A Firm Hand: 2 (Bound to You) (25 page)

“I think she deserves a little punishment for that snide comment she made at
Cadeau
,” Jared remarked.

She just knew that was going to come back and bite her in the ass. Served her right for not keeping her big mouth shut.
Please say no, Brian.

“I think that’s a fantastic idea,” Brian said. “But no whips. The cane will do quite nicely. Of course, I’ll be handling the discipline myself.”

Relief flooded through her. Jared seemed like a good Dom, but she’d much rather be the recipient of Brian’s cane than the bronze god’s whip. Pain had become an intimate thing, almost more so than sex, and she didn’t want to share that with anyone else.

“And here I thought you were going to allow me the pleasure of punishing her.” Jared sighed. “Stingy. You and Banner both.”

“Damn straight,” Banner muttered.

“I’m not.” Sophia’s smile held the hint of challenge. “I’d be more than happy to share Daniel with you, Jared.”

Jared looked less than enthused by her offer. “How generous of you.”

Sophia laughed. “Always.”

Maybe she had imagined it, but there seemed to be a dangerous undercurrent flowing between those two. The tension between them was almost vivid enough to see. Two Dominants. One as brazen and intense as a wildfire, threatening to burn anyone in his path. The other an icy river, flowing and tranquil but no less formidable. They seemed ready to clash if given the moment. Yes, there was definitely a story there.

Jared ignored Sophia as he stood, giving her his back. He pressed a button on a control panel next to the fireplace. A small door in the lofty ceiling opened and a chain fitted with a steel triangle and restraint points lowered from above. So that’s why there was no furniture on this side of the room. How convenient. Gen wondered what other kinky delights were concealed in Jared’s den. She soon found out as he pressed another button, opening a hidden cabinet in the wall next to him. Various impact toys were displayed on hooks as well as other sadistic tools. He chose two leather cuffs and handed them to Brian.

Brian fastened them around her wrists, taking his time. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re good and warmed-up before I reach for the cane.”

Thank god for small favors.

He helped her up and led her over to the apparatus. He placed her so that she faced the rear wall. He clipped her wrists to each end of the triangle then tested them, making sure they’d hold. Through the reflection of the large gilded mirror on the wall before her she was able to see everyone in the room. They were close enough to get a good view of the action, but out of harm’s way. It was eerie but incredibly hot to watch everyone watching her. She stole a glance at Indie, looking for some kind of reassurance. Indie gave her a smile and whispered something to Banner.

“If it’s okay with you, Brian, we’d like to stay and watch before I take Indie to the dungeon,” Banner said.

“Genevieve is somewhat of an exhibitionist. I think an audience is just what she needs.”

The rational side of her said she should have been embarrassed by that. Her body was another story entirely. She’d been wet for hours from the evil toy planted inside her. Now she was drenched—her pussy hot, swollen and sticky. She hoped Brian meant what he’d said earlier about allowing her to come because it wouldn’t take much at all to push her right over the edge.

“Maybe we should blindfold her,” Jared suggested.

Brian removed his suit jacket and folded it neatly over the back of one of the chairs. He then proceeded to remove and pocket his cufflinks. Gen’s heart rate accelerated as she watched him carefully roll up his sleeves.

“No blindfolds or gags. I like to see her eyes, hear her scream.”

Her breath caught, the fringes of subspace tickling the edges of her consciousness. Jared pressed the button again, raising her arms, pulling them taut. Her feet were still flat on the ground, but he’d restricted her ability to move around. She was good and trussed up now. There was no backing out at this point. She was completely at Brian’s mercy.

He gave her a look that was half pride, half lust before he approached her, crouched down and ran his fingers along her sensitive inner thigh. “Open,” he commanded.

His intention was all too clear. Heat flooded her cheeks as his fingers found their way to her slick pussy. The little vibrating egg slipped out with embarrassing ease. He dragged the toy over her clit. Her body trembled at the jolt of pleasure. She willed him to continue, to give her the orgasm she’d been craving, but that didn’t happen. He switched off the device and placed it in a small receptacle in Jared’s toy cabinet then grabbed a suede flogger from one of the hooks.

“She had that in all night?” Jared asked, a hint of humor in his tone.

Brian’s salacious grin was answer enough.

Jared’s rich laugh echoed through the room. “Have you allowed her to come?”

“Not yet,” Brian replied.

“She’s going to be all kinds of fun then,” Jared said as he took Brian’s vacated seat.

“I agree.” Brian punctuated his statement by slapping the falls of the flogger against his open palm. The sound sent a rush of excitement zinging along her skin, puckering her nipples and making the hair on her arms stand on end. He circled her, his eyes never leaving her body, and slapped the flogger against his palm again. Gen flinched at the loud crack.

“Easy.” Brian ran his hand down her side in a soft caress as if to calm her.

She stretched, leaning into his touch, hungry for contact. He rewarded her by trailing the falls over her sensitive breasts. She whimpered, wanting more.

“Spread your legs wide,” he commanded.

She was happy to obey. This time he rewarded her by gently slapping the tips of the tails against her sex again and again in quick erotic succession. She tilted her pelvis forward, aching for the feel of the suede on her clit. The stinging pleasure was merely a tease, just shy of giving her the release she so desperately needed. She wanted to cry when he drew the flogger away. Her frustration was momentarily forgotten when he subjected her to a deep, intimate kiss. He pulled away and she stretched forward, reluctant to let him go, but was stopped short by her restraints.

He circled around behind her and she followed him in the mirror. The first lash against her buttocks was firm but restrained and held just a hint of sting. The second came just after, warming her skin. He continued, crafting a rhythm and building intensity. From the backs of her thighs to her shoulders, he flogged her over and over. Pleasant yet painful, it reminded her why she used to like this particular instrument so much. She closed her eyes and began to drift, letting her head fall.

“Open your eyes, Genevieve.” Brian’s voice pierced through the first tendrils of fog.

With reluctance, she obeyed, lifted her chin and connected her gaze with his in the reflection. Just when she’d started to float away, he pulled her back. She wished he hadn’t. She wanted to disappear into the pain. Forget him and what she couldn’t have for a little while. He wasn’t going to allow her that.

She decided then she wouldn’t allow him to relegate her to the long line of temporary toys he’d played with. She would make damn sure he wouldn’t be able to forget her even after she was gone. God knew she’d never forget him. He was under her skin, in her blood.

Brian’s strokes grew more fervent and he allowed the tails to wrap around her abdomen, flicking against her stomach and occasionally catching her breasts. Her body tingled with heat as blood rushed to the surface. Every nerve alive and buzzing.

The lashes stopped and she immediately missed the steady, mesmerizing rhythm. Brian went to the cabinet and hung up the flogger. He took out a thin rattan cane, very much like the one he used at home. She had a love-hate relationship with this particular tool. Nothing could send her to that dreamy space faster than a cane. Of course nothing could elicit ear-piercing screams like it either.

“Now that the easy part is over,” Brian murmured as he stood behind her once again, “it’s time for the hard part.”

“I’m always ready for the
hard part
, Sir,” Gen said.

Laughter rippled through the room. Brian immediately unleashed a vicious stroke directly across the back of her right thigh.

Fuck.
She inhaled with a sharp whine, going up on her toes. That. Hurt.

She caught Jared’s grin in the mirror’s reflection. He studied her for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. Though she knew it was wrong, she didn’t drop her gaze. Defiantly, she stared at the imposing Dom as she tried to catch her breath.

“I see it now,” Jared said softly. “Her body language says submissive. She’s got that down well. So well in fact you almost miss what’s in her eyes.”

Shit. What had Brian told her? Not to make eye contact with the Dominants. Why couldn’t she be a good little submissive and obey?

“And what would that be?” Sophia asked.

“Her eyes say
you’ll never break me
. On top of that, she’s a masochist. She’s like candy for a sadist. It’s a wonder you don’t keep her chained to your bed 24/7, Brian.”

“Believe me, I’ve thought about it.” Brian lightly ran the cane up and down one of her thighs.

She tensed. Staying still required a conscious effort. Anticipation made her want to shy away from the vicious thing. She knew he wasn’t about to take it easy on her, but wished he’d get started already. Patience wasn’t in her bag of virtues.

She didn’t have to wait long. Brian began with a series of light taps up each thigh and across both cheeks of her ass. There wasn’t an ounce of force behind the thin rod. The sensation was strange. She wasn’t used to the more sensual aspects of this implement. In the past its appearance always meant she was in for something severe. But this was actually pleasant. She’d better enjoy it while it lasted.

“Tell me why you’re being punished, Genevieve,” Brian asked.

She almost groaned aloud. Did he have to do the lecture thing in front of everyone? She’d take pain over that any day.

“Because I was disrespectful to Master Jared, Sir.” She almost choked on the Master part.

“What have I told you about your lack of respect?” Brian continued to pepper her backside with soft touches from the cane.

“That I am to think before I speak and act, Sir.”

“Very good. We may just make a submissive of you yet.”

He came up behind her and pressed the length of his body against hers. His erection provocatively teased her through the smooth fabric of his pants. He ran his fingers along her belly, the soft touch drawing a sigh from her lips. He lowered his hand until he cupped her pussy. The intimate contact had her thinking of pressing her thighs together and grinding against him. As much as she wanted that, she held still. He was in control. She wouldn’t dare move without his permission, not with the potential for release so close.

He drove a finger into her channel, angling it to stroke her G-spot. “Fuck yourself with my hand. I want to feel you come,” Brian whispered in her ear.

Normally, she’d have been mortified by what he’d ordered her to do. She was too mindless with need to care and afraid he’d withdraw his offer if she hesitated. Grinding her hips, she pressed against his hand. She shifted a little to one side, seeking just the right amount of friction on her clit. Brian’s hand stayed in the same position, offering no help. She was in this on her own. The pressure to perform was daunting. He expected her to make herself come while a captive audience studied her every move. No stress there.

She rocked and thrust, and though it felt good, she couldn’t seem to garner the precise amount of pressure needed for an orgasm. Frustrated, she blew out a breath and shifted again, attempting to find a better position. What had happened to the crazy amount of arousal she’d had just moments ago?

“Genevieve.” Brian’s whisper immobilized her. “This is not for your pleasure or theirs but for mine and mine alone.”