Penelope's Gift [The Black Dahlia Hotel 4] (Siren Publishing LoveEdge)

by Skye Michaels

  The waitress came to their table with big salads dressed lightly with olive oil and lemon, and tall glasses of tepid water that were the standard luncheon fare at the spa. They didn’t want to undo their good work with big, juicy, cheeseburgers smothered with lettuce and tomato and ketchup. Just the thought made Penelope’s mouth water. Being good, being good, being good, in more ways than one.

  Chapter Eight

  In the Dungeon theme room on the top floor of The Black Dahlia Hotel, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida, Sunday evening, January 3, 2016

  On Saturday, the girls had taken a Carrie B cruise of the Fort Lauderdale waterways in the morning and a trip to the Galleria Mall on Sunrise Boulevard in the afternoon. The Golden Dolphin was currently at sea on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, and unavailable for a tour. Penelope would have liked to spend the day with the Master, but that was impossible, given the current circumstances.

  Morgan had spent a good part of Saturday night in her room on the phone with Eric to the accompaniment of some strange noises. Penelope had watched a couple of chick flicks on the huge television in the living room and had dinner in the suite. Kathi had been on her dinner date with Jesse Colton. Whoo hoo! And hadn’t he been a delicious sight when he’d come to get Kathi. Lucky girl. And his handsome face was right out there, no mask needed.

  Penelope had decided that she was really over the whole “mask” situation. She was ready to find out who the Master was and why he persisted in keeping his identity a secret. New Year’s Eve had been fun and sexy. New Year’s Day had been somewhat understandable. Well, not really, but she had gone along. Now, she was over it. She had decided to make herself unavailable on Saturday night. If Master wanted to hide behind his mask, she could hide in the suite. He had texted her and phoned the suite, but she had declined to answer. She and the girls had spent Sunday morning at the spa and the afternoon at the pool and on the beach. Of course, Master Vampire was nowhere to be seen in the light of day. The weather was perfect and they would all be going home with a coveted Florida tan.

  On Sunday night, Penelope was waiting for Master in the dungeon theme room. When she swiped into the dungeon, she had taken off her dress and shoes but had put on one of the fluffy Black Dahlia robes. She had settled in the big black leather chair in the corner to wait. She was not on her knees in the slave position, and didn’t plan to get there unless she got some answers from Master. She was ready to put her foot down.

  This room had a more forbidding feeling than the elegant Spanish Hacienda, Italian Renaissance, French Bordello, or Sultan’s Harem rooms. The walls were painted dark colors to resemble stone, and the bed, while luxuriously made up with the Black Dahlia’s signature silk bedding, had black wrought-iron head and foot boards ideal for cuffing a sub.

  Penelope had made up her mind to confront Master after talking it over with Kathi and Morgan. She was going to try to get him to move up the big “reveal” scene. She was tired of waiting. Surprisingly, Morgan had been in favor of her giving Master a little more time.

  The door opened, and Master entered wearing the now-familiar black half-mask, faded blue jeans and cowboy boots. His gorgeous chest was bare. Although the mask was now a familiar accessory, it still spiked her anxiety. A thrill ran up her spine at the sight of him. She hoped she was up to this confrontation.

  “Hello, Penelope. I missed seeing you yesterday.” His voice was deep and sounded unhappy.

  “Yes, Master. I was busy.”

  “Apparently. Do you want to discuss what had you so busy that you couldn’t answer my calls or texts?”

  “No, Master. But I would like to discuss our situation. I would like you to consider moving up the date for your unmasking—like, to right now.” She was nervous. Was that too demanding? She didn’t like pushing him, but she didn’t think she could or should wait.

  “I told you I wanted this week with you. You agreed to give me until Thursday. Why are you changing your mind? Are you angry about your punishment?”

  “No, Sir. I apologized for that incident. My curiosity got the best of me. I just am not comfortable with you continuing to wear a mask. I think the time for that has passed.”

  He was quiet for a few moments. “Possibly, you are right. I’ll consider it and let you know tomorrow. Do you want to continue with our scene or call it off for today? It’s your decision.”

  She could hear the tinge of worry hiding under his deep Dom voice. That was not what she was going for. She didn’t want to make him worried or unhappy. She realized then that she had already developed feelings for Master that went beyond sex and scenes. Her emotions were engaged, and she didn’t know if that was good or bad, under the circumstances. She wasn’t sure exactly how she felt about Master. How could she have feelings for a man whose face she had not yet seen? What should she do? Would going forward with a scene be caving in? She made a decision.

  “All right, Master. You can have today, but this is the last scene we’ll be having until you unmask.”

  “Are you giving me an ultimatum, sub?” She could see that he was not smiling. Actually, he had not smiled since he came into the room.

  “Yes I am, Master. Consider it a new hard limit.”

  “Fine.” His voice had hardened. “Strip and stand under that pulley system on the ceiling.” The sound of his voice sent a shiver up her spine. Had she gone too far? She walked to the cabinet to hang up the robe.

  Pulley system? Penelope didn’t really know what to expect at this point. She and Jay had experimented with some bondage, but that was years ago, and had not been very extreme. She wanted to protest, but she had agreed to give him today.

  * * * *

  Jay knew he should have anticipated that Pen would not continue to go along with his crazy scheme. If today was all he had, then he would make the most of it. When Penelope was in position, he went to the cabinet. Once the doors were open, he knew she couldn’t see what he was doing. He gathered several lengths of the strong, indigo-colored, natural hemp bondage rope stored in the cabinet. Since they had last been together, he had become interested in and very accomplished at the art of Shibari or Kinbaku, a form of Japanese-style suspension bondage, and had studied with a well-known Japanese Shibari Master. Maybe a blindfold would add to the experience for her. He wanted it to be intense and memorable. He was hoping the experience would help him break down her barriers. He took a blindfold from the cabinet. He piled the rope on the credenza near the door.

  “I’m going to blindfold you and then bind you. If you become frightened, use your safe words. It is not my intention to scare you, only to intensify the bondage experience. Understand?”

  “Yes, Master.” There was a slight hint of trepidation in her voice.

  He moved into her body and wrapped her in his arms. “I don’t want you to be afraid of me, Penelope. This is an exercise in pleasure and trust, not punishment.”

  “Yes, Master.” He kissed her hard before he tied the soft, black cloth blindfold over her eyes. Restricting her sense of sight would intensify all of her other senses. He bound her wrists and ankles with the hemp rope.

  He proceeded to tie a series of elaborate knots down the center of her naked chest and pubic area, crisscrossing and pulling the ropes tight until they framed and enhanced her abundant breasts. The dark rope pushed her breasts together and was beautiful against her creamy skin. The ancient Japanese practice of tying knots in geometric patterns and shapes to emphasize the curves and planes of the female body, when done correctly, was very beautiful. The slightly rough texture of the ropes enhanced the sub’s smooth skin and curves, while the placement of the knots on pressure points enhanced the sub’s pleasure.

  Jay brought the rope down between her parted thighs and around her pouting, pink pussy lips, and tugged it tight. He had positioned large knots so that they pressed against her clit, her slit and her anus. He knew before he was done, the pressure of those knots would have her writhing with need. Her movements would be restricted, and she would be unable to
escape the pressure. He smiled to himself. A little subbie torture was on tap.

  He continued the line of intricate knots up her back and then tied them into the ones decorating the front of her body. He continued the pattern down each of her legs. He wove more ropes into the complex design. “Are you okay, Penelope? What’s your color?”

  “Green, Master.” Her voice sounded a little breathy.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, Master. I’m okay.” He looked her over carefully to be sure none of the ropes were restricting her circulation. Then he checked her pulse and respiration before he let down the bamboo pole and pulley system from the ceiling and attached the ropes to the bindings decorating Penelope’s body. He worked the pulley ropes into the design until he had her bound to several bamboo poles. He was now prepared to hoist the pulleys and raise her above the floor. He was concerned that she might really get apprehensive. Once she was off the floor and blindfolded, she might get scared. She would not know exactly how far above the floor she was. This was where the element of trust came in.

  “Now, I’m going to raise you off the floor. Don’t be afraid.” He began pulling on the guide ropes until he had her suspended several feet above the floor in an artistic pose with her legs spread wide open. She looked like a bird in flight. When he was finished, Jay stood back to admire his work. “The contrast of the dark ropes against your skin is beautiful. You look like an airborne sculpture.”

  Then he approached the immobilized Penelope. He licked and sucked the nipples that were squeezed prominently forward by the pressure of the ropes. Then he bent his head to the juncture of her thighs. He proceeded to use his mouth and tongue to bring her to a stunning orgasm that rolled through her vulnerable body as she was helplessly suspended in the air. It hadn’t taken long. She had been close to an orgasm before he put his mouth on her. Penelope had no alternative but to trust him or use her safe word. He hoped that she would feel the implicit trust that was integral to this procedure and deem him worthy of it, now and in their future lives.

  Jay lowered Penelope into his arms and carried her to the big leather chair. He sat down with her cradled against his chest. “Baby, are you okay?” He thought she might have slipped into subspace. When she nodded her head, he pulled her more tightly into his body and held on. He didn’t know how much longer he would be able to hold this precious bundle, and he wanted to store up the memory of her soft body in his arms. While she lay quietly, she came back to herself, and he took off the blindfold and began to untie the knots. She was all undone and the pile of rope lay on the floor next to the chair. He reached down and patted her butt. He did love her butt.

  She slipped out of his lap and knelt between his thighs. She looked up into eyes partially shielded by the mask he still wore. When he nodded his assent, she slowly lowered the zipper of his faded blue jeans. She took the hard cock that sprang out between her pink lips. She licked the mushroom tip like an ice cream cone and finally sucked it into the hot cavern of her mouth.

  He groaned. He’d been waiting for this moment. Pen had always loved to suck him off and never complained about swallowing. It was one of the things he’d fantasized about over the last five years. He was almost at the summit, and it didn’t take long for him to fly over. He deposited a mighty spurt of cum into her waiting mouth and watched her swallow. He collapsed back against the chair and felt the tension drain from his body. He’d been on edge over this situation for weeks since he’d learned Pen would be here, and he decided to come down and confront her.

  “Did I please you, Master?”

  “You always please me, sugar butt.” No. He closed his eyes tightly. He didn’t really just call Penelope “sugar butt.” With any luck she wouldn’t notice, and he would be able to skate on that one mistake after he’d been so careful.

  * * * *

  Penelope shook her head as if to dislodge a bee in her bonnet. She hadn’t heard that particular phrase in five long years. “What did you just say, Master?” She couldn’t believe her ears.

  “What? Nothing. Come on up here and let me hold you. I want a taste of your sweet mouth.”

  Penelope sat back on her heels for a moment. “Take the mask off—Jay—now.” She watched as his body language changed and he tensed up again.

  “Come on, baby…”

  “Now, you bastard. I was beginning to wonder about my bad luck in finding a second Dom who was obsessed with my ass. I wondered why you were so fascinated with it. But then, you always were.” She chuckled, but it was an angry sound. “Back then, I was considering putting my blush and lipstick on back there instead of on my face so it wouldn’t be wasted.”

  “What can I say, baby? I’m an ass man and always have been.”

  “No, Jay, you’re just an ass and always have been.”

  “Honey, calm down and let’s talk. Please.”

  “Calm down? I’m calm, but I’m done talking, just like the last time.” She felt the tears start running down her face. “I can’t believe this. And just when I thought I was beginning to care for Master—whoever he might be.”

  “Pen…”

  “Talk about an abuse of trust. What do you think this is? I trusted you. I should have known better, known it was too good to be true. You’re the same thoughtless bastard you always were.” She could see he was starting to get mad as the shock of his mistake began to fade. He was going into self-justification mode, just like he always did. She stood and stalked to the cabinet for her clothes.

  “Sit that sweet ass down now, sugar butt.” He took the mask off for the first time. “I wanted a chance to prove to you that I’m the man for you, that I’ve changed and grown up.”

  “Oh, I can see that, all right. You haven’t changed at all—still making unilateral decisions that suit you without regard to anyone else’s feelings.”

  “That’s not true, Pen. I’ve waited impatiently for five years for the chance to make my mistake right, but you wouldn’t listen. When this opportunity came up, I had to take it. You’ve haunted my dreams all these years, baby.” He shook his head and started toward her. “Now you’re going to listen, if I have to tie you up again.”

  “That’s what it’s going to take then. I’m not listening to another thing you have to say. Stay away from me, Jay.”

  He grabbed her arm, but she broke away and went to the cabinet. Penelope was furious. She felt the tears of anger and old hurt sliding down her cheeks. Why? Why did she have to go through this pain again? Wasn’t five years of missing him, wanting him, enough for the cruel gods of the Universe? Ha. And she’d thought she had finally met someone else who might be able to evict him from her heart. She sobbed as she opened the door and grabbed her clothes. “Leave me alone, Jay. Don’t touch me again. I’m out of here.”

  “Please, Pen. Can I just have five minutes for the five years of hell I’ve been through? I love you, baby. I’ve loved you all this time.”

  She looked at him in disgust as she pulled her dress over her head. She headed for the door. When she got there, she turned around and said, “You don’t know what love is.”

  Chapter Nine

  In the Wilson-Easton-Hunter suite at The Black Dahlia Hotel, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida, Sunday night, January 3, 2016

  Penelope stormed into the suite. Morgan took one look at her and said into her cell phone, “Babe, I’ll have to call you later. It looks like the shit has hit the fan here big time.” She closed her phone, stood up, and walked to Penelope. She took the sobbing girl into her arms. “What happened, baby?”

  “The Master, he’s…Jay. It was Jay wearing the mask all along. How could I not have known that?”

  “I guess you just weren’t expecting him to be here. Tell me what happened.” Morgan pulled her down onto the couch. Through tears, hiccups, and sobs, Penelope relayed what had just happened in the dungeon theme room. “I remember him calling you ‘sugar butt.’ I used to think it was cute.”

  While Penelope lay in Morgan’s lap, Kathi cam
e in from her evening with Jesse, looking like the cat that had just licked up all the cream. When she saw Penelope on the couch, her expression changed to thunderous.

  “What the hell’s going on here?” She looked at Morgan. “What happened?”

  “Apparently Pen’s Master turned out to be Jay Fairlamb.”

  “You have got to be kidding.” Kathi looked astounded. No kidding. Penelope was still astounded. Astounded, hurt, heartbroken—any number of adjectives. How could this have happened? How could she be blindsided by Jay Preston Fairlamb a second time? She must be the world’s biggest idiot.

  Kathi turned to Morgan with a suspicious look on her face. “You look guilty. How long have you known?”

  Morgan began to look even guiltier and a little scared. “Not long,” she hedged. “Actually I’d just begun to get a little suspicious.”

  Penelope’s head popped up. “You knew?”

  “No, Pen.”

  “You knew? You knew this all along, Morgan, and you didn’t tell me?”

  “No, honey, not all along. I’d begun to suspect that he might be…”

  “That’s bullshit, Miss Sticks-Her-Nose-Into-Everything. How could you do this to me, let me make a fool of myself over that man again? How could you?” Penelope broke down into wracking sobs.

  Morgan pulled her back into her arms. “Don’t be mad at me, Pen. I just wanted you to have a chance at the happiness you lost five years ago.” She began to rock Penelope in her arms. “I guess because I’m in love with Eric, I wanted that for you, too.”

  “I am mad at you. I know you meant well, but that was the wrong thing to do. I know I still love him, Morgan, but he’s toxic. He’s no good for me, and this trick proves it.”

  Kathi had a suspicious look on her face, and it didn’t look like she was going to let it go. “Just exactly when did you start to suspect that he might be Jay? I’m not buying this line of bullshit.”