Bondage Ranch 6: Taming the Mistress (16 page)

“I like what I’ve seen so far. And you’re a complex person. I’m sure it will be a fascinating journey.”

Chapter Eleven

“You’re sure you’re ready for this?” Dane asked. They had stepped out into the cold winter air, and she was bundled up in layers. He seemed comfortable in a lightweight jacket, despite the snow still on the ground. And he was wearing his kilt, which had to be cold. She’d never known him to wear anything beneath it. But he seemed impervious to the elements.

“I’m sure. I want to make a statement.” Sue kissed him on the cheek. He kept asking, even though it had been her idea as much as his. They’d been sleeping at each other’s homes for weeks until finally agreeing it was better when she stayed at his house. Half her clothes were moved over, even though when she was in his home she was rarely allowed to wear anything at all. “This is who we are. Why should we hide it?”

Dylan and Alex often invited a half dozen couples up to Bondage Ranch for a private monthly play party, and Sue had been on the guest list for a long time as a dominant. She didn’t usually go, because she was often the only domme there, and watching all the doms with their women had made her heart ache. Especially since Bruce and Laera were regulars. She enjoyed their company, but when she was feeling lonely, she didn’t always like watching them play, and in the smaller setting, it was worse than in a club. This time, however, the Allisons had expanded the event and were expecting over twenty people. They’d all be packed in the living room and the dungeon as it was too cold to play outdoors.

Dane put his arm around her waist. “You’re right. We shouldn’t hide it, not among our own tribe. I just want to be sure.”

“Because you care about me.” She smiled. “I’m happy not to be Mistress Sue anymore. It was good for a very long time. I have memories to treasure and friends I’ve made. Some fancy clothes you might let me wear sometime. A collection of whips I can put on eBay.” She giggled. “Life isn’t about staying in one place. It’s about moving forward.”

Dane’s face went tight. Sue didn’t know why. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I was rather hoping I would be more than a passing phase,” he said.

“Oh, I think you are. Or I wouldn’t be selling my stuff, now would I?” She wasn’t sure whether light was the way to go with him or not. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you insecure before!”

He opened the truck door. They’d planned to take her car, but with the chance of some snowfall in the mountains, the truck was the better choice. “I’ve never let someone become as important as you are. I will help you make your statement.” Was there a trace of a grin on his face?

Oh
. She jumped into the truck with a boost from his hand on her bottom. He had spanked her the night before, and she was still sensitive. The memory made her smile, and then she absorbed his words. She realized she hadn’t ever let any of the men she’d dated over the last several years become very important to her either. She cared about them, yes. But she was always ready to let them go if they stepped out of line, and made sure they knew it. It was part of the dynamic than turned them on. She was the queen, and they had to prove themselves worthy. Hell, it was when she went soft on Frank that she’d lost him. Could the same happen between her and Dane?

By the time he got in the truck on the driver’s side, she knew the answer.

“Master?”

Dane smiled. “Hmm?”

“You know that whether you’re rough or gentle, up or down, I will be yours, don’t you? You’re very strong and confident, and I love that, but if you ever need to break down and cry, I’ll hold you and love you all the same.”

He looked at her curiously, his key unturned in the ignition. “I don’t need to cry.”

She nodded. “If you ever do, I’m here.” It occurred to her she’d never out and out told him she loved him before. She supposed even now she’d sort of slipped it in.

“What brought that up?”

“A memory. It doesn’t matter. The point is you’re not a passing phase. And you don’t need to be Lord and Master Dane the Magnificent every second to be
my
Master. I know all about the cost of having to be an ideal to make a relationship work. And, well, the admission you were feeling insecure because I was important?”

“Yes?” he said, looking uncomfortable.

“It made me feel really, really good. I’ve always liked to keep men guessing.” She grinned. “But for you, just know you’ve got no reason to worry.”

He turned the key in the ignition. “Good. Because I have something extra planned for tonight.”

“Are you going to tell me what it is?”

He shook his head. “Nope.”

“Didn’t think so.” She leaned back. The other night she had asked if he had any fantasies he’d wanted her to fulfill. He told her he didn’t have fantasies, just plans. It had given her goose bumps. She liked it when he had plans. They always seemed to be sexy plans.

After that, he’d taken her in the shower.

The drive to Bondage Ranch took two hours, and Sue’s calm bravado slowly ebbed as they approached. Dane had told her to stay in her work clothes, which consisted of a wool skirt and an angora sweater over a blouse. She was even wearing pantyhose because of the cold. If she’d been dressed in fetish wear, there would have been a chance something would stay on, but she knew everything she was wearing would be coming off when she entered the Allisons’ home.

Hopefully he would put her leather play collar around her neck to mark her as his. She was pretty sure he would. That would provide some sense of protection, even if she was stark naked. But still, to be bare in front of all those people who knew her first and foremost as Mistress Sue made her nervous, despite what she’d had in mind at Crypt of Fate. Hell, it had made her nervous then.

This time, at least she knew Dane was hers. He’d take care of her, however he did it. Having faith was hard when she was used to being in control, but she thought she was getting better at it. She leaned back in her seat.
I’ve had a good life so far, but now I’m even happier.

There were nearly a dozen cars in the lot when they finally arrived. Dane took a bag out of the back of the cab and then came around to join Sue. As they walked up to the door, Sue could feel her heart beating hard. Seeming to sense her nervousness, Dane put his arm around her. Once again, he seemed completely in control and confident. That helped. If he was sure things were going to be okay, then they probably were.
Of course, he has less on the line
. She shoved that thought down.

Dane rang the bell.

After a full minute, they were greeted at the door by Dylan, dressed immaculately as usual. He wore a velvet tailcoat and a top hat, which he lifted politely as he stepped back and gestured for them to enter. Sue was surprised. She’d been looking forward to Alex greeting them, in part because Alex would almost certainly be partly undressed, which would make it easier for Sue to take her own clothes off.

“Where’s Alex?” Sue asked after the men exchanged greetings and shook hands.

“In the dungeon, playing hostess and avoiding the cold blast from opening the door,” Dylan said. He gestured to the nearby closet. “Feel free to hang up your coats, and we look forward to you joining us. Everybody’s in the dungeon, where we have the temperature turned up toasty.” Dylan looked at Dane. “The furniture you requested has been reserved for you.”

Sue wondered what that meant, so she asked. “What’s that?”

Dane shook his head. Dylan shrugged. “I guess you’ll find out.” Then Dylan turned and walked away.

Sue turned to Dane. He had plans, obviously. “Do I keep anything on?”

Dane smiled and shook his head. “Of course not.”

To her surprise, he didn’t stop at taking off his coat but removed his shirt as well. He often wandered around the house naked or clad only in jeans or his kilt, but she didn’t expect him to here.
Maybe I should have
. It made her feel better about removing her own clothes.

He took her coat, then put her sweater on a hanger and draped the coat over the sweater.

She breathed deeply and removed the rest. Shoes. Shirt. Hose. Bra. She had a cute thong on, so she stopped. “Dane, what is your wish?”

“I already told you.”

“You did.”
Darn
. She slipped it off. Knowing this might be coming, she had taken particular care shaving herself earlier. If she was going to be naked, she wanted to at least be presentable, and in this context, she felt more comfortable bare.

He cupped her mound and then pulled her to him. “You’re beautiful, Sue.”

“May I have my collar now, Master?” That too would help. The more like a typical slave she looked, the better. It would be easier to lose herself in the role of slave rather than be Sue, the once-mistress.

“Not yet.” He folded her clothes and put them on a shelf in the closet. Clearly, they would not be available for the rest of the evening.

“But the collar makes a statement,” she insisted, feeling insubordinate. She was afraid of him losing sight of the purpose of their coming—to make a statement about her changed life and their relationship.

Dane turned to her. “Sue. Trust me.” He caressed her neck, right where the collar would go. “Can you do that?”

“Yes, Dane.” She looked up at him, aware it bared her throat.

He put his hand on her neck so it was between his thumb and his forefinger. She didn’t flinch. He squeezed, constricting her breath. She relaxed. She knew he wasn’t going to choke her. He was in control, and he would keep her safe.

He smiled. “Good girl.” He removed his hand from her neck and took her hand in his instead. He picked up his bag with the other. “Now then. Let’s go.”

She let him lead her down the hall to the dungeon. His booted footsteps echoed in the chamber where once her heels had click-clacked, but now she was barefoot.

He bent down and kissed her, letting go of her hand to run his fingers through her hair. She kissed back, loving the way he took her breath away.

“I love you, Sue.”

She gulped. “I love you too, Dane.”

He grinned and gripped her hair. “Statement time.”

She nodded, or tried to. She couldn’t move her head. “Yes.”

He let go of his bag, turned the handle on the door, and pushed it forward slightly. Then he picked up the bag again and shoved the door open the rest of the way with his boot, never letting go of her hair.

Uh-oh.

People were playing, as expected. Arthur had Sam tied to an X-frame and was flogging her. John and Sheila were using the spanking bench for a tickling scene, and Sheila’s screams and giggles filled the room. But most of the people were lounging and talking. These play parties had a more relaxed atmosphere, and when they were smaller, people hung out in the living room. Everyone, it seemed to her, turned and stared as Dane led her into the room. Bruce and Laera. Dylan and Alex. James and Selena. Diego and Emma. Aidan and Constance. Veronica, the one other female dominant who sometimes came to the private parties, with her sub, Marcia. A few others she barely knew. All the women except Veronica and Selena were mostly naked and collared. Alex had managed to keep a thong on somehow.

Dane pulled her forward, making her scalp hurt. It was more effective at saying “she’s mine” than a collar and cuffs would have been.

She tried to look around to see what furniture he might have reserved. There was a St. Andrew’s cross free and a waxing table. The suspension frame wasn’t being used, so he might tie her up there. He led her past the waxing table to the center of the room. The throne she’d been sitting on when he’d first met her was there, and a cushion in front of it. It was out of its usual place, and yet no one was on it.

He pulled her to the cushion. He dropped his bag and sat in the chair, tugging her down as he did so. She went to her knees.

“Put your hands behind your back, and spread your knees apart. Let me see everything.”

“Others can see too,” Sue objected.

“That doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, Master.” The thought made her blush, but how many times had she told subs the same thing?
Don’t worry about anyone else in the room. Focus on me
. She looked up at him and tried to narrow her field of view as she obeyed, but she couldn’t help but be aware of the others.

Especially since everyone seemed to stop what they were doing. Sheila ceased shrieking. People were leaving their chairs and getting closer. It was spooky. Dane reached into his bag.

Maybe he’s getting my collar now.

What he pulled out was a collar, but it was different. It was made of metal, a simple silver hoop a quarter inch wide, and big enough to fit around her neck.

“Would you take my collar, Sue, and take me as your Master, and be my slave?”

She nodded, although she felt suddenly short of breath. She hadn’t expected this. She hadn’t planned it. Everyone was watching. They had moved close enough to hear now.

“Yes, Master,” she said. She’d been tempted to whisper, but she said it loud and clear.

“This won’t come off once it’s on.”

She looked at it. It wouldn’t look like a collar to anyone who didn’t know. Engraved into it were pretty Celtic knot designs. Unusual. “Good,” she said.

He separated the ends of the hoop. It was flexible enough that he could fit it around her neck, and then it snapped back into place. He turned it around so the back was in front.

“I need you to stay very, very still.”

She nodded.

From his bag he pulled out something that fit in his hand and had a small tank attached to it. He pressed a button, and flame leaped from it, blue and an inch long. He let go, and the flame was gone. She knew why he was showing her: to stress the importance of staying still.

“I won’t move, Dane.”
Except for maybe a shiver.

He lowered the torch and held the collar. A moment later, her neck felt warm. She didn’t flinch but waited. He wouldn’t harm her. The warmth continued, and then he took the torch away.

He turned the collar around her neck again and kissed her.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “I couldn’t have made the statement any better.”