Mastering Melody (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (11 page)

“Stay close to me,” he says unnecessarily. Did he forget he has me on a leash? He smiles when he sees my raised eyebrow. “Behave yourself and you’ll be rewarded. Give me an attitude like that in front of the other Doms and I’ll make certain you regret it.”

The last is said with a smile, but I get the distinct impression that while he might enjoy meting out the punishment he has in mind, I really won’t appreciate being on the receiving end. Ironically, a part of me is still very curious.

“Come,” he says with a gentle tug on the leash. We step into an elevator that I hadn’t even realized was there. I’m quite grateful. Even with my hands bound in front of me I don’t fancy tripping down a flight of stairs.

I blush furiously when we enter a room where several men in business suits are sitting around a table. Ryan leads me to a padded bench, loops my leash over a hook on the wall, and urges me to sit down. I smile my thanks to Ryan. My knees still feel a little sore from breakfast, so I’m very grateful that I’m not expected to kneel on the floor. Of course sitting demurely is rather challenging.

The Dom I met two weeks ago, Mitchell, gives me a wink before turning a grin to Ryan. “I see you have a new pet, Ryan. She’s very pretty.” Considering that I’m currently sporting a full-body blush, I think “sunburned” would be more accurate than “pretty,” but I smile shyly anyway.

“Thank you, Mitch,” Ryan says in a dismissive sort of way. It’s clear he doesn’t want to explain anything to the other Dom. Mitchell already knows I’m engaged to Ryan’s brother, and it’s clear he’s curious to know what has transpired since we met. It’s not something I really want to try and explain to anyone. I smile as I realize that as a sub I’m not actually allowed to explain without getting my Dom’s permission to speak first. Since Ryan is unlikely to give it, I don’t need to explain anything at all. Now there’s a benefit I haven’t considered before.

This meeting is obviously a routine gathering to talk over the week’s events and any issues that may have arisen. Fortunately, it seems to be over rather quickly until one final issue is raised.

“Karly James has written another article for the local newspaper,” a Dom named Grant says through clenched teeth. “She was painting us as cowardly wife beaters before, but since Casey decided not to press charges against Robert she’s been more vocal than ever. Her claims of brainwashing are actually making people sit up and take notice.”

Ryan rubs a hand across his forehead.

“Anything we try to do to stop her will just make things worse,” Mitchell says, looking just as upset as the rest of the men around the table.

“Agreed,” Ryan murmurs quietly. “All we can do is ride out the storm. How is Casey doing with her recovery?”

“Good. Better than the doctors expected. She’s embarrassed by her sister’s newspaper articles, but anytime she tries to talk to her about them, she gets more accusations of brainwashing. I’ve told Casey anytime she wants to move out of her sister’s home that she can bunk with me. The house is rather empty without Bryce.”

The other men remain quiet for a few minutes. I’m not certain, but it seems the fallout from Robert’s actions has caused more problems than just Casey’s heart attack. I don’t even know the woman, yet I feel desperately sorry for her. It’s hard enough to seek out such an unusual lifestyle, but to have it constantly criticized by her own sister must be an awful situation for her.

“Have you heard from Bryce?” Ryan finally asks.

“He’s okay,” Grant says quietly. “Having Karly James hurl accusations at him in the middle of a public hospital corridor didn’t help. I don’t think it’s the only reason he took the Hong Kong assignment, but Robert better not cross my path while Bryce is away. One stupid, selfish, dumbass decision and Robert changed everything for everyone.”

“It’s something I’d like to avoid in the future,” Ryan says calmly. “Any ideas on how we can identify Doms like Robert?”

“My theory,” Mitchell says in his deep voice, “is that it was possibly the result of pent-up frustration. He’d had a lot of subs use their safe words with him in the weeks leading up to Casey’s attack—even Bianca and Kate safe worded him.”

“That’s no excuse,” Grant says angrily.

“I’m not making excuses for him,” Mitchell says in that deep, rumbling voice that I’d found so intimidating that first night—and in all honesty still do. “I’m merely trying to identify any warning signs that we missed.”

“Have you spoken to Bianca and Kate?” Ryan asks.

Mitchell raises an eyebrow and apparently waits long enough for Ryan to realize that was a stupid question. “Yes, I spoke to them both. Bianca says that with Robert she often used ‘yellow’ to slow things down, but Kate has never safe worded anyone. When she first told me, I was glad to hear that she reached a point where she knew to use it. I was even grateful to Robert for pushing her to that point. I’ve long been worried for Kate’s safety. It takes a lot of pain for her to get into subspace, and once she’s there she seems oblivious even to extreme danger. I actually forbade her to play outside of the club.”

“Good call,” Ryan says. “How did she take it?”

“Quite well,” Mitchell replies with a nod. “I think she realizes that the type of play she enjoys can easily get out of hand. At least with the dungeon monitors around she’ll be protected even if she forgets to use her safe word.”

“Can we do that with some of the other subs?”

“I’ve already spoken to those at highest risk, but we really have no control once they go home.”

Ryan still looks concerned, but he nods and says, “Thanks, Mitch, I really appreciate your help on this.”

“Not a problem,” Mitchell answers with a smile. “Many of my clients are members of the club these days.” He holds up a hand, perhaps stopping whatever question Grant was going to ask. “All of the subs and even several of the Doms have signed waivers for me to discuss issues that may be a problem inside the club. I have their trust, and I don’t plan to abuse it.” He smiles but breathes out heavily. “It does make it tricky some play nights, though.”

“Just as well you’ve got a sub who doesn’t like sharing,” Grant says in a slightly more jovial voice.

“Very true,” Mitchell agrees with a wicked grin.

They talk for a little while longer and then finish their meeting. I watch as the other men leave quickly, but Mitchell stays behind, clearly curious enough to court Ryan’s annoyance.

“Anything I should know?” he asks with a nod in my direction.

“No,” Ryan says in that dismissive tone once more. Apparently Mitchell knows Ryan well and isn’t the least bit intimidated by his attitude.

“So I don’t need to keep an eye out for irate fiancés?”

Ryan breathes out heavily, obviously annoyed at the questions but apparently realizing that he owes his friend an explanation. “Bradley knows what’s going on. For the most part, it was his idea.”

“For the most part?” Mitchell asks, managing to keep a straight face.

“Drop it, Mitch,” Ryan says irritably.

Mitchell holds up his hands in surrender. “Just doing my job,” he says in a rather smug-sounding voice. “You’re the one who made the rule that any Dom who introduces a sub to this lifestyle in your club is responsible for her welfare. I’m just doing what you asked. Making certain the little sub is well cared for.”

Ryan runs a hand down his face and laughs softly. “You’re a real bastard some days.” But there is no heat in his words, just the type of brotherly teasing I often see between Ryan and Bradley. “Melody has a contract with both myself and Bradley for the next three weeks. This week she is a full-time submissive with two Doms. We’ll review the situation on Sunday and adjust accordingly.”

“So Bradley is coming back into the fold?”

Ryan nods, grinning widely, clearly happy to have his brother step back into the BDSM lifestyle. Mitchell grins as well and turns to face me. “Well, pretty sub,” he says with a quick glance at Ryan, “it looks like you did what neither of them could do alone. Made them agree on something.”

“I think I hear your sub calling,” Ryan says, crossing his arms and trying to look stern.

Mitchell grins but doesn’t react to Ryan’s teasing. “You know Haley is going to insist that the three of you come for dinner.”

“I know.” Ryan rolls his eyes heavenward. “You really need to stop letting her top from the bottom.” Mitchell smiles but doesn’t deny the inference. It’s kind of hard to believe that such a large and intimidating man would let his sub—his wife, judging by the wedding ring on his left hand—dictate his life, but that seems to be what they are saying. I think I’m looking forward to meeting his wife again. That first night I’d been too intimidated to truly appreciate the woman. “Maybe next week,” Ryan finally says.

“Done,” Mitchell agrees with a wide grin. “Haley will be really glad to hear Bradley’s come home.” Mitchell sends another wink my way and leaves the room quickly.

“What did he mean by that?” I ask as jealousy worms through me. Why would Mitchell’s sub be interested in my fiancé?

“Mind your manners, little sub, or I’ll be forced to give you that punishment.”

“Oh, sorry, Ry,” I say quietly. “I mean Sir.” I dip my head, trying to remember what the proper protocols are for demanding an answer from my Dom. I almost growl at the situation. Jealousy is pounding through me and I can’t even ask a damn question.

“Green is not a pretty color on you, little sub.”

Great, so he knows I’m jealous and I still can’t demand an answer. “Sir?” I ask in a pathetically pleading tone of voice. Crap, I hadn’t meant to sound so whiny. “Ry, please.”

He smiles, shakes his head, lifts the handle of my leash off the wall, and points to the ground at his feet. I know what he wants, but I’m annoyed enough at him evading my question to consider defying him.

“Last warning, little sub. If I take a cane to your ass now, you won’t enjoy tonight’s spanking.”

I move quickly, not because I’m scared of being caned—it’s in our contract—but because I really want to experience the euphoria I’ve read about that many women in this lifestyle get from a spanking. It was the thing that sent me looking for more information about BDSM in the first place.

“Good girl,” Ryan says as he places his hand on the side of my head and urges me to rest my face against his thigh. It’s a surprisingly comfortable position, and for some reason it makes me feel quite cherished. He caresses his hand over my hair as he sort of answers my question. “Bradley and I have been in this lifestyle for a long time. You’ll twist yourself in knots if you start wondering who we might have played with over the years.”

“I don’t have to like it, though,” I say sullenly.

“True,” Ryan says, still playing with my hair. “The same way I don’t have to like the idea that you’ve had lovers who weren’t me or Bradley.” I blush crimson at the reminder. All of my recent experience was with Bradley, and Ryan was my first, but there were a few men in between—not many, but certainly not zero.

I nod my head against his thigh, not really wanting to talk out loud. It’s hard not to be jealous, but he’s right. What happened in any of our pasts is in the past.

“But just for the record,” he finally says, still caressing me lovingly, “neither of us played with Mitchell’s sub. He claimed the woman the night they met, and they’ve been exclusive ever since. Neither of them likes to share.”

“So she and Bradley?”

“Are just friends.”

“Thank you, Sir,” I say, feeling very relieved. I’d like to make one friend in this club without having to worry she might have intimate knowledge of my men. Hmmm…it seems I still need to do some work on my jealousy issues.

“Stand up,” Ryan says in his bossiest tone. I move quickly to do what he says, gasping when he lifts me to stand on the table. “Lift your skirt to your waist.” I glance at the open door, shaking nervously as I slowly do what he says. The slap on my thigh has me moaning softly. “Next time move more quickly.”

“Yes, Sir,” I say nervously as I see several people walk past the windows that look into the scene area of the club. My instinct is to drop the skirt and cover up—or maybe pull it over my head and hide my face—but Ryan is watching me closely and I really don’t want to be punished just yet. I want that spanking experience he and Bradley have planned for later tonight.

Ryan glances over his shoulder and then looks up and grins. “Good girl.”

His praise sends a naughty thrill through me, but it doesn’t stop my knees from wobbling when he leans forward and presses a kiss to my swollen clit. He wraps his hands around my ass, pulling me closer, holding me up as he starts to lick the oversensitive nub. I’m shivering convulsively, the arousal that I managed to keep banked during the meeting starting to overwhelm me once more.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Mitchell says as he comes back into the room. I instinctively drop the front of my sundress over Ryan’s head. He laughs, sucks hard against my clit for a moment, and then steps away.

“This one’s going to be trouble,” Mitchell says with a laugh in his voice.

“I think you may be right,” Ryan says as he lifts me off the table. At first I think he’s going to put me on my feet, but instead he places my bottom onto the table and tilts the top half of me backward. A part of me resists his nonverbal order, but with my hands bound in front of me and his superior strength, he easily overpowers me. With my legs hanging over the edge of the table, Ryan lifts my skirt up to my waist, exposing me to Mitchell’s gaze.