of the club, but she didn’t look up or even notice who was around them. Her focus remained on the grain of the scuffed hardwood as she let the world float by. He’d given her a pillow for her knees, but an ache was setting into her muscles the longer she held the position.
The low vibration started deep in her vagina and she clamped down on the raw spot on the inside of her cheek to keep still. The little vibrator had seemed harmless when he’d put it in her as her punishment for her impulsive brat attack in the hallway. But like the crop, she’d been so wrong.
It was almost impossible not to squirm. The torture instrument hummed silently against her sensitive inner walls, spreading tiny tremors in all directions that had everything tingling. Everything, meaning things she didn’t know could tingle were now alive. From her anus to her clit and deeper, her entire crotch seemed to pulse and clench and beg for what she couldn’t have—an orgasm. Even her nipples throbbed harder whenever he turned the damn thing on.
“How are you doing, kitten?”
Marcus stroked his hand through her hair in that way that reminded her too much of a pet, yet she almost purred at his touch. As it was, she tilted her head and twisted her neck to follow his hand at he repeated the petting motion. With effort, she answered, “Fine, sir.”
The vibrator stopped, and she panted, catching the breath she’d been holding. He brushed her hair over her shoulder and played with the lock on the back of the collar. The action was a seemingly distracted one, but each little touch and flick of his fingers sent hot prickles down her neck.
His conversation resumed with the other Doms at the table, and she let her mind blank out once again. When she sank low enough, she found the quiet. It was peaceful there. The music faded away and the voices went mute until the thump of her heart was all she heard. Each thudding beat became her focal point, pushing everything else far away.
When she reached that state, she could forget about her life. Marcus was there. He’d take care of her. That was all she needed to know.
“This way, kitten.” The slight pressure on the side of her head had her glancing up to see what he wanted. She didn’t have to exit out of her quiet place to understand. She shifted carefully to the side to rest on her hip. The muscles in her thighs and arms relaxed with the change of position as he guided her head to rest on his leg. She sighed. The contentment was totally unexpected.
He had her. She was safe. The warm feeling that spread through her had nothing to do with her aroused state. This flowed from her heart and filled her completely.
He tucked his fingers beneath the top of her bustier and fiddled with a nipple clamp. She didn’t move at all. The tender bud zinged little bolts of desire straight to her needy pussy. Biting down on the raw spot on her cheek was th
e only way she held in her moan. The vibrating started again and the combined sensations had her pressing her face into his leg to hide her reaction.
With her legs closed, the feeling seemed more centered. She clenched around the object in an attempt to lessen the intensity. It didn’t work. She fisted her hands to keep from touching herself. One touch, that was all she need. On her clit.
“Please,” she whimpered, the leather of his pants smooth and soft on her lips.
The pain that seemed to explode in her nipple was so shocking she bit down on his leg without thought. The throb was intense, consuming. She panted in time with the beat of her heart that seemed to radiate out from the tip. Just when it started to weaken, her other nipple was consumed by the same burst of pain.
Shit. It hurt. Her eyes watered as she gasped for air. The sudden, intense kick of the vibrator deep in her vagina bowed her spine in a sharp, reflexive jerk. She was nothing but sensation, pain and pleasure warping together in that delicate dance of hostile lovers. Every nerve ending screamed for something, anything to relieve the incredible pressure that was trapped within her.
“Come, Quinn.”
The valve broke, and her world exploded. Stars burst behind her eye lids, her vagina spasm around the vibrator and she shot into the release with a keening wail that hummed silently in her ears.
Chapter Fifteen
Quinn was incredible. Marcus stared in stunned awe at the open-mouthed expression of ecstasy on her face. Her back was bent almost in half, which thrust her breasts high and exposed the graceful arch of her throat.
Her low cry wavered, hitched then released again with another gasping shudder. Oh my fucking God. If his erection wasn’t currently pinched within his leather pants, he’d probably come right along with her.
He flicked the vibrator off and caught her as she fell forward, her muscles suddenly lax and lifeless. Another tremble passed through her, followed by a small sob from her red lips. With little effort, he lifted her up and cradled her in his lap. She curled into him instinctively, her face burrowing into the crook of his neck where her panting breaths feathered over his skin.
