by Dakota Trace
Temporary Master
by Dakota Trace
Ethan Tremaine may be a man in denial but his desire to dominate has never changed despite his fear of forming a relationship with his submissive. Instead he now trains them for others and is perfectly content to do so. He doesn't want to ever risk the pain he felt at his dead wife's desertion ever again. He's just released his current submissive to a fellow Dom when he realizes he has no one to assist in an agreed to demonstration at the Kinkfest coming up, which could be detrimental to their new club. Frantic he jumps at the chance when his partner, Davis offers to find him a new sub who loves shibari, never expecting that he's been set up.
As a collared sub, Sabella Johnston lived for her Master's approval. But now un-collared and back home with her recovering father, she is at a complete loss. It's been months since she's felt the familiar feel of rope around her body. When her best friend, Lauren begs her to help out with a bondage demonstration, she agrees as long as she gets the chance to meet the Dom, and add her own stipulations. But once she meets Ethan Tremaine, sparks fly between them and she's having a hard time remembering her own conditions.
eXcessica publishing
Temporary Master © December 2012 by Dakota Trace
All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older.
This book is for sale to ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It contains substantial sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be access by minors.
Excessica LLC
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Cover design © 2012 Dakota Trace
First Edition December 2012
Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Disclaimer:
Certain items and events in this book are copyrighted and owned by the following:
Kinkfest – copyrighted by Portland Leather Alliance
Kindle – copyrighted by Amazon Services LLC
Pepsi – copyrighted by PespiCo
Twinkies – copyrighted by Hostess Brands
Volkswagen Beetle – copyrighted by Volkswagen Group
Harry Potter – copyrighted by J. K. Rowling
‘José Jalapeno…on a Steek’– copyrighted by Jeff Dunham
Dedication:
Instead of dedicating this to one specific individual, this time I want to thank all the women out there who like Sabella put their family’s needs before their own while still being happy. It takes a special woman to love and care for a family, even when things get tough. And even a more special man to love her for it. This book is for you. You do more than you’ll probably ever be thanked for.
Prologue
“Daddy, don’t you even think about dying on me.”
Sabella Johnston fought the tears stinging the back of her eyes. “I’ll never forgive you if you do this. You need to open those pretty green eyes for me and tell me everything is going to be okay. That you won’t leave me like Mom did.”
The electronic beep of the heart machine was the only answer she received as she sat next to her father’s hospital bed, holding his thick work-roughened hand between hers. He was so still, lying on the hospital bed, his normal complexion pasty white as his chest rose and fell shallowly. Her life, which had been so orderly a mere forty-eight hours ago, seemed to be a thing of the past as well as the man who’d been her Master.
The sound of the door opening drew her attention to the entryway. Her pulse jumped. She was ready to give the doctor a piece of her mind. It’s about damned time he showed up. I want some answers – particularly about why Dad is still in a drug-induced coma. As she caught sight of her best friend, her ire died as quickly as it had ignited. Her emotions had been on a roller coaster since she’d gotten the frantic phone call from her dad’s neighbor, Ms. Di’Angelo.
Tall and slender, Lauren Haskell was the epitome of a California blonde and had been Sabella’s friend forever. Fitting the blonde bombshell cliché to a tee, she was also was bright, bubbly even to the point of being perky, and now more than anything Sabella appreciated it. She needed something to lift her spirits before she caused bodily damage to someone.
“Aw, Bella-mía, what am I going to do with you?” Lauren tsked as she took in the wrinkled clothing Sabella wore. Tugging her out of the chair, she crushed Sabella in a bone-jarring hug. Inhaling the familiar perfume mixed with just a slight trace of the motor oil from her friend’s unlikely job as an auto mechanic, Sabella realized how much she’d missed this. Lauren patted her back. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I know I was bugging you to visit but I didn’t mean under these circumstances.”
Turning her head to breathe, Sabella exhaled softly while resting her forehead on Lauren’s shoulder. “I know. I’m just glad you were able to lend me the money for the flight home.” Finally squirming free, Sabella resumed her vigil next to the bed.
Slipping into the chair next to Sabella’s, Lauren set her bag on the floor. “You’re my best friend in the whole world, Bella. Of course I’m going to help you out when I can.” Lauren arched a blonde brow at her. “Not that I’m complaining and Lord knows I have money to spare, but why didn’t that Sugar Daddy of yours buy you a ticket?” Lauren’s eyes narrowed and her brow furrowed. “Is he not treating you right?”
“Umm….” Guilt and remorse tugged at Sabella. She had been a gullible fool when it came to Louis Vayarti. But if she told her friend that, Lauren would fly to New York to kick Louis’s butt. Not that he doesn’t deserve it, but I’d rather have her here with me.
Lauren sighed. “Out with it, Bella-mía.” Her lacquered fingernails drummed lightly on the arm of the chair. “You have that pensive ‘I’ve been a bad little Catholic girl look’ about you. And you know as well as I do I won’t shut up until you tell me, anyway. So spill.”
Sabella knew her friend wouldn’t but how to even start? With the truth obviously. She finally decided the simple truth would be the best. “I’m not with Louis anymore.”
Cocking her head, Lauren gave a matter of fact nod. “Then good riddance. He obviously wasn’t good enough for you.”
Amusement bubbled up inside of Sabella at Lauren’s reply. “You don’t even know what I did…”
Lauren rolled her eyes. “Girl, you’re the sweetest, kindest and kinkiest girl I know. If he gave you up, then he’s the idiot.”
Sabella couldn’t stop the giggle. It escaped, sounding loud in the quiet hospital room. “Well, if you put it that way, I guess…” She sobered when the machine next to the bed cycled on, delivering a dose of meds through her father’s I.V., reminding her of the seriousness of the situation. “In the end, it didn’t matter. He asked me to choose between him and Dad.”
The rat-a-tat of the nails ceased. Lauren’s cheeks flushed before she finally spoke, her voice nearly harsh as a New York
winter breeze. “Oh, no he didn’t.”
Sabella shrugged. “Afraid so. He wanted me to let the nursing staff and Ms. Di’Angelo take care of Dad. But you know me, I may be submissive but it doesn’t mean I’m a doormat. Family is important to me, particularly after Mom died. There was no way I’d let another person take care of Dad. He’s all I have. So I told Louis to take a long walk off a short pier before calling you.” She flushed, remembering her humiliation when she’d been forced to beg her friend for the funds to come home after finding out Louis had not only removed her from their joint account, but had also canceled the credit card he’d given her. “I can’t believe how stupid I was. I…”
“…are too good for an ass like him. So quit beating yourself up.” Lauren took Sabella’s hand in hers. “Leave that to the professional Doms. Now, tell me you’re here to stay. There’s obviously nothing left for you in New York, and I’ve missed my best friend. The clubbing hasn’t been the same since you left. Besides I know this perfect job for you. It’s at one of the local youth centers. They’re looking for someone to teach all that creative and interpretive art crap you love to underprivileged kids.” Lauren winked at her. “Besides I know the sexy director of the youth center, so it’ll be a breeze to get you an interview. Plus, he’ll jump at hiring someone who’s a friend of mine and just happens to be in the lifestyle. I met him at a munch shortly after you left. And while he’s a little too uptight for my tastes, he’d be perfect for you.”
Despite everything Sabella had to laugh. Some things never changed, and her friend’s ferocious appetite for über-dominant men was one of them. “You’re such a loon, girl. Trying to always set me up, or always thinking with that thing between your legs instead of the head God gave you.”
Lauren shrugged it off. “Hey, you only live once, and I plan on getting as much kinky loving as I can before some man hog-ties me and slaps his collar around my neck. Speaking of collars…there’s this new club that I just found. It’s called New Beginnings and it’s out on…”
Sabella held her hand up. “Whoa…slow down. I’m not going clubbing anytime soon. Until Dad’s back on his feet, I’m taking a hiatus from the scene. He needs me more right now than I need sex.”
Lauren gave her a dubious look as if she couldn’t believe the words spewing out of Sabella’s mouth. “Everyone needs sex, Bella-mía.”
“Well I’m ready to give it up ‘til Dad is better. It won’t be that much of hardship anyway.”
Lauren’s expression softened. “Not only did the bastard not appreciate you, he couldn’t figure out how to send you into sub-space, could he?”
“He tried…I’m starting to think it’s a mythical thing, just like a woman’s g-spot.” Sabella flushed even brighter red as she spoke. Sometimes her friend had absolutely no tact.
“One day, Bella Johnston, you’re going to find a man who can get past those ridiculous shields and make you face your nature as a submissive woman, and not just the one you pretend to be. He’s going to find all your weaknesses until he knows you better than you know yourself, and then guide you until you’ve become the sub you were born to be.”
She opened her mouth to reply, but was saved from answering when, after a brisk knock on the door, a doctor finally joined them.
“Ms. Johnston? I’m Doctor Chavantez.” Looking to be in her mid-forties, the Hispanic woman stopped at the foot of her father’s bed. Opening his medical file, she browsed through it. “I’m sorry we couldn’t have met under different circumstances. It seems like your father started experiencing chest pains late yesterday afternoon and was brought in by his neighbor, Louisa Di’Angelo, when he missed their weekly dinner.”
Sabella nodded, thinking of the woman next door who’d been like a mother to her. Only a few years younger than her father, Louisa had been a constant in Sabella’s life after her own mother had died in a car accident. She’d even tried a time or two to set her father up with Mrs. D. “Dad and she have a standing invitation every Thursday night.”
Dr. Chavantez smiled. “Well, Ms. Johnston, that’s what probably saved your father’s life. He had a blockage on the outside of his heart on the left side. One of the veins feeding the heart muscle itself was completely blocked. We had to put a stint in last night, and now we’re also monitoring his blood oxygen levels. But that’s not what really concerns us, even though the heart attack was relatively minor and is responding to well to treatment. It’s the fact that Ms. Di’Angelo stated your father is a diabetic who’s refused to treat his disease in the past.”
Sabella groaned and wanted to glare at her father, but knew it would do no good in his comatose state. “Stubborn old coot.” She squeezed the bridge of her nose, before shrugged her shoulders and meeting the doctor’s gaze. “When Mom was alive, things were different. She did all the cooking, and because she was a diabetic…” She explained. “She was religious about taking her meds and maintaining a healthy diet. Dad was always the one trying to slip her sugary treats, even though he knew she couldn’t have them.” Sabella sighed. “He thought Mom’s doctor was sweet on her, and made up this borderline diabetic stuff to keep Mom coming in.”
The doctor shook her head. “Well, in your father’s case there’s no borderline. He’s a type one diabetic who should be on insulin shots. Even if this heart attack didn’t kill him, he’d have been dead within the year because of his refusal to take the disease seriously. His blood sugars were over three hundred when he was brought in. Right now we’re monitoring his sugar levels and we’ve prescribed a low sugar diet for him while he’s here at the hospital. My biggest concern is when he goes home and has no one to monitor his eating habits that he’ll slip back into his old routines.”
Sabella was quick to assure the doctor. “It shouldn’t be an issue. I’m moving back home from New York and planned on staying with Dad until I find my own place. I can make sure he gets to whatever classes he needs to go to along with monitoring his eating habits.”
The doctor gave her a relieved smile. “Great.” She leaned in close as if telling her a secret. “I hate to say this, but your dad has been in twice in the last six months because of high sugar levels. I was really worried about sending him home this time. He spoke of you the last time he was in. He’s very proud of you, so I think you’ll be just what the doctor ordered for him. If anyone can convince him to take his meds and eat right, it should be you.”
Sabella nodded. Things would be changing or there would be hell to pay. And she was stubborn enough to see that it did. Andrew Johnston would either straighten up and fly right, or she’d never let him have a moment of peace. She wanted her father around for a long time to come.
Chapter One
Three Months Later
“Dear God, her mouth is exquisite.” Balin Iranski, one of Ethan Tremaine’s friends and fellow Dom at New Beginnings, tipped his head back, cupping the submissive’s dark head as she lapped at his cock, before tugging it deep between her lips…all without using her hands. Her lack of clothing was a wonderful contrast to the dark jeans and leather vest Balin was wearing.
“Indeed.” Leaning against the cabinet on the other side of the playroom, Master and part owner of the exclusive BDSM club, Ethan, observed his latest success, Sheila. Kneeling at Balin’s feet, naked except for a small thong, her nipples clamped, and her hands clasped behind her back, she was beautiful in her submission. She’d taken his training well.
“Aw, fuck I’m going to…” Balin’s hips bucked as his frame stiffened in release.
Even across the room, Ethan could hear the slurping as Sheila greedily guzzled down his friend’s seed. Other than the small twinge of arousal at seeing a well-trained sub service her soon-to-be Master, contentment was his primary emotion at the sight. He had helped her find what she needed as long as Balin agreed with him.
As Balin finally came down from his orgasm, he brushed his hand over her tousled hair before gently pushing her head away. Leaning back on her knees, she panted softly. “Are you
pleased, Master Balin?”
Her request for reassurance, so familiar to Ethan, had Balin chuckling. “Of course, pet. You blew my world. I’ll have to say Master Ethan has trained you well. Your form is beautiful.” He lifted her chin, his smile indulgent. “Now, go see Master Ethan while I clean up.”
“Of course, Master Balin.” Rising gracefully despite her hands being restrained, she walked back towards Ethan. With her eyes no longer on him, Balin finally gave a brief nod of agreement when Ethan arched an eyebrow in question.
Satisfaction surged through him. This had to be their thirtieth scene together and like many of the others over the past month, Ethan had decided to observe, instead of participating, to see if Balin was ready to take on Sheila. He’d been slowly shifting the power to Balin for the past eight weeks – allowing the man more autonomy in his training relationship with Sheila.
At the click of the door shutting behind Balin, Ethan turned his attention back to Sheila as she dropped to her knees at his feet.
“Do you understand what’s happening here, Sheila?” Ethan gazed down at her bent head.
Her blonde hair, which had been neatly parted, was now mussed from Balin’s hands. Peeking up at him from under dark lashes she gave a tentative smile. “Our time is ending? Master Balin has decided?”
He wasn’t surprised by her answer. Once more he’d placed himself in the position of being a temporary Master, but other than the relief from knowing Sheila wasn’t going to break down and beg him to change his mind, he felt little but happiness for her.
“Yes.” He cupped her cheek. “I’ve enjoyed our time together, and while our journey is ending, it’s now time for you to begin your new one with Master Balin.”
