Independence: #2 Angel

by Karen Nichols

  He kept up the soft circling motion over her nipple, feeling it tighten a little more with each stroke. Colin was patient and waited for her eyes to meet his. It fascinated him that there was a mix of arousal and fear as well as embarrassment. What kind of message had they blended into a little girl looking for nothing more than a hug?

  “Communication and honesty are a must, Angelica,” he spoke low, forcing her attention. “Do you like this feeling? Does it send hot little spikes through your body?” When she nodded, he shook his head and waited, watching as she brought her tongue out to drag moisture over her lips. “I don’t think I have to explain what it does to me. I can see fire in your eyes. You can feel what being near you like this does to me.”

  “Yes. Oh, god, yes, it feels so good…”

  “Honest and brave, little sub,” he murmured, taking it a step further and dropping his fingers to the button at the front of her jeans. “I want to wrap my tongue around that nipple and pull it deep into my mouth. I bet you taste like sugar and spices,” his fingers popped the button on her jeans free before sliding the zipper down. He stopped when her breathing hitched, her eyes impossibly wide. He placed his palm flat against her stomach, stroking gently over the fabric back and forth until he saw the hint of panic fade.

  “I don’t know what you’ve read or heard. A Dom/sub relationship is just as varied as the weather outside our windows. It shifts and adjusts to the needs of each couple, each person inside that pair…and sometimes more than just two people,” he saw the flair of panic and knew he’d never want to share her in that sort of intimacy.

  Angel supped in a breath when his flattened palm pressed over her stomach and into the front of her jeans. A sex club, she kept repeating. That was why she came here. She needed something. She wanted more but was afraid to go after it. She sent her mind to the light strains of the dance music, her eyes drifting closed as the touch of his fingers on the edge of her panties seemed to overwhelm her senses.

  Then his palm stopped moving forward.

  She knew what he wanted. Knew without asking and slowly opened her eyes, staring into the blue circles and feeling the flush of heat began in her cheeks and travel through her body.

  “Good girl,” Colin murmured, his fingers continuing their soft stroking.

  Colin put one foot between hers and nudged gently, the movement enough to loosen the tight apex of fabric between her thighs. His fingertips grazed the very shortly clipped down, stroking a light pattern from one thigh to the other and traveling over her mound in the path.

  “Are you wet, Angelica?”

  “Yes…I…I think so…”

  He knew she had been focused on his fingers, the heat from her rising when he slid his whole palm over her mound, his middle fingers pushing through the swollen sides until they found the source. Using his finger, he drew some of the syrup along the cleft, up and around the clit, small and still hidden.

  “Was it your parents who lectured about how bad touching was?”

  “It’s a reward…or a punishment,” she answered when his fingers stopped their play, her chest heaving. “Only I was never rewarded. Something was always wrong. Always bad,” she whispered guiltily, trying to push against him with her hips. “He told me over and over how…that I’d never be good enough…that it only led to…”

  “Says the man with seven children,” Colin remarked with a shake of his head. He almost let a laugh free when his words seemed to find a place of logic inside her mind.

  “Procreation…lectures…”

  “But you masturbate,” he guessed softly, leaning in and taking a long slow breath. Damn, she was sweet. He could almost taste her on the end of his tongue. He stopped his fingers from moving when she didn’t answer. “Do you, Angelica?”

  “Yes. Sometimes. I can’t…it doesn’t always work…my head…” she shook her head, struggling for the right words. “I can’t always focus…then I think of things he’s told me…” the small breath and gasp left her lips when he pressed hard on the upper portion of the small hood, popping the little pulsing nub out for his stroke. “Oh, god…”

  “There, pet?” He lowered his mouth to hers, their lips not touching, just a breath of air between them. It was a reward but he wanted her to have it now, without strings.

  Angel could feel his mouth, just outside her reach. She tried rising on her toes and heard him chuckle seconds before his mouth covered hers. Soft, teasing and sensual, she never felt more feminine. She could feel parts of her alive and screaming for more when two fingers stroked over her clit and pressed, hard then soft, over and over, around the top and just outside the sensitive part. Suddenly, abruptly, everything that had been held in tight, tight control shattered and burst into splinters.

  Focus was completely gone and her head thumped back against the wall. His kiss swallowed her scream and her body shook hard against him. He continued kissing her, nipping at her lip and urging her back into the play.

  She didn’t shy away or deny him, her lips taking as well as giving for several minutes while her body drifted down and his palm left her panties to grip her waist, holding her close to his body. Her hands fell between them and she felt like cuddling down and losing herself in his warmth and a mingling of scents very far from her sweet shop.

  Breathing raggedly, Angel didn’t move when his hand went to the front of her jeans and zipped them, the button easily slid into place before he raised his head and stared down at her.

  Chapter Four

  “I think you’re a little more relaxed now, pet,” Colin watched the thick, dark lashes rise over eyes just a little dazed; just a little confused and embarrassed. “Touching is not a reward, Angelica and I promise you, it’ll never be used that way between you and I. Is that clear? It’s vital and important and part of who we are as humans.”

  “I…I’ve never…why was it so easy? It seemed so easy for you to…to just take my body along…”

  “Because you weren’t thinking of anything but me and where I touched,” he answered honestly. “Did you read the rules when you came through the door?”

  She nodded and he waited, bringing his fingers to his lips and sliding them into his mouth. Even in the dim light of the room, he could see color flood her cheeks.

  “Just like sugar,” he said simply. “I want words from you, Angelica. No nodding or shaking your head. No hiding. Not here. Not from me. Is that clear?”

  “Yes,” she answered immediately, pushing the last of the euphoria aside even as her lower body still hummed with pleasure. “Yes, I read the rules.”

  “Then you understand safe, sane and consensual,” he said simply, taking a step back and lowering her hands, holding them both still in one of his. “The right answer is either ‘Yes, Sir’, or ‘No, Sir.”

  Colin watched her eyes sharpen, her head up as she inhaled deeply.

  “Yes, Sir,” she said softly.

  “Good girl.” Approval laced those simple words.

  “You’re one of them, aren’t you? Like Gabriel,” she asked carefully, licking her lips and trying to suppress the shudder.

  “Like Master Gabriel?” He corrected gently, watching the acknowledgement in her eyes. “Yes, I’m a dom…I suppose you could say it’s a big part of my nature,” Colin said with a hungry grin. “And I believe you’re a sub. And for tonight at least, I want you to be my sub, Angelica.”

  “I don’t know what that means.” She lied. She knew it and lowered her eyes to the floor because she could tell he knew, as well. That probably wouldn’t end well for her.

  “Don’t you?” He released one of her hands and clasped the other. “Let’s take a walk and discuss it. Have you been through the club?”

  “No…well, not more than the dance area and...and the restrooms.”

  “Why not? You came here because you’re curious.”

  “I’m not sure why I came,” she answered honestly. “I’m really not. I probably shouldn’t have. I’m sure if the word got out, it would just make t
hings worse,” she shrugged. “I think I thought I could hide here. Maybe for one night and not think…just not think.”

  “Never waste a good brain and you’ve got that, Angel,” Colin met the surprised look with a grin. “First, the people here respect and value privacy. No one will mention you being here to anyone. It’s just another part of the lifestyle that people value. Second…as for hiding…wouldn’t it be easier to get rid of what you’re hiding from then to constantly be running and hiding?”

  Angel turned away and just sighed. If only it was that simple. She should have left the area, she knew that now. She should have gone someplace else, changed her name and started her little bakery where no one knew her. She snapped back when she realized they had stopped moving.

  She felt her eyes widen, the bare bottom of a girl visible to all while a man who she swore wasn’t more than twenty-five, if that, used a small whip thing on her. It snapped and cracked enough to make her jump at just the sounds. It looked like twenty, twelve inch pieces of leather coming from the end of a short handle and he worked it up and down her body, from her shoulders to her calves. Some of his strokes were that of a major league baseball played sending one out of the park; other swings, were nothing more than the soft flick of feathers.

  But every time he struck, she groaned instead of screaming. Each sound was different when it struck. From hard to almost cottony soft. That’s when she realized some of the sounds were pure frustration from the woman. He was teasing her; heightening her arousal so when the harder strokes hit, her mind hadn’t caught up to where her body wanted to be.

  “I asked you what you thought of that, Angel,” Colin knew she’d been off in her own thoughts but the sights and sounds of the scene area was just what she needed as a distraction.

  “Umm…well…she seems…engaged,” Angel couldn’t take her eyes off the strokes and let her eyes travel to the spot between the girl’s legs. Moisture glistened there and the sounds she made…

  “Engaged,” Colin repeated with a low chuckle. “Yes, she is most definitely engaged. Did you complete the paperwork for playing at the club?”

  “Yes,” she answered absently walking along with him when he moved forward. Her head tipped slightly to the side at the next scene and the woman who was folded and lying on a bench of sorts, her behind in the air and a man behind her having a really good time with her. Of course, the more erotic the sounds the woman made only seemed to urge him on.

  Angel jumped when the palm came down hard on the back of her jeans. “Sir! Yes, sir, I’m sorry.”

  “We need to do something to keep you in the moment,” Colin led her to an empty scene square and placed her next to the upright large X in the corner. “Hands up.”

  “I…oh…” Her eyes widened when he took her wrists and pulled them above her head, buckling each one into a pair of heavy fabric cuffs. “I told you this was a bad idea. I told you to leave and…and find someone else. I really was just visiting, exploring. I told you I was difficult and…”

  Colin didn’t think it was possible but her eyes got even bigger when he fastened the cloth gag between her lips and stepped back. Waiting. The stunned surprise turned to fiery anger and then was slowly rimmed with concern. He lifted a small squeak toy from the table and held it in front of her.

  “This…” he gave it a squeeze. “Is your safe word until I’m sure you’re paying attention and will keep quiet unless given permission to speak. Nod if you understand, Angelica.” Colin watched the hint of stubborn tilt her jaw up but she nodded curtly. “Good girl,” he moved next to her and placed the small toy in her fingers. “If you use that when you don’t need it, you’ll be escorted from the club and not permitted back inside. Nod for me again, Angelica.”

  Not allowed back. The words stung as much as the little whip thing. She nodded once and worked to slow her breathing.

  “Now…I bet…” he patted down the pockets of her jeans and found what he was searching for. He pulled the paper free with a soft, “Ah-ha…your copy of what you agreed was acceptable to you in the club.”

  Angel growled behind the piece of fabric and tapped her bare foot at his leg. She hoped she applied the right expression and a sigh.

  “I’ll remove it but if you start going off in all directions again, the gag goes back on. Do you understand?” He waited for her nod and opened the knot behind her head, tucking the cloth into the front of his pants. “I want yes sir, or no sir, Angelica. Nothing else unless I ask for it. Am I clear?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “That’s sounding just a little bit surly,” he met her eyes, the paper dangling from his fingers. “This is a simple enough question, Angelica. Did you come here to learn and play as a submissive? Did you come here to learn about yourself in the process? This isn’t about your family. It isn’t about anything but you. Do you think you can trust me enough to teach you?”

  “Yes, Sir,” she answered after a long minute, amazed at the relief of those simple words as they left her lips.

  “I don’t think that was even a little painful, pet,” he raised his palm to her face, his fingers brushing aside the dark hair that had fallen over one eye when she’d struggled. He held eye contact when she froze, his fingers continuing to graze lightly up and down her face and jaw until she was breathing normally. “Touch is not a bad thing, Angelica.”

  “Hey, Colin,” Jack Mabry stepped forward, the bright glow in the dark band of orange on his upper arm, marking him as a monitor. “Some viewers were a little concerned.”

  Colin sighed. “I wondered if we’d attract a bit of attention. Angelica, this is Master Jack. Kindly answer his questions honestly and politely.”

  “Yes, Sir,” she responded. She tried not to shiver and worked harder not to jerk her head to the side, away from his fingers. She could hear her father and step-mother in her mind, you’re an evil, willful child. You must never touch! It invites the devil and you have far too many demons inside you as it is.

  Colin swore to himself. He could see her slipping back to whatever memories kept her locked away.

  “A minute, Jack,” Colin used both hands this time, framing her face, his voice decidedly hard and sharp. “Angel!”

  Both men watched her blink and gasp in a deep breath.

  Angel looked from one to the other, her head shaking rapidly as a tear eased from the corner of her eye.

  “I’m sorry. I…I tried not to move and…and I kept hearing him…I’m sorry,” she finished raggedly.

  “What’s the problem?” Jack looked from his friend to the little sub. He glanced at Colin, accepting the faint nod of approval before he brought his hand up very slowly, his thumb scraping away the tears. Her body froze, her gaze trapped and wide.

  “Idiot relatives,” Colin figured that was the most polite thing he could come up with at the moment. “Angelica has a little focus problem.”

  “Angelica, are you hurt?”

  “No, Sir.” She sighed and forced herself to look into the light brown eyes and not think.

  “I think the gag made a few people uncomfortable since it’s obvious she’s new,” Jack studied the woman. No signs of distress, other than her stiff posture when either of the men brought a hand close to her.

  “I had a toy,” Angel said quickly. “Sir. In my hand…”

  “Why did Master Colin gag you, Angelica?”

  “I…” she pulled her lower lip between her teeth. “I wouldn’t shut up?”

  Jack laughed and looked back to Colin.

  “We’re still working through behavior and protocols, Jack. Angelica is accustomed to controlling things by basically running people off.” He looked at the woman stretched on the large leather covered cross. He raised an eyebrow when she opened her mouth and then closed it with an audible snap. “Am I wrong, Angelica?”

  “No, Sir.”

  Only a slight hint of belligerence evident, he mused.

  “Are you uncomfortable?” Jack asked, though he was pretty sure things were fine.<
br />
  “Well…actually…”

  “Are you hurt?” Jack corrected with a little chuckle.

  Angelica sighed. “No, Sir.”

  “Are you here of your own free will?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Do you want to leave?”

  “No,” her head shook adamantly. “No, Sir. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause problems.”

  “It’s our job to keep you safe, Angelica. Both myself and Master Colin. Do you know the club safe word?” He watched her nod. He clapped his palm on Colin’s shoulder. “I’ll let the other monitors know what the deal is. Have a good night.”

  “Thanks, Jack,” Colin looked at her stretched on the cross.

  “Are…are you going to send me out now?”

  “Do you want to go?” He moved to stand in front of her, his hands up and carefully opening the cuffs. He brought them both to her sides before gripping her waist, her body stiffened immediately beneath his hold. Watching the momentary flare of anxiety, he went through his own collection of emotions, battling the anger at parents who would convince a child that touch was wrong. Then he heard the hitch of rejection in her voice when she asked about being sent away.

  “I don’t want to go,” she finally said when her voice became her own again. “No, Sir.”

  “Do you believe you can follow rules, pet? I’m not sure you’re ready for this.” He considered things Bailey had shared with him. But then he looked into those eyes and his fingers sifted through the soft, short hair. Her heart was beating so hard against her ribs he thought she’d shake apart in his hands.

  “I understand,” she said softly, staring down at her bare feet. “I can follow rules, Sir.”

  “Never speak to a dom without permission,” Colin nodded to a wandering servant and leaned in to give her his request, waiting until she hurried off before turning back to Angelica. “Your eyes are on the floor unless it’s just you and me, then I prefer to have your gaze on my face. I want to see what’s going on behind those shields you have up. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, Sir,” she answered instantly, working to keep her eyes on his.