by Jenna Jacob
“He did. Even made it through surgery. He’ll be in ICU for a while. I heard his brother is coming to town today. If the man’s anything like Kerr, don’t wander up to ICU for a few weeks, all right?”
“You mean he’s at Highland Park?” I gasped.
“Yes, I found out this morning. Why does that upset you?”
“Jeb and Freddy…Did they…did they say anything about seeing us at the club?” I asked before swallowing down the additional fear rising inside me.
“No, of course not. I told you last night they wouldn’t say anything.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because they’ve been called to the club before. I spoke with them both privately the first time they saw me there. Neither one is going to spill our secrets. Trust me.”
“You don’t know that for sure.” The idea of losing my job or tarnishing my reputation swelled to a pinnacle of panic.
“Baby, if Jeb or Freddy wanted to out me, or any other member, they would have done it by now.”
Sam’s calm and reassuring explanation couldn’t keep a shudder from sliding through me. Bringing the car to a halt at a red light, Sam turned and faced me with a frown. “I’m not ashamed of being a Dominant.”
Dominant. The word still conjured images of whips, chains, and blood.
“It doesn’t diminish who we are because we enjoy living an alternative lifestyle.”
“Maybe not for you, but I don’t want Jeb and Freddy thinking I’m a freak.”
A scowl pinched Sam’s face. The driver behind us honked. Noting the light had turned green, he silently continued driving. A palpable wave of irritation rolled from Sam’s body.
Dammit.
“I…I didn’t mean I think you’re a freak,” I explained, trying to ease the sting of my insult.
Sam quietly scoffed. “Yes, you do. You think we’re all freaks. One day I’ll change your perception of that.” He flashed me a devilish wink followed by a wide grin.
Relieved that he’d taken my faux pas in stride, I still wasn’t out of the woods yet. Sam had every intention of changing my opinion about the lifestyle.
Great.
I’m not ashamed of being a Dominant. His words rolled in my mind. Why not? I wondered. He had as much if not more to lose if his secret ever got out. Sam could lose his license altogether if he were found guilty of unethical behavior. What would persuade him to take such a risk with his livelihood?
“What do you get out of dominating women? I mean, what does it do for you on a psychological level?”
Pursing his lips, Sam pondered my questions for several moments. “The power exchange between Dom and sub is a glorious connection all its own. The depth of trust, honesty, and communication far exceeds that of most vanilla relationships. For me, Dominance is like blood, air, and food…it’s my sustenance. Protecting and nurturing feed me on a deeper level than I’ve ever known.”
“But don’t you achieve similar satisfaction taking care of your patients? I mean, you heal and bring new life into the world.”
“Yes, but with Dominance, I’m restoring the submissive soul. It’s far more potent than anything physical.”
Sam’s words were pretty, but they still lacked a tangible blueprint. Evidently, bewilderment marred my expression, because he continued his explanation.
“Imagine a baby bird tossed from its nest. She needs my help…craves it actually. But before I can approach her, I have to gain her trust, let her grow accustomed to my scent, my voice, and my mannerisms. After reassuring her that she’s safe, I can gently pick her up and place her in the palm of my hand. Once there, I can feel her heart racing. She’s frightened, so once more, I take my time and calm her fears.
“An unspoken comprehension exists between us. She’s placed herself in a vulnerable position; she knows I could readily squeeze my fist and shatter her bones, steal the life from her fragile form. But the ineffable beauty is that she knows I won’t. The trust she gives me is so absolute, so fucking priceless, it drives the need within both of us for me to protect, pamper, and nurture her all the more. While at the same time, I am validating the inner strength that she possesses as I teach her how to spread her wings and fly. Within the protection and cherished safety of my hands, she finds a different kind of freedom than she ever thought possible, beneath my command. Liberating a submissive is…well, it’s indescribable.”
I wasn’t prepared for the conflicted emotions Sam’s moving explanation evoked. He made submitting to his Dominance seem almost ethereal.
“I’ve only given you a small taste of that freedom, but I want to give you more…so damn much more.”
Basking in the fantasy world Sam’s words painted, I longed for an even bigger taste, but reality reared its ugly head. In order to experience that glorious world, I had to give up my will. And no matter how much I loved Sam or ached to reach some middle ground, I couldn’t let another man reduce me to rubble the way Darnell had. That was one life lesson I wouldn’t willingly repeat.
“I know you do, Sam. I’m just not sure I can give you what you want.”
“Maybe not. Who knows?” He shrugged. “Trust me, Cin. I’m a very patient man.”
“And stubborn.” I smirked.
“Yes,” he chuckled. “A trait we both share, my little sparrow.”
My little sparrow. Sam’s endearment brought a soft smile to my lips. I could easily relate to his analogy and wondered if such thing as a part-time sub might exist. Wondered if I could play the part to fulfill his needs yet still maintain my identity.
The sounds of gravel crunching under the tires ripped me from my thoughts. The familiar brick building and subsequent parking area behind Genesis sent my stomach to swirl. My body tensed. Sam reached down and squeezed my hand in silent reassurance. Still, an uneasiness continued to thrum inside me. He swung the car into a vacant parking space next to a gleaming black Escalade. The big metal door of the club swung open and Mika appeared wearing a welcoming smile.
Sam shoved the vehicle in park and switched off the engine. He turned toward me. “Are you good?”
“No,” I answered honestly as a cavalry of anxiety marched through my system. “Look, just run in and get what you need. Mika is standing right there. He can protect me from all the mass murderers hiding behind the trees over there.”
“No. I texted Mika when you were changing into that sinfully skimpy outfit. He told me he’d wait and let us in but had to leave right away to spend time with Emerald and their son before opening the club tonight.”
A son? They had a child? How the hell did that work? Hopefully they hid all the Master-slave crap around the innocent boy.
“Oh,” I mumbled as Sam climbed out from behind the wheel.
Rounding the vehicle, he opened my door. I couldn’t move. It was as if my ass had been super-glued to the seat. He extended his hand, waiting patiently as trust and reassurance oozed off him. Finally, I slid my fingers into his palm but found it took an immeasurable amount of strength to leave the safe fortress of his car. My legs felt like rubber. Thankfully, Sam slid his arm around my waist to keep me from tripping up the stairs.
“Good to see you two back again,” Mika remarked. Still smiling, he slapped Sam on the back.
I knew the proper response was: “It’s good to be back,” but then I didn’t like to lie.
“I appreciate you waiting for us,” Sam stated.
“No problem at all. By the way, we’re having Drake and Trevor over for dinner, and whoever else Julianna has invited. I know she’d love to have you two join us. Come by around five-ish or so if you want to eat.”
“Who is Julianna?” I asked, wondering if Mika had a harem of submissives at his beck and call.
“That’s Emerald,” Sam explained. “Her real name is Julianna, but she goes by Emerald here at the club. A lot of members have aliases. It’s just an added layer of anonymity.”
“Do I need to have some other name?”
“Not unless you fe
el you need one,” Mika replied.
“So I have a choice?”
Sympathetic smiles tugged their faces, forcing me to scowl.
“You have a choice about everything. Always,” Sam assured.
“Safe, sane, and consensual is strictly enforced here,” Mika added with a nod, then paused. He looked as if he wanted to say more, but instead turned and punched in a code to unlock the big metal door. Flashing Sam and me a mischievous grin Mika chuckled. “Enjoy yourselves.”
“Thanks, man, and thanks for the dinner invite. We’ll talk it over, and I’ll text you if we can make it.”
Sam’s ambiguous response, and the fact that he intended to discuss the invitation with me and not run roughshod over my wishes, lightened my spirits…a little. Reaching up, Sam gripped the door as Mika dashed down the stairs and jogged to the Escalade.
Peering down the dimly lit hallway, I swallowed tightly. Being aware of what lay beyond the doors and at the end of the hall sent a prickly sensation to invade my system.
“I’ll wait here while you grab what you need,” I volunteered.
“The club is empty, and I promise I won’t bite,” Sam teased. Cinching his arm tightly around my waist, he led me toward the dungeon.
“It’s creepy in here all alone.”
“But you’re not alone. You’re with me,” he challenged.
The scent of leather lay heavy in the air before we breached the archway. “What is it that you need to pick up here?”
A flicker of guilt flashed across his eyes. My head screamed danger. My heart clutched and the air in my lungs constricted. “Why are we here, Sam?”
“To help you face your fears.”
“Oh, no,” I cried, planting the heels of my shoes into the carpet. “You are not tying me up and whipping my ass.”
“You’re right. I’m not,” he replied.
“Then tell me what you plan to do,” I demanded.
“Nothing to you. I simply wanted a chance to give you a private show-and-tell. I figured without any members here you might feel less intimidated.”
I eyed him warily. “Is that all?”
The grin he flashed me made my stomach flip-flop in an entirely different way than it had minutes before. “That’s all. Unless you’re not willing to learn.”
His tone reeked of a dare. “Go ahead,” I replied skeptically.
“Good girl,” he whispered, skimming a kiss over my lips before leading me into the dungeon. “The area around each piece of equipment is called a station. Last night, you saw how the St. Andrews crosses, bondage tables, and spanking benches were used. But over here”—he directed me to the opposite end of the dungeon, near the velvet curtain—“we have the medical, fire, and electrical play stations.”
“Fire? You mean subs actually let their Doms set them on fire and electrocute them? I thought you said that subs were treasured and—”
“Whoa. Take your imagination down a couple notches. Fire and electrical play can be as soothing as a day at the spa. In fact, everything in this room can be as innocuous as velvet or wicked as fangs. It all depends on the sub’s needs.”
“I’d prefer cotton over fangs, thank you very much.”
“I sense a bit of progress there. At least you didn’t automatically reject both.” He smirked.
“Don’t get your hopes up, mister,” I chided. “I’m not doing any of this stuff, so the point is moot.”
With a non-committal grunt, Sam led me through the stations, explaining how each piece of equipment was used. His demeanor had changed, and I noted an air of authority vibrating off his body. Even his posture had grown straighter. His chest expanded, making him seem taller…more commanding in an alluring and erotic way. This bolder, more disciplined, and capable side of him set my girl parts tingling. This was bad…very bad. Not only because I wasn’t wearing any panties—part of my torment-the-hell-out-of-him lunch plans—but because my pussy was already dripping wet. If Sam realized showing me the tools and trades of his Dominance secretly turned me on, I’d be fucked—and not in a way I enjoyed.
Anxious for him to finish his tutorial, I nodded and smiled, feigning interest when all I wanted to do was go the restaurant and turn the tormenting tables on him for a while.
“Touch the leather on this bondage table, Cin. Feel how soft and thick the padding is?” Sam urged as he swept his hand over the shiny black hide.
Following his lead, I quickly pressed my hand to the surface before turning to him with a nod.
“Mika spared no expense to ensure the subs are comfortable during a session.”
“I can tell.” Nervously glancing around the room, I turned back to Sam. “Are we done now?”
“No.” A hint of humor tugged the corners of his mouth. “Hop up on the table so you can feel for yourself.”
“I don’t think so,” I replied, shaking my head. “I know what you’re planning to do.”
“Oh?” Both brows shot up on his forehead. “What’s that?”
“Not a damn thing. Because I’m not about to let you tie me up and do kinky things to me.”
Moving in fast, Sam gripped the back of my nape and leaned close to my ear. “When I tie you up and do kinky things to you, it’ll be because you’ve begged me to, sweetheart,” he whispered in a hungry purr. Arching his hips, he pressed his steely erection against my mound. As he inched away, a sober expression lined his face. “Give me a sliver of trust, Cin, just one tiny sliver. That’s all I’m asking.”
Oh, mercy.
His tone held that same authoritative edge as it had last night, sending a surge of lust to uncoil in my belly and tingles to race up my spine. My body wanted all the nasty, dirty things he could give, but my brain balked, wanting a throwdown with my hormones like a couple of prizefighters. Squaring my shoulders, I lifted my chin. “If you even think about trying to tie me up, so help me Sam, I’ll—”
“Don’t threaten me, sweetheart,” he warned with a grin. “Or I’ll do a whole lot more than tie you up and spank your ass.”
Something wicked sizzled inside me…something that told me I might like that threat. Swallowing the panic rising inside me, I jerked my attention toward the table. If I stopped being flippant, Sam would wind up this little tour and we could leave. What harm could there be in placating him for a minute or two?
Possibly a shit-ton.
Against my better judgment, I scowled, then crawled onto the thick leather surface.
Stealing a glance up at Sam, I saw pride twinkling in his eyes as a smile of joy stretched across his lips. It melted my heart that this small act of yielding had done that for him. Easing onto my back, I continued to gaze at the glowing approval in his eyes. Still, I felt naked and raw, and strangely aroused by the commanding mien surrounding him.
“You’ve never looked more gorgeous, sweetheart,” he whispered as he skimmed his fingers down my arm. “Are you comfortable?”
“Under the circumstances, yes,” I replied tartly, trying to resurrect a wall of indifference.
As if seeing through my ruse, he smirked, then plucked a thick leather flogger off the wall. I sucked in a startled gasp as panic slammed through me.
“Uh-uh,” I cried as I sat up to launch myself off the table. “You are not using that on me.”
Splaying a wide hand over my chest, Sam shook his head before pressing me back onto the table. He arched a brow and cocked his head. “I need that slice of trust now, baby.”
Trust. Easy for him to say, and probably equally easy for him to give without reservation. Me, on the other hand? Not so much.
“I simply want you to feel the softness of the falls. Let me prove that not everything here inflicts pain.” He brushed the tips over the back of my hand. It wasn’t an unpleasant sensation. In fact, it felt rather soothing in a strange way. Still, I wasn’t ready to climb onto all fours, lift my skirt, and tell him to fire away.
“See? It doesn’t hurt. It doesn’t bite. This is nothing more than a harmless caress.” As
Sam trailed the leather fronds up and down my arms, goose bumps erupted over my flesh. Though the sensation felt foreign, my muscles grew lax beneath the tranquil glide of leather. “This particular flogger, because it’s thick and heavy, gives a thuddy kiss. It can be extremely relaxing, or so I’ve been told.”
For a split second, I yearned to feel the sensation he described, but instead, I simply nodded and shoved my curiosity down deep. As he placed the flogger back on its hook, I swallowed down the tendrils of disappointment that suddenly sprouted inside me. Moving to the foot of the table, Sam sent me a wicked smile before reaching beneath the lip. I heard a snick of metal before he cupped his hands around my shins.
“I chose this particular piece of equipment with you in mind,” he stated before shoving my legs apart.
The frame separated, spreading the bottom half of my body open wide. I let out a squeal of surprise and clutched the edge of the table, fearing I’d slip through the gap and land on my ass. Sam shoved my skirt over my thighs while his gaze remained fixed on my bare, wet pussy—totally oblivious to my temporary burst of panic.
“You’ve been keeping secrets from me. Normally I don’t like surprises, but in this case, your glistening, plump pussy all splayed out for me is a welcome one.”
A blush warmed my cheeks as Sam briefly closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath. “The spicy scent of your pretty black orchid is intoxicating. I can’t wait to devour you.” His voice had turned ragged and rough.
Sam positioned himself between my legs, shoving my skirt even higher over my hips, then bent to draw a trail of silky kisses up my thighs. Aching to feel his mouth on me, I bit back a groan when he stopped just short of the juncture between my legs.
Lifting my head, I watched as he knelt on the floor, then inched his face toward my center. His warm breath wafted over my throbbing sex, and I jerked when he placed his thumbs on my folds. Slowly spreading me open, Sam dipped his mouth close to my core. I gripped his head, holding tight to his scalp as anticipation revved. Sucking in a deep breath, I held it as I waited for that first glorious swipe over my electrified tissue. Instead, he speared his tongue deep inside me before proceeding to eat at me like a man possessed.
