by Anthology
Wrong. This was all wrong.
Gwen pulled away, suddenly uncomfortable with what she was doing. Connor wasn’t right for her, and it wasn’t fair to lead him on. She needed to be dominated; she would never be able to enjoy sex otherwise. Even though a part of her mind was screaming at her to go for it, that Connor was the safe option, her inner submissive wasn’t listening.
She had to force herself to meet Connor’s eyes. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Connor’s brow furrowed. “Why?” he asked softly. “What’s wrong, Gwen?”
I can’t be with you because I’m into being tied up and spanked. I can’t be with you because I want someone else.
No. She refused to go down that road. Connor was sweet, and he clearly cared for her. And she couldn’t bear that she had let her bubbly façade drop in front of him. She would ruin everything if she let him see more, if he saw her vulnerable side. And if she revealed who she truly was, surely he would turn and run, ruining her only chance at being with someone safe.
Before she could second-guess herself, she wrapped her hand around the back of Connor’s neck and pulled him toward her for a fierce kiss. She delved her tongue into his mouth, and he moaned into her as he struggled to match her intensity. Focusing on the heat the alcohol had awoken at her core, she told herself that this was enough. Connor was what she needed.
* * *
Damien’s cock stirred when Gwen’s eyes flitted to his and then dropped quickly. Even her glance from across the bar affected him. She’d been evading him for weeks now, ever since he’d come to Dark Grove Plantation for the first time. He’d recently moved to Charleston from Savannah when the bank he worked for had taken over a smaller one, and he had been put in charge of the newly acquired branch. He’d been chosen for the position because his dominant nature meant that he was adept at making people do what he wanted; most people instinctively deferred to him.
But not Gwen.
Her denial of his advances only made his desire for her all the stronger. He’d been attracted to the little curly-haired sub since he had first laid eyes on her, but she’d quickly shot him down. It was clear to him that she was a submissive, but what he didn’t understand was why she seemed so determined to deny her desires. The initial sting of her rejection had been allayed when he discovered that she never played with any of the Dominants at Dark Grove.
After their brief encounter the previous weekend, Damien had concluded that she must belong to a Dom who didn’t come to the club. But the way she had reacted to him, the way she had dropped her eyes submissively, just for a moment, had let him know that he affected her as strongly as she did him. There was a connection there that couldn’t be denied, and Damien was determined to discover the sub’s secrets, the reason that she rebuffed his advances.
Spotting Gwen’s friend across the bar, he sauntered toward her.
“Hello, Ella,” he greeted the dark-haired, lithe switch.
She smiled at him genially, acknowledging him with a slight nod of her head. “Damien.”
Damien wasn’t one for small talk, not when he wanted something. He found that a direct approach most often got him what he wanted. “I wanted to ask you about Gwen,” he announced without preamble.
Ella squared her shoulders, seeming to grow a few inches taller. She raised an imperious eyebrow at him, the Domme in her rising to challenge him. “Oh?” she said simply. She was clearly protective of her friend. Damien might have admired her for it, if it wasn’t getting in his way.
“Yes,” he plowed on. “Does she have a Dom?”
Ella pursed her lips for a moment, as though debating whether to tell him or not. “No,” she said finally.
So, Gwen was single, submissive, and she clearly desired him. What was the problem?
“Then why doesn’t she play with anyone?” he persisted.
Ella glared at him. “Have you considered the possibility that she just doesn’t want to play with you?” she asked pointedly.
Damien scowled down at her and folded his arms across his chest forbiddingly. But the switch was unfazed by his show of dominance. “She never plays with anyone,” he reiterated. “Why?”
“Maybe she’s more concerned with doing her job than fooling around,” Ella snapped, planting her hands on her hips.
Damien’s fists clenched. God, this woman was maddening. “I don’t—”
“Or maybe,” she interrupted him, “it’s none of your business.”
They glared at one another for a moment, neither of them giving in. Usually Damien liked Ella, but right now she was irritating the hell out of him.
“Damien,” Brandon’s voice was hard, cutting through the tension between them. His arm snaked around his sub’s waist, pulling her toward him possessively. “How are you?” His words were polite, but his tone said that Damien had better back off if he knew what was good for him.
“Fine, thanks,” Damien replied tersely, knowing that he wouldn’t get anything more out of Ella. “I was just going to the bar. Excuse me.” Brandon nodded at him, letting him know that things were okay between them before he turned away. Ella was still standing stiffly in his arms, giving Damien a disapproving stare.
Gwen spotted him as he approached the bar. She quickly whispered something to her co-worker Gerald and then disappeared into the back room. Damien bit back a curse, but he continued on his course nonetheless. He would look foolish if he turned away now. So he ordered his whiskey and waited for Gwen to come back out; he was determined to talk to her tonight. But she never emerged. Instead, Gerald manned the bar by himself, occasionally taking a tray of dirty glasses into the back.
He ground his teeth. The woman would rather wash dishes all night than face him?
He realized that he must affect her. Why else would she hide? It wasn’t because she didn’t want him. What had happened to the little sub to make her so skittish?
He was determined to find out. It only took a few minutes of hushed conversation with Gerald until his plan was in place. Satisfied with the bartender’s cooperation, he retreated from the bar, deciding to kill time in the public dungeon until the club closed. Then he could confront Gwen.
As he left the bar, he saw the brunette sub he’d played with the previous weekend approaching him, but he pretended not to notice her. He’d thought that if Gwen saw him with another woman she would be jealous, and would be driven to confess her desire for him. But that plan had failed, and although the brunette was undeniably gorgeous, she just didn’t have the same effect on him that Gwen did. It wouldn’t be fair to the sub to lead her on.
Damien wasn’t interested in playing with anyone tonight, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy the spectacle in the playroom. A curvy, flame-haired submissive was suspended from the ceiling by her wrists, and the chains that held her clanked together as she writhed in her Dom’s arms. He was holding her hips firmly as he drove into her roughly from behind. Her cry of pleasure was strangled, tinged with pain as Ella tortured her tight nipples, biting and pinching them. Brandon urged his sub on, the cane he wielded leaving pretty red stripes across her ass.
The scene was undeniably hot, and Damien couldn’t help imagining Gwen hanging from those chains as he fucked her. Just the thought made his dick throb. He raked a hand through his hair and tried to master his arousal. He needed to be in complete control if he was going to pursue Gwen. She would yield to him. At the very least, she would yield enough tell him why she kept running away. And if everything went according to his desires, she would yield her body as well.
* * *
“I’ve got it, Gerald. You did enough work for both of us tonight. I’ll clear up,” Gwen promised. It really hadn’t been fair of her to abandon Gerald for the night, but she just couldn’t face Damien. After her disappointing kiss with Connor, she realized that she wanted Damien too badly, and she didn’t trust herself to conceal her needs from him. Just the sound of his rumbling voice would surely melt her, and his touch would definitely break he
r. She couldn’t handle the vulnerable position she would be putting herself in, couldn’t handle setting herself up for the inevitable pain he would cause her.
“It really wasn’t a problem, Gwen,” Gerald assured her, breaking her out of her reverie. “But I do expect you to tell me what’s going on with you if you want me to cover for you again.” He folded his arms across his chest, his stance challenging her to refuse.
“I’m just tired,” she gave her lame excuse.
Gerald’s eyes narrowed. “Bullshit.”
She looked at him apologetically. “I can’t…” She hesitated, unwilling to admit her secret. “I just can’t. I’m sorry.”
His steely gaze softened, he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “All right,” he said gently. “I won’t pry. But I’m here if you need to talk.”
She gave him a weak smile, trying to summon up her usual cheeriness. “Thanks,” she said. “Now get out of here. I promise I can handle cleanup on my own.”
Gerald regarded her for a moment. “Okay,” he capitulated, recognizing that she wanted to be alone. He really was a good friend.
“Cool,” she grinned with false brightness. “See you tomorrow.”
He looked at her sadly, a trace of pity in his eyes. Gwen shifted uncomfortably. She was an emotional wreck, and it was clearly leaking through her positive façade. She resolved to do better. So she kept her smile plastered on until he finally turned away from her with a sigh.
When he left the bar, Gwen let out a long breath, trying to loosen the tightness in her chest. She really was tired, exhausted from the effort of holding it together.
She set about her tasks, stacking the stools on top of the bar so that she could sweep up.
“Hello, Gwen.”
She yelped in surprise, and the barstool she was holding clattered loudly to the floor.
No. Surely this wasn’t happening. He couldn’t be here. Taking a deep breath, she turned slowly. Her stomach dropped. Sure enough, there he was, striding across the bar, exuding that dominant aura that so disconcerted her. His masculine scent infused the air around her, tangling her thoughts.
“What…” she began shakily. “What are you doing here, Damien? We’re closed.”
“Gerald told me it’s okay for me to stay late and talk to you,” he countered smoothly.
He entered her personal space, and she tried to back away from him. But her lower back hit the bar behind her, blocking her escape. His strong arms were braced on the polished wood on either side of her, hemming her in. She swallowed hard as she looked up into his black eyes, his expression unreadable.
“You can’t run this time,” he said softly. “I know you want me, Gwen. You can sense this connection between us. Why are you denying it?”
Gwen didn’t respond. Her heart leapt into her throat, choking off her words. She didn’t have any to give him, anyway. She couldn’t do this, couldn’t let him in. If she did, he would surely rip another hole in her ravaged heart.
“Answer me,” he half-growled, his tone threatening. He seemed to grow impossibly taller, towering over her.
She quivered under his hard gaze, trembling in fear. Or was it a pleasurable shiver? She couldn’t deny his effect on her, the way his demanding nature threated to overwhelm her, to break her. And a part of her wanted that, wanted the release from the constant strain of concealing her needs. But she managed to shake her head weakly, refusing to open up to him and make herself vulnerable.
He leaned into her slowly, until his lips were at her ear. “You will yield to me, Gwen. I won’t allow you to run from me any longer. I know what you desire, even if you won’t admit it to yourself. You want to submit to me.”
Despite herself, Gwen couldn’t stifle a small groan at his words. Her panties were wet, her sex pulsing.
“I’m going to give you one chance, Gwen,” he continued softly. “I won’t take you if you’re not willing. If you truly don’t want this, tell me now. Otherwise, there’s no going back.”
Oh, god. He was going to fuck her. Right here. What would he do to her? Did she want that?
More than anything. Surely it couldn’t hurt to give in just this once…?
She pursed her lips, resolving not to refuse him, although part of her brain was screaming at her that this was a mistake. She ignored it; her primal needs overcoming her fear.
Damien waited for the space of a few heartbeats. “Good girl,” he said, his voice smug and triumphant.
His hot mouth came down on hers, his tongue probing her lips, demanding that she open for him. She gave in; all of the tension leaving her body as her long-harbored desires were finally realized. He fucked her mouth, his tongue hard against hers. She moaned and arched up into him, rising onto her tiptoes to meet him.
Abruptly, he tore away from her. His hands grasped her shoulders, spinning her around so she was facing the bar. His fist tangled in her hair, tugging her head back. His other hand closed around her throat, applying just enough pressure to restrict her airflow without completely cutting off her breathing. Holding her firmly in place, he sharply bit down on the sensitive skin where her neck met her shoulder.
Gwen cried out at the delicious sensations that his possessive bite awoke within her. Her skin pebbled and her nipples hardened as a line of pleasure shot straight from her tender neck to her heated core. He held her there for long moments until she began to feel light-headed from his grip on her throat. Adrenaline began pumping through her veins as her body instinctively urged her to fight. But she didn’t resist him. Instead, she reveled in the high. Her pussy pulsed, her clit throbbing in need.
He released her, leaving her gasping for breath as oxygen returned to her brain. It only sent her spiraling even higher, and her eyes rolled back in her head as she groaned in pleasure.
But Damien didn’t give her a moment to catch her breath. He gripped her hips, his fingers curling into her soft flesh. He lifted her up easily, arranging her body over the bar. His hand pressed between her shoulder blades, pushing her down against the unyielding wood beneath her. Her feet left the floor, leaving her legs dangling. Cool air hit her ass as he pulled up her skirt, and she shivered in anticipation.
She didn’t have to wait long. She had a moment to hear him unbuckling his belt and tearing open a condom wrapper before he entered her roughly, driving in to the hilt. She gave a sharp cry as he stretched her, filled her. He didn’t give her time to adjust. Instead, he pulled out almost fully, until only the head of his cock was inside her, before driving back into her. He began to take her hard and fast, keeping her pinned in place with his strong hand on her back. She tried to rock her hips into him to meet his rapid thrusts.
The resounding crack of his hand on coming down on her ass penetrated her ears just before stinging pain bloomed on her sensitive skin.
“Stay still,” he commanded, his voice ragged. “I’m in control of this fuck.” He spanked her again, reinforcing his dominance of her body. She stilled and whimpered beneath him, the pain only magnifying her pleasure as her inner walls contracted around him in reaction to his words.
He continued to fuck her hard, claiming her. Gwen cried out as he hit her g-spot. Her legs began to quiver as pleasure mounted within her.
“Come for me, sub,” Damien ordered. His hand came down on her once more, the pain driving her over the edge.
Ecstasy crashed down on her as she came, her orgasm washing through her entire body. She writhed under Damien’s hand, but the pressure on her back and his hard cock in her pussy held her firmly in place. Little aftershocks sparked through her as he continued to fuck her.
The contractions of her sex sent him over the edge, and he grunted as he came. She groaned and went limp under him, completely sated. She could hear him breathing hard as he slowly pulled out of her and cleaned up.
His hands closed around her waist, turning her over before pulling her up into him. He grasped her nape and held her in place as he lowered his mouth onto her, kissing her softly, languoro
usly. He took his time, his lips lingering on hers as he reinforced his control of her body. She shuddered in his arms, reveling in the heady sensation that only came with giving up complete control to a Dominant.
Even when he finally released her mouth, he maintained his grip on her waist, steadying her. Gwen was grateful for it; she didn’t think she could stand on her own just yet. She was still light-headed from the high of her orgasm, and her legs trembled. She gazed up into his dark eyes. They danced as he smiled down at her. Gwen returned his smile, grinning widely. It was the first time in a long time that her happiness felt genuine.
“There,” he said, lifting a hand to stroke her hair back from her face. “That wasn’t so terrible, was it?”
No, it hadn’t been. In fact, it had been the best sex of her life.
But her smile faded, her heart suddenly constricting as she realized what she had done. Yes, it had been the best sex of her life, and now she would never have it again. She’d told herself that this would be the only time she would give in to Damien, but how could anyone ever measure up to what she had just experienced with him? Especially if she kept her promise to herself and was only with vanilla guys for the rest of her life?
Her chest tightened painfully as the realization came crashing down on her. Finding her footing, she pulled away from Damien.
“I…” She swallowed back the lump in her throat. “I have to go.”
Damien frowned down at her, reaching for her. “Gwen—”
She jerked back out of his reach, flinching away from him. “I’m leaving now, Damien.” She tried to make her voice hard, but the words came out tremulously.
His hand dropped to his side, and the lines around his eyes tightened. He considered her for long moments. “Okay,” he said finally, but his tone was tight with anger. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
“You don’t have to—”
“Don’t contradict me, Gwen,” he snapped. “It’s late. You’re alone. I’m walking you to your car, and that’s final.”
