Slowly, he stood. “Try to breathe regularly.” He inserted a finger, slipping easily to his knuckle. “Yes, you seem very aroused by this. Do you typically enjoy being examined, Ms. Banks?” He slowly withdrew and added another finger. “I like having you open like this. I could probably fit quite a few fingers in your tight little pussy.”
“Sir . . .”
“Yes?” He inserted a third, the most he would fit without additional lubrication.
She breathed raggedly. “I thought I was getting waxed.”
“Yes, well, you are. But your body’s mine at the moment and I decided we’d do this first. Untie your robe, please, and pull it open so I can see your breasts.”
Her hands trembled as she untied the garment. The lapels draped to the side, unveiling her full breasts. Her nipples were slightly erect. “How well do you know your anatomy, peach?” His fingers slowly caressed her, his knuckles slicking with her generous arousal.
“Fairly well, I think.”
“You think? Let’s have a little pop quiz.”
She mumbled something under her breath.
“Pardon?”
“Yes, Sir.”
He grinned, and slid his fingers deep. “Very good, peach. Tell me, where is my hand?”
Her eyes opened wide. “I think it’s in my throat.”
Chuckling, he continued to stroke in and out of her. “Am I too deep?”
Her chest lifted as her breath became more labored. “No.” She didn’t sound too sure, but he admired her determination to accept his touch.
“Never forget you have a safe word, Collette.”
“I know.”
It was important to remind her she wouldn’t be penalized for evoking her safe word, should she need a break. He liked testing her limits, but didn’t want to overwhelm her in a frightening way.
“Answer my question. Where am I touching you?”
“My vagina.”
“Say pussy.” He wanted to push her, see which words made her blush.
“Pussy.”
“Use it in a sentence.” His fingers continued to probe.
“Your fingers are in my pussy.” Interesting. No inflection.
“How deep do you think my fingers can go in your cunt, peach?” There it was. Her cheeks tinged with a deep crimson blush. Like most women, she flinched at the word, but it seemed almost an afterthought, as her initial reflex was to blush.
“I’m not sure they can fit much deeper.”
He tsked. “Nonsense. The female anatomy has an incredible ability to stretch. Think of childbirth.”
“I’d rather not.”
He grinned, finding her honesty amusing. “Fair enough.” He twisted his wrist and pressed into the soft inner tissue, stroking several nerves. Her chest lifted as her spine extended. “And what do we call this area I’m touching?”
Her voice was a soft rasp. “I think that’s my G-spot.”
“Very good.” He removed his fingers and she exhaled.
After washing his hands, he uncapped a bottle of lubricant and returned to the stool. Lowering the seat so her opening was at eye level, he slid his middle finger into her back entrance and she gasped. “Sweet Jesus!”
“Where is my finger now?”
“In my ass,” she growled. “I can’t say I appreciate it there.”
“What if I do this?” His right index finger slid into her pussy, pressing down on the thin wall of muscle where his other finger rested on the other side.
Her body went still. A small shiver had her legs trembling, a good sign. He tickled her clit and she moaned. “Sometime in the next month you’ll know what it is to have two cocks inside you, peach. Perhaps that’s something you should think about in order to prepare. There are many options a man can choose regarding female anatomy.”
He removed both fingers and again washed his hands, then quickly cleaned her up. Collecting the trimming shears from the tray, he warned, “I have scissors. Stay very still.”
Her entire body froze. Combing through the soft patch of hair at her mons, he pulled and clipped away most of it, but left enough length for his task. Using a soft brush, he cleaned away the trimmings. “Very good. We’re ready for wax.”
“Jude?”
He paused. “Yes, Collette.”
She took a moment to respond. “I’ve never done this before.”
“I know, sweetheart. You’re doing a beautiful job. We’re almost finished.”
She nodded and closed her eyes. After testing the temperature of the wax, he pulled the tray closer and applied a small smear at the delta of her sex. He worked quickly, knowing hesitation would only require more application and a longer time being tender afterward.
When the first strip ripped away she cursed. “Holy fucking Hades!”
He didn’t allow her much time for her to process as he rapidly applied the next smear of wax and pressed a strip of fabric over her skin. She gasped with the second pull.
Adjusting the stirrups, he guided her heels closer to her ass and pressed her knees down, opening her gate. Stretching her lips tight, he stripped away the last of her hair. “Almost finished. How are you holding up, peach?”
She whimpered.
He covered her taint and quickly ripped the fabric away to the sound of her shriek. Reaching for the cooling oil, he rubbed a generous dollop over her tenderized flesh. “There. That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“No comment,” she said through gritted teeth.
He admired his work. Beautiful. Clearing away his supplies, he left her there for a moment to adjust. Once everything was tidied up, he leaned over and teased her nipple. Her lashes lifted. “You’ll enjoy being waxed, Collette. Once the sting wears off, it’s quite pleasant.”
She remained silent.
His hand slid down her belly and she sucked in a breath as he grazed her clit. “Last question. What am I touching?”
“My clitoris.”
“Very good.” With an extremely gentle touch, he strummed the tiny bud. “I look forward to spending some time here, but I think your body needs to recover.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Sliding his hand over her knee, he cupped her heel and lifted it out of the stirrup. Repeating the process with her other foot, he gently took her arm. “You may sit up. You did very well.”
She eased upward, her hair a bit more wild than usual and her eyes wide with knowledge of new experiences. When she didn’t rush to close her robe, he inwardly grinned. Stepping forward, he slipped his hand under the lapel and cupped her breast. He massaged gently as he whispered into her ear.
“You’ve pleased me once again, peach. You should be proud of how well you’re doing. Tonight we’ll have dinner with friends and I’ll introduce you to the others.”
Her nipple beaded against his palm and his body hardened. Visions of her deep-throating him flooded his mind. The sudden urge to kiss her took hold and he pulled his hand away, taking a step back, the unintentional thought coming without relevant purpose. He should be thinking in terms of objectives, not his personal desires. “You should get ready for the evening. Wear a dress, no panties.”
“Yes, Sir.”
He missed hearing his name on her lips, but perhaps the formality was better. When they’d worked out earlier, he found it difficult not to watch her, a strange urge to flirt with her like he was a goddamn kid. He was there to teach her and prepare her. Nothing more.
Part of him wished she would act out so he could move things along. Without just cause, he couldn’t provide certain experiences. Some of her objectives were not his favorite as far as D/s activities went, and he’d prefer to check them off her list sooner rather than later. The anticipation of tasks he personally found unpleasant was irritating, but so long as she submitted and abided his rules, the waiting would continue.
Did she have to be so damn . . . perfect? He cleared his throat and took another step back, the room suddenly shrinking. No one was perfect. He was simply out of practice and forgetting the joy of a submissive. She wasn’t any different from the others. Although she did seem more obedient and loyal than some women from his past.
It was in everyone’s best interest for him to remain detached. Sooner or later an annoying habit of hers would present and his objective would once again be impersonal. A job that needed to be done. “Go to your room and get ready.”
Her brow creased for a split second and she slid off the table, closing the robe. “Yes, Sir.”
Jude. He wanted to hear her say it.
“Collette?”
She turned and swallowed but remained silent. Shit. He needed to get his act together before he confused her with mixed signals. Nodding, he said, “You did well.”
***
Collette handled herself better at dinner than he’d anticipated. He could have warned her what to expect, but he wanted to see how quickly she’d adapt to an unexpected environment. Suffice it to say, he was impressed.
Her tolerance was impeccable, or more importantly, her manners. Not once did she raise an eyebrow at the atypical behavior she witnessed. It was as though she often saw subs bowing at their master’s feet or people dining stark naked.
He and Collette were clothed, of course, but Ezra always opened his home to all proclivities, which Lea appreciated, since she had a wild spirit and loved to play with others. The women were notably curious about Collette, as were the men—especially Bryson.
“And what are her hard limits?” Bryson asked as they sipped drinks in the den while the subs tidied up from dinner.
Hiding his irritation at the man’s persistence, he calmly stated, “She hasn’t established all of them yet. That’s why I’ve taken her in as my charge.”
“Hell of a job that must be.” Bryson laughed. “No previous spouses?”
“No.”
“Jude,” Ezra called, likely sensing his fraying patience. “I have that paperwork you were awaiting. Join me in the library?”
Relieved, he nodded and turned to Bryson. “Excuse me.”
When he entered the library with only his friend he cursed. “Brys is fucking relentless.”
“He’s lonely since Cheryl left, Jude. Cut him some slack.”
“He’s got his eye on Collette.”
Ezra laughed, refilling his drink. “So does everyone else. She’s new and undeniably attractive and we all know she’s here to try new things. Don’t think Lea isn’t driving me nuts with requests.” His voice pitched high. “‘If Jude picks another woman for her first time I’ll never forgive him.’”
Jude chuckled. “Duly noted.”
Ezra sighed. “What’s the matter, Jude? I expected you to show up glowing, for Christ’s sake. I mean, it’s been a while since you’ve had a woman at your disposal.”
“I’ve never been short of women, Ezra.”
“There’s a difference and you know it. Now, tell me what’s going on with you.”
He sighed. “I think I made a mistake.”
“So soon? Own up to it and ask her to forgive you. You’ve been out of the game for a while. You’re only human.”
“No, I mean I think it was a mistake for me to take her on. I’m just not into it like I used to be.” Within his own wants she was perfect, but the idea of taking her outside his comfort zone was less tolerable than he’d thought it would be. He used to be able to bend on account of others’ education. Perhaps he was getting set in his ways.
His friend slouched and rubbed his brow. “Jude, do you know what it would do to her if you passed her off after one day? It wouldn’t matter what explanation you gave. She’d take it personally. That’s not fair. She’s vulnerable and new to this. Rejecting her could be scarring—”
“I wouldn’t be rejecting her. I just feel someone else could do a better job—”
“To her it would be rejection. You know that. And no one’s more qualified to sponsor her than you. What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking I’m not cut out for this anymore. Doesn’t it ever get old for you?” His friend’s expression shuttered and he quickly apologized. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
Ezra put his glass down and steepled his fingers over his chest. “It’s my life, Jude. It used to be yours. I don’t believe people change that drastically. You’re still the same guy you were with Tiffany.”
“I don’t want to be that guy.” He’d given her everything—pushed past his own comforts with each subtle request for more—and she still walked away.
Ezra sighed. “You know, people think it’s the sub that gives,” he said in retrospect. “Most don’t realize the toll it takes to always be in charge, to always be the deciding voice. The responsibility always rests on our shoulders. It’s a lot.”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
He wished he knew. “The kink used to be enough. I love the Dom lifestyle, but . . . I don’t think I’ll ever trust a sub again. And as far as fucking—never a problem. I could walk out of this room and have any woman’s mouth on my cock in a matter of minutes.”
“Half the men, too,” his friend joked.
“But it means nothing. It’s all playacting.”
“Are you saying you want something more? Put your name back in the system, see if anything turns up.”
“I don’t even know my taste anymore. I’ve never been extreme, yet I’m very specific. Trust and loyalty were my cornerstones and I’ve lost that.”
“So,” Ezra said slowly, “take advantage of the opportunity in front of you. Use Collette to rediscover your passions and perhaps the rest will come.”
Jude nodded, knowing his friend would never endorse his passing her off to someone else. With that and his conscience riding him, it looked like he had twenty-nine days of obligation in front of him. He exhaled, resigned.
Perhaps he could, as Ezra suggested, use the time to determine how his preferences had evolved, though he doubted he’d ever marry again, monogamy remained a strong pull. He would only ever abide a relationship with him as the dominant head of the household. Perhaps he could find a contractual agreement apart from matrimony, but again, he cringed at the superficial taste that left in his mouth.
“She’s a beautiful woman, Jude. Don’t look like you’ve been given a death sentence.”
He grinned, laughing at how dramatic he was being. “You’re right.” Exhaling, he shook off his worry. “God, what’s happened to me?”
“Your heart was broken and you’re still a bit fragile. It happens.”
“Thanks.” Jude nodded, truly grateful for a friend like Ezra who understood the depth of feelings beneath a good Dom. “We better go check on the others.”
Ezra returned to the den and Jude went to check on Collette, pausing at the entrance to the kitchen. The women gathered around the granite island in the center of the kitchen, several half-drunk glasses of wine between them.
“Oh, God, remember how great the parties used to be . . .” Simone sighed.
“Tiffany used to put out such an incredible spread.”
“That’s Jude’s ex-wife,” Lea supplied, and he frowned.
Staying in the shadows of the entryway, he watched Collette’s lips part in surprise. “Jude was married?”
“Mmm-hmm,” the women collectively hummed.
Her lashes flutter as her brow creased with worry. “I didn’t know.”
“It was horrible. Jude was so good to her and one day she simply announced she was in love with someone else. We were all shocked.”
Collette glanced away and then back to the others. “You know what? I don’t think we should be gossiping about him.”
His
head cocked to the side as her words took him by surprise.
“Everybody knows,” Casey said, and he again scowled.
“Still,” Collette said, straightening her shoulders. “Jude’s been very good to me, and I swore to honor and respect him over the course of our time together. It’s disrespectful for us to discuss his personal life behind his back. If he wanted me to know the intimate details of his past, he’d tell me.”
His chest swelled with pride as her words silenced the others. He was stunned by her backbone in a situation where most would be desperate to form an alliance. The others . . . well, he’d be speaking to their Doms and they’d all be standing for most of the next day.
He cleared his throat and stepped into the kitchen. At least they had the decency to look contrite. “Ladies.” He stepped close to Collette and caught her wrist, pressing a soft kiss to her fluttering pulse. “I think it’s time to say good night.”
Her gaze dropped as a pink flush stole across her cheeks, likely brought on by guilt and fear that he’d overheard their discussion. “Yes, Sir.” Turning, she rose on her toes and pressed a kiss to his jaw.
He released her wrist, liking the little ritual they’d created. “Lea will show you where she put our coats. Won’t you, Lea?”
“Yes, Sir,” Ezra’s wife said, her voice and head lowered.
As the two left the kitchen, he faced the others. “I will be addressing the subject of gossiping tomorrow when I make my calls. I expect all of you to confess your behavior before I contact your partners.”
Their heads lowered. “Yes, Sir.”
“Good night, ladies.”
“Good night, Sir.”
He found Collette in the entry, her face pale and her shoulders hunched. Taking the coats, he assisted her into hers. “Did you say good night?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Sensing she was upset, he cupped her jaw. “Look at me.”
Her lashes lifted, unveiling soft hazel eyes heavy with contrition. Leaning close, he gently kissed her lips. “I’ve very happy with you right now, Collette. Whatever you’re fearful of, don’t be.”
Her lips parted and she stared at him, nodding slowly. “Thank you, Sir.”
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