If only

Chapter Twelve

Waiting beside a freestanding St. Andrew’s cross, Galen smiled as Vance brought Sally into the dungeon. She displayed the bravado that had initially attracted him, but now he could see the underlying vulnerability, which she’d concealed so well.

She’d done the homework he’d assigned. The essay. Even though she hadn’t documented all her father had done, he could see the effect of the bastard’s actions. And because she’d been writing—thinking rather than reacting—Sally realized how her thought processes had been twisted. She was an incredibly intelligent woman—but even under the light of her intellect, the problems weren’t going to disappear overnight.

He’d been impressed at how doggedly she was trying. She had guts, all right.

And she also had a bubbly-as-champagne personality. Merely being on the receiving end of one of her smiles could lift his mood…and he found it disturbing how much she’d come to mean to him. Christ, where was he going with this?

He didn’t want a permanent submissive. Or a lover. Or anyone who could be hurt by his job or actions…or anything. And yet the thought of losing her made him feel as if he’d run into a wall.

He and Vance needed to talk. Soon.

As the two approached, Galen crossed his arms over his chest. “Nice collar, pet.” He ran his finger over the leather, brushing the satiny skin of her neck, listening to the hitch in her breathing. Her lip trembled slightly, and he paused. The collar meant something to her, didn’t it? Did she want to be claimed? By them? Possessiveness surged through him like a rising tide.

“She looks good in a collar, doesn’t she?” Vance had his hand on her shoulder, displaying the same ownership Galen felt.

Odd how they’d never run into problems with territoriality. But Vance felt like the brother Galen never had—sharing with him felt…right. “She does.” Galen lifted his eyebrows. “Was there a reason she needed one?”

Standing behind Sally, Vance winked and said gravely, “I’m afraid so. Tell him, Sally.”

Her lip poked out. “I didn’t do anything that awful. I just detoured to get some food before I went over to be with the other subs.”

“I see.” Testing her limits, was she? Was this just a normal response of someone independent to getting orders—or was there a need he and Vance weren’t meeting and she was acting out to get their attention? The imp wasn’t easy to read sometimes; she kept a lot buried deep. From the sulky set to her mouth, she wasn’t going to share right now.

But maybe they could get her to a place where her reticence would be set aside. He started to speak before realizing something else. Vance wouldn’t have collared her for just straying. “How did that work out for you?”

A flush crept up her face, and she dropped her gaze.

Vance said, “Some Doms weren’t happy that she’d faked her orgasms. And the word that she isn’t a trainee hasn’t gotten around.”

“Uncomfortable situation, eh, pet?”

Without looking up, she nodded, all defiance gone.

And his heart ached for her. She might have dug her own hole, but— “Sally, you took your punishment. As far as Vance and I—and other experienced Doms—are concerned, your slate is clean. A good Dom won’t throw past mistakes in your face.”

Her gaze lifted, her eyes a liquid brown. “Thank you, Sir.”

“No thanks needed.” He glanced at the cross. “We’re planning to play with you a bit. I have a craving to dispense a flogging. Vance will warm you up and decide on your restraints.”

Vance smiled and turned her around. “Hold still now.” He slipped her top off, his eyes lighting as her breasts were exposed.

Galen shook his head and leaned against the wall, facing her, and settled in to watch his partner play. He’d seen the clothespins case in the toy bag. Galen might like impact toys, but Vance definitely enjoyed teasing breasts.

After Vance had savored Sally’s breasts for a while, he started placing the clothespins, taking a pinch of skin several inches from the nipple and putting the clothespin on, then moving down an inch to set another one. By the time he finished, Sally had a circle of clothespins on each breast.

Brave pet, she’d only whimpered once and suffered through the rest. She looked a little glassy-eyed now, but not in subspace. Galen planned to get her there…eventually.

Vance unzipped her short leather skirt and yanked it off her hips. Sally’s eyes widened at the move, and Galen grinned. Apparently she expected that kind of aggression from him, not Vance. Surprise.

“Open your legs,” Vance ordered her. He stepped behind and reached around her hips. His fingers opened her labia, exposing her to Galen’s sight. “She feels wet and swollen. What do you think?”

He thought her flush now included embarrassment as well as arousal. Experienced submissives were used to being naked…it was fun to give them back that exposed feeling. And he loved keeping Sally off balance. As he studied her silently, her flush increased.

But he did enjoy the view. Her inner labia were puffy and gleaming slickly. Her clit was already swollen, a dark, glistening pink and poking out from the hood. I think she’ll get off quickly. But that wasn’t the plan. “I’d say she’s ready for me.”

An obvious tremor shook her short body. Yes, she was definitely ready for him. He tilted his head toward the St. Andrew’s cross.

“Wait, sweetheart. I want access to your breasts.” After eyeing Sally’s height, Vance adjusted the footboards—pedal-like boards that could be screwed into the bottom of the X frame to position the submissive higher on the cross. In this case, so that her breasts wouldn’t be pressed into the center of the X.

“Up you go,” Vance said and helped her step onto the boards, facing the frame. She reached up and closed her hands around the eyebolts, putting her top half into a V position. With the higher position, her stomach rubbed on the center of the X, and her breasts pushed out between the wooden arms.

Vance walked around in front of her and smiled. “You know I like restraints. I consider them a visible symbol of the trust between a Dom and a sub. But tonight, I’m not going to use any. You’ll stay in position—because we want you to. Can you do that?”

Her breathing had slowed as her body unconsciously prepared itself, as her mind slid her down the path to submission. “Yes, Sir.”

“We’re going to start light, baby girl,” Galen said. After moving behind her, he ran his hand through her rich brown hair and used an elastic hair tie from his pocket to anchor it on top of her head and out of his way.

She looked over her shoulder at him. Her eyes held a touch of anxiety and—

His heart seemed to expand into a glowing ball of pleasure. “You trust me, don’t you?” For that was what he saw in her eyes. Open, defenseless trust.

“Yes, Sir,” she answered without thinking.

This was the wonder of being a Dom, that someone would let him have control over her, that she trusted him to care for her when she did. “Remember you have a safe word. This time I want you to use yellow if I get close to your limits. Is that clear?” He ran his hand up her neck, kissed her slowly. Soft, sweet lips.

“Yes, Sir. I will.”

“All right then.” Galen picked up his light deer-hide flogger and used it to warm up her skin, walking back and forth behind her, striking her upper back, occasionally going down on a knee to work over her pretty, round ass. Her golden skin colored beautifully to a rich red color and gradually showed a slight pebbling. Her breathing evened out, came slower as she sank into the sensations.

He loved watching the descent, the slide of tension out her body.

Sally’s head was still up. Galen chose a heavier flogger and positioned himself where he could see the side of her face as he laid the leather on her back. Harder. Her expression would tighten, and she’d breathe out through the burst of sensation. Not real pain—not yet. But getting there. A pretty sight, watching her take what he gave her.

He moved behind her and increased the intensity.

CHRIST IN NEVER-NEVER land, that felt as if she were being slammed into by a million tiny hammers. He wasn’t going to go easy on her, was he? She closed her eyes and inhaled through the edgy pain, through the edgy response that followed. The arousal simmering under her skin kept growing, even though the last strike had been powerful enough to knock her body forward against the cross and jostle the clothespins around her breasts, adding a whole new level to the sensations inside.

Whap. Whap.

No time to breathe between. Each blow just a little more forceful than the previous ones. She filled her lungs and opened her eyes. Galen was beside her. His dark gaze swept over her, studying her, before meeting her eyes. “You’re doing good, pet. Give me a number for the last couple.”

He wanted to see if their assessments added up. How hard had the blows been? “Maybe six?” God help her if he ever got to a ten.

“About what I thought. Can you take more?”

Oh, she wanted to; she’d do anything for him. And she wasn’t close to her limit yet. “Yes, Sir.”

The small smile of approval made her melt inside and resolve to take anything he could give her. Her mouth firmed.

Rather than looking pleased, he frowned. “I expect to hear yellow if we get to that point, Sally. Don’t disappoint me.”

“Okay. Yes, Sir.” Yes, Master. My Master. When he looked at her like that, when she knew that he saw her…she could take so much, much more.

“Good.” He unbuttoned his black shirt and tossed it to the side. He was pumped up by the flogging, and his olive skin stretched tightly over his exquisite musculature. Streamlined steel. A triangle of black hair on his chest pointed down toward his black jeans. Tight abs. God, he had a great body.

As he used a figure-eight technique, he moved behind her, hitting her on the left upper back and swirling the tails before striking the right upper. The left slightly lower. The right. He’d lightened his blows, and the flogger felt wonderful. She had a feeling her endorphins were kicking in, flooding her system with happy juice. Leaning her head against her arm, she waited for the next one.

A burning feeling detonated in her outer breast. “Ow!”

Vance stood in front of her, holding the clothespin he’d just removed.

The flogger hit her back, shoving her into the cross. Another clothespin came off, and she squeaked at the sharp pain. The flogger hit a second later.

“Breathe, pet.” Galen’s cheek rubbed against hers as he checked in with her. His voice was as dark as his eyes.

Tilting her head, she stared at him, seeing his enjoyment with the scene, with the flogging, with her submission. With her.

She sank into his pleasure, opening under it like a night-blooming flower. And she pulled in a breath.

“Good girl.” As Galen stepped away, she managed to turn her face forward and meet Vance’s dark blue gaze. The same pleasure showed there.

And the floor seemed to drop from under her feet. Everything in her wanted to continue, for them to push her to new places, take her higher.

As if she’d spoken the request, Vance nodded. With the next clothespin, he wiggled it slightly, teasing her, and just as the flogger struck her back, Vance removed the pin. Her back felt as if she were glowing, her breasts…the sensation was…was…not quite pain, but a thick burn, like a syrup of sensation. She was starting to feel as if she’d been breathing the dentist’s gas. Wonderful, wonderful place.

The Doms worked together, clothespins coming off, flogger like punctuation. Heat increasing front and back. Over and over.

Galen moved to her other side, using his backhand, and damned if it wasn’t harder yet. Vance had removed all the clothespins.

Her breasts were swollen, and each throb somehow coincided with the pulsing in her pussy. The flogger blows were sending her higher, making her giggle even as some tears spilled over.

“She’s sliding into subspace.” Vance moved into her field of vision, and he had the nicest smile.

“Adorable, isn’t she?” Galen’s voice was like the velvet dress her mommy had made her. “Time for something a little harsher.”

With a contented sigh, she leaned her face against her arm, waiting for the next thumpety strike.

“What the hell?” Galen sounded so pissed off that Sally blinked and turned her head.

Oh shit. The pretty fog in her head receded.

Standing over his toy bag, Galen held up his heaviest flogger. The strands had been tied into pretty bows until the business end looked like a mass of ruffled leather flowers.

Don’t laugh; don’t laugh. Giggles rose so fast and violent that she choked, trying to hold them back until her ears were ringing. She couldn’t…and then she was laughing so hard she had to hold her stomach. Oh God, stop. The stunned expression on Vance’s face set her off again until her sides hurt worse than her back. A wave of laughter spread from one side of the dungeon to the other. Oh man, they were going to kill her. Tears streamed down her face as she gasped for breath.

Warm hands closed over her breasts. “You’re in big trouble, sweetie,” Vance murmured, playing with her breasts, rolling one nipple and the other, sending molten zings down to her clit in surges of pleasure. He ran his fingers over the tender areas where the clothespins had been, and her entire body turned as liquid as a snowman on a sunny day.

With a glint in his sharp eyes, Vance tugged at her nipples until she moaned for more. His scent wafted to her, crisp and bright, like a spring morning in Iowa. And when he kissed her, she wanted him so bad that if they’d been in private, she have tried to rip his clothes off.

His tongue invaded, played; his lips were firm. His hand cupped the back of her head, positioning her so he could take her deeper until her lips were swollen and her body hummed with need.

“All yours,” he said eventually, and he wasn’t speaking to her. To Galen? Oh God.

She felt Galen’s warmth a second before his body leaned into her from the rear. Even through his heavy jeans, his erection was solid and thick against her buttocks. He closed one hand over her breast, using it to anchor her to him. His other hand cupped her face, turning her so he could take her mouth in a punishing kiss. Even though her breasts were aching and tender from Vance and the clothespins, when Galen pinched one nipple, she felt only want. Even her pussy felt swollen as she rubbed her bottom against his erection.

He released her, smiling at her whimper of need. “You need a spanking, little brat.”

Naked over his knee. “Okay,” she breathed.

And he laughed. “No. Instead you’re going to take three more. About an eight. Can you do that?”

“Is that my punishment?”

His flash of a grin seemed to ignite whole new areas of need. “No, pet, that’s just fun. Mostly for me. And you’ll take it because I want you to—won’t you?”

Oh, when he looked at her like that, she’d do anything. His eyes softened at the answer in her face, and he ran his finger down her heated cheek. “That’s my girl.”

Yes. Please, yes. She breathed out and tried to collect herself despite the happiness running through her.

He shook out the flogger he’d used before. Not the one with the pretty bows. Heh. At least he wouldn’t be using that heavy sucker today. Her attempt not to smirk failed miserably.

He must have seen, because he shook his head. “Any flogger can reach a level eight, pet. It just means more work on my part.” He looked her up and down. “Curve your shoulders in.”

To make sure he didn’t hit a shoulder blade. Oh man.

“Look at me, sweetie.” Still in front of her, Vance wrapped his big hands over her wrists, pinning her to the cross. Restraining her physically for his partner. One holding, one hitting. God, she loved being right here, overpowered and taking it. Her insides turned molten. Vance bent slightly so she could look into his eyes. She pulled in a breath. Exhaled.

Wham!

The pain exploded in her upper back as her body slammed against the cross. Tears wavered, blurring her vision as she pulled in a breath, and then, like a slide into a tub, the pain turned to a sweet heat that filled her body. No one had ever hit her so hard.

And yet—she wanted another.

“Brace your forearms on the cross,” Galen said.

Vance helped her adjust her position before securing her again.

“Breathe,” Vance murmured.

In. Out.

Wham!

Ow ow ow. She shook her head as the burn turned liquid and wonderful.

“One more, baby girl.” Galen’s voice came through the surging in her blood, through the endorphins buzzing into her brain, as she slid right back into her happy place. Happy, happy, happy.

Vance’s face wavered in her vision as he studied her. She could feel Galen’s watchful gaze like a pressure on her side. “Green,” she whispered. “I’m green.”

The corners of Vance’s eyes crinkled, and he tightened his grip on her wrists.

She pulled in a breath. Let it out.

Wham!

Her eyes went unfocused as the impact reverberated through her whole body. Past the surface, deeper, shaking into her bones. Blast, burn. The sweet rush like hot rain flowed over her skin. She was sliding in and out of subspace, happy and warm and yet…there.

Something pressed against her back, startlingly cool, ever so wonderful. It rolled over the burning skin on her shoulders, working up and down. It must be the long metal cartridge that she’d found in Galen’s bag, the one for which she couldn’t figure out the use. What a nice, nice use. With a sigh, she put her head back on her arm and let him care for her.

“Sally.” When she slid back into the present, Vance kissed her lightly and opened his hands, releasing her wrists. Galen put an arm around her waist to steady her.

As Vance headed for the cleaning equipment, Galen helped her over to a couch against the stone wall. He sat down and pulled her, facedown, across his thighs.

He wants a blowjob now? She tried to reach for his zipper and had her hand caught.

“Lie still, Sally.” The splash of liquid between her shoulder blades made her gasp. The feeling of him massaging the superbly cool gel into her burning skin made her eyes almost cross.

He hit a tender area.

“Ow!” She tried to push up, but his free hand was on her collar, holding her in place. God, she loved that feeling. “Easy, baby girl,” he murmured. “This will help the swelling and keep you from bruising.”

But she kind of wanted a few bruises to remember this by. Because she’d done it. Taken it.

Liked it.

He continued until her whole back felt as if an arctic mist had settled on a bad sunburn.

“I’m proud of you, Sally,” he said, his voice grave and impossible to disbelieve. “I asked you to take something, and you did. For me. That makes me feel good.” He massaged her scalp gently.

With a sigh of happiness, she laid her cheek on his muscled thigh and relaxed into his care. “But I didn’t think you were a sadist,” she whispered.

He caressed her cheek, and she could smell the leather on his skin as well as the hint of shaving lotion he’d used earlier. His beard growth was heavy enough that he often shaved twice a day. Because of her.

His relaxed chuckle made her feel good, as if their scene had pushed him to the same happy place she was in. “I’m a Dom, and I like taking a submissive to her limit and an inch beyond. Pain is one of the easiest ways to get there.”

She’d definitely gotten there. No one had ever pushed her as Galen did, demanded what he did. And somehow, Vance’s hands-on restraint had felt like the same demand—and had let her go further. She’d submitted to the Masters before, but never…never like this. Never been taken so far. Been left so clear and sparkling inside.

As she rubbed her cheek against his thigh, she thought about the creek in the back pasture in Iowa. Frozen until the spring thaw. Then the little stream would flood, and the dirt and debris of the long winter would be scoured away, leaving the water so clear that even the tiny stones on the bottom could be seen.

The couch dipped as Vance sat down. He picked her up and set her in his lap. Her knees and calves rested on Galen’s thighs. Despite the discomfort of having Vance’s iron-hard arm behind her tender back, she loved being in his arms. With a happy sigh, she laid her cheek against his broad chest.

He pulled the elastic tie from her hair and tossed it to Galen. Her hair spilled down over her shoulders in a soft, cool wave.

After tucking the tie away, Galen picked up a blanket—Vance must have tossed it on the couch—and spread it over her legs and stomach. Snuggly, snuggly, snuggly. He smoothed the fabric, stroking her legs. “Should I ask what else you did in my toy bag?” he asked.

She started and bit her lip. Christ in pigtails, if she told him about the anal plugs, he’d probably hitch her to the cross for more flogging.

Vance’s chest bounced with his laugh. “From her expression, I’d say you better check the rest of your equipment.”

She tried not to grin. Vance liked to examine his bag’s contents before a scene, but Galen usually cleaned and set up his stuff right after using it. He rarely messed with his bag before a scene. That’s why she’d chosen to sabotage his stuff rather than Vance’s.

Well…and because she’d been mad at him. At the time.

Galen gave a grunt of exasperation. “You are a sore trial to me, pet. So. Aside from my toy bag, have you done anything else of which we’d disapprove?”

“Sometimes you really sound like a Harvard grad.” Her attempt at humor didn’t help the tightening in her stomach. If they found out about her hacking, the two Feds would have her head—or worse, have her arrested. They’d be so pissed off. They must never, ever find out.

The silence of both of the men warned her that she’d woken their suspicions. But she…couldn’t manage to lie. She didn’t want to lie. “Nothing that concerns you.”

Vance tightened his hand on her shoulder, his eyes shrewd. “Everything about you is of interest, sweetheart.” His lips tipped up. “Especially if we wouldn’t be pleased.”

How could she feel so happy with their attention—and so worried? When she dragged her gaze from his, she realized Rainie stood nearby, waiting to be noticed.

Yay, saved by the girl. “Hey, you waiting for one of us?”

Quite properly, Rainie didn’t talk to the submissive but waited for a Dom to speak.

“Go ahead, Rainie,” Galen said.

“Sir, if you’re done, Master Z hoped you’d join him and the others in the main room. They’re near the center.”

“All right. Please tell him we’ll be there shortly.”

Dismissed, Rainie moved away, shooting a worried glance back over her shoulder at Sally.

Galen leaned forward to tap Sally’s chin. “We’ll discuss your refusal to answer another time. For right now, how does your back feel?”

Thank you, God. She leaned forward and wiggled her shoulders. “I’m okay.”

“Good. You may put on your skirt,” Vance said. “Leave your breasts free for my enjoyment.”

As she slid off his lap, she felt her face flush. Yet a thrill ran along her nerves. She’d always envied subs who had their own Doms.

As a trainee, once a scene was over and aftercare done, she would have been sent back to work. But the Feds considered her “theirs,” even if temporary, and instead of dismissing her, they were keeping her close. For more than just a scene. Had she ever been so happy?

“Drink this, imp.” Galen handed her a bottle of water before putting his hand on her back—in a nonsore area—to keep her beside him. She looked up to see Vance on her other side, and the…rightness…of the arrangement settled into her heart.

The Masters and Mistresses—the ones with the official titles—were in a sitting area in a rough circle. Olivia and Anne bracketed Cullen on a couch. Most of the rest sat in chairs, with Sam, Nolan, and Jake standing. Even Jake was there.

“Galen, Vance.” Master Z motioned toward an empty couch.

After putting Sally’s water on an end table, Vance sat down in the middle of the couch with Galen to his right. The two Doms pulled her down and arranged her so she lay, faceup, her head and shoulders on Galen’s thighs.

Her butt rubbed against Vance’s jeans. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

“I don’t see any other submissives, Z. Is it a problem if Sally is here?” Galen asked.

When Sally turned her head, trying to see, Galen laid his hand on her cheek, stalling her. “Close your eyes, pet,” he said softly. “You’re here for our pleasure, not your entertainment.”

“You’re welcome to have your toy,” Master Z said, and she could hear amusement in his voice. “We released the others to spend time together and have something to eat.”

Oh, that sounded like much more fun. Sally tried to sit up.

Galen put his hand between her breasts, pressing down strongly enough to push the air from her lungs. “Did I give you permission to move?”

But… She looked at Vance, who had a softer heart. Maybe…

He met her gaze, reading her question. “No.”

Fine. Maybe she wasn’t certain if she loved them—but she was positive she didn’t like them right now.

OH, THEY WERE on a little subbie’s shit list now. Vance smothered his laugh and saw his partner doing the same. The imp was in for a shock. They hadn’t planned to get her off so publicly but, in all reality, he didn’t mind the audience. The behavior of other Doms—especially other Masters—had gotten fucking annoying. Yes, she’d been a trainee for a long time, so the Masters considered her under their care. But that time was over.

He figured that both the collar around her neck and playing with her now would be an unspoken way of drawing a line in the sand.

“Before we start, tell me what happened to the man who attacked Sally?” Z asked Dan.

“Borup did some time in county and has to go through anger management and alcohol counseling.” Dan frowned at Galen and Vance. “For some reason—which I don’t want to know anything about—he sent Sally’s landlord more than enough money to cover cleaning, repairs, and replacements for what he busted.”

That “reason” had been Anne. The bounty hunter winked at Vance. Mistress Anne not only despised abusive Doms, but she considered it a treat to beat the shit out of them, and she’d persuaded Vance to let her take his place in giving Borup a lesson.

“Do I need to take steps?” Z asked.

“Don’t think so, Z.” Anne smiled sweetly. “Not only has his health suffered recently, but rumor says some annoyed Fed made him think he could get picked up for slavery.”

Sally opened her eyes to stare at Anne and Galen in disbelief.

“Indeed.” Z’s lips quirked. “In that case—”

“No, I won’t!”

Vance turned at the woman’s shout and saw Uzuri.

Hand on her hip, the trainee shook her finger at one of the newer Doms.

A few shades darker than Uzuri, the Dom looked absolutely startled. Six-two, probably two-ten pounds—all muscle. Shaved head, dark brown eyes, classically handsome. Considering his looks and the way he was narrowing his eyes, the man wasn’t accustomed to being turned down. “Why?”

She tossed her head defiantly, making the beads in her kinky hair clatter. “You only want me because I’m black.”

“I have watched you do scenes with white Doms. Might you have a problem with black skin, young miss?” The man had a faint English accent. He took a step closer.

“No, dude. You do.” She shoved him back, a baby bear cub taking on a grizzly. “You’re all tied up in race issues. You don’t see me—just the color of my skin.” She spun on her heel and walked away from him, tossing back over her shoulder, “You come find me if you ever cut free of your bullshit and decide you like me—me—not what you see on the outside.” She stomped across the room—and out the exit.

Vance glanced at Z, curious as to how the Shadowlands owner would handle the Dom-sub altercation.

“Well,” Z said after a pause. “Normally, I’d bring her up short for her display of temper to a Dom, but if what she said is true, I can’t disagree with her conclusions. Comments?”

“Huh, that’s not a problem I’d have caught,” Anne commented. “How well does Alastair know her?”

“He played with her once last winter in a scene I arranged. I figured they’d suit since he does prefer African-American submissives.” Sam crossed his arms over his chest. “Didn’t consider how a woman might not take to that. Want me to talk with him?”

Z steepled his fingers and considered. “No. Let’s see how this plays out. She did present her objections quite eloquently.”

Jake snorted. “No shit.”

“If she’s that pissed off, the poor bastard might need a guard.” Anne grinned. “Her idea of revenge can be—”

“Fucking warped.” Cullen finished for her. “Like supergluing all Nolan’s ropes together? Or the miniature bag of Sam’s? I about busted my gut with that one.”

The other Masters roared with laughter, adding in other Uzuri tales.

“What’s a miniature bag?” Vance asked Sally under his breath.

“She switched out all his toys and put in doll-sized ones. All his rope was replaced by yarn. She made him a mini single-tail. She even found clothespins that were only an inch long.”

The light in the imp’s eyes was a bit worrisome, and Vance decided to lock up his bag. Maybe his whole room.

“She made a pretty sight when you used that entire bag of tiny clothespins on her, Sam,” Raoul said.

“The begging wasn’t too bad either,” Olivia added with a grin. “How much of a sense of humor does Alastair have?”

“I do believe Uzuri saves her pranks for the Doms she likes,” Master Marcus said. “Hopefully, she doesn’t like Alastair enough to attend to him.”

“Doesn’t matter. He was gone all spring, and he’s returning to Europe for the rest of the summer,” Cullen said.

“Good enough.” Z looked around the circle of Masters. “I think the altercation serves as a good introduction to the matters I want to discuss.”

Z began to talk about the future of the Shadowlands, how the membership had changed and now had a greater percentage of experienced Doms. However, the Masters group had also evolved. Originally, most had been single. Now, aside from Jake, Anne, and Olivia, they were all in relationships, and—Z included—were having difficulties juggling family and club obligations.

Vance shifted uncomfortably and met Galen’s concerned eyes. Apparently, he’d also caught how they weren’t considered “single” Masters anymore. A serious relationship wasn’t in the plans…and yet, when Vance collared Sally, it had felt right. In fact, he couldn’t see a future without her in it. He and Galen definitely needed to have a talk.

“Did you have a solution in mind, Z?” Olivia asked.

“I have some ideas to run past you.” Z leaned forward. “We already plan to expand the Masters group with more single Doms. And we need at least one Master who prefers male subs.”

Cullen nodded. “There are a few who might suit.”

“Meantime, I want to phase out the trainee program.”

Under Vance’s hands, Sally stiffened. Considering how she worried, she probably thought she or someone had done something wrong.

Z looked at the little sub and gave Sally a smile she couldn’t see. “Not because of problems with the current group, but with the lack of single Masters, the trainees don’t get enough attention. I want to focus on finding them Doms. Once that is accomplished, I’ll put the program on hiatus.”

“Gonna hire barmaids?” Nolan asked.

“If needed.” Z glanced toward a group of submissives who were chatting and eyeing the Doms at the bar. “How do you feel about taking volunteers? Serving is still an excellent way for quieter submissives to meet the members in a nonthreatening fashion.”

Cullen scratched his cheek and nodded. “I like it. I can keep a sign-up sheet at the bar.”

“Might could be we’d have some fun with it.” Marcus unbuttoned his suit coat and stretched out his legs. “I’d like to be able to draft submissives who need a kick in the pants to meet more people.”

As the discussion continued, Vance felt Sally’s thigh muscles bunch under his palm, and he glanced at his partner.

Galen was running his fingers over her swollen breasts, teasing the lingering, red dimples left by the clothespins. Circling her nipples. Pinching. After a minute, he slid closer to the middle of the couch and Vance.

Without the support of his thigh, her head tilted back, further enforcing she had no say in what they’d do to her. A quiver ran through her.

Vance smiled. She liked being helpless. She might fight them, but she loved the feeling of being overpowered. Mastered.

With an ear tuned to the discussion, he watched as she reacted beautifully to Galen’s teasing. Their earlier scene had left her aroused—now Galen increased that need.

Might as well lend a hand. Vance slid his fingers under her skirt to the soft, silky skin of her inner thigh. At the apex of her legs, he leisurely explored. Slick folds, puffy enough to flower outward, leaving her entrance open to his touch. With his free hand under her ass, he slid her farther down on his lap until her ass rested on his left thigh and he had a better angle to play. He pressed his finger inside her and watched her color heighten.

With a glance of amused annoyance, Galen shifted to using his left hand and continued playing with her breasts.

Leaving his finger barely inside her cunt, Vance spoke to the Masters. “We have to make a trip to New York next weekend—hopefully for not more than a few days. Unless she has other plans, Sally will stay at our house, but we’d appreciate if someone checked in with her every day. The Shadowkittens are welcome to visit her at the house.”

“As long as they stay away from the toy bags,” Galen muttered.

Raoul, who’d been in the dungeon when Galen found his abused flogger, laughed.

Vance glanced at Sally who had lifted her head to frown at him.

GOD, SHE WISHED they’d stop playing with her. Every touch made her needier, and sheesh, they’d hardly get her off here in front of the others. Sally couldn’t quite believe they were being so…blatant.

And now, they were going to fly off and leave her alone in their house? Why the hell would she want to be there without them? Sally noticed Vance’s frown—right, she was supposed to keep her eyes closed—but she had concerns.

Vance’s brows pulled together. Uh-oh. Galen could intimidate without frowning, but Vance… When Vance actually got annoyed, he was downright scary.

With a huff of disgust, she laid her head back. But before she closed her eyes, she scowled back at him. Abandon her like a stray puppy, would he?

“Bad move, pet,” she heard Galen say to her very quietly.

Like there was anything they could do, right here in front of—

Vance rammed two fingers into her, forceful and fast, and the slick burst of pleasure through her sensitized tissues was like a jolt of electricity. She gasped.

He didn’t stop, thrusting firmly over and over until her need gathered inside her, tightening, heading for an orgasm.

No. No way. Not in front of all the Masters during a meeting. She tried to move, to make him stop, and felt Galen’s palm press down just below her throat. With his left hand, Galen continued to play with her breasts, rolling the nipples between his fingers, increasing the pressure to pain before easing back.

She opened her eyes and shook her head. I won’t get off.

“Not your choice, is it?” Galen said, still so quietly.

Not here. I don’t want to come here. She turned her head. Raoul and Marcus and the Mistresses were discussing something. Master Z looked…pleased. But Dan and Cullen were staring at the Feds in disapproval.

She stiffened. She’d known she shouldn’t be here. Shouldn’t be aroused—

Vance paused, his fingers still deep inside her. “Problem with the way we handle our submissive, Masters?”

At Vance’s slight emphasis on the final word, Cullen stiffened, his mouth tight. Then he shook his head and pulled in a breath. “Hell. We try to ensure the trainees don’t attach to us. Guess we should do the same for ourselves. We’re all pretty possessive.”

Sally felt tears sting her eyes. She hadn’t realized that they actually…cared.

Dan narrowed his eyes at the two FBI agents but finally leaned back in his chair, the tension leaving his body. “I knew you’d be good for her. I wanted that. But I didn’t realize how rough it would be to see her move on. She’s been—was—a trainee a long time.” He gave Vance a chin lift. “Sorry.”

“Not a problem,” Vance said.

“Back as a pup, I dated a young thing whose daddy was a cop. My balls’d shrivel up at his glare because I knew he’d geld me if I made his baby unhappy.” Cullen gave the two Feds a very un-Cullenlike warning look. “I’m feeling a bit like that daddy just now.”

“Understandable. Warning received,” Galen said, drawing Sally’s attention back to his very, very disapproving gaze.

Disapproving? She saw that Vance had the same expression. Saw…oops. She hastily closed her eyes. Bad Sally.

“Your lack of discipline means we will now play longer,” Vance said, his voice low enough that the others wouldn’t hear. “You may come—if you can. Otherwise, you must ask for our help.”

Fine. She’d just go ahead and get off—quietly—and have this over. Why she felt embarrassed right now, she didn’t know. She’d scened with tons of Doms here, getting off in front of everyone. Master Z and the others had used her for demonstrations.

But she hadn’t been…hadn’t been the only submissive in a group of Masters who were having a serious discussion.

And she’d never been emotionally involved with any Doms. Now, it felt as if her feelings were in a washing machine and set on spin. Whirling around and around and around.

Maybe once she got off, they’d let her join the other submissives.

As Vance slowly withdrew his very slick fingers, she trembled at the exquisite sensation. How could she be embarrassed and yet excited at the same time…and her obvious arousal made her feel even more humiliated.

His fingers pushed back in, ever so slowly. And he kept it up, over and over.

Galen tugged on her nipples, pinching them right to the edge of pain, until her breasts were so swollen that they ached with tightness.

Vance’s thumb came down on her clit.

Every single nerve in her body flared into warp drive. She managed not to moan, but God, God, God, she needed to come. He wiggled his finger slightly, and the pressure grew, tightened, rolling toward her like a—

Vance lifted his hand; Galen stopped.

No. No nononononono. She didn’t halt her glare in time. Shit.

“Add one more,” Galen said to Vance—not to her—and slapped her breast lightly.

With the surprising burst of pain and the realization of exactly how they were punishing her, she felt her arousal sputter and die. Disbelieving, she stared at Galen.

With a slight smile, he widened his eyes at her.

Christ with a leather crop. Growling, she dropped her head back and closed her eyes. And could swear she heard Master Dan laugh.

Vance pushed his fingers inside her, and she felt them drag across the front of her vagina. Rubbing firmly, occasionally moving in and out. Her insides tightened around the intrusion, loved the intrusion.

Galen must have licked his finger before circling her nipples. The air on her wet skin made her nipples tighten to rigid peaks.

Slowly she realized they really would use her how they wanted, in front of anyone they chose, despite her objections, despite what was “proper.” And the understanding dissolved the bones inside her body and turned her willpower to water.

And aroused the hell out of her.

Then Vance stroked his thumb over her clit. Just the side, but she was so sensitive, a touch was enough. Her muscles tightened as she neared orgasm. Her hips lifted.

The men stopped again.

A squeak of dismay escaped her. Everything in her lower half ached and burned with frustration. Her muscles quivered. How did they know she was close?

She realized her hands had fisted when Galen wrapped his calloused fingers around her hand and lifted it. He kissed her white knuckles, and his lips were soft. “I’m sorry this is hard on you, imp, but we won’t let you get away with disobedience. You can test us as much as you want; you’ll get the same response.”

Testing them? She hadn’t been…but, oh, she had. Every time they’d ordered her to do something, she’d disobeyed at least once or twice. Just to see… What? Why was she doing that?

In the same low voice, Vance said, “We care for you, Sally. You don’t have to misbehave to get our attention. It’s our pleasure to watch over you.” His words were like a soothing caress.

And then they started moving again. Driving her back up. Slower, this time. And as the haze of arousal filled her body, she heard Vance say under his breath, “I did rather like the pretty bows on the flogger.”

“It wasn’t your flogger, asshole,” Galen retorted. “Sally, sometime this week, I’m going to beat your ass with that flogger.” He rolled her nipples until she arched at the delightful pain. “And then I’m going to get you off—using it—as a reward for making me laugh.”

He did like to laugh; she knew it.

Her smile died as the two Doms used small caresses and pinches to drive her to the verge of orgasm. Her leg muscles were so tight they trembled as her arousal reached the edge of pain.

“Something you want to ask, sweetie?” Vance prompted.

Ask it. Dammit, ask it. “Please,” she whispered.

“This time, you need to spell it out,” Vance said. “Sally, hearing you ask will make me feel good.”

Her words tried to stop up in her throat, but it helped to know that she’d please him—if only she could overcome her past. She stuttered out, “P-please, will you”—God, why did her body cringe?—“make me come?”

“Good, good girl,” Galen murmured, and the sweetness of his deep voice washed over her like a blessing.

“Beautifully asked,” Vance agreed. “I’m proud of you, Sally.”

Galen caressed her breasts gently before his clever fingers closed on her tender nipples. Squeezing and releasing in burst after burst of exquisite pain.

Vance thrust, pulled out, pressed in. Each time, his thumb circled her clit, pushing her up, up. He rubbed his fingers just inside her entrance, reawakening the G-spot with a vengeance.

God. Her whole body went rigid as she shook, needing just another little bit. Please.

Vance’s gaze met hers, holding hers as he deliberately set his thumb on her clit and pressed down. Wiggled.

The spark set off a conflagration. Her body lit, burst into flame, and exploded. Wave after wave of pleasure whipped through her. Her neck arched as she screamed and swore and screamed.

After a wonderfully long time, she felt the waves die back. God, that felt good.

Then she heard Vance mutter, “Let’s try for seconds.” His fingers pushed in—three fingers—stretching her as his finger rubbed right on her clit. And like a giant storm surge, another orgasm hit, flattening everything before it.

Her own wails seemed to echo in her ears as she panted and quivered with aftershocks.

“Pretty girl,” Galen said. His hands were gentle on her breasts, circling and caressing her abused nipples. Vance was stroking her thighs.

After a minute, when she could actually breathe, Vance gathered her up into his arms. “You did well, sweetheart,” he whispered. “I thought I’d have to tease you for another half hour before you asked for help.”

The Dom had his own sadistic nature, cleverly concealed beneath a caring manner. She pinched him.

His answer was to silently slide his big hand between her legs again. To press against her oversensitive pussy. His smoldering gaze said he’d be perfectly happy starting the whole routine over again if that was what she wanted.

“Sorry,” she whispered.

The sun lines beside his eyes deepened with his smile.

Oh God, she really did love him.