Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight
Taking in a shaky breath, Catrina closed her eyes.
Refusing to look at the wheel, she instead focused on Damien and drew strength from his reassurances, the behavior she’d seen from him over the years, and her small experience with him at his home. “I mean… Yes. I want this.”
The light of approval that flared in the depths of his eyes was the only reward she’d ever need.
So very softly, he squeezed her shoulders. “I won’t let you down.”
Let me down?
The truth was, she didn’t want to disappoint him.
Still holding her, offering his unspoken strength, he asked, “As we proceed, what would you like me to call you?”
Honestly, she hadn’t thought about it. Her mother referred to her as ‘my Cat.’ Some of her closest friends had nicknamed her Trina. Clients and friends used her given name. “Catrina is fine.”
“Do you object to me calling you Milady?”
She tilted her chin and met his gaze. “As long as you’re not saying it in a way that mocks me.”
“I know how much this took for you. I will never underestimate it, and I will always treat you with the reverence you deserve. Your being here, what you’re offering me, is a gift. I will cherish it, and you.”
She glanced away, but she felt his gaze on her. Relenting, she met his eyes once more. “Thank you,” she said simply.
Even if the words were as difficult as the concept was foreign, respect went two ways. The words nearly lodging in her throat, she asked, “And how should I address you?”
“Damien is fine. Though I would enjoy the formality of Sir.”
She sank her teeth into her lower lip as she considered his response and her subservience. Common courtesy, she understood, as did he. But calling him Sir meant she was well and truly acknowledging him as her Dom.
After releasing her shoulders, he asked, “Will you strip for me?”
They both knew it wasn’t a polite question.
Since she’d been naked for him one other time, this should be easy enough.
So why am I struggling?
She removed the clip and the weight of her hair spilled down her back. Then she grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it upward, over her head.
As he had done at his house, he held out a hand for the items.
“Black shelf bra. Nice choice.”
“Thank you.”
An eyebrow quirked, he regarded her.
“Thank you, Damien.”
“You make some classy choices, Milady,” he said, taking in her stacked heels, garter belt, stockings, and a wisp of fabric that counted as panties. “Please continue. I don’t want you hiding anything from me.”
Shaking a little, she shook off her shoes, leaving them tipped over on the floor. Then she took her time unfastening the garter’s clasps before rolling down the stockings.
When he growled impatiently, she hurriedly removed the rest of her clothing.
“I might keep you in a ski parka,” he complained. “It might be the only way I survive this. You have curves in all the right places, Milady.”
His approval carried her nervousness away.
Always considerate, he placed her discarded clothing in a neat pile on the counter.
“Would you like to know what we’re going to do?” he asked when he returned. “Or would you rather it be a surprise?”
Every word he uttered had power. “Surprise me.” Knowing what was coming might build fear.
“In that case… Over the spindle.”
Her mouth dried. “I was afraid that was coming.”
“Are you flexible enough to be on your back?”
“I think so.”
He helped her into place.
The piece was big enough to make the stretch more comfortable than she’d expected.
“Make sure everything’s okay before I attach you.”
Her hair fell down behind her. But as long as she didn’t try to lift her head, her neck didn’t hurt. That had its own disadvantages. It made it harder to see what he was doing.
Her feet didn’t quite reach the floor, but her calves rested against the wood, supporting her lower body.
“It’s fine, Damien.”
“Good. Then reach your arms back,” he said, crouching near her.
“Uhm… Maybe I should have said I couldn’t do this position.”
“You would have wondered what you were missing.”
“It’s a little unnerving to think how well you know me already.”
“Milady, your expression gives away everything.”
He secured her to ties she hadn’t before noticed. Keeping a close eye on her, he tightened the bonds. “Your movements are nicely restricted?”
She tested their strength. “They are.”
After placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, he smiled. “You’re doing well.”
His approval shot arrows of pleasure through her.
“For my security, I’m going to fasten your ankles.”
Her legs were parted, which meant her pussy was exposed to him.
Now that she was helpless, her pulse raced. Damien was fully dressed in street wear, not even club attire.
She wished she could see him better but being facedown would have been worse.
Since her vision was restricted, her hearing seemed more attuned than usual. His footfall echoed, and she guessed he was walking toward the counter. For a condom? “Are you going to fuck me?”
“Do you want me to?”
“If it’s part of the scene.”
He said nothing.
The sound of a squeak indicated he’d opened a cupboard door. His expensive shoes ricocheted off the room’s tile floor as he returned to her.
“I like to look at you, my pretty little submissive.”
She opened her mouth to protest but then closed it again. Right now, she was assuming that role.
“That’s right,” he said. “My pretty little sub.”
Though she knew what he expected her to say, she couldn’t respond.
“You know I can do anything I want to you.”
Catrina closed her eyes.
“Breathe.”
As her mind raced, she considered using the house safe word, but his reminder chased the fear away.
The truth was, he could only do what she wanted.
That was the magic of the power exchange.
“I’ve been thinking about your nipples, wondering how much tension puts you on that edge between pleasure and unendurable pain. Have you ever had them clamped?”
“No.”
“Then we’ll start with some tweezers.”
“I thought I told you I didn’t want to know what you would be doing to me,” she said, wrinkling her nose.
A few moments later, he was standing above her, and she was looking upward, scant inches from his crotch.
Suddenly she wished he were naked.
With great intent, he leaned forward to capture her right breast.
Wanting to get lost, she closed her eyes.
As he feathered a thumb across her nipple, he increased his pressure, making her sigh deliriously.
“And how’s this?” he dug in his fingertips just a little more, and she whimpered.
Immediately, he backed off.
She drew a grateful breath, but he repeated the squeeze. Before she could yelp, he’d backed off again. His touch was light as he skimmed his fingers back toward her nipple.
For a moment, he did nothing.
Then he touched her ever so gently. “Good?”
“It is.”
“And this?” He increased the intensity of the pinch.
“Fine,” she responded.
He tugged.
She arched toward him as much as her bonds would allow.
“You’re okay with quite a bit of pressure, it seems.”
“I like that.” As much as she hated to admit it, he was right about so many things.
“You’re getting turned on?”
“Yes,”she reluctantly admitted.
“Is your pussy wet?”
Did he have to be so sensual? “It is,” she whispered. “Yes, Damien.”
“How about both nipples together?” He pinched and pulled and rolled them between his thumbs and forefingers.
“God, yes!”
“Would you like to come already?”
“Yes, yes, yes.” She strained, trying to lift her hips, silently begging him to bring her off.
“I think it will be more intense if you wait.”
“I don’t want to wait.” She tried to meet his gaze, but he was infuriatingly focused elsewhere.
“You’ll be okay.” His tone was reassuring in a way that did nothing to lessen her dismay.
He leaned over to affix the clamps.
“Damn!”
He adjusted the pressure.
“The tighter I make them, the hotter you seem to get.”
“Damn you.” She was on fire. “I want an orgasm.”
“Oh, Milady, you’ll get more than one.”
Her clit felt swollen, and her whole body tingled.
“If I’d had any idea how you’d react to me, I’d have tied you up and dragged you in here a very long time ago.”
“You’ve got me now,” she said, barely able to form the words. “Make it worth my while.”
“Challenging me again, Milady? Hoping I’ll rise to the bait?” He chuckled.
Damien continued to master her as he chose, not how she wanted.
Not knowing what would happen next magnified her reaction.
Leaving her helpless, aching, wanting, he crossed to the far side of the room.
Before she was ready, leather strands landed on her belly. She gasped.
“Red is definitely your color.”
With gentle strokes, he crisscrossed her tummy, her breasts, flicking at the rubber tips that gripped her nipples. He didn’t vary the impact much, and the rhythm helped her to relax.
After long minutes, sighed as she surrendered to the lash, to him.
“Are you doing okay?”
“Mmm.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Yes…” She almost added Sir because it seemed natural. But for her it wasn’t.
“Ready for more?”
“I think so.”
“You always have your safe word.”
Damien took a step back then made bigger motions, gently landing on her pussy.
She strained and moaned each time one of the broad strands caught her most tender flesh. The leather scalded her from the inside out.
“I can’t… I can’t…” She thrashed her head.
He continued until her teeth chattered.
Nothing seemed to exist beyond the thunder of her heart, the ragged sounds of her breath and the reality of his leather caress.
If he were her sub, she’d grab hold of his head and drag him between her legs, compelling him to eat her until she came with a scream.
But movement was impossible, and she could no longer think.
“That’s it. Let go.”
Of what?
He seemed to be everywhere, and when he squeezed one of her breasts while flicking her clit, she understood.
Instead of straining against the bonds, desperate to get her needs met, she relaxed, allowing the smooth wood beneath her to take all her weight.
“Excellent.”
She closed her eyes. When each lick landed, she breathed into it.
Instead of wanting the scene to end, she wanted it to last forever.
Sound receded.
Nothing existed but the moment, the sensation of the flogger and its delicious, stinging pain.
Then, suddenly, she became aware of…nothing.
Before she could react, Damien licked her pussy.
Sensation flooded her, and she screamed her pleasure as she came.
But he didn’t stop.
He reached up to flick her nipples where the clamps seized them, then he licked and sucked, fucking her with his tongue, conquering her.
“Damn. Damn, damn!” She orgasmed once more.
He lifted his head and gave her a couple of sharp slaps with his hand, then laved away the hurt.
Impossibly, she came again.
Until him, she’d never had multiple climaxes, even when she’d been masturbating with a really powerful vibrator.
“I want you for myself,” he said.
She wasn’t sure she could endure anything more.
“You’re perfect, Catrina.”
He loosened her legs then cautioned, “Move slow.” He rubbed her skin, bringing some circulation back.
Softly, she sighed.
Though she gave her subs aftercare, she hadn’t known just how wonderful it truly was. In future, maybe she’d spend a little extra time with her subs. The high after a scene like that was stunning, and the figurative distance to the ground was vast. Already he’d taught her that a gradual return to normal was better than a fast one.
By slow measures, he loosened the nipple clamps. She appreciated his consideration. Removing them quickly could be more painful.
He caressed her breasts then sucked the tips, easing her pain.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Your manners are very pretty.”
She’d expressed her gratitude unthinkingly, rather than intentionally because it was his expectation. Now she understood her subs better, too.
“I want you to take your time,” he instructed as he unfastened her wrists. “I’ll help you to sit up.”
As she moved, she winced.
Even in that short length of time, her muscles had stiffened.
Damien moved to the side of the spindle.
She expected him to offer a hand, but instead he supported her head and back as she wriggled forward.
“Stay there,” he said when she was sitting. He made little circles on her shoulders to help loosen the tightness.
Even without her saying a word, he seemed to know what she needed.
“Your body is a lovely shade of red.”
“It feels well used.”
“Not quite. But close.” He helped her to stand and held her so close that his erection pressed against her, and she inhaled the scent of his crisp masculinity. His arms were both strong and gentle. A tiny part of her brain betrayed her, whispering that it was okay to lean on him and drink in the comfort he offered.
But that would be dangerous to her equilibrium.
“Time for part two of your lesson.”
“I hope it’s as good as this one. I hate to be disappointed.”
“I have a gag the perfect size for that smart mouth,” he said easily. And he meant it. He went to the far side of the room and returned with a penis-type gag.
“I…ah…was joking.” No way could he really mean to put that in her. Bravado deserted her. “I thought you wanted your sub to come to you and discuss things and that you’d agree on a punishment beforehand. You said that. Right?”
“You were testing me.”
“Ah, I was teasing, Damien. Really.”
“So what would you do with a sub who was disrespectful?”
He kept some distance between them, but since he was dressed in business attire and she was wearing nothing but the stripes from his flogger, she was at a disadvantage.
As tall as she was, Catrina wasn’t accustomed to feeling tiny next to anyone.
Why had she taken a sensual moment between them and painted it with a smart-ass comment? Maybe she should be grateful he was giving her a moment to explain. “I’d ask him what had compelled the behavior,” she said, remembering their discussion at his home.
Unable to help herself, she allowed her gaze to flicker to the penis gag.
“Let’s give it a try, shall we? What compelled your behavior, Catrina?”
The way he said her name… This time there was no husky purr, and she didn’t like the harshness in his tone.
Digging deep, she found an honesty that surprised even her. “Nerves,” she replied. “I liked the spindle, and I didn’t think I would. I enjoyed the flogging, and that caught me off guard.” Her nerves were frayed, and she took a breath before continuing. “Even though you were generous enough to give me a number of orgasms, I’m still restless.” She lifted her hands then let them fall again. “All of this is so new and unexpected.”
Since he was still waiting, head tilted expectantly to one side, she glanced at the floor before adding, “I apologize for my bratty behavior.”
“You drove an intentional wedge between us.”
“Yes,” she admitted softly.
“Hoping to piss me off.”
“I seem to do that a lot.” She wrinkled her nose. “But this time, I promise, it wasn’t intentional.”
“Go on.”
“It was a way of protecting my turbulent emotions.”
“Oh, Catrina…” This time, understanding echoed from his voice. “I appreciate your honesty and the courage it took.”
She could mainline his approval. “Thank you…” Breathlessly, she whispered. “Sir.”
“Fuck me.”He lowered the gag.
Damien leaned forward to capture her mouth with a kiss that left her reeling and even needier.
When her knees wobbled, she grabbed his wrists for support.
By insulating herself, playing with her boys and sending them home hours later, she missed out on this kind of interaction.
Finally, he ended the kiss, leaving her lips swollen.
“I want you to be who you are.” He fisted a hand in her hair and pulled back her head. This Dom amongst Doms offered no quarter, as he imprisoned her gaze with his searing blue eyes. “I want to know the real you, the woman you really are, not sub, not Domme, but the whole, complete person you are when you’re not frightened.”
At his terrifying words, a chill lanced her.
“Your quick wit is part of your personality, one I enjoy. But question your own motivation, Milady. Are you being funny? Or are you trying to drive me away?”
The column of her throat was exposed to him.
Although he still held the gag, he placed the pad of his thumb in the hollow of her neck.
Damien—with his searing insights—humbled her.
“I’ll know you, Catrina. Nothing less.”
Trapped, unable to avoid his scrutiny, she nodded.
“Tell me you agree.”
“I’ll do my best.” Or face the penis gag, she supposed.
“For now, that will do.” Slowly he released his grip on her hair, but he held her shoulders until she regained her balance.
“Back to my earlier question. When one of your boys misbehaves—when you are sassy—what should happen? After the conversation?”
“A spanking,” she said quickly. “If I say something disrespectful, I think you should spank me.”
Wolfishly, he grinned. “Nice try.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“There isn’t a single misbehavior that will earn you a spanking, Milady.”
“Oh?” She blinked. “Why?”
“When you’re over my lap with your bare bottom upturned, I can only think of bringing you off. Trying to spank you would torture me.”
“How so?”
“Since the first time I had my hand on your bare skin, I’ve thought of little else except you and doing that again.”
The way he said it, with a rich husk, made her believe he was serious.
“The gag it will be, then.”
She glanced at it. The penis was enormous. Just the threat of it made her pull back.
“Incentive to behave?”
“Or keep my mouth shut.”
He traced her upper lip with a finger. “Turn to me with your fears.”
If he had any idea how difficult that would be…
“I’ll try.” She offered nothing else. No false promises.
“You may put on your dress and shoes as we go through the public area. I’d prefer you naked and gagged, perhaps even leashed.”
His casual threat made her world tilt. But then the rest of his sentence shocked her. “Wait. We’re leaving this room?” When she needed another orgasm? The man was a monster.
With a grin, he leaned in closer. “I’ve got more in store for you, Catrina. Much, much more. And now you’re curious. Aren’t you?”