Mastered 2: Ten Tales of Sensual Surrender (60 page)

Chapter Six

Nate checked his rearview mirror.  Corinne was right behind him.  He could see her, both hands on the steering wheel in a death grip.

She looked so lost and afraid.  It sliced him open to see it.  Again, he cursed himself for staying away from her.

There was a stoicism about her, a determination to get through, to endure.  As much as she wanted to reenter the lifestyle, he could see her doubts about herself.  Her confidence in her own judgement had taken a pounding.  As much as her body had from the physical abuse Steven had heaped on her.

Just hearing her hard limits felt like a knife to Nate’s gut for what she’d suffered and had his jaw tensing in rage at what her husband—her Dom—had subjected her to.

Corinne’s list of limits wasn’t what was common in the lifestyle, things like no edge play, no use of certain instruments.  No, Corinne’s list was that of a victim of assault.  That’s exactly what she was.  What had taken place between her and Steven was nothing short of abuse.  Steven hadn’t been fulfilling a mutual need with Corinne but had been focused on hurting her.  Though Nate didn’t doubt that Corinne had limits that were geared to the lifestyle, she wasn’t thinking of those now.  Now, she was thinking like a woman who’d survived abuse and was terrified of it happening again.

Nate rubbed a hand down his face then up through his hair.  He needed to bring her back.  Show her how it should be between a Dom and his sub.  Show her how it would be with him as her Dom, a man who loved her with every breath.

He’d been in love with her for so long.  He hadn’t told her that tonight.  He could see she was reeling from what he had told her.  She wasn’t ready to hear how he felt about her. He hoped the day would come when he could and that she’d welcome his love.

She’d had counseling after her divorce from Steven. Her father had told Nate the therapist had been very good at helping Corinne.  Nate figured it was due to that counseling that Corinne was able to try to get back this part of herself that was as innate and as much a part of her as her arms and legs.  Yes, due to the therapist and to Corinne’s own inner strength. She was strong.  That she was a submissive was proof of that.  It took a strong person to be a submissive, to grant another that control.  The power in the relationship was the submissive’s, a precious gift to grant or to withhold.

Steven hadn’t broken her.  She hadn’t let him. Nate was going to do everything in his power to show her—to remind her of that and of her strength. And to show her just how much he cherished the gift of her submission.  It was everything to him.  She was everything to him.

Nate’s phone had vibrated while he’d been in the diner with Corinne but he’d let the incoming call go to voicemail, not wanting to interrupt his conversation with her.  He activated the truck’s Speakerphone now.

“Nate, it’s Mitch.  Got the info you asked me for but I need to talk to you as well. Call me.”

Mitch was Mitch Turner, Blake County’s chief of police and a good friend.  Nate hit redial. An instant later, Mitch’s wife Shelby answered Nate’s call, her voice coming softly through the truck’s speakers.

“Hey, Shelby, it’s Nate.  How are you, honey?”

“Nate.  I’m good.  We’re all fine.  Hoping to see you at Sara’s adoption party.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

“It’ll be good to see you.”

“You too, honey.”

“Mitch mentioned that you called.  I know he’s been waiting for you to call him back.  I’ll get him.”

“Thank you.  Give Sara a kiss from her Uncle Nate.”

“For sure.”

A moment later, Mitch was on the line.  Without preamble, Mitch said, “Nate, got the info you wanted.  Steven Jenkins is still behind bars.”

Nate had tensed in anticipation of Mitch’s response.  Now his taut muscles eased.  “Good to know.”

“You didn’t say why you wanted to know.” Mitch’s voice sharpened. “Any reason you thought Jenkins wouldn’t be there?”

Nate blew out a breath.  “None.  I don’t know if you’ve heard that Corinne is back in Blake.”

“No.  How is she?”

“Hurting,”  Nate said softly, feeling her pain as if it were his own.

“I’m sorry.  That has to be hard on you too.”

Mitch knew of Nate’s feelings for Corinne.  “Yeah. I wanted to make sure that Steven wasn’t able to get to her, wasn’t hassling her, and Corinne was too afraid to say anything about it.”

“I get that.  She’s been through hell and is still coming out the other side.”

The anger and the compassion in Mitch’s voice were unmistakable.  Nate could well relate.  “I’m going to make it my mission in life to see that she gets through this, Mitch.”

“If she needs anything . . .  If you need anything . . .”

Mitch didn’t need to say more between them.  “Thanks, man.  I’ll let you know.  Later.”

“Later,” Mitch echoed.

Nate ended the call. His house came into view.  He pulled into his double driveway and clicked the remote for the garage door to open.  An instant later, Corinne parked beside him.  He left his truck and went to her.

He hadn’t known for sure if she would come home with him tonight.  He’d hoped.  Oh, yeah, he’d hoped.  And he’d wanted.  Wanted her in a way he’d never wanted anything or anyone in his life.  With that hope driving him, he’d made some preparations before leaving to meet her at the coffee house.   Made some preparations for their first time together.

He hadn’t expected to have only one hour with her but he’d seen her need to have things between them defined, even the length of their first encounter and that’s why he’d established this boundary.  This went beyond a sub’s need for structure.  Corinne needed an out, an exit.  She needed to know that a limit had been set.  Nate was willing to give that to her.  He’d give her whatever she needed to reassure her, to make her feel safe, protected and cared for.

He understood her fear and trepidation. He would take whatever time she was willing to give him.

As he left his vehicle, he thought of the evening he’d planned for them when he’d received Corinne’s call, an evening that would have lasted a lot longer than one hour.  With his time shortened, he now contemplated the necessary adjustments.  He intended to make the most of the next sixty minutes.

Corinne opened her door.  Nate held out his hand to her, ostensibly to escort her out of the car, but the gesture was more than that, a symbol of her putting her faith in him.

By her slight hesitation, Nate could see the significance of the gesture wasn’t lost on her.  Corinne was an intelligent woman, an intuitive one.  He held his breath waiting to see what she would do.  If she would change her mind . . .

She put her hand in his.  Nate felt satisfaction and joy spread through him.  She would not regret believing in him.

Her hand was ice-cold and trembled slightly.  Despite her fear, she’d entrusted herself to his care for the next while.  In this moment, there was nothing in the world that could have meant more to him.

Gently, he rubbed her hand to warm it, then brought it to his lips and pressed a kiss to her palm before releasing her. “You’re freezing.  Let’s get you inside.”

Her eyes were wide on his but she followed.

In the hall, he hung up her coat then his own jacket. He watched her take in his home.  Though he’d kept a distance from her before that night she’d run to him, she had been here a couple of  times.

“You added some things,” Corinne said.

“A few.”

Two years ago, he’d spent more time out of the U.S. than in it and he’d never done much in the way of furnishings or trappings that made the house a home.  He still hadn’t done a lot, despite the fact that he was home a great deal more now that he was in business with his partners.

Corinne cleared her throat. “Could I use your bathroom?” She lifted a shoulder, let it fall.  “If you have toothpaste, mouthwash?  I’d like to clean up after being sick in the parking lot,” she said quietly.

“Sure.  You’ll find what you need in the cupboard under the sink.  New toothbrushes as well.  Help yourself.  Do you remember where the guest bathroom is?”

She nodded.  “Yes. Thank you.”

“Meet me in the living room when you’re ready.”

A short while later, Corinne joined Nate in the living room.  Moving slowly she walked the length of the room, taking in her surroundings, yes, but also, putting distance between them.  Nate let her, giving her space and hanging back.

Corinne stopped and softly touched a multi-colored afghan that was draped across the back of the sectional couch.

“This is beautiful.”

“It was a gift from an elderly woman in a village my SEAL team kept safe from insurgents.”

Corinne looked from the quilt to him.  “How long were you there?”

“Six months.”

“Sounds like you became quite close with the woman.”

Nate smiled.  “She became an honorary grandmother to our team.   We all still keep in touch.  I miss her.”

“I’m so glad you had her while you were so far from home.”

Again, her concern for him warmed him. It meant more to him than maybe it should.  Corinne was a caring, loving person.  He couldn’t read more into her concern than that, despite how much he wanted to.

As she continued to roam his living room, her gaze caught on the closed door at the end of the hall that led to the basement.  Though Corinne had never been down there, she knew Nate also had a dungeon below stairs.  He and Steven had spoken of it in her presence.

Corinne wrapped her arms tightly around herself.  Nate could see the pulse in her throat begin to flutter.  Seeing her battle her fear felt like a punch to his gut. Words weren’t going to reassure her.  The time for words was over and letting her draw this out was only increasing her agitation. It was time to get their hour started.

Nate went to her and took her hand lightly in his. It was colder now than when they’d been outside.  He turned her gently away from that door and led her into his bedroom.

* * *

Corinne’s breath was coming quickly.  Her mouth felt as dry as dust.  She hated feeling afraid and since things spiraled out of control with Steven, it seemed she felt afraid more times than not.

She wouldn’t have come here with Nate if she believed he intended to harm her. She didn’t expect, didn’t fear this would be Steven all over again. No.  She had no justification for all this fear and apprehension she was feeling. 
Work through it.  Let yourself work through it.
Corinne heard, Julie, her therapist’s voice in her mind.

But seeing that closed door that she knew led to Nate’s dungeon, she couldn’t fight back the fear.    She couldn’t willingly go down there with Nate.

As she was about to tell him that, he turned her away from the dungeon and toward the hall that led to the bedrooms. To his bedroom.

He flicked the light switch.  Soft light filtered down from a shaded fixture in the ceiling. It was clearly a man’s room.  Purely masculine from the comforter, sheets and area rug in earth tones with the rug stretching across dark wood flooring to the heavy, massive bed and bureau.

What was this? Why were they in his bedroom?  Confused, she looked up at him.

Nate brushed his knuckle softly down her cheek.  “Okay?”

He wasn’t taking her to the dungeon.  Relief swept over her, leaving her legs weak.  Tears pricked her eyes.  She blinked trying to clear them before Nate could see but he must have seen them regardless.  He brought both of her hands to his mouth and kissed each softly.

He was being so patient.  So kind.  So gentle.  Overcome by it all, she blinked back more tears and said softly, “Okay.”

Nate released her hands and went to the bed.  He sat on the edge then patted the spot beside him.

Corinne took careful, measured steps to him.  Gingerly, she sat where he’d indicated.

“Do you remember your safe word?”  Nate asked.

“Yes.”

“Tell me.”

“It’s ‘Stop’.”

“Who are you here with?”  Nate said gently.  “Say my name.”

“Nate.”

He nodded.  “Lie down, Corinne.”

Chapter Seven

He hadn’t asked her to undress.  Did he want to do that himself?  Nerves jumping, she scooted over to the center of the big bed and braced herself to feel his hands on her, removing her  clothing.  He hadn’t undressed or asked her to undress him.  Did that mean she would be the only one unclothed?

She forced herself not to cover herself with her hands, to keep her hands at her sides though she couldn’t stop herself from balling her hands tight in her agitation.

But Nate didn’t remove her clothing.  Didn’t touch her at all.

“Raise your arms,” he said softly.  “Over your head, Corinne.”

Her breathing quickened.  He was going to restrain her.   She had loved being restrained, bound and helpless while her Dom pleasured her and knew she was pleasing him in return.  But that was early in her time with Steven.  Before being restrained meant being brutalized.

“Who are you with, Corinne?  Say my name?”

Nate’s voice penetrated the haze of fear that threatened to overtake her.  “Na-te.”

He nodded.  “Now raise your arms.”

Slowly, Corinne complied.

“I want you to keep your hands above your head at all times.  Do not lower them.”

Tense, she waited but he didn’t touch her. He wasn’t going to cuff or tie her?

“Now, close your eyes.  Do not open them without my permission,” Nate said.

He didn’t blindfold her.  What was he doing?  All she knew for sure was that he wasn’t doing anything as she’d expected.

“I’m going to leave you for a moment,” Nate went on. “I want you to maintain this position.  I’m trusting you to keep your arms where they are and your eyes closed.”

When he left the room, she could open her eyes.  She could move her arms.  But she found she didn’t want to. She wanted him to know his trust in her hadn’t been misplaced and deep down she felt a stirring of something . . .  something she hadn’t felt in so very long.  She wanted to obey him.

She heard his footsteps retreat then return.  The mattress shifted as he resumed his position on the bed.

“Corinne, are you all right?”

“Ye-es.”

“Say my name.”

“Yes, Nate.”

Something soft touched her forehead then gently trailed across her brow, down each cheek, across her chin.  So soft.  So gentle on her skin and was followed by Nate’s fingertips.

He brought whatever he held to her nose.  Fragrant.  A flower.  A rose.  Corinne inhaled deeply.  She could smell Nate too.  The skin of his fingers where he held the petals.  His own unique and wonderful masculine scent.

He moved the rose lower to her neck.  She was still fully clothed but Nate continued down her body, trailing the petals across the modest neckline of her blouse.  Slowly, down the center of her body, across each breast, each nipple, then moving to the very core of her.  Her breathing picked up.  Her heart beat harder.

Nate took his time, moving slowly.  So slowly.  Leaving no part of her untouched.  Whereas earlier she’d clenched her fists out of apprehension and fear, now she found her fingers curling and uncurling as her senses, long buried, slowly awakened, slowly unfurled.

Nate’s patience was unending.  Over and over he kept up the gentle stimulation, heightening her awareness.  She held her breath, awaiting the caress of the rose on her sensitive skin and anticipating the brush of his fingers that followed it.

She made a sound low in her throat, then stiffened.  Was she allowed to show her feelings?  Not all Dom’s wanted their subs free to express themselves.  Steven hadn’t.

She wanted . . . She wanted . . . She just wanted.

“Corinne.”

Nate’s deep voice broke through her thoughts.

“Never hide what you’re feeling from me.  I want it all. I
expect
it all.  We clear?”

“Yes.”  While he spoke, he continued to caress her.   The sensation of the rose and his fingers on her became her sole focus. She was finding it hard to speak.  Her senses, so long deprived, were on overload but she managed to respond, managed to add his name.  “Yes, Nate.”

By the time Nate stopped caressing her body, Corinne was sure she could feel every one of her nerve endings.  Her body felt as if had just been roused from a deep slumber.  She heard another sound.  A soft pop.

What was that?  Just that fast, cold sweat broke out on her body.  Fear sweat. She shivered.  She wanted to open her eyes to see what had made that sound and if it meant more pleasure or pain . . .

But Nate had either anticipated her fear or was attuned to her body and had picked up on her physical reaction to not knowing what had made that sound.

“Who are you with, Corinne?”  Nate said.

She swallowed. “Nate.”

“Open your mouth for me.”

His voice sounded thick, husky.  Was he going to straddle her?  An image of Steven fucking her mouth flashed in her mind and she whimpered.

“Corinne.”

This wasn’t Steven.  This was Nate.

Something brushed across her lips.  Chocolate.  As the candy melted on her tongue, she felt Nate’s lips touch hers.  The chocolate, she realized, was held between his teeth.

Gently, he ran the candy across her mouth, caressing her lips with it, melting it against her skin.  She couldn’t help but lick it.  Every time she did, she licked Nate.

More chocolate melted.  Over and over her tongue brushed against Nate’s mouth, over it, inside it.

She drew in a long breath through her nose and when she released it, it trembled.  Heat suffused her body.  Moisture seeped from her core, dampening her panties.  She arched her body, seeking more of Nate’s mouth.

Nate fed her another piece of chocolate in the same way.  His tongue delved into her mouth.  She met it with her own.  Her eyes were still closed, but she could feel him bent over her. So close. She could smell his scent blending with the chocolate.  With each breath she took, she breathed him.  Breathed Nate.

He fed her a small sliver of the chocolate, the last sliver, passing it from his mouth to hers.  With her eyes closed, her other senses were sharper.  She heard him move away from her.  He wasn’t gone longer than a heartbeat.  As soon as she swallowed the chocolate, he was back.

“Who are you with, Corinne?”

“Nate.”  Her voice sounded breathless.

“Open your mouth for me.”

She did.  There was a pause.  This time, his lips touched hers without the buffer of the chocolate.  But just touched.  Just caressed.  So lightly, then slowly, so slowly he began to feed her shallow sips of liquid. Champagne.  So the popping sound she’d heard had been Nate popping the cork on the bottle.

Corinne swallowed, then again.  Nate continued to dribble small drops of Champagne onto her tongue and when he emptied his mouth, he replaced the Champagne with his tongue, sweeping it into her mouth.

Corinne sighed into his mouth and met his tongue with her own, brushing, stroking, caressing.  He tasted of the champagne and the chocolate.  She could smell both and the fragrance of the rose that clung to her over-heated skin.  And, distinct through all that, she smelled Nate.  Would she ever taste chocolate or champagne or smell a rose and not think of him?

His mouth moved over hers.  His tongue delved into her mouth, deepening the kiss.  Corinne kissed him back.

Against her mouth, he said softly, “Who are you with Corinne?”

She had to find her voice to respond.  “Nate . . . Nate.”

“Keep your eyes closed but lower your hands.”

Her mind was slow to process, so caught up was she.  Her limbs felt heavy but eventually they responded.

He stroked her lips with his own.  “Now, unsnap your jeans.  Lower your zipper.”  Nate groaned.  “I can smell your arousal.”  He swallowed audibly.  “Touch yourself, Corinne.  Tell me how wet you are.”

Corinne pressed her fingers to her cleft.  She gave a soft moan.  “Wet. Very wet.”

She heard Nate swallow again before he said,  “Rub your clit in a slow circle.”

At her first touch, her body bowed.

“More.  Over and over.” Nate said.

Corinne stroked herself.  Her bud swelled and began to drip.  Her fingers became soaked.  She moved her head from side to side on the pillow.

Nate inhaled sharply, then exhaled long and loud.  His breathing had grown uneven.  She could feel each harsh breath against her cheek.  Could feel the heat of his body.

“Corinne, now bring your fingers, slick with your own juices, to your lips.  Rub your lips with your fingers.  Coat your lips in your own juices.”

Corinne had never done that before but the idea excited her.  She spread her moisture on her lips.

“Taste yourself.  Run your tongue across your lips.  Tell me how good you taste.”

She did as he’d told her then licked her lips slowly. “Good.”  She moaned long and deep.

Nate’s breathing grew more ragged, erratic.  “Touch your clit again, Corinne.  Keep touching yourself until I tell you to stop.”

Nate ran his tongue over her lips.  He groaned.  He ran his tongue over her again and again and again.  Each sweep was faster, more urgent.  More hungry.

Corinne arched up to meet his tongue as she continued to stroke herself, becoming more and more aroused.  She wasn’t going to last but she couldn’t come before he’d granted her permission.

Nate must have sensed how close she was.  He broke away.  He was panting.  Each breath harsh and ragged.  A drop of sweat fell from his brow onto hers.

“Come, Corinne.  Come for me. Come now.”

Corinne fisted the sheets with her free hand and cried out.  Her body shuddered with the force of her release.

When her body finally stilled, Nate said softly,  “You are so beautiful. Open your eyes now.”

Nate had kept the light dim.  Still, she blinked at the brightness after having had her eyes closed for so long.  She looked up into Nate’s face.  He hadn’t moved but was still leaning over her.  His eyes were dark with passion.  His features pulled taut with the strain of his arousal.  Sweat glistened on his brow.   His chest heaved with each hard breath.   But he smiled.

“Our hour is up.”  He held her gaze another instant, then backed away from her.

He was obviously in need of release.  She was acting as his sub tonight, meant to please and satisfy him.  She bit her lip, now feeling apprehensive again.  She couldn’t bring herself to offer him the use of her body or any part of it to ease himself.

“What about you?” she asked softly.

He gently brushed her hair back from her cheeks.  “You pleased me well tonight.  As to the rest, we’ll get there.”

His touch like his voice was tender.  Corinne’s throat clogged rendering her incapable of speech at the moment.

She got to her feet.  She was wobbly.  Nate held her steady while she regained her balance.

She was feeling so much after having felt nothing for so long.  A part of her felt sorry the hour was over but another part knew she couldn’t have handled any more right now. She needed time to process it all.

“You shouldn’t drive,” Nate said.  “I’ll take you home.”

“Can you call a cab instead?”

She didn’t want to hurt him. God, that was the last thing she wanted to do after all he’d just done for her, but she needed to be on her own right now.  Away from him.  She was filled up with him right now.  He seemed to be in every part of her.  Each time she inhaled, she could smell him.  Her skin tingled as if his fingers still stroked her.   She needed to be alone to think.

He didn’t appear hurt or offended by her request.  He looked like he understood.

“Leave your car key.  I’ll make sure your car is back at your apartment tonight.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

He stroked his thumb across her cheek.  “It will be in your parking lot later this evening.”

She went to her purse and removed her key, leaving it on his nightstand.

When the taxi pulled up, Nate walked her out to it.  He gave the cabbie a few bills then bent over her slowly.  Eyes open, he watched her as he slowly lowered his mouth to hers.  His kiss was soft, feather light then gone.

He opened the car door.  Corinne watched Nate as the cabbie drove away and continued looking in that direction even after he’d disappeared from view.