RequiredSurrender (4 page)

“You told your parents.”

“My mom.”

“What did she do about it?”

She wanted to scream “Nothing.” She couldn’t have done
anything even if she knew the truth it wouldn’t have changed things. “We kept
it from my father.” That wasn’t a complete lie as half of it was the truth.

He didn’t say anything, he just drew her up tighter against
him and freaking hell her lip started to quiver. “I,” she cleared her throat,
“I n-never cry.”

“I know, princess. I know.”

Ted must have dozed off too. After Jo had finished another
crying bout she’d fallen asleep against him and he’d thought to leave her, but
he couldn’t right then. And now? He tilted his head and looked down. Noticing
how nicely she was wrapped around him like a little octopus, he frowned. The
unmitigated pleasure he got from the sight of her on him had absolutely nothing
to do with sex and everything to do with wanting to protect her.

He slammed his head into the pillow.
Fuck.

Coming up here with her tonight had been a monumental
mistake because he’d felt the crazy pull between them. This was why he’d kept
his distance from her over the last two months. She had something he wanted.
The kind of needs he wanted to fill. And he had something she was drawn to. He
was sure of it. He’d noticed her covertly watch him when she could, but he’d
endeavored to ignore it. His life was simpler without the ties of a full-time
sub and she’d be a full-time sub, that’s for sure.

He stared at the ceiling and thought about her. She was
dangerous all right. When one broke through the swearing, the hissing and
spitting she was a pussy cat in need of a pet. Or to be a pet. That got him
rock-hard and ready to tame, but he couldn’t do that with her.

She needed someone who would take care of her completely and
he wasn’t up for that. Not now and maybe never, but that didn’t mean he
couldn’t find her a mentor. Someone who would help her through until she had
her emotions in check and could be trained.

Damn, she’d make a fine sub for any man willing to step up
and take the reins with her. It wouldn’t be easy. It would require finesse and
patience. But the end result would be worth it. He was sure of it.

“What are you thinking?” She snuggled up against him all
warm and cat-like. Best to get to the reality before they had a huge mess on
their hands.

“I was wondering who would make a good Dom for you.”

There was silence and then she sighed, “Oh.”

Hm. She didn’t sound very upset by the prospect. Maybe he’d
been wrong about her wanting him. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. He
should feel great, but oddly he didn’t. He brushed a hand through her hair and
said, “I think you really should take those karate classes. We have a dojo. I
could set you up.”

“Why, so I can kick the bastard’s ass the next time I have
to see him?”

His hand stilled and he grinned. “No. I don’t think it would
be wise to confront a guy like him. Let someone else do it. He’ll get his. I
was thinking more along the lines of you needing to know how to protect
yourself, is all.”

“Why?” She shot up on one elbow. Her beautiful face
illuminated in the dim light, looked softer than ever. The stunning
transformation took his breath away. “You think I’m a victim now?”

“Never that.” He stroked her cheek with the back of one hand
and said, “I just think you need some legitimate props to back you up. That
mouth of yours is going to get you into serious trouble one of these days.”

God, those huge eyes went all glass again. He was
hard-pressed to take more of her tears. He was drowning in them when he
shouldn’t. They weren’t his to own. They would be some other lucky Dom’s to
gather and protect.

“I didn’t always used to be like this.”

He took hold of a thick curl and rubbed it in his hand.
Satin. Softer than satin, this was silk. “There’s nothing wrong with the way
you are.”

She tilted her head and reminded him, “You called me a
guttersnipe.”

“True.” He let go of her hair and stuffed his hands behind
his head, lacing his fingers together. Otherwise he’d be tempted to drag her
back up against him until her hair lay like a curtain over his heart and her
breath heated the skin of his neck. “I had no choice. You were on quite the
profanity roll earlier.”

“I was scared.”

He shifted to look at her. Her admission surprised him. He
didn’t see one bit of fear in her. Not one. “Of what?”

“You.”

That hung between them like the proverbial noose. And he let
it swing. He wasn’t ready to explore all the implications in that one word. Not
now. Not ever. If he did, he’d probably never leave and right now the warning
sirens were blaring in his head for him to get the hell out of there.

“Well, no more scaring. That wasn’t my intention. I think
you’ll be able to find the right Dom to Top you now that there’s no sense of
urgency. Do you agree?”

She nodded, but in such a way that he knew she really
didn’t. “Sure.”

Sitting up, he ran a hand through his hair and eyed her.
“But no more ‘full Monty’ consent forms signed, got it?”

“Yes.”

He stood and tucked his shirt into pants. “And I am going to
set you up for those karate classes. Cameron will be in touch about those.”

“Cameron?”

“Yes, Jo.” He twisted around to stare down at her. “He’s my
assistant.”

She looked crushed and so disappointed all he wanted to do
was open his arms and invite her in, but he couldn’t because he knew she’d
accept and then they’d both regret it. “Trust me, princess. We’ll find your
prince. And when we do, you can thank me.”

“Hey, where are you going?”

Stopping at the door, he turned back. “I’ll make sure
Cameron is ready to see you home whenever you’re ready to leave. Goodbye, Jo.”

He wasn’t surprised when he reached the bottom of the stairs
and Cameron got up from one of the wing chairs in the lobby. “Sir.”

“Sorry to keep you up so late,” Ted spoke as he made his way
to his office. He knew Cameron would follow him, so he didn’t turn around.
“I’ve got a purse in my office that belongs to a guest. You need to give her a
ride home.”

“Tell me it’s not that Indian chick.”

“What?”

“That woman is a class-A bitch, that’s all I’m saying.”

Ted turned on him. Unlike Cameron, he didn’t need to say
anything. With one look his message was read loud and clear.

“I’m sorry, sir. Of course.”

“I also want,” Ted took a moment to make out a list, “you to
give her this. Then tomorrow I want to have a talk with you. There’s a man I
want you to track down. She didn’t tell me his name, but he’s a friend of her
family’s. Find them and you’ll find him.”

“I’ll come in early. How’s noon?”

“Good. Oh, and Cam? Make note of Ms. Nehr’s address too. I’m
taking a personal interest, you understand?”

“Interest in the Indian chick? The one with the big eyes and
the mouth that could make a pirate—”

“Yes. Just do it.”

“Yes sir.”

Ted threw himself into his leather chair and rocked. What
the fuck was he doing? He needed to stay away from her. No, he needed to find
her someone else fast before he was tempted. That was what he needed to do.

Chapter Four

“If anyone can seal the deal, it’s Blake. She won’t turn him
down.” Even as Ted made the prediction to his friend and partner, Ethan White,
his stomach churned into knots. The thought of Jo being Topped by Blake
bothered him. Almost as keenly as he’d experienced pleasure over the month and
a half of her turning her nose up at every one of his other Dom choices for
her.

Today was different though. She’d signed a consent form
again. Thankfully, not the “full Monty” variety, but a liberal enough one to
get him thinking. And when he’d gone over her spelled-out requirements, he’d
been surprised.

“This reads like a movie scene,” Ethan said and handed the
page back to him.

Ted nodded. It read that way because this was Jo trying to
re-create some of what happened to her. A dangerous thing to do with a Dom who
didn’t know her history. Oh sure, she’d glossed over a matter-of-fact version
in the emotional heads-up part of the questionnaire, but that wasn’t going to
cover anyone’s ass if she dropped. “There’s a reason she needs this release.”

Her desperate need to have this specific scene now indicated
something was stressing her out. Was her rapist back in the picture?
Unfortunately, when he’d put Cam on finding the guy weeks ago, he’d come up
empty. Maybe it was time he put Cam back on the case.

“You can tell by her brisk and thorough request she needs
this. If I didn’t believe that, she wouldn’t be here having this special
session today.”

“Is that why you’re here? You know I already committed to
stand by in case there’s a problem.”

“Yeah.” Ted eyed him, gauging how much he should say, if
anything at all.

“What’s with the look?”

“You don’t know her as well as I do.”

Ethan laughed and looked away. After a few seconds he turned
back, only now he was frowning. “You do know that’s absurd. Jo visits with Colin
on a regular basis. My wife treats her friends like family. Fortunately, I like
most of them, but I especially like Jo. She’s got pluck and she can beat me at
chess. For that alone I’d be here and for those reasons as well, I’d say I know
her better than your, what, half a night with her?”

“I wouldn’t bet on it.”

“Have you seen her since or something? Other than the few
functions you’ve both attended because of me and Colin?”

“No.”

“Well then…”

The door in the mock interrogation room opened and Ted
sucked in a breath as he watched from his vantage point behind the glass. His
heart thumped against his rib cage and his pulse quickened.

“This way,” Blake said while he held the door for her. When
Jo walked in Ted started to stand up but caught himself. He shot a sidelong
glance at Ethan who was staring at him with Dom-heightened intensity. Fuck.

“Have a seat.” Blake indicated to the lone, ladder-back
chair in the center of the room.

Jo walked toward it. Her gait was slow and elegant. This was
the first time Ted had seen her dressed so regally. Today she was dressed in a
crisp white blouse that had a larger-than-normal collar and cuffs. It was
tucked into a tighter-than-tight, charcoal pencil skirt and when she turned her
back to the mirror he noticed the matching gray stockings she wore had a
perfectly straight black seam that ran the length of her shapely legs from
thigh to heel. Folding in nicely to her four-inch black patent-leather stiletto
heels that shined in the dimly lit room.

She grasped the top slat on the back of the chair and tilted
her head to look up at Blake. That silky hair of hers swished and danced over
her blouse in stark contrast. “Ask me nicely.”

Ted couldn’t hide his smile. She was a nervy little thing.

“Have a seat please, Josephine.”

“Aaaand that would be mistake number one,” Ted muttered
under his breath. Too late he realized he’d spoken loud enough for Ethan to
hear.

“Why? She sat down.”

“Trust me, you give that one an inch and she takes the
yardage of a football field. Watch.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and pretended to be
semi-interested when in truth he was riveted. She was gorgeous. More gorgeous
than he remembered and she was wired for sound. Despite the barrier between
them he felt her energy. It was palpable.

“What’s your safe word?”

Now, most women in a position like this, being questioned by
a prominent Dom who most definitely intended to put his hands on her naked
flesh, tended to be nervous. Maybe with hands stuffed under her thighs and her
shoulders hunched forward while she kept her eyes downcast and answered short
and to the point. Not Jo. She leaned back in the chair, crossed her legs—worse,
she rocked one of them impatiently even— while examining her fingernails.
“Snow.”

“Uncross your legs.”

She stopped bopping but didn’t move to do as Blake ordered.
Ted sat forward in his seat and searched the lines of her face. She was wary
but not scared. Amazing.

“Why?”

“Because I want you to.”

Ted sat back. “Annnd that would be mistake number two.”

Ethan sighed. “Cut it out. We all have our methods.”

“Yes, but his stink. She’s going to be running him around in
no time.”

When Ethan looked at him funny, he shrugged. “Hey, I feel
sorry for the poor bastard.”

“It doesn’t look that way to me.”

“No.”

He wasn’t sure whose head snapped around faster at Jo’s curt
reply, his or Ethan’s.

“No?”

Blake’s voice was quiet. Too quiet and Ted knew why. It
wasn’t just the matter of her outright defiance that angered the guy. It was
the fact that Blake knew other Doms were watching this exchange. Now he was
going to have to save face and the only way to do that was to rein her in.

She looked right up at the guy. God, she was flirting with
disaster. Any decent Dom would take exception to this kind of disrespect and
judging by Blake’s rapidly stiffening back, he was pissed.

“Just ask your questions. I’m assuming you’ve already read
my profile so you should know I don’t need any coddling. My only stipulation
going into this was no undressing.”

Ted scowled and Ethan swore. “Shit.”

“You can put your hand up my skirt,” she unwisely carried
on, “I wore garters for that very reason.”

If Ted had been in the room he would have told her she
needn’t have bothered because the only part of her Blake probably wanted to put
his hands on was her neck so he could wring it. Damn, he didn’t like how
immeasurably pleased he was by her obstinance. Happy even, that she wasn’t
doing what Blake wanted. Jesus, she was a snotty little bitch and he loved it.

“Say something,” Ethan whispered. Probably hoping that Blake
would somehow hear or sense the prompt.

“Get up.”

Ted waited to see how she’d react to this command. The
defiance he’d expected from her didn’t come. Instead she got up and walked
around Blake and without being told to, she went to the wall and assumed a
frisk position.

“I’d spank her,” Ethan said.

Ted nodded, thinking he’d do more than just spank her, but
then he saw it. The little tremble. A shake, really, of skating nerves when she
shivered. Only once, but it was enough. She was all bravado and clearly she was
pushing herself here.

“E, I think—”

He stopped talking when Blake went after her. He wouldn’t
have blamed the guy if he got out a switch because he couldn’t know Jo was all
bluster, but thankfully he had more experience than to let anger drive him.
Instead he channeled his frustration into getting a reaction from her.

“It’s about time.”

Ted didn’t even nod at Ethan’s observation. He was too busy
staring at the man exploring Jo with a precision that was to be commended,
given that he was touching her through her clothes.

When his hands slid around her and moved up Ted could only
imagine how hard her nipples would be spiking into her blouse. Jo’s breasts
were so responsive, just thinking about those burnished peaks had him licking
his lips.

“I want these nipples hard.”

They weren’t hard? Ted’s confusion turned to frustration
when he heard Blake say, “You’re a cold little bitch, aren’t you?”

“He’s not sticking to the plan.”

Just then Blake slipped a hand up her skirt and frowned as
he drew it back.

“Damn.” Ted knew what he was after and the fact that he
didn’t find it made him want to stand up and beat on his chest with primal
satisfaction. She’d been hot and oh so wet when Ted had his hands on her.

“Stay still.”

He waited and the second he realized what Blake had in mind
he needed to do something. The frustrated Dom was at the filing cabinet sorting
through the various props. When he grabbed a belt and snapped it hard, Ted shot
up.

“You got this?”

He didn’t even look at Ethan. “Yeah. Leave.”

“Already gone.”

Ted didn’t watch his friend depart, he was too intent on
what was being said inside that room. “I think we need to break through this
ice so we can find some heat.”

Hearing this made his decision to get involved easier. Ted
was through the door just as Jo came out of position and spun around.

“Fuc—”

“Jo.” Ted stepped into her line of vision and spying the
instant flush that came to her cheeks pleased the ever-living shit out of him.
But not as much as when she stepped back and humbly dropped her gaze to the
floor. The rush of euphoria that swept through him with this show of respect
nearly knocked him back a pace. Gaining a fortifying breath, he said, “Take off
the blouse and the bra if you’re wearing one.”

He knew Blake was watching to see if she’d do it. He didn’t
know about that Dom, but Ted heaved a silent sigh of relief when she did as she
was told without complaint.

And the second that lacy bra fell forward down her arms and
he caught sight of her stunningly decorated breasts, he whispered, “Beautiful,”
at the same time Blake did.

“Good girl, princess, now back to the wall as you were.”

The sight of her bare to the waist with arms up and spread
while she adjusted her legs in an open stance got blood thundering through him.
He had to remind himself she wasn’t his.

“I thought we could try a different way to draw some heat
before we resort to using that. She’s never been flogged.”

Blake threw the belt so it landed on top of the filing
cabinet and shook his head. “It’s a fucking miracle.”

That made Ted smile because the guy was absolutely right.

“You have everything?” He was referring to the
condom-wrapped vibrator and the lube. She’d specifically asked for anal
penetration and although she’d written and underlined the phrase “until it
hurts”, he’d already explained to Blake that wasn’t going to happen. He’d
helped the guy pick out the perfect little toy to scene with her for one
reason. When he’d made the choice he truly believed Jo would do what she had
with the numerous Doms he’d set her up with so far and wind up turning Blake
down. He’d been comforted by that thought and yet here he was going to lend a
hand with her? Specifically so she wouldn’t send the guy away? That was
fucked-up so bad there was probably some psychological Freudian shit that
needed to be explored.

“Yeah.” Blake patted his back pocket. “How do you want to do
this?”

“It’s still your rodeo, I’ll just be ringside to make sure
you don’t get bucked off. She’s a little high strung.” He walked past her and
gave her a smack on the bottom.

“A little?”

“Are you going to talk all day or what?”

This she addressed to Blake because she turned and looked at
him over her shoulder.

“Jo.”

At the sound of Ted’s disapproval she turned back and
dropped her head.

“She takes direction from you.” It wasn’t an accusation,
just an observation. An insight Ted didn’t want to address with him but with
her…

“Is that true, princess?”

Jesus fuck, she nodded. His cock thickened and swelled so
before he did something really stupid he said, “I want you to do whatever Blake
asks you to do, understand? Oh no,” he said when she nodded, “I want to hear
you say it.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Yes, I understand, Sir.”

“Yes, I understand, Sir.”

“Good.” He was on one side of her and Blake was on the
other. “She’s got enough vinegar. What she needs is honey.”

Blake was being careful with her as he caressed her. Not too
soft, but soft enough, so when Ted saw her lips move he cocked an ear. “Did you
say something?”

“I want to forget,” she muttered. “I need to forget. This
is—”

“Bullshit,” Blake swore and held up his hand that had been
between her legs. “She’s drier than dust down here.”

She wasn’t focused, that’s what the problem was. He
whispered in her ear, “Do you need help, princess? I want these nipples hard.
Spiky. That’s better.” He pulled and rolled one before he reached over and did
the same to the other. “Rock-hard. Are they tingling?”

“Yes.”

“Damn, did you feel that?”

Ted knew what Blake was asking. He’d felt the tension leave
Jo’s body the second he put his hand on her. And hearing the sucking sounds of
moisture as Blake slid a finger in and out of her assured him she was no longer
dry.

He continued to play with her nipples while Blake worked the
lower half of her.

“Get that bottom up. Move it out.”

Her positioning wasn’t good enough for Ted, he would have
spanked her and made her do it better but she wasn’t his sub. He had to remind
himself, especially when the vibrator came into play. When her skirt was lifted
and her panties came down the desire to grab the vibrator out of Blake’s hand
and work her with it himself was so strong he left off teasing her breasts.
Standing aside with one hand braced and splayed next to hers on the wall he
watched. Waited. And when she subtly shifted from Blake toward him he brushed
the hair from her face and ordered her not to.