Safeword: Davenport (19 page)

Brent eventually began talking, his emotions once more under control. He mentioned a few men he thought would be interested in Topping without power exchange, and she remembered Sir Max, flashing on the mental images of him flogging many a submissive far into subspace—and recalled he wasn't a Dom and didn't require anyone's submission.

She was considering the dichotomy of Dominating Jacob this afternoon only to look for a man to Top her this evening, when Brent said, “I loved watching the two of you together. Will you want to do it again?"

"I'm out of my league, and I don't know how this is supposed to work. Do you want us to do it again? Or is this where I'm expected to say once was enough?"

"You're supposed to tell me the truth."

She rolled her eyes. “Okay, I asked for that. You're right, this is power exchange and everyone has to be totally honest for it to work.” She took a breath, hoping she was giving the correct answer. “I got off on hurting him—because I
could
. Tormenting him, and watching him willingly endure the pain was proof of my control. If he hadn't wanted it, hadn't reacted positively, I wouldn't have enjoyed it. The surrender in his eyes, total submission, all of that trust, and power—yeah, I want to do it again."

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Dana rode in the front seat beside Brent, with Jacob in the back. She'd protested, but to no avail. Tears stung her eyes as they drove through the commercial warehouse district, always so deserted this late on weekend nights. The two men cut up with her, kept it lighthearted, and occupied her mind with raunchy tales, as if they understood how painful it was to return without Garnet. She swallowed her tears and told herself this was about new beginnings, and she wouldn't dwell on the past.

They made it past the doorman, but Dana was detained in the lobby, required to fill out guest paperwork before continuing. Brent left Jacob with her while he went on in, and when she and Jacob finally entered the social area, Brent was standing with a group of men and motioned them over.

Jacob went gracefully to his knees when they reached Brent's side, and Brent put his arm around Dana's waist, moving her to his other side.

"Dana, you remember Sir Max and Sir Robert?"

She certainly remembered Sir Max, and she studied the other's face, also familiar. “Yes, I do.” She smiled, not sure if she should show submission or self-confidence, and looked down. Taking a breath, she thought
to hell with it
, and raised her head to give Max a friendly smile and full eye contact. “It's nice to be back, but someone's redecorated and I barely recognize the place.”
A good thing
, she thought,
no painful memories rushing back every time I turn around.

Sir Max returned her smile. “Could I persuade you to walk with me? We've added a good deal of equipment since you were here last, I'd be honored to give you the grand tour."

He was exactly as she remembered—thin, wiry, and streamlined, with the body of a marathon runner. His conservative haircut showed off his sandy blond hair and she wondered if he were a lawyer, but his strong hands—with slender, artistic fingers—made her think architect.

"I'd like that. What's your favorite piece of equipment?"

"I prefer the simple,” he said, as they stepped into the play area. “The two poles in the back, floor to ceiling, with attachment points every six inches. I love to bind my victim with legs and arms spread tight between the poles, holding her still, making movement impossible so I know she'll be in the same place when the leather hits as she was when I took aim. They have enough room around them to wield a single tail, which is another bonus."

They walked and talked, keeping the conversation light, and everything hypothetical. Dana finally stopped and touched his arm, hoping he'd understand she was ready to leave the conjecture behind. He faced her, smiled. “Yes, it's time for us to have a more serious talk. Let's sit and get comfortable for this part, join me at a table?"

She nodded and followed him to a quieter section of the club.

"You're looking for someone to Top you?"

"Yes, but not just anyone. I remember you, I've seen you with the bullwhip, watched you flog and whip others into subspace. Plus, Brent trusts you.” She glanced at her hands, raised her eyes back to his. “You've made me feel comfortable, and I think I trust you enough to let go and enjoy."

"You realize I'm not a Dom? I won't give you orders. You tell me what you're looking for, and we'll see about making it happen. I'm not your sub, you can't order me around, but you aren't my submissive, either. We're equals. You want pain; I'll enjoy giving it to you. No power exchange."

Smiling with relief, she said, “Exactly. I want Topped without having to submit. I want to go deep into subspace.” She leaned forward, her gaze intense, needing to make sure he understood. “I'm asking for serious pain. Not just the flogger, but maybe the cane, or something as demanding. If you're up to it, I'd love to reach the point of wanting the single tail—of
needing
the single tail. I crave that feeling."

His eyes kindled with arousal as they focused on her, the corner of his mouth lifting as he said, “I love it when a woman knows what she needs and isn't afraid to ask for it. I have an idea, and if Brent agrees, I'd like to have him flog your back while I work on your front. Would that be okay?"

"Ummm, Brent doesn't like girls. I don't think he'd be interested."

"We've done it before, him flogging a girl's back while I work her front, and we trade off, so I work one side of a man while he does the other. I'm not attracted to men, but I find I can still enjoy the process of watching where they are and taking them farther. Brent's the only other Top here who can handle two floggers as expertly as, well, it sounds cocky and I don't mean it to, but he's the only one who can keep up with me in a Florentine. If you're comfortable with it, I think we can give you quite a ride."

Dana looked around, saw Brent sitting at a table, Jacob kneeling at his feet, totally naked, collar attached to leash and loosely draped over Brent's leg, and she was struck again at how beautiful they were together. She turned back to Max. “We can ask him if he's up for it, but I think he's got plans for Jacob and I don't want to interfere."

"I'm positive he's figured you into his plans for the evening as well as Jacob. From our conversation while you were handling paperwork, I believe he sees himself as your protector tonight, and he's taking the role quite seriously. Jacob will always be his priority, but he's happy to have you back in his life as his friend. Come, let's go talk to him."

Max sat beside Brent, and Dana chose to sit across from Max and beside Jacob. She started to give his shoulder a caress and stopped, looking to Brent for permission, as she wasn't sure if he wanted Jacob touched at the moment. Brent nodded and said, “Thanks for checking, I appreciate it. You can touch him now, and throughout the evening as long as I don't have him restrained. He'll likely be on a leash all night, but if he's secured another way please check with me before interacting with him. Otherwise, feel free."

Dana scooted to the edge of her chair and Jacob immediately understood the offer, leaning into her and laying his head in her lap. She ran her fingers through his silky blond hair, zoning out as Max and Brent talked about the timing for the evening. She didn't care about the logistics; she was enjoying Jacob's warmth beside her, the weight of his head on her thigh, and his soft hair in her hand as she stroked his head.

A harsh voice directly above her jolted her to awareness.

"This is why Garnet doesn't come back? His lovely submissive is now a Domme?"

She looked up to see Sir Trent, one of Garnet's friends, standing over her with an ugly face. Before she could say anything Brent stood, draping the leash over Dana's leg, and said, “Trent, could I convince you to step away with me a few minutes?"

Brent walked him around the corner, and Jacob used his hand to caress her leg over her dress—supportive, not sexual.

Max spoke from across the table. “You know, you do look like quite the Domme. I can usually tell the posers from the ones who're comfortable with their power. You look like you have nothing to prove—it fits you like a favorite pair of jeans.” His eyes turned thoughtful. “Sure you aren't a switch?"

She dropped her eyes to Jacob, his head sideways on her leg, eyes closed; and realized she was comfortable topping him only because he so freely gave his submission.

Lifting her gaze to Max, she said, “I've never wanted to Top anyone else, but it's natural with Jacob. Plus, I know how he's feeling, on the floor at his Master's feet.” She ran her hands through Jacob's hair, taking comfort in the gentle strength he was offering. “I can't look too far ahead yet, I'm still taking everything day by day, doing what feels good now, and not worrying about the future too much until I figure out the present."

"You've got a good head on your shoulders, and a healthy outlook. You'll get it figured out. As for the present—Brent has some ideas for the evening that'll include all of us.” He shrugged. “I'm not bisexual, but I'm not opposed to group sex with the four of us as long as I'm not doing it with either of the guys. Whether you and I have sex is entirely up to you. I play safe, use condoms, and I've had a vasectomy. Don't answer now; we'll see how things go. No pressure."

He tilted his head. “I'm looking forward to exploring how far I can take you. Do you want me to build the endorphins slowly, or would you prefer I do it quickly, so your feel-good chemicals have a hard time keeping up?"

"Not slow, please. Not
too
hasty, but I'd rather you erred on the fast side, if you have to decide."

Brent walked back to the table by himself, without Sir Trent. He leaned down and didn't so much kiss Jacob as use his lips to caress his forehead. He stood, giving Dana the same treatment before taking his seat.

"Sir Trent wanted to apologize in person, but I suggested you were mine for the evening and I didn't wish you be further upset. I hope you're not angry with my claim, I should've checked with you first before...” He drummed his fingers absently on the table as he considered his words. “But I don't believe you're up to the conversation he'll want to have after he apologizes. If you'd prefer to speak with him you can, I'm not trying to imply I can dictate your—"

She interrupted him. “Thank you, Brent. I probably owe him a discussion, but not tonight. I'd like to get his contact information and get in touch with him in the next couple of weeks, but thanks for shielding me."

He breathed out, obviously relieved he hadn't overstepped. “I can get that for you.” His gaze flicked to Max, returned to Dana. “Max would like me to assist him. Do you object to my using floggers on your back while he flogs your front? Florentine? Four floggers striking you at once?"

"The bigger question is how you feel about it. I didn't think you did girls?"

"Not sexually, but I can enjoy assisting another Dom as long as I'm only dealing with the back, ass, and thighs. Those are the same for both sexes.” His smile turned wry. “I don't know how breasts work, best I leave them alone. I appreciate the female form; it just doesn't do anything for me."

He lifted a shoulder and slowly let it drop. “BDSM doesn't have to be about gender, it's about control and endorphins. I'm not explaining it right, so I hope you'll take my word for it—I'll enjoy the experience, and when I let loose on Jacob afterwards, he'll benefit from it, too."

"If you're good with it then so am I, but I don't want Jacob alone while you're with me."

His eyes narrowed, but his voice stayed level. “I'm Jacob's master; he's my responsibility. Don't ever doubt I've already considered his needs before reaching a decision."

She'd irritated him. Worse, she'd questioned his role as caretaker. “I'm sorry. You're right, of course. I guess I was just trying to make sure...” She stopped, realizing that would tick him off more. “Please don't be upset with me; I said it out of concern for his feelings, not thinking I was questioning your responsibility to him—it wasn't the way I meant it to sound."

"Apology accepted. I'll take it in the spirit you intended, concern for Jacob.” He turned to Max. “If you want to prepare the poles and get set up, I'll take Dana with me so she can see where Jacob will be while we're working on her."

Max nodded and looked at Dana. “No pressure. We'll talk again before I tie you up. You asked for the single tail so I'm assuming poles, do you have a preference for another piece of equipment?"

"No, the poles are fine.” She touched Brent's arm and said, “Are you sure you don't want some time alone with Jacob? I can go with Max now if you'd rather?"

"If I'd wanted time alone with him I'd have arranged for it. Jacob will be much hornier if you're watching, and I believe it'll be a turn on for you, too.” He stood and reached for the leash. “Up, Jacob."

Jacob curled his toes under and gracefully rose, slowing just before his knees straightened all the way, giving them time to adjust after being bent for so long. His face showed no pain, only adoration for his Master.

Brent offered his arm to Dana and they walked together, Jacob behind them on the leash.

She'd noticed the statues with the large phalluses on her tour with Max, but hadn't realized what they were for until she saw a woman mounted on one. Brent walked to a statue inside of a cage not too far from the poles, and pulled a small bottle of hand sanitizer from his pocket, handing it to Jacob and disconnecting the leash from his collar.

Jacob silently stepped to the statue and liberally applied the gel to the entire front, not just to the monster cock. She wasn't sure which of the gods had been so endowed, but from the face and posture she'd guess Zeus or Thor, or maybe Odin or Jupiter. The figure began just below the god's knees, so his cock was relatively low. His fists were raised as if to strike, his arm and ab muscles all well-defined, and his long bronze hair appeared to blow in the wind.

While Jacob worked, Brent moved to the door and quietly spoke to Dana. “This experience is challenging for him, it's something he wants to conquer, but also dreads and fears. The first time he was on it, he barely lasted ten minutes before safewording. He begged me to bring him back the next week, give him another chance. He can last most of the evening, but still fights it. The challenge now is in gracefully getting into position, and then in handling whatever tortures I bestow once he surrenders. It can take him an hour or more to stop fighting the cold metal and give into it, and that's when I'll be working with Max on you. So don't worry when we leave him in here, we can see him from the poles, and I'll be sure others are keeping an eye out as well. He'll be fine."