Passion's Trust

by Cara Carnes

  “Tonight is going to be so much fun,” Viviana stated. “And that outfit. Holy shit, I want to steal it from you.”

  “I couldn’t resist. I had to have this.” Autumn strutted for a moment and turned full-circle. A black-lace open-bust bra and matching short was somehow held together and adhered via an intricate web of thin, barely there threads that roped around her rib cage and around her waist to reappear around her thighs where they held up lace garters.

  “I guess I misunderstood Lorenzo’s instructions.” She tugged at the hem of her holey t-shirt and smiled nervously. “Maybe I can sneak back to my room and change.”

  The two women shook their heads.

  Viviana pulled her sunglasses onto her head and dragged Katey toward a locker. “We’ve got you hooked up, sister.” She snickered. “We saw this and knew that it had to be yours.”

  “Yeah, sorry we couldn’t take you with us this afternoon. Chase had you commandeered for inventory longer than we expected,” Autumn said. She smiled. “But I remembered something Lorenzo said once and knew this would be perfect.”

  Viviana extracted a small bag and unzipped it. Pink lace. Two pink lace circles and a strand along with two black bows.

  What the hell? Katey’s stomach fluttered. “That’s an outfit?”

  Autumn chuckled. “Oh yeah. One that will be the downfall of every Dom out there, especially one certain one who had the nerve to call and say he’d be late.”

  Lorenzo was going to be late? She couldn’t do this without him. Especially not in that flimsy excuse for an outfit.

  Viviana patted her back. “No worries. I bet he won’t be much longer after what I had Gabe deliver to his office.”

  “What did you do?” Autumn’s voice rose, her eyes widened.

  The two schemers huddled closer. Whatever had been done wouldn’t bode well for Katey. Or maybe it would.

  Anticipation threaded through her as she awaited Viviana’s response.

  “Well, you know how intense Lorenzo gets when he’s stressed at work. That brooding thing where nothing exists but what he’s working on.”

  Yeah, she remembered all too well. She’d missed that intensity. That brooding.

  “Anyways, I sent an empty quart-sized Ziploc back to him with a note that said ‘Katey’s outfit for tonight fit in here with room to spare. It’s a shame you aren’t here to see it’.”

  Autumn gasped. “No.”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re going to be in so much trouble when he tells Lance and Stryker,” Autumn whispered. “Oh my.”

  Viviana laughed. “It will be worth it.”

  Her mind worked diligently to catch up but remained deadlocked on the dangling scraps of material in Viviana’s left hand. “I’m wearing that?”

  It wasn’t even an outfit. Was it?

  The two women guided her toward a leather seat.

  “Let’s get you dressed and then we’ll chat.” Autumn motioned for her to remove the t-shirt. “We’ll lock it up in the locker.”

  So that she couldn’t chicken out. “I feel ganged up on.”

  “We aren’t ganging up. We’re conspiring toward a desired objective,” Viviana stated. “There’s a difference.”

  “Would your Masters see that difference?” Katey asked.

  The two women shrugged. “We think they’ll take immense delight in Lorenzo’s response. We will too.”

  Shyness waged war with a need to please the women who’d done so much to make her feel welcome. They knew the dominant side of Lorenzo Katey’d only experienced a few times. Perhaps they were right.

  He’d expressed an interest in her being nude on more than one occasion. There wasn’t much difference in this. And the t-shirt hadn’t exactly been great coverage. So the remaining barrier was her overwhelming need to keep her perceived inadequacies tucked away.

  But Lorenzo had wanted her to work on those, right? Maybe this was a way to show she was willing to try.

  With a deep breath, Katey threw out her doubts and nerves and settled into the plan. “How does this thing go on?”

  A few minutes later Katey emerged from the changing room relatively unscathed except for the huge albatross now soaring in her stomach—which was brazenly bared for anyone to see.

  Scar and all.

  Her heart raced faster, her breaths grew more labored with each step into The Brig. Conversations halted as they passed. She huddled closer to Viviana as though the woman’s camouflage getup could deflect the intense stares she felt clear to her bones.

  The attention rattled the determination she’d bolstered back in the dressing room and left Katey feeling too naked, too wanton. At least the other two women’s outfits showed some modicum of sensuality. The heart-shaped pasties on Autumn’s nipples were quite cute.

  This was too much too fast. She looked around for a corner, a pocket of privacy to claim as her own and wait until Lorenzo arrived.

  Montgomery.

  Maybe he was here somewhere. Wasn’t he going to help with her training?

  “Where is Master Montgomery?”

  “Chase dragged him into town to get some last-minute things we needed for this weekend. They should be back any minute.” Autumn looked around. “I’m surprised they aren’t back yet, actually.”

  Great.

  “You okay? You look a little pale.” Viviana touched her arm.

  Katey nodded even though a small voice in her screamed no. No she wasn’t okay. But she would be. Soon.

  Deep breath.

  Remain calm.

  Lorenzo would be here soon.

  “Viv.” The deep voice behind Katey startled her. She jumped, too aware of how her breasts were barely contained by the thin strip of pink lace pressing into her nipples. The black bow adorned with a small bell in her cleavage jingled a bit from the force of her movement and tugged on the pink-lace collar around her throat.

  She didn’t even want to think about the black bow that was masquerading as a thong string between her legs. The pink lace around her hips holding the fallacy in place was bad enough.

  Although Lance and Stryker didn’t speak a word to Katey she sensed their perusal. She shivered under their presence and took a couple steps back—to where, she wasn’t certain. But there had to be a haven somewhere.

  “Kneel.” Stryker’s commanding tone left Katey falling to her knees.

  Heat suffused her cheeks when she realized he’d probably been talking to Viviana. She looked around and was thankful Autumn had knelt as well.

  Stryker stepped closer. “You’ve been quite busy, pet.”

  “Permission to speak, Sir.”

  “Denied.” Lance walked behind them. Katey shuddered under their displeasure.

  “This was my idea,” Autumn stated firmly.

  “I’d be careful what you confess to.” Kade’s voice boomed from the entry as he made his way toward them.

  Crap. Emotion clogged her throat as her mind processed potential consequences for this scenario. Her newfound friends were about to be punished for helping her. Just when she’d thought she’d discovered a niche where she belonged, an important chunk of it was being taken away.

  Friendship wasn’t something she’d had in abundance. Losing it would be painful. It wasn’t their fault. She should’ve spoken up for herself and said no.

  “Please don’t hurt them.” She choked out the plea but kept her head down and her eyes squeezed shut as she willed herself not to display the upset rattling her composure.

  She cringed as she realized the full enormity of the word she’d used. Hurt.

  “Look at me, Katey.” Stryker’s voice was soft, but she knew it wasn’t a request.

  She took a gaspy breath and obeyed even though her entire body tensed.

  His hand cupped her cheek. “We will never hurt them but they will be punished for going against Master Lorenzo’s wishes for you tonight. They violated your trust with what they did. There’s no way you could convince us this outfit was your decisi
on.”

  “I’ll change back. It’s my fault for agreeing when I knew he ordered me to wear the t-shirt.” She swallowed, thought of her lack of respect and added, “Sir.”

  Stryker suppressed a grin. “You have more Viv in you than I’d suspected. I admire your devotion to our sub but this isn’t about the t-shirt.”

  “Master Lorenzo left strict orders for you not to enter The Brig for the scavenger hunt until he or Master Montgomery was present.” Lance set a hand on Viviana’s shoulder. “Apparently someone decided to belay that order without full knowledge of the underlying reasons.”

  That didn’t sound good. Katey remained silent, allowed the two women to serve as her guides. They’d yet to speak.

  “Your intentions might’ve been noble, Autumn, but your methods could’ve been damaging.” Kade’s voice slid through Katey like a visceral guilt trip. “We will discuss this at length later and decide together on what your punishment should be.”

  “Yes Sir.” Autumn shifted on her knees. “Forgive me for the problems I caused, Sirs.”

  “I’m sorry, Sirs.” Viviana’s voice was soft, hesitant.

  “Ah, you, my pet, were quite busy.” Stryker cupped her face and forced her gaze upward. “You would’ve been let off with a firm spanking to warm that sweet ass if it hadn’t been for the Baggie.”

  “I’m sorry, Sir.”

  “You aren’t right now but I suspect you will be later tonight.” Stryker let his grip up on her face and looked at Kade. “Thoughts on tonight?”

  “We proceed as planned. Perhaps a little fun will help our subs understand the true weight of what they almost ruined for Katey.” Kade ran his finger down Katey’s cheek. “You may redress if you wish.”

  Katey swallowed. “I’ll be fine, Sir.”

  “You were on the verge of a panic attack when we approached,” Stryker noted.

  “You were?” Viviana asked. Her eyes widened and she looked up at Lance, who now stood in front of her. “Sorry.”

  “Perhaps you wish to share with Autumn and Viviana why you were so anxious,” Kade suggested.

  She’d rather not.

  “It’s okay, sweetheart.” Gabe Santiago’s voice drifted in her ear like a tidal wave. As if having three of the Brigade Masters around her wasn’t enough. Now there was a fourth and there still wasn’t any sign of Lorenzo or Montgomery.

  But his hands massaged her shoulders, kneading the tension from her muscles. The slow, methodical strokes gave her pulse a new tempo to follow, a new beacon to follow within the chaos.

  He knelt and placed his hands on her waist. “Tell me,” he whispered.

  “I felt alone without L—” She caught the screw-up and began again. “I felt out of place without Master Lorenzo or Master Montgomery here.”

  “You’re too new to take on this adventure without them.” Lance’s statement calmed her nerves. They understood what she hadn’t at first.

  “Yes Sir.”

  “Will you trust me to watch over you until they arrive?” Gabe ran a hand down her arm. “We will wait for them before we begin.”

  Suddenly she felt childish for wanting Lorenzo there. Foolishness wasn’t a trait she wanted to be known for, yet she found herself owning it quite well. “I know I’m safe here. I just wanted…”

  “No explanation is needed, sweetheart. You wanted to share this adventure with the two men who made you soar your first time. That’s understandable.” Gabe kissed her neck and warmth settled in her belly. “I just hope you’re open to letting me help you fly tonight.”

  Frustration at the situation made her tongue run rampant. “Why did you take him the bag if you knew it was so wrong?”

  “Bag?” Gabe stood and looked down at Viviana. “I clearly missed something important here.”

  “Afraid so, buddy.” Lance slapped him on the back. “Our Viv played one hell of a cruel trick on Lorenzo at work.”

  Gabe whistled. “That’s not cool.”

  “No.” Stryker tugged on Viviana’s hair until she stood. “We’ll handle it later. I think it’s past time to start this scavenger hunt. We’ve got a hell of a lot of Doms and subs in there champing at the bit.”

  “You sounded like Chase just then, man.” Lance grinned.

  “Fuck you.”

  “No thanks. I’ll leave that to Viv, or not.” Lance chuckled. “Maybe we need to try that orgasm restriction Kade did with Autumn.”

  Autumn gasped and looked up at Kade. “You told them?”

  “Who do you think gave me the idea?” He grinned. “Perhaps another round of that after a nice, hard spanking will make you think twice about meddling next time.”

  Autumn shook her head firmly. “No Sir. Not that.”

  Laughter tumbled around her. Gabe whispered in her ear, “Go change. I’ll meet you in the corner you used last night.”

  She nodded mutely and suddenly adrenaline spiked within her as she remembered last night and the pleasure she’d experienced. She couldn’t wait for another round.

  * * * * *

  “Walking in there like that won’t help.”

  Lorenzo halted his angered stride and spun. “Why the hell can’t you keep your sub in check?”

  Stryker’s jaw flinched. Silence loomed between them.

  The anger gave way to the conclusion that Lorenzo had finally lost his mind. Exasperated, he growled his rage and took a deep breath. “Sorry, man. It’s been a shitty day.”

  “Yeah. Guess it couldn’t have anything to do with the sexy little sub I left under Santiago’s care a little while ago.”

  “Santiago’s with her?”

  “Would you rather I cast her into The Brig unescorted for the masses?”

  That didn’t even deserve a response. The plastic bag seemed to burn a hole in his pocket—a reminder he’d fucked up big time. Although Viviana had no doubt taken the brunt of the blame, Lorenzo shouldn’t have ever allowed work to interfere with his plans with Katey.

  “I fucked up.”

  “Yeah.”

  “You punishing Viviana?”

  Stryker took a deep breath and shifted. “We’ll come up with something. Her heart was in the right place even if her head tends to focus a little farther south. I think she gets it from Lance.”

  Lorenzo chuckled. The imagery alleviated the burdensome stress in him until his thoughts drifted back to Katey. “Is she okay?”

  “Yeah. We got there before it hit the fan, but she held herself in check really well. I think she would’ve been fine.” Stryker grinned. “I think she got warmed up by Santiago.”

  Lorenzo was glad the man had been there.

  “Any sign of Montgomery yet?”

  “No.” Concern filled the word. Stryker glanced at his watch. “They should’ve been back an hour or so ago. You know how we can set our watch to Chase.”

  “Something must’ve waylaid them,” Lorenzo offered.

  “Probably so.”

  “Thanks for the pause.”

  “Anytime.” He grinned.

  Lorenzo headed into the side entrance of The Brig.

  “Hey, man,” Stryker called.

  “Yeah?”

  “Check out the outfit Viv had her in.”

  Something told Lorenzo he’d rather not see it until his blood pressure and rage were fully in check. He should’ve been here.

  He should’ve had Stryker tell Katey. Shit. He should have postponed the meeting and called her himself.

  The Brig seemed smaller than usual thanks to the crush of people waiting for the hunt to begin. The excitement of a collaring ceremony for one of the Pleasure Brigade’s founding members had brought most of the members into the resort for the weekend. Fortunately Chase had the insight to close it to outside guests.

  Lance nodded a silent greeting from across the room. Kade did the same from the stage. Apparently everything had hinged on his arrival. He searched the crowd for Katey and breathed a sigh of relief when he found her where it’d all begun the night before.
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  Santiago stood behind her like a guardian. Lorenzo forgot how to breathe when his gaze swept over her. She was a vision of submission kneeling with a thin lacy veil of pink wrapped around her gorgeous tits.

  Her hands were locked behind her back, her gaze cast downward. Santiago had somehow managed to get her to kneel in proper formation with her thighs spread. She was a gift wrapped in satin and lace he intended to unwrap.

  The man who’d stood in his place nodded and placed a hand on the back of Katey’s neck. Lorenzo waited, watched her shift restlessly under the firm touch.

  “You are a very good girl for waiting so patiently for Master Lorenzo to come,” Santiago spoke. “He will no doubt need your attention when he arrives. No doubt his concern for you will be fierce.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  Lorenzo slid out of his suit jacket and stepped closer. Her body tensed, as if she’d sensed his presence. Rivulets of long hair partially masked the full extent of her outfit.

  “I thought she’d changed.”

  “She returned and asked if she could remain as she was.” Santiago grinned. “I wasn’t about to complain.”

  Lorenzo ran a finger down her temple and across her cheek and then down her arms, succulent ivory he longed to chase with his tongue. His cock hardened. Blood surged within his veins, pumping furious demands for action.

  “Lean back until your head rests on the floor, Katey. I wish to admire the full beauty of you.”

  Her eyelids fluttered shut as her body reclined backward in obedience. Beautiful.

  A black bow held the thin pink lace covering her nipples. A matching bow guided his gaze downward to the juncture of her thighs. Tracing the thin ribbon between her legs with his finger would be a delightful treat.

  “Very good, bella donna.” He moved close enough so her breath would fall on his crotch when she rose back into position.

  The hum of conversation rose behind him, an indication the hunt had begun. The only prize Lorenzo wanted was in front of him. “Return to your previous position.”

  Her eyes widened when she obeyed and found herself so near him. He ran his fingers through her hair and noted the subtle thud of her pulse beneath her ears. He forced her gaze upward and was lost in the sexy cinnamon hue shimmering beneath moisture.