On her knees and naked.
His body stopped moving while his brain shifted into overdrive.
Two hands pushed him over the threshold and followed him inside, the only sound the click of the lock resetting.
Soaking up her position, the sweet submissive set of her body glowing in the candlelight, he smiled for the first time in a long while.
Dena had come back to him.
The soft rug under her was a duplicate of the one Mark had in his playroom, designed especially for a cherished submissive. A quick look at his friend pulled his attention away from the woman he loved, worry making him second guess the moment. “Did you set this up?”
Mark shook his head, his words a balm to Steve’s heart. “She called me. Her idea all the way.”
He turned back to Dena and noticed the collar. Two steps took him to her and he let his hand settle on the crown of her bent head, burrowing slowly into the soft dark hair. “This is what you want?”
Her head moved under his hand, but he needed the words. “Look at me, doll.” Hands sliding over her ear and under her chin, he lifted her to face him. “Is this what you want? Will you belong to me?”
“Yes, Master. I want to belong to you.”
Sweet words from a beautiful woman. He took the collar from the counter and slipped it around her throat. The click of the clasp resounding in the silent space while his best friends watched.
Steve pulled her to her feet and kissed her perfect mouth, making his possession known, then turned to the men just inside the room. “This is my woman, my submissive. No one may touch her without my permission.”
“Congratulations,” Mark said with a grin. “You’ve found a wonderful woman.”
Derek nodded and smiled, offering his congrats with what passed for happiness for him, the warmth not quite making it to his eyes, but Steve understood. This was a bittersweet moment for the man.
Both men shook Steve’s hand, but they only nodded in Dena’s direction. Yeah, they could look all they wanted, but she was all his. No touching without permission.
His friends took their leave, and he turned to her.
“On the bed, hands over your head.”
Feet apart and arms crossed, he watched her scramble onto the bed and position her body as he’d demanded. The sight of her beautiful body following his directions, the easy submission she gave him, had his heart clenching in his chest.
His.
“Remind me of you safe word, sub.”
“My safe word is purple, Master.”
“I’m glad you remembered my title, sub. You’ve been absent from your position for too long.”
“I’m sorry, Master.”
He wrapped the leather cuffs around each of her wrists with care. He had no desire to roughen her smooth skin but he needed her to understand she belonged to him. “Roll over onto your belly.”
She complied without comment and he stroked a palm down her body from shoulder to hip, then popped her ass with his bare hand. “Why did it take you so long to come back to me, Dena?”
“I was confused, Master.”
He secured her left foot to the far corner of the bed with a long ankle cuff. “You didn’t trust me.”
“I’m sorry, Master.”
The other ankle was restrained in short order, leaving her on the bed as a human X marks the spot. “You should know better. Trust is the most important part of our relationship, save one other.”
“Yes, Master.”
He picked up the flogger from where it lay on the shelf and approached the bed. “Do you still deny that trust?”
Listening to her breath saw in and out of her mouth, he waited for her answer. One long minute passed before she gave him a heartfelt response. “Master, I trust you completely. Please believe me.”
The first lash of the flogger floated across her back with a soft caress, the second stung along the lines of her hips. With each stroke, he pushed her limits until she cried out and writhed within her bounds.
He moved around the bed, scattering the licks of the beads in a manner meant to inflame her senses without marring her satin skin. The pink glow across her body changed and merged with other areas as he worked the flogger over her.
Whimpers and murmurs helped him keep track of her progress, and when the first full moan left her sweet mouth, he dropped the flogger and rid himself of his pants.
It took only moments to release the ankle restraints. Crawling up the bed, he slid his hand under her hips and discovered her ripe, wet pussy. Slowing his need for a minute or two, he stroked his hands down the backs of her legs and repositioned them with her knees under her. He sunk into her with a groan.
His. Only his, and he’d never let her go again. They belonged to each other. The faint whisper of his name had him moving within her, setting a hard fast pace. Her cries increased and when he felt her tighten around his cock, he was right there with her. “Come for me, Dena. Come now.”
About the Author
Lavender lives in Texas with her own private Prince Charming, two kids, two cats and a large brown dog. She spends her days writing sexy contemporary romance, sometimes adding a hint of suspense or tossing in a little dominance and submission.
A member of RWA, she took first place in the Great Expectations Contest in 2011 for Bound by Trust.
When she’s not writing or reading great romance novels, she can be found in the kitchen baking, usually with chocolate. Find her on facebook or the other sites she inhabits in her spare time by following these links:
www.facebook.com/LavenderDaye
www.LavenderDaye.com
www.LavenderDaye.Blogspot.com
And if you need to read more about Private Delights, turn the page for a sneak peek at the next book in the series – The Art of Submission.
Mark Harrison leaned against the back edge of the reception desk and appreciated the long line of leg the night’s hostess offered. The plunging neckline and barely there skirt left just enough to the imagination to entice even the hardcore members of Private Delights. Nothing quite like a beautiful woman to make a man enjoy life and all its pleasures. Her hands came up to rearrange her hair, pulling it back to reveal almost bare shoulders. She was a vision in smooth skin and he appreciated the sight. Not a bad way to pass the time while he waited for his best friend to arrive. He checked his watch. Steve was late so he spent a few minutes contemplating what he could do with the submissive in front of him while he waited. A few salacious thoughts came to mind, but she wasn’t for him tonight.
No, tonight he’d be discussing his club with a researcher.
Mark wondered for the tenth time why he’d agreed to this. His club, his baby, was filled with paying members. His desk was clean for the first time in a month, and a glance through the evening’s roster showed several submissives in the house, semi-naked and willing to give him anything he wanted. Instead, he waited for an unknown woman to push her way into his private domain and ask questions.
Damn Steve and his over-eager submissive for convincing him to take on this girl. Research was the last thing he needed in this business. There were already too many stories about BDSM floating through the media and he didn’t want to add to the cacophony.
Dena was adamant that her friend from school was a legitimate researcher, working on a master’s degree in behavioral science with an emphasis on sexuality. And while he liked Dena and trusted Steve with his life, he wasn’t too sure about the college friend and her agenda.
The frosted glass door opened. Two twenty-something girls dressed in leather didn’t bother looking in his direction, just turned left and disappeared down the hall leading to the public club. Loud music and wannabes. Paying customers in a make believe world of dominance and submission, they’d dance and drink and get off in one of the private rooms in the back of the club, but they had no idea what they were truly missing.
And he had no desire to enlighten them.
The door opened again and his receptionist
smiled at Dena, then dropped her gaze to chest height when Steve came to the podium. “Master,” she said, her tone clear and cool as she addressed him. As lovely as she was, Steve gave her a cursory glance and swiped his card through the reader.
Mark left his spot behind the desk and shook the man’s hand, nodding at Dena until she lowered her eyes. In a social setting, traditional customs were observed, but within the confines of the club, respectful obedience was required.
Behind her, a petite blonde waited to be introduced. Striking bone structure set her apart from the crowd. Her heart shaped face captivated almost as much as the gray-blue eyes and thick lashes. Best of all, she wasn’t a waif of a woman. Her proportions were perfect, nicely rounded in the right places while her slim legs enticed even in the moderate heels she’d chosen to wear. If this was Dena’s researcher friend, he’d gladly take on the job and train her well.
“Anything happening tonight?” Steve asked. “Parking lot is heavy. What am I missing?”
“Most of the traffic is through the bar. One of the regulars is hosting a birthday party.”
Steve lifted his chin, his eyes going to half-mast. “Didn’t know we did that. Are you sending entertainment?”
Mark’s eyes were all for the new girl while he answered. “I sent an email around for volunteers. Nothing official, but I made the membership aware of the situation.”
Completely out of her domain, the woman’s gaze wandered with no idea of protocol and Mark shifted his focus to Dena. She should have clued the visitor in on the rules.
“What exactly did you suggest, my friend?” Steven Gladston looked like what he was, former military with a tough streak a mile wide. He was the best security man in the state and could smell trouble or its potential from a mile away.
Dragging his eyes off the woman and back to Steve, Mark caught the man’s eye then tipped his head at the blonde. “Nothing too explicit. I don’t expect to get any new members from the party goers, but a little glimpse might boost attendance at the bar. As long as we don’t get raided, I’m okay with whatever they want to do.”
Without turning his head, Steve said, “Dena, introduce your guest.”
To her credit, the woman took one look at her friend and realized she was out of compliance. Her eyes dropped and her cheeks reddened.
“Master Mark, please meet Kellie Windsor.”
Mark moved closer to the girl and offered his hand, making sure it was within her vision. Without lifting her head, the woman grasped his hand. Soft and pliant, her fingers closed around his for just a moment and he felt a hesitance in her grasp. Was she nervous or afraid? He threw a quick glance at Dena, sure she’d said this woman wanted to meet him. If this was some sort of matchmaker setup for him, he had no desire to participate.
Ms. Windsor’s chin lifted and he got a clear look into her mindset when their eyes met. A hint of nervous energy flickered, most likely from the club’s reputation. She wanted to be here, but didn’t know what to expect. A subtle touch of defiance shone in her eyes. Sure of herself, she didn’t plan to stay long enough to submit to any man.
Interest turned his pilot light from low to medium. He loved a challenge.
“Perhaps we should get acquainted in my office. I’d like to hear more about your project before I agree to your research.”
Her head swiveled to Dena and she grabbed her friend’s wrist but before Dena could comment, the young lady’s shoulder’s squared and her eyes found his again.
“I’m not sure how much you know about the workings of Private Delights, so I’ll give you the short version on the way to my office. Come.” He walked away.
If she followed, good. If not, her loss. She’d learn obedience or go home.
“Participants are labeled as dominants or submissives, also known as tops and bottoms. Most of our members prefer to keep their membership private, so before we wander into any of the public or private areas of the club, I’ll need you to sign some paperwork. Just a standard nondisclosure affidavit, along with a few other sub- clauses.”
He stopped to wait for the elevator and looked at her, expecting a question or comment. Not so. The hesitance he’d glimpsed was gone and curiosity flavored her expression more than anything else.
“What exactly do you expect to get out of this meeting, Miss Windsor?”
The door opened and they entered the empty car.
“It would help me considerably, allowing me to skip over issues that don’t interest you or have no impact on your thesis.”
The door closed and he touched the up arrow. There were two floors available within the main areas of the club. The basement, reserved for premium members, was only accessible through a secure elevator situated at the back of the second floor. “May I call you Kellie?”
“Sure.”
Without expression, he replied. “Good. You may address me as Master or Master Mark while we are here in my domain.”
Her priceless expression caused a heat bloom in his chest. At first glance, she’d been timid and nervous but without her friend’s backup, Kellie was stronger than the little girl he’d expected. Still not quite the academic Dena had described but much more pleasing to the eye and the senses.
The doors slid open and he stepped out of the elevator ahead of her, knowing she’d be caught off guard. Common courtesy wasn’t the same within the club.
Her first lesson would focus on rules and procedures.
If she got that far.
The upstairs hall was wide enough to allow four men to walk abreast, with luxurious patterned carpet one might find in a high-end hotel and tasteful artwork on the walls. Kellie soaked in the atmosphere and he let her. They were alone and he wanted her to understand she wasn’t in a back room bordello or porn palace. His members had high expectations and he stayed in business by giving them what they wanted.
“This way, Kellie.” He led her into his office and closed the door behind her. “I think we’ll begin on the sofa.” Mark took her elbow in hand, the first time he’d touched her since they’d shaken hands, and the tingle in his chest flared again.
He placed her at one end of the short sofa and sat at the other end, close enough for their knees to touch if they both turned sideways.
“Tell me about this project.” No use sugar coating her reason for being here. He wanted to get to the crux of the thing, finish the discussion, and proceed to his suggestions for her.
Kellie popped the clasp of her purse and pulled out a slim notepad. “I’m researching human sexuality for my thesis, and with the recent phenomena in the publishing world, I wanted to focus on the whys and hows of dominance and submission. I’ve read a few books on the subject—”
“More than a few fictional works, I hope?”
“Umm, yes, of course.”
“What area do you wish to explore, Kellie? Would you like to train as a submissive or as a dominant? Though, to be honest, before working through Dom training, you’d need to participate as a submissive first. A successful Dom needs to have a firm grasp of the mindset and needs of the submissive he works with.”
“Oh. I didn’t want to actually participate. I just have a few questions.”
“Dena mentioned a tour of the club, did she not?”
“Yes, but if that’s not possible, I understand.”
Damn it to hell, the woman was enchanting, even with her shaking hands and the firm set to her mouth. For the first time in a few years, he was excited about the prospect of introducing a woman into his lifestyle. If Kellie Windsor had enough inner strength to come here with her questions, she’d be a hell of a submissive.
He retrieved the folder on his desk, along with a pen, and brought them back to the sofa, settling close enough for his thigh to rub against hers. Holding the sheaf of papers in front of her, he pointed out the pertinent clauses while observing her response to his proximity. Since he would be responsible for her presence in the club, any sign of arousal would be tracked. If Miss Windsor was oblivious to the atmo
sphere, he’d leave her alone and let her do her little project and move on.
But if what she witnessed brought out a spark of sensual interest, she’d be his. The decision was made in a split second but he’d wait to act on it. He was in no rush to push her, so he enjoyed the momentary contact, then pulled back. The instant relaxation of her body lit another flare under his skin.
“Are you willing to sign, or would you prefer to have your attorney read through the document?” he asked.
“I don’t have a problem with nondisclosure. I don’t plan to share any personal information related to the people I see here. I’ll sign.”
Mark slipped his cell from a pocket and pushed a button. A door opened and his personal assistant arrived, pen and ledger in hand. Mildred had the woman officially cleared and the document notarized in no time and promised to have a copy prepared for Kellie before she left.
“Now, I’m still not completely sure what you hope to see here, but I think a tour of the facilities might give you a better grasp of what goes on in my establishment.” He stood, but didn’t offer his hand to help her to her feet. “Before we leave this room, we need to discuss the mandatory courtesy protocols. Since you’re not a member, you’ll have some leeway while with me as escort, but it’s considered rude to address a Dom without permission or to look him or her in the eye.”
“Her? There are women dominants?”
“Of course. Each person takes on their own role and sometimes they switch back and forth depending on their mood. If you become a member you’ll have the same option.”
She muttered under her breath, nothing he could make out.
“I didn’t get that. Could you repeat it?” he asked, damn sure she wouldn’t tell him what she was thinking. He’d already filled her head with information she hadn’t expected. “Will you follow these rules?”
“And if I don’t?” she asked.
“There will be consequences.”
“What?”
“Here, as in life, if you break the rules, you’re punished. For today, I suggest you stick to the rules and see where they take you. On your next visit, if there is one, you might explore consequences.”
Take a Chance Page 15
