“Are You going to show her off tonight?” a Man who seemed vaguely familiar asked Rick as if goading Him.
my Master’s hand pressed against the small of my back, urging me forward. “micah, this is Master Otho.”
i kept my eyes downcast until Rick placed my hand in the other Man’s. When i looked up, recognition dawned, and my face must have shown it if Master Otho’s warm laughter was an indication. Master Otho was married to Mistress Sybil, and together they were the preeminent lifestyle couple in the tri-state area. i’d seen pictures—highly staged pictures—but people look much different in person.
“she is lovely, Master Rick. Sybil and the others are eager to see how micah’s training has been progressing.” Master Otho shot a look at Sir and then brought my hand to His lips. “Welcome, micah.”
“Thank You, Sir.”
Rick and Master Otho led me through the party, stopping every few feet to be introduced to other Dominants and Their subs or slaves.
In public, the differences between a submissive and slave were more stark. Yes, no one was to approach me without my Dom’s permission, and Sir had the definitive say in what we did, but i was still very much my own person in this dynamic and could function independently of Him. We had established very clear rules in our contract but were open enough with one another to leave room for our relationship to grow and change. my Master firmly and lovingly guided me to and through new situations. Some experiences were more successful than others, and Rick had no issues making adjustments when things might have gone too far for either of us.
The slaves, both men and women, we were introduced to had to be told to greet us or take a drink and so on. Their Dominants dictated every single moment when they were together.
i admitted to having some slave tendencies; however, Rick did not have full authority over every aspect of my life. i didn’t want that, and i didn’t believe a 24/7 Total Power Exchange was something He’d ever been interested in. It would mean that as His slave, i would have no rights or say-so whatsoever. While my goal was always to serve Him and make sure His needs were met, i enjoyed the freedom of making my own decisions.
While i would never knock a sub or slave for their choices, that extreme simply wasn’t right for the D/s dynamic Rick and i had developed over these past couple of months.
We sat on a low sofa with another couple who were enamored with Sir. Everyone we spoke to addressed Him as “Master.” The level of respect and admiration that swelled around Him was a bit intimidating.
my Master ran His hand up and down my spine and then drew me closer to His side. “Are you enjoying yourself, sweetheart?” He whispered in my ear, making me shiver.
i nodded. “Yes, Sir, but it’s all so different from the playroom,” i answered while watching Mistress Sybil and Master Otho move to the center of the room.
“you’ve been doing so well, micah. May I show you off a little bit?”
He knew i wasn’t very much into public scening, but He really wanted this.
“Yes, Sir.”
my Master stood and extended His hand, pulling me to my feet. He led me to the center of the room where He then whispered something to Mistress Sybil. She stepped away, winking at me before disappearing behind a screen.
Master Otho stepped away as well, but returned to hand Rick a cord of rope.
Taking His time, my Master placed me in a variety of positions that allowed Him to drag the rope over my skin, forming intricate knots. He bound my limbs with care, forming the knots on erotic pressure points. The roughness ignited an even more powerful response than the silk scarves He used when we were in the playroom. The feeling of the natural fiber on my skin was heavenly. All of this was new to me. i had never experienced Shibari but always wanted to. i had no idea it was an interest of Sir’s.
i tried not to cry out from both the pain and pleasure i found in the scratch and pinch of the rope. To be bound in such a way was both terrifying and freeing. my Master satisfied my curiosity about rope bondage and gave me one of the most amazing experiences i had ever encountered. Well, an amazing experience until my high was quickly crushed by the the taunting of a clit vibrator.
That fucking thing—evil but oh so pleasurable. The taunting lasted for at least thirty minutes before He finally granted me release.
We’d done so much, had come so far, but it had been almost five months and nothing. . . .
Ugh.
Not once had He ever initiated sexual intercourse.
i kept expecting it. i kept waiting for it. i wanted it, but it never happened.
i was eager to broach the topic but wasn’t exactly sure how to address it. Our contract stated that my Master and i would have sex whenever He saw fit, with the exception of the five days each month that i had my period.
Of course, i was horny even during my most unsexy time. i had nothing but dick on the brain.
Wake up, dick.
Shower, dick.
Eat breakfast, dick.
Get the picture?
my longing renewed each time His tongue would lave my cream and His fingers would penetrate my delicate flower.
Despite my Master getting off and getting me off night after night, i would go to bed unfulfilled.
Here i was, curled up under a hunk of a Man who wouldn’t fuck me. i’m an attractive woman, but i began to question if i turned Him on. It definitely did something to my self-esteem.
my negative thoughts were sometimes silenced by the way Rick would eye me as if He were a predator waiting to devour me. Those looks often tempered my anxiety.
i was patient, but if this kept up, i feared i might die from lack of penetration. While there had been no reported cases of any such thing happening, i think i was on target to becoming the first casualty.
* * *
my Master drew circles around my belly button with His finger as we lay in bed. Although we didn’t have sex, we did just have an incredibly satisfying experience.
my eyes drifted closed at the contentment that enveloped us.
“My nephews really want to meet you,” He said with His head pillowed on my breast, “so I promised everyone we’d spend the holiday at mom and dad’s.”
Since we’d been living together, it wasn’t often that Rick told me what we were doing. It was well within His rights as my Dom, but He almost always asked my opinion.
Truly, there was nothing to object to, but it would have been nice to be asked if i were ready to meet the rest of the Thomas family.
“What kind of things do they like? Should i come bearing gifts?”
my Master’s laughter vibrated the bed. “Caleb and William are seven and nine and the spawn of the devil himself.”
“Don’t say that. i bet they’re wonderful boys.”
“you haven’t met My brother. I don’t know how Steph—God bless her—puts up with Todd and his more evil mini-Todds.”
i sat up to give Him a stern look. “i can’t believe You,” i said through a laugh, swatting His shoulder.
“you know I adore those brats, sweetheart, but somebody’s gotta keep it real with them. That’s what uncle Rick is for.”
“Uncle Rick, huh?” i liked that. Sighing, i laid back down and raked my fingers through my Master’s hair and drifted to sleep.
* * *
Thanksgiving Day had arrived. If i thought the nerves i experienced during my exhibition opening were bad, this was unbelievably worse.
i stood in front of our bedroom mirror attaching a plum-colored pendant around my neck before putting the final touches on my makeup. my eyes tracked my Master in the mirror as He stepped out of the bathroom, making His way toward me.
Rick was the epitome of sleek.
A well-dressed Man was universally sexy, and my Master had sexiness down to a science. He donned a pair of navy dress pants and a crisp, white button-down shirt. In His left hand He held a medium-size black velvet box and in the other, a gray tie with hints of blue. His silver cuff links shone, completin
g the ensemble.
With a quizzical expression, i turned around to face Him. “Sir, may i ask what’s in the box?”
He ignored my question and gently set the black box on the dresser before handing me His tie. “Would you help Me with My tie, micah?”
“Of course,” i replied, biting my lip. Now i was even more curious. i tried to concentrate on making sure to form the perfect knot, but i was distracted by the presence of the velvet box.
He tried horribly to suppress a smirk; a playful Rick was always fun. He knew i was intrigued.
i finished tying the knot and smoothed out His shirt, my hands lingering on His defined pecs. “All done, Sir. It’s perfect,” i said, preparing to step away and return to my makeup.
He halted my progress, slipping His arms around my waist and pulling me closer to Him.
“you look beautiful, micah. My family is going to love you,” He whispered in my ear.
my God, i felt my pussy clench with need. It didn’t take much, but He always knew how to raise my body temperature way past ninety-eight-point-six degrees.
“Thank You, Sir. You look very handsome as well,” i countered.
He ran His tongue slowly up and down my neck, nipping at my earlobe before planting small kisses along my jawline.
my breathing hitched and my eyes rolled into the back of my head as His hands gripped me tighter around my waist.
“you’re curious about what’s in the box?” He asked, slowly kissing the pulse point on my neck.
i bit my lip to suppress a moan.
i wanted to scream. He had a habit of building up my excitement only to leave me unfulfilled. Here i was fidgeting like a cat in heat, but He remained calm, cool, and collected.
i may have been celibate for a longer amount of time, but my Master hadn’t had sex in months. Months. That’s like forty dog years for a Man with a healthy libido. He had unfettered access to my body and He never took full advantage.
i couldn’t understand it. What Man would willingly put Himself through such a torture? More importantly, why would a Man put Himself through such torture?
“We’re going to have some fun tonight. What I have in the box is for both of us, micah.”
i didn’t like His tone—not at all. There was an underlying mischief present. It was only a matter of time before the other shoe dropped.
He released me from His hold before walking over to the dresser to scoop up the velvet box. Extending the box to me, He said, “Here, open your gift.”
i looked up at Him, trying to read His facial expression, but He gave nothing away. my Master simply gave me one of His trademark smirks and folded His arms across His broad chest. The way His dress shirt stretched across His pecs induced all sorts of naughty images.
i was so close to begging to be fucked.
Before opening the box, i glanced at Him once more, hoping that His facial expression would give me some sort of clue as to what was inside.
“Go ahead,” He instructed, putting His hands in His pockets. Sexy motherfucker.
i opened the box to discover a love egg staring back at me. i looked up to see Him twirling the wireless remote around His finger.
i had no words, none. He couldn’t possibly want me to put this thing inside me and wear it to Thanksgiving dinner with His family. No way in hell. He wouldn’t be that cruel, would He?
He couldn’t be serious. . . .
Just as i was about to inquire, my Master stepped closer, His massive body practically on top of me, and somehow got closer still before detailing His plan. His voice low and smooth, His words devastating. “you’ll insert the egg before we depart. My intention is to make you cum very hard all while not disturbing our meal. Do you understand?”
i nodded.
“you know better. A verbal response, please, micah.”
“Yes, Master, whatever You desire,” i replied softly.
Shit. He never indicated that He was a Sadist of sorts. Okay, maybe calling Him a Sadist was a bit extreme, but this was fucked up.
Oh, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. Please excuse me while i cum all over your Queen Anne chair.
i take that back. Rick was a Sadist to demand this of me. For all that was dear and holy, why?
i wanted to cry. my pussy wanted to cry. we were both miserable.
i quickly closed the box and returned to the mirror to apply a bit more blush before i was instructed to insert that horrid apparatus. my back was to Him, but i could see His reflection in the mirror as He stood behind me.
“Do you like it?” He asked, watching me apply translucent powder to my cheekbones. “Somehow, I thought you’d find the color pink appealing.”
“Yes, Sir,” i lied.
Shit. i don’t know why i said yes, He’d know in an instant i didn’t mean it.
“micah,” He replied sternly, “don’t lie to Me. you know how I feel about dishonesty.”
Yep, it was really futile to feign delight. He saw through me every time. i had to to come clean. “The pink is fine, Sir. Honestly, i’m fine with the color. i’m just not thrilled with . . .”
“With what?” He asked, making His way toward me.
i whispered, “With us.”
He frowned. He had always asked that i be truthful, but i wasn’t so sure He wanted to hear this truth.
His voice wavered before becoming quieter. “What do you mean, you’re not thrilled with us?” my Master’s face ran through about a million different emotions in less than a breath before teetering between hurt and anger. “Don’t tell Me you want to back out . . .”
On some level i was glad for His strong reaction. He made me feel like that almost every day.
i didn’t want to leave Him—there was no way in the world i could walk away from Him. Things were close to perfect between us, except for that one area of contention.
“No, i’m not backing out, Sir. i really don’t . . . i-i’m a bit confused and need some clarity.”
Rick raised an eyebrow and crossed His arms over His chest. “Clarity about what, exactly?”
i had His attention, so i needed to woman up and tell my Master what was troubling me.
“Well, i had been wondering why You haven’t initiated anything beyond oral sex with me. We’ve been together for some time now, and neither of us have had other partners since we began our relationship.” my heart pounded against my rib cage, pushing me to say more. “You wanted monogamy and exclusivity. You have both. i have a clean bill of health. i’m on the Pill. i’ve moved in here.” i counted off all of His requirements on my fingers, never taking my eyes off His.
Something flickered there. Doubt? Remorse?
i shouldn’t have said that. . . .
He blinked, and whatever insecurities Rick had shown vanished. my Master pressed His lips together and nodded for me to continue.
i swallowed and lowered my gaze. “You’re well aware of everything i’ve said, Sir. They were all things we agreed upon in our contract. So forgive me, but i just don’t understand. Have i done something to displease You?” i wrapped my arms around myself, feeling small and stupid for putting so much stock in a sex act, but damnit, i wanted Him. i had uprooted my life because i trusted Him and the connection i believed we shared.
He demanded honesty. Well, i deserved some too.
“i’ve been a really good, patient girl. i was under the impression that one of the reasons i’d be moving in with You was to ramp up our intimacy level, but You never touch me . . . like that.” Looking up, i met His penetrating stare. The blue of His irises flickered again, this time the softness lingered.
He sighed loudly before approaching me and gently cupping my face in His hands. “micah, trust Me when I say that I find you attractive in every way. you are physically and intellectually stunning. you keep Me on My toes. you’re confident, you’re sensitive, you’re attentive, you’re driven, you’re independent. you’re the bright spot in My life, pretty girl. I’m very content with you. Act
ually, I’m more than content with you.”
His words and His actions were contradictory. We lived together. We shared a bed every night. If i was everything He said i was to Him, then why didn’t my Master want to increase our level of intimacy?
“If i’m all the things You say i am, then why haven’t we made love, Sir?” i asked.
He owed me the truth, even if it hurt. i wanted to hear it. i deserved to hear it.
He paused briefly as if He were carefully selecting His words. “Please, micah. I just need time. I know it’s selfish for Me to ask that of you, but I need you to trust Me on this.”
He needed time?
i sacrificed. i was fully invested in making this dynamic work. i signed a contract and freely gave myself to Him. i agreed to uproot my life and move in with Him to see if what we had was sustainable for the long run.
i was looking for forever.
He occupied my mind and my spirit.
On numerous occasions, when we would lay together, i poured my soul out to Him regarding my dreams and my desires. i loved Him. i was in love with Him. So what if i hadn’t told Him yet? i knew what i felt.
But He needed time. Time? What the fuck could He possibly need more time for?
my hands began to shake as He caressed my face. i was livid. i didn’t give a fuck about repercussions. i no longer cared about knowing my place. Decorum went out the fucking window.
There had to be a reason He was stalling.
i blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Are You still in love with samantha? Is that what’s keeping You from having sex with me? Do You still have feelings for her?”
i was silently praying He’d say no.
If He admitted He was still in love with samantha, i think my heart would shatter. i had invested so much in this relationship and was on a path to regret.
The Sweetest Taboo: An Unconventional Romance Page 13
