Mina's Heart (28 page)

He knew Isla, as she frequently did, had been ready to call an end by suggesting they move on to another activity. From the look in his eyes, Wilder had been seconds away from taking Lydia home, which would have prevented her from spending her chips. Jude might have tried to extract the promise of having his house cleaned from Sydney, but he wouldn’t have forced the issue if she’d declined. Or Sydney would have traded that responsibility to Sara.

After four hours of eating and playing cards, Ever had truly expected his friends to start making their excuses. Mina had derailed all that by cashing in her bet. Knowing her, she’d picked up on the unresolved sexual tension between Sara and Jude, and she’d wanted to help them.

But Jude’s relationship with Sara was complicated by a history neither of them was willing to share with the group. Though Ever had known Sara just as long as Jude—Ever had been the one to hire her—nobody knew exactly what had gone on the night she’d shaved stripes into his eyebrow. Since that time, the pair had vacillated between friendly and veiled hostility.

In response to Jude’s disappearance, Micah raised one dark brow at Everett and Wilder. Both brothers shrugged. None of them were going to point out that all prizes were to be publicly awarded. Mina’s back was to the playroom door, so she wouldn’t know what was going on anyway.

Sydney stretched. Her long, dark hair fell back over her shoulders. Ever noticed that she’d put her clothes back on. Looking around, he observed that everyone had dressed.

With a loud yawn, Sydney said, “Look at the time. I need to get to bed. I have an early morning tomorrow.”

Pete slapped Eva on the ass. She flinched and smiled. Stepping closer, he put his arms around her. “Yeah, us too. We have a late night ahead of us.”

Ever let Wilder escort their friends to the door. Not only did he refuse to leave Mina; he wanted to make sure Sara was all right. He liked that his friends knew when to hit the road. While they were well within their rights to stay and see how everything turned out, he preferred that Mina face this with just him around.

He heard the door open and close several times. Though he knew Wilder and Lydia hadn’t left, they didn’t return to the basement.

Several minutes had passed. Ever didn’t want Mina disciplined like this. He loved her spunky spirit. He stopped the machine and withdrew the dildo. She hadn’t enjoyed it, but she hadn’t seemed to be in any discomfort either. He found it excessive to keep her on there until Jude and Sara emerged from the playroom. He loosened the restraints and helped her off the bench.

“Are you sore?” He ran his palms over her shoulders and down her arms, trying to see where she was tight.

She shivered. “I’m cold.”

Her skin did feel a lot cooler than it had before. The teddy she’d been wearing wouldn’t be enough to replace the body heat she’d lost. He shrugged out of his shirt and gave it to her. “Put this on. I’ll take you upstairs and help you get dressed.”

She regarded his offering warily, but she took the shirt and pulled it over her head. “I can get dressed by myself.”

“Mina.” He didn’t want to leave her side. A sixth sense warned him that it could be disastrous. After what he’d made her endure, she had to be in a fragile place emotionally. He hadn’t listened to this nagging feeling when he’d gone on that trip six years ago, and she’d ended their relationship. He’d be damned if he’d make the same mistake.

She lowered her gaze, but she seemed defeated instead of submissive. “I’m sorry, Master. I only meant that I understand if you need to stay here for your guests.”

He slid his arms around her body and held her against him. “Nothing is more important to me than you.”

She shivered again, and he had the impression that she was fighting the urge to squirm out of his embrace.

“Honey? Talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong. I’m sorry about tonight. I didn’t see this coming. I’m very proud of you, though, for the graceful way you submitted.” He smoothed her hair away from her face and kissed her temple.

She nodded, but she didn’t say anything. He wanted to press her for details, but the playroom door opened, and Jude came out, leading a subdued Sara. Though she let him hold her hand, she kept her gaze fastened on the floor. Her hair was tousled, and her lips were swollen. If they’d gone in there and faked it, Everett wouldn’t have called them on not following through with their end of the bet.

Mina might have, though.

Jude regarded him with an expression that was both critical and icy. His gaze flickered down to Mina and back up, dropping a few degrees in transit. “We will never speak of this.”

Ever expected Mina to turn around and protest, but she didn’t move. He hadn’t expected his friend to be so angry. He wanted to say something to set everything right. “Jude, I—”

“Not. A. Word.” Jude narrowed his eyes, turned on his heel, and hauled Sara after him.

Ever wanted to speak with Sara, to make sure she was all right. Like Mina, she appeared defeated. In the past, their games had always ended with everyone in high spirits. This time, everything had gone horribly sideways. He let Jude and Sara leave. Right now, Mina was his priority.

He led her around the room, shutting off the lights as they went. Cleanup could wait until the morning.

They made it as far as the living room. Wilder and Lydia awaited them. Lydia had changed into what passed for street clothes for her—a flattering blouse and a skirt. Ever had been hiking with the pair before, and he knew firsthand that Lydia’s outdoor look was just as stylish.

Wilder’s gaze lingered on Mina. Ever had no idea what thoughts were winging through his brother’s mind, and he didn’t want to know.

“I guess we’ll see you guys later.” He motioned toward the door.

Wilder didn’t take the bait. “Ever, did Mina know that we don’t usually cash in our chips for sex acts the last round? That we put those offerings on the menus as jokes?”

While they did sometimes redeem prizes for bondage or housecleaning services, they had never gone beyond flogging or spanking when involving people with whom they weren’t romantically connected. The offerings were as much dares as jokes. Perhaps they’d been too arrogant, and now Jude and Sara were chafing at having their collective bluffs called.

Ever shook his head. “I didn’t think she would go that far. It was her first time, and she’s quite shy. That was my fault. I should have forbade her from playing the last round.”

Behind him, Mina seemed to shrink into herself. He couldn’t let her feel guilty for playing the game the way the rules had been laid out.

“You have to admit, it needed to be done. Jude and Sara need to work out their issues.” Maybe he sounded defensive. So what?

Wild stuck his hand in his pocket and nodded thoughtfully. “I know, but they would have taken it better coming from one of us.”

“Sara is very open about her crush on Jude.” Lydia stepped forward, abandoning her submissive role, something she frequently did.

Ever disagreed. “Not in front of him, she’s not. It’s something he doesn’t acknowledge.”

“I didn’t know.” Mina pulled her hand from his grip and folded her arms across her body. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset anybody. I thought it was clear they both wanted to be together.”

“They don't talk about it.” Wilder stepped forward and placed his hands on Mina’s shoulders. “I wish I could say it won’t be a bumpy ride with those two for a long time, but I’d be lying. Neither of them is going to thank you for this.”

Mina nodded and looked away. Ever wanted to take her in his arms and assure her that everything was going to be all right, but he needed Wilder to leave first. She’d never liked having a private conversation in front of another person, even Wilder.

Wilder kissed her cheek, whispered something in her ear, and reached for Lydia’s hand. Lydia squeezed Mina’s hand, but she didn’t say anything. The pair moved toward the door.

“Wait,” Mina said. “Doesn’t Ever owe you a flogging?”

Lydia gave a tolerant smile. “That’s okay. Micah already left.”

“But Ever and Wild can do it, can’t they? It doesn’t seem fair that I should ruin the night for everybody. You looked so excited when you asked for your prize.” Mina ripped her gaze from Lydia and peered up at Ever with wide, pleading eyes.

He couldn’t find the will to refuse her. “All right. Did you want to watch or wait upstairs?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Wilder interrupted. “We’re going home. Maybe next time, if Lydia is a really good girl.”

Mina’s face fell. Ever crooked his finger under her chin and lifted her face, urging her to look at him. “Did you want to see a flogging?”

She blinked, surprised. “Yes. I want to understand why people like them.”

He didn’t know why she would be surprised, but like the rest of their issues, that discussion would have to wait for when they were alone. Facing Wilder, he lifted his brows with a silent question. His brother nodded.

“Pet, it looks like you’re going to get your way after all. Come on downstairs. I’ll get you set up.” Wild led Lydia toward the stairs to the dungeon.

Ever lifted Mina in his arms and carried her upstairs. She squeaked and threw her arms around his neck. This was the Mina he’d loved and lost, back at long last. He liked it.

“I won’t drop you.”

“I know. You just surprised me, that’s all.”

He captured her lips in a searing kiss. He had every reason to believe things were going to be fine.

* * * *

In the dungeon, Mina sat on the padded sawhorse with her feet dangling down either side. She had yet to experience this piece of equipment while she was naked, but she still knew its general purpose.

After instructing her to dress in something comfortable, Ever had left her alone in the bedroom. He hadn’t told her to meet him in the basement, just that they’d be down there if she wanted to join them, leaving the door open for her to change her mind.

The idea of impact play had held a fascination for Mina ever since John had introduced her to that friend of a friend who, John had said, lived an alternative lifestyle. Mina originally thought that meant the man was gay. It turned out he was, but John had meant the man’s leather collar and the fact that he was led around on a leash by his master.

Mina didn’t want that kind of life, but meeting the pair had opened her eyes to a world she never imagined—a world that had shed an entirely new light on Everett Burke. She had wanted to talk to him for years, to track him down and ask why he had never talked to her about the concepts of domination and submission.

Seeing him after her accident had cemented that determination in her head. Divine providence—in the forms of Macy and Isla—had intervened to tell her to take the chance, but after Jude’s warning, she wasn’t sure whether providence was on her side.

She wore a pair of sweatpants and Ever’s shirt. He hadn’t asked for it back. Judging from the fact that Wild had also shed his shirt, neither of them planned to stay fully clothed. Flogging had to be physically demanding work, so it stood to reason they anticipated working up a sweat.

Wilder bound Lydia to the same set of chains hanging from the ceiling that had held Mina captive in front of Ever only the day before. She was completely naked, revealing creamy, dark skin, a finely sculpted figure, and an enviable pair of breasts.

Wilder asked Lydia questions, murmuring in a low tone as he secured the bindings. From having been in that position, she figured he was making sure he wasn’t tying her too tight.

The expression on Lydia’s face captivated Mina’s attention. She appeared excited and serene. Calm energy emanated from her, rendering her positively radiant.

Ever came to stand next to Mina. He touched her hand lightly. “If at any time you need to leave, just do it quietly. I’ll understand, but I don’t want anything to disturb Lydia’s session.”

Mina tore her gaze from Ever’s future sister-in-law and gave him her full attention. “Have you done this before?”

He took a deep breath as he thought. “Not with Lydia. It’s been a while since Wilder and I worked together. He’s more into bondage. Lydia’s the one who likes the impact play.”

“What about you?” She had to know. While she might want to watch someone else go through this experience, she didn’t know if she’d ever want to experience it herself.

Ever shrugged. “I don’t mind. It doesn’t turn me on unless the woman under the lash is mine. This is a favor, a show of friendship and a way to thank Wild and Lydia for their support tonight.”

It hadn’t escaped her notice that once Wilder had stopped regarding her as the enemy, so had the rest of the crew. She nodded. “How long will you flog her?”

“Wild thinks it’ll take ten to fifteen minutes once we get going. We’re going to warm her up first.” He lifted his hand to caress her cheek.

“Warm her up?”

“Yeah. You can’t just start flogging someone. You have to get the blood flowing, get her head in the right space. It can be a very earth-shattering experience if it’s done correctly. If not, it’s just a beating. There’s nothing good about that.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek and crossed the room. Wild handed him a pair of floggers. He grasped the long, dark handles and swirled the falls around a few times.

Mina’s placement put her well out of the reach of the falls but close enough to see. Ever and Wild put their heads together, exchanging a brief message. She remembered how good the brothers were at reading each other. It seemed that time hadn’t changed anything for them.

Wild stepped closer to Lydia. The woman was neither blindfolded nor gagged. Wilder started first. She sucked her breath in at the first lick of the flogger. He worked his way around her body, hitting her everywhere. The falls swished through the air, a soft noise Mina didn’t expect, and landed on her body with a
thud
.

Mina was under the impression that certain places on the body shouldn’t be hit. She would have feared for Lydia’s safety, but she trusted Ever and Wild too much to do anything but question her source.

The lights blazed brighter, and Mina realized that Ever had turned on more of them. It made the red stripes on Lydia’s darker skin easier to see. Ever edged closer, adding the sting of his floggers to the effort. After a while, Lydia stopped making those soft sounds.