Masters of the Shadowlands 8 - If only

by Sinclair Cherise

  OH, THEY WERE on a little subbie’s shit list now. Vance smothered his laugh and saw his partner doing the same. The imp was in for a shock. They hadn’t planned to get her off so publicly but, in all reality, he didn’t mind the audience. The behavior of other Doms—especially other Masters—had gotten fucking annoying. Yes, she’d been a trainee for a long time, so the Masters considered her under their care. But that time was over.

  He figured that both the collar around her neck and playing with her now would be an unspoken way of drawing a line in the sand.

  “Before we start, tell me what happened to the man who attacked Sally?” Z asked Dan.

  “Borup did some time in county and has to go through anger management and alcohol counseling.” Dan frowned at Galen and Vance. “For some reason—which I don’t want to know anything about—he sent Sally’s landlord more than enough money to cover cleaning, repairs, and replacements for what he busted.”

  That “reason” had been Anne. The bounty hunter winked at Vance. Mistress Anne not only despised abusive Doms, but she considered it a treat to beat the shit out of them, and she’d persuaded Vance to let her take his place in giving Borup a lesson.

  “Do I need to take steps?” Z asked.

  “Don’t think so, Z.” Anne smiled sweetly. “Not only has his health suffered recently, but rumor says some annoyed Fed made him think he could get picked up for slavery.”

  Sally opened her eyes to stare at Anne and Galen in disbelief.

  “Indeed.” Z’s lips quirked. “In that case—”

  “No, I won’t!”

  Vance turned at the woman’s shout and saw Uzuri.

  Hand on her hip, the trainee shook her finger at one of the newer Doms.

  A few shades darker than Uzuri, the Dom looked absolutely startled. Six-two, probably two-ten pounds—all muscle. Shaved head, dark brown eyes, classically handsome. Considering his looks and the way he was narrowing his eyes, the man wasn’t accustomed to being turned down. “Why?”

  She tossed her head defiantly, making the beads in her kinky hair clatter. “You only want me because I’m black.”

  “I have watched you do scenes with white Doms. Might you have a problem with black skin, young miss?” The man had a faint English accent. He took a step closer.

  “No, dude. You do.” She shoved him back, a baby bear cub taking on a grizzly. “You’re all tied up in race issues. You don’t see me—just the color of my skin.” She spun on her heel and walked away from him, tossing back over her shoulder, “You come find me if you ever cut free of your bullshit and decide you like me—me—not what you see on the outside.” She stomped across the room—and out the exit.

  Vance glanced at Z, curious as to how the Shadowlands owner would handle the Dom-sub altercation.

  “Well,” Z said after a pause. “Normally, I’d bring her up short for her display of temper to a Dom, but if what she said is true, I can’t disagree with her conclusions. Comments?”

  “Huh, that’s not a problem I’d have caught,” Anne commented. “How well does Alastair know her?”

  “He played with her once last winter in a scene I arranged. I figured they’d suit since he does prefer African-American submissives.” Sam crossed his arms over his chest. “Didn’t consider how a woman might not take to that. Want me to talk with him?”

  Z steepled his fingers and considered. “No. Let’s see how this plays out. She did present her objections quite eloquently.”

  Jake snorted. “No shit.”

  “If she’s that pissed off, the poor bastard might need a guard.” Anne grinned. “Her idea of revenge can be—”

  “Fucking warped.” Cullen finished for her. “Like supergluing all Nolan’s ropes together? Or the miniature bag of Sam’s? I about busted my gut with that one.”

  The other Masters roared with laughter, adding in other Uzuri tales.

  “What’s a miniature bag?” Vance asked Sally under his breath.

  “She switched out all his toys and put in doll-sized ones. All his rope was replaced by yarn. She made him a mini single-tail. She even found clothespins that were only an inch long.”

  The light in the imp’s eyes was a bit worrisome, and Vance decided to lock up his bag. Maybe his whole room.

  “She made a pretty sight when you used that entire bag of tiny clothespins on her, Sam,” Raoul said.

  “The begging wasn’t too bad either,” Olivia added with a grin. “How much of a sense of humor does Alastair have?”

  “I do believe Uzuri saves her pranks for the Doms she likes,” Master Marcus said. “Hopefully, she doesn’t like Alastair enough to attend to him.”

  “Doesn’t matter. He was gone all spring, and he’s returning to Europe for the rest of the summer,” Cullen said.

  “Good enough.” Z looked around the circle of Masters. “I think the altercation serves as a good introduction to the matters I want to discuss.”

  Z began to talk about the future of the Shadowlands, how the membership had changed and now had a greater percentage of experienced Doms. However, the Masters group had also evolved. Originally, most had been single. Now, aside from Jake, Anne, and Olivia, they were all in relationships, and—Z included—were having difficulties juggling family and club obligations.

  Vance shifted uncomfortably and met Galen’s concerned eyes. Apparently, he’d also caught how they weren’t considered “single” Masters anymore. A serious relationship wasn’t in the plans…and yet, when Vance collared Sally, it had felt right. In fact, he couldn’t see a future without her in it. He and Galen definitely needed to have a talk.

  “Did you have a solution in mind, Z?” Olivia asked.

  “I have some ideas to run past you.” Z leaned forward. “We already plan to expand the Masters group with more single Doms. And we need at least one Master who prefers male subs.”

  Cullen nodded. “There are a few who might suit.”

  “Meantime, I want to phase out the trainee program.”

  Under Vance’s hands, Sally stiffened. Considering how she worried, she probably thought she or someone had done something wrong.

  Z looked at the little sub and gave Sally a smile she couldn’t see. “Not because of problems with the current group, but with the lack of single Masters, the trainees don’t get enough attention. I want to focus on finding them Doms. Once that is accomplished, I’ll put the program on hiatus.”

  “Gonna hire barmaids?” Nolan asked.

  “If needed.” Z glanced toward a group of submissives who were chatting and eyeing the Doms at the bar. “How do you feel about taking volunteers? Serving is still an excellent way for quieter submissives to meet the members in a nonthreatening fashion.”

  Cullen scratched his cheek and nodded. “I like it. I can keep a sign-up sheet at the bar.”

  “Might could be we’d have some fun with it.” Marcus unbuttoned his suit coat and stretched out his legs. “I’d like to be able to draft submissives who need a kick in the pants to meet more people.”

  As the discussion continued, Vance felt Sally’s thigh muscles bunch under his palm, and he glanced at his partner.

  Galen was running his fingers over her swollen breasts, teasing the lingering, red dimples left by the clothespins. Circling her nipples. Pinching. After a minute, he slid closer to the middle of the couch and Vance.

  Without the support of his thigh, her head tilted back, further enforcing she had no say in what they’d do to her. A quiver ran through her.

  Vance smiled. She liked being helpless. She might fight them, but she loved the feeling of being overpowered. Mastered.

  With an ear tuned to the discussion, he watched as she reacted beautifully to Galen’s teasing. Their earlier scene had left her aroused—now Galen increased that need.

  Might as well lend a hand. Vance slid his fingers under her skirt to the soft, silky skin of her inner thigh. At the apex of her legs, he leisurely explored. Slick folds, puffy enough to flower outward, leaving her entrance
open to his touch. With his free hand under her ass, he slid her farther down on his lap until her ass rested on his left thigh and he had a better angle to play. He pressed his finger inside her and watched her color heighten.

  With a glance of amused annoyance, Galen shifted to using his left hand and continued playing with her breasts.

  Leaving his finger barely inside her cunt, Vance spoke to the Masters. “We have to make a trip to New York next weekend—hopefully for not more than a few days. Unless she has other plans, Sally will stay at our house, but we’d appreciate if someone checked in with her every day. The Shadowkittens are welcome to visit her at the house.”

  “As long as they stay away from the toy bags,” Galen muttered.

  Raoul, who’d been in the dungeon when Galen found his abused flogger, laughed.

  Vance glanced at Sally who had lifted her head to frown at him.

  GOD, SHE WISHED they’d stop playing with her. Every touch made her needier, and sheesh, they’d hardly get her off here in front of the others. Sally couldn’t quite believe they were being so…blatant.

  And now, they were going to fly off and leave her alone in their house? Why the hell would she want to be there without them? Sally noticed Vance’s frown—right, she was supposed to keep her eyes closed—but she had concerns.

  Vance’s brows pulled together. Uh-oh. Galen could intimidate without frowning, but Vance… When Vance actually got annoyed, he was downright scary.

  With a huff of disgust, she laid her head back. But before she closed her eyes, she scowled back at him. Abandon her like a stray puppy, would he?

  “Bad move, pet,” she heard Galen say to her very quietly.

  Like there was anything they could do, right here in front of—

  Vance rammed two fingers into her, forceful and fast, and the slick burst of pleasure through her sensitized tissues was like a jolt of electricity. She gasped.

  He didn’t stop, thrusting firmly over and over until her need gathered inside her, tightening, heading for an orgasm.

  No. No way. Not in front of all the Masters during a meeting. She tried to move, to make him stop, and felt Galen’s palm press down just below her throat. With his left hand, Galen continued to play with her breasts, rolling the nipples between his fingers, increasing the pressure to pain before easing back.

  She opened her eyes and shook her head. I won’t get off.

  “Not your choice, is it?” Galen said, still so quietly.

  Not here. I don’t want to come here. She turned her head. Raoul and Marcus and the Mistresses were discussing something. Master Z looked…pleased. But Dan and Cullen were staring at the Feds in disapproval.

  She stiffened. She’d known she shouldn’t be here. Shouldn’t be aroused—

  Vance paused, his fingers still deep inside her. “Problem with the way we handle our submissive, Masters?”

  At Vance’s slight emphasis on the final word, Cullen stiffened, his mouth tight. Then he shook his head and pulled in a breath. “Hell. We try to ensure the trainees don’t attach to us. Guess we should do the same for ourselves. We’re all pretty possessive.”

  Sally felt tears sting her eyes. She hadn’t realized that they actually…cared.

  Dan narrowed his eyes at the two FBI agents but finally leaned back in his chair, the tension leaving his body. “I knew you’d be good for her. I wanted that. But I didn’t realize how rough it would be to see her move on. She’s been—was—a trainee a long time.” He gave Vance a chin lift. “Sorry.”

  “Not a problem,” Vance said.

  “Back as a pup, I dated a young thing whose daddy was a cop. My balls’d shrivel up at his glare because I knew he’d geld me if I made his baby unhappy.” Cullen gave the two Feds a very un-Cullenlike warning look. “I’m feeling a bit like that daddy just now.”

  “Understandable. Warning received,” Galen said, drawing Sally’s attention back to his very, very disapproving gaze.

  Disapproving? She saw that Vance had the same expression. Saw…oops. She hastily closed her eyes. Bad Sally.

  “Your lack of discipline means we will now play longer,” Vance said, his voice low enough that the others wouldn’t hear. “You may come—if you can. Otherwise, you must ask for our help.”

  Fine. She’d just go ahead and get off—quietly—and have this over. Why she felt embarrassed right now, she didn’t know. She’d scened with tons of Doms here, getting off in front of everyone. Master Z and the others had used her for demonstrations.

  But she hadn’t been…hadn’t been the only submissive in a group of Masters who were having a serious discussion.

  And she’d never been emotionally involved with any Doms. Now, it felt as if her feelings were in a washing machine and set on spin. Whirling around and around and around.

  Maybe once she got off, they’d let her join the other submissives.

  As Vance slowly withdrew his very slick fingers, she trembled at the exquisite sensation. How could she be embarrassed and yet excited at the same time…and her obvious arousal made her feel even more humiliated.

  His fingers pushed back in, ever so slowly. And he kept it up, over and over.

  Galen tugged on her nipples, pinching them right to the edge of pain, until her breasts were so swollen that they ached with tightness.

  Vance’s thumb came down on her clit.

  Every single nerve in her body flared into warp drive. She managed not to moan, but God, God, God, she needed to come. He wiggled his finger slightly, and the pressure grew, tightened, rolling toward her like a—

  Vance lifted his hand; Galen stopped.

  No. No nononononono. She didn’t halt her glare in time. Shit.

  “Add one more,” Galen said to Vance—not to her—and slapped her breast lightly.

  With the surprising burst of pain and the realization of exactly how they were punishing her, she felt her arousal sputter and die. Disbelieving, she stared at Galen.

  With a slight smile, he widened his eyes at her.

  Christ with a leather crop. Growling, she dropped her head back and closed her eyes. And could swear she heard Master Dan laugh.

  Vance pushed his fingers inside her, and she felt them drag across the front of her vagina. Rubbing firmly, occasionally moving in and out. Her insides tightened around the intrusion, loved the intrusion.

  Galen must have licked his finger before circling her nipples. The air on her wet skin made her nipples tighten to rigid peaks.

  Slowly she realized they really would use her how they wanted, in front of anyone they chose, despite her objections, despite what was “proper.” And the understanding dissolved the bones inside her body and turned her willpower to water.

  And aroused the hell out of her.

  Then Vance stroked his thumb over her clit. Just the side, but she was so sensitive, a touch was enough. Her muscles tightened as she neared orgasm. Her hips lifted.

  The men stopped again.

  A squeak of dismay escaped her. Everything in her lower half ached and burned with frustration. Her muscles quivered. How did they know she was close?

  She realized her hands had fisted when Galen wrapped his calloused fingers around her hand and lifted it. He kissed her white knuckles, and his lips were soft. “I’m sorry this is hard on you, imp, but we won’t let you get away with disobedience. You can test us as much as you want; you’ll get the same response.”

  Testing them? She hadn’t been…but, oh, she had. Every time they’d ordered her to do something, she’d disobeyed at least once or twice. Just to see… What? Why was she doing that?

  In the same low voice, Vance said, “We care for you, Sally. You don’t have to misbehave to get our attention. It’s our pleasure to watch over you.” His words were like a soothing caress.

  And then they started moving again. Driving her back up. Slower, this time. And as the haze of arousal filled her body, she heard Vance say under his breath, “I did rather like the pretty bows on the flogger.”

 
; “It wasn’t your flogger, asshole,” Galen retorted. “Sally, sometime this week, I’m going to beat your ass with that flogger.” He rolled her nipples until she arched at the delightful pain. “And then I’m going to get you off—using it—as a reward for making me laugh.”

  He did like to laugh; she knew it.

  Her smile died as the two Doms used small caresses and pinches to drive her to the verge of orgasm. Her leg muscles were so tight they trembled as her arousal reached the edge of pain.

  “Something you want to ask, sweetie?” Vance prompted.

  Ask it. Dammit, ask it. “Please,” she whispered.

  “This time, you need to spell it out,” Vance said. “Sally, hearing you ask will make me feel good.”

  Her words tried to stop up in her throat, but it helped to know that she’d please him—if only she could overcome her past. She stuttered out, “P-please, will you”—God, why did her body cringe?—“make me come?”

  “Good, good girl,” Galen murmured, and the sweetness of his deep voice washed over her like a blessing.

  “Beautifully asked,” Vance agreed. “I’m proud of you, Sally.”

  Galen caressed her breasts gently before his clever fingers closed on her tender nipples. Squeezing and releasing in burst after burst of exquisite pain.

  Vance thrust, pulled out, pressed in. Each time, his thumb circled her clit, pushing her up, up. He rubbed his fingers just inside her entrance, reawakening the G-spot with a vengeance.

  God. Her whole body went rigid as she shook, needing just another little bit. Please.

  Vance’s gaze met hers, holding hers as he deliberately set his thumb on her clit and pressed down. Wiggled.

  The spark set off a conflagration. Her body lit, burst into flame, and exploded. Wave after wave of pleasure whipped through her. Her neck arched as she screamed and swore and screamed.

  After a wonderfully long time, she felt the waves die back. God, that felt good.

  Then she heard Vance mutter, “Let’s try for seconds.” His fingers pushed in—three fingers—stretching her as his finger rubbed right on her clit. And like a giant storm surge, another orgasm hit, flattening everything before it.