by Vonna Harper
Did he want her submissive? Maybe he was waiting for defiance. No matter, she could only be herself. He hadn’t taken that from her.
“I could have pulled it out, but I decided to see what you’d do.”
“Was it that or were you afraid of my reaction?”
“You ordered me to call you Master. I couldn’t forget that.”
“Good. Back to my question, do you want it gone?”
“Yes.”
“It’s making you sore?”
“Feeling stretched.”
He chuckled. “You’re honest, at least in some things. Let’s see how far that honesty goes. Start by getting rid of your shoes.”
Prompted by his tone, she complied. Then she waited with her fingers fisted and her heart hammering. All day she’d wondered how the evening would play out. Now that it was here, she decided to live in the moment, and make the most of it.
Be the center of his attention.
“Now the jeans.”
She wished he’d tend to that particular task, strip the denim over her hips and down her legs. Obeying meant she had to briefly take her gaze off him, not that it should bother her since she detected no emotion in him. He reminded her of a predator studying potential prey while knowing he had all the time in the world in which to decide whether to attack.
But he wasn’t a predator. He was...
“Panties.”
Darn it, she should have grabbed them while dealing with her jeans. Because she hadn’t, she again braced herself against the desk and lifted one leg at a time. Done and done. Her plugged ass available to him. Maybe he didn’t give a damn about her T-shirt or bra.
“Have you had dinner?”
She hadn’t eaten at all today but settled for shaking her head.
“Neither have I. One of the pluses about being rich, you can get other people to do the shopping. Let’s see what’s in the kitchen.”
Like the dutiful pet he’d labeled her, she followed as he led the way to the back of the house. Luna was going to have a potential mate. However, she couldn’t focus on that. She only marginally cared that someone might see her like she was. After all, judging by how some staff members had studied her today, they’d guessed the reason behind her awkward gait.
The kitchen was large enough to comfortably hold a half dozen people. It had a six-burner stove, a massive side-by-side refrigerator, and a pantry that would put a small grocery store to shame.
“I eat a lot of sandwiches because I’m always on the go,” he said as he sat in a chair that butted up to the marble island. “That’s why you’ll find a lot of deli meats and other fixings in the refrigerator. I don’t care what you come up with, just that it doesn’t take much time.”
Because there were things he wanted to do to her, his pet?
Swallowing resentment and excitement, she set about putting together two ham and cheese sandwiches with generous amounts of lettuce and tomatoes. He hadn’t said anything about her not eating so unless he did, she’d do what it took to end the empty feeling in her gut. He never once took his attention off her, his gaze often settling on her ass. In another place and time—and if they were different people—they might pass as a couple. Lovers. Committed to each other. Into some kinky fun.
Don’t go there.
“Sit,” he said when she handed him a full plate.
“I’d rather not.”
“And I’d rather you do, pet.”
It took several tries before she found a reasonably comfortable position. Thank goodness the seat was padded. Even hungry as she was, she couldn’t divorce herself from what was going on inside her. The plug was there, proof of his right to call her his pet. Inescapable. Still exciting. Turning her every which way but loose.
As they ate practically side by side, he told her how he’d learned of the female jaguar’s existence. Knowing the creature had been born wild, she longed to get her here so she could once again move at will. The jaguar, she concluded, had a lot in common with her. As long as she was Mr. Dalton’s employee, he controlled a great deal about her existence. The jaguar now merely existed or flourished depending on this man’s will.
Tonight she wore Mr. Dalton’s collar, and his plug was lodged inside her. He’d claimed her, at least for now.
“Come here,” he said when she’d finished putting things away and had placed the dishes and glasses in the largest dishwasher she’d ever seen.
Her bare feet felt like pins and needles were being poked into them as she again put an end to the distance. Even though she didn’t think she’d given any indication she might resist whatever he had in mind, he grabbed her arms and spun her away from him.
“Lean over.”
Her body felt as if it was losing definition, becoming liquid, heated liquid. Doing as he’d ordered filled her head with blood. Dizzy, she spread her legs to keep from losing her balance.
He worked so damn slow, taking forever to finger the puckered flesh around her rear opening, sliding his fingers over her inner thighs, even pulling her ass cheeks apart.
“A good pet knows how to please her master. Right now you’re doing exactly what I want you to.”
She wasn’t doing anything—just trying to keep her wits about her.
“I’m pleased with your progress. I thought you might resist some of my treatment, which would necessitate my having to spank you again. Good job, so far.”
The so far nearly distracted her from the fact that he’d gripped the plug. Holding her breath, she tried to picture what the two of them looked like. People wouldn’t have to see the collar to know which of them held all the power.
Would that voyeur guess the pet was turned on?
“Relief time,” Mr. Dalton said.
The drawing sensation was so strong she had to hold her breath and brace herself. Pulling the plug out took some effort on his part, but she felt no pain, just a strange emptiness. When he was done, he carried the invasion into the bathroom and returned empty-handed.
Lost in the new sensation, she started to straighten. He placed his hand on the small of her back.
“Not yet, pet. I’ve decided to reward you.”
Excited and a little alarmed, she squeezed her eyes shut and focused on repeatedly filling her lungs. Her back and legs burned while her blood-filled head continued to pound. She wanted him. Needed him. Needed to comprehend how the change in her existence made her feel.
She made a mewing sound when he eased a finger over her labia. He explored her there, his touches gentle. Fluid gathered in her pussy as did tingling heat. He collected some of her juices and spread it over her ass, easing the discomfort there.
This wasn’t happening. Never once had she imagined herself standing submissive and turned on before a masterful man. Some other woman had taken her place and was feeling this wonderful pleasure. This breaking down of any thoughts of resistance.
A pet, was she? Oh, damn, yes.
“That’s enough.” He jerked her upright.
Confused and still in pieces, she faced him. She’d seen that expression on him before, a kind of drawing into himself, anger maybe.
“What have I done wrong?” she asked as her body protested the sudden change.
“Nothing. Everything.”
Even more confused, she chanced a downward glance. He was aroused but why would that make him angry, if it had?
“I don’t know what to say.” I just know what I’m feeling and how hard it is to ignore it.
“Nothing. Not a damn thing.”
As his expression continued to confuse her, she managed to calm herself enough to question whether she understood him. Yesterday, this morning, and tonight had been all about her. Even though he called her his pet, he put her needs before his. She wondered if he wasn’t used to that kind of relationship with a woman, particularly not an Other.
As for why it was different with her—
It just was.
No other explanation needed at least now.
“You
did something incredible today,” she whispered as she knelt and placed her hands on his knees. “You freed that jaguar from a half-life. Hopefully she’ll be here before long, out of the transport cage, and tasting freedom. Seeing Luna. Maybe letting him mount her.”
He planted his hands over hers, pressing down. “Do you know what to expect?”
“Yes.”
“It might take multiple attempts.”
“True, but they don’t have much else to do.”
He nodded. “I didn’t tell you to kneel.”
“I wanted to focus on you.”
“Why?” He sounded suspicious.
“I’ve never had an experience like this.”
“I don’t suspect you have.”
The conversation wasn’t getting them anywhere. Also, she wasn’t sure how many more words she was capable of uttering. Telling him about the sex between two predators was woven in with her reaction to how he’d handled her. Before long Luna, her cub, would have a mate. She’d watch as the couple created more life. Then she’d return to her ordinary life and nights alone.
Except—
Chapter Nine
“Stand.”
If her legs protested, she didn’t notice. Oblivious to everything beyond this room and this man, she obeyed then pulled her shirt over her head.
“You didn’t wait for directions, pet.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Why not?”
“You—the things you’ve done to me...” She reached behind her and stroked her buttocks.
“What I did was show you who is in charge and the consequences of disobeying.”
He stood before she could come up with a response. Looming over her with his gaze like iron, she’d never doubt which of them was at the top of the food chain so to speak but did she want to be anywhere else?
“I understand,” she whispered. “I also understand why you made me your pet.”
He frowned. “Why did I?”
Sensing she was on slippery ground, she tried to find a way to defuse the situation, but he was so damned masculine with those hard muscles, lean waist, and flat belly, to say nothing of his firm ass.
Ass.
As if on cue, her buttocks tightened.
“Why?” he repeated.
“Because you can.”
His expression relaxed a little. “That’s one reason. Do you hate me for how I treat you?”
“No. Never.” Shocked by how much she’d exposed, she clamped a hand over her mouth.
Tonight was insane, a professionally dressed man discussing intimate matters with a woman clad only in a bra—and a collar. If her emotions weren’t all over the place, she might laugh.
“Why don’t you loathe me, not that I’m sure I’ll believe you?”
“It’s exciting.” And more, much more.
“Being spanked is?”
“Not that so much but—” She fingered the collar. “I can’t explain everything but...”
“Oh, I believe you can, especially if you’re given the right incentive, but we can get into that another time. What matters to me is getting rid of that bit of clothing you’re still wearing.”
Certain he wasn’t talking about the collar, she nodded. Once more the image of mating predators infringed on her thoughts. If it happened again, she wouldn’t be able to escape it. Wouldn’t even want to try.
He snagged a hand and spun her around. A moment later her bra lay on the floor. Her back was to him and his greater size dwarfed her just as the male panther had dominated the female. There’d been no foreplay between the animals, no kindness. Maybe that’s what she wanted from Mr. Dalton.
From the man who might again tell her to call him Master.
The man who’d spanked her and treated her like a pet.
Her knees weakened so much she grabbed the counter.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
She couldn’t tell whether he cared, wasn’t sure she wanted him to.
“Too much thinking,” she belatedly told him.
“Yeah, I understand.”
When he drew her back around and lifted her over his shoulder, everything narrowed down to what he was doing. His shoulder caressed her middle and breasts while his arm over her back kept her in place. She didn’t care where he was taking her, just that he didn’t intend to leave her.
Was that his plan? He considered the cage the perfect place to leave a new and potentially unruly pet. He could, if it pleased him to do so, push her into it and lock the door, turn off the light and—what?
No. He wouldn’t leave her.
She wouldn’t let him.
Somehow.
Because she needed more between them.
“This is my bedroom,” he said as he stood her on her feet. “I haven’t decided whether I want you to spend the night here, but we have time before I do.” He pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. “Time we might regret.”
No! Please.
“There’s no one else in the house?” she asked.
“No. Also, the jaguar won’t arrive until tomorrow.”
In other words this was their night, their exploration, if he allowed that to happen. Her mouth dry, she rubbed her thighs but couldn’t get enough feeling back into them. She’d imagined becoming important to a man, but it had never been like this. Besides, she didn’t and might never know whether he felt the same way. Hoping to find her way to sanity, she turned the collar about.
“It’s staying on.”
“I didn’t mean—I just...”
“I get it. Nervous energy.”
Struck by how much he understood about her, she clamped her lips together but couldn’t command her hands to still. He removed his shirt, one button at a time. Maybe he didn’t care if or when he finished his task. The thought that she meant nothing to him seized her heart. She didn’t want to feel this way, hated being a slave to her emotions where he was concerned, but this strange new need was so strong.
She tried to distract herself from the knot in her chest by looking around, but the masculine furniture complete with a king-size bed and a sitting area with two overstuffed chairs didn’t long hold her attention. Maybe the truth was she didn’t want to think about him sharing the room with another woman.
Finally, or was it too soon, they were both naked. His eyes narrowed as he stared at her. Between his probing gaze and erection, she was being drawn closer to him. It wouldn’t take much for her to feel as if she was flying, just a touch, maybe a kiss not that she expected him to initiate one.
Their relationship was many-fingered with the dynamics all in his favor. She did what he told her to and accepted punishment. What he couldn’t do was control her emotions. Neither could she. Her muscles and nerves belonged to a stranger, a much bolder woman than she’d ever been. A hungry one.
Starving. Too long denied.
The female predator that in some ways was like her had submitted to the male today, but no matter that Mr. Dalton had called her his pet, she wasn’t an animal. She’d show him the truth of her as much as she dared—step outside herself—do—
“I assume you’ve been implanted,” he said.
“Yes.”
As part of the Society’s goal of managing the world’s population, all females were implanted with a device that both acted as effective birth control and immunized them against any and all transmittable sexual diseases. A married or committed couple could petition to have the device removed, but the request wasn’t always granted. She resented that women’s reproductive systems and not men’s had been targeted but understood why. The truly powerful and influential Elites were all men.
Mr. Dalton wasn’t speaking. Seconds ticked by, the passing of time like electrical charges. Her world narrowed until there was only him. Only memories of the butt plug’s impact on her libido and who had placed it in her.
He’d deliberately kept her excited, needing to but unable to climax. Tonight she was restless and acutely aware of how a pair
of predators had dealt with their instincts.
She’d become a predator. One with a single thought. A solitary desire.
Propelled by desire she hadn’t known she was capable of, she entered his space. Placed her hands on his chest, dragged her nails down him, left thin white furrows in her wake.
She wanted him. This man. As she’d never wanted or needed anything.
He yanked her hands off him, but when he let go, she attacked him again. He’d marked her ass as was his right, but now it was her turn. She’d imprint his flesh with her existence. Make sure he wouldn’t forget her.
“You’re a wild one.” He again wrapped his fingers around her wrists but, this time he didn’t pull her hands away.
“You wanted a pet.”
“You sure as hell aren’t acting like one.”
No, she wasn’t. At the moment there was nothing docile or compliant about her. He might punish her for scratching him, but she’d deal with that later. Face herself once he was no longer inside her.
If he entered her, she reminded herself. It didn’t matter that she was standing up to him, he was in charge. Would always be.
She couldn’t stop staring at what she’d done to his beautiful skin, didn’t hesitate to try to wrap her arms around his neck. For a moment she thought he wouldn’t let her. Then he released her wrists. With her legs between his, his erection hard against her belly, and their heated bodies together, she pressed her fingertips into the back of his neck.
Something felt different about him there, a thickening and hardening of his flesh but determining the cause would have to wait.
Until she’d had her way with him. Tamed him.
It’ll never be like that between the two of you.
“You aren’t just wild.” He snaked his arms around her middle. “You’re savage. Where the hell did that come from?”
I don’t know.
Instead of confessing her unnerving truth, she pressed against his swollen cock. She didn’t need to speak, to beg because surely he understood what was happening to her. Her hands were everywhere on his neck and upper back, which also bore the strange thickness, but he remained in charge. He could have held her so close she couldn’t move. Instead he gave her just enough freedom that her long-denied fantasy exploded.
