“First, there must be a bond of trust. Once established, the dorei must give over control and surrender into the ropes and the hands of her master. Beyond that, we’ll have to ask Lexie about her thoughts and sensations.”
“I imagine you have worked together for years to achieve this level of trust.”
Lexie’s voice was husky, and her words were slightly slurred. “Five times, isn’t it Master?”
The students’ eyes flew to Jonas for confirmation.
“That is my count as well, dorei.”
“Damn!” one of the men exclaimed, awestruck by the powerful scene before him.
“The risk of this state is that your submissive might not recognize that the bindings are too tight and are acutally pinching, compressing on nerves, or restricting blood flow.” Jonas the teacher had returned. He continued to stroke Lexie as he spoke yet again about safety and how to identify and prevent problems. “Any impact play, like flogging, canes and whips, while in this state must be done with extreme caution because it can lead to deep play. The bottom might inadvertently encourage more than they can take, resulting in injury. It’s up to the master to control the scene. Wiggle your fingers, Lexie.”
After she complied, he continued, “Anything numbness or tingling?”
“No Master, it’s all wonderful.”
“What other sensations are you feeling?”
“Like I need to come.”
He hummed softly, “That is good to know, Sunshine, but I meant discomfort or loss of sensation.”
“No, none of that.”
“A few more minutes of questions, class. Then I will need to untie her and walk you through after care.”
Lexie went back to soaring, letting the drone of voices melting into the background. It seemed only moments passed before Jonas started untying her. She whimpered in disappointment.
“Dorei, I control the scene always and decide how long you are bound, unless you use your safeword.”
“Of course, you are the Master.”
He lowered her leg and untied the ropes in seconds. Once free, he massaged her skin and gently moved her knee and hip joint through a full range of motion. The nurse in her thought he would have made an excellent physical therapist. Check that, she thought as he worked his fingers into her thigh muscles. His hands were magical, and he’d missed his calling as a massage therapist. As he moved up to rub her bottom, a blissful sigh rolled from her body.
A few moments later, he released her bound arms and continued the massage, including her shoulders and upper back. Again, his voice comforted and soothed her, lulling her back into a relaxed state of deep tranquility. She believed she could actually fall asleep beneath his caring attentions, while the class continued.
“Aftercare is as important…” Lexie zoned out as Jonas continued his lecture. Eventually, he finished and gathered her languid body into his arms, wrapping her in a soft blanket and holding a bottle of water against her dry lips. “Drink,” he urged as he wrapped her limp hand around the plastic bottle. When she took a scant sip, he pushed it back toward her mouth. “Drink at least half.”
This time she emptied the bottle. More alert now as she relaxed into him again, her eyes swept over his students, seeing the other six men following his lead and catering to the needs of their women. She noticed they all had the same relaxed and happy looks on their faces. Why didn’t more people know about this? It was heaven.
Lexie curled against Jonas like a kitten, practically purring with contentment. She glanced up at him when he settled her more firmly against him, hiding the evidence of his arousal. He enjoyed this, too; no wonder he’d become a master.
***
Looking down upon her face, a soft smile gracing her features, he felt his cock ache as it throbbed against her soft bottom. If they’d been alone or at The Club, he would have fucked her while bound. He’d barely resisted the urge to rip the lacy panties away and drive into her—it would have been so simple in her side lying position. All he’d have to do was straddle her lower leg and take her, bringing their scene to the ultimate level of intimacy and completion. Despite the temptation, he kept his composure. Now he was ready to dismiss them and see to Lexie’s other physical needs—and his own.
“Times up, class. Any questions before we call it a night?”
Jonas’ question seemed to go unnoticed. Most of the couples were cuddling, kissing or whispering softly, lost in each other. When no questions were asked, he dismissed the class, reminding them of the chapters that were assigned and adding, “Next week, we’ll build on the breast tie and practice what I demonstrated tonight. I will also bring some accessories for you to experiment with.”
“What kind of accessories?” This was asked simultaneously by several of the women, the group laughing softly at the enthusiasm in their voices.
“Accessories enhance the experience and can help the sub reach the desired state of euphoria. For example, clamps and vibrators can help if the bottom needs more stimulation. A blindfold can help if the bottom is distracted or over-stimulated.”
Jonas felt Lexie stiffen in his arms. Glancing down at her, she appeared relaxed, her eyes still closed. If he hadn’t been holding her, he would have missed it. Something he’d said had bothered her. As he replayed his words, the group started dispersing and distracted him, even though they were calling their goodbyes softly as they left.
“Time to come back to me, Sunshine.”
Her eyes shifted to his, and she smiled.
“You enjoyed yourself tonight.”
Her smile turned into a grin as her eyes drifted shut again and she stretched languorously against him. “Mm, hm… I could get used to this.”
“I don’t think so. My intent is to keep you on your toes. Wouldn’t want you to get bored.”
“Never.”
“Speaking of keeping you on your toes, something I said about next week’s session bothered you. What was it?”
The frown returned, marring her serene expression. “I don’t like the idea of a blindfold or a gag.” Her eyes were troubled as she looked up at him. “It reminds me of that night with Derek.”
“I know your limits, Sunshine. Both are often used in Shibari, however. There are even rope blindfolds, although I’ve never liked them. I’m not fond of gags either, but I have imagined you with a bright yellow scarf covering your eyes.” He ran his fingers through her hair and her body shivered in response. He pressed his lips to her forehead and whispered, “I wouldn’t have to use an actual blindfold, Lexie. I could simply order you to shut your eyes and you’d obey me, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes, but—”
“Think about it. Decreasing one sense often heightens the others. Take away sight, and hearing becomes more acute. Loss of sight also engages the mind. You wouldn’t be able to see me, or my reaction. You’d have no clue what was coming next. It requires trust.”
“I already trust you completely, so why is it that important?”
“Because it would deepen your submission, heighten the experience for us both, and because it’s fun and sexy as hell.” Lifting her face up to his, he kissed her gently. His dick was still rock hard and confined within the restrictive material of his tight pants, a perpetual state when around her. He needed her badly and soon, but he wanted to make his point first. “Imagine being tied again, with only my voice to guide you. Your hearing would be acute, and your sense of touch would be intensified. Envision the exhilaration of being suspended three feet off the floor, held tightly in my rope’s snug embrace, awaiting my next move.”
His lips grazed hers as he spoke, his words conjuring up the images until she could almost feel each sensation he described.
“Now think of the brush of my fingertips over your shoulder, my lips against your hard nipples. Imagine floating, waiting and wondering, eagerly anticipating what I’ll do to you. Then you hear the whoosh of my deerskin flogger as it cuts through the air. Before it brushes across your luscious bottom, your nerve endings crackle in expectation. Then, as the falls land, your skin explodes with sensation. Think if I followed that with my tongue or a vibe against your clit.”
By the time he finished, her breathing was erratic and shallow, and she couldn’t suppress the low groan that erupted from deep with her. She lifted her mouth to press against his teasing lips. “I’d go off like a rocket on a launch pad.”
“Will you try for me, Lex? We could work up to it slowly.”
She thought about it for a moment.
“I’d like you to try and maybe we can put this fear behind you for good.”
Breathlessly, she agreed. “I will try for you, Master.”
“Thank you, Sunshine. Trust me to make it good for you. Remember, this is supposed to be fun, as well as relaxing, beautiful and freakin’ hot. You always have your safeword, and if you don’t like it after trying it, we can move on to something else. There are hundreds of ties to explore and accessories and toys to keep it fresh and steamy.”
“Please, I’m steamy now.”
“I need to lock up. Can you hold off until we get home to our comfortable bed?”
“I don’t know if I can make it that long, but I’ll try.”
After giving her a deep, lingering kiss, Lexie watched as his eyes shifted around the studio. He stared at the rubber mat for a while and glanced at the hard plastic chairs. She knew he was sizing up locations to give it a go here. Instead, he shook his head and pulled her up beside him.
“Maybe you should put a soft couch in your office.”
Startled, he looked down at her.
“I knew what you were thinking,” she said with a giggle. “Your mind reading skills must be rubbing off on me.”
He chose to ignore her last remark and said, “No one puts a couch in a dojo.” Turning her with a light swat on her behind, he nudged her toward her clothes. “Get dressed and meet me downstairs. We’ll wait ‘til we get home. After years of sleeping in tents on hard-packed rocky ground, I’m kind of partial to my soft bed.”
Bright sunlight casting a swathe of light across the bed woke Lexie. Smiling contentedly, she rolled beneath the soft covers, reaching for Jonas, eager to feel the warmth of his skin and the strong cocoon of his arms as he cuddled her in his usual morning greeting. As she rolled to her side, little twinges and muscle aches reminded her of the night before. Her left leg was a bit stiff from being tied in the unusual position, and her shoulder muscles felt a little tender from being stretched awkwardly behind her back. Other intimate places were a bit tender, too. Her nipples felt swollen as they brushed the sheet, her pussy tingled and her sensitive inner tissues ached from considerable use. All were pleasant reminders of how he had taken her to heaven, multiple times throughout the evening and once during the night.
Lexie remembered each of the four exquisite orgasms he had given her. The first had been a quickie, both of them so aroused from their lesson that they couldn’t wait. Jonas had carried her up to their bedroom, bent her over the end of the bed, and rode her quick and hard. She had loved it, coming as soon as the head of his cock had bottomed out deep inside. The second time had been slower. Lexie had the pleasure of being on top, riding his sexy body at her own pace for a change. With the initial edge off their passion, it had been more drawn out, each exploring and enjoying each other, touching and teasing. Jonas had free use of his hands and employed them expertly. Lexie was learning that she adored more intense nipple play, the little tweaks of pain and the tugs making her cry out for more. Until Jonas, she’d never imagined a fraction of the things she could enjoy.
One of those things was giving him pleasure. She had come again as his broad thumb circled and worked her protruding clit unmercifully. After orgasm number two, with him still hard and throbbing deep inside her, Lexie had wanted to give him some of what he gave her so generously. Leaning over him, she licked and tasted his lips, her mouth moving over his bristled jaw, down his corded neck and across his muscular chest until she finally reached her goal. While running her hands over his cut chest and abs, she’d begun worrying his flat nipple with her lips and tongue. When his body was tense and he was near mad with pleasure, she’d clamped her teeth down to give him a mix of pleasure and pain. Unable to stand more, he had flipped her on her back with a growl—it was carnal, raw and she’d loved it—then he’d fucked her. That was the only word she could think to describe how he had driven into her, his hands anchoring her hips so she had to accept his driving need as he took his pleasure. At the last moment, just before his hot seed had erupted and splashed her insides, he had brought her along with him as he’d pinched her clit between a thumb and forefinger. Her echoing cry—orgasm number three—had barely been audible over the loud roar of his satisfaction.
Later that night, he’d awakened her once again, coming into her while she was still asleep, moving slowly inside her as he aroused her, his kisses and caresses easing her slowly into wakefulness. How he had the energy to make love to her again at 3 a.m. was inconceivable, but she hadn’t complained. Why would she?—it was orgasm number four. She had followed his lead as this time he made love to her slowly and tenderly, achieving yet another spectacular ending.
She had lapsed into an exhausted sleep, barely remembering him leaning over her and whispered three instructions against her lips in the early morning hours.
“Ibuprofen, soak in a hot tub and an hour of yoga. I’ll see you tonight.”
Reluctantly, she opened her eyes, knowing she wouldn’t find him there. She squinted against the brightness of the room. The rumpled linens and indented pillow on his side called to her, and she rolled into it, basking in his lingering scent. Disappointment coursed through her as she felt the emptiness of their bed, the sheets long since grown cold from his absence.
The phone ringing was a welcome distraction before she began a lonely little pity party for one. Rolling over, she reached for her cell phone and saw the time: 10:36 a.m. Holy moly, she hadn’t slept this late in forever. Her fumbling fingers finally coordinated enough to thumb on the phone as she answered.
“Meet us at Decadent Delight in ten minutes. We’re celebrating with pastries and some of Megan’s fabulous coffee.”
“Joanna, good morning to you, too. What are we celebrating?” Lexie laughed at her aunt. The way she ordered the other girls around you’d have thought she was a Domme, but they all knew that wasn’t the case. She was totally in the tank for her Master. She was just inexhaustibly maternal and took every sub under her wing. Lexie was family so she was used to it.
“Sorry hon, I’m so excited I forgot you don’t know. Mara got her hardware off, she’s up on crutches, and you should see her fly on those things. Any who, we are heading to Megan’s place to celebrate with the holy grail of party food groups: caffeine, carbs, bleached flour and refined sugar.”
“That’s awesome. Count me in, but I’ll need thirty minutes at least.”
***
“I have a new appreciation for what my patients go through. Never have I been so happy to be in an upright position in my life.” Mara was giddy with excitement as she stood on one leg and a crutch while stuffing an éclair into her mouth one-handed. “Mmmm…” she groaned, loud sex noises coming from her throat as she popped in the last bite of chocolate-covered gooeyness. “Utter bliss,” she sighed.
“Just don’t say it’s better than sex, Mara,” Joanna said as she laughed at her charge’s expression. “I’ve gotten paddled for those words before.”
Lexie noticed a flicker of something cross Mara’s face; was that pain? “Are you all right, honey? Do you need to sit?”
Shaking her head vigorously, she smiled down at Lexie. “No, I’m great. What I need is another one of these to-die-for éclairs. Stat!”
Although she thought Mara’s enthusiasm a bit forced, Lexie laughed, happy for her friend’s recovery. Mara had been stuck in the bed at least twice as long as Lexie had. She couldn’t imagine being flat on her back that long. Doubling the tedium, monotony and boredom of her own convalescence would have been simply too much to bear.
“Let me get you another one. You look like you need some fattening up.”
Megan and Regan were at the counter, a twin baby boy in each of the sister’s arms. As Lexie approached, she noticed that her friends were glaring at something behind her. Turning, she followed their gazes. If looks could kill, Mara would be lying on the bakery floor in a lifeless heap. Their target must have realized this too, because she turned away suddenly and let Joanna help her into a chair. Her aunt stood by, ready to help, as Mara carefully lowered herself and propped her walking boot up on a chair. As Mara settled her crutches nearby, Joanna was shooting a disappointed, scolding glare back at the twins.
“What on earth is this all about? Do you know what she’s been through?”
Regan frowned at Lexie and said in a hushed tone, “Do you know what Elena went through because of her?”
“She was the leak at The Club, Lexie. Elena almost died. She betrayed us all.”
“You don’t know that. You can’t assume she was involved in Elena’s kidnapping just because she associated with Shelby. They were both club members. You can’t just paint her with the same evil brush. I’m disappointed in you two; you’ve convicted her without a trial.”
The sisters looked at each other, a glimmer of doubt passing between them.
“She may have made mistakes in the past, but she threw herself in front of a bullet for me and that little boy. I can’t believe someone that selfless would suddenly betray her husband and friends, only to throw in her hand with drug dealers and kidnappers.”
Megan looked toward Mara with a speculative expression on her beautiful face and said, “Desperate times call for desperate measures, honey. They can make even good people act out of character.”
“Yes, but even good people who do bad things deserve a second chance and forgiveness. Maybe she did do wrong, I don’t know. I wasn’t around then. Right now, she’s alone and struggling. She needs our help, and Joanna and I do not plan on turning our backs on her.”
Disappointed in her friends, Lexie forgot the éclair and walked away. Megan and Regan weren’t ordinarily this narrow-minded and rigid in their beliefs. When she got to the table, she announced, “They’re out of éclairs. Maybe we should get you home, honey.” Lexie gave Joanna a look that spoke volumes.
Her aunt’s gaze shifted over Lexie’s shoulder toward the bakery counter. After she stared for a moment, she nodded and rose. “I think she’s right, Mara. Lexie would know about these things. We don’t want you to overtax yourself and be tuckered out for your therapy session tomorrow.”
“I seem to have lost my appetite anyway,” Mara replied quietly.
Joanna held the door, and Lexie followed Mara out through the double doors, their previous light mood ruined by the awkward moments at the bakery