“For someone who forewarned she’d have questions, you’re rather silent.”
“I’m just…” Elena didn’t know how to finish that sentence, as she was still digesting the view.
“Our masks will never be removed from our faces during the evening. The Order protects its own. If word got out who played within this lifestyle, it could ruin their reputations, their careers, and their lives. For those that are acquaintances, this works well. For our friends in the lifestyle, we know of each other’s membership and will take that to the grave. Loyalty is what makes our organization work.”
“And how do people join, Master?”
“A person can’t join. They are proposed for membership.”
“The subs in attendance, are they—”
“Permanent. We have biannual meetings, but this particular one is always held on New Year’s. It will last until eleven-thirty, giving those members without a permanent submissive time to either go be with their temporary sub, family, or friends. Those who don’t need to leave stay and celebrate the New Year.”
“But I’m not—”
Grant tugged on her leash, creating pressure on her collar. She turned and faced him. His hazel eyes peered out from behind his mask, indicating his genuineness. She didn’t understand. If temporary submissives weren’t allowed, were they breaking the rules by having her here? They were still two weeks off before meeting with Ms. Van Camp and making a decision regarding their contract. And that didn’t even mean a decision had to be made right then and there.
“Elena, I want you to not worry about anything other than your scene this evening. You will make us proud. Afterward, we will ring in the New Year together and spend the rest of our night making love to you as we see fit.”
“Yes, Master Grant,” Elena whispered, although she was sure doubt shined in her eyes.
Make them proud? Harrison said he would discuss the scene with her prior to them taking center stage, which led her to believe it was something they hadn’t wanted her to worry about. She’d been able to defer subspace, although she would have given anything to fall victim to it. Talk about a no-win situation. They had brought her close several times, but she wouldn’t allow herself to topple over. Elena had gotten quite good at suspending herself, without fully giving over her mental fortitude. Granted, she used the pleasure Grant gave her as a tool, but what if he didn’t do that this evening? What if Harrison was actually able to get her to fully submit?
* * * *
“Are you sure this is what you want?”
Harrison turned to face the man who voiced his concern. He’d just dropped his bag off at the center stage, confirmed everything was to his liking, and had been about to return to Grant and Elena when Sander Bartel garnered his attention. Their host, as well as one of the board’s chairmen, stood with a glass of champagne in his hand. The gray mask did nothing to hide the man’s worry.
“You approved of my request,” Harrison reminded his host. “Are you rethinking your status?”
“No. But you’re my friend and it troubles me that you are using this function to push your sub’s boundaries.”
Harrison followed Sander’s gaze as it landed on Grant and Elena. She looked stunning in her gold-feathered mask, the glitter accentuating her caramel-colored eyes. Her body, after a month and a half of training and eating properly, had gained the appropriate amount of weight and her muscles were clearly defined. She was exquisite. Was he about to lose her because of this decision?
“There’s a lot in her history that you do not know,” Harrison said, focusing back on the conversation. He didn’t like explaining himself, especially when he had been questioning himself for a week. He deplored weakness. “I do request that we are able to use one of your rooms for aftercare. I do not wish her to be subjected to everyone’s stares should she need to use her safe word.”
“Very well. Should you need anything not at your disposal, all you have to do is ask.” Sander gave a single nod, and then disappeared from sight.
Harrison was about to join Grant and Elena when he felt a hand on his arm. Who was delaying his return to Elena now? Turning, he was surprised to see James standing before him in a tuxedo and a white mask. Regardless that the masks were supposed to prevent people from knowing their identity, it wasn’t hard to figure out it was James. No one quite had a build like Calihan and the scars on his hands were obvious. As for why he was here, it couldn’t be good and Harrison felt himself tense.
“You have a thing with holidays?”
“I’m never on holiday,” James replied, a wry smile breaking out below his mask. “Word got to Kennedy that you were the main scene this evening.”
“I swear, that woman could make a priest betray the confessional. There isn’t anything that gets by her.”
“True. But that’s only part of the reason I’m here. If things go in a manner to your disliking and Elena says her safe word, I’ll be here to extract her from the situation.”
“She’s not going to say it.”
“I’m glad you’re confident. Either way, I’m staying.”
“Fine,” Harrison said in irritation, knowing that James was only doing his job. That didn’t mean he had to like it. “What’s your second reason for being here?”
“Long story short, which I will share with you when you’re not so preoccupied, Judge Collins did not have anything to do with the topic we were previously discussing.”
“Are you sure?”
“Damn sure.” James put a finger inside his collar, shifting his neck as if his tie was too tight. With a neck like his, it probably was. “There’s one slight issue that might be a part of what’s holding her back.”
That grabbed Harrison’s attention. “What?”
“She’s positive that her father had something to do with it, despite his assurances to the contrary.” James leaned in close. “Elena knows about the meeting Nichols had with her father. She believes he had him murdered.”
Chapter Fifteen
The men were summoned into another room. In a very unique, yet tantalizing fashion, they lined their submissives against the far wall. Elena joined them, of course, and was told to kneel on the green-and-gold pillow that was laid out just for her. Each submissive was to take the same position—knees spread apart, buttocks resting on their heels, hands behind their back with their breasts thrust out, and eyes were to be downcast. Once in place, the masked Doms and Dommes fastened their subs’ leashes on the golden hook above their heads. They then departed, leaving their submissives.
Not a minute had passed before an extremely elegant woman appeared before them. She wore a form-fitting dress made up of black sequins with a matching mask that sparkled in the dim lighting. She had long black hair that hung to the middle of her back, with perfect posture from what was sure to have been from a previous modeling career. Elena guessed the woman to be in her late forties.
“Good evening. My name is Lydia. As most of you are aware, during our New Year’s celebration, it is my duty to ensure that you are prepared and ready for your Dominants. For those newer submissives, allow me to explain tonight’s festivities.” Although Elena’s eyes were downcast, she was still able to see Lydia walk slowly before them, her hands clasped loosely in front of her. “You will each be taken, one by one, into an adjoining room. You will be thoroughly cleansed and then prepared per the specific instructions of your Dominants. Once finished, you will be returned here to await your Masters or Mistresses.”
Each submissive was then taken by the leash and led out of the room, all except for her. Elena tightened her grip on her wrists, which she held on to behind her. She didn’t like the feeling of exclusion and worried as to what the cause may be. Was she not to be prepared with the others? Had Harrison and Grant cancelled the scene without telling her? If so, why?
“Miss Elena,” Lydia said, coming to stand before her. “Since you are the main attraction this evening, you are left under my care. You may look at me, dear, and talk
freely during this process. It is my job to make certain you feel comfortable.”
Elena immediately lifted her gaze to get a closer look at the woman. A mask couldn’t hide her classic features, and her dark-brown eyes complemented her coloring. The grace with which she carried herself made Elena feel more like a schoolgirl instead of a professional lawyer who could take on any hard-assed prosecutor thrown her way.
“Uh, when you say cleansed, do you mean—”
Lydia’s light laugh echoed throughout the room. “Yes, dear. An enema. But I promise, it isn’t as bad as you may think. And the pampering that comes afterward makes up for any discomfort. Now, Esteban will take your leash and you will follow me.”
Elena didn’t really have a choice, did she? She wasn’t happy with Harrison and Grant leaving this process out of their conversation, but then knew that keeping a submissive off of his or her guard was intentional. It was working. Elena rose as gracefully as she could, keeping her hands behind her back. Her palms were perspiring and she wondered who was going to give her the enema. She highly doubted someone as sophisticated as Lydia would get her hands dirty. Would it be Esteban?
Esteban was of Spanish heritage. He wore what looked to be some type of uniform, with black pants, a white button-down shirt, and a black bow tie. He didn’t speak a word as he led Elena by her leash into an extravagant yet small room. As with the ballroom, the lights were set on dim with additional lighting supplied from the candles displayed around the room. Soft, soothing music drifted through the speakers in the corner. The atmosphere reminded Elena of the spa where she went biweekly for her waxing.
Elena stumbled slightly when she saw what looked to be an intravenous pole with a rubber-type bag hanging from the top alongside of a blue padded table. Her stomach felt like it sank to her toes and she wasn’t sure this was something she wanted to experience. They were just doing a play scene, right? It wasn’t like they were having sex in front these people. Were they?
“Since it’s only the three of us in here, you may remove your mask,” Lydia instructed, moving to the side of the table. She held out her hand. Elena quickly reached up and removed her mask, handing it over. “Esteban will help you up. You are to be on your hands and knees. Once we are ready to cleanse, you are to lower your top half and rest your head in your arms, keeping your ass in the air.”
“I mean no disrespect, but is this necessary? I’m doing a scene with Master Grant and Sir Harrison, not—well, you know.”
“Oh, dear Elena,” Lydia said, that same light laughter escaping her lips, “this is for your experience. You are doing this to please your Doms, no? You wish to make them happy. As we proceed with preparing you, keep in mind that your body is no longer yours. You belong to Master Grant and Sir Harrison and they will dictate how their sub will be used and by whom.”
During Lydia’s speech, Esteban had assisted her onto the table. Elena was now on her hands and knees, although she wasn’t sure how long she could hold herself up. Her nerves were getting the best of her. She always felt better if she was prepared, similar to her career, but this was definitely stretching her boundaries.
“Lower yourself, please.” Elena shakily let the upper part of her body drop, turning her head so that her cheek rested against her forearm. Her heart felt like it was beating out of her chest. “I think you’ll do fine without restraints. Some submissives detest this, where others relish the cleansing routine. Esteban is now lubricating the nozzle. He will insert it into your anus.”
Elena felt the hard plastic tip at her sphincter. Before she could take a breath, he slowly inserted the nozzle with steady pressure so that her tight muscle had no choice but to accept it. It felt different than the butt plugs she was used to. This felt thin in comparison, although just as long. She took a shaky breath. This wasn’t so bad. Of course she didn’t need to be restrained for this.
In an odd way, with the atmosphere and the reason for her cleansing, it felt like a sensual preparation. Elena knew that she wasn’t sexually attracted to either Lydia or Esteban, but knowing they were preparing her for her men did instill an arousing emotion throughout her body. She just hoped that they didn’t notice the juices sliding out of her pussy. Maybe they would mistake it for the liquid that was in the enema?
“Esteban will now release the clamp, which is keeping the fluid in the bag. We have made sure the temperature is lukewarm, for your comfort.” Elena couldn’t prevent herself from glancing sideways at Lydia. Really? For her comfort? Just as she was about to question Lydia’s statement, Elena felt warm liquid start to seep into her. Okay, so maybe she was grateful for the temperature. “Colder water is usually reserved for punishment, as it can cause severe cramping.”
Elena was starting to feel full and tried to shift. Esteban must have been watching, for his hands immediately stopped her from moving. The feeling increased and she wasn’t sure about this anymore. Things hadn’t been as bad as she thought they’d be, but the fullness the water was creating was almost too much.
“Breathe in and out, slowly, through your mouth,” Lydia instructed, taking a hand and brushing a strand of hair away from Elena’s face. She tried to do what the woman said, but it was getting harder and harder. How much more liquid did they think she could take? “Not so shallow, dear. Breathe deeply.”
Elena felt the first cramp twinge in her side. “Oh!”
“You’ll feel mild cramping, but that is normal. The bag is empty, so Esteban will now insert a small plug to keep the liquid inside for a few minutes.”
“What?” Elena felt like she was back in the foyer of Harrison and Grant’s house, when that was the only word that escaped her lips. “I’m sorry. But can’t I just—”
“No.” Lydia’s one-word answer said it all. Elena was now rethinking those restraints they spoke of. She wasn’t too sure she’d be able to stay like this. This wasn’t the type of pain she enjoyed. “Be thankful it is only for a few minutes. After all, you are doing this to please your Doms.”
Elena felt Esteban remove the nozzle, but he immediately replaced it with a plug. Granted, it wasn’t large and she easily accepted it, but it was the purpose for which it was being used. The mild cramping continued and Elena felt as if her skin was coated in cold sweat as she tried her damnedest to breathe through the discomfort.
“While we are waiting, I will explain what comes next.”
Elena rolled her forehead over her arms, considering asking Lydia not to tell her. She needed to get through this first, before being subjected to something else. She thought to block Lydia out by reciting the articles of her last case, but when she heard the word massage, Elena thought it best to listen.
“Once you’re cleansed, you will return to the table where Esteban will massage you down with quick-drying oil, although it does its job effectively.”
What did that mean, Elena thought. He wasn’t going to touch her in certain areas, was he? She thought back to her hard limits and wondered if she’d put on there that she didn’t want to be touched by any other male but her Doms. She couldn’t remember and a twinge of panic started to bubble to the surface.
“I think you’re ready now. Esteban will lead you to the restroom. Once you have relieved yourself, please return to the table, facedown.” Lydia patted her on the back. “You did very well, dear.”
Elena couldn’t suppress the smirk that crossed her face at Lydia’s praise. It didn’t last long, as she quickly realized walking to the restroom wasn’t going to be easy. It wasn’t that she was in pain, because she wasn’t. It was more an uncomfortable full feeling, but she wanted it gone. She followed Esteban, who gave her privacy to remove the plug and do her business. Her relief was immense and to her amazement, she did feel clean. A sense of accomplishment washed over her, as she knew her prepared state would garner the approval of Harrison and Grant.
Elena returned to the table where Lydia still stood, although she was facing some sort of tray. Apprehension immediately took up residence in her chest, wonde
ring what they had planned next for her. She glanced toward the door, hoping that Harrison and Grant would soon be done with their meeting.
“There is a note on the table from your Doms. Please read it before laying facedown. Esteban will then give you a massage to loosen your muscles. After all, you will be bound to the St. Andrew’s cross soon and we’d rather have you relaxed for what Sir Harrison and Master Grant have planned.”
Elena picked up the small piece of paper. Scrawled in masculine handwriting was a personal message for her, although after reading it, she wasn’t quite sure what to think.
Dear Elena,
Please enjoy your massage while thinking of us. After we are through with this evening’s festivities, we’d like to celebrate the New Year in private with having us both claim you. We want you to be comfortable, so please allow yourself to be prepared properly with the gumdrop plug we have provided. You are in good hands.
Master Grant and Sir Harrison
Good hands? She only ever wanted Harrison or Grant’s hands on her, not some stranger’s. Elena tried to see what was on the tray as she climbed on top of the table, but Lydia’s body prevented her. What exactly was a gumdrop plug? She hadn’t realized this was an actual massage table until Esteban lifted the head. She reluctantly placed her face inside the donut hole, laying her arms flush against her body.
“Would you like to see?”
Elena whipped her head up, grateful to Lydia that she wouldn’t be having these thoughts of gigantic plugs being inserted into her ass. It was always better to know and have her fears eliminated rather than dwell on something that wasn’t nearly as bad as she thought. Her stare latched on to what Lydia held in her hand. Shit. She would have been better off not knowing. That thing had to be at least three inches wide. Her anus contracted.
Dare to Submit [Safeword LLC 2] (Siren Publishing Sensations) Page 12
