Lyon on a Leash (10 page)

How she would acquire his submission? Would she simply demand it with a word? Or a gesture? Or say something to the other Dommes, embarrassing him further? Any of those would be effective, but it would also tell him about something about her. Not knowing what to expect heightened his anticipation. He patted his forehead with the napkin again.

The next song came on and Henry started dancing. The bright red stripes across his back from last night’s lash gleamed with sweat. Henry was incredibly flexible; it was if he had no backbone. His movements flowed from one position to the next, in perfect rhythm. Watching the smaller man took Marcus' mind off his Mistress’ request for a moment or two.

The beginnings of the Luther Vandross song his Mistress had requested rolled through the room.

Shit
. He tensed.

His Mistress threw out one leg, hiked up the hem of her dress, and looked over her shoulder at him with a wicked grin. Then, with her tongue, she took the longest swipe across her lips, and winked.

Speech fled, along with his ability to think. His throat went dry.

The flash of black lace between her long, toned legs punched him in the gut.

When she stood, she snapped her fingers to the beat as she dipped and swung her hips in time with the music. His eyes were glued to the fluid motion of her ass and thighs. It took him a moment to realize she had turned around and now faced him across the room. She pulled up the front of her dress, playing peek-a-boo with her black lace-covered panties.

Watching him, she dipped and swerved her hips seductively. Her palm slid down the front of her dress, over her breast, and settled on her mound.

Catcalls from around the room jerked him out his lust-filled fog. Cock hard, he staggered forward.

Her face glowed with seductive promise. Pursed lips offered an invitation that went straight to his already hard dick. The sensuous roll of her hips mimicked a steamy sex session. Without question, she would be hot in bed. Her body’s siren’s call stole his focus.

She spun around, the bulk of her ass bare and luscious.

Punch-drunk on lust, he moved his feet toward the heated invitation in her eyes. Stop, his mind screamed. Stop before you embarrass her with your two left feet.

Inexplicably, he stood in front of her at the edge of the dance floor. He was relatively certain his tongue hung out the side of his mouth. Each twist, each roll of her hips sent lightning to his cock. Liquid heat coursed through his body. He had to touch her. He’d never wanted anyone with this level of desperation.

Again, she teased him by running her tongue across her full lips. Arms extended above her head, she snapped her fingers in time with the beat. He feasted on the sight of her. Out the corner of his eye, he saw Amelio headed toward the dance floor.

Devoid of conscious thought, he inched his feet forward. He stood behind her, in answer to her lusty call. She looked over her shoulder at him and smiled. Wicked and lustful at the same time, it was the confident grin of a siren who knew she’d captured her prey. It pulled him into her sphere.

Her much smaller hands grabbed his and put his arms around her flat waist. He lowered his fingertips to rest on her mound. She moaned and leaned her head on his shoulder.

He stepped closer, eliminating all space between them, and ground his erection into the pillows of her ass.

“Yes,” she growled.

Her movements started slow. She rolled her hips against his already hard cock. He swallowed back a groan as she gyrated in time with the music. He served as an anchor, holding her securely and following her lead.

It was the sweetest torture.

He prayed it never stopped.

Without losing the beat, she turned and faced him, grabbed his hair, pulled his head back, and placed kisses along his neck and collar bone.

The moment she yanked his hair, a switch flipped in his mind. His breaths shortened. His heartbeat raced. His cock hardened to the point of pain. At that moment, he was hers to do with as she pleased.

When she tweaked his nipples and scraped his jaw with her teeth, all thought fled. For a moment, his mind disconnected as his body relished being held close, with purpose. Two palms slapped against his chest a few times, along with the thump of the bass guitar in the song. His breath hitched as she flicked his hardened nipples. The sting heightened his enjoyment.

Her teeth followed her fingers. While snapping her fingers, she nipped his taut buds, sending shivers of bliss through him. He groaned at the salacious mixture of pain and pleasure. It had been so long since his body had been played with like this. The muscles in his stomach quivered in anticipation of her next move.

Her tongue ran across his lips before she bit down on his earlobe. “Your submission is so sweet,” she whispered against his ear. She grabbed a portion of his hair from behind, slammed against his back, and rocked back and forth over his ass.

“Bad boy,” she sang with the music as her hand released his hair, much to his dismay. She snaked her fingertips across his abs, going lower, lower. His heart raced as her hand hovered over his hardness. She grabbed his cock and squeezed.

His eyes snapped tight as the breath whooshed from him.

“You like that, huh?” she asked as she stroked him.

He shuddered. His mind did another disconnect as his body processed the satisfying pain.

“I. Asked. You. A. Question.” She growled in his ear, squeezing his package harder with each word.

“Yes, ma’am,” he managed to choke out around the riotous feelings whipping through him. He prayed she never let him go.

He jerked as her hand cupped his balls more gently. “Mistress,” he begged, needing her to handle him roughly again.

“I’ve got you, Marcus.” With her other hand, she pinched his taut nipple. The competing sensations ricocheted through him. He shuddered as her palm tightened around his dick, stroking him in earnest.

Jaw clenching, he shut down his mind and emotions. Firmly, he backed away from the edge, forcing his body to obey. This was not the time to lose control.

A slap on his ass got him moving again. She laughed as she faced him again. He pulled her tight, never wanting to let her go.

“It’s just dancing. A little nasty, but still dancing.” She grabbed and squeezed both his ass cheeks. Her mouth slanted across his. Her tongue plunged forward and took his hostage. They stopped moving and concentrated on stealing each other’s breaths.

His tongue tangled with hers until she nipped the tip of it with her teeth. He backed down, loving how she took control. Being handled felt damn good. Hell, it
had
been too long.

“You did good.” The huskiness in her voice teased him further.

He wondered how she’d sound after a long night of sweaty sex. He grinned. “Ma’am, you have forever changed the way I view dancing, and I thank you for that.” He was so hard he hurt. There was ultra-painful punishment and then there was pleasant punishment, just different degrees of pain.

Marcus wasn’t a pain slut or a masochist, but some pain mixed with sensuality was his personal kryptonite and she’d discovered that within hours of their meeting. There was an audible crack in his armor. After his last Mistress’ abrupt departure left him in a downward spiral, he was determined to guard his heart better the next time. To make sure he met a woman who wanted a long-term monogamous relationship, one who gave instead of simply took. Something told him he’d just met his future. But he’d be careful, wait, and see how things played out. Mentally, he repaired the splinter in the shell protecting his heart. No need to rush.

She laughed, reached up, and brushed her lips across his before walking off the dance floor. Lips tingling, he followed, acutely aware that everyone could see the boner tenting the front of his pants. Head straight, he went to secure her another bottle of water before returning to his position behind her. Hopefully, the extra time would give his body a chance to calm down. He licked his lips, certain he could taste her.

His dick throbbed. So much for calming down.

Vera watched Marcus slice through the crowd. He didn’t simply walk, he plowed through. His shirt stretched tight across his well-defined chest, displaying his peaked nipples. The man was a delicious dish and if the looks he received as he reached the table were an indication, she wasn’t the only one who thought so.

Her lips still tingled from brushing against his. A fluttery feeling filled her belly as she reflected on the dance, and his reaction to her dominance. She might not know much about having alternative relationships, but she knew how to bring a man to his knees with a blend of pain and pleasure. And Marcus was receptive to her brand of play. Looked like they were a match in that area as well. She couldn’t wait to get him in her pool house. The man had felt so damn good in her hands and against her chest, the tips of her nipples still tingled.

He was strong, solid, and he had heart. Poor thing, he really couldn’t dance. Despite his lack of ability and his personal discomfort, he had come to her. It wasn’t her way to demand something like dancing in public. Instead, she’d decided to see if the chemistry between them was a hot as she’d originally thought.

It was off the charts.

She smiled, remembering the searing lust broadcasted on his face. Did he even realize he had walked across the floor? She doubted it. There had been a dazed look in his eyes. Damned if that wasn’t hot. Having his laser focus on her like that sent shocks of pleasure to her core. She had been a quivering mass of liquid heat.

Her soaked thong was proof of that.

Still the amount of control he exerted surprised and pleased her. The one thing she’d picked up on tonight: he was no lightweight. As she’d held his long, thick penis, she’d been sure he would come in his pants. His stomach had tensed. His body had shuddered beneath her. But he’d been able to control his release. That was impressive.

Her heart did a funny flip as she watched him smile and talk to other submissives while grabbing her bottle of water.

“You know,” Bree said, interrupting her introspection. “The lion isn’t the largest beast in the jungle, but he commands respect from all the other animals and is called the king of the jungle. Notice how everyone moves aside so Marcus can slip through.” She looked at Vera with a thoughtful expression. “There’s something untamed about Marcus, always has been. I think in certain situations, he’d be a force to be reckoned with.” Her gaze followed him as he walked toward the buffet.

Vera had been watching him the entire time. And while she agreed with Bree, she wasn’t up to discussing the unleashed intensity she’d also sensed in him.

Lion or wolf
? Neither animal shared. Nor did Marcus. She had sensed his agitation when Amelio had approached earlier. The only reason she hadn’t sent Amelio packing immediately was to check out Marcus’ reaction. She wanted to be sure he wasn’t some Neanderthal who would fight at the drop of a hat. Although he’d shown restraint, there was no doubt in her mind, if she had wanted Amelio removed, Marcus would’ve gotten rid of the man.

How would that work with Brinks, back home? To date, her boss had only made vulgar suggestions when they were alone. But it was escalating. How would he react when he met Marcus? Hopefully, he would finally get the message she wasn’t interested and leave her alone. There was a wiggle of doubt on that score.

“Yeah, but he’s monogamous. Wouldn’t work with most of the Dommes who come to these events. One thing for sure, he’d upset the balance in my house. I like to play with all my subs, not just one.” Em craned her neck to look around at him. “From what I heard, he’s one-hundred-percent submissive to whoever he chooses to submit to. He simply respects everyone else.”

That was good in Vera’s book. “Who told you that?” Her gaze flicked over Em. Marcus was returning with her water, a small plate, and some napkins.

“Ada, when I asked about him earlier,” Em said as she handed her plate to Michelle. She placed a kiss on his lips. “Bring me some water.”

He nodded and left. He passed Marcus on the way. They stopped briefly, said a few words to each other, and then continued on their respective ways.

The warmth of Marcus’ palm radiated from her shoulder, a gentle reminder that he was there for her.

The DJ played a slow song by Tyrese. “Excuse me, ladies,” Vera said as she stood and took Marcus’ hand. They walked to the dance floor. Vera felt eyes on her back and grinned. She planned to give them an eyeful.

As Marcus wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight, she relaxed into his body. His masculine scent beneath his spicy cologne teased her nostrils. He reminded her of sunshine and picnics, two of her favorite things.

“Just follow me. Nothing fancy,” she whispered when she felt him tense. “I just want to hold you. Just rock from side to side,” she murmured as his muscles eased against her.

They moved so slowly, it could hardly be called dancing. But it suited her mood. The solid beat of his heart beneath her ear provided comfort. His growing arousal and her hard nipples confirmed their mutual attraction.

One of her hands rested on his ass, the other on his back. She enjoyed the feel of his muscles beneath her palm. Like Bree said, so much energy, so much strength, so much power was coiled in this man.
Is that what I want
? Yes. She knew the answer to that immediately.