Punishing for Pleasure (18 page)

Two Weeks Later

Tobi squirmed in her seat and studied her fingers as they clenched and unclenched the silky fabric of the dress she was wearing. Bright morning sunlight streamed through her husbands’ floor to ceiling office windows making her feel as though she was under a giant spotlight. Tobi was barely able to keep from swinging her legs back and forth above the polished wood floor—
damn I hate being short
—but it would have just been nervous energy since the little-girl-lost routine only worked when she was alone with her husbands and right now there were four very pissed off Doms studying her.
I feel like a damn lab rat.
Their laser-like gazes were probably going to have her bursting into flames any minute and that might be a better end than the one she’d be facing when they found out the truth.

She’d actually been expecting this confrontation ever since she and Gracie had returned from Houston. Neither of them had intended to introduce CeCe Barnes to Meri, but the sweet surgeon had walked into the small deli where the three of them had been eating lunch, so introducing the two women had been unavoidable. CeCe was married to Cameron Barnes, the club owner she and Gracie were helping, she was also his full-time slave outside of her career. Kyle had once said that CeCe embraced the lifestyle with “everything in her” which Tobi knew was code for “she’s a good sub, you could learn from her”. Of course Tobi hadn’t been able to keep that opinion to herself and she’d gotten a sound spanking that hadn’t really been much of a deterrent for her bratty behavior.

“Kitten, I asked you a question.” Kyle wasn’t fooling her, she knew that tone of voice and it was pure deception.
Geez, I hope I don’t look that dim-witted.

“Um, sorry, guess I was daydreaming. Could you refresh my memory?”
Holy shades of pissed off, did they all four just growl in unison? Pretty sure that isn’t a good sign.
Any hope she’d had of bullshitting her way out of her current predicament evaporated into a puff of smoke when she heard the side door open and watched Peter step through. Meeting his gaze, she didn’t even try to hold back her groan. Looking back at the four men facing her she wanted to slap the self-satisfied smiles right off their faces.

“That isn’t fair you know.”

“It wouldn’t be an issue if you were planning to tell the truth, now would it?” Kent wasn’t usually the snarky one and on the rare occasions he was less than charming, she was usually up to her ass in alligators.

“Kitten? I’ll ask you again, mostly for Peter’s benefit since I know full well you remember the question. Do you know where Merilee Lanham is?”

“Well fuck a fat leprechaun.”

“Tobi.” Kyle’s growled warning about her language had more bite than usual.
Probably gonna pay big
time for that one.

“Well…sort of.”

Kyle, Kent, Dex, and Ash all four glared at her, Peter was the only one who grinned. Shaking his head, he leaned over from the seat he’d taken beside her and whispered conspiratorially, “They’re gonna make you walk the plank if you don’t come clean, sweet wench.” His pirate reference might not have made much sense to the other men in the room, but it told Tobi that he knew exactly where Meri was because Cam’s club was hosting a pirate themed party tonight.

“Drat. I promised. It’s not nice to make people break their promises.” When none of them even blinked, she sighed and started talking. By the time she’d finished, Kent was already on the phone making arrangements for his parents’ private jet to take his friends to Houston. When she slid her hand into her pocket, Peter wrapped his hand around her wrist.

“Hand your phone to me, sweetness. I’m sure your Masters will see to it you get it back first thing tomorrow.” When she rolled her eyes, he narrowed his. “Be very careful, little one, I am not the pushover you think I am. At the end of the day I am still a Dom, and rolling your eyes at any Dom is never a good idea.”

His tone alone would have been enough to stop her cold, but the words had also held a hint of disappointment, and one of the things Tobi always responded to. She might not be a perfect sub, but she was definitely submissive. Pleasing others was at the core of her nature and she felt bad knowing she’d lowered his opinion of her. He used his fingers to raise her chin so she was forced to look into his brilliant green eyes. “Don’t go there, sweetie. The next time you’re getting a good thrashing out in the Woodshed, I’ll get in a couple of swats and we’ll call it even.”

“Yes, Sir.”
I hope you find a sub for yourself real soon…maybe you’ll forget…but what woman will ever stand a chance if you know everything they’re thinking?

He grinned and leaned closer to whisper, “I can’t hear everyone you know. And my granny always said I’d know I’d found the right woman when I couldn’t
cheat
by using my gifts.” Peter pulled her to her feet before reaching down to tap the tip of her nose. When she blinked up at him, he tossed her phone onto Kyle’s desk and walked out of the room. She had almost relaxed when she turned and saw Kyle standing in front of her with his arms crossed and his legs spread apart in the stance every submissive she knew recognized as trouble.

When Kent stepped up alongside his brother and adopted a similar stance, Tobi actually started to step back until Kent spoke, “Don’t you dare.” He looked at Kyle and continued, “The dads are on their way to pick up the kids.” When Tobi started to speak, he shifted his gaze to her, “Not. One. Word. You know perfectly well why we didn’t call mom, she’d tip off Meri just as you had planned to do. Dad Dell has already secured her phone and Jax has Gracie’s, so you should just as well stop trying to figure out a way to dig yourself any deeper.” His words sounded harsh, but there was a twinkle in his eyes that told her things weren’t going to be as bad as she’d feared. Tobi let out the breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding…just before he said, “Strip.”
Oh boy.

*****

Meri stood in front of the enormous windows of her parents’ Houston condo and looked out over the glistening waters of the Gulf of Mexico without really seeing anything. Ordinarily she considered the view breathtaking, but today she longed to be home. Her parents had chosen the perfect location to build the home she’d grown up in. The mansion set on the edge of the river headwaters that quickly became Lake Travis. She’d grown up appreciating the fact she had the best of both worlds right out her front door. Their elderly groundskeeper had taken time to teach her how to fish along the banks of the river and her dad had introduced her to the joys of sailing on the large lake.

Melancholy swamped her, threatening to pull her under in a riptide of despair. She’d truly believed the day she’d been dismissed from the hospital was the worst day of her life, but each day since had been just as devastating. Thinking back to how it had felt to look up from the wheelchair she’d been forced to use into Dex’s and Ash’s bewildered expressions after she’d said her safe word threatened to shatter her heart yet again. The looks on their faces had been a mixture of shock and fury, but in the end they’d both stepped back and watched silently as she’d settled in the back of her father’s car. She’d cried all the way to the airport and openly sobbed during the entire flight to Houston. Heck, she’d cried so much she had worried she was going to turn into a raisin.

She hadn’t expected the heart wrenching loneliness to build stronger rather than abate.
Shows what all those damned poets know.
The time she’d spent with Tobi and Gracie had been a blessed distraction, but now that they’d both returned to Prairie Winds, the silence surrounding her was deafening. Her friends had assured her Ash and Dex had not
belonged
to Trish Jantz and that listening to a “fruit cake” was ridiculous, but the fact the men hadn’t even attempted to find her seemed to speak clearly enough.

Tobi had rattled on that neither man had expressed any interest in the woman now sitting in the Travis County Jail—where she was likely to spend a very long time. The Lanham Foundation’s team of lawyers was working alongside Noelle Chambers who was a club member and a prosecutor. Meri had to smile thinking about how much things had changed. Noelle had come into the bathroom while Kelly had been spewing vile sludge at Tobi. Meri had been a reluctant accomplice and had taken the punishment Ash and Dex had doled out. Maybe it was karma that she’d ended up dating John Stevens because being on the receiving end of verbal abuse had made Meri even more remorseful for her part in hurting Tobi.

Turning to see the white box that had been delivered just after lunch, Meri sighed and tried to imagine going to the club owned by her new friend’s husband. She’d met CeCe Barnes when Tobi and Gracie had finally dragged her out to lunch. CeCe was incredible—warm, open, brilliant, and clearly devoted to her Master and their baby girl, Chloe. When she’d invited Meri to visit the club, Meri hadn’t taken the invitation seriously, assuming it had simply been a social nicety. But the beautiful box that had arrived earlier had contained a lovely printed note from CeCe with a handwritten postscript from her husband. From what Meri had heard from Tobi and Gracie, Cameron Barnes was not a man to be ignored. Both women liked and respected him, but they’d also mentioned several times he was the very definition of Dominant.

Flipping the lid off and pulling back the tissue, Meri ran her fingers slowly over the silk and lace wench’s costume. The green was the same shade as the one she’d been wearing the night she’d been stabbed, but instead of dredging up fear, it only intensified her feeling of loss. Had she made a mistake walking away? Was it possible Tobi was right and Trish Jantz had been exaggerating her connection with the men Meri had fallen for?
Damn it, I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with them. I knew better...

Picking up the small parchment note, Meri re-read the short note at the bottom:

I will send a car for you
at nine p
.
m. Wait in the safety of your home until the driver calls for you. Wear the gift we’ve sent under a coat and shoes you can slip off easily. A member of my staff will meet you at the door with further instructions.
–Master C
–

Wasn’t it just like a Dom to write a note full of instructions and totally lacking in any finesse. Master C was clearly a man accustomed to being obeyed rather than questioned. He didn’t invite, he commanded, and Meri found herself compelled to comply despite that small part of her brain that scrambled to protest. Since she didn’t have anything else to do this evening, perhaps it was time to begin reclaiming her life. The doctors were thrilled with her rapid recovery and she’d already been released to do pretty much as she pleased. And truthfully, just thinking about watching another chick flick while vegging out in the media room just might cause her to jump off the balcony.

*****

Cameron Barnes rubbed his stinging palm over the burning ass cheeks spread so lusciously over his lap and smiled at his sweet sub’s sharp intake of breath. She so rarely misbehaved he’d forgotten now much fun these spontaneous scenes could be. Oh that didn’t mean he didn’t plan elaborate punishment scenes with his brilliant beauty because he loved punishing her for pleasure, but
this
scene had been a delightful surprise. He continued to squeeze her smarting globes, giving the burn a chance to work its magic before he slid his fingers through the folds of her slick pussy. He knew her body so well he felt the first spasm of the muscles around his fingers, it had been little more than a butterfly’s soft flutter but he’d felt it. “Oh no, my mouthy slave, you won’t be getting a reward for some time.”

Her softly whispered, “Yes, Master,” was music to his ears.

“Have you been re-thinking the wisdom of your earlier decision?” Truthfully he’d been thrilled when she’d stormed into his office raving about a message she’d gotten from Merilee Lanham. She’d demanded an explanation and he’d had to suppress his smile as he’d ordered her to strip. For the first time in years she’d actually hesitated several seconds—a decision that was going to cost her several additional swats—but she had finally complied and lowered herself over his knees. Cam hadn’t spared her and the first slaps had left perfect imprints of his hand on each side of her ivory ass.

“Yes, Master…but.”
Smart subbie
, but a bit too late.
He rained down several more blows spreading them over her ass and thighs.

“Try again.”

“Yes, Master. I’m sorry, Master.” The tremor in her voice let him know she was crying softly—God, CeCe cried more beautifully than any other woman he’d ever known. No swollen eyes or red nose for his slave, she reminded him of a Victorian debutante when she dabbed away her tears with the lacy handkerchiefs she always seemed to have within reach.

“Good. We’ll discuss this as soon as we’re finished, because I do believe you’ve earned several more swats for your hesitance to remove your clothing.” Pulling open his desk drawer he grabbed the flexible fiberglass ruler he knew would leave lovely welts that she’d carry into next week as reminders of tonight’s lesson. CeCe wasn’t a masochist so he was careful to make sure the level of pain was appropriate for the lesson. He didn’t want to entirely suppress her sass because that would only deny him future opportunities like this one. His lovely slave enjoyed erotic pain, but she’d be reminded each time she sat down for the next several days that she’d crossed the line of respect tonight.

After laying five perfectly parallel lines across her ass he dropped the ruler on the desk and pushed his fingers deep into her fluttering vagina. Just as she was nearing the edge of release he pulled back and positioned her over the desk. “Open everything to my view, pet.” She was positively glorious, and by the time her foggy mind processed his command he would have his throbbing cock in hand and ready to sink deep. His only worry was that his
need
was going to trump his infamous
control
.
The little minx had lit a fuse he worried was going to burn far too quickly.

Looking down at her lying naked with her small hands pulling her sore ass cheeks wide for his pleasure, Cam couldn’t help the small bit of regret that he could no longer keep her naked all the time at home. She’d rarely been allowed any type of clothing in their home—even during her pregnancy. But now that they had a full-time live-in nanny, they’d had to make some changes that neither one enjoyed. He was actively looking for a nanny who was in the lifestyle, because he missed having her body available to him all the time. It had taken Dr. Cecelia Barnes time to accept her desire to submit, the professional who’d fought her way to the upper echelons of pediatric surgery had narrowed her self-view until she’d forgotten she was a woman with strong sexual needs. She’d told him one night after a particularly intense session the most precious gift he’d ever given her was her sexuality. He’d brushed her sweat-dampened hair from her eyes and shaken his head, “No, my love, it was always right at your fingertips, I simply helped you grasp it.”

Glancing toward the large clock above the fireplace in his office, Cam quickly calculated exactly how much time he had to enjoy her before duty called. Pushing himself slowly through her swollen tissues, Cam smiled at the wet sounds. The smell of her desire had filled the room seconds after he’d begun spanking her, and seeing her cream coating his cock kicked his control a little bit closer to the edge. Pushing in again ever so slowly before pulling out against the clenching muscles of her sex was erotic torture so sweet Cam felt his knees begin to weaken. God in heaven what was it about this one woman that leveled him?

Concentrating on the plans he’d made for her was his only hope at distracting himself. Cam mentally reviewed his conversation with his old friend, Jax McDonald, he still wasn’t sure how the man had convinced him to become involved when everything about tonight went against his longstanding rule against meddling in the lives of others. Giving himself a mental shake, Cam couldn’t help wondering if becoming a father hadn’t made him soft. But on the other hand, if everything went according to plan he would score enough points with the Wests that he might get Tobi and Gracie to return for the Grand Opening Gala. He’d already negotiated Gracie’s return with Jax in return for his help with Merilee tonight. The work Tobi and Gracie had managed to complete in just one week had been humbling. He and his staff had worked alongside them and they had all been amazed at their knowledge, dedication, and work ethic.
I wonder if their men fully appreciate the resource they have at their fingertips?

Cam looked down at the gorgeous woman in front of him and felt a surge of protective ownership welling up inside him. CeCe had earned a reputation as one of the leading pediatric surgeons in the nation. Her private clinic brought in patients from all over the world, she was brilliant, kind, and
his.
It wasn’t a surprise that CeCe had become fast friends with both Tobi and Gracie because the old adage that said
like
att
r
ac
t
s
like
was certainly true in this instance.

His cock was protesting that he’d stalled long enough, and his brain agreed—it was time to give his beautiful pet what she needed because above all else, she craved his approval. “You have done so well, my love. You accepted your punishment with such dignity and grace.” Leaning down so his lips brushed over the shell of her ear, he whispered, “Come for me, love. I want to hear you screaming my name.” The intensity of her response was brutal and her scream bounced around the room making him grateful he’d soundproofed his inner sanctum shortly after he’d first met her.
Oh yeah, his lovely slave had a great set of lungs on her.
Her muscles locked down squeezing his cock with enough strength to launch him in blissful oblivion just seconds after she’d crested. The jerking of his cock deep in her and his hot seed shooting against her cervix pushed her back up the mountain of desire and straight into another frenzied orgasm.

Cameron had been forced to lock his knees and lean forward so most of his weight rested on his arms to avoid sliding to the floor. If CeCe ever fully understood the power she held over him, it would tip the balance of their D/s relationship into dangerous territory. In truth, neither of them would be truly happy in a vanilla relationship, it simply wasn’t who they were. But the fact she’d challenged him today was a clear indicator that they’d fallen into a rut—it was obviously time to step up his game. If his lovely slave needed more of his attention, then she was damned well going to get it.