by Lexi Blake
She flushed, embarrassment flooding her. “I’m klutzy.”
“But capable of learning, Piper. Now remove your clothing and present yourself to me.”
Her shaking fingers went to the buttons on her blouse. He watched her every move with dark eyes that missed nothing. She was caught between apprehension and anticipation as she carefully folded the blouse, then pushed the skirt to her hips.
“Slowly. This is a show for your Master. It is a delicious reveal of what you’re offering me, and I can either accept or reject it.”
It. He was talking about her body. He was talking about her heart.
She slowed, her hands skimming down her body as pushed the light skirt past her hips. The minute he forced her to slow her movements, she became aware of what she really was doing—and her effect on him. This was a dance for her Master. Maybe she didn’t have to be good at it yet. She only had to show him all she offered.
She turned to him, letting him see her body. It wasn’t something to hide. Her body was his. It didn’t matter what he felt now. Maybe he was only looking for sex. Piper suddenly realized that she couldn’t control Tal’s heart. She could only do this, offer him everything she had. She loved him. She admitted to herself that she’d probably loved him even when he was just a name on a computer screen. Those months of computer exchanges had bonded her to him. Deep inside him, that man existed, and she couldn’t let him go without a fight. But the only heart she controlled was her own.
Tears pricked her eyes. Deep inside her soul, she could hear Rafe and Kade whispering to her as they did when they had made love. They’d promised her they loved her. They told her she was lovely. Her heart was a worthwhile gift, and Tal was a worthwhile man. The whole sheikh thing, she’d decided, wasn’t everything it was cracked up to be. She’d watched as Talib gave and gave to the people around him while they just asked for more. He might have everything money could buy…except life’s treasures that were free but priceless, like moments of pure respite with a woman who would give all to him whenever he wished.
She folded her skirt, grateful for once that she was wearing the frilly underwear Rafe had bought for her. The white lace clung to her curves, and she could practically feel Tal’s eyes rake her as she bent over. She slipped off her sandals and added them to the neat pile.
“Next time you will wear heels. I know my brother bought you some. He has perfect taste. He knows what will look good on you when you wear nothing but the shoes.” Tal’s voice had gone deep. “Your answer is always, ‘yes, Sir.’”
“Yes, Sir.” She couldn’t help but see that he’d relaxed. He might not even realize it, but his shoulders had softened and his eyes were filled with that languid darkness she now associated with Tal and pleasure.
“Finish the job I gave you.” He leaned against one of the dark columns that dominated the room, just waiting for her to take off the rest of her clothes. “Show me.”
The bra had a front clasp. She was grateful for that. Rafe had made it very easy for her to unsnap it, but she let her hand trail down first, breathing softly, allowing his eyes take it all in. She cupped her breasts, thinking about the way Kade would palm her, rubbing his thumb over her nipple, getting it hard and ripe for his mouth. She let the pads of her fingers gently skim her nipples before finding the clasp. The lacy bra came undone and her breasts bounced free.
She’d always thought she was a little too chunky, but she felt different with Talib’s eyes on her.
“The underwear now. Your pussy belongs to me. I don’t like you hiding it. I know my brothers have a thing for silky lingerie, but when you’re with me, you will not wear it. That pussy will be bare, ready for my use whenever I wish it. I will be able to raise your skirts and fuck you anytime, anywhere. Do you understand me?”
She knew the answer he expected. “Yes, Sir.”
Hooking her fingers under the waistband of her undies, she slid them down.
She placed them on the pile and stood, waiting for his approval.
Tal stared for a moment, then he straightened, closing the space between them. “You seem to have picked up a few tricks, Pandora. You’re not as charmingly graceless as you seemed just days before.” He stopped mere inches from her. “Turn around. Place your hands on the seat of the spanking bench. I want your ass high in the air. Arch your back.”
She did as he asked, leaning over and trying to find a good position.
“Spread your legs wider. Never try to keep me out.”
He was behind her, his feet between her legs, forcing them farther apart. Her legs were spread wide, leaving her pussy on full display. She could feel cool air on her hot flesh. Tal’s hand traced the line of her spine.
“This is how you present yourself to me. When I ask you to greet me, you sink into your slave pose. When you present yourself to me, you will find the nearest flat surface and take this position.”
Piper closed her eyes. She knew what she must look like to him. Wanton. Ready. Her pussy was begging to be filled with cock. His.
“Are you wet for me, concubine?” His hand was close. He was right at the base of her spine. Any minute he would find the valley of her ass and his fingers would go past it, straight to her pussy. She wanted more there than just a few fingers, but she was aching. She would take anything.
A loud smack cracked through the room and the skin of her backside exploded with a sweet heat. She couldn’t help but gasp at the sensation of his hand spanking her ass.
“Answer me.”
“Yes, Sir.” Days ago she would have been too embarrassed, but now she understood. There was no place for shame in a loving relationship. Her pussy was sopping, desperate for his touch. She could admit everything to him. “I’m so wet.”
Another smack, this one to the other cheek, spreading out the erotic pain. “Don’t ever lie to me in this room. This is my room. No one but the two of us exists in this room. I might share you with my brothers everywhere else, but here you belong only to me. Now get on your knees. Greet me. Show me what you’ve learned.”
She pushed herself off the bench and turned. Every nerve ending under her skin was alive. She sank to her knees, the cold marble hitting her flesh. She remembered what she’d seen and spread her legs wide. There were several variations of the slave pose. Tal had asked her to place her hands behind her back, thrusting her breasts out. Threading her fingers together, she spread her knees wide so her pussy was on display.
Tal stood before her. She stared at his ridiculously expensive shoes. She could feel the heat of his body, but for a moment, he didn’t move. Then his hand cupped her head, fingers sinking in. “I want to feel your mouth, concubine. Take me deep. Swallow me down.”
His hands went to the fly of his trousers, working rapidly to unleash his cock. He pushed them down, the slacks hitting the floor. He wasn’t wearing briefs. His cock bobbed, the large plum-shaped head pointing toward her.
She didn’t bother to bring her hands to him. She was pretty sure that would get her spanked, and she wanted to taste Talib. His hands pulled her head forward.
“I will to teach you how to suck my cock. Lick the head. Run your tongue all over it.” He took his cock in hand and pointed it toward her. It teased her lips, his salty masculine flavor hinting at what was to come.
She peeked her tongue out, licking at the tiny slit. A pearl of fluid pooled there. Lapping it up, she swallowed, glorying in the deep groan that erupted from his chest. She’d done that to him. Before he’d been angry, every muscle in his body a study in tension. Now he was tense, but for another reason altogether, and she was pretty sure he wasn’t thinking about business or his kingdom. He was focused on her.
Primal instinct took over, leading her to suck the entire head of his cock into her mouth. Even that bit filled her.
“Yes. Good. You’ll have to practice.” He moved his hips. Little thrusts that gained ground with each twist. “Your sweet mouth is very small, but before long you’ll take every inch of my cock. Oh, my concub
ine, I’m going to fill every fucking hole you have. Your mouth, your pussy, your ass. In this room, they are all mine. When you enter this space, you’re my slave. Take more.”
He pressed in, forcing her jaw open. Her lips curled around the thick stalk. Her tongue played around the ridge where the head gave way to his long shaft. Smooth. The skin covering his cock was like warm velvet, her tongue moving over the rock-hard flesh underneath. She was lost in the sensation, smooth against hard, submission yielding to dominance. It was a sexy little game Tal liked to play. She was the one on her knees, following his commands, but she’d never felt more in control. This was her choice, to give him exactly what he needed.
He pulled out of her mouth abruptly. “I don’t wish to come yet. That hot mouth of yours won’t win this time. Stay in position. You want to be my slave, you’ll have to dress the part.”
His feet echoed across the marble floors as he kicked off his pants and shoes, discarded his shirt and made for the jewelry case she’d been looking at before. Piper turned, watching his muscled backside. He hadn’t bothered folding his own clothes, tossing them aside while hers were neatly arranged. He moved briskly, opening drawers and pulling out items.
Abruptly, he turned, meeting her curious gaze with a censuring stare. A frown crossed his face. “I told you not to move.”
Yikes. She’d wanted to watch him. She’d been mesmerized by the way he moved, and she’d forgotten he’d given her a very direct order. A flush of embarrassment went through her and she turned back around, taking up her previous position, eyes on the floor.
“It won’t work. Present yourself for punishment.” His voice was a low growl that managed to both scare her and arouse her.
She got to her feet, her muscles shaking. He was right. She would have to practice. After only a few minutes in slave pose, she was sore and a bit stiff. She was almost relieved to move back to the spanking bench. Leaning over, she made sure her backside was high in the air, her legs spread wide. This was what Tal wanted, and she was surprised to find herself sinking into the role. He needed this to take him away from the stresses of his life, but she was finding respite, too. Suddenly she wasn’t worried about what might happen tomorrow or the day after. She simply felt, allowing herself to drift whichever way Talib took her.
“Do you know what happens to bad slaves?” Tal asked, his hand on her cheek, cupping her softly.
“They get punished.”
“No. They get tortured.” His hand landed on her ass, but she was ready for it. She knew it would hurt at first before the pain sank in and throbbed its way to pleasure. She gripped the plush leather of the bench under her as Tal slapped her ass. Once, twice, three times he spanked, moving his hand all over her flesh, spreading out the pain and heat. Again and again until he’d reached twenty and tears pricked her eyes.
“Stay in position, Piper. What do you say to me now? Do you want to leave? Do you want to run to my brothers and their tender care? They will cosset you, treat you with the gentlest of touches while I will always want this. What do you say now?”
This was her test. He’d pushed her, thinking she would break, would run right back to Rafe and Kade, and then he would have exactly what he wanted. She wasn’t stupid. He wanted her in a nice safe box where he could have sex with her, but he never had to really give anything of himself. She had no doubt he would come to her bed, but without this core piece of his soul, anything between them would be a simple, friendly exchange. Piper wanted—needed—more.
Rafe and Kade gave her acceptance and affection, taught her things about herself, about love and sex and intimacy. They were tender yet manly in their own ways. But she was rapidly discovering she wanted the sheer dominance only Talib could provide.
“I love you, Talib al Mussad. In this room, I belong only to you, my sheikh, my Master.”
* * * *
Tal had to take a step back. He was damn glad she was obeying him because he couldn’t look into her eyes.
I love you.
She wasn’t fucking supposed to love him. His heart raced. He knew that was wrong. He’d always known she would believe that she felt the emotion. Women needed such sentiments, but it was supposed to be an easy thing. I love you was something she was supposed to say because it was what a husband and wife said to one another over breakfast before going their separate ways.
But Piper meant it, and those words seared straight through his soul.
She held her position. It wasn’t perfect. She hadn’t spent hours training to make exceptional lines of her body. Unlike his other submissives, she hadn’t been selected for her grace. So why did this woman move him in ways the others could not? Why did his heart ache the minute she walked in a room? Why did he get hard at the mere thought of her?
She stayed in place, though he could see her beginning to panic. She wasn’t in a mental place where she could be serene yet. He hadn’t gotten her there, hadn’t truly earned the trust it would take. His silence was making her nervous. He could tell by the way her skin flushed. Her gorgeous ass was red from the spanking, but the rest of her fair flesh bore the mark of her fear. She’d said she loved him, and he was silent.
And brave because she didn’t move a muscle, simply waited for him.
Tal didn’t feel brave. His stomach tightened in knots. He couldn’t love her. And he couldn’t let her go. He knew he should walk away. He should order her to put her clothes back on, then show her the door. By this time tomorrow, he could have the whole dungeon dismantled and he would never rebuild it. He could shove this need down so deep it would never surface again.
But his feet didn’t move for the door. They stayed in place as though his cock and his damn stupid heart had taken over, and his brain no longer functioned. To his horror, his hand moved right back to the globes of her ass, caressing them lovingly. He adored the pink sheen to her skin. “You are mine. Here and now, no one exists but you and me.”
Not his brothers. Not that fuck Khalil. Bezakistan didn’t exist. No countries or people. No responsibility beyond her. He was just a man here. He wasn’t a sheikh. He was simply her Master.
And he had some discipline to deliver. And a sweet little slave to fuck to his heart’s content.
Piper relaxed. He hadn’t said the words he knew she longed to hear, but she seemed satisfied that he hadn’t run. Her spine was still straight, but the total rigor was gone. Her head released, dropping down as though simply waiting for his next command.
Tal caressed a hand down her spine, trailing along, tracing the marks he’d made. Perfectly pink, the imprint of his hand would be there for hours, if not days. He would see them and remember this private time with her even as he watched his brothers fuck her. A piece of him would still be with her.
“Stay in position, concubine. It’s time to start your preparation. This isn’t for discipline, though at times I might use it as such.” He reached for the lube, parting her cheeks and getting his first real look at the beauty of her asshole.
She shivered a little, the sight going straight to his cock. He wasn’t a pure sadist, but the fact that she was on the edge, apprehensive about what he would do to her, aroused him unbearably. One day he would delight in blindfolding her and leaving her on edge for hours, completely uncertain of what would happen next. Pleasure or pain? All roads would lead to ecstasy, but part of the journey would be in the suspense.
But for now, he had to prepare her for his cock. A slow shiver cascaded across her skin as he dribbled the lubricant between her cheeks.
“Tal,” her voice was a breathy whisper. She knew what was going to happen now, and she seemed to want to protest.
Three sharp smacks to her ass silenced her. “Quiet. You will take the plug now or you’ll get acquainted with the flogger and then take the plug.” He fully intended to fuck her ass eventually. There would be no way around it for her, but he intended to make her love it as much as he would. Careful preparation was the key. “You took the small plug. Why are you so scared?”
“Because I saw that plug when I was looking at the clamps. It’s not small, Sir. It’s very big.”
He chuckled a little as he lubed up the plug. “It’s not as big as me, my darling girl. Not even close, and by the time we’re done, you’ll take me just fine.”
His cock pulsed as though the fucking thing was jealous of the plug. Tal placed the plug against the rosette of her ass, just the tip. She clenched down.
Another smack. He wasn’t going to be kept out. “Stop it, Piper. If you want to cease the play, you have only to say so, but my brothers and I won’t take turns forever. We want to take you all at once. All three of your husbands fucking your every hole because you belong to us. If you keep clenching that little asshole to keep me out, I will introduce you to ginger oil and I doubt you will like the way it burns. But you will finally learn that this is mine and I want in.”
Her head came up and she turned just a little, a fierce frown on her face. “You know we use ginger to cook in Texas. Y’all should try it sometime.”
He loved her sass. Still, he smacked her cheek again, a low moan coming from her chest. “You would be surprised what else they do in Texas. I know quite a few people there who would shock you.”
He pressed the plug in, satisfied when she breathed out and tried to accept it. Her back arched, and a deep shudder went through her body. She pushed back. Tal fucked the plug into her ass, gaining ground with each small foray. He gave himself completely to the task, the world narrowing to just her. Nothing mattered except preparing his concubine. Over and over, he circled the tight flesh with the plug until finally it sank deep, easing the way for his cock.
He leaned over, placing kisses along her spine. When he was finally balls deep inside her most forbidden place, would he feel like he’d come home?
Tal stood, brushing aside the thoughts that plagued him. He had other things to do. “Stand up. Arms behind your back. Feet spread wide.”
