26 Hours in Paris (17 page)

Marko chose a table in a far corner and instructed the waiter to bring over an espresso and an apple juice. He moved his seat close to hers and clasped her hands in his.

“When we first arrived, we witnessed a lovely moment in the lobby. A submissive following her master with such utter longing is very beautiful,” he said, placing the juice in front of her.

“He didn't need to look back to see where she was,” Kat added.

“That is a very good observation. She trusted he would lead her where she needed to go. He trusted she would follow.” Marko placed a hand on her wrist and stroked his thumb over the back of her hand. “Trust is a valuable commodity, Kathryn.”

“I understand,” she said, recalling the harmony that the couple had emanated as they'd walked by. “They appeared to be a couple that belonged together. Choosing to be bound. Even the way he handled her chain was caring.”

“Master Jean is very caring. He's owned the sub for years. They come out and play in the private rooms at least once a month.” His gaze narrowed and his fingers splayed beneath her sleeve. “Your body liked what they portrayed. Your body likes it now. There's a soft blush spreading over your chest, and I could see your nipple straining against your bra. Does the idea of being led by your master, your nipples pained by the tug on the clamps, excite you?”

Was it right to be excited at the thought of a master owning her? She lowered her gaze, but he placed a finger under her chin and turned her face up. “Look at me when you think. I want to see what's inside your lovely mind.”

“Yes,” she breathed, feeling her cheeks burn with the admission.

“Good girl. Thank you for sharing.” He moved his finger to her lips and pressed to part them, slanting his mouth gently over hers and kissing her. His hand moved inside her jacket, under the sheer material of her bra, and he caressed her breast with aching tenderness. He pinched her nipple hard and rolled it in his fingers. “Do you enjoy the sensation of clamps?”

“I don't know,” she said, a moan escaping her lips. “I've never had any.”

He smiled and kissed her again. “Another first to enjoy together. It pleases me.”

“Yes,” she said, arching her back and pushing into his hand. Pleasing him pleased her. He released her nipple and it throbbed from the rush of blood. She wanted his hand back. Longed for the pain of the delicious squeeze.

“Kathryn, we came here so I could give you a short reprieve from the faith standards we established earlier. You have the opportunity to ask me anything you want. This is the time to do that. You are allowed ten questions,
bella
.”

She had so many questions, more than ten, but all she could think about was how she needed his hands on her again. “Can I sit on your lap?”

“Yes,” he replied, shifting in his seat and making room for her between his hard body and the edge of the table. He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “That's one.”

She blinked and looked at him. She'd wasted the first question. She could have just slipped onto his lap—or maybe she couldn't. She didn't know. His hand smoothed up her thigh and her disappointment fled. She had nine more to go.

“Here's number two,” she announced, and looked him in the eyes. “Will you please continue pleasuring my nipples?”

A wicked glimmer flamed in his eyes and he inclined his head. “Absolutely. I could never refuse when you ask so nicely.”

With his fingers teasing the sensitive peaks, she couldn't think of number three. She just wanted him to continue. Heat spread through her body, and a needy sensation built between her legs.

“I can't seem to concentrate,” Kat rasped. She struggled to speak, let alone think. She gasped as he rewarded her with a quick and searing tug. His laughter cleared her mind long enough to ask number three. “Do I need to call you master?”

“Only if you choose. Marko works for me, sweetheart.”

The leather grew tight on her skin, and she squirmed on his lap. Bringing her mouth to his ear, she wet her lips. “Question ten. Do they sell nipple clamps in this place?”

“Stand,” he commanded.

K
at dropped her feet to the floor and stood. Marko wasn't wasting another minute on the grand tour. He was taking her to a suite and giving what she'd requested.

“In addition to the five communal rooms, there are numerous private rooms in the club,” he repeated, as they walked out of the café and down a dark corridor. “We are going to pass through one more communal hall, the training room, on our way to our private playroom. Do not leave my side for any reason.”

As if she could break contact. His fingers closed tight around her hand as he guided her into the room. Masked spectators lined the perimeter of the large space, while half a dozen subs knelt before a bench. At the center of the floor, a man examined a display on a table. He was tall and very well built, radiating power and utter control. He wore tight leather pants, which outlined his muscular physique, and a leather hood on his head. When he turned from the display, she realized the pants were cut out at his groin. While not erect, the size of the man was very intimidating.

The master approached the line of kneeling submissives. Marko halted and wrapped his arm around her. “You may watch.”

Broad shoulders glistened with sweat as the dom bent and spoke privately to the first submissive. The young woman bowed and stepped away. Next, he cupped the jaw of a handsome young man. He whispered something to him as well, then messed his hair and dismissed him. Two more gentle dismissals and the master lifted the bound hands of a woman wearing a silk mask. He untied her hands and massaged her wrists, bringing them to his mouth and kissing them. Then, he slowly walked her around the edge of the room, presenting the chosen one to the observers.

Captivated by the elegance and ceremony of the scene, Kat sighed. The attention the dom showed the woman filled her with an unfamiliar yearning. She squeezed Marko's hand and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“I didn't know it's customary to parade her around the room like a prize. Never read anything about that,” Kat said.

“It's not,” Marko said. “The sub requested the procession in celebration of being chosen. He must oblige her wish. Every Friday night, the club offers members the opportunity to participate in new experiences. She's been here for over a month, making herself available to him at every chance. I fear she's already in love with him.”

Kat didn't see a problem with that. Love was a good thing. Even the master deserved love.

“This woman wants to achieve subspace. It is the master's job to see to her needs,” Marko explained, moving behind Kat and wrapping her in his embrace. “If you want to stay, we will. However, there is no way of predicting what will be required for her to fall. I have concerns here.”

For a moment, she considered asking him to stay and watch. She wanted to see the master at work, but there was a warning in Marko's voice she couldn't ignore. The agreement was no more questions. She didn't have the knowledge to decide, and she didn't need to. She had Marko. He would make the right choice for her. The burden of making a decision lifted off her chest.

Leaning back against his strength, she curled her fingers around his forearm. “I trust your judgment.”

“Thank you.” Warm breath brushed over her hair. He relaxed his chin on her head and held her in his embrace. “Bow your head as they pass. Then we will go.”

As the couple in the center of attention approached, Kat marveled at the poise the other woman portrayed. Her steps were dainty and measured. She followed directly beside the master, perfectly keeping pace. He held her to the inside of the floor and away from the others.

Kat lowered her gaze, staring at the shiny grey floor. She watched bare feet approach, and Marko said something too muted for her to understand, but beginning with the proverbial French
bon
.

“Welcome,” a recognizable male voice said above her head. “Look up, our little chocolate lover.”

Kat's heart skipped a beat. The master had stopped before them, had spoken with Marko, and now he was speaking to her.

“It's okay, sweetheart. Say hello,” Marko said.

She looked up and into a familiar green gaze. Recognition registered. Her breath caught. Jean-Luc was the master. “Hello—”

“Sh.” He placed a finger across her lips and smiled. Suddenly aware of their audience, she complied. “I want to wish you a wonderful evening,
mademoiselle.”
He bent at the waist and stepped away.

* * *

Marko took Kat's elbow and led her from the room. He glanced over his back to see Jean-Luc securing the sub to the bench. He shook his head and chuckled. The hard-ass master was a goner. The little miss had his balls in her tiny hand.

“Considering I just saw your driver's impressive package, you're in a good mood,” Kat said, surprising him with the lilt in her tone.

“Considering you just saw my driver's impressive package,
you
are in a good mood,” he growled back, reaching beneath her skirt and pinching her thigh. “I'd contain that enthusiasm if I were you.”

Teasing, he pinched her thigh a second time. The noise she made was a cross between a yelp and a laugh, and one of the nicest sounds he'd heard all night. He lifted her in his arms and started for their reserved quarters.

“
Bella
, how are you feeling?”

Her body relaxed and she nuzzled into him. Testing his restraint, her fingers twined in his shirt and rubbed over his chest, while she pressed her lips to his neck. Slow, small kisses tempted him to skip the niceties and get her to comply with his desires. She was responsive enough, and he knew what buttons to push. Kat wouldn't change her mind and she wouldn't need the safe word.

“I don't exactly know how to describe it, but it's almost like being in a dream. You know you're safe and nothing bad will happen to you, but you can't help but hold your breath until the next scene unravels. Your pulse races with anticipation. The exhilaration and thrill won't allow you to wake up. But the outcome is uncertain.”

“You described it perfectly,” Marko said. Most importantly, she'd described it willingly. There was a small window of opportunity for Kat to embrace all she'd run from for years, and he wasn't about to miss it. He wanted her completely.

Unable to get enough of the woman, he held her tight and rubbed his cheek over her head. He needed her.

Bringing Kat to the club had been a given, and he'd known that Jean-Luc would be center in the training room. Marko had given a lot of thought about whether or not to let her recognize Jean-Luc, coming to the conclusion that it would be best. Strong and even-tempered, Jean-Luc presented as a perfect and capable gentleman. There was more to the man than his driver persona.

As a master, Jean-Luc ruled every scene and met each responsibility. He chose not to get involved with his subs outside the club. And like Marko had, he chose not to engage in intercourse with his submissives in order to keep from giving them false hopes for a potential relationship.

Kat knew none of this, but she was accepting of the fact that his driver was the strong dom in control of the scene they'd witnessed. He'd chosen right. Accepting others would allow her to accept her needs, which in turn would allow her to accept Marko.

“Did you consider using your safe word while we were in the training room?”

“No,” she answered, shaking her head and wrapping her arms around his back. “It was different, but surreal. Everything about this place is surreal. The exchange between Jean-Luc and his sub was very intense. Everyone else faded into the background. The energy between them sizzled. I think they're a great couple.”

“They're not a couple. As far as I know, it's the first time he's touched her.”

“Not a couple, yet,” she cooed. Big brown eyes stared up at him, and pride for her keen observation flared in his gut. “You'll see. She totally responded to him. And he was so caring and gentle.”

“Gentle may not be the correct word,
bella
.” He lowered his head and brushed his lips over her mouth. The optimistic Kat was so adorable. “We left before things changed. You're right about him caring, but it won't be gentle.”

“I know what the bench is for, and I saw the whips and the other things on the table. They may not be methods of gentle persuasion, but I think Jean-Luc will be. I saw how he closed his eyes when he kissed her wrists,” Kat said. Not only was she smart and beautiful, but she was also hopeful. “For him, it's not about inflicting pain.”

She was right.

Marko had his own plans for the night. They were almost to their door, and he wanted to announce the conversation was over, but he wouldn't. Not yet. He could read the need for more clarification in the soft lines that marked her forehead.

“I don't understand why all those people were there, or why the sub wanted to be on display, but if that was me, I don't know if I'd even be aware of their presence. Her focus was on Jean-Luc.”

More pride pushed impatience to the side, and smug contentment swelled in his chest. Kat was more intuitive than she knew. She understood so much. “The sub was only aware of her master. As for the others, their reasons vary.”

“Is he going to fuck her in front of all those people?”

“Penetration is not allowed in the training room.” He stopped outside their suite. “While a hard fuck is good, sex isn't the goal. Achieving subspace is. Jean-Luc will read her body and mind, to take her there. That is what he does.”

“Do the observers get off on watching?”

“Questions five and six,” he noted. The conversation needed to end. He had one focus, and one focus only. “And yes, some do. I'm not sure if you noticed that a few were masturbating and having oral sex in the room.”

“I noticed.” Her pupils went dark and her breath hitched. “It was different than in the dance area though. They seemed more connected somehow.”

“Most were there because it's the training room. They wanted to learn about or embrace the lifestyle. Others were there to honor her submission—many consider it an act of ultimate beauty. Still others simply enjoy watching, while some enjoy pain, but regardless of why and how, the sub will get what she needs.”

“Subspace,” she breathed, a look of longing in those expressive eyes.

“Yes,” he said, lowering her feet to the floor, while keeping a hand on her lower back. He lifted her face and captured her gaze. “We have under an hour left in my special time. Tell me what you want.”

“I want to please you, Marko.”

Perfect.