The Auction (20 page)

Carly laughed, a deep, throaty laugh filled with happiness, her eyes crinkling into half moons, her cheeks dimpling. Adam realized he’d never heard her laugh before and that he wanted to hear it again, and often. “That’s it, huh?” she finally said, still grinning.

Adam found himself laughing too, the sudden lightness inside nearly lifting him from his seat. She hadn't said yes, but she hadn't said no. She was there beside him, smiling at him, and he realized that was enough. 

~*~

Carly’s stomach clenched as she followed Adam across the threshold and into the imposing marble foyer of his house. Adam closed the door behind them and turned to her, taking her into his arms. He lowered his head, touching his lips to hers. It wasn’t their first kiss—there was the dream kiss that one night when she’d dared to sidle up beside him, aching with loneliness, needing to feel a man’s arms around her. But it was, she decided, their first conscious kiss, their first kiss as equals.

She let her lips part as Adam’s tongue eased sweetly into her mouth. He pulled her closer, crushing her breasts to his chest, his hands cupping her ass as his kiss became more insistent. She could feel his erection, hard against her thigh. A delicious, sweet heat moved through her body, making her heart pound.

When at last he pulled back, Carly found herself leaning forward, her mouth suddenly bereft from the loss of his kiss, her body cold without his surrounding warmth. “Carly, I have to have you. Now.” Adam’s voice was hoarse. Carly opened her eyes as he moved to her side, reaching to lift her into his arms.

He held her close as he moved into the living room. Setting her down on a large sofa, he knelt beside her, his fingers fumbling at the buttons on her blouse. Within seconds he had it open. His expression was hungry, almost fierce, as he tugged at her bra, pulling it upward so her breasts sprang free, his mouth closing over one nipple, lips, teeth and tongue bringing it to an instant, aching erection. As he suckled, his hands sought her jeans, tugging at the snap, dragging the zipper down, pulling the denim, along with her underwear, down her legs.

Carly was breathless, her heart beating fast. Adam stood just long enough to pull his shirt over his head. Carly reached behind her back, released the clasps of her bra and tossed it to the floor. Sitting up, she reached for Adam’s fly, pulling it open. Hooking her fingers on either side, she tugged at his shorts, slipping them past his narrow hips. His erection bobbed toward her, its tip glistening. Leaning forward, Carly closed her lips over the head, savoring the taste and feel of him.

As she sucked the length of his shaft into her mouth, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer. She would never have dared to take such liberties just a few hours earlier, but he had said they were to be partners—equals, and this was exactly and precisely what she wanted—no, what she needed—to do.

He stood in her embrace for several long moments, his fingers twining in her curls as she worshipped his cock. “I need to be inside you, Carly,” he finally rasped, releasing her hair and pushing her back against the sofa. Kneeling in front of her, he lifted her onto the cushion.

Carly held out her arms and Adam fell on top of her, his mouth again finding hers, his kiss even more urgent than before. His cock pressed hard against her wetness. She arched up, pulling him into her, aching to be filled, his name pulled from her lips as he entered her. She felt his hand on her throat, the primal, dominant gesture sending spirals of melting, submissive lust through every inch of her body. He moved in a perfect swivel inside her, his pubic bone rubbing against her throbbing clit with each thrust.

“Open your eyes,” he commanded in a deep voice. “Look at me.” Carly forced her eyes to flutter open, trying to focus, trying to catch her breath. Adam’s eyes were bright, lit with that inner fire she’d seen a few times before, but along with the fire was something new, something vulnerable, even pleading.

“Carly,” he whispered throatily, his voice breaking. “My darling, my love. Come for me. Now.”

She did.

~*~

The snow was falling thickly outside, blanketing the lawn and trees, fat flakes drifting past the windows. Inside the fire crackled in the hearth, its flames rouging the cheeks of the two couples sitting comfortably around the hearth.

It was the last day of the year, and Adam and Carly had invited James and Amy to celebrate. They’d enjoyed a delicious meal prepared in advance by Adam’s cook and were having their coffee by the fire.

Adam set down his cup and turned to Carly. “It’s time, slave girl.” He touched the O-ring on her collar, looping his finger into it and tugging gently. Carly felt herself slip immediately into the all-encompassing submissive state of being that came more and more easily to her as the weeks with Adam had eased into months. Everything extraneous seemed to slide away, her focus solely on her Master.

“Kneel, head down, arms out.”

Carly moved from the sofa to the carpet in a fluid movement, kneeling with her forehead to the ground, her arms stretched in front of her. She could hear the murmuring of James, Amy and her Master above her but she didn’t pay attention to the words. She had entered a different plane, an altered state of being.

She stayed still, her mind emptying, a deep sense of calm moving over her. She felt the hem of her dress being lifted, and the warmth of the fire on her bare skin. Adam’s hand moved over her ass and she let out a breath, reveling in his touch, content to wait for his next command.

They had talked about tonight and what he would expect from her. They had been working toward this moment for the last month, his knowledge of her triggers and limits deepening, her trust and ability to move through her fears stronger with each passing day. They had agreed they wanted witnesses for this new level of submission, and neither could think of anyone better to invite than James and Amy.

She felt Adam’s hand on the back of her neck, her signal to rise. Carly lifted herself upright and stood. James, Amy and Adam were all standing as well. The men were both fully dressed in jeans and button down shirts. The women wore silky shifts that came to the knee, their nipples clearly outlined against the sheer fabric, both of them barefoot in the warmth of Adam’s comfortable house. Neither showed any sign of self-consciousness. Each understood that her body was a gift for her Master, never to be concealed or withheld.

They walked together to the basement, James and Adam leading the way, Amy and Carly following behind. As they walked, Amy slipped her hand into Carly’s and squeezed. Carly glanced at her, smiling, and Amy smiled back, her eyes twinkling.

Adam led them through the basement to the water chamber beyond, where he and Carly had spent many hours working through Carly’s fears and exploring her secret desires. Tonight they would go further than they had before. She was ready, she had assured him that morning as they snuggled in bed, her trust in him, and more importantly in herself, absolute.

James and Amy took their seats on folding chairs Adam had brought into the chamber earlier that afternoon. The top was off the water tank, the water inside heated to a comfortable, soothing temperature. Adam touched the thin strap of Carly’s shift, pushing it gently from her shoulder. Following his lead, she pushed the other strap, letting the dress puddle at her feet.

Gently Adam tugged at the golden hoops in her nipples, both of which stiffened at his touch. She stood straight and proud, meeting his gaze with a smile, melting at the warmth and love she saw in his eyes.

The nipple piercing had been an early Christmas gift to her. Instead of responding with fear and white-knuckling her way through it, Adam had helped her to embrace the experience, to accept the sudden, sharp pain of the needle’s tip as the price of wearing his rings. Her nipples had healed beautifully, and she couldn’t help but admire the rosy gold rings every time she showered or glanced down at her breasts while they lay naked together in bed. She knew she would get used to them in time, but she would always regard them as shiny gold talismans that signified the sparkling joy of her new life with Adam Wise.

Adam unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall from his shoulders. He slipped out of his jeans, revealing black silk bikini underwear, his sexy bulge straining beneath the fabric. He retrieved two coils of soft nylon rope from the supply cabinet and went to the water tank, climbing the sturdy stairs that led to the platforms on either side of the tank. Kneeling, he reached down his hand, which Carly took as she mounted the stairs.

Her heart quickened as she climbed, but none of the old paralyzing, blinding fear she’d once experienced at the thought of being confined in a small space resurfaced, even though she knew what they were about to do. She glanced toward James and Amy, aware of the concern in Amy’s eyes, smiling when James took Amy’s hand in his and pulled her close, as if to say,
Don’t worry. It’s all okay.

And it was all okay. Better than okay. The willing exchange of power between Adam and Carly was more powerful than anything she’d experienced with other dominant men in the past, men who knew what it was to take, but had little concept of what it was to give, truly give, of one’s heart and soul. Adam had taught her that it was possible to be both equal and submissive; that strength and submission were not opposites, but blended together to create something powerful and enduring. He showed her daily how much he valued the gift of her submission, and she in turn treasured his dominance.

Carly knelt on the wide platform beside the tank, lifting her arms so Adam could slip the padded canvas harness over her head. Heavy iron weights had been sewn inside the pads along the front of the harness to assure she sank beneath the water. The weights tugged Carly forward and she shifted on her knees to maintain her balance as Adam adjusted the harness over her torso.

Carly had worn the harness during other sessions in the water tank, but she’d never been bound at the same time. Tonight would be different. Silently Carly prayed for the grace and courage to do what came next. She brought her arms behind her back while Adam crouched behind her.

He wound the rope around her arms, starting at the top and working his way toward her wrists. As the rope snugged around her, Carly felt a sensuous calm settling over her as she moved into the submissive headspace where nothing existed except Adam and herself, and whatever task he had set before her.

When she was thoroughly bound, he reached for the fat metal clips that dangled from the winch embedded in the ceiling beam. Carefully he attached the clips to the D rings sewn at intervals along the sides of the harness. Finally he placed thick, soft leather cuffs around Carly’s ankles and thighs, attaching additional winch clips to the O rings on each cuff.

When Carly was properly secured, Adam nodded towards James, who now stood beside the wall ratchet that controlled the winch. James began to turn the winch wheel, lifting Carly into the air until she hung parallel to the water shimmering a few feet below her.

Pulling off his underwear, Adam eased himself into the water.  “I love you, Carly,” he said softly, reaching up to cup her face in his hands.

“I love you, Sir.”

“Are you ready for the submersion, slave girl?” he asked in a louder voice.

“Yes, Sir.” A tremor moved through Carly’s frame and she swayed gently in the weighted harness, cuffs and rope. Yes, she was afraid, but at the same time she was determined to go through with this ultimate exercise in submission.

“When I count to three, take a deep breath and hold it. You will stay calm and still beneath the water. You will not struggle. I will decide when you breathe again. Are we clear on this?”

“Yes, Sir,” Carly breathed, her heart beating a rapid tattoo against her bones.

Adam reached up, stroking her cheek. He spoke again in a soft voice, meant for her ears alone. “Easy. Slow. Remember our work. Remember your grace.”

Carly nodded, closing her eyes, focusing on her love for this man, drawing on the courage she knew was inside her. “Tell me what your safe cue is,” Adam said.

Carly’s voice, when she spoke, seemed to her to be disembodied, but at least it didn’t quiver. “If I feel scared or about to panic, I’m to nod my head up and down, like this.” Carly demonstrated, feeling slightly silly, though at the same time aware how important this was.

Adam nodded in approval. “Good. Remember, I will be right beside you in the water. I will be watching and paying attention.” He touched her cheek again. “Ready?”

Carly nodded, not quite trusting herself to speak again.

“One,” Adam said.

James began to turn the winch, lowering Carly toward the water.

“Two.”

She hovered just above the tank. Closing her eyes, she drew in a deep breath, filling her lungs, emptying her mind.

“Three.”

Carly descended into the warm silence of the water, the weights pulling her down. Though she sensed Adam near her, she didn’t open her eyes. The fear that had assailed her as she swayed above the tank had evaporated, leaving only the rush of adrenaline it had left in its aftermath. She realized she was counting.
One thousand, two thousand, three thousand…

Her chest felt tight, a burning sensation moving through her lungs.

Twenty-one, twenty-two…

Her heart pounded. All she had to do was nod her head and he’d pull her to safety.

She didn’t do it.

A curious, peaceful calm moved over her and she let her body go limp, her muscles and bones sliding from her skin, flowing into the water, becoming one with it.

I love Adam. I trust him with my love, with my heart, with my life…

All at once the air hit Carly and her eyes flew open. She hung suspended for a few seconds, and then was lowered onto the platform, Adam’s hands guiding her down. As her mind switched back on, she realized Amy was beside Adam, both of them moving quickly to release the clips, unwind the rope, pull the heavy harness from her body.

A thick, warm towel was wrapped around her and she felt herself being lifted and then cradled in strong arms. “Carly? You okay, darling?”