by Desiree Holt
“I doubt if she remembers them anymore.” His attitude said plainly, Don’t get in a pissing contest with me.
Willoughby frowned. “You might want to reexamine that statement. Fallon and I had something very strong. I’m surprised she hasn’t told you all about it. And as far as I’m concerned, it’s still there. She just needs to be reminded.”
Cord was determined to hold his temper. “Fallon’s doing just fine without you. Excellent, as a matter of fact. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to see to my other guests.”
The other man’s fingers closed over Cord’s arm like iron talons. “You’re a fool if you think she won’t come running back to me—I promise you I’ll make it happen.”
Cord jerked his arm away. “Don’t delude yourself.”
“Ditto,” he sneered. “I can crush you, Jamieson.”
“Try it,” Cord replied coolly. “You might get more than you bargained for.”
He headed for Fallon, who was rearranging her brochures, her face as white as snow. Taking the papers from her hand, he placed them back on the table and mouthed a “thank you” to Claire, who moved away.
“You need a drink. You look like you’re about to pass out.”
“I’ll be fine. Really.”
But when he took her hands in his, they were ice-cold and still trembling and he read panic in her eyes. He wanted to take her back to the house and lock her in the bedroom until everyone had left, but he knew that would only create more controversy.
“Yes, you will be.” He put his mouth close to her ear. “A drink, girl. And later I’ll take care of those nerves.”
* * * * *
Fallon had to admit the wine did settle her a little, but she continued to feel Brian’s eyes wherever she was in the room, like tiny knives stabbing at her. The dinner she’d nibbled at lay like lead in her stomach, threatening to hurl itself back up her throat. He was obviously beyond enraged that she’d ignored his call. That she hadn’t shown up at the hotel. She was sure if he got her alone—
No. He’s not going to. Cord won’t let him.
Besides. She’d ignored him once. She could do it again.
One step at a time.
Of all the stupid things she’d ever done in her life—and there were more than she wanted to recount—falling under Brian’s spell was the biggest. But she’d been so seduced by the power of him, by the edgy nature of the bondage games. By the intensity of her orgasms when he allowed her to have them. She’d given him more and more control, just for those rare moments of excruciating pleasure, for a smile from him, a reward, until she’d finally lost herself completely.
She knew he was evil. He had nearly destroyed her. Would have, if not for Claire. Yet he was still like a fulminating disease inside her, tainting her relationship with Cord and invading her defenses. He wouldn’t stop coming after her.
The question was, how long could she hold out?
Fallon gave herself a mental shake. A sickness. That’s how she had to look at it. And she had to find a cure, a way to break the invisible power he held over her. She looked up to see Cord watching her from across the room, even while he chatted with some people.
Her eyes tracked over and there was Brian, sending her silent commands.
Get a grip.
This was Cord’s big night. Every luminary, every person who could use this facility or send people to it, was gathered in this room. He needed her support and she’d give it to him come hell or high water. She could do this. Especially with Claire close beside her whenever Cord was busy.
She could fall apart later.
By the time they’d said their final goodbyes and the last person had been ushered out the door, Fallon was in a state of near collapse. When Brian had passed her on his way out the door, he’d bent low and whispered in her ear.
“You didn’t show up for lunch. Very bad, Slave. I will punish you for it. And you’d better show up the next time I call or your phony Dom won’t know what hit him.”
“Leave him alone,” she’d hissed. “He’s not part of this.”
“As long as you’re with him, he is. Think about it.” Then he was gone.
“You did a great job, Fallon. Thank you for everything.” Cord nipped her ear. “A lot of people signed the book to be contacted. You’ll be a busy person for a while.”
She turned to him and grabbed his lapels. “Good. Keep me busy. Too busy to think about—anything. Please.”
He cupped her face. “He can only hurt you if you let him. His power over you is all in your mind. His mind. Take my power instead.”
“Take me inside, Sir.” She deliberately used the honorific, something she only employed when they were in the bedroom or at times when the outside world didn’t intrude and she could totally give herself over to him. “Punish me. Use everything on me. Don’t stop until I bleed and scream in pain.”
He grabbed her chin lightly. “That’s not me and you know it. Not us. I want you to know that every touch, every punishment, comes with love. I refuse to turn you into a mindless sub I can torture and abuse, physically and mentally.” Then his lips curved in a half-grin. “But I’ll be sure to remind you that you need to remember who your Master is. And who isn’t.” He brushed a kiss over her lips.
It wasn’t just sex. She told herself that every day. Brian had seduced her with the sex but Cord…well, Cord had claimed her heart before she’d even realized it.
For more than a year after Claire had pulled her away from Brian, she’d avoided any contact with men except for business. But the moment she met Cord at a chamber of commerce mixer, something flickered between them. Like calling to like. He hadn’t rushed her. Pressed her. He let her adjust to their new situation. Cord also wasn’t threatened by her independence, or the respect she commanded in her small business circles. Rather, he dominated in a way that illustrated his appreciation for who she was.
Brian had never valued her, not as a professional or a person. Still didn’t. So why? Why did feelings continue to swirl around like a vortex inside her every time she saw him or heard his voice? After all this time, she should be immune to him!
Leaving Cord to arrange for the foreman to lock up after the caterers cleared everything away, she went inside and directly to their bedroom. She was standing at the end of the bed when Cord appeared, desire hot in his eyes. A small lamp bathed them both in its amber glow. He dropped something on the bedside table then came to stand behind her.
“Take off your clothes.” His voice was commanding, firm but not harsh.
He watched her, not touching although she craved his hands on her. Fallon slowly shed her clothes, one piece at a time. As she dropped each item to the floor, she saw the heat in his eyes flame brighter. When she was completely naked she stood there, hands at her sides, waiting for his command.
“Spread your legs.” His voice had a rough edge to it. “Touch yourself.”
Swallowing, she slid one hand down her stomach to the top of her mound, easing her forefinger between lips already slick with her juices. When she barely brushed the tip of her finger over her clit, the sensitive knot of tissue was so stimulated by the tension of the evening and by Cord’s command that a shudder raced through her body.
“Let me see your finger,” he commanded.
She lifted it, wet with her fluid. He bent his head, licking it clean.
“Again. Do it again. Slowly. Up and down your slit.”
Fallon stroked herself then raised her hand again. When Cord cleaned her finger with his tongue, he bit lightly on the digit.
“I’ve taken your essence into my body. You belong to me, Fallon. Remember that.”
The words, more than the tone, made her tense. Brian had used them, or similar phrases, so often that she had trouble separating the words from the man. They reminded her of a time when her will had been taken away, when her every breath depended on another person’s permission.
Cord stroked her arms and her hips with easy caresses until she felt her
tension bleed away. She blew out a breath.
He moved his mouth so it was close to her ear. “I’m not him, girl. And I’m going to make sure you remember that.” He walked them to the mirror and stood behind her. “Now. Spread your legs wider and let me see you play with your clit.”
She did as told, widening her stance even more. He banded one arm around her to hold her steady as she rubbed her sensitive bundle of nerves, a buzzing feeling zipping through the core of her pussy. Cord used his free hand to pinch her nipples and tug on the rings. Heat shot from her breasts right to her cunt and every internal muscle in her body clenched.
“Don’t come,” he ordered. “Don’t stop rubbing yourself until I say and do not come until I give you permission. I want you to always keep in mind that your release belongs to me, in the best way possible. Not for my satisfaction, but for yours.” He nipped the lobe of one ear. “Do you understand the difference, girl?” He tightened his arm around her. “Answer me.”
“Yes, Sir. I-I understand.”
And she would have to work hard at remembering that—for both their sakes.
As she stroked herself, the first warnings of her climax began to rush through her body and she had to bite her lip hard to hold it back. When she met Cord’s gaze in the mirror, she saw such desire, such hunger in his eyes it nearly brought her to her knees. For that alone she would hold back. Do what she needed to please him.
Suddenly he removed his arm and clamped his fingers around her moving hand.
“Stop.” He pulled both arms behind her and urged her to the space on the floor in front of the big chair he kept in the room. “Submissive pose. Now.”
She lowered her body awkwardly, off balance with her hands still held behind her back. She managed to settle herself and leaned forward until her forehead touched the carpet.
“Do not move.” Cord’s voice was husky.
She could hear the soft thunk of his boots on the carpet, the rustle of fabric as he removed his clothes and tossed them onto the chair. The opening and closing of a drawer. What toys was he getting? Would the session be all pleasure, or pleasure/pain? She wanted him to discipline her until he’d pushed every last trace of Brian Willoughby from her mind and body.
But she knew Cord Jamieson would never be that harsh. It wasn’t who he was, despite the fact he was a very strong Dom. He had a caring, emotional side that was missing in Brian’s makeup. Yet she knew he was filled with rage at the moment and doing his best to control it. He’d promised never to punish her in anger but Brian had interjected something unpleasant into their relationship. Something Cord was doing his best to get past. When he spoke, his voice was gravelly.
She would just have to try harder herself, to not push him to be something he wasn’t, and to distance both her mind and body from Brian.
His legs flanked her and steel kissed her wrists as he fastened cuffs around them, and then placed her hands by her thighs. In another moment, manacles circled her ankles and chains fastened them to the cuffs. At once her nipples hardened. The awkward, immobilizing position caused her slight pain but she welcomed it. Embraced the ache already burning in her muscles and the strain on her body. She closed her eyes, letting the familiar, arousing discomfort envelop her.
She was now completely at his mercy and that was exactly what she wanted. Every pain she suffered for Cord, every bit of soreness, every humiliation blotted away a sensation related to Brian.
For a long moment nothing happened and Fallon wondered if he was just going to leave her there all night.
No, that wasn’t Cord, that was—
Stop it! Stop, stop, stop!
In another instant he lifted her, awkward position and all, onto the bed, placing her so her feet hung over the edge. She pressed her forehead to the bedcovers, relishing the discomfort of the position. Tonight she would welcome anything he did to her if it reminded her how ignorant it was to entertain any thoughts of Brian. To have any reaction to him, good or bad. He urged her legs as far apart as he could get them, considering the restraints, and in another moment, one hand spread the cheeks of her ass. Lube came next, which meant he wasn’t going to take her there tonight. When he did, he used her own juices to lubricate her.
A dildo? A plug?
She heard him moving around behind her, heard the water run in the bathroom sink. In another moment, something cold and wet was pressed against her anus and a familiar burn began to spread through every corner of her body.
“This one is larger than usual. I thought it appropriate since you seem to be so desperate for punishment tonight. But I’ll enjoy watching you take it. Seeing it stretch your tissues. Feeling your pain.” He pinched one cheek of her ass. “All right. Take a deep breath.”
Fallon breathed in as deeply as she could. As Cord pushed the plug slowly into her rectum, he rhythmically slapped each cheek of her ass, the spreading warmth increasing the searing heat from the toy. The size of it burned as she took more and more, a blistering sensation that made her juices flow in her pussy and her clit ache and throb. Fiery spikes threaded everywhere in her dark channel, like tiny lit matches sparking and burning. Restrained as she was in an extremely awkward position, every nerve in her body shrieked for relief. She bit hard into the coverlet to keep from screaming and tears began streaming down her face. Cord continued the spanking as he pushed the plug farther and farther into her body.
She heard herself saying, “Please, please, please,” over and over but wasn’t even sure what she was asking for.
At the point when she knew she couldn’t take any more of the plug, he finally stopped and she felt a wide knob against her burning buttocks. The spanking ceased and his lean fingers squeezed her ass around the knob.
“The wide mouth will hold it in place until we’re finished.” His voice was edged with a combination of strain and lust, even as he gently stroked one hand down her spine. “Focus on that, and on your Master who fulfills your needs. Whatever they might be.” He bit gently on the tender spot where her neck and shoulder joined. “I just hope this punishment you seem to crave so badly isn’t because of something you plan to do that you know would greatly displease me.”
“Oh no. No, Sir.” Tears pooled in her eyes again. She was doing this all wrong. “Not at all.”
“Then let’s just call this a preventive measure.”
The burn had become so intense, between the stretching and the spankings, it had morphed into a euphoric wave of pleasure. The walls of her cunt rippled and her clit was one unfulfilled ache.
He slapped her ass once more, hard. She heard the crinkle of foil, felt his fingers probing her cunt to test her wetness. Then the head of his cock breached her opening. His hands gripped her hips tightly and she heard his harsh intake of breath as, with one plunge, he drove fully inside her.
“Aaaahhhhh!”
Even through the comforter she was biting down on, her scream of pained bliss echoed through the room.
Cord’s fingers dug harder and he pumped into her furiously, hammering into her body. Between the pounding of his cock, the heat bathing her buttocks and soreness of her muscles, Fallon’s body was a mass of emotions and reactions. The intense combination of pain and pleasure pushed her right to the edge, her body poised to climax, but she clenched her muscles to hold back until Cord gave her permission.
Relief surged through her when he shouted, “Now!”
The walls of her pussy spasmed and tightened around his thick, heavy shaft, contracting over and over as her orgasm shook her and Cord pumped his semen into the latex sheath.
For a long time, the only sound in the room was their harsh breathing, although Fallon thought as hard as her heart was beating, he would surely hear. It seemed like forever before he slowly withdrew and slid his hands down her thighs. She was startled when he placed a soft kiss on each globe of her buttocks before going through the process of freeing her from the manacles and cuffs. She hadn’t expected such tenderness under the circumstances.
Bu
t this is Cord, idiot. Remember that.
The clink of metal on metal sounded as Cord tossed the restraints aside. Then his hands, warm and gentle, eased her limbs from their stiff positions, massaging the muscles as he did so. Finally, with the same gentleness, he eased the plug from her ass. He moved away, obviously to place it somewhere, before turning her over and stretching her arms and legs.
“I’m going to take care of you before we get into bed.” His words were as soft as his caresses. “I’m going to draw a bath with those scented healing salts you love so much, and turn on the aroma diffuser with a little eucalyptus oil. I have some salve to use on your rectum that will ease the burn. And I’m going to pour a glass of wine for you to sip slowly.”
He moved over her, his mouth barely a breath away.
“I will never, no matter how intense the punishment session, leave you in pain and discomfort. But Fallon?”
“Y-Yes?”
“Do not bring Brian Willoughby into our bedroom again. Into our house. I want him out of your head, no matter what we have to do to accomplish that. Do you understand?”
“He’ll go after you when he can’t get to me.” She felt sick at the thought. “I am so sorry about this.”
“You leave him to me.” His eyes darkened. “I can handle him with no problem. I don’t care how much power he’s so sure he has. I’m not the pushover he might think.”
She wet her lips and tried again to warn him. “But—”
He touched a finger to her mouth. “No buts. No arguments. Understand?”
She nodded, but that feeling of impending disaster still bubbled inside her.
“Good. If he calls you, don’t answer. If he ‘accidentally’ runs into you, get away as fast as you can.” He brushed damp hair from her sweat-misted forehead. “I don’t want to be in the position of pushing you to make a choice, girl. But he is poison to you. We have to wash any trace of him out of your system.”
If only.
Chapter Seven
