Topping the Domme (Crime and Punishment)

by Trista Ann Michaels

  He would take Karina to Fiji. He would spend the entire vacation making love to her. He could and would make her see that she could trust him. Somehow. By the time this assignment was over, Karina would not only be submitting, but sleeping in his arms. Alone. He’d see to it.

  Karina felt Brayden’s gaze burning into her and tried so hard not to let his heated stare get to her. Being in his arms earlier had felt so good. She wanted nothing more than to crawl onto his lap again. The couple doing wax play caught her attention, and she tried to focus more on that.

  Taking a sip of her drink, she sighed as the warmth of the rum spread through her body. The young submissive was close to orgasm. Every drop of wax on her flesh brought out a squeal of pain and then delight as the Dom moved ever closer to the sub’s clit.

  Karina watched and wished she could be that free, to be able to let go and trust someone enough. She trusted Brayden. But enough for that?

  She just wasn’t sure.

  Karina stepped out of the car and sighed up at the beautiful blue sky. It was a gorgeous morning, despite the chill in the air. They’d arrived back at Club Fetish for their breakfast meeting with Delacroix a little early, but that had been mostly her fault. She’d been stir crazy this morning and wanted out of her suite as soon as possible.

  Although, riding with Brayden in the car hadn’t been all that much better. Just his nearness was enough to make her whole body burn to feel his touch.

  He’d kept his distance this morning, a fact that had both frustrated and relieved Karina. If she wasn’t screwed up mentally once this assignment was over, it would be a miracle.

  “Did he say what he wanted to talk with us about?” she asked as Brayden came around to her side of the car.

  “No. Ready?”

  She nodded and followed Brayden to the side entrance, where one of Nathan’s many tuxedoed guards greeted them. He led the way down a long hallway, then into a well-lit sunroom. Delacroix was seated at the head of the long glass table. Two other men occupied the room, one of whom was the FBI agent they’d been informed about during their briefing for the case.

  “You made it,” Delacroix said with a smile. “Karina and Brayden, this is Agent Frank Mills, and the man by the buffet is Agent Josh Barns. Gentlemen, these are the NCIS agents you’re supposed to be working with.”

  Josh made a face as he sat down at the table, his plate loaded with food. “Funny.”

  Delacroix stood and walked to the buffet, motioning Brayden and Karina to join him. “Come on, guys, and get some breakfast. Then we’ll talk.”

  As Karina strolled up to the table, she couldn’t help but admire how nice both Nathan and Brayden looked this morning in jeans. Sunlight highlighted the gray in Brayden’s hair, while it also brought out a slight reddish hue to Nathan’s. In the light, his hair wasn’t quite as black as she’d initially thought.

  “Are you feeling better?” Delacroix asked as he handed Karina a plate.

  She frowned. “That reminds me. How did you know to send a jacket?”

  “Hasn’t Delacroix told you?” Josh asked from the table. “He’s psychic.”

  Karina and Brayden both looked at him in shock. “I beg your pardon?” Karina mumbled.

  Delacroix rolled his eyes. “Get some breakfast. We’ll talk in a minute.”

  She shared a stunned look with Brayden before stepping forward and filling her plate with eggs, fruit, bacon, and toast.

  As she took her seat at the table, she said, “Nice spread. I’m assuming you didn’t cook this.”

  Delacroix chuckled. “Are you kidding? I can’t boil water. The club has a chef.”

  A man stepped into the sunroom and bowed slightly. “Master Delacroix, you have a phone call. I told him you were busy, but he insisted.”

  Nathan nodded. “I’ll be right there.” He stood and sighed. “Josh, since you decided to open your big mouth, while I’m on the phone call, why don’t you explain?”

  Josh wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Will do.”

  Delacroix left the room, and Karina took a bite of fruit as she waited for Josh to start.

  “Nathan has been a registered psychic with the FBI for several years.”

  “I thought he was an agent,” Brayden said.

  “He was. I think that’s what made him such a great investigator. He knew things.”

  “What kind of psychic is he?” Karina asked.

  “I’m not really sure.” Josh took a sip of coffee, then set his cup back down. “He doesn’t connect with everyone, and sometimes he might connect with them just once, then the connection is gone. Sometimes it remains.”

  “Does he see the future?” Karina asked.

  “Not like you might think. He gets impressions. Sometimes, it’s just flickers of emotions. Sometimes, he’ll get a flash of an image. During his last case, he connected with the serial killer. It shook him up pretty bad, and he fought that connection. Because he did, he missed something and his girlfriend was killed by the unsub.”

  Karina’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, God. No wonder he left.”

  “He blamed himself for a long time. Still does, but after that case, he couldn’t bring himself to work another one. He still does missing person cases occasionally, but he stays away from homicide…until this case. In the beginning, he was only going to allow the use of his club, but…”

  “What made him want to come in on this one?” Brayden asked.

  “Karina,” Josh replied as he turned his gaze to Karina.

  Her eyes widened. “Me?”

  “He’s connected with you,” Josh explained. “And he doesn’t like what he’s getting.”

  “Does he think Karina’s in danger?” Brayden asked.

  Delacroix returned to the room and took his seat at the head of the table.

  “Ask him yourself,” Josh replied, and all eyes turned to Delacroix.

  “Ask me what?”

  “Is Karina in danger?” Brayden demanded.

  “I can’t tell yet, but I can tell that there’s a connection between you and the killer.”

  Frank frowned. “What kind of connection?”

  Karina began to squirm.

  “Ten years ago, correct?” Delacroix asked.

  Her mouth dropped open, before she turned to glare at Brayden.

  “He saw the scars. I didn’t see a reason to lie to him,” Brayden said. “I did not, however, say who we thought might’ve done it.”

  Delacroix shook his head. “I already knew that. I sensed it the first day I met her. When I saw the scars, I realized what it was.”

  Frank leaned forward, his elbows on the table. “What are you saying, Delecroix? That she knows this guy?”

  Delacroix shook his head. “No.”

  “I was raped ten years ago. Apparently, Delacroix thinks it might be the same man. Correct?”

  “Yes. I think the FBI should go back nine years, check every single rape case you can find for similarities. This man didn’t start out killing women. He stared out raping and torturing them.”

  “Maybe one of those women saw something,” Josh added.

  Karina shook her head. “I saw nothing. He covers himself well.”

  “It’s worth a shot,” Josh said. “Even something insignificant to them might pan out and lead us down the right path.”

  “Because she was a minor, Karina’s file will be sealed. Plus, I’m not sure it’s a good idea to bring her in on this anyway, at least not officially,” Delacroix said.

  “We could use her as bait,” Frank said.

  “No!” Brayden snapped.

  Karina turned to look at him and was shocked at the protectiveness that shone in his eyes.

  “Brayden, I’m already a target just being here,” she said softly.

  Brayden jaw tightened, and he shook his head. “I don’t like where this is going. Not at all.”

  “We’ll put extra detail on her,” Delacroix said.

  Brayden turned to frown at Delacroix. “What do you s
ee when you look at her?”

  Delacroix turned his gaze back to Karina. “I see blood and pain, but I’m not sure if it’s old pain or new. I also see a mask, as though you’re hiding behind something.”

  Karina swallowed at just how close he was. She did feel as though she was hiding—hiding behind her Domme persona—hiding who and what she was, from herself as well as everyone else.

  “At times while you’re at the club I can pick up on other small things that you might be feeling at the moment, but so far I haven’t gotten any images, and I may not. It’s just a sense that you’re a key to all this. And this connection that I feel may be gone tomorrow, or it may strengthen. I have no idea what will happen from one day to the next.”

  Karina now knew what Janie had meant last night about Delacroix, about his connection to the subs.

  “How long have you had this ability?” she asked, curious. She’d never met anyone who had such a talent, although she’d heard of them.

  “Since I was a kid.”

  “Did you have a connection to Shandra?” she asked.

  “Just sexually. When I played with her, I could sense her arousal and pleasure, but that’s a connection I feel with most all the subs. I think it’s because I watch them so carefully. It’s a gift I’ve honed over the years, but other than that, I felt nothing.”

  Karina gave a nod, then frowned. “But if you can’t see my future, then how did you know Brayden would need the jacket?”

  “I felt your tension, and if Brayden was the Dom I sensed he was, he would take you outside to let you get some air and help put yourself back to rights again.” He smiled, and Karina couldn’t get over how gorgeous he was. “I guessed correctly.”

  “I have a feeling when you put your mind to it, you’re a very dangerous man, Delacroix,” she murmured.

  Nathan chuckled. “You’re not the first to say that.”

  “And I’m sure I won’t be the last.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Karina strolled through the club, ever aware of Brayden’s eyes on her as she moved around the room. Brayden was even more worried about her now, after their talk with Delacroix this morning. But, at least he’d gotten the FBI to agree to be a little more open with any information they found.

  Karina, though, wasn’t holding her breath.

  “Good evening, Karina.”

  She turned to see who had spoken, then smiled.

  “Hi, Gary,” she said.

  Gary smiled shyly, before glancing around. “Where’s your Master?”

  “He’s talking with the Doms. Why?”

  “I was just wondering. He’s very intimidating.”

  Karina snickered softly. “You think? I guess I’m just used to it. Who are you after tonight?”

  Gary moved his gaze around the room. Karina noticed how the light played off his thick blonde hair, highlighting the lighter streaks of white. Gary was a nice looking man, probably close to forty in age with green eyes and full lips. He had a nice smile and a shyness that made Karina want to protect him from the more intense Doms, especially after he’d complained last night about someone getting too rough with his balls.

  “I really like Mistress Sherry,” he said. “But she already has one for tonight.”

  “What about Kayla?” she asked. “She seems nice and experienced.”

  Gary gave a shrug. “Kayla’s okay. Or Master Jeremy would be good. I can go either way.”

  But did Master Jeremy?

  Karina smiled. She sort of got that vibe from Gary that he swung both ways, but not so much from Master Jeremy. Gary was nice to talk to, but he wasn’t a sub she would take on. There just wasn’t that physical attraction there. He seemed more like a friend than a sex buddy.

  “Looks like your Master is coming over,” Gary said with a nod of his head.

  Karina turned to look, and sure enough, Brayden was strolling over. For about the thousandth time that day, she sighed at how good he looked. Tonight, he appeared especially scrumptious in his leather pants and vest. Or maybe she was just especially aroused. With his arms exposed, he looked even more muscular than he normally did. Gary was right. He did look intimidating.

  “I’ll see you later,” Gary said, as he walked in the other direction.

  Karina frowned slightly at Gary’s hasty retreat, but her thoughts didn’t last long as Brayden wrapped his arm around her waist and practically bent her backward as he slanted his mouth across hers.

  Karina gasped in surprise, allowing Brayden to slide his tongue into her mouth. He straightened back up, pulling her with him. He slid his other hand at the back of her neck, tilting her head and allowing him better access to her mouth. Her hands were trapped between them, her fingers resting against his warm chest. She could feel his heart beating, smell his scent, taste him as he slid his tongue along hers.

  With a moan, she kissed him back, submitting to his demand as easily as a tree bent in the wind. The kiss had come from nowhere, but had every nerve ending in her body suddenly vibrating to life. She should’ve expected it at some point. They’d discussed it. She knew they would be doing this, and much more, but the reality of Brayden’s lips on hers was so much more erotic than any daydream.

  He pulled away just far enough that she could whisper, “What was that for?”

  “I think it’s time you and I got a little more serious about this show. I’m tired of looking at you in that sexy leather skirt and not touching.”

  Karina swallowed at the husky, determined quality to his voice.

  “I want you squirming, sub,” he murmured. “Are you ready to play?”

  Her heart began to pound wildly. She’d thought she’d have a little more time…a little more warning. She never imagined he would just walk over here and demand a scene. But he hadn’t demanded. Not really. He’d asked if she was ready. Was she?

  He rubbed his nose across hers, then dipped his head to place a soft kiss against her lips. “The choice is yours, kitten,” he whispered. “What do you want? Toys and flogged, or my mouth on you? Choose one because we have to do something.”

  The thought of being flogged made her heart stop. “Mouth,” she answered quickly.

  She could handle his mouth on her, couldn’t she? He grinned and the wicked light in his eyes made the butterflies in her stomach go haywire for reasons other than nerves.

  “I was hoping you would say that,” he murmured. “I’ve been fantasying about tying you down and eating that pussy of yours.”

  Her eyes went wide. Oh, God. She forgot about bondage. How could she forget about bondage?

  Karina shook her head and tried to back away, but Brayden’s arm around the small of her back held her in place.

  “Are you telling me no, Kay?” he asked loud enough for the people around them to hear.

  Karina froze.

  “You have a very bad habit of that lately.”

  She licked her lips and tried to calm her racing heart.

  Brayden leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “You know you’re safe with me, Kay.”

  “I know,” she breathed.

  He pulled away and pointed to an empty scene area close by with a restraining table in the center. “Go,” he commanded.

  Karina narrowed her eyes at him as she walked past and headed to the table. She stopped at the foot and swallowed a lump of nervousness. God, it should be easier than this, shouldn’t it?

  Part of her was terrified of being restrained, even in a group. Another part, the part she refused to acknowledge, had become excited at the thought of Brayden pleasuring her, even if she was tied down.

  Brayden grasped her around the waist and lifted her easily onto the table. She landed hard on her butt and squeaked as her bare pussy hit the cold leather of the table.

  Brayden smirked. “I like that sound.”

  He pushed her back so she rested flat, her legs bent at the knee and dangling against the base. Brayden slowly feathered his fingers along her arms as he walked to the side. He wat
ched her closely, his gaze never leaving hers as he grasped one arm and lifted it over her head. He clasped the cuff around her wrist and waited.

  Karina drew in a deep, slow breath, trying to breath like Brayden had told her.

  “Very nice,” Brayden murmured, as he walked around the table and grabbed the other arm.

  Her pulse went crazy with the sound of the lock clicking into place. She had a sudden desire to flee, to beg to be released.

  Please, don’t make me do this. I can’t do this.

  “Karina… Look at me.”

  She lifted her gaze to his, silently pleading. He shook his head slowly.

  “Eyes on me, kitten,” he said as he walked to the foot of the table.

  Standing between her legs, he reached to the side and grabbed a waist restraint that dangled off the side of the table. He wrapped it around her lower waist and tightened it.

  Karina gasped and felt herself begin to panic. She tried to lift her hips, but couldn’t, and the feeling of panic increased exponentially.

  “Brayden,” she panted.

  He grabbed her shins and pushed her legs up and out, exposing her pussy. He held them there, leaning his torso against her mound and watching her. His heat seeped into her pussy, warming her, but it didn’t come close to how the heat in his gaze seared her flesh.

  “Breathe, kitten,” he murmured just loud enough for her to hear.

  She kept her gaze on his, focusing her breathing and trying to forget the fact she couldn’t move. She could forget the people who watched them. She could forget the case they were working on. Unfortunately, she couldn’t forget the fact she was at Brayden’s complete mercy.

  He pushed at her knees, forcing them back further against her chest. He reached down and grasped another leather strap, laying it over the back of her thighs. Once tightened, it held her legs back.

  Karina swallowed and tried to force herself to remain still, to keep from jerking and tugging against the restraints in a wave of panic. Brayden kissed the inside of her knee, sending a string of wicked tingles up her back.