For His Pleasure

Dangerous Desires

Alpha Male Romance Boxed Set

By Adriana Hunter

Katherine Hewitt waited in line at the Starbucks Drive-Thru, checking her watch every few minutes and trying not to tap her foot too impatiently. She really should have arrived ten minutes earlier, but she’d had a restless night and had fallen asleep late, resulting in her hitting the snooze button one too many times. It was ten minutes to eight and if she didn’t arrive with the coffees for the morning meeting she would be in hot water.

She pulled up to the ordering screen and put in her order for five house blend coffees, three with cream and sugar, one with just cream, and one black. Then she ordered a caramel macchiato for herself, and sat back while she waited for the car in front of her to roll forward. Her tired mind drifted back to work, to all the things she would have to get done for the day, while trying her hardest not to be distracted by the sexy, enigmatic powerhouse that was Mark Donaldson.

In truth, she was only his front desk secretary—his personal secretary (or assistant, as the man liked to call himself) was Dave Harrison, tall, skinny and snooty-nosed, and very much crushing on their boss. Max had a tendency to tumble whichever woman was in his bed across his desk during his lunch hour, and Dave would get outrageously jealous and take it out on Katherine since he knew she had eyes for the boss as well. So he would dump tasks on her that were quite obviously his job—like fetching the morning meeting coffee.

She collected and paid for the orders, then drove down Central Avenue and into the parking garage adjacent to the building Empire Creations was housed in. Balancing the two trays of coffee in her hands, she somehow managed to get to the office on the 30^th floor without spilling any on the white blouse she wore—a miracle, since she’d already stained three shirts in as many weeks doing just this.

Her low-heeled pumps clicked against the black tile floor as she headed past the wide console that was her desk, through the hall, and into the meeting room, where several staff were already waiting—including Mark, who was making notes on a pad of paper as he sat at the head of the table.

She set the coffees down near him, and froze momentarily when he looked her way. He was too handsome for a Plain Jane like her to be around him without floundering for oxygen. The ceiling lights glanced off his black hair, slicked back from a tanned face with a straight nose, lips she knew could curve absolutely wickedly when he was looking at a woman he liked, and a strong, square chin. His eyes were such a dark brown they appeared to be black, and they pierced her like arrows now, something intensely carnal in them she wasn’t at all comfortable with.

“Good morning, Ms. Hewitt,” he greeted her in that deep, rich voice that was like the caress of a man’s hand down her spine.

“Morning, Mr. Donaldson,” she murmured quietly, dropping her eyes to the coffee tray she’d set down so she wouldn’t have to look into his eyes. She began pulling out the different coffees and reading the labels on them before passing them out. When she got to his she set it down in front of him, her eyes fixated on the glossy wooden table, and she nearly jumped out of her skin as his hand curled around the cup, strong, warm fingers touching hers before she could let go. Startled, she looked up to see that carnal gleam was in his eye, and this time that wicked curve to his lips was there to match it. Her pulse tripped as color heated her cheeks. Surely he wasn’t looking at her like that. She was just a wallflower—a nobody.

The spell of the moment was shattered when Dave came rushing over, his pale face stretched in a grimace of a smile. The loathing in his blue eyes as he looked her way told her loud and clear that he was not pleased with what he was seeing. “I’ll take that off your hands, Ms. Hewitt,” he told her, elbowing her out of the way none too gently. He spied the caramel macchiato and snatched it up. “Ah. I see you’ve forgotten my own coffee, so I’ll make do with this. You can go back to your post up front, Ms. Hewitt.”

Katherine balled her hands into fists, but she was still new here and she couldn’t risk speaking out and losing her job. Prepared to walk off without her coffee, her head shot up in surprise as Mark spoke.

“Mr. Harrison, you know full well you never ordered any coffee this morning, which is why Ms. Hewitt did not bring any for you. You always complain about the inferiority of the Starbucks brand and blend your own at home, which is in the thermos you’ve left out on the table over there.” Mark pointed to where it sat next to the portfolio case Dave was always carrying around, and though his tone was mild there was a hint of steel in it that had Dave’s spine stiffening and a line of sweat breaking out over his pale forehead. “Please don’t play games during office hours, and give Ms. Hewitt her coffee back.”

“O-Of course,” Dave stammered, his eyes wide with shock. He turned and handed Katherine her macchiato. “Apologies, Ms. Hewitt. It was my mistake.” The resentment flashing in those pale eyes told her it was no such thing, and they both knew it. As it was, she gave him a small smirk that didn’t even come close to the tap dance of joy her heart was performing, and took the drink from him.

“Thank you,” she told Dave, and then looked past him to Mark, who was watching them both. “Good morning, sir.”

She turned and left the room, and a tingle went up her spine as she felt Mark’s eyes on her the entire way out the door.

* * *

Mark watched the subtle sway of Katherine’s hips as she walked out the door, fancy drink in hand. She really wasn’t much of a looker at first glance—she wore the same black pencil skirts, white blouses and low-heeled pumps every day, and her brown hair, while glossy, was always pulled back into a no-nonsense bun. Her make-up was always professionally done, but low key, the buttons on her blouses were always completely done up so as to show not a hint of cleavage, and she always wore pantyhose over those legs of hers despite the sweltering heat that was summer.

She was always very quiet, very unassuming, and wouldn’t look him in the eye if she could help it. Their conversations were always very brief, and she never tried to engage him in small talk. If it weren’t for the surreptitious glances she would send his way when she thought he wasn’t looking, he would swear she swung the other way. But he suspected she was exactly what she appeared to be—shy, quiet, unassuming. A wallflower that preferred to duck her head and avoid him rather than raise it like many other women did and flirt shamelessly with him.

He was between women right now, the last one having become far too clingy, and normally he wouldn’t have given Katherine a second glance. He liked his women to be sexy and outgoing, to know what they wanted and not be afraid to ask for it. But he was also a Dom, and he sensed that she was a natural submissive, albeit one who was inexperienced with men. His practiced eye eventually saw past the drab exterior and to the exquisite figure beneath that she downplayed, and his instincts told him that the right man could not only bring out her external beauty, but awaken her sexually as well.

He’d seen those fists of hers bunch when Dave had tried to steal her coffee as punishment for drawing his attentions. He glanced sideways at his assistant now, who was busy setting up the projector. He knew perfectly well about Dave’s feelings for him and his proclivity for jealousy towards the women he brought around, but that was just too bad. He wasn’t sexually attracted to men, and if he had been he suspected Dave wouldn’t be his type anyway. If it weren’t for the fact that Dave was the best assistant he’d had in his ten years as CEO of Empire Creations he would have gotten rid of him—it didn’t pay to have an assistant constantly mooning after him that he wasn’t sexually attracted to. But his efficiency more than made up for that problem, so he would deal with it. And if Dave had a problem with his current interest in Katherine, he was just going to have to get used to it. Because now that he’d set his sights on her, he wasn’t going to back down until he got what he wanted.

And as everyone in this office new, Mark Donaldson always got what he wanted.

* * *

Katherine spent the morning answering phones, handling correspondence and doing the other myriad front desk duties expected of her. Every time she sipped from her caramel macchiato her lips curved into a small smile at the memory of Mark giving Dave a set-down. If nothing else good ever happened to her again on this job, she would treasure that memory forever. It was the first time Mark had ever really paid attention to her.

Of course, it was probably going to be the last time too. She knew from office gossip that the runway model he’d been dating was old news, and he had been without a woman for over a week now. She fully expected to see a new one on his arm by the time he came back from lunch today. Sometimes she wondered how he ever got anything done with all the sex he was obviously having. Her cheeks heated as they always did when she thought of him screwing some woman in his office. Did he like for them to kneel on his desk, doggy-style? Or did he sit back in his chair and let them ride him?

Blinking, she shook her head to snap herself out of it and try and lower the color in her cheeks. It was inappropriate for her to be thinking about her boss having sex with other women... even if he did it during office hours. Why should it matter to her, since she was never going to be one of those women? It’s not like his sexual performance affected the performance of the company. Empire Creations’ stock had risen ten percent in the last week alone. Mark was obviously very good at what he did.

Her heart beat a little faster as she heard the sound of Mark’s expensive shoes briskly hitting the tiled floors. He always walked with a powerful stride and she’d learned to recognize when he was coming by the sound alone. Self-consciously, she patted her hair and adjusted her blouse a fraction, not wanting to look less than her best though she knew he probably didn’t pay her any attention.

He came around the corner and she looked up at him through the fringe of her bangs, admiring his powerful body. He was six foot two with broad shoulders and a stocky build—he looked like he’d probably played as a linebacker in college and had maintained the physique despite being in an office position for who knew how long. Fully expecting him to give her a polite smile and walk out the door, she was surprised when he instead made a beeline for her desk.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Donaldson.” She gave him a small smile, hoping to God her cheeks weren’t as hot as they felt. “What can I do for you?”

He smiled warmly, placing a palm on her desk. “I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind coming out to lunch with me. There are some things I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Lunch?” There was no helping it—her cheeks flushed as her heart pumped faster to deal with the sudden rush of hormones coursing through her body. “My lunch break isn’t for another hour... Dave usually comes to cover for me at two o’clock...” Well, that wasn’t particularly true. He usually was a half hour late at the earliest, but that wasn’t something she was going to complain to Mark about. Most days she was just happy to have this job.

Mark waved his hand. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure he’d be happy to move up his schedule. Ah, look, here he comes now.” He shifted slightly as he turned and Katherine looked past him to see Dave walking into the lobby, briefcase in hand. She saw his pale eyes flash briefly before he fixed a polite smile on his face as Mark waved him over.

“What can I help you with, Mr. Donaldson?”

“I’d like you to take over for Ms. Hewitt for an hour,” he said, and Katherine had the pleasure of watching Dave’s face turn pale with shock once again. “I’m taking her out to lunch so we can discuss a few things.”

“Now?” His eyes flashed to Katherine and then back, and she watched with interest as his color turned blotchy. “But sir... I...” he trailed off as Mark’s eyes turned steely. “Of course. Of course I will.”

“Good man.” He turned toward Katherine with a smile, who was staring at both of them. “Are you ready?”

“What?” she snapped out of it. “Yes, yes, of course.” She reached down beneath her desk to grab her purse, then stood up and nearly collided with Dave’s chest, who had come around the desk to take her place.

“Have a great lunch,” he told her with a sour smile, and the look in his eyes told her that she would pay for this if he ever got the chance.

“Thank you.” Something stirred in her at the look he gave her that demanded she do something else than just slink off like a wounded animal. “Is there anything you’d like me to bring back for you? I’m sure they have doggie bags at the restaurant for leftovers.”

Dave’s eyes flashed, and Katherine had to bite the inside of her cheek to hold back her grin. “No thank you.”

She followed Mark outside to the Mercedes parked out front, and allowed him to help her into the passenger’s side. He chuckled, a rich deep sound that had her looking over in surprise as he started the engine and headed down Central.

“What’s so funny?” she couldn’t help but ask.

He shook his head. “It has been a long time since I’ve ever seen anyone other than myself put Dave in his place. You should do it more often.”

Katherine shook her head with a small smile. “That would be suicide. I like my job.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to let him push you around like that,” Mark pointed out. “Dave can be a little overbearing. He’s a good assistant, but he often takes himself too seriously and will walk all over anyone who lets him. And you’re far too pretty to have someone do that to you.”

Katherine blushed, her fingers flying to her lips—pouty lips, he noted. Made for long, slow kisses. “It’s really not a big deal most of the time,” she insisted. “I’m really just grateful to be able to work for you.”

“And I’m grateful to have you.” They parked outside the bistro he usually came to for lunch. “In more ways than one.” His lips curved in that wicked smile again, and her imagination immediately went into overdrive. Did he really mean what she thought he meant? Or was she just being ridiculous? She probably was, and really didn’t need to get her hopes up. He probably just wanted to talk business.

He led her inside, where the maître de greeted them warmly—Mark was a regular here. They were taken upstairs to the terrace where they had a wonderful view of the city, and given a seat right next to the metal railing with boxes off impatiens and other flowers trailing down over the wall, providing a lovely fragrance.

Their server appeared almost instantly to hand them menus. “Good afternoon. It’s so nice to see you again, Mr. Donaldson. Can I start you off with anything to drink?”

“Do you drink wine?” Mark asked her.

Katherine hesitated. “I do... but I really shouldn’t...”

He waved her protests away. “One glass of wine over lunch won’t affect your job performance. A bottle of Chardonnay, please.”

“Wow.” Katherine let out a slow breath as the waiter returned with their bottle and poured them both a glass. He left them to decide on their entrees, and Katherine took a sip. It was like drinking gold. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a Chardonnay like this before.”

“This place has an excellent selection,” Mark agreed. They chose their entrees, and then he sat back as they waited for their meal to arrive and studied her.

Uncomfortable under the intensity of his gaze, Katherine cleared her throat. “So, what is it you wanted to speak to me about, sir?” In truth she was a little nervous that all he’d done was made small talk so far... and look at her with those bedroom eyes that made her stomach flip-flop.

He gave her a slow smile. “It’s not about your job, if you’re wondering about that. I assure you that you’re doing a fantastic job. To be honest I’ve been curious about you. Dave and Mike—” the HR rep who’d initially contacted her “—did your interview and so I really know nothing about you at all. Where are you from?”

They made small talk for a little while, and then Mark leaned forward. “I’ll be honest with you, Katherine.” She blinked as he used her first name for the first time since the beginning of her employment. “I want you.”

“You... what?” She blushed as she felt his hand settle on her knee beneath the table. “Want me where?”

“On my desk. In my bed. On the floor.” He spoke low, his fingers slowly trailing up the inside of her thigh. “Your legs are exquisite. I want to know what they feel like without the panty hose.”

“I... I...” Katherine bit down on her lower lip as he started massaging the inside of her thigh; slow circles of his thumb that sent tendrils of heat traveling straight to her core. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m completely serious.” The waiter arrived with their entrees, and without removing his hand from her leg he looked up and engaged in a brief conversation as the waiter set everything out. Katherine had to ball her fists in her lap to keep from trembling, and she was certain the waiter couldn’t have missed the scarlet blush staining her cheeks.

Once the waiter went on, he continued on as though nothing had happened. “I know you want me, Katherine. I’ve seen those naughty little glances you’ve tossed my way when you thought I wasn’t looking.” His hand trailed down to stroke the area right underneath her knee, sending more shivers through her and making her hot all over. She’d no idea that was such a sensitive area! “I’m sure you’ve wondered on more than one occasion what it is I do with the women I’ve brought back to my office. Now you have a chance to find out.”

Katherine licked her lips, which had gone as dry as the inside of her mouth. She wanted to reach for her wine glass to wet her throat but she was trembling from Mark’s continuous caresses and wasn’t certain she could be trusted not to spill the wine on herself.

“If you do decide you want to do this, you should know it will be a Dom/sub relationship,” he continued, picking up his fork and sampling his alfredo as he continued to touch her underneath the table.

“What does that mean?” she picked up her own fork slowly, but found that she couldn’t concentrate long enough to get anything from her plate onto the utensil.

“That means I will be the one in control, and you’ll trust me to do what’s best to bring you pleasure,” he told her. “It won’t be anything like you’ve ever experienced before sexually.”

That wasn’t really saying very much, Katherine thought, but she had the idea that what Mark was referring to was considered... taboo. “Is that like when I have a safe word and I tell you when to stop?”

He chuckled. “It won’t be anything quite that intense, but yet. Don’t be afraid, Katherine,” he told her when her nerves flashed in her eyes. “I’ll take good care of you. You can trust me on that.”

What did she have to lose? It wasn’t every day that devastatingly sexy men told her they wanted to have kinky sex with her. And maybe this was the kind of thing she needed. Her life had been tedious this last year, full of nothing but work and worry.

“Alright,” she told him. “What do you want me to do?”

“First,” he told her, setting down his fork and picking up her own. “I want you to eat.” He scooped up a bite of pasta off her plate and held it up to her lips. “Go ahead, take a bite.”

She did as he asked, and admitted to herself she’d never been so self-conscious of eating in her life—his eyes were boring into her face the entire time. “There you go,” he said huskily. “You have such gorgeous lips. Have another one. Go more slowly this time.”

He fed her bite after bite, and she learned to slide her lips slowly along the fork, and she knew from the gleam in his eye that he was thinking of having her lips wrapped around something very different. She felt a flutter of embarrassment at first, but as she continued it faded as she realized this simple act was the sexiest thing she’d ever done. She could tell by the expression in his half-lidded eyes that he was aroused, and the knowledge aroused her too—her nipples were stiff beneath her bra, and the space between her legs was moist and pulsing lightly with need. All the while he continued to toy with her leg, brushing his fingers under her knee and down the back of her calf.

Eventually her plate was empty. He looked at his watch and saw their hour was nearly up. “Time to go,” he said, flagging down the waiter to pay for the check.

He offered his arm and she took it, allowing him to lead her outside. He held her close to his body, possessively so, and helped her into the passenger’s side once again. Then he shifted the car into drive and headed back to the downtown office.

“Now that you’ve agreed, I’ll expect you in my office exactly half an hour after closing time,” he told her as they entered the parking garage. “Don’t be late.”

“Yes sir,” she said meekly, and she couldn’t help but smile a little at the fact that anyone who might’ve overheard them would have thought he meant they were having some kind of meeting.

Well, she supposed they were... but it was going to be unlike any meeting she’d ever been to before.

They walked through the lobby doors together, and Dave looked up and gave them both an over-bright smile. That smile faded after Mark bid her goodbye, and he glowered at her as he rose to his full height so that she could take the chair back from him.

“What was all that about?” he snapped.

“I... I don’t really think that’s any of your business,” Katherine told him, not because she was trying to be defiant, but because she had nothing else to say. After all, she couldn’t tell him that she’d just agreed to enter into a sexual relationship with Mark. Not unless she wanted to see Dave have an apoplexy.

“I’m his assistant. Why wouldn’t it be my business?” he hissed. “Ms. Hewitt, you had ought to remember who hired you.”

Katherine’s back went up. “I’m reasonably certain you can’t fire me if Mark doesn’t want you to,” she told him sweetly. “And I can guarantee he won’t give the order if you ask him.”

Dave’s face turned blotchy, his gangly body going ramrod stiff. “We will see about that, Ms. Hewitt. We will definitely see about that.”

He marched off, and Katherine had to hold back a grin.

* * *

When closing time finally came around, most of the superiority of having had two victories over Dave had faded, to be replaced by a nervous anticipation that had her palms sweaty and her cheeks unseasonably warm. She loitered at her desk, biding the other employees’ goodnight, weathering a stony glare from Dave as he headed out as well, and then locking the front door. She stopped by the bathroom to freshen up, pulling a tiny bottle of jasmine oil from her makeup back and dabbing some of it behind her ears—when she wanted to smell nice she used that, because she was allergic to perfume. She checked her hair and clothes twice in the mirror, and as an afterthought stripped off her pantyhose and stuffed them in her purse—he’d said he’d wanted to feel her legs after all, hadn’t he?

She arrived outside his office door at exactly half past six, took a deep breath, and knocked. His deep voice called for her to enter, and she pushed open the door to see him sitting at his desk, typing away on his keyboard. She’d only been in here once before when she’d had to deliver some files to his desk, and that was a quick in and out cycle. She took the time now to study the décor—muted green walls with a framed photograph of the Chicago skyline hanging on the one opposite the window, a large, mahogany l-shaped desk holding a computer and scrupulously organized papers. Her footfalls were muffled by the thick, cream-colored carpet as she approached to where he sat behind the desk. He rose with a smooth smile.

“Right on time,” he told her with a smile. “Come over here and sit on the edge of the desk here.”

Her blood pumped a little faster at the look in his eye. “Yes, sir.” She sat on the edge of the desk, and then jumped a little as his hands settled at her waist, pushing her back a little farther. She winced as she felt her butt press up against a paperweight and heard it clatter against the polished wood of the desk.

“Don’t worry about it,” he murmured. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Are... are we doing this here?” she wanted to know. “Now?”

He smiled at her. “Not exactly. I am... preparing you for our first night together.”

Leaning past her, he reached out and grabbed a large white box sitting on the desk. He set it down next to her and lifted the top off. She tried to get a look at what was inside but was distracted when he reached to the zipper at the side of her pencil skirt and tugged it down.

“Lift your legs for me,” he commanded, and she did as he said. Shivers of pleasure went through her body as he slowly slid the skirt down her body, ensuring that the pads of his fingers stroked her legs as he did so. “Good girl. Now your panties.”

“I... I thought we weren’t doing this here?”

His hands stilled at the waistband of her plain, white cotton panties. “One of the rules to this game is that you must place your trust in me. If I give you an order, you obey. If not, you are punished. Right now, I order you to not question my directions. If you aren’t willing to play by the rules, we can end this here and now, and you can walk out this door without getting a chance to experience the sensual delights in store for both of us.”

Heart hammering, she stared up at him wordlessly for a moment. His countenance was expressionless, smooth, but his eyes were hot with the promise of those sensual delights just around the corner. A large part of her, the coward that kept her from exploring her sexual side as a woman, that bound her within the confines of her apartment when she was outside of work, begged her to get off the table and walk away. But the other part of her, the one that longed for excitement, adventure, for sexual fulfillment, demanded she stay. It was that part of her that, deep down inside, made her realize she would deeply regret passing up this opportunity.

“I will stay.”

“Good.” He smiled, then slid her panties off. “No,” he murmured when she tried to close her legs. “I want to see you.”

Pressing her palms hard against the desk, she held her breath as he spread her legs wide, exposing her most private area to his gaze. Her legs trembled as she fought against the impulse to snap them shut—she’d had sex before, but the few encounters had been sloppy and quick. She had little experience with foreplay.

“Beautiful.” His fingers gently stroked her dark blond curls, sending her muscles aquiver for different reasons now. They moved down to her lips, and she could feel her core heat. “Already wet. By the time we’re done tonight you’ll be dripping for me. Begging for me. Do you want that?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Good.” He lifted a black, lacy thong out of the box, then clipped a small device to the inside of it before sliding it up her legs. He adjusted the string around her hips and squeezed her ass cheeks lightly, his fingers digging in and massaging. She could feel the cold metal of the device right up against her clitoris. “You’re wearing a remote-controlled vibrator right now,” he explained, holding up a small, black remote to prove his words. “You’ll keep it on at all times when you are wearing clothing, even when you are not with me.”

“All the time?” When he arched an eyebrow, she lowered her eyes. “I mean, yes, of course.”’

He lifted her chin with the tip of a single finger. “That means when you’re at home on the couch, watching TV, or sitting at the front desk answering phones at work. It will serve as a constant reminder, so that you’re always thinking of me, always ready for me. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” she said, a breathless note to her voice this time at the images he was putting into her head.

“Very good.” Removing his hands from her hips, he brought them up to her blouse and undid the buttons. Her blouse and bra went fluttering to the floor where her skirt lay, and she bit her lip as he slid his warm palms beneath her breasts, hefting them in each hands. She gasped when he tweaked her nipples, then licked her lips when he pulled a column of fluid black silk from the box and slipped it over her head.

“Stand up.” She did as he asked, and he smoothed the dress over her hips, her thighs, the curve of her ass. It was a little black dress with a short, ruffled skirt that barely reached the end of her fingertips when she let her arms hang to the sides

There was enough support built into the bodice to accentuate and lift her breasts and so she tried not to be worried about the fact that it was strapless. Altogether it showed off far more of her skin than she’d ever done before.

“Gorgeous.” He came around behind her, his fingers sliding against the column of her neck as he fastened a black onyx choker around it, then fixed a matching pair of dangling earrings in her lobes. Each touch was like a brand, leaving a trail of fire in his wake. Her attention was so completely fixated on what he was doing that her knees buckled when the vibrator suddenly sprang to life, pulsing against her clit and sending bone-melting sensation through her body. A small cry escaped her lips as he hauled her up against him, and she could feel his erection pressing up against the curve of her ass.

“Now, now,” he murmured, his lips touching her earlobe. “I can’t have you doing that in public. People will wonder what’s wrong, and what will you tell them?”

Her cheeks burned at the thought. “W-will we be g-going to a place with lots of people?” she managed, though it was incredibly hard to formulate words with the vibrator still vibrating against her clit. She tried to lock her knees so that she wouldn’t fall over when he let her go.

He chuckled. “Katherine, we’re going to a soiree. There is going to be a fundraiser tonight for a political campaign, and because I’m on the board I’m required to be there. I’m taking you as my date.”

“A fundraising soiree?” a laugh bubbled out of her, surprising her as the rebellious part of her rose up. “Awfully... strange place for... a first date...” she ended on a gasp, squeezing her legs together tightly as the pleasure built. She was so close to coming, she was certain she would go over the edge in just a few seconds.

“Uh-uh-uh,” he wagged a finger as he bit down sharply on her earlobe, the stinging pain an admonishment. The vibrator shut off and she sagged, both relief and frustration sinking through her. “Another rule. You aren’t allowed to come unless I give you permission.”

Katherine bit back a groan. How was she going to last the night? They hadn’t even left yet and she was already dripping wet and on the verge of begging. She bit the inside of her cheek to try and get a handle on herself. “Yes, Mr. Donaldson.”

“In private you must call me Master.” He pinched her bottom through her dress, making her jump. “In public, when we’re with other people, you may call me Mark.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Good.” He took her arm in his. “Our carriage awaits.”

Their ‘carriage’ was a black stretch Lincoln limousine with a fully-stocked bar and seats that stretched along the sides of the limo’s interior rather than facing forward. Katherine wondered if the driver who held the door open noticed her flushed face or stiffened nipples—his expression was polite yet unfathomable, so she couldn’t tell what he thought of her. She was certain she didn’t look like any of the women he normally took around in this limo. She was too short, and not skinny enough.

His phone rang almost immediately when they got into the limo and after glancing at the screen, made his apologies to her before answering it. She sat across from him, her eyes restlessly drifting across the interior as well as the view outside, but inevitably coming back to the tiny bulge in his pants pocket where she knew the remote lay. She could feel the metal of the vibrator pressed intimately against her still, and try as she might it was impossible to relax—the knowledge that he could turn it on kept her in a mixture of dread and anticipation.

They arrived at their destination—a Hilton—and took the elevator up to the hall where the soiree was being hosted. The hall—tastefully decorated with gold and silver ribbons, flowers and balloons—was packed with people dressed in evening finery and holding champagne glasses while they sat at round tables draped in white table cloths set with candle and flower centerpieces. A band was playing soft, tasteful music up on the stage, and the banners clearly proclaimed the fundraiser and its message.

Mark snagged a champagne flute from a passing waiter’s tray and handed it to her. “Drink some of this, and relax. You’re so tense you feel like a wooden board pressed up against my side.”

Katherine flushed as she took the glass from him and took a breath, trying to release the tension in her muscles. The task was made more difficult when he placed his hand at the small of her back, rubbing up and down gently—she knew he was trying to soothe her but his touch only heated her more. Placing the cool rim of the champagne flute to her lips, she allowed the bubbly liquid to slide down her throat, filling her with warmth. The knot of tension in her stomach eased slightly.

“Thank you,” she murmured, then thought to add, “Master.”

Smiling, he kissed the top of her head, then took her arm again and led her through the crowds of people, stopping by tables as well as clusters of people standing to talk. She was introduced to businessmen, politicians, even a few celebrities, and though initially she was a little flustered she found herself getting into the rhythm of things, learning to give and receive polite introductions, make small talk, take and give compliments. She couldn’t quite hold back the blushes on the many compliments she was given, either directly or indirectly when one of the men or women spoke to Mark and ask where he’d managed to find her. She wasn’t certain if they were being polite, or if they really meant it, but with Mark’s arm around her and the constant smiles he flashed her it didn’t matter.

Eventually dinner was served, and they sat at a table with several other patrons. As introductions were passed around she realized they were board members of the charity, just like he.

“Who is your friend, Mark?” a woman with silver hair dressed in a trim navy suit asked. Despite the color of her hair there was not a wrinkle on her face, and her dark eyes were warm, but vigorously alert.

“This is Katherine, my assistant,” Mark told her, and Katherine had to fight to keep her eyebrows from rising. She supposed it would be rather awkward for Mark to introduce her as his receptionist, since he would have no reason to bring her to a social function otherwise. At least as his assistant she had a reason for being there with him. “Katherine, this is Emily Sandoval. She is the Chairman of the Board.”

“Very nice to meet you.” Katherine held out her hand and exchanged a firm handshake with the woman.

“Likewise.” Emily turned back to Mark. “So you finally got rid of that greasy stick, did you?”

“Fred is still around,” Mark said as Katherine’s lips twitched. “Katherine assists me in... other capacities.”

Katherine’s eyes dropped to her plate as she suddenly became very interested in her meal—she knew she would blush if Emily met her eyes. Thankfully the woman was content to converse with Mark, and paid Katherine no mind. She was just beginning to relax again, having finished a second glass of champagne and a good portion of the food on her plate, when Mark’s fingers gently slid up the hem of her dress, fingers gliding along her inner thigh. Breath caught in her throat, she glanced over at him, but his attention was firmly fixed on Emily.

Wondering if she was imagining things, she dared a glance beneath the table, and saw his fingers curled around her leg for an instant before his grip tightened subtly. His eyes were still fixed on Emily as he conversed with her and other board members at the table, but the message was clear; he didn’t want her drawing attention to herself, or what he was doing with her.

“So how is it that you’ve come to work for Mark, Katherine?” one of the other board members, a man in his forties leaned in to ask her.

“Oh! I... uh...” the pad of his thumb began massaging the inside of her leg in slow circles, and she had to fight to marshal her thoughts as the man led her into a conversation. It was everything she could do to keep her voice steady, and though she considered slapping at his hand or kicking him underneath the table, she had the feeling that would violate the rules of the game.

Eventually they had a moment of silence in which no one was talking with them, and she leaned over to whisper in Mark’s ear. “You’re tormenting me.”

“Just a taste of what’s to come, darling,” he murmured back.

She stiffened as the vibrator hummed against her clit, and at the same time the lights dimmed and Emily ascended to the podium to make her opening speech for the fundraiser. Chuckling, Mark stroked her back briefly as everyone clapped—Katherine would have joined in but her hands were gripping the sides of the chair for dear life.

“Remember,” he whispered wickedly in her ear, “you can’t come unless I say so.”

The fundraising dinner lasted an hour and a half, and it was the longest hour and a half she’d ever lived through. Mark didn’t keep the vibrator on the entire time, but would turn it on and off at random intervals, keeping her on her toes so that she never knew when it was going to hit her. Sometimes it was when someone was talking up on the podium and no one was paying attention to her; other times it was when someone was talking to her, or even when she was mid-sentence—those were the most mortifying. By the end of the fundraiser she was in a state of such heightened need she could barely walk, and clung to Mark’s arm for dear life as he escorted her out and into the limo.

“Please, Master,” she told him once they were safely inside and the car was moving. “I can’t take this anymore.”

He only smiled and crooked a finger, beckoning to her. “Come and sit in my lap.”

She scrambled to obey, and he positioned her so that she was straddling his lap. His erection pressed right up against her panties, and she whimpered.

“Uh-uh.” He gripped her hips tightly when she began rubbing herself against him, forcing her to stop. “if you do that, you’re going to come. I didn’t say you could come yet.”

“When will you let me?” she asked breathlessly. “Please, I want to.”

“I know.” He framed her face with his big hands so that she was staring up into his deep brown eyes. They were darkly seductive, beckoning with hot promise, and they filled her vision so that she felt as though she were drowning in them. His thumb stroked her lower lip gently. “But I haven’t kissed you yet, Katherine. I haven’t tasted that luscious mouth of yours.”

Katherine blinked. “You haven’t.” She’d not dwelled on it, but now that he mentioned it seemed absurd. She’d shown him the most private areas of her body, allowed him to touch her, and he’d never even kissed her. Her heart pounded as he angled her head properly, then pressed his lips firmly against hers. He seduced with soft, tender kisses, tiny nips that sent shivers down her spine, and strokes of his tongue that had her opening her mouth willingly. He slid his tongue in and out, rubbing it against her own tongue and the roof of her mouth, and the motion was overtly sexual, mimicking the act. He nipped her tongue between his teeth and sucked on it, enticing a moan from her.

“So sweet,” he growled against her lips, pulling back slightly. “So innocent. Haven’t you been with a man before?”

“Very few times, Master,” she admitted softly, her eyes drifting away from his. “And it has been a long time.”

He lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze, which was surprisingly gentle. “Then this will be a night to remember, for both of us. I will take great pleasure in your sexual awakening. And I promise, you will too.”

The limo came to a stop, and Katherine looked over Mark’s head and out the window to see the lighted front steps of what looked to be an apartment complex. Or maybe it was a hotel—it looked far more elegant than any complex she’d ever seen, but she knew Mark lived in Chicago so she didn’t understand why he’d live in a hotel anyway.

“Good evening, Mr. Donaldson,” the man at the front desk greeted him as they walked into the foyer. His grey eyes passed over Katherine with no comment. She supposed he saw women come and go often enough.

“Evening, Richard.”

They rode the elevator up to the top floor, and stepped right into an anteroom. Her eyes took in the arched ceiling, the marble floor, the tastefully decorated walls as he took her hand and led her to the French doors on the other side. The entered a thirty-foot living room with vaulted ceilings, lapis lazuli fireplace and a seemingly endless stretch of glass walls that offered a panoramic view of the city.

“This is a penthouse, isn’t it?” she asked, her eyes trailing up a curving staircase that led to another set of French doors she could only imagine led to his bedroom.

“Two floors, fifteen rooms,” he answered, smiling a little at the look of awe on her face. “Do you like it?”

“It’s gorgeous.” Her eyes settled on the dark brown leather couch in front of the fire place, and she wandered over to it, her lust momentarily put at bay by the sheer amount of wealth being thrust in her face. Her hands slid along the buttery soft leather as she sat down. “I would love to curl up right here with a blanket in front of the fire with a book during the winter. It would be just right.”

He smiled as he joined her on the couch. “I like curling up on here with a woman even more.” His eyes gleamed, igniting the banked coals of her desire once more. “I’m going to get something from upstairs. When I come back, I expect you to have your dress and shoes off.”

“Yes, Master.”

She watched him walk up the staircase, admiring the way his suit seemed to flow around his powerful body, and licked her lips. Only when the doors had closed did she stand up and slowly tug off her dress. It seemed absurd since he’d already seen her naked, but she was still a bit self-conscious. She placed her dress and shoes off to the side, and, standing only in the thong he’d bought her, looked around. A motion caught her eye and she looked to see her reflection in the windows. Her hair was still up, she noticed, and wondered if she should take it down. It would end up down eventually, she decided, pulling the pins from it so that it cascaded down and around her shoulders, covering the tips of her breasts. She looked like Eve, she decided, staring at herself in the glass again.

She was just placing her earrings on a side table when he came down the stairs again, carrying a small bag. Her heartbeat raced at the sight of him—he’d removed his shoes, jacket and shirt, leaving on only the pair of grey slacks. The muscles of his chest were perfectly formed as they gleamed in the light. But the smile on his lips died as his eyes landed on hers, and she recoiled as they flashed with ire.

“Did I ask you to let down your hair?” he asked softly as he approached her

“N-no, Master.” She backed up a step as he closed the distance between them, and her legs hit the back of the couch as he placed his hands on either side of her hips.

“Did I not tell you that you were to follow my orders?”

“Yes, you did,” she whispered. “Master.”

“Then why did you not follow them?”

“But I did,” she told him, confused. “I took off the shoes and dress. I didn’t realize you wanted me to leave everything else on.”

He stroked the side of her cheek gently. “I understand you are new to all this,” he told her, looking deeply into her eyes, and she relaxed slightly as she saw the anger in them had abated. “And I will learn to be more specific with my directions. But when we are together you must do exactly as I say, nothing more, nothing less. If you disobey my orders, you will be punished. And I’m afraid I’ll have to punish you now.”

Katherine gulped, her eyes wide. “Yes, Master.” What sort of punishment would he give her?

“Turn around,” he ordered, grabbing her arms when she did so. She felt him wrap cloth around her wrists, tightly enough so that she could feel the bones rub together as he tied the knot. “I’ve changed my mind. We’re going upstairs.”

With one hand on her shoulder and the other around her forearm he marched her up the winding staircase and through the ornate double doors. They opened into a lavish bedroom with thick carpeting, gilt-edged walls, and a canopy bed with sin-black sheets that looked so decadent her pulse jumped at the idea of being in it with him. Instead of leading her to it, he pushed her onward to the opposite wall, which was completely concealed by dark, heavy curtains. Pulling on a golden rope, the curtain glided to the left, revealing a black dungeon door. Without releasing his grip on her shoulder, he inserted a large metal key into the lock, then pulled open the door. She half expected it to creak ominously, but it glided open silently on obviously well oiled hinges.

Inside, her jaw dropped at the sight-—the walls were dark grey stone, like that in a true dungeon, with fake torches glowing in brackets placed all along the walls. A long, metal table dominated the room, black restraint cuffs resting at the corners. She could see they were attached to the table by chains. There was some sort of swing-like contraption near the far wall that she couldn’t even conceive of, and there was another table with various tools and restraints. She tried to crane her neck to get a look at them, but he led her straight to the table and lifted her up onto it.

Since she had no hands to support her, she was forced to turn her head to the side and rest her cheek against the cold metal. As she did so, her eyes widened at the sight of a wide, rectangular mirror, displaying her full length as she sprawled on the table. She was shocked at just how wanton she looked, with her hair spilling around her face, her breasts pressed against the table, and her scantily-clad ass rising in the air.

She watched as Mark placed one of his big hands on her bottom, meeting her eyes in the mirror, and smiled slightly. “There’s one in front of you too, and also one overhead. I like my submissive to watch what I am doing to them, while I am doing it.”

“Oh.” She said in a small voice, then yelped when he pinched her bottom.

“Oh...?”

“Master,” she added sheepishly.

“Good girl.” Mark tugged her legs open and secured the restraints around her ankles. “Now, for your punishment.” He picked up a black paddle from the table and smacked her left cheek with it. She gasped at the stinging pain. He smacked the opposite cheek, delivering the same pain. Her legs trembled as he continued to alternate, the stinging turning into a dull throb—a throb that extended between her legs, she realized. With each strike of the paddle she could feel her pussy thrum, could feel the little vibrator shake a little against her clit. She felt a tiny bit of moisture run down the inside of her right thigh, and knew that if she were able to reach a hand between her legs she would find her thong was soaked.

Looking in the mirror again, she saw that his face was expressionless as he paddled her, but his eyes were gleaming. She whimpered a little at the sight of her ass, all shiny pink now, then gasped as he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her up.

“Not loud enough,” he growled, bringing the paddle down just a little harder. “I want to hear you beg.”

A cry escaped her lips as he dragged her back, the sound a mixture of pain and pleasure. “Please,” she gasped as he tugged on her hair harder.

The crack of the paddle against her ass reverberated louder through the room. “Please what? What do you want?”

“I... I can’t...” she cried out as he smacked her with the paddle again.

“I know that deep inside that shy, conservative exterior is a sexy wanton,” he growled in her ear. “It’s her I want to bring out to play with me. Now tell me, what do you want?”

“I want... release...” she gasped, tears stinging her eyes. “Please, Master.”

The paddle cracked against her flesh again, but lighter this time. “You’ll have to be more specific.”

“I want...” her jaw worked for a moment as she forced herself to say the words aloud. “I want your mouth on me...on me. Pleasing me. Master”

“Down here? On your wet, pink pussy?” He slipped a finger beneath the scrap of cloth that covered it and her knees nearly buckled.

“Yes. Please, Master,” she begged again.

“Good girl. You’re learning.” He placed the paddle aside and squeezed her cheeks gently in each hand. “You have such a beautiful ass,” he murmured as she moaned in pleasure-pain. “So round and pink. I might just give you what you want—but first you have to please me.”

His hands released her sore cheeks, then undid the restraints on her wrists and ankles. She brought her hands around to rub her wrists gently, but didn’t dare move anything else until he ordered her to.

“On all fours,” he told her, coming around the table as she obeyed. Her eyes widened as he undid his belt buckle and unzipped his pants, freeing his cock. He wore neither boxers nor briefs beneath as the pants pooled around his ankles. The mushroom tip was large and pink, a drop of pre-cum glistening near the slit, and a blue vein stood out along the side of its long, thick length. She licked her lips, her heart pounding double time.

He pressed that pink tip against her lips. “Take it,” he ordered, fisting his right hand in her hair.

Her tongue darted out again, this time to taste. It swirled around the head of his cock, soaking up the drop of sweet and salty pre-cum, and she marveled at the silky feel of it against her tongue. When a low groan was her only response she became a little bolder, stroking her tongue from the base of his shaft and up to the tip, then slowly sucking the head into her mouth. His fingers tightened the more of him she took into her mouth, and she inhaled the heady scent of him through her nose. He was almost too big—her lips barely touched the base, where his crisp hairs teased her skin.

“That’s a good little pet,” he breathed as she began to move her head up and down. Both his hands were fisted in her hair now as she learned her rhythm. Tasting him, listening to the sounds of her pleasure, she realized that even though she was the submissive, she still had power of her own. He may have had countless other women here and in that big, black bed of his, but she was the one giving him pleasure now. The knowledge swelled her with pride, and made her even more aware of her own femininity.

Soon he was thrusting his hips against her face, pushing his cock into her mouth faster than she was able to keep up. He let out a shuddering groan as his seed exploded in her mouth, and she swallowed the hot, sweet, salty liquid as he pulsed inside her.

He pulled out of her and laid her head against his abdomen. “You have pleased me well, Katherine. You have earned a reward.”

“Thank you, Master.” She smiled, her pussy throbbing at the mention of a ‘reward’. Would he give her what she asked for?

“On your back,” he ordered, and she rolled over to comply. He slid her panties off her legs and she smiled with anticipation, certain he was going to kneel between her legs any moment now. When he began securing her wrists and ankles in the restraints again a hint of panic rose up.

“I... I thought we were done with my punishment?” she asked, trying to keep her voice from trembling. What was he going to do to her? “Master?”

He gave her a reassuring smile. “I promise you’ll enjoy this. I’ll be right back.”

Katherine bit her lip to hold back a cry as he walked out, leaving her alone in this single room with no windows. She was terribly aware of the fact that she was naked and chained to this table, and if something were to happen to him she would be left alone in here for a long time. Days, maybe weeks even. The thought had her heart hammering against her ribcage as though it were trying to break free to escape. Sweat beaded along her forehead and she had to fight not to strain against the restraints. It was unlikely she could break free anyway, but too much movement could possibly send the table toppling, and that would make things worse for her.

Trust. He had said to trust him, and that she would be safe. She was going to have to trust that he would be back.

She let out the breath she was holding when the door opened again and Mark entered holding an ice cube tray and the black cloth he used to tie her wrists. He was still naked, and she admired the gleam of his muscles in the dim light as well as his confidence—even without all those windows downstairs she wouldn’t have felt comfortable walking through her apartment buck naked.

He returned her smile of relief as he shut the door behind him. “Missed me?” He set the items on a nearby table.

“I was... afraid to be alone in here, Master,” she admitted.

He stroked a warm hand down the side of her hip—a comforting gesture but it heated her blood all the same. “Don’t worry. I would never let anything happen to you.” He picked up the blindfold and wrapped it around her head. “I promised I would take care of you, didn’t I?”

“Yes.” Her pulse rocketed as her vision was taken away. “Master, what—”

“Shh.” He silenced her with a kiss. “Just sit back and enjoy what I’m about to do to you.”

She heard the brief sound of plastic scraping against metal, and remembered the ice cube tray he’d left. Suddenly a cold shock ripped through her body as he placed an ice cube in the middle of her abdomen. It forced a gasp from her, and he chuckled.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve done this with a woman,” he purred, sliding the ice cube up her abdomen. His tongue followed in the wet trail, enflaming her even as he continued to chill her. Fire and Ice. She trembled as her body throbbed with need. The ice cube slid along the undersides of her breasts, and she cried out in shock when he circled it around her left nipple. It was already incredibly sensitive, and the ice made them stiffen to the point where it was almost—but not quite—painful. A throaty moan escaped her throat when he followed up with his tongue, swirling it before she bit down gently.

“How’s that?” he asked, sliding the ice cube across to her other breast. “Does it feel good.”

“Yes,” she moaned, writhing as he slid the ice over her other nipple. “More, Master. Please.”

“You’re so hot,” he murmured, and then licked her nipple. “This ice cube is almost gone. I’ll have to get another. Here, take this one.”

He pressed the small bit of ice against her lips and she opened her mouth, sucking it in along with the tip of his finger. Chuckling, he allowed her to suck his finger for just a moment before pulling away. He returned with another ice cube and continued to tease her with it, running it down and around her breasts, the sides of her hips, her abdomen. He went through another as he worked on her legs, dragging it on the undersides of her knees, down her calves, on the bottoms of her feet, licking and nibbling as he went so that she never really got chilled. Even though he was covering every inch of her with ice, she only burned hotter for him.

“Please, Master,” she begged, her body trembling with the effort of keeping still, of not squirming and thrashing. “I can’t take much more.”

“Soon,” he promised. She heard him loosen the slack on the chains restraining her ankles. “Bend your knees for me, Katherine.”

Once she did there was a pause, and then he came around and removed the blindfold. “I want you to watch this part,” he told her, his voice dark with passion. His eyes fairly sizzled with it, and a quick glance down told her he didn’t have a very long recovery time at all.

“I will, Master,” she promised.

He walked around again, then gripped her knees and pushed her legs open. “You must keep your legs open at all times. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master.”

She watched as he took another ice cube from the tray, and cried out when he dragged it down her pussy. Her legs trembled as he worked the piece of ice around her clitoris and along the edges of her nether lips, and the sensations were more intense than the vibrating panties. The licks of his tongue that followed make her feel like she was being licked by a tongue of flame rather than one of flesh. Her pussy throbbed, her nipples ached, her entire body was flushed. She was getting close. Very close.

“Please, Master, may I come?”

“Not yet,” he told her. He slid the ice down further, to the entrance of her rear, and she gasped, eyes wide with shock this time.

“Had anyone ever touched you here?” he asked, locking eyes with her as he swirled the piece of ice around down there. The entrance to her rear throbbed with pleasure, the same as her pussy.

“N-no, Master,” she answered, her cheeks scarlet with embarrassment. “I’ve heard of it though.” And had always thought of anal sex as being strange and gross. But as her rear throbbed in earnest, she was having trouble remembering exactly why.

“It seems a lot of things tonight are first for you,” he said with a chuckle. He pushed the ice into her rear then, and her entire body jerked as she cried out. Her entrance pulsed around the piece of ice. “How does that feel? Does it hurt?”

She shook her head. “It’s incredible. Master,” she added with a gasp as he pushed the ice in a little further.

“Mmm.” He grabbed another ice cube and slid this one inside her pussy. A shudder wracked her body as she moaned, feeling his fingers work it in and out of her with excruciating slowness. “God you’re tight. Dripping wet, but still tight.”

She wanted desperately to be able to thrust her hips against him as he’d done to her earlier, but the position and the restraints wouldn’t allow it. The gleam in his eyes told her he was enjoying this, deliberately slowing his pace so as to drag it out as long as she could. A frustrated cry tore from her lips as she squeezed her eyes shut, but they popped open as he pinched her clit hard enough to cause pain.

“I told you to keep your eyes open.” The gleam in his eyes was hard now. “Are you getting tired of watching me?”

“No Master. Of course not.” She sucked in a shuddering breath. “I’ve just been waiting so long to come. I’m sorry, Master. I won’t do it again.”

“For that infraction you’ll have to wait a little longer.” He pulled his fingers out, studied the small bit of ice between them. “Almost gone. Take this one, too. I want you to taste yourself.”

He shoved his fingers into her mouth this time and she sucked them, allowing the cool ice to melt on her tongue as she tasted her unique flavor. She’d never done anything this erotic in her life. Her eyes drifted up to the mirror on the ceiling as he settled between her legs with more ice cubes, and she watched her body stretch like a bowstring as he inserted another ice cube into her rear, and then slid an ice cube directly between his teeth.

Her hips about flew off the table as he pressed the ice cube to her clit, but this time he was licking her at the same time, so that she was simultaneously assailed by raging heat and icy cold. It was sweet torture like she’d never experienced before. Her entire body hummed with pent up frustration and pleasure, begging to be released.

“Please, Master,” she cried, the words nearly incoherent with gasps and sobs. “Please, let me come!”

He lifted his head for just a minute. “You may come now, Katherine.”

He sucked her clit hard into his mouth and she exploded, her entire body convulsing. The pleasure engulfed her so completely, so utterly that she nearly passed out. Soft strokes along the sides of her hips brought her back, and she lifted her head to see him looking at her with a mixture of tenderness and hunger.

“Thank you, Master,” she managed, her heart thundering loudly. She took a deep breath to try and steady it. “That was amazing. Better than any I’ve ever had.”

He smiled widely. “I am very pleased,” he told her, unstrapping her from the table. He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the door.

“Where are we going, Master?”

“To bed.”

“But we haven’t...” she trailed off as he pressed a finger to her lips.

“I know. Trust me, I intend to have you fully. But I am very good at what I do and I can see that you need some rest. Let’s take an hour. You’ve been working hard during the day, and you’re not accustomed to all this yet. I want you to fully enjoy it.”

She snuggled against his chest with a smile, realizing just how sleepy she was getting. “Thank you, Master,” she told him as he set her atop the glossy black comforter.

“You’re very welcome.” He joined her on the bed and pulled her against his chest. “Sleep now.”

Her eyes fluttered closed, and she succumbed to the tiredness tugging at the edges of her mind.

* * *

It was her own moans that finally woke her. She’d been dreaming that she was burning up, that she was drowning in a fast expanse of sexual pleasure, hands gliding down her body, touching her in all the right places. Her eyes opened to see Mark over her body, one of her nipples in his mouth.

“Finally awake.” He looked up with a smile, and then kissed her. She twined her arms around his neck and lost herself in that simple pleasure, her body aching with the sweetness of it. His hands slid down to her breasts, tweaking her nipples and rolling them between his fingers. One of his knees was wedged between her legs and she lifted her hips, rubbing herself shamelessly against him. The crisp hairs on his leg teased her pussy before he pulled his leg away.

“I knew you were a wanton,” he teased, nibbling the side of her neck. “But don’t think the rules have changed simply because you’re in my bed now.” He bit down hard at the base of her neck, and she gasped.

“Yes, Master.”

“Good girl.” He kneaded her breasts with his hands, then rolled over. “Reach up and grab the headboard. Don’t let go, no matter what.”

“Yes, Master.” She reached up and did as he asked, then waited, her nerves stretched taut in anticipation. She could hear the harshness of hear breathing, the pounding of her pulse in her ears, and a shiver skipped up her spine as he slid the length of his cock against her ass cheeks.

“So beautiful,” he said, running a finger down the length of her spine. “I love the way your back curves. I love how your breasts fit perfectly in my hands.” He cupped them, rubbing the nipples with his thumbs and she moaned, stretching her body out. The motion caused his cock to rub between her cheeks. He pressed open-mouthed kisses down the length of his spine, and then all over both cheeks. “I could eat you alive.”

He spread her cheeks and inserted a finger into her rear, at the same time sliding his cock back and forth along her pussy lips. Katherine whimpered, wanting to grab his cock in her hands and guide it into her. But she knew if she did that he would punish her, and it would delay him giving her what she wanted.

“Master, please. I want you inside me.”

He worked his finger further into her rear, wringing another cry from her kiss-swollen lips. “I am in you,” he told her, a wicked undertone to his voice.

Her nails dug into the headboard. “You know that’s not what I mean, Master.”

He lifted a shoulder. “Maybe, maybe not. Like I said before, you have to tell me what you want.” He moved his finger in and out in time to his cock sliding against her.

“I want,” she gasped, “your cock inside my pussy. Now, please, Master.”

“There. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

Suddenly he gripped her hips with both hands, then slammed himself into her. There was no gradual increase of pace—he simply pounded himself home inside her with the ferocity of a racehorse bursting out onto the track. The fast paced and hard, pounding friction was exactly what she craved; she gripped the headboard for dear life as the entire bed shook. A small part of her wondered if the canopy might collapse on them; the rest of her didn’t care if it did so long as he kept pounding into her the way he was.

“Please, please, please,” she cried, her voice shaking with the force of his thrusts.

“Come for me,” he panted, reaching between her legs and stroking her clit. “Go ahead, Katherine. Let go.”

She tried to hold on, to make the moment last as long as she could, but it was impossible—the pleasure was building too fast for her to get a hold on it. It spiraled out of her control, taking it with her, making her feel as though she was being sucked into a whirlpool of pleasure, and right out the other end into a vast sea of it. She felt hot seed spurt onto her back as Mark pulled out and gave into his desire for release.

“Can... can I let go now, Master?” she asked, once she was reasonably sure he was coherent again.

“Yes.” She collapsed, and she felt a cool, wet cloth wiping his seed off her back before he rolled her over. Mark pulled up the covers and tucked them beneath, and she snuggled against his chest.

“Thank you, Katherine.” He stroked a hand up and down her back.

“My pleasure,” she murmured sleepily, and he chuckled.

“Indeed it was.”

She didn’t hear him; she was already asleep.

* * *

She was awoken once more by Mark, but this time it was with soft kisses and gentle strokes rather than hot lips and hands. Desire uncurled sweetly in her belly even as she unfurled and opened her eyes. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, welcoming a new day, casting a gleam on Mark’s dark hair and a sparkle into his blue eyes.

“Good morning.” He stroked a hand down her hair. “Did you sleep well?”

She smiled. “Yes, I did. Master,” she added.

“I’ve had many women in my bed, as you know doubt know,” he said, trailing his thumb along her cheek, “but I’ve never seen any that sleeps like you. You looked like an angel, with your long lashes and rosebud mouth. I couldn’t help but start kissing you.”

Katherine was proud that she only blushed a little beneath his compliments. “I like it when you kiss me too,” she told him, pressing her lips to his again. His arms came loosely around her as he kissed her tenderly—long, slow, and sweet. Her body heated—not the torrid rush of passion from before but gradual, like a flower blooming beneath the sun’s rays. His hands slid down her back to cup her cheeks, pressing her firmly against his hardening cock.

“I need you,” he murmured roughly against her lips before trailing then down the column of her throat. He gently bit down on the area right above the hollow leading down to her collar bone.

“Anything you want, Master,” she said on a sigh of pleasure as he stroked her with hands and lips and tongue.

“You may touch me if you like,” he told her, his hands on her breasts. She placed her own hands on his shoulders and ran then up and down her back, feeling his muscles flex as he played with her nipples. Her feet came up to find his cock, and she stroked it with her soles, moving them up and down as she’d done with her mouth last night. His groan made her smile.

“You have very talented feet,” he growled, tonguing her earlobe.

“Thank you, Master.” She gasped as he swirled his tongue in her ear. “You have a very talented tongue.” He chuckled.

They took their time exploring each other’s bodies, and Katherine relished finally having free rein to touch him where she liked. She found that his hard, brown nipples were especially responsive—she dragged her tongue over him the way he did hers and was rewarded with shivering groans. She fondled his sac between his legs as she stroked his cock, and found that when she touched the spot just behind it his eyes would close and a low, throaty groan would come up from his chest. His sexual responses were bold and completely unashamed, which aroused her unbearably. Before she met him she never would have imagined that pleasuring a man could be so pleasurable.

Eventually he’d had enough, and had bound her wrists over her head with one hand while he pleasured her with the fingers of his other one. He didn’t need ice cubes to make her pussy throb. Only when she was gasping from her third orgasm did he allow her to draw her legs up around his waist and enter her.

This time he went at a leisurely pace, pressing the length of his body as he held her wrists, kissing her as he worked his cock inside her. His tongue fucked her mouth in time to his thrusts, and she took him in gladly, greedily. The pleasure built more slowly, more steadily than it had last time, but when it finally crested over them it was no less intense. Rather than a tidal wave crashing, she felt as though she was being lifted into the clouds, and floated back gently as a snowflake on a breeze.

“Will you stay?” he asked, nuzzling her neck.

“Stay?”

“With me. As my lover. I want you to be mine. Only mine.”

Her mind drifted back to the night of pleasure they’d had; to how he’d opened her eyes, awakened her sexual side. No man had ever taken an interest in her the way he had, to the extent that he took the time to care for her pleasure, to teach her new things about herself and her body rather than focusing on his own pleasure. She had liked the things they had done together, and even though she’d always been taught that such things were taboo, she felt no shame in it. In fact, her body practically glowed with pleasure and happiness that she’d finally found a man who was willing to be a sexual partner in the truest sense of the word.

“I would love to,” she told him, running her fingers through his hair. “What you showed me last night was... incredible. I want more of that.”

“What I’ve shown you is only the beginning,” he told her with a wicked grin. “There is plenty left for me to teach you as your Master.”

“I am more than willing to stick around and be your student,” she told him with a grin of her own.

“I am glad to hear it. Do you have time for another lesson?”

“Always.”

He wrapped his arms around her, and she kissed him.

––––––––

Several months later...

Katherine gasped at the shock of cold as Mark fastened a pair of clamps, made icy from the freezer, to her protruding nipples. She was on her knees in front of the fireplace in his living room, and the heat from the roaring fire in the hearth against her naked body only made the contrast that much sharper. Her hands were bound behind her back, a blindfold around her head, so that she was forced to rely purely on sound and sensation.

She could feel a very slight displacement of air around her as her Master walked a slow circle around her; she knelt at attention, her body stiff as a bow as she waited in anticipation. He’d not told her his plans when he’d walked through the door that evening, but she knew he was in a mood; he’d had to fire an employee today for directly going against his orders and screwing up a multi-million dollar deal. At the end of the day he’d sent her back to his mansion ahead of him and told her to be naked and waiting for him on the hearth rug in his bedroom.

When he’d walked through the double doors of his bedroom, a slight shiver had gone down her spine at the dangerous glint in his eye. He’d started up the fire, fixed the blindfold on her eyes and told her not to say a single word. She knew that he expected, no, needed, complete obedience from her tonight after having to deal with the man who had so blatantly flaunted disregard for his authority.

Still, he hadn’t said she couldn’t make any sound, and so she cried out freely when she felt the sting of a riding crop against her bottom. Holding herself rigid, she tilted her head to the ceiling as she took the flogging, savoring each sting, each crack that snapped through the air. In her mind’s eye she imagined the welts that were rising on her smooth, creamy skin, and her breath grew sharper, faster. She always traced the markings lovingly afterward; they were a gift, as far as she was concerned.

It hadn’t always been this way, she reflected briefly even as her body sang with the pleasure/pain. In the beginning she’d been nervous, even against the idea of letting Mark inflict pain on her. But these past few weeks he’d shown her just how good it could be.

“Very good, Katherine,” he said, his deep voice like a physical caress along her spine. She whimpered when he tugged on the nipple clamps, sending twin lances of pleasure and pain through the front of her. Wetness dribbled down the inside of her left thigh; her pussy ached so badly it was all she could do not to beg him for release. “I think you’ve earned a reward.”

There was a slight rustling behind her, followed by a tiny crack, and then she gasped when she felt the wet, icy shock of an ice cube pressed directly between her shoulder blades. He slid it slowly, torturously down the curve of her spine, lingering at the small of her back. She bit her lip when the ice came in contact with the welts, as he traced the shrinking cube along each line. Once he followed the trail of ice with his hot tongue, eliciting a surprised moan of pleasure from her.

“You’re so hot,” he murmured against her skin. “You’re burning up my ice.”

She heard another small crack that she recognized as the sound of an ice cube being removed from a tray, and tensed, expecting the cold against her bottom again. Instead she felt hot, muscled flesh; strong arms banding around her as she was pulled against her Master’s chest. The hairs on his chest teased her bare skin, and she smiled slightly as his hard cock rubbed lightly between the globes of her ass. Her head fell back against his shoulder as she offered her neck, but he only nuzzled briefly.

“You’re so ready,” he whispered against her ear. “But there’s more. Much more.”

He pressed the ice cube against her clit, and she screamed. The chuckle vibrating against her ear was low and dangerous, and he dug strong fingers into her hip to keep her from bucking as he continued to torture her, sliding the ice cube against her folds, mingling the icy burn of the melting water with her juices. When he slid a finger inside her pussy, her entire body trembled as she clenched around him. It only took a second finger and two quick thrusts before she came, barely managing to hold back his name on her lips as she screamed her pleasure.

There was no time for her to recover; he pushed her legs open and slammed his cock into her while she was still riding the waves of the orgasm. Her thigh muscles quivered as she took it; with her hands bound, she had nothing else for leverage. She came twice before he pushed forward onto the ground and spewed his seed all over her back, her name on his lips the sweetest thing she’d ever heard. She lay there for a long moment, listening to the crackle of the fire and the sound of their breathing, then let out a quiet sigh when he undid her bonds and her blindfold.

“Come,” he commanded as he pulled her to her feet. “Let’s take a bath.”

* * *

In the morning, she cracked open an eye and rolled over, her muscles loose and limber from the massage he’d given her last night. The welts still smarted, but she relished the pain; it was a constant reminder of her sexual growth, of her good fortune that a man like him would take it upon himself to teach a woman like her.

Mark was up already, standing buck-naked in front of his wardrobe as he decided what to wear. The early morning light glinted off his black hair, which she knew from running her fingers through it was thick and wavy and sinful. Definition was carved into every muscle of his powerfully built body; his broad back flexed as he rifled through his shirts, his ass and thigh muscles rippled as he shoved his legs through a pair of slacks that cost more than she made in six months. It always made her incredibly hot at work to know that he wore nothing beneath them.

He turned, then, and his eyes, the color of black coffee, met hers with that intensity that always took her breath away. A lazy, predatory smile curved his lips as he strolled toward her with that slow, rolling gait that made her think of a panther prowling his domain. The bed creaked under his weight as he settled on the edge of the bed, his big hand cupping the side of her face.

“You sleep in too late,” he murmured, leaning down to brush his lips gently against hers.

“You get up too early,” she countered sleepily, but she stretched her arms overhead as she sat up, letting the sheet fall to her waist. Mark’s eyes latched hungrily onto her nipples, which were pinker and slightly enlarged from last night’s activities. Lowering his head, he tongued one of them, and she sucked in a sharp breath—they were still sore.

“We can’t afford to be late today,” he said with a regretful sigh as he pulled back. “Ride with me this morning. We have things to discuss.”

Puzzled, Katherine showered and dressed quickly, then grabbed a bagel and some fruit from the kitchen before sliding into the passenger’s seat of Mark’s silver Mercedes. He was silent for several minutes, and she took the opportunity to eat her bagel. She was licking crumbs off her fingers when he finally spoke.

“I imagine that you haven’t bothered to check, but you have vacation time coming up next week.”

“I do?” Katherine frowned as she pulled out her organizer and flipped through the book. “Oh. Yes, you’re right. Do you need me to postpone it?”

“That would be against company policy,” he said dryly, “and I’ve already broken more than once company policy with you.”

Katherine only grinned. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to take a vacation then. Although now I need to figure out where I’m going to go.”

“Actually, I was hoping you might stay.”

Katherine blinked. “But I thought you said I had to take a vacation?”

“You do. But that doesn’t mean you have to leave.”

“What would I do here?” she asked, frowning. “I know that right now you can’t afford to take time off yourself, so it’s not as if you would be with me.”

He smiled. “I was thinking it would be the perfect time to try out a contract.”

“A contract?”

The smile turned wicked. “It’s an agreement between a Master and a Slave, in which the Slave freely gives herself in every aspect to her Master. It would be a very specific contract, outlining exactly what is expected of both parties, and for how long, but basically for a week you would be mine to do whatever I choose with, and completely devoted to my pleasure.”

The car was silent for a moment as Katherine thought, though she wondered briefly whether or not Mark could hear the pounding of her pulse, which had skyrocketed. This contract thing sounded like a big step. As it was, even though she obeyed Mark in all things within the confines of the bedroom (or the office, or the closet, or wherever they might be when he decided he wanted her), she was still allowed to be herself in all other ways. But if she agreed to this, she would have to acquiesce to every whim and desire of his for an entire week. Her life would be not her own, but his.

“It will change your life, Katherine,” Mark said softly, “but I don’t think you’ll regret it in the least. Unless you don’t trust me as your Master?”

“Oh, but I do,” she said quickly, not wanting him to think otherwise. And because it was true, she chided herself for her fears. Mark had never given her reason not to trust him; he had been patient with her, teaching her and giving her guidance as she explored her new role as a submissive.

“Good. We’ll draw up the contract tonight, then.”

* * *

The rest of the week was filled with the torture of anticipation. Katherine and Mark sat down and drew up the contract, which was scheduled to start on Saturday, and end the following Sunday. She still couldn’t quite believe she’d done it; had signed her name on the bottom of a piece of paper that stated she willingly gave her body and mind to Mark for eight days, to do with whatever he liked. Her hands trembled a little whenever she thought of it; not only could he use her body whenever and wherever he pleased, but she had also given him permission to let others use her as well, as long as they did not go beyond certain limits. He’d never introduced the idea to her before, and she wasn’t at all certain what to expect.

When she awoke on Saturday morning, she found herself alone in Mark’s big bed. Sitting up, she saw a package waiting for her at the foot of the bed with an envelope sitting atop it. Carefully, she slit open the envelope and read the letter, then opened the box. Inside was a studded leather collar, wrist restraints, a sheer black teddy, and a clip-on vibrator, all of which she was expected to wear at all times when Mark was in the house.

Rising, she showered and changed into her new slave outfit, then went downstairs to the breakfast room. Mark was already seated at the table, which was laden with eggs, bacon, pancakes and other mouthwatering breakfast foods. He lowered the newspaper and met her eyes with a smile.

“Good morning, Katherine.”

“Good morning, Master.” She sat down not at the chair opposite him, but at his feet, kneeling obediently. The tile was cool beneath her knees, and Mark took his time, lingering over his newspaper, but she did not complain. Finally she heard the clatter of cutlery and ceramic, and a plate was handed down to her.

“Please sit,” he told her.

They ate in silence; the only sound the scraping of cutlery against plates. Then suddenly, Mark seized her by the hair and pulled her underneath the table. His pants were unfastened, his cock standing at attention. Katherine didn’t say a word; she wrapped her hands around the base of his shaft and took him into her mouth. His hair remained wrapped around his fist as she deep-throated him, and he fucked her mouth hard, nearly gagging her. When he came she swallowed it all, then as soon as he released her she pushed back and gasped for air.

“Breakfast is over. You may get up.”

Slowly, Katherine crawled out from underneath the table, and then straightened. She clasped her hands in front of her and waited for her Master’s next command.

“Go to the living room and sit on the sofa. Wait for me there.”

She did as he asked, perching on the edge of the cushions. She debated turning on the television as he hadn’t said she couldn’t, but she didn’t want to push her boundaries so she left the remote on the coffee table untouched. Her fingers twined together in her lap as she wondered what he had planned.

A few moments later he strolled in and joined her on the couch. Scooping up the remote, he turned the television on and flipped to a rugby match. Katherine frowned a little, but said nothing as he wrapped an arm around her and drew her up against him. They sat in silence watching the match for nearly twenty minutes, her frustration growing with each passing second. Here she was, sitting in skimpy lingerie, at his beck and call, and he was watching TV?

“Go and get me some popcorn,” he commanded, his eyes still following the match.

Katherine fought to keep her voice modulated. “Yes, Master.”

She was halfway to the kitchen when the vibrator between her legs came to life, shooting debilitating need through her. “I expect you back here in seven minutes,” he called from the living room as she bit back a moan. Bracing a hand on the wall, she forced herself into the kitchen even though her legs wanted to melt into a puddle on the floor. Her hands trembled as she pushed the buttons on the microwave, and she had to enter the time in twice.

The five minutes she spent waiting for the popcorn were some of the most torturous in her life. She wanted to come so badly, but Mark hadn’t given her permission, so she forced herself to grip the counter and keep her legs loose so as not to heighten the friction. By the time she made it back to the living room, her entire body was trembling with need.

Mark looked up, but only gave her a polite smile as he took the bowl from her. “Thank you, Katherine. You may sit down next to me again.”

She sat, and the vibrator stopped instantly, leaving her wet and aching and edgy. The rugby match continued on for another half an hour, and she had to fight not to squirm, not to massage her nipples or reach between her legs and get rid of the ache there.

Afterward they had lunch, where she knelt by his feet and ate. They finished off with another blowjob, and then he told her to go upstairs and get dressed to go out.

Katherine picked a form-fitting blue dress with black heels, and met him downstairs. He nodded his approval, then took her by the arm and helped her into the car.

“Where are we going, Master?”

“To see a play.”

They sat in a private box near the top of the theater. It wasn’t the first play that Katherine had been to with him, and she therefore knew that all spy glasses would be trained their way during intermissions, and even likely during the play for those who came to see and be seen rather than watch the actual performance. The play was called The Tempest, and Katherine was sucked into the story well enough that she was able to relax and forget her sexual frustration... mostly. Every once in a while Mark would reach out to touch her arm, or stroke a finger down the side of her neck, and he would inflame her all over again.

During the intermission, Mark took her out to the lobby, where canapés and flutes of champagne were being served. As Katherine sipped delicately from a glass, a stunning redhead sashayed up to them, her statuesque form poured into a sheath gown with high slits that matched her hair. Her cat-green eyes boldly caressed not just Mark, but Katherine as well, who flushed from head-to-toe. No woman had ever sent her such a blatantly lustful look in her life.

“Mark, darling,” she purred, placing a French-manicured hand on her Master’s broad shoulder. Then she leaned forward, and right in front of God and everyone planted a hot, steamy kiss on his lips that sent Katherine’s blood boiling. Who did this Jessica Rabbit lookalike think she was? But the kiss was over quickly enough, and the woman turned that scorching look back on Katherine again. “You didn’t tell me she was so adorable.

Katherine’s mouth went dry at the glint in Mark’s eye as he turned to make introductions. “Katherine, this is Marcy O’Donnell, an old acquaintance of mine. Marcy, this is Katherine.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Katherine held out a hand, and a little shiver went down her spine when Marcy grasped it. Her handshake was almost like a caress, the pads of her fingers unbelievably soft. What would those fingers feel like on her bare skin...?

Her eyes suddenly snapped to Mark’s, and she blushed, mortified. What kind of slut was she? She was only two days into this contract, and not only was she starting to fantasize about someone else, but another woman. Expecting to see anger in his dark eyes, she blinked when instead they gleamed with avarice. She swallowed hard. So this was the person he meant to share her with? She turned her eyes back to Marcy and smiled, smoothing away any nerves showing on her face. If it had been another man she would have been very uncomfortable. But another woman? She could handle that.

Her sudden boost of confidence must have shown in her eyes, because Marcy gave her a knowing look. “Mark, do you mind if your wife accompanies me to the ladies room for a minute? I need to freshen up, and I could use some company.”

“Certainly. Just don’t keep her away too long.”

Marcy winked as she slid an arm around Katherine’s waist. “We’ll be back before you know it.”

Katherine’s heart began to pound as Marcy steered her to the ladies room—the woman’s curves were intimately pressed against her own, and the hand resting on Katherine’s hip squeezed just a little too firmly to be simply companionable. Though Mark hadn’t said anything out loud, she knew she’d been given into Marcy’s care, and that from now until the moment she was handed back to Mark, Marcy was her mistress.

“So, Marcy, what do you do for a living?” Katherine asked, trying to make small talk.

“I own a women’s corporate fashion line,” Marcy replied, her glittering eyes on Katherine’s face. “You should stop by my office some time. I have some designs I think would look fabulous on you.”

They entered the restroom, which resembled nothing so much as an oasis, with profusions of tropical flowers, and pink and gold marble tile everywhere. There were plenty of women already in the bathroom, most lined up in front of the sink mirrors as they freshened up, and a few heads swiveled briefly in their direction. But rather than head to one of the mirrors as Katherine expected, Marcy pulled her into one of the bathroom stalls instead.

“What—” Katherine began, wondering wildly if anyone had seen them, but Marcy grabbed a fistful of hair and crushed her lips to Katherine’s before she could finish the question. It was no peck on the lips, but a carnal kiss, full of nipping teeth and snaking tongue, and Katherine was quickly overwhelmed. The scent of her light perfume, the taste of cherries on her lips and shock of nails down her back sent shockingly fierce, animalistic lust pounding through her body.

“This is just a taste of what’s to come tonight,” Marcy whispered in her ear after she’d torn her lips away. She tweaked Katherine’s nipples through her dress, then kneaded her breasts. “I can’t wait to get you out of this dress and onto your knees.” She pushed the skirt of Katherine’s dress up around her hips, then slid her hand between her legs. “Oh you are so delightfully wet. I want to taste you, but we don’t have time.”

Katherine trembled as Marcy slid two fingers inside her pussy, and bit her lower lip to hold back a moan. She gripped the handrail for dear life when she added a third. Never had she experienced anything so erotic as being finger fucked in a bathroom stall. She felt as though Marcy’s scorching gaze would melt her alive. Her entire body burned as she bucked her hips, urging her on, and just as she came Marcy kissed her so that she could scream her pleasure into the other woman’s mouth.

When Marcy and Katherine returned to the lobby, Katherine still wasn’t quite sure her legs were steady. “We had a lovely chat,” Marcy told Mark as she handed Katherine back to him. “She is going to come by my building soon for a fitting.”

“I’m sure you two will have fun.” Mark’s eyes lingered on Katherine’s swollen lips and slightly flushed cheeks, and a slow, devastating smile spread across his face, making her knees weak all over again. She’d freshened up as best she could, but there were certain things you just couldn’t hide. “It’s time to return to our box now, but would you care to join us at my home for a drink afterward?”

“It would be my pleasure,” Marcy purred.

When they sat down to resume the play, Katherine tried very hard to pay attention. But her mind kept going back to the tryst she’d had with Marcy in the bathroom stall, the way her body had burned, the way Marcy’s lips and hands had felt. She knew that Marcy wasn’t simply going to come over for wine and cheese tonight; those hands would be on her again, along with Mark’s doing, wicked, wild, wonderful things to her. Her hands clenched and unclenched in her lap as she fought to modulate her breathing.

“Having trouble paying attention to the play?” Mark’s voice was low and somehow suggestive in her ear, and made her jump—she had been so focused on trying to get herself under control she’d forgotten about him.

“I’m fine, Master,” she murmured, keeping her eyes focused on the stage.

“No, you’re not. You’re too busy thinking about what’s going to happen to you tonight, aren’t you?” His tongue traced her earlobe, sending shivers through her. “You naughty little slut.”

“Yes, Master,” she admitted. “I’m trying very hard to focus, but I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“I knew you would.” He bit down on her earlobe, eliciting a gasp, not caring one iota that even now, at least ten spyglasses were trained on their box. “I’m glad you like Marcy. I know you haven’t been with a woman before, so I made sure to pick one I thought you would respond well too. She’ll take good care of you tonight. And I’ll be there the whole time.”

“I’m not afraid, Master. I trust you to do what’s best for me.”

After the play was over, they rode back to Mark’s house in the limo. Aside from putting his arm around her casually, they made the trip back in silence. When they got home, Mark asked the house chef to set out refreshments, and then dismissed him and the housekeeper for the night.

“There’s a blindfold waiting for you on the bed,” he told her. “When I come upstairs with Marcy, I want you kneeling in the middle of the bed, wearing that blindfold and nothing else.”

“Yes, Master.” Katherine swallowed her disappointment that she wouldn’t be downstairs with Mark when Marcy arrived. She knew she shouldn’t really be concerned since they were both coming upstairs to be with her, but she couldn’t help the twinge of jealousy—Marcy was a bombshell whereas Katherine was merely pretty. How could she compete with that?

Swallowing back a sigh, she went upstairs and did as her Master commanded. After all, she had signed herself away to him for an entire week. If he didn’t want her downstairs when Marcy arrived, she needed to respect his wishes.

She was just kneeling in the center of the bed when she heard the doorbell ring, followed by Marcy’s throaty laugh. Katherine knew she should just relax and wait, but she couldn’t help but sit up straighter and strain her ears. The bedroom was too far away for her to make out the words, but she could hear the tinkling of wine glasses, the mingling of voices. Hot jealousy spiked through her at the low, seductive cadence of Mark’s laugh, but she resisted the temptation to rip off the blindfold and march downstairs and stayed exactly where she was.

Nearly an hour passed before she heard footsteps down the hall—the clicking of heels and the softer thump of loafers—and she nearly hated the fact that she went from being irritated to excited, her heart racing, her palms sweating. The door swung softly open and she forced her muscles to relax, to be pliant even as her ears continued to strain, to try and follow their movements around the room. She heard a slight creak, felt the mattress dip behind her, and knew from the weight that it was Marcy.

“You’re a very good slave,” she purred in Katherine’s ear, her hands coming up to knead her breasts. Katherine arched helplessly into her touch. “You’ve trained her very well, Mark. I thought she might complain, but she’s waited here the whole time.”

“She pleases me,” was all Mark said, but it sent a thrill of joy straight down to the tips of Katherine’s toes.

“She should.” Marcy sank her teeth into Katherine’s shoulder. “Do you mind if I play with her?”

“I was hoping you would.” Katherine heard the creak of a chair, and another little thrill raced through her veins at the thought that her master would be watching. She gasped as Marcy suddenly pinched her nipples hard, then bit into her shoulder, hard enough to bruise. Nails raked down the front of her abdomen, leaving little trails of fire.

“On your hands, slave,” Marcy purred. “I told you I wanted to taste you, and now I will.”

She was flogged first, with a cat o’nine tails. Katherine’s cries echoed across the room as marks were left on her back, her butt, her legs. Marcy especially liked to hit her ass, and Katherine knew that it would be raw and red by the time she was done. She whimpered when Marcy took her cheeks in both hands and squeezed hard, then spread her legs wide.

“You’re a good girl,” she said. “A very good girl. Here’s a little reward for you.”

Then Marcy’s mouth was on her pussy, tonguing her folds, sucking her clit, and Katherine’s arms gave out; she collapsed onto her forearms. This only pushed her ass even higher into the air, giving Marcy better access, who purred appreciatively. This time moans echoed off the walls as fiery pleasure stormed through her, building quickly to climax after climax. She came three times before Marcy finally pulled back, leaving Katherine a quivering mass on the bed.

“She tastes delicious, Mark. How do you ever get enough?”

“I don’t,” he said simply, the chair creaking as he got to his feet. “And now I want my fill.”

Katherine was pushed onto her back, and she held back a whimper as the sheets came in contact with the wounds on her back. But she forgot all about it when Mark’s wonderfully hard, naked body pressed up against hers. His mouth covered hers with slow, tender kisses, and she soaked up his warmth and love. She enjoyed what Marcy did to her, but she hadn’t realized how much she needed soothing until it was given to her. Mark always seemed to know exactly what she needed.

Her chest heaved as he trailed kisses down her abdomen, and her fingers curled into his thick locks when he took her with his mouth, his tongue sliding deep into her. When Marcy had done it to her she felt like she’d been riding on a razor’s edge, but Mark’s touch was a kind of balm, refreshing. She came four times beneath him, crying “Master!” each time, like a prayer.

“Now, we can’t let her have all the fun, Mark,” Marcy said, a slight pout in her voice. “I want some too.”

“I’m willing to share.”

“Good. I was getting tired of waiting.” Marcy’s footfalls came around to the front of the bed. “Let’s take this blindfold off you, sweetheart.” She tugged it free, and Katherine blinked, eyes adjusting to the dimly lit bedroom. Her eyes found Mark’s, who smiled at her as he rose up onto his knees, positioning himself between his legs. His cock was huge and hard, his pre cum glistening on the tip.

“He’s going to fuck you now,” Marcy said, “but while he’s inside you, you’re going to please me.” Katherine was suddenly confronted with a glistening, perfectly-shaved pussy as Marcy straddled her face. At the same time she felt the head of Mark’s cock probe her gently, encouragingly. Hesitantly, Katherine wrapped her fingers around Marcy’s silky, toned thighs and ran her tongue along her inner folds. She was rewarded with a throaty moan, and gave one of her own when Mark pushed himself fully into her.

“Yes,” Marcy hissed as Katherine grew bolder with her tongue. She found Marcy’s clit and began sucking gently. “Oh God Mark, she’s good. Yes! Just like that. Fuck me with your tongue!” Her moans grew louder, and then Katherine heard Mark kissing her, but she forgot to be jealous. Marcy’s obvious pleasure made her feel strong, powerful, and gave her a heady rush of pleasure of her own. When Marcy finally came, her juices flowing into Katherine’s mouth, it was enough, combined with Mark pounding into her, to push her over the edge herself in a glorious explosion of ecstasy.

“I would love to stay,” Marcy said when it was over, “but I have to fly out to England tomorrow. I’ll be back in a few days if you would like to meet again.”

“I’ll let you know,” Mark promised, and he gave Marcy a slow, long, steamy kiss that had Katherine’s blood boiling. “Good night, Marcy.”

He showed her out, then came to sit on the bed beside Katherine. “You know I love the look in your eyes when you’re jealous,” he teased her.

Katherine blinked. “I was hoping you wouldn’t notice, Master.”

He chuckled, pulling her into his arms. “That was the whole reason I kept doing it. The way it makes a man feel to know a woman is territorial over him... you will understand someday, though I hope it isn’t any time soon.”

“Why not, Master?”

“Because the unlucky man to set eyes on you like that is going to end up in a world of hurt.” His expression told her he was deadly serious, and it sent a very feminine thrill through her. “Now, enough talk for now,” he murmured, pushing her back onto the bed. “Marcy might have been done for tonight, but I’m not.”

He covered her mouth with his, and there was no more talk that night.

* * *

The next three days were challenging but very rewarding. Mark kept her on her toes, pushing her to the limit in many cases both in and outside of the bedroom. Some of the challenges she’d had to face had sorely tested her—at one point he’d made her kneel naked in front of the front door for three hours while she waited for him to come home—but he always rewarded her beyond her wildest imaginings for doing as he asked. She was determined to prove her devotion to him.

On the fourth day of her contract, she slept in until nearly noon—Mark had kept her up very late the past two nights. She stretched her arms overhead, her body pleasantly sore from the night’s activities, then got out of bed and strolled to the mirror to admire the new marks he’d given her last night. There was a dark bruise right above her collarbone, vaguely shaped like a heart that made her grin. She fingered it gently, remembering the stinging bite of his teeth there as he’d moved inside her.

With a contented sigh, she climbed into the shower and turned on the jets. The hot spray pounded her sore muscles from all sides, and she quickly lost herself to the sheer pleasure of a hot, steamy shower. Living with Mark came with all kinds of perks and pleasures bordering on hedonistic at times. Her little apartment certainly hadn’t come with such a fantastic shower.

She was just about finished soaping herself up when the shower door slid open. Before she had a chance to turn around, Mark was pulling her back against his chest and cupping her breasts in his big hands. She moaned when he gently pinched her nipples, rolling the turgid buds between his fingers.

“Good morning, Master,” she managed breathlessly. He’d only been gone maybe two hours, so she hadn’t expected him to be home. But he loved to surprise her; he would come home at any hour of the day just to make love to her.

“Good morning.” He nibbled on her earlobe. “I thought you would have been at the door to greet me, but I forgot how much I’d tired you out. Did you sleep well?”

“Very well, Master.” She arched her back when he bit down on the hickey he’d left the night before. His erection rubbed insistently against her slippery bottom, inflaming her need. He was so close to being inside her...

“Good. Because I’m feeling insatiable right now.”

He slid two fingers inside her, and she clenched instantly around him with a small cry. Stabs of pleasure shook her as he pleasured her with his hand, and it wasn’t long before she crested into a climax. Then he was pressing her flush against the cold tile as he pushed inside her, filling her so completely that she came instantly, right on the heels of her last orgasm. Her screams echoed off the tile as he pounded into her, and her knees threatened to give out beneath her. He came violently, his arms banding tightly around her as he called her name, and she was filled with such a sense of love and acceptance she wished they could stay there forever.

Afterward he carried her out of the bath and into the bed, where they stayed until well after noon.

* * *

Katherine was making dinner when the doorbell rang. Surprised, she looked down at the silk-button down shirt she was wearing and wondered if she should put on some pants before she answered it. The terms of her contract stated that when at home she was to wear one of her master’s shirts and nothing else unless he specified, though, and there was no guarantee it wouldn’t be him outside the door, testing her to see if she followed instructions.

But then, he also hadn’t told her he was expecting anyone. Who could it possibly be?

Quietly, she tiptoed across the lobby and looked through the peephole installed in the big oak door. Her heart pounded hard when she saw Marcy standing outside, dressed in a trench coat and heels, a briefcase held in one hand. She tossed a flirtatious smile at the peephole, as if she knew Katherine was standing behind it at this very moment. What was she doing here? Mark hadn’t told her Marcy was coming over. But she knew the woman, and imagined that it would be rude to leave her waiting outside. Mark would want Katherine to be hospitable.

Sucking in a breath, she opened the door. “Good afternoon, Marcy.”

“Good afternoon.” Marcy didn’t wait to be invited inside, but stepped straight up, and Katherine was forced to step aside so that her bare feet wouldn’t get skewered by Marcy’s stilettos. “I see you’re still under contract?”

“Today is the last day.” Katherine swallowed at the gleam in the other woman’s eyes. “Marcy, what are you doing here?”

“I came to play with you.” Marcy unbuttoned the trench coat and let it fall to the floor, revealing the siren-red lingerie beneath. Katherine sucked in a sharp breath at the incredibly erotic vision before her, even as alarm bells began sounding off in her head. “You look so delicious in that shirt.” She grabbed a fistful of silk and dragged Katherine close. “No wonder Mark makes you wear them.”

“I-I don’t think this is a good idea...”

“Why not, darling?” Marcy licked her cheek. “Mark has already made it clear he doesn’t mind sharing you with me. You wouldn’t want to disappoint him by refusing me, would you?”

“Well, no, but he’s not here, and he didn’t say I could...”

“Hush.” Marcy pressed her lips against Katherine’s, effectively silencing her. When she pulled back, her face was flushed, her breathing rapid. “You’re right, Mark isn’t here right now. And that makes me in charge. Which means I’m your mistress. And as your mistress, I command you to kneel. Right now.”

“Yes, Mistress.” Wide-eyed, Katherine went to her knees. She bit her bottom lips worriedly as she watched Marcy open her briefcase, wondering what to do. Something about this just didn’t seem right. But Marcy was Mark’s friend, and she wouldn’t do anything to betray him. She was probably right, and they weren’t doing anything wrong.

Marcy pulled out a strap-on and belted it on, then turned back to Katherine. “Suck my cock,” she demanded, wrapping Katherine’s hair around her fist. “Like you would if Mark was standing over you.”

Katherine stared at the plastic dildo for a moment, wondering what pleasure Marcy could possibly get out of this, but she didn’t dare argue. Wrapping her fingers around the base, she took it into her mouth slowly, getting used to the strange texture. She kept her eyes on Marcy the whole time, the way she did with Mark, who watched her avariciously.

“Oh yeah,” she purred throatily. “That’s it. You’re such a good little slut, aren’t you? Just like that.”

When Marcy decided she’d had enough, she had Katherine stand up and follow her to the couch. “Face the wall,” she said, and Katherine kneeled on the cushions, bracing her forearms against the back of the couch. “Mmm. You have such a sweet ass.”

Marcy kneeled on the floor and spread Katherine’s legs wide, exposing her pussy. Katherine cried out when she felt Marcy’s mouth on her, licking her folds, playing with her clit. She gripped the back of the couch hard, her legs trembling, and came all over Marcy’s face.

“Delicious,” Marcy purred, settling her hands on Katherine’s waist. “I’m going to fuck you now, slave. Are you ready?”

“Yes, Mistress.” Katherine was both nervous and excited about the idea of having Marcy’s strap-on inside her. But if this was what her Master wanted...

“What the fuck is going on in here?”

Katherine’s head snapped around to see Mark standing in the doorway. Her blood went cold at the stony look on his face. Oh God. Oh no. What had she done?

“Why, Mark, what is wrong? Didn’t Katherine tell you she invited me over?”

“What?” Mark and Katherine asked at the same time, Mark’s voice like the crack of a whip, Katherine’s high with disbelief.

“She called me up and told me she wanted to play.” Marcy stepped back and sashayed up to Mark, the strap-on wiggling obscenely. Had she really almost let Marcy put that thing inside her? “I told her that it wouldn’t be a good idea for me to come over, but she said she’d called you and gotten her permission. It sounds like someone hasn’t learned to obey her Master, after all.”

“She’s lying!” Katherine cried, tears stinging her eyes. “I had nothing to do with her coming here!”

“Now why would I ever intrude like this?” Marcy asked, sounding shocked. “Mark, you’ve known me for a very long time. Would I do something like that to you, behind your back?”

“How dare you!” Katherine snarled. “You wanted me to disobey.  I never meant to... I would never...”

“Oh, please,” Marcy sneered. “I don’t know what you ever saw in her, Mark. I told you that you wouldn’t find a lover more faithful or obedient than I.” She pressed her body up against his, and Katherine barely restrained herself from launching herself at the woman. “It’s not too late for us.”

“Get out.”

“Excuse me?” Marcy recoiled as though she’d been struck by a whip, her face blank with shock.

“I said, get out.” Mark’s voice was tight with fury. “I thought you would know better than to play games with me, Marcy.”

“Mark, I would never...”

“Katherine knows that she belongs to me, and only me. She would never have invited you here.” Mark’s tone turned soft, but his eyes were still dangerous. “Now get out, or I will throw you out.”

With a growl, Marcy retrieved her trench coat and headed for the door with her head held high. “I’ll remember this, Mark Donaldson,” she tossed over her shoulder with a sneer. “You can count on that.”

“So will I,” he muttered, quickly closing the door behind her.

When he turned back, Katherine was on her knees at his feet, her head bowed. Her entire body trembled, and he could see tiny droplets splashing the wooden floorboards. “Master, I’m so sorry,” she sobbed. “I’ve made such a terrible mistake. Please punish me, master.”

Mark looked down at her for a long time, anger and pity and love warring in his heart. “Stand up, Katherine.”

She did as he commanded, her eyes big, watery pools, her face splotchy and tear-tracked. “Look at me,” he commanded when she started to train her eyes to the floor. “And tell me exactly what happened.”

After it was done, he frowned and said nothing for a long moment as he turned the story over in his head. Finally, he took her gently by the shoulders. “Katherine, Marcy is a very dominant and powerful woman. As a natural submissive and someone new to this world, you wouldn’t have known any better, but understand this. I will never, ever want you to please anyone without being there with you. And if you ever do it again, the consequences will be much, much more severe. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master.”

Mark smiled, but there was a shadow in his eyes. “You’ve proven yourself in every way possible to me, Katherine. I know you’re devoted me, and I also know you don’t have a guile bone in your body. I trust you, Katherine. Completely.”

He took her by the hand. “That said, I think it’s time for a new contract.” His eyes burned. “You’re mine, Katherine, and I never want to share you again. Now, let’s clean you up.”

He scooped her up easily and carried her into the bathroom, then ran the hot water. After lowering her in, he joined her with a scrub brush and a bar of soap. Katherine nearly wept at the gentleness with which he washed her, taking special care of her neck and shoulders. He took his time, caressing every inch of her until she felt like a living, breathing flame of need, just ready to be taken.

“I love it when you’re like this,” he told her, his own eyes burning with unslaked lust. “So pliant, so open, so giving. I want to devour you.” He kissed her deeply, wrapping his arms tightly around her, and she clung to him fiercely.

“Take me,” she begged him. “Please, please take me now. I need you inside me.”

He thrust himself into her, and she cried his name, her fingers digging into her shoulders. He pushed her up against the wall of the hot tub as he pounded himself into her, giving her what she so desperately wanted. She couldn’t even remember what Marcy’s hands and mouth had felt like on her; all she knew was him. Her legs clamped around his waist like a vice, as if she could fuse the two of them together, and never, ever let go.

They came at the same moment, and their simultaneous climax was the most glorious thing she’d ever experienced. Their cries echoed off the walls as they trembled in each other’s arms, both of them in that spectacular place off the edge of pleasure and into ecstasy. She stayed there for a very long time before finally floating back down to reality.

“Thank you, Master,” she sighed dreamily, still cradling her into his arms.

He lifted his head. “You’re welcome. But I’m nowhere near done with you yet.”

“You’re not?” Pleasure hummed through her, and she realized she was already ready for another round. Would she always be this insatiable around him?

“We’ve still got six hours until the existing contract is up. I plan to take full advantage.”

Katherine giggled. “You know I’ll still be around afterwards, right?”

He smiled. “Yes. But I’ll take any excuse to hog you to myself that I can get. Why don’t we start with a movie?”

“We never end up finishing them,” she pointed out as she climbed out of the tub after him. “You always end up getting me on the floor.”

Mark grinned. “Exactly.”