Seduced by Fire (22 page)

“Yes.”

He worked his way slowly up her body, massaging and kissing every part of her. His hands were warm and it felt as if she sank into the table.

“I was so stupid to let you go,” she whispered.

He kissed her shoulder and turned her around to face him. “But how absolutely brilliant of you to come back,” he said with a teasing smile. “Can you stand?”

“If you hold me.”

“Always.”

He helped her up from the table and gently pulled her close. She settled herself into his arms, tucking her head under his chin. How had she ever thought she could live without this?

“I love you, Daniel,” she whispered against his chest.

“Julie.” He lifted her head so their eyes met. “I love you so much.”

His lips brushed hers. Her arms slipped around his neck. All was as it should be.

•   •   •

L
ater that night, they sat at Julie’s kitchen table eating Chinese takeout. Speaking her mind had gotten easier, but there was something she wanted to discuss and she didn’t know how to bring it up.

“Something bothering you?” Daniel asked, as if reading her mind.

“How do you do that?”

“Part of being a Dominant is being observant and I know you well enough to know when something’s on your mind. Will you share what’s troubling you?”

She looked down at her plate and piled up her remaining rice. They had only been back together a few weeks, so she wondered if maybe she should wait.

No, she told herself, she needed to know now.

She glanced up at Daniel, who waited with infinite patience. “Whenever you’re ready,” he said.

There was no way around it. She put her fork down and cleared her throat. “In the past when you . . . with your previous . . . did you . . . ah, hell.”

He pushed back from the table, stood up, and held out his hand. “Let’s go sit down and see if we can get to the bottom of what has you tongue-tied.”

They made it into her living room, where he sat on the couch and pulled her into his lap. She took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of him and delighting in the feel of his arms around her.

“Let’s try again,” he said. “What was bothering you at dinner?”

She ran a finger down his arm, lightly brushing the hair on his forearm. “With your collared submissives, I know you said bedroom and playroom only, but are there, were there, rules? Things you expected?” She turned so she could look at him. He’d been right—it was easier to talk sitting on the couch, touching him. “I guess I’m looking for what the setup was like. The basics.”

A look of momentary shock covered his face, but it was soon replaced with an easy grin. “Thank you for being honest. The truth is, the setup is what the people involved say it is. It won’t be the same from couple to couple.”

“But don’t you have certain, I don’t know, expectations?”

“Everything’s negotiable.”

“Okay, so what would be on the list you first brought to the table?” she asked. “If I were to wear your collar.”

“What would be on my most wanted list?” At her nod, he continued. “For starters you would wear my collar every day. In fact, it would be locked around your neck and only I would have the key.”

She nodded. That didn’t sound so bad. In fact, she liked the sound of it.

“You would call me ‘Master’ any time we were playing or with the group.”

“But all the submissives call you ‘Master.’”

“No, they call me ‘sir’ or ‘Master Covington.’ ‘Master’ is reserved for my collared submissive’s use alone.”

“Oh.” She liked the sound of that.

“You would shave your pussy and keep it bare for me at all times.”

Ouch.

“All your orgasms would belong to me and you would only be allowed to have one following my permission.”

“Forever?” she asked. “That seems a bit extreme.”

“Have you felt sexually deprived in any way, shape, or form since you’ve been with me?”

Hell, no, she hadn’t. In fact, she felt just the opposite—fulfilled, content, sated. She shook her head.

“Maybe I’m being a bit prideful,” he said. “But I’d like to think I’m a generous Dom when it comes to permission.”

She kissed his cheek. “You were very generous tonight.”

“Thank you.”

“Anything else?” she asked.

“I’d claim your ass.”

“You don’t mean by spanking, do you?”

“No, I’d claim it with my cock. I enjoy anal sex a lot and I believe I’d like fucking your ass very much.”

Throughout their talk, she’d felt comfortable and warm. But the thought of anal sex scared her and she felt a light sweat break out over her skin.

“I’ve never . . . ,” she started.

“I know you haven’t,” he said, tightening his arms around her. “And I know you’re scared, but I would also expect you to know that we’d take it slow and easy. That I would make everything about the experience as pleasurable as possible and that I would only fuck you there when I knew you were ready.”

“Well, when you put it that way.”

He smiled at her.

“Your cock is huge, though. I may never be ready.”

He laughed. “Flattery won’t get you out of it. I’ll fit.”

“Says the one not getting it in the ass.”

“Says the one who will treat you like the world’s most precious and desired treasure.” He shifted her so she reclined with her head on the armrest and her body resting along the length of the couch
while he held himself above her. “Says the one who honors and respects your submission too much to ever give you cause to fear me. Says the one who will push you to your limits, but never past them. And says the one who would rather cut off his own arm than cause you pain you don’t want.”

“As opposed to pain I do want?” she asked. He was hard between her legs; she doubted the conversation would last much longer.

“Did the spanking tonight in your shop hurt?”

“Yes.”

“Would you want to do it again?”

Understanding flooded her mind. “Yes.”

“Then there’s a pain you do want.” He started undoing the buttons of her shirt. “We can talk more about this later. Collaring is serious and should be discussed seriously and carefully. We have all the time in the world and I want to be sure you know exactly what you’re getting into. Okay?”

She took a minute to think over her answer. So far he hadn’t mentioned anything he’d expect that she didn’t think she could do. She decided she’d trust him about the anal sex. There was no doubt in her mind he’d be as gentle as possible, while bringing her all the pleasure he could.

“Okay, sir.”

He took both her hands in one of his, pulling her arms above her head, murmuring the entire time about how proud he was and how much she’d grown. She knew at that moment with certainty that it wasn’t a matter of if she’d wear his collar, but when.

THREE MONTHS LATER

J
ulie sat in the middle of Daniel’s spare bedroom, eyes closed in excitement, while Dena braided her hair and pinned it tightly to her head. She’d been planning this evening for weeks, ever since Daniel first brought it up.

“There we go,” Dena said. Sasha held up a mirror for her inspection. Perhaps it was only her imagination, but her neck looked longer and conspicuously bare.

“Thank you.” She gave Dena a hug, and glanced at the larger mirror over the dresser. She wore a simple cotton dress of white, with nothing underneath per Daniel’s request. Vaguely, she remembered their first date and smiled at how much had changed between them since then.

Though she didn’t live with him, she spent a good number of nights at his house each week. Since her return to him three months ago, their relationship had strengthened, both in his playroom and out of it.

“I love your nails,” Dena said.

“Thanks,” she said, admiring her new manicure. “Daniel treated me to a spa day yesterday and he insisted I get them done.”

It was a small extravagance and wouldn’t last a day at work, but for now, she had girlie nails. Silly how such a little thing made her feel pretty, but even more so, it made her feel loved and cared for. He’d remembered her comment about wanting girlie nails from the night at the benefit and gave that to her.

So much better than flowers.

“I’d better be going.” Sasha picked up her purse and glanced around, looking to make sure she hadn’t dropped anything.

Julie grabbed her in a hug. “It made my day that you came to help me. Thank you.”

Sasha still fought her submissive side and while she never said as much, it was obvious she had misgivings about the step Julie was taking tonight. Yet she’d put that aside to stand beside her as she prepared.

When she pulled back, Sasha had tears in her eyes. “Daniel’s a great man. I’m truly happy for you.”

Julie knew what the admission cost her and choked back her own tears. “Thank you. See you Monday.”

Someday, she knew, Sasha would find her own great man.

Sasha left after saying good-bye to Dena, and then Julie took a few seconds to take several deep breaths. Once calm, she took the barely opened white rose from Dena and headed outside where Daniel and Master Parks waited. While discussing the evening, one of the points she and Daniel had debated was whom to invite. Eventually, they agreed to invite only Dena and Master Parks.

Daniel stood on the deck overlooking the expanse of his backyard, the warm evening breeze ruffling his hair. He wore dark tailored pants and his white shirt was unbuttoned around his throat. An almost completely opened red rose sat in a vase on a nearby table.

Julie barely noticed Master Parks standing behind him. As she made her way to where Daniel stood, she found she couldn’t keep her eyes off him. His eyes burned with a restrained intensity, though he gave her a warm smile when she made it to his side.

She drank in the sight of him, trying to take in every detail, knowing her time to do so for the next while would be short. He gently stroked her cheek with the back of his hand.

“Julie,” he said in the voice that always made her knees weak. “Do you come here today of your own free will and desire?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Kneel before me.”

She gladly dropped to her knees on the pillow he had waiting. In the last few months, she’d come to look forward to the times she surrendered to him. Those precious moments she yielded and allowed him to take over. Yet it felt even more intense in that moment.

Something rustled above her.

Daniel spoke low and rough. “I offer this as a representation of my dominance over you. I promise to love and respect you. To guide and to teach you. I will push you to help you become the best submissive you can be, but I will never betray or violate your trust. I will protect you with my life and hold you above all. Julie, will you accept my collar? Wear it always as a symbol of your submission to me?”

His words warmed her, wrapped around her in a promise she knew he’d never break. With all her heart, she answered with the words she’d prepared specifically for him and painstakingly memorized.

“Yes, sir, I will accept and wear your collar, acknowledging your dominance over me. I will serve you gladly and with my whole being, striving to be the best submissive possible. I will obey and honor your command, knowing you act only for my betterment. I offer my body for your use, your wish, your will, and my love and desire will be for you alone.”

His hands were on her, slipping warm metal around her neck, and fastening it with the click of a key. It took all her strength not to reach up and touch it. There would be plenty of time for that later. She still wondered what it looked like.

“Thank you, kitten,” he whispered for her ears alone.

“Thank you,” she said, then added for the first time, “Master.”

Saying the word made her shiver. She’d said it out loud alone in her house and in her head, but never to him. It seemed to magnify in power as she spoke it.

“Stand for me,” he said, and his voice was heavy with emotion.

She stood as gracefully as possible and when he lifted her chin, she saw his eyes overflowing with emotion. Standing before him, seeing what she meant to him reflected in his gaze, she couldn’t remember what she’d been afraid of.

Then he pulled her into his embrace and kissed her with a ferocity that left her needy and wanting. She moved closer to him and his arms tightened around her. Their witnesses were forgotten until Master Parks discreetly coughed.

Daniel pulled back and she felt his smile against her lips. “I think it’s time our guests left.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” she whispered.

They reluctantly separated just long enough to accept Dena’s and Master Parks’s congratulations. Dena hugged her close and whispered how happy she was for her. Julie wasn’t sure, but she thought she heard a hint of longing in her voice. She wished she could assure Dena that everything would work out between her and Master Parks, but Dena had never shared their history. It didn’t feel right to say anything other than she wished Dena every happiness.

Daniel turned to her when they were finally alone, his gaze heated. “It’s time for me to fully claim my collared submissive so there’s no doubt to whom she belongs. Hurry on to the playroom, I’ll be there in less than five.”

One of Daniel’s requirements was that she be naked in his playroom. As she entered that night, she saw he had a hanger out for her dress. She slipped out of the white cotton and hung it up, excitement building with every second.

In the middle of the room stood something covered by a black cloth. Interesting, but she needed to mentally prepare, so she turned her attention inward, kneeling and calming her breathing the way Daniel had taught her. It wasn’t long before she heard his footsteps coming down the stairs.

By the time he made it to where she waited, the room nearly buzzed with anticipation. And still he made her wait.

After what seemed like forever, he spoke. “You have no idea what it means to me, having you here, wearing nothing but my collar.” He took a few steps away. “Just the very sight of you . . .”

The air around her moved, and all at once, she was covered by the black cloth she’d noticed earlier.

“Stand for me,” he commanded.

She stood up and as she rose, he draped the cloth around her like a shawl. Because he was in front of her, she wasn’t able to see exactly what the cloth had covered. But when he moved behind her, she noticed it was a mirror. Her eyes were immediately drawn to her neck and she gasped. The collar was more than anything she’d imagined.

He trailed a finger along its length. “You like it?”

“I love it, Master.”

“The strand with the diamonds represents you.” He stepped closer and she felt his warmth on her neck. “The beauty of your submission to me.”

She couldn’t take her eyes off it. How it looked on her. How it felt: warm and heavy against her skin.

“The plain strand is me and I’m surrounding you, protecting and holding you. But just as the collar would be incomplete without both strands, so are we incomplete without the other. My dominance is only possible because of your submission.”

Ever so slowly, he pushed the cloth down, exposing her shoulders. He kissed one, caught her gaze in the mirror, and trailed his lips to the other side. “In this room, who does this body belong to?”

“You, Master.”

“That’s right, kitten, I’m your Master now. This body is mine to use as I wish.” He moved even closer behind her and she felt him through the thin cloth. “Keep your eyes on the mirror.”

She found herself unable to do anything else as he slipped the material down farther and her breasts came in view. His hands cupped her and she watched him pinch and tease her nipples. A moan left her lips as he rolled them between his thumb and fingers.

She didn’t realize she’d closed her eyes until he bit her shoulder. “Watch.”

Her eyes flew open in time to watch the black cloth fall to the ground. She didn’t close her eyes again, but instead watched as he claimed every part of her body with his touch and kiss. While his hands explored her belly, his lips ran over her back, dipping low to kiss the curve of her bottom.

He worked his way down her body before starting back up. When he stood behind her again, he kicked her legs apart and slapped her ass. “Keep your eyes on mine, kitten. Watch me claim what’s mine.”

His fingers slipped between her legs and pushed inside. “Every part of you. Your sighs, your moans, your very breath.”

Under his intense gaze, she almost wavered, but she refocused on him instead of her unease. She found if she kept her mind on him, it was easier to meet his gaze.

“That’s it,” he said, and she swore his eyes darkened.

To have him touching her so intimately while she watched was intensely erotic. He knew her body so well. Knew just how to touch and for how long to take her just to the brink without taking her over.

“Keep watching,” he said, coming to her side and turning her so their profiles were reflected.

She gasped in surprise as he pulled her against him and lifted her right leg. Positioned as they were, he was poised just at her entrance. He teased her, all the while looking deeply into her eyes. Just when she thought he’d enter her, he pulled back.

“Beg.”

It was almost too much, the combination of his ruthless gaze and his command of her body. From the corner of her eye she saw his collar and its meaning struck her anew as did his previous words. She was claimed and as she stood, balanced between need and want, she recalled what Dena once said about the right Dom.

“Please, Master.”

His gaze never wavered. “Please, Master, what?”

“Please, Master, make me fly.”

An animalistic growl was his only reply when he finally took her. And as he roughly drove them both to an unparalleled pleasure and later, when he carried her up the stairs to his room and made tender love to her, she knew she was finally free.