For the Sub

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Niles shoved her behind him and grabbed the doorknob. “What in the hell…?”

“It’s okay, Sir,” she said, laughter in her voice as she put a calming hand on his back. “Thank you for being my hero and protecting me, but that’s just my other four-footed friend.”

Heart thundering, telling himself there was no imminent danger, he turned to face her. “What the fuck is it, a mountain lion?”

“It’s an ordinary household cat.”

His pulse slowed to normal. “That noise came from a cat?”

“I warned you that I had more animals, but I should have been more specific. His name’s Whisper.”

Whisper?“You’ve got a messed-up sense of humor, Ms. Hess.”

“He doesn’t like people much, so he stays outside when I have company. He comes in through the pet door when he’s ready.”

“And lets the entire neighborhood know when he’s back.”

Brandy picked up the towel she’d somehow dropped when he’d pushed her back. She held the material near her chest. It didn’t hide her breasts with their beaded nipples. Even though her pelvis was covered, the fact he couldn’t see her pussy intrigued him even more. “Do we need to do anything with the cat?”

“As in?”

“Feed it? Put it outside and bar the entrance?”

“If you have any hope of sleeping, Whisper needs to come in. He’ll claw the door or hang from the window screen.”

“The one in your bedroom?”

“Yeah. And he’s pretty vocal about his desires.”

“Do his voice and actions measure on the earthquake scale?”

“Not much. I think last time it was only a two-point-three or something.”

He grinned at her. He’d been involved with a fair number of women over the years—before Eleanor. And he had sisters. None of them had collected strays like Brandy did. The woman had a soft heart.

“I didn’t ask,” she said, her eyes going wide. “Crap. Are you allergic?”

“No.”

“Do you hate cats? A lot of men do.”

“That’s not a moral judgment, right?”

“Answer the question, Sir.”

She’d drawn her eyebrows together, and her anxiety radiated across the distance, almost as disturbing as the animal’s shrieks.

“I’m okay with them. But the only pussy I want on my face when I wake up in the morning is yours.”

“Oh, Sir. That’s fair.”

Bracing her free hand on one of his shoulders, she eased herself up and leaned into him to kiss his cheek.

Shit.

Coming here today had been a mistake.

Staying was an even bigger one.

Daring to think beyond that bordered on stupidity.

But here he was doing just that. The more time he spent with her, the greedier he became.

“I’ll go feed Whisper,” she said.

“You can leave that towel here.”

Her eyes widened, but she instantly did as he said, dropping it, baring herself to him.

Another mistake.

He ached to bend her over the vanity and fuck her with the energy churning in him.

The cat cried again, and Niles shuddered. “Jesus. That sound could be a real mood killer.”

She glanced purposefully at his cock.

It was still hard and insistent. “Okay.” He held up his hand. “Turns out nothing will kill my mood when it comes to you.” Not with her full, inviting curves.

She’d confessed to having masturbated while thinking about him. He had done the same—daily—while remembering her.

Niles spent a lot of time with models and actresses.

Many sent signals, subtle as well as overt, that they were available for a hook-up. Truthfully, while those women were beautiful and performed well for his cameras, none of them appealed to him in the way Brandy did.

There was a realness about her. No pretenses. He’d never met anyone like her.

No doubt Damien and Gregorio had warned her not to get involved with him.

If they hadn’t, they’d sure as fuck should have.

Sweet, sweet Brandy might not be safe from him or his black heart.

Another screech grated down his spinal cord. “Go.”

“You sure you still want to spend the night with me?”

“Try getting rid of me.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” She touched the spot on his cheek where she’d kissed him. “You’re amazing, Sir.”

When he opened the door, the cat blazed through the opening. It wound around her ankles in a large, silver ribbon.

Then, seeming to realize she had company, the cat sat and stared at him.

If he believed in personification, he’d say the feline glared.

It tipped its head and looked at him with unblinking yellow eyes. “He’s strange looking.” One ear flopped over. The one that stood was missing a jagged chunk. “Let me guess, he found you, and not the other way around.”

“About a year ago he followed MW through the doggy door, and he hasn’t left since.”

“So your strays are now adopting strays, is that how it works?”

“I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

“Maybe I should feed him,” he said. “Make friends with him.”

“Are you serious, Sir?”

“One hundred percent. He scares the shit out of me, and being on his good side seems prudent.”

“I can’t argue with you.” She laughed.

“Where’s the food?”

“There’s a clear plastic container under the sink. Right-hand side, about halfway back. You’ll find a set of three food bowls near the refrigerator. His is the smallest. I only put in half a scoop since MW will eat whatever Whisper leaves. He’s good at defending what he wants, but after he flicks his tail and walks away, his food becomes fair game. And MW is already chunky enough, as you might have noticed.”

“This is getting complicated, Brandy.”

She looked at him. Her eyes were wide, luminous, intriguing. She worried her lower lip. “Yes, Sir. It is.”

Because of her hesitation in answering, he knew that she understood the subtext. He was talking about so much more than her pets. “Do you have restraints?”

“I do, Sir.”

“Get them out and put them on the nightstand.”

She nodded.

He paused at the door and looked over his shoulder. “Will you braid your hair for me?”

“Oh, yes, Sir.”

“I’ll join you once the mountain lion is taken care of.”

The cat followed him to the kitchen, and Niles found the nuggets right where she’d said.

Whisper sat on his haunches near his bowl.

Slowly, he thumped his tail as he waited, considering Niles while simultaneously telling him to hurry up.

As he filled the dish, Niles was hyper tuned in to the sounds Brandy made in the bedroom.

No doubt she was following his orders.

There was an undeniable intimacy about sharing a bathroom and a bed. People kept secrets for a reason, and it was more difficult to keep them hidden when you occupied the same space.

Earlier this evening, he’d treated her hesitation with lightness, but he’d been aware of the riptide beneath the surface. Neither of them could pretend their encounter hadn’t meant something meaningful.

She’d been clear that she hadn’t had a man in her private space in the two years that she’d lived here. That meant she’d been hurt before and was intent on protecting herself. Had she moved from Denver, or had she run?

Damien had been right to warn him to stay away from Brandy.

But rather than heeding the well-intentioned advice, Niles wanted to know why she took care of pets instead of a family, especially when she was so loving and nurturing.

And yet…he’d glimpsed a river of steel and resolve beneath the surface.

She’d asked about Eleanor, and she hadn’t backed down when his responses would frighten a lesser woman.

He was intrigued, all right.

Enough so that there was no fucking way he’d listen to reason and end this while she waited for him in the bedroom.

Once his chores were handled, he joined her.

Perfect and beautiful, Brandy was on her knees, her hair hanging down her back in a single, long silky strand. The restraints he’d requested were laid out.

Over the last few minutes, he hadn’t lost much of his erection, but arousal returned at the sight of her nudity. She was looking at the floor, with her knees spread and the backs of her hands resting on her thighs.

Not that he’d expected anything different. “Well done.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

After closing the door, he advanced toward her. “You’re well trained.”

“Thank you, Sir. My refinement came from Gregorio.”

Resentment slashed through him, shocking him with its intensity.

“We are good friends, Sir.” She looked up at him through her long lashes. Her gaze spoke of reassurance and innocence. “He helped me through some rough times in the past, but there’s never been anything between us.”

“Keep it that way.”

“Sir?”

What the hell am I thinking?

She was a submissive at the state’s most exclusive club. He couldn’t tell her how to behave or who she could sleep with. But that didn’t stop him wanting to.

“I have no intention of being with Gregorio, Sir.”

Time and again he was struck by how in tune she was with his thoughts and how quickly she sought to soothe the savage beast that threatened to consume him when she was around.

By way of apology, he reached for her braid and drew her up by it. “I was out of line.”

“There’s no need to explain, Sir. I understand.”

Do you?

How was that possible when even he didn’t comprehend what the hell was happening here?

“Bend over the bed,” he said, tone much gruffer than intended.

He needed to watch his damn step and dive into a scene where the rules were understood and he was in control of the situation…and himself.

As she moved into position, he picked up the pair of cuffs and walked to the far side of the mattress. “Offer me your hands.”

“Yes, Sir.”

After she obeyed, he secured her in the soft restraints. “You may hold on to the bedding if needed.”

“What are you going to do to me, Sir?” Her voice trembled with the sweet huskiness of arousal.

“I’m going to fuck your tight ass.”

She lifted her chin to meet his gaze. “You’re going to…?” Desire made her pupils dilate, and her lips were parted. “Yes.”

“Lube?”

“In the bathroom linen closet.”

“Remain where you are.”

“I wouldn’t have done otherwise, Sir.”

He exited the room to find two dogs and a cat curled up outside the door, like sentries on duty.

Whisper blinked then ignored him while Dana cocked her head to one side. Damned MW lunged for his toes. “Don’t you dare.”

The dachshund whined as if deprived of a favorite toy but lay back down.

Niles wondered if Brandy would feel compelled to come to his—or the dog’s—rescue but she didn’t move.

“Such a good sub,” he said to her after he’d returned. “I thought you might not follow my order.”

“If you had wanted my help, you’d have let me know. But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t tempted, Sir.”

He placed the lube and hand towels on the nightstand. “At the Den, you disobeyed one of my instructions.”

Her hot body trembled.

“Do you remember what it was?”

“Yes, Sir. I came without permission.”

“I promised you a punishment for it. Would you like to accept that now?”

“If it pleases you, Sir.” She took a tiny breath. “I’d rather not have the threat looming out there.”

“I want you to remember this night for a long time.”

“Master Niles, I will remember every moment with you.” Since she was facedown, the mattress muffled her words, but it couldn’t disguise the honesty or the pulse of need.

Response knifed through him, hot, quick, lethal.

He wanted this woman in a way he shouldn’t.

After Eleanor, he’d hardened his soul.

He’d do well to remember why.

Then with a brutal force that shocked him, he shoved doubts aside.

This pulse between him and Brandy was raw, bursting with sexual energy.

What red-blooded male wouldn’t want her?

She was naked, stretched over a bed, cuffed for him, hair waiting to be pulled.

And her curves… God help him. Curves like hers would turn a saint into a sinner.

Breathing in a way to steady herself, she shifted slightly—not enough for a Dom to scold her, more of a gentle movement to shift her weight and ensure his continued interest.

Niles took his belt from the jeans he’d discarded earlier. He laid the leather across her back. “It seems you’re looking forward to this punishment.”

She moaned a little. “Oh, yes,” she said. “Sir, I am.”

“That’s my belt.”

“Mmm. Yours, Sir.”

“Do you want it?”

“Yes.”

“How many stripes, beautiful Brandy.”

“Dozens, Sir.”

“Dozens?”

“At least. I mean, how will I learn my lesson otherwise?”

He grinned.

A woman with needs that matched his…

That night at the Den, he’d forced her orgasm solely with the idea of spanking her at a later date. Even as they’d scened, and despite the warning bells in his mind and clear boundaries from Damien and Gregorio, Niles had been planning their next meeting.

But to have the luxury of holding her in bed afterward was something he hadn’t dared hope for.

Gently, he slid his hand over her curved derrière.

“So nice.Thank you, Sir.”

He rubbed her skin, each pass becoming more vigorous.

Because he didn’t want her bruised, he intended to give her a proper warm-up this time.

“Sir is too kind.”

“Selfish,” he corrected. “I want to make sure your bottom isn’t too sore for future spankings.”

“You’re turning me on, Sir.”

The tangy scent of her arousal reached him, making his cock even harder. It would take all his formidable concentration to get through her belting instead of fucking her.

He increased the friction until he was convinced she had plenty of circulation to minimize bruising.

“I love having your hands on me, Sir.”

“You’re an appreciative sub.” He picked up the belt and folded it in half then stood close to her so he could be exacting about the placement of each stroke.

He started slow, the first hit a whisper.

“Sir,” she protested.

“Patience.” This would proceed at his pace, for his gratification as much as hers.

Once he’d covered her buttocks and thighs, he increased the force and landed the next few in random places.

She took a deep breath.

“Will this teach you to hold back your orgasms?” he demanded in a mock-angry tone.

“Oh, Sir! I’m afraid not.”

“No?”

“I’m incorrigible.”

And honest to a fault.

Enjoying her tremendously, he grinned.

With greater force, he kissed her flesh with the supple leather.

As her skin reddened, she jerked more often.

Then he caught her on the inner part of her right thigh.

She hissed and swore softly before saying, “Thank you.”

“I was wondering when you’d remember that.” Not wanting her to feel uneven, he adjusted his stance and smacked the inside of her left thigh.

Her toes curled into the hardwood floor. “Are you getting hot from this?”

“God, yes, Sir. Everything you do… You know my body so well.”

Not as well as he intended to.

With his left hand, he stroked between her legs.

Shamelessly, she inched toward him, using her body to silently ask for more.

Her pussy was already wet, and he slipped a finger inside her to press against her G-spot. “Didn’t you get in trouble for wanton behavior previously?” He pulled away.

“Sir! How is it my fault that you are irresistible?”

Such a perfect response.“I thought you were a well-trained sub.”

“I thought so, too. Until you and your devilish ways showed up.”

“Perhaps this will help.” After stepping back, he shook out the belt then swung it in a wide arc, letting it crack beneath her buttocks.

Instantly her ass cheeks tightened. “Yum,” she murmured. “You know what I want.”

At this point, she wasn’t the only one in danger of coming.

The sight of her reddened skin, the sound of husky approval in her voice, and the alluring scent of her feminine heat pushed him to the edge.

If he took his dick in hand, he’d ejaculate on her heated buttocks in less than a few seconds. Not that the idea was without merit, but he wanted to fill her ass and possess her.

He continued on but kept his strength in check. After all, this was for his pleasure, as well as hers.

“Oh, Sir…” She turned her head to one side. “You could do this to me all night.”

“No doubt we’d both enjoy that. Six more. Count them out.” When she’d said dozens, he hadn’t planned to deliver that many. But now…

He blazed one across both buttocks.

“One, Sir.” She sighed.

Then he hit the backs of her calves.

She lifted one foot from the floor. “Fuck, Sir. Two.”

“More?” he asked.

“Yes, Sir. I still have four more coming to me. Give them to me,” she begged.

“That’s my beautiful Brandy.”

After she straightened her body, he seared her with another stripe.

“Three incredible smacks, Sir.”

Though Niles had delivered plenty of spankings in his life, he’d never had a sub behave as she was.

Some took it in silence unless he required that they count aloud. Others screamed. Many whimpered and cried. But beautiful Brandy encouraged, pleaded, and let him know how much she appreciated his efforts.

He delivered the last three in quick succession, and she exhaled softly.

“Thank you.” She craned her head to look at him. “You are going to do me. Right, Sir?” Her eyes were wide, luminous with her sensual need. “I might die if you don’t.”