ROAD TRIP (BILLIONAIRE BAD BOY ROMANCE Book 1)

by Linzi Basset

  Now, she had to find out if she was about to make the biggest mistake of her life or if the risk she was taking would be the first step to her biggest dream … her happy ever after with Cole Sawyer by her side.

  As Cinderella to her Master Cratos.

  “You did say you signed an exclusive agreement with Cinderella, didn’t you?” Liam leaned his elbows on the balcony rails as he stared down into the dungeon.

  “Yes.” Cole finished his drink and handed the glass to the club coordinator who always hovered by his side and took care of his needs.

  “But something happened and she’s pissed off at you?”

  Cole frowned at him. “I didn’t say that.”

  “You didn’t need to.” Liam chuckled as he pointed to the far corner of the dungeon. “Her actions speak volumes.”

  “What the fuck …” The words exploded from his lips as he leaned forward. “I’m going to kill that motherfucker.”

  “Easy on the poor Dom, my friend. From what I saw, she’s the one making the advances and besides, how is he supposed to know she’s your sub?”

  “He doesn’t need to. She fucking does.” Liam chuckled as he hurried to keep up with Cole as he stomped down the stairs. Anger reverberated from every rippling muscle as he weaved his way through the members milling about and watching scenes already in progress.

  Cole couldn’t recall that he had ever felt such fury as he did at this moment. The closer he got to the group in the far corner, the angrier he became, especially as he watched Sage weave her arms and leg around the muscled Dom kissing her with lustful intent. He reached out to yank the offending man from his submissive when reason ensued. His fingers curled into a fist. He took a step back, folded his arms over his heaving chest, and with spread legs, watched and waited. His eyes had turned dark as the night; his expression spoke of the volatile urge to kill raging inside him.

  “Fuck me! I’m impressed, Master Cratos. Not that I should be, but I commend your restraint.” His reaction didn’t surprise Liam. Cole had masterful control over his emotions and being in love didn’t change that.

  Cole ignored Liam’s taunt, the fury slowly simmering down to a slow burn deep in his gut.

  Lord, I missed her.

  Sage had become part of him over a very short period of time. Her presence in his bed every night had soothed him, brought him the peace he’d been searching for, for ten years. Since she’d left, he became a floundering body … lost and empty.

  He had come to know Sage very well over the past three years but during the road trip, he learned to understand how she thought, acted, and expressed her emotions. He had expected her to withdraw from him. The insecurities she’d never voiced had been like a reel of film playing across her face from the moment Samantha had made her appearance that night in Dallas. That was why he’d continued attempting to make contact with her, to let her know he wasn’t going anywhere. Not phoning her for three weeks had been a calculated risk, but based on her reaction to it, a successful one.

  His little fiery submissive was over the hurt, the suspicion, and insecurities. Now, she was feeding off anger. No matter how he fumed watching her succumb to the lustful and roaming hands of the Dom, he didn’t move. He had been a Dom for over twenty years and controlling his emotions came naturally. He aimed to resolve the misunderstanding. He had no intention of fucking it up by acting impulsively.

  The only miscalculation Sage had made was believing she would get away scot-free. Yes, she might have reason to act out but blatant disrespect in public for him as her Dom and Master of the club would never be acceptable.

  Cole for one had no intention of washing their dirty laundry in full view of the members. This was a private matter and that was how they would resolve it.

  After he’d made sure she understood the rules, his expectations of her as his submissive hadn’t changed.

  “Master Cratos, she’s not thinking clearly. Please don’t—”

  “As my submissive, she should know better, Snow White, especially here in my club.”

  Talia glanced around. The crowd around them had grown exponentially since Cole had arrived.

  “But no one knows she’s your submissive,” she continued to pave the way for Sage’s actions.

  “Everyone knows. I made the announcement upon my arrival. I made it clear our relationship is exclusive and that I will no longer participate in demonstrations with anyone but her.”

  “Oh shit.” She glanced at the lurid act still playing out in full view of everyone. “She’s in deep shit, isn’t she?”

  “And sinking deeper by the second.”

  “But she has just cause. Surely you’re not going to punish her for that?”

  Cole’s eyes shifted to pin Talia in place. “As a submissive yourself, do you honestly believe what you just said?” His gaze moved back to the lip-locked couple. “What happened between us is a personal matter; it happened outside of the club and exactly how it should be resolved. I’m afraid she sealed her own fate by acting out in public in such a blatantly disrespectful way.”

  His stance widened as the Dom finally lifted his head. He fisted a hand in Sage’s hair to keep her head tilted upward.

  “Shall we skip the scene and just move to the finale, my pet?”

  “Ehm … I—”

  “I think not.”

  The couple broke apart. The shock on Sage’s face combined with the deep rosy tint was proof of the effect Cole’s presence had on her. When their eyes met, she visibly cringed in the wake of the scorching anger simmering darkly in his.

  “Master Cratos? Since when do you interfere with a scene discussion? I assure you the sub isn’t in distress. As a matter of fact,” Dom Paul dragged Sage against his side, “she instigated it.”

  “To her own detriment, I’m afraid.”

  “I don’t understand.” Dom Paul glanced to Sage and back to Cole.

  “Are you going to tell him, Cinderella, or shall I?” She opened her mouth but he preempted what he knew was intended as a public rebuff. “I’d think very carefully about how you respond, sub. How long you’re going to sleep on your belly and not sit on your ass depends on it.”

  Sage’s lips snapped shut but she seared him with a furious glare.

  “It seems it’s up to me to inform you, Dom Paul.” He tipped his head at Sage. “Cinderella is my exclusive submissive. Her actions are driven from anger but unacceptable nevertheless.”

  Dom Paul stared at Cole as his words sunk in. His hand fell away from Sage as he took back a step. The repercussions of touching another Dom’s sub weren’t something to trifle with, but when that Dom was the owner of The Rouge Lounge and his name was Master Cratos, it could very easily be a death sentence to his membership at the club.

  “I apologize, Master Cratos. I wasn’t aware.”

  “No harm done, Dom Paul.” Cole glanced at Talia who stood wringing her hands. “Why don’t you escort Dom Paul to the bar and ease his mind with a drink on the house?”

  Talia glanced at Sage, not wishing to leave her alone, but the sub in her didn’t hesitate. “Of course, Master Cratos.”

  Sage’s eyes followed Talia as she took Dom Paul’s hand and they walked off. The gasp sounded like a plea for mercy as suddenly Cole stepped into her space, his hard body a hair’s breadth away from hers.

  “I’m waiting.”

  Her lips thinned as she dared to look at him. The anger had turned into dangerous swirls of heat. She could feel her entire frame shudder as she began to tremble. Maybe she should’ve thought this through a little better. Talia had been right. It would’ve been better to seek him out and speak to him first.

  But no, you had to show him, didn’t you?

  “As am I,” she snipped and tilted her chin higher as hurt and anger sparked to life afresh. He was the one who fucked up first. If he thought he was going to intimidate her by scaring her with his big ass body, he had another thing coming.

  “You're walking a very tight rope, Sage.” />
  “Am I? What about you? Exactly how do you justify what you did?”

  “That is a matter we will deal with outside of the club. A matter that should never have been brought inside the dungeon in the first place. As someone in the Lifestyle for years, you should know that.” He pinched her chin between his fingers as he leaned in to gravel inches away from her lips, “As my submissive, you should’ve known better than to publicly disrespect me and our relationship.”

  “Your submissive? After what you did? As far as I’m concerned your actions tore up that agreement we signed.”

  “What you saw was nothing more than acting out to make a point. Not meant for you to see and something we will discuss in detail later.” He pushed her chin higher when she opened her mouth to speak. “No. That is all I’m going to say on that subject. It has no bearing on our relationship at the club. I understand why you did what you did but as your Dom, I will not let it go unpunished.” He planted a raw and hard kiss on her lips. His eyes glimmered as he growled against her ear. “Exactly as you expected, isn’t it, my pet?”

  Sage’s immediate reaction was denial, but underneath it all, she knew he was right. She might not have come here with the intent to be punished but she did come here to push Cole’s boundaries. As the powerful Master Cratos, she knew exactly what the result would be. The fact that he knew it before she did, irked the living daylights out of her.

  She frowned as another thought flashed through her mind. His warmth was like a blanket of understanding and comfort against her. Although anger and lust were at war in his eyes, the caring Dom silently reached out to her to ease her hurt. To assure her of his commitment and his intention to make right the wrong.

  Her body relaxed against his, fully embracing the love for him she couldn’t deny that had driven her to the club. Whatever had happened in Dallas wasn’t enough to change that. Cole was a man of integrity, a Dom of mastered control. He would never have succumbed to the seduction of a woman … not even an ex-lover … in such a blatant display of lust. For the first time, her soul came to rest. There was a story behind it and she trusted in him to know he wouldn’t embellish a lie.

  But it didn’t mean she was going to roll over and let him walk all over her. Hell no. He was going to have to work a little harder at curbing her annoyance.

  “I came here to scene and enjoy myself. Like before, you have to interfere and spoil my fun.”

  Cole’s laughter cracked ominously through the air, accompanied by the shocked twitter of the crowd behind him.

  “Very well, since you’re asking so nicely for it.” Cole released her chin and took back a step. “Master Liam, please secure Cinderella against the Saint Andrew’s cross. Naked, if you please. I’ll be along shortly to attend to her punishment.”

  Sage was too shocked at him entrusting her to his partner to protest. By the time she stopped glaring at Cole’s retreating figure, she was securely tied to the Saint Andrew’s cross on a raised platform in the center of the dungeon. The chill of the air against her skin caused a shiver to run down her spine as his words echoed in her mind.

  “Naked, if you please.”

  Her shocked gaze lowered to her body. “You damn bastard,” she wailed softly as she watched her nipples hardening into tight little stones, all too aware of the crowd leering at her bare skin. It was the first time she was on such blatant public display … awaiting punishment nonetheless. She moaned as a slither of wetness escaped her labia. Good lord! How could she become aroused at a time like this? How could the thought of all those eyes on her naked bits make her feel … desirable?

  Then he was back. His heat infiltrated her body before he pressed his muscled chest against her from behind. She whimpered as his arms circled her waist to tease her nipples.

  “I hate you. How could you expose me like this? You know I don’t like it.”

  “Don’t you? Hmm … it seems your body disagrees, little one.” She shivered as he dipped a negligent finger deep inside her pussy and swirled it around lazily. “So, fucking wet already. Pity this time it’s going to dry up quickly.” His voice darkened. “Believe me, Sage, you asked for this punishment.”

  “No! It’s not fair. All I wanted was for you to feel what I felt. To see what I saw and … and—” Her protest dried up as he pinched her nipples cruelly.

  “Wrong place to act it out, love. Had you given me the opportunity to explain then, or over the past two months, we wouldn’t be in this situation, now would we?”

  “So, even though you’re saying we’re going to be dealing with it outside the club, that’s what this punishment is all about, isn’t it?” She immediately latched onto his words, knowing full well it was said to appease her. “Because I ignored your phone calls.”

  “Clever, my pet. Unfortunately for you, there are a lot more repercussions to your actions than just angering me. You used a Dom to make a point to me, thereby disrespecting and belittling him as well. That alone cannot be left unpunished.” He leaned closer to sneer into her ear. “It would’ve served you well if I hadn’t interfered and forced you to comply with the arrangement you made with him.”

  That shut her up immediately, lest he change his mind and do just that. Sage had no desire to scene or have sex with any other Dom. She had come to the club with one purpose in mind.

  To secure her future with Cole.

  She had no intention of fucking it up.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Cole smiled as he stepped back and slowly began to circle the cross, ensuring he maintained contact with her skin by tracing a finger against it as he walked. He flicked his thumb over her nipples, caressed the curve of her hip, and squeezed her soft cheeks. All to increase her agitation as to what was coming. He stopped in front of her and gestured to the basket that Liam had just placed at his feet.

  “In here are numerous spanking as well as pleasure tools. Seeing as your misdemeanor was public against a Dom and potentially could impact how subs may believe they have the right to act, your punishment is a public one.” He looked around the crowd. “Because of the nature of your actions, the Doms present will be assisting me with your punishment. Each one has five minutes to punish you with the tool of his choice.”

  “You can’t be serious.” Sage was horrified.

  “There is only one rule, Cinderella. Breaking it won’t end well for you.” An eyebrow quirked upwards. “Care to tell me what it is?”

  “Cursing you?” she dared to taunt him.

  “Feisty little snip, isn’t she?” Liam chuckled.

  “I’d say stupid under the circumstances,” Cole rasped but he didn’t bother to hide the amusement in his gaze. “Do not climax, Cinderella. If you do, these Doms will have the pleasure of feasting on your eager little pussy until you don’t have a drop of essence left to give.”

  Sage could only stare at him with disbelief painted across her face. “I thought you said you’d never allow another man to touch me.”

  “There are exceptions when it comes to punishment. Another little tidbit you should be aware of as a submissive in the Lifestyle.” He turned to Bella, his club coordinator assistant. “Ready?”

  “Yes, Master Cratos.” She smiled as she held up a stopwatch.

  Cole pointed to the large wingback chair that had been placed a couple of feet in front of the platform. “I’ll be watching from there. This is punishment and I expect you to take accountability for your actions, but if you wish to use your safe word, I need you to look at me when you call it out. Understood?”

  “Yes, Master Cratos.” Sage felt miserable, especially as the realization sunk in that he had no intention of participating in her punishment … except to watch.

  She jerked as a warm hand brushed over her ass cheeks. Her body stiffened as she looked toward Cole who had sat down and was watching with hooded eyes.

  “Master Liam … begin if you please.”

  “Indeed, I do.”

  Sage was filled with trepidation as she watched him rummage
through the basket. He rose with a short-tailed leather flogger in his hand. Her hands tightened around the wood edges of the cross.

  Freaking hell. It’s a pussy whip!

  She licked her lips that suddenly felt cracked and dry. It only dawned on her in that moment what the punishment entailed. It wasn’t aimed at pain. Oh no, the bastard Master Cratos was much crueler than that. Orgasm control while forcing her to give in to the pleasure derived from stimulation.

  She moaned as Master Liam circled her, proving his use of the flogger with expert precision. He started by lightly whipping her nipples, teasingly, one at a time, until they stood out into taut peaks. Every lash that connected with the vulnerable nubs shot directly to her clitoris that all too quickly began to throb in response.

  Cole sat relaxed with his legs spread wide and his hands steepled together over his stomach. She could feel his eyes sear into her skin; the obvious enjoyment of watching her body twitch with the first lash of the flogger against her pussy was evident in the smile on his face. It broadened as a low cry of arousal reached his ears.

  “Beautiful, Cinderella. I love watching your body move when you’re aroused.”

  Sage couldn't respond. Not with Master Liam’s relentless aim as he rained stinging lashes onto her labia and clitoris.

  “Ohh, lord,” she whimpered. Blood charged through her veins and pounded insistently with every strike against the swollen nub.

  “Time, Master Liam.”

  Sage sighed in relief at Bella’s voice. Her breaths came in fast puffs as she struggled to push back the orgasm that was scratching at her loins.

  “I’m impressed, Cinderella. Hopefully, Master Cratos will let this continue long enough for a second round. Then, my pet, I’m going to enjoy making you come.”

  The promise made her stomach flutter in anticipation. Her clitoris throbbed with a ferocious need to climax. She closed her eyes at the implication of the torture that lay ahead. He was only the first and she was already on the brink of a climax, but the threat of the Doms licking and sucking her pussy dry repeated like a mantra in her mind.