Shades of Pleasure: Five Stories of Domination and Submission (20 page)

He carried the bag to the dining room and set it on the
table. “I’m glad you approve. I have a lot of plans for this house,” he added
honestly while not going into detail about what kind of plans he was referring
to. It was much too soon to tell her all that he wished for the home—including
who might inhabit it.

“You’ve done so much already. More than I did owning it for
six years. My poor grandfather. It was too much for him to handle the last few
years he and my grandmother lived here. But I have no excuse really. It sounds
silly, but I didn’t want to fix it up until after they were gone. I felt
guilty. Like I was somehow hurting them by updating.”

“It’s different for me. You have memories tied to this
place. I don’t. Plus, I have friends in the trades who owe me favors.” He
walked into the kitchen for plates, glasses and other necessities.

“My gosh! Look at this kitchen. Is this the same house?”
Britt exclaimed from behind him as she halted in the doorway. “It’s…wow…like a
showroom.”

“You aren’t upset, are you?” His hands full, he turned to
face her, embarrassed by the obvious appreciation—nearing awe—he found on her
face. “Well, I didn’t do it by myself. Like I said, I have some extremely
skilled friends.”

“Are you kidding? No, I’m not upset. It’s gorgeous. Are
those cabinets solid cherry?” She stepped inside and softly stroked a door, and
he nearly wilted as he imagined her touching him like that.

“Yep.”

“And is this a real granite counter?” Her hand dropped to
the cool, smooth stone counter. Her tongue darted out, moistening her lips as
her hand ran over the counter’s surface in long, slow strokes.

Gimme some ice. I’m in meltdown!
“It is. My buddy
works at a stone yard. So you like it? Be honest.”

She took the glasses and wine from him and returned to the
dining room, setting them on the dining table. “Very much. Believe me, I had no
emotional attachment to the laminated stock cabinets and cheap plastic counters
I put in. Yes, I’m very impressed by what you’ve done so far. I just wish I
could have done as well.”

He followed her on wobbly legs. “You did the best you could.
Don’t beat yourself up over it. This place wouldn’t look like this if I didn’t
have friends to help. If I’d had to pay retail and labor for all this stuff,
I’d have never been able to afford it,” he lied. The last thing he wanted her
to feel was guilt for not being able to afford the latest and greatest just
because he could.

“Can I borrow those friends of yours sometime? My new place
isn’t in a shambles, but there are a few projects I wanted to tackle.”

There’s no chance I’m letting any of my beer-swilling
buddies near you. They’re animals
. “Sure! What do you need? I’m fairly
handy when it comes to small projects. I have my own Dewalt, too.”

She giggled, the sound so charming and erotic, he wanted to
say something silly just to hear it again. “Oh, yeah. That.”

He handed her a plate and silverware and then pulled out the
foam packages from the restaurant’s paper bag. He put the dessert in the
freezer for safekeeping then set one large container next to her plate. “A guy
would have to be nuts not to appreciate a woman with her own power tools.”

Clearly fighting another blush but losing the battle, she
rolled her eyes. “I shouldn’t have bragged. I only use it to hang pictures,
assemble furniture, stuff like that. I’m sure it’s more power than I need.”

He paused after flipping the top of his container open.
“That depends on what kind of power you’re talking about,” shot out of his
mouth before he could stop it. He loved the game of double entendre, and he
suspected Britt would be better than average at keeping up with him. Her mind
was razor-sharp.

Eager to see if she’d gotten his message, he glanced at her.

Yep. She had. Her wide-eyed, shocked semi-smile said it all.

Eager to hear her comeback, he swallowed an apology and went
back to unpacking his steak and potato.

“I thought you liked to be the Dom,” she said in a low, sexy
voice that sent shudders up and down his spine. “I may not know anything about
this bondage and submission stuff yet, but I thought the whole idea was for the
sub to be powerless.”

He cut up his potato and dabbed on some sour cream then
added salt. “You see, that’s where you’re mistaken. The sub actually has plenty
of power. Are you intrigued?” He lifted his gaze to her face.

“Yes.”

“Later.”

Her shoulders dropped. “You’re a tease.”

“I’ve been called worse.” He took a bite of his steak.
“How’s your dinner?”

“Delicious. So tell me, how did you get into this bondage
stuff?”

He swallowed. “There are different levels, from casual—like
lovers who tie each other up on occasion—to serious, people whose lifestyles
are fashioned around it. I tend toward the more casual side, although I have a
decent collection of equipment for someone who isn’t living it twenty-four,
seven.”

Her fork halted midair. “Really? Will you show me?”

“Later. You’re impatient, aren’t you?”

“Yes, that’s one of my biggest weaknesses. Very impatient.”

“Interesting.” He imagined the games he could play to take
full advantage of her admitted shortfall and his cock swelled even more.

“What about you? I hate to admit a deep, dark, dirty secret
and not know one about you.”

“That was deep and dark? I think you could do better than
that.”

“Well, it’s all you’re getting for now. Your turn.”

“Hmmm… I don’t think you’re ready to hear about the darkest,
dirtiest…yet.”

“Chicken,” she teased, parting her lips and sliding a piece
of meat into her mouth. They closed over the fork, the corners lifting into a
flirty smile.

“Oh, no. I’m no chicken. Just don’t want to scare you off.”

She pulled the fork out and chewed, her gaze fixed to his.
He enjoyed the way she looked in his eyes. Confident, attentive. “You haven’t
scared me off yet. What could be so bad?”

“Nothing. As far as weaknesses go, I’d say I tend to be very
stubborn. Once I make my mind up on something, it’s practically impossible to
change it.”

She nodded and took another bite of her steak, chewing and
swallowing before saying, “I’m beginning to see that.”

“What else do you see?”

“A man who knows what he wants and goes for it. You saw my
house once and we closed only a couple weeks later. I’ve never seen a real
estate transaction go that quickly.” She paused a moment and her eyebrows
dropped. “And I think you’re a man with a lot of secrets.”

“Me? No. I’m a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of guy.”

She chuckled. “Liar.” Leaning back and setting her fork and knife
on her plate, she added, “I’ve had enough of this steak. It was delicious.”

He glanced down at her dish. “You’ve only eaten a couple of
bites.”

“Want to save room for dessert.”

“Fair enough. Do you want to take this home?” He stood and
lifted both their plates.

“Sure. Thanks.”

“Be right back.” He wrapped their dinners and put them in
the refrigerator then brought out the ice cream along with one spoon. He didn’t
miss her gaze as it locked on his hands.

“Only one spoon? You aren’t going to make me eat that whole
thing, are you?”

“No way.” He set the dessert in front of her then carried
his chair around the table and set it next to hers. “We’ll share. I’ll feed
you.” He lifted the spoon, scooped a bit of the white fluffy whipped cream off
the side and put it in front of her mouth, breathlessly watching it open and
close around the utensil. A tiny bit of white clung to her lip until she licked
it away.

“Mmmm…” She closed her eyes, visibly relishing the taste.
“So sweet and creamy.”

Setting down the spoon, he plucked the cherry off the top,
holding it by the stem, and ran it along the seam of her lips. They opened and
her tongue slid out and swirled around and around. His heartbeat flew into
double time and his cock throbbed.

Then she drew the cherry into her mouth slowly and opened
her eyes. “I love cherries.”

“So do I.” He gave the stem a sharp tug until it pulled from
the fruit trapped behind her teeth and dropped it on the table.

“Let me share.” She leaned closer and pressed her mouth
against his. He slipped his tongue out to taste her closed lips and then she
opened them and sucked his tongue into her mouth, welcoming it into the sweet
depth.

He found the cherry and drew it into his mouth, biting down
to release a flood of sweet juices before opening to welcome her tongue inside.
He moaned as her tongue stroked his, slowly swirling. His eyelids grew heavy.
His balls grew tight. His heartbeat pounded in his head.

The taste of cherries, the soft scent of perfume, and the
sound of her breathing intoxicated him. Quickly, his defenses crumbled, and he
reached forward, his hands gripping the soft flesh of her breasts under her
snug leather dress. A fingertip slid over the leather, catching the feel of a
taut nipple lying below it.

She moaned in his mouth, the sound urging him on. One hand
found the deep slitted V of her dress and slid inside. No bra! Still kissing
her, he groaned at the feel of soft skin under his palm and eagerly sought her
nipple. When he found it, he pinched it between his thumb and forefinger, and
her mouth still working over his, she gasped and finally broke the kiss to drop
her head back and expose the long column of her neck.

“Oh, God,” she whispered.

He traced the line of muscle and tendon down her neck with
his tongue, then nibbled where the collarbone met the neck, and she shrugged
her shoulders and giggled.

“That tickles. I’m getting goose bumps.”

“Good.” He pinched her nipple harder and she gasped.

“Oh!”

“Do you like that?” He rolled it again between his finger
and thumb. “A little bit of pain, a lot of pleasure.”

“Yes,” she said breathlessly, pushing her chest toward him.
“More.”

His tongue trailed lower between the crest of her breasts
before he pulled the leather aside to expose the nipple he’d been teasing. Deep
pink, erect, it beckoned him, but he resisted the urge to taste it. Instead he
blew a soft stream of air on it and fought for control of his raging urge to
fuck. “Your breasts are absolutely perfect.” Then he felt her hand massaging
his cock through his clothes, and his self-control snapped. Blind with need, he
pulled her arms until she was sitting on his lap, her legs on either side of
his hips. Her pussy ground into his cock, through layers of clothes, and he
gritted his teeth, anxious for release.

He slid his hands around her back and dropped them to her
ass, which had become conveniently exposed as her dress bunched up around her
waist. She wore a thong. His fingers eagerly followed the line of velvet from
her hips down between two firm, luscious ass cheeks.

Tense and frustrated because he couldn’t allow himself the
relief his entire body sought, he squeezed the flesh under his hands as his
tongue drew circles round her pebbled nipple.

She moaned, the sound a sweet melody in his ears, as he
pulled her nipple into his mouth and suckled. “Oh, yes!” she whispered, rocking
her pelvis and grinding her pussy. “Oh, Andre. Yes. Fuck me.”

Lifting one hand from her ass, he pushed her dress aside to
expose her other breast, and took great care to give it as much attention as
the first one received.

Her pleas continued, her voice rising until he knew he had
to stop. He knew his limits, and he sensed she was nearing hers as well.

When he ceased, instead of drawing her to him in a warm hug,
she pulled back, and looked at him, clearly confused.

“What’s wrong?”

He sighed. It was never easy to explain these things to a
woman. He hoped she’d understand.

She was so close to orgasm she could practically taste it.
He had to know what he was doing to her. What man stops things midway and then
makes excuses? It made no sense. She was perfectly willing to go all the way.

She studied his flushed face for a clue but found none. So
she waited.

“This probably sounds weird, but I think we should wait.”

Was Andre a male? She’d never known one who turned down sex.
“Why?” Suddenly uncomfortable, she scrambled to her feet, adjusted the top of
her dress to hide her breasts and pulled down her skirt.

He watched her with a pained expression, convincing her he
was as ready for sex as she was. So why stop? “Because it’s too soon.”

“Too soon for what? We both want to. Don’t we?”

“Oh, yes.” He nodded boyishly.

“You are certainly no virgin.”

“No.” He pulled her chair closer and motioned for her to
sit.

She sat. “Neither am I.”

“Glad to hear it.”

He combed his fingers through his hair and she stifled a
sigh. The man had amazing arms. An amazing body. She was dying to see what hid
behind his snug short-sleeved shirt and trousers. But would he ever let her?

“I want to be honest about this. Forthright. We don’t need
to play games, do we?”

“Actually, dating and sex are both games, aren’t they? Games
of seduction. The chase is half the fun.” She gazed into his eyes, hoping to
find the truth. A notion struck her swiftly and without mercy. She glanced down
.
I’m making this too easy for him!
“Ah. I see. So, are you one of
those guys who get bored if it’s too easy to get the girl?”

“No. But I’m a guy who likes to savor every moment, from the
first time you look in each other’s eyes…” He leaned forward and his heated
gaze captured hers, making her breathless and squirmy. “…to climax. Why rush
things? We have all the time in the world.”

She fought to speak. Her tongue felt thick and clumsy. “Um…I
guess it’s that impatience thing again.”

He smiled and her pussy tingled. “Oh, yes. We’ll be
exercising that little limitation of yours. I enjoy taking advantage of a
woman’s weaknesses, am not above using them for my own benefit.”

“You jerk!” She reached out to give him a playful slap, but
he caught her wrist and held it firmly, mid-strike.

He squeezed slightly and his expression grew intense, hot,
pussy-melting. “You’ll be grateful. I guarantee it.” With a slow nod, he
released her hand. “Domination and submission are about more than spreaders and
cat-o’-nine-tails. At its best, it’s a powerful tool that can help a
relationship strengthen on all levels.”

She reflexively rubbed her wrist to return blood flow to her
hand. “I don’t follow.”

“What are the most important elements of a relationship to
you?”

Beautiful eyes.
Look at that face! He’s so hot. So
intense. Oh, what did he say?
Unable to concentrate when staring at his
face, she dropped her gaze to her hands.

“What is important in a relationship,” he repeated as if
he’d read her mind.

“Um…trust, for one.”

“Yes. And blindly putting your body in a man’s hands, and
allowing him to serve your every need, to push you to explore aspects of
yourself you’ve never dared delve into. To open yourself up to another human
being like you’ve never done before. Those all build a very intense
relationship where trust is absolute. Wouldn’t you like to know without a doubt
how your man feels? How he thinks? What he needs? Wouldn’t you enjoy being in a
relationship where you’re free to tell him your deepest desires and fears?
Where you’re free to explore and experiment however you like?”

“Yes.” She looked up into his eyes. “I would.”

“This is new to you. Trust me. We’ll take it one step at a
time.”

She nodded, not sure exactly how she felt. “Okay. What’s
next? Can I see your equipment? Your dungeon?”

“Are you sure you’re ready?”

“I’m, uh, curious. And nervous. Maybe if I saw it, I’d feel
better. At least, then I’d know whether my imagination had run wild.”

“Okay. We can save the dessert for later.” Taking her hand
in his, he stood and picked up the dish of ice cream. After covering the
uneaten dessert and stowing it in the freezer, he led her across the kitchen to
the basement stairs. “It’s down here. Just remember. We will only do what
you’re ready for. One step at a time.”

She felt her palm sweating as it pressed against his, and
her heart hammered against her ribs as she descended the stairs she’d trotted
down zillions of times in the past. Now, they didn’t lead to her workout room
and laundry facilities. Instead, they led to a strange new world, and she
wasn’t sure if she was ready to enter or not.

Trust. That was what it would test. How could she trust a
man she’d spent such a short time with?

He paused at the foot of the stairs, at the door that had
once led to her workout room. “Ready?”

“Yes. It’s just stuff. Nothing to be scared of.”

He smiled warmly and pushed open the door, and she pulled
her gaze away from his handsome face to scan the room beyond.

The doorframe offered welcome support as she slowly took in
the details of the room. “Wow. Those aren’t weight benches and stair climbers
in there, that’s for sure.”

All but one wall were painted black. The fourth was mirrored
as it had been when she’d lived in the house. And strange contraptions filled
much of the space. One looked like some kind of swing, another, a large box
resembled a dog crate, and still others that looked like various racks for
medieval torture. The room wasn’t romantic—not in any sense—yet it stirred
something deep inside. A slightly uncomfortable feeling that made her tingly
and energized. Her pussy was dripping wet, both from Andre’s earlier kisses and
her curiosity of what was to come next. She’d never felt so much anticipation
mixed with reluctance. It was a crazy brew that made her all jittery inside.
“When do we start?”

“We already have. It’s a process, Britt. Not an event.”

Her gaze fixed on the swing, she nodded. “That one looks
interesting. How do you get into that contraption?”

Her hand in his, he led her closer, then reached for one of
two bands overhead, secured at opposite ends of a metal bar suspended from the
ceiling. He fastened it around her wrist. “First we secure your arms like
this.” He buckled the second one around her other wrist, and she shuddered. The
simple loss of control was already making her hot.

Andre stood in front of her, his hands sliding down her arms
then skimming her sides. His thumbs tickled the sensitive flesh of her breasts.
“Then you sit back.” He dropped one hand, reaching behind her as he eased her
back with the other one. Something bumped her spine. “This part rests at the
small of your back and the other slides under your ass.” He helped her into
position then smiled. “Your thighs go into the stirrups.”

Stirrups? White heat shot through her body as he first
lifted one leg and secured it and then did the same to the other. His gaze
dropped to her pussy, which was barely covered by the slim strap of her thong.
Her breathing came in short gasps as her heart raced.

“Comfortable?” he asked. One hand gripped her ankle and the
other traced a line from foot to knee.

She gasped. Her pussy flamed.
Not at all! Hot, bothered,
and miserably horny is more like it.
Her blood heated to boiling and goose
bumps followed in the wake of his touch. “Yes…”

His exploring fingers wandered higher, over the band of
leather holding her thigh until it tickled the sensitive skin of her inner
thigh. “How do you feel?”

So hot I could melt!
She drew in a deep breath,
catching a hint of an unfamiliar musky odor. “Uh, really good.”

“Oh, you can do better than that.” His fingers drew lazy
circles on her inner thigh, each time venturing closer to her pussy. “How do
you feel? What are you thinking?”

“Think? I can’t think. Not when you’re doing that.” She tipped
her head and motioned toward his hand.

He chuckled. “Do you want me to stop?”

Don’t you dare!
“Hell, no!”

He chuckled, his grin wicked. “What if I do this?” His
fingertip traced the line of her thong.

I wouldn’t complain.
Her eyelids dropped closed and
her whole body stiffened. “Oh, God.”

He continued to stroke her pussy through the thin material.
“How do you feel now?”

Was he a closet shrink? What was with all the questions
about feelings
? I don’t want to talk. I don’t want to think. I just want to
fuck.
“I…oh…” She couldn’t speak. Her thigh muscles became rigid, pulling
her legs further apart as she opened herself to his touch. “More.”

“Hmm… Seems to me you’re in no position to make demands,” he
teased. “I asked you a question. I expect an answer. How do you feel?”

Like stuffing a gag in your mouth, ripping your clothes
off, and fucking you until you’re as brain-dead as I am.
“I can’t.”

“I can stop.” He pulled his hand away.

“No!” She struggled with the bindings at her wrists. “Oh,
please, don’t stop.”

“Answer my question, Britt,” he demanded returning to
caressing her pussy with long, slow strokes. “How do you feel?”

“Like I’m going to combust.”

“What about up here?” He tapped her chest. “What do you feel
in here?”

“A little tight. Could be cardiac arrhythmia, maybe.”

He chuckled. “That’s not what I meant. What do you feel in
your heart and soul?”

So deep!
It’s impossible to meditate with my legs spread
wide and his hand on my pussy.
“Er…elation?”

“Is that a question or an answer?” One finger slipped inside
her thong and teased her slick lips.

“Oh, God! How do you expect me to carry on a conversation
like this?” She struggled to tip her hips up and take his finger deeper inside
but she couldn’t. The scent of her own arousal filled the air and her lips
dried. She licked them.

“You must try. I want to know everything. What you’re
thinking, feeling, seeing, hearing, smelling.”

“That I can handle. I see a sexy man driving me to the brink
of insanity.”

He chuckled again. “Well, that’s a start. Tell me more.”

Glad to see I’m amusing you.
“I smell my own pussy’s
wetness.”

“Heavenly, isn’t it? I’m getting hot from your scent alone.”

Then fuck me. She shuddered and her insides clenched tight.

“What else? What do you hear?”

“Your finger sliding in my juices and your sexy voice.”

“This sound?” He moved his finger more vigorously, producing
more of the erotic, soft sounds. “It’s so sexy, makes me so hard I want to
drive my cock deep inside you.”

“Please do so. I wouldn’t object.”

“Nope. Not yet. Remember, I’m the one in control here. I
demand. You do.”

She groaned as he hooked his finger to stroke the sensitized
walls of her vagina. “You’re killing me here.”

“You’ll live. I promise.” He pushed his finger deeper inside
and she screamed in delight.

“Oh, yes!” Her hands gripped the cool steel bar above her
head as she tried to leverage herself and push her pussy against his hand. It
didn’t work. She had no control over the depth of his penetration. She nearly
wept in frustration, then consciously tightened her vaginal walls around his
finger.

“That’s it, love. Oh, yes, so tight.” Andre pulled his
finger out, then pushed two inside. “This is all you’ll get today. But you will
come for me to show your gratitude.”

She was so close. Every muscle inside pulled into a cramped
ball. Wave after wave of heat rushed through her body, but she couldn’t
release. Something was stopping her.

“Come for me, Britt.”

“Believe me, I want to.”

“Come.” He plunged his fingers in and out in a slow,
seductive rhythm.

The threshold seemed just beyond reach. She pulled deeper
inside herself and tried, imagining his cock driving into her. But her
imagination wasn’t enough to push her over the edge. “I can’t.”

“You will.” With his second hand he stroked her clit, drawing
slow circles, round and round in time with the fingers thrusting in and out.

She felt herself losing control, felt her breathing speed
up, her legs quivering, her stomach tightening. “Yes! Oh, yes.”

“Are you coming?”

“Almost.”

“Tell me.” The pace of his plunges sped up and he increased
the speed of his strokes over her clit as well. Each touch drew her closer.
Each time his fingers filled her pussy, she flamed hotter. Each time she drew
in a breath, she grew dizzier with need.

And then she felt the flush of impending climax, and she
sighed, relieved, giddy, as the climax took over and her body spasmed, sweeping
her away into a cloud of energy and light and pleasure. Each heartbeat pounded
in her ear as she came, counting out the beat of time for what seemed like an
eternity. And then she sagged, every part of her body relaxing. “Oh.” Her
eyelids lifted and she focused on Andre’s face.

He gave her a warm smile, lifted his hands to his nose,
inhaled and drew each finger into his mouth, sucking them like a lollipop.
“Delicious.”

Her face flamed.

“That’s enough for one day.” He unstrapped her thighs and
helped her find her footing before releasing her wrists. “Did you enjoy?”

She stumbled slightly, catching her balance by gripping his
upper arms. “Wasn’t it obvious?”

“Anyone can come. An orgasm is rarely disappointing, but I
want to know if you enjoyed it all—the swing, the shackles.”

“It was very erotic. Yes, I liked it. A lot.”

“Good! Just wait ‘til you see what I have in store for you
next time.” He drew her into an embrace and touched his mouth to hers, and she
tasted herself on his lips. “Next time, you’ll show me exactly how much you
appreciated it. Understand?”