Chasing Chelsea (Masters of the Castle)

by Maren Smith

  “Do what?”

  “Do what,” Sam scoffed and they started walking again. “We didn’t know for sure where they were, and still you had her running right into your arms. How do you do that? You must have spent half the night playing ‘damsel in ever-increasing distress’ games, so why the sour mood?”

  Looking away, Kade frowned. “She didn’t stay.”

  Dark eyebrows drawing together, Sam studied him. “She left Castle grounds?”

  “No, I mean she…ran away.”

  “You mean she didn’t fall instantly to her knees before your playboy charms and beg to be taken in every orifice?”

  “Fuck you.” Kade increased his pace, but Sam refused to be left behind and they jogged down the steps together.

  Sam reached the door at the bottom first, catching and holding it to block Kade’s way. “No, no, no, my friend. I want to explore this further. I can’t remember the last time a woman refused you anything.”

  “A woman refused Kade?” Jackson came up behind them, still adjusting his leathers. They were on their way to a BDSM commitment ceremony. No one was in a suit or tuxedo. Not even the groom.

  “Selena’s sister,” Sam specified. “The tall red-headed girl.”

  “I thought she said they were friends,” Jackson said.

  “Hell, this is Selena. They probably met on the bus ride in.”

  The two men laughed. Even Kade smiled. “She’s a handful. Bill’s going to have a merry chase keeping that one in line.”

  “Don’t change the subject,” Sam said. “I don’t want to hear about Bill’s chase, I want to hear about yours and how she told you to keep your playboy hands to yourself.”

  That neatly killed his smile. “Don’t you have women of your own to keep track of?”

  Jackson grinned. “Are you saying Kade snapped his fingers and Chelsea didn’t fall to her knees and beg to be ravished?”

  “Maybe I did my ravishing before she ran,” Kade shot back. “Maybe I made her cum so damn hard—”

  Sam took his hand off the door and quacked his fingers.

  Jackson laughed.

  Kade scowled. That was twice in as many days someone had done that to him. Grabbing the door, he flung it open hard enough to smack Sam in the shoulder, then stormed through it, leaving both men laughing behind him.

  * * * * *

  Selena’s wedding gown was a white baby-doll dress made almost entirely out of lace. It had a wide pink ribbon that hugged beneath her breasts and tied in a fat bow behind her, and it did not come down anywhere near far enough to cover the frilly seat of her panties or the hot-pink letters ‘Roll Call’ (except that ‘Roll’ had been crossed out and replaced with ‘Booty’) written across it. Frilly ankle socks and shiny black, buckle-top shoes completed her ensemble. She looked like a three-year-old playing pretty-in-pink princess games. Unfortunately, she wasn’t the only one dressed that way.

  The bridesmaids wore sunshine yellow—every gown just as baby-doll as the bride’s—complete with frilly panties (and similar booty sentiments) that matched. Try though she did, Chelsea could not tug the hem of her costume down far enough to feel covered and she was painfully aware of each and every chuckle when the guests caught sight of her ‘It Ain’t Gonna Spank Itself’ message. It felt like an offer, and she was horribly afraid someone might actually try to take her up on it. In some really twisted, demented, horribly misguided part of herself, she wondered if she would resist if they did. Maybe she wouldn’t. Maybe she’d give in, particularly if that someone just happened to be that handsome Greek god of a man, Master Kade. She could just imagine how she’d react if he sidled up beside her with that knowing smile of his…and put his hand on her, maybe right on her bottom…and whispered in her ear another sultry sweet, “You taste like heaven, Red.”

  Her face turned bright red and her breath caught in her throat. She rubbed her forehead. What was wrong with her?

  “Penny for your thoughts?” Selena asked, coming up behind her.

  The last thing Chelsea wanted to talk about were any thoughts that included Kade. She gave the incredibly short hem of her skirt another self-conscious tug. “You look very pretty,” she offered instead. Wedding, reception or confirmation ceremony—it didn’t matter. All conversations should focus on the bride anyway.

  Hooking her arm through Chelsea’s, Selena grinned. “So do you, my friend. So do you. And I’m not the only one who’s noticed.” A nod of her head and a wiggle of her eyebrows directed Chelsea’s reluctant attention across the ballroom to the main door where—oh God—the twins had just arrived. They noticed her at the same time she did them, and her heart dropped all the way down to her toes. One brother nudged the other and both started down the aisle toward her.

  “Lovely sentiment. If I didn’t know better, I’d be tempted to think you wore those panties just for me.”

  Stiffening, Chelsea turned just as Master Kade circled around from her back to her front. He stopped before her, his body a barricade between her and the twins, who had abruptly ceased their approach. Although he never once looked at either Travis or Trevor, Chelsea didn’t for a second think his choice of stopping place an accident.

  “Sara!” Selena threw up one arm, waving in eager greeting to the blonde who had just entered behind the twins. Neatly evading Chelsea’s frantic “don’t leave me” grab, Selena cast her a grin and a not-so-subtle wink before abandoning her to Kade’s devices. She felt like a hen with a fox beside her and two wolves circling the room.

  Kade was smiling, his dark eyes dancing as he leaned slightly toward her. Tall as she was, he was just an inch or two taller. There weren’t a lot of men who were, but she liked how he made her feel shorter just by lowering himself to her eyelevel just before he cocked that crocked grin and asked, “Are they still standing there?”

  “Glaring daggers at your back,” she confirmed.

  That amused him. “Excellent.”

  So, the fox saved her from the wolves. For some reason, that wasn’t much of a consolation.

  “What do you want, Kade?” she asked testily.

  “That’s Master Kade to you, little girl.”

  “I’m hardly little.”

  His dark eyes laughed into hers. “You’re whatever I say you are, Red. By all means, keep arguing with me. You’re in entirely the wrong costume to get away with it, and I’ve a surefire cure for it that your panties are going to love, though I doubt the rest of you will.”

  Kade tried to circle her, but she turned with him, self-consciously trying to pull her hem down far enough to hide those traitorous panties from view. “Stop looking at my butt!”

  His amusement was growing. “Isn’t the point of wearing dresses like that so people will look?”

  “Only if you choose to wear them.”

  “I see, and what would you choose to wear, were the option before you?”

  “A burka.” She gave up trying to get the hem down to a respectable length.

  Kade barked, a short sharp laugh of genuine humor. When he leaned in again, his hot breath caressed her shoulder. “We can oblige that fantasy. Shall I be your sultan master, dressing you in veils and golden chains decorated with charms and silver bells? Shall I keep you in my harem, under the watchful eyes and the occasional lash of my chief eunuch? I could come to you every night, breaking your will one tender love game at a time on a bed of pillows on the floor. Would you like that fantasy, little Red, or are you afraid?”

  She tried to laugh, but she was still thinking about being held on a bed of pillows the way he’d held her last night in the garden, his strong arms around her waist while she straddled his lap, the heat of his cock the only barrier between them. “I’m not afraid of you.”

  “I never said you had reason to fear me.” His look turned smoldering. “I think you’re afraid of yourself. I think you’re afraid to let go and just feel. That’s why you ran from me last night and why you’d be running from me right now, if only you weren’t trapped by your role in S
elena’s ceremony.”

  “I’m not afraid,” Chelsea said again, but her voice was trembling. Her knees were trembling too, something her dress wasn’t anywhere near long enough to hide. What was it about him that kept doing this to her?

  His warm lips brushed her shoulder, a very transitory kiss that weakened her knees that much more. “The way you’re looking at me now says otherwise. Be careful, Red. There are men here who would devour you whole for wearing such a beautiful look.”

  “You?” she guessed, a little breathless.

  His teeth replaced his kiss on her shoulder. Ever so lightly, he let her feel their sharpness. “Big bad wolf, remember?” He glanced past her. “And I’m not the only one.”

  She followed the direction of his gaze to the twins, still watching her as they prowled the outer room, biding their time until he moved on.

  Kade circled her again, watching with dark eyes until he was sure they’d got the message. “Personally, I’d wrap you in that burka myself, so long as it meant we could pick up where we left things last night.”

  There was no way she could ever survive another night like that one. She looked away, from both him and the twins. “There must be dozens of women in this room alone, who would love to pick up with you anywhere you wanted to.” She tried to swallow past the tiny stab of jealousy that swelled inside her at the thought.

  “Probably,” Kade acknowledged, his complete lack of humility killing what flattery she might otherwise have felt when he added, “but I’m not interested in anyone else. Right now, you hold my undivided attention.”

  “Why me?”

  “Why not you? You’re beautiful; I’m available. You’re interesting; I’m intrigued. You’re soft, warm, edible in all the right places; I’ve been famished all day and all night long. If you don’t have a part in this silly ceremony, I’m sure I can find a quiet corner for us somewhere.”

  That not only killed her attraction, it actually annoyed her. “That’s a well-practiced line if ever I heard one. Does it work for you often?”

  Smirking, Kade arched his eyebrows. “Almost every time.”

  “Notch your bedpost with someone else.” She turned her back on him, wishing her legs were steady enough to let her walk away. Unfortunately, he’d probably give chase and she’d end up causing a scene. She frowned across the hall, decked out in candles and teddy bears, that ocean of folding chairs slowly filling up with guests. What was she even doing here? Behind her, at the front of the room, Selena and the other ladies of the Castle were gathering. Hopefully this thing would start soon. She couldn’t wait for this to be over so she could get out of here, back to her room and just…decompress.

  …in the shower, with the head held between her legs and the pulsing spray turned all the way up to…

  No! Chelsea folded her arms across her chest, squeezing in at herself as if that alone could keep thoughts like that out of her head. Last night was a one-time deal. A momentary lapse in judgment and self-control. An acknowledgement that this place was sneaking in under her skin, getting to her in ways she hadn’t been ready for. She blinked rapidly, seeing nothing but a sea of people dressed in baby-girl dresses, black leather and shiny latex, and white, blue and pink bracelets. She rubbed at her own, one of only a few purples in the whole room.

  “Notch my bedpost,” Kade echoed, settling into place beside her. He surveyed the bridal party without excitement. “That’s refreshing, actually. In my experience, it’s the submissive who comes to me in search of notches of her own.”

  “My mistake. You’re merely providing a necessary service by obliging them.”

  “I do my job,” he said. “They want the fantasy: the perfect Dom, someone who doesn’t ask permission or make mistakes. Someone who knows how to deliver a good warm-up, followed by as many orgasms as their bodies can endure. They want the thrill of being conquered, sometimes thinly veiled behind a mask of dubious consent.”

  “And you give it to them.” Her own mask slipped a little. Her stomach quivered, and she folded her arms that much tighter over it, trying to keep those snaking tendrils of warmth still. Her traitorous imagination was harder to control. It kept summoning images of Kade laying her back to discover how many orgasms she might be capable of. Moisture tickled down into the cleft of her sex.

  “Yes, I do.” He looked at her as if he could feel that reluctant inner shiver that rolled down her spine into the back of her legs, making her knees wobble. He smiled, but it seemed a little less genuine, a little more practiced, significantly more calculating. He faced her, closing what precious little space separated them, and her throat closed, strangling her when he slipped the heat of his hand beneath her folded arms and lay his palm upon the vipers’ nest her stomach had become. There was no way he could not feel the knotted nerves coiling inside her, tying her up from the inside out, writhing right there just under his burning palm.

  “What do you want me to give you, Red?” he asked, his silken tone as smooth as the devil’s.

  “Nothing,” she quavered, lost in those dark eyes, helpless to resist the heat of the hand slipping down the front of her dress.

  “Are you sure?” His fingers slipped under the short baby-doll hem. Skin on skin, he stoked the trembling plane of her abdomen, following the elastic line of her underwear.

  “Yes,” she mouthed, that single shivering word completely without sound or conviction.

  His fingertips slipped right under the elastic band. “Liar.”

  Her knees really did wobble then, dipping once before she caught herself, stiffening as he skimmed soft, swirling caresses over the curve of her mons until he had her. His hand cupped her pussy, his fingertips stroking along her folds, already finding them swollen and slick.

  “You know what happens to naughty little girls who tell naughty little lies, don’t you?” His voice was every bit as seductive as his touch. Withdrawing his hand, his fingers reemerged out from under her dress, glistening with the proof of her unwilling arousal. He licked one, testing her taste, as if it wasn’t at all shameful to do it right here, surrounded by all these people, in full sight of anyone who cared to look. Right in front of her, in fact.

  “Just like heaven,” he said, his tone deepening with an arousal all his own. “Come with me, Red. We’ll notch each other’s bedposts.”

  The temptation was almost more than she could resist. She might actually have done it too, except that right then music began to play. Not a familiar bridal march, but the light twinkling notes of “Pop Goes the Weasel” played out at the very front of the room by a master on piano.

  Selena began to laugh and bounced on her toes when Master Marshall, accompanied by a tall blonde man, made his way to the front of all these chairs. Beckoning to Chelsea, Selena didn’t wait to be summoned. With a happy hop, she rushed to take her position in the center of the floor, heralding laughter from many of the guests as she waited eagerly for her new husband to join her there.

  Trembling under the intensity of Kade’s eyes, unable to tear her own from the wetness (her wetness) on his sensual lips, Chelsea was barely able to break away. Before she could flee, Kade caught her hand, capturing her as completely as if with a net. He raised her fingers to his lips, caressing the backs with a kiss before letting her go.

  “Run away, Red. While I can still let you go.”

  Chelsea fled to the front of the room, taking her place in line between Sara and Hannah, who caught her hand when she noticed Chelsea’s trembling and gave it a comforting squeeze.

  “It’s okay,” Hannah whispered. “I don’t like crowds either. And I hate this dress. Everyone keeps looking at my scars.”

  Chelsea glanced down at her thighs and the rows of near, straight lines that scarred them, but she was barely aware of anything beyond Kade, who was approaching behind her, calmly making his way to the front of the room to assemble with nine other masters. Some, like Jackson, she knew; some she didn’t. She hugged Hannah’s hand and locked her eyes on Selena. It was the only wa
y she could keep herself from staring at Kade the same way he just kept staring at her, as if she was his and all he had to do was bide his time until he could take her.

  “As most already know,” Master Marshall began, his strong voice silencing both the music and what little chitchat was still taking place among the gathered guests, “the actual wedding was performed two days ago. Today, we are here to witness the confirmation of Master Emerson’s dedication to his baby-girl and submissive, Selena.”

  Her hands clasped over her heart, Selena bounced on her toes. She was blushing and could hardly hold still as the tall blond man stepped up to her. Without being told, she dropped to her knees at his feet and his gentle smile broadened.

  “I have already promised to love, honor and cherish you,” Master Emerson said, his voice carrying easily through the now silent room. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a blue ribbon. “Selena Emerson, you are the focus of my life. I will hold to you beyond all others and put no one else before you. Will you accept me as your Daddy and your Dom?”

  “Yes,” she said without hesitation.

  “Will you obey me and wear my collar?”

  “Yes!” Even on her knees she was bouncing.

  “Will you accept my discipline, guidance, protection and my loving authority to the exclusion of all others? Because I will not share you. Not with anyone, ever.”

  “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

  Another soft wave of laughter rippled through the assemblage. Master Emerson was laughing too as he bent and put the ribbon-collar around her neck. As hard as Chelsea tried, she could not resist the pull of Kade’s continuing stare. He was the only one not watching the ceremony. He met her gaze boldly and never looked away. He barely seemed to blink. He very deliberately licked his lips, as if he could still taste her on them.

  Chelsea stopped breathing all over again. She quickly faced Selena and tried not to look away as her Daddy fastened the clasp behind her neck. Selena squealed once it was in place, petting it with both hands as if it were the most reverent thing. She looked on the verge of happy tears.