by Jenna Jacob
The sound of Drake’s angry paw meeting Trevor’s ass reverberated in my ears. The bench we four lay across jerked beneath the power of the Dom’s blow.
“One, Master,” Trevor cried out in a howl of pain.
Fear gripped me in an icy hold. I wasn’t a pain slut by any stretch of the imagination. I couldn’t handle what Trevor was being subjected to. I wouldn’t last past the first slap.
Snapping my head toward Sanna, I stared into my sister’s chocolate brown eyes, desperately trying to temper my panic.
“Trevor likes pain. Drake’s doing it hard so Trev won’t enjoy it. We’re not going to get spanked that hard, I promise,” she whispered softly.
“No talking, precious,” Nick admonished.
Sanna’s explanation slightly eased my fears. Still, the longing to bolt from the table and run from the club rode me hard. I’d given Joshua a vow of trust. If I took it back now, it would be the same as confessing I couldn’t place my faith in him.
“Two, Master,” Trevor’s voice cracked.
The young man wailed inconsolably before he choked out the last number, and my heart was breaking for all he’d endured. Drake let out a heavy sigh, then scooped his crying sub into his burly arms, clutching him tightly to his chest. Trailing kisses over Trevor’s mouth, Drake captured the young man’s lips and drank in his mournful sobs. As I watched the poignant exchange, I gained a new understanding of their relationship. Tears stung my eyes at the sheer beauty of it.
“Your turn, my beautiful bride.” Tony announced before landing a quick succession of loud slaps over Leagh’s ass.
I didn’t understand why Leagh was being punished. She had nothing to do with the chain of events leading up to the fire. Maybe Tony decided she’d been guilty by association by some screwy Dominant-Caveman way. I smartly kept my opinion to myself, even though it made absolutely no sense to me at all.
Even before Tony had gathered his new bride into his arms, Mika sank his fingers into Julianna’s red, springy curls.
“Let this serve as a reminder,” Mika warned, aligning a sharp slap across her backside. Julianna let out a yelp. “Always.” Slap. “Read.” Slap. “The ingredients.” Slap.
“Yes, Masterrrr,” she keened through clenched teeth.
Mika pulled her to his chest, smoothing back the riot of ringlets from her face.
“My precious girl. You make me proud.” Mika’s smile reflected the depth of honor Julianna had brought him. Leaning close in an ardent rush, he kissed her ruthlessly.
“Ah, my naughty Savannah,” Nick began in a tone imbued with regret. “Tell me, love…whose idea was it to purchase the elephant-sized butt plug that caught on fire?”
“It was mine, Master.”
“I see,” he chuckled. “Was there a particular reason you wanted such a scary slab of rubber for the centerpiece of your little soirée?”
“Yes, Sir. I bought it for Leagh as a joke.”
“Ironic… none of you seem to be laughing now, are you?”
“No, Master,” Sanna closed her eyes and her chin began to quiver.
Nick’s questions bordered on humiliation. I was getting madder by the second knowing his interrogation was far worse than any physical punishment he could inflict on her.
“I’m sorry for embarrassing you and Master Dylan, Sir.”
“You’re never an embarrassment, kitten,” Dylan corrected. “You light up our days and nights.”
A contented smile curled on her lips as each of her Doms landed two firm swats on her ass. I issued a sigh of relief for Savannah as both Doms covered her with their big bodies and lifted her from the table. Trailing kisses over her lips, jaw, and neck, they whispered praises as they led her away. Dylan stopped before they got very far, watching Joshua closely, like a concerned big brother.
I was next. Sucking in a lungful of apprehension, Joshua lowered over me once again leaning in close to my ear I closed my eyes and absorbed the feel of hard chest pressed against my back and his heated breath as it fluttered across my neck.
“If you get scared, use your safe word for me. Do you remember it, little one?”
“Yes, Sir. Fantasy.”
“Good girl,” he praised.
Standing, and stealing that soothing warmth once again, I braced myself for the impact of his hand. Squeezing my eyes shut, I held my breath. When Joshua skimmed his wide palm over my flesh instead of spanking it, I jolted. With a rush, I exhaled the air I’d trapped in my lungs, waiting for pain that never came. Caressing my ass, he moved his other hand to brush the hair from my face. Trailing the back of his knuckle over my cheek, I quivered.
“Open for me, little one,” he instructed, as he tickled my lips with his fingertips.
What? Legs? Mouth?
My hesitation earned a quick slap to my left butt cheek. It didn’t hurt, but stung with a delicious little burn. Tickling my lips with his fingers again, I took a chance and opened my mouth. Joshua leaned in, whispering his approval as he slid one finger past my lips and onto my tongue.
“Show me, little one. Remind me how your silky, hot mouth felt wrapped around my cock.”
With a tiny whimper I sucked, licked, and nibbled, exactly as I’d done to his ample erection a few nights before. Joshua landed another quick slap, slightly harder than the first. I couldn’t help but moan.
“You’re not as fragile as they think, are you gorgeous girl?”
Shaking my head slightly, I worshiped his finger as if it were his shaft, swirling my tongue around him and sucking hard.
“I think it’s time to let you feel a little fire with the next one. You’d like that wouldn’t you, little one?” He traced the tip of his tongue over the shell of my ear, and I moaned in agreement.
The smack of his hand echoed in my ears as a sweet burn flowed up my spine and ebbed down my legs. Seemingly weightless, I floated on the liberating sensations.
“Give it to her, Stephen. She likes it harder than that.” The malevolent voice of Davis Walker—my former Master—thundered in my ears and instantly shattered the euphoric splendor.
Bolting upright from the table, I whipped my neck toward the direction of his voice. There, stranding among a sea of curious faces, Davis smiled. Only I could see past his mask, see the contempt glistening in his cold, heartless eyes. Bile rose in my throat and I coughed. Every graceless emotion—embarrassment, degradation, rage, and fear—galloped through me leaving a trail of slimy disgust. Trembling like a leaf, I flashed a glance toward Sanna. I needed a lifeline to pull me in from the choppy, volatile water I felt like I was drowning in. Meshed between her Masters, my sister’s confused frown creased her brow. Both Dylan and Nick volleyed their attention between Joshua and my former Master.
“It’s been a long time, bunny. I’ve missed you.” Davis addressed me in the club name he’d given me. The sound of it after so many years made my blood run cold. He flashed me a smile I found repulsive and vile as he took a step toward me.
Inching back, Joshua put his arms around me, reinforcing his presence. Davis smirked as if pleased to see my overt fear.
Sliding his attention back to Joshua, he nodded. “Don’t let me interrupt, Stephen. I’m thoroughly enjoying the show, but there’s one thing I need to know… does her ass still feel as soft as cotton? I imagine it does. I’ve never forgotten the feel of her flesh. Go on, slap her again; hard. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed hearing her lusty cries.”
“Then don’t,” Joshua commanded in a tone colder than stone. Turning his back on Davis, he shot Mika a look of controlled fury as his arms remained cinched around me in a protective hold. “She’s done here.”
“Yes, indeed.” Mika nodded as his hulking body seemed to expand. “Master Kerr, I need a word with you upstairs, please.”
It wasn’t a question—it was an order.
Joshua gripped my quaking body against him tighter. Even the heat pouring off him did nothing to stop my nervous tremors.
“I’ve got you, Mellie
. Relax, baby. You’re safe… totally safe.”
“Seriously?” Incredulity wrinkled Davis’ face. “Come on, Mika, I was just giving Stephen some pointers, that’s all.”
“I don’t believe he asked for any. Stephen needs no help in any Dominant fashion, not from you, me, or anyone,” Mika countered, his tone dripping with contempt. “We can do this here, or in private. I really don’t give a fuck. But we are going to have a conversation, Kerr.”
“Oh for the love of… fine. Fuck it. Let’s go,” Davis spat.
Before turning to follow the club owner, Walker turned and pinned me with a contemptuous look. Riddled with insecurities, I dropped my gaze as Drake rushed past the back of the padded table. Peeking up, I watched the three men round the archway to the hall of private rooms.
“Are you all right?” Joshua whispered as his narrow eyes delved into mine.
“Yeah.” I nodded, still shaking uncontrollably.
“Okay folks. Show’s over,” Tony announced through the mic. “If you’ll all sit back and relax for a bit, we’ll begin the ceremony shortly.”
“Mel?” Sanna asked on a quivering voice ripe with fear. I turned my head. Panic etched my sister’s face. “Was that…him?”
“Yes.” I nodded, grateful that the members were gravitating toward their seats.
“What’s he doing here?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know how he found me, or if he was even looking.” The combination of shock, anger, and fear had tears threatening to spring forth. I blinked them away as Sanna bent and handed me my skirt, but my fingers were trembling so badly it slipped back to the floor.
“Here, let me help you.”
I clung to Joshua’s chest as Sanna picked up the garment then waited. When I turned, Joshua’s hands supported my waist and I stepped inside the opening before she pulled it up around my waist. Everything and everyone around me seemed to be moving at the speed of light. My muddled brain made it difficult to focus on anything other than the all-encompassing bewilderment surrounding me.
Scattered thoughts flitted through my brain, like buying a lottery ticket. I felt the odds of Davis showing up the first time I dipped my toes into the submission waters had to be so outlandishly high, I should try my luck on something far less frightening. What the hell was Davis Walker doing at Genesis in the first place? Was he visiting or was he a member? But why would Mika allow a player like Davis inside his club? Dizzied by the barrage of questions, I braced my hand on the spanking bench and drew in a deep breath.
“Stephen. Why don’t you let us take Mellie to our room? She can sit down for a bit, in private, and relax,” Nick suggested.
“I’d like to take her, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course.” Nick nodded.
“Wait,” I protested through chattering teeth. “We’ll miss the collaring ceremony.”
“No, we won’t,” Sanna assured me before racing off toward Trevor. The two exchanged words, then she kissed his cheek and rushed back.
“It’s all set. Trevor will come get us before it starts. Come on, sis. You’re as pale as a sheet. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I have,” I mumbled.
Passing Trevor, he reached out and squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry, sis. Mika’s got this under control. And if Kerr needs his ass kicked, Daddy will be happy to do it. He’s way pissed.”
“Thanksss.” I shivered, forcing a tight smile.
“Come on, little one. You need a warm blanket and a stiff drink,” Joshua urged. He held me tight against his side and we followed Sanna and her Masters down the long hallway.
“I’ll be back in a few,” Dylan announced as Nick unlocked the door. There was a far-away look in Dylan’s usual jovial eyes. The man looked downright scary.
“Don’t call me to bail your ass out of jail, bro,” Nick warned with a derisive smirk.
“I won’t be the one going to jail,” Dylan assured him before marching toward an open doorway near the end of the hall.
Once inside the private room, Sanna sought shelter in Nick’s arms. Her face clouded in worry. “What’s he going to do, Master?”
“Nothing, precious. Dylan will be fine. I was only teasing him. He’s mad, but he’ll get over it. Don’t worry, love.”
Joshua tugged a blanket from the foot of the bed, shook it open and wrapped it around me. “Sit down and try to get warm,” he directed.
“I’m not cold, I’m just…I don’t know. Maybe shocked is a better word,” I explained as I plopped down on the bed.
In unison, Sanna and Joshua each took a seat beside me, enveloping me in their arms. My sister gave me a reassuring smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She was worried about me.
“Really, I’m fine, sis. I’m not made of china.” Reaching out, I held her hand.
“I know, but he scared you. I want to kick his fu…” She stopped short and peeked up at Nick.
“Dylan’s taking care of that for you, precious,” Nick laughed as he handed Joshua a glass of amber liquid.
I blanched. “He is?”
“Well, that all depends. Mika’s going to handle it, but I know Dylan. He’ll offer to bury the body.” Nick smiled.
“I’d gladly help with that,” Joshua groused as he took a gulp from the glass.
“Umm, that was supposed to be for Mellie, bro,” Nick chuckled. “Oh, what the hell. You probably need it as much as she does.”
“Just testing it for her, man,” Joshua smiled. Holding the glass to my lips, his warm breath caressed my cheek. “It’s strong, so take little sips. Okay?”
The pungent odor of alcohol wafted up my nose. I took a swallow and almost spit it out. Whatever was in the glass tasted like sweaty gym socks soaked in kerosene, and it burned like acid. I sputtered and coughed then wrinkled my nose.
“That’s nasty.”
“You’re not a Scotch girl, I take it?” he chuckled.
“No. Do you have a margarita or cosmopolitan?”
“Not tonight, little one. Tomorrow. I’ll let you have both, if you’d like.”
“Oh, so you’re going to ply me with alcohol and take advantage of me?” I asked with a playful smile.
“I don’t think he’ll have to get you drunk to do that,” Sanna giggled.
“Sanna,” I gasped. “I can’t believe you said that.”
“What?” She grinned. It was a welcome change of her demeanor.
“That was some display of control out there, Stephen. I’m not sure how you kept from knocking that bastard on his ass.”
“You have no idea,” Joshua assured her. Turning toward me, he caressed my cheek with his hand. “My first responsibility is to protect Mellie. But I plan to have a talk with Kerr, very soon.”
“I appreciate that.” I smiled. “You know though, I could kick his ass if there weren’t so many Doms in line ahead of me,” I teased.
Joshua cracked a small smile, but I could tell something heavy weighed on his mind. “Will you tell me about your history with Kerr?”
I knew Joshua’s curiosity would lead to questions; I simply hadn’t expected it to be so soon.
“Yes, but I’d like some information first, okay?”
“Of course. Just don’t attempt to sidetrack me, little one. It won’t work.”
“I won’t,” I replied solemnly. “How long has Davis… Master Kerr been a member of Genesis?”
“About… what would you say, Nick? Maybe six months or so?”
“About that.” Nick nodded.
“So he must live here in Chicago now.” I mused aloud.
“Yes. He’s told several of us that his job transferred him here and was happy to find our community,” Nick informed me.
“Has he done anything…”
“You mean has he repeated his old behavior?” Nick prompted.
“Yes.” I nodded.
“No. He’s not collared anyone. Kerr scenes with a lot of subs, but he hasn’t set his sights on a particular girl yet. At least n
ot that I know of.”
“He uses them like paper towels. I get the impression he likes to show off to the other members… kind of like someone else I know,” Joshua groused with a sour expression. “He’s always shown respect and honored the code… until tonight; when he shit all over it.”
“Do you think Mika will rescind his membership?” Sanna asked as she nibbled her bottom lip.
“I don’t know, precious,” Nick replied.
“You don’t think Mika will let Kerr hurt Dylan do you?” she whispered.
Nick chortled. “It’s not Dylan you need to worry about, precious. Stop worrying. Mika will keep him from killing Kerr.”
My head swam with images of bloodied faces and broken knuckles. Surely Dylan wouldn’t risk assault charges for me, would he?
Joshua tipped back the glass and downed the Scotch. He picked up my hand and placed a tender kiss in my palm. “Tell me your secrets, little one,” he whispered.
The compassion swimming in his beautiful green eyes gave me the courage to spill the embarrassing saga of Davis’s uncollaring. I skimmed over the details of running away and leaving Sanna to fend for herself. There were some things too raw to share with anyone but my sister. Joshua absorbed my disconcerting story without a question or comment. When I was done, he gathered me into his arms.
“He never deserved you or your gifts, little one.”
I closed my eyes and inhaled his scent, drank in his warmth, and thanked the heavens that my truths hadn’t turned Joshua away.
Still wrapped in his arms, I realized that I’d been a pawn in Davis Walker’s game. Not only had he shown his true colors to the people of my former club, but the members of Genesis now, too. The embarrassment that I’d hauled around like an anvil around my neck had never been mine to begin with. I wasn’t a reflection of Davis’s ineptness; he was responsible for that, all on his own. He was an asshole and a player, and probably always would be.
Yes, I’d been naïve to believe his lies, but I’d been a bigger fool to give him the power to toss aside the passion and fulfillment of my submission. Eight years denying my desires was long enough. No more.
“He won’t bother you again, little one,” Joshua vowed.
