by Karen Nappa
"It has. But we got word from the DEA of a hit on a truck delivering drugs to pharmacies near St. Louis about six weeks ago. Seems there was enough cold medicine on it to fuel a dozen labs for several months. They're having the same problems in St. Louis that we are here."
"Damn. How come they didn't tell us sooner?" Jim asked.
"You know the DEA. They only share on a 'need to know' basis and it just dawned on them that maybe local law enforcement needed to know. Agent Daniels actually apologized for not sending word sooner. Not that it's a lot of help. They don't have any leads on the robbery. It just explains how the locals are getting their ingredients," Lacey replied. "Anyway, I need you to work your informants. Find out as much as you can so we can shut down the labs. If you should find one, report it immediately. Observe from a safe distance. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt entry. I cannot stress that enough. A meth lab might as well be an unexploded bomb. Go after any informant you have. Find new ones. We need to get this situation under control. Meth in any form is bad. Homemade is worse. Dismissed."
Jim and Will headed back to their desks in the bullpen. "So, who do we try first? You've been here longer than I have. I know a few guys tied in to one of the gangs that run heroin and fentanyl, but I don't have any connections to the meth trade," Jim said.
Will answered, "I have two possibles. One's a low-level dealer with the Marquez cartel and might know something about the locals. The cartels want to shut them down, too. The other is a meth user. He usually goes through this dealer, but if one of the homegrown operators is cheaper, he may know something."
"Sounds good to me. Let's roll."
It took them most of the morning to run down the dealer and he had only one useful piece of information. His prices were being undercut by the locals and his bosses were mad. His sales were down by a third and he was starting to get desperate.
The user was even less help because he was as high as a kite and all he could tell them was how good the new stuff was. He hadn't used his full supply yet, though, so they took him in for possession so they could see if they could get any information out of him after he came down.
When they got back to the station, they had the bullpen to themselves so they handcuffed Zach to one of the chairs and busied themselves with paperwork while they waited for the meth to wear off. This was easier said than done, Jim thought, for the perp was loud and irritating.
When he finished the write up of the day's activities, he let his thoughts wander to Paula. She had been exquisite last night. Her mood had been good and her submission graceful and easy. She took off her clothes as soon as she came in the house now, her modesty gone. After feeding her dinner, they had spent a relaxing evening watching Captain America . When he couldn't have hobbits, he liked to keep up with superheroes. Paula enjoyed it because the captain was now a woman. She had started off the evening on the floor by his legs, but he had pulled her up onto the couch after about fifteen minutes and they had spent the rest of the movie cuddling.
She had woken him with a blow job that morning and it had been wonderful. She was deep throating him and swallowing most of the time these days. She was everything he had ever wanted. They had done their Tai Chi together before breakfast and, after eating, parted for the day. He was only sorry it was Thursday and he wouldn't see her again until Saturday. He was looking forward to her debut at Club Indigo as his sub.
He was glad the trial contract was ending soon. He planned to push for her to move in with him when they renewed it. He was sure she was the woman for him. He had yet to use the 'L' word to her, but he had admitted to himself that he was head over heels in love.
He was pulled from his reverie by Will. "Jim, I've called you twice. What's so fascinating about that report?"
"Nothing. My mind wandered."
"Better not let the captain see you doing that."
"Yeah, I know. Looks like Zach has calmed down. Have you gotten anything out of him yet?"
"I was just going to suggest we take him to interrogation and see what he has to say for himself."
An hour later, they had gotten the phone number for his new dealer from the palm of his hand and the location where they met, but he claimed not to have even a street name for the man.
"Shall we turn him loose or book him?" Jim asked.
"I don't know," Will answered. "What do you think, Zach?"
"I told you everything I know. I didn't have nothing but personal stuff. If you let me go, I can help."
"How can you help?" Jim asked. "You don't even know your dealer's name."
"When I need more ice, I can call you before I call him."
"How can we trust you to do that?" Will asked.
Zach raised his hand like a Boy Scout pledging. "Because I promise."
Jim and Will could barely contain their laughter. "Okay. We'll let you go and we'll stand you to a fresh dose on Monday. We'll meet you at Troost and 39th Street, and then you'll call and we'll all go together."
"Why can't we go tomorrow?"
"Would your dealer believe you had money for ice two days after you just got it?"
"Nah, probably not," he conceded.
They let him go and reported their findings to Captain Lacey before clocking out for the day. Then, Jim went home to dream of his Melda and check over his plans for their Saturday night.
Paula hadn't been this nervous before, not even when taking the detective's exam. She shifted uncomfortably, too restless to stay still beside Jim but well aware of how she pleased him with showing her submission by kneeling beside him. At his house, it helped her get into the zone, but here? Exposed in Club Indigo for the first time—as his sub, his Melda—was disconcerting. Why couldn't she relax? They were with friends and people who wouldn't judge. She swallowed and shifted again.
Jim was chatting with Connor and Henry, Suzie and Jackson kneeling beside their Doms in silence. Both were naked since Paula didn't think Jackson's wrist cuffs, cock ring and leash counted as being dressed. She was thankful that Jim had given her a baby doll nightie to wear, although he hadn't deemed it necessary to provide her with underwear. She was in good shape, but her breasts could do with some support, damn it! She struggled to keep her hands as Jim had taught her. If she could cross her arms, she could at least hide them a bit.
A firm hand tangled with her hair on the back of her head. Little pinpricks of pain on her skull helped return her focus to the present. "You worry too much, Melda," Jim said, "That's my job." He forced her head to the side and grazed sensual lips over the delicate skin under her ear. Her eyes drifted closed and she relaxed in his hold. She could swear her body temperature had risen ten degrees. The mix of his harsh hand and soft lips was erotic.
A low chuckle had her opening her eyes and she stared into Henry's amused glance. "Looks like she needs some bondage to remember her place." The handsome man grinned and Paula realized her hands weren't behind her back anymore. She had clutched the fabric of Jim's shirt in both her hands and was holding on for dear life.
She looked up at Jim. His eyes didn't betray what he was thinking. Jim kept eye contact with her but addressed Henry, "You know, I think you're right about that! She definitely needs something extra to get her out of her head."
Jim removed her hands from his shirt and pressed a kiss to them before letting her go. He rose and ordered, "Follow me, Melda."
Paula engaged her stomach muscles in order to rise gracefully. The Tai Chi she did every other morning as a part of her contract with Jim had given her more core strength and balance.
Jim smiled. "You're beautiful and strong and I am so proud of you, Melda." His praise settled some of her restless energy.
I want you to know your safewords apply if you need them. Can you repeat them for me?"
"Ten four, signal okay to continue, ten seventy-five, signal for standby if I need a break, and ten thirty-three, signal emergency to indicate severe pain or stress." Her answer came automatically.
"Good girl," Jim prais
ed, "you can also use the traffic light system, but ten codes are so ingrained, you'll probably remember those better. I'm going to push you tonight, Paula. Don't hesitate to use them if needed."
What was he planning? Pushing boundaries, that meant soft limits, didn't it? She tried to remember her limit list until a stinging swat burned on her ass cheek. Ouch!
"Stop worrying. You're not in control; there's nothing you can do wrong. All you have to concern yourself with is pleasing me and remembering to use your safewords when needed." His tone was severe and his face serious.
"I'm sorry, Sir." Jim was right. At home, she relished giving up control, but here, it was somehow different. Paula forced herself to focus on Jim. She wanted to please him so much.
He studied her for the longest time and seemed satisfied with what he saw because he nodded and they continued on. Paula followed him, making sure she kept in touching distance. Jim roamed the club, and she was certain there were chambers they visited two or more times. After a short period, she relaxed in his care and her vision narrowed to just him. Following Jim, pleasing him was her goal. Finally, he halted at a St. Andrew's cross.
"Take off your nightie and fold it twice before putting it in my bag. Then take out the black fur lined wrist and ankle cuffs and bring them to me."
She felt the tension leaving her body. She folded the nightie neatly and removed the required items from the bag. Naked except for her delicate golden necklace, she turned to Jim and sank to her knees. She held the cuffs up in the air on outstretched hands.
"Thank you, Melda." Jim took the items from her and pressed kisses to the center of each palm. "You did very well and you look beautiful." She smiled at his compliment. "Stay still," he ordered and buckled the smaller cuffs around her wrists. "Code?" he inquired while testing the fit with a finger between her wrist and the fur-covered leather.
"Ten-four, Sir." Her response came automatically.
"Rise please and stand in front of the cross, face to the wall."
Jim might have used the word please, but it was an order nevertheless. Apprehension trickled through her. It went against her instinct to turn her back to a public room.
I trust him, don't I? Of course, I do!
Paula took a deep fortifying breath and positioned herself in front of the cross. She felt the material of Jim's dress shirt against her back as he lifted her right arm and attached the first cuff to the cross. He trailed his fingers over her arm to her shoulder then continued along the backside of her neck. Paula noticed him lingering over the clasp of the necklace for a moment. She imagined his face.
Is he happy I'm wearing his collar? Does it make him feel possessive? Wearing it made her feel connected to him; was it the same for him?
Without her noticing, he'd traveled on to her left arm and she realized he'd buckled that side to the cross as well when she heard the snick of the hook. She startled, the sound was loud in an otherwise quiet room. It seemed like they were alone in the building.
"Because I'm going to push you, I've asked Kate to join us tonight. She'll be helping me monitor your responses." Jim sounded casual as he squatted next to her left leg and tapped the inside of her ankle. "Lift."
Wordlessly, she did as he ordered and he maneuvered her leg to the side to attach her leg to the cross as well. Hold on a second, Kate? Paula turned her head and, sure enough, in a throne-like chair off to the side, sat the redheaded Domme. How on earth could she have missed that? What if she had been a perp with a gun? She'd be dead by now—like ten times over dead!
Kate leaned forward and braced her elbows on her knees. She watched Paula with narrowed eyes and said, "You look panicked. Do you need to use a safeword, Paula?"
Jim stroked her calf. It soothed her and reassured her he was in control. Paula shook her head. "No, I was startled that somebody was in the room. I have no problem with you being here with us, Kate." Her answer ended in a shocked scream as Jim bit down on the sensitive underside of her left ass cheek. What the—
"How do you address a Dominant in the club?" Jim's voice was like a bucket of ice water.
How could she have forgotten? "Sorry, Mistress Kate." She really was!
"Mistress Kate, would three strokes with an implement of your choosing be sufficient for Paula to atone?" Jim sounded as though he'd asked Kate if she wanted fries with her hamburger. The woman was a damn sadist!
A breathtaking smile broke on Kate's face and she rose to her feet with the grace of a cat and disappeared from Paula's view. She couldn't see Kate unless she craned her neck and she didn't think she was supposed to look. Paula shuddered as Jim moved his hand to the top of her leg and she felt him rise. He massaged her buttocks for a while and Paula had to bite her lip to stifle a moan. Her butt was sensitive and he knew how to touch it to get her aroused. All too soon, he moved to her right leg and made quick work of hooking her last limb to the cross. With a final caress, he stepped away to be replaced by a much cooler, smaller, and softer hand. Kate!
"If you don't want me to punish you for your transgression, you can use 'red' now, Paula."
She chewed a bit on the notion. She didn't want to be punished, but then she did. She'd broken a club rule and had disappointed her Master. Paula took a deep breath and exhaled before answering. "Punish me as you see fit, Mistress."
Soft lips pressed a kiss to her shoulder. "Thank you, sub. Your Master can be proud of you." Kate stepped away and Paula braced for a blow that didn't come.
"Melda," Jim's voice broke through her tension, "exhale. When you tense up like that, your punishment is only going to hurt more." She did as he ordered. "Again!" Paula relaxed as she followed his instructions as the sound of a paddle striking flesh hit her ear before a burning sensation heated her left butt cheek. The woman packed some muscle in her gorgeous body. That had hurt!
The next stroke landed on her right side. This one slightly less hard, suggesting a backhanded stroke. Was she left-handed? The last stroke landed on the underside of both her cheeks and a bit of her labia. Paula howled. This was agony! She had no idea how a masochist got turned on by this. A cool, small hand stroked the burning flesh and it felt so good.
Kate chuckled next to her ear. "Kiss the paddle and thank me for your punishment, dear." Kate held a big wooden paddle in front of her face and Paula did as she was told. She was rewarded with a big smile and a chaste kiss on her mouth before Kate walked away.
Okay, that had been—interesting. She wasn't into women, but she'd had a connection with Kate for a moment that went deeper than mere friendship. It was good to accept punishment and be forgiven for her transgression. No need to wonder about her relationship with either Kate or Jim. She felt liberated.
She felt Jim stepping in behind her again and he massaged her red flesh. "Good girl. I'm so proud of you." His voice became lower and his words slower. His approval gave her a warm and fuzzy feeling. It made her feel sexy and feminine, the knowledge she could affect him like this. "I'm going to blindfold you and I want you to concentrate on what I'm doing with you and to you."
A blindfold slid in front of her eyes and her world went black. For a moment, Paula felt overwhelmed, but before she could panic, Jim's hands stroked her arms and back. It felt so good when he touched her. His hands were strong and firm, slightly callused and oh so warm. Before Jim, she hadn't realized how lonely she was and how much she'd needed basic human contact. It was good to know someone cared how her day had been or what she ate or what her living space looked like. His hands traveled up and he cupped her face before claiming a long, slow kiss.
Jim stepped away and looked over the tools he'd prepared. He'd discussed the scene with Kate. Like many submissives, Paula was an intelligent woman who had trouble letting go of her thoughts so she could feel. Overwhelming her and keeping her off balance without getting her too uncomfortable was the key to her submission and her enjoyment. For him, as a dominant, it was a real pleasure to work with such a challenging woman.
Jim selected the round paintbrush
and stroked over her shoulders and spine.
Paula shivered. "W-what?" she stammered.
"Sh, just feel, Melda." He alternated strokes with the brush and a Wartenberg pinwheel, and soon, he had her wiggling and moaning.
Jim smiled. Good, she isn't thinking anymore!
He placed the implements back on the nearby table and selected a powerful but quiet vibrator. He stroked between Paula's legs and was pleased to discover she was wet with her juices. No lube needed. Jim smiled again and checked Paula's posture. Her hands lay open against the cross and she allowed the beams to support her weight. She wasn't straining against the bonds. Time to kick it up a notch. Jim powered the vibrator and pressed the head against Paula's clit. She tensed for a moment. Was she going to safeword? Exhibitionism had been a soft limit and Jim didn't know how Paula would feel about climaxing in front of Kate. It was a calculated risk. Jim was certain if she were able to let him to get her off at the club, it would cement their bond.
After a few heartbeats, Paula moved. It was so minimal that Jim would have probably missed it if he hadn't been paying close attention. She widened her stance and pressed her knees more firmly against the cross. Jim put more pressure on the vibrator and used his left hand to stroke her pussy from behind. He used her own juices to probe her asshole. Over and over, he repeated the gesture until her anus was lubricated to his liking and he worked in a finger, teasing the strong muscles. He could feel the contractions clamping around his digit and tried to time his movements with her. Paula bucked against the vibrator and Jim used his body weight to press her against it. With no escape from the sensations, Paula cried and rode out her first orgasm at the club.
As Jim held her up around her waist, Kate helped him by unhooking her cuffs and sliding a soft blanket around Paula's shoulders. Jim picked Paula up and cradled her against his chest.
