That was about to change as he came back over to the bench with a short leather strap in his hand. Oh, no. He had never used something like that before. He’d always just spanked her with his hand, except for the one time he had used the little heart paddle on Barbee and the riding crop that last time in the dungeon. The anticipation was killing her. She wished he would just get it over with. He stood behind her and waited. He ran his hands over her bottom, massaging the tight muscles. He applied some of the chamomile lotion she knew would protect her skin and then stood back letting the anticipation grow. She understood the psychological impact of the whole punishment scene, but still it worked.
“Are you ready for your punishment, sub?” He’d called her “sub.” That was actually an acknowledgment of their D/s status, which he had denied before, and that gave her hope that this impasse could be resolved.
“Yes, Master.” When he didn’t correct her use of the term “Master,” she was somewhat relieved. She knew she might get a really good whipping today, but she also knew he would be judicious in his application of the strikes, and it would not be more than she could take. Also, the availability of the safe word was implied by his use of the term.
The first cracking strike across her vulnerable bottom was shocking. The strap curled around her cheek, and she yelped. That made her angry. She didn’t want to acknowledge the pain that now spread across her entire ass. Alex had not told her how many strikes she would be getting and had not told her to count. That was not a good sign. If she knew how close she was to being done, she would be able to handle it better. The uncertainty was disconcerting. She might be getting one, or she might be getting twenty. Who knew?
She couldn’t help herself. “Master, how many strikes are you going to give me?”
“It is for your Master to determine how many you deserve. I could consider that ‘topping from the bottom’ and increase your punishment accordingly. Are you submitting to this punishment or not?”
“Yes, Master. Please proceed, Master.” Oh, God. She knew in her heart she had earned this, but that didn’t make it any easier to submit. It just went against the grain.
The strap slapped down across her bottom again, and she could feel the impact jolt through the muscles of her butt. He was putting a good amount of force into each blow. While she knew he could have hit her harder, he wasn’t taking it easy either. Another cracking strike following the last one, and her ass was on fire. That was three. She didn’t know how much more she could take, but she would have to take as much as her Master determined she deserved, unless she used the safe word. Shit, I won’t be able to sit down for a week.
Alex paused, and she didn’t know if he was done or if she should brace for more. Maybe he was giving her the opportunity to use her safe word. When she didn’t say anything, he said, “That’s it. I don’t want to do this anymore.” He laid the strap down on the bench and gently loosened the cuffs, picked her up, and walked over to the chair in the corner. He sat down with her in his lap and spread the soft blue blanket over her. He cuddled her into his chest. She was shaking. “I don’t know exactly how I feel right now. I’m confused, and my emotions are all over the place. I don’t know if I am so angry because of dented pride, hurt feelings, enraged sense of right and wrong, or all of the above. I just know you and this situation have had me twisted up for two months. It’s time to let it go.”
“I’m so sorry, Master. I wish I could take it all back, but I can’t. Do you think that maybe we can just go on from here?”
“Maybe. We can try. No promises or commitments on either side for the duration of this cruise. Can you agree to that?”
“It’s more than I had hoped for—to be able to prove to you that I am not really that other person.”
* * * *
Baylee tucked her head under Alex’s chin and just relaxed against him while her system settled down. Slowly the anxiety of her guilty conscience and the punishment rushed out of her body. She still felt the hot stripes on her butt, but for some unexplained reason, she was more at peace with herself than she had been since she and Barbee had first come aboard the Golden Dolphin for the singles cruise. She knew she had never really been comfortable with what she and Barbee had done to Alex, and now she felt she had expiated that sin, at least partially. She wondered if there was a chance of any future for them beyond a few scenes over the rest of the cruise—less than two weeks now. She knew she loved him, and she would still love him when the cruise was over. What she didn’t know was how he would feel about her. Would he be able to get past his anger and hurt? She didn’t look forward to the pain that would grip her heart if she had to walk away from him. One thing she did know. It was better to feel hurt or pain than to feel nothing at all. When the time came, she would embrace her feelings, no matter what they were.
Baylee skimmed her lips over his strong, corded throat and down over his impressive pecs. He was so gorgeous that her senses really couldn’t take it all in. She wanted to feel him invade her body again and take her where no other man had ever been able to take her. “Please make love to me, Master. I’ve missed you so much.”
Alex rose from the chair with Baylee in his arms and walked over to the Louis Quince style bed in the corner of the room. He tossed the opulent bed coverings on the floor and laid her down. He came down beside her and pulled her up close to his side. He didn’t seem to want any distance between them. He ran his hands over her skin as though learning the planes and curves of her body again. He had always been a thorough and intense lover. Whether he was being gentle or rough, he missed nothing. That had been one of the reasons she and Barbee had been found out. Alex had noticed the small childhood scar on the inside of Barbee’s knee that was the only physical difference between them. They differed greatly in their personalities and emotions, but not in their physical looks.
Alex’s hand slid down to skim over the sensitive skin of her bare pussy. She’d had a Brazilian wax just before the trip. She grinned to herself. She hadn’t told Barbee. This time there would be a tangible difference between them, although she was sure there would be no more double-teaming of Alex Dragados. They had certainly learned their lesson there. She gasped as he thumbed her quivering clit and a bolt of lightning sizzled through her body. The punishment had ramped up her arousal just as the spankings he had given her when they had scened together on the Rio cruise had done. She hadn’t understood it then, and she didn’t understand it now. It was just a fact. She creamed for him as his fingers glanced over her. She eagerly pushed her wet, silky center against his hand. She knew it was topping from the bottom, but she didn’t care.
“Be still, sub. You forget yourself. I am in charge here.”
“Yes, Master. Sorry.” Well, that was what he thought, but she had every intention of making Alex Dragados hers and her alone. She would do what she had to do to repair the relationship she was sure they had been on the way to cementing before things had fallen apart.
After snapping on a condom, Alex rolled over on top of her and nudged her open with his muscular thigh. She had to restrain herself from trying to ride his leg. She was getting desperate to feel the smooth silk of his hard cock inside her again. Baylee gasped as he captured her eyes with his hot, dark-chocolate gaze, and he took possession of her aching pussy. He slammed into her center with a masterful thrust and stilled.
“I’ve missed this…I’ve missed you, subbie.” The deep timbre of his voice sent shivers up her spine. He reached down and took first one then the other of her sensitive nipples into his hot mouth and sucked.
When her tight passage had stretched to accommodate him, he began to ride her with long, slow strokes that increased the heat between them. Finally she felt his jet of semen blast into her pussy as his orgasm rolled through his body. She had known he was on the edge and ready to explode. He continued to stroke her until she joined him in the violent climax she had craved. It had been hot, fast, and not a little rough—just what she had needed after two months of abstinence.
He pulled her into his arms, and she gloried in the feeling of solid muscle against her back and thighs. His semi-erect cock nestled against her bottom, and she knew they were far from finished.
Chapter Eight
The Golden Dolphin, Key West Harbor, Key West, Florida, May 12, 2014—Monday Evening, Day Three of the Cruise
The sunset sky bled oranges, golds, pinks, and purples as the Golden Dolphin made way out of Key West Harbor into the Gulf of Mexico headed toward the island of Cozumel and the Mayan Riviera. The Golden Dolphin would be at sea for three days. Monday evening would be taken up by Gentlemen’s Choice night and the sub charity auction during which the men would bid on a sub or Domme for the evening, Tuesday the ship’s crew had a fun day at sea with game night planned and a sumptuous buffet on deck, and Wednesday evening would be taken up by Sadie Hawkins night during which the women would choose a sub or Dom for the evening. During each night the D/s combinations would spend time together including scenes and dungeon time. Sexual activities were optional but encouraged. The ship would arrive in Cozumel on Friday morning where the passengers would enjoy two days of sightseeing on the island and on the Yucatan Peninsula where sites of archaeological interest abounded, as well as some of the most beautiful reefs in the world.
Beau was standing at the rail with a scotch on the rocks in his hand while he waited for Sandy Sinclair and her friend, Devon James, to make their appearance on deck. He had thoroughly enjoyed the day he had spent with her, and he wanted it to continue tonight, and hopefully through tomorrow. He still had a lot of questions and an uneasy feeling about her. He planned to make sure that he had the winning bid on the luscious Sandy. The men would bid on the various female passengers and crew who had elected to participate in the sub auction, all proceeds going to women’s and children’s charities located in the various cities where the passengers who were members had Le Club facilities. The Chief Steward and Purser, Casey Campbell, had suggested the sub auction and was counting on raising a substantial amount of money for charity.
Gregory Dempsey was to be the Master of Ceremonies and auctioneer and would be running the auction with the help of Natasha Romanova. The women began appearing on deck wearing an array of sub-wear that was truly amazing. Some was quite elegant, and some was downright raunchy. Beau knew that Sandy would not appear on deck in a dress with the breast section cut out or without a seat in the rear. That would just not be her style, but he was looking forward to seeing what she and her friend would wear. Beau knew that Sy had every intention of cutting Devon of the purple-streaked hair out of the pack as soon as she came up for bids.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the sub auction is about to begin. The ground rules are as follows. The winning bids will be paid by check upon retrieval of your sub for the evening. Your time continues until three o’clock tomorrow afternoon, if agreeable to both parties. Of course, standard BDSM protocol will apply. Hard limits will be negotiated between the parties and, as in any scene, safe words will apply. Remember, this is for fun and for charity. The first sub up for auction is Madeline Fazio. Madeline is thirty-five years old, a paralegal from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.” After the successful bid for the lovely Madeline, the auction continued, and several more subs came up on stage.
Finally, it was Cassie’s turn. “The next sub is Sandy Sinclair.” Greg Dempsey looked momentarily confused when Cassie St. Clare came up on the small stage that had been constructed over the hot tub. He raised his eyebrow at Casey, who gave a small shrug. He continued. “Miss Sinclair is a jewelry designer from Savannah and is thirty-two years old.”
The bidding was hot and heavy for Sandy Sinclair. Beau was a little disgruntled when he realized Sandy had caught the eye of many of the men aboard the Golden Dolphin, although she didn’t seem to go out of her way to do it. Her floral-printed designer dress, while short and form fitting, was not outrageous as some of the others were. She wore high “fuck me” pumps with ankle straps, one of his personal favorite things. Her wild, blonde curls were a halo around her head and shoulders as the sea breeze blew through them. It flipped up the skirt of the dress under which she wore no underwear in accordance with the ship’s rules. He knew he had to get serious here if he wanted to have Sandy to himself for the evening. The last bid had been twenty-five hundred dollars, one of the higher bids of the night.
Beau raised his paddle. “Five thousand dollars.”
Greg paused a moment, looked around at the crowd of men, and said, “Five thousand going once, five thousand going twice. Sandy Sinclair is sold to Mr. Beaumont Bainbridge of Atlanta, Georgia, for the sum of five thousand dollars. Pay the purser.”
Beau breathed a sigh of relief. Five grand was a substantial donation, but what the hell. It got him the night with Sandy, and he had big plans.
* * * *
Casey Campbell was thrilled with the way the sub auction was going so far. She had kept a mental tally of the proceeds, and they far exceeded her original estimate. That is she was thrilled until Barbee Baxter stepped up on the stage. Casey had to admit that the tall blonde was an attractive woman, but she didn’t trust her and had every intention of keeping an eye on her during this voyage. Then the bidding started, and Captain Constantine Cortelis made the first bid on Barbee and continued to outbid all the other participants. Finally, Greg said, “Two thousand dollars going once, two thousand dollars going twice. Miss Barbee Baxter is sold to Captain Constantine Cortelis for two thousand dollars. Pay the purser.”
Casey trembled inside. She and Con had been scening together frequently during the several voyages of the Golden Dolphin. While they had not made any formal arrangement between them, she had thought they had an understanding of sorts. She had always found his dark-olive eyes, black hair, impressive physique, and commanding personality to be compelling. She was pretty sure she was developing strong feelings for him. She had not admitted, even to herself, that she might be falling in love with him. There were other committed couples among the crew, but Con and Alex seemed to be free-wheeling. She thought that both of them had been traveling the world for so long that neither of them would have an easy time settling down. Nonetheless, to see him walk off the deck with another woman nearly broke her heart.
Con’s bid for Barbee Baxter, the jewel thief, came right out of left field, and Casey was stunned. She had witnessed the punishment scene in the dungeon on the last voyage, but she had thought it was strictly to obtain information from the sisters and to recover the jewelry stolen from the Devereau and Rossiter suites. She hoped the hurt she felt did not show in her eyes as she accepted a check from Con and watched him leave the deck with Barbee in tow.
* * * *
Baylee Baxter was anxiously awaiting her turn on the stage. She was nervous. Would Alex bid on her? They had certainly not worked out their differences by any means. One scene was not a resolution. They had left their relationship somewhat up in the air—no promises on either side. She saw him standing on the rail near the bar. He looked so handsome in his starched white uniform it made her heart beat faster. He glanced at her briefly and then walked up the stairway leading to the bridge. He hadn’t said anything to her, and now it was clear that he wasn’t going to bid on her. While he hadn’t bid on any of the other women either, that fact did little to ease the pain gripping her heart as he walked away. Was this what she could expect for the remainder of the cruise? Maybe she should just cut her losses and not put herself through any more of this pain. Who was she kidding? There would be pain no matter what she decided to do.
* * * *
All of the female passengers and a good number of the female crew had elected to participate in the sub auction. Cassie had stopped by the office and arranged with Casey Campbell that her name would be listed on the auction manifest as Sandy Sinclair. She told her she was playing a joke on an old friend, and while Casey had looked a little confused, she had agreed to change the name without further explanation. By the time Sandy Sinclair came up for auction, Cassie was a nervous w
reck. She was pretty sure Beau would bid on her, as he hadn’t yet placed a bid on any of the other subs. But one never knew. After all, she had thought he would show up on prom night fifteen years ago, and look how that turned out. If Beau won the bid, she was pretty sure she would scene with him, up to and including having sex if it came to that. She knew in her heart that she would be playing with fire, and she might get burned. If the way he had been acting was any indication, that was what he had in mind. She was as attracted to him as she had ever been, and now she was a grown woman with a woman’s needs. If someone else managed to outbid him, she would be gracious and participate as far as she was comfortable.
When the bidding for her topped out at five thousand dollars, Cassie was appalled. She hadn’t realized the bids would get so high. Beau had intentionally jumped her price way up to cut out the competition. She had thought it was all in fun, but that was some pretty serious cash. Now she had to get naked with Beau Bainbridge, and he had paid five thousand dollars to charity for the privilege. Well, she had been almost there that day he had taken over the sub training class. This couldn’t be too much worse than that had been. She remembered the stinging smacks he had given her backside, and she hoped they wouldn’t revisit that particular experience.
She wasn’t surprised when Beau came to collect her immediately, a checkbook in one hand as he took hers with the other. He wrote out his check and pulled her off to a secluded nook on the deck while the auction continued behind them.
He looked just a tad nervous, which was certainly an oddity for Beau. “Are you okay with this, Sandy?” He looked so sweet that she had to hang on to her pique with both hands, but when she remembered senior prom night, she had no trouble clutching her anger to her heart.
Cassandra's Revenge [Golden Dolphin 4] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 6
