Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Lucinda
I pulled my blindfold off and caught a slight glimpse of his neatly cropped dark-brown hair and a hint of his bare forearm before the door closed behind him.
I leaped off the bed but had to steady myself.
My legs were a little shaky still, my balance a bit wonky from the scene.
The adrenaline began to wear off and the sting from the flogger rose to the surface.
I stepped gingerly to the door I hadn’t noticed before, having entered from the other side of the room.
I turned the knob, but the door was locked.
“Shoot.” I made my way back to bed and sat. My eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room. The vanilla from the candle mixed with the spice of Marcus’ cologne. I felt drunk.
The scene was unexpected and at the same time familiar.
They way Marcus touched me felt comforting.
His skill with the flogger was unmatched in my experience.
He must have taken a class on it or something.
Hell, maybe he taught the class. I was always curious how people got started in BDSM.
How did Doms master their skills? They had to learn it from someone, right? And maybe lots and lots of practice.
A small knock at the other door pulled me out of my thoughts.
It cracked open slightly.
“Lucinda, dear.” Carol’s voice was soft and sweet, but she sounded tired. Keeping up with a boat full of kinky people must be exhausting.
“I’m up.” I jumped off the bed. With my short frame, I jumped off most furniture.
“How are you feeling?” She stepped inside. “If you’re ready, I can escort you back to your room.”
“I’m good and that would be nice.”
She motioned for the door.
I grabbed my robe and stepped into the hallway.
“Was your scene everything you hoped it would be?” she asked.
“It was epic and amazing.” I heard the childlike wonder in my voice. I always got giddy after a scene, but after tonight’s scene, I wanted to skip and dance.
“You sound surprised.” She laughed and stopped in front of my door.
“I am. Nothing in life ever turns out like you planned, so that was unexpected.” I covered my mouth to suppress the giggle threatening to escape.
“You’re still on a sub high.” Carol smiled with a small glint of envy in her expression. “Enjoy it.”
“I will.” I stepped into my room and gasped. A charcuterie board with assorted fruit, meat and cheeses sat on the coffee table in front of the small sitting area near the window.
“Marcus thought you might like a little snack after your scene.” She nodded and then turned.
“Carol.”
She stopped at the door.
I couldn’t bring myself to ask her, although I wanted to know everything about Marcus and they seemed familiar with each other. I chickened out. “Is there anything else interesting going on tonight?”
“Most everyone else is finishing up scenes or have turned in.” She tapped her tablet. “There are a few people up on the sky deck enjoying the night air and drinks.”
She looked from me to the tray and back again. “It’s been a long day for everyone and it’s just the first night.” She grinned. “Pace yourself, sweetie.”
I nodded. “You’re right. Thank you.”
She nodded back and closed the door behind her.
The energy flowing through me was hard to contain, but the sub high would be short-lived. My bed looked inviting, but first, food.
I shimmied out of the robe and flopped on the small couch.
The assortment of fruit covered every shade of the rainbow.
A green grape burst between my teeth, its sweetness flooding my mouth while memories of the scene replayed in my mind.
It felt so natural submitting to Marcus.
And, his control was firm but not unkind.
One rule I had for myself in the club was not to fall for any Dom.
I would have never propositioned a Dom for more in a scene, but I couldn’t deny the fact I wanted more. No, I wanted him.
If I read it correctly, he wanted me, too.
The next morning, I woke up early and went to the dining room, hoping to catch Marcus. I wanted to have the opportunity to get to know more about him.
The day-after effects from my flogging were subtle, but present. The deck bustled with people. A booming laugh drew my attention. Marcus sat at a table near the railing with two men.
They both looked older than me but well dressed. Both men had a definite morning-after glow. I scanned the area and saw that most everyone had a pep in their step this morning. Me included.
Marcus turned and spotted me and smiled.
My insides lit up.
He waved me over. “Good morning, Lucinda.” He stood and took my hand. “How did you sleep last night?”
“Very well, Sir.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Marcus, please.”
“Uhm. Marcus.”
He didn’t wait for me to continue and turned to his friends.
“Allow me to introduce you to Master Evan and Jalen. They were just telling me how they grew up across the street from each other and when they were ten, Jalen moved away. They hadn’t seen each other since and then showed up here at the same time. Isn’t that amazing?”
“It is.”
Marcus pulled out a chair, and I flopped into it, forgetting my sensitive backside. I hissed.
“Careful.” Master Evan held his rather large hands out. I stared at his fingers, and caught Jalen licking his lips and staring, too. “Must have been quite a scene last night.”
I felt my own cheeks heat. I smiled up at Marcus, but he frowned and turned away.
“Are you two…” I waved my hands between the two of them.
“Getting to know each other.”
“Exploring.”
They both answered in unison and laughed.
“I was going to ask if you were interested in. . . I guess it wouldn’t be rekindling something. You were so young when y’all met.”
“Yeah, that works.” Evan took Jalen’s hand. “We were each other’s first besties.”
“Well, I had a crush on you.” Master Evan pinched Jalen’s chin. “I developed earlier. Came out when I was twelve, but knew long before that, just wasn’t sure who I could tell it to.”
“I wish you had told me.” Jalen blinked and turned to me. “I was definitely a late bloomer, but maybe if we had talked about it then.”
“No regrets, baby.” Master Evan leaned in and kissed Jalen’s cheek. “But I think one of the last conversations we had you were telling me how you were going to kiss Fran Davis whether she wanted you to or not.”
“Yeah, that conversation doesn’t hold up well in today’s society.” Jalen snickered. “Besides, I really had a crush on her twin brother.”
“Frederick.” Master Evan chuckled. “Yeah, good thing I moved away. I’d have killed him. He was an obnoxious kid.”
Our laughter was interrupted when Carol appeared out of nowhere.
“Can I get you something, Master Marcus?” In a white polo and slacks, a stark contrast from her all-black assemble the night before. Even her smile seemed brighter.
“Yeah.” He clapped his hands and the table jumped. “Coffee, please darling.”
“Ms. Lucinda.” Carol turned to me. “How about I make you a plate? You haven’t eaten breakfast.”
“Yes, thank you.”
She nodded and walked away, her rubber soles slapping against the deck.
“We’ve got to be going.” Master Evan stood up. Jalen followed. “It was great meeting you, Lucinda. We’ll see you later?”
“Yes, nice to meet you, too.” I watched them walk off hand in hand.
I turned back to Marcus, but he was fidgeting with his phone.
“I wanted to apologize about last night.”
His head whipped up.
“Apologize for what?” He leaned in closer to me, his voice barely a whisper.
“For suggesting we… extend our scene. It was inappropriate, Sir. It won’t happen again.” I bowed my head.
“Has it been bothering you all night?” He lifted my chin but looked around as if our conversation might make someone uncomfortable. Sweat appeared on his upper lip.
“A little.” I shrugged.
Marcus sat back and rubbed his chin. It was an old man gesture that made him look sixty-two and not thirty-two.
“Well, perhaps at the beginning of our scene tonight, maybe a punishment is in order.” His voice returned to full volume. “What do you think, darling?”
“Yes, Sir.” I nodded.
“Good girl.” He whispered in my ear and then placed a chaste kiss on my cheek.
But when I looked up, his attention had turned to the cup of coffee placed in front of him.
He poured a bit of cream in the mug and blew on it before drinking half of it in one gulp.
“Master Evan and Jalen might be the couple of the trip.” I grabbed a napkin from my place setting and placed it on lap. “That’s so sweet how this cruise brought them back together.” I turned back to Marcus. “Seems like fate.”
“If you believe in things like that,” he whispered under his breath and stood up. “What are your plans for today?”
“Reading, getting some sun.” I looked up and shielded my eyes. “Maybe a nap is in order before tonight?”
“Let me think on the details of the scene.” His phone drew his attention again. “I’ll have Carol go over it with you prior to this evening.”
“And, the other thing we talked about.” I paused. His face went blank. “It’s on the table tonight, like we decided.”
He narrowed his eyes but then blinked and smiled. “Of course.” He patted me on the shoulder. “Eat all your breakfast, hun. I’ll see you tonight.”
I watched him walk away. He didn’t glance back once.