Ben helped his bride from the couch then placed his hand against the small of her back and guided her from the room.
“Did she convince you we’re not all monsters?” Marcus asked when they were alone.
“She said you two had played together.”
“We did, a few months ago. She was curious about other Doms, and Ben had never used a tawse, so he arranged for the scene. We did it here at the house. Damien and Ben both supervised.”
“I don’t think I’d want to play with anyone else.”
“As your Dom, that would be my choice, but I’d take your wishes seriously. Unless you used a safe word.”
She looked up at him and shivered, even though the house was warm. “She also said she’s never seen you with the same woman twice.”
“Did she tell you my grade point average in college? I’ll have to talk to Ben about his wife’s proclivity for gossip.”
She grabbed his forearm. She was taken aback by how strong and unyielding he felt. “It’s my fault. Please don’t blame Lana.”
“I’m not serious. She was trying to be a good friend. To set your mind at ease, I’m single. I don’t have a particular sub I play with all the time, and I intend to stay that way. Is that a problem for you?”
“I prefer it,” she replied. Even the idea of someone as overwhelming in her life was formidable.
“Would you like to see the dungeon?”
Julia wanted to be as self-assured as Lana was. Instead, nerves wormed their way through her body.
“We can leave any time you want.”
“What about my clothes?”
“They can stay here. I told you I want you naked.”
She dragged the blanket more tightly around her shoulders.
“That stays, too.”
“Do you show no mercy?”
“Do you really want me to?” he countered.
Did she? Or did she want the new experience? Finally, she made the painful admission, “I’m not very comfortable walking around in the nude, even in my bedroom.”
“BDSM is about dropping the pretences. I want you completely exposed. And believe me, sub, you have nothing to hide.”
She’d told him the truth. In the locker room at the gym, she dressed beneath a towel. At home, she stepped from the shower into a robe. She had never thought her body was all that great. And to walk around a house naked with a total stranger? On the other hand, if she would never see any of these people again…
As she waged an internal debate, he remained silent. That was the thing that struck her the most about him. He apparently knew when to wait for her to work through her doubts and fears and when to push her.
“Julia, drop the blanket and take off the skirt,” he said finally.
She exhaled. “I don’t suppose I could wear a bra and panties?”
“Naked.”
She let go of the blanket then stood and removed her skirt.
He nodded. His approval—spoken or not—made her feel warm. He organised her belongings and the blanket before saying, “I request you not to hide your body in any way.”
“But…”
He regarded her. “That means I want your arms at your sides.”
As he’d folded the blanket, she had covered her breasts and her pubic mound with her hands.
She did as he’d said. Suddenly she felt vulnerable standing in front of him. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”
He captured her chin and tipped her head back. “I admire your bravery.”
She so wanted to please him.
“As you said, it’s only for tonight. If you need to talk about anything, use your safe words. You have a womanly body you should be proud of.”
Since college, she’d engaged in a constant battle with the scales. The digital display always read ten pounds heavier than she wanted to be. “But I’m too—”
“You’re extraordinarily attractive. I appreciate your curves.” He brushed the pad of his thumb across her nipples.
Instantly they hardened. Even though he’d hurt them earlier, she craved more.
“Shoulders back,” he told her. “Be proud.”
When he looked at her like that, green eyes smoky with desire, she could refuse him nothing.
She tossed her hair over her shoulders and did as he said.
Shockingly—under his relentless scrutiny—she began to gain confidence.
“Stay there.”
It took all of her will to remain in place as he slowly walked around her.
“Now put your hands behind your neck. And keep them there. I want your eyes open the whole time. That’s another way you have of hiding, and I’m on to you.”
Being with a man who saw her, and through her, totally unnerved her.
He moved around her again. She looked straight ahead as he touched her shoulder and a butt cheek as well as one of her hip bones.
“Good,” he said.
He stopped in front of her and cupped her breasts in his palms. Confounding her, he didn’t touch her aching nipples. She was ravenous for his touch.
Finally he stepped back, leaving her wanting.
“Good girl.”
A part of her believed she should find the words patronising, but she didn’t. Instead, they gave her a secret little thrill. She’d never tell her friends about it. No way would they understand. Truthfully, she wasn’t sure even she understood.
“As we walk, I will want you to stay about a foot behind me. If we stop to talk to anyone, you’re not to speak unless I give you a signal that it’s permissible. If I give you orders, I expect you to follow them.”
She set her teeth. As much as she wanted to simply go with the experience, part of her instinctively rebelled.
He raised an eyebrow, as if waiting for her response.
“Yes, Sir,” she said.
He smiled, but said, “We’ll work on your tone later.”
Did he miss anything? More self-conscious and nervous than she had ever been, she followed him from the room. A few people greeted him as he walked towards the stairs, but no one paid her any attention. She noticed others—presumably subs—who were naked. Others were in various states of undress. Some Doms were fully clothed, like Marcus and Ben. Others wore alluring, sexy outfits.
Marcus glanced over his shoulder at her. “Are you doing okay?”
She nodded.
“I’d prefer to hear your response.”
“I’m fine. Sir.” That he’d checked on her reassured her. There were differences, she realised, between the men she’d dated and Marcus. He’d told her to discuss anything that bothered her. But he’d also made it clear he was in charge.
She kept the appropriate space between them as they descended the staircase. They emerged into a bright, well-lit space with people sipping cocktails and talking.
The dungeon was nothing like she’d imagined. She had expected a large, cold, barren room, with shackles attached to stone walls. Emaciated, tortured subs would be naked and pleading for mercy.
Instead, this area could have been photographed for a luxury magazine. The floor was a polished tile, and a few thick rugs were scattered around. A bar in the far corner was tended by two servers, one male, one female, each wearing a bow tie and not much else.
There were a couple of couches, lots of pillows and a number of blankets. Lana, Ben and Damien chatted in a semicircle.
And no one was chained to the wall. At least as far as she could see.
“Well?” he asked.
“It’s not what I expected,” she admitted. “I thought it would be scarier.”
“Hands at your sides,” he reminded her. “Unless you would like to be bound?”
She hadn’t realised she’d been rubbing her upper arms. “Sorry, Sir.”
“Much better.”
A server approached, carrying glasses of sparkling wine. Marcus waved them off.
“I think I’d like a glass,” she said.
“No more alcohol,”
he countered. “I’d be happy to fetch you an orange juice or bottle of water. I don’t want your judgement clouded.”
“Another glass of wine is hardly going to hurt. And a Merlot would be even better.”
“I’m not negotiable,” he said. “Certain rules are for your safety. If you can’t follow those, we will not proceed.”
She sighed, recognising a battle she couldn’t win. “I’d love an orange juice.” Anything to occupy her hands and make this seem more normal. “Thank you.”
“Stay right here.”
She obeyed, even though it tested all her resolve. Part of her wanted to dash for the door.
Damien joined Marcus at the bar, and the two exchanged a few words. They both glanced over at her, and she forced herself not to cover up.
The bald man she’d seen upstairs was talking to a Dom. As she watched, the Dom moved aside and the other man moved behind the sub, who was also male. Nothing here was surprising her anymore. The bald man took the sub’s wrists in one hand and apparently applied pressure to the man’s shoulder. The sub slowly lowered to his knees.
A few minutes later, Marcus rejoined her, and she gratefully accepted the beverage. “Do you see what’s going on over there?” she demanded.
“That’s Gregorio,” he said. “For lack of a better term, Gregorio is the property’s caretaker. He lives here full-time and keeps the dungeon ready for entertaining. Damien is generous. Others can lease his space and, in fact, a production company does film here from time to time. But Gregorio is always here to make sure the house rules are enforced. He’s also available to scene with people.”
“He just made that man get on his knees.”
“It doesn’t take a lot of pressure,” Marcus assured her. “Gregorio is an expert at controlling recalcitrant submissives.”
As they watched, Gregorio helped the sub to his feet. The Dom moved into the place where Gregorio had stood. The Dom touched his sub. Gregorio repositioned the man’s touch then nodded.
Moments later, the sub was on his knees again.
“Gregorio is a switch,” Marcus explained. “That means he is able to dominate or fill the role of a submissive, though he generally only subs if Damien is on site to ensure things are run correctly. We will be observed periodically while we’re here,” he continued. “Damien and Gregorio ensure the safety of the house’s submissives.”
“Do…uhm… I mean… They don’t participate, do they?”
“They don’t, unless invited. And, before you ask, the decision as to whether they will participate or not is mine, not yours.”
She shivered.
She watched Gregorio supervise the Dom one more time. Finally, Gregorio nodded his approval then moved away.
“There are a few private rooms down here,” Marcus told her. “But mostly there are screens to divide the space.”
So maybe people were chained to the walls elsewhere.
“Shall we watch a scene?”
Her heart suddenly thundered. She was saved from answering when Damien joined them.
“I like to meet my guests,” he said, offering his hand. “Damien Lowell.”
She had no idea how to behave. What did you say to a man when you were standing in his basement…dungeon…naked, especially when he was fully dressed in a grey suit and a tie?
Even under normal circumstances, she would find him disarming. She looked at his hand as if she were in a foreign country and didn’t know the customs. If she were truly a sub, she would probably kneel or curtsey. But since she was just a guest and had twice sworn she would never kneel, she wasn’t sure what to do.
Without questioning her instincts, she looked to Marcus for guidance.
“Shake Master Damien’s hand.”
“Master Marcus and Lana tell me this is your first exposure to our lifestyle.”
His grip was firm, but not overbearing. This man wore authority as easily as he did the tailored suit. “Uh… Yes.” She wished she understood how to properly address him.
“Welcome. I hope you’ll find us hospitable.” He unclasped her hand, and she had that same odd feeling that she’d had when Marcus had touched her for the first time. These men were powerful, as untamed as the mountains surrounding them.
“Thank you.” Aware of Marcus’ gaze on her, she resisted the temptation to cover up.
“Master Marcus tells me you’re going to use one of the private rooms?”
She looked at Marcus again.
“You’re free to call him Sir, if that’s more comfortable,” Marcus told her. He gripped her shoulder, lightly, reassuringly. “And please do answer all of his questions.”
She exhaled a shaky breath. “I didn’t know we were going to use a private room.” She tipped her head back, striving for the confidence she exuded during a departmental meeting. “But Marcus…” She stopped herself, then continued, “But I did know that I…” Bravado failed.
“Our alluring sub is trying to say that her behaviour has earned her a punishment,” Marcus supplied.
She was very aware of both men looking at her, eyebrows raised. Was there a Dom school or something?
“Indeed?” Master Damien asked. “For what?”
“I… I didn’t keep my…” She dropped her head, grateful that her hair fell forward to hide her embarrassment.
“Julia,” Marcus said, the word sharp, commanding.
Every part of her wanted—ridiculously—to please this man.
She tipped back her head and met Master Damien’s gaze as if they were business equals. “Master Marcus told me to keep my hands behind my back while he…” She faltered, but recovered. “Brought me to orgasm. I didn’t.”
Damien’s eyes seemed to twinkle. He was obviously enjoying this as much as Marcus was.
“Did he offer to bind your arms?”
“Yes, Sir,” he did.
“Ah. Do you have a safe word?”
“Red and yellow, Sir. Green means everything is okay.”
“And you know you can use those safe words to get out of your punishment?”
Part of her couldn’t believe they were having this conversation. And yet, since both men were at ease, the discussion was natural.
“Julia?” Marcus prompted.
“Yes, Sir.”
“And yet you’re choosing to go through with this?” Damien asked.
She looked at Marcus. Master Marcus. His hands were big, and they were capable of giving her much, much pleasure. He radiated vitality and it affected her on a deeply feminine level. She didn’t question her attraction or desire, or their rightness, or what they meant to her thoughts on equality between the sexes. She only knew she wanted to experience everything possible this evening. She might never be this brave—or foolish—again. “Yes,” she said.
“The house also has a safe word,” Damien told her. “Halt. Gregorio or I will immediately put a stop to any scene if you use that word. No questions asked. No repercussions from any Dom.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“Enjoy your experience.” He bowed rather formally before moving off.
“Shall we?” Marcus asked.
She nodded. When he silently regarded her, she said, “Yes.”
“You’re doing well, Julia.”
He turned then started down the hallway, and she followed.
“Wait here,” he said, stopping to look behind a room divider.
She heard moans and whimpers. Despite her sudden trepidation, she was oddly fascinated.
A few moments later, he shook his head.
He continued on wordlessly and checked out another space. “We may watch. But I’m debating whether I should let you or not.”
“Why?”
“This couple has been together several years. There’s a lot of trust, but the sub is a bit of an extreme player. It may be a bit much for you.”
Her heart jammed its next two beats together. “I’m willing to try.”
He hesitated a moment before giving a quick nod
. “Please remain quiet and do not disturb the scene. If it’s too much, I want you to let me know by shrugging.”
She followed him behind the partition. He indicated she should stand in front of him, and, when she did, he placed his hands on her shoulders. His touch was reassuring, and she was glad they’d arranged for a way to communicate silently.
She exhaled. This was more what she’d expected from a dungeon.
The back wall was exposed brick. The floor was wooden. A woman was strapped to a structure that looked like an X, her wrists parted above her head, her legs spread unnaturally wide. A spotlight shone down on the sub. Like Julia, the woman secured to the wooden beams was naked.
For a moment, Julia pictured herself hanging from the structure, waiting for Marcus. The image was so shatteringly real that she instantly shoved it aside.
She was not into this kind of thing.
Even though the submissive faced Julia and Marcus, it appeared she didn’t notice their presence.
A man stood with his back to them. He wore black leather pants, and, as far as she could tell, nothing else.
“Damn you,” the woman said, “fucking whip me!”
“Pain slut,” the Dom responded.
“Yes.” The sub looked up at him.
Even Julia saw the raw need in her eyes.
“Be a man and whip my breasts,” she demanded.
The man flicked his wrist, and some sort of lash jumped in response. The sub seemed transfixed by the sight, but the Dom didn’t move closer.
“Bastard. Don’t tease. Give me the whip. Do it.”
Then the Dom moved towards the woman, quickly but with apparent deliberation. He grabbed her jaw. To Julia the grip looked unnecessarily harsh. Then again, the woman’s words had been provocative.
“Do you want this, Lindsey?” He flicked the whip again.
“God damn it, yes!”
“Then fucking use your manners, slut.”
She could barely speak with her mouth so brutally clamped, but she managed a whimpered plea.
“Better,” he said, letting her go. “Now keep your mouth shut, unless you’re screaming. Otherwise, I will take you home and you can spend the night in solitary. You will earn this release. Understand?”
Julia squirmed at the Dom’s rigidity.
“Do you need to leave?” Marcus asked, his voice a whisper in her ear.
With This Collar (Mastered) Page 5
