Bowles, Jan - Love Slave to the Sicilian Billionaire [Guilty Pleasures 4] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (10 page)

Slowly it began to dawn on her, and she replied in a strangled whisper, “You didn’t know?”

“No, I didn’t. I promise I didn’t.”

“Promise me you’re telling the truth, Max. Please.” He heard the tremor in her voice. This meant so much to her.

“Believe me, Ella. Trust me.”

She closed her eyes and whispered, “Thank you, but if I ever find out you’re lying, I’ll—”

“I’m not.” Max tenderly brushed the tangled, tear-soaked hair from her eyes. It was obvious that she was deeply upset. Time to step in and take total control. She needed some structure to her life. Otherwise it would spiral out of control. What would she get up to next if he didn’t guide her properly? “Ella you need to always show the greatest respect to your Master. In a D/s relationship we do not have any secrets from one another. We respect each other at all times. The golden rule is we believe what our partner tells us. By not trusting me you have shown the greatest disrespect possible. Disrespect to your Master is not acceptable behavior. It is my intention to deal with this fully when I get you home. This cannot go unpunished. Do you understand?”

She looked warily at him, and nervously knitted her hands together. “Yes, Max, I understand, but now I know the truth, I shall accept my discipline with good grace.” She lifted her head defiantly, unafraid to hold his gaze. “But just wait until I get my hands on this bitch. Revenge will be sweet.”

“We’ll see,” he said as he fired the car into life. “Did you manage to pack any clothes?” he asked as he maneuvered the Porsche onto the highway.

“There are two bags waiting in the hallway.”

“Right, we’ll pick them up, and then get you home. Be prepared, Ella, your training is about to commence,” he warned, using anticipation to generate a little fear in her mind. It didn’t seem to have the desired effect. All she could focus on was what she’d just discovered.

“I couldn’t believe it, Max. It was so distressing finding the information Kirk had saved on the memory stick. I feel betrayed. I know he’s dead, but I still feel betrayed. He told her things that are personal to a man and his wife. Intimate things that he should have kept to himself. I’ll never forgive him for that.”

When he reached her home, Max retrieved the two bags lying just inside the front door. While he was there he also removed the memory stick from Kirk’s laptop and discreetly placed it in his pocket. He’d look at the contents on his own, later.

During the twenty-minute drive back to his house, Max couldn’t shake the fact that Kirk had kept his affair with another woman a secret. Perhaps he hadn’t known his best friend as well as he thought. In a way he felt hurt, but he was also glad Kirk hadn’t confided in him. It would have put him in an impossible position with Ella. Maybe Kirk knew all along that he’d always had a soft spot for her? Although he’d never have taken advantage of this while they were married.

Ella held a hand to her head and groaned as they drove up the impressive winding drive to his home. After parking the car and helping her from it he asked, “Head hurt?”

She scrunched her eyes tightly shut, shielding them from the late afternoon sun. “You bet. I’ve got a thousand little men with hammers inside my head trying to get out.”

“Well, if you insist on drinking alone in seedy bars, you’ve only got yourself to blame. I can’t believe you managed to get yourself in such a state.”

He watched her becoming defensive. “I can’t help it, Max. I felt hurt. I wanted to escape for a while, and alcohol seemed the answer.”

Max opened the front door and led her through. “Go and take a shower. It’ll help you sober up fully.”

“I’m sure you’re right.” She held out her hands to take the bags he was carrying. “I’ll take those.”

“No, I’ll bring them along in a moment.”

She nodded, and began walking from the entrance hall, toward her bedroom, then abruptly stopped and turned. “I know I’ve upset you, but I just felt sure you knew about Kirk’s affair. I’m sorry if I misjudged you.”

“At least you’ve come to your senses now.” He realized she’d been hurt and had lashed out because she thought he’d taken advantage.

“Max? What are you going to do?”

“Do?”

“You said you would punish me.”

“I am. I am also not going to tell you what it will be. This is your first lesson, Ella, and as such, a harsh one to learn. It is what it is. Now go and take your shower.” Max kept his voice even and strong.

“Okay,” she answered meekly. He guessed she was getting worried now. Well, that was the whole point. At least it would focus her mind on something other than self-destruction.

Chapter Twelve

When Ella had finished showering and dried herself, she went to her bedroom to put on some clean clothes. Her freshly packed bags were nowhere to be seen. She returned to the bathroom, noticing that even her dirty clothes were missing. Perhaps Max was still angry with her, and he’d decided against bringing them to her bedroom. If that were the case then she’d have to collect them from the entrance hall herself.

After wrapping the damp towel around her body, she hurried down the corridor to the entrance vestibule. It was a pleasant, tranquil space, with a small fountain in the center, and relaxing views over the inner courtyard. She could just make out Max sitting by the pool. His chest was bare, and his hair appeared damp from a recent shower. He certainly looked magnificent and all-powerful in the greenery and shrubbery of the inner sanctum.

When she realized her bags were nowhere to be seen, she decided it might be best to return to her room and keep a low profile. She’d already caused enough problems today, without adding any more. Perhaps, it would be best to keep out of Max’s way. Maybe then he would forget about her punishment entirely. The old adage, out of sight out of mind,
entered her head. The anticipation was winding up inside her like a tight elastic band. Any minute now and it would spin out of control.

Ella took a deep breath and returned to her bedroom. She carefully closed the door to the corridor behind her, trying not to make a sound. She was surprised to find the glass door to the courtyard wide open, and Max standing there. Her stomach knotted in anticipation, and she gasped, holding a hand to her mouth. “Max, you startled me.”

His bright, silver-gray eyes held hers. “I saw you in the entrance hall. Why didn’t you come outside?”

“I haven’t any clothes to put on. What have you done with them?”

“You don’t need any clothes. Perhaps you didn’t join me because you are worried about the punishment you have yet to receive?”

Ella opened her mouth to speak, but Max raised an index finger before she had a chance. “Remember, we should have no secrets from one another. Have no doubt that I will know if you lie.”

“I wanted to keep a low profile, Max. I was hoping you’d forget about the discipline.”

He smiled and moved closer. When he was within reach he stretched out his hand and untied her towel, letting it drop to the floor. “Good girl, telling the truth will always make me act more favorably toward you. Now I want to see what belongs to me.” Ella felt glad she’d shaved her pussy. His gaze devoured her naked body, and then he stared right at her. “The Master is pleased with how you present yourself. You will always be mine.”

“Yes,” she whispered. Her whole being felt out of control and aroused. The way Max looked at her sent delicious shock waves coursing through her body. She wanted him to take control. She wanted to feel every part of his soul directed at her.

He smoothed his hands up her arms and tenderly brushed the hair back from her shoulders. His fingers glided over her neck, and he leaned in and kissed her throat. “This is for you,” he murmured, producing a black velvet choker and securing it around her neck. He smoothed it in place and then stepped back to admire his handiwork. “The slave collar suits you, my pet. I bought it this morning.” He motioned to his own neck. “The charms are the initials of my name, MD. See how they intertwine together. They are my mark, and symbolize my dominance over you.”

Ella tentatively felt the velvet collar. “Thank you, Max. I like it.” No one, except them, would know it was a slave collar, and she guessed that was why Max had chosen it.

“Good, while we’re in full role-play, you will call me Master until I direct you otherwise. I also have something else for you, too. Place your foot on the bed.” Ella did as he commanded, and watched Max secure a gold chain around her ankle. “Thank you, Ma…Master.” It, too, had the initials MD decoratively intertwined together. The initials were in exactly the same style as on her choker and perfectly matched the tattoo on his hip. It jingled like a bell as she placed her foot back on the floor. It suddenly dawned on her. “Will you want me to have a tattoo just the same as yours, Master?”

“In time, yes. But only if we reach a mutual understanding.”

“Oh?”

Max smiled and brushed her lips with his thumb. “Believe me, Ella. You will wish, perhaps even beg to wear my permanent mark, along with a more permanent slave collar.”

Ella decided a little appeasement might go a long way to reducing what Max had in store for her. “Is there anything else I can do for you, Master, before I receive my punishment?” This role-play was fun, and exciting, too. Even though her head still throbbed from the alcohol, she’d never felt so alive.

“Yes, tomorrow I will take you to have this pierced.” He rubbed a finger over her clit. She knew her pussy had gone wet. “You naughty girl. I can see this type of play turns you on. Now choose a safeword.” Max stared into her eyes, and she swallowed hard at the intensity she saw there.

“What would you suggest?”

“A stoplight system is generally used. So ‘yellow’ would mean ‘slow down, I’m not keen on this,’ and ‘red’ would mean, ‘stop whatever you’re doing.’”

“Then I will choose red as the safeword.”

“Good. Now come.” He took hold of her hand. “It is time to show you the playroom.”

The cool evening air seemed to caress her naked body as she stepped from the bedroom into the inner courtyard. Her ankle chain tinkled with each step she took as Max led her along the path until they arrived outside the playroom. At least she knew what to expect.

He drew back the opaque glass partition and she entered. It looked totally different. The lighting had changed. It was more brooding and dark, with just some subdued tones of red, splashing pools of color onto the floor and ceiling. In the center stood a piece of furniture with red leather padding. To her it looked like a vaulting horse, only slightly smaller. Did Max want her to do some gymnastics in the nude? Was that how he got his kicks?

Ella watched their reflections in the multiple mirrors surrounding her. She looked incredibly small against Max’s larger frame. As she moved closer to the red leather horse, she saw thick leather straps attached to all four legs. She knew then that she wouldn’t be jumping over it. Quite the opposite in fact. She had no doubt Max was going to secure her to it. Her mind went into overdrive. Did she trust him enough? He’d given her a safeword. Surely she should just see how it all panned out. She could always call a halt if things started to get out of hand. After all, she’d created this punishment by thinking the worst of him in the first place.

“Lie over the sawhorse,” he directed. The tone of his voice was totally uncompromising. Disobeying was not an option.

Ella did the sensible thing and followed his instruction. There was an uncomfortable ridge made of stainless steel forming a backbone down the center of the soft padding. The cool leather caressed her flesh as she straddled the horse, making her legs spread wide open.
 
As she moved into position, the raised section of steel pressed between her pussy lips, pushing them apart. It felt so good. Her womb contracted with pure pleasure as Max secured each ankle to the horse, holding her legs firmly in place as he buckled the leather straps. Stretching her arms slightly, he then buckled each wrist to the front legs of the horse, making sure that the restraints were not too tight. With her head to one side, her cheek rested comfortably against the red leather upholstery. She saw herself in the mirror. Prostrate and open to his darkest desires. He looked so tall beside her, and so incredibly masculine. Her heart beat so fast she could barely breathe. Feeling completely exposed and vulnerable, she let out a tight moan. “I’m a little frightened, Master.”