Kneel

by Elyzabeth M. VaLey

  “You’ll see soon enough. How are your nipples?”

  “They’re okay.”

  “Touch them for me,” he demanded, giving her a quick glance.

  “Are you serious?”

  “Absolutely. Lift your shirt and tug on the chain.”

  “But you can’t see me.”

  “I can hear you.”

  “All right, Sir.”

  Out of the corner of his eyes, he watched her lift her shirt and lower her bra. The chain clinked briefly but her loud intake of breath was what had his cock twitching in anticipation and his heart rushing once more.

  “Do it again.”

  She did, this time hissing through her teeth.

  “The sounds you make are beautiful, little bird. I can’t wait to give you a good dose of pain and pleasure. You may cover up.”

  “Thank you, Sir. I’m looking forward to it.”

  Thomas swallowed. If he could, he’d drive her to his home and fuck her senseless right then and there, but he had to act carefully with Kendra. One wrong move and she could flee like a frightened bird.

  “And we’re here,” he said, entering the parking space reserved for customers.

  “Here?” Kendra’s jaw dropped. “It’s a warehouse or a factory.”

  “Both really, it used to be a car factory which then became a warehouse, and which has been rehabilitated to hold several restaurants and a steam punkish 1800s décor.”

  “I’d never heard of it.”

  “That’s because they finished the work recently and it’s not your usual joint, is it?”

  “You’re right about that, but it’s also the kind of place I’d love to go to, with an aura of old-school mystique.”

  Thomas found a parking spot shrouded in shadows and turned to Kendra. “Lift your shirt.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Kendra stared at Thomas.

  “Here?”

  “Yes, little bird. I know you said you’re comfortable with the clamps and you’re used to wearing them for long periods of time, but you’ve been wearing them for a good twenty minutes. It’s enough. I don’t want to kill the nerve endings.”

  “They aren’t so tight and don’t bother me. I’ve worn worse.”

  “I don’t care. Lift the shirt, Kendra. Now.”

  She jumped at the command in Thomas’s tone. It was harsh and authoritarian, brooking no argument. “There’s no one here. We’re facing a wall and I already checked the two cars next to ours are empty.”

  “All right, Sir. I apologize,” she replied, baring her breasts.

  Thomas clucked and tenderly grasped her breasts. Kendra winced.

  “Too long,” he muttered. “This is going to hurt,” he declared, meeting her gaze.

  She nodded. “I know.”

  “Take a deep breath.”

  She did as he commanded. Without preamble, he removed the first clamp. She gasped loudly as blood rushed to her nipple, bringing it alive with pinpricks of pain. Thomas pressed his lips to it, kissing it gently before tugging it into his mouth. Warmth exploded around the nub, echoing in her pussy tenfold. Kendra bucked and cried out in pleasure. With no warning, Thomas reached for the other clamp and released it. Kendra squealed. He sucked, soothing the burn. Finally satisfied, he lifted his head and smashed his mouth against hers. Taken by surprise, Kendra toppled backward. She didn’t fall as his arm wrapped around her, bringing her flush against his chest. He kissed her hard, with a taste of wilderness that resonated deep in her body and called for her to surrender. She arched against him, seeking more. Thomas threaded his fingers through her hair and tugged. The flashback of another moment more than a decade ago swept through her mind. It was forgotten the instant Thomas grasped her chin and forced her gaze to his.

  “You’re beautiful.” He kissed her again, dragging his palm across her breast and drawing a sound she didn’t recognize from her throat.

  “Yes,” he murmured, snagging her bottom lip between his teeth. “Just what I wanted to hear.”

  “Sir,” she mewled. “I don’t know what’s—”

  He cut off her words by pushing his tongue past her lips, seductively stroking her. Thoughts fled her mind. Need took over. Her body lit up like a torch on fire and only Thomas could appease it. She reached for him, planting the flat of her palm against his chest and sliding it south where she knew her prize awaited. He grabbed her wrist.

  “Not yet,” he whispered. “I just want to kiss you. I want you to lose yourself in this moment.” He pressed his lips to hers and she sighed. Warmth spread from her head to her toes, her clit throbbing and her breasts following the same tempo. Her body begged for more, but her mind enjoyed every ounce of sensation sliding across her flesh. Finally, after what didn’t seem long enough, he pulled back.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he said.

  “To my place or yours?” she asked.

  Thomas chuckled. “Neither. To dinner.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Thomas stepped out of the car to open Kendra’s door. His dick hurt and he was desperately racking his brain for something other than the image of Kendra’s supple body to rid himself of his erection. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such an intense make-out session. Years, for sure. He offered her a hand, which she took. The contact brought up the hairs on the back of his neck.

  “Are you sure you want to go to dinner? That looks mightily uncomfortable,” she said, cocking an eyebrow and staring pointedly at his dick.

  Thomas playfully slapped her bottom. “Maybe, if you’d stop looking it’d settle down. Besides, I really want you to see this place. I think you’ll like it. We’ll have a look around and then we can choose a place to eat.”

  He slid his hand into hers. The movement was natural, as if their fingers had magnets and couldn’t be kept apart. She squeezed his palm, sending a thrilling shiver down his spine. Thomas led her inside. Kendra oohed.

  “Look at all this greenery,” she cried, admiring the array of leafy plants decorating the entrance. “And the lamps. They’re so vintage.” She pointed to the wrought-iron arms hanging from the tall glass ceiling. They walked further inside, stopping every few steps to admire the art and reconstruction of the building.

  “This place looks and smells scrumptious,” she declared in front of an Italian pizzeria.

  “Shall we?” Thomas offered.

  They waited for a table and were taken to one near a collection of old porcelain dishes painted with blue flowers. Light bulbs framed in copper cages hung from ropes in the ceiling.

  “Thank you for showing me this place. It’s so nice,” Kendra said.

  “I’m glad you liked it. I’ve never eaten the food here, so hopefully it’ll be good too.”

  “I’m sure it will. They have dishes and olive oil bottles lining their walls.” She laughed, the sound carefree and full of glee, compelling him to reach out and grab her hand.

  “Hello, my name is Daryl.” A young man skidded to a stop in front of them, dressed in a white shirt, brown apron, and matching pants. He stared at Kendra, a blush extending from his forehead down to his neck. “I-I will be your um, waiter.”

  “Why, hello, Daryl,” Kendra whispered.

  The air shifted. Kendra’s voice had become deeper and more seductive. Her gaze had turned coy and playful as she looked back at the embarrassed waiter. Thomas frowned. It was unacceptable. Not because she was doing her job, but because she was setting herself on display again, being someone she was not. She wasn’t a devilish seductress, she was Kendra, his woman. Beautiful. Vulnerable. Thomas cleared his throat. The young man turned to him, his face becoming even redder. Handing them their menus, he hurried off, mumbling something about bringing them glasses of water.

  “He didn’t even ask what we wanted to drink.” Kendra giggled.

  “You enjoy this, don’t you?” Thomas crossed his arms.

  “It is my job.” She shrugged. “And he was inoffensive.” She flipped back her hair and
gave him a coquettish wink. “You’re not.”

  “Indeed.” Thomas curled his index finger, motioning for her to come closer. She did, the low-cut top allowing him a glimpse of her cleavage. Deftly, he reached out and pinched the side of her breast through her bra. Kendra gasped. “It’s not your mission to be on display for everyone all the time,” he admonished. “Especially, not tonight and not right now. You’re just another citizen enjoying dinner with—” He hesitated, unsure how to finish the sentence. Boyfriend? Lover? Dom? “Just be yourself,” he finished.

  Releasing her, he sat back in his seat. Kendra sucked in her cheeks, which were bright red. She took in a deep breath through her nose and let it out slowly. Splaying her hands on the table, she met his gaze with ice.

  “You’re right,” she said. “Whenever I notice someone who recognizes me, I always go on full-on work mode. Fans are what made me who I am. I want to be nice to them.”

  “You can be nice without putting on a show, flirting, winking, seducing.”

  “I can’t act with them like I do with you. They don’t know me. They don’t need to know me.”

  “You could just be polite, give them a brief smile and then—”

  “Then what? Ignore them? Brush them off like cockroaches?” She sighed. “Thomas, I like what I do. I enjoy the recognition, the attention. Sometimes it’s negative, but sometimes it’s endearing, knowing you’re a young man’s dream girl. Sure, the beginning wasn’t easy, but I’m proud of how far I’ve gotten and all the work I’ve put into being here. I know tonight is about us, about me being myself without any masks, and I’m trying, but you have to cut me some slack.”

  Thomas sucked in his lips, taking in her words. Kendra wasn’t wearing any makeup and she was wearing jeans and a shirt when she usually wore the opposite. She was out of her comfort zone and it was all because he’d asked her. Yet, he’d reprimanded her for doing her job, for putting on a show for a brief few minutes for a waiter who was as much of a fan as he’d once been. What was worse, he’d made it seem as if her work was demeaning.

  “I’m sorry, Kendra.” He reached out to grab her hand. Her gaze flew to his face, her forehead wrinkling in confusion.

  “You’re apologizing?”

  “Yes. I am. I made a terrible mistake. In my desire to bring out your authentic self, I’ve squashed a part of who you are. Your work is a big part of you and as you’ve just told me, you enjoy it. It’s not right of me to stop you from performing your duty. I want you to find your true self in private, but you are a public persona. I have no right to take that from you.”

  Kendra blinked, her eyes watering. “Thanks,” she said. “I don’t even know what to say. Antonio never apologized and most men—” She shook her head.

  “I’m not like most, remember?” Thomas smiled, squeezing her palm.

  “I’m seeing that more and more clearly with every minute we spend together.”

  “Good.” He cocked his head. “Here comes, Daryl. Do what you need to do.”

  Flashing him a toothy smile, Kendra swept back her hair and crossed her legs. Her eyes sparkled. Thomas leaned back against his chair. If she was going to put on a show, he was going to enjoy it. He turned his attention to their waiter. Daryl’s footsteps turned slower, the jar of water he held trembling in his hands. Kendra laughed. “Thanks,” she said, crooking her digit at Daryl.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Kendra opened the door to her apartment. She still couldn’t believe he’d agreed to come upstairs. They’d enjoyed a great dinner and a gelato before getting back in the car and driving here. Unable to hold back, she’d planted her mouth on Thomas’s and invited him to come to her house. To her surprise, he’d said yes.

  “Come in,” she said, with a flourish. “Living room is straight ahead.”

  She watched as Thomas walked inside. Her legs wobbled like they hadn’t done in ages, nerves eating at her stomach while desire coursed through her veins. She wanted him like she hadn’t wanted a man in forever. After closing the door, she took off her coat and slipped off her stilettos. Thomas stood in the center of her living room, arms open. Kendra walked into his embrace, leaning her cheek against his chest. His heart thumped against her ear. He kissed the top of her head.

  “You’re beautiful, little bird.”

  “Even without makeup.”

  “Thank you, Sir, is what you’re supposed to say,” he scolded gently. Cupping her chin, he tilted her head back so their gazes locked.

  “Don’t doubt me, little bird. You are stunning at all times, like a ray of sunshine on a dreary day. Skirts, jeans, makeup, are mere accessories. You are the sun in my world.”

  Kendra couldn’t help smiling. “There’s your poetic nature again. Thank you, Sir,” she said.

  Thomas responded by kissing her gently. Kendra pressed herself to him, snaking her hands beneath his shirt and reveling in the heat of his skin. Thomas groaned. Taking a step back, he tugged at her shirt.

  “Off with this and the bra.”

  Quickly, she discarded the garments. Thomas stroked the side of her breast, circling her nipples with the pad of his digits. She tensed.

  “Sensitive?”

  “A little.”

  “Would a kiss help?”

  Kendra nodded.

  Dipping his head, Thomas sucked her right nipple. A wild whimper escaped through her lips. She dug her nails onto Thomas’s shoulder, holding him there as he feasted. Her hips bucked, searching for friction, as the space between her legs filled with liquid.

  “Sir,” she mewled.

  Thomas released her and sat on the couch. He spread his legs, the bulge there visible and fueling her lust. “Here,” he said, pointing to the space between his legs. Kendra hesitated. His order could only mean one thing. He’d promised he wouldn’t ask it of her, but he’d just ordered her to do it. Thomas clasped her hand.

  “Not kneel,” he said gently. “I just want you to stand here.”

  “Oh.” She laughed nervously. “All right.” She moved to where he indicated.

  Thomas grabbed her hips, drawing her even closer. He glanced up at her. “I know your limits,” he said. “Trust me.” He popped open the top button of her jeans and lowered her zipper. Kendra held her breath. Slowly, he slid the garment across her legs to her ankles. His hands barely touched her, and she found her flesh tingling with craving.

  “Step out of them and put on your stilettos again.”

  She did, kicking them aside and hurrying to obey him. She resumed her position, almost tittering on her heels.

  “Place your hands behind your back, little bird. If you move them, I’ll bind them.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Adrenaline zipped through her, anticipating his next move, pinpricks of desire covering her already wound-up body.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Thomas clenched his jaw. His dick throbbed, pre-cum leaking at the top. He wanted Kendra more than he’d ever wanted any woman, but he couldn’t surrender to her yet. Surrender. He bit back a smile. She thought she was submitting to him, but in reality, it was the opposite. He was her slave, eager to make her happy, to help her find herself again. He wanted to see her thrive, become the woman she should have always been, the one hidden beneath layers of pain and hurt. To do that, he had to take things slowly. One baby step at a time. He feasted on the sight of her. The angles of her face, the tiny wrinkles of laughter lining her mouth, the brightness of her eyes, lust hooded beneath her lids. The soft curve of her breast, the hard tip of her pink nipple. He tugged on them and she whimpered. It was no longer the practiced sound he’d heard the other night, but one which came from deep within. It pleased him to the point of filling his chest with an emotion he hardly recognized. Was this what it was like to be in love? He had dated other women, had had other submissives, but never in all his life had he had this feeling of completion as he did at this moment, with this woman in front of him.

  He slid his hand across her silky flesh, down her belly
button, across the tattoo on her hip, to her lacy underwear.

  “I didn’t give you any orders about lingerie, did I?” he asked aloud. “My bad.”

  She laughed, the clear joyful sound piercing through him.

  “I’m afraid you were lax on that, sir.”

  “Yeah, next time I’ll make sure to take care of it.” He slipped his hand across her waist to her back, cupping her naked ass. His cock jumped, realization sinking in. She was wearing a tiny G-string. He swallowed hard. Lowering his hands further, he leaned his forehead on her belly, inhaling the scent of her musk. He reached down, finding her pussy. Hot, wet, and swollen, it welcomed his exploration.

  “You’re ready,” he murmured, his voice coming out hoarse.

  “Have been for some time now, Sir.”

  Thomas stroked her folds for an instant before hooking his fingers on the edge of her panties and lowering the scrap of material to her heels. Without his command, she stepped out of it and spread her legs wider. Kendra’s pussy was slick, glistening with juices, the flesh rosy, almost begging to be worshiped. His pulse rushed in his ears. He didn’t doubt it. He’d died and gone to paradise. Grasping her hips, he pulled her toward him and kissed her pubis. Her intake of breath was loud in the silence of the room. Sliding his fingertips across her thigh to the back of her knee, he lifted her leg and placed it on the couch. She teetered precariously but didn’t fall.

  “Good girl,” he praised her. Her cunt was on display to him, the sweetness of her clit peeking from behind its hideout. Thomas pressed the flat of his tongue against it.

  “Thomas,” Kendra cried out and grasped his hair. Thomas growled and retreated.

  “Strike one, little bird. Hands.”

  “I’m sorry, Sir.” She scrambled back into position.

  Grabbing her by the ass, he brought her to his mouth, devouring her. Kendra rolled her hips, soft whimpers escaping her. Thomas inserted a finger inside her and she tensed. A shiver ran through her body and her legs started to tremble.