Mastering Her Desires

by Melinda Barron

  “If you see him, and we’re not together, which is unlikely, then come looking for me.”

  She saluted him. “Yes, Sir.”

  “Brat.”

  She touched her empty glass against his water bottle. “At your service.”

  Her reluctance was disappearing, and she wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or the excitement at doing something so out of the ordinary. Either way, even without sex, this was going to be a fun job.

  * * * *

  “He’s going by the name Jim Carlton.”

  Piper stared at the man sitting across from her. She knew interrupting probably wasn’t the best idea she’d ever had but… “Do they call you Leo because of your hair, or is your name Leonard?”

  “Piper.”

  Oh crap, she’d pissed off the boss. His tone was so deep she was pretty sure that if there had been explosives nearby, the room would have it up.

  “It’s just I’ve never seen a guy with hair like that. It’s kinda like that actress from the seventies, what was her name?” She snapped her fingers as if it would help her remember. “You know the one on the cop show with the other two women. Anyway, your hair is long and flowing like hers, like a lion’s mane. I figured that’s why they call you Leo.”

  “We call him Leo because he’s fearless, like a lion,” Kenan put his hand on hers and squeezed. “Now, be quiet.”

  She gazed at the handsome man in a different light. “You’re a Ranger?”

  “Former.” He looked at her as if she were a puzzle he was trying to put together. “She’s not your usual type, K. She’s spoken more words in the last ten minutes than I heard from Alice in a year.”

  “Who’s Alice?” She turned her head to Kenan, and she wasn’t surprised when he ignored her.

  “I did a lot of thinking on the ride down,” he said, his gaze still turned in Leo’s direction. “I’ve decided to nix the kitchen idea, for me at least. Piper will work in the kitchen, and I’ll work in the rooms, if there’s a spot.”

  She frowned at him. “Why?” When he ignored her, her temper started to build.

  “There’s always a spot for you,” Leo replied. “My female subs will be over the moon. Leticia swears you were born with a riding crop in your hand.”

  “It’s settled, then. If anyone asks, Piper is a sub I’ve taken under my wing for some discipline.”

  “This sucks,” she said, steam building inside her. “I thought we were a cooking team. You liked what I fixed you, didn’t you?”

  “It’s not your cooking.” This time he looked at her. “It’s how fast this came together. I wanted more time together, and it seems to be as if the smartest thing would be to act like a Master with his new sub. I’ll be able to wander the rooms and keep track of people, see where Stein is.”

  Leo sat back and put his legs up on his desk, crossed at the ankles. “He’ll be here tomorrow, and he’s coming alone. He’s asked me to find him a sub to play with for the week.”

  “Have you found one?”

  “Yes, Victoria, my switch. She’s the only one who could hold her own with him in case things get ugly. I’ve filled her in. She thinks it’s an adventure.”

  Piper slapped her hand against the desk to get their attention. “Forget Victoria. Why am I basically being dumped in the kitchen?”

  Her internal organs seized when Kenan turned an angry gaze her way. She’d never seen anyone look that pissed. “Don’t ever do that again.”

  It would have been best if she’d kept her mouth shut at that point, but silence had never been her strong point. “Do what, complain that the plan is changing, again? First, I’m supposed to be meek and mild. Then, it changes to me being a brat. Now, I’m just supposed to chop vegetables while you’re out playing. I think I have a right to be mad.”

  “And I think you’re an employee who should know when to follow directions. We’re not here for playtime, remember? We’re here to capture a skip, a dangerous one. I hired you to be a cook and a sub. The only thing that has changed is that I won’t be in the kitchen.”

  “Working the rooms will give you more freedom,” Leo put in.

  “Maybe he’ll find one to fuck,” she fired back. The air in the room grew still and she realized that, once again, she’d gone too far.

  Crap. There was a long, drawn out silence before Kenan said to Leo, “Do you have a chastity belt?”

  “Would you like leather, or metal?”

  “Metal.” Kenan stood. “Nice and heavy, so she knows it’s there.

  Piper kept her gaze trained on the floor, but she had the distinct impression he was staring at her. “Strip.”

  “I’ll go and get it,” Leo said as he stood. She heard the door open, then close.

  “I said strip.” She didn’t like the harshness of his words, but she’d brought it on herself. She stood before she pulled her shirt over her head.

  “I’m sorry.”

  He shook his head, as she reached behind and undid her bra. “I don’t want to hear your apologies. I brought you along as part of my cover, and I decide how it’s set up, not you. Since you insist on no sex, you’re going to wear the belt, to which I’ll have the key.”

  By the time Leo returned, she was naked. He handed the item to Kenan before sitting behind his desk, his feet propped up. She was sure he was looking forward to the show.

  “If you didn’t like it so much, I’d give you a few good licks with my belt first.”

  “My kinda woman,” Leo said with a chuckle. “If you’d like to put her in the stocks while we finish out conversation, I have a new design I’m testing.”

  “Show me.”

  Leo picked up the phone on his desk. “Victoria, bring the new stocks to my office.”

  Her heart raced, but she kept her mouth closed. It had to be some sort of record, she thought as she glanced between the two men. No words were spoken until there was a knock on the door.

  “Come,” Leo commanded, a smile twitching at the side of his mouth. “I think you’re going to like this, K. I designed it to keep a sub in place, and on display.”

  “Excellent,” Kenan said. “I’ve yet to find a punishment that works with her. I hope this works.”

  Piper watched as a woman came in the room. She wore tight jeans and a T-shirt that hugged her generous curves. Her dark hair was cropped; her large dark eyes seemed to take in every aspect of the room as she entered. She snapped her fingers, and two men came in pushing what looked to be a large wheel of cheese.

  They placed it in an area near the desk, and Piper’s mouth went dry. It was unlike any stockade she’d ever seen. It was obvious from the footholds that she’d mount the wheel, then the top part would lift off. Her head and wrists would go through the provided holes, and then the top would be put back in place. There were leather straps in the leg area that would keep her secured to the apparatus.

  She should have kept her damn mouth shut.

  When it was in place, the two men knelt before the woman and kissed her feet before leaving.

  “So obedient,” Victoria said. “They’re my darlings. May I play with her, Milord Leo?”

  “Not this time.” He wiggled his fingers at the door. “Go find another pussy to torment. Or play with the boys. Get nice and hot, and I’ll use the cane on your ass in a little while.”

  “Thank you, Milord,” she said breathlessly before she left.

  “I think it’s fairly self-explanatory,” Leo said as he caressed the wood. “Shall I lock her up, or would you like to?”

  “Be my guest,” Kenan said. She glared at him.

  “Doesn’t look too bad.” She hoped the bravado in her voice came through because if there was one thing she hated, it was to be bound and on display, especially on this thing. Maybe if he thought she didn’t care, he wouldn’t leave her in there too long.

  “Then climb aboard,” Leo said, humor in his voice. “Let’s see how you like it.”

  “It doesn’t look like it would hold me.” She crossed h
er arms over her chest.

  “It will.” Leo patted one of the places for her to put her knee. “I’m not used to giving directions more than once.”

  “Directions or orders? There’s a difference.”

  The man who had seemed so open and amused earlier frowned at her. “We have a boat leaving in an hour.” He turned his head toward Kenan. “Would you like her to be on it?”

  “Okay, okay,” she said quickly before Kenan could reply. Nerves threatened to overtake her as she approached the wheel. The footholds didn’t look too large, and she had big feet. She put her hand in one of the wrist holds to steady herself as she climbed aboard.

  Neither of the men offered encouragement, and she wanted to scream at them for it. The least they could have done was tell her it was going to be okay.

  When both feet were on a peg, Leo went to work. He bound her legs, starting at the thighs and working his way down.

  When her ankles were secure, he lifted the bar off the top of the wheel.

  Once more there were no instructions, and she bent her head so that her neck lay in the opening. She did the same with her wrists, her body shaking. When the wooden block came over her, she was thankful Leo had bound her legs because she would have tried to bolt and would have probably hurt herself.

  She looked at Kenan, as if she expected him to show her some mercy. Instead, he looked amused. She’d show him, she wouldn’t say…panic swept through her. “You’ve proved your point. I’ll be quiet. Unlock it, please.”

  “I think we’ve stumbled onto something that will prove very effective.” Kenan sounded pleased. “Does it spin?”

  “Of course.” Leo grasped a handle on the back, and just as she said, “No!” he tugged it. The wheel started to spin, and Piper thought she was going to throw up.

  It went around twice before he stopped it. “My idea, of course, is that you could use a cat on a sub while they were spinning, but I haven’t figured out how to protect the head. I’m still working on that.”

  “Please let me go.”

  “Give her another few spins,” Kenan said. “I think we’ve found the perfect punishment for her.”

  * * * *

  Kenan toyed with the chastity belt on his lap. He’d told Leo about the no sex part of his work with Piper, who had remained silent after the last few spins. Yes, he’d definitely found the perfect thing to use as punishment.

  Leo was on the phone now, talking with a distributor from the sounds of it. Kenan put the belt on the chair next to him. Then he stood and walked to Piper. He gently touched her behind, and she yelped softly.

  “Like this?”

  “No.”

  He moved to the other side, so he could see her face to face. “You know what’s going to happen if you disobey me?”

  “Yes.” She nodded as best she could, and he could see the fear in her eyes. “I’ll behave. Please let me go.”

  “I want you to listen carefully.” He kept his voice deep and even. “The next time you have an outburst, your punishment will be the wheel, in public. I will allow whatever Dom or Domme around to use a cat on you for as long as they like. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, Sir.” She tried to nod once more. “My pleasure, Sir.”

  “I hope so.” He ran his finger down the slope of her nose. “I rather like this toy.”

  He stared at her, his cock swelling as she licked her lips. He’d love to feel those things wrapped around him again. He needed to push that idea out of his head. Just because Stein wasn’t here didn’t mean Kenan could take his head out of the game. If he thought too much about blowjobs, he was likely to get sloppy.

  “The wheel tilts,” Leo’s voice seemed to float across the room. “You can put her on her stomach, or move it enough to put her mouth in the right position for your dick. Giving a blowjob from that position would be uncomfortable, I’m sure.”

  “She gives good head,” he said, keeping his gaze on her. She batted her lashes, and he stroked her cheek in reply. “How are you feeling?”

  “Like a tub of jelly,” she said. “Please.”

  “Please what?”

  “You know what.” Her rapid breathing told him she was more than a little upset with her position.

  Kenan stroked her soft cheek one more time. “I want you to relax, to breathe deeply. Do you need to use your safe word?”

  “No,” she moaned out, the sound very soft. “I just…this…scares me.”

  He continued to stroke her cheek, trying to calm her down. Some buried emotion had brought on what he could only think was a panic attack, but it would be better to work through it, rather than release her immediately, unless she used her safe word. He waited a few more beats, but she didn’t say it.

  “What’s bothering you the most?” She hadn’t minded when he’d bound her hands before. Did the wheel bring back some memory that caused her to panic?

  “I just don’t like it.”

  He watched her face to see if she would give away some hint of emotion other than fear. There was something more than just not liking it. When she didn’t expand on her reply, he tilted the wheel until it was flat. Then he undid the latch and lifted the top of the wheel off of her neck.

  An audible sigh of relief filled the room.

  “I’m going to undo your legs. Stay where you are until I say otherwise.”

  “My pleasure, Sir.”

  It didn’t take him long to undo the leather, and when her body was free, he gave her a swift slap to the ass.

  “I’ve found the perfect punishment for you, obviously. Any more outbursts and…”

  “There will be no more, Sir.”

  “Good news, because now that I’m on staff, I’ll be able to hook you up any time of the day or night. Think about that before you open your mouth.”

  It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her to stand, but he didn’t, and she stayed in place. “If there is something I need to know, you need to tell me now.”

  “There’s nothing.” She glanced at him. “May I stand?”

  “You may.”

  She scrambled off the wheel, and instead of leaning against it for support, she crossed to a chair and sat down. He wanted to tell her she’d done it without permission, but that wouldn’t help matters.

  Different emotions roiled inside him. He didn’t like the fact she had a deep secret that could show itself like it just had. He wanted to ask more questions, but he also needed to keep his head in the game.

  The wheel would be a last resort as a punishment, so they didn’t have a repeat of her trembling hands.

  He glanced at Leo, who frowned at him, but didn’t speak. It was obvious his friend also noticed her reaction to what should have been a very simple thing for an experienced sub to endure.

  Maybe bringing her with him hadn’t been such a good idea after all.

  Chapter Six

  Piper ran the towel over her wet head as she came out of the bathroom. Their room was spacious with lots of toys, including adjustable hooks on the walls where a sub could be bound for her Dom’s pleasure. Seeing them reminded her of the wheel and she shuddered.

  Damn Barry Bartlow to hell. She’d thought she was over the hell he’d put her through, but this morning’s events proved she wasn’t. Being his “sub” had proven to be a horrid experience. He’d bind her and leave her hanging for hours, sometimes leaving the house and coming back to stand in the doorway and laugh at her as she cried to be let loose.

  In response, he’d beat her ass until she screamed. Then he’d leave again. After the third time, she’d broken down in front of Cherokee one night. Cher had told her Mistress, who had confronted the “wannabe who didn’t know shit” and told him that if he ever went near Piper again, he’d be tied up, and his dick would be lopped off.

  That had been three years ago, and Piper had participated in bondage scenes since then. But this morning, after she’d been lashed to the wheel and they’d ignored her to talk, her mind had worked through terrible scen
es. What if they left? What if they beat her the way Bartlow had? The panic had set in, and she hadn’t been able to stop it.

  The way Kenan had stroked her, had tried to calm her down, told her he was a better Dom than the ass. She should have told him the truth when he’d asked her what was wrong. Hadn’t that been part of the contract she’d signed, that communication was key and he expected her to be honest with him? Yes, it was, but showing her feelings was something she’d always found problematic.

  “Nobody gives a damn what you think, Piper.” Her mother’s words rang in her mind. “Just do what I say, and things will be fine.”

  A shudder pushed the memory away, and she glanced around the room for her suitcase. She pushed open the closet and found Kenan’s sitting there. His clothes had been hung up, but hers were nowhere to be seen. There was a small dresser next to the closet. An examination showed it was full of his clothes, but nothing of hers.

  “What the hell?” She swung around and looked over the room again.

  One king sized bed, two chairs and a table, the “play wall”, a spanking bench and a small cot against the far wall. If he thought she was sleeping there, he was full of it. The bed was plenty big enough for the two of them.

  Then she spotted it, sitting next to the cot—another dresser. She crossed to it, and after opening the drawer, uttered another cuss word. More crops, cats, and ropes.

  She imagined a Dom calling the front desk and saying he’d forgotten to pack his favorite nipple clamps.

  “Did you check the dresser, Sir?” the attendant would ask. “It’s fully stocked for your pleasure and your sub’s pain.”

  “See anything you like?”

  She pushed the drawer closed before she turned to Kenan. “Where are my clothes?”

  “I’ve got your uniform here.” He held up a bag. “When you’re not at work, I’ll give you what you need.”

  Bullshit, she thought as she glanced around once more. Maybe the suitcase was under the bed. She dropped to her knees to pull up the bedspread. All she saw were ropes attached to the bed legs.