Fragile: Book One in The Everett Gaming Series

by Sera, Drew

  “Yes, I think so. I felt like you guys couldn’t get rid of me fast enough. I feel like I’m keeping you guys from living. Maybe I should go back to my apartment.”

  In unison, Anthony and I both said no. He and I looked at each other and I knew that he cared for her just as much as I did. She wasn’t going back there. He and I swore to it.

  She gave us a genuine smile and I could tell she was relieved. Anthony and I were relieved that at least for now she was most likely staying put. I knew that Anthony and I needed to get a grip and make sure Sydney doesn’t drop like that again. Her mind had shut down and it broke my heart to see her cowering in the dark closet. I know that tore Anthony up too.

  Sydney stood and went to the table in the entryway where her two shopping bags were and she brought them over. She looked at the tags and then handed Anthony and I each one. He and I looked at her in confusion. She got us something?

  “I picked this out for you guys. You’ve helped me so much and you saved me. In many ways. I know it’s not a lot, but I think they’re right and that you’ll like it.”

  She sat back down between us and looked down at the ground. I put my arm around her back and took a look at the card first. In her handwriting it said;

  Colin - Words can’t express how thankful I am for you and your help. I’m so glad that you were persistent and didn’t give up on me. I am happy that you have been willing to help me so I can be better. I won’t let you down - XOXO - Your Baby.

  Her card tugged at my heart. I pulled out the tissue paper and pulled out a bottle of the cologne I wear. I was stunned. How did she know what I wore? She hasn’t been up in my room or bathroom. I smiled and thought maybe Anthony or Matt had told her. At the bottom of the bag were the twenties that I had given her. She spent her own money on something for Anthony and I. I held the money up and gave her a disapproving look though I couldn’t be angry with her over her thoughtfulness.

  “Sydney, thank you. How did you know that’s what I wear?”

  I looked at her and then saw that Anthony was holding a bottle of the stuff he wears. How did she know? I knew she hadn’t asked me about Anthony so now I was intrigued. She started playing with her fingers but Anthony covered her hands and she stopped.

  “I took a bunch of caps off the bottles at the store and smelled them until I found you guys.”

  This girl, I swear. She spent her time away from us, trying to find us. I stared down at the bottle as I thought about how long that could have taken her. I sent her away when she dropped and she tried to find something while she was out to connect to us. It made perfect sense and I felt like such a dick.

  I pulled her into a hug and kissed her cheek and the top of her head. She was so generous and has a huge, forgiving heart. No matter how badly she’s treated and no matter how much shit is thrown her way, she still thinks of others instead of herself.

  “Baby, go get your bath water ready. And thank you.”

  Anthony’s silence was concerning me. But as Sydney stood and headed towards her room, Anthony reached for her hand. She looked down at him and he searched her eyes before telling her that he loved the cologne and the notecard. She smiled and blushed then headed back towards her room.

  I handed Anthony the card she wrote to me. He was reluctant, but he handed me his too. He didn’t have to. It was between them but I was glad to see what was going on in her mind.

  Anthony - Thank you for putting up with me. I’m so sorry that I keep you up at night. You make me smile and you make me happy. I feel safe when I’m in your arms and I’m not afraid to close my eyes at night. I’m thankful you were with Colin that night and that you didn’t let go of me. - XOXO - Your Sunshine

  There is no way on this planet that Anthony could be this blind. I was ready to push now.

  “Anth, you mean a lot to her.” He didn’t say anything but didn’t deny the fact that he means something to her. “Look, if you don’t want to be here…”

  He quickly cut me off and looked up at me. “No, I want to be here. She needs me to help and you need me to help. And, I want to be here for her.”

  He’s coming around. He’ll get there, eventually. “Come on Anth, it’s bath time for our fragile kitten.”

  We found Sydney in the bathroom swishing the water in the tub around so the bubbles would multiply. She was still dressed though. I had a feeling this had to do with the dropping. She felt vulnerable and still not quite right. She needed to be held and comforted a lot. Anthony realized this too and immediately went to her. He tilted her chin upward to look at him.

  “Sunshine, are you cold?”

  Anthony and I knew a lot about sub-drop and knew that feeling cold and vulnerable were very common. He was trying to get her to talk a little without feeling like a victim. She’s felt like that too much lately. Sydney nodded and her bottom lip quivered. He pulled her against his chest and rubbed on her back through her sweatshirt.

  “It’s okay, sunshine. Don’t worry. Colin and I are here and will take care of you. Lets get in the tub where it’s warm.”

  Sydney wrapped her arms around her stomach and backed away shaking her head. I worried that she didn’t want to take a bath with Anthony and I.

  “Baby, talk to us. What are you thinking?” I asked her while she eyed the tub full of bubbles.

  “I…” She couldn't get much out. I knew she was trying but just needed a little encouragement.

  “Do you want Anthony and I to wait in your room while you take your bath? We’ll just be out in your room. We can give you privacy.”

  She shook her head to that but looked downward.

  “Baby, what’s wrong? What are you worried about?”

  “I…I’m ugly to look at. I don’t want you two to have to see me…there are too many cuts and bruises.”

  Tears rolled down her cheeks and she looked so lost. Anthony moved towards her and pulled off his tee shirt. He pulled her hands away from her waist and unzipped her sweatshirt and handed it to me. He took the hem of her long sleeve shirt and pulled it up over her head and unhooked her bra. Anthony picked up her hand and placed it over his scar.

  “Everyone has scars, Sydney. They don’t define you. Don’t allow them to lead your life. When I see who you are as a person, I don’t see your black and blue tummy or the little white circles on the back of your neck or the welts. Those things aren’t you. Just like this scar isn’t me.”

  I stood shocked and in awe of him. He has the ability to reach her on a level that no one else can. I pulled my shirt off and went to stand behind Sydney and wrapped my arms around her. We need to work on self-esteem with her. I think that her greeting us naked in the evenings will begin to help as long as Anthony and I are consistent with her. She relaxed against me and smiled through her tears. Anthony wiped her tears away with his thumbs.

  “Now, it’s bath time sunshine. You’re shaking because you’re cold. It’s part of sub-drop. You dropped because Colin and I didn’t realize how much last night was for you. We’re sorry, sweetheart. Let us take care of you.”

  She nodded and Anthony winked at her. I could feel the heat in her cheeks as I had my chin on her shoulder and the side of my face pressed against hers. He impacts her physically and emotionally. Anthony knelt and undid her jeans, pulling them down along with her panties. She started to move her hands to cover herself to ease the feeling of being so exposed. He softly kissed her tummy and then stood and took the rest of his clothes off while I held her.

  I kissed her neck and then handed her to Anthony while I quickly pulled off the rest of my clothes and then got in the tub. He held her hands while she lowered into the water and leaned against my chest. She felt so good in my arms. I’ve never had a sub, or any woman, feel this good and right in my arms. When Anthony got in the tub, he began rubbing her feet for her.

  Our goal was to warm Sydney up and to help her out of her funk. Every so often, Anthony would turn the faucet on and more warm water would spill in. She seemed to be doing better and
finally we got out of the tub and dried her off. Anthony carried her to bed while I turned up the thermostat some. I got into bed on her other side and snuggled up against her back.

  Chapter 65

  Sunday, November 17th

  Anthony

  Images of my step-father slicing me with a knife woke me up early Sunday morning. I instinctively reached down to feel my scar and my hand bumped into Sydney’s body. She fell asleep last night draped across me, which was usual for her and I was totally fine with it. I’ve actually grown to really like it. I like being able to snuggle her closer to me in the morning chill.

  I needed to get up though. I tried to fall back to sleep but couldn’t and I sure as fuck wasn’t going to stay in bed with images of my step-father running loose in my head.

  As gently as I could, I rolled Sydney onto her side so she’d be in Colin’s arms. She needed physical contact as much as possible. Especially after the past few days.

  My bare feet hit the floor and a chill went through my body. I had to go clear my head. I nearly had a heart attack when Colin’s hand tapped me on the shoulder. He was propped up on one elbow and his hand had returned to Sydney’s bruised body. My eyes roamed her bare body, taking in all of the damage from Howard. I couldn’t help it. Colin’s hand was on her abdomen and his thumb was stroking a red and purplish bruise just under her ribs on her left side.

  “What’s wrong?” He whispered as I stood up. I couldn’t go into it right now and just needed some time to myself. I shook my head and told him I couldn’t sleep anymore and was going to get some air. I wasn’t opening up communication with him right now about my nightmare. He didn’t need that shit. I pulled on a tee shirt and went out to sit on his patio.

  My mind was everywhere and I felt like I was out of control. I haven’t felt so out of control since I was younger. Much younger and before I found this wonderful lifestyle. There was a lot already going on without my head throwing old nightmares into the mix. I put my hand under my shirt on my scar. Yep, it was still there and hadn’t been a figment of my imagination.

  I allowed my mind to turn back the clock a few decades to the evening when my mom’s husband and friend decorated my skin with it. I vividly remember the argument. My mom had been crying…wait, no. I’m not thinking about that. I refuse to let it consume anymore of my life. I took a deep breath and found something much better to rest my mind on.

  Sydney. My sunshine. Mine. Fuck Evan and anyone that wants to play with her at Irons. She was on my mind like nothing else. With Sydney, I felt both very much in control and at a total loss of control. From a D/s point, she listened to me and did what I asked without question and with complete trust and faith in me. But she also took the air out of my lungs.

  After sitting in the fucking cold on Colin’s patio for close to an hour tossing things around in my mind, the one thing that I was certain about was that I loved the way she felt in my arms. I even survived her touching my scar.

  When I got back to our room the sight of Sydney made me hard. I couldn’t get back into bed next to her right now. My body was filled with lust. I’ve had my mouth on her most private parts and I craved her sweet, sexy taste. I wanted my hands to skim across her delicate skin. I wanted to spend an eternity exploring her body and experiencing her reactions to my touch. I also wanted to spank that ass.

  Before I knew what I was doing, I had my hand inside my pajama pants and was stroking away while I watched her sleeping in Colin’s arms. I didn’t let it go very far and stopped. I needed some physical exertion. I changed into some gym shorts and put my running shoes on. I needed to run for a while. I found a piece of paper and wrote a quick note to let them know where I went and set it on my pillow.

  It felt good to run. The air was crisp and refreshing. The sun was coming up and everything was calm around me. Unlike my mind. I ran and ran until my chest hurt. The run was what I needed and clean up some of the congestion going on in my head.

  One thing hadn’t changed though; I still wanted Sydney.

  On my jog back, I began to fantasize about scenes with her. I wondered if Sydney would ever be able to handle rope. Lots of questions raced into my mind…none of which I had answers for.

  I got back to the house and Sydney and Colin were in the kitchen talking. I went to greet them and kissed Sydney’s forehead. I had the urge to claim that sweet mouth of hers instead, but didn’t act on it. That would be too dangerous for both of us.

  Instead I found myself in the shower jacking off to a vision of her wrapped in red rope with nipple clamps dangling from her nipples.

  Chapter 66

  Sunday, November 17th

  Colin

  I woke up around 7:45 a.m. and felt my erection pushing against her butt cheeks. I slowly backed up so I wouldn’t scare her or wake her up. A giggle escaped her lips though and I froze. I propped myself up on my bent arm and tapped her shoulder playfully.

  “And what, may I ask are you giggling at?”

  Honestly, it didn’t matter what she was laughing at. Her laughter and giggles were like air in my lungs. She sounded so good. Sydney smiled and I saw her eyes dart down to the bulge in my pajama pants. She was so fucking cute.

  “Are you laughing at the natural functions of my body, baby?”

  She burst out in a fit of the giggles and tried covering her mouth to quiet herself. I rolled my eyes and pulled her hand away from her mouth. I wanted to hear the sound of her happiness. What was it about Sydney that pulled me towards her?

  “Are you feeling better this morning, Sydney?” I started a serious conversation and hoped my erection would subside. She had a bad dream last night and woke up trying to get out of the hands of Howard. Anthony and I have been trying to push a little more.

  “Yes, thank you. I’m better.”

  “Glad to hear, baby.”

  While Anthony was out jogging Sydney and I took a shower. I loved every second of it. Anthony finally came back and immediately went to kiss Sydney’s forehead. Today was Sunday and normally a 49ers day, but because they had a bye week, there wouldn’t be a game to watch. I glanced up to watch Sydney’s naked body move about my kitchen. She was making pancakes and bacon this morning.

  I noticed she hadn’t forgotten Evan and Seth preference of waiting to eat until her Dom ate. God, what a lucky fucking Dom. She had some sore spots that still needed to be addressed, but otherwise, she was going to make some Dom so fucking happy. Her heart was in the right place and she had no ulterior motives.

  Sydney spent the afternoon on the patio writing in her notebook. I was definitely going to be paying extra close attention to that tonight. I couldn’t afford not to after my fuck up yesterday. Anthony sat in the kitchen at the table so that he could keep an eye on her.

  “Hey, let’s take her out tonight, Anth. I fucked up yesterday and want to make it up to her.”

  “We fucked up. Not just you.”

  “Lets take her out to a nice restaurant and maybe to a club to listen to some music. I doubt she’s had much fun lately.”

  “Yeah, I agree. I doubt Howard ever took her to dinner.”

  My eyes twitched at the mention of Howard’s name. I’m glad Anthony broke his arm. It’s not nearly enough for what he did to her, but at least it was something.

  “I’ll make dinner reservations for Heat Steakhouse if you help her get ready. Pick out one of those flirty skirts.”

  “My pleasure.”

  I was thrilled when he said that. I knew he liked being in her presence. It was close to 5:00 and with calling a friend at the hotel, not only did I get prime dinner reservations for Heat in a hour and half but I also got a top level private table and viewing area for Velocity.

  Velocity was a trendy, popular club in one of the trendiest hotels on the Las Vegas Strip right now and tonight, Velocity had a popular DJ performing. I had done well and I knew Sydney would be impressed, if Sydney were that kind of girl. Only I knew she wasn’t. Material things and name-dropping would never impress Syd
ney. And I was actually glad. Sydney was the type of girl that would give everything she had to a Dom who would love and care for her while meeting her kinky needs. Still, tonight would be a nice night. A fun night that I think had been missing from her young life.

  We took my BMW Alpina to dinner and the three of us chatted the entire way. I gave my keys over to the valet guy and followed behind Anthony and Sydney as we walked into the casino. He took hold of her hand and kept her close to him. I pulled my phone out and grabbed a picture of them from behind. The casino was crowded and I fell into step alongside Anthony as we leisurely made our way to the restaurant. I couldn’t help but smile to myself as Anthony would steer her away from the heavy flow of foot traffic through the casino. He made a serious task out of making sure no one bumped into her. We only had to wait for a few minutes before we were seated at a rectangular table overlooking the sprawling pools and grounds. I sat across from Anthony and Sydney and smiled when I saw him put his arm around the back of her chair.

  A server came by and set glasses of water down and a bread basket. Sydney made no move towards the bread but Anthony picked up the basket and pulled the cloth away to reveal the bread options. Her eyes widened and I felt fortunate that I’ve never had to do without, unlike Sydney. She looked up at Anthony and he laughed. She was still waiting for Anthony and I to pick first.

  “That’s not how it works when we go out, baby. Even though you’re submissive, you are still a lady and we are still gentlemen.” I smiled over at her. Sydney is submissive to the core of her. Anthony shook the bread at her to encourage her to make her selection. Carefully she made her selection and placed the roll on her plate. She didn’t pick it up though until Anthony and I had our bread and began buttering it. Anthony looked up at me and I knew he was thinking the same thing I was. “Dangerous,” Anthony said and we shared a small laugh. Anthony reached over and pulled her close to him so he could kiss the side of her face.