Master Red (5 page)

My eyes stung and I let the tears fall—happiness was too precious to disguise. He broke the kiss. Thumbed those tears away. Stared at me intently.

We’d done so much more than I had expected tonight, revealed to one another the lengths we were prepared to go.

“You still have your shoes on,” he said.

“But you like them, Sir.”

“I do. They suit you. Just as you suit me.”

I smiled. How could anyone be so perfect? “It was quite a trip tonight, Sir.”

“An intense journey.” He paused, then, “Will you meet me for more dessert tomorrow night? Same time, same place?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“And we can maybe go out afterwards.”

I liked the
maybe
, that for our life ‘out there’ he didn’t just assume. Didn’t take it for granted that I’d automatically do what he said. I wondered how that would work as we spent more time together and got deeper into our relationship. It seemed he didn’t expect to be a Dom all the time. Would we slip into things as easily as we had so far? I hoped so.

“Maybe,” I said, my answer designed to show I wasn’t prepared to be a twenty-four seven sub. I was a strong-willed woman, just submissive in the bedroom. Then again, I’d broken that rule earlier… “I think you owe me a punishment, Sir.”

“I know I do. Perhaps I can give it to you tomorrow. After dessert. That was very naughty of you, exposing your tits like that. Asking for what you wanted instead of waiting to see if you would get it. Greedy little sub.”

“But everything was too intense, Sir, and you were busy at the time…”

“No excuses.” He laughed, then became serious again. “It
will
work, you know,” he said, then kissed the tip of my nose. “Like I said earlier, you
can
have it both ways. You
can
love a Master.”

“I’m beginning to see that. And I want it both ways, Sir.”

He cupped my cheek. “Good.”

He lowered his hand, then, bending, picked up my dress. He held it out, and I turned so he could put it over my head and draw it down my body. I leaned back against him, and he held me like he’d done in the voyeur room, hands cradling my breasts. We stared out of the window, saying nothing, me thinking of all the days and nights we’d spend together. Stars flickered, twinkling down on two newcomers to the patio—the men from the cross. They were entwined in each other’s arms, kissing.

“It’s on their sleeves,” Master Red said. “Just like it’s on ours.”

And it was true, I thought, as I turned again to face my Master. It
was
on ours now, not just his. I’d worn my heart on my sleeve downstairs, had shown all who cared to watch that I belonged to Master Red—that I loved him and would continue to love him as long as he’d have me.

“I love you, Sir.”

I didn’t want an answer, but he gave it.

Silently. With his eyes.

Coming Soon from Totally Bound Publishing:

Marshall Cottage: Master Connor

Natalie Dae

Released 25
th
July 2014

Excerpt

Chapter One

The jingle of my mobile blasting an operatic message tune brought me out of a dream involving a man I’d never met giving me rather a good time in bed. He was the quintessential tall, dark and handsome. I sighed and glanced at the clock, pissed off to see eleven p.m. in glowing green numbers.

I’d only been asleep for an
hour?

A message flashed up from Marshall Cottage. Staid male tones filtered into my brain at the memory of speaking to Mr M, the receptionist-slash-greeter when I’d signed up for a coveted spot at the BDSM mansion. Mr M had promised to have someone look into my background to see if I was suitable to join those who indulged in play at Marshall Cottage. He’d also said he would find me a suitable Master. I hadn’t had a single match in the month since I’d signed up, which only cemented the fact I wasn’t suited to anyone—anyone at all. I was stubborn, highly strung and prone to being late. What man wanted a woman like that?

I opened the text message.

I’ve found you someone.

I swallowed down my excitement.

He’s waiting for you at Marshall Cottage.

Oh, Lord. Was he waiting now? This minute?

I sat up while shuffling to the edge of the bed. I raked a hand through my hair—
damn, that knot hurt
—and fumbled for the bedside lamp. I messaged back, asking if he meant now and whether I was supposed to just drop everything and go. I suspected I would—sub spots were highly desirable there, and if I turned this one down, who knew when I’d be offered another. If at all.

My phone went off again.

He’s a gentleman. I imagine he’ll wait another hour…

I texted back, thanking him for his efforts and informing him that I’d be there as soon as I could. I had to shower, get dressed and get pretty.

The phone didn’t go off again, leaving me with a sense of excitement-stroke-dread pooling in my gut. This was it. Time to see if I could behave myself for a Dom.

Time to see if I was sub material.

* * * *

If my stomach rolled one more time, I would vomit. I stood outside Marshall Cottage, which wasn’t a cottage at all. I’d known that, having spied from the main road when doing research on the kind of place this was, but still, actually being here and seeing the sheer size of it was disconcerting.

A man stood in the doorway, dressed like a butler, and I gathered it was Mr M. I went to the open double doors on shaky legs. I’d opted for black stockings, and my little black skirt was littler than I’d ever worn, purchased on a whim when on a lonely shopping spree last month. My fitted black leather basque, meant to enhance my bust, only served to have me feeling insecure and out of my depth.

What was I thinking, coming here like this?

I took a deep breath then wandered up the steps until I reached the doors.

“Good evening,” I said, smiling at the man.

He didn’t smile, nor did he appear as though he intended to speak.

“My name’s Dahlia. You texted me. About finding me someone, and I—”

“
You
need to find
him
,” he said. “He’s here somewhere. Look for a man in a suit with a red handkerchief in his pocket.”

“Thank you.”

Nervous, I walked away from him, across a foyer where a transparent grandfather clock ticked away, its silver pendulum heavy-looking and loud. Would this Master be upstairs or downstairs? I floundered, trying to maintain a calm, poised exterior, while my insides griped with more than a bit of fear. I was out of my depth. I shouldn’t have come.

I hiked in a deep breath and opted for a room beside the stairs, going toward it as though I had all the confidence in the world. So long as I concealed what I really felt, all should go well. If I didn’t feel comfortable by the time I found him, I could go home. No one had forced me to seek this place out. No one was making me do this.

After pushing the door open, I sauntered inside. The place was packed—and it took my breath away. I didn’t know what I’d been expecting, but it certainly hadn’t been this. God, he could be one of any number of men. Some stood around the edges, and others sat at small round tables or on sofas. Many were already with someone. And all were engaged in some form of sexual activity, be it fondling, fucking or just watching someone else get fucked. A few couples occupied booths at the back, and I eyed them with envy. They appeared well established, and if I were honest, I didn’t want a one-nighter, where a Master would give me a bit of a flogging then send me on my way. No, I wanted what these people appeared to have. Clasped hands and special looks only the couples themselves knew the meaning of. Shared secrets and trust that transcended the sex act. A one-nighter wouldn’t give me that.

I sighed, letting the air out slowly, then pasted on a smile as though I did this kind of thing all the time. Bloody hell, yes, I was Dahlia Singleton, one-off sub extraordinaire. Quickly assessing the room again, I found a space in the far corner then studied people one by one. None of the men had a red hankie in their pocket. Something tugged at me inside, the knowledge that I’d chosen the wrong room—because, shit, no man had turned to watch my entrance, and they would have, wouldn’t they, if they were expecting me to show?

Unless he got tired of waiting.

I turned and strode toward the door, angry with myself for feeling deflated. For having pinned my hopes on some stupid liaison that would give me what I craved. What had I expected? Some Master to come rushing up to me and sweep me off my feet?

If I were being truthful, yes.

Shoving at the door, I huffed in temper as it met with resistance. I pushed it again, harder, then in a fit of anger, my cheeks heating, I forced myself through the small gap, intent on going home and back to bed—the only place that welcomed me wholly, without any stipulations.

And came face to face with a suited man taller than he had any right to be with a face like a movie star. And a red hankie in his pocket.

Oh, Jesus Christ. I’m going to faint.

Just what I needed. To fall flat on my face, my skirt hiking up to show my arse, all in front of this sexy-as-hell-oh-my-God-he’s-beautiful man who gazed down at me with a sardonic grin on his ruggedly, too-damn-handsome face.

My heart seemed to crash around. A fierce blush crept into my cheeks. “Umm, sorry. I was just leaving because I—”

“Dahlia Singleton, correct? Mr M said you were a beauty.”

If I didn’t know better, I thought he’d said my name. And that I was a beauty. “Um, yes?”

“I was waiting in the other room,” he said, taking my elbow in his slim-fingered hand that sent shivers of delight throughout my body. He guided me across the foyer to an unoccupied sofa. “But I thought I’d just check to see if you were in Voyeur Room One.” He waited for me to sit before he settled beside me, his warm, muscular thigh touching mine.

His warm, muscular thigh touching mine! Oh, my Lord, this man, this man is sitting next to me. Me!

“And here we are,” he finished, tilting his head to regard me with deep brown eyes, resting his arm on the back of the sofa and supporting his head in his hand.

His hair, black and wavy, gave me the urge to run my fingers through it.

“Yes,” I said breathlessly, so unlike my real voice. “Here we are.” I smiled and looked at him from beneath lowered lashes.

I was embarrassed and completely out of my league—and depth. I should never have come here, should never have thought I could do this. I’d never subbed before, had only dreamt of having a Master, and this one appeared so…with it, so Masterly, that I was bound to fail at the first step. Men like him didn’t go for women like me.

“Mr M was right.” He placed his free hand on his thigh and rubbed absently.

What I wouldn’t give to have my hand doing that instead.

“Oh? In what way?” I blushed, remembering what the brochure for this place had stressed. “Sir. Sorry for forgetting to address you properly, Sir.”

“You
are
beautiful—and forgetting to call me Sir is fine. This time. You’re new, aren’t you? New to the lifestyle?”

I stifled a trill of nervous laughter. This was where I’d be caught out. Where he’d know I was a fake who had no idea how things worked, not really. I’d read a few books, had realized a part of myself had been missing for many years and that being a sub would possibly help fill the void. But to actually be here, sitting beside a real Master? Ashamed I’d enquired about being a part of the goings on at Marshall Cottage, ashamed that I’d even dared to dream I could meet a man because of it, I stood to leave. “I’ve made a mistake. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to go home.”

He stood swiftly, standing before me, so tall I had to look up to see his face.

“Whatever for? We’ve only just met.”

My stomach rolled over again.
Please don’t let me be sick. Not yet. Not until I get outside.
“Um, I really shouldn’t have joined. I… You…you’re not my type.”
God forgive me for lying.

“Not your type? Mr M assured me we were a perfect match, and you’re
very
much
my
type.”

“I am?”

“Indeed you are. Please, sit with me for a while. At least let me spend some time with you before you go dashing off like Cinderella.” He glanced down at my high-heeled black shoes. “Although Cinderella didn’t wear such a charming pair of stilettos.”

Charming? That word reminded me of him, and he was Prince Charming all right, and so not the type of man I had ever dared to date before. I had never approached a god such as he, for fear of receiving unbridled laughter at my request for a date, to be Mastered. I didn’t enjoy blushing from shame one little bit.

“Uh, okay. Maybe I can talk to you for a few minutes. But then I really do have to go home.” I sat back down, my basque squeaking and my face heating further. What if he’d thought I’d made that sound? What if he thought—?

“Leather, you’ve got to love the noises it makes,” he said, sitting beside me again. “Especially from
specific
implements.”