by Leah Brooke
As he fed himself, and her, bites of the cold shrimp, he continued their conversation. “You want the pleasure, which is fine with me. You are, however, going to have to do things my way in order to get it.”
Hiding a smile at her scowl, he fed her another piece of shrimp. “You’re doing a wonderful job. You couldn’t be expected to do all that’s required of a sub in just a week.”
He wanted to laugh out loud at her glare. He knew Kelsey would rise to the challenge, and that telling her she couldn’t do something would be the equivalent of waving a red flag in front of her.
She frowned adorably, her chin going up in that sassy way that made him want her more. “I can do it.”
Hiding a smile, Gabriel pursed his lips. “If you put your mind to it, you could.”
Once they’d finished the shrimp, he poured her another glass of wine. “Did you enjoy the shrimp?”
Kelsey waved a hand in dismissal. “Yes. What do you mean? Are you saying that I’m not doing what’s expected of a submissive?”
He wanted to laugh out loud at the insult in her tone, filled with satisfaction that he’d judged her correctly. The glimmer of hurt in her eyes, though, gave him hope more than anything could have.
No matter what she said, she wasn’t in this just for the pleasure. She was in it for him, and he couldn’t have loved her more.
Careful to keep his tone cool, he smiled instead of jumping up and shouting with joy the way he wanted to. “Of course not, my pet. I told you that you’re doing a wonderful job. Hmm. Would you like some melon?”
Kelsey got to her knees, some of her wine sloshing out of her glass. “Don’t patronize me! I’m doing everything you want. I even let you tie me up. I let that woman wax me. I have to wear those stupid outfits and everything.”
Gabriel pierced a melon ball with his fork. “I. I. I. I.” He held it at her lips. “A proper submissive isn’t just a limp dishrag, and she certainly isn’t selfish.” Ignoring her gasp, he continued, finding it harder and harder to hide a smile. “She actively seeks to please her Master. To put him first. Some women just aren’t strong enough, or committed enough to do that. Now, I think you’ve had enough sun on that side.” When she opened her mouth, he popped the piece of melon inside. “Flip over to your belly, my pet.”
Kelsey swallowed the melon, practically sputtering. “Limp dishrag? Selfish? Listen, Gabriel, I can do this. I just don’t understand all the rules.”
Enjoying the sight of her well-rounded bottom, Gabriel nodded. “Of course you could. I think that if you really put your mind to it, you could find a lot of satisfaction in submitting completely. I think a woman like you could go far. You’re strong. You could endure what it took to experience quite a bit of pleasure.”
She looked at him over her shoulder, frowning. “And you don’t think I’m doing that?”
Looking away to spear another piece of melon, he allowed himself a faint smile. “I think you’re doing as well as you can. You’re strong, but your attitude gets in the way.”
“Excuse me?”
Running a hand over her lush ass, he took another sip of his wine, struggling to keep his tone cool. “You keep putting barriers between us that you think I don’t notice. You disobey quite a bit, and I think it’s because you’re afraid that I’m going to make you feel more than you want to. I told you before that a Dom and a submissive have a very close relationship, and I think you’re scared of that.”
He gave her ass a light slap. “I want it all. I already told you that, and I won’t allow your defiance to get in the way of experiencing this thing between us to the fullest. The only way to properly train you is to punish you for bad behavior and reinforce good.” Bending to kiss a sun-warmed ass cheek, he chuckled. “You’re already trying to renegotiate and find a way out of a spanking, which is ridiculous. I won’t let punishment slide, and you’re anticipating it anyway.”
Leaning close, he ran his hand over her ass again. “Spanking is my preferred punishment. A sub who drapes herself over her Master’s lap realizes her place and displays not only her desire to surrender herself, but also her acknowledgement that she deserves the punishment she’s about to receives—and her Master’s right to administer whatever brand of punishment he deems necessary.”
Lifting a brow in challenge, he leaned back on one hand. “You’ve addressed me by my name several times instead of the way you’ve been instructed. Just minutes ago, you did it again. You don’t appear repentant at all. You didn’t apologize, either. You want to be spanked, and to tell you the truth, I think we both need it.”
Kelsey sat up again. “Wait a minute. Those spankings you’ve been talking about…do you really expect me to just drape myself over your lap?”
“No, you’re not capable of that kind of surrender yet, my pet. When the time comes, however, you will. I’ll make sure of it by the end of the week.” Conscious of her interest, and thrilled with the fact that he’d intrigued her, he backed off so as not to pressure her, and got to his feet. “Let’s get you dressed again and back to the suite. You’ve had enough sun.”
Dressing her again, and aware that she watched him thoughtfully, he lifted his gaze to hers, his cock making demands that he knew would have to wait for later.
He could almost see her mind spinning with possibilities and curiosity, the excitement in her eyes making his heart pound faster.
The Kelsey he knew wouldn’t be able to resist the challenge.
Her own curiosity and need to explore her own raw sexuality would lead her right where she belonged.
He just hoped that the pleasure and love he gave to her would keep her there.
Chapter Eleven
After she’d showered again, Gabriel rubbed more of the cooling balm onto her mound, and more of the moisturizer into her skin, leaving her smooth, scented, and with every inch of skin tingling with desire. She ran a comb through her hair, working out the tangles and left it loose per Gabriel’s instructions. With her heart racing in anticipation, she rushed out of the bathroom to the bedroom where she knew Gabriel waited.
Finding him in the closet picking out her next outfit, Kelsey sat on the edge of the bed and let her gaze feast on him. “You sure did buy quite a lot of those. It seems quite an expense for just a week.”
Gabriel glanced at her over his shoulder. “You’ll need even more. I plan to bring you back here often.”
Kelsey’s breath caught at the thought of being a more permanent fixture in his life. Fisting her hands in the bedding, she struggled to keep her voice steady. “You sound sure that I’m going to be able to adapt to this lifestyle.”
She inwardly winced, wishing she could call her words back. She didn’t know if he was talking about brief vacations together, or something more.
Gathering a handful of pink, he turned and came toward her, tossing the fabric onto the bed behind her. “You will. I’ll help you.”
Eyeing her critically, he nodded. “You didn’t get too much sun. Good. I was a little worried. Did your fantasy of sunbathing nude meet your expectations?”
Wrapping her arms around herself, Kelsey shrugged, feeling a little vulnerable. She knew she had a good body and wasn’t shy about being naked in front of Gabriel, but it felt strange to be so entirely dependent on him for everything.
She had to wait for him to give her clothing to her. She had to wear what he chose.
Since he still hadn’t given her what he’d picked out, and had tossed it out of reach, she had no choice but to remain naked.
Enjoying the way his gaze warmed her, she leaned back on her hands, unwilling to let any sign of vulnerability show. “You’re not giving me my clothes because you want to reinforce what you were talking about on the beach. That’s part of it, right. You want me to realize that I’m dependent on you for everything, even my clothing, and that if you want me to be naked all day, I have no choice.”
Gabriel smiled, inclining his head. “And how does that make you feel?”
Givi
Gabriel smiled again. “Sometimes. Lie back and spread your thighs.” Moving to stand between them, he towered over her.
Master of all he surveys.
Shifting restlessly, she tried to close her legs against the tingling awareness in her bare slit, once again struck by the power emanating from the man standing over her.
With a hand wrapped around the back of her knee, he lifted one leg, pressing it back against the bed. Running the backs of his fingers over her slit, Gabriel smiled. “You’re wet. You like being in a vulnerable position, but you’re conditioned to fight against it.”
Biting her lip, she lifting into his touch. “I don’t like being vulnerable.”
Gabriel’s smile unsettled her, his eyes sharpening in a way that made her feel even more vulnerable, as if he saw into her soul. “But when you’re with me, the sense of vulnerability excites you.” He released her leg to join her on the bed, gathering her close. Running the tip of his finger over a nipple, he stared into her eyes. “Did you ever think that it’s because you know you’re not as defenseless as you thought you’d be? That you’re with a man you can trust to let yourself go?”
Kelsey didn’t want to admit that she’d begun to come to the same conclusion. “Are you going to tell me more about this submissive stuff, the stuff you don’t think I can handle?” The slow build of arousal had her lifting into his casual touch, and turning partially toward him.
Gabriel’s eyes held amusement as he tugged her nipple, giving her the pressure she needed. “I didn’t say you couldn’t handle it. I just don’t think you’re willing to put that defensiveness aside long enough to really learn about this lifestyle and get everything out of it you can. That attitude has become so much a part of you that you use it as a shield.”
Feeling sexy and restless with arousal, she leaned forward, put her arms around his neck and tried to roll him to his back, but Gabriel wouldn’t budge. Raising a brow, he fisted her hair and tugged until her gaze meant his. “You really didn’t think I’d let you get away with that, did you?”
Embarrassed and irritated that he always seemed to see right through her, Kelsey started to sit up, but the look of smug arrogance on Gabriel’s face made her pause. “You like pissing me off, don’t you?”
He rolled her to her back, chuckling at her attempt to make herself as immovable as he’d been. “Let me ask you a question, and I want you to think about it before you answer. I want you to be honest. Do you want the pleasure that you know I can give you enough to forego the attitude and let yourself enjoy it?” Lifting a hand to cup her breast, he used his thumb to tease her nipple. “Or would you rather hold on to that defiance and spend the rest of the night aroused and unsatisfied?”
Staring up at him, she lifted a hand to his shoulder, the warm tenderness in his eyes drawing her in. Smiling, she didn’t even try to fight the closeness she felt at that moment, her gaze draw repeatedly to his lips. “You don’t really think you can control me with pleasure, do you? I mean, other than when you’re arousing me or making me come. I’m talking about all the other stuff—wearing what you pick out, draping myself over your lap, and accepting the punishments you think I deserve. Do you really think I could be happy giving in to you like that?”
Gabriel smiled slowly. “Absolutely.”
He pinched her nipple lightly before rising, running a hand over her thigh as he stood. Eyeing her possessively, he held out a hand to her. “Come on, let’s get you dressed. I’m looking forward to the evening.”
* * * *
The pink outfit he’d picked out turned out to be sheer, making her very conscious of the fact that she might as well have been naked. She felt his gaze as if he touched her, and purposely positioned herself in poses to tease him. Leaning back against the corner of the sofa, she lifted her arms over her head, her nipples beading even tighter at the brush of sheer material over them.
Encouraged by the amusement and heat in his eyes, she stretched and clenched her hands together as she let her hands rest on the back of the sofa.
“So in order to get your little submissive to behave, you have to punish her? I thought you said you controlled women with pleasure.”
Gabriel leaned back, his enjoyment in the conversation apparent in his relaxed pose and ready smile.
“I said I could control you with pleasure, but yes, submissives are controlled by pleasure, not pain.” Smiling, he propped one leg over the other. “Pain can bring its own pleasure, as you’ve already learned, but sometimes bad behavior needs to be addressed.”
Her nipples tingled more at the reminder of having the clamps put on them, and the rush of pleasure she’d felt once the initial pain had faded. Even when he’d taken them off, she’d experienced another rush that made her orgasm even more intense.
Aware of Gabriel’s scrutiny, she put her arms back down and crossed them over her chest. “Not all pain promotes pleasure. I have to be honest, a lot of this still confuses me. I can’t imagine doing something like draping myself over your lap for a spanking of my own free will.”
Gabriel inclined his head, his eyes watchful. “There’s a big difference between being forced, and doing it because you want to experience all the pleasure you’re capable of feeling. It’s different because you know that I care for you. Knowing that I’m paying attention and taking charge of things gives you a hell of a lot more freedom, doesn’t it?”
Kelsey shrugged and looked away, not knowing how to respond without giving too much away. Even though he didn’t move in any way, Kelsey felt his sharpened interest.
His voice dropped even lower, the deep rumble of it washing over her skin like an erotic caress. “You’d like to experience the full extent of that freedom, but won’t allow yourself to surrender yourself that way. You believe that by actively participating in your own submission, you’d somehow be degrading yourself.”
Kelsey turned her head to look at him, once again struck by how completely he understood her. “Wouldn’t I be?”
Gabriel shrugged, still watching her closely. “Degrading you is not my intent. Have you felt degraded at all since we’ve been here? Do you think less of yourself because I can do whatever I want to do to you without restrictions? Do you think I think less of you because you’re willing to follow my commands?”
Curious about the inflection in his tone, Kelsey sat up, wanting desperately to understand this incredible man. “Following your commands? Being able to do whatever you want to do to me without restrictions? Is that the kind of thing you need, Gabriel?”
Although he smiled, his expression became distant. “You haven’t seemed concerned with what I want up until now.”
Kelsey stiffened, struck by the edge in his tone. If only anger had been present, she might have retaliated with a smart remark, but the hint of hurt in it ruffled her.
Gabriel smiled and got to his feet, all traces of emotion gone. “I’ll tell you what I need from you, Kelsey. Trust. Leave the rest alone for now.”
Unable to look away from him, she sat straighter, turning to watch him as he moved to stand behind the bar. Uncomfortably aware that she hadn’t taken the opportunity to get to know him better in all the months he’d come to see her, she suddenly wanted to know everything, intrigued by the bond that had begun to form between them.
Although she’d come to trust him, she knew nothing about the kind of needs and desires that plagued him.
She’d been forced to become independent, and to rely on no one but herself.
Somewhere along the way, she’d lost the ability to feel anything—until she’d met Gabriel.
Watching him crack open the seal on a bottle of water, she made a decision she’d probably regret. “Gabriel, can we talk?”
He paused with the bottle poised over a crystal glass. “I thought that’s what we were doing.”
Shaking her head, Kelsey got to her feet and crossed to the bar, overwhelmingly aware that her clothing hid nothing. “No, I mean really talk. Can we put aside the rest for a few minutes?”
Gabriel’s gaze sharpened. “What do you mean, put away the rest? There’s nothing to put aside. Do you really think that being your Master means that you can’t talk to me? I’m always available for you. Now, stop chewing your lip and tell me what’s bothering you.”
Kelsey picked up the glass and held it out to him, smiling when he filled it from the bottle and reached for another.
She took a healthy sip to ease her dry throat and set the glass on the bar. Running a finger around the rim, she stared down into it. “I’d like to get to know you better. I know I’ve had the chance for months, but you’ve always scared me.”
“Scared you? How?”
Kelsey laughed softly and took another sip. “You’re probably going to think I’m being ridiculous, but I didn’t think I could ever really care about a man. There was always something missing.” Gabriel’s eyes flashed with something mysterious, but his expression never changed. “You learned not to trust, and to depend on only yourself to survive. Your inability to trust has kept a wall between you and the rest of the world.”
Smiling, she turned, amazed that he’d figured that out when it had taken years for her to understand it. “How do you know so much about me?”
Gabriel smiled. “Because I pay attention.” Pausing, he studied her, his eyes sharp. “What else do you want to tell me that you’re so afraid of saying?”
Kelsey blew out a breath. “I started to care about you.”
Aware that he stiffened, Kelsey took a step back. “I don’t want you to think that I expect anything. I just wanted you to know that you scared the hell out of me.”
“And now?” Gabriel’s expression could have been carved from granite.
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