Tempting Tears

An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

www.ellorascave.com

Tempting Tears ISBN 9781419917141 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Tempting Tears Copyright © 2008 Maggie Casper Edited by Mary Moran. Cover art by Syneca. Electronic book Publication July 2008 With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502. Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

TEMPTING TEARS

Maggie Casper

Acknowledgement To S.S., thank you for taking the time! Hugs and gropes coming your way.

Trademarks Acknowledgement The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: Harley Davidson: H-D Michigan, Inc.

Tempting Tears

Chapter One “Just the way I like it.” Aubrey Collins pulled the helmet from her head, shook out her shoulder-length auburn hair then stood back and stared at her new baby. With its custom fire-enginered paint job, her new Harley Davidson DYNA Super Glide stood out like a sore thumb. She smiled bright, tucked the matching helmet under her arm and sashayed toward the door of Rafferty Sky Diving Academy, her place of employment for the last four years. Her boss and friend Rafferty Decker, better known as Raff, stood in the open office door watching her. He’d been watching her a bit differently since seeing her at Club D/s, a local BDSM club. Actually, since spotting her at the club and saying a polite hello, he’d made no attempt to bring up their respective love for kink. “Can’t get enough of your new bike, I see.” His voice was jovial as usual, but there seemed to be something different about him today, and not being able to figure it out was going to drive her crazy. If he didn’t say something and soon, Aubrey was going to come right out and ask him what was up. “Mmm,” Aubrey all but purred. “Getting rid of my car and buying a Harley was the best decision I’ve made in a long while.” Except possibly her decision to torment and tempt Vance Hardin, the man she’d had her eyes on for the better part of the last year. Aubrey decided it was probably better to keep that tidbit of information to herself. She’d made it her mission in life to keep Vance, the head of security at Club D/s, on his toes. She didn’t and wouldn’t throw herself at him. It wasn’t her way when it came to men. Dealing with the opposite sex was one of the few areas of Aubrey’s life where she tended to practice subtlety over outrageousness. 5

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Aubrey might not be propositioning Vance at every turn, but she made damn sure he saw her often, and every time he did, she looked unforgettable. She still wasn’t sure why she felt so drawn to the stoic man. He was the complete opposite of the sort of man she normally dated. The party-going, laugh-a-minute type were more her norm. Maybe that difference alone was part of it. For some off-the-wall reason she had grown tired of wishy-washy men she could wrap around her little finger. She’d long ago come to the conclusion she was a submissive, even if a stubborn and strong-willed one. The problem was she knew it would take a strong, no-nonsense-type man to keep her in line, so she was forever testing the ones she met. If given an inch, she would take a foot and end up dictating the terms of the relationship right down to what position and which nights of the week they had sex. The thought bothered Aubrey more than she cared to admit. Being in control of everything all the time was tiring as hell and something she only did because it was what she’d always done. Just like biting her nails, a horrible habit. Aubrey moved past Raff and into the office where she would stow her personal belongings before heading out to check her equipment. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife as Raff followed her, closing the door behind him, something almost unheard of during business hours. Finally, Aubrey thought to herself. She wasn’t good at playing games. “Sit down, Bre. I want to talk to you.” Watching as Raff walked to his desk, she did as instructed, taking a seat on the opposite side. He was a good-looking man in his forties. His hair was buzzed close to his scalp, giving him a bad-boy look women tended to flock toward. He was taller than her by several inches. If Aubrey had to guess, she’d put him at about six feet even. “What’s up, boss?” After asking, she waited. Raff looked as if he were mulling over what he wanted to say. The length of time he took before finally speaking left her feeling a bit antsy. He

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was usually as outspoken as she was, perhaps even more so. His obvious indecisiveness was enough to make her nervous. Finally it seemed as if he’d come to a decision. With his deep brown eyes trained on her, he asked, “Do you go to the club often?” Aubrey knew exactly what club he was referring to, and although she’d been a bit surprised he hadn’t yet brought up seeing her there, she was even more surprised he would ask her about it at work of all places. “I’ve only been a few times…or more.” For several seconds he seemed to roll the idea around in his head. His next question caused her cheeks to heat. “Do you play while there?” Unsure of how to answer, she kept it simple. “I don’t know anyone well enough yet to consider any real play.” Not that she hadn’t thought about it, or wouldn’t love to, but her safety was important to her. Contrary to what most people thought, Aubrey did not have a death wish. “Smart girl. I have a proposition for you.” Things were getting interesting. “I’m listening.” “I enjoy playing but don’t have the time for a real relationship or to properly care for a submissive right now. And you want to play but don’t know anyone enough to trust them as of yet. The way I see it, we’re exactly what the other needs.” It sounded like a good idea, but as with any plan—even the best of them—there were flaws. She felt compelled to point them out. “My worry would be the possibility of messing up our friendship.” “I completely agree. There would have to be rules and boundaries set.” “Like no sex.” Damn, had she really just said those words out loud? From the smile curving Raff’s lips, the answer would have to be yes. She couldn’t help it. Although handsome as sin, he was more of a big-brotherly protector type than someone she planned to jump in bed

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with. Why it would be completely okay for him to tie her up and spank her and yet not fuck her, Aubrey had no idea. It just was. “Yes, like no sex.” He was still smiling. “We’ll play only at the club and each scene will be talked over beforehand. We’ll start with stuff you’re interested in most.” Aubrey listened to him, heard every word he was saying, but there was something else on her mind, something she had to get off her chest and out in the open so it didn’t interfere at a later time. “Before either of us agrees to this, I think you should know I’ve got my eye on someone at Club D/s.” She wasn’t sure how much she should say, but didn’t want it to seem as if she might be keeping secrets. “I just didn’t want you to think I was using you to make him jealous. You know me, Raff, I don’t have time for the games most women play. I see something and go after it. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.” He reached across the desk and gave her hand a quick squeeze. “I appreciate your honesty, Bre.” Raff’s smile widened until dimples bracketed each corner of his mouth. “So, who is the poor guy?” This time it was her turn to grin wickedly. “Vance Hardin.” Just saying his name had the ability to make her panties wet. Raff’s smile slipped away just as fast as it appeared. He rubbed a hand over his head. “Oh hell.” His muttered response surprised her. “Is there something about him I should know?” “Not in the way you’re thinking, but, Bre, Vance is known far and wide, and when it comes to all of this, you’re just a baby.” He rocked back in his chair, placing his big, booted feet at the edge of his desk, and considered her. “You’d better be real sure about this before you move ahead with any plans you’ve got brewing in your twisted little head. If you don’t, you might end up getting exactly what it is you’ve wished for.” “That’s what I’m hoping for, Raff.”

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Aubrey couldn’t contain her excitement. Maybe playing with Raff was just what she needed to finally get the ball rolling. They spoke for a little while longer then made plans to meet at the club later that night.

***** The hair on the back of Vance’s neck stood on end in warning. It was a feeling he never ignored. Turning his head, he scanned the dimly lit room, his gaze settling on Aubrey as she walked through the opened double doors of the main play area. People who had once been mingling stopped to say hello while others, mostly those in the middle of a scene, paid no attention. Knowing he would soon be busy, Vance did a quick scan of the room. Painted navy blue, the walls seemed almost black, making the corners hard to peer into. He continued his scan, slowing at the conversational area of the room where ice chests with bottled water and canned soda sat against the wall. There were tables with snacks as well. He was looking for telltale signs. Although alcohol was allowed on the premises, it was not permitted inside, only out in the courtyard where often times those who had already played for the night went to socialize. Every now and again someone thought they needed to test the rules. Either that or they would drink first and then, while obviously drunk, attempt to play. Watching out for things along those lines was just one of his many duties. With nonchalance belying what he felt inside at once again seeing her, Vance watched her from across the room. His gaze never left her as she found an empty table and settled at it. As usual, she looked like a she-devil in heels. Where most went all-out with leather and latex, or squeezed themselves into tightly laced corsets, lingerie or even nothing at all, Aubrey wore jeans.

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Cut low, they rode her curvy hips and showed off the slight swell of her tanned abdomen. The gleam of whatever jewelry she wore in her navel tonight was sure to catch the attention of everyone in the room. Last time she had been to Club D/s, he heard she’d been wearing a bellybutton charm of a woman kneeling in front of a man, blowing him. He shook his head, thinking back on some of the club’s conversations that revolved around nothing more than what body jewelry she would be wearing. Vance thought it was pretty funny considering the club tended to draw a pierced and tattooed crowd. He knew soon he would be personally acquainted with every piece of jewelry she wore. Biding his time, he continued to watch and wait. He’d let her chase him until she was good and caught. Tonight, Aubrey left her hair down in a riot of curls that cascaded around her shoulders instead of being pulled back in her usual ponytail. The top she wore complemented the generous swell of her breasts while showing just enough cleavage to make him ache. Vance couldn’t help but fantasize about how beautiful the sun-kissed skin of her chest would look with spiral silver chains lying across it. They would dangle from the collar he’d place around her neck and connect to the clamps her nipples would stand up and beg for. Just the thought of seeing her in such a predicament caused his cock to harden and press against the zipper of his trousers as he continued his perusal of her. She had a woman’s body, all curvy and soft-looking. The neckline of her blouse draped low and fastened around her neck. When she turned to greet someone, he nearly swallowed his tongue. There was nothing to the back of it except for the narrow string tied in a bow about midway down her spine. The flesh of her back was a blank canvas just waiting to be painted. Vance couldn’t help but wonder whether she would prefer the multiple tails of his flogger or the single tail of his whip as her brush of choice. 10

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He was sure Aubrey knew exactly where he was, but she had yet to make eye contact. Instead, she gave Raff, a regular at Club D/s and a man he’d known for years, her full attention. The other man said something to make her laugh. The sultry sound floated across the room, engulfing him, causing his cock to twitch beneath the fly of his pants. He wondered if she was aware that depending on how things progressed, his friend had every intention of inviting him into the scene. Vance had been a bit surprised at the phone call from Raff and still wondered on the whys of it, but if he was invited and all three of them were okay with his being there, there was no way in hell he wasn’t going to take his friend up on the offer. He would worry about the purpose of the invitation at a later time. Right now his main concern was being sure Alessandra, his replacement for the night, was on time. He’d just pulled out his cell phone to call her when he spotted her entering the room. She’d made it and was giving him the thumbs-up sign. Vance turned in time to see Raff step back just enough to allow Aubrey room to stand before him. The other man said something to her before moving away. She followed close behind. Vance had no qualms about following the two of them. He was very curious to see how she reacted to his presence. The thought of watching her play with someone else excited and made him envious all at the same time. He’d never been the jealous type, more the sort to control who his women scened with and when they played, not their actual desire to be with others. Being unable to do so with her bothered him just a bit, but soon enough he would control that aspect of her life just the same as he would her pleasure. For now though, he was going to finally get a glimpse of what turned his little hell-raiser on. Instead of going to one of the private rooms the way he thought they would, Raff led Aubrey to a darkened corner of the main room occupied by a padded bi-level spanking bench.

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So the little minx likes exhibitionism and spanking? The thought crossed his mind even as he pictured doing the same thing to her, only in his own way with his own special little touches. He watched as Raff once again spoke in low tones to Aubrey. He couldn’t be sure what the other man said, but a stern look crossed his friend’s craggy face before Aubrey glanced around the room, her gaze settling on him. She turned away to once again focus on Raff. Raff’s nod was curt even as his features softened in a way Vance would himself use to ease some of the tension his submissive partner felt. Aubrey’s stance was rigid but it didn’t worry Vance. Raff was a good man, an experienced Dominant, and would notice even the most insignificant changes in her demeanor. It was then Raff motioned for him to join them. He crossed the room in slow, calculated strides, watching as things unfolded before him. The change in her breathing was obvious. Rapid and shallow, the quick breaths caused her chest to rise and fall, which in turn made the beautiful mounds of her breasts jiggle beneath the flimsy fabric of her top. She chewed her bottom lip and twined her fingers together, repeatedly giving herself away even further. She was nervous and, if he had pegged her correctly, very aroused. Aubrey watched him as she unfastened her jeans. Her pupils were dilated, her beautiful eyes wide and filled with longing. Without taking her gaze from his, she climbed her way onto the lower level of the bench then proceeded to lean forward. She gracefully draped herself across the higher level until her thighs touched its padded edge and her cheek rested comfortably on its smooth surface. “Good girl, Bre.” Raff’s words were a low rumble. “Beautiful,” Vance added before squatting down to her eye level. Aubrey’s breathy “Thank you” was so soft he nearly missed it. “Lower your pants, girl. Show Vance what a pretty ass you’ve got.”

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The command in Raff’s voice was clear as day to anyone who heard it. Her breath came to a shuddering halt before she obeyed. She’d either gone sans panties or they had been lowered along with her jeans, leaving the pale globes of her ass completely nude for his perusal. He watched as Raff stepped behind Aubrey. The closeness between them allowed Raff to run his hand up the back of her thighs then ever so slowly over her ass. His friend continued the travel up her spine until he finally stopped, his hand at the base of her neck. Her white-knuckled fingers were curled around the edge of the spanking bench, but otherwise she didn’t move an inch. “Such a pretty baby.” Vance stroked the back of his fingers along her cheek, noticing how she made the slightest movement into his touch before stilling completely. “Did Raff tell you to be still?” “Yes.” Once again she spoke in a mere whisper. “You’re doing a wonderful job, Aubrey. How do you feel?” Vance asked the question knowing she would have difficulty answering. Her breathing increased even as her brows drew together in the slight semblance of a frown. Lowering his voice, Vance added an edge to it that would garner her complete attention. “You don’t have permission to be shy with me, baby. I asked you a question and I expect an answer.” The heat and arousal surrounding him was damn near palpable. Her body trembled with every touch of Raff’s hand. Was her pussy wet and creaming along her inner thighs, glimmering in the shadowed light of the corner where they played? “Wh-What was the question?” He smiled inward. Raff’s touch was obviously causing a riot of sensation and emotion. “I asked you how you feel.” “Oh.” She was cute in her confusion. Sweat dotted her upper lip and her eyes had the glazed look of a woman wrapped tight in arousal. “I want more.”

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He was going to push. “I didn’t ask you what you want. I asked you how you feel.” She groaned, closing her eyes. A moment later Raff’s hand twined in the hair at the nape of her neck, causing her gaze to fly back to his. “Vance asked you a question, Bre.” The gasp leaving her pouty lips was audible. “I feel…” It was obvious she was having trouble putting her thoughts into words. Vance waited. “Like I’m going to die if you don’t do something. Please.” The last was said in the whisper-soft tone he was coming to love. Vance held her gaze to his, not allowing her to look away while she was being played with by another man. “Very good. Thank you.” This was just the beginning of a journey of sorts for her, one he fully expected to end with his collar around her neck. How they would get to such a point in the future was anyone’s guess. The only thing he knew for sure, considering Aubrey and her wild ways, was it would be one hell of a ride. Vance was a bit taken back by even considering collaring Aubrey so early, but the thought just wouldn’t leave his mind. Sure, he’d collared a couple of women over the years. He’d always done so to show a level of commitment as well as the dynamic of the relationship. This time was the only time he could remembering thinking it might possibly mean even more, if there was such a thing as more. Either way, he intended to find out. “Don’t forget what I told you about holding your place, Bre,” Raff said matter-offactly just before his palm connected with her ass for the fist time. The pale mounds quivered beneath his friend’s palm, bouncing with each additional blow. As erotic as the sight was, it was the low grunts and gasps that escaped her lips when she was so obviously trying to hold them in that made it extremely hard for him not to get further involved in the scene than he’d been invited. He continued to watch as Raff worked over the now-crimson globes of Aubrey’s ass. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself, baby, because spanking your fine ass is one of the many things I have planned for it once you belong to me. You’ll be spread and 14

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bound for my pleasure, plugged and fucked on a whim, and always at my disposal.” He couldn’t help but paint a picture of exactly how things would be if she continued to pursue him. God, how he hoped she wouldn’t let the truth of his words scare her away. For the first time in a long while he felt a connection based on so much more than just sex. He watched as Aubrey pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, her gaze locked on his. She struggled to contain the sounds threatening to increase in intensity with each swing of Raff’s hand, and he knew without a shadow of a doubt he was going to have a wonderful time breaking her of the naughty little habit. With the pad of his thumb, Vance removed Aubrey’s lip from the bite of her teeth. With no prompting she opened her mouth, allowing him entrance, then proceeded to taste him, sucking and licking as if it were his cock she feasted on instead of his thumb. “Mmm, such a good girl. Feel it. Ride it out, baby, but don’t try to hold it in. Let us hear how much you’re enjoying the feel of Raff’s hand on your ass.” Her lids fluttered closed at his words. Vance wasn’t sure if it was a means of hiding herself or in order to delve deeper into the feelings coursing through her body, so he decided to let it go. At least until he knew how to read her better. Then there would be no hiding. Aubrey would give him everything she was before all was said and done, including the hot little sounds she was battling to hold in. Vance was a patient man and had no doubts as to his ability to make it happen.

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Chapter Two Aubrey could hear music coming from somewhere, its intense beat only seemed to add to the way her core throbbed. The other sounds of carnal delight she’d heard upon entering the club no longer fazed her. It was as if the deep moans and throaty screams of the other club members no longer existed. All she could concentrate on was herself and the erotic sensations coursing through her body. Her ass was on fire and she wasn’t sure how much more she could take. When Raff’s hand connected with a vulnerable spot high on her thigh, Aubrey could no longer contain the whimper she’d been fighting to hold inside. Pain and pleasure moved from nerve ending to nerve ending until they reached a point where things became blurred and she no longer knew which sensation was in the lead. “Did that hurt?” Vance asked. She sucked in a breath as Raff changed from spanking to squeezing and tried to answer Vance’s question. “Ye—” Another swat followed by fingernails lightly raking over the flesh of her offended ass cheeks. “Yes.” “Mmm, good. You are absolutely fucking gorgeous, Aubrey.” Aubrey wasn’t sure what to say. She felt as light as a feather and yet so heavily rooted to the spot she wouldn’t be able to move if her life depended on it. Heat radiated in waves from her ass to every fiber of her being, causing her core to weep in hungry arousal. Fierce denial of what she was doing threatened, but she refused to let it take away the pleasure she felt. Now wasn’t the time to worry or wonder why, now was the time to experience and feel. And that was exactly what she was going to do. Vance’s next words made sure of it. “Open your eyes, Aubrey. Open them and look at me.” When she did as instructed, Vance added to the command. “Don’t look away from me again. Understand?” 16

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“Yes.” Oh, she understood. She understood clearly how he wanted—no, expected—her to follow his directives, and she knew to disobey could cause things to take a turn she wouldn’t like, such as them stopping altogether. What she knew most of all was Vance wouldn’t allow her to hide from him in even the tiniest of ways such as shielding herself behind the lids of her closed eyes. What frightened her most was the vulnerability she felt at being watched. It was nerve-racking beyond belief. It was almost as if by inspecting her so closely Vance could see right into her soul. If that were the case, he would then know all her dirty little secrets, all the times she’d played with herself while fantasizing about being kidnapped and roughly taken. He would clearly see, although confident and seemingly secure on the outside, she still struggled daily with the knowledge of her true self, the one she had made a pact no longer to deny. Vance’s eyes glowed with savage intent, keeping Aubrey centered and focused. He was so close the warmth of his breath mingled with hers. If he would move just a little bit nearer she could kiss him. She had dreamt of nibbling his full lower lip, sucking it into her mouth and tasting him for longer than she could even remember. “Kiss me.” The words were out before she realized she’d even voiced them. “What was that?” Damn! She wanted very badly to be kissed by him. The thought refused to leave her alone. It was as much a need as taking her next breath. “Please kiss me. Please.” Her voice sounded breathy and barely audible even to her own ears, and for a moment Aubrey wondered if she had actually managed to get the words out. Vance’s next words proved she had. “She begs so pretty, don’t you think, Raff?”

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Raff’s answer went unheard, which Aubrey considered a good thing because the word “beg” did not seem to be one she was taking so well. The feeling of euphoria that moments ago had cascaded over her body from head to toe seemed to have come to a screeching halt and now every muscle felt tense. As quickly as the change in feeling had moved over her, so did the look in Vance’s eyes. Stormy and dark, his hazel gaze bore into hers and all but dared her to run. “Problem?” “No.” Her answer came quick. Screaming “Yes” and getting the hell out of there seemed like the all-around best bet, the smart option, and yet it was the one that would leave her feeling empty, and she knew it. The slight touch of Raff’s hand gently squeezing her shoulder caught her attention. Aubrey could hear the sound of his retreating footsteps and for a brief second was surprised to know she was not nervous about being alone with Vance. “It’s just the two of us now. Is that okay with you?” Vance asked. “Yes, it’s fine.” “Good. Now I want you to explain to me what you are feeling and why every muscle in your body is bunched and ready to move.” Aubrey willed herself to relax, but was only partially able. Closing her eyes to gather her thoughts was not an option nor was ignoring the question altogether, so she said the first thing to come to mind. “I won’t beg. It’s embarrassing.” The bastard laughed. It was so out of the ordinary for him she was sure she was gawking. Deep and low, the sound rubbed her in a way not even Raff’s hands had been capable of, causing her nipples to pucker and her pussy to cream. “Let me see if I’ve got this straight. Begging is embarrassing, but having your bare ass spanked in a room full of people isn’t?”

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For the first time since climbing up on the bench, Aubrey looked around the room, and sure enough, even though they were in a far and very dimly lit corner, there was an audience. She waited for embarrassment to take over but it never did. Her ass was bare for all to see, and if the heat radiating across her cheeks was any indication, it was more than likely a sight to behold in its pink splendor, but no, she was not embarrassed in the least. As a matter of fact, she felt free and beautiful. Aubrey smiled up at Vance. “Nope, it’s not.” One corner of his mouth curved, and as he moved in closer, she could clearly see the gold flecks dancing through his irises. The feel of a hand tangling in her hair diverted her attention just before the small bite of pain took hold and her head was tilted to better suit him. “When you’re mine, you’ll beg, and you’ll do it prettily, just the way I like.” She opened her mouth to deny his words but only managed a gasp when his hold tightened. “If you are mine, I will have all of you, Bre, and it will be raw and messy and hot.” The feel of his lips on first one cheek then the other before landing on the very tip of her nose was so soft and sweet. The sensation was the complete opposite of the hand still tangled tight within her hair. “I don’t expect it to happen overnight, but it will happen, and it will happen my way. It wouldn’t be good for me to allow you to think otherwise.” He stared deep into her eyes and then waited. For what, she wasn’t quite sure. “When you think you’re truly ready to be mine, all you have to do is say the words.” An involuntary shiver coursed down her spine as what Vance said sank in. The choice to belong to him was all hers. What followed after was unknown territory and that was scary shit. She opened her mouth to say as much but was interrupted before the words were formed. “Not now, baby. Right now all I want is to hear you asking me nicely to kiss you again.”

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Asking nicely was something she could easily do. It was not begging, she told herself. It was asking, plain and simple. “Will you please kiss me?” Vance said not a word as he took her mouth. It was not a sensual mating of lips. He plundered, delving his tongue deep, tasting and taking until she was breathless and dizzy. The feel of his fingers across her neck, his thumb against her chin positioning her so he could explore deeper, caused every hair on her body to stand on end. Hot and tight, her scalp ached, as did her core, and in that very instant Aubrey realized something she had been trying since the beginning of their scene to deny. Vance was not only a dominant man who had the potential to be very dangerous to her sanity, he was also way out of her league.

Vance could tell she wanted to say the words, to be his, to stay and play every erotic game he could think of then snuggle next to him beneath the covers of his bed throughout the night. He could see the need written clearly across every feature of her face, but it wasn’t going to be that easy. She was going to bolt the minute she hit the exit door, which probably wasn’t a bad thing. The question he tried not to think about was if she would be back? If there was one thing he knew well enough, it was there would be no taming the way he played, changing who he was or how he lived. Making Aubrey completely aware of just how vulnerable she would be if she were his was paramount to the possibility of them having a relationship. Vance saw no way around it. He kissed her until they were both breathless from it. It had been a long time since he’d really kissed a woman. There were many different levels of play. Sometimes he scened for the sheer experience of it, hoping for a connection of sorts but not being terribly disappointed if there wasn’t one. On the complete opposite end of the spectrum there were a select few he played with because of the connection and nothing else. It was obvious to him after only just this little bit of time spent with her Aubrey was among those few. 20

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He already craved to touch her more, to exchange the energy of seeing her eyes glaze over while she mentally sank into the floaty space between pleasure and pain where euphoria took over. “You taste as good as you look, baby.” Vance released his hold on her hair but kept a hand at her throat. Feeling her pulse beneath his fingertip was a huge turn-on. “Makes me wonder if your pretty little pussy will taste even better?” The thump, thump, thump of her pulse kicked up a notch. She kept her green-eyed gaze locked on his and it was easy to tell by the crease furrowing her brow she was fighting an inner battle. “Don’t think so hard. I ask for no promises and make none of my own other than what I said before about you coming to me when you’re ready.” He smoothed a finger across her brow and over her eyelids, forcing her to close them and allowing her a brief respite in the process. “Tonight is for the experience only, a safe place to be yourself and not have to make excuses for it.” “Thank you.” Aubrey all but melted into the bench at his words, her breath evening out. She would have plenty of time to over-think and overanalyze things later. As long as she was enjoying their time together and not opposed to more, he was going to take every minute she offered. But first he had some aftercare to provide, which gave him an absolute wonderful opportunity to keep her close and feel every inch of her body next to his. Even clothed it was not an opportunity he could pass up. With slow, measured movements, Vance stood. He let his hand slide from its spot on her throat over her collarbone and onto her back where he spent a few minutes lazily drawing circles. When she sighed in pleasure, he began to rub and massage with both hands, working his way down her spine until he reached the red cheeks of her ass. She tensed when he stroked the heated flesh and yelped when he kissed and nibbled his way across her ass. “Shhh.” When she quieted, he continued the journey 21

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with his hands down the backs of her thighs stopping finally at her feet. “Up.” He gave her big toe a pinch through the leather of her boot. When she did as asked, he praised her, receiving a whispered “Thank you” and a pretty blush in return. The sight of her all pink-cheeked and partially nude, looking so vulnerable and open was nearly his undoing. She was so much more than even she knew. He moved to a chair and motioned to her. She looked super sexy as she nonchalantly tugged her jeans up over her hips before following him. When she finally arrived to stand in front of him, Vance pulled her onto his lap. He held her close to his chest. The top of her head tucked beneath his chin felt perfect. It was as if she belonged nowhere else in the whole world but right there in his arms. “So how did you like having your ass spanked?” She looked up at him, bumping his chin in the process. “Oops, sorry.” Her eyes sparkled. “It was even better than I thought.” “How so?” He wanted nothing more than to delve as deep as possible into her thoughts, to learn what she liked and disliked, to learn her wants and needs. She narrowed her gaze on him and closed her eyes briefly while taking a deep breath. “I’d never been spanked like that. Hard to where it hurt but felt so good all at the same time.” “How had you been spanked?” Her cheeks turned a bit pink again but her gaze never once wavered from his. “Just your normal delicate swat here or there during vanilla sex.” She was gorgeous and opinionated and sassy and spunky and so damn strongwilled she would probably drive him crazy before their first week together was over. He couldn’t wait. “And what would you like to try next?”

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Aubrey sat up in his lap so quickly he bit his tongue when the top of her head once again bumped his chin. Vance could tell she was struggling not to laugh. For some reason, more than anything, he wanted to hear it so he held her steady with one arm around her middle while using his other hand to gently graze her ribs. She nearly flipped off his lap in her attempt to escape, laughing the entire time. The sound was like music to his ears. It took everything in him not to repeat the process, to feel her wiggle against his lap, to see her gaze at him in amused wonder. “Are you going to answer my question or is a bit of tickle play what you’re looking for?” Her eyes grew wide. “Okay, okay…” She looked away, her lips still curved in a deceptively innocent smile. When she finally returned her gaze to his, all traces of humor were gone. “I didn’t know I would get to do more.” She seemed to be giving extra thought to her next words. “Just you and me, or Raff too?” The thought of working her over hard, either alone or with Raff, was an erotic one he’d jump at the chance for, but tonight was about Aubrey. There would be no hard playing and the choice of who played would be completely hers. “Whatever works for you, Bre.” She looked across the room to where Raff stood watching them. He’d left them to their own devices but had not left Aubrey alone. Vance could see the knowledge dawn bright on her face and the smile she aimed toward her boss reached her eyes and was stunningly genuine in a world where lies and deceit ran rampant. She turned her gaze back to his as she spoke. “I’d like to be flogged and I’d like for you to do it.” Vance was more than willing to appease her curiosity and hopefully give her a fabulous experience to take home with her during the days to come when she would struggle with everything she thought she knew about herself.

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Chapter Three Aubrey wasn’t sure of what she was getting herself into. She and Raff had talked about the possibility of Vance joining their scene. It was something she was extremely happy about. It gave her the chance to play with him, to see and feel him in action. It also made her realize he was in no way just playing. The man before her was as real as the heat radiating across her ass. He was dominant to the core and knew exactly what his wants and needs were. She, on the other hand, was pretty much just twisting in the wind trying to figure things out. A small part of her wanted to run. The rest wanted to stay until they booted her out of the club at closing time. The problem came in figuring out how to experience the pleasure without losing herself in the process. Losing yourself or finding yourself? The little voice in her head asked the very question Aubrey had been trying to ignore. It was a scary thing to realize the societal bullshit she’d been made to believe was the right way—the only way—was the complete opposite of what she truly desired. And if that wasn’t bad enough, feeling an immediate emotional attachment for a man who scared the crap out of her even as he made her pussy cream had to be. “We’re going to do this with a bit more privacy.” Aubrey nodded and put her hand in his outstretched palm. His fingers curling around hers felt nice and safe. Nerves were making her jittery and the arousal coursing through her body was making her nipples ache. The emotions running rampant through her system as she walked beside Vance were nearly numbing in their intensity and yet added to the overall excitement. Was it his close proximity or the fact she was going to be flogged? She’d seen someone play in such a manner before but had never experienced it herself. How would 24

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he do it? Would she be sitting or standing? Hell, she wasn’t so sure she could stand with the way her legs were shaking. What kind of flogger would he use, and what if she couldn’t take it? Questions whirled through her mind at warp speed. Vance must have sensed her anxiety. Before she knew what was happening he’d backed her up to a wall and was nuzzling her neck. “It’s all about the experience right now, Aubrey. If it’s not pleasurable, we stop.” The feel of his tongue tracing the shell of her ear was dizzying. His voice a low whisper as he continued. “If you get nothing from it, neither do I. It’s about the pleasure, Bre, yours and mine. The connection. Knowing you love every single flick of my wrist, every thud of my flogger, every touch of my hand against your heated flesh is why I do what I do. Is that what you want, baby?” Oh God was it! “Yes. It’s what I want.” “And you want it from me? You want to give me the power to blend pain and pleasure into one, to make you hurt and ache and beg for more even when you aren’t quite sure you can handle it?” He had a hand tangled in her hair. Her scalp tingled with pressure not quite yet pain, and she was so damned horny it took everything in her not to fuck the knee he’d wedged between her thighs. “From you, only you. Please.” Damn. Aubrey didn’t recognize her own voice. Her soft-spoken plea was full of emotion and longing, the same as her mind and body. She wanted nothing more than to feel her muscles spasm in response to an earth-shattering climax brought on by his touch. Pinned to the wall the way she was, his body flat against hers, it was impossible for Aubrey to ignore the length of Vance’s erection as it pressed into her belly. She attempted a wiggle to get closer, to entice him into hurrying to some place where they could get naked, but was quickly dissuaded of the notion by a tug to her hair. “My way and only my way, Aubrey. Always.”

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Not waiting for any type of answer, Vance moved away then sedately led her down a nearly deserted hallway and into one of the vacant rooms. How was it possible he was so calm when she was so damned hot and wet it wouldn’t take more than a strong breeze across her cream-slicked pussy to get her off? Once in the room, he turned and pinned her with his gaze. Leisurely he looked her over from top to bottom and then back up again, stopping briefly in the vicinity of her chest. “There are a lot of things we’ll do in the common areas here at the club, Bre, but sex isn’t one of them.” Aubrey couldn’t say why, but for some reason the knowledge helped ease a bit of her anxiety even though she couldn’t help but ask, “How come?” “Whether it’s just me and my partner, or we decide to have a bit of fun with others, it is still something I consider to be private. I guess you could call it a quirk. While I don’t have any qualms with someone watching me scene, seeing my submissive completely nude and on display, being fucked and filled by toys, I don’t share when it comes to intercourse.” She couldn’t think of one word to say. Her mind was too stuck on the possibility of others being involved as well as being on display, and the fucked and filled with toys part, to come up with some type of comprehensible answer. “Strip.” Now that got her attention. Aubrey watched Vance as he dug through a duffle bag sitting on the counter at the far end of the room. It was the first time she’d actually taken notice of the room itself. It was bare compared to some she’d seen at the club, consisting of no more than a St. Andrew’s Cross on a stand in the center of the room and what she thought to be a whipping post in the far corner. There were a few strategically placed eyebolts in the ceiling as well as a couple of tables and one very large mirror lining the far wall. With shaking fingers she started to unfasten the string holding her top in place. “Umm, everything?” 26

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Vance looked up from the duffle he’d been rifling through, an all-black flogger in his hand, but said not a word. The quirk of a brow was all it took for Aubrey to realize the silliness of her question and get busy doing as she’d been instructed. As quickly as she could manage, she removed her blouse and boots then once again unfastened and lowered her jeans. Once nude, Aubrey neatly folded her clothes and set them in a pile on one of the tables. She could tell Vance was following her every movement. His stare all but burned a hole through her. With each motion she became more and more aware of her nakedness. When she could no longer stand the silence, she turned toward him. The look in his eyes was one of pure unadulterated lust. “You are a stunning sight to behold, Aubrey.” He didn’t gush or give her one of the lecherous teeth-showing smiles she was used to receiving from others. Instead, he spoke with sincerity and passion. “Thank you.” When he started to move to her side, she turned with him. “Stay.” He growled the single-worded command as he continued his trek around her, walking in a wide circle, perusing her body while she stood as still as possible. “Good girl.” Aubrey wasn’t sure whether to pant and beg or say thank you again. Except she didn’t feel doglike at all, unless a bitch in heat counted. The thought caused a small giggle to escape her lips. Vance turned to look at her, and for a second she was afraid he was going to ask her what was so funny. “Go face the mirror. Palms flat, feet shoulder width apart.” She did as told, giving the beautiful wooden cross a look of longing as she passed it by. As he always seemed to, Vance noticed where her attention was. His comment made her heart flutter and her pussy ache. “I’m sure you’ll experience the cross soon enough, Bre, but right now I want you to be able to see just how beautiful you are. I want you to be able to see who is flogging you, who is causing every bit of the pain and pleasure you’ll feel.” 27

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The mirror felt cool beneath her palms. Its surface was smooth and clean, giving Aubrey a clear view of herself. Her large breasts seemed heavier, her nipples larger and even more sensitive. The width of her legs allowed for the room’s cool air to play over the heated, cream-slicked flesh of her pussy, driving her even crazier. And just as she could see herself clearly in the mirror, she could also see Vance. He stood behind her holding a flogger. It looked as if it belonged nowhere else but in his closed fist. Dressed as he was in all black with his hair pulled back and tied at his nape, his cool, assessing gaze focused solely on her, he appeared dangerous and sexy as hell. The bulge of his obviously aroused cock behind the fly of his trousers only added to his look and to the excitement and anticipation skittering over every nerve ending of her body.

She was fucking gorgeous, all naked and spread for his enjoyment. The curls of her auburn hair caressed her back almost as beautifully as his deerskin flogger would. She watched him in the mirror, her eyes bright with nervous anticipation. He gave it a few slaps against his leg, enjoying the sound and the way she jumped ever so slightly. He moved in close enough to caress her back, checking her skin for damage, noting the vital areas in his mind. When finished, he swept Aubrey’s hair over her shoulder and out of the way before moving back. With a flick of his wrist, Vance sent the flogger tails sailing through the air. They landed upon Aubrey’s back just below her right shoulder blade and continued a trail ending in the vicinity of her left hip. He quickly switched hands then landed another thuddy blow that trekked across her back in a mirrored fashion, making an X. The sound of leather on flesh was one he would never grow bored of and neither were the wickedly carnal sounds coming from the one on the receiving end. He started slow, altering slightly where the leather tails landed. His motions warmed her exquisite skin and allowed her to feel the possibility of what was to come.

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He moved in close to her. Trailing the deerskin tails over first one shoulder and then the other, he whispered in her ear, “Such a good girl standing there all still and naked, your legs splayed and ass pushed out for the feel of my lash.” At his words, her breathing came faster. He could smell the scent of her arousal in the air around them and longed to taste her, to lick her creamy essence from his fingers. It was hard not to plunge them deep into her pussy, taking what she offered and insisting upon more. Pushing. “Are you ready, Bre? Ready to feel everything I want to give you?” The flesh of her back was a very arousing shade of pink. He was sure it tingled and stung just a tiny bit. Would she stay for the main event? He couldn’t even pretend to predict what her answer would be as she remained quiet, seeming deep in thought. He wouldn’t go any easier on her than he would anyone else who asked for the feel of his lash and couldn’t help but wonder if she knew and worried over it. Unable to keep his hands from her, Vance ran the tips of his fingers across the silkysmooth plane of her back before raking his nails ever so slightly back up along the same path. The quick breath she sucked in warned just how sensitive the area was. “Tell me what you’re thinking.” She lifted her head and met his gaze in the mirror. Her eyes were bright, emotion written clearly across every feature of her face. “What if I can’t take it?” She acted as if not being able to handle a new experience was a mortal sin. Vance narrowed his eyes on her, settling a more stern countenance in place. “You’ll take it and you’ll do so with grace. You’ll let go and feel everything I give you, not because it’s my choice but because it’s yours. Your craving.” He moved closer, nipping the sensitive shell of her ear. “Your desire. Your aching need.” Through the mirror she watched him intently. Her gaze settled on his mouth and stayed there, driving him crazy with lust. “If you feel something is wrong, then let me know and we’ll get it worked out before either continuing or deciding to end the scene.” 29

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“What about a safeword?” Vance wasn’t sure whether to chuckle or sneer at the thought of safewords and he didn’t have the time or desire to go into a full-blown class on the matter so he chose to be brief. “Safewords don’t mean shit. Trying to come up with idiotic words such as aardvark or tomato when your mind is all floaty in subspace isn’t likely to happen, and by the time you get through the rainbow searching for red, yellow and green the damage might already be done. They are only as good as those using them. If you can’t form or remember the word, or the dominant chooses not to hear it, you’re screwed. So, you pick your play partners wisely, keep the lines of communication open and have fun. “As the Dom it is my job to watch and be aware of your body language and where you are mentally, physically and emotionally, but I am not the only one with a job here. Being up-front and honest about your desires and limits is a start, and you, my girl, are doing a fabulous job there.” He could see an argument brewing. The crease between her brows was a dead giveaway. “I’m not saying safewords don’t have a place, I’m just saying they don’t make much sense in the big picture.” She had turned and was watching him, listening closely to everything he said. It was one of the things Vance liked about her most. She seemed to thirst for knowledge and understanding of why she craved the things she did. When she turned back toward the mirror and once again placed her palms flat against its surface, he exhaled a breath he hadn’t even been aware he’d been holding. “I’m ready…to feel your flogger. Please.” Damn she was good. A natural. When she leaned into the glass, her head lowered slightly until the top of it rested against the mirror’s surface, he swung. The first hit landed perfectly, leaving marks in its wake and causing the air to hiss from her lungs. After a few more she was moaning, the sound deep and rough. It was even more erotic than her laughter had been. 30

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Not wanting to miss any part of her, Vance peppered her ass and the backs of her thighs, making sure not to miss the very sensitive area where they met. He raised the intensity and, in between moans, she called him a few names and stomped her foot a time or two. All the while he watched and listened. Her breath was sawing in and out of her lungs, each one audible even from where he stood. Her body undulated with each fall of the flogger, her hips bucking forward as if searching, fucking. “Please.” Her whispered plea reached his ear as he switched hands yet again to land another blow. “Please what?” He could hear the tears in her voice. The sound was lovelier than any he’d heard before. Is she ready to stop? he wondered as he switched hands and swung again. As her moans grew louder, he had a hard time staying focused. Their scene would soon come to an end. Her hands trembled against the glass. She arched into the next fall of the tails then lifted her tear-streaked gaze to his. “I need more. Please. Please fuck me, use me. Please make me come.” He wanted more than anything to feel her pussy sheath the length of his cock, but to do so when she was so vulnerable, before they’d had the chance to talk about it, would not be good. She might regret fucking after all was said and done, when she came back to her senses and her system was no longer overwhelmed by desire. That was something Vance wasn’t willing to take a chance on. But making her come until she couldn’t see straight was definitely high on his priority of things to do before they called it a night. After setting the flogger on one of the nearby tables, he crossed the room to where Aubrey still stood in position facing the mirror. He kept his touch light, sensual, and his words soft. With the tip of one finger he traced the fine lines crisscrossing her back, thanking her in his own way for giving him the trust to place each one. 31

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When he pulled her away from the mirror, her back snug against his front, she dropped her head back on his shoulder. Her eyes were open, watching, silently begging. It was her tears that garnered his attention though. They left glistening wet streaks down her cheeks and begged for his touch just as much as her erogenous zones did. With the tip of his tongue he tasted one of the salty droplets. “You look amazing with my marks on your back and tears running down your face.” “I feel amazing.” There was a gentle softness to her voice. She spoke the words in a low tone, soft and clear and very subdued, not at all like her usual boisterous self. Her body responded to their closeness even stronger than it had the whip of his flogger. She writhed against him, pressing and rubbing her ass against his throbbing erection. With deft fingers he rolled and plucked one of her nipples. Whimpers of delight slipped from her lips even as she arched into his touch. “So tell me, baby, why are you crying?” It was obvious to Vance she was a bit surprised by his question. He could almost smell the smoke, she was working so hard on coming up with an answer. “Just tell me the first thing that comes to mind. There is no right or wrong.” “It’s not that easy. There are lots of reasons.” “Then tell them all to me.” She sighed dramatically, earning herself a stinging swat to the nipple he’d just been playing with. Aubrey jumped at the contact. Her yelp of pain filled the room. “No hiding, Aubrey. There are many things I have endless patience for, but hiding yourself from me is not one of them. Consider this when you think about the possibility of becoming mine.”

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Chapter Four Goddamn but he could be a bastard when he wanted to. Why that made her want to be taken and fucked hard by him even more than normal, Aubrey wasn’t sure. She’d pretty much already given up trying to understand why she sought the things she did. Coming to terms with being kinky and submissive had been fairly easy, the hows and whys of the rest of it, not so much, and would just have to wait for another time. “I wasn’t trying to hide anything from you, Vance. Most of it is silly is all.” His eyes narrowed. It wasn’t one of those looks where he quirked a brow and seemed a bit quizzical. This was more of an irritated look. His next actions proved just how annoyed he was. With her nipple once again caught between his thumb and forefinger, he squeezed. Hard. “That’s for me to decide. When I ask a question, I expect you to answer to the best of your ability. Do you understand?” Aubrey wasn’t sure she could breathe, much less speak. White-hot fire streaked from her nipple to the apex of her thighs. The pain outweighed the pleasure just enough that she knew he was completely serious. As if his tone of voice alone hadn’t been warning enough. “Yes.” Tears were starting to sting her eyes but she fought them off. As soon as she spoke the word, he released her nipple. In relief, she slumped back against the solidness of his chest. “Good girl.” He petted her softly as she began to speak. “I guess part of it was because I was relieved and no longer afraid of the unknown, a release of sorts.” He trailed a hand down the swell of her abdomen before delving between the lips of her pussy where he found and tortured the bud of her swollen clit. “Continue.” 33

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“It…” He was so very talented with his fingers. Within seconds she was on edge, thrusting her hips at his fingers, wishing he would pinch her nipple again, although not quite as hard. She wanted so very bad to get off. “It hurt too, but not so much I needed or wanted for you to stop, but enough it made me feel and allowed me—no,” she shook her head, trying to grasp the thoughts whirling around in there, “forced me to let go. It was very cathartic.” “How so?” Was he fucking serious? She was hanging on by a thread and he wanted to talk? His fingers left her clit and moved toward her nipple, the same one he’d pinched before. Just thinking he might do so again had the words spilling out of her mouth. “Because I don’t normally cry, especially in front of others.” “Poor baby.” His tone was far from pitying. “When you’re with me, if what I want is to see your tears, you’ll cry. Whether you’re being tickled and tied, or fucked and flogged. If I want to track the salty sweetness of your tears with my tongue, you’ll let go for me. Won’t you, Bre?” She whimpered something that barely resembled an affirmative answer to her ears. He’d trailed his fingers back down to her pussy, stroking her clit until her legs trembled and she was so close to coming it was nearly impossible to think straight. “You don’t come without my permission.” His words were like a slap to the face. They caught her attention and stunned her. If he didn’t stop, or at the very least slow down, that was exactly what was going to happen. “Oh God. Ca-Can I come?” She was so close to the edge it was painful. “Not yet.” “Bastard,” she hissed between clenched teeth while attempting to close her thighs, to trap his hand and hopefully slow his very talented fingers.

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He chuckled low against her ear, the sound rough and wicked. “So I’ve been told. Open.” He lightly kicked the inside of her foot so there was no doubt or confusion as to what he meant by the command. Trouble. She was going to end up in so much of it if she came without his permission. Even the thought of displeasing him made her nervous and anxious. She wanted nothing more than to do the complete opposite, to please him in every way possible and then maybe, just maybe he would let her come. “Oh please! Please stop or I’m going to come. I can’t ho-hold it back. Oh pleeease…” The last ended on a wail of trepidation just as her internal muscles started to twitch in anticipation of the building orgasm. “You do beg so prettily.” And then he stopped. Just stopped. It was like a douse of cold water to the climax just preparing to roll over her in wave after wave of pleasure. Aubrey wasn’t sure whether she wanted to scream or cry or both. Hell, dropping to the floor and throwing a fit even sounded good, she was so frustrated. Vance spun her around then pressed her back to the mirror. With the fingers of one hand he grasped her chin, tilting her head until their gazes met. “You want to come, do you?” The inquiry appeared to be an uncomplicated one, but Aubrey was sure it wasn’t. She tried to think, to decide what might be hidden inside the simple question, but was at a loss. “It’s an easy question, baby. One requiring only a yes or no answer.” She gave an unladylike snort. “I don’t think there is anything easy about it.” The look in his eyes as he moved in close was predatory, one that made her tingle from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. “It’s very easy.” He wedged a knee between her thighs and pressed up until it was firmly seated against her sex then lifted until she was balanced on her tiptoes. “Do you want to come? Yes or no?”

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There was no way around it. She wanted to come more than she wanted her next cheeseburger. “Yes.” He moved his leg just enough to rub against her clit. With one hand in her hair and the other at her hip, he guided her in fucking his knee and whispered against her lips, “Then ask me for what you want.” The word ask may be what he’d used, but what he meant was beg. She was to beg him for her release. It was embarrassing, and yet the way he so easily took control while still making her responsible for her own needs was erotic as hell. She was a creaming mess of sensations and feelings, and in way deeper than she ever anticipated when she showed up at the club tonight for a bit of fun. “Please let me come.” It wasn’t a very good job as far as begging went, Aubrey was sure. And when he lowered his leg, no longer allowing her to fuck herself against him, she thought he was going to leave. There was no time to protest the absence of his knee between her thighs before she found herself lifted. Her ass was now cradled, an arm under each thigh before she was hoisted up and onto his shoulders. The position brought his mouth and the divine length of his tongue in direct contact with her cleft. “You’ll have to do better than that, and I think I’ve got just the incentive for you.” His breath tortured her sensitive folds, each word sending bursts of warm air sailing across the cream-soaked flesh. The way she sat, perched on his shoulders, her back pressed against the mirror, left both of his hands free to roam, and roam they did. He stroked her softly before capturing her wrists and holding them soundly against her thighs. The movement shifted her so she could hardly even wiggle her hips. He inhaled deep as if capturing her scent. A low growl tumbled from his lips just before he sank his tongue deep inside her, fucking her, using her exactly how he saw fit. There were a few lighter licks thrown in, but for the most part, there was nothing slow about what he was doing. 36

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Devouring her, taking and then insisting on more, he brought her to the edge. She moaned and shook, trying with all her might to rock her hips into his face, his tongue and his teeth. She needed more. And then he’d slow or completely change tactics, going from straight out annihilation to long, slow flicks of his tongue, and the orgasm that had been building would die a quick death. Aubrey wasn’t sure which was worse, that or being held right on the edge yet never allowed to tumble over. Both scenarios caused her to curse and cry and then finally to beg. “Please, Sir! Please let me come. Please,” she pleaded, her breath rasping in and out of her lungs so fast it bordered on painful. Her body ached with need, leaving her feeling reckless and overwhelmed. Aubrey could feel the tears roll down her cheeks but ignored them. Sensations racked every inch of her flesh, caused her inner muscles to spasm, to rebel. She needed to come. “Pleasepleaseplease.”

Vance released her hands, which she clutched in his hair. He liked the slight sting nearly as much as her taste and her whimpered pleas. She continued begging. He couldn’t see her face, but from her tone and the way she repeated the single word, it was obvious to him she was mindless in her need. It was just the way he’d wanted her. Reaching around, he lubricated one of his fingers in her magnificently wet pussy then trailed it back up to the pucker of her anus. Slowly he inched it in. “Come for me, Bre. Come for me now, baby.” She didn’t have to be told twice. With his finger sliding deep in and out of her ass and his tongue flicking and sucking the distended nub of her clit, she went off, keening his name. Her cries filled his ears, the sound heavenly. Her ass grabbed at his finger, milking and squeezing, making him wish like hell it were the engorged length of his cock there instead. 37

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When her orgasm subsided, Aubrey lay limp against the mirror. She probably thought she was done, but she wasn’t. She’d wanted to come, had begged even, so he was going to make sure it was completely worth her while. Instead of removing the finger in her ass, Vance pulled out only far enough to wedge a second one in beside it. He then slowly licked her clit. The way she bucked against him told just how sensitive she was. “I can’t handle any more.” “You’ll handle as much as I give.” Vance was going to push until she thought she was done and then press for more. She would know exactly what it would be like to belong to him, to be owned by him before the night was over. It was the only way she could make a good decision after finally making it home as to whether or not a relationship with him was what she really wanted. Perhaps, like some in his past, she had spent so much time romanticizing what it might be like she had never thought of the reality of it. Vance intended to make sure she completely understood. His way. When and how he wanted it. Always. She moaned his name and pleaded to come again, to which he gave permission. Aubrey’s next orgasm crashed through her body. He could feel her muscles tighten and release, hear her cries. And yet he still didn’t stop. Moving his head back just enough to see, Vance welcomed the sight of her overly engorged clit. He held her tight as he raked his teeth across its swollen peak, reveling in the sound of her ragged breathing. She was openly crying now, begging for him to stop even as she asked permission to come. When a third orgasm ripped through her, he pulled his fingers free from the confines of her ass and gently lowered her from his shoulders. She looked back at him, her eyes red and swollen. Her tear-streaked cheeks were pink from her exertion and her entire body trembled as she huddled into his warmth.

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He reached between her legs to cup her mound in the palm of his hand. “If you’re mine, this is mine, as are your ass, your mouth and eventually your heart and soul. I will decide when they’ve had enough. There will be no hiding and the only privacy or inhibitions you will be allowed are those I give to you. Understand this before you decide to continue with your pursuit of me, Aubrey. Consider it thoroughly.” “Yes Sir.” A shiver racked her body from head to toe. Without another word, Vance led her across the room. Grabbing a blanket from his duffle along the way, he hoisted them onto the surface of one of the tables, cradling her close to his chest where he spent the next several minutes murmuring soft words and soothing her exhausted body with gentle touches. When she stopped crying and regained her composure, he released his hold, allowing her to sit up. There were a million things he wanted to talk about, questions he wanted answered and ones he longed to hear spill from her lips, but now was not the time. Right now he knew she needed the time to think about the things they had done and how it made her feel. She needed to process her thoughts when she wasn’t as emotionally drained. There was only one thing he needed to know right now, one question that could not wait. “You called me ‘Sir’ without being asked or instructed to. Was it part of the scene for you, Bre, like playacting or a game of sorts?” She looked so cute peeking up at him from beneath her lashes, her cheeks still flushed. “No Sir. It wasn’t.” It seemed to him that Aubrey didn’t want to go into detail on why she’d bestowed a title on him, but he was going to insist upon it. Something in him needed to know why she had done it, still continued to do it. Was she as drawn to him as he was to her and was it more than just the kink? “Why then?” Aubrey gave him a disgruntled look. The way she wrinkled her nose made him want to smile. Her words, however, struck hard and straight to his core. “To be honest, it just came out. There is just something about you that not only tells me it is okay to 39

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give you my trust but my respect. It just felt right.” She looked away from him and shook her head. “I don’t know how to explain it.” Vance lifted her head with a finger beneath her chin then placed a kiss on her forehead. “You explained it perfectly. Thank you.” After standing Aubrey on her feet, he climbed down from the table behind her. He watched her dress then grabbed her hand and led them out of the room they had been occupying and into the main play area. There he retrieved them both bottled water and set her up with a snack. They sat on folding chairs against one of the far walls, away from most of the noise and scening that was going on. It was obvious to him she was doing her best not to look at him while she nibbled the fruit he’d served her. The juice of a plump strawberry dripped across her lower lip and onto her chin. Vance wanted desperately to lick it off but held himself in check. There would be plenty of time later if she didn’t decide to leave and never return. That thought had the ability to make him very uncomfortable. They’d not spent much time together. He didn’t know her very well and yet it was as if he’d always known her. Hard to explain or even think about, and very cheesy sounding, but that was exactly how he felt. She continued to nibble from the fruit and crackers then slowly chew each bite. Her head was lowered, her gaze never meeting his. He gained her attention by placing a hand on top of hers. She stopped mid-chew, visibly swallowed then looked up to him. “Thank you for tonight. You were absolutely amazing.” Her snort of laughter irritated him, but Vance decided to let it go. He’d pushed enough for one night. If she decided to give herself to him though, there would be hell to pay every time she reacted in a way that belittled what or who she was. “Thank you.” Running a hand across her cheek and then over her hair, she added, “I must look like hell.” “I like the way you look.” 40

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She blushed then wiped at her eyes. “Dried tears, smeared mascara and all, huh?” “You are even more gorgeous when you’re in pain. Just the thought of you begging and tears running down your cheeks makes me hard.” Vance grabbed her hand and pressed it to his fly. His cock was straining against the fabric, throbbing for release. Her startled gaze snapped to his. “My tears make you hard?” He leaned toward her, his eyes sharp and assessing. “Yes, they do, the same way my flogger across your back made you wet.” Understanding dawned clearly across her face and a smile crossed her lips. “So tears are your thing?” She all but whispered the word. He couldn’t help but chuckle. The look on her face was priceless. The way she wrinkled her nose first in confusion and then understanding without voicing one negative word of judgment only reiterated what he already knew. “You are one special woman, Aubrey Collins.” She beamed up at him, her mouth split in a wide smile. “And yes, tears are my thing, as you put it, but only one among many.” “What are some of the others?” He leaned in close enough to feather his lips across hers. “I like to be in control. I want to own. Many things come along with that, but for me it is all about the power dynamic. Whether sexual or simply making things easier in my day-to-day life, I expect obedience from my property.” “Oh my.” Her eyes were wide as she stared at him. He wished he could see inside her mind. To see exactly what she thought about being owned. Vance ran a hand up her neck to cup her cheek briefly before tangling it in her hair. Using his hold, he tilted her head back until he could look deep into her green eyes. “Think about it, Bre. Think about the possibility of being my property to do with as I please.”

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Chapter Five She felt like a wreck. One minute she was giddy with joy, the next weeping and it wasn’t even time for her period. It seemed as if her body and mind were at war with one another. Going back to the club and throwing herself at Vance’s feet seemed like a good idea, but then she’d get stuck in a frenzy of emotions and questions, making her second-guess any and everything. She fought daily to keep her heart safe but it didn’t seem to be working. In the short time they’d spent together, Aubrey had fallen hard and fast for Vance Hardin. Hell, not even masturbating relaxed her. Oh sure, she’d gone through way more than the normal amount of batteries since playing with Vance. She was constantly wet and horny. Getting off only seemed to remind her of what was missing. There were no warm hands roaming her body, no lips kissing and tasting hers, no leather caressing her back. If that wasn’t bad enough, he kept calling. It wasn’t as if he were being pushy or calling to do pervy things like have really great phone sex. Nope, his daily calls were to see how she was doing. He said it was aftercare and anything a good dominant would do. And for some reason that royally pissed her off. He wasn’t just any dominant. Didn’t he know that? And even if he did, did he think she was just any submissive? Deep down inside, Aubrey knew her feelings held no logic. They were all based in emotion, but she had no idea what to do to make it better. A knock at the door sent her pulse racing and made her feel sick to her stomach. She wasn’t in the best of moods, something Raff had pointed out just before he’d sent her home. Being sent home was the least of her worries and not something she was

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upset about. Truth be told, she was having a hard time putting up with her foul mood herself, much less expecting someone else to do so. Grumbling at the continued ringing of the doorbell, Aubrey dropped the blouse she’d been hanging up and stalked her way up the hall. With all her might, she jerked the door open only to find Mira, her twin sister, standing on the other side. They might have looked like mirrored opposites, but that was where the similarities ended. Where her sister always looked put together, not a hair out of place, her demure clothing spotless, Aubrey appeared thrown together. Her hair was either in a messy ponytail or waving wildly around her face. She hadn’t used an iron since some genius came up with a spray that would do nearly the same job, and although she enjoyed clothes as much as any other woman, she had a style all her own. “Which one sent you, Raff or Vance?” Mira chuckled then moved past her and into the living room. “Both actually.” She wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or miffed so decided a combination of both would cover all bases. “Really?” “Well sort of. Raff called Vance to let him know you needed an attitude adjustment and Vance just happened to mention it to Nash, my wonderfully sadistic owner, who in turn thought you might need someone to talk to.” When she didn’t answer, Mira pushed on only the way a sister could. “So, do you? Need someone to talk to.” “Yes. No. Damn it, I don’t know.” Her sister was staring at her as if she’d grown a third boob. “What? Stop looking at me like that!” Aubrey groaned then turned on her heel and made her way back up the hall with Mira right on her heels. Once in her room, Aubrey turned to face her sister. Mira’s smile was slow to come, but once it did, it spread wide across her face. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so flustered and indecisive.” “Being in a constant state of confusion isn’t something I strive for in life, Mira.”

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Aubrey knew she sounded like a raving lunatic, but she wasn’t quite sure how to clear her mind and get back on an even keel. Besides, if anyone would understand it was her sister. Mira’s visage changed from that of teasing and light to serious and concerned in the blink of an eye. “What is it exactly that has you turned upside down?” Things shouldn’t be so hard, Aubrey thought to herself before answering Mira’s question. “I think I might be falling in love with him.” Once again Mira’s face dimpled in a wide smile, annoying her to no end. “And that is bad because…?” Had the woman completely lost her ever-loving mind? Narrowing her eyes, hands on both hips, she tried to keep her voice low and calm. “It is bad because no one should develop such deep feelings so fast. It is bad because I only want to be in lust. It is bad,” she slowly enunciated the word, “because emotions fuck everything up.” As most sisterly relationships went, Mira could give as good as she took. “So let me get this straight. You have absolutely no issue with wanting to be bound and beat, your problem is that you might be falling in love.” Finally she understood. Aubrey wondered where the “ding, ding, ding, you got it right” bell was. “Yes.” “Personally, I think you’re being a blithering idiot, but we all have our own demons to deal with so I’ll try to keep my opinions to myself.” “Great. Thanks.” Aubrey mumbled the words in the most sarcastic tone she could manage. “What makes you think love fucks everything up? You know how much I love Nash. How exactly did love fuck everything up with us?” Aubrey was getting annoyed again, or still, she wasn’t sure which. “Don’t be stupid, Mira. It didn’t, but that’s different. You’re different.”

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Now it was her sister’s turn to seem irritated. “I need to sit down for this one because I’m sure it’s going to be good.” Aubrey watched as Mira moved across the room and settled herself on top of the comforter covering the bed, her back propped by pillows against the headboard. “Now tell me what is so different about me and my situation.” In an attempt to feel less like pacing the room, Aubrey followed suit, getting comfortable right next to Mira. Almost like old times. It was just like they used to do while still living at home and sharing their innermost secrets. “Oh come on, Mira. You were always meant to fall in love. Settling down has been a goal of yours since childhood. White picket fence, two point five children and a dog in the yard have always been written in your future.” Aubrey stopped to chuckle. “You may not have thought to factor in an owner versus a husband or a home dungeon full of torture devices versus a sewing room, but I think all that can be considered icing on the cake now. Am I right?” Mira had a wide, wicked smile on her face. “Yes, you’re right. What I don’t get is why can’t it be the same for you?” Aubrey could feel tears clogging her throat. It was an extremely hard thing to admit to anyone, even her sister, but most especially to herself. She was scared shitless. “I’m not the settling-down type, Mira. I was just supposed to be able to play and have fun like I always have. You know me, carefree. A loner. It was all supposed to be fun.” “And you didn’t enjoy yourself?” “You know I did.” Damn, her sister could be so obtuse. “Then what?” “I can’t already have feelings for him.” The feel of Mira’s arms embracing her in a tight hug only brought all the emotions running through her closer to the surface. “Yes, you can, sweetie. You already do.”

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Aubrey could feel the tears roll down her cheeks and cursed each and every one of them. “I know, but I don’t want to.” Mira squeezed her hard then released her just enough to lean back and pin her with green eyes identical to her own. “And why is that?” “Because what if he can’t or won’t allow me to be me?” She took a deep breath and whispered words that brought all her fears about a possible relationship with Vance to life. “What if he doesn’t care for me in return?” This time Mira pulled her close and didn’t let go for the longest time. It was a closeness Aubrey would always treasure. The ensuing quietness was one of reflection not discomfort as they both once again settled comfortably against the headboard. “If that turns out to be the case, you’ll have decisions to make. Tell me this though, is the fear of stepping out of the comfortable little box you live in worth losing the possibility of a great relationship with him?”

***** Vance had always prided himself on his patience. He’d always been happy with the way he could remain emotionally detached from those he played with yet was not in a relationship with. Neither were things he could claim when it came to Aubrey. Not only was he on edge waiting for her to come to him, he was attached and in a way that made absolutely no sense. It wasn’t something he was willing to fight. He was just going to go with it and see where it led. Unless she tried to run and hide. Then he very well might go after her and make her talk, even if just to hear her tell him not no but hell no. Either way, he needed to hear the words spoken from her lovely lips. Since playing with Aubrey, going to work at the club had been just that—work. The place seemed less alive without her, which was saying a lot considering some of the things that went on within the privacy of those four walls.

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Her high spirits and wacky ways were so different from his sedate life. Where he was dark, she was light. Where he rarely smiled, she always seemed to have dimpled cheeks. Her laughter was loud and boisterous, but most of all, it was infectious. And he missed it. The ringing of his cell phone brought Vance out of his inner thoughts. “Hello.” “I gave Aubrey your address and assured her you would welcome her company. Don’t make a liar out of me or Mira will have my ass.” Nash Jameson, Mira’s partner, spoke loud and clear over the phone line. His words made Vance’s pulse skyrocket. Aubrey was going to seek him out on his turf and not at the club the way he’d expected. Of course he hadn’t been sure she would come to him at all. “Not a worry in the world on that account. Your ass is completely safe from Mira and her evil ways.” Nash chuckled on the other end. “Keep it that way,” he said before ending the conversation with a click. So she was planning a visit? Vance briefly thought about changing from his jeans and T-shirt to the all black he usually wore at the club then decided against it. If Aubrey decided to be his, to be owned heart, body and soul, she had every right to see him in all of his barefooted, tousled-hair, non-shaven glory. He wandered around straightening the place while trying to run different scenarios through his head. It wasn’t working. There were just too many possibilities as to why she was coming to begin with. Answering the door with any specific expectation in mind could potentially set them up for a major downfall. Vance was just about to sit down with the newspaper when she finally arrived. She had just removed her leather jacket, uncovering a tiny black tank top with a perverse saying on its front that he bet shocked and appalled many. Her jeans were faded, torn and a bit baggy, riding low on her hips. Their fit left just enough skin showing that he 47

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had trouble thinking of doing anything other than running the tips of his fingers along its silky smoothness. She ran a hand down the length of her ponytail before acknowledging he’d even answered the door. “Hey.” As always, her voice was strong and determined, but the look on her face showed a level of vulnerability he’d never known her to share. “Hi. Come on in.” Aubrey mumbled words of thanks as she stepped across the threshold and into his living room. It felt really good to have her in his space. Of course, as he’d been telling himself since Nash’s phone call, he wasn’t going to jump to conclusions either way until she told him exactly why she was there. “Is it okay?” Aubrey motioned with her helmet toward an end table. “Sure. Make yourself comfortable,” Vance said. And then he watched as she walked to the end of the couch, her movements slow. When she set her helmet down, he noticed it was with a shaky hand. Instead of turning around once she’d completed her task, Aubrey remained where she was. Her angle didn’t allow for him to see and study her face, only her profile, so there was no way to try to get a feeling for where she was emotionally. From the deliberateness of her deep breathing, he would say she was struggling with something, but until she talked to him, there was no way he could know what. After what seemed an eternity, she turned toward him. For the first time in a long while, Vance was not at all sure of what he should do or say. Should he go to her and start the conversation, or should he wait? He’d come to the frustrating conclusion that he had no idea in hell what the correct answer was when she made the first move. He’d expected something along the lines of her either joking or being her sassy self. What he never expected was that she would move to him, her emotions written clearly across every feature of her face, before slowly sinking to her knees in front of him.

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“I’m ready.” She spoke the words and Vance knew there was even a good possibility she meant them, but the unsure look in her eyes spoke of her confusion on the matter. Instead of having her stand, he moved a few feet away to sit in one of the overstuffed chairs occupying the room. With no more than a hand motion he called Aubrey to his side, half expecting her to rise and walk the short distance. When she instead crawled then settled in a kneeling position back at his feet, he smiled. “Good girl. Now tell me, what are you ready for?” “I’m ready to be yours.” She said the words he was hoping to hear, but Vance knew by the look on her face she was far from finished. “But?” he prompted. She smiled. “But we have a lot of things to talk about and I’m not sure how to go about getting it all figured out.” He’d known all along she was going to overanalyze and over-think things until she drove herself crazy doing so, and it seemed that was exactly what she’d done. “First, you stop trying to be in control of every little thing. Instead, try talking and working as a team because that is exactly what we will be if this is to work, Aubrey.” He gently stroked her cheek. “A team.” “But I thought—” Vance cut Aubrey off before she had the chance to get going. “The dynamic of any relationship we might have only has to work for us, no one else. I’m a firm believer that in order for things to work, and work well, we have to be able to talk without barriers and as equals.” Her relief was palpable, making him wonder. “What did you think? Perhaps that once you came and said you were ready I was going to start barking orders and completely disregard your needs and wishes?” The blush rising over her cheeks was cute. “It seems to be a fairly common occurrence at the club as well as the chat rooms I frequent.”

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“It might be a fairly common occurrence, but it isn’t one you’ll find here. I expect you to have opinions and thoughts, and I expect you to voice them honestly and openly. Are we clear on that?” “Yes Sir, and I’m glad. I don’t think I would be too good at hiding either.” “What I want to know is why you would even consider giving yourself to me if you thought I might want that type of relationship?” Aubrey seemed to be considering her words carefully. “If I hadn’t come here—to you—I never would have known for sure either way.” She hesitated briefly before continuing. “And because I care about you. A lot. I wasn’t willing not to take the first step in seeing if your feelings were at all mutual.” “You have feelings for me?” It was a hard admission and one Vance knew took extreme courage, but he had to be as sure as he possibly could and wanted to know why Aubrey thought she loved him. “I’ve had feelings for you for months now. I just didn’t know what to do about them or how to deal with them.” Aubrey’s voice shook a bit, but she never looked away from him. “What changed?” She appeared to ponder the question before finally answering. “I’ve changed. I finally realized these emotions don’t make me weak, and even if they did, it wouldn’t matter. I’ve tried to forget them but haven’t been able to. After talking with Mira, I decided to just go with it, to stop fighting myself and my feelings.” She released a huge sighing breath. “So here I am.” He leaned forward, gathering her face into his palms. “I’ve been falling for you for months, Bre. I’ve known it was a possibility since the first day you walked through the door of Club D/s flirting and driving me crazy with that sexy little body of yours.” He breathed the words against her mouth before taking it in a kiss that left him hard and aching.

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“I’m glad you like my body.” The vixen cupped her bountiful breasts, holding them up and together until the sight of her cleavage made his teeth ache to bite. “Why wouldn’t I like my property?” Vance couldn’t help the possessive tone of his voice any more than he could stop roaming every inch of her with his gaze. He watched as Aubrey tugged the neckline of her top until it cupped her breasts, lifting them. When she pulled one breast from the confines of her bra, licked her fingers then started plucking her nipple, he wanted more than anything to see its berry red peak clamped. To witness how the deep ache caused her eyes to gloss over. “Would you like to play with your property now then, Sir?” “We still have quite a bit of negotiating to do.” Her fingers stilled for a second before renewing their efforts. When she realized he was completely serious about their need for a long talk, she groaned. “Yes Sir.” “No. Stay just like that, baby. I think I want to watch you play with your cute little nipple while we talk.” The look to cross her face was priceless. Her reactions were so open that for Vance it was like a breath of fresh air. “Now where were we?” he asked when she resumed tugging and twisting her now-erect nipple. Their talk didn’t take nearly as long as Vance thought it would. It seemed they shared similar ideals where a power-dynamic relationship was concerned, making negotiating an easy task. When all finished, he petted the top of her head, alternately stroking and tangling his hand in her ponytail before removing the elastic band and letting it fall around her shoulders. “You please me greatly, Aubrey.” “Thank you, Sir. If you allow it, I would really like to please you even more right now.” She moved from where she was still seated at his feet until she was on her knees in front of him, a hand on each thigh. Her eyes twinkled with mischief and arousal. Vance answered with a nod as he leaned back in the chair, trying with all his might not to act as if his cock ruled his head. He was having a hard time of it because at the moment that was exactly how he felt.

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Trying to remain somewhat relaxed was impossible as Aubrey unfastened the snap of his jeans and then lowered the zipper. Once done, she struggled to tug them down onto his thighs, a move he was extremely grateful for given he was hard as a rock. She offered no preliminaries, merely sank her mouth down onto his length until her nose was buried in his lap. Vance nearly came on the spot, the feel of her throat muscles working his length proving to be almost too much. “Jeez, baby. Your mouth is so fucking hot.” With a hand tangled in her hair, he guided her head, fucking her face for his pleasure, and from the sounds she was making, hers as well. They alternated between him having complete control and Aubrey doing to his cock as she pleased until Vance was as close as he could possible get without actually coming. “Enough, Bre. Go to the nightstand drawer in my room and bring a condom and lube. I want you naked when you come back.” She scrambled to her feet, anticipation glowing across every feature of her beautiful face. “Yes Sir.” The two of them had talked about everything they could possibly think of. One of the things Vance had been excited to learn of was Aubrey’s overabundant willingness for anal sex. He grasped his cock, stroking it slowly up and down while he waited for her to return. He couldn’t think of anything better than the feel of her hot, tight ass grasping and releasing his cock as wave after wave of orgasmic pleasure washed over them both. When she came back she was gloriously nude, nothing on but a smile. “Here you go, Sir.” She handed him both the condom and lube. Vance scooted to the edge of the chair in order to remove his jeans. Aubrey was once again on her knees before him, helping without any hesitation or words asking her to do so. Her thoughtfulness earned her a deep, soul-searing kiss.

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With deft fingers Vance tore the foil package open and rolled the condom on the turgid length of his cock. When he’d finished protecting them, he tugged Aubrey up onto his lap. He teased her nipples with the sharp edge of his teeth, nibbling and biting until she squirmed against him, trying for all she was worth to move her sex closer to his length. “Rub yourself along my cock, baby. Let your pretty, wet pussy show me how much you want me. Show me how horny you are, Bre.” He growled the words low, loving her reaction, the way she moved, grinding her hips against his lap, rubbing her slick nether lips along his cock. Vance lifted Aubrey just enough to position himself at her entrance before sliding into her in one long stoke that stole both their breaths. “Yesss! Please, Sir. Please fuck me. Please.” Her body shook in his arms. She was more than ready, already close to orgasm it seemed. “When do you come?” Her breath was ragged when she answered. “When you say, Sir.” “Good girl.” She was so damn wet and hot. The sound of their sex as he slowly ground his hips up and into her was beyond erotic. The scent of their mingled sweat and arousal sent his senses spiraling but he refused to lose control. He wanted Aubrey mad with need when he entered her ass, felt its tight grip on his cock, and in order to get her there he had to stay in control. He set the pace slow, upping her need every time he leaned back enough to flick her clit, or forward enough to run his fingers up and down her ass just enough to graze the tiny pucker found there. Every time she tried to urge him on, Vance stopped all together. “My way, baby.” “Yes Sir. I know but…please.” Her voice was strained and sweat dotted her nose and upper lip.

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“Please what, Bre.” She looked at him, her cheeks pink with exertion and excitement. “Oh please. Please fuck me, Sir. Please make me come.” “I do love it when you beg.” This time there wasn’t a negative reaction. Instead, she buried her nose in the crook of his neck. Vance resumed his torturously slow pace. “How do you want me to fuck you, baby?” His question seemed to confuse her. Aubrey sat back up to look at him, her eyes clear and bright. “However you want, Sir. Wherever you want. I’m yours.” Her answer was his undoing. Vance swatted her ass, and before she could move, he stood, setting her on her knees on the cushion of the chair he’d just vacated. “Lean over the back of the chair, legs apart. I want to see everything, Bre.” Doing as instructed, she looked over her shoulder at him. She was absolutely exquisite, her ass and pussy on display, her skin pink with what was more than likely a combination of embarrassment and excitement. Vance closed in on her, a small bottle of lube in his hands. He squirted some on his fingers and watched her as he slipped first one then two inside her ass. Her indrawn breath teased his already struggling senses. But it was the look in her eyes and the breathy moan to slip from between her slightly parted lips that made not plowing into her in one long, deep stroke the hardest of all. With a hand on the small of her back, he held her firm, scissoring his fingers within the tight channel of her ass, stretching her, preparing her. By the time he was able to wedge a third finger into her tight sheath, Aubrey was pushing back, begging with her body for the release he was holding just out of her reach. Her movements became more frantic, her pleas to come running together until they were nearly incoherent. Vance stilled her with several stinging swats to her upturned ass cheeks. The sight of his fingers entering and retreating from the pink star of her ass caused his cock to leak and his need to increase.

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When he was completely sure she was stretched and ready for his cock, Vance slowly pulled his fingers from her ass and placed the head of his cock in their place. “Arms behind your back, baby.” She had still been watching him but now had to lower her chest until it rested on the back of the chair. Once her hands were behind her back, Vance grasped her wrists in one hand while his other rested on her hip. And then he entered her. His movements were slow, methodic, as inch by inch he pressed forward, keeping the pace steady. “Your ass feels like heaven wrapped around my cock, Bre. Just like I knew it would.” The sounds coming from her as her pleasure mixed with just enough pain to keep her right on edge were beautiful. She had started begging to come before he’d even fully seated his length deep inside her ass. “You have permission to come at will so show me what you’ve got.” Vance had not even completed the sentence before she bucked back against him, her arms straining for release, her inner muscles rippling around his dick, milking and squeezing. It took everything in him not to follow her over, but he had other plans. Her breathing was still accelerated, her pulse through the roof when he grasped her hands in his, using the leverage to fuck her the way he liked—hard and fast. She grunted as his first stroke pushed her into the chair back then hissed and moaned as his cock retreated only to plow home again. “Fuck. Fuck yessss!” Aubrey arched her back, her entire body bowed tight as his cock plundered the depths of her ass squeezing him like a vise. “Please…harder. Please, Sir.”

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Vance scooted impossibly closer then wedged his thighs between hers spreading her even wider. He continued to power into her, pressing her into the back of the chair, fucking her until their moans of delight mingled and there was nothing left in the world but the two of them. The feel of Aubrey’s ass once again rippling around his cock was all it took to send Vance over the edge. She screamed his name, bucking wildly against him, accepting everything he wanted and offering more than he ever could have imagined. It took a minute before Vance felt as if he could move. When his legs would finally hold him, he disposed of the condom then scooped Aubrey into his arms. He carried her up the hall and into his room where he cleaned her, ignoring her embarrassed protests that she could do it herself. “I take care of what is mine so hush,” he said as he crawled beneath the covers next to her. Aubrey yawned big, curled up on her side, and before he’d even managed to pull her close, she was sound asleep and softly snoring. It was the first time in years Vance could ever remember sleeping with a woman in his bed. Everything about it felt right.

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Chapter Six It didn’t seem to Aubrey as if much time had passed. She and Vance hadn’t lasted but a couple of months before she’d made the move to his place. Things only seemed to get better afterward. It had taken some getting used to at first. Vance’s surroundings were much more organized than hers. Where she preferred trinkets and bright colors, he liked muted earth tones and had a specific spot for everything. Sinking her toes into the plush tan carpet, Aubrey glanced around. The furniture was all suede and overstuffed. The kind a person could sink into. But where before the theme seemed overall plain to her it now boasted touches of color here and there. Deep burgundy throw pillows rested on the couch and chairs, the polished surface of the coffee table was scattered with magazines. The little additions continued throughout the house, including the dungeon. Much to Aubrey’s joy, Vance didn’t seem to mind one bit, at least not when it came to her colorful clutter or overabundance of toiletries. There were plenty of other little things he seemed to have a problem with though. It was mostly due to her wild ways. He never tried to change her, but after a close call at work earlier in the day, one in which Aubrey’s main parachute failed to open, she didn’t think Vance would show up to watch her jump anymore. After landing, she’d laughed and commented on how much fun the adrenaline rush was. He, evidently, hadn’t thought the same. Without more than a warning he’d see her at home, he left. Once home it was easy to see just how upset he was. She shivered at the look in his eyes, the tone of his voice. “You are a fucking lunatic when you jump, Aubrey.” 57

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“I don’t do the job because it’s safe. I do it because I love it. I was as safe as I could be, Sir.” “Didn’t look so safe to me,” he grumbled. His voice was calm yet his hands shook. His face was warm against her palms as she cupped his cheeks to place a kiss gently on his lips. “I love you too.” He smiled then, a wicked smile she never knew whether to fear or be intrigued by, but one that always managed to make her instantly horny. Her pussy wept for what might come. Thank goodness she didn’t have to wait long before he finally spoke. “I want you naked and kneeling beside the bed.” Aubrey knew better than to delay by inquiring as to what he had planned. It would only make things worse—or better—depending on how one thought of it. “Yes Sir,” she responded before heading to their room to do as instructed. She knelt beside the bed for what seemed like hours. With no clock to look at, it could have been mere minutes, but she was sure she was going to go insane before his fine ass finally showed up. When he made his way through the door, the first thing she noticed were the implements he was carrying. Two things Aubrey had a love-hate relationship with—a set of mean nipple clamps and a cane. “Lift your breasts and show me how much you want my clamps, Bre.” Without hesitation she did as asked. They were wicked and fairly heavy with a pretty chain connecting them. It then wrapped around her waist. They made her nipples burn and ache in a way that flooded her pussy and made her clit immediately throb to life. She inhaled on a hiss when he attached them, loving the feel, wanting more than anything to lower his zipper and suck his cock deep into her mouth. Because she hadn’t been invited or instructed to do so, therefore didn’t. If the cane was any indication, he had other plans for her.

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“Good girl. Now facedown on the bed.” Moving was both exquisitely good and excruciatingly bad with the weight and pinch of the clamps pulling on her nipples. Getting comfortable while lying down impossible. “Now tell me how much fun the adrenaline rush of a parachute failure is. Tell me, Bre, how it is okay to completely overlook and take seriously the possible dangers because you were having a good time.” Aubrey had known then she was in trouble. She also realized it wasn’t her job he was upset about. It was her disregard for the possibility of what might have happened. “I didn’t mean it that way, Sir.” “Doesn’t matter how you meant it. What matters is how you will mean it the next time there is a problem, how you will react and how you will do whatever necessary to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Most importantly it matters how you care for what is mine, Aubrey.” “Yes Sir. I understand.” “Good. Now how many do you propose?” If there was anything Aubrey hated it was to be given the dubious job of figuring out the extent of corrective measures she was to receive. It was like being stuck between a rock and a hard spot. If she were to give an extremely low number, she would feel guilty as hell. To give a high number would not be good for her ass, especially with the cane he’d chosen. “Five, Sir.” Vance ran his hand along the cane’s length. “Then five it is.” It was one thing to be caned in an erotic way. In such an instance, touching and petting in between and after being warmed by nice stingy swats from his large, rough palm could damn near make her come. However, it was quite another when done as a corrective measure with no warm-up, only the blinding sting of each stroke.

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Oh sure, afterward the heat made her wet and ready, but the knowing she’d disappointed always managed to make the experience one she would have bypassed if given the chance. This time was no exception. By the third downward swish of the cane across the tender flesh of her upper thighs and ass she was crying. Not for mercy, which she knew without a doubt would not come until all five had landed, but for his touch. Begging for anything that would let her know all would be forgotten once he was finished. Counting out the five was hard as hell, but it kept her focused and knowing there was an end in sight. When the last finally came, she was out of breath and sweating. Vance stroked his hands across the welts left on her offended flesh before leaning down to nibble the back of her neck. “Up.” He was undressing. “I want you to sit on my cock, and if you’re a good girl, I’ll even let you come.” How she loved it when he said such things to her. With her ass stinging and her nipples aching, Aubrey straddled him as fast as humanly possible. There had been no preliminaries other than to sheath his length in a condom. In one fell swoop she’d taken his engorged cock into her depths, reveling in his every moan, grunt and dirty word of approval. The clamps still biting her nipples stung with each move, the intense feeling shot splinters of arousal to every nerve ending in her body. Her elevated state of arousal was part of the love-hate relationship she had with the cane and clamps. Even though wicked, they made her so wet and horny it was hard not to fall over as she rode his thick shaft. His girth and length filled her. Their rhythm rubbed her clit perfectly with each downward grind of her hips. The same motion brought the sensitive flesh of her ass in contact with him, rubbing each welt, sending her mind whirling in ecstasy. “Please, Sir. May I come?” Her plea for release escaped on a ragged breath.

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“Not yet.” Aubrey was sure she was going to die when the feel of his hand on her breast caught her attention and held it. She knew what was coming and wasn’t so sure she would be able to hold back the impending orgasm when he removed the clamp. “Look at me, Aubrey, and don’t look away.” His tone was commanding, nononsense. “When do you come?” “When you say, Sir.” “Very good. When I say. You can do it, baby. For me.” “Yes…oh God! Yes Sir.” There was no way around it. The rush of pain and pleasure as he removed the clamp stole her breath. He applied pressure with the heel of one hand while tracing the tear running down her cheek with a finger from the other. Even while in the throes of nearly overwhelming heat and arousal, his fetish for tears had the ability to amuse and make her smile. “You are so beautiful, such a good girl. Ride my cock, and this time you have my permission to come.” “Thank you.” Her movements started slow then increased in tempo until she was lifting herself completely from his length before slamming down again, grinding her hips until her clit received the attention it needed. “Oh please…please…please.” “Yes baby. Now.” He continued to guide her hips with one hand while with the other he removed the second clamp just as her sheath rippled around his cock, the wave of her orgasm just starting. The flash of extreme pain and blinding pleasure sent her splintering into a million pieces before the feel of his arms around her brought Aubrey back to earth again. She didn’t even know if he’d come or not. She wanted to ask, to insist if he didn’t she’d satisfy his needs, but couldn’t seem to string the words together in order to do so. Her entire body shook and her teeth chattered. It was a feeling she didn’t care for but had long ago learned she could do nothing about. She waited it out within the warmth of his embrace, loving the feel of his closeness, the depth of their love. 61

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Aubrey was everything he could have hoped for and more. Not only was she his match in the bedroom, or wherever he decided to take her, but she was his match in life. Her submissive tendencies mirrored his dominant traits, leaving them with a connection much stronger than any he’d ever before experienced. Because of those feelings, Vance had decided to take a step to further cement their relationship. Vance waited until Aubrey’s body stopped shaking before he moved from the bed. Her eyes were open, their clear green depths watching his every step. “I’ll be right back, Bre.” She nodded then snuggled deeper beneath the covers in a way that always made him want to coddle and keep her safe. His little hell-raiser. Padding barefoot and naked across the room, Vance pulled a silk drawstring bag from inside the top drawer of his dresser before heading down the hall to the dungeon that was really nothing more than an extra room he’d long ago set up with every kinky implement he’d ever need and then some. It was the room where Vance and Aubrey seemed to most enjoy themselves. It was also the room where he planned to show her just how important she was and what their relationship meant to him. Pulling two boxes from the bag, he set them on a table beside an overstuffed chair where he had spent many an hour watching Aubrey bound and on display. Once everything was set perfectly, he went back to the bedroom for Aubrey. She opened her sleepy eyes as he moved closer. When he held out a hand to her, she didn’t balk about getting out of the warm bed as many would. Instead she placed her hand in his, slid from beneath the blankets in all her nude glory and followed him to the dungeon where Vance sat in the overstuffed chair next to the table he’d prepared. “Several months back you came to me and told me you were ready.” Her gaze roamed the room, landing on the table where the open boxes rested, and her eyes filled with tears. “Yes Sir, I did, and I have had no regrets about my decision.”

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“None? Even when your ass is sore from my cane and your muscles ache from the time I’ve kept you bound until you begged release? Even when I make you cry?” She moved closer to him and Vance could smell the scent of their earlier sex on her body. It always pleased him immensely. Where several months back her motions might have been awkward and jerky, Aubrey now lowered herself before him with nothing less than gracefulness. Knees spread and back straight just the way he preferred, she gazed up at him. “Especially not during those times, Sir.” “And why is that, Aubrey? Help me to understand why being owned is something you would willingly choose. Why would you give up your freedom to be my property, even if cherished?” Her smile was stunning, the tears running down her cheeks caused a flame of desire to arrow straight to his groin. “That’s the easy part, Sir. I’m not only owned by you, I’m also loved by you. Both give me freedom, not take it away.” She trailed a hand up his thigh, her gaze filled with both arousal and longing. “In that freedom I’ve been allowed to experience things such as bondage and the sting of your cane, and I’ve been able to share my tears. So why wouldn’t I want to be yours, to give everything I am and trust when you know I have the ability to give even more?” “Then I will ask you again but only for a different reason this time.” Vance spoke as he removed the twisted silver choker-length chain from its box. “Are you ready?” Still kneeling before him, Aubrey lifted her hair, baring her neck. “Yes Sir. I’m ready.” They had often talked about the type of collar she would wear, what it would mean to the two of them and how it could fit into her day-to-day life. They both enjoyed the traditional aspects of something around her neck, but with her line of work, it was something that needed to be removable, so Vance had settled on the necklace. Instead of stopping there though, he had gone on to have an anklet made as well. It was a band of interlocking, solid silver bars and could only be opened with a special 63

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key. He now held it in his hands for her perusal, enjoying the shock and happiness shining in her eyes. “It’s beautiful.” “I’m glad you think so. Now let me see your pretty little ankle.” Aubrey lifted her foot then moaned when Vance lightly ran his fingers up the inside of her thigh. “Greedy little thing,” he commented when she closed her legs, trying to stop his hand close to her pussy before finally making his way to her ankle. Once the anklet was locked securely in place he went back to teasing and torturing her inner thighs until Aubrey was out of breath, her folds slick and wet in anticipation of his touch. Turning things up a notch, he lifted her onto his lap, enjoying the feel of her bare flesh and curves pressed tight to him. She settled into his lap, her arms wound around his neck while kissing and nibbling his lower lip. At the same time he rubbed and flicked her clit, bringing her closer and closer to an orgasm he had no intention of allowing just yet. When her body was tense with need and she was begging for release, he stopped. “Maybe we need to have another negotiations talk,” he teased. Aubrey rubbed her hand down his chest to rest on the cloth-covered length of his aroused cock. “Sir, is it possible to negotiate and fuck at the same time?” He couldn’t help but chuckle when she teased right back. Vance answered by jerking her impossibly closer. “Anything is possible, Bre.”

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About the Author Maggie Casper’s life could be called many things but boring isn’t one of them. If asked, Maggie would tell you that blessed would more aptly describe her everyday existence. Marrying young and being loved by a great husband and four gorgeous daughters should be enough to make anybody feel blessed. Add to that a bit of challenge, a lot of fun and an undeniably close circle of friends and family and you’d be walking in her shoes. Speaking of challenges and fun, when not writing, Maggie’s alter ego spends her time fighting fires and treating patients as a Lieutenant and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician with the local fire department. These awesome people are like her second family, no picking and choosing, they’re just stuck with her. A love of reading was passed on by Maggie’s mother at a very early age, and so began her addiction to romance novels. Maggie admits to writing some in high school but when life got in the way, she put her pen and paper up. Seems that things changed over the years because when she finally decided it was time to put her story ideas on paper, the pen was out and the computer was in. Took her a while to catch up but she finally made it. When not writing, Maggie can usually be found reading, doing genealogy research or watching NASCAR. Maggie welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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Also by Maggie Casper Christmas Cash Friends With Benefits – with Lena Matthews Maverick’s Black Cat – with Lena Matthews O’Malley Wild: Hayden’s Hellion O’Malley Wild: Honoring Sean O’Malley Wild: Zane’s Way O’Malley Wild 4: Tying the Knot Tied and Tempting Wicked Memories

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