Excessica Publishing

www.excessica.com

Copyright ©2012 by Candace Blevins

First published in 2012, 2012

NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.

CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

ABOUT CANDACE BLEVIN

* * * *

eXcessica publishing

Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon (C) August 3, 2012 by Candace Blevins

All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older.

This book is for sale to ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It contains substantial sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

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Cover design (C) 2012 Candace Blevins

First Edition August 2012

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Safewords:

Davenport and Chiffon

By Candace Blevins

Safeword: Davenport is the first half of Dana's story, it's the personal part of her journey, and has a Happy for Now ending. Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon gives the rest of her story. It's recommended these two books be read in order.

Warning: This title contains graphic language, consensual BDSM, bondage, extreme electrical play, enemas, and the use of toys including clamps, canes, plugs, cages, paddles, whips, and floggers.

* * * *

Chapter One

* * * *

Dana carefully pulled the chain over her head before purposefully placing both wedding rings in the bottom compartment of her jewelry box—the section with the seldom worn items. Closing the drawer was bittersweet, but she didn't dwell on it as she proceeded towards her bathroom, looking forward to a lengthy soak. She took extra pains to shave everything, kept the conditioner on her hair longer than normal, and used a loofah to exfoliate everywhere she didn't shave. When she got out of the tub, she dried and fixed her hair before polishing her nails a deep crimson, applying her make-up more dramatically than usual, and finally slinking into her sinfully sexy red dress. She couldn't show much skin with her back still bruised, but it was snug from shoulders to just below the knees and left little to the imagination while hiding her marks.

She timed it perfectly and he arrived downstairs as she was wiggling into the sumptuous fabric. She unlocked the elevator, and was waiting at the door as he rounded the corner.

He paused in the middle of the hallway, surprised to see her, and smiled before walking again. “You're beautiful, Dana. I've been so nervous about this weekend, but seeing you in this dress, it's like...” He stopped, scanning her with his gaze so she felt naked all the way down to her soul. Tilting his head, considering, he spoke slowly. “It's more than the dress. Your eyes are clear; the doubt's gone. Something's changed since we had lunch Wednesday afternoon."

"Yes, it has. Don't worry, it's all good, and I'll tell you about it at dinner. Where are you taking me?"

"Foodworks, and then hopefully home with me."

"Hmm, maybe I should pack a few things. Give me a sec."

"I asked you to include me in your adventures from here on out. You said you would."

Dana was taken aback; she hadn't expected him to react with anger over her solo hike. “Yes, sexual adventures. Not hiking through the woods. I had to do this alone, Zach. It was important. I spent Thursday looking back, saying goodbye, and today was devoted to looking forward. I closed a door yesterday, and concentrated on opening another today."

He was quiet a moment, staring into his empty salad bowl, refusing eye contact. When he finally looked up, she realized he wasn't just mad, he was furious. “I asked to be your support, be there for you if..."

He gazed out the window for a few heartbeats before turning back to her, his ice blue eyes cutting into her soul. “I stipulated you should not go off alone to handle emotional things by yourself again."

Her insides shook, but she held it together and spoke slowly, willing him to hear her, believe her. “If that's what you asked, then we have a case of broken communication. If I'd made that promise I'd have told you what I was doing before I left."

He looked down again and she kept her voice low but firm as she said, “Dammit, look at me and please believe me. My understanding of what you requested was that I wouldn't be exploring the depths of my masochism, or the possibility I'm a switch, or anything to do with BDSM or sex unless you're there, too."

She could see him thinking it through; trying to remember exactly what'd been said. He finally let out a long breath, saying, “I believe you. I don't recall the exact wording, but I can see how you could've misunderstood my meaning."

"Are we good, then?"

"Yes. I'd wondered how you'd feel about my drawing up the things I'd like from you in contract form, to go over this weekend and negotiate. With this misunderstanding, hopefully you'll understand why I think a written agreement is better than a verbal one."

Her stomach flip-flopped. “You want me to sign a contract?"

"Not a slave contract, just a written record of whatever agreement we reach—a vehicle to help us figure out what we're both willing to commit to. It killed me to let you go off without me last weekend. I don't want to keep you from branching out and exploring, but I want—I need—to be part of it. I tried to create wording to show I'm not trying to curtail your exploration, to assure you I'm prepared to deal with you needing to spread your wings and experiment as long as I can be there."

"Okay. We'll look it over when we get back to your place. I'm prepared to commit to a good deal, and I'm interested in reading what you've drawn up.” Her eyes flicked up to movement over Zach's shoulder. “I think I see our food coming."

The wait staff made a big production of delivering their meals, and both began eating once they were alone. She took advantage of the silence to analyze how best to handle Zach's hurt feelings. He'd forgiven her, accepted it was a misunderstanding, but she could see it'd cut deep and she needed to help him understand.

She collected her thoughts and said, “You've been serious with a few people since Bethany passed, right?” He inclined his head and she continued. “Did you ever go to the cemetery and talk to her about it? Tell her you were moving on, and part of you felt guilty for it, but you needed to live?"

"I did, yes."

Damn, he could freeze water with his voice. She ignored his tone and plowed ahead. “Could you've asked permission to move on if you took your new girlfriend? Or was it something you had to do alone?"

"I needed to... ah. I see."

"Do you?"

He nodded and reached across the table for her hand. “All I heard was out of town, spent the night, there were tears, and once again it was another man who soothed you. I'm afraid I didn't think the rest of it through."

Finally, his voice was warm again. She took a breath. “Well, now I'll know how to tell when I've pissed you off, anyway."

He smiled, looking slightly embarrassed. “I'm sorry; I guess I'm a little touchy right now. I dealt with everything in Nashville, but only because I sensed if I didn't let you go off on a final solo quest then a relationship between us was doomed before it started. I have no say over what you do, I'm not your Master or your Sir or even your boyfriend, yet; but if we're to have a chance I need to hear from you that you'll let me be there for you. I thought I'd had your promise, and..."

"I'll let you be there for me.” She paused. “Wait, I need to qualify that. I'll have three days a year, at least for a few more years, I'm probably going to have some sadness and will want some time to myself. I expect you'll have at least two days as well."

"Yes, her birthday and our anniversary. What are your three?"

"Technically four, I guess, but two of them are together so I think of them as three. We first met on New Year's Eve, and his birthday is New Year's Day. The others are our wedding anniversary, and I haven't dealt well on the anniversary of the week he died, either. I won't go running off out of town without you, but I may need time to myself."

"Okay, noted.” He took a sip of water, considering. “As much as I want to hold you through any grief, I get that we each handle things in our own way. But I'd like to suggest something for both of us to think about and decide on later."

He looked out the window as he said, “My first date with Bethany was on the Fourth of July, and we regarded the Pops in the Park concert as one of our anniversaries.” His gaze returned to her, emotion threatening to spill from his eyes. “Since you and I both have a holiday with painful memories, I'd like to suggest we do something special on those days to give us different memories. The other days will fade eventually, so they won't always be a sad day. But the holidays? I don't know, but I'd like for us to have a conversation about it after we've had a chance to mull it over."

She took another couple of bites, finally noticing how good the food was. She wasn't prepared to answer him, couldn't even consider doing something else on New Year's right now, and needed to change the subject. “So, what are the high points of this contract you want me to sign?"

His forehead tensed briefly before relaxing, and he answered without commenting on the subject change. “I'd like us to commit to a primarily monogamous relationship, having sex with others only after we discuss how we feel about it as a couple. I'm fine with you Topping Jacob, and while I won't insist on always being present, I'll need to know when you're together—no clandestine scenes between the two of you. I'm not planning, at this time, to have sex with anyone else, but if I ever want to then you and I will talk about it beforehand and it won't happen unless you give the okay. Should our relationship shift to Master and slave, that'll change, of course."

"What're you saving for last?"

One side of his mouth tilted up, amused. “You know me too well already. I'll own you, completely, for one twenty-four hour period per week. The default time will be noon Saturday until noon Sunday, but we can renegotiate the schedule as needed. Work obligations come first, but hours must be made up at a later date."

He took another drink. “As long as you keep the hours owed to me under sixty you can parcel them out as you wish. If you go over you'll need to take vacation days to get back to zero, if you can't fulfill it on the following weekend."

"Meaning you'll own me for two and a half days straight."

"Yes."

"You've put a lot of thought into this."

"Yes."

"If we spend the occasional weekend with Jacob and Brent, I'll want time to Top Jacob when I'm not submitting to you."

"Agreed."

"What about the other six days a week?"

"If you commit to a scene we'll discuss when it'll end. You won't be obligated to have sex just because I want it."

She took a few more bites, thinking. She hadn't expected a contract, but she'd been prepared to agree to something along these terms. “I'll need to look it over, probably want to negotiate some of the finer points, but I think I'm okay with giving you verbal confirmation now and signing at the end of the weekend for... I don't know. How long do we need before we renegotiate?"

"I hadn't considered assigning an end date, but I suppose doing so forces us to look at what's working and what isn't. Why wait until the weekend's over? I'd rather take care of it before we play."

She shook her head. “Sorry, Sunday evening, so I can sleep on it. Besides, I'm not healed enough for too much play."

He gave her a wicked smile. “Oh, I have plenty of things planned that don't involve impact play on your back or ass."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Two

* * * *

Zach gathered the loose papers—notes scribbled all over them—and bumped them together before sliding them under his tablet.

"Just so we're clear, when the clock chimes in a few minutes you'll belong to me for the next twenty-four hours, until nine o'clock tomorrow night. You don't do anything but breathe without permission—no water, no bathroom, no food. Also, no computer, television, or cellphone unless you're given explicit permission. If I leave the room, you stay where you are until you can ask to move. If you want something, you ask. If you need something, you ask. If there's an emergency then of course you should use your best judgment, but be sure I'll also consider it an emergency."

Her libido had gone into high gear during the last part of their negotiations, and she was already so turned on she sat on her hands to keep from playing with herself. She nodded her agreement, not trusting her voice, freezing as the clock began to chime.

They looked at each other, motionless until the last note sounded. Zach broke the spell by saying, “Go on up to the bedroom and get undressed. Use the restroom and then put your toiletries in my bathroom, the second drawer on the left is empty. I've also cleared out the bottom middle section of the armoire; you should place the rest of your things in there. I need to gather a few items from the playroom. If you finish before I arrive you can kneel on the bed while you wait."

She did as instructed, uncomfortable he'd emptied drawers for her, but was folding her clothing into the armoire when he entered. She recognized the enema equipment immediately, and her head began shaking side to side involuntarily.

"Really? You're telling me no already? Before we even get started? We're going to have lots of fun this weekend, but you need a good cleaning out or it'll be messy. I'll let you give the first to yourself if you like, but I'll administer the large volume one we finish with."

Dana turned back to the drawer, nodding as she folded the last two items and stood, waiting for instructions. He lifted a hand, displaying a Fleet enema. “I can do it and stay with you for moral support until you need to release; or I can let you go into the bathroom, give it to yourself, and trust you to hold it as long as you can before expelling."

"I'd rather do it alone, if I have a choice, Sir."

"The door stays unlocked; let me know if you need me, I'll be right here."

"Thank you, Sir."

She accepted the Fleet and walked to his bathroom, softly closing the door behind her. Moving quickly, she dropped to hands and knees on the bathmat, removed the cap from the disposable bottle, inserted the nozzle into herself, and squeezed, wanting to get it over with. She groaned at the cramps, stopped a moment, regretting her haste. She arched her spine up and down before continuing, slower this time. When the bulb was empty she lay sideways on the mat and wished she'd brought a towel for her head.

What had made her want to do this without Zach? He'd probably be rubbing her tummy now, comforting her. She breathed her way through several waves of cramps before deciding it was time to stand and walk to the toilet.

When Dana finally came out of the bathroom Zach had everything placed on a clear plastic shower curtain draped over the bed. He was in the sitting area, and when he saw her at the door he set his tablet aside and walked to her, wrapping his arms around her protectively. “How do you feel?"

"I'm okay, Sir. Part of me wants to argue against this, but I recognize it's important I trust you have a reason. Thanks for allowing me privacy this time."

"Privacy is never a given, but I don't want you to learn to hate enemas. I hope you eventually won't feel the need to hide from me, but for now I'm willing to indulge you when I don't think you're taking it for granted. Come to the bed. I've put towels over the plastic so you won't stick to it—if you want another for under your head, or even a small pillow, let me know."

He situated her on her left side, bending her right leg up so her knee wasn't too far from her chest, and used a thin enema nozzle. It wasn't long before warm water was flowing into her and the heat was almost relaxing, at first. As the cramps hit he stopped the flow and rubbed her back, continuing slowly when it eased—stopping and starting based on her comfort level. When the enema bag finally gurgled she was surprised she'd taken the whole container.

"That's two quarts, you've done very well."

He removed the nozzle and Dana clenched tight, terrified she'd let some loose. “Can I go to the bathroom now, please Sir?"

"Not just yet. I won't make you hold it long, but I think longer than thirty seconds is in order.” He looped the nozzle up and wrapped a small towel around it as he said, “We're going to roll you onto your back, then onto your right side a moment before returning to your current position. We'll go slow. Ready?"

Fuck no she wasn't ready

"Sure.” She bent her legs and rolled to her back, groaning as the water shifted. It wasn't painful, exactly, but she was so full it was uncomfortable and awkward. Zach put a hand on her left shoulder and urged her to roll on over. She let her knees fall towards the bed, slowly, and he supported her shoulders so her body turned at the same time. A cramp hit as she was settling into that side and he rubbed her tummy, feeling out the convulsing areas and massaging them with expert fingers.

Dana had such mixed emotions about the experience; accepting an enema can be the ultimate expression of how much control someone has over your body. As Zach helped her through it—becoming both tormentor and comforter—her mind didn't know whether to resent or appreciate him. Logically, she wanted him to own her, and this certainly went far towards that end. But emotionally? She felt like a two year old, somewhere between tantrum and ‘hold me.'

When the cramp was over he talked her through rolling back to her left side before helping her up, allowing her into the bathroom without him again, but leaving the door open about an inch. She was so relieved to be rid of the pressure in her bowels she couldn't be too mortified about the sounds he was hearing.

When she finally thought all of the water was gone, she returned to the bedroom.

"Sir? Can I take a quick shower, please?"

"Not just yet, I'd like you to do the highstep thing the Rockettes do. You know, knee up and foot up? You can hold onto the doorframe for balance if you need. Fifty, please."

She made it to twelve and had to go again, saying “Sir! I—", but he interrupted with, “Go."

When at last he deemed it was okay for her to shower, she was exhausted. He'd put everything away by then and had the bed turned down, and he had her chug a bottle of sports drink and then rubbed her back and shoulders until she fell asleep.

She was awakened by kisses on her neck, a hand on her breast. She moaned in pleasure, arching her back, pushing her ass against the cock she felt behind her.

"Oh good, you're awake. Do you need to use the restroom?"

She looked at the clock—four minutes after three, and the a.m. dot was glowing.

"Dana?"

Oh, he'd asked a question. She tried to wake her brain enough to process his words.

"Yes, I do, please. The sports drink must have gone through me."

"Come back to bed when you're done. I need to retrieve some items from the kitchen, I won't be long."

Dana was under the covers when Zach returned. He'd flipped the lights on before he left, and she'd been tempted to switch them off. She hadn't, though.

A large stainless steel bowl was cradled between his left arm and chest, and another in each hand. He set all three bowls on his side of the bed near the footboard and made a trip to the bathroom, returning with a giant bottle of lube and several bath towels, draping one of them over the line of bowls.

"We need to put the towels down. Stand and help me, please."

When they finally had everything organized, she was laying on her back with her knees up in the air, classic missionary position, and Zach was sitting below her. She felt like she was at the gyno's office.

"I trust you're awake now?"

"Yes, Sir. I'd rather be asleep, though."

"But that's not your call to make, is it?"

"No, Sir."

"Would you like it to be your call?"

She thought a minute and reluctantly, said, “No, Sir. If I want you to have control, I should accept I'm not going to like all of your decisions. I can't just let you have authority when you're doing what I enjoy."

He nodded and pulled the towel off the bowls, spreading it between her feet and dumping the contents of one of the bowls onto it.

It was a chain. A big, shiny chain. Not like a necklace, but something you'd use to restrain a large dog. Or a bear.

He lifted one end and squirted lube on it. “This is stainless steel, and there are four feet of it.” His gaze rose to meet hers. “I intend to get all four feet inside of your pussy. Have you have had this done before?"

Dana shook her head. Speechless.

"I'll go slow so we can stop any pinching before it gets too bad. It's not supposed to hurt, tell me if it does."

The process was clinical at first—lube a few links, push them in; lube a few more links, push them in. She felt a slight pinch a handful of times, but as soon as she started saying “Ow,” he was straitening things out and fixing it.

"I fully expect you to have at least two orgasms without permission tonight. Punishment won't happen until tomorrow, and I'm not telling you what it'll be; only that it won't involve your back or ass, and the minute you'll withstand for every unsanctioned climax will make you lament losing control. Two minutes will be quite painful, but bearable. More than that? Let's hope you don't go there."

He fell silent, concentrating, engrossed in the process.

Eventually, she began feeling full, moaning with every link he packed in. The lube time was a rest period, where she relaxed a second and then prepared herself to be stuffed still more.

"I'm so full, Sir. I can't hold more. That's it. Please."

"But more still fits. See? There went another. And look, I can put my finger in and mix them around,” he said, ignoring her gasp. “There's plenty of room. I know you feel full, but I want to see even more inside of you.” His voice grew firmer. “Look at me, Dana. Do you wish me to stop when I'm not finished?"

She'd been watching his hands, with the chain in one and lube in another. She raised her eyes and met his, saw an intensity that made her breath catch and her heart trip over it, and she recognized his need.

"No, Sir. I don't want you to stop."

The metal grew hot inside of her, the weight of it pushing against her g-spot, rubbing and pressing more and more with each link until she thought she'd go mad with lust. “I need to come, Sir! Please!"

"Not yet.” He shook his head. “You don't have permission."

The driving need inside of her grew desperate. “I'm not sure I can stop it. Please help me, Sir. Please!"

A tug vibrated through her as he gently laid the chain on the bed, and she was grateful he hadn't just dropped it. He wiped the lube off his hands before he placed them on her knees. “Slow your breathing—fill your lungs completely, then empty them. Feel the air brushing against your windpipe. I only have another four or five insertions and it'll be in you. Let me know when you're ready for me to finish. You can do this."

She listened to the calming sound of his voice, felt the warmth of his hands on her knees anchoring her to the non-erotic parts of her body, and did as he said—slowing her breathing and backing out of the orgasm.

She nodded. “Okay, Sir. I'm ready."

"Excellent. I'm pleased."

The final links were terrible and beautiful. She felt as if her insides were so expanded nothing else could possibly fit, and yet he kept pushing more into her. When he finally pushed the last link inside, so none was hanging out, the sensation took her breath away. She was incredibly turned on, her heartbeat stronger in her lower belly than it was in her chest, and a fire raged inside of her that almost overwhelmed her—but she wasn't in danger of an impending orgasm, so she could enjoy the sensations.

"I have a challenge for you, before we begin the next stage of stuffing you full."

The next stage? What was he talking about? No way would he get anything else in.

"I'm going to help you stand—slowly. Once you're up, I want you to walk to the door, then to the end of the hallway before walking back to bed."

He put one arm behind her back and another under her knees, turning her until her legs were sideways off the bed. She gingerly slid off, with him holding her upper arm for support, and could feel gravity shifting the chain as the weight left the rear wall of her pussy and transferred to her pelvic floor. She took her first step, Zach still steadying her, and gasped as her muscles embraced the unyielding metal, detonating against sensitive nerve endings and sending her blood boiling. She clenched hard to make sure nothing came out, but realized the entire mass couldn't fall out as one unit.

He let go of her after the third pace, assured her balance was okay. Dana walked out of the room and carefully made her way down the hall. Zach was leaning in the doorway when she turned, eyeing her like a leopard watches a gazelle, and she held eye contact as she walked towards him, his dominance making her feel more submissive with every step.

She was about five feet away from him when the chain and muscles moved together just right and her control shattered like a dropped mirror as her insides splintered into powerful spasms around the unforgiving steel—the orgasm taking her over, stealing her breath and shaking her to the very core.

Her hand flew to her pussy, as if it could hold everything in place from the outside, and her knees crumbled. Zach was at her side immediately, his arm around her, helping her to the ground as her body spasmed around the heated metal inside of her.

Zach held her through it, supporting her, making soothing sounds. When it finally played itself out she was exhausted and just wanted to fall over and go back to sleep.

"I'm sorry, Sir."

"I'm not upset with you, not even disappointed at your willpower. Learning to control your orgasms will be a journey, and you're just beginning. Yes, there'll be consequences when you can't hold them off, but it doesn't mean I'm angry. Come, stand up, let's get you back in bed."

He walked beside her, his arm around her waist, and helped her climb in, face down this time.

His hands separated her legs, spreading them wide, and she felt him sit behind her. She heard, “Relax,” and felt something pushing at her asshole, slowly spreading it open, but only for a moment before it slid in. All the way in

"Sir? What is it?"

"It's a grape. I'm going to fill you with them. These are room temperature, so count your blessings as I've been known to freeze them first. Here comes another. Relax for me."

She whimpered as it went in, struggled at the sensation of needing to go. She wiggled her hips, trying to make the feeling go away, and the chain shifted inside her, almost giving her another spontaneous orgasm.

"Oh!"

He chuckled. “Yes. Oh. This one's a little larger. Open up."

Dana counted eight grapes before his finger intruded, rummaging around and moving the grapes inside of her, pressing against the thin wall of her vagina so he rubbed against the chain. It was all too much and she groaned again, experiencing something between pleasure and agony. She was nowhere near her symbolic twelve o'clock—this was discomfort, not pain, and yet she couldn't decide if the discomfort were outshining the pleasure, or whether her bliss had the upper hand. She wanted to ask permission to go to the bathroom, but figured he'd let her go when he was ready. She doubted he was ready yet.

He alternated fingering her and inserting grapes until the urge to go to the toilet was an all-encompassing need. She forgot the chain; stopped thinking about everything except the feeling in her bowels, the opening and closing of the ring of muscles holding the grapes in, and the sound of his voice.

She thought he'd let her go to the bathroom when he helped her stand, but he only turned her around to have her lay on her back in bed. The chain and grapes shifted as she stood, and again as she reclined backwards. The chain was part of her now, but the grapes were a foreign invasion. She didn't consider asking to go to the bathroom, he was in charge and she belonged to him—her body was his to do with as he pleased.

He situated her on the bed so her ass and feet were near the edge, while he remained standing. A finger lightly touched the outside of her asshole. “Push the grapes out, please."

She pushed for an instant before her body rebelled—she couldn't do that here! It would feel like taking a crap in the bed.

"I can't, Sir.” It wasn't that she was refusing; she literally couldn't do that here.

His voice was patient, but unyielding. “Yes, you can. We cleaned your insides; the grapes won't be soiled. You're on a towel and shower curtain, so even if they have germs, they won't contaminate the bed. Push, Dana."

It wasn't a suggestion, but a clear order. She tried again, and her body rebelled once more. “I'm sorry, Sir. I can't."

His hand flew to her pussy, but the chain inside her blocked her view, so she couldn't see what his was doing. Her clit erupted in pain as he flicked it. Hard. Her hands rushed to cover herself as she screamed in agony.

He waited for her to calm down, didn't say anything about her hands, just repeated. “Push them out. We'll be here until I see at least four of them sliding out of your ass. I may change my mind and want more if you keep delaying. I know you feel the need to go. I can see you clinching, trying to hold them in. The insides of your thighs aren't bruised; even an extreme masochist will have problems handling a tawse to the inner thighs without a warm-up. At least four grapes, Dana. Now."

She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and pushed, willing her muscles to allow it as a grape exited her body. She squeezed her eyelids tighter as she inhaled again and strained, managing to get the second one out—the third surprising her as it surged out unexpectedly. She felt as if she were having a bowel movement in bed, but he'd been so upset with her for refusing, so she bore down and forced them out, trying her best to ignore how wrong it felt. It took more coaxing for her to get the fourth out, but when it finally came, Zach looked pleased.

"Look, perfectly clean.” He held the grapes up for her to see. “As I said they'd be. If the others escape your iron hold while we're finishing it'll be fine. If they don't, that's okay, too. Now, for your reward—you can come as many times as you want during this part. No permission needed."

He stroked her labia before pushing a finger and thumb into her, and pulling a few links of the chain out. His gaze met hers and he smiled, looking like a kid who put a frog in his sister's bed.

His arm hauled back, the chain still in his hand, and when it was straight behind him, he continued dragging with his other hand, so all four feet cascaded out in one fell swoop, flooding her body with adrenaline as the sensations overwhelmed and shocked.

The orgasm slammed through her seconds after the adrenaline, and when Zach placed the weight and heat of the entire chain on her stomach, she thought she'd shatter into a million pieces.

Hands shoved her legs up as he braced himself before he plunged, and she completely lost the ability to breathe.

Zach slid entirely out before languidly sinking back into her. Smooth, slow, and with intention. His gaze locked on hers, letting her know he owned her, all the way down to her soul.

When she could finally breathe again, she only mustered one word. “Yours."

He smiled. “Yes. Mine.” His pace went from dreamy pleasure to urgent demand, his mouth hot as it closed over her nipple, sucking and biting until she arched up, offering herself, making the warm chain pressed between them shift. Desire shot through her as every nerve in her body came alive, rocking her from the inside out, and felt as if her soul were unraveling—making her nothing, and everything. Making her his.

Zach's rhythm stuttered and he thrust a final time and held, his face buried in her neck, quiet grunts and growls coming from him as his body shuddered and rocked. Dana's orgasm continued at least thirty seconds after Zach's finished, and he stayed put until she was still and breathing almost normally again.

She had another mini-release as he was pulling out, just a few spams, and he paused until it was over, chuckling as she relaxed into the bed once more. “I love that about you. I'll have to remember to give you periods of time where you can come when you want, so you don't lose that particular quirk. I'm looking forward to teaching you control, though."

He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “I need to dispose of this and take everything to the kitchen. I'll bring more sports drink, and some yogurt. Are you hungrier than that?"

She shook her head, “No, yogurt sounds perfect. Do you have blueberry?"

"I do. You have permission to use the restroom to get rid of the rest of the grapes if you like. We'll cuddle a bit before I chain you to the bed again, but I suggest you take care of your needs now, while you have a chance."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Three

* * * *

Something was annoying her. A stick was poking into her and she tried to move it, but her hands were inside the sleeping bag and she couldn't reach to push it away. The harder she struggled to free them from the fabric, the worse the branch poked into her. When it finally pushed inside of her she awoke with a start, realized it wasn't a stick, but Zach's cock coming into her from behind as she lay on her side. Her arms weren't trapped in the sleeping bag; they were attached to the front of her bondage collar by six-inch lengths of rope.

Zach began moving inside of her, taking his time as his iron control maintained a slow, deliberate rhythm, obviously in no hurry this morning. Dana hadn't been horny when she'd first awakened, but the situation quickly turned her on and she found herself pushing her ass back, lifting her top leg to give him more room, wishing he'd speed up, go faster.

His voice vibrated against her shoulder. “Mmmm. That's it. You don't have permission to come. Don't bother asking."

Thankfully, as the words were out of his mouth he switched into high gear, fucking her like a wildman for the next three or four minutes until he erupted into the condom in a flurry of vocalizations, his entire body trembling as he released. Dana barely held the orgasm back—another twenty seconds and she'd have been coming with him. She had mixed feelings about suppressing her own climax as she lay there frustrated and unfulfilled, her blood roaring through her veins.

He unlocked her ankle and walked her to the toilet, holding her arm until she was seated. She groaned inwardly as he stepped to the sink and pulled his toothbrush out, wishing he'd walk around the corner again, at least.

She managed to pee while he brushed his teeth, the running water helping her relax. When he finished, he wiped her without comment and led her to the sink. Dana's face was bright red again; she wasn't sure she'd ever get used to him doing such personal things for her.

Her right arm was freed from bondage and he waved towards her toothbrush—already loaded with toothpaste—before casually leaning against the wall, as if waiting to see a show.

"My hair, Sir. I need to pull it back or I'll get toothpaste in it."

He reached for her hairbrush and gently worked the tangles out before expertly pulling it into a ponytail.

She looked at him in the mirror, dark blue meeting light blue. “You've done that before."

He tilted his head. “When you restrict someone's movements you have to take care of their basic needs. Brush your teeth."

He leaned against the wall again, watching her as she brushed. She felt self-conscious, his eyes analyzing her as if cataloging her sequence and technique. She started to skip her tongue, but her mouth didn't feel clean when she neglected it, so she stuck it out and brushed, staring at the running water as she did, refusing to look at him. She cleaned the toothbrush with her one free hand, rinsed her mouth, and wiped her face before standing and looking at his feet, waiting for her next order.

He placed a finger under her chin, lifting it until their gaze met. She saw kindness layered into the authority, and her heart eased a little. “There'll come a time when I'll brush your teeth when we're deep in a scene, but I'm trying to ease us into some of this. I'm telling you now because I want you to understand how extensive my control will be, eventually."

"That would be very...” She trailed off, not sure of the right word.

"Intimate. It's very intimate. Come, I need to re-secure your hands. You're probably ready for a different position."

"Yes, Sir. Thank you."

He pulled a length of rope with steel rings on both ends from a nightstand drawer. He retrieved two small locks as well, and connected the rope to the side of her waist cincher before threading it through the hardware on her right wrist cuff, the front ring on the bondage collar, the ring on her left wrist cuff, and finally locking it to the left side of the waist cincher.

She could move each hand from her waist to the center of her throat, and appreciated the movement it allowed her shoulders and elbows, as they'd grown stiff. She still wouldn't be able to do much with her hands, though.

He tightened the waist cincher before walking her back to bed and helping her climb in, positioning her so she was sitting up. Pillows were fluffed and placed behind and around her until she felt like pampered royalty.

Smiling, he kissed her on the cheek. “You're beautiful, wearing collar and cuffs in my bed, bound and helpless, the cincher showing off your curves. I'll be back soon with a protein shake and more sports drink. You'll be on a mostly liquid diet today, I'm afraid."

He opened a drawer and pulled out a walkie-talkie looking thing. “This is a baby monitor. I'll take the receiver with me downstairs. If you need anything, just say it. Do not, for any reason, get out of bed. Stay where you are. Understood?"

"Yes, Sir."

She finally looked at the clock to see it was nearly ten in the morning, and rested her head against the pillows, thinking of the things he'd done so far. Garnet had never been big on orgasm restriction, and most of the time she'd come when she wanted. Zach apparently enjoyed controlling them, and so far, she wasn't a fan.

Although, submitting often meant denial of what others considered a basic right. When she was locked away in Garnet's closet she'd been deprived of the ability to go to the bathroom when she wanted, and had been barred from reading, watching TV, talking on the phone, checking email. Even when not stored away, when he'd locked her closet she'd lost access to her clothes, shoes, and all forms of what most people deemed essential entertainment.

Even though she hated the act of being denied an orgasm, she had to admit the control it gave him was a huge turn on. Just thinking about it had her insides fluttering to life again, and she couldn't reach her pussy. She could touch her breasts, but she'd never gotten off on breast play alone.

She heard Zach coming up the steps and opened her eyes, smiling when he came into view, his return smile making her heart flutter. How could she ever deny him anything he asked for? This man who'd claimed her in such primal ways.

He placed the tray on the bed and picked up a large glass with a straw, holding it to her mouth. Dana dutifully took a drink, not sure what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised by an apple cinnamon taste.

"That's actually pretty good, Sir. Thank you."

"You're welcome. It's vanilla yogurt with protein powder, the juice of one apple, and some honey and cinnamon."

"I think cinnamon will always make me feel taken care of; make me think of you."

He smiled and spoke softly as he held the straw to her lips. “That's the idea. Bigger drink this time, please."

When she'd emptied the glass he put it aside and retrieved his cereal bowl, pouring the milk in before he began eating. He talked between bites. “I want to be clear that I allowed carte blanche on the orgasms last night, when I pulled the chain out, because you were so good with the grapes."

"But, I argued with you first."

"Yes, but then you overcame some very strong instincts and pushed them out for me. I know how hard it was, and appreciate the internal battle you had to wage to get your muscles to do as I asked. I was tremendously pleased, pet."

"But I still came once, without permission."

"And you'll have one minute of discipline this afternoon, assuming you don't have any unauthorized orgasms today."

Her pulse surged, anticipation with a hint of apprehension building desire at his words. He'd already told her he wouldn't explain her punishment yet, but... “I don't suppose you'll tell me what you've planned for today?"

Smiling, he said, “Yes, your food will need to digest completely before we begin, so we've got another forty minutes to talk. I'll give you more sports drink in a moment, so we can make sure you're hydrated. Do you remember what I said about electricity?"

"You said the next time we played with it, it'd be pleasurable."

"That's right, and I don't want you to feel scared when you see the playroom. Everything's laid out and ready to go, and it looks like something out of a Frankenstein nightmare, but my intention is to show you pleasure today; the good ways I can use it. Once I've indulged you in decadent stimulation I'll let you decide how you want to be hurt—and I intend to have you crazy with arousal when I offer you the choice. I won't ask you to relinquish your safeword, but I'll give you the option of whether you want pain in the form of electricity or predicament bondage."

Dana realized he was asking her if what he was proposing was okay. She'd asked him not to make her decide important things in the midst of a scene, so he was double-checking with her now, before they started.

"Thanks for checking. I think it'll be okay. I trust you won't take me too far, and I believe you understand now that once I'm in subspace I can't be trusted to make good decisions. I'll beg for something that could injure, so you've got to know when it's time to stop."

He nodded. “I think there are things I can do with electricity to give you the extreme pain you want without causing the damage of impact play. The question is whether you'll respond to it the way you do whips and floggers."

She sighed. “And, just for the record, I hate predicament bondage."

His face lit up in a smile. “I know."

Zach took forever getting Dana wired, explaining which leads were hooked up to the TENS, which were straight electricity. Some of the pads were connected to medical equipment so he could keep track of her pulse, heart rate, and oxygen levels. He hadn't been exaggerating when he said it looked like something from a Frankenstein nightmare. Wires were going every direction, and he had all kinds of controls in front of him, she had no idea how he kept it straight, but it was clear he knew exactly what he was doing.

"I need a little feedback from you. I'm turning the one in your pussy on; tell me when you feel a gentle tensing of the muscles."

She waited a few seconds and felt a slight movement. “There, I think. It wasn't a shock, just felt like I tensed and relaxed the muscle. But I didn't."

"Perfect. This should be a little more, but still shouldn't hurt."

The plug in her pussy moved, and she nodded.

"Okay, the one in your ass, equal strength."

It didn't feel the same—it was much more intense, and traveled from her asshole into her bowels. She gasped and said, “No! That was a lot stronger."

He spun some dials. “That's why we're doing the test. How's this?"

She felt movement and let out an involuntary low moan.

"I'll check that one off in the wonderful column,” he said, chuckling.

He did the same test on the pads outside of her asshole, and the sides of her pussy. He went through five different trials on her clit before he hit one that made her moan, but she begged him to do it again once he found the right note.

When at last he said it was time to begin, he locked her legs into the gyno stirrups and restrained the sides of her waist cincher to the bondage table. Her hands still had range of movement between waist cincher and bondage collar.

He smiled as he turned a knob and the plug in her pussy came to life as if someone were pulling and pushing it, invisible hands impaling her, repeatedly. Her brain was trying to wrap itself around how it worked, but her body didn't give a flying fuck. It felt good.

"Please tell me I can come when I want today."

"Sorry, you'll need to ask permission first."

"Are you going to let me when I ask, Sir?"

"You'll have to ask and find out, won't you?” He said it so casually, as if it were nothing. Dana closed her eyes, groaning in frustration and pleasure as the electrodes outside of her pussy activated, working in tandem with the plug inside.

"I'm close, Sir. Not quite there yet, but I'm very, very, close."

"I want you to relax and enjoy the sensations without falling over the edge. You can do it—ride the wave instead of fighting it."

She took a breath and relaxed instead of trying to fight the orgasm. It worked, and her senses soared as she rode an immense wave of pleasure without worry of it consuming her. Any other time she'd have been frustrated at having her lust kindled to extreme without prospect of release, but knowing she couldn't, and that he wanted her to navigate the ecstasy, made it pure bliss.

Sensation bombarded the tissues around her clit and she realized he'd turned on the electrodes surrounding it. If she'd been blindfolded she'd have sworn gentle fingers were massaging the muscles, pulling and stretching the skin around it, shooting pleasure through the ultra-sensitive nerve endings.

The pulses changed, directly on her clit now, and her body blazed into climax in a long string of detonations that wouldn't stop. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think, her lower body had control over her entire nervous system and she thrashed under the crashing waves.

He switched everything off, but it had no effect on the sparks shooting through her body as her orgasm continued rising to the crescendo it had been seeking, even without the extra help. Her bliss went into orbit and she screamed as she realized she was completely out of control, the whoosh of flying around a rollercoaster overtaking her as her body kept questing for the peak, climbing higher and higher, and then she shattered into a million pieces that liquefied and began melting back together.

As her senses slowly returned to planet earth, the roaring in her ears quieted and her muscles went to Jello. Her breathing was still ragged and when she tried to speak between the gasps Zach put a finger over her lips. “It's okay, don't try to talk yet. You rode the wave for thirty-five minutes and that always makes for an explosive climax. If you'd held out another thirty seconds you would've had permission."

"I'm sorry."

He shook his head. “I'm not upset with you. You'll get a minute of consequences later, because this is part of your training. If it were easy, anyone could do it. There's no need to apologize at this point, when you're just beginning to learn."

He let her legs free and released her waist cincher, carefully sat her up amongst the wires, and held the straw to another sports drink up to her mouth until she'd consumed the entire bottle.

"Do you need to use the restroom?"

She looked down at the wires going every which way, surprised he'd been able to sit her up. “Having to undo all of this'd be a huge pain in the ass, wouldn't it?"

"Oh, we won't disconnect anything; I have a bedpan you can use. What you just experienced was only the beginning of the pleasures I can show you; if you need to relieve yourself we should handle it now."

She didn't actually have to go, thank goodness. “I'm fine, which is good, because I'm not sure I'd have the nerve to tell you if I weren't. But, since I don't... I guess I'm off the hook."

"Hmmm. Yes. For now. Stay put a second, I need to get something."

He walked to one of the other pieces of equipment and picked up a piece of brown leather, bringing it back with him and placing it behind her bottom, on the table.

"Okay, on your back again, and legs up, please."

She did as he asked, lying on top of the leather as she reclined. Neither of them spoke as he locked her legs into the stirrups, and she jumped when the motor above her hummed to life, and the chain with its large hook dropped down to her. He pulled the edges of the leather up, looping the rings on the ends over the hook and creating a sling. The winch rumbled again and her lower back rose a few inches above the table. He pushed the stirrups wider, looked her over, and raised her hips another couple of inches.

"How does that feel?"

"Surprisingly comfortable, Sir. And I'm horny again, already."

He chuckled. “I adore you. Let me finish getting you strapped down and we'll start again."

He had her raise her head so he could place a leather piece under it. She figured it for another sling but he fastened it to the table on both sides, so it remained a mystery. He'd been so thorough about explaining things earlier, now that he wasn't explaining she was hesitant to ask too many questions. Her wrist cuffs were freed from the rope and her arms crossed, right wrist attached to the left side of her waist cincher, left wrist to the right side.

He held a bit gag in front of her mouth and she just looked at him, lips closed. He didn't say a word, his eyes making it clear he expected her to open without being told. She didn't want the gag, but didn't want to disappoint him either, so she opened, feeling another wall between them crumble. His gaze locked onto hers as he positioned it between her teeth, and she knew without a doubt she was looking into the eyes that owned her soul.

She raised her head so he could secure it, but he touched her brow, delicately pushing it down. “The strap running under your head has attachment points for it, the bit serves two purposes—it restricts motion and protects your mouth."

Wait. Protects her mouth? Wasn't it to keep her from talking?

"Let me hear your safewords, so I know how they sound around the gag."

She took a breath and said them both as best she could.

He stood, keeping eye contact with her. “You don't have permission to come. Don't ask for it. I'll know when you're close and I expect you to hold on."

She nodded, but with limited movement, and a wave of alarm shot through her with the sudden realization of how defenseless and vulnerable she was. Zach leaned forward and kissed her forehead and both cheeks, and the panic dissipated. She trusted this man, wanted to be here, needed to give him this much power. He brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers, looking into her eyes to confirm she was okay, and kissed her upper and then lower lip, letting her see one final caretaker smile before he picked up the controls and focused on the task at hand.

The plug in her ass began moving in tandem with sensations around her clit, and then the vibrations hit her pussy and she almost went over, but he turned it down before she reached climax.

The electricity had an edge of bite to it now—not painful, but sharp instead of smooth. He played her body like a maestro, letting her get closer and closer to climax each time before adjusting everything way down, seconds before she lost control, giving her just enough stimulation to drive her crazy until he was sure the threat had passed.

He waited until she was overcome with lust but not in danger of an immediate orgasm, to say, “I want to hurt you with these, Dana. Do I have your consent?"

He lifted two of the controls as he spoke and she met his gaze and saw his need—his eyes reflecting how badly he wanted to turn up the juice and watch her scream. She focused on the ceiling, suddenly craving the pain, but afraid of it, and needed to escape his scrutiny to make her decision. She was frightened, but also curious. And horny. Besides, she'd probably had as much pleasure as she could stand.

She returned to the intensity of his ice blue eyes and nodded, realizing the bondage was giving her a little more movement than when he'd first strapped her in.

His hand tightened on the electrical controls, and then relaxed. “You're sure? I have ginger and horseradish root in the fridge, I can give you other kinds of pain, this isn't your only option. I'm going to ask again, can I hurt you with electricity? Can I make you scream?"

Her pussy was buzzing on its own now. She craved what he offered, and yet was terrified. She blinked her eyes a few times, squeezing them shut before opening them and looking deep into his eyes and nodding. Again.

He dipped his head once, his face grim as he flipped a switch and a thousand electrified needles danced under the skin of her nipples. She gasped and squealed around the gag, and her clit joined in with matching sensations as fire danced around and through it and—

And then nothing.

"I'm going to turn everything on for three seconds. I intend for the pain to be more than you can handle, but it will only last three seconds. Do you understand?"

She couldn't get her eyes to open, but she nodded and took a breath, holding it as she awaited the biting flames.

"No, don't hold your breath. Inhale for me and let it out."

She did, only to hear, “Again. Deeper."

As she was releasing her third breath, agony hit, everywhere at once—nipples, clit, pussy, and ass. Her body jerked as the current flowed into her lower torso, her nipples constricted into concentrated points of suffering and torment. At that moment, only pain existed in her world.

And then it was gone.

His hand rubbed her shoulder, smoothed its way down her body, chasing away the fiery needles. “Breathe for me, I'll give you time to recover and we'll do it again, exactly the same, another three seconds."

He waited until her breathing normalized and warned her this time, counting down from five, the anticipation and fear like adding creole seasoning to the soup. As his count landed on zero the pain thundered through her again, sharp jagged streaks of lightning blazing through her breasts and clit, pussy and ass, as she thrashed violently in the sling.

Until it stopped, and his hands were back, soothing her, convincing her muscles to relax. Instead of relaxing, they went into overdrive—the pain followed by his calming voice and comforting touch giving her goose bumps turning into shivers, transforming into spasms, blossoming into pure bliss—and her orgasm took her under.

"Open your eyes, pet. Don't hide from me. Let me see."

His eyes were implacable, demanding total submission, and she fell into them, wanting to give all of herself, and to apologize for the climax—but his relentless gaze shot it into the stratosphere and she was helpless to stop the crescendo. His eyes held her in thrall as she writhed and convulsed in frenzied ecstasy until she couldn't breathe anymore, and her eyelids finally broke the connection.

The pain returned the instant her eyes closed, killing the orgasm, and flashing her into a screaming blaze of anguish.

Dana lost track of how many times the process was repeated, and she had no idea when it progressed from three seconds to five. She knew, on some level, he was using more electricity now than he'd been using before, because her body went out of control faster, and jerked more than it had in the beginning, but she welcomed each countdown now, thankful the pain was coming again, and then relieved it stopped. She was aware she was screaming, and could feel the tears going down the side of her face and running into her ears.

"Dana, I need you to listen to me, nod if you can hear me, please."

She heard him, but it was as if he was at the other end of a tunnel. She nodded and he said, “This is the last time, but I don't know how long it will be—I'll stop when I think you've had enough. You can come if you want. I'm not sure you'll be able to, but if you can manage it, you have permission. This is going to be rough, the grand finale. Do you understand?"

She nodded, but then shook her head.

"No to what?"

She tried to get the words out around the gag, “Not last time. More.” It didn't sound even close to what she'd attempted, but he understood.

"Oh, you sweet thing. I'm in charge and this is it. Final countdown—three, two, one, zero."

Her screams came involuntarily, milliseconds after the current began coursing through her cells. The pain was the worst she'd experienced, thousands of shivering knives of electricity dancing across her skin, through her muscles, up her bowels, inside of her pussy, across and through and under her clit and nipples. Her breasts drew up and she thought her clit might fly off as her lower body jerked in the swing, thrusting as if fucking the air. Dana's mind splintered as she felt her body turning inside out.

When the pain stopped, she felt electrodes pulling off, the plug in her pussy coming out, whatever was on her clit taken away. The bit gag was removed, her hands were released, her legs were gently let down, and she was lifted and carried across the room and tenderly placed on the bed.

A cool, damp, cloth soothed her nerve endings and wiped the sweat from her body. The towel grew warm and she heard him dipping it in a bowl, wringing it out. He started at her face, worked his way down her body, stopping when he reached mid-thigh, soothing all of the skin between, and paying special attention to the places the electricity had focused.

Something warm was at her pussy. She couldn't find the energy to raise her head and look, but recognized his tongue, his mouth, his breath. As good as it felt, she needed more.

"More. Please. Cock, not tongue. Please.” Her voice was scratchy, hoarse from screaming.

His head left her pussy and he moved up her body. She felt a hand on her face, lips on her lips. She tasted herself, and reached out with her tongue.

He kissed her breathless before he began a route down her body with his mouth.

And then, nothing. No touch. She moaned in frustration.

"Patience, little one. Let me get the condom on and you'll get my cock. You'll be tight, it's perfectly normal, don't think something's wrong."

His body was back, on top of her without touching, his cock forging in, stretching her so she felt every millimeter of him. She summoned enough energy to lift her eyelids, and her eyes met his. Crystal Blue. Compassionate. Gentle.

"Need to come. Please, Sir."

"Yes, you have permission. As many times as you want. I won't expect you to have control right now. Come for me, pet."

Her release was gentle, sliding to the zenith and gently spreading into bliss at the top, flowing like a time-lapse film of blooming roses. Zach slid in and out, slowly, smoothly, letting her orgasm blossom into being, and then nudging it along as he picked up speed.

He stayed with her, working her through the peak, and backing off a little when it ended. “You are so fucking tight, and your inner muscles are driving me insane every time you come.” He stopped talking, as if trying to gain control. “You still have permission, as often as you wish, but I need to fuck you hard, pet."

She wasn't sure why he said it as an apology, until the first true thrust came, jarring her, pushing her up the bed, his pubic bone slamming into hers and pulling back only to crash into her again. She'd forgotten the plug was still in her ass, but the hardness of it suddenly made itself known, and she didn't think there was enough room for his cock and the plug, too.

He lifted his upper body more, took a few seconds to resituate his knees, and began pistoning into her, his hips working like a machine, his breath coming faster. She was driven up the bed, every ruthless plunge shoving her entire body. He stopped and dragged her to him with a harsh snarl, ramming back in all at once, another frontal assault as he hammered into her, yanked out, only to ram himself in again at full force. Hot lava pooled between her legs, sparks lighting more flames with every brutal thrust.

She didn't know what to do with her legs and wrapped them around him, hoping it would help her stay under him. Her arms embraced his neck, and she was a barnacle, clinging to him for dear life as he continued to impale her on his cock, over and over again.

Her orgasm struck in a frenzy of pure sensation and her scratchy voice belted out low-pitched noises as she thrashed under him, her muscle memory reacting as if current was flowing through her again. He arched his back and pushed up with his arms, plunging into her one last time, pinning her hips to the bed as he jerked inside of her and she heard him give a deep, primal growl she thought would never end.

Zach gently pulled her right leg down before collapsing sideways, landing beside her, gasping for air. “Sorry, need a few minutes. You okay?"

Dana smiled, her body so relaxed she couldn't tell where it ended and the bed began. “I'm perfect. Take your time. If I could, I'd handle condom disposal and get you a drink, but I'm not sure I can walk just yet."

His breathing still ragged, he said, “Don't you dare move. Stay put, let me hold you."

She looked down, realized the condom would make a mess soon if it wasn't taken care of, and was aware enough to do that, at least. However, the moment her fingers wrapped around, he gasped and jerked away.

"Shhh, it's okay. There's a towel over here, let me get the condom off and into it."

He sounded like every word took his last bit of energy. “Give me the towel, I'll take it off."

She winced as he pulled the condom off—his distressed countenance, and the gasp as he slid it down. The thought went through her mind she'd enjoy watching Jacob struggle with the pain, but she hurt for Zach. Using her last reserves, she folded the towel over and sat up long enough to put it at the foot of the bed, feeling a little lightheaded.

He stretched his hand towards her as she sank back down, and she rested her head in the crook of his arm and snuggled in, closing her eyes and drifting off.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Four

* * * *

Dana finished her sports drink and reached for the protein shake, which tasted as if it had five times more honey than the earlier one, and the perfect mixture of vanilla, cinnamon, and apple. Zach was drinking one along with her, both propped up on pillows, side by side on the playroom bed.

"Feeling better? You had me worried when I first woke you."

"I'm fine. Amazingly so. I mean, for the level of pain you gave me, I'm tired, kind of zapped, but nothing hurts."

"You slept for two hours, I would've let you sleep longer but I wanted to get some calories into you. Now that it's over, do you think you could've taken more? You weren't ready for me to stop. Are you disappointed I did? Or was it the right call?"

"I don't know; this is all new to me. Part of me wants to say yes.” She smiled, remembering. “I really didn't want you to stop. It was so much different this time. When you did it before, it went on and on, and I couldn't handle it. It was impossible to stay on top of the pain, there was no way to sink into it, accept it. But today, it came in intense bursts, so it's closer to the way my body reacts to heavy impact play."

"That's what I was going for. Your heart handled it fine, and your oxygen stayed at safe levels when I kept it to five seconds. I stopped the final time at eighteen seconds, when you dropped to ninety-three, but it rebounded quickly when I turned everything off. Do you think this can take the place of extreme impact?"

"Honestly? No. I'm sorry, but...” she sighed. “I missed having that kind of impact play. I've let it go once in my life, convinced myself I could do without it, and I'm not doing it again, Zach. What you did today was great, but it's not a replacement. I've tried to tell you, the marks are part of the experience. I like seeing and feeling them afterwards."

"Okay, that's a conversation for a different day. I've got you for another two hours. You have three minutes of discipline coming for orgasms without permission—the first with the chain, another during the pleasure portion of the electricity, and a final one near the beginning of the pain portion."

"Crap, I forgot about the third. What do I have to do for three minutes?"

"It won't be pleasant. Are you ready to get it over with?"

She closed her eyes, knowing if he relented she'd be disappointed, but wished he would. Opening her eyes, seeing the look on his face, she knew nothing would be called off.

"Yes, I suppose."

"That's several sentences in a row without a Sir. Since you aren't feeling very submissive at the moment, I believe it's appropriate to ask this question of you. When we're playing I encourage you to safeword, to let me know when it's too much; but for punishment, an escape clause defeats the purpose. Do you trust me enough yet to allow for punishments and consequences without a safeword?"

Panic and arousal battled to answer, but she forced her logical brain to the forefront. “Three minutes?"

"The entire thing will likely last closer to ten or fifteen, as I'll need to bind you into position. It's not terribly complex, but enough so it'll take me seven or eight minutes. When the final piece is in place the timer will start, with a few things added at the end of each minute, and then removing everything and unbinding you should take another three or four minutes."

"But three minutes of actual pain?"

"Hmmm. No. Probably closer to four or five minutes of pain, and six to eight of intense discomfort, but only about three and a half of severe pain."

Deep down, Dana didn't want the ability to get out of her punishment, or discipline, as he was calling it. She knew he wouldn't intentionally harm her, and she trusted his judgment, so he wasn't likely to cause accidental injury through carelessness. She took a centering breath and said, “Yes, Sir. I trust you enough to get rid of my safeword for this punishment. We'll need to talk later about making it a long term understanding between us."

He nodded. “It looks like you're finished. Let's go for a walk outside to let your food digest and stretch our legs, then we'll come in and take care of it."

Dana was in the severe discomfort portion, sincerely regretting all three orgasms.

He'd put her into an armbinder, bent her over, and attached her wrists to the overhead winch—dragging them up and forcing her forward at a ninety degree angle. He'd braided rope through her hair and tied it off to an inflatable plug in her ass—pumped until there was no danger of coming out—and had secured them close together, pulling at her scalp and asshole painfully. She bent her neck and aimed her face high, pushing her back into a deep arch as she desperately tried to find relief.

He was currently connecting her right ankle to the winch with her foot pointing to the ceiling, at the very limit of what her muscles would allow.

Once he was satisfied with her leg, he inserted a cock gag long enough she had to fight her gag reflex when he pushed it in, saying “It has a hole through the middle, if you relax your tongue and jaw you can breathe through the gag as well as your nose. If you squeeze or bite, the hole will close.” He put his hand in front of it. “Blow, let me feel the air."

She followed his instructions and realized he was right. Her gag reflex was just on the edge of kicking in, but if she concentrated on fighting it, and relaxing, it was easier. Her mouth was stretched wide and she knew her jaw would be hurting long before the three minutes were up.

A clamp came into her vision—not a BDSM clamp, but one you'd buy at Home Depot, to hold pieces of wood together to turn them into plywood.

"A clover clamp will go on your clit, and these are going on your nipples. I'll use felt between the clamps and your skin, and when we're done they'll be pulled off, not taken off. I'll put four ounce weights on to start, and at the end of each minute I'll add another four ounces to every clamp, as well as an additional two to four pumps of the butt plug, depending on how much resistance I feel."

He placed a small piece of felt in the clamp, and she arched her spine up, away from his hand as it approached her nipple, but the sharp biting pain to her scalp and asshole had her quickly jerking back into position. When she tried to squeal in surprise the huge cock in her mouth blocked the sound, gagging her just as the clamp closed on her nipple.

The pain was unbelievable, and was quickly followed by throbbing agony on her left nipple, and then her clit mushroomed into excruciating torment. The weights he added dragged everything down, made her even more aware of how tightly all three clamps were hanging on. He set an hourglass on the cart in front of her and she watched the sand fall, making a little pile at the bottom.

"It's a one minute timer. I'll turn it over and add weights when the sand runs out. Each time it's flipped will represent a different orgasm you're paying for. Remember the first? With the chains inside of you? That's what you're atoning for now."

Dana couldn't recall ever hurting this bad—her shoulders, her ass, her leg muscles, her jaw, and the constant fight to keep from gagging—that was all background noise to her clit and nipples. The intensity kept growing instead of becoming manageable with time, as there was too much going on for her to get a handle on the pain. She felt her right foot, sticking up, and twisted it in circles, trying to draw her attention to a part of her body that wasn't in devastating agony. That trick often worked, but it wasn't helping today—plus, it caused the weights to swing, which just made the clamps hurt even worse.

Finally, the little hill of sand grew and grew, and the flowing particles trickled to nothing. Zach turned it over, let it start again, and quickly pumped the plug three times—she managed a scream around the cock gag as her ass was stretched to the point of burning pain. The moisture in her eyes finally reached critical mass and spilled as weights were added to each clamp. Her breath grew ragged as she fought to handle the multiple overwhelming torments, but her tears began congesting her nose.

"Second orgasm now, during the pleasant parts of the electrical play. Such a pity, I was so close to giving you permission. But, I hadn't said the words yet, and you didn't wait."

A hand moved in front of her face. “Blow for me, show me you can still breathe through it."

She relaxed her jaw, remembered she could inhale through her mouth, glad for it since her nose was clogging. The tears were flowing now, and if she had a way to safeword, she'd do it. It was too much. She opened her eyes and saw him looking at her, tried to show him she couldn't handle it with her expression, tried to open around the cock enough to say her safeword, but it just made her gag.

When the sand finally ran out a second time, he flipped it once again and squeezed another two pumps to the plug before hanging more weights. She felt as if her clit would be torn off, and she endeavored to remain motionless, so the weights wouldn't sway.

Zach bent down, his face inches away. “Breathe, pet. I know it hurts, and your nose is stopping up from crying. If I have to take this gag out, a bigger and more unpleasant one will replace it—hard plastic, so you can't close the holes. Come on, my precious pet, you can do it. I've got tissue, deep breath in through your mouth and then blow your nose, I'll clean you up."

She relaxed her tongue and did as he said, inhaling through the gag and blowing into the tissue, grateful he didn't make her force it out and have it run down her face, as she knew some Doms preferred. He wiped the saliva running down her chin with another tissue, and kissed her on the forehead.

"I'll move out of the way so you can watch the hourglass. This is for your third orgasm."

The tears flowed as she watched, no way to safeword, no way to escape the debilitating pain. The minute contained an eternity, and as the sand at long last reached the base of the glass for the final time, he added weights on her nipples and clit, and pumped her butt plug two more times. He removed the gag first, and she wailed as she felt a yank on her nipples and then fire as the blood rushed back into them. Her scream went up several octaves as the clamp on her clit was also jerked off.

The valve on the plug was released most of the way and he freed the rope holding it to her hair. He let her leg down and then, finally, the winch hummed to life and her shoulders got a little relief. He put his arm around her as the slack allowed her to stand, disengaging the hook and walking her to a wooden chair, sitting her on it sideways so he could remove the armbinder.

When he'd unlaced it, he gently helped slowly bring her arms around front, resituating her in the chair so she straddled it, facing the back, and massaged her neck and shoulders, manipulating the muscles and ligaments, soothing her. He moved his hands to the tops of her arms, working his way to the front of her shoulders. She whimpered in pain and he said, “I know, but let me help make it better."

"The plug, Sir. Can it come out now, please?"

"Not just yet.” He talked as he continued kneading her muscles with his fingers. “I'm planning to fuck you there in a few minutes—once I pamper you a little—and you, my dear, will show me what you've learned by not coming. If you can manage to hold off you'll get a reward. However, if you have an orgasm, you'll endure another minute of pain."

She felt panic rising. “I can't take another minute of that, Sir."

"Then I suggest you not come."

He worked on her in silence for at least five minutes before he said, “Okay, pet, move your arms around, tell me how they feel."

"A few twinges, but it's much better, Sir. Thank you."

"I'll take mercy on your clit and nipples and put you in a position where nothing will touch them. Come with me, please."

He walked her to a bar situated between supports, and pointed to two raised areas on the floor at the base of it.

"Put your feet on the platforms and bend over the bar, please."

She felt awkward with her feet so far apart. The risers were only about six inches tall, but as she bent over the bar she realized her ass was at the perfect height for him to fuck. He attached her ankle cuffs to the platforms, and her wrist cuffs to the base of the supports holding the bar.

Upside down, she watched him put a condom on and apply lube. He stepped to her and, without warning, pulled the plug and entered her, all at once.

She screamed at the unexpected entrance; she'd thought she was horny, but she wasn't aroused enough, and she felt violated—an unwelcome invasion. There was no pain; the plug had opened her, but the fucking motion was triggering the feeling of needing to go to the bathroom, and when lust had control those sensations were overridden.

She was about to complain when she realized she was in no danger of coming, and wondered if he'd orchestrated it this way on purpose. He could have worked her up, gotten her crazy with desire, and had her fighting not to climax.

His tempo increased and he slammed into her, his hands on the bar beside her hips, using it as leverage to thrust in, and push away, only to plunge in again.

His callous treatment sent her arousal into overdrive as fire rushed through her veins and flooded her body, and she fought to keep from careening over the edge. She began chanting, “Oh, god. Oh god. Oh god,” over and over, hanging on by her toenails. She willed her body not to respond, remembering the pain of the clamps and the armband and the inflatable plug, the interminable time it took the sand to fall, but the memory only shot more heat into her.

Thankfully, Zach slammed into her one last time and held, and Dana managed to keep from spilling over into an orgasm—but it was a narrow escape.

Zach leaned on the bar a few minutes, breathing hard, before standing and sliding out. He disposed of the condom and returned, releasing her feet first, then her hands, talking as he wrapped his arm around her and steered them to the bondage table.

"You have a reward coming—your choice of the vibrating rabbit with the swirling beads, or my hand in a glove with lots of lube. I may choose to finger you, or work towards fisting you, or actually fist you. Same with the rabbit, I'll decide when you've had enough, not you. However, you won't have to ask for permission to come, you'll only need to let me know you're coming at least two seconds before you do."

She normally liked the rabbit, but the idea of anything touching her clit right now was... no.

"Your hand, Sir."

He nodded and helped her onto the table, quickly binding her knees near her shoulders, and her hands to her waist cincher so she could reach her clit with the tips of her fingers. He gave her permission to play with herself, but she was bruised from the clamps and doubted she'd want to.

As it turned out, he put lots of lube around her clit and she massaged the base of it as he gradually worked more and more of his fingers into her.

She lost track of time, and of the number of orgasms she had, but he didn't fist her. He came close, but insisted on a cool-down period before their twenty-four hours ended at nine o'clock.

"You can have an extra hour, Sir."

He shook his head. “I agreed I wouldn't let you make these kinds of decisions when you're this turned on. We stop at nine, pet."

She kept her eyes closed, remembering to tell him before she came, and let the orgasms rumble around inside of her. Some were sharp and intense; others were relaxed and easy. She jerked her eyes open as his cock slid into her and he smiled, meeting her gaze, “Ah, there you are. You can still come when you want, just warn me."

His movements were slow and easy, and when he leaned down to kiss her, she touched his stomach with her fingers, stroking him, and he stopped moving long enough to release her hands.

She wrapped her arms around him, skating her fingertips across his back and down his arms as his hips leisurely rose and fell, making love to her this time, with his body, his eyes, his mouth. He trembled as she ran her hands up his arms, down his chest, circling his nipples.

He braced on his elbows above her as his languid rhythm rocked her heart and overwhelmed her with feelings that threatened to consume her. His gaze grew more intense and he said, “I love you, Dana.” His voice broke as he said the last syllable; a strained gasp that finished her—drawing her heart out of her chest and into his control.

Leaning forward, he took her mouth in a kiss that devoured her and made thought impossible. She was still reeling when he raised his head and picked up his pace, and nothing existed but the feel of him sliding in and out, his lips on her neck, her breasts—his tongue gently caressing her sore nipples, giving them a hint of pain.

Suction on her nipples, way more than a hint of pain.

"I'm going to... I'm going to... I'm coming, Sir!"

Her body erupted into ravenous flames, but he didn't slow down, didn't speed up—just let her orgasm take her where it wanted as he slid in and out, rubbing her g-spot with purpose, driving her crazy.

Eons later, as she was floating down from her climax, she felt a hand on her cheek and opened her eyes to his intense gaze, his brilliant blue irises capturing her, mesmerizing her, and her mouth spoke without checking in with her brain.

"I love you, too. Sir."

Her heart caught and her breath stopped as she realized what she'd said, and in the same instant, recognized it as true. She loved him.

He kissed her again, his mouth demanding, a hint of violence, and she moved her hips harder into his, arching into him, needing more. She wasn't sure when he'd freed her legs, but she used them now to try to gain additional friction. He pulled away from the kiss, his voice strained as he fought for control.

"This is still part of your reward—gentle or rough—what do you need?"

"Oh, god. Rough, please Sir."

He shifted his weight, reaching down and grabbing her legs, pushing them up her body and trapping them with his arms, pressing until her knees were beside her head.

"Thank goodness, I need to claim you. Reach for the headboard and hang on. Don't let go."

She wrapped her fingers around the scrollwork, braced her palms against the strong metal, and held on for dear life as Zach pounded her. She gasped for air with each violent plunge as he took her, claimed her with a pounding voraciousness. His eyes were a fierce blue as his gaze dared her to keep contact, to show him her soul as he shredded through every wall she'd built around her heart.

When she thought she'd die at the intensity of it, he ordered her to come. She went wild from the pleasure shooting through her—bucking under him, pushing up, meeting him stroke for stroke even as he held her legs down, forcing them deep into the soft mattress as he continued the relentless storming of her body with his cock, and the assault on her heart with his beautiful blue eyes.

Just as her orgasm began to fade, allowing her to finally breathe once more, there was another order. “Again, Dana. Come. Don't stop, I want to feel you spasming around my cock. You don't have permission to stop coming."

Her body flamed into another climax, her abs working hard to jerk her hips up to meet his thrusts, her internal walls jerking and shuddering around his cock.

She lost track of how many times he made her come before the last one worked its way through her. When he finally slammed into her for the last time and held, he looked into her eyes as he came, searing something deep inside of her, welding their destinies together.

At ten minutes to nine they were still in bed, relaxing in each other's arms, cuddled together.

"Sir, I'm not ready for this to end."

"Mmmm, I'm not either, but we agreed on a time and I promised you I wouldn't let you make decisions when you're in submissive mode. Our food should be delivered at 9:15, we'll get dressed at nine, set the table, and we'll eat like civilized human beings."

"You know, Mr. Bossy, if you're ending it at nine you don't get to dictate what happens anymore.” She paused, throwing a quick, “Sir,” on the end, just for good measure.

He chuckled. “When the time arrives I'll ask if you've got a better idea."

She remained quiet, luxuriating in the feel of his arms around her until she heard the chimes begin, signaling the top of the hour.

She pulled from his arms first, figuring it'd be better for her to move away than to feel empty as he pulled back.

"Hey, hold on a sec. I need a kiss, please."

Dana hesitated, decided if he didn't want to Top her right now, maybe she shouldn't be the well-mannered sub he was expecting. She turned back to him and threw her leg over his hips, sliding down and rubbing her cheek to his, skimming her lips over his forehead, teasing her way to his mouth. She felt his heart beating under hers as she ground into him and used her lips, her tongue, and finally her teeth to seduce. She still wanted him, like a drug she couldn't get enough of.

He let her have control a few minutes, but when she pulled his bottom lip between hers and ran her tongue over it he took command—flipping them over and kissing her, his mouth hungry, voracious.

She couldn't help it, laughter spilled out of her mid-kiss, and he pulled back and grinned with her, kissing the top of her nose and saying, “Come on, let's get dressed."

"Can I...” She stopped, rephrased. “I'm going to take a quick shower first. Should I do that in your bathroom or the other one?"

"Mine,” he said firmly. Lifting off her and rolling to the side. “I've reached a few decisions, and we're going to have some lengthy conversations once I'm sure you're out of your submissive mindset."

He stood and helped her out of bed as she said, “A shower and clothes should go a long ways towards making that happen."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Five

* * * *

Zach ordered food from Dana's favorite diner—good solid country cooking. He insisted they not talk of their past twenty-four hours, or of anything having to do with power exchange, until after dinner. Dana had argued he wasn't the boss right now, but he'd pointed out they needed some distance from the scene before returning to it. Knowing he was right, she began asking him how his latest work was going.

When they finally made it to the scrumptious Death by Chocolate cake, she put her foot down. “Dinner's over, this is dessert. I'm not signing the contract tomorrow."

He looked up sharply, his eyes showing hurt and she immediately realized how it must have sounded. She rushed to finish, “It's not enough. I need more, and I'm pretty sure you do, too."

His shoulders visibly relaxed, and she felt bad she'd hurt him for even a few seconds. “I'm sorry I said it like that, I should've worded it better."

He shook his head. “No, it's okay. You just caught me off guard. What did you want to add?"

"I have no idea; I only know it's not enough."

"I was planning to wait until tomorrow to raise this, but I've made some decisions. I intend to bring back the contractors, have them strip the other bathroom. I want everything out—toilet, vanity, shower, floor—all of it, gone. I'd like you to redo it, and the other closet, however you wish."

She tried to speak but he held up a hand and continued. “All of the fabrics and accessories in your bedroom can be transferred to the master suite here, and your armoire will replace mine. Other than saying no pink and no bright yellow, I'll leave the wall color entirely up to you. I'd prefer we keep the Frederick bed, but if you're attached to yours we can move it in and transfer mine elsewhere. Pick whatever room in the house you want for your office—with the exception of the playroom, my office, and my workshop—and do what you feel is necessary to make it yours."

Interrupting this time, whether he wanted her to or not, she said, “You're asking me to move in? Or telling me I'm going to?"

He smiled. “At this point, I'll beg if it'll make it happen."

Her stomach did a series of flip-flops, but she worked to keep her face composed. She took a bite of chocolate cake, shuddered at the richness. “I get the feeling you aren't done with your demands."

"Not by a long shot. I want to set a wedding date, a tentative wedding date, for one year from today, the anniversary of the first time we said we loved each other. We won't tell anyone, so there'll be no pressure. Six months from now we'll decide if it's what we want. If it is, we'll make the announcement and begin making plans. Do you want a big wedding or a small affair?"

She shook her head; he was going too fast. “I can't answer that."

"What can you answer? Will you move in with me?"

Yes. No. She had no idea. “Can I sleep on it?"

"Of course you can."

She let out a shaky breath. She loved him, and she didn't want to go home, but was she ready to move in? “I'm glad you asked today. I don't make major decisions without sleeping on them. If you'd waited until tomorrow, it would've been Monday before I'd given an answer."

He smirked. “In that case, maybe we need to renegotiate the contract today, so you can sign it tomorrow."

She reached for her wine glass and changed her mind—not after the cake. She took a long drink of water and looked at him, the knowledge of what she wanted hitting her like a fist and stealing her breath. He'd claimed her—heart, mind, body, and soul; and she fiercely wanted to belong to him.

"I still need to sleep on it, but...” She stopped, stood, and stepped to him, attempting a graceful drop to her knees beside his chair, but her legs were wobbly and she knew it had to show.

She folded her arms behind her back and looked up, her eyes meeting his. “I want to offer myself to you, twenty-four/seven, for everything except my finances and anything related to work.” She held his gaze and repeated, “Everything, Zach."

He turned sideways in his chair, shifted so she was between his legs, and gently touched her cheek with his hand.

"If you still want to give me this offer tomorrow, I'll accept it. If you change your mind, we'll figure out the boundaries needed for both of us to feel comfortable."

When Dana awakened the next day Zach wasn't in bed. She brushed her teeth and hair, surprised she'd slept until nine. They'd turned in around eleven o'clock, and she'd been asleep soon after—the night and day of sex having apparently worn her out more than she'd realized, even with all the naps.

She donned jeans and a short sleeved thin sweater and returned to the bathroom to apply some make-up before going in search of him, following the clacking sounds of the keyboard to his office, where he was furiously typing, still in his pajama bottoms, and shirtless.

Leaning against the doorframe, she watched, mesmerized as his fingers flew over the keys, his eyes on the screen. He'd occasionally pause and hit the backspace multiple times, as if he were thumping it into submission, then begin typing ninety miles a minute again.

He looked up, smiling as his eyes met hers. “You're up; I wanted to let you sleep in this morning to recover from yesterday. How do you feel?"

"Like a new person. How are you? How long have you been up?"

He shrugged. “Couple of hours. I have a proposition for you—how about we get dressed and go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast, then take my laptop and your tablet to a neutral spot so we can try to hammer out a contract. Somewhere public, so we'll finish it without getting otherwise occupied, but where no one can hear us."

She thought a moment, trying to think of a place close to Cracker Barrel that fit his terms. “We can take a blanket out to Heritage Park, find a nice shady spot. There's enough people running around we'll have to behave, but if we're over on the other side of the bocce court no one should hear our conversation."

"Perfect. Let me throw some clothes on and I'll be ready."

Less than an hour later they were looking through the tchotchkes at Cracker Barrel while waiting to be called, laughing over the toys, looking through a kid's book of science experiments together, smelling the candles.

When they were finally summoned to the dining room it was as noisy as ever, and Dana felt they could've talked about anything and not been heard.

"So, what were you busy typing on this morning?"

"I woke up thinking of your offer, and knowing some basic boundaries I'd want to put in place, and a number of rules. I was trying to organize my thoughts, so I can talk about it intelligently should you feel the same today. It's all up for negotiation at this point, of course, but..."

He trailed off, and she realized he wasn't sure her offer was still on the table. “I awakened more certain than when I went to sleep. I may want some additional exceptions above the two I mentioned—perhaps we should consider the contract a work in progress for a set amount of time, before we agree it's final—but I'm all for us hammering out an initial version today. I've never done this before, so you'll have to lead us through it."

He shook his head. “We'll figure it out as we go; we're equals until we've agreed to the power exchange and signed our names."

She couldn't argue with his logic so she switched to something that'd been bugging her. “I want this to work for both us of. You told me you weren't interested in micromanaging someone again, and it's not fair for me to ask for more than you want responsibility for."

"I do enjoy micromanaging during scenes; in fact, I think it might be a deal breaker, but luckily you seem to thrive on it in short bursts. I have a question for you, though. It sounds like you're offering me more than you gave..."

He trailed off, looking uncomfortable, so Dana finished for him. “Yes, I'm offering you more than I gave Garnet. But you're asking for more.” She paused, trying to put her thoughts and feelings into words. “It's not a competition. I'm a different woman now than I was when I was married to him, just as you're a different man than you were two or three years ago. Brent said I'd come through the fire and it'd transformed me. He's right; though I'm not sure I realized how much I'd changed until recently. I love you, Zach. I want to give myself to you. I want to belong to you."

He reached across the table for her hand, folding it into his warmth and her heart skipped as he said, “I love you, too. It feels good to finally be able to say it. I love you."

They were looking at each other all goofy-eyed when the server arrived with their food. They were both hungry, and neither spoke as they ate until Zach broke the silence with a conversation about the science book they'd looked through, and regaled her with stories of the crazy experiments he'd done as a child.

"Why did you suggest Heritage Park instead of Coolidge Park?” Zach was spreading their blanket out while Dana held his laptop bag and her purse.

"You said neutral ground, and I consider Coolidge Park as my front yard. Only, I don't have to mow it, and I have to share it with the rest of the city. Still, it's where I go to walk around, to read in the sunshine, or just chill out when I need fresh air. Tell me what you came up with this morning."

Zach smoothed the blanket's final corner and they got comfortable. “I think much of the original contract can remain as is when it comes to rules for scenes, but we need to start over concerning how we manage regular day-to-day living. I don't want you to have to say Sir all of the time, nor do I wish to control your bathroom privileges full time. When not in a scene you'll be able to eat and drink without permission, use the restroom, and choose your clothing. I'll have the authority to tell you what to wear, or eat, but unless I exercise my right it'll be your choice—the exception being your work clothes, which you'll have total control over."

He fiddled with the touchpad on his laptop, read a few seconds. “You'll have more autonomy when you have your work clothes on—we'll give you an hour after you come home to change, sooner if you want. While they're on, I can't demand sexual favors, and can't dole out punishment. If you do something deserving of correction during that time we'll make a note of it, but will handle it later."

She nodded slowly, thinking it through. “Yeah, I can see how that'll work. As romantic as twenty-four/seven sounds, I'll have my own life outside of our relationship. What else?"

"You've been responsible for all major decisions for a couple of years now. You've sold a home and several cars, bought a condo and a new car, invested your money after carefully studying your options... do you want us to decide the big stuff together, as a partnership, or do you want to hand all decisions over to me? Honestly, I'm good with it either way—we can resolve those things the way most couples do, or it can be part of our power exchange."

Dana didn't have to think very hard on this one. “Important decisions should be by mutual agreement, and, for now, my finances are my business."

He smiled. “Good, okay. Let's talk about the rules. These will be in force every second of every day, except for the few that'll be lifted while you've got your work clothes on."

She tried not to squirm as warmth suffused her body and made her clit ache for touch. She looked to see if the conversation was affecting Zach the same way, saw evidence it was, and smiled before raising her eyes to his. “I'm listening."

He grinned back. “I'm wishing we'd done this behind closed doors, but there's a reason we didn't.” He glanced at his laptop again. “You may respectfully ask questions and discuss concerns with me, but once I make a decision, there'll be no arguing about it."

"Hold up. What if it's something I consider a major decision?"

He stopped, as if he hadn't considered the possibility, but quickly recovered, saying, “We'll have to define what constitutes a major decision. Any ideas?"

"Something that'll matter to us a month later? No, that won't do it."

He sighed. “Do you think you'll eventually trust me to decide if it's a big deal or not? I understand your reticence this early in our relationship but...” He shook his head and started again with barely a pause. “How's this—if we disagree on everyday versus significant, we'll discuss it. If neither of us can convince the other to our side you'll have three vetoes a year."

"You're telling me you'll be fair, and I don't have to protect myself so much."

"I'm reminding you I'll be reasonable, and wishing you didn't feel you need to protect yourself."

"I'm sorry, you're right, this is about trust—about me wanting to give you control, not making you take it. Let's say the contract will be a work in progress for three months, nothing set in stone. That way I won't feel the need to try to cover all of my bases right off the bat. Does that work?"

"Yes. The latest version will be in effect at all times?"

"Okay, you'll decide whether decisions are major. I can discuss the minor stuff with you, but can't argue them."

"Yes, once I say discussion is over, bringing it up again will probably mean you're punished.” He continued. “You won't have a right to privacy. For any reason. I've been allowing a certain amount when I thought you had enough other things to deal with, but I'll eventually insist you be open to me for everything. When you redo your bathroom I'll have the door left off, and when you use the other bathrooms you won't be allowed to close yourself in unless we have guests in the house."

She sighed. “I'm not a fan of that one, but I understand it, and I'll accept it. You want all of me, and I want to give you all of me; it's just hard."

He reached out his hand, took hers, and ran his thumb along the back of it. “I know it's hard, but I'll help. It means more because you have to fight to accept it—thanks for giving this to us."

Dana's voice wouldn't cooperate, so she merely nodded. He smiled and continued, “Along the same lines, you'll be honest with me at all times. That means not just telling me the truth, but providing me with all information—full disclosure. If you think I'd want to know it, you'll tell me, whether I ask or not."

He stopped, sat up, and looked at her a few seconds before saying, “This isn't something you'll be punished for, Dana. Trust is the foundation of any relationship, but especially one with a power exchange element. If I can't trust you, we don't have a relationship."

"I don't have a problem with that, but I have a few caveats. First, it goes both ways, I need to know I'll get the whole truth out of you, too. No falling back on being the Dom and not having to share. Second, if there's something I can't tell you, I'll be honest about the fact I can't, and will try to give you an explanation of why. And third, I reserve the right to withhold information if I'm surprising you—if I've shopped for a surprise party, I won't tell you I went shopping when you ask what I did."

"Sounds fair.” He spent some time typing. “Okay, punishment and discipline. I have sole decision-making power here, and I'd like your consent to discipline you without a safeword."

Dana's arousal was taking on a life of its own as the throbbing between her thighs intensified. “If I'd had my safeword during my punishment, I'd have used it, and I'd regret stopping it. You didn't harm me, and I trust you to know how to hurt me without damage. So, yeah, I'll give you what you're wanting—no safeword during punishment."

He leaned forward to kiss her, his lips soft on hers, and she resisted the urge to beg for more. He pulled back to say, “Thank you. I know how much trust you're giving me. I won't abuse it."

They talked for four hours, and covered things Dana would never have considered. She tried to come up with hard limits, but the only things she could provide were no scat play and watersports, no bestiality, no exhibitionism of any kind (play parties and BDSM clubs not included), and no permanent marks. He wanted the ability to have her pierced at his whim, and they negotiated it down so he could require genital and nipple piercings, in whatever number and location he chose.

She agreed he'd have control of her orgasms, she'd spend time kneeling before him in the evenings to tell him about her day, and all disagreements would be discussed rationally and respectfully, with any name-calling or other disrespectful behavior resulting in punishment.

She also agreed to stay with him for the next two weeks, at which point they would discuss her moving in with him.

They ate at a downtown restaurant before dropping by her condo to pack a week's worth of clothes and her laptop, along with more toiletries. In the car on the way back to his house, she finally said what she'd been thinking. “It doesn't feel any different, yet."

"Do you want it to?"

"Yeah, a little."

"I can invoke a scene at any time, as long as it doesn't interfere with your work. Once I do, I can micromanage just about every aspect of your life—the food you eat, whether you feel pleasure or pain, whether you have freedom to move about or are locked in the cage or chained to the bed, all at my discretion. I'm choosing to allow you to walk and talk normally right now. It may seem the same, but it's not. When we get home I'd like you to take your clothes to my closet, I cleared a section of the bar this morning. You'll also find another empty drawer in the bathroom under the one you're using now; the rest of your toiletries should go in there."

When she didn't say anything, he continued. “Once you've put all of your things away I'd like you to take a quick shower, lube your ass, and come to the bedroom."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Six

* * * *

The two weeks passed quickly, with lots of communication, lots of sex, and a little pain here and there. Dana's back and ass were finally healed and she craved the kiss of the whip again.

The first couple of days of kneeling and telling him about her day had been awkward, but by the end of the first week she found herself looking forward to it. Kneeling before him, having his undivided attention, telling him of the good and bad, and anything that tweaked her emotionally—she understood it gave him information he needed about her state of mind, as well as putting her back into submissive mode after being in charge at work.

She asked him about his day during dinner, and tried to give him the same attention he gave her. She was amazed at how much she was learning about electricity, but also how much she discovered about him as a man.

At the end of two weeks she had no doubts about moving in with him. Her closet was built, with shelves, bars, and drawers ready for her things, but the bathroom still had a long ways to go.

The morning of the move, Dana and Zach drove to her condo to meet the movers, and she found herself looking at the largest man she'd ever seen.

"Dana, this is Ethan Levi. Ethan, I'd like you to meet my Dana."

She looked at Zach, wondering at his phrasing, and Zach smiled and said, “Ethan's in the scene, pet. I've known him for years, from when I spent time in Atlanta. He came to Chattanooga temporarily to expand his moving business and met the woman of his dreams, so he lives here now."

Ethan shook her hand, and hers seemed to disappear in his. She tried not to gawk at his size, and his muscles, but it was hard. He said, “I understand you're an interior designer, I'm considering adding design services. Would you be interested?"

"Sure, though I think you may want to have someone like me for your upper end clients, and possibly a less expensive designer for everyone else."

Nodding in agreement, he said, “That's what I've done in Atlanta. I've been asking around and your name has come up a few times, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover you belong to Zach. He wouldn't care about someone who wasn't honest, so if you want the job it's yours. Let me get to work, I expect we'll be ready to leave here in around three hours."

The movers emptied her condo before lunch, and Zach had his cook set up a large buffet style lunch for them before they began unloading everything. She noticed Ethan drove his own vehicle, and wasn't surprised when he stayed after his crew left for the day.

"You've done a great job on the remodel here, Dana."

Zach spoke up. “She'll be redoing some of it; this was done before we were together. She'll need to add her own personal touches so it's our home and not my house."

She ignored Zach and answered Ethan. “Thank you, he was very easy to work with. I'm currently dealing with the client from hell, who can't make a decision to save his life. Tell me, when were you thinking of adding design services?"

"Soon. Zach tells me you have a crew of contractors on your payroll?"

Ethan and Dana talked shop awhile, and when the conversation wore down Zach said, “Pet, Ethan's going to teach me the fine art of the single tail. I know you're itching to get into your office and closet so you can sort through all of your things, but I'd like you to work on the boxes in the bedroom first. Go on up and get started—we'll be in the garage if you need us for anything."

"You're learning... for me?"

He laughed. “Of course for you, silly girl."

Dana's heart was in her stomach as she walked to him, so overwhelmed he would take on something so difficult, for her, when it wasn't really his kink. She looked up at him and quietly said, “Thank you, Sir."

She turned to Ethan. “And thank you, for offering to teach him."

Her phone rang and she reached into her pocket, thrilled to see Jacob's face.

"Oh, sorry, gotta take this. You two have fun. Thanks again.” She was walking towards the stairs as she answered with, “Jacob, I'm so glad you called, all my stuff is here! My armoire is in our bedroom, it's... surreal."

"I can't wait to see it. Did Zach tell you yet? Brent and I will be there in two weeks, for an entire weekend. I'm so excited!"

"Umm, no. He didn't."

"Oh, well, hope I didn't spoil a surprise. No one told me not to tell you."

"Probably an oversight, then,” she said, stretching across the bed and wondering if she should incorporate the chiffon from her canopy onto this one. “I've been meaning to ask about your safeword—why Chiffon?"

He chuckled. “I'd avoided Brent at the club; he scared me. Partly because he demands so much, but mostly because I was so attracted to him. Anyway, long story short, I steered clear of working with him, but one of my best clients wanted me to design the clothing and costumes for a music video, and I ended up on set working for him. He recognized me from the club—turns out I'd intrigued him, too. Anyway, he invaded my workspace and picked up some fabric. I freaked, because it was silk chiffon and it's so fragile and his hands are so big and strong and... right. Anyway, I couldn't get a sentence out, all I could do was point and say chiffon, and he closed the door and said, “Boy, you're going to have to use complete sentences. You say chiffon like it's your safeword."

Dana laughed, but asked, “He doesn't call you boy, at least, not like that. When he's talking to me he'll say you're ‘our boy', but—"

Jacob interrupted with a laugh. “If I'd gone on with the story, it would have included the part about his words making me find my spine. I proceeded to tell him I'm not a boy, I'm a man, and if he liked to fuck boys he needed to open the door and turn the conversation back to business, but if he enjoyed fucking men then maybe we could talk."

"And I'm betting he informed you he liked to do a lot more than fuck men, right?"

"Yeah, something like that, and then he kissed me and turned my world inside out. I don't know what I'd do without him; he keeps me sane, even if he doesn't understand anything about design or fashion. When I was decorating our house I wanted to throttle him. I think I ended up on speech restriction for most of a month, so I guess he really did throttle me. Speaking of which, how's the bathroom coming?"

"It's getting there—did you see the fabric scan I sent?"

"Yes, I love it; it's going to feel like a European spa when you're done. Which tub did you decide to go with?"

When Zach came upstairs an hour later, she was still stretched across the bed talking to Jacob. They'd debated the merits of natural textiles versus the latest tech fabrics, phasing into a discussion about the newest bamboo materials. Zach walked into his closet and changed into pajama bottoms, listening to Dana joke and cut up with Jacob. She began wrapping up, and by the time he stepped back into the bedroom she was laying her phone on the side table.

"You had a good conversation?"

"Yes, we did. You didn't tell me they're coming in two weeks."

"Brent didn't let me know for sure they could come until this afternoon; I'd planned to let you know this evening.” He leaned against the doorframe, thought about his words. “I've learned a lot about your business, but I had no idea you could talk at such length about fabrics. The two of you really do have a great deal in common, don't you?"

She looked up, uncomfortable with his tone of voice. “You aren't jealous of Jacob, are you? I thought you were good with us talking."

"No, not jealous. I listened in a few minutes before coming in the bedroom, and I love the joy in your voice when you talk to him. I'm glad you've got him in your life.” He shifted his weight, walked towards her a few paces, ran his fingers through his hair. “I've just spent an hour throwing a whip though, and I find I need to... I'm not sure what I need to do. We can start with you standing and stripping."

She immediately came to attention, realized she was in the bedroom at night, with clothes on—a punishable offense. Worse, she'd been on the bed while dressed, which was strictly forbidden at any time of day. She stood and stripped, dropping her clothes to the floor, not daring to ask to take them to her closet to put into her hamper.

"Ah, I see you've noted the time, and that you were lounging on the bed fully clothed?"

"Yes, Sir. I'm sorry; there hasn't really been a schedule to follow today."

"Mmm. Put your clothes away and get into the cage."

She scurried to do as told, crawling into her cage and stretching out. He wordlessly locked her in and climbed into bed with his laptop. She heard him typing, then didn't hear any noises at all. She drifted off a few times and woke herself, it'd been a long day and she was tired, but she didn't want to fall asleep in the cage when he was upset with her.

When Zach finally came to get her, she felt as if she'd been locked away for hours, though he'd purposefully kept all clocks out of her view from the cage, so she had no idea how long it'd been.

He unlocked the door and opened it, saying only, “Out."

Dana crawled out and stayed on her knees, for the first time unsure of whether she'd be welcome to touch him.

"You've been in the cage because I needed to decide what to do with you. I was looking forward to using your ass as I came up the stairs, but then I discovered you hadn't touched the boxes in the bedroom as I told you, and you were lying in bed with clothes on."

He sighed, obviously frustrated. “I don't want you to think you're being punished for talking to Jacob. I like that the two of you are becoming close and have so much in common, but I'm upset you blew off a direct order.” He paused, clearly working to stay calm. “And the fact you ignored one of your few absolute rules? Tell me, what do you think I should do?"

"I'm sorry, Sir. I thought you just wanted me to go through the boxes first, before I started on my closet and office. I didn't realize it was an order to begin immediately. I have no excuse for being in the bed with clothes on, I just flat out forgot. If it'd been a normal day, so I was on a schedule, I don't think I'd have...” She stopped—he deserved better than lame excuses. Her eyes met his, and she hoped he'd see the truth in hers. “I'm sorry. Please do what you must to make things right between us."

"For starters, you'll spend tomorrow and Sunday without clothing—you won't be dressed again until you get ready for work Monday. You'll also sleep in the cage tonight, and possibly the next couple of nights, we'll see how things go. For now, go to the restroom, relieve yourself, brush your teeth, and put your hair up for sleep. Bring the lube back with you, and a hand towel."

Dana was miserable she'd disappointed him, and followed his orders as quickly as possible. When she came out of the bathroom he was undressed, and he took the towel from her, motioning to his already hard cock. “Get me slick. What goes on my cock is all the lube you'll get."

She generously lubed him, and he handed her the hand towel to wipe her hands. “Drape the towel over the back of the loveseat and lean over it."

His cock pressed at her asshole within seconds of her hips touching the sofa. She tried to relax and let him in, but she wasn't horny and hadn't been prepared. He didn't seem to care as he shoved in.

"Today isn't about your pleasure. I suggest you not even consider having your own orgasm."

There was no way she'd be able to come. She gasped in pain as he surged in and he said, “That's right; feel me taking your ass. Remember who owns it now? Give me your hands."

She reached back and he grabbed her forearms, pulling on them as if they were reins as he rammed his cock in her ass. They'd stopped using condoms the week before, and he'd been enjoying filling her bowels full of his cum on a regular basis.

He pushed all the way in and held. She was grateful he was giving her a chance to adjust, and she took advantage of the short reprieve, relaxing around him, trying to get used to his size.

"Put your right foot on top of the loveseat, keep your knee straight, just swing it up."

His cock held her asshole in place as she extended it up, her hips shifting with the move. He still had her arms pulled back, forcing her upper body to hover above the loveseat, and he pummeled her ass while using her forearms as leverage.

"Any accidental orgasms this weekend will be handled Sunday night. I suggest you find a way to control yourself or you'll have hell to pay forty-eight hours from now."

He pulled out and slid back in, let go of her hands and wrapped his fingers around her hipbones. Dana put her hands on the seat under her head, bracing herself. She hadn't wanted to come until she'd been told she couldn't, and now she needed to in the worst sort of way. Her clit was being mashed into the top of the loveseat, and with her leg stretched out to the side there was no way to protect it. She tried to remember the pain of her discipline, but the memory only shot excitement through her. Finally, she remembered Zach's tone of voice as he positioned her, and didn't want him even more upset with her.

She scooted herself back with her hands, just enough to keep her clit from getting so much stimulation. A few minutes later Zach came deep in her ass, grunting as he did.

When he pulled out he immediately shoved a large plug into her, stretching her wide and making her want to scream. She gasped instead, trying to remain silent, knowing she deserved the pain.

"It'll be in all night, trapping my cum in you, so get used to it. Stay put, let me clean up and put away."

She heard him walk into the restroom, and though he was only gone three or four minutes, it felt an eternity—lying over the sofa with her leg up, spread out, the huge plug distending her ass.

"Drop your leg and stand, slowly. Get your balance."

His hand gripped her waist as she stood, and he left it there as she turned so his arm was around her back, cradling her to him. “Let's walk to the other side of the loveseat, we need to talk."

He motioned her to the floor as he sat on the loveseat, and she kneeled at his feet, wincing as the plug shifted inside of her.

His voice was kind but firm. “You don't have too many rules, and yet I came upstairs to find you stretched across the bed with your clothes on. I told you to take care of the boxes in our bedroom, but you didn't do that, either. Are you testing me? Wondering what'll happen if you don't follow the rules?"

Dana looked at his feet and considered whether his question had merit. She wanted to make sure she answered the truth as she knew it, but she wasn't sure what had made her forget the rules.

"I don't believe so, Sir. I thought your statement about the boxes in here was that I should do them before I started in the other rooms, not an order to do it right away, and I honestly just wasn't thinking about the clothes in bed thing. I'm sorry, Sir."

"Tell me when you can wear clothes in bed."

"If I'm sick, or if there's a reason we can't heat the house properly and you agree it's too cold, and pajama bottoms are allowed when it's that time of the month."

"Are you on your period now? Are you sick? Is it too cold in here for you?"

She shook her head, still not able to look him in the eyes. “No, Sir."

"You spent time in the cage while I considered my options partly because I don't want it to appear you're being punished for talking to Jacob. To be clear—you'd be disciplined whether you were on the phone with Jacob, your mother, or a client. I might also be willing to accept a misunderstanding about the boxes if you hadn't so blatantly broken two of the few rules I've given you."

She didn't know what to say, she just stared at his feet, the shape of his toes under his socks.

He sighed. “Talk to me, Dana. Do you need more daily discipline? Something to remind you of your status? You helped come up with these rules. I care enough about us to enforce them, but I'm trying to understand what made you flaunt them and practically dare me to do something about it."

Shaking her head, her eyes began to water—his unsaid words, that she didn't care about their relationship enough to obey the rules, stinging worse than a whip could possibly wound. “I don't know, Sir. It's been a long day, and I wasn't thinking.” She was so miserable she didn't care that her voice was tinged with tears. “I understand I need punishment. I didn't before. You're right, I helped come up with the rules, and then I forgot one of the most basic."

His voice softened. “Okay, sweetheart. Look up; I need to see your face."

Her heart splintered as their eyes met, and tears spilled over her cheeks with the knowledge she'd been the one to make him so unhappy.

"I still love you; I still want you in my life. I'm frustrated at the way we'll have to spend our first weekend officially living together, but it doesn't mean I regret anything. Okay? I'm glad you and your things are finally here."

She breathed a little easier, not realizing until she heard the words how much she'd needed to hear them. “Thank you, Sir.” She said, her voice watery. “I love you, too."

He nodded and took a breath, as if bracing himself. “You'll be locked in the cage tonight, tomorrow night, and Sunday night. Scene rules apply from now until six o'clock Monday morning. You won't be allowed release; any accidental orgasms will be dealt with Sunday evening. If I catch you masturbating or in any way touching yourself, you'll be denied orgasms during Jacob and Brent's visit. I'm very serious about this Dana—no orgasms this weekend. I'll fuck you and use you as much as I want, but you won't be getting off. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir."

"You do not have permission to use furniture, nor will you be allowed clothes. You may sit or lay on the floor, and you may rest in your cage—the door will be open when you aren't in it. You have lots of work to do this weekend, organizing your closet and office, so you'll have unfettered use of your legs and arms most of the day. You'll be in a tight corset during waking hours, and I'll put you in your waist cincher tonight. You won't use the bathroom without authorization, nor will you eat or drink anything unless I order you to do so. Bring me your cellphone; I'll monitor your voice mail and will allow you to return phone calls if a client needs you; but otherwise—no phone, internet, or television."

"Will you let Jacob know I won't be allowed to call him tomorrow? I told him I would, and I don't want him to think I forgot."

"I will.” He stared at the wall over her head a few seconds before dropping his gaze and leaning forward, bringing his body closer, but still not touching her. “I'm reminding you of your status this weekend. You want to know what happens if you don't follow the rules? You lose many of the privileges you've been taking for granted. You'll be treated as property this weekend, and not as a treasured pet."

"I understand, Sir. Thank you for helping remind me."

He looked at her for several heartbeats before saying, “You really mean that, don't you? You aren't just paying lip service to it?"

"I do mean it, Sir. I honestly don't believe my intention was to test you, but since I didn't follow the rules, I understand you need to enforce them or they'll mean nothing. I'm going to hate it, but I'll survive, and I know I didn't give you any choice. I'm truly sorry for my actions, Sir—for placing you into the position of having to do this."

Dana survived the weekend, and she was correct about hating most of it. He made her eat from a bowl on the floor a few times, and he gave her several liquid meals she drank with a straw. There were no meals from his hand; she was treated as livestock, not a pet.

Her waist cincher was traded for a corset both mornings, and he'd pulled it tighter than she'd thought possible. This made breathing more difficult when he put her on the stairstep machine for twelve minutes at a time throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, with the TENS unit hooked to a painfully large butt plug, and a nasty shock jolting her when she slowed.

She made a lot of progress in her office Saturday, though he interrupted a few times to either bend her over something to fuck one of her holes, or demand she kneel and open her mouth so he could fuck her throat. Both times he'd zipped up when done and casually told her to get back to work. She asked to clean up after he'd used her pussy, but he wanted to see his cum running down her legs and told her she didn't have permission to wipe it away.

Sunday went much the same, except she worked in her closet. He used the enema nozzle in the shower that morning, filling her and then holding her as she released—several times, not just once—saying she'd been wearing the plug so much he wanted to ensure she was cleaned out before he reinserted it. He'd fastened her back into the corset after her shower, and came to get her every couple of hours throughout the day for the stairstep machine—once making her do it with a large vibrating egg in her pussy alongside the huge plug hooked to the TENS.

At bedtime each night he dressed her in a sweatshirt with a hood, and sweatpants with the crotch cut out, situating her in the center of the bed with ankles and wrists pulled towards the outer corners of the headboard. Three strong clips had been placed on each labia, and they'd been roped to the bedrails, exposing the delicate inner skin of her pussy. He'd used a short rubber flogger until she was screaming her safeword, but this was punishment and he didn't stop until long after she'd run out of the energy to scream and beg. When he finally stopped he rubbed cinnamon oil on the battered area, further inflaming the sensitive nerve endings, and stowed her in the cage with her wrists connected to the front of her collar, and her ankle cuffs linked closely together with no chain between.

The hardest part of the ordeal was being treated as property, or livestock. He'd told her to put the garments on, and told her to lie in the center of the bed on her back, but then hadn't said another word to her for the rest of the evening. There'd just been his icy blue eyes focused on the chore of disciplining her as he maneuvered her into place and then hurt her. When he released her from the bed he'd merely stripped her clothes, attached wrists to collar, and silently walked her to the cage.

When Monday morning finally arrived he awakened her thirty minutes early and sat on the loveseat with her curled in his lap, wrapped in the protective cocoon of his arms as he told her how much he loved her and assured her the punishment was over and she was his treasured pet again.

He also told her not to get herself off in the shower, and she turned to protest. She'd done so good, not coming a single time all weekend even though he'd used her to get himself off numerous times from Friday evening until the night before, but he raised his palm and stopped her before she could say anything. “We agreed to a short list of things I can control during your workday, if I choose, and you should consider yourself still on orgasm restriction."

"Punishment is supposed to be over, Sir."

"And it is, but I want your next release to come from me, not from your hand. I'm pleased with the poise you exhibited—I wasn't easy on you, and other than the enema release you handled everything with beauty and grace. I know how close you were to losing control a few times; I know how hard it was to hold onto it, to deny yourself. Come home to me as quick as you can this evening so we can discuss the weekend, put it behind us for good, and then see how many earthshattering orgasms I can pull out of you in one evening."

"Do we have to talk first?"

He laughed, his eyes sparkling and happy. “Yes, I'm afraid we do."

When Dana arrived home at 4:15, Zach had jeans and a shirt hung on her “wear this” hook, and she quickly changed and asked, “What do you have planned?"

"We're going to have a picnic."

"I thought I was supposed to get earthshattering orgasms, Sir."

"That's the plan, but we have a few things to discuss first,” he said as he herded her to the car, grabbing a basket and a cooler on their way out the door.

Her stomach fell to her feet as Zach pulled into Heritage Park “You want us to have a conversation outside of our contract."

"Yes. Do you understand why?"

Her heart felt as if a huge rubber band were squeezing the life from it. “You don't think things are working out?"

"God no. Oh, Dana, that's not it at all. This is your first major punishment, and even though you said you understood why you needed correction, I want to give you an opportunity to change the contract now that you've seen what I can do under the current terms."

She didn't want to reclaim any rights. If anything, she'd have been willing to offer a few more up, if he'd asked. And if she could figure out what to give up.

They set the table and took seats across from each other. She didn't know what he wanted to talk about, so she waited for him to begin, her body trembling with nerves as she fixed her plate.

Zach finally broke the silence as they began eating. “You're thinking awfully hard. If you pull back on our agreement, you know it won't be the end of us, right?"

"Do you want me to? You weren't interested micromanaging someone else and I basically forced you into it."

His eyes flashed annoyance, returned to calm, and he held a finger up. “First, I don't consider what I did this weekend as micromanaging, and I don't resent the time put into your discipline.” He raised another finger. “Second, you didn't force me into anything, I decided on your correction, not you.” A third finger. “And finally, I inquired what you want, and you responded by asking what I want. That's not good communication. Please answer the question."

She sighed. “I think you need to hear I'm not mad at you for punishing me. So I'll say it: I'm not upset with you. There were parts of it I abhorred, but it doesn't mean I hate you for putting me through it. I deserved it, and don't want to weaken your power. If anything I think I might need to..."

"Go on,” he prompted.

She'd finally figured out what had precipitated her actions Friday, and needed to give this explanation, first. “I've grown to love our kneeling time in the evenings. The ritual of taking my work clothes off, kneeling, and telling you about my day while you run your fingers through my hair—it helps me become yours again. I've tried to figure out why I forgot the rules, and I think it's because we skipped kneeling time Thursday, and then I was kind of in charge Friday, instructing the movers where to go with things. I was still in my work personality, and the rules never crossed my mind."

His eyes were neutral, and she needed to make him understand. “I didn't even see what you were so upset about at first—it wasn't until you put me back into a submissive frame of mind that I even realized why it was such a big deal, and then I couldn't comprehend why I'd done it."

He seemed to deflate—the tension leaving his body, and raw emotion in his eyes. “Thank you. I've needed an explanation that made sense, so I could understand what went wrong. No matter how busy we are in the future, we'll take the time for kneeling. I thought texting you and giving permission to change and get right to work was a good thing, but now I realize why it caused a problem."

Dana recognized the look in his eyes—he was weighing something, making a decision. “I'd like to alter our contract to include maintenance discipline. I could do it as it's written, but I'd like to make it official. If you need a small reminder it might be as simple as making you kneel and kiss my cock; if we're about to eat perhaps I'll have you kneel and be fed; if you're close to landing in real trouble I might take a privilege away for the day. Will you agree to a maintenance clause?"

She nodded, and took a breath to bring up her next discussion point. She longed to sit at his feet and be fed for every meal, but needed to explain why she couldn't ask for it. “Changing into comfortable clothes when I come home from work makes undressing for bed another ritual. Also, if you want sex, you have to undress me, or order me to strip.” She smirked. “Or just bend me over and pull my bottoms down."

Zach smiled in agreement, but didn't speak, forcing her to finish.

"It gives you something to take away, and makes me more vulnerable than being constantly naked.” She looked down—self-conscious. “Every time I wish you'd remove a privilege, I realize it keeps me on my toes more the way you set it up. If I ate every meal from your hand, or from a bowl on the floor, it'd eventually lose its bite; but when it's an occasional thing it's harder to deal with. When I could eat breakfast at the table this morning, it was awkward. Going back and forth is its own mindfuck, sometimes."

She warily returned her gaze to his, and his blue eyes reflected an anguish that made her want to comfort him. His voice fierce, he said, “What if I confessed part of me wants to own you in ways I've never wanted to possess anyone? Ways I'm ashamed of?"

The band crushing her heart relaxed and heat pulsed between her legs. “I'd have to admit I long for you to subjugate me in ways that scare the shit out of me, so it appears we're on the same wavelength."

He closed his eyes, his head shaking the tiniest bit. When they opened, the anguished look was gone. “I fell in love with you as I watched you recreate my home. You're very good—both at the creative aspects, and at making your vision become reality—and as much as I'd like to demand you give your worldly possessions to charity and quit your job so I could own every piece of you—doing so would kill the Dana I first fell in love with. And in truth, knowing you have the means to walk out at any time, but are choosing to stay with me? That's a turn on, too."

"I guess I feel the same. I want you to own me in ways I never considered before, but you're correct about my job being a big part of who I am. You did great—setting things up so I have time in the morning to step back into my work persona, and then a way in the evening to help become yours again. I don't know how to reconcile the two parts of me, or if we should even try."

"I don't believe we should at this time. Let's discuss it again in three months, and if we still feel strongly about it we'll work towards finding a solution. Meanwhile, I have something else to talk about while we're here. Brent and I've been discussing rules and boundaries, and I have a few items to add to the contract today, if you're in agreement."

Dana wrinkled her brow, but didn't say anything, waiting for him to elaborate.

"I don't want you Topping anyone in our bedroom—it's the one place I want to know you're always submissive to me. Our private space."

"I've got no problems with that."

He nodded and continued. “Thank you. Next, I'd like to rename the green guest suite Heritage Park, and I want those rooms to represent what this place has become for us. We'll make it Brent and Jacob's suite, to give you opportunities to Top Jacob without belonging to me.” He paused and added, “While we're in the playroom, you'll belong to me even if you're Topping him."

"I can go in there anytime I want?"

"You'll have difficulty doing so if you're locked in your cage or chained to the bed, but yeah. If either of us needs a break it'll be healthy to have an established place in the house."

"Okay, write it up and send it to me. Anything else?"

He reached for her hand, holding it between both of his. “You were right; I needed to hear you didn't hate me for punishing you. I love you, and don't want a miscommunication to cause problems. Promise me, if you resent something, you'll ask to go to the green room so we can talk it out."

"You'll know if I'm upset, but I don't think you can change your mind because something upsets me. Doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of power exchange?"

"It's not about changing my mind; it's about understanding when my decisions are causing resentment. Some anger and frustration you'll just have to deal with, but bitterness that could drive a wedge between us? The stuff grudges are made of? Those we'll have to contend with as a unit. Yes, I'm the Dom and I get the final say, but in order for me to make good decisions, I need to know where your head is."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Seven

* * * *

"Jacob!” Dana ran out the front door, flying into him, his arms wrapping around her back as hers curled around his neck. She folded her legs around his waist, pushing up until her eyes were level with his, gave him a quick kiss, inclined back to admire him a second, and leaned forward again—her lips touching his and holding as she teased with her tongue. His strong arms supported her as he yielded to her, responding without being aggressive.

His submission never failed to turn her on; his desire to serve however she needed him sent sparks through her. When she finally drew away, passion kindled in his gaze, and she knew hers reflected the same longing.

She gave him a quick peck on the tip of the nose and hugged him tight, her cheek resting on his shoulder, soaking in his strength and warmth. When she pulled back again, she released her legs and slid down the length of him until her feet were touching the ground once more.

Brent was looking on with a twinkle in his eye, and she walked into his outstretched arms, relaxing into his embrace as he wrapped her in a bear hug. “It's good to see you, too, Brent. But I don't think you'd appreciate that kind of greeting."

"It's wonderful to see you smiling and playful. Jacob tells me you're moved in and owned and pretty happy about the situation?"

"I am. C'mon in. Zach's on the phone with some work stuff, but should be joining us soon."

"It sounds like he may travel to the manufacturing plant in a few weeks? He's excited about these latest solar panels finally making it into production."

"He is. I'm not thrilled about him flying off to China, though. We've had some discussions about that recently."

Brent stopped and looked at her, his eyes probing. It only took two seconds, but she felt as if he knew everything about her in those few heartbeats. His voice was serious as he said, “We'll talk later. I let Zach know I want a couple of hours alone with you this weekend."

"Yeah, he told me. I'm a little paranoid with all of the emails going back and forth between the two of you, but I'm glad you've hit it off so well."

"The people we love have a thing for each other, but, it's more than that. We're both the captain of our home, and when we all four get together, if the two captains don't know how the other thinks, it could be disastrous."

They walked into the living room and Jacob spun in a slow circle. Dana watched him, wondering what he'd think of it. She'd gone fairly traditional in here and hadn't changed it after moving in, other than to mix a few of her personal things in.

"I like it, Dana. You did this for Zach before you started seeing him, didn't you? I can see your touch, but it's his personality."

Dinner was a jovial affair, with conversation flowing freely between the four friends, and they talked long after the food was gone, with Zach finally saying, “Brent and I are going to the basement so he can give me some pointers on the single tail. If the two of you will load the dishwasher, please, then you can head upstairs and get started without us."

Dana hadn't expected that, and as she looked at Zach in surprise, Brent was answering Jacob's questioning gaze. “Yes, he's already cleared it with me, and I agree—the two of you need time alone. You won't be able to come until I arrive and can give permission, but that's your only restriction."

She looked back at Zach. “Do I have any restrictions, Sir?"

Shaking his head, he said, “Take him to their room—you get to make all the decisions in there."

"Yes and no. I mean, I'm not your submissive in there, but I'm still your girlfriend, and I want to make sure you won't be upset if we do something without you.” Oh, God, did she really refer to herself as his girlfriend?

He smiled, obviously happy with the label, but only said, “I'm not placing any limits, but you should probably check with Brent."

Brent nodded as Dana's eyes met his. “You can spank him with a paddle or belt, but clear the safeword again before starting. You'll find two pair of nipple clamps in a fishing tackle box on the floor near the bed—feel free to use either set, and any of the plugs. Please hold off on the canes and floggers until I can supervise."

"Agreed—I'm not skilled enough with those things to trust myself with them yet."

Less than five minutes later the dishes were cleared and excess food stored in the refrigerator. Dana sent Jacob upstairs to strip while she wiped the counters, and even though she was only about forty-five seconds behind him, he was naked and on his knees when she walked in.

She stopped in the doorway, admiring his posture, his grace, and his body. Hours of yoga and miles of running had sculpted him into a work of art, and her heart skipped a few beats at the realization he was kneeling for her.

"You're beautiful, Jacob."

He looked up, met her eyes. “Thank you, Ma'am."

She could get lost in his gaze, but needed to stay in control. “What do you want today?"

"Whatever pleases you, Ma'am."

She shook her head, leaned against the doorframe. “I've a feeling we'll both get plenty of pain this weekend, and I think you want to be Topped more than hurt right now, but I'd like to hear it from you—pain or subjugation?"

"I want to be with you, be whatever you desire. If you need to hurt me, I'm yours to torture. If you'd prefer pleasure, your wish is my command."

His cock had been well on its way to hard when she walked into the room, and it grew as he talked. She understood his need to please, but... “Brent's always quick to respond on your behalf, but he's not here and I'd like you to consider answering my questions as an element of your submission to me. I realize you aim to mold yourself into whatever I need, and it's one of the many things I treasure about you, but there are times, like now, I'd like to know where your head is.” She paused, held his gaze. “Telling me your wishes doesn't mean you'll get them."

He looked up, the depths of his submission showing in his eyes. “I want your attention, and I want to see you getting off by using me for your pleasure. If I had a preference, I promise I'd tell you."

Her heart melted and tears threatened as she walked to him, leaned down, and kissed his forehead. “I believe you. Thank you.” She straightened, letting him see the emotion in her eyes. “I don't get to be on top much, and I'd like to ride you. Did Brent plug you?"

"No, Ma'am."

"Anything I need to know? Are you sore anywhere?"

"No Ma'am, he hasn't played with me this week, said he wanted a clean slate to work with."

"You'll use chiffon to safeword?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"I'd like you to use yellow if you need me to back off. I usually trust Brent to signal if I give you too much, can I rely on you to tell me?"

He nodded and she let it go, didn't make him say it aloud.

"Open the tackle box, please, and hand me both sets of nipple clamps."

One pair was a basic clover clamp, the other was much, much, nastier—stronger and with teeth. She didn't want to draw blood, and handed them back to him as she draped the clover clamps around her neck. “Put those away please, and then I'd like you on the bed, with your head near the footboard, on your back. Grab a condom and put it on, first."

She saw the control it took to touch himself as little as possible while smoothing the condom over his thick cock, and loved that she could turn him on so much.

It was bad form to start with sex, but she'd wanted this with Jacob when it was just the two of them, and sometimes being in charge was a very good thing. She climbed on the bed and swung her leg over his body, sitting on his hips, his cock under her pussy as she slid backwards and forwards, his rock hard heat gliding between her folds and bumping her clit.

She rose. “Put yourself in me."

He reached down, lifted himself straight up, so when she lowered this time her pussy enveloped the length of him, her heart stuttering as she sank. Their gazes locked and she hung onto her control as she went up and down a few times before stopping to retrieve the clamps draped around her neck, teasing his nipples until the blood filled them, too.

She positioned the clamp and looked up; holding eye contact as she slowly let it close. He didn't try to hide his pain, allowed her a full view of the battle going on in his psyche as he fought to lay still and let her hurt him. His desire to please tripped her pulse and heated her blood, her hips rotating on autopilot as she moved to his other nipple.

Grasping his hands, she situated his arms so she could lean forward on them. “Your arms will be my brace while I fuck you. Keep them firm. Part of me is sorry you can't come, but I love knowing I can ride as long as I want; use your cock to get myself off without worrying about you going soft."

Dana started slow, looking into Jacob's eyes as she rose and fell, rose and fell. She inclined towards him, placing more weight on her arms, her pelvis moving as her upper body held still, their gazes linked, her heart soaring. She felt her first orgasm approaching and allowed it to slide over her—a smooth, blissful experience. She hadn't realized she'd closed her eyes until she opened them to see reverent awe reflected in his visage. She smiled. “Yeah, you did that. Thank you."

Increasing the pace, she sat up, taking her weight off his hands and leaning back. Jacob changed their grip, so they were clasping each other's wrists, and she slanted back even farther until he was dragging over her g-spot, the sensations shooting through her until she thought she'd come undone. She heard herself screaming through her climax, Jacob's grip holding her up and his hips moving for her when she lost coordination, tripped over the edge of the cliff, and soared. Pulling with her arms, she draped her body over his and raised her pelvis to give him room.

"Fuck me Jacob, please."

She let go of his hands and he took that as invitation to touch her, grabbing her ass and holding it in place as he plunged up into her. Dana's orgasm went on forever as her lower body spasmed around his cock while her upper torso rested on him, pressing into the nipple clamps, and he gasped in pain as she jerked and moved over him.

Jacob slowed as the shuddering finally waned, his cock still hard in her as she sprawled over him like an overcooked lasagna noodle.

She heard a chuckle and looked up to see Brent and Zach in the doorway. She'd turned Jacob this direction so she could see the door, but had been too preoccupied to notice, and had no idea how long they'd been watching. She glanced down, Brent's hard-on obvious in his jeans, Zach's pants too loose to be sure.

"We have an audience,” she said, sitting up and grinding her hips on the cock still inside of her before removing both clamps at once, giving him no warning or time to prepare. Jacob's hands flew up, but stopped before they reached his nipples, slowly reaching above his head to hold onto the iron bars in the footboard.

Dana rubbed, squeezed, and twisted them—forcing the blood to return as rapidly as possible. Jacob squirmed under her, his cock still in her, eyes tightly closed as he dealt with the pain.

She'd placed the clamps with the chain pointing down the first time, and now aimed it left, so his nipples were squeezed horizontally instead of vertically. He jerked inside of her as the first clamp tightened, and she scrutinized his face as he pulled air into his lungs.

"Open your eyes, Jacob. Let me see how much it hurts."

She used the pain to tease him this time, letting it close halfway, holding it, opening it, and starting again. When she finally released the handle, she lifted the chain until his already sensitive nipples were stretched up and away from his body, knowing the more she pulled, the tighter the clamps squeezed.

"I think I've had enough of being on top for a while."

She looked up at the doorway, her gaze meeting Zach's. “How does this work? I want you in my ass while he's in my pussy, but have a feeling ordering you into my ass won't fly."

He smiled. “You're correct, making demands isn't a good idea, but telling me what you'd like, and then asking me to do it, is fine. We're equals in here."

Zach looked sideways at Brent. “You want his mouth or his ass? I'll let you and Dana work out the positioning on this one."

"Neither. Sometimes I enjoy playing the voyeur, and I find I'm in the mood for it at the moment."

Dana slowly released the compression on Jacob's nipple, making sure he was prepared for it so she could watch him anticipate the pain this time. She dragged it off without releasing the pressure all the way, and immediately leaned forward to suck the abused flesh into her mouth, pulling hard as she savored the heat. Jacob's back arched up as he yelled at the sensation, his cock flexing deeper into her. Her tongue scraped across his nipple and he moaned through shallow breaths. She wrapped her lips over her teeth and bit, his howl like music to her ears as her pelvis ground into him. Sitting up, she waited for his eyes to open so he could watch her do the same to his other nipple.

Zach began preparing her ass while she tortured Jacob's nipples, chuckling when Jacob jerked, shifting Dana and eliciting a girly yelp.

When she was comfortable with Zach's fingers she draped herself over Jacob, placing her knees around his rib cage, arching her ass up while keeping Jacob buried as deeply in her as she could. She leaned in and kissed him, pulling back and quietly asking, “You okay?"

"I'm perfect, M'Lady."

Zach's legs pushed into the mattress between hers and Jacob's, and she felt him at her ass. He took his time sliding in, and Dana's gasps and moans filled the room as silky waves rolled through her. Jacob reached for her hands, comforting her, or perhaps also needing more contact. She kissed his shoulder, gasping as Zach slid farther into her. When his hips finally touched her bottom the waves began to crest, morphing into spasms as she was overwhelmed by the blissful devastation of two dicks filling her.

"Hold her Jacob,” Zach said, as his fingers massaged her lower back. “She needs someone's arms around her and yours are closer."

Jacob released her hands and wrapped his strong arms around her, holding her safe and soothing her as she writhed between them. She didn't want tenderness; she needed to be fucked and she craved pain.

"Zach, move. Please. Oh god, please, fuck me.” Her orgasm hadn't finished, but she didn't care, and thankfully Zach was in a mood to give her what she wanted. He pulled out, plunged in, and found his rhythm—slamming into her hard enough to drag her back and forth on Jacob's cock. Her climax slowed and her arousal level grew, and she closed her eyes and let the all-consuming ecstasy engulf her as her lips surrounded Jacob's nipple and she sucked it into her mouth.

Jacob's voice was frantic as he called out to Brent, begging for permission, but Brent only sat near Jacob's head and stroked his face, telling him Dana was still using his cock and he couldn't come until she was finished. She could tell Jacob's control was quickly faltering—she'd never heard him beg and it was enough to tip her over the edge.

Her orgasm rocketed through her, stealing her breath and her voice, locking her muscles in place. When at last she could breathe again, Zach slammed into her a final time and held, grunting as he filled the condom inside of her. Brent ordered Jacob to come, and his whole body jerked under her as he lost control, bellowing his pleasure until he ran out of air and finally went limp under her.

Zach headed to the master bathroom while Brent took care of Jacob's condom. Dana rolled onto her back and stretched out beside him, cool air flowing across her sweaty body as they both continued to gasp for oxygen.

Brent returned within a few seconds, his voice brisk. “Our boy doesn't deal very well with being fucked just after an orgasm, and this'll be especially difficult for him because I've been using his mouth for a while and haven't plugged or fucked him in ten days. Feel free to either comfort him through it, or provide further pain.” His eyes moved to Jacob. “I want you over the side of the bed, spread your legs wide and grab your elbows behind your back. I'm so hard I could mine for diamonds."

They slept on the playroom bed, as it was the largest in the house. Brent and Zach took up the outside positions, and Dana awoke with her head cradled in the crook of Zach's arm and her legs tangled with Jacob's. No one was awake, and as much as she hated to disturb them, she needed to use the restroom so bad it almost hurt.

She tried to crawl below Zach to get out, but she should've known better—he woke as she pulled away, helping her climb over him, chuckling as she booked it to the bathroom.

Figuring Zach wouldn't consider Brent and Jacob normal guests, she left the door open and was sitting on the toilet, finished but in no hurry to get up and walk when Zach stepped to the doorway. His pajama bottoms rode low on his hips and she admired his body as he leaned against the doorframe.

"You okay?” His expression made it clear he was checking on his property, and she wondered if she'd ever get used to the proprietary way he handled her. She met his eyes, knowing better than to try to hide from him. “Yes, Sir. Not really awake yet."

"Let's give you a quick clean out; your ass is going to be well used today,” he said, reaching under the cabinet for a Fleet. She wiped and flushed, taking the few steps to the bath mat before dropping to hands and knees, arching her spine as he'd trained her.

His hand stroked her back, traveling to her ass and patting it. “I think you need a reward for not complaining or arguing. I'll let you get rid of it in my bathroom so you'll have some privacy. You and Jacob will get plenty to drink this morning, but no breakfast.” He pushed the tip into her ass and began squeezing the solution into her. “Consider yourself under scene rules until I tell you otherwise. I'd like you to show respect to Brent today—no speech restrictions other than using an honorific for both Brent and I.

Dana groaned as the last of the fluid went in, her insides starting to churn already.

Zach continued. “Go upstairs and brush your teeth before relieving yourself of the enema—and I mean brush them until the toothbrush turns off, not until you think they're clean enough.” He patted her ass and helped her up, giving her a kiss on the cheek before pointing her towards the door.

When Dana was sure all the water was out, she walked back downstairs, her heart dropping to her stomach as sparks ignited between her legs—Zach was in his zone, organizing and preparing his electrical equipment, while Brent buckled ankle cuffs on Jacob.

Zach's eyes met hers and his face blossomed into a smile. “Sports drinks are in the fridge, please bring one in here so I can watch you chug it—your choice of flavor. Jacob's already had his."

Dana turned, stopped, looked back to say a quick, “Yes, Sir,” before walking towards the kitchen. She'd learned he expected total surrender when scene rules were in effect—whether he was using his everyday voice or his Dom one.

She picked the least disgusting of the flavors and returned, dropping to her knees before him and chugging it in two long drinks. His approving smile made her heart flutter—she longed to make him proud, and wanted to show Brent and Jacob how much she belonged to him.

Zach took the empty bottle from her and helped her stand, leaning in to kiss her gently. “You're beautiful, Dana. Go see Brent, I think he wants to teach you about penis plugs. You may Top Jacob if you wish, and if his master allows it. I'll join you when I'm finished here."

"I love you, Sir."

"I love you, too. Now go,” he said, still smiling his happy smile. Dana wondered just what the Doms had planned for the day.

Jacob caught her eye and Brent said, “Hello, Dana dear,” without turning around.

"How'd you know it was me?"

Brent chuckled. “He doesn't smile that way for Zach. Come watch me do this, and perhaps next time you can have a go at it."

He talked about sterile procedures before he began working shiny steel into the end of Jacob's cock. “This is a large plug, and it's taken a long time to work Jacob's peehole up to this size. Once it goes in he won't be able to piss or come. We have some with a hole through the middle, and he can wear them longer."

Jacob was standing with his legs spread shoulder width, his wrist cuffs clipped behind him, and appeared to be concentrating on his breathing as the plug slipped deeper into his cock—his urethra distending more than Dana thought natural.

She started to move closer to him, wanting to rub his back and comfort him, but was worried she'd break whatever concentration he was using. About that time it slid all the way in, and Jacob gasped and jerked in surprised pain and then seemed to relax, but Dana heard his shallow breaths and wasn't fooled.

Brent removed his gloves and had Jacob lean over the bed before handing Dana a hefty stainless steel plug. She immediately noticed the electrical attachments on the end, but Brent shook his head and said, “He's already lubed."

Dana nodded and looked at Jacob; his breathing had leveled off, and his muscular ass and legs made her want to run her hands over them. She put the plug down and walked to the side of the bed, meeting his eyes a few seconds before saying. “Arch your back and spread your legs."

His gaze reflected his need to obey, to be controlled, and made her fiercely want to give it to him. She brushed her fingers through his hair and walked behind him, pressing the plug to his ass. It slid about two thirds in before she met resistance, and she slowed, reaching down to play with his balls before pushing on the space between them and his asshole, making Jacob groan as the plug shifted in some more. The weight of the metal in his penis pulled on his erection, and—curiosity getting the better of her—she gently squeezed the head around the unforgiving steel. He groaned again, his ass tightening, threatening to push the butt plug out. She pushed in, intending to hold it in place, but he inadvertently relaxed and it went all the way in. Jacob's gasp was closer to a scream this time.

Brent patted him on the ass and said, “Okay, up you go, it's time for me to talk to the two of you about what's going to happen.” Reaching for a bundle of blue Velcro straps, he attached them to Jacob's scrotum and cock as he talked.

"We've agreed no man besides me will Top you, and today won't be an exception. Zach's an expert with electricity, and he's been teaching me how to do it safely over the past weeks. I purchased the items he suggested,” he said, motioning towards the equipment on Jacob. “Zach will send juice to both you and Dana—to the equivalent parts of your body, at the same time. I'll have another set of controls, allowing me to increase or decrease your power level as a percentage of what Dana is receiving. He'll be giving her what she can handle; it'll be up to me to adjust your levels up or down, depending on your reactions."

He pulled a plastic sheet of electrical pads out of a box and began placing them. “Dana's clit clamp will be tied into your penis plug, and her vaginal electrode to the straps on your cock and balls. You'll both have an anal plug, and TENS pads on your nipples. Dana, tell him a little about what to expect. Zach says he'll start with the good stuff—said you'd know what that means."

Dana smiled. “Yeah, it means it feels wonderful. I'm not sure how it'll work on you. For me, it's like the plugs are moving in and out, as if I'm being fucked by them. The butt plug should feel the same, but I don't know how it'll translate to your cock and balls. It makes the muscles contract and relax, so I imagine it'll be good for you, too."

Dana saw Jacob look behind her, and turned to see Zach walking their way, looking at Brent as he said, “I'm all set if you want to go ahead and get Jacob into position. It won't take me long to get her hooked up and she can join him."

True to his word, within about five minutes she was walked to the center of the room, where Jacob's wrists were attached to a spreader bar hanging from the winch. She was pleasantly surprised to discover the raised platform in front of Jacob put them at eye level. Her wrist cuffs were connected to the same overhead bar, but her arms weren't extended as far as his, so their hands couldn't touch.

The warmth of Zach's hands rested on her shoulders as he said, “Both of you need to keep your feet flat on the floor, but other than that you can lean into or away from each other as you wish. Dana, no orgasms during the first part; don't bother asking. Both of you should let us know if you're getting close. No restrictions on speech for either of you."

Within moments, the plug in her pussy began pulsing, and Jacob's eyes grew bigger. “I was expecting—you know—pain,” he said, moaning under his breath and circling his hips in obvious pleasure, “but this is wonderful."

Dana laughed at the way he drew wonderful out to last about five seconds, but her laugh changed to a groan when the plug in her ass was set in motion. She felt her own hips moving in response, and tipped her head towards Jacob, saying, “Kiss me.” Her nipples came to life mid-kiss, and his full-body shudder confirmed he was experiencing the same things.

She was on her way to an orgasm, but had it under control until the clamp on her clit came to life, making her feel as if she'd come apart from the inside out.

"I'm close, Sir! I don't think I can hold it back! Oh, God!"

The buzzing and pulsing around her clit faded, and Jacob's breathing evened out.

Zach must have moved the sensations around their bodies for twenty minutes before she was allowed her first orgasm. Zach used the electricity to get her good and horny again, and turned everything off.

The Doms went into motion, releasing and carefully walking them to the side of the playroom, pushing the wheeled carts with all of the electrical equipment. As Zach placed her in the swing, Brent used the remote to move the winch above them, removing the spreader bar and attaching the metal square in its place.

Before long Jacob and Dana were both in a swing, with a bit gag installed, facing each other—black silk rope connecting them to the swings at upper arms, forearms, calves, thighs, hips, and chest. Their wrist and ankle cuffs were also attached, as well as the strap of their gags. Jacob was in the same predicament, but she saw fear on his face. She understood their restraints were to keep them as safe as possible once they began writhing uncontrollably, and it appeared he was figuring it out as well. She wanted to reassure him it would be okay, wished she'd done so earlier, when she still could.

The pain hit her nipples first—thousands of dancing electrified bees stinging their way into the tender flesh, taking her breath away. She counted to three slowly in her head as her world narrowed to her nipples, her back teeth on the bit, and the sound of Jacob screaming. When the torment paused she saw him fighting the restraints, thrashing around in the swing, his eyes squeezed shut while his blood-curdling scream continued at least five seconds after the electricity was gone.

As soon as Jacob's breathing normalized, the pain hit her ass—centering on the ring of muscles and convulsing up her colon. Jacob's shrieks filled the room again, but this time Brent was behind him when the current stopped, arms wrapped around him, mouth to his ear, talking to him. Jacob's eyes were closed and his skin glistened with sweat.

She didn't expect another thunderbolt while Brent was touching Jacob, and was taken by surprise as her lower body blazed into an inferno of torment. She heard her own screams this time, and didn't have the brainpower to even consider counting her way through it. When the pain ended she relaxed, feeling the adrenalin and endorphins flooding her system, opened her eyes to see Brent and Jacob looking at her, and realized the electricity had only gone to her.

She caught her breath and looked at Zach, who gave her a quick survey with his gaze and said, “Five seconds."

He pushed the button as the last consonant left his mouth, and the firestorm was everywhere this time. She thrashed in the swing, heard herself screaming in agony—five seconds is forever when you're hurting so exquisitely, in so many places at once.

The pain stopped in an instant, but her muscles took a few more seconds to cease their frenzied jerking, and in those moments she heard Zach, as if from a distance, telling her to come as he turned the clamp on her clit back on with enough of a bite to give her an edge. Now she flailed around in the swing from the effects of a total body orgasm, and her shouts were of pleasure as the climax began at her clit and exploded out until she felt it from the tips of her toes all the way to the ends of her hair, and every cell in between. Her spine tried to curve backwards in the harness; her legs attempted to pull together, then strained to curl into her torso, and flew out again. Nothing was steady, everything moved with her, and she couldn't find a point of stability to use to control her movements. The muscles around her clit continued to pulse, and she was rocketed higher and higher until she feared she'd pass out from the pleasure.

The electricity hit her nipples and ass again while her orgasm was at full strength. Her body finally arching backwards as she screamed through the sensations flooding her—so much pleasure and pain at once, the agony threatening to drown out the ecstasy, but not quite managing.

When the current stopped, she barely sucked in enough air to fill her lungs before it returned, and when Jacob's scream drowned out her own and she knew they'd patched him back into the fun.

In the break between jolts she opened her eyes to check on Jacob, and was scared for him when she saw him in a panic, fighting his restraints, his eyes wild. When the next jolt took her, she managed to keep her eyes open long enough to realize he wasn't getting juice, and she stopped struggling for control and allowed the pain to take over her senses again; her body writhing in the swing, no longer under her command.

At some point, Dana realized Jacob wasn't in the swing, but she didn't know where he was. She wanted to ask in between times, but couldn't pull her thoughts together to form the question.

She was exhausted, but needed to come so damned bad—the electricity was too much when coursing through her body, and she wasn't given adequate recovery in between to pick up sufficient steam. If he'd just give her twenty seconds in between, she knew she'd manage. Her clit was on fire, the muscles around it so tired, but with so much blood flowing through the area between clit and asshole she was overwhelmed with heat and sensation, and she'd go crazy if she couldn't find release soon.

"Dana, I need to you to look at me, please."

He said it a few times before she realized the voice was talking to her. She summoned enough strength to raise her eyelids, Zach's face in front of her, his hand on her cheek, and his beautiful blue eyes touching her soul.

"Do you want to come?"

She talked around the bit gag, tried to say, “God yes, please.” Zach stepped closer and removed the probe from her pussy before sliding in. She was so tight, but it felt wonderful.

His arms reached around her, through the sling, and his cock slowly slid out and then pushed back in. His body leaned into hers as he pulled her closer and said, “I love you. Come."

Dana's tired muscles began spasming around his thickness, no longer needing the electricity to make them dance. Her arms were still secured to the swing, so she couldn't touch him, but he touched her plenty as she shattered under him, her screams several octaves lower, but just as loud as her body released all of the pain and pleasure and energy Zach had put into her with his amazing toys.

As the orgasm finally spent itself out Zach gingerly pulled out and took the condom off. They didn't use protection anymore and its presence reminded her Brent and Jacob were here, but she couldn't form words to ask where they were, and if Jacob was okay.

Zach took a few moments to extricate her from the swing before wrapping his arms around her and picking her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist to try to help, but her muscles were so tired. She rested her head on his shoulder, eyes closed, as he walked her across the playroom.

She felt other hands on her as he leaned her towards the bed; recognized them as Jacob's, and allowed him to guide her to his side. Zach climbed in beside her, and Jacob helped situate her so she was mostly laying on Zach, with his arms around her.

Zach's voice told her to float, and she did.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Eight

* * * *

Dana drifted back to consciousness with Zach's arms still around her, comforted by the sounds of the three men talking. Their words gradually took form, sinking into her brain until she finally realized they were discussing her.

Zach spoke softly, his voice rumbling in his chest under her cheek. “I'd hoped the electricity might take the place of extreme impact play, giving her pain without the welts and bruises, but she tells me she needs the marks, and the pain and tenderness afterwards as proof of what she went through."

"Jacob likes looking at his marks, too. If you aren't comfortable with it I'm sure we can work something out with Max, at least in the short term."

She felt Zach move as he shook his head. “No, she's mine, and I'll find a way to take care of her needs. I'm hoping the single tail can be part of the solution once I get enough confidence."

Jacob's voice didn't sound right as he said, “From what I've been told, her first master taught her to crave the intense pain. It's a wonder she lasted so long without it, but now that she has it back I think her body's in overdrive, catching up on lost time. But I understand what you're saying, about having to hold yourself so firmly in control since you can't rely on her to safeword once she goes deep."

Dana moved her fingers and touched Jacob's side as Brent said, “When Max finally stopped, she begged him to keep going, asked him to draw blood. There are many Doms who'd use that as an opportunity to abuse, but I trust you completely—you're too concerned about exceeding what her body can handle to take advantage."

Jacob shifted closer to her, brushing her hair out of her face and smiling, his voice scratchy as he said, “You're back. That was some show the two of you put on."

"Are you okay? What happened? I was worried about you."

His smile was shy, embarrassed. “I'm apparently a wuss when it comes to electricity."

He hadn't dealt well with the pain, and Brent had turned off the juice as the second jolt hit. He'd talked to him, calmed him down, and tried it one more time at half Dana's power load, but when it sent him into another panic Brent had taken him to bed and cuddled him. Jacob's voice was off because he'd screamed with such intensity.

As her fuzziness lifted, she had to get away from Zach until she could consider what she'd heard. She'd been worried about being a burden, but had focused on the whole micromanaging thing. Learning he felt obligated to hurt her in ways that obviously disgusted him... she didn't know what to think, but she needed to be somewhere else.

She moved to sit and he held onto her. “Scene rules are still in effect, where do you think you're going?"

"I'm thirsty, Sir. Can I have some water, please?” She hesitated, realized she couldn't keep so much from him. “Also, I feel a little antsy; can we maybe go for a walk?"

He looked at her a few seconds before answering, his eyes scrutinizing. “You've bounced back quicker than usual. Okay, scene's over, but get a sports drink instead of water. The cook made a breakfast casserole; I just have to stick it in the oven."

Brent rose, saying, “She and I can take a walk after we eat, that'll give us time together, and while we're gone I believe Jacob wants to talk with you."

Dana looked at Jacob, asking with her eyes what he needed to discuss with Zach, but he just smiled and waved her towards the door, so she bent forward and gave him a quick peck on the lips before crawling over Zach and heading to the kitchen.

"Why do I get the feeling Jacob and Zach are talking about something important?"

"Because you're intuitive.” He sighed and turned to her, stopping in the middle of the road, giving her a wry smile. “Jacob wants Zach to know he's falling in love with you. I believe he needs permission from Zach before he can be comfortable telling you. He was afraid I'd be upset, but I saw it coming long before Jacob realized it."

He rubbed his face in frustration and reached for her hands as he brought them down. “He won't be happy I've talked to you about it, but I need to protect him, and want to know how you'll respond, so I can...” He stopped, shrugging his shoulders and looking as if he expected her to understand his question.

"I've tiptoed around my feelings for him, to avoid having to dissect them too much. Is it okay to love two men at the same time? Would Zach decide this isn't such a good idea after all? Would you determine things were going too far?” She shook her head, hoped she was answering his unspoken question. “I think Jacob is a much stronger and braver person than I can ever be."

Brent's relieved smile told her everything was okay on his end; she just hoped Zach took it as well. “Should we go back and check on them? I'm not so sure Zach will be as laid back as you."

He laughed. “Relax, I've felt him out a little, and I'm pretty sure he'll be fine. He knows how much you care for our boy, and has worried you'd be hurt if Jacob didn't feel the same. Let's give them time to bond—I've been looking forward to having you all to myself."

They walked down the street, chatting comfortably, and she headed them off towards the golf course, and eventually found the trail leading to the Tennessee River. Brent didn't ask where they were going, or why they were climbing down a cliff, he just followed her as if it were nothing, holding onto trees when the footing was treacherous.

"Have you talked to Max recently?” Dana asked.

"Yes, I met with him this week to go over some contracts. He tells me the two of you've talked several times."

"He's a nice guy, and he seems to need a friend right now."

"Yes, he does. I haven't said anything to Zach, but I hope you've been upfront with him."

"Of course I have. Zach's surprisingly laid back about that sort of thing. I couldn't be as accepting of him with another woman as he's been with Jacob and me. He had a harder time understanding why I wanted a friendship with Max, but once I explained, he was fine."

"Like Jacob keeps telling you—he's a keeper."

Dana nodded in agreement, but felt a niggling doubt as she remembered the overheard conversation in bed.

Someone had put a concrete bench near the riverbank, and though she had no idea how they'd managed it, she was grateful as she sat and looked out at the river, watching the waves lap up on the rocks when a boat went by and stirred the water.

"Zach's worried about leaving you here while he's in China."

She didn't answer, just dipped her head in acknowledgement, her eyes still on the water, absorbed in the endless movement. Brent sat beside her, looking in the same direction. “Jacob doesn't have anything on his schedule the first five days—the two of us could come down for the weekend, and Jacob could stay another couple of days when I go back Sunday."

Still raw from the men's discussion while they thought she was sleeping, Brent's words hit her the wrong way. She'd had pride in her strength, and her ability to take care of herself. She'd lived alone for more than two years, and now they were worried about her flying solo for nine days? She felt her backbone straightening, and stood, walking to a tree near the edge of the river. She leaned against it to consider her phrasing, so she didn't say something she might later regret.

"Have you talked to Zach about this?"

"Yes, I wanted to make sure he'd be okay with you and Jacob alone together for so long, without either of us around."

She finally turned to him, hoping her eyes showed strength and not anger. “As much as I'd love to spend time with Jacob, I'm thinking perhaps it's more important I show everyone I'm a woman, and not a child who needs a babysitter when her man can't be around to take care of her."

He leaned forward, peered at the ground, rubbed his face. “I've offended you. I'm sorry."

He looked genuinely upset, still staring down, his shoulders slumped, and she couldn't stay irritated with him. “Maybe the three of us can get together for the weekend, but I won't take Jacob from you for three days. I have lots of work to do; I'll be fine. Really."

His smile was sad as he finally met her gaze. “Jacob will be disappointed, but I understand, I think.” He looked back down, scuffed his toe into the river rocks and stopped, something catching his eye. He bent to pick up a white and lavender shell, wiping the dust off on his jeans and running a finger around and up.

"Shells have a spiral inside, they seem so simple from the outside, but if you cut one in a cross section you see how complex the engineering actually is. In a way, I feel as if my relationship with you has developed in much the same way—simple growth, that's complicated if you stop to examine it."

She thought he was coming to a point, so she leaned against the tree, waiting for him to continue.

"When I met you, I felt close to you, and valued your friendship—and I don't meet many girls at BDSM clubs who become important to me.” Their eyes were on each other now, and he grinned at her, but she had a feeling he was stalling.

He took a breath and continued. “It hurt when I lost you. I met Jacob soon after, and wanted to call and tell you about him. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I've always had this special connection to you, and now that we both care deeply for the same person, it ties us together in a new way. Please, come sit with me—I'm sorry I insulted you, it wasn't intentional."

Dana walked towards him, saying, “It's not a case of ‘the lover of my lover is my lover'; so what are we to each other, exactly? This all started because of our friendship, but we get the least time together. You and Zach talk, and Jacob and I talk—but you and I don't get much one-on-one time.” She sat beside him and leaned into his embrace as he opened his arms. “I've missed you, too. And I'm sorry it took me so long to call you."

"No apologies. I know why you didn't."

She shifted in his embrace. “I can't imagine how Jacob can go from you to me. I mean, you're so large and...” She poked a bicep, her finger bending backwards when it encountered firm muscle. “Your arm is as big around as my leg, and doesn't have an ounce of fat on it. How can the same man enjoy being held by both your arms and mine?"

Brent laughed, and this time it was a happy laugh. “I have absolutely no idea, but I love him anyway. Who knows what makes some of us prefer one gender over another? He happens to not have a preference. I stopped trying to analyze it long ago. He needs someone stronger who can manhandle him, but he also craves the feminine touch."

His arm tightened around her briefly, a reassuring hug. “I don't know if there's a term for what you and I are to each other. There probably is, if we looked hard enough, but I'm not interested in putting that much energy into it. You're my friend, and I value having you in my life. You're also very important to the man I love, which triples your importance. I'm glad it's you Jacob has fallen for."

When they finally returned to the house, Jacob and Zach were in the workshop, though it took a few minutes to find them. They stopped outside the door and heard Zach patiently explaining the human body's electrical system, and what adding current into it did, in technical terms.

Brent stepped into the room and said, “Jacob, I told you I wasn't disappointed. I appreciate your wanting to understand it on a cerebral level in the hopes it'll help you handle the pain, but I've already decided you'll never receive more than pleasure from electricity again. I trust the two of you had a good talk?"

Jacob smiled a huge smile. “We did, Brent. How did your walk with Dana go?"

Brent drew him into his arms and kissed his forehead. “Our Dana is full of unexpected surprises, and I adore her for it.” He looked up at Zach. “If the two of you are finished down here, how about we head out to the bar-b-que place you've been telling us about?"

Saying goodbye to Jacob and Brent on Sunday evening was difficult, but made easier by the knowledge they'd be seeing each other again Friday. They'd decided Dana would ride up with Zach and see him off at the airport, and would spend the weekend with Brent and Jacob. She'd go home Sunday afternoon, driving back the next weekend to pick Zach up from the airport.

As she and Zach watched them drive away, she realized she'd have to find a way to convince Zach she didn't need the type of pain she was itching for.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Nine

* * * *

Dana merged onto the interstate the next morning and suppressed all thoughts of Zach and his revulsion over her need for pain, focusing on the job she was driving towards. She'd remodeled this house two years ago, but there were new owners and they wanted to change some—

The car came out of nowhere, crashing into the driver's door, her head slamming into the side window, making a sickening sound. Pain stabbed into her brain as she lost consciousness.

She heard sirens, felt something on her face, tried to fight it off. Voices. One of them telling her she was okay. The room swerved and everything faded to black again.

The next time she opened her eyes it was to blinding light. She strained to move her head to the side, but couldn't—it felt as if she were in a posture collar. Her head hurt, her eyes hurt, and there were people and noises all around her.

"It's okay Ma'am, you're in the emergency room. Do you remember what happened?"

She drew a blank; the pain was the only thing she could focus on. The kind voice came again. “You were in a car accident. You're in a neck brace until the x-rays come back, as a precaution. Does anything hurt?"

Dana tried to talk, but nothing came out. She took a breath that shot knives into her ribs, and managed little more than a whisper. “Left side. Everything."

A face came into her vision, looking down at her. “Can you tell me your name?"

"Dana.” Shouldn't they know her name? She didn't remember an accident, and her body was layered in agony—even breathing and thinking set nerves to screaming.

"You're going to be okay, Dana. You have a concussion, and you'll need stitches in the side of your head. We've got your left hand stabilized until we can get it x-rayed. We believe that's the extent of your injuries."

Those weren't the only things hurting. She pulled in a shallow breath to say, “Shoulder,” and reached for more air to say, “Knee.” What the hell was wrong with her chest? She pulled in another to say, “Breathing hurts."

Silence, and a man answered. “Order an x-ray on her knee. Shoulder's been done, should come back with the neck images.” He leaned over her and said, “The seatbelt saved you, but your chest will be sore. Your ribs aren't broken, but the cartilage between them got jerked around. Just take it easy."

Damn, she dealt with pain by taking deep breaths, how the fuck was she supposed to handle this? Especially without... “Zach. Where's Zach?"

A different voice. “If you can give me a number we can call him. The police are trying to run down next of kin, since you weren't conscious."

She rattled off the number.

"Is Zach your husband?"

"No. Live with him. Fiance. Sorta.” She was fading fast, wanted to stay awake, needed Zach. And she hurt. She closed her eyes, focused on the worst of it, realized that was the wrong approach, and pinpointed her thoughts onto her right foot, rotating it, moving it back and forth, shifting her awareness to her foot and nothing else, until the miseries of the rest of her body faded into the background.

She heard an alarm and the kind nurse was back, along with the suffering. “You okay, darlin'?"

They made her follow a light with her eyes; something had upset the doctor and nurses. Finally, she heard one of them say, “Cancel the pain meds until we figure out what caused the abnormal brain activity."

Dana didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but couldn't manage either. She reached with her right hand to get the doctor's attention. When his face came into view she said, “It was... trick... take my mind... off the pain. Meant to... No problem."

He bent down. “What trick?"

Trying to ignore the pain in her chest, she pulled more air in. “Right foot doesn't hurt... concentrate on it... focus... makes other pains fade... background."

He smiled. “Is there anything besides your right foot that doesn't hurt?"

She did a quick inventory and said, “Not much. Can you... put ice...knee and hand?"

His eyes evaluated her as he talked. “Yeah, we can do that. How's your vision, do you see one or two of me?"

"One, but... you're blurry."

A different voice, from a direction she couldn't see. “Your boyfriend's almost here sweet thing, the police knocked on the door and let him know where you were. He's pretty frantic, so I'm glad I got to assure him you're awake and talking. We'll bring him back when he gets here. Your sister's on her way, too."

Oh god, he'd be so scared. “Thanks. Can... get this off... my neck?” She didn't want him to walk in and see it on her.

"Not yet, still waiting for those x-rays, hopefully we can take it off soon."

Dana must have drifted off again, when she awoke she felt a familiar touch on her right hand, but could only see the ceiling when she opened her eyes. She squeezed his hand and he came into view, looking drawn. “You're awake. Thank goodness. I've been so worried."

Words were hard again, but she thought carefully and managed to get out, “Glad you're here."

"Do you remember what happened?"

She tried to shake her head, winced at the pain. “No."

A brisk voice from the far side of the room said, “That's okay, you may have been knocked unconscious right away, but while you're awake I need to ask you some questions, get you to remember some other things."

The first questions were easy, wanting to know her name, the year she was born, her kindergarten teacher's name, and where she graduated high school. There were a couple of simple math problems, and queries about what she ate for dinner last night and breakfast this morning. A few things didn't come to her right away, but it made her relax a little to know she'd answered everything they asked.

A nurse began shaving the side of her head with clippers after explaining they'd cut most of the hair away while they worked to stop the bleeding, but she needed to shave the area so the surgeon could sew her up.

Hours later, Dana and Zach were finally alone, though still in the emergency room. The neck brace was gone and her bed was raised enough she could look around. Her left hand was in a splint, with several knuckles swollen to more than twice their size, and most of the hand black and blue. According to the x-rays, her fingers were jammed but not broken, which meant they hurt like the dickens now but should be okay within a week to ten days. Her knee didn't look much better than her hand, but was apparently just banged up; the verdict again being nothing was broken.

"Have they said when I can go home?” Breathing and talking were easier now—sore instead of painful.

"No. They're getting a room ready for you, so you'll be here at least tonight."

"Can I have something to drink? And now that I'm out of the neck brace maybe they'll take this damned catheter out?"

Zach smiled. “You get pissy when you're the patient. From what the nurse said, you should be able to have ice in about another,” he pulled his cellphone out of his pocket, “forty minutes. They don't want you up walking yet, so try making friends with the cath."

His face sobered. “I was so scared when the officers knocked on the door, asking if you lived there, and what relation I was to you. I was sure they were going to tell me...” his voice choked up and he turned his head to look at the wall. “I thought you were gone, Dana—that I'd lost you."

"Hey, I'm okay—a little beat up, but I'll survive.” Her heart broke for him, and she wished she could get up from this damned bed and comfort him.

His eyes met hers again, glistening with unshed tears. “I'm buying you a new car—the safest thing I can find. If I could get away with putting you in a tank, I would."

She started to argue, but realized it wasn't the time. “We'll figure it out later. I have no idea what shape mine's in—or where my purse, cellphone, and tablet ended up. Hopefully someone called my clients to let them know why I didn't show.” Just thinking of it all made her head hurt worse and she closed her eyes and rested it on the pillows propped behind her.

"An officer is supposed to stop by this evening or tomorrow morning to get your statement, and I'm told we'll have to ask him about your purse. Your phone was broken during the crash; they couldn't use it to get your emergency contacts."

Her eyes still closed, she squeezed his hand. “I'm sorry you were scared. You need to talk to Kirsten, even if it's just five or ten minutes on the phone. And we should call Brent and Jacob."

He pulled his cellphone from his pocket. “Let's take care of Brent and Jacob first."

"Let me talk first, so they can hear my voice before you tell them what happened."

Dana's catheter was taken out the next morning, and she was allowed to get up and walk. Her head was better, but her body hurt worse than it had the day before.

One of the nurses helped her up and stayed with her as she limped down the hallway a short distance with Zach following along, encouraging her. His eyes looked haunted, but she didn't know how to fix it.

Her knee hurt dreadfully and she couldn't go far. When they returned to her room she asked to go into the restroom, wanting to wash her face and brush her teeth. The nurse walked her in and Dana finally saw herself in a mirror, her eyes a deeper blue, as if reflecting the bruising all around them.

Most of the hair on her left side was shaved, with ugly stitches zigzagging across her scalp like a drunken spider web. Her left eye was black, blue, and a little purple; and the skin on the right side of her face was stark white. She looked half zombie and half vampire. It was hideous.

The nurse spoke cheerfully. “Your face is just bruised and will heal in no time. Your hair will take longer to grow back, but it'll cover the scars from the stitches, and I can give you the name of a gal who does extensions—once you get a few weeks’ growth she'll be able to work miracles. We're just keeping you now until we're sure you won't have complications from the concussion. You're doing well, and if nothing changes they may let you go home this evening. You were very lucky."

"If I were lucky I'd have left the house ten seconds earlier. But, yeah, I know what you mean."

Dana brushed her teeth and gently cleansed her face with warm water before making her way back into bed. There was a knock on the open door as the nurse was taking her vital signs.

"Ms. Bennett? Are you feeling up to answering a few questions?” She looked up to see a handsome policeman standing outside the door, waiting for an invitation before intruding.

"Come on in, officer, and please tell me the bag you're carrying has my purse in it."

He smiled. “It does. Mr. Irving asked me to sign it out for you, save you a trip to the service center."

The nurse double-checked Dana's connections and took her leave as Dana unsealed the bag and pulled her tablet out of the protective neoprene sleeve sewn into her purse. She turned it on, happy to see it coming to life, and then set it aside.

"It looks like my tablet survived. Where did my broken cellphone end up? I need the memory card out of it... Ah, here it is. Zach, can you fix it? It's already busted, so it's not like you could break it any worse."

Zach took it from her. “I'll see what I can do."

The officer was standing with feet shoulder width apart and his hands behind his back, and it reminded her of Jacob, waiting for an order. God, she missed him. He wouldn't look at her in horror the way Zach was, but at least now she knew why—Zach was disgusted by bruises, and she was bruised all over.

"Are you okay, Ma'am? If you aren't up to this I can come back."

"No, I'm fine—your stance reminded me of someone; I'm sorry if I zoned out on you. Can you tell me what happened?"

He smiled and shifted his legs closer together, dropping his hands to his side. “I can tell you what we've pieced together, but I'd like to hear what you remember before I do."

"I don't recall much of anything. I was driving along and there was a horrible impact, terrible pain, and then nothing. I have a foggy awareness of part of the ambulance ride, but I didn't wake up until I was in the emergency room."

Nodding, he said, “Fits with what the witnesses said. A driver lost control and apparently pushed down on the accelerator instead of the break as he shot across a few lanes of traffic. He slammed into your car, knocked you off the interstate, and your vehicle rolled down an embankment and—we believe—flipped twice. Your airbags and seatbelt saved you, but the angle you were hit kept the side airbag from deploying."

He stepped closer to her and said, “It's good to see you sitting up and smiling, Ma'am. It was a bad scene, and you weren't conscious. I have what I need from you, but here's my card—if you remember anything else, please let me know."

When he was gone, she turned her tablet on and looked for an internet connection, pleased to see the hospital had guest wi-fi. Zach was working on her phone and said, “The screen's cracked; even if I can get it on I doubt the touch'll work."

She sighed, tears threatening to spill. Her hand rubbed across bruised skin when she tried to wipe her eyes, and the floodgates opened.

"Hey, it's just a phone; you can use mine until we get you a new one."

"It's not the stupid phone. I know how disgusted you are by bruises, and the left side of my face and body are a series of them. No wonder you keep looking at me in horror. If you'll run home and get my makeup, I'll try to cover them."

"Oh, Dana, I'm not revolted by any part of you. I'm trying to deal with... I had this idea the universe couldn't possibly take two people from me in the same life—it happened once, and I should be immune to losing anyone else. But I realized yesterday there's nothing to keep the asshole who calls himself a god from bitch slapping me again."

She almost recoiled from the anger in his voice, but she kept calm as she said, “Can I see your phone a minute, please?"

He unlocked it and handed it to her, returning his focus to hers as she scrolled through his contacts and hit send. She got Kirsten's receptionist and left a message she hoped would get them a call back between appointments. He didn't comment when she disconnected, and she started to ask where the screwdriver had come from, but her mind was still on the bruises.

"I overheard you talking to Brent and Jacob, telling them you didn't think you could give me bruises. This is supposed to be about both of us. I need to know you'll never do anything that disgusts you, just to please me."

Still absorbed in her phone, he said, “I can't promise that. You've done things for me that mortified you, only because I wanted you to."

"Well, yeah, but I'm the submissive. If I can force you into activities you aren't comfortable with...” She stopped, not sure how to explain.

He met her eyes. “Being the one who makes the decisions comes with a lot of responsibility. You've seen it from the Top with Jacob—I've observed you doing things for his pleasure, and not your own. The Dom has to find balance. Brent does it, too. If Jacob didn't have this strong need to have a woman in his life, Brent wouldn't go out of his way to make sure it happened. You're mine, and that means I'm responsible for seeing your needs are met. You've told me you need marks a few times a year, so I'll figure out how to give them."

"What disgusts you so much about it?"

He shook his head and put the phone on the bed table, leaning towards her, wrapping his hand around hers. “It doesn't disgust me. It... intrigues me. I'd convinced myself I'm not wired as a sadist, but a Dom who enjoys displays of power. But then, when we played the first time without the D/s aspect, I needed to hurt you, and I've had to acknowledge some sadistic tendencies. I primarily get off on the power it gives me, but without it, I still need to inflict pain."

"Interesting information, but it didn't answer the question."

"I'm getting there,” he said, one side of his mouth curling into a half smile. “Once you reach a certain point, you won't safeword; it's my responsibility to know when to end the scene. The first time we try it, Brent will be there to help act as a buffer because I'm not sure I trust my inner sadist to take you that far and stop when I should if it's just the two of us. Brent says I'll be fine since I'm questioning myself, but I'm not so sure."

"You don't think I'm sick to want..."

"No! I love you. All of you."

Zach's cell phone rang, and it didn't take Dana long to figure out it was Kirsten. Her feelings were a little wounded when he walked out of the room, obviously wanting privacy, but she told herself it was for the best, that he needed to work through his issues and Kirsten would help.

She was feeling sorry for herself when the door opened, and she turned to see Jacob and Brent. Her smile was so big it hurt her face, making her wince as laughter bubbled out because she was so happy to see them. Jacob slid his shoes off and climbed into bed beside her, staying on her right side and being very careful. It made her feel cherished and special, and she burst into tears.

Jacob held her and comforted her, not the least bit bothered by her waterworks. The nurse came in to check on her, asking if she were in pain.

She shook her head and tried to compose herself enough to answer, finally saying, “No, not physical pain. Just releasing some emotions, I guess."

The nurse looked at Jacob speculatively. “I thought the other fella was your boyfriend. There won't be any drama when he gets off the phone and comes back, right?"

Brent had walked to the far side of the bed, his hand on her foot as an anchor while she cried, and he answered. “Not at all. We saw him in the hallway on our way in, and I'm sure he's glad we're in here with her while he's handling whatever business must have come up. We aren't here to cause trouble, just needed to see for ourselves she's okay."

She'd buried her face in Jacob's neck, and she pulled back enough to talk. “I thought both of you had busy schedules? You shouldn't have taken the time to drive down; I told you I'm fine."

"Brent hired a helicopter service. Our neighbor has a helipad and they picked us up there. It only took forty minutes to fly down."

Dana swiveled her head to Brent, her eyes tearing up. “Thank you. Part of me wants to insist you shouldn't have, but it's good to have his arms around me. Zach's treating me like I'll break if he touches me."

The nurse chuckled. “You know what, it's probably best I not even try to understand.” She looked at Brent, then at Jacob. “As long as I think your presence is helping her, that'll have to be enough. I usually insist the beds are for patients, but since she seems to need physical touch and you've figured out how to do it without hurting her, I'll make an exception. No hanky-panky though, she's not up for it yet. Her vitals were going hinky when I came down, likely because she was crying. Foolin’ around will show on the machine, too.” She rolled her eyes as she said, “Especially if it's three on one. Heavens to Betsy, I thought that sort of thing only happened in romance novels."

She spun and walked out, smiling as she did. Jacob laughed and swiveled his head to Brent. “I'm inclined to just let her keep her little fantasy, even if it isn't accurate."

"Don't worry, I'm not planning to march down there and explain it to her.” He looked at Dana, changing the conversation. “Do you know when they'll let you go home?"

"It was supposed to be this evening, but they've ordered more tests for my knee this afternoon, and a sports medicine specialist will come by tomorrow morning. Apparently, while my brain's healing from the trauma of being thrown around it's extra-dangerous for me to fall, and they aren't comfortable releasing me until my knee's better. Honestly, I think Zach's pulling strings. Two of the head honchos have come by to check on me and talk to him—it seems he's a big contributor."

Brent gave her foot a reassuring squeeze. “Doesn't hurt to have friends in high places, let him take care of you. My protective instincts are pushing through, so I know his are."

Zach walked in the doorway saying, “Yes, they are. Jacob, you shouldn't be there, she's bruised all over, you're hurting her."

Dana fisted Jacob's shirt to detain him, and met Zach's eyes. “He's making me feel better, not hurting me. Even the nurse said he could be here. You've been with me nonstop since yesterday and I appreciate it more than I can say...” she paused, not wanting to hurt Zach's feelings, and sighed. “I need to be held. The nurse said he could stay here as long as there's no hanky-panky."

Brent chimed in. “I think the nurse has the idea the four of us are in a relationship. Which, we are, but she jumped to the conclusion it's a three-on-one kind of thing and it seemed best we not to try to explain. You look pretty beat—while Jacob's here to keep her company why don't you let me walk you downstairs to the cafeteria."

Zach decided to take him up on his offer, and, after a kiss on the lips from Zach and the forehead from Brent, she was alone with Jacob.

She told Jacob about Zach freaking because he'd thought he lost her, and their conversation jumped all over the place. Jacob brought cosmetics designed to cover bruises, and he pulled out not only foundation, but also blush, eye-shadow and eyeliner. Before she knew it, he'd given her a makeover, letting her watch in a large hand-held mirror. She was surprised at how well his magical makeup covered just about all signs of the crash. If you knew where to look you could see some swelling, but it wasn't noticeable. She figured her hair was a lost cause, but he assured her he could hide the stitches once the skin healed enough to handle it without risk of infection.

The nurse came in a few times, approving of the makeup, her eyes still showing she was trying to figure the relationships out.

When Zach and Brent returned, Dana had moved to the recliner and Jacob was sitting in a chair in front of her, giving her a foot massage. She opened her eyes and looked towards the door in relaxed bliss. Brent's smile turned to Jacob approvingly as Zach said, “Where did you get make-up? Your face is... you don't look hurt."

Brent laughed. “Jacob originally packed foundation designed to cover bruises, but then decided to provide a complete make-over.” He smiled at Jacob again. “Looks like it was a good call; why don't you move the chair so Zach can sit beside her and hold her hand. You and I can sit on the end of the bed."

Zach protested, saying Jacob should be with her since they wouldn't be here long, but Brent insisted, and once everyone was situated Jacob looked sideways at Brent. “Did you talk to Zach about us driving down Friday instead of Dana coming to us?"

"I did, but Zach cancelled his trip. We're still welcome to come if we wish, but I told him we'd play it by ear and see how Dana's feeling. If she tries to work this week then by the weekend she'll need rest, so it may be better to wait."

Dana looked at Zach, her voice harsher than she intended. “When were you planning to tell me this?"

"When I thought you were strong enough to have this argument?” He took a breath, shaking off his exasperation and using a calmer tone. “I made the phone calls this morning while you slept; the decision's made and can't be changed. I'm not leaving while you're hurt."

"I'll be fine by this weekend. You shouldn't be making these kinds of business decisions on my account."

"It's my career, my decision. I'm not flying to the other side of the planet a few days after you've been injured in a wreck."

She looked at Brent and Jacob, hoping they'd back her up, but Brent only said, “I'd make the same choices if it were Jacob in a hospital bed. Let him take care of you."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Ten

* * * *

Zach pulled into the driveway around eleven the next morning. He helped Dana into the house and walked her to the den, handing her the TV remote and saying he'd be back with her laptop. He still hadn't kissed her or been cozy with her, only going so far as holding her hand when she'd told him she needed to be touched and held. Deciding to take the bull by the horns, she sat on the ottoman and looked up at him.

"Sir, I can't kneel right now, so I hope this is good enough. I need a reminder of who we are, please. Can you help me feel I belong to you?"

Her stomach fell to her feet as he stepped back, his face an icy wall. “No, I can't do this. I'm sorry, Dana. I thought I was ready, but now I understand why you needed time to yourself, to work through things. This was a mistake and I...” He turned from her, walking away as he finished. “I'll bring your laptop and then I need some time in the shop. I'll be downstairs; you can use the intercom if you need anything."

Speechless, Dana watched him walk out, and schooled her face to neutral when he returned with her laptop. She gave him enough time to get downstairs before making her way slowly up the steps. A doctor had drained the fluid off her knee that morning and it was much better, but still tender.

Refusing to cry or think, concentrating on what must be done, she packed a week's worth of clothes in one of her medium sized rolling suitcases. Her mind and body operating on autopilot, she retrieved what she'd need from the bathroom, and was ready to go in fifteen minutes.

It wasn't until she was wheeling the suitcase through the bedroom door she remembered she didn't have a car. She pulled her tablet out and looked up the rental company who advertises they'll pick you up, and they said they'd be there in around thirty to forty minutes.

It took her awhile to go down the steps with her luggage, swing by the den and retrieve her laptop, and then make it outside. She was quiet, but wasn't too worried about Zach hearing her move around, as the shop was back in a corner of the basement, designed so he could be noisy and not disturb the rest of the house. She didn't want the security buzzer to alert him when the car passed the gates, so she walked the suitcase through the woods and around the sensors to wait on the road by the driveway.

A young guy drove up in a Toyota Avalon and got out to put her bag in the trunk. He made small talk with her back to the rental place, and handed her off to a gentleman who processed her paperwork efficiently, but she was exhausted by the time she pulled out of the lot. As much as she wanted to get a new cellphone, she drove straight to a nearby hotel with spa services, making a mental list of the things she'd need to do—like calling Ethan to arrange the move back to her condo. Thank goodness it hadn't sold yet.

She was so tired she pulled into the valet line, and was thankful the registration clerk was idle, and efficient. The gentle movement of the elevator almost brought tears to her eyes, and the final twenty yards to her room felt like two miles.

She began stripping as soon as she'd secured her door, leaving a trail of clothes on the floor as she crawled between the covers and crashed.

Dana awoke at 8:30, her stomach as empty as her heart. Figuring she should concentrate on what was fixable, she found a room service menu and ordered a creole encrusted porterhouse with loaded mashed potatoes. Wrapping her head in a towel to keep the stitches dry, she took a quick shower and donned the hotel's complimentary robe before the food arrived.

Her dinner was exquisite, good enough she turned the television off so she'd be sure to enjoy every bite. She'd eaten plenty of dinners alone before dating Zach; she'd just have to get used to it again—and no time like the present.

Finished eating, she debated her options, realized she was still tired, and gingerly made her way back into bed. Her intention was to watch a little TV, but five minutes into the show she hit the off button on the remote as she felt herself drifting to sleep.

Waking at 6:30 on the dot the next morning, she was amused, at first, that her internal clock had awakened her at the right time, but when she remembered where she was, and why, her heart broke all over again. She hadn't let herself think about it the day before, but now everything came crashing back—the finality of Zach seeing her as a burden, and his being revolted when she'd tried to submit. He'd obviously decided falling in love again was too big of a risk, but she couldn't be angry with him. She'd come close to making the same choice, hadn't she? They'd been crazy to think two people with their issues could make a relationship work.

She'd allowed herself to fall for him, and now... well, now she was better off than she'd been before their first date, but she'd have to survive the hurt before she could appreciate it.

Dragging herself out of bed, she decided she didn't need another shower. She gingerly dressed and then put what hair she had left in a French twist before wrapping one of the silk scarves she'd brought around her head. It took her four tries to produce a halfway decent look, but when it was finally acceptable she pulled out the foundation Jacob had given her and went to work on her face.

After a luxurious breakfast in the hotel's restaurant, Dana drove towards her mobile provider's nearest location a little before nine. She hadn't checked email or voicemail, and without a cellphone, no one could reach her. She didn't call anyone from the hotel phone because she didn't wish to broadcast where she was staying. Also, she wasn't ready to talk, couldn't bear to admit Zack had rejected her, that he didn't want her anymore.

New cellphone acquired, she called her sister from the parking lot and assured her she was fine, learning Zach had contacted her the day before, upset Dana was gone and trying to find her.

"He just feels responsible, that's all. I almost backed out, too, when things first got serious. The idea I could lose someone else I was so close to—I considered bolting, so I can't be angry with him for freaking out. Hurt, but not mad. Look, I just wanted to let you know I'm okay. I'm staying at a hotel until I can get my things moved back to my condo. Crap, I need to get the realtor to take it off the market. I've got my cellphone now, so call me if you need me. Love you."

Dana spoke to the realtor as she drove to the local natural grocery store, where she bought some healthy snacks before heading back to the hotel. She'd made an appointment that morning for a reflexology session followed by a pedicure and manicure, but returned earlier than she'd expected, so she went to her room before going to the spa area.

She'd seen the name of Ethan's moving company on the side of the truck, and she looked the number up and called, recognizing Ethan's deep voice as he answered. She introduced herself and explained what she needed, trying not to cry.

"That's a shame, I'm sorry it didn't work out. We're pretty stacked, but I think I can juggle some people and get to you Tuesday or Wednesday. Let me do some checking and I'll call you back."

She took a calming breath, thanked him, and pressed end.

Realizing Zach had likely phoned Brent, she finally opened her voice mail app, looking through the list—seven from Zach, one from Brent, and two from Jacob. They all knew she'd been retrieving her voice mails online from the hospital, and probably thought she was ignoring them.

She started to hit the button to call Brent, but chickened out and texted instead.

I'm ok, staying at a hotel, not ready to talk about it yet. On my way to get mani- pedi, will call later. Tell Jacob I miss him and will talk to him soon.

Her phone beeped within moments: Thanks for the text, we were concerned. If you need anything we're only a phone call away.

Breathing a sigh of relief at his acceptance, she contacted the clients she'd intended to see Monday and arranged a late morning meeting for the following day. She'd survived worse than this; sometimes life was just about taking care of the details until you were capable of handling the big stuff.

The reflexology session was wonderful, and she left feeling as if she'd had a full body massage, yet the woman had only gone a few inches higher than her ankles.

Her nail tech was a chatterbox though, and she was forced to come out of her reverie and talk.

"You did a nice job on your makeup, but I know what bruises under foundation look like. I might not have noticed it without the scarf, and your hand's all black and blue. He did a number on you, but good for you for leaving him."

Dana shook her head. “No, I was in a wreck Monday, got out of the hospital yesterday morning. Sometimes stress pulls people together, but in this case it pushed us apart."

She didn't look up as she smoothed the rough spots with the lava stone. “Guy dumps you when you're down, you didn't need him anyway."

Frustrated at being compelled to talk about it, but feeling like she needed to defend him, she sighed and said, “His wife passed away a few years ago, and when the police officer showed up asking about me, he thought he'd lost me, too. He stayed by my side in the hospital, but once we got home he admitted he couldn't handle a relationship. He didn't ask me to leave, but I didn't want him taking care of me only because he felt obligated. Seemed the least painful to just go, instead of us looking at each other knowing it was over."

"That's tough. Do you think he'll change his mind? Maybe you leaving will make him see how stupid he's being. Doesn't make a lot of sense to dump you to keep from losing you, does it?"

She laughed, not realizing how bitter it would sound until it was out of her mouth. “Unfortunately, the heart's not exactly logical."

When she called Brent a few hours later he answered on the first ring. “Dana dear, how are you doing?"

"I'm okay. I pretty much slept all day yesterday, woke up long enough to eat, and crashed for the night. I've set a meeting with clients tomorrow morning; it's time for me to return to work."

"Are you sure you're up to it? You've taken four days; one more will mean an extra three to get your strength back."

"I've got enough stamina for a few productive hours. My knee's much better, that's the important part. My left hand and shoulder are bothering me worse than my knee, but I doubt I'll have to use them. I need to get onto a schedule; if I stay busy I don't have to think about... him."

"Tell me why you left him?"

Dana sighed. She'd known he'd want to talk about it, but had foolishly hoped he wouldn't ask. “I tried to submit to him and he backed away from me. He apologized, said it was a mistake, that he thought he had his shit together but was wrong. Said he understood why I needed space, because now he had to be alone to sort through things.” She felt tears forming and took a breath to steady herself, refusing to cry. “I considered settling into another bedroom until I could get moved out, but I couldn't stay, knowing he didn't want me anymore."

Brent breathed out a sad sigh. “This is all a big fucked-up mess. He says he worked in his shop a few hours while he thought it through, realized he was willing to take whatever chances it meant with his heart in order to have you in his life, but you were gone when he went back upstairs."

She wanted to lash out and hit someone, but held her temper and spoke calmly. “That's not what he said. If he'd told me he needed a couple of hours I'd have given them to him. Hell, even if he'd let me know he needed a few days. Maybe he changed his mind while he was thinking, but he can't erase the fact he said my being there was a mistake. And nothing can cancel out the look on his face when I tried to submit to him.” Her voice broke as she said, “He rejected me. He walked away from me when I...” She stopped to gain control of her emotions—Zach wasn't worthy of her tears, dammit.

"I can only imagine the pain you must have felt at those words. You need to talk to him about it though. I've told you what he said, that's all I can do. You know I adore you. I'm putting Jacob on now."

Jacob skipped hello and went straight to, “Tell me where you are and I can be there in a few hours. Brent busted ass to get the shoot wrapped up this afternoon, so I have nothing pressing on my schedule until a week from today. He says I can come to you, and he'll meet up with us over the weekend. He has to handle post production crap tomorrow, or we could both come tonight."

Dana started to reflexively say no, but stopped herself. “I need to talk to Brent again before I can answer."

She heard, “Yes, Ma'am", and then Brent's voice returned. “What can I do for you, dear?"

"You and Zach have become friends. Will it put you in a tough place to know where I am and not tell him?"

"Why are you hiding from him?"

"I'm not ready to face him yet. I'll have to next week when my things are moved out, but I'm not strong enough to do it now without crying, and he doesn't get to see my tears."

"What if I can get him to agree to meet you somewhere public? Jacob can come to you tonight, and you'll talk to Zach in the park by your condo at, say, five tomorrow evening? Jacob'll be there for moral support, though I think you should step away, so he's not part of your conversation with Zach."

"I'm sorry you feel like you're in the middle."

"Dear, if I were sure it was over between the two of you I'd gladly tell him I knew where you were and had no intention of informing him; but I believe you'll work this out. I want the four of us to continue to be close, but if I clearly side with you, it could drive a wedge between us. I'd like to play the role of mediator, if possible, and tell him I've arranged a meeting between the two of you for five o'clock tomorrow evening."

She sighed, realizing Brent was right, and she needed to talk to him. “You can tell him I'm considering it."

"Are you?"

"Yes."

"Thank you. Will you let Jacob come to you tonight?"

"He knows there won't be any sex, right?"

"Shall I send him in the jailbird?"

"No, don't do that to him, please. I'm too banged up, physically and emotionally, to be interested, but I don't want him locked away from me, either. I know it's your choice, I know what he means to you, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate your sharing him with me. Can I talk to him again, please?"

He chuckled. “Sorry, his bags were packed and I've already sent him out the door. If you desire, you can let him have one orgasm tonight, on your command. He'll need a code word—tell him Rumpelstiltskin. Now, please tell me where you're staying, and I'll say goodbye so you can call his cellphone and let him know."

Dana took a deep breath and told him.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Eleven

* * * *

She met Jacob in the lobby, since the elevators required a key card. He gave her a brief hug downstairs, but waited until they were in the privacy of her room before pulling her into his embrace, letting her feel the warm strength of his body wrapping around her.

"I can tell you're still favoring your left arm. I brought Brent's magical bruise cream, if you'll allow me to massage it in?"

"Sure. I ordered room service; it should be here in about ten minutes."

Conversation was never a problem with Jacob, and dinner was over before she knew it. He put everything on the tray and set it on the table near the door, and as he walked back she knew she wouldn't like whatever he was about to say.

He dropped to his knees in an impeccable submissive posture and his gaze met hers—determined, but she could see anxiety under the surface. “You have an email from Zach, subject line Please read this. I know what it says, Ma'am, and I feel you should read it tonight so you can sleep on it before you talk to him tomorrow.” He took a breath. “Please, Dana. I can't stand seeing you so miserable, and I believe it's important you know what it says."

She sat on the bed, defeated. “If anyone but you asked, I'm sure I'd tell them no. Hand me my tablet, please."

He walked to her bag and pulled it out, gracefully dropping to his knees before her again as he handed it to her. She accepted the tablet and slid her right foot up his knee, over his thigh, and towards his crotch, using her big toe to find his cock.

"You're soft."

"Yes, Ma'am. It was my understanding you weren't interested in my being hard. If you wish for it, you only have to say the word."

She laid the tablet beside her, smiling. “Brent told me I could give you permission for an orgasm, as long as it's on my command."

He hesitated a brief moment, his eyes cautious. “He didn't tell me, Ma'am."

"You're so good. He said to tell you Rumpelstiltskin."

His face lit up in a smile, but immediately looked pained. “I'm not supposed to get an erection tonight unless you tell me to. I'm afraid... please; do I have your permission?"

"From where I'm sitting, it's a little late to ask, but yeah, you've got it.” She paused, knowing Brent would punish him, but... “I believe you followed the spirit of the order, as you didn't get hard until I played with you and brought up the possibility of orgasm—so, no consequences."

She caressed the firm heat beneath his pants with the edge of her foot. “I still don't know that I'll be up for doing anything with it, but it's nice to have someone want me."

Damn, she hadn't meant to sound so pathetic, and now her eyes were watering yet again. She turned her head, contemplating the window treatments as she tried to bury her emotions once more.

A light touch to her knee returned her focus to Jacob, and his eyes looked as sad as hers felt. “Please read the email."

Dana nodded and picked up her tablet, glancing up as the app loaded. “Strip and get under the covers, even if I don't play with you, I'd like to have you naked in bed with me."

Dana,

As I look back on our final conversation, I realize I'm at fault. I was so tied up in my own fear and grief I didn't recognize how my words and actions were affecting you. I saw the hurt on your face as I walked away, but it didn't register that I was rejecting your submission. I was too wrapped up in my pain to analyze yours, and I'm so sorry I hurt you

I needed a few hours to think and gain perspective on the situation before I could step outside of myself enough to be a proper companion. When I came back upstairs, my plan was to ask you to marry me at our six-month mark, instead of waiting a year. If you refused, I intended to request we sign a medical power of attorney for each other, so we'd be able to have authority with the doctors should anything happen in the future.

I was frantic with worry when I couldn't find you. There was no note, no explanation, nothing. I had no idea how you could've gone anywhere without a car, and without a vehicle pulling into the driveway to pick you up, but you're a smart and resourceful woman, and you found a way. I love you for your strength, even when it means you're resilient enough to walk away when I don't treat you right.

I'm so sorry. Please come back to me. I love you, and I need you in my life. I'm willing to risk the pain of losing you, in order to have you. You've given my life meaning again. I'm sorry I was stupid, I'm sorry I caused you pain. Please forgive me.

Z

Dana read it twice and switched the screen off before walking to her suitcase and retrieving comfy cotton pajama bottoms and a matching tee. She'd locked her emotions down earlier, and was in danger of major waterworks if she released her grip on them even a little.

Turning to Jacob, she said, “Thank you. You were right; I do need to sleep on it. I'm gonna take a quick shower and wash my hair. They said I could tomorrow morning, but it's driving me crazy and I'm doing it tonight. Turn the TV on if you like; when I get out we'll call Brent and check in with him."

"With that huge claw-foot tub? Why don't you take a bath and let me wash your hair?"

She'd been planning a good cry while she was in the shower, but at Jacob's words, the tenuous hold on her emotions gave way and the dam burst. He was to her in an instant; holding her, rubbing her back. He lifted her like an infant, stepped to the bed and sat with her in his lap, curled into him, and let her cry it out in the comforting strength of his arms.

She'd thought Zach had worked through his grief, hadn't realized he might change his mind like this, and it hurt. She could be logical all day long, saying she didn't blame him, but her emotions wanted to pound him until he saw reason. He'd sliced her heart in two when he stepped away from her, revolted at the idea of having to accept her submission. Could she go back to him, after the look he'd given her when she tried to submit? Could she ever risk getting on her knees before him again?

When at last she stopped crying, still miserable, Jacob walked her into the bathroom and sat her on the vanity while he prepared her bath. He expertly washed and conditioned her hair, pampering her better than any spa could conceive of, and then sat her in the desk chair and skillfully worked the blow dryer. Neither spoke, but it was a comfortable silence. He seemed to know she needed to think, and he gave her all the space she needed while overindulging her and showing her how special she was to him.

When he finally turned the hairdryer off she said, “Was I wrong to leave without talking to him?"

"I understand why you did, but if the two of you manage to work this out, you're going to have to reach some kind of agreement so it doesn't happen again."

"You didn't answer my question."

He unplugged the hair dryer and carried it and the brush back to the bathroom. She started to pull rank and insist he not walk away, but as he returned she saw something in his eyes that made her stay quiet to see what he'd do next.

As he neared her, he gracefully dropped to the floor, his ass on his feet, knees spread, and hands at the small of his back. “He gave you space when you needed it, and let you know he'd be there when you figured things out. I think talking to him would've been a better idea, but I'm not sure leaving was wrong, either. You clearly communicated your feelings, so of course he reacted better. He did a piss-poor job of letting you know where his head was, and you weren't in the best place emotionally at the time, either. So, no, you weren't wrong, but I think talking to him before leaving would've been better."

She ran her fingers through his hair and leaned down to kiss him. “Thank you for being honest."

Jacob winced. “Have you decided whether you'll meet him tomorrow?"

His face looked fine now, but she couldn't ignore the flinch, as if he'd been struck. Instincts told her to give him a few minutes, see if he brought it up, so she answered the question. “I'll make the decision in the morning. My gut right now is saying it might be best to wait until Saturday, to give him enough time to be certain he still wants me. I'm not good with wishy-washy. Either he wants me or he doesn't, and he needs to be sure before we talk."

He sighed, staring at her feet as he spoke. “Ma'am, there's something else, but Brent told me I can't talk to you about it. But, you need to know, and I—"

She interrupted. “If Brent ordered you not to tell me, you shouldn't. His authority supersedes mine, you know this."

Jacob took a deep breath and spoke fast. “Zach cried to him, on the phone. Completely fell apart, to the point Brent almost flew down to him; he was so worried about his state of mind."

Seeing him placed in the middle, his loyalties torn, broke her heart. She offered her hand. “Let's get into bed. I need to hold you."

She leaned against the headboard and had him lay with his head in her lap, and caressed his face and the side of his throat, stroked his arm. She was still wearing the hotel's thick terrycloth robe, and she pulled it aside so he could rest his cheek directly on her thigh. She told him to stay put as she speed-dialed Brent.

"Feeling better now that you've got company?"

"Yes, thank you, but we need to talk.” Jacob stiffened and she trailed her fingers through his hair, wincing in pain as her shoulder caught, but kept up the movement, needing to reassure him it'd be okay.

"Oh?"

"You once told me problems in a menage should be dealt with right away, that communication must be paramount when there are more than two people in a relationship."

"I did, yes."

Jacob sat up and she said, “Lay back down, Jacob."

"I can't listen to this. I shouldn't hear it."

"When I get off the phone I'll be introducing your mouth to a bar of soap for arguing with me. Lay down, now, or I'll spread a blanket on the floor for you to sleep on tonight."

His face remained defiant, but he put his head back on her thigh as Brent was saying, “On the one hand, I'm impressed with your ability to handle him, but on the other, I'm worried about what issue might have him this upset."

"You forbid him from telling me Zach cried. It put him in a position of divided loyalties. You'll always be more important to him than me, but he felt it was information I needed to have. Crap, let me start over."

Jacob was still tense, and she moved her hand to his shoulder, hoping it would give him the assurance he needed. She took a breath, closed her eyes, and spoke slowly. “I asked him if I'd been wrong to leave, and he gave me a well thought out answer, more concerned with truth than hurt feelings. I thanked him for being honest and he fucking winced. I don't think I'd have seen that kind of reaction if I'd slapped his face. I won't try to advise what you should do about him telling me—but I am requesting he not be put into that position again. It's not fair to him."

He sighed. “You're right. I screwed up. Can you put me on speaker, please?"

Dana laid the phone on the bed and touched the speakerphone icon. “Okay, you've got us both."

"I'm sorry, Jacob. I was wrong, and I'll grant you a forfeit when you return home. Furthermore, I give you permission to explain what that means to Dana, once we get off the phone."

"Thank you, Brent, but I knew I'd be punished when I chose to tell her. I'm not asking for clemency. I disobeyed a direct order."

Brent sighed. “I made a mistake, but you should've called to discuss it instead of defying me. Dana, was the conversation one where he needed to tell you right then? Or would it've been okay to take five minutes to call me, to get permission first?"

Jacob's gaze met Dana's, his misery making her heart hurt. He opened his mouth to speak and she shook her head. He closed it and she smiled, showing him she was pleased. “Let me repeat the part where he winced when I thanked him for being so candid. I don't believe he could've called you, because he was too far into the guilt of my praising him for his honesty when he was withholding information."

"However,” she sighed, meeting Jacob's eyes and stroking his cheek. “Looking at his face right now, it's clear he needs you to address it. Not that I have a say in your decision, but my suggestion would be for the symbolic rather than punitive."

"Excellent, thank you.” His tone changed as he addressed his submissive. “Jacob, you'll bend over my lap and receive six smacks to the ass from my hand after I've accepted my forfeit from you. The subject is now closed. Is there anything else, Dana?"

She made sure he was okay with Jacob following along as her assistant the next day, and let him know she probably wouldn't be up to playing—verifying she could allow a possible orgasm in the morning instead of tonight.

She took it off speakerphone so Jacob and Brent could talk, and reached for her tablet to finally listen to Zach's voice mails. The first was scared, worried. A few voicemails later she heard anger, and then the apologies started. She looked through the emails and saw a similar pattern. Jacob was off the phone when she finished, but he remained quiet.

"Everything okay?"

"I'm sorry I doubted you, and regret my defiance. You were right to call him."

He was miserable, and she'd have to assure his consequences were sufficient to assuage his guilt. But first... “What's a forfeit?"

"He allows me to fuck his ass. It's only happened twice; he isn't wrong very often, but when he is, he admits to it. I've been forbidden from telling anyone, ever, so for him to request I explain it to you—it's almost like he's admitting he wronged you, too."

"Why did you argue with me?"

"It's not that I didn't want you telling him—I would've told him myself, if you hadn't... I just didn't want to hear you telling him. It's not easy to submit sometimes, and I failed you. If I can't surrender when it's hard, then it means nothing when it's easy. I'm sorry."

She brushed her fingers through his hair. “You didn't fail me or yourself. No one's perfect and there were a lot of emotions flying around. I want you to trust me to handle stuff like this, and I hope my reactions today helped you along that path. Go to the bathroom and put a towel down before you kneel. I'll be in there in a little while."

He stood beside the bed, saying, “I'm not usually allowed things like towels under my knees for punishment, Ma'am."

She raised her eyebrows. “Still arguing with me? I said put a towel down, and you will. You'll also spend longer with the soap in your mouth."

His head dropped. “I'm sorry, Dana."

She waited for him to turn and walk, but he stood in place, looking at the floor. Sighing, she said, “It feels like you're testing me, Jacob. Go to the bathroom, put a towel down, and kneel. Since you're trying to delay, you can hold your hands to the back of your head as you wait."

He finally turned and, she assumed, followed her instructions. She set her alarm app for five minutes and handled a few things online, as she wanted to give him time to think before they began. When her tablet vibrated she retrieved her all-natural soap from her luggage and walked to the bathroom, a little guilty for the strong arousal she felt at the anticipation of punishing him.

He was kneeling as she'd instructed, but she only glanced at him before stepping to the sink to run the bar under the water, lathering it well. “Open wide, stick your tongue out.” She wiped the bubbly soap over his outstretched tongue, and then used her fingers to smear the white film all around his teeth and gums, and under his tongue—her clit throbbing insistently as his eyes began to water. Finally, she stuck the well-worn bar a good ways into his mouth and told him to close, looking into his eyes with no mercy, knowing he needed assurance she was willing to follow through when he didn't obey. She held his gaze until drool streamed from his mouth, and turned to walk out of the bathroom with a terse, “Follow me."

Happy to see he didn't move his arms, she situated him in front of the TV with legs spread and hands still locked to the back of his head. “I'd intended on ten minutes, but you managed to double your time to twenty."

Retrieving her tablet on the way back to the bed, she set another silent alarm so she'd know for sure when his time was up. She emailed Brent, asking him the significance of a semi-hard cock during punishment. He responded it likely meant Jacob was turned on by the power being wielded over him, but the discipline was unpleasant enough to override the feeling and prevent a full erection.

When the twenty minutes were up, Jacob's eyes were watering enough to be called tears, he had soapy drool all down his front, his arms showed the strain of being held up for so long, and his cock displayed marginal arousal.

"You can drop your arms and get in the shower—the bar stays in until you're under the spray. Make it quick, but be sure you get all of the soap off or you'll be itchy."

She let him brush his teeth once he was clean and then brought him to bed and held him, telling him the punishment was over, and she knew he'd do better following her orders in the future.

Her shoulder let her hold him for about ten minutes before it started hurting. She tried to adjust the way she was holding him to ease it, but the pain only got worse. She relaxed into the ache, needing to reassure him after she'd had to be harsh, but he picked up on it and said, “If you'll allow it, I'd like to rub Brent's bruise cream into your sore spots. I also have some stronger stuff I'd like to work into your back. I know we're good—I deserved what you gave me and now it's over. Let me take care of you please, Ma'am."

"You're too good to me."

His eyes met hers, emotion spilling out. “I'm grateful you're allowing me to be good to you, Ma'am."

Her feelings were too close to the surface, and the eye contact was almost too much. She held it though, because he deserved to see into her. “I don't know what to say to that. You've become very important to me. Sometimes I'm not certain I'm worthy of your submission. You're so...” She paused, and found the perfect word. “...exquisite, in your surrender."

She recognized the look on his face, she'd felt the same after being given approval by Garnet and Zach. Such a simple thing, to compliment and praise; she'd have to remember to do it more often.

"Thank you, Ma'am. You're very worthy; please don't ever doubt it. If you'll roll over, I'll get the bruise cream and massage oil."

Dana awoke in the middle of the night and realized she'd drifted off while he massaged her back. Her shoulder felt much better—the man had magical fingers. She double-checked her tablet, assuring the alarm was set, and fell back asleep in Jacob's arms.

She wasn't awakened by the alarm the next morning, but by Jacob's mouth. Or, more specifically, by his probing tongue, making her blood boil and her hips rotate as she tried to find relief. He brought her to three orgasms before she stopped him, telling him it was enough, and he shifted into his kneeling stance on the bed, his cock rock hard and eyes lowered. She was reminded of how she'd thought he looked like a Greek god when she first saw him, and wondered how he was pulling the look off now, even when in a submissive pose. He was so regal and graceful, and just so damned beautiful.

"You didn't have permission to touch me."

"No Ma'am, I didn't. I apologize."

"No need to apologize, we've talked about you taking the initiative on occasion, and it was a good call. I'm wound too tight, and wouldn't have let you if I'd been awake. Thank you."

He looked up, meeting her eyes with a smile, and her heart fluttered.

"You're very welcome, Ma'am."

"Hands behind your head; lock your fingers together and don't move them."

He did as instructed and she sat up and swung her legs under and behind her, so she was laying the other way, her face near his cock. She leaned down and licked from the base to the head and then, without warning, took him into the back of her mouth. She let the saliva build a moment, and then she pushed further, his cock burying into her throat as she swallowed him.

She tortured him until her shoulder started to complain, and then took her time propping pillows before reclining into them, bending her right leg and planting her foot into the bed near his knee.

"Jack yourself off—but hold back until I give the word. I want you to come on my foot, and then I want to feel your tongue licking it off."

Jacob had a female foot fetish, and she'd seen evidence before of how much an order to lick his own cum affected him. Best of all, she could see the effects of her words on him as he lowered his hands and began to masturbate for her.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Twelve

* * * *

They checked out of the hotel in plenty of time to meet her clients, with Jacob stowing their luggage in the back of his Escalade as she climbed into the passenger seat, happy to have a driver for the day.

She'd been worried about looking like an accident victim in a professional setting, but Jacob had parted her hair on the other side and brought enough of it down over her stitches to keep them from showing. Between that and the job he'd done on her make-up, she felt pretty good about the way she looked.

Jacob was introduced as her assistant, and he stayed in the background and played his part perfectly, as she knew he would. They had a long lunch before stopping at Target to buy a picnic blanket, and then laid in the sunshine and talked while they waited for Zach at Coolidge Park.

Dana saw Zach coming towards them twenty minutes before the time, and she stood and walked to him, meeting him about twenty feet from where Jacob was laying, but she kept going, assuming he'd follow. She sat by the fountain and Zach joined her, looking out across the grass towards Jacob, who was busy finger typing into his smart phone.

"I should probably be jealous of him, but when Brent told me he'd gone to you last night, I was relieved you weren't alone. Even now, seeing the two of you talking so comfortably, smiling and laughing, I don't resent him. I'm sad, and I'm scared I'll never have it with you again, but—"

She interrupted him, her heart aching for them both. “Jacob convinced me to read one specific email of yours last night, and then I finally looked through the others, and listened to your voice mails.” She shook her head. “Part of me wants to apologize for leaving without talking, but the rest wants to punch you for backing away, saying it was a mistake, and expecting I'd still be there when you deigned to come back upstairs."

Zach put his elbows on his knees and dropped his head, running his fingers through his hair as he looked at the ground. “I'm so sorry, Dana. I can't undo anything I said or did. Please tell me there's a way to fix this. Kirsten always says you shouldn't get too cocky about having worked through your issues, because that's when they come back and bitch-slap you."

He raised to look at her, tears glistening and threatening to spill. “I was so smug that I'd resolved my fears while you were still figuring out how to deal with yours—so understanding since I'd already been there and put it behind me, but when the officer showed up, it was like I'd never worked through a damned thing."

Her heart rolled over, her stomach fluttering and in danger of losing her lunch. “And now?"

"I want you in my life, no matter the risk. I love you with all my heart. Please say you'll forgive me and come back."

Her gaze settled on the Tennessee River, the water rippling in the slight breeze as it flowed beneath the bridges. “I've thought about it a great deal last night and today. Logically, I can forgive you for everything, but emotionally I still want to just sit and cry at the memory of you stepping away from me when I tried to submit.” She shook her head. “I can't forgive you for rejecting my submission. I'm not saying I'll never be able to, just that I can't get beyond it right now, and I'm going to need help getting there, I'm afraid."

"Will you come back home while we work through it? Put the contract on hold, no power exchange until we can put it behind us?"

"I don't know what to do, Zach.” She took a deep breath and blew it out in frustration, finally turning towards him again. “I've got reservations up on the mountain for tonight and tomorrow night, Brent's planning to drive down and join Jacob and me. Would it be better for you and I to have time alone, or for us to be part of the foursome for the weekend, to help us figure things out?"

He looked thoughtful. “It might be good to have them there as a buffer. I trust them to help us communicate and work through stuff, and if we stay away from the house a few days maybe it'll be easier for you to come home?"

Home? Did she want to go back? She loved him, wanted him in her life, and understood he'd needed some time, but was still pissed—and hurt—at the way he'd taken it. “I'm not making any promises, other than to say I love you and I hope we can find a way to get past this."

They walked to Jacob and got Brent on the phone, working through the logistics of four vehicles. In the end, Jacob followed Dana to return her rental car and drove them up the mountain to get checked in, while Brent rode down in the ‘copter and Zach picked him up at the airport.

The four had dinner on the veranda overlooking the city, but conversation stayed casual and Dana felt as if her and Zach's problems were the elephant in the living room. On the walk back to the room Brent asked if they were up for a game—yes or no, without knowing what he had in mind.

She shrugged, figuring a game would be better than conversation if it were anything like dinner, and said, “Sure, why not."

She looked at Jacob for his answer, but he said, “I'm not in the habit of arguing with him. If he says we're going to play a game, I ask where I should sit."

She laughed and turned to Zach, who said, “As long as it's not strip poker."

When they got back to the room Brent told them to find a place and motioned to the seating area. There was a loveseat, but Dana sat in one of the three occasional chairs, pulling her right leg under her and propping her left on the coffee table. Jacob pulled a cushion from another chair and put it under her foot before sitting on the loveseat. At a loss, Zach sat across from her, looking like he'd rather be closer.

They heard Brent unzipping a suitcase before he joined them, dropping a Twister spinner on the table and taking his seat beside Jacob.

Dana immediately protested. “I'm in no shape for Twister, sorry."

"I'll spin first, whoever the arrow points to will choose truth or dare. If they answer truthfully or complete the challenge, then they spin, and the person it lands on chooses. Anyone refusing to answer—or fulfill the challenge—will accept five strikes of a belt to the ass from their choice of Zach or myself. If it's me then Zach will give them, and vice versa. Is everyone in agreement of the rules?"

Zach looked so grim she almost felt sorry for him. His eyes met hers, a ripple of hurt flashing through them as he said, “Sure, why not."

She had the distinct impression he was hoping Brent had a plan, and was only doing this to smooth things over. She looked at Brent and nodded, and was happy to see an encouraging nod from Jacob. Brent leaned forward and flipped the spinner, and she caught herself holding her breath for the four or five seconds it took to slow down and land on someone.

It pointed at Zach, and he chose Dare.

"I dare you to look down at your feet and stand. Keep your eyes to the floor as you strip to nothing and walk to her, kneel at her feet in the best submissive posture you can manage, and count to twenty slowly in your head before you look up to see whether she'll accept your submission. If she does, she'll kiss you; if she rejects it, she'll get up and walk away. Either way, you can put your clothes back on when it's over."

The muscle in Zach's jaw flexed. “That's quite a dare."

"Do you accept? Don't look at Dana; the dare was to look down right away."

Zach glared at him another three or four seconds before looking at his feet and standing, his fingers releasing the buttons of his shirt one by one. It took him longer to strip than she thought it should, and she could see his hands shake a few times. She wanted to tell Brent not to do this, but she understood the point he was trying to make.

Her heart ached for Zach as he clumsily dropped to his knees, spreading them and sitting on his feet, his hands behind his back, and his cock completely soft. She waited until he raised his eyes to look at her, saw the hope and fear in them, but steeled herself to make him wait. It took her a few seconds to get her legs under her so she could stand, and she took her time, circling around him before coming back to tower over him, his pale blue eyes looking up at her in supplication. She'd never seen him so vulnerable, and she bent down to kiss him, realized her body wasn't going to cooperate, and sat back down. His gaze fell to the floor and she placed her finger under his chin, encouraging him to look up again before she leaned forward and kissed him with all she had in her, rewarding him for putting himself out there for her. It was the first they'd touched since he'd helped her into the car at the hospital, and the feel of his lips on hers set her heart off like a hummingbird's wings.

She pulled back as she saw his hands moving forward, still too raw on the inside to submit to allowing him to touch her. She smiled, hoping it didn't look as sad as she felt. “Put your clothes on and go sit back down, Zach. You make a lousy submissive."

He returned her smile and stood, leaning over and kissing her on the forehead. “Thank you."

"You're welcome. Get dressed and spin the thing, so we know who's next."

His clothes went on much faster than they'd come off, and the spinner landed on Jacob.

"Truth."

"What are your feelings for Dana."

Jacob paled, and Brent's face flashed anger before giving way to curiosity.

Nothing about Jacob's countenance was submissive as he stared daggers at Zach and said, “You already know the answer."

Zach's eyes were just as intense. “Does Dana?"

"This isn't how I wanted to do this."

"You're refusing to answer?"

Jacob shook his head, finally breaking the macho stare. “No, but this feels more like Dare than Truth."

He stood and walked to her, kneeling so gracefully it took her breath away. He sandwiched her hands between his larger ones, and his eyes looked into hers with so much love and devotion she wanted to crawl into him, where it was safe. “Dana, I've fallen in love with you. I love you."

She leaned towards him, extricating her hands and wrapping her arms around him, pulling him closer, eyes still locked on his. “Oh Jacob, I love you, too. I haven't fully come to terms with what it might mean to love two men at the same time, but I hope we can figure out how to make it work for all of us."

Jacob circled her waist with his arms and she felt the tension flowing out of him. They stayed as they were for several moments and Brent said, “Okay Jacob, it's your turn to spin the dial."

Jacob pulled back slowly, and Dana did the same, giving him a peck on the lips before relinquishing him.

He settled beside Brent and was given a quick hug before gently flipping the spinner.

"Nope,” Brent said, “it's got to go around at least twice. Do it harder."

He sighed and flicked in irritation, making it revolve a dozen or so times before it stopped on Zach, who was downright stoic as he said, “Truth."

"Tell us about Alice."

Zach looked horrified, then pissed, and finally, deflated—rubbing an open palm over his eyes and forehead as if blindfolding himself a few moments. When he dropped his hand he focused on Jacob, “I'd accept the five with the belt, but now you've said the name she'll demand to know the story whether I take them or not. You're right; it does feel more like Dare. Touche."

Transferring his gaze to Dana, he began. “My best friend in middle and high school went to college a few years before being recruited into the navy. When he was chosen for the Seal program, I was both happy and terrified for him. He had an edge of cruelty he barely held onto sometimes, and I knew the military wanted to exploit it. He was a good guy, the kind who'd rescue kittens from tall trees at great risk to his own life, but if you wronged him, gave him a reason for revenge...” Zach sighed, shaking his head. “He could be damn scary."

"He and Alice started dating our senior year, and then attended the same college. They were together for four or five years before he proposed, and they finally married just before he went into the Seal program. For the next two years he'd be home anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, then would be gone another two to six months."

He ran his hand through his hair, his voice cracking. “I got a phone call from her one afternoon—he'd left again that morning, and she usually only called to let me know he was coming home. Her voice was weak, I could hardly understand her, but she asked me to help her. I drove to their house, but the door was locked and she didn't answer, though her car was there. I called nine-one-one, worried."

His voice caught and he stumbled into a long inhale, and Dana wished she could hold him, but couldn't bring herself to go to him. “Long story short, she was in bad shape—broken nose, busted lip, loose teeth, torn retina, damaged larynx, and internal injuries from being punched in the gut. She had welts and bruises all over her from where he'd whaled on her with his belt as she tried to get away. Her rectum was torn, her..."

His voice broke and he leaned forward as a tear finally escaped to run down his cheek. Dana went to him, not sure she could bend, so she pulled him up to her, wrapping her arms around him.

He buried his face in her neck, letting her hold him. “She'd asked for a divorce at dinner, and he spent all night and part of the morning beating and raping her. I took care of her through seven surgeries to fix what could be repaired, but her psyche and her voice are both pretty much screwed. I guess Jacob and Brent want you to know when I see serious bruises; it reminds me of what was done to her. But it's my issue, not yours. What he did wasn't consensual, and was done with an intention to damage."

Yes, but he'd kept something from her, information she needed, and they'd have to discuss that—later. Right now, she needed to get the rest of the story, and let him get it all out. “What happened to your friend?"

"The local DA pressed charges, tried to get him sent home to face them, but the military closed ranks around him and no one's seen or heard from him since. I know a little of what they'd been using him for, and believe they just put him in deeper—got rid of his old identity and gave him a new one. I've no way of knowing for sure, though."

"You're afraid of people seeing you in the same light you viewed your friend—as a monster."

Zach started to say no, but stopped mid-word, shock showing on his face as he recognized the truth of her words. “Damn, not even Kirsten figured that one out. I assumed it was just because I thought of her when I saw serious bruises, but... damn. You're right.” He smiled, touching her cheek softly. “Thank you for that. I didn't see Max as a monster, not after I realized you wanted it. Needed it."

Taking a deep breath he said, “This conversation isn't over, but you've just... I think I may be okay with giving you what you need, now. If you still want it from me."

Dana let go of him and walked back to her chair. Not able to answer his question, she said, “Great. It's your spin; get on with it so you can exercise your sadism on someone else."

He laughed and sat, flicking the spinner as if it were a gnat. It stopped on Brent, and Brent gave him a do your worst smile as he said, “Truth."

"Are you attracted to me?"

The smile disappeared, the room silent for much too long—Brent's face completely slack.

Dana looked at Jacob, worried at how he might be taking it, but his hand rested supportively on Brent's arm, and his eyes told her they'd already talked about this. She was reminded again of how there truly didn't seem to be any secrets between them. Well, except for the secret passage under the labyrinth.

When Brent finally spoke he said, “If I take the five you'll assume the answer is yes, and that won't do. But I don't know how best to respond."

"A simple yes or no will do."

"But, the answer is yes and no. My agreement with Jacob doesn't permit me to have sex of any kind with a submissive male. I can Top them at the club or a play party, but Jacob has to be present, and I must remain fully clothed. However, our contract allows me to have sex with other Tops as long as we use protection. Sex between two male Doms can get... aggressive,” he said, the pause clearly indicating he was making an understatement. “It's not something Jacob's comfortable giving me, and I occasionally need to get it out of my system. If you were gay I'd want you, but you're not, and I'm not interested in converting anyone.” He shrugged. “I could easily be attracted to you if I thought you were capable of returning the feeling, but since it doesn't appear you can... no, I'm not."

Zach looked at him a few minutes, and Dana could tell he was debating something internally. “We'll need to finish this conversation later, I think."

Brent cocked his head sideways as he put his arm around Jacob. “Okay, let me know when you're ready."

Zach nodded and Brent leaned forward to flick the spinner. It landed on Dana and she said, “Dare,” figuring he could hurt her more with truth than any challenge he could invent.

"Same dare I gave Zach. Look at the floor, strip, and submit to him—count to twenty before looking up."

"Fuck. I'll take the five.” No way could she submit to him when she was still raw from his rejection.

Brent raised his eyebrows. “From who?"

Dana turned to Jacob, but he looked horrified at the prospect. She didn't want Brent to do it, either, and she may as well kneel before leaning over to let Zach belt her.

"I don't like you very much right now, Brent."

"That's okay, you don't have to. It's allowed."

Jacob laughed and Brent directed a stern eye towards him, withering the laugh to nothing.

Dana stood and looked down, began taking her clothes off. She was determined to do it gracefully, but caught herself flinging her shirt. Breathing deeply, she slowed, and focused on economy of movement instead of her discomfort. Her bra was the last to go, hurting her shoulder as she took it off.

She stared at her feet as she walked, the five steps feeling as if she were walking a gauntlet, her knees week and her stomach in knots. She hesitated when she reached him—her knee hadn't hurt too bad in a few days, but the idea of dropping onto it was scary. Zach's hand extended towards her—an offer of help that was probably against Brent's rules, but she accepted it and sank to her right knee before gently settling her left beside it. Her shoulder twinged when she tried to put her arms behind her, so she brought them around front, the backs of her hands on her thighs.

When the eternal count to twenty was over, she slowly lifted her gaze to Zach and saw total acceptance. Her heart fluttered and tears formed, but he held her chin to keep her from looking away.

He kissed her on the forehead and pulled back to look her in the eyes, his hand still holding her chin. “I love you, Dana. I accept all of you. If you're willing to give this to me again, I'll do my best to never make you feel rejected again. I'm so sorry I hurt you."

Tears threatened, but she was determined not to cry all over him. She slipped her right arm around his waist, resting her cheek on his stomach as he finally allowed her to break eye contact.

Brent's voice broke the silence. “The dare is over dear. You can stand and take back your power, or you can stay where you are and Jacob and I will go sit on the patio and enjoy the view."

Dana leaned back and looked into Zach's troubled blue eyes. She could get her revenge by standing now; she knew it would hurt him, and part of her wanted to lash out. But a bigger part of her loved him and wanted to move past the hurt, so she removed her hands from his waist and put them behind her back—her right arm taking up the slack by reaching across her back and holding her left forearm without torqueing her injured shoulder.

He shifted forward and pulled her arms back in front of her before tipping her chin up with his finger, kissing her softly. She heard the other two men leaving, and Zach's kiss grew more intense, demanding, and her body reacted, making her want more. He backed off, ending the kiss but keeping physical contact, his look one of appraisal this time, before coming to a decision.

"Two rules tonight, the first and most important being you'll do nothing that hurts your injuries, and you'll let me know the instant I do anything that so much as tweaks one of them. The second is you'll follow any orders I give you. That's it—I'm not giving you any other restrictions. Say what you want, come when you want, touch me all you want."

She didn't know how to react, what to say, and he seemed to decide against making her agree verbally. “Let me help you up, we need to move this to the bed."

He situated her in the center, and when he backed away she sat up to watch him undress. No shaking this time, and his clothes were gone in mere seconds. He glided onto the bed, his fingers roaming over her body as if he were exploring it for the first time all over again. His lips soon joined his hands, and she smelled the cinnamon on his breath from the hot candy he'd been sucking on after dinner.

She ran her hands over his back, feeling strong muscles shifting as he transferred his weight above her, his mouth at her throat, the heat of his breath brushing across her skin and making her quiver. His lips moved across her neck and he sucked the skin under her ear into his mouth, pulling without mercy, and she gasped at the sensation. His hands roamed over her body, slowing at her breasts, circling her nipples, traveling down to her thighs, skimming over the top of her pubic bone, driving her crazy.

Her body trembled with need and tears formed anew at how right it felt to be under him again.

"I love you, Zach.” Her voice fluttered with emotion as she repeated it. “I love you."

He rose to look at her, his hand skating over her thighs before delving into her folds. He spoke as his fingers entered her. “I love you, too. Come for me Dana. Give yourself to me; show me you belong to me again."

Dana bent her legs and pushed up with her feet, meeting him thrust for thrust until her body melted around him and she gave him what he'd asked for.

As the orgasm faded she opened her eyes and said, “I won't break. I need more."

"Good, because I need to claim you again. I need to take you."

He moved between her legs and pressed into her, his cock spreading her much wider than his fingers, their eyes joined as he advanced, invading her soul and her body. Claiming her.

When he was all the way in he grasped the backs of her thighs, pushed them up, watching her face for signs of pain before he pulled back and began thrusting into her, his eyes demanding she not look away as he possessed her.

Dana's insides clenched around him as he hammered into her, and within two dozen strokes she needed to come, remembered she didn't have to hold back, and let it go, her walls squeezing his hard-as-steel cock as he pushed in and held firmly inside of her, not budging a millimeter as her climax thrashed around him.

The orgasm didn't relieve her need, and as it faded she found herself crazy with desire. Looking into his gaze, she recognized his hunger, too. “I need more, Sir. I need..."

"Pain. You need pain."

She didn't answer with words, but let her eyes speak to him. She wanted him to own her again, and if he could do that with pain, she welcomed it.

He pulled out of her and looked down, lining up again. She felt him at her ass and had a mini-panic at the thoughts of him fucking her there without stretching her first, and with only the lube from her pussy on his cock.

His eyes were fierce, and she realized this was the claiming they both needed. She released her grip on his forearms and let her arms fall to her side, showing him she accepted what he was about to do.

He pushed in and she gasped at the sharp pain, but he went slowly, allowing her to open to him as he slid deeper. The ring of muscles at the entrance were forced inward, the lack of lube creating a primal feeling. She closed her eyes and heard, “No, open them. You don't get to hide from me; I want to see inside of you as I take your ass."

She bared her soul to him, and fought her reflexes to hold his gaze as a storm developed in his eyes, swirling in the blue of them.

When he was all the way in, he gently released her legs. “Wrap them around me."

She did, gasping as his cock shifted inside of her. He placed his elbows beside her shoulders. “Your arms, too. Wrap them around me and hold on. Don't hurt your injuries, if you need to move them because of your shoulder or hand you can, otherwise I need you to just hang on and let me do this.” He was on the edge of losing control, his voice betraying how close his emotions were to the surface.

She circled his torso and said, “I need it, too. I won't break. Make me yours again, please."

His lips found hers and weren't gentle as he drove her jaw open, tongue probing, his cock jerking inside of her ass as he assaulted her mouth. When he finally rose it was only to get leverage to pump his hips, and this time there was no taking it slow. He pulled back and drove into her, slamming his hipbones into her hard enough to bruise. She gasped at the sensation, but he was already out and powering his way back in—her interior walls relentlessly pushed and pulled without lubrication to smooth the way as he pistoned his hips.

She did as he said, holding on for dear life as he fucked her without mercy—her heart beating beneath the rhythm of his hips, and her breath knocked from her lungs with every brutal thrust.

His head was beside hers now, and she was grateful she could hide from him as she squeezed her eyes shut and writhed under him—her body caught between opening to him and trying to escape.

He spoke without slowing, his dominant side fully in control now, and the tone of his voice almost kick-started another climax. “I'm going to fill your ass with my come and put the inflatable plug in you for the rest of the night. By morning you'll be stretched wide and will know who owns you."

He raised back up, his hands near her shoulders and his arms straight, and she opened her eyes to see him looking down at her. She closed them again as he rammed back in, pushing the air from her lungs.

His voice came out strained and urgent. Demanding. “Open your eyes and look at me."

They flew open at the command and within a few seconds he was in and holding, his cock pulsing as warmth flooded her bowels. The intensity of it made her fly apart, her pussy spasming on the emptiness as her ass tried to close around his cock. He stayed inside of her, making a growling noise every time her eyes closed for more than a blink, forcing her to bare her soul throughout the orgasm.

When the spasms finally dissolved to nothing he pushed her legs back up, so her knees were near her shoulders before pulling out. As he backed away he said, “Stay put. I'll be right back."

She heard him at his luggage and then he was over her again, the glistening black inflatable plug in his hand. She felt some relief he'd lubed it, but knew he meant to make a point with it tonight, and she welcomed as well as feared it—which was at it should be. She needed him to reassert what they were to each other, and the fear was an added spice.

He inserted the plug, ignoring her gasps as it went in, then gingerly pulled her legs down as he said, “Get comfortable before I begin pumping. How do you need to lay so your injuries don't bother you?"

"I've been sleeping on my right side, Sir."

"Figure out how to lay and I'll figure out how to hold you."

She situated herself and he spooned in behind her, lovingly holding her for several moments before he felt for the bulb.

He pumped it relentlessly, going two squeezes past what she thought she could take. She gasped out, “It's too much!"

His voice was smooth, controlled. “It's not nearly enough. I'll give you a few seconds, then you'll receive two more, which you'll endure for thirty seconds before I completely deflate it and bring you back to where you are now. You're tense, I need you to relax, show me you accept what I'm doing to you."

He held and soothed her as she wiggled her toes, concentrated on her breathing, and gradually convinced her body to relax. Just as the burning in her ass dulled, she felt the two pumps he'd promised and everything tensed around the flaming, stretching invasion once again. She counted to thirty in her head, but he didn't release it.

"How much longer, Sir? Please no more!"

"Shhh. Look at my phone. Eleven. Ten..."

He continued the countdown as she looked at it propped on a pillow in front of her. 9:28:22. She watched as it ticked closer and closer to the thirty second mark, and breathed a sigh of relief when he finally released the valve.

As soon as the hissing stopped, he rapidly returned to the point he'd indicated, but it was easier to bear this time—still damned uncomfortable, but not painful, and she relaxed against his chest, allowing his ownership of her to take hold again.

"I know it's early, but you've had a long day and your body's still healing. Go ahead and drop off if you want. I'll text Brent to let him know they can come back when they're ready."

Dana nodded and snuggled in closer as her eyelids fell and sleep took her under in spite of the huge object lodged in her ass.

Dana woke to pitch black, not knowing where she was, but the plug brought everything back in a flash. She needed to use the restroom, and Zach had said no rules, but he roused as she was trying to extricate herself from his arms, kissing her on the neck, holding her in place. She didn't have to ask permission, and damned if she would when not required to.

"Bathroom, I'll be right back."

He moved his body with her, helping her up as he shifted. “I'll come with you. I could go, too."

She didn't want to argue after they'd just made up, so she bit her tongue. She hated walking with the inflatable plug, feeling the weight of the valve swinging back and forth.

He followed her into the bathroom and lifted her “tail,” draping it over the side of the toilet as she sat down, to keep it out of the way. At first she thought he'd come to help her manage it, but he stayed beside her, rubbing her back.

"I can't go with you doing that."

"Then stand up and let me go, you can try again when I'm done."

She gave one more try, but couldn't relax enough, so she stood and went to walk out.

"Where are you going? Come back, you're gonna help."

Her brow wrinkled. “Help?"

"Yes, I'd like you to hold it for me."

Her gaze dropped to his soft cock, returned to his eyes. “Hold it?"

Laughing, he took her hand and placed it under his cock. “Gently, and pay attention where you point it so we don't make a mess."

She wrapped her hand around it and he said, “No, you can't squeeze or nothing'll come out. Aim without holding; let it rest on your fingers."

She relaxed her grip and was startled when the flow started, almost dropped it, but managed to hold on. She hadn't aimed well though, and liquid splattered the back of the toilet seat. She adjusted it lower, using her thumb to help direct, and the flow slowed to a trickle.

"Don't squeeze,” he said, the slightest edge of frustration in his voice.

"Sorry.” She loosened her hold and the stream returned.

"Not upset, you're learning. That's much better. Pay attention as it slows; make sure you keep it pointed into the toilet."

She watched closely, not wanting to screw up again, and didn't let go when the flow stopped until he took it from her, shaking it off and reaching for the toilet paper, taking a few moments to wipe the seat dry before flushing.

His lips touched her forehead and he pulled away, looking down at her with a gentleness that made her heart flutter. “If I can go while you're holding me, you can go while I rub your back. Sit down and try again, please."

She closed her eyes and searched for inner strength before turning to sit. He situated the plug's tubing and stood beside her, rubbing her back in small, comforting circles. She was surprised when her body actually did as she asked and relaxed enough to allow her bladder to empty. She wiped when finished and stood as Zach flushed the toilet.

He wrapped his arm around her, directing her towards the bed. “I gave you another third of a pump every thirty minutes for several hours after you went to sleep. I'm going to give you a full one now—I'll rub your back and help you deal with the pain, but I want you opened as wide as I can get you by morning."

He dropped to his back on the bed and reached towards her, speaking softly so they didn't wake Brent and Jacob. “Come lay on top of me, so I can hold you through the worst of it."

She draped her body over his, her cheek on his chest, his left arm around her as he grasped the valve. She froze, waiting for the pain, but he said, “Don't tense up. Show me you want to accept this."

She relaxed her muscles, starting at her feet and working her way up, realizing he could feel every miniscule movement, with her arranged over and around his body.

"That's my girl. I love you so much."

She heard and felt it at the same time, the push of air and the stretch as her asshole was enlarged once again. Her muscles tensed and a high-pitched whine escaped her throat.

"Shhhh, I know it hurts. Breathe for me; try not to awaken our friends. The burn has to be incredible by now, but I must ask you to suffer silently. We both need this. Hold onto me, pet, let me help you bear it."

The term of endearment acted as a trigger, and the piece of her that'd been resisting broke apart, allowing her to accept the pain. He talked her through it until she was no longer a quivering mess, but just as she thought she might be able to sleep he said, “If you're okay, I need to use your mouth. Onto your back, head over the edge, pet."

Dana gasped when she turned and the plug didn't shift with her, but she carefully stretched out as Zach stood beside the bed, waiting for her to get into position, his cock above her face as she found the right angle. When she stilled, he aimed into her mouth, sinking into her throat on the first push. She gagged around the thick intrusion, but he held until she stopped gagging, slowly dragging out and pushing back in. She swallowed around him this time, managing to keep the gag reflex from kicking in.

He pulled almost all the way out and paused, which was her signal to get a deep breath. He waited for her lungs to fill before sliding into her throat again, holding.

She hadn't expected him to stretch her ass another time, but he chose that moment to give her a full pump. She would've screamed if she'd been able, but she couldn't make a sound with her throat filled with his cock.

He stayed in forever, until she was close to the point of panic, and when he finally pulled out he barely gave her time to draw more air in before he began fucking her face. She could bring enough in to stay alive, but not enough to satisfy the cells in her body screaming for oxygen.

When at last he reached orgasm she felt warmth on her chest, but was busy gasping air in, trying to re-oxygenate her body. He took his time rubbing his cum into her breasts while her chest heaved as she struggled for air. When she was breathing normally once more, she realized her muscles were accommodating the plug, even with the extra pump, but decided not to compliment him on the way he'd made her forget the pain in her ass.

As promised, he rubbed her back until she drifted off to sleep, her heart floating in bliss with the knowledge that he didn't just want her, he needed to own her, too.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Thirteen

* * * *

Dana awakened to gentle nibbles to the back of her neck the next morning, moving her hips backwards into his. A cramp made her breath catch as her ass tried to contract around the plug. “Oh, god. Please tell me you're going to take it out soon."

"Who owns your ass?"

She sighed, goose bumps forming on her arms as she said, “You do, Sir."

Jacob chuckled from the bed next to them. “It's nice to hear it coming from your mouth. You were asleep when we came back to the room last night."

The sound of open hand hitting bare bottom reverberated through the room, and then, “Cheeky boy, give them some time alone."

She felt Zach look up, heard his voice near her ear, sensed his breath as it went by her hair. “If you have no need of him at the moment you can send him over, if you'd like. Dana could probably use a little distraction when I pump this plug in her ass a few more times."

"Oh, please don't. It's been in all night and it's huge. Please have mercy."

Instead of answering her, he continued talking to Brent. “I don't care if he uses mouth, hands, or cock—that's up to you."

"Hmmm, I think I'll let him use his cock. Get a condom on Jacob, and go to her. Make sure you have her situated the way Zach needs her."

"Yes, Brent."

"You aren't allowed to come."

She thought he exercised enormous self-restraint by saying, “Yes, Brent” again, with no accompanying sighs. She was glad Zach had only given her the two rules.

"You don't have permission this morning either, Dana."

Her answering moan sounded whiny even to her own ears.

Jacob leaned in and kissed her as Zach continued his torture of the back of her neck, nibbling and licking below her hairline.

When she was sure she'd go crazy with need, Zach spoke softly near her ear. “I'll give it one full squeeze and wait two minutes before doing it again. You'll deal with it for another two minutes and I'll deflate it and remove it. I know you're hurting already, I'm aware this isn't the kind of pain you can easily handle, and I'm about to throw a whole shitload of it at you, but please find a way to survive it. I need to know you want to submit to me bad enough to take it."

Her temper spiked. “I put up with the damned thing all night; I can do it another four minutes."

The room was silent a few heartbeats before Zach calmly said, “Would you like to rephrase that, pet?"

His voice was dangerously soft, but her temper spoke for her yet again. “No, Sir. I stand by my statement."

"I see. You wouldn't be feeling the need to test me, would you?"

She sighed, thought he was probably right, but remembered the rules from the night before and said. “You told me I could say what I wanted last night. Are you retracting that, now?"

"No, I won't retract it—we both know the problem isn't what you said, but how you said it. If you can honestly tell me you weren't testing my authority I'll let it go."

She searched inside of herself and realized she needed him to reassert his authority, to make things right between them again. “I don't want you to let it go. Sir."

His hand caressed her cheek as he said, “You'll hold it four minutes after the second pump instead of two. And I had intended to allow an orgasm before breakfast, but that's not likely to happen now.” He nodded towards Jacob. “Throw your leg over his hip; give him room to get in you."

Dana looked into Jacob's face as she straddled his torso. He wrapped his arms around her, lined up, and began to press the hard length of himself into her. Her eyes rolled back in her head at the sensation, but then her ass exploded in pain and she gave a short scream before stopping it, remembering where they were.

"You can do it, breathe through it and relax,” Jacob said, massaging her back as he continued to slowly move in and out of her. “Feel my cock in you, my hands on you, hear the sound of my voice. Open for him; give him this. He's got his phone set, it'll go off when it's time for your next pump, so you can let go until then, right?"

Zach pushed in on the plug and she squealed in pain again as her body jerked and tensed.

Jacob's voice was soft against her face. “Shhhh, it's his ass, he wants to play with it while it's stretched. Give him this; show him you belong to him."

Dana relaxed her shoulders, nodding, realizing he was right. She felt Zach pushing at the plug again, making it shift around inside of her a little, and moaned in torment as Jacob soothed her through it.

When the alarm went off she thought she'd have a few seconds, but Zach was ready just as it sounded and the stretch screamed through her body almost simultaneously.

She instantly started moving and begging, the burn too intense for her to handle this time, her colon trying to create a bowel movement and cramps setting up—her ass wanting to expel it, but not able to do anything with the size.

Zach put his mouth near her ear. “You want to do this for me. You want to hurt for me, to prove to both of us how much you belong to me. You need me to hurt you, and it's gotta be more than you think you can take. Another minute and it would've come out if you hadn't sassed me. You need me to exert my authority, and you'll suffer through another three. Say your safeword and the valve releases immediately, but is that what you want?"

"No, Sir,” she gasped out. “I know we need this, but it's too much, please help me."

"We are helping you. Can you feel Jacob's cock in you? My fingers on your nipple?"

When his phone finally buzzed Zach was as quick on the release as he'd been on the pump. She came close to orgasming as the air went out, the relief so great, and the power exchange between them setting her libido off in a way nothing else could.

"Don't come, pet. I'd have to find a replacement for the armbinder, and switch which leg goes into the air, but there's nothing to stop me from giving you the rest of the consequences for coming without permission."

She held onto it, but only barely, as he pulled the plug free of her ass.

"Jacob, I'll be fucking her from behind. The bed is the right height for you to stand beside it to get a blowjob. Does that work for you?"

Brent answered. “Yes, it works just fine for him. Ditch the condom Jacob, and stay nice and hard, but don't come. We've got plans for that load of yours, be sure you hold onto it."

Zach piled pillows on the edge of the bed and had Dana shift onto her knees so she was leaning forward with her chest on the pillows, both hands by her side.

"You can use your right hand to hold his dick if you want, as long as it doesn't hurt your shoulder. Spread your knees wider; give me better access, pet."

He took something from Brent and said, “As much as I'd like to surprise you, I need to let you know this won't cause harm. It's lube spiked with cinnamon and ginger oil, and it'll feel like hot pepper sauce, but it's pain without damage, I promise."

Brent spoke from the other side of her, no longer watching from their bed. “Jacob, if you let her mouth come off your cock I'll put a funnel in the head of it and pour his special oil into your peehole, and when we get home you'll go into the jailbird for a month."

Zach added, “And Dana, if you take your mouth all the way off his cock you'll wear a gag every minute you aren't working for the next three days. Small ones, big ones, ring gags, ball gags, bit gags, dental gags, spider gags... I'll have such fun changing them out."

She looked at Jacob and said, “I don't want to wear a gag for the next three days.” He nodded and she saw they were in agreement, knew she could depend on him to help her stay put. He aimed past her lips as Zach's gloved finger probed her ass.

It took a moment for the heat to hit, but when it did, she writhed frantically and tried to scream around Jacob's cock, but he gripped the back of her head, resolutely pushing her onto his length. She caught a glance of Brent masturbating in her peripheral vision, and wondered if he were getting off on the predicament he'd put Jacob in, or on her pain.

The burn was growing exponentially, and she felt Jacob's strength as he held her onto him, forcing into her throat to keep her from screaming as she fought to escape. She sometimes forgot how strong he was, this man who knelt for her. She thrashed and flailed, trying to push off him, but he was too strong, and held her firm. Dana was just along for the ride.

When Zach removed his fingers and drove in with his cock, her body went into full fight mode, her right hand shoving her away from Jacob's leg, her left shoulder shouting at her as she dragged it up and tried to use it, too. Zach wrapped an arm around her hips and increased the pace, the friction adding to the fire until she thought she'd self-combust. She frantically fought them, but Zach just fucked her harder and she had no way to stop him. When he finally pulled out the inferno inside of her continued to blaze, and he kept his arm firmly around her torso, holding her in place and, she realized, protecting her injuries so she hadn't hurt herself while she struggled.

"You can pull out now Jacob. Let's get her turned over."

She heard Brent reminding his slave he couldn't come without permission as Zach gently helped her off the pillows and onto her back. The fire in her ass still burned, and she was so horny she was in danger of a spontaneous orgasm if anyone touched her just right.

"I'm close Sir, I'm not sure I can hold back."

He shook his head. “You know the consequences; it's not open for discussion. Maybe you'll think before smarting off next time. Scoot closer to the side of the bed and spread your legs—careful of your injuries. Will it be better to have your knees bent and your feet near your bottom, or your legs straight in spread eagle?"

"Bent, Sir."

"I need you to put your hands out to your sides and get comfortable. If you move anything once we've started, you'll be severely disciplined later.” She opened her mouth to argue and he interjected with, “I'll allow toes and fingers, but that's it. Your head stays in place, too. I suggest you find a spot on the ceiling and stay focused on it."

Dana settled into a position she could hold and nodded her head.

The men moved around her, Zach kneeling on the bed on her right, Brent standing on the floor to her left, and Jacob still above her head—all three cocks hanging over her, and all rock hard.

Zach began jacking off, and Brent followed as she heard him telling Jacob to get started, and she knew what was coming. They'd all been close, so she didn't have to endure the indignity of three men beating off over her while she stayed frozen in place for too long before Zach's cum shot onto her cheeks, down her neck, and onto her breasts. Brent was next, his landing mostly on her chest, grunting out Jacob's permission as he finished emptying himself over her. She closed her eyes as spunk rocketed out of the cock over her forehead, felt it splashing on her face and chest, and concentrated on keeping her head exactly still, fighting her instincts to keep from jerking away and avoiding it.

The warmth was cooling as it began running down her cheek towards her hair, a finger caught it, pushed it up her cheek, smoothing it around, mixing it all together. She opened her eyes to see Zach's looking into hers as he finger-painted with the spunk on her face, his expression cementing the claim he was swirling on her body. He moved to her breasts and massaged it in before saying, “You've done well so far, not moving your head to avoid us—I'm pleased. You'll continue to stay absolutely motionless."

He looked toward Brent and nodded as he moved out of her line of vision.

"Jacob,” said Brent, “clean her with your tongue. Every last molecule."

"Yes, Brent."

The bed dipped as he climbed onto it—she couldn't see him, but didn't dare try to look down to get eye contact. In some ways, this was worse than being blindfolded.

Jacob's warm tongue swiped tentatively at the base of her rib cage and she wiggled her toes and fingers to keep from squirming under him. She hadn't realized how torturous this would be. She concentrated on her breathing while attempting to ignore the burn in her ass and the rasping tongue relentlessly licking closer and closer to her breasts.

When he reached her nipples, licking over them as a cat would with the flat of his tongue, the rough parts scraping over ultra-sensitive skin, she thought she'd lose it.

Her nipples were nothing compared to the sensation of him making his way up her throat and onto her face. She was amazed to discover having her face licked was more intimate than a mouth on her pussy. Now there was eye contact—the man who was submissive to her, cleaning her, doing it as a service, while her Master forced her to stay still and accept it. She had no idea how Jacob managed it without appearing dominant over her, but he did, and she was thankful.

Keeping her pelvis still was becoming harder and harder. She desperately wanted to hump the air, fuck an imaginary cock. She was in danger of coming, and wasn't sure she'd be able to hold it off much longer.

She was a little humiliated, or maybe objectified, at having the come of three men licked off her face, and the depth of Zach's ownership sank into her psyche and threatened to set her off like a cannon. Jacob's tongue swiped across her lips, up the base of her nose and across both sides of it, and over to her other cheek, his body leaning over hers so she could feel his hard cock at her hip. She moved her pelvis into it, a tiny movement she hoped the two Doms wouldn't notice, desperately wishing she could order Jacob to fuck her. He pulled up and looked down at her face, leaning in and licking the other side of her face from her ear up to the edge of her mouth before sitting back, moving out of her line of sight again.

"Good job, Jacob. You can get dressed—no time for a shower or we'll miss breakfast."

Zach's voice followed Brent's. “Well done, pet. You can move now. Here's a skirt and tee, and another shirt to go over the top of it. You shouldn't need a bra with the two shirts, and you don't get panties. Put them on and let's go."

She sat up and looked at the clothing, approving of his choice and agreeing she could get away with going bra-less for breakfast, where she wasn't likely to move around much.

"Permission to put make-up on to hide my bruises? And can Jacob help me with my hair to cover the stitches, please, Sir?"

He glanced at the clock and nodded. “Five minutes."

Dana was dressed and finishing her make-up when Jacob joined her in the bathroom. She'd already brushed the tangles out, so it only took him twenty seconds to maneuver her hair into place, but this time he put it in a loose ponytail, with the hair draping enough on the side to cover the stitches. He rubbed her shoulders a few moments when he finished, their eyes meeting in the mirror, clearly showing their love, with no words needed.

"Thanks Jacob, that looks good. God, I'm still so horny I can't see straight."

He kissed the top of her head, smiling. “Sorry. I'd help you with that if I could. C'mon, let's go eat."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Fourteen

* * * *

Dana had mixed emotions as they pulled into the driveway of Zach's home. Their home. Was it theirs? She'd left it awfully easily, and wasn't sure how much it felt like her place now, returning to it.

The four had decided during breakfast it'd be better to head to Zach's for the rest of the weekend. They'd checked out and explored the Tennessee Aquarium, since neither Brent nor Jacob had been. They'd taken in an Imax movie and then gone to a hilarious Murder Mystery Dinner Theater.

She opened her car door and stepped out the instant it stopped, walking to the trunk to wait for Zach to open it. Jacob exited as swiftly as she did, striding to her as he said, “Don't even think you're going to pull luggage out of there, you're still supposed to be babying your hand and shoulder."

She turned and snapped, “I'm not an invalid, dammit!"

He took a half step back and quickly recovered, his face showing compassion. “No, you're not. But there's no need in aggravating your injuries when we're here to... when I'm here to offer my services."

Zach's voice spoke softly beside her. “I think you owe Jacob an apology, Dana. That's not an order, just an observation."

Damn, he was right. She looked at her feet and took a breath, raising her head to look into Jacob's eyes, and saw the hurt in them. “I'm sorry; you were trying to help and didn't deserve my snapping at you. You've been so good to me, and I...” She sighed again. “There's no excuse, I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted,” he said, smiling sadly, “but only because I know you won't make a habit of it."

Stepping behind him, Brent placed his hands on Jacob's shoulders in support. “He doesn't mind being the whipping boy when it comes to whips, but words can cut him to the soul."

Fuck, she knew this, and still she'd snapped at him. She leaned against the SUV Zach had driven, reached up to rub the area around her stitches, trying to calm the itchiness. “I know, which makes it even worse.” She dropped her hand and looked at the ground. “It's easier to screw up when you're the submissive, there's punishment and then it's all put behind you."

Looking back up, meeting Jacob's eyes, she added, “I'd offer to let you punish me, but it doesn't work that way, does it? I'm the one in charge. How can I be expected to control you if I can't regulate myself?"

She took another breath, grasping for a way express that she knew she'd screwed up. “I'll accept a forfeit, same as Brent, or we can come up with something else, if it'll make things right."

Jacob sighed and leaned into Brent. “Apology accepted. It hurt, but you understand why, and your eyes tell me how sorry you are. If it becomes a pattern we'll have a problem, but I won't throw everything away over it happening once. I love you, and I think I know where your head is, so I won't accept your offer of a forfeit.” Brent squeezed his shoulders and he added, “I'm not giving you an excuse, just explaining why I accept your apology."

Her eyes rose to Brent's. “Do you?"

He smiled, too, easing her heart a little. “Thank you for asking. Yes, I do, for the same reasons Jacob does.” His hands wrapped around his lover's body as he said, “I'm not perfect, either, and we've created a separate set of protocols to live by when I'm under a lot of stress."

Zach's hand touched her arm, caressing it as he said, “You both know where your room is here, I'd like an hour alone with Dana before we meet up in the playroom."

Brent looked at his cellphone and said, “Can we make it an hour and a half? I'd like some time in the playroom with Jacob before it's all four of us, and would like to get him settled in upstairs before we come down."

"Perfect. We'll see you then.” He let go of her arm and pulled both bags out, sitting them on the ground before pulling his own handle up and walking through the garage with it. “Come along, Dana. You got it out of the house I'm sure you can get it back in."

He waited for her at the bottom of the staircase, silently reaching for her bag and carrying them both up the steps, his eyes telling her not to argue. He left hers at the top of the stairs, letting her roll it the rest of the way to her closet.

She appreciated being allowed to bring it in—the unspoken message that he wasn't going to smother her, would let her do what she was capable of, but he'd put his foot down to be sure she wasn't hurt. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye as she was emptying her suitcase and swiveled her head to see him leaned against the doorway—arms crossed with a neutral look on his face.

"I assume it's a good sign you're unpacking?"

His question was like a knife through her heart and she stopped packing to turn towards him. “We're still a little uncertain of each other. How do we fix that?"

He closed his eyes, his expression pained. “I don't know,” he said, before opening them and uncrossing his arms to put his hands in his pockets. “Time, I guess? Last night, and this morning, I was sure I was doing what we both needed, but today I've second-guessed myself a dozen times, wondering if I went too far."

He pulled his hands from his pockets and moved to cross his arms again, and then dropped them. “Are you okay? Do you want to take another shower?"

She shook her head and went back to unpacking. “You didn't go too far. In a twisted sort of way, the ending drew the four of us closer. It felt... bonding? I don't know how to explain it."

"Yeah, I felt it too, as did Brent. The two of you talked a little at the Aquarium, right?"

Nodding, she said, “He wanted to confirm I was okay with his... participation. And I needed to understand his motivation. I kind of had it right; he can be turned on by any submissive taking pain for their Master, no matter the gender, plus, he's always stimulated by Jacob's submission, and whether he's submitting to me or Brent doesn't seem to be important."

She glanced up, went back to folding. “He says the two of you are working towards eventually being able to give orders to both of us when in a scene?"

"Yes, that's the plan, though we won't rush it. Their contract has to be altered; it's not something Brent can demand, Jacob will have to consent. He'll have to feel I'm worthy."

He walked towards her, but stopped a few feet away, as if afraid to touch her. His voice was soft, cautious. “Speaking of contracts, ours terminated when you left. I'm just happy to have you back; I won't push to revive it. It's up to you."

"I assumed it was reinstated when I submitted to you last night. You reclaimed me, Sir. As far as I'm concerned the contract is in force."

"I never make assumptions about contracts. If Brent and Jacob hadn't conspired with their Truth or Dare game, would we be this far along?"

"Probably not. I thanked Brent for that today, too—he pointed out Jacob should get most of the credit. I'll have to find a way to reward him. What was going through your mind when you kneeled before me?"

"How vulnerable I felt. How much I must've hurt you by stepping away when you put yourself in that position. Exactly what they wanted me to feel, I imagine."

Dana turned from him, put the last of her clothing away and began stripping—wanting to show him her submission, her desire to follow the rules.

"I'd like you to take another quick shower, and I want to put the TENS on you for its original purpose—as pain relief. We can't leave it on full time, but when you're sitting still I think I can keep your shoulder from hurting."

"Why not leave it on? It aches and throbs when I'm sitting still, but hurts when I use it."

"Pain's there for a reason, to keep you from re-injuring it, to make you baby it. I'll block the signals when you're resting, but not while you're moving around."

Dana was surprised to see Zach waiting with a towel when she stepped out of the shower. She stood and let him dry her, but her heart sank into her stomach when he said, “Inspection."

She'd shaved, but not to inspection protocols. She spread her legs and bent over, turning so the light shone on her pussy and ass, and felt his finger trace a path along both lips, across and around her asshole, down her legs, and back up.

"You forgot about inspection?"

"I'm sorry, Sir. I know it's the weekend, but I was in a hurry and trying not to get my head wet. I just hit the high spots, not really thinking."

He patted her on the ass, her cue she could stand. “I'll let it go today; we'll call it special circumstances. Sit on the bench so I can get the pads on you."

He placed four electrodes around her shoulder before leading her to the bedroom loveseat and plugging them into the TENS, switching it on and giving her a questioning look.

"I don't feel anything."

"Try lifting your arm."

She did and winced. He made an adjustment and she sensed the slightest buzz, barely a hint of a vibration. She raised her arm again and felt nothing. She lifted it higher and he said, “Whoa, that's enough. Remember, the lack of pain doesn't mean you can pretend it's healed. You're still hurt, I've just blocked the nerve response from reaching your brain. You have to keep babying it or I'll turn it off."

"Thank you, this is wonderful."

He smiled and ran his finger proprietarily around her nipple, as if he owned it. His simple actions never failed to turn her on, the idea he could just casually reach out and touch her whenever he wished, whether he was horny or not, whether she wanted to be touched or not.

"I'd like to do our evening ritual, but you're not up to kneeling for fifteen minutes yet. Lie down and rest your head on my thigh, so you can look up at me. Get comfortable, I need to know what's going through your mind, and what you're feeling."

She arranged herself, realizing the act of looking up at him put her in the right headspace for this, no kneeling required. He rubbed her face, lightly brushed across the top of her hair, being careful of her stitches.

"If you could change anything about last night or this morning's scene, what would it be?"

"The smart-ass in me wishes I'd been allowed an orgasm this morning, but you denied it because I smarted off, so...” She shrugged. “I didn't realize I was testing you when I said it, but once you pointed it out, I realized you were right. If you hadn't responded with a consequence, I'd've been disappointed."

"Do you feel I did enough to re-affirm what we are to each other?"

"Yes, Sir. I do. And I love you even more for understanding how to make me feel I belonged to you again."

"Why did you snap at Jacob?"

"Coming back here, I suddenly had misgivings. No, not misgivings, exactly, but it put me on edge. I'm tired of being injured, fed up with constantly hurting and having to be so careful of how I move. It's frustrating, Sir. He just said the wrong thing at the wrong time. I should've controlled myself better, though."

"Yes, you should've, but I think you've learned a valuable lesson about being on Top, and what Brent said afterwards gave me an idea. When I realize I'm in no shape to control myself, much less both of us, maybe I need a safeword? I'd like to think it won't ever happen again, but if I'd had a way to let you know I wasn't in a good place, we could've avoided..."

He paused, his face looking pained, and she didn't make him figure out how to finish his sentence. “I think it's a good plan, Sir. Do you want to say davenport, or Heritage Park, or red?"

"Heritage Park seems more fitting, but we use it in our everyday speech. How about using the same initials? Harry Potter? That's not something I'm likely to say very often."

She laughed. “Okay, Harry Potter it is, then."

"I don't want to wait until January to get married."

She closed her eyes and thought about it, her inner voice reminding her time wasn't guaranteed, and life could be taken with no warning. She didn't want to wait so long, either, but wasn't ready to set a date just yet.

"Ask me in two weeks, please, Sir?"

He brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers, his expression serious, almost apologizing for his next question. “Will you go with me Monday to sign medical powers of attorney for each other? I asked my lawyer to draft them, and I've already made an appointment for us."

"You can have him email me both and I'll look them over and sleep on it. If I agree then I'll go with you Tuesday to sign them. Sir."

"Thank you. Is there anything going on in your head I should be aware of?"

"Nothing specific I can think of, just general anxiety about what we need to do to make this work, to heal the rift so it doesn't pop up and cause problems later."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Fifteen

* * * *

Dana walked out of her office, wishing everyone a good weekend, and slid into her new Infinity. Zach had tried to purchase a vehicle that'd cost twice as much, but she'd put her foot down and told him she'd buy her own car; she wasn't with him for his money. When she showed him the safety specs it turned out her choice was safer than his. Argument over. Thank goodness their contract stipulated she got a say in major decisions, and would stay that way—at least until their fifth wedding anniversary, but likely indefinitely.

Zach appreciated not having to “parent” her, and valued her ability to make responsible choices. He certainly relished owning her, but was happy to get her input on the big stuff.

She'd finally understood he enjoyed micromanaging her, especially since he could pick and choose when to dominate her every move, and when to back off and chill out, secure in the fact she'd be fine without relentless supervision. So far, they'd been on similar rhythms, so she was content to be left to her own devices when he backed off, and was thrilled to yield to his power when he decided to take the reins.

She was completely healed from the wreck now—bruises gone, stitches out, aches and pains a distant memory. Her hair only had six weeks’ growth, but with the extensions, it wasn't noticeable.

Traffic was light and she made it to the airport quickly, waiting only few minutes before the helicopter came in for a landing. Brent stayed to talk to the pilot, but Jacob came straight to her, waiting for her outstretched arms before leaning in to give her a long hug. She gave him the order to kiss her and he leaned down to show her exactly how happy he was to see her, his lips a gentle demand as the air around them went thick. She felt his heart beating against her chest as her own pulse quickened and she tore her mouth away from him, burying her head in his chest, letting him hold her as she fought the urge to demand he get into the backseat and use his tongue to get her off.

Brent joined them, sliding into the front passenger seat with a chuckle. “You two make me hard just watching you. Jacob, put our luggage in the trunk, please."

Dana gave Jacob another quick peck on the lips before motioning him to do as Brent said. It'd only been two weeks, but she'd missed Jacob, and looked forward to spending time alone with him. They were to have a six-hour window tomorrow to hammer out their own contract, and she'd worked on the specifics all week.

Apparently, there were going to be serious discussions between the four of them this evening, but conversation stayed light on the drive home and through a good part of dinner. As they finished chatting about the weather, of all things, she was about to mention they were supposed to be talking about something important when Brent began.

"I used to have a helicopter pilot's license, but life got busy and I haven't kept it up. It should take me six to ten weeks to prepare to test for it again."

He took a bite and Zach picked up. “Brent and I'll both have helipads put in, and we're going in halves on a four-person helicopter. The one we're looking at will make it from their house to here in around thirty-five minutes."

Brent took a sip of wine and looked at Dana. “Should the two of you want to visit us, I can come get you, but realistically we'll be coming here more often."

Zach waved towards the playroom. “The bed down here's big enough for the four of us, but I'd like to personalize their suite, and while we're at it we'll bring in an oversized bed. You and Jacob need to draw up a design plan and let us approve it, and you should schedule your people to get started."

Dana was still stuck on the helicopter and turned to Brent. “So, does this mean we'll get together every weekend?"

"It means the possibility becomes easier. Remember, Jacob is frequently needed on weekends, as that's when the galas are, where he has to prepare some big star for an event. Every weekend won't happen, but we could come close, if that's what we decide we want, as a group."

Dana's head swam with the prospect of having Jacob most weekends, consistently, so she could count on it. She saw the gratitude in his eyes as he gazed at Brent, and knew he felt the same way.

The four discussed the options the helicopter would open up during the rest of dinner, and as Dana swallowed her final bite, Brent looked at her and said, “Before we begin further discussions, you and I have things to talk about in private, if you'd like to come upstairs with me?"

She turned to Zach, unsure of what was going on, but he only smiled and said, “Go, and know I'm good with whatever you decide. Brent and I've had this conversation, but this one should be your decision. You'll understand why when he asks."

Her eyes travelled to Jacob, but he shrugged, apparently as much in the dark as she. Giving him a lopsided grin, she drank her last swallow of wine and walked up the steps with Brent.

"Come, sit with me on the sofa, I'll get the easy question over with first, then we'll get to the more difficult one. I'm planning to have Jacob pierced. It'll be a guiche, and I'm having a piece of jewelry made that'll say Property of Brent. I think it'd be appropriate for you to have him pierced, if you'd like, and to design the jewelry for it. My agreement with Jacob states I can have him pierced any place I wish, as long as it won't be seen by the general public."

He rolled his eyes, smiling. “Leaves out nipples, since he wears such tight shirts. If you can negotiate them, congratulations—but it'd probably be better to pick something lower."

Dana's heart tipped in her chest as she returned his smile, recognizing what he was offering her, and appreciating his understanding of how important she and Jacob had become to each other. A flood of emotions stormed her and she threw her arms around him. He embraced her with his strong arms and said, “Funny, when male Doms talk, there's usually less hugging."

She kissed him on the cheek. “I've always wondered how being fucked by someone with a PA would feel."

"Excellent choice. I'm not interested in piercing a body part I rarely utilize, but you frequently make use of his cock, and you'll have the added benefit of being stimulated by a Prince Albert. That'll be a big turn-on for him—his pain giving you long-term pleasure."

He reached for his tablet, showing her a mock-up of the ring and tag he'd designed for the guiche, and let her look through the options for PA's, though she'd need to talk to Brent's jeweler before reaching any final decisions.

"Okay, that's settled, what else is there to discuss?"

He took both of her hands in his and said, “I understand you've already put the deposit down to hold a date in early April for your wedding?"

"Well, yeah, but we weren't supposed to tell anyone until Thanksgiving. He asked me two weeks ago, and I told him I'd give him a maybe, but need more time before I'm ready to go public."

Brent tilted his head, pursed his lips. “He's under the impression it's a yes, but you just aren't ready to announce it yet."

She sighed. “He's pretty much right. I guess I shouldn't be surprised he talked to you, as close as the two of you've become."

"How would you feel about a double wedding? I'm going to ask Jacob to fly off to another state and marry me—would you like to get married in Massachusetts with us?"

Dana had worried about her and Zach having a connection the rest of their little group didn't, and this solved everything. Best of all, it'd be a ceremony meant for only the four of them, and not a show put on for family and friends. The huge weight she'd been carrying floated away as she said, “That's perfect, Brent. It's overwhelming sometimes, if I stop and think about it—how intertwined our lives are becoming. But if I don't overthink it, everything's so simple. When will you ask him?"

"Sunday at lunch, before we go home. I've arranged to have a nice meal catered, and we'll all be dressed up."

"Can we go together to look for rings? Would it be too weird for all of us to have them match in some way? Not identical, but a unique detail that's the same?"

"I think that's an excellent idea. You know Zach and I'll let you and Jacob handle most of the details. He's already been working on creating your dress."

They talked a little more of wedding plans and Dana said, “Oh, do you have the paper you said you'd draw up, giving Jacob permission to sign an agreement with me?"

"Yes, I've got about two dozen things listed that I think he might not feel comfortable agreeing to without wanting to check with me first. I included everything you requested, plus piercings."

"Good idea, thanks. I can see how if he's already agreed to allow you to pierce him, he'd be hesitant to give it to me, too, without checking first.” She looked down the list and saw something else she hadn't asked for.

"I wasn't planning to ask for his consent to punish him at my discretion without a safeword."

"Jacob needs it from you, so you should include it. It's a lot of responsibility, but I know how much you care for him, and I've watched you balance punishment with his current emotional and physical state. I'm sure you're ready for it, and I'm certain he needs it."

Dana's insides quivered, and suddenly she understood Zach's concern of taking her too far, as she worried she'd go farther than Jacob could handle and would damage their trust.

"I promise you'll be fine with it Dana. You can read his face, and his tone of voice—you know exactly where he is without input. He doesn't need his safeword, because you know where his edge is. I wouldn't suggest this if I weren't convinced you were up to it."

Realizing he was right, she nodded and continued. “So, tomorrow evening, once we've got it hammered out, I'll send the final contract to the printer in your suite, and that'll be the cue for you and Zach to come in and witness our signing it."

"Yes, and then we'll watch you make him yours physically. Jacob's told you he wants you to make him cry, right?"

Her arousal ignited as she thought about her plans. “Yeah, he has. I'll have him carve the ginger before we start—a plug for both ass and cock. You brought his armbinders? I'll hook those to the winch, and use a spreader on his ankles, put the ginger in, add in weights on his nipples and balls, and then use his own belt on his ass—that should be enough for tears, shouldn't it?"

"I think you'll have to graduate to the cane."

She shook her head but he didn't give her a chance to protest. “You've got the hang of it, and I've already told you I'm good with your using it on him anytime. The large Delrin in your playroom should do the job—full force with the belt until he's close, and then ten to twenty solid strikes of the cane ought to push him over the edge. You'll want him bawling, not merely a few tears. That last bit can be hard, to give those final half dozen strikes that seem to break him, but he needs it from you, just as he occasionally needs it from me."

He pulled her into a hug. “He's ours now, dear, and there's no one else on the planet I'd rather share him with."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Sixteen

* * * *

Dana walked into the club a Domme, with high-heeled black boots reaching her knees, and a black strapless corset dress—the metal boning more than enough to hold it in place—and plenty of leg showing between dress and boots. Jacob had designed it for her, and it molded to her body perfectly. Now all she needed was Jacob, but he was working tonight, getting several divas ready for their own New Year's Eve parties, and would join them later.

Zach had tightened her corset, reminding her she'd be bound by him as she walked around as a sexy Domme. He'd promised she was only a Domme until she and Brent were through with Jacob, and then he'd strip her down to nothing and make her crawl.

She watched the evening's entertainment with Brent and Zach, and grew particularly aroused by the pony play demonstration—something she'd need to talk to Zach about later. Their table was front and center, five feet from the edge of the stage, and she could see every detail of the equipment the girls wore. She wondered how it would feel, to be so dehumanized.

Her cellphone vibrated on her leg and she checked it, seeing the text from the driver Brent had hired, letting her know they were five minutes away. She showed the message to the men and stood to walk out, as Brent wanted her to meet Jacob at the car and bring him in.

Jacob was always harried after preparing people for an event, but she'd learned how to handle him, and she looked him over carefully as she opened his door to usher him out. It was cold, but she kept him outside a few minutes to talk, wanting to help him transition from ordering a bunch of Divas around to belonging to her and Brent.

She asked how the job had gone, leaning him against a wall and massaging his hands as he talked. When she thought he was relaxing, she inquired if he was ready to submit to both her and Brent at the same time, and saw him sliding into the right headspace.

The minute she had him past the outer lobby door she said, “Strip."

He didn't bat an eyelash, just began shedding garments, handing them to her as they came off. When he was nude she took him to the locker room, placing his clothing in her locker and pulling a large plug and some lube out, watching his face as she closed the lock. She understood how it felt—naked amongst a crowd of people, your clothes locked away from you. Only a few submissives had been stripped to nothing this early in the evening, and she also knew how it felt to stand out.

"Hands behind your back."

He was semi-hard, and she played with him until he was gasping with pleasure, a small audience around them. She stopped abruptly and tightened a cock ring and ball stretcher on him, his groans igniting her libido and making her wish she could do more, but the evening had been planned out to almost the minute.

"Turn around, bend over. Open up for me."

She lubed the plug and pushed it in quickly, knowing it would be uncomfortable, and rejoiced as his hands tightened and relaxed around his ankles a few times as he dealt with the intrusion.

"Up, Jacob."

She clipped a leash to his cock ring and turned to walk without bothering to tell him to follow. She hadn't put cuffs on him, but he kept his hands folded behind his back as they walked. She pulled him beside her as they went through a congested area, wrapping her arms around him protectively as they moved through the bodies. She felt him shrinking into her, and knew it'd been a good call.

She led him straight to their table, where Zach and Brent were comfortably munching on finger foods. The fire demonstration on stage reminded her they were next, and she wondered if Brent had made the right decision, not telling Jacob of their plans.

Brent quickly put Jacob's bondage collar and cuffs on him before saying, “Under the table. Get me out and into your mouth. I need to relieve a little tension before the party gets started tonight."

Dana grinned at Brent as his face grew lax—she knew how talented Jacob could be with his mouth.

He timed it well, coming about ten minutes before they were to have Jacob on stage. Brent allowed him to use the restroom before blindfolding him and leading him out. He walked him around enough to disorient him, meeting Dana in the backstage area and handing the leash to her, so she was the one who escorted him on stage.

Brent had talked to her about how she might feel on stage as a Domme, but the reality was a lot more taxing than she'd realized. This was about Jacob's fantasies, about putting him through his paces in front of an audience, and required his submission be deep enough to proclaim it publicly. She was just here to facilitate it for him, and to know how far she could push him.

They'd practiced walking blindfolded by voice commands, and she directed him around the stage by the cock leash, increasing his speed to show how quick his reactions were, showing him off to the crowd before they restrained him.

They used the overhead winch, with his arms spread wide over his head and a long spreader bar on his ankles, attached to a bolt in the floor. Brent started with a Florentine pattern on his back while Dana used a short flogger on his nipples, cock, balls, and thighs. She'd learned how to make him scream, how to make him jerk, and then how to punish him for jerking. They'd been into it about fifteen minutes when a stagehand rolled the reclining bondage table out and they brought the flogging to an end, releasing him from the spreader bars.

Brent half walked and half carried him to a chair, removed his blindfold, and Dana placed sunglasses over his eyes so the stage lights would be easier to deal with. One of the sound people clipped microphones onto both Brent and Dana, and Brent addressed his slave.

"Jacob, this is Mark Davis, and he has some documents for you to sign. You'll be receiving a guiche piercing, with custom-made jewelry I designed. You'll then be given a Prince Albert, and will be gifted with a ring Dana designed. Here's a pen, Mark needs you to look over the paperwork before you sign."

It took a few seconds for his words to sink in, and Jacob's already erect cock grew even harder. He looked from Brent to Dana several times, finally saying, “I'll wear jewelry both of you designed? All the time?"

Dana nodded and saw Brent doing the same beside her. The crowd was quiet, waiting to hear what Jacob would say. His eyes watered a little as he said, “Thank you. I love you both so much, I'll wear whatever you put on me proudly."

Brent said, “We love you, too. You belong to both of us, it's only fitting you carry both of our marks. Mine behind your balls, visible when I'm using you. Hers on your cock, another way to pleasure your Lady. Sign the paper, Jacob."

Dana breathed a sigh of relief. Jacob had readily agreed to piercings in the contract, but she'd still worried he might balk. Brent had been sure of his reaction though, and he'd been right. Jacob felt like a lucky slave, wasn't afraid of the pain at all.

The reclining bondage table was made to hold the victim up, so they could see what was being done to their genitals. There were gynecological stirrups to keep the legs out of the way, and plenty of tie-down points to immobilize torso and arms.

With Brent and Dana working, it didn't take long to get him completely restrained. Cameras were trained on Jacob's face and balls, with large projector screens at the back of the stage showing both shots—giving the audience a very personal view. Nothing was recorded; the cameras were only to enhance the show.

Brent comforted him through the first piercing, which didn't seem to be all that bad. Dana looked down at Zach, sitting close to the stage in front of her, and he caught her eye and gave her a smile that made her insides clinch. Dana's contract also said Zach could pierce her where it wouldn't show, but would he spring this on her out of nowhere? She'd wondered about the possibility when he'd sent her to be waxed with Jacob yesterday, and now the likelihood seemed even greater.

Once the ring was through the piercing, Brent moved down to screw the tag on, and then Dana took his place at Jacob's hip as the piercer began prep for the PA. She held Jacob's hand and talked him through it as a tube was inserted into his urethra, everything lined up, and, finally, the needle pushed through. Jacob gave one quick scream as the needle poked out from the center of his cock, and then a series of gasps as the ring was pulled back through.

Dana moved to stand with the piercer and had to keep her hands from shaking as she screwed the bead she'd designed onto the ring. Her eyes rose to meet Jacob's as she finished, and she could see the adrenaline overload in his expression, but could also see the love and devotion. She knew he'd value this connection to the two people who owned him, and that made it more meaningful to her. She'd know even when he was working in Nashville and she was in Chattanooga, he'd have the ring she bought for him in his cock—her initial in the bead.

She reached down, grasping the base of his cock, and said, “Mine, Jacob. You're mine, and this is mine. I love you."

"Thank you. I love you, too."

The audience clapped as they wheeled the table off stage, but she was stopped before she made it out of the harsh lights, as Zach strode onstage towards her, his face in full Dom mode. He had a microphone on, surprising her when she heard his voice over the speakers.

"Kneel."

She dropped to her knees, not as gracefully as she did when barefoot, but she negotiated it without embarrassing herself. Zach walked around her a few times and she kept her head down until he stood in front of her. She looked up, meeting his eyes, and he smiled.

"Good girl. Who do you belong to?"

"You, Sir."

"Brent will take care of Jacob. You did good with him. Are you through being Domme for the day?"

"I am, Sir. Thank you."

"Stand and turn, you'll need help getting out of your corset."

Zach was fast with the laces, and before long she was nude. He instructed her to place dress and boots neatly at the front edge of the stage, and when she took the first step back to him he said, “No. Crawl."

She hesitated, saw his eyebrow raise, and fell to hands and knees. She wasn't fully in the right headspace yet, but needed to get there. She made the crawl all he'd want—her ass to the audience, back arched the way he liked, legs spread enough to show everything to the crowd.

She kept eye contact with him as she slinked to him, and saw his approval; but then he had her crawl farther back, beyond him, so she couldn't see him anymore. It was harder to maintain her lascivious posture without his eyes anchoring her, but she managed.

"Stop. Don't turn around. You've been learning to hold position, to take what I give you without being restrained. Let's see how much the lessons have sunk in, shall we?"

"Whatever pleases you. Sir."

There were no warning sounds, no indication of what was about to happen, and Dana's right ass cheek exploded in pain. Her arms bent down slightly, her head dipped a little, but her legs stayed put. He'd pulled out the bullwhip, and expected her to endure it without moving? And no warm-up? Shit.

He didn't give her long to deal with the pain before a strike hit her left ass cheek and skimmed onto her right, but she succeeded in staying still this time.

He only gave her eight strikes, but she wasn't warmed up, and she screamed on the last four. If he'd given her a ninth, she doubted she'd have been able to remain in position. Her emotions were all over the place as she wondered why he'd started with the bullwhip, until he was helping her stand, and realized the brief exercise had taken her from Domme to owned in no time, and she was thankful.

"Good girl. I'm proud of you, pet, staying still without a warm-up. You couldn't have handled that a month ago. Come, Mr. Davis has some paperwork for you to sign."

It wasn't the bondage table, but the gynecological table, placing Dana flat on her back, not able to see as Jacob had.

Zach didn't ask her to sit, but stood beside the table with her as they looked over the documents.

"Your clit hood will be pierced, a small Z hanging from it. You learned what a plug is when you were researching piercings for Jacob, didn't you?"

"Yes, Sir. It's what people use when they want to open their piercings into larger holes."

He nodded. “Your outer lips will be pierced in eight places—four on each side—with the fattest needle Mr. Davis will use. He'll put rings in this evening, and once the holes have healed you'll have an appointment to receive larger jewelry every four to six weeks, until I'm happy with the size. Eventually, you'll wear tunnel plugs, and I'll have the option of locking a thin chain through them, to block off access to your pussy and clit."

Dana's head swam. “You're having me pierced nine times, Sir? Tonight?"

He caressed his hand down her face, speaking softly. “Our contract states I can have your genitals pierced in any way I wish. You're not being punished, so you have your safeword if you want to use it."

She took a deep breath, looked beyond the pain to what it would mean for the future. This was him claiming her pussy, marking it as his, and the implications of what he'd be able to do with it later...

"My body is yours, Sir. Any hesitation isn't over your right to pierce me, but a fear of so many at once. I trust you to take care of me, and to know what I can handle. I'm not in subspace, and it's going to hurt, Sir."

"Do you trust me to not give you more than you can handle?"

"Yes, Sir. I do."

"I'd like you to look over the forms and sign them, please. That's not an order; Mr. Davis needs to have your consent, not mine."

She glanced through and quickly signed her name, laying the pen down and leaning back into Zach, her knees shaky with nerves, her blood through the roof with arousal.

The piercer removed the paperwork and Zach helped her onto the table. She was grateful for the bondage; she'd feared for a moment he might expect her to hold still, and her control wasn't that good.

They attached her in so many places she couldn't move any part of her body but mouth and eyelids. No sooner did she have the thought than he came to her with one of her most hated gags. It was a large ball fastened to a wide neoprene band. She could breathe through the hole, but it stretched her jaw to the point she couldn't use her tongue or lips, especially with the band sealing off the lower part of her face. She could scream, but only a portion of the sound would make it out, and words would be impossible.

He draped the rawhide flogger over her stomach and ran his hands through her folds until she was crazy with need. He switched his microphone off and said, “I don't have much time to get you into subspace, pet. I'm not upset with you, but I know this will get you there faster than anything else. The gag is there so you don't embarrass yourself in front of the audience. I love you."

He turned the mic back on, picked up the flogger, and said, “Show me your safe signal."

She opened and closed her hands three times, paused, did it another three times.

He let loose with the flogger on her inner thighs and she immediately began screaming, fighting the restraints in futility, struggling to evade the lash as he hit hard, fast, and without mercy. She counted to thirty in her head and lost count, the hits merging into one another, her screams trapped behind the huge gag so they were louder in her head than in her ears. Her body immobilized, she was frantic from the pain, with no way to escape it.

When it finally stopped, all she could do was fight for breath, try to breathe. She was still screaming in her head, but too weak to keep struggling.

She felt a cool cloth on her face, opened her eyes, and melted as she met Zach's tender gaze. She felt fingers on her pussy lips, pulling them out—and then on her clit.

"It's okay. He's looking everything over and he'll get started in a minute. He's good; we'll be through this in no time, right?"

Dana felt pressure on her pussy lips and suddenly, pain. She'd done needle play before and had been expecting a similar feeling, but this was different. She heard herself screaming through the hole in the gag, and tried to move, but couldn't. Zach caressed her face, told her it was over, the needle was through and the jewelry in.

The piercer wasted no time, it seemed like less than a minute later a needle was pushing through a spot just a little lower than the first piercing, and Dana could feel the distinct popping of skin on one side, felt it pushing through, and screamed as it broke through on the other side. She couldn't figure out why it was hurting so bad, something was wrong, needle play had never felt like this before. Zach was right there with her, caressing her face, talking to her, helping her breathe through it.

When Mr. Davis finally finished the eighth on her labia, she was exhausted, and barely felt the clit hood piercing—a tweak with the needle, nothing more.

The ceiling began moving as she was rolled offstage, Zach holding her hand and telling her how well she'd done, and it was over now.

Brent met them as she left the view of the audience and released her from the table while Zach removed the gag. Someone brought her dress and boots, but Zach put them into his bag. She looked around for Jacob when they stood her up, saw him sitting in a chair close by, met his eyes, sensed he was fine, and relaxed back into Zach's arms.

Brent's voice rumbled near her ear. “He's good. Let's get you taken care of and we'll all go home."

Zach wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and held her a few minutes before saying, “We have permission to leave by the side door so you won't have to walk far. I emptied both lockers while the three of you were onstage, and Brent has all of our things. Do you think you can walk about twenty yards to the car?

"Yeah, just not sure I can sit in the seat."

"Not a problem. Here, I brought your fleece lined Crocs, slide your feet in."

He fastened her coat around her, tied the belt, and helped her through the club to the emergency exit. One of the dungeon masters was there to let them out without setting off an alarm, and Dana breathed a sigh of relief to see the Escalade outside the door. Brent opened the back, and Zach eased her down on an inflatable mattress and then lay beside her, holding her.

"Go to sleep if you want. Jacob's up front with Brent. If you're asleep when we get there I'll help Jacob walk in and Brent will carry you."

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Seventeen

* * * *

Jacob and Dana were treated like royalty—no one had to go in to work for a week after New Year's, and their days consisted of having their piercings cleaned four times a day, lots of good food, video and board games, and conversation.

Dana didn't get a chance to see her piercings until the next afternoon, and she finally figured out why it'd hurt so bad—the piercer had used a huge needle, and the rings penetrating her labia were much thicker than she'd imagined they'd be. They still had a ways to go before they'd be as big as Zach wanted them, but he'd started out with large holes so the stretching process wouldn't take so long.

On the third morning both submissives were laid side-by-side on the bed, their heads backwards over the edge, and the two Doms used their mouths and throats.

Later that afternoon they were leaned over the arms of the sofa, facing each other, and thoroughly ass-fucked with neither allowed their own release.

When Brent flew them home seven days later, Dana's piercings were still sore but no longer kept her from sitting.

Zach used her mouth and ass plenty over the next three weeks, but neglected her pussy until she thought she'd go crazy.

The wedding date was set for early April, and it was mid-February when Zach broke the news that he wouldn't make use of her pussy again until they were married.

"But, you haven't fucked me since last year, Sir. I can't wait until April! That'll be nearly four months!"

"I suggest you watch your attitude, you're coming close to a punishment."

Dana took a breath, tried to calm down, but wasn't managing. “Sir, I'm afraid I need help with my attitude."

She focused on his feet as she spoke, because he'd see the hostility she was feeling if she looked at him. She'd learned it was better to be honest, to let him know when she wasn't viewing one of his edicts as a happy submissive should, so he could help her get there, but it was damned hard, sometimes.

His voice softened. “Who do you belong to?"

"You, Sir."

"I want our wedding night to be special. I'm going to make love to you, and it will have been so long since I've been in your pussy, it'll be memorable for both of us. I need you to kneel, please."

She did, and he walked to a chair, sat, and patted the side of his leg. She crawled to him, resenting him for making her, but once she was in her familiar kneeling-time position, leaning comfortably against his leg, something inside her slid into place and she belonged to him, wanted to please him.

"Tell me where your head is, pet."

"I was thinking of my own pleasure instead of your wants and needs. I'm sorry, Sir."

"Anything else?"

"Yes, Sir. I miss Jacob. Brent removed his phone privileges for a week, and it feels like I'm being punished along with him."

"He's only on phone restriction two more days. There's nothing I can do, and you know it. I've grounded you from the phone a few times, and Jacob felt the same way, I believe. What else?"

"I'm mad at you, Sir, for ignoring my pussy. I understand your reasoning, but I can't help the way I feel."

"Ah, there it is. We're getting married in seven weeks. I won't be fucking your pussy until our honeymoon—that's not negotiable. What do you propose we do to keep you from becoming resentful?"

"I don't know, Sir."

"Well, I do, but I think I'll let you find out as a surprise. Meanwhile, perhaps a little maintenance is in order, to remind you of who you are."

"Yes, Sir,” she said miserably, “You're probably right."

He laughed. “Probably? Go upstairs and get into your cage. I'll be up in a minute to lock you in."

He blindfolded and hogtied her, letting her hear the cage door shut and the lock click.

She had no idea how much time she spent trussed backwards, but her body hurt long before he finally got her out, and instead of massaging her as he'd usually do, he only rearranged her bondage, putting her on hands and knees on the bed, then pulling her arms through her legs to reattach wrists to ankles.

"What are you?"

"I'm your pet, Sir."

"Tell me what you want."

Oh god, her pussy needed attention so bad, but he wanted it empty, and suddenly, she wanted it to be special for their wedding night, too. “Use my mouth or my ass, please, Sir. I'm yours, and I want our honeymoon to fulfill every fantasy you have about it."

His hand caressed her bottom, comforting her. “That's my girl. It's good to have you back. Are you craving pain, pet?"

"Yes, sir. Please?"

"We'll start with ten."

The first strike hit and Dana screamed. He was using the thinner Loopy Johnny, but even the small one was too intense without a warm-up. The next strike was brutal, the pain encompassing more than skin and muscle, and she managed an Ottoman amongst her shouting. She hadn't intended it to sound like she was crying, but the word came out as a sob.

"I'm sorry. Sir."

He gently rubbed across the strike zone, soothing the pain. “Don't apologize. You aren't being punished, and I didn't ask you to take it for me. You're supposed to tell me when it's too much.” He began disconnecting collar and cuffs as he talked. “I don't want to go downstairs to get a flogger right now, and I think a nice over-the-knee hand-spanking sounds rather appealing. Back to basics, yes? Keep your eyes closed."

His fingers stroked her face before gently removing the blindfold. She felt soft feather kisses on her back, and his hand caressed her bottom again. “Open your eyes while you're looking down. Once they've adjusted you can sit up, and then come to me. I'll be in the seating area. Don't stand until you're sure you have your balance."

The lights weren't bright, so within a few minutes she found herself walking to him. He'd pulled her vanity stool into the bedroom, so there'd be no arms to get in the way of bending over his lap.

The act of draping your body over a lover's legs, putting yourself into position to be spanked, is one of the most intimate and trusting acts a submissive can do. It's so simple, but bare stomach and thighs on clothed legs, your side against his cock, your naked bottom sticking up, and all of your girly parts exposed to his view—it's a terribly humbling experience.

Dana had forgotten how bad a simple hand-spanking could hurt. A hand can deliver sting and thud at the same time, or can produce one or the other. Zach kept things changed up, so she never knew what kind of hit she'd be experiencing next, and once he saw she was getting into it, he sped up, his hand coming time and time again with no pause until she was kicking her legs and fighting to get away, tears rolling down her face. It never occurred to her to safeword, she was so into the moment. The only things that existed in her universe were Zach's legs, his arm wrapped around her torso holding her in place, her hands on the floor under her, her unclothed thighs on his pants, the staccato rhythm of his hand, and the wonderful heat emanating from her bottom.

When at last he stopped, a little out of breath, he said, “Okay, pet, this time I'm asking you to take what I give you. I need to hurt you, and I need to see you accept it. Can you do that for me?"

Without a doubt, she'd find a way. “Yes, Sir. I can."

"Go into your closet and brace yourself. I won't make you wait long."

He'd found the perfect position for her to stand against a wall, and appropriated an unused section in her closet to paint silhouettes of hands on the sheet rock and feet on the floor.

She situated her arms first, then her feet, and finally made sure her back was arched, her already throbbing ass pushing up. The stance was comfortable enough to hold for five or ten minutes, but beyond that, muscle strain set in.

She heard his footsteps within minutes, her head turning to look, anticipation growing in her gut. She spotted the thick loopy in his hand and her pussy lit up as dread settled in her heart.

"I'm not giving you a number today. I'll start with the small one and progress to the heavy one. You don't have to be quiet, but if so much as a finger or toe moves outside of a line, what's the punishment?"

"Twelve hours in mitts and hobbles, every time I move. Sir."

The first two strikes had her fighting to stay in place as the walls of hanging clothes absorbed her screams. The third strike wasn't so bad, and somewhere around the sixth she felt her ass pushing back and up, no longer trying to avoid, but wanting it harder, faster.

He switched implements without giving any indication, and she came very close to moving when the heavy loopy hit. She bent her legs a little, pulled her ass in some, but only for an instant. He gave her a predictable rhythm, but she struggled against it for the longest—fighting her reflexes, battling against the fight-or-flight response that insisted she flee the agony.

Until she didn't anymore. Now she wanted the next strike. She was adrift without the pain searing through her body. Her ass was hot, swollen, and ached when he took too long between swings. Each blow was like nourishment, a vitamin that kept the muscle from aching.

When he finally stopped, she heard the loopy being thrown down, felt his cock at her asshole. He'd told her earlier in the week she was to stay lubed at all times so he could fuck her anytime. She wanted more pain now, and wished she'd neglected to add it.

Thankfully, he wasn't gentle, and her ass was sore from the frequent use. It was perfect, and she howled through the pain, fighting to keep her hands and feet in place through his pounding even though she didn't have to anymore—as long as she stayed close during this part, he'd be pleased, but she wanted to show him her control, needed to give all of herself to him.

The order to orgasm came just before he went wild, gripping her hips and destroying her from the inside out as her climax tore through her, heating her blood past the boiling point until she thought her head would fly off. Her world spun out of control, colors and sounds merging together as heat shot deep inside her, filling her.

Zach lifted her into his arms and carried her to bed, gently laying her on her side before rolling her onto her stomach. He held her until she floated into the blissful darkness, sleep crashing around her, pulling her under.

Dana awakened in agony, her ass swollen, hot, and aching. She groaned, heard Zach's voice. “Shhh, you're okay. I'm here. Do you need more ice?"

It took her a minute to realize what ice meant, and the significance of the wonderful throbbing sensation blanketing her ass and thighs. “Can I see, Sir? I have to use the restroom anyway, will you help me up?"

He nodded and walked around the bed, supporting her as she slid off, holding his arm around her waist to walk her into the bathroom. She twisted around to view her ass in the mirror and saw the harsh, sideways teardrop shaped welts and bruises left by the Loopy Johnny.

Topical bruises layered over deep ones, decorated by welts. She reached her hand back, trailed her fingers lightly over the skin and felt dozens of raised contusions in one swipe across. She twisted to hug Zach, throwing her arms around him.

"Thank you, Sir. Oh god, thank you so much. How did you know I needed it?"

"Because I know my pet. You seem pretty steady now, are you okay?"

She let go of him, stepped back, her balance fine. Mostly. “I think so, how long did I sleep?"

"About four hours. I've been rotating ice on and off while you slept. I should've put more on about fifteen minutes ago, but had a feeling you may rouse soon and didn't want to take a chance on you waking up alone. If you're all right I'll run down and get some more."

"I'm good. Thank you. Again."

He smiled and left, not even insisting she sit on the toilet first. As soon as she'd lost her hang-ups about peeing in front of him, it stopped being a big deal.

She was climbing back into bed as he returned with the ice, and she sighed with relief as the cold began to cancel out the heat.

"We're not in scene rules now, right Sir? Can we talk?"

He stroked her back, and she turned her head to the other side to see his face.

"I thoroughly enjoyed giving you those marks. I'm not sorry, I have no regrets, and I'm not disgusted with myself—or you. Is that what you wished to know?"

The fist squeezing her heart relaxed and she reached up with her hand to hold his, bringing it to her mouth to kiss his fingers. No words were needed, and they lay together, both secure in the fact she was his, and he was hers.

Dana felt her eyes closing, remembered how close they'd come to walking away from each other, thought of the game of Truth or Dare that brought them back together, and realized she'd never asked Zach about his question to Brent.

"Sir? When you asked Brent if he was attracted to you... have the two of you had whatever conversation you needed to have about it?"

"No, but I've talked to Kirsten, and I've been working up the nerve to talk to Brent."

She kissed his hand again. “Can you tell me what you're thinking?"

He sighed, patting her back and then pushing his body down the bed until he was lying beside her, so they were face to face. “Sometimes it feels as if Brent is tiptoeing around me, like he's paranoid I'll suddenly realize I'm naked in a room with a gay man, and I'll freak. I want us to get beyond that, and if it means we need to beat each other off to convince him I'm comfortable around him and won't come unhinged if he accidentally touches me while we're all having sex, I think I'm up for it."

Dana wasn't sure it was a good strategy, but she sensed Zach had more to say, and she added, “But...."

He smiled; amused she'd known there was more. “But Kirsten says I shouldn't offer unless I'm honestly curious about how it'll feel, she thinks doing it just to prove I'm cool with touching and being touched is a bad idea. But I sense I need to do something."

"Maybe you should talk to him, tell him what you told me? Simply having the conversation may be enough to put him at ease."

When Jacob arrived Friday she discovered she'd be allowed to fuck him with her pussy, and she regretted her outburst all the more. Still, her ass and mouth got a lot of use in that period, and she grew tired of having to keep her ass constantly lubricated. She did though, as she soon learned Zach would use her when he wanted, and he didn't take it easy on her if she wasn't lubed.

The next seven weeks were a flurry of activity at work as she attempted to finish all of her projects before she took a month off to get married and play.

Brent put Jacob into the jailbird a month before their wedding date, and Dana's pussy couldn't play anymore.

Dana designed a curved Prince Albert wand with a large diamond on one end and a prominent D on the other. Brent's jeweler specialized in that sort of thing, and she was assured it would feel perfect when he fucked her. She worked with one of the piercers so she'd be able to take his ring out and put the wand in, with special plans for her to do it after the wedding ceremony.

The two Doms had their talk behind closed doors and the next time the four of them played, she could tell Brent was more relaxed when in close proximity to Zach. She'd never noticed him being careful of Zach before, but now that he wasn't she could tell the difference.

She and Zach drafted a new contract, with plans to sign it the afternoon of their wedding. This one was permanent, with no end date, and it gave him the right to decide whether to honor her safeword or not, at any time. She was still required to use it as a communication tool, but it was no longer a guarantee he'd stop.

Dana spent an hour looking up hospitals to find the best in the areas they'd travel for their honeymoon, but otherwise decided she couldn't worry about what might happen. She was comforted by the fact that with four people together, she wouldn't be making decisions alone if someone got sick.

She and Zach changed their wills, which was probably the most emotional part of the wedding preparations. He put her name on the house, as well as on all of his bank and investment accounts. They also changed the titles on all of their vehicles to show both names.

Dana had known Zach was rich, but hadn't realized exactly how much money he'd accumulated, and was a little intimidated by it. He'd put her at ease, reminding her money could buy security, but not happiness. He could see to her security if something happened to him, but she'd be responsible for her own happiness.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Chapter Eighteen

* * * *

Dana awakened the morning of her wedding and snuggled closer to Jacob. She looked at the clock, saw it was almost nine, and rolled over to rouse him. They'd need breakfast soon, so they could start getting ready.

"Wake up, sleepyhead. We're getting married today."

He opened his eyes and looked at her a few seconds before breaking out in a smile. “We are, aren't we? God, we've got a lot to do. Do you want the shower while I call down to room service? Still want the same thing you picked out last night?"

"Yeah, eggs and oatmeal, the least likely foods to upset my stomach."

Jacob gave her the full Diva treatment, just as he'd pamper a star he was preparing for the red carpet. He chattered nervously as he worked, and she loved him for it.

"I wonder how Brent and Zach made it last night? I can't believe we talked them into letting us stay together, so they wouldn't see us on our wedding day until we walked down the aisle."

Dana laughed. “I'm sure they're fine. Probably plotting what to do to us after the ceremony. Can you work on the corset a little more, please? Zach will expect it much tighter, since I can still breathe. Besides, he put me in it for the final fitting, so the dress will be too small unless you pull as hard as he did."

Jacob got more leverage and constricted it in, inch by inch, as he talked. “How much did Zach tell you about what they've planned for, you know, after the ceremony?"

"Not much, but you know Brent asked us not to discuss it. What's up, Jacob? You don't usually disobey his orders."

Jacob fastened the laces at the bottom and sat on the bed, sighing as he said, “I know, it's just I've been in the jailbird a month, and have assumed he'll let me out today, but he hasn't told me he will."

She turned and stroked his face. “It's harder when you're not being punished, isn't it?"

"Yes. When I know I deserve it, I can deal with it. But when it's just for his amusement it rankles sometimes."

"Would you want the power to safeword out of it?"

"That's the fucked up part, isn't it? I could've negotiated for it when we redid the contract. We changed a bunch of things around while we were at it, and I opted not to ask for changes to his ability to put me in chastity. I want him to have the control, but I hate that he has it."

"No, it's not fucked up. I get it. But speaking of your jailbird, I'm supposed to put your ball spreader on at least two hours before the ceremony. Stand and spread your legs."

Dana couldn't believe the butterflies in her stomach as she and Jacob stood outside the chapel door. They'd be walking each other down the aisle, and would give each other away. This ceremony was for the four of them, and no one else's business.

Zach was so handsome in his tux, and she was so used to seeing Brent in jeans she had to do a double-take at the way he filled his. The three tuxedos matched in color—black and white in all the same places, but the cuts were different, so each could be their own individual groom. Dana's dress was white, but form fitting, and with a removable train so she'd be able to wear it at the reception once they returned home.

The train almost acted as a hobble, and combined with the corset, made her feel very submissive as she walked down the aisle to Zach.

Her vows included the honoring, obeying, and serving parts, as did Jacob's.

She thought they'd never get to the kiss, but when they did, it was only a promise of what was yet to come.

Both couples signed their new contracts in the limo, the submissives required to read them aloud first, which was harder than Dana had anticipated. They had an hour's drive between destinations, and she thought she'd go crazy with arousal as Zach refused to do more than caress and kiss her until the limo finally dropped them off at one of the premier BDSM clubs in the area.

The group had rented the space for the afternoon, but she only knew the Doms planned to make their wedding day memorable. Dana would have an opportunity to take the ring out of Jacob's piercing and insert the curved wand she'd had made, but she didn't know what else to expect.

Zach led her into the playspace and carefully removed her dress, leaving her in white heels and a white underbust corset, with garters holding up white thigh high stockings. He posed her like a mannequin, telling her not to move while he took care removing his tux and hanging everything.

She wasn't sure where Brent and Jacob were, and stopped caring when Zach took her into his arms and kissed her, his lips sliding over hers, and his tongue casually dominating her mouth. He carried her to one of the padded bondage tables, laying her face up and climbing between her legs. He casually licked and sucked from nipples, to ears, to neck, back to nipples—his lack of urgency making her crazy.

His mouth gradually became more demanding, his hands possessive, and he played her body as a conductor does the orchestra—skillfully eliciting moans and pleadings, slowly building to a crescendo before he braced himself and plunged into her, their gazes holding as he entered her for the first time in almost four months.

Her senses exploded, fireworks shooting through her, and he drove himself into her again, fighting the orgasm coursing through her body as he shoved her knees back and thrust deeper. She cried out in pleasure as he pounded her, and she did her best to move her hips with him, to give back as good as she was getting. He hadn't restrained her and she took full advantage of it, wanting to make him lose control, hungering to see him mindless with lust, and she used her hands and mouth and hips to drive him on.

She watched the storm inside of him gather until his restraint disintegrated and he ravished her, took her, used her until he gave himself to her and collapsed, his body shuddering over hers for several long minutes before he rolled to the side, gasping for air.

He regained his breath first, and turned sideways, writing invisible words on her stomach and making her guess them—love, property, pet, fucktoy.

"I should've told you earlier, but you have permission to come as often as you like today. I think we've both recovered, and there's something I'd like to do while we wait for Brent and Jacob to join us. I need to put you into one of these swings though. Let me help you up."

He strapped her into the swing—arms, legs, and body secured to it with legs spread and feet pointing in the air, everything on display.

He pulled a chair up, took a seat, and began unscrewing her clit piercing. She held as still as she could as he removed it, and watched as he withdrew a case from the bag at his feet. He opened the box and displayed the contents, and she gasped at the delicate beauty. He'd designed a horseshoe shape with a blue gemstone on either side—dark blue and light blue, matching the color of their eyes.

"They're both sapphire, and I looked through hundreds of stones before I found the right ones. I'm afraid the jeweler doesn't think I'm as easy to work with as the designer who worked on my home once did."

"Oh, Zach, their perfect. Thank you."

He began the delicate job of threading it through her piercing holes, holding a mirror so she could see once it was in place. Her eyes teared up, but she was saved from actually crying when Brent and Jacob walked into the room. Jacob looked well fucked and Brent still sported a hard-on.

Dana soon learned the object of the day was to make her and Jacob come until they couldn't bear another orgasm. Brent hadn't come yet, and Jacob had so far climaxed twice. She watched as Brent got him hard again, feeling a little sorry for his already oversensitive cock.

They put him behind her, and Zach informed her he wanted Jacob in her ass while he fucked her pussy. The ring of the PA pushed into her ass and she gasped at the sensation. It was the first time Jacob had been in her without a condom, and she wished they were face to face so she could look into his eyes.

Zach let him get a good start before plunging into her, his front crushing her clit as he sank in, and Dana crumpled into an orgasm, her muscles trying to draw up to nothing, but the swing held her legs and arms stretched wide. She screamed through it, the sensations more than she could handle while the men were still, and when they began moving, she thought she'd fly apart. Her breath came faster and she fought the harness until her back arched, giving the men a better angle to invade her. The world exploded in a blaze of color as she felt Jacob coming in her ass, heard him whimpering when Brent continued to pound him after he'd come.

Zach was in front of her, his control a tangible thing as he drove into her. “Again, Dana. Come for me, Come with me. With me. Together. Now!"

Unbelievably, she erupted once more, spasming around him until it hurt, her arms straining to pull down to him, to hold him. Jacob held her from behind, kept her body together, anchored her to this world as she melted, trembling uncontrollably long after the climax finished.

When Zach finally stepped back, Brent stopped and ordered Jacob to his knees. She heard Jacob gagging as Zach released her from the swing.

Brent walked Jacob to the bathroom to clean him, and Dana asked if she could go wash up, also.

"No, you're fine. Go climb on the bondage table; Brent will bring Jacob to you when they've cleaned up. Wait, let me get you something to drink. I didn't like that trembling before. Do you feel okay? You had a good breakfast, right?"

"Yeah, I did, but I could probably use one of your nasty sports drinks. Thanks for taking care of me, Sir."

She was sitting on the edge of the bondage table, legs swinging below her as she finished her drink, when Brent sat Jacob beside her. Zach handed her the jewelry box with Jacob's new PA wand and she slid off the table and moved between his legs, looking into his eyes until the familiar feeling of their souls merging caught her breath. “I love you, Jacob. The four of us are connected, and the Celtic eternity knot on our rings ties us all together, but we each also have our own personal relationships. You're mine and,” she dropped her gaze to his cock, fingering the ring, forgetting what she'd rehearsed in her head as her emotions took over.

Not trusting her voice, she opened the box, holding it so he could see, and he pulled it out, turning it every which way to examine it. “Oh, Dana, my Lady, it's beautiful. I'm touched. Thank you."

His eyes watered and she leaned in to kiss him before reaching for his cock, gently unscrewing the ball and rotating the ring out. She'd been worried about getting the wand in, but she lined it up as the piercer had instructed and it slid right in. They hugged a few minutes, kissed, and as soon as they pulled apart the two Doms started moving them around again.

Dana found herself kneeling over Jacob in the sixty-nine position, with instructions to get him off with her mouth, and for Jacob to get Dana off as many times as possible. It took Dana forty-five minutes to bring him to release, and she was so tired of climaxing that by the time he finally came, she was looking back fondly on the days of orgasm restriction.

But Zach climbed up on the table and put her on her hands and knees, immediately entering her pussy from behind. Brent did the same with Jacob, fucking his ass from behind with no prep and no warning. Dana reached for Jacob's hands, holding them, wanting to cry with the need to come again, but didn't think she'd be able.

They kept at them, making them come over and over until Jacob had an orgasm with no ejaculate. It seemed quite painful, but apparently it was what the two were waiting on, before they began the next part of the evening.

Dana and Jacob were each strung up between two poles, face to face, but about three feet away from each other.

Brent walked behind Jacob and put his arms around him, reaching down to fondle his soft cock and making Jacob gasp and hopelessly try to pull away. “We originally planned to tie you together, but you'll both be screaming before we're done, and we didn't think you should be caterwauling into each other's ears."

Jacob looked even more tired than Dana felt, but she wanted this. She yearned to be hurt, owned.

Zach moved in front of her so she was looking at him instead of Jacob. “Our agreement says your safeword is for informational purposes only from now on. I can ignore them if I wish.” He caressed her cheek, his eyes soft, face serious. “I don't intend to stop today, pet. Use them if you need me to know it's too much, and I may choose to back off, but I won't stop. I'll assume the safeword is about the level of pain, so if you get a muscle cramp, or can't breathe, you'll have to tell me what's wrong, not just safeword."

"Yes, Sir. I know. We've talked about this, lots."

He reached up and squeezed her nipple twisting it slowly as he said, “And we'll keep talking about it until I'm sure you'll remember it when you're on your way to subspace. I love you."

He leaned down and kissed her before walking behind her.

He and Brent had worked on their timing, because she knew when she'd be hit, based on watching the bullwhip approach Jacob's back and ass. They screamed together, begged for more together, and, finally, were taken down together.

Zach stretched her out on a different bondage table, laying her out and kissing her into a hazy dream world of love and caring, passion and heat, with everything swirling in a dizzying eddy of colors and light. The kiss grew into touches, and when he entered her again, making love to her through countless more orgasms, she fingered her new wedding ring, lingering over the texture of the eternity knot, and marveled that she could get so lucky three times in one lifetime—to have a man so devoted to her, who loved her, would do almost anything for her. Garnet was her past, but Zach and Jacob were her future—both fulfilling a need, and both as important to her as breathing.

* * * *

The End

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ABOUT CANDACE BLEVIN

* * * *

Candace Blevins is a southern girl who loves to travel the world.

She lives with her husband of 14 years and their two daughters. When not working or driving kids all over the place she can be found reading, writing, meditating, or swimming.

Candace writes romance books about characters who happen to have some extreme kinks. Relationships can be difficult enough without throwing power exchange into the mix, and her books show people who care enough about each other to fight to make the relationship work.

You can visit her on the web at candaceblevins.com and kinkyeverafter.com .

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Candace Blevins: Serious Romance. Serious BDSM.

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If you enjoyed Safewords: Davenport and Chiffon, you might also enjoy:

Safeword: Rainbow

.Safeword: Storm Clouds

.Safeword: Matte

.Safeword: Davenport

.Safeword: Quinacridone (to be released later in 2012)

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Safeword: Matte

By Candace Blevins

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He released her ankles from her wrists, but left her bound wrist to wrist and ankle to ankle. A rope had been thrown over the beam running across the porch, and he used it to tie her arms over her head, threading it through her cuffs and expertly knotting it. Stepping back, he dried himself while looking at her appraisingly, but didn't say anything. He'd taken the condom off at some point and his cock was semi-hard. Sam watched as he walked to a side table and picked up a large flogger, and then lost her view of him as he stepped behind her.

The rope above her didn't let her stand flat footed, she was up on her toes and she knew her calves would be hurting before this was over. The rope had a knot she could grab onto with her hands to take some of her weight, and she knew he'd done that on purpose. She wanted this, wanted to hurt, wanted him to hurt her, wanted him to own her in this way, too. He'd said he was going to flog her until his arms were tired, that could be a very long time. It was raining harder now, a true downpour, what her grandfather would have called a toad strangler. The wind was blowing and every once in a while she felt a mist from the rain blowing in. Not enough to wet her, just a warm light mist on her front.

She heard the flogger swishing through the air and then felt it as she heard the crash of the strands on her back. He set up a rhythm right away. Swish, crash. Swish, crash. Sometimes it hit flat and the thud of it knocked her forward. Sometimes the tips landed and set her skin on fire in more than a dozen spots. She knew he was doing it on purpose, because he kept it balanced—right flat, left flat. Then a while later—right tips, left tips. Swish, crash. Swish, crash. He spent time on her upper back and on her ass, avoiding her kidneys in between. She felt it when the endorphins kicked in, felt her muscles relaxing. She rode the feelings, going from dealing with the pain, to accepting the pain, to finally craving the pain, wanting the next stroke. Needing the next stroke.

"Harder. I need more. It's not enough, Sir. Please.” Her voice didn't sound the way she was used to hearing it.

He stopped and walked away, then walked back. The next stroke was what she'd asked for, and it was with a different flogger. She felt the knots in this one; felt them hitting her skin, dragging across it, raising welts in their path. It was perfect, exactly what she needed. She moaned in ecstasy, and then she realized he hadn't hit her hard the first time—he'd been testing to see how she was going to handle this flogger. Now he was putting muscle into it.

A thunderclap sounded in the distance and it was perfect, Mother Nature lashing them with rain and thunder, and Ethan lashing her in the midst of it. She grabbed onto the knot above her, raising herself up, feeling the burn in her arms as she relieved a little of the burn in her calves, and the flogging went on and on in a perfect rhythm. Swish, crash. Swish, crash. Her back and ass were on fire, her body was like a lit fuse, she needed to come but had no way to do it. Yes, she did. She squeezed her legs together, trying to get enough sensation on her clit to get herself off, and still the flogging continued, the knots striking and dragging.

The thunder and lightning were getting closer, the rain was more ferocious, the warm wind misting her almost constantly now. Swish, crash. Swish, crash. She heard him yell when the thunder roared, but didn't know what he'd yelled. In between the thunder and the wind she could hear herself giving moans and groans, gasping the humid air in, screaming it out. The pain was exquisite; the burn had turned her back and ass into a large throbbing sex organ, the caress of the flogger making her more and more raw.

She relaxed her hands, let more of her weight go to her calves once again, and then he was behind her, releasing her ankles from each other and lifting her up, sitting her down on his cock and pushing her down onto it. She hadn't expected it, but it was perfect, this primal claiming. She reached for the knot above her hands again, not because she needed to relieve the weight distribution anymore, she just needed something to hold into.

He fucked her like a madman. She came twice, her orgasm rolling through and over and around her as he played her body, his cock going in and out, his hands and gravity controlling where her body was.

Just as another peal of thunder reverberated against the mountain, shaking the house, the floor of the porch, the rope... he came with a roar she felt more than heard, his chest to her back, and she came with him, her orgasm rolling through her body as the thunder had rolled through the sky.

As Sam was coming back to herself, once her orgasm had finally subsided, she felt Ethan reach up and release her cuffs from the rope above her head. He slowly sank to the floor with her in his arms and gently maneuvered her onto her back, leaning over her and kissing her like a man possessed.

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Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

ABOUT CANDACE BLEVIN

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