Chapter Twelve

 

 

 

Matt drove, following the red taillights of David and Jen’s sensible minivan. His fingers were twined with Claire’s on the seat. He hoped she drew some reassurance from them, even as he attempted to keep his desire in check.

That blue top… It was the same color as the bundles of rope he carried in his kit. The simplicity of what she wore, from the fabrics to the styles, were absolute perfection as he pictured coiling the rope into a harness, crossing her body with ties that would pull her off the floor and into a suspension. He had to keep his thoughts in check or he would end up dragging her off to one of the bedrooms to continue every bad idea they had barely avoided that week.

He was going to kill Jen.

 

* * * *

 

Matt smiled when his gaze met Claire’s across the room later that night. He’d gotten into a conversation with Nick, Aaron and Garrison Schuy about the next piece of furniture Garrison was designing for the play space. She was holding a wineglass and laughing with Trevor and Taryn.

Most of the evening’s attendees were couples and friends—Betty and Adriana, Taryn and Nick, David and Jen, Aaron and Marcy, Warren and Trevor, Evie, Garrison and others. Matt was grateful for the relaxed atmosphere that left his burn for Claire muted and manageable for the moment. He hoped it would remain so after the evening’s main event.

Warren approached their group. Matt accepted the handshake he offered before Warren turned his attention to Aaron.

“Well, my boy. Are you ready?” The former Brit’s voice was solemn but kind. It was clear to them all that Warren was excited for the couple they were gathered to celebrate.

Aaron blew out a breath. “Yup. Let’s go. I want to see my girl.”

The boys all chuckled at his tone of impatience. As he left with their host, the rest of them clapped him on the back in congratulations.

Trevor made the announcement after Aaron had walked out to the poolside patio, inviting the rest of the party to join them.

Matt approached behind Claire, laying a hand on her shoulder. Her beaming smile greeted him when she turned her chin. “It’s exciting, isn’t it?” she asked. “Jen was right about it feeling like a wedding. Everyone’s so happy for them.”

Matt matched her stride as they followed the crowd outside. “They had a hard time, each of them, but they have a fun story of how they got together. I think it’s been a little over a year now.”

“Wow,” Claire breathed. “And to have so many friends here with them today.”

Matt turned to take in her suddenly reflective posture. “It’s a good crowd.” He took her hand as they settled in a spot within the group. “They are good friends.” She nodded her response and the noise fell to a hush around them.

Marcy wore a black lace dress as she stood under the Japanese maple tree in front of them. A whisper in the crowd identified it as the one she’d worn to her first night at the Sanctuary, the night she’d met Aaron. Matt leaned close to pass the romantic tidbit in a hushed voice to Claire. Marcy’s voice was quiet as she spoke.

“Sir, I come to you tonight barefoot. I come to you vulnerable. I come to you offering my all.”

A collective sigh rose from a few pockets of the gathering, Claire among them.

Aaron replied, “Little one, I come to you with my protection. I come to you with my collar. I come to you with nothing but my arms to hold you and shield you.”

Marcy responded with a short laugh of joy. She knelt, hidden from their view then as Aaron stooped to fix their chosen collar around her neck.

Cheers and applause sounded, which Matt was happy to join. The group laughed as Marcy jumped, wrapping her legs around the waist of her Dominant. The collar glinted in the candlelight that surrounded them. Some well-wishers stepped forward, while others drifted back to the house or the pool area. Claire stepped forward, catching a pause to congratulate the couple, and Matt followed her closely.

“Aaron, I didn’t know you could be so poetic,” Claire joked.

“He has his moments.” Marcy beamed up at her partner. “But I agree. That one was perfect.” She wrapped her hands around Aaron’s, showing her reluctance to release him.

Matt reached across to shake their friend’s hand. “A pretty bit there, man.”

Aaron nodded his thanks as Claire peered at the silver circling Marcy’s throat.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed. “But it doesn’t look anything like I thought.”

Marcy nodded. “I know. This way, though, it’s something I can wear all the time. It’s nice enough for work, but still has that meaning behind it that only a few people will know.”

Claire sighed appreciatively. “I’m probably showing my ignorance, but I pictured leather and unforgiving. The floral work on the silver is just stunning.”

“Leather isn’t for everyone,” Aaron explained. “Some prefer rope, some prefer subtlety, some even prefer chain. That’s one nice thing about this place. We’re all different.”

Matt and Claire gave Aaron and Marcy another bout of congratulations before moving away to let others express theirs. Walking toward the house, Matt asked, “So, have you gotten the tour?”

“No!” Claire enthused. “Could we?”

Taking her hand with a grin, Matt walked her into the house where the sounds of the evening’s play time were starting. He left her for a moment to find his kit bag from where he had placed it earlier, then returned to find her looking into one room curiously. They stood at the edge of the living room where a spanking bench was being used by two couples. The bottom partners bent over opposite sides, staring at each another as the spankings were carried out. Matt glanced over to see Claire wincing with each loud smack.

Leading her away he observed, “Not your thing?”

She shook her head. “I don’t think so. It just doesn’t appeal to me.” She shrugged. “Probably why I never went out to any of the clubs in town again.”

One word made Matt stop short. “Again?” he repeated incredulously.

Claire laughed at his reaction. “Yeah. A guy who took me to dinner a couple times belonged to a private club. He invited me, but when we got there, it was pretty clear what he wanted. I know it’s all consensual and people try their best to do it safely and all. I just never liked the idea of someone hitting me for fun.”

“I get it.” Matt nodded. “I’m not a big fan of impact play, either.” They continued down the hall where he pointed out the dining room and the library as they talked. “Don’t get me wrong, though,” Matt cautioned with a light nudge. “I think sometimes a little spanking can get very interesting results.”

“Back off there,” Claire teased. “Who says you’re getting your hands on this ass again?”

“Okay, okay, no spanking,” Matt conceded with a grin. He walked her through the billiard room to the double doors that led to the cathedral-ceilinged great room. With a deep breath for courage, he revealed, “This room is my favorite.” He opened both doors wide and let her walk through ahead of him.

Peace of a sort settled over him as he walked through the doorway behind her. The high ceilings gave the feeling of space, added to by the multitude of skylights that let them stand directly below the stars. The exposed support beams were ideal for flying, the term most rope bottoms used for suspension bondage. He’d used the crates of rope along with the other tie points around the room a number of times before.

Claire walked around the room slowly and silently, carefully considering each thing she saw. Matt began to follow, explaining as she stopped. “The beams and the rings hanging from them are suspension points. A person can be tied and hang from them safely. Some of the furniture is designed for easy binding to aid other types of play.”

“Okay.” Claire’s response was quiet. “So you like to use rope?”

“Yeah,” Matt agreed.

She turned to face him. “Why?” she demanded softly.

Matt gaped at her. Of all the questions he had prepared for, she asked one he hadn’t. “Um… Well, I guess a few reasons.” He dropped to a knee and opened his bag, removing one bundle of the handspun dyed jute rope. “There’s a beauty to it. In Japanese, it’s shibari, and ever since I first saw pictures of it, I’ve thought that a woman tied was breathtaking. There’s the feel of the rope.” He handed the wound bundle to Claire. “The texture of it adds sensation as I’m tying. Not only for the person being tied, but running the rope through my hands when I’m working with it connects me to it as well.” Matt furrowed his brow as he thought. “If I tie someone, I know they trust me. It’s a pretty amazing connection that way, playing and working with rope with someone who trusts you to put them completely out of control of their fate. When someone is suspended, they rely totally on the Top to keep them grounded, not their own legs.”

“Okay.” Claire’s response was resolute, and she tipped her chin to look up at the beam above them, her fingers running over the length in her hands. She looked back at Matt and shocked him again.

“Show me.”