STORY EXCERPT

Kelly was staring at herself in her mirror, trying to calm her nerves. She’d chosen a champagne-colored slip with matching garters and stockings. She’d wear her delicate satin slippers and leave her hair down. Most of the people at the club already knew that she would be subbing tonight. She had ended all her commitments to other subs for the time being and most understood. She hadn’t told anyone about her past or her reasons for “switching,” just that she wanted to explore her needs. Kent, another Dom and friend of hers, knew the whole story, but outside of her friends, no one needed any more information.

They didn’t plan to spend the whole evening at the club. They were going to scene and come back to her place. She had no idea what her emotional response would be, but she didn’t want to air it out in front of everyone. She’d have rather stayed home tonight for this first foray into a more intimate relationship with Troy, but he had insisted that a more public venue would be safer for her. He felt she needed to know, if only subconsciously, that she had backup. She knew he was concerned that she would second-guess herself because she had misjudged Flynn, but Kelly was sure of Troy. Just the fact that he would allow another Dom to monitor them for her peace of mind meant the world to her.

Kelly checked in on the second floor of the club. This was where those in their community could gather and socialize. It was where all her friends were waiting for her, there if she needed them. She had asked James to watch in on their scene tonight. He knew the most about what she had been through and was a damn good Dom. He would know if Troy needed to slow down.

 Looking at her friends at their usual table was a little unnerving. Everyone was sitting with goofy smiles on their faces, kind of like they were watching a child graduate from kindergarten. Maybe it was a bit odd to have your friends actually be proud that you’re taking a first step toward sexual liberation, but she supposed most things in their world were a little left of center. That was part of why she loved it.

Kelly stopped breathing as soon as she saw Troy. He was wearing a button-down silk shirt and suit pants. She couldn’t remember if she had ever seen him in anything but jeans. Damn. He was one edible man. And he had dressed up for her. She felt like a teenager going to prom. Again, another totally off-center thought considering what she was really doing. Prom had nothing on bondage and nipple clamps. As he approached the table, Kelly gracefully slid out of her chair and knelt at his feet. She spread her legs wide and arched her back as she laced her fingers at the back of her head, her elbows out and her eyes down. For some reason, it felt more natural to kneel for this man than it ever had for Flynn. Her only concern right now was if this position was pleasing to him. She wanted to show him she was ready to give him everything.

* * * *

Damn. Kelly was more beautiful tonight than Troy could have imagined. Gone were the clothes that covered every inch of her skin. Her hair was loose and flowing down her back. Usually she looked so severe, but tonight, she just looked open and soft. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but her barely there dress was not it. If he didn’t get his dick under control soon, he wouldn’t be able to focus on her needs. That was not acceptable. Tonight was for her. He would show her that she could lean on him, trust him to know what she needed and how to give her that and more. He needed to make her understand that he would cherish the gift of her submission. Troy took any level of power exchange seriously. He would not fail her or belittle what all of this meant for both of them.

She was kneeling so gracefully before him, offering herself to him. The feeling of pride he had for this woman astounded him. There was a moment of hushed silence in the room as everyone noticed such a strong woman submitting in such a practiced manner for him. He could understand. It was a stunning sight.

“Eyes on me, baby. I want you to know who you’re with at all times. I’m honored by your display. You’re so beautiful like this, but I don’t want to miss a moment of it. I will never ask you to lower your eyes for me. I want to know you’re right here with me, understand?” His voice was a little rougher than he expected, but the emotion he was feeling right now was overwhelming.

“Yes, Sir,” Kelly whispered.

“I need you to tell me what you want, Kelly. I will never assume with you.” He wouldn’t make her beg, but he wanted her to express her needs, to feel comfortable enough to ask him for what she wanted. He would never take her where she didn’t want to go.

“I want you, Sir. I want you to free me.” The look of longing in her eyes was almost his undoing. She was truly giving him access to her very soul. Those few simple words said everything. She trusted him to release her from her pain. She wanted to feel again. Her honesty almost brought him to his knees right along with her. He knew in that moment that he would always be her slave. They belonged together.

ADULT EXCERPT

Without a word, she held her hands out to him. He didn’t see an ounce of fear or trepidation in her eyes. She was breathing deeply and her body was relaxed. He gently bound her wrists with the padded leather cuffs he’d brought for her. As he checked the fit and began raising her arms over her head, he leaned close to smell her shampoo. God, everything about this woman was an aphrodisiac. She smelled like pears and spring air. Nuzzling her neck and breathing deeply, he was close enough to feel her sigh. “I’m going to restrain your arms tonight, baby. I’m going to learn your body, and I don’t want your mind to interfere with your pleasure. If any of your instincts are to shield yourself from me, the restraints will stop you. It may take time, honey, but I want your body and mind to learn that you never have to protect yourself from me. I will never hurt you.”

“I understand, Sir. I’m not afraid. I want this so much. Please touch me, Sir. Wipe his hands away from my body.” Kelly was so earnest in her request. Like she could still feel that bastard’s touch and knew Troy would replace the hurt with his love. He wanted to erase that man from her memory if he could. At the very least, he would make sure it was his caress she felt on her skin.

Before he clipped her wrists to the overhead system, he lifted her dress off her body in one smooth move. He had to take a second to breathe and shove down the impulse to take her now. She had the body of a goddess. She was toned and lithe from swimming, a testament to the strength of a woman’s body. At the same time, she was so soft and full of curves. Her hips would cradle him perfectly, and her breasts were full and lush. Her stomach had a small swell that made him think of how gorgeous she would look rounded with his baby. He had never viewed a woman in that way in his life. But with Kelly, he saw his future. He wanted to watch her grow with their child. He wanted them connected in that most primitive way.

Troy slowly slid his hands down her arms. He watched as her pupils dilated not in fear but in lust and anticipation. She was definitely with him right now. He would keep her there, focused on his every touch.

* * * *

Kelly practically had an out-of-body experience when Troy started touching her. She imagined she would cringe away from his hands, but it was like she was looking in on herself. Looking at a woman who wasn’t afraid at all. When she took a deep breath of his masculine scent, she snapped back to herself. This was what she was made for. This moment and this man. She didn’t have to be afraid of him. She could let him touch her and enjoy the pleasure he gave her. He stepped into her body, his clothes lightly scratching her sensitive skin, and started slowly kissing up her neck to her ear. She couldn’t help herself from angling her head to give him better access. His slightly sucking kisses were rapidly increasing her heart rate. She let out a little moan when he nipped at her earlobe. God, he was skimming his hands down her sides and licking into her ear, and she couldn’t remember ever feeling so turned on. What would sex with this man be like? It might kill her, but Jesus, she wanted that death.

Troy stepped back a little to cup her head with one hand and her ass with the other. He molded her to him and took her mouth in the most possessive kiss she’d ever experienced. His lips were soft but demanding as he opened her mouth. When his tongue slid along hers, she gave herself over to him. She could feel him gently squeezing her ass as he lunged into her mouth, taking up a tempo and showing her what he wanted to do with his cock. She was whimpering and grinding her pelvis into his body, feeling his hard length and trying to get friction against her clit. Her womb was softening for him, starting to cream with her desire.

When his hand slid up her back and stopped at one of her scars, she ripped her mouth away and looked to the side. She knew she couldn’t hide her scars from him, but she also knew how ugly they were. Nobody had seen her back in twelve years. Troy didn’t say a word, just walked around her body to look at the physical evidence left from her attack. She didn’t know what she was expecting, but when he started to reverently kiss each scar, tears formed in her eyes. He wasn’t disgusted. He was kissing her insecurity away.