Releasing Kate (5 page)

Finally, the inspectors left at five on Friday. Michael asked Kate out to dinner to celebrate passing re-inspection.

She barely hesitated before saying yes. They’d worked hard and she’d celebrated other work accomplishments with co-workers.

“I’ll drive,” he offered.

Twenty minutes later, Michael drove though a gate, up a short drive and pulled up before a two-story mansion. A wide expanse of lawn separated the house from its neighbors.

Kate looked at him expectantly. “There’s a restaurant here?”

“No. If you don’t mind, I’d like to change,” he said.

“This is your place? It’s impressive.”

“Actually, it’s the family place. I just use it.”

“Is your family home?”

Michael laughed. “Not at the moment. You don’t mind if we stop here, do you?

“No.
It’s
fine,” Kate said as she pushed aside her unease. She wouldn’t have come with him if she’d known they were going to stop at his house. But it seemed churlish to refuse to go in when they were already here.

Michael led the way into a tastefully furnished house. “Make yourself comfortable. The bar is over there,” he pointed to the far wall of the living room. “Feel free to get a drink. I’ll be back in a few moments,” he said as he went down the hallway.

Kate entered the living room and stopped. One wall contained more of Michael’s collection. These pieces were not the tame ones found at work though. These pieces were barbaric. She shoved aside the warmth collecting in her pelvis and ignored the thrill of excitement that filled her nipples.

The statuary in Michael’s home celebrated not only bondage but domination in all its varied forms. One piece showed a woman bound, on her hands and knees while next to her stood a man with a raised whip. Blood red marks on the woman’s back made the scene vivid and unforgettable.

Many pieces showed women on their knees, mouths filled with cocks. Typically, the men’s hands held the women’s heads in position. Anal sex was not ignored either, always with the woman in the submissive position. Sometimes with her hair wrapped around the man’s fist, other times his hand held her head down. Always, the woman was controlled.

Women knelt, kissing the feet of the men before them. One piece showed a woman stretched out on a table, with her legs hanging off the sides. The man’s entire hand and forearm was in her vagina, her lower abdomen enlarged by its presence. Other women lay spread-eagled, arms and legs extended in a position of exposure. Sometimes ropes bound the women. Two pieces had men holding female extremities. A thin red line trailed from one woman’s vagina. Another showed blood from both the rectum and vagina.

Collars around the women’s throats were common, as were piercings of every imaginable part and some not so imaginable. The women’s expressions varied. Some women had an ecstatic facial expression, as if they’d found heaven. It was obvious that they enjoyed their vulnerability. Some faces showed resignation. None of the women looked horrified by their position. Similarly, some of the men’s expressions showed tenderness, even love, as they inflicted horrendous pain on their partners.

How can anyone enjoy such cruelty?
she
thought, even as she wondered what it would be like to surrender all control. Kate didn’t think she could ever leave herself so vulnerable, especially after she’d witnessed her mother’s subjugation.

“Do you like this part of my collection better?”

Kate jumped. She hadn’t heard him enter the room. How did he do that? She kept up her brave front as she said, “It’s barbaric!” Her face flushed, knowing that revulsion hadn’t been her only response.

“Yes, that’s a common feeling, but I hoped you might be willing to experiment,” he said, implying that if she felt so inclined, he’d be happy to oblige. He moved close to her, close enough that his aftershave enveloped her in warm musk.

“I am attracted to you,” he said holding her eyes. “But I believe in making my preferences known, especially since they aren’t common.”

Chapter Five

When Kate didn’t speak he continued, “There are women who enjoy being dominated, not only enjoy it, but thrive under domination, only becoming sexually fulfilled if a man is in control, possessing and owning them. I want those women. I need those women. I’m only satisfied by domination,” Michael’s eyes seemed to pierce Kate’s defenses. “I know we work together and I’m your boss so that creates other problems but if you are interested in experimenting, we could work something out. Are you interested?” he asked, his soft voice contrasting with the hard gleam in his eyes.

“No! That’s rape,” Kate said, gesturing toward his collection.

“Rape occurs when a woman does not consent. That’s submission,” he stated emphatically.

“What’s the difference?” Kate asked before she could stop herself.

He smiled, “Submission occurs with a woman’s permission. Not only does she want to submit, she craves it and needs it. She is never really satisfied without the domination of a strong man. It is an integral part of her persona. Haven’t you ever felt the need to be dominated? Are you interested in exploring that part of your sexuality?”

“I saw my mother hurt like that and I don’t believe any woman would willingly choose that kind of pain and humiliation. I
know
I’m not interested.”

“Your mother?
Your biological mother?”

“I don’t want to talk about my family,” Kate said, ignoring a wave of regret. Submission made a woman a sex object rather than a willing partner. Kate couldn’t, she wouldn’t ignore all her beliefs for a fling with any man. Yet she was curious and felt comfortable enough to ask her questions. “You could have nearly any female you want. Why do you prefer a type of sex that is not socially acceptable? Why do you want to subjugate a woman?”

“There are many societies, Kate. Sexual exploration of all kinds, including domination, is valued in my culture. I come from a long line of strong males. It’s bred into me. In our enclave in the mountains, this type of sex is normal. The women crave submission and pain every bit as much as the males crave to dominate. It’s our heritage.”

“That sounds like a cult. I think it’s time we leave.” She turned toward the door. Michael reached out and put a hand on her arm, stopping her movement.

“It’s not a cult. It’s biological.” Michael shrugged. “I learned at an early age who I am and what I like. I like subjugating women. I don’t do vanilla sex. I’ll go without if I’m between females who can handle my needs.” Michael’s gaze held Kate pinned.

Michael closed his eyes and shook his head. He let her go and paced the room. “During sex, I make the rules. I don’t have to worry about playing fair or containing my energies in the sense that sex is a physical battle. I can only be free when I am dominating a woman because I know at some point I will be able to unleash all my energies and my woman will thrive under my power. I can’t separate mind and body. They are one and I make sure my women know that and feel that integration that your culture ignores.” He turned and pinned her again. “Does any of this make sense to you?”

Kate met his gaze. Stunned by his passion, she realized she’d never thought of what it meant to be a male in this culture—a feminist culture that proclaimed nurturing, communication and cooperation as religious truths. It was a culture that discounted the nature of males.

Before Kate could respond, he continued. “When I see a woman tied to my bed, I feel powerful. That’s my reality. When I hear a woman moaning and screaming and pleading with me to satisfy her, I feel powerful. In those moments, the energies that wash through me are channeled and controlled. I never feel out of control. The woman is though. She can’t stop her emotions from breaking free and all her thoughts are focused on her body and what I’m doing. Kate, have you ever surrendered completely?” he asked in a whisper.

Kate closed her eyes and struggled to remain standing. Her knees were weak and her breath short. She didn’t want to answer his question. She wanted to tell him she never gave up control. She knew he could take her to a place where her every action would be a response to his and that place frightened her. She didn’t rely on any man enough to go there. Did she? Kate felt him move in front of her. She felt his hand on her face—a light touch, just barely a whispered graze.

“Kate, do you want to test your limits?”

Kate kept her eyes closed, as if she could close him out of her mind by the simple action.

“Kate, look at me,” he said.

Kate shook her head, still trying to escape his words.

His finger tilted her chin.

She opened her eyes just as his lips descended. Hard, warm and gentle lips lightly pressed hers. Kate melted and opened her mouth to deepen the kiss. He pulled back. She couldn’t stop the moan that escaped.

“I already told you, I don’t do vanilla sex, Kate. Pleasure is only one component of what you’re capable of feeling. Why ignore the other half of your sensory potential? Sex is on my terms or not at all.”

“But you want me.”

“Oh yes, I want you very much…but on my terms, not yours.”

“Your games look far too scary for me.”

“Don’t you trust me?”

Kate took a deep breath, fighting to regain her equilibrium. “I don’t trust any man that much.”

Michael smiled a little and shrugged. “Think about what I’ve said. I’m sorry you aren’t interested in testing your limits tonight. Let’s go to dinner.”

Michael hid his disappointment. He’d never met a woman quite like Kate. The women in his clan met his advances with joyful submission. Despite being feminine and curvy, Kate was also independent and focused. She wasn’t compliant and cooperative.

Outside the clan, Michael’s looks and manner meant that he rarely had to pursue a woman for very long before she surrendered to him. Indeed, he often had to fight off advances. He wasn’t into casual sex. His needs were too dark to display them before just anyone. He’d never had to chase before. Normally he accepted any woman’s emphatic declaration that she didn’t want pain but he knew Kate was lying to herself. He craved her submission in the way that only happened with clan women.

He’d watched Kate’s face and eyes as she’d explored his collection. It aroused her. The thought of a strong Dominant aroused her. She wasn’t as put off by the thought of pain as she claimed. She’d thrive under his control. Clearly though, she wasn’t just going to cave, but neither was he.

He was tempted by her offer to just fuck her. He knew the sex would be good—physically. Physicality wasn’t enough for him though. He wanted her mind. He wanted her every thought and desire centered on him. He knew he tended to be self-centered and arrogant. No woman had made him itch and ache the way Kate did.

At least she had no awareness of her effect on him. If she knew how close to the edge he was, she’d probably force the issue. Regular sex wouldn’t satisfy him for long. They’d have a quick fuck and be done. That wasn’t what he wanted. He wanted a long-term relationship—a long-term Dominant/submissive relationship with his mate.
A relationship where he felt everything happening to her even as she experienced his body as if it were her own.
He wanted her living with him and linked to him in every way.

The stunt in the parking garage on the first day they’d met had nearly sent him over the edge. He’d taken his anger out on George. He couldn’t afford to give in to his need for Kate. He walked a fine line between coercion and encouragement. He wanted women who accepted and liked his need for control.
Women who would submit to his dark desires because theirs were the same.

When he’d entered puberty his father had explained their heritage. Accepted sexual practices weren’t necessarily enough to create the telepathic link that was vital to their survival. The full exploration of sensation was inherent in their sexual practices. People without their ancestry could never understand that sex without both pain and pleasure would be like an intravenous feeding—no taste or texture.

When he’d left the clan, his father had warned him that the women he met might satisfy him for a few weeks but that no relationship would last. His father had been right.

To survive outside Sanctuary, Michael had joined a couple of bondage and Domination clubs. They taught him his desires were real and he was only truly satisfied when exercising dominion over a woman.
Unfortunately, the club’s rules and regulations—negotiating scenes and outlining everything—left him craving more.
He knew the more was the mental link that could be forged with a mate. A link that would allow him to feel her pain, to feel her needs and limits.

The clubs were too tame for him. Besides, he’d just get a scene warmed up nicely when it ended. He wanted—no, he needed—long-term commitment. The longest he’d kept a woman had been a week. He wanted more and he knew Kate was just the woman to provide him with what he craved. She just didn’t know it yet.

As a master strategist, he was used to long-term planning. He just needed to bring his skills to bear on Kate. He needed to proceed slowly but he could up the stakes and push a little harder. She was hesitating and wavering. She needed a few more nudges. He could and would rein in his desires until he could make a quick trip to the clan enclave. He needed to find evidence of Kate’s ancestry.

His visit to the clan enclave wouldn’t include physical sex. Kate was his mate, he didn’t want anyone else. The visit would allow him to mentally ride the thoughts and feelings of others in Sanctuary. It would feel like a release. It would be enough to tide him over until he could fully mate with Kate. But before he left he’d make sure Kate would miss him.

* * * * *

Michael touched Kate often. He held her arm when they walked down hallways. He guided her through doorways and managed to brush her breasts as he held doors. He always guided her to a chair. He touched her hand as he gave her coffee. He crowded her as they looked for files. He always stood in her personal space until finally she simply grew accustomed to his presence. He wore down her control.

She accepted his touch and came to expect him always to be near. At no point did he ever make a gesture or touch that was over the line. Every move was explainable. His presence drove her crazy.

She could smell his heady, arousing cedar scent. It enveloped her whenever he was near. She got so she could smell him before she even knew he was close. Kate could feel him. Kate could see him. Much as she longed to touch him, she resisted. She didn’t dare touch him. She was afraid she’d beg if she did. Michael aroused her and she wanted him but thoughts of his preferences held her back.

At home, alone at night, she masturbated. She pretended Michael’s warmth filled her rather than a cold dildo. Kate couldn’t stop thinking about sex, specifically sex with Michael. She debated calling an old boyfriend. It had been months since she’d had sex with a man. She wanted sex. She needed sex. She needed Michael. Another man just wouldn’t satisfy her.

One day Michael asked, “Have you changed your mind yet?”

Kate stared at him helplessly and her cunt tightened in arousal. She countered, “How about just regular sex?”

He just smiled and said, “You’d be bored.”

Kate took that to mean that he’d be bored. She sighed and went back to work, trying to push her arousal down into a forgettable location.

Just when she thought she’d explode, Michael went out of town.

He told her he had some family business to take care of. In some ways it was a relief to be away from him, yet she missed him and she missed the tension between them.

A week later, Michael came back. Kate wanted to run to him and hug him. He was becoming a very important part of her life despite the fact she rarely saw him outside work.

Michael seemed glad to see Kate too. He told her to come to his office. He had a surprise for her. When she entered his office, he sat her in a chair and told her about his trip. Then he said, “I bought you a present.”

“A present?
For me?”
Kate was startled. Despite the fact they both knew they could be intimate if things were different, Kate truly believed he wasn’t going to make a move on her. Somehow the idea of a present made it seem as though they were in the courting stage of a relationship—an impossible relationship given their different perspectives on sex.

“Yes, for you,” he said as he handed Kate a silver package—weighty and expensively wrapped. When she started to open it, he stayed her hand, “No, open it at home.”

Kate raised an eyebrow.

“This is part of your education,” he said. “You’ll enjoy it more if there are no witnesses, especially me.”

Kate rushed home, curious about the present, unable to wait to open it. As the wrapping came undone, the first thing she saw was the gilded edges of the book.
An expensive present
, she thought as the leather binding peeked out of the silver paper. Then she read the title and froze.

Boldly embossed into the leather were the words,
The Joy of Submission
.

Startled, Kate dropped the book. It opened to a picture of a woman bent over something resembling an altar. Chains ran from the floor to her arms and legs. Her hair hung free and reached the floor. Whip marks covered her back. A man stood behind her, his hand held a gigantic curved dildo as large as the woman’s arm. The entire scene painted an erotic image of what he could do with her in that position, with that weapon in his hand. Kate’s sharp arousal nearly made her pass out from excitement.

She took a quick breath and turned the page, imagining that the next photo would show what happened. It didn’t. Instead, the next page had a different image. This time the woman was on her knees. Her arms bound behind her back caused her breasts to thrust out, defying gravity. At the same time that her posture proclaimed her pride, her head hung down. Three men were next to her. One man held pincers near her extended nipple. One man held a glowing brand aimed at her stomach. The third man was shaving her pubic hair. Kate couldn’t breathe.

She shut the book and dropped it on the floor, closed this time. She shut her eyes but the images remained. She slowly stood. Her knees weak, she took a moment to gain her balance and then gingerly stepped over the book as if it could suddenly come alive and chain her.