Bound to be Tamed: Emergence, Book 2 (25 page)

Abruptly they both let go, leaving her bereft. Neither man touched her. They both scooted to their sides of the bed and got up.

Stephanie sucked air into her deprived lungs and tried to orient herself with the loss. Her pussy leaked and begged for attention. She’d expected more.

Instead, the men headed for the bathroom and the next thing she knew the shower was on. One of them even shut the door. What the hell?

She flopped her arms back behind her on the bed. Disgruntled was too mild a term. What she really wanted to do was stick her itchy fingers between her legs and masturbate. How would they know?

“Fuck,” she mumbled aloud.
I would know and the guilt would eat me alive.

She closed her eyes and thought about breathing—in, out, in, out. Anything to take her mind off her greedy clit, aching for attention.

Had this been their plan? Get the submissive hot and bothered and leave her?

If so, damn them. The ball of need in the pit of her stomach grew stronger every day. Even orgasms didn’t relieve the sensation. She craved cock. She wanted to be filled. Hell, at this point she wasn’t opposed to having sex with both of them at the same time. The idea intrigued her. She longed to know the sensation of having them both together.

The bathroom door didn’t open for quite some time.

Stephanie lay right where they’d left her, in the center of the bed,
still
naked, and now contemplating what was happening in the bathroom. She wasn’t stupid. Those horny bastards were having sex without her. She could even hear their groans.

And she was not only expected to wait patiently, but to do so without touching herself.

She was still frustrated when the guys returned to the room.

Dane spoke from across the room, his back to her as he rummaged around in the armoire for something. “Baby, get in the shower. We have some plans for this morning.”

Plans? Obviously not ones I’m privy to at the moment.

Stephanie slid off the bed, leaving the warmth and comfort of delicious sheets. She padded into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
Think of all the time I save in the morning not having to worry about taking my clothes off first.
She squelched the thought. She doubted either man would find her private sarcasm so funny.

The water was perfect. Warmth soaked into her skin as she stepped beneath the spray. She let the rivulets run down her body for several seconds before reaching for the shampoo. She didn’t want to risk anyone’s wrath from dawdling, but she also enjoyed the continued morning reprieve.

Glancing at the bathroom through the open shower door, she saw Aiden watching her. He leaned against the counter, legs crossed, wearing low-slung worn jeans and nothing else. His bare feet and wide chest made her drool.

If she could learn to control her body’s reactions…
Geez. How’s a girl supposed to shower under such scrutiny?

Hastily, she washed her body and flipped off the water, wishing for once she could stop time and let the water sluice over her skin for a while longer.

Aiden pushed off the vanity and grabbed a washcloth on his way toward her. Without a word, he dried her thoroughly, including between her legs, and ushered her over to the bench seat.

She was accustomed to this routine. Comb, blow dry, style… Minutes later, she was cleared for takeoff, at least that’s how she felt when the process ended. It seemed as though she was constantly whisked from one place to the next with no warning and little information about the landing-place, like a small prop plane led by remote control to unknown destinations.

Dane stepped out from the closet, though she hadn’t seen him enter. He held a swath of black cotton material she assumed would be the bulk of today’s entertaining outfit. “Lift your arms, baby.”

She did, and the dress was pulled over her head and down her body. It was little more than a short tank dress, the top tight and leaving nothing to the imagination. She glanced around for a scarf, though she doubted somehow she was going to have luck in that department this morning.

The serious nature of whatever was about to transpire made her nervous.

Dane tugged on the cotton material of the bodice, adjusting it to his satisfaction around her breasts. He even plumped them as though that would make a difference. He swatted her hands out of the way and smoothed his palms down the sides until he reached the edge.

When he stood back and then stepped behind her, she didn’t move a muscle.

Dane laid his fingers on her ass and grazed them down to the bottom of the dress as though testing the length. It barely covered her butt cheeks and she was now well aware of that fact.

“Let’s eat breakfast,” he declared, motioning she should lead the way from the room.

Aiden was already in the kitchen. The toaster popped up. The room smelled of coffee. “Sit.”

She pulled the stool out from the island. They had a routine of eating breakfast at the island. She sat smoothly on the seat, careful to pull the bottom inch of the dress out from under her. She placed her feet on the rungs as she’d been taught, legs spread wide.

Aiden set a cup of coffee in front of her and then a bowl of fruit and a bagel slathered with cream cheese.

“Look, you
can
cook,” Dane teased.

“Ha ha.” Aiden swatted at him with a towel. “I’m great at pulling fruit salad from the fridge and pushing that little button on the toaster. Thank God you showed me how to use that neat invention, otherwise I’d have spent hours trying to get the bread warm.”

“Oh, and he’s sharp and witty this morning too.” Dane took the stool next to Stephanie and pulled a plate toward him.

Aiden leaned on the island and focused on Stephanie. “Here’s what we’re going to do this morning. We’ve discussed this in great detail and Dane and I think it would be good for you.”

Oh shit.

Aiden raised an eyebrow. “Are you questioning me already?”

She shook her head, realizing she had already been shaking it subtly to the right and left. “No, Sir. I’m sure whatever you have planned is perfect.”

“Good. We scheduled a photo shoot for you. Steve Walsh happens to be a photographer. He has a studio in his basement and he does excellent work. We reserved a sitting for this morning.” Aiden smiled as though this were a normal everyday thing to do.

Stephanie nearly choked on the bite in her mouth.
A photo shoot.
She lost her appetite…set her fork down…took a sip of coffee.

“Finish your breakfast,” Dane said. He nodded at her plate and took another huge bite of his own bagel. “I hate it when you don’t eat enough. It worries me.”

Stephanie forced another bite into her dry mouth. She couldn’t taste anything. She chewed for the sake of chewing and swallowed. She knew instinctively when they said photo shoot, they meant nude. And she wasn’t ready for nude pictures.

She swallowed another tasteless bite of bagel, silently choking back her concerns and even the edge of tears.

Dane didn’t seem to notice, or if he did, he chose not to comment. That didn’t settle any better with her. “Go brush your teeth,” he urged when her plate was empty.

She slid from the stool and padded from the room. For once she was concerned about their decision. She truly didn’t believe she could go through with this. She repeated her safe word in her mind.
Red. I could use it.
She cringed. She didn’t want to need it, but she hoped to God they would respect her decision if she ever did.

They pulled up at Steve’s at nine o’clock. It was early. But she realized her Doms were on a weird schedule since they worked hard during lunch and dinner. All their play and errands occurred earlier in the day and between the meal shifts.

Steve opened the door before they even reached the steps. “Good morning.” She’d learned from both previous times she’d met him that he had a jovial personality.

He opened the door at his back and held it for the three of them to pass. “Stephanie, you look fantastic. I love how your hair lays. You’re going to look smashing in pictures.”

Her hands shook at her sides. Uncertainty crept down her spine. She followed them through the house and down the stairs off the kitchen.

She’d been to his playroom upstairs, but she hadn’t been to the basement the last time they’d visited. Her eyes bulged when she saw the elaborate setup.

Indeed he was certainly a photographer. The entire space was a studio. Lighting and cameras and sets stood all over the place. As she walked through the vast area, following Steve, she took in as much as possible with her head tucked low enough not to raise the eyebrows of Aiden and Dane.

Another set of legs caught her eye. Someone was arranging a set of light panels next to a gorgeous velvet lounge chair.

The dim lights, the maroon velvet, the soft swirl of jewel tones in the backdrop… Shit. She froze in her spot. The chaise alone should have raised an eyebrow. It conjured no other vision than nude photos.

Dane set a hand on her back and stepped around to block her vision. “Relax. They’re just pictures. You act like we’ve dragged you to the guillotine.” He smiled. It drew her attention because she hadn’t seen much of that this morning.

Aiden stood next to Dane. “We’ve both done a few shoots with Steve. He’s a genius with the camera.”

She opened her mouth, afraid to speak her mind. Naked? That still wasn’t in her comfort zone, and furthermore there was a stranger in the room. She peered at the unknown man between Aiden and Dane as he walked by.

“What? Go ahead,” Dane prompted. “Tell us what’s got you in a dither.”

“You expect me to pose naked?” she whispered.

“Well, not necessarily and not at first,” Aiden said. “But we’re hoping the shoot will loosen you up a little. In the D/s world subs are often nude, Stephanie. I know it’s only been a few days, but you have come a long way. Hell, Steve saw your fine ass on Tuesday. Who cares if he sees it again?”

Fuck. They really did want her to pose naked.

Dane rubbed her arm. “Relax. You won’t believe how at ease Steve can make you feel under the lights. We want you to get comfortable with exposure. This is the perfect venue, just a small group of people and you’re the star.”

“Plus,” Aiden added, “when you see yourself in the pictures you’ll realize how sensual and sexy you are.”

“If at any point you feel like it’s going too far too fast, you do have a safe word.” Dane lifted her chin to look into her eyes. “Red.”

She nodded. Her chest pounded. Her ears began to ring. She glanced again at the man she’d never met. It looked as if he was going to stay.

Dane looked over his shoulder. “Duke, come meet Stephanie.” He motioned with his arm and turned back to face her. “Duke is also in the lifestyle. He’s Steve’s assistant. They’ve been working together for years.”

The slender man in the deep purple pants and worn Converse stepped up. “Nice to meet you.”

She didn’t lift her gaze, for once glad she had the ability to hide behind her role rather than face someone she was uncomfortable meeting.

Aiden put a hand on the small of Stephanie’s back and urged her forward. She shuffled reluctantly toward the chaise. The velvet was inviting, but that didn’t entice her to strip down and get comfortable.

Steve stepped behind the lounge and ran his fingers over the fabric. “It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?”

She swallowed and didn’t take her gaze off the piece of furniture.

“Listen. Relax, love. I’ll have you preening toward the camera in no time. I haven’t missed a cue with anyone yet in all the years I’ve been photographing. No worries. I can read a woman’s comfort level before she can.

“First, I have some papers for you to look over and sign.” Steve held up a few sheets. “Sit. Aiden and Dane know the drill. They’ll explain, but basically this document is intended to protect both of us. I won’t have permission to sell, distribute or display any photos I take today. They’re strictly for your personal use. Anything you want to have in print or on disk is yours to do with as you please.

“In addition, you waive your right to sell, distribute or publically display my photos also, at least without permission.” Steve wandered away, leaving the papers and a pen on the seat.

Dane tugged Stephanie onto the soft velvet between him and Aiden. The luxurious material teased the back of her legs and her bare ass.

Aiden took the pages and glanced at every sheet before he handed them to Dane.

Stephanie couldn’t read if she wanted to. Her head was spinning. She had no idea if she could do this. And after the strange way the guys had been behaving, she didn’t see how she could
not
do it. Tossing her weight around on any issue this morning didn’t seem prudent.

Dane passed the document to Stephanie. “It looks good. Read it. It says exactly what Steve told you. But never sign anything you don’t read first.”

Stephanie grasped the pages and held them in her lap, attempting to focus on the words.
Concentrate.
She read and several minutes later had to agree that was basically the gist of it. Steve would take pictures. They were for her personal enjoyment only, well, hers and Dane’s and Aiden’s.