by Jenna Jacob
“Any more? One was enough. Let me up,” I hissed.
“Not on your life. If you’re brave enough to poke the lion, you’re brave enough to feel the lion’s wrath.”
Sam aligned another wicked slap. I let out a long, mournful howl. Flopping on his lap like a fish out of water, I struggled to break free of his grasp. But he was too strong. I didn’t want to find pleasure as my nipples scrubbed against the coarse hair on his thighs. Or delight in the shards of heat gathering in my core. And I certainly didn’t want to derive pleasure from the burning sensation enveloping my ass…the liquid heat that sank deep into my tissue and throbbed in time with my clit. My body belied the embarrassment and rage that seethed in my brain.
Another swat sent tears spilling from my lashes.
“Stop,” I cried.
“Wrong word, sweetheart,” Sam replied in a low, hungry drawl before bestowing yet another blow to my stinging flesh.
As I cried out once more, a feeling of helplessness settled deep. But it was more than a bizarre sensation of being at Sam’s mercy; I felt an undeniable sense of peace. As if that wasn’t astounding enough, I realized that I wasn’t afraid or mortified anymore.
The scorching pain should have crushed me, but it didn’t. It only added to the indescribable hunger growing inside me. Suddenly Sam slid his fingers between my folds. As he gathered the moisture spilling from inside me, I couldn’t deny how aroused his spanking made me.
“Sam. Please,” I whimpered, needing something but unsure what it might be.
“Sir. You will address me as Sir in this room from now on, girl,” he instructed on a feral roar.
When he shoved his fingers inside my pussy again, I moaned and rocked against his probing digits.
“That’s it, sweet slut,” he snarled. “Show me how desperate you are for my control. Prove you need all I plan to give you.”
Slut? Sweet slut? His phrase clashed inside my head. Demeaning yet steeped in pride, filled with lust and desire. I felt as if he was praising me, but I couldn’t foster the level of logic to interpret why such foul words elicited joy. My brain was occupied with other questions, like where had the soft-spoken, reassuring doctor with the compassionate bedside manner gone? This wasn’t the Sam I knew. This man was overbearing, ruthless, and rigid. It was almost as if he possessed dual personalities…a modern-day Jekyll and Hyde. I didn’t know whether to fear this dark side of him or feel grateful that he cared enough to share his alter ego with me. But the most perplexing question that plagued me was why did I enjoy his kinky cravings?
His nimble fingers delved deeper, dragging over my g-spot, stilling my internal musings to focus on the bliss Sam bestowed. My cunt sucked at his digits. His hot breath skimmed over my shoulder as he pressed a gentle kiss there. All the tension melted from my body, and I dissolved like spun sugar, falling limp and lax on his lap.
“That’s my girl. Give yourself over to me, baby. Let me have it all,” he whispered, accentuating his words by scraping his thumb over my clit.
Back and forth, he batted my distended nub. Sinking further and further into the depths of demand, I moaned in delight.
“Your pretty little cunt is all wet and ready for me. You’re perfect, Allisinda…perfect for me in every way.”
His voice was steeped in awe, laced in pride, and wrapped around me like a blanket of bliss. Perfect? He thought me perfect? No one had ever regarded me as such before. Not my friends, not Darnell, and certainly not my parents. I’d grown up wearing the expectations of others like a weight around my neck. I’d longed for recognition of my accomplishments, but the bar of success had been set so high, achieving anything close to perfection had been nothing but a pipe dream. Yet, with Sam, I’d not only reached that elusive pinnacle but surpassed it as well.
His unconditional approval filled me with triumph, so much so that I couldn’t contain my emotions. Sobs of redemption slid off my lips while the accolades he bestowed warmed the cold, empty corners of my soul.
Sliding his fingers from inside me, Sam repositioned me astride his thighs. With my legs stretched out alongside his hips, his thick, rigid cock rested against my belly. Using the pads of his thumbs, he gently wiped the tears from my cheeks.
“What is it, my little sparrow? Why are you crying?”
“You think I’m perfect.” I sniffed, wishing I could wipe away the doubt in my voice.
“I don’t think it…I know it.” Sam softly smiled before slanting his lips to mine.
My stomach chose that exact moment to issue a loud growl. He chuckled against my lips.
“I think I need to feed you, girl. Sounds like you skipped breakfast this morning.” He arched his brows in a look of censure.
“Last night’s dinner, too,” I replied with a nonchalant sweep of my hand.
“Let me make one thing perfectly clear—if you skip any meals again, I’ll take you over my lap, only next time you won’t like it.” His intimidating tone resonated in my ears.
I rolled my eyes. “Honestly, I’m not a child, Sam.”
“It’s Sir in here, remember?”
Ignoring his reminder, I continued. “You won’t be dishing out any more punishments.”
“I will if you don’t take better care of yourself.”
Sucking in a deep breath, I raised my chin. “So are we going to stay here and fight, or are we going to get something to eat?”
A glint of challenge flickered in his eyes while his lips thinned in disapproval.
My shoulders slumped. “I don’t want to fight with you.”
When he didn’t respond, merely arched his brows inviting me to continue, I sucked in a deep breath.
“Okay, so the spanking wasn’t horrible. I’ll grant you a pass this one time. I basically earned it by messing with you, but trust me. There won’t be a repeat performance.”
With a stoic expression, Sam lifted me off his lap and eased me onto the mattress beside him before standing to gather his clothes. When he slid back into his pants, I wanted to groan in protest as he carefully tucked his steely erection beneath the zipper.
“Then I suggest you walk a straight and narrow path from now on, girl,” he stated pointedly. “Get dressed, my sassy little wench.”
Challenging his Dominance was pointless. It would be like telling him not to breathe. So instead of inciting any more arguments, I merely grunted and started putting on my clothes. As I sat on the edge of the bed, slipping on my shoes, I glanced up at Sam. He had buttoned up his shirt and was stuffing the tails inside his trousers.
“Are we going to the restaurant with the decadent lasagna you mentioned earlier?”
Sam pondered my question as he fastened the buttons on his cuffs. “We’ll save that for another date. Why don’t we take Mika up on his dinner invitation? You’re not uncomfortable with that, are you?”
The taunting twinkle in his eyes told me Sam was going to do everything in his power to keep me from finding my footing. That was fine; I’d play his game…as long as I could. Quirking up one corner of my mouth with a wry grin, I cocked my head. “It all depends. Will we be eating in a dungeon?”
“No. But I could arrange to feed you while you’re cuffed to a cross if you’d like,” he countered. The wicked grin that speared his lips told me not only would he do it, but he’d probably enjoy the hell out of it, too.
Rat bastard.
“I’d prefer eating at a table. But not a bondage table, thank you very much.”
Sam tossed back his head and laughed. His rich timbre vibrated all the way to my bones.
“How ’bout I tie you down to a bondage table and devour you for dinner?” I countered.
“Oh?” He arched his brows. “You think I’d submit to you?”
“Sure. Why not? You can’t tell me you wouldn’t enjoy me wrapping my mouth around your cock before I crawled on top of you and—”
“Stop, sweetheart.” Sam held up his hand. “That will never happen. From here on out, any time I want your mouth o
n me, you’ll be on your pretty little knees.”
The visual that exploded in my brain set my girl parts churning, yearning to feel him thrusting in and out of my mouth. No way was I going to agree to his condition. Instead, I flashed him a plastic smile, then hooked my finger beneath his chin.
“Looks like you’re in for a long oral dry spell then.”
Sam snatched my wrist before drawing my fingers to his mouth. As he nibbled the tip of my index finger, an evil smile curled over his lips. “We’ll see about that. But first I need to feed you. See, you’re going to expend a lot of energy…begging before I let you fall to your knees.”
My mouth went dry. Heat rushed between my legs. Dammit, I wasn’t supposed to be turned on by his caveman cravings. But I was, and it worried the hell out of me.
“Never going to happen,” I chided, rolling my eyes.
“Let’s go before I keep you here to prove you wrong.”
Pressing his palm at the small of my back, Sam led me out of the room, down the hall, and out the back door. The cloudless sky bathed the buildings in bright yellow. Once inside his car, he fired off a text to Mika, then started the engine. As we headed north out of the city, Sam threaded his fingers through mine.
“You know, you can try deluding yourself all you want. But there’s a part of you that aches to break free from the social niceties and expectations that have been drummed into you all your life.”
I shook my head, but before I could refute his claims, he squeezed my hand. “I know what that’s like. I lived it, too. But there comes a point when you have to follow your desires and stop trying to conform to others’ persona of you.”
I flashed him an incredulous look. “You expect me to conform to your desires. How’s that any different from my parents?”
“Because deep down, you want to conform to those same desires. I’ve seen you respond to my Dominance time and again. You can refute it all you’d like, but I know the truth. It’s breaking the chains in here…” He lightly tapped a finger to my head. “That’s the only thing stopping you.”
I nibbled my bottom lip, gnawing on his words. He made accepting the BDSM lifestyle sound so easy. Yes, I wanted a bigger taste of surrender, but my inner control freak refused to let go of the reins.
Sam let the discussion of Dominance and submission die, opting instead to talk about work as we made our way along Lake Shore Drive. The change of topic was a welcome reprieve. So were the placid blue waters of Lake Michigan. Both did wonders to soothe my frazzled nerves.
When Sam pulled the car up a long driveway, I studied the massive mansion situated on the lake. A feeling of déjà vu slammed me. I’d grown up in the same type of ostentatious surroundings. Mika certainly hadn’t struck me as the aristocratic type. But then again, I really didn’t know the man.
As we made our way up the walk, toward the front door, I glanced up at Sam. “I had no idea owning a BDSM club could be so lucrative.”
“Mika’s family is well off, like yours, my little debutante,” Sam said with a chuckle.
“Smartass,” I groused as we reached the door. Just as Sam reached for the bell, I grabbed his arm. “Wait. What do I call her?”
“Who?”
“Emerald…err, I mean Julianna. Which name do I use outside the club?”
A wide grin lit up Sam’s face as he pressed the doorbell. “You can call her Julianna.”
The vivacious redhead opened the door wearing a broad smile, a pair of jeans, and a teal T-shirt. She looked like a normal woman and not the corset-bound submissive I’d met the night before.
“I’m so glad you decided to join us. Come on in,” Julianna exclaimed, opening the door wider. “Everyone’s out back on the deck, except Mika. Our little get-together has grown…um, I guess I invited too many friends. Anyway, Mika’s gone to fetch the food.”
Sam bent and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you for letting us crash your dinner, girl.”
“Yes, thank you, Julianna. I hope we’re not intruding.”
“What? Oh, heavens, no. Not at all,” she replied with a wave of her hand. “Follow me.” She grinned as she ushered us through the marble entryway.
Light from the huge crystal chandelier shimmered over several exquisite paintings and gilded mirrors adorning the walls. Childhood memories sprang to life at the familiar lavishness their home afforded. Reminding myself this wasn’t the same sterile environment that sucked the life out of me growing up didn’t stop my skin from crawling as Julianna led us toward the back of the mansion.
After passing an über-masculine, oak-paneled study and entering a more casual-looking family room, where toddler toys lay scattered over the floor, I finally began to relax.
“Your home is beautiful.”
Julianna turned to me and snorted. “My old house was a three-bedroom ranch, about an eighth the size of this monstrosity. I’m still not sure if I’ve been in all the rooms here yet or not. But thank you.”
Her lack of pretentiousness was a welcome relief and made me grin.
When we stepped out onto the deck, I blinked in surprise at the number of people relaxing around several large tables, drinking beer, laughing, and talking.
“Hey. Cindy and Sam are here,” Liz cried as she leapt out of her chair and waved.
The sight of my bestie did wonders in calming my fears. I grinned as she scampered toward Sam and me. Both Ian and James were right behind her, wearing matching smiles.
Gathering me in her arms, Liz gave me a tight hug as she pressed her lips to my ear. “Yeah, you look real sick, you faker.” Then her tone turned serious. “You freaked out like I did in the beginning, didn’t you?”
“Something like that,” I confessed.
“Just remember to breathe, but more importantly…lean on Sam. He’s a good Dom. He’ll help you sort the lifestyle out. And as always, I’m here for you too sister.”
“Thank you.” Unwilling to let go of the strength and determination Liz offered, I clung to her for several long seconds. “What’s going to happen here? I mean, who’s going to get beaten?”
“No one,” Liz chortled. “Nothing is going to happen except good food and friendly conversations. This is very informal, nothing close to the protocol of the club. I highly doubt anyone is even going to get naked.
“Thank god,” I murmured. “I was worried Sam was going to feed me to the wolves.”
Liz pulled back and blinked. “Oh, honey. He’d never do that. It’s his job to lead you down your path and protect you.”
“I’m still not sure I want to walk that path,” I confessed on a shaky whisper.
“What are you two talking about?” Sam asked with a mock scowl.
“Nothing, Sir,” Liz replied, batting her eyes and slapping on an innocent smile.
“Oh, girl,” Ian groaned. “Don’t quit your day job, because you’ll quickly go broke as an actress.”
Liz stuck out her bottom lip in a pathetic pout while the guys around us laughed. Even I couldn’t help but grin.
A few minutes later, Sam whisked me away and introduced me to his other friends. Suddenly a beer was shoved in my hand. Looking up, Drake towered above me wearing a wide grin as he blocked the sun from my face.
“It’s good to see you again, Cindy. I had a sneaking suspicion you were a sub,” he stated before jabbing his elbow into Sam’s ribs. “Good going, Doc.”
“Oh, I’m—”
“Cin still needs a bit of convincing in that area, but I’m working on it,” Sam quietly informed Drake.
After taking a long pull on my beer, I redirected the conversation. “Is Trevor here?”
“Sure is. He’s right over there.” Drake turned and pointed across the deck.
In the corner, Trevor sat with a chubby, bronze-skinned toddler perched on his lap, reading the little tike a story.
“Go on over and say hello,” he encouraged. “I know he’ll be happy to see you.”
Darting a questioning look up at Sam, I immediately frown
ed. What possessed me to seek his permission?
A wide, knowing grin lit up his face. “You may,” he replied, biting back a laugh.
I sent him an angry glare, then lifted my chin and marched off toward Trevor.
“Holy… How did you manage to get her to do that?” Liz asked Sam from behind me.
Biting back an unladylike growl and the urge to flip her off, I painted on a smile before easing onto the vacant chair next to Trevor. He was oblivious to everything except the boy on his lap and the book in his hand. I sat quietly and listened as Trevor read the words in funny, animated voices. The little boy, who I assumed was Mika and Julianna’s son, giggled and gazed up at Trevor as if he’d hung the moon. The palpable aura of love enveloping the two brought an honest smile to my lips.
“You boys seem to be having the most fun at this party,” I said with a chuckle. Trevor jerked his head in my direction. His eyes grew wide in surprise, like saucers. I giggled.
“Cindy. Oh, wow. What are you doing… I’m sorry, that’s way rude. It’s so good to see you,” Trevor sputtered. Leaning over he gave me an awkward hug.
“It’s good to see you again, too. You look amazing. I’m here with Sam.”
“Oh, really?” Trevor exclaimed dramatically. “So you and Sam, huh? Well that certainly gives a whole new meaning to playing doctor.”
Even as the heat climbed up my cheeks, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Weed, Unk Twebber,” the beautiful toddler begged in a precious but demanding tone. “Weed. Me.”
“Unk Twebber will weed you, Tristan. Just give me a second to say hello to my friend, Cindy, little man.” With a huff, the toddler pouted. Trevor tapped his finger on the little man’s lip and shook his head. “You’d better tuck that in before a bird comes along and poops on your lip.”
“Ewww. I’own wike burd pooh, Twebber.” Tristan wrinkled his nose and buried his face in Trevor’s chest. Milliseconds later, the little boy raised his head and grinned. “I wike cake. Weed. Weed. Weeeeed.”
Julianna swooped in and plucked Tristan off Trevor’s lap. “Let Uncle Trevor visit with his friends for a bit, baby.” She pressed a kiss to the toddler’s chubby cheek. “He can read to you later on. I swear. You’re as demanding as your father.”
