The Reluctant Dom (9 page)

Seth closed his eyes. “That wasn't planned, dude. I didn't know what else to say.”

“But you said the right thing.” He laid his palm over the strings to silence them and looked at Seth.

“I have to let you find your way with her as much as I can. It'll be too much of a shock for her to lose me and try to adapt to doing things your way all at the same time. There are some things you have to learn to do exactly right, those I will work with you on. Those relate to safety and to her security. There's stuff like what happened earlier ... there's not a lot of time, but we have enough for the two of you to work on some things on your own. I won't be there to help you out. You need to learn to deal with her in your way, not mine. To find things that will work for you and her. I can give you the map. You've got to make the journey.”

“Thank you, Master Fucking Yoda.”

Kaden smiled and strummed his guitar.

* * * *

Leah called them to dinner. Seth noticed she'd prepared his favorite foods. After dinner, he walked into the living room to watch TV with Kaden.

“This feels weird, to be able to sit back and relax,” Kaden said.

“Relax?”

“Yeah, I know. Weird, huh?” He sighed. “New perspective. What's really important now. Usually I'd still be working on a night like this. Getting home about this time, wolfing down dinner and changing clothes so we could turn around and go to the club.” He looked at Seth. “It changes a man's perspective, that's for sure. When you go back to school and get your degree and start working again, don't ever forget what's important.”

They talked for a little while, then Kaden stood. “Time to get ready.”

Seth wasn't sure he had the right wardrobe. “I've got jeans but I'm a little short on Latex.”

Leah walked in from the kitchen and laughed. “I picked you up a couple of shirts this afternoon you can choose from. They're in your closet. Just wear jeans and your black sneakers.”

They retreated to their rooms. Seth looked in his closet and, sure enough, found the shirts Leah had mentioned. Three button-up long-sleeved chambray shirts, nothing especially noteworthy. One black, one navy, one dark purple.

It didn't take him long to change. She'd apparently already washed and ironed them, because they smelled like detergent.

He nervously waited in the living room and debated having a drink but wasn't sure if that was a good idea. Kaden appeared first, a long duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He wore black jeans, black sneakers, and a button-up long-sleeved charcoal grey shirt.

“Somehow, I always pictured leather vests and metal studs,” Seth snarked.

Kaden set the bag on the sofa. “Yeah, leather's too damn hot. I usually take my shirt off anyway, keeps me cooler and more freedom of movement. I'm not in this to make a fashion statement.” He glanced down the hall and dropped his voice. “Tonight, just watch. Don't object to anything we do, don't act shocked at anything you see. The only time you think about stepping in is if she calls red, I call red, or I ask you in to help.”

“You said I wouldn't have to do anything!” Seth felt panic clambering for a hold again.

“I hope I don't. But if I need help, I'd rather ask you than Tony or someone else.”

“How are you explaining who I am to these people?”

Kaden shrugged, sadness in his eyes. “The truth. That I'm training you to be Leah's new Master.”

Seth didn't think anything could break though the shock that Kaden's matter-of-fact tone had struck him with.

Then Leah emerged from the bedroom.

The stiletto heels set off her long legs and curvy hips. The black leather skirt was marginally longer than the one she'd greeted him in the night before but not by much. The black leather bustier pushed her breasts up. He suspected her nipples would be visible if it wasn't for the short white cotton shirt that barely concealed her cleavage. She wore a different collar, a little heavier looking than the one she'd had on before, still attached with a heart-shaped lock and with a small silver tag hanging from it. Make-up and hair the same as the night before.

She stopped in front of Kaden. With her head tilted to the floor, she lifted her eyes. “I'm ready, Master.”

“Very good, love. You look beautiful. Doesn't she look beautiful, Seth?”

Seth nodded, finally croaked, “Yes.”

She bashfully smiled, which Seth thought was weird considering what he'd already witnessed. “Thank you, Sir.”

Shocked, Seth looked at Kaden. “We're in formal mode now,” Kaden explained. He grabbed the duffel bag—Seth wasn't sure if he wanted to know what was in that—and took Leah's hand. “Let's go play, love.”

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Chapter 5

They took Leah's Lexus, Kaden driving. Seth was going to sit in the backseat but Kaden guided Leah there first, not releasing her hand until she was seated. Before she let go, she kissed the back of his hand.

“Thank you, Master.”

“You're welcome, love.”

Seth numbly slid into the front passenger seat and tried to quiet his racing brain.

The club was located in a nondescript mixed-use commercial complex east of Sarasota, not too far from the interstate. Several dozen cars were already parked outside. Kaden took his glasses off and left them on the dash, then reversed the procedure for getting Leah out after he grabbed the duffel bag from the trunk. He took her hand, and she kissed it before carefully stepping out.

Seth wouldn't deny he was as hard as a rock.

She held Kaden's hand while Seth trailed behind them. In the foyer, Kaden spoke to someone at the desk and then turned to Seth. “Here. Take her.” He offered up Leah's hand.

Unsure what to do, Seth took it, offering no resistance when she kissed the back of his hand and looked at him.

“Thank you, Sir,” she said.

He nodded. “Um. Uh huh. Yeah.”

Kaden took out his wallet and paid Seth's cover charge, gave them information on Seth, went over the basic dungeon rules and etiquette with him. When they finished, Kaden took Leah's hand and she kissed him again. Seth followed them inside.

Seth hoped his jaw didn't hit the floor. At various equipment stations, several people were already playing scenes. Kaden handed Leah off to Seth again and went to talk to someone. She stood quietly by his side, holding his hand.

What do you say in a situation like that?

He said nothing, just watched what was going on around them. That was difficult though, because he was having a hard time taking it all in.

She gently squeezed his hand. When he looked down at her, she smiled. “It's okay.”

He nodded and continued looking around.

Kaden returned a few minutes later with another man. “Seth, this is Tony.” The guy didn't look much different than Kaden, dressed like he could be heading to a sports bar instead of a dungeon in black jeans and a black shirt.

They shook hands. Unsure what to say, Seth simply said, “Nice to meet you.”

Tony smiled. “I know. A lot to take in at once.”

“You ain't kidding, buddy.”

Kaden traded Seth the duffel bag for Leah. “We'll be right back. Restroom.”

Seth nervously stood there, looking around.

“Kaden said it's your first time,” Tony said.

Seth nodded.

“You'll get used to it.”

“That's what he keeps telling me. I'm not so sure.” Across the room from them, a naked woman was strapped to a large X-shaped frame. She screamed. Seth wasn't sure if it was pain or pleasure at first until he realized she had a vibrator strapped onto her.

Tony leaned in close and dropped his voice. “Kaden told me what's going on. I'm sorry you've got all this shit dumped on you at once.”

Seth nodded. “Thanks.”

“I've known them for years. They've always spoken very highly of you.”

That shocked Seth more than the sights before him. Tony spoke again. “Kaden has my number. Don't hesitate to call me if you need to talk, or information, or anything.”

Seth whispered, “How am I supposed to learn all this?”

Tony shrugged. “You learn what you have to. They're on the tamer end of the scale, all things considered.” The woman screamed again, her whole body vibrating against her restraints. Another woman, dressed like what Seth imagined a Dominatrix would wear, stood nearby and watched with an impassive look on her face. Now the tethered woman was wearing nipple clamps, with a chain joining them and attached to her...

Fuck.

“Tamer end? He gave me a demonstration last night. That didn't look fucking tame to me.”

“He's an artist with rope. Did he show you that yet?”

“Just pictures.”

“Gorgeous what he can do. If you're ever here and need advice, feel free to hunt me down. I know this has to be scary.”

“Scary isn't even in the same fucking universe as what I'm feeling right now, dude.” Ball-crawling heebie jeebies might come close.

Maybe.

Kaden and Leah returned. Kaden reached for the duffel bag. “Let's go play, love,” he said to her.

Seth drifted behind them, Tony walking beside him, toward a low bench.

Tony leaned in again. “Remember, what they do is carefully scripted and totally consensual. She rarely uses a safe word. He reads her body, knows what she can take. There's a lot of wannabes and poser assholes out there who claim they're ‘expert’ Doms. If I had to point to one, your best friend really is. He can pick a goddamned fly off a wall with a singletail. You'll never hear him brag about it either.”

Seth nodded and waited for someone to tell him what to do.

Kaden turned to Seth. “Important rules. Never leave her alone or out of your sight, except for the bathroom. Never turn your back on her when she's bound. Most importantly, no one besides you or me—
ever
—touches her unless it's an emergency and they're helping you get her free. Understand?”

Seth nodded.

Kaden turned to Leah and released her hand. He dropped the duffel bag and flashed the hand signal. She dropped to her knees before him.

Seth felt something tighten in his stomach, at war with his restless cock stirring at the sight of her kneeling there. Tony touched Seth's shoulder. They stepped a few feet back to the edges where a couple of others now stood, watching.

When Kaden spoke, the strength and authority in his normally gentle voice surprised Seth. “Tell me what you want, slave.”

“I want to serve You, Master.”

“And how do you wish to do that, slave?”

“However Master thinks is best.”

“Do you need to feel the bite, slave?”

Her skin flushed. “I need to feel the bite, Master.”

“Prepare for me then, if you need it so badly.”

She jumped to her feet and walked over to the bench. She stripped, neatly folding her clothes and laying them nearby with her shoes. Left only in her collar, she turned to Kaden, who had stripped off his shirt, and knelt again.

He took something from the bag and quickly fitted it around her head. When Kaden straightened, Seth realized it was a ball gag. Part of him felt horrified seeing Leah like that but the look in her eyes...

It was pure devotion as she stared up at her husband.

Kaden pointed. “Take your place, slave. Don't make me wait.”

She jumped to her feet and practically threw herself on the bench. Kaden already had something in his hands. Within a few breaths he had four heavy leather cuffs attached to her wrists and ankles and secured to the bench, her ass and bare mound open and exposed.

“Holy fuck,” Seth whispered.

Tony leaned in. “Consensual. Remember that.”

Seth nodded.

Kaden stepped back, never turning his back on her. “Where are we, slave?”

She made an okay sign with her right hand.

“Show me your hands and feet.”

She wiggled them all, flexing her fingers and toes.

“Circulation,” Tony said.

“Very good, love.” Kaden took out a nasty looking device from the bag.

“Soft flogger,” Tony explained in the same low voice. “He's going to warm her up.” From his tone, he could have been calling a golf game.

The
Twilight Zone
theme played in Seth's brain.

Kade stepped up to her and caressed her ass. She wiggled, squirming on the bench as he positioned himself. He rolled his neck and shoulders and the tone of his voice deepened further. “Are you ready to feel the bite, slave?”

She wiggled her ass at him and flicked a signal with her right hand.

“Sign language,” Tony said.

Seth felt he had a front row seat at the weirdest show on Earth.

“Set of twenty, love.”

She flicked another sign.

“That means yes,” Tony said.

“Count.”

With each swat of the flogger she twitched her ass, and with her right hand made a sign, apparently counting in sign language. Kade quickly finished the set and caressed her slightly pink flesh.

“Where are we, love?”

She flashed another okay sign.

“Set of twenty, love.”

She signed yes.

“Count.”

Kaden savaged her, or what Seth imagined was a savaging. Tony leaned in. “It looks a lot worse than it is,” he assured him. “You could smack a kid with that flogger and it wouldn't hurt them, it's very soft. He's putting her in subspace. Building up to the harder implements.”

Great. More vocabulary.

Kaden finished the set and switched to a paddle. After a set of twenty-five with that, Seth noticed Leah's eyes had closed and she'd been crying. He desperately wanted to go to her, comfort her, and knew he couldn't.

Next came a set of twenty-five with a harsh looking riding crop. Seth flinched with each stroke that landed on her flesh. At the end of that set, Kaden leaned in close and said something too low for Seth to hear. She nodded and flashed him a sign. Kaden tenderly stroked her forehead and then returned to the duffel bag.

He pulled out a whip.

Tony grabbed Seth's arm and pulled him back a couple of feet, then waved a few other people back. When the area was clear, Kaden glanced at Tony, who nodded.

“Do you need to feel the bite slave?”

She signed yes.