The Claiming (4 page)

And though they had a house full of newly arrived guests, for the next hour Cole and Sasha only focused on each other. She knew he wouldn't let her climax for the next twenty-four hours, but that was okay. She had him.

And that was all she needed.

Sasha peeked out the kitchen into the dining room the following afternoon. Everyone was sitting down; Cole, of course, was at the head of the table. She took a deep breath, ran her palms over the uniform, and squared her shoulders. Though she had served tea for the Dominants in the group before, this was the first time she would also be serving the submissives. Not only that, but Julie and Abby were her friends and she wanted everything to be perfect.

Since the table was set, she could start on the tea. The water on the stove appeared to be almost ready, so she took the tray she was going to use and placed it beside the stove.

“Good lord, woman, are you wearing that?”

She jumped at the sound of Cole's voice, spinning around, and placing a hand on her chest. “Sir, you frightened me.”

“Be that as it may, I asked you a question.”

“Yes, Sir. This is what I'm wearing.” Which he knew, because he was the one who set it out this morning. She didn't remind him of that, though.

He was frowning and she didn't like that, but she didn't know what to do. He walked closer to her and she resisted the urge to kneel before him. His hands went to her upper thigh.

“The skirt is entirely too short.” His hands inched their way up and before long, he was teasing her sex. “And what is this? No bloomers? Someone is a dirty naughty girl.”

“I'm sorry, Sir. I'll do better in the future.” She couldn't think of anything else to say, after all he was the one to pick out the outfit.

“I'm sure you will. And I'm sure the thrashing I'm about to give your backside will also help you to remember.”

He was going to spank her? Here? Now? “But, Sir. The water. And your guests are right outside the door.”

“Yes, they are. I reckon they'll hear just how naughty you've been. Because I'm going to spank you loud enough so they hear.”

Shit, he was completely serious. “The water,” she tried again.

“Will be fine. Trying to get out of your spanking, however, only earns you more strokes.”

She wisely kept her mouth shut.

“Go stand in front of the counter. I want your hands on the edge, legs spread, and your backside raised up.”

She didn't move immediately. Instead, she watched as he opened up drawers, searching for something. But before she could see what he was looking for, he glanced up and saw her watching.

“You're only adding to your spanking,” he said and went back to searching in the drawers.

Fuck. She left him to his hunt and crossed the floor to the spot he'd indicated. It wasn't until she moved into position, that she heard the drawer close.

He was quiet as he made his way to her and when he was behind her, he placed a wooden spoon with holes on the countertop to her right.

“Do you know why I picked the one with holes?”

“Less wind resistance, Sir?”

“Yes, which also means it'll hurt more. Perfect for a naughty servant, I think. Lift your skirt and show me your arse.”

She did as he commanded and quickly got back into position.

“Very nice. I'm not going to have you count, but I don't want you to hold back. Cry, scream, curse my name. I want my guests to hear how I handle servant girls who dress inappropriately.”

She told herself it was part of the role play. He wasn't really going to give her a punishment spanking. Not like yesterday, but that didn't stop her from clenching her ass in anticipation of the first strike.

“Oh dear,” he said, running a hand over her flesh. “We can't have that. I guess I'll have to resort to drastic measures.”

She groaned because she knew exactly what he meant by
drastic measures,
he'd done something similar weeks ago.

Sure enough, she felt the cool wetness of lube being applied to her anus. And she muffled a cry as he pushed a plug in.

“There we go. I like it so much, I'm going to have you wear it while you do the tea service. As a reminder of who owns this arse.” He gave it a light swat and then bent low to whisper, “And who's going to fuck it later.”

With that, he started spanking her with his hand. Lightly. And soon she found her arousal spiking regardless of the people sitting in the dining room, waiting.

Jesus. There were people waiting for her to serve tea.

Slap. “You're not with me.”

“Sorry, Sir. Just thinking—”

Slap. “Did I tell you to think?”

“No, Sir.”

Slap. Slap. Slap. He was spanking harder now. She couldn't stop the moan that escaped her throat. If he'd just
touch
her.

“That's it, you naughty girl. Let it out.” He spanked her again, then he ran his fingers between her legs. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Look at this. Spankings make you horny.”

She jerked as his next swat landed on her clit. “Yes, Sir.” He stopped and she whined. “Please, please, Sir.”

A hard and swift pop on her flesh told her he'd picked up the spoon. “How's that?” he asked, giving her another.

She sucked in a breath as the next one landed. “So good, Sir.”

He gave a grunt of satisfaction and continued between spanking her and bringing her to the very edge of her climax and then letting her hang there. After a while, she was no longer aware of making noises, but she was pretty certain she was. And it seemed like forever until it felt like he wasn't putting as much strength behind his strokes.

“Want more, Sir,” she muttered.

He chuckled low in this throat. “Not right now, maybe later. After tea.”

Tea. Damn. She'd forgot.

How was she supposed to serve tea while wearing an anal plug and being horny as hell?

“If you're good, I'll let you come after.” His breath tickled her ear and sent shivers down her spine.

“Thank you, Sir.”

He straightened her clothes and kissed her forehead. “You're welcome. Go get everything ready. I'll see to my guests.”

She nodded and headed back to the stove to redo the water.

***

Cole walked into the dining room and all conversation stopped. He took his seat at the head of the table. “Tea will be served shortly.”

“Damn, did you have to do that now?” Daniel asked. “I'm not looking forward to having tea with all the blood in my body congregating in my dick.”

“There's nothing to hide here.” Cole tipped his head toward Julie. “Seems to me your relief is sitting by your side when she'd be more useful on her knees. We have time.”

Julie didn't say anything, but her cheeks flushed just a bit. Cole didn't think she'd have a problem serving Daniel in the dining room, they'd played in public before. His phone buzzed with an incoming text and when he looked back up, Julie had slipped under the table.

By the time Sasha entered, Julie was back in her seat, this time with a soft smile on her face. A smile Sasha picked up on immediately, but Cole thought he was able to notice only because he knew her so well.

He'd given her instructions on how he wanted the service to go and she did exactly as he'd requested. She started by serving Nathaniel first and then going around the table to end with Cole. He couldn't stop himself from running a hand up her naked thigh and pinching her butt as she poured his water.

“You're doing great,” he whispered and his heart melted at the look of love and happiness that seemed to wash over her. But she only nodded in acknowledgment of his praise before she headed back into the kitchen.

“Did you ever get our tea service back from Sasha?” Nathaniel asked Abby.

“No, Master,” his wife replied.

“Make a note to do it when we get home.”

The rest of the service passed without incident. Sasha was flawless, as Cole knew she would be. He didn't have anything planned for after, but no one seemed to mind. Nathaniel announced that he and Abby were going to explore the nearby village. Daniel said he and Julie were still recovering from the time difference and were going to their room “to rest.”

“If that's what you want to call it,” he told his old friend. “I'm going to grab Sasha and shag her into next week.”

Daniel shook his head, following Julie up the stairs to their room.

When everyone had left, he went into the kitchen, where Sasha waited. At his entrance, she dropped to her knees. It was a sight that never failed to leave him breathless.

He rested his hand on top of her head. “I don't recall ever witnessing a more perfect tea service, little one. You were exceptional.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“You did everything brilliantly, and watching you in that role was one of the hottest things I've ever witnessed.”

“I'm glad I pleased you, Sir.”

“Never doubt it.” He lowered his hand to help her up. “Come here.”

She moved with such grace and poise, so far removed from the wounded submissive he'd first met her as. When she made it to her feet, he pulled her tight to his chest, grinding his erection against her.

“I'm hard as hell and ready to make good on my promise to fuck your arse.”

He didn't miss the tremor of excitement that ran through her body. When they first met, she'd hated anal sex. Now she couldn't get enough of it.

“I want you naked and bent over our bed, so when I walk in the room, I see your greedy arse just begging to be filled and fucked.” He gave her backside a slap. “Go.”

“With pleasure, Sir,” she murmured in that sexy
fuck me
voice. But instead of leaving, she pulled her dress over her head, unsnapped her bra, and dropped them both to the floor. “You know where to find me.”

And find her he did, moments later, waiting for him exactly the way he asked. Without a word, he came up behind her, went to his knees, and gave her wet slit a long lick. He'd caught her off guard; she jumped and gave a cute little yelp.

“Couldn't wait to taste this pussy,” he said against her skin. “Been thinking about it all day. How wet it'd be for me.” He gave it another lick. “How sweet it'd taste. Tell me, little one, do you like it better when I eat you out or fuck your arse?”

She gasped for breath as he licked her again, because this time he wiggled his tongue part of the way inside. “I don't know how you think I can decide between the two, Sir.”

“Try anyway.”

He didn't let up, he kept licking her and licking her and when he licked her clit, she screamed, “Oh my God.”

He slapped her backside. “Tell me.”

“I'll go with anal sex, Sir.” She squealed and rose up on her toes at the slap he gave her clit.

“Why?”

“Damn it all, are you serious? How am I supposed to think with you doing that?”

“Do it or I stop.” He didn't start again until she took a deep breath and spoke.

“Because when you take me that way—”

“Say it, Sasha.”

“Because when you fuck my ass, it's raw and primal and taboo and it's somehow more intimate.” She shuddered as he resumed tasting her. “It's like you're claiming me over and over. I never feel more submissive than I do then.”

She was right on the edge of climax, exactly where he wanted her. He pulled back and rubbed her backside. “Very good. See how easy that was?”

“Yes, Sir,” she replied in an almost whine.

“I think it's time I took this plug out so I can claim you again, don't you think?”

“Yes, Sir.”

He gently pulled the plug out and set it aside to clean later. He was so hard after spanking her and watching her at tea, he knew he wouldn't last long. He prepared her with the lube he had waiting and stroked some on his cock.

He started the long, sweet push inside her. “You may come when you wish.”

“Thank you, Sir,” she said in a tight voice.

She knew what to do in order to make taking him easier and he felt her body relax and the slight push back as she took him inside. He watched as his cock worked its way in.

“Fuck, I wish you could see this.” He reached between her legs and rubbed her clit. “Your hot arse swallowing my dick whole. It's all I can do not to pound you into that bed.”

Her breathing grew choppy and he kept up the wicked whispers while he worked her clit with one hand and worked his cock up her ass with the other. She came hard, pushing back toward him, as if she was desperate to have more of him inside her.

He couldn't hold back anymore and he grabbed her hips hard, holding her still as he released into her. It was only when he looked down that he realized exactly how hard he'd been holding her.

He pulled out and lifted her all the way onto the bed to rest while he went into the bathroom for a warm rag. She hadn't moved when he returned, so he cleaned them both and then joined her, pulling her into his embrace.

“I was a bit rough,” he said as she snuggled closer. “You may have bruises on your hips.”

Her voice was heavy with sleep when she answered. “That's good.”

“It is?”

“Mmm, I like having your marks on me.”

He couldn't ask her anything else because within seconds she was snoring softly. He kissed her forehead and decided to rest a bit himself. His eyes closed and he drifted into sleep with the feel of her breath hot against his chest and her fingers entwined with his.

The following morning, the men went off together to the town pub, leaving the ladies time to talk. The three of them discussed going somewhere, but they eventually decided they'd rather stay at the estate and do some exploring.

Though they planned to hit the attic, they ended up lingering over the breakfast Daniel had made.

Sasha took a bite of the eggs Benedict and hummed in pleasure. “I love, love, love eggs Benedict. This is delicious. I'll have to thank Daniel again. It's almost good enough to make me want to cook.”

The only thing she ever made in the kitchen was coffee. Fortunately, due to the time he spent in remote locations for work, Cole handled meals just fine.

“You know,” Abby said, “if you're ever interested in learning to cook, I have a few easy recipes I could show you.”

“I did the
easy
thing once before on Julie's recommendation. I spent three hours peeling and dicing carrots.” She shot her best friend an evil look. “I almost lost a thumb and my fingers were orange for days.”

Julie rolled her eyes. “Oh my God. Drama much? Maybe next time it would be a good idea to read the recipe before ordering the meal kit online?”

“I did. It said ‘Easy to prepare. Ready to eat in 30 minutes.'”

“Obviously they meant for someone who knew how to boil water.”

“I know how to boil water: in the microwave.”

“You're worthless.”

“Only when it comes to cooking. I'm brilliant at everything else.”

“You also have a big head.”

“As one who is brilliant at everything other than cooking rightfully would.”

Julie flipped her off.

Abby shook her head. “Your shop must never be boring with you two in it.”

“It's boring as hell. Julie put a no-kinky-sex-talk rule in place.”

“For all the good it does.” Julie huffed.

“I'll make you a deal,” Sasha said. “I'll never mention sex in the shop again if you can tell me, honestly, that you and Daniel have never had a quickie there.”

“Honey. Trust me.” Julie placed her hand on top of Sasha's. “There was nothing quick about it.”

They were still laughing when the doorbell rang, minutes later.

Abby looked over to Sasha. “Are you expecting someone?”

“No, and Cole didn't mention anything, either.” She pushed back from the table. “I'll go see who it is.”

Julie and Abby followed her to the front door. This was something she didn't like about the house, she decided. There wasn't a way to see who was at the door unless you went upstairs or into another room.

She pulled it open and found a smiling Mary Catherine on the other side.

Or course, that smile disappeared quickly once she saw Sasha. “Oh,” she said. “It's you. Is Cole around?” She craned her neck as if Sasha was hiding him behind her back.

“No, he's stepped out for a bit, but I'll be sure to tell him you stopped by.” She moved to close the door, but Mary Catherine stuck her foot out.

“I'll just wait here for him.”

Damn it all. She really didn't want Mary Catherine in the house, but to put her out would reflect badly upon Cole and there was no way she'd do that. Besides, the woman really hadn't done anything to Sasha, if you didn't count cock-blocking her, ignoring her, and telling her she was selfish for not wanting kids.

She gave Mary Catherine a curt nod and opened the door wider to let her pass. “Suit yourself.”

The other woman came to a stop when she saw Julie and Abby standing nearby.

“Abby. Julie,” Sasha said. “This is Mary Cathrine. She knows Cole from when he was a kid.”

“Delighted,” Mary Catherine said, but didn't make a move to shake their hands or anything. “Though it was a little more serious than that. Why, we were practically engaged!”

“Engaged, my ass,” Sasha mumbled.

Across the massive foyer, Abby had a peculiar look on her face. “Really? That's interesting.”

Though Abby was as friendly and down-to-earth as one could be, she was Nathaniel West's wife and she had a certain
presence
about her. It wasn't always obvious, but now, as she stood and carefully observed Mary Catherine, she looked almost regal.

Mary Catherine certainly noticed. She flushed and started wringing her hands. “Yes, but he went off to university in the States and, well, things happen.”

Abby raised an eyebrow.

“I met my ex-husband and by the time Cole came back and enrolled at Oxford, I was married. I wish I had waited for him. That we could have had the large family he always wanted.” Mary Catherine shot Sasha an evil look.

“Cole wants a large family?” Abby asked, somehow managing to keep her expression neutral. Sasha was impressed. She noticed Julie had to cough into the crook of her elbow to cover her laugh.

“Yes.” Mary Catherine nodded. “It's his fondest dream.”

“And yet he doesn't have a single child,” Abby said. “What a travesty.”

She walked to a love seat in a nearby nook and sat down. “Come, sit down with me.”

Mary Catherine, looking as if she'd just found her new best friend, hurried over to do just that.

Abby smiled at her and patted Mary Catherine's knee. “How many children do you have?”

“Three.”

“Three? Wow, I have two of my own, a girl and a boy. They're wonderful, but they're a handful.”

Sasha had no idea where Abby was going with her current topic of discussion, but it was almost like a train wreck; she had to keep watching.

“In fact,” Abby continued, “we have another friend who couldn't come this week because she's pregnant with their first. It's a wonderful thing to be a mother, but not everyone wants kids.”

“I can't imagine not wanting kids.”

Abby continued on as if Mary Catherine hadn't said anything. “I don't know if it's my experience as a mother, or because I'm a writer and I notice things, or if it's because I married a man whose attention to detail is as frightening as it is impressive. Odds are, it's probably a little bit of all three.”

“I'm with you on Nathaniel's attention to detail,” Julie chimed in. “That man is scary observant.”

“It's served him well,” Abby said before turning back to Mary Catherine. “Now, I'm not saying you aren't a mother to three children, I'm just saying I would expect a woman who has three kids would be a little bit better at trying to bullshit someone.”

Mary Catherine gasped and stood up.

“Sit back down,” Abby said in a tone she must have picked up from Nathaniel. Surprisingly, the other woman did just that. “Now, I haven't figured out your game, but I know your type, and let me tell you this: You stand a better chance of marrying into the royal family than you do of ever being with Cole Johnson. And I know this because even if he wasn't completely committed to Sasha, which he is, and even if he wanted kids, which he has emphatically denied on multiple occasions, he still won't be with you. Because he hates liars. And you, my dear, have done nothing but lie from the minute you walked into this house.”

Mary Catherine stood back up. “I don't have to sit here and listen to you talk down to me. I'm going.”

“We won't stop you,” Abby said.

Mary Catherine threw her shoulders back and marched out the door Sasha held open for her. It closed behind her with a loud click.

For several seconds, no one said anything.

Julie broke the silence first. “Damn, Abby. Remind me to never get on your bad side.”

“Who? Me?” Abby asked and they all dissolved into laughter.

***

That night, everyone gathered in the downstairs sitting room. Sasha wasn't sure what Cole had planned, but he was up to something based upon the grin he currently wore.

“I thought we'd do something a little different tonight,” he said when everyone was seated. “There's some jewelry in my family that's been passed down from generation to generation. I knew it had been hidden at some point, but I didn't know the entire story until I came across some documents in the attic.”

He went over to a small table beside the antique couch and picked up a pile of papers. “I summarized everything here and I thought it'd be fun to act it out.” He gave each person a sheet. “Daniel, you'll be the stablehand. Julie, you're the housekeeper. Nathaniel and Abby, you're visiting gentry. I'm the earl, and Sasha's the servant girl.”

Everyone spent the next few minutes reading the sheets he had prepared. The only sounds were the occasional giggle.

“It's supposed to be fun,” Cole assured them. “There's no right or wrong. Don't worry about being historically accurate. And there's no script, just a general storyline. Dig into your character and have fun.” He glanced at his watch. “We'll start in fifteen in the dining room. Everyone good with that?”

After the other two couples left, Cole walked up to Sasha and held out his hand to help her off the couch. “Know why you're always the servant girl?” he asked when she was on her feet and pressed tight against him.

“Because the earl's single?” she guessed.

“No, because your ass is so spankable.”

“You know if you want to spank my ass, you can just do it. You don't have to do an entire role play,” she teased.

“I'm well aware of that.” He gave her a swat on the backside as if to prove the point. “But this is fun. And I get to see you in that hot maid costume.”

“I'm guessing I'm not supposed to wear anything under the costume?”

“That's entirely up to you. You should go get dressed, though. I purposely didn't give a lot of time before we started.”

She stepped away to get dressed, but turned back before leaving the room. “One request, Sir?”

“Anything.”

“Will you wear your three-piece suit? It does crazy wild things to my libido.”

He laughed, but followed up with, “Yes, of course.”

Ten minutes later, Sasha stood in the hallway while Nathaniel, Abby, and Cole sat in the dining room. Abby had pulled her hair up in an elaborate-looking style. As she passed Sasha on the way in, she whispered, “It's really easy and I love it when Master pulls the pins out one by one.”

Nathaniel coughed. “I have to thank you for inviting us to your estate, Earl Johnson. We've had a delightful time.”

“Yes, my lord,” Abby said. “Such a nice change from being in the city. I detest London this time of year.”

“You are both most certainly welcome to visit anytime you'd like to get away. Consider it a standing invitation.” Cole raised his glass.

“Lot of trouble brewing with the king, wouldn't you say?” Nathaniel asked.

“I try not to say.” Cole shook his head. “I fear I'm in enough trouble as it is over what I've already said.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Why, just the other day I was telling someone that Henry—”

“My lord! My lord!” Julie dashed into the dining room.

Cole stood up. “Ms. Masterson, what is the meaning of this ruckus?”

Julie had found a white apron somewhere and she was twisting it as she answered. “It's awful, Lord Johnson. Just awful.”

Abby rose to her feet and put her arms around Julie. “There, there. It's quiet all right, child. Come have a seat and tell us what troubles you so.”

“Probably knowing she's going to have to pick up all those hair pins in the morning,” Nathaniel said, which earned him a nasty look from his wife.

Julie took several deep breaths and faced Cole. “I was in your mother's chamber, cleaning it up since she's coming next week.”

Cole nodded. “Go on.”

“And I went into the chest to make sure everything was there, just the way she likes it. You know, my lord, how peculiar she is about everything being just so. There was that one time, the—”

“Yes, yes, I know exactly how the countess is. What happened?” Cole asked.

“It's missing, my lord. All of it.”

“All of what?”

“All the jewelry.”

“The jewelry is missing? Impossible.” Cole slammed his fist on the table. “Jewelry does not vanish. Someone took it.”

“Have you had any visitors from the king?” Nathaniel asked. “Maybe someone who would try to steal it?”

“I can't imagine anyone being so bold as to steal from me after I welcomed them into my home.”

“Perhaps one of the servants?” Abby asked.

“Surely not one of my servants. Why, my servants have been with me for years. Not a one of them would stoop so low as to steal from me.”

Daniel appeared beside Sasha and winked.

“I think Julie missed her calling,” Sasha replied, nodding toward her friend. Daniel's submissive sat in a chair with her arm dramatically thrown over her eyes, murmuring, “Gone. All gone,” while Abby tried to calm her down.

“That's my girl.” Daniel laughed and after listening to the group in the other room said, “Looks like we're up.”

Sasha nodded and he took her by the wrist, dragging her into the dining room.

“Look what I found out in the stables, trying to get away.” Daniel pushed her toward Cole.

“Who are you?” Cole asked.

“I was just looking for somewhere to spend the night, my lord,” Sasha said. “And I thought to use your stables.”

“A likely story.” Cole glanced at Daniel. “Did she have anything in her possession?”

“No, my lord.”

Cole slowly walked around her. “Where did you come from, girl?”

“Please don't ask me that, my lord.”

“You are found on my estate, shortly after some very valuable items go missing and I'm not supposed to ask where you're from?”

Sasha nodded. “That's right. And I'd be ever so thankful if you didn't ask what I was doing.”

“What are you doing?” he asked.