“I don’t tolerate lies, mio piccolo angelo (my little angel). Care to rephrase?” His voice became dominant and my eyes instantly dropped to the ground, while heat flared through my center, feeling my stomach clench at the possibility of a punishment.
“Sorry, sir. I just can’t stop worrying about . . .” My voice left me.
Dane pulled me into a half hug and whispered, so only I could hear. “I’ll keep you safe.”
I was glad that Mr. Prescott proposed a toast on my behalf and Nate stated it was time for my presents.
“Presents?” I questioned in surprise.
Nate just shook his head. “I wanted to get you a new cell phone, laptop, or even a gift card so you could buy some new clothes. The one’s you were wearing were about to fall off of you.” He looked up at Dane and smiled. “But, someone beat me to the punch. So instead I got you a little something for you to enjoy wearing. Mom and dad added a piece to it, along with Dane and Mr. & Mrs. Prescott.”
I looked funny at him when he handed me a small box. I lifted the lid to find a Pandora bracelet inside, with several charms already in place. Nate explained. “The bracelet is gold, because you bring light to everyone’s lives that you touch. I’ve added the dangling sister heart charm, while the Prescott’s added the good luck charm, Mom and Dad threw in the Graduation cap, and Dane . . .”
“I threw in the passport and plane, because together our jobs will take us places. But, I’ve also included a heart with a key, hoping I can unlock and capture your heart, as you’ve done with mine.” He leaned forward, with everyone watching, and kissed me lovingly on the lips.
Dane took hold of my wrist, as Nate grabbed the bracelet from the box and connected the clasp, holding it together. “Congratulations, sis! I wish you all the best that life has to offer.”
I felt the tears running down my face. I didn’t know what to say. Everyone, including my parents, had been so sweet to donate toward my graduation gift. Nate floored me with how thoughtful the present was, but Dane took my breath away with his desire to win my heart. I couldn’t understand why he was so interested in me, unless he feels the same undeniable pull that I do.
I guess he could sense my emotions, because his hand came up to clasp the back of my nape. The gesture both frightened and excited me. In one respect it felt he was exuding power over me, yet when his fingers began to massage the muscles in my neck, it relaxed me, causing me to fall back into his grasp. A low growl of approval escaped his lips, as I noticed all the men seemed to nod to one another. I looked up into Celia’s eyes and noted Mr. Prescott was massaging her nape as well. What was this one act all about? Did it signify something? I don’t recall anything like this in my books.
Nate drove home with us, pulling his car alongside Dane’s in the garage. I was happy that he’d be staying at Dane’s until he flew back out to California.
He quickly grabbed his bags and was beside my door, beating Dane to help me out. “This is some place you have here.”
“Thanks, Nate. I guess you remember the condo I’d had. I was tired of living in cramped spaces and like the peace and tranquility this offers. Feel free to pick out a bedroom of your choice. I have three guest rooms up the stairs and to the left. If you need anything, feel free to ask and help yourself to anything in the kitchen.”
We all walked inside and Nate quickly went upstairs to unload his bag before coming down to join us for a glass of wine. We talked for a while in the family room, while listening to some music. I remember nodding off a couple of times before they both insisted I head up to bed.
Dane was adamant about following me up, citing I’d had too many glasses of wine and wanted to make sure I got to bed all right. “I’ll just see that she makes it safely and will be back down so we can talk and catch up.” I noticed some sort of look transpiring between them and hoped everything was okay.
I’d just made it up the stairs when he lifted me into his arms and swooped me into his bedroom. I tried to escape his hold, but he held firm. “I know your brother is here under the same roof, but if you think that’s going to keep me from sharing the same bed with you, you’re wrong. We can either sleep in my room or yours tonight. Which will it be?”
I felt defeated. I didn’t want my brother to think less of me, but with Dane’s declaration of love at the restaurant table tonight, oh hell . . . why not? “Yours.”
He shut the door behind us and carried me over to the side of the bed, where he removed my heels and set me down on my feet. “Strip for me.”
I wasn’t shocked anymore by this statement, since it was the same one for the past few nights; one he assured me I needed to get used to. I tried to reach the back of my dress to unzip it, when he came up behind me and started kissing my neck and shoulders, as his hands slowly moved the zipper down the back of my spine. His fingers caressed every inch of my skin the zipper uncovered, until the dress fell and pooled at my feet. “You’ve been driving me crazy all night looking like the most delicious sweet waiting to be unwrapped.”
I felt my head tilt back and relax against his chest as his arms came around and unsnapped the bustier, letting it join the dress on the floor. His lips continued a bath across my shoulder and up my neck, as his hands fondled my breasts and tweaked my nipples into hardened peaks. I found myself tilting my head to the side, giving him more access.
Dane bit softly at the juncture of my neck causing a moan to escape my lips. I don’t know how a bite could be sexy, but I was feeling switched on. He flexed his hips forward, where I could feel the outline of his erection against my lower back. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are? How much I want you right now?”
I shook my head, only to feel a small slap to the side of my thigh. “You’ve been gloomy all day, you barely allowed yourself to enjoy your graduation and dinner, and now you fail to believe what I say.”
I quickly uttered, “I’m sorry, sir,” remembering how he had instructed me to call him sir in the bedroom. Was this one of his Dom/sub games, trying to show me how things would be between us?
One hand still held me firm against his chest, palming one breast, while the other smoothed down across my abdomen and into my panties. I felt my clit ache to be touched, but was shocked when he tore through my panties and pocketed them in his pants. What the hell?
“I appreciate your apology, Marissa, but I want you to learn to appreciate yourself for who you are and to enjoy life’s special moments. Because you failed to do so, we’ll start with a simple punishment. If you do well, I’ll give you a reward.” He turned me toward him, lifting my face to meet his gaze; a lascivious smile spread across his face, with his eyes hooded and dark with desire.
“Yes, sir. I’ll gladly do as you ask, just please show mercy on someone not fully schooled in this lifestyle.” I tried sweet talking him.
A small laugh played on his lips, as his hands came up to caress my face and pulled me into a kiss. “For someone not knowing of this lifestyle, you seem to be a natural in your responses, both in words and actions. You bring out the Dominant side of me, wanting to show you everything there is to know, but you’re not ready yet.”
My eyes fell to the floor at his words.
He stepped back. “I want you to turn toward the bed, hands on the comforter, feet more than shoulders width apart, and your butt extended outward, with your head down. When I ask you to present your ass to me, this is how I want you to be. You’ll go to any flat surface or bed and immediately assume this position.”
I did as he asked and felt his hum of approval. His hand stroked down the back of my spine and across my butt.
“Very nice. You look beautiful like this.”
His words, while they would’ve been demeaning from Tom or anyone else, made me feel special, treasured, and loved by Dane.
“I’m going to give you six swats to brighten your ass and remember never to talk down about yourself and fail to enjoy life again. You’ll count them out as I go and thank me for each one. If this is too much for you, just say
“Red” and I’ll stop. Do you understand?” His hand continued to trace a pattern along my spine, across my backside and over the tops of my thighs, making it hard to think.
Swat! Damn that hurt! “Ouch. I wasn’t ready.” I yelled back at him, turning my head.
“Face forward, mi amore. That one was to get your attention. Do you understand how I’m going to proceed?” His voice was prevailing, letting me know I shouldn’t argue.
“Yes, Sir.”
He placed one hand on my lower back, forcing some of his weight on me to anchor me into place, while I heard the air swoosh before feeling the slap. The noise of his hand striking my flesh was louder than the actual slap. It stung, but it wasn’t bad. “One, thank you, sir.”
The next landed on the other cheek in the same location. I began thanking him for each one, though still tense that I was doing this. He alternated between the two cheeks and started rubbing in the heat of his action, causing me to feel turned on, which surprised me. I could feel myself getting wet. Why in the hell was this turning me on so much? Was I a masochist who liked pain? Was I a freak?
“Six, thank you, sir!”
Instead of Dane’s hand rubbing the heat into my cheek, his fingers found my folds. “I thought you might like this, love. You’re soaking wet, literally dripping down your leg. If I weren’t a proper gentleman, I’d have you tonight. But, your brother is waiting downstairs to talk and I need to get back to him.”
“May I ask a question?” I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to talk or not.
“You may. Ask anything you like. I have nothing to hide, Marissa.” His fingers continued to push around the wetness, drawing a line from my pussy to my clit and then back toward my forbidden zone, making it hard to think.
My words came out breathy. “Why the spanking tonight? I’m not ready to submit.”
He laughed a bit and landed kisses all down my spine, before biting into my butt cheek, causing me to gasp. “Ahh.”
“You’re right, mio angelo. You’re not quite ready yet, but you’re getting closer. Let me ask you one thing to prove my point.” His body enclosed over mine as his hands came forward and palmed my breasts.
“Are you turned on love? Do you need to find release?” My god, this man was a mind reader.
He pressed me into the bed, causing my clit to rub against the comforter and me to moan in anticipation. “Yes.” I whimpered.
Dane pulled back the covers and lifted me into bed. I thought he was going to just leave me pent up, but then his hand came up to hold my face as his lips and tongue invaded my mouth, kissing me like there were no tomorrow. His other hand trailed down my mons to spread my labia where his thumb began rubbing hard circles against my clit, while two of his fingers thrust inside of me and began pressing against my g-spot. I never felt myself climb so quickly.
My vision clouded over. “Come for me my pet. Come for your Dom, now!”
A brilliant display of fireworks went off behind my eyes, as I screamed my release into his mouth. He continued to devour my mouth, while he worked every ounce of orgasm from me.
I felt the coolness of a wash cloth cleaning me up, along with one of his shirts being placed on me as I slipped in and out of consciousness. I guess with my brother here, I can wear some form of clothes. A gentle kiss to my forehead, “Sleep well my love. I’ll join you soon.” That’s the last I remembered.
THANK GOODNESS MARISSA WAS halfway toward sleep and arousal by the time she received her punishment. I hated giving her any, because the day had been a bad one, but I wouldn’t allow her to let that ass wipe, Tom, continue to have power over her attitude.
I don’t know what Tom’s deal was with his comments or the note, but I was going to talk with Nate and see if we couldn’t figure out something and get to the bottom of it.
I grabbed another glass of wine from the kitchen and found Nate thumbing through a car magazine, while nursing another beer. “Sorry to take so long.”
He turned toward me with his eyes glaring. “I hope you’re not planning on using my sister for your kink games and then dumping her. She’s been hurt by a lot of guys in the past. I don’t need her hurt again.” He threw his hands in the air, his voice full of anger. “Hell, she’s not even submissive. You’ll probably scare the shit out of her.”
I sat my glass down on the coffee table before taking a seat next to him on the sofa. I turned his direction, feeling my jaw clench, and raised my voice. “I know Tom’s hurt her, but who else has put her through hell?” I slammed my hand down on my leg, not wanting to believe the person I adore had been the victim of more than one asshole.
Nate seemed surprised at my reaction, but nodded in approval. “I can see she means more to you than I’d thought. Sorry, but she’s my sis and I take my brotherly duties seriously, especially when it comes to her well-being and happiness.
“Marissa was always smart with figuring out statistics and using computers. In high school the boys starting warming up to her, asking her for help with their projects, even taking her out on dates to make her happy. Then when their projects and homework were done, they’d drop her like a hot potato.” He paused a moment, shaking his head in disgust. “The same thing happened in college, too. She’s got a kind spirit, always trying to find the good in everyone.”
His face got serious as he looked up. “You need to know that when Marissa opens herself up to the idea of love, she loves with her whole heart. I just don’t want to see her crushed and need to know what your intentions are.”
I didn’t know how to explain, or how much Nate wanted to know, so I figured I would start with the obvious. “I think I’m falling in love with her. My dad was trying to convince me to spend more time at the office when our eyes met and I felt I’d been struck by lightening. Later I ran into her in the elevator, where she started crying. I tried comforting her, asking what was wrong, but the closer I got, the more I wanted to kiss her and take all her concerns away.”
“She mentioned that to me, but I didn’t realize it was you.” His face softened. “That kiss meant everything to her. She decided to leave Tom because of it. She’d told me that kissing him was like kissing a mirror; cold and empty. But, with you her heart and body seemed to come to life.” He leaned over and gave me a slap on the shoulder, in approval.
“It changed my world. I realized the relationship I was in was pointless. Tiffany had no care for me or my family, only what I could buy her and what kind of release I could give her. But, kissing your sister sent electricity coursing through me, making me feel alive. I was so dumbstruck by our encounter, that I watched her walk away and had no way of knowing how to contact her. I tried coming into the office more, but our schedules didn’t coincide. My dad refused to tell me anything about her or how to find her. I didn’t realize until later that she was your sister.”
I took a swig of my wine before continuing. I needed the extra dose of courage. “She saved my life that day and a couple weeks later.”
I went on to tell Nate how I’d felt responsible for Gabi’s death. If she’d stayed home she might still be alive. I admitted my depression to the point of wanting to drink myself to death. “I bar hopped as much as I could until all the bartenders shut me down and I ended up in a fight with a bouncer. How I ever made it to your sister’s subdivision, I’ll never know. I want to think that Gabi guided me there because I saw her spirit that night telling me that Marissa was my destiny and I needed to live for her.”
“She doesn’t know it was you?”
I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head. “My hair was still long, but I’d taken out the highlights. Plus, I had two black eyes, a broken nose and was a total mess.” I thought back to waking up in the hospital and seeing myself for the first time. “Hell, I didn’t even recognize my own reflection.”
Nate hesitantly asked. “Have you fucked my sister?”
I was thankful that I could answer honestly. “No. Tom did a real number on her psyche to the point she fears sex. He has her bel
ieving that sex is painful because she’s frigid. I’ve been working with her, using techniques Kent taught me, to break that mental block so she can feel again. Apparently Tom doesn’t do romance or foreplay.”
I didn’t want to go into detail, but needed him to know. “Tom’s a poser Dom, if you catch my drift.” Since he’s also a Dom, he’d understand this meant someone wanting to act dominant, but controlling through abuse, not actual play.
I watched as the veins in his neck tensed, while his fists clenched. “I’ll kill the son of a bitch!”
“He hasn’t let her walk away peacefully. You know about the car and clothes, but he threatened her roommates yesterday and passed on a message.” I pulled the note from my pocket so he could look over it, but right on cue, a blood curdling scream pierced the silence.
I jumped to my feet and started running, with Nate following close behind. “What the hell was that?”
I tried to explain as I ran toward Marissa, knowing she’d need my help to talk her down from her fear. “That’d be your sister having a nightmare about offering up her v-card to Tom.”
“You’re scaring me! I can’t do this. Please, I’m begging you . . . the pain’s too intense. DON’T! I’m sorry! OUCH!” Marissa’s voice varied through the interior of the house.
I managed to push open the door to see her tangled in the sheets, clawing at the air to get free. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and pulled her into my chest. She immediately stilled. “Shh. I’ve got you angelo mio. I won’t let anyone ever harm you again. You’re safe with me.”
Her eyes opened and she started to cry. “Dane?”
“It’s okay babe.” I rubbed my hands up and down her back. “I’ve got you, so cry and get it out of your system.”
Nate came to sit on the opposite side of the bed, laying a hand on Marissa’s arm. “It’s okay sis. We’re here. That bastard will never get the chance to ever harm you again.”
I held her still as Nate unwound the tangled mess of covers from around her.
I Need You Always Page 16
