A Firm Hand

by Cheryl Dragon

  If she only understood just how special. “Yes, different.”

  “You see, I knew I’d made the right choice for a husband.” Her tongue darted to capture moisture from the tip.

  James released her wrist and cupped a hand under her chin. “You may have arranged the marriage, but I’m master of the house.”

  “And the bedroom. I understand. But you don’t resent me for having a mind or riding hard or taking the initiative.” Mariah gently squeezed his balls.

  The innocent curiosity mixed with her governesses’ inappropriate choice of education left James torn on how to handle this woman. He’d never acted out these needs and fantasies with any but the light skirts he’d had in London. Yet providence had delivered this woman who could handle his lust…even share it.

  “There are enough foolish women in the world. You are not one of them. You must trust me.”

  “I do trust you. If I had fear, I could run to my uncle’s or my father’s homes. I want to be here.” Her hands eased along his inner thighs.

  James believed her, yet she was young. Barely twenty-two and she had not faced the hard decisions life handed out. She’d have to prove she could and would stand by him, not turn and run when things got hard. He’d not allow his children to be treated as he had.

  Guiding her warm mouth up his body, he kissed her and slowly stood them up. Out of the chair, he pushed her back onto the desk so she was exposed before him. Testing her readiness with his thumb, he found her slick and responsive. A few flicks and flexes of his thumb had her moaning.

  James snatched the embroidered handkerchief from his pocket and stuffed it in her mouth. “You don’t want the servants to hear what a lustful woman you are.”

  Mariah shook her head and seemed to accept the gag without panic. Spreading her legs, James teased her with his thumb until her hands grabbed for his. He smiled, batting her fingers away. Moving his slick thumb lower, he circled her rear entrance and watched her body tense as a muffled squeak escaped her lips.

  “Be quiet, or you’ll earn a real gag. You’ll beg for it soon, I promise.” He slid his cock between her folds and felt the change in her. James pressed for entrance to her pussy and leaned down closer to her. Mariah’s body gave naturally. She tightened around him, lifting for more. As he thrust in full, her body bowed to his, and her arms wrapped around his neck. He’d forgotten to restrain her, but they’d just begun.

  Her legs encircled his waist and he felt a connection he’d never known. Never had he slept with a woman so free to move, hold or run. His cock throbbed deep in her, and James braced his hands on the desk, thrusting and keeping her pinned.

  Even if she tried to escape, he’d overpower her. He fucked her harder, watching her eyes flutter and close, listening to the hum of pleasure in her throat.

  When her hips began to snap up, he knew she was close. He reached between them, rubbing her clit to set her off, and she convulsed around him. Then he pressed his thumb to her ass again. She opened up slightly for him as her body shook in orgasm.

  Standing back he watched her smile, handkerchief still stuffed in her mouth so he couldn’t hear her cries. Her breasts bounced and her hips lifted, shaking the desk. Spying the wobbling candlestick, James grabbed for it, but the wax splattered on her stomach. He caught it before it fell over fully.

  Mariah’s body tensed and trembled. James pulled her gag free. “I’m sorry. I should’ve removed it.” Her safety was his responsibility. He could not have harm come to her in any way.

  “It’s all right. Just a little candle wax.” She touched the hardening spots. “A large pool might hurt, but this is nothing more than a slight sting.” She licked her lips.

  James pressed down on a spot of wax and watched her smile. A soft gasp escaped her lips. Easing out of her, he saw the disappointment.

  “Please, you’re not satisfied.” She reached for him.

  “You did very well.” Holding her down with one hand, he rubbed his cock between her wet folds to pacify her. Mariah moaned.

  Letting wax drip on the underside of her breast, he watched her lift. She smiled up at him without the sting of pain or fear. “Take your pleasure any way you find it, my lord.” Her hand slid over his cock and pressed down.

  Time for a lesson. He pulled her hand and eased his cock from her pussy folds. “Gently,” he said.

  She nodded and slowly stroked him. After a few seconds, her other hand joined in, rubbing the head then teasing his balls. Her eager fingers were all over him, pushing him closer to the edge.

  Drizzling wax over her torso, he let some fall in the curls above her clit. The shock made her squeeze harder and James came on her stomach in a hard release.

  “I’m sorry.” Her lips quivered as she relaxed.

  He chuckled. “You’re never too rough, my dear.”

  “I should go.” Her fingers touched the seed and the wax mixing on her body, and suddenly, she slid off the desk. The lady of the house again.

  He stepped in her path. “You leave when I say you may go.”

  She pressed her lips together to hold back her smile. Tempting him had worked thus far. Mariah wanted more. Shameless perhaps, but she was married and had to see to her husband’s needs. As unique as they were, she was drawn in by him.

  “What can I do for you?” she asked.

  “Turn and face the desk.”

  Mariah turned, curious to see what he desired now. His large hands bent her forward. “All your weight on the desk. Let your legs stretch.”

  Not ladylike, but freeing. She pressed down to feel the wax spots on her body.

  “Good. You like candles?” He reached for another one on the desk and moved it out of her line of sight.

  “Yes, it felt different. Awakened my body. Like you do.” She wanted his seed in her, to feel him in the throes of pleasure and trembling within her. Why he held back, she didn’t know. It disturbed her.

  The sting of candle wax hit her rear, and her pondering ceased. “More, please,” she begged.

  “You like it. New things.”

  “Yes, thank you.” She caught his breath when he didn’t add more.

  “See how sensitive you are, everywhere. Not just your pussy and breasts, all over. I’ll teach you to feel it.” His hand slid over her bottom.

  “I want it all.”

  “You love it. You ride hard, run when no one is looking. Now, you’ll see what a man can make you feel if you obey.” His tone was harsher than before.

  She longed for a more active role. “Tell me what you want, I’ll do it.”

  “Relax and hold still.” He spread her ass cheeks.

  The candle appeared before her, the orange flame flickering with her breath.

  “Blow it out.”

  For a second, she hesitated but blew it out. If not more wax, what?

  Mariah gasped as the hot top of the candle pressed to her rear. Rubbing the hot wax to her, James pressed a finger to her clit, and the heat and arousal mixed deep in her.

  In an instant, the candle was gone, and Mariah slowed her breathing. “Is a riding crop next?” she asked.

  “That would cause severe pain and cut your delicate flesh. A bold request pleases me, but you don’t have the hide of a horse.” He rubbed the unused end of the candle to her pussy. “Clasp your hands at the small of your back.”

  She obeyed, the weight shifting to press her breasts to the rich wood. Inhaling deeply, she gave herself into his candle play.

  Grabbing both her wrists in one hand, James held them so she couldn’t flee or block him, as though she’d want to.

  Mariah hummed as he pressed the candle into her. His cock felt better, but she loved his ideas. She tightened on the wax, teasing her own body.

  “You are very wet. You like this.” He rubbed the tender skin between the candle and her rear.

  “Very much. Still, I prefer you.”

  “My pride will survive your lust of candles.”

  “I’m in earnest. You are far sup
erior to this.” Yet her body responded, taking any relief it was offered. One day, she’d be rewarded with all of James.

  “I believe you, but this is merely to prepare the candle.”

  “For what?” He body tightened, growing ready for the release. He was only toying with her?

  Gently removing the toy, James ran it up the path to her rear entrance.

  Mariah stiffened. “You can’t be serious. Please.”

  “Relax. I would never give you more than is good for you. If you wish to fully please me, this is a start. The journey will never end.” His thumb rubbed her entrance slowly, demanding entry.

  Letting the feel tempt her as she pushed the fear aside, Mariah lifted her rear for a better angle. James changed his patterns, rubbing in circles now. Mariah moaned softly.

  “You’ll enjoy it. Nothing big this time, not too deep.” His lips pressed to her bottom.

  Mariah tried to turn and watch, but his grip on her hands and her rear made it impossible. “Eyes on the floor.” His strong voice made Mariah feel safe.

  “A little more?” She wasn’t entirely certain she was ready but needed to see what he’d do next.

  The wetness of his tongue between her cheeks, dancing over her pucker, made her squirm. Then the candle, slick with her own juices, pressed there. Momentarily, she tensed, but the rubbing of the slender ordinary item felt so promising. She consciously relaxed those muscles, and the rest of her body followed.

  James advanced it, opening her then held still. After a moment, Mariah wanted to fidget. It seemed the candle was barely there at all. “More.” She clutched at his hand that still held her down.

  Without a word, he obliged her. It felt very long, but she knew he’d put not more than an inch. “Thank you!” Her body throbbed around the wax. She squeezed those muscles and groaned at the sweet reward. What other pleasures would he introduce her to?

  Slowly, he rotated the candle and Mariah bit back a yelp. He continued to spin it with slight advancing and Mariah rocked for more.

  Then the spinning stopped.

  “What? What did I do wrong?”

  He chuckled. “Nothing. You’re lovely. Eager. You’d take it all if I let you.”

  “Yes, I want it.” Mariah confessed her need. Lying served no purpose. He’d know. He’d see her body react.

  “You will enjoy it. But not today.” He removed the candle.

  The abrupt loss left Mariah exposed and empty. “Please,” she whispered. “We can’t be done.”

  James released her wrists. “Stand up.”

  Obeying, she felt different somehow. More aware of her body. He couldn’t mean to send her away now.

  “Go over and stand in front of the library ladder.” He pointed to the thick wooden ladder she’d climbed several times since moving into the house.

  She stood there, waiting. For what she had no idea. James dug through his desk and produced what looked like worn reins. The leather straps had her full attention.

  Crossing to her, James tied her arms to the side of the ladder then one leg at the knee to the rough wood.

  What did he mean to do with her like this?

  “I won’t gag you, but you must be silent,” he ordered.

  She nodded, wondering if he took her riding crop teasing seriously. Yet he’d promised not to hurt her beyond her limits. She focused on him, and the fear vanished.

  Fully exposed to him, Mariah studied his strong form. Only his cock was free of his clothing. He looked commanding as though all the power in a world belonged to him. It aroused her anew.

  He stood close to her, looking down. The heat from him, and the scent of his body felt like too much wine.

  “You’ll do anything I want?” he asked.

  “Of course.”

  James ran a hand over her body, plucking off the dried wax and teasing her nipples. “We’ll see tonight.”

  “You can see now,” she offered.

  He grinned. “Later. Now I want to see something else—if you can be quiet or if I need to gag you.”

  She bit her lips and waited. At least from this angle, she could watch what he did to her.

  James’ large hands ran down, teasing the curls between her legs. The wax stuck there pulled and stung her skin. She suppressed her groans as the tingling lingered.

  “Don’t hold your breath or you’ll faint. That will not please me in the least.”

  She realised he was correct and took a deep slow breath.

  James took her free leg and lifted it. Mariah shifted her weight and felt vulnerable. The delicious anticipation washed over her.

  Watching to see what he’d do next, Mariah’s jaw fell as he knelt at her feet, pulling her leg over his shoulder, and kissed her pussy.

  He started at her core and tongued up her sensitive folds. Rocking forward, her hips were unrestrained. How she wanted to hold him, run her fingers through his dark hair. His mouth sucked her folds then her clit. Bucking for more, Mariah earned a smack on her thigh.

  She moaned and caught herself. Silence was harder when he did things like this.

  Two of his thick fingers slid inside her, and Mariah suppressed a gasp as they went deep. James held his fingers still until she rocked for more. His thumb rubbed up her pussy and pressed to her clit, teasing until her body trembled.

  His tongue and teeth took over, devouring her clit until she wanted to scream his name.

  James added a third finger deep and thrust, sending Mariah over. She gasped at the waves of pleasure but held back his name and the guttural scream. Her eyes welled at the ecstasy and restraint.

  When his large hand covered her mouth, she let go. Screaming freely into his palm. Only then did she feel the true release.

  His tongue worked over her, cleaning up her mess. Finally, he stood.

  “I’m sorry.” She blinked back the tears.

  “Don’t be sorry. There is no shame to need a gag. It will help you enjoy things more fully without bringing servants running to your rescue. There are times I’ll want to hear you scream, but if you want lessons during the day in all areas of the house, we must use caution. At night, you may scream freely.” He brushed a tear from her cheek and kissed her. Then he freed her body from the ladder.

  She nodded and pressed to him, kissing him tenderly. “Thank you.” She kissed him again and finally took a deep breath.

  “You should go. We have dinner guests coming.” He ran his hands over her hair.

  “Oh yes. I must change.” She gave him a last kiss and knew tonight would be even more enjoyable. Dressing in haste, she left him for now.

  Chapter Four

  One might think dinner with a woman who’d previously been matched with him for marriage, at least in village gossip, would be awkward. However, James found that in this case, fate had properly sorted out the marriages before mistakes were made.

  Marriage proved challenging to some. His grandfather’s advice sounded in his ears as James sat at the head of the table. “A wife is to provide a healthy heir and not cause trouble, doubt or embarrassment.” Not a word about affection or even character.

  Refocusing on the conversation at hand, he found it nice to have Alice and Edmund around. Neither were ever at a loss for words and could amuse themselves for hours. Mariah had arranged them perfectly, a proper match.

  “So you think the party will be well received?” James asked, during a rare lull.

  “Indeed. It’s all anyone can talk about in the village or when we come to call. The party or how Mariah has sought out and shown excessive kindness to the needy.” Alice beamed.

  James smiled at his wife. “I’m glad they appreciate her efforts. I never guessed a wife would make me so popular.”

  Edmund chuckled. “My wife certainly added to my acceptance. The congregation seems to listen twice as hard.”

  “When they see a good and humble man win such a bride, they want to pattern themselves after you. Hopefully, the fact that my eldest brother is coming to the party won’
t disturb you. My brother can be a little trouble, though it seems age is maturing him.” Mariah toyed with the cameo necklace at her throat.

  “That’s wonderful. Cousin Timothy is very entertaining and most protective of his sister.” Alice sipped her wine.

  “I’m not a child anymore, Alice. Timothy wanted to visit earlier, but he had business. Father and my two younger brothers will come at Christmas.”

  “Excellent. I look forward to meeting them. We’ll have another party for Christmas.” James squeezed the stem of his wine glass. Other than Alice and her parents, he’d not met any of Mariah’s family. The consent of her father was no doubt mostly due to his title and based on the advice of Mariah’s uncle. It’d been so long since James had needed to impress anyone or cared about acceptance and approval. A sudden rainstorm had kept her father and the eldest brother from attending the hasty wedding. Her younger brothers were occupied with their professions or else they might have made it as well. She spoke so fondly of her family, James felt a bit jealous. Mariah’s family mattered to him, and he hadn’t even met them. James’ father hadn’t lived long enough to approve. His grandfather had only cared about obedience and that James had stayed alive to make sure his line and the title didn’t fall to the hated cousins.

  “Two parties in one year? Be careful, Lord Montford. The people will think your wife has softened you,” Edmund warned with a grin.

  James chuckled politely but inwardly cringed. That’s what his grandfather would think. That his wife had the whip hand over him and got her way indulging her friends, the villagers. “I’m sure my wife will be generous at the holiday with or without an event. However, the weather would not be best for an outside festival. A private family party at Christmas is more practical. But I’ll leave the social planning to the lady of the house.” He nodded across the long table at his wife. The candles made her glow and the peach-coloured dress looked so innocent on her that he wanted to rip it off right there.