Devil's Dance

by Scarlett Sanderson

"Do not touch the blindfold, Tessa.” His tone was different, more authoritarian. It sent shivers down her spine. “Concentrate on your other senses. Trust them. Smell. Hearing. Touch. People often rely on sight too much. Trust in me."

  "It feels strange.” Her fingers itched to finger the silk, but she resisted. A large part of her wanted to touch just to see how he would react. Was Luc strict? Would he punish her? Was that something he was into? This voyage of discovery into the unknown was both thrilling and exciting.

  "The strangeness comes from giving up some measure of control to me.” He tied the blindfold securely behind her head. As he did so, her nose bumped against his chest. His solid, muscular chest. “You have no idea what I'm going to do. You're at my mercy."

  Tessa caught a hint of amusement in his last statement. She gave him a wry smile, rolling her eyes behind the blindfold. “Well, as long as you don't start bearing my breasts to the world."

  "I think we'll leave that till you get to know me a little better."

  Of course she'd been joking. A niggling feeling in the back of her mind told her he wasn't. “So what—"

  "Stop talking, Tessa.” Again the domineering voice was back. “Listen to the sounds around you. Inhale the scents. Concentrate on me. On us."

  She did exactly as he asked, losing herself in the spicy scents wafting from the kitchen, the quiet chatter of the other patrons. She flinched from surprise when he ran a fingertip down her cheek.

  "Relax. Enjoy."

  She resisted the urge to moan as his finger trailed down her cheek. Lower. Lower. Tracing her jaw line, lower still, running a soft path down the V in her shirt. It was a crowded restaurant; people would stare. Maybe they already were.

  His lips followed the same path as his fingertips, and her thought process went array. Soft and skilled they trailed across her skin, leaving a blaze behind. His touch seared her, ignited the flame of desire to epic proportions. Not even in her wildest fantasies—and there had been some pretty wild ones—had she imagined it would be like this.

  Her nerve endings tingled. When his lips reached the tender patch of skin between her neck and jawbone, Tessa whimpered. She felt him smile, and she murmured a curse. His teeth nipped, gently at first, then firmer. Hard enough to leave a mark? A brand? His brand?

  His tongue soothed the spot, and all thought stopped. Her body reacted on animal instinct. Her nipples beaded against the cups of her bra. Her clit throbbed, begging to be touched. Emotion took over. She gripped the table to keep from sliding to the floor. She'd become boneless, a mass of tingling nerves and throbbing desire.

  She had to touch him, know if he was affected. Slipping a hand between their bodies, Tessa took her fingers on a voyage of discovery across uncharted territory. The material of his pants was rough against the palm of her hand. She squeezed, unable to resist, and felt the muscle as hard as steel. She wondered if the rest of him was as taut, as hard. Shivering at the thought, Tessa moved her hand up his thigh, slid it slowly across his groin.

  He groaned against her throat, and she felt it all the way to her toes. Finally, after an age, Tessa curled her fingers around the treasure she'd been seeking. His hard cock strained against the zipper of his pants. She cupped him and began sliding her palm up and down, up and down, adding more pressure with each stroke. Wetness on the thin material, a sure sign of his heightened state of arousal, dampened her fingers. The fact that Luc wasn't wearing underwear made her smile. Beneath his prissy, conservative suit he was naked as a jay bird.

  She gave a throaty laugh. “Commando."

  Gripping her wrist, Luc removed her hand and placed her palm on the table. “Commando, yes. But you must not touch me without permission. Is that understood?” His lips moved to her ear, his tongue rimmed the outer shell. “Tessa?"

  Moisture slithered between her thighs, and Tessa thanked God she wore pantyhose. Never had she been so wet, so turned on by kisses and a few heated words. By the touch, feel, scent of Luc. By her dominant.

  He turned away to murmur a request to the waiter, and she missed his heat. This guy was prepossessing, sex personified. What better way to awaken her sexuality than the sexually magnetic Luc Campbell?

  Still, the doubts crept in. Fear of losing herself, of losing control, were rife. What had Luc said earlier, to submit was a gift? Could she give that gift to Luc? Could she ever be proud to submit?

  "You've been good so far.” Luc stroked her hair. “A very willing student."

  A warm hand slipped under the hem of her skirt, caressed the inside of her knee and inched higher.

  "Are you ready for the next stage?"

  She was ready. More than ready. She was locked, loaded and ready to fire on all pistons.

  Despite her readiness, she gave a nervous laugh. “Unless it's full on, down and dirty intercourse right here on the table, I think I'm ready."

  "Open your mouth. Part your lips slightly."

  She did as he commanded. The tone of his voice wasn't a request. The taste of champagne and strawberries burst across her taste buds, tangy and sweet at the same time. The heady mixture tantalized her senses. The gesture was so simple, so erotic, it pushed her body into sensory overload.

  She nibbled on the forbidden fruit while he cooed at her, called her a good girl. She was dependent on him. She had to trust in him. Bizarrely, she trusted him implicitly.

  Swallowing the fruit, she grinned, waiting expectantly for his approval. See, she could be a good submissive.

  "Very good, Tessa. You learn quickly.” He nuzzled her neck again, kissed her collarbone, nipped at her earlobe.

  A flush of pride added to the flush of desire. His praise made her want to dance on the tables. She wondered if her clients felt this way when they finally submitted a part of themselves to their partners, be they full-fledged masters or kinky guys like Luc.

  He untied the blindfold. She blinked to accustom her eyes to the light and blushed, focusing on his smiling face. He literally beamed. His eyes, however, remained predatory, glistening orbs in the dim light.

  "Kiss me.” The words came tripping off her tongue in desperation.

  She wanted him to kiss her. She wanted to feel his fiery heat, his velvet-soft lips against hers, his tongue in her mouth. Seeking, exploring, dominating.

  Titling his head to the side, Luc licked his lower lip. His gazed dropped to hers. As he stared, she couldn't resist the urge to moisten them. Lifting his hand, he ran the pad of his thumb across the droplets of moisture, swiping them away.

  "Not yet, Tessa. That's a pleasure for another time.” Instead, he kissed the tip of her nose and flashed a wicked grin. “Here endeth the first lesson."

  Chapter Five

  Tessa lay in bed contemplating the events of the last few days. Although she felt tired, sleep eluded her. The rain beat a steady rhythm against the windowpane. It was a damp, murky Saturday morning. Usually she would spend the morning luxuriating in not having to get up at the crack of dawn. It was the one day she allowed herself indulgence. Today her mind ticked over, replayed events and conjured up feelings she felt during dinner three nights ago.

  Luc hadn't called. Maybe she'd done something wrong. No matter how much she replayed the evening, nothing she recalled could have turned him off. Maybe it was just her. Maybe she wasn't attractive enough. Maybe she wasn't submissive enough for his tastes. He hadn't even kissed her.

  "Arrggghhh!” She plumped the pillow violently, pulling it over her head.

  The what ifs and buts were driving her insane. Dwelling on a guy was a new experience. In previous situations, Tessa didn't care whether they called or not. She simply got on with her own life. She was an independent woman with a busy schedule. No man made her doubt herself. Until Luc.

  Throwing back the covers, she swung her legs over the side of the bed. No good wallowing in self pity all day. A ton of paperwork needed to be caught up on.

  The mindless drudge of work would do wonders for sexual frustration.

  Yeah, right.


  Just as she headed for the shower the phone rang.

  Picking up the receiver, she cradled it between her ear and shoulder blade. “Hello?"

  "Morning, Tessa."

  The deep, smooth voice sent tingles all the way to her toes. Damn, if his voice could do that, she was in serious trouble. Not about to let on she'd been thinking about him, Tessa asked, “And who might I be speaking to?"

  Pride could be a real bitch.

  His answer came as a rich, throaty laugh. “That's good. I like that. A bit of fire in my women."

  "Oh, Mr. Campbell, what a pleasure to hear from you again.” Her icy tone would have made the Snow Queen proud.

  "Believe me, darlin', the pleasure is all mine."

  His accent became pure Texan. It melted some of the ice from her tone. She really was a sucker for Texans. “What can I do for you?"

  A silent pause. “Come over to my place.” He gave her the address. “It's time for your next lesson."

  Lifting the receiver from her ear, she glared at it. No call for days and then suddenly he expected her to drop everything and rush over? What was she, some kind of booty call?

  "So, I'm just supposed to drop everything because you're feeling horny and thought to yourself, ‘Hmmm, which tasty piece of ass haven't I tried? Oh, I know, I'll call Tessa'?"

  "A submissive should never question her dominant.” He spoke the words through gritted teeth.

  "Screw that, Mister Campbell. You treat me with some slither of respect or this whole deal is off."

  Deep down, the sexually repressed part of her soul cried out for the deal to continue. She wanted to see him, but Tessa Connolly was no man's doormat.

  She heard Luc sigh. In frustration? Or because his booty call was over?

  "I'm sorry. I have no excuse for not calling. I wanted to give you some space.” Again he paused. “Please come over."

  The ‘please’ undid her. She sighed into the receiver. “Okay. What do you want me to wear?"

  If this was her second lesson, she wanted to be prepared. Would he take her out? Would it be another restaurant for lunch? The club?

  "You have an overcoat?"

  She frowned. “Sure."

  "Wear that, nothing else."

  "What!"

  "I said wear nothing underneath. Come to me now, Tessa. Don't keep me waiting. This is your second lesson. What we agreed. Don't disobey me.” His tone became more forceful. Commanding. Yet he couldn't disguise the laughter in it.

  Glancing at her closet, she located the overcoat. It was black and made of wool. Luckily the hem was long and reached the floor. Despite her reservations, the idea of being forced to wear nothing underneath secretly thrilled her. It had always been a forbidden fantasy.

  "I'll be there."

  Replacing the phone on the cradle, Tessa sighed again. He'd called. He'd apologized. He'd commanded. Steeling her spine, she padded over to the closet. Excitement and nerves coursed through her. She wondered what Luc Campbell had planned today.

  Pulling the coat off the hanger, she headed to the bathroom. Time to get primped and primed for her next lesson. A smile twitched at her lips, and she dashed into the shower like a schoolgirl on a first date.

  * * * *

  Luc put down the phone and grinned. She was coming. Finally. One minute she frustrated the hell out of him with her stubborn streak, the next his cock was so hard he could barely walk.

  Flopping into an oversized chair, Luc stretched his legs out onto the coffee table and picked up a glass of bourbon. Sipping, he winced as the liquid burned a path down to his stomach. The clock hadn't struck midday but what the hell, he needed a stiff drink. Shifting in his seat, he winced. The drink wasn't the only thing stiff.

  A voice on the radio sang about desire and a deep-seated lust. Luc could relate. Tessa Connolly was under his skin. At first she'd been a fascination, a challenge. After the dinner date, she'd become something more.

  Closing his eyes, he pressed the heel of his hand against his forehead, hoping to ease the ache. Maybe the alcohol didn't help.

  Tessa. Tessa. Tessa.

  It wasn't just her need to submit, it was everything. Her stubborn streak, the sexy way she toyed with strands of her hair, the small frown creasing her brow when she was angry. The woman plagued his every waking thought, not to mention his every erotic fantasy. None of his other partners affected him so quickly. He hadn't wanted to possess them as much as he wanted to possess her.

  Snorting in disgust, Luc took another hit of bourbon. Life always knew how to throw a curve ball. Tessa was supposed to be a means to an end. A way to get back into the scene. He wasn't supposed to feel for her. In essence, he had no clue what he felt for her, but there was something. Something intimate, something more than just a dominant giving lessons to a willing submissive. Every time he thought of her with another master, he wanted to do major damage to the nearest wall.

  "You are so screwed.” Figuratively and hopefully ... literally.

  What seemed liked hours later, the doorbell chimed, saving him from wallowing in his own thoughts any longer. A glance at the clock made him wonder what took her so long.

  Unfolding himself from the chair, Luc padded through the house to the front door. Unlatching it, he pulled it open a fraction and waited for his eyes to adjust to the change in lighting.

  Outside, the weather matched his mood—damp, wet, dark. The wait had been worth it. Tessa stood, framed against the light, shoulders slightly hunched as she brushed speckles of rain from her all black coat. His gaze trailed down the length of material. The coat was set in a Japanese Geisha style. Its high-necked collar made sure her body was covered from neck to foot. The only skin on show was the pale skin of her ankles.

  When he caught a glimpse of black high heeled stilettos, he laughed. The coat might be practical, but the shoes were real showy. It made him wonder what she wore beneath. He'd commanded her to stay naked. Had his stubborn Tessa followed his command?

  His laughter drew her gaze. Behind her eyes, he saw the spark of recognition, of desire mirroring his own.

  "Tessa. Come in.” He opened the door wide and allowed her to step in.

  She looked at his glass and raised an eyebrow. “Little early to be hitting the bottle, isn't it?"

  He flashed her a wicked grin. “Never too early for a snifter of fine whiskey.” He whirled the glass under her nose. “Here, have a sip. It'll warm your bones. Or so my momma used to tell me."

  She eyed the glass warily. A few heartbeats later she took it from him and swallowed the remaining alcohol. The grimace as the liquor went down made Luc chuckle. He loved a woman who didn't shy away from anything. Tessa was one of those women.

  Does that mean you love her?

  He scowled and silenced the voice in his head. “Feeling warmer?"

  Tessa shivered and shook her head. “I think my brains just dropped out.” Blinking rapidly, she focused her gaze. “That's some good malt."

  Luc gave a mock tip of his imaginary cowboy hat. “Only the finest for us Texans, ma'am."

  "Yeah, yeah. I've heard it all before, cowboy.” She patted her short black hair, smoothing wet strands from her forehead.

  The movement lifted her breasts, and Luc growled. Like a curtain falling, he didn't feel playful anymore. Instead he felt wild, feral. He felt the need to take, command, dominate. Tessa just happened to be his prey.

  Moving toward her like a predator closing in for the kill, Luc fingered the buttons on her coat. He rolled them between his fingers and imagined rolling her nipples in the same way.

  A devilish grin curled the edges of his lips. “Ready for lesson two?"

  Biting her lower lip, Tessa nodded.

  "Good.” Slowly he moved his hand across her shoulder, caressing his way down her arm. Twining his fingers with hers, he led her through the house.

  It was time to up the ante in his game of seduction. Seduction? Where did that come from? Luc scowled, thankful that Tessa couldn't see his express
ion. When had it moved from scratching a mutual itch to seduction?

  "You have a nice house, Luc."

  Her words broke his thoughts. Once again thankful for the distraction he turned his head, answering her with a smile. “Glad you think so."

  Onward they moved, through rooms, hallways. Luc knew it was pure hedonism to have a house this large. Five bedrooms was more than enough to accommodate his lone ass. Most of the time he just rattled around in the place. Most of the rooms never got used.

  One room had seen more than its fair share of action, though not in a while. In a few minutes, Tessa would see the room for herself. He couldn't wait for her reaction. Would she be shocked, or would she embrace it like everything else he had offered her?

  "I hope you like this room. It's where your real submission will begin.” Stopping outside a plain, wooden door, he turned and cupped Tessa's expectant face between his hands. Smoothing the pale skin of her cheekbones, he asked “You ready?"

  She answered with a hesitant ‘yes,’ and Luc opened the door.

  * * * *

  Tessa blinked. The rest of the house had been contemporary but minimalist. This room was beyond anything she could have imagined. The walls were a dark, dark red, covered with erotic fetish photographs. A large wooden bondage table stood in the center of the room. Complete with leather stirrups, its polished walnut frame gleamed. The black vinyl upholstery shone.

  She closed her mouth, realizing too late it gaped open. One second later and spittle would have flowed out. Sweeping her gaze from the table, she saw various other bondage equipment. Some she recognized, some she didn't. Tilting her head to the side, she contemplated one strange contraption, wondering how the hell it could be used for pleasure. It looked like something from the Inquisition. She pointed at it and turned to look at Luc. “My lesson doesn't include that, does it?"

  From the chuckle he gave, Tessa knew her face held a look of pure horror.

  "No, my stubborn little slave. That is for someone...” he stopped, searching for the right word, “...more experienced in the ways of bondage and submission. As your master, I'm just trying to get you to submit."