Dark Redemption

by Barron, Melinda

  “I’m sorry, Milord.”

  “As am I. This, plus your smart mouth this morning, brings on a punishment.”

  “A flogging tonight, Milord?”

  “Don’t sound so excited, because the answer is no.”

  “As you command, Milord.” She tried not to look too disappointed. “I’m sorry for overstepping, Milord.”

  “Much better, but it doesn’t change the fact you’re going to be punished. You have to learn to mind your mouth and remember your place.”

  An image of Guest flashed through Heaven’s mind. She tried to push it aside, and failed. He was pushing her to her knees, his hand tight in her hair. “Learn your place bitch, at my feet. I own you for the rest of your life.”

  “I can’t, no.” She clawed at the collar around her neck. “Take it off. Please.”

  “Heaven. Come back here, to me. Relax, just relax.” Nash’s voice was soft, yet commanding. He didn’t move toward her, and she fought to get her breathing under control.

  “I’m sorry, Milord. I promised myself I wouldn’t do that.”

  “Heaven, I won’t hurt you. Punish you yes, but you have to trust me to know what I’m doing. You have to know that it will have its desired effect, and that you will benefit from it. Do you trust me?”

  “Yes, Milord. I just…” She looked at the wall.

  “You just what? Tell me, it’s the only way for you to work through it.”

  “I thought of Guest, and how he said I had to learn my place.”

  “Ah.” Nash sat down on the sofa. “The phrases have two totally different meanings. Guest meant to dominate you, true, but only for his own pleasure. A loving Master knows how to mete out punishments that bring the Dom and sub closer, and teach her a lesson at the same time.”

  She clasped her hands in front of her. “I’m sorry, Milord. I panicked.”

  “It’s all right, shorty. I’m not going to get angry with you for it. I am disappointed at your smart mouth this morning, and your forgetfulness when I came into the room. That’s what you’re being punished for.”

  “Thank you, Milord.”

  “Go into the bedroom and bend over the bed, legs spread.”

  “Yes, Milord.” She knelt down in front of him and kissed his cock. He stroked her hair and she placed her forehead against his crotch.

  “We’ll drive them all away. Don’t worry.”

  She blinked away tears.

  “You have to let me help you, shorty. If you don’t let me inside what you’re feeling, then it will stay bottled up, and that will lead to more troubles. Let me inside.”

  “Does that mean you want to fuck me, Milord?” She batted her eyes at him, and hoped he would laugh. He shook his head, and a small smile appeared.

  “You don’t always have to have a smart mouth, shorty. It masks what you’re truly feeling, I know, but I want to know you in all ways. Now, do as you’re told.”

  “As you command, Milord.”

  Chapter 7

  Heaven squirmed in her chair, trying, and failing, to take her mind off the toy vibrating inside her.

  Toy, ha! Right now I’d call it an instrument of torture. Of course, that’s what he’s using it for, right? Torture.

  The dining room was full, and everyone had been happy to greet their boss’ newest submissive. She’d met so many people that it was hard to put names with faces. Still, she remembered a few, and would try to do better as the days went by.

  Nash allowed her to wear a sheer robe of red, which she knew hid very little. Of course she was also wearing her leash. Still, the other women in the dining room were dressed, two of them in street clothes. The two in street clothes also had on collars, but no leashes.

  The toy buzzed again and she swallowed a low moan. Her clit was on fire, and as part of her punishment she would not be allowed an orgasm until after midnight tonight. He’d made it clear to her if he found out she’d come without his permission, the next punishment would be much worse. But she wasn’t sure how that would happen.

  “Shorty.” She turned to him.

  “Yes, Milord.”

  “Sir Kean is speaking to you.” She wanted to tell him that, if he wasn’t pressing the remote on the vibrator every few seconds, she might be able to concentrate on what was being said around her.

  “Forgive me, Milord, and you too, Sir Kean.”

  The blond who looked to be in his late thirties, nodded. “Sir Nash has suggested, and I agree, that I examine your piercing, and measure you for your slave ring.”

  Sir Kean. The jeweler. Heaven smiled, even as sweat broke out on her palms. Would the embarrassment never stop? If he examined her after lunch, he would find her pussy soaking from the toy. It went off again as if it knew what she was thinking. Or the person with the remote knew what she was thinking.

  “Of course, Sir Kean.”

  “Excellent. It will help me decide if a regular slave ring will fit, or if I need to craft something specifically for you. Who did your piercings?”

  “A woman named Destiney, in Santa Fe, Sir Kean.”

  “I met her at a convention last year in Los Angeles. I saw pictures of her work and thought it was excellent. Do you just have the nipples and clit hood?”

  “Yes, Sir.” The vibrator came on again and she swallowed a loud groan. She was close to orgasm. Every movement of the instrument of torture, for that’s how she thought of it now, moved her nearer to what she was trying to avoid, a mind-blowing orgasm in front of a room full of near strangers.

  Of course it wouldn’t be the first time she’d come in front of people she didn’t know. But she’d been ordered not to, upon threat of further punishment.

  When the vibrator turned on, and stayed on, she leaned toward Nash. “Milord, I beg you, have mercy.”

  “Mercy? Why would I do that?”

  “Because, if you don’t I might explode, Milord.”

  “I would advise against that, shorty, and you would do well to remember this is punishment.”

  “Yes, Milord.” Her clit spasmed under the pressure and she bit her lip, willing herself to calm down.

  “Just a little while longer. I’ll turn it off after lunch.”

  You’re too kind. I just hope it’s not too late by then. “Thank you, Milord.” This punishment was torture, pure and simple. She’d take a whipping over this any day.

  “Something tells me you won’t be showing any disrespect in the near future. Am I right?”

  “Yes, Milord.” The vibrator hummed inside her, and when Nash turned his attention to Sir Kean again, she thought about letting loose. Then she thought about Nash, and how he trusted her to do as she’d agreed to do, which was to follow his teachings, including his punishment.

  She fought the urge to come, taking a long sip of water to try and focus on something else, anything else. Getting through this would prove something to herself. Prove that she could follow through on something that wasn’t only physical. She had to do this, not only for him, but for herself.

  Pleasing him would be perfect; more perfect, however, would be proving to herself she could follow his instructions. Nash made her feel warm inside, and she wanted to do this for the both of them. The vibrator went off again and she took another drink. When she felt Nash’s hand on her thigh, she thought she would scream.

  She turned toward him, but he was still talking with Sir Kean, his head turned away from her. His hand inched inside the sheer robe and patted her thigh. The message was unmistakable. Spread them.

  His fingers found her pussy, gently teasing her wet folds. When she looked across the room, it was obvious to her several of the onlookers knew what was happening. Their boss was feeling up his new sub at the lunch table.

  Oddly enough, it didn’t make her mad, or make her want to run. It made her feel accepted. She’d seen this sort of bond between friends at Jaguars. Although she was part of the group, she always felt as if she were on the fringe. She wondered whether or not she would feel that way here, if she
lived here permanently as part of Nash’s life.

  Of course he hadn’t proposed that, had he? She was here for him to help her over the huge speed bump that she couldn’t seem to get over on her own. That was it. The collar he had on her wasn’t permanent, but a training collar. When he thought she’d learned what she needed to, or that he’d served his purpose in her life, he would set her loose. The idea saddened her. She liked Nash, and she certainly loved the things he did to her body. She shivered at the memory of this morning’s pleasure.

  A pinch on her inner thigh made her jump. She turned her gaze to the man in question, who looked at her with his eyebrows lifted in question.

  “Did you just have an orgasm?”

  “No, I didn’t, Milord.” But she thought she’d figured out a way to concentrate on more than just what was racing through her body. Think about things that didn’t deal with sex.

  “I was a little worried there. You were so quiet and trembling.”

  She smirked at him. “I’m trembling because I have a vibrator inside me that keeps going on and off, Milord.”

  “Delicious, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, Milord. It’s sweet punishment.”

  His laugh was more of a snort. “You might change your mind about that later this afternoon, when your clit is aching and I still haven’t allowed you to come.”

  Lunch was over and people were starting to leave. Some stopped by their table to introduce themselves to their boss’ new submissive. Heaven wondered yet again how she would remember all their names, or put the names and faces together.

  A curvy woman around fifty came up and put her arm around Heaven’s shoulder. “I’m slave Jessica,” she said with a huge smile. “Do I need to be aware of any special needs you have food wise? Allergies? Diabetes?”

  “No. I’ll eat anything. Well, except caviar. Yuck.” She stuck out her tongue to show her distaste and the other woman laughed.

  “Milord and Master, Sir Jackson, told me you were a handful, and I see he’s right. We’re very happy you’re here.”

  Heaven opened her mouth to say it was only temporary, but stopped when the vibrator went off, and Nash put his hand firmly on her back.

  “We’re all very happy. Especially me.” Her body tingled at his words, and the vibrator’s hum turned lower. “And we’re late. Sir Kean would like to examine her and then she has work to do.”

  Slave Jessica nodded at her dismissal. Nash stood and patted the now empty table. “Up here.”

  Heaven’s eyes widened. “Milord?”

  “Lie up here, for Sir Kean to examine you. It won’t take long.”

  She looked at the table and at the people milling about. Taking part of a scene in public had never bothered her, but she wasn’t too sure about an exam by a jewelry maker, in a room they’d just eaten lunch in.

  Heaven knew she’d hesitated too long when Nash crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m waiting.”

  “But the table, Milord.” She tried to keep her voice low. She knew it was only an excuse, and she knew that he wouldn’t listen to her. The look he gave her made her cringe. Instead of waiting for a reprimand and more punishment, she lay down, scooting so that her butt was at the end of the table. At Sir Kean’s instructions she put one leg on either side.

  When he parted her lips and gently traced her hood piercing she thought she would die of embarrassment. People were watching, she knew. It amazed her that she felt this way. She’d never once in her adult life been ashamed to be naked, or to play out a scene in public. But, then again, that was BG, before Guest.

  She was thankful Sir Kean didn’t mention her wetness, or the fact that the vibrator still hummed inside her. She knew he could probably feel her folds moving with the toy’s tremors. When he and Nash moved off to talk, she wanted to stand and talk with them. After all, it was her piercing they were discussing. She should have some say in it, shouldn’t she?

  She willed herself to stay in place. Right now her body—and that included her piercings—belonged to Nash. She had to have faith in him to do what was right.

  Her thoughts brought back into focus what her assignment was for the day: writing a list of things that she expected to see in Nash as her Master. She’d just figured out her first one, she knew. She had to have faith in him, faith that he would keep his promise and care for her, and not do anything that would permanently damage her.

  Now, as she waited to be dismissed, she couldn’t wait to get back to the room and figure out what else to write down.

  Chapter 8

  A good Master is dominant yet loving. He knows what his submissive wants and needs and is willing to provide it for her. He pushes, yet recognizes her limits. He’s explained to her that BDSM with him will be safe, sane, and above all, consensual. He knows that respect must be earned, and is not automatic. He knows that trust is important, for without trust there can be no bond. And he knows that communication is important. You can’t know someone unless you communicate with them.

  Nash paused at the doorway to his private rooms. Heaven had taken her punishment this afternoon just like he’d thought she would, with a little bit of sulking, and eventual acceptance. She had wanted to come, but he’d been firm, telling her that changing his mind about a punishment wasn’t allowed. He knew, too, that she hadn’t satisfied herself that afternoon, not because he’d spied on her, but because he trusted her, and he knew she was starting to trust him.

  Things were working out as he’d hoped they would. Hopefully by the end of the week he would be able to approach her about making their arrangement more permanent. He hadn’t had a collared sub in years, and waking up to Heaven’s bright smile and talented tongue every morning would be a pleasure.

  He opened the door to find her sitting on the couch, the notebook by her side.

  “Were you busy today?” Heaven dropped to her knees and kissed his cock. This little sign of obedience always thrilled him and made him hard.

  “Hello, Milord. And yes, I was.”

  “Good. You have lots of things for me to read then.”

  She swallowed hard. “Well, maybe not lots of things. I wrote down a few sentences, after reading the books you gave me. Shall I read them to you now, Milord?”

  Her head leaned against his thigh and he stroked her. It still amazed him that she was so much smaller than he was. “Tell me what’s wrong, first.”

  “I’ve been doing it wrong.”

  “What have you been doing wrong?” He knew what she was going to say, of course, but the idea that she’d figured it out so quickly thrilled him to no end. He’d really thought it would take longer.

  “BDSM, Milord. I always looked at it as rough sex that was fun. I’ve read books, but it never really soaked in until now. By the time I started playing at Jaguars, they all thought I was very experienced, and never really questioned me.”

  “Don’t be sad about it.”

  “But I am, Milord. It’s the reason for what happened. I rushed into it early in life, liked it, and never bothered to do any research, never bothered to think out reasons. It just felt good.”

  “Stand up.” He helped her to her feet, then kissed her forehead. “Read me your list.”

  She retrieved the notebook from the couch, then stood next to him. “From my Master, I expect someone who can take care of me, both physically and mentally, someone I can trust with my body, and my mind. I expect patience from him as I learn how to please him. I want someone who respects me, and who communicates and will be honest with me.”

  “A good list. My intention was not to make you sad, however.”

  “Well, I took a good long look this afternoon at what I’ve done in my life. I was a little wild, to say the least.”

  “Yes, I would say so.” He moved to the chair and sat down, indicating she should kneel before him.

  “I can blame what happened with Guest on that. I was always looking for the next thing, the next way to make me come harder. I think it was because I was never happy, m
entally, with what I was doing. Physically I’m a little slut, as we both know. But mentally, I was always searching for something I never quite got.”

  Before he could say he’d thought she’d found it with him, she continued talking. “You know what bothers me the most? It spilled over into Honor’s life. I tried to give her advice about sex, since she had such bad luck with it. I hooked her up with one of my Dom friends, who loved to flog me. She hated it and I hurt her because of it. I hurt the one person who was always a constant in my life.”

  The tears he saw on her face made his stomach roil. He knew this experience would be emotional, but he didn’t like to see her cry. “I think Honor knew that and she pulled back. I think she’s very happy with what she’s found in life.”

  “I hope so.” She wiped away a tear. “May I call her?”

  “In the morning, yes. Is there anything else on your list?”

  “No, Milord. Should there be?”

  “Heaven, don’t question what you’ve done today. You’ve taken a giant step in the right direction, and that’s a wonderful thing. Don’t look down on yourself as a failure, or think that everything you did in the past was wrong. Think of it all as a learning experience. Some of it was good, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes. A lot of it was good.” Her laugh was soft, and it made his cock harden. Her mouth was so beautiful, and so talented.

  “I’m very glad to hear that. With me you have a clean slate, a chance to start over, and to learn a new way to look at things. Go and get your leash. I think you deserve a reward.”

  “Yes, Milord.” When she was gone, he took a deep breath. His cock strained against his pants, and knew he had to have her tonight. It would strengthen the bond they were forging, and make her, and him, stronger. And he knew just the place to take her. He took the phone from his pocket and pressed the Call button to put his plans into motion.

  * * *

  Heaven tried to keep up with Nash’s pace, but her short legs were already working overtime. They’d hurried through the main part of the house. He hadn’t allowed her to dress, and it thrilled her to be naked, and on his leash.