Nailed (8 page)

Alex studied his face. “This must be a big ‘uh oh’. Didn’t
you and Margot get along?”

Tyler shoved his hands in his pockets and stared over Alex’s
shoulder. “She’s gorgeous and hot and smart. All the things Livy promised.”

“But?” Alex prompted.

“But my head is elsewhere and I think I pissed her off.”

“Elsewhere?” Alex frowned. “Like where? I wasn’t aware you
were even seeing anyone.”

Tyler sighed. He realized he was doing a lot of sighing
here. “It’s complicated.”

“What’s so complicated? You’re either seeing someone or
you’re not.”

“Trust me, I can’t even explain it myself. Just leave it for
now, okay? Make peace for me with your wife and call me all the names you want
to her friend. But I’m outta here.”

Alex shook his head. “Whatever. See you Monday. You aren’t
leaving yet for Wyoming again, right?”

“Not for at least a week. I have stuff to do here, Josh
needs to adjust some of the drawings and I want to make sure the two new
supervisors I hired are good to go. I talked to my second in Wyoming and he
says we’re fine there. At least for now.”

He gave Alex a brotherly punch on the arm then headed down
the driveway to where he’d parked his truck at the curb. He sat for a moment,
arm draped across the steering wheel, trying to sort out his thoughts. He’d had
subs that affected him personally as well as sexually. Some he’d had many
repeat performances with. A lot of them he still maintained a friendship with.

But what he felt for Flame was certainly not friendship. He
found himself thinking about her constantly, imagining the things he’d like to
do with her. To her. Dreaming about her at night. He glanced at his watch.
Eight thirty. God, he’d hardly spent any time at Alex’s. He’d probably have to
grovel for weeks to get back in his sister-in-law’s good graces.

But it was still early enough to head for Finesse.

Of course, Flame was probably booked for the night. Marco
had made it plain she was much in demand and he could certainly see why.
Although he hoped he wasn’t deluding himself when he hoped she didn’t have the
connection with the others he was sure she had with him. That flowed both ways
between them.

Maybe he should call ahead and see if he could exert a
little pressure on Marco. He knew that wasn’t exactly kosher but he also knew
it was sometimes done, even though only on rare occasions.

Mentally crossing his fingers he pulled out his cell and
punched a number he had on speed dial.

* * * * *

Flame finished cleaning all the toys she’d just used and put
them back in their proper places. She never quit in the middle of a session.
Ever. Her sub had been more disappointed than angry. In fact, he’d been the one
to call a halt to things. She’d had him neatly cuffed and on his knees,
studying a variety of butt plugs when he’d spoken to her. A shock in itself,
since subs spoke only when given permission.

“Flame.” He cleared his throat. “Permission to speak
please?”

She turned to look at him surprised.

“This must be very important for you to break your silence
like this.” This particular sub enjoyed being forbidden to speak.

“Please don’t take this the wrong way or think I’m looking
for more intense punishment, but…” He hesitated.

She cocked her head. “But what?”

“You are a fine Mistress. Probably the best I’ve spent time
with. But please don’t be offended if I tell you that tonight you don’t seem to
have your head into the scene.”

Flame was stunned. She’d been doing her best to keep images
of Tyler McMann at bay but apparently without much success.

“In fact,” the sub continued, “I think it would do us both
more good if we called a halt here. Please, Mistress. For you as well as for
me.”

How could she argue with him when she knew he was right? She
hadn’t been concentrating at all. And the poor sub was definitely suffering for
it.

“You’re right and I apologize.” She unlocked the cuffs and
nodded at him to stand. “In fact, I’ll tell Marco to put you at the top of the
list for whenever you wish another session.’

When he had dressed and left she sat down for a moment on
the big ottoman. What was happening to her? She liked to think she was so
disciplined in all areas of her life. But it took every bit of her effort to
concentrate at work, not to mention worrying about when she left and when she
came to work. She had to avoid running into Tyler again. One of these days he
was going to force her to stop running so he could take a good look at her. And
obviously she wasn’t doing such a hot job as Flame, either, if her subs were
feeling sorry for her.

She was so lost in thought she didn’t hear the door open or Marco
come in until he was standing right in front of her. His touch, his hand
cradling her chin, startled her.

“Oh!” She looked up at him. “I didn’t notice you come in.”

“I know.” He studied her face, what he could beneath the
mask. “I’m worried about you.”

She curved her lips in a wry smile. “You talked to my sub.”

“Listened is more like it. “ He crouched down in front of
her. “Are you allowing Tyler McMann to affect you too much?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know if
allowing
is the right
word. I can’t seem to stop thinking about him. God, Marco, we’ve only been
together a few times. What’s wrong with me?”

“Perhaps something is right with you. Finally. It’s been a
long time since the disaster.”

She gave an unladylike snort. “Disaster is a mild word for
it. How could I let one man take over my life and my mind so completely? I
wasn’t even sure I knew my own name by the time you rescued me. What was the
matter with me?”

He took one of her hands in his. “Derek Collins is an evil
person. He found all your hot buttons and knew just how to push them.
Discovering you were a pain junkie excited him more than anything because he is
a totally unrepentant sadist. He doesn’t have the level of emotion that makes a
good Dom. His satisfaction comes only from his pleasure, none from yours. He
abused your trust badly.”

“What if he hadn’t brought me here that one night?” she
asked. “What would have happened to me?”

“But he did. I was reluctant at first to give him the guest
pass for one night but two of my oldest members vouched for him. After that I
made up my mind to keep a closer eye on them.”

“Did you ever have a discussion with them about what
happened?” She’d never asked him before. The weeks after that dreadful night
had passed in such a blurry haze. Then she did her best to wipe everything from
her mind.

“Yes. Some day I will tell you the details.”

“So what tipped you off?”

“All the signs were there, from the look in your eyes to the
one in his. You looked dazed, almost as if he’d drugged you. And then I
discovered afterward that was exactly what had happened.”

Flame looked down at the floor. “And I was so stupid I never
even thought about it. How did I even work then? It’s a wonder I didn’t get
fired.”

“I asked a lot of questions, believe me. He made sure you
were alert enough to go to work, but still dependent enough on him not to
question anything he did.”

“What an idiot I was.” She hated thinking back to those
days, now four years in the past.

“No, Flame. He was the idiot.”

“Is that why you monitored the room we were using?”

He nodded. “Like I said, something was off. It didn’t take
long for me to discover he was going way beyond even your level of tolerance
and could do you serious injury.” He squeezed her arm. “You know, control only
works for both parties when it is freely given and there is complete trust.
That wasn’t the case here. You were too new to the lifestyle when you met him
and he took full advantage of it.”

Flame rubbed her finger back and forth along the top of one
boot. “He was furious that you came into the room and forced him to leave.”

“Too bad. He deserved it. Not to mention being blacklisted
at every club where I have connections.”

She reached out to touch his cheek. “Did I ever thank you
for the driver—or should I say bodyguard—you set me up with for weeks until you
were sure Derek had finally moved on?”

“A minor thing,” he dismissed it. “And look what a fine
person you’ve turned into. It’s made you appreciate both sides of the coin so
much better.”

“Oh yes. What I’ve turned into. Look at me. My sub had to be
the one to tell me to get my act together.”

“Maybe you’ve reached another turning point in your life. Do
you think so?”

She lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know. Truly, Marco.
Although I’d like to think so.”

She was getting so tired of the tight control she had to
maintain over herself during the day and waiting for the weekends when she
could turn into Flame and find some pleasure. Like everyone else, she wanted to
find that one perfect mate. She’d begun to despair if there was one out there
for her.

Tyler’s image popped into her mind. Was it possible to
connect on a deep level with someone that quickly? Was it just wishful thinking
on her part?

“So what do you wish to do? I’ve cancelled your other
session for tonight.” He smiled at her. “He’s not like Derek. You know that.”

“Yes. I do.” She should have sensed it from the beginning.
Her instincts were honed to it by now. She nibbled her lower lip. What should
she tell him? “I want to be with Tyler and see if what we have is just an
overload of endorphins or something else.”

“If it is that something else, you have to tell him your
story. He needs to know.”

“You’re right.” She chewed on her lip again.

“And how will you handle telling him who you are in the
daylight? Your anonymity has always been your safety shield up until now. “

She shivered and not from a chill. “I guess I’ll worry about
it if and when that time comes.”

“Well, he’s on his way here even as we speak, so that time
may come sooner rather than later.”

“He is? Coming here? Right now?”

Marco nodded. “He called and all but threatened me to make
sure you weren’t with anyone else tonight. So what shall we do?”

“I don’t know about you, but I’m going to shower and put
Flame back together. Then I’ll be waiting for him in this room.”

Marco rose and held out his hand to her. “Then come. I’ll
have the room freshened and it will be ready for you.” He kissed her cheek.
“You know I wish you the very best.”

“I do. And thank you. For everything.”

Chapter Eight

Waiting for Marco to tell him what was happening did nothing
to improve Tyler’s mood. He wanted to see Flame with an unbelievable degree of
expectation. And need. Where was that coming from? But he just couldn’t get her
out of his mind. His cock certainly remembered her. What if she refused another
session with him? But why would she? He had treated her well, taken good care
of her. The sessions had been more than pleasurable for both of them. That he
was sure of.

“If you hold that mug any tighter you’ll break off the
handle.” Daks grinned at him from behind the bar. “She got to you, didn’t she.”

Tyler frowned at him. “I have no idea what you’re talking
about.”

The bartender laughed. “Come on. You think there’s anything
that goes on around here that I don’t know about? I saw you every time after
you’d been with Flame. You’re a goner.”

“After only a few sessions?” He sipped at the hot liquid in
the mug. “I don’t think so.”

“Sometimes that’s all it takes. I know the look.” The smile
disappeared. “She needs someone like you, Tyler. I’m not kidding.”

Tyler quirked an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Daks set aside the glass he’d been wiping and studied Tyler,
then nodded as if he’d come to some decision. “If what you feel for her goes
beyond this place, if you want more than this with her, then you need to get
her to tell you her story.”

A feeling of unease stole over Tyler. “What story? Is she in
trouble? Is there something wrong with her?”

Please, no. Let there not be a pit of hell he’d have to
cross.

“No to both of those. But she keeps a tight leash on herself.
If you let her know how you feel… Well, that’s all I’m going to say. Oh, and
here’s Marco. Catch you later.”

Tyler looked expectantly at the dungeon master.

“What’s the word?”

“She’s waiting for you.”

Tyler relaxed, the tension easing from his body. “Good.
Thank you.”

Marco put a hand on his arm to stay him. “Be good to her,
Tyler. If you feel for her what you told me you do, then be very good to her.”

Tyler scowled. “You don’t trust me with her?”

“That’s not it at all. Flame is…special.”

“I get that, believe me. So let me ask you a question. And I
want an honest answer. Do you think it’s possible for this to happen so fast?
This connection? Am I making this up in my own mind?”

The other man smiled at him. “I’ve seen it happen before.
Who can tell why? I wish both of you luck.”

Tyler felt like a nervous teenager when he opened the door
to her room and found her standing there, the vision that danced in his dreams
every night. He stood there mesmerized, drinking in the sight of her like a man
dying of thirst. Then he blinked, shaking himself back to awareness, and
realized that she was trembling. Was there something wrong? As a responsible
Dom, it was up to him to make sure his sub was properly prepared both mentally
and physically. That she was as ready for the session as he was. With Flame, it
now went even deeper. If he wanted to approach her about taking this beyond
Finesse, he had to make her feel safe with him.

He took one of her hands in his, surprised at how cold it
felt.

“Is something wrong? We can cancel this if you’re not up to
it.”

She shook her head. “No, I’m fine.” She smiled. “Just
excited to see my Master.”

And that’s what I want to be. Your Master. The only one.

He captured both her hands and held them to his chest,
drawing her close to him.

“You have to know I want more than this with you. I want to
see you outside Finesse. Know who you are behind that mask.”

She dragged her even, white teeth across her lower lip. “You
might not like that person as much.”

“I can’t imagine that. Besides, I can sense you feel the
same way. Right?”

She hesitated a moment then shook her head, a desperate look
in her eyes.

“No. I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”

He frowned. “Why not? Flame, we have something going here.
I’ve never wanted that with any of my other subs. Or any of the vanilla women I
dated who I thought might have submissive tendencies.” He kissed each of her
fingers. “Tell me you want this too.”

She was silent for so long he began to think he’d misread
the entire situation. When she wet her full lower lip with her tongue, he
wanted to forget the question and just bite her lip.

“When do you go back to Wyoming?” She wanted to know.

He’d managed a few personal discussions with her after each
of their sessions, although it was like pulling teeth.

“Next Monday. I’ll be gone for a week or two.”

Another long pause. “I’ll give you an answer when you
return. Can that be good enough for you? For now?”

Hell no!

“Apparently it will have to be.” He dropped her hands. When
he spoke again it was with his Dom voice. “You know the drill. Bustier off and
assume the submissive pose.”

His cock threatened to push its way out of his jeans as he
watched her release her full breasts and expose the rest of her body. He wanted
hours to lick her all over, her hands tied to his headboard, her eyes
blindfolded so the only thing she could concentrate on was the feel of his
tongue everywhere.

She was on her knees now, head bent, hands behind her back.
He’d tried to think what different things he wanted to do with her tonight,
something that would separate him from all her other Doms. He’d already decided
against a punishment session tonight. She might get off on that, as did he, but
tonight he wanted to leave her still so aroused, wanting him so desperately
that she’d agree to his request.

“Tonight we’ll use the table. Rise, sub, and walk with me.”

She followed him to the well-padded leather table, fitted
with cuffs for the wrists and ankles. It put her at just the right height for
him to do whatever he wished with her. He’d seen candles in one of the drawers
and the glass holders for them. After cuffing her wrists and ankles, he
searched to find the colors and scents he wanted, along with a wand lighter and
a set of nipple clamps.

“Tonight,” he began, his voice soft, “I plan to leave you wanting
more with me. I want to be in your head every minute I’m gone so the answer to
my question will be an easy yes for you.”

Setting up everything on the wide edge of the table, he
stepped to the wall and pressed a button to turn on the programmed music. He
chose classical to set the mood and smiled when soft notes drifted into the
room. He wanted to create the right atmosphere.

“No speaking at all,” he commanded.

She nodded, her eyes wide beneath the mask.

Lowering his head to her breasts he took a nipple into his
mouth, sucking it, nibbling on it, soothing it with his tongue over and over
until she began to squirm as much as her limited ability allowed.

“No moving,” he ordered.

“But Master, I—”

“No talking at all.”

When he was satisfied he’d tormented the one nipple to the
fullest, he placed one of the clamps on it and tightened down. The bud
protruded, swelling a deep ruby as the blood was compressed in the tissues. He
repeated the same process with the other nipple, fastening the second clamp in
place. He swallowed a smile as he watched her body tremble with the effort to
remain still.

“Very good,” he told her.

He lit the wick on the red candle, the strawberry scent
immediately releasing into the air. Carefully and with a steady hand he let it
drip first on one nipple then on the other until each one was covered with a
layer of the warm wax. As the first drip landed Flame curled her fingers into
the palms of her hands so she could control any movement of her body. Through
the slits in the mask she watched every movement he made.

“I think purple next,” he told her, “to blend with the red.”

He took his time drawing a design on her body, outlining
each rib and circling her navel. One piece of music segued into the next as he
slowly created a design. He knew her nipples were tightly compressed, the
clamps pinching them hard, the wax preventing the air from soothing them. He
also saw the heat in her eyes as the pain speared through her breasts and down
to her cunt. Oh yes, she was getting off on this. Too bad he’d decided to deny
her the ultimate satisfaction.

Before selecting another candle, he slipped his hand between
her thighs, his thumb tracing the line of her slit. He was more than pleased to
find her flesh slick with her juices. Teasingly he rasped the pad of his thumb
over her clit and her body jerked involuntarily. Her nails dug into the palms
of her hands and every visible muscle in her body tightened.

“I’m sorry, Master.” Her eyes pleaded with him to
understand. “It’s just…hard.”

Yeah, it damn sure is. If I bump into the table it might
break off.

“I’ll forgive a little disobedience but not much.”

He took his time with the other candles, adding orange and
yellow to simulate the dancing colors of a flame. One was used to outline the
previous one. And each time he completed a color he brushed a fingertip over
her clit. He watched her carefully when he did it but now she was prepared. Her
body was in a tense state of readiness, of expectation. She was determined to
please him. Good.

He was down to two colors when he lifted the vibrator he’d
collected and slipped it easily into her pussy. Her eyes behind the mask
widened as she felt it filling her. He was about to test her discipline to its
limits. Deliberately he set the toy on its lowest setting, knowing from
experience that it would arouse her just enough to want an orgasm but not
enough to actually achieve it. He was definitely making sure she’d be thinking
only of him while he was gone.

He hummed along with the music as he completed the wax
design on her body. Setting everything aside, he released the manacles and
eased her over onto her stomach without breaking the wax. The candles that
Finesse stocked were a special kind of wax that took a long time to set.
Expensive but worth it.

Squeezing a generous amount of lube onto his finger he used
one hand to spread the plump cheeks of her ass while he slowly inserted the
well-greased finger into her rectum. He felt the vibrator humming softly away
through the thin shield between the two channels.

Taking his time, he worked the lube into her tissues, her
tiny little moans sending waves of pleasure straight to his balls. He began to
wonder who was being tortured here. He picked up the butt plug he’d chosen and
slowly and carefully inserted it into her well-prepared ass. She twitched just
once, at the first contact. He caressed her when it was fully lodged inside
her, feeling the fine tension running through her body as she reached for every
bit of control.

He left her face down on the table while he stripped off his
clothes, tossing them to the side. Then he lifted her off the table and eased
her to the floor.

“On your knees,” he commanded.

He saw the effort she made not to respond to the toys or the
wax as she obeyed him.

“Take my cock in your hands and put it in your mouth. Cup my
balls and suck me hard.”

He clenched his hands as her full lips surrounded his rigid
shaft and she slid it over her waiting tongue. Her hands were soft as they
found his balls, her fingers manipulating them. Her fingers gripped the root of
his cock as her head moved up and down, her teeth gently scraping the skin.

“More. Suck me harder.”

He wasn’t going to last very long, He’d hoped to stretch
this out but he’d managed to fray his control along with hers. In mere seconds
he felt the punch of the orgasm rising through him, muscles in his back
tightening.

“Swallow it,” he gasped as he exploded into her mouth.

She did as he commanded, taking every bit of his semen into
her, squeezing his balls as he spurted over and over again. He barely had enough
strength left to stand when he was finished. He stood for a moment, catching
his breath before cupping her chin and placing a soft kiss on her lips.

“You performed very well, girl. Very well. I’m pleased.” She
smiled, obviously expecting her turn to come.

He lifted her to the table, stretching her out, and using
the tip of a finger to brush the wax from each nipple. Slowly he released the
clamps, sucking each taut bud to ease the return of the flow of blood. Next he
bent her legs up to remove the butt plug. Finally he turned off the vibrator
and eased it from the hot wet grip of her pussy.

He swept everything he’d used into a basket and left it for
one of the attendants to clean or dispose of. Then he helped Flame to sit up.
Her eyes held a confused expression.

“Do I…am
—”

“Going to come?” He shook his head. “Not tonight. I spoke
with Marco and you have no other sessions scheduled.”

“But I—”

“No. You don’t. I can’t control what you do while I’m gone
but I sure as hell don’t want anyone with you after I leave tonight.” He eased
a hand between her thighs, found her clit and gave it a light pinch. “No
getting yourself off when you’re alone at home, either. And if you have an
orgasm with anyone else while I’m away you won’t enjoy it because you’ll be
thinking of this. Of me. Of us.”

“Tyler, I—”

Again he interrupted her. “I want you to think long and hard
about everything, Flame. About what we could have beyond these walls. About
what we could build together. About letting me see what’s behind the mask.”

“Oh, Tyler.”

She sounded so despairing he almost changed his mind.
Almost.

“One month,” he reminded her. He took a step forward,
cradled her face between his palms and kissed her with everything he felt. He
tasted her lips, her tongue, even her gums. He coaxed her tongue to dance with
his and sucked it into his mouth. Her hands gripped his wrists for balance as
she answered heat with heat.