Cardinal's Rule (21 page)

“We should have bought extra frosting,” she joked. “For later.”

He grinned. “You’re my kind of girl.”

“I’d better be your only girl.”

* * * *

Landry set a small piece of cake and a fork on the floor next to Cris. Then Ross stood to give

the toast.

He smiled at Tilly. “Most of you here know how special a friend Tilly is to my wife and

myself,” he said. “Loren and I love her like part of our family, more than just a friend.” He grinned at Landry. “You’re a lucky guy to have her, and I suspect she won’t have any trouble keeping you in line.”

“None at all,” Landry agreed with a grin.

Ross’ face softened. “You deserve the best, Tilly. You’re a brilliant woman and have come a

long way in the past several years. I know the two of you have a little bit of a challenge ahead of you, but Landry, you’ve picked the best damn woman—besides my own Loren,” he clarified, “to walk this journey with you.” He lifted his cup. “Here’s to happiness, a complete recovery for you, Landry, and hopefully some vicariously enjoyable hell for someone else that we can all witness on a frequent basis.”

Tilly laughed, forcing her eyes to stay on Landry’s face and not drop to Cris on his other side.

With plastic cups instead of real glasses to clink, everyone started pounding on their tables for another kiss from the newlyweds.

With a wink Landry leaned in and kissed her, long and slow and leaving her body sizzling in his wake. With their audience loudly hooting their approval, he whispered, “Let’s hurry this up so we can finish with them and get down to what we really want to do.”

Unfortunately, Loren had hired a DJ. They had to have a few dances, and more pictures, before Loren was happy she’d thrown Tilly a proper wedding. As they stepped into the middle of the dungeon for their first dance, where all the benches and other equipment had been pushed out of the way for clearance, Landry took her into his arms and led her around the floor. As they turned she again caught sight of Cris kneeling beside Landry’s empty chair. Except for the empty plate next to him, it didn’t 

look like he’d moved, his head bowed, hair hiding his face.

Landry turned them so they faced the other way. “Focus on us, love,” he whispered. “Not him.

Don’t let him spoil your day.”

“You’re fucking spooky.”

He chuckled as he nuzzled her ear. “No, I’m possessive. I want your mind on me, not him. And on what I plan on doing to you later.” The sensual dance soon took her mind off everything else as she looked into his eyes and saw her own passion mirrored there.

At one point he ground his hips against hers and she felt his stiff cock through his trousers.

“That’s for you later, love,” he promised with a playful smirk.

“I’m glad you’re flexible.”

“That makes two of us.”

She rested her head against his chest as they finished the dance. Even despite the circumstances she couldn’t say she didn’t feel special. She felt safe with him, definitely. She sensed he was a man of his word who wouldn’t hurt her. She already felt cherished.

When the song ended, everyone applauded before pounding on their tables again and chanting,

“Kiss! Kiss!”

One corner of his mouth slid up in a sexy smirk. “How about it, Mrs. LaCroux?”

Heat flared deep within her belly as she draped her arms around him and gave him a long,

sensual kiss. His hands cupped her ass and he ground his hips against hers as they embraced until finally he lifted his mouth and broke their kiss.

“I think I love you, Madame,” he said with a smile.

She returned his smile. “I think I love you, too.”

Tilly wanted to stay and help clean up, but Loren waved her off. “No, you’re going to go have fun.” She hugged her, then Landry. “Go do whatever it is you vanilla, non-kinky couples do,” she teased.

“Who said we’re vanilla and not kinky?” Tilly protested with a laugh. “That’s a dirty thing to call me after all the years we’ve known each other.”

“Well if he’s not your Dom, and you’re not his Domme, what the hell else is there?”

Landry pulled Tilly to him, taking her by surprise and making her squeal as he nipped her neck.

“I’m sure we’ll think of plenty of things to do.”

Tilly swatted him on the ass. “I’m sure we will.”

Loren pointed at Cris. “Oh, you. Asshole. Come here.”

Landry laughed as he unsnapped the leash and removed the clip holding his wrist cuffs together.

“Better go with her.”

All Loren needed was his signature on the marriage certificate as witness, yet another indignity.

Loren smiled as she looked at where he’d signed. “How’s it feel to know you helped marry her off, asshole?”

Cris didn’t respond even though Tilly noticed how his body tensed. Tilly felt another round of sympathy for him. “Okay, enough torture,” Tilly said. “I want to get going.”

Loren stuck her tongue out at her. “Landry’s right, you are a spoilsport.”

Others would stay and play. Landry sent Cris out to the limo first, instructing him to get in the back compartment, but to sit all the way at the front. Everyone else gave the newlyweds a birdseed shower as they ran for the car and jumped in. Ross had already made sure Tilly’s things were transferred to the limo.

Landry pulled Tilly across his lap as the limo driver shut the door before they pulled away.

“Now, home.”

“Home.” She ignored Cris’ silent presence at the front of the passenger compartment. Instead, she ran her hands through Landry’s hair. “You sure can wear a suit well. You look damn good in that thing. Even better than you did at the store.”

“I like finely-tailored clothes. You should see my wardrobe. I’ll have to take over a closet in one of the other rooms. I believe I have more than you do.” He looked up at Cris. “Isn’t that right, slave?”

Cris nodded.

He returned his attention to her and dropped his voice low enough Cris couldn’t hear. “Are you ready for tonight, love?”

“Yeah.” She snuggled closer. “Very ready.”

It seemed as if his expression softened, saddened as his eyes roamed her face. “I promise I will never leave you, Tilly. Not unless you tell me to go.”

Emotion threatened to swamp her. “Please don’t say that.”

He frowned. “Why not? I mean it.”

She struggled not to cry and finally succeeded in keeping her tears in check. “Don’t make me 

promises you might not be able to keep.” She didn’t want to ruin her wedding night thinking about the possibility that his treatment might not beat the cancer back this time.

Or that he might choose to leave one day.

Apparently sensing her distress, he slowly nodded and caressed her cheek, cradling her face in his palm. “I promise, with every fiber of my being, to the deepest corners of my soul, that I will fight to stay with you until the very last breath leaves my body.”

She gasped, unable to respond.

“Does that settle your heart, love?”

She nodded, feeling the prickle of tears in her eyes. “Yeah.” Pulling his head down to hers, she kissed him, long and deep and enjoying the feel of his hands on her, his arms around her. She wanted to cry and didn’t know if he’d understand, didn’t want to let go in front of Cris, either.

Landry apparently sensed it anyway. “I take my vows seriously. You’re stuck with me for a long time. I told you, don’t be surprised if you try to leave in three years and I’m clinging to your leg, begging you to stay. You’d hate to see a grown Dom cry, wouldn’t you?”

She giggled over his playful smirk, easing her tension. “I can’t think of anything more pitiful.”

She rested her cheek against his palm, which still cupped her jaw. His fingers stroked the back of her neck, up under her hair. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m difficult to live with. I’ve gotten used to doing things my way.”

“Then that’s the way we’ll do them. Cardinal’s rules.”

She cracked an eye open. His eyes were still fixed on her, his expression serious. She knew Cris couldn’t hear them if she whispered. “If you get tired of me—”

He kissed her. “Stop. I will
not
get tired of you. Although you may be ready to kick me out by next week after you see what a whiner I am.”

“I don’t want to fall in love with you and get my heart broken.”

He nuzzled her forehead with his. “I guess Loren meant it when she asked me.”

“Meant what? Asked you what?”

“This morning, when she arrived to pick you up. She said it was between her and myself, but

she wanted to know if I was falling in love with you and if I would mean my vows. Apparently she meant it when she said she wouldn’t tell.”

Her heart raced. “What did you say?”

“I told her yes, that I am. And yes, I meant every word.”

“Please don’t tell me what you think I want to hear.”

“I will always be honest with you, Tilly. Good or bad. You know my past, you know about Cris.

If I ever feel I can’t continue, I will tell you. But prepare yourself for me doing my best to woo you whenever I get the chance.”

Her fingers tightened on his shoulders. “Woo away, buddy.”

Chapter Twelve

Landry knew it wouldn’t take them long to reach Tilly’s house, but he wanted to torture Cris as much as possible, in addition to being unable to keep his hands off his wife.

Now there was a word he never thought he’d use in reference to himself.

His
wife.

He slid one hand up her thigh, under her dress, until his fingers brushed against her panties. He hooked one finger under them and gently tugged, his finger rubbing against her bare pussy. She was already as wet as he was hard.

“Mmm. That is a rather pleasant surprise, love.”

She squirmed against his hand as her eyes dropped closed and she rested her head against his shoulder. He slowly fucked her with two fingers, softly murmuring to her so Cris couldn’t hear. Then he withdrew his fingers and, with his eyes firmly fixed on Cris, who silently watched, he sucked her juices off his fingers before slipping his hand under her dress again.

* * * *

Cris’ fingernails dug into his palms as he watched, unable to look away. She wasn’t faking it, he knew the signs far too well.

The edges of Landry’s mouth curved in a smirk as his gaze narrowed. Cris also knew that

expression.

Challenge me. I dare you.

He wouldn’t—couldn’t—challenge him.

After Landry apparently knew he’d made his point, he returned his attention to Tilly, whispering to her and kissing the hollow of her throat even as she made little moans he could hear from the front of the passenger compartment.

His sweet little Redbird, now his Master’s wife.

Landry truly was a sadist. Not that there was any doubt about that fact before.

When they reached the house, Landry withdrew his hand and smoothed down her skirts before

he kissed her. Her eyes looked glazed with passion. Landry hadn’t let her come yet, although Cris had an idea that was a top item on the menu for the night.

His own cock throbbed, remembering times with her and wishing it was his ring on her hand.

“You get out first,” he ordered Cris. “Open the front door for us and take her things inside.” He tossed Cris his keys.

He did as ordered while the limo driver opened the trunk for him. Once outside the limo,

Landry scooped Tilly into his arms, drawing a startled squeak from her.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“I’m carrying my wife over the threshold,” he said as he walked toward the front door. “It’s only proper.”

She draped her arms around his neck. “I think we’re anything but proper.”

Cris scurried to get the front door unlocked and opened and move out of the way while Landry swept inside with her.

“Take her things into our bedroom and wait for me there,” Landry ordered.

Cris went to do it, his mind spinning. Whatever he cooked up in his own imagination was

probably worse than anything Landry would do to him.

He hoped.

After a few minutes, Landry entered the bedroom and shut the door behind him. The smile he’d worn vanished from his face. “Strip.”

Cris didn’t dare argue. He kicked off his shoes and immediately began unbuttoning his shirt.

Once naked, he neatly folded his clothes and stood holding them, waiting for instructions.

Landry reached for them. “Give them to me. Go use the bathroom.” Landry took his clothes and shoes into the large walk-in closet by the bathroom while Cris went to relieve himself in the master bath.

His heart racing, he returned to stand beside the bed where Landry waited with the coil of rope in his hand and the covers and pillows already stripped from the bed. “On the bed. Face down.”

Cris obeyed. Without any perfunctory explanations, Landry began to hog-tie him. Well, not

totally, he left his hands in front of him. He recognized the pattern in Landry’s rope work, one designed 

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Cardinal’s Rule
–
Tymber Dalton
Page 149

to securely hold him and yet not cut off his circulation so he could remain bound longer.

Landry rolled him over on his back, roughly passing the rope between Cris’ legs and binding his cock and balls as well before immobilizing his arms. Then Landry shoved the ball gag into his mouth and tightened the strap around his head.

He tried to slow his breathing, remain calm, but he had a feeling he didn’t want to be part of what was about to occur. Landry leaned in and viciously grabbed his hair, making Cris wince. “You get no safeword tonight. Unless you are in serious physical distress, you don’t tap out or do anything I don’t order you to do. Not if you want to remain my slave. If you safeword for any other reason than physical distress, you’re out on your ass. And you will not close your eyes other than to blink. You will watch every single second of tonight. I want it seared into your brain. Understood?”

Cris nodded.

Landry’s eyes narrowed even as he smiled. “Good.”