Make Me: An Erotic BDSM Romance (2 page)

He doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t want to interrupt the scene, I guess, but he raises his eyebrows questioningly at me. I grimace, trying to communicate how bored I am. Save me.

I think he gets it, but he drops one eyebrow and leaves the other one up, suddenly skeptical rather than curious. Or is that judgemental? Just a twitch? I dunno. As amazingly expressive as faces are supposed to be, a few good words go a long way.

With a quick wink, he stands. Great, he’s bored too. Or did he have another plan? Anything to save me from the doldrums.

“Hi.” It’s Gabriel’s voice, but he’s not talking to me. “Um, Dennis, is it? Sorry to interrupt your scene. You look like you’re having a great time, and that’s what this club’s all about.”

“Uh... right?”

Ah, Dennis, you domming alpha, you.

“Listen, I’m not here to criticize or anything, but I couldn’t help notice your pet.”

“Yeah?” Pride creeps into Dennis’s voice, like he owns me or something. “She’s pretty fucking hot, huh?”

“That she is, my friend. Fucking gorgeous. But you know what? She owes you an apology.”

What?

“What?” Dennis is as confused as me.

“Well, she’s just hanging there, looking bored and that makes you look bad. If she’s not having a good time, then it’s her responsibility to let you know.”

Oh God. That fucker! I thought we shared a little moment there, but all he does is humiliate me. Oh, he’s gonna hear it. “Gabri...”

“Shut up, Pet.” There’s steel in Gabriel’s voice. Hard, lethal steel. Hard, lethal, goddamn sexy steel. “Don’t speak until spoken to. You’re already in enough trouble.”

I feel bad. Not for being bored, but because those few words already have me more turned on than the last fifteen, twenty minutes of flogging have.

“She did stop counting, but I thought it was subspace or something, you know? Really, she’s bored?”

Oh God, he’s not gonna cry, is he? He sounds heartbroken.

Dennis sighs. “Is this true, Dawn?”

As soon as I’m free, I’m going to kick Gabriel’s ass. I sigh. “Yes.”

“Alright. Fine. I’ll untie you. Maybe it’s just not our thing, I guess.”

“Hold it.” Gabriel’s voice cuts through like a meat cleaver. “I didn’t say let her go. She owes you an apology. She’s humiliated you, man.”

“No, it’s alright, I’ll just...”

“It’s not alright. Listen, if you’re not going to punish her, give her to me. I’ll handle it. It’s her responsibility as your sub to let you know things aren’t working for her.”

Now that’s interesting. Very interesting. I swallow, wondering what Gabriel has in mind. Something tells me it’s going to be in a different league.

“I suppose you could...”

“Great, come around here a sec.” Two pairs of shoes appear, stopping in front of me. Gabriel crouches. “Pet, apologize to your Dom.”

It’s a gamble, but I can’t help it. Craning my neck so I can see him, I put as much sneer into my answer as I can. “No.”

He grins, but doesn’t say anything. “One more chance, Pet.”

“No.” No more, no less.

Gabriel stands and steps behind me. “Dennis, what are your safewords?”

“Um, right... we don’t...”

I can almost hear Gabriel’s eyes rolling in his head as he sighs. “Fine. Yellow, I’m going too hard or something’s wrong. We talk and work it out. Red, I’m way outta hand and we stop. Doesn’t have to be forever, but something major must change before we continue. Got it?”

A pregnant pause.

“Pet? Do you get it.”

Oh, he was talking to me. Of course. “Yes.”

“Good. Now, are you going to apologize?”

“No.”

“Suit yourself.”

A swish and a thwack. Fiery streaks of red hot pain slash across my ass, and I scream. Fucking hell, he doesn’t mess around.

“Apologize.”

I chew my lower lip, considering. My ass burns, but my pussy’s suddenly gushing. He gets me, what I crave, what I need. There’s only one right answer. “No.”

Thwack!

Oh, Jesus H. Christ on a stick. My thighs this time, right where they meet my ass, some of the tendrils criss-crossing the first ones. I can only imagine the bright red welts. But God, I don’t want him to stop. “No.”

“You’re only making this harder on yourself.”

Thwack! Thwack!

My upper back, first one side, then the other. Hard, solid hits, driving pain deep into my chest cavity. I have to catch my breath, hearing it ragged in my throat. I whimper. He’s making me fucking whimper.

My reply comes out like a croak. “No.”

I brace, but nothing happens. Opening my eyes, I see Dennis is still there, his shoes shifting back and forth uncomfortably. He can’t even handle someone else doing the job properly. Who ever let him put a flogger in his hand to begin with? Gabriel’s shoes appear.

“Listen, Dennis.”

“Y... yeah?”

“I think this might take a while. Why don’t you head to the bar. Drinks are on me tonight. Just let Mike know Gabe sent you. If she comes around, I’ll bring her over to apologize. Sound good?”

“Uh... yeah. Thanks.”

“Hey, no worries. Listen, ask Mike if Miss Victoria’s around. I think she might be right up your alley. You know her?”

“No, don’t think I...”

“You’ll like her. Off you go. I’ll take care of our little brat here.”

“Right. Thanks.” He’s off like his ass is on fire.

I dare a question. “Who’s Miss Victoria?”

Gabriel’s back down to my level, a boyish grin splitting his face. “Best Domme in town. That guy’s as much a Dom as I’m a sub. I think they’ll get along great.”

I can’t hold back the giggle.

He’s at my throat immediately, his huge hand wrapping around so far his fingers almost touch. I want to swallow, but I can’t against the pressure. “Laughing at your former master? I’m not done with you, you know. You still owe that guy an apology.”

Being defiant isn’t easy when you can hardly breathe. “What, you’re gonna make me?” It comes out as a wheeze.

“Fuck yeah. Unless you safeword.”

I only think for a second. “No.”

He lets go, and I draw a deep breath. Air. Sweet, sweet air.

“Well, back to it, then.” His voice is a growl that makes me shudder and my stomach drop. Even the soft material of my bra feels rough on my tight nipples, and my thighs feel sticky. This is what I want.

Smack!

Ow! That was his hand! Right onto my left asscheek and staying there, gripping the flesh hard in his rough fingers. It hurts and feels so good, so fucking good.

“You know, I can do this all night. I’ve got nowhere else to be, but I’ll have to get someone to drive you home, cause you sure as hell won’t be walking. Or you can apologize to the man.” Husky, his voice cuts into me.

I quiver, realizing he can do anything he wants to me and I’ll let him. “I won’t.”

Smack!

The same spot again, pain on pain, compounding. I sob, my shoulders shaking.

“You will, if it takes me all night.”

His hand adds heat to my already burning ass, over and over. I scream. A crowd has gathered around us, watching him work his magic, watching me squirm beneath him. Every strike shakes my flesh and pushes me against the sawhorse. My feet kick uselessly. My ass hurts, tendrils of pain snaking their way all the way out to my toes and fingertips.

I’m crying, salty tears sliding down my cheeks, dropping to the floor. I’m reaching my limit, but I don’t want to give up, don’t want to give him the satisfaction. He’s stern, but I’m tougher. At least, that’s what I want to think, but fuck, it hurts.

He’s stopped. All I feel is burning, stinging pain, but he’s not spanking me anymore. Are we done? Did I win? I want to gloat, but at the same time I’m disappointed. It couldn’t be that easy, could it? I wince and twitch. Not
that
easy, I suppose.

Smack!

It’s the hardest one yet, driving into my ass, pain exploding like a firecracker. It’s the last straw, and I gasp, sob and whimper all at once, my head hanging in defeat.

Shoes. He crouches in front of me. Wiping the tears off my face with his thumb, he studies me. “Look at me.”

I twist my head to meet his eyes, his glinting, green-flecked hazel eyes that seem to stare right into the deepest parts of me. They crinkle in amusement, making crow’s feet. “All it takes is an apology. Nothing more, and we can end this. We’ll find him, you’ll kneel like a good girl and tell him you’re sorry for ruining his scene. That’s it.”

I don’t want to lose, but I want him to win. What do I do? I’m exhausted. I won’t be able to sit for a week. He’s read me so well, taking me right to my limit. I do the only thing I can do. I surrender.

“I’ll...” The crying’s made my nose run, and I pull it back in with an indelicate sound. “I’ll apologize.”

Immediately, he’s untying me, releasing my sore wrists and lowering me carefully from the sawhorse. I collapse right into his arms, and he holds me, comforting me, his large arms enveloping me as he pulls me close. I close my eyes, resting my head against his chest.

“You’re a tough master.” I mumble it into his shirt.

“You’re a tough customer, babe.” There’s a grin in his voice, but I just nestle in closer, not caring. His hands stroke my arms while I recover.

T
his is so unfair. It’s not like it was just me messing up the scene with Dennis, but Gabriel’s orders are clear: apologize or he’ll refuse to play with me again. The fucking gall. Like I can’t go on without playing with him.

So why am I here? Because I’m weak, and I want another round of what I just got. Once I feel I can sit comfortably again, anyway.

Dennis is at the bar, his back to me. Stopping right behind him, I look down and cross my wrists behind my back, as Gabriel instructed. He’s watching me. Making sure I don’t fuck up.

“Master...” I bite back the words, then try again. “Master Dennis, I’m sorry to disturb.”

He turns but I can’t see his face. No words. Just waiting for me.

“I’m sorry I ruined your scene.” I swallow. “Master Gabriel has... instructed me in proper etiquette, and I see where I went wrong now. Please forgive your pet.” Gabriel had even given me a little script, like I’m too dumb to do this on my own, or something. Maybe he’s right. I’m not good at hiding snark. Already I’m gritting my teeth, trying to do this right.

“It’s alright, pet. I’m over it, but I don’t think we’ll be playing again.”

That’s for fucking sure. He doesn’t need to tell me that, but I let him have his little victory. “Yes, Master. Thank you.”

I retreat before I say something I’ll regret.

Immediately, Gabriel is there. “Good job. You
can
be civil when you want to.” He laughs, and it’s a really nice laugh, rich and deep.

“Screw you.” I thought I muttered it, but he has sharp ears.

“All in good time, babe.”

“You’re an ass.”

“Sure. But an ass who knows how to make you feel good. Don’t underestimate that.”

“Cocky, too.”

“Totally, but listen, I have to do some actual work for a while. Let me get you a cab home. Maybe it’ll make up for your humiliation.” He winks at me. Winks.

“I can walk just fine, you know.”

“Nope. It’s late. This neighborhood isn’t that rough, but I don’t want you walking home alone in the dark.” He looks around the room, like he’s searching for something. “Hey! Caleb!”

Caleb’s a mountain of a man, guarding the door. I’d noticed him coming in. A guy his size is hard to miss. His black t-shirt only barely holds it together around his bulging muscles, some of which look like they have muscles of their own. Head shaved, he looks like Mr. Clean moonlighting as a bouncer. I want to ask him to cross his arms over his chest and lean back a little, just to get the stance right.

“What’s up, Gabe?” His voice is rough, gravelly even.

“Mind doing me a favor and calling up a cab for Dawn here? She’s heading home. Just put it on the club. I’ll sort the paperwork later.”

“Sure thing.” Caleb stops midturn and looks over his broad shoulder at us with a crooked grin. “You back on the market, then?”

“Hell no. Just get that cab sorted.”

Caleb shrugs. “Yes, sir!”

Not sure what to say really. “Thanks.” I blurt it out. “What did he mean by the market? This isn’t a date, is it?”

“Nope. Just business.”

“Do you get cabs for all your business?” I raise an eyebrow.

“Only the cute ones. Now get your ass up front. They usually come quick.” He makes as if to walk away.

“Gabriel.” I catch his wrist in my hand.

“Hm?”

“Can I have your number?” What am I doing? “I mean, not like a date number, but you know, if maybe I want to play again. Or I need help getting my car out.”

I’ve already got my phone out and he takes it from me.

“Hey.”

He ignores me while he taps the screen, typing in something. “Here.” He’s added himself as The Sexiest Dom Alive, which I just roll my eyes at, but there’s a number there. “Call me anytime. I love moving cars.”

“I love watching you move cars, so I think we can work something out.” I’m smiling so hard it hurts. Market or not, there’s totally something there. I know it.

That’s when the chill hits. Sometimes I get these premonitions, like I know something bad’s going to happen. It’s always that tingle that runs right down my spine. Gabriel’s eyes go wide, staring past me. What the hell?

I turn and see one of the most beautiful women I’ve seen in my life. She’s the anti-me. Tall where I’m short, slim where I’m just a bit more curvy than I’d like, striking red hair that falls straight past her shoulders where my blonde curls always seem just a bit too wild. Her eyes are so bright green I wonder if they’re contacts, but they sparkle with life.

Alright, fine, I get it. She’s hot and I’m not. He doesn’t have to be so fucking obvious about it, though. I begin to leave when she speaks.

“Gabriel. I thought I’d find you here.” Her voice is smooth honey with a smoky undertone, like a fine whisky. Just the kind of voice you’d want whispering your name in bed. I know when I’m outmatched, and she already knows him. How did I even think I had a chance?

“Viv.” The coldness of his voice startles me. There’s more going on here than I know.