Her best friend finally turned to her, her eyes pleading for understanding.
“Why?”
“Because I can’t keep waiting, Moira.”
Moira looked to Adrian, who wore an expression that very plainly said did I not tell you?
She swallowed. “Waiting?”
Kara turned toward her and took her hand. “I want to be with you, Moira. I want to be yours. But I need to belong. I need to be fought for. And I need to know if you can. I’m sorry, I know this is a shitty thing to do right now, but Mistress Tamara asked me to come with her again, and…”
“And you can’t keep waiting. I get it.” Moira licked her lips. “I told you before, I’m not giving you up without a fight. I love you, Kara. I can’t stand the idea of anyone but me putting a collar on that beautiful neck of yours. And I want to. God, I want to.” She ran a finger along Kara’s neck, then shook her head and turned first to Tamara, putting as much challenge in her look as she could, then back to Adrian. “Fine. Whatever it takes, I’m in.”
Adrian pushed away from his desk, ending the moment. “Bon. I will make arrangements. We’ll reconvene in an hour to discuss terms, once I have made a few phone calls. Go, all of you. Kara.” She stopped, and Moira stopped with her. Adrian’s eyes flicked between them then settled hard on Kara. “I hope you know what you’re doing, ma chère.”
“I do. Thank you, Sir.”
Adrian flicked his hand, shooing them out of the room. Tamara shot her a smug look as she passed. Moira turned away as soon as they were out the door, but Kara stopped her.
“Are you angry?”
Moira shook her head and cupped Kara’s jaw in her hand. “No. Well, not at you. At myself, a little. I’m sorry.”
“No, you shouldn’t be.”
Moira stopped her with a single finger across her lips. “I should be. Because you’re right. We both need to know that I’m strong enough to give you what you need. Because if I’ve learned anything, it’s that this relationship has to go both ways.”
“It always has, Moira.”
She shook her head, hearing the doubt Kara tried so hard to conceal. “No. It hasn’t. Not nearly enough. You’ve done so much for me, Kara. You deserve a Domme that can really, truly be there, who can give you everything you want and need.” She took a deep breath. “And I need to be certain I can do it. I want to be that Domme. But I refuse to tie you to a relationship that can’t fulfill you. Not anymore. And if that means I lose you to Tamara, then that’s how it is, because you deserve better. My doubts have held you back too long. So honestly, I’m kind of glad you forced the issue. I was going to anyway.”
Kara started to protest, but Moira cut her off.
“No. You know I’m right. You’ve been dealing with my issues since the day you met me. I can’t for the life of me figure out why you stuck around.”
Kara swallowed. “Because I love you. I always have. I’ve been waiting for you since high school.”
Moira sucked in a breath, shocked. “I had no idea.”
Kara blushed and ducked her head to the side. “I know. It’s silly, but I couldn’t help hoping.”
“Hey.” Moira drew her face back, until Kara was looking at her again. “Don’t. It’s not silly. It’s amazing.”
“It doesn’t creep you out, or anything? That I’ve been in love with you so long?”
Moira shook her head. “No. But I feel like an idiot for not seeing it sooner.”
Kara cupped Moira’s jaw in her hand. “Don’t do that. Don’t feel bad. How could you have known?”
Moira turned and kissed Kara’s hand. “I don’t know. I should have. But it’s all the more reason why you shouldn’t be sorry for asking for this. For both of us.”
Kara folded herself into Moira’s arms, and the silence stretched until Moira couldn’t bear it, and then finally, Kara spoke. “Thank you.”
Chapter Thirty
“Mesdames et Messieurs, now that we’re all gathered, shall we begin?”
Moira glanced around the crowded room. Toussaint and Marcelle were there, as well as another Domme she didn’t recognize. Herself, Kara, Tamara. Master Gideon lurked in the shadows.
Adrian continued. “A challenge has been issued for the right to collar our chère, Kara. All parties involved have accepted. As Kara serves as a member of my house, I’ve claimed the right to officiate. Master Gideon St. Sauveur and Mistress Victoria Cresswell of Fleur de Nuit will stand with me, as will Master Obadiah Toussaint and his Marcelle, of La Danse Macabre. Does anyone object?”
Moira shook her head, and Kara did the same. Tamara smiled. “I’m fine with it.”
“Bon. The challenge will begin tomorrow and have three components. Both Dommes will try Kara with pain, pleasure and obedience. As the senior Domme, Mistress Tamara will begin. Your session will start with pain and move into pleasure. L’Ange Noir will have Saturday. Sunday will be obedience, and both will have a session. Mistress Tamara will have the morning and Mistress Moira will take the evening. Questions?”
Tamara sat forward with a slightly predatory grin. “What about specifics?”
Adrian smiled. “The pain component will have a time limit, naturally. Kara will be unbound and has the choice of implement. Ma chère? Do you need un moment or do you know what you want?”
Kara shook her head. “I know now, Sir. Spanking, by hand.”
Adrian lifted his eyebrows. “A challenge indeed. Very well. This will be purely based on how long you can last for each, comprendre?” Kara nodded, and he continued. “The pleasure component will follow directly. The method will be Domme’s choice, mon ange. You may do whatever and use whatever, under the normal strictures, of course. Kara is your only limit. Be creative. You may use bindings. We will be looking for both how quickly you can make her come, and conversely, how long she can hold out for you.”
Moira’s head spun. What the hell did I get myself into? She forced herself to fight back the panic and listen to Adrian as he continued.
“Finally, obedience. This will also be unbound, and you may use no implements on Kara. This will be about creativity, pushing Kara’s boundaries, and how she responds. If she safes-out at any point, the session will end. If you safe-out, the session will end. If either of you safes-out during the pain portion, we will break and reconvene later for the pleasure portion. Oui?”
Everyone nodded their agreement.
“Bon. Anything else?”
“Yes.” All eyes turned to Tamara. “I request that Kara be sequestered until the end.”
Adrian nodded. “Oui, I expected as much. Kara will stay here with me. If any of you wish to remain, I’ll have rooms made up in a different section of the house. Oui? Good. If there’s nothing else, the judges and I would like a word with Kara.”
Moira stood and walked out stiffly. Tamara followed her.
“Moira.”
She turned to face the other Domme. “Tamara. I have to wonder if you planted this idea.”
“I really do have your and Kara’s best interests at heart. I hope you know that.”
Moira stared at her, understanding the implied admission. “I believe you. But so do I.”
She walked away, and didn’t look back.
The rest of the day seemed to drag on forever.
Moira found her things moved to a different room by the time she left Adrian’s office. Kara’s, no doubt, had been moved as well. She didn’t bother going to look after Devon caught her and showed her to the new room. Every scrap of everything Adrian had bought her, clothing, toys, as well as the rest of her belongings he’d salvaged from her apartment, it had all found its way there, as well.
So had her laptop. Moira thanked Adrian’s foresight and immediately got to work. The Internet was far less helpful than she hoped, but she kept looking, long after Devon delivered her lunch. She gave up in frustration when she couldn’t keep her focus any longer.
Needing a change of scenery, she ended up wandering the house in search of Adrian. She found Devon
instead.
The hulking sub smiled and bowed his head. “What can I do for you, Mistress?”
“I was looking for Adrian.”
“I’m sorry, Mistress, Master Adrian asked not to be disturbed. Is there anything I can help with?”
Moira sighed. “I don’t know. Does he have a reference library at all? For kink?”
Devon smiled widely. “He does indeed, Mistress. If you’d care to follow me?” Devon led her down the stairs and along a corridor she’d never been in before, and stopped before a set of dark double doors. He pushed them open with a flourish and a deep bow.
Moira’s breath caught in her lungs. The room was two stories high, and as big as a small ballroom. “God, I’d kill for a library like this.”
“Master Adrian does rather like it. The reference section you’re looking for is in the back on the left, on this level. Would you like me to bring you something to drink? Coffee? Bourbon?”
Moira laughed. “A little of both, maybe? An Irish coffee sounds wonderful.” She looked at the books and sighed. “When does this whole thing kick off tomorrow, anyway?”
“After breakfast, Mistress. But the sessions are closed. You won’t see each other’s rounds.”
“Ah. I wondered.”
“They only decided a short while ago.”
“Good to know. Thank you, Devon.”
“Mistress. I’ll bring you that coffee.”
She didn’t answer, only turned back to the books, already too lost in thought to hear him leave.
Moira woke to the touch of a finger along her neck. She scrambled quickly, not wanting to drop the book she’d fallen asleep reading, but Adrian had already rescued it.
“A little light reading, mon ange?” He glanced at the cover. “Japanese bondage. Mais, not so light reading, then.”
Moira ran her hands over her face and sat up. “What time is it?”
“A little after six. Did you enjoy your nap?”
She scowled. “No. I hadn’t meant to waste time. But between the fire and the books and the quiet…” She shrugged.
“And did you find what you were so diligently looking for? What exactly were you looking for?”
Moira gave a tight smile. “Inspiration. And yes, I think I did. I need to go out, though. That’s not a problem, is it?”
Adrian spread his hands wide. “Non. But I may have what you need, mon ange.”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t want anyone thinking you’re playing favorites, and I want to do this myself. I know where I need to go anyway. And the walk might do me good.”
Adrian gave a tight smile. “Bon. Devon can drive you, if you wish.”
“That’s all right. I want to walk.” She stood, holding out her hand for the book. “I’ll put that back, if you like.”
“Non, that’s all right. I’d like to look through it.”
She shrugged. “Suit yourself. I’ll be back for dinner.”
Adrian was waiting when she returned. Moira paused in the doorway of her room then came in with a sigh. She closed the door and set her purchases down, before sitting on the bed.
“Did you find what you needed, mon ange?”
“I did.”
He cocked his head and looked at her. “You missed supper. Should I have Devon bring up a tray?”
Moira shook her head. “No. I ate out.”
His eyebrow twitched, and he nodded. “Mon ange—”
She held up a hand to stop him. “Adrian, thank you. But you’ve trained me, and if I’m not prepared for this, then maybe Kara is better off without me.”
Adrian gave a quick smile and stood. “Very well then, mon ange noir. Bonne chance tomorrow.” He lifted her chin with a finger and kissed the corner of her mouth, his lips lingering for a long moment. “Whatever happens, I want you to know how proud I am of you.”
Moira smiled sadly. “Thank you, Adrian. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Chapter Thirty-One
“Are you ready, mon ange?”
Moira took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She’d been up early making preparations, going over things in her head, and then chastising herself for overthinking. But none of that mattered now. She breathed in one more time and pushed it all away, the doubt, the fear. She was a Domme.
When she opened her eyes, a confident calm fell over her. She was ready. Moira looked at Adrian and nodded slowly.
“Bon. You will have until the chime sounds for the spanking. Position is up to you. After that, the time is yours. You may continue straight in, or pause, but take as long as you like. Comprendre?”
“I do. Thank you.”
“Bonne chance, mon ange noir.”
Moira turned and reached for the doorknob as he walked away. With one last breath, she pushed it open and stepped inside.
Kara knelt naked on the floor, her knees open and hands on her thighs. She didn’t look up when Moira came in, but kept her eyes down, looking at the floor in front of her. Moira walked over to her slowly, letting the anticipation build with the ring of her heels on the hardwood floor. She made an unhurried circle around Kara, reaching out to draw her hand across her head and down through her hair. The auburn strands passed like silk through her fingers, falling to rest on Kara’s shoulders.
Moira ran her finger along Kara’s jaw and under her chin. “Stand for me, love.” Kara stood and followed as Moira crooked her finger. She’d spent a lot of time thinking about how best to approach the spanking, before remembering something Kara had said in an offhanded remark on more than one occasion. So she led Kara over to an armless chair and sat.
Classics were classics for a reason, after all.
Moira crooked her finger again and smiled, patting her lap. The corner of Kara’s mouth twitched up as she moved to Moira’s side and laid herself across her legs, so that her head hung down opposite her own legs. Moira wrapped her hand around Kara’s hip and helped her adjust until she was satisfied with her positioning. Kara extended her arms out to grasp the chair leg.
Moira let her right hand trail over Kara’s skin and smiled. The hand holding Kara’s waist shifted, so that her elbow pressed between Kara’s shoulder blades, her palm keeping Kara firmly in place. She adjusted her legs slightly, so that her right was higher, slightly raising Kara’s hips and buttocks.
Her hand ran over Kara’s bottom again, caressing each cheek and thigh in turn. “So beautiful, Kara love.” She tapped her lightly, enough to set the flesh in gentle motion. “So incredibly beautiful.” Another tap, a bit harder, and again.
Moira built slowly, moving around, never the same place twice, until her own hand stung and it became hard to tell if Kara’s noises were sounds of pain, or pleasure, or both. She talked to her throughout, praising her, encouraging her. And somewhere, an idea formed in the back of Moira’s mind. She increased her speed and slowed down, slapped hard and soft, forcing herself to focus completely on Kara’s reactions.
When Adrian’s chime sounded, signaling the end of the allotted spanking time, it was accompanied by a groan from Kara. Moira smiled, moving her hand in long strokes from back to thigh, and back up. She drew her hand up between Kara’s legs and laughed. “You really enjoyed that, didn’t you?” Kara gasped as she pushed three fingers in hard. “I need you to come for me, Kara. God, I need to hear it.”
Kara gasped and cried out as an orgasm ripped through her.
Moira thrust her fingers in and out a few more times, relishing how Kara’s walls clenched around them, and then withdrew slowly, holding her. When the last of her release passed, Moira helped her stand, whispering in her ear.
“Go lay on the bed. Facedown.”
Kara complied, making a confused face at the scratchy wool blanket that covered the bed. Moira smiled and retrieved a bottle of oil from the bag she’d had brought in earlier. She opened it and took a deep breath, sighing with pleasure.
Dribbling a good amount down Kara’s back, Moira began to rub it in, covering her back and arms down to her
fingers. She massaged it in over her buttocks and legs and feet, coating everywhere before tapping Kara and telling her to roll over.
Moira did the same with her front, paying particular attention to Kara’s breasts and stomach, making sure to avoid only her face and between her legs.
Kara smiled happily, making little noises of content enjoyment.
Moira smiled, washing the excess off her hands, and reached back in her bag, coming out with several lengths of rope. She strung a harness around Kara’s shoulders, tying it to the headboard. Kara began to squirm.
“How are we doing, hon?”
Kara made a face. “It feels warm. It tingles.”
“It’ll get stronger. It’s the blood rushing to the surface of your skin.” Moira took a second bit of rope and began tying Kara’s hands so they pointed to the bottom corners of the bed. “Ginger increases circulation, makes you more sensitive. It might get a little uncomfortable. But it won’t last longer than about an hour.” She tapped one leg, instructing Kara to lift it, bent at the knee, and tied it in place as well. The other she tied down straight out. “Everything feel okay? Nothing’s too tight?”
Kara shook her head. “No, I…” She trailed off, her words becoming a moan that couldn’t decide if it was discomfort or desire or both.
“Good.” Moira pulled a small black pouch out of her bag and climbed up onto the bed between Kara’s legs. “Now, Kara. This will get uncomfortable. Much more intense. You’re going to want to come. Don’t.” She opened the pouch and pulled out a piece of ginger root that she’d carved the night before. Kara moaned as she stroked over her clit and parted her folds, and then pushed the root slowly into her, until one of the remaining fingers pushed lightly against her clit. “Breathe, love.”
Kara took a deep breath, and another. The second came out as a half sob.
“Talk to me, hon.” She pushed lightly against the root, eliciting a whimper.
“Oh God, Mistress, I…” She trailed off into another moan.
“Breathe through it, Kara love. You can do it.” Her fingers made a trail down Kara’s leg. Kara whimpered again and nodded. “There’s my girl. You’re doing fabulously.”
Fleur de Nuit: Bourbon Street Bondage, Book 1 Page 25
