Judged by Him (21 page)

“He found you by accident?”

“No. He was searching for an experienced submissive partner. A more enduring relationship than the ones he had previously been engaged in. I don’t think he was seeking love or romance, not when he started out. No.” Gemma paused, remembering her first sessions with Jason. “He was very much a Dom with me at first. Never showed me his feelings or what he was thinking. How did you meet John?”

“He came to check our stock at the nursery. Wanting roses or something. I bent over to pull a weed out, and he told me later that he fell for my bum! Such a romantic person. What?!”

Gemma was beside herself with laughter. “It was a photocopier with me. I bent over to fix a fault. Jason told me that was enough for him. They’re all the same, these men, aren’t they?”

Once they recovered their composure, they sat in the Jacuzzi pool and talked about Andrea’s ivory wedding dress.

***

John turned slightly green as Lubinsky spun the boat around again. More sharp turns and arcs, ploughing the speedboat through the water. He clung to the rope line with white knuckles.

Jason, on the other hand, loved being tossed about, shooting across the waves with water splashing around them. Speed didn’t frighten him. He owned a high-powered sports car and would happily let Lubinsky test the limits of the boat’s powerful engine if it wasn’t for the presence of John.

“Do you want a go?” Jason shouted over the roar of the engine and the sound of the waves smashing against the boat.

John shook his head. “Um, you first.”

Jason grinned, took hold of the wheel, and cranked up the throttle. The boat surged forward, smashing into a wave.

“Not bad, John,” shouted Lubinsky as the boat bounced about.

John’s short stint at the controls, following Jason’s own, ended as he handed back the wheel to the experienced sailor. Jason patted his arm and chuckled at his exhilarated expression. “See, it is fun.” John gave a small nod of acknowledgement.

They searched the coastline for a suitable cove or beach area. Heading inland, south of
Sublime
, Lubinsky suggested a location for John and Jason to swim.

Jason dived into the cool seawater, whereas John slid in cautiously, gasping with the cold. They swam until they reached the shoreline and outcrop. Perched on the dry rocks in the sunshine, John sat with his back to the sun.

“How is your business going, Jason?”

He kept his summary brief, not wanting to mar his day with intrusive thoughts about work. “Mixed fortunes at the moment. I’m awaiting further reports at the beginning of the week. One of those acquisitions that on paper looks straightforward but ends up being troublesome. Unfortunately, everything is happening while I’m on holiday.” Jason exhaled deeply. “The gardening business?”

“If it actually had anything to do with gardening, I would probably enjoy it more. The owner of the garden centre has encouraged me to branch out into other areas of retail. Homeware, giftware, and the dreaded arts and crafts. I know he is right, horticulture alone will not rake in enough money or punters. The cafe has helped draw in regulars. But I’m a gardening expert. The rest doesn’t inspire me.”

“What do you mean?”

“My limited floor space is increasingly squeezed. The plants, seeds, and bulbs occupy one quarter of the garden centre. Outdoor furniture takes up a huge space, as does the variety of flowerpots and containers. What I consider key requirements—trees and shrubs—relegated to the back of the outdoor display area. Can you believe it, dried and paper flowers are more popular than living plants? Christmas is one big headache. Everyone buys baubles rather than holly bushes and winter bulbs.”

“So, you adapt.”

John leant back on his elbows and groaned. “It’s not me. I’m not a manager. I loathe the responsibilities. I’m a horticulturalist who happens to have good organisation skills.”

“Have you thought more about setting up your own business, the landscape and garden design?” Jason searched among the rock pools for shells. Leaning forward, he picked up a limpet and ran his finger over the sharp edge.

“Yes. Andrea nags me about it—from time to time. I’ve spoken to others I know who have similar businesses. They’re surviving, but it doesn’t make a huge amount of money. I thought about approaching building companies and offering to help landscape new estates, not just the gardens but the surrounding green spaces. There are possibilities, especially in urban areas, where land is at a premium. Making an attractive urban garden pushes up property prices.”

More limpet shells, and he lined them up on a rock. “Have you done a business plan, investigated the finances?”

“No. To be blunt, I’m not sure how to go about it. I can’t imagine what the work would entail, nor how to make money out of the business. To be honest, I don’t think I’m cut out for going it alone.”

Seagulls squawked above their heads, and the breeze dried their swimwear. Jason stared across the small bay to where Lubinsky and Ted waited on the boat, watching the tide and currents. He weighed up John’s situation, deciding how best to help him.

“If I gave you the advice, would you do it?”

John sat up straight. “Would you?”

“If not me, somebody else. I don’t want to waste my time if you’re going to chicken out, though.”

“Hell, no. I don’t give up on things, that’s not the problem. It’s getting started, bull by horns and going for it. Andrea has the stubbornness to see things through. I don’t want to rush, though.”

“Not suggesting that you do. Best-laid plans are never rushed.” Jason flicked the shells back into the pool. “If the business plan looks good and you need finances, come to me, not a bank. I can offer you better terms on investment.”

John put a hand to his chest as if to catch his breath. “Is this some kind of dragon’s den, my pitching to you?”

He laughed. “I hope I won’t have to put you through the grinder. Seriously, once the wedding is over and you’re a happily married man, formalise your ideas. Build contacts and networks, check out potential competitors and I’ll find you a good business advisor.”

“Jason, this would be great. Really helpful. I can’t wait to tell Andi!” John clapped his hands together and rubbed them gleefully.

“We should get back, then.”

Jason rose and waved at the speedboat. On the horizon, he could see
Sublime
catching up with them.

Normally, when she was blindfolded in the presence of Jason, the room would be deathly still. Gemma would hear his feet pitter-pattering about on the wooden floor and sometimes the sound of his subtle breathing. Recently, he had taken to humming under his breath—some arbitrary tune which had sprung into his head. She found the melodic sounds comforting, especially if she was nervous.

As he approached, she would smell him. His preferred brand of shower gel and shaving cream. The masculine, gentle scent of fresh perspiration or the fragrance of his laundered clothes. Eventually, when he was in range of touching her, she would feel his warm moist breath on her skin, usually the nape of her neck.

He liked to creep up behind her. Though he moved with stealth, his purpose wasn’t to make her jump out of skin with shock, but to produce the sensation of vulnerability and thereby her absolute need to trust him. She would occasionally flinch slightly at his first touch, and her heartbeat would increase in pace. Knowing he was there, so very close to her, she would take a deep breath and relax.

Today on the flybridge, surrounded by a semi-circular area of seating, she stood completely still. She had been playing blind man’s bluff with Andrea. Taking it in turns to see who could find the other the quickest in the smaller confines of the bow end of the flybridge. Andrea had agreed to the little game and Gemma had put back on her bikini and skirt wrap. Andrea joked that the alcoholic drinks had gone to their heads, along with the heat. The blindfold idea had been inspired by Gemma’s recounting of setting a dinner table blindfolded.

“You must be good with a blindfold on,” had laughed Andrea. “Pin the tail on the donkey or blind man’s bluff, you would win hands down.”

So, they put her theory to the test.

Gemma knew Jason was nearby. For one thing, Andrea’s raucous laughter had ceased. She couldn’t hear much; she perceived footsteps perhaps, approaching her from behind. The next sensory organ to be awoken was her nose. Salty sea smell and a wetsuit with a damp, rubbery aroma. Her ears pricked up. She heard his breath, faster than usual. He must have been energised by being out on the powerboat and probably had bounded up the stairs to find them. Then came his warm breath on her bare shoulders. She didn’t flinch at all when he kissed her neck.

“Hi, babe,” he said softly.

“Hi to you, too,” she replied.

She was very tempted to kneel. His voice and close proximity made her want to be that submissive woman. She didn’t because she knew John and Andrea were close by. In the background, John greeted his fiancée warmly.

Jason’s arms wrapped around Gemma, and he rested his chin on her shoulders.

“Been having fun?” he asked.

“Yes. Blind man’s bluff.”

“Interesting choice of game.” He licked her neck.

“I’d been talking about how I was trained, the dinner service thing I had to do. How I have to trust my senses and not freak out,” she explained carefully, tensing under his weight.

“Talking about your training. Mmmm. We agreed to not to talk about us. Have you been inappropriate?” His quiet tone bordered on displeasure.

“Nothing inappropriate about us, Sir. My past, distant past. Mainly my first Master. He wasn’t exactly a beast of the bedroom, was he?” she said with maybe too much boldness in her tone.

“Because if I find out you have said anything about us two, about what we do together or anything that makes me think you are going to recall memories that could trigger one of your emotional meltdowns, I will be very cross.”

“I have not been inappropriate, Master,” said Gemma with greater conviction.

“Good.”

His tight grip on her slackened. “I’m hungry. We’ll eat up here. Then I will get you to wash the seawater off my skin in the shower. Afterwards, I will stuff your gobby mouth to help remind you that orifice, like your others, is mine for the duration of this holiday.”

“Yes, Sir.” Her voice fluttered.

If the other two were not close by, she fancied he might have put his fingers down her bikini bottom and confirmed what she knew to be a fact—an engorged sex organ waited eagerly for his attention.

They shared a late lunch while the afternoon sun descended towards the horizon. The ravenous men wolfed down everything they could heap onto their plates. The sedate women pecked and nibbled on their smaller quantities. Gemma had a post-luncheon assignation scheduled. The kind where she would be well used, and she was mentally preparing her mind for the appointment.

John told Andrea and Gemma the news that Jason was prepared to help him with planning his gardening business, possibly even financial help if things looked promising.

“It’s just the kick up the backside he needs. I know he can do it with the right advice and support.” Andrea put her arms around John and gave him a hug. “You’ll be good at it, you know you will.”

Gemma gave Jason her own admiring look and mouthed a thank you when she caught his eye.

Enrique and Maria removed the trays of dirty plates and the few remnants of the lunch leftovers. John yawned and gazed at Andrea expectantly. She blushed in reply.

They made their excuses.

Jason took Gemma’s hand and waved them off. “We’ll meet later on the main deck. No rush. Coffee and cake?”

***

Gemma sponged the salty seawater off Jason’s body as he leant against the wall of his personal shower. His erection was hard, pulsating and purple tipped. She ran her tongue around her lips.

Jason had come back from the powerboat trip ignited with testosterone-driven passions. It would be merely a matter of minutes before he plunged the engorged cock deep in her mouth. Her head would be pinioned in place by his tight grip on her hair. The smarting tears washed away by the warm water of the shower splashing down on to her upturned eyes. Her kneecaps would hurt, as she had to balance them on the raised pattern of the shower’s splash tray.

Jason pounced, grabbing her hair, legs on either side of her, he took his time to achieve his goal. A powerful, forceful ejaculation down her throat. Finished with her face, he dragged her up to stand before him, pinned back against the tiles. Flipping her around, Jason pushed a finger up her bottom.

“This,” Jason hissed, “I will have later.”

Releasing her, he stepped out of the shower and took the proffered towel from Enrique, who had seemingly appeared from nowhere.

“Thank you, Enrique.”

Gemma remained pressed against the tiles, eyes closed, water cascading over her body, washing away the drool on her chin. Set alight by his dominance, she struggled to diminish the flames inside her. Her pulse steadied. The orgasm had been so close, it had needed but the touch of a hand to complete.

“Send Maria to her.” Jason wrapped a towel around his waist.

As he was about to leave the bathroom, he turned back to her. “My wife has pleased me. She may pleasure herself on the bed. But she has to do it with the rest of us watching. On the bed. A matinee performance. Oh, and no blindfold and only with her fingers, so we can see her pussy.”

Gemma’s heart skipped a beat.

Seeing her tense up and knowing she would be reticent, Jason walked back to where she lingered, still in the shower cubicle. He leant in and switched the water off.

“You performed, for Andrea, a beautiful rendition of your life before me. Give us a display of your well-trained body,” he mocked.

She was very tempted to walk off and refuse the offer of the orgasm. She didn’t want to do the humiliating play. Jason knew exactly how to rile her, how to infuriate her. She had been too forthcoming with Andrea. He hadn’t been there to hear what Gemma had said, but he would have guessed she had been indulgent with her recollections.