Masters of the Castle: Witness Protection Program

by Maren Smith

  “Where are we going?” she asked when he took her hand and started walking.

  “Just over here.”

  He stopped by two wooden poles situated a few feet apart, cuffs dangling from the tops and looped around the bottoms. When he positioned her between them, she didn’t have to ask what he had planned as he made short work of binding her arms above her then her ankles, leaving her stretched in a wide X and once again on display. It only took having his hands on her again, filling them with her breasts, to make her forget about the discomfiture of baring her ‘too round’ body.

  “You have the most gorgeous tits,” he complimented her with a small smile while kneading the abundant, soft flesh. “Tell me something. Did you enjoy our little game?”

  Carlie nodded, sucking in a breath when he rolled her nipples before admitting, “Yes, well, at first, but that spanking was a lot more embarrassing than the one yesterday.”

  With his eyes on hers, he slid one hand down her quivering abdomen and palmed the smooth flesh of her labia. “And yet, you responded with as much wet enthusiasm. Admit it.” He pushed up against her mound, bringing her to her toes with a gasp.

  Carlie could no more ignore his demand for the truth than she could the searing, sweeping pleasure his touch ignited. She’d never been able to control her senses—including her common sense—when around him, regardless of which persona he wore. “It’d be hard not to.”

  “True. I like you bare.” His fingers played across the newly bared, sensitive nerve endings like the bow of a violin, and Carlie never imagined the added pleasure a touch on that naked skin could deliver. “So soft here,” he dipped one finger between her folds, “and so fucking wet here.” Pulling back, he unhooked the flogger at his waist. “I’ve seen you eying this, and after your response to the spanker yesterday, I think you can handle it. Nod your head if you remember the safeword.”

  She nodded, her throat tightening as he trailed the braided leather strands over her breasts.

  “Good. Remember, if you use it, security will be called, putting an end to everything.”

  And that was still the last thing she wanted. She closed her eyes as Master M stepped behind her, sucked in a deep breath then blew it out on a relieved whoosh when the first strike across her damp buttocks tingled more than it stung. She had no time to wonder about the stab of disappointment that light stroke caused as the next one delivered a slight sting that didn’t last nearly long enough. Clenching her hands, she ached for the sharper pain he’d introduced her to yesterday. Two more snaps of his wrist covered her buttocks, leaving behind warm lines of tiny pinpricks. Her frustration grew along with her need when he moved to her thighs, administering the same tempered swats. Shifting her hips, she arched her lower back, pushing her buttocks toward him, biting her lower lip to stifle the plea hovering on her tongue. Did she want to give him that kind of leverage, that much power over her by revealing just how needy and desperate he’d made her in just one day?

  Luke’s warm breath blew in her ear as he leaned against her back, his low-voiced demand raising more goosebumps. Her breath hitched, every cell in her body clamoring in awareness of the hard press of his body. “Tell me what you want.”

  Regardless of the risk to her heart, she found herself powerless to resist that command. “More, please, Master.”

  He bit her earlobe, the sharp pain ricocheting straight down to her vagina. “Good girl.”

  Carlie didn’t know what warmed her more, his praise or the much harder swat that stung with sharp pleasure. Throwing back her head, she wasn’t even aware of her exalted, whispered, “Yes,” only of the blessed pain blossoming across her butt and thighs. She whimpered as he shifted to her front, snapped the flogger with a lighter flick of his wrist over her abdomen then slightly harder when he struck the underside of her breast. Her buttocks now throbbed with that familiar, hot burn, the one that never failed to draw her pussy on board, blurring the lines between pleasure and pain.

  The next strike ensured one knotted end snapped on her nipple with an unexpected, blistering sting. “Oh!” Her eyes flew open with her surprised exclamation, and caught him watching her with a close, taut expression.

  “Always be careful what you ask for, little one.” He landed a few more blows on her breasts then struck once between her spread legs, the snap of leather against such tender flesh leaving her teetering on the razor-sharp edge of a climax.

  It seemed, when it came to Luke Montgomery, Carlie possessed no boundaries, would respond to anything he did, regardless of the embarrassment, pain or his reluctance to be with her this weekend in the first place. He’d been more relaxed today, more like the man who’d always looked at her with fondness rather than the reluctant, dominant Master who’d taken control of her yesterday. But she knew better than to read too much into this thawing of his irritation. There’d been no hint from him he wanted this to go beyond the weekend, beyond a brief sojourn into his lifestyle, and was only giving her that boon because of his over-protective tendencies and promise to Evan to look out for her.

  Returning the flogger to his waist, he removed the Stetson and hooked it over the top of the left post, right above her cuffed wrist, then dipped his dark head to her red-striped breasts. Closing his mouth over one tortured, puckered nipple, he drew on it with a deep suction, the instant pleasure zinging straight to her needy pussy. Leaning her head back, she basked in the warmth of the sun beating down on her face and the heat generated from his stroking tongue, nibbling teeth and suckling lips. She pushed her chest forward, urging him for more, her breathing growing labored when he gave her what she silently begged for. Filling his hand with her breast while sliding his mouth over to her other nipple, he kneaded the malleable flesh as he bit down on her tip, adding to the ache it already pulsed with. She couldn’t stifle her soft cry, and by the time he’d finished with both nipples, they throbbed right along with her still empty vagina.

  Then Master M went to his knees before her and Carlie forgot about the people milling about, forgot about how much it was going to pain her to move away and forgot about his reluctance to have her here. Gazing down, she watched him dip his head between her legs, use his thumbs to spread her glistening labia and expose her red, engorged clit before lashing the tender piece of flesh with his tongue. Like setting flame to a dry timber, she exploded in a burst of fiery heat only to be cooled by the quick withdrawal of his mouth when he looked up at her.

  “Not yet…” Master M paused, a small smile kicking up the corners of his mouth as he finished with, “wench,” before returning that taunting mouth to her saturated, throbbing flesh.

  Carlie gasped in frustration then moaned in pleasure when he traced over her folds with his tongue and lips, nipped at the soft skin then delved back inside her with a quick tongue-thrust. She arched her hips against his marauding mouth, desperate now for release. “Please, please, please…” she chanted over and over while he licked along her inner walls and found that special spot sure to send her flying. Instead of answering her plea, he added a finger to pummel her contracting depths as he latched onto her clit and reached behind her to clasp one buttock in his free hand.

  Raising his head, his mouth shining with her juices, he growled in that low, commanding voice she was powerless to resist, “Now, little one,” before returning his attention to her drenched pussy.

  Two fingers dove deep, pressing hard while he lashed at her clit with his tongue, over and over, stopping only to deliver a sharp nip on the throbbing bud that toppled her over the edge. Multiple orgasms rolled through her, over and over, unraveling so fast it robbed her of breath and left her body steeped in pleasure, her mind numb with it. Her only cognizant awareness during those minutes of euphoric pleasure was of that diabolical mouth between her legs, devouring her flesh. The earth continued to spin when he rose and released her, and it wasn’t until he drew the still damp apron over her shoulders and tied it behind her that she returned to reality.

  Chapter 6

&nb
sp; Luke picked up the rest of Carlie’s clothes before taking her hand, smiling in appreciation of the way the damp apron molded to her breasts and left her pink ass bare. The sated glaze in her whiskey eyes cleared as soon as he tugged her toward the Castle’s entry. After checking the time and noting they’d taken longer outside than he had planned, he would have to move her along. With less than thirty minutes to spare before he was to meet up with Dane at the bar, he wouldn’t be able to watch Carlie’s whole massage, but he could enjoy a few minutes of it.

  “Now where are we going?” she hissed, tripping along next to him. “And, what’s your hurry?”

  Pulling open the door, he ushered her inside with his reply. “You have a spa appointment and I have an appointment I need to keep as well. I figured, after all I’ve put you through, you could use a relaxing massage this afternoon.”

  Luke wasn’t sure when he’d decided to include a little pampering in his crusade to get Carlie to return home by tossing her right into one intense scene after another. Her presence at the Castle had him wound so tight, he couldn’t make sense of his actions, and holding himself back from fucking her as he knew she wanted was getting more difficult each time he touched that soft body and heard her throaty responses. He could’ve found a willing sub last night, after Carlie returned to her room, and eased the raging lust she’d inspired since he first clapped eyes on her in the ballroom. His lack of enthusiasm to go that route was as frustrating as her obstinance in staying.

  Carlie yanked on his hand, drawing him to a halt inside the foyer. “I need to shower.” Waving her hand at her tangled hair, she said, “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a mess.” A pink tinge of embarrassment stained her face, but she didn’t look away from him.

  “You can shower after the spa. You’ll want to clean the oil off, anyway.” Although, he wouldn’t mind sliding his hands all over her oil-slick skin.

  The best way to deal with Carlie was to keep her off balance. Luke didn’t give her time to question him further, and neither did the two spa employees who whisked her into a treatment room. Settling into a plush chair in the corner, he watched with pleasure as the young girls divested her of the apron and instructed her to lie face-down on the padded table.

  “I’ll toss your clothes in the dryer,” the dark-haired girl stated before slipping out of the room with the bundle of damp clothes.

  Carlie turned her head, saw him lounging in the chair, and her face turned as pink as her butt. “You’re staying?”

  “For a few minutes. Problem, little one?” he drawled.

  Instead of answering, she flipped her head back around with a huff that drew a chuckle from the short blonde pulling out an array of bottles. “I don’t know of a Dom in this place who doesn’t enjoy watching girls touching girls, even innocent touching as with a massage. Relax, sweetie, we’ll take good care of you.”

  “I’ll try,” she grumbled, but Luke could see her shoulders loosen when the other attendant returned and the two began to knead her muscles with their oil-slick hands.

  Ten minutes later, he wondered what had made him think this was a good idea. As if the role playing fun he’d had with Carlie outside hadn’t been difficult enough to get through, watching the girls’ hands move over her shiny, lush body turned out to be sheer torture. She tensed when they reached her buttocks and dug their fingers into her pliant flesh. He ached to climb on top of her, sink into the hot furnace of her pussy and feel those warm globes lifting to embrace each stroke. The lingering pink stripes reminded him how fast she’d embraced the lash of his flogger, just as she had everything else he’d subjected her to.

  Sometime between the end of last night’s scene in the garden and this morning, Luke realized he’d resigned himself to the fact she wouldn’t be deterred from finishing the weekend at the Castle. That shouldn’t surprise him. When had Carlie ever made his life easy? A few minutes later, the spa attendants helped her roll to her back, and she lifted her eyelids to reveal a soft, slumberous look in the whiskey depths that stirred more than his cock. He rarely saw her without glasses, and after seeing her wearing nothing but a pair of her silly frames, he now preferred that look.

  Luke rose as the front massage started with her breasts, needing to get his head on straight, and his priorities in order. Falling for Evan’s little sister wouldn’t do, no matter how much he wanted her. If his best friend were still alive, he would strive to get his consent and blessing to debauch Carlie. But the numerous promises he’d given Evan to protect her meant something, and guilt over his betrayal wouldn’t release its stranglehold on his conscience. She’d left him with no choice but to take her as his sub this weekend, but when he put her on the bus back to Granger tomorrow, that’s where this had to end. He needed to remember that.

  “I have to go. Meet me downstairs in a few hours and we’ll go to dinner.”

  He left without looking back, ordering his brain to switch gears and concentrate on looking for a sign of Carmen instead of dwelling on a pair of expressive whiskey eyes and a lush, responsive body. Needing a drink in the worst way, Luke bemoaned the Castle’s strict policy of limiting alcohol to one drink per day, per guest. Of course, he understood the wisdom behind the rule, but there were times, such as finding yourself between a rock and a hard place with one stubborn sub, that the distraction of a slight buzz would come in handy.

  He spotted Dane already seated at the bar, his swept back, dark hair and permanent five o’clock shadow giving him a rugged look he knew the women went for. Sliding onto the stool next to his partner, he ordered a whiskey sour before saying, “Sorry I’m late. Time got away from me.”

  “I haven’t been here long myself. So, who’s this guy you mentioned seeing?”

  “I don’t know. Thanks,” he told the bartender then paused when he picked up the glass, the amber liquor reminding him of Carlie’s eyes. Swearing under his breath, he took a much-needed swallow, ignoring Dane’s amused expression.

  “Is it the case that has you so tense, or girl trouble? I saw you leave the meet and greet with a curvy brunette.”

  Luke and Dane were close, but he’d never shared his relationship with Carlie, or his growing desire for her, with anyone. He’d never thought it could go anywhere, so why bother? But his partner was a good listener and what could it hurt to discuss his guilt and frustrations with a neutral party?

  “I swear, Dane, that woman will be the death of me.”

  “If she’s not working out, why don’t you ask Marshall for someone else?”

  Luke sighed. “Because I insisted on taking her from the Dom assigned to her, and she’s my best friend’s baby sister.”

  Dane released a low whistle and gave him a look of compassion. “Shit, I wouldn’t want to go there either.”

  Luke huffed and shook his head. “That’s just it. I’ve wanted to go there for a while now.” He related a short version of his and Evan’s close friendship and the promise he’d given him before he died. “I never dreamed she’d be receptive to kink, let alone downright responsive.”

  “Seems to me you have only two choices, keep seeing her after tomorrow, or let her go. I understand loyalty, so if you need to vent when we return home, let me know. I’ll be there for you.”

  “Thanks,” he replied with gratitude. Sometimes the simplest words could mean the most. “Now, about this guy, I have to admit he didn’t resemble Carmen at all, but we both know that means nothing.” He described the man in detail, as well as his gut reaction, something he knew a fellow agent would understand.

  Dane shook his head. “I haven’t seen anyone with that description, but I’ll keep an eye out. “Something you should know. I ran into another undercover this morning, confirmed. We were in a class together a ways back, but I recognized him. His name’s Turner, although he’s here as Master Miguel. Dark hair, and he’s the only guy I’ve seen sporting a soul patch. I didn’t have a chance to talk to him, but I assume he’s here for Carmen too.”

  “I don’t care who catc
hes the bastard as long as someone does,” Luke grumbled.

  “Damn straight,” Dane replied. “Right now, I have my own sub I need to get back to. You’re not the only one who has his hands full in that department.”

  Curious, he asked, “Anything you want to share?”

  Grimacing, Dane threw back the rest of his drink. “I… no. At least not yet. It’s complicated. I’ll keep in touch.”

  Slapping him on the back, Dane took off before Luke could say anything, leaving him with the impression his partner was hiding something from him. Something bigger than his feelings for the sub he’d been assigned to top. Luke would have to remember to grill him more later, when he didn’t have so much on his mind and his own problems to wrestle with, not to mention concentrating on their case. Turning back to his drink, he swirled the glass, thinking noon tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough and pondering on how he could keep from fucking Carlie until then.

  Carlie returned to her room in a state of mellow contentment. She’d been given a short robe to wear upon leaving the spa so she wouldn’t get oil all over her freshly laundered clothes. Since Luke’s instructions were to meet him downstairs this time, dressed in the same outfit minus the bloomers, she assumed he’d still be wearing that sexy as sin sheriff’s outfit. It was going to be a long, frustrating evening if she had to parade around wearing nothing under her clothes, a constant reminder of her bare folds and the added sensations the newly exposed skin offered. Having an eyeful of his thick chest and muscled arms, imagining what it would be like to have all those bulging muscles pinning her down as he drove into her over and over, would add to her torment. If only she could look forward to a night in his bed, it would be worth it. But when it came to Luke, and now Master M, she’d learned quickly not to hope for more.